The Dictatorship

The MAGA meltdown over ‘woke’ Superman is incredibly revealing

Published

12 months ago

July 12, 2025

The MAGA meltdown over ‘woke’ Superman is incredibly revealing

Superman is a uniquely American fairy tale. A simple one, too.

Once upon a time, the Kents, a childless couple from Kansas, found an alien baby in a rocket ship. They called him Clark and loved him. His real name was Kal-El, and he was forced to flee from his home world, the doomed planet Krypton. Although possessing extraordinary powers, he grew up an American, and he decided to use those abilities to help others.

But this story isn’t so simple, apparently, to some members of the conservative media, who have spent the past few days pretending to misunderstand Superman so they can publish angry posts on social media about James Gunn, the director behind the newest Superman film, which is opening this weekend.

But this story isn’t so simple, apparently, to some members of the conservative media, who have spent the past few days pretending to misunderstand Superman.

In a recent interview with The TimesGunn reflected on what the character means to him. “Superman is the story of America,” Gunn said. “An immigrant that came from other places and populated the country.”

He continued, “But for me, it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost.”

The suggestion that his movie will celebrate kindness was oddly triggering to a certain segment of MAGA pundits. Influencer Clay Travis complained that America is “desperate for apolitical entertainment,” as if “kindness” is a political tactic instead of what loving parents teach their children.

Jesse Kelly, a podcaster, accused Gunn of being a “communist,” and talking head Eric Metaxas declared, “I guess we’re all skipping Superman! Go woke, go broke!”

Meanwhile, Fox News chyrons screamed: “Superwoke.” During one of many segments on Gunn’s statements, former Trump aide Kellyanne Conway said: “We don’t go to the movie theater to be lectured to.” “You know what it says on his cape? MS-13,” retorted host Jesse Watters. Hilarious.

There was a time when most Republicans would have embraced Superman’s values. But not anymore. Gunn hasn’t made Superman “woke.” Superman simply knows the difference between right and wrong. But today, I worry too many on the right see no political utility in kindness, or in publicly celebrating America’s embrace of immigrants. In fact, for many conservatives, embracing kindness appears to be a sign of weakness.

But this is not true.

Kindness is strength. Kindness is fortitude. Those who are kind know how to listen to those who feel unheard. They comfort the suffering. They forgive. If more men were kind, the world would be a better place.

Superman is a clean-cut champion with a tender heart who loves America as only an immigrant can, because immigrants chose to be here. He could easily have flown away to another country or galaxy. He could have declared himself king of the world, too, because he’s an unstoppable force of nature.

Superman chose to be an American because this country is, as Republican President Ronald Reagan once put it, “the shining city on a hill.”

Superman chose to be an American because this country is, as Republican President Ronald Reagan once put it, “the shining city on a hill.” A beacon to all. The current administration is trying to turn the lights off in that city, but it can’t, much the same way some of its most illogical followers are failing to argue Superman isn’t who he has always been.

Superman is blessedly free of cynicism. He is who he is, without ironic subtext. An alien who protects humans and fights monsters.

Superman made his first appearance in Action Comics No. 1, which came out in June 1938, a dark period in world history. He was the creation of American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian artist Joe Shuster, two young men from Jewish immigrant families who first met in Cleveland. Eighty-seven years later, Superman’s cheesy earnestness still resonates, maybe more than usual.

During the 1930s, fascism was sweeping through Europe, a political movement that promised safety to the strong at the expense of politically convenient scapegoats. But in the U.S., Siegel and Shuster were telling America’s comic book fans that the strong should ensure the weakest and most marginalized are safe.

The news today is grim: war, economic insecurity, masked officers terrorizing dishwashers and their families, natural disasters straining the resources of a federal government more interested in “owning the libs.”

But what makes Superman special isn’t his heat-ray vision or his bulletproof skin; it’s his optimism. He believes in humanity’s innate goodness so honestly and sincerely that he aspires to be a mortal, even though we fail to live up to our potential so often.

The Brits have Bond, a symbol of imperial masculinity. He’s a hero who drinks, seduces, and kills for crown and country. In America, Superman is the best hero men can aspire to.

I’ll admit I’m a bit of a superfan. I even appreciate Henry Cavill’s portrayal in 2013’s “Man of Steel.” Director Zack Snyder’s heavy metal aesthetics are looked down upon by many, but I’m not one of them. At times, his movies can come off as emotionally chilly and macho, but they’re also gorgeously shot. His imperfect, but inspired, 2009 adaptation of the classic graphic novel “Watchmen” is one of the comic book genre’s best.

Cavill is a beefy He-Man whose intelligence as an actor is often overlooked. His Superman may be more God than Boy Scout, but Cavill imbues the superhero with a sadness and restraint that should serve as a reminder to America, the most powerful nation on Earth, that compassion, not strength, is the greater virtue.

I never lacked for comic book superheroes as a boy. There were so many to choose from, even then: Batman, Spider-Man, Wolverine. But I wanted to be Superman. I didn’t want super strength or the ability to fly. (I was into the cape, though. Capes are cool.) I wanted to grow up to be the kind of adult who shows up for people in need, regardless of their race, religion or political affiliation. Everyone matters to Superman — even archenemy Lex Luthor. Indeed, one of the most underrated themes in Superman comics and movies is his repeated forgiveness of Luthor. I wanted to be a good guy. I don’t always succeed, but I try my best.

My favorite Superman moment — the one that defines the character for me — comes from the first “Superman,” respectfully directed by Richard Donner, when the hero swoops down to rescue a little girl’s cat stuck in a tree. The late Christopher Reeve played the title character in an iconic performance, and Reeve, dashing and strapping, was exceptionally good at portraying the Man of Steel’s inherent gentleness.

I loved that scene growing up because it defined Superman’s priorities: He would save Metropolis from supervillains, but he would also take the time to help a kid.

Is there a better example in all of pop culture of how a man, or anyone, is supposed to behave? If Superman can commit random acts of kindness, anyone can. And everyone should — even Jesse Watters.

John DeVore

John DeVore is a culture writer and author of “Theatre Kids: A True Tale of Off-Off Broadway.”His writing has been published in Esquire, Vanity Fair, Marvel Comics, and many other publications.

The Dictatorship

Monday’s Campaign Round-Up, 6.22.26: Why Trump backed both Republicans in a key S.C. race

Published

1 day ago

June 22, 2026

Blue Light Newsroom

Monday’s Campaign Round-Up, 6.22.26: Why Trump backed both Republicans in a key S.C. race

Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.

* In South Carolina’s gubernatorial raceDonald Trump endorsed Lt. Gov. Pam Evette last month. Last week, however, ahead of this week’s primary runoff election in the race, the president published an online item telling voters that “you can’t go wrong” with either Evette or state Attorney General Alan Wilson.

If this sounds at all familiar, it’s because Trump has done this before. Around this time two years ago, for example, he endorsed both Republicans running in a congressional primary in Arizona. And two years before that, he endorsed two leading contenders in a Senate primary in Missouri.

Only the president can say for sure why he ended up endorsing Evette and Wilson in the South Carolina race, though it’s worth emphasizing for context that GOP primary voters have already ignored his direction into two gubernatorial primaries this month, and it stands to reason that he hoped to avoid a third.

* We’re one day away from a variety of notable racesincluding but not limited to South Carolina’s gubernatorial race. There are also some congressional primaries in a handful of statesincluding Maryland, New York and Utah.

* In took a while, but the ballots have been tallied under Maine’s ranked-choice systemand we now know that Democrat Hannah Pingree, the former state House speaker, will face off against Republican Bobby Charles, who worked at the State Department during the Bush-Cheney era.

