Press Club

Mediaite founding editor Colby Hall sits down with MS NOW's Stephanie Ruhle, host of The 11th Hour and senior business analyst. They discuss the network’s transition from NBCUniversal, the opportunities and challenges of building a more nimble news operation, and why Ruhle believes business reporting is essential to understanding modern politics. She also weighs in on tariffs, corporate influence in Washington, the media’s role in covering Donald Trump, and the dangers of an algorithm-driven news culture, arguing that viewers deserve analysis that helps them “get better and smarter.”

Mediaite founding editor Colby Hall sits down with CNN’s Pamela Brown, co-anchor of The Situation Room. They discuss her reporting on the Camp Mystic tragedy, her upcoming documentary on the rise of Christian nationalism, and her approach to interviewing controversial figures. She also weighs in on the media landscape in the era of Donald Trump, warning that “emotion will always win out over facts,” and explains why she prioritizes everyday Americans over Beltway insiders.

Mediaite founding editor Colby Hall sits down with Charlamagne tha God, co-host of The Breakfast Club and one of the most unfiltered voices in political media. They get into his straight-line approach to interviewing, why he believes journalists — not politicians — should call out authoritarian behavior, and how he’d press Trump using what he calls “the mirror strategy.” Charlamagne also talks about navigating the president's attacks after his appearance on Lara Trump’s show and why the rise of figures like Zohran Mamdani signals a disconnect between voters and the Democratic establishment.

Mediaite founding editor Colby Hall sits down with Jacqui Heinrich, Fox News’ Senior White House Correspondent and co-host of The Sunday Briefing. They get into Heinrich’s philosophy of asking fair, fact-driven questions across administrations, her effort to avoid “gotcha” theatrics, and how she maintains independence within Fox’s mix of news and opinion programming. Heinrich also talks about the growing presence of influencers in the briefing room, how the White House press corps has evolved amid Trump-era press-access restrictions, and what it’s like to handle public criticism from the president.

Mediaite founding editor Colby Hall sits down with Jonathan Karl, ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent. They discuss Karl’s new book, Retribution, the final installment in his bestselling quadrilogy chronicling Donald Trump’s political saga. Karl reflects on Trump’s unprecedented comeback, the politics of revenge driving his campaign, and what it’s like to cover a president who views the White House as the world’s biggest reality show. They also dig into the state of the media in the “attention economy,” and Karl’s reporting on President Biden’s decision to step aside.

Mediaite founding editor Colby Hall sits down with Jake Tapper, anchor of CNN’s The Lead and author of the bestselling political exposé Original Sin. They discuss Tapper’s explosive reporting on President Biden’s decision to run in 2024, the media’s reaction to revelations about his health, and the fierce backlash from both the left and right. They also delve into his latest book, Race Against Terror, the evolution of post-9/11 justice, and whether Hollywood could bring his real-life thriller to the screen.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin sits down with Elie Honig, former federal prosecutor and CNN senior legal analyst. They discuss Honig’s new book, When You Come at the King, his sharp criticism of FBI Director Kash Patel’s handling of the Charlie Kirk assassination, and his warnings about how Trump’s second term has eroded legal guardrails.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin sits down with Scott Jennings, CNN political commentator and GOP strategist, for a wide-ranging interview. They discuss his clashes on CNN, his relentless support of President Donald Trump despite his past criticism of January 6, and more, as well as his unwavering support for Israel throughout the brutal war in Gaza.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin sits down with Adam Friedland, comedian and host of The Adam Friedland Show, for a tell-all interview. They discuss the new season of his show -- his interviews with Sarah Jessica Parker, Steiny, and Anthony Weiner, how he learned the art of the interview, and what he makes of America's love for comedians who talk politics. They also discuss Trump, the NYC mayoral race, and getting accused of anti-Semitism.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin sits down with Substack co-founder and chief writing officer Hamish McKenzie for a wide-ranging chat about the platform’s explosive growth, why he believes the traditional media model is broken, and the future of the industry. They also discuss Trump-era attacks on the press, Elon Musk's efforts to buy Substack -- and his subsequent crackdown on the platform -- and what the rise of independent media means for journalism. This episode was produced by Kathryn Wilkens.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with veteran foreign correspondent and author Alan Friedman about his new book, The End of America? A Guide to a New World Disorder, why he believes America’s global leadership is crumbling, how Trump is accelerating the fall, and what a looming ‘new world disorder’ means for democracy, the economy, and our daily lives.