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Ink Stained Wretches — News
Ink Stained Wretches

Eliana Johnson and Chris Stirewalt love the news business but they hate a lot of what’s happening to it these days. Using their decades of experience in print, digital and TV news they tell the story behind the stories, always on the lookout for bias, sloppy reporting and, well, just plain wretched journalism. Every week they help you to be a better, smarter news consumer.

Copyright: © Nebulous Media LLC

Latest Episodes:

Plutocrats & Populists Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

Happy Thursday! We’re coming to you a day early with MAGA infighting, a showdown at Columbia University, a media vibe shift, and the story behind the original Egg McMuffin. Wretch on!

Time Stamps:

2:26 - Front Page

55:10 - Obsessions

1:04:39 - Reader Mail

1:08:51 - Favorite Items

If you have a story you want to discuss with us, email us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts dot com.

Show Notes:

The New York Times: The Populist vs. the Billionaire: Bannon, Musk and the Battle Within MAGA

The New Republic: Why Don’t Plutocrats Care That Trump Is Tanking the Economy?

The Wall Street Journal: Capitol Hill’s Republican Sycophant Caucus

National Review: Does Trump Know Why He Was Elected?

Axios: Trump vows to "lead the charge" to unseat GOP Rep. Massie

AP News: Trump warns that arrest of Palestinian activist at Columbia will be ‘first of many’

The Wall Street Journal: Faculty-on-Faculty War Erupts at Columbia as Trump Targets Elite School

NPR: A top 'Washington Post' columnist resigns, accusing publisher of killing piece

The New York Times: MeidasTouch Pops on Podcast Charts as Progressives Search for Answers

The New York Times: Can the Media’s Right to Pursue the Powerful Survive Trump’s Second Term?

The New York Times: The Future of News Looks Niche

The Wrap: Wall Street Journal Cuts Tech Reporters and Editors in Media Reconfiguration of Coverage

Sports Illustrated: Yankees’ Wives Carrying On Team’s Abandoned Battle Against Beards

CNN: Trump official tasked with defending DOGE cuts posted fashion influencer videos from her office

The Wall Street Journal: How Foundation and Eyeliner Became a Political Battleground

WGN9: An early version of the Egg McMuffin included a surprising condiment

Axios: MAGA's antisemitism divide

BBC: Russian spy ring's plans to kill journalist 'beyond imagination'

The Atlantic: Mitch McConnell and the President He Calls ‘Despicable’

The Wall Street Journal: The High-Pressure Tactics Attorney Gloria Allred Uses—On Her Own Clients

Actually, it’s a Digital Beanie Baby Reserve Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

Watch this episode on YouTube!

The Wretches are back in the studio, and it feels so good. This week, we’re covering Trump’s joint address to Congress, tariffs, ‘based’ Newsom, and much more. Wretch on!

1:55 - Front Page

29:07 - Obsessions

37:24 - Reader mail

42:26 - Favorite Items

Reuters: Storm clouds gather over US economy as Trump kicks off trade war

CBS News: Poll on Trump's 2025 joint address to Congress finds large majority of viewers approve

National Review: When the Left Is Too Smug Even for the New York Times

The New York Times: During Trump’s Rowdy Speech to Congress, the Quiet Moments Said the Most

The Wall Street Journal: The ‘Hustling Expert’ Behind Argentina’s $250 Million Crypto Scandal

The Wall Street Journal: The Two-Headed Monster Stalking the Economy Has a Name: Stagflation

Politico: Gavin Newsom breaks with Democrats on trans athletes in sports

Deadline: Tom Llamas To Succeed Lester Holt As ‘NBC Nightly News’ Anchor

Nieman Lab: FiveThirtyEight is shutting down as part of broader cuts at ABC and Disney

Mediaite: Despite Bezos’ Efforts to Shove WaPo Opinion to the Right, Op-Eds Still Taking Defiantly Anti-Trump, Anti-Musk Tone

Axios: Patch scales to 30,000 U.S. communities with AI newsletters

The New York Times: She’s a Foot Soldier in America’s Losing War With Chronic Disease

The New York Times: When This Professor Got Cancer, He Didn’t Quit. He Taught a Class About It.

