Gaslit Nation

Across America, people are waking up to the fact that Donald Trump has always been exactly who he said he was: a serial con man propped up by white grievance, impunity, and a media that normalized his crimes. 
Trump fears accountability. The question is whether we are prepared for what he and his allies may do to avoid it in the 2026 midterms.
Trump's push for the SAVE Act and the broader assault on voting rights should be understood for what it is: a strategy to stay in power by any means necessary. Voter suppression, disinformation, dark money, and foreign interference are ongoing. If Romania could challenge a compromised election and protect its democracy, America can stop pretending "moving on" is any sort of plan. 
We need election protection infrastructure now. Call your secretary of state. Ask what they are doing to protect the integrity of the 2026 vote.
Stay defiant. Build power. And join us at Gaslit Nation as we keep asking the questions too many in power still refuse to face.
Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit
Show Notes:
American Carnage by Sasha Abramsky https://orbooks.com/catalog/american-carnage/
Opening clip: https://bsky.app/profile/andreachalupa.bsky.social/post/3mhc7boslv22w
The Target boycott is still on! Georgia Forts explains the confusion:  https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVw6K39DtEd/?igsh=MTV6dXE0N3gydTZnYw==
Sexual misconduct allegations against Donald Trump – a timeline This article is more than 1 year old A list of the accusations made against Donald Trump between the 1980s and 2013, all of which he has denied https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/25/trump-sexual-misconduct-allegations-timeline
E. Jean Carroll asks Supreme Court to reject Trump's request to review her $5M defamation case https://abcnews.com/US/jean-carrollasks-supreme-court-reject-trumps-request-review/story?id=129216869

Trump and Kushner chose a war they don't understand, thinking they can use 20th-century "shock and awe" to topple a deeply entrenched terrorist state. The Iranian people are caught between two maniacal regimes and deserve our solidarity: an estimated 30,000 Iranians were just killed by their own government, and now they're being bombed by a Fox News host. 
Russian mafia expert Olga Lautman joins Gaslit Nation to discuss the surreal hallucinating AI simulation we've found ourselves in. Meanwhile, Trump and Vance need to thank Zelensky and Ukraine for their innovative drone-fighting technology–some of the best in the world. Has Vance even said thank you yet? 
We also prepare Americans for the reality that the "moats" of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans no longer protect us. As drone technology becomes cheaper and more accessible, the same over-the-counter drones terrorizing Kherson, Ukraine are coming for American streets–thanks to Trump galvanizing terrorists, and opportunistic mafia states like Russia that empower groups like ISIS. 
Like Russia, Trump thinks he can conquer a nation in three days. 
Join us on April 13th at Powerhouse Books in Dumbo, Brooklyn for the launch of Andrea's graphic novel, Mrs. Orwell. Olga Lautman will be there as we discuss how to survive the "Great Disillusionment" and protect our democracy from the opportunists selling us out for profit. Details here: https://powerhousearena.com/events/book-launch-mrs-orwell-by-andrea-chalupa-in-conversation-with-nomiki-konst/. Patreon supporters get in for free! 
Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit
EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION:
New! There's now a California Signal Group for Gaslit Nation listeners to find each other and connect in that state. Join us on Patreon.com/Gaslit 

The Gaslit Nation Outreach Committee discusses how to talk to the MAGA cult: Join us on Patreon.com/Gaslit 

Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other. Join us on Patreon. 

Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other. Join us on Patreon.com/Gaslit 

Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect. Join us on Patreon.com/Gaslit 

Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join. Join us on Patreon.com/Gaslit 

Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group. Join us on Patreon.com/Gaslit  

Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community

Show Notes:
 
Opening clip: Trump: "Iran is just a military operation to me. Iran is something that was essentially largely over in two or three days." The war in Iran has already lasted 18 days. https://bsky.app/profile/thebulwark.com/post/3mhbhx7qfpn2l
 
Um, What Is Going on With Melania Trump in This Video?
https://www.vogue.com/article/melania-trump-vladimir-putin-helsinki-video
 
Andrea's thread on the Melania propaganda film which you should not watch https://bsky.app/profile/andreachalupa.bsky.social/post/3mgqndjhz4k2b
 
This article is more than 1 month old Disappeared bodies, mass burials and '30,000 dead': what is the truth of Iran's death toll? https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/jan/27/iran-protests-death-toll-disappeared-bodies-mass-burials-30000-dead
 
Warren Buffett's parting gift to Berkshire Hathaway: a $2 billion Iran oil windfall https://www.marketwatch.com/story/warren-buffetts-parting-gift-to-berkshire-hathaway-a-2-billion-iran-oil-windfall-4daf28ba
 
Russia is aiding Iran's war effort by providing intel on US military targets, sources say https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/06/politics/russia-aiding-iran-targeting
 
How Russian military intelligence used the Taliban to bleed U.S. forces at the end of America's longest war https://theins.ru/en/politics/277723
 
Putin Is No Ally in the War on Terror in 2024 https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/putin-no-ally-war-terror-2024
 
Watch Zerina Zabrisky's powerful film for free and spread the word about Russia's human safaris in Ukraine https://khersonhumansafari.com/
 
Interview with Zerina Zabrisky: https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2025/11/4/is-donald-trump-dying-jd-vance-seems-to-think-so
 
Why are so many from this Russian republic fighting for ISIS? https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/many-russian-republic-fighting-isis
 
Putin is No Ally Against ISIS https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/putin-no-ally-against-isis-by-george-soros-2016-02
 
New York explosive incident highlights challenge for agencies in wake of Iran war https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/new-york-explosive-incident-highlights-challenge-for-agencies-in-wake-of-iran-war
 
Dubai financial district rattled by Iranian drones https://www.ft.com/content/2dddfaa2-a163-4e59-a6ef-7d9d6e334023?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Despite holding one of the most powerful microphones in the world, the silence from major winners at the Oscars regarding human rights and the rise of fascism was the real star. 
When artists like Paul Thomas Anderson, whose film One Battle After Another swept the awards, refuse to use their power to address the very real injustices their films capitalize on, they "obey in advance." This silence is the symptom of massive corporate media consolidation. Director David Borenstein, winner of best documentary for Mr. Nobody Against Putin, used his power morally to remind us that this is how Putin cemented a dictatorship. 
With the looming merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and the MAGA Ellison family's Paramount Skydance, we face a future where 40% of our media is controlled by a single far-right family. If you want to know what that might look like, see what Barri Weiss is doing to CBS. 
See you at the Gaslit Nation Salon today at 4 PM ET. The Zoom link is live on Patreon.com/Gaslit, where you can also catch the recording of last week's session. Whether you need to vent, share best practices, or just find community, our weekly resilience gatherings are here for you. Join the movement and support the show at Patreon.com/Gaslit–we couldn't do this without you.
Use the scripts below to contact Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta of California to demand they enforce existing laws to investigate, slow-down, and block the Warner Bros. deal–or there won't be anymore films like Sinners and One Battle After Another, supporting California's economy. 
To Governor Gavin Newsom:
Phone: (916) 445-2841 | Email: https://www.gov.ca.gov/contact/

Socials: @GavinNewsom

Script: My name is [Name] from [City]. I am calling to urge Governor Newsom to publicly oppose the Ellison takeover of Warner Bros. This merger threatens jobs and creates a dangerous media monopoly. Governor, please use your influence to protect our creative economy and information space from MAGA-aligned consolidation.

To Attorney General Rob Bonta:
Phone: (916) 210-6276 | Email: https://oag.ca.gov/contact/general-contact-form Socials: @AGRobBonta

Script: Attorney General Bonta, Use your power to open an immediate antitrust investigation into the Warner Bros. and Paramount Skydance merger. We need you to enforce state anti-monopoly laws to prevent a single entity from controlling nearly half of our news and entertainment. Protect our markets and our speech.

Join us at the Mrs. Orwell book launch on April 13 at PowerHouse Books Arena in DUMBO. Patreon supporters at the Truth-teller level or higher get in free: https://powerhousearena.com/events/book-launch-mrs-orwell-by-andrea-chalupa-in-conversation-with-nomiki-konst/
Show Notes:
Elon Musk got $1 billion from Larry Ellison for his Twitter takeover https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/5/23058295/elon-musk-twitter-funding-qatar-larry-ellison
Merger Madness and How to Stop It https://www.freepress.net/blog/how-to-stop-warner-bros-discovery-merger

