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!
Presentation Paradox – CNN
Brian, please try – just once – to think through your comments, huh?
Brian Stelter tried to sound noble, calling for calm in the nation, doing so in rather stunted fashion. He delivered a quote from Charlie Kirk about pausing this grievous event. It is rather impacted thinking to use Charlie’s call for calm and reasoned reactions, after Charlie was just murdered, WHILE DELIVERING CALM AND REASONED COMMENTS.
To help Brian out on where to place the focus, here are some rather prominent voices from the left who could use the lecture on turning down the temperature on violent rhetoric.
Hi Brian.
— Brad Slager: CNN+ Lifetime Subscriber (@MartiniShark) September 12, 2025
Conservatives were just attacked and one of their primary voices has been silenced. Suggesting those on the right need to pipe down and cool it? Yeah, THAT is not going to happen.
Why don’t you turn your attention to those on the left stoking violent conflict? https://t.co/nKpoyHieps pic.twitter.com/o22kPr312L
Gilded Reframe – THE NEW YORK TIMES
Recommended
You found proof of wrongdoing and were wrong in the process?
Many on the left have been delivering what they feel are comments made by Charlie Kirk to justify the antagonism toward the fallen figure. The New York Times felt it was necessary to engage in this practice journalistically, for whatever reason.
Then it fell prey to the very thing so many playing this game have fallen into; it presented a partial quote from Kirk and then learned it was inaccurate, as it was entirely out of context.
These are the alleged high-minded media experts.
What a correction from the @nytimes on Charlie Kirk. pic.twitter.com/bXwcUAEzJ8
— Daniel Mael (@DanielMael) September 11, 2025
Prose & Contradiction – CBS
Demonizing those doing what is being demanded.
It has been borderline insufferable to see calls for calm and peace from the very voices who have been labeling Trump, Republicans, and conservatives as “Nazis,” “Fascists,” “Democracy Killers,” and more.
But what is cruelly amusing is that when someone dares to be level-headed and describes Kirk as having appropriately engaged in discourse, they get attacked for doing so.
Ezra Klein wrote a professional piece on Kirk’s passing, and he was lit up by many on the left for daring to appeal to those on the right. One of the writers for Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show” was in full attack mode toward Klein, for daring to sound exactly like what many in the press are demanding take place.
This piece is disgusting, but WHY he wrote it is more disgusting. Klein, along with his fellow pundits (Thompson, Yglesias) is actively courting the right as part of the “Abundance Agenda.” They did every right wing podcast, pandered to race science guys. Now this. https://t.co/3mX6GGQfda
— Kate Willett (@katewillett) September 11, 2025
Both Kinds of Standards – ROLLING STONE
We are upset about this – THIS IS OUR THING!
Rolling Stone thought it had conservatives nailed because the outlet was upset to see a number of people losing their jobs because they cheered Kirk’s murder.
The magazine tried to shame conservatives because they were allegedly cancelling people for criticizing Charlie Kirk’s positions. No, these people are being fired for cheering murder, but it should be something Rolling Stone would be happy about. It has promoted cancel culture as a valid activity.
Don’t worry, we’re just liberating you all… you’re welcome. pic.twitter.com/LpuTUyJL6t
— Some Welder 🇺🇸 (@SomeWelder) September 12, 2025
Pathological Media Amnesia – THE ATLANTIC
- Jonathan, time to go punch a mirror.
Jonathan Chait had complaints over the commentary he sees from President Trump. He should not be too surprised to hear divisive words from Trump, considering how firmly he believes Trump is a Nazi.
Pundit with Hitler-tourettes lectures on others using inciteful and dangerous language. https://t.co/55QgIKe8aN pic.twitter.com/15OxD2bpKE
— Brad Slager: CNN+ Lifetime Subscriber (@MartiniShark) September 12, 2025
Race to the Bottom – MSNBC
One question, Ken: Do you have a point?
As the investigation into the shooter of Charlie Kirk was underway, intelligence correspondent Ken Dilanian thought he was making some kind of valid notice here. He felt the need to link to an older piece about Kash Patel firing some FBI individuals.
Worth remembering that Kash Patel fired the highly regarded head of the FBI field office in Salt Lake City a few weeks ago for reasons that are not clear.https://t.co/mUTggMuUxD via @MSNBC
— Ken Dilanian (@DilanianMSNBC) September 11, 2025
Why is it worth remembering? Dilanian says nothing to allude to his comment. At all.
But he gets oblivious when you see the article he linked to, which complained that a significant number of those fired were either people of color or women. That would be the same FBI headed by an Indian-American for the first time, and overseen by a DOJ headed by a female.