- 'Sup, ya beautiful bastards.
Welcome back to "The Philip DeFranco Show."
It is Monday, February 1st, 2021.
Hit that like button,
otherwise I will punch you in the throat,
and let's just jump into the news of the day,
so you can get back to yours.
Where we'll start today is
with entertainment/entertainer news
starting with Corpse Husband.
So for those unfamiliar in addition to Corpse
just being a massive internet personality
where he can trend on Twitter
just for releasing audio of himself breathing,
and a lot of people learning about him due
to his super successful gaming videos,
he's also actually a musician.
He creates original music.
His song "E-Girls are Ruining My Life"
just on YouTube has over 30 million views,
but he actually popped up in the news over the last 24 hours
because of Spotify.
With Corpse posting in now deleted tweets,
"It's completely all you guys always.
"Thank you so much."
Reportedly showing just 1% of his Spotify plays coming
from the platform's official editorial playlists.
Further explaining,
"To clarify, a lot of bigger artists get a good amount
"of their plays from big Spotify editorial playlists
"which is what Spotify's editorial team pushes
"to large amounts of people,
"labels get their artists on there, et cetera.
"I never get on them and 1% of my plays is from them.
"All you."
Also, interestingly with this,
the same day that he posted this
his song "Agoraphobic" popped into the global
and US viral 50 playlist.
But, you know with all this Corpse hits on something
that has been kind of a long talked about issue.
With the change in the music industry that we've seen
over the last five, 10, 15 years,
one of the biggest things has been small creators
that aren't backed by anyone, they can upload stuff
in a lot of different places, blow up.
So you have some people saying, you know,
"The gatekeepers of old are gone,"
but you have others saying,
"Well the gatekeepers just changed."
While there are a number of players in the space,
I mean, if you look to Spotify it's kind of an understood
that playlists have a lot of power.
You've even had economists putting out working papers
noting that if you get into certain playlists,
something like today's top hits,
I mean, you're talking
about tens of millions of extra streams,
which of course is huge for an artist getting awareness
in front of new eyes, but also money.
And hell, I need to see if they're still doing this,
if it's become more standard.
But I mean, this news today is coming
just a few months after it was reported
that Spotify was announcing a controversial
experimental feature,
one that would notably allow artists
to get an algorithmic boost on the company's playlists
if they took a smaller cut of royalties
for the songs promoted.
That's why at that time we saw
the American Union of Musicians and allied workers saying,
"Spotify encourages labels and management companies to pay
"for plays on the platform.
"In many cases,
"the artists do not even know this is happening."
And understand that's kind of the darker
more controversial part of this story.
And then of course there's just the general gatekeeping
that can still happen to this day with playlists.
So I guess kind of where this story ends for me,
one, I think if anything this might actually be beneficial
for Corpse Husband.
Though I do wonder he deleted the tweets.
The level of success he has gotten to
despite not being on those playlists
I think is a fantastic element to his story.
Then also, secondly,
I am incredibly interested to see what happens
in this music space in the coming years.
And then let's talk about this morning,
actress Evan Rachel Wood wrote a post naming Marilyn Manson
as her abuser detailing her experiences.
Writing on Instagram,
"The name of my abuser is Brian Warner,
"also known to the world as Marilyn Manson."
Going on to say that he groomed her,
horrifically abused her for years.
Writing, "I was brainwashed
"and manipulated into submission."
But adding, "I am done living in fear of retaliation,
"slander or blackmail.
"I am here to expose this dangerous man
"and call out the many industries that have enabled him
"before he ruins any more lives.
"I stand with the many victims
"who will no longer be silent."
And while Wood is naming
and specifically talking about Manson here,
it should also be noted
that she's been very vocal about her experiences
as a survivor of domestic violence for a number of years.
In fact, back in 2018,
she testified before a House Judiciary Subcommittee
in an effort to pass
the Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights
in all 50 States.
Also in 2019,
she testified in California to promote legislation
to promote the Phoenix Act,
which alters the statute of limitations
for crimes involving domestic violence.
But back to the story and the post this morning
following that it resulted
in four other women detailing their experiences with Manson
which notably involved similar allegations.
Those women Ashley Lindsay Morgan, Sarah McNeilly,
Ashley Walters, and another woman
by the name of Gabriella,
detailing various forms of abuse.
McNeilly saying that she was emotionally abused,
terrorized, and scarred,
and locked in rooms when she was quote "bad."
So far, Manson's reps have not responded
to these specific claims.
But ultimately that is where we are right now
in this developing situation.
What started with Evan Rachel Wood this morning
now has become even larger.
Then there's the question of how does Manson,
his team, and those around him respond.
I mean, as we were finishing up today's show, we saw reports
that he was dropped by his record label Loma Vista.
With the company releasing a statement saying,
"In light of today's disturbing allegations
"by Evan Rachel Wood and other women naming Marilyn Manson
"as their abuser, Loma Vista will cease
"to further promote his current album effective immediately.
