PBS Twitter account on computer screen via American Faith Media
The PBS budget is taking a major hit after President Donald Trump signed legislation slashing $1.1 billion in federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the main source of money for PBS and NPR. PBS chief executive Paula Kerger confirmed a 21 percent budget cut in a staff memo, according to the New York Times. The board also voted to reduce local station dues by $35 million, further tightening the belt.
NPR, already in financial trouble, announced an $8 million budget reduction following Trump’s move. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting itself will lay off most of its employees by the end of September as part of an “orderly wind-down of its operations.” In May, Trump issued an executive order directing the corporation to cut all direct and indirect federal funding to PBS and NPR. Together, the networks received about $535 million in taxpayer funds this fiscal year alone.
PBS and NPR have long faced criticism for left-wing bias while receiving federal subsidies. The cuts now force the organizations to survive on their own merit rather than taxpayer support. Public media analyst Alex Curley warned that PBS staff will likely face the same fate as NPR. “PBS hasn’t gone through substantial layoffs since 2020, unlike NPR,” he said. “It’s hard to imagine they’ll be able to avoid them with a budget reduction this large.”
Washington Post (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
The Glenn Kessler controversy is shaking the media world after the former Washington Post fact-checker admitted he was “completely wrong” to dismiss the COVID-19 lab leak theory. In May 2020, Kessler ran a fact check under the headline: “Was the New Coronavirus Accidentally Released From a Wuhan Lab? It’s Doubtful.” Last week, he confessed that he personally added “It’s Doubtful” to the headline. “I screwed up,” Kessler said in an interview. “Everyone makes mistakes. No one is perfect.”
The Washington Post had been among the first major outlets to smear the Wuhan lab leak theory as a “coronavirus conspiracy theory that was already debunked.” Yet in 2023, both the FBI and Department of Energy issued assessments pointing to a lab leak as the “most likely” origin of the virus. Kessler admitted he has “infinite regret” over the headline, acknowledging that the weight of his role as the Post’s “Fact Checker” magnified the damage.
For years, conservatives criticized Kessler’s work as biased, pointing to his “Pinocchio” ratings that disproportionately targeted Republicans while shielding Democrats. He dismissed videos of Joe Biden appearing confused as “misleading,” even though former White House chief of staff Ron Klain admitted Biden was “fatigued, befuddled, and disengaged.” Kessler also advanced the “Russiagate” hoax during President Donald Trump’s first term, another major failure for the mainstream press.
Kessler, who left the Post last month after 14 years, defended his record, claiming only “a dozen bad apples” out of “3,000 fact checks.” But his admission underscores the cost of partisan journalism. As he conceded, “When you’ve got a title like ‘the Fact Checker,’ when you make a mistake, people notice. So, you know, you’ve got to own it.”
The DNC fundraising crisis is deepening as the Democratic National Committee falls far behind its Republican rival in cash and donor support. By the end of June, the RNC reported $80 million on hand, compared to just $15 million for the DNC, Politico reported. The gap has only widened, with Democrats holding less cash this summer than at any point in the past five years.
Frustration with DNC chairman Ken Martin is fueling the collapse. One committee member called him “weak and whiny,” while another said he has been “invisible.” The division has shaken donors, who are pulling back support. “Donors see the DNC as rudderless, off message and leaderless,” a Democratic adviser admitted. That discontent has driven wealthy donors to withhold money while small-dollar contributions fail to keep pace with Republican gains.
The DNC has already burned through more than $15 million covering expenses from Kamala Harris’s failed presidential run, leaving less cash to compete with President Donald Trump’s political machine. Infighting has only worsened matters. The committee ousted vice chair David Hogg after Martin blasted his $20 million plan to fund primary challenges against “ineffective, asleep-at-the-wheel” Democrats. Soon after, union leaders quit their DNC roles, and Rep. Mark Pocan (D., Wis.) complained that he would “love to have a day go by that @DNC doesn’t do something embarrassing & off message.”
As one Democratic adviser put it, “If Ken really wanted to impress donors, he’d go do 20 or 30 salon events with donors and let them yell at him. If you take that on the chin, make some changes, then I think we could see some movement. But [he’s] not going to do that.”
The Harvard civil rights controversy is intensifying as legal experts warn that the university may be violating federal law by using its resources to promote the Harvard Black Alumni Society and its race-based events. The group’s “Harvard on the Vineyard” series included a “Black Ivy Happy Hour Mixer” and a reception attended by Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Harvard not only promoted the events but also hosted the society’s website on its official “harvard.edu” domain, raising questions about compliance with the Civil Rights Act.
