Earlier this week, we outlined the media’s habit of acting like school kids in regard to climate change alarm. Today we’re asking members of the legacy press to behave as adults rather than spoiled children. We don’t expect them to.
Many in the White House press corp, exclusively those from the mainstream media, treat the briefing room as if it’s their playpen. For the last 19 years, the White House Correspondents’ Association has dictated the seating arrangement, so the “cool kids” always get the best seats.
Prior to 2006, seating was arranged by the administration’s press secretary, and it looks as if that is going to be the case again. The legacy media representatives who had become accustomed to sitting in the front rows are being moved toward the back, while those from newer media are being moved forward.
The childish response to this has been the threat of a sit-in, “in which members would return to their old seats and refuse to leave them.” Or in other words, if the toddler journalists don’t get their way, the privilege they’ve grown accustomed to, they’re going to hold their breath until they turn blue.
While some are being required to play musical chairs, the Associated Press was disinvited. It lost its access to the White House press pool. So “the WHCA asked members to support the AP’s press access case by wearing a 1st Amendment pin when attending events at the White House and appearing on television,” reports Semafor. This is risible, because the mainstream press no longer believes in the First Amendment. It believes its job is to further the Democratic Party’s agenda and if that requires censorship, then that’s just the way it is.
This is no way for adults to act, especially if they want to be taken seriously. And it’s just another instance in a long line of puerile behavior that includes:
- CNN ego Jim Acosta pushing the arm of a White House aide merely doing her job so that he wouldn’t have to give up a microphone that didn’t belong to him. It was the most infantile display ever seen from a media figure during a presidential news conference.
- As a CNN reporter – yes, another one – was standing in front of a burning car in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in riot-torn 2020, the network’s chyron at the bottom of the screen said “Fiery but mostly peaceful protests after police shooting.”
- The New York Times has elected to distance itself and keep the Pulitzers it was given from its error-riddled and intentionally divisive 1619 Project, its pro-Soviet propaganda dispatches from Walter Duranty in 1931 and its misleading reporting on Trump-Russia collusion hoax that didn’t exist.
- ABC’s Martha Raddatz trying to justify Tren de Aragua’s takeover of apartments in Colorado while ridiculing the Trump administration’s crackdown on violent illegals, because it was just a “handful” of buildings that the gang had captured.
- A number Washington Post staffers huffing out their resignations because they were offended that the newspaper’s owner had the audacity to ask them to do their jobs his way.
- National Public Radio CEO Katherine Maher last week distancing herself from tweets she sent in 2020. Her doozies – such as “America begins in black plunder and white democracy,” the country is “addicted to white supremacy” and “I grew up feeling superior (hah, how white of me)” – sounded as if they had been concocted by a high school junior trying to appear smart – and hip.
If the media were concerned about their approval ratings hitting historic lows, they would reflect on their behavior. But like children, they’d rather pitch a fit.
Issues & Insights was founded by seasoned journalists of the IBD Editorials page. Our mission is to provide timely, fact-based reporting and deeply informed analysis on the news of the day – without fear or favor.
Read Part 1 here: Media, Please Grow Up
Original article link
TIPP Takes
Geopolitics, Geoeconomics, And More
1. Putin Backs Ukraine Truce Idea, But ‘Questions’ Remain: Kremlin - AFP
“Putin does support the idea that a ceasefire is needed, but before that a whole range of questions have to be answered,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
“These questions are hanging in the air, so far no one has given an answer to them,” he added, blaming the lack of progress on “the Kyiv regime’s uncontrollability”.
2. Ukrainian Team Headed To U.S. ‘This Week’ For Minerals Deal Talks - AFP
Kyiv's Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said Ukraine is sending officials to Washington in the coming days to further discuss a deal giving the United States preferential access to Ukrainian natural resources.
The deal would give the U.S. royalty payments on profits from Ukrainian mining of resources and rare minerals as compensation for military and financial aid given to Ukraine by his predecessor, Joe Biden. Ukraine has said any deal should include robust security guarantees that would act as a deterrent for further Russian attacks.
3. Kremlin Says Russia Ready To Help Resolve Iran-U.S. Nuclear Tensions - Reuters
The Kremlin said that Russia was ready to do all it could to help resolve tensions between the United States and Iran around Tehran’s nuclear program.
President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Iran unless it comes to an agreement with Washington over its nuclear program.
4. Trump Threatens Further 50% Tariff On China If It Doesn't Backtrack - TIPP Insights
President Donald Trump has threatened to raise U.S. tariffs on China by an additional 50% starting April 9th unless China withdraws its retaliatory 34% tariffs by April 8th.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump proposed this one-day ultimatum and criticized China's tariff increases. He labeled them as part of long-standing trade abuses, including currency manipulation and illegal subsidization of companies.
5. Canada Initiates WTO Dispute With The U.S. - TIPP Insights
Canada has requested dispute consultations with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 25% duty on Canadian cars and auto parts.
The Canadian government argues that these tariffs violate U.S. obligations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT.)
6. Richard Branson Criticizes U.S. Tariffs, Calls For Swift Policy Reversal - TIPP Insights
British billionaire and Virgin founder Richard Branson has expressed concern over the U.S. government’s sweeping tariffs, warning that they are steering the global economy in a dangerous direction.
In a series of tweets, Branson emphasized the importance of strong leadership, which he defined as taking risks but also acknowledging mistakes and correcting them quickly.
7. EU Offered 'Zero-for-Zero' Tariff Deal Weeks Before Liberation Day - TIPP Insights
The European Union offered the U.S. a “zero-for-zero” tariff deal on cars and industrial goods weeks before U.S. President Donald Trump initiated the reciprocal tariff system.
Maros Šefčovič, the EU’s trade commissioner, revealed that he proposed the deal to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on February 19, which included zero tariffs on cars, pharmaceuticals, machinery, and rubber.
8. Netanyahu Visits White House To Talk About Tariffs, Gaza and More - TIPP Insights
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House, marking the first visit by a foreign leader since the U.S. imposed new tariffs globally.
While the focus of Netanyahu’s visit was primarily on tariffs, he also discussed major geopolitical issues, including the war in Gaza, tensions with Iran, and the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant against him.
9. Trump Announces Direct U.S.-Iran Talks On Nuclear Program - TIPP Insights
During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office, Trump told reporters, "We’re having direct talks with Iran, and they’ve started. It’ll go on Saturday."
He emphasized the importance of reaching an agreement, stating, "I think everybody agrees that doing a deal would be preferable," though he did not provide further details on the talks.
Related:
Trump Vs. Iran: The Art Of Deterrence, Editorial Board, TIPP Insights
The High Price Of War With Iran: $10 Gas And The Collapse Of The US Economy—Dennis J. Kucinich, Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity
Trump: ‘Very Bad Things Are Going to Happen.’ Netanyahu Wants The U.S. To Destroy Iran—Dennis J. Kucinich, Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity
10. Bessent Praises Japan As A Key Ally, Contrasts With China - TIPP Insights
In a recent thread on X, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlighted Japan as one of America’s closest and most constructive allies in global trade discussions.
Following a positive phone conversation with Japan’s government, Bessent shared that President Trump had tasked him and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to begin negotiations with Japan.
11. Japan PM Ishiba Plans To Send Top Team To The U.S. For Negotiation - TIPP Insights
In a recent Truth Social post, President Donald Trump highlighted that countries worldwide are engaged with the U.S. and "tough but fair" parameters are being set for future agreements. He specifically mentioned a conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, revealing that Japan will send a top team to the negotiating table.
12. China Assures Tesla, Other U.S. Companies Over Tariff Retaliation - Nikkei Asia
China convened a roundtable meeting with representatives from U.S.-tied companies and argued that its countermeasures against President Donald Trump's tariffs were intended to safeguard the rights and interests of all companies, including American ones.
State media reported that Vice Minister of Commerce Ling Ji told officials from about 20 companies, including electric vehicle maker Tesla and GE HealthCare, that Trump's tariffs undermine the rules-based multilateral trading system and infringe on all other countries' interests.
13. Philippines Calls China’s Arrests Of Alleged Spies ‘Retaliation’ - RFA
The Philippines said the detention of three Filipinos in China for alleged espionage could be retaliation for Manila’s crackdown against alleged Chinese spies.
Chinese authorities arrested the Filipinos, accusing them of working for the Philippine intelligence agency to gather classified information on its military, China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency reported last week, citing state security officials. It said the three had confessed to the crime. The Philippine National Security Council, or NSC, rejected China’s espionage accusations.
14. RFA Radio Transmissions To China, Tibet Halted - RFA
Radio Free Asia announced this week that its radio broadcasts have been drastically cut as transmissions were halted from relay stations owned or leased by the U.S. government.
RFA informed listeners that shortwave radio broadcasts for its Mandarin, Tibetan and Lao language services have stopped entirely. The broadcaster, which is funded by the U.S. Congress, said a heavily reduced schedule remains in place for RFA Burmese, Khmer, Korean and Uyghur language services.
15. Netanyahu’s Flight To U.S. Takes A Different Route To Evade ICC Arrest Warrant: Report - Al Arabiya
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s aircraft from Hungary to the U.S. flew an extra 250 miles from the normal route to avoid the airspace of several countries that could enforce an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
Netanyahu arrived in Washington for a meeting with President Donald Trump that is expected to be dominated by Washington’s shock tariffs on Israel and escalating tensions with Iran.
16. Macron Says Opposes Any Displacement, Annexation In Gaza, West Bank - Al Arabiya
French President Emmanuel Macron said on a visit to Cairo that he was strongly opposed to any displacement or annexation in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
“This would be a violation of international law and a serious threat to the security of the entire region, including Israel,” he said as he met his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Macron also said Hamas should have no part in governing Gaza.
17. N. Korea Holds First International Marathon In Six Years - BBC
North Korea has held the Pyongyang International Marathon for the first time in six years, welcoming some 200 foreign runners to the streets of the reclusive country's capital.
The marathon, which was launched in 1981, took place annually in April to celebrate the birth of its founding leader, Kim Il Sung. North Korea has been slow to reopen since, allowing only Russian tourists into its capital since last year.
18. U.S. Defends Tariffs On Remote Island Of Penguins And Seals - BBC
The U.S. Commerce Secretary has defended the country's decision to impose tariffs on a group of uninhabited islands inhabited only by penguins and seals.
The imposition of tariffs on the Heard and McDonald islands were meant to close "ridiculous loopholes" and would prevent other countries from shipping through the islands to reach the U.S., Howard Lutnick told CBS. Authorities in Australia reacted with surprise last week when they found out about the tariffs on the island, which sits 2,485 miles from Australia.
19. Pope Francis Makes Surprise Appearance At St. Peter's Square Sunday - UPI
Less than two weeks after his release from a Rome hospital, Pope Francis made an appearance at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican Sunday and addressed parishioners following a service.
"Hello to everybody," the pontiff said. "Happy Sunday to all of you, thank you very much." Francis, 88, appeared in a wheelchair with an oxygen cannula under his nose while he spoke briefly and waved to the crowd.
20. Why OPEC+ Is Accelerating Oil Production As Prices Are Tanking And Tariffs Hammer Markets - CNBC
The oil price outlook is being hit with more bearish forecasts on the back of President Donald Trump’s sweeping and market-hammering tariff announcements.
However, eight key OPEC+ producers on Thursday agreed to raise combined crude oil output by 411,000 barrels per day, speeding up the pace of their scheduled hikes and pushing down oil prices. One of the several factors is that the group is bullish on oil demand later in the year. The eight OPEC+ members cited “the continuing healthy market fundamentals and the positive market outlook” in their statement.
21. If I Could Tell All Investors 1 Thing About the Stock Market Right Now, It Would Be This - The Motley Fool
Major stock indexes have taken a nasty tumble this week after President Donald Trump announced his latest tariff plans. The chair of the Federal Reserve suggested that economic growth could slow, potentially leading to "elevated" levels of unemployment. Economic experts are also sounding recession alarms.
None of this is good news, but if I could tell all investors one thing about the stock market, it's this: Time is your most valuable asset when it comes to surviving volatility. The average S&P 500 bear market lasts around 9.5 months, with extra-long bear markets (like the one following the dot-com bubble burst) lasting around two years. While that can seem like an eternity in the moment, good economic times tend to far outlast the bad.
22. Michael Saylor offers $1M Bitcoin Prediction — Even As Markets Crash - TheStreet
Strategy (MSTR) founder and chairman Michael Saylor thinks that “made in the USA” Bitcoin is going to be worth $1 million.
The Bitcoin advocate was responding to GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen’s comment on X (formerly Twitter) about the potential hike in Apple’s iPhones when he made the remark. Saylor said in a previous post that against the backdrop of the stock market rout following the tariffs, “Bitcoin offers resilience in a world full of hidden risks.” Saylor is known to be very encouraging of other companies, such as GameStop, acquiring Bitcoin.
23. Lifestyle Changes Boost Longevity For Cancer Survivors, Study Suggests - HealthDay News
Cancer survivors can reduce their ongoing risk of death by sticking to diet and exercise guidelines recommended by the American Cancer Society (ACS), a new study suggests.
Non-smoking survivors of obesity-related cancers had an overall lower risk of death if they adopted the ACS lifestyle recommendations following their treatment, according to findings published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. They also had a lower risk of dying either from heart-related diseases or a subsequent bout with cancer, results show.
