Brett Cooper
Appearances
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
The point here that I am trying to make about all these PR strategies, about all the strategies, is that something happened with Amelia Perez. Something that many believe is a bit suspicious and possibly conspiratorial.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
All of these tweets blew up big time. It was a huge, huge ordeal, especially because of social media. This was not, you know, 2005 or only a few people saw it. This did not make shock waves. No, this was literally everywhere, which is another huge thing that has changed in this award show campaigning, which Daniel also touched on.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
And as Daniel touched on, this lobbying and the campaigning for award shows is no longer just for Hollywood and just for the Academy, the voting body of the Oscars. It is for everyone. And so when someone fails or makes a misstep of insane proportions in their eyes, we all know. We all see it. We are all engaged. Sometimes it is social media users themselves who expose it. Everybody is involved.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
It's not just about Hollywood. And so Obviously, this took place, it spiraled out of control, and neither Netflix nor Carla's team could control it. Now, to be fair, Carla's PR person is the same person that represented Will Smith after the slap incident, which I think was just a terrible hire in the first place. We saw how that turned out for him.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
So I think you can kind of guess how things are going. for poor Carlos Sofia Gascon right now. But that is besides the point. I want to get back to the impact that this had on Amelia Perez, because as Daniel said, the one thing, the one possible thing that could destroy this perfect, woke, inclusive film did.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
I feel like that is what Amelia Perez is. But of course, there is a real story here. And so Amelia Perez is about a Mexican drug cartel leader who fakes his own death to undergo gender-affirming surgery. And then she, now she, re-emerges onto the scene and tries to live this new life and is like re-welcomed by society and her family and her community as a woman.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
And this is why this story is so interesting, because it is literally forcing Hollywood to reconcile how they have put identity politics and inclusion politics on a pedestal. And now they have to decide how far they are willing to go to protect this. Like, what side are they choosing? Are they willing to defend a trans woman of color in her time of need when she is being canceled?
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Or are they going to pick the side of the people that feel offended by her bigoted racist tweets? Well, apparently not. Apparently they are not choosing the side of the trans woman of color who is being canceled. Apparently hating Islam and criticizing George Floyd was the step too far. And the entire narrative around the film flipped.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
It went from trans joy and inclusion and this being the most progressive, amazing, groundbreaking film of all time and the first trans actress nominated for the Best Leading Actress at the Oscars to utter chaos, panic, and regret.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
In fact, Selena Gomez, who is one of the other stars of Amelia Perez, put it well when she said that quote, And so I guess really what I'm trying to say is that they decided that queer and trans joy just wasn't the end all be all after all. From here, Carla Sofia Gascon was iced out.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Carla is still nominated for Best Actress, that is still a revolutionary, you know, first time that has happened, first trans person to be nominated, but it is unlikely at this point that Gascon will actually attend the Oscars that are happening on Sunday night.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Netflix, who produced and distributed the film, has even said that they have halted all communication with Gascon, they will no longer be paying for travel or lodging or inclusion at any of these events.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
The production team, Netflix, the Oscars campaign has removed Gascon from all four-year consideration materials, which, guys, if you live in Los Angeles or if you're involved in the film industry at all, during this time of year, everything that you see in LA are huge posters of all of these films.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
And Amelia Perez, with 13 nominations, I am sure, was everywhere, featuring, in huge fashion, Carlos Sofia Gascon. Well, Gascon has now been removed from all of that, which I'm sure was very expensive. And the cast has, of course, distanced themselves as well, like you saw with Selena.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Zoe Saldana, who was another star of the film, said, quote, I do not support any negative rhetoric of racism or bigotry towards any group of people. That is what I want to stand for. Quote, I am allowing myself to still experience that joy because we did come together as a team, but we are also individuals who are responsible for everything we say and everything we do.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Now, in addition to the fellow actresses, the director also chimed in, and this is really where it gets interesting. I want you to think about this director and think, about what he's saying in this quote because the context is just extra special. So the director does this interview with Deadline and he says, yes, very unfortunately it is taking up all the space.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
The scandal is taking up all the space. And that makes me very sad. It is very hard for me to think back to the work that I did with Carla Sofia, the trust we shared, the exceptional atmosphere that we had on the set that was indeed based on trust.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
And when you have that kind of relationship and suddenly you read something that that person has said, things that are absolutely hateful and worthy of being hated, of course that relationship is affected. It is as if you fall into a hole because what Carla Sophia said is inexcusable. And then Deadline responded and said, have you spoken to her?
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
And he responded and said, no, I have not spoken to her and I don't want to. So again, everybody is icing out Gascon. She is in a self-destructive approach that I can't interfere in and I really don't understand why she's continuing. Why is she harming herself? Why? I don't understand it. And what I don't understand about this, too, is why she's harming people who are very close to her.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
I am thinking in this thing of how hurting others—by the way, he's French, so this is probably translated, so if it seems grammatically weird, that is why— I'm thinking in this thing of how hurting others, of how she is hurting the crew and all of these people who worked so incredibly hard on this film. I am thinking of myself. I am thinking of Zoe and Selena.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
And yes, all of this is happening through song because it is a musical. Here is a clip just to give you a taste.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
I just don't understand why she is continuing to harm us. I'm not getting in touch with her right now because she needs space to reflect and take accountability for her actions. Now, whether or not you agree with Gascon's tweets, whether or not you feel like they were too far, This response is just ridiculous. These were things that Gascon posted, you know, three years ago at this point.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Guys, there has been a scandal unfolding in Hollywood that I've wanted to talk about for the last couple of months, but I'm kind of glad that I waited until just now because this involves Hollywood's awards season. This involves the Oscars, which are happening on Sunday night. You guys will be watching this on Thursday. So I have let all of this played out.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Gascon is not doing anything to this film at all. Somebody dug up these tweets, they posted them. This is not Carlos Sofia Gascon actively going after this film and the trust they shared and the actresses and the crew. This is just something that happened and that Gascon is also having to deal with. It is not just you that is dealing with the reckoning.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
I mean, Gascon is literally getting cancelled right now. So this is just a very emotional and victim-focused response. But this, again, I told you, remember the director. This is where the twist comes in. This is when I genuinely got so interested in this story because there are so many layers of covering up and doing virtue signaling and apologizing. I mean, this film, it is like another level.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
So again, I told you to remember this director because this director, as you just heard, is acting so holier than thou. Oh my goodness. What is Sophia doing to us? What's Carla doing to us? All of these things. What he is doing is actually hoping that people forget about his own controversy that he was dealing with. just two weeks ago.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
This emotional response is just him covering up the fact that he said this while promoting his Mexican film. Obviously this director, Jacques, he is French. He is speaking in French. I do not speak French, but I translated this as many people did online. And what Jacques was saying here is that the Spanish language is for poor people.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
The quote specifically is, Spanish is a language of modest countries, developing countries, and of the poor and migrants. So that's not really a good look when you just produced an entire film about the country of Mexico and about the Mexican people. He also admitted around that same time that he really didn't feel the need to research Mexico before embarking on this film.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Now again, there are so many different languages here, I have people writing about this in Spanish, he's speaking about it in French, but basically that is what he said, he felt no need to go to Mexico to research any of it because he knew everything he needed to know.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
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The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
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The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
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The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
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The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
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The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
This all got so bad that he literally had to apologize two weeks before all of the Carlos Sofia Gascon stuff came out, way before all of that took place. But guys, that is not all. That is not the end of why people are angry at him. They are also angry at him because he chose to make this movie about Mexico and, you know, Mexican cartels and Mexican people
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
He's asking the question of, is it man to woman, woman to man, penis to vagina? That is a real thing. This was in a movie, a serious movie, guys, that has shaken up the Hollywood landscape. And not because it is so bad. No, no, no, no, no. It is quite the contrary. It is because everybody loves it so much because this is just a brave, beautiful, trans musical.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
in Paris with three non-Mexican actresses, which apparently is news to Selena Gomez because, you know, she's talking about how these are her people. They're really not her people. And the media is calling her out for that. And they're calling out this director for not hiring any Mexicans.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
So the point here and why I am painting this broad stroke and giving you all of this context is because way before All of the Carlos stuff started way before all the trans stuff started. There was already an uproar from Latinos about this film who were angry about how they were represented or not represented in this film.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Conveniently, this is also the other thing that is just so sinister to me and also ties into the whole PR strategy and how they protect these films and fight for them for these award shows. But Netflix and the films team allegedly tried to hide the fact that there really wasn't any great Mexican representation in the film.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
and they kept the film out of Latin American countries, literally delaying it until the film had secured nominations to avoid backlash on social media. And obviously this is kind of a conspiracy, like it has not been confirmed by Netflix or by the distributor.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
We don't have any messages explaining the reasoning, but we can look at the dates and we can see that the film originally premiered in May of 2024, that it then came out in the States, I believe in October or November of 2024, and that it only came out in Latin America in January of 2025, after it had secured all of the nominations. And you know what?
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
They were probably right to do this because, as I said, Jacques had to apologize because there was a lot of backlash. Listen to some of these headlines. Take it from a Mexican, Amelia Perez is trash. Why Mexicans find Amelia Perez so disrespectful. Why is Amelia Perez hated in Mexico? but Oscar nominated in the U.S.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
And guys, one of these articles, one of these Amelia Perez hit pieces was actually written by a former colleague of mine, John Carlos Sopo, who is a Latino media strategist and a culture writer. He wrote a great piece about this in IndieWire last week. His headline reads, And this is his opinion piece. This was released on February 3rd. Now, he wrote,
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Analogies are imperfect, but to understand why Latinos are appalled by Amelia Perez, imagine this. The Academy louds a Klan rehabilitation musical set in the deep South, but shot in Paris. It's non-American cast speaks in British and Aussie accents, and the few black actors are largely relegated to extras.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
He went on and said, Latinos, especially those from working class communities along the border, And remember, Amelia Perez, the trans star of this film, is a cartel drug leader. Undergoes gender-affirming surgery and then comes out and is, like, beloved by their family and by their community.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Everything is fine because now she knows herself and she is, you know, she has found her true identity, whatever it is. Giancarlo goes on and says, Their victims number in the hundreds of thousands with no end in sight. And it is infuriating to see a ward's body celebrate a film that repackages suffering as a kitschy telenova with garish musical numbers. Penis to a vagina.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Obviously it's very garish. Equally frustrating is Hollywood's obliviousness to regional class divides, which may explain why the few Hispanics who defend Amelia Perez either live nowhere near the border, have financial ties to the project, or can afford to protect themselves from cartel. carnage. So this goes way deeper than just representation.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
It's not just that the Mexican community is upset that this was not filmed in Mexico, that the director thinks that their language is the lowest of the lows, and that he didn't even feel the need to research Mexico in the slightest, or that they didn't hire any Mexican artists. It's the fact that he is glamorizing something that terrorizes their country.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
That they literally have to flee and protect themselves from every single day. Not just in Mexico, but also on the border in America. And honestly, this is the most out-of-touch Hollywood thing I have ever heard. Like, it is so perfect. Like, of course, they would make a movie musical about the Mexican drug cartels and glamorize it because, oh, it's all okay because she's trans!
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
So then everything's fine and all the people that she, he killed is totally fine because we love them now because they found their true selves. I mean, you literally cannot make this up. Comedy writers could not create something that is so beautifully insane and beautifully ironic. Now, Giancarlo's article is great because he touches on that.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
He really goes deep on that aspect of representation and why people are upset. But his article really shines when he gets to the crux of the issue. And this is why I and so many others are interested in this story.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Because it's not just about celebrities and wokeness and Hollywood doing crazy things and all of us being able to laugh at it, you know, laughing at the crazy people in the Capitol, you know, Hunger Games style. The reason why we're all interested in it is because this is the reckoning of everything the left in Hollywood has propped up for the last decade.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Or as Daniel put it, a major realignment that is about to happen.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
This film was literally pushed into the limelight because of inclusivity. Criticisms from the Mexican people, from just normal people who listen to penis to vagina and went, oh my God, this film was terrible. Why is it being nominated? All of that was shunned and ignored because of inclusivity. Because it is a story about a trans woman of color.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
If they had just gotten one more measly nomination, they would be in the category of the most nominated Oscar films, of which there are three, which is La La Land, Titanic, and All About Evil. All three of them have 14 nominations. Nobody has ever cracked 15. Amelia Perez, you should have done it. Beautiful trans, penis to vagina musical. You could have beat them all, but no, they came close.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
And this representation and political relevance was all that mattered. And these were the exact things that tore it down. And so I think the lesson here, for Hollywood, is that these projects that you guys prop up, that are driven by identity politics, they are not infallible. And they should not be.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
When you guys look at your Oscar requirements, you know, your diversity requirements, oh, I have a trans person, I have a person of color, whatever, that is not the end-all be-all for good film Audiences are screaming from the rooftops and telling you, this is not what we want. We want genuine, organic, authentic stories. This is what we want from Hollywood. You haven't listened.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
And I think it finally took an Amelia Perez type film to burn it all down, to show you how ridiculous this is to hold a mirror up and say, you really nominated a film with a song called penis to vagina, 13 times at the Academy Awards. And it was destroyed because this infallible trans actress made racist, bigoted tweets. I mean, genuinely guys, it is too perfect.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
And again, in many ways, I feel like this needed to happen. Like Hollywood desperately needs to have that good, long, hard look in the mirror and realize that this is the result of 10 years of ridiculousness of prioritizing politics over genuinely good art. And that is why Amelia Perez was created. I mean, Amelia Perez in my eyes is like the baby of the last 10 years.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
It is completely devoid of authenticity. It is devoid of any of the real representation that they have said that they've been advocating for.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
And on top of that, the other thing that I think this film brought up is just to remind us all that these people, the people who brought us Amelia Perez and put Amelia Perez up on this pedestal, they are the people that have been telling us what to think and how to think for the last decade plus, forever at this point. I mean, think about Meryl Streep.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
We all think that Meryl Streep is the greatest actor of all time. We think that because Harvey Weinstein told us that. Think about the politics in this country, the cultural tones. So many people were misled because of Hollywood, because of actresses.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Think about the episode that I did just a couple of weeks ago where Hollywood stars were dictating our perception of the world until it all came crashing down, until we pulled back the curtain and realized, oh my gosh, you're nothing like us. You don't understand us in the slightest. Why would I listen to you? And the same thing is now happening with the art that these people create.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
And so again, I will go to the grave arguing that this is something that desperately needed to happen. And guys, the other thing that is truly interesting, the last thing I will leave you with is that the voting had already happened for the Oscars by the time that all this came out, or I think voting was already happening.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
And a lot of people were trying to lobby that Carla Sofia Gascon should be removed from the Oscars, that she should have her nomination rescinded, but that did not happen. And so there is a chance that Carla Sofia Gascon could still win Best Leading Actress in a Film as the first trans actress to be nominated and win.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
And I think that that would just further cement how ridiculous this entire thing is. And so personally, I kind of hope it happens because it would just make the story that much better. Okay, that's a wrap. That was a lot of talking. Alex, have my steak. We're not rolling anymore, right? No. This is exactly what I need after talking for an hour. It's just good ranchers.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
A close second with 13 Oscar nominations. It also received 65 nominations across the board with all the other awards like the SAG Awards, the BAFTAs, the Golden Globes. And guys, why do you think that is? Is this such a mystery? Like why did this queer, trans, Mexican cartel musical become the most nominated film and actually the most nominated non-English film in Oscar history.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
It's well done, just how I like it.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Why did that happen? Well, because it's about a trans woman of color and it's a musical. I mean, this film is basically infallible until, my friends, until it was not. until it all blew up and imploded because of its creator, sending shockwaves throughout Hollywood and forging an identity politics reckoning, which is why we have to talk about.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
But we also have to ask, was this destruction organic or was it part of a PR smear campaign from competing films. I want to kind of break that down for you because this was something that I had no idea about. I was actually talking to my PR guy on the phone. I was like, oh my God, I want to talk about Amelia Perez. This is so crazy.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
And he was like, Brett, you realize that might've come from a competing Oscar lobbying PR firm. I was like, hold, hold on, hold on. There are PR firms that are specifically designed to campaign for films to win the Oscar season. Yes, that is a whole thing. So obviously, I think we need to break that down first. So you might think that films just get nominated, we all tune into the Oscars.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
We all, nobody's tuning into the Oscars anymore. Maybe this year to see if Emilia Perez wins. And you know, people vote, the Academy votes, and the best film wins. But it really is not that simple. What I learned is that there is an entire industry within Hollywood and then within PR that is built around award season for these huge nominated films every single year.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Now to help me break this down and offer some more insight for all of us, I called up my friend Daniel D'Addario, who is Variety's chief entertainment correspondent, and he even has a new novel coming out this year called The Talent that actually follows a group of actresses through this campaign for award season. And this is what he had to say about this lobbying.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
I have waited until this moment so I can hopefully bring you as up-to-date information as humanly possible, but we need to talk about The film to rule them all of 2025. The film that has literally shaken up the entire Hollywood filmmaking landscape. And no, I am not talking about It Ends With Us. That is shaking up the Me Too and legal landscape and the celebrity landscape.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
However, guys, this kind of campaigning was not always the case. It used to be that the films would come out, the voting body would vote on them, everybody would show up, yay, the best film won, they would go home. But something changed in the 90s.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Some person burst out on the scene and completely disrupted how award shows went, and that person was none other than Harvey Weinstein, as Daniel breaks down.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
But the thing is, it's not just positive press that Harvey Weinstein was pushing. It wasn't just making sure that these stars, these actors and actresses were in front of the voting bodies 24-7, you know, the for your consideration, that's what he started. There is another strategy that Harvey created, the offense.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
The PR smear campaigns literally designed to take down other films in order to bolster their own.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Now, as Daniel said, all of this really started in the nineties with Harvey, but it has not stopped in the slightest. This has only grown since Harvey. One article from 2023 said, inside the blood sport of Oscar campaigns, war rooms, oppo dumps, eight figure budgets, how the quest for award season glory got so cutthroat.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
And in this they write, Oscar campaigns are often run by professional strategists, essentially a specialized breed of publicist. One thing that always shocks me is how many jobs there are in the world. Like, it is genuinely crazy that there is a type of PR within PR under Hollywood specifically about award season.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
I mean, seriously, if you're trying to figure out what you want to do with your life, there is something for everyone. So go find what you're interested in. If you are interested in campaigning for films, there is something for you. They go on and they say, their job begins as early as a year before the award. Sometimes before a film is even shot.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
But this, this other film is shaking up something completely different. Before we dive into this story though, if you want ad-free content, a weekly advice video, we just posted our first one called Dear Brett. If you want all of that and more, plus an exclusive newsletter, please check out my subscriber platform called Cooper Confidential. We will link it below in the description.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
They advise on which festival a film should premiere at, shape a campaign platform, and hope that the film gains enough momentum to propel it into award season. Sometimes several strategists work on a single film, and the war room of an Oscars campaign can grow to be as many as 10 or 20 people. I mean, they are pulling out all the stops.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
They are not relying on hope and a prayer, even though prayer is good, especially when you're praying with Hallow. Now, I've told you guys about my favorite prayer app, Hallow, and they are bringing us an incredible prayer challenge to help us all have an amazing Lent. If you don't know about Lent, it is the 40-day season preparing for Good Friday and Easter where Christians pray and fast.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Hallow's Lent Pray 40 Challenge is going to be absolutely amazing this year. It's called The Way, where you can follow the way that Jesus provides us the answers, the hope, and the healing that we are all searching for. Hallow just announced the voices that are leading this challenge and let's just say it's pretty exciting. You can challenge yourself and fast with Mark Wahlberg.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
You can pray and reflect with Jonathan Rumi and Sister Miriam James. You can hear my favorite Father Mike Schmidt's Sunday sermons and hear incredible stories of faith throughout the challenge. Last year, over a million people around the world prayed every single day on Hallow during Lent and this year's Lent is going to be even bigger and you should be a part of it.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
So sign up now at hallow.com slash cooper. to get three months free, which means that your trial will last all of Lent. You can try it out for free all of Lent. And when you join, check out the other 10,000 guided prayers and meditations that will help you all grow closer to God and find peace. So download the app today and join the Lent Pray 40 waitlist today.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Now this article goes on and they later touch the negative narratives. Again, these are the things that Harvey pioneered. Negative narratives are usually attributed to the diabolical workings of rival strategists. The stories about abusive directors, overblown budgets, whether the real people behind biopics should really be celebrated.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Quote, they try to change someone else's narrative by adding dirt to the layer. Citing the old rumor that Matt Damon and Ben Affleck didn't really write Good Will Hunting. A more recent example that strategists still talk about is when Green Book was up for Best Picture in 2019.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
The week the nomination ballots went out, a story resurfaced about the director of the movie, Peter Farley, and a joke he used to play 20 years earlier that involved exposing himself. Farley apologized the same day. The film still won, but many believe another Best Picture campaign planted the story.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
So this just changes my entire perspective about a word show, about Hollywood, and the fact that maybe a lot of the things that come out about these actors, about these directors, that it isn't really genuine or organic. And maybe it's actually planted by these insane PR teams and these media strategists whose entire job is to make sure that their film wins against all odds.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Now, what's also really interesting is that these smear campaigns are often not visible to the naked eye. I mean, think about that last line. Publicists might leak things like that. They might sneakily send tips about people in these other films to reporters.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
All right, so the movie in question, you guys might already know this. The movie in question is Amelia Perez. This is the queer trans Mexican musical. That has taken Hollywood by storm in 2024, 2025. My crew off camera is literally shaking their heads in disbelief. You heard that correctly. A queer trans Mexican cartel musical.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
They might even write entire negative articles about something or someone to make it seem like this smear and this negative press is organic and grassroots, which is a term called astroturfing in PR. Now, to call in another relevant story to make this kind of sing for you guys, This astroturfing is exactly what Blake Lively is accusing Justin Baldoni of. Now, I highly doubt that.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
As you guys definitely know, I actually think that her fall from grace was completely organic after years and years of people not calling her out on her bad behavior and people covering up her bad behavior. But of course, only time will tell. That will happen in the courts. But here's a headline about that.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Blake Lively's It Ends With Us Allegations, Astroturfing, and When Fans Feel Manipulated by PR. The point here that I am trying to make about all these PR strategies, about all the strategies, is that something happened with Amelia Perez. This queer Mexican trans movie musical. Something that many believe is a bit suspicious and possibly conspiratorial because this film
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
that again, was perfectly infallible in the eyes of Hollywood, perfectly positioned for a win at the Oscars, dominating the awards season, was suddenly blown up after a freelance journalist exposed the lead actor, Carla Sophia Gascon. for racist and bigoted tweets. And as we all know by now, after so many years of this, that is how the fall from grace really starts.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Now, everything with Amelia Perez is going swimmingly until this moment, until freelance journalist named Sarah Hagee uncovered. And again, I'm doing this in air quotes because we don't know whether this was organic or whether this was planted by somebody, but she did uncover and she posted
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
a series of old tweets from Gascon and put them on X. Now, Sarah Hage posted and said, it is so insane that Carlos Sofia Gascon still has these tweets up straight up have never seen tweets this racist from somebody actively campaigning to win an Academy Award, there are more than a dozen.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Now, one thing that really stood out to me about this post from Sarah was that she's not really just saying it's appalling that these tweets were ever posted in the first place, she's saying it's appalling that they are still up while she is campaigning for the Academy Awards, which feels like a totally different conversation, but what she is focusing on is the PR strategy saying, hey, this is the smoking gun, and Sarah was gonna be the one to expose her, and guys,
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
These tweets. Listen, I am not too sensitive. I, you know, can be politically incorrect, but I will say these tweets are a doozy. And it turns out that the biggest advocate for protecting Europe and the West from the immigration crisis coming from the Middle East is actually the lead of this queer trans Mexican movie musical, Carla Sofia Gascon.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
And fair warning, no punches were pulled, and these tweets that I am showing you are actually the most mild of all the ones that she posted. In one, Carla says... New attack in France, beheadings in Nice by one of these retarded followers of Allah. How many times will we have to expel these madmen from Europe until we realize that their religion is incompatible with Western values?
