To those few intrepid readers of this blog: first, thank you. And second, my sincerest apologies for the radio silence these past few months.
No, I haven’t been deported by the Trump goon squad. I haven’t been cancelled (yet). And no, I’m not holed up in a cabin somewhere writing a manifesto – though, let’s be honest, that might be where we’re all headed if things keep going this way.
The truth is simpler, and sadder: satire, thanks to Trump and his band of misfits, has become indistinguishable from reality.
I used to take pride in crafting absurd scenarios, farcical headlines, and wild hypotheticals to mock the political chaos of the day. But somewhere along the way, reality outpaced parody.
I wrote satire to shine a light on the ridiculous. Now, the ridiculous is the light source.
Take this headline: “Trump Declares Moon 51st State, Names Himself Lunar Emperor.” Not that long ago, that would’ve been a joke. Today? I’m not entirely convinced it wouldn’t appear on Truth Social – with 40,000 likes and a Mar-a-Lago fundraiser to follow. Fox News would run a special: “Is the Moon Too Woke for Statehood?”
That’s the problem. Real headlines sound like rejected Onion drafts.
For me, it really boils down to this … I find nothing happening today remotely funny. It’s hard joking about the erosion of our democracy and seeing the rise of an authoritarian state ruled by a moron. This is serious stuff; these are serious times. As much as I admire the Andy Borowitzes of the world who keep soldiering on, I personally needed to step back.
I haven’t given up, though. Not on satire, and definitely not on America. I’m just taking a break and praying for our great country to get back on its feet after this self-induced coma we find ourselves in.
In the meantime, thank you for your patience, your faith, and your refusal to go numb.
As someone I admire very much likes to say, “Watch this space.”
Sincerely,
Your Editor-In-Grief
photo/Etsy.com