CBS pulling that interview is the clearest possible illustration of how authoritarian capture works without a single law being broken.
No government order. No official censorship. Just a corporation calculating that appeasing power is safer than defending journalism, and making the rational decision within a captured incentive structure. That’s how free press dies: not with a government shutdown order but with executives deciding access matters more than truth.
Colbert putting it on YouTube and getting massive numbers without corporate gatekeepers proves the audience is there.
The question is whether enough independent platforms can scale fast enough to replace legacy media that’s already decided compliance is the business model.
Keep these comments coming, Johan. They are a real contribution to the discussion. I would add that another way we are now seeing the free press die is having billionaires purchase media outlets for the express purpose of killing them to protect their other enterprises.
Yes! It’s an UNSUBSCRIBE movement. Unsubscribe from as much Big Tech as you can. It’s effective and easy! Power to the people! Hit’em where it counts! Fight back!! 🥊💥🥊💥
Delete any activity w/ amzn, fcebk, instgrm, or ANY news / media outlet that fouls our country with their dangerous, monopolistic, fascistic, destructive practices that go against the creative impulses that embody every person's life. PAY FULL PRICE and deny all the beezohs what they crave.
Susan, all of the mutual tech has been a discussion with my daughter since my husband is not using that much of it. We are trying to find alternatives. My husband had a Mac and a university email through his job. He just retired and is de-platforming. He is looking to get a laptop that works well with Linux. We all use Signal to communicate and I am in about 9 Signal political groups, some being just for information, but others being chat groups. I am also in a Slack chat group. As a family we are thinking of moving to Threema though. I have some friends already on it.
Tonight my Political book club members and I were discussing our tech situation with Trump having Noem gather personal data on everyone who might have said something negative about ICE. I feel like we need to use tricks like they use in China or Russia, like a code when we text, and constantly changing the words, like the Gen Zers and younger, who come up with new words all the time. A friend living in the US is thinking of getting a burner phone for travel. Good idea, unless it makes them come to your home afterwards to check your phones and computers.
We were also discussing the fact that Indivisible is considered a terrorist group by the Trump administration and they send their lists of terrorists to other countries to adopt, so we are considered terrorists. I am the leader of a new Indivisible Abroad group. Since we are reading the book "1984" by Orwell, and were discussing the appendix where Newspeak is discussed, we were saying what does terrorist mean. "It means whatever group your government is against" which for Trump is not only all of the Democratic Party, but also could be the EU as an organization.
I am so glad people are considering letting go of all the big tech that they can because their owners are evil.
Absolutely, that’s a really important point. Ownership concentration changes the game in ways most people don’t notice. Even without overt censorship, the priorities of a few wealthy owners can shape what gets reported and what quietly disappears. I’m curious, do you see any examples of independent media that are managing to stay both profitable and truly independent, or is the system just too stacked right now?
Billionaires do not seem to be adding anything to society. I'm certain this is not true in every case, but I am not impressed by what I see. There is a better way to have a functional economy. We have a lot to reimagine. I won't live long enough to see it, but it needs to happen.
In a way it is a government order. By the orange dark triad parasite and his sycophants. His FCC. So in essence they are answering to someone. That's how authoritarian fascist regimes work. This is why we must overthrow them. One way or another.
My book club is just finishing Orwell's "1984" by discussing the Appendix and "Newspeak." Trump is a master at "Doublespeak," and he has used threats to intimidate media that should have never been owned by these Oligarchs from Herst on up. I am participating in a boycott of Amazon which began with me stopping my WaPo subscription. I have continued to support journalists from there who are on Substack now.
Well Linda we’ve been at the elimination of ‘toxins’ for awhile in our household by boycotting Target, leaving Amazon(painful for my spouse), CBS and some other (completely compliant to the Fascist regime) businesses and it isn’t hard to do.
Freeing yourself from these weak and immoral appendages is actually quite refreshing!
I prefer spending my time and $$ on local or small businesses!
