The Daily - The Legal Battle Riveting Hollywood

The Legal Battle Riveting Hollywood

Explicit content warning

01/28/25 • 32 min

16 Listeners

The Daily

Warning: This episode contains descriptions of alleged sexual harassment, and a fictional portrayal of domestic violence.

Over the last few weeks, the Hollywood stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have gone to battle over exactly what happened during the making and promotion of their latest film.

It’s a dispute that has pulled back the curtain on an alleged smear campaign and the new set of tools that celebrities can use to defend themselves and redefine their enemies in the court of public opinion.

Megan Twohey, an investigative reporter at The New York Times, discusses the legal complaint that started it all.

Guests: Megan Twohey, an investigative reporter at The New York Times.

Background reading:

“We can bury anyone”: Inside a Hollywood smear machine.
Mr. Baldoni and his publicists have sued The New York Times for libel over its reporting about Ms. Lively’s allegations.

Photo: (l-r) Lia Toby/Getty Images; John Nacion/Variety, via Getty Images.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Warning: This episode contains descriptions of alleged sexual harassment, and a fictional portrayal of domestic violence.

Over the last few weeks, the Hollywood stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have gone to battle over exactly what happened during the making and promotion of their latest film.

Megan Twohey, an investigative reporter at The New York Times, discusses the legal complaint that started it all.

Guests: Megan Twohey, an investigative reporter at The New York Times.

Background reading:

“We can bury anyone”: Inside a Hollywood smear machine.
Mr. Baldoni and his publicists have sued The New York Times for libel over its reporting about Ms. Lively’s allegations.

Photo: (l-r) Lia Toby/Getty Images; John Nacion/Variety, via Getty Images.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Previous Episode

Stephen Miller’s Return to Power

At the center of President Trump’s aggressive first week back in office is a 39-year-old adviser, Stephen Miller. His ideas and ideology have animated the blitz of executive orders.

Jonathan Swan, a White House reporter for The New York Times, explains Mr. Miller’s dramatic return to the White House, and why his power has never been greater.

Guests: Jonathan Swan, a White House reporter for The New York Times.

Background reading:

Stephen Miller has built more power than ever.
Mr. Miller, the incoming deputy chief of staff, told lawmakers that early action would include directives to give Mr. Trump more control over federal workers.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Photo: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Next Episode

Trump Freezes Trillions. Chaos Ensues.

2 Recommendations

In one of his most audacious moves since taking office, President Trump ordered a freeze on Tuesday on trillions of dollars in federal money — from anti-poverty programs to foreign aid — in order to purge the government of what he called woke ideology.

Michael D. Shear, a White House correspondent for The New York Times, discusses the order, the chaos it prompted and whether it is likely to survive in court.

Guests: Michael D. Shear, a White House correspondent for The New York Times.

Background reading:

A judge stayed President Trump’s freeze, but disruption to the Medicaid funding system caused fear.
Uncertainty around the freeze also caused chaos in education.

Photo: Doug Mills/The New York Times.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.