Cornell Law professor William Jacobson said the arrangement “is probably enough to render this a Harvard program such that it would fall under the DOJ guidelines. I think that clearly crosses a line. So I think that Harvard is responsible for things that it promotes and things that it facilitates. So I think this one looks like it’s highly likely to be a violation of the Civil Rights Act.”
Pacific Legal Foundation attorney Anastasia Boden echoed the concern, noting, “So long as it accepts taxpayer money, Harvard and its affiliated groups have to abide by civil rights law. That means it can’t divvy people up based on race.”
The controversy grew after Georgetown law professor Sheryll Cashin posted about the events on LinkedIn, later deleting comments that suggested Harvard had a role in the reception. Critics say the deletion looked like an effort to conceal evidence. William Trachman of the Mountain States Legal Foundation warned, “If there were ever a school to be worried about right now, it’s Harvard, given all of the anti-Semitism and DEI programming and general history of discrimination that has already drawn the attention of the administration.”
United Nations (UN) flag (Joaquin Corbalan/Canva Pro)
The UN Lebanon mission is draining U.S. taxpayer dollars on left-wing projects like gender diversity training, “gender mainstreaming in military operations,” and even yoga classes, while failing to contain Hezbollah along Israel’s northern border. The Trump administration is now pressing U.N. Security Council members to reject a French resolution that would extend the mission’s mandate.
UNIFIL, the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon, costs up to $500 million annually, with the U.S. paying nearly 30 percent. Despite this massive funding, Hezbollah has only grown stronger. “Has the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon fulfilled its mission?” a Western diplomat told the Washington Free Beacon. “A resounding body of evidence shows in fact, Hezbollah grew increasingly stronger and better armed, and UNIFIL was entirely ineffective at disarming Hezbollah. Put simply, the U.N. peace keeping mission failed, and renewing the mandate would be throwing good money after bad.”
UNIFIL’s recent programs highlight its shift away from security. The agency ran a July training session on “gender mainstreaming,” while its headquarters hosted a “Resilience through Yoga” program that promoted “yoga asanas, meditation & Ayurveda.” It employs gender advisers and maintains “gender-sensitive accommodations” at its bases. France has pledged even more DEI-style programming, including environmental seminars and a “Gender Advisor Course.”
Trump administration officials are reviewing the agency’s activities after clawing back $158 million last month. Critics warn the renewal push reflects “a last ditch effort by the French government and their supporters in the State Department ‘Deep State,’” aimed at undermining President Trump’s crackdown on foreign aid waste and Iranian terror networks.
BERLIN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 12: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R) welcomes Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, at the Chancellery on October 12, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. Qatar, which has strong ties to Hamas, has proposed itself as a mediator for any potential negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel in the context of the current conflict. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
In 2021, Pfizer and Amazon both earned perfect scores on the Corporate Equality Index for their treatment of LGBT employees. That same year, each gave at least $500,000 to the Attorney General Alliance (AGA)—a nonprofit that has taken U.S. officials on trips to Qatar, a country that criminalizes same-sex relations, bans pride flags, and has tortured LGBT citizens. Critics argue this is blatant Pfizer-Amazon hypocrisy, as the donations accounted for nearly 20% of the AGA’s annual revenue.
The AGA promotes itself as a “bipartisan forum” for state attorneys general, funded largely by corporate sponsorships. Documents reviewed by the Washington Free Beaconshow the group’s “Rule of Law” partnership with the Qatari government has sent AGs to a nation accused of human trafficking, supporting Hamas, and holding over 1% of its population in modern slavery. Notable attendees of these junkets include former Arizona attorney general Mark Brnovich and Nevada attorney general Aaron Ford.
The donations from Pfizer and Amazon directly coincided with AGA trips to Qatar, including a $15,000 excursion reported by Ford in 2021. Tom Jones of the American Accountability Foundation called out the contradiction, saying, “The hypocrisy is out of this world… just remember that they pay millions to boost an influence operation that helps a country where homosexuality is illegal.”
Despite its public LGBT advocacy, Pfizer defended its ties to the AGA, stating the engagement was meant to “combat counterfeit medicines and fentanyl-laced drugs,” while Amazon offered no comment. The AGA, meanwhile, continues to give Qatar’s officials direct access to state AGs, reinforcing concerns about corporate-backed foreign influence operations.
In a move that screams desperation louder than a Rachel Maddow monologue, MSNBC has announced its rebranding to “MS NOW,” short for “My Source for News, Opinion and the World.” But let’s be honest, conservatives across America are already dubbing it “MS NoW,” or more aptly, “No One’s Watching.” This cosmetic facelift, set to roll out later this year amid Comcast’s spinoff of the network, is the latest symptom of a much larger disease plaguing mainstream media: the American people’s wholesale rejection of biased, dishonest reporting that has eroded trust to historic lows.
For years, MSNBC has positioned itself as the go-to hub for progressive talking points, but its viewership tells a different story. Cable news ratings have been in freefall, with MSNBC often trailing far behind competitors like Fox News.
In prime time, the network’s audience has plummeted by double digits in recent years, a trend accelerated by the post-Trump era, where sensationalism no longer masks the lack of substance. This rebrand, which ditches the iconic peacock logo in favor of something that sounds suspiciously like a Microsoft software update or a support group for multiple sclerosis, won’t fool anyone. It’s not the name that’s the problem; it’s the blatant lies and poor journalism that have driven viewers away in droves.
The broader trend is unmistakable: Americans are tuning out mainstream media en masse. According to recent polls, trust in news outlets has hit rock bottom, with only about a third of the public expressing confidence in the press. This isn’t some fleeting fad; it’s a direct response to years of egregious misconduct.
Remember the Russia collusion hoax? MSNBC, along with its liberal media allies, spent endless airtime peddling the narrative that President Trump was a Russian puppet, based on the now-debunked Steele dossier. When the Mueller report cleared the air, did they apologize? Hardly… they just pivoted to the next outrage.
Then there’s the Hunter Biden laptop saga. In the lead-up to the 2020 election, MSNBC dismissed the story as “Russian disinformation,” echoing the claims of 51 intelligence officials who later admitted they had no evidence. We now know the laptop was authentic, containing incriminating evidence of influence-peddling that the media buried to protect Joe Biden.
Fast-forward to the COVID-19 era: MSNBC relentlessly shamed anyone questioning lab-leak theories or lockdown efficacy, labeling them conspiracy theorists. Yet, as evidence mounted that the virus likely escaped from a Wuhan lab, funded in part by U.S. tax dollars, the network barely blinked, refusing to correct the record or hold Fauci accountable.
These aren’t isolated incidents; they’re part of a pattern of poor reporting that prioritizes narrative over facts. In recent years, we’ve seen MSNBC hype up climate doom prophecies that never materialize, downplay urban crime waves in Democrat-run cities, and amplify divisive identity politics while ignoring the economic struggles of everyday Americans. MSNBC’s coverage of Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign was overly flattering, ignoring her policy flip-flops and border failures as Vice President.
No wonder viewership tanked. People aren’t stupid; they can spot propaganda when it’s shoved down their throats 24/7.
This rejection of mainstream media isn’t just about conservatives; it’s a bipartisan awakening. Independents and even some Democrats are flocking to alternative sources—podcasts like Joe Rogan, independent journalists on Substack, and yes, platforms like X—where unfiltered truth can thrive without the gatekeepers.
The rise of citizen journalism and decentralized media has exposed the emperor’s nakedness: legacy outlets like MSNBC are relics of a bygone era, clinging to relevance as their audiences evaporate.
The “MS NOW” rebrand is a band-aid on a bullet wound. Dropping “NBC” from the name might distance it from the peacock’s tarnished feathers, but it won’t erase the network’s history of deceit. If they truly wanted to rebuild trust, they’d fire the partisan hacks, commit to balanced reporting, and issue mea culpas for past sins. But don’t hold your breath; that would require self-reflection, something in short supply at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
While all facts presented in this article are accurate and supported by credible sources, any opinions or independent views expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of any affiliated organizations or publishers.
A Russian drone strike on Kharkiv killed civilians—including children—just as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Trump and European leaders at the White House. Ukraine’s president condemned the attack as cynical, signaling the urgent need for real security guarantees.
Ukrainian officials condemned the attack in a Telegram, calling it a deliberate intimidation meant to derail diplomacy.
“That’s why Putin doesn’t want to cease fire… He enjoys shelling peaceful cities while talking about his desire to end the war,” wrote Zelenskyy’s chief of staff.
Zelenskyy spoke out against the attack on X, saying, “This was a demonstrative and cynical Russian strike. They are aware that a meeting is taking place today in Washington that will address the end of the war.”
“Everyone seeks dignified peace and true security. And at this very moment, the Russians are attacking Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, the Sumy region, and Odesa, destroying residential buildings and our civilian infrastructure. Russians are deliberately killing people, particularly children. As of now, seven people have been killed as a result of the drone strike in Kharkiv, the youngest being a girl who is only a year and a half old, and dozens have been injured, including children,” he went on to add.
The drone strike left a chilling toll: at least seven civilians were killed—including a toddler and a 16‑year‑old—while others were injured, including children.
President Trump met Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, later joined by European allies. Ukraine and its Western supporters pressed for strong, NATO‑style security guarantees.
“We need to stop this war, to stop Russia. And we need support, American and European partners. We will do our best for this,” Zelenskyy commented.
Discussions included proposals for territorial concessions, such as accepting the loss of Crimea and Donbas, but Zelenskyy rejected these firmly, deeming them a reward for aggression.
WEF Klaus Schwab (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)
The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Board of Trustees concluded its investigation into its founder and former chairman, Klaus Schwab, finding that “there is no evidence of material wrongdoing.” The Board further concluded that there is no evidence of misconduct by Hilde Schwab.
“Minor irregularities, stemming from blurred lines between personal contributions and Forum operations, reflect deep commitment rather than intent of misconduct,” the Board argued.
Upon concluding its investigation, Peter Brabeck-Letmathe stepped down from his role as interim Chairman. André Hoffmann and Larry Fink are now interim WEF Co-Chairs.
“This moment marks a pivotal transition for the World Economic Forum. The Board will now focus its attention on institutionalizing the Forum as a resilient International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation,” the Board explained. “This next chapter will be guided by the original mission developed by Klaus Schwab: Bringing together government, business and civil society to improve the state of the world.”
The WEF announced an investigation into Schwab in April. The WEF said its Board unanimously agreed to initiate an investigation “following a whistleblower letter containing allegations against former Chairman Klaus Schwab,” the organization told The Wall Street Journal at the time.
Allegations under investigation included Schwab asking employees to “withdraw thousands of dollars from ATMs on his behalf” and the use of “Forum funds to pay for private, in-room massages at hotels, the outlet reported.
Schwab was previously accused of sexual harassment. Former WEF staffers revealed to the WSJ in 2024 that the organization has been “allowed to fester an atmosphere” of sexual harassment and discrimination under Schwab’s leadership.
Schwab resigned as chairman of the organization in April.
Sheriff Chad Bianco (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
Riverside County Sheriff and gubernatorial candidate Chad Bianco pledged to expose Governor Gavin Newsom (D) for the “complete fraud he is,” declaring that the governor will “never, ever be the president of this country.”
In an interview with Real America’s Voice, Bianco declared that the one thing that is preventing California from being “great” is its government.”
“Government has its boot on our backs, keeping us down with overregulation, activism, appeasement of activists instead of taking care of the majority of Californians as a whole. And it’s an agenda,” Bianco argued. “It is a complete agenda of making sure that government is in control of all of our lives instead of us being in control of government. And so, the only reason I’m doing this is to restore that balance.”
Discussing the reality that “no one wants to go to California anymore,” and calling the idea “embarrassing,” Bianco stated, “It’s our government that has completely changed and brought us to this laughingstock position. And I’m going to take it back.”
“So I will make sure that what I came to California for—my California dream—I will make sure that every kid growing up now has that dream,” he added. “And even the kids that now are from 20 to 35, that it’s impossible for them to make their California dream, I’ll make sure that I make up for it. And we return the ability to look at that Gold Coast as the beacon for the rest of the country.”
Riverside County Sheriff and gubernatorial candidate Chad @ChadBianco has a message for @CAgovernor Newsom, and the #WOKE left that have destroyed California!
— Ben Bergquam – Real America’s Voice (RAV-TV) News (@BenBergquam) August 18, 2025
Bianco announced a run for governor of California earlier this year.
“This is not going to be about party politics, this is going to be about fixing a broken state to make this the state that everyone in the country wants to come to. I’m tired of my friends leaving the state. I’m tired of watching my friend’s kids leave the state. We need to bring them all back with sanity and the promise that California is and once again will be the best state in this country,” he said upon declaring his candidacy.