EaB that sounds good. I am slowly detoxing. My husband is about to get his non-US laptop that is Linux compatible. He already does not use a US made phone, and has replaced his work gmail address with a European email service. He does watch videos on YouTube, but nothing else in US Big Tech that I can think of. We have not been social media users. We use Signal as a family and mostly communicate with those friends who have it too. Each thing we have stripped has made me feel good. My daughter and I still have Apple laptops and phones. I can replace the phone in the fall. Am planning the replacement.
Well Linda we’ve been at the elimination of ‘toxins’ for awhile in our household by boycotting Target, leaving Amazon(painful for my spouse), CBS and some other (completely compliant to the Fascist regime) businesses and it isn’t hard to do.
Freeing yourself from these weak and immoral appendages is actually quite refreshing!
I prefer spending my attention, time and $$ on local or small businesses and independent media!
Had to add the Independent Media to my edited version.
Linda, you have the benefit of living outside of the US right now.
If only. However like you we have avoided joining any form of social media. Substack is now everything I feel the need to have. I’ve been very careful and people call me paranoid but I don’t suffer from FOMO, so it’s all good !
America cannot survive with a state governed media. That is against our constitution. We must insist and fall freedom of speech and full freedom of the press. Everything in our bill of rights is essential to being an American.
It probably doesn’t need to be repeated, but for those of you who haven’t already done so, boycott CBS/Paramount. That means all of their broadcast, streaming or theatrical content.
It does bear repeating and often. Keep reminding folks what assholes there are at CBS and let's do everything we can to hurt their profit margins. Thanks Kim!
The only show I watch on CBS is Colbert, for Colbert. When he leaves, I’m gone.
It would be great to have him on Meidas—and also doing shows, at least some of the time, with live audiences, because he thrives and is so great doing the stand-up.
I am on it Kim. Was just explaining to my daughter last night why we were not going to go back on Paramount. She asked why they were bad. I told her what my thoughts were and she accepted them. She finished her finals and wanted to watch a series that was on there. She heard me and found it on Mubi instead.
I don't know if they need to scale fast enough, but right now I see a lot of replacement of legacy media here in Substack. I subscribe to several as well as things like the AP and the Guardian as well as publications from other countries.
This wasn't even about "defending journalism." It's about censoring comedy/satire/ entertainment. If tRump and his lapdogs have their way, the country will be reduced to "knock knock" and fart jokes.
We need smart, intelligent, energetic people like you Stephen to fight back. Please consider joining the Medias Touch Network and continuing the battle for democracy.
Colbert wont be short of creative opportunities to establish a vibrant platform when he's free of CBS. This might be a good one. MAGA will always have its collective knickers in a twist over truth shot across the bow with genuine honesty, heart, and hilarity. The humorless right-wing can only respond with ignorance, bigotry, nastiness, and ridiculous stupidity. True wit is beyond them because...as Colbert once quipped…reality does have a liberal bias.
Stephen Colbert, as a practicing Catholic, might particularly appreciate this story… One of the great church people of the western hemisphere was Archbishop Helda Camarara of Recife, Brazil. He once said, with a broad smile and in a heavy accent, “Right hand, left hand—both belong to ze same body but ze heart is a little to the left.” (As recalled by the Rev. William Sloane Coffin.)
As one of the few truly independent media outlets, it appears that the American people hold your platform in high regard. Today, independent journalism enjoys a unique level of public trust across the world.
I would also like to express my sincere appreciation as an Afghan veteran who was left behind by the United States. I respectfully have a request: if possible, please help amplify the voices of Afghan allies who faithfully served alongside U.S. military forces in Afghanistan over the past twenty years. Unfortunately, we are now living in extremely difficult conditions, with little to no attention from the U.S. government.
Nevertheless, I remain deeply grateful to the American people and to U.S. veterans who continue to raise their voices on our behalf and stand in solidarity with us.
Talarico may have been compelling and CBS is beyond Fascists (I stopped watching them in 2016) however I need to let everyone know Talarico is funded by Miriam Adelson, a far right political Oligarch (Google it)and he is running against Jasmine Crockett , that should concern us all.
Not exactly. Don't just Google it, go deeper. I called BS so I asked AI--Yes, I know. You have to watch AI but I trust it more than Google. So go deeper on this:
A PAC backed by billionaire Republican donor Miriam Adelson gave about $59,000 to Talarico’s state House reelection campaign in 2024.
This was widely criticized politically because Talarico campaigns against big-money influence.
That’s it.
What did NOT happen
There is no evidence that:
Adelson is funding his Senate campaign broadly
She is a major or primary backer of him
He is “her candidate”
His campaign is controlled by right-wing donors
In fact:
His Senate campaign fundraising is largely small-donor based
The pro-Talarico PAC currently reported only about $400K total, from many donors
So the viral framing (“funded by Adelson”) exaggerates a single past donation into a major sponsorship which is inaccurate.
❌ He is NOT funded or backed primarily by her
❌ No evidence she is financing his Senate campaign
👉 The statement is basically a political attack that turns a minor, controversial donation into a conspiracy-level narrative.
When a donor from the opposite party gives money to a candidate, it’s almost never because they secretly agree with them. It’s usually strategy.
I've read Adelson is a big supporter of AIPAC and the genocide...
AIPAC dislikes all progressives and have spent millions of dollars to keep them out of influential positions. Progressives are against Israel and the USA's genocide.
Crockett on the other hand is a breath of fresh air. Talarico seems to be much more interested in working across the aisle, compromising what little we still have of our democratic republic. Whereas Crockett is not interested in compromising our basic democratic republic and our Constitution, imo.
Not exactly. I don't want to give this site my e-mail address; but, you can still read the top portion. Seems she took money out of her house account and maybe that could be considered PAC money? I don't know.
YW Jasmine is a little firecracker who thinks on her feet. My only concern about her going to the Senate (she'd do a great job) would be who her replacement would be in the House.
Yes, I just wrote I wish Colbert would interview Crockett now. We do NOT need anyone associated with the oligarchy. also, I believe Adelson donated a lot of money to Talarico. Adelson is very supportive of AIPAC as well...and AIPAC is NOT a friend of progressives... In fact AIPAC tends to spend millions of dollars to keep progressives from winning. But then, AIPAC supports the genocide, and progressives do NOT.
In addition, Talarico seems to carry his religious beliefs on his sleeve, using it as a way to enhance his campaign, imo. Though Crockett has a deep belief in her religion (her grandfather was a preacher for 40 years); she does not seem to bring up her religion unless and until her beliefs are challenged...then she can quote the Bible with great efficiency. (As she did in the committee meeting I watched.) For me, she's a breath of fresh air, and what we need to change. Talarico seems much more like a polished politician, meaning I'm hesitant to believe polished politicians these days. :)
Yes exactly, I go as far as believing CBS did this as a Propaganda Stunt, never underestimate the Fascists Right to do everything they can think of to promote the White Religious Man over a Black Woman
"Meanwhile, Adelson's PAC has routinely supported both Democrats and Republicans on the state level in Texas, pushing for the state to legalize casino gambling. In 2023, Talarico voted in favor of a measure that would have given voters the chance to approve casino legalization through a constitutional amendment." (PAC gave him $59,000 in 2024, see below)
"Talarico received a total of $59,000 from the Texas Sands PAC through donations in February and December of 2024, according to state campaign finance records."
"Talarico has built a strong small-dollar donor network — his campaign says he’s received over 500,000 donations from over 290,000 individuals since launching his bid in September — and has a cash advantage over his primary opponent, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas."
A few things I noticed. Fox news didn't say he was given the money after he had voted for legalization of gambling. So was this a "reward" for his vote?
Is $59,000.00 considered a large donation from a billionaire? Did any other billionaire's give him money?
The Texas voters will need to look into this before deciding who to vote for.
I've watched her in Congressional meetings and she's a breath of fresh air, imo. Of course, I like representatives who are well prepared, and she has always been well-prepared with the necessary data to back up what she says. She's excellent at debating her side. She's also excellent at explaining the possible consequences of all parts of a bill introduced.
CBS is the state sponsored television network. It’s very sad seeing a part of our collective history disappear. I’m sorry so many people today didn’t have the opportunity to watch true journalism. Cronkite, Murrow, Rather, and many others. There were two times I saw Walter Cronkite weep on the air. First time announcing the assassination of President Kennedy and the other watching Neil Armstrong taking his first steps on the moon. Over 60 years ago and they are locked in my mind. When Dan Rather first took over as the anchor of the CBS Evening News, he would end his broadcast with one simple word, Courage. Something that doesn’t exist at CBS anymore.
That is the worst thing CBS could have done. By pulling that interview, they draw MORE attention to it and more people will want to watch it. Typical maga lunacy. CBS will soon implode and with luck and hope, it will go back to its old self and give us honorable reporting again. Stephen could create his own YouTube channel and it would attract millions, but I hope he joins Meidas.
As a lifelong Colbert fan and someone appreciative of the Meidas playbook “with receipts,” I’m very interested in that union, Stephen. Please consider.
Thanks Ben for not cowering to the fascists. Stephen, you are absolutely brilliant at your job, there is no doubt. I'd love for you to consider the Medias Touch's offer and perhaps see what could work for you. Can't wait to subscribe to your show ❤️
CBS is a joke. A deal was made and they pull programs that were some of their largest audiences. I am hoping sponsors recognize the decline and pull their support as well.
Interesting that the FCC requires "equal time" regarding Stephen Colbert's interview with James Talarico. Does FOX make "equal time" for Democratic personalities?
CBS pulling that interview is the clearest possible illustration of how authoritarian capture works without a single law being broken.
No government order. No official censorship. Just a corporation calculating that appeasing power is safer than defending journalism, and making the rational decision within a captured incentive structure. That’s how free press dies: not with a government shutdown order but with executives deciding access matters more than truth.
Colbert putting it on YouTube and getting massive numbers without corporate gatekeepers proves the audience is there.
The question is whether enough independent platforms can scale fast enough to replace legacy media that’s already decided compliance is the business model.
—Johan
Keep these comments coming, Johan. They are a real contribution to the discussion. I would add that another way we are now seeing the free press die is having billionaires purchase media outlets for the express purpose of killing them to protect their other enterprises.
Yes James. A good reason to find our way around these billionaires, and join in the BiG Tech boycott to the degree that we can.
Yes! It’s an UNSUBSCRIBE movement. Unsubscribe from as much Big Tech as you can. It’s effective and easy! Power to the people! Hit’em where it counts! Fight back!! 🥊💥🥊💥
The Resist and Unsubscribe website:
https://www.resistandunsubscribe.com/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Thank you, Nancy. This is really helpful. I've been looking for something like this. Is Safari a better choice than Google?
I am not familiar with Safari, Susan. There have to be better options than Google.
shared on fb. Thanks Nancy.
Thank you, Nancy!!!!
We should start a website telling our bad tech stories.
Delete any activity w/ amzn, fcebk, instgrm, or ANY news / media outlet that fouls our country with their dangerous, monopolistic, fascistic, destructive practices that go against the creative impulses that embody every person's life. PAY FULL PRICE and deny all the beezohs what they crave.
I like that idea. I alternate between using my phone/computer and wanting to throw both of them out the window.
Susan, all of the mutual tech has been a discussion with my daughter since my husband is not using that much of it. We are trying to find alternatives. My husband had a Mac and a university email through his job. He just retired and is de-platforming. He is looking to get a laptop that works well with Linux. We all use Signal to communicate and I am in about 9 Signal political groups, some being just for information, but others being chat groups. I am also in a Slack chat group. As a family we are thinking of moving to Threema though. I have some friends already on it.
Tonight my Political book club members and I were discussing our tech situation with Trump having Noem gather personal data on everyone who might have said something negative about ICE. I feel like we need to use tricks like they use in China or Russia, like a code when we text, and constantly changing the words, like the Gen Zers and younger, who come up with new words all the time. A friend living in the US is thinking of getting a burner phone for travel. Good idea, unless it makes them come to your home afterwards to check your phones and computers.
We were also discussing the fact that Indivisible is considered a terrorist group by the Trump administration and they send their lists of terrorists to other countries to adopt, so we are considered terrorists. I am the leader of a new Indivisible Abroad group. Since we are reading the book "1984" by Orwell, and were discussing the appendix where Newspeak is discussed, we were saying what does terrorist mean. "It means whatever group your government is against" which for Trump is not only all of the Democratic Party, but also could be the EU as an organization.
I am so glad people are considering letting go of all the big tech that they can because their owners are evil.
ICYMI,Here's the link where Colbert explains why....after CBS told him not to go there.He was brilliant...and the "nude" pic of Brandon Carr.😂
Thus is how to RESIST!!
Why CBS Didn't Broadcast Stephen Colbert's Interview With James Talarico
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh7DPSP65JA
Thanks for the link, will share far and wide!
This is excellent. Share it with Scott Dworkin, if you have not already. He has hundreds of subscribers who are doing outstanding work every hour!
Thank you, Kathy!!!!
Thanks, Kathy!!!!!
Another way that free speech and expression is on the chopping block are the epstein class (Ellis) buying up movie studios to control any narrative.
Absolutely, that’s a really important point. Ownership concentration changes the game in ways most people don’t notice. Even without overt censorship, the priorities of a few wealthy owners can shape what gets reported and what quietly disappears. I’m curious, do you see any examples of independent media that are managing to stay both profitable and truly independent, or is the system just too stacked right now?
Billionaires do not seem to be adding anything to society. I'm certain this is not true in every case, but I am not impressed by what I see. There is a better way to have a functional economy. We have a lot to reimagine. I won't live long enough to see it, but it needs to happen.
Exactly!
In a way it is a government order. By the orange dark triad parasite and his sycophants. His FCC. So in essence they are answering to someone. That's how authoritarian fascist regimes work. This is why we must overthrow them. One way or another.
My book club is just finishing Orwell's "1984" by discussing the Appendix and "Newspeak." Trump is a master at "Doublespeak," and he has used threats to intimidate media that should have never been owned by these Oligarchs from Herst on up. I am participating in a boycott of Amazon which began with me stopping my WaPo subscription. I have continued to support journalists from there who are on Substack now.
Well Linda we’ve been at the elimination of ‘toxins’ for awhile in our household by boycotting Target, leaving Amazon(painful for my spouse), CBS and some other (completely compliant to the Fascist regime) businesses and it isn’t hard to do.
Freeing yourself from these weak and immoral appendages is actually quite refreshing!
I prefer spending my time and $$ on local or small businesses!
EaB that sounds good. I am slowly detoxing. My husband is about to get his non-US laptop that is Linux compatible. He already does not use a US made phone, and has replaced his work gmail address with a European email service. He does watch videos on YouTube, but nothing else in US Big Tech that I can think of. We have not been social media users. We use Signal as a family and mostly communicate with those friends who have it too. Each thing we have stripped has made me feel good. My daughter and I still have Apple laptops and phones. I can replace the phone in the fall. Am planning the replacement.
Well Linda we’ve been at the elimination of ‘toxins’ for awhile in our household by boycotting Target, leaving Amazon(painful for my spouse), CBS and some other (completely compliant to the Fascist regime) businesses and it isn’t hard to do.
Freeing yourself from these weak and immoral appendages is actually quite refreshing!
I prefer spending my attention, time and $$ on local or small businesses and independent media!
Had to add the Independent Media to my edited version.
Linda, you have the benefit of living outside of the US right now.
