Conservatives warn culture, political wars will worsen
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen
Illustration: Aida Amer/Axios
The verdict is clear: The vast majority of Republicans will stand firm with former President Trump. The next phase is clear, too:Republicans are rallying around a common grievance that big government, big media and big business are trying to shut them up, shut them out and shut them down.
Why it matters: The post-Trump GOP, especially its most powerful media platforms, paint the new reality as an existential threat. This means political attacks are seen — or characterized — as assaults on their very being.
Fox News' Tucker Carlson told us that many in Trump's base feel that the "combined forces of global power have turned on them and are cracking down hard — hilariously, in the name of democracy."
- "Not a sustainable moment," Carlson added. "Something will break."
Ben Shapiro, a media leader on the right, told us this sentiment "is widespread, and it grows more dominant with every NYT columnist calling for a social media crackdown, every WaPo columnist lumping in mainstream conservatives with Capitol rioters, every corporation mirroring woke priorities."
- Shapiro created an internal and external firestorm at Politico when he guest-authored the franchise Playbook. Staff revolted, which Shapiro cites as another example of mainstream media trying to silence the right.
If anything, the calls for calm and rethinking among some GOP leaders grew fast into claims of grievance and revolution.
- Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), a vocal Trump backer, drew 1,000 people yesterday at a rally in Wyoming where he attacked House GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney, a lightning rod on the right after she voted to impeach Trump. "Washington, D.C., mythologizes the establishment power brokers like Liz Cheney," Gaetz said. "But there are more of us than there are of them."
Conservatives were quick to try to move on from the mob storming the Capitol after incitement by Trump. Listen or watch conservative media, and claims of systematic "silencing" are mounting by the day:
- Trump was banned from Facebook and Twitter.
- Facebook, a hotbed for conservative argument and misinformation, wants to downplay politics on its platform.
- Google and othersshut off money for Republicans who voted against certifying President Biden's victory.
- Carlson signed off on Fox last night by saying: "This is the free speech channel — the last one left in American media." Sean Hannity added: "Only a couple of us, Tucker."
The big picture: Pay attention to this trend. The more personal and visceral politics becomes, the higher the chances for chaos and worse.
What we're watching: In a terrorism alert this week warning of continuing danger from anti-government extremists, the Department of Homeland Security pointed to "perceived grievances fueled by false narratives."
- Axios Sneak Peekscooped last night that House Republican leaders ignored warnings last summer that QAnon-supporting conspiracy theorist Marjorie Taylor Greene, now a congresswoman from Georgia, would end up a flaming train wreck for the party.
- Speaker Pelosi said yesterday, after warning about Greene: "[W]e will probably need a supplemental [funding bill] for more security for members when the enemy is within the House of Representatives."
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Snowflakes, anyone?
The whining, the constant whining.
Why is everyone picking on conservatives? All they want to do is have their lying, thieving, ignorant, bigoted, traitorous president back in office for four more years, (even though the other guy got more votes) and to have a crazed, ignorant, bigoted, deluded conspiracy monger woman in the House of Representatives, what's wrong with that? Why is everyone picking on conservatives?
Yep, your constant whining about conservatives gets tiresome
Sorry you dislike hearing the truth so often. Maybe you should start caring about democracy, and less about embracing white supremacists, misogynists', liars and cheats. Give that a try.
I know..... take a swing at accountability. That should stop the whining.
Indeed it does!
CONGRESS
Anti-Trump group launches $1M billboard campaign calling on Cruz, Hawley, McCarthy to resign
Nine Republican House members are also being targeted in the effort.
New billboards by the Republican Accountability Project call on the dozen congressional Republicans, including Sen. Ted Cruz, to resign for spreading lies about the 2020 election that “incited the Capitol attack” on Jan. 6, according to details first shared with POLITICO. | Republican Accountability Project
By LAURA BARRÓN-LÓPEZ
01/29/2021 05:01 AM ESTThe anti-Trump Republican Accountability Project is kicking off a $1 million billboard campaign Thursday that targets 12 Republican lawmakers, including Sens. Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
The billboards call on the dozen congressional Republicans to resign for spreading falsehoods about the 2020 election. “You lied about the election. The Capitol was attacked,” the billboards read according to details first shared with POLITICO. All of the lawmakers on the list voted Jan. 6 — hours after the Capitol insurrection — to reject state electors Joe Biden won in November as part of an effort to overturn the election results.
