361 Comments
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Andrea Madden's avatar

Your truth and honesty gives me hope but at 83 years old I doubt I will ever see us get back to what was our normal but I pray that will happen! Thank you for your hard work!

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Kristy's avatar

This is so inspiring! I think our new normal will be very different (and hopefully not an authoritarian regime). I am also wondering if we can change our government so one person does not have this much power and control over the entire country. That is my wish—that this never happens again. Independent media will help us get there.

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Richard Waddell's avatar

Yes, we can. Don't overlook Scott Dworkin and Heather Cox Richardson for outstanding leadership as well as being voices of empowerment and courage.

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Julie Nilsson's avatar

And of course Robert Reich as well.

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Hendrik Gideonse's avatar

And Joyce Vance and, yes, Michael Cohen . . .

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EaB's avatar

Haha the list grows exponentially with Joy Reid, Katie Phang, Dean Blundell and Dean Obeidallah, Jud Legum,Andy (humor and irony) Borowitz, Brian Kareem, Jojo from Jerz, Jim Acosta,Steve Schmidt, Rosie, Rick Wilson, Zeteo, Sarah and Jason etc…It’s becoming one big interesting union of Truth Tellers with differing approaches, yet, like-minded folks who deeply care about all of us and our struggling country! With MTM at the top of this list. Bravo!

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JudiLI's avatar

Sadly the Framers never thought two branches of our government would fold to the Executive branch. I agree with you, we need to prevent this from happening again.

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Kathy Tankersley's avatar

Agree, I think our original framers never predicted a whole political party would go down the delusional rabbit hole of religious extremism, bigotry and misogyny, while embracing authoritarian rule. The whole magat/republican party is the enemy of our representative democracy now.

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Edie Sadowski's avatar

The Founders are rolling in their Graves! So are all who served our country and died defending it!😡😡😡❤️🤍💙

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Richard Waddell's avatar

Devious nature has potential for bad things - the planning can be far-reaching, but the purpose is simply evil. A leader-in-name-only who has no empathy, who probably has never experienced it or recognized it, has filled that void with negative actions and poisoned many minds. BF Skinner missed an opportunity with this individual.

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Publia's avatar

The Framers were adamantly against political parties because they feared the results of group-think that political parties engender. Sadly, their fears have come true. Not only our legislatures, but our entire life-styles have been taken over by party factionalism. We are engaged in a cold civil war.

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Janet Wilson's avatar

Agreed...the silver lining here is not just getting these fascist wannabees out of office forever, but preventing any possibility that going forward Congress is paralyzed by partisanship. The next (adult, human) occupant of the White House need to enact campaign finance reform, repeal the Roe v. Wade and presidential immunity decisions, oversee a federally mandated base curriculum for K-12, provide a humane path to citizenship for migrant workers (who, btw, pay taxes), outlaw vigilante gangs, masks and wearing of military/police gear by private citizens, revisit the Citizens United decision and adopt a national, universal health care system, no whining from corporate "health care" companies. And that is just a start...

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Edie Sadowski's avatar

Most of us would be able to live on our paychecks if we had single payer!

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christopher wilson's avatar

From your mouth to God’s ears!

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John Lucken's avatar

Wow! Janet for President. Great list of priorities!

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Suzanne Dawson's avatar

Sounds like a decent platform.

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Michael DR's avatar

Beautifully written Janet. ♥️🇺🇲💙🫡

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Janet Wilson's avatar

Thankyou! I hope there are politicians and voters visionary enough to understand these things are not just moral and just, but the foundation on which true and enduring prosperity for all depend.

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Steve Doll's avatar

The only "new normal" that I can accept will be one where values like honesty, integrity, service to others and minimalist consumption patterns to preserve our environment will supersede monetary gain; and billionaires will not longer reign over our lives.

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Janet Wilson's avatar

The first step to getting that is to legislate meaningful campaign finance laws.

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Steve Doll's avatar

That's a start. Considering the present power base, however, those receiving the most benefit from those campaign finance laws are the ones who have the ability to change them. What we need is a massive re-education campaign away from the unhealthy desire to achieve, and respect for, large fortunes and toward the values that really matter. I believe that most of us hold those values, but are under the thrall of those who reject them in favor of the thirty pieces of silver.

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Steve Doll's avatar

The only "new normal" I can accept will be one in which honesty, kindness, consideration for others, integrity and concern for our environment and all living things supersede the lust for monetary gain; and greed and billionaires will no longer hold sway over our lives and be regarded for the dangers they represent.

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Edie Sadowski's avatar

Well said! Agree!💯💯💯

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Nancy Chapman's avatar

I am 83, as well. Andrea. We have to take care of ourselves and live to see the day we get these grabby, authoritarian, wannabe fascists sorted and run out of our country -- or, preferably imprisoned ☺️-- them and the horses they rode in on. A true gang of deplorables. Take care. 🇺🇸🗽

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Andrea Madden's avatar

Amen! You sure are aware of what has happened to our country! Only the people can stop it by standing up to this bunch of evildoers!

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Judy Cross's avatar

We, the oldsters, have lived under many different presidents, but have never seen anything like the harm, lies and cruelty of this administration. We were taught to get along with others, to share and not think that we had the right to take away anyone's rights. We never thought that these things, that this government is doing would be possible. We were taught to look for the good in someone you didn't like, to never judge someone. We were taught honesty, sharing and caring. We were not taught to fight, but we are learning that fast. We will fight this regime until we win. Some of us may not be here for our country to be built back up better than ever, but we will live long enough to leave it in capable hands. God willing and God Bless.

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Edie Sadowski's avatar

I'm 70. Trump is the worst president in my lifetime!

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Anne P. Sacco's avatar

Regime. Reich. But definitely not "administration."

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Judy Cross's avatar

So true.

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John Lucken's avatar

Exactly. Well said!

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America Garcia's avatar

Amen to that!

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Tess G's avatar

Not the horses. The horses are victims, too. 🥰

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Sylvia Sewell's avatar

Yes, them, but please don’t include the innocent horses they rode in on.

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Nancy Chapman's avatar

It's just an old saying dismissive of the trump regime and everything related to it. No harm wished to any horse 😁

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christopher wilson's avatar

No one is “ innocent” in this world anymore.

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Sylvia Sewell's avatar

I was commenting on the horses!

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Jeff H's avatar

The figurative “horses” that the corrupt Trump admin rode in on are called “house and senate republicans”, along with right wing influencers like Charlie Kirk.

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Sylvia Sewell's avatar

Thank you for clarifying that. I REALLY thought they rode in on actual horses. Thought the swayed back horse was grumps. It’s the one tied to grumps bigly beautiful flag pole on the White House lawn.

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Sylvia Sewell's avatar

Animals are innocent.

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Susan Raquel's avatar

... and the horses they rode in on -- one of my favorite sayings.

I decided to look it up. Most sites said it started in the 1950's; but, think it might have been used before WW11. It was in a book in the 1970's.

One site said that it was not only to disparage the person; but, also his horse.

I suppose a modern day equivalent thing would be to say "you are ugly and so is your dog"?

A couple of people said it would be ...and the horse you rode in and all your relatives

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Jude Johnson's avatar

Just remember, the horse you rode in on was only following orders...

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Susan Raquel's avatar

Thinking about this some more. Maybe the horse is only a symbol for the other people that are associated with the rider. That would sure fit if the rider was trump.

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Sylvia Sewell's avatar

He couldn’t get his big fat arse up on a horse. Pity the horse if he managed to get on.

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Sylvia Sewell's avatar

Yes, of course the horse was used figuratively.

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Susan Raquel's avatar

They could put him in a bucket and then tip the bucket to get him on a horse.

Maybe he could if it was a Clydesdale. LOL

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Melissa's avatar

If the rider was tRump I feel sorry for the horse. He has no patience or care for an animal of any kind. I'm certain he'd be one to use a whip? It tells us alot, that he dislikes animals. I'm certain animals don't care for him either, remember the eagle interview.

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Susan Raquel's avatar

LOL I had not seen the Eagle interview. Most likely he fears animals. Too bad the eagle missed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M41aZX5ijVM

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Ellen CW's avatar

Nancy, keep pushing on I’m behind you 💯

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Maryooch's avatar

Andrea, it is my fervent wish that you WILL.

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Roger Wiesmeyer's avatar

Gmorning Andrea!

