Reporter for local CBS station goes viral after refusing to downplay pro-Trump rally



In a video posted to X, Vinny Martorano, a multimedia journalist for the Sinclair-owned Austin CBS affiliate, was handed a phone during a livestream at the Texas Capitol and shown what appeared to be a message from station management. According to the brief exchange caught on camera, the instruction was to avoid focusing on celebrations in the street, where demonstrators were chanting and thanking former President Donald Trump following the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Martorano glanced at the message, looked back toward the crowd, and responded, “All right. Well, I am,” before continuing his report.

'A large group of people in front of the Texas Capitol are celebrating the coordinated strike against Iran early this morning.'

The 30-second clip quickly spread across social media, racking up hundreds of thousands of views within hours. Many users framed the moment as evidence of media bias and praised Martorano for refusing to downplay a pro-Trump rally.

RELATED: UK prime minister reverses course, allows US use of British bases for strikes on Iran

Photo by Cheng Xin/Getty Images

The alleged text Martorano received didn't stop him from reporting what was happening.

When the livestream continued, Martorano opened his on-air report by noting that reactions across Austin were mixed.

"There are a lot of mixed opinions across Austin about the joint attack between the United States and Israel against Iran that happened earlier this morning," Martorano said. "Some people, like this group behind me, are thanking Trump and the United States government for following through with this attack against Iran, while other people across the city say there needs to be more peace in the Middle East."

Martorano made additional posts, covering the celebrations.

RELATED: Israeli officials say Khamenei is dead. Update: Trump confirms.

Photo by Natalia Campos/Getty Images

"A large group of people in front of the Texas Capitol are celebrating the coordinated strike against Iran early this morning," one of his posts read. "Some people I spoke with moved to Austin from Iran."

Eric Daugherty, chief content officer of Right Line News, praised Martorano for his honest reporting despite alleged pressure to do the opposite. "THAT'S how you do it!"

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Fired WaPo Reporter’s Tweet Perfectly Sums Up Why Everyone Hates The Media

'Sad and angry'

Former NFL reporter Michele Tafoya targets Tim Walz and 'massive' fraud in GOP Senate campaign launch



A former football sideline reporter has announced a strong Donald Trump-style platform in her run for office.

Michele Tafoya is a former Sunday Night Football staple, interviewing coaches, players, and the like from 2011 to 2022.

Now Tafoya has launched a bid for a Senate seat in Minnesota that will be vacated by retiring U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D).

'I will clean up the system, fighting corruption, ending the fraud, and protecting your tax dollars.'

On Wednesday, Tafoya launched her campaign with a video, stating that "massive government fraud" has been "ripping off" hardworking Americans while showing clips of journalist Nick Shirley's viral videos that uncovered alleged fraud at Somali-run day cares.

Tafoya also pointed the finger at Gov. Tim Walz (D) and said the state has been forcing "radical ideologies" in schools and sports, putting young women in danger.

RELATED: Whitlock: Michele Tafoya risked everything to start her own Freedom Convoy

"I will clean up the system, fighting corruption, ending the fraud, and protecting your tax dollars," Tafoya said. "I will protect what's fair and safe, standing with our law enforcement officers, deporting dangerous criminals, and keeping female sports for female athletes."

She added, "And I will make our lives affordable again."

Furthermore the former broadcaster promised to cut taxes for the middle class, strengthen manufacturing, and lower the cost of groceries, prescription drugs, and mortgages.

Tafoya will have stiff competition, even if she is the most notable name in the Republican primary field. Other candidates include former NBA player Royce White, retired Navy officer Tom Weiler, and retired Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze.

RELATED: Facing down cancel culture: 4 courageous women who stand firm in their beliefs

Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Tafoya, 61, is originally from California but relocated to Minnesota to cover the NFL's Minnesota Vikings and then the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves before shifting to national coverage.

In mid-December, Tafoya reportedly met with members of the National Republican Senatorial Committee to discuss the potential run. On Tuesday, paperwork for "Tafoya for Senate" was filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Retiring U.S. Sen. Smith, who is from the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party wing of the DNC, won her primary in 2018 after former comedian Al Franken resigned over a picture of him pretending to squeeze a news broadcaster's breasts while she was asleep.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Trump Gives Lesson On Negotiation Tactics To Reporter Who Asked ‘Nasty Question’ About His Tariff Strategy

'You call that chickening out?'

Reversal of FATE: Steve Baker’s update on January 6 prisoners is ‘a good sign’



January 6 started as a chance for Trump supporters to innocently protest and quickly turned into a day that would change their lives forever.

Now, however, things might be taking a turn for the better.

“One J-sixer is seeing a reversal of fate,” Jill Savage of “Blaze New Tonight” explains.

“John Strand is actually one of the more, let’s call it, infamous stories, certainly one of the more high-profile cases of all the January 6 defendants,” Steve Baker tells Savage.

Strand was friend and bodyguard of Simone Gold — a doctor and attorney who was the deplatformed founder of the Frontline American Doctors. Gold had been accused of “disinformation” for recommending alternative therapies that were not part of what Baker calls the “approved narrative” regarding COVID-19.

Gold was scheduled to speak on January 6 at one of the six legally permitted events scheduled on the Capitol property that day.

“By the time they got to the Capitol, everything had gone to hell in a handbasket, and so there was nothing but chaos by the time they arrived. The breaches had already taken place. John Strand and Simone Gold did not participate in violence, they did not participate in breaching the Capitol building whatsoever,” Baker explains.

However, their fatal flaw was going inside the Capitol peacefully.

“She actually decided to deliver her prepared remarks there in the Rotunda. She climbed up on the Eisenhower statue, with John standing guard beside her, she delivered her remarks there in the great Rotunda of the Capitol, and then they peacefully left, just as so many other hundreds and thousands of people did,” Baker says.

Both Strand and Gold were “handed that infamous 1512 obstruction of an official proceeding felony.”

The felony carried up to 20 years of imprisonment.

Gold ended up taking a plea deal and pled down to a single misdemeanor. Judge Christopher Cooper sentenced her to 60 days in prison.

“John Strand decided he was not going to take this lying down, that he was going to be a warrior, and he, despite the odds being horribly stacked against him, he was going to go to trial and he did that,” Baker explains.

He was convicted on all counts, and he was sentenced to 32 months in prison.

“Now what’s happening is that because of the Supreme Court’s overturning the 1512 obstruction of an official proceeding charge against 355 defendants, him being one of those,” Baker says, “they’re shortening their sentences or letting them go.”

If they haven’t gone to trial yet, they’re not charging them with it.

“It’s especially a good sign because the Department of Justice has already announced that they want to figure out how to continue with that charge,” Baker explains. “But the point being, is it appears that the judges are pushing back against the DOJ.”

“We’ll take this as a good sign,” he adds.


Karine Jean-Pierre throws TEMPER TANTRUM over questions about Biden's health



The White House press corps is not happy with Karine Jean-Pierre — as she just can’t seem to stop repeating lies from the White House regarding the president’s health.

“I never answered the question incorrectly,” Jean-Pierre responded to a frustrated member of the press. “That is not true. I was asked about a medical exam, I was asked about a physical, that was in the line of questions that I answered.”

“And I said ‘No, he did not have a medical exam,’ and I still stand by that. Matter of fact, the president still stands by that. He had a verbal check-in, that is something that the president has a couple times a week,” Jean-Pierre continued.

When another reporter asked the name of the doctor with whom President Biden has weekly check-ins, Jean-Pierre got angrier.

“I am telling you right now that I am not sharing, confirming names from here. It is a security reason. I am not going to do that Ed, it doesn’t matter how hard you push me, it doesn’t matter how angry you get with me. I’m not going to confirm a name,” she said.

Pat Gray is confused as to why it’s a “security reason.”

“If she mentions the guy's name, if it’s Dr. Cannard, does that mean people are going to try to kill him? Is that what the security issue is? Are you endangering his life by saying, ‘Yeah, he treated the president?’ This is BS. Come on,” Gray says.

Jean-Pierre then went on to claim that it was for the doctor’s “privacy.”

“It is inappropriate, it is not acceptable,” she added.

“He’s the president’s doctor,” Gray laughs. “That just ruins your career.”

