197 Comments
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A Glass-1/8th-Full Perspective's avatar

Let’s call them #PoxNews because they are a pox on humanity spewing crafted lies through a tool named Hannity.

Debbie E's avatar

Perfect! #PoxNews it is!

A Glass-1/8th-Full Perspective's avatar

And perhaps the word news in #PoxNews needs to be in quotes. It’s really just “current events entertainment.”

Terry's avatar

To me, they're Propaganda channel 1. Soon, there will be a 2nd channel added, Propaganda channel 2.

Kathy H's avatar

Pox "Entertainment", although I don't feel there is much LESS entertaining ::growl::

M Gray's avatar

I'd like to know who those 38% of the people who still are thinking Trump is doing great?

Who are they?

Reynathor's avatar

Hilary was correct, the deplorables.

MRC's avatar

They lie out of shame

James G. Hermsen's avatar

The just LIE, they have no shame

Carole Langston's avatar

Racists. They will never admit anything. Heels dug in.

Sylvia Arrowood's avatar

Well, in South Carolina in the country, then up here in the country by Buffalo. Unfortunately people who think child molesters are okay. But if I ever come in contact with them, they will be missing a few body parts.

Patricia Slama's avatar

Yup. A Town Of Friken Molesters. HERE.

M Gray's avatar

Still seems like 37% is a lot of people like those you describe. I suppose because I'm in LA I am in a bubble.

James G. Hermsen's avatar

The uneducated, ignorant, sex offenders, fraudsters, and the billionaire recipients who benefit from the MAGA welfare kickbacks.

Adrian's avatar

Oh the ones with the most severe cognitive impairment..

John Maton's avatar

A friend just said to me “Trump is loosing it”. I corrected him and replied “Trump lost it a long time ago”

Virginia Johnson's avatar

My neighbors in East Texas.

james fry's avatar

What are the chances that documents are planted at Bolton’s home?

Xplisset's avatar

Ben, this pod cooks. You lined up the fight clean. Texas is pulling a smash-and-grab on the map. California and New York load the counter. That is the end of unilateral disarmament. Then Newsom goes GCN caps and AI visuals. Fox melts. Ratings over reality.

The crowd booing Stefanik and Doug LaMalfa is the tell. That is not Twitter. That is oxygen leaving the room. Voters can smell the con now. Pair that with “doors locked, troopers tailing” in Austin and you get the picture. Power in a cowboy hat is still power.

James, “planted docs” is TV talk. Warrants and chain of custody kill that story.

Receipts over vibes. Paper wins.

CSmith's avatar

Yes, exactly the first thing that I thought!!!

Val Himmelreich's avatar

I hope someone planted the Epstein files!

John Maton's avatar

I heard Gavin Newsom resolved 20 wars. He beat Trump. I vote for Newsom.

Dick Dixon's avatar

TO JOHN THAT WAS AWESOME I LAUGHED SO HARD YEA IF TRUMP TO 10 WARS THEN GAVIN NEWSOME STOP 20 WARS I WONDER WHAY MAGA'S HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT

Sam Mayer's avatar

Trans folk are not weak! There is incredible strength in embracing life to the fullest.

Terry's avatar

I couldn't agree with you more! I've never met a group of folks that are stronger 💪🏻

John Maton's avatar

How can anyone think that Putin wants peace? Putin doesn't want peace. Putin never wanted peace and will never want peace. Putin's entire existence and every fibre in his body is about war. Putin only wants war. This has been so obvious for so many years. I don't believe there are any circumstances in this universe in which the Nobel Committee will consider giving a Nobel Prize to someone that is a convicted felon, an abuser of women, a fraudster, a con man and an habitual liar. Think how badly it would reflect on the Nobel Committee?

Kate's avatar

And how horrible that Russian tanks are flying AMERICAN FLAGS ALONG WITH RUSSIAN FLAGS!!! OMG!!

Lori's avatar

THAT is so sickening, I could puke.

Kristine Lutz's avatar

Not just women... CHILDREN! ! Otherwise I think you're right on💙💙💙

John Maton's avatar

Yes, women and children. Should have added; and probable pedophile.

Linc Hay's avatar

I wish I could find it, but there was a video of the Union Station protest that you could just barely hear someone in the crowd say "Do you get patted on the head when you swallow?". I almost fell out of my chair. ROFLMAO!

Vicki G.'s avatar

Greed Greed Greed. The United States is under control of greedy oligarchs

Carol Berman's avatar

In a world where ignorance and treason is celebrated, I feel hope when I hear young, articulate people who are fighting back. Between the independent media and our politicians who are fighting back, I don't remember our bench being this deep with young people in my lifetime (and I am 68). I feel like I've been shouting into the wind about the dangers to democracy in the US since the Reagan administration and finally I feel like the message has been heard, albeit on the late side.

In two weeks I am going to Spain and in preparation I've been watching the BBC documentary series about the Spanish Civil War, the fascism vs democracy prelude to WWII where fascism won and it took another 40 years to restore democracy. It's one more history lesson that shows what we could face if we are not successful at restoring our democracy now. I've been studying countries that lost their democracy to the fascists and what it has taken to restore democracy and it is frightening.

Jeanie Kee's avatar

I will look for that BBC show. Thank you!

Carol Berman's avatar

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH4to6F_MKfJGJf_4mSL_Xh6fVhHe86tB

It's not the most entertaining documentary that BBC has ever produced, but I've realized as I have been preparing for my trip that I have a glaring gap in my knowledge when it comes to Spain and Portugal. I'm fairly knowledgeable on the Inquisition because I've done a lot of research on Converso Jews in the New World, but not much after that. And other than reading Hemingway a million years ago in school, I didn't know anything about the Spanish Civil War.

In fact, after the European leaders came to the US with Trump, I thought, "Wait - was Spain even in WWII?". And it wasn't. Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Sweden, and Switzerland were all neutral. With Spain leaning Axis and the rest leaning Allies.

Normally, I approach history through culture and art. But with Trump, I've been leaning into how democracies fell to fascism or dictatorships and how democracy was restored. Not sure what I did before the Internet, and now ChatGPT.

Angela Tokarski's avatar

Hi Ben, I’m getting a couple of different Ben Meiselas’s following me and asking for a follow back! Can you put the word out that there are imposters and bots trying to fool us! I block all these guys!👍

Suede67's avatar

Me too, I've been reporting and blocking a fair amount lately. Everyone needs to keep their eyes open for these imposters and err on the safe side. I agree, it would be a good idea for MTN to put the word out.

Angela Tokarski's avatar

Let’s hope this goes well, we all hate Trump and know these people have no good intentions! Thanks for helping 👍

Angela Tokarski's avatar

Yes definitely, I hope they see our messages, then they can tell all their viewers about this!

Sandra Wallace's avatar

Thank you Angela!

Hello Meidas Mighty,

This is happening to me too, and I have no way to know if this is legit. Requests to subscribe or follow me have begun to show up in my in-box, from Ben, from Aaron, from a family member, and from subscribers on various sites as well???

Are these requests a red flag, or not?

I keep looking over my shoulder. Even though I'm a tiny speck on the map, I still sense Big Brother, aka AI, is watching and waiting to gather any and all of up in the mad dog dragnet.

We need guidance. I haven't responded to these messages, but then I feel rude or ignorant when I don't. I've asked the powers that be in the past - please address the proper etiquette and workings of Substack for newbies.

I personally hit "like" hearts and respond to those that write a reply to my posts, because that's verifiable.

Angela Tokarski's avatar

Yeah, we need to contact the Meidas touch directly, I want them to know!

It’s not just them, other podcasts reporters have followed me.

Terry's avatar

To me it's common sense it's not them. They're typically gone within hours. Over on tiktok, I can't tell you how many Elon Musk accounts have followed me. Kevin Bacon, David Letterman, Rosie O'Donnell, too many to remember. I block them all. Some send dm's also. "Thank you for following me...", their English is horrible though...lol

Here, I've been followed by Ben, Aaron and I couldn't tell you how many Judd Legum's. There's others, these are the main. I know damn well it's not them. I'm not that important 😅

Sandra Wallace's avatar

Well, you and the rest of us are important!

We may not be famous, or infamous enough to create our own Substack channels, then monetize them, but our combined voices are a phenomenon too, especially when we interact with each other and build a unified community of good trouble makers.

Since we didn't get an answer to our questions directly from Substack itself, I did a little research on my own.

Substack guidelines:

https://substack.com/content

Rankings of top Substack influencers:

https://pressgazette.co.uk/newsletters/biggest-substack-newsletters-2025/

https://www.favikon.com/blog/top-substack-influencers

One prominent creator is historian Heather Cox Richardson of "Letters from an American," who has a significant number of paying subscribers, and prominent figures in culture and business.

Sandra Wallace's avatar

As per AI:

If you are a commentator on Substack receiving requests to follow or subscribe, you should consistently produce high-quality content, actively engage with your readers, and use Substack's built-in tools to convert interest into subscriptions.

This will help you build a loyal community around your commentary, which is the most valuable asset on the platform.

Produce consistent, high-quality commentary

To make your audience feel that your publication is worth following and subscribing to, you must deliver consistent, engaging, and authoritative commentary.

Define your niche and positioning: Clearly state your focus and what readers can expect. Avoid writing for an imaginary audience; be specific about the topics you cover and the perspective you offer.

Maintain a consistent publishing schedule:

Stick to a regular posting schedule so your audience knows when to expect new content. Publishing one to two original posts per week is a good starting point.

Write for your authentic voice: Don't try to sound like other commentators. Readers are drawn to an authentic voice, and that's what will make them stick around.

Use Notes to test ideas: Utilize the Notes feature to share quick, high-impact "value bombs" or test content ideas with your community. This can help build credibility and lead to more post engagement.

Keep it clean: Avoid putting out "filler" content simply to meet your schedule. If you don't have something meaningful to say, it's better to wait until you do.

Engage with your community and other writers

Building a thriving community is a key part of Substack success. Engaging with other writers and your audience is one of the best ways to grow.

Respond to comments: A thriving comments section adds value for everyone. Thoughtful, personalized responses can encourage more readers to join the conversation.

Engage with other publications: Follow publications you enjoy and leave thoughtful comments on their posts. This not only builds goodwill but also exposes your work to other audiences.

Utilize Notes for interaction: The Notes feature can be used like social media. Like, restack, and comment on other writers' Notes to raise your profile and build connections.

Collaborate with other writers: Partnering with complementary writers on cross-promotions or guest posts can introduce your work to a new, relevant audience.

Substack has built-in features to help facilitate this.

Leverage Substack's built-in features

Substack provides tools to help you turn readers into subscribers.

Use calls-to-action (CTAs): Don't be afraid to ask people to subscribe.

Substack's editor includes a "Subscribe now" button you can insert directly into posts. Many writers place a button after the first paragraph to capture early interest and another at the end of the post.

Optimize your About page: Your About page should be an "elevator pitch" that clearly explains who you are, what you write about, and what value readers will get from subscribing. Include links to some of your most popular or representative posts.

Enable recommendations: A powerful growth tool is recommending other relevant Substacks. This is a strategic way to get your publication endorsed by writers with a similar audience.

Turn on paid subscriptions early: Don't wait until you have a large following to enable a paid tier. Many people will want to support your work financially even with a smaller audience.

Welcome new subscribers: Use an automated welcome email sequence to introduce yourself to new subscribers. This is a chance to provide immediate value and set expectations for future posts.

The difference between follows and subscriptions

It's important to understand the distinction between followers and subscribers, as they represent different levels of reader commitment.

Following: This is a lighter form of engagement, often done on the Notes feed. Followers will see your activity in their Home feed but will not receive your newsletter in their email inbox. It is an opportunity to nurture a relationship with a reader before they commit to a subscription.

Subscribing: A subscription means a reader actively signs up to receive your posts via email. Paid subscribers are your most committed audience members and are essential to monetizing your work. Your goal should be to convert followers into free and then paid subscribers over time.

Sandra Wallace's avatar

I hope this helps - AI's answer to stopping phishing scammers on Substack:

As a commenter, if you receive phishing requests on Substack, you should immediately block and report the suspicious user.

Do not engage with them or click any links they provide, as scammers use this tactic to exploit active community members.

How to block and report a phishing account

Block the user:

Navigate to the suspicious user's Substack profile.

Click the three-dot menu (...) on their profile.

Select "Block." The user will then be unable to engage with your activity.

Report the profile:

While still on their profile, click the three-dot menu (...) again.

Select "Report."

Choose a category for the violation, such as impersonation or spam, and describe why you are reporting it.

Report the comment or chat message:

For phishing requests made via a comment or chat, find the specific message.

Click the three-dot menu (...) next to the message and select "Report."

To send the report directly to Substack, click "Report it to Substack."

How to identify phishing requests

Phishing requests often use psychological tactics to make you feel comfortable or pressured into taking action. Look for these common warning signs:

Impersonation: The user's profile may imitate a well-known writer or celebrity to build false trust.

Blank or new profiles: Fake profiles often have little to no content posted on their page.

Suspicious links: The request may include a link to an external site or a service outside of Substack.

Urgency or pressure: The scammer may use pressure tactics or emotional manipulation to get you to respond quickly.

General best practices

Avoid engagement: The best practice is to not engage with suspicious accounts at all. Replying, even to call them out, can signal to scammers that you are an active target.

Keep personal details private: Be cautious about sharing sensitive information in comments or private messages with strangers.

Educate your network: If you see a rise in scams, consider warning your followers or other readers in the comments of a public post so they can also stay vigilant.

Sophisticated Scammers Are Targeting Readers and Writers ...

Mar 5, 2025 — They are getting smarter and now target Substack, our peaceful and beloved community. * You might think, “I would never fall for a scam,” but here is the problem...

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Substack

How do I block someone on Substack Notes?

Dec 8, 2024 — To block a user, click on the three dots menu on a note or a Substack profile. Select "Block ". * Once you block a user, they will not be able to engage with yo...

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Substack

How Authors Can Avoid Scammers or Fake Accounts

Mar 14, 2025 — Don't Engage or Respond * The best way to deal with scammers is to ignore them. Responding, even to call them out, signals that you're willing to engage, which ...

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Substack

Sandra Wallace's avatar

I'll get back, once I explore these tips. How does one differentiate a real request from a bogus one? I still don't know yet...

JOHN SMITH's avatar

The price of food and meat and almost everything you want to buy has gone up 30+% and Republicans say America does not have inflation. They flood the media just as Putin has taught tRUMP. Putin and Russia laugh as America as it is working to there benefit. tRUMP attacks any stories the media that reports the truth. Russia attacks a American company in western Ukraine and tRUMP and Republicans go along willingly. 2 more weeks of killing in Ukraine, Death is OK in Ukraine? America has the U.S. military in the states terrorizing Americans. Russia will never stop as they want the land they at one time controlled.

Kim Beneteau's avatar

When they can't quantify or falsely spew a Consumer Price Index (CPI) that is lower than the actual it also affects things like Social Security increases. Wages and other things are tied to the CPI as well.

Ariana's avatar

The lasso is sick, someone grab it from her and lasso her feet and drag her down the hall out the door

Reynathor's avatar

Netanyahu is a war criminal, so Drumpf is correct he is just like Netanyahu

Reynathor's avatar

Can't get the Nobel Peace Prize if you cause a civil war at home.

Kathy H's avatar

Not a legitimate one, but stealing IS the felon's name, & he doesn't give a damn about anything real, look at all the walking botox bots he surrounds himself with.

JoBo's avatar

Road to Hell——

Trump, ICE, and the Republican sycophants are on a fast track to hell! Consequences and karma will get them if Newsom doesn’t!

Kate's avatar

Yes and WE THE PEOPLE ARE BEING DRAGGED ON THAT ROAD!!