A.J. Bauer
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ajbauer.bsky.social
A.J. Bauer
@ajbauer.bsky.social
20K followers 930 following 2.9K posts
Researching conservative news and right-wing media. PhD in American Studies from NYU. I teach at but don't speak for the University of Alabama.

News on the Right (http://bit.ly/2YgUcZX).

Pre-order *Making the Liberal Media* (https://shorturl.at/e31nU)!
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ajbauer.bsky.social
We are not a serious country.
On Politics: Wes Moore on 2028, his party’s problems and his favorite crab cake, New York Times
February 7, 2026 at 3:19 AM
ajbauer.bsky.social
You know it’s bad when the Times is using “racist” and not “racially charged.”
New York Times headline Trump deleted post with racist video of Obama’s after outcry
February 6, 2026 at 8:37 PM
ajbauer.bsky.social
Starting a PG punk band called Zone of Shoot
Plant diagram including primary growing zone of shoot
February 5, 2026 at 10:32 PM
ajbauer.bsky.social
Yeah, but what does it *mean* to live in Alabama…
Image of Tommy Tuberville, headline “what is a resident citizen? Tuberville, Wahl lean on vague legal term in Alabama residency disputes”
February 4, 2026 at 2:58 AM
ajbauer.bsky.social
The sleazebag influencer who helped me rig the legal system in my favor is a bad guy!
Sleazebag “influencer” and lawyer Leonard Leo, who has legal issues of his own, goes around telling everyone how he has the Legal System RIGGED. I hope that’s not true and, if it is, it should be thoroughly looked into. Leonard has a big and very dangerous mouth!
February 4, 2026 at 2:29 AM
ajbauer.bsky.social
Since when has Ken Burns looked like a haggard Stephen Colbert?
Ken burns with trophy, headline “we have sanitized the American Revolution” from the Hill
February 2, 2026 at 1:18 PM
ajbauer.bsky.social
The Ellisons agreeing to distribute Rush Hour 4 as an inducement to get Trump to approve the Skydance/Paramount merger is unfathomably funny.
Most of the suspicion swirling around the Ellisons involves their apparent closeness with, and deference to, the Trump administration. During the Paramount merger process, Skydance lawyers pushed the company to settle Donald Trump's flimsy lawsuit alleging misleading edits of a 60 Minutes interview of Kamala Harris and suggested making a donation to the Kennedy Center, which Trump was in the process of taking over. Paramount eventually agreed to donate $16 million to Trump's presidential library. The New York Times recently reported that Trump says Larry promised him the Ellisons would make CBS News a more conservative outlet, and David was spotted ringside with Trump at a UFC match before the lawsuit was settled. Trump immediately crowed publicly that he also had a handshake deal with Skydance for $20 million in free TV advertising. David has had plenty of opportunities to refute the claim but has declined to explicitly do so. Since the Ellisons began pursuing Warner Bros., Larry has reportedly spoken with White House officials about bringing sweeping changes to CNN, including removing specific anchors. He even brought back actionable intelligence: Trump wanted to see a fourth movie in the Rush Hour series starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. The series' director, Brett Ratner, was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women in 2017, and his only other recent project has been a forthcoming documentary on Melania Trump for Amazon. Many studios, including Paramount under its previous leader-ship, had reportedly passed on Rush Hour 4. Under the Ellisons, Paramount has agreed to distribute it.
February 1, 2026 at 10:11 PM
ajbauer.bsky.social
I am quoted in this AI slop story from some outlet called The American Bazaar.

Not only did I not say this vague/meaningless quote. I have never seen the ad in question nor have I ever received any communication from this so-called “reporter.”
Headline from The American Bazaar, viral racist and sexist political ad triggers backlash from White House republicans committee. By Keerthi Ramesh Political analysts say the incident highlights broader tensions in modern campaign strategy, because short digital videos and social posts can reach millions within hours and elicit instantaneous reactions from political institutions. “This episode underscores how political communication has evolved,” said University of Alabama political communication expert A.J. Bauer. “Campaigns and their allies are experimenting with highly charged visuals and narrative framing, but that’s also increasing backlash and accusations of extremism on both sides.”
January 30, 2026 at 12:35 PM
ajbauer.bsky.social
January 26, 2026 at 3:15 AM
ajbauer.bsky.social
Real ones know that Jon McNaughton provides a key.
List of names of people in the painting, all right wing figures
January 23, 2026 at 1:36 AM
ajbauer.bsky.social
The borgs are back in town.
Gallon jug with the words FUCK IT WE BORG
January 23, 2026 at 12:52 AM
ajbauer.bsky.social
I thought tent encampments were a threat to the educational mission of a university?
Tweet by Joe Pompliano: Duke students have started camping out to secure a ticket for the basketball team's game against UNC. Since that game isn't until March 7th, at least one member of their 12-person tent needs to be in the tent 24/7 for nearly two months. That's wild. Re-Tweet of Duke Men's Basketball post with images of a tent encampment at Duke.
January 22, 2026 at 11:31 PM
ajbauer.bsky.social
Tag yourself.

I can't decide whether I'm Gorka on trumpet, Jared Kushner on French horn, or Roger Stone on the bass...
Jon McNaughton painting of Donald Trump conducting a symphony orchestra with different real life figures playing various instruments.
January 22, 2026 at 8:09 PM
ajbauer.bsky.social
The subtext.
The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. Thank you! President DJT. "of greenland" crossed out with red line
January 19, 2026 at 4:45 PM
ajbauer.bsky.social
Programmer In Chief
The Army-Navy Game is one of our Greatest American Traditions — Unmatched Patriotism, Courage, and Honor! This incredible Tradition is now at risk of being pushed aside by more College Playoff Games, and Big TV Money. NOT ANYMORE!    Under my Administration, the second Saturday in December belongs to Army-Navy, and ONLY Army-Navy! I will soon sign a Historic Executive Order securing an EXCLUSIVE 4 hour Broadcast window, so this National Event stands above Commercial Postseason Games. No other Game or Team can violate this Time Slot!!!   On the field, they are rivals, but on the battlefield they are America’s unstoppable Patriots, defending our Country with tremendous Strength and Heart. We must protect the Tradition, and the Players, who protect us. Please let this serve as Notice to ALL Television Networks, Stations, and Outlets. God Bless America, and God Bless our great Army-Navy Game!!! President Donald J. Trump
January 18, 2026 at 2:14 AM
ajbauer.bsky.social
Tough guy censors his own swear words.
Dear Liberal Media Chidren, Yes, Daddy’s home now. I know that terrifies you as you claw at your own faces and pile up your feckless attack pieces, in anticipation of my show launch. But endlessly emailing me for comments about your personal, and administration, hit pieces is a waste of time. I have less than zero interest in contributing to your fairytales. So, to save us both time, I’ll issue a universal response to your “inquiries.” In my kindest and most courteous Queens, NY voice I’ll ask that you respectfully go f#%^ yourselves and save the energy it takes you to thumb out an email to me. Thanks, and have an amazing weekend. -Dan
January 17, 2026 at 4:59 PM
ajbauer.bsky.social
This works too.
New York Times opinion piece by Michelle Goldberg: The Right is Furious With Liberal White Women. With "liberal white" crossed out in red.
January 16, 2026 at 4:27 PM
ajbauer.bsky.social
For when you want to be femme BUT NOT LIKE THAT
Talons, designer nails for men
January 16, 2026 at 2:37 AM
ajbauer.bsky.social
There really is a Trump Tweet for every occasion.
Our NOBEL PRIZE FOR PEACE president said "I'm really good at killing people" according to just out book Double Down. Can Oslo retract prize?
January 16, 2026 at 2:13 AM
ajbauer.bsky.social
Pretty sure he only wanted this because Obama got one.
It was my Great Honor to meet María Corina Machado, of Venezuela, today. She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you María!
January 16, 2026 at 1:59 AM
ajbauer.bsky.social
No, New York Times. I don’t need any more laughter after all that.
Seven emails from Ross Douthat sent within four minutes Four more Douthat emails within four minutes. An apology from Ross (presumably for the emails). An email from NYT asking if I need more laughter.
January 16, 2026 at 1:42 AM
ajbauer.bsky.social
I know this isn't the first time. But it remains jarring that the White House is just casually and knowingly referencing a neo-Nazi text.
White House tweet "Which way, Greenland man?" with a cartoon of sled dogs pulling a sled with greenland flag on it. Choice is to go toward the USA (depicted as a US flag and white house) and the other is Russian and Chinese flags with looming storms clouds and lighting William Gayley Simpson (July 23, 1892 – 1991) was an American White nationalist, mystic, author, Presbyterian clergyman and lecture-circuit speaker. Early in his career he was a Christian left-wing labor activist and was the associate director for the National Civil Liberties Bureau, the precursor to the American Civil Liberties Union. For several years in the 1920s he lived a severely ascetic Christian life, throwing away all of his belongings, living in a shack he built, and subsisting off donated food. This lifestyle gained him some amount of notoriety with Christians. He eventually became disillusioned with Christianity and his former politics in the late 1920s. Throughout the 1930s, he lectured criticizing Christianity and instead promoted Nietzschean ideas. He authored a book on these ideas, Toward The Rising Sun, in 1935. Simpson later became a White supremacist and a member of the neo-Nazi group the National Alliance, led by William Luther Pierce. Simpson is most well-known for his 1978 book Which Way Western Man? published by the National Alliance. Which Way Western Man? claims there is a Jewish plot against White people, calls for violence against Jews, and says that Adolf Hitler was right. Simpson's ideology and works, particularly Which Way Western Man? has had an influence on several White supremacist and neo-Nazi figures.
January 14, 2026 at 8:10 PM
ajbauer.bsky.social
Nothing says “America First” like defunding US cities while coveting foreign lands.
EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY FIRST, NO MORE PAYMENTS WILL BE MADE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO STATES FOR THEIR CORRUPT CRIMINAL PROTECTION CENTERS KNOWN AS SANCTUARY CITIES. ALL THEY DO IS BREED CRIME AND VIOLENCE! If States want them, they will have to pay for them! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!! The United States needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security. It is vital for the Golden Dome that we are building. NATO should be leading the way for us to get it. IF WE DON’T, RUSSIA OR CHINA WILL, AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! Militarily, without the vast power of the United States, much of which I built during my first term, and am now bringing to a new and even higher level, NATO would not be an effective force or deterrent - Not even close! They know that, and so do I. NATO becomes far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the UNITED STATES. Anything less than that is unacceptable. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT
January 14, 2026 at 1:01 PM
ajbauer.bsky.social
Um, Trump is declaring himself acting president of Venezuela?
Trump truth social post of Wikipedia showing Trump as acting president of Venezuela
January 12, 2026 at 1:32 AM
ajbauer.bsky.social
“Friends, Americans, countrymen, lend me your ears! I come to coerce Venezuela not govern it.”
Rubio stresses US plan to coerce Venezuela rather than govern it
January 4, 2026 at 10:50 PM