"Due to these concerning developments,
"we have also decided not to work with Marilyn Manson
"on any future projects."
And so that's why for now we have to wait and see.
And then let's talk about a story,
it's business news
but then it also leads into a sponsorship.
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I was nowhere near the only person with issues
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That's the story of Robin Hood.
Instead, they are protecting all these hedge fund people
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And then, so for my show specifically,
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I also got to speak to their co-CEO Leif Abraham
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Then in international news, let's look to Russia
where reportedly 5,100 people were detained yesterday
while protesting the arrest of opposition leader
Alexei Nevalny.
This reportedly including 80 journalists.
And while most people were later released,
many people have also accused Russian police
of beating protestors.
This is an extremely notable moment
because these are the largest protests Russia has seen
in years.
Which is why we've seen an unprecedented number
of riot police locking down the city center of Moscow now.
Stopping people to check their documents,
asking them where they're headed.
As far as the international response,
the United States has condemned the crackdown,
even urging Russia to release Nevalny.
The secretary of state Antony Blinken saying on Twitter,
"The US condemns the persistent use of harsh tactics
"against peaceful protestors and journalists
"by Russian authorities for a second week straight."
Though unsurprisingly,
the Russian government has rejected that call,
denouncing what they referred to as a crude interference
in Russia's internal affairs,
but also accusing the United States of trying
to destabilize the situation by backing protesters.
Protesters that we will likely see in the streets again
especially because you have Nevalny's team calling
for additional protests tomorrow in Moscow,
which is the same day that he's set to face a court hearing
that will decide whether or not he'll spend years in prison.
Then in other international news, we should talk
about Myanmar's military launching a full blown coup
and detaining senior politicians.
This including the country's civilian leader
Aung San Suu Kyi.
And as far as what we know right now,
in an announcement read on a military run TV station,
officials said that they had seized power,
installed the Army's chief as the country's new leader,
and implemented a year long state of emergency.
Now with this, you had Suu Kyi's spokesperson
as well as many international observers saying
this is an illegal military coup.
But we've seen military officials pushing back saying
their actions are legally justified
under a section of the constitution
that they wrote that allows them to take power
in times of national emergency.
With them claiming that this move was necessary
because the government had not acted
on the military's claims of fraud in November's election.
And also claiming they did this
because the government had allowed the election to go ahead
despite the pandemic.
Now, as far as what happened in the election
which was widely viewed as a referendum
on Suu Kyi's leadership,
her party actually won 396 out of the 476 seats
in parliament.
And so with those huge results,
you had the military's proxy party,
which only won 33 seats claiming
that there had been discrepancies
like duplicated names on voting lists.
And while they didn't say that those regularities
were big enough to have changed the election outcome,
they still argue that the election must be held again.
Now, as far as what happens next,
you have the military claiming
that they will oversee what they call free
and fair multiparty elections
once the year-long state of emergency is over.
But many experts are skeptical for two main reasons.
First of all, the military's takeover
of authority will prolong the power of the army chief
who was supposed to age out of his role this summer.
So now he has this incentive to stay in power,
especially because a network
of lucrative family businesses could have been hurt
by his retirement.
And secondly,
the last time the country had a military coup was
back in 1962,
and that resulted in the military holding power
for nearly five decades until 2011.
And there, when they finally agreed to a transition,
that eventually led to Suu Kyi becoming the de facto leader
in 2015.
At that time,
the country had been celebrated as a rare example
where military generals actually gave power to civilians.
And Suu Kyi who is also a Nobel Laureate was applauded
as an international champion of human rights
for her campaign against the military junta.
But also in recent years,
she has lost a lot of international credibility
and support because she's become one
of the military's biggest public defenders,
even going as far
to defend the brutal crackdown of Rohingya Muslims
which has been labeled a genocide by the UN.
And so now many experts say they see this takeover
as a confirmation that the military has held
and holds ultimate power despite the claims of democracy.
With many seeing this coup as just a pretext
for them to reinstate their full influence.
Also with this news, it will be an interesting test
for the Biden administration.
Notably the United States already has some sanctions
in place on generals who have been implicated
in the violence against the Rohingya.
This interestingly enough
including the country's newly installed military leader.
And as far as what could come, I mean,
we're already seeing Biden threatening even more sanctions,
issuing a statement this morning
where he called the coup
"a direct assault on the countries transition to democracy
"and the rule of law."
Then in US political news, we should talk
about the 10 Republican senators meeting
with President Biden today to pushing a much smaller version
of the $1.9 trillion stimulus package proposal.
Largely centrist group led by Senator Susan Collins is
hoping to get Biden to sign onto a $618 billion plan,
which may sound like a lot of money
until you remember it is just a third
of what Biden has asked for.
Among other things,
this plan from Republicans would extend the $300 a week
in federal unemployment benefits until June,
rather than increasing them to $400
and extending them until September.
