
President-elect Donald Trump made good on his promise late Monday to sue The Des Moines Register, the newspaper's former pollster, Ann Selzer, and the paper's parent company, Gannett. His lawyers argue that Selzer's early November poll showing Vice President Kamala Harris beating Trump in Iowa amounted to "election interference." The suit comes on the heels of ABC News' decision to pay $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by Trump. Dylan Byers, media reporter and founding partner of Puck News, explains what it could mean for coverage of Trump's second term. Later in the show, Crooked correspondent and longtime climate reporter Stephanie Ebbs breaks down the Biden Administration's rush to spend funds for clean energy projects tied to the Inflation Reduction Act. And in headlines: Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly beat New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez in the contest to be the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect is...
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Jane Costen
It's Wednesday, December 18th. I'm Jane Costen, and this is Water Day, the show that will not be bidding on an ancient tablet containing nine of the Ten Commandments that Sotheby's is putting up for auction. Because honestly, where would we put it? With the Ark of the Covenant and the One True Cross and the Shroud of Turin already taking up a lot of space in our apartment, we are reaching our limit on possibly haunted religious relics. On today's show, Biden's Inflation Reduction act spending spree. And AOC loses her bid for top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. Let's get into it. I frequently say that President elect Donald Trump just says a lot of stuff. He makes a lot of promises that he can't possibly keep and probably doesn't want to. He's the kid running for sixth grade class president. Pizza and ice cream for everyone all the time. But there's one promise he's actively working to keep. Suing the media. Late Monday night, Trump filed a lawsuit against the Des Moines Register, its former pollster Ann Seltzer, and the paper's parent company, Ganette. Why? Because of Seltzer's poll published right before the election showing Vice President Kamala Harris with a three point lead in the state. Turns out Seltzer was wrong, very wrong. Trump won Iowa by 13 points, but never one to just take the win and move on. Trump says Seltzer's poll amounted to election interference. He previewed the suit during a press conference at Mar a Lago.
Donald Trump
I feel I have to do this. I shouldn't really be the one to do it. It should have been Justice Department or somebody else, but I have to do it. It costs a lot of money to do it, but we have to straighten out the press. Our press is very corrupt, almost as corrupt as our elections.
Jane Costen
And on Tuesday, Trump's lawyers asked a federal judge to advance another one of his media lawsuits against famed journalist Bob Woodward of the Washington Post. Trump sued him last year for releasing recordings of their interviews. The judge denied Trump's request a few hours later. Still, Trump is probably feeling emboldened. After he scored a legal win against ABC late last week, the network decided to settle with him for $15 million. Trump sued ABC and anchored George Stephanopoulos for defamation because Stephanopoulos said a jury found Trump, quote, liable of rape instead of liable of sexual assault. And that's not all. In November, Trump sued CBS News for a very reasonable $10 billion and not even over something the network said about him. He's suing Over Harris interview on 60 Minutes for what he says was deceitful editing that disadvantaged him in the election. This all may seem petty and silly and frivolous, because it is, but it also has media organizations worried. It all fits neatly into Trump's campaign promises of vengeance and retribution. And he's showing that there's almost no norm shattering level to which he won't stoop. So for more on what this all means, for coverage of Trump's second term, I spoke with Dylan Byers. He's a media reporter and a founding partner at Puck News. Dylan, welcome to what a Day.
Dylan Byers
Thank you for having me. I think this is my inaugural visit. It's good to be here.
Jane Costen
The first of many. So let's start with the ABC settlement. What was your reaction to the news, both as a guy who reports on the media, but also a member of the media?
Dylan Byers
Well, you know, I try to keep like a very sober, even keeled attitude about the these things and not to overreact to them. And I certainly understand in the Trump administration that among the business community generally there's a lot of sort of, some people have used the word capitulation. I think it's more recognizing the need to do business with Trump. So I understand the business leaders who are going to Mar a Lago to meet with Trump and talk with him. I can even sort of countenance the idea of a Jeff Bezos or a mark Zuckerberg donating $1 million to the inauguration fund. Presumably they would have done the same thing for Kamala or Biden or anyone else. $15 million to settle a defamation case that you almost certainly could have won in court is a problem of a whole different magnitude. And I think that Bob Iger and Disney caved here. And I think that in so doing, they set a very terrible precedent for what other media organizations are going to do over the course of the next four years.
Jane Costen
Why do you think ABC and Disney just folded and decided not to fight Trump's claims?
Dylan Byers
Yeah, well, we should start with the caveat here that technically speaking, George Stephanopoulos was wrong in what he said.
Jane Costen
Mm.
Dylan Byers
Still doesn't mean he would have lost the case. Right. The bar for defamation is fortunately, in this country, at least for the time being. We'll see what the Supreme Court does. But the bar for defamation for public figures is really high, as it should be. I can't explain it. I don't, I don't know. I mean, I understand the calculation is you don't want Trump on your back. You don't want to deal with being demonized by the Trump administration. You don't want to put Disney at a disadvantage or put the news division at a disadvantage. But again, I don't really think it's defensible.
Jane Costen
What message do you think it sent to Trump?
Dylan Byers
I think it would embolden him. I think it would leave him with the impression that he should go after more media organizations. And we've seen that already. I mean, he's going after media organizations now on much even thinner claims.
Jane Costen
Right, right. Let's talk about it. Like he's going after the Des Moines Register to talk about Anne Seltzer's poll. Trump is arguing it amounted to election interference even though he won Iowa by like 13 points. And a poll is not election interference. It seems bonkers. Like, this seems like the kind of thing that a judge would be like, get the hell out of here. What's going on here?
Dylan Byers
You know, he has said this in the past when he has lost. And the Des Moines Register case is not a defamation case. It has to do with some Iowa state law about fraud. But he has said in the past that even when he loses these legal cases, he has said it was worth it because I'm paraphrasing now, but effectively because it made the defendant's life a living hell. And I think he is just creating a climate in which news organizations feel like they are going to think twice before doing anything that might get on his bad side. Now, I don't want to overstate the case. I don't think the New York Times or CNN or anyone else is going to stop covering Trump in a tough way. But I do think that they are going to be, you know, the bar is going to be raised for them in terms of how they approach it, because I think they're just going to be fearful that he's going to take some sort of legal action to really complicate things for them or just make life harder for them. And that, again, that that's not the kind of climate we want to live in.
Jane Costen
And talking about companies that aren't the New York Times and cnn, which no matter what financial difficulties CNN might be facing, still billions of dollars, what effects could these seemingly frivolous suits have on media organizations that aren't exactly raking in money right now?
Dylan Byers
Yeah, it's much harder if you're a much smaller news organization. You know, I mean, I spent a lot of time covering the media thinking about decline of legacy institutions and the rise of startups. But one thing that's great about institutions is that they have the muscle and the resources and the fortitude to stand up to administrations in situations like these, or to stand up to government or big business or anyone else. And I think if you are a, you know, I think if you're a small paper and you get bogged down in needing to spend money on legal resources to fight against the President of the United States, yeah, I think that could become an existential challenge for a small media organization.
Jane Costen
I think that the first Trump presidency was a boon for the news industry in a lot of ways. But a lot has changed since 2017. And if you talk to people, there's a real sense of people just being tired. Like they did this once. They're tired. I don't think you're going to get the same massive bump to subscribers for a lot of places, though. I think some outlets like Slate have said, like, oh, we're actually receiving a bump right now. How do you think coverage of Trump and the audience's appetite for that kind of coverage, the kind of like 24 hours a day, seven days a week in depth, constant discussions of Trump that we saw in 2017, 2018, how do you think that's going to look different this time around?
Dylan Byers
You know, I think it'll vary media organization to media organization. You will certainly still have organizations like MSNBC or the Atlantic or Slate that will continue to sort of that sort of progressive, liberal, anti Trump posture. I think what will be different from last time is I think last time there was so much shock and I think media organizations felt so unsettled by the result of the 2016 campaign that the sort of resistance posturing became, I think, sort of not just the smartest business strategy, but sort of like the natural knee jerk reaction of media organizations that had put a big premium on the values of the fourth estate. And I think this time around there's more nuance to how more mainstream organizations, I'm thinking here about cnn, the Washington Post, think about that. And I think they recognize that Trump is the president. He won the election, he won the popular vote. And the strategy of positioning yourself as a counterweight to that, rather than just doing the work of covering the administration and telling the story and recognizing that you don't want to alienate half of your audience. I think they're thinking more strategically about that. And so I think as a result, we are not going to see this overwhelming resistance style journalism of the democracy dies in darkness. CNN's this is an Apple, this is not a banana, that sort of campaigning. I don't think they're going to market themselves that way. Look, I think most of these media organizations remain left of center, but I think there's going to be an effort to be a little bit more thoughtful about how they do that and a little less emotional about it.
