David Roll

[The Real Mike Rowe @mikeroweworks]

Not the way I planned on spending my afternoon, but 7,600 comments should not be ignored! Bots, trolls and personal attacks notwithstanding, the critics of yesterday’s post were dominated by a large and vocal contingent who rushed to remind me that there’s “a difference between socialism and communism,” an obvious indication that they didn’t actually read the post.

Shelley Armour writes… “Mike! You know there is a difference between democratic socialism and communism, right?”

Hi, Shelley. Yes, I know there’s a difference, and I understand what the difference is. The larger point, and the fundamental flaw with your comment, is that you seem to believe the candidates within the Democratic Socialist Party are both “democratic and socialist" simply because that’s the name of their club. Well, maybe some of them are. I really couldn’t say. What I can tell you for sure is that more than a few have called for the complete dismantling of capitalism, free markets, representative government, property rights, borders, police, prisons, and the Constitution in general. My post referred to them, as well as a number of elected Democrats who have agreed to campaign on their behalf – including Gavin Newsom, who said, "The Democratic Party must accept the DSA in order to take back the Congress.” His words, not mine.

Tracey Steele writes…“Wow! I cannot believe Mike Rowe said this. He has a huge reach, and he is actually spouting the word “communism” like it’s the 1950s! Wow Wow Wow!”

Wow indeed, Tracey, and thanks for noticing the size of my reach! (Contrary to popular belief, size does matter!) To say it again, I am not the one “spouting” communism or conflating socialists and communists. The word is being “spouted” by members of the DSA who are using it to describe themselves. I am not accusing them; I am quoting them.

John Engles… Hey Rowe, what’s the difference between the Communists who want to run the country and the Nazi/fascist who currently is?

Several differences, John, but the only one relevant to this conversation is the fact that the communists currently running for office have clearly identified themselves as such. They do not dispute or reject the label. They embrace it. It is who they are, who they claim to be, and who they want to be. The president, on the other hand, has never claimed to be a Nazi or a fascist. That doesn’t mean he isn't, but it is worth noting he has rejected the accusation outright. Obviously, you are entitled to that opinion and the right to share it publicly, thanks to our Constitution. Unlike in a fascist, Nazi, or communist regime. (Also worth noting, Nazis and fascists are not the same thing.)

Chris Tomaloff writes… “Kinda like how the political right didn’t shout down the extreme rhetoric coming from their candidates?”

No, Chris, not like that at all. In the video I shared, we saw examples of prominent Democrats saying things like, “We need to elect more communists!” (Cea Weaver, Director of the NYC Mayor’s Office.) Mamdani himself literally tweeted, "Each according to their need, each according to their ability." That’s a direct quote from the Communist Manifesto.

But what exactly is the corollary from the right? Are prominent Republicans tweeting, “We need to elect more Nazis! We need to elect more fascists! Eat the poor!” I don’t think so. John Engles may think Trump is fascist and a Nazi, but Trump disagrees, and so do a majority of voters. Communists, on the other hand, say it loud and say it proud. I’m inclined to take them at their word.

Beto Ojeda… “Mike has always leaned to the Trumpian view of things but never states it, so as not to alienate anyone, but we know how to read between the lines. This “communist” talk is McCarthyism 2.0.”

I wasn’t around in the 1950s, Beto, but from what I’ve read, it was indeed a very difficult time to be a communist in this country. Lots of private citizens were dragged before Congress, made to take “loyalty oaths," and blacklisted in their places of work. I can’t justify it or condone it, but I can explain it. We had just fought a hot war against fascism and Nazism and just begun a Cold War against a communist regime. The existence of an organized Communist Party in this country at such a time strained the limits of tolerance. But do you really think we’re less tolerant today than we were seventy-five years ago? Do you really believe my comments about communists who claim to be communists are synonymous with another Red Scare? If you haven’t noticed, Chris, no one in the DSA, including the communists, is being dragged before Congress and made to swear a loyalty oath to the Constitution. Today, a communist in America can run for office…with the endorsement of the governor of California! And the tacit approval of a major political party! Seems to me we’re about as far from McCarthyism as we can get.

As for my desire not to alienate anyone, I suppose I am guilty of that. I run a foundation that is open to people of all political beliefs, and we’ve assisted lots of Americans who lean to the left. I also know for a fact that many Democrats have supported mikeroweWORKS historically, and I have no desire to run them off. But do you really have to “read between the lines” to understand where I’m coming from?

True, I’ve never endorsed a candidate or publicly encouraged people to vote. But I’ve been very transparent about the fact that I’m a registered Independent who favors policies and programs that often align with conservative principles. Obviously, I would not characterize those conservative principles as “Trumpian,” because a) they were around long before him, b) Trump is not a conservative, and c) I do not agree with or support everything the President says and does. So, is it possible, Beto, that your accusation is rooted in the fact that I have never publicly denounced the president to your satisfaction? Is it possible you think I'm a Trumper, simply because I've never called him a fascist, or a Nazi, or a liar, or a conman, or a traitor, or whatever else you believe him to be?