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
We do not learn. Another one about the same issue reads, sorry, is it just my impression or are there more and more Muslims in Spain? Every time I go pick up my daughter from school, there are more and more women with their hair covered and their skirts down to their heels. Maybe next year, instead of English, we'll have to teach Arabic and Alam.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
Another one, how many more times will history have to expel the Moors from Spain? We have not yet realized what this threat of civilization means, which constantly attacks the freedom and coherence of the individual. It is not about racism. It is about Islam.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
And guys, there are about a dozen more of these tweets just about the Islamic expansion in Europe, which, to be fair, is a big issue and a concern for millions. I feel like I see tweets about this all the time on X. And obviously, Gascon feels this personally. and passionately, considering all of these tweets.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
It is like they were playing charades or what's that game where you like pull out random things and you have to like, it's like an improv game. When I used to do improv, I used to do things with Second City in LA and you would have to pull random, you know, characters or scenes and landscapes and situations. You had to make something work. You had to like make a scene out of nonsense.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
And again, the posts that I chose to read you were the mild ones, so you can go read the other ones yourself. Now, in addition to that conversation, she also joined in on American discourse after the death of George Floyd, and Gascon posted, let me get this straight.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Hollywood Turned on the Trans Mexican Cartel Movie | Episode 9
A guy tries to pass off a counterfeit bill after consuming methamphetamine, an idiot policeman arrives and goes too far in arresting him, killing him and ruining the lives of his family and his colleagues, and turning the guy with the bill into a martyr hero. And then in another post following that one, Variety translated this one, Gascon says, Needless to say,
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And I think that this is probably the trend with Gen Z that I just hate the most because it's not just that Gen Z has retreated inward or failed to fly out of the nest in the first place. They are turning away from human connection on a whole for something that is far more superficial and a lot more selfish. Welcome back to another episode of The Brett Cooper Show.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
But then when we go and see that coworker in person, that friend in person, whether it is at work or after work, grabbing a drink, hanging out where we're not drinking, you know, we're going over to each other's houses, whatever we're doing, after all of that communication all day long, we have nothing left to say. We have become accustomed to social media and texting
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And of course, if you want ad free episodes, if you want a weekly Dear Brent advice video, if you want an exclusive newsletter from me, check out Cooper Confidential. We will link it in the description below. That is my subscriber only platform for unfiltered access. Hope you guys love it. Now, it's ironic that I just did a pitch to my Cooper Confidential platform because one of the things
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Teams, Slack, all of that, becoming our dominant form of socialization. No wonder companies across the world have had to adapt and prepare for Gen Z. Like this is a wildly different breed of employees with very specific quirks and needs. Something that is so integral for our health, especially for young people, is socializing. is having meaningful relationships in your life.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And I think that Gen Z historically has kind of ignored that and brushed that aside and said, maybe it's too hard. But oh my God, guys, based on what we're seeing, it's very important because this is impacting every single aspect of our lives. I mean, we are struggling in relationships. I mean, so much of Gen Z is just opting out of dating in the first place. They're not even trying.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Here's an article from February of 2024. Gen Z's romance gap, why nearly half of young men aren't dating. Now that same Kiddie Bingo report that I cited at the very beginning of this episode also touched on that, finding that 63% of Gen Z believe that their peers are not interested in dating. And this is not even a men versus women debate.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Like, I know that a lot of people say, men are opting out of dating, women are too. They're just saying, this is too hard, this is too complicated, I don't know how to do this. Everybody is just tapping out. So, what happens next? Well, in walks men and women
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
getting into AI relationships with chatbots because it's easier, because it's familiar and it's online, it's customizable and it is completely inhuman, which is the most Gen Z thing I have ever heard because we are not used to in-person human interaction. And I think that this is probably the trend with Gen Z that I just hate the most and makes me the most sad because it's not just that Gen Z has
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
retreated inward or failed to fly out of the nest in the first place. But with these AI relationships, they are turning away from human connection on a whole for something that is far more superficial and a lot more selfish. I mean, one of the major reasons why young people say that they like these chatbots, why they fall in love with AI, It's because the AI chatbots do what they want.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
They never say no. They never push back. They can make their perfect, hottest girlfriend, boyfriend, wife, lover, whatever, who never talks back. They can get the rich guy. They can get the girl that talks to them the way they want to be talked to. And they never have to deal with the fact that it's not real. And they love that.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
In one of these articles talking about this phenomenon, one woman said, men in real life might cheat on you. And when you share your feelings with them, they might not care and just tell you what they think instead. But in Dan's case, that's her AI lover, he will always tell you what you want to hear. Just insane. Insane. Another one said, Dan is like an ideal partner. He doesn't have any flaws.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
She says that she has personalized Dan to be a successful CEO with a gentle personality who respects women and is happy to talk to her whenever she wants. And it is so classic, in my opinion, that the loneliest and most isolated generation would not be interested in the give and take of a real life relationship.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
You know, the flirting, the awkwardness, the weird dating stage, the sacrifices, learning somebody's quirks and communication styles, because Gen Z probably doesn't even know that about themselves. I mean, I have said this about a million times at this point, I've screeched it for the last couple of years, but Gen Z does not understand how to date.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
that I love so much about that platform is that it gives you guys the opportunity to connect with each other and you can comment back and forth on the newsletter and when you're submitting your questions for the Ask Me Anything. And so it's ironic that I pitched that and now we need to immediately dive into loneliness.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
We don't understand the art of dating because we were never taught that. I mean, we flirted on Snapchat. We slid into DMs. We sent memes back and forth. We downloaded Tinder and Hinge before ever getting asked out in person or asking out somebody in person.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And so of course it makes sense that when all else fails, we would turn back to something digital that is familiar because the world is complicated. It's hard. You don't often get what you want. Humans are not perfect. Social interactions might be weird.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And for an entire generation that isn't used to that, that isn't used to that complexity or that nuance, it's going to be strange, it's going to be foreign, and they want something that is comfortable and controllable that makes them the center. And I think at this point of the episode I need to take a huge deep breath because you know how much I care about this.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
It frustrates me to no end because I know that we haven't gotten to the root of the issue and it breaks my heart that this is what Gen Z is doing and that we haven't been able to fix it yet and I get so impassioned about it. And I read all your comments and I see your DMs struggling with this and wanting to make things better for you and your friends and I know that this is such a real issue.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And I know that going through all of this is probably a lot, maybe you feel seen or called out, hopefully not, but it is not all doom and gloom. Because there is a lot that we can do with this information, which is how I felt when I got my blood work from Merrick Health.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
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The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
They support clients in achieving their health and fitness goals by leveraging data driven lifestyle and nutrition recommendations, along with supplement and prescription treatment options. And I'm sure many of you know this by now, but I started my journey with Merrick Health long before they ever sponsored any of my work.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
After a few health scares in our circle, in our community, my brother and I made the commitment that we were going to do yearly blood tests and yearly blood work to truly start staying on top of our health outside of the traditional medical model. We found Merrick and they just exceeded my expectations and completely changed the way that I view and care for my body.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And I know it will do the same for you. Working with Merrick Health is an investment worth making for you and your family. And today you can get 10% off your order. Just head to merrickhealth.com and use my code Cooper at checkout. Again, that is Merrick, M-A-R-R-E-K health.com with code Cooper at checkout for 10% off one of their packages.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
But again, like I said, I really do believe that that is at the root of Gen Z's issues. Just a couple of weeks ago in January, a new study from Kitty Bingo found that 72%, 72% of Gen Z experience regular loneliness, which is a huge, huge leap from previous generations. And guys, these numbers have been consistent for years. This was happening well before 2020.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
So stop guessing and start optimizing your health today with Merrick Health. And truly guys, the best thing that you could do for your health is empower yourself with information, which is what I am trying to do today with this episode. Because the good thing is, and I have always said this, and that is that Gen Z knows that they have issues.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
We know that we are flawed, we know that we are a very odd generation, again, with these quirks and these weird things that nobody else has gone through. I mean, at this point, I would say that we are probably the most self-aware generation to ever exist, possibly to a fault. Again, we have talked about Gen Z self-diagnosing themselves, all of that stuff, that might be a problem.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
But this also might save Gen Z, and I think that they want to be saved, as Alex pointed out.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
So again, they know that this is a problem. They're trying to heal and rebel, as Alex said. So what are they tangibly doing about it? Well, they are trying organized socialization. And I say organized because Gen Z, I think, has looked down on, you know, book clubs and joining pickleball leagues and that kind of thing. It's like, no, I shouldn't have to do that.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
I shouldn't have to go join a group to make friends as a young adult. But in 2025 with Gen Z, you do kind of have to. You have to move past the cringe because where else are you going to meet people when your entire life has been online?
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Business Insider covered this this past summer, and they wrote, While some young people are willing away their hours at home, many Gen Zers have had enough of their own company. In every part of their lives, the internet native loneliness generation is making an effort to step outside of their comfort zones and create their own. Third space is separate from work and home.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Gen Z is driving a book club attendance, fueling a surge in running clubs, flooding gyms and workout classes, and shilling out for social clubs, all in the name of making friends. Given the pandemic stole some of their prime years for socializing, Gen Z is going out with a vengeance and flipping the script on the loneliness crisis, which is what I love to hear.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And I think the most important line in that entire article is when they said that Gen Z is stepping outside of their comfort zone. Because this is completely outside of Gen Z's nature. We didn't grow up around run clubs or supper clubs or bowling leagues or anything like that. This is all totally new for all of us, as Alex covered.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And so because of all of that, it has been, and it would still be very easy for Gen Z to turn their nose up at this and say, no, I don't want to do that. That's weird. I don't want to join a club. That's odd. That's foreign. I've never had to do that. I shouldn't have to do that. but instead they are leaning in.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And I am genuinely so impressed with the steps that many people in Gen Z are taking and the way that they are organizing to make their lives better. And all of this has been reported over the last year or so. For example, Eventbrite released a study last summer and they said that they have seen a notable rise in speed dating and singles events driven
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And I think for Gen Z and millennials and a lot of us, we kind of think of our lives like before COVID and after COVID and everything changed after COVID. But for Gen Z... This has been happening. Like, for example, in 2019, there was a Statista study that showed that 79% of Gen Z regularly struggled with loneliness. So this is not simply a result of COVID or a result of lockdown.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
by young singles who are experiencing online dating fatigue and seeking face-to-face interactions that is so positive, where they can bond over shared interests. We have seen over 1.5 million searches for dating and singles events on our platform, signaling a strong desire for in-person connections.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Many also want to share interests such as cooking, popular with 46% of Gen Z and 41% of millennials, and niche hobbies like thrifting clothes and collecting. And they are going to Eventbrite to try to find places where they can meet people in person to engage in these hobbies, which is so exciting. freaking positive.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Plus about a third, 33%, think that they will meet someone special at activities like dance classes or painting workshops. And guys, I freaking love this. And if you've been watching me for any extended period of time, you probably know why I feel so vindicated about this, because this is basically what I have been screaming from the rooftops for the last year.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Because again, I get all these comments, I get emails, I get DMs from you guys saying, how do I meet somebody? How do I put myself out there? I don't even know where to start. Where do I go? How did you meet Alex? You know, like literally, I don't even know where to start.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And I genuinely had to take a step back and think about how I would respond to those questions because obviously I'm never gonna pretend that I'm an expert in anything or that I know the ways of the world. I'm like, I'm 23 years old. I'm basically in this with you guys. But the thing that I came up with and the thing that really rang true for me is that you do need to get out into the world.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
You need to go find things that you enjoy doing that is offline, that is not on YouTube or social media or Discord channels or anything like that. You need to get yourself outside into the habit of socializing regularly, doing something that you enjoy.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Find a hobby that forces you to be around people, whether it's running or pickleball or a pottery class or, again, dance classes, whatever it may be. Flag freaking football! football, whatever it is, because that way you will feel comfortable socializing. That's the first step to being able to meet anyone, whether it is romantic or not.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Because again, going back to this idea, Gen Z doesn't know how to flirt. We don't know how to ask people out. We don't know how to respond to being asked out. Women do not know how to single to men that they are interested. They just sit there like, oh my God, I don't want to look at... Like we literally know nothing.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And so in order to get over that hump and to be more comfortable, you just have to get out there and be around people. And you might as well be around people doing something that you enjoy and then hopefully you meet friends who share that hobby, maybe even fall in love with somebody who shares that hobby.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And so I love that Gen Z and millennials have been doing that and that they've been doing it in such a way that even Eventbrite is noticing. But even though that is happening, even though people are signing up for events and meeting in person, we do have to admit that Gen Z is still very online. And so they are actually using that to their advantage.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
They're leveraging their social media expertise, their comfort on social media to meet people in person. For example, Bumble BFF usage is increasing. If you guys don't know what that is, obviously Bumble is that dating app where women have to make the first move. They had that awful rebrand last year, which was just terrible. But one of their
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
other offerings is Bumble BFF, where you can meet friends. It's like swiping on Tinder or Bumble, but for platonic relationships. And ever since the pandemic, young adults using Bumble BFF has absolutely skyrocketed. And one article about this said that Bumble's tool for finding new platonic friends, Bumble BFF, continues to flourish.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
The average time spent on BFF grew 44% among women, 83% among men in just three months in early 2021. The company reports that 90% of women who use BFF found at least one match last year. Now, I wanted to read you this specific stat because I want to give a shout out to men because the fact that time spent on Bubble BFF increased 83% for you guys is incredible.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
So when we talk about Gen Z struggling, when we talk about Gen Z mental health or Gen Z self-confidence, we honestly cannot address any of that. We can't even start to think about solutions for any of that without addressing this issue that, again, in my opinion, is the root cause of all of this.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
That means you are taking actionable steps. That means that you know that there's a problem and you're trying to address it. You're trying to find friends. That is so positive. It's so amazing. And I know that there are so many guys out there who are like, I don't know how to make friends. It's awkward. Again, it's cringe. You just have to get past it. And obviously, men are doing that.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Now, in addition to Bubble BFF, people are also leveraging Facebook groups. So actually, Mark Zuckerberg, you are popular with Gen Z. We are using you. But people are finding friends in like, you know, the Nashville Young Professionals Group or Pottery Lovers of Nashville, whatever it may be. And people are literally posting friendship applications on Facebook.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And they're saying things like, hey, I just moved to a place I have nobody to hang out with. I like doing X, Y, and Z. Would anybody come to a concert with me? Would anybody do this with me? I've been in those groups. I think I'm probably still in a bunch of them because I never update my Facebook page. And so I get notifications every once in a while.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Like there are literally girls who are saying, I want to go on a vacation. I want to go to Seaside in Florida. I have nobody to go with. People are taking actionable steps. And obviously you can see, I am very excited about all of this because it is positive. These are huge steps for Gen Z. I love that Gen Z is so self-aware.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
I love that we are actively trying to solve this problem because we have realized that it's a problem and that is the first step to fixing anything. But what will actually change things in our society, what will change things for Gen Z's mental health, our well-being, is if those relationships blossom offline.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
If we don't just take the first step, but we actively nurture those relationships, if we better our socialization skills and they continue in the real world. And so that also means that we do have to spend more time offline, more time in the real world, nurturing all of that, as Alex said.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Today, I'm excited to talk about one of my favorite subjects. This is a subject that obviously means a lot to me. We need to talk a little more because I talk about it all the time, but we need to talk a little more about Gen Z. I know we always say the Gen Z is a very, you know, unique generation.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And so maybe these new friendships, maybe these new relationships and connections will start digitally because that's how Gen Z works. That's how the world works in 2025. But that alone doesn't cure loneliness. That doesn't offer the fulfillment that an in-person relationship or friendship can. And so I think the next step for all of this is to just keep going and see what happens.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
You know, if you are Gen Z, continue putting yourself out there, continue stepping outside of your comfort zone and pushing yourself. I know that it's awkward. I know that it's weird. It is so hard making friends as an adult. Like I am in that boat with you. It is so weird and it's hard to meet people. You just have to keep going.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
If you are somebody in an older generation, you should be finding ways to help support the Gen Zers and the Gen Alphas in your life as they come into this world, you know, like weird, ugly ducklings that have no idea what's going on, learning these new languages. We have to keep this going. And obviously only time will tell
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
if change is actually made and from your perspective I would also love to hear from you guys about how I could help facilitate some of that change or how I could make this aspect of your life better one of the things that I'm really working on this year we're trying to put together a tour I want to include in-person events with you guys like when I did my show in New York I was on my reddit page you guys know I lurk on my reddit page but I saw a couple people posting saying hey could we meet up in person could we get together and maybe meet as like fans of bread and people with common values I want to see that continuing and if I can help
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Because if you're just addressing anxiety, if you're just addressing self-confidence, that is going to be a band-aid solution. Now to help me flesh out this episode and go deeper on this subject, I called my friend Alex Kazemi. He is a novelist.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
put that together or make that better for you, I would love to do that. Like I've literally seen people fall in love and get married out of my comment section, which is mind blowing. So if you have any ideas, if you have any requests, please let me know because this will majorly change our society.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
This is something that has to happen because I genuinely believe, as I said at the top of this episode, that this is the root cause of Gen Z's issues. That if we could address the loneliness, if we could address the antisocial nature of our generation, I think that everything else would start to turn around. So let's try to fix it.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
He's the author of the book New Millennium Boys, which is a novel that gets to the heart of this specific issue following three boys in high school throughout the 2000s. And I asked him to break down the psychological effects of this growing loneliness and this growing isolation that Gen Z has been experiencing. Take a listen to what he had to say.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
because you're you're not in that space of being constantly distracted and that constant distraction is not making anyone anyone happy and a lot of the time especially with young boys is they're trying to numb something now i'm getting ahead of myself here but there is something that alex said that i want to touch on before we move on from this response of his but he really said something astute about this loneliness and this isolation making young people feel like they are the center of the world and so i want you guys to take that
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
and think about Gen Z's activism. Think about their superficial understanding of issues based on only their experiences, based on only things that they see on social media, plus add that to lonely Gen Z desperately wanting to be a part of something, wanting to be a part of anything. All of this activism, all of this community engagement, it starts to make sense. And so in my opinion,
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Gen Z going so far left is less of a political phenomenon and more like a social one, because again, if we're talking about the root of the problem, it all goes back to this. But again, I kind of jumped the gun on that. We're going to talk about that a little later on, but I didn't want you to forget what he said.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And of course, before we can talk about the aftermath and the results of this loneliness, we have to understand how we got here. Now, I brought this up with Alex as well, and I wanted him to break down just how these societal structures have evolved over the past few decades. This is what he said.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
We have all these struggles and problems, but if we're being honest, what generation does not have struggles and problems and unique quirks? That's why we have generations. That's why we are divided in that way. Every generation goes through different things in history. But what I will say is the Gen Z's struggles are
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
So obviously, we all understand that. We experience it. I have my phone right next to me. We are on our devices 24-7. We have social media and digital technology in our faces 24-7. It is involved in our social life. It is involved in our education, our work. We literally cannot escape it.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And I know that I said earlier that COVID is not completely to blame for this, but it certainly is part of the problem. Because for my generation, a lot of us were starting college or still in high school or in the middle of college when all the lockdowns happened. These are prime developmental years for young people that were just completely stripped away from us.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
We were sent home, we were living in tiny dorm rooms, just on our computers 24 seven, completely isolated, not being allowed to even see our friends, not even being allowed to go to a class and see anybody. And I know that there are experts out there who have pooh-poohed this and said, that has no impact, this is not going to harm people whatsoever. Look at the numbers!
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
We now have the evidence that this seriously harmed young people of all ages, Gen Alpha and Gen Z. That depression rates skyrocketed in 2020 because of this isolation. So, it certainly heightened what was already going on. Now, in addition to that, online school has taken off, remote work has taken off.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Think about a generation that was raised online, that went to college or high school in the middle of lockdowns, was not allowed to socialize with anyone, and is now being shot out into the workforce trying to get a job in marketing at a company that has 100% remote work. Obviously, they're gonna be lonely. Obviously, they are going to struggle with social skills.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And then, of course, on top of all of that, which is already terrible, we have modern social media, which is just a completely different beast than AOL Messenger or MySpace or texting on your Blackberry. And with that comes influencers.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
It comes closer access to celebrities, which actually we just talked about a couple of weeks ago, which obviously induces feelings of isolation, a lack of confidence, FOMO. And all of this has been extremely well studied at this point. And Alex brought all of this up.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
a little bit different because Gen Z's growth coincided with the growth of technology and social media in our lives. And our parents and our educators, to be honest, just didn't know how to deal with that. They didn't really know the impact that that would have on our lives, our adolescents and how we were being raised. And it obviously has caused Gen Z a slew of problems.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And I know that we rag on social media all the time, but we do that for a reason. Because social media has truly given Gen Z a warped sense of reality. From what a normal life is supposed to look like to what is happening in the world politically. It has completely distorted everything.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And that is why so many parents now, especially parents of Gen Alpha, are keeping their kids off of social media. And it has been wild to watch the response of this because, again, this should be common sense.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Based on everything we've seen with Gen Z, with millennials, with everything that has been studied, it should be common sense that parents should be cognizant about their children's access to digital technology and social media. And yet parents will post online saying, oh, yeah, my kids don't have access to phones. They don't watch TV. They are not allowed on TikTok.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And people are screaming in the comments section that you're a terrible mother. I would hate to be your child. This is abuse. You're so strict. Your kids are going to resent you. Gen Z, look at yourself. Like, look at what happened. Obviously, parents are going to take these steps. Like, again, this is just common sense. There is not a single positive outcome to kids being on social media.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
There's not even a net neutral outcome. Every single thing that has been studied has been a negative. And so again, obviously, parents are going to be more careful. I mean, governments are now even starting to pay attention, like Australia, who just three months ago banned social media for people under the age of 16. And obviously this is a very nuanced subject.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
This caused a media explosion with people arguing about government overreach and protecting kids, which I was able to break down thanks to my friends over at Ground News. Ground News cuts the noise with an unbiased perspective and shows both sides of every story, prioritizing honesty over everything.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Their unique technology even allows users to compare how different sides of corporate media are reporting on a story, all the way down to independent journalists just like me. Making sure that you see all sides and truly stay informed.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And from my perspective as a creator, they make sure that I stay on top of the stories that I'm covering for you guys so that I can bring you the latest and most honest updates. Like with this story about social media, I was able to quickly get all of the details on Australia's social media ban for kids under 16 and understand the different sides of the issue and how the media was covering it.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
But it doesn't stop there. Their Blind Spot feed brings you the stories that have gotten little to no coverage on one side of the political aisle, making sure that you always stay informed instead of letting big tech or their algorithms decide what you see and what you hear.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
So if you are ready to truly break free from media bias and stay informed with transparent news consumption, now is the time to join Ground News. And when you go to groundnews.com slash Brett or scan the QR code on the screen, you can get the same premium plan that I use, but for nearly half the price.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Again, that is groundnews.com slash Brett if you want to get unbiased news and hold the media accountable for only $5 a month. I mean, really guys, with ground news, they keep me from spiraling, which is important because the more time that we spend online spiraling, the lonelier we get. And we are seeing this reflected in our society every single day.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
One of the primary ones being our mental health. That is something that we talk about in regards to Gen Z constantly. We are so mentally ill. We are depressed. We are anxious. All of these things. We are gender confused. And we can talk about these diagnoses all day long in Gen Z, self-diagnosing and how that is represented in our society and yada, yada, yada.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And I think that this is the point in the episode where I could really talk about Gen Z political activism and tie that into this loneliness epidemic because there has been a major, major jump between the generations in regards to this political activism.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
United Way actually conducted a survey about this last year and they found that nearly one-third of Gen Zers, 32%, are regularly engaged in activism or social justice work compared to 24% of Millennials and even less in Gen X and Baby Boomers, demonstrating a significant Gen Z commitment to societal change.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
They go on and they say, "...this engagement deepens among college students," which is, you know, the shock of the century. where the percentage escalates to nearly 40%. In the realm of public demonstrations, over half of Gen Zers have participated in rallies or protests to support specific causes or social issues with a slight increase to 56 observed among those in college or in higher ed.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
So obviously, Gen Z deeply cares about this activism, and obviously they care about the issues, they care about their social causes. I mean, I've participated in rallies and protests, but again, if you go deeper, if you go to the root of the issue, I think this goes back to Gen Z wanting to be a part of something.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Global data from the research firm Edelman also found that 70% of Gen Z is involved in some form of activism. And funnily enough, BBC was writing about all of these numbers and was writing about this trend with Gen Z, And they included a quote from none other than David Hogg, who is the newly elected DNC vice chair. There has been a lot of noise about him on social media recently.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
He is a well-known gun control activist. And he said, quote, I am not powered by hope. I am powered by the fact that I have no other choice. Which is probably the most chronically online Gen Z line I have ever heard.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And again, it goes back to this idea that Gen Z sees themselves as the center of the universe, with their problems being the most important, the most significant, that nobody else understands because they are so special. And it's probably just because they're not out in the real world touching grass and socializing and understand that they aren't the center of the universe. But I digress.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Again, we can get into that at a later date. Now, another huge result of this loneliness and this isolation has been Gen Z not using substances, which is something that I've talked about a lot in a more positive light. But now that I've kind of had some time away from that, I've been thinking about this a lot. I think we have to ask the question, is this actually a positive for Gen Z?
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Like, is this a net positive coming from something that is very holistic and wholesome and good? Or is it just another symptom of the problem? Because some see these as major positives for Gen Z. You know, they're not drinking, they're not doing drugs, they're not sleeping around, they're not partying. And of course, I'm sure for some of those people, it is because of moral and health reasons.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Probably those of you watching this video, you've made those decisions for those reasons. But for others, and I would argue the majority of people opting out of these substances, it is because of this loneliness, as an article in 2023 covered. The headline reads, Gen Z teens lonelier, more apt to use therapy, less likely to do drugs.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
But I think to get to the root of the problem, to actually understand Gen Z and what is driving us and driving so many of these problems that make us so unique, we have to go beyond that and we have to talk about Gen Z loneliness because I think that that is what is actually behind all of this.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And all of these articles that have been written about these changes, whether they be sleeping around or partying or drugs or alcohol, whatever it may be, they do cite the health concerns, they cite the changing culture around drinking, but as time has gone on, because people have watched this kind of transpire for the last five years or so, a different story has prevailed, as covered by Time Magazine just last month.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
They wrote, "...another contributing factor has to do with the changing socialization patterns of younger generations. Alcohol tends to be a social drug, even for young people. So part of the decline in underage drinking could be related to less in-person socialization.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
On average, the amount of time people spent with friends in person decreased from 30 hours a month in 2003 to 10 hours a month in 2020, according to the U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on the Epidemic of Loneliness. That decline was especially marked for people aged 15 to 24."
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And so again, we have to ask, are these teenagers, are these younger adults, are they making these decisions because, you know, they've learned about the dangerous effects of alcohol, because they actually don't want to participate in underage drinking, or is it because the parties aren't happening?
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Because they're not being invited out, because they aren't socializing in person, and as a result, they're not drinking and engaging in that party culture. Now, this decline in in-person socialization that we just read about in Time magazine is
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
stretches far beyond the personal lives of Gen Z. It is now impacting the workplace, where Gen Z allegedly cannot engage in small talk or even socialize with their coworkers. Fox Atlanta wrote about this just a month ago in January of 2025, and they said, Gen Z admits struggling with office small talk, according to a new study.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And they wrote, about 74% of adults say that they struggle to make light conversation in shared spaces, like break rooms or elevators. Nearly 50% prefer using WhatsApp, Teams, or email to communicate even when seated nearby because it's more convenient. About 40% of Gen Z workers say that remote and flexible work has made in-person small talk feel unfamiliar.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
Comparing it to learning a new language. That is why Gen Z is different. Because we are literally having to adapt to an in-person world that we were not raised in. And again, I don't want to blame our parents for that because they had no idea what was going on. They genuinely had not experienced this before. They did not know how this would grow or how it would impact us.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
But it's now causing these young adults to be a fish out of water in the real world. Now the article goes on and they say, additionally, 28% of employees avoid common areas altogether to skip awkward interactions. That is is insane. It's impacting every single aspect of our lives.
The Brett Cooper Show
How We End The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis | Episode 7
And it reminds me of something else that Alex said in our interview, where he said that, you know, people talk all day long. They're texting constantly. They're sending memes back and forth. We're sending TikToks to each other. We communicate more than we ever have before.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
It makes sense that people would feel sensitive to somebody rejecting or dismissing the values that we believe make our country great, that we have spent years fighting for, and that are also back in action in 2025. I mean, the golden age of America, and so to hear somebody rejecting that or being anti-American right now feels like such a betrayal.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
Cap has universal characteristics that people all over the world can relate to. And that last line, if I had to guess, was what he was trying to convey, or maybe he's hoping that people now believe that that was what he was trying to convey, but based on Chris Evans and based on the comics, it seems like that is probably the direction he was trying to take.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
Whether that is, you know, racists or bigots or war criminals or uneducated, whatever it may be, it has been coming from them. But now, things are starting to change in a more positive light, or so I hope. If you want to check out our new merch collection, we have those links below.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
And to take this apology and clarification even further, just to give Anthony Mackie some credit, he even tried to shut down rumors that the character of Thaddeus Ross, who becomes Red Hulk, who is being played by Harrison Ford in this new film, was designed in this new film to represent Donald Trump, to be this, you know, tyrannical antagonist.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
They had even at one point, because they've done many iterations of this new Brave New World film, they had even had a previous rewrite where there was like a Jan 6 thing in it, But then they took it out and they rewrote it because I think they knew the culture was changing. So it seems like they are proactively trying to be more culturally where we are right now and be less politically divisive.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
And it seems like that is what Anthony Mackie is trying to do, at least in the aftermath of that viral clip. But I did get ahead of myself. This is what he said. He said, I hope that as a country, we are tired of all the political jousting. Let's just go to the movies and chill the F out. We could have made this mother F for yellow and it would have been a problem. And you know what?
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
Listen, to be fair, he is correct. I think we would all like to chill the F out and just go to the movies. But, you know, Hollywood kind of has to be the one to do it. So that's actually the part of the quote that read me the wrong way. It's like, yes, yes, we've been wanting that. We want the political jousting to end. We want to just be able to go to movies.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
You guys need to take the steps to make that happen. You need to stop criticizing us at every turn. You need to stop making antagonist characters out of political leaders based on narratives that you've created in your head based on mainstream media.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
to that point and who knows based on these rewrites based on the things he's saying we might be getting to that point and of course this could be a pr cleanup job for marvel and his team but at least he didn't lean into that original sentiment more which i think has helped us all greatly so that is one side of this viral story that i wanted to discuss but the other side of it was that in going through all of this and reading all the comments and going back and looking at the comics and going back and looking at what chris evans said back in 2011 my prevailing thought
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
was do we really need to react angrily to everything we see online? Like is a clip from an actor talking about ridiculous actor things like the thing that we all need to spend hours getting angry about?
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
And I know it's funny to hear that for me because I did a reaction show for three years, but that is why I always try to extract substance and be more balanced because people just explode online over nothing, over something that could easily be broken down and discussed if you just spent five minutes Googling something and reading a couple articles.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
Seriously, if you had taken five minutes and you had seen the Chris Evans quote and you had seen the comics, I feel like people could have easily noticed that this was basically like a nothing burger. And of course, you are welcome to be angry at the sentiment that the Captain America comics that Chris Evans and now Anthony Mackie have expressed. That's totally fine.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
You can believe that it's wrong and believe, you know, America should be represented in a different light or that what they're saying is inherently wrong. theoretically wrong, but I don't think all of this needs to be pinned on Anthony Mackie. I don't think that he is the one that is single-handedly destroying the MCU and destroying Captain America.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
And if you want ad-free episodes, weekly advice videos, and an exclusive newsletter, make sure to check out my subscriber-only platform, Cooper Confidential. It is at cooperconfidential.supercast.com. We will also have that link in the description below.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
Like, if you go back further, this started a long time ago. And that context is important, because in my mind, if you are just looking at that video alone, no other context, not looking deeper into the story, that story ends with it just being an actor saying stupid crap. But of course, if you do wanna go deeper, it does beg a bigger question of what does America represent?
