I got to know Jeff before I knew what his politics were. Incredibly kind guy. He helps everyone in this building with anything they might need. And so that woke me up to. Wait a minute. Not all Trump supporters are like dangerous, evil individuals. [00:00:17] And yes, I it was stupid that I thought that to begin with. Like I'm embarrassed admitting that, but it's just how I believed. So over the weekend, that brief clip from my appearance on the Modern Wisdom podcast started making its rounds on social media. [00:00:33] Even though my interview on that podcast was from literally weeks ago, and somehow it has upset some people, including, you know, the fine people over there like Laura, Laura Loomer. So randomly out of nowhere, she attacked me over what I had to say, [00:00:50] which I thought was fascinating. We're going to get to her comments in just a minute, but here is more context from what I was saying while on the Modern Wisdom podcast. Take a look. And so I'm like trying to get his bicycle like up the stairs. And all of a sudden this man stops me. [00:01:06] His name's Jeff, and he's like, hey, let me help you out with that. And he starts helping me out. He stopped everything he was doing to help me out. And then Jeff and I became very close. You know, one of my neighbors who I really like, he was my favorite person in the entire building. [00:01:22] And years go by. One day we're in an HOA meeting, homeowners association, and one of our, like, one of the people living in the building said something about Trump that was negative. I don't remember what it is. And Jeff whispers in my ear, oh, she's going to start trashing Trump. [00:01:42] I'm out of here. And it hit me that he's a Trump supporter. We had never talked about politics before. That woke me up to wait a minute. Not all Trump supporters are like dangerous, evil individuals. And yes, I it was stupid that I thought that to begin with. Like a light bulb went off and something was telling me, you just you [00:02:02] need to scratch beneath the surface a little more because you don't have a realistic view of what's going on here. Okay, so that clip offended Laura Loomer, who's a massive Trump supporter, as we all know. And so she takes to X and writes this lengthy post. [00:02:19] I'll get into it. So she writes, Anna is a malicious and pathological liar who has spent years with her co-host Cenk Uygur, lying about and trying to cancel every outspoken Trump supporter, myself included. She has spread delusional lies about Trump, but now, in a low cut top, [00:02:36] you literally can't see what I'm wearing. But okay, low cut top and a face full of makeup. She wants to tell some make believe story about a guy named Jeff, who all of a sudden made her realize that 80 million people [00:02:53] are all unique individuals who have their own personalities, and not all of them are Nazis. The point of what I was saying was I was wrong to lump in all Trump supporters as the same type of person. And I came to this realization, and I'm embarrassed by what I previously thought [00:03:13] of Trump supporters as like some monolith. But okay, I think you I think you missed the point. Okay, then she writes, come on, nobody is buying this garbage and is trying to remain relevant in the changing media landscape after she has made serious cash bashing and defaming people like me who actually busted my ass [00:03:32] to help Trump get elected. Okay, Laura, she. There's more. Okay. She's a full blown liar. And we need to reject people like this who spent years damaging our biggest fighters, only to pretend like they don't think Trump is so bad. After all, anyone falling for this is stupid. [00:03:48] You don't get to engage in cancel culture for nine years, then get a free pass for being a raging lunatic. Okay. I mainly want to focus on on the third graphic here. Right. Because she says that I'm trying to remain relevant in the changing media landscape after making serious cash bashing like Trump supporters like her. [00:04:09] Okay, I never made serious cash. I work at the Young Turks. Okay. Sorry. Number two. What? What does she think is happening right now? Like, does she think that I'm trying to be accepted into the MAGA world, and I'm trying to find a position or get named for a position in Trump's administration. [00:04:28] I'm still, policy wise, overwhelmingly left wing. The only thing that's changed is that, well, first of all, we've always been critical of the Democratic Party. It's just that people are finally noticing that. But more importantly, yes, I changed my mind on like a handful of policies, [00:04:48] including policies pertaining to crime, some extent on, you know, immigration policy. You know, a few things that I've talked open and honestly about on this show, but economically speaking, I'm very much left wing and have been critical of the Democratic Party for their [00:05:04] economic policies being too pro-corporate. And who am I making money off of? I'm here at the Young Turks. I've been at the Young Turks for 18 years. And by the way, this is a comment not only to Laura Loomer, but also to the left, who engaged in the purity stuff and don't like the fact [00:05:20] that in the 18 years I've been here, yeah, I've changed my mind on a few issues. And they also don't like this. Look, I see ordinary Americans as civilians, okay? I see them as people who have the right to practice, you know, their own beliefs, [00:05:40] to have their own opinions. And I am done with demonizing people based on how they vote, how they vote, or the reasons why they vote. The way they do is complicated, right? So for me to demonize them and to be hateful and divisive toward them [00:05:57] doesn't really make sense. I have changed the way that I talk about people, ordinary people, and the way that I approach ordinary people that I disagree with because I want to understand them, and I see them as my fellow Americans, regardless of what their