The TRUTH About Jill's Treatment of Joe Biden, Bari Weiss'Leadership, and "Strangers" Accuracy
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Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Belle Burden, author of 'Strangers,' is accused of lying about her financial struggles post-divorce, possessing a $67 million trust fund and receiving $600,000 annually in child support.
- ❖The book 'Strangers' is framed as an act of revenge against Burden's ex-husband, who was portrayed as a 'sociopath' despite offering generous divorce terms.
- ❖Publishers and media outlets like Oprah, Gwyneth, and Drew Barrymore are criticized for promoting Burden's narrative without due diligence.
- ❖Barry Weiss's management at CBS News is described as 'terrible,' leading to significant staff turnover and internal drama, including the firing of Scott Pelley.
- ❖Jill Biden is labeled a 'malignant narcissist' for her book tour, particularly for parading an 'infirm' Joe Biden at public events.
- ❖Blake Lively is accused of 'stolen valor' for attempting to nationalize a sexual harassment protection law (47.1) for personal PR, against the wishes of the law's actual victim-originator.
- ❖W. Kamau Bell is called out for hypocrisy in forgiving Ted Danson's minstrel blackface while condemning Megyn Kelly's less severe comments on the topic.
Insights
1Bestselling Memoir 'Strangers' Accused of Financial Fabrications
Belle Burden's memoir, 'Strangers,' which details her financial devastation after divorce, is revealed to be highly misleading. Burden, a Harvard and NYU Law graduate with Vanderbilt lineage, possesses a $67 million trust fund and received $600,000 annually in child support, plus an $800,000 income in 2019. The narrative of financial struggle is deemed an insult to genuinely struggling women.
Maureen Callahan states Burden is 'worth $67 million' and received '$50 grand a month' in child support. Megyn Kelly cites a New Yorker deep dive revealing these figures. Burden's own admissions in the book about ceding financial responsibility and letting herself go physically are highlighted as contributing factors to her marital issues.
2CBS News Leadership Turmoil Under Barry Weiss
Barry Weiss's tenure at CBS News, particularly 60 Minutes, is characterized by poor management, leading to widespread staff dissatisfaction and high-profile firings. Megyn Kelly and Maureen Callahan describe Weiss as 'terrible at managing people,' creating a 'snake pit' environment. Her decision to fire key personnel without explanation and to personally take on-air opportunities (like a town hall with Erica Kirk that 'bombed') has alienated staff and damaged the institution's reputation.
Callahan states, 'Barry's terrible at managing people,' and 'staff morale was terrible.' Megyn details the firing of the executive producer and top female correspondents, Anderson Cooper's departure, and Scott Pelley's canning. Steve Kroft's quote, '60 Minutes is a shadow of its former self,' is cited.
3Jill Biden Criticized for 'Malignant Narcissism' and Exploiting Joe's Health
Jill Biden's book tour is heavily criticized for what Megyn Kelly calls 'malignant narcissism' and a 'delusional reality.' Her statement 'We chose Kamala' for VP is highlighted as factually incorrect and indicative of her self-aggrandizing narrative. Most severely, Jill is accused of 'dragging' an 'infirm' Joe Biden to public book events, forcing him to make awkward appearances, which is framed as a 'cruelty' and a self-serving act given his deteriorating health.
Jill Biden's quote 'We chose Kamala' from Morning Joe is played. Megyn describes Joe Biden's awkward appearance at a 92nd Street Y book event, asking 'Who do you love most in the whole world?' and criticizes the act as 'not a kind act' for someone with his health issues.
4Blake Lively Accused of 'Stolen Valor' in Sexual Harassment Law Advocacy
Blake Lively is criticized for attempting to co-opt and nationalize California's 47.1 law, designed to protect disempowered sexual harassment victims from retaliatory defamation lawsuits. The law's originator, Victoria Burke (an actual sexual assault victim), explicitly asked Lively not to interfere, as Lively was not a victim in her case against Justin Baldoni and her actions could damage the law's strategic implementation. Lively's actions are labeled 'stolen valor' and a self-serving PR campaign that undermines the cause for genuine victims.
Victoria Burke's direct communication to Lively's attorney, stating, 'Please don't do that...I didn't want her to turn my bill into the Met Gala,' is recounted. Megyn emphasizes Lively was 'not a victim of a sexual assault' in her specific case and is in a 'richer, more connected power position' than Baldoni.
Bottom Line
Extreme wealth and privilege can inadvertently sap individuals of purpose and a realistic understanding of financial struggles, leading to narratives that are out of touch with the majority.
This disconnect can result in public figures creating 'cautionary tales' that are insulting to those with genuine hardships, eroding public empathy and trust in their stories.
There's an opportunity for media to critically examine the backgrounds of memoirists and 'champions' to ensure their narratives genuinely resonate with and serve the intended audience, fostering authentic storytelling and advocacy.
Effective leadership in media requires strong people management skills and a nuanced understanding of internal dynamics, beyond just ideological alignment or a 'high tolerance for pain.'
Aggressive, top-down management without transparency or respect for existing talent can lead to widespread resentment, internal leaks, and the rapid decline of storied institutions, making it impossible to achieve desired editorial changes.
New leaders entering established institutions should prioritize humility, listening, and strategic talent integration rather than immediate, disruptive purges, to build consensus and maintain morale while implementing change.
Lessons
- Critically evaluate 'victim' narratives, especially from individuals with significant wealth, to discern genuine hardship from perceived inconvenience.
- For leaders, prioritize transparent and respectful talent management, understanding that abrupt, unexplained firings can destabilize an entire organization and lead to public relations disasters.
- Be wary of public figures who co-opt advocacy causes for personal branding, as their actions may undermine the strategic efforts of genuine activists and victims.
Quotes
"If you don't smell a rat, your olfactory nerves are not working. This is sick. This is no way to run an election."
"She's worth $67 million. We like crying tears of this woman, this woman, some of us. Do you have $67 million? Would you be writing a piece about how you didn't know how to pay your bills?"
"This book is a complete act of revenge against the husband. It is the sole reason this book exists. It is to punish the husband who had the temerity to leave her."
"This is a direct quote: 'It brought me to my knees.' This is what brought her to her knees, Megan: she's at the country club one day...this woman comes up to her and says, 'Listen, sister, I'm going to clue you in on something. When a couple gets divorced up here, typically only one person gets custody of the country club.'"
"Your happiness does not change the more money you get. Once you get past the stage of 'I can pay my bills without feeling sick,' there is no difference in happiness. Truly, there is none."
"Book publishers are not investigators. This is Amy's story. We trust her and all of our authors that they are recounting their memories truthfully."
"Barry's terrible at managing people. Terrible. She was terrible at the Free Press...she doesn't listen to anybody."
"You never saw Roger Ailes doing his own interview. You didn't see Chris Licht or Jeff Zucker...go take the big interviews from Anderson Cooper or Kaitlan Collins. Barry Weiss did that because Barry Weiss wants to be a star."
"We chose Kamla. Joe chose Kamla to be BP and um, so we were supportive of her."
"I didn't want her to turn my bill into the Met Gala."
Q&A
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