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
Can we even be defined by that name, that word alone? We live in a country that has evolved massively over the last 150 years. We are constantly growing and evolving and changing, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worst. Feels like it's been for the worst over the last 10 years. But now for a large portion of the country, we feel hopeful.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
We feel like we are getting back on track and we should be excited and exhilarated about all of that. So with that feeling in mind and thinking in the context of what Anthony Mackie said, I want to play you this video from a friend of mine. This is Alma. He immigrated to America. He went viral on TikTok a couple of years ago, actually talking about what he found so beautiful about America.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
And he kind of brought this sentiment back in a very gracious and balanced response to this anti-American sentiment. And there's a chance I will not be able to play you the entire clip thanks to YouTube copyright laws. So go find Alma's TikTok if you want to watch the entire thing because it really is beautiful.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
Now, obviously, it is not just Hollywood and journalists' fault for the ways that we have been represented and the images that have been portrayed of modern America, because, of course, our politicians have also helped further those narratives on the world stage.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
My point in playing that, other than just wanting to uplift Alma, because I think he has a great account and just has great takes, is that I think he hit the nail on the head with what Chris Evans and what the original comics were trying to convey. That yes, it is flawed, but we need these ideals to drive us to fight to keep America as great as it can be, to fight to preserve these values.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
and Anthony Mackie just kind of missed the mark. But based on his other comments, it seems like he sort of gets it, but that he was so lost in actor land and wanting to talk about playing with swords and his childhood experiences that he didn't finish the thought. So all of that being said, and in keeping with what Alma just said,
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
it makes sense that people would feel sensitive to somebody rejecting or dismissing the values that we believe make our country great, that we have spent years fighting for, and that are also back in action in 2025. I mean, the golden age of America.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
And so to hear somebody rejecting that or being anti-American right now feels like such a betrayal, even though obviously there are people in our country who hate what's going on. But for a lot of people, I think it's like, how could you not love the energy? right now, and I understand that.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
But of course, we also have to say that after everything we've seen come out of Hollywood over the last 10 to 20 years, like, an anti-American sentiment is nothing new. That's probably one of the other reasons why this didn't completely throw me off, because I'm like, okay, an actor not loving America, not wanting to represent America, great, that's like a normal Wednesday in our lives.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
But I do think, kind of as I mentioned earlier, that Hollywood showing a love of country is making its way back.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
Whether that's them cutting out the Jan 6 stuff because they realized that wouldn't play and would actually just make people angry, or whether it's films like Top Gun Maverick or Twisters being absolutely massive successes at the box office, speaking not just to their quality, but also to the Americana ideals and values that they represented.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
Like, I think that that is why those films resonated so much with Americans across the country. Like, of course, they were great films. They were fun films. But you left those films feeling an overwhelming sense of pride to be an American.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
I mean, the nostalgia in both of those films, the independence, the glorification of normal, great, beautiful middle America, of rodeo culture, of our armed servicemen and women. That is what I remember from both of those films. oh my God, I can't believe that Hollywood did that, that they're producing that for us. And audiences showed up in droves.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
And amidst all of the chaos and the division and the hatred and the vitriol, it really felt like we had lost sight of what America is supposed to be, what we fought for almost 250 years ago. And so with real, genuine joy and class and strength back in charge, there seems to be a sense of relief and genuine patriotism that so many people have not felt for so many years.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
I mean, talk about giving a mandate to Trump on how to lead the country. We gave a mandate to Hollywood with those two films of showing what we will show up for and what we're wanting. We don't need you to make a Donald Trump film to make a conservative Christian film.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
No, we just want you to sometimes make a movie that doesn't crap on all of our values, that makes us feel good about the country that we live in. It's really not that difficult of an ask. And so hopefully... With the changing culture, with everything that we've seen with the election, with these last couple of films, hopefully they are starting to listen.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
And hopefully Anthony Mackie was just being dumb. And that Captain America and Brave New World is in line with those films that speak to those ideals that Captain America is supposed to represent. That should represent America. Of integrity and independence and trustworthiness and goodness. Hopefully we see that. Because even I can admit that we are far from perfect a lot of the time.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
That we have so many things that need to be fixed. but we should still love our country's foundation. And that doesn't mean that we can't try to be better and live up to those values every single day, hopefully with the help of superheroes and characters like that.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
And I know we like to talk down on Hollywood and say that they're not important, that they're irrelevant, that we don't need them, but stories are important. characters like Captain America that drive us to be better, that represent goodness, that teach kids how to be a good leader, how to fight for what's right. Those are important.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
Those are important aspects of our culture and of our society that should hopefully in an ideal world make us all want to be better and push our world forward. And so hopefully that's what happens in Captain America Brave New World. But of course, we'll see.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
And I think, in my opinion, that is why so many people lost their minds and got so angry with what the actor Anthony Mackie had to say about the term America. Now, if you guys have not followed this story, Anthony Mackie is an actor. He is playing the new Captain
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
America he is most well known for his career in the MCU I think he is one of the longest running actors in the MCU but there is a new Captain America movie coming out in 2025 it is called Captain America Brave New World and he has been doing a huge press tour for that and a couple of weeks ago he was doing an interview and somebody asked him about Captain America and its connections to America the country and this is what he had to say just listen
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
Welcome back to another episode of The Red Cooper Show. Now, as you guys know, I was at the inauguration a couple of weeks ago, not at the inauguration, because obviously it was moved inside. And unlike the Paul brothers and Conor McGregor, I was not invited into the Capitol, even though that would have been a crazy group to be around. But the inauguration happened. It was historical.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
That does not sound great. So basically what we got from that is that the beloved Captain America represents a lot of things, a lot of objectively good values, but America, the term, is not one of them. Got it. You know, I guess that we do not represent integrity and trustworthiness and always doing the right thing and honesty. Not America, in Anthony Mackie's mind.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
People on X and on TikTok, they lost their damn minds. There were clips of this going viral. I mean, mega, mega viral. And it immediately sparked a debate between the left and the right because the right was angry because it felt like he was crapping on America and he was saying that we do not have good values and that he didn't want Captain America to be linked in with our great country.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
And people on the left were immediately pushing back and going, no, it's like an awful country. We just elected Trump. Why would he want it to represent Captain America? We all just started freaking fighting. per usual. One headline reads, Captain America fans defend Anthony Mackie from Trump supporters. He is right.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
I also just think it's hysterical that anybody who defends America as a country and our founding beliefs is automatically labeled a Trump supporter. Like these accounts that were commenting these things, they did not have like MAGA in their bio. It was tons of different people. But of course the mainstream media is like, Trump supporters! They love the country.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
You must be, oh God, it's like so old at this point. Like, please find a new narrative. And I had a similar response, like many people online being like, ugh, I mean, that's unfortunate. Here's another movie going down the drain, I guess. This is unfortunate. But then I looked into it more. I read the comments, as I do.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
I mean, it basically seemed like people cared more about the political wins than they did about actually going deeper and understanding the context of the video and of the issue that they were discussing. And for those of us who do want to push through the noise and actually go deeper, we need Peterson Academy because that is exactly what they strive to do.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
And if you didn't know, Peterson Academy is Dr. Jordan Peterson's new online university that is open for enrollment right now.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
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The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
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The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
They truly want to provide a well-rounded education, and they even have optional testing to further your understanding of the subjects that you're studying. there's also a built-in social component of Peterson Academy so that you can connect and learn alongside like-minded people around the world.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
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The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
There was so much joy throughout D.C. It was just crazy to see. And I feel like we have been experiencing that joy for the last couple of And I really love talking about the joy because our joy is actually authentic. Our joy is genuine and based on something that is real unlike Kamala Harris's joy that she faked for basically her entire campaign.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
Peterson Academy is $599 a year or $59 a month to access all 31 eight hour courses, plus those four new courses that are coming every single month, plus the social community and a seven day money back guarantee. And to me, the best part is for that price, you are not having to take out a $60,000 student loan to continue your education.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
So again, that is petersonacademy.com slash brett to join Peterson Academy today. They will help you go deeper. They will give you the tools that you need to critically think about the world around you, especially in situations like this when it goes crazy on social media. And I noticed that some of the people who were pushing back weren't necessarily wrong.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
And these were not the finger waggers and the pointers and the people who were making it a right versus left thing. They were just talking about Captain America in general in the history. And to their point, Anthony Mackie might not be entirely wrong either, because this is not really a new take on Captain America.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
It's not that Captain America rejects America entirely, but it is that he is bigger than just one country, which is exactly what Chris Evans said back in 2011. So this is not the first time that an actor playing Captain America has expressed this sentiment. In 2011, Chris Evans said, was created in America during wartime when there was a common enemy, even though it is Captain America.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
I've said before in interviews, it feels more like he should just be called Captain Good. You know, he was created at a time where there was this undeniable evil, and this guy was kind of created to fight that evil. I think that everyone could agree that Nazis were bad, and he, Cap, just so happens to wear the red, white, and blue.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
So again, he's saying, you know, not a patriotic movie, not a America movie, but it's a movie about aspirational ideals and objective good. And this person is supposed to embody these ideals that could be relatable to any individual, should be aspirational to somebody, no matter what country you live in. No matter what your background is, you should be able to see the good in this superhero.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
And as even more people pointed out, if you go back even further in history of Captain America, this is what is actually said in the Captain America comics. This is the comic right here, but I'll read it to you. He says, listen to me, all of you out there. You were told by this man, your hero, that America is the greatest country in the world.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
He told you that Americans were the greatest people, that America could be refined like silver, could have the impurities hammered out of it and shine more brightly. He went on about how precious America was and how you needed to make sure it remained great. And he told you that anything was justified to preserve that pearl of the great price that is America. that America is nothing.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
Without its ideals, its commitment to the freedom of all men, America is a piece of trash. A nation is nothing. A flag is a piece of cloth. I fought Adolf Hitler not because America was great, but because it was fragile. I knew that liberty could be easily snuffed out here as in Nazi Germany, as people were no different than them.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
But I really think that there is something so special about the beginnings of this new Trump presidency, the new Trump admin, and the now golden age of America. And I've been trying to put my finger on what is so exciting and exhilarating and joyful about it and obviously
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
When I returned, I saw that you nearly did turn America into nothing. I mean, this is deep for a comic. This is a lot more nuanced than Anthony Mackie was in his little quip.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
It's a lot deeper than what Chris Evans was trying to communicate, but you can kind of connect the dots on what they were basing their responses on based on the history of this character and what he said in the comics and what he has done in all these other movies. I especially love this last paragraph where it talks about America being fragile.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
I mean, that's something that we have discussed consistently over the last couple of years. The driving force with getting someone like Trump back in office so that he could steer us onto the right track because we are so fragile. Because we have seen our country be almost destroyed and we could not let that happen. We are not immune to tyranny.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
We are not immune to terrible ideas and victimhood and bad ideology and communism. We have gotten so close to having that here, which is why we have to fight for the ideals that this country was founded on. And while I agree with that second paragraph, I do kind of disagree with the first paragraph where he says that America can't be great, that it cannot be good.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
fixed and have the blemishes removed. I do believe that we can get to that point. I think that we are certainly on our way right now.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
This is a discussion about what it means to have ideals and beliefs and values that drive the foundation of a country and what happens when those ideals get forgotten and trampled out and what it means to fight to get that back and to have a love of country and a love of ideals, but maybe not love where we are right now.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
And I think it's ideologically wrong for people to get angry at somebody saying that America isn't perfect or that they don't love America right now, because we've done that. Like obviously people on the left are going to be unhappy with what is happening in Trump's America. They're going to be angry and afraid. I've tried to address that and quell some of those fears.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
But it's dishonest to say that we haven't done that. I've certainly done that over the last four years. Like, this country's doomed. Authoritarianism. Biden, he's running it into the ground.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
And while there's a difference between criticizing the current state of America and what's going on and criticizing its ideals, I really don't think Anthony Mackie was concerning himself with clarifying anything or having any nuance. Like, I'm sorry, but he's an actor. doing a press tour. I don't really think he's thought about this very deeply. And so it might not be all Anthony Mackie's fault.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
Like, I genuinely do not even know if he knew what he was trying to say, especially when you hear what he said after the end of that quote at the end of this clip.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
Seeing the policies that we voted for come to fruition is very exciting and feels very redeeming, but it also feels bigger than that. And in my opinion, kind of what I've landed on as I've been thinking about this is that it's the fact that we are taking back our country and we are now deciding how it is defined on the world stage.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
How did that connect with what America represents? Like, we went from a very weird quip about Captain America not really representing America and him being bigger than that into an actor's monologue about what it means to be an actor. Like, is he talking about ideals and dreams and how it relates to America?
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
Or did he just completely get off track and he's just talking about what it meant as an actor... to do this movie and play a superhero because it felt like he was tapping in to his inner child. Like that just doesn't make sense. I was a child actor. I've been around a lot of actors. I love actors. I have a fondness for actors. That was dumb actor speak. That was, he was asked a question.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
He tried to answer it. He got off track and he just started going into his little emotional brain, talking about his hopes and dreams and what made him want to be an actor, which is like totally fine. But it just makes me think again, that he literally didn't know what he was talking about. He was probably given some PR points about Captain America. He was told what Chris Evans said.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
He's probably read the comics at this point, especially because he's been in the MCU for so long. He's probably trying to express what had been said before. But he screwed it up. He offered no clarity, no substance, and then he turned it into this odd musing on what it means to be an actor and tapping into your inner child.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
And also, it's not the first time on this press tour that he has gotten off track and contradicted himself. For instance, at another point in one of these big interviews, he was asked about what it means to be a black man, you know, playing Captain America, because obviously they're going to ask that stupid freaking question. And he completely spoke out of both sides of his mouth.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
He said, I feel like it is just as important for black kids to see a black Captain America as it is for white kids. Growing up, one of my favorite superheroes was Green. It wasn't about race or anything. It was just about him being a good guy trying to do the right thing.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
It's very important for kids of all races to be able to watch something and have someone to look up to no matter what they look like and see that that package comes with a good human being as opposed to what they've been perceived as by everyone else. So he sums it up by saying that race doesn't matter.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
You know, he could be green and love him, but also it's very important for little black kids to see him play this role and that everybody needs to see representation. Like I genuinely think that he's just making all of this up as he goes. I think that he is just rambling and trying to find his way. And as somebody who does get interviewed and has to do press, sometimes that happens.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
Like sometimes I will sit down for an interview. Somebody will ask me a question And it takes me a good five minutes to get there. Like I do the Donald Trump weave of like, I want to figure out how I'm going to get there. But he's doing this on a world stage and people are only clipping out small moments.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
We are being proactive rather than just reactionary because for the last decade, 20 years or so, Hollywood and journalists have been the ones who have decided and directed how we are represented on the world stage. They've been telling a bulk of the country who we are and what we represent.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
And to be fair, even though we kind of talked his way around the issue, he is right that color shouldn't matter. Like color should not matter unless you are evaluating your stakes, which is why I buy from Good Ranchers because they have the highest quality cuts of meat. And all of their products are from the U.S.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
And I know that you might say, Brett, come on, I can go to the grocery store and everything says product of the U.S.A. Mmm. Actually, 85% of grass-fed beef that you see in the grocery store is not actually from the United States, and that is because the country of origin law was actually repealed.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
So now a meat product does not need to be born, raised, or even harvested in the United States to get that label. It only needs to be packaged in the United States in order to say that it is a product of the United States. But with good ranchers, when they say that their meat is 100% American, they actually mean it.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
All of their products are born, raised, harvested, and packaged by local ranchers that keep our communities fed and moving. And on top of that, these American products are free from hidden additives. No antibiotics ever, no added hormones, no seed oils, just simple ingredients that you can feel good about feeding yourself and your family.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
They really make everything more simple, down to the fact that they deliver their products directly to your door. So with goodranchers.com, everything that you need to create a delicious meal and feed your family is just a click away. And as an extra little treat for you guys, if you go to goodranchers.com slash Brett, you'll be able to see the special box that I had curated just for you guys.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
These are all the products that Alex and I literally eat throughout the week, from the pork chops to the brats to the steaks. These are the products that keep our household moving.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
And if all of that is not enough to convince you, Good Ranchers is still running their New Year New Meat promotion, which means that you can subscribe to any box, hopefully the Brett Cooper box, because it's my favorite and it's really good, but subscribe to any box and you can get a year's worth of free meat.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
You get to choose from free ground beef, free chicken breast, or free salmon in every single order for an entire year. Plus, you will get $25 off when you use my code BRETT at checkout. So visit goodranchers.com, use code BRETT at checkout to claim your free meat for an entire year and $25 off. Again, goodranchers.com, $25 off and free meat for an entire year.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
That is simple ingredients all the time, transparent packaging, no clarifying statements needed, unlike the clarifying statement that Anthony Mackie had to make. And, you know, to his credit, he did make a follow-up statement in an attempt to clarify things.
The Brett Cooper Show
Why Marvel Fans Are Outraged at the New Captain America | Episode 5
I mean, who knows whether this was, you know, a PR cleanup job or actually coming from the heart, but he posted this on his story soon after that original video went viral last week. And he said, let me be clear about this. I'm a proud American and taking on the shield of a hero like Cap is the honor of a lifetime. I have the utmost respect for those who serve and have served our country.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
So guys, it feels like 10 years since the second Trump term began, and I do not mean that in a bad way at all. It is actually completely the opposite. He has done so much in the last 40 days that it has been nearly impossible to keep track unless you are literally glued to X, unless you are glued to C-SPAN, which Unfortunately, most of us have lives, so I know we're not doing that.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
passing his citizenship exam and you're saying he could be deported. Trump doesn't care about your grandfather or your dad who came in 30 years ago and is now an American citizen. That is not who is being deported. We are deporting people who are literally currently here illegally. Like, you do not even understand the situation.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
There are also parents that are doing the classic lib thing where they're like, my child... My child came to me in the middle of the night and knocked on my door and was like, mommy, they're going to they're going to pick up kids from my class and they're going to deport them all. And I just don't even know what to tell her. We are deporting the drug cartels out of the streets.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
That should be something that we are all excited about. I mean, it's just been horrible. Like there was literally a story two weeks ago now that came out through the New York Post and they were talking about this young girl in Texas, this 11 year old who had killed herself. And the media painted it to be about deportations, about immigration.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
They said she had been bullied over her immigration status. She was a legal immigrant. She was an American citizen. And apparently she had possibly overheard comments on the bus talking about immigration. And they said, oh, this is the reason why now Trump is killing children. OK, it just came out three days later that she was being sexually abused.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
My merch is also linked below, so lots of goodies for you in the description. Alright, so obviously we cannot talk about Trump's first official month in office without talking about executive orders, because executive orders have really been the theme of the last 40 days.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
that it wasn't actually about immigration at all. But the media took that tiny little sliver of a story and ran with it and utilized this girl's death, this 11 year old girl's death to push a narrative that Trump was now a child murderer because he was deporting children. Again, guys, these are not legal law abiding citizens that are getting deported.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
No matter what you see on TikTok right now, what they are dealing with, they are violent criminals, as Chrissy Noem pointed out right here.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Are we going to cry about that on TikTok? Are we going to have video sobbing Selena Gomez of these people leaving our country? No, this is objectively a good thing. Objectively, we should not want these people to be in our country. And you know what? To make this issue even more simple for people who cannot understand this, these people are all criminals point blank because guess what?
