Go Woke Go Broke
Salon announced it is ceasing publication after 31 years. The outlet launched in San Francisco in 1995 with a stated mission to provide an unapologetically progressive counterweight to mainstream media and, from its inception, rejected traditional journalistic ideals of objective neutrality. A letter titled “Goodbye From Salon” said the business realities of independent digital journalism have changed profoundly and that the publishing model is no longer sustainable.
Major sponsors have ended ties with the podcast I’ve Had It after hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan laughed for more than 20 seconds at a post that said, “We’re digging up Charlie Kirk and doing it again.” Cash App wrote that it does not condone violence of any kind and is no longer a sponsor. Casper, Zenni, Honeylove, iRestore, Nobl Travel, and HexClad also cut ties. Reports of departed sponsors range from 10 to 24. The hosts posted an apology calling it an insensitive joke they should not have laughed at and said they donated to Everytown for Gun Safety.
James Gunn and Peter Safran are stepping down as co-CEOs of DC Studios after box-office and streaming setbacks. Gunn’s Superman film, which featured commentaries on immigration and American nationalism, lost around $42 million after advertising costs. A subsequent Supergirl film lost $120 million with advertising included. HBO’s Lanterns, whose writer said race is always a factor in black-white character relationships, has not been approved for a second season. Gunn and Safran are being replaced by Jeremy Latcham, a former Marvel producer who has worked on faith-oriented projects.
Epstein Files
Rep. Thomas Massie’s discharge petition for the Epstein Files Transparency Act II reached 218 signatures, enough to force a House vote without Speaker sign-off. The petition carries all 214 House Democrats and four Republicans: Massie, Nancy Mace, Ralph Norman, and Brian Fitzpatrick, none of whom return in the next Congress. The bill would let a state attorney general or district attorney, a victim, or a member of Congress sue the attorney general over unlawful withholding, redaction, delay, removal, or concealment of Epstein records, and would bar the Justice Department from invoking deliberative process, attorney-client, work product, or law enforcement privilege. Victims could demand full unredacted records that relate to them, including FBI interview reports. Members of Congress would get unredacted access within seven calendar days of a written request, with classified records made available in a secure facility. Personnel who conceal, destroy, falsify, or withhold records would face existing federal penalties. The bill also switches off the Justice Department’s Touhy regulations for requests under the Act. Under House rules, the petition sits for seven legislative days before a signer can call it up. Last year a similar petition forced the original Epstein Files Transparency Act to the floor, where it passed the House 427-1 before the Senate cleared it by unanimous consent. Attorney General Todd Blanche has previously stated there is not some tranche of super-secret documents being withheld.
US Politics
White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller directed a ban on unauthorized meetings with lobbyists and special interests. A staff memo requires prior approval from the Office of White House Counsel for meetings on the complex with registered lobbyists on government policy. Industry outreach is to go through the Office of Public Liaison, the designated primary contact for external stakeholders. The memo states that staff is expected to dedicate their time unwaveringly to the working people of the nation.
The Trump administration proposed a rule addressing SNAP’s broad-based categorical eligibility, used in a majority of states. Households that exceed SNAP income limits can currently receive benefits if they obtain TANF, including non-cash or in-kind services. The proposal would limit categorical eligibility to households receiving TANF assistance as defined at 45 CFR 260.31. USDA said the revisions would target SNAP benefits to households that have qualified for TANF assistance while aligning with the statutory purpose of simplifying administration. Ty Jones Cox of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities said a family of three with income above $35,500 receiving certain TANF aid could be deemed ineligible. The proposal has a 30-day comment period and, if finalized, would not take effect until 2029.
A group of 12 senators led by Sen. Chris Van Hollen wrote to congressional leadership urging removal of provisions from the House and Senate versions of the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act that would mandate increased U.S.-Israeli military and intelligence cooperation. Nine other Democrats and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders signed. The letter asks leaders to exclude Section 219 of the House bill and Section 1217 of the Senate bill, which would create a United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative covering technology sharing, co-production of weapons systems, and bilateral research and development, as well as Section 618 of the Senate Intelligence Authorization Act mandating increased intelligence sharing with Israel. IsraelNews365 stated that partnering with Israel makes America stronger rather than weaker and that undercutting an ally facing Iran would be a mistake.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded Specialist Iglesias of the 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) a Joint Service Commendation Medal after the sentinel reprimanded Hegseth, his wife, and senior advisers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The guard intervened when members of the party laughed and chatted beside the memorial following the Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. The regiment has stood watch since April 6, 1948; the tomb has been guarded around the clock since 1937. Rep. Donald Norcross called the award an intentional gesture allowing Hegseth to avoid a direct apology for the behavior of a group under his control.
Health
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said November 9 that recent changes are paving the way for reforms he has been unable to enact in nearly two years. Kennedy said Stephen Miller met with him before the midterms and told him that after the elections he would put Make America Healthy Again initiatives at the top of his priority list. Kennedy said he went to Miller’s house for dinner on November 1 and that Miller’s wife told guests they had no idea how passionate Miller is about MAHA. He said actions such as updating the food pyramid and removing mercury from dental fillings on Indian reservations were enacted with White House support, but other goals have not been implemented. He said every time he tried to do something robust, he would get calls saying appointees would not be confirmed, and that the Senate no longer has any leverage over him. Kennedy declined to list specific developments.
Sources
Twelve Senators Urge Stripping US-Israel Military Integration from NDAA
A group of 12 senators has written to congressional leadership urging the removal of provisions from the House and Senate versions of the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would mandate increased US-Israeli military and intelligence cooperation.
Hegseth Medals the Sentinel Who Schooled His Own Entourage at the Tomb
We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist.
Massie’s Last Stand: Epstein Petition Hits 218, Forcing Vote Without Speaker Signoff
Rep. Thomas Massie’s (R-KY) discharge petition for a second Epstein files bill reached 218 signatures on Wednesday morning
Miller Bans Unauthorized Lobbyist Meetings at White House
White House staff must receive prior approval from the Office of White House Counsel for meetings on the White House complex with registered lobbyists related to government policy.
Get Woke, Go Broke: Salon Shuts Down After 31 Years
Get Woke, Go Broke.
Sponsors Flee Podcast After Hosts Laugh at Digging Up Charlie Kirk
Sponsors are fleeing “I’ve Had It,” the progressive podcast hosted by Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan, after the two laughed on Thursday’s episode at a joke about digging up Charlie Kirk.
Get Woke Go Broke: James Gunn Fired From DC After Superhero Flops
Woke has no place in media.
Toyota Bets on Bare-Bones Indiana Mini Trucks as Consumers Demand Cheap Simplicity
The next big push in America’s truck market will be simplicity and getting back to the basics of an affordable pickup.
RFK Jr.: Midterms Clear Path to Unleash MAHA as Senate Leverage Vanishes
The Senate no longer has any leverage over me, and that’s a big deal
Trump Admin Targets SNAP Loophole for Over-Income Households
The Trump administration moved to drop ineligible people from SNAP food stamps in a proposed rule change Tuesday.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Rep. Donald Norcross, The New York Times, IsraelNews365, Variety, Attorney General Todd Blanche, and John Roush.
by westcoastjan 