It would also send stimulus checks worth just $1,000
rather than the $1,400 that Biden wants.
And it would start phasing out direct payments
for Americans who make $40,000 a year instead of $75,000.
It also has 20 billion in funding for K to 12 schools
which is a major drop from the 130 billion
that Biden has proposed.
And while yes,
the Republican plan does match Biden's request
of $160 billion for vaccines, testing,
and other healthcare related funding,
it does not include any money to state and local governments
nor does it raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.
So at this point you might be wondering,
"Well, why is this counter offer even significant?"
The Democrats have the House,
they effectively have the Senate,
thanks to Kamala Harris being able to split a tie vote
in a Senate that is split 50/50.
The reason is you have these 10 Republicans billing
their proposal as they wait for Biden to yes,
approve much needed pandemic aid
while also fulfilling his inaugural pledge
to unite the country.
Essentially trying to pitch this as,
"Okay, Biden, will you actually work
"with people across the aisle?"
Also from a strategic standpoint,
10 GOP senators is a key thing
because that means that if all 50 Senate Dems were
to vote for this plan,
it would overcome the 60 vote filibuster rule.
But many Democrats have already signaled
that they will not support this much smaller of a bill.
It appears that includes Biden himself.
I mean, just this morning we saw
press secretary Jen Psaki downplay expectations
for the meeting saying that Biden would not agree to a deal
without further negotiation, and adding,
"The risk is not that it is too big, this package.
"The risk is that it is too small.
"That remains his view."
At this point, the stimulus already feels too late
and now you want to make it too little?
Or as incoming Senate finance chairman Ron Wyden said today,
"The package outlined by 10 Senate Republicans is
"far too small to provide
"the relief the American people need.
"In particular, a three-month extension
"of jobless benefits is a non-starter.
"Many states still have not gotten benefits out the door
"after Donald Trump's tantrum
"in December caused them to lapse.
"And we're facing another cliff in just six weeks.
"We can't keep jumping from cliff to cliff every few months.
"Workers who have lost their jobs
"through no fault of their own shouldn't be
"constantly worrying that they are going
"to lose their income overnight.
"An extension of benefits
"for at least six months is essential."
Meanwhile, with this whole situation
we've seen house speaker Nancy Pelosi saying Thursday
that she will move Biden's plan forward this week
with or without Republican backing
through a process known as budget reconciliation.
Which is incredibly notable
because that would allow the Senate to agree to this package
with a simple majority
instead of the 60 normally required for major bills.
And then let's talk about,
and kind of just prepare you for some of the insanity
that we are going to see next week.
And in particular here,
I'm talking about with over a week to go
before his impeachment hearing
former president Trump announced yesterday
that he was hiring two new attorneys to head his defense.
And that news coming out after it was reported
that Trump's entire five person legal team
abruptly parted ways with him over the weekend.
With Trump's spokesman Jason Miller confirming
that South Carolina lawyer Karl Butch Bowers,
who Trump had tapped to lead the team,
would no longer be representing him.
Miller also saying that Deputy Bowers had chosen
had left as well,
but said that the others rumored to have departed were never
officially named as part of the team.
As far as why the lawyers left,
sources close to the matter told reporters that it was
because Trump wanted them to argue
that he had actually won the election
and to continue to promote his baseless claims
that the election had been rigged.
But according to those sources,
the lawyers felt uncomfortable pushing this misinformation.
And instead wanted to go in
on the argument that it was unconstitutional
to remove a president who has already left office.
A move that from a strategic standpoint, just makes sense
that the Republicans have already set the fields here.
Remember, all but five Republican senators backed
a resolution supporting the very same argument
in a key test last week.
But still despite the fact
that the GOP has gone out of its way to say,
"Hey, here's the door, here's the solution.
"Maybe let's not continue to fuel lies
"that led to an insurrection."
Despite all of that,
he reportedly wants this different defense.
Though as far as Miller,
he confirmed to reporters that the decision
to part ways was mutual.
But he also rejected the idea
that Trump wants to focus the trial on election fraud
calling those numerous reports "fake news."
Which I think those words would mean something to me
if we didn't have just a treasure trove of evidence
of things that are contrary
to what Donald Trump has called fake news in the past.
Also regarding the two lawyers
that Trump announced yesterday,
they are quite controversial.
One of the lawyers, Bruce Castro was widely condemned
for declining to prosecute Bill Cosby during his time
as Pennsylvania district attorney.
And then the other lawyer, David Schoen,
he's best known for defending Roger Stone
and for meeting with Donald Trump's old party buddy,
Jeffrey Epstein, to discuss representing him a few days
before his death.
But yeah, main point, a little over a week,
prepare yourselves.
Whether it be this story or anything else I covered today,
I would love to know your thoughts
in those comments down below
because this is the end of the video.
As always thanks for being a part of my daily dives
in the news here.
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And as always this has been news that matters
for people that care.
I'll see you tomorrow.