If only. However like you we have avoided joining any form of social media. Substack is now everything I feel the need to have. I’ve been very careful and people call me paranoid but I don’t suffer from FOMO, so it’s all good !
Agree. George Cheeks is now fully complicit in trump’s fascist agenda to create an authoritarian regime funded by oligarchs.
And we need to do our best to defund the oligarchs. UNSUBSCRIBE.
Absolutely!
America cannot survive with a state governed media. That is against our constitution. We must insist and fall freedom of speech and full freedom of the press. Everything in our bill of rights is essential to being an American.
Bravo to Ben for inviting Colbert to come to the Meidas Group.
Hope he accepts the invite 🇨🇦👍
It looks like his YouTube channel is doing well though, but we shall see.
Now to get rid of the Michael Cohen stain🤮
Yes!
Bring on Laura "Melania" Benanti PLEASE!!!!
Yes.
It probably doesn’t need to be repeated, but for those of you who haven’t already done so, boycott CBS/Paramount. That means all of their broadcast, streaming or theatrical content.
It does bear repeating and often. Keep reminding folks what assholes there are at CBS and let's do everything we can to hurt their profit margins. Thanks Kim!
The only show I watch on CBS is Colbert, for Colbert. When he leaves, I’m gone.
It would be great to have him on Meidas—and also doing shows, at least some of the time, with live audiences, because he thrives and is so great doing the stand-up.
I am on it Kim. Was just explaining to my daughter last night why we were not going to go back on Paramount. She asked why they were bad. I told her what my thoughts were and she accepted them. She finished her finals and wanted to watch a series that was on there. She heard me and found it on Mubi instead.
I don't know if they need to scale fast enough, but right now I see a lot of replacement of legacy media here in Substack. I subscribe to several as well as things like the AP and the Guardian as well as publications from other countries.
This wasn't even about "defending journalism." It's about censoring comedy/satire/ entertainment. If tRump and his lapdogs have their way, the country will be reduced to "knock knock" and fart jokes.
Perfectly stated.
In J-School this self-censorship was called "prior restraint."
We need smart, intelligent, energetic people like you Stephen to fight back. Please consider joining the Medias Touch Network and continuing the battle for democracy.
I get all my news from colbert and Stewart. True 🇺🇲
Because they subscribe to truthiness
I read Meidas in the morning.and I do watch the View. The rest is usually,lies.
Absolutely
Colbert wont be short of creative opportunities to establish a vibrant platform when he's free of CBS. This might be a good one. MAGA will always have its collective knickers in a twist over truth shot across the bow with genuine honesty, heart, and hilarity. The humorless right-wing can only respond with ignorance, bigotry, nastiness, and ridiculous stupidity. True wit is beyond them because...as Colbert once quipped…reality does have a liberal bias.
🤓
Stephen Colbert, as a practicing Catholic, might particularly appreciate this story… One of the great church people of the western hemisphere was Archbishop Helda Camarara of Recife, Brazil. He once said, with a broad smile and in a heavy accent, “Right hand, left hand—both belong to ze same body but ze heart is a little to the left.” (As recalled by the Rev. William Sloane Coffin.)
Well said!
Beautiful
Well, well, well. Apparently all of CBS George Cheeks’ appendages are smaller than tiny hands trump’s. And that’s saying something BIGLY!
Hahahaha😂
Absolutely… right wing fascist is what we should refer to them. Right wing MAGA fascist is the trump party
As one of the few truly independent media outlets, it appears that the American people hold your platform in high regard. Today, independent journalism enjoys a unique level of public trust across the world.
I would also like to express my sincere appreciation as an Afghan veteran who was left behind by the United States. I respectfully have a request: if possible, please help amplify the voices of Afghan allies who faithfully served alongside U.S. military forces in Afghanistan over the past twenty years. Unfortunately, we are now living in extremely difficult conditions, with little to no attention from the U.S. government.
Nevertheless, I remain deeply grateful to the American people and to U.S. veterans who continue to raise their voices on our behalf and stand in solidarity with us.
