George, Ziwe, & Us: Politics and Entertainment | Khadija Mbowe

[@dollarmike7144]

I lie a lot lol I dunno why.

[@KhadijaMbowe]

this comment should not have been as funny as it was

[@geoffrygo]

This made me loudly do one of those spit take things for absolutely no reason so thanks, I guess

[@teethsv4824]

Very real

[@luliboelihlendibongo1036]

i laughed waaayy too hard at this

[@dollarmike7144]

@@luliboelihlendibongo1036 I lied today too 🥲

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Legend says that we’re still processing George Santos saying “Slay the boots house down.”

[@justhearmeout3959]

Legend has it were still processing that whole interview 😅

[@Doubtlessly]

I paused the video and wanted to walk into the ocean after that

[@justhearmeout3959]

@@Doubtlessly I was watching it on my phone while my boyfriend watched TV, and he kept saying "what is that face you're making" 😂 He said it looked like a half grimace, half laugh, with a tinge of cringe

[@ambriaashley3383]

AHAHAHAHAHAHA 😂😂😂

[@vanessacarly5140]

why do people have to say it like that 😭😭😭😭 they're gonna make it such a meme to say it that way that straight white girls will integrate it into the monoculture 😑

[@deanpope2055]

As a former liar, santos SHOCKS me, I don’t know how you can go that far with it and not die of an anxiety attack

[@motjon]

It's called psychopathy

[@holigatis7588]

Yes!! Especially at that level!!!

[@ShouPow]

Usually called a personality disorder...

[@insomniaaaaa4813]

replies are so casually ableist c_c

[@tea4nihilists]

shamelessness. the anxiety stems from worrying about what happens and what others will think and feel if the lie is ever exposed. if you have no shame, none of that shit actually matters lol

[@empatheticrambo4890]

Ziwe’s video was absolutely hilarious. I have to admit, I didn’t approach it with criticism. I will say, I could have benefited from even more obvious fact checking on the screen or something

[@stoodmuffinpersonal3144]

I was debating watching it for that reason. I love Ziwe. I mean. Her thing was called "baited." Like. I would LOVE to watch her and George, the camp queen of scams, duke it out. But like. George Santos used "real house wife/ camp Queen," charisma to like. Get money and scam people (which, yeah). But he also affected policies that AFFECTED PEOPLES LIVES. He screwed republican donors, sure, but he also backed republican policies 😬 Like. He may have scammed donors, but he SCREWED us. Like. Or at least help that. Like. ZIWE. You only fuel him. He thrives on this. He's like the Gay Latino Donald Trump. You only power him. Like. It isn't good for us. You're only giving him the power he craves! 😅

[@annaferguson5711]

He was absolutely right when he said “stop inviting me places 🥰” He knows that is the only way to stop him, and it’ll never happen

[@allflowersintiiime]

Ziwe is doing the same thing Santos has done; performing progressive values in order to build a career for herself in media and fashion. To me, she's just as much as a con as Santos.

[@JC-jd1us]

Yeah if his Republican policies didn't screw us and he only lied and cheated his co workers I would've found it really funny. It's a if I don't laugh I cry type of situation for me.

[@peterptchronic9696]

I at least watched it with an ad blocker on haha. I think George unfortunately hit the nail on the head when Ziwe asked, "How do we make you go away?" And he said, "Stop inviting me on your shows. But you won't because you want the content." Incredibly sad summation about the state of things.

[@deathsheadcashew]

As someone who has really mentally checked out to celebrity worship the last few years, it's honestly kind of alienating to do so. I don't want to say it sucks, but our culture is obsessed with fame and loving famous people of all kinds. I don't want to be that a-hole that makes others feel bad for having interests, but the way people can't just be normal about celebrities when they talk about them is really unnerving now. They're just humans. They're flawed humans, many are rich and completely unhinged from reality. I dunno, I admit I probably end up over thinking it, but it's like nothing can be casual and you have to be ride or die for someone or group or you're a hater. I just keep my mouth shut now

[@afuantics175]

genuine question. How did you do it? How did u unplug from this mindset bc it’s so hard to do

[@blasphemous_hippie]

I agree fully. Alienating is a good way to describe it, honestly. It's been really weird to be watching people just lose their minds and sometimes their sense over the absolute pandemonium surrounding Beyonce and Taylor Swift for the last year or so. The celebrity idolization and worship goes so against my core beliefs and I'm so far removed from it that I just can't manage to comprehend it. It's like I'm living in a strange world where I just can't relate to most people anymore.

[@OnePersonOneOpinion]

@@afuantics175 i started by unfollowing all influencers and celebrities on social media. if i wanna know when my fave artist is on tour i join an email list, i dont need to know their lives

[@Maglors_grief]

I'm a gen z adult who has lost all interest in keeping up to date with pop culture and it's crazy how much it will set you apart from your peers. I have realized that most of my conversations with my friends are 95% about pop culture and it sucks because I don't really have anything to contribute. I'm not a stan of any artist, I don't obsess over celebrity news, I don't have tiktok so I constantly feel like I'm missing out on a million memes that all my friends are talking about. I feel like I have become a boring person because I don't have an interest in these things anymore and it's not a pleasant experience.

[@Adri_Unsung]

I recently got off all social media except KZbin and it’s been like 3 months and I’m already so lost on so many trends and news and stuff it’s staggering how quick pop culture moves now and how psychotically plugged in people are

[@catsouthebag9194]

But on a serious note the message of this video is very important, thank you for it! I do fear as time goes on we're spiraling in to a political landscape filled with irony, entertainment and amusement that is often used by those in power and who benefit from the system to distract from the damage and oppression that it brings and to distract from efforts and strategies to change it or dismantle it.

[@blasphemous_hippie]

Yes!!! Society's collective apathy toward the constantly worsening state of things truly has real-world consequences. All of this is not just some game.

[@transgenderbasketballplayer]

Khadija is part of that problem and they literally admit it in this video. Khadija is at the forefront of jumbling entertainment and politics. What do you think these videos are?

[@jennshine8777]

Your comment hits onto a lot of my thoughts. I used to joke as a senior in highschool in 2013 that the hunger games to be not a far off future. It’s scary to see and feel like it’s heading towards that. Cesar Flicker may be just a character but the parallels are too scary rn

[@cherryflavoredplaylist753]

@@jennshine8777this ! When I watched the new hunger games movie I just felt so much anger and disbelief bc of all the parallels to the genocide that is happening, that’s all I could think about the entire movie.. I watched the first movie when I was in elementary school and now years later we are literally watching people die and yet so many are content w remaining complacent in thousands of people’s death, it’s truly sickening.

[@karencanan6199]

So true. I remember even as a kid in the 80s/90s that seriousness was ridiculed by peers and ignored by elders. We have been a "fun" seeking society for a long time, and will ignore anything from climate change to social disaster and genocide in order to have one more minute of "fun." It would be more truly fun if we thought about the other guy, and worked together to get our shit together. Thats more satisfying

[@Doubtlessly]

What I respected about Ziwe’s interview was her demanding “Name them.” George talking vaguely about politicians being evil/slimey/liars is only meant to slowly boil the frog and make himself not look as bad. It also makes him seem cool and in the know. So many conspiracy theorists and disenfranchised people love the idea that politicians are liars, but why, why, WHY is that the expected norm? Why can’t we be shocked by liars. Why are we shamed for being upset at that? Why are we convinced he’s one of the good guys? Why do some people believe that? He’s obviously trying to be seen as the brilliant mole exposing everyone. Ziwe pointed out that he was full of it by saying “Name them.” If Santos has no receipts, then he can go eat that expensive perfume he got by frauding the American people.

[@seemsfishy23]

I’m Jewish and the descendant of Holocaust survivors. I’m a white Latina. I’m a queer public school teacher who had to fight tooth and nail in a very conservative public school in Brooklyn to start a GSA for the sake of my few queer kids. I’m from Long Island, actually from a blue Democratic district within the town of Oyster Bay. I cannot tell you HOW MUCH I hate George Santos. The Ziwe interview was as hilarious as it was frustrating and sickening and infuriating. I love Ziwe but I cannot stand her for giving him a platform. There was more laughter with him than at him and that’s just it. I hate that she questioned him for the lies about his heritage and his family’s status as holocaust survivors but did not confront the openly antisemitic nature of maneuvering. He lied about his connections to the holocaust not randomly, but to a voter group with many holocaust descendants. That was intentional and disgusting. She quizzed his ignorance about queer historical figures without making him truly confront the hurt and damage he has caused to queer entertainers and to vulnerable and unprotected queer children. Every comment on her video was about how she was brave and told him what he really was, but that was so far from the reality of making him see what he’s really DONE to people.

[@Themudeater]

I understand your frustration, but it sounds like you’re mad at her for being an entertainer and not a journalist. You’ll only be disappointed in people who you expect more of. She did her job, which was presenting an interesting interview. If she had seemed hostile then it would have been over.

[@Molly-iw1rc]

Ziwe's interview was hilarious and half of it was Santos just talking on his own and making himself look worse while she looked into the camera with subtle shock. Like I think Ziwe was surprised that he kept going when she didn't even have to egg him on that much. It was wild to see on my youtube recommended that's for sure, the most unexpected interview. Ziwe getting Santos to say openly that he was for ceasefire unless it was in the middle east was insane. And Santos uttering that he can make a black baby was just something else that she wasn't even prepared for him to say, and he just said it on his own without anyone asking. Like I appreciate the interview because it showed the shocking and terrible things that are going through his head tbh. Like it made him look so bad and he was attempting to look relatable. And I appreciate how she just slightly alienated him throughout the interview, because if she went off on him then there would be nothing there, but if she was too friendly, I think she would've made herself and her audience uncomfortable. I think she balanced being critical of him as a person with still attempting to treat him like a guest and at the end we learned that he is indeed possibly even worse than we thought before simply based on him talking on his own.

[@momain5483]

This is exactly what I wanted to say and what I have been thinking. Thank you for putting it into words so concisely and eloquently!

[@sb_prods]

Asking this with all the genuineness in the world: did we really need this interview to see that he's a bad person?

