Social Media's Influence on Politics and Governance - Social media has weakened the power of party leaders, enabling individuals to express extreme views and raise funds independently [1][2] - Social media is perceived as a tool to challenge established institutions, including the "deep state" or bureaucracy [2][3] - Social media can enforce discipline within government agencies, as officials fear being targeted and potentially fired for stepping out of line [5] Concerns and Counterarguments - Over-reliance on social media feedback and extreme voices may lead to poor decision-making and disregard for expertise within government agencies like HHS, FEMA, and CDC [7] - Some argue that experience and expertise in government roles (e g, State Department, CDC) are valuable and should not be dismissed [10][12] - There's a concern that leaders are excessively influenced by their social media base, even when it contradicts established facts or their own previous positions [17][19] The Nature of Online Political Engagement - The online environment is described as a "civil war in cyberspace," where extreme voices dominate and normal people may not actively participate [9][24] - Politicians are adapting to social media by constantly testing reactions and adjusting their positions based on feedback, acting like influencers [21][23] - Politicians are increasingly using social media to bypass traditional consultants and media, establishing a direct relationship with their base [22] Populism and Political Stability - There's a concern about the rise of populism and the potential consequences if competent, technocratic governments fail to address societal problems [27]

MAGA is eating itself alive over Jeffrey Epstein. So is Donald Trump himself for dessert. Joining us now, former Republican congressman and author of The Breach: The Untold Story of the Investigation into January 6, Denver Wgleman, managing editor of The Bull Work and MSNBC contributor Sam Stein and senior reporter for The Bull Work and author of Trust the Plan, the rise of QAnon, and the conspiracy that reshaped the world.Will summer. Well, this is um this fever swamp is the one that you dwell in most, so ...