Open-Ended Media?

Article in Media Matters by Payton Armstrong, 3/4/26

Headline: “Christian media figures have claimed that the Iran war could signal “the second coming” or the ‘End Times’ and said ‘we are watching incredible prophecy in this time come to pass’ “

“Right-wing Christian media are praising President Donald Trump’s decision to join Israel in launching military strikes against Iran, with some figures likening Trump to Cyrus the Great and Constantine the Great and claiming that ‘we are watching incredible prophecy in this time come to pass.’. . .”

Read the full article at”

https://www.mediamatters.org/us-iran-relations/christian-media-figures-have-claimed-iran-war-could-signal-second-coming-or-end

CNN and MAGA Mouthpiece


Article in Daily Beast by Ewan Palmer, 3/3/26

Headline:  “CNN Staff Furious After MAGA Pundit Boosts Trump War Propaganda”

Subhead:  “The complaints about Scott Jennings were so severe that senior leaders at the network were called in.”

CNN’s MAGA mouthpiece Scott Jennings left journalists at the network furious after he shared Iran war propaganda from Donald Trump that contradicted their own reporting.

Several staff complaints were made against Jennings, a firebrand figure who is often rude and dismissive during his CNN appearances, after he claimed he received intel about why the president had launched an attack on Iran, according to Status. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/cnn-staff-furious-after-maga-pundit-scott-jennings-boosts-donald-trump-iran-war-propaganda/

Trump IS MAGA Media?

Article in The hill by Dominick Mastrangelo, 3/3/26

Headline:  “Trump knocks Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly over Iran criticism: ‘MAGA is Trump’ “

“President Trump and his allies are pushing back on a number of top conservative media figures typically loyal to him who have questioned ongoing U.S. military action in Iran amid fears of a prolonged war in the Middle East.

“The president said former Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly, both of whom have publicly broken with him over U.S. military operations in Iran, do not represent the view among his base of supporters.

“ ‘I think that MAGA is Trump — MAGA’s not the other two,’ Trump said, adding of Kelly specifically that ‘she was critical of me for years and I didn’t lose. I won all three times by a lot.’. . .”

Read the full article at:
https://thehill.com/homenews/media/5764439-donald-trump-tucker-carlson-megyn-kelly-iran-conflict/

Fox News Wags the Trump?

Article in Media Matters by Matt Gertz, 3/3/26

Headline: “In Iran, the most consequential test of the Fox-Trump feedback loop yet”

“President Donald Trump, across both of his terms, has regularly shaped federal policy in response to the propaganda he hears from his sycophants at Fox News. But his decision over the weekend to launch a war of choice against Iran without a clear goal may prove to be the most consequential example of this feedback loop to date.

“Trump is deeply immersed in the Fox universe. He famously consumes the network’s content; highlights particular segments that strike his fancy on social media; hires its employees to run his administration; consults its personalities for advice on domestic and foreign policy; and doles out contracts and pardons alike based on what he sees on its airwaves. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.mediamatters.org/us-iran-relations/iran-most-consequential-test-fox-trump-feedback-loop-yet

What Should MAGA Media Do Now. . .?

Article in The Guardian by J Oliver Conroy, 3/2/26

Headline:  ” ‘Open betrayal’ or ‘just and imperative’? Trump’s Iran strikes divide conservative media”

Subhead:  “Trump’s decision to join Israel in attacking Iran has divided the American right – from Murdoch’s cheerleaders to Maga isolationists”

“As a presidential candidate, Donald Trump repeatedly pledged to get the US out of ‘endless wars’, put ‘America first’ and focus on domestic policy. . .”

“Now the Trump administration’s decision to join Israel in attacking Iran has shocked the US and the world. It has also divided conservative media in the US – with many journalists and pundits on the right celebrating Trump’s decision to confront a longtime American foe, but others expressing dismay or confusion at the revival of a Bush-style interventionism . . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/02/trump-iran-strikes-right-wing-conservative-media

– – – – –

Article in Media Matters by Noah Dowe, Zachary Pleat & Gideon Taaffe, 3/2/26

Headline: “MAGA media feud erupts over Trump’s war against Iran: ‘We’re not supposed to be running around doing this anymore.’ “

Subhead:  ” ‘An illegitimate regime’ vs. ‘Pimps for the enemy’ “

“Media figures in right-leaning spaces are bickering about President Donald Trump’s war on Iran. The strikes so far have reportedly killed multiple Iranian leaders and many civilians; three American service members have reportedly been killed in action, more seriously wounded, and Trump said that there likely will be more casualties.

