Ink Stained Wretches

Dearest Wretches, we’re stepping away from the mic. But before we go, Chris and Eliana dig into Trump’s legal battles with CBS and the Pulitzer board, Elon Musk’s Washington exit, Democrats’ hunt for lost masculinity, and the waning influence of BLM. We’ll miss the community that’s grown with us over the years—thanks for wretching with us. Time Stamps: 1:55 - Front Page 37:50 - Obsessions 46:51 - Reader Mail 52:24 - Favorite Items Show Notes: The Wall Street Journal: Paramount Has Offered $15 Million to Settle CBS Lawsuit. Trump Wants More. New York Post: Shari Redstone in ‘tough spot’ as Paramount board fears settling with Trump will open Pandora’s box on bribery lawsuits: sources The New York Times: A Disillusioned Musk, Distanced From Trump, Says He’s Exiting Washington CBS News: Elon Musk says he's "disappointed" by Trump's "big, beautiful bill" and what it means for DOGE The New York Times: Trump Pardoned Tax Cheat After Mother Attended $1 Million Dinner The New York Times: Six Months Later, Democrats Are Still Searching for the Path Forward The Washington Free Beacon: EXCLUSIVE: Inside the Democratic Party’s Strategic Efforts To Enhance Receptivity in Masculine-Coded Heteronormative Cohorts Through Data-Driven Holistic Outreach Vulture: Fame and Frustration On the New Media Circuit Fox News: Washington Post announces another buyout program targeting veteran staffers, other departments The Washington Post: Struggling to declutter? Try the ‘poop rule.’ The New York Times: 5 Years After George Floyd’s Murder, the Backlash Takes Hold The Wall Street Journal: Six Friends Tried to Plan a Girls’ Trip in a Group Chat. Things Went Sideways. Law360: Pulitzer Board Can't Pause Trump Defamation Suit In Florida Semafor: Inside the identity crisis in anti-woke media The Weekly Dish: Claire Lehmann On Staying Independent Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY: In Memoriam: Tom Robbins (1949-2025) The Wall Street Journal: How a Lawyer in the Hamptons Became the King of DWI Cases

This week, we’re unpacking the rollout of Original Sin, the irony of the left’s search for their very own Joe Rogan, the CBS newsroom shakeup, and stick around for Eliana’s experience serving on the Pulitzer jury. Wretch on! If you have a story you want to discuss with us, email us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts dot com. Time Stamps: 4:10 - Front Page 1:06:38 - Obsessions 1:19:04 - Reader Mail 1:20:57 - Favorite Items Show Notes: Jewish Insider: Two Israeli embassy employees killed in shooting outside D.C. Jewish Museum The Guardian: Jon Stewart on CNN’s Biden book: ‘Selling you a book about news they should have told you’ The Washington Post: Biden diagnosis draws well-wishes, questions and conspiracy theories Mediaite: Taylor Lorenz Openly Celebrates Joe Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis: ‘Hopefully He Rots in Hell and Rests in Piss’ The New York Times: Democrats Throw Money at a Problem: Countering G.O.P. Clout Online The Hill: Trump hits South African president with video ‘genocide’ claims: 5 takeaways NBC News: White House purges transcripts of Trump's remarks from its website Mediaite: ‘What Changed Patel and Bongino’s Minds?’ Glenn Beck Calls Out Trump’s FBI Brass Rejecting Epstein Conspiracy The Wall Street Journal: Elon Musk to Cut Back Political Spending The Daily Beast: Musk Insults Interviewer for Daring to Ask About His Big DOGE Promise The New York Times: Head of CBS News Is Forced Out Amid Tensions With Trump The New York Times: Can C-SPAN Pull Off ‘Crossfire,’ but With Civility? Semafor: Shapiro solicits backers — or buyers — for a built-out Daily Wire The Hollywood Reporter: ‘Sesame Street’ Saved, Inks New Streaming Deal With Netflix NBC 4: Kermit comes home: UMD commencement and NBC4 history The Washington Free Beacon: ANALYSIS: Jordon Hudson Outshined and Outclassed by Historic Transgender Contestant at So-Called Beauty Pageant The Washington Free Beacon: ‘We Occasionally Misjudge’: Pulitzer Board Told Me I Was out of Line When I Asked Why the Organization Gave an Award to Palestinian ‘Poet’ Who Made Hateful Comments About Israeli Hostages Politico: Two House Republicans missed the big vote Chicago Tribune: Chicago Sun-Times Sunday insert contains 10 AI-generated fake books in summer reading list

