
Keeping It Real: Conversations with Jillian Michaels AMERICA’S CULTURE WAR IS DESCENDING INTO CIVIL WAR w/ BRAD PALUMBO
Jan 14, 2026
Political journalist Brad Palumbo joins Jillian Michaels to discuss America’s volatility, examining whether we are on the brink of civil war. Brad critiques how extremist rhetoric has permeated mainstream media and politics, normalizing violence and polarization. They analyze moments when inflammatory figures like Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes gain unwarranted legitimacy. The conversation underscores the dangers of desensitization and warns against treating differing views as enemies, highlighting the urgent need for a return to moderation in discourse.
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Democracy Erodes When Violence Becomes Normal
- Brad Palumbo warns America is sliding from culture war toward potential civil unrest if political violence becomes normalized.
- He argues dehumanizing opponents and treating speech as violence erodes democracy and makes force seem justified.
Personal Journey To Center‑Right Independence
- Brad recounts his political journey from apathy to a center-right, classically liberal stance after college experiences at UMass Amherst.
- He says he rejects partisan loyalty and focuses on calling out bad ideas from both sides.
Extremism Gets Mainstreamed Through Laundering
- Mainstreaming of extreme voices happens through laundering and platforming, not just fringe presence.
- Palumbo notes radical figures gain legitimacy when media and politicians fail to denounce them firmly.
