Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino

Latest Episodes:

Trump’s War With Press Escalates, Another Major CBS Journalist Quits Network, and Senators Sound Alarm on Ellison Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

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

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CNN Fury Over Scott Jennings, Bari Weiss' Morning Show Shakeup, Trump's Press Dinner Backlash Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

On this week’s Power Lines:

MAGA Media’s biggest stars are waging war with one another over Trump’s Iran conflict, dividing his most loyal mouthpieces. Oliver and Jon discuss what it means for the fracturing coalition that put Trump into office. And at CNN, Scott Jennings is facing blowback from the network’s own reporters for parroting the administration’s bogus war claim.

Plus, Trump’s stunning decision to attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is being met with alarm and dread inside the group, with some reporters fearing it will be used to “bash the press to our faces.”

Finally, Bari Weiss is hard at work tinkering with CBS’s morning show. Oliver reveals the MAGA-friendly former ESPN host Weiss attempted to recruit, the former “GMA” host now being considered for “CBS Mornings,” and what it reveals about the future of the show.

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

1:34: CNN reacts internally to Scott Jennings tweet

6:09 MAGA media turns on itself over Iran war

19:35 Trump plans to attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner

26:41 Kaitlan Collins vs. Karoline Leavitt

34:09 Bari Weiss looks to shake up CBS Mornings

47:44 Oliver & Jon respond to listener comments

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CNN Braces for David Ellison and Bari Weiss to Take Control After WBD Shocker Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

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

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Inside the Colbert–CBS Feud, How Bari Weiss Lost Anderson Cooper, and Zuckerberg Gets Uncomfortable Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

On this week’s Power Lines: Stephen Colbert stunned viewers by calling out CBS for blocking the broadcast of his interview with Texas Democrat James Talarico, citing pressure from Donald Trump’s FCC.. Why the move backfired in a big way and what it means for CBS.

Next, Oliver and Jon break down Anderson Cooper’s decision to exit “60 Minutes” after nearly two decades—and why his freedom from being managed by Bari Weiss might not last as long as it seems.

Finally, a clear-eyed look at Fox News’ conspicuous silence on the Epstein Files now that the president’s name features prominently in them.

Plus, Mark Zuckerberg takes the stand in a high-stakes trial that could mark the end of infinite scroll as we know it.

0:00 Intro

2:08 Colbert Feuds with CBS after Carr’s FCC Threat

19:45 Inside Anderson Cooper’s Decision to Leave 60 Minutes

32:47 Fox News’ Conspicuous Silence on Epstein Files

40:30 Zuckerberg Takes the Stand in Meta Trial 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

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Bari Weiss Blasted As Staffers Quit, MAGA Turns on Pam Bondi, Tim Cook Targeted Over “Bias” Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

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

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Bezos Bails on Washington Post, Weiss Backs Attia Over Epstein Emails, Trump Attacks Kaitlan Collins Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

Jeff Bezos leaves The Washington Post to twist in the wind, slashing a third of the storied newsroom while ignoring pleas from his staffers—all while currying favor with the Trump administration.

Bari Weiss moves to keep newly minted wellness contributor Peter Attia on the CBS News payroll, even as DOJ-released documents expose his cozy ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Plus, Ted Sarandos is dragged into the MAGA culture wars on Capitol Hill, and Donald Trump unleashes a blatantly sexist attack on Kaitlan Collins for allegedly “not smiling” enough.

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00:00 Intro

01:05 Massive Layoffs at the Washington Post

04:56 Bezos's Priorities: Blue Origin Over Journalism

17:20 CBS News Peter Attia and the Epstein Files

31:43 Josh Hawley Grills Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos

35:31 Ted Cruz's Antics at the Hearing

44:14 Trump's Attack on Kaitlan Collins

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Bari Weiss' Message to CBS News, Jeff Bezos Snubs Washington Post, Fox News Shifts On ICE Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

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.

at CBS Town Hall

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Bari Weiss’ CBS News Backfire, CNN’s Scott Jennings Torched, Biggest Oscars Surprises Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

On this week’s Power Lines:

Embattled CBS News boss Bari Weiss badmouthed her own staff to reporters after holding up a “60 Minutes” segment on Trump deportees, suggesting the struggling new chief has much to learn. Plus, new “CBS Evening News” anchor Tony Dokoupil’s abysmal ratings continue as the network’s sudden right-turn alienates audiences.

Then, CNN’s pro-MAGA contributor Scott Jennings is slammed by network guests over his warped relationship with the truth as he aligns himself with Donald Trump.

Speaking of distortion realities, the biggest stars on Fox News and across the MAGAverse are suddenly all-in on the idea of the U.S. taking over Greenland in lockstep with Trump.

And finally, Status’ Brian Lowry joins the show to break down the biggest surprises and snubs of the 2026 Oscar nominations.

00:00 Intro

00:55 CBS News Ratings Drop for Weiss & Dokoupil

01:31 Behind the Scenes Drama at 60 Minutes

06:02 Bari Weiss's Management Style

16:48 Scott Jennings Under Fire at CNN

26:48 Fox News Defends Trump's Greenland Gambit

32:27 Unpacking Oscar Nominations

34:53 Sinners: The Movie of the Year?

36:19 Best Picture Nominees

37:13 Surprising Oscar Snubs

41:49 Oscar Predictions and Dark Horses

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Trump Overruns Dokoupil, Rogan Compares ICE to ‘Gestapo,’ Bezos Stays Silent Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

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.

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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

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Tony Dokoupil’s Disastrous Debut, MAGA Media’s ICE-Cold Spin, and Elon Musk’s Grok Goes Off the Rails Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

On this week’s Power Lines: Tony Dokoupil’s debut as anchor of the “CBS Evening News” has been disastrous, full of embarrassing flubs, cringeworthy social media post, and appalling right-wing flattery. Oliver and Jon unpack Dokoupil’s “both sides” approach to January 6, his on-air salute to Marco Rubio, and CBS News broader attempt to court an entirely new audience.

Then, MAGA Media trips over itself smearing the victim of an ICE shooting while blindly parroting the government’s talking points. We also discuss how Fox News has been cheering Trump’s threats toward Venezuela—so much so that even Megyn Kelly voiced her disgust.

Plus, Elon Musk’s Grok goes fully off the rails, undressing women and children while Apple and Google stay quiet. The bot has also accused Oliver of being the most prevalent purveyor of misinformation on the internet. Finally, Dan Bongino is back in his comfort zone, kicking off his post-FBI life by viciously attacking Matt Gaetz.

00:00 Intro

01:04 CBS Evening News Chaos

21:12 MAGA Media Smears ICE Shooting Victim

28:15 Fox News Cheers Maduro Seizure

31:01 Megyn Kelly Pushes Back on Venezuela Operation

39:02 Elon Musk's Grok Controversy

46:40 Dan Bongino's Return

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