WHCD, the Media, and Covering Trump (with Ben Smith)

In this episode of Stay Tuned, Preet Bharara sits down with veteran journalist Ben Smith, former editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed News and co-founder of Semaphore, to explore the evolving state of journalism in the digital age. The conversation begins with Smith’s harrowing experience at the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where a security scare triggered panic and chaos, underscoring the vulnerability of even high-profile media events. Smith reflects on the irony of the dinner’s role as a space where journalists are both celebrated and mocked, and questions the value of press solidarity and the ethics of 'access journalism.' He argues that while access is essential for reporting, it creates a delicate, often transactional relationship with sources that requires transparency and integrity. The discussion then turns to the broader challenges facing media: the rise of AI-driven news curation, the decline of local reporting, and the diminishing global coverage of international affairs. Smith champions Semaphore’s model of global, transparent, and multi-perspective journalism as a response to media fragmentation and polarization. He also reflects on the changing coverage of Donald Trump, from initial reluctance to label him a 'liar' to the current era of unfiltered scrutiny, while cautioning against media self-importance and the dangers of treating journalism as a sacred priesthood. The episode closes with a thoughtful exchange on political corruption, the power of the rule of law as a populist rallying cry, and the surprising relevance of Hungary’s recent political shift to American democratic discourse.