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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why Does Dr. Phil Keep Showing Up at ICE Raids?
In his own words, talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw is the ' least political person I know.' He describes himself as politically unsophisticated. He says he could watch the Schoolhouse Rock episode about how a bill becomes a law and learn something new every time. And yet, Dr. Phil, as he's commonly known, keeps showing up at political events and with politicians. The latest appearance came amidst ICE raids in Los Angeles. He was briefly present at ICE headquarters in Los Angeles on the day agents spanned out to arrest immigrants in the city, and sat down with Trump border czar Tom Homan for exclusive interviews in advance of and after the largest ICE raid. The operations sparked unrest and protest across Los Angeles over the weekend, and the political fallout continues; on Monday, President Donald Trump said that he'd be willing to arrest California Gov. Gavin Newsom, after Newsom dared Homan to come do so. For McGraw's part, his interest in immigration issues has led to an increasingly close relationship with the tough-talking Homan, whom he recently described as a 'sincere and compassionate man.' McGraw embedded with Homan directly during January ICE raids in Chicago for his new entertainment venture, Merit Street Media, a television network focused on news and true crime. 'I'm very pro-immigration, 100 percent,' McGraw said in March 2024. 'But I think it has to be controlled. We need to know who is coming into our country.' In addition to his seemingly newfound interest in immigration, McGraw has hosted Trump on his show (in the leadup to the 2024 election), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and conservative personality Jordan Peterson. He spoke at Trump's October closing rally in Madison Square Garden (he stated publicly he was available to speak at a Harris rally as well). He and Adams also just appeared at an event together to codify a definition of antisemitism in New York. He also recently appeared on Newsom's podcast, where he pressed the California governor from the right on questions of transgender athletes and cancel culture, in addition to immigration issues. It's an unusual turn for a therapeutic media personality who got his big break with Oprah Winfrey and for most of his career fastidiously avoided partisan politics. But it's also one of the latest and clearest examples of how the American media landscape has changed, with cultural commentators in particular finding purchase within the expanding conservative ecosystem. 'Frankly, I'm not very sophisticated in the political arena. I don't know a lot about it,' McGraw told Newsom on his podcast. 'I really am focusing on cultural issues, and politicians talk about cultural issues a lot.' What McGraw is indirectly describing is a shift online among formerly non-political or apolitical influencers towards openly discussing the political issues that they feel fit under their broad remit. These personalities — which include Joe Rogan, Theo Von, Shawn Ryan and The Nelk Boys — have often been credited with helping to expand Trump's coalition to include young men. McGraw himself is somewhat different, since he's a daytime television stalwart whose audience skews older and more female; he certainly can't be confused for a young man whisperer. But his transition into conservative politics has familiar notes. He still isn't focused on partisan politics writ large, but he's increasingly engaged with the issues of aggrievement and cancel culture that animate the right. His concern, as he states openly, is a cultural shift away from traditional mores and an amorphous idea of 'family values.' 'I'm here to talk to and stand up for the people who have declared their support for Donald J. Trump, or they got found out, or they want to do it but they're too intimidated,' McGraw said at Trump's MSG rally. 'Because you know what happens when somebody in this country says, 'Hey, I'm going to vote Republican, I'm going to vote Donald J. Trump?' They get canceled, intimidated, marginalized, excluded or even fired or boycotted. And you know what that means? In short, that adds up to being bullied.' Even as Republicans have amassed concentrated political power — controlling the presidency and both houses of Congress, with a conservative majority on the Supreme Court — McGraw remains focused on a softer form of cultural power. His public comments suggest that he sees his role as a straight-shooting arbiter of old-school, culturally conservative entertainment who won't be captured by a more progressive entertainment industry. McGraw was not immediately available for comment. A representative for McGraw told POLITICO Magazine in a statement that 'MeritTV news crews were on the ground during the recent ICE operation in Los Angeles on Friday. In order to not escalate any situation, Dr. Phil McGraw did not join and was not embedded, as he previous[ly] was in Chicago.' Asked Monday about McGraw's fly-on-the-wall involvement in ICE raids, Newsom stiff-armed a question from POLITICO, declining to ascribe a motive to the TV personality's increasing fascination with the politics of immigration. 