Watch This Episode on YouTube! It’s oh so good to be back in the studio. We’re kicking off with Trump’s Gulf tour, the scoops about the scoops on the Biden books, “Mar-a-Lago face,” and much more. Wretch on! If you have a story you want to discuss with us, email us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts dot com. Time Stamps: 2:00 - Front Page 50:29 - Obsessions 57:28 - Reader Mail 1:00:12 - Favorite Items Show Notes: Mediaite: WHCA Rages as Trump Excludes Major News Wire Services From Middle East Trip I Might Be Wrong: The Qatari Plane Scandal is Different Because Morons Understand It Newsweek: Saudi Arabia Rolls Out Custom Mobile McDonald's for Trump Visit The Daily Beast: Biden Aides Had a Secret Plan to Get the President a Wheelchair, New Book Claims Axios: Exclusive: Biden aides discussed wheelchair use if he were re-elected, new book says CNN: First on CNN: New book reveals how Biden’s inner circle kept Cabinet from him in final two years of presidency The Dispatch: The Temptation and the Fall of the Media The New Yorker: Is Jeff Bezos Selling Out the Washington Post? The Washington Post: Bill Belichick, Jordon Hudson and the making of a PR disaster The Washington Post: MLB reinstates Pete Rose and others, paving way for Hall of Fame consideration The New York Times: Can I Wear a Sheath Dress Without Looking Like a MAGA Woman?The Free Press: How Qatar Bought America The Dispatch: Feelings, Facts, and Our Crisis of Truth Teen Vogue: News Influencers Are Reaching Young People, and the Media Is Trying to Keep Up Politico: The First Thing George Santos Should Do in Prison The Washington Free Beacon: The Surprising Ways That Siblings Shape Our Lives

This week, we say hello to a new pope and goodbye to Nate Moore—Chris’s AEI research assistant, but more importantly, a fellow wretch who’s been a big part of the podcast. We also talk about the Pulitzer winners and the media’s coverage of the declining health of John Fetterman and Joe Biden. Wretch on! Time Stamps: Front Page: 02:22Obsessions: 27:43Reader Mail: 36:10Favorite Items: 38:53 Show Notes: New York Magazine: The Hidden Struggle of John Fetterman AP News: Sen. John Fetterman raises alarms with outburst at meeting with union officials, AP sources say BBC: Five takeaways from Biden’s BBC interview The Pulitzer Prizes: 2025 Pulitzer Priz Herald Leader: The favorite didn’t win the KY Derby again. Here’s what happened behind Sovereignty The Washington Free Beacon: Exclusive Analysis: Kamala’s Stepdaughter, ‘Textile Artist’ Ella Emhoff, Skips Leg Day as Often as She Shaves Her Armpits (Never) Politico: Biden enlists veteran Democratic operative to help defend his reputation (edited)

Chris and Eliana are back, starting with Trump’s 100-day media blitz, Tim Walz’s code-switching, the private group chats shaping American politics, and—most importantly—the origin of Jo Jo potatoes. Wretch on! Time Stamps: Front Page: 1:29 Obsessions: 1:03:31 Reader Mail: 1:11:31 Favorite Items: 1:18:36 Show Notes: The Atlantic: Read The Atlantic’s Interview With Donald Trump Time: Read the Full Transcript of Donald Trump’s ‘100 Days’ Interview With TIME Axios: Scoop: White House launches Drudge-style website to promote Trump The Atlantic: The War That Would Not End Semafor: The group chats that changed America The New York Times: A Progressive Mind in a Body Made for the ‘Manosphere’ The Wall Street Journal: Questioning Biden’s Capacities Was Taboo a Year Ago. Now It’s Everywhere. The New York Times: The Dispatch Buys SCOTUSblog, a Supreme Court Mainstay The New York Times: A Hot Accessory, at the Intersection of Faith and Culture The New York Times: Vietnam on The Move Awful Announcing: Bill Belichick issues statement defending Jordon Hudson’s actions during CBS interview ESPN: Son of Falcons coordinator Ulbrich admits to Sanders prank The New York Times: How Ozempic Is Shaping Weddings The New York Times: ‘60 Minutes’ Chief Resigns in Emotional Meeting: ‘The Company Is Done With Me’ The New York Times: Paramount Board Clears Possible Path for Settling Trump’s ‘60 Minutes’ Lawsuit The Washington Post: She tried to expose Russia’s brutal detention system — and ended up dead The Washington Post: Streaming services should step up to make C-SPAN great again The New York Times: The Unabomber’s Brother Turned Him In. Then Spent 27 Years Trying to Win Him Back.

This week, Eliana flies solo and sits down with Jewish Insider’s Lahav Harkov for a conversation about her path through Israeli and American media — and what the press got wrong and (less often) right about the Israel-Gaza war. Wretch on! If you have a story you want to discuss with us, email us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts dot com. Show Notes: New York Magazine: Everything We Know About the Gaza City Hospital Blast The Washington Post: Israel’s war with Hamas separates Palestinian babies from their mothers Reuters: Gaza mother's hopes for return of long-jailed son dashed The Atlantic: The War That Would Not End 60 Minutes: Freed Israeli hostages Yarden Bibas, Keith Siegel, Tal Shoham describe horrors of being held captive by Hamas CNN: Hersh Goldberg-Polin: The ‘happy-go-lucky’ Israeli-American who became a symbol of Israel’s enduring hostage heartbreak The Atlantic: What the Media Gets Wrong About Israel Tablet: An Insider’s Guide to the Most Important Story on Earth

This week, we dive into Trump’s showdown on two fronts: immigration and Ivy League endowments. Then we head to space to marvel at the bravery of Blue Origin. And finally, we unwrap the explosive piece on Elon Musk’s quest to spawn a generation of genetically gifted super-babies. Wretch on! If you have a story you want to discuss with us, email us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts dot com. Time Stamps: 1:57 - Front Page 51:48 - Obsessions 1:00:56 - Reader Mail 1:06:41 - Favorite Items Show Notes: Mediaite: Fox News Reporter Confronts Trump AG Bondi on ‘Gang Member’ Claims — Straight-Up Asks ‘Why Not Show the Evidence?’ The Washington Free Beacon: Harvard Rejects Deal With Trump Admin, Putting Billions in Federal Funding at Risk The Washington Post: Trump administration asks IRS to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status The Washington Post: Trump’s D.C. U.S. attorney pick appeared on Russian state media over 150 times Financial Times: CNN’s Mark Thompson: ‘Our entire industry is going through a revolution’ The Wall Street Journal: The Tactics Elon Musk Uses to Manage His ‘Legion’ of Babies—and Their Mothers Politico: GOP representative: ‘Left has to look in the mirror too’ after condemning Shapiro arson attack The New York Times: One Giant Stunt for Womankind The Washington Free Beacon: Holding Space: Women Rejoice as Bezos Gal Pal, Others Make History The New York Times: How Trump Might Unwittingly Cut Emissions From Online Shopping The Wall Street Journal: Porsche Heir’s Plan to Build a Private Tunnel Has His Alpine Neighbors Fuming NBC News: Government's case against Mahmoud Khalil is reliant on tabloid accounts, review of evidence shows Red State: Salem Media Group Strikes Deal With Donald Trump Jr. and Lara Trump Freddie deBoer: John Oliver is (Still) Part of the Problem The Wall Street Journal: Navy SEAL. Harvard Doctor. NASA Astronaut. Don’t Tell Mom About This Overachiever.

Josh Kraushaar, editor-in-chief of Jewish Insider, fills in for Eliana to discuss the latest on tariffs, the White House press pool, and Stephen A. Smith flirting with a presidential run. Wretch on! If you have a story you want to discuss with us, email us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts dot com. Time Stamps: 3:27 - Front Page 58:20 - Obsessions 1:05:40 - Reader Mail 1:07:55 - Favorite Items Show Notes: The Wall Street Journal: The False Tariff Headline That Sent Stocks on a $2 Trillion Ride The Independent: Fox News pundit believes Trump tariffs will reverse ‘crisis in masculinity’ NBC News: A 'disaster': Gretchen Whitmer's talk on tariffs and meeting with Trump anger fellow Democrats CNN: Federal judge says White House’s punishment of Associated Press is unconstitutional Status: The Pool Filter NBC News: Supreme Court gives boost to Trump administration's deportation plans under Alien Enemies Act Jewish Insider: Netanyahu pushes back on anti-Israel trends in meeting with podcasters LA Times: Broadcast television is in trouble. Stations are asking Washington for help Barrett Media: Stephen A. Smith No Longer Ruling Out Possibility of Running for President in 2028 The Washington Post: Don’t damn the torpedo bats CBS News: Fossil fuel companies target America's love of college sports The New York Times: Bloomberg Has a Rocky Start With A.I. Summaries Mediaite: Trump Orders DOJ To Investigate Prominent Critic in Shocking Oval Office Remarks: ‘I Think He’s Guilty of Treason’ CBS News: Photojournalist witnesses Venezuelan migrants' arrival in El Salvador: "They had no idea what was coming" The Atlantic: I Should Have Seen This Coming

