CNN’s Brian Stelter became the first-ever ‘Liberal Hack’ champion last year
CNN’s leftwing media guru Brian Stelter, who last year became the first-ever “Liberal Hack Tournament” champion, is back to defend his title as the No. 1 seed but has switched divisions from the “Way-Too-Online” hacks to the “Fake News” hacks out of Atlanta.
Replacing Stelter as the No. 1 seed in the “Way-Too-Online” division out of Brooklyn is a fresh up-and-comer, New York Times reporter Taylor Lorenz, who wasn’t even eligible to compete in last year’s contest.
Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin, who was defeated by Stelter in the “Liberal Hack” championship, is the No. 1 seed in the “Liberal Activists” division out of Seattle. And former ABC News political commentator Matthew Dowd is the No. 1 seed among the “Establishment” hacks in Georgetown.
This year’s tournament also has several newcomers making their debut including PBS NewsHour correspondent Yamiche Alcindor, ABC News correspondent Jonathan Karl, and former Axios reporter-turned Teen Vogue editor-in-chief Alexi McCammond.
Even the disgraced anti-Trump group The Lincoln Project has representation in this year’s contest with John Weaver, co-founder and accused sexual predator, competing in the “Way-Too-Online” division while his former colleague Steve Schmidt is competing among the “Liberal Activists.” Both of them are No. 6 seeds in their respective divisions.
Last year, Lincoln Project co-founder George Conway competed in the tournament but was defeated by MSNBC star Rachel Maddow in a Sweet 16 cage match.