15 chapters across the catalog
Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Washington D.C. and other major cities to denounce the administration's policies on trade, education, and government dismissals. The hosts point out that the organizing groups, such as Indivisible, utilize the ActBlue donation system, linking the demonstrations to the Democratic Party. They mock the "uncreative" nature of the protest chants and the age of the participants.
Governor Gavin Newsom faced scrutiny for directing California Fire Fund donations through the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue rather than a direct link. This method allows the governor's Super PAC to collect 4% processing fees and valuable donor metadata, including email addresses and demographics. Critics characterized the move as a "mailing list scam" embedded within disaster relief efforts.
During the executive producer credit segment, Julian Swan was knighted after a $1,000 donation, sharing his journey from "awakening" to teaching equity jurisprudence. Other significant contributors included Sir Libre, who hosts a heavy metal "Value for Value" show, and Eli the Coffee Guy. The hosts used the segment to mock Joe Biden's farewell speech and highlight the transparency of their listener-supported model.
An investigation by O'Keefe Media Group into ActBlue is detailed, featuring a woman whose name was used for dozens of unauthorized donations to Bernie Sanders. The segment explores allegations of "smurfing" or money laundering through small-dollar donations using the identities of senior citizens.
Zoom Fundraising Calls, Kamala Harris Campaign Logistics
The logistics of large-scale "Swifties for Kamala" and "Jews for Kamala" Zoom calls are questioned, with claims that participant numbers are inflated. A producer's report suggests that proprietary systems like Canvas from Immersive Design Studios are required to handle even 20,000 viewers. The segment expresses skepticism regarding the technical feasibility of hosting hundreds of thousands of interactive users on a single call.
DNC Virtual Roll Call, ActBlue Money Laundering Allegations
The Democratic National Committee's virtual roll call to nominate Kamala Harris is discussed alongside her search for a running mate, specifically Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. The campaign's $310 million July fundraising total is scrutinized, with allegations that ActBlue is used to launder foreign money through small, split donations. The hosts argue that the sudden influx of cash is suspicious and potentially illegal.
IfNotNow Movement, Progressive Activism Funding and Organization
The IfNotNow movement, which organizes pro-Palestinian protests, is identified as being funded through ActBlue and trained by the Momentum Organizing Community. An analysis of the organization's staff reveals a focus on identity politics, including Marxism and "Afrofuturism," while operating on what they describe as "occupied lands."
White House TikTok Briefing, Gen Z for Change
The White House holds a formal briefing for TikTok influencers to discuss the war in Ukraine and combat misinformation. The hosts identify the group "Gen Z for Change" as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that uses ActBlue for donations, suggesting the initiative is a political lobbying effort aimed at the midterm elections.
The Republican donation platform WinRed faces scrutiny over recurring donation "money bombs" that allegedly duped donors. Separately, a UK government report concluding that the country is not "institutionally racist" is met with criticism from activists and NPR.
ActBlue, Black Lives Matter, Fundraising Transparency
A debate ensues regarding the financial relationship between the fundraising platform ActBlue and the Black Lives Matter movement. While some claim donations are funneled directly to the Democratic National Committee, others argue ActBlue serves merely as a clearinghouse for various left-leaning groups. The lack of a centralized 501(c)(3) for Black Lives Matter raises questions about tax filings and accountability.
Non-Profit Corruption and Black Lives Matter Funding
The proliferation of small non-profits has created a system where radicalism can be funded with little transparency. Many organizations, including those associated with Black Lives Matter, utilize the easy 990-N tax form for entities under $200,000 to avoid detailed reporting. Critics claim that millions of dollars raised through platforms like GoFundMe and ActBlue are being funneled into a corrupt network of vendors and political foundations.
Noodle Boy Concept, Cancel Culture Origins
The "Noodle Boy" archetype is defined as a young, entitled worker who uses social media to pressure corporations into adopting "woke" ideologies. This movement is linked to ActBlue and the broader cancel culture that shames companies into compliance through virtue signaling.
The hosts critique the aggressive and often misleading nature of political fundraising texts from both the Republican "WinRed" and Democratic "ActBlue" platforms. They note the repetitive use of "matching" offers and urgent "membership expiration" warnings.
Sunrise Movement, The Young Turks, IPCC Climate Report
The Sunrise Movement is highlighted for its role in organizing young people to demand climate action through protest and electoral organizing. Vashini Prakash appears on The Young Turks to discuss the movement's success in moving the Green New Deal to the top of the Democratic agenda. The group cites the IPCC report's 12-year deadline for radical societal transformation as a primary motivator.
Hillary Clinton's new political initiative and her fundraising through ActBlue are discussed. During the Code Con interview, Kara Swisher jokingly defended Clinton against internet rumors claiming she is a "lizard person." The hosts note the irony of the moderator having to clarify that the former Secretary of State is human.
