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!
First Amendment Strike Force – NEW YORK TIMES
This is turning into a They-Said-They-Said scenario.
The big news breaking lately was the New York Times coming out with the complaint that the FBI was targeting one of its reporters. This was said to be a result of reports that had been made about FBI Director Kash Patel and the use of FBI resources with his girlfriend.
The FBI began investigating a New York Times reporter after she wrote about the bureau’s director, Kash Patel, using bureau personnel to provide his girlfriend with government security and transportation, according to a person briefed on the matter. https://t.co/nCc4KhrS1h pic.twitter.com/xXKSil1tqO
— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 22, 2026
The bureau came out with a statement that this stemmed from an investigation into a threat posed to Alexis Wilkins, Patel’s paramour. It was said the charged suspect had been reading the reports in the Times on Wilkins’ activities, and this led to looking into matters involving the reporter, but no actual investigation took place.
Here's what actually happened: A man threatened to have Alexis Wilkins's face "canoed by an assault rifle" after reading Williamson's article.
— Erica Knight (@_EricaKnight) April 22, 2026
FBI agents interviewed Alexis about the threat. They asked her about Williamson because Williamson's reporting is what set the… https://t.co/YdEVMQG66M pic.twitter.com/PjWygWdI8g
Reporting On The Mirror – VARIOUS OUTLETS
Not just Saturday — the insufferable gatherings are a weeklong event!
With Saturday’s White House Correspondents Association Dinner taking place, the lead up to the Nerd Prom involves a series of parties spread out across D.C. The list of the various clutch-and-sip affairs is extensive enough that no outlet seems to have a comprehensive list.
An updating list of confirmed WHCD parties, starting Wednesday; nine events are hosted by media startups that are less than 10 years old (Axios) https://t.co/twyhxxuY66 pic.twitter.com/OaWmdb0cfB
— Ty Carver (@TyCarver) April 16, 2026
The WHCA parties 2026 weekend is officially here, running April 23–26 across DC.
— Washington Lobbyist (@TheWSHLobbyist) April 22, 2026
I pulled together the full guide — every host, venue, and time #WHCA2026 #WHCA #WHCAparty #WHCAafterparty #WashingtonDC #NerdProm 👉 https://t.co/x9e7ScSsUx
Legalized Press-titution – THE ATHLETIC / NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Do we need all of this soap opera during the NFL draft?!?!
There have been some telenovella-level antics involving New England Patriots’ head coach Mike Vrabel and his dalliance with sports reporter Dianna Russini from The Athletic and ESPN. Page Six initially had photos published that showed the pair looking close at an Arizona resort. They initially disregarded things as a simple gathering with friends.
However, as the story unfolded, the connection appeared to be deeper and soon Russini was let go from The Athletic.
Now Page Six has come out with more photos, this time showing the pair in a New York establishment and kissing. Vrabel has taken a leave of absence from the team and is seeking counseling.
Dianna Russini and married Mike Vrabel caught kissing at NYC bar in bombshell new photos — taken 6 years before scandal https://t.co/WIPOoGKAWF pic.twitter.com/4j1UpviNuy
— New York Post (@nypost) April 23, 2026
Both Kinds Of Standards – USA Today
So, calling out fireable actions is a fireable offense. Do we have that correct?
In related news to the Vrabel drama, at USA Today, Crissy Froyd was let go as a freelance analyst and reporter after she made the following statement about Dianna Russini on her social media accounts.
I’m sure you were told to submit this or that you’d get fired instead.
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) April 14, 2026
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. We know who you really are and what you’ve been up to for years. It does so much detriment to women in sports who have done things the right way. https://t.co/dswaHZjIHL
The baffling aspect of this decision is that another USA Today female sports writer — Nancy Armour — put out a column where she said much of the same things about Russini’s actions and how it impacts females in sports and their reputations.
Anti-Social Media - NEW YORK TIMES
Apparently, they did not get the memo from some of the Democrats about this guy.
Maybe this was a subversive effort to finally get him purged from being a spokesman for the Democrat party?
Sorry if it sounds like we are lapsing into conspiracy realms, but we continue to be baffled by the way that the deeply polarizing and shallow-thinking figure Hasan Piker continues to be treated as a serious voice on…well, any topic at all.
In the latest, we have him sitting for an interview with a panel. During his session, Piker manages to display even more of his fractured and disqualifying opinions. This time, he has justified theft, piracy, and what the host calls “microlooting”. But then Piker, unable to help himself, takes it further and promotes piracy, stealing cars, and also pushes for art theft from museums.
"The Rich Don’t Play by the Rules. So Why Should I?" Words spoken by a multimillionaire wearing solid gold glasses. The left is genuinely ridiculous! pic.twitter.com/EyZSq7t8HX
— The ArchCast (@TArchcast) April 23, 2026
