January 20, 2026

WORD WARRIOR: Scott Jennings Scoffs at Cameron Kasky’s Language Limiting Edict on Saying ‘Illegal Aliens.’

However, “It’s this next part where things get more dicey for both CNN and Kasky:” This CNN Panel Discussion on Trump Might Just Land the Network in Legal Hot Water.

* * * * * * * *

Incredibly, Kasky attempted to triple down, but Berman managed to talk over him, sarcastically asking Jennings if he’s satisfied.

BERMAN: Okay, we’ll get to that later. Donald Trump has never been charged with any crimes in relation to Jeffrey Epstein. But we’ll talk about the Epstein files later.

KASKY: Yeah, but let’s be…let’s be serious.

BERMAN: (Looks at Jennings) Satisfied?

I don’t know if Jennings was satisfied, but I’d bet CNN’s lawyers weren’t. Having arrogant brats like Kasky on air without enforcing boundaries is a good way to end up getting sued. Keep in mind that ABC News settled with Trump for $15 million in damages after one of its on-air personalities falsely claimed that Trump had “raped” E. Jean Carroll. Claiming he was part of a “human sex-trafficking ring” doesn’t strike me as any less serious. I’m sure there will be an internal email sent, but perhaps CNN should be a bit more selective of who they put on air. If I were Trump, at the very least, I’d try to extricate a formal correction and apology from CNN and Kasky.

Just another night on CNN’s Thunderdome.

Posted at 12:30 pm by Ed Driscoll

THE STORY BENEATH THE STORY:

Posted at 12:27 pm by Stephen Green

ADVANTAGE, ELON!

Post continues: “Tesla was already inside, shoes off, Wi-Fi connected Tesla already has 39 stores across Canada, a Canada-ready Model Y built in Shanghai, and absolutely zero setup drama Meanwhile, other Chinese brands are still figuring out leases, hiring staff, and finding coffee machines Canada allows 49,000 Chinese EVs per year Tesla’s like: ‘Cool. We’ll take those.’”

Posted at 12:00 pm by Ed Driscoll

THAT’S JUST A WARMUP FOR THE MAMDANI YEARS: New York City lost nearly 5,000 businesses last year.

The report, released Thursday by the Economic Development Corporation, showed more than 3,500 new businesses opened their doors in New York City during the second quarter of the fiscal year but that was offset by a loss of about 8,400 employers. That’s the weakest quarter for business formation since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the report’s authors said.

The corporation’s report is the latest to highlight New York City’s shrinking business sector with employers looking to other low-tax states as Albany piles on new regulations and costs.

It also comes as Mamdani seeks to draw up support for higher taxes to pay for plans for universal childcare, tuition free college and free bus service in the city.

Mamdani’s plans call for increasing the state’s top corporate tax rate by about half, up to 11.5% from its current maximum of 7.25%, which has caused concerns among New York City’s business community. If approved, that would match the highest corporate rate in the nation next door in New Jersey. He’s also called for “wealth” tax and a $30 per hour minimum wage for the city.

Looks like New York City has a whole lot of “bad luck” in store — unexpectedly!

Posted at 11:41 am by Stephen Green

MEANWHILE, OVER AT VODKAPUNDIT: The Obamas’ Power, Corruption, and Lies Are Things to Behold. “But we’re here to talk about Barack, because there’s money and then there’s money, and it’s vital to understand how the Obamas got the lucre to ‘buy everybody.’ Because let me tell you this much before we get into the filthy details: It was not from a black-owned business Michelle insists she buys from.”

Posted at 11:10 am by Stephen Green

TRANSPARENCY:

Posted at 10:54 am by Stephen Green

TINSELTOWN BLUES: California losing over $1B to rival states for film, TV production — despite Newsom tax incentives.

California saw 20% fewer movie and TV projects filming in the state compared to a year ago, while spending on big and small screen productions also fell 22%, according to a new data analysis by The Hollywood Reporter.

The slump came even after Democrat Newsom signed legislation doubling California’s film and TV tax credit program from $330 million to $750 million annually, in an effort to keep such projects local.

“Although our overall numbers remain low, there are dozens of incentivized projects that have yet to begin filming,” FilmLA Vice President Philip Sokoloski told The Hollywood Reporter, urging patience as the expanded incentives begin to take effect.

Los Angeles alone logged just 19,694 filming days last year — a 16.1% drop from 2024 — underscoring how sharply production activity has slowed even in Hollywood’s backyard.

Production is down across the board, but bigger tax incentives aside, California is a lousy place to conduct any kind of business.

Above-board business, that is.

Posted at 9:37 am by Stephen Green

SOMETIMES THE TRUTH SLIPS THROUGH:

Related:

Posted at 9:30 am by Glenn Reynolds

KRUISER’S MORNING BRIEFING: Happy One-Year Anniversary, Trump 47. “The fact that Trump got through the legal hell that Joe Biden’s DOJ goon squad subjected him to for four years with any positivity in him is miraculous. If ever anyone deserved to sour on the United States of America, it’s Donald Trump. Instead of letting it all get to him, he fought through the harassment so that he could try and put things right again in this country.”

Posted at 9:06 am by Stephen Green

SNOWFALLS WILL SOON BECOME A THING OF THE PAST:

(Classical reference in headline.)

Posted at 8:40 am by Glenn Reynolds

CIVIL RIGHTS UPDATE: Hawaii Uses State’s Royal History to Justify Ban on Carrying Guns in Most of the State.

“Hawai‘i’s unique history—including its long pre-statehood existence as an independent kingdom—means that its residents never developed a practice of bringing guns into shops, convenience stores, and the like,” state Attorney General Anne Lopez wrote in a brief filed with the Supreme Court in December.

Alan Beck, a San Diego-based attorney who is representing the plaintiffs, says bringing the history of the Hawaiian Kingdom into the argument is invalid.

“What they’re really arguing is that the rights of my clients, who are U.S. citizens, should be dictated by the laws of a monarchy,” he said. “That’s not a position that’s really tenable.”

“No kings,” they told me.

Posted at 8:35 am by Stephen Green