Margaret Sullivan

Donald Trump is described as aggressively using the presidency and related business ventures to increase his personal and family wealth, including through cryptocurrency, foreign investment in properties and Truth Social. The article highlights claims of $2.2bn in 2025 revenue and $1.4bn from crypto ventures, while noting losses suffered by investors and potential conflicts of interest. Congress has provided little oversight, although a federal judge blocked major parts of a settlement involving Trump, his family and the IRS. Despite low approval ratings and public concern about personal gain, Trump continues to dismiss criticism as “fake news.” Democratic gains in the 2026 midterm elections could impose greater constraints, particularly in the House.

Margaret Sullivan argues that Anthony Fauci’s pandemic decisions can reasonably be scrutinized, particularly the government’s shifting guidance and lack of transparency, but says the Republican-led Senate investigation has crossed into politicized persecution. Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times, fearing the hearing was designed to create grounds for prosecution, and the committee referred the contempt matter to the Justice Department. The column condemns years of right-wing attacks and threats against Fauci while warning that the campaign could damage public trust in US public health for years.

CBS News has hired New York Times conservative columnist Ross Douthat as a 60 Minutes correspondent despite his lack of broadcast and investigative reporting experience. The appointment follows Bari Weiss’s installation as editor in chief by owner David Ellison and Weiss’s selection of similarly unconventional executive producer Nick Bilton. The changes, alongside the departures of established correspondents, have fueled criticism, audience anger and sharply declining ratings. Sullivan argues that Douthat’s appointment signals that conservative opinion credentials now matter more to CBS News leadership than traditional television or investigative journalism expertise.

The Trump administration escalated its conflict with the press by issuing subpoenas to New York Times reporters, prompting accusations of intimidation and threats to First Amendment protections. The subpoenas followed reporting on a Qatari Boeing 747 provided to Trump and on security concerns surrounding the aircraft. Journalists and press advocates warned that forcing testimony would endanger confidential sources and undermine accountability reporting. The actions were part of broader, increasingly aggressive efforts during Trump’s second term to target journalists, including searches and device seizures. Media leaders argued that these measures aim to restrict the public’s right to know how the government operates and spends taxpayer money.

Reports from multiple outlets revealed escalating allegations of violence and sexual misconduct against Graham Platner, ultimately forcing him from Maine’s Senate race. Initial reporting by the New York Times was criticized as cautious and incomplete, while later stories from Politico, CNN and the Washington Post provided more direct and serious accounts. The sequence raised questions about timing and thoroughness in journalism, though the reporting ultimately led to a clearer public understanding of Platner’s conduct. Media outlets emphasized the difficulty of verifying sensitive accounts and the unpredictable nature of sources coming forward, underscoring the challenges inherent in Me Too–related reporting.

JD Vance’s controversial statements on Catholic teachings, immigration, Watergate and other issues are framed as a deliberate strategy to appeal to Donald Trump’s base by signaling intolerance and grievance. Despite aspiring to appear more stable than Trump, his rhetoric is depicted as calculated to position himself for the 2028 Republican nomination. His popularity has declined amid his comments and foreign policy roles, yet his approach is presented as an attempt to become Trump’s ideological successor.

Shared experiences at major sporting events such as the World Cup, NBA championship celebrations and NHL games temporarily bridged social and cultural divisions in cities like Boston, New York and Buffalo. Interactions between locals and visiting fans, communal celebrations and spontaneous acts of solidarity created brief periods of unity and goodwill that contrasted with broader societal polarization. These moments demonstrated the ability of sports to foster connection and inspire a sense of collective humanity, even if only briefly.

Argues that Donald Trump’s repeated insults and falsehoods directed at female journalists demand a stronger, more assertive response from the press. Recommends confronting Trump with direct evidence, challenging his lies in real time, and ending interviews when abuse continues. Highlights systemic reluctance within media organizations to risk losing access but insists that prioritizing truth and accountability is essential for the public interest.

Scott Pelley was fired from CBS after confronting new leadership over political interference and editorial damage at 60 Minutes, accusing Bari Weiss and CBS management of undermining journalistic integrity and driving out respected staff. His dismissal followed a staff meeting in which he denounced Weiss’s decisions, including censoring an investigation tied to Trump administration interests. The turmoil has led to significant departures and concerns that the storied news program is being reshaped for political purposes. Pelley is portrayed as standing on principle while CBS leadership faces criticism for mismanagement and capitulation to political pressure.

Public concern about Donald Trump’s mental and physical fitness is rising as visible signs of decline intensify and the White House provides little meaningful transparency. Historical examples of concealed presidential health issues underscore the need for mandatory disclosure of medical information, especially given Trump’s advanced age, erratic behavior and recent hospital visits. With fewer than half of Americans believing he is fit for office, greater accountability and regular reporting on presidential health are deemed essential to ensure competence and safeguard national security.

Mainstream media outlets are depicted as normalizing and downplaying the corruption, erratic behavior and abuses of power attributed to Donald Trump during his second term, treating them as predictable rather than alarming. Examples cited include an alleged multibillion‑dollar slush fund, declining physical and mental fitness, the undermining of voting rights and continual self‑enrichment. The article argues that corporate media quickly moves on from these developments, leaving independent voices to provide more direct criticism, while Trump’s strategy of overwhelming the news cycle keeps public attention scattered and institutions largely deferential.

Ted Turner’s death prompts renewed attention to CNN’s uncertain future as Paramount Skydance prepares to take over its parent company, raising fears of political influence and weakened editorial independence similar to changes seen at CBS News under the Ellison family. Critics, including state attorneys general and anti‑monopoly lawmakers, continue to challenge the merger in the US and Europe. Turner’s longstanding opposition to media consolidation underscores concerns that CNN’s founding vision may be at risk under new ownership.

Disney faces political pressure after Jimmy Kimmel’s joke about Melania Trump prompted Donald Trump and FCC chair Brendan Carr to demand consequences, including early license reviews of ABC stations. Free speech advocates and FCC commissioner Anna Gomez condemn the reviews as unconstitutional. The situation follows previous episodes of political pressure on media companies, raising concerns about self-censorship and misuse of regulatory power. Disney signals it will defend itself legally, with broader implications for protecting free speech from government interference.

Criticism centers on White House correspondents attending a celebratory gala alongside Donald Trump and administration officials hostile to the press, raising concerns over journalistic independence, optics, and declining public trust. Media executives and companies inviting anti-press figures intensify the controversy, while some outlets decline participation to signal support for press freedom. Despite attempts by organizers and journalists to highlight First Amendment values, the presence of figures who have attacked the press undermines the event’s stated purpose, prompting calls for alternative ways to support journalism without compromising principles.

A columnist describes renewed alignment with Catholicism due to Pope Leo’s strong advocacy for peace and his public rebuke of Donald Trump’s rhetoric. Praise for the pope’s moral clarity is contrasted with deep criticism of Trump, while anecdotal reactions and polling data suggest a shift among American Catholics away from the former president. The piece highlights growing enthusiasm for the pope among left-leaning Catholics and frames the unfolding conflict between the two figures as a moral contest in which the pope holds the higher ground.

Pete Hegseth’s tenure as defense secretary is criticized as dangerously unqualified, marked by loyalty to Donald Trump, misleading statements about the war with Iran, and public religious justifications for violence. Former military leaders and analysts argue he lacks the experience and judgment required for wartime leadership, while his efforts to control media access and spread inaccurate information have exacerbated strategic failures. His behavior is presented as the predictable result of elevating a partisan Fox News figure to a position of major military authority.

The Ellison family’s expansion from Skydance Media into Paramount Global has already given them control of CBS News, and a proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. would add CNN and HBO to their portfolio. Although David Ellison has promised to preserve CNN’s editorial independence, Margaret Sullivan argues that his record at CBS News—including the hiring of Bari Weiss and a $16 million settlement with Donald Trump over a 60 Minutes interview—raises serious doubts. The discussion frames concentrated billionaire ownership and political settlements as threats to independent journalism and democratic accountability.

The Ellison family’s Skydance Media has already merged with Paramount Global, giving it control of CBS News, and a proposed $110bn Warner Bros acquisition would also place HBO and CNN under its influence. Margaret Sullivan argues that David Ellison’s record at CBS, including the hiring of Bari Weiss and a $16m settlement with Donald Trump over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, casts doubt on promises to preserve CNN’s editorial independence. The discussion warns that concentrated media ownership can enable political leaders to control public messaging and weaken democratic institutions.

A series of recent lower court rulings has blocked several Trump administration actions involving immigration, public media funding, White House renovations and press access, demonstrating that the judiciary can still restrain presidential overreach. While these decisions affirm the rule of law and could help ensure fair elections, their impact is limited by the Supreme Court’s conservative lean and by Congress’s actions, such as withdrawing funding from public media despite a favorable ruling. Legal experts argue that courts alone cannot preserve democratic institutions, stressing that long‑term protection depends on civic engagement and collective efforts to rebuild democratic norms.

Trump escalates attacks on the press by labeling reporting on the war in Iran as treason and encouraging allies to pressure media organizations through threats of license loss and lawsuits. Key officials including the FCC chair and defense secretary amplify these efforts, while CNN leadership and First Amendment advocates push back. Concerns grow over increasing media consolidation, self-censorship, and the chilling effect of costly legal battles. The weakening of press independence alongside aggressive executive pressure is presented as a significant threat to democratic norms in the United States.

AI-generated footage and doctored images are increasingly distorting public understanding of the US–Israel–Iran conflict, while genuine images are often dismissed as fake. Fact‑checking teams at major news organizations, including the New York Times and BBC, work to verify content amid rising false accusations of manipulation. Experts urge news consumers to slow down, question their assumptions, rely on credible verification specialists, avoid pseudo‑experts, and seek broader context to avoid fueling misinformation. Critical thinking and caution in sharing visual content have become essential as digital fakery proliferates during wartime.

AI adoption is accelerating across fields from religion to journalism, sparking debates over ethics, job security and standards. Media companies and newsrooms face internal conflicts over how much to rely on AI, with some leaders urging rapid adoption while others warn of job displacement and quality declines. Examples range from editorial workflows increasingly incorporating AI to large-scale misuse such as mass‑produced uncredited podcasts. Advocates argue that human oversight remains essential, while critics highlight the risks of errors and erosion of trust. AI’s influence is expanding, raising both opportunities and significant concerns about its role in public‑facing communication.

Trump’s allies at Paramount Skydance are close to acquiring Warner Bros Discovery, raising concerns that political influence could extend to CNN. The withdrawal of Netflix’s competing bid followed meetings at the White House, intensifying worries about interference. Critics warn that Trump’s relationships with powerful media-connected billionaires and past pressure on news organizations reflect a broader effort to weaken independent journalism. CBS’s shift under Bari Weiss is cited as a precedent for how ownership changes can reshape coverage. Observers fear that weakened antitrust enforcement and political pressure will smooth the acquisition’s path, deepening oligarchic control of US media and expanding Trump’s influence over national news.