Steven Crowder threatens to sue CNN, Jubilee and Talarico over "Change My Mind" town hall
Conservative commentator Steven Crowder says he will sue CNN, Jubilee Media and Texas Senate candidate James Talarico over a town hall that used his trademarked "Change My Mind" name. No lawsuit is confirmed as filed, and the targets had not responded.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Conservative commentator Steven Crowder said on Thursday 15 October that he is suing CNN, Jubilee Media and Texas Senate candidate James Talarico over a town hall that used the phrase "Change My Mind". Raw StoryL “MAGA podcaster Steven Crowder is threatening to sue CNN, Jubilee and Texas Senate candidate James Talarico” Read at Raw Story ↗ NewsweekN “Crowder said Thursday that legal action was in the works after Talarico took part in a CNN town hall on Wednesday” Read at Newsweek ↗ Left · 1The town hall featured Talarico, the Democratic Senate candidate, speaking face-to-face with undecided voters, and CNN and Jubilee used the same phrase for it. Raw StoryL “CNN and Jubilee used the same phrase for a town hall featuring Talarico speaking face-to-face with undecided voters” Read at Raw Story ↗ Left · 1On his show "Louder with Crowder" he said, "We are filing a lawsuit," and added, "I'm not a litigious person... We have been ripped off many times, but this is so egregious." Raw StoryL ““We are filing a lawsuit,” Crowder declared on his “Louder with Crowder” show”““Just so you know, I’m not a litigious person,” Crowder continued.” Read at Raw Story ↗
Centre · 1In a YouTube video he said, "we are suing not just CNN and Jubilee, James Talarico as well." He repeated this on X and shared a post reading "Lawyer up". NewsweekN “"There is no doubt about this lawsuit is in the works right now. Let me just tell you, we are suing not just CNN and Jubilee, James Talarico as well,"”“Crowder escalated his legal threats in a repost on X, sharing his earlier message about the town hall that read: "Lawyer up."” Read at Newsweek ↗ Mixed · 2Crowder objected to what he called his trademarked brand, logo and format being used to help Talarico appeal to right-wing voters. He said: "I don't want our trademarked brand, logo and format to be used for James Talarico to associate and ingratiate himself with right-wing voters." Raw StoryL ““I don’t want our trademarked brand, logo and format to be used for James Talarico to associate and ingratiate himself with right-wing voters,” Crowder said.” Read at Raw Story ↗ NewsweekN “He objected to the use of what he described as his trademarked brand and format” Read at Newsweek ↗ Left · 1He said that once it is ripped off and used "for propaganda" he has "a problem" and has "to come for everything." Raw StoryL ““Once you rip it off and use it for propaganda, I now have a problem, and I have to come for everything!”” Read at Raw Story ↗
Centre · 1On X, Crowder said he was rejected by cable news for the concept and that others now take it "with investors and donors" and profit. He also accused CNN of failing to credit him, said the network called the segment "Change My Mind" at least 10 times, and said the format "will not be used to help James Talarico ruin Texas." NewsweekN “"I was rejected by cable news for this exact concept. We took the risk. We paid the cost. Now everyone else swoops in with investors and donors, steals it, and profits."”“CNN referred to the Talarico segment as "Change My Mind" at least 10 times” Read at Newsweek ↗ Mixed · 2"Change My Mind" became known through Crowder's videos, in which he sits behind a table with a provocative statement and invites passersby, notably students on college campuses, to challenge his views. NewsweekN “Crowder popularized it through videos in which he sits behind a table displaying a provocative statement and invites passersby to challenge his views.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Raw StoryL “became an internet sensation through his confrontational debates with students on college campuses” Read at Raw Story ↗ Centre · 1According to Newsweek, the phrase is covered by U.S. Registration No. 5,960,565, owned by LWC IP Assets LLC, for entertainment services including online videos; its first use in commerce is recorded as 5 December 2017. A separate registration, No. 5,639,902, covers clothing and sits on the Supplemental Register. NewsweekN “U.S. Registration No. 5,960,565, owned by LWC IP Assets LLC”“That registration is listed on the Supplemental Register, which is distinct from the Principal Register” Read at Newsweek ↗
Centre · 1Newsweek noted that a trademark registration does not by itself establish infringement, and that any claim would depend on the registration's scope and the circumstances of use. It said it is unclear whether a lawsuit has been filed, and that it had sought comment from Talarico, Jubilee, CNN and Crowder without a response. NewsweekN “the existence of a trademark registration does not by itself establish that its use during Talarico’s town hall infringed the mark”“it remains unclear whether a lawsuit has been filed” Read at Newsweek ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Raw Story leads with Crowder's threat, labelling him a "MAGA podcaster" and quoting his "so egregious" complaint, with little context on the legal merits.
- Emphasis
- Crowder's quotes and his claim that CNN and Jubilee used his branding to help Talarico court conservative voters.
- Leaves out or plays down
- No trademark details, no legal caveats, no response from the targets, and no note that a filing is unconfirmed.
- Charged language
- “MAGA podcaster”“MAGAverse”“So egregious”
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Newsweek treats it as a possible legal dispute. It sets out Crowder's statements, then the trademark registrations and the limits of what a registration proves.
- Emphasis
- Trademark registration numbers and scope, Crowder's X posts, the unconfirmed status of any filing, and that comment was requested.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not report any response from CNN, Jubilee or Talarico, because none had come.
- Charged language
- “MAGA Lawsuit”
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Crowder said he will sue CNN, Jubilee and James Talarico over a town hall using the phrase "Change My Mind".
- Crowder says the phrase is his trademarked brand and format and objects to its use to help Talarico appeal to right-wing voters.
- No response from CNN, Jubilee or Talarico was reported.
Where accounts differ
-
Whether a lawsuit is under way
- Left
- Quotes Crowder: "We are filing a lawsuit" and calls it a planned legal action.
- Centre
- Newsweek says it is unclear whether a lawsuit has been filed, and that a trademark registration alone does not establish infringement.
Steven Crowder person
Says he is suing CNN, Jubilee and Talarico because they used his trademarked "Change My Mind" brand and format for what he calls propaganda, without credit.
“"We're suing. Not just CNN. Jubilee and James Talarico, as well."” — Newsweek
““Once you rip it off and use it for propaganda, I now have a problem, and I have to come for everything!”” — Raw Story
James Talarico person
Took part in the CNN town hall. No response from him was reported when Newsweek sought comment.
“Newsweek contacted Talarico and Jubilee Media via online form” — Newsweek
Left1 article
-
‘So egregious’: MAGA podcaster threatens CNN with lawsuit after Talarico town hall
Mixed Short report built on Crowder's quotes, with a partisan label for him and a mildly mocking tone, and no legal analysis.
Centre1 article
-
James Talarico Faces MAGA Lawsuit Over Slogan To Woo Conservatives
Neutral Detailed explainer on the threat, the trademark registrations and the caveat that a registration does not prove infringement.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 15 Oct 21:37 First Raw StoryL ‘So egregious’: MAGA podcaster threatens CNN with lawsuit after Talarico town hall
- 16 Oct 12:59 +15h 22m NewsweekN James Talarico Faces MAGA Lawsuit Over Slogan To Woo Conservatives
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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