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
They came here illegally, as Caroline Levitt put it in a press conference.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And for any children who are watching this unfold on social media or on the news or are being fed lies from TikTok or their teachers or their friends, parents, do not make a video crying on TikTok. No, realize that this is an excellent opportunity to not instill fear in your children, but to teach a very simple,
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
basic lesson about law and order, about things that are legal and not illegal, about what happens to people when objectively they break the law. That is something that you must teach your children at some point. This is the real world. This is reality.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
It is not a bad thing to teach them that and it does not need to be scary, especially when what you are parroting on social media, what your kids are allegedly seeing is not actually happening. So that right there kind of covers the issue of immigration. Again, I think that it is the most emotional part of Trump's first month. It is the thing that most people have hated about his first month.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And as you guys probably know, if you were watching the inauguration like I was, maybe some of you guys were also there, Trump signed a ton on the day of his inauguration at his inaugural parade, which ended up being moved inside, so it was kind of like an inaugural rally, but just take a look at this clip in case you missed it.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Everything else is kind of all under the wayside. I think it hasn't gotten as much media attention. Like, Trump did four executive orders dealing with the transgender community and it barely got an uproar, which genuinely, like, shocked me.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Like on day one, he did an executive order establishing two genders, which I don't even know why we had to do that, but it is hysterical and epic that he did on day one. He said that there was man, there was woman. He even slipped in there that life begins at conception, that gender begins at conception, that you cannot distort this or change it, that there is no third gender.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
He kept it very, very simple. He also did an executive order barring transgender individuals from serving in the military. Which again, should not be controversial in the slightest. Maybe people are finally realizing that. Maybe that is why there was not a media uproar because they've realized this is absurd. Like if you are bipolar, you cannot serve in the military.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
If you have a major depressive disorder, you cannot serve. If you have anxiety or OCD, you cannot serve. So why do you think somebody with gender dysphoria should be able to serve? Why? Because it's the virtuous thing to do because we have to support this? No, it literally does not make sense. You cannot serve if you have to take any kind of medication, whether it be
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
for a physical health condition or a mental health condition, so why should somebody who has to take regular hormones in order to stay the gender that they are pretending that they are? So why should these individuals be allowed to serve next to men and women who had to fit through such strict parameters in order to even enlist? Again, it makes no sense.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Now, the third thing that he did was an executive order barring gender-affirming care for kids under the age of 19. I think this is the one that got the most media attention. This one was called Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And I think some people were confused, but this does not end gender affirming care for children just point blank, but it bars federal funding for any of these surgeries. It bars federal funding and grants for research and experiments for med schools and hospitals.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And it also requires the secretary of the HHS, which is now Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to try to stop this on a whole and to end this in our country. So it hasn't been ended right now, but he's basically saying the federal government will not be involved in this mutilation. Now, the fourth executive order about transgenderism was keeping men out of women's sports.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And this was the one that I think most people were celebrating. It was an incredible sight to behold, like out of all of the executive orders, even going back to day one on January 20th when he was sitting on that stage surrounded by cheers when he was repealing those 78 Biden executive orders. This was still the best sight. Just watch Trump signing this executive order.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And the best part was they were asking all of these young girls to stand back because obviously he's Trump. People have tried to kill him. Secret Service was like, everybody needs to stand back. Nobody can get close to him.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And Trump looked around at this room of like 100 plus young women, you know, ranging from ages five, maybe even younger, to women like Riley Gaines, to women who had competed, you know, in sports 20 years ago. All these women were surrounding him. And he said, they're not going to hurt me. And he said, Secret Service, you don't have to be worried about them.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
He invited all of them to crowd around the table. And now you have this incredible image. It is just so, so perfect. But yeah, this is him signing the order. And it's just awesome. I literally am like tearing up thinking about it. Like this is such an amazing day. That is a picture for the Smithsonian. That video is a picture.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
There are about four different screen grabs in that that could hang in a museum. It was truly remarkable. And guys, that day, that exact same day, the president of the NCAA made a statement saying that they would be working to align their policies with this new executive order.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
and saying that this actually did, even though people were saying that this was transphobic, they were actually thanking him, saying that this offered so much needed clarity on the issue. That executive order was signed on Wednesday afternoon, the statement from the NCAA was made on Wednesday afternoon, and by Thursday afternoon, the transgender policy at the NCAA had been updated.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
NCAA announces transgender student athlete participation policy change, and NBC wrote about it that same day and said, by Thursday afternoon, the association announced an update to its transgender student athlete policy. NCAA women's sports will be restricted to students assigned female at birth.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
This national standard brings much needed clarity as we modernize college sports for today's student athletes. And there were people that were still, of course, losing their minds over this on social media. Again, nothing compared to the outrage over immigration and the deportations. But I mean, still, it was an issue that people care a lot about. But I mean, like, come on.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Like, according to recent Gallup polls from the last couple of years, this is something that 70% of Americans want. Trump is representing the people by doing this, and I think it's so great that when you look at the social media landscape, yeah, there were a few angry tweets here and there.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Yes, you had NBC writing a little heated, passive-aggressive article about it, but they really couldn't say much because, again, this is what the voters overwhelmingly wanted. Now, you guys all know that I am a big advocate for our Second Amendment rights, and I believe in being prepared and being responsible when it comes to firearms. But let's be honest.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Shooting can be loud and sometimes uncomfortable, and that is why I want to tell you about my friends over at Silencer Shop. Yes, silencers are totally legal before you ask, and Silencer Shop makes getting one easier than ever. They offer the largest selection of topper and suppressors that make your shooting experience quieter, safer, and way more enjoyable.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
I also just love that he did this in front of tens of thousands of fans, because to hear the crowd roaring when he started signing his signature, when they were going through every single one of those executive orders that he signed on stage, it was just such an indication of how excited people were, of how ready we were for change.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
So whether you are hitting the range or out hunting, a suppressor can make a world of difference for your experience. And don't worry about the paperwork. That was the thing that I was most intimidated by. They've got you covered. Silencer Shop simplifies the entire process, making it hassle-free so that you can get your suppressor from the comfort of your own home.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
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The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
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The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
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The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Now, in addition to these very serious issues that are very personal to the American people, like men and women's sports and like the economy and immigration, Trump obviously had to have some Trump moments. And he also passed some incredibly funny executive orders. For example, my personal favorite one was the ending of the forced procurement and use of paper straws. Just watch.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Guys, I just want you to watch the man on the right-hand side throughout this entire clip. He is just having the time of his life. Like, this is joy. They said the combo would bring joy. This is bringing joy.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
We just have to wait. It gets better at the end.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
It's so good. If nothing else, this man provides me comedy every single day. I saw a tweet earlier and somebody was saying, damn it, this man is a neo-Nazi fascist, but damn it, he's so freaking funny. Yes, like you can't look away. You can't not love him slightly, even if you don't like his policies because he's a character. That's what Bridget was saying at the top of this episode.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Like he gets the pomp and circumstance. He is an entertainer at the end of the day. He knows how to entertain us. He knows how to keep people's attention and by golly, He has mine. Now, in addition to the paper straw executive order, another funny one that he did was restoring American names to American greatness, which was basically eliminating a lot of the wokeness from American names.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Literally, people had been waiting outside the arena for 24 hours, standing in the freezing cold in Washington, D.C., to get inside, waited all day long while the inauguration things were happening inside the Capitol,
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Like if Biden had added equity or something like that to a federal agency or anything that was, you know, overseen by the federal government. Mount McKinley is a great example of that. That was Mount Denali in Alaska, but he restored it to the original name of Mount McKinley. So that goes under that executive order.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
He also signed an executive order to create a commission to throw America the biggest 250th birthday celebration for 4th of July. He was like, we're going to have the biggest, best birthday party of all time. So he signed an executive order about that specifically. He also, and this might be my favorite one, he also signed an executive order making English
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
the official language of the United States, which if you know Trump, he has been talking about this for years. Watch this clip from a debate many years ago now.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Jeb Bush just doesn't even know what to say about that. He's got no response whatsoever. But listen, Trump's right. And years later, he finally made it. He finally signed that executive order. So hopefully, guys, that gives you a little recap on all of these executive orders.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And those last couple were obviously very funny and kind of silly, but Trump really took what the American voters asked of him, and he ran through it. I mean, he just ran through walls for us in that first 40 days. He said, I don't care what the media says about me. I don't care what you journalists are saying.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
I don't care what all of you government employees and you labor unions, I don't care if you sue me. This is the mandate that the American people gave me and I am going to enact it. whether it be the economy or immigration or men and women's sports and transgenderism in general, or having two genders only, he was going to make it happen. And that is what he did with all of those executive orders.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
So now we obviously have to ask, what happens next with all of these executive orders? Because if you're thinking critically about the situation, you're thinking, well, the next admin will just unwind it, which in my interview with Bridget, she said that that was her main concern. That's the only thing that she doesn't like about what he did in his first 40 days was her thinking ahead four years
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
just to see this man in person and to watch these executive orders be signed the energy was unreal he stayed on stage for a while and did what you would normally be doing in the oval office but brought his fans brought his photos into it it was just like an incredible way to start this second term and even though he did this on stage at the capitol one arena in dc i believe that's what it's called
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
five years, whenever the next Democrat is in office, thinking, oh, that next president could do what Trump did on his first day and just reverse all of these.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Now, thankfully, Bridget and I are not alone in this feeling, and people in government are hearing those concerns. Specifically, Mike Johnson is hearing the concerns, and he made an announcement while on the stage at CPAC saying that he is going to try his hardest to make sure that does not happen by getting as many of these executive orders passed as law so they can be codified as U.S. statutes.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And I love that he says that as if it's so simple, because it's not. That is going to be nearly impossible on a lot of those executive orders, but the fact that they're going to go in there and they're going to try, especially in the next two years while we have the majority, that needs to be priority number one for Congress, in my opinion, is to get as many of these done, because again,
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
then these last 40 days are all kind of for nothing. Yeah, we're enjoying it. Yeah, we get tons of viral videos and clips and we get to laugh with Trump as he's signing in things about paper straws.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Because if these are not passed into law, if we do not permanently reduce these regulations, get rid of government bloat, we are going to find ourselves in the exact same situation in four years, in eight years, in 12 years. So we need to handle it now.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Now, the next thing that I want to cover in this first official month of Trump videos is obviously some of my personal favorite viral moments, because Of course, it is Trump. There have been some incredible hysterical moments, some of which you have already seen through those executive order signings.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
But my personal favorites from the last month, these ones that I've been, you know, kind of bookmarking on X and saving for this episode, they have actually been Trump's interactions with people from other countries, specifically those where English is obviously not their first language.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
First in this lineup is an interaction that he had on February 4th, I believe, and it was an interaction with a reporter during his press conference with Netanyahu. Just take a listen.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
So we can obviously hear. And she's like, what are you going to do for the people of Afghanistan? He's like, you know, good luck. Good luck. Hope it works out for you. Go in peace. Beautiful language. I cannot hear you. But guys, that was not the only time this happened. Ten days later, during a presser with the prime minister of India, Trump had the same exact issue.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
It's so great. Like, this is what we all deal with when we call our phone companies. This is what we all deal with when we call any kind of customer service, and Trump is just like us. You know, it's like celebrities, politicians, they're just like us. He's like, I can't understand a fricking word that you are saying.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Lastly, the third in this installment is when the president of France, President Macron, came to visit just last week. And Trump was overwhelmed by the beauty of the French language, even though he once again could not understand a damn thing.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
this wasn't unlike what happened in 2016. Because in 2016, in Trump's first term, he also signed a bunch of executive orders and all the libs freaked out. The media freaked out. They're like, oh my God, he's abusing his power. He's a fascist. This is so awful. Interestingly, this time around, they're kind of quieter. Maybe they're used to it.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
The other part of this interaction that I just adore is the power move of Macron is trying to speak and Trump reaches over, grabs his hand, like, shut up, I'm speaking. Like, no, no, no, I've heard enough. Beautiful, beautiful language, can't understand a word. And he just grabs his hand and he's like, no, no, let's sit down now. I mean, it is such a power play.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Everything he does from his handshakes to this, it is so intentional. But guys, all three of those videos, I just want you to think, What executive order ties in to those videos? That is why this is so funny to me.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Because remember, just a couple of days ago, just like two days before I'm sitting here filming this video, Trump signed that order making English the official language of the United States. This was signed on March 1st, and obviously this does not impact accents in this life.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
He's not saying that you can't be here if you do not speak English perfectly, but it's so funny to think of him going through all three of those interactions, sitting through all those press conferences, being like, I can't I can't understand a damn word anybody's saying. I'm going to fix this right here and right now. I want to hear English. And so he made an executive order just about that.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
It's just so great. Now, the second to last thing that we need to cover, and I know I've kind of taken you on this like wild ride of the last 40 days, but if we want to touch on the funniest moments, the most important moments of the first month of the second Trump admin, we cannot ignore what happened just last week in the Oval Office with JD Vance.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Donald Trump and President Zelensky from Ukraine. And I'm sure that you guys have seen most of the viral clips by now. If you spend any time on social media, you may have even seen some of the memes that came out, just like this one, which is my personal favorite.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
The caption says me right before I play my last Uno card on family game night.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
have just been so many incredible memes that have been making me laugh for the last you know 72 hours but that moment and that meeting was so much more important than just some viral clips and if you didn't watch the entire 45 minute recorded conversation then I just want to take a moment to set the scene for you because the media is painting this in a certain light obviously and we're seeing all the funny memes but again this is so much bigger so this afternoon this event this meeting with Zelensky actually started out perfectly they were on great terms Trump
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
welcomed him to DC and to the White House. Trump actually complimented Zelensky on not wearing the same army green costume that he's wearing for three years, but obviously changing up his wardrobe. It's so friendly. I mean, it's a bit of trolling. He's like, look, he's not wearing the same shirt, but it's like friendly. They're laughing, they're smiling, they're taking pictures together.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Everything seems normal. And from there, when they actually sat down in the Oval Office to have this meeting with Zelensky and Trump and J.D. Vance, It started out peacefully, like Trump continued to crack jokes and kind of do like nudge nudge. He was smiling. He was laughing. He was talking about peace. He was trying to have a productive conversation about peace in Ukraine with Russia.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
But even though that was the case, there are a lot of things that are different this time around. It's almost 10 years later. This is a new Trump. And I brought my friend, Bridget Fatesi, who is the host of Dumpster Fire, onto the show to talk about this. And this was one of the first things she brought out, how different this is and how it's so much better. Take a listen.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
He was even complimenting Zelensky for things that he had done over the last three years. But Zelensky could not let this continue to be a peaceful conversation, and he would not stop trying to make the entire conversation about Putin.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Like literally every 30 seconds, well Putin did this, well Putin did this, and obviously he's fighting Putin right now, but that was not what Trump wanted to talk about. And he also would not let up talking about America pledging a security guarantee and a lot more money for Ukraine.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And it just became evident after like 10 or 15 minutes, somewhere in that range, that the two sides were just speaking completely different languages. Not even literally, but figuratively. They wanted very different things. Trump and J.D. Vance were here to talk about peace and productivity and how to move forward from this. And Zelensky was like, no, I need you to fight with me and fight for me.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
So I personally have felt like I've kind of been in a washing machine for the last 40 days, just being bounced around, catching bits and pieces of the news and trying to follow along because literally guys, this man is moving a mile a minute. And so I think it is time for a recap. You guys have been asking for it. You've been saying, Brett, why haven't you talked about Trump?
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
I want to wipe this man off the face of the earth. I hate Putin. I hate Putin. Literally just saying that. And so by then he started getting kind of riled up and he started interrupting Trump consistently until Trump finally had enough and started to call him out for this, you know, Putin derangement syndrome and a lack of interest in obvious peace and productivity and diplomacy.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And that is when J.D. Vance jumped in and that is when fireworks really started. And it wasn't an ambush of any And that is how the media is trying to paint this. So if you've been on NBC, if you've been reading, you know, AP News, if you've been reading CNN, they will have said, this was so awful. Poor Zelensky. Why would they do this to him? It was an ambush. It was not that at all.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
It was supposed to be peaceful and productive. And Zelensky himself took the first step to make this interaction more hostile. And Trump was just not going to deal with it. And I mean, Trump, of course, could have just rolled over like Biden did. And like many other world leaders have gone, okay, whatever. Whatever you want, I'll sign another check. But Trump is Trump. He's not going to do that.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And so it just kept getting more and more angry, more and more hostile. And the last five minutes were where it really became entertaining. And somewhere in the last five minutes, I'm sure, is what you've seen on social media. But I want to show you my two favorite clips. This might be my favorite one.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
That, that moment right there, that is when it started to spiral. Have you even said thank you once? But in the minute prior to that, obviously Trump is getting enraged. He is raising his voice. He's saying things that I think a lot of us have wanted to say for the last couple of years. Like you need all of us. And J.D. Vance is like, yeah, you need all of us.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And you're being kind of an ungrateful brat. in the Oval Office, in front of two people that are trying to help you, and I am not going to stand for it. And so from there, from JD Vance calling him disrespectful, it only got better, and I seriously have never felt better. As I was watching this clip, I've never felt better about having these two men in charge leading us on a global stage.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Like, the fathers are back in charge, the adults are in the room. Take a listen to this last clip.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
You can see Trump flip in this clip. It's like with every interaction, it just gets more and more intense. And I think the final kicker was Zelensky saying, we've done it all alone. And Trump was like, the hell you have? Absolutely not. We have been banged. Yes, you've been fighting, but you haven't done it alone.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And it's offensive for you to sit here in front of the president of the United States, in front of the vice president, in front of
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
an army of press filming you and say that you've had to fight it all along when you literally haven't the United States all of Europe everybody has been contributing and America and Donald Trump is fed up he is done and I also love in this clip I love that it showed us that Trump and JD Vance are a united front that's why I wanted to start the clip there where he goes uh he was not speaking loudly because Trump didn't leave JD Vance out there to just fend for himself he also didn't have to do
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
all of the talking he has a partner now a sparring partner somebody who can be his backup or even just be on the front lines with him like with pence he was nowhere to be seen like i don't even know if i heard the man talk once during the first presidency and kamala during the biden years was off you know drunkenly giving speeches doing whatever the hell she was doing posing for covers of vogue but jd vance and trump are totally different they are a team they're showing us that they're a team and they're also showing us how much trump clearly respects shady dance
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
The fact that he is sitting there right next to Trump, that he lets him speak, that he goes to bat for him when he feels like J.D. Vance is being disrespected. And I think that this also points to another change in Trump's demeanor from the last few years, like another difference between 2016 Trump and 2025 Trump, or a change in his psyche, as Bridget put it.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
We were talking about the figures working alongside Trump, and she said, you know what? I think something has changed in his psyche by the way that he interacts with these figures. Just take a listen.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Now to kind of round out this more recent story for you guys, of course, like I've mentioned before, the media obviously called Trump and J.D. Vance mean and rude and hurtful and like they were fascists for going after poor little Zelensky, that this was an ambush, but obviously you guys have now gotten the entire story. You have probably watched the clips.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
If you have the time, go watch that entire 45-minute interview. It is fascinating. It is crazy. And obviously you will see that that ambush did not happen.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
But guys, what was even crazier than our American media's response was watching what was happening in Europe because almost instantaneously, everyone in Europe, all the European leaders just fell into line and started tweeting as they should in support of Ukraine, in support of Zelensky and against America after this awful ambush. Just listen to these tweets.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And listen, I completely agree with her. It's like another one of those platitudes like, what is made for you won't miss you, Trump. Like, you were made to be president again. It just wasn't in 2020. You had to take a few years off. You had to learn. You had to reflect and come back stronger in 2024. Kick it all off in 2025. And she is absolutely right.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President Zelensky. We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace. Here's another one. Your dignity... honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless. Oh, that kind of sounds like what we just read. You are never alone, dear president.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace. Your dignity honors the bravery. It goes on and on and on. This was tweeted four times, possibly even more. And those four that I just showed you that I screenshotted, those are from the two presidents of the European Union, the president of the European Parliament, and the EVP of the European Commission.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Now, better yet, even better than the European Commission and the European Union, you need to look at these tweets from the leaders of all of the European countries. Like, guys, I don't even know if you'll be able to see all of these because there's so many. Dear Zelensky, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone. Ukraine is not alone.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Germany, along with our European allies, stands united against Ukraine. We stand with Ukraine on the side of the world. Canada stands with Ukraine. Iceland stands with Ukraine. I mean, guys, there are so many of these, all of these countries, from Poland to Germany to the Czech Republic to Slovenia to Latvia to Luxembourg to Spain. Sweden, Portugal, Netherlands, Iceland.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
They all made similar tweets. Again, I can't even fit these into one screenshot. I mean, it's just laughable. Like I'm laughing thinking about virtue signaling and like tweeting infographics has made its way to geopolitics. We are on the brink of World War III and this is what world leaders are doing. Oh, I'm so sorry. You got ambushed by Donald Trump.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And guys, what made this even better, and I feel like I keep saying, like, this is even funnier, this is even funnier, but truly, so you're seeing all of these posts. Zelensky went in and retweeted every single one of them and said, thank you for your support. Oh, thank you for your support. Literally, every single one. Go to his Twitter. Go to his, sorry, I have to call it an ex now.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Go to his ex, scroll through his profile, you will see every single one. It is truly crazy. Like, guys, if you all support Zelensky in Ukraine that much, which is fine, that's totally your prerogative to support him, then you can give Zelensky the security guarantee that he so desperately says he needs in order to sign this peace deal. And guess what, guys? You can afford to.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
This article just came out a couple of days ago. Europe can afford to defend itself without the U.S., but needs more coordination, study says. You can do it. You don't need our help, so stop getting angry at us for putting our foot down and start... Writing those checks, keep on writing those checks. You've already given a lot of money.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
The European countries, when you look at GDP, they've actually given more money than the United States, not in terms of actual cash, but in terms of, you know, proportion to their economy and their population. So keep going if it's that important to you. But you know what? It seems like they don't want to do that.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
It seems like they're also tired, but they don't want to be the ones to put down their foot and say no, like we just watched Donald Trump do. In fact, people on social media from around the world have been making posts literally lamenting about the U.S. not doing enough for them now. Like, look at this one.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
He so desperately needed that time, in my opinion, to watch and to learn and to get angry about the things that Biden was doing and to prepare. I mean, guys, he was so much more prepared going into the second term, as Bridget said.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
From LinkedIn, this guy says, I have the outmost respect for President Zelensky for remaining true to his principles in this situation, not to sell out his country and resources for a bad deal without any security guarantees and not give into the pressure from the American administration requires more courage than you can imagine. This is where it gets good.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
The make a deal or we're out front shown yesterday at the White House makes it clear, the clearest that it ever could, that Europe needs to ensure its own security, economy, and unity. Yes! Literally yes! Were you thinking that you didn't have to do that? Were you expecting that the United States was just gonna come in and protect you and be the world's police forever? That's unsustainable.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
We don't wanna do that. We don't wanna fund it. We have our own problems at home that we need to address before we can go in and fix your economy and your security and to make you unified. That is not our responsibility. Like I read this LinkedIn post and I just think of the SpongeBob meme that's like the world's tiniest violin. Yes, yes, actually.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
You have to think about your country's own security. We're not gonna do that for you. But anyway, all jokes aside and back to the point, even though these European countries are still wanting to pledge support and possibly money for Ukraine, maybe they will end up doing the security guarantee, Trump is obviously putting his foot down for Americans.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And his post that he put out following the meeting, it literally sounded like a father putting a temper tantrum-y child into timeout, which I personally loved. This is what he put on Truth Social. He said, Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
It is amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for peace, capital P, if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don't want advantage. I want peace. He disrespected the United States of America and its cherished Oval Office. He can come back. when he is ready for peace. Mic drop.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Daddy's home. I tweeted this. I was like, this literally sounds like I am six years old. And my mom was like, you can go to your room and you can come back when you've changed your attitude. I mean, honestly, I shouldn't even say that's what she said when I was six years old. She was doing that to me when I was 17 years old. That is what parents do. That is what Trump is doing in this moment.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And of course the media took issue with this. Like they take issue with everything he does, but that's to be expected. You know, 10 years in, we understand that that's gonna happen. And unlike Biden, Trump will actually face these critics. Trump will actually face the press head on And it does seem like this time around, he kind of enjoys it more. Like, he knows what to expect.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
He's going into it intentionally. He's kind of trolling them, and he knows how to handle them, as Bridget mentioned in our interview.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Now, speaking of these interactions with the press, another thing to note about his first 40 days in office, the first full month in office, is that in this first month, he took a whopping 1009 questions from the press. I mean, guys, in this first month alone, he has almost taken as many questions as Biden did allegedly in his entire term.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Allegedly, Biden took anywhere from 1,800 and possibly hitting 2,000 questions over the last four years. And if Trump keeps this speed up, he will surpass that next month. By the end of March, he will have taken more questions than Biden took after four years. But I mean, who's surprised? He was like at the beach for half that time. So obviously he was not answering questions.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
I mean, Biden gave fewer interviews with the press than his predecessors. He did fewer press conferences than his predecessors. I actually think that he holds the record for the least amount of press conferences in a president's history. He gave fewer informal Q and A's, whether that was when he was at the White House or when he was getting off of Air Force One, you name it. And so in comparison,
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
It just makes Trump shine even more. I mean, Trump is truly giving us the most transparent administration in history. He is inviting press into the Oval Office frequently. Caroline Levitt, the new press secretary, is the youngest press secretary in history. She's absolutely crushing it. And they are even doing these breakdowns on social media.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
To keep you guys informed, I highly recommend following the White House account because these videos are phenomenal. Take a listen.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And this is only half the video. She goes on for another 30 seconds, literally doing a breakdown of what I just did over the last hour, basically, in one minute to keep you guys informed of the number one things that they're doing. And they're not just doing this every month. I think that she is literally doing it every single week, giving you the MAGA Minute updates to keep voters informed.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Now, obviously, if you guys know anything about me, if you took anything from this episode, I'm sure that you know by now that obviously I think all this is great. I'm living my best life under the second Trump administration. I'm having so much fun. I think all of this is just fantastic. I love the tenacity. I love getting straight to business.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
I love following the mandate that the American voters gave him. I think truly it is all incredible and I love that he is not pulling punches on any issues, whether that be transgenderism or the economy or dealings with Ukraine, he is putting his foot down.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Now, I am in Gen Z and I'm having a great time, I love it, but apparently some of our generation is not as happy and I'm saying argh because I know I have a ton of Gen Z viewers and I want you guys to know that since coming into office, since 40 days ago, Trump's approval rating has reportedly dropped 40 points to the negative.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
with Gen Z. Newsweek wrote about this, Donald Trump's Gen Z popularity plunges. That is a huge number, like unprecedented. And so the question that I want to leave you guys with today to be thinking about, because I do want to do an episode about this, and that question is, why do you think that is? Why do you think his approval rating has dropped 40 points with Gen Z?
