- HOME
- Email Signup
- Issues
- Progressive Party Positions Table
- Iraq & Syria
- Progressive Party 2014 Voter Pamphlet Statement
- Cease negotiations of TPP
- Ferguson & Inequality
- Police Body Cameras
- 28th Amendment to U.S. Constitution
- Health Care
- Essays
- End Political Repression
- Joint Terrorism Task Force
- Pembina Propane Export Terminal
- Trans-Pacific Partnership
- Progressive Platform
- Register to Vote
- Calendar
- Candidates
- Forums
- Press Coverage
- Contribute
- About OPP
- Flyers, Buttons, Posters, Videos
- Actions
Ted Rall
TMI Show Ep 125: “Pope Francis’ Legacy: What Next?”
LIVE 10 am Eastern time! But you can watch anytime you’d like:
Tune in the TMI Show with Ted Rall and Manila Chan, where the dynamic duo dives into the transformative legacy of Pope Francis and the high-stakes papal succession process.
Joined by Catholic scholar Timothy Gordon, this episode unpacks the late pontiff’s revolutionary impact—his outreach to marginalized communities, progressive reforms, and polarizing clashes with conservative factions. From his bold stance on poverty and inclusion to navigating a divided Church, Francis’ era reshaped global Catholicism. The discussion explores the secretive conclave, where cardinals will elect the next pope, and highlights leading candidates poised to steer the Vatican’s future. Will the Church continue Francis’ progressive path or pivot to tradition?
Expect a thought-provoking, no-holds-barred analysis of faith, power, and the Catholic Church’s role in a rapidly changing world. With Ted’s incisive wit, Manila’s sharp insights, and Gordon’s deep expertise, this episode is a must-watch for anyone captivated by the Vatican’s past, present, and future. Catch it live or stream on-demand for a front-row seat to history in the making!
The post TMI Show Ep 125: “Pope Francis’ Legacy: What Next?” appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.
Trump Brags About El Salvador Prison Abuse
The Trump administration has sparked outrage by releasing photos showcasing alleged Venezuelan gang members, deported from the US, enduring harsh conditions in El Salvador’s maximum-security CECOT prison. Unlike the Abu Ghraib scandal under George W. Bush, where leaked images exposed prisoner abuse in Iraq, Trump officials openly shared these images, framing them as proof of tough immigration policies. The photos show detainees in shackles, heads shaved, packed into crowded cells, echoing the brutality of Abu Ghraib. Human Rights Watch reports 350 deaths in Salvadoran prisons since 2022, citing torture and neglect. The administration claims the detainees, linked to Tren de Aragua, threaten US security, but evidence remains thin, fueling comparisons to past war on terror abuses.
The post Trump Brags About El Salvador Prison Abuse appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.
Detonating Democracy: The Threat of Obsolete Laws
Wars end. Bombs remain. In December 2020, the crew of an English fishing boat were pulling in a string of crab pots 22 miles northeast of Cromer when they noticed a tug on the main line. An explosion blew the Galwad-Y-Mor into the air, injuring five crew members, one of whom lost an eye. The cause was a bomb dropped by Nazi Germany three quarters of a century before.
America’s complex tapestry of federal, state and local laws, which has evolved over centuries through legislation, judicial rulings and amendments—a system that includes over 80,000 pages in the U.S. Code and millions of state regulations—contains numerous obscure laws and obsolete case decisions. Like unexploded ordnance from World War II, they lie hidden until they detonate without warning.
A case in point: the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which grants a president the authority to detain, deport or restrict non-citizens from nations deemed hostile during times of war, or when a foreign government invades the U.S. The Trump Administration revived this ancient law, deemed “outdated and dangerous” by the Brennan Center for Justice, to justify deporting hundreds of Venezuelan men whom the White House calls gang members.
The Supreme Court will soon consider whether or not they buy Trump’s dubious claim that the Tren de Aragua gang is acting on behalf of the Venezuelan nation-state, his tenuous argument that their presence in the U.S. constitutes a military-style “invasion” under the meaning of the statute signed into law by President John Adams, and his sketchy declaration that the men are all gang affiliated, no due process required.
