Media

Not Even Close: Local Media Outlet Uses Misleading Picture in Their ‘Sioux Falls Man’
Media

Not Even Close: Local Media Outlet Uses Misleading Picture in Their ‘Sioux Falls Man’

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A South Dakota media outlet removed and revised its coverage this week after publishing a misleading image in a report about a Sioux Falls man charged with making a terrorist threat, drawing national attention and criticism over how the suspect was portrayed.

The case began Tuesday when a Sioux Falls man was arrested after allegedly announcing during a Facebook livestream that he intended to burn down a building.

According to authorities, the individual also displayed a firearm and a knife during the broadcast.

Police arrested the suspect shortly after the livestream, and local media outlets reported on the incident.

KELO Newstalk 1320AM 107.9FM initially published a story about the arrest under the headline “Sioux Falls man is charged with making a terrorist threat.”

The article included a photograph of a man in handcuffs being led toward a police vehicle by an officer.

The image showed a white man with his hands cuffed behind his back, head down, standing next to a patrol car.

The photograph was later criticized after it was revealed that the individual pictured was not the suspect arrested in the case. The actual suspect was later identified as Mohamed Mansarry, a black man.

The image used by KELO did not depict Mansarry and was not connected to the arrest described in the article.

The discrepancy was highlighted on X by the account End Wokeness, which pointed out that the man shown in the image was not the individual charged in the case.

End Wokeness has approximately 3.9 million followers on the platform, and the post drew widespread attention.

Following the online reaction, KELO removed the original version of the story.

The original link now displays a “Page Not Found” notice.

A revised version of the article was later published identifying Mohamed Mansarry as the suspect.

The incident prompted discussion online about the use of images in crime reporting and the potential impact of using photographs that do not depict the actual individuals involved in a case.

Some critics argued that the original image created a false impression about the identity of the suspect.

One X user commented on the controversy, writing: “The media operates as a laundering service for the regime’s persistent failures. This visual deception in Sioux Falls is a blatant example of narrative control. KELO News substitutes a stock photo of a white man for Mohamed Mansarry to preserve a hollow multicultural illusion. This is a calculated attempt to sanitize demographic reality. You liberal sycophants swallow this visual poison because you fear the truth more than the fire Mansarry threatened to start. The press functions as the propaganda wing of a crumbling state that relies on your blindness to survive.”

Daniel Greenfield, CEO of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, also commented on the situation and raised questions about how the suspect came to be identified as a Sioux Falls resident.

Greenfield wrote: “How did Mohamed Mansarry come to be a ‘Sioux Falls’ name? Sioux Falls has been a target for ‘refugee resettlement’ by Lutheran Social Services who have done more damage to America than a decade’s worth of natural disasters. Mohamed’s last name suggests that he’s probably from Sierra Leone. Refugee resettlement is how Sierra Leone ends up in Sioux Falls.”

Authorities have not publicly released additional background information about Mansarry beyond his name and the charges filed against him.

Law enforcement officials said he was arrested after making threats during the livestream and that no injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

KELO has not issued a detailed public explanation regarding how the incorrect image was selected for the initial report. The outlet’s revised article no longer includes the disputed photograph.

The incident highlights ongoing scrutiny of media practices, particularly the use of images that may not accurately reflect the subjects of crime reporting.

Media ethics experts have previously warned that the use of generic or unrelated photographs in criminal cases can mislead readers and create incorrect assumptions about suspects.

The case in Sioux Falls remains active, with Mansarry facing charges related to making a terrorist threat.

Authorities have not announced a court date or provided further details about the investigation.

The controversy surrounding KELO’s initial coverage continues to circulate online, with critics pointing to the episode as an example of how presentation choices in news reporting can shape public perception, even after factual corrections are made.

