Badlands News Brief
Donald Trump, Dennis Quaid and Steven Seagal Walk into a Bar ...
The News Cycle is almost impossible to track these days. At least, to do so fully.
That’s where we come in.
In the Badlands News Brief, the Badlands Media team hand pick news items of interest from the previous days to give you an overview of the biggest goings-on relevant to the Truth Community with some Badlands flavoring to help wash it down.
Now, onto the news from the Weekend that Was …
Bragg’s thrill kill in Manhattan could prove short-lived on appeal
The conviction of former President Donald Trump in Manhattan of 34 felonies produced citywide celebrations. This thrill-kill environment extended to the media, where former U.S. Attorney Harry Litman told MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace that it was “majestic day” and “a day to celebrate.” When I left the courthouse after watching the verdict come in, I was floored by the celebrations outside by both the public and some of the media.
The celebrants would be wise to think twice before mounting this trophy kill on the political wall. The Trump trial is a target-rich environment for an appeal, with multiple layers of reversible error, in my view.
I am less convinced by suggestions that the case could be challenged on the inability of Trump receiving a fair trial in a district that voted roughly 90 percent against him. The problem was not the jury, but the prosecutors and the judge. — The Hill
Our Take: “Jonathan Turley summarizes the many avenues for appeal in this piece, and I encourage everyone to read it in its entirety at the link above.
Turley was in the courtroom everyday of the trial, live tweeting the developments as they happened. The fact that a legal scholar still has questions about the charges and the legal standards in this case, after having observed the entire proceeding first hand, should give all of us pause.
Sentencing is set for July 11, and multiple emergency appeals are expected. Republican politicians are demanding the RNC move up the convention, currently scheduled for July 15. Destabilizing chaos appears on deck for the summer months, and campaign surprises are certain to be unprecedented this season.
In the social sphere, righteous anger gave way to doom posting over the weekend, which eventually gave way to resolve. Many of my mutuals who previously denounced 45 are now claiming him as their candidate — because justice should be blind and they can see that it’s not. People are pissed, and MAGA is welcoming a new class of voters intent on making November 5 too big to rig.
Trump’s unprecedented conviction couldn’t have a greater America First ripple effect if it were specifically planned for that goal alone. Trump 2024” —
Another Take: “‘The choice to know will be yours.’
This is one of the most infamous statements in the Q Drops, likely with many reasonable interpretations.
And yet ...
Seeing the continued mass psychological fallout of things like the 2020 Steal, the Trump Witch Hunt and now the Trump Conviction, never mind what we'll continue to see unfold as the next mass Info War inflection point approaches has me ruminating on it.
In truth, as I've said many times before, a lot of people voted for Donald Trump by accident, which means they conflated themselves with Anons and First Principles reasoners, while they were actually just engaging in the same tribal back-and-forth that gives the System its de facto mandate in the public mind.
If you're playing by the enemies' rules, it doesn't matter that you're playing against them.
From Trump to the Q Op, patriots are exposing the rules of the game. (Hint: it's rigged.)
Either act accordingly, ie: enjoy the show.
Or RE-act accordingly, ie: freak out.
I’ll choose the former all day, every day.” —
Trump campaign has raised $200 million since NYC conviction
The Trump campaign has raised more than $200 million since President Donald Trump was found guilty by a Manhattan jury in DA Alvin Bragg's falsified business records case on Thursday, according to Trump's son, Eric Trump.
Out of the $200 million, $70 million of donations were raised from small-dollar donors. At least 30 percent of donors were first-time donors to a political campaign, Trump told Fox News's Maria Bartiromo on Sunday.
The $200 million was raised in a matter of just three days, which far surpasses any amount raised by President Biden's campaign in a similar time frame. Within 24 hours of President Trump's guilty verdict, the Trump campaign received $53 million in donations. The Biden campaign raised a total of $51 million for all of April. — The Post Millennial
Our Take: “President Trump joined TikTok and now has 2M followers. Joe Biden has been on TikTok for a while and has 337K.
People on X are complaining that their feeds are all pro Trump, and they’re blaming the algorithm. ‘This support isn’t real!’
As the narrative peddlers get their feet under them with ‘the support isn’t real’ silliness, news drops that 45 raised $200M this weekend.
Two Hundred Million Dollars.
The narrative is deceased. Trump 2024.” —
To cover for war crimes, Israel claims it ‘lost control’ over soldiers
Several months after media commentators began predicting a “strategic defeat” for Israeli forces in Gaza, Israel’s military high command is claiming it has lost control over various units in their armed forces.
The argument appears to scapegoat occupation soldiers to provide plausible deniability for their superiors and dissociate them from war crimes charges. The vast body of evidence emerging on these alleged ‘rogue Israeli units’ could potentially lead to a damning indictment of Tel Aviv’s military leadership.
