The Powers That Be: Daily

Jessica Testa, an investigative reporter at The New York Times known for her media and culture insights, and Michael Grynbaum, a New York Times reporter with a historical perspective on Condé Nast, dive into the recent upheavals at the company. They dissect Will Welch's surprising exit from GQ and the implications for its future leadership. The duo also evaluates Mark Guiducci's early tenure at Vanity Fair, praising his blend of hard-hitting journalism and cultural flair, while reflecting on the nostalgia for past media eras.

Matt Belloni, a veteran Hollywood reporter known for his insights on awards seasons, joins to dissect the upcoming Oscar race after the Golden Globes. He highlights Paul Thomas Anderson's film as a Best Picture frontrunner and explains the differences between Golden Globe and Academy voters. Belloni argues that Leonardo DiCaprio may surpass Timothée Chalamet for Best Actor, while Jessie Buckley is the clear Best Actress favorite. He also touches on potential surprises and the growing fatigue surrounding awards shows.

Eriq Gardner, a media and legal journalist specializing in First Amendment and privacy issues, joins to dissect the F.B.I.'s surprising raid on a Washington Post journalist's home. He details what was seized and the implications for press freedom under the Trump administration. Eriq also discusses the investigation's context, potential legal battles the Post might pursue, and the chilling effects on reporters and sources. The conversation reveals the precarious nature of journalism in times of governmental scrutiny.

Julia Alexander, a technology journalist and contributor at Puck, joins Peter to dissect the rise of A.I.-generated content on Facebook and its impact on advertising strategies. She highlights how audiences seem indifferent to low-quality, viral ‘slop’ while discussing the labeling challenges of synthetic content. The conversation shifts to Google's burgeoning market cap and its significant partnership with Apple, which will see Google’s Gemini enhance Siri. They also explore concerns around monopolistic practices in the tech industry.

In this episode, journalist Julia Ioffe, known for her expertise in international affairs, dives deep into the protests in Iran and the implications for U.S. policy under Trump. They discuss the possibility of Trump pushing for regime change, examining Iran's weakened regional position. Julia also highlights the voices of women leading the uprising and shares insights on the viral farewell meltdown of State Department HR director Lew Olowski, unpacking the international reactions and drama surrounding his controversial tenure.

Dive into the intriguing world of media as two insiders dissect WBD's $108 billion 'stub' debate over cable networks. Discover why Netflix's offer could be more appealing than Paramount's bid, and uncover the complexities behind corporate strategies in this fierce takeover battle. The conversation shifts gears to Semafor, examining its successful $30 million fundraising round and unique monetization tactics through events and sponsorships. The stakes are high, and the implications for digital media are significant.

Matt Belloni, a former Hollywood reporter and now at Puck, shares insights on the bidding war between Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix. He explores the implications of Disney's deal with Sora 2 amid rising A.I. concerns. Belloni names industry heroes for their innovative strategies and critiques Sam Altman as a villain for OpenAI's copyright issues. He predicts A.I. will be a hot topic in future negotiations and discusses the contrasting landscape of premium versus algorithm-driven content, along with YouTube's changing relationship with the Oscars.

Lauren Sherman, a fashion journalist and author of Line Sheet, dives into Saks Global's imminent bankruptcy, detailing the heavy debt from its formation and the structural decline of department stores. She discusses the fallout for brands and inventory, the challenges of driving discovery in retail, and how consolidation was the only path forward. The conversation shifts to Will Welch’s exit from GQ, examining his legacy in reshaping the magazine and who might fill his shoes. It's a captivating look at the evolving landscape of fashion and retail.

Leigh Ann Caldwell, a seasoned political reporter and analyst, joins to dissect a whirlwind week in Washington. They discuss a classified briefing about Venezuela's political crisis, stirring debates over Trump's provocative Greenland comments, and how a faction of Republicans sided with Democrats to extend Obamacare subsidies. Caldwell also highlights the implications of Trump's actions on Colorado's House races, warning of potential repercussions for vulnerable GOP freshmen. It's a captivating look at the intersection of politics and public sentiment.

Julia Ioffe, a seasoned journalist and foreign policy commentator, joins Peter to discuss Trump's striking shift from isolationism to interventionism, particularly following the Venezuela raid. They explore how earlier risk-free strikes, like the Soleimani killing, emboldened Trump to engage in targeted attacks without the fear of major backlash. Ioffe highlights how MAGA culture glamorizes military action, and they analyze the international reaction to these developments, warning that repeated strikes could lead to unintended consequences.