Thursday, October 29, 2026

The Country

One story, three takes.
You decide.

The day's top stories from across the country graded using Jim Lehrer's Rules for Journalism to help you separate fact from spin. Learn how it works

From the Left
Center
From the Right
Israel election Netanyahu Oct 28

Oct 28 · With Israel's election count still under way, Benjamin Netanyahu alleges fraud in the Arab vote and neither bloc has a clear path to a 61-seat majority

CBS News
CBS News: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "trying to set a trap for Gadi Eisenkot that Gadi Eisenkot should not fall into" by claiming election fraud in Israel's elections, New York Democratic House candidate Brad Lander claims.
Score:F

Uses an unnamed source or unsourced number.

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Breaking Points
Breaking Points: Israel Elections: racism wins, Bibi survives?
Score:D

Mixes in the reporter's opinion and uses loaded words.

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The Ben Shapiro Show
The Ben Shapiro Show: Rumors of Benjamin Netanyahu's political death have been greatly exaggerated. We break it all down.
Score:F

Uses an unnamed source or unsourced number and uses loaded words.

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The Country Take

Trump on Brazil election Bolsonaro Oct 29

Oct 29 · Trump calls Brazil's election "a very great embarrassment to the people of Brazil" after Flávio Bolsonaro, who lost the runoff and declared himself the rightful leader, arrives in the U.S.

The Bulwark
The Bulwark: JVL reacts to the Trump Administration smuggling Flavío Bolsonaro into the U.S.
Score:F

Mixes in the reporter's opinion.

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C-SPAN
C-SPAN: President Trump on Brazilian election results: "I thought the election was a very great embarrassment to the people of Brazil."
Score:

No problems found.

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NTD News
NTD News: President Trump said on Wednesday, Oct. 28, that Brazilian Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro was treated “very unfairly.”
Score:B

Leaves out key context.

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The Country Take

Iran strikes after midterms Oct 28

Oct 28 · Trump says "anything's possible" when asked about new strikes on Iran after the midterms, as the U.S. warns Middle East allies to prepare and the U.N. nuclear watchdog presses Iran for access

Drop Site News
Drop Site News: IAEA says no evidence Iran has rebuilt nuclear facilities damaged in U.S.-Israeli strikes
Score:

No problems found.

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Reuters
Reuters: President Trump said 'anything's possible' when asked whether the US would conduct more strikes against Iran after the midterm elections
Score:B

Leaves out key context.

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Newsmax
Newsmax: "Iran will never get a nuclear weapon on his watch." Former Envoy Morgan Ortagus discussed President Donald Trump's potential next steps against Iran on Thursday's "National Report."
Score:F

Mixes in the reporter's opinion and leaves out key context.

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Alaska Dunleavy investigation Oct 29

Oct 29 · Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy calls for a criminal investigation after a New York Times report that Mary Peltola's campaign sought a second Dan Sullivan for the Senate ballot, and Trump calls it voter fraud

Crooked Media
Crooked Media: Hayes: Alaska has ranked choice voting. You can vote for as many Dans as you want.
Score:D

Mixes in the reporter's opinion and uses loaded words.

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NewsNation
NewsNation: Alaskan Democratic Senate nominee Mary Peltola is accused of recruiting candidates who could siphon votes from her opponent, Sen. Dan Sullivan. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., tells NewsNation the House Oversight Committee is investigating the accusation and believes it is a “crime.”
Score:B

Uses loaded words.

Watch on X ↗X ↗
Daily Wire
Daily Wire: President Trump says Mary Peltola committed voter fraud in conjunction with Chuck Schumer and the Democrat party:  “It’s called VOTER FRAUD.”
Score:B

Leaves out key context.

Watch on X ↗X ↗

The Country Take

South Carolina Senate poll Oct 28

Oct 28 · A New York Times/Siena poll shows Democrat Annie Andrews tied with Republican Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina as polls tighten in other Republican-held Senate seats

CNN
CNN: Harry Enten shows how much easier it could become for Democrats to flip the Senate as a new poll shows the South Carolina race tied: “This one is an earth-shattering earthquake… if Democrats are able to win.”
Score:

No problems found.

