🔴 Redshift: MAGA's Hollywood Takeover
Also, beef between Tucker and Ben Shapiro
Editorial Team
May 04, 2025
Mentioned in this edition: Tucker Carlson, Ben Shapiro, Megyn Kelly, Matt Walsh, Glenn Greenwald, Theo Von, Elon Musk, Shari Redstone, David and Larry Ellison, and more.
Good morning. A massive merger between Paramount and Skydance is under review that, if approved, could significantly shift the balance of power in Hollywood to MAGA. We also look at the latest in the Tucker Carlson-Ben Shapiro feud, exposing rifts on the right regarding Ukraine, Israel, and more.
WHAT WE'RE WATCHING
💥 Tucker Carlson-Ben Shapiro feud heats up. Last week, Tucker Carlson appeared on The Megyn Kelly Show, where Carlson bashed Ben Shapiro as a warmonger who wants to pull the US into a war with Iran. Shapiro has likewise criticized Carlson as being too friendly towards Russia. Libertarian commentator Dave Rubin offered to host a debate between the two. Shapiro then stated he agreed to go on Tucker’s show, but the latter’s busy travel schedule has delayed it.
📱 Trump’s “Board of Directors” revealed. Political analyst Mark Halperin shared that President Trump’s decision-making is guided by a "Board of Directors" consisting of Donald Trump Jr., Charlie Kirk, and Tucker Carlson. Halperin says the three are in constant text communication and have a tremendous impact on whether the president moves forward with certain actions. This reveals how Trump relies on individuals outside his administration for key advice.
👶 Matt Walsh sparked a backlash over adoption remarks. On a podcast with Tucker Carlson, conservative pundit Matt Walsh claimed same-sex couples — especially men — shouldn’t adopt, calling it “disordered.” Journalist Glenn Greenwald, a gay adoptive father, fired back, slamming Walsh’s take as “morally deranged.” The clash lit up social media, dividing users between Greenwald’s data-driven defense and Walsh’s view that children should be raised by a mother and father.
🤖 Mark Zuckerberg appeared on Theo Von’s podcast. The Meta CEO joked about his awkwardness and the internet’s “robot” memes about him, revealing how they’ve hurt his confidence. He also shared an unexpected tidbit about building an underground tunnel in Hawaii, which some had labeled a "doomsday bunker." Despite the casual conversation, Zuckerberg’s stiff humor reinforced how unrelatable and out of touch he remains with most people.
WHO WE’RE WATCHING
Mentioned behind the paywall: Ian Carroll, Candace Owens, Elon Musk, and Megyn Kelly.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Mentioned behind the paywall: Which player had a good week, and who had a tough one.
Hollywood’s coming MAGA takeover
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Paramount Global is preparing to settle a $20 billion lawsuit brought by President Trump over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris as it seeks final approval for an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media. The very interview Trump is suing over just got nominated for an Emmy.
But the deal is more important than the settlement: David Ellison, close Trump ally Larry Ellison’s son, is looking to buy Paramount, one of the largest media conglomerates in the country…
THE DAILY DEBATE
📊 Whose side in the Tucker-Ben Shapiro feud are you more sympathetic to?Results will be in tomorrow's newsletter |
POLL RESULTS FROM YESTERDAY
Should the US sanction Germany if they ban the right-wing AfD party?
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 👍 Yes (696)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 👎 No (148)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🤔 Unsure (124)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 💬 Other (9)
👍 Yes: “It would send a clear message to the rest of Europe not to create policies that restrict freedom of speech and expression.” — Rich
👎 No: “The US government should stay out of the German government’s business.” — Gabrielle
🤔 Unsure: “I think it would be concerning if [Germany] did, and the US definitely need to be very vocal about our objection, but I don't know that sanctions would be the right move.” — Taylor
POP QUIZ
What did Mark Zuckerberg reveal about his Hawaiian property? |
Today’s newsletter was written by Brandon Goldman and Ari David. We scoured 100s of sources to bring you stories and insights you won’t find in the mainstream media.