45 Comments
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Joe Keller's avatar

Jack, you bring smiles to my face when reading your thoughts. Love it. 👍😊

Jack Hopkins's avatar

Joe...and THAT...just brought a smile to my face!

Have a great night.

-Jack

J. M. Van Tassel's avatar

The “Mini-Scandal That Justifies His Removal” Method (15% likelihood):

IT CAME TODAY: The Signal message that included inviting an Atlantic editor...Hegseth's first mistake has been brought back.

Jack Hopkins's avatar

J.M....I absolutely love your comment...or...actually...I like the second comment you made...even better. It tells me that you are using the Jack Hopkins Now Newsletter...EXACTLY how I hope people will use it:

To sharpen your senses and awareness...and prime yourself to begin seeing the world in a whole new way...and detect things you used to never see.

Oh that is exactly how these things start.

The “Mini-Scandal That Justifies His Removal” method doesn’t begin with a classified leak...or a rogue staffer...or a whistleblower stepping up to a podium.

It starts with a nudge.

A breadcrumb.

A reminder.

A “hey… remember this little thing?”

A reintroduced mistake from the past...dropped into the bloodstream at the moment when the target...is already wobbling.

And today?

That Signal message with the Atlantic editor’s name attached?

That was the nudge.

That was the breadcrumb.

That was someone inside the system saying:

“It’s time.”

They’re not trying to destroy him in one blow.

They’re trying to weaken him...just enough...that the next misstep becomes the justification.

And the reason this matters?

Because reviving Hegseth’s first mistake...right now...is not coincidence. It is timed... political engineering.

Someone wanted this floating again...in the exact window...when his standing is collapsing from the illegal order fiasco.

This is how you soften a fall.

This is how you prep the narrative.

This is how you create the conditions for a “regrettable but necessary” removal.

15% just spiked to 30%.

And if the next leak hits...within 72 hours, it jumps again.

We’re watching the machinery spool up...in REAL time.

#HoldFast

-Jack

J. M. Van Tassel's avatar

Jack, thank you for showing me (and all of us) such a holistic way of understanding the public sphere. For me, you illuminate "the Way" of professional political communicators, who use their skills to put the pieces of a story together before it is publicly clear...and defines the future parameters of the story.

It's a little like watching the shroud while it's still being measured!

Sue Player's avatar

Why does this cry out for the analogy that he is holding onto a burning ship, and the drone is circling around?

Sue

J. M. Van Tassel's avatar

You are so interesting.

Sue Player's avatar

I have been called much worse. 😉

J. M. Van Tassel's avatar

Thanks. I read Jack, then scanned headlines -- and there it was...prediction came true fast!

Chris Kuhlkin's avatar

Jack - you did the visualization thing again! Last week it was “the bull not realizing the slaughterhouse gate closed behind it “ - now we have “drunk bull in a china shop”. How many people do you have writing for you to get this much insightful content every single day? You never just post some slop for the sake of posting something - it is ALWAYS insightful and frankly makes me smarter and gives me a much better perspective watching the news with my wife who doesn’t see the angles you show us. As always, looking forward to the next one….

Jack Hopkins's avatar

I appreciate the hell out of that, Chris... truly.

But... let me say something that may surprise you:

It’s only me.

Every word.

Every metaphor.

Every breakdown...visualization...deep-dive...analysis...and firestorm of a post…

It’s all coming from one brain.

Mine.

And ironically...the very thing that almost kept me from graduating high school (ADD-Inattentive Type) is the exact thing...that became rocket fuel for this work.

People hear “ADD-Inattentive” and think it means lack of focus.

But one part of ADD, even for people like me, is the opposite:

Hyperfocus.

K–12?

That hyperfocus went inward.

Daydreaming.

Internal worlds.

Because the outside environment...moved too slow to keep my brain engaged.

So...I lived in my head to stay stimulated…and barely scraped through.

But... adulthood changed the game.

When I finally discovered... through desire...desperation...and maybe a little luck...that I could choose the environment around me? Everything shifted.

If I’m interested…

If I’m excited…

If something sets off the internal alarm... of “pay attention, this matters”…

Then I can lock onto it...with a level of sustained focus that’s almost… unnatural.

I’m not exaggerating when I say this:

I have sat down to write…

Gotten up once or twice to use the bathroom without thinking…

Sat back down…and later discovered I had been writing...researching...interviewing sources...act-checking...and posting for 12–14 hours straight.

Then I’ll eat something. And go another 5–6 hours.

Challenges?

Of course there are challenges.

You don’t get a gift this sharp without edges.

But I’m fortunate...beyond words...that my wife understands this about me.

Supports it.

Believes in the work.

And...honestly...she thrives taking care of the things that many households divide.

It’s who she is.

It fulfills her.

And...in turn...the way I operate fulfills me.

We fill each other’s gaps...and we always have.

And...yes... I am very intentional...about my time with my kids.

Not just “present.”

Engaged.

Involved.

Doing things with them...not just around them.

My wife likes to tell people:

“Jack’s not your standard cat. He’s not like most other people you know.”

She says it with love.

And she’s right.

I’ve finally reached a point in life where I don’t apologize for it anymore.

So when you read a metaphor...a visualization...a psychological dissection..a strategic angle...or a narrative thread that clicks your brain into a new gear…

It’s coming from the same guy who...at 16...was staring out a classroom window because the real world wasn’t moving fast enough for his mind.

Today...that same wiring lets me work circles around most humans for 16–20 hours straight when I need to.

And that is why you get what you get from me every single day.

No team.

No committee.

No interns.

(Now, sometimes...I do have my 17 year old son...pitch in with some research for me. Probably not as often as I should...but sometimes...I DO need him to help me out a bit.)

Just one guy...95% of the time (son=the other 5%)...

hyperfocused...obsessive about truth...relentless about clarity...and driven by something bigger than himself.

And I’m glad it helps you see the angles.

More to come..Always.

#HoldFast

-Jack

Susan's avatar

Actually not many of your articles make me laugh… at least not lately but I was laughing from Hegseth thought Trump would protect him… Hahahaha! Bless his heart was a great there. Even a drunken idiot should know by now that Trump protects himself and… NO ONE else. I giggled right in through to what tomorrow’s paid piece will show us. I can’t wait.

Jack Hopkins's avatar

Ohhh EXACTLY, Susan..lol.

Hegseth walking around...thinking Trump would shield him...is the funniest part of this entire mess.

"Bless his heart" is doing heavy lifting here...because the man genuinely believed proximity equals protection.

Which is wild...because by now...even a half-sloshed barfly...in a broken recliner knows the First Commandment of Trumpworld:

“Trump protects Trump. Everyone else is expendable.”

Hegseth thought he was the exception.

Turns out he’s just the latest example.

And trust me...what tomorrow’s paid piece reveals? Let’s just say your giggle is going to turn into a full-body “holy shit” when you see how fast Trumpworld started distancing themselves...the minute the blowback hit.

You’re going to love it.

Hold tight. More fire incoming tomorrow.

#HoldFast

-Jack

Jane B In NC🌼's avatar

That “bless his heart…” or his “pointy head!” 😂

Susan's avatar

*a great line (accidentally hit send while editing)

also *on not in

PS. I read this through a 2 day old migraine and still enjoyed it. Any remedies for vestibular migraines? Ugh!

#HOLDFAST

Jack Hopkins's avatar

I do, Susan. My wife had them BAD.

Magnesium Glycinate...300 -400mg a day is what she takes.

She has found this to be the single most effective supplement...for vestibular migraine prevention.

It calms overactive neural firing...and stabilizes the vestibular pathways

It is NOT a cure. She takes it daily...as a preventive measure...and prevent...like a CHAMP...it does.

-Jack

Susan's avatar

Oh wow.. thank you! I hate buying from Amazon but this will be the exception. Fingers flying to the app.. Honestly didn’t expect much from that little request but this is certainly worth a try. Neither my PCP or my ENT have been much help. THIS would be worth the subscription cost and then some. I don’t need a cure. I just need them to STOP happening. Bless your heart…lol.. In a good way!

Thank you!

-Susan

PS. Just remembered I already take Magnesium Citrate? So? Reduce that or replace with this or what? I don’t want to OD on magnesium.

Jack Hopkins's avatar

Yes. My wife had taken another form. She just switched for a while to see...so she was only taken the Glycinate.

Cherae Stone's avatar

Check with your physician to be sure you don’t throw your potassium out of balance.

Vestibular issues are a certified bitch. Hope you get better.

Susan's avatar

I will. Yeah, I have Meniere’s Disease and it’s a tough illness to live with. Everyone thinks it’s just about the vertigo, which is horrible enough, but there’s so much more to it. Thank you!

Cherae Stone's avatar

Most welcome. Meniere’s is not funny. You’re a beast, girl!

#HOLDFAST

Teri Gelini's avatar

mag citrate is different from mag glycinate.

Teri Gelini's avatar

you can get it thru Swanson its a mail order non prescription company . i do not use Amazon. they also have the glycine Jack recommended for sleep and it works like a charm

Jo Burns's avatar

This gave me a reason to smile. Thanks for the middle week pick me up. Have a goodnight 😴

Jack Hopkins's avatar

Jo...I love hearing this. SMILES...especially now...are rock stars!

-Jack

Jo Burns's avatar

Indeed 🙃

Jane B In NC🌼's avatar

Looking forward to the day(s) when the entire Trump regime is finished! This is my fantasy and I envision it often!

Jack Hopkins's avatar

Jane...that's a fantastic fantasy...worthy of working to make a reality!

#HoldFast

-Jack

Lillian Holsworth's avatar

A excellent report! Hegseth is scrambling faster...and his stories are changing as fast!

Jack Hopkins's avatar

Lillian...thank you. He certainly is...and YES...they are.

#HoldFast

-Jack

Joan Powell's avatar

Thank you Jack, awesome reporting, have a great night. 🙂

Jack Hopkins's avatar

I appreciate that, Joan. I do.

-Jack

Joan Powell's avatar

I appreciate you too, Jack

Fromtheheartland's avatar

Oh goody goody. Thank you! Thank you!

Jack Hopkins's avatar

My pleasure!

-Jack

Alexa Russell's avatar

3-14 days. A few great laughs too! Thank you Jack!

Jack Hopkins's avatar

You're welcome, Alexa...lol. Yeah...a little something to chuckle at never hurts;)

-Jack

A. Hofferkamp's avatar

His replacement will be worse. We won't get another Mattis.

Teri Gelini's avatar

Approaching the holidays is going to become a very interesting time of year watching hopefully the fall of the regime of hate...starting with kegs breath. It couldn't happen to a better person. Thanks for all the good info.

Philip's avatar

Love it! you keep us on the edge of our seats. I also keep having these 'this is getting so old, are they that stupid?' moments as we keep seeing people get used by this piece of s*it in chief and think that he has some allegiance to them and they are safe. I've always thought that this moment in our history is one of incredible, breathtaking, psychological illiteracy and ignorance when it comes to understanding these maga people's thinking. it's so basic and dangerous and is not the best of 'human'.

CJ Bair's avatar

Well done!!

You are great!!

Looking forward to tomorrow…

(now I’m relaxed enough to go back to sleep… thank you, Sir)

Sue Player's avatar

Can I vote for the shortest time? trump smashing his sore hand on his desk and yelling, "You're Fired!"? Wishful thinking, I suppose.

There is a side issue that might happen first, or I am out in left field again shagging balls. Kkk Leavitt said while throwing Bradley under the bus that the White House knew what was going on and Bradley was following orders. This I think not only puts a screw to Hegseth's coffin but points the driver straight at trump. Of course, I can't discount Kkk's beautiful lips.

Matt Gaetz has come in from the cold, at least as far as Hegseth's press room. I don't know why this surprised me.

Sue