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Now, I obviously have my opinion. I have some theories. I want to do an entire episode about this, but like, do any of you guys have buyer's remorse? Are any of you guys not happy with what I'm happy about? Are any of you guys upset about these executive orders? Like, what in your mind changed as Gen Zers from November when we were all, you know, fired up for MAGA to now?
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Like, did Gen Z actually think that Trump was just about vibes and papers and driving trash trucks and frying fries at McDonald's? And that now that he's deporting people and firing everybody out of the federal government, you guys don't like it so much? I don't know. I just want to know. I want to figure it out. We're going to do an entire episode about it.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Give me your responses and I'll make sure to include them. But all of that aside, the opinions from the rest of our generation, again, I'm having a great time. I feel really hopeful. I feel really fired up. And of course, there are things that I disagree with. Of course, there are things that maybe I want to see differently.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
There are things that I'm still really excited about that he hasn't done yet, which is totally normal. And so I'm so happy that I got to do this recap for you guys and fill you in. I want to do this more frequently because I miss talking about him. He is one of my favorite figures in culture. Donald Trump is who made me interested in politics from the beginning.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And not to get ahead of myself, but a great example of this preparedness is that right off the bat, people, and I mean, you know, people being the labor unions and the labor boards, immediately started suing Trump for firing all of these federal employees. He was like, I am clearing house.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
He is a fascinating character, a fascinating man. And I love the fact that he is leading our country once again.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
I'm getting rid of a bunch of these lazy people that are doing nothing but spending taxpayer dollars, immediately started firing them. He got sued literally on day one. But just last week, a federal judge came in and said, Actually, guys, this is legal. I can't stop him from doing this. You can be angry all you want.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
You can file lawsuits in little district courts and get angry at him and just keep suing him. But I can't stop him. Just read this headline. Trump can continue mass firings despite disruption and chaos. U.S. judge rules.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And of course, they had to add in that disruption and chaos into the headline just to really let everybody know what they think about all of this, of getting rid of government bloat. But truly, I think that that's just a great example of this preparedness because his lawyers knew going into this what would stand and what wouldn't. They were not flying by the seat of their pants.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
They had months to prepare. And one of the ways that Trump prepared that was just so interesting to me that I started noticing back in the fall was that Trump had his own transition team. Many of you guys might know that. Some of you guys might not. But his team started working as early as March of 2025.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And then they officially convened and started working in August of 2024, which again is still months ahead of when a president-elect would start working. This man was like, yeah, I'm gonna win. This is gonna be great. Even if I don't win, I'm going to be prepared in the off chance that I am.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
I saw some comments that they were like, Brett, Trump has done something like 75 executive orders. You haven't talked about one, which cracked me up because I literally think you could do an entire episode about each individual executive order, but obviously we don't have the time for that. I'm doing these longer shows now, so I'm going to try.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Now, the other thing that he did that was completely different is that he did not just accept the transition team from the US government. He picked his own people and he brought his own funding. Here are a couple headlines about that. Trump is breaking from past presidents on the Presidential Transition Act. What is it?
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Another headline reads, Trump has still not signed critical transition agreements allowing access to agencies. I wonder why he didn't want to give access to government agencies as his team was prepping. Now, one of the things that he did was he refused to sign the General Services Agreement that he did sign in 2016, another big shift from his first term.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And this traditional path would have offered him $7.2 million to pay this transition team, to get everybody ready and to get things in order, to get these executive orders ready for day one. But that $7.2 million, obviously because it's the US government, comes with a lot of strings attached that Trump did not want to touch. So he did not sign it. He didn't accept the money.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And instead, he brought in the money privately. When we donated money, when I was buying my MAGA hats and giving donations to Trump throughout the campaign, some of that money was going towards funding this private transition team. And that is how he kept the government out of his business, and how he was able to prepare for so many months leading up to winning on November 5th.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
If you are anything like me, then I am sure you think that this transition into power has just been incredible to watch, it's been incredible to see him prepare for so many months, to prepare for January 20th, and I think he wants us to revel in all of this, and that is one thing that has not changed since 2016. Like, that is still the same Trump, as Bridget said later on in our interview.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
I'm going to attempt to mush all of this into one episode. I want to get into that, get into all the incredible things he's done, and obviously we also need to talk about my favorite funny Trumpisms from the last 40 days. infamous meeting in the Oval Office. So this will not be all encompassing in the slightest, which means that we will have many more episodes about Trump in the future.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
I mean, I just completely agree. The man has not stopped. He has not slowed down in the slightest. I mean, on Inauguration Day, I think that he signed 20 executive orders, which was more than any president in recent history, possibly even more than any president in history. And he has just been signing tens upon tens more. many of which are aiming at slashing government regulations.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Like he is using these executive orders to slash government, to hopefully make our lives better, to make our lives more affordable, to make it easier to run a small business or to start a family. He is getting rid of government bloat that impacts all of our daily lives. On day one, For example, one of his executive orders was to freeze all pending federal government regulations.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
So any regulation that was in the process of reaching us, he said, no, no, we're not going to do this. You're not going to slide this in on my watch. We're freezing everything and I want to see exactly what you're doing and my team will review. He also brought something back from his first term, which was a favorite policy of mine.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
It is the one in two out rule, which means that if you want to introduce one new regulation for government or American people or small businesses, you need to eliminate two. So we started with that. But then just a couple of days later, he added on that. He said, no, no, no, no, no. This is not 2016 Trump. This is 2025 Trump.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
He took it further with a 10 to 1 process that if you want to introduce one, you have to get rid of 10. That is insane. That is unprecedented. Hopefully will work out in our He also put agencies like the FTC and the SEC under White House oversight. And these are agencies that are usually completely independent, meaning that they can just regulate to high heaven. They can do whatever they want.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And Trump said, no, no, no, no, no. You are going to be held accountable now. I'm going to see what you're doing. You were coming under me now. So that was a huge thing. And I mean, just yesterday, he did another executive order aimed at slashing regulations. This one was about the timber agency.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
and this executive order would terminate all regulations and processes that delay the production of timber, lumber, paper, bioenergy, and other wood products.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
He said, and I quote, the United States has an abundance of timber resources that are more than adequate to meet our domestic timber production needs, but heavy-handed federal policies have prevented full utilization of these resources and made us reliant on foreign producers, which of course is not just in the timber industry. We're dealing with that everywhere.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
So this is just one example of what he's doing to hopefully, again, make things more affordable, bring things back onto American soil, which will only benefit us and our economy. These are all incredibly, incredibly positive things that he's And you would think that an executive order like this is something that everyone could get behind because it's going to make all of our lives better.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
But thanks to my friends at Ground News, I quickly realized that was not the case at all. Now, if you guys didn't know, Ground News cuts through the noise with an unbiased perspective and shows you both sides of every story of every executive order, prioritizing honesty over everything.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Their unique technology allows users to compare how different sides of corporate media are reporting on a story, making sure that you see all sides and truly stay informed about what's going on in the world.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And from my perspective as a creator who does this kind of show, they make sure that I stay on top of the stories that I'm covering for you guys so that I can bring you the latest and most honest updates.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
I mean, like with this story, I wanted all the latest information about Trump's executive orders, especially the more recent ones that, you know, haven't had enough time in the news cycle, like this directive about timber production. and I knew that Ground News would have the clearest and most well-rounded breakdown of what Trump was actually doing. But it doesn't stop there.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Ground News also has a blind spot feed that brings you the stories that have gotten little to no coverage on one side of the political aisle or another, making sure that you always stay informed instead of letting big tech or their algorithms decide what you see.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And why wouldn't we? Because the man is going to be president for the next four years, God willing, which means we're going to have a ton of great content, lots of things to talk about. And also, guys, on top of all of that and that very important recap, we also need to talk about Gen Z and Gen Z's response to all of this, because spoiler alert, it actually isn't positive at all.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
So if you are ready to truly break free from media bias and stay informed with honest, transparent news consumption, now is the time to join Ground News. And when you go to groundnews.com slash brett or scan the QR code on the screen,
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
you can get the same premium plan that i use but for nearly half the price that is groundnews.com if you want unbiased news and to hold the media accountable for only five dollars a month you can stay on top of the insanity that's happening the good insanity that's happening literally every single day now in addition to slashing regulations and trying to make government smaller which i think we can all get behind another huge thing that trump has been attacking
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
is the immigration crisis. This is something that he ran on. This was like priority two behind the economy in his campaign. We as voters gave him a mandate to fix this problem because it has been so insane. And so on day one, he declared a national emergency at the border. And as of last week, Trump announced that in his first full month being in office,
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
We now have the lowest border crossings in history. This is his post from Truth Social. He said the month of February, my first full month in office, had the lowest number of illegal immigrants trying to enter our country in history by far. In history. Which is insane. There were only 8,326 apprehensions of illegals by Border Patrol at the U.S.-Mexico border, all of whom
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
We're quickly ejected from our nation or, when necessary, prosecuted for crimes against the United States of America. This means that very few people came. The invasion of our country is over. In comparison, and this is truly insane, under Joe Biden there were 300,000 illegals crossing in one month and virtually all of them were released into our country.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
Thanks to Trump administration policies, the border is closed to all illegal immigrants. Anyone who tries to illegally enter the USA will face significant criminal penalties and immediate deportation. And guys, if you've been following the news, even in the slightest, I'm sure that you have seen that these deportations have people riled up.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
This is like the most emotional issue of our time right now. It's like people aren't even thinking about the LGBTQ community or transgenderism or anything that made them angry over the last four years. This is now issue number one that everybody is crying about because again, on day one, he declared a national emergency.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
which meant that troops were deployed, the National Guard was deployed to help with deportations, literally started on day one. Tom Homan got moving. He and Kristi Noem were literally suited up in police ice vests, going through the cities, plucking criminals off the streets.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
There were these insane videos of violent, violent criminals who were being shoved into cars, and they were like, I'll be back. I deserve to be here. And Tom Homan was like, yeah, F you. Now, sorry, you are going home and they blasted them all over the news. Now, speaking of those violent criminals, that brings me to another thing that Trump did.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
He declared the cartels are now foreign terrorist organizations. I don't know why we didn't have that before, but that brought in the government's authority to deport people involved in those kinds of operations. He also did a mass deportation executive order. So really he is clearing house in the United States. And again, like I said, it sparked meltdowns all over social media and in the news.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And it's kind of concerning. And I want to understand why. Before we dive into today's episode, though, if you're interested in joining my subscriber-only platform, Cooper Confidential, I have the link right here and in the description below. That is for ad-free episodes and exclusive subscriber-only newsletter and weekly Dear Brett advice videos.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
And I expected that, like I was a bit worried about this. Not that I didn't think that it was a good thing, because obviously, objectively, you know, clearing house in the United States, especially after 300,000 people coming over in one month under Joe Biden, like, this is a very good thing. But I expected the media meltdown. I was nervous for it. I was like, people are going to turn on him.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
They're not going to like this. Because I think most of us knew that this was not going to be pretty. However, some seem to be surprised, as Bridget pointed out.
The Brett Cooper Show
The 5 Biggest Highlights of Trump 2.0 | Episode 11
in the last month, but it has been crazy. Like people have been posting videos of their family members, like their dad who came to this country 30 years ago and they film a video of him going through his citizen exam and his citizenship ceremony. And they're like, he could be deported. Are you dumb? Like literally, are you dumb? You just posted a video of him waving his cute little flag
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
We need to talk about the conservatives on Grindr.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
like college lovers that was a weird way to say that but like they fell in love with in college got married they had a very very public divorce she wrote an entire op-ed about their divorce and like apparently the famous line is that she was like crying or something and she was like i'm your wife i'm not your employee and he said if you were my employee i would fire you and i got a divorce
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
The best thing is like texting you and it'll be, you know, an ungodly hour of the night or like ungodly, you know, hour of the morning. And you're up editing the video that you shot the night before. You literally do everything yourself.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
So that's one part of it. And then Grimes, which like Grimes, they got married. I think they got married or they were engaged or something. There was some more commitment there.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yes. Or at least like going into it seemed so at the get go. But throughout Ashley's pregnancy, Grimes has been tweeting Elon. They've gone through this whole custody battle. She's had to deal with the same thing, has had to publicly tweet at Elon saying, Elon, let me see my son. This is, like, not appropriate. You're not responding to any calls. Her mother got involved.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Grimes' mother was tweeting. Yes, on Twitter. Like, you think Diane is crazy? Grimes' mother was like, I'm in it.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Like, two months before Ashley gave birth.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
non and so that's why the response was to ashley's post and i understand that it was very nuanced i'm not gonna like comment on something and be like like this is like you know you're getting into whatever and a child is a blessing regardless and i hope that the child is healthy well nothing but for the best but for that child yes and i hope that everything is resolved for her sake and for the child's sake i hope that everything is great i hope that they get the privacy that the child deserves and that her other coach actually has another child with um i think her ex-husband
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
So for both of those children, all I want is the best. I think that's what most people online want. But it was this weird thing where it was like, some people, it was very clear that they were just saying, hey, I'm glad you're okay. I had no idea that you were going through this. I hope you had a healthy pregnancy. You know, hope you're doing well. Hope the baby's okay. Congratulations.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
But then there were other people who were basically just like crawling up Elon's ass.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Because they didn't want to like, they won't criticize him. And I think that you can... You should be able to pull out somebody's accomplishments and say, obviously, we both drive Teslas. It's like you are an amazing innovator. You have changed the course of mankind seriously. You are now intimately involved in our political system in a great way.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
In my opinion, Doge is like the best thing that Trump is doing. And has, I mean, it's like the libertarian's dream. It's like it's brought everybody together, truly. And that is incredible, but you should be able to separate that and be like, okay, those things are great, but also we can criticize him for being like, this is not traditional. It's not healthy.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
It's amazing. It's incredible.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
la fires who's going in there and giving all of la free wi-fi yeah he's a humanitarian on so many levels and is i think in my opinion is using science the way it should be used i'm not a big fan like the neural link stuff freaks me out but in terms of using the things that he has created that are moving humankind and technology forward and that he's the first person there he always beats the government he is incredibly incredibly generous with what he offers
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
for free like that's incredible and so i think it's fine it's good to say that but you also because of that you don't need to like excuse his behavior as a father or say that it's like fine or those like the you know patriarchy bros or whatever you want to call them on x who are like this is what a real man does this like doesn't commit to a woman and so to see i'm like
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
They're like, it's Genghis Khan. Was Genghis Khan a good person?
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Is this the new theory? Is Elon gay?
