Good Morning! The Pulse Has Your Briefing For Monday, April 27

Radio Broadcasting

Sirius XM Holdings Inc. and iHeartMedia Inc. are in preliminary discussions about a potential merger that would unite the country’s largest satellite radio provider with its biggest radio station owner, according to Bloomberg News. The talks are still in their early stages and could ultimately collapse. Both companies declined to comment. A deal would create a major audio company with more than $12 billion in combined annual revenue, merging SiriusXM’s subscription model and Pandora streaming service with iHeartMedia’s extensive broadcast radio network, podcasts, and digital platforms.

In Savannah, radio legend Mark Robertson has died at age 73. 98.7 The River announced the news on social media Saturday, saying Robertson passed peacefully just after midnight following a battle with late-stage pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed in April 2026, only months after retiring.

Media Industry

Social media erupted Sunday night and Monday morning over President Donald Trump’s tense 60 Minutes interview with CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell. The most viral moment came when Trump sharply criticized O’Donnell for reading excerpts from the gunman’s manifesto that labeled him a “pedophile, rapist, and traitor.”The confrontation took place less than 24 hours after an assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. 

On Saturday night, broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) and cable news channels provided extensive live coverage of the incident at the Washington Hilton. A gunman rushed a Secret Service checkpoint, exchanged gunfire, and triggered the rapid evacuation of President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other officials. Networks aired real-time footage of attendees taking cover amid the chaos, the Secret Service response, and Trump’s subsequent praise for law enforcement. The suspect — 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen of Torrance, California — was taken into custody as a lone actor, with no injuries reported.

Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic shattered box office records in its opening weekend despite mixed-to-negative reviews. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Michael’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, the film earned an estimated $97 million domestically (with some projections nearing $100 million) from 3,955 theaters over Friday–Sunday. Worldwide, it has already surpassed $217 million in its first frame, including strong previews.

U.S. News

In the 60 Minutes interview aired Sunday, President Trump confronted anchor Norah O’Donnell, repeatedly denying allegations contained in the gunman’s manifesto and calling the veteran journalist a “disgrace” for reading the suspect’s words on air. The exchange occurred shortly after Trump survived the assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

Trump described the suspect as a “pretty sick guy” who had been flagged to law enforcement by family members. He noted that Cole Thomas Allen had posted what the president called an “anti-Christian” manifesto.

President Trump said Iran can call if it wants to negotiate an end to the two-month conflict, as Tehran’s foreign minister arrived in Russia on Monday seeking support from President Vladimir Putin. Hopes for diplomacy dimmed Saturday when Trump canceled a planned visit to Islamabad by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had shuttled between mediators Pakistan and Oman on Sunday before heading to Moscow. The two sides remain far apart on key issues, including Iran’s nuclear program and access through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump Lashes Out at Norah O’Donnell Calling Her a “Disgrace”

President Donald Trump sharply confronted CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell during a 60 Minutes interview aired Sunday, repeatedly denying allegations in the gunman’s manifesto and declaring the veteran journalist a “disgrace” for reading the suspect’s words on camera.

The heated exchange occurred less than 24 hours after a gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, in what authorities described as an assassination attempt targeting the president. Trump, who had just survived the attack, sat for the interview in the White House.O’Donnell read aloud passages from the manifesto in which the gunman, identified as Cole Thomas Allen, called Trump a “pedophile, rapist, and traitor.”

Trump’s response was immediate and forceful.

The gunman who attempted to storm the White House Correspondents’ Dinner wrote a letter explaining his actions and accusing "Administration officials" broadly of various serious crimes. When Norah O'Donnell read this list of crimes to President Trump, he was offended.

“I read… pic.twitter.com/H0NKCc2oUK

— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) April 26, 2026

“I’m not a rapist. I didn’t rape anybody,” Trump said, leaning forward. “I’m not a pedophile. Excuse me. Excuse me. I’m not a pedophile.”When O’Donnell noted the quotes came from the gunman, Trump cut her off:

“You shouldn’t be reading that on 60 Minutes. You’re a disgrace. But go ahead. Let’s finish the interview.”Trump accused the network of bias, saying, “You’re horrible people,” and suggested the media was more focused on smearing him than on the security failure or the suspect’s radicalization. 

He described the gunman as a “sick person” while pivoting to praise the Secret Service for neutralizing the threat.

The confrontation dominated the interview, which was conducted in a formal White House sitting room. Trump began the session relatively measured, recounting the chaos of the previous night, but the tone shifted dramatically when the manifesto was introduced.

CBS stood by its journalism, stating the gunman’s writings were central to understanding the motive behind the attack. Portions of the nearly 90-minute conversation were broadcast, with the viral clip of Trump’s outburst quickly spreading on social media. Supporters viewed it as Trump pushing back against perceived media hostility, while critics called it defensive.

The interview comes amid heightened tensions following the assassination attempt. Trump has long accused 60 Minutes of unfair coverage, including a previous dispute over editing of a Kamala Harris interview. In this session, he also discussed the need for improved Secret Service protocols and called for national unity while highlighting his administration’s achievements.

The full exchange underscored Trump’s unfiltered style in the immediate aftermath of the attempt on his life, turning a discussion of the attack into a direct clash with one of television’s most prominent interviewers.

Social Media Erupts Over Trump’s Fiery Clash

Social media exploded Sunday night and Monday morning following President Donald Trump’s tense 60 Minutes interview with CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell, particularly the moment he lashed out at her for reading excerpts from the gunman’s manifesto accusing him of being a “pedophile, rapist, and traitor.” 

The confrontation, which occurred less than 24 hours after the White House Correspondents’ Dinner assassination attempt, quickly became the dominant topic across platforms.

Conservative and Pro-Trump Reaction: 

Strong Praise for Trump’s Defiance. Trump supporters and conservative accounts celebrated the exchange as vintage Trump, unfiltered pushback against biased media. Clips of Trump declaring “You’re a disgrace,” “You’re horrible people,” and “You should be ashamed of yourself” went viral, often paired with captions praising him for refusing to let O’Donnell smear him with a “sick person’s” words.

Hashtags like #TrumpFightsBack, #Disgraceful60Minutes, and #FakeNewsCBS trended.
Users shared memes and edited videos highlighting Trump’s finger-jabbing intensity, framing it as a president defending his honor right after surviving an attack.

Many accused CBS of “ambushing” Trump and suggested O’Donnell’s question was an attempt to legitimize the gunman’s rhetoric. Supporters also praised Trump for pivoting to praise the Secret Service while calling out media double standards on anti-Trump content.

Liberal and Anti-Trump Reaction: Criticism of Defensiveness

Critics and left-leaning users viewed Trump’s outburst as overly defensive and unpresidential, especially so soon after the incident. Many highlighted his repeated denials (“I’m not a rapist… I’m not a pedophile”) as telling, with some calling it “clinical-grade” deflection.

Posts mocked Trump for “losing it” and questioned why he was so triggered by the gunman’s words.

Accounts shared side-by-side clips contrasting O’Donnell’s calm demeanor with Trump’s rising anger, accusing him of turning a serious discussion about the attack into a personal attack on the press.

Some fact-check posts resurfaced past allegations against Trump, arguing the manifesto question was legitimate journalism.

Broader Sentiment and Viral Moments

How The Media Covered The WHC Dinner Shooting

On Saturday night, broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) and cable channels delivered rapid, extensive coverage of the armed incident at the Washington Hilton, where a gunman rushed a Secret Service checkpoint, exchanged gunfire, and prompted the swift evacuation of President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Cabinet members from the stage.

Outlets aired real-time video of attendees ducking under tables amid loud bangs, the precise Secret Service response, and Trump’s praise for law enforcement, while confirming the suspect — 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California — was in custody as a lone actor with no injuries reported. 

Broadcast networks offered measured, fact-driven timelines and official briefings, while cable channels provided immersive, on-the-ground accounts with heavy video replays. Overall tone was serious and unified: relief at the quick resolution, praise for Secret Service professionalism, and minimal partisan spin as the dinner was canceled.

Bipartisan Criticism Grows Over Security Failures

A wave of bipartisan outrage erupted over major security loopholes at the Washington Hilton that allowed an armed gunman to enter the venue during Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where President Trump, his Cabinet, and top members of Congress mingled with journalists.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, smuggled a shotgun, handgun, and multiple knives into the hotel by bypassing exterior screenings. He later attempted to rush a magnetometer checkpoint leading into the ballroom, opened fire on officers, and was taken down by security. No one inside the ballroom was injured, and the Secret Service stated that President Trump, who has survived two prior assassination attempts, was never in direct danger.

