Media News Daily: Top Stories for 11/05/2026

Wall Street Journal Says Trump’s Choices Fueled GOP Midterm Losses

The Wall Street Journal published a post-election analysis arguing that President Donald Trump’s decisions on Iran, tariffs, immigration, and Republican primary endorsements contributed significantly to the GOP’s sweeping midterm losses. The report says rising gasoline prices, economic concerns, and dissatisfaction with the Iran war weakened Republican support, while Trump repeatedly resisted advisers’ efforts to focus more heavily on affordability. It also argues that some Trump-backed primary candidates proved weaker in the general election. (Read More) (The Hill Rating)

New York Times Adds 420,000 Digital Subscribers

The New York Times added approximately 420,000 net digital-only subscribers during the third quarter, bringing its total subscriber base to about 13.8 million. Digital-only subscription revenue rose 14.6% year over year to roughly $421 million, while digital advertising revenue increased 12%. Total quarterly revenue reached $768.5 million, up 9.7% from a year earlier. CEO Meredith Kopit Levien credited strong engagement, retention, and the company’s strategy of investing in journalism and subscription products that audiences actively seek out. (Read More) (Press Gazette Rating)

Tucker Carlson Declares “End” of Fox News Era

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson sharply criticized his former network after Republicans lost control of Congress, arguing that Fox personalities helped persuade President Trump to launch the war in Iran. Carlson singled out Mark Levin and “Fox & Friends” and said the midterm results marked both the end of the Trump era and the “Fox News era.” Trump and other Republicans have acknowledged that the Iran conflict and related economic pressures hurt the party politically, while Fox News had not responded to Carlson’s criticism at the time of the report. (Read More) (Mediaite Rating)