Wow! Trump Bribing Fox Reporters in the Open?!

Summary

Legal AF by MeidasTouch: "Wow! Trump Bribing Fox Reporters in the Open?!"

Release Date: March 15, 2025
Hosts: MeidasTouch Network featuring Ben Meiselas, Michael Popak, and Karen Friedman Agnifilo
Executive Producer: Meidas Media Network

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1. Introduction to the Episode

In this gripping episode of Legal AF, hosts delve into the alarming trend of former Fox News personalities being integrated into Donald Trump's administration. The discussion centers on the implications this movement has for media independence, ethics in governance, and the broader intersection of law and politics.

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2. Trump’s Appointments from Fox News

Legal Analyst 1 initiates the conversation by highlighting Trump's recent recruitment of Fox News figures into his administration:

• [01:20] Legal Analyst 1: "Donald Trump keeps recruiting from Fox and Fox News for cabinet positions and other plum positions in his administration."
• [01:28] Michael Popak adds specifics: "Now adding Mar Bartiromo and Laura Ingraham."

The hosts express concern over the nature of these appointments, emphasizing that many appointees have previously covered Trump or interviewed him, casting doubt on their claimed independence.

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3. Implications for Fox News’ Independence

The discussion transitions to the potential conflicts of interest arising from these appointments:

• [02:04] Legal Analyst 1: "Sort of independent news agency with so."
• [02:06] Michael Popak critiques the ethics of Fox News hiring former reporters: "How is Maria Bartiromo gonna look the American people in the eye and say she's doing a legitimate business."

The hosts argue that these appointments blur the lines between journalism and political allegiance, undermining the credibility of Fox News as an unbiased news source.

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4. Specific Cases and Critiques

The episode provides detailed accounts of specific Fox News personalities now holding significant government roles:

• Maria Bartiromo appointed to the Kennedy Center board, raising questions about her ability to remain an impartial journalist while serving in a governmental position.
  • [03:24] Michael Popak: "Let me tell you who's now on the board now that he trashed it... Maria Bartiromo and Ingraham at Fox."
• Laura Ingraham similarly facing scrutiny for her dual roles.
• Pete Hegseth transitions from "Fox and Friends Weekend" to head of the Pentagon.

Popak underscores the lack of traditional qualifications among these appointees:

• [04:47] Michael Popak: "He was Fox and Friends weekend and he's the head of the Pentagon."

The hosts criticize the selection of media personalities over experienced civil servants, suggesting that political loyalty may overshadow professional expertise.

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5. Impact on the Kennedy Center

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Trump's overhaul of the Kennedy Center board:

• [02:37] Legal Analyst 1: "They run the Kennedy center and it's programming in Washington."
• [02:44] Michael Popak: "Donald Trump completely took over the board, trashed everybody that was on there... and then installed all of his stooges and lackeys."

The hosts express concern over the elimination of bipartisan representation, noting the departure of influential artists and the center’s shift towards a more politicized administration.

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6. Broader Political and Legal Implications

The episode delves into the broader consequences of intertwining media personalities with government roles:

• [05:27] Michael Popak: "Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation... he's on Fox and is now our Secretary of Transportation during one of the most critical and tumultuous periods and air travel, for instance, we've ever had."

Popak and Analyst 1 argue that such appointments compromise the integrity of government institutions and erode public trust in both the media and political establishments.

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7. Maria Bartiromo Interview Clip

A pivotal moment in the episode features a clip from Maria Bartiromo's interview with Donald Trump:

• [09:05] Donald Trump: "Let me stay on the economy for a moment because there are rising worries about a slowdown."
• [09:17] Maria Bartiromo: "I've only been here."
• [09:18] Donald Trump: "Are you expecting a recession this year?"

Popak uses this clip to illustrate the conflict between Bartiromo’s role as a journalist and her governmental position, questioning her ability to maintain journalistic objectivity:

• [09:49] Michael Popak: "Look and level with her viewers and say I am effectively a mouthpiece for... and I took the board seat because nobody told me I couldn't do it at Fox."

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8. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In wrapping up, Michael Popak reiterates the severity of the issue:

• [11:00] Michael Popak: "It shouldn't come as any surprise. There's more than a dozen people from Fox and Fox and Friends and Fox and Weekend and Fox contributors all in... serving in some capacity in the Trump administration."

He emphasizes the need for vigilance and accountability, urging listeners to follow ongoing developments:

• [11:12] Michael Popak: "This conduit, this feeder program and this unholy alliance between Donald Trump and Fox as he rewards those that help get him elected."

Popak concludes by promoting additional resources and platforms for continued engagement on the topic:

• [12:03] Michael Popak: "Help us build this pro democracy channel where I'll be curating the top stories. The intersection of law and politics. Go to YouTube now and free subscribe @legalafmtn."

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Key Takeaways

• Trump's Strategic Appointments: The deliberate selection of Fox News personalities for influential government positions raises questions about the impartiality and integrity of both the media and political institutions.

