Get access to Brad Slager's "Riffed From the Headlines," a daily VIP feature where he looks to bring accountability to the mainstream media. Use promo code FIGHT to get 60 percent off your VIP membership!

Artisanally-Crafted Narratives – MS NOW

Dr. Anthony Fauci displayed his bad desk-side manner Wednesday morning as he sat for a hearing, headed by his medical nemesis Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY). During the grilling, Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times in response to questions regarding his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the revelations this week in the release of his diary entries over that time period.

(These journal entries were made public as Dr. Fauci cleverly used government computers for his private thoughts, and as a result, his self-involved musings were stored on government servers.)

The press has two approaches to this display: he is wrongly being demonized after heroically saving the nation, and/or the GOP members are science-denying monsters in their attacks rooted in ignorance.

Recommended
So, That's Why Fauci Pled the Fifth, Despite a Blanket Pardon From Biden Matt Vespa Turns Out Mamdani Lied About Who Will Pay His Pied-à-Terre Tax Amy Curtis

Some credit goes to Leigh Ann Caldwell of Puck News, as she appeared on Money, Power, Politics: With Stephanie Ruhle and avoided those avenues of coverage of the Fauci hearing. She did, however, still manage to spin things into the arena of “But Trump!”

Caldwell saw Fauci's obstinance on the stand, and she looked into the future on how this could lead to a deeply problematic precedent:

But what’s really interesting about Fauci’s pleading the Fifth, I was thinking the entire time as he’s actually setting the playbook for when Democrats take control of Congress, either the House or the Senate. He came before Congress, despite his pardon, and decided not to answer questions, not to implicate himself. That’s really a playbook that I can see moving forward, actually, when Democrats control, and they decide to bring Trump administration officials before Congress.

There you go, Leigh! Don’t let the chance to make things about Trump get past you!

Democratic Custodial Services – CBS NEWS

  • Good thing they had a doctor clearing up this case of narcissism for Fauci.

Most everyone seeing the Fauci Diaries has remarked on just how full of himself the bad doctor was revealed to be. Amid the news and data of COVID-19 development, Fauci’s posts were filled with how much he was tabulating his growing fame. At times he appeared more preoccupied with recording the latest celebrity to praise him, and detailing when he was granted an action figure and a bobblehead doll.

In response to this revelation, the CBS Mornings crew turned to Dr. Celine Gounder, who excused away the fame-w***ing of Fauci:

“Who here has not taken a selfie with a celebrity who’s been here in the studio? Basically everybody, right? It’s human nature!”

Glossary Over Things – THE NEW YORK TIMES

  • You maybe should have pumped the brakes and thought this one through a little better.

One of the hallmarks of the TDS-afflicted media is the opposition by rote to anything the president says or promotes. This tendency is starting to bleed over to ICE activity, as well.

The Times has an energetic report on a “new” development with ICE, as the agency is now looking into those at airports who have overstayed visas. A couple of things to note about this report.

The outlet appears upset that this immigration law enforcement agency is…(wait for it)...enforcing our immigration laws. Imagine! But look at the framing they use to paint this as an oppressive policy: The Times declares this is targeting “foreign citizens.”

If anyone at The New York Times could explain this rampant contradiction in terminology, that’d be super.

Reporting on the Mirror – POYNTER INSTITUTE

  • Celebrating these names explains so much. Or…proves the point.

The self-described journalism authority, Poynter, is holding a conference in October (what they dub as a “salon event”) in Kansas City. During this salon event, they will be handing out some honors, and the recipients are quite revealing.

Chuck Todd will be recognized with the 2026 “Poynter Make a Mark Leadership Award.” Yes, seriously. The former Meet the Press host is now plying his trade as an unaffiliated journo, but he is making his mark as a news leader? Or is he leading in the practice of making a mark? We are not too clear, but we are certain that Poynter is rewarding those who are circulating with distinctly left-of-center reporting.

But before that event, the organization is handing out two other trophies of this nature. The others being recognized, remarkably, in a different ceremony held in New York City, are Sarah Longwell of The Bulwark and the CEO of The Atlantic, Nicholas Thompson.

So Poynter is celebrating a reliably leftist reporter, the publisher of the Trump hate group, and the boss of the outlet owned by Steve Jobs’ widow and friend of Kamala Harris, Laurene Powell Jobs.

Low-Octane Gaslighting – MS NOW

  • You did not think this one through, did you, Larry?

Still getting worked up over the appearance of President Trump at the WHCA awards gala was Lawrence O’Donnell. He had plenty of scorn for Trump’s comments, but he presents it in a nonsensical manner.

Try to follow the bouncing ball of illogic from the host:

  • He refused to watch the speech.

  • He says nobody in attendance watched the speech.

  • He managed to complain about the content of the speech he did not watch.

  • He based this on the reports from those at the event…who he says did not listen to the speech.

Considering the framework he provides, we would not blame you if you decide not to listen to his explanation of things.

Low-Octane Gaslighting – CNN

  • Ummm…Jake…?

Jake Tapper has been busy this week not commenting on the Fauci diaries. (Posting a list of Jack Nicholson movies is apparently a more pressing topic.)

In another post of avoidance, he offered up his sit-down interview with former Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE). One individual had a reflection about the reactions under that post, which were largely negative. Jake responded about the unhappiness in the world, just after he informed this person that he does not read the comments on his post.

That is, he was commenting on how he does not read the comments — in response to a comment he clearly had read.