Why Did MAGA Media Go Silent on Epstein? Plus, South Park, Colbert & Stewart Take on Paramount

In this latest episode of Power Lines, we're dissecting the seismic shifts rocking media and politics.

First,  the Washington Post, which is undergoing a dramatic reshaping under new opinion editor Adam O’Neal. Journalists and editors are being encouraged to take buyouts as Jeff Bezos seemingly shifts the paper's editorial direction. Is Bezos trying to appease Donald Trump to protect his other business interests by making the WaPo more conservative? Probably. Does that make him a bad steward? Probably. Does he care? Probably not. 

Then, the entertainment world is in an uproar. Stephen Colbert's The Late Show franchise is ending due to alleged financial constraints, a move met with widespread skepticism and outrage. We dive into the fiery reactions, including Jon Stewart's direct message to Paramount brass, Colbert's own questions about the reported $40 million annual loss, and South Park's pointed reference to Paramount "giving in to Trump" via Colbert's removal. 

Finally, the Jeffrey Epstein story continues to reverberate, but with a surprising silence from MAGA Media. A week after The Wall Street Journal's revelations about a birthday card from Donald Trump to Epstein, right-wing outlets have largely gone quiet. Oliver and Jon debate: Is this a calculated move? Will this scandal finally stick, or can Donald Trump walk away unscathed yet again?

Power Lines is presented by Status, and hosted by Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino. The show is produced by Matt Hevia and Antonio Enriquez, in association with In The Arena Studios.

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