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Brian Stelter

@brianstelter.bsky.social

150K followers 680 following 2.8K posts

Media nerd. CNN chief media analyst. INSIDE THE HIVE podcast host. Author of "Network of Lies," "Hoax," and "Top of the Morning." Former Shorenstein fellow, NYT reporter and blogger.

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stevelevitsky.bsky.social @stevelevitsky.bsky.social · 7h

Lucan Way and I have been writing about competitive authoritarianism for more than 25 years. We never thought we'd write this piece. www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/com...

journalofdemocracy.org

Competitive Authoritarianism in America | Journal of Democracy

The United States has slid into competitive authoritarianism. The slide has been modest and remains reversible—but it is real. Even after Donald Trump, American democracy will remain fragile.

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 4h

"Trump, according to officials, came away thinking Grok was ingenious." time.com/article/2026...

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 10h

Trump: “You haven’t asked me one fucking positive question.” www.cnn.com/2026/10/01/m...

Analysis: Trump’s TIME interview shows a president consumed by his own news coverage | CNN Business

President Donald Trump’s new interview with TIME magazine begins and ends with his complaints about the media, reaffirming how consumed he is by his own news coverage.

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Rick Ellis @toomuchtvcom.bsky.social · 11h

And thank you to Brian for the kind mention in today's newsletter

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 13h

Today's Reliable Sources lead: Trump's TIME interview is one giant media grievance It begins and ends with Trump’s complaints about the media. Even when asked about Iran or the Senate, he circles back around to his feelings about how his presidency is covered... www.cnn.com/newsletters/...

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Paramount entered the final stages of merging with Warner Bros. Discovery this afternoon, when a federal judge approved last week’s settlement of an antitrust lawsuit filed by state attorneys general... www.cnn.com/2026/09/30/m...

Paramount-Warner Bros. merger moves forward after judge approves settlement | CNN Business

Paramount entered the final stages of merging with Warner Bros. Discovery on Wednesday afternoon, when a federal judge approved last week’s settlement of an antitrust lawsuit filed by state attorneys ...

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CNJLM @cnjlm.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

We're honored to announce that @brianstelter.bsky.social of CNN will be a featured speaker at the 2026 NJ Journalism Awards. Join us on Nov 5 in Morristown, NJ. Learn more at newsweneed.org. Support local news and connect! #LocalNews #Journalism #NewJersey #NJJournalismAwards

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Millions of taxpayer dollars have already been spent on Trump's new TV ads, and millions more have been allocated... www.cnn.com/2026/09/29/m...

Trump’s ads have cost taxpayers at least $2.5 million, with funding from Customs and Border Protection | CNN Business

Millions of taxpayer dollars have already been spent on President Donald Trump’s hagiographic ads, according to estimates by a leading political ad-tracking firm. And a total of $20 million has been a...

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John Robinson @jrobin.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

“‘This is a make-me presidency,’” Eisen said, meaning that Trump will run rampant until he’s made to stop.” Truth, via @brianstelter.bsky.social and “Reliable Sources” www.cnn.com/newsletters/...

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Today's Reliable Sources lead: Trump's "make me" presidency www.cnn.com/newsletters/...

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

After hackers stole personal data about FBI employees, "past and present personnel remain in the dark about whether their data has been purloined," and some have "anxiously asked Times reporters whether their names are contained in the hacked data" www.nytimes.com/2026/09/28/u...

Embarrassing Breach at F.B.I. Fuels Fears of Harm to Its Employees

In an internal memo, the F.B.I. said it believed the hackers may have stolen sensitive information on all of its employees.

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Jay Rosen @jayrosen.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Amid all the coverage of it, this Washinging Post column does the best — for me — in explaining why the Pool fights matter. Via @brianstelter.bsky.social See the original: www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/0...

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Today's Reliable Sources lead: In court last week, Ted Boutrous said he was concerned that “the shenanigans will continue.” And that’s what we’re seeing now — more “shenanigans” as the Trump White House tries to control news coverage... www.cnn.com/newsletters/...

