Media Confidential Pete Hegseth and the future of American press
Mar 19, 2026
A wide-ranging look at political pressure on US media, including talk of an Ellison family takeover and its possible editorial shift. Discussion of FCC licensing threats and the chilling effect on broadcasters. A legal battle between a major news outlet and a former president is examined. Investigative work by Bellingcat and the New York Times into a missile strike is highlighted.
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Coordinated Political Pressure On US Broadcasters
- The Trump administration is attacking mainstream broadcasters and press using regulatory and legal pressure.
- Brendan Carr threatened to pull broadcasters' licences and the administration has launched multibillion-dollar libel suits against major outlets, showing coordinated pressure on media.
Ellison's Media Ambitions And A Vegas Tipoff
- David Ellison, son of Larry Ellison, has acquired major US news assets and plans to shift their editorial stance.
- Lionel describes meeting someone close to David Ellison in Las Vegas who said they plan to move CBS and CNN further right under his ownership.
Poor War Outcomes Fuel Media Tensions
- The administration's dissatisfaction with war coverage is tied to messy outcomes in the Middle East.
- Initial praise for a Venezuelan operation contrasted with complex Iran-related events, oil spikes, and casualties, upsetting expected media narratives.