That simply means we double down in the defense of the targeted congress persons and senators because they are targeted. It’s all out domestic war on a rhetorical and debate political level now. The fight is on. We will never surrender!
Dude, have you come out of the closet yet? I am just asking because comments like the one you posted reek of homosexuality.
Ummmm. So when did Newsmax, OANN, Breitbart TV and the dozens and dozens of conservative .coms ALL go out of business?
At this point, conservatism is all about them feeling like victims and expressing that ad nauseum.
Lol, of course they are THE ONLY ONE. Seriously, anytime anyone says something or someone is the only who can do this or that, solve this or that, or be trusted it should send up a big ass red flag to everyone with a functioning brain. Sadly it seems, about half of all people hear that and think "hey yeah, that makes sense."
Like when Trump said something along the lines of I alone can fix it. Really? Literally no one else on planet Earth can come up with solutions to those same problems? Honestly only conmen talk like that.
They would if democrats and MBFC had their way.
[Deleted]
IMHO, the violent Trump supporters, the Trump domestic terrorists, will do their best to create a great deal of hatred and terrorism across America as they can. Then Trump will come in and be the great peacemaker, showing the world what a great savior and leader he is, so that he will easily get re-elected in 2024. And the ever perfect porn star Melania wants to be 'Evita' to Trumps' 'Peron'.
That is how all terrorist leaders work it. Create the fear for their lives and that of their family by threatening those in our Congress who might, or do, oppose him, then create fear among the people by causing terror and destruction across the country. Then be the great 'savior'. It's been the story of despots, dictators and Mafia organizations around the world for millennia. And Trump and his well armed but brain dead private army and domestic terrorist organizations across the nation will take their turn at trying this game.
However, none of them are as deeply revered, or as popular, as they think they are. And they are in for a very rude awakening in the end. That has been the case before in America under similar circumstances. And they will find they misjudged the real Americans.
JMOO
Victim noises, that's what these conspiracy theory, Qtard republicans are good for.
... compost.
The density of some of these people is truly astounding. "Cancel culture", I really am getting tired of that phrase.
The simple fact of the matter is I don't have to listen to what you have to say. I don't have to buy a certain brand or product, I don't have to respect your opinions, I don't have to give you a microphone to express your views. That goes for everybody, including businesses and other organizations. If you choose to say some racist or other stupid shit, the rest of us can choose to ignore you.
Really the cancel culture bullshit is just some people crying and essentially arguing that the rest of us have to associate with and listen to them. No we don't and fuck you for suggesting as much. If you come to my house and start talking about jewish space lasers, I am going to cancel the shit out of you by putting my foot in your ass as you go out the door.
The culture and political wars are only just beginning to heat up. The loyal opposition will fully engage in every aspect of it in our resistance to the green new deal and socialized medicine.
What does ANY of that have to do with what I said? Are you fucking high?
[Deleted]
Simple. We won’t be cancelled. We are the resistance!
God damnit.... this is just so fucking stupid that I don't want to deal with it. This comment is a shit stain on a hotel room toilet, can someone else please take care of it?
Of course, they will. The so-called conservatives will make certain that the culture and political wars will worsen. It's all they have.
God knows they don't actually have any policy or legislative ideas.
Don't Cry For Me "Proud" Americans
Click this link for the music while you read --->>>
It won't be easy, you'll think it strange
When I try to explain how I feel
That I still need your love after all that I've done
You won't believe me
All you will see is a man you once knew
Although I won the election
And caused the insurrection
I had to let it happen, I had to lie
Couldn't say the pandemic was real
So I wouldn't lose your votes, You know how I feel
So I chose law suits
Running around, trying everything new
But the courts didn't help me at all
I never expected them to
Don't cry for me "proud" Americans
The truth is I never left you
All through my wild days
My mad existence
I kept my promise
Don't keep your distance
And as for fortune, and as for fame
I surely invited them in
And convinced the whole world they were all I desired
They weren't illusions
They are not the solutions they promised to be
The answer was always with you
I love you and hope you love me
Don't cry for me "proud" Americans
The truth is I never left you
All through my wild days
My mad existence
I kept my promise
Don't keep your distance
Have I said too much?
There's nothing more I can think of though I'll try
But all you have to do is look at me to know
That every word is a lie.