Do you smell that? It’s the McRib Shower Gel—available only in Germany. Aside from that, we’ve got Liberation Day, Cory Booker’s latest stunt, White House Correspondents’ Dinner drama, and more. Wretch on! If you have a story you want to discuss with us, email us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts dot com. Time Stamps: 2:02 - Front Page 1:00:12 - Obsessions 1:07:43 - Reader Mail 1:11:29 - Favorite Items Show Notes: The New York Times: How Are Trump’s Tariff Rates Calculated? Mediaite: Fox News Anchor: Trump Should Tell Americans Worried About Their 401(k)s to ‘Support’ It Like a ‘War Effort’ The Washington Post: Musk to keep spending on politics despite Wisconsin loss, GOP doubts AP News: Democrats demoralized by Trump get a boost from Wisconsin voters and Cory Booker’s speech Politico: The Mystery Buyer of That $23 Million DC Mansion? Mark Zuckerberg. New York Post: Joe Rogan calls the possibility of non-criminals being deported with violent gang members ‘horrific’ The Hill: Elon Musk says he sent MAGA influencer Ashley St. Clair $2.5 million, open to paternity test Fox News: Trump says he gave Tiger Woods blessing to date Vanessa Trump: 'Let them both be happy' The Washington Post: White House correspondents’ dinner scraps plan for comedian to host The Guardian: In a new book, top Biden aide describes ‘out of it’ president before Trump debate Mediaite: Trump-Backed Head of the FCC Threatens ABC’s Broadcast License In Fox News Interview Los Angeles Times: Steve Kornacki exits MSNBC for new deal with NBC News and NBC Sports The New York Times: The Big Fat Windsor Knot Takes Washington The New York Times: Steak Fries: Deservedly Reviled or Underappreciated Edible Spoons? The Free Press: The Double Standard in the Human-Rights World The Telegraph: Hamas ‘quietly drops’ thousands of deaths from casualty figures NBC News: Trump won’t rule out seeking a third term in the White House, tells NBC News ‘there are methods’ for doing so The Dispatch: Donald Trump, Franklin Roosevelt and the Allure of Permanent Power The Dallas Morning News: Reviewing The News' coverage of the Robert Morris scandal Nieman Lab: How to leak to a journalist The New York Times: How a Black Progressive Transformed Into a Conservative Star

In case you haven’t gotten enough of Signalgate, we’re here to help. We’re also diving into Columbia University, vibe shifts, and family outings at Hooters. Wretch on! If you have a story you want to discuss with us, email us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts dot com. Time Stamps: Front Page - 2:07 Obsessions - 1:00:43 Reader Mail - 1:09:49 Favorite Items - 1:11:27 Show Notes: The Atlantic: Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on Signal The Hill: Vance rips ‘hit piece’ in Jewish Insider Jewish Insider: Vance’s reluctance to support Houthi strikes concerns some leading GOP senators Mediaite: Karoline Leavitt Fires Shot at Fox News’ Andy McCarthy Over Deportation Case: Trying to ‘Defend These Terrorists’ The Washington Post: Pentagon spokesman sidelined after uproar over Jackie Robinson article The Wall Street Journal: Disabilities Act Becomes a License to Cheat National Review: NPR CEO Admits Outlet Was ‘Mistaken’ in Refusing to Cover Hunter Biden Laptop Story CNN: KFile: Gavin Newsom spent years fighting for progressive positions he now bashes on his new podcast NBC News: Supreme Court turns down Trump donor Steve Wynn's bid to overturn libel precedent The New York Times: We Were Badly Misled About the Event That Changed Our Lives The New York Times: I Was Diagnosed With Autism at 53. I Know Why Rates Are Rising. The New York Times: Why Dads Take Their Gay Sons to Hooters The Wall Street Journal: Are Americans really snacking less? The Atlantic: Sex Without Women The Free Press: Columbia President Says One Thing to Trump Admin—and Another in Private The Washington Free Beacon: What Columbia University President Katrina Armstrong Really Told Faculty Members About Changes the School Is Making The Wall Street Journal: Columbia’s President Faces Angry Faculty in Closed-Door Meetings Politico: AN ALT. WHCD? The New York Times: Graydon Carter’s Memoir Evokes the Golden Age of New York City Media The Wall Street Journal: The Last Decision by the World’s Leading Thinker on Decisions

Happy Thursday! We’re coming to you a day early with MAGA infighting, a showdown at Columbia University, a media vibe shift, and the story behind the original Egg McMuffin. Wretch on! Time Stamps: 2:26 - Front Page 55:10 - Obsessions 1:04:39 - Reader Mail 1:08:51 - Favorite Items If you have a story you want to discuss with us, email us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts dot com. Show Notes: The New York Times: The Populist vs. the Billionaire: Bannon, Musk and the Battle Within MAGA The New Republic: Why Don’t Plutocrats Care That Trump Is Tanking the Economy? The Wall Street Journal: Capitol Hill’s Republican Sycophant Caucus National Review: Does Trump Know Why He Was Elected? Axios: Trump vows to "lead the charge" to unseat GOP Rep. Massie AP News: Trump warns that arrest of Palestinian activist at Columbia will be ‘first of many’ The Wall Street Journal: Faculty-on-Faculty War Erupts at Columbia as Trump Targets Elite School NPR: A top 'Washington Post' columnist resigns, accusing publisher of killing piece The New York Times: MeidasTouch Pops on Podcast Charts as Progressives Search for Answers The New York Times: Can the Media’s Right to Pursue the Powerful Survive Trump’s Second Term? The New York Times: The Future of News Looks Niche The Wrap: Wall Street Journal Cuts Tech Reporters and Editors in Media Reconfiguration of Coverage Sports Illustrated: Yankees’ Wives Carrying On Team’s Abandoned Battle Against Beards CNN: Trump official tasked with defending DOGE cuts posted fashion influencer videos from her office The Wall Street Journal: How Foundation and Eyeliner Became a Political Battleground WGN9: An early version of the Egg McMuffin included a surprising condiment Axios: MAGA's antisemitism divide BBC: Russian spy ring's plans to kill journalist 'beyond imagination' The Atlantic: Mitch McConnell and the President He Calls ‘Despicable’ The Wall Street Journal: The High-Pressure Tactics Attorney Gloria Allred Uses—On Her Own Clients

Watch this episode on YouTube! The Wretches are back in the studio, and it feels so good. This week, we’re covering Trump’s joint address to Congress, tariffs, ‘based’ Newsom, and much more. Wretch on! 1:55 - Front Page 29:07 - Obsessions 37:24 - Reader mail 42:26 - Favorite Items Reuters: Storm clouds gather over US economy as Trump kicks off trade war CBS News: Poll on Trump's 2025 joint address to Congress finds large majority of viewers approve National Review: When the Left Is Too Smug Even for the New York Times The New York Times: During Trump’s Rowdy Speech to Congress, the Quiet Moments Said the Most The Wall Street Journal: The ‘Hustling Expert’ Behind Argentina’s $250 Million Crypto Scandal The Wall Street Journal: The Two-Headed Monster Stalking the Economy Has a Name: Stagflation Politico: Gavin Newsom breaks with Democrats on trans athletes in sports Deadline: Tom Llamas To Succeed Lester Holt As ‘NBC Nightly News’ Anchor Nieman Lab: FiveThirtyEight is shutting down as part of broader cuts at ABC and Disney Mediaite: Despite Bezos’ Efforts to Shove WaPo Opinion to the Right, Op-Eds Still Taking Defiantly Anti-Trump, Anti-Musk Tone Axios: Patch scales to 30,000 U.S. communities with AI newsletters The New York Times: She’s a Foot Soldier in America’s Losing War With Chronic Disease The New York Times: When This Professor Got Cancer, He Didn’t Quit. He Taught a Class About It.

Happy Saturday from your favorite band of Wretches! We’re diving deep into the latest from the White House Press Pool, Jake Tapper’s Biden book, shake-ups at MSNBC, and a true obsession with Gene Hackman. Wretch on! Time Stamps: 2:36 - Front Page 42:25 - Obsessions 55:09 - Reader Mail 57:37 - Favorite Items National Journal: White House wrests control of pool coverage away from reporters Axios: Judge upholds Trump's right to block AP for now Semafor: Reuters and Associated Press among outlets barred from Trump’s first cabinet meeting The Dispatch: Donald Trump, Woodrow Wilson, and the Problems of a Free Press Reason: Trump tries to carve out a First Amendment exception for 'fake news' The Washington Free Beacon: MNSBC's Newest Anchor Eugene Daniels Is a 'Kamala Harris Expert' and 'Walking Beyoncé Encyclopedia' Who Has Revolutionized the DC Fashion Scene The Hollywood Reporter: Trump Targets Comcast CEO Brian Roberts As MSNBC Plans New Lineup The New York Post: Jen Psaki comes out on top of MSNBC shakeup as network axes shows by 3 more lefty anchors, Joy Reid ouster The New York Post: MSNBC host Rachel Maddow rips own network for axing Joy Reid's show and other 'non-white' hosts' programs The New York Times: Lester Holt to Leave ‘NBC Nightly News’ Anchor Role Unherd: Jeff Bezos rebrands Washington Post as billionaire's think tank Good Morning America: How a community rallied for trans and nonbinary recovery homes following LA fires The New York Times: In an Age of Right-Wing Populism, Why Are Denmark’s Liberals Winning? The New York Times: Gene Hackman, Hollywood’s Consummate Everyman, Dies at 95 The Atlantic: How the Woke Right Replaced the Woke Left The Wall Street Journal: The Business Conference Where Dignity Goes to Die