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

America’s courts keep defending the First Amendment as Trump tries to silence critics | CNN Business

The American courts keep defending the First Amendment despite President Donald Trump’s best efforts to crack down on free speech and the free press.

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The American courts keep defending the First Amendment despite President Donald Trump’s best efforts to crack down on free speech and the free press. That’s my glass-half-full assessment of this media moment. Read it all here... www.cnn.com/2026/09/25/m...

America’s courts keep defending the First Amendment as Trump tries to silence critics | CNN Business

The American courts keep defending the First Amendment despite President Donald Trump’s best efforts to crack down on free speech and the free press.

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Just minutes after we sent today's regular edition of Reliable Sources, it was out of date 🙃 So here's a special evening edition to catch you up on the last few hours... www.cnn.com/newsletters/...

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

The TV pool that usually handles live coverage of Trump’s events is still in a holding pattern. The five major networks are waiting on confirmation from the White House that CNN will be allowed to fulfill its pool responsibilities in the future...

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Banner: "CNN ALLOWED ENTRY TO WHITE HOUSE FOR FIRST TIME IN FIVE DAYS"

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AMPTsuper @amptsuper.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Just caught this. Clip includes @brianstelter.bsky.social "nothing short of astonishing." bsky.app/profile/linc...

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Geoffrey Sorensen @gsorensen.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Why does it take multiple court actions to get the Trump White House to do the right thing? #cnn #reliablesources #insidepolitics @brianstelter.bsky.social

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

CNN's homepage right now: www.cnn.com/2026/09/24/p...

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

In the ruling, Judge Kelly acknowledged that the banned news outlets “did not receive notice and an opportunity to be heard” before their White House press passes were revoked.

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Judge Kelly's ruling is on Fifth Amendment due process grounds. He noted that the revocation of reporters' White House access was done without "constitutionally adequate due process."

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Breaking in the middle of the night: "Federal Judge Timothy Kelly has ordered the Trump administration to temporarily reinstate CNN, MS NOW and Politico’s access to the White House after they were banned from the premises by President Donald Trump." www.cnn.com/2026/09/24/p...

Judge orders Trump administration to reinstate White House access to CNN, MS NOW and Politico | CNN Politics

Federal Judge Timothy Kelly has ordered the Trump administration to immediately reinstate CNN, MS NOW and Politico’s access to the White House after they were banned from the premises by President Don...

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

A setback in Trump's broader legal campaign against news outlets: An Iowa judge has dismissed his lawsuit against pollster J. Ann Selzer, her polling company, the Des Moines Register and Gannett. www.cnn.com/2026/09/23/m...

Judge dismisses Trump’s lawsuit against Des Moines Register and pollster J. Ann Selzer | CNN Business

An Iowa judge has dismissed President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against pollster J. Ann Selzer, her polling company, the Des Moines Register and Gannett.

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Geoffrey Sorensen @gsorensen.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Excellent CNN team coverage and analysis of the hearing in Trump's CNN/MS NOW/Politico ban. #cnn #reliablesources @kasie.bsky.social @brianstelter.bsky.social @eliehonig.bsky.social

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

An emergency hearing in the case against the White House ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico is underway now. Judge Timothy Kelly presiding. CNN has live coverage online here and on cable >>> www.cnn.com/2026/09/23/p...

Live updates: Judge hears CNN, MS NOW and Politico lawsuit against Trump administration | CNN Politics

A hearing into a lawsuit filed by CNN, MS NOW and Politico, following their banishment from the White House, is underway in the DC District Court. Follow our live updates.

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Kai Ryssdal @kairyssdal.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

And/but can we please dispense with the canard that merely saying the words 'national security' makes everything he's doing okay...

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

In NYT v. United States, the landmark 1971 fight over the Pentagon Papers, Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black wrote that “the word ‘security’ is a broad, vague generality whose contours should not be invoked to abrogate the fundamental law embodied in the First Amendment.”

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Trump's Justice Department says "the president has found that plaintiffs have engaged in a number of reporting incidents that have threatened national security." But when Trump announced the ban, he didn't say anything about "national security," he complained about negativity.

