Today, Explained Stop the press!
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Jul 22, 2025 
David Fulkenflick, NPR's media correspondent, and Matt Bellany, founding partner of Puck and media expert, dive into the tumultuous landscape of American media. They discuss the unexpected cancellation of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' and the political fallout surrounding it. The conversation also unpacks Trump’s legal battles against Rupert Murdoch and his attempts to stifle press freedom. Listeners will be intrigued by the insider views on the intense rivalry between media giants and political figures that could reshape the future of journalism.
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Trump's Lawsuit Against Murdoch
- Donald Trump is suing The Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch over a reported obscene birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein.
- This legal battle reflects a rare public conflict between two powerful, previously allied conservative figures.
Trump's Media Discredit Strategy
- Trump aims to discredit news organizations by labeling critical stories as fake news.
- This tactic seeks to undermine trust in journalism and shield his supporters from negative coverage.
Controlling Press Access
- Trump barred The Wall Street Journal from the press pool on a Scotland trip to control coverage.
- Excluding certain news outlets signals an attempt to dictate who can report on him.