In another press briefing, Jean-Pierre appeared to be on the brink of tears.

“We literally do everything that we can, my team does, that we can, to make sure that we get the answers to you,” she said. “And sometimes we disagree, sometimes we are not in agreement. But you know what, that’s democracy.”

“And so to say that I’m holding information, or allude to anything else, is unfair, is really, really unfair,” she continued. “And I will admit, I will be the first one to admit, sometimes I get it wrong. At least I admit that.”

Then it got worse, as Jean-Pierre told reporters sometimes she doesn’t “have the information,” but again, at least she admits it.

When she was asked whether or not Biden would submit to a cognitive test, Jean-Pierre said more of absolutely nothing.

“Everything that he does day in and day out, as it relates to delivering for the American people, is a cognitive test.”


Want more from Pat Gray?

To enjoy more of Pat's biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Disney VP caught on hidden camera EXPOSING woke DEI by James O’Keefe



James O’Keefe has done it again.

The investigative journalist confirmed suspicions that Disney has “gone woke” in his latest undercover expose with his organization, the O’Keefe Media Group.

The group captured a Disney executive on camera admitting that Disney prioritizes skin color rather than merit when it comes to hiring employees.

The executive, senior vice president and team lead over at 20th Television Michael Giordano told one of OMG’s investigators that there have certainly “been times where, you know, there’s no way we’re hiring a white male for this.”

“Just kind of unspoken?” the undercover journalist says to Giordano.

“There are times when it’s spoken,” Giordano confirms, before explaining the way it’s been phrased is, “There’s no way we’re hiring a white male for this role.”

Giordano had also told the undercover journalist that a promotion was likely not in the cards for him because he is seen as a white male.

“As far as Disney is concerned I’m a white male. That’s not who they’re looking to promote at the moment,” he said.

Once the report was released, Giordano was let go from his position.

Lauren Chen is not shocked that Disney has been caught.

“For a long time, people like me have looked at Disney and wondered, okay, if they care about diversity and woke so much, why don’t they still have diverse characters but at least have a well-written, you know, well-made show?” Chen says.

“I think it’s pretty clear here that the reason why they don’t have that at least quality with the wokeness is because they’re also prioritizing skin color when it comes to the people who are making their shows, writing their films, managing their company,” she adds.

While there are obviously talented writers of color, population-wise there are not enough to hire only those of color.

“They’re having to boost up people who probably aren’t as good at their jobs as they should be, simply because they like the way they look,” Chen comments.


Want more from Lauren Chen?

To enjoy more of Lauren’s pro-liberty, pro-logic, and pro-market commentary on social and political issues, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Karine Jean-Pierre LIES, says Biden's NOT playing 'both sides' of pro-Palestinian protests



The Biden administration is doing its best to play both sides of the argument when it comes to the pro-Hamas protests in universities — and it’s not going unnoticed.

When White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was pressed on the issue by Fox News’ Peter Doocy, it was clear she did not know how to respond.

“I understand that President Biden historically has spoken very forcefully about anti-Semitism, but this week he’s not. He’s MIA. Is he that worried about losing the youth vote with these protesters?” Doocy asked.

“I’ll speak more broadly. I can’t speak to youth and support and voters, that’s not something I can do from here,” Jean-Pierre answered.

“The president has taken a lot of policy actions here, a lot that he knows that young people care about, and a lot of those actions are popular with those young folks,” she continued, noting that the president is offering the youth “breathing room” in regard to student debt.

She then went on to ramble about the climate crisis, which of course also had nothing to do with Doocy’s original question.

When questioned about whether or not Biden is playing both sides, she said, “No, he’s not doing a both sides scenario.”

Pat Gray doesn’t buy it for a second.

“You’re going to continue to lie and not answer questions that have been asked of you. That’s what you’re going to continue to do,” Gray says, annoyed.


Want more from Pat Gray?

To enjoy more of Pat's biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Steve Baker's J6 Reporting has CRAZED Stalkers Following Him
play icon

Steve Baker's J6 Reporting has CRAZED Stalkers Following Him

‘No, No, No’: Comer Spars With Reporter After Hunter Biden Defies Congressional Subpoena

'What do you think? You're defending him'