As the Washington Post reported earlier on Monday, Trump’s current lawyers have come up empty-handed after approaching 30 or more suretors.

“As Americans, we should be very concerned about where that money is coming from,” Cohen told MSNBC’s Michael Steele. “What if, hypothetically, the money is coming from Saudi Arabia or from Qatar? Or through a backdoor channel of Russia? That now leaves a potential presidential candidate owing a foreign entity, all at the expense of America’s national security. This is no joke.”

As the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, Trump will be given security briefings by U.S. intelligence agencies, despite the fact that he is facing a separate trial in Florida for allegedly violating the Espionage Act and mishandling classified documents, NBC News reported earlier this month.

Added Cohen, “This places our national security in jeopardy and continues to make Donald Trump the single most dangerous thing in America to our national security and democracy.”

Steele speculated that Trump could be selling state secrets to foreign powers to cover his own legal expenses: “That could potentially make him dangerous. Is he going to be out there looking at how he can backdoor some cash?”

“He doesn’t care where the money comes from as long as he gets it, even if that places our national security in risk,” Cohen said. “He’s already shown documents to individuals over at Mar-a-Lago who did not have clearance to view them.

“I will tell you that making Trump president was the absolute worst idea that I ever had. Bar none,” the lawyer said.

Watch the full MSNBC segment in the video above.

The post Michael Cohen Warns of Foreign Powers Paying Trump’s Legal Bills: ‘This Is No Joke’ | Video appeared first on TheWrap.

“The New York Times on Sunday very often has on the back page of the weekend review a focus group with people — like 12 people. And I’m reading this, like, thinking, ‘Oh, we’re so f–ked.’ They’re just saying the dumbest s–t, and it’s printed in The New York Times.”

“I used to think that’s a great newspaper, and I don’t anymore,” Cleese responded.

“I don’t either. And I mean, it’s sad because it was, like, on my breakfast table when I was a kid,” Maher lamented. “It was in my parents’ house.”

The political commentator and comedian added that the paper has “great” columnists and “they cover the places in the world that no one else has a reporter.”

“But what’s annoying about it is that it’s not just ‘give me the facts,'” Maher continued. “There’s way too much editorializing on the front page, the way the articles that are just supposed to be the facts are slanted one way. And I’m not even necessarily for the other side.”

Maher added, “I just want someone to tell me the whole truth, not just your version of it, because you can lie by what you omit. And both sides do.”

“Trying to get a really accurate picture of something has got harder and harder and harder,” Cleese replied. “The hard thing is getting any reliable information.”

Cleese observed that inaccurate information goes all the way back to the Shakespearean age and that King Richard III wasn’t really hunchbacked, as he is portrayed by the famed playwright. “That was Lancasteran propaganda,” the comedian posed.

“You mean Shakespeare just gave him that hunchback?” Maher asked. “Well, it worked, we’re still talking about it.”

You can watch the entire two-hour conversation in the YouTube video above. The New York Times discussions begin around the 52-minute mark.

The post Bill Maher and John Cleese Say New York Times Is No Longer ‘Reliable’: ‘We’re So F—ked’ | Video appeared first on TheWrap.

“Donald Trump, again the Republican frontrunner who’s clinched the nomination,” Brzezinski said after playing a clip from a weekend speech in Ohio in which the former president emphasized his intention to free individuals imprisoned for the Capitol riot in January 2021.

“One of the first things he’ll do in office is free the — and I say this in quotes — ‘hostages,'” Brzezinski said. “It’s beyond twisted for him to use that word. Not surprised, but as disturbed as we’ll ever be.”

Cohost Joe Scarborough went on to imagine American families who know hostages held in Gaza hearing Trump draw such a parallel to aggressors who eagerly turned to violence in Washington D.C.

“People who actually are hostages who were doing nothing but being in their home or at a music festival, minding their own business when Hamas terrorists came and seized them and beat them, raped them, abused them, took them underground,” Scarborough added. “And Donald Trump comparing those people in name to others that drove from across the country, came to the Capitol, used bear spray on police officers, beat the hell out of cops, beat the hell out of other people who got in their way, wanted to hang Mike Pence, were looking for Nancy Pelosi, destroyed a lot of offices, defecated in the United States Capitol and again jammed cops heads in indoors and tried to hurt as many people as they could.”

