Topic: Fox News

The hosts critique Scott Besant's performance during his televised appearances, comparing his "halting" style unfavorably to JD Vance's more pleasant and likable demeanor. They suggest Besant is failing his "screen test" for the administration's media rotation. Technical network issues briefly interrupt the discussion as they attempt to monitor the live quad-screen feed of various news networks.

Social media users have circulated a conspiracy theory that Retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward wore a hyper-realistic mask during a Fox News interview due to unusual shadows on his neck. The hosts dismiss the "Maskgate" theory as a result of studio lighting and digital smoothing filters. The segment transitions into a discussion about rumors regarding Joe Biden impersonators being used for public appearances.

The hosts critique Megyn Kelly's career trajectory, suggesting she peaked at Fox News before a failed transition to NBC led her to independent podcasting. They argue that her increased use of profanity has diminished her professional standing, comparing it to Howard Stern's move to SiriusXM. The discussion emphasizes that excessive cussing in podcasting often indicates poor language skills and sets a bad standard for the medium.

Tucker Carlson and Sagar Enjeti discuss their attempts to persuade President Trump against the Iran conflict. They argue that Trump is operating in an information vacuum, relying on Fox News and potentially skewed polling that shows high support for the war. Enjeti warns that the compounding effects of rising gas prices will be more politically damaging to the White House than the actual military outcomes.

An anecdote describes the experience of listening to Amber Heard's trial testimony while sitting in a Walmart parking lot. The narrative explores the psychological pull of celebrity scandals and the media's tendency to prioritize high-profile court cases over traditional news reporting.

Scott Adams reveals his preference for Fox News programs like "The Five" and "The Greg Gutfeld Show." He explains his dislike for reading fiction, claiming his own professional creative imagination is more vivid and interesting than stories written by others.

The hosts discuss their own verbal tics, specifically the frequent use of the phrase "by the way," which was documented 17-21 times in recent episodes. They also critique the common media phrase "to your point," which they interpret as a way for speakers to signal they have a better point to make. This rhetorical habit is blamed largely on Fox News, while CNN is criticized for using "on the other side" as a repetitive transition to commercial breaks.

The hosts discuss the 1988 film *Scrooged* starring Bill Murray, focusing on a scene where a television executive creates a terrifying promo to scare viewers into watching a Christmas special. They observe that the fictional 1988 promo, which used imagery of terrorism and drugs to drive ratings, has become the standard operating procedure for modern cable news networks like CNN and Fox News.

Molly McNearney, executive producer of Jimmy Kimmel Live, appeared on the podcast "We Can Do Hard Things" hosted by Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambach. McNearney expressed deep resentment toward her conservative family members who vote for Donald Trump, characterizing their political choices as a personal betrayal of her husband. She described the difficulty of maintaining relationships with relatives she believes are being deliberately misinformed by media outlets like Fox News.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who won the Nobel Peace Prize, reportedly dedicated the honor to Donald Trump during a Fox News interview. Claims are made that other networks like NPR and PBS edited out her praise for Trump's role in dismantling criminal structures in Venezuela. Machado described Trump's actions as decisive for the hemisphere's security.

Kash Patel faces questioning regarding an unsigned memorandum stating there was no incriminating client list in the Epstein documents. The discussion shifts to the background investigation of Jeanine Pirro, with senators citing Fox News executives who allegedly described her as a "reckless maniac." Patel maintains that background check adjudications are handled by career professionals and are not discussed publicly.

Fox News and other major media outlets are reportedly avoiding specific details regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk, particularly the suspect's living arrangements. Howard Kurtz's weekend program briefly addressed the topic, noting a general trend of networks attempting to de-escalate political rhetoric to avoid being held responsible for violence. Speaker Mike Johnson has dominated recent Fox coverage as the network pivots away from the shooter's background.

A segment from Jesse Watters' Fox News show features "Man on the Street" interviews at the Jersey Shore, highlighting the perceived lack of geographical and political knowledge among beachgoers. Participants struggled to identify the leader of China or the location of major world conflicts, providing comedic commentary on the American public.

Brigitte Macron and her family filed a defamation lawsuit against American podcaster Candace Owens following claims regarding the French First Lady's gender identity. The legal team, previously involved in the Fox News Dominion settlement, alleges Owens engaged in a year-long campaign of falsehoods for financial gain. Owens has reportedly doubled down on her claims despite prior legal losses by journalists in France who pursued similar narratives.

The hosts speculate that Dan Bongino is looking for an exit from his FBI role to return to his lucrative broadcasting career. They compare his media presence to Mark Levin, discussing the educational value of Levin's constitutional lectures versus his performance on Fox News.

Commentators on Fox News' "Outnumbered" discussed the rise of Zohran Mamdani, with Marie Harf defending his platform against accusations of anti-Semitism. The discussion posits that Mamdani is successfully using the "Trump playbook" of populist outrage to gain free media coverage. This "Mamdani Derangement Syndrome" is viewed as a mirror to early reactions to Donald Trump's 2016 campaign.

The internal conflict within the MAGA movement is examined, specifically regarding foreign policy and "forever wars." A claim is discussed suggesting that the Murdoch family attempted to recruit a media figure to run for president against Donald Trump in 2023. The segment analyzes how different factions of the right-wing media view Trump's autonomy and his relationship with traditional GOP interventionism.

Jennifer Griffin of Fox News provides a detailed breakdown of the U.S. military strike on Iranian nuclear sites, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The operation involved B-2 bombers flying round-trip from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, supported by an extensive air refueling bridge. The strike utilized 14 Massive Ordnance Penetrators and 30 Tomahawk missiles launched from submarines.

Steve Bannon criticizes Fox News, suggesting the network should be investigated under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) for its pro-Israel stance. Bannon argues that the focus should be on Beijing rather than Iran and expresses frustration with the "phony sense of urgency" regarding regime change. The discussion also touches on Bannon's standing within the MAGA movement and past rumors regarding Obama-era cash payments to Iran.

Gen Z journalist Emily Austin appears on Fox News to discuss the domestic political reaction to the Iran bombing. She frames the event as a "litmus test" for moral clarity, citing opposition from politicians like Elizabeth Warren and Rashida Tlaib as proof of the mission's success. Austin also predicts that Iran's retaliation will likely take the form of a cyber attack rather than a direct military engagement.