* As for Maine’s closely watched congressional racestate Auditor Matt Dunlap won the Democratic nomination in the battleground 2nd District, defeating state Sen. Joe Baldacci, who enjoyed the backing of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Dunlap will run in the fall against a familiar figure: former Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who had moved to Florida a few years ago, but who returned to run for Congress.

* In California’s congressional special electiontwo Democratic candidates — state Sen. Aisha Wahab and Melissa Hernandez, a Bay Area Rapid Transit director — have advanced to an Aug. 18 special general election. The winner will fill the vacancy left by disgraced former Rep. Eric Swalwell, who resigned in April.

* In a new commercial shared first with MS NOWDemocrat James Talarico has launched his campaign’s first multimillion-dollar ad buy in Texas’ gubernatorial race. In the 30-second spot, Talarico focuses on affordability and the cost of living. The state lawmaker will face scandal-plagued state Attorney General Ken Paxton in the fall.

* And in New Jersey, Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr.who has been missing from Capitol Hill since early March, will reportedly return to work on June 30according to a statement from his spokesperson. Neither Kean nor his office have offered any public information about why he has been away.

Steve Benen is a producer for “The Rachel Maddow Show,” the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He’s also the bestselling author of “Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans’ War on the Recent Past.”

The Dictatorship

Trump tries dual endorsement in South Carolina as his pick for governor flounders in polls

Published

1 day ago

June 22, 2026

Blue Light Newsroom

Trump tries dual endorsement in South Carolina as his pick for governor flounders in polls

Jun. 22, 2026, 11:39 AM EDT

After President Donald Trump’s pick for governor in Iowa lost in the Republican primary earlier this month, the president argued that he “would have endorsed the other person” if he had “the proper information.”

Trump is taking no chances in the South Carolina gubernatorial primary. Over the weekend he rescinded his exclusive endorsement of Pamela Evette, the lieutenant governor, announcing instead that he would support both Evette and her runoff opponent, Alan Wilson, the state’s attorney general.

The move put Evette’s political future in jeopardy: Even before Trump’s dual endorsement, she trailed in limited public polling and was seen by political observers in South Carolina as a weak candidate with little to show besides the president’s coveted endorsement.

“Her chief distinction from Alan Wilson was that Trump endorsed her,” said Dr. Dubose Kapeluck, a professor of political science at the Citadel Military College of South Carolina.

Trump’s dual endorsement “was a kiss of death,” he told MS NOW.

Evette, who moved to South Carolina from Ohio to found a successful payroll and HR company in 2000, has been lieutenant governor since 2019, serving under Gov. Henry McMaster, who is term-limited.

In office, she has pursued meaningful but little-celebrated policies, like a key tort reform bill, according to Gil Gatch, a Republican member of the South Carolina state House and an Evette supporter.

But voters could be forgiven for knowing little about Evette besides the fact that Trump endorsed her, which he did just days before the June 9 primary. Visitors to her campaign website are greeted with a full-screen message labeling Evette as “Trump-endorsed.” The first line in her X bio states the same. Pro-Evette television ads are quick to tout the endorsement.

An accomplishment like tort reform, while noted on Evette’s website, “maybe could have been something that was highlighted more heavily,” Gatch told MS NOW.

The political makeup of South Carolina nearly guarantees the next governor will be whoever emerges on Tuesday between Evette and Wilson. They survived a crowded primary field on June 9, and nearly every challenger who fell short of the runoff publicly endorsed the attorney general.

“She’s just not a good candidate,” Josh Kimbrell, a state senator who failed to make the runoff and has since said he’d back Wilson, said of Evette.

“She kind of assumed this was a coronation, and that was never going to go over that well,” he added.

Even some pro-Trump voters were confused by the president’s initial endorsement of Evette, whom he called “a good friend, fighter, and WINNER” in a social media post in May.