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NewsNation
NewsNation: Several Senate races are shifting in unexpected ways in battleground states, with just six days remaining until the midterm elections.
Score:C

Mixes in the reporter's opinion.

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The Megyn Kelly Show
The Megyn Kelly Show: Is it possible the GOP could lose a SOUTH CAROLINA senate seat?  @MegynKelly and @MarkHalperin break down a shock new poll.
Score:D

Mixes in the reporter's opinion and uses loaded words.

Watch on X ↗X ↗

The Country Take

Obama Atlanta rally Oct 28

Oct 28 · Obama rallies in Atlanta for Jon Ossoff and Keisha Lance Bottoms, blaming Trump's Iran war for rising prices and mocking the White House over his Cheesecake Factory joke

MeidasTouch
MeidasTouch: Another devastating supercut showing Obama vs. Trump tonight. This is really brutal for Trump. He is not even in the same league as Obama. Expect another Truth Social crash out in 3…2…
Score:D

Mixes in the reporter's opinion and uses loaded words.

Watch on X ↗X ↗
C-SPAN
C-SPAN: Former President Barack Obama on Iran war: "This is the reason why the price of oil is up...why the price of diesel is up...the price about just everything is up."
Score:B

Leaves out key context.

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Fox News
Fox News: NEW: Former President Obama invokes his own experience as commander in chief in an attempt to blame President Trump’s handling of the economy and war with Iran for rising costs.
Score:D

Mixes in the reporter's opinion and uses loaded words.

Watch on X ↗X ↗
Trump defends Ramaswamy ad Oct 28

Oct 28 · Trump defends Vivek Ramaswamy's ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother at an Ohio rally as criticism of the ad continues

The Bulwark
The Bulwark: .@SarahAMatthews1 reacts to Trump defending Vivek’s vile ad featuring Amy Acton’s estranged mother, who sided with the man who sexually abused her as a child as Ohio Republicans give him a standing ovation.
Score:D

Mixes in the reporter's opinion and uses loaded words.

Watch on X ↗X ↗
NewsNation
NewsNation: Vivek Ramaswamy is facing bipartisan criticism over a campaign ad featuring Amy Acton’s estranged mother. Former Rep. Tim Ryan and radio host Bill Cunningham debate whether the ad is relevant, Acton’s COVID-19 record and Ramaswamy’s connection with Ohio voters.
Score:

No problems found.

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Washington Examiner
Washington Examiner: Amy Acton reacts to Ramaswamy Ad
Score:B

Leaves out key context.

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El-Sayed Michigan attacks Oct 28

Oct 28 · Republicans escalate attacks on Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's Senate race as Mike Rogers, Ted Cruz and JD Vance campaign in the state

Pod Save America
Pod Save America: "Abdul has to speak directly to these attacks," –Tommy Vietor on the racist attacks coming from the Rogers campaign.
Score:D

Mixes in the reporter's opinion and uses loaded words.

Watch on X ↗X ↗
C-SPAN
C-SPAN: U.S. Sen. candidate Mike Rogers (R-MI) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) say the media is lying about Abdul El-Sayed (D-MI)
Score:B

Leaves out key context.

Watch on X ↗X ↗
The National Desk
The National Desk: VANCE SLAMS EL-SAYED | Vice President holds rally in Michigan
Score:C

Uses loaded words and leaves out key context.

Watch on YouTube ↗YouTube ↗
Katie Zacharia blames media Oct 27

Oct 27 · Former White House press secretary Katie Zacharia blames the media and Washington for her five-day tenure

The Bulwark
The Bulwark: Sarah Matthews reacts to Katie Zacharia claiming the media refused to let her do her job, following her disastrous five-day tenure as White House Press Secretary.
Score:D

Mixes in the reporter's opinion and uses loaded words.

Watch on X ↗X ↗
Newsweek
Newsweek: Katie Zacharia Blames Media For Failing As Trump’s White House Press Secretary
Score:B

Leaves out key context.

Watch on YouTube ↗YouTube ↗
Newsmax
Newsmax: Former White House press secretary Katie Zacharia breaks down her Sean Hannity interview, revealing she was unprepared for the hostility she faced despite having “great rapport with Sean.”
Score:C

Mixes in the reporter's opinion.

Watch on X ↗X ↗

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