Offline with Jon Favreau: Why Democrats’ Media Problem is Deeper than “Liberal Joe Rogan”

Release Date: November 17, 2024

In this insightful episode of Offline with Jon Favreau, hosted by Crooked Media, Jon Favreau and co-host Max Fisher delve deep into the multifaceted media challenges facing the Democratic Party. With the thought-provoking guest, Jeremiah Johnson, co-founder of the Center for Neoliberalism and author of the acclaimed Substack Infinite Scroll, the discussion unpacks how the digital landscape, conspiracy theories, and polarized media ecosystems are shaping the political terrain for Democrats.

Introduction: The Depth of Democrats' Media Challenges

Jon Favreau opens the episode by highlighting the persistent debate around "Liberal Joe Rogan" and introduces Jeremiah Johnson as a key voice in understanding the Democratic media conundrum.

Jon Favreau [00:30]: "But someone who I've been wanting to have on the show for a while because I really like that substack and everybody loves Robert Redford and he does the... And he also does the worst tweets bracket."

The Rise of Conspiracy Theories in Liberal Media

The conversation shifts to the surge of conspiracy theories within liberal circles post the 2024 election. Favreau and Fisher discuss various unfounded claims alleging election rigging in favor of Donald Trump, orchestrated by entities like Starlink and figures such as Elon Musk.

Jon Favreau [02:36]: "These conspiracies have now been seen by millions of people on Twitter, with one thread getting over 26 million views."

Jeremiah Johnson provides psychological insights into why such conspiracies gain traction, emphasizing them as coping mechanisms for individuals feeling a loss of control.

Jeremiah Johnson [04:14]: "Psychologists will also tell you that conspiracies are more than anything else, a coping mechanism for feeling a loss of agency or control..."

Conspiracies: A Double-Edged Sword for Democrats

Favreau and Fisher explore the stereotype that conspiracy theory believers are predominantly right-wing, challenging this notion by highlighting the emerging conspiracies within liberal media. They discuss how, unlike their conservative counterparts, Democrats rarely see high-level adoption of these theories within party leadership.

Jon Favreau [05:57]: "Conspiracies come from trying to explain the inexplicable. And people are more vulnerable to conspiracies when they feel like they have lost and they feel like there's a sense of loss."

The Polarized Media Ecosystem: Conservative and Progressive Media Undermining Democrats

A critical examination is presented on how both conservative and progressive media outlets are contributing to the Democratic Party’s media woes. While conservative media aggressively criticizes Democrats, progressive media also engage in similar tactics, albeit at a smaller scale.

Jon Favreau [73:55]: "Because you have this explicitly conservative media ecosystem... and you have a progressive media ecosystem... Both sides, the Democratic Party is just getting savaged and criticized no matter what they do."

Trump’s Digital Dominance: Leveraging Social Media and Online Platforms

Favreau and Fisher analyze Donald Trump’s strategic use of digital platforms to influence voter sentiment, contrasting it with the Democratic Party’s traditional ground game. They discuss the potential reversal of policies in a Trump administration, particularly concerning tech regulations and the TikTok ban.

Max Fisher [13:33]: "Trump will drag it out because he loves the drama of the will... The day of, it's probably a coin toss whether he bans it or not."

Potential Trump Administration Policies on Technology and Media

The episode delves into specific policy areas likely to be impacted by a Trump administration:

• TikTok Ban: Discussion on the potential delay or halting of the ban, influenced by Trump's preference for controlling social media narratives.

  Jon Favreau [14:44]: "He doesn't care a lot about people's privacy... and letting election denial conspiracies flourish on the platform."

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Oversight: Examination of the controversial proposal to appoint Elon Musk as President Trump's special advisor on AI, and its implications.

  Max Fisher [18:41]: "Elon Musk is co-chair of a powerless panel... He's already annoying everybody around him in the Trump administration."

• Cryptocurrency Resurgence: Analysis of Trump's promise to make the U.S. the "crypto capital of the world," the ensuing boom in cryptocurrency prices, and the problematic nature of crypto as speculative and unregulated gambling.

  Jon Favreau [21:10]: "Cryptocurrencies have reached historic heights... just a cash transfer from low-income people and immigrants to the rich."

• Antitrust and Consumer Protection: Insights into how the Trump administration might handle antitrust issues differently, potentially leveraging threats to influence tech companies.

  Max Fisher [25:36]: "He will throw around the threats and then those companies will send someone to the White House who will convince him we fixed the Google News feed and now it's all pro Trump."

Finding a 'Liberal Joe Rogan': Gamifying Democratic Media Outreach

In a playful segment, the hosts and guests engage in a game to identify potential candidates who could emulate Joe Rogan's influential podcast presence but with a liberal bent. Names like Stavros Halkias, Shane Gillis, and Charlamagne are tossed around, highlighting the challenges Democrats face in finding engaging, non-partisan media figures.

Emma Iluk [31:31]: "Get him... You just triggered Austin."

This segment underscores the difficulty in finding media personalities who can resonate broadly without alienating segments of the base.

Production Over Consumption: Enhancing Mental Well-Being and Political Engagement

Jeremiah Johnson emphasizes the importance of production—creating content or engaging in productive activities—over passive consumption of media. He argues that active creation fosters a sense of purpose and improves mental health, contrasting with the addictive nature of endless content consumption.

Jon Favreau [93:28]: "Too much consumption. Very bad."

J.D. Vance and the Extremes of Online Conservative Thought

The discussion turns to J.D. Vance, examining his influence and the hyper-online, insular conservative ideology that he represents. Favreau criticizes Vance’s alignment with extreme figures like Curtis Yarvan, underscoring the peril of politicians adopting fringe online personas.

Jon Favreau [84:49]: "JD Vance has managed to put a slightly more respectable face on it. It hasn't worked that well because he is quite unpopular."

Jeremiah Johnson’s Insights: Building a Big Tent Democratic Party

Johnson offers strategies for Democrats to overcome their media challenges by fostering a "big tent" approach. He advocates for embracing diverse viewpoints within the party, standing up against problematic narratives, and reforming institutions instead of merely defending them.

Jeremiah Johnson [68:06]: "We need to be open to the idea of a big tent... Democrats have to be more accepting of just people whose views agree with you only 90% of the way."

Conclusion: Navigating the Complex Media Landscape

The episode wraps up with final thoughts on the necessity for Democrats to evolve in their media strategies. Favreau stresses the importance of engaging directly with individuals rather than relying on traditional gatekeeping methods, which have lost efficacy in the age of decentralized social media.

Jon Favreau [75:39]: "But I think that it requires a level of discipline and focus from the left that I don't know that we've had."

Jeremiah Johnson reiterates the need for Democrats to move beyond being merely defenders of institutions and to actively work on reforming them to align with contemporary challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• Conspiracy Theories: Both conservative and progressive media perpetuate conspiracy theories against Democrats, hindering the party's public perception.
• Digital Strategy: Trump's effective use of digital platforms contrasts with Democratic struggles in similar arenas.
• Media Figures: Identifying influential, non-partisan media personalities remains a significant challenge for Democrats.
• Big Tent Approach: Embracing diverse viewpoints and fostering inclusive policies can help Democrats build a broader electoral coalition.
• Active Engagement: Encouraging production and active engagement over passive consumption can enhance mental well-being and political efficacy.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeremiah Johnson [04:14]: "Psychologists will also tell you that conspiracies are more than anything else, a coping mechanism for feeling a loss of agency or control..."
• Jon Favreau [05:57]: "Conspiracies come from trying to explain the inexplicable. And people are more vulnerable to conspiracies when they feel like they have lost and they feel like there's a sense of loss."
• Max Fisher [18:41]: "Elon Musk is co-chair of a powerless panel... He's already annoying everybody around him in the Trump administration."
• Jeremiah Johnson [68:06]: "We need to be open to the idea of a big tent... Democrats have to be more accepting of just people whose views agree with you only 90% of the way."

This episode of Offline with Jon Favreau offers a comprehensive analysis of the intricate media challenges facing the Democratic Party, providing valuable insights and actionable strategies to navigate the polarized digital landscape.