Following President Trump’s posting of an AI-generated video, House Speaker Mike Johnson was recorded by CNN’s Manu Raju as saying, “It wasn’t my style,” in response to Rep. Madeleine Dean’s criticism. Dean called the video “disgraceful” and “racist”, urging Johnson to condemn it. Despite Johnson’s initial reluctance, he later stated he disagreed with Dean’s perspective while acknowledging her concerns as Speaker.
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Mike Johnson caught trashing Trump’s vulgar AI video – or, rather, not trashing it. The initial reaction seems to be that the headline “Mike Johnson Caught Trashing Trump’s Vulgar AI Video” is a bit of a stretch. The general consensus seems to be that what Johnson actually did was express mild disagreement with the “style” of the video. The real takeaway is that it’s far from a full-throated condemnation, and that falls far short of trashing.
Instead of outright condemnation, we see Johnson’s response as more of a gentle nod. He says “It wasn’t my style.” His words are followed by the sentiment that he is “working on it”. One might ask, what exactly is he working on? The fact that he also tells Dean, “I love you and I respect you, OK?” suggests a desire to avoid direct conflict. There seems to be a lot of emphasis put on loyalty and political maneuvering here. The sense is that even though Johnson might not personally like or approve of the video, his primary concern is staying in line with the party.
The general feeling is a mixture of disappointment and cynicism. Many seem to believe that this behavior is expected at this point. Johnson’s hesitancy to condemn the video completely is seen as a symptom of the current political climate. The comments suggest a growing distrust of the media, with many feeling that headlines are sensationalized and don’t accurately reflect the situation. The fact that it is even considered “news” that Johnson slightly disagrees with the AI video is indicative of a decline in journalistic standards.
Furthermore, the focus quickly shifts to the underlying issues. The discussion is much more interested in Johnson’s motivations and potential ulterior motives. The prevailing sentiment appears to be that Johnson’s loyalty is to the party, and his desire to keep the government open is more important than speaking out against the president.
It’s worth noting the repeated reference to “the Epstein files.” This indicates a suspicion that Johnson is potentially involved in something nefarious, potentially as part of the protected class. There is mention of his potential connection to pedophilia and that the pursuit of power trumps all else. The conversation has moved far beyond simply talking about a video, into a critique of Johnson’s character and the priorities of the Republican Party. The recurring discussion on Grindr profiles underscores this idea of a scandal waiting to happen.
Interestingly, the AI video itself doesn’t seem to be the primary focus. Some have even commented that with how easily Trump is swayed by AI, they’re surprised that more people haven’t produced videos making fun of him. In the end, there is an undercurrent of the feeling that the media is being played.
Essentially, the “trashing” is seen as a weak gesture. The focus is on what’s not being said, not what is. The emphasis of “It wasn’t my style” serves as a clear indication that Johnson’s primary focus is not about speaking out against the racist content, but about preserving political relationships. The conversation highlights the complexities of political alliances, party loyalty, and the potential for compromising one’s integrity in the pursuit of power. The whole scenario is deemed to be something that will go down in the history books, showing how far down we’ve gone.
