Stephen Colbert isn't backing down in an extraordinary public dispute with his bosses at CBS over what he can air on his late-night talk show.
On “The Late Show” Tuesday, Colbert said he was surprised by a statement from CBS denying that its lawyers told him he couldn't show an interview with Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico — which the host said had happened the night before. He then took a copy of the network statement, wrapped it in a dog poop bag, and tossed it away.
Colbert had instead shown his Talarico interview on YouTube, but told viewers why he couldn't show it on CBS. The network was concerned about FCC Chairman Brendan Carr trying to enforce a rule that required broadcasters to give “equal time” to opposing candidates when an interview was broadcast with one of them.
—The Associated Press
The billionaire behind the retail empire that once blanketed shopping malls with names such as Victoria's Secret and Abercrombie & Fitch told members of Congress on Wednesday that he was "duped by a world-class con man" — close financial adviser Jeffrey Epstein. Les Wexner also denied knowing about the late sex offender's crimes or participating in Epstein's abuse of girls and young women.
"I was naive, foolish, and gullible to put any trust in Jeffrey Epstein. He was a con man. And while I was conned, I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide," the 88-year-old retired founder of L Brands said in a statement submitted to the House Oversight Committee before an interview conducted at his vast central Ohio estate. Democrats had subpoenaed him after the latest Justice Department release of Epstein-related documents revealed new details about Wexner's relationship with the well-connected financier.
Wexner described himself to the lawmakers as a philanthropist, community builder and grandfather who always strove "to live my life in an ethical manner in line with my moral compass," according to the statement. He said he was eager "to set the record straight" about his ties with Epstein. Their relation ended bitterly in 2007, after the Wexners discovered he'd been stealing from them.
—The Associated Press
The White House and Democrats are giving no indication that the two sides are any closer to an agreement on changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement that could end the partial government shutdown involving the Department of Homeland Security.
With the department now on its fifth day without full funding, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt made clear Wednesday that the latest proposal from Democrats did not move the needle in any significant way even as she stressed that President Donald Trump wants the government to be fully open.
“Last night, they sent over a counterproposal that, frankly, was very unserious,” Leavitt told reporters of Democratic leaders in Congress. “And we hope they get serious very soon because Americans are going to be impacted by this.” The comment from Leavitt came just as the Democratic leader in the House, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, was stressing to reporters at a news conference at the Capitol that his party had sent over changes it deems “absolutely necessary” for a DHS funding bill to move forward and put the onus for next steps on the White House.
—Spectrum News' Maddie Gannon
A social media post from Republican Rep. Randy Fine of Florida that took Capitol Hill by storm this week is putting a new spotlight on the House’s use of the censure, even as some members have recently sought to rein it in.
The post from Fine, in which he appeared to indicate he would choose dogs over Muslim people, sparked fierce rebuke from Democrats in Congress and across the country, including calls for the first-term Florida Republican to resign, be stripped of his committee assignments or be censured.
”We must call this what it is. Disgusting bigotry,” Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., wrote in a post on X. “Fine must be censured. It's about morality and decency, not politics.”
—Spectrum News' Maddie Gannon
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