The article "How Much Stupid Can We Possibly Take?" is an opinion piece written by Jonathan V. Last, criticizing the actions of certain politicians. Thom Tillis is specifically called out for his role in confirming the appointment of a "buffoon" to run the Department of Defense, despite later expressing surprise at their incompetence. The article also mentions Susan Collins claiming influence over Trump's agenda despite consistently non-committal voting, and Trump's association with an ally who has ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-05,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Thom Tillis, a Republican senator, voted in favor of confirming Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, despite concerns about his qualifications. Now, Tillis claims he's surprised by Hegseth's performance. The article also criticizes Susan Collins, another Republican senator, for claiming to have influence over Donald Trump's agenda when her votes often don't make a difference. Meanwhile, the article suggests that Trump was involved in a coup attempt in Venezuela with an associate of Jeffrey Epstein. The author also makes satirical comments about Ken Paxton, a Republican politician, and implies that Pete Hegseth may not be a devout Catholic as he claims. Additionally, the article promotes upcoming events for the online publication The Bulwark, including live shows in the Southeast in October.
Written for “Anti-Vaxxer Protests Erupt” on 2026-09-05,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score -0.35 for article 4349 (high confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-09-05
Commentary. The three signals behind a trust
score all measure a newsroom's record with its own reporting, so they
are not computed for this source.
How trust is scored.
No corrections detected for this publisher. That may mean careful
reporting, or simply that nothing has been checked.
How Much Stupid Can We Possibly Take?
uncertain
We → take → Stupid
Thom Tillis was the pivotal vote to confirm a buffoon to run the Department of Defense, and now he’s shocked about Hegseth’s incompetency.
asserted
he → confirm → incompetency
Thom Tillis was the pivotal vote to confirm a buffoon to run the Department of Defense, and now he’s shocked about Hegseth’s incompetency.
asserted
he → confirm → incompetency
JD wants everyone to know he’s a Catholic now, but he doesn’t seem to have absorbed even the basic teachings of Catholicism.
asserted
he → want → Catholicism
And Susan Collins claims she has influence with her Senate colleagues over Trump’s agenda—even though on almost every occasion she has made sure that her vote won’t matter.
uncertain
vote → claim → occasion
Meanwhile, Trump did a coup in Venezuela with an associate of Jeffrey Epstein.
asserted
Trump → do → Epstein
Plus: Tim reads from the mailbag, Trump is repulsed by Ken Paxton, the Antichrist might be walking amongst us, and what would happen if armed, leftwing activists created a sanctuary space in Ohio to protect Haitian immigrants?
uncertain
activists → read → immigrants
JVL joins Tim Miller.
asserted
JVL → join → Miller
Here’s how you can help the city of Springfield and its Haitian Community:
asserted
you → ’ → Springfield
Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October.
asserted
TOUR → come → October
We want to hear from you.
asserted
We → want → you
Tim Miller’s Bulwark Daily is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube.
asserted
you → get → YouTube
New shows drop each weekday afternoon.
asserted
shows → drop → ?
If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.
asserted
you → like → comment
A subscription gets you:
- Unlimited access to articles and newsletters including The Triad by JVL and Receipts by Catherine Rampell.
- Ad-free editions of our shows (with transcripts) and member-only shows like The Secret Podcast.
- Plus community chats and commenting features.
asserted
subscription → get → Podcast
Your support helps keep our work sustainable and available to those who cannot afford a membership.
asserted
who → help → membership
