1/29
This has been the most *DANGEROUS* 48 hours in the Trump Presidency so far.
Trump has taken multiple unprecedent actions, that while individually they seem innocuous, together point to an alarming future that require us to act NOW.
Here is what you need to know:
2/29
What's important to understand, is that the only thing that droops more than Trump's face is his approval rating.
Hitting a new record low, even among Republican voters.
3/29
We see this echoed in the fact that Democrats are *massively* outperforming in special elections, including in districts that Trump won by more than 10 points.
4/29
Trump knows he faces accountability when he leaves office, and his party knows Vance won't hold the party in line.
Even in Fox News polling, he has negative popularity numbers.
So Republican's know the mid-terms, and the future are in jeopardy for them.
5/29
The only way they win?
Is through authoritarian abuse.
And that's led to a flurry of dangerous actions *CLEARLY* aimed at disrupting our mid-term elections.
(The last one being horrifying!)
6/29
First, Trump filed a massive defamation lawsuit against the New York Times primarily focused on their election coverage.
The problem?
They didn't cite a single defamation statute, or actually dispute any claim.
They are just trying to raise financial cost of critique.
7/29
This comes after Trump has repeatedly targeted news networks for *TRUTHFUL* coverage that he didn't like.
And removing AP's White House Press Pool access for refusing to agree with him.
8/29
This week, he even went as far as to threaten a foreign journalist for simply asking questions about his wealth.
Suggesting it would hurt the career of that journalist, as well as US relationships with his country.
9/29
And as we know, he continued this, with the blatant 1st Amendment violation of having the FCC lean on ABC affiliates to get Jimmy Kimmel pulled from the air after he made a joke about how Trump "wasn't mourning Kirk's death" because he changed the topic to the ballroom
10/29
But, in amongst all the chaos, is the BIGGEST problem - is Trump "declaring" that:
-"Antifa" is a designated terrorist organization
and
-A new executive order targeting "political hate speech" and "terrorist funding" coming in response.
11/29
Why is that an issue?
Despite Trump's claims:
-Antifa does *NOT* exist.
It's an ideology of resisting fascism, there is no organized group or entity.
It would be akin to declaring "Libertarianism" or "Capitalism" as a "terrorist organization"
12/29
This comes on the heels of Trump and allies claiming that they were "investigating" left-wing groups for potential support of the Charlie Kirk assassin, and would "dismantle" those groups for promoting and funding violence.
13/29
But its telling he is targeting political non-profits who are focused on things like:
-Voter outreach
-Voter education
-Local political organizing
And not actually shutting them down, but just to revoke their tax status to throw them into disarray before the mid-terms
14/29
So why is it a problem that he using this claim of "Designating Antifa a Terrorist Org" to do it?
1) No domestic terror designation exists unlike the FTO - so the President cannot make that declaration.
15/29
2) Domestic terror designations determined by the FBI and DHS, allow enhanced investigative powers, for surveillance without court authority.
3) No Antifa group exists, so they intend to use this broadly to burden any critic with broad investigation powers.
16/29
As they've shown with Pulte, once they get investigation powers they will bury opponents in fake costly lawsuits and allegations, even if they are unfounded.
17/29
Trump's agenda is clear.
They KNOW they do not need to win these legal cases.
They just need to make it costly and scary for groups to be active leading up to the election.
It's exactly why his lawsuit highlighted the *TIMING* that books about him were launched.
18/29
There are 7 common steps in the "Authoritarian Playbook" and right now we are in the midst of number 4 "Quashing Dissent"
Even when the law isn't on their side, they want you afraid for your safety, or for the price you pay to be too much to speak freely.
19/29
But, quashing that dissent is often used for the most dangerous of these steps "Corrupting Elections"
Because in a secure and state led system, the easy way to do that is by suppressing votes.
20/29
If the President can make sure:
-News regs aren't critical of him
-Polls don't show his weakness
-Left wing orgs can't organize out of fear of being deemed terrorist
He will create a disruptive chilling effect on the mid-terms, ensuring he remains unchecked.
21/29
That's why groups like WinRed have been using this moment to send unhinged registration messages driving Republican voter registration for the mid-terms to shape the narrative.
In the past they've been sued for their sketchy tactics, but now run wild under Trump.
22/29
So what can you do?
1) Vote with your wallet.
-Support news orgs and creators who stand-up.
-Cancel subscriptions of entities that fold or cower.
23/29
2) Know your rights.
You have a right to peaceful protest, and to donate to domestic political NGOs under the first amendment.
Even if you were detained for that, you'd win that case.
The Pres calling you "Antifa" cannot stop that.
24/29
3) Share and inform.
They want to cut off our ability to organize and share our voice through mainstream channels.
That means its more important than ever to help inform others by sharing reputable content and facts.
25/29
4) Be loud.
You have Freedom of Speech - use it.
The internet trolls with their threats and insults are not dangerous (and most are overseas goons) Don't let them silence you.
Don't fear for your job over sensible political comments either. You'll win that settlement
26/29
5) Donate and Vote.
Support independent candidates, Dems and any non-MAGA candidate who has a chance of winning a seat in the mid-terms.
Make an event of going to vote, get your friends out there, make sure they don't stay home.
27/29
Follow and support folks like:
- @ZachWahls for Iowa
- @grahamformaine for Maine
- @jamestalarico for Texas
- @osbornforne for Nebraska
All who have a REAL shot at flipping key seats!
28/29
6) Follow those who can still raise their voice.
Many great creators will still be loud and won't take this laying down.
Help us amplify our reach so we can raise the good kind of trouble!
29/29
They are trying to play these moments off as harmless.
They claim firings are business decisions.
They claim crackdowns are "keeping America safe"
But this is the most dangerous moment in American history.
They want to silence your vote.
Don't let them.
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