“Many prominent right-wing figures spoke out in praise of the war.. .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.mediamatters.org/us-iran-relations/maga-media-feud-erupts-over-trumps-war-against-iran-were-not-supposed-be-running

Don’t Call Me Shirley!

Article in Media Matters by John Knefel, 2/27/26

Headline:  “MAGA media provocateur Nick Shirley boosted an antisemitic video. It was only a matter of time.”

Subhead:  “Shirley, who helped spur the federal crackdown in Minneapolis, promoted and defended a video from Tyler Oliveira titled ‘I Exposed New Jersey’s Jewish Invasion…’ ”

“One of the most important developments in right-wing media in the last few years is the rise of a class of provocateurs who create on-the-ground, documentary-style videos targeting communities based on their religion, ethnicity, or political beliefs. . .”

“On February 25, Shirley promoted and defended an antisemitic video made by fellow YouTuber Tyler Oliveira titled ‘I Exposed New Jersey’s Jewish Invasion… .’ The video runs more than an hour long, and it seeks to transform pedestrian, local issues about land use into something sinister by relying on longstanding antisemitic tropes about Jews controlling the financial system. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.mediamatters.org/antisemitism/maga-media-provocateur-nick-shirley-boosted-antisemitic-video-it-was-only-matter-time

MAGA Defector Bridge-Burning?


Article in Raw Story by Robert Davis, 2/23/26

Headline:  “This MAGA media figure is about to cause ‘a whole lot more drama’ for Trump: analyst:”

“A MAGA media figure is about to cause ‘a whole lot more drama’ for President Donald Trump, according to one analyst.

“Last week, Tucker Carlson released an interview with Trump’s ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, where he accused a former Israeli Prime Minister of visiting the infamous Epstein Island and other remarks that left pro-Israel Republicans steamed, Will Sommer at The Bulwark reported on Monday. For instance, pro-Israel voices like Laura Loomer and Dave Rubin spoke out against Carlson’s interview. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.rawstory.com/trump-2675303066/

CBS “Balanced” to the Right?


Article in New York Times byJohn Koblin, 2/17/26

Headline:  “Colbert Says CBS Pulled Senate Candidate Interview”

Subhead: “Stephen Colbert said he had to drop an interview with James Talarico from his Monday broadcast because of new F.C.C. guidance that targeted political interviews on late-night shows.”

“Stephen Colbert said on his late-night show on Monday that his network, CBS, barred him from airing an interview with a Democratic candidate for a U.S. Senate race because of new guidance from the Trump administration about equal airtime for political candidates. . .”

“Mr. Colbert pointed to new guidance from the F.C.C. from January, warning media companies that talk shows carried on local broadcast networks were required to offer equal airtime to candidates competing for the same office. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/17/business/media/colbert-cbs-fcc-talarico-carr.html

– – – – –

Article in Daily Kos by Emily Singer, 2/17/26

Headline: “How the GOP’s latest media meddling is a major self-own”

“If you wanted a textbook example of the Streisand Effect, look no further than the Trump administration’s meddling in the Texas Senate race.

CBS News refused to air late night host Stephen Colbert’s interview with Democratic Texas state Rep. James Talarico, who is currently locked in a competitive Senate primary with Rep. Jasmine Crockett. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/2/17/2369185/-How-the-GOP-s-latest-media-meddling-is-a-major-self-own?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=top_news_slot_1&pm_medium=web

“No Stinkin’ Press Credentials”

Article in Columbia Journalism Review by John Stang, 2/17/26

Headline: “Elbowing In”

Subhead:  “In Olympia, Washington, a few right-wing media figures have been trying to get credentialed to cover the statehouse. Their efforts—which now include a lawsuit—have shaken up the entire press corps.”

“Last week, in Olympia, Washington, a group of three right-wing media figures filed a lawsuit confronting a question that is becoming increasingly fraught across the United States: who is and is not a journalist in a government building. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.cjr.org/feature/olympia-washington-press-corps-statehouse-credentials-lawsuit-brandi-kruse-jonathan-choe-ari-hoffman-correspondents-association-legislature.php

Media Unmasking ICE?

Article in Media Matters by Reed McMaster & Isabella Sherk, 2/12/26

Headline:  “Right-wing media’s claims that ICE agents need to be masked for safety fall apart”

Subhead:  “Right-wing media have argued for months that immigration officers and their families are in danger of being doxed, assaulted, and even murdered if agents don’t wear mask”

“Right-wing media have claimed Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection agents are in danger of being “doxed” and even murdered if they are unable to conceal their identity. New reporting shows that working in immigration enforcement is actually safer than being a civilian, and there are no recorded incidents of agents being doxed. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/right-wing-medias-claims-ice-agents-need-be-masked-safety-fall-apart