Oliver Darcy here at 8:25pm ET on Friday, May 13. Here's the latest on Parag Agrawal, Jen Psaki, Judy Woodruff, Dinesh D'Souza, Sean Hannity, Jelani Cobb, David Culver, Gwyneth Paltrow, and more...

Weekend reads, part one

>> TIME's cover story this week: "Olga Rudenko and the Kyiv Independent are giving the world a window into a devastating war..." (TIME)

>> Michael Schaffer goes deep on C-SPAN's "unlikely fight for eyeballs" as it gets "walloped by cord-cutting..." (Politico)

>> Just as soon as President Biden warned of "ultra MAGA" Republicans, Donald Trump's allies embraced the term, Ashley Parker and Michael Scherer write. This may remind you of how Trump redefined "fake news..." (WaPo)

>> Playbook said "this National Review statement is as good a distillation of the fears that currently animate the right as any we've seen..." (NRO)

>> Tim Alberta's must-read about a clash of Christian worldviews – "how politics poisoned the evangelical church" – is key to understanding the cultural and media landscape... (The Atlantic)

>> "Being a political journalist made me a better Christian," Yahoo's Jon Ward writes: "While many Christians are hostile towards news media, my faith grew deeper because of it..." (Christianity Today)

>> This is an incredibly powerful guest essay by Amanda Makulec about the human toll of misinfo: "I lost my baby. Then antivaxxers made my pain go viral..." (NYT)

>> A disturbing story on multiple levels: "QAnon joins vigilantes at the southern border..." (NYT)

>> "YouTube creators are pivoting their videos to Depp v. Heard content and raking in millions of views," Kat Tenbarge reports... (NBC)

>> Terry Nguyen asks: "What is a trend anymore?" And, "Why are we so determined to name them?" (Vox)

Weekend reads, part two

BY BRIAN STELTER:

>> Deepest condolences to the family of Richard C. Wald, the former NBC News president who died Friday. There is so much to be learned from his life and legacy. Read Variety, Newsday and NBC's obituaries for more...

>> Erin Griffith on the mood inside tech start-ups right now: "Workers are dumping their stock, companies are cutting costs, and layoffs abound..." (NYT)

>> "The ACLU has lost its way," Laura Bazelon argues, persuasively... (The Atlantic)

>> "Texas has declared open season on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube with its censorship law," Brian Fung writes... (CNN)

>> The global picture: "Countries are taking more steps to compel social-media platforms to shield users from material they deem harmful," Kim Mackrael and Rhiannon Hoyle write... (WSJ)

>> The Gridiron Dinner and the White House Correspondents Dinner "became bywords for pandemic recklessness, but they're proof it's possible to live with the virus," Jack Holmes writes... (Esquire)

>> There are so many dead-on lines from Alexandra Jacobs' ode to magazines. Like: "The clicks are trampling the slicks." Read all about it... (NYT)

>> Samhita Mukhopadhyay writes about "the impending closure of Bitch magazine" and "the demise of '90s feminist-zine culture..." (The Atlantic)

>> "How do newsrooms talk to readers when they've really screwed up? With process, transparency, and trust..." (NiemanLab)

>> In this story about the amazing afterlife of George Carlin, Dave Itzkoff asks, "What happens when comedy outlasts the era it was made for?" (NYT)

>> Peter Kafka sizes up how and why the streaming TV industry s "learning to live with" ads... (Recode)

>> New from Sam Farmer: "NFL players turned broadcasters have warnings for Tom Brady when he goes in TV booth..." (LAT)

Twitter's stock plunges after Musk puts deal 'on hold'

Let's face it: Elon Musk declaring his Twitter takeover to be "temporarily on hold" was a perfect Friday the 13th story. The announcement from the unpredictable billionaire came courtesy of a tweet sent at 5:44am ET. Musk, linking to a Reuters story, said he wanted more details on whether "spam/fake accounts do indeed represent less than 5% of users." Musk followed up 126 minutes later, tweeting that he is "still committed to [the] acquisition."

The unexpected development, however, sent Twitter's stock tumbling on Friday. The stock ended the day down nearly 10%. As analyst Dan Ives said, "The implications of this tweet will send this Twitter circus show into a Friday the 13th horror show as now the Street will view this deal as 1) likely falling apart, 2) Musk negotiating for a lower deal price, or 3) Musk simply walking away from the deal with a $1 billion breakup fee." CNN's David Goldman, Chris Isidore, and Clare Duffy have more here...

'We need to be prepared for all scenarios'

Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal on Friday afternoon posted a thread in which he addressed the looming Musk deal and the leadership changes he made Thursday amid it. "Changes impacting people are always hard. And some have been asking why a 'lame-duck' CEO would make these changes if we’re getting acquired anyway. The short answer is very simple," Agrawal wrote. "While I expect the deal to close, we need to be prepared for all scenarios and always do what’s right for Twitter. I’m accountable for leading and operating Twitter, and our job is to build a stronger Twitter every day. No one at Twitter is working just to keep the lights on. We take pride in our work. Regardless of the company’s future ownership, we’re here improving Twitter as a product and business for customers, partners, shareholders, and all of you..."

FOR THE RECORD, PART ONE

-- Back to Musk's tweets: Alexis Keenan writes that his "mode of communication could be problematic, as the SEC requires communications to shareholders be filed with the agency to ensure investors aren't misled. As of Friday afternoon, Musk's tweets had not been filed with the agency..." (Yahoo! Finance)

-- "Musk can't just walk away from his deal to acquire Twitter by paying an agreed-upon $1 billion breakup fee," Alex Sherman points out. "It’s not that simple..." (CNBC)

-- "If Elon Musk restores Trump's Twitter account, it could pave the way for other platforms to do the same," Clare Duffy writes... (CNN)

-- Stelter's question: Is it more fun to "play" Twitter boss – being the king in waiting and stirring things up – versus actually owning and operating the site? (Twitter)

Outrage creation

BY ALEX KOPPELMAN:

"Look at that," Sean Hannity said on Fox News Thursday night, pointing to a photo being shown next to him, "pallets and pallets of baby formula for illegal immigrants and their families even as hardworking American" -- and now there was another photo -- "families, we are now suffering a massive nationwide shortage." The photos had been provided to Fox by the office of GOP Rep. Kat Cammack, whose account of someone in the Border Patrol telling her of "pallets" of formula being sent to a border processing center had set off a whole outrage cycle on the right. They were used Friday morning as well on "Fox & Friends" during an extended interview with Cammack.

And they did not show baby formula.

The photo Hannity pointed to, and the one that followed it, showed boxes and boxes clearly labeled NIDO. As anyone at Fox could have discovered with about a minute’s worth of fact-checking, NIDO is not baby formula; it is powdered milk. As its maker, Nestlé, specifically notes: "NIDO® products are only intended for children ages 1 year and older."

There is undoubtedly some formula being provided to babies in these centers at the border -- you’d assume there would be, unless you expect the government to simply decide to starve babies in its care. The narrative spun over the past two days on the right, though, has let people imagine not a little bit of necessary food but rivers of formula going to the undocumented over themselves. It’s an illuminating example of how Republican politicians and right-wing media work in concert, turning the thinnest possible set of facts into days of outrage over Them getting something You deserve -- and then, as with the photos Hannity and "Fox & Friends" used, abandoning facts altogether.

