mastodon 4.7.3
Brooke Rollins shows that the female "I'll pray for you" version of Christian bullying is just as toxic as the chest-thumping theatrics of the theobros.
In many ways, it's worse. Passive-aggression is harder to defend against than open aggression.
Hegseth refusing — and continuing to refuse — to call Mormons "Christian" is a real leopards-eating-faces moment.
But it's a lot more than that. Christian nationalists depend on the myth of Christian unity.
Hegseth exploded that myth.
https://www.salon.com/2026/06/10/pete-hegseths-mormon-diss-explodes-a-maga-myth/
It's upsetting to see the DOJ open a phony "investigation" into 82-year-old E. Jean Carroll.
But it is also an important reminder that #MeToo still matters. The forces of misogyny wouldn't go so hard after survivors if they weren't scared.
https://www.salon.com/2026/05/29/e-jean-carroll-still-terrifies-trump/
DoorDash Grandma isn't a paid plant. (For that, you need to be paid!) Instead, her story is far worse.
She's a depressing example of how MAGA cultists have internalized the lies that justify their own oppression.
An analysis.
https://www.salon.com/2026/04/17/trumps-doordash-grandma-isnt-a-plant-the-truth-is-much-darker/
The San Diego shooting is a reminder that underage mass shooters typically get their guns from parents.
But there's only been two cases where the parents were charged with homicide.
I think prosecutors should charge more. Here's why.
https://www.salon.com/2026/05/22/we-should-prosecute-parents-when-kids-kill/
JD Vance and Stephen Miller have decided that fake stories of "immigrant fraud" are the future of MAGA.
It's an especially rich move when they work for the biggest fraudster of all.
They are functionally admitting this is about race, not crime.
https://www.salon.com/2026/06/05/jd-vance-goes-all-in-on-immigrant-fraud-hoax/
The notion Trump has "perfect" health is an obvious lie to anyone with two eyes and basic sense.
And yet, he pushes it because MAGA eats it up.
It's not just that theyr'e stupid. (Though there is that.)
It's because they need to believe he's a god.
https://www.salon.com/2026/06/01/why-maga-buys-trumps-perfect-health-lie/
Long day and I almost forgot! But today's excerpt from Standing Room Only is about how James Talarico is getting MAGA men to show their asses.
Subscribe today! https://salon-standingroomonly.beehiiv.com/
Music by Library Card.
Trump had a total meltdown after losing his name on the Kennedy Center and the Freedom 250 artists quitting.
It's not just about his ego. He mirrors the frustration MAGA feels about being so deeply uncool.
Their attempt to conquer the arts backfired.
https://www.salon.com/2026/06/03/maga-fails-to-conquer-arts-and-music/
I read Evie Magazine's "Sex" issue so you don't have to.
It's wild stuff. The issue was risqué to the point of being pornographic. But yet, it is still absolutely Christian right propaganda.
They're using porn to sell fundamentalism to women. Wild!
The LDS church is suing an ex-Mormon who hosts a podcast criticizing the church.
They claim it's not about silencing him. But their court filings and history suggest that they very much are afraid that his content will cause Mormons to feel doubts.
https://www.salon.com/2026/04/29/mormons-will-regret-suing-an-ex-member/
New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt: My plea to mainstream journalists to stop indulging the moral panic over birth rates. Women don't owe you more babies.
Read and subscribe today! https://salon-standingroomonly.beehiiv.com/
Music by Gina Birch.
Trump clearly imagines the White House ballroom will be an eternal tribute to his greatness.
Instead, it's shaping up to be a perfect symbol of his failures. It's likely never to be finished. But even if it is, it will be hideous and stink of corruption.
https://www.salon.com/2026/05/20/white-house-ballroom-is-turning-into-a-symbol-of-trumps-failures/
Both mainstream media and especially MAGA media are hyping claims that there's been a big resurgence in religiosity among young American men.
But a deeper look at the data shows they don't go to church more than young women.
I have answers.
https://www.salon.com/2026/05/04/young-mens-religious-revival-is-a-myth/
RFK Jr. frames his war on antidepressants, as usual, in tones of faux concern.
But of course, he doesn't actually care about Americans.
Instead, like the Republican he is, he's creating an excuse to strip even more health care away.
https://www.salon.com/2026/05/18/the-real-reason-rfk-jr-is-coming-for-your-antidepressants/
Republicans are getting more brazen — in rhetoric and policy — in pushing teenage girls to give birth.
The good news is that it won't work. Girls aren't going to fall for it.
An analysis.
https://www.salon.com/2026/04/20/maga-wants-more-teen-births-it-wont-work/
Trump knew he was going to be booed at the Knicks game. It's why he went! It's why he smirked as they booed. (And then slept through the game.)
Here's my short analysis of why he wanted to be booed.
You can also see my cat, Joey.
In Colorado, a moderate Republican could easily win as governor, especially over the milquetoast Democrats on offer.
Instead, the frontrunner is a guy who does phone exorcisms and says he killed a man when he was 7.
Says a lot about GOP primary voters.
https://www.salon.com/2026/06/08/even-in-purple-colorado-republicans-cant-find-a-normal-candidate/
JD Vance's weekend was only a momentary reprieve. He can't escape the Iran war.
The delicious irony of this: his efforts to distance himself from the war only sucked him in deeper.
I explain how.
https://www.salon.com/2026/04/27/jd-vance-cant-escape-the-iran-war/
Kash Patel will be liked — or else.
In an administration full of narcissists, Patel stands out as especially thirsty. It seems to drive everything he does.
A deep dive into this sad man and how his attempts to be popular backfire.
https://www.salon.com/2026/04/24/kash-patels-futile-quest-for-validation/
The MAHA movement was based on the idea that health is about "personal choice" and not collective responsibility.
Trump is making good on that promise, by refusing to regulate pesticides.
MAHA moms don't like living with the consequences of their vote.
https://www.salon.com/2026/05/01/maha-moms-are-losing-faith-in-trump/
"Standing Room Only" premiering now! At great risk to my mental health, I address the male loneliness crisis.
Don't worry. I definitely don't think we should blame women. Nah, I blame MAGA.
New "Standing Room Only!" This week, I take on the dreaded topic: the male loneliness crisis.
I don't blame women. Or video games. No, I think the problem is young men listening to right wing influencers.
But we have a lot of laughs, especiallly since we have to talk about, um, gooning.
New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt: Trump's "Commit Crimes For Me" fund isn't just an outrage. It's going to compel more radicalization, more broken families, more misery.
Subscribe today! https://salon-standingroomonly.beehiiv.com/
Music by Wild Flag.
"Standing Room Only" premiering now! This one's a banger!
We have all sorts of weird and blood-boiling and sometimes darkly funny clips, to back my case.
I think the young men's religious "revival" is a myth. And I'll show you why.
Ken Paxton thinks his voters are stupid. (He's not wrong about that.)
My reaction to his acceptance speech. I was struck by how bored he sounds by his ugly lies about James Talarico.
New "Standing Room Only!" Today's episode is a journey from Russell Brand not knowing his Bible to an interview with a former tradwife, who explains why biblical patriarchy is not as cool for men as influencers are claiming.
Check it out!
Season finale of "Standing Room Only!" We have "worst of" awards.
I interview Brad Onishi about why TPUSA's revival tour is failing.
We do an "in memoriam" for Kristi Noem's job, among others.
Lots of laughs! But also a warning: MAGA isn't over.
Season finale of "Standing Room Only" premiering now!
I look forward. The right is always innovating new culture wars.
But we also have a blast looking over the past year. When we started this show, MAGA was riding high. Now they're in freefall.
