Last week‚ I gave some New Year’s resolutions‚ specifically for women on the internet. One of those resolutions was to stop engaging in the trend known as “trauma dumping.” Trauma dumping‚ as I explained‚ is when women record themselves as they’re going through an emotional moment — sharing‚ as they say‚ “vulnerable stories” or private instances of their lives for all the world to see. The unspoken goal of trauma dumping is to receive praise for their vulnerability. A recent trauma-dumping offender who came to my attention is a girl named Brittany Pietsch. Pietsch worked for a company called Cloudflare‚ and after receiving an invite to a virtual meeting with her superiors‚ she realized that she was about to get laid off because of her performance. So‚ before the meeting‚ she did her hair and makeup and set up her phone to record herself being let go — again‚ because of her poor performance. Pietsch was a sales rep‚ and when you are in sales‚ you have to sell. She was‚ however‚ unable to do that. But never fear! TikTok is here. Not shockingly‚ Pietsch has a TikTok‚ so she took to her account to give her own spin on this situation‚ claiming she is actually the victim in this situation. That’s right: Though she was unable to do her job‚ she’s the victim. In this nine-minute long TikTok‚ a Cloudflare employee tells her they have finished reviewing performance evaluations and since Pietsch did not meet expectations‚ they have decided to part ways with her. Pietsch holds up her hand and says‚ “I’m going to stop you right there.” She explains she started in August‚ underwent a three-month ramp‚ and only worked three weeks in December before Christmas. She claims to have “the highest activity” on her team and continues by saying‚ “I have had three contracts out‚ done a really great job managing my deals up until the very end.” As it turns out‚ those three deals did not close. Regardless‚ Pietsch says she just does not think ending her time with Cloudflare makes any sense. WATCH: Candace Owens Let me stop her right there. Cloudflare letting Pietsch go actually makes plenty of sense. In her interrupting response‚ she basically says a lot of nothing. What activity is she referring to? She doesn’t specify. Phone calls? Because if so‚ that is not how she’s being evaluated. Their performance evaluations are based on the employee’s ability to close deals‚ which she self-proclaims that she has not done. Despite the fact she got contracts out over this three-month ramp period‚ she was still unable to close a deal. Then she seems to think that because it was Christmas‚ Cloudflare should be more forgiving. In actuality‚ the end of the year is when most deals tend to close. It sounds like Pietsch just wasn’t doing her job. But‚ no matter. She took to TikTok to proclaim herself the victim‚ using the word “traumatizing” in the caption — the same video in which she checks her appearance to make sure she looks ok. This is incredibly performative; it’s not vulnerable. Yet people still affirmed Pietsch’s sentiments about herself in their responses in the comments telling her she is‚ indeed‚ the victim. Why? Well‚ because it’s TikTok and also because‚ apparently‚ TikTokers just love a good trauma dump. People have at least pointed to the fact that according to her LinkedIn‚ Pietsch has a history of working in sales but she doesn’t seem to be able to hold a job for longer than a year. That is evidence for any employer — who isn’t in her TikTok generation — that maybe this is an issue. Maybe Pietsch‚ despite being concerned with her hair and makeup‚ actually just is not very good at her jobs. Generation TikTok does not understand that the internet is forever. Pietsch may have racked up the the likes and views she wanted for her TikTok‚ but now‚ when a future employer does a simple Google search for her‚ this video is what they will find — a video of a young woman who decided to secretly record the company she worked for because they did what most companies do: They fire people who are not performing well. Inevitably‚ this won’t bode well for her future. Secretly recording your company? That’s not trustworthy. Not taking ownership of your work? That’s not responsible. The question I keep returning to as we reflect on the past and simultaneously look to the future while beginning a new year is: Are we creating better human beings? Unfortunately‚ I think the answer is‚ obviously not.

