Media News Daily: Top Stories for 12/03/2025

Gaetz and Loomer Join Newly Credentialed Pentagon Press Corps

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz and conservative commentator Laura Loomer participated in a rare Pentagon press briefing, marking a notable shift in press access under the Trump administration. The new press policy has opened the door to right-leaning figures, sidelining many traditional outlets. Gaetz, now a host on One America News Network, raised questions on potential U.S. involvement in Venezuela, while Loomer questioned military ties with Qatar. Defense Department spokesperson Kingsley Wilson emphasized contingency planning and reaffirmed strategic alliances. The briefing reflects a broader trend of MAGA-aligned media gaining official press credentials. (Read More) (News Facts Network Rating)

Smartmatic’s $2.7 Billion Lawsuit Against Fox News Moves Forward

A New York court heard arguments in Smartmatic’s $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News over false claims that the company rigged the 2020 election. Smartmatic asserts Fox acted with “reckless disregard for the truth,” citing internal communications showing Fox executives and hosts knew the allegations were baseless. Fox claims it was covering newsworthy statements from Trump and his legal team and disputes Smartmatic’s valuation. The case mirrors the Dominion lawsuit, which ended in a $787.5 million settlement. Despite Fox’s legal pushback, the judge has not paused proceedings pending unrelated criminal allegations against Smartmatic abroad. (Read More) (NPR Rating)

Charlie Kirk Assassination Tops Wikipedia’s 2025 Most-Viewed Articles

Wikipedia’s most-read article of 2025 was about conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September. His page garnered nearly 45 million views, including a spike of 15 million within days of his death. The annual “Deaths in 2025” article came second with 42.5 million views. Other top entries include Netflix’s “Monster: Ed Gein” season, films like Sinners and Thunderbolts, and figures like President Trump, Elon Musk, Pope Francis, and newly elected NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The Wikimedia Foundation noted record-breaking traffic following Pope Leo XIV’s election in May. (Read More) (The Hill Rating)