The segment argues that the Washington Post’s reported layoffs under Jeff Bezos reflect a broader collapse in trust and demand for legacy media, with Brianna Lyman claiming readers are abandoning outlets they view as partisan and credibility-damaged by major political narratives (Russia-collusion coverage, Kavanaugh allegations, and optimistic portrayals of Biden’s fitness).
She frames the layoffs as a market correction—if a paid product doesn’t deliver value, it fails—rejecting calls for Bezos to subsidize the newsroom indefinitely.
The discussion then shifts to Don Lemon, with Lyman arguing “journalism” is not legal immunity if someone obstructs or disrupts a church, and criticizing what she portrays as selective enforcement against conservatives in prior years.
Finally, they highlight a U.S. investigation into Nike over alleged discrimination against white workers, using it as an example of DEI-driven corporate practices facing legal and political backlash and reiterating a merit-based hiring standard.
Washington Post layoffs, media trust
Host:
I’m thrilled to be joined now by The Federalist’s elections correspondent, Brianna Lyman. Brianna, thanks so much for coming on the program tonight.
Huge news out of Washington: it looks like the paper that devoted itself to the idea of “democracy dies in darkness” is now dying a slow death itself — with publisher Jeff Bezos laying off 300 workers, about a third of the newsroom. What’s your reaction? Because while nobody cheers when a journalist is fired, it seems to me this proves the Washington Post’s business model of anti-Trump “hackery” doesn’t sell anymore. Does it?
Brianna Lyman:
No. Right now — at least in the United States — trust in the mainstream media is at a record low, or as I like to call it, the “propaganda press.” And the Washington Post is a case study.
This is an outlet that pushed the Russia-collusion narrative, promoted the Kavanaugh rape smear, and insisted Biden was healthy and fully cognizant — which wasn’t true. Readers have lost trust. And when you’re being charged to read the Washington Post, you realize you’re not getting much for your money when you can go to free sites — you can go to Sky News, Fox News — and access news without the left-wing spin.
A lot of people say Bezos should have dipped into his own money and paid staffers for years. But that’s what happens when the real world collides with liberal fantasies: in a capitalist society, if your product doesn’t sell, you’re done. It’s unfortunate they lost their jobs, but if they have useful skills, they should be able to find new ones.
Host:
Exactly. And you mentioned the hoaxes. This paper was used to launder all sorts of “deep state” narratives about Trump. It pushed the Steele dossier — full of claims and alleged lies — in what many saw as an attempt to influence an election. Once a newspaper is trying to be a political player in an election, it’s over, isn’t it?
Brianna Lyman:
Yes. The Washington Post presents itself as neutral — “democracy dies in darkness.” But for them, democracy only “dies in darkness” when Republicans are winning.
When a Republican is in office, everything is framed as bad, illegal, unconstitutional. When a Democrat is in office, even when something is illegal or unconstitutional, it gets wiped away or swept under the rug.
Readers don’t want this anymore. They cut sections like books and sports. And people are tired of being told they have to accept ideological narratives in sports — they just want to watch sports. You can go to Fox Sports and they talk about the game, not constant political lectures. The Post could have changed years ago; it didn’t — and now it’s facing the consequences.
Source: Video Sky News , Midtown Tribune news ,
Official WP ( Archive WP )