[Newsletter] 10.9.25 | “I didn’t do that for clickbait,”
October 6, 2025
This month, we feature comments from multiple leaders who should know better—but could benefit from our main teaching—never repeat a negative, even to deny it. An apology from the latest Golden Bachelor that worked out well for him in the end, and a special category titled “The Power of the People,” featuring pregnant women who had passionate views about the claim that Tylenol is linked to autism and shared them on social channels.
WINNER
“I didn’t do that for clickbait,” insisted Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham. She’s referring to the viral sensation caused by her very physical response to Connecticut Sun player Jacy Sheldon, which resulted in Cunningham, Sheldon and a third player being thrown out of the game. The background is that the publicity and attention to Fever star Caitlin Clark is apparently generating deep envy from players on other teams and even the referees. That’s a separate topic, but it does appear to be a real problem. One Sun player pushed Clark, and Sheldon hit her in the face; neither foul was called, so Cunningham took matters into her own hands. Of course, all cameras were on, and it’s now all over and repeating. The incident has made Cunningham a star. Like so many examples, the second half of her quote was what should have been the message, “I stand up for my friends,” although we have concerns about that since the Times reports that parents are using this example to teach their children to do the same thing.
The New York Times, “She Avenged Caitlin Clark on the Court. Now Sponsors (and the Right) Love Her” September 1, 2025
THE RUNNERS-UP
“I did nothing criminal,” said Border Czar Tom Holman. The controversy stems from an MSNBC report that there was an investigation into whether he accepted $50,000 in return for helping someone get a government contract if Trump were to be elected president. The Administration initially disputed the report, but Holman’s quote appears to leave the issue open. He then drove home the denials. “Look, I did nothing criminal. I did nothing illegal,” Homan said. “It’s hit piece after hit piece after hit piece and I’m glad the FBI and DOJ came out and said, you know, said that nothing illegal happened, no criminal activity.”
The Hill, “Homan sidesteps question on alleged $50,000 payment saying, ‘I did nothing criminal’” September 23, 2025
“The world is not out of the oil and gas demand business,” according to Chevron CEO Mike Wirth in a long New York Times profile where he argued that Chevron needs to take a long-term view of exploration and development of energy sources. This is the kind of profile communications professionals dream of. Besides an interesting window into Chevron’s business strategy, the article reveals that Mr. Wirth travels extensively around the world visiting the company’s facilities and writes scores of personal thank-you notes to employees to recognize and acknowledge their contributions. Very impressive! Before we leave the example, Mr. Wirth also identifies corporate culture as their competitive edge. As President George H.W. Bush illustrated, those personal notes go a long way to building those relationships.
The New York Times, “Chevron’s Boss Says the World Will Need Oil for a ‘Long, Long Time’” August 31, 2025
“Somebody has fabricated a monstrous big lie that Israel had something to do with Charlie Kirk’s horrific murder. This is insane. It is false. It is outrageous,” was the denial issued by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Apparently, there are fringe conspiracy groups in Israel, perhaps tied to or communicating with domestic groups here, speculating, and the Israeli government felt the need to specifically disavow them. How should they have handled it? By saying that they are shocked by the murder and note the swift capture of the individual alleged to have committed the crime. And quit there.
The Times of Israel, “Rejecting far-right conspiracy theory, Netanyahu reiterates Israel didn’t kill Charlie Kirk” September 20, 2025
“We’re not hiding anything,” said Russian Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Viktor Khrenin about the annual military war games attended by scores of countries and, surprisingly, the American military. As to the quote, analysts said it offered a “small peek” into the scope of the Russian military and possibly an effort to defuse some tension, or it might be an implied threat. Anyway, the quote is a typical denial with a predictable interpretation; they’re hiding everything.
WSJ, “Russia Hosts Surprise Guests at Its Wargames: U.S. Military Officers” September 16, 2025
APOLOGIES
“I deserved it, and I had to deal with it. I explained to them sincerely, to just give me another chance,” said Mel Owens, the latest Golden Bachelor. The 66-year-old former NFL player had commented that he would be “cutting” any contestant over 60. That brought down the wrath of the contestants; only one of the 23 is under six decades. Owens estimates he has apologized 20 times, and he shared that some of his female friends immediately jumped on him. This has all the hallmarks of mortification and embarrassment at being outed for stupidity. Fortunately, this incident had a happy ending; he got another chance.
USA Today, “‘Golden Bachelor’ Mel Owens on show backlash to his ageist gaffe: ‘I deserved it’” September 17, 2025
RIGHT WAY TO ISSUE A DENIAL
Nexstar made a big deal of saying its stations wouldn’t return late-night Jimmy Kimmel to the air for a week after pulling the show because of the host’s – some would say ‘mocking’ – comments about Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk’s death and President Trump’s appearance and remarks at the memorial service. Then, Nexstar reversed itself and presto! Kimmel was back on the air. Was it because the company plans a multibillion-dollar merger with rival local TV company, a deal that will require approval from Trump’s FCC? Rather than get caught in the trap of denying an accusation, such as, “We were not influenced by a government threat,” they said, “To be clear, our commitment to those principles has guided our decisions throughout this process, independent of any external influence from government agencies or individuals.” We like this approach.
The Hill, “Nexstar, Sinclair to end blackout of Jimmy Kimmel” September 26, 2025
WRONG THING TO SAY
“I want people to know that I’m not somehow gaining information and enriching myself because of my work in Congress,” said Rep. Mikie Sherrill, NJ gubernatorial candidate, when she was asked by Charlamagne tha God whether it was true that she made $7 million in stock trades as a member of Congress. Her reply, “I haven’t. I don’t believe I did, but I would have to go and see what that was alluding to…” This makes her look out of touch. Most of us would remember a $7 million profit. Another lesson about how the media and information environment has changed; her comment was back in May, but today, everything lives on all the time everywhere. She does finally speculate that this may be her husband’s earnings, which are paid in stock, which is then sold.
LifeZette, “NJ Dem Candidate in the Hot Seat, ‘Got Rich While Families Got Squeezed’: Ciattarelli [WATCH]” September 24, 2025
“How to Make a Fan Base Mad: Take Away Their Pony.” SMU tries to switch out “Pony Up” for mustangs. A billionaire booster who has rescued the athletic program announces, “’Pony Up’ has died a natural death.”
WSJ, “College Football Has Its Cracker Barrel Moment” September 26, 2025
THE POWER OF PEOPLE
Following the highly controversial HHS press conference where the President and government officials charged that Tylenol during pregnancy is linked to or even a cause of autism, hundreds of women took to social media platforms to dispute the claim in the most powerful way possible; they taped videos of themselves taking the pain and fever medication, while announcing and even showing their pregnancy. We’re not sure if the drug’s maker started this rally by sending videos from consumers (which we would have done and strongly recommend) or if it’s totally organic. It’s certainly a message and example to other companies about the importance of enlisting your key audiences – customers and employees – as ambassadors.
New York Sun, “Pregnant Women Popping Tylenol in Social Media Videos to Defy Trump Administration Claims of Autism Link” September 24, 2025
“You Don’t Say” is a reminder not to repeat and deny a negative word because of how the listener hears words. When you repeat and deny a negative word, the listener is likely to overlook the denial and hear the opposite of what the speaker is trying to say.