Comrade Sanders Urges Sexually Assault Accused Democrat To Quit Maine Race So Party Can Find Fresher Face To Lose To Susan Collins

WASHINGTON—In a stunning display of progressive principles that somehow only apply when it's politically convenient, self-described democratic socialist Bernie Sanders urged Maine's scandal-plagued Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner to drop out of the race Tuesday, because nothing says "believe all women" like immediately throwing your own guy under the bus the second a damaging allegation drops.

"I have spoken with Graham Platner about the best path forward for Maine," Sanders, a prominent progressive backer of Platner and his biggest national ally, said in a statement."In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside."

Sanders, the cranky Vermont independent who caucuses with Democrats and has spent decades railing against the establishment while being the establishment, joins a growing pile-on of Democrats who were all-in on Platner until a woman accused him of forcibly having sex with her nearly five years ago, an allegation Platner has denied.

Senate Democratic leaders and their allied super PAC suddenly decided Maine, that critical battleground state Kamala Harris somehow won in 2024, isn't worth the investment if their guy might be radioactive.

Kirsten Gillibrand, chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and Chuck 'Nostrils' Schumer, the top Senate Democrat, issued a joint statement to the same effect, calling for Platner to withdraw from the race and allow the party to choose a new nominee.

Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib also withdrew her endorsement for Platner on Tuesday, calling on him to 'exit the race immediately.' "These allegations are devastating and must be taken seriously," she wrote on Twitter/X.

Republicans currently enjoy a comfy 53-47 majority in the Senate, meaning Democrats would need to net four seats just to tie things up and keep pretending they run the place. Losing Maine would make that mathematical miracle basically impossible, forcing them to defend seats in places like Georgia and Michigan, states President Donald Trump actually won in 2024 while somehow flipping deep-red territory like North Carolina, Ohio, Alaska, Iowa, and Texas. 

Good luck with that, comrades.

Platner has remained silent after saying in a social media video on Monday that he was taking time "to reflect on the best path forward," and think about all the girls he loved before.

He can be replaced on the ballot if he drops out by July 13. The Maine Democratic Party would have until July 27 to select a new nominee, presumably one without quite so much baggage this week.

Potential candidates, including Democrats who lost last month's primary for governor, were already positioning themselves for a likely Senate run on Tuesday like vultures circling a progressive dream that just crashed into reality.Former state Senate President Troy Jackson filed federal paperwork on Tuesday to form an exploratory committee that allows him to start fundraising, the Bangor Daily News reported.

Nirav Shah, the former director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said the party should hold an open and transparent process to select a new nominee. "Anyone running for this nomination should agree to at least one televised debate and hold multiple public town halls across every corner of the state," he said in a statement on X that notably emphasized he is "not an establishment politician" or "an insider.

"Republican Incumbent Well-Funded, Surprisingly Not Under Investigation The lucky Democratic nominee, whoever that ends up being, will face Republican Senator Susan Collins, who chairs a panel that oversees the nation’s federal discretionary spending and somehow hasn't been canceled yet despite being a moderate from Maine.

Collins, 73, has a nearly $10 million war chest and is backed by multiple super PACs. The Senate Leadership Fund has pledged to invest $42 million in Maine, and Pine Tree Results PAC has spent almost $7 million boosting her campaign. The Pine Tree Results PAC has canceled its ad reservations for next week, according to the ad-tracking firm AdImpact, which suggests Republicans expect Platner to drop out this week because why waste money on a guy who's already politically dead?

In a statement on Monday, Collins called the allegations against Platner "appalling.""Nevertheless," she said, "it is not up to me to choose the Democratic nominee for Senate." Classic Collins: polite, factual, and ready to watch the Democrats eat each other alive.

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Iran attacks commercial ships in Strait of Hormuz, US launches 'powerful strikes' in return

The world's leading sponsor of "peace through someone else's surrender" has once again discovered that attacking international shipping comes with consequences.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American forces had begun delivering what can only be described as a long overdue reality check to Iran after the regime attacked commercial vessels carrying innocent civilian crews in one of the world's most important waterways.

Apparently, the mullahs mistook American restraint for weakness. That tends to happen right before they learn the difference and experience an FAFO alert.

"U.S. Central Command forces have begun launching a series of powerful strikes against Iran to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway," CENTCOM wrote on X. "The U.S. strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels that were transiting the Strait of Hormuz."

It turns out that when President Donald Trump says freedom of navigation matters, he is not talking about a strongly worded letter or another United Nations group therapy session. He's talking about making sure terrorists and rogue regimes understand that attacking civilian shipping is not a risk free hobby.

CENTCOM left little room for diplomatic spin.

"Iran’s demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire."

Imagine that. Iran agreed to a ceasefire and then violated it. Who could have possibly predicted such an unprecedented plot twist, besides everyone who has watched the regime operate for the past four decades?

The message from Washington appears refreshingly simple. If Iran wants to menace international commerce and threaten innocent lives, America is fully capable of introducing the regime to the bill for its behavior. 

Free passage through the Strait of Hormuz remains a vital American interest, and under Trump, those who threaten it should not expect another lecture. They should expect consequences.

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Ukrainian woman suspect in Monaco parcel bomb shot dead in Kyiv

Anastasiia Berezovska

Anastasiia Berezovska, is the 39-year-old Ukrainian woman suspected of planting the parcel bomb in Monaco on June 29, 2026. Unfortunately for her, she was found shot dead near Kyiv.

Some of you might not remember or know about the Monaco Bombing so I will provide the facts as we know them.

A shrapnel-packed explosive device detonated in the entrance hall of an apartment building in Monaco, seriously injuring Ukrainian-born businessman Vadym Yermolaiev (a sanctioned oligarch with reported Russia ties), his partner, and their son. Authorities described it as a targeted attack. Berezovska was seen on surveillance disguising herself as a man (heavily built, dark long-sleeved top, light shorts, black bucket hat). She fled the scene on foot, then by car to Germany.Monaco prosecutors and Interpol issued a Red Notice for her on charges including attempted murder, placing an explosive device in a public place with criminal intent, and criminal conspiracy. She was Ukrainian, spoke German, and had a tattoo. German police raided a flat linked to her.

Her body was discovered by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) and the Prosecutor General’s Office on July 6 - 7. She suffered from gunshot wounds to the head where pistol cartridges were on the ground nearby outside Kyiv.  She had been buried and the site with torture tools was also discovered.

A serving Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR/GUR) officer confessed to killing her, along with a former law enforcement officer, who also took the law into his own hands. The officer admitted he acted on his own initiative, without informing superiors, and had prior contacts with Berezovska (including money transfers). 

The two men were detained.

No confirmed motive or direct link has been publicly established between Berezovska’s killing and the Monaco bombing’s organizers. Ukrainian officials emphasize the intelligence officer acted independently. Speculation (unconfirmed in official statements) includes possible Ukrainian intelligence ties to the original attack, given Yermolaiev’s profile and the rapid cross-border developments.

The case raises questions about internal Ukrainian dynamics and risks to sanctioned figures abroad.The bombing obviously shocked Monaco, a hub for wealthy Ukrainians and Russians and fast cars.

This remains an active investigation with cross-border elements (Monaco, Ukraine, Germany, Interpol). 

Details could evolve as more evidence emerges. 

[Sources include: BBC, Reuters, CNN, AP.]

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Nashville Jury Convicts Man Who Poisoned Pregnant Girlfriend, Killing Her and Their Unborn Child

Justice was swift in Nashville. After fewer than three hours of deliberations on July 1, a jury found 30-year-old Blaise Taylor guilty of murdering his pregnant girlfriend, Jade Benning, and their 24-week-old unborn daughter. 

Later that same day, jurors recommended he spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Taylor was convicted of second-degree murder for Benning's death, first-degree premeditated murder for the death of their unborn child, and two counts of felony murder covering both victims.

Prosecutors argued that Taylor deliberately poisoned Benning during a February 2023 dinner at the couple's Nashville-area home in an effort to kill their unborn child.

As Alex Byington reported, "Prosecutors accused Blaise Taylor of poisoning Benning by allegedly spiking her pink lemonade with a deadly cocktail of cocaine and alcohol during a Feb. 2023 dinner at their Nashville-area home in an alleged attempt to induce an abortion."

The medical evidence painted a damning picture. Davidson County Medical Examiner Dr. Erin Carney testified that Benning had unusually high levels of cocaine in her system despite having no history of illegal drug use. Taylor initially tried to explain away the medical emergency by calling 911 and telling first responders that his girlfriend appeared to be suffering from an allergic reaction.

The testimony from one of Benning's closest friends proved especially devastating.

According to Li Cohen of WSMV, the friend had been with the couple earlier that evening. After they painted canvases together and took photos, Benning made a frantic phone call.

"She was like, 'I know you put something in my drink because I can't even walk straight.' She was just saying that she couldn't feel her legs," Nijaiha Jackson testified. "...You did this so something would happen to the baby."

Those words would become chilling evidence of what prosecutors said was a calculated act of murder.

The outcome was tragic.

"Benning was clinically dead before an ambulance was able to get her to a hospital," Cohen reported. "Her unborn daughter died within two days, and Benning was taken off life support a week after the incident, on what would have been her 25th birthday."

Taylor managed to avoid arrest for more than a year before authorities tracked him down in Logan, Utah, in March 2024.

According to Metro Nashville Police, the arrest followed "months of investigation" into the deaths. Detectives concluded that Taylor had poisoned Benning without her knowledge on February 25, 2023.

The guilty verdict closes one chapter in a horrific case that claimed two innocent lives. Taylor is scheduled to be sentenced on September 9, where he is expected to receive the punishment recommended by the jury: life in prison.

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Iran Tells America to Stop Being Mean Before It Agrees to Another Deal

Araghchi gets caught picking nose, pretends to be scratching it

One of the more amusing traditions of modern diplomacy is watching the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism lecture the United States about proper etiquette. It is a bit like being scolded on table manners by a burglar climbing through your kitchen window.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi took to X on Tuesday to announce that "negotiations on a final deal will not commence" if the United States continues making military threats. Apparently, the regime that has spent decades funding terrorist proxies, chanting "Death to America," and pursuing regional domination has suddenly become very sensitive about harsh language.

Araghchi insisted that "Para 13 of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is clear. Negotiations on final Deal (sic) will not commence if threats continue."

Then came the wonderfully indignant command: "Honor your signature."

There is something almost poetic about hearing representatives of the Islamic Republic lecture America about honoring agreements. This is, after all, the same regime that has treated international commitments as Dad jokes whenever they stood in the way of its ambitions. But now Washington is expected to speak softly while Tehran pockets concessions.

Paragraph 13 of the memorandum states that the United States and Iran are committed to implementing a ceasefire, lifting the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, waiving sanctions, and unfreezing restricted assets before broader negotiations begin.

It adds, "The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will start negotiations regarding the final deal exclusively on the other paragraphs."

The timing of Araghchi's warning was hardly mysterious. He appeared to be responding to President Donald Trump's remarks on Monday when Trump reminded Tehran that America still possesses both patience and overwhelming military power that can 'bomb the crap' out of Iran if we so choose.

"We're going to make a deal, or we're going to finish the job," Trump said.

That is called leverage. It is also what happens when the world's strongest military negotiates with a regime that has spent years mistaking Western weakness for virtue.

Araghchi attempted to project confidence by declaring, "Millions of proud Iranians rallied in unity to honor Grand Ayatollah Khamenei and his legacy. Neither they nor our Brave Armed Forces are moved by any threats."

U.S. Democrat mourns Khamenei's untimely death from above

Governments that are truly unafraid rarely feel compelled to announce it. History has a funny way of exposing the difference between confidence and propaganda.

America should remember a lesson that has too often been forgotten. Peace is preserved not by pretending tyrants are misunderstood partners. Peace comes when America's adversaries understand that our promises mean something, our patience has limits, and our strength is more than a talking point. 

If Tehran finds that intimidating, perhaps the problem is not the tone coming from Washington. Perhaps it is finally realizing that the era of endless American apologies has come to an end. 

The reality is that while the regime leaders and the IRGC continue to turn oxygen into carbon dioxide, this conflict will never end. 

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Not Very Sunny Hostin feels unsafe in neighborhoods flying Old Glory

The good news is that America's 250th birthday came and went without incident. The bad news is that someone forgot to warn Sunny [whose given name is an oxymoron] Hostin that millions of terrifying suburban homeowners might celebrate by displaying . . .  the American flag. OMG!

The View co-host has once again insisted that neighborhoods covered in Old Glory make her feel "unsafe," reviving a claim she first made in 2021 as though patriotic front porches are the latest national security threat. Interestingly, Hostin has never been attacked by a patriot nor the flag, so she might actually be pulling our collective leg.

During a discussion about America's semiquincentennial, Hostin reminded viewers that she still stands by her mental disorder that creates irrational fear and causes her to get the willies.

"I said this on this show many, many years ago, because this is my tenth year on the show," Hostin recalled. "I said there are times when I walk into a community and I see American flags all over the community and I suddenly feel unsafe because there’s a section of this country that has co-opted the American flag, and they equate being an American or an American flag with White supremacy and that should never be the symbol of White supremacy, but they have weaponized."

Can we finally agree that white supremacy is incredibly minute in our nation, and while it exists, it's highly probable that Hostin has never been the target of such disgusting behavior by someone flying Old Glory at their home. This is why her condition is possibly mental, or perhaps it's racist as she sees everything in terms of race and anger.  

One almost expects the next public service announcement to warn Americans that exposure to excessive patriotism may cause spontaneous cable news anxiety. 

Hostin's comments followed discussion of a viral image showing a group of white nationalists riding a Washington, D.C., Metro train while wearing American flag-themed insignias. The extremists deserve condemnation, but Hostin's leap from a handful of actual racists to ordinary families flying flags outside their homes requires an Olympic-level long jump.

"That, for me, was a defining image of modern America for Black Americans," Hostin said.

Apparently, the existence of fringe extremists now means every retired veteran, every family celebrating Independence Day, and every homeowner with a flagpole is part of the same terrifying landscape. By that logic, criminals who wave rainbow flags would make Pride flags suspicious, yet somehow that standard only seems to apply to Old Glory. And let's not forget those folks whose uniform has an American flag displayed.

Guest host Michelle Buteau eagerly joined the performance after spending the Fourth of July celebrating with a cake reading "America, Do Better B----," because Buteau is also a virtue-signaling person and knows that it's safer to be condemning our great nation than to take a conservative stand defending her.

"When you say it’s the best nation. The best nation for who? Because if we are celebrating 250 years, what are we exactly celebrating, is what I want to know," Buteau said. "So I’m really glad that picture was taken, because that picture is how we feel walking into many rooms, down the street. That picture is how we feel and nobody will believe us. So look at that picture and understand how it feels."

But somehow Buteau and Hostin along with her ilk, have no intention of leaving for what they see as a "better country." That's because there is no better country.  

Fortunately, co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin managed to inject a rare dose of sanity into the conversation.

"The flag belongs to all of us," Griffin replied.

That simple statement seems almost revolutionary on an anti-American program determined to portray the Stars and Stripes as some sort of warning label.

Hostin has been telling this story for years. Back in 2021 she defended another media personality who claimed American flags made her uncomfortable, insisting that neighborhoods decorated with the nation's flag sent an unmistakable message.

"When someone of color, a Black woman, is telling you her feelings, people need to listen and not, you know, repudiate it and not say, 'Well, that can’t be true,'" Hostin had said at the time, later adding, "When I drive into a neighborhood, and it’s not July 4th, and I’m not in a predominantly military household neighborhood and there are flags, American flags, everywhere, alongside Trump flags, alongside flags with stars in a circle, I feel threatened."

Then came the dramatic conclusion.

"Because the message is very clear," she continued. "It’s a message of White supremacy. It’s a message of racism, and it’s a message of their country, not my country. I don’t understand why that would receive backlash. People need to listen when I am saying this is how I feel. This is my experience in this country."

Feelings are real. They are not automatically facts.

If someone genuinely believes that a cul-de-sac full of parents grilling burgers beneath American flags is an inherently dangerous place, the problem probably is not the flags. More likely, it is years of media conditioning that has convinced some people patriotism itself is suspicious by leftists like Hostin.

The irony is impossible to miss. The same commentators who insist the American flag "belongs to all of us" also spend an astonishing amount of time explaining why ordinary Americans should be viewed with suspicion for displaying it. You can't have it both ways, but she's too thickheaded to see this.

If Sunny Hostin truly feels endangered every time she sees Old Glory fluttering in the breeze, Americans can be forgiven for wondering whether the fear is rooted in reality, or simply another daytime television performance designed to turn patriotism into pathology.

I vote for pathology.

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Another Democrat Meltdown: Sexual Assault Allegation Explodes in Platner’s Campaign Right Before the Deadline, Because of Course It Does

Throws Up In His Mouth After Smelling His Own Breath

Oh, how shocking. Another glowing progressive champion finds himself wrapped up in the kind of scandal that would end a Republican’s career in about five minutes flat. 

Democratic Senate candidate Graham "HH" Platner is now embroiled in controversy over his past behavior, including allegations of abuse from ex-girlfriends and that charming Nazi-linked tattoo he used to sport. Speculation is swirling on social media about the future of this scandal-plagued Nazi-loving far-left Democratic nominee after several of his events were mysteriously canceled over the Fourth of July weekend. Then, naturally, Politico dropped an explosive report on Monday afternoon accusing him of sexual assault, timed perfectly ahead of a key deadline. 

How convenient for the party that always lectures us about believing all women, until the woman in question becomes politically inconvenient. Just ask Hillary Clinton about that factoid.

Maine resident Jenny Racicot, 41, told Politico over the course of three interviews that Platner forced her to have sex five years ago against her will, a claim that Herr Platner denied in the story. Additionally, the report says that a man Racicot dated afterward confirmed she had told him about the incident, which was also corroborated by emails between Racicot and her therapist. 

"I remember him grabbing my pelvis and being really forceful of me," Racicot told the outlet, which allegedly took place while Platner was 'almost blackout drunk.' "I remember the specific moment where I thought to myself, like, 'This is no longer my choice.'"

Platner and his wife with whom he was unfaithful

Racicot said in the report that "one of the reasons" she didn't come forward until now was the "huge moral conflict" she had between her support of Platner's politics and not supporting him "as a person." In other words, she was torn between being a Democrat puppet or a victim of a Democrat.

"I just want the truth out there," Racicot said. "I just want people to have a whole scope of who he is as a person."

In a statement to Politico, the Nazi tattoo-wearing Platner said, "These allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue." 

The Platner campaign posted a video on X shortly after the Politico story published where Platner again called the allegations "false" and that he was going to "reflect" on the best path forward. The idea that he is capable of reflecting is questionable since vampires cast no reflection.

"So, regardless of the inaccuracy of the reporting, but mindful the political reality it will inflict, we are taking the time to reflect on the best path forward for the state that I love, the people that I love, the movement I belong to, and the goal of defeating Susan Collins," Platner says in the video. "Those were the goals when we launched this campaign, and they remain my goals today."

Translation from conservative ears: The political reality of voters finding out who you really are is proving rather inconvenient for your communist cosplay tour. As for this writer, I am ashamed that you were a US Marine.

Over the last few days, multiple Platner events over the 4th of July holiday weekend and Monday were mysteriously canceled. There was no official explanation or comment from the campaign, Bangor Daily News reported on Monday, other than one event organizer saying that an event in Gorman was canceled due to Platner "not feeling well." 

Sure, comrade; must be that sudden case of "the voters might actually hear what I stand for" flu.

The news of the canceled events led conservative outlets and pundits to speculate throughout the day on Monday, before the Politico report was published, about whether there was an underlying reason for the cancellations. Turns out their instincts were spot on, as usual.

"Graham Platner cancels MULTIPLE scheduled town hall events as progressive allies tease another scandal is about to hit his campaign," the Maine Wire news outlet posted on X. "Augusta town hall for last night - CANCELED Gorham town hall tonight - CANCELED Sanford town hall tonight - CANCELED. There are no other upcoming events listed on his FB page, or on Mobilize."

"Graham Platner no-showed Fourth of July celebrations across Maine," the National Republican Senatorial Committee posted on X in response to the Maine Wire post. "Now, he's canceling everything else. We wouldn't want to be seen in public either… "

"A well-placed source told us that Graham Platner is dropping out of the Maine Senate race this week," the Washington Reporter posted on X. "Note that Platner has yet to release his Q2 fundraising totals, a sign he may have underperformed expectations." It seems as if Maine voters are hesitant to vote Nazi/Communist this year, but give them time because, hey, you never know.

Susan Collins with her 'banky' and a new lease on Senate?

In addition to the online rumors circulating on Monday, bets on the online prediction market Polymarket surged over the weekend, with users betting that Platner would drop out before the midterms. Even the betting markets know a sinking ship when they see one and soon the rats will also depart, I suspect.

Platner has been at the center of multiple controversies since launching his campaign, including infidelity, alleged physical abuse of an ex-girlfriend, a Nazi-linked tattoo, disparaging comments about the military, referring to himself as a "communist", scrutiny over his working-class bonafides, and a variety of inflammatory posts on a deleted Reddit account. But sure, he’s definitely the man Maine needs in the Senate. What could possibly go wrong that isn't already going wrong in places like New York City?

Despite the controversies, many polls in recent weeks showed that Platner had a lead on Collins. However, a Fox News poll published last week showed Collins with a small advantage, along with more than half of respondents saying that Platner lacks the judgment to serve as a U.S. senator. 

That level of bad judgment deserves its own participation trophy . . .  and a therapist.

Now that Platner has won the Democratic primary, the next key date is 5 p.m. on Monday, July 13. Under Maine law, if Platner formally withdraws as the Democratic nominee by that deadline, the Maine Democratic Party can replace him on the general election ballot by selecting a new nominee through its party process, with the replacement required to be chosen by July 27.

"These allegations are very serious and Graham vigorously denies them," a Platner campaign mouthpiece told Fox News Digital. "They are also coached and coordinated by out of state establishment operatives. For a year, opponents of this campaign have thrown everything they can at Graham – calling him a Nazi, a war criminal, and a communist. None of it has been true and this is no different." 

"It is not a coincidence that this story comes a week before the ballot deadline, just as the previous false allegations came a week before the primary. Graham began this campaign to fight for a Maine where everyone is treated with dignity and where Mainers are put first, and no amount of desperate smears will stop this movement from seeing that vision through."Of course it’s all a vast right-wing conspiracy. It always is, until the next scandal drops.

In fact, the Democratic Party has perfected the art of dropping last minute bombs on GOP candidates and nominees, if memory serves. [See Brett Kavanaugh.]

Meanwhile, Susan Collins continues doing her job while the Democrats tear their latest “working class hero” to shreds. Business as usual in the party of decency, decorum, and implying that Republicans are a danger to the nation and must be dealt with . . . use your imagination, Antifa et al.

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Media Mourns America's 250th Birthday After Citizens Recklessly Celebrate America Instead of Their Feelings

America turned 250 this Fourth of July, but according to the nation's most reliable experts on misery, the real tragedy was that too many people appeared to enjoy themselves.

While millions of Americans celebrated the country's founding with fireworks, flags, and gratitude, much of the corporate press responded as though they had just witnessed a national catastrophe. Apparently, nothing ruins Independence Day quite like an Independence Day celebration featuring... the President of the United States.

The New York Times led the annual Festival of Progressive Despair with an opinion piece by Robin Givhan titled, "Trump Ruined the Fourth of July for Me."

"But this year, I can barely tolerate the sight of red, white and blue," Givhan wrote. "When combined into a maximalist display of nationalist cheerleading, the colors make my heart ache. The flags on federal buildings are grand, but they hang alongside banners featuring President Trump’s scowling face."

One can only imagine the emotional trauma of accidentally encountering the American flag on Independence Day. Therapy dogs are reportedly standing by.

Not to be outdone, The Atlantic's Anne Applebaum declared that President Donald Trump had "inevitably" destroyed America's semiquincentennial celebration simply by existing.

"This year is different, because the White House is inhabited by people who don’t believe in the 'abstractions' that we usually celebrate on the Fourth of July," Applebaum wrote. "And this affects the rest of us, whether we want it to or not. Congress’s celebration, planned for a decade, has been usurped by the president’s celebration, funded by private donors and featuring a political speech by himself. Other institutions in and around Washington postponed or reduced their 250th celebrations, so as not to get in the way of the president. Many people who might have participated will not attend, pay attention, or care."

That is quite a claim considering Americans across the country somehow found time to attend parades, backyard barbecues, fireworks shows, and family gatherings without first consulting an Atlantic columnist.

The Washington Post also worried that Trump had made himself "central" to the anniversary celebration.

"As he has throughout the anniversary celebration, Trump cast himself as central to the story he wants the country to tell about itself: that America was diminished before him, revived by him and is now celebrating its founding through his restoration, a promised 'Golden Age.' At Mount Rushmore on Friday night, he told the crowd that he 'saved, almost single-handedly,' the Second Amendment and that he was going to 'give our country its identity back,'" the reporters wrote.

One almost gets the impression that presidents often deliver speeches during national celebrations. What an unprecedented constitutional crisis.

Former NBC host Chuck Todd responded as though the Declaration of Independence had been replaced with a Trump campaign flyer.

"Trump’s doing all of us a favor by selfishly trying to steal this anniversary from us. We now see who he really is. So no, it’s not the celebration we deserve. It’s not the one we could have had. But we get a mirror, and the mirror is telling us something. The country is a lot bigger than Donald Trump. It is bigger than any president, and it’s obviously bigger than any political party. And there’s no one definition of patriotism," Todd said.

He continued, "But it still needs leaders who understand that it still needs citizens who insist on it. And it still needs people willing to say that the national story belongs to all of us, not just whoever happens to hold power at any one moment. America at 250 may be a lost opportunity. Donald Trump has absolutely sullied the brand of America. But America 275 does not have to be."

Todd later confessed he felt angry and "betrayed as an American," insisting Trump had "cheapened" the nation.

"This is why I’m so pissed off. Not because I love the country less, but because I love the idea of America enough to resent seeing it cheapened by this man. America deserved better at 250. Some day, I believe it will get better. But it's in your hands," Todd said.

The irony is difficult to miss. While ordinary Americans spent the holiday waving flags and celebrating the country that has provided more liberty and prosperity than any nation in history, many elite commentators seemed personally offended that anyone would display too much patriotism.

For a movement that constantly insists America is irredeemably flawed, Independence Day presents an annual dilemma. It is difficult to celebrate a nation you spend the other 364 days apologizing for.

Meanwhile, President Trump delivered a 28 minute speech at Mount Rushmore before a 23 minute fireworks display honoring America's 250th birthday.

"The American dream still lives, and the American flag still flies more proudly than ever before over the people who will not quit," Trump said. "The nation that will not fail, the country that will not fall no matter how hard the enemy tries, we cannot be beaten."

Judging by the media reaction, the fireworks were not the loudest explosions of the evening. That honor belonged to the sound of progressive pundits collectively melting down because America celebrated . . .  America.

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