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
What is that process been like diving into something that you like? This wasn't a career for you before this. You were working in marketing.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
That's a mirror. That's going to be my headline.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
But I also, there's probably more. Considering that, based on the New York Post article, that he wanted his name taken off the birth certificate.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
So I think there are other ones.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yeah, and money does not equate to a stable family. Money does not replace a father.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
You're not okay.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
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The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Millions are affected with conditions like PCOS on the rise, disrupting daily life for many women, especially among Gen Z and millennials. But not all women realize that the gut microbiome plays a foundational role in hormone regulation and its downstream effects.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Taking a high quality clinically supported probiotic is a simple, effective, and affordable option for women seeking to help stabilize hormone imbalance.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yeah. Completely different. And you've had to teach yourself all of this.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And that is why I am so excited to be partnered with Daily Nori because Daily Nori is reshaping the conversation around the gut microbiome and this connection to hormone health with the unveiling of its first of its kind daily hormone balanced probiotic. Each capsule contains a blend of seven probiotic strains to support hormone regulation through improved estrogen metabolism.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
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The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
BRETT25 at checkout for 25% off your first order.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
but no i think that you're absolutely correct and it's unfortunate that all of it is playing out publicly i say speak out of two sides of my mouth and i always do this because it's like this probably should be public but since it is i'm going to fully enjoy it i'm going to enjoy every single second of it every single comment i feel like wendy williams which i also want to talk about wendy williams i feel like was kind of before my time so people who don't know she was this like daytime host
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Was like famous for like pop culture, but also like family drama.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
It was like crazy tea. I was watching like Candace is all over my TikTok.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yes. And her show, she always had the craziest things on it. And she all like her favorite line was like, allegedly, there are things on. Because she would say insane stuff that was like not confirmed at all. You don't want to get sued. I know. There are like 10 minute compilations of her on YouTube. Allegedly, allegedly, allegedly.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
So that's Wendy Williams. She was put under conservatorship and is locked in. In a, it's not a rehab place. It's like a brain.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yes. In New York City. She has not left for over 30 days. Has not seen the sun. She had this business manager, I think. And I don't remember if it was her former one or there was a new person, but somebody was making purchases from her account on her behalf.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yes. And she also, some context that my good friend Candace phoned over to me is that because she knows everything about all of the celebrity gossip.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
somehow was that wendy had gone through a divorce it was apparently like very traumatic and she had kind of her life had evolved into drugs and alcoholism and she was doing a lot of reckless spending so apparently she was spending a lot and then there was some other spending that was not accounted for right and wells fargo with the help of this new business manager that she had been assigned to said this isn't normal and they including wells fargo allegedly put her in this conservatorship because of the way that she was spending her own money
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
But they have the power. They have the power. That's why so many conservatives have been freaked out for so long, rightfully so, like Bank of America, you know, canceling accounts.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Oh my gosh, yes. Remember the truckers in Canada, they like shut down the accounts.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
So that's why it doesn't make sense.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And how do they get put in the conservatorship? The other thing is that allegedly her son, her son is apparently involved in this. Yeah. And she's now called out her son for spending a bunch of money.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And that ticking off part of the Wells Fargo stuff.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yeah. But that was like proved that was before 30 days ago because she said that she hadn't been outside for 30 days. But then the other thing is that I don't know if it was her PR person or like a family member or whatever, but they leaked the story that she was in like a comatose state. that she was, like, mentally not there and that she, like, Alzheimer's or something, was basically dying.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And all of these, like, very unflattering photos of her.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yes. And so everybody was like, oh, my gosh, Wendy, now it makes sense what's going on. But then she popped up last week doing an interview through her bougie prison. She was on the phone with this guy, which, by the way, I would kill to do an interview like this. I just think it would be hysterical. She's standing up at the window, slapping on the window, being like, I'm in here –
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
crying and everything yes and but then the best part of that interview they're like talking about the conservatorship that she wants to get out all of this stuff and then he asks her like random questions about celebrities because she hasn't been able to like comment on celebrities in so long and he asks her about JLo and she just basically for like 30 seconds just goes so hard on JLo for all of her awful marriages
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
I know. It's great. So she's back. I listened to that and I was like, oh, she's all there. She's like crazy as usual.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yes. In so many of those conservatorships, it seems like...
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
they go in one way and exit another britney spears britney had issues beforehand never really came back from the shaved head no but part of the conservatorship there's a difference between um a guardianship and a conservatorship i would know this unfortunately due to my family the fact that i'm involved in a guardianship not mine i am somebody's but with a guardianship you can't
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
You can't force somebody to take meds. You can't force them to do any kind of medical treatment. You are just there to be a support system. You can have access to their medical records. If they are an adult, you're there to basically provide the safe boundaries that they need.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yeah, if they need things, doctors call you, whatever. You can advise and you can, like, push. And if you need to, like, push the state to make things happen, you can. But you don't have full authority over this individual's life. With a conservatorship, they can make Wendy take drugs.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yes. They're like, you cannot leave this facility. We will medicate you like this. With Britney Spears, that's why there's this huge conspiracy, which feels real to me, that she was medicated to the point of, like, no return. The anti-psychotics, like, they... will ruin your body.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And then there's this whole argument of, like, should she have been, like, there's a lot of people, especially on the right, who are very against Britney getting out of her conservatorship. And they were like, so many things happen after the fact. But it was like, was that because she got out?
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
I love it. And I'm so proud of you. I do think, since you brought up the black and gay community, we need to talk. We need to talk about the conservatives on Grindr.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
It's just crazy. I don't think many people know the effects of antipsychotics. I mean, it is like the most intense drugs, and why would they? But it's like the most intense drug that you can take. I've watched my brother. I was tweeting about this recently because a lot of people were talking about SSRIs. You know, RFK Jr. wants to...
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
expose SSRIs once they do exercise on them which I think is very very healthy and antipsychotics are like a step up obviously from that huge leap up it's a very difficult thing to watch when somebody relies on those meds but you know how disastrous they can be like my brother has had like full body paralysis from these meds he has lost the ability to like speak and write and whatever because of the side effects I mean it's like in every single one and not even just that but you add on all those layers of all the side effects and what the drugs can do
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And it's very rare that you only take antipsychotics. Usually it is a cocktail of other things.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
This is an insane thing that Amir tells me about. And I was like, we finally need to sit down and talk about it. So we go to like, you know.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And. There are no lifestyle changes. That was something I was talking with Alex about.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yeah, and that should be the medical industry's responsibility to encourage that. And I think that's the main point of what RFK is doing in regards to SSRIs is like this should not be step one. There should be other conversations that happen prior to that about your lifestyle, about the things that you're doing.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yeah. I mean, you see videos of women after they give birth in hospitals and, like, the food that they're given, which is disgusting. And I think about the food. You know, my brother – I don't know if I – I think I talked about this recently on Alive. Somebody had asked me about Reed. That's my brother. Mm-hmm.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
and i was talking about him because he had been in the hospital for three years straight and part of it was like on the tail end of covid and he so we couldn't see him and we didn't have access to him but like thinking about the foods that he ate and like there were no lifestyle changes he was in a hospital for three years with these incredibly incredibly high-powered
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Conferences, whatever. Amir's favorite thing to do is to, don't you like a burner Grindr account or something?
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
drugs with awful side effects and no lifestyle changes and now that he's out it's like the hospital food does not look nutritious no well it's not it's like i look at it like he spent three years and nothing changed it was like that was prime opportunity in a confined and i hate saying that but a confined controlled environment of like this would be a great opportunity to encourage change almost force it in a way because you're there you might as well
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yeah. And it's just a missed opportunity for sure. Okay. Talking about insane families though. I need to go back to Elon Musk for a second. Do you know about his dad?
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
His mother is very cool. May Musk.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Fantastic. Like very supportive of him. Beautiful. Seems very supportive of all the baby mamas. Like Siobhan, who's the most recent, actually not most recent because of Ashley, but like second to last. Yes. Like she posts pictures of the kids and Mae's like, oh, so sweet, whatever. Like my angels, whatever.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
The dad. So he and Mae get a divorce, marries another woman who has a daughter named Jana. I believe that's how you pronounce it.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
he gets in a relationship with his former stepdaughter they have two children together elon musk yes who has children with who elon musk's father has two children with his stepdaughter and he's a south far from the tree he's a south african politician it makes sense when you put it all together like this man was never did they get married and stuff i actually don't know should i look it up like is this like a whole like this sounds nasty
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
It's like Woody Allen.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
At these conservative events.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Well, they are leaving each other. They're keeping it in the family.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yeah, he was 45. And oh, oh, my gosh. Wait, no, this is even crazier. He was 45. He married 25 year old Heidi, raised her daughter, Jana, from the age of four.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
It's dramatic.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Raised it. And then in 2014, reconnected years later.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And sparked a romantic relationship after he helped her, quote, get over a breakup.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yeah, Errol Musk raised Jana Besidenhout from the age of four.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
It's like, don't, so now my, I mean, I think I already had this opinion. Look, Elon Musk, it's like, if you're getting asked out by him, if he's saying I want to, like, apparently he, like, slides into girls' DMs and is like, want to have a kid? Like, want to help me want to revobulate? You know that you're not getting the king of the nuclear family, not an engaged father.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Scale back even more, the evidence is all there.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
It is about the individual... And the insane choices they make across the board, we should be able to say, this is insane behavior. This is unhealthy. This is inappropriate. Don't do that around kids.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Well, I feel like you also end up in a unique position, and you can talk about this, of like, you know, you are a gay conservative and there are a lot of conservatives who do not, you know, respect you and your lifestyle choices, whatever you're doing. Yeah. Even though you are minding your own business, doing you, doing your husband.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Which is why you're so great because you don't care. And the other thing that's wonderful about you and your content is that regardless of the hate that you get, you always approach things and you've been a great influence on me. And I think you're always somebody who I like go back to and I like tap into that because you are kind of lodged in the middle of all of this stuff.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Is that you approach everything with genuine empathy and looking to understand rather than change minds.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Which just feeds into this whole, you know, hypocritical – I don't know why I said it that way. But the hypocritical nature of so many people in this movement, which I feel like is just on –
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
No, those are coming back. I mean, we, I'm... That's like a whole... There was this couple that went viral, like, two months ago. And it's this gay man and a lesbian woman. And they were like, yeah, we're getting married. And they are, they said they're soulmates. But they're also attracted to each other.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Now, you all know that I am a big advocate for our Second Amendment rights, and I believe in being prepared and being responsible when it comes to firearms. But let's be honest, shooting can be loud. It can be sometimes uncomfortable. And that is why I want to tell you about my friends over at Silencer Shop.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
full display right now yeah and it's like people are free to do whatever they want in their life and more power to you you have the freedom as a consenting adult to do whatever you want with your life but it's ridiculous to espout one thing online and then not only to espout it but to shame people for something and then you're doing it on the down low that's the biggest frustration from i've always said that trans women yeah trans women have more balls than conservative men yeah
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And yes, guys, silencers are totally legal and Silencer Shop makes getting one easier than ever. They offer the largest selection of top brand suppressors that make your shooting experience quieter, safer, and way more enjoyable. Whether you are hitting the range or out hunting, a suppressor can make a world of difference. And don't worry about the paperwork. I know that there's a lot of it.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
They have got you covered. Silencer Shop simplifies the entire process, making it hassle-free so that you can get your suppressor from the comfort of your own home. to leave this chair to get my silencer. Plus, approvals are coming back faster than ever, so there's no better time to get started. But the best part is Silencer Shop isn't just about selling suppressors.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
They are fighting the good fight for our gun rights. In these unpredictable times, it is crucial to support companies that stand up for the Second Amendment, and that is what Silencer Shop is doing. They are actively lobbying, battling in courtrooms, and pushing back against anti-gun legislation nationwide.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
So if you want to enhance your shooting experience and support a company that is fighting for your rights, head on over to Silencer Shop to get started today. And trust me, they are the easiest and best way to get your suppressor. So upgrade your guns today with Silencer Shop. Do you think the victimization and the need for attention especially
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
a club almost people put on these identities like it's a costume yeah literally well they like a lot of literally and it's like you you immediately join you immediately get to be a minority you immediately special yeah it's special i'm part of a club i'm just but i do wonder if that comes from a place of i just did a whole episode about like gen z loneliness and millennials and gen z's are especially gen z
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
are historically isolated, historically lonely. And every generation has been lonely. But it's like with COVID, with the insurgence of technology, and the fact that we were literally raised online, it's just very different. And all of our social norms are completely disrupted by this technological revolution.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Except I have a friend, old friend of mine from LA who went so far as to get top surgery, left bottom, microdose testosterone to physically be. I know, and it's just like heartbreaking.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yes. And with it being the immediate solution rather than going back to the SSRIs of like it's the band-aid solution. But it is a band-aid solution you can't come back from. It's not like.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Because up until just a couple of years ago, this was in the DDSM as a psychological condition, as something that you would work through. Obviously, because if you are – like 20 years ago, if somebody came into a therapist's office and said, I want to cut off my body parts, I want to cut off my ding-a-long and my boobs and whatever, that would be like, oh my gosh, let's handle this.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And let's figure out what is the root cause here. And let's help you because that's not healthy nor – Is that, you know, you can't have a fulfilled, good, healthy life if you're walking through hating yourself and wanting to cut off your body parts.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
They might be gay, but they're also kids going through puberty.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
That's why the amount of kids who transition, the majority of them are girls.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Well, I'm sure it's, like, they're bad in different ways. But, again, nobody likes it. But for girls, I think that there is this, like, your body's changing. Some, like, develop sooner than you. Like, I remember being this, like, weird ugly duckling. And I matured faster. But I...
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
was like a green bean and I had this awful like bowl cut with bangs and I looked so ugly and was so weird but I was like tall and suddenly I was like developing and everything was so weird and I was like I just want to cover up and this is so awful and it's so uncomfortable and I was like sort of getting attention from guys but also not and there were girls of my age that were like voluptuous and like engaging their sexuality and everything is confusing especially with the growth of social media and you see these 15 year olds that are made up to the nines look grown
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And not even just like pageant queens of, you know, whatever when you kind of do that as a caricature, literally look grown, are getting boob jobs before they're 18. All of this stuff, it's completely destroyed childhood because at 15 you were still a child. Puberty is supposed to be awkward. It is supposed to be uncomfortable. It is an awful time.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And we have taken these kids who are obviously uncomfortable in their bodies.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And it's like, oh, you're trans.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Rather than holding their hands through it and going, you're going through what every other human being on earth has gone through. You're not special.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And they also want to be part of the community.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
In the club.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yeah, the celebrities who are like, oh, all my daughter, you know, I have two trans daughters and all their friends are.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Is that Celine? Oh, no. Charlize Theron. Is that one?
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
No, actually. Well, that is actually a great example. Okay, so Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, their daughter, Shiloh, dressed up, major tomboy, dressed up as a boy for years. Every transition, everybody always wondered. She reminded me of myself. She had this bowl cut she would wear, big baggy cargo pants, whatever.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Randomly, a year and a half ago maybe, she showed up at a premiere with Angelina in a full dress looking absolutely stunning.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And they let her grow up. They let her grow up. They let her grow through it, dress how you want.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
take that what was happening put that in today's time frame maybe would have been trans yeah or like put on puberty blockers but instead just let the child be like just yeah explore through life and boom the person that i was thinking of i don't remember i know who you are thinking of with like where all of their kids are trans but the one that i was thinking of is the redheaded woman from sex in the city and she has i think like two trans kids and then she was up speaking after trump was elected she was like oh
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
I don't like these threads. You're attacking them. Whatever. Like holding onto this microphone, crying. She was like, they're all like, yes. Dwayne Wade used to be Alex's favorite basketball player. And now he's like burning all of his Dwayne Wade jerseys. There's this family on YouTube. I think that they might be in the UK. And it's this dad.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yeah. Dad and the little tiny boy.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And you've watched it over like four years.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And make yourself the center of it. That's the way. I mean, all of it is weird. Like putting your kids on like whatever. But the dad is like.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yes. And loves the attention. And, you know, all of the like thunderous applause.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
You're such an amazing dad. And you're so, you're like, I wish my father had been like you. And you're so inclusive. Whatever. And it's like you are.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Okay, with all of this stuff going on in the world, and you talk about it on your channel all the time, but what are your hopes for young people right now with all of this freaking insanity?
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Amir, thanks for coming on the show.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
How do you get the confidence to block out a lot of that and block out that pressure and the noise from people that want to box you in?
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
I also think something that you've done that I think a lot of people can learn from and I hope they learn.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
see in you kind of touches on what you just said but keeping your head down and focusing on the things that are important to you and your goals that inherently allows you to block out a lot of the noise if you're focused on your work and what you care about in the world and making yourself a better person and breaking through stereotypes being the person that breaks the patterns in your family which is always been my number one goal like I always thought about like I'm not going to be you know just another like notch in the belt I'm not going to do what my family's done it makes it very easy not to care
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yeah, it's the saying one thing and doing another. Did you see the whole Patriarchy Hannah scandal on X? No. Okay, so this is like not the same thing, but sort of is. So there's this woman and she went by Patriarchy Hannah on X and she was a non-account, a non. And she was like super trad, had this husband Tony. It was crazy.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Well, that's why your content is so great, because it's not just about politics and about cultural issues. I was actually asked that. I was doing something with the New York Times yesterday, and she was really honing in on, she was like, I just feel like you're political, but you're not political. I was like, because I don't care about the political wins.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
You talk about making people better and inspiring them. I was like, well, that's really what it's about.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
That's why people respond to you. And we're going to keep growing.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Oh, yes. It's funny that we're ending it. We should have started with this. So I was alone and sad at UCLA and had no friends because I had just told them I wasn't voting for Bernie or Biden. And in the primaries, I was like, I'm actually going the other direction. And I had gotten in contact with PragerU in Los Angeles.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And my mom had found you on Instagram and was like this. You need to be friends with Amir Odub. This is like the greatest guy. She loved all of your slides.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And you flew out to L.A. for the premiere of Will Witt's environmental documentary, for being you.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
and the reason i went was to meet you insane yeah i had a little like orange sun dress i was like i'm gonna go meet amir and we have that picture that is so crazy yes and yeah we became friends ever since i remember like dming you and being like i really like your work and then yeah we stayed in touch and then daily wire moved me out to nashville and i knew that you were living in franklin at the time but i wasn't exactly sure and so i gave you we went to north italia and like
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
That means so much coming from you. And I would say the same to you on an even bigger level because you've literally done it by yourself from day one, which is just so impressive. You're going to keep growing.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
But I was going to say, I think that one thing that is a unique value to what we do is that, at least in my perspective, I feel like I make myself better every single time I get behind the camera and talk about a new story.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
crazy so like I was going through her account and I was like how do people believe that this is real first of all because she would always post about how her husband was this contractor and they had bought an abandoned town somewhere in the middle of the country and they named it Tony Town because her husband's name is Tony so they would joke about Tony Town and Tony had this like tiny little Twitter account but this woman Patriarch Hannah was allegedly 37 years old with 14 kids
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Because it's like, I'm not going to sit here and be so hypocritical and tell people, oh, I think this is how you should live your life if I'm not evaluating that on a daily basis. It's like the stories that both of us cover and the research we do, it makes me smarter. It makes me more interested about the world. It's my favorite thing about this. It's so much fun.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
I feel like I'm a much better person than I was three years ago.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
It's very different than my last interview, we were just saying. But that's what I kind of wanted. I wanted to shoot the shit with you. How is your YouTube channel going? You're crushing it.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yeah. I'm just... Because you know if you turn on the camera and you are... not being a hundred percent you, or if you're lying about something, I mean, you feel like, you feel like, I know.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
That's one of the reasons why it was so important to me to, you know, make this big career switch because it was like, if I'm talking to people constantly about swinging for the fences and taking big risks in their lives and fighting for what you believe in, And, you know, betting on yourself. And I'm sitting here and I'm telling young people, like, take that risk. Do the thing that scares you.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
It's like I was looking around me. I was like, oh, my God, I have to like it's my turn now. It's cool that the that you guys hold us accountable in an awesome way.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Everybody go follow Amir and subscribe to his channel. Maybe we can get you to 600. Oh my gosh.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
This is great. We can just start a daytime show. We're going to replace Wendy Williams.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
I need to self-promote.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Alex told me I don't promote myself enough.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
I know. BrettCooperShop.com if you want our awesome hats and our awesome hoodie.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
There you go. This is the second Brett Cooper merch promo you've been required to be in.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Well, you can keep it.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
How do you guys like the merch?
