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Bari Or Bust: Kara Swisher and Mark Thompson attend CNN's "Kara Swisher Wants To Live Forever" premiere event on April 09, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for CNN
Welcome to the latest edition of Breaker. If this email has been forwarded, you can subscribe here and send your questions and complaints here. If you have a tip contact the 24/7 Breaker Tip Hotline via text or Signal # 551 655 2343. Anonymity guaranteed!
In tonight’s edition, when CNN’s Van Jones and Scott Jennings were bundled together in odd-couple fashion, it sparked an idea by CNN head honcho Mark Thompson for the pair to front their own program. But now a spanner has been thrown into the works. Read on for an exclusive on the future of the Jones and Jennings collaboration that has some CNN staffers irate.
Plus, Tulsi Gabbard, the former director of national intelligence, has been out rubbing shoulders and seeking official representation. Below, we reveal the agency most likely to put pen to paper in the hopes of signing her.
Also in tonight’s edition, new developments in the Daily Mail sexual harassment lawsuit, with three Daily Mail staffers issued subpoenas. With a top editor already fired over the lawsuit, tonight we name the other Daily Mail executives now officially tied up in the case.
Finally, we have our comprehensive reading, watching, and listening list so you can enjoy the summer and not miss a media yarn.
Mentioned tonight: Bob Iger, Josh D’Amaro, Paul Roeder, Kara Swisher, Alex MacCallum, Mark Thompson, Scott Jennings, Brian Jacobs, Abby Phillip, Anderson Cooper, Van Jones, Amanda Wills, Brian Stelter, Mathias Döpfner, Gerry Cardinale, Rupert Murdoch, Brian Roberts, Michal Angelakis, Bari Weiss, Jeremy Barr, Catherine Herridge, Joe Aston, Karl Stefanovic, Ian Hislop, Savannah Guthrie, Irin Carmon, Emily Dreyfuss, Michael Savage, Andrew Marchand, Rebecca Lowe, Christopher Williams, Charlotte Tobitt, Peter Kafka, Jessica Toonkel, Patience Haggin, Sam Tabahriti, Marianne Garvey, Katie Davies, Richard Ellis, Dan Jones, Al Franken, John Kasich, Ron Paul, Stacey Abrams, Ben Weltman, David Ellison, Adam Mockler, Joey Jones, Jake Kanter, Katie Deighton, Sarah Whitten, Hugh Grant, Greg Peters, Ryan Broderick, Selia Hooten, Peter Mandelson, Kevin Rawlinson, Alex Jones, Scott Nover, Dave Jorgenson, and more.
The New CNN
(Exclusive.) Back in February, during the State of the Union address, CNN’s Anderson Cooper crossed to political contributors Van Jones and Scott Jennings in Saginaw, Michigan.
The odd couple were doing a special CNN voter “live-cast” with ten voters (four Democrats, four Republicans, and two independents) at a local bar. The group (who seemed thrilled to be interviewed by CNN) reacted to Donald Trump's speech in real time.
The segment was the brainchild of CNN CEO Mark Thompson, according to people familiar with the matter, who then decided to go ahead with a plan for a TV show with Jones and Jennings.
Jennings, CNN's senior political commentator, has become a fixture on CNN programming. He regularly appears on the cable networks’ nightly Jerry Springer-inspired show “NewsNight.” Last month, he let rip at progressive pundit Adam Mockler, telling the 23-year-old on live TV, “Get your fucking hand out of my face!”
It was just the latest Jennings blow-up on the Abby Phillip-hosted food fight show that thrives on hyperbole and confrontation. The appearances have turned Jennings, who also runs a PR agency, into somewhat of a MAGA celebrity. In addition, he hosts his own daily nationally syndicated radio show on the Salem Radio Network, imaginatively titled "The Scott Jennings Show."
Now, CNN staffers who are bracing for the arrival of new owner, David Ellison, and the potential that Bari Weiss will also lead the network, are dealing with a twist in Thompson’s vision. Breaker has learned that Jones has …
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⁘ As credited in The New York Times, CNBC, Axios, The New York Post, CNN, Bloomberg, The Guardian, and more.
Agent of Change
(Exclusive.) What does one do after being the Director of National Intelligence? Hire an agent, of course!
Breaker has learned that Tulsi Gabbard, who stepped down from her DNI position earlier this month, is on the hunt for representation. Gabbard met with several prospective agents, and the one who has shown the most interest is …
Support fearless independent journalism.
The rest of this newsletter is for paid subscribers.
⁘ Unlock full access to our twice-weekly newsletter and archive.
⁘ As credited in The New York Times, CNBC, Axios, The New York Post, CNN, Bloomberg, The Guardian, and more.