Email not displaying correctly?
View it in your browser ([link removed]) .
[link removed]
[link removed]


** OPINION
------------------------------------------------------------


** The Daily Beast retracts story linking Melania Trump to Epstein
------------------------------------------------------------
First Lady Melania Trump, shown next to President Donald Trump earlier this month. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

On Thursday, The Daily Beast removed an article from its website that highlighted claims that Trump met First Lady Melania Trump through Jeffrey Epstein. These claims came from Donald Trump biographer Michael Wolff.

This editor’s note ([link removed]) was posted on The Daily Beast’s site: “Editor’s Note. After this story was published, The Beast received a letter from First Lady Melania Trump’s attorney challenging the headline and framing of the article. After reviewing the matter, the Beast has taken down the article and apologizes for any confusion or misunderstanding.”

Wolff’s original claims were made during an episode of the Daily Beast podcast ([link removed]) , which aired six days ago.

The Wrap’s Benjamin Lindsay wrote ([link removed]) , “In the podcast interview with Joanna Coles, published Saturday, Wolff alleges that Donald and Melania met in 1998 through ID Models founder Paolo Zampolli, who himself had ties to Epstein and his partner Ghislaine Maxwell. He said that Melania was ‘very involved’ in Epstein’s social circle.”

A spokesperson for The Daily Beast told media journalist Oliver Darcy ([link removed]) , “The story was deleted because it did not reflect the comments made by Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles on the Daily Beast podcast.”

The Daily Beast is a superb site, but it got beat up in media circles for highlighting claims made by Wolff.

Mediaite’s Isaac Schorr wrote ([link removed]) , “Wolff is known for making claims of questionable veracity and provenance. In 2018, Wolff falsely suggested that Trump was having an affair with Nikki Haley, who was serving as his ambassador to the United Nations at the time. As a result, observers were not especially kind to the Beast after its credulous coverage of Wolff’s latest incendiary claim.”

Check out Schorr’s story for some of the reaction.

A MESSAGE FROM POYNTER


** Save the date: Bowtie Ball with Jane Pauley
------------------------------------------------------------

Mark your calendars for the Bowtie Ball on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, Poynter’s signature evening celebrating journalism, truth and democracy. We will honor Jane Pauley with the Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement and recognize Dean Baquet and G.B. “Garry” Trudeau with Distinguished Service to Journalism Awards. The event will take place alongside a celebration of Poynter’s 50th anniversary. Submit your information to be among the first to get tickets.
Get Notified ([link removed])


** The latest with Gannett
------------------------------------------------------------

My Poynter colleague Angela Fu published this story on Thursday: “Gannett is cutting $100 million and rethinking subscriptions to curb falling revenue.” ([link removed])

Fu writes, “The company ended its most recent quarter with a profit of $78.4 million, up from the $13.7 million profit it posted during the same period last year. However, total revenue fell 8.6% year-over-year to $584.9 million. To address this issue, Gannett recently began making cuts with the goal of saving $100 million. Those reductions include closing two of the company’s largest print facilities, shifting some of its markets to mail delivery and automating and outsourcing certain parts of its business.”

Based on Gannett’s earnings call on Thursday, Fu gets into the details of what Gannett has planned.


** A first for Rolling Stone
------------------------------------------------------------

Shirley Halperin is leaving The Hollywood Reporter to become co-editor-in-chief of Rolling Stone. She becomes the first woman in that role in the magazine’s 60-year history. Halperin is a veteran music writer and reporter. She will head up Rolling Stone’s music coverage along with executive editor Sean Woods, who is being promoted to co-editor-in-chief.

Maer Roshan, co-editor of The Hollywood Reporter, will now become THR’s lone editor-in-chief.

Rolling Stone CEO Julian Holguin said in a statement, “Sean and Shirley are unmatched in their expertise and passion for storytelling, and their partnership will play a pivotal role in shaping Rolling Stone’s future. Both bring exceptional vision and a deep understanding of the brand’s legacy. Their leadership will continue to drive the world-class journalism and culture-shaping conversations that Rolling Stone’s audience has come to expect.”

The Hollywood Reporter has more ([link removed]) .


