Russia, Reuters, and Red Lines | Ted Cruz vs Tucker Carlson | AI Kills Food Blogs

TMI Ep 288


Today’s TMI with Ted Rall and Manila Chan breaks down four stories shaping politics, media, and culture — from geopolitical brinkmanship to the quiet collapse of creative industries.

First, Russia pushes back hard against a Reuters report claiming Vladimir Putin could be preparing to invade NATO countries. The Kremlin calls the story false, while U.S. intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard publicly accuses Reuters of spreading propaganda that undermines efforts to end the war in Ukraine. The clash highlights how intelligence leaks, anonymous sourcing, and media narratives are increasingly becoming tools of geopolitical warfare — and how close rhetoric can drift toward escalation.

Next, a power struggle is brewing inside the Republican Party. Senator Ted Cruz is signaling serious interest in a 2028 presidential run, positioning himself as a hawkish, pro-Israel counterweight to the populist “America First” wing. His very public feud with Tucker Carlson — and the shadow rivalry with Vice President JD Vance — reveals deep divisions over foreign policy, antisemitism, and what post-Trump conservatism will look like.

Then, the internet’s food economy takes a hit. Recipe writers and food bloggers are watching their traffic collapse as AI-generated answers and Google’s AI search features scrape, remix, and replace original content. Creators warn this isn’t disruption — it’s an extinction-level event for ad-supported journalism and niche publishing, raising serious questions about who gets paid in an AI-dominated web.

Finally, Sony makes a major power move in entertainment history, acquiring an 80% controlling stake in the Peanuts franchise. With Snoopy and Charlie Brown now largely under Sony’s control, the deal signals a broader trend: legacy cultural icons are becoming long-term strategic assets in the global streaming and licensing wars.

From intelligence disputes to culture wars, AI disruption to corporate consolidation — this episode connects the dots behind the headlines shaping what comes next.