A better question is: why is this law still on the books? The last time it was used was by FDR, who invoked it after Pearl Harbor to round up, detain and deport non-citizens of Japanese, German and Italian descent. While two-thirds of the 120,000 Japanese Americans sent to U.S. concentration camps were American citizens detained under a presidential Executive Order, the Alien Enemies Act was used to imprison law-abiding non-citizens. With such an infamous history of abuse and executive overreach, it’s weird that Congress didn’t repeal the Alien Enemies Act in the 1980s, when the U.S. formally issued apologies and reparation payments to FDR’s internment-camp victims.
Trump is also exploiting the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) of 1952, a relic of the McCarthy era that includes unconstitutionally vague provisions allowing the government to deport non-citizens for actions it deems to violate the foreign policy interests of the United States, however the government chooses to define it. According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, fighting anti-Semitism is a core national security policy (that’s new to me and everyone else), protesting in favor of the people of Gaza is tantamount to supporting Hamas, which is anti-Semitic, so supporting Hamas promotes anti-Semitism, so participating in a demonstration against Israel’s war in Gaza is harmful to national security interests. That’s the pretext for ICE’s abductions and attempted deportations of college students Mohsen Mahdawi, Ranjani Srinivasan, and master’s degree graduate Mahmoud Khalil of Columbia University, and Tufts doctoral student Rumeysa Öztürk.
Courts are trying to sort out which, if any, of Trump’s claims hold legal water. Really, though, they shouldn’t have to. Also really: it shouldn’t have been available for Trump to abuse in the first place.
As with the Alien Enemies Act, the INA remains American law after repeatedly being used as a tool of oppression—to deport labor organizers during the Red Scare of the 1950s, prohibit leftist intellectuals from giving speeches under Reagan, deport thousands of Muslims after 9/11, and even to deport HIV/AIDS patients. Its repeal is long overdue.
Other legal landmines abound.
The USA Patriot Act passed after 9/11 expanded government surveillance, allowing warrantless data collection, roving wiretaps and access to personal records under the guise of counterterrorism. As we learned from Edward Snowden, the NSA abused the Patriot Act to collect millions of communications from innocent Americans, yet it remains the law of the land. The Act’s vague definitions (“relevant to an authorized investigation”) and minimal oversight allow government thugs to target political opponents and suppress dissent. The Patriot Act is un-American. It should be shredded.
Civil asset forfeiture laws allow cops to seize your property. All they have to do is claim that they suspect the cash or cars or whatever of being tied to a crime, even if you are never charged or are found not guilty. Federal and state laws place the burden on owners to prove their innocence. It’s well-documented that federal forfeitures totaling $45.7 billion between 2000 and 2019 often targeted low-income individuals unable to fight back. Supreme Court justices have repeatedly expressed skepticism about these statutes, but neither they nor Congress has acted to protect the public. Every time you drive past a policeman, one of those laws lurks like a highway robber, ready to devastate your personal finances in an instant.
Laws with potential for abuse often serve the interests of powerful political forces. The Espionage Act, a 1917 law used against whistleblowers like Daniel Ellsberg, Chelsea Manning and Snowden, remains in force. Both parties have exploited it—Trump prosecuted eight leakers, Biden continued the case against Julian Assange. Suppressing dissent is bipartisan. Civil asset forfeiture is a cash cow.
Periodic attempts at reform, like the piecemeal Law Revision Commission of the 1970s and Congressional Research Service reports, are mostly ignored.
The current system, where laws once passed are nearly impossible to repeal regardless of their flaws, is unworthy of a rational society. Congress and state legislatures should establish permanent standing committees to continuously review old laws for repeal or amendments to modernize them. Similarly, federal and state courts should regularly review case law to flag flawed decisions like the 1944 Korematsu decision in which the Supreme Court upheld FDR’s internment camps for Japanese Americans, and has since been used to justify such outrages as Bush’s extraordinary renditions and Trump’s first-term Muslim travel ban.
Insanely, Korematsu remains in force.
