Topic: Lanny Davis

PBS NewsHour and other mainstream outlets faced criticism for reporting on the BuzzFeed Cohen story without independent verification. The practice of "circular reporting" is examined, where outlets cite each other's unverified claims to create a false sense of consensus. Despite the Special Counsel's dispute, some journalists continued to defend the narrative by parsing the specific wording of the official denial.

Lanny Davis, attorney for Michael Cohen, made a verbal slip during a televised interview, accidentally referring to Donald Trump as "President Truth" while attempting to criticize him. This moment was highlighted alongside CNN's immediate distancing from the BuzzFeed report once the Special Counsel's office issued its correction. The segment mocks the rapid shift in media tone following the debunking of the "bombshell" story.

Lanny Davis, attorney for Michael Cohen, appeared on various news programs to claim that President Trump directed Cohen to commit a crime. The hosts analyze Davis's performance on the CBS Morning Show, noting his failure to provide concrete evidence beyond his own assertions. They suggest the media is disappointed that Cohen did not have "smoking gun" information regarding Russian collusion.

The release of a secret recording made by Michael Cohen shows him discussing a payment to buy the rights to Karen McDougal's story about an alleged affair with Donald Trump. The "catch and kill" strategy involved David Pecker of American Media Inc. The hosts argue the media is overhyping the legal significance of the tapes regarding campaign finance laws.