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Jo Burns's avatar

Very great article about current and heading to the future. I'll take the king being gone, but I worry the successor may be worse. I know it's not JD, he's disgusting although a puppet of Theil. It won't be Margie either, too female and GOP/MAGA don't do women except for one purpose. Moses Mike is too milquetoast. I don't know enough names to think of another. Thanks for the imagery that will keep me awake tonight!

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Thank you, Jo....and you’re right to think beyond Trump himself...because the danger doesn’t end when the king falls. It mutates.

The GOP isn’t looking for a fire-breather like JD...or a spectacle like MTG...or a bland placeholder like Johnson. None of them can hold a national coalition together...and the party knows it.

That’s why the real successor won’t look like Trump...at all.

He’ll look “safe,” “stable,” and “reasonable”...on the surface.

And that’s the part that is particularly concerning.

The next phase of authoritarianism rarely arrives wearing horns...

it walks in through the front door...wearing a fleece vest...and a smile.

More on that...tomorrow.

-Jack

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Jo Burns's avatar

You are welcome, Jack. That is exactly what I thought and what worries me. They give the vibe of normalcy and ‘good guy’ but they are anything but. We’re dealing with that in Indiana w/governor up Trump’s rump and a LT Gov white nationalist christian poses as pastor and all knowing being. The police have started investigations into his family’s ‘church’. From what I have read thus far, it is a grooming facility for girls to prep them for their duty to the husband picked for them. It is a scary lot! The rot is everywhere and the stench overwhelming! Have a great evening!

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Amelia Dodd's avatar

Jack, I can remember reading your posts way before Substack and hanging onto every decent and hopeful word. You were my lifeline and calmed me with your knowledge and experience. I’m a widowed wife of a historian, a blue speck in a deeply southern red state and have felt so alone. Less then 5 people know

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Amelia Dodd's avatar

Sorry, that was not edited or finished!)

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Jo Burns's avatar

I feel similar being in deep red Indiana. I followed Jack back on Twitter when it was worth spit. Now it isn't. I remember him saying he started on Substack. I had no clue what that was, but found the app and joined. Then I cut Twixxer. It is vile.

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Charli Gregory's avatar

I just hope it's not Tucker Carlson or Thomas Massie up next.

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

I'll give you two---(sort of) hints: it's neither, Charli.

-Jack

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Karen Scofield's avatar

I'm thinking 🤔 who's to Stop trump from redacting All of the Prominent Republicans off the Epstein Files⁉️ Meanwhile, all the victims/Servivor's are going to come forward with their stories before Congress with Recipes. To your upcoming article, I'd bet you are not referring to Ted Cruz🤣 Another terrific article today, Thank you, and will reStack ASAP 🙏

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Thank you, Karen...and I’m glad the article hit the mark for you today.

And you’re right about one thing...Trump would absolutely try to redact...shield...or bury anything that threatens him or his allies. But here’s the part most people don’t realize... the political danger for them isn’t just the files themselves.

It’s the people.

Once survivors start speaking publicly...under oath... in front of cameras...with corroborating details…

you can’t redact a human being.

You can’t black out a lived experience.

You can’t hide the patterns when the patterns start talking.

That’s why the GOP is already showing signs of panic...and why their obsession with delay...is getting louder.

And no… you’re right...I’m definitely NOT talking about Ted Cruz.

The successor they’re positioning is much cleaner...much quieter...and far more strategically dangerous than any of the usual suspects.

More on that in tomorrow’s deep dive...and thank you again for the reStack and the support!

-Jack

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Randy S. Eisenberg's avatar

Honestly, this comes at the precise moment I needed some bolstering. Give or take. I’ll take it.

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

I’m really glad it landed for you, Randy.

Some days...this whole landscape feels like a tidal wave...and it’s easy to lose the thread of what’s actually shifting...beneath the noise.

If this gave you even a little steadiness...or clarity...right when you needed it...good. Damn good. That’s what these deep dives are for.

We’re in a chaotic moment...but not a hopeless one. That...I assure you.

And you’re not reading this alone.

Stay close...more clarity...coming tomorrow!

-Jack

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Randy S. Eisenberg's avatar

Always. As pilots say about a certain type of landing, it was “a greaser“. (for everyone else, that’s a good thing).

Just listened to Glenn Kirschner’s Live, it was like the cherry on top. I don’t think I’ve ever seen The Prosecutor so delighted with the news. I have learned a lot about who I learn from, not many, but none but your stuff have I printed and bound. Loose leaf, but still, the information is prescient and present. Indispensable.

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Cherae Stone's avatar

LOL!! You’re so very good at this!! You ol’ chain yanker, you.

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Ha! I appreciate that. And trust me...I know exactly what it takes to grow this thing to the point where millions see the JHN every week.

The last 30 days brought in 2,208,402 readers… and that’s incredible.

But when the mission is helping people stay resilient and pushing real action to protect democracy...those numbers still aren’t enough.

Not even close.

This needs to grow so big it dwarfs the current stats...and it will.

Because people like YOU, Rae...are the engine that keeps expanding this movement...and pushing it forward.

Thank you for being part of it. Truly.

-Jack

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Cherae Stone's avatar

WOW!! That’s incredible growth! My hat’s off to your knowledge, your commitment and your systematic approach to your work. You give us enough to keep our brains humming without overwhelming, and you encourage us every step of the way.

Thank you. I’m proud to be a small part of this group of thoughtful forward-looking (should that be hyphenated?)

adults. Hearts in the right place.

