As MAGA demands truth about Epstein, Bannon, Carlson, and others exploit the silence; launching a ruthless internal coup to seize the movement and crown themselves kings.
Nothing would make millions of us happier than to see that bloated diseased carcass befouling the White House floated out to sea for shark bait. On the other hand, these insurgents can’t be allowed anywhere near the center of power. Let’s hope the coup you’re describing is actually a suicide mission, and MAGA is once and for all time finished and gone.
Good morning Michael!! What a fantastic piece this morning. I know it's scary out there, I won't minimize that threat. But for the MAGA world to finally realize what we "woke" have known all along. That POS was a big part of the Epstein world. He did abuse young girls. That lying F! And, the Republicans, protecting those Epstein files. That's IN YOUR FACE deceit! As for those vultures circling the camp, we have to make sure that never happens. You are amazing Michael! Thanks for all you do for us to keep us in the loop.
Michael, as always you are an astute thinker and writer, synthesizing the details, and then painting us a vivid picture to invoke our critically thinking skills. I don't mind feigning comradery to stand on common ground with MAGA and the power-hungry you mentioned (and there are probably more!) for the greater goal of bringing about justice and validation for those women, who were young, groomed, assaulted, and faced further humiliation and victimization. I dissent from the motives of the egotists you named and the cult, but I say let them burn it all down. If this opens at least some eyes and causes fragmentation, so be it it; that is a side bonus that may cause cracks and fissures in the whole. But first and foremost, let's continue to raise our voices for those victims and other victims of sexual violence and sex trafficking.
I’m a whistleblower teacher who’s been trying to expose the fact that fascists took over our schools four decades ago and paved the way for Trump.
Knowing these fascists would destroy democracy, my organization has tried to expose this cover up at WhiteChalkCrime.com and EndTeacherAbuse.org since 2002.
By 2018 I was losing members to QAnon because some of these people saw so much evil in our schools they turned to Trump, who manipulated them into getting the conspiracy wrong and thinking there are pedophiles everywhere to frighten them into compliance.
These people were right; there’s a conspiracy having to do with children and they’re rightly concerned except for one thing. It’s that fascists have taken over our schools and are doing harm to children that includes school shootings born from their incompetence topping the list of their wrongdoing.
We need the media and our leaders to investigate our schools and help them get it right for citizens to respect the establishment once again. It’s our opportunity for a hero to shift power toward democracy.
Plus, it’s time we became a country that honors our teachers. Teachers deserve their own Bob Woodward or their own Ronan Farrow!
Agreed! It's the root of the decline of American exceptionalism. US competitiveness on the global free market level is the way to a more equitable society in order to create a more perfect union. Ben Franklin would have been proud! S.T.E.A.M.
Boy do I hope you're right about this! Trump is hell-bent on receiving loyalty, but because he rules by fear, he has very little loyalty from his followers and co-conspirators. Though I kind of doubt the veracity of the material in "the file" I am eager to see the vicious, heartless movement tear itself down. We good, reasonable people should be strong and principled in the conflagration, and try to peel off disaffected folks who still can be reasoned with. Sure, 70% of these desperate and benighted individuals will be forever stuck in that vortex of lies and deceit, but there is probably about 20% who can be coaxed into joining a big-tent party that is singing the right tune--which is why I hope Democrats don't squander the opportunity.
Then of course one question we will face, like we did in 2009, is: Do we seek justice on the people who wrecked the economy, and ushered us headlong into another Middle East war? The answer, it turned out, was no to both: it just was never the convenient time for a South-Africa-style truth and reconciliation process.
At minimum, we should allow folks to leave that party disaffected, and come into our tent, but stand firm on the fact that we MUST bring back the rule of law, economic and fiscal sanity, and bring all the malevolent parasites to justice--lest this happen all over again in half of a generation.
At bottom, it would be great if this plus tariffs plus WAY OVERPLAYING HIS HAND on immigration spelled the beginning of Trump's decline, but the dude does have a way of avoiding justice--ask Michael!
@Michael Cohen, great article! You always say it like it is, and I appreciate that. No sugar coating. In this horrendous moment, your article gives me hope. It comes one day before "Good Trouble," a day of protest (everyone who can, get out and protest). May this devasting moment enrage each and everyone of us to speak louder, stand taller and fight harder for those lives devasted by the Epstein/Trump horror and for our democracy. See also Malcom Nance's well-written article about Epstein/Trump: eye opening indeed. Looking forward to your live on Friday and continuing to hear your perspective, Lev's and Malcolm's, this week. Together we rise, as a growing, empowered, community. Thank you. @Lev Parnas @Malcolm Nance.
Always love your observations... they bought the "Epstein & his crew as predators along with drinking the blood of the children" (who made that up?) and of course it was only democrats that did this. Q & Maga were ready to go fight the good fight and save the children and now Maga is "woke", as they say, & pissed... this is also in line with "they are eating the cats, they are eating the dogs" ( who is spreading the "drinking children's blood" and "eating cats and dogs"?)
"They don’t care who gets burned along the way. Not the movement. Not the voters. Not the children who were supposed to be at the center of all this righteous fury."
Sadly, this is a tragic and serious matter, but I really appreciate the uplifting Substack today because live by the sword, die by the sword.
"For a party that made “child sex trafficking” the centerpiece of its moral outrage machine, this isn’t just hypocrisy, it’s a total systems failure." Releasing Epstein files is a so-called systems failure because I believe that tRump was in on it, big time.
I don't think Bannon, Carlson, or Bognino could take over MAGA, because it's a movement based on and for Donald Trump. He's the demagogue, the con artist extraordinaire, the figurehead of it all. They don't have his charisma, such as it is. Count me skeptical.
Agreed. Each in turn may make a bid for the Pretender in Cheese's throne but if their efforts are successful, their reign (loosely defined) would more likely than not unexpectedly and rapidly disassemble in a glorious, highly rated orgy of self-immolation and incompetence.
Do the Carlsons, Bannons, and Bonginos of the world of the Redhats think MAGA is stupid? Not necessarily, but they do know they’re credulous in the extreme, and that’s what these talking heads need to crawl closer to the center of power.
I fully agree that a red hat on one's head is indicative of a mind that is "credulous in the extreme!"
Hahahaha! I'm sorry but from my perspective, "credulous in the extreme" is merely a nice way of saying stupid as HELL! I understand the spirit you wish to evoke/emote but... whew.
Exactly! To me, that is the difference between being intelligent and being smart. You can be intelligent AND smart. But one attribute is not necessarily an accurate measurement of the other.
In my opinion, intelligent = potential, raw thinking power, while smart = thinking power applied effectively.
The whole thing just scares the bejeepers out of me. Picture just one of these bottom feeders in any kind of position of power. Bannon, Carlson, Bongino, all morally bankrupt. Green can be thrown into the mix even though she doesn't know if she's on foot or horseback. Then the alleged House Republicans, all busily trying to be Congress people. And the Democrats, who are so busy infighting they can't come up with even one idea that would start to turn any of this around. Funny how blood attracts sharks. Trump knows it. What's next, the "EMERGENCY" he's been looking for? Can a (maybe) nonexistent file be construed as an emergent situation? Who the hell knows? Stranger things have happened. Beam me somewhere, Scotty, anywhere but here.
It occurred to me that the best next move Trump can make to save himself from being revealed as an Epstein client is to pardon Ghislaine Maxwell before she speaks the truth.
Nothing would make millions of us happier than to see that bloated diseased carcass befouling the White House floated out to sea for shark bait. On the other hand, these insurgents can’t be allowed anywhere near the center of power. Let’s hope the coup you’re describing is actually a suicide mission, and MAGA is once and for all time finished and gone.
Good morning Michael!! What a fantastic piece this morning. I know it's scary out there, I won't minimize that threat. But for the MAGA world to finally realize what we "woke" have known all along. That POS was a big part of the Epstein world. He did abuse young girls. That lying F! And, the Republicans, protecting those Epstein files. That's IN YOUR FACE deceit! As for those vultures circling the camp, we have to make sure that never happens. You are amazing Michael! Thanks for all you do for us to keep us in the loop.
Michael, as always you are an astute thinker and writer, synthesizing the details, and then painting us a vivid picture to invoke our critically thinking skills. I don't mind feigning comradery to stand on common ground with MAGA and the power-hungry you mentioned (and there are probably more!) for the greater goal of bringing about justice and validation for those women, who were young, groomed, assaulted, and faced further humiliation and victimization. I dissent from the motives of the egotists you named and the cult, but I say let them burn it all down. If this opens at least some eyes and causes fragmentation, so be it it; that is a side bonus that may cause cracks and fissures in the whole. But first and foremost, let's continue to raise our voices for those victims and other victims of sexual violence and sex trafficking.
Michael...you're such a great writer! I love your sub stack.....Keep on keepin' on.
You are so right!
I’m a whistleblower teacher who’s been trying to expose the fact that fascists took over our schools four decades ago and paved the way for Trump.
Knowing these fascists would destroy democracy, my organization has tried to expose this cover up at WhiteChalkCrime.com and EndTeacherAbuse.org since 2002.
By 2018 I was losing members to QAnon because some of these people saw so much evil in our schools they turned to Trump, who manipulated them into getting the conspiracy wrong and thinking there are pedophiles everywhere to frighten them into compliance.
These people were right; there’s a conspiracy having to do with children and they’re rightly concerned except for one thing. It’s that fascists have taken over our schools and are doing harm to children that includes school shootings born from their incompetence topping the list of their wrongdoing.
We need the media and our leaders to investigate our schools and help them get it right for citizens to respect the establishment once again. It’s our opportunity for a hero to shift power toward democracy.
Plus, it’s time we became a country that honors our teachers. Teachers deserve their own Bob Woodward or their own Ronan Farrow!
Agreed! It's the root of the decline of American exceptionalism. US competitiveness on the global free market level is the way to a more equitable society in order to create a more perfect union. Ben Franklin would have been proud! S.T.E.A.M.
(@)
Boy do I hope you're right about this! Trump is hell-bent on receiving loyalty, but because he rules by fear, he has very little loyalty from his followers and co-conspirators. Though I kind of doubt the veracity of the material in "the file" I am eager to see the vicious, heartless movement tear itself down. We good, reasonable people should be strong and principled in the conflagration, and try to peel off disaffected folks who still can be reasoned with. Sure, 70% of these desperate and benighted individuals will be forever stuck in that vortex of lies and deceit, but there is probably about 20% who can be coaxed into joining a big-tent party that is singing the right tune--which is why I hope Democrats don't squander the opportunity.
Then of course one question we will face, like we did in 2009, is: Do we seek justice on the people who wrecked the economy, and ushered us headlong into another Middle East war? The answer, it turned out, was no to both: it just was never the convenient time for a South-Africa-style truth and reconciliation process.
At minimum, we should allow folks to leave that party disaffected, and come into our tent, but stand firm on the fact that we MUST bring back the rule of law, economic and fiscal sanity, and bring all the malevolent parasites to justice--lest this happen all over again in half of a generation.
At bottom, it would be great if this plus tariffs plus WAY OVERPLAYING HIS HAND on immigration spelled the beginning of Trump's decline, but the dude does have a way of avoiding justice--ask Michael!
No one who rules by fear can rest easy.
Of course not. They don't even trust themselves!
Hell hath no fury like the betrayed. Will his MAGA followers lead him to damnation.? Possibly. I hope to see that day come.
@Michael Cohen, great article! You always say it like it is, and I appreciate that. No sugar coating. In this horrendous moment, your article gives me hope. It comes one day before "Good Trouble," a day of protest (everyone who can, get out and protest). May this devasting moment enrage each and everyone of us to speak louder, stand taller and fight harder for those lives devasted by the Epstein/Trump horror and for our democracy. See also Malcom Nance's well-written article about Epstein/Trump: eye opening indeed. Looking forward to your live on Friday and continuing to hear your perspective, Lev's and Malcolm's, this week. Together we rise, as a growing, empowered, community. Thank you. @Lev Parnas @Malcolm Nance.
Always love your observations... they bought the "Epstein & his crew as predators along with drinking the blood of the children" (who made that up?) and of course it was only democrats that did this. Q & Maga were ready to go fight the good fight and save the children and now Maga is "woke", as they say, & pissed... this is also in line with "they are eating the cats, they are eating the dogs" ( who is spreading the "drinking children's blood" and "eating cats and dogs"?)
That's a slur used for centuries about Jews.
OMG... how did I get to be 78yo and not know this ...I am humbled & thank you
No need to be humbled, Ginger. None of us can know everything.
FAFO!
"They don’t care who gets burned along the way. Not the movement. Not the voters. Not the children who were supposed to be at the center of all this righteous fury."
Sadly, this is a tragic and serious matter, but I really appreciate the uplifting Substack today because live by the sword, die by the sword.
May the force be with us all!
(@)
Of course they care when it's THEIR ass in a crack but until then their advice to anyone else would have been "suck it up buttercup."
"For a party that made “child sex trafficking” the centerpiece of its moral outrage machine, this isn’t just hypocrisy, it’s a total systems failure." Releasing Epstein files is a so-called systems failure because I believe that tRump was in on it, big time.
I don't think Bannon, Carlson, or Bognino could take over MAGA, because it's a movement based on and for Donald Trump. He's the demagogue, the con artist extraordinaire, the figurehead of it all. They don't have his charisma, such as it is. Count me skeptical.
Agreed. Each in turn may make a bid for the Pretender in Cheese's throne but if their efforts are successful, their reign (loosely defined) would more likely than not unexpectedly and rapidly disassemble in a glorious, highly rated orgy of self-immolation and incompetence.
good issue. keep it up, bro
Do the Carlsons, Bannons, and Bonginos of the world of the Redhats think MAGA is stupid? Not necessarily, but they do know they’re credulous in the extreme, and that’s what these talking heads need to crawl closer to the center of power.
I fully agree that a red hat on one's head is indicative of a mind that is "credulous in the extreme!"
Hahahaha! I'm sorry but from my perspective, "credulous in the extreme" is merely a nice way of saying stupid as HELL! I understand the spirit you wish to evoke/emote but... whew.
One can be smart and yet gullible…..lack of critical thinking makes it possible….
Exactly! To me, that is the difference between being intelligent and being smart. You can be intelligent AND smart. But one attribute is not necessarily an accurate measurement of the other.
In my opinion, intelligent = potential, raw thinking power, while smart = thinking power applied effectively.
The whole thing just scares the bejeepers out of me. Picture just one of these bottom feeders in any kind of position of power. Bannon, Carlson, Bongino, all morally bankrupt. Green can be thrown into the mix even though she doesn't know if she's on foot or horseback. Then the alleged House Republicans, all busily trying to be Congress people. And the Democrats, who are so busy infighting they can't come up with even one idea that would start to turn any of this around. Funny how blood attracts sharks. Trump knows it. What's next, the "EMERGENCY" he's been looking for? Can a (maybe) nonexistent file be construed as an emergent situation? Who the hell knows? Stranger things have happened. Beam me somewhere, Scotty, anywhere but here.
It occurred to me that the best next move Trump can make to save himself from being revealed as an Epstein client is to pardon Ghislaine Maxwell before she speaks the truth.
I thought of the same thing!
You know it's coming.