The Daily Show: Ears Edition Replay | Donald Trump Runs the Military & The Role of Militias | Jordan Klepper Fingers the Conspiracy
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Aug 18, 2025 Paul Szoldra, a veteran and editor at The Ruck, dives into the wild world of conspiracy theories surrounding military control and the impact of figures like Michael Flynn. He’s joined by Dr. Amy Cooter, a Middlebury College professor researching militias, who sheds light on the motivations behind groups like the Oath Keepers. Together, they unpack how misinformation can intertwine with military life and explore the complex identities of militia members, revealing their connections to broader American beliefs amidst rising extremism.
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Why 'Trump Runs The Military' Persists
- Many supporters believe Trump is still commander in chief because they reject the 2020 election result.
- That belief fuels theories that he's secretly running the military despite legal reality.
How Conspiracies Scale Credibility
- QAnon and similar conspiracies normalize the idea of hidden insiders controlling government.
- Accepting one insider claim makes it easier to believe broader false narratives about power.
The Military Is Mostly Boring Work
- Public ignorance about how the military actually works fuels romanticized conspiracy thinking.
- Most military life is routine and bureaucratic, not cinematic or secretive.