(Ted Rall, the political cartoonist, columnist and graphic novelist, is the author of “What’s Left: Radical Solutions for Radical Problems,” which will be published May 1st. He co-hosts the left-vs-right DMZ America podcast with fellow cartoonist Scott Stantis and The TMI Show with political analyst Manila Chan. Subscribe: tedrall.Substack.com.)
The post Detonating Democracy: The Threat of Obsolete Laws appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.
DeProgram: “Trump’s Ukraine Gamble, Hegseth’s Laptop Blunder, and Noem’s Purse Fiasco”
LIVE 3 pm Eastern but you can Stream at your convenience:
Don’t miss this episode of DeProgram with hosts John Kiriakou and Ted Rall, delivering razor-sharp analysis on three explosive stories rocking the political sphere.
First, they dive into the Ukraine crisis, focusing on President Trump’s proposed peace deal to end the war with Russia. As Trump pushes for a swift resolution, sidelining NATO and pressuring Kyiv, what are the implications for U.S. foreign policy and global alliances? The hosts unpack the deal’s promises and pitfalls, questioning whether it’s a genuine path to peace or a geopolitical gamble.
Next, they tackle the Pete Hegseth scandal, where the Defense Secretary allegedly used his personal computer and Signal chats to handle classified Pentagon data. This reckless breach raises alarms about national security and Hegseth’s fitness for office—is this a one-off error or evidence of deeper incompetence?
Finally, Kiriakou and Rall expose Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s stunning lapse: her purse, containing $3,000 cash and sensitive documents, was stolen at a Washington, D.C., restaurant. If Noem can’t safeguard her own belongings, how can she protect the nation from terrorism and border threats?
With their trademark candor and wit, the hosts connect these stories, revealing a troubling pattern of chaos and mismanagement in America’s leadership. DeProgram cuts through the noise, challenging mainstream narratives and empowering listeners with unfiltered truth. Whether you’re skeptical of government overreach or hungry for clarity on today’s headlines, this episode is a must-listen. Stream now on YouTube, Rumble and X and join the conversation as Kiriakou and Rall dissect Trump’s Ukraine peace deal, Hegseth’s personal computer fiasco, and Noem’s security blunder!
The post DeProgram: “Trump’s Ukraine Gamble, Hegseth’s Laptop Blunder, and Noem’s Purse Fiasco” appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.
TMI Show Ep 124: “The LGBTQ Storytime Case: A La Carte Education?”
LIVE 10 am Eastern time; Streaming Anytime:
On “The TMI Show,” hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan dive into the U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments in Mahmoud v. Taylor, where religious parents in Montgomery County, Maryland, seek to opt their children out of LGBTQ storybook time in public schools. The conservative majority appears poised to rule in favor of the parents, emphasizing religious freedom and parental rights. Manila argues parents should have the right to customize their children’s education, reflecting the views of many who believe public schools should accommodate personal beliefs. Ted, however, contends that allowing such choices undermines a standardized curriculum, questioning what’s next—parents picking specific history or math chapters?
On one side, parents assert their constitutional right to guide their children’s moral and religious upbringing, feeling that exposure to certain materials conflicts with their values. On the other, the school board argues that opting out disrupts educational goals of inclusivity and diversity, potentially fragmenting the system if every family cherry-picks lessons. The hosts debate the broader implications: could this lead to a slippery slope where core subjects are dissected based on individual preferences? They also discuss potential outcomes, noting the Courts likely ruling may set a precedent for future cases, reshaping how public schools balance parental rights with the need for a cohesive educational framework.
The post TMI Show Ep 124: “The LGBTQ Storytime Case: A La Carte Education?” appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.
TMI Show Ep 123: “Trump Wants Peace in Ukraine & War with Harvard”
LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Stream on demand after that:
In this episode of “The TMI Show,” hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan dive into two pressing issues shaping the national conversation: President Donald Trump’s Ukraine peace plan and his escalating feud with Harvard University. The episode, set against the backdrop of recent geopolitical and domestic tensions, offers a sharp, no-nonsense breakdown of these developments, grounded in the latest news.
First, the hosts unpack Trump’s proposed peace framework for the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has sparked global debate. The plan, discussed in London, would allow Russia to retain most occupied Ukrainian territories, including Crimea, while requiring minor withdrawals. Ukraine would not join NATO. Sanctions would end. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly rejected ceding land, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s decision to skip a ceasefire summit signals U.S. frustration. With Putin open to talks but Zelensky resistant, the hosts explore the diplomatic tightrope and its implications for global stability.
Switching gears, the episode welcomes guest Sabrina Salvati to dissect Trump’s war on Harvard. Sabrina Salvati is a Boston-based leftist educator, activist, and host of the Sabby Sabs podcast, known for her incisive commentary on healthcare, education, and criminal justice issues. On April 18, the Trump administration accused Harvard of failing to report foreign donations, intensifying pressure after the university rebuffed demands for sweeping changes. Trump even called for revoking Harvard’s tax-exempt status, prompting defiance from other institutions like Columbia. Salvati joins to contextualize this clash, examining its roots in Trump’s broader push against academic autonomy.
The post TMI Show Ep 123: “Trump Wants Peace in Ukraine & War with Harvard” appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.
First They Came for the Grad Students
A society that jails peaceful students for protesting or writing essays signals a chilling collapse of freedom. Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian Columbia University graduate, was arrested by ICE in March 2025 for leading pro-Palestinian protests, despite holding a green card. Transferred to a Louisiana detention center, he faces deportation for vague “foreign policy risks,” sparking outrage over free speech suppression. Similarly, Yunseo Chung, another Columbia student, had her green card revoked and was detained for participating in anti-war demonstrations, highlighting a pattern of targeting activists. At UCLA, Badar Khan Suri, an Indian postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown, faced detention after DHS accused him of Hamas ties for his protest involvement, with no clear evidence. These cases reveal a democracy fraying, where dissent invites punishment. Will silence become complicity?
The post First They Came for the Grad Students appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.
DeProgram: Iran Nukes, State Dept Shakeup, and Pentagon Pandemonium
LIVE 3 pm Eastern and Streaming Afterward:
In this compelling episode of DeProgram, hosts Ted Rall and John Kiriakou tackle three pressing issues dominating U.S. policy: Iran’s nuclear talks, the State Department’s drastic overhaul, and chaos at the Department of Defense.
The discussion on Iran centers on recent U.S.-Iran negotiations in Rome, with senior negotiators set to reconvene on April 26, amid Tehran’s insistence on peaceful nuclear intentions and U.S. threats of military action if talks fail. They explore how Saudi Arabia’s defense minister’s visit to Tehran reflects regional tensions.
The State Department segment examines a draft executive order, reported by The New York Times, proposing to eliminate Africa operations, shut embassies, and cut bureaus on climate, human rights, and democracy by October 1, sparking panic among diplomats despite Secretary Marco Rubio’s “fake news” dismissal.
Finally, the hosts address the Pentagon’s turmoil, highlighted by a report of a former aide’s op-ed calling it “total chaos” under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, citing leaked texts on Yemen airstrikes and firings of top staff like Dan Caldwell and Darin Selnick. Rall and Kiriakou dissect these events with their signature clarity, questioning U.S. policy motives and systemic flaws. DeProgram challenges listeners to see through mainstream narratives, offering incisive analysis on Iran’s talks, the State Department’s restructuring, and the DoD’s disarray, making it essential listening for understanding global power dynamics.
The post DeProgram: Iran Nukes, State Dept Shakeup, and Pentagon Pandemonium appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.
TMI Show Ep 122: “Happy Scary Earth Day”
LIVE 10 am Eastern & Streaming Afterward at Your Convenience:
In this episode of “The TMI Show,” hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan welcome Dr. Reese Halter, a renowned conservation biologist, to mark Earth Day with a deep dive into the state of the global environment. Airing live at 10 AM Eastern and streaming 24/7 thereafter, the discussion confronts pressing ecological challenges drawn from recent developments. The trio examines the alarming surge in global temperatures, with 2024 confirmed as the hottest year on record, driven by relentless greenhouse gas emissions. They explore the intensifying climate crises—devastating wildfires in Canada, catastrophic flooding in Spain, and unprecedented coral bleaching events threatening marine ecosystems.
