27 Comments
User's avatar
Xplisset's avatar

This isn’t just about Colbert. It’s about conditioning the public to expect silence when power is threatened.

I spent years watching how narrative control works from inside the system and what we’re seeing now isn’t censorship in the traditional sense. It’s a hostile merger between legal strategy, corporate fear, and public exhaustion.

You sue. You pay. You shut it down. Then you wait for the outrage to fade.

What Pakman’s naming here is a pattern. What’s coming next is more dangerous: a country where the truth isn’t just expensive, no, it’s unaired. Unrenewed. Quietly removed.

I’m currently writing through how the culture that accepted these tactics evolved.

Expand full comment
Connie Bergquist's avatar

Get rid of the MAGAts!!!

Expand full comment
The Rational League's avatar

I just wanted to reach out and say I really appreciate your work, especially your focus on how MAGA is actively trying to silence media voices that challenge their narrative.

I’ve been making some waves online for my sharp criticism of MAGA and the authoritarian grip they’re tightening around the country. I’m a relatively small creator with just 6.7k followers, but somehow my Substack ended up on Media Bias/Fact Check. The write-up is odd, it labels my reporting as “mixed” solely because I choose to stay anonymous. There’s no mention of inaccuracies or errors in my content, just that anonymity apparently lowers factual credibility now.

It’s a subtle but clear example of how alternative, independent voices are being delegitimized, even without direct attacks. Just thought I’d share, since I know you're tracking how this pressure is showing up in different ways.

Thanks for what you’re doing, your work is a needed voice right now.

Expand full comment
Kerstin Phil's avatar

Maga is doing what I warned 😭😨 every single day on every social media I had been doing research on the right influence for over 12 years now and my heart is broken I spent so much time of my life and my nerves with all the hate that Maga spreads. It is so awful somehow people did not want to believe me when I said they are white nationalists wanting to get rid of everybody that does not have their nose.

Even Democrats did not take the warning serious sadly people thought it won't be that bad.

And my warning with Trump's 's Insanity getting worse with dementia, more dangerous because his decisions are even more illogical and erratic

😢🤷🏼

Expand full comment
Marilyn's avatar

Were all TV stations to criticize Grump and get canceled ... since he doesn't read, how would he know what was going on in his world?

Expand full comment
Jeff's avatar

I'm enjoying your posts, and this one is excellent. But titling this as "URGENT" is so annoying. Where's the wolf, boy?

I wouldn't even critique the word "IMPORTANT," but there's nothing urgent in this post.

Expand full comment
Joseph H Ladarski's avatar

Trump had Stephen Colbert fired.

Expand full comment
Sally Skellington's avatar

For $16,000.....Mafia move.

Expand full comment
Intelligent Tiger's avatar

Did we really think that this wasn't going to happen? Trump is dying. He's taken terrible care of his health and the health of the American people. To oppose him is to remain healthy. I refuse to capitulate to the corrupt Project 2025 plan which JD with his heavy mascara and manifesto to create a white Christian Nationalist State where armed men can grab you and deport you and torture you and for what? A bounty by the United States Government? Our government has been destroyed by the GOP who want the majority of Americans to be white, poor, and uneducated.

Expand full comment
G C's avatar

If someone does gift a subscription I pray you would consider me. I would pay but I am living only on SS and it lea es me at the poverty level.Thank you for all you do, and please be careful - you and your family including your fur babies1🥲❣️🥰😘💌

Expand full comment
the real pambo's avatar

Upgraded!✅ I rely on my honed bullshit detector and your excellent reporting.

Expand full comment
Shelley Jeffries's avatar

Thanks, David. I appreciate the efforts of you and your staff. I am 70, and I recognized B.S. - then discovered independent media. Life saver, but you make me nervous sometimes, LOL!

Expand full comment
David's avatar

Thanks for all you do David, and your entire crew, thank you!

Expand full comment
Robert Parham's avatar

If you're listening to me, then stop complaining about Maga affecting the media. Most of the conventional media has just been a voice of the Democrat party and progressives for many years. It's pretty whiny to be complaining about something you've had the advantage on for so long.

Stephen Colbert is just another progressive idiot. Good riddance.

Expand full comment
Stephanie Knouse's avatar

Mr. Pakman. I am a subscriber to your website. For months I have been writing, begging to unsubscribe. I am a senior citizen who is disabled and cannot afford this. I have written numerous times, spent hours on your website trying to find a way to unsubscribe and even called your tip line… all to no avail. No one will respond and you just keep attacking my debit card. I am now convinced your organization is a scam, since no one will respond or help me. I will contact you with the same message on Substack… I am not on any other social media. Please, help! This has been a nightmare for months and it should not be impossible to unsubscribe! You do not even bill your customers through conventional means that help people unsubscribe, such as Apple or PayPal… and no one will respond to the half dozen letters I’ve written. Please help! I am going to begin to post on your YouTube videos, what you are doing to me because I am desperate. Your videos act like you care about democracy but you are as much of a crook as anyone you criticize when you steal money from a disabled senior.

Expand full comment
Patricia Shultz's avatar

I am a widow on limited income but I DO DEPEND ON YOU also the Meiselas brother's sites. I do, however, expect the regime to go after the subscriber lists and don't want to volunteer for problems. Am trying to stay in the shadows. PLEASE KEEP YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY FIRST! [your profile does NOT Accept letters or numbers!]

Expand full comment
Patricia Shultz's avatar

I am a widow on limited income but I DO DEPEND ON YOU also the Meiselas brother's sites. I do, however, expect the regime to go after the subscriber lists and don't want to volunteer for problems. Am trying to stay in the shadows. PLEASE KEEP YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY FIRST!

Expand full comment
Patricia Shultz's avatar

I am a widow on limited income but I DO DEPEND ON YOU also the Meiselas brother's sites. I do, however, expect the regime to go after the subscriber lists and don't want to volunteer for problems. Am trying to stay in the shadows. PLEASE KEEP YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY FIRST!

Expand full comment