As a young journalist with dreams of making my mark, I devoured All the President’s Men, the legendary account of the Watergate scandal. Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s audacious journalism inspired me to aspire to a position at The Washington Post. I visited its lobby once—yet that was the extent of my dream’s realization. While I may not have reached the heights of those iconic reporters, I forged my path in journalism, always holding a deep admiration for the Post’s fearless pursuit of truth and its dedication to holding power accountable.
That respect persisted until last year. In a shocking display of either cowardice or avarice, The Washington Post chose not to endorse either presidential candidate for the first time since the 1980s. Some speculate this was due to concerns over potential retaliation from Trump, while others suggest it aimed to secure government contracts if he regained power. By dismissing the endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris—who had the backing of its own editorial board—the Post essentially abandoned its commitment to independent journalism. Their justification? “Our job… is to be independent.” But refusing to take a stand can itself be a stance.
The Los Angeles Times followed suit, retracting its endorsement of Harris due to pressure from its affluent owner. These editorial retractions were merely the prelude to a new political era.
Now, months into Trump’s return to the presidency, ABC has agreed to settle a defamation lawsuit with him, and Paramount/CBS has become the latest outlet to settle.
The Darkness is here. Mainstream media’s reliability in defending the truth has been severely compromised.
The Cost of Compliance
Paramount’s $16 Million Settlement with Trump
Trump sued for $10 billion, later boosted to $20 billion, over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris. Trump accused the company of selective editing that he claimed made Harris sound more coherent than she actually was during the interview. This so-called selective editing was alleged to be an attempt to bolster Harris, amounting to election interference, according to Trump. Paramount quickly settled for $16 million, likely to facilitate FCC approval of its planned $8 billion merger with Skydance. Paramount did not agree to a requested apology but did agree that future interviews with presidential candidates would require prior release of transcripts.
Disney’s $15 Million Settlement with Trump
During a 2024 television segment, ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos repeatedly stated Trump had been found liable for rape, when he had actually been found liable for sexually assaulting E. Jean Carroll. Trump sued, accusing Stephanopoulos of actual malice. Most experts had predicted that Trump would not have been able to prove his case, yet Disney settled. Disney settled for $15 million to be donated to Trump’s presidential library, with another $1 million toward Trump’s legal fees. Stephanopoulos, who remains in his position at ABC, has chosen to remain silent, but let’s call it what it is—hush money.
Legal Assault from Truth Social
Trump’s media company has filed lawsuits against over 20 media organizations for critical financial coverage. SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) actions disguised as defamation suits are aimed not at winning, but at silencing public opinion. These civil suits aim to intimidate critics by imposing significant legal costs.
The Quiet Erosion of Integrity: Censored Stories, Departing Voices, and Dismissed Anchors
Some betrayals are conspicuous; others occur behind closed doors, in emails, and during exit interviews.
Los Angeles Times
- Ownership blocked endorsement of Kamala Harris.
- Editorial editor Mariel Garza resigned, saying, “In these dangerous times, staying silent isn’t just indifference, it is complicity. I’m standing up by stepping down from the editorial board.”
- Two additional board members followed suit.
Washington Post
- Harris endorsement was blocked by owner Jeff Bezos.
- Longtime columnist Jennifer Rubin resigned in protest. She said, “Corporate and billionaire owners of major media outlets have betrayed their audiences’ loyalty and sabotaged journalism’s sacred mission – defending, protecting and advancing democracy.”
- Four months later, Bezos informed the staff that the paper would promote a specific worldview; viewpoints that oppose libertarian ideals and free markets would be “left to be published by others.”
- Former Post columnist Margaret Sullivan wrote that Bezos, who attended the Trump inauguration and donated $1 million to Trump’s campaign, was “all about getting on board with the president.”
- After 45 years, Pulitzer Prize-winning political columnist Eugene Robinson resigned.
- Opinion Editor David Shipley resigned.
CBS / 60 Minutes (Paramount)
- Bill Owens, the executive producer of 60 Minutes, resigned, citing editorial compromises. “Over the past months, it has become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it. To make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience.”
- CBS News President Wendy McMahon subsequently departed.
MSNBC’s Purge of Diverse Voices
Shows canceled: Joy Reid, Jonathan Capehart, Alex Wagner, Katie Phang, José Díaz-Balart, Ayman Mohyeldin. All were non-white anchors.
- Anchors reassigned: Jonathan Capehart, Ayman Mohyeldin.
- Former MSNBC talk show host Keith Olbermann described the shakeup as “a brutally racist purge.” He accused the network of not even trying to hide its racism by firing white anchors as a cover.
- Rachel Maddow, MSNBC’s highest-paid and most respected anchor, said of the changes: “It is also unnerving to see that on a network where we’ve got two – count them – two nonwhite hosts in primetime, both of our nonwhite hosts in primetime are losing their shows,” Maddow said, “as is Katie Phang on the weekend. And that feels worse than bad, no matter who replaces them. That feels indefensible. And I do not defend it.”
ABC’s Dismissal of Senior National Correspondent Terry Moran
- Moran called Trump “a world-class hater” among other things. He made similar comments about Trump’s Deputy White House Aide Stephen Miller.
- Moran was suspended, then fired. The official reason cited was a policy violation.
- The reality: likely a combination of Moran’s slip in journalistic ethics and ABC’s political discomfort. Moran easily could have and probably should have been merely suspended.
Lester Holt’s Departure from NBC Nightly News
- Exit framed as a “new chapter.”
- The truth: one of the last resolute anchors stepped down under pressure.
Journalists and Outlets that Remain Unyielding
Not all have capitulated. Some continue to raise their voices.
- Katie Phang – a legal analyst renowned for her incisive commentary.
- Lawrence O’Donnell – unflinching in his truth-telling, denounces cruelty.
- Ana Navarro – a sharp political commentator known for her candid remarks.
- Nicolle Wallace – where policy meets compassion, she stands firm in truth.
- ProPublica – a powerhouse of investigative journalism, devoid of fluff.
- Judd Legum (Popular Information) – exposes corporate hypocrisy with factual evidence.
- Capital B – Black-led, community-focused, delivering journalism without paywalls.
- The TN Holler – grassroots activism and reporting.
- The Guardian – trust-owned and independent, with a global perspective.
- Word in Black – a coalition of Black publishers committed to delivering impactful narratives.
Angry Black Grandma’s Closing Thoughts
The media is getting hammered, and it’s a huge problem. The press in America plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion, informing citizens, and serving as a watchdog for government and corporate actions. If the media cannot stand up to one, albeit powerful, man, how can we expect them to serve the public interest? We need to empower journalists, build new platforms that can resist pressure, and remind everyone that truth isn’t just news—it’s revolutionary!
Angry Black Grandma Esquire 
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