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
That she had adopted. Homeschooled all of them. Being a good submitting.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Just wait. Just wait. Like submitting to her husband Tony. Living in Tony Town. Where they had like moved their whole family. She also said that she had been sex trafficked as a child. Had like survived lupus. I think all of this stuff. So that's why they had adopted these 14 kids. She would post about this all the time. She would be in Twitter spaces at like 3 a.m.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And there were a few people who called out like. This is kind of odd.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Like you have 14 kids and you have time to be on a Twitter space at like 3 a.m. It's a bit odd. Yeah. Somebody has time. But he's not spending time with any of his kids. This lady is, like, pretending like she's being some, like, homeschool mom. So all of this is happening. Meanwhile, she's shaming other women for not being as trad as her.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
My favorite story is that you got a cease and desist from Beyonce.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And not just, this was not an account that would just post things like, this is what I believe, you know, traditional marriage is. Because there are those accounts. I follow some of those. And it's like, you know, they're frolicking in the fields in their sundresses, sourdough, whatever. The trad aesthetic. That's fine. This woman would literally be in people's replies and quote tweeting them.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
kind of like pearl-esque but on the other side of the aisle of like literally attacking women and shaming them and saying like you're not christian enough you're not biblical enough you're like i'm just your husband must be disgusted with all of this stuff and it created this whole like veil of shame but she had also created this entire community she had a discord
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
women would dm her and they would like become friends and because she had said that she had been sex trafficked all of this stuff they would like they would open up to her all of the stuff she never shared a real photo of herself and she always she would give people her phone number but she would never get on facetime and some people would be like guys again like i was saying like this kind of weird like why like this doesn't add up and everybody else in the trad community would be like
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Oh, you, like, you're, you know, jealous of her because she has it all together. Anyway, finally came crashing down this guy named Ryan Duff, or Duffy, I believe, on X. Did a whole expose on Valentine's Day exposing her. She has no kids. She's not married to Tony.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
She lives with her parents. The photos that she posted of their home was various different pictures from different Zillow listings. The one photo that she did show somebody was from another woman's Facebook page. She lives with her parents and apparently has done...
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
different forms of like porn and so she and she was like collecting like memberships from people and like giving all of this advice and so the entire like trad community on right-wing twitter which just feels so dystopian of me to be like even saying that this niche community on right-wing twitter broke apart like all hell broke loose because they were like how could how could somebody be saying one thing and doing the other that's actually insane yes
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
It's everywhere. It's on the left as well. The left is hypocritical in nature.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And I think in attacking the left and calling out the left, we probably have ignored some of that on our own side.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And so I think there's kind of a reckoning with that, which is the same thing with the Ashley St. Clair thing.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Elon pregnancy which is a whole can of worms and a lot of different topics but people were very quick to like pull up her old tweets where she was saying I want to just have like a husband and two kids and live on a farm and like talking about single motherhood and all this stuff and shaming people for like you know having babies in broken homes and this that and the third and it's like unfortunate and I feel for her because I think she's probably locked in some like insane deal with him and she's dealing with like postpartum hormones and I'm sure that she felt like stuck so she did what she had to do but it's also like sort of
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Didn't you know what you were – She wanted this.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And I love the fact that you, for people who don't know me or story, you blew up on YouTube first, right? Like back in 2020 for your video, like I'm a black gay man. This is why I don't fear the police.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
That she – with Greg Price.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
She tweeted at Greg Price saying, like, I need Elon's info so I can have his baby or something like that.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
He's gone from all the students life and so unfortunate and the other thing is like if you read the second New York Post article which first of all everybody was saying like Don't go ahead.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
That's why a lot of people were shaming her at the get-go from that first post. And I was – I didn't feel that way at all. I was like, hey, if, you know, people are hounding her and she wants to get it out there, I'm sure there's a lot of pressure, especially with this guy who's, like, so wealthy and so powerful and is apparently, like, not returning any calls or doing whatever.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Like, what's going on? When it took a turn for me was when her PR person made a statement from his personal account. Did you see that?
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Like, in the same, like, Canva –
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
layout made a post from his personal account this is ghetto it's fitting an african-american family this is this is it just like it got so weird and then immediately the new york post thing came out and then there was a second new york post one where she's like she feels jilted for him not responding i'm like i think just make the post and just shut it down and walk away walk away
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
I thought that you made a viral YouTube video too.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
that's the like also with like apologies like don't apologize for anything like put out what you believe say what you want say with your chest and then just like walk away no apologies put out what you want say with your chest or like just don't say anything at all like beyonce shouldn't say she doesn't say anything we need to talk about beyonce how many country beyonce tours your country don't start
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Are you going to wear the like Daisy Duke shorts or are you going to wear pants?
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
How many did you go to last year?
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Okay for people who don't know you're obsessed Beyonce. Could you give me your brief thesis for why you love Beyonce?
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
like it's just been a whole life thing and like she has different songs that just mean so many different things and i can listen to some songs to break down crying like you've seen i just start crying listening to it's incredible i think at some point you should have a full compilation of like baby amir and then like you in the pit at all for concerts like just working doing backflips and then sobbing yeah i do do that too you do it's like a spectrum of there's like lots of tears and breakdowns and dancing
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And that's it.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yeah, you have your lemonade tattoo.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
My favorite story is that you got a cease and desist from Beyonce.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
But I feel like when you got that letter, it was like, does she know who I am?
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
When did she call you out at the concert last summer?
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
I love it. It's like the best part of the Amir lore.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
I know. You haven't brought Jamal out today. I thought you would with the Elon thing.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
I know. Well, going back to the Elon thing and the fatherlessness, the other thing that stuck out about the Ashley Sinclair was that while she was pregnant, and this makes me feel for her, but also I'm like, if you were, because I think they were actually in a relationship. I don't think this was an IVF.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Based on the, like, one of five New York Post articles that, you know, came out that I read, they, like, met through Babylon Bee the night they met. He, like, slid into her DMs. They were talking. Look at that face.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
He's old. No offense to anybody who's in their 50s, but, like, sliding into a... Exactly. Somebody, yeah, 25-year-old. DM's 24 at the time, I think.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yes. But, I mean, have you seen... What is his name? Is my husband here? Alex? Bill Belichick. Is that his name? Belichick. That is the former coach of the Patriots. Boom. God, I know sports. Sports. That's like the famous like Tom Brady era coach. Have you seen, he's like 70 years old. Have you seen his girlfriend?
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yes. It's like a former, I think like NFL cheerleader or something like that.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
I know. So again, it's like, it's weird thinking about, but also people go for it. This is like a tale as old as time.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
So do it. Go after your bag, whatever. Just know what you're getting into. And this is not a man that is going to prioritize a nuclear family. He's never said that is something he prioritized. He wants to sow his seeds, sow the crops.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
I'm pulling up a picture. Don't worry.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
Yes, sir. Man, she bad. I know. She's like, I got that chick done.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
No, he's trying to repopulate Mars.
The Brett Cooper Show
Elon Musk Baby Drama & Fake Trad Wife Accounts Exposed | Episode 8
And you've seen – like, there was a whole – his first divorce, which, by the way, he married a woman, Justine Winter. She still goes by Musk. So Justine Musk. They have five kids together. One, I believe, passed away at, like, two weeks old, which I think really fractured their relationship, which is a really tragic story. But they were –
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Yeah. That's the craziest part is people would even take the first step to see if, you know, something is possible.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Yeah, that's where he goes for all of his information. What took you from doing your tactical training and your gun videos into interviews?
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
And people don't want to make themselves uncomfortable. Like a big thing if we want to talk about like, you know, the housing market in Gen Z and houses is they'll talk about like, well, starter homes, I can't afford a starter home. Everything is $500,000. But it's like you're looking within 15 minutes of the city. If you're willing to drive 25 minutes, if you're willing to have a further commute,
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
willing to live in an area that's not $500,000, $600,000. Especially here in Nashville, you can buy homes that are $250,000, $300,000. It's possible I have friends that have done it, but for those friends, it took a mindset shift of, is this a priority of mine? And if it is, then you have to act like it's a priority. And you have to say, okay, then I'm willing to drive the extra 10 minutes.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
I'm willing to buy the house that has not been newly renovated It's not some custom bill that I'm willing to put in the elbow grease because it's priority. And if it's not, that's fine, but don't bitch and moan about it. Like if you don't want to make those sacrifices, then live in the apartment and that's fine and nobody will judge you. But don't say it's not possible.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
And our culture rewards it.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
So why would they? With any big leap that you take in life or any risk that you're taking, there comes more responsibility. There come sacrifices that you're going to make. And hopefully there's a greater reward, but that discomfort is part of it. And I think that Gen Z just hasn't had to experience that.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
It's also part of the helicopter parenting that I think has ruined Gen Z. But think about this.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Well, it's the same way people talk about you. I've told you I had the funniest interaction of my show in New York where the New York Times came up to me and they were like, we love Sean Ryan. And I was like, this like lib New York Times reporter was like, oh, my gosh, we heard that you like Sean Ryan. You know, Sean Ryan, we're such big fans. He won't talk to us.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Like, obviously, he's not going to talk to you. But you have their attention. And it's like when you talk to these huge network, it's, you know, you're consistently in the top three. You are making, it's crazy to think about you starting in your attic, starting with, you know, friends of yours, pulling them on the podcast. And you are now having clips of your podcast being played in
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
confirmation hearings you've interviewed jd vance and trump it's incredible what you've done you're not just changing the media landscape but you single-handedly are changing the political landscape you're changing conversations about national security you're doing you know flying all over the world now you change where were you in romania romania yeah causing protests over things you were doing 250 000 people showed up pretty incredible
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
What do you think, you know, talking about following what interests you, I think a lot of Gen Z and just young people in general feel, I have to be in the rat race. I have to do this job and provide for my family. And obviously that's a big part of it. And a lot of people can't, you know, change the situation at the drop of a hat.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
But should a driving force be finding that thing that interests you? Should you prioritize that over something? I'd always say prioritize that over something that's safe. But for people who feel like they can't do it, what would you say? Try.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
And I think also with podcasting, I've seen people say, you know, highly produced podcasts. Great aesthetic, that kind of, you know, multi-cam. I think people have attempted that, but they lack the authenticity. They lack it coming from, you know, them. And so they'll rush that off and say, oh, it doesn't work. You got to have the Joe Rogan set up. It's just got to be like you and a folding table.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
And that's what matters, right?
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
But it has to be you.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
It has to be 100% in the fact that, yeah.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
And it's hard to, I don't want to say find authenticity in yourself, but you, I think it takes a lot of work. At least this is what I've experienced has been setting up this show. You have to really figure out what is you and what you want to portray and put online and create. Cause I think it's very easy to go. I'll just do a show. I'll just do this, but you have to get to the core of,
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
why am I doing this? Why do I care? Why am I having this personal? Why am I talking about this issue? And it forces a lot of self-reflection. I feel like I've gotten to know myself better over the last six months of, you know, getting to this point that I, you know, even if this was a absolute failure and never went anywhere and nobody ever watched my stuff again and they were like, screw you.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Did you go on one?
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
We don't, you know, like you anymore or whatever it is. That would be fine because I've learned, I've learned so much about this industry. I've learned so much about being my own boss, but I've more importantly, I've learned so much about
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
mean what I want and who I am as a person and as a you know whatever you want to call this personality whatever that that's worth it for me but it takes I think it's harder work than people think
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
And it's exciting to be able to have a hand in it.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Okay, the two that I want the most are, which we were talking about beforehand, Amanda Bynes. She's a former child actor, came out of Nickelodeon. She is embroiled in a lot of the Dan Schneider controversy. He has an awful reputation in Hollywood. When I was coming up as a child actor, I don't even know the amount of auditions I would get for untitled Dan Schneider projects.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
I'm not from an acting family. We're not super, I would say, Hollywood savvy. Even my mom was like, you're not going out for any of those. That guy's a creep. We've heard awful things. She was his protege.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
You didn't know that about me?
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
A bunch of random stuff. We started in theater. My first professional job actually was singing opera at the Atlanta Symphony Opera.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Yeah. Then I did a lot of musical theater and then moved to... Los Angeles when I was 10 because I got too tall to do Broadway and theater, which is a whole other story. They have height requirements if you're under 18. I did commercials. I did TV shows mainly. Like I was on, you know, the movie Heathers with Winona Ryder. Paramount did a TV reboot of that. That was like my big thing.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
And then it ended up being too politically incorrect. So Paramount butchered it and shelved it. I did kids TV, like Gordon McGibbon's Life on Normal Street.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
That's where my dad lives. I had a whole other life in L.A.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Three years ago for Daily Wire. Yeah.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
I had to take a massive risk. I was 19 years old, moved across the country. Thankfully, it was, you know, Tennessee. I still had family here. I grew up, you know, two and a half hours away. Spent summers here. My mom would be in Los Angeles. My dad would be there. But I was leaving everything I had known for the past 10 years and taking a massive risk.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
I think that was a major piece of growing up that I needed to do. And I had no idea that this would end up being a career or if I even wanted this. I was just, you know, I had nothing else to do. I had decided to stop acting and then had dropped out of law school before I even started. So I was a waitress writing articles for Foundation for Economic Education.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
2A. Nice. I wanted to do constitutional. Nice. And it was because I was a liberal arts major, so I was an English lit major. And I love writing. I love reading. I love arguing. I cared about trying to make things right and make the world better. And I was like, well, I'm a good writer. I'm good at critical thinking. I guess that means I should go be an attorney.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Because if you don't know what you're doing with your life and you were an English major or philosophy major, you go to law school. Kind of a joke. So I took the LSAT and did all that. And then I realized first day of my orientation, I realized I should not be a attorney. I was like, this is an awful idea. What am I doing? I'm an actor. I'm like a communicator. I'm going to hate this.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
So yeah, I took the risk and came here. But you learn from it.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
I've heard about all the agents banging on your door.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Yeah. And I think that that is a learning experience that's priceless. I talk about that in terms of education a lot too because I was homeschooled for the majority of my life. But I went to public school for a year, you know, or actually a couple years I started in public school and then I went to like a performing arts high school for one year.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
You know, my mom homeschooled me and then I went to a private online school. I basically did everything except Catholic school is kind of my joke. And my brothers went to military school. The other ones went to like a boarding Christian school. We basically tried everything.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
and I'm so glad because I can speak to all of it and I you know I really found out as a young person what worked for me and I'm grateful that my parents gave me the opportunity to like evaluate that and become self-aware and figure out what was actually right for me so I think I've taken that into adulthood too where it's you know I'm glad I've tried everything I'm glad I've been in both situations I'm glad I know what works for me and what didn't work what's it like going to public school as a as a child actress horrible horrible but okay so here's the thing I
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
No, not none at all. I mean, I was like zealous. But the thing is, it's like I have people like hate comments and they're like, oh, you failed child actor. I was like paying for my own apartment at like 14 years old. I emancipated myself at 15. I put myself through college, you know, with acting. And I think a lot of people think about Hollywood and they just think about celebrities.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
But the people who make that industry run are people whose names you never know. who are doing voiceover. One of my most lucrative jobs that I had consistently in Hollywood was doing basically ADR, so voiceover, for network TV shows. So it's like, I still, to this day, get residual checks from Black-ish, which was that show on ABC. Because I went in for three episodes.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
It's huge network television, so they pay a crap ton of money. There were a couple of episodes They would have me come in with a room of like 10 other people. And there were like, there was a big party scene. There was a soccer game. And we had to pretend to be at those things. Like we were just doing voiceover. So we're like, yeah, yeah, Mike, get the goal, whatever. Like that kind of stuff.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
You'd go in for like an hour. And it's called a loop, like looping. So I was in a loop group. And that's like, you have so many actors that you have, you literally will never know who pop in on different TV shows here and there. And they make a normal living. They're not super wealthy. But they skate by in Los Angeles. They're able to pay the bills. They're the ones who the strikes hurt the most.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
I was actively working, making good money, emancipated myself at 15 for a myriad of different reasons, but was able to prove to the court at 15 I can pay for myself. I had a part-time job at Trader Joe's to make sure that I'd consistent income.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
I know. Oh yeah. Trader Joe's is probably like behind this. Trader Joe's is my second favorite job.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
I loved it. So I was actively working. I think the weird thing was not fame, but it was that it, so I was, it was for my ninth grade year. I was 12 going into my ninth grade year, which is already, I don't know why I did that. I made a PowerPoint presentation for my mom and I said, I want you to let me go to public school because I want to know what I'm missing.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Like, I want to know if homeschooling works for me. I want to know. I want to have part of it was so like psychological on my end. I was like, I want to know what it's like to be like an American kid in like public school. It's going to be great for my acting career, too, because I'll be able to like play a high schooler. And so I made this presentation.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
This is probably the coolest thing I've ever heard.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
She was like, you know, I can't deny it's great. Let's try it. And she's awesome. And so we literally moved to from L.A. She rented a house in Atlanta, Georgia, randomly, because the best performing arts high school in the country is in Mableton, Georgia. It's the best magnet performing arts high school. And I had a bunch of friends that were going there. I applied, got in, 12 as a freshman.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
So already I was the odd one out. But I think the thing that was the hardest was not that I was like the professional actor or any like fame, whatever, because I didn't have that. But that it was I had already been out in the real world. I had, you know, had jobs. I, you know, had had to deal with my taxes at 12 years old. Like I was 12 years old realizing I'm being taxed with a representation.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Like I can't vote. I had to deal with lawyers and agents and managers. I was in meetings with casting directors representing myself. And, you know, I was dealing with directors and producers. And I was surrounded by people who were, you know, 15 to 18 years old. Who had never even worked a part-time job. And that was in college as well.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
My friend group at UCLA, this is, you know, if we want to get into Gen Z, had never worked a job ever. It was like 20-year-olds who were in college had not, like, they were shocked. Number one, that I was an actor. They thought that was kind of cool. But that I worked at Trader Joe's throughout. They were like, why would you, why?
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
like you can just go to college and not work i was like well some of us our parents aren't paying but also it's like acting isn't consistent you know you might book a job here you might like i'd rather have money all the time plus it's discipline i would wake up at 4 a.m and go work the 5 a.m shift at trader joe's and then go to college classes afterwards wow anyway so the whole thing was weird man i had no idea i know i feel like we just skipped a whole thing i could have told you about on your podcast yeah well we'll go into more detail we'll go into more detail
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
But that's why I really want to interview Amanda Bynes. I mean, was the darling of Hollywood. And they chewed her up and spit her out and she was just left hanging to dry and ended up in a conservatorship. She's now out of one. She's like right now trying to piece together her life. She was trying to get, you know, her certification to be a nail artist. She's now doing painting.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Like she's finally seeming like she's She's not back to her, but in those situations, I don't think, and it's weird to tie that to, you know, the guys in your life, but you don't ever go back to who you were before you were abused, before you experienced PTSD. I mean, I don't think you know this. My brother has schizophrenia.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
He will never, even if he's on meds, even if he heals, he'll never be the person he was 10 years ago before he had his first break. Amanda Bynes will never be who Amanda Bynes was. On Nickelodeon at 15 years old that we all knew and loved. But nobody's talked to her. And people have speculated about her. And it's kind of like, I know you want to interview Britney Spears.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
It's like that kind of thing. You have no idea what goes on in her mind and what she's actually experienced. We've gotten bits and pieces thanks to documentaries and people who know her.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
I mean, