Poynter is reporting on extensive media coverage surrounding President Donald Trump's alleged involvement in FIFA's decision to rescind a red card issued to U.S. soccer player Folarin Balogun. The Athletic, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal all reported that Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino, leading to the reversal that allows Balogun to play in the World Cup match against Belgium. The Athletic's Dan Sheldon and Adam Crafton first broke the story. The New York Times, citing Tyler Pager and Tariq Panja, said the reversal is highly unusual, marking the first time since 1962 FIFA has allowed a player to appear in a game after a World Cup ejection. The Times noted Infantino's years-long effort to gain favor with Trump, including awarding him the FIFA Peace Prize last year. The Wall Street Journal, citing Joshua Robinson, Josh Dawsey and Andrew Beaton, reported Trump told Infantino that many believed the decision was wrong, and Infantino promised to investigate before calling back to confirm the suspension reversal. Trump praised the decision on Truth Social, calling it a reversal of "a great injustice!" Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia expressed astonishment, comparing the decision to April Fools' Day and questioning the integrity of football. The Belgian federation stated it was "astonished" and was "investigating all potential options." The newsletter also highlighted media scrutiny of Trump administration claims regarding vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum appeared on ABC's "This Week" and CNN's "State of the Union," where he was questioned by George Stephanopoulos and Dana Bash about evidence for a 350-foot gash allegedly made by vandals. Burgum stated there were "actual cuts" adding up to 350 feet and mentioned video and eyewitness reports, but the administration has not yet provided proof of individuals damaging the pool. Bash pressed Burgum on whether photographs showed people cutting the gash, to which Burgum became "rattled" and suggested the media was questioning the "obvious." Poynter featured an op-ed by New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger in The Dallas Morning News, emphasizing the free press's role in American freedom as the U.S. celebrates its 250th birthday. Sulzberger wrote that a healthy democracy relies on an informed public, which in turn depends on independent reporters providing information and accountability. He acknowledged the press is at its weakest point in the nation's history due to declining revenues, changing technologies, political attacks, and threats from "punditry, propaganda, conspiracy theories and computer-generated slop." Sulzberger urged leaders to push back against attacks on the press, reinforce intellectual property protections for original journalism in the AI era, and encouraged public support through subscriptions and donations. Additionally, Poynter noted reports from Status and Page Six concerning political reporter Olivia Nuzzi. Status' Natalie Korach reported Nuzzi has been seen with Vice founder Shane Smith, discussing a possible role at the media company as Smith attempts to revive it after its 2023 bankruptcy. Page Six's Oli Coleman later reported that sources indicated Nuzzi and Smith are romantically involved. Other media tidbits included CBS News Sunday Morning's reports on "The battle over Stars and Stripes," Variety's report on the Trumps receiving a $10.7 million fee for Amazon's "Melania" documentary, The New York Times' piece on Wikipedia battling for the "soul of the internet," and Awful Announcing's analysis of Travis Kelce's wedding guest list potentially hinting at his future TV career.