"I've been Doged." Over 300,000 federal workers were purged by drug-fueled sociopath Elon Musk and his "Department of Government Efficiency." In this week's Gaslit Nation, we're  joined by Sasha Abramsky, contributor to The Nation and author of the explosive new book American Carnage: How Trump, Musk, and DOGE Butchered the U.S. Government. Abramsky details how Musk and his "Hitler Youth" tech bros, led by Edward "Big Balls" Coristine, infiltrated government agencies like a wrecking ball. They were set on sadistic public humiliation, bullying the survivors into submission to carry out a lawless coup to hijack our democracy.
DOGE carried out the greatest data heist in global history. The personal information for nearly 300 million Americans, including Social Security numbers and Medicare data, has been exposed to tech oligarchs. This data is already being weaponized to purge voter rolls and hunt immigrants and dissidents.
Trump and Musk depend on your demoralization. They want you to think they're invincible Bond villains, but as the resistance in Minneapolis showed, we can and must stand up to them–for the sake of our very lives and the security of the world.
Have you or your community felt the impact of the DOGE purges? Share your story with us at [email protected]. We may report on it, anonymously if you choose, on the show. Stay strong. Gaslit Nation is here for you.
Join Andrea in New York City for the launch of her new graphic novel Mrs. Orwell. This special live-taping will share the incredible story of Eileen Blair, the unsung heroine of literature and wife of George Orwell, who saved her husband's life twice and shaped his greatest works. Details here: https://powerhousearena.com/events/book-launch-mrs-orwell-by-andrea-chalupa-in-conversation-with-nomiki-konst/
Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit
EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION:
New! There's now a California Signal Group for Gaslit Nation listeners to find each other and connect in that state. Join us on Patreon.com/Gaslit 

The Gaslit Nation Outreach Committee discusses how to talk to the MAGA cult: Join us on Patreon.com/Gaslit 

Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other. Join us on Patreon. 

Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other. Join us on Patreon.com/Gaslit 

Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect. Join us on Patreon.com/Gaslit 

Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join. Join us on Patreon.com/Gaslit 

Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group. Join us on Patreon.com/Gaslit  

Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community

Show Notes:
DOGE staffer had 'God-level' Social Security access and expected Trump's pardon, whistleblower says https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/doge-social-security-data-whistleblower-b2935908.html
Elon Musk's DOGE Staffer 'Big Balls' Related to KGB Defector: Report https://www.newsweek.com/elon-musk-doge-edward-coristine-big-balls-kgb-agent-2036520
Doge cuts to USAid blamed for 300,000 deaths — most of them children https://www.thetimes.com/us/american-politics/article/usaid-doge-deaths-children-cuts-7nb83dfkp?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqcVzjZ_td4qU0vyr-xG_CgGOlTqkglEvufyMil2saeIo4sfDLbK8HIVQeZ-IHc%3D&gaa_ts=69b0d995&gaa_sig=ZVvlsPXRuxrYyW6L9eA4lEbo1EG_Vjg1-CiS5mFa7qlVjY9zdtc18EbEHPxglD0f-pxJDLWqvvxK-U_IjWKBjg%3D%3D
14 Million People Could Die in Next 5 Years Due to USAID Cuts, Study Finds https://gizmodo.com/14-million-people-could-die-in-next-5-years-due-to-usaid-cuts-study-finds-2000622755
American Carnage How Trump, Musk, and DOGE Butchered the US Government https://lettersandsciencemag.ucdavis.edu/bookshelf/american-carnage

The progress we enjoy today, now under threat, was built by people who chose to turn despair into action, to do something instead of nothing. In these final days of winter, it's up to each of us to build an American spring.
Call the Congressional switchboard 202-224-3121 and demand that your reps fight for the full release of the Epstein files, justice for every survivor and those killed, and accountability for every predator and enabler. And tell them to stop another forever war in the Middle East before it unleashes yet another Pandora's box, like George W. Bush's Iraq invasion gave rise to ISIS. 
For this week's bonus show, we're publishing the recording of this past Monday's salon early. It was an in-depth conversation during an extra-tense time, and we hope you'll find a moment to listen to it, and to take extra care with yourselves. None of this is easy, but we're keeping our eyes on the prize, planting seeds of change for a better world. 
We begin by reminding ourselves: yes, it's possible. And we are the ones being called to do it.
Thank you for being here, and for staying in the fight with us. We could not make Gaslit Nation without you. We'll see you at Monday's salon at 4pm. For our Patreon supporters, the link, along with the recording, has already been published for you. 
Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit