“Media Under Fire: Joe Concha and Tom Cotton Push Back Against Riot Rhetoric and Double Standards”

In a heated media exchange that’s quickly gaining attention, conservative commentator Joe Concha and Senator Tom Cotton took mainstream networks to task over their framing of recent civil unrest, particularly regarding the Los Angeles riots. Appearing on Capitol Pulse, Concha didn’t hold back, blasting CBS’s Margaret Brennan and other media figures for what he called a “blatantly biased” refusal to report facts about left-wing violence.

The firestorm erupted after Brennan pressed Cotton about his description of the riots as a “threat from the radical left.” Brennan questioned whether such rhetoric was appropriate, but Cotton stood firm, referencing LAPD reports of left-wing street militias launching fireworks and bricks at officers.

“When you see mobs lighting fireworks and hurling bricks, that’s not peaceful protest—that’s violent extremism,” Cotton said. “And when the LAPD chief says his department couldn’t manage the situation, that’s not hyperbole. It’s reality.”

Joe Concha, joining the broadcast shortly afterward, doubled down on the senator’s defense. “Margaret Brennan is arguably the most biased interviewer on network television—if you can even call what they do ‘news’ anymore,” he said.

He referenced chilling examples: businesses vandalized, officers nearly murdered as rioters reportedly dropped concrete blocks onto LAPD patrol cars from freeway overpasses. “These are facts. Tom Cotton was just stating reality. Yet too many in the media want to pretend the riots aren’t happening. But Americans can see the video. We’re not blind.”

Concha also took aim at CNN’s Brian Stelter, saying, “He’s part of a media ecosystem that constantly downplays or deflects when it comes to left-wing violence. It’s no wonder people have lost faith in journalism.”

A Second Firestorm: Maher vs. Penn Over Trump Dinner

Later in the segment, conversation turned to another flashpoint: actor Sean Penn’s comments slamming Bill Maher for having dinner with former President Donald Trump.

“I would never break bread with that man,” Penn said in a recent interview, calling Trump untrustworthy and unpredictable.

Maher, in his usual contrarian fashion, pushed back: “Really? You’d dine with Fidel Castro but not the former President of the United States?”

Concha applauded Maher’s response as “the voice of reason,” adding, “We need more Democrats to show that kind of openness. Maher’s not a Trump supporter, but he’s someone who’s willing to talk to people he disagrees with—and that’s rare in this climate.”

The exchange highlighted what many critics see as a broader cultural issue: the unwillingness of political figures and celebrities on the left to engage with opposing viewpoints, even in neutral settings.

“Sean Penn represents the zero-tolerance wing of Hollywood,” Concha said. “This idea that anyone who sits down with Trump is a traitor—it’s toxic. It’s the opposite of democracy. It’s what drives us further apart.”

The Bigger Picture: Media Bias, Free Speech, and Public Trust

The twin controversies—over riot rhetoric and political engagement—underscore a growing divide in American political culture. According to recent Gallup polling, trust in traditional media has hit record lows, especially among conservatives who feel vilified and misrepresented.

“These conversations matter,” Concha said. “Because the media shapes how Americans see each other. And if one side gets labeled ‘extremist’ for pointing out violent facts, we’re in trouble.”

As unrest continues in major cities and political temperatures remain high, many are calling for a renewed commitment to honest reporting, civil discourse, and—yes—even dinners across the aisle.

Whether that will happen, however, remains to be seen.