Free Thinking Through the Fourth Turning with Sasha Stone
Episode: Confessions of a Russiagate True Believer
Release Date: July 28, 2025

In this compelling episode of Free Thinking Through the Fourth Turning, host Sasha Stone delves deep into the intricate web of Russiagate, media manipulation, and the shifting dynamics of American politics. Drawing from a comprehensive transcript, Stone articulates a transformation from a staunch believer in the Russiagate narrative to a critical skeptic, challenging long-held convictions and exposing what he perceives as systematic biases within the Democratic Party and mainstream media.

1. The Russiagate Narrative and Its Impact

Stone begins by recounting his initial belief in the Russiagate conspiracy, a theory alleging that Russian interference was pivotal in Donald Trump's election campaign. However, as events unfolded over a decade, Stone asserts that this narrative not only failed to dismantle Trump's presidency but inadvertently fortified his position.

Notable Quote:
"[00:00] Sacha Stone: ...In their 10 year coup to spy on, discredit, impeach and unseat the twice elected President of the United States, Donald Trump, the Democrats have only made him stronger and more resilient."

Stone emphasizes that the prolonged Russiagate saga has backfired on the Democrats, strengthening Trump's base and resilience against political adversities.

2. Media Manipulation and Democratic Strategy

A significant portion of the episode critiques the Democratic Party's tactics in perpetuating scandals and leveraging media to vilify Trump. Stone accuses Democrats of chasing baseless conspiracies like Pizzagate, fabricating stories to maintain political dominance, and suppressing dissenting voices.

Notable Quotes:
"[01:09] Sacha Stone: ...they have emerged from all of this as wild eyed doomsday preppers who've finally gone full Pizzagate."
"[03:54] Sacha Stone: Dear Donald Trump, there's something we want you to know. You do not represent us. ... we're going to do absolutely never, ever become president."

He portrays the Democratic narrative as a relentless attack on Trump without substantive policy proposals or accountability, relying instead on sensationalism and disinformation.

3. The DNC Hack and Russian Involvement

The discussion intensifies around the Democratic National Committee (DNC) hack, where Stone challenges the prevailing belief that Russian interference was solely aimed at undermining Trump. Instead, he posits that Russian actors may have intended to bolster Trump's campaign by releasing stolen opposition research.

Notable Quotes:
"[10:16] Sacha Stone: ...it was actually much less complicated. It was a one in a million strategy laid out by Steve Bannon way back in 2012."
"[13:52] Sacha Stone: ...Russia would take that oppo file and provide it to Donald Trump."

Stone suggests that the release of the DNC files could have been a strategic move by Russian intelligence to support Trump, thereby reshaping the narrative from interference against to interference in favor of Trump.

4. Media and Public Perception

Stone critiques the media's role in shaping public perception, arguing that mainstream outlets have created a monolithic narrative demonizing Trump. He highlights how investigative journalists like Rachel Maddow propagated Russiagate, influencing public opinion and marginalizing alternative viewpoints.

Notable Quotes:
"[11:34] Chris Matthews: ... experts are telling us that Russian state actors broke into the DNC, stole these emails, and ... leaking them to help elect Donald Trump."
"[23:24] Sacha Stone: The Russiagate lie was pushed through the feedback loop, a self contained bubble that went from morning news through the churn of social media to legacy media headlines."

Stone asserts that this media-driven narrative has stifled honest discourse and perpetuated a one-sided portrayal of Trump, labeling him as a Russian puppet without substantive evidence.

5. The 2020 Election and Aftermath

Reflecting on the 2020 election, Stone discusses the intensified media manipulation, alleging that the Democratic Party engaged in extensive voter suppression, misinformation campaigns, and orchestrated events to discredit Trump and his supporters. He connects these actions to broader societal issues, including the suppression of dissent and the erosion of democratic principles.

Notable Quotes:
"[31:58] Sacha Stone: What happened to me, it wasn't until 2020 that I could finally see the strings. I saw the media manipulation to lie about everything from lockdowns to Covid to the vaccine to the protests."
"[21:26] Sacha Stone: ...the Democratic elite as corrupt and out of touch; supports Trump."

Stone contends that the 2020 election was marred by unprecedented levels of manipulation and coercion, ultimately undermining the integrity of the electoral process.

6. Recent Revelations and Investigative Reporting

Towards the episode's conclusion, Stone references new investigative reports from sources like Real Clear Investigations and insights from experts like Aaron Mate. These revelations suggest that initial claims of Russian interference and collusion with Trump may have been overstated or misrepresented by intelligence agencies and the media.

Notable Quotes:
"[27:35] Chris Matthews: ...this is extremely damaging to American national security... now, they are not doing it to get me elected, they're doing it to try to influence the election for Donald Trump."
"[28:31] Sacha Stone: ...based on these newly classified documents is that the U.S. intelligence community that put out Mueller's allegations ... had low confidence in that assertion."

These discussions underscore Stone's belief that the Russiagate narrative was built on shaky foundations, with significant portions of the intelligence community expressing doubts about its validity.

7. Conclusion and Reflections

In his final remarks, Stone reflects on his journey from a Russigate believer to a critic of mainstream narratives. He emphasizes the importance of seeking truth beyond established media channels and challenges listeners to question prevailing narratives. Stone also laments the lack of accountability for perceived Democratic manipulations and urges for a more transparent and fair political landscape.

Notable Quotes:
"[39:33] Sacha Stone: ...it's no longer sashastone.substack.com now it's sashastone.com ... remember to thine own self be true."

Stone concludes with a call for individual discernment and integrity, encouraging listeners to remain vigilant against misinformation and to uphold personal truths amidst pervasive media narratives.

Key Takeaways:

• Russiagate Backfires: Prolonged Russiagate investigations may have inadvertently strengthened Trump's political standing.

• Media and Democratic Manipulation: Mainstream media and the Democratic Party are criticized for perpetuating unfounded conspiracies to undermine Trump without offering viable alternatives.

• Alternative Insights: New investigative reports challenge the validity of Russiagate claims, suggesting possible manipulation or misrepresentation by intelligence agencies and media outlets.

• Election Integrity Concerns: The 2020 election is portrayed as a period of intense manipulation and voter suppression, tarnishing democratic processes.

• Call for Critical Thinking: Stone advocates for listeners to question established narratives, seek alternative information sources, and prioritize personal truth over media-consumed beliefs.

This episode serves as a provocative critique of the Russiagate narrative, media bias, and Democratic strategies, urging listeners to reevaluate entrenched beliefs and seek a more nuanced understanding of American political dynamics.