Labor War, CNN’s Haircut, a Covid Betrayal

Happy Friday, and thanks for reading The Daily Courant, presenting the latest top journalism from Puck.

Today, we lead with Matt Belloni’s exclusive story of a music industry “betrayal”: How dozens of top touring acts allegedly pocketed $70 million in pandemic grants, and why music agents are now suing to take their cut.

Plus, below the fold: Tara Palmeri dishes on Hakeem Jeffries’ anti-Squad campaign insurance policy and Mike Pompeo’s third-party flirtations. Jonathan Handel explains how Iger’s return to Disney could preempt a labor war. Then Dylan Byers joins Peter Hamby to discuss CNN’s green room massacre—whether it’s overblown, overdue, or just the natural order of things.

MATTHEW BELLONI

The story of how dozens of top touring acts allegedly pocketed $70 million in Covid grants, and the Hollywood legal war that erupted in the process.

TARA PALMERI

New reporting on the inside conversation on Capitol Hill about McCarthy’s “Five Saboteurs,” Herschel’s touch-up, Hakeem’s kryptonite, and Mike Pompeo’s unusual meeting.

TINA NGUYEN

The opening act of Trump’s campaign has been defined by characteristic missteps—Kanye, Nick Fuentes, Herschel Walker—but also uncharacteristic lethargy as a post-midterms, MAGA bunker mentality takes hold.

PETER HAMBY & DYLAN BYERS

Dylan Byers joins Peter to discuss CNN’s green room massacre—whether it’s overblown, overdue, or just the natural order of things.