Sasha, thanks again for hitching your wagon to this ever developing story, and legacy media doubling down on the retard. Taibbi is getting quoted more and more nowadays because he’s on the right side of history. Matt is a 1st rate journalist who I greatly admire.
Not mentioned but important is that the Columbia Journalism Review is hardly an unbiased arbiter in this instance. The Columbia School of Journalism is hand-in-glove with the Pulitzer Committee, so they have every reason to prevaricate on this story.
I think Matt Taibbi was previously a registered Democrat. I don’t know why you see ‘hate’ everywhere. To not like something is not to hate something. Taibbi doesn’t like cancel culture, aspects of the Covid response, left wing identity politics and those that perpetuated or carry water for Russia gate. I agree with those positions and I believe history will as well.
Look at his RNC vs DNC convention live stream. RNC was cheerful and happy and his entire face during the DNC was a complete scowl and anger. In fact during the entire 2024 election he was nasty, dismissive and outright hateful whenever he talked about democrats on his America this week You-tube show cheering and advocating for not just liberals on MSNBC being fired but being humiliated and mocked than fired. I think after the Twitter files he broke inside becoming a very petty man toward all liberals and Democrats.
You mean the party that reclassified him as undesirable, unemployable, and a traitor to all things good and right?
Why would anyone be interested in harming the Democrat party? What could they possibly have done that would warrant such vengeful intent from so many people?
Angry, low-tone fools believe whatever they're told to believe. Critical thinking is too much work. The memory-hole is a cozy, safe place for those who have yet to accept that everything they've latched onto has been a lie.
8+ years of relentlessly vile criticism and egregious lawfare directed at Trump. Trump is Hiter! Is there something that we all missed? I'm done listening to the shrews living in the bleacher seats crying and pouting about "not enough criticism". The usual people whose efforts are spent hamstringing anything that looks like success. Keep losing and hating.
I just don’t understand why you’d criticize Taibbi. He’s a man of integrity and always has been. And he has a right to hate Democrats after the way they treated him during the Twitter Files court proceedings.
I criticize him because he stopped being a journalist and now is a partisan hit-man. I criticize because how bitter and resentful he has become. I criticize him because he refuses to condemn anything in fact praises everything Trump does. If he wants to commit to being a partisan commentator more power to him but that is not the man he used to be or claims to still be.
As I said, he’s probably bitter (and rightly so) about the way he was treated by Democrats while being questioned in court about the Twitter Files . Many of us are resentful towards Democrats these days, we don’t like lying and state sponsored propaganda.
You're correct that devoted MSNBC/CNN-viewers and never-Trumpers will never be swayed by new facts. Those folks will die believing what they've always been told to believe. But, if this goes to trial, especially in Florida, their contorted interpretations and uninformed opinions won't matter a hill of beans. The courts will decide based on the evidence presented at trial, and Brennan and his ilk will be arrested for some well-deserved prison time, (and then hopefully we can throw away the key and move on).
I think the more he hammers it, and he should, the more it will get picked up. And the sooner they can prosecute and all of the sordid details are revealed in a court of law, the so called mainstream media will have to cover it.
Who is Bill Grueskin and who cares what he thinks? "Journalism" jumped the shark years ago and became all about activist politics on the Left and Left only. There is no vestige left of objectivity in journalism. It is no longer "the Truth, and nothing but the Truth". Today it is "whatever lies it takes for our side to win", which is Machiavellian, the end of democracy and the end of justice. That is who Grueskin is, what he represents and who helped destroy the profession of journalism. So we can just ignore this prick and move on with our lives. He means nothing.
Enough people on the left, still believe, if its in the NYT it's the truth. Columbia Journalism Review will be used to bolster that belief.
ME: I believe the NYT is Deep State affiliated, and there will be endless articles to muddy the waters, making prosecuting the case of the conspirators, difficult.
The administration bungled the Epstein files and Trump being Trump, doesn't know how to properly respond to being challenged.
I was pissed to start with but after looking at under calmer feelings, Bondy is the problem with the things she said,"it's right here on my desk". I hope she got a good ass chewing over that and reminded that's strike 2. Welcome to the big league.
Thanks for highlighting the Lee Smith article. MAGA to be destroyed from within is a frightening idea. I never had much use for Bannon, but Tucker's about face has me amazed and disappointed.
I had great hope for the departure of neo-con thinking and knee-jerk reaction from Trump's presidency. I am disappointed that Trump's art of the deal has failed, thus far, to end the war in Ukraine. But I blame Zelenskyy and the European leaders as much as I blame Putin.
I have traveled from wholehearted support of Israel to "everybody is lying about everything and I just want the truth but there is no one to provide the truth". I still support Israel's right to exist. Bannon, Tucker, and Glenn Greenwald (who Lee Smith doesn't mention) are convinced that all the wrong is the Israelis, and Trump's (US) support is wrong and must be stopped. Their opinions have filtered to the MAGA base. But rather than have a robust debate about US support for Israel, it is death by a thousand cuts. This is dispiriting and harmful to our country and Trump.
The three questions to Cruz seem reasonable to me, if somewhat provocative. The rest of this article highlights Carlson at his worst, IMY, but I caution you to consider the source. The NR ain't Buckley's NR, even with the author using Buckley's analysis of Buchannan to "prove" antisemitism. I freely admit that I don't listen to his podcasts as I just don't listen to podcasts, although I am a subscriber. But I've been a Tucker fan for 20+ years so am reluctant to ascribe motives to his admittedly odd turn other than his playing the provocateur. Cooper is nearly my bridge too far, as is Candace Owens, but I'm not there yet.
I was a faithful viewer of Tucker on FOX. I listened to a few of his pods when they came out. I've also listened when he's on Megyn Kelly's podcast. But after those first few pods of Tucker's, especially with questionable people like Andrew Tate, I bailed. I have no regrets either. I think he's lost too many of his marbles.
I tend to agree. Shock jock & contrarian characteristics are helpful in breaking through, so being provocative sure helps. I linked the article because it reflects Carlson's "jew obsession" in his own words, so not faked. It's possible that these were said across several months, but still, it does suggest obsession.
How does the government of Israel treat Christians? In the west, Christian leaders don’t seem interested in knowing the answer. They should be. Here’s the view of a pastor from Bethlehem.
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The comments remind me of 14 year olds. And Not Very Bright 14 year olds.