Chuck Todd Says People Lost Trust in Media Because they Lost Trust in the Experts
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Chuck Todd Says People Lost Trust in Media Because they Lost Trust in the Experts

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Chuck Todd said declining public trust in the media is being driven by broader institutional distrust and amplified by Big Tech algorithms that push Americans into isolated information silos.

Todd, a political commentator and former moderator of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” discussed the issue during an appearance on Saturday’s broadcast of Newsmax TV’s “America Right Now.”

In the interview, Todd said the erosion of confidence in journalism reflects a larger breakdown in trust across major institutions, not just the press.

“Well, I think the short answer is yes, and I think, look, we haven’t had reliable political leadership,” Todd said when asked about declining trust in the media.

Todd said journalists are often dependent on the credibility of their sources, which can directly affect how the public perceives reporting. He said that reliance becomes a problem when the sources themselves are no longer trusted.

“And I think one of the things I like to remind people is one of the reasons I think trust in media has fallen to so low is remember what the media is,” Todd said.

“It’s a reflection of — I say I’m as good as the sources I have, not necessarily the sources I want at times, to borrow a phrase from the late Donald Rumsfeld, meaning, if you’re getting untrustworthy sources, you may be reporting untrustworthy information right? You get my drift here.”

Todd said that dynamic has contributed to a broader collapse in confidence not just in journalism but in institutions more generally.

“And so, I think that the collapse of trust in overall institutions, the media in some ways is a reflection of that distrust and so that we may be reporting what the quote, unquote ‘experts’ tell us,” he said.

According to Todd, journalists often rely on expert analysis to contextualize events and policy, but that approach can backfire when the public no longer trusts those experts.

“But if the public doesn’t trust those experts and then we in the media, are quoting those experts, they don’t trust us, too,” Todd said.

He described the situation as a widespread credibility problem affecting multiple sectors simultaneously.

“It’s sort of across the board,” Todd said.

Todd argued that distrust of the media is no longer confined to one side of the political spectrum, saying both major political camps now view news organizations with skepticism.

“And what you have now, I would argue, Tom, is essentially the left doesn’t trust the media now and the right doesn’t trust the media,” he said.

Todd said the media landscape has become increasingly fragmented, with audiences consuming news through ideologically filtered platforms that reinforce existing beliefs rather than challenge them.

“We are in this siloed world,” he said.

He placed significant responsibility for that fragmentation on technology companies and the systems they use to distribute content.

“I put the blame on Big Tech and algorithms that sort of, I think, make it too easy for too many people to live in a bubble, a filter bubble,” Todd said.

Todd said those algorithm-driven environments allow users to avoid exposure to differing viewpoints, deepening mistrust and polarization.

He also criticized the geographic concentration of journalists, arguing that the industry’s focus on major political and media hubs contributes to public disconnect.

“And I do think in some ways, there’s too many people — I always say we have too many journalists in Washington and New York, and not enough everywhere else,” Todd said.

Todd’s remarks come as public confidence in traditional media outlets continues to register near historic lows, according to multiple surveys conducted over recent years.

Washington Post Pushes VA Job Panic, Reality Tells Different Story
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Washington Post Pushes VA Job Panic, Reality Tells Different Story

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The Department of Veterans Affairs became the focus of renewed media scrutiny after The Washington Post published a headline stating that the agency “plans to abruptly eliminate tens of thousands of health care jobs,” prompting a public response from VA Secretary Doug Collins disputing the framing of the report.

The headline circulated on the outlet’s X account and drew attention online, particularly among veterans and their families who closely follow changes affecting VA medical facilities and staffing.

The wording suggested large-scale job reductions that could impact health care services provided to veterans across the country.

Collins responded on X, criticizing what he described as misleading coverage and labeling the report “fake news.”

In his response, Collins said the headline did not accurately reflect the status of the positions referenced in the article or the department’s ongoing operations.

According to the information cited in the Post’s reporting, “Most of these positions haven’t been filled in a year or more, and all Department of Veteran Affairs medical facilities continue to fill vacancies as needed.”

That clarification appeared at the end of the article but was not included in the headline that circulated on social media.

The VA maintains that unfilled positions referenced in the report do not represent active layoffs or reductions of current medical staff and that patient care operations remain ongoing.

The department has said that facilities continue to hire medical professionals where necessary to meet demand and ensure continuity of care.

The exchange added to a pattern of public rebuttals by Collins against media coverage he believes mischaracterizes the department’s actions.

He has previously addressed reporting related to veterans’ health care during televised interviews and on social media, disputing claims that policy changes would reduce access to care.

The Washington Post article focused on internal staffing decisions and planning within the VA, which employs hundreds of thousands of workers nationwide and operates one of the largest integrated health care systems in the United States.

Staffing levels and hiring practices at the agency are closely watched due to their direct impact on veterans who rely on VA hospitals and clinics for medical services.

While the Post headline emphasized potential job eliminations, the article itself acknowledged that many of the positions discussed were not currently filled. The VA’s response highlighted that distinction, arguing that the omission from the headline created confusion about the agency’s intentions and the potential effects on veterans’ care.

The dispute played out largely on social media, where both the headline and Collins’ response were shared widely.

The VA secretary’s criticism focused on what he described as fear-based reporting that could alarm veterans and their families without fully explaining the context of the staffing information.

No changes to current patient care policies or hospital operations were announced in connection with the report.

The VA has continued to state that medical facilities are authorized to hire as needed and that services for veterans remain in place.

The episode reflects ongoing tension between federal agencies and major media outlets over how internal planning and administrative decisions are reported to the public, particularly when headlines circulate independently of the full context provided in longer articles.

Jim Acosta Triggered by Trump’s Manhandling of the Media, Calls for Boycott
Media

Jim Acosta Triggered by Trump’s Manhandling of the Media, Calls for Boycott

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Former CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta urged major media outlets to coordinate a unified response to President Donald Trump’s comments toward journalists, saying news organizations should consider withholding coverage unless the president changes his approach.

Acosta made the remarks Saturday during an appearance on MS NOW, previously known as MSNBC.

The discussion centered on an exchange earlier this month between the president and Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey.

During a press event, Lucey questioned President Trump about files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

The president responded by telling her to be “quiet, piggy.”

Acosta called the remark “disgusting” and compared it to behavior that would lead to termination in a traditional workplace.

Acosta said other reporters should have intervened when the remark was made.

“Other folks in the press in the room should speak up in that moment and say, ‘Mr. President, that is not appropriate,’” he said.

He added that journalists should continue asking the original question.

“Why didn’t you answer that question? Why are you resorting to personal attacks? Why can’t you take the heat? What’s going on here?”

During the interview, Acosta said news organizations may need to coordinate their actions.

“I think the only solution to all of this is collective action,” he said.

He proposed that major newspapers and television networks send a written message to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

According to Acosta, the letter would warn that if the president continues making similar remarks to journalists, those outlets would temporarily stop attending Oval Office press availabilities or traveling aboard Air Force One.

Acosta suggested the message could state, “You can have Fox and all these other sycophantic outlets covering you, but we’re just not going to do it. We’re going to take a break for a while until you clean up your act.”

Acosta has had several public disputes with President Trump dating back to the president’s first term.

One of the highest-profile confrontations occurred in November 2018 during a press conference following the midterm elections.

Acosta questioned President Trump about his characterization of a migrant caravan from Latin America as an “invasion,” resulting in an extended exchange between the two.

The president repeatedly instructed Acosta to sit down and surrender the microphone.

He called Acosta a “rude, terrible person” and said the reporter treated then-Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders unfairly.

The White House later suspended Acosta’s press credentials, alleging that he made physical contact with an intern who attempted to take the microphone.

President Trump told him at the time, “CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them.”

Acosta announced in January that he was leaving CNN.

Following the announcement, President Trump commented on Truth Social, calling him a “major loser who will fail no matter where he ends up.”

Acosta’s remarks on MS NOW mark one of his first major televised interviews since his departure from CNN.

Karoline Leavitt Amplifies Watchdog’s Damning Report on Media’s Shutdown Coverage
Media

Karoline Leavitt Amplifies Watchdog’s Damning Report on Media’s Shutdown Coverage

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A new analysis from media watchdog group NewsBusters shows that major broadcast networks have overwhelmingly favored Democrats in their coverage of the ongoing government shutdown, offering more than seven times as many positive statements about Democrats as Republicans.

In a post published Thursday on X, NewsBusters reported that ABC, CBS, and NBC have consistently portrayed Democrats favorably while assigning blame to Republicans for the shutdown, which began on October 1.

The report described the disparity as “not even close,” highlighting 83 positive statements for Democrats compared to only 12 for Republicans across the same outlets.

The Trump White House responded to the findings, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sharing the report on her X account.

“This is what we are up against!” Leavitt wrote, referencing what the administration views as coordinated media bias benefiting the Democratic Party.

The NewsBusters report follows growing scrutiny of network news coverage amid the shutdown, which has now stretched into its second month.

Analysts have noted that television segments and headlines have largely framed Democrats as protecting key programs while depicting Republicans as the cause of the budget impasse.

Tuesday’s election results reflected continued momentum for Democrats in several key states.

Races in New York City, New Jersey, Virginia, and California all went to Democratic candidates, a trend some analysts attributed in part to favorable media framing.

In Congress, House Republicans are now weighing their next move.

The House Republican Study Committee (RSC) Steering Committee is reportedly considering advancing a short-term funding measure to extend the continuing resolution through January 2026, according to RedState.

The proposal would allow the government to reopen while broader negotiations over spending priorities continue.

Republicans have repeatedly pointed to what they see as a double standard in press coverage compared to past shutdowns.

During the 2013 shutdown under former President Barack Obama, the media’s tone was notably harsher toward the GOP.

At the time, Obama criticized Republicans for opposing his administration’s spending priorities, calling their actions an attempt at “blackmail.”

“No Congress before this one has ever, ever, in history, been irresponsible enough to threaten default, to threaten an economic shutdown, to suggest America not pay its bills just to try to blackmail a president into giving them some concessions,” Obama said in October 2013.

“Congress needs to pay our bills on time. Congress needs to pass a budget on time. Congress needs to put an end to governing from crisis to crisis,” he added.

“If Republicans do not like the law, they can go through the regular channels and processes to try to change it. That’s why we have elections.”

Media watchdogs, including the Media Research Center, have noted that coverage during Obama’s presidency framed Republican shutdown tactics as reckless and harmful, while the current reporting paints Democrats as defending essential services such as SNAP benefits and air traffic control pay.

Critics argue that the current media approach represents a shift from accountability journalism to partisan advocacy.

The NewsBusters data provides quantitative support for that argument, showing an imbalance that Republicans say reflects entrenched bias across major networks.

The government shutdown continues as both chambers of Congress remain divided over spending levels, with Democrats pushing to maintain expanded social programs and Republicans seeking reductions in non-defense discretionary spending.

No final vote has been scheduled on the proposed stopgap measure, though party leaders have indicated that discussions are ongoing.

The contrasting tone in media coverage, however, remains at the center of the broader political debate, with the latest data reinforcing claims of unequal treatment between the two parties.

Outrage Erupts as Ex-CNN Host Compares Trump’s Ballroom to 9/11 Terror Attack
Media

Outrage Erupts as Ex-CNN Host Compares Trump’s Ballroom to 9/11 Terror Attack

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Political commentator Tara Setmayer faced widespread criticism after comparing President Donald Trump’s White House renovation project to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Setmayer, a former CNN commentator, ABC News contributor, and GOP communications director on Capitol Hill, drew attention with a post on X showing aerial images of the East Wing demolition currently underway as part of Trump’s renovation plan.

