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Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘This timeline is so stupid': Social media shakes head over Jillian Michaels taking ‘new media' seat at White House
Jillian Michaels, best known as the fitness trainer on the reality series The Biggest Loser, got the opportunity to ask the first question at Thursday's White House press briefing as a 'new media' member – and the internet did not disappoint with its reaction to the spectacle. 'This timeline is just so stupid,' one Bluesky user noted, seemingly speaking for much of social media. With the Trump administration's Make America Healthy Again Commission – led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – releasing its much-anticipated report on childhood chronic illness, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt invited Michaels to occupy the 'new media' seat at Thursday's press briefing. Michaels, who once criticized Donald Trump's former vice president Mike Pence as 'the number one anti-gay politician in the country,' has refashioned herself in recent years as a conservative podcaster and pundit. After expressing support for Kennedy's presidential campaign and MAHA movement, she ended up voting for Trump in what was a reversal of her previous stance on his first administration. The White House's 'new media' seat, meanwhile, has disproportionally (but not exclusively) been reserved for pro-Trump media outlets and influencers who have generally rewarded Leavitt for the assignment by tossing obsequiously softball questions her way. Prior to turning to the former reality star on Thursday, Leavitt promoted Michaels' podcast Keeping It Real and called her a 'media powerhouse' before acknowledging that she was at the White House to attend that afternoon's MAHA event. Michaels then kicked off the briefing by asking the press secretary about the personal impact of Kennedy's new study. 'As a MAHA mom yourself, how do you interpret the significance of this report in terms of delivering measurable health improvement for Americans and their kids? And what specific actions does the administration plan to take in response to it?' Michaels wondered. 'When the president took office, he promised to make this country healthy again. And the president signed an executive order directing this commission, now less than 100 days later, the commission is delivering this report,' Leavitt responded. 'Another promise kept.' Of course, it didn't take long for the spectacle of The Biggest Loser trainer asking questions at a White House briefing to make its way to social media. And the reaction, especially from liberals and progressives, was a combination of mockery, incredulity and dismay. 'Jillian Michaels is in the new media seat at the White House press briefing,' one Twitter user wrote. 'This timeline is so wild.' Laura Bassett, a columnist at The Cut, said she 'could write a dissertation about the new media seat.' States Newsroom reporter Kelcie Moseley-Morris added that her '2005 self would be so confused by this.' While some pointed out that she's now a host of a right-wing version of The View, others explained that they had to do a 'double take' when they noticed her while watching the briefing. Still, in the end, many just felt that Michaels' appearance showed 'spectacular levels of unseriousness' and snarked that the United States was now 'the least serious country in the entire benighted history of the solar system.'
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The Independent
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
‘This timeline is so stupid': Social media shakes head over Jillian Michaels taking ‘new media' seat at White House
Jillian Michaels, best known as the fitness trainer on the reality series The Biggest Loser, got the opportunity to ask the first question at Thursday's White House press briefing as a 'new media' member – and the internet did not disappoint with its reaction to the spectacle. 'This timeline is just so stupid,' one Bluesky user noted, seemingly speaking for much of social media. With the Trump administration's Make America Healthy Again Commission – led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – releasing its much-anticipated report on childhood chronic illness, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt invited Michaels to occupy the 'new media' seat at Thursday's press briefing. Michaels, who once criticized Donald Trump's former vice president Mike Pence as 'the number one anti-gay politician in the country,' has refashioned herself in recent years as a conservative podcaster and pundit. After expressing support for Kennedy's presidential campaign and MAHA movement, she ended up voting for Trump in what was a reversal of her previous stance on his first administration. The White House's 'new media' seat, meanwhile, has disproportionally (but not exclusively) been reserved for pro-Trump media outlets and influencers who have generally rewarded Leavitt for the assignment by tossing obsequiously softball questions her way. Prior to turning to the former reality star on Thursday, Leavitt promoted Michaels' podcast Keeping It Real and called her a 'media powerhouse' before acknowledging that she was at the White House to attend that afternoon's MAHA event. Michaels then kicked off the briefing by asking the press secretary about the personal impact of Kennedy's new study. 'As a MAHA mom yourself, how do you interpret the significance of this report in terms of delivering measurable health improvement for Americans and their kids? And what specific actions does the administration plan to take in response to it?' Michaels wondered. 'When the president took office, he promised to make this country healthy again. And the president signed an executive order directing this commission, now less than 100 days later, the commission is delivering this report,' Leavitt responded. 'Another promise kept.' Of course, it didn't take long for the spectacle of The Biggest Loser trainer asking questions at a White House briefing to make its way to social media. And the reaction, especially from liberals and progressives, was a combination of mockery, incredulity and dismay. 'Jillian Michaels is in the new media seat at the White House press briefing,' one Twitter user wrote. 'This timeline is so wild.' Laura Bassett, a columnist at The Cut, said she 'could write a dissertation about the new media seat.' States Newsroom reporter Kelcie Moseley-Morris added that her '2005 self would be so confused by this.' While some pointed out that she's now a host of a right-wing version of The View, others explained that they had to do a 'double take' when they noticed her while watching the briefing. Still, in the end, many just felt that Michaels' appearance showed 'spectacular levels of unseriousness' and snarked that the United States was now 'the least serious country in the entire benighted history of the solar system.'
Canada Standard
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Canada Standard
US Department of Homeland Security reviewing reality TV show for immigrants: Report
Washington, DC [US], May 17 (ANI): The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reviewing a reality TV show in which immigrants compete to get American citizenship, CNN reported, citing a statement from a spokesperson. The spokesperson said, 'The show in question is in the very beginning stages of that vetting process and has not received approval or denial by staff.' A producer who presented the idea to DHS said he envisions the show as a 'positive love letter to America' while rejecting criticism that it would be 'punching down' on contestants. Rob Worsoff, himself a Canadian immigrant whose work includes 'The Millionaire Matchmaker,' 'Duck Dynasty', and 'The Biggest Loser,' said he's presented the idea for his show as far back as the Obama Administration. Worsoff said he had held three conversations with the current DHS regarding his idea -- 'and they've gone far' -- but said Secretary Kristi Noem had not been involved in any of the discussions. Speaking to CNN on Friday, he said, 'I don't now where they stand exactly now, but I feel like we're trending in a good way.' Speaking to CNN, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said that DHS 'receives hundreds of television show pitches a year, ranging from documentaries surrounding ICE and CBP border operation to white collar investigations by HSI. Each proposal undergoes a thorough vetting process prior to denial or approval.' Worsoff said he intends to have a show like 'The Biggest Loser' for immigration, referencing the former reality show in which overweight contestants competed to see who would lose the most weight and which also faced criticism over its content. However, he said, 'there's nobody who loses on this show -- it's ridiculous to even suggest otherwise.' He said, 'These are all people who are likely to become future Americans.' He stated, 'They are all people with a place in line. They are all people that are good candidates. I'm not punching down on anyone -- I am offering somebody the opportunity to jump to the front of the line and nobody else loses. In fact, everybody else in line will be humanized and we'll get to know their face and their story and we'll love them and maybe they'll get a job out of it, or maybe they'll get other opportunities out of it.' He even showed CNN portions of a pitch deck for the show, which had the working title 'The American.' According to the description of the pitch for a show, contestants will represent a demographic of ages, ethnicities, and talents. The description of the pitch for a show further reads, 'We'll join in the laughter, tears, frustration and joy -- hearing their backstories -- as we are reminded of how amazing it is to be American, through the eyes of 12 wonderful people who want nothing more than to have what we have -- and what we often take for granted: the freedom, opportunity and honor of what it means to be American.' According to the deck, each episode would include an elimination challenge, a heritage challenge, a town hall meeting, and a final vote. Worsoff said the participants will compete for the heritage challenge in specific locations like a 'gold rush' challenge in San Francisco, a 'pizza' challenge in New York, or a 'NASA' challenge in Florida to show 'how cool America is.' Speaking to Collins on 'The Source', Worsoff said he plans to end each episode with a town-hall meeting, 'just like in a presidential election.' He said, 'The people of Tennessee, let's say, will get to vote on which one of our future Americans they would most like to represent the state of Tennessee.' Previously, he admitted that the stakes would be high for the contestants, but added that it's not a bad thing. Speaking to CNN, he said, 'I would hope that any competition reality show has stakes.' Worsoff said, 'Yeah, I'm not going to apologize for that fact that there are real stakes on the show. I don't think that's a bad thing, I think that's a good thing.' (ANI)
Daily Mail
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
CNN reporter stuns MAGA White House correspondent famed for skimpy outfits with very frank question
CNN correspondent Donie O'Sullivan spent several days with members of the MAGA media movement this week - and asked one whether she sincerely felt she was a journalist. The pointed question was posed to Natalie Winters, the White House correspondent and co-host of Steve Bannon 's War Room. The 23-year-old is one of several MAGA-aligned correspondents now being welcomed to the White House, despite belonging to non-traditional outlets. O'Sullivan sought to hone in on this new dynamic with a feature for CNN, as Winters and others continue to paint themselves as disruptors. Others have framed them as a distraction - paving the way for O'Sullivan's frank inquiry. 'Are you a real journalist?' the 34-year-old senior CNN correspondent asked, standing opposite a woman known for wearing provocative outfits to press briefings. Winters, honing in on how many of her counterparts avoided covering Joe Biden's mental decline until the last-minute, offered a response both she and The Department of Government Efficiency shared to X. 'I'm pretty sure the group of people in there spent, what was it, four years covering for someone who was essentially dead, and that's being charitable in my description,' she said, creating a viral moment in the process. Scroll down for video: CNN correspondent Donie O'Sullivan spent several days with members of the MAGA media movement this week - and asked one whether she sincerely felt she was a journalist 'So to all those people who are apoplectic over having new media voices, you guys failed - and that's why we're here.' The barb left O'Sullivan somewhat beside himself, and briefly silent before pressing on with the interview. He spoke to several others as well, including Real America's Voice Chief White House Correspondent Brian Glenn and LindellTV White House reporter Cara Castronuova - whose boss is My Pillow inventor and conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell. O'Sullivan, at a point, posed the same question to Castronuova, 45-year-old former championship boxer and trainer on The Biggest Loser. 'Do you consider yourself a journalist?' O'Sullivan asked - to which Castronuova responded, 'yes.' Another pause ensued, after which O'Sullivan attempted to break the silence - before being interrupted by Winters. WH Correspondent Natalie Winters did not hold back. — Department of Government Efficiency News (@DOGE__news) April 23, 2025 'Seems like you took a little pause to process that,' she laughed, again leaving O'Sullivan stumbling over his words. Winters, at another point, told O'Sullivan that, if it were up to her, she'd 'kick a lot of these outlets out [of the White House briefing room].' She said of her perceived purpose: 'I view my role here more as sort of reporting on not so much the White House, but really the media. 'Our bias is not to be sycophants for President Trump,' she continued, denying pedaling propaganda for the president. 'Our bias is for our audience, which is the working class of America - the people who want to put this country first. In a separate feature penned for Politico, Winters billed the relationship between correspondents from outlets like CNN and NBC as old news, and 'new conservative media' as the future. She frequently posts theories to X, and offers discourse to stir up liberals. 'Spot the Difference Senator Van Hollen posted the picture of him and Kilmar Garcia *without* the margaritas,' she wrote earlier this month on X, referring to two sets of photos snapped of the Maryland politician and alleged MS-13 member. 'If it were up to me, I'd kick a lot of these outlets out.' Me to @CNN 🤣 — Natalie Winters (@nataliegwinters) April 23, 2025 Suggesting the senator omitted one photo purposely, Winters was later proven wrong when both it was revealed the salt-rimmed glasses were planted by officials. 'An Easter Egg hunt but we search for illegals instead,' she wrote in another post published Easter Sunday. In it, she is seen adjusting her hair outside the White House. She's been sharing the exchange between her and O'Sullivan for the past two weeks. CNN aired the full interview with her and other members of the White House 'new media movement' Wednesday.
Gulf Today
13-04-2025
- Health
- Gulf Today
White House reporter's question, 'Is Trump eating less McDonald's?' irritates netizens
As the markets continue to react to US President Donald Trump's tariffs, which have now been paused for 90 days (with the exception of China, for whom Trump has hiked tariffs to 125 per cent), you might expect this and other foreign affairs to be top of the agenda when it came to the White House press briefing on Friday. Yet one question from a conservative reporter has taken people by surprise on social media, as she asked White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt if she would consider 'releasing the president's fitness plan'. Cara Castronuova, a former champion boxer and ex-trainer on The Biggest Loser who is now a reporter for LindellTV, founded by MyPillow owner and Trump supporter Mike Lindell, said: '[Trump] actually looks healthier than ever before – healthier than he did eight years ago, and I'm sure everybody in this room could agree. 'Is he working out with Bobby Kennedy and eating less McDonald's?' The question came as Leavitt confirmed the president was undergoing 'his routine and long scheduled physical' examination at Walter Reed Medical Center. Smiling, Leavitt told Castronuova: 'I can confirm the president is in very good shape, as you see on a near daily basis here.' The awkward question has sparked ridicule online, with one tweet comparing the exchange to a skit off Saturday Night Live. Another likened it to something out of North Korea. And a third claimed the question wasn't 'journalism', but rather 'devotion'. Elsewhere, Trump told reporters travelling with him on Air Force One to Florida that he 'got every answer right' in the cognitive test part of his physical, adding that he thought he 'did well'. He said: 'Overall I felt I was in very good shape. Good heart, a good soul, a very good soul. 'I took a cognitive test. I don't know what to tell you other than I got every answer right.' Trump was even asked by one reporter if the cognitive test was 'Man, Woman, Person, Camera, TV', in reference to a Fox News interview about the test during his first term which went viral online. The president didn't seem to pick up on this, though, and instead said: 'I think it's a pretty well-known test. 'I got every one right.' The Independent
