Salon.com published last week their list of 25 approved Twitter conservatives, and unsurprisingly nearly every single one of them is fiercely anti-Trump.
Salon’s article, titled, “The 25 Conservatives Actually Worth Following on Twitter,” identifies an approved list of conservatives that liberals are allowed to like. Unsurprisingly, the main caveat for each of these conservatives was that they must all be anti-Trump. Salon starts the article by stating that liberals should look to more conservative personalities to better understand why Democrats lost the 2016 election. However, despite losing the election to President Donald Trump, Salon insists that their readers only follow anti-Trump conservatives.
Salon journalist Taylor Link writes, “With every right-wing follow added on Twitter, liberals inched closer to the likes of Mike Cernovich and Jack Posobiec appearing on their “who to follow” suggestions. A few brave liberals likely made the leap and added Cernvovich and Posobeic to their timeline, only to find their feeds polluted by offensive nonsense.” Link continues, “But what if we told you there are 25 conservatives actually worth following on Twitter? What if we said that there are conservatives that not only dislike President Trump, but also engage in a level of ideological introspection that has surpassed most liberals? Wouldn’t you have to check them out?”
Link then lists 25 Never Trumpers, including Republican political strategist and media consultant Rick Wilson, former Jeb Bush campaign staffer Tim Miller, former White House ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush administration Richard W. Painter, and National Review and Real Clear Politics writer Josh Jordan. Link included tweets from each of these conservative Twitter users, the majority of which were anti-Trump.
None of the tweets from Rick Wilson explained his conservative viewpoints. Instead, they were direct attacks on President Trump,
Trust me, Trump is an expert at sounding like a fool. https://t.co/r9slXjKejT
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) October 10, 2017
You know Trump is locked in the bathroom in the White House residence, composing the first ragetweet of the day.
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) October 6, 2017
Wilson has previously branded President Trump a “fascist”:
It's not virtue-signalling; it's virtue to oppose both the lunatic proto-fascist Trump AND the chance he elects HRC. https://t.co/lMYUuRxPc6
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) February 27, 2016
And has openly described how he prefers his “fascists”:
I like my fascists the old-fashioned way; dead, hanging from lamp-posts as we liberate their victims.
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) August 12, 2017
Richard W. Painter’s tweets were quite similar, calling out Trump for a number of issues and insulting the President and his administration’s intelligence and attacking his advisors:
In front of a foreign head of state, our President just said that the First Amendment is disgusting. He has to go.https://t.co/LjH5BY3xdT
— Richard W. Painter (@RWPUSA) October 11, 2017
This is exactly how fascists think and act, and what his WW II era medals stand for. Disgusting to associate this with the Christian faith. https://t.co/6R8LiIrqYT
— Richard W. Painter (@RWPUSA) October 15, 2017
The tweets included from Josh Jordan had nothing to do with politics or conservatism and were in fact just blatant attacks on President Trump.
How I picture every meeting between Trump and his staff pic.twitter.com/PXN7mbICNR
— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) October 12, 2017
Our president, who was championed as a brilliant economic mind, has no idea how debt, trade, or general economic concepts work. https://t.co/aUlofQsTda
— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) October 12, 2017
The reason that Trump creates so many unnecessary problems is that he's not fit for the job and doesn't have the temperament to hide that.
— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) October 17, 2017
The Salon-approved list of conservatives also includes Twitter users operating under pseudonyms, such as Kilgore Trout, Atticus Goldfinch, Allahpundit, and Brandt. All of these Twitter users are anonymous and unsurprisingly, quite anti-Trump. Kilgore Trout describes himself in his bio stating that he “is trapped somewhere in a large corporation where he officially has no controversial opinions on anything.” Trout’s profile is filled with stellar tweets such as these.
National populism is the vapid belief that you have the right to both modern standards of living & your grandfather's job & culture.
— Kilgore Trout (@KT_So_It_Goes) February 24, 2017
Trump treats a couple guys quietly kneeling as more of a life & death crisis than he treats an actual life & death crisis in Puerto Rico
— Kilgore Trout (@KT_So_It_Goes) October 12, 2017
Gee guys I dunno I'm beginning to suspect there were good reasons to never let a mantoddler with no experience anywhere near the White House
— Kilgore Trout (@KT_So_It_Goes) October 18, 2017
Atticus Goldfinch describes himself in his bio as “Ex-conservative. I left that tribe, but still hold many of the ideals. Recovering ecologist, budding programmer. Whisper campaign president.” This anonymous, self-professed ex-conservative apparently also meets Salon’s criteria for a worthwhile Twitter conservative. Goldfinch regularly takes on President Trump and the conservative media in his tweets.
You don't see how we fucking got Trump yet? It wasn't because of emails or SJW safe spaces.
It's because we're full of fucking racism.
— Atticus Goldfinch (@AtticusGF) October 10, 2017
Burn conservatism to the ground. It's dead. https://t.co/cuwap2u6YZ
— Atticus Goldfinch (@AtticusGF) October 16, 2017
Allahpundit, who is best known for being quoted by Jon Stewart on The Daily Show, runs the HotAir blog but still finds time to take to Twitter to bash President Trump.
Giving Trump 280 characters to play with is practically begging for an international incident
— Allahpundit (@allahpundit) September 26, 2017
Next week: Trump orders Tillerson to kneel during the anthem, then fires him
— Allahpundit (@allahpundit) October 8, 2017
Brandt acts as a critic of right-wing media, specifically The Federalist, which Brandt seems to have a particular vendetta against.
Hey @bethanyshondark, you write for @FDRLST. Thoughts on their "black crime" tag? Was it racist? https://t.co/BpUA9jl5XV https://t.co/EYOhTr4kAY
— Brandt (@UrbanAchievr) October 11, 2017
Of course, like most of the conservatives on Salon’s list, Brandt spends a good amount of his time attacking fellow conservatives.
Weird how no one who said "this is how you got Roy Moore" but pretended not to support him shared the story about him fleecing his charity.
— Brandt (@UrbanAchievr) October 12, 2017
And of course, Brandt is fiercely anti-Trump.
The President is a fascist. pic.twitter.com/2hpxB0UqAh
— Brandt (@UrbanAchievr) October 11, 2017
Others included on Salon’s list are Tim Carlson, who declared he was “no longer a conservative” over the NFL national anthem protests:
If 'conservatism' now means denigrating the acts of brave African Americans fighting for equality, then I'm no longer a conservative. Period
— Tim Carlson (@thecivilcomment) January 15, 2017
Perfect timing too, the weekend leading up to Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
'conservatism' or whatever is being represented is bankrupt.
— Tim Carlson (@thecivilcomment) January 15, 2017
Former Jeb Bush campaign staffer Tim Miller also appears on the list; Salon describes Miller as a “token” conservative columnist for Crooked Media and “go-to pundit representing the never-Trump movement.”
This is starting to just get pathetic tbh. Someone should collect all the threats he's made as POTUS with no followthru. Weak. Sad. Etc… https://t.co/dXhvdNRcJJ
— Tim Miller (@Timodc) October 11, 2017
According to Salon one of the most important reasons for following Miller on Twitter is his name-calling and ridicule of President Trump and other Republicans.
Obamacare is still the law but at least Bob Corker has a new nickname #buthefights https://t.co/q5oMfg4tw5
— Tim Miller (@Timodc) October 10, 2017
I'm trying really hard to not let my utter contempt for these people negatively impact my life https://t.co/vrcOAlSvrO
— Tim Miller (@Timodc) October 10, 2017
Bill Kristol made Salon’s list, a possibly unpopular choice which Link acknowledges. “Bill Kristol’s presence on this list may not go over well with some on the left. After all, it was he who helped bring about the neoconservative agenda during the Bush years. And his hawkish stance on foreign policy rarely meshes with liberals.” But, Kristol is anti-Trump, so he gets a spot on the list.
The fact Donald Trump is not a serious person doesn't mean he doesn't pose serious threats to the country.
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) October 11, 2017
Compared to President Bush–and his predecessors and successor–Donald J. Trump is a moral midget. https://t.co/XbSIoxnB3V
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) October 16, 2017
Ana Navarro made the list, described by Salon as a “Florida-based Republican politico who is now a frequent contributor on CNN.” Salon accurately states that Navarro is best known for her criticism of President Trump and Breitbart News Executive Chairman Steve Bannon.
Republican cannibalism: Trump spanks GOP legislators; Bannon threatens primaries vs those that don't act like trained seals; the base claps.
— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) October 9, 2017
Prominent GOP pro-lifer resigned, prominent Dem donor had to apologize for sexual harassment bc women did not stay quiet, exposed hypocrisy.
— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) October 5, 2017
Trump. Is. Not. Normal. https://t.co/xPKPo4vlWm
— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) June 29, 2017
Washington Post writer Jennifer Rubin is listed as an acceptable conservative by Salon due to her vocal opposition to President Trump and his administration.
Once again we see few have debased themselves as much as VP. Should personally reimburse tax payers
— Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) October 8, 2017
We are now risking internal conflict because pres is irrational child. This is why he has to go https://t.co/vlm9GxhtsD
— Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) October 11, 2017
Red State journalist Ben Howe also made the list, once again for his vocal opposition to the president. Howe is currently working with Rick Wilson to produce a documentary attacking President Trump and the first year of his administration. Howe has openly accused the president of being a sociopath, a tweet listed by Salon as an example of why their readers should follow Howe.
"Nobody could have done what I've done."
I feel safe calling this sociopathy. https://t.co/fhOwYRpKQ8
— Ben (@BenHowe) October 8, 2017
Howe has also compared President Trump to Harvey Weinstein, who was recently accused of sexual harassment, assault, and rape by multiple women.
I mean honestly, do you really think Weinstein is that different from Trump when alone with a young attractive woman? Same guy.
— Ben (@BenHowe) October 12, 2017
Howe was quite open about Salon’s reasoning for including him on their list:
Because I don't like Trump. That's literally the only requirement. https://t.co/kaQ7jHF49G
— Ben (@BenHowe) October 18, 2017
Ken White is a lawyer who, according to Salon, “respects the Constitution more than politicians.” Salon states that White “enjoy his First Amendment rights by ridiculing Trump and his supporters, usually with a hint of sarcasm thrown into the mix.”
An Angry @TuckerCarlson Denies That He's A White Nationalist, Decries It As Slander By Globalists And Gypsies
— WhatCouldGoWrongHat (@Popehat) September 29, 2017
well i can say I didn't not not not call him a moron
— WhatCouldGoWrongHat (@Popehat) October 4, 2017
Independent Journal Review journalist Haley Byrd is spoken of very highly by Salon: “When she’s not tracking down members of Congress, she’s usually cracking jokes on everybody’s favorite social media platform.”
Reminder to never believe the White House about anything related to Congress https://t.co/jDkSuGr694
— Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) October 12, 2017
why is everyone tweeting about what blogger in chief Steve Bannon has to say
— Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) October 10, 2017
every time a reporter asks a Steve Bannon question in Congress, a good story that actually matters dies
— Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) October 17, 2017
National Review and Real Clear Politics writer Josh Jordan is listed as “no fan of liberals or Trump. But, fortunately for liberals, he directs much of his ire at the president” and appears to be another conservative that made the list solely based on his Twitter Trump-bashing.
How I picture every meeting between Trump and his staff pic.twitter.com/PXN7mbICNR
— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) October 12, 2017
Our president, who was championed as a brilliant economic mind, has no idea how debt, trade, or general economic concepts work. https://t.co/aUlofQsTda
— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) October 12, 2017
John Weaver, former John McCain and John Kasich strategist, CNN contributor and ardent defender of the Affordable Care Act made the list for his criticism of President Trump and the current healthcare system. “He constantly uses his platform on Twitter to shine a light on how the Trump administration is sabotaging health care in America,” writes Link.
"President" has introduced Junk Trump Plans into the health care market, endangering lives, increasing premiums, & placing holes in market.
— John Weaver (@jwgop) October 12, 2017
Hey "president:" Guilty dog barks. (or tweets).
— John Weaver (@jwgop) October 18, 2017
Unfit. Depraved. Coward. Soulless. Physically & mentally lazy. Purposefully ignorant. This is the "president." #FightIsOn
— John Weaver (@jwgop) October 17, 2017
Author Tom Nichols made the list for his criticism of President Trump’s national security policies.
Jokes aside, this is why I wrote the predictability of POTUS tweets is one of the things that makes them dangerous:https://t.co/IjHgPN56Bo https://t.co/fDnHNdIQxJ
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) October 12, 2017
And of course, just general Trump criticism.
One thing I love about Trump is the way he makes his supporters get way out on a limb and then saws it off behind them. Every time.
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) September 15, 2017
Fox News host Kat Timpf was included in Salon’s list for her anti-Trump remarks. Salon states that Timpf gives Fox News viewers an “even-handed” look at the state of politics.
The sentiment is disturbing to me. What if Obama said something like this about conservative media? You'd be OK with it? https://t.co/bOJ7GsrWHp
— Kat Timpf (@KatTimpf) October 11, 2017
Fox News host @KatTimpf absolutely goes off on Trump’s “disgusting” presser: “I’m wondering if it’s actually real life what I just watched.” pic.twitter.com/BS0xFwxk3o
— Andrew Kirell (@AndrewKirell) August 15, 2017
Former Mitt Romney adviser Stuart Stevens is described by Salon as, “one of the most influential conservatives on Twitter,” and praises Stevens saying that he, “keeps a close eye on Trump and swiftly denounces him whenever he slips up.”
So far this week POTUS has attacked NFL, POW war heroes, American hurricane victims, 1st Amendment, his own Cabinet & his political party.
— stuart stevens (@stuartpstevens) September 30, 2017
How can Secretary Tillerson keep his self-respect and not resign?
— stuart stevens (@stuartpstevens) October 1, 2017
Commentary magazine editor and regular guest on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” show, Noah Rothman is described by Salon as someone who, “takes swings at the left from time to time,” but is a “worthy Twitter follow because he explains how impotent Trump is policy-wise.”
Today in Trump land: The GOP has failed Trump by not passing health care despite having the votes and by entertaining marginal tax hikes.
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) September 27, 2017
Trump wins culture wars he stumbles into or starts; those are amorphous issues based on sentimentality. He loses fact-based arguments.
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) October 18, 2017
Donald Trump is the titular head of the Republican Party. He is not an insurgent anymore; he is the establishment.
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) October 16, 2017
Dallas Morning News writer Jay Caruso will reportedly be palatable to liberal when he’s, “not tweeting about the Second Amendment,” but due to his criticism of Trump, “Caruso’s account is a dependable telescope.”
Hannity would have had three weeks of spittle-fleck rage shows if Obama said about Fox News what Trump said about NBC https://t.co/dMDa6eIojI
— Jay Caruso (@JayCaruso) October 12, 2017
S.E. Cupp, the conservative commentator and host of “SE Cupp Unfiltered” on HLN was included on the list for her scathing criticism of President Trump. Cupp’s criticism of Trump is what helped her to gain popularity during the 2016 election.
What's amazing is that Trump actually thinks that his illiberal attempt at forcing patriotism somehow makes HIM the patriot.
— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) September 24, 2017
Cupp did not accept her position on Salon’s list happily though,
Thanks, but who wants to be included in a list that only feigns respect for conservatives bc we disagree with Trump? https://t.co/pp1sGaH0eI
— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) October 15, 2017
New York Post columnist John Podhoretz is described by Link as “ornery” at times but is “admittedly very smart.” Link also suggests Salon readers check out Podhoretz’ podcast with Abe Greenwald.
"He's leavin' on a jet plane, don't know when he'll be back again" — Sarah Sanders should sing this tomorrow when Price is fired
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) September 27, 2017
Unfit. Said it in 2015. Said it 2016. Saying it now.
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) October 12, 2017
Political commentator and senior editor at the Atlantic, David Frum is also not a popular choice amongst liberals but Link describes Frum as, “somewhat of a professional roaster of Trump on Twitter,” which has garnered him his place on Salon’s list.
A great way to show respect for the flag is to refuse offers of clandestine election assistance from hostile foreign espionage agencies
— David Frum (@davidfrum) September 23, 2017
Every time a Trump press secretary abases himself / herself like this, I wonder why they just don’t go to work for some nice tobacco company https://t.co/BhTmutZBX2
— David Frum (@davidfrum) October 16, 2017
Stephen Hayes, the editor-in-chief of the Weekly Standard, made the list as Link’s final conservative to follow as according to Link, Hayes “tells it like it is.”
BREAKING: Trump routinely just makes stuff up.https://t.co/JL4tzg6CjJ
— Stephen Hayes (@stephenfhayes) October 10, 2017
Trump's refusal to condemn white supremacists was no accident. And it shouldn't have been a surprise, either. https://t.co/Fme9xYG9Ak
— Stephen Hayes (@stephenfhayes) August 13, 2017
In short, every single conservative that Salon believes their liberal readers should follow in order to better understand Trump, actively dislikes Trump. The Salon suggestion for stepping outside the liberal social bubble is to view an even smaller bubble of anti-Trump conservatives without taking into account the massive number of Trump voters that helped President Trump to win the 2016 election. This is a perfect example of why the left continues to fail to understand Trump and his voter base.
Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News covering issues of free speech and online censorship. Follow him on Twitter @LucasNolan_ or email him at lnolan@breitbart.com
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