In the post, Setmayer wrote, “[It] feels almost the same as when I saw the Pentagon damage on 9/11.”

Her comment quickly went viral, gaining more than six million views and sparking strong backlash from across the political spectrum.

Federalist editor in chief Mollie Hemingway responded on X, writing, “The left is unable to mentally distinguish between Islamic terrorism that kills thousands and … building improvements. Horrific break with reality we’re watching here.”

Other users also criticized the comparison as inappropriate.

One user replied, “I hate what he’s doing but it is not on the same level as 9/11… have to be wise with your messaging.”

Setmayer later responded to critics, writing, “This isn’t about messaging. This is how I feel and I won’t apologize for it.”

President Trump’s renovation plan includes the construction of a new ballroom on the East Wing side of the White House to accommodate official state events.

The project, announced in late July, involves privately funded construction paid for by President Trump and outside donors.

The White House has said the new addition will allow future administrations to host large-scale functions without the use of temporary outdoor facilities.

Chelsea Clinton, writing in USA Today, criticized the project in an op-ed titled “Wrecking the People’s House,” accusing the president of “erasing history for vanity.”

The Washington Post also featured a front-page story Friday morning headlined, “The East Wing Is Now Only a Memory,” which described the removal of portions of the structure as “symbolic of a presidency defined by disruption.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the project during Thursday’s press briefing, saying the construction followed a long tradition of White House renovations that have taken place under multiple administrations.

“We’ve been keeping you apprised of this project. We’ve shown you the renderings. And if you look at the renderings, it’s very clear the East Wing was going to be modernized,” Leavitt said.

“The president wants to do right by the people’s house. And so, that’s exactly what he’s doing. It’s going to be much more stable, strong, secure, and more beautiful than ever once it’s complete.”

The White House has stated that no taxpayer funds are being used for the ballroom’s construction.

The new facility is expected to be approximately 90,000 square feet and host up to 650 guests, according to prior statements from the administration.

While many Democrats and left-leaning commentators criticized the project, not all reactions were negative.

Activist Shaun King, a frequent critic of Trump, expressed support for the addition.

“I actually think it’s a great idea to build a big ballroom on the White House grounds. It’s virtually impossible to hold events of any size there and they are always wasting millions on tents and heaters and chairs and lights and everything else,” King wrote on X.

“Stop acting like you have some emotional attachment to the East Wing. You don’t.”

The White House renovation is part of a larger modernization plan that began earlier this year and includes structural updates, new security systems, and restorations to preserve historical integrity.

The ballroom is scheduled for completion in 2026.

NBC News Reportedly Cuts Teams Covering Black, Asian American, Latino, and LGBTQ+ Issues
Media

NBC News Reportedly Cuts Teams Covering Black, Asian American, Latino, and LGBTQ+ Issues

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NBC News initiated layoffs on Wednesday as the network moves forward with a corporate separation from MSNBC, according to information shared with Fox News Digital and statements from a media workers union.

An insider told Fox News Digital that affected employees have been called into meetings to receive notice, and that more than 100 positions are expected to be eliminated.

The NewsGuild of New York, which represents nearly 6,000 media workers across the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut region, criticized the reductions.

“Instead of restructuring at the top, corporate profits are being maximized at the expense of our hard-working members who create the very value that drive the success of NBC,” NewsGuild of New York President Susan DeCarava told Fox News Digital.

NBC News and MSNBC have operated in close alignment for years, with the cable network drawing on the news-gathering resources and personnel of its broadcast counterpart.

Comcast announced last year that it would spin off MSNBC and other cable networks into a separate company.

The new entity, called Versant, has been structured to house those cable assets apart from NBC News.

Earlier this month, NBC News staffers who accepted roles at MSNBC shifted into their new positions, according to the insider cited by Fox News Digital.

In parallel, MSNBC has moved to stop relying on NBC News for operations outside of Washington, D.C.

Coverage originating from Washington will continue to be handled in coordination between the two outlets until October 20, the insider said.

After October 20, MSNBC is scheduled to end participation in NBC News-led editorial calls and meetings, marking a procedural break in routine coordination.

With that step complete, MSNBC will operate independently of NBC News for the first time since its launch 30 years ago.

The operational transition encompasses newsroom processes, assignment structures, and daily editorial planning that have historically linked the two organizations.

The layoffs at NBC News are taking place against this backdrop.

The insider described the process as a series of meetings during which impacted staff are informed of their employment status.

Specific departments and roles affected were not detailed in the accounts provided to Fox News Digital.

The company’s decision to streamline staffing follows the transfer of certain functions to MSNBC and the restructuring associated with the creation of Versant.

Union leadership framed the reductions as a failure to prioritize cuts away from rank-and-file positions.

DeCarava’s statement said the changes would benefit corporate profitability while affecting those responsible for content creation.

The NewsGuild of New York has previously taken positions on staffing and working conditions in major newsrooms and indicated concern that newsroom capabilities could be constrained by workforce reductions.

MSNBC’s move to independent operations is set to include the establishment of separate editorial and production workflows.

While Washington-based collaboration will continue until the October 20 date, the expectation from network insiders is that routine joint planning will cease thereafter.

The formal realignment is intended to delineate responsibilities within the Versant structure for cable properties and within NBC News for the broadcast and digital news operations that remain.

Comcast’s announcement last year laid the foundation for the current transition by placing MSNBC and other cable networks into the new company.

The shift has involved personnel decisions for employees choosing to take positions within MSNBC and the winding down of shared operational dependencies in areas such as production support and assignment editing outside the nation’s capital.

As of Wednesday, NBC News had not issued a public statement detailing the number of employees affected, the departments included in the reduction, or the timeline for further changes.

The insider accounts and union statement indicate that the process is ongoing, with affected employees receiving notice this week.

The forthcoming October 20 date remains the key milestone for MSNBC’s operational independence and the conclusion of its participation in NBC News-led editorial structures.

The developments mark a reorganization of two news brands that have coordinated for decades.

With the establishment of Versant and the operational separation planned for later this month, NBC News is adjusting its workforce while MSNBC transitions to stand-alone daily operations.

Further details on staffing and operational changes may be determined as the separation proceeds and the October 20 target approaches.

MSNBC Announces Rebrand to MSNOW and the Internet Can’t Stop Laughing
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MSNBC Announces Rebrand to MSNOW and the Internet Can’t Stop Laughing

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MSNBC is undergoing a major rebrand, separating from NBC Universal and adopting a new name and logo.

According to The Daily Wire, the cable news network will now be called “MS NOW,” an acronym for “My Source, News, Opinion, World.”

The change means the network will also replace the iconic NBC peacock logo that had long signified its affiliation with the larger NBC News organization.

The rebranding comes as part of a broader corporate deal spinning the network away from NBC Universal.

Media commentators and viewers quickly reacted to the announcement, with many noting the significance of MSNBC losing its long-standing association with NBC.

Fox News contributor Joe Concha shared the updated logo and branding details, writing, “MSNBC will be renaming itself to this. And this isn’t a joke.”

Public reaction online ranged from skepticism to outright mockery.

Columnist Miranda Devine commented, “LOL. The brand must have been so toxic. MSDNC burned!”

Another social media user remarked, “Looks like one of those fake AI run sites thrown together in Bulgaria.”

Others speculated about the network’s future.

One user wrote, “I bet MSNOW only lasts a few years before they shut it down. MSNBC greatly benefited from their association with NBC News. In the past, I’ve watched MSNBC because of their NBC News content. Major downgrade.”

Mike Bird of The Economist added, “Can’t wait to find out how much got spent renaming a well-known brand to something that sounds like a Windows app.”

Despite the criticism, MSNBC leadership and on-air talent sought to reassure viewers that the rebrand would not alter the network’s programming or mission.

Jesse Rodriguez, Vice President of Editorial and Booking, posted on X: “Exciting news. Our mission will not change. Our commitment to our loyal viewers will not change. Who we are is not changing.”

On-air, the network also addressed the shift. “Morning Joe” host Joe Scarborough described the new logo as “sporty” and emphasized what he called the network’s “independence” under the new corporate structure with Versant, the company overseeing the spinoff.

CNBC host Andrew Ross Sorkin also expressed support, saying, “I like this,” and suggesting the move highlighted the network’s independence from traditional broadcast media.

Rachel Maddow, one of MSNBC’s most prominent hosts, echoed that sentiment in an interview with Variety.

“If there was ever a time for us to change our name, this is it — because we’re not just separating from NBC News in corporate terms, we’re competing with them now. So I think the distinction is going to be good for us,” Maddow said. “What NBC is doing in its legacy timeslots — the ‘Today Show,’ ‘Nightly,’ ‘Meet the Press’ — is just a world away from the 24/7 totally independent news operation that we’re able to stand up now, thanks to the spin-off.”

The rebranding effort officially marks the network’s first major departure from the NBC brand since its creation in 1996 as a joint venture between NBC and Microsoft.

With the new corporate ownership under Versant, the network is aiming to reintroduce itself to audiences under a new identity, independent from the parent company it had relied on for nearly three decades.

Bill Maher Drops the Mic on Hollywood Hypocrite Sean Penn, Brings Up His Past
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Bill Maher Drops the Mic on Hollywood Hypocrite Sean Penn, Brings Up His Past

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Comedian Bill Maher addressed recent backlash over his April dinner with President Donald Trump, responding directly to criticism from actor Sean Penn during an episode of Maher’s Club Random podcast. The exchange, which aired over the weekend, drew attention to the contrasting public behavior and political interactions of both public figures.

Maher, who has been a frequent critic of Trump on his HBO program Real Time, was hosted by the president for a private dinner that also included UFC President Dana White and musician Kid Rock. The meeting was arranged by Kid Rock and intended as a candid exchange across political lines. During the podcast, Penn stated that he would not have accepted the invitation to meet with President Trump, prompting Maher to ask, “Really? You’ll meet with [expletive] Castro and Hugo Chavez, but not the President of the United States?”

Penn has met with several controversial international leaders over the years. In 2007, he visited Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in Caracas. In 2008, he conducted an interview with then-Cuban President Raul Castro and is also known to have met Fidel Castro during a trip to Havana. Comedian Bill Maher addressed recent backlash over his April dinner with President Donald Trump, responding directly to criticism from actor Sean Penn during an episode of Maher’s Club Random podcast.

The exchange, which aired over the weekend, drew attention to the contrasting public behavior and political interactions of both public figures. Maher, who has been a frequent critic of Trump on his HBO program Real Time, hosted the president for a private dinner that also included UFC President Dana White and musician Kid Rock. The meeting was arranged by Kid Rock and intended as a candid exchange across political lines.

During the podcast, Penn stated that he would not have accepted the invitation to meet with President Trump, prompting Maher to ask, “Really? You’ll meet with [expletive] Castro and Hugo Chavez, but not the President of the United States?”

Penn has met with several controversial international leaders over the years. In 2007, he visited Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in Caracas. In 2008, he conducted an interview with then-Cuban President Raul Castro and is also known to have met Fidel Castro during a trip to Havana. He traveled to Iraq in 2002 and to Iran in 2005. In 2016, Penn admitted to meeting and interviewing Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán while the cartel leader was a fugitive.

That interview, he later said, was an attempt to open dialogue about the war on drugs. Maher asked Penn directly during the conversation, “But you do, I hope, think I did the right thing to have dinner with him?” Penn initially responded, “Absolutely, you’re so smart,” but qualified his position by saying he wished the meeting had appeared “less successful.”

“I think that when you talked about it on the show that I would have preferred that I saw his mission or his will to have the dinner, I wish I would have seen it as less successful. Because you’re so smart on policy,” Penn said. Maher replied, “Well it was less successful because I never stopped saying all the things I’ve always said about him. It would have been successful if he had somehow seduced me into supporting him.”

Penn countered by saying he personally wouldn’t have attended the dinner and that “there would be no purpose,” while also defending his previous meetings with controversial figures, saying, “I saw good results come out of some of those things.” Maher responded, “It’s not a matter of trusting it, it’s a matter of seeing it, a matter of experiencing it, a matter of knowing it.”

He went on to compare avoiding such a meeting to someone refusing a medical test because they were afraid of what they might learn. Penn agreed with the analogy but remained skeptical of the value in engaging Trump. Maher said Trump was “gracious and measured” during the dinner and recalled that despite their long history of public disagreements — including a lawsuit Trump once filed against him — the meeting was civil and productive.

Maher noted that Trump did not ask for his support, nor did he request a public endorsement or photo. “He gave me some hats and a very generous amount of time,” Maher said.

“I never felt I had to walk on eggshells around him.”

The two reportedly discussed policy topics such as immigration, law enforcement morale, and gender participation in sports. Maher said they disagreed on certain points but that he appreciated Trump’s willingness to hear his perspective.

Maher, who has voted for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, said the meeting reflected his broader hope for more constructive dialogue in politics. “I wanted to represent a contingent of centrist-minded people who believe there’s got to be a better way of running this country than hating each other every minute,” he said.

Maher also revealed that he brought a printed list of nearly 60 insults Trump had previously directed at him and had the president autograph it. “He signed it with good humor,” Maher said. As for whether their civility will last, Maher expects their public back-and-forth to resume.

“We’ll probably go back to insulting each other,” he said, but emphasized that the point of the dinner was to show that dialogue remains possible. Both Maher and Trump reportedly agreed that many in their respective camps disapproved of the meeting. “The people who don’t even want us to talk? We don’t like you,” Maher said, describing a rare moment of agreement between the comedian and the president.

Read More at Drew Berquist

MSNBC Under Fire for Referring to Egyptian Firebomber a “White Male”
Democrats, Media

MSNBC Under Fire for Referring to Egyptian Firebomber a “White Male”

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MSNBC Under Fire for Referring to Egyptian Firebomber a ‘White Male’

An Egyptian national accused of carrying out a vicious attack on a Jewish gathering in Boulder, Colorado, has been called a ‘white male’ by MSNBC.

45-year-old Mohamad Soliman was taken into custody following reports of multiple individuals being injured by Molotov cocktails and other incendiary devices.

Soliman was confirmed to be in the United States illegally after overstaying a visa granted in 2022.

Several people, including children, were hospitalized following the violent attack.

The FBI confirmed that the attack is being investigated as a case of ideologically motivated violence.

According to federal records, Soliman entered the United States in 2022 during the Biden-Harris administration.

While he arrived on a tourist visa, Soliman failed to leave the country when his authorized stay expired. He even obtained a work permit in March 2023 through a federal process.

Soliman allegedly launched the attack on the group “Run for Their Lives,” which hosts public demonstrations in support of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Soliman was transported to a nearby medical facility for minor injuries before being booked into the Boulder County Jail.

He now remains in custody as both local and federal officials review possible charges, including attempted murder and use of explosive devices.

Just a week before the incident, a young couple was killed outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., in a separate suspected ideologically motivated attack.

Meanwhile, media outlets like MSNBC reported that the suspect was a “white male” despite police identifying Soliman as a Muslim man from Egypt.

Watch:

The reporting has prompted questions about the standards used for suspect descriptions in breaking news coverage.

While Soliman has not yet been formally charged in federal court, law enforcement officials confirmed that a joint federal and state investigation is underway.

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