Of Fools in Pools Mar 01, 2025

Show notes

Happy Saturday from your favorite band of Wretches! We’re diving deep into the latest from the White House Press Pool, Jake Tapper’s Biden book, shake-ups at MSNBC, and a true obsession with Gene Hackman. Wretch on!

Time Stamps:

2:36 - Front Page

42:25 - Obsessions

55:09 - Reader Mail

57:37 - Favorite Items

National Journal: White House wrests control of pool coverage away from reporters

Axios: Judge upholds Trump's right to block AP for now

Semafor: Reuters and Associated Press among outlets barred from Trump’s first cabinet meeting

The Dispatch: Donald Trump, Woodrow Wilson, and the Problems of a Free Press

Reason: Trump tries to carve out a First Amendment exception for 'fake news'

The Washington Free Beacon: MNSBC's Newest Anchor Eugene Daniels Is a 'Kamala Harris Expert' and 'Walking Beyoncé Encyclopedia' Who Has Revolutionized the DC Fashion Scene

The Hollywood Reporter: Trump Targets Comcast CEO Brian Roberts As MSNBC Plans New Lineup

The New York Post: Jen Psaki comes out on top of MSNBC shakeup as network axes shows by 3 more lefty anchors, Joy Reid ouster

The New York Post: MSNBC host Rachel Maddow rips own network for axing Joy Reid's show and other 'non-white' hosts' programs

The New York Times: Lester Holt to Leave ‘NBC Nightly News’ Anchor Role

Unherd: Jeff Bezos rebrands Washington Post as billionaire's think tank

Good Morning America: How a community rallied for trans and nonbinary recovery homes following LA fires

The New York Times: In an Age of Right-Wing Populism, Why Are Denmark’s Liberals Winning?

The New York Times: Gene Hackman, Hollywood’s Consummate Everyman, Dies at 95

The Atlantic: How the Woke Right Replaced the Woke Left

The Wall Street Journal: The Business Conference Where Dignity Goes to Die

Murdoch Outfoxed? Feb 22, 2025

Show notes

We’re kicking off with the biggest story in American news media: the Murdoch family. We’re also discussing Hamas, Ukraine, and Mayor Karen Bass’s masterclass in spin. Wretch on!

Timestamps:

4:28 - Front Page

46:35 - Obsessions

55:55 - Reader Mail

57:21 - Favorite Items

Show Notes:

The Atlantic: Growing Up Murdoch

The New York Times: ‘You’ve Blown a Hole in the Family’: Inside the Murdochs’ Succession Drama

The New York Times: Hamas Releases What It Said Were the Bodies of 4 Israeli Hostages

Free Beacon: WATCH: As Gazans Celebrate the Murder of Jewish Women and Children, NPR Calls the Scenes 'More Somber and Much Less Celebratory'

Commentary Magazine: What Did Trump Just Say About Ukraine? WHAT???

The Wall Street Journal: How the Trumps Turned an Election Victory Into a Cash Bonanza

The New York Times: How Trump’s Directives Echo Project 2025

The Hill: Washington Post backs out of ‘Fire Elon Musk’ ad order

Jeremy Barr on X: NBCUniversal is settling a lawsuit filed by obstetrician gynecologist Mahendra Amin

Collin Rug on X: NEW: LA Mayor Karen Bass says she’s investigating why she was allowed to go on a trip to Ghana days before the LA fires.

The New York Times: As a White Man, Can I Date Women of Color to Advance My Antiracism?

NPR: Performers protest Trump leadership at Kennedy Center with dance

CBS News: Online searches for gambling addiction surge as sports betting expands, study finds

The New York Times: What Should I Wear to Protest an Unspoken Dress Code?

The Telegraph: Margaret Brennan's CBS humiliation exposed everything that's wrong with the Left-wing media

The New York Post: CBS News exec Adrienne Roark, who reprimanded anchor over Israel interview, plans to exit network

The Wall Street Journal: Inside Amazon’s Messy Push to Bring Everyone Back to the Office

I Might Be Wrong on Substack: I’m Such a Hopeless Libtard That It Bothers Me When We Side With the Authoritarian Predator State

The New York Times: Art Adviser. Friend. Thief.

Gulf of Sighs Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

Watch this episode on YouTube.

We’re back in person, and it feels good. Today’s theme is “crisis”—or the lack thereof. Whether it’s a crisis in the White House press room, the FBI, the FCC, or a general “constitutional crisis,” we’ve got it covered. Plus, Chris gets nostalgic about Ajit Pai. Wretch on!

Time Stamps:

2:06 - Front Page

43:05 - Obsessions

49:05 - Reader Mail

50:52 - Favorite Items

Mediaite: White House Bans Associated Press Reporter From Trump and Musk Oval Office Event, Editor Says

TIME: Calling 'Em Out: The White House Takes on the Press

The New York Times: Trump’s Actions Have Created a Constitutional Crisis, Scholars Say

The New York Times: High School Trans Athletes Challenge Trump’s Executive Order in New Hampshire

The New York Times: CPI Report: Inflation Rose Unexpectedly in January

The Washington Post: Sinkhole of bureaucracy

Semafor: ‘Almost like surrender’: Steve Bannon on the media in Trump’s ‘Days of Thunder’

The Washington Post: Hegseth’s visit to U.S. base in Germany met with student walkout

The Washington Post: U.S. intelligence, law enforcement candidates face Trump loyalty test

The New York Times: Serena Williams’ Super Bowl appearance with Kendrick Lamar ends a Drake tennis culture feud

The Daily Beast: MAGA Melts Down Over Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime Performance

Jewish Insider: CNN inks deal with Qatar to launch network hub in Doha

Semafor: Fake, viral conspiracies on X stump politicians, media

The Times: Was I enraged by America’s controversial commentator on race? No, I was bored

The Washington Free Beacon: Toobin's New Beat: Renowned Masturbator Joins New York Times

The Washington Free Beacon: The Historical Case for Trump’s Riviera

The One Where Eliana Has Laryngitis Feb 08, 2025

Show notes

Chris takes the lead this week as Eliana rests her vocal cords. This week, we are covering everything from the FCC to the trans sports ban out of the White House, as well as a few items on the Super Bowl and the latest shake from McDonald’s. Wretch on!

Time Stamps:

2:04 - Front Page

52:01 - Obsessions

55:56 - Reader Mail

57:48 - Favorite Items

Show Notes:

The Wall Street Journal: More Than 40,000 Federal Workers Have Resigned So Far, Short of Target

The Washington Post: Republican ire at USAID finds an unusual target: Politico

The Hill: Politico publishes note ‘to set the record straight’ on government subscription outrage

Axios: Scoop: Trump orders key government agency to cancel all media contracts

Fortune: Member of Elon Musk’s DOGE resigns after being linked to a social media account that shared racist posts

NPR: Why CBS stands at the epicenter of Trump's assault on the media

CJR: A Plea for Institutional Modesty

AEI: When Anti-Press Ascendancy Meets FCC Public Interest Regulation

The Wrap: Meta Hires Chief Correspondent From Tucker Carlson-Founded Daily Caller

Mediaite: ‘Mass Murderer in Waiting’: Writer Accuses LA Times of Editing His Anti-RFK Op-Ed to Support Conspiracy Theorist

Semafor: Inside Tom Cotton’s unconventional push for Tulsi Gabbard

The Washington Post: The couple who want to make America procreate again

The New York Times: As Trump Attacks Diversity, a Racist Undercurrent Surfaces

AP News: Winging it for the Super Bowl? Broccoli might be a cheaper party snack this year

Poynter: Donald Trump brings back the tradition of the Super Bowl interview

USA Today: Travis Kelce: Trump attending Super Bowl 'cool.' The president said 'I hate Taylor Swift.'

The Hill: Whole Hog Politics: An inflection point for the transgender movement

The Wall Street Journal: Americans Don’t Eat Enough Bacon. The Pork King Has a Plan.

