Latest news with #Fox News
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Murdoch v Trump: why the flawed media titan could be the final protector of press freedom
Years before Rupert Murdoch bought the Wall Street Journal, the writer John Lanchester suggested that his primary motivation – more than ideology or even money – was a 'love of crises, of the point when everything seems about to be lost'. More than two decades later, is the crisis in the US media, one in which everything seems about to be lost, motivating Murdoch to take on the most powerful man in the world? It is as good a reason as many of those given over the past week for the fact that the billionaire whose Fox News channel has acted as a Trump cheerleader throughout is now, alone among US media titans, preparing to do battle in the courts. Trump's onslaught on the US media – withdrawing federal funds, banning reporters and launching multi-billion-dollar lawsuits – has led once-renowned defenders of media freedom such as the Washington Post, ABC News and CBS to crumple, either changing their editorial policies or agreeing to apparently frivolous settlements. Yet ranting calls to both the WSJ editor, Emma Tucker, and his old frenemy Rupert failed to prevent the publication of a story suggesting he had sent a hand-drawn picture of a naked woman to the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein with the words: 'Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.' Last week, he launched a $10bn lawsuit over this 'fake'. After the WSJ doubled down with stories saying Trump had been told he was in the Epstein files, sources close to Murdoch report that, at 94, he refuses to be 'intimidated'. He is also enhancing his reputation as the most mercurial media titan. Media veteran Tina Brown asked how the world had come to depend on 'the Darth Vader of media' to stand up for press freedom, while a thoughtful friend asked: 'Suppose Murdoch had a Damascene conversion and sought to atone for his many sins – would we welcome him as an ally?' Can a man whose companies have paid out more than a billion pounds for either knowingly broadcasting lies or for hacking phones be preparing to die as the Severus Snape of the media world, the final protector of press freedom? Two years ago, when Murdoch announced he was standing down (sort of), he told staff to 'make the most of this great opportunity to improve the world we live in', a line that seemed ridiculous to me at the time. Is his battle with this madman in the White House really his final chance at leaving the world a better place? Before Murdoch watchers get carried away, there are of course a number of rational and personal reasons for Murdoch's decision not to kowtow to Trump. Throughout his long career at the nexus of media and power, one thing that has been consistent is Murdoch's desire to pick the winning side. Trump's friendship with Epstein is the only issue currently close to dividing him from a Maga power base that also forms the heart of the Fox News audience. And Murdoch's enthusiasm for the former real estate mogul has never been wholehearted. After the 6 January attack on the US Capitol in 2021 he sent an email to a former executive, saying: 'We want to make Trump a nonperson.' Despite this, the support of his Fox News channel helped elect a man he has little respect for. Not only is he spreading his bets on the Epstein fallout, Murdoch is also riding two horses by allowing his respected financial news organisation to defend its reporting, while Fox continues to downplay the story over Trump's card. A newsman at his core, Murdoch is just as likely to give his editors stories as ask for them to be spiked. But Murdoch is also known to have kept a particularly respectful distance from the Journal's editorials since buying it in 2007; one called Trump's tariff plans 'the dumbest trade war in history'. Besides, defending its journalism is good for business in a landscape in which the owners of CBS cancel a hit show critical of Trump and pay millions to his presidential library just days before receiving a government blessing for a huge deal. As always with Murdoch, there is also the psychodrama of an old man whose life is closer to Shakespearean than most. Michael Wolff, responsible for several of the many books on both men, tells me that Murdoch's support for his journalists is an 'old man's revenge' after the Fox fallout divided his family and prompted an inheritance battle still playing out in the family courts. Besides, says Wolff, Murdoch wants revenge on Trump simply for winning when Murdoch did 'everything to make sure [he] didn't'. Trump's behaviour in his second term – using his powers to further any whim or grievance, and approaching absolutism – could also have revealed to Murdoch the end result of a truly free market. What is to stop Emperor Trump from stripping his commercial empire of the protection of the rule of law once the old man is gone, for example? Murdoch is undoubtedly a flawed hero. And there is a chance after all that the drawing is a hoax, as Trump insists, despite the Journal's robust defence. Murdoch's papers have been tricked before. But for now, he is the closest thing journalism has to a Trojan horse, invited into the inner sanctum yet still apparently ready to do battle. Jane Martinson is professor of financial journalism at City St George's and a member of the board of the Scott Trust, which owns the Guardian Media Group
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jennifer Lopez suffers wardrobe malfunction during concert
Jennifer Lopez accidentally left her skirt on the floor Friday during a concert in Poland. Lopez, who performed in Warsaw on Friday for her 56th birthday, suffered a wardrobe malfunction during the middle of her celebration. The "Waiting for Tonight" singer was in the midst of receiving birthday wishes during her livestreamed concert when her gold sequined skirt fell to the ground. Jennifer Lopez Suffers Facial Injury Requiring Stitches Lopez glittered in gold wearing a metallic bra with a matching fringed skirt for the show. As she walked across the stage, concert-goers caught a glimpse of her matching underwear when her sparkling skirt hit the stage. "Thank you, Warsaw," Lopez screamed to the crowd when suddenly her skirt broke. "Oh! I'm out here in my underwear." Read On The Fox News App A backup dancer rushed to her side and attempted to cover up Lopez, only for the "Let's Get Loud" singer to throw the broken garment into the crowd. "I'm glad that they reinforced that costume, and I'm glad I had underwear on," she said. "I don't usually wear underwear." Representatives for Lopez did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Jennifer Lopez Sparks Controversy Kissing Male And Female Dancers At American Music Awards JLo's set to perform once again