Democrats Did It to Themselves

NBC Panel: Maybe Conducting a Bait-and-Switch Coup Was a Bad Election Strategy

"Why fear something when you can understand it better and marvel at its diversity and complexity?”

Voters in Alameda County, California, appear to have chosen to remove two George Soros-backed politicians from office amid a devastating crime surge that has prompted many businesses to flee the area.Ahead of the November election, separate recall efforts were launched against Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao (D) and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price (D).'The phony "progressive" movement is officially dead.'Recall campaign leaders, who blamed Thao and Price for the county's recent crime surge, gathered enough local signatures to force an election to keep or remove the politicians.With 100% of the 108 precincts tallied, nearly 32,000 residents, 65.19%, voted to oust Thao. With full results from all 570 precincts, more than 134,000 locals, 64.79%, voted to remove Price. The recall efforts to replace Price, Save Alameda for Everyone and Supporters of Recall Pamela Price, spent approximately $2.6 million on their campaigns. According to KGO-TV, they were backed by several police officers' unions, PG&E, and hedge fund executive Philip Dreyfuss.In addition to a recall effort launched by Oakland United to Recall Sheng Thao, Thao faced calls to resign from the Oakland Police Officer's Association. In August, the union urged Thao to step down to allow residents to vote for a new mayor in the November election.Union president Huy Nguyen stated, "Today we are asking Mayor Sheng Thao to recall as mayor immediately for a lot of the failures in this city, going from crime, the budget crisis, the distraction of the FBI raid that prevents our ability to function as a city."Thao is currently wrapped up in an FBI investigation; however, no charges have been filed against her.She refused the union's calls to step down and accused it of "playing politics."While the final outcomes have not been officially announced as of Wednesday afternoon, if the results hold, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors will appoint a DA in Price's place to finish out her term, and the Oakland City Council will step in for Thao.In the summer of 2023, even the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's Oakland branch acknowledged that the area's crime "doom-loop" resulted from "progressive policies and failed leadership."Businesses that have fled the area under Thao's and Price's leadership include Denny's, In-N-Out, Black Bear Diner, Subway, and Starbucks, to name a few. Clorox Company, Blue Shield of California, and Kaiser Permanente were forced to increase their security due to the area's uptick in criminal activity.Seneca Scott, the founder of Neighbors Together Oakland and a recall spokesperson, stated, “The phony ‘progressive’ movement is officially dead. May it rest in pieces.”Neither Thao's nor Price's campaigns responded to KGO's requests for comment.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

As it became clear Donald Trump would become the next president, Democrat Juan Williams tried to blame Kamala Harris' humiliating loss on sexism and racism. But his fellow Fox News panelists refused to let that excuse slide. 'To suggest that somehow black men are racist because they supported a white man is just too far.' After first accusing Trump of having "led an insurrection against the United States government" — a crime for which Trump has never been charged — Williams doubled down on the media's most trite narrative to explain away Harris' loss. "I'm not sold on this idea that it was the cost of eggs," Williams said. "I worry that it was, 'Well, I'm not voting for this woman.' Or, 'I'm not voting for this black woman.'" Fox News anchor Bret Baier immediately fact-checked Williams. "Well, no, that's not what we see in our data," he pointed out. When Williams tried defending his position, anchor Martha MacCallum interjected to point out that many black male voters feel "that Democrats and elites put immigrants before" them. Undeterred, Williams responded by attributing Trump's win to a "bro strategy and the white male turnout and white grievance politics." "He's trailing among his prior 2020 numbers with whites," Brit Hume shot back, putting a dagger in Williams' narrative. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy then noted that Trump increased his share of support among black men and Hispanics, more evidence disproving Williams' narrative that Harris is a victim of political racism. Finally, Karl Rove prescribed Williams a dose of reality. "I just think it is extremely odd to suggest that black men are somehow prejudiced because they vote for a white candidate who says, 'I want to make certain that everybody has an opportunity to succeed in our great economy. I want you to be more prosperous, and I will do things that will make it possible for you to make a better life,'" Rove said. "That is an appeal to their best instincts," he explained. "He did not go out and say, 'Vote for me because I'm not a woman. Vote for me because I'm a white man.' That would not have attracted those votes. They got attracted to him because they thought he was a strong, effective leader, and they thought he would do something about the issues they cared the most about, which is an economy in which they think they get the short stick, inflation, which has decimated their purchasing power, and illegal immigration, which has affected their communities deeply." "And to suggest that somehow black men are racist because they supported a white man is just too far, Juan," Rove chided. Unfortunately, Williams refused to budge. In the end, he claimed that men supported Trump because he talks about "women in the most disparaging way." "I think they supported him in spite of that — not because of it. They supported him because he offered to make their life better," Rove fact-checked. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Now that we’re all breathing a little deeper following Trump’s epic historical comeback, there’s room for a little laughter. And who better to supply it than legendary troll Alex Stein, who infiltrated Kamala’s Howard University watch party in Washington, D.C., last night dressed as ... a white dude for Harris? Donning a “White Dudes for Harris” hat and Mark Cuban-inspired glasses, Stein blended effortlessly into a joyless crowd. - YouTube youtu.be “We're fully embedded; we're in the belly of the beast,” Stein told Glenn Beck, as he photobombed other broadcasts and spoke to rally attendees — all of whom seemed completely ignorant to his trolling. “Say hi to Glenn Beck!” Alex told one woman who was filming the “historic night.” Grinning ear to ear, she waved back at the camera. “It’s gonna be a great night making history here!” she exclaimed, clearly none the wiser. One bystander briefly caught wind of the trolling, but it took Alex all of five seconds to convince him that he was a real Harris supporter. “This is D.C.,” the man said. “This is the number one Democrat stronghold in the country.” “Joe Biden won with 93%. You think Kamala’s gonna get more than that?” Alex asked. “It’s going to be lower because we still got sexism,” he responded, regurgitating a common leftist talking point. “Misogyny is still an issue, Glenn,” said Alex. To see Alex’s expert-level trolling, watch the clip above. Want more from Glenn Beck?To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Post-McConnell Republicans now control the U.S. Senate, thanks in part to a Democratic super PAC closely affiliated with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). Although Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) has been in office for nearly two decades, he appeared particularly vulnerable this election cycle. The Duty and Country PAC, funded by the Schumer-linked Senate Majority PAC, meddled in the 2024 Ohio Republican primary in hopes of boosting the weaker of Brown's potential challengers in hopes of keeping the Senate seat. It had no idea it would be helping the man who would ultimately unseat Brown: the Trump- and Vance-backed Cleveland businessman Bernie Moreno. 'Exactly the type of MAGA fighter that we need in the United States Senate.' The New York Times reported in March that Duty and Country, which had been running ads on behalf of Brown in Ohio, blew roughly $2.7 million to run an ad across the state characterizing Moreno — then facing off with Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and state Sen. Matt Dolan — as an ultraconservative aligned with President Donald Trump. While the ad was on its face negative, it highlighted views and credentials that might resonate with likely Republican voters. "MAGA Republican Bernie Moreno is too conservative for Ohio," said the ad. "In Washington, Moreno would do Donald Trump's bidding. That's why Trump endorsed Moreno, calling him 'exactly the type of MAGA fighter that we need in the United States Senate.'" Dolan told NBC News at the time, "National Democrats are putting millions of dollars behind Bernie Moreno in the waning days of this primary because he is damaged, unelectable and incapable of defeating Sherrod Brown." "Democrats constantly underestimate the America First movement at their own peril," said Reagan McCarthy, Moreno's communications director. "They thought President Trump would be easy to beat in 2016 and then they got their clocks cleaned when he demolished Hillary Clinton. The same thing is going to happen to Sherrod Brown this year." Of the two, McCarthy was right. 'You're fired, buddy.' With 92% of the vote in, Decision Desk HQ indicated that Moreno beat Brown 50.2% to 46.4%, netting over 220,000 more votes. "What we need in the United States of America is leaders in Washington, D.C., that actually put the interests of American citizens above all else. We're tired of being treated like second-class citizens in our own country. We're tired of leaders that think we're garbage and we're tired of being treated like garbage," the soon-to-be senator said in his victory speech. Moreno then singled out Schumer, saying, "Chuck Schumer, if you're watching, thanks for the help in the primary, but you're fired, buddy." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

