Ink Stained Wretches
The news about the News
Eliana Johnson and Chris Stirewalt love the news business but they hate a lot of what’s happening to it these days. Using their decades of experience in print, digital and TV news they tell the story behind the stories, always on the lookout for bias, sloppy reporting and, well, just plain wretched journalism. Every week they help you to be a better, smarter news consumer.
$WRETCHCOIN
Jan 24, 2025
This is not a crypto scam—it’s an opportunity. As for the news about the news, we’re diving deep into the inauguration, Trump’s administration, Prince Harry, and much more. Wretch on!
Listen to episode →A Farewell That Harms
Jan 17, 2025
Today, we bid bon voyage to the Biden administration by reflecting on President Biden’s farewell address, Jill Biden’s exit interview with The Washington Post, and KJP’s final appearance in the White House Press Room. We’re also diving into media coverage of the L.A. wildfires, drama at The Washington Post, and an Obama lawyer’s $20 million mansion fiasco. Wretch on!
Listen to episode → Fact Checkers Go Up in A Blaze
Jan 10, 2025
Wretches, we’re back! This week, we’re diving deep into the state of fact-checking. We also discuss Susie Wiles, Justin Trudeau, and the ongoing turmoil at The Washington Post. Wretch on!
Listen to episode →The Best of 2024
Dec 27, 2024
This week, we are looking back on 2024 to see how we got here. We’re revisiting the rise of Trump 2.0, the decline of mainstream outlets like MSNBC, and the other biggest moments in American news media this year. Wretch on, and we’ll see you in the new year.
Listen to episode →Tripping on Narcissism
Dec 20, 2024
Bad news: Eliana is out this week. Good news: The Washington Post’s Megan McCardle is stepping in. We cover everything from The Wall Street Journal’s victory lap on Biden coverage to the drama at BlueSky and the rising role of health in politics. Wretch on!
Listen to episode →