Critics from both parties slammed the fact that guests could check into the hotel and attend pre-dinner events without weapons screening, photo ID verification, or a confirmed attendee list. The building remained open to the public, with metal detectors and full screenings only at an interior checkpoint on the floor above the ballroom — standard practice for past dinners.

FLOTUS Fear

“While the security perimeter outside of the ballroom worked, and the Secret Service and Federal Law Enforcement acted swiftly... the fact is there were numerous glaring security issues,” Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) posted on X. He highlighted the lack of control over members of Congress inside the room and called for a full after-action review of how the gunman moved from his hotel room into a supposedly secure area with multiple weapons.

Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) echoed the concerns, writing: “No security screening was required to enter an event featuring the President of the United States, the Speaker of the House, Cabinet Secretaries, and Members of Congress? This failure of even the most basic security protocols... demands an immediate investigation.”

In a manifesto recovered after the incident, Allen himself mocked the “insane” lack of security. “If I was an Iranian agent... I could have brought a damn Ma Deuce [heavy machine gun] in here and no one would have noticed s–t,” he wrote. He described a pervasive “sense of arrogance” at the hotel, noting he entered armed without anyone viewing him as a threat.

President Trump and his allies pointed to the incident as validation for his plan to build a highly secure ballroom at the White House, arguing the current system is inadequate for high-profile events.

WHCA President Praises Journalists, Thanks Security

White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang praised journalists for their “calm and courage” on Sunday morning, following a shooting incident at the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner the previous night.

In a statement posted on X, Jiang, who also serves as CBS News senior White House correspondent, described the event as “a harrowing moment for everyone in attendance.”

“Last night’s shooting at the Washington Hilton was a harrowing moment for everyone in attendance,” she wrote. “We express our deepest gratitude to the U.S. Secret Service and all law enforcement personnel who ensured the safety of everyone in the ballroom and beyond. Their actions protected thousands of guests, and we wish a full and speedy recovery to the officer who was injured in the line of duty. We are grateful everyone in attendance was unharmed, including the president, the first lady and the vice president.”

Where Things Stand: SiriusXM, iHM Talking Possible Merger

The news broke late Friday afternoon that Sirius XM Holdings Inc. and iHeartMedia Inc. are in preliminary discussions about a possible merger that would combine the nation’s largest satellite radio provider with the biggest U.S. radio station owner, Bloomberg News reported.

The talks remain in early stages and could fall apart, according to people familiar with the matter. Both companies declined to comment.

A deal would create a major audio powerhouse with more than $12 billion in combined annual revenue, blending SiriusXM’s subscription business and Pandora streaming service with iHeartMedia’s vast broadcast radio network, podcasts, and digital audio platforms. It comes as traditional audio companies face intensifying competition from Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and other digital giants for listeners and advertising dollars.

FCC Boosts Local Broadcasters’ Pre-Emptions Power

The FCC has approved a $6.2 billion merger between TV station owners Nexstar and Tegna, while its Republican chair, Brendan Carr, is exploring new rules that would make it easier for local stations to override network programming without facing contract penalties — a move critics say is designed to mute content from networks perceived as liberal.

The merger, approved March 26, would create the nation’s largest TV broadcaster, with Nexstar controlling 259 stations reaching about 80% of U.S. households. Carr has openly pushed to strengthen local broadcasters’ leverage against national networks such as NBC and ABC, which President Trump and conservatives have long accused of bias.

Now, Carr told POLITICO he wants to restore an earlier era in which local stations had greater ability to preempt network shows. He is considering FCC measures, including a regulatory presumption protecting affiliate agreements, that would shield stations from financial penalties or loss of popular programming when they choose to drop network content.

Michael Jackson Biopic Delivers Massive Box office

Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic delivers a massive, record-shattering box office opening despite mixed-to-negative reviews from critics. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Michael’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the title role, the film opened to an estimated $97 million domestically from 3,955 theaters over its first three days (Friday–Sunday), with some estimates pushing toward $100 million. Worldwide, it has already grossed more than $217 million in its opening frame, including strong previews.

This performance easily sets a new all-time record for the biggest opening weekend of any music biopic, comfortably surpassing Straight Outta Compton ($60 million in 2015) and Bohemian Rhapsody ($51 million in 2018). It also marks one of the strongest non-sequel launches of 2026 and the biggest opening day of the year so far, with $39.5 million on Friday alone.

International audiences drove much of the momentum: Universal reported approximately $120.4 million from 82 territories, with the film breaking musical biopic opening records in dozens of markets, including strong showings in the UK, France, Mexico, Italy, and Germany.  Audience enthusiasm has been the key differentiator. While critics gave the film a low Rotten Tomatoes score in the high 30s to low 40s, often calling it more of a greatest-hits compilation than a deep character study, moviegoers have embraced it wholeheartedly. 

SCOTUS To Hear Controversial Geofencing Case In Virginia

Geofencing and Privacy Rights Face Major Scrutiny in Virginia. Geofencing warrants, a law enforcement technique that draws virtual perimeters around crime scenes to collect smartphone location data from everyone nearby, are under intense legal and legislative pressure in Virginia, spotlighting clashes between public safety and Fourth Amendment privacy protections.

At the center of the debate is a high-profile U.S. Supreme Court case originating from a 2019 armed bank robbery in Midlothian, Virginia. Police used a geofence warrant to obtain Google location data for all devices within roughly 150 meters of the crime scene during a specific time window. That data helped identify suspect Okello Chatrie, who was later convicted. Chatrie argues the warrant was an unconstitutional dragnet search lacking particularized probable cause.

The Supreme Court is now set to hear arguments in Chatrie v. United States, with the ruling expected to set nationwide standards for whether such reverse location searches violate privacy rights.

Critics, including the ACLU and privacy advocates, call geofence warrants digital dragnets that can expose sensitive movements, such as visits to churches, medical offices, or political meetings, without individualized suspicion. They compare it to searching every home in a neighborhood because one crime occurred there.

R.I.P. Nedra Talley-Ross, Last Original Member of The Ronettes

Nedra Talley-Ross (1946-2026)

Nedra Talley-Ross, the last surviving original member of the legendary 1960s girl group The Ronettes, has passed away at the age of 80.

The news was shared Sunday Nedra K. Ross:

“At approximately 8:30 this morning our mother Nedra Talley Ross went home to be with the Lord. She was safe in her own bed at home with her family close, knowing she was loved. Thank you Lord. There will be a Celebration of Life in the future and I will post information when plans have been confirmed.”

Born Nedra Yvonne Talley on January 27, 1946, in New York City, she was of Black, Puerto Rican, and Irish descent. As a teenager, she formed The Ronettes with her cousins Ronnie Spector (Veronica Bennett) and Estelle Bennett. 

The trio, known for their striking style, towering hair, and powerful vocals, became one of the most iconic acts of the era under producer Phil Spector’s guidance.Their “Wall of Sound” productions delivered timeless hits such as “Be My Baby,” “Baby, I Love You,” and “Walking in the Rain,” which helped define early 1960s pop and R&B. 

While Ronnie was the lead singer, Nedra’s rich harmonies were essential to the group’s lush, dramatic signature sound. 

R.I.P.: Mark Robinson, Longtime Savannah Radio Personality

Mark Robinson (1953-2026)

 Mark Robertson, a radio legend in Savannah and the Lowcountry, has passed away at age 73. 

In a heartfelt social media post on Saturday, 98.7 The River announced the news, noting that Robertson died peacefully just after midnight following a courageous battle with late-stage (stage four) pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed in April 2026, only months after retiring. 

Robertson spent 48 remarkable years behind the microphone, becoming a trusted and beloved voice across the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry. He debuted at 98.7 The River in 1977 (originally on predecessor station KIX96) and built a lasting career that touched generations. For decades, he hosted the popular The Mark and Sandy Morning Show, waking up listeners with his warm personality, engaging conversation, and community spirit. Many relied on him as a daily companion during their morning commutes, sharing news, music, trivia, traffic, and light-hearted moments that defined local radio. 