NBC featured a clip of winning Houston Texans’ quarterback CJ Stroud after his record-setting performance in the team’s 45-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the NFL playoffs — but they left out the beginning of his statement featuring Jesus Christ. Stroud‚ who is a rookie‚ decimated the Browns’ #1 defense in his performance‚ with a 76.1% completion rate‚ 276 passing yards‚ three touchdowns‚ and no interceptions. At the age of 22‚ he became the youngest quarterback to ever win an NFL playoff game. “CJ‚ your first playoff game and your first NFL season and a record setting performance for you. What does this moment mean?” NBC Sports sideline reporter Kathryn Tappen asked. “First and foremost‚ I just want to give all glory and praise to my Lord‚ Jesus Christ‚” Stroud began‚ adding‚ “I mean‚ it’s been amazing‚ being in this city as short as I’ve been‚ but the love that I’ve got; I really just be doing it for Houston‚ man. People back home‚ I’m blessed enough to be in the position I am and blessed enough to be playing at a high level right now and we got to just keep it going.” But NBC elided the statement about Jesus Christ in its clip‚ as follows: CJ Stroud has a lot of love for his city ❤️ pic.twitter.com/fZ4zFrcqWt — Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 14‚ 2024 Here’s the full statement: Nobody believed in CJ Stroud at the beginning of the season. He just won the first round of playoffs. “Give all glory and praise to my Lord Jesus Christ. I mean it’s been amazing being in the city for a short as I’ve been with the love of God.” pic.twitter.com/Mved2SaN7h — Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) January 14‚ 2024 An 11-year-old Houston Texans superfan named Joseph Rodriguez had a “game day helmet” stolen from his brother’s car. His mother went to the team store to buy a replica and met Stroud‚ who happened to be there. She told him the story‚ prompting him to take a photo with her and tell her “I’m sorry it happened to you.” Then he told the store clerk‚ “Don’t let her buy the helmet. I’m going to buy it for him.”

Jason Kelce addressed reports he allegedly told Eagles teammates he was retiring following Philadelphia’s playoff loss against Tampa Bay and made it clear that no final decision has been made. During the “New Heights” podcast with his brother Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce‚ Jason talked about getting emotional on the sidelines following the Wild Card game loss to the Buccaneers and what he told his teammates in the locker room after the game. (32:40) “I didn’t announce what I was doing on purpose‚ despite‚ I guess‚ what’s been leaked to the media‚” Kelce told his brother.  “I just don’t think you’re in a position after a game like that to really make that decision.” “I just don’t‚” he added. “There’s too much emotion in the moment‚ there’s too much going down in the moment to really fully grasp that decision. “I’m not trying to be dramatic and continue to draw this thing out.” “When it’s time to officially announce what’s happening in the future‚ it’ll be done in a way that’s definitive and pays respect to a lot of people and individuals that have meant a lot to me and what has led to the career I’ve had‚ and I don’t think it would be respectful or even accurate to be able to do that right after a game like that‚” Kelce continued. The Eagles player admitted it was “frustrating” the way the season ended and said despite reports about what he told his teammates‚ he said it was “pretty much” the same thing he just said on the podcast. “Which is I got belief in every single one of you guys‚ cherish the moments you have in this league … I think it’s kind of the way it went down‚” Jason told his brother. He pointed out that there were some who told him‚ “[if] that is your last game I feel sorry for you.” Kelce said he replied‚ “Don’t feel sorry for me motherf***ers. I’ve had a f***ing …” he then appeared to get emotional and trailed off. The Philadelphia player also said he didn’t “know what the future holds for anybody in that building right now‚ we’re about to get into‚ I guess‚ what happens down the stretch but we have exit interviews tomorrow.” The six-time All-Pro center was picked in the sixth round (No. 191 overall) by the Eagles in the 2011 NFL Draft by former Philadelphia head coach Andy Reid before Reid joined Kansas City in January 2013. The Philadelphia player helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl LII victory in 2018 against the New England Patriots.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was detained at the airport in Munich on Wednesday after officials spotted a luxury watch the actor reportedly failed to declare was planned for auction. The 76-year-old actor was held by customs officials after they searched his luggage and found a custom-made Swiss brand Audemars Piguet $21‚000 wristwatch in his suitcase before he was finally freed‚ the German news outlet Bild reported.  The “Terminator” star was held for three hours after arriving in the country from Los Angeles because he had failed to declare the item upon arrival. The German tabloid reported that the former Gov. of California was friendly with officials in the beginning‚ but the longer the investigation went on the more agitated he became. Arnold Schwarzenegger Detained at Munich Airport for 3 Hours Over Valuable Watch He Was Carrying https://t.co/im7XACrF9D — People (@people) January 17‚ 2024 Munich Customs press officer Thomas Meister told CNN that Schwarzenegger “did not declare a product. A product that was imported from non-EU countries in order to remain in the EU. And this process applies to everyone.” A spokesperson for the main customs office in Munich told the Guardian‚ “We have initiated criminal tax proceedings. The watch should have been registered because it is an import.” The “Commando” star reportedly tried to tell officials the watch was being donated to the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative and was going to be auctioned off. “This is the problem that Germany is suffering from. You can no longer see the forest for the trees‚” Schwarzenegger said. A source close to the actor told CNN‚ “Arnold was detained for three hours today at Munich airport for traveling with a watch he owns‚ that he might be auctioning at his charity auction tomorrow in Kitzbuhel (in Austria).”  “He was never asked to fill out a declaration form and he answered every question from customs officers honestly‚” the source added. “He cooperated at every step even though it was an incompetent shakedown‚ a total comedy of errors that would make a very funny cop movie.” The insider said that “Arnold agreed to pre-pay potential taxes on the watch and the officers failed to use a credit card machine for an hour until they gave up.” The Hollywood actor was then brought to a bank and was asked to “withdraw cash from an ATM to pay‚” the source added.  “The ATM they brought him to had a limit too low and the bank was closed. When he returned‚ a new officer brought a new credit card machine that worked.” The actor was finally allowed to leave the airport‚ the source concluded.