We’re kicking off with the biggest story in American news media: the Murdoch family. We’re also discussing Hamas, Ukraine, and Mayor Karen Bass’s masterclass in spin. Wretch on! Timestamps: 4:28 - Front Page 46:35 - Obsessions 55:55 - Reader Mail 57:21 - Favorite Items Show Notes: The Atlantic: Growing Up Murdoch The New York Times: ‘You’ve Blown a Hole in the Family’: Inside the Murdochs’ Succession Drama The New York Times: Hamas Releases What It Said Were the Bodies of 4 Israeli Hostages Free Beacon: WATCH: As Gazans Celebrate the Murder of Jewish Women and Children, NPR Calls the Scenes 'More Somber and Much Less Celebratory' Commentary Magazine: What Did Trump Just Say About Ukraine? WHAT??? The Wall Street Journal: How the Trumps Turned an Election Victory Into a Cash Bonanza The New York Times: How Trump’s Directives Echo Project 2025 The Hill: Washington Post backs out of ‘Fire Elon Musk’ ad order Jeremy Barr on X: NBCUniversal is settling a lawsuit filed by obstetrician gynecologist Mahendra Amin Collin Rug on X: NEW: LA Mayor Karen Bass says she’s investigating why she was allowed to go on a trip to Ghana days before the LA fires. The New York Times: As a White Man, Can I Date Women of Color to Advance My Antiracism? NPR: Performers protest Trump leadership at Kennedy Center with dance CBS News: Online searches for gambling addiction surge as sports betting expands, study finds The New York Times: What Should I Wear to Protest an Unspoken Dress Code? The Telegraph: Margaret Brennan's CBS humiliation exposed everything that's wrong with the Left-wing media The New York Post: CBS News exec Adrienne Roark, who reprimanded anchor over Israel interview, plans to exit network The Wall Street Journal: Inside Amazon’s Messy Push to Bring Everyone Back to the Office I Might Be Wrong on Substack: I’m Such a Hopeless Libtard That It Bothers Me When We Side With the Authoritarian Predator State The New York Times: Art Adviser. Friend. Thief.

Watch this episode on YouTube. We’re back in person, and it feels good. Today’s theme is “crisis”—or the lack thereof. Whether it’s a crisis in the White House press room, the FBI, the FCC, or a general “constitutional crisis,” we’ve got it covered. Plus, Chris gets nostalgic about Ajit Pai. Wretch on! Time Stamps: 2:06 - Front Page 43:05 - Obsessions 49:05 - Reader Mail 50:52 - Favorite Items Mediaite: White House Bans Associated Press Reporter From Trump and Musk Oval Office Event, Editor Says TIME: Calling 'Em Out: The White House Takes on the Press The New York Times: Trump’s Actions Have Created a Constitutional Crisis, Scholars Say The New York Times: High School Trans Athletes Challenge Trump’s Executive Order in New Hampshire The New York Times: CPI Report: Inflation Rose Unexpectedly in January The Washington Post: Sinkhole of bureaucracy Semafor: ‘Almost like surrender’: Steve Bannon on the media in Trump’s ‘Days of Thunder’ The Washington Post: Hegseth’s visit to U.S. base in Germany met with student walkout The Washington Post: U.S. intelligence, law enforcement candidates face Trump loyalty test The New York Times: Serena Williams’ Super Bowl appearance with Kendrick Lamar ends a Drake tennis culture feud The Daily Beast: MAGA Melts Down Over Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime Performance Jewish Insider: CNN inks deal with Qatar to launch network hub in Doha Semafor: Fake, viral conspiracies on X stump politicians, media The Times: Was I enraged by America’s controversial commentator on race? No, I was bored The Washington Free Beacon: Toobin's New Beat: Renowned Masturbator Joins New York Times The Washington Free Beacon: The Historical Case for Trump’s Riviera

Chris takes the lead this week as Eliana rests her vocal cords. This week, we are covering everything from the FCC to the trans sports ban out of the White House, as well as a few items on the Super Bowl and the latest shake from McDonald’s. Wretch on! Time Stamps: 2:04 - Front Page 52:01 - Obsessions 55:56 - Reader Mail 57:48 - Favorite Items Show Notes: The Wall Street Journal: More Than 40,000 Federal Workers Have Resigned So Far, Short of Target The Washington Post: Republican ire at USAID finds an unusual target: Politico The Hill: Politico publishes note ‘to set the record straight’ on government subscription outrage Axios: Scoop: Trump orders key government agency to cancel all media contracts Fortune: Member of Elon Musk’s DOGE resigns after being linked to a social media account that shared racist posts NPR: Why CBS stands at the epicenter of Trump's assault on the media CJR: A Plea for Institutional Modesty AEI: When Anti-Press Ascendancy Meets FCC Public Interest Regulation The Wrap: Meta Hires Chief Correspondent From Tucker Carlson-Founded Daily Caller Mediaite: ‘Mass Murderer in Waiting’: Writer Accuses LA Times of Editing His Anti-RFK Op-Ed to Support Conspiracy Theorist Semafor: Inside Tom Cotton’s unconventional push for Tulsi Gabbard The Washington Post: The couple who want to make America procreate again The New York Times: As Trump Attacks Diversity, a Racist Undercurrent Surfaces AP News: Winging it for the Super Bowl? Broccoli might be a cheaper party snack this year Poynter: Donald Trump brings back the tradition of the Super Bowl interview USA Today: Travis Kelce: Trump attending Super Bowl 'cool.' The president said 'I hate Taylor Swift.' The Hill: Whole Hog Politics: An inflection point for the transgender movement The Wall Street Journal: Americans Don’t Eat Enough Bacon. The Pork King Has a Plan.

The theme (so far) of Trump’s second administration has been shock and awe. This week, Chris and Eliana explain why you can’t shock yourself in the process. Aside from the White House, they discuss Jim Acosta, The New York Times’ audience, and dress shoe styles. Wretch on! Time Stamps: Front Page - 3:17 Obsessions - 42:43 Reader Mail - 52:01 Favorite Items - 54:45 Show Notes: CNBC: White House says Trump funding freeze remains in effect despite rescinding OMB memo The Atlantic: The Memo That Shocked the White House The New York Times: Justice Dept. Fires Prosecutors Who Worked on Trump Investigations AP News: Trump uses mass firing to remove independent inspectors general at a series of agencies CNN: Trump DOJ appointee in DC lashes out after flurry of ‘personally insulting’ leaks in his first week CBS News: Transcript: Vice President JD Vance on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Jan. 26, 2025 The Atlantic: America Is Divided. It Makes for Tremendous Content. Status News: Acosta La Vista The Washington Free Beacon: EXCLUSIVE: Read Jim Acosta's Resignation Letter to CNN Axios: Trump's Colombia tariff threat raises fears on coffee prices The Washington Post: Transgender soldiers date to the Civil War The New York Times: Is There Still a Rule Against Wearing Brown Shoes With Blue Pants? The New York Times: The Pure Liberation of a Personal Urination Device - The New York Times The Wall Street Journal: As a Rising Political Star, Gabbard Paid to Mask Her Sect’s Ties to Alleged Scheme @PleaseDontDestroy on Instagram: The New York Times coming up with emails to send you Forbes: This Former Billionaire, And New U.S. Senator, Is Now Broke The New York Times: The Return of the Lumbersexual

This is not a crypto scam—it’s an opportunity. As for the news about the news, we’re diving deep into the inauguration, Trump’s administration, Prince Harry, and much more. Wretch on! Time Stamps: 4:05 - Front page 59:54 - Obsessions 1:09:55 - Reader Mail 1:15:30 - Favorites The Washington Post: Trump inauguration puts the fashion in old-fashioned The New York Times: The Bishop Who Pleaded With Trump: ‘Was Anyone Going to Say Anything?’ MSNBC: Black America in a 'state of emergency': Civil rights leaders brace for Trump's return Fox News: Trump reflects on return to White House after 4 years of Biden's agenda: 'Got there just in the nick of time' The Hill: Stirewalt: Will Trump invest his political capital or spend it? The Washington Post: Neither euphoric nor despairing be. Trump too shall pass. Bloomberg: The Second Trump Presidency, Brought to You by YouTubers Deadline: New FCC Chair Revives Complaints About ABC, CBS And NBC Content That His Predecessor Rejected As “At Odds With The First Amendment” The New York Times: Labeling Mexican Cartels ‘Terrorists’ Could Expose U.S. Companies to Sanctions The New York Times: Biden commutes prison sentence of Leonard Peltier, an Indigenous rights activist convicted in F.B.I. killings. Mediaite: CNN Reportedly Set To Lay Off Hundreds of Employees as Trump-Era Restructuring Begins New York Post: CNN CEO tells on-air talent not to express outrage during Trump inaugural coverage The Washington Post: Prince Harry settles with Murdoch’s U.K. tabloids, gets long-sought apology NBC News: Senators receive affidavit containing new allegations against Pete Hegseth, who denies the claims The Wall Street Journal: The Best and Worst Airlines of 2024 @100YearsAgoLive on X: Coolidge Forbids Big Inauguration The New York Post: Megyn Kelly rips Lauren Sánchez for wearing bra at Trump inaugural

