Greg Sargent
@GregTSargent
Unsettling from
@anneapplebaum
: Trump isn’t just trying to bully the media into submission. He’s also conditioning the public to see the use of state power to cow independent truth telling as normal, and persuading MAGA to see it as good.Our exchange:
First of all…anything he says, the MAGA Cult will follow. So, they shouldn’t have even discussed them. They should be discussing those of us who have chosen to stop watching cable news because we find them gutless cowards. …talking to you ABC and your 15 million dollar BRIBE. ABC didn’t even do a DEPOSITION before giving their payment. How you gonna settle, without ANY discovery?
Yet another example of why folks have thrown away CNN.
Scott Dworkin (@funder) posted at 11:59 AM on Mon, Dec 16, 2024:
CNN released a poll, then spun Trump a positive headline even though it did not reflect the poll’s findings.Yesterday CNN used a different headline, not positive for Trump, from the same poll.
We’re done with CNN playing both sides. My exclusive: https://t.co/luizcd55k8
(https://x.com/funder/status/1868717620893241632?t=dW_t1WXm0lOidtEOekNMfg&s=03)
And then, THIS nonsense.
Some democrats are soft like twinkie filling. (@reesetheone1) posted at 10:26 AM on Thu, Dec 19, 2024:
It’s not about the economy for voters with no four year degrees.
It’s about culture wars and immigration.
Folks didn’t vote for 15 an hour minimum wage or Medicare for all in November.
They want those undocumented sent home, which most undocumented won’t be.
(https://x.com/reesetheone1/status/1869781324543996377?t=d0cmbW7XjVU2FUswfcqVIA&s=03)
Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) posted at 9:24 AM on Thu, Dec 19, 2024:
“The press would have been doing its job by exposing Trump’s pandering instead of nitpicking Harris to death. But even his most ridiculous campaign proposals — such as taxpayers picking up the tab for IVF treatments — received credulous coverage.” https://t.co/fMV76btvGn
(https://x.com/atrupar/status/1869765825516970002?t=nsek7-eR5srlYBi0FtTMHQ&s=03)
Acyn (@Acyn) posted at 10:45 AM on Thu, Dec 19, 2024:
Reporter: Johnson may face a revolt.. Would Democrats consider voting for Johnson in that vote if he does amiable to you in the C.R.?
Jeffries: No https://t.co/rGxCtVIPHQ
(https://x.com/Acyn/status/1869786243531489486?t=2jhSeUJlSH1fkJ-vA2loVg&s=03)
Some democrats are soft like twinkie filling. (@reesetheone1) posted at 1:25 PM on Thu, Dec 19, 2024:
Perfect messaging . https://t.co/2aeZ7hWinS
(https://x.com/reesetheone1/status/1869826315333087619?t=knJj7SqpvIULmwifj5TdOQ&s=03)
The Last Word (@TheLastWord) posted at 1:00 PM on Thu, Dec 19, 2024:
.@Lawrence: Trump has realized how Joe Biden boxed him in on the debt ceiling https://t.co/LQFogTAaEQ https://t.co/m1nuN689nR
(https://x.com/TheLastWord/status/1869819994189734255?t=5mt1b0Zq8IldjyPzwz7K1Q&s=03)
Tim 🇺🇸 (@trouble_man90) posted at 5:57 PM on Wed, Dec 18, 2024:
Leaving Bernie unscathed was a mistake. We treated him with kid gloves so their feelings wouldn’t get hurt, but it’s been 10 years now and they still think he would’ve been untouchable in a general election.
(https://x.com/trouble_man90/status/1869532526206931441?t=hiityoA3NZMla40FY6lygA&s=03)
Lisa Desjardins (@LisaDNews) posted at 2:03 PM on Thu, Dec 19, 2024:
NEW: Senator Tillis, R-NC, says he will filibuster — speaking on the floor — any CR funding bill that does not include disaster funding.
(https://x.com/LisaDNews/status/1869835988178268466?t=ZFI3PXfXpRsVB4_GG5rd0w&s=03)
Allison Riggs (@AllisonJRiggs) posted at 11:04 AM on Thu, Dec 19, 2024:
Last month, North Carolinians elected me to keep my seat on the NC Supreme Court. Instead of conceding, my opponent yesterday asked that court to throw out more than 60K North Carolinians’ ballots. I recused myself in the matter. His appeal has been moved to federal court this AM
(https://x.com/AllisonJRiggs/status/1869790833370902976?t=_TCBGzailZJFgWlGkR5laA&s=03)
Some democrats are soft like twinkie filling. (@reesetheone1) posted at 2:37 PM on Thu, Dec 19, 2024:
I’m not afraid of running a woman again, but she has to be from a state politically right OF IL.
