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% off your VIP membership!
Reporting on the Mirror – WASHINGTON POST
Good speech coach, really motivational!
The Washington Post is far from a settled news environment. Ever since Will Lewis was brought in late in 2023 to right the ship at the paper in his role as the new CEO, there has been unease and a number of layoffs. He has called for changes in the focus and direction of the paper, seen displeasure sweep the newsroom when the paper wouldn't officially endorse a candidate in the presidential election, and has overseen a staff mired in confusion.
For the latest development, he has essentially thrown down a gauntlet and delivered a memo that essentially told the workforce that they need to either get in line with the plans moving forward or accept a buyer clause. That many at the paper are unclear what those plans are only makes this a more confounding demand.
Will Lewis emails the Washington Post staff, encouraging those who "do not feel aligned" with the company's future plans to consider the buyout offer. pic.twitter.com/b3a7w6HbuB
— Ben Mullin (@BenMullin) July 9, 2025
Prose & Contradiction – CBS NEWS
Preferring they lose more to fire than to useful purposes is completely logical.
A CBS News “Eye on America” segment took a look at the new move by the Trump administration to lower restrictions on the logging industry and boost timber production in this country. One of the pro-logging arguments is that this will clear out fuel for forest fires, but CBS took a decidedly pro-preservation stance, speaking with a number of conservationists against the proposals.
But this was all countered by a prior news item – that there were dozens of naturally occurring forest fires in Oregon right now, and the introduction to this segment described a significant loss of trees, but not to loggers:
Firefighters in Southern California are making progress against the largest wildfire the state has seen this year. The Madre, in San Luis Obispo, has burned more than 80,000 acres. It is now about two-thirds contained. Very large fires are happening more often in the West.
The Trump administration is looking to increase logging on federal land by 25% to reduce fire risks as bigger and more frequent wildfires devastate the West each year. However, those against the tree trimming measure argue you can't save the forest by cutting it down. pic.twitter.com/RZdT9P5Q6d
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) July 10, 2025
Matching Media Memorandum – VARIOUS OUTLETS
When the details are too uncomfortable, just run with the basics.
It was with amusing obliviousness that Governor Gavin Newsom raged about an ICE raid performed in California. He commented with anger over the fact that children were present and terrified during the roundup on croplands, but while he thought he was painting the feds in a poor light, he missed out on who the real monsters were in the story. These were mostly unaccompanied minors, clearly working in the fields. So these were both illegal immigrants employed AND using child labor. Now add to that mixture that this was a marijuana farm, and you have all manner of rake-stepping taking place by Gavin.
Of course, this both made a Democrat look bad, as well as cast the illegal immigrant angle in a bad light, so the press had to do its part by veering away from the ugly particulars. Many of the reports about this raid broadcast how this had been conducted only on a “farm,” while sidestepping the pot and child migrant details.
NEW MEDIA SPIN JUST DROPPED
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) July 11, 2025
“ICE forcefully raided a California farm and arrested farmers.”
REALITY: It was a WEED farm exploiting child labor, and ICE agents had rocks thrown and a gun fired at them
You don’t hate the media enough. pic.twitter.com/QwJIXjNQNB
BlueAnon – CNN
Look, it has only been several decades – give them a chance to get the message out.
Consider for a moment how long it has been that we have had global-climate-warming-crisis-change-disaster propaganda delivered like a snow shovel to the backs of our heads. Not only has this been in place for generations, but try to consider how many billions of dollars have been expended in this effort in the form of tutorials, media hours, advertising, and taxation efforts. It has been a persistent drumbeat of doom for decades, and yet, we now see that this has all been done for the sake of creating zero motivation.
CNN’s regular polling contrarian Harry Enten arrives with what has to be regarded as jarring data for the environmental movement, as well as his own network. (Bill Weir hardest hit.) Enten showed that over the years, the people have not grown more concerned over this promised calamity, despite, as he says, all of the years of reporting about dire weather events.
CNN: “Climate activists have not successfully made the case to the American people.”
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) July 10, 2025
pic.twitter.com/5nc5NNdKfU
Demo-lition Project – MSNBC
The network should circle back to last year’s format.
While going through the process of being forcibly disconnected from the broadcast network, MSNBC has been shifting its schedule all around while watching its rating erode on a steady basis. There is little that is going right over there as it gradually slides to the depths of CNN.
One of those experiencing audience resistance has been Jen Psaki. After she slid over to the network from her White House gig, MSNBC heavily promoted her and had her join in as a guest on numerous programs, as well as being included on panels for live events, such as election coverage. It has not resulted in anything that could be measured as a success.
After Trump’s first 100 days, Rachel Maddow ebbed from her five-day schedule to only broadcast on Monday, with Psaki taking the balance of the week. For her Tuesday-Friday stint, Jennifer loses 44% of Maddow’s average, and while edging out CNN in the 9:00 pm hour in audience, she trails that competition in the advertiser demographic.
Most glaring is that Psaki’s ratings have gone below those seen when Alex Wagner was doing the same four-day schedule, before she was unceremoniously expelled from the seat.
Jen Psaki isn't the answer for MSNBC. She has lost almost half of the audience since taking over for Rachel Maddow in May.https://t.co/6bNzasg9S2
— OutKick (@Outkick) July 11, 2025
