A nightly newsletter covering the Fourth Estate, Hollywood, and Silicon Valley with hard-hitting reporting and uncompromising analysis. Subscribe today: http://status.news/subscribe Watch/Listen to Power Lines: http://status.news/power-lineshttps://bsky.app/profile/status.newshttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mlp7y4eq3c2tAxel Springer chief Mathias Döpfner has been quietly pursuing closer ties to Donald Trump through a series of off-the-record efforts, including a planned Washington dinner and a trek to the Middle East, Status has learned. Details in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/mathias-dopfner-donald-trump-meeting-axel-springer13 May 2026 02:10 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlp7y4eq3c2thttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mlmpotdjyc2xBari Weiss’ decision to hand another high-profile “60 Minutes” interview to Major Garrett—who is not a correspondent on the show—prompted backlash inside the newsmagazine, Status has learned. Details in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/60-minutes-netanyahu-bari-weiss-major-garrett12 May 2026 02:13 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlmpotdjyc2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mlllypyik22tCNN anchor Christiane Amanpour publicly sounded the alarm on David Ellison’s Paramount takeover. Watch the full episode of Power Lines: https://youtu.be/er6AwdZM57k?si=7l5JD7xPgBj2bgWS Or listen via a podcast app: www.status.news/power-lines11 May 2026 15:35 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlllypyik22thttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mljy4r7cts2hAs Adam O’Neal carries out Jeff Bezos’ vision for The Washington Post’s opinion section, staffers tell Status they question the paper’s priorities in the wake of sweeping layoffs. Details in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/washington-post-opinion-video-adam-oneal11 May 2026 00:06 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mljy4r7cts2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mlgj2krbg22mDisney is mounting its most aggressive pushback yet against Donald Trump’s attempts to censor his critics, signaling that the company has concluded its wiser to fight rather than fold. Details in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/the-mouse-bites-back09 May 2026 14:59 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlgj2krbg22mhttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mlepf6yjs22uNetflix’s wide release of Greta Gerwig’s “Narnia” stunned Hollywood. Now, some theater owners cheering the move tell Status they suspect the streaming giant is quietly changing its tune on the box office. Details in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/netflix-ted-sarandos-theaters-narnia-release08 May 2026 21:47 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlepf6yjs22uhttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mldsdgzvv22aThe latest episode of Power Lines has dropped. This week, we discuss new shareholder pressure on Paramount over its CNN plans, James Murdoch's Vox vision, the "CBS Evening News" ratings spiral, and more. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/er6AwdZM57k?si=Mu9FYJ2KhGXqFJgv08 May 2026 13:07 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mldsdgzvv22ahttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mlckl7pyzk23Two press freedom groups that hold Paramount shares are demanding internal records over concerns the Ellisons have agreed to compromise the editorial integrity of CNN to secure approval for the Warners deal, Status has learned. Details in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/paramount-cnn-warner-bros-merger-ellison-trump08 May 2026 01:15 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlckl7pyzk23https://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mla5vsp7ss2wAxel Springer chief Mathias Döpfner has not-so-subtly pushed the German publishing giant in a rightward direction, alarming some staffers who fear the shift could undermine their editorial independence. Details in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/mathias-dopfner-conservative-axel-springer-politico-dispatch07 May 2026 02:23 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mla5vsp7ss2whttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3ml5n7i4w2k2tJames Murdoch is in advanced talks to purchase Vox Media's podcasting network and New York Magazine—but that's not all, Status has learned. Inside the deal that would give Rupert’s youngest son a media empire of his own. Details in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/james-murdoch-vox-media-new-york-magazine06 May 2026 02:19 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml5n7i4w2k2thttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3ml34kbqe5k2lIn the wake of The Ankler’s exit from Substack, Status has learned that other top publishers have privately expressed frustration with the platform and weighed possible departures. Details in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/substack-retention-ankler-bulwark-zeteo-feed-me05 May 2026 02:15 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml34kbqe5k2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mkyh23lwx22yRupert Murdoch’s Fox News, having learned its lesson in 2020, is unshakably sticking with Trump while other major MAGA Media voices have broken with him over the Iran war. Details in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/fox-news-iran-war-coverage-trump04 May 2026 00:45 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkyh23lwx22yhttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mkuu2hs7xs26Veteran TV execs tell us that CBS News is a “sinking ship” and describe the historic low “Evening News” ratings as a “train wreck.” Watch the full episode of Power Lines on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jOh_vJ79U3s?si=3QLpMqx_LykUdY0c Or listen to the show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/power-lines-with-oliver-darcy-and-jon-passantino/id1823949547?i=100076533754002 May 2026 14:27 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkuu2hs7xs26https://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mkutazs7tk2wScott Jennings’ profanity-laced blowup raises new questions about how much belligerent behavior CNN management is willing to tolerate from its most prominent pro-Trump commentator. More in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/scott-jennings-adam-mockler-cnn02 May 2026 14:13 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkutazs7tk2whttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mkszxy34ys24Let’s be honest: Donald Trump is not offended by Jimmy Kimmel’s joke. He just wants to silence his critics. Watch the full episode of Power Lines: https://youtu.be/jOh_vJ79U3s?si=YS9ms3UnbMUFjhme Or listen via a podcast app: www.status.news/power-lines01 May 2026 21:08 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkszxy34ys24https://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mks6trbi5226The latest episode of Power Lines has dropped. We discuss how the "CBS Evening News" has managed to sink even lower in the ratings. Plus, we go inside Bari Weiss' ouster of the network's foreign chief and break down the Trump attacks on Jimmy Kimmel. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jOh_vJ79U3s?si=bhTbUn0WBA3NymkZ01 May 2026 13:03 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mks6trbi5226https://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mkqug6w5gk24The WHCA has been quietly meeting this week to plot its next move after the shooting upended the annual dinner—and despite industry skepticism, we have learned that a do-over event is still very much on the table. Details in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/whcd-correspondents-dinner-do-over-plans-202601 May 2026 00:23 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkqug6w5gk24https://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mkojko4voc2bA forthcoming unscripted Netflix series featuring the star podcaster’s former talent-turned-nemesis Alix Earle could pose major headaches for Unwell Network, Status has learned. Details in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/alex-cooper-alix-earle-netflix-unwell-network30 Apr 2026 02:04 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkojko4voc2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mklzuqprms2gNew ratings data shows Tony Dokoupil’s “Evening News” sinking to historic lows, with veteran TV news executives telling us the network is a “sinking ship” and blaming its woes on Bari Weiss. Details in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/tony-dokoupil-cbs-evening-news-ratings-bari-weiss29 Apr 2026 02:18 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mklzuqprms2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mkjdglythk27A major shakeup at CBS News’ London bureau comes after months of behind-the-scenes friction with Bari Weiss, Status has learned—raising serious questions about the future of the network’s international reporting. Details in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/bari-weiss-cbs-news-london-bureau-claire-day28 Apr 2026 00:31 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkjdglythk27https://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mkgzwnkggs2zAs Washington reels from the attempted attack on the WHCD, serious questions remain about whether the event will be rescheduled at Donald Trump’s request, with security top of mind. Details in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/white-house-correspondents-dinner-rescheduling-do-over27 Apr 2026 02:35 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkgzwnkggs2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mkepabadlc2aThe WHCD was thrown into chaos when a shooter attempted to storm into the ballroom where Donald Trump and administration officials gathered with journalists for a celebration of the First Amendment. https://www.status.news/p/white-house-correspondents-dinner-shooting-donald-trump26 Apr 2026 04:19 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkepabadlc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mkbkeabomk2gScott MacFarlane tells us why he would avoid attending this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Watch the full episode of Power Lines: https://youtu.be/TjR93RYqH2k?si=gFWdlHvdBuIAZjvz Or listen via a podcast app: www.status.news/power-lines24 Apr 2026 22:13 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkbkeabomk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mk75k6amh22sScott MacFarlane spoke to us in a wide-ranging and blunt discussion on Donald Trump’s WHCD invite, legacy newsrooms platforming lies, and more. More in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/scott-macfarlane-mediastouch-cbs-news-exit23 Apr 2026 23:19 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk75k6amh22shttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mk4txwywcs2gFollowing Condé Nast’s cuts last week, Status has learned that Us Weekly is slashing its staff by nearly half, a reflection of the bleak state of the magazine business. Details in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/us-weekly-layoffs23 Apr 2026 01:22 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk4txwywcs2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mk2jsomya22vAppearing on CNBC, Donald Trump pulled back the curtain on how his "Squawk Box" interview came together—revealing more than the network likely wanted and raising questions about its booking process. Details in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/donald-trump-cnbc-interview-joe-kernen-andrew-ross-sorkin22 Apr 2026 03:15 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk2jsomya22vhttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mjxwj5qnic2iDonald Trump’s FCC chair Brendan Carr is set to attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Status has learned, where he will mingle with journalists and news executives at an event ostensibly about celebrating the First Amendment. Details in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/brendan-carr-white-house-correspondents-dinner21 Apr 2026 02:24 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjxwj5qnic2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mjv52i55wk2yAs Roger Lynch continues to consolidate Condé Nast around its biggest brands, smaller titles losing ground online are being left behind. Details in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/cond-nast-layoffs-self-glamour-magazine19 Apr 2026 23:43 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjv52i55wk2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mjrp4yehus2pWe have partnered with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press on First Amendment t-shirts, with half of the proceeds going to the non-profit's legal defense fund. The shirts are a limited-run production and only available until April 30. Get yours today: https://shop.status.news/en-usd/products/the-first-amendment-tee18 Apr 2026 14:56 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjrp4yehus2phttps://bsky.app/profile/status.news/post/3mjpw77o2lk2rAn open letter opposing David Ellison’s Warner Bros. takeover underscores the fear coursing through Hollywood, where talent tell Status putting their names on the petition could come with professional risks. Details in @status.news: https://www.status.news/p/hollywood-paramount-warner-bros-discovery-petition-concerns17 Apr 2026 21:57 +0000at://did:plc:5buikzg4ppbye7ib7chprio6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjpw77o2lk2r