Read Max Talking A.I. bubbles and Trump's racist rant with John Ganz
Dec 12, 2025
John Ganz, an insightful author and political commentator, joins the conversation to dissect the right-wing obsession with the Somali community, shedding light on the racial and political motives behind recent attacks. He elaborates on the troubling mix of state power and demagoguery, highlighting ICE's aggressive actions impacting Minneapolis' Somali residents. Ganz discusses the authoritarian playbook of scapegoating minorities as a distraction tactic, and both he and the host also take a critical look at the influence of MAGA media and personalities like Christopher Rufo.
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Phone Fail With A Famous Guest
- Max describes past struggles with Substack Live phone setups and an awkward session with Joseph Gordon‑Levitt where his phone died midstream.
- He uses the tech hiccup story to introduce the Somali newsletter topic and warm up the conversation.
State Power Plus Online Mobbing
- Right-wing attacks on Minnesota Somalis mix legitimate investigations with racist demagoguery to create targeted state pressure.
- John Ganz warns this combines normal legal processes with mobbed online hate to form a dangerous, quasi-prerogative state.
Why Somalis Became A Target
- The Somali focus is politically convenient: a small, distinct Muslim community tied to Minnesota's DFL makes an easy scapegoat.
- Max Read and John Ganz argue the Somali angle is a tactical pivot to avoid anti‑Semitism backlash and rally MAGA supporters.