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

➡️ President Trump's ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico will be tested in court later today. And a judge will review Paramount's settlement with the states tomorrow. Here's all the very latest... www.cnn.com/newsletters/...

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Today's Reliable Sources lead: Trump cries ‘national security’ as press ban heads to court www.cnn.com/newsletters/...

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

KFILE renews: “Kaczynski’s singular talent has made him a hot commodity among news outlets, but he recently decided to stay with CNN for the next few years,” @charlottetklein.bsky.social reports nymag.com/intelligence...

KFile Is (Still) a Politician’s Worst Nightmare

How the online sleuth Andrew Kaczynski gets it done in an age of enshittification.

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Geoffrey Sorensen @gsorensen.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Truth on the side of CNN's screen from @brianstelter.bsky.social #cnn #thearena #reliablesources

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

A hearing on the CNN/MS Now/Politico ban is slated for tomorrow. The president already sounds resigned to losing in court:

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

In this morning's Reliable Sources: >> Differing decisions about Trump’s speech >> Rubio’s defense: ‘We’re not closing CNN’ >> The Paramount–WBD settlement backlash Read all about it: www.cnn.com/newsletters/...

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Can Paramount's "editorial independence board" actually ensure CNN and CBS News independence? Many are skeptical if not downright suspicious. But as one person involved in the state AG negotiations said to me, "This board WILL exist. So let's try to make sure it has teeth."

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Maybe the feeling won’t last. Maybe the unity will fizzle out. But at least for a moment, Trump’s ban has prompted shows of solidarity from almost every corner of the White House press corps and beyond...

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

What a day: We started the morning by reporting that CNN is suing the president over an unprecedented White House ban. Now we're reporting that CNN is about to have a new owner, Paramount, which is expected to combine CNN with CBS News down the road. Full recap here: www.cnn.com/newsletters/...

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Geoffrey Sorensen @gsorensen.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

@brianstelter.bsky.social #cnn #thearena #reliablesources

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Barbara Kaskosz @kaskosz.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Brian Stelter: “The entire American press corps seems united in a way that I have not seen in a long time.” @brianstelter.bsky.social

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

“EXTRA, EXTRA!” A special EVENING edition of Reliable Sources is hitting inboxes now. Subject line: Paramount’s big win and CNN’s next chapter Check it out here: www.cnn.com/newsletters/...

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

CNN's homepage this afternoon:

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Special edition of Reliable Sources just landed 🛬 We're at a confluence of two major media stories, both involving CNN... www.cnn.com/newsletters/...

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

For anyone who'd like to read it in full, here is the PDF of the First Amendment lawsuit filed by CNN, MS NOW and Politico this morning: www.politico.com/f/?id=000001...

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Viewers have been asking me if the other major TV networks will stand in solidarity with CNN over the president's ban. The answer is yes. The other networks are declining to assign a different “TV pool” camera crew to cover Trump "effective today" >>>

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Breaking: The three national news outlets President Trump banned from the White House — CNN, MS NOW, and Politico — are filing a critical First Amendment lawsuit to restore their access. Live coverage on "CNN This Morning" right now 👀 www.cnn.com/2026/09/21/p...

CNN, MS NOW and Politico to sue Trump administration over White House access | CNN Politics

The three national news outlets President Donald Trump banned from the White House — CNN, MS NOW, and Politico — are filing a critical First Amendment lawsuit to restore their access.

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CNN @cnn.com · 21/09/2026

The Trump White House has removed CNN from its Monday assignment as the TV pool representative for the entire White House press corps, deepening the dispute that began when the president said he was "banning" CNN, MS NOW and Politico. cnn.it/4iEwv5Z

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Breaking: The Trump White House has removed CNN from its Monday assignment as the TV pool representative for the entire White House press corps, deepening the dispute that began last Friday... www.cnn.com/2026/09/20/m...

White House strips CNN of TV pool assignment as Trump’s press ban escalates | CNN Business

The Trump White House has removed CNN from its Monday assignment as the television pool representative for the entire White House press corps.

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Patrick* Neithard @patrickneithard.eurosky.social · 20/09/2026

Brian Stelter: Paramount nears merger settlement, but some key state AGs are not on board yet