What Can We Do Again?
3 Things To Know About This Government - 8 Things We Should All Do Now
What America Can Teach Us Here
Yesterday Trump and his Peter Thiel affiliated Vice President, J.D Vance, berated Ukrainian President Zelensky in the White House.
This came weeks after lying about Zelensky - claiming among other lies, that Ukraine started the war with Russia.
Zelensky lamented that Trump was "living in a disinformation space".
Yesterday, they met to sign a deal that would give America access to Ukraine’s deposits of rare earth minerals.
But after a journalist asked Trump yesterday why he was siding with Putin, it all unfurled.
Zelensky pushed back when Vance suggested the "path to peace and the path to prosperity is maybe engaging in diplomacy".
For context, Ukraine, UK, USA, France and Russia signed a memorandum in 1994, called “The Budapest Memorandum”.
In return for Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons and self-defence capability, all countries present had agreed not to threaten or use military force or economic coercion against Ukraine.1
Russia began their most recent invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
But it had started its aggression towards Ukraine years earlier, in 2014.
"Nobody stopped him," Zelensky pointed out.
But Trump and Vance were not having a bar of it, and soon began berating Zelensky, accusing him of being ungrateful to America, despite him trying to say over raised voices that he was - video
RNZ published a CNN article: Fact check: 33 times Zelensky thanked Americans and US leaders
It’s indisputable that Zelensky’s efforts in Ukraine helps to maintain global peace - starting with Europe, where world wars have started in the past.
And Europe is on edge for good reason.2
They know the aggression from Russia towards its member states isn’t just on the battlefield.
It’s also in sabotage and hybrid warfare - including electoral interference, disinformation campaigns, hacking, cyberattacks and election and disruption of undersea cables.
The disinformation and electoral influence is broader than the EU -
I wrote last year that the Cambridge Analytica Facebook scandal, which helped Trump win in 2016, was linked to Russian sources, wealthy American Republicans, and UK Tories.
The connections run deep - and alliances may be long held.
Amidst it all, France’s Le Monde reports Russia is “amused” by the Zelensky spat.
French President Emmanuel Macron: “There is an aggressor: Russia. There is a victim: Ukraine. ... They are fighting for their dignity, their independence, their children, and the security of Europe.”
Germany’s Friedrich Merz: “We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war.”
Republicans however, have roundly praised Trump
Mike Lee, Utah: “Thank you for standing up for OUR COUNTRY and putting America first, President Trump and Vice President Vance!”
And in the USA, Trump is popular.
He has a 44% approval rating
So far, that’s higher than most of Biden’s term as President.
And despite the criticism - understandably on some issues - as Bernie Sanders said, under Biden, America made:
“the largest-ever investment in climate action to save the planet.
We canceled student debt for nearly five million financially strapped Americans.
We cut prices for insulin and asthma inhalers, capped out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs and got free vaccines to the American people.
We battled to defend women’s rights..”
Biden was also regarded by some historians as the “most pro-union occupant of the White House since the New Deal”.
Did that matter?
No.
He looked old and was starting to stumble.
And many Democrats and liberals attacked Biden for not doing their will - a weakness the right took advantage of.
Appointing Kamala Harris3 was a poor strategic decision in my view, but I had hoped it would work out.
Still, even before that, messages about Biden’s record or successes never broke through the walls of common understanding.
They were never coherently articulated or made obvious to an average Mike, Mary, Ming and Moses.
The Media & Idealism Conundrum
I wonder why…. media.
Corporate media interests appear, ultimately, captured at the highest levels by wealth - so that means even if they report most stories, when push comes to shove, and at critical junctures, they will help who they truly side with.
I reserve a lot of criticism for those that told their networks not to vote for the Democrats as well.
Do we want our ideals or do we want - within the operating context - the better option?
Idealism cannot operate in a vacuum.
It cannot operate outside of its operating context - especially one with realms of disinformation or misinformation.
Nor should it ignore realism - or others could suffer.
Maybe it’s because I spend a fair amount of time looking at conservative channels, reading reactions, hearing complaints, observing thought processes.
That means I don’t have the luxury of certainty that many on the so-called left (or right) have when it comes to
“We must do that!”
I sense first, and the writing comes after. So it’s not always easy for me to explain what I sense, but know it’s an ever shifting evaluation of energies.
Where am I going with all of this?
The Three Must-Knows
There are three things to know - and from that, extrapolate what we can do
1. It is the media that has traditionally influenced what we know, think and clearly discern. It still does. But other channels are being exploited too.
Public interest journalism is under threat - state or publicly funded broadcasters like RNZ, NPR, PBS, Australia’s ABC are at risk / under direct attack.
Corporate media, reliant on advertising revenues and measured on profitability, is increasing its reach.
It was always like this - Rupert Murdoch built an empire on controlling politics and power through media.
British tabloids such as Daily Fail often host a cesspit of right wing commentary.
But the rot has expanded rapidly through social media channels — including here on Substack — and our ignorance that corporate and big money may be influencing mainstream media has been exploited.
Yesterday, someone told me that the school lunches saga wasn’t David Seymour’s problem because she had heard that on Mike Hosking’s radio show. It’s effective.
Algorithms for search engines are also controlled by private US technology companies.
Meta is a masks off Trump stooge company and Zuckerberg had told staff he wants his platforms to become a “productive partner with the White House”.
Let that sink in.
Maybe that’s why it doesn’t consider attacks on our female politicians a breach of their rules either:
It’s a free for all in the new world and female, liberal politicians will unfairly bear the brunt of it.
As Tory Whanau did above.
And Julie Ann Genter.
Jeff Bezos is masks off too in the media world:
WaPo lost 75,000 subscribers after this note, on top of 200,000 when he blocked Kamala’s endorsement, but honestly, Bezos really couldn’t give a shit.
As Slate reports,
The Washington Post is a minor, minor component of Bezos’ business portfolio. Much more central to the billionaire’s past, present, and future fortune are the world-devouring Amazon.com and his spaceflight startup, Blue Origin….
The cuts that Musk and the Trump Cabinet are making represent a potential windfall for Bezos and his businesses—assuming, of course, that he’s able to stay on Trump’s good side.
And NZME is pivoting to an (even more) sensationalist news approach after letting go of staff4 and pivoting on its strategy to prioritise “clicks” as outlined by Gavin Ellis in this great piece.
Yes here in NZ - the rot continues.
Winston Peters, who in 2019 passionately defended the essential role of the fifth estate, has adopted Trump’s tactic in the last few years - launching extraordinary attacks on our media, labelling journalists “biased”, accusing Labour of “bribery”, and even threatening Jack Tame and then labelling him a “left wing shill” after Tame pressed Peters for answers on Q&A.
ACT regularly attack media as well, and through their surrogate accounts, are inviting more Kiwis to hear from Seymour ‘directly’ now i.e. without any analysis and context.
This government appeared not to care about the demise of Newshub after not acting on warnings. Tova O Brien said National thought Newshub was “too fearless” and therefore, by association, was happy to see them die.
This is all a very long way of saying - the new right wing politicians know the game is almost, solely, a PR and communications game.
They have mass resources and have spread their tentacles over much of what we hear and absorb and perceive.
Money buys influence and editorial choice in media.
They are out to influence you subliminally as well as overtly.5
The right’s wealthiest are all emboldened.
Trump is the right wing junk tank and Russian influence experiment that finally succeeded after many attempts e.g. bombing out on another of their products, Liz Truss.
And their rules of engagement have been updated around the world - including in Aotearoa.
2. This New Zealand government is a PR government and their tactics and game emulate right wing conservatives around the world
That means junk tank tactics: astroturfing (paid, vested interest accounts masked as normal citizens), supported by junk tank alliances, mass media co-operation, spreading misinformation, having affiliates or themselves develop grievances in the population and then exploiting that, emotion filled analysis, lies i.e. disinformation.
Controlling the narrative is essential.
Winning over loyal, feels over facts, voters is key.
Grievances are their power.
And to be clear, discontent can be based on facts -
For example:
I am discontent that the planet is warming beyond levels I feel safe with and I want action that will address it e.g. reducing fossil fuel reliance, more solar panels etc.
My power bills are going up after John Key privatised gentailers. The research shows gentailers have prioritised dividends over investment and they are now passing this deferred cost on. Therefore, I will not so willingly believe that selling state assets is good for the average Kiwi.
Grocery bills are high and I’d like to understand why
But discontent is also based on propaganda - and very importantly, disassociating people from the root causes:
You are not doing so well because disabled people are leeching off of you [Hilter]
You feel discontent in your life, I am here to tell you it’s because you are not being treated equally because of Te Tiriti (and Māori rights) [Seymour]
You can’t get on a social housing wait list because NZ immigrants and refugees have stolen your right to a state house [social media]
On the last point, many Māori brothers added their voice to that conversation - while I wondered why no-one realised Chris Bishop had directed Kainga Ora to cut 60% of social houses this year, and he will cap state houses to only 420 additional new builds in 2026.
