Join Jonah Goldberg as he dives into the world of political scandals and conspiracies with guest Jake Tapper. From Jake's new show 'United States of Scandal' to the details of Washington's messy controversies, this episode explores it all. Delve into the darkly comedic side of American politics and the age of Trump's scandals.
Jake Tapper's show 'United States of Scandal' delves into darkly comedic political controversies in America.
Media polarization leads to false narratives about outlets like CNN, emphasizing the need for fact-based criticism.
The influence of Trump on media perception highlights the importance of recognizing complexity and avoiding blind loyalty to false narratives.
Deep dives
Podcast host Jonah Goldberg invites guest Jake Tapper to discuss his new CNN show
The host Jonah Goldberg introduces guest Jake Tapper, who discusses his new CNN show, United States of Scandal. Tapper reveals that the show takes a deep dive into political scandals in the US, focusing on key figures involved and exploring the deeper significance of each scandal. He mentions that the first episode covered Rod Blagojevich and Mark Sanford, featuring interviews with insiders and shedding light on the nuances of each scandal. Tapper also addresses the criticism of bias against CNN, emphasizing the network's commitment to reporting different perspectives and challenging guests on various issues.
The danger of media polarization and misperceptions of CNN
Tapper and Goldberg discuss the problem of media polarization, where people form opinions about certain outlets without actually watching or reading their content. They acknowledge that media organizations, including CNN, are often misrepresented or misunderstood, leading to false narratives. The conversation touches on the importance of fact-based media criticism, which introduces facts and counterfactuals to challenge the way stories are reported. They also note that media criticism should not be solely focused on selective clips or one-sided opinions, but rather on holding outlets accountable for accurate reporting and exploring stories that are not getting enough coverage.
The impact of Donald Trump on media perception and narrative
The conversation delves into the influence of Donald Trump on media perception and narrative. They discuss how some Trump supporters have become true believers, while others propagate false narratives about the media without actually consuming the content. Tapper points out that Trump has changed the rulebook for himself, but his influence does not transfer easily to other politicians or media organizations. They stress the importance of recognizing complexity and avoiding blind loyalty to false narratives or theories about political strategy.
The challenges of media criticism and the need for objective reporting
The discussion highlights the challenges of media criticism and the need for objective reporting. Both hosts emphasize the importance of calling out biased reporting and holding media outlets accountable. They encourage viewers and readers to engage with a variety of sources and challenge misconceptions. Tapper shares his frustration with media criticism that focuses solely on cherry-picked examples or overlooks the nuance and complexity of stories. They emphasize the value of fact-based reporting and thoughtful analysis that presents different perspectives and informs the audience.
The need for transparency and honest reporting in a polarized media landscape
The conversation concludes by highlighting the importance of transparency and honest reporting in a polarized media landscape. They affirm the commitment of their respective outlets to facts, accuracy, and providing diverse perspectives. Tapper and Goldberg advocate for holding media organizations accountable while also engaging with a range of sources to gain a deeper understanding of complex issues. They stress that media consumers play a crucial role in demanding honest reporting and being critical thinkers in an era of information overload.
On today’s episode of The Remnant, Jonah’s disdain for the elderly leads him to step into the intellectual octagon with a man nine days his senior: novelist and CNN host Jake Tapper. Jake’s new show, United States of Scandal, takes a darkly comedic look at some of America’s wildest political controversies, and Jonah’s eager to discuss all the sordid details while keeping the nudity as tasteful as possible. Is Washington full of conspiracies? How many chemicals were in Larry King’s hair? And do scandals even matter anymore in the age of Trump?