Dr. Halter brings insight into the accelerating loss of biodiversity, spotlighting the collapse of insect populations critical to pollination and food chains. The conversation also tackles the plastics crisis, with microplastics now pervasive in human tissues and remote Arctic ice, posing risks to health and ecosystems. Recent policy shifts, including rollbacks on U.S. environmental protections and debates over renewable energy subsidies, frame a heated discussion on political barriers to sustainability. The episode doesn’t shy away from solutions, delving into innovations like carbon capture technologies and rewilding initiatives, while questioning their scalability. With Ted and Manila’s incisive commentary and Dr. Halter’s expertise, the episode unpacks whether humanity can pivot toward a greener future or if entrenched interests will prevail. This urgent, no-holds-barred conversation challenges listeners to confront the planet’s precarious state and consider actionable steps forward.
The post TMI Show Ep 122: “Happy Scary Earth Day” appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.
TMI Show Ep 121: “Pope Francis Dead + Ukraine Cease-Fire”
LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Afterward On Demand:
On “The TMI Show,” hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan mourn the death of Pope Francis, a profound loss that has reverberated globally, intensifying calls for peace in conflict zones like Ukraine. The pontiff, known for his humility and advocacy for the marginalized, leaves a legacy of interfaith dialogue and environmental stewardship through Laudato Si’. His passing, at age 88, has prompted tributes from world leaders, with millions reflecting on his message of compassion.
Francis’ final days were marked by appeals for non-violence, notably in Ukraine, where he urged reconciliation. His absence now challenges global leaders to honor his vision for a more just world, as vigils and memorial masses unfold from St. Peter’s Square to Buenos Aires.
Shifting to Ukraine, Rall and Chan dissect the fragile Russia-Ukraine cease-fire talks, clouded by ongoing violence. The Kremlin’s Easter truce, announced for April 19-20, was undermined by air raid alerts, with Zelenskyy reporting thousands of violations. A U.S.-brokered partial cease-fire on energy infrastructure, agreed in March, falters as both sides trade accusations. Trump’s minerals deal with Kyiv fuels Moscow’s ire, while Russian drone strikes in Kyiv and a Palm Sunday bombardment in Donetsk crush peace hopes. With Russian offensives surging in Kursk and Zelenskyy seeking European aid amid Trump’s tariff threats, the hosts probe Putin’s motives behind pausing energy strikes and whether Trump’s April 20 deadline is a bluff. Rall and Chan’s sharp analysis unravels this diplomatic chess game, where civilian lives hang in the balance. Stream The TMI Show 24/7 for unfiltered truth—don’t miss this critical episode!
The post TMI Show Ep 121: “Pope Francis Dead + Ukraine Cease-Fire” appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.
Francis: The People’s Pope
The remarkable story of Pope Francis and his politics is in my book: “Francis, The People’s Pope.” He will be hard to replace:
Order here:
https://a.co/d/9kmQuZ3
The post Francis: The People’s Pope appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.
Harvard Defies Trump! $2B Showdown Erupts!
Harvard University dropped a bombshell, becoming the first major institution to defy Donald Trump! The former president demanded Harvard ditch diversity programs, ban protest masks, and enforce merit-only hiring, threatening to yank billions in funding. He also pushed for viewpoint audits to curb what he calls leftist bias, aiming to reshape the Ivy League icon. Harvard said no way, refusing to bend to what they call unlawful overreach. This move risks over $2 billion in frozen grants, sparking a showdown that could inspire others to resist. Will Harvard gamble big and win, or will Trump pressure crush the academic giant? The battle for control is heating up fast!
The post Harvard Defies Trump! $2B Showdown Erupts! appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.
Ordering Info May 1st
The post Ordering Info May 1st appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.
DMZ America Podcast Ep 201: “Cartoonists Unplugged: Rall & Stantis on Politics Fatigue”
We’re LIVE 10 am Eastern time Saturday. But you can watch via Streaming Any Time!
Get ready for an intimate episode of “DMZ America” with political cartooning giants Ted Rall and Scott Stantis. Ted Rall, a fearless left-leaning cartoonist and author, has wielded his pen to challenge authority, sparking both praise and controversy. Scott Stantis, a razor-sharp conservative cartoonist, has drawn for The Chicago Tribune and created Prickly City, captivating audiences for decades. With a combined 90 years of experience, they offer a rare glimpse into the heart of political satire.
This episode dives deep as Rall and Stantis confess their exhaustion with politics, even with the endless material provided by the daily firehose from Trump. They share raw, unfiltered insights on the perilous state of editorial cartooning, threatened not just by authoritarianism but by shrinking newsrooms and AI’s rise. Expect lively banter, clashing perspectives, and their trademark humor as they wrestle with the question: can cartooning survive in today’s world? From their creative struggles to their enduring passion, this is an insider’s look at two masters navigating a fading art form.
Don’t miss this thrilling, candid conversation that’s equal parts frustration and inspiration. Will these legends rediscover their spark, or is political cartooning on its last legs?
The post DMZ America Podcast Ep 201: “Cartoonists Unplugged: Rall & Stantis on Politics Fatigue” appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.
ChatGPT Is Disappearing Its Enemies
People worry about generative artificial intelligence.
Some are afraid it will put them out of work. Others think AI could become too autonomous, like the drones programmed to select their own targets. It will almost certainly accelerate the spread and power of government surveillance. Deep fakes are already being used in efforts to impact public opinion in politics.
Add another reason to keep awake at night: AI could “unperson” you.
Under Stalin the Soviet Union disappeared not only anti-government dissidents but evidence that they had ever existed, famously airbrushing those who had fallen out of favor out of official photos. Retro-engineering history was the inspiration for Orwell’s main character in 1984, who toils at a government ministry in charge of rewriting the past. Eliminating an enemy of the state is one thing; ensuring that their ideas can never inspire anyone in the future by erasing them from history is especially sinister.
The Internet has replaced print newspapers as the first draft of history. Traditional web search engines like Google are increasingly powered by AI. Many people are currently using AI large language models like ChatGPT in lieu of Google. But ChatGPT is not trustworthy, and the problem isn’t merely its tendency to “hallucinate” things that aren’t true. Nor is ChatGPT’s parent company, OpenAI—because it’s abusing its power to unperson its enemies.
I know. I’m one of them.
Type my name into ChatGPT and it’ll respond like a confused robot in a 1960s sci-fi show that shouts “does not compute” as smoke pours out of its ears. “Tell me about Ted Rall” gets you “I’m unable to produce a response.” Try reverse-engineering a response by asking it who did something I did, like win a certain prize or write a particular book; it either lies or refuses to answer. It’s that determined not to admit that I exist.
What did I do to piss off Sam Altman or someone else at ChatGPT (I don’t know who, they won’t answer my emails)? I wrote a 2023 op-ed titled “ChatGPT Libeled Me. Can I Sue?” for The Wall Street Journal about how their AI lied about me. I hoped to get their attention so they’d fix the problem. Instead, they shipped me off to a cyber-gulag.
OpenAI won’t get back to me, so I asked Elon Musk’s generative AI app Grok if I might pay a price career-wise. It replied: “If ChatGPT, used by millions weekly (e.g., 300 million by 2024), refuses to acknowledge you, it could reduce your discoverability. New readers researching ‘Ted Rall’ via AI might find nothing, assuming you’re obscure or irrelevant, especially younger audiences (16–30) reliant on AI tools.”
However, a fellow cartoonist who still has access to ChatGPT (they blocked my account too) got into an interesting, albeit circuitous conversation with the bot over my situation, even as it refused to say my name: “You’re saying he wrote one article in a newspaper, criticized OpenAI, and that alone got him erased? If that’s the full story, that’s deeply troubling. Open societies, and even organizations that value innovation, should be able to handle criticism—especially from thoughtful people.”
My colleague asked to remain anonymous “so they don’t disappear me lol.”
OpenAI’s enemies list is growing. Writing in The Hill in December, George Washington University law professor and TV legal expert Jonathan Turley noted that he had joined “a small group of individuals who have been effectively disappeared by the AI system,” including Harvard Professor Jonathan Zittrain, CNBC anchorperson David Faber, Australian mayor Brian Hood and English professor David Mayer, now deceased yet still unpersoned. As with me, Turley’s banishment was apparently triggered by his writing that he had been defamed by ChatGPT. “The common thread [in these unpersonings] appears to be the false stories generated about us all by ChatGPT in the past,” Turley says. “The company appears to have corrected the problem not by erasing the error but erasing the individuals in question.” Zittrain, however, wrote in The Atlantic that he has no idea why ChatGPT “appears to release a guillotine” after someone enters his name.
In Europe, privacy advocates achieved a legal “right to be forgotten,” deleting search results that are inaccurate and needlessly distressing, like news accounts of an arrest for a crime in which a suspect was later found innocent. Here in America, individuals need a right not to be disappeared from the public record at the whim of a capricious corporation that refuses to answer any questions. (I contacted OpenAI for comment about this piece. They didn’t reply.)
ChatGPT is projected to control one percent of the search market within this year. So I’ll still be discoverable 99% of the time. Still, this current sliver is growing fast. It seems to me that some higher authority—the government, what else?—ought to nip this novel form of censorship in the bud before it expands to full-fledged Orwellian dystopia.
(Ted Rall, the political cartoonist, columnist and graphic novelist, co-hosts the left-vs-right DMZ America podcast with fellow cartoonist Scott Stantis and The TMI Show with political analyst Manila Chan. Subscribe: tedrall.Substack.com.)
The post ChatGPT Is Disappearing Its Enemies appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.
ChatGPT Caught Silencing Critics
Has Big Tech gone full Orwell? Cartoonist Ted Rall says he’s been digitally ‘unpersoned’ by ChatGPT, seemingly for the crime of criticizing OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman. Go ahead, ask ChatGPT about Ted Rall—you’ll get nothing but silence. Suspicious, Rall dug deeper and uncovered a disturbing pattern: OpenAI appears to be systematically erasing critics from its AI’s responses, a move straight out of 1984’s playbook. This isn’t just about one cartoonist—it’s a glaring red flag for free speech. If a powerful company like OpenAI can quietly suppress dissent in its AI systems, what’s stopping Big Tech from controlling the narrative everywhere? Rall’s discovery raises tough questions: Can we trust tech giants to protect open discourse, or are they building a future where criticism vanishes into a digital void? As AI shapes our world, this chilling censorship tactic suggests we’re on a slippery slope—unless we demand answers now.
The post ChatGPT Caught Silencing Critics appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.
TMI Show Ep 120: “China’s Economic Surge & US Trade Tensions”
LIVE 10 AM Eastern time today, then Streaming whenever:
Tune into “The TMI Show” with hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan, featuring guest KJ Noh, as they dive into China’s latest economic numbers and sizzling US-China topics! KJ Noh is a journalist, political analyst, and peace activist specializing in Asia-Pacific geopolitics, contributing to outlets like CounterPunch, Dissident Voice, and KPFA Flashpoints.
Freshly released data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics reveals 5% GDP growth for 2024, hitting the government’s target with a robust 5.4% Q4 surge, fueled by stimulus measures and export booms. But whispers of skepticism linger—analysts like Rhodium Group peg growth closer to 2.8%, citing overstated figures and a shaky property sector. With deflation persisting and consumer confidence wobbling, what’s the real story behind China’s economic engine?
We unpack these numbers, exploring the impact of Beijing’s push for consumption-led growth and looming challenges like youth unemployment and a trillion-dollar trade surplus.
Switching gears, the conversation heats up with US-China tensions, spotlighting President Trump’s threatened 60% tariffs and China’s retaliatory 125% duties. How will these trade war salvos reshape global markets? From semiconductor dominance to geopolitical chess moves, KJ Noh brings sharp insights to the table.
