Ink Stained Wretches

Reflecting on the year's political turbulence, discussions tackle Trump 2.0's resurgence and mainstream media's struggles. The Iowa caucus dynamics reveal surprising candidate strategies, while the cultural impact of McDonald's rebranding showcases societal shifts. Amidst partisan pressures, media integrity remains a hot topic, particularly regarding Biden's scrutiny. The financial challenges faced by racial justice activists highlight the limitations of funding in addressing systemic issues. Overall, the podcast navigates a complex media landscape in a divided political climate.

In this conversation, Megan McCardle, a columnist for the Washington Post, dives deep into the shifting tides of American journalism and politics. She critiques the recent media coverage of President Biden’s fitness, sparking a discussion on the implications of aging leaders. Megan also shares insights on coping with online trolling and the complexities of free speech in social media landscapes like Blue Sky. Additionally, they explore the intersection of health trends and political narratives, revealing the evolving discourse in today's culture.

The discussion kicks off with a critical look at Vogue’s ill-fated profile of Asma al-Assad, raising questions about media responsibility. From scrutinizing a scandal involving Trump’s DOJ and press freedom to navigating the quirks of group chat dynamics, the hosts delve into contemporary issues. They also tackle body image pressures during winter and the complexities of ethnic identity among white Americans. With lighthearted bets on political outcomes and reflections on historical figures, the conversation is engaging and thought-provoking.

The podcast dives into the sensational media coverage surrounding the assassination of a UnitedHealthcare CEO, highlighting the disturbing narratives and mob justice implications. It also tackles the complex political landscape in Appalachia, analyzing Biden's controversial pardon of Hunter Biden and the declining Democratic support. The influence of media on political figures is scrutinized, from Trump’s loyal circle to allegations against candidates. Prepare for a mix of serious topics and surprising insights that explore the intertwining of media and politics!

The hosts humorously navigate the normalization of Trump's political legacy while dissecting the media's role in that evolution. A lively debate ensues about the importance of gravy during Thanksgiving and food traditions, including the rise of Thanksgiving lasagna. Listeners are treated to insights on the buzz around a controversial eye color surgery and its societal implications. The discussion wraps with a celebration of a 17-year-old's historic achievement in law, blending personal anecdotes with cultural reflections perfect for the Thanksgiving season.

The podcast dives into the chaos within Trump's cabinet and analyzes MSNBC's dwindling viewership. There's an amusing take on the creative networking happening in Silicon Valley, where saunas have replaced traditional meeting spots. The conversation also touches on a 'rest era' for Black women post-election, emphasizing the need for self-care. Humorously, hosts dissect Thanksgiving traditions and RFK Jr.'s quirky habits while debating barbecue sauces. Plus, they reflect on the media's role in shaping public perception amid changing political landscapes.

Much has happened since our last episode—or so we’ve heard. Get ready as we dive into it all: Trump’s ‘landslide’ victory, key takeaways for Democrats, Trump Administration 2.0, Elon Musk, and, of course, the American news media’s reaction to the election results. Wretch on!Time Stamps:1:19 - Front Page49:25 - Obsessions54:10 - Reader Mail56:33 - Favorite ItemsShow Notes:Daily Mail: Election results breakdown reveals how Trump won by a landslide - taking both the popular vote and the crucial electoral vote Politico: Trump Has Humiliated His Foes Axios: Elon Musk becomes the most powerful (unelected) man ever Politico: ‘Who the f--k is this guy?’: Defense world reacts to Trump’s surprise Pentagon pick Axios: Scoop: Trump expected to shake up White House briefing roomAbc News: Trump and Biden both call for smooth transition in historic Oval Office meetingNew York Times: Democrats Ignored Gaza and Brought Down Their PartyWashington Post: Pro-Hamas messages intensify on college campusesSlate: The One Thing Democrats Need to Embrace to Survive Semafor: A tale of two jets: The old media grapples with its new limits Reuters: New York Times Tech Guild to return to work, negotiations will go on The Washington Free Beacon:  Fighters, Failures, and Freaks: The Definitive List of Winners and Losers of the 2024 ElectionBBC: Monkeys will never type Shakespeare, study finds      The Wall Street Journal: Pro Take: Less Jobs Data Is Going Into the Jobs ReportThe Wall Street Journal: Voters Reject the Party of ScoldTom Elliot on X:  “If Jonestown had recorded a final video”

It’s the final countdown, folks. We’ll see you on the other side. But what does that mean, exactly? We’re breaking down what next week could look like, as well as Garbage Gate, the meltdown at The Washington Post, and Nerds Gummy Clusters. Wretch on!Time Stamps:9:00 Front Page54:44 Obsessions59:44 Favorite ItemsShow Notes:The Washington Post: Will TV viewers trust network election calls? Chris Stirewalt hopes so. The Washington Post: Did Biden call Trump supporters ‘garbage’? It comes down to an apostrophe.AP News: AP sources: White House altered record of Biden’s ‘garbage’ remarks despite stenographer concerns Fox News: Trump sues CBS News for $10 billion alleging 'deceptive doctoring' of Harris' '60 Minutes' interview The New York Times: Why the Right Thinks Trump Is Running Away With the Race The Washington Post: ‘Like it or not’: In one quote, Trump distills the 2024 gender gap The Washington Post: Opinion | Jeff Bezos: The hard truth: Americans don’t trust the news mediaSemafor: Bezos celebrated in Europe with Katy Perry as Post crisis began Semafor: Washington Post pays to boost stories critical of Trump as subscribers flee The Free Beacon: EXCLUSIVE: WaPo Opinion Editor David Shipley Blames Bezos for Endorsement Drama, Tells Staff They Can Quit as Distraught Journalists Slam Bezos for 'Conflict of Interest' and 'Thumb on the Scale' The Wall Street Journal: America’s Newest Hit Candy Is Gummy, Crunchy and Printing MoneyThe New York Times: This $350 Oura Ring 4 Tracks Your Sleep. Is It Worth the Splurge? New York Post: Facebook execs suppressed Hunter Biden laptop scandal to curry favor with Biden-Harris admin: bombshell reportSlate: Election 2024 polls: Could Jill Stein tip the election to Trump? It’s complicated.The New York Times: Opinion | Donald Trump Is Bored The Wall Street Journal: From Internet Sensation to Overexposed Child Star? Moo Deng Fans Can’t Get Enough

Christine Rosen is back in the saddle as Chris braves air travel this week on Ink Stained Wretches. Welcome in as we discuss Kamala’s performance on CNN’s Town Hall, The Atlantic’s story on “Generals” and of course, Trump’s stop at McDonalds. Wretch on!Time Stamps:Front Page - 1:08Reader Mail - 53:46Favorites 54:41Show Notes:The New York Times: Kamala Harris and McDonald’s: A College Job, and a Trump AttackThe Atlantic: Trump: ‘I Need the Kind of Generals That Hitler Had’The New York Times: As Election Nears, Kelly Warns Trump Would Rule Like a DictatorCBS News: A statement from 60 Minutes The New York Times: U.S. Study on Puberty Blockers Goes Unpublished Because of Politics, Doctor Says

Even if neither presidential candidate is economically literate, the great media blitz of 2024 rolls on. This week on Ink Stained Wretches, we break down the friendly interviews, the cautious ones, and the controversies behind them (ahem, CBS). Wretch on!Time Stamps:2:10 Front Page40:14 Obsessions49:51 Reader Mail54:16 Favorite ItemsShow Notes:AP News: Kamala Harris will sit down with Bret Baier for her first Fox News interview The New York Times: Harris Slams Trump in Interview With Charlamagne Tha God: 5 TakeawaysFox News: JD Vance clashes with ABC News host over migrant gang presence in Colorado: 'Do you hear yourself?'CNN Business: Trump backs out of CNBC interview, his second about-face with mainstream press this month Mediaite: Sean Hannity Gushes Over Trump After Chaotic Interview With Bloomberg Editor: ‘Absolutely Schooled!’ Axios: Harris responds to Trump's town hall-turned "music fest": "Hope he's okay" The Free Press: ‘60 Minutes’: Release the Unedited Kamala Harris TranscriptFox News: Speaker Johnson accuses CBS of 'selectively editing' interview on heels of VP Harris '60 Minutes' controversy Speaker Mike Johnson on X: "I recently traveled to NC and victims of Hurricane Helene told me nearly two weeks after landfall, the Biden-Harris Administration had STILL not provided them with all the resources they desperately needed. But CBS selectively edited OUT ENTIRELY this first-hand perspective. https://t.co/ZjO5LWdtsM" / X Wall Street Journal: CBS News Chief Tested by Internal Crises and an Agitated Owner The New York Times: Washington Post C.E.O. Elevates Deal-Making to a Top Priority Nieman Lab: Midwestern news nonprofit The Beacon shuts down its Wichita newsroomThe New York Times: The Downfall of FTX’s Ryan Salame and Crypto Advocate Michelle BondChris Rufo on X: EXCLUSIVE: Kamala Harris plagiarized at least a dozen sections of her criminal-justice book, Smart on Crime, according to a new investigation. The current vice president even lifted material from WikipediaThe New York Times: Conservative Activist Seizes on Passages From Harris Book The New York Times: The University of Michigan Doubled Down on D.E.I. What Went Wrong?Semafor: No matter who wins, the US is moving to the right The Dispatch: Tippecanoe and Harris TooWall Street Journal: ‘Impactful’ Leaves This Wordsmith Reeling WV News: Everything's fair game at the Roadkill Cook-Off in Marlinton, West VirginiaThe New Yorker: A Husband in the Aftermath of His Wife’s Unfathomable ActThe New York Times: Chestnut Championship in England Is Roiled by Accusation of Cheating