Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino

On today’s episode: Exclusive reporting on Bari Weiss, who has isolated herself within CBS News as David Ellison and network executives work to clean up her mess at “60 Minutes.” The crisis raises the question: How could she possibly run CNN after her mismanagement at CBS News? Then, the curious disappearance of CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale, who hasn't been seen on TV in more than three months. Oliver and Jon discuss why CNN may have benched one of its most popular on-air talents. Finally, Media Matters has been forced to cut staff in the face of a costly legal war from Elon Musk, who once called himself a “free speech absolutist.” What’s really behind the litigation? Plus your questions in the latest edition of Open Lines. Read these stories and more at Status: http://www.status.news Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code STATUS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/status 0:00 Intro 1:29 Bari Weiss is MIA as Ellison Cleans Up Her Mess at 60 Minutes 30:32 Where is CNN’s Daniel Dale? 43:21 Media Matters Downsizes After Elon Musk Lawsuit 55:20 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Your Questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino deliver sharp media industry analysis every Friday. On today’s episode: Bari Weiss and David Ellison have dismantled “60 Minutes.” On the heels of the storied franchise winning two Emmys, and CBS News being called out publicly by the winner of the Mike Wallace Memorial Scholarship, Weiss leveled the staff, dismissing Sharyn Alfonsi, Cecilia Vega, and Tanya Simon, among others. Simon will be replaced by technology journalist Nick Bilton who, like Weiss, has no experience running a television franchise. Oliver and Jon wade through the disheartening news and point to the obvious reason why this happened. Also, journalists, academics, and documentarians signed a letter pushing back on Paramount’s acquisition of CNN. And finally, was Tony Dokoupil actually able to eclipse the four million viewer mark?! CBS says yes, but we’ll explain why that claim isn’t quite accurate. 0:00 Intro 1:36 Inside Bari Weiss’ 60 Minutes Shakeup 28:52 The Press Mobilizes Against Ellison 34:13 Investigating CBS’ Claims on Latest Ratings Data 40:35 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Your Questions Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino deliver sharp media industry analysis every Friday. On this week’s episode: CBS News not only failed to secure a visa for Tony Dokoupil to broadcast from Beijing during Donald Trump’s China trip, but the network was barred by its hotel from broadcasting from its grounds, Status has learned. The embarrassing fiasco adds to a slew of negative headlines the Bari Weiss-led network has faced this week. We discuss how Weiss undermined “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl by handing Major Garrett the Benjamin Netanyahu interview, as Status also first reported. Plus, The New York Times is grappling with blowback after Nicholas Kristof’s shocking opinion piece alleging Israel has systematically raped Palestinian prisoners. And we break down another Status exclusive report—this one about how POLITICO owner Mathias Döpfner has been quietly courting Trump, with secret dinner invites in Washington and a personal trip to the Middle East. 0:00 Intro 1:23 CBS News Fails to Secure Visa for Dokoupil 6:47 Latest ‘CBS Evening News’ Ratings Data 8:53 Inside ‘60 Minutes’ Staff Fallout after Netanyahu Interview 19:16 Israel Threatens The New York Times Over Kristof Piece 35:14 POLITICO Owner Quietly Courts Trump 44:19 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Your Questions Thank you to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status Interested in what we’re discussing? Read more from Status: https://www.status.news/p/tony-dokoupil-cbs-evening-news-taiwan-bari-weiss https://www.status.news/p/60-minutes-netanyahu-bari-weiss-major-garrett https://www.status.news/p/nicholas-kristof-israel-new-york-times https://www.status.news/p/mathias-dopfner-donald-trump-meeting-axel-springer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino deliver sharp media industry analysis every Friday. On today’s episode: CBS News is facing mounting turmoil as new ratings data shows “CBS Evening News” and “CBS Mornings” hitting historic lows under Bari Weiss’ leadership, Meanwhile, Weiss has ousted the network’s foreign editor after comparing the network's coverage to a terrorist group. Then, Donald Trump is demanding ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel, but Disney is finding unlikely support from MAGA. Plus, Amazon is discussing a reboot of “The Apprentice” with Donald Trump Jr. as host—what Jeff Bezos is really trying to accomplish. 0:00 Intro 1:47 CBS News Hits Historic Low Ratings Under Bari Weiss 12:17 Weiss Ousts Foreign Editor Over Terror Group Comparison 21:20 Trump Demands ABC Fire Jimmy Kimmel, MAGA Sides With Disney 33:19 Amazon Talks "The Apprentice" Reboot With Don Jr. 42:09 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Your Questions Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino: David Ellison is set to host an "intimate" dinner “honoring the Trump White House,” according to an invite that we got our hands on. The event is ostensibly a “celebration of the First Amendment” and will include CBS White House correspondents. Of course, inviting the very people who assail the First Amendment to an event celebrating it makes little sense. Oliver and Jon break down the details and explain what is really going on. Next, Oliver and Jon explain how they were victims of actual “fake news” this week, when Mediaite published a false story about Status, complete with a fabricated quote attributed to Jon. We’ll take you through what happened. And finally, Trump suffers a huge loss in court at the hands of Rupert Murdoch. Plus, we announce our new voicemail line during another edition of Open Lines. Give us a call at (646) 926-0325‬. Leave a message, ask a question, or just scream into the phone for a couple of minutes. We’d love to feature you on the show! Thank you to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status 0:00 Intro 1:18 Inside David Ellison’s Private Dinner Honoring the Trump White House 15:29 We Were Victims of Actual Fake News 34:05 Murdoch Beats Trump in Court 39:39 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer your Questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of Power Lines… New reporting from Status reveals the White House quietly pressured AFP to remove an unflattering image of press secretary Karoline Leavitt from its wire and AFP complied. Oliver and Jon break down how it happened, the questionable explanation behind it, and why the attempt to control the image may have backfired. Then, a brewing power struggle inside CBS News. Bari Weiss is eyeing sweeping changes to 60 Minutes. Oliver reports the network’s top editor pushed for a mid-season shakeup, was stopped, and is now preparing for a much larger overhaul after May, with executive producer Tanya Simon potentially on the chopping block. Plus, a surprise move at NBC News. Peter Alexander is out, heading to a new role at MS NOW. But behind the scenes, it’s part of a much messier split between NBC and Versant and talent is increasingly caught in the middle. And to close it out, Oliver and Jon answer listener questions in the latest edition of Open Lines. Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status 0:00 Intro 1:45 White House Had AFP Pull Karoline Leavitt Photo 14:24 Bari Weiss Plans Major 60 Minutes Shakeup 27:20 Peter Alexander Out at NBC, Talent Caught in Power Struggle 35:25 Open Lines: Your Questions Answered Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of Power Lines: Exclusive ratings data obtained by Status shows the first quarter of the revamped CBS News under Bari Weiss shed viewers at an alarming rate, collapsing to historic lows. Oliver and Jon break down the numbers, explain why audiences are tuning out, and what it means as rivals ABC and NBC notch year-over-year gains. Next, more exclusive reporting: CNN chief Mark Thompson faces tough questions from staff during a visit to the network’s London hub, with concerns mounting over Paramount’s incoming ownership under David Ellison—and what it could mean for CNN’s independence. Then, despite a decisive court loss over his crackdown on the Pentagon press corps, Pete Hegseth is escalating his fight, imposing new restrictions on coverage of the Iran war. Finally, Oliver and Jon respond to listener comments on MS NOW’s programming changes, CBS News’ ratings troubles, and Oliver’s pronunciation of one particular word. Read these stories and more in Status: https://www.status.news/ Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, who powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status 0:00 Intro 1:34 CBS News Ratings Collapse (Exclusive) 19:00 CNN CEO Grilled by Talent and Staff 31:59 Hegseth Vs. the Press 39:03 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Listener Questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s Power Lines… With the war in Iran as the backdrop, the Trump administration is waging another full scale battle against the press. From restricting photographer access at the Pentagon to accusing The New York Times of harassment, the administration is lashing out at journalists as it struggles to explain its actions overseas and losing support in the process. Next, Scott MacFarlane is the latest major talent to depart CBS rather than work under Bari Weiss. While the network managed to retain Gayle King for now, larger problems are brewing as top journalists continue to leave and staff grow increasingly concerned that the tone of CBS News is beginning to mirror that of Weiss’s outlet, The Free Press. Finally, Status obtained a statement from Senator Elizabeth Warren expressing concern over China’s potential stake in David Ellison’s Paramount deal. What would normally be treated as a major national security issue and possible deal breaker now appears to be little more than a footnote the Trump administration is willing to overlook. Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status Get 15% off OneSkin with the code [STATUS] at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod #ad 0:00 Intro 0:59 Trump and Hegseth Escalate War With the Press 5:43 Joe Rogan Speaks Out Against Iran War 13:33 Scott MacFarlane Leaves CBS 18:09 CBS News Staffers Criticize Mamdani Coverage 20:04 Gayle King's New Contract & CBS Mornings Changes 22:11 Senators Raise Concerns over Saudi-Backed Paramount Deal 30:21 Oliver and Jon Respond to Comments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s Power Lines: CNN staffers are in full-blown panic after a shocking twist delivered the network to the MAGA-friendly David Ellison. Oliver and Jon discuss how Netflix's deal for CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, collapsed and what is to come for the network now that Bari Weiss is positioned to take charge. Plus, Tucker Carlson humiliates Mike Huckabee in a wide-ranging three hour conversation, and Ben Shapiro blasts Candace Owens as “evil.” Read the full stories in Status: https://www.status.news/ Thank you to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s Power Lines: Trump's A.G. Pam Bondi is facing a revolt from MAGA Media stars after her disastrous congressional hearing on the Epstein Files, prompting a flurry of voices to slam the spectacle and call on her to resign. At Bari Weiss' revamped "CBS Evening News," a quarter of the staff is taking a buyout, including one producer who said they were pressured to “self-censor.” But Oliver and Jon have learned even bigger cuts are on the horizon amid Weiss’ MAGA-friendly changes to the outlet. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is escalating pressure on Tim Cook, accusing Apple of news bias for ignoring shoddy right-wing media outlets. And TV newsrooms are on edge after the abduction of Savannah Guthrie's mom—how networks are increasing security for top stars. Read the full stories and more at ⁠https://www.status.news/⁠ Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: ⁠https://www.beehiiv.com/status⁠ Get 15% off OneSkin with the code [STATUS] at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod #ad 00:00 Intro 00:51 Pam Bondi's Epstein Testimony 09:53 Weiss' CBS News Staff Exodus 24:13 Apple News Accused of Bias 31:09 Savannah Guthrie's Mother's Disappearance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s Power Lines: Bari Weiss kicked off her first all-hands meeting at CBS News, trying to sell her new vision to skeptical journalists—but instead found herself grilled by staffers as she announced a slate of eyebrow-raising contributors. Next, at The Washington Post, morale is collapsing as deep newsroom cuts loom. But owner Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are jetting off to Haute Couture Week, seemingly unconcerned with employee pleas for help. Then, Rupert Murdoch’s media empire abruptly changed its tune on Trump's ICE operation in Minneapolis following the killing of Alex Pretti, even as MAGA influencers Benny Johnson and Megyn Kelly pushed lies and smears about Pretti. Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status at CBS Town Hall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Dokoupil gets steamrolled in an interview with Donald Trump as his “CBS Evening News” grapples with poor ratings, suggesting Bari Weiss’ MAGA-ification of the network might be backfiring. Then, Joe Rogan breaks with Trump over ICE, comparing the agency to “the Gestapo,” while Laura Ingraham goes another route and works to convince Fox News viewers that an “insurgency” is unfolding in Minnesota. Finally, FBI agents carry out an alarming raid on the home of a Washington Post journalist — and Jeff Bezos says absolutely nothing in defense of his newsroom, angering staffers. Thank you to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status Get 15% off OneSkin with the code [STATUS] at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod #ad 00:00 Intro 01:01 Tony Dokoupil's Ratings Struggles 08:42 CBS Evening News' Interview with Trump 18:12 Joe Rogan's Critique of ICE 23:28 Fox News' Support for ICE and Demonization of Protesters 29:28 DOJ's Raid on Washington Post Reporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices