Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams: Episode Summary Episode: How Trump’s War on Journalism Can End America
Release Date: August 7, 2025
Host: Stacey Abrams
Guest: Oliver Darcy, Journalist and Founder of Status

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams, host Stacey Abrams delves deep into the alarming trends threatening the very foundation of American democracy: the assault on journalism spearheaded by former President Donald Trump and his allies. Joined by Oliver Darcy, a seasoned journalist and the founder of the independent media venture Status, the discussion uncovers the multifaceted strategies employed to undermine a free press and the broader implications for society.

Understanding the 10 Steps to Autocracy

Stacey Abrams begins by introducing a framework inspired by Professor Kim Sheppel of Princeton University, titled the "10 Steps to Autocracy." This framework categorizes the systematic erosion of democratic institutions, with a particular focus on media suppression as a critical step toward authoritarianism.

Stacey Abrams [02:15]: "These are big concepts that are painfully simple in their execution. That led me to a framework to put these disparate acts of destruction into some order."

Trump’s Assault on the Media: Step Six of Autocracy

The conversation zeroes in on Step Six: Go After the Media, highlighting how Trump’s administration aggressively targeted journalistic institutions to control the narrative and suppress dissenting voices.

Stacey Abrams [04:50]: "Step six, the one we've seen unfold most blatantly in the recent weeks. Go after the media so no one knows the truth."

Oliver Darcy elucidates the tangible actions taken by Trump, including lawsuits against major news organizations like CBS, ABC, and the Wall Street Journal, aimed at intimidating and silencing critical journalism.

Oliver Darcy [08:05]: "A free press means that the press is able to report and do accountability journalism... but right now we're in an era where a lot of those protections are being challenged by very powerful people."

The Skydance and Paramount Merger: A Case Study in Media Consolidation

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the contentious merger between Skydance and Paramount, which serves as a prime example of how media consolidation can be weaponized to undermine journalistic independence. The merger required approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), then headed by Republican nominee Brendan Carr.

Oliver Darcy [17:56]: "Donald Trump using the power of government to force Sherry Redstone... to negotiate a settlement on his baseless 60 Minutes lawsuit."

The settlement of a frivolous lawsuit for $16 million allowed the merger to proceed, setting a disturbing precedent where financial penalties are imposed on media outlets to facilitate corporate consolidation.

Media Matters and the Role of Watchdog Organizations

Stacey shifts focus to Media Matters, an organization founded to monitor and report on right-wing media activities. Oliver highlights the pivotal role such watchdogs play in maintaining media accountability.

Oliver Darcy [12:06]: "Media Matters... monitor what people in right wing media are doing, what they're saying... there's so much of it. It's very valuable."

However, Media Matters faces unprecedented challenges, including lawsuits from powerful figures like Elon Musk and investigations from the Trump administration, threatening their ability to operate effectively.

Oliver Darcy [14:46]: "There's a lot of pressure that they're under as a result of that."

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Its Transformation

The FCC, traditionally a non-political body ensuring that public airwaves serve the public interest, has been co-opted under Brendan Carr’s leadership to act in favor of authoritarian tendencies.

Oliver Darcy [16:24]: "The FCC's role is to ensure that what's on the public airwaves is in the public interest... but Brendan Carr has inserted himself in such an overt fashion."

Carr’s actions, including imposing conditions on the Skydance-Paramount merger such as ending Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, exemplify a shift towards using regulatory bodies as tools for censorship and control.

Oliver Darcy [22:09]: "Brendan Carr is now being used as a tool of censorship by the government... it's very concerning."

Impact of Media Consolidation on Editorial Independence and Public Trust

Oliver discusses the broader implications of media consolidation, where major corporations prioritize their financial interests over journalistic integrity, leading to compromised editorial independence.

Oliver Darcy [35:24]: "These news organizations... are a liability and they're not like big money makers in the bigger context. They're more likely to comply with Donald Trump just to get their other business interests through."

This dynamic erodes public trust in traditional media outlets, as they become perceived as extensions of corporate interests rather than independent sources of information.

Freedom of the Press Foundation’s Action Against Brendan Carr

In a bold move, the Freedom of the Press Foundation has initiated a complaint seeking to investigate and potentially disbar FCC Chairman Brendan Carr for his actions undermining press freedoms.

Oliver Darcy [29:38]: "They are turning the tables on Brendan Carr... saying he should not be allowed to be a practicing lawyer because of how he is acting."

While the likelihood of Carr being disbarred remains uncertain, this action underscores the growing resistance against authoritarian misuse of regulatory bodies.

The Rise of Independent and New Media Outlets

Amidst the decline of traditional media's influence, there is a burgeoning movement of independent media ventures like Status and platforms such as Substack and Beehive, which empower journalists to operate without corporate constraints.

Oliver Darcy [51:17]: "Independent media ventures are finding an audience that is really hungry for that kind of information... it's exciting to see."

Stacey and Oliver emphasize the importance of supporting these independent outlets financially to ensure their survival and ability to hold power accountable.

Oliver Darcy [58:38]: "If you can support a news organization financially, it matters so much. They want to expand, they want to grow, they want to hold people accountable, but we can't do it without reader support."

Call to Action: Supporting a Free Press

Concluding the episode, Stacey and Oliver urge listeners to take actionable steps to support trustworthy journalism:

1. Subscribe to Independent Media: Financial support ensures the sustainability of independent outlets.
2. Donate to Public Media: With threats to organizations like the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, contributions help keep essential programming and emergency alerts alive.
3. Engage and Share: Promoting reliable news sources can amplify their reach and impact.

Stacey Abrams [60:50]: "Find a news organization you like, subscribe to them, and support them."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Stacey Abrams [02:15]: "These are big concepts that are painfully simple in their execution. That led me to a framework to put these disparate acts of destruction into some order."
• Stacey Abrams [04:50]: "Step six, the one we've seen unfold most blatantly in the recent weeks. Go after the media so no one knows the truth."
• Oliver Darcy [08:05]: "A free press means that the press is able to report and do accountability journalism... but right now we're in an era where a lot of those protections are being challenged by very powerful people."
• Oliver Darcy [12:06]: "Media Matters... monitor what people in right wing media are doing, what they're saying... there's so much of it. It's very valuable."
• Oliver Darcy [35:24]: "These news organizations... are a liability and they're not like big money makers in the bigger context. They're more likely to comply with Donald Trump just to get their other business interests through."
• Oliver Darcy [58:38]: "If you can support a news organization financially, it matters so much. They want to expand, they want to grow, they want to hold people accountable, but we can't do it without reader support."

Conclusion

This episode of Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams serves as a crucial exposé on the systematic efforts to dismantle journalistic integrity and the dire consequences for American democracy. Through insightful dialogue with Oliver Darcy, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of media suppression, the pivotal role of independent journalism, and the urgent need for collective action to safeguard the truth. As the battle for a free press intensifies, the episode underscores that the fight against autocracy begins with informed and engaged citizens committed to upholding democratic values.