Media Mistrust and Why Illinois and California are Failing
By Drew Hayes
July 19th, 2026
Editors Note:This commentary was written by my old boss at WLS AM radio Drew Hayes for his new website: onlaca.com It is posted here with his permission. He understood the media was collapsing and with its collapse would come lost creditability that is needed by a civil society. JK
John Kass, the legendary Chicago columnist, has a website where he publishes commentary–that often, sadly–are on the sorry state of Illinois. Recently, guest columnist Paul Vallas–who was CEO of the Chicago Public Schools and ran for Mayor in 2023–wrote about Illinois’ horrendous financial problems and the virtue-signaling, DSA-mandated pursuit of ‘equity’.
Vallas brought the receipts, claiming that the Land of Lincoln is the least equitable state in the country. With their failed Governor, J.B. Pritzker, likely to face off with our failed Governor in the 2028 Democrat presidential race, the piece seems to merit a head-to-head comparison between the two states. For the sake of ‘equity,’ we asked ChatGPT to do a side-by-side comparison:
As you can see, both Pritzker and Newsom’s ‘progressive’ policies are deeply inequitable, crushing their states’ economies and making residents’ lives miserable. California, however, is in way worse shape on almost every count. Congratulations, Gavin: You have made California way more inequitable than Illinois. This is something you can actually hang your hat on in the socialist-dominated 2028 Democrat presidential primary.
You can read Paul Vallas’ analysis on the excellent website JohnKasNews.com here.
“Believe none of what you read or hear and only half of what you see” goes the old adage. The “read” part was added over time, with the evolution of the news media, to a quote from Edgar Allan Poe. Suffice it say, it is no surprise that people increasingly don’t trust the information they receive. And the media bears the blame.
As political discourse becomes ever more fractured and media choices become more diverse, the ability to uncover the truth becomes more challenging. JFK must have seen the explosion of media as an issue when he noted, “The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie, deliberate, contrived, and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic.” Having access to news 24/7 from whatever perspective you choose has rendered the truth a fungible concept.
It is so easy to say the media lies, which it does. That it is hardly worth the debate. But the public—which is not required to do research or even to employ the lost art of critical thinking—judges the truth as they make their media choices.
I have a background in the media, both news and opinion. I programmed Chicago’s WLS Radio from our launch in 1989, when Tom Tradup and I flipped from a music format to the current (holding on for dear life?) talk radio format (for the record—no pun intended—the last song was, “Everybody’s Talking” by Nilsson). I have also programmed or managed all-news WBBM in Chicago and news talk stations WMAL in Washington, D.C., and KABC in Los Angeles. Big, powerful radio stations, loaded with big, powerful personalities. Rush Limbaugh. Don Wade. Dan Proft. Dan Bongino. John Kass. All influencers ahead of their time, before that term was even known. They always gave their opinions and never hid their biases and principles—and honesty. In fact, they made their strong beliefs the core of their appeal to listeners.
Not so for the Mainstream Media (MSM), the Legacy Media, or whatever you call it—it is failing. Widely mistrusted and not believed. In a late 2025 poll, Gallup found that Republicans’ confidence in the media was at 8%, independents’ was at 27%, and Democrats’ was at 51%. These numbers are terrible, but it was a bit surprising to see that only half of Democrats believe the media is dominated by their viewpoint.
And that’s the issue. News media is dominated by leftist ideology, underpinned by a conscious and curious predilection to be uncurious unless Donald Trump is involved, a symptom of Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS). It’s how we got Joe Biden for four years, when it was clear he was a walking—often tripping and falling—human husk. Not one person following talk radio and right-leaning media was surprised at Biden’s epic fail in the 2024 debate.
Every one of these consumers knew Hunter Biden was a degenerate—many had seen some of the laptop porn—and did not have to wait for the Jake Tappers of the world to author a book. Surprise—the border was wide open, crime did skyrocket, and inflation was historic. It is clear now that not reporting stories that contravene their narrative and pretending they didn’t happen is the media’s real crime. Move along, nothing to see here.
