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I’m diving deeper into DeButts. Yes friends, there’s been a crack in the DeButts case. To recap, on December 3rd, Anna Navarro tweeted that Hunter DeButts, the brother-in-law of Woodrow Wilson, was pardoned. This is not true. There is no historical record of a Hunter DeButts connected to Woodrow Wilson, and Wilson certainly did not pardon him. Navarro later admitted this was incorrect, blaming a ChatGPT search result. However, nobody could recreate the exact hallucination she posted, and the citation icons in her screenshot resembled an outdated ChatGPT interface.Curious, I discussed this with Andrew Mayne, my co-host on The Attention Mechanism, a podcast about AI. I also asked listeners to try replicating Navarro’s prompt in ChatGPT. Shortly after, I received an email from a listener named Bret, who provided screenshots showing that while he got the same initial answers Navarro referenced—Bill Clinton pardoning Roger Clinton and Donald Trump pardoning Charles Kushner—Hunter DeButts was nowhere to be found.Brett’s search led to a site called living.alot.com, which featured a listicle titled “Five Presidents and Governors Who Have Pardoned Family Members.” Interestingly, this article was last edited on the same day Navarro tweeted. My next move was to contact the article’s supposed author, Ron Winkler. However, the author photo appeared unmistakably AI-generated, suggesting the entire article was likely created by a generative AI model.Investigating further, I found that living.alot.com is owned by Inuvo.com, an ad-tech company specializing in AI-driven marketing solutions. This suggested that the hallucination might not have come from ChatGPT itself but from living.alot.com, an AI-generated listicle site, possibly due to SEO optimization targeting AI-driven search engines. If ChatGPT search pulled from this listicle, it would explain the strange result Navarro saw.Speculating further, it seems plausible that Inuvo.com, focused on generating ad revenue, might have tweaked its content after seeing traffic driven by the controversy to avoid being de-ranked or blacklisted by search algorithms. Bret’s recreation of almost the exact same search result strengthens this theory.If anyone at OpenAI working on ChatGPT Search is reading, I recommend a hard look at de-ranking or blacklisting the alot.com suite of sites. The credibility of search-powered AI depends on filtering out such low-quality content. In the end, the mystery of Hunter DeButts appears to be a hallucination generated by an ad-tech company leveraging AI-driven SEO tactics. Navarro’s strange ChatGPT result wasn’t directly ChatGPT’s fault—it was fed a falsehood generated by a content-churning AI. And with that, the Hunter DeButts saga is solved. All’s well that ends well.Chapters & Time Codes* (00:00:00) Introduction: Media, Politics & New Ventures* (00:01:20) Unmasking the Hunter DeButts Hoax* (00:15:01) Political Shifts: Murkowski and Ocasio-Cortez* (00:17:27) Government Shutdown Negotiations* (00:20:26) Chris Cillizza This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

Ryan McBeth, a Middle Eastern politics expert, dives into the complexities of the Syrian conflict, examining the fallout from the Al-Assad regime's potential collapse and its implications for regional stability. The conversation also touches on the shifting dynamics involving Hezbollah and the Kurds, as well as the uncertain role Turkey may play under Erdogan's leadership. Moreover, they delve into the dangers of AI misinformation, exemplified by a fabricated narrative surrounding Hunter DeButts, highlighting the challenges of navigating digital information today.

Ettingermentum, a keen political analyst, deconstructs the Democratic Party's reliance on a single narrative and the fallout from the Harris campaign's missteps. Alice Miranda Ollstein from Politico dives deep into the future of the pro-choice movement, discussing how recent elections have reshaped strategies and challenges for advocacy groups. Together, they unravel the intricacies of coalition building and messaging, revealing the importance of adapting to a divided political landscape.

