Ukrainian outlet with ties to US State Department puts Blaze Media on 'Russian disinformation' watchlist



A Ukrainian publication with an editor in chief who has ties to the U.S. State Department has placed dozens of American politicians, activists, and media outlets — including Blaze Media — on a list of those allegedly known to have shared "Russian disinformation" or otherwise made "anti-Ukrainian statements."

On Thursday, Texty.org — an "independent media" outlet that fuses "data journalism projects" with "traditional journalistic genres," according to its website — published an article entitled "Roller Coaster: From Trumpists to Communists. The forces in the U.S. impeding aid to Ukraine and how they do it," which contains a list of more than 75 individuals and nearly 400 entities that have opposed sending aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia.

Such claims are 'wishful thinking' and do not work on 'planet reality.'

Blaze Media was mentioned on page 34 of a 47-page list. The "anti-Ukrainian" Blaze Media links on the list are all from 2023. They include one Blaze News article, two tweets — one of which shows a clip and quote from Tucker Carlson, who also appears on the Texty.org list — and three segments with Blaze Media cofounder Glenn Beck.


Screenshot of Texty.org article list

The Texty.org article did not explain why Blaze Media had been included on the list. Blaze News reached out to the outlet for clarification but did not receive a response.

The article clearly presupposes that Ukraine is entitled to American financial support in its efforts against Russia, asserting that "Ukraine's victory is essential for the democratic world." It also seemingly blames Congress for "increased casualties among Ukrainian troops and a gradual retreat by the Ukrainian Armed Forces" because it delayed authorizing more aid by a mere four months. The article even blasted 10 congressional Republicans for simply calling for "a stronger audit" of Ukrainian funding packages.

Texty.org does note that it could not establish "direct, proven ties" between most of the people and outlets on its list and the Russian government or known Russian "propogandists." Instead, it said it had gathered evidence that these same people and outlets had spread "Russian disinformation" by echoing "key messages of Russian propaganda" in their arguments against sending Ukraine further aid. Still others are just "useful idiots," it claimed.

The Ron Paul Institute countered that the Texty.org article contains "crude disinformation" as well, pointing to the article's assertion that "claims of Nazi dominance and American Biolabs in Ukraine" were "long-debunked myths." Such claims are "wishful thinking" and do not work on "planet reality," RPI claimed.

Even Texty.org's understanding of American politics and the identities of some of its supposed opponents is factually dubious. For example, the article includes Blake Masters among the "influential Republicans ... who are known for blocking aid to Ukraine." Masters, however, did not win his bid for the Arizona seat in the U.S. Senate in 2022, and though he is running for Congress as a Republican, he currently has no meaningful influence on American foreign policy. He certainly cannot "block[] aid to Ukraine."

Meanwhile, Anatoly Bondarenko, the cofounder of Texty.org, has influenced — or been influenced by — the federal government since he participated in TechCamp, "a public diplomacy program" established by the Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Return, the tech division of Blaze Media, asked Texty.org to clarify the connection between Bondarenko and the State Department. Thus far, Texty.org has not responded.

Curious if @Textyorgua_Eng would like to make a public statement about why you placed @theblaze on a list of Russian disinfo?

We’re also curious why your Editor-in-Chief, @dvrnd Anatoly Bondarenko was trained by the @StateDept. https://t.co/zrhyDBK5zK pic.twitter.com/k05fWIBlcS
— RETURN (@returndotlife) June 9, 2024

Jason Buttrill, chief researcher for "The Glenn Beck Program," claimed on X that TechCamp has been associated with color revolutions around the globe. "Soooo.... we are on the list. And if anyone has been watching our show for the past few years, you've heard a lot about the use of the State Department's initiative called Tech Camps. More specifically how Color Revolutions usually follow them around... all over the world," he posted to X on Sunday.

"Isn't it interesting that this org has ties to the State Department and USAID, and their founder was part of Tech Camps? Kind of MORE interesting that we get put on this list after talking about this strategy and how it's used in Color Revolutions. Maybe it's just me..." Buttrill continued.

— (@)

Texty.org's article also identifies several left-leaning people and outlets, such as Ben Cohen of Ben and Jerry's fame and the anti-war organization CODEPINK, for their supposed pro-Russian and/or anti-Ukrainian stance. It even called out the Democrat congressional group known as "the Squad," even as it admits that "all" eight Squad members ultimately voted for the Ukraine funding bill of April 2024.

After the article received severe blowback on social media, Texty.org added a statement to the article, insisting that it had not made an "enemies" or "kill" list. The statement also insisted:

These data were collected and published solely to demonstrate the evidence supporting the theses presented in the article. The article itself is not an accusation but a study of the political and media context that influences government decisions regarding further support for Ukraine in the Russian-Ukrainian war.

The editorial team of Texty.org.ua does not deny, condemn, or dispute the right of American citizens, media, and institutions to express any opinions or hold any political beliefs.

We value and respect freedom of speech, which is essential for a democratic society.

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Federal authorities are investigating Meta for possible role in illicit drug sales on Facebook: Report



US prosecutors in Virginia are investigating Meta Platforms — the parent company of Facebook and Instagram — for potentially playing a role in facilitating illegal drug sales on their platforms, according to the New York Post.

The report mentioned that the prosecutors have already issued subpoenas and started questioning Meta about whether it has enabled and profited from illicit drug sales on its platform. Prosecutors have also requested records related to "violative drug content on Meta's platforms and/or the illicit sale of drugs via Meta's platforms."

The Food and Drug Administration is reportedly helping with the investigation, according to people familiar with the situation. However, investigations like this do not always end in formal charges of wrongdoing, but what has been brought up is enough for the prosecutors to take a serious look.

A spokesperson for Meta said that [t]he sale of illicit drugs is against our policies and we work to find and remove this content from our services."

“Meta proactively cooperates with law enforcement authorities to help combat the sale and distribution of illicit drugs.”

The Wall Street Journal reported that on Friday, Nick Clegg, Meta's president of global affairs, joined the State Department's efforts to crack down on the sale of synthetic drugs online and educate users about the serious risks involved in it.

Clegg wrote the following on X on Friday: "The opioid epidemic is a major public health issue that requires action from all parts of US society. That’s why @Meta has joined the Alliance to Prevent Drug Harms alongside the @StateDept@UNODC & @Snapchat to help disrupt the sale of synthetic drugs online + educate users about the risks."

— (@)

Social media companies have recently come under fire from members of Congress for distributing content that has ultimately harmed young people, specifically children, per the report.

Lawmakers have been actively holding talks about the need to hold massive technology companies accountable for what third parties share on their platforms.

However, these efforts have been hampered by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which states that online platforms are not liable for what third parties post to their platforms.

There are only a few exceptions to this rule.

The Post reported that during the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth companies exploited Facebook and Instagram by advertising prescription drugs for the treatment of ADHD, anxiety, and other medical conditions.

The advertisements ultimately led to the abuse of controlled substances such as Adderall, per the report.

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Hear it: Secretary of State Antony Blinken sings 'Hoochie Coochie Man'



Secretary of State Antony Blinken played electric guitar and sang Muddy Waters' "Hoochie Coochie Man" at the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative launch event.

"I couldn't pass up tonight's opportunity to combine music and diplomacy. Was a pleasure to launch @StateDept's new Global Music Diplomacy Initiative," Blinken tweeted when sharing a video of his performance.

The U.S. Embassy Ottawa shared Blinken's post, apparently crossing out the words "Secretary of State," before writing, "Rockstar @SecBlinken shreds guitar at the launch of @StateDept's new Global Music Diplomacy Initiative."

Blinken's post on X has amassed more than 7 million views so far.

"He has no peace plan for Ukraine but Blinken has Music Diplomacy," Richard Grenell tweeted, calling Blinken "the worst Secretary of State ever."

— (@)

"Nothing will intimidate Putin and Xi like 'Hoochie Coochie Man,'" Morgan Wirthlin tweeted.

"We don’t talk enough about how Secretary of State Antony Blinken has several songs on Spotify," Gary Grumbach tweeted.

Blinken, who describes himself on X as a "(very) amateur guitarist," has released several songs on digital music platforms under the name ABlinken.

"I had a bunch of songs I had written, probably 30 or 40 years ago, that were sitting around. I'd always had this ambition of giving them a somewhat proper recording. But I didn't really have the chops and I didn't have the recording skills to do that," Blinken previously told Rolling Stone.

But Blinken said that his friend Lincoln Bloomfield has a home recording studio. "I was talking about some of these songs I had always wanted to record. He said, 'Let’s do it,' so we did," Blinken said, according to Rolling Stone. "Lincoln played bass, keyboards, and lead guitar. I'm on rhythm guitar and vocals."

A press release describes the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative as "a worldwide effort to elevate music as a diplomatic tool to promote peace and democracy and support the United States' broader foreign policy goals. The Initiative aims to leverage public-private partnerships to create a music ecosystem that expands economic equity and the creative economy, ensures societal opportunity and inclusion, and increases access to education," the press release states.

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Afghanistan IG reveals taxpayer money is flowing to Taliban — and Biden admin is guilty of 'unprecedented' obstruction



John Sopko, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, told Congress on Wednesday that taxpayer dollars are flowing into the Taliban's pockets.

The shocking admission was made during a House Oversight Committee hearing about the Biden administration's disastrous and deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.

"Unfortunately, as I sit here today, I cannot assure this committee or the American taxpayer we are not currently funding the Taliban," Sopko said. "Nor can I assure you that the Taliban are not diverting the money we are sending from the intended recipients, which are the poor Afghan people."

\u201c\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\n\n\u201cThe lack of cooperation by @StateDept\u2026is unprecedented in the nearly 12 years that I have been the SIGAR.\u201d\n\nInspector General John Sopko CONDEMNS the Biden Administration for not cooperating with Afghanistan oversight.\u201d
— Oversight Committee (@Oversight Committee) 1681913961


Sopko explained that obstruction from the State Department and the United States Agency for International Development in the Biden administration has been "unprecedented." He said both agencies have demonstrated an "abject refusal to allow oversight" of the billions of taxpayer dollars that have been sent to Afghanistan.

"I don't trust the Taliban as far as you can throw them," Sopko later said. "The information we're getting — again, not from the State Department, who isn't talking to us, or USAID — is the Taliban is already diverting funds.

"I would just say: I haven't seen a starving Taliban fighter on TV, they all seem to be fat, dumb, and happy," he added. "I see a lot of starving Afghan children on TV, so I’m wondering where all this funding is going."

According to his testimony, the U.S. has "made available" to Afghanistan more than $8 billion since the withdrawal less than two years ago.

Throughout his testimony, Sopko repeatedly returned to the Biden administration's obstruction. In fact, he said SIGAR has not heard from "anybody in the administration, really," and said that routine meetings with top government and military leaders that happened in previous administration have ceased under Biden. Now, it's just "radio silence," he said.

Sopko's eye-opening testimony came about two weeks after the Biden administration released its after-action report about the Afghanistan withdrawal. The report blamed former President Donald Trump for what happened under Biden's watch, completely absolving Biden and his administration.

That blame-game continued on Wednesday prior to the hearing, CNN reported. The White House, moreover, is denying they are obstructing Sopko's oversight efforts.

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Kuwait summons top US diplomat after American Embassy posts pro-LGBTQ tweet celebrating Pride Month



Kuwait summoned a top U.S. diplomat on Thursday in connection with a pro-LGBTQ tweet from the American Embassy celebrating Pride Month.

The official Twitter account of the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait shared a quote from President Joe Biden on Thursday that read: "All human beings should be treated with respect and dignity and should be able to live without fear no matter who they are or whom they love.”

The tweet said President Biden is a "champion for the human rights of LGBTQI persons."

The post included the words "Pride Month," and featured a photo of a Progress Pride flag.

Different from the rainbow LGBTQ flag, the Progress Pride flag features transgender flag colors, plus "black and brown stripes representing marginalized LBGT communities of color, community members lost to HIV/AIDS, and those currently living with AIDS," according to Northwestern University.

The tweet was posted in English and Arabic.

\u201c\u201cAll human beings should be treated with respect and dignity and should be able to live without fear no matter who they are or whom they love.\u201d @POTUS is a champion for the human rights of #LGBTQI persons. #Pride2022 #YouAreIncluded\u201d
— U.S. Embassy Kuwait (@U.S. Embassy Kuwait) 1654159488

Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned a senior U.S. official in response to the pro-LGBTQ tweet.

"This evening, Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Acting Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy, Mr. Jim Holtsnider, [to] meet with the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Americas Affairs, Nawaf Abdul Latif Al-Ahmad, against the background of the embassy's publication on its social media accounts of references and tweets supporting homosexuality," the press release said.

The Kuwaiti government declared that it had rejected the American Embassy's messaging, and stressed "the need for the embassy to respect the laws and regulations in force in the State of Kuwait and the obligation not to publish such tweets in compliance with what was stipulated in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961."

Kuwait prohibits same-sex relationships, and violators face prison time.

"Consensual intercourse between men of full age (from the age of 21) shall be punishable with a term of imprisonment of up to seven years," according to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association.

The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia also shared a Pride Month tweet with the LGBTQ flag.

"During #Pride2022, @StateDept celebrates the contributions members of the LGBTQI+ community make to our nation. We are committed to ending violence, discrimination, and stigma against LGBTQI+ persons worldwide," the tweet read.

\u201cDuring #Pride2022, @StateDept celebrates the contributions members of the LGBTQI+ community make to our nation. We are committed to ending violence, discrimination, and stigma against LGBTQI+ persons worldwide.\u201d
— U.S. Mission to KSA (@U.S. Mission to KSA) 1654091934

Engaging in homosexuality in Saudi Arabia may be punished with the death penalty.

"According to some interpretations of Sharia, the death sentence may be handed down for certain homosexual acts. Other penalties may include 100 blows of the whip and banishment for 1 year," according to Human Rights Watch.

In April 2021, the Biden administration gave authorization for U.S. embassies and consulates around the world to fly LGBTQ flags. The decision was a reversal from the Trump administration's decree that barred flying flags along with the American flag at U.S. embassies.

In 2019, several American embassies defied the Trump administration's order and flew LGBTQ flags in honor of Pride Month. The American Embassy in South Korea hung a huge LGBTQ flag and Black Lives Matter flag on the facade of the building. The flags were later removed following orders from the State Department.

Biden admin's virtual embassy to Iran gets shredded for sharing 'disgraceful' quote from Kamala Harris deemed an 'insult to all Americans'



The Biden administration's U.S. virtual embassy to Iran shared a post featuring a quote from Vice President Kamala Harris across multiple social media platforms this week that many critics lambasted as an "insult to all Americans."

The United States has not had a diplomatic presence in Iran since the 444-day hostage crisis where Iranians sieged and captured the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979 and detained over 50 hostages.

The U.S. instead has a virtual embassy to Iran, which touts itself as "the primary official resource for the Iranian people to get information directly from the U.S. government about U.S. policy and American values and culture." It adds, "But, in the absence of direct contact, we hope it can serve as a bridge between the American and Iranian people."

On Wednesday, the U.S. virtual embassy to Iran posted a quote from Vice President Harris to its social media accounts, including Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

The post includes a photo of Vice President Harris with her quote that was written in Farsi, and translated says:

The truth is: There is segregation in America. Xenophobia exists in America. Antisemitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, all exist. Wherever injustice is dealt with, there is activity ahead.
.@VP: \u062d\u0642\u06cc\u0642\u062a \u0627\u06cc\u0646 \u0627\u0633\u062a: \u062a\u0628\u0639\u06cc\u0636 \u0646\u0698\u0627\u062f\u06cc \u062f\u0631 \u0622\u0645\u0631\u06cc\u06a9\u0627 \u0648\u062c\u0648\u062f \u062f\u0627\u0631\u062f. \u0628\u06cc\u06af\u0627\u0646\u0647 \u0633\u062a\u06cc\u0632\u06cc \u062f\u0631 \u0622\u0645\u0631\u06cc\u06a9\u0627 \u0648\u062c\u0648\u062f \u062f\u0627\u0631\u062f. \u06cc\u0647\u0648\u062f \u0633\u062a\u06cc\u0632\u06cc\u060c \u0627\u0633\u0644\u0627\u0645 \u0647\u0631\u0627\u0633\u06cc\u060c \u0647\u0645\u062c\u0646\u0633\u06af\u0631\u0627 \u0647\u0631\u0627\u0633\u06cc\u060c \u062a\u0631\u0646\u0633 \u0647\u0631\u0627\u0633\u06cc\u060c \u0647\u0645\u0647 \u0648\u062c\u0648\u062f \u062f\u0627\u0631\u0646\u062f. \u0631\u0633\u06cc\u062f\u06af\u06cc \u0628\u0647 \u0628\u06cc \u0639\u062f\u0627\u0644\u062a\u06cc \u0647\u0631\u06a9\u062c\u0627 \u06a9\u0647 \u0628\u0627\u0634\u062f\u060c \u0641\u0639\u0627\u0644\u06cc\u062a \u067e\u06cc\u0634 \u0631\u0648\u0633\u062a.pic.twitter.com/mF14nwl9CZ
— USAbehFarsi (@USAbehFarsi) 1645027386

The original Harris quote was said in May during the ceremony to mark President Joe Biden signing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, the White House confirmed to the New York Post.

In January, the U.S. Department of State used the quote on its social media platforms to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

.@VP on injustice: "Here's the truth: Racism exists in America. Xenophobia exists in America. Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, it all exists. The work to address injustice wherever it exists remains the work ahead."pic.twitter.com/QTCAQ6hERy
— Department of State (@Department of State) 1642453201

The tweet from the U.S. virtual embassy to Iran using the vice president's quote was vehemently denounced by many online.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo: "For Vice President Harris to suggest moral equivalence between the Iranian regime's desire to eliminate Israel and a national policy of gender apartheid with American equality under the law is truly dangerous and ungrounded in reality. Americans are better than this."

Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich: "Why would VP Kamala Harris tweet this to Iran? What level of hating America does it take for the vice president to attack her own country."

Fellow at the Independent Women's Forum Ellie Cohanim: "This is *appalling* coming from a USG account. Why is the US @VP messaging as do America’s worst enemies? This is demeaning to Iranians who are being executed for being gay, oppressed for being Jewish…and an insult to all Americans!"

Former Congressman Scott Taylor: "We have democracy, freedom of speech, rule of law and equality under it. We have the ability to move towards a more perfect union. None of this is true in Iran. This is a disgraceful tweet by our vice president."

Iranian-American journalist Karmel Melamed: "MORE GARBAGE from the @StateDept Persian lang handle. Instead of calling out Jew-hatred, misogyny, anti-gay beliefs & overall bigotry of the Ayatollah regime, these fools call America xenophobic, Islamophobic, etc. Wake up CLOWNS, when will you focus on mullahs' evil?! SMH."

Iranian-American activist Mariam Memarsadeghi: "There’s constant reason Iranians across the political spectrum are insulted and irate at Biden’s Iran policy: the admin actively seeks ways to minimize their oppression, even suggesting moral equivalence between the grotesque, systematic inequality they suffer and life in America."

Former Senior Advisor for Public Affairs in the Iran Action Group for the U.S. Department of State Len Khodorkovsky: "Posting this from the @StateDept’s Farsi channel knowing full well it will arm the Iranian regime, the world’s top sponsor of terrorism and sworn enemy of the United States, with propaganda talking points is shocking."

Russian and Cuban leadership reignite Cold War romance



Tensions continue to rise across the world as Russian President Vladimir Putin rekindles his country’s relationship with the island nation of Cuba.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and Putin discussed their countries’ “strategic partnership” and how they might work together to pursue “actions in the international arena.” The two men chatted on the phone as NATO allies continued to worry about a Russian invasion of Ukraine, Stars and Stripes reported.

Sostuve cordial y fruct\u00edfera conversaci\u00f3n telef\u00f3nica con el Presidente Putin. Intercambiamos sobre excelente estado relaciones y desarrollo futuro v\u00ednculos en las diferentes esferas. Tambi\u00e9n sobre actual situaci\u00f3n internacional.pic.twitter.com/Rbr1WFQ4BE
— Miguel D\u00edaz-Canel Berm\u00fadez (@Miguel D\u00edaz-Canel Berm\u00fadez) 1643046304

Earlier this month, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, compared the Russian buildup of forces around Ukraine and the subsequent international tension to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, the New York Post said.

Ryabkov continued by explaining that Russia fully intends to annex parts of Ukraine. He said, “We are not bluffing. ... The West’s awareness of this needs to be facilitated, and we are going to make every effort to achieve it.”

In mid-January, the Associated Press reported that Russia grew increasingly frustrated with NATO allies interfering with its plans and that Russia could consider deploying its military to Cuba and Venezuela if tensions with the United States escalated.

Minister Ryabkov said he could “neither confirm nor exclude” the possibility of Russian military involvement in Cuba and Venezuela should the United States continue to increase pressure on Russia.

Ryabkov said that the decision to do so “depends on the action by our U.S. counterparts” in an interview with the Russian television network RTVI. Ryabkov noted that Putin is open to the possibility of using Russia’s military resources should the United States use its military to pressure Russian decision-making about Ukraine.

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan dismissed this as “bluster in the public commentary,” the Daily Mail reported.

In preparing for a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, the United States ordered family members of American embassy staff in Kyiv to leave the country. This decision frustrated Ukrainian leadership, with some diplomats calling it an “instance of excessive caution.”

We have taken note of @StateDept\u2019s decision re departure of family members of @USEmbassyKyiv staff. While we respect right of foreign nations to ensure safety & security of their diplomatic missions, we believe such a step to be a premature one & an instance of excessive caution.
— Oleg Nikolenko (@Oleg Nikolenko) 1643012672

On Monday, according to the New York Post, White House press secretary Jen Psaki stated that American citizens currently in Ukraine “should leave now” and that the United States government does not currently have intentions to evacuate them should an armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia occur.

Psaki said, “There is not an intention for there to be a departure or an evacuation. ... So we are conveying to the American citizens they should leave now.”

When asked whether or not Americans would be on their own should armed conflict begin, Psaki said, “There’s commercial airlines, you can depart over land.”

'My pronouns are Let’s Go / Brandon': Twitter users sound off after U.S. State Department celebrates International Pronouns Day



The U.S. State Department is facing significant social media backlash Wednesday after posting a tweet pertaining to pronouns.

"Today on International Pronouns Day, we share why many people list pronouns on their email and social media profiles," the department tweeted, inviting people to read a piece posted several months ago on the State Department's ShareAmerica website.

"Many Americans are including their pronouns on social media profiles or name tags or as part of email signatures. They state them in meetings, whether online or in person, and at other venues," the piece notes.

Today on International Pronouns Day, we share why many people list pronouns on their email and social media profile… https://t.co/pNxKE5l4uU

— Department of State (@StateDept) 1634745602.0

The tweet, which was posted at noon on Wednesday, has already garnered significant attention, racking up thousands of responses and retweets, while only receiving hundreds of likes as of Wednesday evening.

"This is the DUMBEST thing I've ever heard. Embarassing really. As a society its so embarassing this is what's its come to," someone tweeted.

"My pronouns are Let's Go / Brandon. Please chant them only," another person tweeted.

"How is this an actual thing posted by one of the highest levels of government we have?" someone inquired.

@StateDept @ShareAmerica How is this an actual thing posted by one of the highest levels of government we have? 😂

— Ovaltine Jenkins (@OvltineButrsnps) 1634747433.0

"Could we just get the American Christian missionaries being held hostage in Haiti back home?" former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted.

"Looking forward to your take on International Don't Abandon 19 Million Women To The Taliban Day," Ben Shapiro tweeted.

"If I'm Xi Jinping, I take one look at that tweet and then invade Taiwan… At this rate we should probably just go ahead and learn how to write our pronouns in Mandarin," tweeted Donald Trump Jr. "Oh yea, btw, what were the pronouns of all the Americans you abandoned to the Taliban?"

"Think of how hard our adversaries are laughing as they read this. In fact this would qualify as stand-up comedy just about anywhere in Asia, Africa or South America," Dinesh D'Souza tweeted.

Cuban Americans fire back after top State Dept. official claims Cuba protests related to COVID



The Biden administration was raked over the coals Sunday after a top State Department official claimed historic protests in Cuba were related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

What was claimed?

Despite the overwhelming evidence pointing to freedom as the motive behind the demonstrations, Julie Chung, acting assistant secretary for U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, claimed that — actually — Cubans are angry about COVID and medicine shortages.

"Peaceful protests are growing in #Cuba as the Cuban people exercise their right to peaceful assembly to express concern about rising COVID cases/deaths & medicine shortages. We commend the numerous efforts of the Cuban people mobilizing donations to help neighbors in need," Chung tweeted.

Peaceful protests are growing in #Cuba as the Cuban people exercise their right to peaceful assembly to express con… https://t.co/Yizg3zsYiF

— Julie Chung (@WHAAsstSecty) 1626038662.0

Watching any video from Sunday's demonstrations, of course, quickly dispelled the claim. The Cuban people are heavily oppressed by Cuba's communist regime, which has resulted in generations of impoverished living.

In fact, videos showed mass crowds Cuban demonstrators shouting "libertad" and "patria y vida" (homeland and life, opposite of the regime's "patria o muerte," which means "homeland or death") while waving American flags, an international symbol of freedom embraced by oppressed peoples outside America.

What was the response?

Chung's clearly dubious claims triggered an eruption of backlash from, most importantly, Cuban Americans angry that the Biden administration would callously ignore the obvious motive for the Cuban people's freedom demonstrations.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), whose parents immigrated from Cuba, rebuked President Joe Biden for not publicly supporting the Cuban people and condemned Chung, whom he praised for her work at the State Department, for her ridiculous assertion.

"COVID is the icing on the cake here because you have a socialist regime that says to people, 'You have no freedom. You have no independence. You have no ability to speak freely, but you have a really good health care system.' They don't!" Rubio began.

"Of course COVID has a role to play, but this began well before COVID. These people are frustrated. They want to live in a normal country," Rubio continued. "Why can't the State Department, why can't the White House just say it clearly: This is not about COVID, this is not about anything else! This is about freedom — say it!"

Alberto Miguel Fernandez, a retired U.S. diplomat who was born in Cuba, said, "What a dull, lifeless, dumb tweet by #Biden@StateDept official. People in Cuba aren't calling for COVID shots or medicine. They are calling for Freedom."

What a dull, lifeless, dumb tweet by #Biden @StateDept official. People in Cuba aren't calling for COVID shots or m… https://t.co/D1Mt4XrBfZ

— Alberto Miguel Fernandez (@AlbertoMiguelF5) 1626049323.0

Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.), who was born in Cuba, said, "The Biden Admin is totally deranged on #Cuba policy. This isn't some pesky protest over COVID vaccines. This is about opposing a brutal communist regime, freeing political prisoners, and demanding free elections. If you can't make that distinction, you are very bad at your job."

The Biden Admin is totally deranged on #Cuba policy.This isn’t some pesky protest over COVID vaccines. This is ab… https://t.co/NRNiP0hI0U

— Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez (@RepCarlos) 1626049401.0

Did Chung respond?

While she did not respond to the criticism directly, she later followed up, "We stand by the Cuban people's right for peaceful assembly. We call for calm and condemn any violence."

The Cuban people, of course, do not have a right to "peacefully assemble" in their homeland.

BREAKING: White House Says ‘Disgruntled Staffer’ Posted Trump Resignation Time On State Dept Site

The State Department website was manipulated Monday by a “disgruntled staffer” to say that President Donald Trump’s last day in office was Jan. 11, sparking resignation rumors online.  “Donald J. Trump’s term ended on 2021-01-11 19:49:00,” the site said. Hey, @StateDept, what do you know that the rest of us don't? "Donald J. Trump's term […]