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with the founder of Mediaite, Sirius XM host, and ABC's Chief Legal Analyst, Dan Abrams, about Elon Musk's bombshell claim that Trump hasn't released the Epstein Files because he's implicated in them, why he's been saying for months that Trump's ties with Epstein should be getting more attention, and where Trump and Musk's feud will go from here. In the second half of the episode, Aidan speaks with the author of the new book On Air: The Triumph and Tumult of NPR, Steve Oney, about his decade-long reporting process and Trump's recent threats to public broadcasting.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with The Washington Post's media critic Erik Wemple about what's going on behind the scenes at the paper, what's behind its latest pivot, and what the future looks like for The Post. They also cover President Trump's relationship with Fox News and the recent appointment of Jeanine Pirro as D.C.'s interim U.S. attorney. In the second half of the episode, Aidan talks with Mediaite founding editor Colby Hall about a series of controversial pardons issued this week by Trump, and how the media is reacting to them.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios' Alex Thompson about their new book, Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again. They discuss media coverage of the former president's diminishing capabilities, the lengths to which his staff went to preserve Biden's public image, and the promotion of their book despite networks like Fox News refusing to have them on-air. Aidan also talks with Mediaite founding editor Colby Hall about MAGA outrage at Trump's own FBI.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with The Economist's Middle East correspondent Gregg Carlstrom about the war in Gaza and why Trump should push Israel to end it. They also cover Trump's recent Gulf tour, his lifting of sanctions in Syria, and his $142 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia. In the second half of the episode, Aidan talks with Mediaite founding editor Colby Hall about the heated debate surrounding a new book on Joe Biden from Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with Jonathan Lemire, a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a co-host of MSNBC's Morning Joe, about Trump's media crackdown, how to effectively cover him, and his first 100 days in office. In the second half of the episode, Aidan talks with Mediaite founding editor Colby Hall about this week's biggest media and politics stories.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with Trey Yingst, the chief foreign correspondent at Fox News, about covering the war in Gaza, the biggest misconceptions about the Israel/Palestine conflict, and why he feels it's essential to both protect and provide media access to Palestinian journalists. He also talks about taking heat for covering the killings of civilians in Gaza, how he reports the death toll numbers, and being in Tel Aviv on October 7th.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with CNN's Harry Enten about Trump's recent polling loss with independents, the crisis facing the Democratic party, and his predictions for the 2026 midterms. They also discuss Elon Musk's sinking support in the polls and what it's like being a data-driven journalist. In the second half of the episode, Aidan speaks with Mediaite's founding editor Colby Hall about how the media has been covering the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man the Trump administration mistakenly deported to El Salvador.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with former Meet the Press moderator Chuck Todd about Trump's tariffs and the resulting cracks in the MAGA ecosystem, his departure from NBC, and his outlook on the future of cable news. They also speak about his newest media venture and how Fox News has changed over the years.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with veteran reporter Noah Shachtman about the Trump Justice Department's weaponizing dropping of the charges against New York mayor Eric Adams, why he believes it's never been easier to steal secrets from the U.S. government, and the FBI's massive use of resources to comb through Jeffrey Epstein case files. They also speak about his career as the former editor-in-chief of Rolling Stone and The Daily Beast, and now a contributor to many large publications.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with CNN Pentagon correspondent Natasha Bertrand about 'Signal-gate,' where National Security Advisor Michael Waltz added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a Signal chat where Pete Hegseth and others discussed classified military plans. She discusses the chaos Hegseth has unleashed on the Pentagon and the Trump administration's subsequent denials. In the second half of the episode, Aidan speaks with Mediaite founding editor Colby Hall about how the media has been covering this bombshell week in Washington.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with Alex Isenstadt, the author of the new book Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump's Return to Power about his reporting process, his recent move from Politico to Axios, and his behind-the-scenes insights into Trump's 2024 campaign. He also speaks with Frank Pine, executive editor of major newspapers including the New York Daily News and the Boston Globe, about their lawsuit against OpenAI.