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Prose & Contradiction – NEWSWEEK
They could not find a shred of proof – SO RUN THAT HEADLINE!
We saw a ridiculous frenzy in some press circles when many outlets ran the claim that military officials had to shoot down the orders of President Trump to nuke Iran during the conflict. The president supposedly was asking for the nuclear codes in order to use them for the Epic Fury conflict.
This completely erroneous claim was made by a former CIA operative, Larry Johnson, talking out of his…missile silo.
A rumor delivered by someone who was nowhere near the office when this supposedly played out should be roundly ignored, but this is the press we are dealing with, so ANY damning details on the president have to be run as a legitimate news item.
Newsweek even ran this headline with the qualifier: “What We Know”.
The conclusion is, they know nothing of this being a valid claim.
Unverified claims circulating online allege that President Donald Trump attempted to "use nuclear codes" during a meeting on the war with Iran, but there is no evidence to support the allegation and no confirmation from U.S. officials.
Johnson did not provide evidence, did not identify any sources for his account and did not clarify what he meant by “nuclear codes.” Newsweek has found no independent corroboration for the claim.
Johnson did not name his source, explain how the information was obtained, or provide any details about what actions Trump was alleged to have taken. He did not clarify whether he was referring to a nuclear strike, a briefing, or any formal command process.
Newsweek has not been able to independently verify when the footage was taken or whether it is connected to the alleged incident.
There is no public evidence that Trump attempted to initiate a nuclear strike or access nuclear launch authority. Newsweek has reached out to the White House and the Pentagon for comment outside normal working hours.
No credible news organization has independently reported that Trump sought to access nuclear launch authority or that such an exchange occurred.
And yet they still go with the completely invalidated headline: Donald Trump Tried to ‘Use Nuclear Codes’ Claims: What We Know
#Newsweek claimed:
— 🎒Majid Khabazan (@MKhabazan) April 22, 2026
Donald Trump Tried to ‘Use Nuclear Codes’#Trump tried to use #nuclear codes during a meeting on 18 April about the war with Iran, according to a former CIA officer.#USIranTensions #WarCrimes #AngelsOfMinabhttps://t.co/SbZpfadUNM
1st Amendment Strike Force – NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO
So, you must preserve press freedoms, just not freedom for ALL of the press.
At NPR, host Domenico Montanaro and their media correspondent David Folkenflick were discussing the shifting norms seen with the White House press corps. Their concern was that there are now representatives from “right-leaning outlets” (their definition) in the press pool, and this is diluting the news coverage from the White House. They claim this means that not enough tough questions are being asked of the president, which is amazing to hear, considering he holds impromptu gatherings almost daily, speaks on the phone with nearly any and all reporters, and always speaks with the gang on AF-1.
The biggest issue here is that they are discussing how it is wrong for some media members to have this access, on the week when the White House Correspondents Dinner is set to take place, and the running theme is that there needs to be more press freedom.
Amazingly oblivious.
ZERO SELF-AWARENESS: NPR Democrat suckups lament 'partisan' outlets watering down the questions at the White House. @davidfolkenflik hardest hit.
— Tim Graham (@TimJGraham) April 22, 2026
HT: @TheMediaReport1 https://t.co/ExZ8CFnVoe
Low Octane Gas Lighting – USA TODAY
Are you folks truly oblivious to the details?!
The galling news came out that the FBI was indicting the Southern Poverty Law Center with numerous charges of fraud. The most astounding detail is that this outfit charged with combating extremist groups has been shown to have paid out large sums to hate groups, ostensibly to aid them in performing various activities, which the SPLC then pointed out in the cause of generating more donations. It was a funder of the Charlottesville white supremacist rally that led to one death and to this day has been dogging President Trump with false claims of supporting the hatred.
In the span of one year - from 2016-2017 - the SPLC doubled its donations, to over $130 million in a year.
The defense is that the SPLC was using the money to get undercover agents to go undercover in these groups. USA Today says this is an excusable practice, since many federal law enforcement agencies use undercover agents all the time. Suggesting that the non-profit SPLC is on the same level as law enforcement is a wild claim to make.
The Southern Poverty Law Center was indicted for paying sources to infiltrate hate groups, a tactic federal agencies have used for decades. https://t.co/flekWop4XX
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) April 22, 2026
News Avoidance Syndrome – VARIOUS OUTLETS
Well, since she quit, I guess it is safe for you to cover this now.
This week, U.S. Democrat Rep. Sheila Cherfilus McCormick (FL-20) resigned from Congress, following a probe that she defrauded FEMA to the tune of $5 million. Her announcement was widely covered in media circles.
This was a visible change, as most remained rather muted about the Democrat and her scandal, leading up to the days of the House seeking to rule on her status. But once out of office, there was no longer a risk of damaging the prospects of a seated Democrat.
Breaking News: Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Florida Democrat charged with stealing $5 million from FEMA, resigned 20 minutes before an expulsion vote. https://t.co/ZLB4niiyMn
— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 21, 2026
Gilded Reframe – NEW YORK TIMES
Amusing accuracy seen in a correction.
It has been an already dismal year in the young season of the New York Mets. Many have noted that the team is mired in a lengthy losing streak ever since New York City Mayor Mamdani greeted the team’s mascots weeks ago.
Mamdani curse? Mets drop 10 straight games after NYC mayor hugs Mr., Mrs. Met. Read today's cover here: https://t.co/wW1VRaoOaB pic.twitter.com/orAG2vuHBr
— New York Post (@nypost) April 21, 2026
In covering the team’s 11th loss in a row (now extended to 12 games), the New York Times mentioned how the team dropped the game played on Sunday, April 19 - except the team had an off day then.
In correcting this detail, the Times had a wry approach to the matter.
A correction was made on April 21, 2026: Because of an editing error, an earlier version of this article misstated which day the New York Mets suffered their 11th straight loss. It was on Sunday, not Monday. Even the Mets cannot lose on an off day.
Is a ‘Curse of the Mambino’ Plaguing the Mets? Mamdani, Say It Ain’t So. https://t.co/UwI8rqqgBO
— luminaria98 (@Luminaria98) April 22, 2026
