As much as anyone, Fox News mogul Rupert Murdoch is responsible for America’s conservative crackup. Trumpism is a monster of Fox’s own making, Justin Peters writes—but it’s grown so much that the network can no longer control it.
The 92-year-old media mogul announced Thursday that he will be stepping down from News Corp. Peters gives us his assessment of Murdoch’s astounding and disgraceful legacy.
Plus: Many people worry about Fox News or OAN warping their elderly parents’ sense of reality. But there’s another channel that’s even worse.
And ICYMI: Peters explains why Fox switched up its prime-time lineup, and what it means for 2024.
Zelensky’s rough U.S. visit
The Ukrainian president traveled to the U.S. in search of help. Instead, he found a U.N. incapable of being serious, and a Capitol Hill in the throes of some kind of theater of the absurd. Fred Kaplan looks back on Zelensky’s bizarre and frustrating trip.
A Texas-sized disgrace
The worst judge in the country is at it again. This time, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk is declaring war on drag, claiming that it’s not protected by the First Amendment.
It’s a shocking rejection of basic free speech principles—but for Kacsmaryk, it’s also par for the course. Mark Joseph Stern puts this latest move in context of the judge’s extremist history, and explains what these kinds of lawless decisions mean for the Supreme Court.
Let them wear shorts!
Who are we to bar such a quintessentially American garment from the halls of power? Christina Cauterucci weighs in on the uproar over Sen. John Fetterman’s wardrobe.
The Latino Black Panther?
Cat Cardenas is part of the Spy Kids generation: “a whole class of Latino kids,” she writes, “who looked to the Cortez family, and the titular secret agents Carmen (Alexa PenaVega) and Juni (Daryl Sabara), and saw themselves as heroes.” She explains why the franchise has quickly become one of the most progressive forces in American cinema.
Just New Jersey things
Sen. Bob Menendez was indicted after he and his wife allegedly received several “gifts”—including, uh, gold bars—from three businessmen. He’s been down this road (being indicted) before! Ben Mathis-Lilley reflects on New Jersey lawmakers’ apparent penchant for doing this kind of thing.
Olivia’s encore
Like Olivia Rodrigo, we pay attention to things that most people ignore—for example, the real reason “Vampire” is No. 1 on the Hot 100 again (and no, it’s not the Taylor Swift rumors). Chris Molanphy explains what’s going on.
RIP Netflix DVDs
It’s the end of an era—and not just for plastic discs. Sam Adams argues that the death of Netflix’s disc-mailing business marks the loss of something even bigger.
And speaking of Netflix: Can we talk about the season finale of Sex Education? Nadira Goffe reflects on Otis and Maeve’s final relationship status. (Spoilers ahead, obviously!)
Today, Slate is … * BELOVED (OR AT LEAST WIDELY LISTENED TO AND CLICKED ON)
… much like New York Times columnist David Brooks, who became the center of attention on Twitter for his seemingly misleading tweet about airport food prices. (Ugh, David Brooks!)
We wish you a wonderful weekend, maybe even with some reasonably priced burgers and fries thrown in.
Thanks so much for reading, and we’ll see you on Monday!
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