The hosts also reviewed former Vice President Mike Pence’s response to Trump’s comments, pointing out that he denounced his former colleague and refused to endorse him in the 2024 presidential race.

“I think it’s very unfortunate at a time that there are American hostages being held in Gaza, that the president or any other leaders would refer to people that are moving through our justice system as hostages. It’s just unacceptable,” Pence told Margaret Brennan on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “I was there on Jan. 6. I have no doubt in my mind, Margaret, that some people were caught up in the moment and entered the Capitol, and they’re certainly entitled to due process of law for any nonviolent activities that day, but the assaults on police officers, ultimately an environment that claimed lives, is something that I think was tragic that day and I’ll never diminish it.”

Watch the full “Morning Joe” segment in the video above.

The post ‘Morning Joe’ Says Trump Is ‘Beyond Twisted’ for Calling Jan. 6 Rioters ‘Hostages’ During Ongoing Israeli Crisis | Video appeared first on TheWrap.

“It would seem to defy credulity that if 21 million people engaged with my post on X announcing my new show, that only a few hundred thousand would be interested in the interview on X as of this afternoon,” Lemon said. “It just doesn’t make sense.”

A representative for Lemon told TheWrap: “X is obviously suppressing free speech. Don’s interview was suppressed by X so less people view it.”

Lemon, whose show was cancelled by Musk just 24 hours after it was taped, said he could not verify the claim. But searches for the interview on X — including the term “Don Lemon Elon Musk” — turned up a series of insults against the former CNN host. The only way to view the interview was to click on Lemon’s official account, which has 1.5 million followers.

Here is an example of what the search turned up:

On YouTube, the interview similarly only received 200,000 views in its first 12 hours.

Musk and X did not respond to requests for comment. However, two official X accounts did respond to this story itself on their platform.

The conversation, released Monday, was supposed to debut the ongoing partnership between former CNN anchor Lemon and X. But Musk cancelled Lemon’s show just 24 hours after it was taped, claiming “it lacked authenticity.”

Lemon continued, “With that said, I’m grateful for every single person, on every platform, that is checking out the show, and I think we are off to a tremendous start.”

Lemon earlier said that he thought the pair had a “good conversation” — but “clearly he felt differently.” “His commitment to a global town square where all questions can be asked and all ideas can be shared seems not to include questions of him from people like me,” he noted.

An individual close to Lemon said the actions of the social media platform were in total opposition to their much-trumpeted policy of free speech, and the company is merely acting on the whim of its billionaire boss.

Announcing the project in January, Lemon said, “My new media company’s first project is ‘The Don Lemon Show’ … It will be available to everyone, easily, whenever and wherever you want it, streaming on the platforms where the conversations are happening. And you’ll find it first on X, the biggest space for free speech in the world.”

Lemon was dismissed from a high profile role as an anchor and host at CNN in April 2023.

During the interview, recorded last week, Lemon quizzed Musk about the presidential election, SpaceX, race, trans and free-speech issues, as well as his alleged drug use and his upbringing, which appeared to make the billionaire uncomfortable, even though he had previously addressed these issues.

Less than 24 hours later, last Wednesday, Musk announced that Lemon’s deal with X had been scrapped. He wrote on X, “His approach was basically just ‘CNN, but on social media,’ which doesn’t work, as evidenced by the fact that CNN is dying. And, instead of it being the real Don Lemon, it was really just Jeff Zucker talking through Don, so lacked authenticity. All this said, Lemon/Zucker are of course welcome to build their viewership on this platform along with everyone else.”

On Monday, Lemon noted, “Yes, after months of begging me, wooing me to offer some exclusive content on his platform, Elon Musk decided to scrap the deal, but our plan is and always has been to release this show everywhere.” 

The former CNN anchor made sure to clarify that his conversation with Musk included “no restrictions, no ground rules, nothing off limits or out of bounds.”

