Andrea will be speaking at the peaceful Now March this Friday, January 3rd, on Capitol Hill calling for Congress to take their final opportunity to stop MAGA fascism. Obviously the time to stop Russian-backed Trump was years ago, as Gaslit Nation has documented for years now. Andrea will join the Now March to support the tenacious organizers, to take a stand on the right side of history, and to never stop reminding people: none of this is normal. An unpunished coup is a dress rehearsal for a sucessful one, and that is where we are in America. For more information visit NowMarch.org and check out this video by Jessica Denson of Lights On, one of the main organizsers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkRnnglQm4U

How does Franco's reign in Spain connect to the rise of Trump? In this gripping true-crime thriller, financial journalist Gareth Gore, while investigating a bank collapse in Spain, follows the money trail to uncover a vast international conspiracy behind Opus Dei.

What is Opus Dei? It's a shadowy global right-wing organization founded in Spain just before the Spanish Civil War. Supported by powerful Republican figures like Leonard Leo, Opus Dei is a Christian nationalist movement fueling efforts to dismantle democracy and pave the way for dictatorship in America. Gore, the author of the explosive book Opus: The Cult of Dark Money, Human Trafficking, and Right-Wing Conspiracy Inside the Catholic Church, delves into this insidious network. In this chilling conversation, recorded just before the U.S. election, Gore reveals how Opus Dei's influence stretches from Capitol Hill to the Supreme Court—and what is being done, including by the Pope, to try to curb its destructive power.

This week's bonus show features a live interview with Dr. Emma Briant, one of the world's foremost experts on disinformation warfare and propaganda. Dr. Briant, co-editor of The Routledge Handbook on the Influence Industry and author of Propaganda and Counter-Terrorism: Strategies for Global Change, shares invaluable insights into the weapons of global propaganda.

Gaslit Nation returns with all-new episodes on January 7th! We're excited to continue this fight for truth and justice with you—together, we can plant the seeds of meaningful change. Democracy Defender ($10/month) and higher supporters, don't forget to submit your questions for our upcoming bonus show Q&A!

Thank you to everyone who supports the show–we could not make Gaslit Nation without you!

Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit!

We're running this week's episode earlier than usual due to the New Year's Eve holiday--happy new year, everyone! We'll get through what comes next together!

Good news! Staying off social media is good for your mental health and countering disinformation. In this week's Gaslit Nation bonus show, listen to an excerpt of our inspiring live interview with Dr. Emma Briant, one of the world's foremost experts on disinformation warfare and propaganda. Dr. Briant, co-editor of The Routledge Handbook on the Influence Industry and author of Propaganda and Counter-Terrorism: Strategies for Global Change, shares invaluable insights into the weapons of global propaganda. Check out her latest article in the Index on Censorship on how disinformation warfare is being waged on academia.

Our discussion was recorded at Monday's Gaslit Nation political salon with our Patreon community. Thank you to all who attended and asked great questions! To hear the full discussion, be sure to subscribe at the Truth-teller ($5/month) tier or higher on Patreon.com/Gaslit!

Gaslit Nation returns with all-new episodes on January 7th! We're excited to continue this fight for truth and justice with you—together, we can plant the seeds of meaningful change. Democracy Defender ($10/month) and higher supporters, don't forget to submit your questions for our upcoming bonus show Q&A!

Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit!

Thank you to everyone who supports the show–we could not make Gaslit Nation without you!

Show Notes:

Meet Dr. Emma Briant: https://emma-briant.co.uk/

Can academic freedom survive Donald Trump's plans for thought control? The president's aim to remove power from universities and punish so-called "woke" ideology has chilling implications for free speech globally By Emma Briant https://www.indexoncensorship.org/2024/12/academic-freedom-survive-donald-trump-plans-thought-control-universities-colleges-education/

Great Britain was woefully unprepared when Hitler's Nazis invaded nearly half of Europe. As the country faced the relentless terror of the Blitz—where cities were bombed like Ukraine is being bombed today by Putin—Churchill was tasked with turning the tide. In the midst of this devastation, he turned to his favorite act of self-care: creating art.

In our ongoing discussion, Robert Schmuhl, author of Mr. Churchill in the White House, explores how painting was a profound source of solace and strength for Churchill. This personal outlet helped shape his leadership during Europe's darkest hour, influencing the fate of the free world. As we always say on Gaslit Nation, art is survival. If you have artwork you'd like to share with our community, we'd love to feature it on our socials. Email us at [email protected]! For music, we're happy to play your song on the show—just submit your work using the link in our show notes!

This Monday, during our Gaslit Nation salon on Zoom with our Patreon community, we're thrilled to welcome disinformation researcher Dr. Emma Briant. Dr. Briant played a pivotal role in exposing the Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal and is a co-editor of the Routledge Handbook of the Influence Industry, which includes a chapter on lawfare by Andrea's sister, Alexandra Chalupa. Dr. Briant will walk us through the mechanics of influence campaigns—how they work, their effects, and, most importantly, how we can fight back. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the leading experts in the field!

Show Notes:

The song featured in this week's episode is "Free" by Aaron Espe: https://open.spotify.com/track/3M7xHMsoIeNKLkrJ2wY4i6

Submit your song to be featured on Gaslit Nation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeS7TftV6Vfnw-iasFLepL6FpIj_KFORDLrAlZGH3nLg7i8lA/viewform

Mr. Churchill in the White House The Untold Story of a Prime Minister and Two Presidents https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324093428

Clip: The Paintings of Sir Winston Churchill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exABCiPBAVE

Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit!

Self-care is an act of resistance, especially when the fate of the free world depends on you. In the latest episode of Gaslit Nation, Andrea interviews Robert Schmuhl, author of Mr. Churchill in the White House. Their conversation reveals the fascinating dynamics between White House roommates Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II. It also delves into the debate: did Churchill really see Lincoln's ghost?

Two of the most powerful men of the 20th century, with towering egos and differing leadership styles, shared space in the White House during one of the most tumultuous periods in history. How did they manage? By treating self-care as sacred—a vital lesson for us today as we face a new era of America First and the rise of global fascism.

Schmuhl takes us behind the curtain, exploring Churchill's struggles with depression and the personal toll of war. The episode doesn't shy away from darker aspects, including Churchill's role in the Bengal Famine. It's a thoughtful, nuanced look at two men who shaped the world, yet weren't immune to their own flaws and the overwhelming challenges they faced to liberate Europe and overcome the isolationism at home driven by fascist-aligned America First. Sound familiar?

Show Notes:

The song featured in this week's episode is "Free" by Aaron Espe: https://open.spotify.com/track/3M7xHMsoIeNKLkrJ2wY4i6

Submit your song to be featured on Gaslit Nation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeS7TftV6Vfnw-iasFLepL6FpIj_KFORDLrAlZGH3nLg7i8lA/viewform

Mr. Churchill in the White House The Untold Story of a Prime Minister and Two Presidents https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324093428

Due to the Christmas Eve holiday and the coziness of this conversation--it's a perfect one to listen to around the fire or while wrapping presents--we're publishing this episode a bit earlier than usual. Happy holidays!

"And hope here, I don't think it's passive. It is active. It's a form of resistance against despair. And it must be paired with a political imagination, that belief that we can build the future."

–Wasim Almasri, Director of Programs, The Alliance for Middle East Peace

In this important conversation, Andrea and Terrell speak with Avi Meyerstein, Founder and President of the Alliance for Middle East Peace (ALLMEP), and Wasim Almasri, Director of Programs based in the West Bank city of Ramallah. They discuss what a meaningful path to peace looks like for Israelis and Palestinians, how to achieve it, the priorities the outgoing and incoming U.S. administrations must focus on, and the pending ceasefire deal, which has seen a resurgence of promising negotiations in recent days.

If you're looking for defiant hope and a light to show the way in these dark times, listen to the team at ALLMEP who have been hard at work planting powerful seeds of change. For more on their work, check at the link at the top of the show notes.

Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit!

Thank you to everyone who supports the show–we could not make Gaslit Nation without you!

Show Notes:

The Alliance for Middle East Peace: https://www.allmep.org/

Hopes for Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal rise Israeli officials, Hamas sources, and US and Arab figures say deal may be within reach – perhaps within days https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/17/israeli-negotiators-head-to-qatar-as-hopes-rise-for-gaza-hostage-deal

"Ukrainian intelligence sent about 20 experienced drone operators and about 150 first-person-view drones to the rebel headquarters in Idlib, Syria, four to five weeks ago to help Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the leading rebel group based there, the knowledgeable sources said.

The aid from Kyiv played only a modest role in overthrowing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Western intelligence sources believe. But it was notable as part of a broader Ukrainian effort to strike covertly at Russian operations in the Middle East, Africa and inside Russia itself." 

–From the Washington Post

In this week's bonus episode, we present a recording from our special Gaslit Nation political salon on Monday, where we honored Syria. This episode offers crucial insights on navigating the complex landscape of Syria's future, highlighting who to trust—and who to be wary of—when it comes to information about the country. We also delve into the disinformation campaigns surrounding Syria and how to prepare for the challenges ahead. Additionally, this week's bonus show features answers to questions from our Democracy Defender-level members and above on voting and homelessness as well as how to protect trans people. Thank you to our Democracy Defender level supporters who help shape the show! 

For a good overview of why Assad's regime collapsed so quickly, read this great analysis by Charles Lister, a senior fellow and director of the Syria and Counterterrorism and Extremism programs at the Middle East Institute: https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/12/05/syria-assad-regime-collapsing-quickly/

For a look at how many "anti-imperialists" on the Left are pro-Assad, read this 2018 piece by Leila Al Shami, co-author of 'Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War: https://www.madamasr.com/en/2018/04/15/opinion/u/the-anti-imperialism-of-idiots/

Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit!

Show Notes:

Syria clip: Clarissa Ward of CNN reports from liberted Syria https://x.com/cnnipr/status/1866471510678135162

An estimated 2.5 million people were forced from their homes in the United States by weather-related disasters in 2023, according to new data from the Census Bureau. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/22/climate/climate-disasters-survivors-displacement.html

Voting and Homelessness  https://www.nonprofitvote.org/voting-and-homelessness/ 

When Britain and France Almost Merged Into One Country An extraordinary near-miss of history helps explain Brexit. https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/08/dunkirk-brexit/536106/

People to Follow for Syria & Other World News: 

• Michael Weiss (Bluesky)

• Oz Katerji (Bluesky)

• Eliot Higgins (Bluesky)

• Fared Al Mahlool (Bluesky)

• Leila Al-Shami (Bluesky)

• Olga Lautman (Bluesky)

• Philip Obaji Jr. (Bluesky)

• Shashank Joshi (Bluesky)

Support Trans People

• Erin in the Morning (Substack)

• Protect the LGBTQ Community: An Interview with Chase Strangio of the ACLU https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2022/5/26/chase-strangio-interview

• Moral Panic: Fact-Checking the War on Trans Kids https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2024/9/10/moral-panic-fact-checking-the-war-on-trans-kids

In Tuesday's episode of Gaslit Nation, titled Is the U.S. an Oligarchy?, Andrea opens with a discussion about the "Claims Adjuster Assassin." However, not all listeners were satisfied with the initial analysis. Many felt that something about the arrest of Luigi Mangione didn’t add up and urged her to take a closer look. Always ready to dig deeper, Andrea takes on the challenge, offering a fresh perspective on the case. Is Luigi Mangione the shooter or, like so many across America with similar convictions and grievances, a superfan, one willing to sacrifice for what he sees as a greater cause? 

You are free to scrutinize these points and join the conversation with your own analysis, feedback, and corrections. We can be reached at [email protected]. Your comments may be read on the show. 

Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit!

Show Notes:

Tom Winter of NBC: “A representative for the company that manages Citibike — Lyft — says the NYPD has now informed them that their bike was not used by the homicide suspect:” https://x.com/Tom_Winter/status/1864451018462810604

Luigi Mangione’s political views from left and right — he had ‘concern for the future of humanity’: pal https://nypost.com/2024/12/10/us-news/luigi-mangione-had-concern-for-the-future-of-humanity-pal/

Here’s What Luigi Mangione Reportedly Said About ‘Unabomber’ Ted Kaczynski https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/12/10/heres-what-luigi-mangione-reportedly-said-about-unabomber-ted-kaczynsk/

McDonald’s worker called cops on Luigi Mangione, person of interest in CEO shooting, says NYC police https://www.silive.com/news/2024/12/mcdonalds-worker-called-cops-on-luigi-mangione-person-of-interest-in-ceo-shooting-says-nyc-police.html

Lakeland woman threatens insurance company, says ‘Delay, Deny, Depose’: police https://www.wfla.com/news/polk-county/lakeland-woman-threatens-insurance-company-says-delay-deny-depose-police/

Clip: Video of McDonald’s regular in PA who saw Luigi Mangione: https://x.com/Newsweek/status/1866616844871668137/video/1

Clip: Video of McDonald’s regular in PA who saw Luigi Mangione:  https://x.com/News4SA/status/1866585750466105788/video/1