Because MAGA like Democrats are follow the leader and if you dissent within its ranks you will be pulverized from the base. Be pro-Trump but when its devotion equates to Trump must win no matter the costs its no better than what Democrats did with Biden.
If you’re reading this, you probably care deeply about conserving what makes our societies great—freedom, tradition, family, faith, and the rule of law. You’ve likely watched with frustration as the progressive Left pushes ideas and uses tactics that erode those foundations: cancel culture, identity politics, and moral grandstanding that shuts down debate. You’ve likely cheered when conservatives fight back, whether it’s calling out “Woke” nonsense or rallying for common sense.
But have you noticed something unsettling creeping into our own ranks? A new kind of right-wing activism that fights fire with fire—but risks burning down what we’re trying to protect? That’s what this pamphlet is about: the rise of the Woke Right.
The term “Woke Right” might sound like an oxymoron, like trying to get oil and water to mix. “Woke” is a left-wing thing, right? It conjures images of blue-haired activists lecturing us about pronouns or tearing down statues. So how could it possibly describe the right-wing—people who seem like us, who value liberty, reason, and heritage? Well, in some sense, it doesn’t, but “in some sense” is doing a fair amount of work here.
Whatever, my friend. I'm not trying to stomp anyone's ideology out. I'm getting back at people who did everything they legally could to make my life worse. And that includes the political organizations that blessed their aggressions.
I don't think it applies to my sentiment, and I don't think it applies to most of MAGA. It puts far too much stock in online chatter, when we just got through finding out that the internet isn't where most people live.
The article admits it's talking about a fringe movement. There's nothing more mainstream than giving the people who've been hassling you some instant karma to the back of their heads.
There's no necessary purity test given to see if you're worthy of giving people the comeuppance they've earned. We need not be perfect receptacles of justice and enlightenment. We can be as petty, vindictive, and downright mean as we can manage and it won't even come close to giving these people what they deserve.
MAGA kept hyping making everyone better oh right because its an utter lie. MAGA Trump do not care about the poor working class or democrats just revenge.
The democrats had 4 years to do whatever they wanted with the Epstein files. Publicly they did nothing. Trump has a point that whatever is now in those files may be corrupted & a trap.
Funny all these stories ending in "....gate". I never thought Watergate was that big a deal It was the Democrats and media taking down a Republican President. And since they succeeded, they've only gotten more bold & corrupt.
I completely agree about Steve Bannon. For someone who has done so much for the MAGA movement and has been so prescient in the past, it is shocking to see him to be so clueless. His anti-Israel and anti any immigration positions are also off the rails. He needs to get some rest.
Steve Bannon is on fire. Did you see his recent interview (12 days ago) with PBS Frontline?
Link below is the annotated version.
Bannon explains Trump as only he can. As for Israel, I’ve found that 10/7 and the Holocaust don’t allow supporters of Israel to critically think about that nation. It can do no wrong, and anyone saying otherwise gets the antisemitic label.
Many of Israel’s supporters criticize the Government. It’s when Israel is held to a double standard that no other country is held to that it moves into antisemitism.
Israel is the only ‘democracy’ in a very non democratic neighborhood. This reality gives it plenty of cover, which it artfully uses. I’m all for Israel defending itself and its right to exist. I part ways w/ Israel on the ‘Clean Break’ doctrine that it has executed many parts of (w/ help of US neocons) since late 1990’s. The Clean Break doctrine I believe has also helped fuel a lot of Arab illegal immigration’s into the UK and EU. This was a Pandora’s box that I don’t think neocons could ‘see’ as a result of them destabilizing any and all Near East regimes who supported a Palestinian state. This is an unpopular take w/ those who have tunnel vision on Israel. But to me, as an observer of history and macro trends, it rings true.
The vast Middle East immigration into Europe was caused by the actions of the Russian- supported government of Assad Syria, whose genocidal practice between 2011 and 2016 sent MILLIONS of Muslim migrants fleeing into Europe. MILLIONS—and all at once.Israel has nothing to do with this. Zero.
You are free to think the way you wish. I do not subscribe to that. I watched Bibi come before the US Congress on 2002 and warn that Saddam was working towards WMD’s and once he had them, they would be in the hands of terrorists’. This DIRECTLY helped pave the way towards US attacking Iraq. It’s pretty easy to find the clip on YouTube:
Netanyahu led the Israel government and helped rope my country into a war in Iraq that was also meant to topple Syria. The toppling of Syria just came 15 years behind schedule. You are just the type of Israel lover that can’t see any fault in its actions. Even myself as an American can see my government’s errors.
The Israelis wanted Bush to attack Iran. They **went along** with the US on Iraq because that was Bush and Cheyney and Rumsfeld’s obsession. Sorry—no Jews manipulating anything.
I saw part of the Frontline interview but at this point I'm pretty much done with Bannon. I was a regular listener to the War Room and I've seen Bannon speak several times at Amfest and CPAC. He's a very good speaker and he's been way ahead of the pack in predicting the rise of populism.
Unfortunately I think he has let his petty feuds with people like Elon and Mark Levin cloud his judgement. I think Elon went way overboard in his criticism of Trump but Bannon wants him to be deported and for the government to seize control of SpaceX. That's simply insane.
I don't agree with much of what Mark Levin says and I don't want us to be involved in war with Iran but Bannon's petty name calling is juvenile. I was very skeptical about our bombing of the Iranian nuclear facilities but it didn't start World War III. Bannon should admit he was wrong.
The 10/7 attacks put Israel in a terrible position. And there is really no way for them to win in the court of public opinion. I think they have handled a bad situation poorly. I've yet to see a reasonable explanation of why Israel was so unprepared for the attacks and there hasn't really been any accountability. But none of this justifies calling the war in Gaza genocide. I'm actually quite shocked about how many people went from 0 to Nazi in less than two years. While Bannon hasn't quite joined Tucker and Candace on the crazy train, he seems to not want to upset their followers either. Not exactly a profile in courage.
While I no longer listen to War Room, I still check out Bannon's Gettr feed. He is quite adamant that we should no longer admit any foreign students and those that graduate should be sent home after 30 days. In a country with both declining birth rates and declining test scores this seems to be about the worst policy proposal imaginable. Wanting to have control over our borders and being able to vet those that do come to our country is one thing, but wanting the elimination of all immigrants is something else and makes the MAGA movement appear to be as xenophobic as its critics say.
