Outrage sells — or at least it does around some conference tables somewhere likely between New York City and Washington DC. The American media is as lost as it is unethical and bewildered. The ethics of the Watergate era are dead. They were killed by media executives, mergers, opportunity, cynicism and money. Looking back through the years on a straight line, what changed? During my lifetime, it was perhaps the OJ Simpson trial — more than anything else — that birthed the new era of idiocracy. In this regard, Greta Van Susteren may be the greatest explorer in MAGA history. She is like a latter day astronaut returned to Earth from Mars to help guide America through our troubled times and sort it all out from her Newsmax perch.
“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” - Theodore Roosevelt
What’s truly abhorrent is that many/most of the MAGA elected “leaders” which includes Trump - know what you’re saying is the truth. Their motives-when spewing their nonsense-is to gain support from the least educated and most bigoted American citizens. It’s both sad and infuriating. Garry Trudeau-just before 11-9-2016-was trying valiantly to tell this (trump knows what he’s doing and secretly loathes his rally goers) to Chris Matthews - who blew him off! Matthews immediately changed the subject to Bob Dylan winning the Nobel Prize for Literature. Cable TV followed Trump like a sick puppy dog, reporting every vulgar utterance of Trump’s as “cute.” Meanwhile, Michael Moore valiantly campaigned for Hillary Clinton-knowing full well that danger and treason were ahead for America if Trump won. And, here we are. Thank you, Steve, for all that you do.
accessible piece.... Hope it is shared,read, digested, and acted up on by millions who VOTE soon - for democracy in the US. Your ability and commitment to write the Truth sharply is a gift in these days, Steve Schmidt. Thank you.
So what are we going to do, as a nation? To say that our Congress is non functional is a misstatement, especially in view of what the Biden administration has been able to accomplish in the last year. TCinLA had an excellent post yesterday on the same subject as Steve, namely the media’s complicity in promoting disinformation and it’s effect on our body politic. I’m no expert but it seems to me that we need to break up these media monopolies, they are not serving the interests of the nation, on the contrary they are promoting misinformation which unless you are paying attention will lead to choices in the coming elections that are really not in your interests. Sadly the evident education level of our nation, leaves a lot to be desired, people don’t knowingly make decisions that will ultimately be harmful to them, they only do that if they are misinformed, and misinformation has been weaponized into a bottom line profit source. If we survive this test, and that’s probably a bigger if than any of us would like to admit, we are going to have to put in place some corrective actions to prevent a repeat of this dilemma. We need to be concerned with how we can create a better environment for our children and grandchildren to prosper in, not whether we are going to survive by the skin of our teeth as a democratic republic. I get it that we are a continuous work in progress, and that vigilance to protect against threats to our democracy, will have to be the order of battle, for our and our succeeding generations to carry going forward.
We can beat them if we vote them out. If you live in Florida, Arizona, Ohio or Penn, it is critical for you to get out the vote. Dems and independents outnumber republicans, and normal republicans outnumber diehard MAGA voters. It really is that simple. Great piece Steve.
Steve, if you want to know how scary things really are, I urge you to read Nancy MacLean’s 2017 book, “Democracy In Chains.” She documents in excruciating detail the behind-the-scenes machinations and was able to because she found in an abandoned office papers and correspondence of the late economics Nobel prize winner James M. Buchanan. If you have read it, you might want to share your thoughts on it in this venue. I would urge everyone to read it.
You write: "I’m talking about a transactionalist political media that is in business with Donald Trump. They have a symbiotic relationship that has been monetized for billions of dollars by media companies, while creating the most noxious waste product in American history, which is the MAGA movement.”
I agree with you about the media, both the good and the bad. As Timothy Snyder has pointed out in his little powerhouse of a book, “On Tyranny”, we need good journalists to give us the truth if we are to survive this political pandemic. Also, it has never occurred to me either to say this or think it so starkly, but you’re basically saying that MAGA IS a creation of the American media. The toxin and its anti-toxin growing out of the same field. We have to pray there's enough anti-toxin to cure the country.
If Pres Biden doesn’t read The Warning, I am confident that he is given a summary.
A masterful analysis. Since I started avoiding the media because the manipulation of truth overwhelmed, I have turned to Steve. With The Warning, I feel calmer and more focused.
Thank you for bringing clarity during this crisis.
Yesterday, the blue shirts and khaki pants goons marched in Indianapolis. This morning I checked the online Indianapolis paper overview of events and the online headlines of the Fort Wayne paper. Nothing. Not one picture, not one headline. But, there was a great deal of news covering football. While we can and do laugh at these idiots, I stopped laughing and thought maybe we should take this more serious. Will be interesting to see if any of GOP legislators, Governor, Senators or Representatives say anything. But, we cannot forget how proud they all were of being the first state to vote to ban abortion after Dobbs. Our Governor called it progress.
I am absolutely exhausted watching the Trump clips from last nights rally. Angry isn’t the word I am feeling, it’s more like ballistic.
Steve, you keep my sanity over all this rhetoric
We are in a War. Already. We have got to shut him down verbally. You are doing just that with “ The Warning “. I want you on Primetime in everyone’s living rooms. Knocking him out line by line. He’s like having Hitler on your Television. These MAGA people have insanity written all over them.
This piece is truth! You are amazing. I want to personally thank you.
While media bears responsibility for not labeling MAGA for what it is, we bear responsibility for not recognizing the anti Federal government movement on the rise, in plain sight, for decades.
We dismissed the fringe who were learning, planning, practicing, building and patiently awaiting their moment.
Jerry Falwell and the Moral Majority
Christian extremism
Newt Gingrich, Paul Ryan, Kevin McCarthy, Et al.
Tea Party Republicans, Et al.
Roger Stone, Peter Theil, Et al.
Anti "talk" radio and media
The Federalist Society and "think tanks" whose goal has been to nullify the Federal government (Democracy) and return final authority over Americans to the states.
The "politics" of Trump didn't happen in a vacuum or magically manifest upon his appearance as a candidate for President.
You have painted a truly horrifying picture. I live in the bluest of states, California, in the bluest of areas, the Bay Area, where we are shielded from much of the fascist activities you describe. In fact, we laughingly talk about secession if trump “wins” in 2024. But as you make clear, there is no escape from this threat to our country. We have to do everything we can to vote and to engage everyone to this existential threat.
Keep. Up. The. Great. Writing. Steve.
“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” - Theodore Roosevelt
What’s truly abhorrent is that many/most of the MAGA elected “leaders” which includes Trump - know what you’re saying is the truth. Their motives-when spewing their nonsense-is to gain support from the least educated and most bigoted American citizens. It’s both sad and infuriating. Garry Trudeau-just before 11-9-2016-was trying valiantly to tell this (trump knows what he’s doing and secretly loathes his rally goers) to Chris Matthews - who blew him off! Matthews immediately changed the subject to Bob Dylan winning the Nobel Prize for Literature. Cable TV followed Trump like a sick puppy dog, reporting every vulgar utterance of Trump’s as “cute.” Meanwhile, Michael Moore valiantly campaigned for Hillary Clinton-knowing full well that danger and treason were ahead for America if Trump won. And, here we are. Thank you, Steve, for all that you do.
Thank YOU for talking about how the media is complicit in the rise of the MAGA movement. It is as disheartening as it is accurate.
Outstanding laser-focused
accessible piece.... Hope it is shared,read, digested, and acted up on by millions who VOTE soon - for democracy in the US. Your ability and commitment to write the Truth sharply is a gift in these days, Steve Schmidt. Thank you.
I only hope President Biden reads The Warning.
So what are we going to do, as a nation? To say that our Congress is non functional is a misstatement, especially in view of what the Biden administration has been able to accomplish in the last year. TCinLA had an excellent post yesterday on the same subject as Steve, namely the media’s complicity in promoting disinformation and it’s effect on our body politic. I’m no expert but it seems to me that we need to break up these media monopolies, they are not serving the interests of the nation, on the contrary they are promoting misinformation which unless you are paying attention will lead to choices in the coming elections that are really not in your interests. Sadly the evident education level of our nation, leaves a lot to be desired, people don’t knowingly make decisions that will ultimately be harmful to them, they only do that if they are misinformed, and misinformation has been weaponized into a bottom line profit source. If we survive this test, and that’s probably a bigger if than any of us would like to admit, we are going to have to put in place some corrective actions to prevent a repeat of this dilemma. We need to be concerned with how we can create a better environment for our children and grandchildren to prosper in, not whether we are going to survive by the skin of our teeth as a democratic republic. I get it that we are a continuous work in progress, and that vigilance to protect against threats to our democracy, will have to be the order of battle, for our and our succeeding generations to carry going forward.
We can beat them if we vote them out. If you live in Florida, Arizona, Ohio or Penn, it is critical for you to get out the vote. Dems and independents outnumber republicans, and normal republicans outnumber diehard MAGA voters. It really is that simple. Great piece Steve.
