3588 - Trump Zero Kimmel One; Sun Sets in Baltimore w/ Hannah Gaskill & Dan Belson

Sep 24, 2025

Hannah Gaskill and Dan Belson, reporters from the Baltimore Sun, dive into the alarming impact of their paper's acquisition by David Smith’s company. They discuss the shift in editorial focus and the implementation of gag orders that stifle journalistic freedom. The duo highlights their ongoing contract negotiations amidst accusations of union-busting tactics. Additionally, they advocate for public support and explain how silencing journalists threatens democracy.

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INSIGHT

Corporate Decisions Can Mask Political Coercion

Sam Seder argues Disney's pause on Jimmy Kimmel was driven by business pressure and political coercion rather than pure editorial choice.
He cites Trump, FCC pressure, and internal industry backlash as evidence of government-influenced corporate decisions.

ANECDOTE

New Owners Are Outside Baltimore

Hannah and Dan describe David Smith as a nonlocal owner with ties to Sinclair and conservative media figures.
They note Armstrong Williams as a smaller co-owner with a political media background.

INSIGHT

Ownership Shift Correlates With Readership Drop

Hannah Gaskill explains the Baltimore Sun is a 187-year-old paper recently bought by Sinclair's David Smith.
She links ownership change to sharp drops in circulation and a refocus toward fear-based crime coverage.

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It's Hump Day on Majority Report

On today's show:

MAGA is crashing out over Jimmy Kimmel's return to late night as they try to frame his firing as a "business decision" and not as a result of government censorship.

Trump fires off a rage fueled post to Truth Social where he threatens to sue ABC for putting him back on air. Does that sound like a business decision?

Baltimore Sun reporters Hannah Gaskill and Dan Belson join us to discuss the right-wing takeover of the 187-year-old paper by the chairman on Sinclair Broadcasting. Since the acquisition the owners have union busted and installed gag orders on the workers. Please take a moment to participate in the Baltimore Sun's letter drive.

Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer continues his media tour where he reiterates over and over again that he has nothing to offer and his plan for the Democrats is to lay perfectly still and hope that no one no spots him in the weeds.

In the Fun Half:

Katie Miller and Jesse Watters seem to mock Stephen Miller's virility with an odd metaphor. Trouble in paradise?

We take a few phone calls including friend of the show Kowalski from Nebraska.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins pretends that there is nothing they can do to help the rising costs of foods.

Farmers are being hit hard by the Trump administration, and even the reddest representatives are facing backlash as illustrated by outraged attendees at Rep. Mark Alford’s town hall in Harrisburg, Missouri.

Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters announces every high school in the state will have TPUSA chapters.

All this and more.

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