It’s onward as we go.

G’night,

Rae

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Lori R's avatar

I’m going to guess it’s Miller. As much as I despise him he fits the (evil) profile.

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Nope. I think it will come as a total surprise, Lori. When you see why...however...you'll think, "Well shit...that makes sense!"

-Jack

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Lori R's avatar

It wouldn’t be the first time that I’m wrong or the last 🤣 Massie is my 2nd guess.

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Chris Kuhlkin's avatar

“like a bull that doesn’t realize the slaughterhouse gate…has already closed behind him.“. Jack, I honestly don’t think you can do better than this - this one line is worth the annual subscription! I must’ve read that paragraph 10 times enjoying the visualization every time!

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Wow. That means more than you know, Chris...thank you.

When a line like that lands...it’s because it captures the truth of the moment...in an image you can’t unsee. And honestly...that entire paragraph poured...out in one shot.

Sometimes...the metaphor shows up...already carrying the emotion with it.

If that one line alone felt worth your subscription...then just wait...tomorrow’s successor piece has three or four moments that hit with the same blunt force!

Grateful to have you here in the inner circle, Chris!!

-Jack

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Lori Smith's avatar

Marco Rubio.

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Good guess, Lori....but...nope. Not Little Marco.

-Jack

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Concerned Citizen's avatar

So JD is next in line, not liked by many. My question is this: will the GOP wolves get JD out this term as well or are they waiting until the 2028 election?

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

For tonight...I'll just say this: The role the donors have in mind for JD...isn't a fraction of the role most people believe it will be.

-Jack

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Bill Corbett's avatar

Now I'm anxious to read the successor piece tomorrow. Lots of work to do and lots of reasons to stay sharp and committed. Thanks Jack and I'll see you tomorrow and I'm a little concerned of who is getting groomed but bring it on.

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

I love hearing that, Bill...staying sharp and committed is exactly the posture this moment calls for.

Tomorrow’s piece is going to connect a lot of dots...and make the “successor” picture much clearer… and yes...there’s good reason to be concerned. The person being groomed isn’t the obvious name...and that’s what makes him even more dangerous.

You’ll have the full breakdown tomorrow...who he is...why he was chosen...and what it means for the road ahead.

Glad to have you in the fight with me, Bill!

-Jack

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Elizabeth Goodden's avatar

Thank you Jack for another installment of guess who’s secretly running the GOP/MAGA/AFP (American Fascist Party)! I’m not even going to venture a guess on who they’re grooming. I’m only certain it’s NOT JD Vance!

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Ha! I love the way you put that, Elizabeth...and you’re right...JD Vance isn’t it. Not even close. He’s loud enough to get attention...but nowhere near stable or strategic enough...to be the figure the power brokers...would actually trust with the keys.

The real grooming operation is happening in a completely different lane… quieter...cleaner...and far more calculated than anything MAGA puts on the surface.

Tomorrow’s piece will peel that back...in a way that makes the whole picture...snap into focus.

Glad you’re here for it, Elizabeth! Buckle up.

-Jack

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Elizabeth Goodden's avatar

You forgot to add that he is extra smarmy!

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Mary E's avatar

So, if seven eight Dems and one independent who always caucused with the Dems (Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, John Fetterman, D-Pa., Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Tim Kaine, D-Va., and the number two Democrat in the Senate, Dick Durbin, D-Ill) had not been spineless, would this latest news be:

— different, or

— the same but at a different time, or

— not different in any way?

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Short answer: the outcome would be the same, Mary...just on a different timeline.

The Dem defections absolutely mattered...in terms of procedural speed and optics. If they’d held firm...today’s news would look a little different...and the GOP would’ve had fewer excuses and less cover.

But the larger dynamic...the GOP stonewalling...delaying...and trying to contain exposure ...was going to happen...no matter what. That part isn’t dependent on eight Democrats.

It’s driven by:

the internal panic on the right...

the donor pressure...

the succession maneuvering...

and the fear of what unchecked revelations would trigger.

So yes:

Different timing? Definitely.

Different choreography? Probably.

Different outcome? No. The machine was always going to stall...block...and delay this moment.

Stay strong, Mary!

-Jack

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Mary E's avatar

Thank you, Jack.

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ecfinan@yahoo.com's avatar

Thune? Low key but he has managed to consolidate the GOP Senate without compromising his position, smart, Midwestern, well-spoken, and solid. We don't know much about him but his name has been floating around for quite some time. Certainly does not seem an extremist-- that does not mean he isnt, it means he does not elicit immediate pushback. . .

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Mo Robinson's avatar

Great read Jack 👏🏻 Thanks for this. Just because the snake sheds its skin, doesn’t mean there isn’t a snake anymore. Looking forward to hearing who the next snake’s going to be.

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Love that, Mo...perfect metaphor!! A shed skin doesn’t mean the snake disappeared… it just means it’s getting ready for its next form. Just beautiful. And that’s exactly why we have to watch the quiet moves...not the loud distractions.

Tomorrow’s piece will lay out exactly who the next snake is...why he was chosen...and what it means for the fight ahead.

Glad you’re here for it.

-Jack

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Mary Lockhart's avatar

Another great article,love how your mind works! Look forward to tomorrow

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

I SO appreciate that, Mary...truly. I won't let you down...tomorrow. I promise.

-Jack

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Carol Moore's avatar

THANK YOU Jack!!

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Jack Hopkins's avatar

Carol...you're welcome!

-Jack

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