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with Jesse Weber, a host at the Law & Crime Network, NewsNation, and Sirius XM. They talk about a new show he is hosting for Mediaite, Spin Room, where he will break down some of the biggest clips in media and politics— without an ideological spin. Jesse also talks about Law & Crime's YouTube success, the explosion of true crime as a genre, and his journey from acting school to law school to journalism.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with Politico White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns. She talks of her recent reporting on tensions between Trump's Cabinet and Elon Musk over his DOGE cuts, threats to the press under Trump's second term, and how the president is weighing his personal legacy versus the midterm electability of Republican senators and house members.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with Marty Baron, the legendary editor who ran the Washington Post until his retirement in 2021. Baron speaks out about recent interventions at the paper by its owner, Jeff Bezos, touching on Bezos's signaled dependence on Trump and his fear of financial retribution. He also speaks on Trump's first month in office and the immense threats he's wielded against the press thus far. In the second half of the episode, Mediaite senior editor Alex Griffing interviews Pentagon reporter Kevin Baron about the Defense Department's crackdown on the press.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks to Fox News host and long-time conservative talk radio presence Sean Hannity in a rare interview. They talk about Trump's election and first weeks in office, Hannity's history as one of the most famous supporters of the president in the media, and his recent interviews with both Trump and Elon Musk. They also speak about the future of Fox News, his opinions on Kamala Harris's presidential campaign, the impressive numbers he pulls on radio with The Sean Hannity Show, and why he believes now more than ever in the death of legacy media.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with senior WIRED reporter Makena Kelly on Elon Musk's DOGE, its extremely young and controversial team, and this concerning intersection of tech and politics in Washington. She also touches on the 'contentification' of the Trump White House and why she thinks Democrats need to lean further into new media. In the second half of the episode, Aidan talks with MSNBC producer Dan Wolfman about a new film he co-wrote that is currently working its way through the festival circuit.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent for The New York Times, about Trump's 'fast and furious' first weeks in office, the differences between Trump 1.0 and 2.0, and his 'volatile and provocative' proposal to take over Gaza and relocate two million Palestinians. They also speak about the pros and cons of today's information ecosystem and how it lends itself to Trump's "flood the zone" effect. In the second half of the episode, Aidan speaks with Mediaite's senior media reporter, Diana Falzone, about Trump's cabinet nominees and what's next for them.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with the CEO and co-founder of Axios, Jim VandeHei, about Trump's wild first week, his optimistic take on the future of journalism amidst a fragmenting media industry, and disabusing ourselves of the idea that legacy media is the gatekeeper, without falling victim to Elon Musk's smear-campaign against it. In the second half of the episode, Aidan speaks with Mediaite founding editor Colby Hall about the first White House press briefing.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with Ryan J. Reilly, who covers the Justice Department and federal law enforcement for NBC News— he's been as tuned into the fallout of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol as anyone. His conversation on Press Club comes just after President Trump, on his first day in office, issued sweeping pardons to more than 1,500 individuals arrested in the Jan. 6 riots— people Reilly has been closely watching since 2021. He speaks on the astounding manipulation of public perception on Jan. 6 by Trump and his supporters, how Jan. 6 "broke the U.S. Justice System", and if he believes Trump will face any real consequences. In the second half of the episode, Mediaite founding editor Colby Hall speaks with Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy about his coverage of the Biden White House, and how he plans to cover Trump.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with New Yorker staff writer, author, and executive producer Patrick Radden Keefe about his reporting process— "90% reporting and 10% writing— and FX's recent adaptation of his 2018 book, Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland. They also speak about his career path, his ability to tell large stories through deep dives on characters, and what's next for journalists under this next Trump administration. In the second half of the episode, Aidan speaks with founding Mediaite editor Colby Hall about the current state of the cable news industry.