Despite the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) recent call on Israel to halt its military operation in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains resolute in his vow to invade, even while personally facing an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. Marred by internal division and pressure to comply with the ICJ order, Tel Aviv finds itself in a precarious position. — The Cradle
Our Take: “Things seem to have taken a turn for the worst in Tel Aviv.
Last week, I highlighted that Colonel Douglas Macgregor had told Judge Andrew Napolitano that the western media was not reporting the actual events occurring on the ground in either Gaza or the West Bank; That western audiences were effectively being propagandized into believing a fictitious reality when it comes to this conflict.
The reason I cited Macgregor is because he is not only a highly respected voice in the truth-seeking community, but also served as a military advisor to the Trump administration. In fact, last Friday, General Michael Flynn recruited Macgregor to join him live on stream after the verdict in Trump's show trial was announced, to discuss not only the implications of the farcical conviction, but also the geopolitical chessboard, including Israel.
Because I understand the gravity of these allegations, and the gravity of these revelations. This is not an easy thing to discuss, believe me. But we cannot afford to play pattycake, here. We need to have difficult conversations, and criticize governments when they cross the line.
While the world is being swept up in the controlled-opposition dynamics of false paradigms and contrived divisions—presented with the "left vs right" labels—those of us who have been studying this issue extensively for years are not at all surprised to see an Israeli newspaper (Haaretz) report: "Halevi and the military high command woke up too late. The General Staff lost control over the units, especially reserve units, months ago. In Gaza, in the West Bank and in bases in Israel, soldiers record themselves destroying Palestinian property and civilian infrastructure, blowing up homes without permission and spreading political messages identified with the far right."
Back in January, Haaretz ran the headline: "The Israeli Army Must Act Before Some of Its Soldiers Turn Into Lawless Gangs."
Because of the religious stigmas attached to this issue, when you share a perspective like that, you are branded as a Hamas propagandist; which is exactly why I told everybody to defect from the religious stuff back on October 7th. Because it is specifically designed to cloud your judgement.
Newsflash for everybody—and Macgregor said this last week—Hamas is winning this war. And that shouldn't surprise anybody familiar with the history of the conflict, since Hamas already defeated the IDF back in 2006, when they first drove them out of Gaza. (My opinion of Hamas being the Deep State proxy is firmly on the record.)
Now you have Israeli military leaders instructing soldiers to stop filming their war crimes, and those instructions are being disregarded. The IDF (or at least portions of it) have become the Azov Battalion. This is Ukraine-Crimea all over again.” —
EU Aims to Salvage Ukraine Peace Conference
EU foreign affairs ministers will today discuss how to find a face-saving outcome for the Ukraine peace summit on June 15-16 in Switzerland. US President Joe Biden is planning to skip the gathering for a Hollywood fundraiser, while China and Brazil are planning a rival initiative. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is imploring leaders to attend, but Moscow is actively trying to undermine participation of key powers. Brazil and India are floating the idea of sending more junior officials, and only a senior civil servant may attend from Beijing, we’re told. For the EU, the important issue is how to progress from next month’s conference to a possible meeting in Saudi Arabia in the autumn with the participation of Russia, officials said. —Bloomberg
Our Take: “Yet another narrative deployment which signals that the Sovereign Alliance is very real.
The cult of Davos is hosting a "peace conference" in Switzerland for the Ukraine conflict. It's pretty clear that this meeting is a limited hangout, given that it is being held at the ultra-elitist Bürgenstock resort, where the 2021 World Economic Forum conference was held.
Russia was not invited, while China has been courted and marketed as the potential marquee attendee by Zelensky and the globalist swine. The only problem is that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has already declared in a joint statement with Brazil that neither country will be attending, because Russia is being excluded. (Bros before hoes.) The Biden administration, in classic fashion, has issued simultaneous messaging that Biden will attend, and also that Biden will not attend, due to a conflicting event with George Clooney and Julia Roberts.
So not only has the high-school-level tactics of overt (and cringe) manipulation failed, but also the infantile practice of name-dropping "A-list celebrities"—something that was normalized during the Obama years—now has the Biden administration unintentionally (or perhaps intentionally?) upstaging the Davos crowd, making them look as pathetic and lowly as they ever have before.
I guess not even the Deep State wants to hang out with those losers from Davos?
So now 80+ countries will gather at Bürgenstock, without the three world powers, so they can bloviate about a half-baked peace plan that was described as "humiliating" when Zelensky first presented it at the G20 Summit back in 2022.
No worries, though. Saudi Arabia will be hosting the real peace conference this fall, and you can bet your last dollar that all the cool kids from the Sovereign Alliance will be showing up to that party.” —
Dennis Quaid Praises Donald Trump: 'I Think I’m Gonna Vote For Him'
Actor Dennis Quaid, who stars in the forthcoming biopic “Reagan,” out Aug. 30, has expressed his admiration of former President Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
“I think I’m gonna vote for him,” the 70-year-old said during a recent appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored on May 28, adding that a vote for the presumptive GOP nominee “just makes sense.”