🇨🇦 very well said 🇨🇦
How fantastic it would be if Colbert joined Meidas Touch 🤞🤞
yes, please, get unconditional and enthusiastic support from Italy ❤️
And France. You make our mornings (time differences and all that). Please join us xxx
Talarico may have been compelling and CBS is beyond Fascists (I stopped watching them in 2016) however I need to let everyone know Talarico is funded by Miriam Adelson, a far right political Oligarch (Google it)and he is running against Jasmine Crockett , that should concern us all.
Not exactly. Don't just Google it, go deeper. I called BS so I asked AI--Yes, I know. You have to watch AI but I trust it more than Google. So go deeper on this:
A PAC backed by billionaire Republican donor Miriam Adelson gave about $59,000 to Talarico’s state House reelection campaign in 2024.
This was widely criticized politically because Talarico campaigns against big-money influence.
That’s it.
What did NOT happen
There is no evidence that:
Adelson is funding his Senate campaign broadly
She is a major or primary backer of him
He is “her candidate”
His campaign is controlled by right-wing donors
In fact:
His Senate campaign fundraising is largely small-donor based
The pro-Talarico PAC currently reported only about $400K total, from many donors
So the viral framing (“funded by Adelson”) exaggerates a single past donation into a major sponsorship which is inaccurate.
❌ He is NOT funded or backed primarily by her
❌ No evidence she is financing his Senate campaign
👉 The statement is basically a political attack that turns a minor, controversial donation into a conspiracy-level narrative.
When a donor from the opposite party gives money to a candidate, it’s almost never because they secretly agree with them. It’s usually strategy.
Thank you for saving me some time today in having to research this!
I've read Adelson is a big supporter of AIPAC and the genocide...
AIPAC dislikes all progressives and have spent millions of dollars to keep them out of influential positions. Progressives are against Israel and the USA's genocide.
Crockett on the other hand is a breath of fresh air. Talarico seems to be much more interested in working across the aisle, compromising what little we still have of our democratic republic. Whereas Crockett is not interested in compromising our basic democratic republic and our Constitution, imo.
Talarico's chances of beating Paxton are far greater than Crockett's. It's Texas after all.
Has Crockett accepted AIPAC money?????
Not exactly. I don't want to give this site my e-mail address; but, you can still read the top portion. Seems she took money out of her house account and maybe that could be considered PAC money? I don't know.
AIPAC isn't specifically mentioned.
Just scroll down the page.
https://theintercept.com/2026/02/13/jasmine-crockett-texas-senate-corporate-cash/
This is the money she received 2023 and 2024 : https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/jasmine-crockett/summary?cid=N00049840&cycle=2024
Yes, thanks for the research!
YW Jasmine is a little firecracker who thinks on her feet. My only concern about her going to the Senate (she'd do a great job) would be who her replacement would be in the House.
Wow, did not know this. Hmmmm.
Yes, I just wrote I wish Colbert would interview Crockett now. We do NOT need anyone associated with the oligarchy. also, I believe Adelson donated a lot of money to Talarico. Adelson is very supportive of AIPAC as well...and AIPAC is NOT a friend of progressives... In fact AIPAC tends to spend millions of dollars to keep progressives from winning. But then, AIPAC supports the genocide, and progressives do NOT.
In addition, Talarico seems to carry his religious beliefs on his sleeve, using it as a way to enhance his campaign, imo. Though Crockett has a deep belief in her religion (her grandfather was a preacher for 40 years); she does not seem to bring up her religion unless and until her beliefs are challenged...then she can quote the Bible with great efficiency. (As she did in the committee meeting I watched.) For me, she's a breath of fresh air, and what we need to change. Talarico seems much more like a polished politician, meaning I'm hesitant to believe polished politicians these days. :)
Yes exactly, I go as far as believing CBS did this as a Propaganda Stunt, never underestimate the Fascists Right to do everything they can think of to promote the White Religious Man over a Black Woman
Thanks for that interesting tidbit.
