Despite a history of saying outlandish things on TV, Judd Apatow calls for the FCC to censor Fox News. Hollywood director deletes tweet after getting destroyed by Glenn Greenwald.



Hollywood writer Judd Apatow called for the Federal Communications Commission to revoke the license of Fox News. However, the plea to censor the most popular cable TV news network was met with thunderous resistance. Apatow's request to silence Fox News was ridiculed so severely that the former stand-up comedian deleted his tweet.

On Saturday night, Apatow wrote on Twitter, "Why doesn't the FCC take away the license of Fox News?"

Twitter screenshot

By Sunday morning, Apatow had deleted the tweet calling for the censorship of Fox News. Reactions on Twitter lambasted the Hollywood director for allegedly attempting to encourage a government agency to stifle speech that he doesn't like.

Independent journalist Glenn Greenwald: "Wanting the state to silence one's adversaries is pervasive across time and culture — that's why the 1st Am banned it — but until recently, people were embarrassed to explicitly advocate it. But in US liberal culture, censorship is now so normalized that this is no longer odd: That's all independent of the legal inanities in Apatow's demand as it pertains to the FCC's powers and the like. That's just standard ignorance. Most notable is how common it is among Dems to crave a union of state and corporate power brute censor one's political adversaries. Again: it is bizarre — surreal — that the people who have convinced themselves they are fighting fascism in the US vehemently demand a union of state and corporate power to silence their enemies. A fanatic, by definition, believes all their tactics are inherently just."

City Journal writer Christopher F. Rufo: "The same reason they don't take away your license to make movies: the constitution."

Newsmax host Carl Higbie: "The first amendment for one… and cause it’s the most popular news station for two…"

Professor, author, and evolutionary psychologist Geoffrey Miller: "Why not just take away the First Amendment, you totalitarian ghoul?"

Congressional candidate Robby Starbuck: "First of all the there’s no FCC license that can be taken. Secondly what you’re really asking is 'why won’t the state shut down news I don’t agree with?' and the answer is in our constitution. I highly suggest you read it. As much as I hate CNN, they’re free to air their lunacy."

Cartoonist Scott Adams: "Judd, I report on the fake news from CNN almost every day, with clear examples. They are all the same."

National Review senior writer Charles C. W. Cooke: "One reason is that Fox doesn’t have, or need, an FCC license."

The official FCC website states:

Cable television system operators generally make their own selection of channels and programs to be distributed to subscribers in response to consumer demands. The Commission does, however, have rules in some areas that are applicable to programming – called "origination cablecasting" in the rules – that are subject to the editorial control of the cable system operator. The rules generally do not apply to the content of broadcast channels or to access channels over which the cable system operator has no editorial control.

Regarding the broadcast of false information, the FCC notes:

The FCC prohibits broadcasting false information about a crime or a catastrophe if the broadcaster knows the information is false and will cause substantial "public harm" if aired.

FCC rules specifically say that the "public harm must begin immediately, and cause direct and actual damage to property or to the health or safety of the general public, or diversion of law enforcement or other public health and safety authorities from their duties."

Broadcasters may air disclaimers that clearly characterize programming as fiction to avoid violating FCC rules about public harm.

The FCC is prohibited by law from engaging in censorship or infringing on First Amendment rights of the press. It is, however, illegal for broadcasters to intentionally distort the news, and the FCC may act on complaints if there is documented evidence of such behavior from persons with direct personal knowledge.

This isn't the first time Apatow has attacked Fox News. In 2018, Apatow attempted to get Tucker Carlson's show canceled over statements regarding illegal immigration. "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" director personally sent messages on Twitter to companies who advertise on the "Tucker Carlson Tonight" show, including Pfizer and Subaru.

"Hey @pfizer — what does it say about your company and your moral positions if you advertise on @tuckercarlson’s show? He and @FoxNews get rich off of dividing our country and spewing lies and hate at immigrant communities who are just trying to survive. Maybe choose another show," Apatow wrote to the pharmaceutical behemoth.

He tweeted at automaker Subaru, "Hey @subaru_usa - why would you continue to advertise on @TuckerCarlson’s show when he spews so much racism and hate? How does that reflect the values of your company? There must be other shows you can advertise on which are not destructive to our country."

Hey @pfizer - what does it say about your company and your moral positions if you advertise on @tuckercarlson\u2019s show? He and @FoxNews get rich off of dividing our country and spewing lies and hate at immigrant communities who are just trying to survive. Maybe choose another show.
— Judd Apatow (@Judd Apatow) 1544918303
Hey @subaru_usa - why would you continue to advertise on @TuckerCarlson\u2019s show when he spews so much racism and hate? How does that reflect the values of your company? There must be other shows you can advertise on which are not destructive to our country.
— Judd Apatow (@Judd Apatow) 1544918166

Despite calling for the FCC to censor Fox News, Apatow has made off-color comments during television appearances. In 2019, author and columnist Mandy Stadtmiller created a video compilation of Apatow making outlandish remarks, many of which were said during appearances on broadcast and cable TV.

Stadtmiller explains why she made the compilation video:

In the past few years, the Hollywood director has increasingly targeted comedians, TV broadcasters, personalities and specific jokes that he finds offensive. But what about his own past? His old stand-up includes him mocking vulnerable kids, joking about having sex with family members, making fun of going on a shooting spree and saying on stage: "I'm not a racist; I'm a sexist." Not to mention his own history of creating raunchy comedies and his history with young actors and women, in particular Katherine Heigl, whose career never recovered after Apatow viciously mocked her on "Howard Stern" for daring to call "Knocked Up" a "little bit sexist" to a reporter.

Content Warning: Graphic language:

Does Judd Apatow deserve to be cancelled? www.youtube.com

Multiple companies yank donations from Republicans who opposed Electoral College certification



At least three major corporations have announced they will stop giving to the political campaigns of Republican lawmakers who opposed the certification of Joe Biden's Electoral College victory.

The development comes as America attempts to reckon with the deadly riots on the U.S. Capitol last week, which happened as a joint-session of Congress was meeting to certify Biden's win. Those lawmakers who opposed the certification have been at least partially blamed for helping instigate the riots by sowing doubt into the legitimacy of Biden's victory.

Despite the violence, 147 Republican lawmakers — 139 representatives and eight senators — still voted against the certification of Electoral College results.

What's happening now?

Popular Information, a political newsletter operated by left-wing operative Judd Legum, contacted 144 corporations that financially supported the Republican lawmakers, specifically the eight senators, through their corporate PACs, asking if the companies would continue to support the lawmakers.

In response, three of the companies told Popular Information they would stop donating:

  • Marriott International, the world's largest hotel chain
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield, one of America's largest health insurance providers
  • Commerce Bancshares

In a statement, a spokesperson for Marriott said, "We have taken the destructive events at the Capitol to undermine a legitimate and fair election into consideration and will be pausing political giving from our Political Action Committee to those who voted against certification of the election."

Meanwhile, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association president and CEO Kim Keck told Popular Information that it was suspending political donations to the 147 Republicans who voted against certification, calling their decision one that sought to "undermine our democracy."

At the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, we continuously evaluate our political contributions to ensure that those we support share our values and goals. In light of this week's violent, shocking assault on the United States Capitol, and the votes of some members of Congress to subvert the results of November's election by challenging Electoral College results, BCBSA will suspend contributions to those lawmakers who voted to undermine our democracy.

While a contrast of ideas, ideological differences and partisanship are all part of our politics, weakening our political system and eroding public confidence in it must never be. We will continue to support lawmakers and candidates in both political parties who will work with us to build a stronger, healthier nation.

Commerce Bancshares told Popular Information, "At this time, we have suspended all support for officials who have impeded the peaceful transfer of power. Commerce Bank condemns violence in any form and believes the actions witnessed this week are abhorrent, anti-democratic and entirely contrary to supporting goodwill for Americans and businesses."

Legum later said that Citibank also told him it would pull their donations, but in Legum's article, he said that Citibank was pausing all PAC donations, not just those for Republicans.

UPDATE: @Citibank says it will “not support candidates who do not respect the rule of law” and will “pause contribu… https://t.co/x3Yz4Hxk7f
— Judd Legum (@Judd Legum)1610307273.0

A few companies told Popular Information they would temporarily suspend all PAC donations without partisan particularity, while others told the newsletter they were reviewing their policies.

Trump speaks from Walter Reed as more updates indicate his health is improving: 'Substantial progress'



President Donald Trump addressed the nation in a four-minute video late Saturday, explaining that his health has improved since arriving at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

"I came here, I wasn't feeling so well. I feel much better now," Trump said. "We're working hard to get me back. I have to get all the way back because we still have to make America great again. We've done an awfully good job of that but we still have steps to go and I have to finish that job. I'll be back, I think, I'll be back soon."

"We're going to beat the coronavirus, or whatever you want to call it, and we're going to beat it soundly," he later added.

https://t.co/gvIPuYtTZG
— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump)1601765518.0

Indeed, Sean Conley, D.O., the president's physician, released another update Saturday evening indicating Trump's health continues to progress as he battles coronavirus.

President Trump continues to do well, having made substantial progress since diagnosis. This evening he completed his second does of Remdesivir without complication. He remains fever-free and off supplemental oxygen with a saturation level between 96 and 98% all day.

He spent most of the afternoon conducting business, and has been up and moving about the medical suite without difficulty. While not yet out of the woods, the team remains cautiously optimistic.

The plan for tomorrow is to continue observation in between doses of Remdesivir, closely monitoring his clinical status while fully supporting his conduct of presidential duties.

In addition, the White House released two photos of Trump working while isolated inside the executive suite at Walter Reed.

The man never stops working! #45 President @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/WCUQBzgslN
— Judd Deere (@Judd Deere)1601780577.0
The guy’s a machine. @realDonaldTrump getting work in at Walter Reed. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/yX1eeUqt7h
— Ben Williamson (@Ben Williamson)1601780247.0

The positive update came after conflicting reports triggered a wave of confusion earlier in the day.

Just minutes after Conley had concluded a press conference updating the media on the president, an anonymous source told the White House media pool that Trump's health had been worse than what was being said publicly. "The president's vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning, and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care," the source said. "We're still not on a clear path to a full recovery."

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows was later identified as the anonymous source after he was captured on video and audio asking the media pool to talk off the record.

However, Meadows struck a much more hopeful tune Saturday evening.

Meadows told Fox News that Trump "is doing extremely well. In fact, I'm very, very optimistic based on the current result," the Washington Examiner reported.

"He's made unbelievable improvements from yesterday morning, when I know a number of us, the doctor and I, were very concerned," Meadows explained.

Hollywood director Judd Apatow says Hollywood is now China's puppet: 'Chilling' censorship as China has 'bought our silence'



Judd Apatow, longtime writer and director on the Hollywood entertainment circuit, says Hollywood companies will not criticize China — all because of the almighty dollar.

What are the details?

In a recent interview with MSNBC's Ari Melber, Apatow, 52, said that Hollywood is turning a blind eye to human rights violations taking place across the world — especially when it comes to China.

"What I perceive as more chilling is a corporate type of censorship that people don't really notice, which is a lot of these giant corporate entities have business with countries around the world, Saudi Arabia or China, and they're just not going to criticize them, and they're not going to let their shows criticize them, or they're not going to air documentaries that go deep into truthful areas because they just make so much money."

He pointed out that Hollywood would not develop a film project pitch based on a story about an escapee from one of China's Uighur detention camps or from North Korea.

Apatow said that "no one would buy the pitch" if a filmmaker came in and told executives, "Hey, I want to write a movie about the concentration camps in China and Muslims in concentration camps. I want to write a movie about someone who escapes."

"Instead of us doing business with China, and that leading to China becoming more free, what has happened is a place like China has bought our silence with their money," he explained.

"They have just completely shut down critical content about human rights abuses in China," he added, "and I think that's much scarier."

Judd Apatow On How China Gets Hollywood To Censor U.S. Films And Free Speech www.youtube.com

U.S. companies won't 'speak up about concentration camps in China'

Disney has recently come under fire for one of its recent films, "Mulan," after several of the films' scenes were filmed in the Chinese province in which Muslims are held in concentration camps.

Apatow also tweeted about the Disney film, writing, "It is shameful that no U.S. companies and very few politicians speak up about concentration camps in China. The United States has abandoned the world when it comes to human rights."

Two days after that tweet, he added, "They are not 'detained,' they are being held in CONCENTRATION CAMPS. Apple uses that word because they don't want to anger China. Maybe Disney and Apple should SPEAK UP & try to help a million people who were abducted and put in CONCENTRATION CAMPS."

You can read more about the "Mulan" controversy here.

It is shameful that no US companies and very few politicians speak up about concentration camps in China. The Unit… https://t.co/ByU5Oz18lV
— Judd Apatow (@Judd Apatow)1599498442.0
They are not ‘detained’ they are being held in CONCENTRATION CAMPS. Apple uses that word because they don’t want to… https://t.co/dU22c6Ndw8
— Judd Apatow (@Judd Apatow)1599633270.0