FOR THE RECORD, PART TWO

-- Greg Sargent writes about how Fox's hosts have "instructed Americans to feel infuriated and humiliated" by the notion the Biden admin would provide formula for babies detained at the border: "Republicans don’t say outright that starving detained migrant kids is preferable, that Biden should take formula away from them and give it to American parents. So why link the two developments at all?" (WaPo)

-- Alyssa Rosenberg: "It’s anathema to punish innocent people for crimes they didn’t commit. Babies aren’t capable of making the decision to cross international borders. And even if their parents committed a crime in coming here, that offense doesn’t eliminate the United States’ responsibility to those babies...." (WaPo)

-- Dinesh D'Souza, upset that Fox News won't promote his conspiratorial new film, posted a wild thread on Friday that included a combative exchange with Tucker Carlson's top producer. It's an interesting read, to say the least... (Twitter)

-- The Fox News primary: Rob Tornoe notes that as Sean Hannity attacks Kathy Barnette, Laura Ingraham is defending her... (Inquirer)

-- Philip Bump's analysis: "The MAGA establishment looks to crush an unwelcome outsider..." (WaPo)

Psaki's final briefing

Jen Psaki on Friday held her final briefing as White House press secretary. Before taking questions from reporters, Psaki thanked the president for the opportunity to serve, her staff for the support, and her family for being steadfast advocates. Psaki also thanked the press, saying, "You have challenged me, you have pushed me, you have debated me — and at times we have disagreed. That is democracy in action. That is it working. Without accountability, without debate, government is not as strong and you all play an incredibly pivotal role. Thank you for what you do."

Woodruff to step down as 'PBS NewsHour' anchor

It's official: TV news icon Judy Woodruff will be stepping down as anchor of "PBS NewsHour" at the end of the year. The news, first reported by Puck's newest hire Tara Palmeri, was made official via Woodruff on Friday. "I love working at the PBS NewsHour and can’t imagine it not being a part of my life," Woodruff said in a statement. "I will continue to anchor through this year’s midterm elections, until the end of 2022." Woodruff said that afterward she will transition to "reporting longer pieces" and doing special projects. But she said that she will maintain a "regular presence" on the show "at least through the 2024 presidential election."

As for who takes over, a "NewsHour" spokesperson told me, "Details as it pertains to our future anchor desk will be announced in the fall of 2022." That said, two people familiar with the matter did confirm Palmeri's scoop to us: That Amna Nawaz and Geoff Bennett will replace Woodruff and begin to co-anchor the show in early 2023. Woodruff, one of the people added, played a role in the succession planning process and has "given her blessing and seal of approval..."

Jelani Cobb is Columbia's new J-school dean

Jelani Cobb was named on Friday as the next dean of the Columbia Journalism School. Cobb will officially ascend to the post on August 1. "Jelani’s vision for the future of the Journalism School is one that embraces the vital role of journalism in our society, on a local and global scale, and the need to ensure our graduates are as well prepared as possible for an incredibly dynamic and changing field," Columbia University president Lee C. Bollinger said. Here's the full announcement...

FOR THE RECORD, PART THREE

-- "Joe Kahn, the next executive editor of The New York Times, will inherit a great news organization that has lost its bearings when it comes to national and political coverage," Dan Froomkin argues... (Nation)

-- Switching to the war: Ukraine says that it has banned 13 foreign journalists for having "published disinformation" about the war... (SSU)

-- "Two journalists for Kremlin-backed television channel RT were injured Friday during a rocket attack in eastern Ukraine..." (AFP)

-- "Two brave female journalists in Ukraine show us the value of a free press," Emily Sheffield writes... (Evening Standard)

Israeli police beat mourners

BY ATIKA SHUBERT AND ABEER SALMAN:

There was unrest in Jerusalem Friday as thousands attended the burial of veteran Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was shot dead two days earlier while reporting on a military raid in the West Bank city of Jenin. Mourners had marched from Jerusalem's Jaffa Gate to Mount Zion cemetery. They were met with violence at the St. Joseph hospital complex by Israeli police when they tried to carry Abu Akleh's coffin, which Al Jazeera footage showed being rocked and then falling out of the hands of some of the pallbearers, as Israeli police beat them with batons. Crowds walked behind as Abu Akleh's rose-covered coffin was carried by pallbearers and lain down to rest next to her parents' grave. Continue reading here...

'Deeply disturbing'

The White House didn't condemn Israel on Friday, but Jen Psaki said at the Friday briefing that the administration had seen what she described as "deeply disturbing" images of the funeral procession. "We regret the intrusion into what should have been a peaceful procession," Psaki said. "We've urged respect for the funeral procession, the mourners and the family at this sensitive time." Psaki added that the admin is in "close touch with Israeli and Palestinian authorities..."

After more than two years, Culver leaves China

For the last two-and-a-half years, CNN international correspondent David Culver has been in China reporting on Covid. And for the final 50 days of his reporting assignment, Culver was under strict lockdown as he broadcast from Shanghai. But now Culver is finally back in the US for what he described as a "long overdue homecoming visit." Culver reported on his journey home, saying that it was "strange" simply heading outside in Shanghai as he departed China, given that it was the "first time since mid-March" that he had done so. Culver added that he had a feeling of apprehension as he made his way to the airport, as well as some "survivor's guilt" for "leaving behind a country amidst almost unprecedented changes." Watch his piece here...

Steve Schmidt on this week's 'Reliable' podcast

After fourteen years, Steve Schmidt is ready to tell a troubling story about John McCain. Why now? Schmidt talked with Stelter about his headline-making "war" with McCain's family; why he feels compelled to annotate history now; and how his stories have relevance for political journalists. Schmidt also responds to critics who say he's "unhinged," arguing that it would be crazy not to respond to craziness, and he discusses challenges for the press, forecasting that 2024 "could be a last choice election." Tune in via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, or your favorite app...

FOR THE RECORD, PART FOUR

-- Cynthia Littleton reports that "the Hollywood Foreign Press Association is putting itself on the auction block, courting buyers for the embattled organization that hands out the annual Golden Globe Awards..." (Variety)

-- Jordan Moreau reports that Warner Bros. Discovery exec Kathleen Finch "has revealed her revamped leadership team..." (Variety)

-- Carolyn Giardina reports that Baird B. Steptoe Sr. has been "elected national president of the International Cinematographers Guild, making him the first Black Guild member to be elected to the office..." (THR)

FOR THE RECORD, PART FIVE

-- Netflix "drew more TV viewing time than any other outlet during the 2021-22 TV season," Rick Porter reports. "Among the broadcasters, CBS captured the biggest share of viewers’ time..." (THR)

-- Michael Che talks to Dave Itzkoff about eventually departing "SNL," saying, "My head has been at leaving for the past five seasons..." (NYT)

-- "The late Norm Macdonald will deliver one final stand-up comedy set to the world, having taped a run-through of new material prior to his September 2021 passing," Matt Webb Mitovich reports... (TV Line)

-- "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" will once again dominate the box office. It's expected to earn $74-80 million... (Deadline)

-- ABC has renewed "The Conners," "The Wonder Years," and "Home Economics..." (Variety)

-- "American Idol" has also been renewed for yet another season... (Deadline)

-- A new Disney+ series will follow the lives of the Montaner family... (Collider)

'Firestarter' fizzles; 'The Time Traveler’s Wife' wastes your time

BY BRIAN LOWRY:

"Firestarter" doesn’t possess much of a spark, which likely explains why it’s hitting Peacock simultaneously with its theatrical release. Ditto for an HBO series version of "The Time Traveler’s Wife," which despite Rose Leslie and Theo James’ efforts proves strange, kind of icky and doesn’t do much more than waste your time. Another thumbs down for "The Lincoln Lawyer," a Netflix series based on Michael Connelly’s book that feels like a weak throwback to an ‘80s drama...

FOR THE RECORD, PART SIX

BY LISA RESPERS FRANCE:

-- Gwyneth Paltrow's $120 disposable Goop diapers are not what you think...

-- Canceled TV shows: A look at some of the shows that won't be returning...

-- Naomi Judd's public memorial host and performers have been announced. The event will take place Sunday and be televised by CMT...

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