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with former Business Insider top editor Nicholas Carlson about his departure from the news outlet and his new venture: a video media start-up called Dynamo. They also discuss a troublesome challenge that has emerged for publishers in recent years, one that Carlson faced frequently at Business Insider: extraordinarily wealthy people using lawsuits to silence reporting they don’t like. One of those figures, the hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman, went on a frenzied crusade against a reporting accusing his wife of plagiarism — a crusade that put Carlson's job in jeopardy. Carlson speaks about why he really left Business Insider, what he plans to do with Dynamo, and the future of the digital media business.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with businessman and conservative podcaster Patrick Bet-David, who has amassed millions of subscribers on YouTube and other social platforms with his interviews of key figures in politics and culture— including Donald Trump who came on Bet-David's show this summer per a request from his son, Barron. They talk about the age of 'podcast elections', whether he sees any hope for the future of the traditional media, and what the next four years will look like as Trump prepares to move into the White House.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks to Mediaite founder and CEO Dan Abrams about his recent decision to end his NewsNation show, our increasingly polarized and fractured media industry, and what Kash Patel and ABC's $15 million settlement signal about Trump's upcoming second term. This episode was produced by Brandon Reschke and Kathryn Wilkens.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks to Ruth Sherlock, an international correspondent for NPR on the ground now in Syria. They talk about what she's seen post-fall of Assad, her reporting inside Syria's notorious Sednaya Prison, what's next for HTS–the major rebel group– and the dangers she faces as a foreign reporter. Aidan also speaks with Mediaite founding editor Colby Hall about the top media stories this week. This episode was produced by Brandon Reschke and Kathryn Wilkens.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks to Isaac Saul, founder of the independent, nonpartisan newsletter Tangle, about how he covers the news, and Tangle's goal of reducing media-initiated polarization. They also speak about what Isaac makes of traditional media versus the rise of independent outlets, and how to start a media business in 2024 while considering the partisanship of language in journalism. This episode was produced by Brandon Reschke and Kathryn Wilkens.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks to Marc Caputo, a national politics reporter from The Bulwark and the most plugged-in national political reporter working out of Florida. They talk about Florida's outsized role in American politics since the beginning of the Trump era, the impact of Trump's constant presence at Mar a Lago, and Trump's trust in Floridians like Susie Wiles, Matt Gaetz, and now Pam Bondi. Aidan also speaks with Mediaite founding editor Colby Hall about the wild past week for Trump's cabinet nominees. This episode was produced by Brandon Reschke and Kathryn Wilkens.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks to Michael Smerconish, host of Smerconish on CNN and The Michael Smerconish Program on SiriusXM, about his opinion that left-leaning media went too far in their critiques of Trump, potentially explaining his winning of the popular vote. They also speak about the effect of young men in this increasingly divided media landscape, or podcast age, on the election. In the second half of the episode, Aidan talks with Mediaite's founding editor, Colby Hall, about how the Trump cabinet is shaping up. This episode was produced by Brandon Reschke and Kathryn Wilkens.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with Piers Morgan, host of Piers Morgan Uncensored on YouTube. He's been on and off friends with Trump since 2008, and while he previously thought Jan. 6 disqualifying for the former president, he's since changed his mind. The hysteria over Trump from his critics, Morgan said, fuels his appeal. He also speaks about the success of his YouTube, leaving linear television behind to go fully digital, and what he makes of criticism that his show platforms trolls. This episode was produced by Brandon Reschke and Kathryn Wilkens.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with The Atlantic's Anne Applebaum about Trump's recent spike in rhetoric used by Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin. Anne is out with a new book, Autocracy Inc., which goes deep into the complex financial system 21st-century autocrats employ to stay in power. She makes comparisons here to Trump's relationship with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and warns Trump has no real understanding of history– he's using this dehumanizing language because he believes it'll help him achieve absolute control. Aidan also speaks with Charlotte Klein, a features writer at New York Magazine, about her recent piece in which she interviewed 57 media elites, on and off the record, about the future of the news business. This episode was produced by Brandon Reschke and Kathryn Wilkens.