Reports have emerged that Paramount’s new CEO, David Ellison, is on the cusp of acquiring The Free Press, the independent media outlet founded by Bari Weiss, in a deal valued at over $100 million. According to Puck News, this move would not only provide a substantial payout for Weiss but also position her in a senior editorial role at CBS News, potentially overseeing an overhaul of the network’s operations. This development comes amid Ellison’s recent takeover of Paramount through an $8 billion merger with Skydance, marking one of his first major initiatives.
Weiss, who left The New York Times in 2020 after enduring what she described as bullying from far-left colleagues, has built The Free Press into a platform that often pushes back against dominant narratives in mainstream media. Her outlet has gained attention for its coverage questioning diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, gender ideology, and certain media portrayals of Israel’s conflict with Hamas. This approach has earned her a following among those seeking alternative viewpoints, but it has also drawn sharp criticism from liberal circles, who view her as a divisive force.
The backlash was swift and intense. Media critic Oliver Darcy, in his Status newsletter, expressed deep concern over the implications. “David Ellison vowed not to politicize Paramount—yet his first big move at CBS News is a major bet on Bari Weiss, one of the most polarizing figures in media,” Darcy wrote.
He went on to describe Weiss as “the stridently pro-Israel, proudly anti-‘woke’ culture warrior, [who] has built her brand on polarizing political commentary—supposedly the type of material Ellison signaled to reporters that he wishes to run away from.”
Even harsher rhetoric came from The Nation’s senior editor Jack Mirkinson, who penned a scathing piece titled “Vile Grifters Are Taking Over Establishment Media.” Mirkinson didn’t hold back, stating, “Bari Weiss has been making the world worse for a long time.” He delved into her past, claiming, “Twenty years ago, as a student at Columbia, she led a racist smear campaign against Arab professors who had the audacity to criticize Israel.”
Continuing his critique, he accused her time at The New York Times of being filled with “right-wing bile while posing as a liberal who was just tired of all the extremism and censorship on the left—a tedious bait-and-switch that nevertheless sent her media profile soaring.”
Regarding The Free Press, Mirkinson alleged it has “pushed genocide denial, transphobia, and the freedom to make Nazi salutes.”
Such inflammatory language reveals the depth of ideological opposition Weiss faces; Mirkinson’s portrayal frames her not just as a journalist with differing opinions but as a propagator of hate, a charge that ignores the outlet’s focus on stories often sidelined by legacy media, like investigations into campus antisemitism or critiques of gender-affirming care policies.
Mirkinson further lamented the cultural climate enabling this deal: “If we lived in a less terrible time and place, Weiss would be dismissed as a crank and a bigot, and never heard from again. But we live in the waking nightmare that is the United States in 2025. So instead, Weiss is being rewarded with a prize that even she must think is kind of wild. That prize? CBS News.”
He argued that CBS News, despite its flaws, “isn’t just some hate factory pumping out shoddy propaganda 24/7. But now it’s being shipped over to one of the leading hateful propagandists of our time.” In his conclusion, Mirkinson called for resistance: “I hope that CBS News staffers resist this attempt to destroy their workplace with everything they have. I hope that Weiss’s tenure atop CBS is short and failed. But mostly, I hope that one day we live in a world where people like Weiss are treated with the contempt they deserve and are hurled.”
This vitriol illustrates a pattern where critics on the left equate dissent with bigotry, potentially stifling debate in an industry already accused of echo-chamber dynamics.
Other outlets echoed similar sentiments. HuffPost labeled Weiss the “polarizing editor of The Free Press” and suggested the acquisition “offers a preview of how Ellison, the son of a top Trump ally, intends to shape CBS News moving forward,” implying a conservative tilt despite Ellison’s assurances otherwise.
Salon referred to her as “the polarizing editor and founder of conservative outlet The Free Press” and a “controversial figure.” Inside CBS, the New York Post reported that staffers are “apoplectic” and “not happy AT ALL,” with some bracing for an open revolt over the prospect of Weiss leading an editorial shake-up.
This internal unrest points to deeper tensions within legacy networks, where employees accustomed to a particular worldview may resist voices that introduce balance or scrutiny.
Not all reactions were uniformly negative. From a different angle, former Fox News host Megyn Kelly questioned the wisdom of Weiss joining mainstream media, asking, “Why would you go into mainstream media?” and warning that it could “eat her alive,” drawing parallels to Katie Couric’s experiences.
As negotiations reportedly near completion, this episode exposes fault lines in American journalism. Weiss’s rise from a criticized NYT columnist to a potential CBS power player demonstrates the growing appetite for outlets that prioritize unfiltered reporting over ideological conformity. Whether the deal materializes, the furor surrounding it reveals much about the state of media trust and the challenges of bridging divided audiences.
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.