Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino

On this week’s Power Lines: Embattled CBS News boss Bari Weiss badmouthed her own staff to reporters after holding up a “60 Minutes” segment on Trump deportees, suggesting the struggling new chief has much to learn. Plus, new “CBS Evening News” anchor Tony Dokoupil’s abysmal ratings continue as the network’s sudden right-turn alienates audiences. Then, CNN’s pro-MAGA contributor Scott Jennings is...

Tony Dokoupil gets steamrolled in an interview with Donald Trump as his “CBS Evening News” grapples with poor ratings, suggesting Bari Weiss’ MAGA-ification of the network might be backfiring. Then, Joe Rogan breaks with Trump over ICE, comparing the agency to “the Gestapo,” while Laura Ingraham goes another route and works to convince Fox News viewers that an “insurgency” is unfolding in Minnesot...

On this week’s Power Lines: Tony Dokoupil’s debut as anchor of the “CBS Evening News” has been disastrous, full of embarrassing flubs, cringeworthy social media post, and appalling right-wing flattery. Oliver and Jon unpack Dokoupil’s “both sides” approach to January 6, his on-air salute to Marco Rubio, and CBS News broader attempt to court an entirely new audience. Then, MAGA Media trips over its...

Happy New Year! On the first episode of Power Lines in 2026 Oliver and Jon drop their top five predictions for what will take place this year, across Hollywood, Media, and Big Tech. 0:00 Intro 1:26 Looming Hollywood Shake-Ups 19:02 The Future of News Media 41:23 What's Next for A.I.? Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over...

As the clock counts down to the end of a dizzying and tumultuous year, Oliver and Jon take a look at the five biggest and most impactful media stories from the year that was 2025. 00:00 Intro 01:00 Legacy Media Talent Exodus and Layoffs 11:09 MAGA Media Civil War 21:08 The Bidding War for Warner Brothers Discovery 24:28 AI's Growing Influence in Media and Entertainment 32:19 Tech and Media Giants...

On this week’s Power Lines: A Vanity Fair bombshell revealed chief of staff Susie Wiles privately torching Donald Trump and his cabinet alongside unflattering photos of the White House staff. Oliver and Jon unpack why Wiles went on the record and what it actually shows about Trump’s team. Then, Fox News and the MAGA Media ecosystem openly break with Trump after his shocking post blaming the murder...

Donald Trump brazenly inserts himself into the looming Warner Bros. Discovery sale, demanding that CNN be sold and calling the global news network's coverage "poison" and a "disgrace." Jon and Oliver discuss the inappropriate weaponization of government and the disturbing silence from David Ellison and Paramount, who are now reportedly tapping into Saudi and Qatari funding to bolster their bid. Th...

On today’s Power Lines, Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino break down Olivia Nuzzi’s first public comments since her scandal—an emotional, but evasive interview with Tim Miller. What’s the real plan for her future at Vanity Fair? Then, a closer look at how MAGA Media is defending Pete Hegseth, whose boat bombings are being widely described as potential war crimes. First came a surreal softball interv...

This week on Power Lines: Both Sides Bari: Bari Weiss outlined her groundbreaking vision to "redraw the lines" of acceptable debate by elevating voices like Alan Dershowitz and Dana Loesch, while sidelining “extremists" like Tucker Carlson and Hasan Piker. Oliver and Jon criticize this "both-sides-ism" approach—and point out that in the Trump-era, iit often requires platforming individuals willing...

Former star political reporter Olivia Nuzzi is back in the spotlight after her ex-fiancé, Ryan Lizza, alleged that she had a second romantic relationship with a subject she was reporting on. Oliver and Jon are joined by Status’ own Natalie Korach to break down the ethical fallout and how her new employer Condé Nast is responding. Then: Donald Trump attacks an ABC News reporter while defending his...

This week on Power Lines: Newly uncovered Epstein emails reveal troubling ties between Jeffrey Epstein, Michael Wolff, and Donald Trump. Why was Wolff giving Epstein so much advice? Trump threatens to sue the BBC over an edit in a months-old documentary. Why now? Was it misleading—or just convenient timing? Plus: South Park’s unhinged Trump-Vance sex scene, Sydney Sweeney’s lackluster response to...

On this week’s Power Lines Podcast: Zohran Mamdani wins New York’s mayoral race: Oliver and Jon break down the reactions, from the predictable outrage on Fox News to the surprising pushback from CNN, and what his rise means for the Democratic establishment as right-wing media gears up to weaponize his every move. The MAGA civil war heats up: Ben Shapiro publicly torches Tucker Carlson for platform...

On this week’s Power Lines Podcast: Tucker Carlson has suddenly ended his feud and embraced Holocaust-denying white supremacist Nick Fuentes. Why is he leaning further into extremist voices? Oliver and Jon break down the fallout from Comcast helping to fund the White House ballroom — and what that says about media power and influence. Plus: what the Paramount layoffs reveal about Ellison’s plans f...

On this week’s Power Lines Podcast: Oliver and Jon break down why all roads lead to David Ellison's WBD takeover and the serious implications it would have for CNN. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt goes viral with a shocking text message response to a reporter. Oliver and Jon dig into the pay-to-play operation behind the Golden Globes' new podcast award. Fox News is losing it over Zohr...

On this week’s episode of the Power Lines podcast: Pentagon reporters walked out after Pete Hegseth’s team demanded they sign a loyalty pledge—effectively banning the press from one of the most powerful buildings in the world. Oliver and Jon take you inside the standoff, breaking down what led to the walkout and what it means for press freedom. Then, NBC lays off 150 staffers, gutting its diversit...

On this week’s Power Lines, Oliver and Jon discuss: Bari Weiss at CBS News: Does her both-sides-ism and "Lets fucking do the news" war cry signal a major shift, or is it just corporate noise? We analyze what her new EIC role signals to the Trump administration and debate how hands-on she'll actually be. Pete Hegseth's New Press Rules: We detail the Pentagon’s new restrictions, question how the for...

Welcome to Power Lines. This week, Oliver welcome’s Status’ new media correspondent Natalie Korach!  Oliver and Natalie kick things off covering the relentless attacks on the free press, Oliver’s role in a Senate "spotlight hearing" on threats to journalism, the chilling effect of pressure applied by Brendan Carr and Pete Hegseth, and the alarming, unprovoked assaults on reporters by masked ICE ag...

Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show returned this week after Disney executives backpedaled on a short-lived suspension that elicited a tidal wave of backlash. But the battle is far from over. Major station groups Nexstar and Sinclair are still refusing to carry the program on their ABC affiliates, effectively blocking it from nearly a quarter of American households. Oliver and Jon break down how the FC...

Is Jimmy Kimmel done at ABC? That’s the question after the late-night host was suddenly pulled off the air following threats from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. Jon and Oliver break down the forces behind Kimmel’s silencing and what comes next. Also, aspiring media mogul David Ellison is looking to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, raising tensions inside CNN. Oliver and Jon take you behind-the-scenes at CN...

Right-wing activist Charlie Kirk’s shocking death this week set off a wave of reactions across the media landscape. Oliver and Jon examine the viral spread of graphic footage on social media, how the left and right are reacting to the tragedy, and what the response could mean for America’s already heightened political tensions. ____________________________________________________________________ "...

Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, who powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status On This week’s edition of Power Lines… Paramount Close to Buying Bari Weiss’ The Free Press: It’s happening! David Ellison is on the brink of purchasing Bari Weiss’ The...

Welcome to another edition of Power Lines. Here’s what Oliver and Jon are covering this week: Google Bends the Knee: OAN is back on YouTube TV — a sharp reversal after the platform once deemed the network too unserious to carry. Is Google cozying up to OAN to keep Trump happy as the Fox–YouTube TV standoff drags on? Taylor Swift Got Engaged: You already knew that. What’s surprising is how the medi...

This week on Power Lines… Fox vs. Satire: Gavin Newsom’s tweets are making waves — and exposing how little Fox gets the joke. Loyalty to the King: New documents from the Smartmatic case reveal infighting at Fox, as hosts scramble to prove their devotion to Trump. MS…Now What? MSNBC’s messy rebrand raises questions — was internal tension the real driver? CNN’s Streaming Gamble: With a new platform...

Welcome to another episode of Power Lines. This week, Oliver and Jon dive into: The National Guard in DC – and MAGA media’s reaction. Let’s just say President Trump’s base seems to have moved on from their old “Don’t Tread on Me” mantra. Alex Jones’ Infowars for sale (again) – as Jones is ordered to liquidate his assets to pay the families of Sandy Hook victims. Taylor Swift’s podcast debut – wher...

On Thursday, Oliver had a front-row seat as David Ellison and his team of executives fielded questions during Skydance’s official takeover of Paramount. He takes us inside the room and breaks down the answers to key questions about how South Park will be handled, Jon Stewart’s contract status, the future of 60 Minutes, and who might end up running CBS News. He also shares a few intriguing tidbits...