The “Don Lemon Show” host posted the video across platforms, including X, and YouTube and taped an introduction in which he challenges the billionaire to watch and explain “why this isn’t what you claim you want on X.”

Lemon noted in his introduction that he’s not sure “what went wrong,” and that he hopes viewers learn something both about Musk and about himself, “two people who come from completely different vantage points on almost every single issue.” 

The post Don Lemon Says His Elon Musk Interview Has Been Suppressed by X | Exclusive appeared first on TheWrap.

In a one-on-one interview with the X (formerly Twitter) owner, Lemon questioned Musk about a wide array of topics, including his Tesla business, the way misinformation is spread on the social media platform and his breakfast outing with the former president.

“Speaking of MAGA, you recently met with Donald Trump in Florida, what did you guys talk about?” Lemon questioned on Monday’s episode.

“I was at a breakfast at a friend’s place, and Donald Trump came by. That’s it’s,” Musk replied, stating that his intention of going to Florida wasn’t in any way related to meeting with Trump. The tech giant added that he was “fine” with the idea of Trump stopping by for breakfast.

Musk went on to say that Trump “did most of the talking” and the conversation consisted of the same material Trump spews online or in front of audiences.

“There was nothing particularly groundbreaking or new,” Musk said. “President Trump likes to talk. And so, he talked. I don’t recall him saying anything that he hasn’t said publicly. And that was it, just a breakfast.”

When it comes to Trump’s mounting legal bills that he’s accrued through his slew of lawsuits, Musk said he won’t be assisting with any of his debt nor contributing monetarily to Trump’s presidential campaign.

“I’m not paying his legal bills in any way, shape or form … and he did not ask me for money,” Musk said.

The conversation between Lemon and Musk comes after the exec gave the former CNN anchor the boot following the pair’s interview. In turn, Lemon opened his debut episode by addressing the matter.

“We’re still here,” Lemon began. “Contrary to what you might have heard, we weren’t canceled by X. Yes, after months of begging me, wooing me to offer some exclusive content on his platform, Elon Musk decided to scrap the deal. But our plan is and always has been to release this show everywhere on YouTube, on Spotify, on iHeart Radio.”

Watch the full episode, below.

The post Elon Musk Insists He’s Not Funding Trump: ‘I’m Not Paying His Legal Bills in Any Way’ appeared first on TheWrap.

In the interview, Lemon confirmed with Musk that he is prescribed ketamine by a doctor, asking what the drug is used for by the billionaire. 

“I mean, it’s pretty private to ask somebody about a medical prescription,” Musk replied.

However, the billionaire then explained that he suffers from a “negative chemical state in my in my brain, like depression,” which ketamine is used to treat.

“Ketamine is helpful for getting one outside out of a negative frame of mind,” Musk added. “I’m not a doctor, but I would say if someone has depression issues, they should consider talking to the doctors about ketamine instead of SSRIs.”

“Do you feel like you ever abuse it?” Lemon questioned. 

Musk denied abusing the drug and said, “If you use too much ketamine, you can’t really get work done… I don’t really have a situation where I can be not mentally acute for an extended period of time.”

When asked if he suffers from bouts of depression, Musk said, “I wouldn’t say I have a case of extended depression. It’s just once in a while I get into a negative sort of chemical mindset, once in a while. It’s not a common thing.”

Lemon then asked whether Musk was concerned that his ketamine use may prevent government contracts or worry Wall Street. 

“Well, from a standpoint of Wall Street, what matters is execution. Are you building value for investors?” Musk responded. “Tesla is worth about as much as the rest of the car industry combined, from nothing, so that’s pretty good.” 

The billionaire continued, “From an investor’s standpoint, if there’s something I’m taking, I should keep taking it,” referencing Tesla’s continued success. 

Musk also noted that the reason he revealed his ketamine prescription on X was the prospect of helping others become more familiar with treatments for depression outside the realm of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

The post Elon Musk Defends Ketamine Use: From Investor Standpoint, ‘If There’s Something I’m Taking, I Should Keep Taking It’ | Video appeared first on TheWrap.

Pence expounded on his decision during a Sunday appearance on “Face the Nation,” admitting that he’s forgiven Trump for supporting the idea of hanging Pence on January 6, but noting that there are other problems he can’t get past.

