Quick Read

This episode dissects the chaotic world of political influencers, from Gavin Newsom's viral tweet targeting Benny Johnson to the internal feuds and rebranding efforts shaping the MAGA media landscape.
Gavin Newsom's office used a Grindr joke to 'nuke' conservative influencer Benny Johnson, highlighting aggressive political social media tactics.
A 'MAGA influencer' reality show, potentially on Amazon, reveals the commodification of political personalities and their 'fame ball' culture.
Dan Bongino's post-FBI exit triggered a flurry of internal right-wing attacks, exposing deep ideological rifts and personal animosities within the movement.

Summary

The Bulwark trio dives into a series of internet controversies and political infighting. Topics include Sam's 'filleting' over an Amy Klobuchar tweet, the emergence of a MAGA influencer reality show on Amazon, Gavin Newsom's press office publicly mocking Benny Johnson's alleged Grindr use, and Dan Bongino's post-FBI departure rants against Matt Gaetz and Milo Yiannopoulos. They also discuss Candace Owens' podcast rebranding and her controversial witness, Mitch Snow, along with the surprising trend of OnlyFans models receiving O-1B 'extraordinary ability' visas. The episode concludes with a strong, humorous call for Nicki Minaj's deportation due to her alignment with Donald Trump.
This episode offers a raw, unfiltered look into the current state of political commentary and the bizarre intersection of social media, celebrity culture, and partisan conflict. It highlights how political figures and influencers leverage online platforms for personal branding, ideological battles, and even career advancement, often blurring lines between genuine activism and performative outrage. The discussions reveal the internal fractures within the MAGA movement and the evolving tactics of political communication in the digital age.

Takeaways

  • Gavin Newsom's press office deployed a highly aggressive, personal tweet targeting Benny Johnson's alleged Grindr use, sparking debate over acceptable political communication.
  • A political influencer reality show, 'The House,' featuring C-tier MAGA personalities, is reportedly launching on Amazon, showcasing the monetization of online political fame.
  • Dan Bongino, post-FBI, engaged in a public feud with Matt Gaetz and Milo Yiannopoulos, accusing them of being 'grifters' and 'blackpillers' within the conservative movement.
  • Candace Owens rebranded her podcast and gained crossover appeal by covering true crime cases, but faces scrutiny for a controversial witness in her Charlie Kirk assassination claims.
  • OnlyFans models are increasingly receiving O-1B visas for 'extraordinary ability,' raising questions about immigration policy and the definition of 'art' in the digital age.
  • Host Tim Miller humorously advocates for Nicki Minaj's deportation due to her alignment with Donald Trump, framing it as applying Trump's own immigration rules to her situation.

Insights

1Newsom's Office Deploys Aggressive Social Media Tactics Against Conservative Influencers

Gavin Newsom's press office directly attacked conservative influencer Benny Johnson on Twitter, responding to Johnson's 'fraud investigation' trip to California with a tweet stating, 'We'll make sure Grindr servers are ready.' This move highlights a growing trend of Democratic press shops engaging in highly personal and provocative online exchanges, often leveraging rumors or personal attacks previously circulated within right-wing circles (e.g., Milo Yiannopoulos's claims about Johnson's sexuality).

Newsom's press office tweet: 'We'll make sure Grindr servers are ready. Dot dot.' in response to Benny Johnson's California trip announcement. ()

2The Rise of Political Influencer Reality Television

A reality show titled 'The House,' featuring C-tier MAGA influencers like Xavier Day Rousseau, Destiny, and Emily Saves America, is reportedly coming to Amazon. This show appears to be a self-published venture, distinct from an Amazon Original, and focuses on the manufactured drama and 'fame ball' culture of political personalities who often engage in 'junkets' to places like Qatar and Israel. The production highlights the increasing commodification of political identity and online influence.

Discussion of Xavier Day Rousseau's 'The House' show, featuring MAGA influencers, and its likely distribution as a self-published Amazon offering. ()

3Dan Bongino's Post-FBI Infighting within the MAGA World

After leaving the FBI, Dan Bongino initiated a public feud with prominent right-wing figures like Matt Gaetz and Milo Yiannopoulos. Bongino, described as a 'classic right-wing infighter,' accused them of being 'grifters,' 'life losers,' and 'blackpillers' who undermine the MAGA movement. This internal conflict reveals deep ideological and personal animosities, with Milo responding with a colorful, constipated-themed tweet and Bongino calling Gaetz a 'suckling little doggy.'

