Zaslav’s Junk Era

Tara Palmeri joins Peter to debate whether Elon Musk is really an asset to Donald Trump, or merely a disposable blunt instrument for his slash-and-burn agenda. According to exclusive new polling, it all depends on how voters perceive what he’s doing: is he an unelected, self-serving carpetbagger or a crusader for government efficiency? Either way, it seems like Trump is happy to have him… for now. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

20 Helmi 202527min

As Trump's war on the media accelerates, Eriq Gardner joins Ben to discuss whether the industry is headed for a state of mutually assured destruction, with MAGA allies chipping away at Times v. Sullivan's libel shield, billionaires financing defamation battles, Elon Musk accusing his enemies of fraud, and his targets contemplating counter-suits of their own.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

19 Helmi 202519min

Leigh Ann Caldwell, chief Washington correspondent at Puck, joins Ben to discuss the centrist vs. progressive civil war consuming Democrats, the leadership void fueling the party's paralysis, and whether Hakeem Jeffries will entertain the nuclear option—a government shutdown—to hold Donald Trump accountable. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

18 Helmi 202525min

Jon Kelly and Dylan Byers huddle up to address a wide spectrum of plotlines consuming the media landscape, from Fox News’s mainstream pivot—bolstered by a recent influx of blue chip advertisers—to the internal turmoil brewing at CBS News. The duo also discuss the fickle state of print publications, and contemplate the future of the magazine industry To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

17 Helmi 202533min

Kim Masters joins Peter for an inside look at Amazon’s perplexing $40 million bid for a forthcoming Melania Trump documentary, directed by disgraced Hollywood filmmaker Brett Ratner. Kim reveals the list of MAGA-adjacent characters pushing for Ratner’s Hollywood comeback, and considers the role Jeff Bezos may have played in this whole, strange ordeal. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

14 Helmi 202522min

Bill Cohan joins Peter to dissect the heated and increasingly personal feud between Elon Musk and Sam Altman, which reignited again this week as Altman brushed off Elon’s $97 billion, middle-finger bid to take over the nonprofit that controls OpenAI. Bill and Peter explore the roots of their dissent, and discuss how these friends-turned-rivals are now vying for the affections of Trump. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

13 Helmi 202522min

John Ourand joins Peter to break down a Super Bowl ratings bonanza for the NFL and Fox, despite a largely underwhelming game. Then he assesses a prospective deal in which ESPN buys the NFL’s media assets (NFL Network, NFL RedZone, etcetera) and explains why ESPN would even be interested in adding more declining linear assets to their TV portfolio. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12 Helmi 202521min

Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Peter to examine the paralysis gripping Democrats as the party debates which fights to pick with an unbridled Trump. They also discuss Mitch McConnell’s stunning transformation, in the twilight of his Senate career, into a major impediment to his imperial presidency. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11 Helmi 202524min