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A 2021 Department of Justice investigation concluded that former Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed 13 women, fostering a toxic workplace culture defined by power abuse, intimidation, and retaliation. In 2020, Lindsey Boylan did something brave and necessary. After years of working under former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, she became the first woman to publicly accuse him of sexual harassment. Her voice cracked the silence, and eventually, 13 women in total came forward as part of a Department of Justice investigation that began under the Biden administration. That courage forced Cuomo to resign, but now he's back, eyeing one of the most powerful posts in the resistance to Trump: New York City Mayor. Boylan's story is a warning. She worked closely with Cuomo from 2015 to 2018, first as the Chief of Staff at Empire State Development and later as Deputy Secretary for Economic Development. She resigned when the environment became, in her words, “more and more toxic.” When media reports floated Cuomo possibly joining the Biden administration as Attorney General, Boylan took to Twitter, risking everything to speak out. And now? Just last week, in the middle of the NYC mayoral primary, Cuomo flirted with a female radio host on air, asking her out on a date. That's Cuomo gloating that even he can stage a comeback, like Trump, after costing taxpayers tens of millions of dollars in legal bills fighting sexual harrassment claims. America cannot afford a sexual predator in the White House and in charge of one of our biggest cities, especially with activists, immigrants, and real journalists increasingly vulnerable to MAGA's creeping fascism. Share this interview with voters you may know in NYC. And New Yorkers, the mayor's race matters. Use ranked-choice voting wisely: do not rank Cuomo at all. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: The woman who brought down Andrew Cuomo: ‘I dropped a nuclear bomb on my life' https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/andrew-cuomo-chris-accuser-harrassment-b1926405.html Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed at least 13 women, DOJ says https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/26/cuomo-subjected-at-least-13-women-to-sexually-hostile-environment-doj.html U.S. Department of Justice opened civil investigation into sexual harassment claims against Andrew Cuomo https://www.cbsnews.com/news/andrew-cuomo-sexual-harassment-federal-civil-investigation-department-justice/ New Yorkers Are Paying Over $60 Million for Andrew Cuomo's Legal Fights https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-24/andrew-cuomo-legal-bills-over-sex-harassment-covid-paid-by-ny-taxes
New York City's mayoral race is heating up, and into the inferno walks Brad Lander: City Comptroller, longtime progressive pain in the ass (in the best way), and, most importantly, not a corrupt tool of the oligarchy. That alone is refreshing. Lander's running on a revolutionary NYC platform: competence, decency, and not being Eric Adams, Andrew Cuomo, or a trash fire named Donald Trump. He's spent his career backing tenants, workers, and immigrants, including showing up at an ICE facility to demand Newark mayor Ras Baraka's release. On Gaslit Nation, Lander made it clear: he's not here to play nice with predators in power. He's here to break the cycle of corruption, fight for working people, and stop ICE from turning Rikers Island into Guantanamo East. On climate? “Climate risk is financial risk,” Lander says. His plan includes rooftop solar, ensuring net-zero emissions by 2040, and preventing your apartment from becoming a boiling deathtrap during the next heat wave. (Remember Cuomo leaving people to die in nursing homes?) As the feds abandon us under Trump and Musk, someone's got to step up. Lander wants to expand the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. And for non-New Yorkers: NYC's mayor matters nationally. This is a frontline job against elite impunity and rising autocracy. We need Lander to help rebuild democracy. Want to protect New York, and the country, from grifters like Adams and Cuomo? Use ranked-choice voting, ranking Lander #1. Then rank all the other progressives endorsed by the Working Families Party. Do not put Cuomo on your ballot. He already resigned after using his power to prey on women. Don't make us go through that again. Go to landerfornyc.com and help make New York City safer and stronger, for the sake of its residents and all of America. Share this interview with the New Yorkers in your life to help stop Cuomo and elect Lander New York City's next mayor. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit!
Welcome to the jetstream, where elite criminal impunity flies above laws and accountability. Russian mafia expert Olga Lautman joins Gaslit Nation to connect the global dots on oligarchy in the White House. We start with Qatar, a small but powerful gas station dictatorship, and a leading financier of terrorists. Once diplomatically isolated for its links to fellow terror-state Iran as well as groups linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS, Qatar has been back in business, brokering nuclear talks with Russia and Iran, investing billions with the Kremlin, propping up Hamas, and gifting Trump a $400,000 luxury jet, dubbed a “flying palace.” National security risk? Absolutely. Surveillance threat? Almost certainly. Bribery? Looks like it. But what is Qatar getting in return? Qatar, the second-largest buyer of U.S. weapons, after its nemesis Saudi Arabia, recently secured a $2B U.S. arms deal, thanks to Trump. It also invested $10 billion in a Texas-based natural gas venture that requires federal oversight, under Trump. Andrea and Olga go through all the ways Trump and Qatar enjoy kleptocratic quid-pro-quo, and years of Trump's Middle East-linked corruption that illegally helped him come to power in 2016, enriching him and his family, Kremlin-style. This week's bonus show, available for subscribers at the Truth-teller level ($5/month) and higher, looks at ways to stay grounded and fight back in the deliberately engineered chaos of oligarchy and its firehose of corruption. Be sure to sign up for a discounted annual subscription to get bonus shows, all shows ad-free, and more. To our subscribers at the Democracy Defender level ($10/month), look out for our Q&A call for questions soon to help shape the show. Thank you to everyone who supports Gaslit Nation–we could not make the show without you. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: Qatar, Russia sign agreement to jointly invest 2 billion euros into sovereign wealth funds https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250423-qatar-russia-sign-agreement-to-jointly-invest-2-billion-euros-into-sovereign-wealth-funds/ Michael Flynn, Russia and a Grand Scheme to Build Nuclear Power Plants in Saudi Arabia and the Arab World https://www.newsweek.com/2017/06/23/flynn-russia-nuclear-energy-middle-east-iran-saudi-arabia-qatar-israel-donald-623396.html Why Qatar is Bribing Trump https://open.substack.com/pub/popularinformation/p/why-qatar-is-bribing-trump?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2mrjsl House Democrats ask Trump for proof he did not take $10 million 'cash bribe' from Egypt https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/03/trump-egypt-democrats-letter.html Trump touts Saudi relationship as "bedrock of security and prosperity" amid $600 billion investment deal https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/trump-speaking-us-saudi-investment-summit-riyadh/ 2 Trump-aligned GOP operatives face foreign agent charges for helping Qatar https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/02/trump-gop-qatar-00133567 Trump Jr. and Other Aides Met With Gulf Emissary Offering Help to Win Election https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/19/us/politics/trump-jr-saudi-uae-nader-prince-zamel.html?unlocked_article_code=1.G08.dUBd.YVKXSVfgqo8i&smid=url-share The Qatar bribery allegations featuring Trump, Michael Cohen, Michael Flynn, and the Steele dossier, explained https://theweek.com/speedreads/773479/qatar-bribery-allegations-featuring-trump-michael-cohen-michael-flynn-steele-dossier-explained Qatar pursues US-Iranian nuclear steps after detainee swap https://www.reuters.com/world/qatar-pursues-us-iranian-nuclear-steps-after-detainee-swap-2023-09-20/ Exclusive: Qatar held separate talks with US, Iran touching on nuclear, drones https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/qatar-held-separate-talks-with-us-iran-touching-nuclear-drones-2023-09-20/ Iran seeks Russia's support for its nuclear talks with US https://apnews.com/article/iran-russia-us-nuclear-negotiations-2bae3b073bcac464ad9b44a8d5a4c581 EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: May 26 4pm ET – Book club discussion of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Stride Toward Freeom: The Montgomery Story Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation's HyperNormalization Survey Yet? Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community
Fifteen years after Sarah Silverman's viral call to “Sell the Vatican, Feed the World,” we now have a “Marxist Pope,” according to Trump stormtrooper Laura Loomer, and our wildest dreams. This week for Gaslit Nation's bonus show, we dive into the groundbreaking election of the first American pope, Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, whose ancestry ties him to Black lineage. While many celebrate this historic milestone, deeper questions remain. Most crucially, Pope Leo's stance on Opus Dei, a secretive, powerful crime cult aligned with far-right politics and accused of human trafficking and labor abuses, remains unclear, especially given his close connections to Opus Dei in Peru. By Vatican standards, Pope Francis launched an open war on Opus Dei. (Fun fact: Robert Hanssen, the FBI agent and traitor who spied for the Kremlin, was an Opus Dei member). Pope Francis began the work of reigning in Opus Dei's unchecked power. Pope Leo, seen as a moderate administrator, played both sides during his tenure in Peru, where Opus Dei holds sway. Will he now take bold action to finish Francis's mission, and protect the world from Opus Dei, especially America where Opus Dei has been expanding its influence in Washington, DC, thanks to allies Leonard Leo of the Federalist Society and Kevin Roberts of the Heritage Foundation and Project 2025? Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: May 26 4pm ET – Book club discussion of Octavia Butler's The Parable of the Sower Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation's HyperNormalization Survey Yet? Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community Show Notes: ‘Papabile' of the Day: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost https://cruxnow.com/papal-transition/2025/05/papabile-of-the-day-cardinal-robert-francis-prevost Trump's New Favorite Adviser Starts MAGA Meltdown Over ‘TDS' Pope https://www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-new-favorite-advisor-laura-loomer-starts-maga-meltdown-over-tds-pope/ The Far Right is Coming for the Vatican https://www.americanfreakshow.news/p/the-far-right-is-coming-for-the-vatican Catholic Church To Excommunicate Priests for Following New US State Law https://www.newsweek.com/catholic-church-excommunicate-priests-following-new-us-state-law-2069039 Opus Dei: The Gaslit Nation Gareth Gore Interview: https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2024/12/31/opus-dei?rq=Gareth%20Gore Mafia boss breaks silence over Roberto Calvi killing: This article is more than 13 years old Godfather turned supergrass accused of murder of 'God's banker' claims case will never be solved https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/may/12/roberto-calvi-blackfriars-bridge-mafia Surveillance Self-Defense: A Presentation by the Gaslit Nation Security Committee https://www.patreon.com/posts/surveillance-128381880?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Parable of the Sower: Gaslit Nation Book Club Discussion: https://www.patreon.com/posts/zoom-link-for-et-128213704?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
In 1816, 18-year-old Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (later Shelley) birthed science fiction during a rainy vacation on Lake Geneva. Inspired by a vision of a man crouched beside the corpse he reanimated, Frankenstein warned of what happens when man tries to play God. Two centuries later, the monsters are real, and they're called Musk, Altman, and Zuckerberg. Today's tech titans, like Frankenstein's Victor, race to build superintelligent machines in their image: soulless wannabe-gods with devastating reach. Gil Duran, of the Nerd Reich newsletter, connects this to A.I. worship, quoting a billionaire obsessed with “creating God” through algorithms. M.I.T.'s annotated Frankenstein likens Victor's horror to Oppenheimer's nuclear regret. We've entered a new atomic age, but instead of bombs, it's information weapons and hacked minds. As Pulitzer-nominated journalist Carole Cadwalladr warns, this is what a digital coup looks like. A.I. is trained to replace journalists, strip away privacy, and deepen inequality, just as Gaslit Nation has warned since 2018. What's the answer? Community. Skill-sharing. Nature. The real world. Jack Welch, once worshipped like Musk is today, gutted G.E. with fear-based leadership. Now he's a cautionary tale. So will today's tech gods be. Mary Shelley saw it coming. “Frightful must it be,” she wrote. We agree. But there's power in human connection, in rejecting the machine's illusions. Frankenstein's monster was abandoned. Let's not abandon each other. Join our resilience salons. Find your people. Build the future together. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes The song you heard in this week's episode is “Unspoken Word” by Evrette Allen: https://soundcloud.com/user-726164627/unspoken-word-mix-13/s-GEvlnfQnmh4?si=954f31de09d644948d51a225224bd7ba&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing Nerd Reich: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/02/12/the-strange-and-twisted-life-of-frankenstein After two hundred years, are we ready for the truth about Mary Shelley's novel? https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/02/12/the-strange-and-twisted-life-of-frankenstein Astronomers have determined the exact hour that Mary Shelley thought of Frankenstein. https://lithub.com/astronomers-have-determined-the-exact-hour-that-mary-shelley-thought-of-frankenstein/ AI's Energy Demands Are Out of Control. Welcome to the Internet's Hyper-Consumption Era Generative artificial intelligence tools, now part of the everyday user experience online, are causing stress on local power grids and mass water evaporation. https://www.wired.com/story/ai-energy-demands-water-impact-internet-hyper-consumption-era/ Short-term profits and long-term consequences — did Jack Welch break capitalism? https://www.npr.org/2022/06/01/1101505691/short-term-profits-and-long-term-consequences-did-jack-welch-break-capitalism Carole Cadwalladr TED Talk: This Is What a Digital Coup Looks Like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZOoT8AbkNE Self-styled prophets are claiming they have "awakened" chatbots and accessed the secrets of the universe through ChatGPT https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/ai-spiritual-delusions-destroying-human-relationships-1235330175/
There's a reason the loudest voices online are often the least helpful. The edgelords, those who posture with performative rage, contrarian hot takes, and a cynical flair for nihilism, aren't trying to build anything. Their goal isn't liberation. It's clout. But we don't have time for clout. We're living through a coordinated, well-funded, global assault on democracy. In the U.S., basic freedoms are under attack, from reproductive rights to the ability to teach honest history in schools. While the edgelords are busy fighting each other for likes and retweets, authoritarians are organizing, legislating, and winning. We need to focus. Real change happens when people organize, not just online, but in communities, city councils, state legislatures, and the courts. Building political power means showing up to vote, yes, because not voting is voting, but also recruiting candidates, knocking on doors, demanding judicial accountability, and refusing to be distracted by culture war bait. Want to know who to trust in the influencer economy's crowded marketplace of ideas? Prioritize the voices who are brave and smart by pointing out the obvious truth: the only way out is by building political power. The far-right knows that, which is why they work so hard to suppress the vote. Political power is what taxes the rich, enforces the good laws we have, repeals the bad ones, and forces accountability. You cannot do those things unless you are in power. So ignore the noise. Turn down the doomscrolling and tune in to your community. Find the people doing the work: mutual aid organizers, voting rights advocates, school board watchdogs, and back them up. Ignore the edgelords. Build political power. It's the only way we win. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: Opening Clip: Pat Bondi pretends to care about the rule of law: https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3lnnprevixu2y Bella Ciao by Pink Martini https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ksj5lCh-JSo Terrell Starr's Black Diplomats Podcast and Substack: https://terrellstarr.com/ FBI arrests Milwaukee judge, alleging she interfered in immigration operation https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/fbi-arrests-milwaukee-judge-alleging-interfered-immigration-operation-rcna203006 Former New Mexico judge and wife arrested on charges of tampering with evidence linked to suspected Tren de Aragua member https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/25/us/new-mexico-judge-arrested-tren-de-aragua/index.html EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: April 28 4pm ET – Book club discussion of Octavia Butler's The Parable of the Sower Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation's HyperNormalization Survey Yet? Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community
Welcome to Gaslit Nation, where the firestorm of corruption meets the firehose of resistance. Terrell Starr of the Black Diplomats Podcast and Substack, recently home from Ukraine–the frontline of showing the world how to stand up and fight, joins Andrea to discuss how good Democrats, and We the People they serve, have a lot of power, if we remain defiant. Senator Chris Van Hollen provided an urgent reminder of this as he warned El Salvador's wannabe strongman Nayib Bukele: the U.S. isn't the only power player in the world, and the international community is watching. This came after Van Hollen was denied access to the Maryland man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, abducted by Trump's agents, wrongfully deported, and sent illegally to El Salvador's notorious gulag. Yet Van Hollen didn't back down. Even with the White House under occupation by a Russian asset, we still wield power. The energy in the country is shifting. Over 1,500 “Hands Off!” marches just shook the ground in all 50 states, powered by everyone from labor unions to LGBTQ+ activists to veterans' groups. One Southern white man waved a giant American flag with a giant Ukrainian flag at a protest in Virginia, while wearing a MAGA-looking red cap that said: “My Grandpa Killed Nazis.” Trump's approval is slipping. The push for impeachment is gaining steam thanks to the grassroots movement CitizensImpeachment.com. And while spineless Republicans like Lisa Murkowski make excuses instead of calling for the impeachment of a lawless would-be dictator, people are waking up. We're in a fight for accountability, truth, and justice, and we will win. Don't let disillusionment or complacency stop you from building a world that's fair, just, and truly livable for everyone. We're not just witnessing history. We're shaping it. So let's keep pushing. Join a Tesla Takedown protest near you, demand your reps in the House call for impeachment, help good people run for office and primary Do-Nothing Dems, ignore the cynical edge lords, and stay creative and defiant as we shine our collective light. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: CitizensImpeachment.com – track which members of Congress are calling for impeachment and how to pressure others to join the movement for accountability and justice: https://citizensimpeachment.com/ Terrell Starr's Black Diplomats Podcast and Substack: https://terrellstarr.substack.com/ Sen. Chris Van Hollen says Salvadoran government "tried really hard" to prevent him from seeing Kilmar Abrego Garcia https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chris-van-hollen-interview-kilmar-abrego-garcia-visit/ Opening clip: Senator Chris Van Hollen's press conference in El Salvador https://x.com/tify330/status/1913040416611455142?t=W4mDUace_uXsVWOdt8de7A&s=19 US paying El Salvador $6M to jail hundreds of Venezuela gang suspects: ‘Pennies on the dollar' https://nypost.com/2025/03/17/us-news/us-paying-el-salvador-6m-to-jail-venezuela-gang-suspects-pennies-on-the-dollar/ Anti-Trump rallies held across the U.S. to protest administration's policies https://www.cbsnews.com/news/anti-trump-rallies-hands-off-administration-washington-new-york-boston/ Financial Times on Trump trying to stay in powe foreverr: https://x.com/bennpeifert/status/1913040600791945568?t=j0g7J1AFiX9hSKFXDSskbg&s=19 Trump's illegal kidnapping of peopl and sending them to El Salvador using tax payer money is highly illegal: https://x.com/ReichlinMelnick/status/1912960051326623796?t=AZSVz6PSyCN4TkPbh6vdYg&s=19 FSU student and Parkland survivor describes experiencing second school shooting: "This is America" https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fsu-student-parkland-survivor-school-shooting/ Schiff and Raskin push for accountability: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElEVeJA-byE Resistance video by the South Korean Activist: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1043733301107315 Stacey Abrams on how is taking your medicine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff2LVuUbtMQ Native Land Pod We Been Outside: Gen Z Responds to Roland Martin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm6_C4TQF4U 5051: https://www.fiftyfifty.one/ Is this Gen Z's Most Dangerous Candidate? (w/ Kat Abughazaleh)”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3daDf_iih5g EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: April 28 4pm ET – Book club discussion of Octavia Butler's The Parable of the Sower Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation's HyperNormalization Survey Yet? Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community
