News Brief: How Corporate Media Laid the Groundwork for a Rightwing Incitement Campaign in Minnesota
In this News Brief, we detail how CBS, WSJ, and NYT promoted an overblown narrative on the "Somali Minnesota fraud" story, teeing up a full blown rightwing incitement campaign.
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Guest
Matthew Cunningham-Cook is a writer, researcher and reporter. His work can be found in outlets such as The American Prospect, The Intercept, Rolling Stone and The Nation. He is currently an investigative journalist at the Center for Media and Democracy.
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Show Notes
Corporate Media Advances Conservative Narrative About Minnesota Fraud
Matthew Cunningham-Cook | December 29, 2025 | The American Prospect
Viral video prompts new scrutiny of alleged fraud, draws quick reaction from Minnesota regulators
Jeffrey Meitrodt, Deena Winter and Ryan Faircloth | December 29, 2025 | Minnesota Star Tribune
Right-Wing YouTuber Behind Viral Minnesota Fraud Video Has Long Anti-Immigrant History
Jonah Valdez | December 31, 2025 | The Intercept
Jacqueline Sweet | January 3, 2026 | The Intercept
What a Viral YouTube Video Says About the Future of Journalism
Jay Caspian Kang | January 6, 2026 | The New Yorker
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Transcript
For a full transcript of this News Brief, go here. You can also find transcripts of past episodes, live shows, Beg-a-Thons, Interviews and News Briefs here.
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Credits
Senior Producer: Florence Barrau-Adams
Producer: Julianne Tveten
Production Assistant: Trendel Lightburn
Newsletter: Marco Cartolano
Music: Grandaddy
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