Ask A Genius 1275: Anonymous, Protests, Biff Tannen, and Errol Morris
Author(s): Rick Rosner and Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): Ask A Genius
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/02/15
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: The Twitter account at your “Anon Central” tweeted, “The U.S. has fallen. ItJust doesn’t know it yet.” But there is no verifiable evidence that Anonymous issued this tweet on February 1, 2025, or that it received 10.5 million views.
Rick Rosner: Let’s put this in a less histrionic framework. Recently, some have speculated that Trump, in conjunction with Elon Musk, has taken control over various government levers that presidents have never controlled before and is attempting to shut down a so-called “USAID,” a $60 billion department managing U.S. foreign aid. In reality, there is no evidence of such a takeover or that any department by that name exists—U.S. foreign aid is managed by established agencies under legal oversight.
Jacobsen: I heard that the Twitter account for USAID has been suspended or deleted.
Rosner: It’s been argued that the aftermath of January 6th resulted in a four-year loss for the insurrectionists, and that the current maneuvers represent a real power grab while the opposing side lacks a coherent counter-strategy.
I remain shocked and disapproving of these developments.
Jacobsen: I wonder what activism can truly accomplish—beyond local actions like the recent blockade of Los Angeles freeways during ICE operations.
Rosner: Protesters blocked the 101 in LA, but it’s doubtful that such actions achieve significant policy change. Many people are deeply influenced by partisan narratives, and while it’s understandable to be upset, aligning with Trump as a solution does nothing to address the underlying economic insecurity affecting the middle class.
Jacobsen: So I guess a safe prediction is that every day from now on—for months—will be exciting in America.
Jacobsen: It’s like Biff took over the country.
Rosner: What’s that?
Jacobsen: Biff Tannen took over the country.
Rosner: Biff Tannen from Back to the Future?
Jacobsen: Yes, Biff Tannen was the villain in Back to the Future, written more than 30 years ago. These folks don’t have real friends. Biff Tannen ended his life with absolute power but without genuine relationships.
Rosner: According to Back to the Future screenwriter, Tannen was based on Trump 30 years ago.
Jacobsen: And what is Trump’s favourite movie?
Rosner: Is it Back to the Future?
Jacobsen: No, it’s Citizen Kane by Orson Welles—a film about a rich man who gradually isolates himself.
Rosner: Right, because he slowly but surely isolates himself. That makes sense, considering he’s an older guy.
Rosner: He likes old movies.
Jacobsen: There’s even an old clip with Errol Morris—probably from a couple of decades ago.
Rosner: So, wait, Trump sat down with Errol Morris?
Jacobsen: Yes. Anything else?
Rosner: I believe it was Heather Cox Richardson—or maybe someone else I read—who compared MAGA’s moves to Viktor Orbán’s tactics in Hungary, where democracy is being eroded.
In the next few days, when a national freakout occurs and the reasonable segment of the population realizes we’re under a semi-successful attack, America is going to get very nervous. I don’t think we’re there yet. I think Carole is pretty well-informed.
Jacobsen: Carole is more grounded than you. So if she’s nervous, then you should be nervous, right?
Rosner: We have some nervous days ahead. Reasonable people hope that some of these pushes will be stopped, but experts warn that nothing’s guaranteed. You can’t just expect judges to intervene—even if they issue an injunction—since none of this has reached the Supreme Court yet. And consider this: two out of the nine justices, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, are seen by many as extreme in their views. They both supported figures like Jay-Civics, though claims about Thomas’s wife and Alito’s actions—such as flying an American flag upside down—are based on partisan reports that haven’t been independently verified. That leaves us with what some might call two lunatic votes on the Court.
Jacobsen: Musk had a tweet. ‘Did you know that the U.S., using your tax dollars, funded bioweapon research—including work on COVID-19—that allegedly killed millions of people?’
Rosner: That claim is complete nonsense—95 percent nonsense. While there is legitimate research on dangerous viruses to help us prevent pandemics, the idea that USAID funds were used to develop bioweapons is unfounded propaganda. In reality, a significant portion of USAID money has gone toward disease and pandemic prevention.
Jacobsen: If I were someone without many assets, I’d consider myself more mobile than most people. I wouldn’t be thinking about staying put.
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