Milo Yiannopoulos's tweet about 'the Bongino rift' () and Dan Bongino's response to Matt Gaetz: 'You've always been a dick by the way, grifting off your daddy like a suckling little doggy.' ()

4OnlyFans Models Leverage 'Extraordinary Ability' Visas for US Immigration

OnlyFans models and social media influencers are reportedly securing O-1B visas, typically reserved for artists and movie stars with 'extraordinary ability.' This trend, highlighted by a New York Post article, suggests a redefinition of what constitutes 'art' or 'unique talent' in the digital age, allowing individuals engaged in 'softcore porn' to gain US citizenship. The hosts debate the implications for immigration policy, with Tim Miller humorously advocating for 'homegrown American OnlyFans models' to maximize their wages against foreign competition.

Financial Times/New York Post reporting on OnlyFans models receiving O-1B visas, including Mexican-born Yanet Garcia and Canadian-born Aisha Sophie. ()

5Nicki Minaj's Political Shift and Calls for Deportation

Nicki Minaj's recent alignment with Donald Trump, including appearing on stage with Erica Kirk and making comments critical of LGBTQ+ individuals and supportive of 'building the wall,' has drawn strong condemnation from the hosts. Tim Miller, in a tongue-in-cheek application of Trump's own immigration principles, calls for Minaj's deportation to Trinidad and Tobago, arguing that her political stance negates the sympathy typically extended to those brought to the US as children.

Nicki Minaj's appearance with Erica Kirk, comments on gays/trans people, support for the wall and Trump 2.0. Tim Miller's statement: 'under the new rules that her new love, Donald Trump, has put in place, someone that was brought here when they were five from Trinidad and Tobago must go back to that country and get in line.' ()

Bottom Line

The 'left-wing to Candace pipeline' is a real phenomenon, where individuals from progressive backgrounds are increasingly drawn to Candace Owens' content, particularly her coverage of true crime and entertainment lawsuits.

So What?

This indicates a potential vulnerability in progressive media's ability to retain certain audiences, especially those interested in 'hot button' cultural topics, and suggests Candace Owens has successfully tapped into a broader, non-traditional conservative demographic.

Impact

Progressive media outlets could analyze Owens' content strategy (e.g., true crime, entertainment commentary) to understand how to engage and retain audiences who might otherwise 'jump the horseshoe' to right-wing commentators.

The market for political influencers is so developed that 'C-tier' personalities are now starring in their own reality shows, funded by unclear sources and distributed via self-publishing platforms like Amazon.

So What?

This signifies the full commodification of political identity, where 'fame balls' can monetize their online presence through entertainment formats, further blurring the lines between politics and reality TV.

Impact

Entrepreneurs could develop platforms or services specifically for self-publishing political-themed entertainment, or agencies could specialize in managing and packaging political influencers for non-traditional media ventures.

Key Concepts

Blackpiller

Originating from 'The Matrix' red pill concept, a 'blackpiller' refers to someone who has become nihilistic about a cause (e.g., Trump support), believing it's all over and there's no point in continuing. Dan Bongino uses this term to criticize those he sees as defeatist or overly negative within the MAGA movement.

Quotes

"

"There is a place beyond constipation, beyond being merely backed up, beyond post-surgery scrape it out with a spoon after 5 days on Percocet. Welcome to the Bongino rift."

Milo Yiannopoulos
"

"You've always been a dick by the way, grifting off your daddy like a suckling little doggy. When I first met you, I knew you were a piece of [__] It's written all over that phony face of yours."

Dan Bongino
"

"I want homegrown American OnlyFans models to be able to maximize their wages. Okay, I don't They don't need them to be competing against uh you know, OnlyFans models from Mauritania."

Tim Miller
"

"I don't accept anymore if the Democrats get back in charge, JVL wants to take down the East Wing. I want to deport Nicki Minaj. On day one, she can go home to Trinidad and Tobago and get in line and come back to the country."

Tim Miller

Q&A

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