Autumn's Eclipse: The Fading American Dream Amid Tech Oligarchs' Shadow Influence in 2025
Fractured Ideals: Domestic Divisions, Geopolitical Shadows, Tech-State Mergers, and the Fight to Reclaim Opportunity and Freedom
As unidentified drones swarmed Danish airports on September 25, 2025, forcing closures and sparking fears of Russian hybrid warfare, the incident underscored a broader cascade of global tensions—from Ukraine’s defiant warnings to Russia amid escalating strikes, to President Trump’s grievances over alleged sabotage at the United Nations. Closer to home, the sniper attack at a Dallas ICE facility the day prior, where bullets etched with “ICE” fueled disinformation campaigns blaming the “radical left,” highlighted deepening U.S. divides. Drawing from insights in recent podcasts by Michael Cohen, Dean Blundell, Zev Shalev and Michael Popok, alongside commentators Malcolm Nance and Lev Parnas—who warn of authoritarian loyalty tests in the military, impending indictments against critics, and the erosion of the American dream—these events weave a tapestry of converging crises, amplified by tech titans like Oracle’s Larry Ellison emerging as a “shadow president” through unprecedented tech-state mergers. With Trump’s administration eyeing indictments for foes like James Comey and Adam Schiff, free speech battles intensifying around figures like Jimmy Kimmel, and potential wars looming in Venezuela, this era tests the resilience of democracy, demanding vigilance against unchecked power and disinformation.
Domestic Developments
Ellison’s Rise as Tech Influence Grows in Government: Oracle’s Larry Ellison has stepped into a key advisory role dubbed the “shadow president” by insiders, accelerating the blend of tech giants with state authority. His family’s control over TikTok infrastructure and potential CNN bids via Warner Bros. creates an unprecedented concentration of media and data power, enabling information manipulation that serves elite interests over public discourse.
Escalating Violence and Disinformation at ICE Facilities: The September 24 sniper shooting at a Dallas ICE field office left two detainees dead and one critically injured, with suspect Joshua Jahn dying from a self-inflicted wound after firing from a nearby rooftop. Investigations revealed notes intent on terrorizing ICE agents, but he targeted only detainees, sparing agents—raising motive questions; Kash Patel amplified links to “radical left” groups like Antifa, now a designated terrorist organization, echoing Charlie Kirk killing narratives and stoking divisions. Patel shared details on social media, including Jahn’s research into Kirk’s assassination and a note reading, “Hopefully this will give ICE agents real terror, to think, ‘Is there a sniper with AP rounds on that roof?’” without documentation, bypassing standard protocols.
Free Speech Under Siege and Media Resilience: Jimmy Kimmel’s September 24 ABC return drew 6.3 million viewers—nearly quadruple his average—despite affiliate boycotts and suspension over Kirk death comments. His monologue defended free expression against FCC and Trump pressures, stressing unity on gun safety and healthcare; it highlighted clashes like the removal of a permitted national park statue depicting Trump with Epstein, raising First Amendment concerns over state suppression of art.
Trump’s Retribution Drive Against Political Rivals: Trump is pushing Attorney General Pam Bondi to indict critics like James Comey for lying about Russia probes—framed as the “Russia hoax”—racing a September 30 statute deadline. A Trump-picked Virginia U.S. attorney seeks charges, with similar efforts against John Bolton for classified materials and Adam Schiff for mortgage fraud, seen by critics as eroding the rule of law beyond Watergate and intimidating journalists.
Trump’s DOJ Targets George Soros and Liberal Groups: Exploiting Kirk’s death, Trump ordered the DOJ—bypassing Bondi—to probe George Soros and his Open Society Foundations under RICO for funding “domestic terrorism” like antifa groups, ignoring ADL/SPLC reports on right-wing violence prevalence. Based on a Heritage-linked report by anti-Muslim conspiracist Ryan Morrow, Trump plans an executive order labeling such entities terrorists, possibly extending to the DNC.
Military Loyalty Tests and Leadership Overhauls: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth summoned over 800 military leaders to a rare Quantico, Virginia meeting next week, scrambling global officers amid agenda uncertainty. Following his May order for 20% cuts in four-star officers and more across the military—”More generals don’t lead to success”—analysts fear loyalty purges, demotions of seasoned leaders for loyalists, and preparations for Venezuela war or Ukraine withdrawal.
Democratic Leadership Shortcomings and Calls for Unity: Frustrations grow with leaders like Gavin Newsom’s unresponsiveness, reflecting Democratic silos hindering never-Trump coalitions; critics call for FDR-style reinvention to counter authoritarianism, as weak disinformation responses enable right-wing dominance, endangering the U.S.-Canada shared democratic dream.
Reclaiming the American Dream Amid Authoritarianism: Commentators like Dean Blundell stress that U.S. and Canadian citizens reject MAGA distortions, embracing the American dream as a shared “North American” ideal of opportunity and democracy, binding nations against freedom threats.
Epstein Files and Ties to Pageant Scandals: Trump vows to block Epstein files amid fears of revelations on his ties to 14-20-year-old models via agencies and Miss Teen USA. Erica Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow and former Miss Arizona USA 2012, connects to this, as survivors demand meetings for accountability he avoids.
SEC Dismisses Case Against Chairman’s Former Client: The SEC dropped fraud charges against Devon Archer shortly after Chairman Paul Atkins—previously paid $1,450 hourly to defend him—assumed office, fueling perceptions of favoritism for Trump allies. This pattern suggests regulatory capture where political connections grant protection, undermining fair enforcement across financial sectors.
Trump’s Push to Dismantle Opposition Groups: Trump’s executive order targets vague “left-wing terror networks” without proof, overlooking documented right-wing threats while criminalizing dissent. Echoing authoritarian tactics seen in Russia, this move justifies broader surveillance and suppression of civil liberties under that manufactured pretext.
DOJ’s Rush to Charge Comey Despite Weak Evidence: The Justice Department hurries to indict James Comey before the statute expires, with Trump replacing a skeptical U.S. attorney with loyalist Lindsey Halligan amid prosecutor doubts. The focus appears on spectacle—mugshots and headlines—rather than justice, deterring future officials from challenging authority.
Government Shutdown as Tool for Civil Service Overhaul: Trump administration agencies prepare “reduction in force” plans for an October 1 funding lapse, turning temporary shutdowns into permanent eliminations of non-loyal staff. This strategy aims to reshape federal bureaucracy with appointees prioritizing personal allegiance over constitutional duties.
International Perspectives
Ukraine’s Bold Escalation Warnings to Russia: On September 25, Zelensky warned Russians to end the war or face deep Moscow strikes on grids and infrastructure, urging shelter preparations to make civilians feel the toll. Trump’s Putin disappointment yields neutral “good luck” and conditional NATO aid, seen as distractions emboldening Moscow amid depleted stocks.
Russian Hybrid Warfare and European Drone Incursions: Denmark deemed airport drone sightings a Russian “hybrid attack” to sow fear and test NATO, prompting Article 4 talks. Poland/Estonia violations heighten tensions, with Sweden’s air chief affirming readiness against aggressive Russian territorial disregard.
Trump’s UN Grievances and Fabricated Peace Claims: Trump’s UN speech exaggerated ending “wars” like Egypt-Ethiopia Nile disputes, demanding “triple sabotage” probes on escalator/teleprompter issues—deemed accidents. His Nobel jealousy and Mount Rushmore pushes divert from Gaza/Ukraine crises, unlikely for Peace Prize amid destruction.
Looming Venezuela Conflict and Energy Dependencies: Speculation mounts on U.S. Venezuela war tied to loyalty tests and antifa threats, as Europe’s Russian pipeline vulnerabilities underscore control amid Ukraine strikes and U.S. killings of Venezuelans without due process.
Finland’s UN Call for Reform and Independent Media: Finland’s President Stubb condemned Gaza genocide, urged expelling illegal war-wagers from Security Council, and veto abolition for accountability. He stressed independent media’s role in truth exposure and democracy protection against authoritarianism.
Breaking Escalation in the Middle East: On September 25, Houthis launched a ballistic missile at Israel, intercepted by IDF post-Houthi strikes—escalating tensions with over 40 recent missiles.
Economic Perspectives
Blackstone as the Landlord From Hell: Post-2008 crash, Blackstone bought foreclosed homes cheaply, becoming top landlord but hiking rents 50% and neglecting maintenance, causing evictions. UN experts blame it for global housing crisis, treating shelter as Wall Street gamble over people; like an arsonist “helping” firefighters.
Blackstone’s Toys “R” Us Takedown: Leveraged buyout saddled Toys “R” Us with billions in debt it repaid, while Blackstone took millions in fees. 2018 bankruptcy closed stores, cut 30,000 jobs without severance, but firm profited; not investment, but autopsy profiting from death and parts sales.
Blackstone’s Environmental Exploitation: Despite “green” claims, Blackstone invests billions in fossil fuels and Hidrovias, deforesting Amazon for highways. Lawmakers/activists call it hypocritical, speeding climate chaos for gains; like a serial killer claiming public safety care.
Looming Housing Crisis Despite Slight Sales Dip: August U.S. home sales dipped 0.2% to 4.00 million annual rate, beating forecasts but weaker than 2007-2009 recession. Yun blames high rates/limited inventory, expecting boosts from falling rates (6.26%) and more supply; regional gains in Midwest/West, drops Northeast/South. Median price $422,600 (up 2%, 52% since 2019) highlights affordability woes, with 14% wage growth vs. 95% inflation-adjusted costs over 26 years signaling potential demand plummet and crisis.
As autumn deepens and these threats converge—from U.S. retribution campaigns to European hybrid assaults—we face a precarious post-constitutional landscape, where executive overreach, bolstered by immunity rulings and congressional gridlock, echoes historical excesses. Experts like Cohen, Blundell, Popok, Nance, and Parnas urge recognizing this as live authoritarianism, rejecting normalization, and building coalitions to restore checks. The question lingers: Will we act to reclaim democracy, or succumb to decline? As German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius remarked on the drone incursions, encapsulating the tense limbo: “We are being attacked, hybrid, with disinformation campaigns and through drone intrusions... We are not at war, but we are also not more in complete peace.” Subscribe for ongoing analysis, and share your views in the comments below.