Jane Costen
Dylan, this has been incredibly helpful. Thank you so much for joining us.
Dylan Byers
Sure. Thank you for having me. It's a pleasure.
Jane Costen
That was my conversation with Dylan Byers, media reporter and founding partner at Puck News. We'll get to more of the news in a moment, but if you like the show, make sure to subscribe. Leave a five star review on Apple Podcasts, watch us on YouTube and share with your friends. More to come after some ads what a day is brought to you by Aura Frames. Isn't it funny how the people we love the most are often the hardest to shop for? Luckily, there's one gift that everyone on your list is sure to enjoy. An Aura Digital picture Frame. Wirecutter called it the best digital photo frame. I took tons of photos this year. Actually, I take tons of photos pretty much every day and I cannot wait to get them off my phone and into an Aura frame. Save them the perfect gift by visiting auraframes.com to get $35 off Aura's bestselling Carver Mat frames by using promo code WAD at checkout. That's a U R A frames.com promo code WAD terms and conditions apply.
Alvin Bragg
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Jane Costen
Water Day is brought to you by Sling. Seems like things change every 20 minutes. It's hard to keep up. That's why you should watch Sling the They provide the best value for your essential news channels. With Sling, you get all of your favorite news channels at the best price. Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, Hannity, Anderson Cooper, 360, the Rachel Maddow show, and more for just $40 a month. So yeah, with the election coverage and everything else happening, you can get news that will raise your blood pressure at prices that won't get the best price on news about what's going on in the world. Then say that's what's going on in the world. And it's not just news. Check this out. Sling has the live sports, news and entertainment channels you love and less of the ones you don't, so you save hundreds of dollars. Sling lets you choose and customize your channel lineup so you can choose the channels you actually like. Sling's cloud DVR lets you record your shows to watch on your schedule. There's no complex technology, no long term contracts, and no hidden rigmarole. I need to be able to watch football and I need to be able to watch football on my schedule. That's why I love Sling. Get rewarded for watching your favorite news channels. Sling lets you do that. Visit sling.com now to learn more and get started. That's sling.com now. Sling.com now. And now the news headlines.
Gerry Connolly
I think my colleagues were measuring their votes by who's got experience, who's seasoned, who can be trusted, who's capable, and who's got a record of productivity. And I think that prevailed.
Jane Costen
Virginia Representative Gerry Connolly beat New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez Tuesday in the contest for top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. It's the main investigative committee in the House and works to hold the federal government accountable. The secret ballot vote was held in a private Democratic caucus meeting. Connolly, who's 74, bested the 35 year old by a significant margin, prompting questions from reporters about whether Democrats are rejecting the youth movement in Congress. Here's how Connolly responded.
Gerry Connolly
I think that's a false narrative, frankly, propounded by the media. We're looking at capability. We're not looking at age. Is somebody capable irrespective of how old they are.
Jane Costen
Connolly also told reporters his strategy to fight back against the Republicans in the majority is to tell the truth. Are you up for the potential combat.
Dylan Byers
With the Trump administration?
Jane Costen
I know you've had some health issues.
Gerry Connolly
I did it before for four years and bested them on a number of occasions and I'm raring to go again.
Jane Costen
Connolly said Trump may feel more emboldened in his upcoming term, but, quote, that may also make him more reckless. He went on to say that there is a law on this land and he's going to make sure it's enforced. AOC wrote on Blue sky, quote, tried my best. Sorry I couldn't pull it through, everyone, we live to fight another day.
Donald Trump
We are here to announce that Luigi Mangione, the defendant, is charged with one count of murder in the first degree and two counts of murder in the second degree, including one count of murder in the second degree as an act of terrorism for the brazen targeted and premeditated shooting of Brian Thompson, Manhattan District.
Jane Costen
Attorney Alvin Bragg detailed the charges against Luigi Mangione, the alleged shooter of the United Healthcare CEO. Bragg said at a press conference on Tuesday that Mangione is also facing weapons and forgery charges in New York. He faces a maximum penalty of life without parole. Mangione is currently being held in Pennsylvania on weapons and forgery charges. He's set to appear in a Pennsylvania court on Thursday for an extradition hearing, which his lawyers say they will not fight. A top Russian general was killed Tuesday in a bomb attack outside an apartment building in Moscow. An official with Ukraine's security service, the SBU, claimed Ukraine was behind the killing of Lt. Gen. Igor Kurilov. Russia's Investigative Committee said Kurilov and one of his aides died after the device, which was planted in a scooter, detonated remotely. The attack came a day after Ukraine accused Kurilov of being responsible for, quote, the massive use of banned chemical weapons in the country. The SBU claims Russian forces have used chemical weapons in battle more than 4,800 times since the war started. Russia denies the accusations. Kurlov was sanctioned by several countries, including the UK And Canada, for his part in the war. What do the movies Spy Kids, the Social Network and no country for Old Men all have in common? According to the Library of Congress, they're Americana. On Tuesday, the Library announced it's adding 25 films to the National Film Registry for 2024. The National Film Registry is a list of films the Library of Congress deems culturally, historically or aesthetically important to preserving the country's film heritage. Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, announced this year's inductees in a video, which featured interviews with filmmakers and actors in the films.
Alvin Bragg
The 2024 National Film Registry the films are stunning, evocative and thrilling, captivating us with stories of unwavering grit, complex relationships and gripping breakfast.
Jane Costen
This year's editions span 130 years and countless genres. Among them is 1938's Angels with Dirty Faces and 1991's My Own Private Idaho. As always, RIP River Phoenix. The list is now 900 titles long, and today Turner Classic Movies will broadcast a selection of the films. And that's the news. One more thing. The Inflation Reduction act was signed into law in August of 2022, and it was intended to do a bunch of stuff. One of the primary goals of the law was to fight climate change. In fact, it's the largest piece of federal legislation aimed squarely at climate change, with nearly $900 billion targeted at everything from encouraging renewable energy growth to supporting Rural energy cooperatives. And Donald Trump hates it. But what exactly could he do about it as president? Could he take back all that money that's gone to Democratic and Republican districts to get electric school buses on the roads and help preserve wetlands? And what is President Biden doing to get the money out the door before Inauguration Day? To find out, I called up crooked correspondent and longtime climate reporter Stephanie Ebbs. Stephanie, welcome back to Water Day.
Stephanie Ebbs
Thanks, Jane.
Jane Costen
So how do we measure the impact of the Inflation Reduction act since it was passed two years ago? What has it done to help mitigate climate change?
Stephanie Ebbs
Yeah, so the Biden administration a few weeks ago actually released a bunch of statistics about the success. Some of them included $154 billion in clean energy investments from the private sector. Things like factories to manufacture solar panels. Domestically, there's also more than 3 billion American households that have accessed tax credit through the IRA in some form. That's more than $8 billion in tax credits, mostly for improvements for your home. The administration would call that a big economic win, but also steps that save homeowners money, kind of in the more immediate sense. And then there's, of course, the climate benefits, which is more of a long game situation where all of these steps to increase clean energy capacity in the United States, it was a really big part of President Biden's goal of reducing the country's overall emissions by at least 50%.
Jane Costen
Biden's trying to spend all the money granted by the IRA in his last few weeks as president, and he wants to get all these funds out the door so that Trump can't rescind them. Why the rush?
Stephanie Ebbs
Well, exactly that. Because Congress has appropriated this money. We know that President Trump is saying he wants to eliminate the ira. He calls it a scam. He wants to rescind this money. It's actually really difficult for him to take back money that's been given out. An incoming president can't just take them back because he disagrees politically with the policy. The Biden administration stance is we're going to get all this money out the door before we're done. And they are on very legally sound ground to do that. So far, the Biden administration says that they have obligated more than 80% of the of the grant money from the IRA. That's more than $100 billion. So that's a very healthy chunk of money that they are kind of banking on being safe from Trump to keep kind of clean energy progress moving.
Jane Costen
So what could Trump and Republicans do to the IRA over the next Four years. Could they completely eliminate it? Clearly taking back that money would be pretty tough. As anyone who has ever venmoed anyone knows, it's tough to get money back that you sent to someone else. But what could they do? What couldn't they do?
Stephanie Ebbs
They could try to revoke the Inflation Reduction act, right? Congress could try. But we are seeing some fighting on the Hill already among Republicans, some of whom are getting quite a lot of money from these initiatives to their districts. There's actually three times more IRA clean energy money that has gone to Republican districts compared to Democratic ones. So we're already seeing things maybe soften from the stance that we're gonna completely repeal this. We might see them carve out very specific things like the electric vehicle tax credit, which some Republicans in Congress say is wasteful. Others who have new EV factories in their districts, big fans of it. Or maybe not big fans, but moderate fans. Trump, on the other hand, he can, through the agencies, take steps to basically slow these things down. A lot of the IRA programs were authorized for 10 years, so there's still a lot of money, a lot of programs on the table under epa, under Energy, under other federal agencies. And it is within their discretion to say we need to do a review of this program. We think it was spending too much money, or we're going to change the parameters for who's eligible for these grants. So while there's kind of the legislative conversation going on about do we get rid of this law, do we change it, the agencies have a lot of power to basically slow roll these programs so they aren't continuing the way we have seen them for the last two years.
Jane Costen
Stephanie, thank you so much for joining me again.
Stephanie Ebbs
Thanks Jane, so much.
Jane Costen
That was my conversation with Crooked correspondent Stephanie Ebbs. Before we go, if you've been wondering what the hell is going on in Syria and how the US Government is approaching it, or want to understand many of the other major international stories happening around the world, check out Pod Save the World. It's hosted by Tommy Vitor and former Obama Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes. Pod Save the World drops every Wednesday. Find it wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. That's all for today. If you liked the show, make sure you subscribe, leave a review, contemplate what it means that a kids movie that came out while I was in 8th grade is now in the National Film Registry. And tell your friends to listen. And if you're into reading and not just about how actually 2001 was super recent and not a very long time ago. If you think, think like about the nature of time and space. Like me. Woody Day is also a nightly newsletter. Check it out and subscribe@crooked.com subscribe I'm Jayden Coston and what I'm saying is that being in your late 30s is fun and cool and normal. What a Day is a production of Crooked Media. It's recorded and mixed by Desmond Taylor. Our Associate producer is R. Raven Yamamoto. Our producer is Michelle Eloy. We had a production help today from Tyler Hill, Johanna Case, Joseph Dutra, Greg Walters and Julia Clare. Our Senior producer is Erica Morrison and our Executive producer is Adrian Hill. Our theme music is by Colin Gilliard and Kashaka.
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Podcast Summary: What A Day – Episode "Media Braces For Trump's Revenge"
Release Date: December 18, 2024
Host: Jane Coaston
Production: Crooked Media
Overview:
In this episode, Jane Coaston delves into the recent surge of legal actions initiated by former President Donald Trump against various media organizations. This strategic litigious campaign appears to be part of Trump's broader agenda for retribution and control over media narratives.
Key Developments:
Lawsuit Against Des Moines Register and Affiliates:
On December 18th at [00:02], Jane introduces Trump's latest lawsuit targeting the Des Moines Register, its former pollster Ann Seltzer, and parent company Ganette. The lawsuit alleges that Seltzer's pre-election poll, which showed Vice President Kamala Harris leading by three points in Iowa, constituted election interference. Despite Trump winning Iowa by 13 points, he claims the poll was misleading and damaging.
Additional Media Lawsuits:
Conversation with Dylan Byers ([02:57]):
Dylan Byers, media reporter and founding partner at Puck News, discusses the implications of these lawsuits. He criticizes ABC and Disney for settling, suggesting they set a dangerous precedent by not defending against Trump's claims.
Notable Quotes:
Donald Trump ([01:23]):
"I feel I have to do this. Our press is very corrupt, almost as corrupt as our elections."
Dylan Byers ([04:24]):
"A $15 million settlement for a defamation case you could have won is a problem of a whole different magnitude."
Implications for the Media Landscape:
Byers highlights that while major outlets like The New York Times and CNN are unlikely to cease critical coverage, smaller media organizations may struggle financially to withstand similar lawsuits. This climate of legal intimidation could lead to self-censorship and reduced investigative journalism.
Overview:
The episode shifts focus to internal Democratic dynamics within the House of Representatives, specifically Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (AOC) unsuccessful bid to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee.
Key Points:
Election of Gerry Connolly:
Virginia Representative Gerry Connolly, aged 74, defeated 35-year-old AOC in a private Democratic caucus vote. Connolly emphasized experience and capability over age, countering narratives that Democrats are sidelining younger members.
