Evening Roundup, August 22
Featuring Olivia Julianna, Shalise Manza Young, Jen Rubin & Tim Mak, Meredith Blake, a new Deplorable, the Democracy Movement, Ruben Bolling, Emily Beyda, and the Pet of the Week.
Newsom vs. Trump: The social media showdown Democrats need
During the 2024 election, social media wasn’t just a tool, it was the battlefield. Donald Trump had long understood how to bend the algorithm to his will, using brash, unfiltered posts—from petty feuds with celebrities to unhinged attacks on rivals—to dominate the conversation and set the agenda. Democrats tried to adapt, with culture-infused posts on t…
Where in the World is Tim Mak? Analyzing the Trump-Putin summit
Last Friday, Trump welcomed Russian President Vladimir into Anchorage, Alaska for a bilateral meeting to discuss the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Only three days later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other top European leaders met with Trump in the Oval Office for a similar discussion.
Culture Recs: The Best Things I Saw, Ate, and Read in London
Greetings from London, where I have been averaging a cool 19,000 steps a day for the last week and eating my body weight in scones with clotted cream. My family and I are staying in Richmond, the neighborhood known to many Americans because of its starring role in
How Trump weaponizes law with Abbe Lowell and Pastor Jamal Bryant
Back in April, Trump signed an executive order targeting whistleblower Miles Taylor. You might remember the name, he wrote an anonymous op-ed in the New York Times critiquing Trump during his first term.
Pam Bondi is deplorable
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has made it in to our Villains Hall of Fame. The Contrarian is reader-supported. Your paid subscription contributes to our fight against the Trump chaos in the court of public opinion *and* in the court of law. Join now
The Contrarian covers the Democracy Movement
Every day (Monday-Friday), we’ll update this space with protests, signs and other public demonstrations against the actions of the administration. Keep checking to see how Americans all across the country are protecting and defending democracy. Get help organizing from
Tom the Dancing Bug
Follow Ruben Bolling on Substack here; Join Tom the Dancing Bug’s Inner Hive here; and here is the Tom the Dancing Bug website, with information about the new book, “It’s the Great Storm, Tom the Dancing Bug!"
The Best Ever Sourdough Discard Crackers
It all started back in the pandemic. My friend Winston texted me a photo of a jar full of suspicious goop: sourdough starter, he said. A famous chef had posted the instructions. I should try making one too.
Pam Bondi will become the most famous US Attorney General in history due to her total disregard for the rule of law.
My Hero! Protests are coming. I offered signs in my past posts, but really, have you been to a Subway lately? Thought about assaults with a deli weapon? Arming with a loaded bun?
https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/launch-a-hero?r=3m1bs