Topic: Housing Bias

President Joe Biden held a press conference where the White House press corps was criticized for failing to ask challenging questions regarding the southern border or the COVID-19 pandemic. Media figures like Chuck Todd were accused of acting as representatives for the administration rather than the public, portraying the lack of critical inquiry as a sign of national satisfaction.

Anthony Scaramucci dismisses the famous anonymous New York Times op-ed as a "cockroach survival note" likely written by a junior staffer rather than a senior official. He criticizes the media's "grudge" against Trump, noting that the New York Times had to apologize for its coverage after the 2016 election. Scaramucci suggests Trump intentionally provokes the media to keep them distracted and reactive.

An analysis of a PBS NewsHour segment featuring David Brooks and Mark Shields focuses on their commentary regarding the Michael Cohen hearings. The hosts argue that both commentators share the same anti-Trump perspective, failing to provide the "point-counterpoint" balance traditionally expected from the program.

Disney CEO Bob Iger personally called Valerie Jarrett to apologize for Roseanne Barr's comments, a move the hosts characterize as "virtue signaling." President Trump responded by criticizing Iger for never apologizing for "horrible statements" made about the presidency on ABC, highlighting a perceived double standard in corporate accountability.

A controversy involving White House communications aide Kelly Sadler is analyzed following her reported comment that Senator John McCain's opposition to CIA nominee Gina Haspel "doesn't matter" because "he's dying anyway." The discussion posits that the remark was a statement of fact delivered in a private strategy meeting rather than a joke or an act of mocking. Criticism is directed at the media for stripping the comment of context and the potential presence of listening devices in the White House.

Birthday wishes are sent to various producers, including a 31st birthday for Brad. A listener story from Mountain View, California, describes a leasing agent who suggested a rental application would be fine "as long as they weren't Trump supporters." The hosts discuss the legality and prevalence of political bias in the Silicon Valley housing market.

The "tiny house movement" is being reframed by some activists as "poverty appropriation." Simultaneously, the University of Arizona has reportedly established a program for "social justice advocates" to report fellow students for bias incidents, a move critics liken to a "snitch" culture on campus.

John C. Dvorak discusses the backlash to his column about Vivek Kundra, noting that GigaOm and other tech blogs defended the CIO. He suggests that the financing of certain tech blogs may influence their coverage of government officials. Dvorak also notes the difficulty of getting direct responses from the White House press office compared to more prominent bloggers.

The hosts criticize Fox News anchor Shepard Smith for his editorializing following the presidential press conference. Smith complained that the President ignored major financial publications like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, despite the fact that Obama called on Fox News and the Washington Times. The hosts argue that Smith's complaints are disingenuous and represent a broader trend of empty media deconstruction.

Barack Obama utilized detailed notes and a pre-selected list of reporters during his first post-election press conference, notably bypassing outlets like Fox News and the Washington Times. Critics argue the media is providing a "honeymoon" period by failing to challenge the scripted nature of the event. The session concluded with a lengthy discussion regarding the future White House dog, which some viewed as a trivialization of the office.