Trump meets top media execs, anchors
In a meeting organised by Conway, Trump meets executives and on-air anchors from CNN, Fox News, NBC, ABC and CBS, the five largest television networks in the United States, for an off-the-record discussion. ABC News is represented by president Goldston and anchors Stephanopoulos, Muir, and Raddatz; NBC by anchors Holt and Todd, along with president Turness; CBS by Rose, King, O’Donnell and Dickerson; CNN by president Zucker, with anchors Blitzer and Burnett; Fox News by several executives including co-presidents Shine and Abernathy; and MSNBC by president Griffin. Transition officials wouldn’t discuss the purpose for the meeting. Sources:
It was like a f-cking firing squad. Trump started with [CNN chief] Jeff Zucker and said ‘I hate your network, everyone at CNN is a liar and you should be ashamed. The meeting was a total disaster. The TV execs and anchors went in there thinking they would be discussing the access they would get to the Trump administration, but instead they got a Trump-style dressing down…Trump didn’t say [NBC reporter] Katy Tur by name, but talked about an NBC female correspondent who got it wrong, then he referred to a horrible network correspondent who cried when Hillary lost who hosted a debate – which was Martha Raddatz who was also in the room.
Conway:
Excellent meetings with the top executives of the major networks. Pretty unprecedented meeting we put together in two days.
PBS interview
McSpadden and Brown Sr. voice their opinions on respect, equality and the justice system. McSpadden:
Why is it so important to cover this up for this man, he is wrong. What does this do for Ferguson….really.
PBS interview
McSpadden and Brown Sr. give their account on the events that happened in Ferguson on August 9th, 2014. McSpadden:
My son was running for his life and his father has had a conversation with him about how to deal with the authorities if you’re approached.
Leon Panetta interview
In an interview with Charlie Rose, Panetta criticizes the President for not making earlier strides to fight Syria and act upon intelligence to thwart the ISIS threat.
Too often, in my view, the president relies on the logic of a law professor rather than the passion of a leader.
Charlie Rose interview
Rose interviews Graham at Disrupt about how to pick successful founders, what Y Combinator does and how it got started, and whether a startup is easier to create now than it was in the past. Graham:
It used to be that what cost money was getting a computer, now everybody has a computer, you needed money for a fast internet connection but now everyone has one
He says the mechanisms for providing funding from investors to startups have also become much smoother.
Charlie Rose interview
Maher and Rose discuss the ISIS conflict in Iraq and Islam versus Christianity.
There was a Pew poll in Egypt done a few years ago — 82% said, I think, stoning is the appropriate punishment for adultery. Over 80% thought death was the appropriate punishment for leaving the Muslim religion. I’m sure you know these things.
Charlie Rose interview
Groening and Brooks are interviewed by Rose. They talk about the origin of The Simpsons characters, their initial design, and how important it was to get a prime-time animated sitcom on the air. Brooks:
The audience would sit there for twenty minutes of entertainment. Sometimes three hours, the hostility was extraordinary. We finally tied all of The Simpsons pieces together and that invariably got the best laughs.