The Daily Beans – Episode: Refried Beans | Put Men In Rice (feat. Garrett Graff) | Apr 21, 2023

Host(s): Alison Gill & Dana Goldberg
Guest: Garrett Graf, CNN Contributor, Historian, and Host of "Long Shadow: Rise of the American Far Right"
Release Date: April 19, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Daily Beans, hosts Alison Gill and Dana Goldberg dive deep into a myriad of pressing political and social issues, blending their signature snark with insightful analysis. The episode interweaves current events with an in-depth conversation featuring Garrett Graf, exploring the evolution of the American far right.

Current Events Overview

1. Twitter's Blue Checkmark Controversy (00:22 - 04:36)

Alison and Dana kick off the episode by discussing recent changes to Twitter's verification system. Alison shares her experience of losing her blue checkmark due to Elon Musk's adjustments, noting a significant decrease in her Twitter impressions from 240 million to 110 million during February and March (03:02). Garrett mirrors this sentiment, comparing the removal of blue checks to the symbolism of MAGA hats.

Notable Quote:

Alison Gill (03:23): "He was throttling us. But then I guess on April 1, he found out that in order to hide our blue check marks, he can't throttle us."

2. Boris Epstein and Alec Baldwin Updates (04:36 - 06:17)

The hosts touch upon ongoing legal cases, including Boris Epstein's interactions with the Special Counsel's office. They also report that all charges against Alec Baldwin have been dropped, except for the armorer Gutierrez Reed, who still faces negligence homicide charges.

Notable Quote:

Alison Gill (04:36): "Charges against Alec Baldwin have been dropped. They'll reduce the fascinating intricacies of legal proceedings to an accessible summary for our listeners."

3. Proud Boys Trial Near Completion (06:06 - 06:34)

Alison and Garrett provide updates on the Proud Boys seditious conspiracy trial, highlighting Dominic Pizzola's combative testimony and the impending closure of the case.

In-Depth Discussion with Garrett Graf (06:34 - 45:15)

Launch of "Long Shadow: Rise of the American Far Right"

Garrett Graf introduces his new podcast series, Long Shadow, which examines the transformation of the American far right over the past four decades. He emphasizes the movement's roots in groups like the Ku Klux Klan and its evolution into a mainstream force within the Republican Party.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Leaderless Resistance Strategy (Dana Goldberg, 27:35):
  Graham explains how the far right embraced a strategy that distances leaders from violent actions, enabling the movement to propagate hate without direct accountability.

• Impact of Technology and the Internet (Dana Goldberg, 39:14):
  The movement's early adoption of online platforms like Stormfront facilitated broader recruitment and dissemination of extremist ideologies.

• Cultural and Media Influence (Dana Goldberg, 34:48):
  The integration of white supremacist symbols and rhetoric into mainstream media and political discourse, exemplified by events like the Charlottesville march.

Notable Quotes:

Garrett Graf (24:14): "My goal with this series was to try to go back and explain how we got here and explain how we got to the moment when the radical far right went from the fringe of the Republican Party to the mainstream."

Dana Goldberg (39:14): "The far right has been uniquely early and creative in embracing new technologies, which helps them bring together disparate sets of believers and recruit new ideologues across the country."

Discussion on Recent Violence and Extremism:

The conversation delves into the real-world implications of far-right ideologies, citing events like the Oklahoma City bombing and the January 6th Capitol attack as manifestations of decades-long propaganda and organization.

Garrett Graf's Insights:

Garrett discusses the importance of recognizing and countering the entrenched hate within political structures. He underscores the need for aggressive prosecution and societal rejection of extremist narratives to dismantle the far right's influence.

Notable Quote:

Dana Goldberg (41:24): "I don't know that there are easy paths out of this... a big part of this story over the last 40 years is the US government continually underestimating how serious this threat is."

Listener Interactions and Shoutouts (45:15 - 58:22)

The latter part of the episode features Alison and Garrett engaging with their listeners, sharing heartfelt messages, adorable pet photos, and community highlights. From celebrating community hubs like Found Underground in Louisville to personal anecdotes about attending protests and witnessing resilience, the hosts foster a sense of camaraderie and support among their audience.

Notable Listener Stories:

• Kelly's Horse Gina (46:12):
  Kelly shares a charming photo of her horse, Gina, highlighting her experiences and support for Dana in Albuquerque.

• Caroline's Abortion Protest (54:01):
  Caroline narrates her participation in an abortion rights protest in Cleveland, emphasizing the solidarity and unexpected connections formed during activism.

Notable Quote:

Alison Gill (57:04): "You must be Tony, then. How fucking cool."

Conclusion and Call to Action (58:16 - End)

As the episode wraps up, Alison and Garrett encourage listeners to stay engaged politically, emphasizing the importance of voting even in off years to influence upcoming elections. They stress the collective responsibility in combating hate and supporting democratic institutions.

Notable Quote:

Alison Gill (58:21): "We've been AG and we've been dg, and that's the beans."

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Daily Beans masterfully balances current political commentary with a deep dive into the historical underpinnings of the American far right. Through engaging discussions, expert insights from Garrett Graf, and heartfelt listener interactions, Alison and Dana provide a comprehensive and compelling narrative on the challenges facing democracy today.

For more insightful discussions and updates, listeners are encouraged to subscribe to The Daily Beans and explore Garrett Graf's Long Shadow: Rise of the American Far Right podcast series.

Connect with The Daily Beans:

• Email: us@dailybeanspod.com
• Instagram: @dg_comedy & @AGsays
• Website: dailybeanspod.com

Note: All timestamps are approximate and based on the provided transcript.