Let’s look at the strategy the Democrats are using to try to defeat Donald Trump. To understand that strategy‚ you really have to speculate on whether this is all‚ as Admiral Ackbar might say‚ a trap — whether‚ in fact‚ the Democrats’ plan was to get Republicans to nominate Trump so they could run against him. They tried this trap in 2015 and 2016. Hillary Clinton suggested Trump wouldn’t run. She wanted Trump to be the Republican nominee. And then‚ of course‚ she lost to him. Are Democrats repeating history? Numerous people have suggested that by promoting all of these legal cases against Trump this year‚ the Democrats reversed all of the momentum in the race — in favor of Trump — because the Republicans reacted to the unjust persecution by supporting him in the race. And then‚ the Democrats figured‚ the entire next year was going to be all about his legal cases. There’s data to support this. The Republican presidential primary polling shows that right after the 2022 elections‚ Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis were running basically neck and neck‚ and then continued to run neck and neck through January and February. And then something happened in March. What happened in March? The announcement of prosecutions against Trump. Once that happened‚ the polls opened up wide‚ the dam burst‚ and Republicans moved behind Trump because they perceived he was being unduly persecuted. Plus‚ they heard his line that the Democrats were coming after him because they would also come after Republicans. WATCH: The Ben Shapiro Show That line was particularly effective because the Democratic Party was making clear that the center of all of their policies was equity‚ equity‚ equity‚ and when many Americans hear “equity‚” they hear that the preferred Democratic voting constituencies are going to get special benefits and everybody else is going to get jack. So when Trump said they’re coming after him because they’re also coming after you‚ that had some credibility to it. The cases against Trump will go on all year long. They will consistently be in the headlines and that could theoretically hurt him. But‚ on the other hand‚ Trump ranting about legal cases could mean that it gets boring. When Trump talks about a topic too much‚ it basically turns into ringing in your ears and it becomes really irritating. It’s like when you wake up in the middle of the night and hear ringing in your ears‚ so your brain tunes it out so you can sleep. That same principle applies when the Democrats and media get into insane mode about Trump’s supposed fascism. You tune it out as though it’s background noise. I don’t think most Americans care particularly much about all of this. I think most Americans think‚ “You went after him on a thousand different things. None of them seemed to be particularly noteworthy or crazy. We all remember January 6‚ so that was already baked into the cake. Donald Trump and women. That’s been a thing since the 1980s.” The bottom line is the Democrats are gambling that Trump’s legal foibles are going to somehow sink his campaign. I don’t know if that’s a particularly amazing gamble. Thus‚ the Democrats are now having to rely on some backup strategies. One of those ongoing backup strategies is the attempt to bar Trump from the ballot. That’s undemocratic. You can’t just ban your political opponents from the ballot. All of these tactics lend credence to Trump’s claims that they are out to get him‚ which of course‚ is the reason he got the nomination in the first place — presuming that he wraps it up‚ as I assume that he will. And there’s a good chance none of these tactics will work. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP

The New York Stock Exchange has withdrawn a rule that Republicans said would have illegally implemented a radical environmentalist agenda and harmed national security. On Wednesday‚ the NYSE announced that it would be withdrawing a proposed rule to the Securities and Exchange Commission that would have created a listing entity called a Natural Asset Company (NAC). A NAC would be empowered to control private and public lands by capturing “the intrinsic and productive value of nature” and block things like logging‚ herding‚ and drilling from happening on the land. The proposed rule was opposed by a coalition of over two dozen Republican attorneys general and state financial officers who warned that the rule would be used to push a liberal political agenda. Republicans also said that foreign entities would be able to purchase and control what happens on public lands by designating it a NAC. Utah Republican Treasurer Marlo Oaks said that he was pleased with the NYSE decision to withdraw the rule. “The proposed creation of Natural Asset Companies is one of the greatest threats to rural communities in the history of our nation. Under the proposal‚ private interests‚ including foreign-controlled sovereign wealth funds‚ could use their capital to purchase or manage farmland‚ national and state parks‚ and other mineral-rich areas and stop essential economic activities like farming‚ grazing‚ and energy extraction‚” he said in a statement obtained by The Daily Wire. “It is my hope this news signals an end to this horrible idea and that it does not resurface in other venues.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP The SEC was considering the proposal to approve NACs and was scheduled to take public comment until January 18. Derek Kreifels‚ the CEO of the State Financial Officers Foundation‚ said the consequences for America could have been “dire” if the rule had been accepted. “I’m grateful for all who helped raise the alarm on this attempted land grab by climate alarmists‚ and thankful for today’s corrective from the NYSE‚ but we must continue to be vigilant in defending our communities and states from future efforts that would seek to upend what has made this country great in pursuit of radical political agendas‚” he said. Related: Republican AGs Issue Warning Over Proposed Environmental Rule They Say Would Compromise National Security

President Joe Biden conveyed an apology through aides to Asa Hutchinson on Wednesday for a Democratic National Committee (DNC) statement mocking the former Arkansas governor after he dropped out of the GOP presidential contest. Jeffrey Zients‚ Biden’s chief of staff‚ called Hutchinson in the morning to express contrition for the DNC’s swipe‚ White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. “It did not represent [Biden’s] views. We apologize to the governor‚” Jean-Pierre said. .@PressSec on DNC statement regarding @AsaHutchinson's suspended presidential campaign: "The president has deep respect for Governor Hutchinson…Jeff Zients called the governor to apologize on behalf of the president and it did not reflect his views." pic.twitter.com/ydb8EzKE4N — CSPAN (@cspan) January 17‚ 2024 The statement from the DNC came out on Tuesday after Hutchinson suspended his 2024 presidential campaign after a poor showing in the Republican Iowa caucuses. “This news comes as a shock to those of us who could’ve sworn he had already dropped out‚” said DNC National Press Secretary Sarafina Chitika. An array of journalists and pundits‚ including high-profile figures in the “Never Trump” crowd‚ condemned the DNC for the statement that critics described as “stupid” and gratuitous. Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN)‚ who is running a long-shot campaign against Biden for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination‚ took the opportunity to chide the DNC for messaging that was “disrespectful” and “unnecessary.” He added‚ “I’m embarrassed for my party‚” before harping on the DNC’s refusal to hold primary debates and ballot access issues. In Littleton‚ NH‚ Dean Phillips hit the DNC for this statement.“It’s disrespectful‚ it’s mean-spirited‚ it’s unnecessary‚ and it’s obnoxious. and I’m embarrassed for my party. https://t.co/6KRcByZdyw pic.twitter.com/syhIsPoyNp — Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) January 16‚ 2024 Some reporters noted on Wednesday‚ following the White House apology‚ that Hutchinson was a GOP ally to Biden during the COVID pandemic and getting rid of any degree of animosity between them could benefit the incumbent during the general election. Jean-Pierre said Biden has a “deep respect” for Hutchinson and “admires” the campaign that he ran for the presidency. “The president knows him to be a man of principle who cares about our country and has a strong record of public service‚” she added. The White House press secretary refused to divulge whether there was any communication between Biden’s team and the DNC about the group’s messaging. Asa Hutchinson on Biden's Chief of Staff Jeff Zients calling him to apologize: “I'm grateful for Jeff reaching out to me today…he apologized. It meant a lot to me‚ and to me‚ that reflects the good parts of American politics.” pic.twitter.com/TM7ewAE1z9 — Republican Accountability (@AccountableGOP) January 17‚ 2024 Hutchinson told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Wednesday that he “didn’t pay much attention to what the DNC said” but noted that it was “gratifying to see a bipartisan rebuffing” of the statement. “I’m grateful for Jeff reaching out to me today … he apologized‚” Hutchinson added. “It meant a lot to me. And to me‚ that reflects the good parts of American politics.”

The Emmy ratings tanked for a second year‚ with the annual awards show suffering its worst performance ever — just 4.46 million viewers tuned in for Monday night’s show. Broadcast on Fox‚ the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards show continued its decline in viewers following the decision to postpone it from its usual spot in September due to the ongoing writers’ and actors’ strikes in Hollywood at the time‚ the Hollywood Reporter reported. The telecast brought in 4.46 million viewers — which was down from the previous low set in 2022 when the annual awards show got 5.9 million viewers‚ the outlet noted. The awards show was also down in the coveted age demographic of 18-49‚ with a .87 rating compared to the 1.09 it got in 2022‚ THR noted. Emmy Awards get record low ratings with audience of 4.3 million people https://t.co/6SCr4jVdbw — The Associated Press (@AP) January 16‚ 2024 Besides the months-long delay for the show honoring the best of TV‚ the awards had to compete with a busy broadcast night. It aired directly across from the NFC Wild Card playoffs game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers that was shown on ABC and ESPN. It also fell on the same night of the Iowa caucuses and coverage of those results across the cable news channels‚ THR noted. To put the 4.46 million viewership into context‚ the Buccaneers blowout against the Eagles garnered 28 million viewers‚ and the political news coverage another 4.7 million who tuned in to Fox News‚ MSNBC and CNN during the same broadcast time as the awards show to catch the returns‚ The New York Times noted. Other awards shows have suffered similar drops since the pandemic‚ but as of late have seen a rebound. The Golden Globes — which had seen declining numbers for several years — experienced its first spike in the ratings game since 2020‚ with the most recent awards show scoring a 50 percent jump in viewership over last year’s dismal ratings. With a move to the CBS network and a lead-in from the NFL‚ the 2024 Golden Globes averaged 9.4 million viewers‚ based on time zone-adjusted fast national ratings from Nielsen‚ according to The Hollywood Reporter. The 2024 broadcast showed a healthy jump from the 6.25 million viewers who watched last year on NBC‚ marking the second-smallest audience in the network’s 28 years of broadcasting the awards show. The 2024 Emmys are already set to take place later this year when it will be broadcast in September on ABC‚ the Times noted.

A shrimper interest group is suing the Biden administration over a costly new rule that threatens the livelihoods of many Louisiana fisherman‚ the Louisiana Shrimp Association (LSA) announced Wednesday. The LSA‚ in partnership with the conservative Pelican Institute‚ challenged a requirement by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) that skimmer trawl vessels 40 feet and longer in length use Turtle Excluder Devices (TED). The devices are designed to help sea turtles escape if caught in shrimpers nets. “The bureaucrats who instituted this rule ignored the economic devastation it will cause to shrimpers‚” Pelican Institute founder James Baehr said in a statement. “This unnecessary and unconstitutional rule is a direct attack on Louisiana livelihoods and culture.” The new rule mandates an expensive new update to shrimpers boats‚ and one that is‚ by the data‚ unnecessary‚ the lawsuit argues. “These [NMFS] bureaucrats ignored data showing 1) the devastating financial impact the rule would have on Louisiana shrimpers and 2) the complete lack of environmental threat facing inshore turtles – as only two documented interactions with sea turtles have occurred in 55 years and neither was harmed – and turtle nests are thriving‚” said the lawsuit‚ a copy of which was obtained by The Daily Wire. In addition‚ the LSA filing accused the Biden administration of violating the regulatory protocol when implementing the new rule. “Defendants have violated the [Administrative Procedures Act (APA)] by (1) failing to show the need for a new rule without any evidence that sea turtles inhabit Louisiana’s inshore waters and thereby encounter skimmer trawls‚ (2) refusing to consider relevant data supporting an exclusion zone for inshore waters of Louisiana despite the State of Louisiana’s request for an exclusion zone‚ and (3) ignoring significant industry reliance interests by the shrimpers‚” the lawsuit said. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP The NMFS issued the final rule requiring TEDs in 2019‚ but the implementation of the rule was delayed several times. The rule was first delayed until April 1‚ 2021‚ to give time for local shrimping shops to acquire and affix the TEDs to shrimp boats. The rule was delayed again after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic until August 1‚ 2021‚ to allow for travel and business restrictions. “[D]espite a request from the Louisiana Department of Fish and Wildlife for the NMFS to delay the rule again in light of continuing challenges‚ the Defendants refused to delay the Final Rule’s effective date and Plaintiffs have paid the price‚” the lawsuit states. An NMFS economic analysis completed prior to the rule’s implementation found that “that the financial conditions for many vessels are and have been poor” and that shrimpers operate on small margins. The analysis also found that “a high number of the part-time vessels may not continue operating” after the costly new rule is put in place‚ according to the lawsuit.

'John Fetterman has had moral clarity and I admire that and I’ve said that publicly'