The Post's Ad Blocker

It's not unusual for some advocacy groups to submit inflammatory advertisements to news outlets, sometimes hoping for a rejection that they can then weaponize for press attention. It's a strategy old as time. But what was unusual about this specific situation is that…

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• 📜 This wasn’t a stunt: Advocacy groups sometimes submit ads they know will get rejected—but that wasn’t the case here. So why did The Post say no?

• 📰 Internal questions at The Post: Even some inside the newsroom are curious why the newspaper turned down a six-figure ad buy as the newspaper struggles financially.

• 🧐 Uneven standards?: A prominent Democrat who was targeted in a Post ad last year is now “scratching [his] head” after The Post passed on the much more mundane Musk spot.

• ⚠️ “Were they afraid?”: Common Cause’s president explains why she believes the decision is bigger than a single rejected ad.

The Information Wars

Musk-eteer on the Warpath: Elon Musk is escalating his war against the press with increasingly aggressive attacks. The “dark MAGA” billionaire lashed out at CBS News on Monday, smearing “60 Minutes” staffers as “the biggest liars in the world,” accusing them of “deliberate deception to interfere” in the 2024 election, and even suggesting they “deserve a long prison sentence.” A spokesperson for CBS News declined to comment on the threat, but the chilling effect is undeniable.

Meanwhile, Musk also took aim at the Associated Press (“AP stands for Associated Propaganda!”) and Norm Eisen, publisher of The Contrarian. On X, he insinuated possible financial impropriety, asking, “Where is Norm Eisen getting all [his] money from? Maybe the Internet can tell us 🤔.” Eisen, unfazed, told me by phone Monday…

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Scoop-driven reporting and unafraid analysis. See why top industry professionals rely on Status for their media news.

Here’s some of what’s behind the paywall in this edition:

• 📢 Vance vs. the Press: The VP lashed out at Mehdi Hasan, calling him a “dummy,” and defended the White House’s controversial move against the Associated Press. Hasan fired back.

• 🏆 Who Won Big at the Polks?: The New York Times and The New Yorker led the pack at this year’s George Polk Awards. See which other outlets took home honors.

• 🚀 New Hires at The Wrap: The Hollywood-focused outlet is making major editorial moves—four high-profile hires, including a new media editor and a strategy chief.

• 🎶 White Lotus Blasphemy: HBO just made a shocking change to the show’s beloved score, leaving fans—including yours truly—upset.

• 📺 SNL’s Big Night: The “Saturday Night Live” 50th anniversary special pulled in massive ratings, making it NBC’s biggest entertainment telecast in years. Full numbers inside.

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