While I share many of Bannon's misgivings about tech in general and AI in particular, it's not going away. Bannon seems to think that somehow we can stop it but he offers no plan. Ultimately I think his brand of populist nationalism is backwards looking. We can't cut ourselves off from the rest of the world and from technological progress as much as we might wish to.
I am right here with you. Stopped listening to War Room after many years. Bannon is grifting like nobody has ever grifted before. His show has turned into rage bait du jour. I’m so exhausted with him, Tucker and Candace. Three ppl I’ve spent countless hours listening to over the years. I guess we are fortunate they are exposed at this point.
I agree with Bannon on stopping immigration FOR A PERIOD OF TIME (unless there's an emergency). Why? Because at this rate of immigration (even without the illegal immigration "got aways"), native born Americans will be overtaken in about 20 years, so the majority of the population will be either from another country or have parents who are from another country.
The vast majority of immigrants in the past several years entered illegally. This has now been stopped and deportations have begun. So the rate of immigration has already been drastically reduced.
We can and should have a discussion about how many legal migrants we wish to accept in the future and what criteria we should use for acceptance. This number should not be zero. Creative hardworking people are a net benefit to our country and are not a drain on our resources. There is no greater resource than a brilliant human mind.
I agree with you 100%. We need immigrants, but we need to end Ted Kennedy's immigration law and redo it, as you suggested. I was speaking of having it be zero (or as close as possible) for a couple or few years only.
I agree with Bannon on AI and think it could be stopped, at least when it comes to taking over jobs/careers. Make it ONLY for research and development but not for automation. I have one son who was born and raised WITHOUT computers/phone/online being the center of his life and one son who did have computers/phone/online be the center of his life (he was actually given a laptop at school): thinking skills, self-determination, self-sacrifice, optimism (or at least realism instead of pessimism and depression), discipline, follow-through, motivation, etc. is much better with the older son. And note that I never let either of them play "War of Whatever" games. What if we could go back and put child protections on computers? How about we DON'T look back and wish we put limits on AI?
It is one thing for a parent to limit access to electronic devices to his children but it is quite another for the government to impose limits on private companies. How exactly should we restrict the use of AI to private companies without giving the government much more power than they already have?
Good question and I don't have an answer. But I do know that government does ban some things in this country already, for the health and well being of our society and nation and so that could be how it's done. Alone the same vein, my mother was totally in favor of making every single illegal drug legal, because she was pissed that the drug dealers didn't pay any income tax (she was a small biz owner in CA at the time). To be clear, this was way before the super strong drugs that we have today, like fentynal. She changed her mind after I mentioned that the price to be paid by working class/lower middle class (which I was at the time) was unfair and wrong. WE'D have to have the wasted guy throw up in isle 4 in the grocery store, right next to us and our baby. WE'D have to have the erratic driver on drugs causing accidents that caused us major medical bills and maybe a lifetime of pain, etc. I think we need more prudence in our society.
Thanks for recommending it. It was fire. I learned stuff I didn't know and I've been in this game, so to speak, for decades. Everybody should watch it. He repeatedly said that our fight is about getting back to our CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC.
As I previously commented here, one thing that I still do not understand about the current Epstein controversies is Attorney General Bondi saying in February that Epstein's client list was sitting on her desk and then saying last month that no such list ever existed. To my mind, that is an apparent contradiction. How is this difficulty to be explained?
Postscript (8/4/2025):
For the record, here is the February 21, 2025 Fox News "America Reports" interview.
The host John Roberts asked Attorney General Pam Bondi about the potential release of Jeffrey Epstein's client list. His specific question was, "The DOJ may be releasing the list of Jeffrey Epstein's clients. Will that really happen?"
Bondi responded with, "It's sitting on my desk right now to review. That's been a directive by President Trump. I'm reviewing that."
My (unsubstantiated) take is that the Trump administration found out (after digging into Epstein docs) that those documents were ‘spiked’ by deep state actors with fake, manufactured info that makes Trump look bad. And, I don’t see this as overly conspiratorial, considering the Russia gate lies perpetuated against Trump [including Comey using fake Steele Dossier to get secret FISA court clearance to investigate (and soil) Trump further].
This is why I think Trump is pushing for release of 2019 Epstein Grand Jury transcripts. That would be the best info government had to put Jeffrey away for life. And very likely, not poisoned by the deep state. Now there’s a big fight to keep those transcripts sealed. Why is that?
Because those 2019 court transcripts won’t make Trump look bad, that is why.
The 2019 Grand Jury transcripts won’t be released until everyone named in them lawyers up, and a black sharpie is applied to their names.
That said, I still hope it is eventually publicized. And anyone who is against that redacted transcript being released, is not really after truth. But instead after damaging Trump.
Do you have any actual evidence for your hypothesis that deep state actors corrupted the Epstein client list with fake manufactured information, evidence that you can share with us?
I’m unsure on that. Because release of any info on Trump might/would cause pressure to release ‘more info’ that could cast horrible light on the D’s home tribe. So, rather than risk that, spike the punch so it never gets released, because it makes both sides look like scum.
As if. They would have played Trump day and night and nobody would have been ALLOWED to say anything else. Same as it ever was. There is no THERE, there.
I agree completely. Occam's razor says that the simplest explanation is the best. We know how easily the deep state can sabotage and it IS powerful. On Bondi, two things - Trump is VERY loyal and also has unleashed so many people on so many fronts that they will sometimes forge too far ahead and get way out over their skis. What will he do if they are totally loyal, but also promise something that is WAY too dangerous to put out (like some deep state spiked Epstein kompromat?); he would swear that they are loyal and doing a good job, but that what they promised shouldn't happen. Exactly what he has done.
We have the same evidence about Epstein as you do, which is none. But that doesn’t stop you from innuendo games.
Why do I doubt the Epstein files would do the damage you hope for? Because you wouldn’t have used “felonious bookkeeping” to try to imprison Trump if you could have gone with Epstein and pedophilia.
No, I don’t. I’m just giving a hypothesis for why the 180 on Epstein file release. Another explanation why the 180 is if those files implicated Israel / Mossad. Ghiselie’s dad worked for Mossad and we still don’t have clear line of sight on how Epstein became so rich, so fast. But (Victoria Secrets) billionaire owner Les Wexner is part of that origin story. Les even gave Epstein Power of Attorney over him, which is very strange. How many L Brand models became part of the sex ring for the elite & powerful? Was Epstein a Financial Fixer between government, private business and Intel agencies? Were the ‘girls’ part of sealing those ‘Iran-Contra’ type deals?
The MSM is never (ever) going to explore these theories because they don’t place Trump in a bad light. So, just because you don’t find them there doesn’t mean they are not plausible. The MSM nowadays is pure propaganda for the side of politics their owners support.
Just like Matt Talibi and other Conservative media both exploring ANYTHING Trump related in a bad light. They are so afraid of the base revolting or boycotting them especially if Trump calls for it. MSM Is terrible but Trumps controlled media world its just as bad.
I don’t know if it matters, but Bondi clarified saying the “file” was on her desk, not a “ list”. She obviously made a mistake in speaking out of turn about a matter in which she hadn’t yet investigated all the facts. It seems once investigated, the situation became more complicated than expected. 🤷🏻♀️
On February 21, 2025 during an interview on Fox News' "America Reports," Attorney General Pam Bondi was asked by host John Roberts about the potential release of Jeffrey Epstein's client list.
Roberts' specific question was, "The DOJ may be releasing the list of Jeffrey Epstein's clients. Will that really happen?"
Bondi responded with, "It's sitting on my desk right now to review. That's been a directive by President Trump. I'm reviewing that."
So both Roberts' question and Bondi's response referred to the Epstein client list.
Sasha, I think that your writings place you in the same arena as Daniel Bell, Seymour Martin Lipset and Walter Lippmann. Stay healthy. We need your voice of reason that is directed right and left.
Excellent Lee Smith article. Nice to hear from Truth tellers who've not been corrupted/bribed by foreign/subversive interests. I read an Epoch Times article recently on influencers paid by foreign adversaries to produce anti US/Israel material, I suspect so called influencers like Bannon, Tucker & others of their ilk have participated.
I've avoided most things Epstein because I'd rather spend time in my garden, on my bee hives or with my dog.
However, I did read that fine Tablet piece and just listened to: Against the Grain - The Epstein Myth, by M. Schmitz and J. Yost - which is a coherent view on who Epstein was. It's the wheat from the chaff. The podcast may be of worth to readers here.
p.s. I'm proud to be one of Matt's 1st subscribers.
While it may well be true that there is nothing more ( or nothing more still in existance) to the Epstein story, much of MAGA are really invested in seeing some elites brought down on charges in this case. The Democrats are joyously exploiting this failure to find evidence, even if all logic says that any initiations against Trump or his friends is completely balmy. Not because they are of such better character, but because any Democrat would have used the info when they had a chance before the election. It is a bitter pill that there are nor will there be any indictments. And, I fear, there will also be a major let down when the Russiagate mess ends up with no convictions, and perhaps not even any indictments as well.
What you're seeing here is a death rattle from the legacy media. They long ago stopped reporting the news and instead chose sides. Editorial routinely appears on Page One above the fold. It's clear to everyone and illustrates a key finding: Legacy media has shrunk to the point where they are preaching only to a niche audience looking for confirmation bias. They'll never moderate their approach for fear of losing the last of their subscribers.
It's a lousy business model but it's all they have now.
What happens next is further layoffs, consolidation, and grief. They're toast. And the Democrats have lost the only tool they had left to cover up their radicalism. It's going to be a long slog into the wilderness.
So much for the NY Times having any respect among the public.
Donald Trump was much more involved with Jeffrey than he will ever admit to, but then he refused to admit to sex with Stormy Daniels (which was already known), so Stormy went into painstaking detail about the brief sexual encounter.
Harris was worse, so people voted against her, not for Trump. Trump is rambling incoherently at times with world leaders and other comms, and recently posted that Taylor Swift was booed out of the Super Bowl because Trump criticized her. What? Swift was booed by some people because of her being a KC Chiefs fan. She is up to 260+ million followers on Instagram, and tens of millions or over a hundred million on other major social media platforms. Trump's numbers are paltry compared to Swift. She doesn't care what he thinks or does except as a president, and her fans couldn't care less what Trump thinks about Taylor.
He is losing the plot and sadly is going to end up like Biden--out of touch and out of control.
Sasha, thanks again for hitching your wagon to this ever developing story, and legacy media doubling down on the retard. Taibbi is getting quoted more and more nowadays because he’s on the right side of history. Matt is a 1st rate journalist who I greatly admire.
Matt Taibbi has assembled a heavy steel gauntlet and swacked it across the chops of the NYT and its hit man, Charlie Savage.
Not mentioned but important is that the Columbia Journalism Review is hardly an unbiased arbiter in this instance. The Columbia School of Journalism is hand-in-glove with the Pulitzer Committee, so they have every reason to prevaricate on this story.
The only reason why you say he is on the right side of history is because of his hate toward democrats.
I think Matt Taibbi was previously a registered Democrat. I don’t know why you see ‘hate’ everywhere. To not like something is not to hate something. Taibbi doesn’t like cancel culture, aspects of the Covid response, left wing identity politics and those that perpetuated or carry water for Russia gate. I agree with those positions and I believe history will as well.
In testimony on the Twitter Files, Taibbi stated that he voted for Biden in the previous election cycle.
He's afraid.
He knows what he and his fellow travelers did, and what they deserve, and he's (justifiably) terrified of it.
It's the wailing of the condemned that it's your hate, not their crime, that has them waiting for the gallows.
Look at his RNC vs DNC convention live stream. RNC was cheerful and happy and his entire face during the DNC was a complete scowl and anger. In fact during the entire 2024 election he was nasty, dismissive and outright hateful whenever he talked about democrats on his America this week You-tube show cheering and advocating for not just liberals on MSNBC being fired but being humiliated and mocked than fired. I think after the Twitter files he broke inside becoming a very petty man toward all liberals and Democrats.
Maybe he doesn't like how the Democrat party has degenerated into a pedo-loving, Communist party.
Or the fact he became a bitter human being more interested in burning one party down.
You mean the party that reclassified him as undesirable, unemployable, and a traitor to all things good and right?
Why would anyone be interested in harming the Democrat party? What could they possibly have done that would warrant such vengeful intent from so many people?
Or a normal reaction to anyone paying attention to what the Democrat party has become since they elected the rapist twice.
They elected Trump?
How can you actually believe what you write?
Angry, low-tone fools believe whatever they're told to believe. Critical thinking is too much work. The memory-hole is a cozy, safe place for those who have yet to accept that everything they've latched onto has been a lie.
I never seen you have critical thinking just defend Trump at all costs and anyone can bot defend.
8+ years of relentlessly vile criticism and egregious lawfare directed at Trump. Trump is Hiter! Is there something that we all missed? I'm done listening to the shrews living in the bleacher seats crying and pouting about "not enough criticism". The usual people whose efforts are spent hamstringing anything that looks like success. Keep losing and hating.
Obama had 8 years of vile attacks on his faith or calling him trans or Michelle a man. You wont get much pity from me on this subject.
Simple I do not cult worship unlike many people here.
I just don’t understand why you’d criticize Taibbi. He’s a man of integrity and always has been. And he has a right to hate Democrats after the way they treated him during the Twitter Files court proceedings.
I criticize him because he stopped being a journalist and now is a partisan hit-man. I criticize because how bitter and resentful he has become. I criticize him because he refuses to condemn anything in fact praises everything Trump does. If he wants to commit to being a partisan commentator more power to him but that is not the man he used to be or claims to still be.
As I said, he’s probably bitter (and rightly so) about the way he was treated by Democrats while being questioned in court about the Twitter Files . Many of us are resentful towards Democrats these days, we don’t like lying and state sponsored propaganda.
One cannot tell the truth about the modern Democrat party without shitting all over them. It's not Matt.
Saw it. A gruesome take down that will only be appreciated by people already in our camp. Also, way too long. Nevertheless, go Matt.
You're correct that devoted MSNBC/CNN-viewers and never-Trumpers will never be swayed by new facts. Those folks will die believing what they've always been told to believe. But, if this goes to trial, especially in Florida, their contorted interpretations and uninformed opinions won't matter a hill of beans. The courts will decide based on the evidence presented at trial, and Brennan and his ilk will be arrested for some well-deserved prison time, (and then hopefully we can throw away the key and move on).
I have more faith in the courts than the media but not much.
I think the more he hammers it, and he should, the more it will get picked up. And the sooner they can prosecute and all of the sordid details are revealed in a court of law, the so called mainstream media will have to cover it.
Really. The "so-called mainstream media" have a proven record of Olympic not-seeing and of not-printing that which doesn't fit The Agenda.
Oh, I know. There is no way to avoid it and keep any credibility if they are in court.
Who is Bill Grueskin and who cares what he thinks? "Journalism" jumped the shark years ago and became all about activist politics on the Left and Left only. There is no vestige left of objectivity in journalism. It is no longer "the Truth, and nothing but the Truth". Today it is "whatever lies it takes for our side to win", which is Machiavellian, the end of democracy and the end of justice. That is who Grueskin is, what he represents and who helped destroy the profession of journalism. So we can just ignore this prick and move on with our lives. He means nothing.
Enough people on the left, still believe, if its in the NYT it's the truth. Columbia Journalism Review will be used to bolster that belief.
ME: I believe the NYT is Deep State affiliated, and there will be endless articles to muddy the waters, making prosecuting the case of the conspirators, difficult.
The administration bungled the Epstein files and Trump being Trump, doesn't know how to properly respond to being challenged.
I think it was always about helping a side win. We just have more opportunities to see behind curtains.
I was pissed to start with but after looking at under calmer feelings, Bondy is the problem with the things she said,"it's right here on my desk". I hope she got a good ass chewing over that and reminded that's strike 2. Welcome to the big league.
Thanks for highlighting the Lee Smith article. MAGA to be destroyed from within is a frightening idea. I never had much use for Bannon, but Tucker's about face has me amazed and disappointed.
I had great hope for the departure of neo-con thinking and knee-jerk reaction from Trump's presidency. I am disappointed that Trump's art of the deal has failed, thus far, to end the war in Ukraine. But I blame Zelenskyy and the European leaders as much as I blame Putin.
I have traveled from wholehearted support of Israel to "everybody is lying about everything and I just want the truth but there is no one to provide the truth". I still support Israel's right to exist. Bannon, Tucker, and Glenn Greenwald (who Lee Smith doesn't mention) are convinced that all the wrong is the Israelis, and Trump's (US) support is wrong and must be stopped. Their opinions have filtered to the MAGA base. But rather than have a robust debate about US support for Israel, it is death by a thousand cuts. This is dispiriting and harmful to our country and Trump.
https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2025/09/tucker-carlsons-dark-turn/
The three questions to Cruz seem reasonable to me, if somewhat provocative. The rest of this article highlights Carlson at his worst, IMY, but I caution you to consider the source. The NR ain't Buckley's NR, even with the author using Buckley's analysis of Buchannan to "prove" antisemitism. I freely admit that I don't listen to his podcasts as I just don't listen to podcasts, although I am a subscriber. But I've been a Tucker fan for 20+ years so am reluctant to ascribe motives to his admittedly odd turn other than his playing the provocateur. Cooper is nearly my bridge too far, as is Candace Owens, but I'm not there yet.
I was a faithful viewer of Tucker on FOX. I listened to a few of his pods when they came out. I've also listened when he's on Megyn Kelly's podcast. But after those first few pods of Tucker's, especially with questionable people like Andrew Tate, I bailed. I have no regrets either. I think he's lost too many of his marbles.
I tend to agree. Shock jock & contrarian characteristics are helpful in breaking through, so being provocative sure helps. I linked the article because it reflects Carlson's "jew obsession" in his own words, so not faked. It's possible that these were said across several months, but still, it does suggest obsession.
As much as I'd like to argue, I fear you may be correct. I'm not done yet, but closer than I ever thought I would be.
"I never had much use for Bannon,"
In Bannonland its All About Him.
"but Tucker's about face has me amazed and disappointed."
At 1st I tried to give him the befit of the doubt, And THEN Came This.
How Does the Government of Israel Treat Christians? Christian Leaders in the West Should Care
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHayOkXe5ig
Apr 9, 2024 #TuckerCarlson #MikeJohnson #Hamas
How does the government of Israel treat Christians? In the west, Christian leaders don’t seem interested in knowing the answer. They should be. Here’s the view of a pastor from Bethlehem.
_______________________________
The comments remind me of 14 year olds. And Not Very Bright 14 year olds.