In a Gallup poll released this week, confidence in newspapers and TV is within two points of the lowest level ever recorded, rankings that are richly deserved. Memo to the news media: Tell the freakin’ truth. Social media is regularly gaining in trust—Tucker Carlson and Candice Owens notwithstanding—and is relied upon by almost 40% of younger users for news. Is it any wonder the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)—deeply committed Communist insurrectionists devoted to destroying all American institutions—is getting nutjobs elected to office as Democrats? Throw up (sorry, purposeful choice of words) a YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram video promising free school, free rent, and Orange Man Bad, and, voila, you have a campaign. Then, the desperate Democrats embrace and support them while the MSM is unquestioning and uncritical. Pinocchio, you’re a real boy now.
A friend and former talk show host, Doug McIntyre, used to say, “the media drives the getaway car,” and he is spot on. Democrats–show some pride and guts by rejecting the DSA—which the MSM might actually report—and reclaiming your name from the Democratic Socialists. Don’t allow them into your ‘big tent.’ Reject their candidates. You are Democrats, they are some other kind of crazy parasites. DSA parasitism clearly is also a symptom of TDS.
I now live in California, where things are way worse than Illinois—though Chicago is pretty comparable. Our choice for mayor of LA is between cancer and heart disease—current Mayor and Fidel Castro acolyte Karen Bass and DSA-backed Nithya Raman. We tried to get Spencer Pratt into a runoff, but this effort was apparently no match for votes purchased on Skid Row and the brute force of the Teachers’ Union and the SEIU. So, the very policies that caused the high crime, insane homelessness, defunding of the police, high taxes and, of course, failure to prepare for the Pacific Palisades wildfire, are certain to be continued, celebrated and kicked into overdrive.
Recently, the New York Post debuted the California Post, which has surely broadened the reach of sanity, brought some accountability and needed public shame to the body politic. I have taken on the role of Chief Content Officer for the soft rollout of OnLACA.com, a California-centric news platform that is dedicated to asking questions and advancing commonsense ideas for Californians shunned by the MSM.
OnLACA.com features news and commentary via video, social media, web and live streaming. It is a work in progress, and we have some enlightening, entertaining, energetic content and great partnerships. I am a subscriber to JohnKassNews.com, and I read with interest Paul Vallas’ piece on the failed virtue signaling of Governor Pritzker and his many equity policies. Yes, Illinois has it bad. But if you run the same metrics through AI, you’ll feel a lot better knowing California—with our failed Governor, Gavin Newsom—is much worse. You can check out the piece published on OnLACA.com here.
Asking questions, telling the whole story, seeking truth. Simple. Old fashioned. American. It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it.
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Drew Hayes is a media executive, content creator, serving as the Chief Content Officer of OnLAca.com and founder of Drew Hayes Media. He has expertise in news, talk, and sports programming across radio, digital, and advocacy platforms. Drew has led major stations including KABC Los Angeles, WBBM and WLS Chicago, WMAL D.C., and ESPN Radio Network, driving profitability, brand growth, and national syndication. Hayes has extensive experience with MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, and collegiate sports. He has developed podcast-to-broadcast, media and political strategies. He serves on the boards of the Lincoln Club of Southern California and the Los Angeles County Taxpayers Association..
Comments 46
Drew, thank you for highlighting how bad California had gotten vs. Illinois! I would challenge the even bigger story the MSM isn’t talking about is the difference not between two Progressive blue states, but to Florida, Tennessee or Texas. Throw in NY for the blue side and it becomes apparent where Americans are doing well!
Thanks, Drew. Appreciate guest-views like yours. I have found that the media doesn’t even have to lie to present bias… all the have to do is choose lead stories to fit their mold.
Thanks Drew. I really enjoyed this piece.
John Kass I hope you are well. If not, please rest. You’ve got some nice pinch hitters filling in.
Drew I have two questions (both tongue in cheek).
Where can you find gas at 3.45 a gallon in Illinois?
Are you suggesting that it’s better to live in the house afire as opposed to the house that is now a pile of cinders?
Happy Sunday all. God bless America.
It’s a race to the bottom with a field of deep blue states participating.
No more California dreaming’……
By thy population steadily flowing…(out) Illinois
Start spreadin’ the news, they’re leaving’ today….be a part of it, NY,NY
Thanks for making AM 890 the great talk station it became. My favorites were Rush and Don Wade. I was already turning from left to right, and between Rush and Don, they helped and reinforced my conservative beliefs, and I miss them dearly. You’re a good man Drew Hayes, and thank you.
Republicans are hoping either Newsome or Pritzker is the candidate. This is quite obvious.
The debt keeps going up, at as high, or higher than when the Dems ran things.
They’re trying to merge the US and Israeli militaries. We pay through the nose for Ukraine and Israel, yet have to cut basic on Meals on Wheel.
We spend huge amount on ICE, who hassle working people and stay away from the gangs.
Has there been a case in the Supreme Court about sanctuary cities, or states and municipalities choosing which federal laws to enforce? I’ve not seen one.
Epstein, remember him? No one on the right or left cares about the women, and are covering up for the financial shenanigans, which is the real story.
But I must fear Zohran and AOC, who will do the bidding of the oligarch in exchange for vast wealth as sure as you can say Bernie Sanders.
You have not seen Supreme Court cases upholding “sanctuary” cities because you have not looked. The anticommandeering interpretation of the 10th amendment – as advocated by the Godfather of originalism, the late great Justice Antonin Scalia himself – says that the federal government cannot “commandeer” the state enforcement apparatus to assist in enforcing federal law. The state cannot actively hinder or impede the feds from enforcing federal law, but they – the states – cannot be made to assist in doing so. In fact there have been three landmark cases over the years supporting this doctrine: NY vs USA, 1992; Printz vs USA, 1997; Murphy vs NCAA, 2018.
“We spend huge amount on ICE, who hassle working people and stay away from the gangs.”
ICE is enforcing written immigration law. “Illegal” means illegal. I’m confident many targetd by ICE are in fact criminals and gang members.
Bank robbers, murderers, and rapists might hold jobs-should law enforcement avoid “hassling” them as well?
I was pleasantly surprised to read the column by my old boss, Drew Hayes. We worked together at WBBM Newsradio, where I was a morning anchor for over 20 years, and at the late WMAQ radio, where I anchored for 25 years. He’s an experienced, smart, perceptive broadcaster. Even though I’m a mainstream Democrat and no fan of President Trump, I agree with many of Drew’s points. We already have and need Social Security and Medicare; we don’t need more socialism. I am a fan of John Kass and Paul Vallas, I’m not a Gov. Pritzker hater. Illinois desperately needs more Republican balance in Springfield. I’m not sure Drew thinks this, but I’m also compelled to add that, in my experience, the mainstream news media doesn’t knowingly lie to mislead the American people. There is no “conspiracy”. I believe its common left-center perspective is shaped by the mindset of people drawn to the profession: helping the underdog, righting perceived wrongs, suspicion of politicians and the powerful. The news media is the vital Fourth Estate, not the derogatory so-called Third Rail. Without it, our beloved America will surely perish.
That is a correct assessment of the MSM 20 years ago but is no longer accurate today. They are no longer center left. They are hard left and will do anything to stop MAGA. Consequently, they lie daily today, mostly by omission. The examples are endless. In addition to hiding Hunter Biden’s degeneracy and Joe Biden’s senility, here are 3 more, off the top of my head: “mostly peaceful protests”, “let’s go Brandon”, and the denial of the on court targeting of Caitlin Clark.
I agree. The media was curiously uncurious about Mr. Biden’s obvious senility from the get go. In fact they encouraged (?conspired) with the WH that “Joe is sharp as a tack” despite the obvious evidence to the contrary. Classic gas lighting. Not classic journalism. Mr. Cassidy should be ashamed of such disgraceful behavior.
