Poynter is reporting that journalists often avoid directly confronting President Donald Trump when he verbally attacks them, a strategy aimed at preventing the reporter from becoming the story. It said readers frequently ask why other reporters do not show solidarity when Trump insults a colleague, such as his recent remarks about CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, whom he accused of never smiling and having "hate in her eyes." Poynter noted that Trump's insults are often a tactic to shift focus from policy questions, such as a proposed $1.8 billion fund for political persecution claims.
Poynter said Mediaite's Jennifer Bowers Bahney highlighted veteran journalist Kara Swisher's comments on "The View," where Swisher argued that a reporter's job is not to react to such "nonsense" because "the story shouldn’t be about you." Swisher added that engaging in a personal "spitting match" means reporters "lose in that game." Collins herself, in an appearance on Bravo’s "Watch What Happens Live," indicated her focus remains on the interviewee and the questions at hand. Poynter also reported that CNN anchor Anderson Cooper later defended Collins on air, stating that comments on her physical appearance do not happen to male journalists.
Separately, Poynter is reporting significant turmoil at CBS's "60 Minutes." It said the legendary news show is in disarray following a week of major personnel changes. CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss reportedly fired executive producer Tanya Simon and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega. Weiss then appointed Nick Bilton, a former New York Times technology columnist with no traditional TV news experience, as the new executive producer.
Poynter said veteran "60 Minutes" correspondent Scott Pelley accused Weiss of "murdering" the show and questioned her and Bilton's credentials during a staff meeting, leading to Pelley's firing. The show is now left with only three or four correspondents, raising questions about its ability to produce content for its upcoming Season 59 premiere on Sept. 13. New York Magazine reported former "60 Minutes" correspondent Steve Kroft told Michael Calderone that "60 Minutes," as audiences have known it, "no longer exists" due to the substantial firings. The New York Times reported Bilton sent a memo to staff, stating the program "will never be instructed by the ownership" of CBS News on its reporting and announced Maria Gavrilovic's promotion to a senior role.
Poynter also noted speculation regarding future "60 Minutes" correspondents, with one reader suggesting Kaitlan Collins as a potential hire. It said a rumor about podcaster Joe Rogan joining the show, amplified by The Austin American-Statesman, was debunked by a CBS News spokesperson.
In other media news, Poynter reported that President Donald Trump is expected to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals in New York, marking the first time a sitting president has attended an NBA Finals game. It also said longtime NFL quarterback Russell Wilson is retiring to join CBS’s "The NFL Today" Sunday pregame show, alongside former NFL lineman Chris Long. Additionally, the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism and Robert H. Smith School of Business are launching a new monthly webinar series, "The Business of Journalism in the Age of AI," to explore sustainable journalism business models and thriving with artificial intelligence.