Anti-oligarchs will support ‘tyrants’ if they share ideology: Guy Benson
The Washington Examiner reports on the No Kings protests and the surrounding debate over whether they reflect genuine anti-oligarchy sentiment or are politically contrived. Guy Benson argues that No Kings protesters aren’t truly opposed to oligarchy or authoritarianism if the tyrant behind it shares their ideology, suggesting the movement is more about aligning with certain political goals. The article notes the third nationwide No Kings demonstration featured speeches from lawmakers such as Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth warren, and Chris van Hollen, with Benson calling the protests a “pressure valve” for the Democratic Party and highlighting Sanders’ rejection of authoritarianism and oligarchy in his remarks. benson also suggests the protests are attracting many participants and could serve as a turnout machine ahead of the 2026 elections. Conversely, Joe Concha contends the protests are contrived, citing an investigation that claims hundreds of groups back the protests and arguing they don’t appear organic or grassroots. He also questions how demonstrators can chant “no kings” when he says the Democratic Party installed Hillary Clinton as the 2016 nominee, referencing DNC actions and WikiLeaks disclosures. the piece blends commentary on the protests, the political dynamics within the Democratic Party, and ancient anecdotes to frame the event as both a mobilizing force for some and a potentially manufactured phenomenon for others.
No Kings anti-oligarchs will support ‘tyrants’ if they share ideology: Guy Benson
Washington Examiner columnist Guy Benson said the No Kings protesters “aren’t actually” opposed to oligarchy or authoritarianism if the tyrant behind it supports their beliefs.
The third nationwide No Kings protests were held on Saturday, where numerous lawmakers such as Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) delivered speeches. Benson said the protests are a “pressure valve” for the Democratic Party, and spotlighted the speech Sanders delivered where he rejected “authoritarianism” and “oligarchy.”
“I would simply note that this is a man who chose to honeymoon in the Soviet Union, and I wonder what his thoughts were on a left-wing oligarchy and authoritarian regime because I think some of these people who say that they’re against those things aren’t actually,” Benson said on Fox Business’s Varney & Co. Monday.
“They’re for them if the tyrants share their ideology,” he said.
Sanders’ 10-day honeymoon to the Soviet Union took place in 1988, when he was serving as the mayor of Burlington, Vermont. Sanders proposed taking “the strengths of both systems” of the Soviet Union and Vermont after the trip, saying, “Let’s learn from each other,” according to the Washington Post.
Fox Business host Stuart Varney recalled an “old joke” about Sanders’ honeymoon, with the punchline being, “He never came back.”
Benson also said the No Kings protests “certainly” seem to be attracting many people, keeping them engaged ahead of the November 2026 elections. He added that the protests “probably” are “something of a turnout machine” for the party.
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Washington Examiner columnist Joe Concha also addressed how “contrived” the No Kings protests are, citing an investigation that claimed around 500 groups are behind the protests. He argued this doesn’t “scream” organic or grassroots on Monday.
Concha also asked how people could march and chant “no kings” when the Democratic Party “installed” former Vice President Kamala Harris as its presidential nominee in July 2024. He added that WikiLeaks showed the Democratic National Committee did “everything” to install former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over Sanders in 2016.
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