World leaders congratulated former President Donald Trump on his pivotal victory in the 2024 election. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy released a statement on the X social media platform. 'Heartiest congratulations my friend Donald Trump on your historic election victory.'"Congratulations to Donald Trump on his impressive election victory! I recall our great meeting with President Trump back in September, when we discussed in detail the Ukraine-U.S. strategic partnership, the Victory Plan, and ways to put an end to Russian aggression against Ukraine," Zelenskyy began."I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the 'peace through strength' approach in global affairs," Zelenskyy continued. "This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together.""We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership," Zelenskyy stated. "We rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States. We are interested in developing mutually beneficial political and economic cooperation that will benefit both of our nations.""Ukraine, as one of Europe's strongest military powers, is committed to ensuring long-term peace and security in Europe and the Transatlantic community with the support of our allies. I am looking forward to personally congratulating President Trump and discussing ways to strengthen Ukraine's strategic partnership with the United States," Zelenskyy concluded. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Trump's win as "history's greatest comeback." "Dear Donald and Melania Trump, Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback! Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America," Netanyahu said. "This is a huge victory! In true friendship, yours, Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu."Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared, "The biggest comeback in U.S. political history! Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his enormous win. A much needed victory for the world!"Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had a "great conversation" with Trump following his election victory. "Heartiest congratulations my friend Donald Trump on your historic election victory. As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration to further strengthen the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership. Together, let’s work for the betterment of our people and to promote global peace, stability, and prosperity," Modi stated. "Had a great conversation with my friend, President Donald Trump, congratulating him on his spectacular victory," Modi continued. "Looking forward to working closely together once again to further strengthen India-US relations across technology, defense, energy, space, and several other sectors."Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba posted, "Heartfelt congratulations to Donald Trump. I truly look forward to working closely with you to further bolster the Japan-U.S. Alliance & cooperate to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific."Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, "Congratulations to Donald Trump on being elected President of the United States. The friendship between Canada and the U.S. is the envy of the world. I know President Trump and I will work together to create more opportunity, prosperity, and security for both of our nations."French President Emmanuel Macron stated, "Congratulations President Donald Trump. Ready to work together as we have done for four years. With your convictions and with mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity.”British Prime Minister Keir Starmer added, "Congratulations President-elect Trump on your historic election victory. I look forward to working with you in the years ahead. As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defense of our shared values of freedom, democracy, and enterprise. From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come."El Salvador President Nayib Bukele told Trump, "Congratulations to the president-elect of the United States of America. May God bless and guide you."German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X, "I congratulate Donald Trump on his election as U.S. President. Germany and the USA have been working together successfully for a long time to promote prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic. We will continue to do so for the benefit of our citizens."Argentinian President Javier Milei congratulated Trump by saying, "Congratulations on your formidable electoral victory. Now, Make America Great Again. You know that You can count on Argentina to carry out your task. Success and blessings."Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese added, "Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his election victory. Australians and Americans are great friends and true allies. Working together, we can ensure the partnership between our nations and peoples remains strong into the future."Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wrote, "I congratulate my friend Donald Trump, who won the presidential election in the United States after a great struggle and was re-elected as the president of the United States. In this new period that will begin with the elections of the American people, I hope that Turkey-U.S. relations will strengthen, that regional and global crises and wars, especially the Palestinian issue and the Russia-Ukraine war, will come to an end; I believe that more efforts will be made for a more just world. I hope that the elections will be beneficial for our friendly and allied people in the United States and for all of humanity."Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said, "On behalf of myself and the Italian Government, my most sincere congratulations to the President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump. Italy and the United States are 'sister' nations, linked by an unshakable alliance, common values, and a historic friendship. It is a strategic bond, which I am sure we will now strengthen even further. Good work Mr. President."Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed posted on X, "Congratulations to President Donald Trump on your election victory and comeback. I look forward to working together to further strengthen the relationship between our two countries during your term.”Polish President Andrzej Duda said, "Congratulations, Mr. President Donald Trump! You made it happen!"Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated, "Congratulations to Donald Trump on winning the presidential election. Our shared goal is to ensure that the relations between our countries remain at the highest level, despite changes in administration, and that we continue to develop them for the benefit of our citizens."China said it hoped for “peaceful coexistence” with the U.S. with Trump as president.“We will continue to approach and handle China-U.S. relations based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation,” foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular press briefing on Wednesday.“Our policy toward the United States has been consistent,” Ning added. “We respect the choice of the American people."Notably missing from the world leaders was Russian President Vladimir Putin."I am not aware of the president’s plans to congratulate Trump on his election,” Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday. "Let’s not forget that we are talking about an unfriendly country that is directly and indirectly involved in a war against our state."Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she will wait until the vote tallies are officially finalized before addressing Trump's win. "There will be good relations with the United States," Sheinbaum said. "I'm convinced of that. There's no reason to worry. For our compatriots, for Mexican entrepreneurs, there's no reason to worry. Mexico always comes out ahead."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Michigan's pivotal electoral votes fall into the Republican column on Wednesday, the day after the polls closed at 9 p.m. ET. The crucial battleground state controls 15 electoral votes and cemented the Electoral College victory for former President Donald Trump after he won several other battleground states. Michigan's official election results were among those contested by Republicans in 2020 after President Joe Biden was declared the winner. Biden flipped the state to the Democratic column with a margin of about 154,000 votes, or 2.8% of the total votes. The large population of Muslims in Michigan acted as a spoiler for Democratic hopes after many jumped on board the "Uncommitted" campaign to try to force the Biden-Harris administration to oppose Israel's operation against Hamas terrorists. Trump took advantage of the situation by making a last-minute campaign visit to a popular restaurant owned by a Muslim in the city of Dearborn. "To the Dems: Your unwillingness to stop funding and enabling a genocide created the space for Trump to infiltrate our communities. Remember that," said Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, a Muslim. Michigan was also the state where officials admitted there were problems with Dominion voting machines for disabled voters. “Yeah, this is a nationwide issue with Dominion voter access terminals in, in the counties that use them in the voter access terminals,” explained Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “Of course, not all the machines, just the ones that are accessible have an issue. With the straight-party voting and a programming issue, that’s again affected the machines nationwide.”Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

When most people think about the internet, they imagine a vast, interconnected world where ideas flow freely, communities form, and individuals from across the globe can engage in open dialogue. But what if much of that engagement is an illusion — an elaborate stage filled with actors that aren't even human? The dead internet theory, a concept that has gained traction in recent years, suggests that much of what we see online is generated by bots, automated systems, and fake accounts, thereby creating an environment that is less human than ever before. But this characterization is misleading. To think of the internet as “dead” is to assume that these artificial actors exist in a state of passive listlessness, merely filling space. In reality, these bots and fake accounts serve a distinct purpose driven by the agendas of governments and other powerful institutions. This active, strategic manipulation calls for a new term: the zombie internet theory. Like zombies, these entities may seem lifeless, but forces with specific goals in mind animate them. Before we go any farther, you can pick up a copy of Glenn Beck’s new book, "Propaganda Wars: How the Global Elite Control What You See, Think, and Feel," where other aspects of this topic are explored in depth. As the line between genuine and artificial online interactions becomes increasingly blurred, public trust in information continues to erode. Dead vs. zombie: The active manipulation of online discourse The dead internet theory emerged as a response to the growing sense that the internet had lost its early organic nature, with many users believing that bots and automated systems had taken over the organic conversations that once thrived online. Imperva, a U.S.-based cybersecurity company, releases an annual report tracking bot traffic online. Imperva’s 2024 Bad Bot Report revealed almost 50% of internet traffic comes from “non-human sources.” This issue is only expected to worsen as AI technology advances. Yet the term “dead” fails to capture what is really happening. The zombie internet theory suggests a more complex reality — one in which these bots are not merely filling digital space but are tools wielded by those who aim to shape public perception. Unlike the passivity implied by the dead internet theory, the zombie internet theory recognizes that behind each seemingly lifeless account is an actor — often a state or a politically motivated group — using these tools to push a narrative, disrupt democratic processes, or control the flow of information. Rather than a chaotic, lifeless space, the internet is more akin to a controlled experiment, where the invisible hands of power quietly steer the dialogue. Governments and their digital puppet shows Russia's disinformation machines Russia has long been known for its sophisticated use of digital propaganda, particularly through operations like the Internet Research Agency. The IRA’s activities, including widespread disinformation campaigns during the 2016 U.S. elections, demonstrated how bots and fake accounts can flood online discussions, creating the illusion of popular support or opposition to specific topics. These campaigns are not random; they are strategically aimed at sowing division and mistrust in Western democracies. China's 50 Cent Army and online censorship China has developed its own methods for shaping online discourse. A 2021 report published by the International Federation of Journalists details how the Chinese Communist Party uses an extensive media infrastructure to shape narratives on a global scale. One aspect of this strategy is to employ tens of thousands of people to “[seed] geopolitical narratives favourable to China’s Communist Party” on popular sites like X, Facebook, and Google. These strategies aren’t necessarily new either. Past investigations suggest the CCP has been actively manipulating the internet as early as 2005 with the use of the “50 Cent Army,” a group of paid internet users who promote pro-CCP narratives and drown out dissenting voices. Beyond its borders, China also engages in efforts to control the narrative around sensitive issues like Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Uyghur crisis. These efforts illustrate how fake accounts are used not just to inflate support but to suppress voices that challenge the official narrative. Manipulation by the United States and its allies Other examples of this sort of government-coordinated manipulation include Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, and many others. However, it's not just authoritarian regimes that use bots and fake accounts to shape online narratives. The United States and its Western allies have also engaged in digital campaigns to influence opinions, often under the guise of countering disinformation. Whether through targeted advertising, strategic partnerships with tech companies, or subtle influence campaigns, Western nations have used the internet as a tool for both diplomacy and disruption. Documents leaked by Edward Snowden revealed the intelligence communities of Western governments have also engaged in online information (and disinformation) campaigns around the world. The aim here is surely justified by the idea that these efforts support democratic values, but the methods are eerily similar to those used by the very adversaries they aim to counter. Why this matters: The real stakes of a zombie internet The implications of a zombie internet are profound. As the line between genuine and artificial online interactions becomes increasingly blurred, public trust in information continues to erode. When an individual cannot distinguish between the opinions of fellow citizens and those of a bot army, it becomes nearly impossible to have a meaningful public discourse. This eroded trust is especially dangerous during elections as it allows bad actors to sway public opinion or question the legitimacy of democratic processes. Moreover, the internet has become a battleground for geopolitical influence. Each country’s efforts to shape the online environment are part of a larger struggle to control the global narrative. Whether through disinformation campaigns or the censorship of dissenting voices, the Zombie Internet has become a space where digital battles are fought — and where the victims are often ordinary users who just want to be informed. The zombie internet theory is not just a rebranding of the dead internet theory but a necessary reframing highlighting the concerted efforts behind online manipulation. Recognizing this difference is crucial, shifting the focus from lamenting a lifeless internet to understanding the forces shaping our digital lives. If the internet is to be reclaimed for the living — for genuine, human interaction — then greater transparency, digital literacy, and accountability must become priorities. The question is not whether the internet is dead or alive but whether we are willing to see the strings behind the digital puppets and act accordingly.