INTERNATIONAL: Hilton v. Ingraham

Laura Ingraham's claim that "most of us don't like" America's "massive demographic changes" is continuing to reverberate. I'm surprised there hasn't been more talk of an advertiser backlash. There's certainly been a widespread backlash from commentators up and down the dial. Take a look at what "The Next Revolution" hostSteve Hilton said on Fox News on Sunday night. He didn't utter Ingraham's name, but he seemed to be rebuking his colleague: "We must draw a line between populism and racism; between populism and xenophobia; between populism and white supremacy, of course, but also between populism and white superiority, which is subtly different, but equally unacceptable." Hilton went on to say that "the incredible and unique thing about this country is that anyone can become an American." America is founded on an idea, "not rooted in a racial or ethnic identity. America is always changing..." The key quote: "If there comes a time when white people are no longer the majority in America, as long as immigration is controlled and not a free-for-all, and as long as immigration is accompanied by integration, so everyone who's here signs up to America's laws and values, that is not something to fear or fight."

Two new profiles of Bill Shine...

One is by the AP's Jill Colvin and David Bauder. They say Trump's new deputy chief of staff for comms "has yet to move into a permanent office or bring on his own staff," but his presence is already being felt -- he's "clashing with reporters, improving the production quality of W.H. events and trying to shape the message" of the admin... The other piece is by WaPo's Sarah Ellison and Philip Rucker. LOTS of colorful details here. A few of 'em:  -- "Shine has told people he wants to 'lower the temperature' on the toxic relationship between the press and the president. But so far his actions seem to have been counterproductive..."  -- "He is considering adjustments to the daily press briefings and is beginning to recruit staffers to join the communications team, which has been depleted by recent departures..."  -- "Shine’s allies say his decades working with competing personalities and egos at Fox News were good preparation for Trump’s West Wing..."

de Blasio v. Murdoch

Rupert Murdoch's media empire props up President Trump, creates hatred, and tries to "stir the most negative impulses in this country," New York City mayor Bill de Blasio says. The mayor was my guest on Sunday's "Reliable Sources." I jumped in when he said Murdoch's outlets have changed the country "for the worst." I asked, "Isn't that like saying they are fake news or they’re enemy of the people?" He rejected the Trump comparison. He said he defends the right of News Corp to exist, but gets angry seeing "a profit-making giant dividing people and creating hatred and negativity and changing our political landscape... I think we have to be able to talk about that..." Okay, but "politicians make lousy media critics," I said. "Why do you feel it's your role to be calling out a newspaper because you don't like the content?" "Because I think it's not happening enough," de Blasio answered. The back and forth continued... CNNMoney's Jackie Wattles wrote up the interview... And here's the full video...

Eyes on the Dem primaries?

Criticism of Murdoch's empire is common on the left, but it's notable to hear a politician like de Blasio speaking out so forcefully. His recent comments may be a way to stand out in a potentially crowded field of 2020 presidential aspirants.After all, Bernie Sanders' critiques of the "corporate media" won him applause in 2016. When I brought this up, de Blasio said, "I am mayor of New York City, and I will continue to be. My term goes to 2021."

Murdochworld's reactions

A corporate spokesperson had no comment. On Sunday evening, the NYPost home page led with this story: "Mayor de Blasio is a such a big believer in the free press that he let two bodyguards physically remove a credentialed Post reporter who had the temerity to ask him a question in public on Sunday..." SOURCE: CNN Money