Thread by @FreedomFriesInc

Thread: Thoughts and reflections of a (proudly) EX Cult 45 adherent after the historic 8/8/22 FBI search at Mar-a-lago.

There's a bunch of interviews and other info that helped me understand what the hell happened to the US between 2015 and 2022.

Here are some of them.

I chose the above photo because we must #NeverForget the Holocaust, so it will be #NeverAgain.

The aftermath of the 10/27/18 killing of 11 innocent people at the Tree of Life Synagogue, Pittsburgh told us a lot about T**** and his inner circle then, and now.

No one in American history has done more than T**** to encourage antisemitism, terrorism, and the downfall of the republic itself. Yet he was welcomed to Pittsburgh by the rabbi of that synagogue. I defended the visit, and will never stop apologizing for that. Mea culpa.

Here is an article about it, from where I sourced the photo. IMO, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump are up to their eyeballs in culpability for most of the crimes committed in the T**** campaign, presidency, and since. History will not be kind to them.

seattletimes.com/nation-world/i…

The parallels between the rise and conduct of the Third Reich and those responsible for the present day T**** movement are striking.

Antisemitism is, of course, not the only form of hatred the movement's leaders encourage and enable. But it is a good place to start questioning.

When I left the cult, I started studying a lot of material about it.

The one-hour interviews of key people by the Commonwealth Club of California were extremely helpful.

Super relevant rn is this one: Former FBI head of counterespionage Peter Strzok

This one was utterly fascinating and eye-opening. If you only watch one video from this thread, make it this one:

Andrea Bernstein: The Trumps, The Kushners and American Greed

Essentially, any author or commentator that maga world gets viciously angry about is likely to be someone you should read or hear.

This 2019 Malcolm Nance interview is great, and there are bound to be more recent in-depth interviews with him, too.

Carol Leonnig's work examining T****'s Big Lie is highly recommended reading. But she is also an expert on the US Secret Service, which has exposed itself in previously unimaginable ways.

Unreformed, they're now a threat to national security.

Someone I regularly listen to is Rick Wilson. His takes are almost always spot-on. And, he gives zero fucks about what the cult members say about him.

Rick Wilson: Saving America From Trump (And Democrats From Themselves)

The unmitigated tragedy of the first year of the pandemic in the US must never be forgotten. Several hundred thousands of lives could have been saved.

Watch: Andy Slavitt: Inside the Doomed US Coronavirus Response

Wisconsin's finest.

Charles Sykes: How the Right Lost its Mind

I'd never have heard of Rep Zoe Lofgren if it wasn't for Jan 6. The former law professor's media interviews after hearings and other key events are always well informed and easy to understand.

Zoe Lofgren: A Conversation About the January 6th Attack

Another member of the Jan 6 Committee brains trust. Legal academic and public servant Jamie Raskin.

Rep. Jamie Raskin: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy

One of the best of the former-Republican bunch, Tim Miller.

His book Why We Did It sounds very interesting. His lifelong interest in politics was very similar to my own, just in a different country.

Tim Miller: Inside the New Republican Party

One of the first people I finally listened to as I left the cult was Mary L Trump PhD. She has now written two books, and her regular interviews and podcast episodes are gold.

Especially since the 8/8/22 FBI operation.😁

Mary Trump: The Reckoning

I hesitate to give anyone a second video mention but this very recent one by Malcolm Nance is too good an opportunity to pass up. Freshly back from 4 months literally fighting in Ukraine.

Malcolm Nance: Behind the Ideology of the Trump Insurgency