Joining me now is Matt Stler, director of research at the American Economic Liberties Project and author of the book Goliath: The Hundred-Year- War Between Monopoly Power and Democracy. Matt, welcome to the show. It's good to have you here.Hey, thanks for having me. Matt, I'm I'm trying really hard to to make sure people understand this this connection that monopolies and corporate control and consolidation are all bad, but they're not just bad for the sake of being bad because your prices go up. They're ba ...

Media Industry & Market Dynamics - Sinclair and NextStar ended their boycotts of Jimmy Kimmel Live, representing about 20% of all ABC stations [1] - The boycott was influenced by "thoughtful feedback from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders" [3] - The situation is viewed as a power grab, with potential authoritarian influence exerted through governmental pressure [4] - Boycotts can be effective, but relying solely on consumer action is unsustainable [5][6] Regulatory & Political Implications - Government agencies, like the FCC, may be used to exert pressure on media outlets [12] - The situation is compared to historical instances of government suppression of free speech, such as the Sedition Act of 1798 and McCarthyism [11][16] - The events are seen as a "test case" for potential future actions, where pressure can be applied without explicit legal violations [18] - Media consolidation gives government entities leverage over companies [19] Consumer & Corporate Responsibility - The public's ability to "unsubscribe" from services like Disney Plus demonstrates a form of consumer power [5][20] - There's a need for elected officials to actively counter corporate power and protect free speech [7][22] - Billionaires and large corporations are unlikely to prioritize free speech over their bottom line [9]

US Politics & Free Speech - The discussion highlights the importance of free speech in American society, noting that figures like Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and Todd Young, despite their differences, uphold the First Amendment and the American spirit of freedom [2] - Concerns are raised about the erosion of the traditional separation between the West Wing and the Department of Justice, with accusations that the president is weaponizing democratic institutions to target political enemies, signaling authoritarianism [4] - The potential impact of the president's actions on international relations is discussed, with concerns that his speeches and behavior are alienating allies and impacting the perception of the United States abroad [4][5] Trump & International Relations - The report suggests a possible shift in President Trump's stance on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, with a more encouraging tone towards Ukraine and a stronger stance against Putin, though skepticism remains about the consistency and reliability of this shift [6] - European leaders may be starting to understand that some of President Trump's actions and rhetoric are primarily for domestic consumption, although concerns persist about his erratic behavior and deal-making approach on the world stage [6] - There is discussion about the disconnect between President Trump's public statements at the UN and his private interactions with world leaders, with some suggesting that his UN speeches are primarily aimed at his MAGA base [6] Analysis of Trump's Behavior - Chris Matthews suggests that Trump "smells weakness" and that his behavior may be influenced by intelligence suggesting Russia's economy is collapsing, potentially leading to a change in his approach to Ukraine [7] - The discussion touches on Trump's tendency to personalize issues and his potential for erratic behavior, with examples such as his treatment of Zilinsky and his evolving attitude towards Putin [6] - The report mentions Trump's history of attacking perceived enemies and the possibility that figures like Ted Cruz, who have criticized him, may become targets of his ire [7][8][9]

“Authoritarians are, among other things, inherently funny.” On “The Intelligence”: a historical look at how they have dealt with the comedians who lampoon them https://t.co/00PvafYyUH https://t.co/dSovsMGqQU ...

Also on the daily podcast: the Chinese brands lost in translation, and the long, funny history of comedians and authoritarians https://t.co/junQm2SNuT ...

Right now, the breaking news that in this major reversal, Disney will bring Jimmy Kimmel back. Uh, that is a long ways from how they sounded last week, and that will be tomorrow. Disney and ABC announcing Kimmel goes back on the air despite these government Trump efforts to silence him tomorrow.Here is the statement. I'm going to read you exactly what Disney said so you can make sense of it yourself. Last Wednesday, we made the decision, these Disney executives say, to quote, suspend production on the show, ...

Liberalism may seem an exhausted ideology with little to offer, but in fact it is most essential when grappling with authoritarian impulses. These books help to explain why https://t.co/6dn7BjRsXr ...

Political Satire and Authoritarianism - The report highlights a Russian puppet show from 1999 that satirized Boris Yeltsin and predicted Vladimir Putin's authoritarian rule, showcasing comedy as an early warning sign [1][2][7] - The show's prediction of Putin remaining in power for 20 years and the subsequent suppression of the show by the Kremlin illustrate the erosion of freedom of speech in Russia [2][3] US Democracy and Potential Threats - The analysis draws parallels between Russia's slide into autocracy and potential threats to American democracy, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and fighting against such threats [4][5][13] - The report suggests that crackdowns on freedom can be a slow, incremental process, disguised as legality and public interest [10][11][12][13] - The piece warns that the US Constitution requires active defense and that the upcoming midterm elections may be free but not fair, highlighting concerns about potential abuse of power [13][14] Actions and Mobilization - The report suggests focusing on specific actions, such as contacting Republican representatives, to voice opposition and ensure accountability [18] - The analysis points out the importance of mobilizing people beyond general protests, emphasizing the need to address specific power structures [17][18]

Good evening from New York. I'm Chris Hayes. When Steven Kber announced that his late night show was being cancelled back in July, the president of the United States, Donald Trump, had a chilling reaction.>> Fallon has no talent. Kimmel has no talent. They're next. They're going to be going. I hear they're going to be going.I don't know, but I would imagine because they get, you know, Co Bear has better ratings than Kimmel or Fallon. You know that >> they're next. I hear they're going to be going.Well, toni ...

The story of democracy is always to be continued. That may be the only thing we can say about democracy with any certainty. It's never a story with a neat beginning or a tidy ending.Democracy is often fragile, imperfect, imperfect, and alive thing that must be nurtured and defended every single day. The presidential historian John Mechum captured that truth powerfully when he reminded us that democracy is a work in progress because we ourselves are a work in progress. quote, "A democracy is the fullest expr ...