[@Molly-iw1rc]

@@sb_prods no we didn't, but for me personally, it showed the LAYERS of how awful he and other "progressive" Republicans are so clearly. The performance of it, the language of it, the weird unawareness yet total awareness of it. It gave me more to chew on looking at him and others using his tactics, and it gave me a better understanding of those tactics, which was interesting and important for me to see. I hope I don't sound angry or anything! :)

[@sb_prods]

@@Molly-iw1rc Thank you for your explanation! And no, you don't sound angry at all. I worry that an interview in this format endeared people to Santos instead of exposing him and the system that gave him power as the dangers they are. But considering your response, I may very well be overreacting.

[@Molly-iw1rc]

@@sb_prods oh I totally understand that, and I'm sure there were people who found him entertaining in an endearing way, which sucks. Although the majority seemed to be somewhat just shocked or making fun of him, I can see how platforming him at all probably had the opposite effect of what ziwe might've meant to show.

[@liajackson7486]

The way I immediately opened this video on two devices

[@bhunyee]

tv for watching, phone for comment lurking 😌

[@Orianasama]

Cast to screen immediately!

[@AlyssaMonetMason]

​@@bhunyeeFacts

[@vdemarzo2375]

I for a while have had a distaste for people who support terrible people because they’re “funny”. It is the clearest way to find out if they actually care about the things they claim to or if they only do it so long as it doesn’t impact their ability to have fun.

[@qkun]

Completely unrelated but I got that feeling when doing jury duty for the first time. It was a case about sexual assault towards a 13 yr old, I was FLABBERGASTED when the attorneys started presenting their cases like we were watching a TV SHOW/play of some sorts. I was like there's no fucking WAY the legal system is just how good of an actor you are. It felt very dystopian!😊

[@Themudeater]

Unfortunately the legal system is a necessary evil. I want to be a civil rights attorney and realized really quickly after deciding to major in Criminal Justice that winning trials as a lawyer is about balancing seeking credible, being the most charismatic, and following the rules set out for the courtroom and procedures. Like criminal trials are fully just chess matches but with theatrics.

[@nonnasfavorite]

I've honestly never understood how American politics revolve so much about entertainment. I remember even when Bernie was running being weirded out by all the cute art and plushies people were making. Like that's a politician you like not a fictional character!? it's so weird. and so many of my American friends didn't see anything weird about it either

[@kerizella]

​@@loadishstonedidn't Trump literally got famous because of a tv show lmao? Wasn't a president in the 70s an actor before or something? From a non American standpoint, yes, US politics seem inextricably tied to entertainment

[@d.d.d.a.a.a.n.n.n]

I mean I think plenty of Americans think it's uncomfortable, but the thing is it makes money, so our opinions don't seem to matter

[@sharonharris9782]

​@@kerizellayou've literally just mentioned two or three people. So you consider American politics to be linked to entertainment solely based in less then a handful of people? 😂 Okay

[@searchingfororion]

The *White House* has a gift shop and it sells "Bill Clinton cigars" (still carries that product last I heard). I've seen several of these... 'fine specimens' in person. Despite how many people changed their opinion about that situation because of the power dynamic - our capital building has the absolute gaul to continue offering these souvenirs because 'hey, get it? Remember THAT story?'. We are pretty gross about political figures.

[@nonnasfavorite]

@nezahuatez oh trust me I have a lot of thoughts of my own country's elections and the stunts pulled to win votes and things done to stroke nationalism and/or distract people from horrible things happening that need fixing. but since the videos about American politics that's why I only pointed that out with America, and also I think America does go above and beyond most countries when it comes to turning politics and elections into entertainment

[@omnib5138]

The points Khadija made are really good, we often complain about how these politicians say the most darnedest things but we also encourage it by engaging with it. We can try to call it out but a lot of them are delusional and aren’t willing to listen. Ima good ahead and do my part by avoiding to interact with any media focusing on them

[@OlWyatt]

Thank you! I watched that interview horrified. Like, is this real? I can’t change anyones opinion, and I understand the appeal to a degree, but I feel like these extreme liars should not be put on a pedestal or in office. But what do I know….

[@KhadijaMbowe]

You just a baby 🥹

[@belly-avrill]

5:54 dude, i've experienced the exact same thing. I was hanging out with a bunch of my friends once and this one guy I knew just made up a whole-ass story involving me while I was sitting right there next to him!!! it was honestly impressive in a way. pathological liars are wild.

[@tallyshay217]

This blows my mind. Usually people will have some bits of truth in their narratives even if they lie. Maybe it's the Autism, but I don't understand how someone can live like that. You would never have a true relationship with anyone or anything if you were a pathological liar. I feel like that would be an incredibly lonely experience.

[@uschilou]

I had a friend like that in high school, it used to catch me so off guard and I'd be sitting there, speechless. Like, why drag other people into your lies?

[@Nick_CF]

Over the years I feel like I have become insane being surrounded by people who are not serious...its like being surrounded by children all the time.

[@tylachad6102]

Children are great people to be around. Adults are the problem because they’re the ones ruining society 😅

[@SSDJ816]

Bingo

[@cherryflavoredplaylist753]

Same here, I was thinking ab this the other day, and it’s ironic to me because growing up I was always seen as the person who never took anything seriously, and I’ve never been a particularly serious person but somehow the roles have reversed and I’m the one who’s “too serious” simply because I won’t play pretend w everyone that things are fine and that we’re not literally witnessing people die on our phones, suddenly it’s “not the place” when I refuse to ignore the elephant in the room and shut up for the sake of everyone’s comfort , I feel like I’m losing my mind every single day and in a world that’s fine with watching others suffer relentlessly of coarse I’m going to feel insane because it’s not me that’s crazy it’s people that would rather live in delusion rather than talk about what we’re all seeing that have truly lost it.