The Tech Bros., like Elon Musk and JD Vance puppetmaster Peter Thiel, see Trump as a means to an end: to build their own tech-state fiefdoms as they usher in the A.I. age, at the expense of us peasants. But can this unholy alliance survive Trump's disastrous trade war? And why do they fetishize hating Ukraine? This week's special guest, Adrian Karatnycky, has been on the frontlines fighting for democracy both at home and abroad. In his critically acclaimed book Battleground Ukraine, Adrian traces Ukraine's struggle for independence from the fall of the Soviet Union to Russia's genocidal invasion today, drawing important lessons for protecting democracies worldwide. He has worked alongside civil rights legend Bayard Rustin and the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in America. He also supported Poland's Solidarity movement, which helped bring down the Iron Curtain, and played a key role, along with iconic Soviet dissident, writer, and Czech statesman Václav Havel, in preserving Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in the 1990s, when many thought the Cold War had ended. In part two, we discuss the PayPal Mafia's war on Ukraine as part of a broader global assault on "wokeism" (a.k.a. Empathy and democracy), Adrian's impressions of meeting Curtis Yarvin, and how the war in Ukraine can ultimately end. For part one of their discussion, available in the show notes, Andrea and Adrian explore how Europe and the free world can survive the chaos of Trump's America First isolationism and Russia's weaponized corruption and election interference. Thank you to everyone who joined the Gaslit Nation Salon live-taping with Patrick Guarasci and Sam Roecker, senior campaign advisors for Judge Susan Crawford, discussing their victory against Elon Musk in the pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court race. The recording will be available as this week's bonus show. Thank you to everyone who supports Gaslit Nation–we could not make the show without you! Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: Battleground Ukraine: From Independence to the War with Russia by Adrian Karatnycky https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300269468/battleground-ukraine/ Part I of Our Discussion: Can the Free World Survive Putin and Trump? https://sites.libsyn.com/124622/can-the-free-world-survive-trump-and-putin EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: April 28 4pm ET – Book club discussion of Octavia Butler's The Parable of the Sower Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation's HyperNormalization Survey Yet? Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community
This week's special guest, Adrian Karatnycky, has been on the frontlines for decades fighting for democracy both at home and abroad. In his critically acclaimed book Battleground Ukraine, Adrian traces Ukraine's struggle for independence from the fall of the Soviet Union to Russia's genocidal invasion today, drawing important lessons for protecting democracies worldwide. He has worked alongside civil rights legend Bayard Rustin and the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in America. He also supported Poland's Solidarity movement, which helped bring down the Iron Curtain, and played a key role in preserving Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in the 1990s, when many thought the Cold War had ended. In part one of their discussion, Andrea and Adrian explore how Europe and the free world can survive the chaos of Trump's America First isolationism and Russia's weaponized corruption and election interference. In part two, they discuss the PayPal Mafia's war on Ukraine as part of a broader global assault on "wokeism" (a.k.a. empathy and democracy), Adrian's impressions of meeting Curtis Yarvin, and how the war in Ukraine can ultimately end. A big thank you to everyone who joined the Gaslit Nation Salon hosted by our Security Committee, which shared valuable insights on protecting our digital worlds in these dystopian times. The recording will be available soon on Patreon. Our next salon is Monday, April 14 at 4pm ET, featuring Patrick Guarasci, chief political strategist for Judge Susan Crawford, discussing their campaign's victory against Elon Musk in the pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court race. The Zoom link will be available on Patreon Monday morning. Thank you to everyone who supports Gaslit Nation–we could not make the show without you! EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: April 14 4pm ET – Live-taping with Patrick Guarasci, chief political strategist for Judge Susan Crawford, discussing their campaign's victory against Elon Musk in the pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court race! April 28 4pm ET – Book club discussion of Octavia Butler's The Parable of the Sower Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation's HyperNormalization Survey Yet?: https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/survey-reject-hypernormalization Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: Battleground Ukraine by Adrian Karatnycky https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300269468/battleground-ukraine/ Exclusive: Russia could concede $300 billion in frozen assets as part of Ukraine war settlement, sources say https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-could-concede-300-bln-frozen-assets-part-ukraine-war-settlement-sources-2025-02-21/ Who is Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's Trump-whisperer: Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, has become a key figure in the Kremlin's outreach to the Trump administration. https://kyivindependent.com/whos-kirill-dmitriev-putins-trump-whisperer/ Nerd Reich: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jiju_ky55EI
Romania made headlines—and shocked the world—when it annulled a presidential election at the end of last year, citing evidence of foreign interference aimed at supporting a pro-Russian far-right candidate. It was a bold and necessary move, one that stands in stark contrast to what the U.S. should have done—and is now facing the consequences for not doing. But why would Romania take such a decisive stand? The answer lies in its history. Romania's Moscow-backed dictatorship was among the most brutal behind the Iron Curtain, a painful past that still unites much of the country today. In this week's episode, we delve into Romania's complex history, weaving in a personal story from Andrea's own family. Her father-in-law, Mihai Victor Serdaru, a medical student in 1956 Bucharest, attempted to lead a student protest in solidarity with the Hungarian Uprising next door. To help make sense of her years of research, Andrea turned to Dr. Corina Snitar, a historian and Lecturer in Central and Eastern European Studies at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Dr. Snitar is the author of Opposition, Repression, and Cold War: The 1956 Student Movement in Timișoara and contributed the chapter Women's Experiences of 1956: Student Protesters and Partisans in Romania to the book Women's Experiences of Repression in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. The discussion of how to topple a dictator will continue in this week's bonus show for our Patreon community, where we'll dive into a lively book club salon for political scientist Gene Sharp's revolutionary handbook, From Dictatorship to Democracy. Sharp's work has inspired liberation movements worldwide, and we'll explore its urgent lessons for us today. Look for that on Friday. A huge thank you to everyone who supports the show. We could not make Gaslit Nation without you! “Just as military officers must understand force structures, tactics, logistics, munitions, the effects of geography, and the like in order to plot military strategy, political defiance planners must understand the nature and strategic principles of nonviolent struggle.” ― Gene Sharp, From Dictatorship to Democracy Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: 100 Organizations Supporting Trans People in All 50 States Discover the organizations working tirelessly to support trans people across the country and combat anti-trans legislation. Read more: https://www.them.us/story/orgs-fighting-back-anti-trans-legislation The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix Watch the powerful trailer for The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson, a documentary about the life and legacy of a pioneering activist. Watch the trailer on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pADsuuPd79E MAGA Influencer Ashley St. Claire Returns Her Tesla Ashley St. Claire calls out Elon Musk for being a deadbeat dad as she returns her Tesla. Watch the video: https://x.com/esjesjesj/status/1906741930467225671 Elon Musk Says His DOGE Role is Hurting Tesla's Stock Price In a candid interview, Elon Musk admits that his involvement with DOGE is impacting Tesla's stock price. Read more on CBS News: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-doge-very-expensive-job-tesla-stock-down-wisconsin/ Donald Trump Gives DOGE Update as Musk Announces He'll Step Down in May Elon Musk confirms he'll step down from his role in May. Details on Newsweek: https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-gives-doge-update-elon-musk-says-hell-step-down-may-2053368 Trump Won't Rule Out a Third Term, Says 'There Are Methods' Donald Trump hints at the possibility of a third term in the White House, stating there are ways to make it happen. Read more on NBC News: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-third-term-white-house-methods-rcna198752 Dr. Corina Snitar's Bio Learn more about Dr. Corina Snitar, a respected scholar and educator in social and political studies. Read her bio: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/socialpolitical/staff/corinasnitar/ TeslaTakeDown.com Join the Tesla protest here! It's fun and easy. Learn more at TeslaTakeDown.com DOGE Hitler Youth DOGE Teen owns ‘Tesla.Sexy LLC' and worked at a startup that has hired convicted hackers. Experts question whether Edward Coristine, a DOGE staffer who has gone by “Big Balls” online, would pass the background check typically required for access to sensitive U.S. government systems. Read more on Wired: https://www.wired.com/story/edward-coristine-tesla-sexy-path-networks-doge/ Introducing ArchiveGate: Trump's Dangerous Attack on the National Archives Listen to the episode: https://gaslitnation.libsyn.com/introducing-archivegate-trumps-dangerous-attack-on-the-national-archives MAGA Reddit Reacts to Trump Seeking a Third Term Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/Conservative/comments/1jnkvv0/trump_teases_running_for_a_third_term_not_joking/ EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: April 7 4pm ET – Security Committee Presents at the Gaslit Nation Salon. Don't miss it! Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation's HyperNormalization Survey Yet? Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community
Expert in Soviet and Ukrainian history, Andrea Chalupa joins me and human rights activist and expert in Russia and disinformation Marcus Kolga, to discuss how important it is Canada not follow America down the path to authoritarianism laid by Russian influence and disinformation. Canadians need to understand they're dealing with the same psychological warfare that was successful in America, and use the US as a cautionary tale. Donald Trump isn't kidding when he says he wants to take over Canada, so Canadians need to vote for the leader who isn't in bed with those who would let that to happen… As always, if you find worth in what we do, please consider SUBSCRIBING to PoliticsGirl Premium. You'll get this podcast ad free and it, and the the rants delivered directly to your inbox so even if we're shut out of social media, you'll still get access to the most highly researched, factual information available. Independent media needs your support now more than ever. Go to https://www.politicsgirl.com/premium and subscribe today!! Thank you so much! xoPG GUEST SOCIAL: Andrea Chalupa: https://www.andreachalupa.com/ Twitter: @AndreaChalupa @GaslitNation Instagram: @andreachalupa YouTube: @gaslitnation Marcus Kolga: https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/cm-expert/marcus-kolga/ Instagram: @marcuskolga BlueSky: @marcuskolga.bsky.social As always, please RATE and SUBSCRIBE so we can grow the show, open the dialogue, and inspire change moving forward! All show links here!: https://linktr.ee/politicsgirl This episode is sponsored by… https://sundaysfordogs.com/politicsgirl code: PoliticsGirl https://mudwtr.com code: politicsgirl https://ShopMDhearing.com code: politicsgirl https://faynutrition.com/politicsgirl https://GoPure.com/politicsgirl code: PoliticsGirl
What's the Republican spending bill all about? It's an extremely dangerous powergab engineered by Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House and dirty lawyer who came up with the legal strategy to try to overturn the 2020 election. The Republican spending bill essentially grants legal protections to Trump and Musk's ongoing illegal mass purge, to protect them against court orders–one of the last levers of power we have left. Any Democrat who votes for this is complicit in Trump and Musk's tech-backed coup, illegally mass firing federal workers to replace them with an A.I. surveillance state. This week's episode continues our conversation with Gil Durán of the Third Reich and FrameLab newsletters on Controlled Opposition—those Vichy Democrats who refuse to stand up to the fascist Republicans in power. But why? What's in it for them? In a dictatorship, no one is safe—not even former allies like Putin, who've found themselves mysteriously falling out of windows or exploding mid-air. Why are some Democrats still playing the role of complicit bystanders? The Senate is gearing up to vote on the extreme Republican spending bill, which slashes life-saving programs like Head Start and community health centers, while funneling billions to the Pentagon and Homeland Security. At a time when Trump is threatening to invade Canada and Greenland, and ICE is denying due process to green card holders like Mahmoud Khalil, the stakes couldn't be higher. The bill also cuts Washington, DC's budget—an attempt to punish the city for daring to protest Trump's corrupt regime. But here's the thing: shutting down the government doesn't empower Trump or Musk—it forces Democrats to get on the front lines and expose the Republican spending bill for what it really is: a power grab designed to protect Trump and Musk's illegal tech-backed coup. There's hope, though. While Trump and Musk face a future of justice (their approval ratings are plummeting), we need to keep fighting back. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: The Nerd Reich https://www.thenerdreich.com/ FrameLab https://www.theframelab.org/ Chuck Schumer and Senate Dems are expected to help advance the GOP spending bill, which Republicans say would let Trump defund whatever projects he wants https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-republican-cr-budget-bill-nightmare-democrats-1235296004/ The 10 Democrats who voted to censure Rep. Al Green are misreading the moment https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/al-green-trump-resistance-democracy-rcna195314 Crypto cash is flooding the 2024 election. Here's who's benefiting. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2024/crypto-firms-candidates-house-senate-election-2024/ Facebook cofounder Sean Parker illegally damages redwood forest for fantasy Game of Thrones wedding https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2024/crypto-firms-candidates-house-senate-election-2024/ Rep. Al Green Speaking in Congress https://bsky.app/profile/thetnholler.bsky.social/post/3ljo4v6aip223 Congressional Supporters of Al Green Sing “We Shall Overcome” in Congress https://bsky.app/profile/ariellaelm.bsky.social/post/3ljqoabwcps2i Some Democrats Endorse Bill Allowing Elon Musk to Create His Own Currency The GENIUS Act is the first pro-crypto bill Republicans want to rush through this Congress. Thanks to industry money, several Democrats are ignoring the bill's major problems. https://prospect.org/power/2025-03-10-some-democrats-endorse-bill-allowing-elon-musk-create-own-currency/ These 10 Democrats voted to censure Al Green https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5180324-10-house-democrats-censure-al-green/ Announcement! Are you concerned about what the broligarchy is doing with your data but feeling overwhelmed by all the tech? Do you get frustrated by the erosion of your sense of privacy and yet are unsure of what steps you, as a non-techie individual, can do? Join us on Monday April 7th for a special edition of the Gaslit Nation salon when representatives from the Gaslit Nation Security Committee will share a plan for taking control of your data, protecting your privacy, and regaining data sovereignty in an age of surveillance capitalism. This presentation will be geared towards non-techies and will help you prioritize steps you can take today to secure your data. Attendees will receive the following documents in a PDF: surveillance awareness self-assessment, prioritized action plan checklist, a calendar for the first thirty days of taking control of your data, and a copy of the presentation slides. EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: March 17 4pm ET – Dr. Lisa Corrigan joins our Gaslit Nation Salon to discuss America's private prison crisis in an age of fascist scapegoating March 31 4pm ET – Gaslit Nation Book Club: From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Conceptual Framework for Liberation, which informed revolts in Ukraine, the Arab Spring, Hong Kong, and beyond NEW! April 7 4pm ET – Security Committee Presents at the Gaslit Nation Salon. Don't miss it! Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation's HyperNormalization Survey Yet? Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community
How do we fight back against the broligarchs? Journalist Gil Durán, of the must-read newsletters Nerd Reich and FrameLab, shows the way, in this week's Gaslit Nation. Jean-Paul Sartre's famous line, “Hell is other people,” from his play No Exit, written in Nazi-occupied France, captured a grievance that mirrored the era's ideological clashes—fascism, communism, and isolationism, often overlapping and competing, fueling Stalin's genocides, the Holocaust, and World War II. The solution to sharing society with others, it seemed, was elimination: kill them. This is why democracies rely on tolerance—you don't have to like my existence, but you must let me exist in peace. Yet today's tech oligarchs, having amassed unimaginable wealth, would rather invest billions in creating tech colonies and new religions to justify mass murder, enslavement, and C.E.O. king fiefdoms than address world hunger, provide free education, and strengthen social safety nets. Their vision isn't coexistence—they're building an anti-empathy billionaire bunker cult. Gil Durán, a San Francisco journalist and former editorial page editor of The Sacramento Bee and The San Francisco Examiner, has a front-row view of the rise of the broligarchs, analyzing their fascist justifications for cruelty in his popular newsletter, Nerd Reich. Durán spent over a decade in California politics, serving as chief communications strategist for Governor Jerry Brown, Senator Dianne Feinstein, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and Attorney General Kamala Harris. His work has appeared in The New Republic, Esquire, and PBS. He co-founded Framelab, a newsletter on politics, language, and the brain, with Dr. George Lakoff. Most importantly we discuss: how do we defeat the Nerd Reich and the Vichy Democrats? This week's bonus for our Patreon subscribers at the Truth-teller level and higher continues with Gil Durán of Nerd Reich, examining Democratic leaders as controlled opposition—public allies secretly serving the oligarchs. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: The Nerd Reich by Gil Durán https://www.thenerdreich.com/ FrameLab https://www.theframelab.org/ Trump on Charter Cities: https://www.donaldjtrump.com/agenda47/agenda47-a-new-quantum-leap-to-revolutionize-the-american-standard-of-living One of Peter Thiel's favorite book: The Sovereign Individual: How to Survive and Thrive During the Collapse of the Welfare State https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780684810072 Find a Tesla Takedown Protest near you: https://www.teslatakedown.com/ Download/print fliers made by Rise and Resist: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NsdVaglj2-qbaUxPL-aXlPSSMbnjAPV-/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rCUHIzHfJunm2fnZzdm2sMUWlRYeUtGg/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MfkQlear-zAGgpkth6j_r85sSoXihilr/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fXKCdNCrkPOL8nYI8I9WU7-DGIAGHSXb/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/14oYKLO_vzVzEU1sxXSaH1kd_lZ1ylaOG/view?usp=sharing Clip: Elon Musk realizes he might lose his empire: https://bsky.app/profile/internetceleb.bsky.social/post/3lk2rd73f422n Robert Reich on Twitter: “When Trump was sworn in, Elon Musk's corporations were under more than 32 investigations conducted by at least 11 federal agencies. Most of the cases are now closed or likely to be closed soon, and the federal agencies are being defanged by DOGE. Funny how that works, huh?” https://x.com/RBReich/status/1898780869092884808 Andrea on Bluesky: “Start building a case for Trump and Musk to be arrested by the International Criminal Court” https://bsky.app/profile/andreachalupa.bsky.social/post/3lk47dkixgs2k EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: March 17 4pm ET – Dr. Lisa Corrigan joins our Gaslit Nation Salon to discuss America's private prison crisis in an age of fascist scapegoating March 31 4pm ET – Gaslit Nation Book Club: From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Conceptual Framework for Liberation, which informed revolts in Ukraine, the Arab Spring, Hong Kong, and beyond NEW! April 7 4pm ET – Security Committee Presents at the Gaslit Nation Salon. Don't miss it! Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation's HyperNormalization Survey Yet? Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community
Who is "Woke Jesus"? It's the actual Jesus from the Bible—the dark-skinned Jewish revolutionary who advocated for feeding the poor and healing the sick. The Christian nationalists who use Trump's MAGA movement as a weapon against our democracy are also at war with Jesus, as this week's guest explains. By the strictest definition, doesn't that make Trump the anti-Christ? Investigative journalist Katherine Stewart, author of the new book Money, Lies, and God, examines the right-wing Libertarian elites taking over our democracy through white Christian nationalist foot soldiers and offers ways to fight back. Stewart is also the author of The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism and The Good News Club: The Christian Right's Stealth Assault on America's Children. Her journey included witnessing Christian nationalist recruitment and hate campaigns take root in her child's public school. As Andrea discuses in the opening of this week's show, MAGA/Russia are weakening the U.S. from within (mass purge, trade war, declaring war on experts, etc.) so that we're scared and confused, and easier to conquer. We won't let them win. Thank you to everyone who joined Gaslit Nation's first book club last month! For March, we're reading Gene Sharp's revolutionary handbook From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Conceptual Framework for Liberation, which informed revolts in Ukraine, the Arab Spring, Hong Kong, and beyond. Our March 31st salon at 4pm will open with a book club discussion of Dictatorship to Democracy. For April, we're reading (if you haven't already!) Octavia Butler's The Parable of the Sower, and May's book club pick is Total Resistance: Swiss Army Guide to Guerrilla Warefare And Underground Operations. Get ready to make some good trouble! EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: March 17 4pm ET – Dr. Lisa Corrigan joins our Gaslit Nation Salon to discuss America's private prison crisis in an age of fascist scapegoating March 31 4pm ET – Gaslit Nation Book Club: From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Conceptual Framework for Liberation, which informed revolts in Ukraine, the Arab Spring, Hong Kong, and beyond NEW! April 7 4pm ET – Security Committee Presents at the Gaslit Nation Salon. Don't miss it! Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join on Patreon.com/Gaslit. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group on Patreon.com/Gaslit. Have you taken Gaslit Nation's HyperNormalization Survey Yet? Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: Voting is an act of fact checking: The dictator or wannabe dictator claims legitimacy. By voting, even if your vote is illegally not counted, your presence casting the vote adds up, and together the exit polls can indicate whether the election was stolen. Look to Venezuela's grassroots powerhouse effort to count votes to prove the opposition won the election: https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/10/gonzalez-proof-win-venezuela-election-vote-tally-maduro Russia sought to influence LGBT voters with ‘Buff Bernie' ad: Materials made public in committee dump of Facebook propaganda https://www.washingtonblade.com/2017/11/01/russia-facebook-ad-sought-influence-lgbt-voters-buff-bernie/ The Insider reveals new details of Russian intelligence scheme offering Taliban $200,000 bounties for killing U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/01/09/the-insider-reveals-new-details-of-russian-intelligence-scheme-offering-taliban-200-000-bounties-for-killing-u-s-soldiers-in-afghanistan Marisa Kabas on Blueskye: “SCOOP: Now that Linda McMahon is confirmed/sworn in as secretary, Trump will be imminently issuing an executive order eliminating the Department of Education. I've obtained a draft of an email that McMahon will be sending to staff re: the EO and the department's “final mission”. Here is a portion:” https://bsky.app/profile/marisakabas.bsky.social/post/3ljj64pfjzk2v Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy by Katherine Stewart https://bookshop.org/p/books/money-lies-and-god-inside-the-movement-to-dismantle-american-democracy-katherine-stewart/21368231?ean=9781635578546&next=t&next=t The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism by Katherine Stewart https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-power-worshippers-inside-the-dangerous-rise-of-religious-nationalism-katherine-stewart/8555591?ean=9781635577877&next=t&next=t The Good News Club: The Religious Right's Stealth Assault on America's Children by Katherine Stewart https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-good-news-club-the-religious-right-s-stealth-assault-on-america-s-children-katherine-stewart/6717978?ean=9781610392198&next=t&next=t Download "From Dictatorship to Democracy" for free here: https://archive.org/details/from_dictatorship_to_democracy_1306_librivox Download "Total Resistance: Swiss Army Guide to Guerrilla Warefare And Underground Operations" https://archive.org/details/total-resistance-swiss-army-guide-to-guerilla-warfare-1965 Opening clip: https://x.com/theelishev/status/1896120665532719511 Clip: Trudeau: "I heard he talked about banking again this morning in a tweet, which doesn't make any sense because 16 banks are currently active in Canada holding about $113b worth of assets in this country, so American banks are alive and well and prospering in Canada. It's an example of not really being able to see what he wants ... what he wants is to see a total collapse of the Canadian economy, because that'll make it easier to annex us." https://x.com/atrupar/status/1896962522764227069 Clip of Daryl Hannah at the Oscars: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1301955947523848 Clip: Conan Jokes About 'Anora' and Russia At The Oscars 2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiwBNniPhR8
America joined Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Israel, led by indicted corrupt criminal and Putin pal Netanyahu, wanted for war crimes, to vote against Ukraine's United Nations resolution calling for peace and an end to Russia's genocidal invasion. In this week's Gaslit Nation, Andrea and Terrell Starr, of the Black Diplomats Podcast and Substack, joining from Kyiv, explain how we got here and what to do about it. Fascism helped build America, and global resistance to fascism will help us overcome the threats we face in this dangerous crossroads for America, and the world. People are waking up from their shock and fighting back. Over $250,000 was raised on GoFundMe for Dr. Teresa Borrenpohl, the woman roughly dragged out of a town hall. The sheriff who threatened her with arrest from the stage is under investigation, along with his three unidentified rent-a-cops. Protests continue at Tesla dealerships, as well as Republican town halls across the country. Tesla owners face vandalism threats and pay to remove the logo, as the company's stock plummets. Twenty-one civil servants of the United States Digital Service, taken over by DOGE, resigned, writing in their letter: “We swore to serve the American people and uphold our oath to the Constitution across presidential administrations. However, it has become clear that we can no longer honor those commitments.” France's President Emmanuel Macron fact checked Trump at the White House and helped a banned AP reporter ask a question, and promised to strengthen security across Europe, including for Ukraine. At the Governors Ball in the White House, before Trump, the Army Choir sang the resistance anthem against tyranny, from Les Miserables, "Do You Hear the People Sing?" To help us lift up our hearts and minds for the work ahead, this week's bonus show, for our Patreon members at the Truth-teller level and higher, is our recorded first ever Gaslit Nation book club, looking at Albert Camus' The Stranger (Matthew Ward translation) and Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning, to see what wisdom they hold for us today, and how these two works “talk to each other.” Thank you to everyone who supports the show–we could not make Gaslit Nation without you! Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: Want ideas on how to resist? Friday February 28 – U.S. Economic Blackout: No corporate spending, shop small, plan ahead. Details here: https://thirdact.org/texas/2025/02/10/u-s-economic-blackout-planned-for-feb-28/ Tuesday March 4 – 50501 Protest. Find one near you or start one here: https://www.fiftyfifty.one/ Tuesday March 4 – Protect Our Kids Protest by the American Federation of Teachers, to protest the destruction of the Department of Education. Details here: https://www.aft.org/ProtectOurKids and here: https://www.mobilize.us/aft/ Friday March 7 – Stand Up for Science Protest. Details here: https://standupforscience2025.org/ Tesla Takedown Protests – ongoing. Details here.: https://www.teslatakedown.com/ Friday March 14 – NOW March in Washington, DC. Details here: https://nowmarch.org/ Don't Just Do Nothing: 20 Things You Can Do to Counter Fascism: https://itsgoingdown.org/dont-just-do-nothing-20-things-you-can-do-to-counter-fascism/ Protect democracy by protecting yourself: Bookmark! The Ultimate Guide to an Untrackable Phone : https://www.tacticalprivacywire.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-an-untrackable-phone/ Two days after a woman was dragged from a Coeur d'Alene town hall, Sheriff Bob Norris and other parties will face investigation into conduct https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/feb/24/two-days-after-a-woman-was-dragged-from-a-coeur-da/ Justice for Dr. Teresa Borrenpohl: Fight for the First https://www.gofundme.com/f/justice-for-dr-borrenpohl-fight-for-the-first/cl/s?lang=en_US&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp13_t1-amp14_c&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link Hegseth Defends Trump's Firing of Joint Chiefs Chairman Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in an interview on Sunday that Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. was “not the right man for the moment” and praised President Trump's handling of the war in Ukraine. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/23/us/politics/hegseth-trump-cq-brown-pentagon.html Trump and Hegseth's Pentagon purge undermines the armed forces How to damage military morale and recruiting? Trump and Hegseth seem to be trying to find out, alas. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/02/23/trump-hegseth-pentagon-generals/ New FBI director Kash Patel plans to relocate up to 1,500 employees https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/new-fbi-director-kash-patel-plans-relocate-1500-119064886 Mike Galsworthy on BlueSky: “Just America & Israel voting with Russia, Iran, North Korea... ...against Ukraine.” https://bsky.app/profile/mikegalsworthy.bsky.social/post/3lix7n4o4tc2w French prosecutor seeks 5-year jail sentence and ban from office for far-right leader https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/french-far-right-leader-marine-le-pen-faces-5-year-ban-office-rcna180103 TikTokers Are ‘Hunting' Tesla Cybertrucks to Project Anti-Musk Messages on the Tailgate https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tiktokers-hunting-tesla-cybertrucks-project-174834791.html
One of the most striking aspects of living under a dictatorship is how eerily normal life can appear on the surface. The sun still rises, children still play in parks. Yet, beneath this façade of normalcy, the foundations of democracy are being purged. Drug-fueled Nazi oligarchs, emboldened by their unchecked power, withhold critical funding, endanger lives, and proudly defy the courts. They destroy the rule of law and unleash a culture of corruption, all while the world watches America turn into a failed state. Joining us to unpack this dystopian nightmare, as well as what must be done to overcome this global threat, is Elie Mystal, Justice Correspondent for The Nation and author of the new book Bad Law: Ten Popular Laws That Are Ruining America. Mystal, a prophetic voice in the fight for democracy, breaks down what Biden and the Democrats should have done to curb Trump and MAGA extremism when they had the chance. (We'll be shouting we told you so all the way to the gulag!) He explains why Merrick Garland was, as we warned, a threat to democracy, what actions Democrats and the people must take now in the limited time we have left, and why New York State Attorney General Tish James serves as a vital reminder of the importance of local resistance. Most importantly, Mystal calls on world leaders to divest from America, an urgent strategy that helped bring down apartheid. This week's bonus show is our live recording with Russian mafia expert Olga Lautman, who answers listener questions about combating the Russian-backed fascist threat of the Musk/Trump regime. We also discuss Trump and Russia's attempts to strongarm Ukraine into a deal that would buy Russia time to continue its genocidal invasion. Don't miss this special episode, coming to you on Friday. A heartfelt thank you to all our Gaslit Nation supporters. This show wouldn't be possible without you. Together, we're shining a light on the truth and fighting for a better future. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Events at Gaslit Nation Feb 24 4pm ET – Gaslit Nation Book Club at our Gaslit Nation Salon to discuss Albert Camu's The Stranger (Matthew Ward translation) and Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning March 17 4pm ET – Dr. Lisa Corrigan joins our Gaslit Nation Salon to discuss America's private prison crisis in an age of fascist scapegoating NEW! Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. ONGOING! Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. NEW! Climate Crisis Committee launched in the Patreon Chat thanks to a Gaslit Nation listener who holds a PhD in Environmental Sciences NEW! Caretaker Committee launched in the Patreon Chat for our listeners who are caretakers and want to share resources, vent, and find community NEW! Public Safety page added to GaslitNationPod.com to help you better protect yourself from this lunacy (i.e. track recalls, virus threats, and more!): https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/public-safety ONGOING! Have you taken Gaslit Nation's HyperNormalization Survey Yet?: https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/survey-reject-hypernormalization ONGOING! Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community
Welcome to week two of Trump and Project 2025's Reign of Terror. A convicted felon, a Russian asset, an adjudicated rapist, a chronic cheater, a trust-fund brat with six bankruptcies, and a psychopath displaying clear signs of dementia is dismantling the foundations of American democracy, just as promised—and just as we warned. The cruelty is sending dangerous shockwaves across the globe. With each passing day under this regime, the nightmare grows darker. But here on Gaslit Nation, we're fighting back. Truth is on our side, and our collective liberation and survival depend on our unity and resolve. Together, we can resist, rebuild, and reclaim the future. This week, we're joined by Terrell Starr of the Black Diplomats Podcast and Substack, reporting from Kyiv, Ukraine. He shares his insights on how people around the world can navigate these perilous times, and offers ways forward for the opposition here at home. In this week's bonus show—available to our Truth-teller subscribers ($5/month and above)—we tackle a difficult and necessary conversation: how the Left can unite despite lingering resentments over the 2024 election, including the question of who refused to vote and why. Gaza will cease to exist under Trump. Under President Kamala Harris, we stood a stronger chance to shift the status quo on Israel and Palestine. We warned that the moral imperative was to vote for the lesser evil to avoid the total evil now being unleashed on the world. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Action alert! Call your members of Congress–find their numbers here: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member Tell them: Vote NO on Kash Patel for FBI Director; Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence; and RFK Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services Also, here's a script demanding frozen federal funding be restored: https://bsky.app/profile/celestepewter.bsky.social/post/3lgs36dktik2w
Well, the Dictator has arrived and it's self reliance time. We need to grow partner groups, our own media ecosystems, and thicker skin. As guest Andrea Chalupa, expert on dictatorships and authoritarian leaders says, we can grieve what happened to our country and that our institutions didn't save us, but we can't cling to the status quo or disconnect from society alone and depressed. There is a future where we return to freedom, but we need to work for it. So be visible, stand out, and show your humanity, because as Andrea says, “In an age of cruelty, empathy is an act of rebellion.” No. It's not over The mainstream media is a joke. So now, more than ever, we need to support those doing independent work and bringing the truth when it's harder and harder to find. Help people like me be a counterweight to the lies and propaganda. If you find worth in what we do, please SUBSCRIBE to PoliticsGirl Premium. You'll get this podcast ad free, the rants directly to your inbox, and the knowledge that you're making this kind of highly researched, factual information still possible in this horrible new reality. If that interests you, please go to https://www.politicsgirl.com/premium and subscribe today!! Thank you so much! xoPG Guest social: https://www.andreachalupa.com/ Twitter: @AndreaChalupa @GaslitNation Instagram: @andreachalupa YouTube: @gaslitnation As always, please RATE and SUBSCRIBE so we can grow the show, open the dialogue, and inspire change moving forward! All show links here!: https://linktr.ee/politicsgirl THANK YOU to today's sponsors! https://publicrec.com code: politicsgirl https://laundrysauce code: politicsgirl20 https://3DayBlinds.com/politicsgirl https://MudWtr.com code: politicsgirl
What's the easiest way for dictator Xi Jinping of China to invade Taiwan? Bribe the President of the United States! Trump's loyalty lies in enriching himself and his family, all thanks to the highest bidder – including China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and others. As China shows more signs of preparing to invade Taiwan, Musk's Twitter is normalizing this very idea. Andrea and Russian mafia expert Olga Lautman discuss this and more, including Trump and Melania's meme coin cash grab, in this week's Gaslit Nation bonus show. We also cover ways to fight back, even if things seem to spiral out of control. Olga Lautman will join the Gaslit Nation Salon on February 10 at 4pm ET! And don't miss our Gaslit Nation Game Night on Friday, February 7 at 8:30pm ET—we'll be playing Codenames! For game night, make sure to create a free account on BoardGameArena.com. Zoom links will be shared the morning of the events on Patreon.com/Gaslit, so be sure to subscribe and help support the show! Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: Check out Olga Lautman's Substack! https://substack.com/@olgalautman?utm_source=profile-page Opening Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xvJYrSsXPA Excellent thread on Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan's lawsuits holding corporate giants accountable: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1880370418932150623.html Trump's Crypto Meme Coin Is His Most Lucrative Get-Rich Scheme Yet https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/what-just-happened-with-usdtrump-and-usdmelania-meme-coins.html China Suddenly Building Fleet Of Special Barges Suitable For Taiwan Landings https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/01/china-suddenly-building-fleet-of-special-barges-suitable-for-taiwan-landings/ Man says his binned Bitcoin fortune now worth £500m https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgr0dyy152jo ICYMI: Here are previous documents the Security Committee has shared: • Tech Travel Tips : https://web.tresorit.com/l/hmKP6#FFHiLuu45pSJtMo_Z9Zp9Q • Why defending your right to privacy is important: https://web.tresorit.com/l/73FHq#ip5_zE6hhWkuaDMBAAhpYw • Introduction to VPN https://web.tresorit.com/l/WHdqz#-zI5O7Q2zHznO_NG7aZWPQ • Three Security Steps to Take Today: https://web.tresorit.com/l/417K9#CaDJOcOrEOta4T5oDlNsYw • Practice Safe Data Security: https://web.tresorit.com/l/hiw9s#wOykkL6Lh_Hz_TbRsiCiEQ Read all the details in the PDF here: https://web.tresorit.com/l/W6ots#IydZ2pnTmE1MLPJLkLZ73A For the Gaslit Nation Book Club – First Meeting at the Gaslit Nation Salon on February 24 at 4pm ET: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl https://bookshop.org/p/books/man-s-search-for-meaning-viktor-e-frankl/8996943?ean=9780807014271 The Stranger: Introduction by Keith Gore Albert Camus (Author) Matthew Ward (Translator) https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-stranger-introduction-by-keith-gore-albert-camus/18890716?ean=9780679420262
