Jun 19, 2017

Vice lands $450 million in funding ahead of potential IPO

Vince Bucci/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images

Vice Media has raised $450 million in new funding from private equity firm TPG Capital, which brings its valuation to $5.7 billion. Noticeably missing from this round's contribution was Walt Disney Co., which invested $400 million into the company two years ago for what was then an 18% stake (which will likely be diluted).

Why it matters: CEO Shane Smith told CNBC that the investment will help Vice build up "the largest millennial video library in the world," while also expanding its content options for its cable, mobile and digital platforms to include "news, food, music, fashion, art, travel, gaming, lifestyle, scripted and feature films." The company also continues to flirt with the idea of an IPO.

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Axios
Updated 31 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 1:30 a.m. ET: 32,995,554 — Total deaths: 996,695 — Total recoveries: 22,850,774 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 1:30 a.m. ET: 7,115,008 — Total deaths: 204,756 — Total recoveries: 2,766,280 — Total tests: 101,298,794 — Map.
  3. States: 3 states set single-day coronavirus case records last week
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  5. World: India second country after U.S. to surpass 6 million cases
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Rebecca Falconer
2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Democrats demand Trump release his tax returns after NYT report

Compilation images of House Nancy Pelosi and President Trump. Photo: Joshua Roberts/Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Democrats called on President Trump to disclose his tax returns following a New York Times report alleging he paid $750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and 2017 and nothing in 10 of the past 15 years.

Details: Trump said the report was "total fake news," that he's unable to release the returns as they're "under audit" by the IRS, "which does not treat me well." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in a statement the report "provides further evidence of the clear need" for a House lawsuit to access the tax returns and "ensure the presidential audit program is functioning effectively, without improper influence."

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Axios
Updated 4 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Former Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale hospitalized

Brad Parscale, the former campaign manager for President Trump's re-election campaign, at Drake University in January in Des Moines, Iowa. Photo: Tom Brenner/Getty Images

Fort Lauderdale police arrived at former Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale's home on Sunday after his wife called and said he was threatening to harm himself, Florida officials confirmed to Axios.

Details: Fort Lauderdale Police Sgt. DeAnna Greenlaw told Axios officers responded to a report of "an armed male attempting suicide" just before 4 p.m. local time.

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