Hillary is from NY (left of IL )
Kamala is from CA (left of IL)
If dems fix their Latino and black voter issues yes a woman can win 270.
(https://x.com/reesetheone1/status/1869844447103783064?t=P9nGSZHvNT88WBEl_JXkJQ&s=03)
Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) posted at 11:33 AM on Thu, Dec 19, 2024:
“Trump repeatedly promised voters that he would reduce prices to pre-covid levels. This pledge, which he’s already walked back, was never rooted in a real plan, but he skated by with help from a press that has spent nearly a decade normalizing his lies.” https://t.co/fMV76btvGn
(https://x.com/atrupar/status/1869798107506192574?t=4DpGw7IZL2v4UdXfyRpoNQ&s=03)
Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) posted at 8:54 AM on Thu, Dec 19, 2024:
What Musk and Ramaswamy and Trump are doing – shutting down the government and cutting off pay for our troops right at Christmas – is so so dark.
They are so filthy wealthy and out of touch and bored that they think it’s fun to mess with the lives of regular people for fun.
(https://x.com/ChrisMurphyCT/status/1869758120446308675?t=DIpMHxlohu5RN9DFbGLljA&s=03)
OF COURSE,
We’re talking about Lauren Underwood vs. AOC.
Underwood is who the AOC stans THINKS that she is, but, is not….in terms of substance.
👑 Mr. Weeks 👑 (@WonderKing82) posted at 10:05 AM on Thu, Dec 19, 2024:
They’re not the same. One actually works for their people in her district, and the other one is never in her district. AOC is nothing more than an opportunist, and I’m tired of yall comparing qualified Black women to that woman. She does absolutely nothing for my, her, district.
(https://x.com/WonderKing82/status/1869776180335067170?t=_Fp3_S93gu551MzvuRXl-A&s=03)
PHUCK OUTTA HERE!
Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) posted at 10:20 AM on Thu, Dec 19, 2024:
In a conversation a few minutes ago, @realDonaldTrump told me, “There won’t be anything approved unless the debt ceiling is done with.”
He wants the debt ceiling eliminated or extended.
“If we don’t get it, then we’re going to have a shutdown, but it’ll be a Biden shutdown, because shutdowns only inure to the person who’s president.”
(https://x.com/jonkarl/status/1869779884253249842?t=dhyTr1CjCkLNIFl98L23Ag&s=03)
Acyn (@Acyn) posted at 10:40 AM on Thu, Dec 19, 2024:
Jeffries: That bipartisan agreement has now been detonated because House Republicans have been ordered to shut down the government and hurt the very working-class Americans that many of them pretend to want to help https://t.co/rIvdrtb1qp
(https://x.com/Acyn/status/1869784767077724634?t=05XivUPjeGiZqOS1iu_y6g&s=03)
👑 Mr. Weeks 👑 (@WonderKing82) posted at 11:59 AM on Thu, Dec 19, 2024:
Why aren’t y’all telling Elon Musk to take his ass back to Africa….. now this immigrant is telling Republicans in the house to shut the government down..
(https://x.com/WonderKing82/status/1869804665032057308?t=C5CXHkSxEpLuUogwTtx6_Q&s=03)
Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) posted at 6:48 AM on Thu, Dec 19, 2024:
GOV FUNDING LATEST
It’s a colossal mess.
Republicans have no plan to stop a shutdown after Elon & Trump blew up the deal. Deadline: Friday midnight.
Trump is waking up to his legislative traffic jam: gov’t funding, debt limit, big party-line bills.