Respectfully... what was normal for us didn't serve huge swaths of our citizens. We had made great strides in living up to the words of our constitution but clearly our progress was built of a foundation of sand.

We have a huge task before us to ensure everyone within our borders can thrive from what ever point they start at.

Please don't despair. Simply by being here and taking time to respond to a post leads me to believe you are on a good path! Keep going! Take care of yourself along the way! May we all turn our nation back to a good path *together*.🙏💪💐❤️🇺🇸

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Kathy McLain's avatar

I know; it 's getting pretty scary to be a senior citizen in this country.

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Ellen CW's avatar

Yes I agree.

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Melani's avatar

Andrea, I so hear you! I am a fighter from the 1970’s, Civil Rights, Anti-war (not Vets!). But I still can read and given each day, I can write. We built a base for this; we are STILL building with Meidas and Parnas.

💙💙💙

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BrostarNYC's avatar

We will one day have a better normal than before. The under belly has finally been exposed for real. And we are at war and will win.

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Mary M. Bryant's avatar

Hang in there Andrea. Only 3 1/2 more years. Hope you are still around so we can celebrate the demise of the "Destroyer of Democracy."

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Janet Wilson's avatar

Midterms baby, midterms!!

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Rose Edgar's avatar

Andrea, I’m 81 and a cancer survivor so far, but I’m not giving up on normal. I may not see complete normal again in the years I have left but hoping for a start. People are angry and that’s what we need to bring back normal. Let’s hope the democrats get a spine and get some young people who are strong and can change the course we are going. I’m hopeful!

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Delores Gilchrist's avatar

I’m 88, y’all, and like you, I’m hoping to at least live long enough to see our country fighting off the “red plague”. I don’t want my great-grandchildren to grow up in Trump’s world.

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Sylvia Sewell's avatar

I am same age as you. We can’t give up. I will fight to the end. The

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Publia's avatar

Me too. I'm 84 and my greatest fear is for my five granddaughters (no grandsons, alas). I've done my best to give them a good world; others, not so much.

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Judy Cross's avatar

Ditto that Andrea. I, too, am 83 and pray everyday that I will live long enough to keep fighting to return our country to, we the people, and see these criminals behind bars for what they are doing.

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Pam Ponsart's avatar

Andrea, I know how you feel. I'm also 83 years old. We can't see into the future...there's a lot going on. I haven't given up hope that I will see positive changes while I'm still here. I do everything I can to promote the resistance from my laptop. What I see happening gives me hope. We can do this.

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Virginia W's avatar

Dont overlook The Bulwark, as Publisher Sarah Lonwell is brilliant. Her thinking and discussion on The Bulwark is nuanced in a balanced way that is valuable in avoiding group-think and blindspots.

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Melani's avatar

Thank you for this reassurance! I needed it tonight!💙💙💙

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Doreen Parker's avatar

You absolutely do not look 83 Andrea!

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Rhonda Koenig's avatar

At 69 I am feeling the pain of not seeing each and every member of this regime go to prison!

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Elle's avatar
Jul 21Edited

And, I have been so concerned that no real leader to the opposition has stepped forth. This I do not understand. Newsome is seemingly unafraid of the tyrants, but he has to do what he can for CA. The websites are there, but we need someone with a plan to lead us out of this demented corrupted jungle of “uncaring people.”

And, I know of NO plan!

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Sherry Pennell's avatar

I'm 81 and understand your doubts. I also understand that I must keep protesting and demanding that my senators and representative stand up. We got complacent after we protested to end the Vietnam War, won voting rights, civil rights, women's rights, LGBTQ rights and environmental protections. There is so much more to accomplish. If nothing else my protests may inspire younger people to continue to fight.

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Lulu's avatar

You and @aaronparnas are our only hope

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Sylvia Arrowood's avatar

And Occupy Democrats, Brian Tyler Cohen, Jack C.

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SBMcG's avatar

Adam Mockler

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Melani's avatar

Yes! “It takes a village,” as I’ve always heard. We are responsible for one another.

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Edie Sadowski's avatar

Amen!❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Nancy Chapman's avatar

Yes. 💗💗💗

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Tess G's avatar

I need Brian to stop with his dramatic, sensationalized clickbait titles for his stuff.

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Terry's avatar

I have never paid attention to his titles. The only thing i pay attention to is that it's Brian Tyler Cohen. Why people complain about such inane things is just weird. It's Brian! Who tf cares what the title is? Seriously.