Because MAGA like Democrats are follow the leader and if you dissent within its ranks you will be pulverized from the base. Be pro-Trump but when its devotion equates to Trump must win no matter the costs its no better than what Democrats did with Biden.
Under what onus are we obligated to be "better than Democrats" when it comes to political warfare?
You certainly weren't. Our turn.
A Beginner’s Guide to the Woke Right
July 3, 2025
Grokkus Babeuf and James Lindsay
https://newdiscourses.com/2025/07/a-beginners-guide-to-the-woke-right/
Introduction: What’s Going On, and Why It Matters
If you’re reading this, you probably care deeply about conserving what makes our societies great—freedom, tradition, family, faith, and the rule of law. You’ve likely watched with frustration as the progressive Left pushes ideas and uses tactics that erode those foundations: cancel culture, identity politics, and moral grandstanding that shuts down debate. You’ve likely cheered when conservatives fight back, whether it’s calling out “Woke” nonsense or rallying for common sense.
But have you noticed something unsettling creeping into our own ranks? A new kind of right-wing activism that fights fire with fire—but risks burning down what we’re trying to protect? That’s what this pamphlet is about: the rise of the Woke Right.
The term “Woke Right” might sound like an oxymoron, like trying to get oil and water to mix. “Woke” is a left-wing thing, right? It conjures images of blue-haired activists lecturing us about pronouns or tearing down statues. So how could it possibly describe the right-wing—people who seem like us, who value liberty, reason, and heritage? Well, in some sense, it doesn’t, but “in some sense” is doing a fair amount of work here.
(Snip)
Phhbbbtt!
Whatever, my friend. I'm not trying to stomp anyone's ideology out. I'm getting back at people who did everything they legally could to make my life worse. And that includes the political organizations that blessed their aggressions.
Be VERY Careful going down that Road. And did you Actually Read the article? I Have My Doubts. Cite/quote What you disagree with.
I don't think it applies to my sentiment, and I don't think it applies to most of MAGA. It puts far too much stock in online chatter, when we just got through finding out that the internet isn't where most people live.
The article admits it's talking about a fringe movement. There's nothing more mainstream than giving the people who've been hassling you some instant karma to the back of their heads.
There's no necessary purity test given to see if you're worthy of giving people the comeuppance they've earned. We need not be perfect receptacles of justice and enlightenment. We can be as petty, vindictive, and downright mean as we can manage and it won't even come close to giving these people what they deserve.
Here is what happens when you go down THAT Road.
James Lindsay | The Woke Right
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5TOa8aiMlg
May 21, 2025
James Lindsay discusses the term "The Woke Right" and who it is.
MAGA kept hyping making everyone better oh right because its an utter lie. MAGA Trump do not care about the poor working class or democrats just revenge.
Agree. That's where I am.
The democrats had 4 years to do whatever they wanted with the Epstein files. Publicly they did nothing. Trump has a point that whatever is now in those files may be corrupted & a trap.
Funny all these stories ending in "....gate". I never thought Watergate was that big a deal It was the Democrats and media taking down a Republican President. And since they succeeded, they've only gotten more bold & corrupt.
I mean it's not one or the other. One should be concerned about Epstein and the Russian hoax.
I completely agree about Steve Bannon. For someone who has done so much for the MAGA movement and has been so prescient in the past, it is shocking to see him to be so clueless. His anti-Israel and anti any immigration positions are also off the rails. He needs to get some rest.
Steve Bannon is on fire. Did you see his recent interview (12 days ago) with PBS Frontline?
Link below is the annotated version.
Bannon explains Trump as only he can. As for Israel, I’ve found that 10/7 and the Holocaust don’t allow supporters of Israel to critically think about that nation. It can do no wrong, and anyone saying otherwise gets the antisemitic label.
https://youtu.be/NAgh90cC4KI?si=Qc26v_gvCJiuduVO
Many of Israel’s supporters criticize the Government. It’s when Israel is held to a double standard that no other country is held to that it moves into antisemitism.
Israel is the only ‘democracy’ in a very non democratic neighborhood. This reality gives it plenty of cover, which it artfully uses. I’m all for Israel defending itself and its right to exist. I part ways w/ Israel on the ‘Clean Break’ doctrine that it has executed many parts of (w/ help of US neocons) since late 1990’s. The Clean Break doctrine I believe has also helped fuel a lot of Arab illegal immigration’s into the UK and EU. This was a Pandora’s box that I don’t think neocons could ‘see’ as a result of them destabilizing any and all Near East regimes who supported a Palestinian state. This is an unpopular take w/ those who have tunnel vision on Israel. But to me, as an observer of history and macro trends, it rings true.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Clean_Break:_A_New_Strategy_for_Securing_the_Realm
The vast Middle East immigration into Europe was caused by the actions of the Russian- supported government of Assad Syria, whose genocidal practice between 2011 and 2016 sent MILLIONS of Muslim migrants fleeing into Europe. MILLIONS—and all at once.Israel has nothing to do with this. Zero.
You are free to think the way you wish. I do not subscribe to that. I watched Bibi come before the US Congress on 2002 and warn that Saddam was working towards WMD’s and once he had them, they would be in the hands of terrorists’. This DIRECTLY helped pave the way towards US attacking Iraq. It’s pretty easy to find the clip on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/shorts/33vOBjMpXTo?si=qT1Fu7ta24cZDGwi
Netanyahu led the Israel government and helped rope my country into a war in Iraq that was also meant to topple Syria. The toppling of Syria just came 15 years behind schedule. You are just the type of Israel lover that can’t see any fault in its actions. Even myself as an American can see my government’s errors.
The Israelis wanted Bush to attack Iran. They **went along** with the US on Iraq because that was Bush and Cheyney and Rumsfeld’s obsession. Sorry—no Jews manipulating anything.
The migration was caused by Angela Merkel and her fans.
Merkel welcomed the millions of Muslim immigrants, but the refugees created by Putin and Assad in genocidal policies in Syria.
I saw part of the Frontline interview but at this point I'm pretty much done with Bannon. I was a regular listener to the War Room and I've seen Bannon speak several times at Amfest and CPAC. He's a very good speaker and he's been way ahead of the pack in predicting the rise of populism.
Unfortunately I think he has let his petty feuds with people like Elon and Mark Levin cloud his judgement. I think Elon went way overboard in his criticism of Trump but Bannon wants him to be deported and for the government to seize control of SpaceX. That's simply insane.
I don't agree with much of what Mark Levin says and I don't want us to be involved in war with Iran but Bannon's petty name calling is juvenile. I was very skeptical about our bombing of the Iranian nuclear facilities but it didn't start World War III. Bannon should admit he was wrong.
The 10/7 attacks put Israel in a terrible position. And there is really no way for them to win in the court of public opinion. I think they have handled a bad situation poorly. I've yet to see a reasonable explanation of why Israel was so unprepared for the attacks and there hasn't really been any accountability. But none of this justifies calling the war in Gaza genocide. I'm actually quite shocked about how many people went from 0 to Nazi in less than two years. While Bannon hasn't quite joined Tucker and Candace on the crazy train, he seems to not want to upset their followers either. Not exactly a profile in courage.
While I no longer listen to War Room, I still check out Bannon's Gettr feed. He is quite adamant that we should no longer admit any foreign students and those that graduate should be sent home after 30 days. In a country with both declining birth rates and declining test scores this seems to be about the worst policy proposal imaginable. Wanting to have control over our borders and being able to vet those that do come to our country is one thing, but wanting the elimination of all immigrants is something else and makes the MAGA movement appear to be as xenophobic as its critics say.
While I share many of Bannon's misgivings about tech in general and AI in particular, it's not going away. Bannon seems to think that somehow we can stop it but he offers no plan. Ultimately I think his brand of populist nationalism is backwards looking. We can't cut ourselves off from the rest of the world and from technological progress as much as we might wish to.
I am right here with you. Stopped listening to War Room after many years. Bannon is grifting like nobody has ever grifted before. His show has turned into rage bait du jour. I’m so exhausted with him, Tucker and Candace. Three ppl I’ve spent countless hours listening to over the years. I guess we are fortunate they are exposed at this point.
I agree with Bannon on stopping immigration FOR A PERIOD OF TIME (unless there's an emergency). Why? Because at this rate of immigration (even without the illegal immigration "got aways"), native born Americans will be overtaken in about 20 years, so the majority of the population will be either from another country or have parents who are from another country.
The vast majority of immigrants in the past several years entered illegally. This has now been stopped and deportations have begun. So the rate of immigration has already been drastically reduced.
We can and should have a discussion about how many legal migrants we wish to accept in the future and what criteria we should use for acceptance. This number should not be zero. Creative hardworking people are a net benefit to our country and are not a drain on our resources. There is no greater resource than a brilliant human mind.
I agree with you 100%. We need immigrants, but we need to end Ted Kennedy's immigration law and redo it, as you suggested. I was speaking of having it be zero (or as close as possible) for a couple or few years only.
I appreciate your views, and agree that careful immigration is good for our country.
I agree with Bannon on AI and think it could be stopped, at least when it comes to taking over jobs/careers. Make it ONLY for research and development but not for automation. I have one son who was born and raised WITHOUT computers/phone/online being the center of his life and one son who did have computers/phone/online be the center of his life (he was actually given a laptop at school): thinking skills, self-determination, self-sacrifice, optimism (or at least realism instead of pessimism and depression), discipline, follow-through, motivation, etc. is much better with the older son. And note that I never let either of them play "War of Whatever" games. What if we could go back and put child protections on computers? How about we DON'T look back and wish we put limits on AI?
It is one thing for a parent to limit access to electronic devices to his children but it is quite another for the government to impose limits on private companies. How exactly should we restrict the use of AI to private companies without giving the government much more power than they already have?
Good question and I don't have an answer. But I do know that government does ban some things in this country already, for the health and well being of our society and nation and so that could be how it's done. Alone the same vein, my mother was totally in favor of making every single illegal drug legal, because she was pissed that the drug dealers didn't pay any income tax (she was a small biz owner in CA at the time). To be clear, this was way before the super strong drugs that we have today, like fentynal. She changed her mind after I mentioned that the price to be paid by working class/lower middle class (which I was at the time) was unfair and wrong. WE'D have to have the wasted guy throw up in isle 4 in the grocery store, right next to us and our baby. WE'D have to have the erratic driver on drugs causing accidents that caused us major medical bills and maybe a lifetime of pain, etc. I think we need more prudence in our society.
Thanks for recommending it. It was fire. I learned stuff I didn't know and I've been in this game, so to speak, for decades. Everybody should watch it. He repeatedly said that our fight is about getting back to our CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC.
As I previously commented here, one thing that I still do not understand about the current Epstein controversies is Attorney General Bondi saying in February that Epstein's client list was sitting on her desk and then saying last month that no such list ever existed. To my mind, that is an apparent contradiction. How is this difficulty to be explained?
Postscript (8/4/2025):
For the record, here is the February 21, 2025 Fox News "America Reports" interview.
The host John Roberts asked Attorney General Pam Bondi about the potential release of Jeffrey Epstein's client list. His specific question was, "The DOJ may be releasing the list of Jeffrey Epstein's clients. Will that really happen?"
Bondi responded with, "It's sitting on my desk right now to review. That's been a directive by President Trump. I'm reviewing that."
My (unsubstantiated) take is that the Trump administration found out (after digging into Epstein docs) that those documents were ‘spiked’ by deep state actors with fake, manufactured info that makes Trump look bad. And, I don’t see this as overly conspiratorial, considering the Russia gate lies perpetuated against Trump [including Comey using fake Steele Dossier to get secret FISA court clearance to investigate (and soil) Trump further].
This is why I think Trump is pushing for release of 2019 Epstein Grand Jury transcripts. That would be the best info government had to put Jeffrey away for life. And very likely, not poisoned by the deep state. Now there’s a big fight to keep those transcripts sealed. Why is that?
Because those 2019 court transcripts won’t make Trump look bad, that is why.
The 2019 Grand Jury transcripts won’t be released until everyone named in them lawyers up, and a black sharpie is applied to their names.
That said, I still hope it is eventually publicized. And anyone who is against that redacted transcript being released, is not really after truth. But instead after damaging Trump.
Do you have any actual evidence for your hypothesis that deep state actors corrupted the Epstein client list with fake manufactured information, evidence that you can share with us?
If Trumps name was on any Epstein documents, Biden administration would have released it
Knowing what we’ve learned in past weeks, we know the corruption runs deep and many would not hesitate to frame trump
It’s all logical common sense
I’m unsure on that. Because release of any info on Trump might/would cause pressure to release ‘more info’ that could cast horrible light on the D’s home tribe. So, rather than risk that, spike the punch so it never gets released, because it makes both sides look like scum.