Connolly’s Strategy Against Republicans:
Connolly plans to "tell the truth" and remain combative against the Republican majority, asserting his readiness to continue fighting on behalf of the committee.
AOC’s Response:
AOC acknowledged her loss with grace, stating, "I tried my best. Sorry I couldn't pull it through, everyone, we live to fight another day."
Notable Quotes:
Gerry Connolly ([14:04]):
"We're looking at capability. We're not looking at age. Is somebody capable irrespective of how old they are."
AOC ([14:33]):
"I tried my best. Sorry I couldn't pull it through, everyone, we live to fight another day."
Discussion:
The outcome raises questions about the Democratic Party's stance on youth leadership versus seasoned experience. Connolly's victory suggests a preference for established representatives who can leverage their experience in oversight roles, potentially impacting the party's dynamic and policy focus.
Overview:
Jane Coaston explores the Biden administration's efforts to utilize the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds before the end of his term, aiming to preclude former President Trump from repealing the legislation upon taking office.
Key Insights from Stephanie Ebbs ([18:41]):
Impact of the IRA:
Since its passage in August 2022, the IRA has facilitated significant investments in clean energy, with $154 billion from the private sector and over 3 billion American households accessing various tax credits totaling more than $8 billion. These initiatives support renewable energy growth, electric school buses, and wetland preservation, aligning with Biden's goal to reduce national emissions by 50%.
Biden’s Urgent Spending:
As Trump intensifies efforts to revoke the IRA, the Biden administration is prioritizing the rapid allocation of funds to ensure that the allocated money is effectively utilized. Over 80% of grant money has been obligated, totaling more than $100 billion, safeguarding clean energy progress despite potential political opposition.
Potential Republican Actions:
While outright repeal of the IRA is challenging, Republicans, led by Trump, may seek to modify specific aspects, such as the electric vehicle tax credit. Additionally, federal agencies could implement administrative actions to slow program execution or alter eligibility criteria, thereby mitigating the IRA's impact without legislative repeal.
Notable Quotes:
Stephanie Ebbs ([19:52]):
"We're going to get all this money out the door before we're done. And they are on very legally sound ground to do that."
Stephanie Ebbs ([21:02]):
"Agencies have a lot of power to basically slow roll these programs so they aren't continuing the way we have seen them for the last two years."
Conversation Insights:
Ebbs emphasizes the administration's proactive measures to maximize IRA benefits before potential legislative hurdles. She notes that while some Republicans from districts benefiting from IRA funds may moderate their stance, Trump’s influence could still pose challenges through administrative channels.
Conclusion:
The IRA remains a pivotal element in the U.S. strategy to combat climate change. The Biden administration's swift utilization of funds underscores the urgency of climate action, while Trump's potential resistance highlights the ongoing political contention surrounding federal climate initiatives.
National Film Registry Additions:
The episode briefly mentions the Library of Congress adding 25 films to the National Film Registry for 2024, recognizing their cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance. Notable inclusions span 130 years and various genres, from "Angels with Dirty Faces" (1938) to "My Own Private Idaho" (1991).
Alvin Bragg’s Commentaries:
Attorney Alvin Bragg discusses charges against Luigi Mangione for the targeted killing of Brian Thompson, as well as the assassination of a top Russian general, Lt. Gen. Igor Kurilov, amid escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
In this episode of What a Day, Jane Coaston provides a comprehensive analysis of Trump's ongoing legal battles with the media, the internal dynamics of the Democratic Party following AOC's defeat, and the strategic maneuvers surrounding the Inflation Reduction Act under a potential Trump administration. Through insightful conversations with media experts Dylan Byers and climate correspondent Stephanie Ebbs, the podcast offers listeners a nuanced understanding of the current political and media landscape, emphasizing the broader implications for democracy, media freedom, and climate policy.
Notable Final Quotes:
Dylan Byers ([10:31]):
"Most of these media organizations remain left of center, but they're thinking more strategically and a little less emotional about their coverage."
Stephanie Ebbs ([22:34]):
"Agencies have a lot of power to basically slow roll these programs so they aren't continuing the way we have seen them for the last two years."
For more in-depth discussions and daily updates on what truly matters, subscribe to What a Day on your preferred podcast platform or watch on YouTube.