6/5/23: Trump Mocks Overuse Of 'Woke', DeSantis And Trump Avoid Debates, Big Donors Back DeSantis, Jack Endorses RFK Jr, SCOTUS Crushes Workers, YouTube Changes Election Disinfo Policy, Twitter Notes, Jamie Dimon 2024, Ukraine War Profiteers
Jun 5, 2023
auto_awesome
Guest Ben Freeman, a research fellow at the Quincy Institute, shares insights on the military-industrial complex's role in shaping narratives around the Ukraine war. The discussion highlights Trump's humorous jabs at the word 'woke' and the strategic political maneuvering of DeSantis and Trump as they potentially sidestep debates. Freeman also reveals the troubling influence of defense contractors on media coverage, questioning the impartiality of narratives surrounding U.S. military actions, and expresses concerns over new Supreme Court rulings impacting workers' rights.
YouTube now allows content questioning the 2020 US presidential election results.
Supreme Court ruling favors a company suing a union over a strike involving wet concrete.
Twitter CEO endorses RFK Jr. and predicts his victory over Trump in 2024 election.
Think tanks funded by defense contractors dominate the Ukraine war debate, stifling diverse perspectives.
Deep dives
YouTube reverses misinformation policy on election denialism
YouTube has reversed its election misinformation policy and will now allow content that claims fraud, errors, or glitches occurred in the 2020 US presidential election.
Supreme Court ruling allows company to sue union over strike
The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Glacier Northwest Incorporated, allowing the company to sue a union over a strike in which truck drivers left wet concrete in their trucks.
Jack Dorsey's return to Twitter and endorsements of RFK Jr.
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has returned to Twitter, endorsing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and predicting that he will beat Trump in the 2024 election.
Debate deadlocks and changing rules for Republican primary
There are debates within the Republican party regarding the hosting of debates and the rules for participation, with Trump's possible absence causing uncertainty for candidates like DeSantis.
Dominance of Defense Contractor-Funded Think Tanks in Ukraine War Debate
A recent report by the Quincy Institute reveals that think tanks funded by defense contractors have been dominating the debate on the Ukraine war. More than 85% of all think tank media mentions come from think tanks funded by the defense sector. This creates a bias and echo chamber effect, stifling diverse perspectives and undermining the authenticity of the debate. These defense contractor-funded think tanks shape the narrative and policy direction, serving the interests of the military-industrial complex.
Influence of Funding Sources on Think Tank Analysis
The report highlights the influence of funding sources on think tank analysis. Think tank analysts are well aware that their funding comes from the defense sector, which creates an inherent conflict of interest. The dependency on defense contractors limits the analysts' ability to present independent and unbiased analysis. Think tanks are incentivized to align their analysis with the interests of their funders, further exacerbating the dominance of a particular narrative in the Ukraine war debate.
Lack of Transparency in Media Coverage
Mainstream media outlets have failed to disclose the funding sources of think tanks when citing their analysis. This lack of transparency misleads readers and viewers, who may believe they are receiving unbiased and objective analysis when, in fact, they are being exposed to a one-sided viewpoint shaped by the defense industry. The failure to disclose conflicts of interest compromises the integrity of the media and undermines public trust.
Krystal and Saagar discuss Trump mocking the overuse of the word 'woke' as DeSantis claps back, both GOP frontrunners potentially dodging the debate stage, Wall Street donors backing DeSantis, Jack from Twitter endorsing RFK Jr, SCOTUS crushing workers in a brutal new ruling, YouTube changing their disinformation policy, the flaws of Twitter Community Notes, Wall Street pushing for Jamie Dimon to run for President, and Ukraine war profiteers with Ben Freeman.