I disagree. Don’t delude yourself. The news media – the Presstocracy (as one David Pearling would say) – was ONCE the vital Fourth Estate. That train has left the station years ago. Now it largely a mere mouthpiece for the Democratic Party.
Pat, lefty media types are either unaware of or simply dismiss their own biases. They take talking points from their leftist comrades and uncritically polish them for broadcast, while those from the opponents of leftism are framed as ‘extreme’. If that were not so, then radicals like AOC and unemployable leftist failures like JB Pritzker wouldn’t be taken seriously. as the awful results of their policies would speak for themselves. Lefty media types poisoned their credibility on the altar of ‘The One We’ve Been Waiting For’ and killed off what remained in 2016.
If he were in office President John F. Kennedy would be a ‘MAGA Republican’ in terms of his policies, according to the useless media.
Fine commentary by Drew Hayes, and fine JK call in posting. Of course, a writer needs to focus, and California and Illinois do present a nice dual-failure focal point: Governor Fat Checks For Black Churches vs. Governor Fast Rail To Nowhere. But let’s not forget The People’s Republic of Big Rotten Apple with its Broadway revival of 1917 revolution. Three states of depression.
Having had the honor of posting two JKN columns about California nightmares in 2024 and 2026, I can barely wait for a nomination battle between Fat Checks and Fast Rail. Will J.B. swallow Gavin whole or will Gavin slide past J.B. using mounds of pricey hair gel? Tons of fun . . . if you don’t live there.
When will all you ‘well read’ readers understand: SOCIALISTS ARE NOT COMMUNISTS AND VICE VERSA. Most of you need a course political science/history. Hitler, a Socialist (in name at least), before being elected, ran around beating them up with his brown shirts led by a queer named Streicher.
Then Hitler had killed. Once Hitler got in he banned the CP and executed those left.
Stalin did the same.
Remember they are 2 different ideologies. Maybe an article about the two political theories by a reputable historian is warranted here.
Vladimir Lenin once said: “The goal of socialism is communism”
How quick we forget Russia, once the king of Communism. And what were they known as. The USSR. United Soviet Socialist Republic. aka, Communism.
Nice try Thomas
Correction: USSR was Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, commonly known as the Soviet Union, was made up of 15 Republics.
Nambi
Nah. Thes worms call themselves
” socialists” to mask their odious communist beliefs. If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck THEN IT IS A DUCK.
Socialism is like a huge Ponzi scheme. You start out with everyone working and a few not. As time goes on, more and more ask, why should I work when those who don’t receive exactly what I do? So with time you have less and less productive people and more and more “takers” until as Maragret Thatcher pointed out, your run out of other people’s money.
Well put!
You should check your political theories. The gay person that you referred to was Rohm, not Streicher a rabid antisemite.
Nice to learn the back story on WLS
I can’t believe the change happened so long ago, but I was an indoctrinated Liberal back then.
There were communists in Chicago in 1893. My cousin who reversed the Chicago river around then pu a scrapbook together of photos to present to Winfeild Scott when the gates were opened. Exclusively black labor, the vertical last photo of two children, black kids, who moved to the field with their family to work. They have their arms around each other and Robert Isham Rabdolphs caption was simply (tongue in cheek) “Comrades”
Very last photo not vertical photo
Randolph ugh
Gavin Newsom himself did not ruin California. How quickly we forget the recall vote he somehow survived. The people themselves failed California. The6 had their chance to rid themselves of the cancer…they chose not to.
And soon, after failing to oust Pritzker once at the ballot box, the foolish people of Illinois will re-elect him, his lies, his taxes, his communism, and his anti-American stance, yada, yada, yada.
Agree. There are Republican candidates we must run from as well. George Santos?? Drew Johnson in Nevada (fraud in his 2024 campaign)? Not because we don’t agree, but because they are as bad for Republicans as socialsts are for Democrats.