Dems say GOP owns the pain. https://t.co/KgZTId2xlu
(https://x.com/sahilkapur/status/1869726525257625624?t=rDP2aqO3-vptd2KXvyVfQA&s=03)
This is a hilarious throwback…
IYKYK
BWA HA HA AH AH AH AH HA
Cassius J Clay (@KyngCassius) posted at 0:14 PM on Wed, Dec 18, 2024:
Telma and Val still got it!! #YoungAndTheRestless #YR #HalfandHalf https://t.co/cHAKI7hxt0
(https://x.com/KyngCassius/status/1869446259611935173?t=l0Pcb1zMGSU_-Ieg2ei-Ow&s=03)
hail to the cheeto (@lib_crusher) posted at 4:48 PM on Mon, Dec 16, 2024:
AOC is living the classic upwardly mobile millennial career path-ambitious gunner who thinks getting in on the ground floor, working hard and doing whatever the bosses want will get you a fast track to upper management, only for upper management to refuse to retire
(https://x.com/lib_crusher/status/1868790258181263623?t=BnUbW9IgZNFf55G4BSRdDw&s=03)
NR_Garrett (@NR_Garrett) posted at 6:46 PM on Tue, Dec 17, 2024:
No, she’s the Classic millennial who wants things handed to them. She hasn’t done shit. Lauren Underwood would be a better choice. She’s actually passed bills. Multiple BILLS
AOC has done NOTHING but talk.
(https://x.com/NR_Garrett/status/1869182304851300585?t=1givCdXnnT4u0KpIndQVOQ&s=03)
Donald Trump is a white DEI hire (@Needle_of_Arya) posted at 5:11 PM on Mon, Dec 16, 2024:
another potential FAFO: elderly Trumpers in hard-to-reach zip codes & addresses who rely on the USPS for their medicine, but so much of the federal agency is privatized that the cost to deliver to those addresses is “prohibitive” from a business perspective cost-benefit analysis
(https://x.com/Needle_of_Arya/status/1868796143846806009?s=03)
👑 Mr. Weeks 👑 (@WonderKing82) posted at 11:56 AM on Wed, Dec 18, 2024:
Bernie Sanders lost on March 15, 2016. It was mathematically impossible for him to win the nomination. DNC gave him $50M, he raised over $250M, and he went bankrupt, trying to win the nomination and lost by 4M votes. Bernie Sanders wouldn’t have won a blasted thing.
(https://x.com/WonderKing82/status/1869441661912363368?t=RhqMh3ygG7OuPd5IIm6IpQ&s=03)
Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) posted at 3:01 PM on Wed, Dec 18, 2024:
“Thousands of citizens, including Jews, trade unionists, political clergy and others simply disappeared into concentration camps, one of them being my grandfather… it’s offensive & it’s uneducated” — Rep. Rebecca Balint demolishes a witness who compared the FBI to the Gestapo https://t.co/he3fTDcOA5
(https://x.com/atrupar/status/1869488241864528128?t=NhrevbdKZaOaRmPP0rxHkw&s=03)
philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) posted at 2:23 PM on Tue, Dec 17, 2024:
Harvard Law enrolled 19 first-year Black students this fall, the lowest number since the 1960s, following last year’s SCOTUS decision banning affirmative action https://t.co/59sQwNMeJe
(https://x.com/Phil_Lewis_/status/1869116313903530116?t=hEbE6Y9Nz57FU9fkcfFnpg&s=03)
scary lawyerguy (@scarylawyerguy) posted at 7:43 AM on Wed, Dec 18, 2024:
The investigative resources of the DOJ and FBI are not only limitless but their powers are vast and expansive. Taken together, they can make life miserable for anyone and since Trump can order DOJ/FBI to do his bidding w/no fear of consequences, things are gonna get REAL dark.
(https://x.com/scarylawyerguy/status/1869377928498475326?t=iJZKlwn3L6wlu-D1UZE5JA&s=03)
Popular Liberal 🇺🇸 (@PopularLiberal) posted at 9:05 AM on Tue, Dec 17, 2024:
WOW!💥 Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett just slammed Greg Abbott! The GOP’s hold on Texas?
It’s all built on gerrymandering and corruption! Without those manipulated districts, they’d lose control quicker than you can shout “fair maps”! https://t.co/s6SMyxVDar
(https://x.com/PopularLiberal/status/1869036227221168524?t=cthS1WUGDl01bwusZ4qUDw&s=03)
Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) posted at 0:37 PM on Tue, Dec 17, 2024:
🚨 BREAKING: In a bold move, President Biden just came out in support of a ban on congressional stock trading:
“Nobody in the Congress should be able to make money in the stock market while they’re in the Congress.”
🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 https://t.co/4cEO06JMxl
(https://x.com/ChrisDJackson/status/1869089441723380016?t=pLw-i0Yn9eFdMJCYyLdx3A&s=03)
🇺🇸🦅🎗️🪷 🇺🇦 🇮🇱 Catherine Watching MAGA FAFO (@CMargaronis) posted at 6:24 PM on Tue, Dec 17, 2024:
Joe Biden never has traded stocks while in public office. Absolutely above reproach
(https://x.com/CMargaronis/status/1869176809411195326?s=03)
GeorgiaPeach Forever46 🇺🇲🦅🇺🇲 (@ChrisFromGA68) posted at 7:33 PM on Tue, Dec 17, 2024:
He pledged in his first senate debate in 1972 never to own stocks or take honoraria. He & Jill have kept that pledge for 52 years
(https://x.com/ChrisFromGA68/status/1869194176220578089?t=MDp7Ma_BXwChChj9Xa0LJA&s=03)
Tim 🇺🇸 (@trouble_man90) posted at 5:12 PM on Mon, Dec 16, 2024:
I continue to grieve the lost time and the lost opportunities over the next four years. Even in the best case scenario where we win the 2028 election, Democrats wont be able to pass any vital legislation until 2029at the earliest. If you count the pass two years of republicans controlling the house, that SIX years of nothing.
People are in need right now and we won’t be able to help. Way too many people on the left are ok with that.
(https://x.com/trouble_man90/status/1868796350927978995?t=hdEIxb2qG0PRlSW70hsJaA&s=03)
scary lawyerguy (@scarylawyerguy) posted at 11:58 AM on Wed, Dec 18, 2024:
This was the goal, dude. The media wants him on air all day, every day b/c they think he’s good for ratings. Biden was a boner killer for their entire business model b/c no one watches cable news to hear about boring, competent governance
(https://x.com/scarylawyerguy/status/1869442241955279145?s=03)
UH HUH
UH HUH
🪷Kriss🪷 (@KMC4wauk) posted at 9:23 AM on Tue, Dec 17, 2024:
I knew Republicans would co-opt some of @VP Harris’ plans. They were solid and appealed to working class families. So Democrats aka @ChrisMurphyCT you might want to step in here and give credit where credit is due. She was the most family oriented candidate we ever had.
(https://x.com/KMC4wauk/status/1869040719215853655?t=7hkQUCw0TTym02PrK3SBCA&s=03)
Because…of course….
The Halfway Post (@HalfwayPost) posted at 11:17 AM on Wed, Dec 18, 2024:
BREAKING: An extremely MAGA televangelist from Mississippi who claimed faith in Donald Trump as God’s newest prophet was “more powerful than any drug on Earth” just got arrested for running a meth lab in the basement of his church.
(https://x.com/HalfwayPost/status/1869431823706796051?t=RukQgbZrwkGJCFPfjpEnHg&s=03)
Amene (@Ange_Amene) posted at 9:16 PM on Tue, Dec 17, 2024:
Folks are going to have to understand that if you undermine Black Democratic leadership you’re not going to go far in the party without one day needing their support.
That goes for all new and old members wanting to lead.
(https://x.com/Ange_Amene/status/1869220064685359212?t=vDt6MjV_-n-NKaiSnq6skw&s=03)
Christopher Leonard (@CLeonardNews) posted at 6:43 AM on Wed, Dec 18, 2024:
SCOOP: Tyson Foods has subpoenaed two news organizations, demanding they turn over notes and contacts with local farmers whom Tyson Foods put out of business.
I’ve never seen such aggressive subpoenas issued by a major corporation to news media.
https://t.co/akkM1IQPHj
(https://x.com/CLeonardNews/status/1869362778043306164?t=8jw5OpEsVOssM8SDp_z1KQ&s=03)
Daniel Goldman (@danielsgoldman) posted at 2:04 PM on Wed, Dec 18, 2024:
As the shadow Pres-Elect, Elon Musk is now calling the shots for House Rs on government funding while Trump hides in Mar-a-Lago behind his handlers.
It increasingly seems like we’re in for 4 years of an unelected oligarch running the country by pulling on his puppet’s strings.
(https://x.com/danielsgoldman/status/1869473959248593208?s=03)
Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) posted at 8:44 AM on Wed, Dec 18, 2024:
“Now, Trump is preparing to follow Bush’s example once again. He and his billionaire cronies are making strong signals that he’ll begin his second term by attacking Social Security, mirroring a political disaster Bush brought upon the GOP.” https://t.co/wRRmo2jGU1
(https://x.com/atrupar/status/1869393389885731125?t=S91o6pLjnxM95nY1tbodOg&s=03)
scary lawyerguy (@scarylawyerguy) posted at 9:23 AM on Wed, Dec 18, 2024:
My unpopular opinion is that this has a much better chance of succeeding b/c 1) gerrymandering largely shields Rs from any political consequences and 2) the right wing media ecosystem is 10x what it was 20 yrs ago and will sell this to their dupes. Mainstream outlets will shrug.
(https://x.com/scarylawyerguy/status/1869403074642739423?t=y7la8lLGzwsja9NdaiYyuA&s=03)
Art Candee 🍿🥤 (@ArtCandee) posted at 2:02 PM on Tue, Dec 17, 2024:
Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett torched MAGA Reps like James Comer and Gym Jordan pushing lies about the Bidens:
“How did not a single House Republican or their staff catch the significant inconsistencies and lies within Mr. Smirnov’s story in nearly two years of congressional investigations?”
Methinks because they’re lying clowns.
https://t.co/fFtWN9apmX
(https://x.com/ArtCandee/status/1869110879318331504?t=ma5K0Kf_hsLu3xrzofRtPg&s=03)
Social Security Works (@SSWorks) posted at 3:46 PM on Tue, Dec 17, 2024:
BREAKING: @RepGregLopez says outside the first meeting of the DOGE Caucus that “there will be some cuts” to Social Security and Medicare.
HANDS OFF OUR EARNED BENEFITS! https://t.co/NFYjA6hdEo
(https://x.com/SSWorks/status/1869137072046686331?t=2o9_MGGYcLn_2jEz7gbuxg&s=03)
Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) posted at 8:44 AM on Wed, Dec 18, 2024:
“Now, Trump is preparing to follow Bush’s example once again. He and his billionaire cronies are making strong signals that he’ll begin his second term by attacking Social Security, mirroring a political disaster Bush brought upon the GOP.” https://t.co/wRRmo2jGU1
(https://x.com/atrupar/status/1869393389885731125?t=uz4lys1Ofti_hP6s646rOA&s=03)
Non-Human Media (@NonHumanMedia1) posted at 7:35 PM on Tue, Dec 17, 2024:
Reminder that the USPS is one of the largest employers of Black Americans and historically has been a good “Black job” that can provide stability to Black families which is why conservatives have been dead set on privatizing and or kneecapping it for years https://t.co/WqFmuDPlIu
(https://x.com/NonHumanMedia1/status/1869194697660670225?t=W1AoazulBPJ9RYA_ohsMkg&s=03)
Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) posted at 10:52 AM on Wed, Dec 18, 2024:
Mike Johnson is very proud of the fact he’s on a text chain with “Elon and Vivek.” He brought it up twice this morning. https://t.co/T2Z8NmfHSk
(https://x.com/atrupar/status/1869425584423551358?t=ZTUrlPviFfsu21s4WOv9gg&s=03)
Brennan Center (@BrennanCenter) posted at 10:49 AM on Wed, Dec 18, 2024:
Federal executions were rare for decades, but Trump brought them back in his first term and plans to ramp them up in his second term. Here’s why it’s a big deal:
https://t.co/uNoImHBIq8
(https://x.com/BrennanCenter/status/1869424640881254658?t=-8jbEgAwJI-6ZKDBrmuDEA&s=03)
President Kamala’s Hand (Again) (@myronjclifton) posted at 10:48 AM on Wed, Dec 18, 2024:
Woke Wednesday.
It’s okay to be woke.
Woke is good. Woke helped move the country forward for everyone. Woke combatted and combats racism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, misogyny, and misognoir.
Stay woke.
(https://x.com/myronjclifton/status/1869424635244355898?t=SS4jeKNmie9c7VXFLzVN-Q&s=03)
BeelkJ2413 (@BeelkJ2413) posted at 10:56 AM on Wed, Dec 18, 2024:
And that’s been his MO. He knows he has the resources to prolong litigation in a way the people he’s suing cannot. And yeah it’s terrifying to see a President elect suing a newspaper because their polling results didn’t match what he wanted. He’s nothing but a goddamned bully.
(https://x.com/BeelkJ2413/status/1869426397644767335?t=FHWfGHhjecmOBKxsXHkWcA&s=03)
Evan (@daviddunn177) posted at 9:37 AM on Wed, Dec 18, 2024:
Matt Gaetz resigned from Congress so they wouldn’t release the report on him.
And they’re releasing the report on him.
(https://x.com/daviddunn177/status/1869406670096577004?t=t_uJEpfiFnYRdafS25WuLQ&s=03)
Good Morning Everyone 😊😊😊