With 23,000 people on the wait list, some users are reporting wait lists of over 10 years… but people can’t connect the dots.
And racism is likely to increase as people don’t understand, and will blame it all on ‘refugees’ and ‘immigrants’ (more votes for NZ First!)
And the government’s actions - and its results will escape scrutiny - while people get angrier and society gets more divided.
This all plays into their hands you see.
3. The government is ideological above all which means they will push through despite objections
I remember reading a while ago that this government intended not to back down in the face of public opinion.
They have been fairly consistent on this - but have folded on issues such as cancer drugs funding and Luxon’s Premier House entitlement.
They have not budged where they can drive a wedge in society e.g. on the Treaty Principles Bill, mining, speed limits etc.
This all makes a lot of sense - they are here for their ideology, and in my view, to back vested interests.
Their junk tank networks have already learned people will fold if you stand strong.
Resistance is futile as long as you carve out about 30-40% of people to your cause.
Whenever I watch Select Committee meetings, I see respectful, serious, thoughtful, compassionate people testifying on impacts of proposed bills go up against questions like ‘Well why don’t beneficiaries buy a menstrual cup to save money?’
Evidence, painstaking testimony, experience, facts are all flaccid against the government’s intent.
It’s just true - and their long term plan is to ensure it remains the case.
What can we do?
What we can do depends on the context - always.
In America, there is not that much liberals can do as their government has been taken over by fascism - yes, in a “free” election.
The ‘right’ in America are akin to a cult, long cultivated with lies, anger, and misinformation spread by outlets such as Fox News, Daily Mail, Steve Bannon’s outlets, and Russian associated propaganda.
The lack of empathy and kinship towards fellow Americans seems to have been eliminated, along with their ability to critically analyse information.
These are their new leaders:
After Trump’s meeting with Zelensky, as much of the world recoiled, Americans pushed forward to essentially say:
“Well too bad, but America has to look after its own” &
“We are tired of paying for Ukraine, we’re going to look after ourselves.”
i.e The split is one of selfishness - do we recoil in fear or do we choose to open our hearts?
So do this for where we are -
1. Use your resources to fight disinformation / misinformation.
If you’re part of social media, contribute your voice - not just in your circles, outside of them.
If you’re still on Facebook, politely correct misinformation and lies.
If your family is not aware, share news stories with them.
If your friends adore Trump, appeal to their self-interest.
If you moderate a subreddit or Facebook group, update your operating system to prioritise misinformation, and be aware of bad operators.
Do what makes sense in your world - but the point here is you want to reach people outside of those that agree with you.
You want to use the resources you have available - as small as they might be - to stop the stem of misinformation spread with Goliath like resources.
2. Stop being a perfectionist ***
Stop attacking politicians or leaders who are trying to help your values by nitpicking the past, or their competencies.
Help them help you.
Yes. we all want another hero to rise among the ranks and save the world, but in case you’ve forgotten, those people are invariably taken down by the might of the right.
No-one is safe until the blanket of lies and misappropriation of root cause is rectified.
They need your help as much as you want them to save our ass.
Even if Labour / Greens / TPM etc win here in 2026, the people that dangle the strings won’t care - it’s just a long term play and like the USA, maybe it won’t happen overnight, but it can happen.
I also see constant barbs towards Chris Hipkins, and although I have been reflecting on leadership tangentially, the right’s insistence that Hipkins is a failed leader who should step down tells me that he has strengths.
54% of voters are happy to see him stay as Labour leader. He’s intelligent and shows emotional maturity.
Furthermore, Labour’s unity behind him is significant - and so for now, I prefer to trust their insights, and focus on my cause, rather than the left’s favourite past time of bashing anyone who isn’t perfect or who has made mistakes.
We’re all brilliant with hindsight.
I’m not saying Labour, Greens and TPM should not be scrutinized.
I’m saying we still have time for evaluation and should stay united in the face of what we face.
3. Get ready to unplug from technological reliance from US providers
The US technology companies like Meta could at some point be expected to harness your data for political purposes as we speak. Cambridge Analytica was ostensibly a “mistake”.
Facebook is now an official Trump partner and the next one won’t be.
Substack is using our writing to train AI models and by hosting neo-Nazi content, who knows where it will go once it’s truly successful? It’s also using our writing and chats to train its AI programs.
Zuckerberg and Bezos used to posture about liberal values too - until the alternative was more self-serving.
All US technology - Reddit, Substack, Meta,Twitter, cloud hosting, email, search engine algorithms, is now suspect - and you should be ready to unplug when you need to - or before then.
4. Stop being selfish
Selfishness is one common denominator that crosses class, gender, culture, nationality, race, identity.
It’s not out there in the faces of Trump, Vance, Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos.
It’s in you, me, everyone that you come across - including the people who write nice words.
What’s that feeling of competitiveness, winning, money, and acquisition across all stratas?
On Substack, 1000 paid subscribers on a rate of $100 a year nets a writer maybe ~$85,000 or about US$40,000.
For ones with higher volumes and/or higher rates, that can easily blow past $200,000 and in significant cases $1,000,000.
I’ve seen famous writers with thousands and thousands of paid subscribers write entire posts about saving the world that translate to: “Please support me”.
I’d rather, at that rate, suggest users support charities, donate to Forest and Bird, help refugees, donate to political parties that can advance your cause, or crowd source infrastructure that sustains future viability, housing, & transparency.
Once we get to a certain threshold, when is enough enough, people?
If Jeff Bezos is reportedly “scared” of Donald Trump, when is money enough?
If you can’t fight the micro i.e. yourself, don’t expect the world to grow outside of your image.
Disclosure: I’m on well under minimum wage here on Substack - which is my choice to be here.
5. Modify your expectations. Get out of your comfort zone. Fight with intelligence.
44% of Americans approve of Trump’s actions over the last month or two.
~40% of Kiwis voted for this right wing Coalition govermment and remain satisfied enough with them.
Adjust to that - go out and see and hear those thoughts.
Look for opportunities to intersect.
Don’t expect the government to give in, but fight like hell on issues that matter to you - remembering that their game is publicity and so long as they can blanket the halls with doubt and misdirection, they believe they can win.
A user asked how we can stop the school lunches - we can only do that if you show enough other people in NZ that there is a real problem.
And you can only do so by sharing the truth and being influential enough.
6. Tip the scale back 60/40 or aim bigger - 70/30
We need the scale back to 60 - 40 in favour of doing what’s best for society.
That includes scaling back the wealth advantages and manipulation of tax havens and corporate tax cuts that rely on the mythology of trickle down economics.
Utilise opportunities to share similiarities between what is happening in America with the direction here.
The right need a complacent and doubtful audience to win so they will always play it down.
Remember: they also cultivated doubt before Trump won that he was in any way associated with Project 2025, and as a result media could only publish his denials.
However, media has not been able to update its code in the face of blatant sabotage.
And to be fair to media, they need to comply with their codes of practice - even as we see RNZ, Newsroom and to an extent at times, TVNZ, do some smashing good pieces.
PS Trump is rolling out Project 2025 directives as we speak. Turns out plausible deniability can be rolled once you win the reigns. Who knew?
7. Join a union, join all politically aligned groups
Authoritarians governments despise all form of organisation that threaten its interests and narratives.
There is power in unity and people.
This government is systematically attacking workers’s rights and weakening and icing out unions for a very clear reason.
Yet unions have been our strongest voices across health, public sector, police etc.
Their people appear principled and use fact-based data.
Join one now.
8. Look after yourself
You and your family deserve that.
This article has overlaps with a prior one but was written with more of a “What can we all do?” framing.
Except in self-defence or otherwise in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.
While the US committed to European Security in a deal made by predecessor Harry Truman in 1949 to treat an attack on a Nato ally as an attack on America, it’s unlikely Trump will honour it.
Bernie Sanders and Barack Obama were the only ones who held back until they couldn’t hold Harris’s momentum anymore.
Losses include political editor Claire Trevett, deputy business editor Grant Bradley, science writer Jamie Morton, and investigative reporter Nicholas Jones.
As I wrote about in The Folly of Retreat in the Face of Defeat, not all parties to this have vested interests.
Many have become true believers.
All true, and I appreciate some constructive suggestions. I’m not much of a ‘believer’ but watching Trump and Vance act out their bullying fantasies I found myself hoping that there is an afterlife - so they can be held accountable, forever
I’ve been thinking a lot about this
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/529507/why-sir-john-key-thinks-donald-trump-should-win-the-us-election
So much enshittification had happened over my lifetime simply because people imagine they will be better off
I appreciate your suggestions for what we can do.