We are unpacking a new feature where we assess the news landscape from the past seven days and ascertain if one news organization rose up by lowering itself on a consistent basis. Donald Trump’s announced choices for cabinet and agency positions has the press losing their composure, so the competition was fierce. Let’s scratch our heads and hold our noses as we delve into the mayhem.

THE CONTENDERS

Politico - Instead of hailing the first-ever female Chief of Staff, the outlet declared her a threat to democracy. Then they altered their post on the article because it was supposedly inaccurate, although it just repeated the subheader. It claimed the defense community opposed the Pete Hegseth nomination and gave quotes from a Bush-era wonk and a lobbyist. Political pundit Jonathan Martin was still pushing the book ban myth. In the Playbook section they cite anonymous sources saying Elon Musk is a bother at Mar-a-Lago.

CNN - The post-election audience flight was felt as ratings fell to a level not seen since 2000. The panel of experts declared Pete Hegseth unacceptable to be in a leadership role; a TV pundit is unqualified, according to the TV pundits. After its worst ratings in years the official word internally is that hundreds of jobs are slated to be cut, including on-air talent.

MSNBC - The network has been largely silent about the emerging scandal of the Kamala Harris campaign paying Al Sharpton half a million dollars for her favorable interview. Jen Psaki was on a vid-cast promoting using the law to go after social media.  After more than a year of demonizing Trump and Republicans as Fascists, and worse, they are softening their messages in light of a new GOP regime. “Morning Joe” now says they are willing to bring them on the show. The network also suffered a severe ratings hit, dropping -50 percent of its audience last week and this week hitting a 23-year low.

Winner

NBC News - 

Kristen Welker started things off by whining about the cost of deporting immigrants. The cost of supporting them and doling out benefits is no such concern, nor was Biden flying them INTO the country, nor when Obama was deporting millions during his terms.

In reporting on the FEMA Trump flag scandal, one reporter turned outraged at those criticizing her soft-peddling the report, as well as refusing to credit Daily Wire for breaking the story. Lester Holt led the charge against Trump appointments all week on the nightly network broadcast.

Ken Dilanian was having a bad week. He first complained that Trump's threatening to use the DOJ to target lawbreakers would break 5 decades of norms, ignoring Joe Biden weaponizing the DOJ with lawfare and four Trump indictments. Next, the national justice correspondent was very bothered by the pick of Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, as well as Tulsi Gabbard being named for Director of National Intelligence, the Pete Hagseth Defense Department pick, and even was rooting for Jack Smith to appear before Congress.

He even hinted at joining the other journos jumping ship from Xitter to Bluesky.

VIDEO - NBC’s Ken Dilanian Freaks out About Matt Gaetz: ‘People Are Absolutely Horrified and That’s Not an Exaggeration’ https://t.co/WBI8fyBVw8

— Grabien (@GrabienMedia) November 14, 2024