Oliver Darcy confronts Soon-Shiong over Trump commentary

In a recent phone interview, Oliver Darcy, a former CNN journalist now running his own newsletter, attempted to question Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of the Los Angeles Times, about his hiring of pro-Trump commentator Scott Jennings for the editorial board. The interview began positively but quickly became contentious as Darcy raised concerns about Jennings' credibility and his association with Donald Trump. Soon-Shiong, who expressed a desire to diversify the editorial board's perspectives, responded defensively, asserting that Darcy's criticism was merely his opinion. Their discourse escalated when Darcy pointed out what he deemed dishonesty in Trump's comments, leading Soon-Shiong to label Darcy as a 'so-called reporter.' This confrontation reflected a broader tension within the media landscape, where editorial decisions are increasingly scrutinized by both insiders and the public. The interaction concluded abruptly, signaling underlying tensions regarding the editorial direction of the Times and the inclusion of right-leaning voices in a predominantly liberal environment. This episode not only highlights the challenges media owners face in balancing diverse opinions but also underscores the contentious relationship between journalists and those in positions of power within the media industry.