Poynter is reporting that President Donald Trump attacked Fox News in a Truth Social post, asking why the network "always" puts Democrats on the air to say "bad things about the Republican Party and, of course, me." It said Trump wrote that MAGA and "REAL Patriots" will "never like Fox" because the network repeats a "completely negative narrative." Poynter noted that one of the people Trump named, Jessica Tarlov, works for Fox News as the liberal voice on "The Five." Poynter said it is not clear what prompted the attack, and that Trump's motives for his media attacks often are not clear. In a separate post, Trump said the "Fake News Media" refuses to share what he called the nation's record-setting numbers, so he is doing it himself.
Poynter is reporting that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a blistering attack on the media during a "State of the Force" address at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. It said Hegseth told roughly 600 troops that a free press is important but that what he called partisan activism smearing the troops is "fundamentally anti-American," adding that it is "a national betrayal" and "treason, actually." Poynter said Hegseth also said the "so-called press makes Iranian state media look reasonable" and that some journalists were "juiced up on Trump Derangement Syndrome." Poynter cited The Washington Post's Dan Lamothe, who wrote that the speech came weeks before November's midterm elections and amid the seven-month war with Iran.
Poynter is reporting that the Trump administration is running national TV ads promoting the president that say they are paid for by the U.S. government. It said Reuters' David Shepardson reported that Democratic lawmakers said the White House transferred $20 million in Homeland Security Department funds to air the ads, including one resembling a 2024 Trump campaign ad. Poynter said The Washington Post's Scott Nover reported the administration bought space on CNN and MS NOW in local markets. It said Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr saw no need for FCC review, while Commissioner Anna Gomez criticized the ads, saying the administration has launched an aggressive effort to influence the midterm elections.
Poynter is reporting that a federal judge approved a settlement allowing Paramount to move forward with its $111-billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. It said Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison hopes to finalize the deal next week. Poynter cited the Los Angeles Times, which reported the five-year settlement requires the combined company to release 30 films in theaters each year, commit an additional $1.5 billion to domestic film production and set aside $47.5 million for affected workers. It said the deal would add HBO, CNN, TBS and HGTV to the Ellison family's portfolio.
Poynter is reporting that The Athletic's Andrew Marchand reported Amazon Prime Video extended the contract of "Thursday Night Football" analyst Kirk Herbstreit, with terms giving Amazon flexibility to move on if a top target such as Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay becomes available. It also reported that the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame inducted its class of 2026, including CNN's Wolf Blitzer, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith and Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott, and that California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill creating tax credits for local news organizations.