'That's his prerogative,' the Democratic governor said. 'I don't know what to say about that.' But McGraw's aw shucks attitude about his own acumen — and his insistence that he'd talk to anyone, anywhere about questions of American culture — belies his power in the politics space. In fact, his ability to rely on his background as a politically neutral observer amplifies his voice amid the cacophony and provides a sheen of apolitical authenticity. McGraw's transformation into a generally conservative influencer does not appear temporary, even as he continues to call himself a political non-combatant. No matter the outcome of the latest blockbuster news moment to capture America's attention — the ICE raids in Los Angeles — McGraw has promised he'll be along for the ride. 'We're embedded with ICE, and they've allowed us full access at Merit TV. And when I say full access, there are no guidelines,' McGraw told Newsom. 'We can show every case. They're not cherry-picked cases, and we're able to show everything that's going on.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
How Dr. Phil Became ICE's Ride-Along Partner
In his own words, talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw is the 'least political person I know.' He describes himself as politically unsophisticated. He says he could watch the Schoolhouse Rock episode about how a bill becomes a law and learn something new every time. And yet, Dr. Phil, as he's commonly known, keeps showing up at political events and with politicians. The latest appearance came amidst ICE raids in Los Angeles. He was briefly present at ICE headquarters in Los Angeles on the day agents spanned out to arrest immigrants in the city, and sat down with Trump border czar Tom Homan for exclusive interviews in advance of and after the largest ICE raid. The operations sparked unrest and protest across Los Angeles over the weekend, and the political fallout continues; on Monday, President Donald Trump said that he'd be willing to arrest California Gov. Gavin Newsom, after Newsom dared Homan to come do so. For McGraw's part, his interest in immigration issues has led to an increasingly close relationship with the tough-talking Homan, whom he recently described as a 'sincere and compassionate man.' McGraw embedded with Homan directly during January ICE raids in Chicago for his new entertainment venture, Merit Street Media, a television network focused on news and true crime. 'I'm very pro-immigration, 100 percent,' McGraw said in March 2024. 'But I think it has to be controlled. We need to know who is coming into our country.' In addition to his seemingly newfound interest in immigration, McGraw has hosted Trump on his show (in the leadup to the 2024 election), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and conservative personality Jordan Peterson. He spoke at Trump's October closing rally in Madison Square Garden (he stated publicly he was available to speak at a Harris rally as well). He and Adams also just appeared at an event together to codify a definition of antisemitism in New York. He also recently appeared on Newsom's podcast, where he pressed the California governor from the right on questions of transgender athletes and cancel culture, in addition to immigration issues. It's an unusual turn for a therapeutic media personality who got his big break with Oprah Winfrey and for most of his career fastidiously avoided partisan politics. But it's also one of the latest and clearest examples of how the American media landscape has changed, with cultural commentators in particular finding purchase within the expanding conservative ecosystem. 'Frankly, I'm not very sophisticated in the political arena. I don't know a lot about it,' McGraw told Newsom on his podcast. 'I really am focusing on cultural issues, and politicians talk about cultural issues a lot.' What McGraw is indirectly describing is a shift online among formerly non-political or apolitical influencers towards openly discussing the political issues that they feel fit under their broad remit. These personalities — which include Joe Rogan, Theo Von, Shawn Ryan and The Nelk Boys — have often been credited with helping to expand Trump's coalition to include young men. McGraw himself is somewhat different, since he's a daytime television stalwart whose audience skews older and more female; he certainly can't be confused for a young man whisperer. But his transition into conservative politics has familiar notes. He still isn't focused on partisan politics writ large, but he's increasingly engaged with the issues of aggrievement and cancel culture that animate the right. His concern, as he states openly, is a cultural shift away from traditional mores and an amorphous idea of 'family values.' 'I'm here to talk to and stand up for the people who have declared their support for Donald J. Trump, or they got found out, or they want to do it but they're too intimidated,' McGraw said at Trump's MSG rally. 'Because you know what happens when somebody in this country says, 'Hey, I'm going to vote Republican, I'm going to vote Donald J. Trump?' They get canceled, intimidated, marginalized, excluded or even fired or boycotted. And you know what that means? In short, that adds up to being bullied.' Even as Republicans have amassed concentrated political power — controlling the presidency and both houses of Congress, with a conservative majority on the Supreme Court — McGraw remains focused on a softer form of cultural power. His public comments suggest that he sees his role as a straight-shooting arbiter of old-school, culturally conservative entertainment who won't be captured by a more progressive entertainment industry. McGraw was not immediately available for comment. A representative for McGraw told POLITICO Magazine in a statement that 'MeritTV news crews were on the ground during the recent ICE operation in Los Angeles on Friday. In order to not escalate any situation, Dr. Phil McGraw did not join and was not embedded, as he previous[ly] was in Chicago.' Asked Monday about McGraw's fly-on-the-wall involvement in ICE raids, Newsom stiff-armed a question from POLITICO, declining to ascribe a motive to the TV personality's increasing fascination with the politics of immigration. 'That's his prerogative,' the Democratic governor said. 'I don't know what to say about that.' But McGraw's aw shucks attitude about his own acumen — and his insistence that he'd talk to anyone, anywhere about questions of American culture — belies his power in the politics space. In fact, his ability to rely on his background as a politically neutral observer amplifies his voice amid the cacophony and provides a sheen of apolitical authenticity. McGraw's transformation into a generally conservative influencer does not appear temporary, even as he continues to call himself a political non-combatant. No matter the outcome of the latest blockbuster news moment to capture America's attention — the ICE raids in Los Angeles — McGraw has promised he'll be along for the ride. 'We're embedded with ICE, and they've allowed us full access at Merit TV. And when I say full access, there are no guidelines,' McGraw told Newsom. 'We can show every case. They're not cherry-picked cases, and we're able to show everything that's going on.' Melanie Mason contributed to this report.
Politico
5 days ago
- Politics
- Politico
How Dr. Phil Became ICE's Ride-Along Partner
In his own words, talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw is the 'least political person I know.' He describes himself as politically unsophisticated. He says he could watch the Schoolhouse Rock episode about how a bill becomes a law and learn something new every time. And yet, Dr. Phil, as he's commonly known, keeps showing up at political events and with politicians. The latest appearance came amidst ICE raids in Los Angeles. He was briefly present at ICE headquarters in Los Angeles on the day agents spanned out to arrest immigrants in the city, and sat down with Trump border czar Tom Homan for exclusive interviews in advance of and after the largest ICE raid. The operations sparked unrest and protest across Los Angeles over the weekend, and the political fallout continues; on Monday, President Donald Trump said that he'd be willing to arrest California Gov. Gavin Newsom, after Newsom dared Homan to come do so. For McGraw's part, his interest in immigration issues has led to an increasingly close relationship with the tough-talking Homan, whom he recently described as a 'sincere and compassionate man.' McGraw embedded with Homan directly during January ICE raids in Chicago for his new entertainment venture, Merit Street Media, a television network focused on news and true crime. 'I'm very pro-immigration, 100 percent,' McGraw said in March 2024. 'But I think it has to be controlled. We need to know who is coming into our country.' In addition to his seemingly newfound interest in immigration, McGraw has hosted Trump on his show (in the leadup to the 2024 election), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and conservative personality Jordan Peterson. He spoke at Trump's October closing rally in Madison Square Garden (he stated publicly he was available to speak at a Harris rally as well). He and Adams also just appeared at an event together to codify a definition of antisemitism in New York. He also recently appeared on Newsom's podcast, where he pressed the California governor from the right on questions of transgender athletes and cancel culture, in addition to immigration issues. It's an unusual turn for a therapeutic media personality who got his big break with Oprah Winfrey and for most of his career fastidiously avoided partisan politics. But it's also one of the latest and clearest examples of how the American media landscape has changed, with cultural commentators in particular finding purchase within the expanding conservative ecosystem. 'Frankly, I'm not very sophisticated in the political arena. I don't know a lot about it,' McGraw told Newsom on his podcast. 'I really am focusing on cultural issues, and politicians talk about cultural issues a lot.' What McGraw is indirectly describing is a shift online among formerly non-political or apolitical influencers towards openly discussing the political issues that they feel fit under their broad remit. These personalities — which include Joe Rogan, Theo Von, Shawn Ryan and The Nelk Boys — have often been credited with helping to expand Trump's coalition to include young men. McGraw himself is somewhat different, since he's a daytime television stalwart whose audience skews older and more female; he certainly can't be confused for a young man whisperer. But his transition into conservative politics has familiar notes. He still isn't focused on partisan politics writ large, but he's increasingly engaged with the issues of aggrievement and cancel culture that animate the right. His concern, as he states openly, is a cultural shift away from traditional mores and an amorphous idea of 'family values.' 'I'm here to talk to and stand up for the people who have declared their support for Donald J. Trump, or they got found out, or they want to do it but they're too intimidated,' McGraw said at Trump's MSG rally. 'Because you know what happens when somebody in this country says, 'Hey, I'm going to vote Republican, I'm going to vote Donald J. Trump?' They get canceled, intimidated, marginalized, excluded or even fired or boycotted. And you know what that means? In short, that adds up to being bullied.' Even as Republicans have amassed concentrated political power — controlling the presidency and both houses of Congress, with a conservative majority on the Supreme Court — McGraw remains focused on a softer form of cultural power. His public comments suggest that he sees his role as a straight-shooting arbiter of old-school, culturally conservative entertainment who won't be captured by a more progressive entertainment industry. McGraw was not immediately available for comment. A representative for McGraw told POLITICO Magazine in a statement that 'MeritTV news crews were on the ground during the recent ICE operation in Los Angeles on Friday. In order to not escalate any situation, Dr. Phil McGraw did not join and was not embedded, as he previous[ly] was in Chicago.' Asked Monday about McGraw's fly-on-the-wall involvement in ICE raids, Newsom stiff-armed a question from POLITICO, declining to ascribe a motive to the TV personality's increasing fascination with the politics of immigration. 'That's his prerogative,' the Democratic governor said. 'I don't know what to say about that.' But McGraw's aw shucks attitude about his own acumen — and his insistence that he'd talk to anyone, anywhere about questions of American culture — belies his power in the politics space. In fact, his ability to rely on his background as a politically neutral observer amplifies his voice amid the cacophony and provides a sheen of apolitical authenticity. McGraw's transformation into a generally conservative influencer does not appear temporary, even as he continues to call himself a political non-combatant. No matter the outcome of the latest blockbuster news moment to capture America's attention — the ICE raids in Los Angeles — McGraw has promised he'll be along for the ride. 'We're embedded with ICE, and they've allowed us full access at Merit TV. And when I say full access, there are no guidelines,' McGraw told Newsom. 'We can show every case. They're not cherry-picked cases, and we're able to show everything that's going on.' Melanie Mason contributed to this report.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dr. Phil to Tackle Breaking News, True Crime and DOGE in New Merit Street Podcasts
