Pivot – Trump Indictments, Blind Side Drama, and Co-Host Don Lemon

Intro

In this episode of the “Pivot” podcast, the hosts discuss a range of topics, including the Trump indictments, drama surrounding “The Blind Side,” and co-host Don Lemon’s future plans. They also delve into the challenges of covering news and the evolving media landscape. Let’s dive into the main takeaways from this episode.

Main Takeaways

Trump Indictments and Legal Issues

• Donald Trump and his associates are facing multiple indictments, including a new one in Georgia with 13 counts.
• The charges include racketeering, making false statements, and pressuring public officials to violate their oath of office.
• Putting a former president in jail has significant consequences, including what to do with the secret service and state secrets.
• It’s unlikely that Trump will go to jail due to the technicalities involved in putting a former president in jail.
• Trump’s potential televised trial could be the OJ Simpson trial of the president.

Don Lemon’s Future Plans

• Don Lemon has almost complete editorial freedom at CNN and loves what he does.
• He may continue doing the same thing but differently, possibly on his own network.
• Streaming and digital online have surpassed linear television for the first time, indicating where he may be going.
• He wants to do something next that scares him and lean into the future of the medium.
• Don Lemon wants to grow his audience and reach more people.

Media Coverage and Challenges

• People have moved on from COVID and Donald Trump, but still want to be informed about breaking news.
• Watching minimal cable news has been a valuable lesson for the speaker, as he has learned to engage with different types of people.
• CNN did not want the speaker to be a part of their strategy and direction, which has become obvious with recent management changes.
• The news should not have a direction, it should just report the news.
• News organizations have a responsibility to be careful and measured in their coverage of Trump.

Reflections on “The Blind Side” and Media Portrayals

• The Blind Side’s portrayal of the main character as “thick and dumb” and the white savior trope is interesting to revisit.
• Watching old TV shows like Three’s Company reveals a lot of problematic jokes and attitudes towards women and the LGBTQ+ community.
• The speaker would like to interview Funny Willis, Alvin Bragg, and Jack Smith.
• Sandra Bullock did a good job in the movie and should not give back her Oscar.
• There are concerns about posting pictures of trans people due to the fear of being called groomers, but some people feel this is unfair and that allies should be welcomed.

Don Lemon’s Personal Insights and Experiences

• The speaker believes people got it wrong about his departure from CNN and the subsequent firing of the person who fired him.
• The best news executive the speaker ever worked for was Jeff Zucker, who understood the importance of authenticity in conversations and on air.
• Despite the desire to move on from Trump, there is still a lot of news and legal issues surrounding him.
• People on television say things all the time that they wish they had said in a different way.
• Don Lemon thinks Scott is “gayish,” but he has a wife.

Summary

Trump Indictments and Legal Issues

In this episode, the hosts discuss the multiple indictments faced by Donald Trump and his associates. They delve into the charges, including racketeering and making false statements. The potential consequences of putting a former president in jail are also explored, along with the challenges and technicalities involved. The possibility of a televised trial akin to the OJ Simpson trial is considered.

Don Lemon’s Future Plans

The hosts also touch on Don Lemon’s future plans and his desire to reach a bigger and different audience. They discuss his editorial freedom at CNN and the evolving media landscape, with streaming and digital platforms surpassing linear television. Lemon’s aspiration to do something that scares him and lean into the future of the medium is highlighted.

Media Coverage and Challenges

The podcast delves into the challenges faced by news organizations in covering current events, particularly in the post-COVID and post-Trump era. The speaker shares insights gained from engaging with different types of people while watching minimal cable news. The importance of unbiased news reporting and the responsibility of news organizations are emphasized.

Reflections on “The Blind Side” and Media Portrayals

The hosts discuss the portrayal of characters in “The Blind Side” and the white savior trope prevalent in the movie. They reflect on problematic jokes and attitudes towards women and the LGBTQ+ community in old TV shows like Three’s Company. The desire to interview specific individuals and the appreciation for Sandra Bullock’s performance are also mentioned.

Don Lemon’s Personal Insights and Experiences

Don Lemon’s personal insights and experiences are shared in this episode. The speaker addresses misconceptions about his departure from CNN and praises Jeff Zucker as the best news executive he has worked for. The ongoing news and legal issues surrounding Donald Trump are acknowledged. The hosts also touch on the challenges of live television and the speaker’s personal thoughts on his co-host, Scott.

Conclusion

This episode of the “Pivot” podcast offers a diverse range of insights, from the legal issues surrounding Donald Trump to Don Lemon’s future plans. The hosts provide thought-provoking discussions on media coverage, problematic portrayals in entertainment, and personal experiences in the industry. Listeners are left with a deeper understanding of these topics and the evolving nature of news and media.