Bias Breakdown

Bias Breakdown

Most Americans don’t trust the media because of political biases that have seeped into today’s journalism. Join Straight Arrow News as we break down bias in some of the week’s biggest stories, dissecting how narratives shift based on a news outlet’s left or right political bias. Here, you'll find a balanced approach to presenting the facts—stripped of political opinion—so you can form your own views on issues that matter to you. Welcome to The Bias Breakdown with your host, Karah Rucker.

Episodes

Sen. Fetterman's fitness for office and the media flip: Bias Breakdown

May 13, 2025 • 15 mins
In this week's episode of Bias Breakdown, we examine the evolving media narratives surrounding Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman. Once shielded by left-leaning outlets following his stroke and recovery, Fetterman now faces growing criticism from those same sources. During the 2022 midterm elections, right-leaning media were critical of Fetterman's ability to serve in the Senate, but are now focusing their criticism on left-leaning c...
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Media split on US-born children sent with deported mothers: Bias Breakdown

April 29, 2025 • 13 mins
In this week’s episode of Bias Breakdown, we analyze an immigration case dominating the news cycle. Two women from Honduras, who were in the country illegally, received deportation orders from ICE. On Friday, they were sent back to their country of origin—along with their U.S.-born children.Left-leaning outlets focus on due process concerns and claims that the children should not have been removed, while right-leaning outlets empha...
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Contrasting media perceptions of Abrego Garcia: Bias Breakdown

April 22, 2025 • 20 mins
In this episode of Bias Breakdown, we explore the contentious case of Kilmar Abrego-Garcia, whose deportation to El Salvador and alleged MS-13 gang ties have sparked a national debate. Media outlets across the political spectrum have framed his story in starkly contrasting ways: left-leaning sources emphasize his role as a father from Maryland who deserves a chance to return to the U.S. for due process, while conservative outlets f...
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Trump-backed budget proposal puts Medicaid in focus: Bias Breakdown

April 15, 2025 • 11 mins
Is Medicaid being gutted — or not touched at all? With Republicans pushing forward a sweeping federal budget plan backed by President Trump, one question is front and center: Is Medicaid on the chopping block? In episode 17 of Bias Breakdown, we unpack what the budget blueprint actually says, what it leaves out, and how both parties are using different analyses to make their case. We delve into what’s fact, what’s assumption, and w...
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Media predicts recession or boom amid tariffs, stock volatility: Bias Breakdown

April 8, 2025 • 12 mins
In episode 16 of Bias Breakdown, we explore the divided media coverage following President Trump’s tariff announcement. While right-leaning networks predict a market recovery and economic boom, left-leaning media warn of a looming recession. We break down the media’s spin on market volatility, the differing economic outlooks, and how political biases in news coverage can shape public perception over major economic events.
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How media chose sides in Wisconsin's Supreme Court election: Bias Breakdown

April 1, 2025 • 13 mins
As Judge Brad Schimel and Judge Susan Crawford battled for the bench in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court election, left-leaning and right-leaning outlets framed the race through drastically different lenses, turning a state judicial contest into a national political flashpoint. In episode 15 of Bias Breakdown, we explore how left-leaning outlets honed in on Elon Musk’s financial backing of Judge Schimel, painting it as a billionaire’s att...
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Trump's deportation flights and use of the Alien Enemies Act: Bias Breakdown

March 25, 2025 • 13 mins
How did the same set of deportation flights produce such drastically different headlines? In this episode, we break down the legal battle over the Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act—and the media’s role in shaping the narrative surrounding a judge’s ruling to halt the deportations. Left-leaning outlets have framed the flights as a violation of judicial authority, while right-leaning sources argue that the administr...
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Biden's use of autopen and the legality of his pardons: Bias Breakdown

March 19, 2025 • 14 mins
President Donald Trump has questioned former President Joe Biden’s use of an autopen to sign official documents and pardons. The Heritage Foundation sparked the debate, claiming Biden’s signatures on multiple documents appear identical, raising doubts about their authenticity. In episode 13 of Bias Breakdown, we'll analyze the media narratives, with right-leaning outlets focusing on concerns over Biden’s mental acuity and possible ...
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The alleged Musk-Rubio feud and the bigger DOGE picture: Bias Breakdown

March 11, 2025 • 17 mins
In this week’s episode of Bias Breakdown, we explore the conflicting media narratives surrounding the alleged feud between Elon Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a closed-door cabinet meeting, as reported by The New York Times. Left-leaning outlets highlight the report’s allegations as chaos and dysfunction within the Trump Administration, while right-leaning outlets dismissed the report as part of a larger attempt by ...
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Trump and Zelenskyy's Oval Office meeting spun by media: Bias Breakdown

March 4, 2025 • 13 mins
In this week’s episode of Bias Breakdown, we dive into the media's contrasting portrayals of the tense Oval Office meeting between President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Left-leaning outlets framed Trump’s comments as an attack on Zelenskyy, while right-leaning media focused on Zelenskyy’s stance and perceived lack of gratitude. We analyze how biased word choices in headlines and fact-checking dis...
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A tale of two narratives on Trump's favorability in the polls: Bias Breakdown

February 25, 2025 • 10 mins
Recent polls on President Donald Trump’s favorability have sparked conflicting reports from left- and right-leaning media. Are Trump’s approval numbers historically low, or is he more favorable than ever? Are his actions in his first 30 days popular or unpopular? The answer depends on which news source you follow. In episode 10 of Bias Breakdown, we analyze the conflicting narratives in headlines and network coverage of recent poll...
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CBS' Margaret Brennan links Holocaust to free speech: Bias Breakdown

February 18, 2025 • 9 mins
CBS News has come under fire from conservative media for comments made by Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan, who referenced how free speech was exploited in Nazi Germany to carry out the Holocaust. The backlash also centers on a 60 Minutes report highlighting police raids in Germany targeting individuals who violated their speech laws. Media responses to the controversy have varied significantly, with right-leaning outlets ampl...
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The debate to cut or to keep USAID: Bias Breakdown

February 11, 2025 • 12 mins
As USAID faces mounting political scrutiny, media coverage from the left and right tells two very different stories. Is the agency recklessly spending taxpayer dollars on controversial programs, or is it an essential tool for global aid? In episode 8 of Bias Breakdown, we unpack the debate, from disputed grants in Guatemala to accusations of indirect funding for Hamas. We analyze media narratives and explore what’s next for USAID u...
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Was Dr. Phil's ICE ride-along a spectacle or effective? Bias Breakdown

January 28, 2025 • 8 mins
President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration is in full swing, with ICE conducting daily operations in major cities and resulting in the arrests of hundreds of migrants living in the country illegally. As part of one of those ICE raids in Chicago, Dr. Phil participated in a ride-along with ICE agents and Border Czar Tom Homan. The presence of the talk show host has divided media coverage, with narratives that align with news ...
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Musk Accused of 'Nazi Salute' at Trump Inaugural Rally: Bias Breakdown

January 21, 2025 • 8 mins
Following President Donald Trump’s inauguration, Elon Musk delivered an enthusiastic speech, at one point making an arm gesture that has drawn different interpretations, fueling division among left- and right-leaning media outlets. In episode 6 of Bias Breakdown, we analyze how left-leaning outlets focused on interpretations of Musk’s gesture as a "Nazi salute," while right-leaning outlets accuse the left of politicizing the moment...
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Bias Breakdown: Was LA Wildfire Response Failed Policy or Politicized?

January 14, 2025 • 11 mins
Wildfires recently ravaged Los Angeles, claiming dozens of lives and destroying thousands of homes. One week later, the city and state’s response is under intense scrutiny. Local leaders face criticism for their absence when the fires broke out, the lack of water resources for firefighters, and budget cuts to the fire department. While the story is widely covered, left- and right-leaning media outlets are framing the criticism diff...
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How Jan. 6 reflections differ among left and right media: Bias Breakdown

January 14, 2025 • 7 mins
January 6th has become one of the most politically charged events in recent history, with starkly different perspectives from the left and right on what truly happened. Four years after supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol in protest of the 2020 election results, the fallout continues to divide the nation—and the media. In episode four of Bias Breakdown, we explore how news outlets from both sides pr...
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How Jimmy Carter's Death Was Politicized in Headlines: Bias Breakdown

December 31, 2024 • 7 mins
In episode three of Bias Breakdown, we examine how the death of former President Jimmy Carter is being politicized across different news outlets, depending on their political leanings. Right-leaning news outlets are focusing on criticism of Biden’s condolences while left-leaning outlets highlight criticism of Trump’s rhetoric toward Carter over the years. We explore how both sides use opposing contexts and sources to support compet...
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Media reacts to Trump’s lawsuit over flawed Iowa poll: Bias Breakdown

December 30, 2024 • 11 mins
In our debut episode, we compare how news outlets with left- and right-wing political biases are reporting on Trump's lawsuit over a controversial Iowa poll. Was it a case of election interference or the start of a revenge campaign? The answer varies widely depending on the outlet's political bias. Welcome to Bias Breakdown.
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How media covered NYC subway murder suspect's immigration status: Bias Breakdown

December 24, 2024 • 11 mins
In episode two of Bias Breakdown, we examine how the immigration status of Sebastian Zapeta, the man charged with setting a woman on fire on a New York City subway, is being reported differently across media outlets depending on their political bias. Right-leaning outlets are prominently identifying him as an illegal immigrant, following confirmation from ICE that he is in the country illegally. Meanwhile, left-leaning outlets are ...
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