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with Ali Abbasi, the critically acclaimed director of the new film The Apprentice, which depicts the origin story of Donald Trump. Ali discusses Trump's relationship with ruthless prosecutor and political fixer Roy Cohn, why he decided to get involved with the project in the first place– as a lot of Hollywood was fearful to get involved in a Trump biopic– and why he thought of the film as a humanist project. Aidan also speaks with Steve Hayes, the founder, CEO, and editor of The Dispatch, about how to launch a successful media outlet in the current climate. This episode was produced by Brandon Reschke and Kathryn Wilkens.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with Andrew Ross Sorkin, founder of the New York Times' DealBook and co-anchor on CNBC's SquawkBox. They talk about Andrew's take on whether Silicon Valley has really gone MAGA, Fortune 500 CEOs' fear of former President Trump, and DealBox's infamous Elon Musk interview. Andrew also talks about his optimism for the future of the media industry and the difficulties of being an apolitical reporter in the Trump era. In the second part of the episode, Aidan speaks with Tim O’Rourke, the VP of content strategy at Hearst Newspapers, about how the San Francisco Chronicle is using AI to cover the 2024 election. This episode was produced by Brandon Reschke and Kathryn Wilkens.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with veteran news anchor Chris Wallace– now the host of two shows at CNN– about what ultimately sparked his departure from Fox News, Fox's $787 million Dominion settlement, and his take on presidential debates as someone who's moderated quite a few. Wallace is also out with a new book, Countdown 1960, on the parallels between that consequential election and 2024. This episode was produced by Brandon Reschke and Kathryn Wilkens.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with CNN international correspondent Nada Bashir. They discuss her coverage of the occupied West Bank and Gaza, since Hamas' October 7th attacks and Israel's bombing campaign that followed, the unimaginable conditions Palestinian journalists are working under, and reporting in the Middle East amid a mistrust of Western media. Aidan also speaks with Jeff Coltin, a POLITICO reporter and co-author of the NYC Playbook newsletter, about the recent indictment against Mayor Eric Adams. This episode was produced by Brandon Reschke and Kathryn Wilkens.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with Susanne Craig and Russ Buettner, New York Times reporters and authors of "Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father's Fortune and Created The Illusion of Success". They discuss their in-depth reporting on Trump's finances, breaking the story of his financial losses and tax evasion methods in 2016, and the former president's attachment to his identity as "self-made". Aidan also speaks with Dominic Ponsford, editor in chief at the Press Gazette, about the scandal plaguing the largest Jewish newspaper in the world. This episode was produced by Brandon Reschke and Kathryn Wilkens.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with Ari Melber, host of "The Beat" on MSNBC and the network's chief legal correspondent. They discuss this week's presidential debate on ABC, between Vice President Harris and former President Trump, Trump's bogus election fraud claims, and the future of cable news. McLaughlin also speaks with Andrew Tobias, chief political correspondent for cleveland.com and the Plain Dealer, about the Trump-promoted conspiracy theories roiling Ohio. This episode was produced by Brandon Reschke and Kathryn Wilkens.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with Dana Bash, CNN anchor and chief political correspondent. They discuss her major interview with Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz, the extraordinarily consequential debate that led to President Joe Biden's exit from the 2024 race, and the upcoming debate between Harris and Trump on ABC News. They also discuss her new book "America’s Deadliest Election: The Cautionary Tale of the Most Violent Election in American History" and the parallels between that deadly saga and the current political climate.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with Dave Smith, libertarian and host of the Part of the Problem podcast. They discuss Smith's thoughts on the death of the corporate news model, why he's not supporting Donald Trump in the upcoming election, and his relationships with Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin speaks with Robert Costa, CBS News' chief election and campaign correspondent. They discuss Costa's eventful week covering the DNC, his sit-down interview with President Biden a few weeks back, and the lingering pain over Biden's exit. This episode was produced by Brandon Reschke and Kathryn Wilkens.

Mediaite editor Aidan McLaughlin sits down with veteran media reporter Oliver Darcy to discuss his sudden exit from CNN and his new venture "Status." Darcy, who helmed the wildly popular "Reliable Sources" newsletter for years at CNN, often clashed with leadership at the network thanks to his strident criticism of the industry that didn't spare his own employer. Darcy spoke about tensions inside CNN, his refusal to call Fox News a “news network,” the future of cable television, his own career in conservative media, and why Tucker Carlson owes him $1,000. This episode was produced by Brandon Reschke and Kathryn Wilkens.