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A14 PEOPLE & ARTS
Tuesday 29 November 2022
The Righting deciphers conservative media for outsiders

By DAVID BAUDER Newsom told Politico that
AP Media Writer it gave him “a different ap-
NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly preciation and a different
six years into monitoring understanding of the ruth-
the content of conserva- lessness of the right.”
tive media outlets for his People who are not fans
website and newsletter The don’t appreciate the
Righting, Howard Polskin breadth of the conserva-
hasn’t lost the capacity for tive media ecosystem, and
surprise. how it has spread beyond
Case in point: when Don- radio and websites into
ald Trump announced his podcasting, publishing and
2024 presidential candida- YouTube channels, Polskin
cy, and many of his long- said. The left doesn’t come
time media allies let fly with anywhere close.
anger and insults. Two im- He’s not switched sides, but
peachments, two years of Polskin admits his work has
election denials and a U.S. pushed him more toward
Capitol riot didn’t have the the political center. He’s
impact of a disappointing grown to appreciate the
showing by Republicans in talents of certain writers,
the midterm elections. like Townhall columnist Kurt
“I didn’t expect the level of Schlichter, a lawyer and for-
vitriol, there’s no question mer stand-up comic, and
about it,” he said. Ray Cardello, a blogger
Trump’s inauguration in Howard Polskin, founder of the free five-year-old newsletter TheRighting, poses at his home office from New Hampshire.“Prior
2017 started Polskin on his in New York on Nov. 23, 2022. Associated Press to The Righting, I never
journey. A New York-based went to these sites and it
former reporter and publi- on the Washington Free writers, does original re- an industry fully dominated has opened my mind to a
cist for the likes of CNN and Beacon, the Epoch Times, porting on people behind by FoxNews.com. different way of thinking,”
J.K. Rowling, Polskin was PJ Media or Chicks on the the outlets and coverage Polskin is impatient for more he said. “While I might not
mystified at why his fellow Right. “I didn’t start it as a trends like the targeting of people who are not en- agree with it all the time, I
Americans had elected business,” he said. “I started transgender rights and how meshed in conservative get the underlying philoso-
Trump, and sought expla- it for myself.” powerful women of color media to read what he’s phy.”
nations. It has grown into a news- are disparaged. He’s pro- compiling. He received an He worries about the sites
He began studying outlets letter with subscribers that duced an “A-Z Guide to important endorsement succeeding in painting
popular with conservatives number nearly 10,000 and Right Wing Media” with 130 when California Gov. Gavin Democrats as having views
and sending links to fellow a website. entries. The Righting also Newsom said in September on the fringe and making
left-leaning friends who Polskin, with a former News- follows which sites are gain- that he reads The Righting them unpalatable to many
wouldn’t think of clicking week editor and freelance ing and losing popularity in each morning. Americans.q

Jon Batiste to sing for Macron at Biden’s 1st state dinner

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE standing ties between the said Vanessa Valdivia, a with the president saw for “We Are.” During the
Associated Press United States and France spokesperson for first lady large wreaths studded awards show in April, Ba-
NANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) and honor President Em- Jill Biden, whose office is with shiny Christmas tree tiste ended his dance-filled
— Musician Jon Batiste is manuel Macron. overseeing dinner prepara- ornaments and red bows performance of “Freedom”
on tap to perform at Presi- “An artist who transcends tions. suspended from the south by jumping up on Billie Eil-
dent Joe Biden’s first White generations, Jon Ba- “We’re thrilled to have him side of the White House. ish’s table.
House state dinner on Thurs- tiste’s music inspires and perform at the White House Wreaths also were hung on Batiste, 36, most recently
day that will highlight long- brings people together,” for the first state dinner of the Pennsylvania Avenue was bandleader and mu-
the Biden-Harris administra- side of the building. White sical director of “The Late
tion,” Valdivia said. lights were draped over the Show with Stephen Col-
The black-tie dinner for Ma- shrubs and other landscap- bert,” leaving the broad-
cron will be part of what ing on the South Lawn. A cast after a seven-year run.
is shaping up to be a busy Christmas tree could be Batiste composed mu-
social season at the White seen through the windows sic, consulted on and ar-
House. of the Oval Office. ranged songs for Pixar’s
The Bidens’ granddaugh- Batiste will be adding White animated film “Soul.” He
ter Naomi was married on House entertainer to an won a Golden Globe for
the South Lawn earlier this already long list of roles, the music alongside Trent
month. And first lady Jill including recording artist, Reznor and Atticus Ross of
Biden was set on Monday bandleader, musical di- Nine Inch Nails.
to unveil the White House rector, film composer, mu- The trio also earned the
decorations that will be seum creative director and Academy Award for best
viewed by thousands of scion of New Orleans musi- original score. For their work
Jon Batiste attends the TIME100 Gala celebrating the 100 most holiday visitors over the cal royalty. on “Soul,” Batiste, Reznor
influential people in the world at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at next month. He won five Grammy and Ross won the Grammy
Lincoln Center on June 8, 2022, in New York. Reporters returning to the Awards this year, includ- for best score soundtrack
Associated Press White House on Sunday ing for album of the year for visual media.q