This week, we say hello to a new pope and goodbye to Nate Moore—Chris’s AEI research assistant, but more importantly, a fellow wretch who’s been a big part of the podcast. We also talk about the Pulitzer winners and the media’s coverage of the declining health of John Fetterman and Joe Biden. Wretch on! Time Stamps: Front Page: 02:22Obsessions: 27:43Reader Mail: 36:10Favorite Items: 38:53 Show Notes: New York Magazine: The Hidden Struggle of John Fetterman AP News: Sen. John Fetterman raises ala...
May 09, 2025•43 min
Chris and Eliana are back, starting with Trump’s 100-day media blitz, Tim Walz’s code-switching, the private group chats shaping American politics, and—most importantly—the origin of Jo Jo potatoes. Wretch on! Time Stamps: Front Page: 1:29 Obsessions: 1:03:31 Reader Mail: 1:11:31 Favorite Items: 1:18:36 Show Notes: The Atlantic: Read The Atlantic’s Interview With Donald Trump Time: Read the Full Transcript of Donald Trump’s ‘100 Days’ Interview With TIME Axios: Scoop: White House launches Drudge...
May 02, 2025•1 hr 22 min
This week, Eliana flies solo and sits down with Jewish Insider’s Lahav Harkov for a conversation about her path through Israeli and American media — and what the press got wrong and (less often) right about the Israel-Gaza war. Wretch on! If you have a story you want to discuss with us, email us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts dot com. Show Notes: New York Magazine: Everything We Know About the Gaza City Hospital Blast The Washington Post: Israel’s war with Hamas separates Palestinian babies from t...
Apr 25, 2025•54 min
This week, we dive into Trump’s showdown on two fronts: immigration and Ivy League endowments. Then we head to space to marvel at the bravery of Blue Origin. And finally, we unwrap the explosive piece on Elon Musk’s quest to spawn a generation of genetically gifted super-babies. Wretch on! If you have a story you want to discuss with us, email us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts dot com. Time Stamps: 1:57 - Front Page 51:48 - Obsessions 1:00:56 - Reader Mail 1:06:41 - Favorite Items Show Notes: Medi...
Apr 18, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Josh Kraushaar, editor-in-chief of Jewish Insider, fills in for Eliana to discuss the latest on tariffs, the White House press pool, and Stephen A. Smith flirting with a presidential run. Wretch on! If you have a story you want to discuss with us, email us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts dot com. Time Stamps: 3:27 - Front Page 58:20 - Obsessions 1:05:40 - Reader Mail 1:07:55 - Favorite Items Show Notes: The Wall Street Journal: The False Tariff Headline That Sent Stocks on a $2 Trillion Ride The In...
Apr 11, 2025•1 hr 13 min
Do you smell that? It’s the McRib Shower Gel—available only in Germany. Aside from that, we’ve got Liberation Day, Cory Booker’s latest stunt, White House Correspondents’ Dinner drama, and more. Wretch on! If you have a story you want to discuss with us, email us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts dot com. Time Stamps: 2:02 - Front Page 1:00:12 - Obsessions 1:07:43 - Reader Mail 1:11:29 - Favorite Items Show Notes: The New York Times: How Are Trump’s Tariff Rates Calculated? Mediaite: Fox News Anchor:...
Apr 04, 2025•1 hr 15 min
In case you haven’t gotten enough of Signalgate, we’re here to help. We’re also diving into Columbia University, vibe shifts, and family outings at Hooters. Wretch on! If you have a story you want to discuss with us, email us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts dot com. Time Stamps: Front Page - 2:07 Obsessions - 1:00:43 Reader Mail - 1:09:49 Favorite Items - 1:11:27 Show Notes: The Atlantic: Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on Signal The Hill: Vance rips ‘hit piece’ in Jewish Ins...
Mar 29, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Happy Thursday! We’re coming to you a day early with MAGA infighting, a showdown at Columbia University, a media vibe shift, and the story behind the original Egg McMuffin. Wretch on! Time Stamps: 2:26 - Front Page 55:10 - Obsessions 1:04:39 - Reader Mail 1:08:51 - Favorite Items If you have a story you want to discuss with us, email us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts dot com. Show Notes: The New York Times: The Populist vs. the Billionaire: Bannon, Musk and the Battle Within MAGA The New Republic:...
Mar 13, 2025•1 hr 13 min
Watch this episode on YouTube! The Wretches are back in the studio, and it feels so good. This week, we’re covering Trump’s joint address to Congress, tariffs, ‘based’ Newsom, and much more. Wretch on! 1:55 - Front Page 29:07 - Obsessions 37:24 - Reader mail 42:26 - Favorite Items Reuters: Storm clouds gather over US economy as Trump kicks off trade war CBS News: Poll on Trump's 2025 joint address to Congress finds large majority of viewers approve National Review: When the Left Is Too Smug Even...
Mar 07, 2025•46 min
Happy Saturday from your favorite band of Wretches! We’re diving deep into the latest from the White House Press Pool, Jake Tapper’s Biden book, shake-ups at MSNBC, and a true obsession with Gene Hackman. Wretch on! Time Stamps: 2:36 - Front Page 42:25 - Obsessions 55:09 - Reader Mail 57:37 - Favorite Items National Journal: White House wrests control of pool coverage away from reporters Axios: Judge upholds Trump's right to block AP for now Semafor: Reuters and Associated Press among outlets ba...
Mar 01, 2025•1 hr 3 min
We’re kicking off with the biggest story in American news media: the Murdoch family. We’re also discussing Hamas, Ukraine, and Mayor Karen Bass’s masterclass in spin. Wretch on! Timestamps: 4:28 - Front Page 46:35 - Obsessions 55:55 - Reader Mail 57:21 - Favorite Items Show Notes: The Atlantic: Growing Up Murdoch The New York Times: ‘You’ve Blown a Hole in the Family’: Inside the Murdochs’ Succession Drama The New York Times: Hamas Releases What It Said Were the Bodies of 4 Israeli Hostages Free...
Feb 22, 2025•1 hr
Watch this episode on YouTube. We’re back in person, and it feels good. Today’s theme is “crisis”—or the lack thereof. Whether it’s a crisis in the White House press room, the FBI, the FCC, or a general “constitutional crisis,” we’ve got it covered. Plus, Chris gets nostalgic about Ajit Pai. Wretch on! Time Stamps: 2:06 - Front Page 43:05 - Obsessions 49:05 - Reader Mail 50:52 - Favorite Items Mediaite: White House Bans Associated Press Reporter From Trump and Musk Oval Office Event, Editor Says...
Feb 14, 2025•55 min
Chris takes the lead this week as Eliana rests her vocal cords. This week, we are covering everything from the FCC to the trans sports ban out of the White House, as well as a few items on the Super Bowl and the latest shake from McDonald’s. Wretch on! Time Stamps: 2:04 - Front Page 52:01 - Obsessions 55:56 - Reader Mail 57:48 - Favorite Items Show Notes: The Wall Street Journal: More Than 40,000 Federal Workers Have Resigned So Far, Short of Target The Washington Post: Republican ire at USAID f...
Feb 08, 2025•1 hr
The theme (so far) of Trump’s second administration has been shock and awe. This week, Chris and Eliana explain why you can’t shock yourself in the process. Aside from the White House, they discuss Jim Acosta, The New York Times’ audience, and dress shoe styles. Wretch on! Time Stamps: Front Page - 3:17 Obsessions - 42:43 Reader Mail - 52:01 Favorite Items - 54:45 Show Notes: CNBC: White House says Trump funding freeze remains in effect despite rescinding OMB memo The Atlantic: The Memo That Sho...
Jan 31, 2025•59 min
This is not a crypto scam—it’s an opportunity. As for the news about the news, we’re diving deep into the inauguration, Trump’s administration, Prince Harry, and much more. Wretch on! Time Stamps: 4:05 - Front page 59:54 - Obsessions 1:09:55 - Reader Mail 1:15:30 - Favorites The Washington Post: Trump inauguration puts the fashion in old-fashioned The New York Times: The Bishop Who Pleaded With Trump: ‘Was Anyone Going to Say Anything?’ MSNBC: Black America in a 'state of emergency': Civil right...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr 19 min
Today, we bid bon voyage to the Biden administration by reflecting on President Biden’s farewell address, Jill Biden’s exit interview with The Washington Post, and KJP’s final appearance in the White House Press Room. We’re also diving into media coverage of the L.A. wildfires, drama at The Washington Post, and an Obama lawyer’s $20 million mansion fiasco. Wretch on! TIME STAMPS 2:03 - Front Page 54:54 - Obsessions 1:06:01 - Reader Mail 1:08:26 - Favorites Salon: "It threatens our entire democra...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Wretches, we’re back! This week, we’re diving deep into the state of fact-checking. We also discuss Susie Wiles, Justin Trudeau, and the ongoing turmoil at The Washington Post. Wretch on! Time Stamps: 06:27 Front Page 52:46 Obsessions 1:00:01 Reader Mail 1:02:01 Favorite Items Show Notes: The Daily Beast: L.A. Mayor Suffers Brutal On-Air Moment as Wildfires Rage The New York Times: Meta to End Fact-Checking Program in Shift Ahead of Trump Term The Verge: Threads and Instagram are for politics no...
Jan 10, 2025•1 hr 6 min
This week, we are looking back on 2024 to see how we got here. We’re revisiting the rise of Trump 2.0, the decline of mainstream outlets like MSNBC, and the other biggest moments in American news media this year. Wretch on, and we’ll see you in the new year. Show Notes: The New York Times: 5 Takeaways From the Haley-DeSantis Debate and Trump’s Town Hall The New York Times: This Again? In Frozen Iowa, the Press Corps Ponders a Slog of a Campaign. The Atlantic: Why Attacks on Trump’s Mental Acuity...
Dec 27, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Watch this episode on YouTube! Bad news: Eliana is out this week. Good news: The Washington Post’s Megan McCardle is stepping in. We cover everything from The Wall Street Journal’s victory lap on Biden coverage to the drama at BlueSky and the rising role of health in politics. Wretch on! Time Stamps: 5:04 - Front Page 1:20:29 - Obsessions 1:28:41 - Reader Mail 1:32:19 - Favorite Items Show Notes: The Wall Street Journal: How the White House Functioned With a Diminished Biden in Charge Semafor: K...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 38 min
Before diving into U.S. politics, we’re starting with Vogue’s poorly aged profile of Bashar al-Assad’s wife and the flurry of reports on the CEO assassin. Stick around for the latest coverage on the Trump world, the fashion-fueled conflict in the upcoming Administration, and group text dynamics. Wretch on! Time Stamps: 1:09 Front Page 37:42 Obsessions 45:00 Reader Mail 48:52 Favorite Items Show Notes: The Atlantic: The Only Remaining Online Copy of Vogue's Asma al-Assad Profile The Wall Street J...
Dec 12, 2024•52 min
Watch this episode on YouTube. Before diving into politics, we’re breaking down the media’s coverage of the UnitedHealthcare CEO assassination and how it became political. Stick around for the press’s role in Hunter Biden’s pardon, Trump’s cabinet, and the future of CBS. Wretch on! Time Stamps: 5:02 Front Page 44:10 Obsessions 52:22 Reader Mail 56:06 Favorite Items
Dec 06, 2024•1 hr
Welcome to an early episode this week! Before diving into our Thanksgiving takes, we’re discussing the “normalcy” of Trump’s win, the last cable news star, and a Cormac McCarthy scoop that went viral for all the wrong reasons. Wretch on, and Happy Thanksgiving from your favorite Wretches! Time Stamps: 2:00 Front page 35:50 Obsessions 43:22 Reader Mail 45:03 Favorite Items Show Notes: The New York Times: Opinion | The Bizarro Normalcy of the Public Reaction to Trump’s Win The New York Times: Elec...
Nov 27, 2024•50 min
Watch the video episode on YouTube. The media business of yesteryear is gone, folks. This week, we’re breaking down MSNBC’s brutal week, Trump’s cabinet chaos, and the ongoing postmortem for the Democrats. Be sure to send us your favorite Thanksgiving traditions, and as always, Wretch on. Time Stamps: 01:11 Front Page 48:26 Obsessions 51:45 Reader Mail 53:55 Favorite Items Show Notes: Mediaite: Joe and Mika’s ‘Fears of Retribution’ As Motivation for Trump Meeting Feels a Lot Like Clean Up on Ais...
Nov 22, 2024•59 min
Much has happened since our last episode—or so we’ve heard. Get ready as we dive into it all: Trump’s ‘landslide’ victory, key takeaways for Democrats, Trump Administration 2.0, Elon Musk, and, of course, the American news media’s reaction to the election results. Wretch on! Time Stamps: 1:19 - Front Page 49:25 - Obsessions 54:10 - Reader Mail 56:33 - Favorite Items Show Notes: Daily Mail: Election results breakdown reveals how Trump won by a landslide - taking both the popular vote and the cruc...
Nov 14, 2024•1 hr
It’s the final countdown, folks. We’ll see you on the other side. But what does that mean, exactly? We’re breaking down what next week could look like, as well as Garbage Gate, the meltdown at The Washington Post, and Nerds Gummy Clusters. Wretch on! Time Stamps: 9:00 Front Page 54:44 Obsessions 59:44 Favorite Items Show Notes: The Washington Post: Will TV viewers trust network election calls? Chris Stirewalt hopes so. The Washington Post: Did Biden call Trump supporters ‘garbage’? It comes down...
Nov 02, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Christine Rosen is back in the saddle as Chris braves air travel this week on Ink Stained Wretches. Welcome in as we discuss Kamala’s performance on CNN’s Town Hall, The Atlantic’s story on “Generals” and of course, Trump’s stop at McDonalds. Wretch on! Time Stamps: Front Page - 1:08 Reader Mail - 53:46 Favorites 54:41 Show Notes: The New York Times: Kamala Harris and McDonald’s: A College Job, and a Trump Attack The Atlantic: Trump: ‘I Need the Kind of Generals That Hitler Had’ The New York Tim...
Oct 25, 2024•1 hr
Even if neither presidential candidate is economically literate, the great media blitz of 2024 rolls on. This week on Ink Stained Wretches, we break down the friendly interviews, the cautious ones, and the controversies behind them (ahem, CBS). Wretch on! Time Stamps: 2:10 Front Page 40:14 Obsessions 49:51 Reader Mail 54:16 Favorite Items Show Notes: AP News: Kamala Harris will sit down with Bret Baier for her first Fox News interview The New York Times: Harris Slams Trump in Interview With Char...
Oct 17, 2024•58 min
If you’re not caught up on the CBS controversy, we’ve got you covered in today’s episode. We break down the interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates and its aftermath. We also discuss the 2024 media blitz, Trump’s decision to decline a Fox debate, and climate change. Wretch on! Time Stamps: 2:04 Front Page 44:29 Obsessions 52:14 Reader Mail 55:20 Favorite Items If you have a story you want us to talk about, e-mail us at [email protected]. Sign Up for the Newsletter: https://wretches.substack....
Oct 11, 2024•1 hr
How has Hurricane Helene impacted the election? Will the VP debate sway voters? Why did Melania release a pro-abortion memoir and request $250,000 from CNN? All of this and more will be discussed on today’s episode. Wretch on! Time Stamps: 4:06 Front Page 56:29 Obsessions 1:03:09 Reader Mail 1:07:16 Favorite Items Show Notes: Politico: Trump and Kemp to appear together for first time since 2020 Politico: Harris consoles those devastated by Helene in Georgia — a contrast with Trump's visit Wall S...
Oct 05, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Today we are discussing Kamala Harris’s holistic approach to interviews, her contested time as a Mcdonald’s employee and the indictment of NYC mayor Eric Adams. Tune in! Time Stamps: 3:06 Front Page 52:36 Obsessions 59:50 Reader Mail 1:03:40 Favorite Items Show Notes: Free Beacon: Word Salad Sandwich: Harris Dodges Softballs in Friendly Chat With MSNBC's Stephanie Ruhle The New York Times: 3 Takeaways From Kamala Harris’s Interview on MSNBC The New York Times: Harris Has a Lot of Strengths. Givi...
Sep 28, 2024•1 hr 7 min