• Conflict of Interest: The intertwining roles of media figures and government officials create potential conflicts of interest, undermining public trust and the foundational principles of unbiased journalism.

• Erosion of Institutional Credibility: The takeover of organizations like the Kennedy Center by politically aligned individuals signals a troubling shift towards politicization of traditionally bipartisan and independent institutions.

• Call to Action: The episode underscores the importance of maintaining clear boundaries between media and government roles to preserve democratic integrity and ensure accountable governance.

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This episode of Legal AF serves as a crucial examination of the symbiotic yet problematic relationship between media personalities and political power, urging listeners to critically assess the implications for democracy and the rule of law.

Transcript

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[Legal Analyst 1]

Donald Trump keeps recruiting from Fox and Fox News for cabinet positions and other plum positions in his administration.

[Michael Popak]

Now adding Mar Bartiromo and Laura Ingraham.

[Legal Analyst 1]

Who cover Donald Trump, who interviewed Donald.

[Michael Popak]

Trump, who can no longer ever be.

[Legal Analyst 1]

Claimed to be independent.

[Michael Popak]

He's named the two of them to.

[Legal Analyst 1]

The Kennedy center board.

[Michael Popak]

Used to be a bipartisan board and now all 14 members are right.

[Legal Analyst 1]

Right.

[Michael Popak]

Maga Trumpers. I'll give you the list in a minute.

[Legal Analyst 1]

Continuing the march of Fox News as.

[Michael Popak]

A stepping stone and a feeding program right into the Trump administration. How they can continue to have their f license and act like there's some.

[Legal Analyst 1]

Sort of independent news agency with so.

[Michael Popak]

Much revolving door or even not even revolving door, how is Maria Bartiromo gonna look the American people in the eye and say she's doing a legitimate business.

[Legal Analyst 1]

News program when she just took a board seat?

[Michael Popak]

And how does Fox and its ethics department attention Fox, you need an ethicist.

[Legal Analyst 1]

How is it allowing it?

[Michael Popak]

I'm Michael Popak. You're here on the Midas Touch Network and on legal AF. Kennedy center used to be 10 to 14 people, bipartisan, Republican and Democrat.

[Legal Analyst 1]

They run the Kennedy center and it's programming in Washington.

[Michael Popak]

It's an honor to to be on.

[Legal Analyst 1]

The Kennedy center board.

[Michael Popak]

Donald Trump completely took over the board, trashed everybody that was on there, fired everybody. Bipartisan or otherwise and then installed all of his stooges and lackeys, mega donors and their spouses and the like. Let me tell you who's now on the board now that he trashed it. And then we'll get a Bartiromo and Ingraham at Fox.

[Legal Analyst 1]

And how could they could possibly continue.

[Michael Popak]

To follow Donald Trump and report on him to the American people when they've taken this cushy, cushy plum assignment, you know, while they're still reporters or whatever they're supposed to be TV personalities. Usha Vance, the vice president's wife, is on the board.

[Legal Analyst 1]

Susie Wiles, the chief of staff, her.

[Michael Popak]

Mother who is, who is married to Pat Summerall, the, the late NFL host anchor. So Susie Wild's got her mother on there. We have Dan Scavino, who's the deputy chief of staff. We have Lee Greenwood, the country singer who Donald Trump likes. We've got Pam Gross, who is the wife of a mega donor. We've got Allison Lutnick, who is the wife of the commerce secretary. And adding to all of these people are Bartiromo and Laura Ingraham because Donald Trump, quote, wants to return the Kennedy center to greatness. Now, artists understandably are abandoning the Kennedy center in droves. Hamilton and Lin Manuel just canceled their entire run at the Kennedy center because they're not going to do it under this type of totalitarian approach to the arts. You know, I really do feel like I'm in Nazi Germany when I hear about the complete takeover by the government of an arts, of an arts division or arm. Now, it shouldn't come as any surprise. There's more than a dozen people from Fox and Fox and Friends and Fox and Weekend and Fox contributors all in.

[Legal Analyst 1]

Serving in some capacity in the Trump.

[Michael Popak]

Administration from the highest, the highest levels. Pete Hegseth, he wasn't even qualified to.

[Legal Analyst 1]

Be on the starting lineup of Fox and Friends.

[Michael Popak]

He was Fox and Friends weekend and.

[Legal Analyst 1]

He'S now the head of our Defense Department.

[Michael Popak]

He's the head of the Pentagon. Pete Hegseth, Kimberly Guilfoyle, formerly a wife or girlfriend of one of the Trump kids, now the U.S. ambassador to Greece.

[Legal Analyst 1]

She was a contributor.

[Michael Popak]

Monica Crowley from Fox, now the chief of protocol at State.

[Legal Analyst 1]

Diane Dan Bongino.

[Michael Popak]

Dan Bongino, biggest claim to fame is he was in the Secret Service and then he was a podcaster and now he's the deputy director of the FBI and a former contributor to Fox. Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas, now our ambassador to Israel. A Fox contributor.

[Legal Analyst 1]

Sean Duffy, very interesting.

[Michael Popak]

Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation. He was a Fox contributor where he met his wife, Rachel Campos Duffy, when they were on Real World Meets Whatever on mtv.

[Legal Analyst 1]

And she was a real world person.

[Michael Popak]

Rachel Campos Duffy, and she's still on Fox. And he was on Fox and is now our Secretary of Transportation during one of the most critical and tumultuous periods and air travel, for instance, we've ever had, with at least five major plane accidents and deaths, including the most, the most fatalities in the last 25 years, about nine days after the Trump administration started. Maybe they should focus more on being real civil servants and politicians instead of playing one on television.

[Legal Analyst 1]

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[Michael Popak]

And then I could go on Tulsi Gabbard, ahead of our national intelligence was a was a contributor Tom Holman, who's the head of Border Czar Issues. He was a Contributor General Kellogg. He was, he was a Fox and a Fox contributor. So my big beef, if you can tell, is not so much that Donald Trump is picking people out of central casting on Fox and Friends and Fox and News and whatever and putting them in his administration, which is an obvious indicator that, that that channel was never independent, was never fair and balanced. It was so unfair and unbalanced. It was a stepping stone. And apparently auditions and tryouts for Donald Trump, you know, the ultimate reality TV star and producer. My biggest problem is what is Barto Romo and, and, and Ingraham going to do now? I know what they're going to do. They're going to continue to report on the Trump administration. They're going to continue to interview him and they're not going to reveal anywhere except we'll do it here. They're not going to reveal anywhere that they are on his board that they took a, are they not going to take the money that goes along with it? I believe there's a stipend that goes along with it. They're not going to, they're going to turn that down as well. Maria Bartiromo just interviewed Donald Trump off the weekend about the recession. Here's a clip.

[Donald Trump]

Let me stay on the economy for a moment because there are rising worries about a slowdown. You've got the Atlanta Federal Reserve saying we're going to have a contraction in the first quarter. Look, I know that you inherited a mess and you said that the other day.

[Maria Bartiromo]

I've only been here.

[Donald Trump]

Are you expecting a recession this year?

[Maria Bartiromo]

I hate to predict things like that. There is a period of transition because what we're doing is very big. We're bringing wealth back to America. That's a big thing. And there are always periods of it takes a little time. It takes a little time. But I think it should be great for us. I mean, I think it should be great. It's going to be great ultimately for the farmer, you know, don't forget. I mean, so is she going to.

[Michael Popak]

Look and level with her viewers and say I am effectively a mouthpiece for I almost said the North Koreans for Donald Trump and I took the board seat because nobody told me I couldn't do it at Fox and I think I can still be independent in my, in my interviews or I'm not a reporter. How about that? I'm not a journalist. I'm just an on air personality. Yet you break news and make news when you ask dumb questions that get amazing eye popping answers like I can't predict if there's going to be a recession there. It's a period of transition.

[Legal Analyst 1]

You know, you're, you're making news there.

[Michael Popak]

Maria, whether you like it or not. And you're getting paid several million dollars a year, I presume, in order to do it. I don't see anybody attacking Fox for DEI at the Trump administration. Is that how Maria got her job? Because diversity, equity and inclusion, they needed more women on the air? I don't know. I mean, let's get to the bottom of it. Seems to be a fair number of women on Fox. You know, I don't suggest that they.

[Legal Analyst 1]

Didn'T earn their way into those positions.

[Michael Popak]

But if it was a Democratic channel, I'm sure Donald Trump would have already. So I'm going to continue to follow it all right here. This conduit, this feeder program and this unholy alliance between Donald Trump and Fox as he rewards those that help get him elected. And they don't think there's any. That's the problem. It's the character thing. They don't think there's anything wrong, no judgment thing with continuing to be some sort of news organization at the same time that they just cnbc, I mean, you know, it's like supposed to be a credible news organization. While they continue to, you know, take handouts and effectively bribes from Donald Trump. I'll continue to follow it right here on the Midas Touch Network and Legal af. Follow everything we do at the intersection of law politics right here and also on the Legal AF YouTube channel, Legal AF MTN Wednesdays and Saturdays, the OG podcast, top 10 in the world, Legal AF on the number one Midas Touch Network, by the way, and then on audio podcast platforms of your choice. I got a new show, POPOC live.

[Legal Analyst 1]

Tuesday nights, 8pm Eastern time on this YouTube channel.

[Michael Popak]

A new podcast we're about, I don't know, 12 episodes old, average in about a half a million every time we go out there. That's all because of you. I do my part as best I can. I take questions, I give answers. I don't pull punches. POPOC live Tuesday nights, 8pm Eastern time. So until my next reporting, I'm Michael Pilpock in collaboration with the Midas Touch Network. We just launched the Legal AF YouTube channel. Help us build this pro democracy channel where I'll be curating the top stories. The intersection of law and politics. Go to YouTube now and free subscribe @legalafmtn. That's eagleafmtn.