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ABC's Mary Bruce Is Hoping for a Peace Deal Collapse, and CNN Bemoans the Return of 'The Male Gaze'

Brad Slager
Brad Slager  |  Oct 14, 2025
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Artisanally-Crafted Narratives – ABC NEWS

  • Oh, you think this peace deal is historic?! Just wait!

It is with a dose of amusement that we behold Mary Bruce displaying the media tendency to look at the Israel-Hamas peace accord with disdain for one reason: it means giving President Trump credit. Bruce gave passing credit to the president, but felt the need to toss in negativity and doubt about the agreement:

And so there is a it appears to be a bit of a disagreement. And certainly while the President is using this breakthrough, this return of hostages, this tremendous ceasefire to claim that the entire war has been solved, the reality is that there is a lot left to work out here and while interestingly, Netanyahu, of course, is not there tonight, he was invited by Egyptian President el-Sisi in a conversation that President Trump brokered himself earlier today. Netanyahu is not attending, citing the Jewish holiday, so it is an interesting moment to have this conversation about the path forward without essentially the protagonist in this story.

Mary’s inability to be level-headed was evident when you see David Muir repeatedly needing to jump in and calm the waters.

Gilded Reframe – NBC NEWS

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  • Sure, his words were bad, but did you see who he is targeting?!

The news came out that an unhinged leftist was making threats against conservative commentator Benny Johnson and his family. The words used were basically: “I don’t wish to commit harm on him, I just wish somebody would harm him.” Behold some of the disturbing quotes:

In the letter, Isbell allegedly called Johnson a "prostrating Trump boot licker" and said he needed to be "exterminated," while adding that he wouldn't take action against Johnson because he was "not giving up my freedom for worm s--- like you." Instead the letter wished for violence against Johnson. “Maybe someone will blow your head off!!! We can hope!" Isbell wrote. "Planning any public engagements? Love to see your head explode and your blood stain the concrete red. What a sight!"

Now, with those distinctly unpoetic words in mind, take a look at how NBC News presented this headline, making Johnson sound like the worst actor in this story.

Low-Octane Gaslighting – THE NEW YORK TIMES

  • Look, we should trust the bitter opinions of those no longer there on how operations are going!

The New York Times has issued a report that those inside the DOJ are a contentious group who do not work and play well with each other. It would seem they base this opinion mostly on those who are not working inside the DOJ. Citing anonymous sources, some of whom are former DOJ officials, we are told the place is operationally dysfunctional.

Small problem for The Times: This was countered by actual current officials going on the record to call its story bullcrap. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche countered the story, and after The Times tried to save face, Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino blasted them out of the water.

Prose & Contradiction – HBO

  • Could we see your credentials, sir, before listening to your lecture?

The arrival of Bari Weiss continues to rankle many in the press, but we might have just received the most stunted approach. John Oliver, on his HBO program, has gone to the lengths of explaining why Ms. Weiss is unfit for the new role as head of CBS News.

To understand: A comedian on a comical “news” program is declaring a longtime journalist to be unfit to run a journalism division.

Glossary Over Things – CNN

  • Most never knew this thing that is making a return was even a thing!

You have to always enjoy when a manufactured crisis that no serious people would be concerned over is translated into a “serious” news item. Case in point: CNN is covering the return of a grievous social trauma.

It seems that after women have made such progress over the past few years – with trans rights, body positivity, tamping down toxic masculinity, etc. – things are unfortunately reverting to a more unbearable era. It seems “The Male Gaze” has made a return!

The recent rise of weight loss medications coincided with social media influencers sharing ways to get smaller and no longer celebrating bodies of all sizes. Advertisements followed suit, making men’s desire once again a dominating factor in how stories are told, and how women are portrayed. How had these discarded ideas made their way back into circulation? Didn’t we all agree we were through with them?

To answer the rhetorical: “No, we did not agree with that; that concept was actually foisted on our society.”