Today, we bid bon voyage to the Biden administration by reflecting on President Biden’s farewell address, Jill Biden’s exit interview with The Washington Post, and KJP’s final appearance in the White House Press Room. We’re also diving into media coverage of the L.A. wildfires, drama at The Washington Post, and an Obama lawyer’s $20 million mansion fiasco. Wretch on! TIME STAMPS 2:03 - Front Page 54:54 - Obsessions 1:06:01 - Reader Mail 1:08:26 - Favorites Salon: "It threatens our entire democracy”: Biden takes aim at tech oligarchs like Musk in farewell address The Wall Street Journal: Biden’s Claim He Would Have Beaten Trump Opens Rift With Harris The Washington Post: Jill Biden still hopes for a good ending Deadline: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre Holds Final Briefing, Says “Give And Take” With Reporters “Is Part Of Our Democracy” The Hill: Biden on if Trump will get credit over him for ceasefire deal: ‘Is that a joke?’ National Review: 60 Minutes Humiliates Itself on Israel The New York Times: A Euphoric Tech Industry Is Ready to Celebrate Trump and Itself The New York Times: Joni Ernst Says She Will Vote to Confirm Pete Hegseth The New York Times: ‘Will Pay Any Amount’: Private Firefighters Are in Demand in L.A. The New York Times: Before Taking Office, L.A.’s Mayor Said She Would Not Go Abroad The New York TImes: Black Women Defend Mayor Karen Bass Amid Criticism of Wildfire Response The Daily Beast: Star Washington Post Columnist Torches Bezos on Her Way Out the Door Variety: Rashida Jones to Exit MSNBC; Rebecca Kutler Named Interim President NPR: Will Lewis' first year at 'Washington Post': Cancellations, red ink and an exodus The New York Times: How to Fix America’s Two-Party Problem Gallup: U.S. Political Parties Historically Polarized Ideologically The Wall Street Journal: Fighting Fires—and the Rumor Mill—as L.A. Burns The Wall Street Journal: The Extraordinary Defense of the Getty Museum Against the L.A. Fires The Washington Free Beacon: American Tragedy: Obama Terror Lawyer Clashed With Aspen Bureaucrats Over $20 Million Home Expansion

Wretches, we’re back! This week, we’re diving deep into the state of fact-checking. We also discuss Susie Wiles, Justin Trudeau, and the ongoing turmoil at The Washington Post. Wretch on! Time Stamps: 06:27 Front Page 52:46 Obsessions 1:00:01 Reader Mail 1:02:01 Favorite Items Show Notes: The Daily Beast: L.A. Mayor Suffers Brutal On-Air Moment as Wildfires Rage The New York Times: Meta to End Fact-Checking Program in Shift Ahead of Trump Term The Verge: Threads and Instagram are for politics now, says Adam Mosseri The New York Times: As Trump Praises Meta Decision, Tech Watchdogs Warn of Surge in Disinformation The Silver Bulletin: The rise and fall of "fact-checking" The Free Beacon: RIP, Meta Fact-Checkers. Don’t Let the Door Hit You on the Way Out. Axios: Axios interview: Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles vows to block West Wing troublemakers CNN Business: Trump camp was fed questions for Fox News town hall in advance from person inside network, new book says The Daily Beast: Trump Privately Complains About Clingy Elon Musk: NYT Reporter The New York Times: Trudeau’s Canada, Again The New York Times: Washington Post Lays Off 4% of Its Work Force The New York Times: Washington Post Cartoonist Quits After Jeff Bezos Cartoon Is Killed The New York Post: Walmart's $78 Hermès Birkin dupe is the fashion world's hottest new handbag — and luxury lovers are fuming The New York Times: How Will We Eat in 2025? 9 Predictions to Chew On. The Free Beacon: CNN's High-Profile Defamation Trial Is Underway—and Jurors Appear Open to 10-Figure Payout The Free Beacon: Navy Vet Suing CNN Warned He Would ‘Seek Legal Damages’ if It Ran Report Full of ‘Libel’ TV Technology: Hub: Streaming Viewers More Accepting of TV Ads The Wall Street Journal: The Misunderstood Consequences of Jimmy Carter’s Presidency