Podcasts > Deep State Radio > The Daily Blast: Moms for Liberty Founder’s Sex Scandal Spells Big Trouble For MAGA

The Daily Blast: Moms for Liberty Founder’s Sex Scandal Spells Big Trouble For MAGA

By Chris Cotnoir

Join Greg Sargent and Jennifer Berkshire in an episode of "Deep State Radio" that traverses the fractious battleground of American education politics. This dialogue delves into the conflicts ignited at the intersection of public schooling and right-wing ideology. Witness an emergent countermovement of liberal parents and activists as they rally against the creeping extremism personified by groups like Moms for Liberty, whose influence is beginning to wane as evidenced by recent school board election outcomes.

Amidst this socio-political tug-of-war, the episode casts a spotlight on the concerted efforts by high profile school choice proponents who seek to dismantle public education's edifices. The narrative unfolds as GOP internal conflicts heat up in Texas over private school vouchers, opening a window into the power struggles within the Republican Party. Additionally, the discussion sheds light on personal scandals shaking the foundation of Moms for Liberty. What does the erosion of extremist education tactics say about the shifting sentiments of key voting demographics, and what could this herald for the future of public education and political discourse?

The Daily Blast: Moms for Liberty Founder’s Sex Scandal Spells Big Trouble For MAGA

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The Daily Blast: Moms for Liberty Founder’s Sex Scandal Spells Big Trouble For MAGA

1-Page Summary

The rising countermovement against extremism and hate in schools

In response to the growing presence of extremism in schools, liberal parents and activists, like those within the School Sanity Project in Florida, are increasingly mobilizing against groups such as Moms for Liberty. They argue that these right-wing groups introduce "violent chaos and bigotry" in educational settings. This countermovement is expanding across the nation, from Florida to Pennsylvania, assembling to counteract right-wing cultural incursion into schools.

Electorally, those aligned with Moms for Liberty are facing defeat, outlined by Jennifer Berkshire's observations of their overwhelming loss during school board elections. The trend demonstrates an electorate rejection of extremist views. Furthermore, the public's growing dissatisfaction with school culture wars, often propagated by right-wing activists, is causing these tactics to backfire and lose traction among the populace.

The hostility of the school choice right and plutocrats towards public education

Wealthy GOP donors and the school choice right continue their pursuit to dismantle public education in favor of private alternatives, capitalizing on divisive cultural issues. Affluent figures like Betsy DeVos and Jeff Yass remain at the forefront of this campaign, with Moms for Liberty featuring as an active participant in this agenda. Their stance, while increasingly unpopular, is seen as a strategic ploy driven by school choice advocates to erode public school support.

In Texas, the internal GOP conflict intensifies as Republicans threaten primary challenges against colleagues opposing private school vouchers. The attackers cast voucher dissenters as lackluster participants in the culture wars against public education, seeking to enforce conformity and silence internal opposition.

How extremism in the school debates is losing potency as a GOP tactic

The GOP strategy to inflame educational debates for political advantage is losing its impact, especially among suburban women voters who distanced themselves from the party due to Trumpism. Jennifer Berkshire and Greg Sargent note that candidates pushing extreme cultural narratives are increasingly experiencing election losses. These strategies fail to recapture the support of suburban women, a critical voting group for the GOP, indicating a shift in the political environment around education debates.

The personal and political scandals plaguing Moms for Liberty founders

The founders of Moms for Liberty face scrutiny and criticism stemming from personal scandals, as seen with the situation involving Bridget and Christian Ziegler, and their admission to a group sexual encounter amidst an accusation against Christian of sexual assault. Parents demand Bridget Ziegler's removal from the local school board as a result of the event, known as the Zeigler threesome scandal.