Mr. Quaid explained that he wasn’t initially planning on voting for President Trump. However, he said the politician’s “hush money” trial in Manhattan, which commenced on April 15 and is currently being deliberated on by jurors, ultimately swayed his decision in favor of the business magnate.
President Trump was indicted in April of last year on 34 counts of allegedly falsifying New York business records. The case, which marks the first-ever criminal trial of a former president in United States history, is just one of a handful of legal battles that President Trump is embroiled in. In total, the 77-year-old faces 88 charges across four criminal cases, all of which he has pleaded not guilty to.
“I see a weaponization of our justice system and, uh, a challenge to our constitution,” Mr. Quaid shared. “Trump is the most investigated person, probably in the history of the world, and they haven’t been able to really get him on anything.”
“What is the crime?” he inquired. “I still can’t figure it out.” — The Epoch Times
Our Take: “While actor Dennis Quaid claims that Trump’s politicized trial was his deciding factor in supporting 45, a couple of his quotes in this article reveal deeper conviction.
Of President Trump, Quaid said, ‘I tell you one true thing about him is that I really feel that he is working for the American people. That’s what he’s all about. And I do believe that to be true and sincere.’
A few paragraphs later, he says of Joe Biden, ‘I feel that he says things to get votes not that he truly believes in them.’
That’s a stark contrast coming from a Hollywood actor. Speaking of acting, Quaid is playing Ronald Reagan in the biopic Reagan, dropping in August. Check out the trailer. It looks… timely.” —
Actor-turned-Putin sycophant Steven Seagal declares Ukraine 'was known for organ trafficking, child sex trafficking and Nazism' before invasion as Vladimir presents him with Russia's Order of Friendship
Hollywood actor-turned-Putin mouthpiece Steven Seagal has made the bizarre claim that Ukraine was known for 'organ trafficking, child sex trafficking and Nazism', as the Russian leader himself gave the sycophant the nation's Order of Friendship.
In a ceremony at the Yekaterininsky Hall of the Kremlin in Moscow today, Seagal, 72, was presented the honour for his 'big contribution to development of international cultural and humanitarian cooperation' in his role as an envoy to the US.
He claimed in his speech after Putin personally pinned the medal on his chest: 'Before the special operation, Ukraine was known for human trafficking, organ trafficking, narcotrafficking, child sex trafficking, biochemical warfare labs, fascism, and Nazism.
'We still try to make them our brothers. These poisons can affect the entire world, not just us.
'Many people say we are facing an existential threat by all these conditions, but actually the whole world is at risk of becoming dangerously close to entering World War Three. — The Daily Mail
Our Take: “The internet was set ablaze this weekend when a video of President Putin awarding actor Steven Seagal Russia's Order of Friendship medal went viral.
(A 100-year-old tank-crew veteran from the Battle of Stalingrad and the Battle of Kursk also received a medal; I covered the significance of the Battle of Kursk in a take last week.)
What is likely lost on most people is that Steven Seagal has been working for the Russian Foreign Ministry since 2013, when Putin appointed him as an honorary consul to broker peace talks between Russia and America. Obama's quoted response was, "You've got to be kidding me." (Seagal also brokered meetings between top-level diplomats of both countries that year, in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing.)
In 2016, Putin granted Seagal Russian citizenship; in 2017, Ukraine officially banned him from entering the country, citing Seagal as a "national security threat," after he called Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea "very reasonable." On August 5, 2018, Putin elevated Seagal to Special Representative for Russia-US Cultural Links, Cultural and Historical Heritage. His official role: "Facilitate relations between Russia and the United States in the humanitarian field."
What's bizarre is that the exact day that Putin told Obama at the G8 Summit that he wanted Seagal to serve as honorary consul between them—June 18, 2013—Donald Trump joked on Twitter about becoming Putin's best friend at the upcoming Miss Universe pageant in November, because it was being held in Moscow.
That's weird...
Seagal also told Pierce Morgan in 2017 that Trump was "kicking the New World Order's ass," and in 2018 publicly rejected the Trump-Russia collusion narrative as propganda. He also congratulated Trump on Twitter on the day of his inauguration, citing the "wonderful speech."
Now Seagal is facing potential sanctions from the EU for attending Putin's recent inauguration, and calling him the world's greatest leader.
What's interesting is that last month there was an Israeli organ trafficking ring busted in Turkey, which given the geography of the Black Sea, may be tied to the Ukraine trafficking rings Seagal highlighted over the weekend.
