Topic: Brian Ross

A retrospective look at 2015 news reports highlights warnings that ISIS had acquired official passport printing machines in Syria. At the time, officials feared that terrorists could infiltrate Western countries using authentic-looking documents. The hosts compare these past "fear porn" cycles to current media narratives.

The history of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was revisited during funeral coverage, noting its start under the Bush administration and eventual signing by Bill Clinton. Discussion focused on how media outlets like PBS framed Trump's renegotiation of the deal negatively compared to the original globalist vision. Reference was made to Ross Perot's famous "giant sucking sound" warning regarding American jobs moving to Mexico.

ABC News suspended investigative reporter Brian Ross for four weeks without pay following a false report regarding General Michael Flynn. The erroneous broadcast claimed Donald Trump directed Flynn to contact Russians during the 2016 campaign, causing a significant drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. ABC later clarified that the directive occurred during the presidential transition, which is a standard diplomatic practice.

Legal experts and journalists discuss the implications of Michael Flynn's cooperation with Special Counsel Robert Mueller. While Flynn faces potential jail time for false statements, the hosts argue the investigation is being used by the media to create a narrative of collusion despite a lack of evidence. The suspension of Brian Ross is highlighted as a rare instance of high-level disciplinary action for journalistic malpractice.

ABC News investigative reporter Brian Ross produces a segment labeling billionaire Tom Barrack a "slumlord" due to eviction policies at Starwood Waypoint. The hosts deconstruct the piece, noting that Barrack had actually sold his interest in the company six months prior. They characterize the report as a "sleazy hit piece" designed to attack Donald Trump through guilt by association with his wealthy friends.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions is facing renewed scrutiny over his testimony regarding a campaign meeting attended by George Papadopoulos. Papadopoulos reportedly suggested a meeting with Vladimir Putin, which Sessions allegedly shut down. ABC's Brian Ross is criticized for a "slanted" report that suggests Sessions was hiding the truth, despite other witnesses confirming he rejected the proposal.

Questions remain about whether Carter Page informed Jeff Sessions of a trip to Moscow during the campaign. President Trump has publicly expressed disappointment in the Justice Department, leading to speculation that Sessions may be fired. The hosts theorize that Sessions was always a "short-timer" and that his eventual exit is being choreographed to allow for a double-dip retirement.

ABC News correspondent Brian Ross reports on the revelation that the Clinton campaign and the DNC funded the Fusion GPS dossier after an unknown Republican donor started the initial research. The segment is analyzed for "whipsaws," specifically how the media is now rebranding the dossier as "standard opposition research" to protect the Democratic party's credibility.

ABC News correspondent Brian Ross reported that a note found in Stephen Paddock's hotel room contained cryptic numbers rather than a traditional suicide message. The report also highlighted Paddock's $5 million income, which the hosts continue to view as evidence of a setup or cover story.

Media outlets including NBC and CBS began constructing a psychological profile of Stephen Paddock, describing him as a man "descending into madness" with "crazy eyes." Reports surfaced claiming Paddock was a former IRS agent and accountant who had accumulated 47 firearms over several years. Former FBI agent Manny Gomez suggested on CBS that Paddock was looking for the "largest impact" regardless of the specific target or venue.

ABC News' Brian Ross reported on Russian-planted Facebook ads from a fictitious group called "Secured Borders," which targeted swing state voters with anti-immigrant sentiment. The report featured footage of a "troll farm" in St. Petersburg where workers allegedly run fake news operations. A verbal slip by anchor David Muir during the segment inadvertently made it sound as though Brian Ross himself helped the Russians target the ads.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin faces scrutiny for requesting a government jet for his European honeymoon, a trip that would have cost taxpayers $25,000 per hour. His wife, actress Louise Linton, previously drew criticism for an Instagram post highlighting her designer clothing during a trip to Kentucky. ABC News reporter Brian Ross notes that Mnuchin eventually paid for his own travel after Treasury officials raised ethical concerns.

Julian Assange holds a press conference regarding the CIA document release, which the hosts criticize for its poor audio quality and Assange's slow speaking style. They experiment with increasing the playback speed of his voice and discuss his defensive response to a question from ABC's Brian Ross about Russian funding.

ABC correspondent Brian Ross reported on the 2016 Republican National Convention, suggesting that a change in the party platform regarding Ukraine was a victory for the Kremlin. The report is criticized for framing standard political shifts as evidence of a coordinated Russian conspiracy.

ABC News presented a timeline linking the Republican convention to WikiLeaks releases, questioning if the events were "coincidence or collusion." The reporting is characterized as dramatizing a lack of concrete evidence from ongoing FBI and congressional inquiries.

Two men seen on surveillance footage removing a pressure cooker bomb from a bag in New York City have been identified as Egyptian airline employees. The men, who have since returned to Cairo, are considered witnesses rather than suspects, described by authorities as "sidewalk scavengers" who simply wanted the luggage.

ABC News reporter Brian Ross details the "interconnected ISIS cell" responsible for both the Paris and Brussels attacks. The report highlights the role of bomb maker Najim Laachraoui and the sophisticated spycraft training provided by ISIS central command. Analysts suggest that while the U.S. is protected by oceans, Europe faces an acute problem due to radicalized communities and returning fighters.

Intelligence reports indicate that ISIS has acquired official passport printing machines and blank documents, allowing them to create authentic-looking travel papers. This development poses a significant security risk as it could allow operatives to enter the U.S. and Europe undetected.

ABC News correspondent Brian Ross reports on the plausibility of a soda can IED bringing down a Russian jet. The segment criticizes the use of dramatic B-roll showing a large aircraft explosion that may not accurately reflect the power of the device shown by ISIS.

The US Treasury Department has asked Toyota to help explain how ISIS acquired hundreds of brand-new Hilux pickups and Land Cruisers seen in propaganda videos. ABC News' Brian Ross reported on the "truck of choice" for terrorists, while Toyota claimed it cannot control indirect or black-market sales. The hosts suggest the sudden media focus on Toyota is a coordinated effort to protect the American auto industry or exert economic pressure on the Japanese automaker.