Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino

On today’s Power Lines, Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino break down Olivia Nuzzi’s first public comments since her scandal—an emotional, but evasive interview with Tim Miller. What’s the real plan for her future at Vanity Fair? Then, a closer look at how MAGA Media is defending Pete Hegseth, whose boat bombings are being widely described as potential war crimes. First came a surreal softball interview with Katie Miller, then a grotesque, unhinged response from whatever remains of Megyn Kelly’s public persona. Plus: Sabrina Carpenter calls out the White House for using her music in a deportation video David Ellison reportedly taps Saudi money to bolster his bid for Warner Bros. Discovery Dan Bongino melts down on X (again) 00:00 Intro 04:03 Olivia Nuzzi's Controversial Memoir 21:35 A Pentagon "Press Briefing" 28:53 Snowflake Pete and War Crimes Allegations 34:19 Megyn Kelly's Disturbing Comments 43:47 Ellison Gets Help from Saudi Arabia for WBD Bid? 47:09 Sabrina Carpenter's ICE Rebuke 49:49 Dan Bonino's Social Media Meltdown 54:31 Outro 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Power Lines: Both Sides Bari: Bari Weiss outlined her groundbreaking vision to "redraw the lines" of acceptable debate by elevating voices like Alan Dershowitz and Dana Loesch, while sidelining “extremists" like Tucker Carlson and Hasan Piker. Oliver and Jon criticize this "both-sides-ism" approach—and point out that in the Trump-era, iit often requires platforming individuals willing to distort facts. They also address the bizarre reaction piece on the topic, from Mediaite, aimed at Oliver. Fox News Hosts Exposed: New documents from the Smartmatic lawsuit reveal explosive private communications from top Fox News figures, many of whom chose ratings over facts due to fear of losing ground to Newsmax and OAN during the 2020 election. Olivia Nuzzi's Scandal Heats Up Vanity Fair: The fallout continues for Vanity Fair's West Coast Editor, Olivia Nuzzi. The magazine's choice to publish a nude portrait of her was an odd one. Now Global Editorial Director Mark Guiducci is under pressure as Vanity Fair examines its relationship with Nuzzi moving forward. Trump Forces “Rush Hour 4”: Donald Trump personally intervened to push Paramount's David Ellison into producing a new “Rush Hour” film, likely due to ties with disgraced director Brett Ratner. Plus, the strange irony of Trump propping up the career of a star (Jackie Chan) who has publicly pledged allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party. Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving. We’ll see you next week. 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 Get 15% off OneSkin with the code [STATUS] at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former star political reporter Olivia Nuzzi is back in the spotlight after her ex-fiancé, Ryan Lizza, alleged that she had a second romantic relationship with a subject she was reporting on. Oliver and Jon are joined by Status’ own Natalie Korach to break down the ethical fallout and how her new employer Condé Nast is responding. Then: Donald Trump attacks an ABC News reporter while defending his “friend,” Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during an Oval Office appearance. Saudi money and influence seem to be everywhere right now, evidenced by the long list of attendees at the MBS state dinner. Among them was David Ellison, who has spoken to Middle Eastern funds as he makes a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. Oliver and Jon dig into the speculation and outline the grim reality facing CNN, no matter who ultimately ends up in charge of WBD. Plus: Ben Shapiro’s Golden Globes hypocrisy, and Fox News’ embarrassing attempt to spin the Epstein files into a non-story—or at least a story that somehow has nothing to do with Donald Trump. We’ll see you next week. 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 Get 15% off OneSkin with the code [STATUS] at  https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Power Lines: Newly uncovered Epstein emails reveal troubling ties between Jeffrey Epstein, Michael Wolff, and Donald Trump. Why was Wolff giving Epstein so much advice? Trump threatens to sue the BBC over an edit in a months-old documentary. Why now? Was it misleading—or just convenient timing? Plus: South Park’s unhinged Trump-Vance sex scene, Sydney Sweeney’s lackluster response to her “Jeans/Genes” ad, and Tucker Carlson goes full-Alex Jones with chemtrail conspiracy theories. We’ll see you next week. 00:00 Intro 01:05 Epstein Emails and Fox News' Reaction 09:55 Michael Wolff's Messages with Epstein 18:17 BBC's Leadership Crisis 31:23 South Park Went There 36:51 Tucker Carlson's Chemtrails Conspiracy 44:16 Sydney Sweeney's Box Office Bomb 46:03 Sweeney's Lackluster Jeans Ad Response 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 Podcast: Zohran Mamdani wins New York’s mayoral race: Oliver and Jon break down the reactions, from the predictable outrage on Fox News to the surprising pushback from CNN, and what his rise means for the Democratic establishment as right-wing media gears up to weaponize his every move. The MAGA civil war heats up: Ben Shapiro publicly torches Tucker Carlson for platforming white nationalist Nick Fuentes and Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts got caught in the crossfire, after his awkward defense of Tucker and the claim he “didn’t know” who Fuentes was. Plus: Jon Stewart returns to Comedy Central, Marjorie Taylor Greene might be (sort of) maturing, and Netflix doubles down on podcasting. We’ll see you next week. 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 Podcast: Tucker Carlson has suddenly ended his feud and embraced Holocaust-denying white supremacist Nick Fuentes. Why is he leaning further into extremist voices? Oliver and Jon break down the fallout from Comcast helping to fund the White House ballroom — and what that says about media power and influence. Plus: what the Paramount layoffs reveal about Ellison’s plans for news personalities, CNN head Mark Thompson dodging Bari Weiss questions, Zohran winning over Andrew Schulz, and Elon Musk’s “Grokipedia” — a fact-twisting clone of Wikipedia built in bad faith and fueled by an alternate reality. Have a Happy Halloween! We’ll see you next week. 00:00 Intro 03:15 Tucker Carlson Hosts Nick Fuentes 08:38 Mainstream Media's Challenge with Extremism 19:57 Comcast's Controversial Donation to Trump 29:46 Paramount Layoffs and CBS News Cuts 32:54 Oracle's AI Investments and Media Cuts 34:41 CBS News Restructuring and Political Shifts 37:44 CNN's New Streaming Service and Bari Weiss 46:29 New York Mayor's Race Media Strategy 56:10 Elon Musk's Wikipedia Alternative, Grokipedia 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 Get 15% off OneSkin with the code [STATUS] at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s Power Lines Podcast: Oliver and Jon break down why all roads lead to David Ellison's WBD takeover and the serious implications it would have for CNN. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt goes viral with a shocking text message response to a reporter. Oliver and Jon dig into the pay-to-play operation behind the Golden Globes' new podcast award. Fox News is losing it over Zohran Mamdani And finally, Oliver and Jon analyze the concrete numbers behind the massive Disney/Kimmel backlash. 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 Get 15% off OneSkin with the code [STATUS] at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod #ad 00:00 Intro 00:37 Warner Brothers Discovery's Struggles 02:34 David Ellison's Takeover Bid 06:38 The Media Landscape Shake-Up 08:25 Potential WBD Buyers and Implications 25:54 Karoline Leavitt's Controversial Texts with Reporter 33:30 Far-Right Influencers Replace Pentagon Correspondents 36:03 Golden Globes' New Podcast Category 44:08 Fox News' Obsession with Zohran Momani 50:27 Disney's Backlash Over Jimmy Kimmel Suspension Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Power Lines podcast: Pentagon reporters walked out after Pete Hegseth’s team demanded they sign a loyalty pledge—effectively banning the press from one of the most powerful buildings in the world. Oliver and Jon take you inside the standoff, breaking down what led to the walkout and what it means for press freedom. Then, NBC lays off 150 staffers, gutting its diversity reporting teams as MSNBC and CNBC spin off into a new company. What do the cuts signal about the future of network news and corporate fear of government retaliation over DEI? Finally, the Manosphere fractures. Joe Rogan, Tim Dillon, Theo Von, Andrew Schulz and more are blasting Trump’s ICE raids as cruel. Are the podcasters who helped Trump win the election turning on the right? Plus, Trump melts down over his new Time cover, Zohran Mamdani speaks directly to Trump during his Fox News appearance ahead of the NYC mayoral debate, and Olivia Nuzzi reemerges at Vanity Fair with a new book and renewed controversy over her relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino break down their exclusive reporting and deliver sharp, uncompromising analysis on how information moves and shapes society. From the Fourth Estate to Silicon Valley to Hollywood, they scrutinize the powerful institutions driving narratives, shaping perception, and steering the culture. __________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 Get 15% off OneSkin with the code [STATUS] at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s Power Lines, Oliver and Jon discuss: Bari Weiss at CBS News: Does her both-sides-ism and "Lets fucking do the news" war cry signal a major shift, or is it just corporate noise? We analyze what her new EIC role signals to the Trump administration and debate how hands-on she'll actually be. Pete Hegseth's New Press Rules: We detail the Pentagon’s new restrictions, question how the former Fox News personality would have reacted if they were imposed by a different administration, and explain why restricting access won't stop great journalism. Riyadh Comedy Festival Blowback: Top comedians, including Dave Chappelle, are facing heavy criticism for performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival. Now some are justifying it by saying they did it for the Saudi people. Does performing at the request of an oppressive government truly help the citizens of Saudi Arabia? That’s all for now, have a great weekend. We’ll see you next week. 0:00 Bari Weiss is officially EIC at CBS News 3:02 Bari's "Both Sides" Claim 6:10 What does this hire signal to the Trump Administration? 9:35 How will the CBS News staff react? 12:06 Running The Free Press vs Running CBS News 16:37 Will Bari Weiss actually be running the show? 21:26 Is Bari Weiss in for a rude awakening? 26:40 Pete Hegseth's "safe space" 30:46 Oliver lays out new Pentagon press rules 32:50 Government approved narratives only 34:54 Journalists don't need to be at the Pentagon to do their work 36:16 Trump not on board with what's happening at Pentagon 40:26 Riyadh Comedy Festival comedians react to backlash 43:05 Chappelle's outrageous free speech claims 44:10 Aziz Ansari's argument for participating 47:48 How long will backlash last? 50:06 Comics linked arms with the government oppressing the Saudi people 51:13 A suggestion for Dave Chappelle 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 Get 15% off OneSkin with the code [STATUS] at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Power Lines. This week, Oliver welcome’s Status’ new media correspondent Natalie Korach!  Oliver and Natalie kick things off covering the relentless attacks on the free press, Oliver’s role in a Senate "spotlight hearing" on threats to journalism, the chilling effect of pressure applied by Brendan Carr and Pete Hegseth, and the alarming, unprovoked assaults on reporters by masked ICE agents. Next, the controversy surrounding the Riyadh Comedy Festival, where A-list comedians like Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, and Bill Burr are taking huge paychecks despite Saudi Arabia's atrocious human rights record and restrictions on free expression. Finally, Oliver and Natalie break down the misleading messaging from MAGA media outlets like Fox News on the government shutdown, and the disturbing celebration of potential mass firings of federal workers. Have a great weekend, we’ll see you next week. 00:00 Welcome Natalie Korach! 01:39 Oliver Goes to Washington 06:17 Pentagon Press Restrictions 12:50 ICE and Press Freedom Concerns 20:55 Riyadh Comedy Festival Controversy 33:21 MAGA Media's Spin on the Government Shutdown 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 Get 15% off OneSkin with the code [STATUS] at  https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show returned this week after Disney executives backpedaled on a short-lived suspension that elicited a tidal wave of backlash. But the battle is far from over. Major station groups Nexstar and Sinclair are still refusing to carry the program on their ABC affiliates, effectively blocking it from nearly a quarter of American households. Oliver and Jon break down how the FCC’s targeting of Kimmel ended up backfiring, why even some conservatives are defending his right to speak, and what Disney could be up against next if Nexstar pulls off its bid to acquire TEGNA. One thing is clear: the Kimmel fight is only just beginning. They also cover the revolt inside CNN’s newsroom over its handling of an on-air story featuring far-right conspiracy theorist Jack Posobiec, and how mainstream outlets often miss or downplay the cultural impact of internet personalities. Plus, some big (and exciting) changes at Status!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 Get 15% off OneSkin with the code STATUS at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Jimmy Kimmel done at ABC? That’s the question after the late-night host was suddenly pulled off the air following threats from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. Jon and Oliver break down the forces behind Kimmel’s silencing and what comes next. Also, aspiring media mogul David Ellison is looking to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, raising tensions inside CNN. Oliver and Jon take you behind-the-scenes at CNN and analyze the conservative reshaping of the media under Trump. And finally, Business Insider has officially gone all-in on A.I. Will it boost efficiency? Absolutely. But will it also flood the journalism industry with errors and sameness? That’s all for now, see you next Friday. 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 The Jimmy Kimmel Controversy 3:10 Media's Response and Internal Reactions 6:43 The Broader Implications for Free Speech 18:38 The Role of Media Executives 27:41 David Ellison's Ambitious Takeover Plans 29:40 CNN's Uncertain Future Under New Leadership 31:07 The Impact on Warner Brothers Discovery 34:08 Financial Power of the Ellison Family 36:57 Potential Changes in Media Landscape 43:00 Business Insider's AI Policy 45:14 Implications of AI in Journalism 47:44 The Future of News Reporting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Right-wing activist Charlie Kirk’s shocking death this week set off a wave of reactions across the media landscape. Oliver and Jon examine the viral spread of graphic footage on social media, how the left and right are reacting to the tragedy, and what the response could mean for America’s already heightened political tensions. ____________________________________________________________________ "Power Lines" is presented by Status, and hosted by Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino. The show is produced by Matt Hevia and Antonio Enriquez, in association with In The Arena Studios. Please like, share, and subscribe to Power Lines on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen — and watch full episodes and clips on our YouTube page at Status. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 On This week’s edition of Power Lines… Paramount Close to Buying Bari Weiss’ The Free Press: It’s happening! David Ellison is on the brink of purchasing Bari Weiss’ The Free Press and installing Weiss in a prominent role at CBS News. Oliver and Jon break down why this is disastrous, highlight The Free Press’ lack of real journalism, and explain why this is ultimately a politically driven acquisition. Media Ignoring Trump’s Health?: Photos showing bruises on Trump’s hands and swelling around his ankles have raised alarm bells—for everyone except the journalists who should be covering the president’s health. Oliver and Jon question the lack of reporting and explain how this silence will inevitably fuel conspiracy theories. John Malone vs. CNN: In a recent interview, media mogul John Malone criticized CNN as being anti-Trump. Oliver and Jon point out that Malone’s complaints are absurd and discuss how they prove MAGA will never trust any version of CNN. Have a great weekend! See you next week. "Power Lines" is presented by Status, and hosted by Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino. The show is produced by Matt Hevia and Antonio Enriquez, in association with In The Arena Studios. Please like, share, and subscribe to Power Lines on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen — and watch full episodes and clips on our YouTube page at Status. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another edition of Power Lines. Here’s what Oliver and Jon are covering this week: Google Bends the Knee: OAN is back on YouTube TV — a sharp reversal after the platform once deemed the network too unserious to carry. Is Google cozying up to OAN to keep Trump happy as the Fox–YouTube TV standoff drags on? Taylor Swift Got Engaged: You already knew that. What’s surprising is how the media — including journalists with plenty of serious news to cover — have reacted to it. CNN Poaches from WSJ: CNN is snapping up high-profile WSJ staffers. Oliver and Jon dig into why the Journal is facing this talent drain. Plus: Jay Penske is quietly selling off pieces of his Hollywood media empire. Have a great weekend — see you next week. 0:00 Intro 1:03 Google Bends the Knee 14:18 Reporting on Jay Penske's Hollywood Media Empire 22:41 CNN Poaches from WSJ 32:00 Analyzing Swift-Kelce Engagement Coverage "Power Lines" is presented by Status, and hosted by Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino. The show is produced by Matt Hevia and Antonio Enriquez, in association with In The Arena Studios. Please like, share, and subscribe to Power Lines on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen — and watch full episodes and clips on our YouTube page at Status. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Power Lines… Fox vs. Satire: Gavin Newsom’s tweets are making waves — and exposing how little Fox gets the joke. Loyalty to the King: New documents from the Smartmatic case reveal infighting at Fox, as hosts scramble to prove their devotion to Trump. MS…Now What? MSNBC’s messy rebrand raises questions — was internal tension the real driver? CNN’s Streaming Gamble: With a new platform on the horizon, can CNN convince anyone to pay, or are they too late to the party? Oliver and Jon break it all down — and connect the bigger dots — on this week’s episode. "Power Lines" is presented by Status, and hosted by Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino. The show is produced by Matt Hevia and Antonio Enriquez, in association with In The Arena Studios. Please like, share, and subscribe to Power Lines on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen — and watch full episodes and clips on our YouTube page at Status. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another episode of Power Lines. This week, Oliver and Jon dive into: The National Guard in DC – and MAGA media’s reaction. Let’s just say President Trump’s base seems to have moved on from their old “Don’t Tread on Me” mantra. Alex Jones’ Infowars for sale (again) – as Jones is ordered to liquidate his assets to pay the families of Sandy Hook victims. Taylor Swift’s podcast debut – where she announced a new album… but the reveal was a little underwhelming. Plus, the amount of brand bandwagoning is, frankly, gross. All that, plus a spirited debate over the best Taylor Swift album—featuring Jon’s pick for the one that nearly put him to sleep. We’re sure Swifties will respond with their trademark calm and kindness. "Power Lines" is presented by Status, and hosted by Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino. The show is produced by Matt Hevia and Antonio Enriquez, in association with In The Arena Studios. Please like, share, and subscribe to Power Lines on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen — and watch full episodes and clips on our YouTube page at Status. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Thursday, Oliver had a front-row seat as David Ellison and his team of executives fielded questions during Skydance’s official takeover of Paramount. He takes us inside the room and breaks down the answers to key questions about how South Park will be handled, Jon Stewart’s contract status, the future of 60 Minutes, and who might end up running CBS News. He also shares a few intriguing tidbits from one-on-one conversations after the press conference that offer deeper insight into how the new leadership plans to approach Paramount’s biggest personalities and properties. Plus: Sean Hannity has officially entered the MAGA Civil War, lashing out at former Trump loyalists who are now turning on him. His rant sounds an awful lot like a shot at the Rogans, Schulzes, and Joe Kernens of the world—and it’s clear he’s had enough. Have a great weekend—we’ll catch you next week. "Power Lines" is presented by Status, and hosted by Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino. The show is produced by Matt Hevia and Antonio Enriquez, in association with In The Arena Studios. Please like, share, and subscribe to Power Lines on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen — and watch full episodes and clips on our YouTube page at Status. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another jam-packed episode of Power Lines by Status. This week, Oliver and Jon dig into: Vandalism at the New York Times headquarters—and the growing media clash over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza MSNBC’s slow breakaway from the Peacock brand: What does this new era look like, and how can the network stay on track? An ethics complaint against Brendan Carr: The Freedom of the Press Foundation wants him disbarred over what they call “egregious conduct” And yes… Sydney Sweeney. Her American Eagle ad has sparked a full-blown internet debate—what does it all mean? Have a great weekend—we’ll catch you next week "Power Lines" is presented by Status, and hosted by Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino. The show is produced by Matt Hevia and Antonio Enriquez, in association with In The Arena Studios. Please like, share, and subscribe to Power Lines on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen — and watch full episodes and clips on our YouTube page at Status. #PowerLines, #NewsPodcast, #MediaNews, #NewYorkTimes, #GazaCrisis, #MSNBC, #Peacock, #MediaIndustry, #BrendanCarr, #FCC, #PressFreedom, #SydneySweeney, #AmericanEagle, #CultureWar, #PoliticsNews, #CurrentEvents, #NewsAnalysis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this latest episode of Power Lines, we're dissecting the seismic shifts rocking media and politics. First,  the Washington Post, which is undergoing a dramatic reshaping under new opinion editor Adam O’Neal. Journalists and editors are being encouraged to take buyouts as Jeff Bezos seemingly shifts the paper's editorial direction. Is Bezos trying to appease Donald Trump to protect his other business interests by making the WaPo more conservative? Probably. Does that make him a bad steward? Probably. Does he care? Probably not.  Then, the entertainment world is in an uproar. Stephen Colbert's The Late Show franchise is ending due to alleged financial constraints, a move met with widespread skepticism and outrage. We dive into the fiery reactions, including Jon Stewart's direct message to Paramount brass, Colbert's own questions about the reported $40 million annual loss, and South Park's pointed reference to Paramount "giving in to Trump" via Colbert's removal.  Finally, the Jeffrey Epstein story continues to reverberate, but with a surprising silence from MAGA Media. A week after The Wall Street Journal's revelations about a birthday card from Donald Trump to Epstein, right-wing outlets have largely gone quiet. Oliver and Jon debate: Is this a calculated move? Will this scandal finally stick, or can Donald Trump walk away unscathed yet again? Power Lines is presented by Status, and hosted by Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino. The show is produced by Matt Hevia and Antonio Enriquez, in association with In The Arena Studios. Please like, share, and subscribe to Power Lines on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen — and watch full episodes and clips on our YouTube page at Status. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices