Gaslit Nation

Here's what you missed at last week's Gaslit Nation Salon: a lively debate among our listeners over whether Trump, or his allies, somehow staged the WHCD assassination attempt.
The discussion opens with a look at the same heightened "unreality" created by Putin in Russia, thanks to a well-funded propaganda operation and conspiracy theories to come to power and stay in power.
To join today's Gaslit Nation Salon, find the Zoom link, along with our recordings, at Patreon.com/Gaslit. Thank you to everyone who supports the show. We could not make Gaslit Nation without you.

In this week's Gaslit Nation Bonus Show, Daniella Mestyanek Young, The Knitting Cult Lady, author of the new book The Culting of America, explains how to get justice for survivors and protect children from Christian nationalist cults to Epstein's transnational crime network–better laws, better leaders, and ban home-schooling. "When countries outlaw homeschooling, it is one of the best protections that children can be given," she says.
This week's bonus show also includes a look at serial predator Eric Swallwell, a rising star of the Democratic Party establishment, who has long been plagued by rumors. But despite that, he was the establishment's chosen one to lead the fourth largest economy in the world as California's governor, an important stepping stone to the White House. How can a predator protect us from Epstein's crime cult–which hasn't been brought to justice–or release the full files, as mandated by law? They can't. 
While the interview with The Knitting Cult Lady is available to all listeners, to hear the full episode be sure to subscribe at the Truth-teller tier ($5/month) or higher and support the show. Save the date! We're opening the May 11th (Andrea's birthday!) Gaslit Nation Salon at 4pm ET with a reading of an excerpt of one of Andrea's screenplays. Come one, come all, and celebrate with us at Patreon.com/Gaslit. Thank you to everyone who supports the show. 
For a look at how to take back our country from John Robert's pro-Jim Crow Supreme Court, check out the expert advice from past guests in our show notes. 
Show Notes:
Supreme Court Resources:
Ari Berman on standing up to the GOP's minority rule: https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2024/4/23/minority-rule

Elie Mystal on expanding the Supreme Court: https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2024/10/15/expand-the-court-the-elie-mystal-interview

Leah Litman on the lawless MAGA cult and the Supreme Court: https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2025/5/21/lawless?rq=Supreme%20Court

Who will protect us from the Supreme Court? https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2023/12/06/supreme-court-jesse-eisinger-part-1?rq=Supreme%20Court

Six Solutions to Fix the Supreme Court https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/policy-solutions/six-solutions-fix-supreme-court

The only way to end the class divide: the case for abolishing private schools https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/aug/24/the-only-way-to-end-the-class-divide-the-case-for-abolishing-private-schools
How California Democrats Got Behind Swalwell — and Quickly Abandoned Him https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/12/us/california-democrats-eric-swalwell.html
The whisper network that caught up to Eric Swalwell https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/13/influencers-allegations-eric-swalwell-00869517
How Did California Democrats Let Eric Swalwell Get This Far, Anyway? They surely knew about his misconduct ages ago. And more broadly, California Democrats aren't doing their party any favors. https://newrepublic.com/article/208972/democrats-boot-eric-swalwell-california
Why Democrats Are Accusing the FBI of Trying to 'Smear' Rep. Eric Swalwell https://www.aol.com/news/why-democrats-accusing-fbi-trying-200552331.html
How Eric Swalwell's fall was brought on by a network of women who organized online https://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/npr/nx-s1-5784021/how-eric-swalwell-s-fall-was-brought-on-by-a-network-of-women-who-organized-online
Manhattan prosecutor investigates abuse claims against congressman Eric Swalwell https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7vq0jnn0yro
Swalwell pushes back, and a Dem crime shift in Sacramento https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-playbook-pm/2026/04/07/swalwell-pushes-back-and-a-dem-crime-shift-in-sacramento-00862465 
How Eric Swalwell Rose to the Top of Democratic Politics as Rumors Followed Him https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/04/15/nation/eric-swalwell-resigned-governor-race/
GOP's Chances of Winning House After Supreme Court Voting Rights Act Move https://www.newsweek.com/gop-chances-winning-house-supreme-court-voting-rights-act-11897294

Is America a cult? How can we help those trapped in cult-like thinking? Discussing her new book The Culting of America, Daniella Mestyanik Young, a US Army veteran, intelligence officer, and survivor of the notorious Children of God cult, joins Gaslit Nation to help us identify coercive control in our own lives, and in our White House. 
Daniella breaks down the "sex cult math" of her upbringing, identifying the same tactics of coercive control now fueling the MAGA movement. Trump has pulled disparate groups into a singular cult of personality, where he is viewed as a "flawed vessel" of a "perfect God" delivering a Christian theocracy coming after our rights. 
As a counter-terrorism expert, Daniella warns that the "arrogance" of Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner's war of choice in Iran is a classic cult leader trap. Tyrants lose when they start "sampling their own Kool-Aid," she points out. She also advises on how to help those in your life who have fallen down the conspiracy theory rabbit hole of cult-like thinking, to help them find their way to reality. This is an episode not to miss. 
Save the date! At the Gaslit Nation Salon on Monday May 11 4pm ET, we'll start with a special reading of an excerpt of one of Andrea's screenplays. To join the festivities, become a member at Patreon.com/Gaslit - thank you to everyone who supports the show. 
Want to hear Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chats, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit!
Show Notes:
Yes, Some Government Conspiracies Are Real, like MKUltra: Welcome to The Church Committee Report https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2026/1/28/the-playbook-for-defeating-maga-the-church-committee-report?rq=The%20Playbook%20for%20Defeating%20MAGA%3A%20The%20Church%20Committee%20Report 
EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION:
Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community

New! There's now a California Signal Group for Gaslit Nation listeners to find each other and connect in that state. Join on Patreon. 

The Gaslit Nation Outreach Committee discusses how to talk to the MAGA cult. Join on Patreon. 

Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other. Join on Patreon. 

Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other. Join on Patreon. 

Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect. Join on Patreon. 

Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join. Join on Patreon. 

Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group. Join on Patreon. 

As always, keep it kind in our chat groups, extend grace and assume good faith. A culture of care is how we build a better world.

We've received questions and comments from Gaslit Nation listeners about the assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents' Dinner over the weekend. Here's our response. We can discuss at today's Gaslit Nation Salon at 4pm ET, along with whatever is happening in your neck of the woods. Sign up on Patreon.com/Gaslit to join the discussion: https://www.patreon.com/posts/zoom-link-for-156366425?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Join our community of listeners, get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more. Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit
Show Notes:
Opening Clip: Obama Roasts Trump in 2011: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4H47RaRDadY
Dr. Bandy Lee Interview on Gaslit Nation: https://www.patreon.com/posts/confederacy-of-114975456?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link 
MAGA Is Increasingly Convinced The Trump Assassination Attempt Was Staged https://www.wired.com/video/watch/maga-is-increasingly-convinced-the-trump-assassination-attempt-was-staged

On Monday May 11 at 4pm ET at the Gaslit Nation Salon, get ready for a big peek behind the curtain. To celebrate Andrea's birthday, we're starting that day's salon with a production of the first 15 pages or so of one of her antifa screenplays. It's based on a story longtime Gaslit Nation listeners may recognize. And we'll leave it there. To get your ticket and support the show, join our community of listeners at Patreon.com/Gaslit, get all episodes ad free, bonus shows, exclusive invites, and more. Thank you to everyone who supports the show!