Greg Sargent and Jennifer Berkshire highlight the MAGA movement's disconnect from general public sentiment, which is exemplified by the figures embroiled in such personal indiscretions. They point to the insular nature of these hardline activists, whose actions and messaging clash with broader societal values, compelling them to adopt a defensive position.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Moms for Liberty is an American conservative political organization founded in 2021 that advocates against certain school curricula and policies, particularly those related to topics like LGBT rights, race, and critical race theory. The group has been criticized for its stances on these issues and its perceived influence within the Republican Party. Moms for Liberty has faced backlash for its campaigns against COVID-19 responses in schools and its efforts to ban certain books from school libraries.
  • Right-wing cultural incursion refers to conservative or right-leaning groups attempting to influence cultural norms, values, and practices within society. In the context of schools, it involves efforts by these groups to introduce their ideologies and beliefs into educational settings, potentially impacting curriculum, policies, and overall school culture. This incursion can lead to conflicts between different ideological factions and may result in debates over issues such as diversity, inclusion, and traditional values. Overall, it reflects a push by right-wing entities to shape cultural narratives and practices in institutions like schools.
  • Plutocrats are individuals of significant wealth or income who wield influence over society due to their financial resources. They are often criticized for prioritizing their own interests over societal well-being, potentially exacerbating inequality and societal issues. Examples of plutocrats can be found throughout history, with some likening modern-day United States to a plutocracy due to the perceived influence of wealthy individuals in politics and society. The term is typically used in a negative context to highlight concerns about the concentration of power and resources in the hands of a wealthy few.
  • Betsy DeVos is an American politician and philanthropist known for her conservative views and advocacy for school choice, voucher programs, and charter schools. She served as the United States Secretary of Education from 2017 to 2021 under the Trump administration. DeVos comes from a wealthy and influential family, with ties to the business world and conservative activism.
  • Jeff Yass is an American billionaire businessman known for his involvement in the financial industry, particularly as the co-founder of Susquehanna International Group (SIG). He is also recognized for his significant donations to Republican groups and campaigns, as well as his investments in various ventures, including TikTok and Truth Social. Yass has been active in supporting right-wing causes and think tanks, including those in Israel.
  • The GOP stands for the Grand Old Party, which is a nickname for the Republican Party in the United States. It is one of the two major political parties in the country, with the Democratic Party being the other. The GOP typically represents conservative and right-leaning ideologies in American politics. The term GOP has been commonly used to reference the Republican Party since the 1880s.
  • Voucher dissenters are individuals who oppose the implementation of private school vouchers as an alternative to public education funding. They resist the push towards privatization of education and advocate for the support and improvement of public schools. These dissenters often believe that diverting public funds to private schools can undermine the quality and accessibility of education for all students.
  • Trumpism is an authoritarian political movement associated with Donald Trump's ideologies and base. It encompasses right-wing populism, nationalism, and conservative beliefs. Trumpism is characterized by anti-immigrant rhetoric, protectionist policies, and a rejection of traditional political norms. Supporters of Trumpism are often referred to as Trumpists or Trumpians.
  • The MAGA movement, short for "Make America Great Again," is a political movement associated with former U.S. President Donald Trump and his supporters. It emphasizes nationalist and populist ideals, focusing on issues like immigration, trade, and America's global standing. The movement gained prominence during Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and has continued to influence conservative politics in the United States. MAGA supporters often advocate for policies that prioritize America's interests and traditional values.

Counterarguments

  • The mobilization against groups like Moms for Liberty may be perceived as an infringement on free speech and the right to organize around shared values or concerns.
  • The characterization of right-wing groups as introducing "violent chaos and bigotry" could be seen as an overgeneralization that does not accurately represent the intentions or actions of all members within these groups.
  • The reported electoral defeats of candidates aligned with Moms for Liberty might not necessarily reflect a broad electorate rejection of all their views, but rather a complex interplay of local issues, candidate qualities, and campaign strategies.
  • Public dissatisfaction with school culture wars may not be universal, and there could be significant support for some of the issues raised by right-wing activists, which is not captured in the narrative presented.
  • Wealthy donors and advocates for school choice might argue that their efforts are aimed at improving educational outcomes and providing parents with more options, rather than dismantling public education.
  • The internal GOP conflict in Texas over private school vouchers could be framed as a healthy debate within the party about the best way to improve education and empower parents.
  • The loss of impact of the GOP strategy in educational debates might not be as widespread as suggested, and there could be regions or demographics where these tactics remain effective.
  • The personal scandals involving the founders of Moms for Liberty may not reflect the values or actions of the organization as a whole, and it could be argued that personal indiscretions should be separated from policy debates.
  • The demand for Bridget Ziegler's removal from the school board based on personal scandal could be criticized as a conflation of personal behavior with professional or public service capabilities.
  • The assertion that the MAGA movement is disconnected from general public sentiment might overlook the substantial support it continues to receive in various parts of the country.

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The Daily Blast: Moms for Liberty Founder’s Sex Scandal Spells Big Trouble For MAGA

The rising countermovement against extremism and hate in schools

The growing concern about extremism and its infiltration into school environments has sparked a notable countermovement among liberal parents and activists. They are pushing back against groups like Moms for Liberty and right-wing extremists, aiming to restore a sense of safety and inclusion within educational institutions.

Liberal parents and activists organizing against Moms for Liberty and right-wing extremists

The School Sanity Project, an initiative led by concerned Florida parents, is actively campaigning against what they see as the extremism propagated by the founders of Moms for Liberty and their right-leaning associates. Their efforts are encapsulated in an advertisement campaign that accuses these groups of sowing "violent chaos and bigotry" in schools.

This burgeoning resistance isn't isolated to Florida. In states like Pennsylvania, similar counter-mobilization endeavors indicate a growing national movement intent on confronting right-wing activism in the culture wars infiltrating educational settings.

This movement has seen electoral success against Moms for Liberty school board candidates

Journalist Jennifer Berkshire has observed that, electorally, candidates associated with Moms for Liberty face significant setbacks. When put to the vote, Berkshire has suggested, they tend to be overwhelmingly rejected by margins as stark as three to one, signaling a broad distaste among the electorate for the brand of extremism the group repre ...

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The rising countermovement against extremism and hate in schools

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Moms for Liberty is a conservative group that advocates for parental rights in education. They are known for their efforts to influence school policies and curriculum to align with their values. The group has faced criticism for their perceived influence on school boards and their stance on issues like critical race theory and gender identity education.
  • The School Sanity Project is an initiative led by concerned parents in Florida that aims to counter what they perceive as extremism in schools, particularly associated with groups like Moms for Liberty and right-wing extremists. The project focuses on promoting safety and inclusion within educational institutions by campaigning against ideologies that they believe promote chaos and bigotry. It has garnered support from liberal parents and activists who are pushing back against the influence of these groups in school environments. The project's efforts extend beyond Florida, indicating a broader national movement against right-wing activism in educational settings.
  • The electoral setbacks faced by Moms for Liberty candidates mentioned in the text indicate that these candidates have been largely rejected by voters, often by significant margins like three to one. This rejection at the polls suggests a widespread disapproval among the electorate for the perceived extremism associated with Moms for Liberty and their right-wing agenda. The electoral defeats highlight a trend where candidates aligned with Moms for Liberty are facing challenges in gaining support from the general public, reflecting ...

Counterarguments

  • The term "extremism" can be subjective, and what is considered extreme by some may be seen as upholding traditional or conservative values by others.
  • The School Sanity Project's campaign might be perceived as one-sided, potentially not addressing concerns of parents who support Moms for Liberty's viewpoints.
  • The rise of counter-movements could be seen as further polarizing the debate on education rather than fostering dialogue and understanding between differing perspectives.
  • Electoral setbacks for Moms for Liberty candidates do not necessarily reflect the views of all constituents, as voter turnout and local issues can significantly influence election results.
  • The assertion that the general populace is repelled by extremism in schools may not account fo ...

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The Daily Blast: Moms for Liberty Founder’s Sex Scandal Spells Big Trouble For MAGA

The hostility of the school choice right and plutocrats towards public education

Jennifer Berkshire discusses the actions of affluent GOP donors and activists who are working to subvert public education in favor of private school vouchers and alternatives.

Wealthy GOP donors and activists still pushing divisive cultural issues to undermine support for public schools

Berkshire points out that influential individuals in the United States, who have historically opposed the concept of equality in public education, are continuing to back candidates and organizations that advocate for private school vouchers and alternatives to the public system. Such individuals include school choice advocates like Betsy DeVos and Jeff Yass, who are known to leverage culture war issues to further their cause.

Groups like Moms for Liberty keep focusing on unpopular stances due to pressure from school choice advocates

The group Moms for Liberty is highlighted as being in league with the school choice movement. They are seen as focusing on cultural issues, which is believed to be a tactical decision influenced by school choice proponents to destabilize support for public schools.

Texas Republicans threatening primary challenges over ...

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The hostility of the school choice right and plutocrats towards public education

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The school choice movement advocates for giving parents the option to choose where their children receive education, including alternatives to traditional public schools. This movement supports initiatives like private school vouchers and charter schools, aiming to provide families with more educational options beyond their assigned public school. Supporters believe that competition and choice can lead to improved educational outcomes and better meet the diverse needs of students. The movement is often associated with debates around funding, accountability, and the role of government in education.
  • Private school vouchers are government-funded subsidies provided to parents to cover the cost of tuition at private schools. These vouchers are often used as a way to give families more educational options beyond the traditional public school system. Supporters argue that vouchers promote school choice and competition, while critics raise concerns about diverting public funds away from public schools and potential issues with accountability and equity.
  • Culture war issues involve conflicts between different social groups over values, beliefs, and practices, often manifested in political debates. These conflicts can center around divisive topics like morality, lifestyle, and societal norms. The term "culture war" is used metaphorically to describe the intense political polarization that arises from these clashes. It's about wedge issues that provoke deep divisions in society based on abstract arguments about values and ideologies.
  • Moms for Liberty is an American conservative political organization that advocates against certain school curricula and policies, particularly those related to topics like LGBT rights, race, and critical race theory. Founded in 2021, the group has gained influence within the Republican Party and has been involved in campaigns against COVID-19 responses in schools. Moms for Liberty has faced criticism for its stances on education, its ties to the Republican Party, and accusations of harassment.
  • Primary challenges in Texas are when members of a political party run against each other in an election to secure the party's nomination for a particular office. In this context, some Republicans in Texas are threatening primary chal ...

Counterarguments

  • Advocates for school choice argue that competition from private schools can incentivize public schools to improve and offer better education to all students.
  • Some believe that school vouchers and alternatives provide opportunities for low-income families to choose better educational outcomes for their children, which they might not otherwise afford.
  • It is argued that school choice allows parents to select schools that align with their values and educational preferences, which is seen as a fundamental right.
  • There is a perspective that public education systems can sometimes be inefficient or fail to meet the needs of all students, and that school choice introduces necessary reforms and innovations.
  • Proponents of school choice contend that it is not inherently against public education but seeks to complement it by providing more options for parents and students.
  • Some argue that the debate on school choice is not solely a partisan issue, and there are individuals across the political spectrum who support the idea of giving families more control over their children's edu ...

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The Daily Blast: Moms for Liberty Founder’s Sex Scandal Spells Big Trouble For MAGA

How extremism in the school debates is losing potency as a GOP tactic

The Republican approach of inflaming educational issues for political gain is showing diminishing returns, especially among suburban women voters who have eschewed the party in the wake of Trumpism.

Continued losses by candidates leaning into inflammatory rhetoric on social issues

Jennifer Berkshire and Greg Sargent highlight that education strategies employed by GOP candidates such as those used by Youngkin are not universally efficacious, specifically in attempts to re-engage suburban women who distanced themselves from the GOP during the Trump era. They note that Republicans running on extreme culture war platforms have notably been losing elections. The inability to win back suburban women who were turned off by Trumpism is underlying these failures.

Failure to win back suburban women voters turned off by Trumpism

Berkshire underlines that the strident edu ...

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How extremism in the school debates is losing potency as a GOP tactic

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Trumpism, a term referring to the political ideology and style associated with former President Donald Trump, had a significant impact on suburban women voters. Many suburban women were turned off by Trump's inflammatory rhetoric and divisive tactics during his time in office. This alienation led to a distancing from the Republican Party by this demographic, which historically has been a key voting bloc. The failure of GOP candidates to win back support from suburban women who were put off by Trumpism has been a notable trend in recent elections.
  • The education strategies employed by GOP candidates often involve emphasizing controversial issues like school debates to rally support. These strategies aim to appeal to certain voter demographics, such as suburban women, by taking strong stances on education-related topics. However, these tactics have faced challenges in recent times, especially in winning back voters who distanced themselves from the party during the Trump era. GOP candidates have found that relying solely on extreme culture war platforms may not always yield electoral success, particularly among key voter groups like suburban women.
  • "Culture war platforms" typically refer to political strategies that focus on divisive social issues like education, religion, and morality to mobilize supporters and draw contrasts with opponents. These platforms often involve taking extreme stances on these issues to energize a specific base of voters. The term implies a deliberate effort to engage in ideological battles over societal values, aiming to rally support from like-minded individuals while potentially alienating more moderate or independent voters. In the context of the text, it suggests that the GOP's empha ...

Counterarguments

  • The effectiveness of political strategies often varies by region and demographic, and what may seem like a diminishing tactic in some areas could still be potent in others.
  • The losses experienced by candidates may not solely be due to their stance on educational issues but could also be influenced by other factors such as campaign strategy, local economic conditions, or candidate personal appeal.
  • The assumption that suburban women voters are a monolithic group with uniform opinions on educational issues may overlook the diversity of political views within this demographic.
  • The perceived failure to win back suburban women could be a temporary trend rather than a permanent shift, and future events or changes in messaging could alter the political landscape once again.
  • The argument that extreme culture war platforms are leading to election losses may not acco ...

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The Daily Blast: Moms for Liberty Founder’s Sex Scandal Spells Big Trouble For MAGA

The personal and political scandals plaguing Moms for Liberty founders

The reputation of Moms for Liberty founders is under scrutiny due to personal scandals and accusations of hypocrisy that conflict with their image as moral crusaders.

Hypocrisy and questionable behavior denting reputations as moral crusaders

Details on threesome scandal embroiling the Zeiglers in Florida

Bridget Ziegler, a co-founder of Moms for Liberty, along with her husband, former Florida GOP chair Christian Ziegler, have been involved in a sex scandal. Both acknowledged participating in a group sexual encounter following accusations against Christian Ziegler of sexual assault, from which he was subsequently cleared.

In response to the scandal, Florida parents have launched ads targeting Moms for Liberty, advocating for Bridget Ziegler's removal from the Sarasota school board. Berkshire notes that she's delved into the sordid backstory of what is referred to as the Zeigler threesome scandal, cementing it as a point of contention and public intrigue.

Sign of hubris and lack of broader appeal among hardline school act ...

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The personal and political scandals plaguing Moms for Liberty founders

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Clarifications

...

Counterarguments

  • The involvement in a personal scandal does not necessarily invalidate the political or social goals of the Moms for Liberty organization.
  • Personal behavior and public policy advocacy can be seen as separate spheres; individuals can still advocate for policies even if their personal lives are controversial.
  • The actions of the founders do not necessarily reflect the values or actions of all members of Moms for Liberty.
  • The focus on personal scandals may detract from substantive policy discussions and debates about education.
  • The term "hubris" is subjective, and what may be perceived as arrogance by some could be seen as confidence or strong leadership by others.
  • The idea that right-wing activists are in echo chambers could be equally applied to activists on the left; political polarization affects many groups across the spectrum.
  • The effectiveness of a movement's messaging should be judged by its impact and resonance with its target audience, no ...

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