Steve, if you want to know how scary things really are, I urge you to read Nancy MacLean’s 2017 book, “Democracy In Chains.” She documents in excruciating detail the behind-the-scenes machinations and was able to because she found in an abandoned office papers and correspondence of the late economics Nobel prize winner James M. Buchanan. If you have read it, you might want to share your thoughts on it in this venue. I would urge everyone to read it.
You write: "I’m talking about a transactionalist political media that is in business with Donald Trump. They have a symbiotic relationship that has been monetized for billions of dollars by media companies, while creating the most noxious waste product in American history, which is the MAGA movement.”
I agree with you about the media, both the good and the bad. As Timothy Snyder has pointed out in his little powerhouse of a book, “On Tyranny”, we need good journalists to give us the truth if we are to survive this political pandemic. Also, it has never occurred to me either to say this or think it so starkly, but you’re basically saying that MAGA IS a creation of the American media. The toxin and its anti-toxin growing out of the same field. We have to pray there's enough anti-toxin to cure the country.
If Pres Biden doesn’t read The Warning, I am confident that he is given a summary.
A masterful analysis. Since I started avoiding the media because the manipulation of truth overwhelmed, I have turned to Steve. With The Warning, I feel calmer and more focused.
Thank you for bringing clarity during this crisis.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. We need your voice and many others like you. Where are they?
Bravo, Bravo! Hear, hear! Step right up, ladies and gentlemen - start this day with a summary of truths! (Thank you, Steve!)
Yesterday, the blue shirts and khaki pants goons marched in Indianapolis. This morning I checked the online Indianapolis paper overview of events and the online headlines of the Fort Wayne paper. Nothing. Not one picture, not one headline. But, there was a great deal of news covering football. While we can and do laugh at these idiots, I stopped laughing and thought maybe we should take this more serious. Will be interesting to see if any of GOP legislators, Governor, Senators or Representatives say anything. But, we cannot forget how proud they all were of being the first state to vote to ban abortion after Dobbs. Our Governor called it progress.
Steve Schmidt I have enormous gratitude to you..my day begins and ends with reading and rereading your words…
YOU are making my world feel like our
Country has the Choice to Save The Democracy and Freedom’s I cherish….
Steve pray you realize you are worthy of the love, trust, esteem THE WARNING
Is receiving from all of us …I read each
Response from EVERYONE each day…
Stupidity, Laziness, And Busy Lives Don’t
Cut it….BULLSHIT…..this is our time to
Fight like Hell…got news folks either we
become “the greatest generation” OR
Facisim and Autocracy will take over
OUR FREEDOM …UNDERSTAND????
VOTE LIKE OUR LIVES DEPEND ON IT
OUR DEMOCRACY Needs Lifesupport!
Steve needs each of us….each day Steve
Works for us and he needs each of us….
Pray we care …SHOW IT NOW, Marsha
I am absolutely exhausted watching the Trump clips from last nights rally. Angry isn’t the word I am feeling, it’s more like ballistic.
Steve, you keep my sanity over all this rhetoric
We are in a War. Already. We have got to shut him down verbally. You are doing just that with “ The Warning “. I want you on Primetime in everyone’s living rooms. Knocking him out line by line. He’s like having Hitler on your Television. These MAGA people have insanity written all over them.
This piece is truth! You are amazing. I want to personally thank you.
While media bears responsibility for not labeling MAGA for what it is, we bear responsibility for not recognizing the anti Federal government movement on the rise, in plain sight, for decades.
We dismissed the fringe who were learning, planning, practicing, building and patiently awaiting their moment.
Jerry Falwell and the Moral Majority
Christian extremism
Newt Gingrich, Paul Ryan, Kevin McCarthy, Et al.
Tea Party Republicans, Et al.
Roger Stone, Peter Theil, Et al.
Anti "talk" radio and media
The Federalist Society and "think tanks" whose goal has been to nullify the Federal government (Democracy) and return final authority over Americans to the states.
The "politics" of Trump didn't happen in a vacuum or magically manifest upon his appearance as a candidate for President.
He was the moment they'd been waiting for.
You have painted a truly horrifying picture. I live in the bluest of states, California, in the bluest of areas, the Bay Area, where we are shielded from much of the fascist activities you describe. In fact, we laughingly talk about secession if trump “wins” in 2024. But as you make clear, there is no escape from this threat to our country. We have to do everything we can to vote and to engage everyone to this existential threat.