Politico Playbook Audio Briefing, 08/18/26
Source: Politico
“‘Bobby unleashed’ on the campaign trail.” (08/18/26)
Inequality Is Not the Problem
Source: Foundation for Economic Education
by Lipton Matthews
“Few slogans travel through modern politics with as much confidence and as little scrutiny as the claim that inequality is a social ill to be corrected at nearly any cost. Yet a fair reading of the evidence suggests the opposite conclusion. Inequality is not a defect in the system. It is the primary mechanism by which human achievement compounds, wealth spreads, and living standards rise for the great majority of people who never come close to the top of the distribution.” (08/18/26)
Disney and ABC sue FCC, seeking to stop early license renewal process
Source: NBC News
“The Walt Disney Company, ABC and a number of its stations on Tuesday sued the Federal Communications Commission, seeking to stop an early license renewal process that they say is an attack by the Trump administration. In April, the FCC ordered Disney’s eight owned-and-operated television stations to file their broadcast license renewals ahead of schedule. That order came amid a probe into ABC’s ‘The View’ program, as well as a long-running investigation into diversity, equity and inclusion practices at Disney. All eight of the ABC stations whose licenses were put in jeopardy by the FCC are part of Tuesday’s lawsuit. The move from the FCC also came after the White House and President Donald Trump himself assailed ABC late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel for a joke about the first lady Melania Trump.” (08/18/26)
The Daily Blast With Greg Sargent, 08/18/26
Source: The New Republic
“Trump Rage Erupts Over Iran as Aides Leak Embarrassing Truth: He Lost.” (08/18/26)
https://newrepublic.com/article/214443/trump-rage-erupts-iran-aides-leak-embarrassing-truth-lost