Did Amy Griffin invent a story that could change how real victims are believed?

Hot Mics Wednesday July 29

Influencers are getting banned... Dr. Fauci is back in the spotlight... and Amy Griffin's legal battle just took another dramatic turn. Today on Hot Mics with Billy Bush, Billy dives into the growing backlash against influencer culture after Nantucket businesses publicly push back against social media creators. Is "influencer" becoming a dirty word? Billy breaks down the controversy surrounding Paige Lorenz, Dave Portnoy's reaction, and why the label itself may be the problem. Plus, Arizona State University's journalism program is offering students a path to becoming influencers. Is it preparing students for the future of media—or blurring the line between journalism, marketing, and personal branding? Then, Billy revisits one of the biggest influencers of the COVID era: Dr. Anthony Fauci. Why is old celebrity-backed Fauci content suddenly resurfacing, and what does it say about influence, accountability, and public trust years later? The show also covers major developments in the Jane Doe v. Amy Griffin litigation. A California judge issues a tentative ruling dismissing Penguin Random House under California's anti-SLAPP law, while Amy Griffin's own motion remains pending. Billy examines what the ruling means, the fight over the identity of "Claudia" in The Tell, the newly filed Nevada federal lawsuit against Joleene Altum, and whether two courts should be hearing the same dispute at the same time. Also today: The backlash against influencers reaches Nantucket. Paige Lorenz, Armie Hammer allegations, and the business of influence. Should "influencer" even be a job title? Tony Romo's DUI body camera video. Boston Magazine's controversial Karen Read story. And Billy's take on all of it. Join us live and be part of the conversation. #BillyBush #HotMics #AmyGriffin #TheTell #JaneDoe #JoleeneAltum #Influencers #PaigeLorenz #DrFauci #TonyRomo #KarenRead #DavePortnoy #Nantucket #YouTubeLive

Amy Griffin's 'The Tell' The update before the hearing

The Amy Griffin case is back in court today. After a postponed hearing, Judge Richard Fruin is set to consider whether key claims in the lawsuit over The Tell will move forward. Billy Bush breaks down the latest developments in the Amy Griffin controversy, the New York Times investigation, the Jolene Altum lawsuit, and the growing questions surrounding recovered memories, MDMA-assisted therapy, memoir accuracy, and corroborating evidence. Billy also reveals new reporting involving the woman Amy Griffin identifies as "Claudia" in The Tell, discusses what viewers have uncovered, and explains why the identity of "Claudia" has become one of the most disputed issues in the litigation. Plus, a look at Amy Griffin's legal strategy, the latest court filings, and why today's hearing could be an important step in the case. Also on today's show: President Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner and his repeated attacks on CNN's Kaitlan Collins. Allen Ritchson goes viral over the Jeffrey Epstein files. Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively and the latest fallout from the Justin Baldoni litigation. Truth Social's new Truth API and what it could mean for Wall Street traders. A terror attack at Berlin Pride. The Democratic Socialists of America agenda discussed on Fox News Sunday. Katy Perry, Justin Trudeau, Tony Romo, Bruce Springsteen and more. Subscribe to Hot Mics with Billy Bush for original reporting, investigative journalism, legal analysis, breaking news, media coverage, celebrity news, politics, and the stories everyone else is afraid to touch. #AmyGriffin #TheTell #BillyBush #HotMics #JoleneAltum #JohnGriffin #OprahBookClub #NewYorkTimes #MDMA #RecoveredMemories #TrueCrime #BreakingNews #Trump #KaitlanCollins #RyanReynolds #BlakeLively #JustinBaldoni #JeffreyEpstein #AllenRitchson #Politics #CelebrityNews

Did Amy Griffin invent a story that could change how real victims are believed?

Journalist Maureen Callahan (The Nerve)  joins Billy Bush for an in-depth conversation about ‘The Tell,’  Amy Griffin's bestselling memoir, the growing legal battle with Joleene Altum, the recovered memory controversy, and the unanswered questions surrounding one of the year's most talked-about stories. In this episode: * Maureen explains why she questioned Amy Griffin's story long before the New York Times investigation. * The latest developments in the Amy Griffin vs. Jolene Altum lawsuits. * The controversy surrounding MDMA-assisted memory recovery. * The mystery of "Claudia" and Billy's reporting identifying the woman Amy says inspired the character. * What happens if the allegations in The Tell don't withstand scrutiny—and why it matters to real survivors of sexual abuse. If you've been following our investigation into The Tell, this is one of the most important conversations we've had. Topics: Amy Griffin, The Tell, Maureen Callahan, Billy Bush, Hot Mics, Jolene Altum, recovered memories, MDMA therapy, Amarillo, New York Times investigation, memoir controversy, true crime, investigative journalism, childhood sexual abuse allegations, Oprah, Martha Stewart.

Billy's Investigation Into Amy Griffin's 'Claudia' Just Got Explosive

Who is the real "Claudia" in Amy Griffin's story? Thanks to a loyal Hot Mics listener, Billy was able to find her and make contact with her. This morning he shares details of that exchange, and her response to Billy may surprise you . Plus, a closer look at Amy Griffin's federal lawsuit in Nevada, the lost Martha Stewart podcast interview with Amy that somehow disappeared.

Amy Griffin's The Tell: Why Have Her Famous Friends Gone SIlent

Billy Bush takes a deeper look at the growing controversy surrounding Amy Griffin’s bestselling memoir The Tell and the dueling lawsuits now testing its central claims. Billy examines Joleene Altum’s allegation that Griffin appropriated details of her childhood abuse, Griffin’s denial and countersuit, the role of MDMA-assisted therapy and recovered memories. The unanswered questions involving Oprah, the book’s celebrity supporters, ghostwriter Sam Lansky, Dominique Price and the mysterious “Claudia.” Billy also breaks down several declarations, reporting and timeline disputes and locations of the Griffin's private plane during a time that her camp alleges that she was not near Palm Springs  and Griffin’s accounts of other alleged abusers.   #Thetell #AmyGriffin #podcast #Tunein #Billybush