"Meanwhile, Adelson's PAC has routinely supported both Democrats and Republicans on the state level in Texas, pushing for the state to legalize casino gambling. In 2023, Talarico voted in favor of a measure that would have given voters the chance to approve casino legalization through a constitutional amendment." (PAC gave him $59,000 in 2024, see below)
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/texas-democrat-who-rails-against-billionaire-cash-takes-59k-from-trump-backing-megadonor
"Talarico received a total of $59,000 from the Texas Sands PAC through donations in February and December of 2024, according to state campaign finance records."
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/21/james-talarico-miriam-adelson-billionaire-donations-00517288
"Talarico has built a strong small-dollar donor network — his campaign says he’s received over 500,000 donations from over 290,000 individuals since launching his bid in September — and has a cash advantage over his primary opponent, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas."
This site also talks about Crockett's finances.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/21/james-talarico-miriam-adelson-billionaire-donations-00517288
A few things I noticed. Fox news didn't say he was given the money after he had voted for legalization of gambling. So was this a "reward" for his vote?
Is $59,000.00 considered a large donation from a billionaire? Did any other billionaire's give him money?
The Texas voters will need to look into this before deciding who to vote for.
Do you have any evidence of any of contribution since the $59K in 2024?
But, as much as value Jasmine Crockett, heard she takes AIPAC money. Sometimes there's no perfect choices, as it does take money nowadays to campaign.
I haven't read that she takes AIPAC money.
I've watched her in Congressional meetings and she's a breath of fresh air, imo. Of course, I like representatives who are well prepared, and she has always been well-prepared with the necessary data to back up what she says. She's excellent at debating her side. She's also excellent at explaining the possible consequences of all parts of a bill introduced.
You heard wrong, what the Republicans won’t do to keep a Black Woman out of power
CBS is the state sponsored television network. It’s very sad seeing a part of our collective history disappear. I’m sorry so many people today didn’t have the opportunity to watch true journalism. Cronkite, Murrow, Rather, and many others. There were two times I saw Walter Cronkite weep on the air. First time announcing the assassination of President Kennedy and the other watching Neil Armstrong taking his first steps on the moon. Over 60 years ago and they are locked in my mind. When Dan Rather first took over as the anchor of the CBS Evening News, he would end his broadcast with one simple word, Courage. Something that doesn’t exist at CBS anymore.
That is the worst thing CBS could have done. By pulling that interview, they draw MORE attention to it and more people will want to watch it. Typical maga lunacy. CBS will soon implode and with luck and hope, it will go back to its old self and give us honorable reporting again. Stephen could create his own YouTube channel and it would attract millions, but I hope he joins Meidas.
I agree. CBS is making this interview go viral. I hadn't heard of it until this controversy and now intend to watch immediately after posting.
They have lost Anderson Cooper as well, one of the brightest.
As long as YouTube doesn’t cave. Is Google big enough to withstand what so many others have not?
Yes Ben yes!! I got goosebumps reading this. 💙
As a lifelong Colbert fan and someone appreciative of the Meidas playbook “with receipts,” I’m very interested in that union, Stephen. Please consider.
Thanks Ben for not cowering to the fascists. Stephen, you are absolutely brilliant at your job, there is no doubt. I'd love for you to consider the Medias Touch's offer and perhaps see what could work for you. Can't wait to subscribe to your show ❤️
This would be huge if Stephen would assent to come on board at Meidas Touch.
Stephen would be a great addition.
CBS is a joke. A deal was made and they pull programs that were some of their largest audiences. I am hoping sponsors recognize the decline and pull their support as well.
Is the interview posted somewhere?
There y'go:
https://youtu.be/oiTJ7Pz_59A?si=_Ss_f1x-jH50C3FI
Share where you can!
Thank you!
YouTube
it's on U-Tube, just search for 'Stephen Colbert'
Interesting that the FCC requires "equal time" regarding Stephen Colbert's interview with James Talarico. Does FOX make "equal time" for Democratic personalities?