Rescission: Impossible Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

The theme (so far) of Trump’s second administration has been shock and awe. This week, Chris and Eliana explain why you can’t shock yourself in the process. Aside from the White House, they discuss Jim Acosta, The New York Times’ audience, and dress shoe styles. Wretch on!

Time Stamps:

Front Page - 3:17

Obsessions - 42:43

Reader Mail - 52:01

Favorite Items - 54:45

Show Notes:

CNBC: White House says Trump funding freeze remains in effect despite rescinding OMB memo

The Atlantic: The Memo That Shocked the White House

The New York Times: Justice Dept. Fires Prosecutors Who Worked on Trump Investigations

AP News: Trump uses mass firing to remove independent inspectors general at a series of agencies

CNN: Trump DOJ appointee in DC lashes out after flurry of ‘personally insulting’ leaks in his first week

CBS News: Transcript: Vice President JD Vance on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Jan. 26, 2025

The Atlantic: America Is Divided. It Makes for Tremendous Content.

Status News: Acosta La Vista

The Washington Free Beacon: EXCLUSIVE: Read Jim Acosta's Resignation Letter to CNN

Axios: Trump's Colombia tariff threat raises fears on coffee prices

The Washington Post: Transgender soldiers date to the Civil War

The New York Times: Is There Still a Rule Against Wearing Brown Shoes With Blue Pants?

The New York Times: The Pure Liberation of a Personal Urination Device - The New York Times

The Wall Street Journal: As a Rising Political Star, Gabbard Paid to Mask Her Sect’s Ties to Alleged Scheme

@PleaseDontDestroy on Instagram: The New York Times coming up with emails to send you

Forbes: This Former Billionaire, And New U.S. Senator, Is Now Broke

The New York Times: The Return of the Lumbersexual

$WRETCHCOIN Jan 24, 2025

Show notes

This is not a crypto scam—it’s an opportunity. As for the news about the news, we’re diving deep into the inauguration, Trump’s administration, Prince Harry, and much more. Wretch on!

Time Stamps:

4:05 - Front page

59:54 - Obsessions

1:09:55 - Reader Mail

1:15:30 - Favorites

The Washington Post: Trump inauguration puts the fashion in old-fashioned

The New York Times: The Bishop Who Pleaded With Trump: ‘Was Anyone Going to Say Anything?’

MSNBC: Black America in a 'state of emergency': Civil rights leaders brace for Trump's return

Fox News: Trump reflects on return to White House after 4 years of Biden's agenda: 'Got there just in the nick of time'

The Hill: Stirewalt: Will Trump invest his political capital or spend it?

The Washington Post: Neither euphoric nor despairing be. Trump too shall pass.

Bloomberg: The Second Trump Presidency, Brought to You by YouTubers

Deadline: New FCC Chair Revives Complaints About ABC, CBS And NBC Content That His Predecessor Rejected As “At Odds With The First Amendment”

The New York Times: Labeling Mexican Cartels ‘Terrorists’ Could Expose U.S. Companies to Sanctions

The New York Times: Biden commutes prison sentence of Leonard Peltier, an Indigenous rights activist convicted in F.B.I. killings.

Mediaite: CNN Reportedly Set To Lay Off Hundreds of Employees as Trump-Era Restructuring Begins

New York Post: CNN CEO tells on-air talent not to express outrage during Trump inaugural coverage

The Washington Post: Prince Harry settles with Murdoch’s U.K. tabloids, gets long-sought apology

NBC News: Senators receive affidavit containing new allegations against Pete Hegseth, who denies the claims

The Wall Street Journal: The Best and Worst Airlines of 2024

@100YearsAgoLive on X: Coolidge Forbids Big Inauguration

The New York Post: Megyn Kelly rips Lauren Sánchez for wearing bra at Trump inaugural

A Farewell That Harms Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

Today, we bid bon voyage to the Biden administration by reflecting on President Biden’s farewell address, Jill Biden’s exit interview with The Washington Post, and KJP’s final appearance in the White House Press Room. We’re also diving into media coverage of the L.A. wildfires, drama at The Washington Post, and an Obama lawyer’s $20 million mansion fiasco. Wretch on!

TIME STAMPS

2:03 - Front Page

54:54 - Obsessions

1:06:01 - Reader Mail

1:08:26 - Favorites

Salon: "It threatens our entire democracy”: Biden takes aim at tech oligarchs like Musk in farewell address

The Wall Street Journal: Biden’s Claim He Would Have Beaten Trump Opens Rift With Harris

The Washington Post: Jill Biden still hopes for a good ending

Deadline: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre Holds Final Briefing, Says “Give And Take” With Reporters “Is Part Of Our Democracy”

The Hill: Biden on if Trump will get credit over him for ceasefire deal: ‘Is that a joke?’

National Review: 60 Minutes Humiliates Itself on Israel

The New York Times: A Euphoric Tech Industry Is Ready to Celebrate Trump and Itself

The New York Times: Joni Ernst Says She Will Vote to Confirm Pete Hegseth

The New York Times: ‘Will Pay Any Amount’: Private Firefighters Are in Demand in L.A.

The New York Times: Before Taking Office, L.A.’s Mayor Said She Would Not Go Abroad

The New York TImes: Black Women Defend Mayor Karen Bass Amid Criticism of Wildfire Response

The Daily Beast: Star Washington Post Columnist Torches Bezos on Her Way Out the Door

Variety: Rashida Jones to Exit MSNBC; Rebecca Kutler Named Interim President

NPR: Will Lewis' first year at 'Washington Post': Cancellations, red ink and an exodus

The New York Times: How to Fix America’s Two-Party Problem

Gallup: U.S. Political Parties Historically Polarized Ideologically

The Wall Street Journal: Fighting Fires—and the Rumor Mill—as L.A. Burns

The Wall Street Journal: The Extraordinary Defense of the Getty Museum Against the L.A. Fires

The Washington Free Beacon: American Tragedy: Obama Terror Lawyer Clashed With Aspen Bureaucrats Over $20 Million Home Expansion

Fact Checkers Go Up in A Blaze Jan 10, 2025

Show notes

Wretches, we’re back! This week, we’re diving deep into the state of fact-checking. We also discuss Susie Wiles, Justin Trudeau, and the ongoing turmoil at The Washington Post. Wretch on!

Time Stamps:

06:27 Front Page

52:46 Obsessions

1:00:01 Reader Mail

1:02:01 Favorite Items

Show Notes:

The Daily Beast: L.A. Mayor Suffers Brutal On-Air Moment as Wildfires Rage

The New York Times: Meta to End Fact-Checking Program in Shift Ahead of Trump Term

The Verge: Threads and Instagram are for politics now, says Adam Mosseri

The New York Times: As Trump Praises Meta Decision, Tech Watchdogs Warn of Surge in Disinformation

The Silver Bulletin: The rise and fall of "fact-checking"

The Free Beacon: RIP, Meta Fact-Checkers. Don’t Let the Door Hit You on the Way Out.

Axios: Axios interview: Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles vows to block West Wing troublemakers

CNN Business: Trump camp was fed questions for Fox News town hall in advance from person inside network, new book says

The Daily Beast: Trump Privately Complains About Clingy Elon Musk: NYT Reporter

The New York Times: Trudeau’s Canada, Again

The New York Times: Washington Post Lays Off 4% of Its Work Force

The New York Times: Washington Post Cartoonist Quits After Jeff Bezos Cartoon Is Killed

The New York Post: Walmart's $78 Hermès Birkin dupe is the fashion world's hottest new handbag — and luxury lovers are fuming

The New York Times: How Will We Eat in 2025? 9 Predictions to Chew On.

The Free Beacon: CNN's High-Profile Defamation Trial Is Underway—and Jurors Appear Open to 10-Figure Payout

The Free Beacon: Navy Vet Suing CNN Warned He Would ‘Seek Legal Damages’ if It Ran Report Full of ‘Libel’

TV Technology: Hub: Streaming Viewers More Accepting of TV Ads

The Wall Street Journal: The Misunderstood Consequences of Jimmy Carter’s Presidency

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