That is more logical, to me.
As if. They would have played Trump day and night and nobody would have been ALLOWED to say anything else. Same as it ever was. There is no THERE, there.
I agree completely. Occam's razor says that the simplest explanation is the best. We know how easily the deep state can sabotage and it IS powerful. On Bondi, two things - Trump is VERY loyal and also has unleashed so many people on so many fronts that they will sometimes forge too far ahead and get way out over their skis. What will he do if they are totally loyal, but also promise something that is WAY too dangerous to put out (like some deep state spiked Epstein kompromat?); he would swear that they are loyal and doing a good job, but that what they promised shouldn't happen. Exactly what he has done.
We have the same evidence about Epstein as you do, which is none. But that doesn’t stop you from innuendo games.
Why do I doubt the Epstein files would do the damage you hope for? Because you wouldn’t have used “felonious bookkeeping” to try to imprison Trump if you could have gone with Epstein and pedophilia.
My thoughts exactly.
No, I don’t. I’m just giving a hypothesis for why the 180 on Epstein file release. Another explanation why the 180 is if those files implicated Israel / Mossad. Ghiselie’s dad worked for Mossad and we still don’t have clear line of sight on how Epstein became so rich, so fast. But (Victoria Secrets) billionaire owner Les Wexner is part of that origin story. Les even gave Epstein Power of Attorney over him, which is very strange. How many L Brand models became part of the sex ring for the elite & powerful? Was Epstein a Financial Fixer between government, private business and Intel agencies? Were the ‘girls’ part of sealing those ‘Iran-Contra’ type deals?
The MSM is never (ever) going to explore these theories because they don’t place Trump in a bad light. So, just because you don’t find them there doesn’t mean they are not plausible. The MSM nowadays is pure propaganda for the side of politics their owners support.
Just like Matt Talibi and other Conservative media both exploring ANYTHING Trump related in a bad light. They are so afraid of the base revolting or boycotting them especially if Trump calls for it. MSM Is terrible but Trumps controlled media world its just as bad.
I don’t know if it matters, but Bondi clarified saying the “file” was on her desk, not a “ list”. She obviously made a mistake in speaking out of turn about a matter in which she hadn’t yet investigated all the facts. It seems once investigated, the situation became more complicated than expected. 🤷🏻♀️
On February 21, 2025 during an interview on Fox News' "America Reports," Attorney General Pam Bondi was asked by host John Roberts about the potential release of Jeffrey Epstein's client list.
Roberts' specific question was, "The DOJ may be releasing the list of Jeffrey Epstein's clients. Will that really happen?"
Bondi responded with, "It's sitting on my desk right now to review. That's been a directive by President Trump. I'm reviewing that."
So both Roberts' question and Bondi's response referred to the Epstein client list.
Sasha, I think that your writings place you in the same arena as Daniel Bell, Seymour Martin Lipset and Walter Lippmann. Stay healthy. We need your voice of reason that is directed right and left.
Voice of the Conservative not voice of reason.
Excellent Lee Smith article. Nice to hear from Truth tellers who've not been corrupted/bribed by foreign/subversive interests. I read an Epoch Times article recently on influencers paid by foreign adversaries to produce anti US/Israel material, I suspect so called influencers like Bannon, Tucker & others of their ilk have participated.
A related substack on topic of all the so-called MAGA influencers on Twitter (X) who are working in opposition to Trump/MAGA freedom & liberty & likely being funded by Iran, CCP - the so-called RED-GREEN AXIS. ~ https://tierneyrealnewsnetwork.substack.com/p/fog-of-war-update?publication_id=728707&post_id=166417115&isFreemail=true&r=yiwmd&triedRedirect=true
I've avoided most things Epstein because I'd rather spend time in my garden, on my bee hives or with my dog.
However, I did read that fine Tablet piece and just listened to: Against the Grain - The Epstein Myth, by M. Schmitz and J. Yost - which is a coherent view on who Epstein was. It's the wheat from the chaff. The podcast may be of worth to readers here.
p.s. I'm proud to be one of Matt's 1st subscribers.
While it may well be true that there is nothing more ( or nothing more still in existance) to the Epstein story, much of MAGA are really invested in seeing some elites brought down on charges in this case. The Democrats are joyously exploiting this failure to find evidence, even if all logic says that any initiations against Trump or his friends is completely balmy. Not because they are of such better character, but because any Democrat would have used the info when they had a chance before the election. It is a bitter pill that there are nor will there be any indictments. And, I fear, there will also be a major let down when the Russiagate mess ends up with no convictions, and perhaps not even any indictments as well.
What you're seeing here is a death rattle from the legacy media. They long ago stopped reporting the news and instead chose sides. Editorial routinely appears on Page One above the fold. It's clear to everyone and illustrates a key finding: Legacy media has shrunk to the point where they are preaching only to a niche audience looking for confirmation bias. They'll never moderate their approach for fear of losing the last of their subscribers.
It's a lousy business model but it's all they have now.
What happens next is further layoffs, consolidation, and grief. They're toast. And the Democrats have lost the only tool they had left to cover up their radicalism. It's going to be a long slog into the wilderness.
So much for the NY Times having any respect among the public.
Donald Trump was much more involved with Jeffrey than he will ever admit to, but then he refused to admit to sex with Stormy Daniels (which was already known), so Stormy went into painstaking detail about the brief sexual encounter.
Harris was worse, so people voted against her, not for Trump. Trump is rambling incoherently at times with world leaders and other comms, and recently posted that Taylor Swift was booed out of the Super Bowl because Trump criticized her. What? Swift was booed by some people because of her being a KC Chiefs fan. She is up to 260+ million followers on Instagram, and tens of millions or over a hundred million on other major social media platforms. Trump's numbers are paltry compared to Swift. She doesn't care what he thinks or does except as a president, and her fans couldn't care less what Trump thinks about Taylor.
He is losing the plot and sadly is going to end up like Biden--out of touch and out of control.
The difference: Biden had four years of the press covering for him and his total incompetency and controlled by the deep state in his administration
Trump will never get that
Be gaslighted by the press for all those years has made many on the left start seeing
Rooting for bad things to happen in the bad disguise of worrying about the people they may happen to is very Democrat of you.