Lady Libertie

Will UCLA stand up when Trump comes with his “offer they can’t refuse?” Or will they kiss the ring, like Columbia?

Exactly. History’s clear: when the powerful cave, it’s the people who hold the line. It won’t be the deans or the CEOs who save democracy—it’ll be the defiant, the loud, and the unbought.

Welcome to MAGA U: Columbia Signs the Deal Columbia's Cowardice: How an Ivy League Icon Became a Puppet of the Regime

Columbia University just just auctioned off its spine for $400 million and a pat on the head from President Mussolini-in-a-MAGA-hat. And let’s not play coy here: this isn't just a sad day for one Ivy League school. It’s a five-alarm fire for academic freedom in America.

Same. Sending thoughts, prayers, and a U-Haul.

Don’t forget who you are—this is Columbia, birthplace of student uprisings, where in ‘68 you shut the place down over war & racism. Where students stood with Harlem, faced batons & won. That spirit didn’t die. You’re continuing the legacy of MalcomX, Audre Lorde, Mark Rudd, J.J., Mahmoud Khalil.✊

Oh, 100%. Let’s be honest—Trump didn’t twist Columbia’s arm that hard. This reeks of opportunism, not victimhood. It’s not just capitulation—it’s collaboration.

Trump’s entire second presidency is a petty little revenge tour with executive powers and a grudge ledger. This isn’t governance. It’s grievance cosplay.

Columbia’s administration has no moral authority left. But students, faculty, neighbors, alums—they do. They’re the legacy of Audre Lorde and Malcolm X and every protester who ever chained themselves to the president’s office door. And it’s time to rise again.✊

Columbia used to stand for that spirit of pushing back, of questioning authority, of standing with the people instead of power.

And now? She’s siding with the fascists. And we’re keeping a list.

1000%

No one’s running, no one’s voting, and still 30,000 people pulled up like, “Just here to overthrow the oligarchy, thanks.”

The crowd in Denver? Massive. AOC and Bernie out here proving the people are done playing footsie with billionaires. This ain’t a rally—it’s a warning shot.

#FightOligarchy #PowerToThePeople #DenverRising

Right!? Folks are out here still bleeding to pay off student loans for a degree that now stands for compliance over courage.

Columbia just became Patient Zero for authoritarian compliance in higher ed. And if students, faculty, and alumni don’t rise up now, there won’t be much left to defend by the time graduation rolls around.

I hope there is a MASSIVE student drop out.

Now that’s what holding the line looks like! Props to Georgetown for showing the spine Columbia misplaced. In a time when too many institutions are trading integrity for influence, Georgetown reminded the world that academic freedom isn’t negotiable.

More of this, please. Courage is contagious.

“We are putting academic freedom, free expression, and open inquiry at the fore.” (Translated from the doublespeak: “We’re scared to death and willing to gag our professors, students and everyone else to save our salaries.”)

Columbia used to stand for that spirit—of pushing back, of questioning authority, of standing with the people instead of power.

And now? She’s siding with the fascists.

A friend drove two hours today for her breast cancer chemotherapy only to learn it was canceled due to NIH cuts. Clinical trial ended midstream. No treatment, no restart, no plan, no information. Her bro-in-law's chemo was also canceled.

This is the story that Karoline Leavitt said probably wasn’t accurate when it was first reported by Reuters because she said they aren’t reliable.

You’re right—Trump’s a conman, not a fool. But being cunning isn’t the same as being smart. He thrives on chaos, not strategy. He doesn’t play 4D chess; he just smashes the board and calls it a win.

Good catch! If Trump wanted a shutdown to grab power, why push Republicans to pass the CR? Simple—chaos now hurts him more than helps. Instead of burning it all down at once, he’s gutting agencies from within. A shutdown later, when it suits him? That’s still on the table. It’s all about timing.

How about we STOP him?

This might’ve been a false choice—AOC, Bernie, and Pelosi supported the shutdown, so there *were* other options. At minimum, we deserve a full explanation instead of being treated like children who can’t grasp the reasoning. We’re capable of understanding the complexities—so let’s hear them.

Photograph: Danny Lyon/Magnum Photos

A nation will not survive morally or economically when so few have so much, while so many have so little. - Bernie Sanders

MAGA math: Tax the importer → Charge the store → YOU pay for it! Making everything greatly expensive again.

The People's Warehouse Where the samples are free, the vibes are union-strong, and the revolution comes in bulk.

Costco is proving that doing the right thing isn’t just good ethics—it’s good business. While Target caves to bad-faith outrage, Costco is raking in millions more shoppers. Turns out, people prefer companies that respect them.

I just wrote about my joyful experience at Costco.

The silence? That’s not a glitch—it’s the system working exactly as designed. They think they can ride this out, that institutions will hold. But guess what? Institutions don’t enforce themselves. People do. If the people in power won’t step up, we have to make enough noise to leave them no choice.

Democratic leadership rolled over like a golden retriever at a belly rub contest. Their “let’s be reasonable” routine isn’t just weak—it’s actively harmful. We don’t negotiate with fascists, we stop them. Full stop.