[@vanessacarly5140]

@@cherryflavoredplaylist753 I think the thing we forget is that maybe not all, but a good chunk of people are absolutely not fine watching it happen either but have been so thoroughly demoralized that they're willfully internalizing their cognitive dissonance as a coping mechanism and reverting to the script we use to maintain normalcy. It's giving the meteor is about to destroy us all so let's just have a nice dinner

[@Leo7moon]

My sibling's co-op had a George-Santos themed prog party where every floor's theme was a different lie. The first floor was him being Jew-ish, the second floor was his mom dying in 9/11, and the third floor was him doing OnlyFans. There were also specific rooms with other themes. I think about this on a daily basis

[@mikeymullins5305]

I love this.

[@sp.2778]

Wow, I hate this.

[@wuraolaolagunju]

Masque of the Red Death - 2023 edition

[@offbranddorito9668]

Mikey and sp should have a baby and ask that baby what they think about the George santos themed prog party

[@user38211]

Khadija and Tee uploaded on the same day? I feel loved 🤞🏾

[@j.craiganderson4978]

This is me watching a Khadija video. Laughs for first 15 minutes, followed by furrowing brow for the next 15 minutes, and finishing up with holding my forehead and saying, yes, I’m part of the problem!

[@c4tac133]

lol me too

[@paigehutchinson6777]

I think it’s definitely worthwhile considering how effective blocking celebrities/ppl we don’t want to see is. I remember a couple years ago when poppy gun girl was making the rounds again and my timeline was collectively over her and I haven’t heard about her since. Celebrities really are tinkerbell, like if we block and ignore them, they fade to obscurity

[@oatpirate4966]

100% agree!

[@renabissance]

Totally agree! I've been muting and blocking people that constantly talk about Kanye West on social medias ever since he spoke up about Hitler, and even muted words with his names so anything related to him won't appear on my timeline. Believe it or not, it's actually making me feel at peace now that I don't have to see anything related to him unsolicited anymore (like seeing someone tweeted about him and it appeared on my timeline), unless I want to know and had to look up for news about him.

[@mmps18]

Facts!!

[@593bm]

As someone who always really appreciates your inclusion of sources I just want to say thank you for all the effort you put in and I'm sorry its been underappreciated!

[@transgenderbasketballplayer]

what r u talking about? There are literally no sources in the description.

[@rafaelfernandez6670]

Yeah same when she said that I remembered in her old videos the sources I almost never clicked which I regret now

[@593bm]

@@transgenderbasketballplayer in the descriptions of their previous videos

[@Alexandra_L_K]

I love Ziwe and her interviews. But I do have to agree with some of the criticism surrounding her decision to offer him her platform (though I’m not mad at the decision either). I’ve seen a lot of people saying stuff like “y’all don’t understand! She just makes people feel comfortable so they don’t even realize they’re EMBARRASSING themselves! We’re laughing AT them!” And acting like a Ziwe interview would ever have the potential to knock someone like santos down a peg. And that’s annoying to me because at the end of the day none of that matters. Everyone knows exactly what they’re getting themselves into when they agree to sit down with Ziwe. We all know santos is a pathological liar, but NOW he’s a pathologically lying slay the boots house down queen. He could’ve gone up there and admitted to murders and he still would’ve left the interview a newly minted✨cunty icon✨ lol. Because we as a people are clowns. I’m not MAD at Ziwe, the cultural currency she gave him is something he probably would’ve achieved on his own eventually. It was also a very smart move for her, professionally. But if we are gonna do this, we gotta stop lying to ourselves about it lol. The interview wasn’t a humiliating, groundbreaking exposé. It was entertainment. We love it because it’s entertaining. A Ziwe interview gives santos an entertainment status that overshadows any sort of perceived “embarrassment” and we don’t care because we love an evil gay. Like let’s just bfr.

[@alpacafish1269]

THIS!!

[@courtneyfranklin2750]

When she said "THIS IS WHY WE DON'T HAVE RIGHTS" I about fell out of my chair laughing😂

[@YourMajesty143]

I busted out laughing at that too!

[@jazthespaz837]

I’m definitely one of the ten who actually reads the work cited and it made me kinda sad when I noticed you stopped doing that. I feel you when you say that people don’t care about things. I’m constant battling with my nihilistic thoughts because people just don’t. Give. A fuck. Like the world is burning, there’s an active genocide happening that our country is funding, slavery still exists, “green” energy is still exploitative, SHIT IS HAPPENING. And some days I feel on the verge of a panic attack because I’m just screaming into a void and nothing is getting done. So George DeSantos is just the top of the ice burg for me

[@spirit_theyarehere]

some days?? I’m having anxiety attacks EVERY day 😭

[@AnaMendes-ti7hz]

As a brazilian, I can definitely say that americans have no idea how George Santos behavior is not even close to the chaos of politics in Latin America lol

[@Lupe5677]

Girl I was about to say the same although he has that "cara de pau" we Brazilians have for sure kkkkkk

[@alisonhenry820]

Interesting!! And scary😂

[@eryabolonha]

The rant at the end was everything. I think, at least for me, sometimes the world doesn't seem real like this is some kind of matrix because we're so F'ed up The way Obama had me in 2008 with the - Yes We Can - I thought we would be the generation to change the world 💔

[@scobeymeister1]

We still can be. Change is collective but collectives are made of individuals. You alone aren't gonna make a difference right away but enough of us together can (and I think, will) make meaningful changes. It's a matter of doing it even when you can't see the difference you make. And it's not too late to start ❤

[@jac8313]

There’s one thing I think he was unintentionally honest about in that interview, and I t’s when she asked him what will it take to get him to go away and he said stop inviting him because we love the drama and he knows that.

