Media News Daily: Top Stories for 12/23/2025

This page hosts daily news stories about the media, social media, and the journalism industry. Get the latest Hirings and Firings, Media Transactions, Controversies, and more.

Heritage Foundation Loses Staff to Mike Pence Advocacy Group

Former Vice President Mike Pence is drawing staff away from the conservative Heritage Foundation to his advocacy group, Advancing American Freedom. Around 15 staffers, including key figures like legal center head John Malcolm and economic policy director Richard Stern, have left Heritage. Pence accuses Heritage of embracing “big-government populism” and tolerating antisemitism, while the think tank has publicly downplayed the departures. The leadership clash highlights broader ideological divisions within the Republican Party as the post-Trump era approaches. Read More (Newser Rating)

Judge Blocks Louisiana Social Media Parental Consent Law

A federal judge has blocked a Louisiana law requiring social media companies to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent for minors under 16, citing First Amendment violations. Judge John deGravelles ruled that the Secure Online Child Interaction and Age Limitation Act was both overinclusive and underinclusive, failing to prove that social media harms minors. The ruling affects major platforms including Meta, Reddit, Snapchat, and YouTube, all represented by tech group NetChoice. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill criticized the decision and plans to appeal. Read More (MediaPost Rating)

Trump’s Use of Truth Social Limits Public Scrutiny

President Donald Trump’s near-exclusive use of Truth Social—a platform used by only 3% of U.S. adults—limits direct access to his communications for most Americans. A Pew Research Center study highlighted how Trump’s frequent, sometimes erratic posts go largely unnoticed, despite their political and social implications. Recent examples include reposting racist content and promoting conspiracy theories involving AI-generated videos. Though some of his posts are picked up by mainstream media, analysts warn that the platform shields him from broader scrutiny at a time when concerns about his cognitive health are growing. Read More (The Guardian Rating)