Gretchen Seipp… Mike, the fact that you still act as though you’re not political after all this time is a bit ridiculous. I still support your work and foundation because I believe in it, but the folksy act has worn thin.

Aw, shucks, Gretchen. Folksy? Lil' ole me?
Honestly, how am I acting as if I am “not political?” This entire conversation is the very definition of “political.”

Christopher Pugh… I would have voted for Mike Rowe and Freddie a few years ago before he went full-on MAGA, and I’m all in favor of his project, but it’s pretty clear the political direction that he’s moved in and the money trail that has influenced it.

It’s Freddy, not Freddie. (I don’t much care, but he’s a terrier and particular about such things.) As for the “full-on MAGA” moniker, is there something I did specifically to earn that designation? Is there some kind of general definition you can share? Or, are you coming from the same place as Beto? Is calling me “Full-On MAGA" your way of saying that I’ve failed to condemn Trump to your satisfaction?

For the record, MRW is supported by liberals and conservatives alike. I have no idea what “money trail” you are referring to. Also, regarding my personal politics, think about the implications of what I wrote. I said that the Democrats have been given a gift – an opportunity to appear reasonable by speaking the truth to their own party, just as Bill Maher has done. All they have to do is distance themselves from candidates who have called for the complete dismantlement of our Constitution. All they have to do is say, “Hold on, comrade. Our tent is not that big. We respect your right to hate America, but we don’t want you in our party, and we will not support your candidacy.”

If they say that, I think a lot of Independents would see them as they see John Fetterman, who has, in the eyes of many voters, become the most “rational” Democrat currently in office. If they don’t – if they actually welcome communist candidates into their party – then I’m afraid the Democrats, by default, will offer the American people a very simple choice in November – a party that disavows communism vs. a party that doesn’t. I think such a choice would be very positive for Republicans because I don’t think most Americans want to align themselves with a Democratic Party that welcomes communists. The question for you, Chris, is why would a “Full-On MAGA” like me encourage Democrats to act in a way that would disadvantage the Republican Party? And the answer is simple – it’s because I support the existence of a Democratic Party that believes America is still a fundamentally good place.

I think there’s a lot of room for improvement in our country, and I believe the best way to realize those improvements is for Democrats and Republicans to have continuous, robust and public debate about all the issues. But if one of those parties is affirmatively determined to transform our democratic republic into a communist state, then we’re no longer debating the various ways to make our country better; we’re debating the merits of destroying it. And really, what’s the point of tolerating that?

America is already a big tent, filled with hundreds of millions of people with wildly differing views and lots of political parties that represent those views. We’ve got the Green Party, the American Freedom Party, the Socialist Workers Party, the Constitution Party, and of course, the Communist Party USA, as well as the Democratic Socialist Party. America’s tent is so big, we can even tolerate fringe parties like the KKK, the Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers, and so forth. Why then, does Gavin Newsom want to make room in the Democratic tent for socialists and communists? There’s only one reason, and he’s already spelled it out for us – he believes the Democrats need them to win back the Congress. I think it’s a bad bet for the Democrats and for America. And if a prominent Republican reached out to the KKK with the same “big tent” offer, you’d better believe my vote would be in play.

Michael Tillman… When are you going to throw your hat into the ring, Mr. Rowe?

Ha! When it no longer fits my head!

[David Roll @DavidRoll301]

Me too!

[Catturd ™ @catturd2]

Me.

[Massimo @Rainmaker1973]

He didn't want a room full of crying people, so he pulled off the ultimate funeral prank.

In October 2019, Shay Bradley, a 62-year-old Irish Defence Force veteran, loving father, and grandfather, was battling a long-term illness and knew his time was short. He and his son secretly recorded a hilarious audio track. As his coffin was lowered into the ground in South County Dublin, Ireland, a hidden speaker suddenly started playing the recording.

[Adam Carolla @adamcarolla]

Never

[Dave Portnoy @stoolpresidente]

So you need a valid ID to shop at Mandami’s government grocery stores to make sure the system isnt taken advantage of

But the same people who love this idea will also scream racism if you say you need a valid ID to vote so the system doesnt get taken advantage of.

Hypocrites man…Either you should be for no ID for both or ID for both. But if you are split than you are prob a fraud

[CONSTITUTION X 🇺🇸 @ConstitustionX]

🚨 BREAKING: RFK Jr. just SHATTERED the room with the most INSANE compliment ever delivered to President Trump…
In a live Cabinet meeting, the Health Secretary looked Trump dead in the eyes and DROPPED this absolute bombshell:
“My uncle prided himself on being the most open, transparent administration in history… he held 30 press conferences.
YOU, Mr. President, have a press conference almost EVERY SINGLE DAY.”
Then he went nuclear:
“You’ve opened the inner sanctum of the presidency for the first time in American history. That’s a beautiful thing.”
And the final dagger:
“Although you’ve given these guys compliments… they are THE MOST HOSTILE press corps ANY president in history has ever had to deal with.”
The room went silent. History just got rewritten in real time.
This is the moment the media never wanted you to see.

[Riley Gaines @Riley_Gaines_]

Sophie supporters are pro-woman, not anti-trans. Reclaim the language.

[Adam Carolla @adamcarolla]

Yes

[Robert Allen @CWO2_Bob]

@TrumpGirlLove This could be the basis for a class action lawsuit against the government by EVERYONE who suffers with a permanent medical condition as a DIRECT RESULT of being REQUIRED to get a covid shot via their employer.

[David Roll @DavidRoll301]

@CWO2_Bob @TrumpGirlLove I worked in a hospital and was required to get the jab. I now have vision problems due to an unknown autoimmune reaction. I am beyond convinced the cause was the jab.

[Trump Girl @TrumpGirlLove]

A Hero 🔥

Dr. Kirk Moore SPEAKS OUT after charges DROPPED

In a powerful interview with a local reporter, the Utah plastic surgeon and Navy veteran made it crystal clear:
“I did what was right. I did what my patients wanted… I would do it again.”

He openly confirmed he handed out real vaccine cards (with real lot numbers) without giving the shot, discarded the government doses, and—only when parents requested it—gave kids a saline shot so they wouldn’t feel left out or get bullied at school.
His reason?

“You can’t give informed consent to people when you don’t know what they’re being injected with.”
No apology. No regret. Just a doctor who put his patients first when the government refused to offer a choice.
Charges dismissed mid-trial by order of the U.S. Attorney General.

A huge victory for medical freedom.
Watch the full interview and decide for yourself.
Hero? Absolute legend. ⚔️🔥

[Adam Carolla @adamcarolla]

Please share this with everyone. Let’s never listen to these liars ever again. I guess CNN doesn’t need Sanjay to be a useful idiot anymore

[Devon Eriksen @Devon_Eriksen_]

Imagine that you go through all the trouble, in 2024, to raise money enough to make a non-woke show.

Then, going through the trouble, in 2025, of making the thing, the absolute best you can.

Then, after all that, "conservative" media will only recommend your work from behind a paywall.

This is why the right is still losing the culture war. Because the left wants to win, and the right wants to get paid for losing.

[The Vigilant Fox 🦊 @VigilantFox]

Stephen A. Smith publicly APOLOGIZES to Kyrie Irving after calling him "selfish" for refusing the COVID jab.

"Hindsight-wise, it didn’t make him stubborn or selfish. It made him BRAVE."

"I watched Dr. Fauci on Capitol Hill yesterday, and the person I thought about most was Kyrie Irving."

“Kyrie Irving stood out in my mind because of the heat that he was taking... He refused the vaccine. New York City's mandate made him ineligible for home games, and he linked his stance to people losing jobs over vaccine mandates."

“In my opinion, particularly hindsight-wise, it didn't make him stubborn or selfish. It made him brave. His willingness to stand up and say, ‘Nah, I'm not doing that.’

“It's just a time for reflection — to look at things differently.”

Kyrie gave up $11,400,000 in game checks during the 21-22 NBA season and a $100,000,000 extension with the Nets to be unvaccinated.

That cements his holdout as the largest financial sacrifice any athlete has ever made over an issue in history.

[IA @sunsetjmj]

These apologies don’t get to the heart of the matter. The issue is that they were fine with censorship and stripping people of medical freedoms, they were fine with wearing masks to walk onto a restaurant and then taking it off when you sit down, they were fine with disowning family members who didn’t agree, they were fine with firing people and taking their livelihoods, they were fine with dismissing and punishing reputable scientists who did not agree. Thank God for athletes who were brave but there were many people who could not absorb those costs and were forced to take an intervention they did not want to take. People were hurt and these people don’t understand the depth of why they need to apologize and self-reflect. @stephenasmith

[TeamRealityCT 💜🐭 @TeamRealityCT]

@VigilantFox The. Covid. Shot. Is. Still. Mandated.

That’s right, the next gen of health professionals are being forced to take shots they do not need & may be causing harm 🚨

https://t.co/d01LsN2NwH

[Andy Ngo @MrAndyNgo]

End NPR.

[Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 @TulsiGabbard]

Fauci’s 'performance' today made me sick. Smug arrogance. Zero remorse. Zero accountability. He refused to answer a single question.
Sharing this again as a reminder: He used your tax dollars to fund the coronavirus lab research in Wuhan—and worked with the IC to cover it up. We deserve the truth and accountability.

[Adam Carolla @adamcarolla]

True

[Adam Carolla @adamcarolla]

Agreed