[@Prederick]

Yeah, there's a reason that part went viral. It's the most honest, and, unfortunately, the most correct he's ever been.

[@Kairo_Banks]

Seriously thank you Khadijah for calling us out because a lot of us needed to hear that(Especially me lol). And us mature folks out here will actually take your advice 😌🫶🏾

[@jlcii]

"I know what the people want! They want to be shocked, and they want to be stunned, and they want to be jolted!" -Grace Jones as Strangé in the movie Boomerang. And boy, doesn't that ring true especially nowadays.

[@vi6ilanteshit]

THIS. There was a 2020-2021 Netflix film about social media, can’t remember the name, but they interviewed many people who worked on the algorithms for twitter, facebook, etc. And they all said basically that attention is currency on the internet. If you truly dislike or disagree with something, the best way to collectively take away its power is to DISENGAGE. Do not watch, do not like or dislike, do not comment, just take your attention elsewhere. This entirely changed the way I engage with the internet, and recommend more people try it too. Mute the words, mute the accounts, take power back.

[@essbee1641]

I think that film was called “The Social Dilemma.”

[@vi6ilanteshit]

@@essbee1641 that’s the one! Thank you

[@sophiarivera7364]

Fully agree! Prime example was the sh*ne d*wson stuff. Why was everyone STILL paying attention and watching his stuff when we knowwww attention is currency? However, I do not feel the same way about the Ziwe interview. That was entertainment for me and it was a jumping off point for me to be more well informed of what exactly his story was. His crimes are a FAR cry from the deplorable actions of a one shanaynay dawson. Platforming a problematic politician to tell on themselves is very different from putting a p*do on a pedestal

[@erinbell9886]

this has me thinking a lot about Ismatu Gwendolyn saying that Americans' attention is our most valuable form of currency.. we crave the drama and demand accountability but have got to think more critically about it

[@gabbym333]

I'm not sure if you've made a video about this before, but I'd be interested in you talking about Canadian politics too. I'm currently reading a book that is about the Murdered Missing Indigenous Women in Canada and it has opened my eyes to a lot of the colonial violence that happens there. More people need to know about it. The book is called "Unbroken: My Fight for Survival, Hope, and Justice for Indigenous Women and Girls" by Angela Sterritt.

[@alpacafish1269]

YES YES YES YES!!

[@eleanorsherry4620]

boosting because absolutely yes

[@alisonhenry820]

Please! The Canadian government is a joke now, was TERRIBLE in the past, and needs to be exposed!

[@alisonhenry820]

@KadijaMbowe please do! I'd love to see more Canadian videos ❤

[@kiwwykeen5305]

thank you for your authenticity. it makes me sad folks didn't read the sources--myself included. but just the other day i remarked to a friend recommending your videos as a trustworthy source of what's going on in the world and culture and society, and i know that's right because you source your material well, you've proven that about yourself. just want you to know your effort was seen and appreciated, and i'm sorry people didn't appreciate it more. i totally understand why you wouldn't keep doing it. also know that i see your content as more than entertainment--i'm not really online besides ig and youtube, so your content keeps me connected and shares valuable perspective on whats happening in the world, as a more trustworthy source than any news outlet or whatever. i hope you know that as soon as i get out of this bankruptcy thing and i'm back on my feet, i'll be joining the patreon, because i want you to be supported. thank you, i smoked weed while watching, so i'm being lengthy, hope you feel honored!

[@13realmusic]

I would still love to see a works cited page document linked in your description. It sucks that not many people are clicking, but I do like to treat video essayist like Wikipedia in that sense of checking the research sources you already used.

[@isaacbarry2520]

It is a really good point that treating politics unseriously - as entertainment - is a lot of what got us into the current political disaster, it’s truly jaw dropping how many people are totally disengaged from the politics that control their lives. From a more engaged political perspective, tho, I still can’t help but make excuses for Santos. To be clear his politics are abhorrent and he would be dangerous in any position of actual power; but the fact that he was kicked out of Congress and not Bob Menendez is proof it had nothing to do with the crimes and everything to do with optics. Santos, probably unintentionally, exposed our supposedly democratic and meritocratic political system for the farce it is. They all are white-collar criminals!! They all insider trade, they’re all war profiteers, their kids get lucrative corporate positions or jobs at think tanks. They’re only in that position because of money, privilege, and connections. Santos embarrassed them by conning his way into their exclusive little club. Politically he’s no worse then at least 90% of Congress and personally I love to see them sweat. Thus in spite of it all, I can’t help but be entertained by George and I don’t think it’s inherently politically iffy. The Monster is sooo much bigger then one bigoted fraudster and goddammit I need to not hate everything all the time!!

[@SSDJ816]

Lmao at the end of your comment. That was funny. I personally wouldn't make excuses for Santos but I get your point of view. I think anyone that's followed politics and the people involved were already aware of how evil and slimy it all is. It's honestly just all a joke and it's very unfortunate.

[@jkroyzer]

“Being marginalized does not make you morally superior!” Thank you

[@pennelini]

I'm sorry you've had to play the clickbait game just to be heard, and that your well thought-out citations haven't been appreciated :( I just found your channel recently and your blend of intelligence, self-awareness, and humor is so valuable - thank you!

[@anightscarlet]

I actually really miss the works cited at least for the deep dives. I actually wanted to read more into the education/literacy video and was disappointed when I couldn’t find the Google doc. When it comes to educational KZbinrs I find people that cite their sources more credible and am more likely to return to watch more. Maybe others feel the same way

[@kaemincha]

agreed, sources make me want to watch a creator more (if they are citing stuff!)

[@KatiCleo]

To be honest while I agree the interview was wildly problematic for the reasons you mentioned and entertaining at the same time, maybe this is me as someone who lives in Europe but I do feel like Santos' charm after this will wear off. Sure he was "iconic" and relatable but as an outsider peering in it made me realize "oh this man is a gimmick", and people who become brands that solely rely on gimmicks are fads that eventually wear off. Unless he finds some radical ways to reinvent himself he won't last much more than this and I dont think hed be reelected easily. When the news about him spending campaign money for botox and only fans broke out a lot of people were kinda cheering him on, but I think this interview kind of reached a saturation point for his schtick. The danger people like Santos pose and the lesson we need to take away from this interview is the same we should have gotten when Trump got elected, meaning it's not one we will learn any time soon. As you very eloquently said, politics has been intersecting with entertainment for quite a while, and somehow through it our bar for how an elected representative should conduct themselves has plummeted. Everything is entertainment, very little is art. We produce and don't create. Even the most innocuous ad we take for granted that it will lie to us by omission or by obscuring "the technicalities". Unless we radically reform the way we engage with online media and the world around us nothing will change and there will come a new, trendier, more memeable George Santos that will create more damage than the ones before him.

[@869ofuncertainty]

I can see how this could be misconstrued in Santos' favor if you don't know Ziwe's work. I do get the feeling he loves the applause whether with him or against him.

[@allflowersintiiime]

"Not all skinfolk is kinfolk" is the best description for all of the politicians who uphold the American settler colonial project. None of these politicians are above reproach.

[@skyumi8392]

I appreciate where you're at so much, especially with the end of the video. I will say as much as so many of us are being exhausting, for allowing our own ability to laugh at fires to let ourselves get burned, I think we also need the person screaming at us, "Y'all, that's a fire, you need to stop." And you're always doing an amazing job of doing that realistically and compassionately. So no matter how much the system and the platform and WE are a frustration, YOU change us for the better in so many ways. I just uniquely and individually wanted to say how much I appreciate that. Even if I lack the energy to say so every video, I've thought so since I found your channel. 💜

[@dylnpickl846]

Your final points here are so vital rn. I periodically assess, and change if necessary, the content I'm consuming and seeking out, for these and other reasons. It has been worth the effort for me.

[@RogueBliss]

I needed to hear the last part again, because as much as I'm trying so hard to get my attention span to be longer, work on my media literacy, not take everything at face value, and be serious about a lot of things, I can always still do better. Thank you for your videos always! I wanna say too that I don't look at your sources most of the time but only because I'm usually at work listening to you. I appreciate you and the work you do❤

[@transhusko3607]

being a Brazilian I have to say... it's a mix of emotions I'm ashamed? yes... but a little amazed? also yes

[@Lupe5677]

Totalmente kkkkk

[@hermanlane9846]

I have been an avid reader for most of my life. I started to drop off reading when my job became draining several years back. It’s a job that requires reading too many emails and too many documents. I eventually got a subscription to Audible so I could listen to books. It’s been really good but in 2024 I want to read again even if it’s on my kindle. This will keep me immersed in the life I truly care about and minimize the circus that keeps invading my ability to live out this term of life in a way I feel more fullfilled

[@philalethistry7937]

"We are so fucking unserious" I've literally been thinking that for a few years now, and the heaviness of recent events and the current economy and social tensions and, you know, everything, have really highlighted how, to many people in power, politics is only shallow entertainment. I hope that we can make strides against continuing to treat politics as a game, and I think that the presence of the internet potentially could be a step towards this goal, especially for the younger generations. (I actually found this channel while trying to find a trustworthy channel that covers what's happening in current US politics, such as the months-on-end looming government shutdown. I am trying to be better informed, so if anyone has a recommendation I'd appreciate it! YT search engine hasn't been helpful in this regard.)

[@LorenzoGonzalesBrady]

Even if your heart isn’t in it, your dissecting the culture war is really helpful and appreciated.

[@joschlo7898]

Yes yes yes thanks for making this a topic!!!

[@Ron1840]

People who enjoyed this "entertainment" and find George funny are complicit with journalists and media losing their credibility These fans don't care about fascists as long as they dress well and regurgitate AAVE. Stop giving George a platform and attention

[@MaddisonintheSky]

YEP

[@pizzadogma]

But journalists and media also give this man a platform too? They literally did that with trump????

[@MaddisonintheSky]

@@pizzadogma yes and it’s fuck them also

[@so53190]

People get so caught up on “vote with your dollar” but they fail to understand that our attention is also currency. It’s the reason all the social media platforms we use are free. WE are the product. Giving attention and views can be as impactful as giving your dollar

[@JuiciferPandoraRex]

he may know how to work the camera and a crowd, but he does not know how to work a ziwe. then again, who does?

[@nelsonth]

Bob the Drag Queen and Katya did Ziwe pretty well

[@JuiciferPandoraRex]

@@nelsonth oooh! that is true. still rarified air.lol

[@ctheo2020]

💥

[@XTSpeaks]

I personally try very hard to hold myself accountable. To the point where my therapist told me to stop being mindful but its very hard not to be, but she says this because it makes it hard to operate in this world the way I do. When I started this journey I wanted to try my best to live my principles literally. Of course theres a lot of tweaks that have had to be made, but relationships are very hard for me. I don't see them the way a lot of people do and when I find my people its that they dont follow through with their principles.They see me do it to myself and when they fail (destagmatize failure, i failed a lot) it feels like, they justify whatever they do but when I dont buy into the justification theres conflict. shitstough

[@mlrh123]

Got recommended this channel- have watched a few videos and they are all so fantastic!!! Well researched, funny, open to dialogue, and just so great. Criminally underrated. Sending to friends!

[@dylanmaxey2531]

Thanks!

[@Bagsy454]

In regards to you trying to stop making these kinds of videos, I hope you'll continue to make the videos about gender dynamics, feminism, etc. Those videos have really shaped the way I look at my own relationships and helped me approach others with more kindness and generosity. I really find your channel to be an encouraging space on a website that generally makes me want to stay indoors

[@alisaturner5200]

the scam goddess reference!!!!

[@maijennasis]

the rant was needed!

[@iamuhura]

It's very concerning and odd that tracking clicks has trained you as a content creator NOT to add source links because "ppl don't click them". Those links aren't meant to be tracked that way so it's giving very skewed data that people then act on. 😥

[@dmcginnis1000]

Hi Khadija, newer listener but I do appreciate your perspective and humor on the topics you have focused and especially this one…the exhaustion of it is real…and recognizing the intersectionality of privileges I carry, I know my exhaustion is only relative to what others have experienced. I guess two wonderings I have based on your video: 1) the place that introverts exist in the current social/political discourse and 2) thinking about film theory for a second, how the love of these “political characters” aligns with the narrative story telling we promote as a country. Thank you again!

[@elim9071]

Khadija, I love you!!! 💕 Thank you so much for the rant at the end, it reminded me there were some older videos I wanted to review and read the resources from! Yeah dude, we gotta get active on what we say & believe!

[@Athena-ei4hi]

Thank you for the read, I needed it today🙏🏻

[@xavierespinosa1576]

I think you're commentary was incredible. I enjoyed the correlation that you have between entertainment and politics and how the spin is really what drives the actions that we're seeing developing day-to-day. you're coming so that provoking and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing your presentation

[@coffeeonzeetele]

Are you saying he has charisma uniqueness nerve and talent

[@KhadijaMbowe]

We are the problem

[@taxfrauddotcom]

He has nerve but idk about those other three...

[@HikariTheGardevoir]

as a European who had no idea who this guy was (and who also didn't have the time/energy to further dive into it after watching Ziwe's interview), I thank you. That interview was hella entertaining, and it's nice to now know a LOT more about the background of it

[@lilfizz1105]

LOVE THIS VIDEO! I really appreciate your willingness to openly talk about how you use this platform (re: entertainment). Because in doing so, you are reaching so many more people and (tbh) holding them accountable in their viewership/participation in this entertainment (that is often paired with harmful passivity). But also--not judging or using harsh language to describe this common state of mind. If you were to write a book or essay, I would definitely read it.

[@funnybunny2304]

I am really loving this sunglasses with your nose piercings. Its like Chic Blade.

[@LucasLMR]

Acording to the brazilian media, both of his parents are brazilian (mother from Rio de Janeiro and father from Minas Gerais)

[@blobbystuff]

Your video opened my mind on a loophole that I’ve been stuck in for the last 2 years and your rant at the end just bamboozled me well tbh the whole video did thank you from the bottom of my heart

[@ohladysamantha]

you are so right about the attention paid to these things and how unserious we are. it is scary.

[@Idyllicfae]

I’m feeling mixed signals😭 you said it was very entertaining so I was going to watch it and then you said not to pay attention and I could be part of the problem… you didn’t have to edge me like that🙄😂😂 like jeeeeezzz

[@vl5008]

Thanks for the reality check sister.

[@WinterlyHeights]

16:32 - I live in Australia so only found out about Santos through Ziwe (didn't know much about him before that). So glad she interviewed him!

[@Hantyumi_3000]

Thank you for an amazing year of videos, I hope you still keep making them if you feel up to it! Happy holidays and happy new year to you and yours

[@00christie]

girl, the last 5 minutes of this video is so real. i support you 💯 i work in media and i think trading on your morals just comes with the job description. thank you for what you do. ❤ love your content.

[@princeoflillies777]

I love your videos, and I loooved this one too. Everything you said at the end, I especially felt deeply. Been asking myself how to divest my attention from the things I don’t believe in, and it’s hard! I deeply appreciate your thoughts and analysis. That’s all. Bless you 🎉❤

[@pitpride1220]

I'm one of the few people who really doesn't have any interest or knowledge about George Santos. When it was going on it didn't really catch my attention. Yes,I knew the name. I've probably learned more about him from this video than anywhere else. So thank you for that! Nothing about him speaks to me.

[@robinj340]

I love your work! Keep it up and I hope you are in the position you want to be in soon. You and Kelechi Okafor are the only content creators that just completely soothe me because you speak truth from a place of integrity, intellect and love. Wishing you all the best for 2024❤

[@kayboy6055]

I left after watching that interview thinking how dangerous it'd be to really have this guy appear non-hostile, in LGBT liberal spaces and just speaking. He honestly gave off the vibe that he's just having a heart to heart. yet every one of his replies were polished lies by omissions. He seemed relatable on everything non-political and then strikingly so generic and moderate on the things that were. He honestly swept under so much under the rug and it honestly scared me. Because Ziwe was there for blood and was just left, confused.

[@jay3898]

Ziweeeeeeee! 🥹 my only celebrity crush

[@AishaKarefa]

Gurl forget about all that! Your skin is looking on fleek! Please do a video on your skincare regimen.

[@isavanrooy]

Please keep making the video's with thorough links with books and other resources!!! Even if it's just 10 people liking them (my friends and me) we will keep spreading the love we have for your video's

[@KaylaMarie_]

Comedians have been interviewing politicians for decades. It used to be more common actually

[@myunqsoo]

here early and I love your commentary on everything lately! you keep me grounded

[@kwatson4394]

Claps for the "rant at the end of this!" OMG!!! We are so not serious!!! All of these things that we actively look for to avoid our responsibility in our own lives!! We are becoming Wall-E... #WakeUp

[@raynacarraway440]

Can we talk about how Ziwe did more harm than good (if that was even her goal) with this interview though? Yes her content is known for being satirical. She's still knowingly platforming a horrible person who has absolutely no shame/nothing to lose solely for a check, and now he has more fans than ever. She even had the nerve to ask him "how do we make you go away", and he responded with zero hesitation "stop inviting me to your gigs" to her face during the interview SHE invited him to (she also posed with him and his Birkin bag of "stolen" money 🙃). Khadija brought this up something I thought about too, but after seeing Tr*mp become president I just can't joke about these political personaities when they're genuinely dangerous for our government. I lost a lot, if not all, respect for her after this, and now I have to witness people calling him "slay" going into the new year 🫠

[@KhadijaMbowe]

I’m so mad I forgot to put him saying that last part in!!!

[@raynacarraway440]

Also to respond to Khadija's question, no I barely been giving Santos any attention. I watched the SNL and Stephen Colbert stuff cause I like the actors who are portraying him, but I was mainly just too baffled by the fact that he actually held real power when more lies kept coming out to pay the actual man any mind

[@peakdelvalle197]

I was astonished and very entertained but I couldn't get through the whole interview. Eventually it just enraged me too much to continue. Thanks for the post-game analysis, from someone who left before the second half ❤

[@lexiwilkinson5871]

very valid criticism and insight about the situation. thanks for the video

[@funde19]

The scam goddess shout out gave me much joy. I sang along with you. 😂

[@zinja0830]

I was singing the Scam Goddess theme right along with you!

[@Samantha_yyz]

I'm glad you got this off your chest, it really felt like it needed to say this. Of note, if you are no longer doing sources, your channel comment guidelines will need to be updated. As number 1 is, sources in the description haha Hope you have a good end of year and happy holidays, or as good as you can get here in Montreal without snow 😢

[@ithil-maril9141]

You really called us out in this one and that's why we're here

[@cassandracole4589]

i feel about this how i do michael cohen showing up on tv, like, all the time. He's central cast in msnbc or whetever now. I hate how easy it is to just, rehabilitate your career by doing... this. I... buhhh this resonated hard.

[@iamuhura]

Michael Cohen was prosecuted and convicted for his crimes, did his prison time, and has now been mea-culpa ing all over the place trying to warn everyone else about the depth and fullness of Trump's crimes, lies, and narcissism. I side eye him big time but he is no George Santos. re: MSNBC imo Ari Melber, Rachel Maddow, Chris Hayes, and Joy Reid are great at reporting what's happening and asking guests hard questions.

[@ogskullomania3119]

Gods she’s so good Her show should have never been cancelled

[@traceeford2914]

Thanks for the reminder. I'd stopped watching stuff on 45. In 2024, I'll be expanding that list.

[@uncletruth4529]

Gil Scott heron said it best, “We are starring in our own B movie”

[@saaye1475]

just watched this yesterday. i’m ready !!

[@JDesch-wq9zh]

Thank you for this insightful gift, your analysis opened my eyes more. I would even add FDR and his Fireside radio shows (mini podcasts for real) to this mixing of entertainment and politics. The man got four whole terms through this publicity and media while stripping Japanese Americans of their very freedoms and livelihoods. It goes back so damn far