Bulwark Takes: "The Right Wing Is Tearing Itself Apart Over... Soda?" - Episode Summary

Release Date: March 25, 2025
Host: The Bulwark Team (Featuring Will Sommer and Sonny Bunch)

Introduction

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, Will Sommer and Sonny Bunch delve into an unexpected internal conflict within the American right wing: a contentious debate over the prohibition of soda and candy purchases using food stamps or EBT benefits. Titled "The Right Wing Is Tearing Itself Apart Over... Soda?", the discussion unpacks the layers of this seemingly trivial issue, revealing deeper undercurrents of corruption and manipulation within conservative circles.

The "Make America Healthy Again" Movement

The conversation begins with Will Sommer introducing the Make America Healthy Again (maha) initiative, championed by RFK Jr. This movement has gained traction in states like Arizona and Idaho, pushing for bans on the purchase of soda and candy with food assistance funds. Historically, the conservative right has opposed large soda bans, making this shift both surprising and significant.

Will Sommer explains:

"This has been brewing for a little bit, the various states. This kind of centers on the Make America Healthy Again movement championed by RFK."
[00:28]

Intra-Conservative Debate: Freedom vs. Regulation

Sonny Bunch highlights the core of the debate within the right wing:

"There is an interesting, intra-conservative debate over, you know, the freedom of consumption versus ensuring that welfare funds are used appropriately."
[01:04]

The tension lies between advocating for individual choice and the responsibility to guide welfare spending towards healthier options.

The Unexpected Opposition from Right-Wing Influencers

Initially, support for the maha movement was strong online. However, a surprising shift occurred when influential right-wing figures like Ian Miles Cheong and Chad Prather began opposing the soda bans. Will Sommer notes:

"Suddenly a couple influencers start saying, wait, it's not very freedom loving to ban people from buying soda on food stamps."
[02:23]

This sudden opposition raised suspicions about the underlying motives behind their stance.

Exposure of Pay-for-Play Schemes

As Sonny Bunch and Will Sommer delve deeper, they uncover that a Gen Z marketing firm named Influenceable was orchestrating a covert campaign. This company was paying right-wing influencers to promote soda consumption, often featuring imagery of Donald Trump enjoying a Diet Coke. Sonny Bunch emphasizes the problematic nature of such undisclosed payments:

"You can't have those debates in good faith when people are secretly getting paid to make them. That's the real scandal here."
[03:13]

The lack of transparency not only undermines genuine discourse but also hints at broader corruption within the movement.

Broader Implications of Influencer Manipulation

The discussion broadens to consider the potential reach and impact of such pay-for-play tactics. Sonny Bunch questions:

"What else are these guys getting paid to pitch and to flack? Are they getting money from Republican outfits to push for candidates or policies?"
[04:59]

This raises concerns about the integrity of advocacy within the right wing and the possible influence of undisclosed financial incentives on political narratives.

The Role of Twitter in Amplifying Influencer Campaigns

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Twitter's role in magnifying these influencer-driven campaigns. Sonny Bunch remarks on the platform's disproportionate influence:

"The magnifying effect of Twitter is very, very real... Elon Musk is out there and all of a sudden he's getting hit by messages like, 'Maybe we should like soda.'"
[09:35]

The duo critiques how Twitter allows tightly funded campaigns to sway public discourse, often bypassing traditional checks and balances.

Consequences and Trust Issues

The episode concludes with reflections on the erosion of trust within political movements:

"How any of these people can be trusted ever again... the idea of trustworthiness in our current moment is very malleable."
[10:24]

Will Sommer and Sonny Bunch express concern over the sustainability of political integrity when hidden financial influences drive public discussions.

Conclusion

"The Right Wing Is Tearing Itself Apart Over... Soda?" serves as a revealing examination of how seemingly minor policy debates can expose significant fractures and ethical issues within political movements. Will Sommer and Sonny Bunch effectively highlight the dangers of undisclosed financial influences and the powerful role of social media platforms like Twitter in shaping—and sometimes distorting—public discourse. This episode underscores the need for transparency and accountability to maintain trust and integrity within political advocacy.

Notable Quotes:

• Sonny Bunch on hidden agendas:

  "That's the real scandal here."
  [03:13]

• Will Sommer on influencer manipulation:

  "It's a fairly effective and relatively cheap strategy."
  [06:02]

• Sonny Bunch on Twitter's influence:

  "It's a different ballgame out there right now."
  [10:01]

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, providing listeners and non-listeners alike with a clear understanding of the intricate debates and underlying issues discussed by the hosts.