“The reason that I cannot in good conscience endorse Donald Trump this year also has to do with the fact that he is walking away,” Pence explained. “Not just from keeping faith with the constitution on that day, but also, Margaret, with a commitment to fiscal responsibility, a commitment to the sanctity of life, a commitment to American leadership in the world.”

On Monday’s episode of the show, the ABC hosts largely applauded Pence’s public split from Trump, but host Sunny Hostin admitted she “wanted even more” and wished Pence had “gone further” with his condemnation (especially considering the fact that Pence was among those who raised their hands when asked during an August debate whether they’d support Trump if he became the GOP nominee).

But Alyssa Farah Griffin was thrilled with her old boss, arguing that no one should “undercount the significance of this,” considering a VP has never not endorsed the president they served under, and saying that, “To me, this should’ve been front page of all news.”

“Pence coming out — this is a person who’s been in the conservative movement before anyone even talked about Donald Trump in politics,” Farah Griffin said. “There are people like me all over the country, who trust him. They think he’s a man of faith, he’s likely who brought them around to Trump in 2016.”

She continued, “And for him to say this, I mean, I teared up when I saw it, ’cause I said on this show, ‘Nothing will break my heart more than if Mike Pence endorses Donald Trump.’ And he didn’t, ’cause he knows better than anyone, this man is historically unfit, he’s dangerous.”

For host Ana Navarro, not endorsing Trump seemed like an obvious move, especially considering the near-lynching.

“I think the least he could do is not endorse the guy who put him and his family in danger that day, and so many other people in the Capitol,” Navarro said.

That said, the host did agree that publicly splitting from Trump is important, and even if it only sways a few voters, it could still have an impact. She also pointed out that previous Trump critics have caved and endorsed him at this point.

“So I think that Mike Pence is doing something that’s much better, and I hope he’s sending a message to Republicans and independent moderates, right-siding moderates, that it’s OK not to be partisan,” Navarro said.

You can watch the full discussion from “The View” in the video above.

The post ‘The View’: Alyssa Farah Griffin Admits She ‘Teared Up’ When Pence Refused to Endorse Trump | Video appeared first on TheWrap.

The company’s report also recommended rejecting the nominees put forward by Nelson Peltz’s Trian Partners and another firm, Blackwells Capital, ahead of Disney’s annual meeting on April 3. In its reasoning, Glass Lewis emphasized The Walt Disney Company’s clear strategy, its strong additions to the board and “measurable shifts” in the business since the return of Iger.

“We are pleased that Glass Lewis recognizes the strength of our highly qualified nominees and supports our plans to return this iconic company to a period of sustained growth and shareholder value creation,” Mark Parker, chairman of The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors, said in a statement to press. “In its recommendation, Glass Lewis clearly identifies the strength of the diverse skillsets across our Board nominees, the credibility of our succession planning process and the recent changes to the Board and compensation program and the promise of our recent efforts to bolster growth and value creation to position Disney for the future.”

The Glass Lewis report specifically noted that Disney is undertaking a “credible effort” to rearrange “key operational priorities” under Iger’s leadership and pointed to the last 15 months of Iger’s return as an “adequate” opportunity to establish a “more credible succession program.”

“While it remains too early to say with certainty that each of those programs will prove successful, we believe it is similarly too early to suggest there exists adequate cause for investors to support alternate solicitations which may prove significantly less accretive to Disney’s trajectory, by comparison,” the report reads.

The proxy fight against Disney is currently being spearheaded by Trian Fund Management founder Nelson Peltz. The activist investor has also sought reinforcements from shareholders at ValueAct Capital and Blackwells Capital. Essentially, what Peltz wants from this fight is for Disney to develop a succession plan after Iger. He also wants the company to attribute compensation with performance, cut costs and reinstate Disney’s dividend by fiscal year 2025. Iger has been vocal about wanting to retire in 2026.

The post Bob Iger and Disney Backed in Board Battle by Glass Lewis Recommendation appeared first on TheWrap.

Lemon posted the video across platforms – yes, it was on X, too – and taped an introduction in which he challenges the billionaire to watch and explain “why this isn’t what you claim you want on X.”

“Welcome to the Don Lemon show everyone. We’re still here,” the former CNN anchor quipped. 

“In a minute I’m going to bring you my conversation with Elon Musk the one that everyone is talking about,” Lemon continued. 

Lemon then noted that “contrary to what you might have heard we weren’t canceled by X.” Just last week Lemon posted that “Elon Musk has canceled the partnership I had with X, which they announced as part of their public commitment to amplifying more diverse voices on their platform.” 

On Monday, Lemon noted, “Yes, after months of begging me wooing me to offer some exclusive content on his platform Elon Musk decided to scrap the deal but our plan is and always has been to release this show everywhere.” 

The former CNN anchor made sure to clarify that his conversation with Musk included “no restrictions, no ground rules, nothing off limits or out of bounds.”

The conversation begins cordially and sails through a number of topics, including Musk speaking candidly about his prescription use of ketamine. But as it nears the closing minutes, the interview grinds to a far more contentious conclusion; Musk becomes increasingly grouchy, chilly and impatient as Lemon asks about his views on race, gender identity and the line between content moderation and censorship on X.

Lemon says in his introduction that he’s not sure “what went wrong,” and that he hopes viewers learn something both about Musk and about himself, “two people who come from completely different vantage points on almost every single issue.” 

The former CNN anchor then challenged Musk to watch the interview in full and “tell the world why this isn’t what you claim you want on X.” 

The post Don Lemon Drops Elon Musk Interview, Challenges Him to Watch It: ‘What Went Wrong? I Don’t Know’ | Video appeared first on TheWrap.

The home of The Players’ Tribune, FanSided, 90min, and other publications, Minute Media will oversee all digital and print editorial operations across the Sports Illustrated portfolio, entering into a long-term partnership with ABG. 

According to the New York Times, which first reported the licensing deal on Monday, the partnership will stretch for 10 years with an option to extend for up to 30 years total. 

The Times also reports that the chief executive of Minute Media Asaf Peled is aiming to continue the print edition of Sports Illustrated, as well as hire back some of the former staff who were laid off recently. 

“Sports Illustrated is the gold standard for sports journalism and has been for nearly 70 years across both print and digital media. The weight and power of that distinction cannot be understated,” Peled said in a statement to TheWrap. “At Minute Media, our focus will be to take that legacy into new, emerging channels enhancing visibility, commercial viability and sustainable impact, all while ensuring that the SI team is inspired to flourish in this new era of media.”

Daniel W. Dienst, Authentic’s Executive Vice Chairman, Tactical Ops, added, “In Minute Media we have found a partner that will honor SI’s lauded legacy and exceed fan expectations for the future. As Minute Media shepherds the SI brand across a rapidly evolving media landscape, our priority at Authentic is – and has always been – to protect its journalistic integrity and longevity. Minute Media has successfully proven that they are leading the way in a new era of sports storytelling, and we are excited and optimistic about this partnership and the future of Sports Illustrated as the preeminent lens into sport.” 

As part of the deal, ABG will be acquiring an unknown equity stake in Minute Media. 

In January, The Arena Group, which operated the magazine since 2019, had its license revoked from ABG. The group laid off all editorial staffers and said that the print version of the magazine would no longer be published. 

This new deal with Minute Media reverses course and removes The Arena Group from the publication of the magazine. 

Additionally, Minute Media’s deal also includes SI Swim, after The Arena Group said it would shutter and be “handed back” to ABG.

The Sports Illustrated Union responded to the licensing agreement in a statement saying, “Minute Media, we’re ready to work.”

With the news of the deal, “SI’s unionized journalists say they welcome the change and look forward to remaining part of the storied brand’s future,” the statement continued.

“We have said from the start that our top priorities are to keep Sports Illustrated alive, uphold the legacy of the institution and protect our union jobs. We look forward to discussing a future with Minute Media that does that,” staff writer for SI and vice chair for the SI Union Emma Baccellieri said in a statement. 

The post Sports Illustrated Secures New Publisher in Minute Media  appeared first on TheWrap.