Overview

• John Oliver criticized the increasingly sycophantic tone of White House press briefings, where far-right outlets dominate and questions often praise President Trump.
• Trump has labeled critical media outlets like CNN and MSDNC as 'illegal' and 'corrupt,' escalating his rhetoric against the press since his second inauguration.
• The FCC, under Trump appointee Brendan Carr, is investigating major broadcasters for alleged bias, excluding Fox News, raising concerns of regulatory overreach.
• CBS parent company Paramount is reportedly considering settling Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit over a 60 Minutes segment, with potential FCC approval of its merger at stake.
• Oliver warned that self-censorship by media owners and compliance with Trump's demands could erode press freedom, urging journalists to uphold their watchdog role.