As if we needed yet another connection between those two places...” —
Another Take: “I was telling Ghost behind the scenes that Seagal has been ridiculed by the MMA media for a decade for his pro-Russia stances, but that those stances have aged quite well in the modern zeitgeist … especially if you’re into the Sovereign Alliance theory.
What’s more, it wasn’t the only Russia-Martial Arts-MAGA signal in the Info War this weekend, as Donald Trump followed up his hero’s welcome at UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey by being filmed having an ‘impromptu’ face-to-face with former UFC Champion and Vladimir Putin loyalist Khabib Nurmagomedov cage side.
And … as a meaningful addendum to this Trump-Khabib "run-in," UFC President Dana White said at the post-fight presser that, if and when the UFC stages an event in Moscow, he wants Vladimir Putin to be in attendance.
The Overton Window doesn't shift on its own ... it's shifted, first by Mind-Movers and then by the Moving Mind.
The rise in popularity of populist leaders has so far not been reflected in Pop Culture, since The System has largely leveraged control over most popular entertainment apparatus.
That's changing, and rapidly, as the counter culture becomes the culture.” —
BONUS ITEMS
X and NewsNation plan live town halls with Trump, RFK Jr.
X and cable news network NewsNation are planning to host live town halls with former President Trump and independent presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr., two sources familiar with the plans told Axios.
State of play: The pair have agreed in principle to separate live interviews as part of a new video series, titled "The People's Town Hall," per the sources, though the dates and locations have yet to be set.
The Biden campaign has not agreed to take part.
A spokesperson for the Biden campaign declined to comment. The Trump and RFK Jr. campaigns did not respond to requests for comment.
Why it matters: While every other social network in the country is retreating from politics, X is looking to lean in as part of its wider push into creator video.
X CEO Linda Yaccarino said last week that X paid out over $50 million in ad revenue to creators since she became CEO last year.
The live feeds will be available to all X users globally. — Axios
Biden says Israel has offered road map toward lasting cease-fire in Gaza
President Biden announced the terms of an Israeli-led proposal Friday that includes a three-part road map toward an end to fighting and the release of all remaining hostages taken Oct. 7, giving the strongest indication yet for a potential end to the war between Israel and Hamas.
“After intensive diplomacy carried out by my team, my many conversations with leaders of Israel, Qatar and Egypt, and other Middle Eastern countries, Israel has offered a comprehensive new proposal. It’s a road map to an enduring cease-fire and the release of all hostages,” Biden said.
The proposal has been transmitted to Hamas via Qatar, he said, but he indicated the U.S.-designated terrorist organization that runs the Gaza Strip had not yet formally accepted the plan.
“This is truly a decisive moment. Israel has made their proposal. Hamas says it wants a cease-fire — this deal is an opportunity to prove whether they really mean it. Hamas needs to take the deal,” Biden said.
Biden also pleaded from the White House podium for Israelis to back the deal, arguing the military has devastated Hamas since the war began to the extent that Oct. 7 cannot be repeated. — The Hill
We hope you enjoyed this brief look back at the major news items you might have missed in this ever-escalating and ever-accelerating news cycle as the Information War continues to rage on around us.
As always, if you have any thoughts on these news items or the MANY others swirling in the digital ether, drop into the comments below to share them with your fellow Badlanders.
Badlands Media will always put out our content for free, but you can support us by becoming a paid subscriber to this newsletter. Help our collective of citizen journalists take back the narrative from the MSM. We are the news now.
‘enjoy the show Or freak out’
“I’ll choose the former all day, every day.” — Burning Bright
As Will I and We ❤️
The bubble of censorship “safe spaces” has popped and the left isn’t happy…
Enjoying the show!
Thank you for your take, Ghost.
“defect from the religious stuff” puts it under a different microscope…the CIA puppet of the global cabal and Netanyahu‘a role come into sharper focus. As with all [their] wars, the civilians on both sides are suffering and their fates fall into the black hole of power and greed to benefit the elites.
Dennis Quaid: ““What is the crime?” he inquired. “I still can’t figure it out.”
The Awakening surges. The stupidity of the Left gives Trump more followers (a third of the new donors to Trump’s campaign in the first 24 hrs post verdict were first time contributors)
I love Steven Seagal ❤️. I knew he was a friend to Russia yrs ago and I love it that this comes back around into the narrative…while Hollywood has their worst Memorial Day movie theater attendance ever.
I watched all Trump’s posted clips on the
UFC Championship…I normally do not pay attention to this fighting sport but the clips were a joy to behold ❤️🇺🇸
Monday is off to a MAGA week…
Thanks Badlanders ❤️🙏
"Trump campaign has raised $200 million since NYC conviction"
Before dawn the next day, I had turned my American flag upside down. A personal check for $500 was in the outgoing mail that day also. Doubt it made the count Eric gave on Sunday.