“I have no clue why Trump would endorse Pamela Evette,” Leland Lemmons, a 30-year-old Trump supporter told MS NOW as he exited a polling site in the Greenville suburb of Easley on June 9.

“She’s served, you know, a decent time. I just haven’t seen much fruition of what she’s done in office,” he added.

In a post on Truth Social Friday announcing his dual endorsement, Trump wrote, “I can’t hurt one of them by only Endorsing the other, so, therefore, I am going to Endorse, for Governor of South Carolina, both Pam Evette and Alan Wilson!”

In a subsequent statement on X, Evette said, “I was proud to come in first as [Trump’s] endorsed candidate for Governor on June 9th. Looking forward to doing it again on June 23rd.”

After The Washington Post foreshadowed the dual endorsement last Tuesday, allies of Evette were quick to denounce the possibility.

“I would guess that’s fake news,” Suzanne Pucci, a member of Evette’s finance committee, told MS NOW of the chance Trump would also endorse Wilson. “She’s probably not real worried about it.”

Another close ally and supporter told MS NOW at the time the report was “a total, fabricated lie.”

“[Trump] is invested in Pamela Evette because she invested in him. He’s a loyal guy. That kind of stuff is important to him,” added the supporter, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“With or without Trump, I think she is going to win,” they said.

On Thursday, a senior campaign aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity, brushed off the idea of a dual endorsement, telling MS NOW in a statement, “Pamela Evette has earned the complete and total endorsement of President Trump. She is the only Trump-endorsed candidate in this race and we look forward to delivering a big win for the president on Tuesday.”

Roughly 24 hours later, Trump retracted the exclusive endorsement.

Will McDuffie is a reporter for MS NOW.

The Dictatorship

Fears of an ‘economic catastrophe’ helped push Trump toward an Iran deal

Published

1 day ago

June 22, 2026

Blue Light Newsroom

Fears of an ‘economic catastrophe’ helped push Trump toward an Iran deal

As last week’s G7 summit in France got underway, a reporter asked Donald Trump whether his purported deal with Iran was final. “No, it’s not final,” the president replied. Later that day — during a visit to Versaillesof all places — he signed the framework anyway.

But moments after signing his name to the memorandum of understanding, Trump offered an unsubtle hint about what he was thinking at the time. Amid applause from those around him, the American president pointed down and then up while saying“Oil down, stocks up.”

In other words, Trump’s focus had nothing to do with natural security and everything to do with the economy. What’s more, the four-word phrase was part of a larger and underappreciated pattern. The Washington Post reported:

In the more than 100 days since President Donald Trump launched a war with Iran, he has offered a shifting list of reasons for why he started the conflict. But in explaining his push for peace, he named a priority much closer to home: protecting the stock market.

“I didn’t want to see economic catastrophe,” Trump told reporters gathered in the Alpine spa town of Évian-les-Bains, France, after the Group of Seven summit.

As the summit wrapped up, the Republican similarly said“I’ve studied presidents, some good, some bad, some great. Not too many are great and some really bad. … And the one president I did not want to be was the late, great Herbert Hoover. I didn’t want that and who knows what would have happened.”

He pushed the same point in an interview with Axios, which was released over the weekend.

“If I went further, the stock market would be much lower,” the president said. “Now think of this: I have one primary wish as president, in terms of people: I never want to be the late, great Herbert Hoover.”

The comments came days after Trump similarly argued“The alternative to this deal was a global recession. There are stupid people who want to see a global recession. They are just stupid people.”

Whether the president fully appreciates the implications of his own rhetoric, this string of comments doesn’t just shed light on his motivations for accepting a defeat, it also suggests he saw his failed policy in Iran as pushing the global economy toward a dangerous cliff.

In other words, based on Trump’s own comments, the war he started was poised to create an “economic catastrophe,” which he was desperate to avoid — and which led him to accept a framework that empowered Iran to get what it wanted in exchange for effectively no concessions at all.