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My face-to-face conversations with Americans continue this week in the Western suburbs of Chicago in my home state of Illinois. I sat down with a politically diverse group of folks around a cozy kitchen table earlier this month to talk about the country they love. In short, they’re pretty worried. Our goal wasn’t “finding common ground,” which has become a bit of a cliche that doesn’t get at the differences among us in this bizarre political era. Instead, we tried to understand the other side. I think you’ll really enjoy and relate to these conversations—and maybe learn something new. Check it out in the Social Spotlight below!
But first, let’s take a look at what’s happening this week.
In Today’s Issue
The Social Briefing (skip this if you don’t want to read about Trump!)
What Can You Do?
The Social Spotlight: A Conversation in Glen Ellyn, Illinois
This Week
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Monday, 8pm ET (with Steve Schmidt, click if you missed it!)
Tuesday, 8pm ET
Wednesday, 8pm ET (with David Pakman)
Thursday, 8pm ET (Ask Me Anything! Paid subscribers only!)
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THIS IS JUST PURE EVIL. A study released by the Cato Institute shows that at least 50 of the Venezuelans who were kidnapped, put on airplanes, and disappeared into a notorious El Salvador prison two months ago were in this country legally. It’s sickening that our government—America—did that. And instead of acknowledging this as a “mistake” and facilitating the return of these people, the Trump Administration is leaving them stuck there indefinitely. It’s only going to get worse for Venezuelans and other protected non-citizens, like Ukrainians, Haitians, and Nicaraguans. This should unify all Americans in disgust, because it boils down to basic Constitutional rights, not to mention human rights.
YOU’RE DEPORTED. In another sign of our national loss of humanity (and sanity), the Department of Homeland Security is still considering producing a TV reality show in which immigrants would compete for the basic dignity of citizenship. Kristi Noem is applauding, and former reality show king Donald Trump is giddy to turn suffering into ratings gold. This isn’t policy—it’s a public execution of America’s conscience. I’m furious, and you should be too. Alas, cruelty as entertainment isn’t surprising from a dog-killing, cosplaying DHS Secretary who thinks Habeas Corpus means “the constitutional right that the president has to be able to remove people from this country.” Seriously, she actually said that.
PAYOFFS FOR INSURRECTIONISTS? I thought I’d seen every shameless move in Trump‑world—until now. Four years after Jan. 6, the same man who lit the match on that hideous day is now handing the family of Ashli Babbitt a $5 million settlement. Remember: She was climbing through a window into the Speaker’s Lobby, where Members of Congress were being evacuated in fear for their lives, and was shot and killed by police. A Justice Department investigation found no wrongdoing, and the cop involved was cleared. Yet, Trump’s DOJ just used your tax dollars to pay off the family of this domestic terrorist, who tried to violently overthrow an American election on his behalf. This is an utter disgrace, and it’s a reminder that we do not have an Attorney General right now. Pam Bondi is Donald Trump’s personal lawyer. Period.
THE PUPPET SHOW. Trump talked with his Russian puppeteer for two hours yesterday, but they are nowhere closer to a peaceful resolution to the Russian war on Ukraine—which suits Vladimir Putin just fine. We already know that Trump couldn’t care less about Ukraine. He considers it an obstacle to deepening his relationship with Russia. He would just as soon see Ukraine surrender as reach a just end to the war. Some people—even foreign policy experts—say they don’t know why Trump is doing this, and that he is “getting played” by Putin. It drives me nuts. Trump isn’t getting played by Putin. Trump is on Putin’s side. Trump is negotiating on behalf of Putin. It all makes sense as soon as you understand that.
A WORD ABOUT JOE BIDEN. I was very sorry to hear about Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis. Cancer sucks. I wish him and his family the very best as he takes on this next challenge. I’ve seen some folks say that the media should leave him alone now, in light of this sad news. I disagree to a point. I still believe it’s important that we come to terms with what happened during the Biden presidency with regard to his health and how that affected the 2024 election. Transparency is so damn important, and Team Biden really failed at that. But I also think the more important story right now is the cognitive decline of the current President. Come on, media. You say you dropped the ball with Biden? Well, don’t make the same mistake twice. Where are the stories on Trump’s cognitive decline—especially considering what a terrible President he is? Do your damn job.
What Can You Do?
JOIN THE NO KINGS PROTEST! Mark your calendars now for this one. We’re protesting on June 14! More details to come…
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CAN’T WAIT THAT LONG? 50501 is planning something sooner…
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WANT TO ORGANIZE IN YOUR COMMUNITY? Action Network has everything you need. Visit actionnetwork.org to get started.
GET YOUR #NOKINGS MERCH! If you’re going to protest, you might as well have the right gear. Click here for the #NoKings store at One Flag Initiative!
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Spotlight on Glen Ellyn, Illinois
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I got to spend an evening in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, recently at the invitation of Bob Bessler, one of our Substack Founding Members. Glen Ellyn is a charming, family-oriented community located in DuPage County, about 22 miles west of downtown Chicago. It has a high standard of living, with a median household income of approximately $133,000, and a highly educated population, with a significant percentage of residents holding college degrees. The town’s proximity to the city makes it a desirable location for commuters looking for a quieter suburban lifestyle.
Sounds like a modern liberal paradise, right? Well yes…and no. Our group included four Harris voters, but also a Trump voter, and two people who voted for neither Trump nor Harris. And even the Democrats weren’t all that thrilled with their party right now. It made for some really good conversation.
Here’s a little more info on Glen Ellyn…
DEMOGRAPHICS: As of the 2020 census, Glen Ellyn had a population of approximately 28,000 people. The village has a balanced age distribution, with a relatively high proportion of families with children and young professionals, though the aging population is also notable. Seventy-five percent of the community is white, 11% is Asian, 3% is Black, 3% is Hispanic, and 8% is multicultural/other.
INDUSTRY: Glen Ellyn is home to several educational institutions, including College of DuPage, one of the largest community colleges in the U.S. This is a significant economic driver for the area, providing employment and attracting students from across the region. Its vibrant local economy is supported by shops, restaurants, and other small businesses. The downtown area offers a mix of boutique retail, dining, and services. Glen Ellyn also has an active local community with a variety of events, including art shows, parades, and farmer's markets.
ENVIRONMENT: Glen Ellyn emphasizes open. green spaces and is served by several parks, offering recreational options such as hiking, boating, and athletic fields. The town's commitment to outdoor activities and nature gives it a family-friendly and eco-conscious vibe. Glen Ellyn is also engaged in environmental sustainability efforts, promoting recycling programs and green building practices. Many residents are actively involved in environmental preservation.
POLITICS: Glen Ellyn leans toward moderate-to-liberal politics, aligning more closely with the general trend of suburban areas around Chicago. Voter turnout tends to be high, and the community is active in local political discourse. The area's voters typically support Democrats in national elections, though there is also a mix of independent and moderate voters. In the 2024 presidential election, DuPage County awarded 55% of its vote to Kamala Harris, while Donald Trump earned 42%, and 3% went to others.
Here’s a couple clips of our discussion…
That’s the big question, isn’t it? What can we do? To find out how I responded, and to see the full videos from my visit to Glen Ellyn, click below.
To schedule a Conversation with Joe in your town, reach out to us at [email protected].
Hey, I want to hear from you!
What do you think of The Social Contract with Joe Walsh? What are your thoughts about what’s happening this week? How can we fix the political mess we’ve created in our country? How do we mend our frayed social fabric and rebuild an America that works?
Tell us your story and share your ideas with us. Email our editor at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.
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