Clip: Our opening clip was AOC, summing up how many Americans across the political spectrum feel about the Claims Adjuster Assassin: https://x.com/alanhe/status/1867274875859349565

 Clip: Spartacus  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKCmyiljKo0

'People Were Worried' About 'Depressed' Luigi Mangione After He Left Co-Living Space in Hawaii, Says Friend https://people.com/luigi-mangione-people-worried-depressed-friend-co-living-space-8760057

Is America an oligarchy? This debate between Andrea and Felix Salmon, author of The Phoenix Economy: Work, Life, and Money in the New Not Normal, took place over the summer, but was delayed due to Biden dropping out of the election and Kamala Harris taking his place. We're revisiting it this week to assess how well it has aged.

America’s twelve richest men are now worth a combined $2 trillion. One of them, Jeff Bezos, reportedly interfered with the independence of the Washington Post, triggering a mass exodus after he blocked the paper’s endorsement of Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. Another, Elon Musk, is threatening Republicans in Congress—one of the last remaining checks on our political system—warning that they must submit to Trump’s White House or face his warchest in the GOP primaries. Musk spent over a quarter of a billion dollars on Trump’s election and has been rewarded by being a sidekick President, meeting with world leaders, including Trump’s recent call with Zelensky.

A report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office this year revealed that “the top 10% of wealthy Americans now control 60% of the nation’s wealth, while the poorer half of the country holds only 6%.” America braces for the impact of a second Trump White House, packed with billionaires and a PayPal mafia shadow presidency. Deregulation, monopolies, and tax cuts for the rich will exacerbate America’s income inequality crisis and fuel further political unrest.

Luigi Mangione, also known as the alleged Claims Adjuster assassin, sparked a national conversation this week in America. For a brief moment, Americans across the political spectrum set aside their differences and united around horror stories of insurance company greed. If we resist getting drawn into Republican-driven culture wars, we have the potential to unite with people from all sides of the political divide against a common enemy.

Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit!

Show Notes:

The Phoenix Economy: Work, Life, and Money in the New Not Normal by Felix Salmon https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-phoenix-economy-work-life-and-money-in-the-new-not-normal-felix-salmon/19257986?ean=9780063076280

Jeff Bezos killed Washington Post endorsement of Kamala Harris, paper reports https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/business/money-report/jeff-bezos-killed-washington-post-endorsement-of-kamala-harris-paper-reports/4009739/

Trump selling deregulation https://x.com/samstein/status/1866574253534876026

Elon Musk warns Republicans against standing in Trump’s way — or his https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-politics-trump-7e26c829af224a1f9d67c27cea085e68

America's 12 Richest Men Now Worth a Combined $2 Trillion https://www.newsweek.com/americas-12-richest-men-worth-combined-2-trillion-1995950#:~:text=An%20analysis%20by%20Forbes%20showed,of%20more%20than%20%242%20trillion.

Elon Musk spends $277 million to back Trump and Republican candidates https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-277-million-trump-republican-candidates-donations/

Wall Street continues to roll higher in wake of Trump victory https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-11-11/stock-market-today-wall-street-rolls-higher-as-bitcoin-bursts-above-87-000

America's top 10% controls 60% of the wealth. The bottom half holds 6%. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2024/10/24/americas-richest-10-percent-controls-60-percent-of-wealth/75790850007/

Trump’s Truth Social is now a public company. Experts warn its multibillion-dollar valuation defies logic https://www.newsweek.com/americas-12-richest-men-worth-combined-2-trillion-1995950#:~:text=An%20analysis%20by%20Forbes%20showed,of%20more%20than%20%242%20trillion.

Slain UnitedHealth CEO faced ongoing court battles, threats Common complaints against insurer denials were written on bullet casings found where Brian Thompson was killed. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/12/06/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-threats-court-battles/

Exclusive: Luigi's Manifesto Read the manifesto the media refused to publish https://www.kenklippenstein.com/p/luigis-manifesto

Today, we're celebrating the people of Syria and their liberation from Assad the Butcher. Our live-taping interview with disinformation expert Dr. Emma Briant has been rescheduled to 4:30 PM ET on December 30th. Be sure to bring your questions about combating disinformation and influence campaigns as we ring in the new year with Dr. Briant! In the meantime, join us today at 4 PM ET to celebrate Syria's liberation and share any comments or questions you’d like to discuss. The Zoom link is now posted on Patreon. See you there!

Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit!