January 6 Shadow on Trump's 250 Rallies

The barbarians are inside the gates and throwing a toxic masculinity pageant on the front lawn. While the United States should be preparing to honor the 250th anniversary of our democratic republic by working toward a more perfect union, Donald Trump has hijacked the historic milestone to throw corrupt, all-caps "TRUMP RALLIES" and UFC cage matches to distract from his economic warfare on the American people as he and his family rake in billions. This week, Mother Jones investigative reporter Dan Friedman joins Gaslit Nation to expose the blatant kleptocracy behind "Freedom 250," a shadowy, dark-money shell company created by the White House to bypass congressional oversight and strip taxpayer funds from the bipartisan America 250 Commission. This corporate-sponsored slush fund allows the administration to openly sell White House access to elite corporate donors and tech oligarchs seeking to build monopolies approved by Trump's DOJ and rake in tax breaks. Even more alarming: the contractor hired to run these "patriotic" events is Event Strategies, the exact same group that profited from organizing Trump's violent January 6th coup attempt. We refuse to normalize corruption. If we look away now, the floodgates will swing wide open for future autocrats to follow. Listen to Part I now, and stay tuned for Part II this Thursday, where we discuss our leverage for accountability and how to fight back! Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit   Show Notes: Opening clip: JD Vance on The View https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mog4pzuauh2x   Trump's efforts to turn the 250th in a partisan party for himself. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/06/military-parade-army-trump-american250-a250/   Trump's War on History: As America's 250th anniversary approaches, the president wants to control the country's future by bulldozing its past. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/02/america-freedom-task-force-250-trump-anniversary-history-smithsonian-kennedy-center/   Piece on Interior/NPS effort to get rid of National Park signs: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/02/donald-trumps-national-park-signs-francis-newlands-chevy-chase-circle/   Trump's Christian Nationalist rally on the Mall https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/05/trump-maga-freedom250-christian/ EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: June 22nd Songwriting Workshop with Leslie Nuss. Come explore the power of art at our Monday June 22nd Gaslit Nation Salon at 4pm ET opened with a songwriting workshop by Leslie. Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community Join the California Signal Group for Gaslit Nation listeners to find each other and connect in that state - available on Patreon.com.  The Gaslit Nation Outreach Committee discusses how to talk to the MAGA cult - available on Patreon.com.  Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other - available on Patreon.com.  Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other - available on Patreon.com.  Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect - available on Patreon.com.  Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join - available on Patreon.com.  Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group - available on Patreon.com.  As always, keep it kind in our chat groups, extend grace and assume good faith. A culture of care is how we build a better world.