Hunter Biden brought all of this on himself.Joe Biden has damaged his legacy.All of this can and should get worse for both of them.Two Things I Don’t Want to Hear in Response to This Argument:* TrumpDonald Trump is his own conversation. Not everything related to any Democratic politician needs to be held in contrast to him. It’s lazy at best and corrosive at worst.* AddictionI don’t often play this card, but I am the son of an alcoholic and was raised by a problem gambler. Both went to 12-step programs for their issues. Addiction is a multi-faceted problem that deserves sophisticated empathy, but it is NOT an enchantment shielding you from the consequences of your actions. Quite the opposite: the 12-step program is designed to rebuild your sense of responsibility by repairing the damage you caused while afflicted.The pardon not only reveals the 46th president as a craven cardboard cutout of a decent man, but it also expands the bounds of presidential pardons in a uniquely selfish direction under the sickening guise of loyalty to family.But no one should be surprised if you’ve followed this story from the beginning. It is one unforced error after the next. One hapless mistake after another defended by unhinged self-indulgence. Let’s walk the timeline that led us to the most recent crimes:* Hunter Biden’s LaptopHunter leaves a laptop at a computer repair shop and forgets it. The shop owner realizes who owns it and turns it over to the FBI. After nothing is done and Joe Biden’s campaign makes statements the shop owner knows to be false, the laptop is leaked to the press.* Joe Biden’s ResponseHis campaign denies fault, deflects blame, and hides behind Hunter’s addiction.* 51 intelligence experts sign a letter calling it Russian disinformation.* Biden repeats this during a debate.* Twitter and Facebook are pressured to suppress links to coverage.The laptop is later proven real.* Tax InvestigationIn 2020, Hunter announces he is being investigated for tax fraud (ongoing since 2018).In 2023, a plea deal is reached. Hunter agrees to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges and enters a pretrial diversion program for a felony firearm offense (illegal possession of a gun while using drugs). The deal is expected to avoid jail time.* IRS WhistleblowersTwo IRS whistleblowers testify before Congress, alleging misconduct and interference in the Hunter Biden investigation. They claim their efforts to pursue charges were stymied by higher-ups in the Justice Department.* The Plea Deal CollapsesDuring a court hearing, U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika raises concerns about the plea deal's scope, particularly its immunity from future charges. Hunter pleads not guilty.* Specifically, the deal reportedly included an agreement not to prosecute Hunter for any federal crimes going forward:"The United States agrees not to criminally prosecute Biden, outside of the terms of this Agreement, for any federal crimes encompassed."* Hunter’s MemoirThe gun charge stems from Hunter’s own admissions in his memoir, Beautiful Things, where he describes active crack cocaine addiction during the period he purchased the firearm.* Quote: “I used my superpower—finding crack anytime, anywhere.”* Despite knowing his addiction, he lied on ATF Form 4473 when purchasing the gun.Hunter sabotaged his own sweetheart plea deal by overreaching for immunity. He was the star witness for his own prosecution because he had to write a book about his new found sobriety.But if Joe just commuted Hunter’s sentencing for these crimes, it wouldn’t be as big of a deal. Sure he’d be a hypocrite but what’s the real world damage? Hunter didn’t spend a month in prison? He avoided probation?But that’s not what Joe did. He did something far greater and no one should forget it.Joe Biden granted his son a blanket pardon for any and all crimes committed from 2014 to 2024—an unprecedented eleven years.This goes beyond Hunter’s tax crimes and gun charge, extending into the period when Hunter joined the board of Burisma—the focal point of influence-peddling allegations against the Biden family.For context:* Ford’s pardon of Nixon aimed to move the country past Watergate.* Biden’s pardon serves his own family and raises fresh suspicions about influence peddling.The White House’s defense: the incoming Justice Department might weaponize its authority to target the Biden family on exaggerated charges.I would say for the forever power hunger Joe, that same logic fueled Trump’s resurgence from a pariah to a potential two-term president. Maybe they should have let it happen.Instead, this pardon undermines Biden’s credibility, damages the perception of the presidency, and sets a dangerous precedent for self-serving executive overreach.So let’s get to the “But Trump…” of it all. Trump issued two pardons that are similar to this one.* Kodak BlackTrump pardoned the rapper after serving a year of a 46-month sentence for lying on a federal gun form.* Charles KushnerConvicted and served time for a 2005 charge. Pardoned to clear his record.Both of them spent time in prison for their offenses. Either got blanket pardons that extended beyond what Dick Nixon received.TheTrump pardons may be gross but don’t set new precedent. They don’t personally benefit the president.Biden’s pardon of Hunter does.Hunter never paid a price. Joe Biden’s legacy should. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

Tom LoBianco, a political analyst and contributor to 24/7, and Michael Cohen, author on modern political campaigns, dissect the shifting tides in American politics post-election. They explore the surprising trend of ticket splitting and its implications for the GOP's future. The duo analyzes how Trump's era has reshaped political alliances and candidate strategies, especially for figures like DeSantis. They also discuss the legal challenges facing Trump and their effects on fiscal debates, revealing how campaign messaging may have faltered under Democratic focus on Trump.

Kimberly Leonard, a Politico reporter focused on Florida politics, joins to discuss Matt Gaetz's surprising withdrawal from the attorney general race. They explore the political ramifications of Gaetz's decision amid serious misconduct allegations. The conversation highlights the ripple effects on Florida's political landscape, including power struggles between key Republican figures and challenges facing Florida Democrats. Leonard's insights shed light on the strategic maneuvering and evolving loyalties within the state's political scene.

In this engaging discussion, Mary Katherine Ham, a political commentator, Karol Markowicz, known for her sharp insights, and Gabe Fleischer, creator of the Wake Up to Politics newsletter, dissect the Matt Gaetz scandal and its implications for his potential future in politics. They explore the murky legal waters surrounding sugar baby relationships, the evolving media dynamics with Trump, and the shifting political landscape. The trio highlights the complexities of political scandals and public perception, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of today's political climate.

Things polling get right in 2024:* Trump had a chance to win the popular vote (he did)* Trump had an advantage in the Sun Belt but the races in the Rust Belt would be closer (true, Trump still won them all)* Ticket splitting is real and could save Democrats from a Senate demolition (it did)But beyond that… we have some real questions. Carl Allen believed Kamala Harris was a favorite to win the electoral college. Together we go through the results and find lessons big and small. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

I am obsessed with how much money the Kamala Harris campaign spent. Hundreds of millions of dollars per week spent on creating a once-in-a-lifetime glittering election machine only to deliver less electoral votes than John Kerry.Some FEC reports are available but reporting on the excesses is also bubbling up. For example, Harris recreated the set of Call Her Daddy in a DC hotel room so she didn’t have to fly to Los Angeles. Videos of a party thrown by the KamalaHQ social media team for Fashion Week have also surfaced. I believe the Harris ‘24 might be a turning point for donor patience, so we will have much more on it going forward. But to whet your whistle… we have Dave Levinthal to chat about it today.Combine that with Kirk Bado of National Journal’s Hotline to discuss the future of the Democratic Party and you have today’s episode! Also, Trump’s cabinet appointments continue. Chapters00:00 Introduction02:39 Kirk Bado40:32 Update On Trump Appointments55:00 Dave Levinthal This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

Much like the Trump Tax Cuts, the $99 Annual Deal for all bonus content is now permanent. Enjoy! As we sift through the multi-billion dollar wreckage of this election I’ve recruited Evan Scrimshaw to figure out what we know about this election. First, if you had a Time Machine and your only goal was to increase the vote share of the Biden or Harris campaign, what time would you go back to and what would you say?Then we carve through the revelations we’ve had since Tuesday including understanding Trump’s popularity and the electoral benefit of putting Jews on the ticket. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe