by John Cylc

June 28, 2025

“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me dozens of times and I will be a loyal follower.”

                                                                                                -Every “useful idiot” ever

The future of our country is undeniably at a crossroads. If left unaddressed, the challenges we face today could lead to a perilous future. Am I talking about our economy? No, but that is crucial. Am I referring to our electoral system? No, although that is becoming increasingly, purposely broken. And am I discussing the integrity of our media, our educational institutions, and the erosion of individual freedoms?  For the purpose of this article, AB-SO-F’ING-LUTELY.

A troubling trend in modern society is the rise of the so-called “useful idiot.”  Defined by Webster’s as “a naive or credulous person who can be manipulated or exploited to advance a cause or political agenda”, these automatons constantly regurgitate the narratives that are the drumbeat of politicians and talking heads. Primarily, in the context of this writer’s opinion, this propaganda is focused on anti-Trump or “America is evil/wrong” ideologies. Usually, they align with a globalist agenda, which usually falls against the nationalist agenda of “Make America Great Again”. That is why this is such a constant uphill battle. It literally is us against the world. (U.S. against the world)

The flow is constant, from generalized beliefs (“America is a racist country”) to specific lies (The Covid vaccine is safe and effective). The false information can be a major story or just a casual mention slipped into a real event. Recent examples are:

The flow of information, whether it be in the form of generalized claims or specific falsehoods, has been nothing short of overwhelming. From claims about the United States’ inherent racism to misinformation regarding global health issues, the constant bombardment of biased narratives has shaped public opinion and policy in ways that are both harmful and divisive. For example, some of the most egregious have led many to believe that:

1. George Floyd’s death was a result of police brutality—a claim that has been widely accepted, despite evidence suggesting that the cause of death was a fatal overdose rather than police misconduct.
2. Donald Trump is a convicted rapist—a misleading characterization based on a flawed civil lawsuit where Trump was never convicted of any criminal offense.
3. Michael Brown was murdered by a police officer—the tragic incident in Ferguson, Missouri, was framed as an act of racial violence, despite investigations showing that Brown’s death was the result of a confrontation where the officer acted in self-defense.
4. There was no organized election fraud in the 2020 election—while it is true that no judge allowed widespread fraud claims into their courts, there is ample evidence of many procedural irregularities and unexplained anomalies that merit scrutiny, but were not looked into by the Department of Justice or investigative journalists.
5. Hunter Biden’s laptop was part of a Russian disinformation campaign—despite claims and a publicized, signed statement from 51 high-level, U.S. intelligence officials, the laptop’s authenticity was confirmed, and the information contained within it raised serious questions about corruption at the highest levels of government.
6. President Joe Biden was mentally competent and effectively led the nation—a narrative that masked concerns about his cognitive abilities and raised questions about the true nature of decision-making within the executive branch. Biden was an incompetent puppet, effectively controlled by his wife and unknown handlers.

These are but a few examples of how falsehoods have been embedded into the public consciousness. What is most troubling is their continued belief by large segments of the population—even after the lies have been exposed. For many, the narratives that align with their pre-existing biases and worldviews remain more palatable than the uncomfortable truth.

The refusal to acknowledge the significant (intentional) failures of the once trusted mainstream media and political institutions is a major obstacle to reform. They have become propaganda machines, shaping narratives to fit political agendas. As a result, many individuals—particularly those on the political left and self-identified (supposed) centrists—continue to believe and regurgitate the same narratives that have been repeatedly discredited, widening the divisions in our society.

The question then becomes- “how many lies can someone continue to believe when the sources have already been proven to have lied to them previously?” The answer, unfortunately, is a staggering number. For those who have been indoctrinated by a flawed educational system, the process of “unlearning” these lies can be painful, if not impossible.

Schools and universities, where previously they celebrated free thought and open debate, have become hotbeds of political correctness and ideological leftism. This has contributed to a generation of citizens who are ill-prepared to question the narratives they are fed, whether through the media or their political leaders.

The solution to this problem lies in a return to truth and personal accountability. We must confront the false narratives and demand honesty from our institutions. Even if it is possible, the road to restoring trust in our political, media and educational institutions will be long and difficult. However, it is the only path forward if we are to secure a future that reflects the true values of our nation-MAGA values.