He retired in July 2025 after nearly five decades on air, marking the end of an era for Savannah radio. Tragically, his retirement was short-lived as he faced his health battle just a few months later. 

R.I.P.: Ralph Gunderman, Voice Actor, Letterman Contributor

Ralph Gunderman ('48-'26)

Ralph Gunderman, the warm and versatile voice actor and performer best known as the longtime announcer for NBC’s Dateline and a frequent contributor to comedic bits on Late Show with David Letterman, died on March 1 at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. He was 77.

His death was due to complications from pneumonia, a family spokesperson said.

A Cleveland native, Gunderman moved to New York in 1981 and built a prolific four-decade career as a freelance national voice-over artist. His distinctive voice was heard on thousands of commercials, network promos, and narrations before he retired in 2021.

On CBS’s Late Show, he was a key member of a small ensemble of actors—alongside Sara Krieger, Sam Fried, Robb Webb, and J.R. Horne—who supplied the voices for Letterman’s signature fake “announcements” and parody commercials woven into the monologues.

Radio History: April 27

➦In 1791...Samuel Morse was born Samuel Finley Breese Morse (Died – April 2, 1872). He was an American painter and inventor.

After having established his reputation as a portrait painter, in his middle age Morse contributed to the invention of a single-wire telegraph system based on European telegraphs. He was a co-developer of the Morse code, and helped to develop the commercial use of telegraphy.

In 1825 New York City had commissioned Morse to paint a portrait of Lafayette in Washington, DC. While Morse was painting, a horse messenger delivered a letter from his father that read, "Your dear wife is convalescent". 

The next day he received a letter from his father detailing his wife's sudden death.   Morse immediately left Washington for his home at New Haven. By the time he arrived, his wife had already been buried.  Heartbroken that for days he was unaware of his wife's failing health and her death, he decided to explore a means of rapid long distance communication.

While returning by ship from Europe in 1832, Morse encountered Charles Thomas Jackson of Boston, a man who was well schooled in electromagnetism. Witnessing various experiments with Jackson's electromagnet, Morse developed the concept of a single-wire telegraph. The original Morse telegraph, submitted with his patent application, is part of the collections of the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution.  In time the Morse code, which he developed, would become the primary language of telegraphy in the world. It is still the standard for rhythmic transmission of data.

➦In 1927..In Pacific Coast Biscuit Company launched KPCB in 1927 from Seattle.  Queen City Broadcasting took over the station in 1935, changing the call letters to the KIRO.  The station boosted its signal to 1,000 watts in 1937, and CBS soon moved its Seattle affiliation to KIRO. On June 29, 1941, KIRO's new 50,000-Watt transmitter on Maury Island became operational.

During the radio’s golden age in the 1940s and 1950s, KIRO recorded countless hours of CBS programming for time-delayed broadcast.  Many of these discs are the only extant recordings of CBS’ news coverage of World War 2, according to Faded Signals.

Bonneville International purchased KIRO-AM-FM-TV in 1964. By this time, KIRO-AM was carrying a full-service format of news, talk and middle-of-the-road music.  In 1973, it dropped CBS and affiliated with Mutual.  The station became “KIRO Newsradio 71” in 1974, replacing most music programming with news and talk.  The station spent the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s at the top of Seattle’s radio ratings.

On August 12, 2008, KIRO began simulcasting their programming on sister station KBSG-FM, which dropped their long-running classic hits format. This began the transition of KIRO Newsradio from AM to FM.  To complete the transition, KIRO switched to a sports radio format (as 710 ESPN Seattle) on April 1, 2009, and began carrying Seattle Mariners games, beginning in the 2009 season. KIRO also simulcasts the Seattle Seahawks games with KIRO-FM, and has extensive team-related programming throughout the year. KIRO-FM continues the news/talk format.

Bonneville sold KIRO-TV to Belo in 1995 and then sold KIRO-AM-FM to Entercom.  Bonneville bought back the stations in 2007.

➦In 1932...Kemal Amin "Casey" Kasem born in Detroit (Died at age 82 – June 15, 2014).  He was the host of several music radio countdown programs, notably American Top 40 from 1970 until his retirement in 2009. He also provided the voice of Norville "Shaggy" Rogers in the Scooby-Doo franchise from 1969 to 1997, and again from 2002 until 2009.