Trump used and discarded the powerful Fred Trump daddy figures who helped him rise to power: infamous lawyer Roy Cohn, whom he abandoned as Cohn was dying of AIDS; Fox News kingmaker Roger Ailes, forced out over sexual harassment allegations; and, possibly, Vladimir Putin. The Russians invested decades of financial and other support into Trump and his family, as Russian mafia expert Olga Lautman explains on this week's Gaslit Nation. But now, with American oligarchs, unlimited money, immunity granted by the illegitimate Supreme Court, pardon power, and a mainstream media eager to please, Trump has everything Putin could only dream of. What we saw during that grim inauguration weekend, followed by a flood of dangerous executive orders, shows that Trump, as promised, intends to be a dictator from day one. Tech giants, who had a front-row seat to his inauguration, give Trump a social media disinformation machine rivaling the Kremlin's. We're in for dark times, but there's hope. Our traitorous enemies and oligarchs are, in the end, incredibly stupid, and they'll ultimately destroy each other. This week's bonus show, available to supporters at the Truth-teller ($5/month) level and higher, continues the conversation. We'll discuss Trump and Melania's meme coin pump-and-dump scheme that fleeced their own supporters, how Trump is paving the way for Chinese dominance and Xi's long-sought invasion of Taiwan, and ways to fight back, no matter how deliberately chaotic things get. Remember to protect your sleep during this time and check out the helpful reminder on developing good sleep hygiene in the show notes. They want us overwhelmed and scared, but we must stay sharp and fit. Commit to mindful and healthy practices, including unplugging when needed. By staying strong, we can help carry each other through what lies ahead. No matter how dark things get, we'll get through it together! Afterall, Trump is America, a nation built on the largest Native American mass grave and the genocide of slavery. Trump has always been here. We will fight our way through to another chapter of hard-won progress for future generations to look back on in horror. Olga Lautman will join the Gaslit Nation Salon on February 10 at 4pm ET! And don't forget our Gaslit Nation Game Night on Friday February 7th at 8:30pm ET–we're playing Codenames! For game night, be sure to make an account on BoardGameArena.com. Both events are for our Patreon community. Zoom links will be shared the morning of the events on Patreon.com/Gaslit so be sure to subscribe to help support the show! Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: Check out Olga Lautman's Substack! https://substack.com/@olgalautman?utm_source=profile-page ICYMI: Here are previous documents the Security Committee has shared: • Tech Travel Tips : https://web.tresorit.com/l/hmKP6#FFHiLuu45pSJtMo_Z9Zp9Q • Why defending your right to privacy is important: https://web.tresorit.com/l/73FHq#ip5_zE6hhWkuaDMBAAhpYw • Introduction to VPN https://web.tresorit.com/l/WHdqz#-zI5O7Q2zHznO_NG7aZWPQ • Three Security Steps to Take Today: https://web.tresorit.com/l/417K9#CaDJOcOrEOta4T5oDlNsYw • Practice Safe Data Security: https://web.tresorit.com/l/hiw9s#wOykkL6Lh_Hz_TbRsiCiEQ Read all the details in the PDF here: https://web.tresorit.com/l/W6ots#IydZ2pnTmE1MLPJLkLZ73A For the Gaslit Nation Book Club – First Meeting at the Gaslit Nation Salon on February 24 at 4pm ET Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl https://bookshop.org/p/books/man-s-search-for-meaning-viktor-e-frankl/8996943?ean=9780807014271 The Stranger: Introduction by Keith Gore Albert Camus (Author) Matthew Ward (Translator) https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-stranger-introduction-by-keith-gore-albert-camus/18890716?ean=9780679420262 Opening Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e49VEpWg61M Martin Luther King, Jr., "What Is Your Life's Blueprint?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmtOGXreTOU Elon Musk's Anti-Semitic, Apartheid-Loving Grandfather The billionaire has described his grandfather as a risk-taking adventurer. A closer read of history reveals something much darker. https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2023/09/joshua-haldeman-elon-musk-grandfather-apartheid-antisemitism/675396/ Trump's Crypto Meme Coin Is His Most Lucrative Get-Rich Scheme Yet https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/what-just-happened-with-usdtrump-and-usdmelania-meme-coins.html German-Soviet Pact The German-Soviet Pact was signed in August 1939. It paved the way for Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union to invade and occupy Poland that September. The pact was an agreement of convenience between two bitter enemies. It permitted them to carve up spheres of influence in eastern Europe, while pledging not to attack each other for 10 years. Less than two years later, however, Hitler launched an invasion of the Soviet Union. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/german-soviet-pact#:~:text=This%20agreement%20is%20commonly%20referred,or%20the%20Hitler%2DStalin%20Pact.&text=The%20arrangement%20included%20a%2010,economic%20cooperation%20and%20territorial%20expansion. Trump pauses US foreign development aid for 90 days, orders review https://kyivindependent.com/trump-pauses-all-us-foreign-aid-for-90-days-pending-review/ Elon Musk's Father on Their Nazis History: https://x.com/DillyHussain88/status/1881670092993560772 Did Elon Musk steal the election for Trump? (Yes!): https://x.com/CalltoActivism/status/1881118080212115627 House GOP crafts bill to let Trump purchase Greenland https://www.axios.com/2025/01/13/trump-buy-greenland-house-republican-bill In Rare Criticism, Trump Says Putin Is ‘Destroying Russia': President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia praised President Trump's second inauguration, but the American leader did not return the compliment. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/21/us/politics/trump-putin-russia-ukraine.html?unlocked_article_code=1.q04.QTOS.5McfXW68PNkf&smid=url-share Welcome to the era of gangster tech regulation Our tech overlords all have problems, and they want to buy the solutions. https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/20/24346317/trump-gangster-tech-regulation-corruption-grift We Need A New Deal To Save Local Journalism https://defector.com/a-new-deal-to-save-local-journalism-la-fires News site focused on Elon Musk to launch https://www.npr.org/2025/01/20/nx-s1-5268286/elon-musk-news-site-popular-information Three media stories to watch for the next 4 years https://www.semafor.com/article/01/19/2025/three-media-stories-to-watch-for-the-next-4-years Trump signs executive order to pause TikTok ban, provide immunity to tech firms https://www.npr.org/2025/01/20/nx-s1-5268701/trump-executive-order-tiktok-ban Bad Faith (Christian nationalism documentary) https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2024/4/16/bad-faith Sleep tips: 6 steps to better sleep https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/sleep/art-20048379
From Joan of Arc, the novel Mark Twain considered his finest work—one that took him longer to write than any of his other books, and one so deeply personal to him that he chose to publish it anonymously: “When we consider that her century was perhaps the most brutal, depraved, and morally corrupt in history since the Dark Ages, we are left in awe at the extraordinary emergence of such a figure from such a time. The contrast between her and her era is as stark as the difference between day and night. She was truthful in a world where deception was the norm; she was honest when integrity had nearly vanished; she kept promises when few would even make them; her great intellect was devoted to noble causes, while others squandered their brilliance on trivialities or selfish pursuits; she embodied modesty, grace, and refinement when loudness and vulgarity had become commonplace; she harbored compassion when cruelty ruled; she stood firm in her convictions when stability was unknown; she was a beacon of honor in an age that had forgotten its meaning; she was steadfast when others were adrift in doubt; she maintained her dignity in a time of sycophants and servility; she exhibited courage when her nation's hope had withered; she was pure in thought and action in an era where corruption ran rampant at the highest levels; she was all of these things in a world where crime was the everyday business of kings and nobles, and where even the most powerful figures in Christendom shocked the world with their treachery, bloodshed, and barbarism.” In this week's bonus show, Andrea mines the timeless lessons in Mark Twain's portrayal of Joan of Arc, drawing connections between her legacy and contemporary struggles—both in the U.S. and in Ukraine, which faces its most daunting challenge under Russian-backed Trump. No matter how grim the situation may seem, history shows us that movements born from collective action can prevail. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: People's March January 18: Find a location near you: https://map.wewontgoback.com/local People's March–more info: https://www.peoplesmarch.com/ Opening Clip: https://x.com/atrupar/status/1879698232495734828 Is American an Oligarchy? https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2024/12/10/is-america-an-oligarchy Rep. Rick Crawford expected to serve as House Intelligence chair https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/01/16/congress/crawford-to-be-named-house-intel-chair-00198644 Luigi Mangione: Shooter or Superfan? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwGVUvq7Pq4&t=18s ICYMI: Here are previous documents the Security Committee has shared: • Tech Travel Tips : https://web.tresorit.com/l/hmKP6#FFHiLuu45pSJtMo_Z9Zp9Q • Why defending your right to privacy is important: https://web.tresorit.com/l/73FHq#ip5_zE6hhWkuaDMBAAhpYw • Introduction to VPN https://web.tresorit.com/l/WHdqz#-zI5O7Q2zHznO_NG7aZWPQ • Three Security Steps to Take Today: https://web.tresorit.com/l/417K9#CaDJOcOrEOta4T5oDlNsYw • Practice Safe Data Security: https://web.tresorit.com/l/hiw9s#wOykkL6Lh_Hz_TbRsiCiEQ Read all the details in the PDF here: https://web.tresorit.com/l/W6ots#IydZ2pnTmE1MLPJLkLZ73A For the Gaslit Nation Book Club – First Meeting at the Gaslit Nation Salon on February 24 at 4pm ET: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl https://bookshop.org/p/books/man-s-search-for-meaning-viktor-e-frankl/8996943?ean=9780807014271 The Stranger: Introduction by Keith Gore Albert Camus (Author) Matthew Ward (Translator) https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-stranger-introduction-by-keith-gore-albert-camus/18890716?ean=9780679420262
In a Gaslit Nation first, we're speaking to a guest whose voice is… well, masked like Putin's stiff botoxed face. That's because we've had to protect their identity—our guest today is none other than the undisputed ruler of the underworld, likely the wealthiest person on the planet (given the cadre of oligarchs they've got on speed dial), and—let's not forget—a master strategist. You may know them as Darth Putin KGB, the Twitter titan who once made parody fun before it got, well, a little too real. Now, if you're finding it hard to understand Darth Putin's voice, don't worry. We tried several different settings to find the right balance between protecting their anonymity and making sure we didn't sound like we were interviewing an angry vending machine. But, for those of you who are truly committed, you can follow along with the full transcript of the interview, which is conveniently available at the top of the show notes. Darth Putin is also the author of two books, the most recent being How to Tankie: The Anti-Imperialist's Guide to the Modern World, and The Darth Putin Guide to Being a Master Strategist: 13 Rules on How to Think, Act, Dress & Date Like a Master Strategist. We'll be sharing excerpts from our conversation in future episodes, including their thoughts on why satire is needed more than ever in an age of growing fascism, and how to be a master strategist when it comes to making fun of dictators and their lackeys. In this part of the interview, Darth delivers a chilling warning: we must not abandon Ukraine, for the security of both the world and ourselves is on the line. This is obvious to everyone, except for crackhead Ken Pete Hegseth, Trump's frat boy date rapist pick to run the most powerful military in human history. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: Transcript of the Darth Putin KGB interview: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fgG16BVg4_hdIMk0aBJWBaI3vW2Rk2xU/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117489509282294341490&rtpof=true&sd=true Heart of the Want to Believer from Limbic Psalms by Confusions https://confusions.bandcamp.com/track/heart-of-the-want-to-believer Submit your song to be featured on Gaslit Nation! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-d_DWNnDQFYUMXueYcX5ZVsA5t2RN09N8PYUQQ8koq0/edit?ts=5fee07f6&gxids=7628 Four Takeaways From the Special Counsel's Report on the Trump Election Case Jack Smith wrote that Donald Trump would have been convicted had the case been allowed to proceed and explained why he didn't pursue charges of incitement of the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/us/politics/jack-smith-trump-election-report-takeaways.html Irregular Army How the US Military Recruited Neo-Nazis, Gang Members, and Criminals to Fight the War on Terror By Matt Kennard https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/233226/irregular-army-by-matt-kennard/ Merrick Garland Both-Sides the Coup https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2022/1/12/merrick-garland-both-sides CBS News: Jack Smith's Trump Report https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNyd7mXI-hU ICYMI: Here are previous documents the Security Committee has shared: • Tech Travel Tips : https://web.tresorit.com/l/hmKP6#FFHiLuu45pSJtMo_Z9Zp9Q • Why defending your right to privacy is important: https://web.tresorit.com/l/73FHq#ip5_zE6hhWkuaDMBAAhpYw • Introduction to VPN https://web.tresorit.com/l/WHdqz#-zI5O7Q2zHznO_NG7aZWPQ • Three Security Steps to Take Today: https://web.tresorit.com/l/417K9#CaDJOcOrEOta4T5oDlNsYw • Practice Safe Data Security: https://web.tresorit.com/l/hiw9s#wOykkL6Lh_Hz_TbRsiCiEQ Read all the details in the PDF here: https://web.tresorit.com/l/W6ots#IydZ2pnTmE1MLPJLkLZ73A
On January 6, 2021, we watched on live television as Donald Trump and several Republican members of Congress incited a violent attempted overthrow of our democracy. This insurrection led to several deaths, including police officers who later died by suicide. When Joe Biden was sworn in as President in January 2021, Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress. Instead of using their time in power to pass a resolution or bill banning Trump and his supporters from holding office under the 14th Amendment's "insurrection clause" (Section 3), they held hearings that concluded with a report and a referral to the Department of Justice for possible criminal prosecution. In the 2022 midterms, Democrats lost the House due to America's worsening gerrymandering crisis. Attorney General Merrick Garland waited two years to appoint Special Prosecutor Jack Smith. While some credit the Democrats' January 6 committee for prompting Garland to take action, the reality is that both Democrats and Garland wasted valuable time. In the four years since January 6, 2021, no resolution or bill was passed in Congress to enforce the insurrection clause of the 14th Amendment. Instead, a group of voters and legal experts attempted to bar Trump from the ballot in Colorado, leading to legal cases such as Trump v. Anderson. In early 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that states could not bar federal candidates, and that applying the 14th Amendment was up to Congress. So, why didn't Democrats act in 2021 and 2022 when they had two years to enforce the U.S. Constitution? We need an honest accounting of how an insurrectionist will be president just four years after leading a violent attempt to overthrow our democracy. Democrats deferred to Merrick Garland, who then deferred to Jack Smith, who ultimately dismissed his Trump cases in November 2024, after Trump won one of the closest elections in U.S. history. This election took place amid rampant disinformation and the consolidation of far-right media, including Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter, turning it into a platform for (pro-Trump and Russia) disinformation–the largest in the world. At the same time, Republicans and the Supreme Court over the years undermined the Voting Rights Act and expanded voter ID laws–a modern day poll tax, disenfranchising 21 million Americans. As Andrea and Terrell discuss in this week's episode, the 2024 election was neither free nor fair. The institutions meant to protect us failed. As Gaslit Nation has long warned, an unpunished attempted coup leads to a successful one. The institutionalists and controlled opposition who enabled this crisis don't realize they are not safe either. Once a dictator is in power, no one can control them. We also point out that George Orwell warned us about fascist bootlickers like Trump/Musk fanboy Lex Fridman, whose three-hour interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky can be summed up by Orwell's quote: "Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind." Gaslit Nation officially calls on Lex Fridman to stop quoting Orwell on his podcast—Orwell would have hated you. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: Republicans just took control of the House because of partisan and racial gerrymandering. Here's how https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/11/16/2136410/-Republicans-just-took-control-of-the-House-because-of-partisan-and-racial-gerrymandering-Here-s-how In Trump's second term, evidence suggests corruption will be worse, not better Donald Trump's first term was astonishingly corrupt. There's already reason to believe his second will be worse. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trumps-second-term-evidence-suggests-corruption-will-worse-not-better-rcna179589 U.S. to probe Tesla's 'Full Self-Driving' system after pedestrian killed https://www.npr.org/2024/10/19/g-s1-29030/us-probe-tesla-full-self-driving-system The Republican Structural Advantage Republicans start every election cycle with structural advantages regardless of the issues and all the other factors that usually determine who wins elections. https://prospect.org/power/republican-structural-advantage/ How conservative media helped the far-right take over the Republican Party https://www.vox.com/2015/7/30/9074761/conservative-media-republican-party How Media Consolidation Paved the Way for Right-Wing Insurrection A battle playing out at the Supreme Court could make media monopolies way worse. https://inthesetimes.com/article/supreme-court-media-consolidation-fcc-echo-chamber Media Consolidation Means Less Local News, More Right Wing Slant https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/media-consolidation-means-less-local-news-more-right-wing-slant The Right-Wing Media Takeover Is Destroying America The purchase of The Baltimore Sun is further proof that conservative billionaires understand the power of media control. Why don't their liberal counterparts get it? https://newrepublic.com/post/178256/baltimore-sun-liberal-billionaires-media-failure The growth of Sinclaire's conservative media empire https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/10/22/the-growth-of-sinclairs-conservative-media-empire How Gerrymandering Tilts the 2024 Race for the House Facebook LinkedIn Skewed maps give Republicans big advantages in 11 states, mostly in the South and Midwest. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/how-gerrymandering-tilts-2024-race-house Elon Musk Being Investigated for Violating Terms of "Top Secret" Clearance He has become a major liability for the government. https://futurism.com/elon-musk-investigated-violating-terms-top-secret-clearance Elon Musk didn't show up for testimony in a probe over his $44 billion Twitter takeover. Now the SEC wants sanctions https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/20/tech/sec-sanctions-elon-musk-testimony-twitter-probe/index.html The Women's March Rebranded and Reorganized. Now They're Ready for 2025 https://time.com/7203169/womens-march-donald-trump-protest-change/ ABC Settles With Trump in a Case It Could Have Won https://fair.org/home/abc-settles-with-trump-in-a-case-it-could-have-won/ Why Gerrymandering Has Gotten Worse https://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-gerrymandering-has-gotten-worse/ The North Carolina GOP's Latest Ploy to Steal a State Supreme Court Seat https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2024/12/north-carolina-gop-state-supreme-court.html North Carolina's Unfair Voting Maps Gave GOP Congress Majority https://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article296319684.html Judge agrees to dismiss Donald Trump's 2020 election interference case President-elect Trump faced charges over his handling of classified documents and his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss, which culminated in the U.S. Capitol attack. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/jack-smith-files-drop-jan-6-charges-donald-trump-rcna181667 The lost year: How Merrick Garland's Justice Department ran out of time prosecuting Trump for January 6 https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/06/politics/doj-trump-jan-6-riot/index.html
How does Franco's reign in Spain connect to the rise of Trump? In this gripping true-crime thriller, financial journalist Gareth Gore, while investigating a bank collapse in Spain, follows the money trail to uncover a vast international conspiracy behind Opus Dei. What is Opus Dei? It's a shadowy global right-wing organization founded in Spain just before the Spanish Civil War. Supported by powerful Republican figures like Leonard Leo, Opus Dei is a Christian nationalist movement fueling efforts to dismantle democracy and pave the way for dictatorship in America. Gore, the author of the explosive book Opus: The Cult of Dark Money, Human Trafficking, and Right-Wing Conspiracy Inside the Catholic Church, delves into this insidious network. In this chilling conversation, recorded just before the U.S. election, Gore reveals how Opus Dei's influence stretches from Capitol Hill to the Supreme Court—and what is being done, including by the Pope, to try to curb its destructive power. This week's bonus show features a live interview with Dr. Emma Briant, one of the world's foremost experts on disinformation warfare and propaganda. Dr. Briant, co-editor of The Routledge Handbook on the Influence Industry and author of Propaganda and Counter-Terrorism: Strategies for Global Change, shares invaluable insights into the weapons of global propaganda. Gaslit Nation returns with all-new episodes on January 7th! We're excited to continue this fight for truth and justice with you—together, we can plant the seeds of meaningful change. Democracy Defender ($10/month) and higher supporters, don't forget to submit your questions for our upcoming bonus show Q&A! Thank you to everyone who supports the show–we could not make Gaslit Nation without you! Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! We're running this week's episode earlier than usual due to the New Year's Eve holiday--happy new year, everyone! We'll get through what comes next together!
