The News Not Noise Letter: Harris Survives a CNN Sit-Down
The News Not Noise Letter: Harris Survives a CNN Sit-Down
No gaffes here. Plus: influencers battle journalists, Trump battles the military, and tips for parents with high-achieving kids.
For daily news updates and analysis, be sure to follow us on Instagram. You can also find us on TikTok, YouTube, and Threads.
This newsletter is sponsored by
This week, a battle broke out between traditional press and influencers over who got the best real estate at the DNC. I explained the conflict and its implications in this Instagram video. I was struck by how many people responded by saying they trust influencers more than traditional press because they believe the traditional press is motivated by their “corporate owners’” politics and a drive to generate views, clicks, and virality. (And influencers are immune…?)
It’s no secret that the press has been losing the public’s trust by playing the noise game.
Now more people are looking to influencers for answers to important decisions in their lives, including their vote. This is our new reality.
Though online audiences trust creators, in general they don’t know what standards they use to share information.
I think it’s important we define some shared standards and develop a way to measure who has a track record of transparency and credibility. The tools to do that don’t yet exist. What would help you evaluate the reporters and influencers you follow?
Here are your headlines:
The Interview: Vice President Kamala Harris gave her first sit-down interview since entering the race. Harris didn’t make much news – good or bad. She emphasized themes rather than policy specifics, didn’t take the bait when asked about Trump’s attacks on her race and gender, didn’t make any notable gaffes, and wasn’t “rescued” by Gov. Tim Walz during any difficult questions – as some of her critics warned she would be. Here are a few takeaways:
Fracking: Pressed about her changed position on fracking – she endorsed a ban in 2020, but now opposes it – Harris said her values haven’t changed. This is an issue in battleground Pennsylvania, where fracking contributes millions to the state’s economy.
Israel: Harris made clear she would not support an arms embargo on Israel, saying she is “unwavering” in her “commitment to Israel’s defense and its ability to defend itself.” She alluded to this position in her convention speech. She also emphasized the importance of getting a ceasefire/hostage deal.
Cabinet: Harris said she would appoint at least one Republican to her cabinet.
Walz: Walz was asked about Trump’s attacks on his claims about his military service, his family’s fertility treatments, and social media cruelty about his son Gus. We didn’t learn much about Walz, but this was really a Harris interview.
Media Appetite: In the absence of other interviews, the pressure on this one was huge. Today, everyone’s a critic. They’re attacking Harris’s lack of specifics, CNN’s choice to ask the duo to respond to Trump’s attack lines, Walz’s presence there, even the choice to conduct the interview sitting at a table. Bottom line: the campaign will continue facing pressure to do additional interviews soon. (I’m raising my hand! Would be happy to do one please😊)
Other Campaign Updates:
Trump’s Repro Hot Takes: This week in a big flip-flop, former President Trump claimed he’d make IVF free for all US families. Reality check: Trump’s campaign platform vows to “protect and defend” access to both IVF and “the issue of life,” and to uphold the 14th Amendment’s “due process” clause – which reproductive rights advocates warn is a dog-whistle for fetal personhood policies that could effectively ban IVF. Seems Trump is taking multiple positions so different audiences will hear what they want. Recall, Trump bragged about appointing the justices who overturned Roe; also, Project 2025 defines personhood “from the moment of conception,” which would lead to banning IVF. Anti-repro rights activists are upset about Trump’s latest shifting positions (see this guy, this one, and this woman). Separately, Trump said he’d vote for a measure on the Florida ballot that would end the state’s 6-week abortion ban, guaranteeing access until viability. However, today his campaign said he’ll vote against it. TL;DR: Trump is trying to muddy the waters on repro rights.
Arlington & Fallout: Here’s an issue that will continue to plague the Trump campaign: Trump and company visited Arlington National Cemetery Monday to recognize those killed in the withdrawal from Afghanistan. They violated federal law by taking photos and video around tombstones of the recently fallen. When a cemetery official tried to stop them, two members of Trump’s staff physically “pushed [her] aside.” Though the Army officially rebuked Trump, he nonetheless posted video from the hallowed grave sites. And Utah Gov. Spencer Cox used an image in a fundraising email. Both actions are forbidden by Arlington because the US military exists to defend all Americans and it’s considered disrespectful to exploit a military death for political gain. The family of a deceased Green Beret whose grave was filmed by Trump said they did not approve. There are currently no plans to press charges against the Trump campaign. This is not the first time Trump’s been accused of disrespecting the troops.
Labor Day Weekend: Harris will make a campaign stop in Pittsburgh on Labor Day with President Biden. Trump has no scheduled events. Expect both campaigns to ramp up their schedules post Labor day. Trump will reportedly start near-daily campaign events.
Listeria Outbreak: The listeria outbreak caused by Boar’s Head deli meats is now the worst in the US since 2011. It has killed 9 and hospitalized 57. Some impacted products may still be in your fridge, with expiration dates as far out as October. So check your fridge, and get rid of any Boar’s Head products with the inspection number 12612.
Social Platforms & Free Speech: Courts across the globe are trying to make social media companies more responsible for the content they host. A judge is allowing the parents of a deceased 10-year-old to proceed with a lawsuit against TikTok after its algorithm recommended dangerous “blackout challenge” videos to their daughter. The lawsuit takes on a law that shields internet platforms from being legally responsible for user content. Meanwhile France charged the CEO of Telegram with complicity in a slew of crimes including child trafficking, drug trafficking, and money laundering. He didn’t do these things but allowed them to be carried on his platform. And a justice in Brazil blocked X in the country because Elon Musk refused to take down certain accounts. We’ll keep an eye on these cases.
Does this happen to you? About once a week I get an email saying my data might have been leaked in a massive security breach. I never know quite what to do when that happens. Now that NNN has partnered with NordVPN, I can see exactly what information has been compromised on the Dark Web – and protect my data fast. And it can scan the programs on my computer to alert me to any security vulnerabilities. NordVPN is offering the NNN community a Huge discount on their normal price plus four additional months. Just go to NordVPN.com/newsnotnoise
Back to School: Countering Toxic Achievement Culture
It’s back-to-school season and many parents in this audience know that means grueling tests, jam-packed extracurricular schedules, and other forms of “achievement pressure.” Students’ drive to outperform their peers is now linked to anxiety, depression, and even self-harm. To give you some perspective and tips to relieve the pressure of achievement culture on teens’ mental health, we spoke to Jennifer Wallace, bestselling author of Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic – And What We Can About It.
What does the science say about the impacts of achievement pressure on youth mental health?