political ideology is. [00:06:12] That's what has changed with me. I want to be clear about that. But more importantly, Laura, I'm not coming for you and I'm not coming for whatever position you have in the MAGA world. You're okay. You're going to be fine. No need to worry. I don't know why she randomly came after me today. [00:06:28] Yeah, so I did respond to her. Jake, let me just read that real, real quick. There's no need to panic. Loomer. I'm not eyeing your role in the MAGA universe. No need to air out unhinged, paranoid thoughts because you and I are very different. Aside from moderating on a few policy issues, the fundamental difference [00:06:44] between who I was in 2016 and who I am now is that I'm way more skeptical of narratives from mainstream news. More importantly, I approach ordinary people from varying perspectives, from a place of compassion and open mindedness. Because if I'm sowing anger and hatred, who the hell am I to point fingers [00:07:00] at others for being toxic or divisive? In other words, I'm trying to cultivate the opposite of what ideologues like Loomer poison this country with. But I will give her credit for the bold decision to go after my looks. Damn. Shots fired. [00:07:15] Okay, so let me regulate on the things that, that I know and care about. So, first of all, this whole thing that everybody does, like. Oh, you guys make so much cash. And I wish my brothers and sisters we ain't there, man. Okay? Digital media is super tough, and we don't have Daddy Warbucks [00:07:32] like everybody on the right wing has. Right where billionaires are dropping in money left and right. Now, don't get me wrong. I believe that we're going to be the number one news network in the whole country. Not just online, not just YouTube, but the entire country. And at that point, I hope it will make a lot of money. [00:07:47] Then you can come for us. On us being having a lot of cash and all that stuff. And I look forward to your hatred then. Okay, but can you save it until we actually make some goddamn money? Okay, so there's 75 people that work here, and we all care, and we're all trying to do the right thing, and nobody's getting crazy rich. [00:08:04] And so look, anyways, that that's the, the thing that both the right and the left hit us with, with no information at all. None. Zero. They just both make it up. And it doesn't matter how many times I'm open and honest about why I changed my mind on a few issues, or why I've matured. [00:08:22] When it comes to certain areas of politics. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. People just want to sum it up as, oh, it's a grift. It's a lazy way of refusing to address the substance of what I'm saying, and it's pathetic. I can't stand it. She'd probably go on with Silly and Billy soon. [00:08:38] Who cares? I know, I know, but it'll be great because they'll be like, oh my God, you lie about her. We lie about her. Cool. All right. So. And then they'll become like right wingers to spite you. Maybe. Probably. I wouldn't be surprised. So look back to the other things. [00:08:54] This. What did she say? This make believe guy. Jeff. Look, we're not like everyone else in media. We don't lie about everything. And I guess that's their assumption that whenever they tell a story, they just made it up. Right. But why do you need to make up a guy like Jeff? There's like, a million guys like Jeff. [00:09:09] I didn't even expect this clip to blow up. And then Jeff saw it and Jeff was, like, really touched by it because he didn't even know that I was having these internal thoughts. Oh, is that what Jeff thought? Okay, so. And then Laura, don't get into looks. What, are you, nuts? [00:09:26] Don't. Whatever. I don't want to get into it. Okay. So anyways, And so, look, most importantly. So why am I against Laura Loomer? Because she's, on the right, she's MAGA, she's Trump, etc.. No, Laura. Look, I come from a muslim background. [00:09:43] You think you call yourself a proud islamophobe? Okay. You say that no Muslim should be able to hold political office. I ran for political office. You say that you wouldn't use a muslim business like an Uber driver or a Lyft driver. If there's a muslim immigrant driving. I'm a muslim immigrant. [00:09:59] So what do you want me to say? Laura. Oh, Laura is so lovely. She liked to ban people like me. And she hates people like me. Am I supposed to be open and warm and loving to you? No. I need you to go and f off and super hard. Okay, so if you say, oh, no, I should get to punch you in the face politically and [00:10:18] rhetorically, but you should kiss my ass. My answer to that is hell no. Hell, no. Okay, so if you don't like me, good. I don't give a damn. And I'm not here for friends. I'm not here for positions or status. I'm not here to be. [00:10:34] Oh my God, Donald, good luck with me. Oh, can I come on your trips? I don't give a damn if about Donald Trump or Joe Biden or Kamala Harris. I'm here for a policy bitch, okay? And policy means fighting for the average American, for higher wages, [00:10:51] for their health care, for paid family leave, antiwar money out of politics. And I don't get into the drama of who looks better and who doesn't. Who's going to kiss up to Donald Trump more, and who's going to kiss up less? And who's getting the cash? Who's getting the cash? Go chase after whatever the hell you want. But we're in the policy business here. [00:11:09] And until you get your head out of your ass, I don't give a damn what you think. Thanks for watching The Young Turks. Really appreciate it. Another way to show support is through YouTube memberships. You'll get to interact with us more. There's live chat emojis, badges. You've got emojis of me Anna John Jr. So those are super fun. [00:11:27] But you also get playback of our exclusive member only shows and specials right after they air. So all of that, all you got to do is click that join button right underneath the video. Thank you.