(𝕏)-Shortly after President-Elect Donald Trump won, reports from legacy media indicated both Nikki Haley and Mike Pompeo were being considered for prominent roles in his administration. I was furious. I was ready to write an article, do a segment about it on my show, and rant about it on 𝕏.
Thankfully, something told me to wait. The anonymous sources cited, who were allegedly tied to the Trump campaign and transition teams, didn’t give any details. I held my frustration in check.
The next day, Trump declared on Truth Social and 𝕏 that neither were going to be part of his next administration.
We’ve learned over the last eight years to never trust legacy media. In fact, many of us have come to the conclusion that everything not directly reported by the source should be treated as disinformation. The Haley/Pompeo story was not isolated as an example of legacy media and/or their “sources” promoting a narrative that they HOPE to be true.
Elon Musk has often said that 𝕏 is now the media. Specifically, 𝕏 USERS are the new media. There are very compelling reasons why this is not only true but definitely should be the case. First and foremost, the speed at which news and videos can be widely disseminated through social media is unmatched.
Then, there’s the instant vetting. With speed comes haste and with haste comes mistakes. But if something is not true and spreads on 𝕏, it is usually quickly debunked. This is easy on the platform because the truth can come out in comments. For example, “news” spread quickly the other day that Justice Clarence Thomas was about to retire. The account that first shared a screenshot allegedly from RT America was popular and other popular accounts started spreading it as well.
I checked into the screenshot and learned that it was from a parody account that mimicked RT America. I posted this information as a comment and the rumor died. From the initial post to the revelation that it was fake, around 17-minutes passed. That almost never happens on legacy media when they make “mistakes.” Retractions or corrections can take hours or even days if they ever come at all.
This leads to the third of many reasons 𝕏 is the place for news. It’s interactive. The comments on popular news, opinion, and video posts can often be more informative than the original story. We can chime in instantly and interact with others who chime in. That simply cannot happen on legacy media. Even their websites with comments sections do not have anywhere near the engagement as replies on 𝕏.
Back to President Trump. He currently posts first on Truth Social since it’s his and then later on 𝕏. But even with the delay to get to 𝕏, others invariably screen-capture his Truth Social posts and publish them on 𝕏 so there’s not much of a delay. This is the way it should be.
Sunday, two legacy media reports caught my attention. The first referenced a statement he made that he would “most likely” pardon some January 6 political prisoners on his first day back in office. Since I won’t be watching “Meet the Press” anytime soon I cannot confirm nor can I hear it in context. It would have been much better if he made a text or video post on the topic in addition to the interview on legacy media just so his exact thoughts on the matter could be disseminated.
The second report from NBC News says Trump will not ask Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to step down. This DEFINITELY needs more context which should come from Trump or his staff directly.
While I am not suggesting the President of the United States needs to be on 𝕏 all day, it would be extremely beneficial for his staff to maintain and monitor direct communication with the American people constantly. I’m not talking about the occasional posts we see from the various departments. I’m talking about opening the floodgates to let it all flow out.
This will allow them to inform us without the biased filter of legacy media and their wonky interpretations. It would also give us a way to respond. The President has always been open to hearing from the people. 𝕏 gives him the perfect way to do that.
The last and arguably most important reason the Trump White House should go all-in on communicating through 𝕏 is to prevent legacy media from spinning so much with their sources and rumors. 𝕏 posts can happen in real time. Information can reach the people before legacy media can butcher the truth or even manufacture their own narratives.
As a journalist, I would much rather have a firehose of information flowing directly and officially from the White House rather than sifting through the propaganda spewed forth by legacy media while searching for a nugget of truth.
As an American, I don’t want to have to question every report from legacy media, wondering if their information is real or manufactured. We want to hear the facts coming directly from the sources.
𝕏 is the easiest way to cut through the lies and keep as many Americans as possible aware about what’s really going on.
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