this week in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It's unclear if any additional precautions are being taken to prevent another on-stage incident. The tour, which began earlier this month, is her first tour in six years. Lopez was slated to embark on the "This is Me… Live" tour in the summer of 2024, but canceled the concerts to spend time with her family. Representatives for Live Nation explained JLo would be "taking time off to be with her children, family and close friends." "I am completely heartsick and devastated about letting you down," Lopez wrote in her newsletter. "Please know that I wouldn't do this if I didn't feel that it was absolutely necessary. I promise I will make it up to you and we will all be together again. I love you all so much. Until next time ... " Like What You're Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News Two months later, Lopez filed for divorce from her fourth husband, Ben Affleck. The Hollywood heavyweights finalized their divorce in January, with both parties waving spousal support, in addition to waiving further discovery proceedings. Affleck and Lopez were married for two years before she filed for divorce on Aug. 20 in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Her petition for the dissolution of their marriage was filed on the two-year anniversary of their Georgia wedding. Click Here To SigN Up For The Entertainment Newsletter The former couple first said "I do" during a surprise Las Vegas wedding in 2022. One month later, the newlyweds hosted a backyard ceremony for friends and family at the $8 million Georgia mansion Affleck purchased when the couple first began dating 20 years ago. Affleck and Lopez first met while working on the set of "Gigli" and were engaged in 2002 with plans to marry in September 2003, but they postponed the wedding and ultimately called off their relationship at the beginning of 2004. "Bennifer" reunited once again before the summer of 2021, and Affleck proposed to Lopez in April while she was taking a article source: Jennifer Lopez suffers wardrobe malfunction during concert Solve the daily Crossword
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Trump announces "biggest" trade deal with EU; to see 15 pc tariffs across the board
Turnberry (Scotland): US President Donald Trump on Sunday (local time) announced that Washington and the European Union have reached an agreement on the trade deal, finalising at a uniform 15 per cent tariff on all goods across the board and purchases of massive energy and military equipment and unprecedented investment commitments by the EU to its Atlantic partner. Describing the agreement as the "biggest deal ever," Trump, during a discussion with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as broadcasted by Fox News, hailed the agreement as a "giant deal with lots of countries," noting von der Leyen's representation of the 27-nation European Union. He stated that the EU has agreed to purchase USD 750 billion worth of energy from the US and to invest an additional USD 600 billion, more than its current investment. "This was probably the biggest deal ever reached in any capacity, trade or beyond trade. It is a giant deal with lots of countries because, as you know, Ursula represents a lot of countries, not just one. The European Union is going to agree to purchase from the United States USD 750 billion worth of energy. They are also going to invest in the United States, USD 600 billion more than they already are. They are also agreeing to open up their countries to trade at zero tariffs. That is a very big factor--opening up all the countries to trade with the United States at zero tariffs," Trump stated. "They are agreeing to purchase a vast amount of military equipment. We don't know the exact number, but the good news is we make the best military equipment in the world. Until someone tops us, which won't happen, we are way ahead of every other country in terms of military technology. And we are agreeing on a straight 15 per cent tariff across the board for automobiles and everything else. I think that basically concludes the deal. Those are the main factors," he added. Trump, who is currently in Scotland for a work visit, also noted that the deal will take effect from August 1. Von der Leyen echoed Trump's enthusiasm, describing the agreement as a "huge deal" that ensures "stability and predictability" for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. "It's 15% tariffs across the board, all-inclusive. The investments President Trump just described will go to the United States. And the purchases on our side--yes, the European market is open," she stated. She acknowledged the "tough negotiation" but expressed satisfaction with the mutually beneficial outcome. "We have a deal. We have a trade deal between the two largest economies in the world. It's a big deal--a huge deal. It will bring stability and predictability, which is very important for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. It's 15% tariffs across the board, all-inclusive," the EU Chief noted. "The investments President Trump just described will go to the United States. And the purchases on our side--yes, the European market is open. That's 450 million people. It's a good deal, a huge deal. It was a tough negotiation. I knew it at the beginning--it was very tough. But we came to good conclusions for both sides," she added. The negotiations followed Trump's earlier announcement this month of a 30 per cent tariff on goods from the European Union, effective August 1. He announced in a letter to the European Commission President posted on Truth Social about the tariff decision, citing trade imbalances as key reasons.
Fox News
2 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
Inside the male birth control study showing promising results
Fox News medical contributor Dr. Nicole Saphier joins 'Fox & Friends Weekend' to discuss a male birth control study and the side effects of women's birth control.
Fox News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Why Trump stripped NPR of federal funding and what happens next
NPR was long lambasted by President Donald Trump and other Republicans as a left-leaning institution that didn't deserve taxpayer money, but after years of banter, federal funding was cut last week. Trump's rescissions package includes over $1 billion in cuts from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the government-backed funding arm for NPR and PBS. The clawback package teed up cuts to "woke" spending on foreign aid programs and public media, as Republicans finally yanked federal money from NPR in a move advocates said was long overdue. Fox News Digital breaks down exactly what happened — from attention to NPR's perceived liberal bias through Trump's rescissions package, and what happens next.