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Rebecca Poppe's avatar

He does offer a separate YouTube with less crazy titles! Check BTC's alt page!

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Janet Wilson's avatar

Yes and they all need to offer 5 minute summaries daily if they want to expand their base.

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Jackie Robare Fiese's avatar

Don’t forget about Adam Mockler. Would encourage others to subscribe to him as well, especially the newer generation.

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LEAH BROWN's avatar

Agreed ! But there are also some other amazing others!!!

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Avery Bright's avatar

Frfr

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Holly Getz Holdren's avatar

Might I suggest a new branch /channel in the MTN. An entertainment/comedy one. Led by somebody like Colbert. And including daily political cartoons from the likes of Rob Rogers and others who have been exiled by Trump.

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ShelbyRae Lane's avatar

Excellent idea!! Daily Trump trolling with humor. Hey Ben and MTN, we NEED that snarky Trump trolling humor in our lives. Bet ya that channel on MTN would get millions and millions of views and engagement out gate. Snarky political humor trolling Trump is all my adult son is engaged with, his buddies at work, same thing. PLEASE take Holly's suggestion and let's get a snarky Trump trolling and Republican trolling specific humor channel on MTN.

👍❤️👍❤️👍❤️👍

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Judy Cross's avatar

It would make my day, too. We all need a laugh and since it would be based on truth, I'm all in for it.

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Holly Getz Holdren's avatar

The hits would be amazing wouldn't they? 😁

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ShelbyRae Lane's avatar

YES!!!!! Ta hell with Paramount and Disney. Just like MTN created independent news, they can create independent entertainment and comedy fueled and funded by the people. I KNOW people would definitely support that.

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Edie Sadowski's avatar

Would love that!❤️💪💪💪💪

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Joan's avatar

This IS a great idea!

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Marianne Atkinson's avatar

Great idea!

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Diane J's avatar

Fantastic idea and a great way to protect artists who speak and write the truth.

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Char Grant's avatar

That seems too good to be true – sure would be nice!

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Jen Valente's avatar

That would be awesome, Holly!!

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Holly Getz Holdren's avatar

I think so too! The orange man hates when people laugh at him. And humor helps us get through the day. 😂

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Jen Valente's avatar

Exactly! Ben is absolutely right. Independent media is the way of the future. We have news via Meidas Touch, they built out Legal AF, why not add comedy? I love being a Meidas Mighty. It feels good to be on the right side of history with the brothers who are changing the way people find legitimate news.

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bettievanoverbeke's avatar

That would be great

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teresafbrooks's avatar

Stephen Colbert thrives in - but not only in - a theater before a live audience. I can imagine him doing interviews on Substack. But hopefully there is one - or more - actual theaters where he and other great talents can do shows.

Wherever, I’ll be watching.

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WJB Motown's avatar

Laura Benanti, one of the few that could break up Stephen during her award winning Melania impersonations........is on tour in England right now.

Praying the Laura Benanti will make a few more apperances before the the show is over.

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Jul 19
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Susan Raquel's avatar

https://nypost.com/2025/07/18/entertainment/jon-stewart-on-possible-daily-show-cancellation-after-stephen-colbert-axe/

The long-running Comedy Central talk show earned a 2025 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Talk Series earlier this week, and Deadline reported that the program recently scored its highest ratings since August 2015.

That still might not be enough to save it from cancellation should Paramount merge with Skydance in a deal valued as high as $8 billion.

“I’d like to think we bring enough value to the property,” Stewart continued. “If they’re looking at it as purely a real estate transaction, I think we bring a lot of value.”

“But that may not be their consideration. They may sell the whole f—ing place for parts. I just don’t know,” he concluded. “We’ll deal with it when we do.”

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Leslie Goodman-Malamuth's avatar

Led by the MeidasTouch Network, fact-based independent media lead the fight to save democracy, involve viewers, and introduce new progressive leaders and voices. MEIDASTOUCH IS NUMBER ONE ON SUBSTACK!

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Virginia W's avatar

The Bulwark network on Substack and Youtube is growing large as well, and provides a more nuanced POV, so watching both is best.

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Sylvia Sewell's avatar

Does anyone know what happened to Aaron Parnas?