Great Britain was woefully unprepared when Hitler's Nazis invaded nearly half of Europe. As the country faced the relentless terror of the Blitz—where cities were bombed like Ukraine is being bombed today by Putin—Churchill was tasked with turning the tide. In the midst of this devastation, he turned to his favorite act of self-care: creating art. In our ongoing discussion, Robert Schmuhl, author of Mr. Churchill in the White House, explores how painting was a profound source of solace and strength for Churchill. This personal outlet helped shape his leadership during Europe's darkest hour, influencing the fate of the free world. As we always say on Gaslit Nation, art is survival. If you have artwork you'd like to share with our community, we'd love to feature it on our socials. Email us at GaslitNation@gmail.com! For music, we're happy to play your song on the show—just submit your work using the link in our show notes! This Monday, during our Gaslit Nation salon on Zoom with our Patreon community, we're thrilled to welcome disinformation researcher Dr. Emma Briant. Dr. Briant played a pivotal role in exposing the Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal and is a co-editor of the Routledge Handbook of the Influence Industry, which includes a chapter on lawfare by Andrea's sister, Alexandra Chalupa. Dr. Briant will walk us through the mechanics of influence campaigns—how they work, their effects, and, most importantly, how we can fight back. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the leading experts in the field! Show Notes: The song featured in this week's episode is “Free” by Aaron Espe: https://open.spotify.com/track/3M7xHMsoIeNKLkrJ2wY4i6 Submit your song to be featured on Gaslit Nation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeS7TftV6Vfnw-iasFLepL6FpIj_KFORDLrAlZGH3nLg7i8lA/viewform Mr. Churchill in the White House The Untold Story of a Prime Minister and Two Presidents https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324093428 Clip: The Paintings of Sir Winston Churchill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exABCiPBAVE Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit!
Self-care is an act of resistance, especially when the fate of the free world depends on you. In the latest episode of Gaslit Nation, Andrea interviews Robert Schmuhl, author of Mr. Churchill in the White House. Their conversation reveals the fascinating dynamics between White House roommates Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II. It also delves into the debate: did Churchill really see Lincoln's ghost? Two of the most powerful men of the 20th century, with towering egos and differing leadership styles, shared space in the White House during one of the most tumultuous periods in history. How did they manage? By treating self-care as sacred—a vital lesson for us today as we face a new era of America First and the rise of global fascism. Schmuhl takes us behind the curtain, exploring Churchill's struggles with depression and the personal toll of war. The episode doesn't shy away from darker aspects, including Churchill's role in the Bengal Famine. It's a thoughtful, nuanced look at two men who shaped the world, yet weren't immune to their own flaws and the overwhelming challenges they faced to liberate Europe and overcome the isolationism at home driven by fascist-aligned America First. Sound familiar? Show Notes: The song featured in this week's episode is “Free” by Aaron Espe: https://open.spotify.com/track/3M7xHMsoIeNKLkrJ2wY4i6 Submit your song to be featured on Gaslit Nation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeS7TftV6Vfnw-iasFLepL6FpIj_KFORDLrAlZGH3nLg7i8lA/viewform Mr. Churchill in the White House The Untold Story of a Prime Minister and Two Presidents https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324093428 Due to the Christmas Eve holiday and the coziness of this conversation--it's a perfect one to listen to around the fire or while wrapping presents--we're publishing this episode a bit earlier than usual. Happy holidays!
“And hope here, I don't think it's passive. It is active. It's a form of resistance against despair. And it must be paired with a political imagination, that belief that we can build the future.” –Wasim Almasri, Director of Programs, The Alliance for Middle East Peace In this important conversation, Andrea and Terrell speak with Avi Meyerstein, Founder and President of the Alliance for Middle East Peace (ALLMEP), and Wasim Almasri, Director of Programs based in the West Bank city of Ramallah. They discuss what a meaningful path to peace looks like for Israelis and Palestinians, how to achieve it, the priorities the outgoing and incoming U.S. administrations must focus on, and the pending ceasefire deal, which has seen a resurgence of promising negotiations in recent days. If you're looking for defiant hope and a light to show the way in these dark times, listen to the team at ALLMEP who have been hard at work planting powerful seeds of change. For more on their work, check at the link at the top of the show notes. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Thank you to everyone who supports the show–we could not make Gaslit Nation without you! Show Notes: The Alliance for Middle East Peace: https://www.allmep.org/ Hopes for Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal rise Israeli officials, Hamas sources, and US and Arab figures say deal may be within reach – perhaps within days https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/17/israeli-negotiators-head-to-qatar-as-hopes-rise-for-gaza-hostage-deal
“Ukrainian intelligence sent about 20 experienced drone operators and about 150 first-person-view drones to the rebel headquarters in Idlib, Syria, four to five weeks ago to help Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the leading rebel group based there, the knowledgeable sources said. The aid from Kyiv played only a modest role in overthrowing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Western intelligence sources believe. But it was notable as part of a broader Ukrainian effort to strike covertly at Russian operations in the Middle East, Africa and inside Russia itself.” –From the Washington Post In this week's bonus episode, we present a recording from our special Gaslit Nation political salon on Monday, where we honored Syria. This episode offers crucial insights on navigating the complex landscape of Syria's future, highlighting who to trust—and who to be wary of—when it comes to information about the country. We also delve into the disinformation campaigns surrounding Syria and how to prepare for the challenges ahead. Additionally, this week's bonus show features answers to questions from our Democracy Defender-level members and above on voting and homelessness as well as how to protect trans people. Thank you to our Democracy Defender level supporters who help shape the show! For a good overview of why Assad's regime collapsed so quickly, read this great analysis by Charles Lister, a senior fellow and director of the Syria and Counterterrorism and Extremism programs at the Middle East Institute: https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/12/05/syria-assad-regime-collapsing-quickly/ For a look at how many “anti-imperialists” on the Left are pro-Assad, read this 2018 piece by Leila Al Shami, co-author of ‘Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War: https://www.madamasr.com/en/2018/04/15/opinion/u/the-anti-imperialism-of-idiots/ Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: Syria clip: Clarissa Ward of CNN reports from liberted Syria https://x.com/cnnipr/status/1866471510678135162 An estimated 2.5 million people were forced from their homes in the United States by weather-related disasters in 2023, according to new data from the Census Bureau. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/22/climate/climate-disasters-survivors-displacement.html Voting and Homelessness https://www.nonprofitvote.org/voting-and-homelessness/ When Britain and France Almost Merged Into One Country An extraordinary near-miss of history helps explain Brexit. https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/08/dunkirk-brexit/536106/ People to Follow for Syria & Other World News: Michael Weiss (Bluesky) Oz Katerji (Bluesky) Eliot Higgins (Bluesky) Fared Al Mahlool (Bluesky) Leila Al-Shami (Bluesky) Olga Lautman (Bluesky) Philip Obaji Jr. (Bluesky) Shashank Joshi (Bluesky) Support Trans People Erin in the Morning (Substack) Protect the LGBTQ Community: An Interview with Chase Strangio of the ACLU https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2022/5/26/chase-strangio-interview Moral Panic: Fact-Checking the War on Trans Kids https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2024/9/10/moral-panic-fact-checking-the-war-on-trans-kids
In Tuesday's episode of Gaslit Nation, titled Is the U.S. an Oligarchy?, Andrea opens with a discussion about the "Claims Adjuster Assassin." However, not all listeners were satisfied with the initial analysis. Many felt that something about the arrest of Luigi Mangione didn't add up and urged her to take a closer look. Always ready to dig deeper, Andrea takes on the challenge, offering a fresh perspective on the case. Is Luigi Mangione the shooter or, like so many across America with similar convictions and grievances, a superfan, one willing to sacrifice for what he sees as a greater cause? You are free to scrutinize these points and join the conversation with your own analysis, feedback, and corrections. We can be reached at GaslitNation@gmail.com. Your comments may be read on the show. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: Tom Winter of NBC: “A representative for the company that manages Citibike — Lyft — says the NYPD has now informed them that their bike was not used by the homicide suspect:” https://x.com/Tom_Winter/status/1864451018462810604 Luigi Mangione's political views from left and right — he had ‘concern for the future of humanity': pal https://nypost.com/2024/12/10/us-news/luigi-mangione-had-concern-for-the-future-of-humanity-pal/ Here's What Luigi Mangione Reportedly Said About ‘Unabomber' Ted Kaczynski https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/12/10/heres-what-luigi-mangione-reportedly-said-about-unabomber-ted-kaczynsk/ McDonald's worker called cops on Luigi Mangione, person of interest in CEO shooting, says NYC police https://www.silive.com/news/2024/12/mcdonalds-worker-called-cops-on-luigi-mangione-person-of-interest-in-ceo-shooting-says-nyc-police.html Lakeland woman threatens insurance company, says ‘Delay, Deny, Depose': police https://www.wfla.com/news/polk-county/lakeland-woman-threatens-insurance-company-says-delay-deny-depose-police/ Clip: Video of McDonald's regular in PA who saw Luigi Mangione: https://x.com/Newsweek/status/1866616844871668137/video/1 Clip: Video of McDonald's regular in PA who saw Luigi Mangione: https://x.com/News4SA/status/1866585750466105788/video/1 Clip: Our opening clip was AOC, summing up how many Americans across the political spectrum feel about the Claims Adjuster Assassin: https://x.com/alanhe/status/1867274875859349565 Clip: Spartacus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKCmyiljKo0 'People Were Worried' About 'Depressed' Luigi Mangione After He Left Co-Living Space in Hawaii, Says Friend https://people.com/luigi-mangione-people-worried-depressed-friend-co-living-space-8760057
Is America an oligarchy? This debate between Andrea and Felix Salmon, author of The Phoenix Economy: Work, Life, and Money in the New Not Normal, took place over the summer, but was delayed due to Biden dropping out of the election and Kamala Harris taking his place. We're revisiting it this week to assess how well it has aged. America's twelve richest men are now worth a combined $2 trillion. One of them, Jeff Bezos, reportedly interfered with the independence of the Washington Post, triggering a mass exodus after he blocked the paper's endorsement of Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. Another, Elon Musk, is threatening Republicans in Congress—one of the last remaining checks on our political system—warning that they must submit to Trump's White House or face his warchest in the GOP primaries. Musk spent over a quarter of a billion dollars on Trump's election and has been rewarded by being a sidekick President, meeting with world leaders, including Trump's recent call with Zelensky. A report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office this year revealed that “the top 10% of wealthy Americans now control 60% of the nation's wealth, while the poorer half of the country holds only 6%.” America braces for the impact of a second Trump White House, packed with billionaires and a PayPal mafia shadow presidency. Deregulation, monopolies, and tax cuts for the rich will exacerbate America's income inequality crisis and fuel further political unrest. Luigi Mangione, also known as the alleged Claims Adjuster assassin, sparked a national conversation this week in America. For a brief moment, Americans across the political spectrum set aside their differences and united around horror stories of insurance company greed. If we resist getting drawn into Republican-driven culture wars, we have the potential to unite with people from all sides of the political divide against a common enemy. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: The Phoenix Economy: Work, Life, and Money in the New Not Normal by Felix Salmon https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-phoenix-economy-work-life-and-money-in-the-new-not-normal-felix-salmon/19257986?ean=9780063076280 Jeff Bezos killed Washington Post endorsement of Kamala Harris, paper reports https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/business/money-report/jeff-bezos-killed-washington-post-endorsement-of-kamala-harris-paper-reports/4009739/ Trump selling deregulation https://x.com/samstein/status/1866574253534876026 Elon Musk warns Republicans against standing in Trump's way — or his https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-politics-trump-7e26c829af224a1f9d67c27cea085e68 America's 12 Richest Men Now Worth a Combined $2 Trillion https://www.newsweek.com/americas-12-richest-men-worth-combined-2-trillion-1995950#:~:text=An%20analysis%20by%20Forbes%20showed,of%20more%20than%20%242%20trillion. Elon Musk spends $277 million to back Trump and Republican candidates https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-277-million-trump-republican-candidates-donations/ Wall Street continues to roll higher in wake of Trump victory https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-11-11/stock-market-today-wall-street-rolls-higher-as-bitcoin-bursts-above-87-000 America's top 10% controls 60% of the wealth. The bottom half holds 6%. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2024/10/24/americas-richest-10-percent-controls-60-percent-of-wealth/75790850007/ Trump's Truth Social is now a public company. Experts warn its multibillion-dollar valuation defies logic https://www.newsweek.com/americas-12-richest-men-worth-combined-2-trillion-1995950#:~:text=An%20analysis%20by%20Forbes%20showed,of%20more%20than%20%242%20trillion. Slain UnitedHealth CEO faced ongoing court battles, threats Common complaints against insurer denials were written on bullet casings found where Brian Thompson was killed. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/12/06/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-threats-court-battles/ Exclusive: Luigi's Manifesto Read the manifesto the media refused to publish https://www.kenklippenstein.com/p/luigis-manifesto
Assad's regime is on the brink of collapse. Romania and South Korea are showing the world how to stand up against Russia highjacking democracies. The U.S. has released a report stating that a foreign adversary is likely behind Havana Syndrome. This Monday, disinformation warfare researcher Dr. Emma Briant will join our political salon, to answer our questions about fighting back. These topics and more are covered in this week's bonus show, available to our Truth-teller level subscribers and higher. This week's bonus show also tackles questions from our Patreon supporters at the Democracy Defender level and higher. Jacob asks: How easily could “mass detention” camps become slave labor camps under the 13th Amendment—and from there, devolve into death camps? Trump's promise to deport 11 million people can only be achieved through violence, and that violence would be carried out by those who take pleasure in it. To get to that point, Trump and his followers will defy the law, subvert the Constitution, as they did to come to power in 2016 and 2024. Andrea and Terrell discuss the dangerous potential of Trump's authoritarian immigration agenda, the risk of a violent crackdown on Latino communities, and whether this could escalate into a full-scale Trump invasion of Mexico. They also explore the irony of Republicans attempting to deport Latinos, a group that could actually help strengthen the party's base. This discussion is available to our Truth-teller level subscribers and answers other pressing questions from our Democracy Defender-level supporters, including how to hold the media accountable. If you didn't hear your question answered this week, don't worry—our Gaslit Nation Q&A continues, so stay tuned! Thank you to all our supporters—we could not make Gaslit Nation without you! Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, group chats, invites to live events, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: Disinformation researcher Dr. Emma Briant will join our next salon this coming Monday https://emma-briant.co.uk/ Andrea on Politics Girl! https://youtu.be/CvImpAfyG8w?si=BNqZjg35mRGOAGbl Crawford, CIA Subcommittee Release Interim Report on Havana Syndrome https://intelligence.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1486 The GRU's connection to Havana Syndrome: The Insider's investigative team tells the story behind its most recent bombshell exposé https://theins.press/en/politics/270717 No, All Latinos Didn't Vote for Trump Actually. Here's the Data. https://newrepublic.com/post/188203/latino-vote-trump-harris-2024-election-data-breakdown Maria Hinojosa's Podcast In the Thick https://www.inthethick.org/episodes/ Some Latinos Want to Be White, And We All Want Respect (OPINION) https://www.latinousa.org/2024/11/14/latinoswhiterespect/ Trump Team Debates “How Much Should We Invade Mexico?” https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/trump-mexico-drug-cartels-military-invade-1235183177/ Romania's top court annuls first round of presidential vote won by far-right candidate https://apnews.com/article/romania-election-president-recount-georgescu-far-right-34f4284d54ea34a841225e2c3a968c6d?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share
In this week's Gaslit Nation, Andrea and Terrell answer listeners' questions about Syria, Ukraine, and Georgia–and urgent lessons for us here at home. Take a look at what's happening in countries like Georgia and Syria—resistance movements are growing against oppressive, authoritarian regimes backed by Russia. It's a struggle for freedom and self-determination, and it's all part of the same global fight. Americans can't keep pretending that foreign conflicts are somehow detached from our own issues. What's happening abroad affects us too, whether we like it or not. In Georgia, for example, the situation mirrors what's happening in Ukraine: ordinary citizens are pushing back against corrupt governments and trying to secure their future with the European Union. Meanwhile, in Syria, a surprise push by a rebel alliance has liberated several key areas from Assad's brutal dictatorship, propped up by Russia and Iran. Assad and his family fled to Russia, joining Ukraine's Trump, Viktor Yanukovych. The left needs to take a long, hard look at the atrocities Russia is committing—not just in Ukraine, but around the world. And let's not forget that Ukrainians are fighting for their own agency, their right to choose their future, in a way that should inspire us all. This week's bonus show, for subscribers at the Truth-teller ($5/month) level and higher, answers questions from our listeners at the Democracy Defender ($10/month) and higher, and looks at the potential for Trump to start an actual war with Mexico. To hear all bonus shows, be sure to subscribe! Thank you to everyone who supports the show–we could not make Gaslit Nation without you! Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: Red Lines: Documentary on Syria: https://iwonder.com/titles/red-lines-ad98aab62542ea8d524fed6dd51fcb76 Philip Obaji Jr.: https://www.thedailybeast.com/why-putins-private-army-ordered-soldiers-to-torture-me/ Warnings from Syria: https://gaslitnation.libsyn.com/warnings-from-syria-on-how-to-stop-putin-in-ukraine In sweeping advance, rebels control parts of Sryia https://www.npr.org/2024/12/01/nx-s1-5211885/in-sweeping-advance-rebels-control-parts-of-sryia Who Are the Rebels Leading the Offensive in Syria? The group now advancing, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, says it wants to replace the Assad government with one inspired by Islamic principles. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/world/middleeast/syria-rebels-hts-who-what.html Trump Orders Withdrawal of U.S. Troops From Northern Syria https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/13/us/politics/mark-esper-syria-kurds-turkey.html Commentary The US will become ‘minority white' in 2045, Census projects https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-us-will-become-minority-white-in-2045-census-projects/ Donald Trump Has 'Obligations' to Those Who Brought Him to Power—Putin Ally https://www.newsweek.com/vladimir-putin-nikolai-patrushev-donald-trump-russia-1984360 Why Six Countries Account for Most Migrants at the U.S.-Mexico Border Migrants and displaced people from across the world are arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border in droves. More than half come from six Latin American countries, where worsening violence, poverty, and other factors are pushing them to leave. https://www.cfr.org/article/why-six-countries-account-most-migrants-us-mexico-border Minority Rule: The Right-Wing Attack on the Will of the People--And the Fight to Resist It https://bookshop.org/p/books/minority-rule-ari-berman/19994801?ean=9780374600211 If Anyone Can Save the Democrats, It's Ben Wikler https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/opinion/ben-wikler-dnc-chair.html
Expert in Soviet and Ukrainian history, and author of Dictatorship: It's Easier Than You Think, Andrea Chalupa joins us to discuss what's next for America. I'll warn you, this episode is a lot, but if knowledge is power, stick with it and I believe you'll find Andrea's perspective not only powerful but very inspiring. It's time to inoculate ourselves from despair and fear. That fear is contagious, but so is courage. This isn't over, it's just the next phase As always, if you find worth in what we do, please consider SUBSCRIBING to PoliticsGirl Premium. You'll get this podcast ad free and it, and the the rants delivered directly to your inbox so even if we're shut out of social media, you'll still get access to the most highly researched, factual information available. Independent media needs your support now more than ever. Go to https://www.politicsgirl.com/premium and subscribe today!! Thank you so much! xoPG Guest social: https://www.andreachalupa.com/ Twitter: @AndreaChalupa @GaslitNation Instagram: @andreachalupa YouTube: @gaslitnation As always, please RATE and SUBSCRIBE so we can grow the show, open the dialogue, and inspire change moving forward! All show links here!: https://linktr.ee/politicsgirl This episode is sponsored by… https://uncommongoods.com/politicsgirl https://sundaysfordogs.com/politicsgirl code:PoliticsGirl https://rocketmoney.com/politicsgirl https://oneskin.co code: PoliticsGirl https://laundrysauce.com/politicsgirl code: PoliticsGirl
Russian mafia expert Olga Lautman joins Gaslit Nation to break down the Kremlin's plan for America: stirring up civil war. Russia is hoping to kick our already chaotic political circus into overdrive, but here's the twist that the Kremlin—along with many white male pundits—completely missed: women across the political spectrum are furious. Whether it's the GOP's authoritarian fantasies, including femicide, or the media's endless obsession ignoring women's humanity, women in every state across America are punching Nazis in the ballot box, driving out a historic early vote. Later in the week, look out for the Gaslit Nation Election 2024 Super Special, featuring Terrell Starr of the Black Diplomats Podcast and Substack. It will include this week's bonus show, available to Patreon subscribers at the Truth-teller ($5/month) tier and higher. On Monday at 4pm ET, we're having another political salon over Zoom to brace for the impact of MAGA trying to steal our election with Russia's help, either through Mike Johnson, the failed legal architect of Trump's Big Lie, or the MAGA majority on the Supreme Court, should the electoral college come down to one state. Or else, we're celebrating with a Gaslit Nation virtual block party! Either way, to our Patreon community that keeps the show going, see you on Monday, for whatever comes next. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our Victory group chat, invites to live events, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: Clip: Anne Selzer on her Iowa polling: https://x.com/PettyLupone/status/1853169502147449005 Clip: Larry Krasner, Philadelphia DA on election terrorism: https://x.com/abughazalehkat/status/1853631034790662312 Clip: John Jackson, American veteran in Ukraine: “My brief message to Americans voting today. From Ukraine, the epicenter of that struggle between good and evil, between democracy and dictatorship. Please lend me 90 seconds of your time:” https://x.com/hissgoescobra/status/1853802605509501029 Narrowing nationwide polls reveal a coin-toss for the House majority https://www.economist.com/interactive/us-2024-election/prediction-model/house Recent safeguards should quash efforts to overturn election results, experts say It would take congressional majorities and most swing-state legislatures to upend the election. https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/11/04/recent-safeguards-should-quash-efforts-to-overturn-election-results-experts-say/ Man Arrested and Charged with Attempting to Use a Weapon of Mass Destruction and to Destroy an Energy Facility in Nashville https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/man-arrested-and-charged-attempting-use-weapon-mass-destruction-and-destroy-energy-facility Man arrested after federal officials say he sought to destroy Nashville power site https://www.yahoo.com/news/man-arrested-federal-officials-sought-004723571.html Robert Reich on Mastodon: “If Harris wins, will Congress certify the results? There are now 172 election deniers in Congress. But the new Congress gets sworn in before the presidential election is certified. Your down ballot votes could decide whether your presidential vote is respected or discarded.” https://mastodon.social/@rbreich@masto.ai/113429039266528054 The Kingdom of Lyz Lenz's God Land Is Within You https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/08/in-god-land-lyz-lenz-makes-the-case-for-nuance.html Andrea Chalupa on Twitter: “The Reagan Revolution ignited a culture of “greed is good," alongside the rise of Christian nationalism. Democrats, for their part, embraced this shift, allowing unions to weaken and newsrooms to erode, all in the name of boosting corporate profits. As a result, Trump and Manafort's brand of corruption thrived in plain sight. Throughout American history, progress for Black people has been met with violent white rage, and Trump's birtherism was the inevitable response to the first Black president. Meanwhile, Russia's support for Trump wasn't just about sowing chaos in U.S. politics; it was part of a broader geopolitical strategy to lift sanctions and advance their long-standing imperial ambitions, which have been unfolding since Russia invaded Georgia. Russia's invasion of Ukraine is merely the latest chapter of rising Russian imperialism. All of this is compounded by the deep, structural misogyny and racism in America, a nation built on genocide that persists to this day with the prison industrial complex and the epidemic of violence against Native American women. These forces are not isolated—they are interconnected, fueling each other in a dangerous cycle. The gasoline on that fire is unchecked social media as well as Silicon Valley greed. What's left of newsrooms are populated by white men who aren't sensitive to most of these issues since they're blinded by their own privilege.” https://x.com/AndreaChalupa/status/1853788934393766019 Jimmy Kimmel Surprised That Bombshell Jeffrey Epstein Tapes About Trump Friendship Aren't Getting More Attention https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/jimmy-kimmel-jeffrey-epstein-tapes-trump-friendship-1236200783/ Clip: Wil I Am “Yes She Can” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR1rxxIYa-w
This week's bonus show features Part II of our conversation with psychiatrist and bestselling author Dr. Bandy Lee. We dive into the phenomenon of “Trump contagion,” strategies for handling MAGA cultists in your life (including how to respond if harassed in public), whether Trump is the Antichrist (spoiler: he is!), and whether Trump staged the recent assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. This week's show also answers a pressing question from a listener. Democracy Defender Patreon supporter Melissa asks: “If you or anyone else has any good reads to recommend on the Green Party and its origins, would love to read it as they are clearly now a Kremlin owned and operated effort to divide and conquer the left.” Melissa, we've got you covered! Check out our Jill Stein Voter Guide Super Special. If you know someone considering a vote for Jill Stein, share this special episode highlighting her troubling track record of hypocrisy. Despite being labeled a “peace candidate,” Jill Stein is a multimillionaire profiting from investments in the military-industrial complexand fossil fuels. Interestingly, the European Green Party has called for Jill Stein to withdraw from the race and endorse Kamala Harris, stating: “With wars raging and authoritarianism on the rise, Europe needs Kamala Harris as President of the United States—a reliable partner who can take urgent action on the climate crisis and foster a just, sustainable peace in the Middle East.” The European Green family, which consists of Green parties across Europe, has emphasized that their values starkly contrast with those of Jill Stein's (fake) Green Party. In their statement, they criticized the US Greens for their connections to authoritarian leaders and diverging policies, particularly regarding Russia's genocidal invasion of Ukraine. To catch the full episode, subscribe at Patreon.com/Gaslit. Thank you to all our supporters for making this show possible! Show Notes: Meet the Working Families Party on Gaslit Nation: https://gaslitnation.libsyn.com/stop-eric-adams-power-grab Vatnik Soup: Meet Spoiler Candidate Jill Stein: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0GFCPsXusI Bernie Sanders on Gaza and the 2024 Election: https://x.com/BernieSanders/status/1851040553745432775 “Zelensky's frustration is clear—painfully sad, even— after the White House leaked secrets of his victory plan. But should we be surprised? Since 1991, Joe Biden and other Washington elites have been against Ukrainian freedom. Watch:” https://x.com/JPLindsley/status/1851921386513514734 US elections: European Greens call for Jill Stein to step down https://europeangreens.eu/news/us-elections-european-greens-call-for-jill-stein-to-step-down/ I'm an Environmentalist. That's Why I Can't Vote Green. Award-winning filmmaker and director of Gasland Josh Fox on why he will never vote for Jill Stein. https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/jill-stein-green-party-hypocrite/ Former Green Party presidential candidate cooperates in Russia probe into 2016 election https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/former-green-party-presidential-candidate-cooperates-in-russia-probe-into-2016-election Jill Stein Will Hand Over Russia-Related Communications to the Senate Investigation https://theintercept.com/2017/12/18/jill-stein-will-hand-over-russia-related-communications-to-senate-commmittee/ Jill Stein's Green Party campaign will be turning down some congressional requests for documentation, calling them “overbroad.” https://theintercept.com/2018/04/26/russia-jill-stein-senate-intelligence/ Jill Stein Won't Stop. No Matter Who Asks. People in Stein's life have implored her to abandon her bid for president, lest she throw the election to Donald Trump. She's on the ballot in almost every critical state. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/20/us/politics/jill-stein-harris-trump.html Jill Stein Is Killing the Green Party With membership at new lows and no electoral wins to their name, it's time for the Greens to ditch the malignant narcissist who's presided over its decline. https://newrepublic.com/article/186004/green-jill-stein-2024-election Jill Stein pushing Kremlin talking points that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is NATO's fault: https://www.instagram.com/drjillstein/reel/C-qXXvet419/?hl=en Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our Monday political salons over Zoom, our Victory group chat, invitations to live events, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit!
Our hearts go out to the people impacted by Hurricane Helene and their anti-government governments, who will be replaced one day with public servants, which is what this conversation is about. To help those who are impacted, there's a resource on where to donate in the show notes. (Do not choose the Red Cross, for reasons explained in the show notes). Thank you. Thank you to everyone who joined our live taping with Laboratories of Autocracy and Saving Democracy author David Pepper, who is not just a democracy warrior, but also the mastermind behind the new podcast series Project 2025: Up Close and Personal. Picture this: short, terrifying vignettes with a cast so star-studded, you'd think it was Hollywood's last gasp before a fascist takeover—J. Smith-Cameron, Fisher Stevens, Richard Schiff, Morgan Fairchild, Omid Abtahi, and many more! We previewed "Chapter 2" of the series–it's the audio equivalent of a cold sweat. You can listen to it [here]. Democrats have been playing defense for so long, they've forgotten what offense looks like. "There are two million uncontested races out there," David pointed out, which is about as comforting as knowing JD Vance's particular brand of weird fills the halls of power in Republican hostage states. David also shared the story of how he got a call out of the blue from Vice President Kamala Harris last spring, to discuss ways to fight back. Thanks to the audience Q&A, he shared who he thinks should be her Attorney General—should she win, of course. Want to make that dream a reality? Join the fight! Gaslit Nation hosts phonebanks with Sister District every Wednesday at 6 p.m. RSVP [here]. Join our next live taping on Tuesday October 1st at 12pm ET with Greg Palast, discussing his new film Vigilantes Inc: America's New Vote Suppression Hitmen. Bring your questions on all the ways Russian-backed MAGA is trying to steal the election, their plans if they lose, and ways to protect the vote. Come As You Are Weekly Political Salons! Join us every Monday at 4 PM ET via Zoom! Let's share frustrations, ask burning questions, seek support, and help shape Gaslit Nation. Everyone's voice matters—whether you're a political junkie or just finding your voice, you belong here! Recordings available exclusively on Patreon.
A true story of Journalisim and Espionage from the 1930s with echoes of the current Russia Ukraine conflict. Andrea's new graphic novel fro Oni Press is a riveting account of a Welsh Journalist who uncovered the abuses of the Stalin regime attacking Ukraine.
Move over, first class passengers on the Titanic! America has a new class of doomed elites! Extreme income inequality threatens our democracy and the security of the world, but unions are fighting back, showing our path forward for the safety of everyone. C.E.O.s and billionaires celebrate record-breaking profits, but for everyday workers, wages have remained stagnant, not keeping pace with the rising cost of living. The result? The American Dream is increasingly resembling a Neoliberal Ponzi Scheme, where the promise of prosperity seems to be reserved for nepo-babies. Beyond the obvious moral implications, income inequality has profound consequences for our society. It undermines trust in institutions, worsens political instability, and contributes to declining life expectancy—a stark reality in America today. When the rich get richer and the rest of us get left behind, it doesn't just create social rifts; it destabilizes the United States, and therefore the world. How do we overcome this crisis? The renaissance of unions will strengthen our economy for all and protect our democracy. This week's guest Michael Podhorzer has been on the frontlines of this fight for decades, as the former longtime political director of the AFL-CIO – the largest federation of unions in the United States. Podhorzer is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, the chair of the Analyst Institute, the Research Collaborative and the Defend Democracy Project, and writes the Substack Weekend Reading. A 2021 TIME article described Podhorzer as the architect of a broad movement that helped protect the integrity of our vote in the 2020 election. This week's bonus show, available to subscribers at the Truth-teller level ($5/month) and higher, includes Podhorzer's insights on how to protect the 2024 election, in an excerpt available to all. Exclusive to our Patreon supporters, this week's bonus show also includes a deep-dive examination of the recent arrest of Telegram's C.E.O. Pavel Durov and what that might mean for Russia's global war on democracy. Subscribe today at Patreon.com/Gaslit to help support our independent journalism! * Big Announcement! If the election cycle has left you feeling overwhelmed, we're here to help. Join our new weekly political salon every Monday at 4 PM ET via Zoom. This space is designed for you to vent, ask questions, seek support, and contribute to discussions that shape Gaslit Nation. Everyone is welcome—our goal is to foster coalition-building and collective healing. Starting next Monday, our first ever salon will be recorded and shared on Patreon to support our community. If these sessions resonate with you, they may continue beyond the election. To join, support us at the Truth-teller level or higher on Patreon at patreon.com/Gaslit where you'll find the Zoom link every Monday afternoon. On September 10th: Join the Gaslit Nation Debate Watch Party in the “Victory Chat” community chatroom on Patreon. A debate between democracy vs. dictatorship! (Convicted felon Trump belongs in prison, not a debate stage). On September 16 at 7:00 PM ET: If you're in NYC, join our in-person live taping with at the Ukrainian Institute of America in NYC. Celebrate the release of In the Shadow of Stalin, the graphic novel adaptation of my film Mr. Jones, directed by Agnieszka Holland. Gaslit Nation Patreon supporters get in free – so message us on Patreon to be added to the guest list. I will be joined by the journalist Terrell Starr, to talk about his latest trip to Ukraine. On September 17 at 12:00 PM ET: Join our virtual live taping with investigative journalist Stephanie Baker, author of Punishing Putin: Inside the Global Economic War to Bring Down Russia. Her book has been highly praised by Bill Browder, the advocate behind the Magnitsky Act to combat Russian corruption. On September 18 at 4:00 PM ET: Join our virtual live taping with the one and only Politics Girl, Leigh McGowan, author of A Return to Common Sense: How to Fix America Before We Really Blow It. On September 24 at 12:00 PM ET: Join our virtual live taping with David Pepper, author of Saving Democracy. Join us as David discusses his new art project based on Project 2025. All of those events, becoming a member of our Victory chat, bonus shows, all shows ad free, and more, come with your subscription on Patreon.com/Gaslit! Thank you to everyone who supports the show – we could not make Gaslit Nation without you! Show Notes: Opening clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckxmXjRuBik As Go Unions, So Goes America Power concedes nothing but to collective action. https://www.weekendreading.net/p/as-go-unions-so-goes-america Listen to our interview with Starbucks union organizer Jasmine Leli on how to start a union https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2023/11/08/end-human-sacrifice-union-jasmine-leli
In the polls, convicted felon Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are essentially tied. Jill Stein, Cornel West, and RFK, Jr. are third-party candidates, supported by far-right dark money groups aiming to "Ralph Nader" the election in Trump's favor. Meanwhile, mainstream media—especially the New York Times—continues to normalize MAGA fascism. Amidst growing election anxiety, it might be difficult to hear the pleas from the Uncommitted movement and their Democratic allies, who are advocating for a permanent ceasefire and hostage deal to end the war in Gaza. To help us understand the Uncommitted movement and its significance in this election, this week's guest is Palestinian-American and Georgia state representative Ruwa Romman. She was on a short list of Palestinian-Americans who submitted a two-minute speech for the DNC, which was ultimately rejected, despite the invitation to Democratic leadership to collaborate on the text. Though not an Uncommitted delegate herself, Rep. Romman will explain how to bridge our differences and move forward with a unified front. Holding our elected officials accountable isn't just a civic duty—it's essential for enacting real change and enforcing laws effectively, especially those to hold war criminals like Netanyahu and Hamas accountable. Despite the challenges ahead, there's a glimmer of hope. This week's bonus show, exclusive to our Patreon supporters at the Truth-teller ($5/month) level and higher, delves into how Trump broke the law (yet again!) to come to power in the 2016 election by accepting an illegal campaign donation from Egypt's dictatorship. To access this and all bonus episodes, be sure to subscribe to the show! Thank you to everyone who supports Gaslit Nation—we couldn't make this show without you! * Join us at a Gaslit Nation event! Gaslit Nation Patreon supporters at the Truth-teller level and higher, join the conversation at our live-tapings! Meet these incredible authors! You can also drop your questions in the chat or send them ahead of time through Patreon! Subscribe at Patreon.com/Gaslit to join the fun! September 16 at 7:00 PM ET: In-person live taping with Andrea and Terrel Starr at the Ukrainian Institute of America in NYC. Celebrate the release of In the Shadow of Stalin, the graphic novel adaptation of Andrea's film Mr. Jones, directed by Agnieszka Holland. Gaslit Nation Patreon supporters get in free – so message us on Patreon to be added to the guest list. Everyone else can RSVP here: https://ukrainianinstitute.org/event/books-at-the-institute-chalupa/ September 17 at 12:00 PM ET: Virtual live taping with investigative journalist Stephanie Baker, author of Punishing Putin: Inside the Global Economic War to Bring Down Russia. Her book has been highly praised by Bill Browder, the advocate behind the Magnitsky Act to combat Russian corruption. September 18 at 4:00 PM ET: Virtual live taping with the one and only Politics Girl, Leigh McGowan, author of A Return to Common Sense: How to Fix America Before We Really Blow It. September 24 at 12:00 PM ET: Virtual live taping with David Pepper, author of Saving Democracy. Join us as David discusses his new art project based on Project 2025. Show Notes: WATCH: Kamala Harris addresses war in Gaza 2024 at Democratic National Convention | 2024 DNC Night 4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oogNVOqnChc Watch: Palestinian American Lawmaker Gives Speech the DNC Wouldn't Allow on Stage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8K5FIp-GN8 How to Stop Trump from Stealing the Election https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2024/7/30/how-to-stop-trump-from-stealing-the-electionnbsp Fani Willis vs. Trump: The Nazis Strike Back https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2024/01/24/fani-willis-trump-nazis
This week's show kicks off with United States Senator for Georgia Raphael Warnock at the Democratic National Convention, essentially reassuring white men no one is coming for their jobs–except the union-busting oligarch-backed Republicans they tend to vote for. With recent polling trends and the resurgence of unions, could the "dying of whiteness" era finally be on its way out? CNN reports that white working-class voters without a college degree in the Midwest are shifting their support from Donald Trump to Kamala Harris. Even in Nebraska's swing 2nd District—in a heavily Republican state—Harris beats Trump. To dig deeper, we're joined by expert white man Ross Morales-Rocketto, the lead organizer of White Dudes for Harris. Through one Zoom call, Ross and his team raised $4.5 million for the Harris-Walz Campaign, engaging 200,000 participants across all 50 states. But this isn't just a fleeting moment; it's a movement. Ross is on a mission to challenge the toxic masculinity perpetuated by figures like Jordan Peterson and Andrew Tate, promoting a new masculinity defined by empathy and community. He's also the co-founder and co-executive director of Run for Something, which helped elect over 1,000 young people, ushering in a new generation of progressive leaders. We'll also hear from Terrell Starr of the Black Diplomats Podcast and Substack, who will provide crucial insights on dismantling toxic masculinity from a Black queer perspective. For our Patreon subscribers at the Truth-teller level ($5/month) and above, our bonus show, available on August 24th—Ukraine's Independence Day—celebrates the role of art in Ukraine's resistance to Russian fascism and explores how we can address both personal and collective trauma. Subscribe at Patreon.com/Gaslit to join our community, enjoy bonus shows and ad-free episodes, get invites to exclusive events, and more! Join us at a Gaslit Nation event! September 16 at 7:00 PM ET: In-person live taping with Andrea and Terrel Starr at the Ukrainian Institute of America in NYC. Celebrate the release of In the Shadow of Stalin, the graphic novel adaptation of Andrea's film Mr. Jones, directed by Agnieszka Holland. Gaslit Nation Patreon supporters get in free – so message us on Patreon to be added to the guest list. Everyone else can RSVP here: https://ukrainianinstitute.org/event/books-at-the-institute-chalupa/ September 17 at 12:00 PM ET: Virtual live taping with investigative journalist Stephanie Baker, author of Punishing Putin: Inside the Global Economic War to Bring Down Russia. Her book has been highly praised by Bill Browder, the advocate behind the Magnitsky Act to combat Russian corruption. September 18 at 4:00 PM ET: Virtual live taping with the one and only Politics Girl, Leigh McGowan, author of A Return to Common Sense: How to Fix America Before We Really Blow It. September 24 at 12:00 PM ET: Virtual live taping with David Pepper, author of Saving Democracy. Join us as David discusses his new art project based on Project 2025. Gaslit Nation Patreon supporters at the Truth-teller level and higher, join the conversation at our live-tapings! Meet these incredible authors! You can also drop your questions in the chat or send them ahead of time through Patreon! Subscribe at Patreon.com/Gaslit to join the fun! Show Notes Opening Clip: Raphael Warnock at the Democratic National Convention: https://x.com/OmarJimenez/status/1825733269989560692 Inciting rioters in Britain was a test run for Elon Musk. Just see what he plans for America, by Carole Cadwalladr https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/aug/18/inciting-rioters-in-britain-was-a-test-run-for-elon-musk-just-see-what-he-plans-for-america Harris leads Trump in new Nebraska 2nd District poll Most recent local Biden-Trump polling had shown Trump narrowly leading or slightly behind https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/20/harris-leads-trump-in-new-nebraska-2nd-district-poll/ According to polling, Vice President Kamala Harris is gaining momentum with White voters without a college education in key swing states ahead of the 2024 election. CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten breaks down the numbers. https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/13/politics/video/swing-state-poll-data-white-voters-college-harris-trump-enten-digvid
The Democratic National Convention in Chicago next week will be euphoric as Kamala Harris accepts the party nomination. Like every convention, it's also going to be a lobbyist paradise, with giant corporations throwing lavish parties. United Airlines' Josh Earnest, former White House Press Secretary under President Obama, will host an after-party at the company's Chicago headquarters, featuring Elon Musk apologist Walter Isaacson, author of Musk's mythologizing biography. United Airlines has reason to be at the DNC, and it's not to celebrate terrifying passengers with several malfunctions, including wheels falling off and mid-flight engine trouble. They are actively working against Democratic legislation in the Senate to break-up the credit card fee monopoly of Visa and Mastercard, legislation that would save consumers $15 billion. Major airlines like United want to stop it, because they make more profit from credit card mileage programs than from flying planes. United's C.E.O., Scott Kirby, recently gave himself a 90% raise, earning $18.6 million in 2023, just a few years after taxpayers bailed out his airline at the height of the pandemic. Will United Airlines succeed in influencing Democrats at their biggest party in years, at the expense of us all? Reecie Colbert, political commentator and host of Urban View on Sirius XM, joins Gaslit Nation, along with Terrell Starr of the essential Black Diplomats Podcast and Substack, to discuss how to hold a Harris/Walz administration accountable to the hopeful and inclusive vision of America they're running on, as well as how to protect the first Black woman president from white rage and misogyny. We also look at Ukraine's historic surprise invasion of Russia and what it means in the global fight against fascism at home and abroad. This week's bonus show, available to subscribers at the Truth-teller ($5/month) and higher, answers questions from listeners subscribed at the Democracy Defender ($10/month) and higher, with a special look at what to say to white women in Virginia and Georgia thinking of voting for Trump. To get every episode ad free, bonus shows, invites to special events, and more, subscribe at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Thank you to everyone who supports our independent journalism! Book Launch Party for In the Shadow of Stalin: The Story of Mr. Jones – Sept 16 Monday September 16th 7pm at the Ukrainian Institute of America join us for a wine reception and live taping of Gaslit Nation with Terrell Starr for the launch of the graphic novel adaptation of Andrea's film Mr. Jones! Get in free by subscribing at the Truth-teller level or higher on Patreon.com/Gaslit! RSVP here: https://ukrainianinstitute.org/event/books-at-the-institute-chalupa/ Indivisible x Gaslit Nation Phonebank Party! — August 15 at 7pm ET Every third Thursday through election day and on election eve in November we're calling voters in Republican-hostage states in the Midwest with Indivisible to ensure a Democratic Senate. Sign up here to join us: https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/628701/ Sister District x Gaslit Nation Phonebank Parties! – Every Wednesday in October! Every Wednesday through October, we're phone-banking with Sister District, calling voters in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Georgia. Sign up here to join us: https://www.mobilize.us/sisterdistrictnyc/event/642096/ Show Notes: Brooklyn Paper Op-ed | Credit Card Competition Act would put Brooklyn ahead of Wall Street https://www.brooklynpaper.com/credit-card-competition-act/ How the Elon Musk biography exposes Walter Isaacson https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/1/23895069/walter-isaacson-biography-musk-review Your unofficial DNC party checklist https://www.politico.com/newsletters/west-wing-playbook/2024/08/12/your-unofficial-dnc-party-check-list-00173704 Merchants Support Senator Durbin's Comments in Favor of the Credit Card Competition Act https://merchantspaymentscoalition.com/merchants-support-senator-durbins-comments-favor-credit-card-competition-act Airlines Are Just Banks Now They make more money from mileage programs than from flying planes—and it shows. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/09/airlines-banks-mileage-programs/675374/ United Airlines flight attendants picket, say CEO compensation grew 90% https://finance.yahoo.com/news/united-airlines-flight-attendants-picket-214129294.html Moscow's Chkalovsky Airfield Targeted in Drone Attack: Video https://www.newsweek.com/moscow-chkalovsky-airfield-drone-attack-video-1937725 Ukraine claims to control 1,000 sq km of Russian territory https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2lmr29ygjo Brandon Friedman on Twitter: Do not fly United. The last 48 hours: "United Airlines Boeing 777 loses tire while taking off" "United flight out of IAH caught fire" "United flight makes emergency landing after suspected hydraulic failure" "A United Airlines flight veered off the runway and onto the grass" https://x.com/BFriedmanDC/status/1766524616271413250 Meet Reecie Colbert, Host of Sirius XM's The Reecie Colbert Show and Urban View https://reeciecolbert.com/ Black Diplomats Podcast and Substack https://www.blackdiplomats.net/
America will soon have a president who laughs easily and a humorous vice president, leading what will be the most progressive and joyful administration in American history. Kamala Harris made a strong choice by selecting beloved football coach, former teacher, and Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her running mate. This move unites the Democrats' Big Tent coalition, which has historically won them the White House. Walz's heartfelt and straightforward approach won him a U.S. House seat in a rural Republican district and re-election as governor of Minnesota, where he used a slim Democratic majority to achieve bold progressive victories: strengthening LGBTQ+ protections to make Minnesota a refuge for trans people; committing to decarbonization by 2040; protecting reproductive healthcare; significantly reducing child poverty; implementing automatic voter registration; strengthening gun safety laws; signing into law free school meals and free public college; banning forever chemicals known as PFAS; calling for a ceasefire and hostage deal early; and much more. Harris reportedly chose Walz to collaborate on advancing a progressive national agenda, and his humor is an added bonus. Walz won hearts across America by labeling MAGA as “weird,” because it is. His famous charm will destroy J.D. Vance, a fascist tool of dark lord Peter Thiel. Harris and Walz are roughly the same age, which means, if we hold on tight, we could have eight years of President Harris followed by eight years of President Walz, strengthening America's future as we build a sustainable economy for all, especially for the planet. *** You think modern women have it tough now? Not too long ago, in 2007, Christopher Hitchens wrote an essay for Vanity Fair titled, “Why Women Aren't Funny.” In it, he argued, “Whereas women, bless their tender hearts, would prefer that life be fair, and even sweet, rather than the sordid mess it actually is. Jokes about calamitous visits to the doctor or the shrink or the bathroom, or the venting of sexual frustration on furry domestic animals, are a male province.” In his view, women are precious baby-making machines, and that power forces them into being a solemn presence–a reserved audience for men, who have evolved with the purpose of making society laugh. Today, a woman vice president of the United States is the second most powerful person in the world. And the most that her enemies can come up with is that she laughs too much and has never given birth. The slim pickings of criticism of Kamala Harris by MAGA are as thin as Hitchens' arguments, and they all boil down to misogyny that will be relegated to history books. That era was defined by the reign of “the rape joke king” Tucker Max, bestselling author of the book I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell, in case you've blocked him out of your memory. Coming of age during that time, a group of childhood girlfriends decided to create their own satire of this misogynistic hellscape, Betches Media. Joining us this week on Gaslit Nation to make sense of the war on women, past and present, and what to do about it is Sami Sage, co-founder of Betches Media and co-author, along with Emily Amick of the popular civic-action Instagram account Emily in Your Phone, Democracy in Retrograde: How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and Our Lives. This conversation was recorded during one of the darkest weeks in American democracy: the Republican National Convention. As they say, it's aways darkest before the dawn. Much has changed since then, but this conversation with Sami Sage remains as current as ever as we celebrate the opening words of the Gaslit Nation Action Guide: Democracy is a lifestyle. That's the only way we ensure the first Black woman president, and secure our democracy in the critical years to come. Book Launch Reception for In the Shadow of Stalin: The Story of Mr. Jones – Sept 16 Monday September 16th 7pm at the Ukrainian Institute of America join us for a wine reception and live taping of Gaslit Nation with Terrell Starr for the launch of the graphic novel adaptation of Andrea's film Mr. Jones! Get in free by subscribing at the Truth-teller level or higher on Patreon! RSVP here: https://ukrainianinstitute.org/event/books-at-the-institute-chalupa/ Indivisible x Gaslit Nation Phonebank Party! — August 15 at 7pm ET Every third Thursday through election day and on election eve in November we're calling voters in Republican-hostage states in the Midwest with Indivisible to ensure a Democratic Senate. Sign up here to join us: https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/628701/ Sister District x Gaslit Nation Phonebank Parties! – Every Wednesday in October! Every Wednesday through October, we're phone-banking with Sister District, calling voters in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Georgia. Sign up here to join us: https://www.mobilize.us/sisterdistrictnyc/event/642096/ Show Notes: Casablanca clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOeFhSzoTuc Why Women Aren't Funny https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2007/01/hitchens200701 Betches Media https://betches.com/
The American tragedy of Donald J. Trump is about to come to an end with a popular front that elects the first Black and South Asian woman president of the United States. America is ready, and so is Gaslit Nation, with our historic number of phone banks to ensure we rub MAGA's nose in their defeat. The KKK, the Know Nothings, Nazis, MAGA—whatever you want to call them—will always be among us, as hate and ignorance are human nature. What's important now is that we focus on building our political power, not only to elect Kamala Harris but to ensure that she has the Congress and state governments she needs to bring much-needed reforms to our broken system, especially to our courts. We must commit to holding her accountable as president as well as actively call out the racist and misogynistic attacks from the far-right and the media. Build with your community today, because we're going to need each other in these critical and exciting years ahead. In this special episode, Terrell Starr of the Black Diplomats Podcast and Substack, who has interviewed Kamala Harris on a number of occasions, joins Gaslit Nation to discuss why she can win. This week's bonus show, exclusive to our subscribers at the Truth-teller level and higher, includes questions from our listeners subscribed at the Democracy Defender level and higher, and examines what Kamala Harris's foreign policy may look like, especially in regard to Ukraine. Thank you to everyone who supports the show—we could not make Gaslit Nation without you! Join the conversation with a community of listeners at Patreon.com/Gaslit and get bonus shows, all episodes ad free, submit questions to our regular Q&As, get exclusive invites to live events, and more! Subscribe today at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: Book Launch Reception for In the Shadow of Stalin: The Story of Mr. Jones – Sept 16 Monday September 16th 7pm at the Ukrainian Institute of America join us for a wine reception and live taping of Gaslit Nation with Terrell Starr for the launch of the graphic novel adaptation of Andrea's film Mr. Jones! Get in free by subscribing at the Truth-teller level or higher on Patreon! Indivisible x Gaslit Nation Phonebank Party! — August 15 at 7pm ET Every third Thursday through election day and on election eve in November we're calling voters in Republican-hostage states in the Midwest with Indivisible to ensure a Democratic Senate. Sign up here to join us: https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/628701/ Sister District x Gaslit Nation Phonebank Parties! – Every Wednesday in October! Every Wednesday through October, we're phone-banking with Sister District, calling voters in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Georgia. Sign up here to join us: https://www.mobilize.us/sisterdistrictnyc/event/642096/ Terrell Starr of the Blacki Diplomats Podcast & Substack https://terrellstarr.com/ Opening Clip: “Don't ever carry as a personal burden your capacity to do whatever you dream and aspire to do based on other people's limited ability to see who can do what. Sometimes people will open the door for you, sometimes they won't.. and then you need to kick that fucking door down” https://x.com/Acyn/status/1790047553511195053 Clip: “Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY) on his re-election and vetoing anti-trans bills: "All children are children of God … I was going to stand up for the most marginalized children who didn't deserve either a state legislature or an entire campaign picking on them." https://x.com/HeartlandSignal/status/1726806702421610566 Clip: Ashton Pittman: “Flashback 2012: The Obama campaign wasn't ready to endorse marriage equality. But when asked about it, Joe Biden broke with the campaign's messaging and endorsed it. An avalanche of Democrats, including President Obama, soon followed him.” https://x.com/ashtonpittman/status/1815132808790020228 Clip: In praise of Joe Biden: https://x.com/maddenifico/status/1815457006083600802 Stephen Miller Meltdown https://x.com/MollyJongFast/status/1815210257330659594 Drake VS Kendrick Explained to White People https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3uWj2MpydI&t=1s Kendrick Lamar/Kamala Harris mash-up https://x.com/tolstoybb/status/1815102526561419439 America Is Ready for a Black Female President—but Not Kamala Harris by Keli Goff https://www.thedailybeast.com/america-is-ready-for-a-black-female-presidentbut-not-kamala-harris?utm_medium=socialflow&utm_source=twitter_owned_tdb&via=twitter_page&utm_campaign=owned_social
You're telling us to be civil and tone down the rhetoric? Well, excuse us, but we're not the ones who attempted to violently overthrow our democracy! Ignoring a crisis won't solve it. Yet that's exactly what the mainstream media is doing by “both-sidesing” America's political violence crisis driven by the far-right. Much of the mainstream media continues to fall in line, pumping out propaganda to normalize Trump. They claim he'll change this time. But you already know that he won't, because you listen to our show! Meanwhile, these same media outlets continue to fawn over the MAGA fascist rally known as the Republican National Convention, featuring a who's who of Kremlin disinformation agents like Trump's VP pick JD Vance. It's like watching a very dark comedy where the punchline is always at the expense of democracy. Now, for those who crave staying grounded and self-care with facts, this week's bonus show will analyze the GOP's Kremlin Convention and prepare us for the week ahead! We'll dive deep into questions from our Democracy Defender-level supporters ($10/month) and higher, including whether there's a Russian version of AIPAC. To access bonus shows, get all episodes ad-free, enjoy exclusive invites, and more, subscribe at the Truth-teller level ($5/month) or higher! Annual discounts are available so subscribe today! And finally, mark your calendars! The book launch party for the Mr. Jones graphic novel, In the Shadow of Stalin: The Making of Mr. Jones, is on September 16th at the Ukrainian Institute of America at 7 pm. It'll be a live taping of Gaslit Nation, featuring special guests and a wine reception. Gaslit Nation Patreon supporters at the Truth-teller level and higher get in free, so sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit. Thank you to everyone who supports the show – we could not make Gaslit Nation without you! Every third Thursday of the month through the election we're phonebank for Senate races in Republican-hostage states to leave no voter behind! RSVP here to join us: https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/628701/ We're phonebanking every Wednesday in October for state races in the must-win battlegrounds of Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Georgia! RSVP here to join us: https://www.mobilize.us/sisterdistrict/event/642096/?utm_source=2024-natlpb-gn Save the date! Book launch party and live Gaslit Nation taping September 16 at the Ukrainian Institute of America for In the Shadow of Stalin: The Story of Mr. Jones, the graphic novel adaptation of the shooting script for the journalistic thriller, Mr. Jones. Wine reception to follow. Patreon supporters subscribed at the Truth-teller level or higher get in for free! Make sure you're subscribed to be added to the guest list: Patreon.com/Gaslit Got questions? If you're subscribed at the Democracy Defender-level or higher on Patreon, send us your questions for our regular Q&As! They help inspire the show! Show Notes: Bernie Sanders: Joe Biden for President https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/13/opinion/joe-biden-president.html Merrick Garland Both-Sides the Coup https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2022/1/12/merrick-garland-both-sides Thomas Matthew Crooks: What we know about the Trump attacker https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3gw58wv4e9o Southern Poverty Law Center quoted on Thomas Matthew Crooks shooting https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/14/us/trump-shooting-thomas-matthew-crooks-intl-hnk/index.html Trump Shooter Once Donated Money to a Democratic Cause? Some social media users claimed a 69-year-old man with the same name as Trump's would-be assassin actually made the donation. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-shooter-donation/ “Of the 444 people killed at the hands of extremists over the past 10 years, 335 (or 75%) were killed by right-wing extremists.” https://www.adl.org/resources/report/murder-and-extremism-united-states-2022 Report: Domestic Terrorism Is Still a Greater Threat Than Islamic Extremism https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/03/domestic-terror-still-greater-threat-than-islamic-extremism.html White and far-right extremists kill more cops, but FBI tracks black extremists more closely, many worry Read more at: https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article196423174.html#storylink=cpy Is white extremism the biggest domestic terror threat in the US? For years US terror warnings have focused on groups like Al Qaeda or Daesh, but the latest warnings from US law enforcement agencies point to homegrown terrorists as the most immediate danger. https://www.trtworld.com/opinion/is-white-extremism-the-biggest-domestic-terror-threat-in-the-us-27940 The Inside Story of Sean Patrick Maloney's Face Plant in New York https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/11/sean-patrick-maloney-new-york-red-wave-dccc-house.html FEC Document Concludes Trump Paid Actors to Attend Event at Which He Launched 2016 Campaign https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2017/01/trump-paid-actors-to-fill-out-campaign-launch-fec-says.html Mehdi Hasan on Twitter: “Don't know whether to laugh or cry: apparently one of the reasons Vance radicalized and went from moderate Never Trumper to insane MAGA Trumper is because the Netflix movie of his book got panned by liberal movie critics. It was the “last straw”, according to a friend. Amazing.” https://x.com/mehdirhasan/status/1813048609035751843
The 2024 US election is the People vs. the autocrats. Trump is supported by Putin and Netanyahu. They would love to see him back in power. As part of the dictator's playbook, they want to divide and conquer, including weaponizing social movements so that we're fighting each other rather than building power together. How can we tell fact from fiction if progressive social movements are infiltrated by bad actors? For more on that, this week's bonus show is a continuation of the inspiring conversation with Leah Hunt-Hendrix and Astra Taylor, authors of Solidarity: The Past, Present, and Future of a World-Changing Idea. Hunt-Hendrix, who holds a PhD in Religion, Ethics, and Politics from Princeton University, and is a founder of the progressive organizations Solidaire and Way to Win, met Taylor, a co-founder of the Debt Collective (a union of debtors), a filmmaker, and the author of The Age of Insecurity: Coming Together as Things Fall Apart, Democracy May Not Exist But We'll Miss It When It's Gone, and The People's Platform (winner of an American Book Award), among other works, at Occupy Wall Street. They share what they've learned since then on how to stay hopeful while building collective power. To our subscribers at the Democracy Defender ($10/month) and higher, get your questions in by July 11th for our next Q&A bonus show, publishing Saturday July 13th. And be sure to tune into our next live-taping featuring cult expert Dr. Janja Lalich, author of the books Take Back Your Life and Bounded Choice. She is the founder of the nonprofit, the Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion. To get your ticket to the live-taping, be sure to subscribe at the Truth-teller level or higher. Thank you to everyone who supports the show! Cult Expert Dr. Janja Lalich Live-Taping - July 11 8pm ET July 15th kicks off the Republican National Convention/Hitler rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. To help us cope with the mainstream media, especially the New York Times, continuing to normalize Trump and his MAGA cult, we're producing a live taping with cult expert Dr. Janja Lalich. Bring your questions about how to navitage this perilous time of rampant disinformation and manipulation, learn the signs of cult grooming, and how to help loved ones who have fallen victim. This will be Dr. Lalich's second time on the show. You can listen to the interview with her from April 2022 here. In the Shadow of Stalin Book Launch - September 4 7pm ET Gaslit Nation will host a live taping at a book launch in New York City for In the Shadow of Stalin, the graphic novel adaptation of Mr. Jones. It includes scenes that didn't make it into the final cut of the film, or it would have been three hours long! The evening will include a special meet-up just for Patreon supporters. We look forward to sharing more details as we get closer. If you want a book event/live taping of Gaslit Nation in your town or city, let us know! Indivisible x Gaslit Nation Phonebank Party! - July 18 at 7pm ET Open to all, Gaslit Nation and Indivisible are kicking things off early this year, really early! When there's such a thing as Project 2025, there's no time to waste. Come join us for our first phone bank party of the season, as we make calls to our fellow citizens in Republican hostage states, to refuse to abandon those on the frontlines of American authoritarianism, and to plant seeds of change. We're going in! RSVP here to join us! https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/628701/ Thank you to everyone who supports the show – we could not make Gaslit Nation without you!
