[Newsletter] 3.19.26 | “Water is totally fake,”
March 17, 2026
The Winter Olympics brought us joy, fanfare and just a few examples. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman takes our top honor with a rambling and oftentimes bizarre slew of quotes, and the president of the International Olympic Committee took throwing her employees under the bus to a new level. Thankfully, there were wonderful moments of maturity and grace from both our men’s and women’s hockey champions and two well-done apologies in the mix.
WINNER
“Water is totally fake,” defended OpenAI CEO Sam Altman during a discussion about AI’s environmental impact. When disputing widespread claims, like AI uses “17 gallons of water for each query, or whatever,” we recommend crafting rebuttals with positive proof points and good words. Instead of a strategic approach, Altman said, “This is completely untrue and totally insane. No connection to reality.” His proof point was not so compelling either, stating, “It takes like 20 years of life and all of the food you eat during that time before you get smart.”
Futurism, “Sam Altman Fumes That It Takes Longer to Train a Human Than an AI, Plus They Eat All That Wasteful Food” February 23, 2026
THE RUNNERS-UP
“I was not aware,” said International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry multiple times in response to several hot-button questions during a press conference. From the anniversary of the Berlin Olympics under the Nazi regime to an internal Russian doping scandal to an IOC member breaching political neutrality—the questions were worst-case scenarios for Coventry. But this is what we train effective communicators to be able to navigate. Instead of pivoting to predetermined talking points, Coventry’s answers focused on her lack of knowledge and blamed her team, going as far as threatening the dismissal of whoever let these slip through the cracks. A perfect lesson in what not to say as a leader and to always have positive responses prepared for unexpected inquiries.
Daily Mail, “Fuming Olympics president Kirsty Coventry threatens her £420,000-a-year PR chief with the sack mid-press conference after being blindsided with questions about Germany’s fears over hosting Games on Nazi anniversary” February 23, 2026
@dwnews via TikTok, February 21, 2026
“I don’t think Michael is a homophobe,” said reality star Colton Underwood while recounting his time on “The Traitors,” a popular television show with competitions and roundtable debates that stir social media discourse. Actor Michael Rapaport proved highly contentious in the latest season due in part to a comment seemingly aimed at Underwood’s closeted past. After filming, Rapaport actually called Underwood to clear the air, but—as one could guess—that did not make the headlines.
Yahoo Entertainment, “‘I don’t think Michael is a homophobe’: Colton Underwood opens up about his ‘Traitors’ experience and the ‘very intense’ fandom” February 6, 2026
“There was no slew foot. There was no intentional act,” read the statement issued by elite youth hockey organization, Colorado Rampage AAA. Andrew Sherman, coach and founder of the Colorado Rampage hockey club, was arrested and is facing child abuse charges. Social media picked up the story, and the organization promptly issued a thorough, well-written statement in his defense. Our only recommendation would be to remove the denial of the negative words—slew foot and intentional act.
Colorado Rampage AAA Hockey | Statement regarding accusations of Andrew Sherman
CBS Colorado, “‘Colorado youth hockey coach facing child abuse charge after colliding with player; “Terrifying precedent’” February 16, 2026
APOLOGIES
Australian Olympics presenter Danika Mason drew unwanted attention to herself by slurring and rambling her way through an Olympic update. After initially trying to blame her blatant intoxication on “misjudging the conditions,” she owned up to the misstep and apologized a day later. Mason said, “I want to take full responsibility; it’s not the standard I set myself.”
Metro News, “Olympics presenter apologises for drinking after slurring through report” February 19, 2026
YOU DO SAY
Olympic gold medal winner Hilary Knight deserves an additional gold medal for her media appearances following the controversy around, as she called it, President Trump’s “distasteful joke” to the U.S. men’s hockey team during their locker room celebration. Knight continued the media circuit and led with grace. She also said, “We’re just focusing on celebrating the women in our room, the extraordinary efforts, and continue to celebrate three gold medals in program history as well as the double gold for both men’s and women’s at the same time. And really not detract from that with a distasteful joke.” Jack Hughes also did an exceptional job when he said, “People are so negative about things. I think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support them, how proud we are of them. The same way we feel about them, they feel about us.” It’s time for the rest of the adults to take a cue from these young champions.
ESPN “Hilary Knight responds to Trump’s comment on women’s team” February 25, 2026
Britain’s film academy and the BBC apologized to viewers after an audience member with Tourette syndrome shouted a racial slur during the British Academy Film Awards. The lengthy apology struck the right tone, encapsulated a variety of issues, and is worth reading in its entirety. Here is just a portion: “Our guests heard very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many. We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologize to all.”
NPR, “BAFTAs apologize after guest with Tourette syndrome uses racial slur” February 23, 2026
“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.