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tal's avatar

Aaron Parnas is on Substack, reporting news daily.

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Lynette Mason's avatar

I listen to him daily. He is terrific.

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Sylvia Sewell's avatar

Yes, I ve been reading him every day but seems this week I was unable to find him. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction. 🥰

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Danita Hamilton's avatar

I’m so glad and thankful for independent media it will take over everything one day because all those other outlets only care about is money in there pockets and lying and not telling the truth all for one swollen orange monster. What they are doing is disgraceful and disgusting. But they just don’t know all the good people they are letting go are coming to places like You Tube and Substack. Independent media is raising quickly and the MeidasTouch is one of them that brings us the truth and a place we can come to for what we need to hear and see in these trouble dark times.

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Judy Cross's avatar

Being able to read other's comments and being able to comment, makes me feel like I have a whole lot of friends that are going thru this with me. I don't feel alone or isolated in this battle, the biggest battle that any of us will ever see. We are all together on getting rid of this regime and getting our country back. We all know people that think that he is doing great and that it's right to treat the immigrants the way they are, who deny that the tariffs affect us, who won't face reality and make us want to bang our heads against the wall, but here, we are fighting for the same thing. We want equality for all, freedom for all. We want the lies to stop and we want out country back. If we could get them in prison for what they are doing to us and our country, then that would be the frosting on the cake. The Epstein files are a plus for us, because even his maga are getting mad over it. Also, if he goes thru with the WSJ law suit, he will have to answer a whole lot of questions under oath and don't know if he could do that, since nothing but lies come out of his mouth. They would have to hook him up to a lie detector for the questioning. Then the card would be proven to written by him and now he would be exposed. Squirm, Donnie, Squirm.

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John Lucken's avatar

Thanks for saying what we’re all thinking.

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Deborah Bundy's avatar

Still watch NBC and BBC. A subscription to you is also my breaking news supply. I don’t believe in MUST NOT’s . Good to check in with all perspectives if one wants to really know what your fellow humans are thinking. I live in the South. It’s in my best interest and the best interest of Democrats to stay locally informed.

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Joan's avatar

BBC for the win!

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Deborah Bundy's avatar

BBC is a good extra source for USA News

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Melani's avatar

AGREE!!!👍🏼

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Deborah Bundy's avatar

What other countries news do you listen to? I wonder how worldly we Americans are?

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Deborah Bundy's avatar

Sometimes, I wonder, not always. I love our country and the foundation it is supposed to stand on.

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Char Grant's avatar

I get where you’re coming from!

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Fabie's avatar

Join the MeidasMighty. We come from all over the world (from France, for example) and keep fighting beside the MeidasTouch Network to make truth and democracy win.

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Peter MacMonagle's avatar

Recruit Colbert for a show where he is free to speak his mind. Corporate media has proven to be a tool of authoritarian wet dreams. Perhaps restructure PBS/NPR - free of federal interference from the Orange Idiot (I am being nice here) to speak the truth to the country and the world. Fight back, while we still can. Mordor and Homan's Goons are right around the corner.

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Laurieanne's avatar

Join us. MeidasMighty forever❣️

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BethAF's avatar

🫡🫶MTN & Stephen Colbert🫶🫡

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Kathy McLain's avatar

I believe this will be a break through for Colbert. He will only get better once he's loosed from the chains of "state run" media and that's what it's become. Trump is using the power of our purse against us and spending our money to fight his battles. I personally thing that is probably illegal, but how do we fight him when the courts and congress allow him free reign?

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Michael W.'s avatar

Thank you, Meidas Touch!

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D. Lerit's avatar

Thank you, MTN!

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Lynn Bergendorff's avatar

Thank you I am your Meidas mighty forever!

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Odis H Johnson's avatar

Trump co-opted the media and made it dependent on his approval. Independent analysis of him is quickly silenced.

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Miriam Ferfers's avatar

Exactly! 💯

That shift... from public accountability to psychological obedience, zhis is what NCIS axis C describes in detail.

Not suppression through censorship,

but erosion through saturation and affect-manipulation.

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Edie Sadowski's avatar

Dangerous

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Sylvia Arrowood's avatar

Thank you Meidas Touch.

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Susan Winerip's avatar

Thank you for your integrity!

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