** Media news, tidbits and interesting links for your weekend review
------------------------------------------------------------
* The Associated Press’ David Bauder with “Judge orders Trump administration to explain why order to restore Voice of America wasn’t followed.” ([link removed])
* Right-wing commentator and podcaster Candace Owens has some wild conspiracy theories about France’s first lady Brigitte Macron, including that she is a transgender woman. Now Owens is being sued by Macron and her husband, French President Emmanuel Macron. And The xxxxxx’s Will Sommer writes, “Candace Owens Is in Some REAL Trouble.” ([link removed]) You gotta read Sommer’s piece for all the head-shaking details. Sommer writes, “Along with having the potential that Owens will have to pay massive damages, the lawsuit is interesting for two reasons: the split it has exposed in the MAGA right between Owens and many of her compatriots, and the potential it has to cause real headaches for Donald Trump, who has had to tend to some awkwardly complicated diplomatic relations.”
* Oh, want more wacky stuff from Owens? Check this out: Mediaite’s Charlie Nash with “Candace Owens Continues Harvey Weinstein Rehabilitation Campaign With Softball Interview: ‘You Were Set Up.’” ([link removed]) Owens actually says this to the convicted sex offender and former Hollywood big-shot producer: “I’ve looked at this case deeply and it looks to me like a modern-day hit, and I’m sorry to say that. I genuinely think that, for whatever reason, I don’t know who you upset, I don’t know what they were after, but it just looks to me like a rigged system and they took you out.”
* The Tampa Bay Times’ Dan Sullivan with “Memo details Fox News video leak as Tim Burke conspirator faces sentence.” ([link removed])
* Troy Taylor, fired as Stanford University’s football coach in March, is suing ESPN for defamation. Taylor was fired six days after an ESPN report ([link removed]) , based on previously undisclosed third-party investigations, alleged that Taylor had “bullied and belittled” female athletic staffers. The Sacramento Bee’s Joe Davidson first wrote ([link removed]) about Taylor’s suit. And here’s more ([link removed]) from Sports Illustrated’s Liam McKeone. Taylor’s Stanford teams had a pair of 3-9 records during his two seasons as coach.
* Media Matters’ Beth Cope and Lis Power with “Fox News since Monday: 85 minutes talking about Sydney Sweeney, 3 minutes talking about Epstein.” ([link removed])
* Washington Post fact-checker Glenn Kessler, who announced this week that he has accepted a buyout from the Post, wrote his farewell column: “The Fact Checker rose in an era of false claims. Falsehoods are now winning.” ([link removed])
* Our Poynter 50 series ([link removed]) reflects on 50 moments and people that shaped journalism over the past half-century — and continue to influence its future. The latest installment is from Poynter’s media business analyst Rick Edmonds: “Did Craigslist decimate newspapers? Legend meets reality.” ([link removed])
* Also, check out the latest episode of “The Poynter Report Podcast.” ([link removed]) I talk with USA Today columnist Christine Brennan, who is out with a new book about WNBA star Caitlin Clark. We talk about Clark’s career, and how the WNBA was seemingly unprepared for Clark’s game-changing arrival into the association.
* Former Vice President Kamala Harris gave her first TV interview on Thursday since last November’s election. And who did she pick to do the interview? CBS late-night host Stephen Colbert, whose show is being canceled in May. The announcement that Colbert’s show is being cut came days after Colbert ripped CBS’s owners, Paramount, for settling a lawsuit with President Donald Trump — who claimed CBS purposely edited a “60 Minutes” interview with … Kamala Harris in order to help her win the election.
* The New York Times’ Mike Isaac, Eli Tan and Cade Metz with “A.I. Researchers Are Negotiating $250 Million Pay Packages. Just Like N.B.A. Stars.” ([link removed])
* For Texas Monthly, José R. Ralat with “I Travel Across Texas to Eat Tacos, But I Don’t Drive. Here’s How I Get It Done.” ([link removed]) The subhead on this story reads, “With my epilepsy, I have to manage seizures, prearrange travel, and get lots of rest, but it’s all in a day’s work for this taco editor.”
* WQED Media — which is a part of Pittsburgh’s PBS station — announced that it is laying off 19 employees. The cuts are a result of Congress’ recent decision to eliminate federal funding for public broadcasting. The Current’s Tyler Falk has more ([link removed]) .
* As I wrote about in Thursday’s newsletter, ESPN has parted ways with Shannon Sharpe less than two weeks after Sharpe settled a lawsuit in which an ex-girlfriend accused him of sexual assault. Not long ago, Sharpe seemed to have a super bright media future. But what now? Awful Announcing’s Matt Yoder writes, “Where does Shannon Sharpe go from here?” ([link removed])


** More resources for journalists
------------------------------------------------------------
* Turn your life story into a memoir in this pioneering virtual workshop led by Poynter's Director of Craft Kristen Hare, featuring accomplished authors as guest instructors. Enroll now ([link removed]) .
* Get strategies to find diverse sources, understand systemic barriers and advance mental health equity in your area. Enroll now ([link removed]) .
* Journalism leaders of color: Poynter’s prestigious Diversity Leadership Academy has helped over 200 journalists of color advance their careers. Apply today ([link removed]) .
* Access ([link removed]) Poynter’s comprehensive mental health reporting resources.
* Journalists of color: Join a free four-day workshop at Poynter's waterfront campus, where accepted applicants develop the skills needed to become powerful writers. Apply now ([link removed]) .
* New manager? Gain the critical skills you need on your path to leadership in journalism, media and technology. Apply now ([link removed]) .
* Refine your immigration policy expertise with Poynter's Beat Academy. Enroll now ([link removed]) .

Have feedback or a tip? Email Poynter senior media writer Tom Jones at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
The Poynter Report is your daily dive into the world of media, packed with the latest news and insights. Get it delivered to your inbox Monday through Friday by signing up here ([link removed]) . And don’t forget to tune into our biweekly podcast ([link removed]) for even more.
[link removed]
Help Poynter strengthen journalism, truth and democracy. ([link removed])
GIVE NOW ([link removed])

ADVERTISE ([link removed]) // DONATE ([link removed]) // LEARN ([link removed]) // JOBS ([link removed])
Did someone forward you this email? Sign up here. ([link removed])
[link removed] [link removed] [link removed] [link removed] mailto:[email protected]?subject=Feedback%20for%20Poynter
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
© All rights reserved Poynter Institute 2025
801 Third Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
If you don't want to receive email updates from Poynter, we understand.
You can change your subscription preferences ([link removed]) or unsubscribe from all Poynter emails ([link removed]) .