That is a correct assessment of the MSM 20 years ago but is no longer accurate today. They are no longer center left. They are hard left and will do anything to stop MAGA. Consequently, they lie daily today, mostly by omission. The examples are endless. In addition to hiding Hunter Biden’s degeneracy and Joe Biden’s senility, here are 3 more, off the top of my head: “mostly peaceful protests”, “let’s go Brandon”, and the denial of the on court targeting of Caitlin Clark.
Well said Drew, looking forward to hearing more from you. Back in the seventies and early eighties Channel 2 was the go to TV station for news. Walter Jacobson and Bill Kurtis ruled the coveted 10 pm spot on most Chicago homes. Love ’em or loath ‘ em they were respected by Chicagoans. They asked the questions to politicians that they didn’t want to answer. Jacobsons commentaries hit them very, very hard, deservedly so. They earned the trust of most Chicagoans. There are no more journalists with that integrity anymore. Not in Chicago or anywhere else in this country. Witness the Senate debate in Maine which included an obvious mentally ill man on stage. Not one mediator, reporter or anyone would dare ask him/her/ it about her obvious disconnect from reality. This demonstrates the uselessness of media nowadays. Shot to hell best describes it.
Drew
Well done. I was Pres of the Cook County Republican Party and the 2018 Republican nominee against Newsom.
Yes. Illinois and California share a common bond of bad management. I used to say that I moved to California, the only state in the country that makes Illinois look well managed.
The problem is the media for sure but it’s also the power of the media and donors like government unions that control politics in both states.
Modern mass media political structure allows the media and donors like trial lawyers, government unions and big business to control our politics.
Instead of cursing the darkness, we ought to light a candle and change the structure.
Start with Congress. No one can represent 750,000 people without money and mass media. Districts that large put the media and money in charge.
So, change the structure. Subdivide districts so that all elections are tiny and media loses its power; as does money. Create a Congress our Founders intended. One that responds to the people.
http://www.hearthepeople.org.
All true except for one very important detail: in this day and age of youtube and other social media looks count. Your guy – as incompetent as he is – has classic Hollywood matinee idol good looks. Our guy, is a fat blob, desperately in need of GLP-1.
Sweet! I’m now following onLAca on X.
I look forward to reading more from you and Jeff.
The communist vultures that are common to the media and much of the current DSA were brooded in the government school indoctrination nests. Their trips through college campuses were a finishing school aping the “long march through the institutions.”
Every vestige of that march through government schools needs to yanked root and branch.
After reading the comments, I feel bad for Pat Cassidy
Mr. Hayes- There is so much wrong with this article it’s hard to know where to begin. First, I wouldn’t bash California too hard. California now owns the world’s 4th largest economy and remains the world’s tech center. One reason it’s expense to live there is because California is a desirable place to live. (BTW, why do you live there?). Many of the hillbilly Trump loving states benefit hugely from tax dollars derived from the blue states that this column loves to bash. One example- In 2024 California paid about $276 billion more to the federal government than they received back, while Virginia received about $89 billion more than it paid.
Secondly your chart is misleading. Most metrics compare only one state against the other. So naturally one comes out worse, but your implication is that both states are bad in all categories. A fairer chart would compare these statistics against ALL states and illustrate where Illinois and California land.
Bob you make some good points. California is indeed an economic superstar. And if you can afford to live there, no state offers the ideal climate, nor stunning geographic diversity as California: from the spectacular Big Sur to the stunning deserts to the purple mountain majesties. Where else can one literally ski in the morning and then surf in the afternoon? No where’s of which I am aware. However, you repeat a common but false DP trope. California does not send more money into the federal coffers than a “hillbilly” state. Why? Because states do not pay federal income tax. People do. And given the nature of the federal progressive tax, the citizens of any state with a preponderance of “rich” people, will send more money to Washington than the citizens of a poorer state. The people are sending the money, but the state is not. None the less there is a simple remedy to alleviate your perceived huge disparity between blue and red states: simply do away with the progressive tax. Viola.
Bruce, I never meant to imply that the state of California was sending the money. Of course it’s the citizens. I was a victim of John’s new 200 word limit per reply so I had to cut out some words. And I agree it’s the richer people that tend to carry the tax burden. But my point is the richer people tend to come from the blue states. So for all their shortcomings, they must be doing something right. And I agree. Let’s replace the progressive tax system with a flat tax or something better.
Mr. Hayes- Continuing from above comments-
Thirdly, your depiction of anti-Trump voices as having TDS is as wrong as it is worn-out. Disgust with Trump as president is quite rational and if you don’t believe that I’ll be glad to sit down with you anytime and anyplace to explain in detail. I’d begin with the fact that he tried to overthrow a presidential election and encouraged a violent attack on our capitol because his childlike ego could not handle losing. Pls remember that Trump claimed that all three elections that he ran in were rigged- BEFORE each election.
And Rush Limbaugh as an influencer ahead of his time?! Give me a break- I listened to him often- He was a bombastic, blowhard who specialized in dividing America. I could go on . . .
I hope you respond
I’m curious Bob. Why did you listen to Rush Limbaugh often, if he was, as you say a “bombastic, blowhard …?” Masochism?
Bruce- Good question. The reason I listened to Rush Limbaugh was the same reason I read this site- curiosity and interest in other political viewpoints. After my mother complained that my father was addicted to a radio show hosted by some guy that resembled Archie Bunker, I had to check for myself. And then I became a regular listener, even though I disagreed with much but not all of Rush’s rants. Yes, at times it did feel like masochism.
If the last case before the court RE: Sanctuary cities was in 2018, why not take another crack at it? Why do they go after working people and not the gangs?
The goal of the MSM is to make money. They are paid by oligarchs and corporations; Murdoch, big pharma, etc. Pharma controls 60% of the ad revenue of most new, not to sell product, but to buy influence. Hence they were able to carry out the Covid scam so easily.
Democrats are trash, Republicans are too. Lindsay Graham was a poofer and a drunk who took large sums of money to advocate for the killing of countless numbers of women and children around the world.
I people would bitch anyway, but a true conservative in government would actually be a breath of fresh air, instead of this clown show we have now.
But you’re all told to root for this MAGA scam.
Look Socialists!
Well, Robert, there is no such thing – legally — as a “sanctuary” city. The legality here is the 10th amendment which as I explained precludes the Feds from “commandeering” the states’ enforcement apparatus to assist in federal enforcement. This does not necessarily negate the supremacy clause of the US Constitution. Federal law still trumps state law. It just mandates that the Feds are responsible for federal enforcement and cannot force the states to assist. But you are correct. The Trump administration given its “aggressive” nature to “settled” law, might very well take “another crack at it”: the 10th amendment vs the Supremacy clause.
The boy who cried wolf. Calling someone racist has much less sting, as do homophobe, sexist, antisemite. Hitler. People will believe anything the media tells them. Safe and effective, Obama was a Muslim, the China Virus, Epstein is a Democrat hoax.
My team does it, cool. Other team, Hitler!
Boomers, are especially naive, selfish and greedy. Look at the world we are leaving for the kids.
Keep killing Arabs. What could go wrong?
Disagree with someone? Socialist!
” … When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.” (from The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance)
Donald Trump never served in the military. John Wayne,Victor Davis Hansen, Dan Proft, Barack Hussein Obama, William Jefferson Clinton, Dick Cheney, Dubya was snorting coke in the Texas Air National Guard.
Israel is run by Kahanists who were kicked out of their government in the 80’s. Their ranks are largely made up of schnorers, mooches, who don’t work, get welfare, and pretend to pray to escape military service. They have a lot in common with Cheney, and Hansen, who got PhD’s they stayed in school so long.
The people who bang the drum for war never fought in one, or like Hegseth, are on the take and fools.
Rabin fought in war. He tried to make peace. Who killed him? Who danced when they learned of his death?
You know
Have you tried therapy?