Fans of Dr. Phil have long heard him dispense advice on life and self-help. They will soon get to hear his take on breaking-news headlines and even the new Department of Government Efficiency in a series of new podcasts slated for launch by his Merit Street Media. MeritTV, Dr. Phil's TV network, will have McGraw host four new programs. Merit will also this spring launch a new daily podcast from Chris Harrison, the former host of 'The Bachelor' and his wife, Lauren Zema. MeritTV will have exclusive rights to the content, which will also air on MeritTV weekday mornings. More from Variety Dr. Phil Does Not Endorse Trump, Says He Spoke at a Trump Rally in 'Act of Rebellion' Against Kamala Harris for Allegedly Snubbing Him Professional Bull Riders Splits Media Rights Between CBS, Dr. Phil's Merit Street Media Steve Harvey Joins Dr. Phil's Merit Street Media 'We're thrilled to expand our programming offerings into the growing podcast space with these timely and unique shows,' McGraw said in a statement. 'There are more programs coming as MeritTV continues expanding into new content arenas.' The first of McGraw's podcasts, 'The Real Story with Dr. Phil,' debuts April 2 and has the host offering a daily no-holds-barred take on the biggest news stories of the day, all in 15 minutes. New episodes arfe expected to appear Monday through Friday and some of the content will appear the next day in newscasts on MeritTV. McGraw will also relaunch his 'Mystery & Murder: Analysis by Dr. Phil,' which analyzes true-crime incidents and stories. The podcast is expected to debut April 9, and the first three episodes will examine the murder Gabby Petito, the woman who was killed while traveling the country with her boyfriend. McGraw served as co-executive producer via his Stage 29 Productions on a recent Netflix documentary about the crime. 'The Daily Dose of DOGE' will have McGraw discussing activity by DOGE and Elon Musk, all in ten minutes. The program is also expected to debut April 9. 'The Dr. Phil Podcast' will offer interviews with newsmakers that McGraw often talks to on his MeritTV programs, and will serve as a way to continue the conversations he has there. Merit's podcasts are produced in partnership with Red Seat Ventures, the company that works with several news personalities who host their own podcasts and streaming programs. Fox Corp. acquired Red Seat Ventures in February. 'We have the unique advantage to be able to multi-purpose the podcast content across linear broadcast, streaming and the MeritTV app,' said Joel Cheatwood, executive vice president and chief operating officer of MeritTV, in a statement. 'We have a mission to offer our great content whenever and wherever our dedicated audiences choose to consume it.' Best of Variety What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Editorial: Really, Dr. Phil? Oprah's celebrity doctor debases himself in the very city that made him a star
We've no problem with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement doing its job and deporting violent criminals and those guilty of sex offenses involving minors, among other serious matters. We've no wish for immigration agents to do so in secrecy, either. But here in America, we don't have show trials nor do we ritualistically lambaste such people in service of political power or television ratings. Unlike some nations, we don't hang, beat or interrogate people in the public square, either. Why not? It debases everyone. America takes a higher path. Or took. We were astonished to see Phil McGraw, a man who uses a sobriquet that includes the word 'doctor,' embedding himself with ICE, a questionable move in and of itself for a person who has claimed to heal, and then literally shining a spotlight on a Thai national who was rounded up by ICE on Sunday in Chicago. Dr. Phil's quarry told him he recognized him from TV and then took part, consciously or not, in his own ritual humiliation for a hungry TV audience. Let's be clear here. The man reportedly was a convicted sex offender and internet predator, and we want him gone. We understand the propaganda value, too, for a Trump administration that wants to confirm the president's point that there are bad people in this city and state without legal authorization. True. And there are bad people with legal authorization too. Either way, there was something profoundly unsettling about a man who found fame and a huge fortune in our city on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show,' a man who made his bones by offering advice to often vulnerable guests as a psychotherapist would, someone who set himself up as an avuncular healer, telling people how to nurture their relationship with their spouse or cope after a relationship has fallen apart. Dr. Phil had many followers, and much of his advice, although sometimes controversial, had a certain commonsense appeal. We may even have listened occasionally ourselves. Dr. Phil now is pushing a new prime-time show on his Texas-based network Merit Street Media. And he apparently believes his audience is well served by the former TV healer standing next to the feds and questioning a target without a lawyer at his side. We get why Donald Trump's Department of Justice wants him there: It implies that such people won't just be removed; they'll be humiliated at the same time. Given the abhorrent nature of the Thai national's crimes, it's easy to say that's all fine. Take all the licks you want, Dr. Phil. But it's not. The Taliban do not roam the streets of Chicago, and their modus operandi should not be applied here. We think that somewhere deep in his memory from 'The Oprah Winfrey Show,' Dr. Phil knows that too. _____
