WTFISGOINGON: Grifts, Gags, and Government Overreach
Hey Friend,
Another week, another set of headlines that make you question if we’re living in a democracy or just an exceptionally bad reality TV show that refuses to get canceled. Let’s break down the latest chaos and what it means for the rest of us trying to survive the circus.
💀 Another Week, Another Mess—Here’s What Went Down
📌 Trump’s Legal Woes & Political Moves
What Happened: The White House fired USAID Inspector General Paul Martin a day after he released a damning report exposing how Trump’s funding freeze was disrupting critical humanitarian aid efforts. The report detailed that over $489 million in food assistance was at risk of spoilage or loss due to abrupt staffing cuts and halted distribution. Meanwhile, Trump remains busy dodging legal challenges while tightening his grip on power.
WTF Does This Mean Fr: Firing an independent watchdog for exposing government mismanagement is straight-up authoritarian behavior. Trump is purging officials who aren’t loyalists, making it clear that oversight and accountability are just speed bumps on his road to consolidating control. This isn’t just about one agency—it’s about setting a precedent that no one inside the system can challenge him without consequences.
📌 Steve Bannon Pleads Guilty to Border Wall Fraud
What Happened: Steve Bannon, former Trump advisor and professional chaos agent, pleaded guilty to defrauding donors in the infamous “We Build the Wall” scheme. He admitted to misleading supporters who thought they were funding border security but were really just padding Bannon’s wallet. Instead of jail time, he got a three-year conditional discharge, meaning he’s free as long as he stays out of further trouble.
WTF Does This Mean Fr: Bannon scammed MAGA donors out of millions, got pardoned by Trump once, and now avoids prison again. If this were anyone else, they’d be locked up. But in Trump’s orbit, grift isn’t a crime—it’s a business model. The real kicker? Many of these same donors will still throw their money at whatever the next right-wing fundraising scam is.
📌 The “Wokest” Hospital in America?
What Happened: A conservative group launched an ad campaign attacking the Cleveland Clinic, calling it “the wokest hospital in America” for providing gender-affirming care, implementing diversity initiatives, and advocating for sustainability. The ad accuses the hospital of prioritizing politics over patients, while the clinic maintains it is focused on quality healthcare for all.
WTF Does This Mean Fr: This is yet another manufactured outrage designed to paint basic medical care and inclusivity as radical. The right is using hospitals, schools, and businesses as battlegrounds in their culture war because fear sells—and it distracts from their lack of real policy solutions. Next time you hear “woke,” just remember: it’s usually code for something else...
📌 Trump’s 25% Tariffs on Steel & Aluminum
What Happened: Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, claiming it will boost American industry. While his administration insists this will strengthen domestic production, economists warn it will increase costs for everything from cars to canned goods while escalating trade tensions, especially with U.S. allies.
WTF Does This Mean Fr: These tariffs aren’t about helping American workers—they’re about flexing nationalist rhetoric. History tells us these policies usually backfire, leading to retaliatory tariffs and job losses rather than economic growth. If you think companies won’t just pass the higher costs onto consumers, I have a very expensive, tariff-laden bridge to sell you.
📌 J.D. Vance’s “America First” AI Speech at Paris Summit
What Happened: At an international AI summit in Paris, Vice President J.D. Vance pushed an “America First” stance on AI, warning against overregulation and arguing that U.S. dominance in the industry must be protected. His speech took jabs at European regulatory efforts and painted global cooperation as a threat to American innovation.
WTF Does This Mean Fr: Vance’s speech is part of a broader nationalist push to reject international oversight while giving corporations free rein. While AI does need regulation, pretending that safety and innovation are mutually exclusive is disingenuous. This isn’t about “protecting jobs”—it’s about letting tech giants self-police, which never ends well for workers or consumers.
See you next week—stay informed, stay engaged, and don’t let the BS fool you.
✨Your movement bestie – Shae
P.S. Got a friend who still thinks politics doesn’t affect them? Do them a favor—send this their way or tell them to subscribe.
