2020 Election: Predictions, Results and Reactions

[Frelga]

Well. I did not have this take on my Tucker Carlson bingo card.

Screenshot_20230424-184514.png (253.63 KiB) Viewed 1474 times

[N.E. Brigand]

Rolling Stone reports that "Fox Has a Secret ‘Oppo File’ to Keep Tucker Carlson in Check, Sources Say" -- and that would be eight sources.

- - - - - - - - - -
And since we been using this thread for the past day to note media figures losing their jobs: both NPR and Disney are downsizing.

NPR's star reporter on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Tim Mak, who repeatedly started his day over the past fourteen months with the words "Good morning to readers. Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands," has been let go and immediately started a newsletter, The Counteroffensive, to continue his stories from that country.

And Disney was the home for Nate Silver and 538.com. Not for much longer. Silver hasn't said when his next steps will be.

[N.E. Brigand]

Was this recording from December 2020 included in the discovery that Fox provided to Dominion? That person isn't Sidney Powell or Rudy Giuliani.

Oh, and the Washington Post has new reporting on how Special Counsel Jack Smith's team has been asking witnesses questions in front of a grand jury and also has issued subpoenas about Donald Trump using his stolen-election lies as a fundraising tool.

These two stories have the possibility to intersect, as the tapes provide additional evidence that Trump/his campaign were fleecing supporters by lying to them about the election.

Yes indeed: Abby Grossman's attorney says they have been contacted by Jack Smith's office.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

[RoseMorninStar]

I haven't seen it discussed anywhere (nor have I gone looking for it) but it wouldn't surprise me that whomever insures FOX news has had some 'recommendations' after the Dominion payout.

[Frelga]

We'll see what happens with Smartmatic. I've scrolled past something claiming that they said they would not accept anything smaller than the Dominion payout, can't remember what the source was.

Meanwhile, the Russian government is mourning the loss of their favorite mouthpiece.



Also.

FufimP2WYAIecXs.jpg (85.06 KiB) Viewed 1435 times

You may recall that one of Tucker's rants was about how the new M&M spokescandy was not sexy enough.

[RoseMorninStar]

You may recall that one of Tucker's rants was about how the new M&M spokescandy was not sexy enough.

at the Game of Thrones reference.

[Sunsilver]

DUH! Didn't get that until you pointed it out, Rose!

[N.E. Brigand]

Some news from here in northeast Ohio: "Local attorney charged with voter fraud in 2020, 2022 elections."

The attorney, who lives in Shaker Heights, voted twice each year: first in Ohio, then in Florida.

He's a Trump supporter.

[N.E. Brigand]

Rolling Stone reports that "Fox Has a Secret ‘Oppo File’ to Keep Tucker Carlson in Check, Sources Say" -- and that would be eight sources.

The New York Times has more on this story tonight:

The day before Dominion Voting Systems’ defamation trial against Fox News was set to begin in a Delaware courthouse, the Fox board of directors and top executives made a startling discovery that helped lead to the breaking point between the network and Tucker Carlson, one of its top stars.

Private messages sent by Mr. Carlson that had been redacted in legal filings showed him making highly offensive and crude remarks that went beyond the inflammatory, often racist comments of his prime-time show and anything disclosed in the lead-up to the trial.

Despite the fact that Fox’s trial lawyers had these messages for months, the board and some senior executives were now learning about their details for the first time, setting off a crisis at the highest level of the company, according to two people with knowledge of the discussions.

The Times hasn't seen the actual messages. As MSNBC's Chris Hayes says, the alleged oppo file is "like the Pulp Fiction suitcase, but for slurs."

[N.E. Brigand]

Rolling Stone reports that "Fox Has a Secret ‘Oppo File’ to Keep Tucker Carlson in Check, Sources Say" -- and that would be eight sources.

The New York Times has more on this story tonight:

The day before Dominion Voting Systems’ defamation trial against Fox News was set to begin in a Delaware courthouse, the Fox board of directors and top executives made a startling discovery that helped lead to the breaking point between the network and Tucker Carlson, one of its top stars.

Private messages sent by Mr. Carlson that had been redacted in legal filings showed him making highly offensive and crude remarks that went beyond the inflammatory, often racist comments of his prime-time show and anything disclosed in the lead-up to the trial.

Despite the fact that Fox’s trial lawyers had these messages for months, the board and some senior executives were now learning about their details for the first time, setting off a crisis at the highest level of the company, according to two people with knowledge of the discussions.

The Times hasn't seen the actual messages. As MSNBC's Chris Hayes says, the alleged oppo file is "like the Pulp Fiction suitcase, but for slurs."

Whatever is in this file, it's apparently worse than the emails and texts hat already have been released publicly, in one of which, as you may recall, Carlson "referred to the lawyer Sidney Powell, a major proponent of the debunked theory that the Dominion machines switched votes, with a crude and misogynistic slur." Per this Times story, the Wall Street Journal today reported that in the redacted messages, Carlson said something similar "to describe a senior Fox News executive." Yet another redacted message is said to be "particularly offensive." We might yet see it: "The New York Times, The Associated Press and National Public Radio have challenged the redactions, meaning they could still become public."

Edited to note David Frum's skeptical view of this story.

[N.E. Brigand]

The Department of Justice has released some new January 6th footage in support of their sentencing recommendation for insurrectionist Marcus Maly of Virginia, who was convicted in December of "Interfering with Police During a Civil Disorder ... Assaulting, Resisting or Impeding Certain Officers Using a Dangerous Weapon ... Assaulting, Resisting or Impeding Certain Officers Using a Dangerous Weapon ... Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds with a Deadly or Dangerous Weapon ... Disorderly or Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds with a Dangerous Weapon ... Engaging in Physical Violence in a Restricted Building or Grounds with a Dangerous Weapon ... Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building ... and Act of Physical Violence in a Capitol Building or Grounds."



More at the link.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Meanwhile,

[Frelga]

. I've scrolled past something claiming that they said they would not accept anything smaller than the Dominion payout, can't remember what the source was.

Ah, there it is. There is no link in the tweet.

BREAKING: Smartmatic WINS its first major legal battle as Fox News will have to turn over additional documents.

Smartmatic will now receive deposition transcripts, and exhibits from the recently settled Dominion Voting Systems defamation case.

This is a significant development as Smartmatic reportedly has already received over 30,0000 documents from Fox News.

Fox will also give Smartmatic documents related to the Murdoch’s and Raj Shah, a former Trump administration official who is now a vice president at Fox Corp.

The monster case brought by Smartmatic is against Fox News, Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, Fox hosts Maria Bartiromo, Jeanine Pirro, and former host Lou Dobbs.

Smartmatic’s suit is currently biggest pending defamation case against Fox News. It is suing $2.7 billion in damages and has said they won’t settle for less than Dominion’s $785 billion settlement

[Voronwë the Faithful]

I wonder what is up with that? She was interrupted unmercifully during her rebuttal argument by the defense attorneys making inappropriate objections, so maybe she just has had enough. Or maybe she is being tapped for some other role.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Meanwhile, the jury continues to deliberate.



Brain thinks, Roger. We can't help it.

[N.E. Brigand]

Mike Pence testified to a grand jury today.

Edited to add: he arrived at 9:00 a.m. and departed at 4:30 p.m., and apparently his security detail ran a red light on their way out.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

As Harry Litman says:

[Sunsilver]

Okay, although we don't know yet what was said, if Pence sticks to what he previously said publicly, this is huge! I hope Trump hasn't managed to intimidate him, though I am willing to bet he tried.

Pence has previously broken with his former running mate over the Jan. 6 insurrection.

“President Trump was wrong. I had no right to overturn the election,” Pence said at the Gridiron Dinner for politicians and journalists in March. “And his reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day, and I know history will hold Donald Trump accountable"

[N.E. Brigand]

Dallas Morning News: "Texas ‘Trump Train’ members who intimidated Biden campaign bus apologize, settle lawsuit."