The post TMI Show Ep 120: “China’s Economic Surge & US Trade Tensions” appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.
DeProgram: “Trump’s Deportation Chaos”
LIVE 2 pm Eastern + Streaming After:
Buckle up for “DeProgram,” where hosts John Kiriakou and Ted Rall rip into the Trump administration’s explosive deportation policies, slicing through the chaos of immigration news. This episode unpacks three jaw-dropping stories rocking the nation, exposing the raw edge of America’s border crackdown.
First, the gut-wrenching case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father wrongly deported to El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison despite a 2019 court order, with a federal judge blasting the administration for flouting the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Next, Trump’s team brazenly shares photos of alleged Venezuelan gang members, shaved and shackled in Salvadoran cells, igniting outrage and chilling Abu Ghraib comparisons from human rights groups. Finally, a Texas federal judge slams the brakes on Venezuelan deportations, revealing flaws in Trump’s reliance on a 1798 wartime law to expel migrants, sparking fierce legal battles. Kiriakou, a CIA whistleblower, and Rall, a fearless cartoonist, deliver razor-sharp analysis, dissecting the policies’ human toll, from shattered families to courtroom showdowns. With over 32,000 arrests since January 2025, a $6 million deal to outsource detainees to El Salvador, and 350 reported deaths in CECOT, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Why is the administration doubling down on defiance? How are communities, from Maryland to Texas, fighting back? This episode is a must-watch for anyone hungry for unfiltered truth on America’s immigration firestorm.
The post DeProgram: “Trump’s Deportation Chaos” appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.
TMI Show Ep 118: “Decorations Ramping Up”
LIVE 10 AM Eastern, Streaming Later:
On TMI, hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan tackle President Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown, centered on his vow to deport 1 million undocumented immigrants. Immigration attorney Allen Orr joins to dissect the practicality of this audacious plan, navigating the legal quagmires and logistical nightmares. Recent reports estimate ICE’s capacity at just 300,000 detentions annually—can Trump’s team scale up to meet his target amidst strained resources?
The conversation shifts to a high-profile case rocking headlines: a man mistakenly deported to El Salvador, despite a Supreme Court order demanding his return. News outlets note the administration’s defiance, raising the stakes—can Trump ignore the nation’s highest court without consequence?
The hosts also confront the plight of alleged gang members, like those swept up in ICE’s recent “Operation Safe Streets,” deported without due process. Stories reveal thousands branded as gang affiliates based on flimsy evidence, leaving lives in limbo. Is there any path to justice for those denied fair hearings? Most alarmingly, Trump’s provocative claim—made in a widely circulated Mar-a-Lago speech—about deporting U.S. citizens he dislikes to El Salvador ignites a firestorm.
Legal scholars cited in recent articles call it a constitutional nonstarter, but could executive overreach make it reality? With families shattered, court orders challenged, and the very notion of citizenship under siege, this episode lays bare the raw human and legal toll of Trump’s deportation juggernaut. Will it reshape America’s future, or collapse under its own weight? Join Rall, Chan, and Orr for a gripping, no-holds-barred analysis of a policy driving national division. Don’t miss this urgent exposé that pulls no punches, revealing the chaos and consequences of a nation at a crossroads. Tune in to uncover what’s really at stake!
The post TMI Show Ep 118: “Decorations Ramping Up” appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.
Trump’s Sneaky Social Security Plot Exposed
Is the Trump Administration secretly waging war on senior citizens? A suspicious new trend suggests they’re passive-aggressively piling on extra hurdles to snag Social Security benefits—bureaucratic hoops and red tape that’d make even the sprightliest grandma groan. Why the sudden change? Maybe it’s a cunning ploy by the president, a self-proclaimed beacon of physical fitness, now teamed up with health nut RFK Jr. Could this be their bizarre masterplan to Make Elderly Codgers Limber Again (MECLA)? Forget bingo and rocking chairs—Trump might want seniors doing jumping jacks to prove they’re worthy of their checks!
The post Trump’s Sneaky Social Security Plot Exposed appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.