In a time of hyper-polarization, how do we build the coalitions we need and expand our power against the fascist oligarchs we're up against? To help us make sense of these times, relying on history during eras of social unrest and revolution, are the authors of a new book, Solidarity: The Past, Present, and Future of a World-Changing Idea, Leah Hunt-Hendrix and Astra Taylor. Hunt-Hendrix, who holds a PhD in Religion, Ethics, and Politics from Princeton University, and is a founder of the progressive organizations Solidaire and Way to Win, met Taylor, a co-founder of the Debt Collective (a union of debtors), a filmmaker, and the author of The Age of Insecurity: Coming Together as Things Fall Apart, Democracy May Not Exist But We'll Miss It When It's Gone, and The People's Platform (winner of an American Book Award), among other works, at Occupy Wall Street. They share what they've learned since then on how to stay hopeful while building collective power. To our subscribers at the Democracy Defender ($10/month) and higher, get your questions in by July 11th for our next Q&A bonus show, publishing Saturday July 13th. And be sure to tune into our next live-taping featuring cult expert Dr. Janja Lalich, author of the books Take Back Your Life and Bounded Choice. She is the founder of the nonprofit, the Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion. To get your ticket to the live-taping, be sure to subscribe at the Truth-teller level or higher. Thank you to everyone who supports the show! Cult Expert Dr. Janja Lalich Live-Taping - July 11 8pm ET July 15th kicks off the Republican National Convention/Hitler rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. To help us cope with the mainstream media, especially the New York Times, continuing to normalize Trump and his MAGA cult, we're producing a live taping with cult expert Dr. Janja Lalich. Bring your questions about how to navitage this perilous time of rampant disinformation and manipulation, learn the signs of cult grooming, and how to help loved ones who have fallen victim. This will be Dr. Lalich's second time on the show. You can listen to the interview with her from April 2022 here. In the Shadow of Stalin Book Launch - September 4 7pm ET Gaslit Nation will host a live taping at a book launch in New York City for In the Shadow of Stalin, the graphic novel adaptation of Mr. Jones. It includes scenes that didn't make it into the final cut of the film, or it would have been three hours long! The evening will include a special meet-up just for Patreon supporters. We look forward to sharing more details as we get closer. If you want a book event/live taping of Gaslit Nation in your town or city, let us know! Indivisible x Gaslit Nation Phonebank Party! - July 18 at 7pm ET Open to all, Gaslit Nation and Indivisible are kicking things off early this year, really early! When there's such a thing as Project 2025, there's no time to waste. Come join us for our first phone bank party of the season, as we make calls to our fellow citizens in Republican hostage states, to refuse to abandon those on the frontlines of American authoritarianism, and to plant seeds of change. We're going in! RSVP here to join us! https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/628701/ Thank you to everyone who supports the show – we could not make Gaslit Nation without you! The song you heard at the top of the show was 'Bouge' by Marine Futin. You can find more music by Marine Futin on all streaming platforms or at marinefutin.com.
We just had the G7. There was just a Ukrainian Peace Conference in Switzerland. Here at home we have a wanna be dictator running against a President who fights dictators. Today we talk to international expert Andrea Chalupa about two broad stroke topics, what's going on in Ukraine, because I think most of us have kind of checked out and don't have a clue anymore, and what Trump will offer in a second term in regards to American immigration which, after doing the research is so horrifying that it absolutely can't come to pass. At the end of the day Trump wants to make America Russia and Russia believes it's owed the world and we need to understand both things if we're going to properly fight back. As always, if you find worth in what we do, please consider SUBSCRIBING to PoliticsGirl Premium. You'll get this podcast ad free, along with a bunch of other perks, like the rants directly to your inbox and the knowledge that you're making this kind of highly researched, factual information possible. If that interests you, please go to https://www.politicsgirl.com/premium and subscribe today!! Thank you so much! xoPG Guest social: https://www.andreachalupa.com/ Twitter: @AndreaChalupa @GaslitNation Instagram: @andreachalupa YouTube: @gaslitnation As always, please RATE and SUBSCRIBE so we can grow the show, open the dialogue, and inspire change moving forward! All show links here!: https://linktr.ee/politicsgirl This episode is sponsored by… https://sundaysfordogs.com/politicsgirl code:PoliticsGirl https://rocketmoney.com/politicsgirl https://oneskin.co code: PoliticsGirl https://lumedeodorant.com code: PoliticsGirl
Eighty years after countless people gave their lives liberating Europe, fascism makes a comeback in the recent European elections. In this week's Gaslit Nation, Terrell Starr of the essential Black Diplomats Podcast and Substack joins Andrea to discuss the recent European elections and what they mean for the global democratic alliance, including our own elections in the U.S. Reporting from L'viv, Terrell shares what life is like in Ukraine after MAGA Mike Johnson deliberately delayed Ukraine aid for six critical months. Andrea updates Terrell on the latest in the Trump trial, and they discuss what it means for Ukrainians watching a reality TV horror show of an election in the U.S. that their very democracy depends on. This week's bonus show out Saturday morning, exclusive to subscribers at the Truth-teller ($5/month) and higher on Patreon, is a discussion of why the Democrats don't have their own Project 2025. So Gaslit Nation makes one, with a little help from Elizabeth Warren's plans! We also discuss the toxic industrial complex of far-right funded fake progressives who are paid trolls of foreign enemies/dictatorships like Russia and Iran and anti-democracy American oligarchs like Peter Thiel, bought off to divide and conquer the Left. Subscribe at Patreon.com/Gaslit to hear all bonus shows, get all episodes ad free, invites to exclusive events, and more! Thank you to everyone who supports the show – we could not make Gaslit Nation without you! Here are some of the exciting events we have coming up for our Patreon community: Investigative Journalist Craig Unger Live-Taping - June 25th 12pm ET: June 25th is George Orwell's birthday! Come celebrate with us at a live taping of Gaslit Nation, featuring another fearless journalist, Craig Unger, the author of several bestselling books: House of Trump, House of Putin; House of Bush, House of Saud; and American Kompromat: How the KGB Cultivated Donald Trump, and Related Tales of Sex, Greed, Power, and Treachery (which features his reporting on Jeffrey Epstein's pedophile global crime syndicate). Joining the live-taping will be Russian mafia expert Olga Lautman and European analyst Monique Camarra of Kremlin File. Drop your questions in the chat! Be sure to subscribe at the Truth-teller tier ($5/month) or higher to get your ticket on Patreon.com/Gaslit. A zoom link will be sent out the morning of the event. Thank you to everyone who supports the show! Cult Expert Dr. Janja Lalich Live-Taping - July 15 8pm ET July 15th kicks off the Republican National Convention/Hitler rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. To help us cope with the mainstream media, especially the New York Times, continuing to normalize Trump and his MAGA cult, we're producing a live taping with cult expert Dr. Janja Lalich. Bring your questions about how to navitage this perilous time of rampant disinformation and manipulation, learn the signs of cult grooming, and how to help loved ones who have fallen victim. This will be Dr. Lalich's second time on the show. You can listen to the interview with her from April 2022 here. Subscribe at the Truth-teller tier ($5/month) or higher to get your ticket on Patreon.com/Gaslit. A zoom link will be sent out the morning of the event. Thank you to everyone who supports the show! In the Shadow of Stalin Book Launch - September Gaslit Nation will host a live taping at a book launch in New York City for In the Shadow of Stalin, the graphic novel adaptation of Mr. Jones. It includes scenes that didn't make it into the final cut of the film, or it would have been three hours long! The evening will include a special meet-up just for Patreon supporters. We look forward to sharing more details as we get closer. If you want a book event/live taping of Gaslit Nation in your town or city, let us know! Indivisible x Gaslit Nation Phonebank Party! - June 20th - NEW TIME 7pm ET Open to all, Gaslit Nation and Indivisible are kicking things off early this year, really early! When there's such a thing as Project 2025, there's no time to waste. Come join us for our first phone bank party of the season, as we make calls to our fellow citizens in Republican hostage states, to refuse to abandon those on the frontlines of American authoritarianism, and to plant seeds of change. We're going in! RSVP here to join us! https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/628701/ Show Notes: Black Diplomats on Substack https://terrellstarr.substack.com/ Opening Clip: Breaking down the far-right wins in European elections, Macron's call for election https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khC9zAyNdZI Closing Clip: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared an emotional moment with an American D-Day veteran during a ceremony in Normandy, France, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the historic landing. https://x.com/Newsweek/status/1798831270480552322 Ivan Ilyin, Putin's Philosopher of Russian Fascism https://www.nybooks.com/online/2018/03/16/ivan-ilyin-putins-philosopher-of-russian-fascism/
The two most dangerous presidents in American history lost the popular vote but won the slave state monument, the Electoral College: war criminal George W. Bush and Russian asset Donald Trump. Luckily it's within reach to reform the Electoral College, protecting democracy and the world. Alyssa Cass of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, a bipartisan movement to pass legislation in enough states across the country to ensure that the president is elected by the popular vote, joins Gaslit Nation to explain how to reform the Electoral College. Seventeen states and Washington, DC, with 209 electoral votes total, have already enacted the legislation. This means 61 electoral votes are needed in order for the popular vote–the will of the people–not the outdated and dangerous Electoral College, which gives way too much power to a handful of swing states, determines our elections. To be a part of the movement to reform the Electoral College, check the status of the legislation in your state and get involved: https://www.nationalpopularvote.com/state-status This week's bonus episode, exclusive to supporters at the Truth-teller ($5/month) level and higher, features Russian mafia expert Olga Lautman and European analyst Monique Camarra of the Kremlin File podcast on the making of Vladimir Putin. Listeners at the Democracy Defender ($10/month) level and higher join the conversation on Gaslit Nation's coverage of Israel and Palestine. Thank you so much for all your comments! We always enjoy hearing from you! Here are some of the exciting events we have coming up for our Patreon community at the Truth-teller tier and higher that make Gaslit Nation possible: Investigative Journalist Craig Unger Live-Taping - June 25th 12pm ET: June 25th is George Orwell's birthday! Come celebrate with us at a live taping of Gaslit Nation, featuring another fearless journalist, Craig Unger, the author of several bestselling books: House of Trump, House of Putin; House of Bush, House of Saud; and American Kompromat: How the KGB Cultivated Donald Trump, and Related Tales of Sex, Greed, Power, and Treachery (which features his reporting on Jeffrey Epstein's pedophile global crime syndicate). Joining the live-taping will be Russian mafia expert Olga Lautman and European analyst Monique Camarra of Kremlin File. Drop your questions in the chat! Be sure to subscribe at Patreon.com/Gaslit at the Truth-teller tier ($5/month) or higher to get your ticket. A zoom link will be sent out the morning of the event. Thank you to everyone who supports the show! Cult Expert Dr. Janja Lalich Live-Taping - July 15 8pm ET July 15th kicks off the Republican National Convention/Hitler rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. To help us cope with the mainstream media, especially the New York Times, continuing to normalize Trump and his MAGA cult, we're producing a live taping with cult expert Dr. Janja Lalich. Bring your questions about how to navitage this perilous time of rampant disinformation and manipulation, learn the signs of cult grooming, and how to help loved ones who have fallen victim. This will be Dr. Lalich's second time on the show. You can listen to the interview with her from April 2022 here. In the Shadow of Stalin Book Launch - September Gaslit Nation will host a live taping at a book launch in New York City for In the Shadow of Stalin, the graphic novel adaptation of Mr. Jones. It includes scenes that didn't make it into the final cut of the film, or it would have been three hours long! The evening will include a special meet-up just for Patreon supporters. We look forward to sharing more details as we get closer. If you want a book event/live taping of Gaslit Nation in your town or city, let us know! Indivisible x Gaslit Nation Phonebank Party! - June 20th 8pm ET Open to all, Gaslit Nation and Indivisible are kicking things off early this year, really early! When there's such a thing as Project 2025, there's no time to waste. Come join us for our first phone bank party of the season, as we make calls to our fellow citizens in Republican hostage states, to refuse to abandon those on the frontlines of American authoritarianism, and to plant seeds of change. We're going in! RSVP here to join us! https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/628701/ Show Notes: Pre-Order In the Shadow of Stalin: The Story of Mr. Jones, out this September! https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/In-the-Shadow-of-Stalin-The-Story-of-Mr-Jones/Andrea-Chalupa/9781637152775 The song you heard at the top of the show was 'The Fuel' by Jerrika Mighelle. You can find more music by Jerrika Mighelle on all streaming platforms or at jerrikamighelle.com. And be sure to check out the beautiful official video for 'The Fuel' on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXK32cYuOWs Post-9/11 wars have contributed to some 4.5 million deaths, report suggests https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/05/15/war-on-terror-911-deaths-afghanistan-iraq/ Surveillance and interference: Israel's covert war on the ICC exposed Top Israeli government and security officials have overseen a nine-year surveillance operation targeting the ICC and Palestinian rights groups to try to thwart a war crimes probe, a joint investigation reveals. https://www.972mag.com/icc-israel-surveillance-investigation/ Spying, hacking and intimidation: Israel's nine-year ‘war' on the ICC exposed https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/28/spying-hacking-intimidation-israel-war-icc-exposed Fareed Zakaria: Is Israel committing humanitarian crimes in Gaza? The Israeli gov't strenuously denies it. Aryeh Neier, a giant in the world of human rights who escaped Nazi Germany and later cofounder Human Rights Watch, says the answer is yes. Our conversation from today's GPS: https://x.com/FareedZakaria/status/1794793567543509201 Thomas Piketty's Radical Plan to Redistribute Wealth https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/19/books/review/a-brief-history-of-equality-thomas-piketty.html Why the Voting Rights Act Is Once Again Under Threat https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/06/opinion/why-the-voting-rights-act-is-once-again-under-threat.html William Barr, nation's top lawyer, is a culture warrior Catholic https://www.ncronline.org/news/william-barr-nations-top-lawyer-culture-warrior-catholic Bill Barr, frequent Trump critic, says he will support the ‘Republican ticket' in November https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/18/politics/bill-barr-donald-trump-vote/index.html “I started Occupy Wall Street. Russia tried to co-opt me” https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/02/activist-russia-protest-occupy-black-lives-matter What will Trump jury decide? Here are the three options https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c033m2qdm0no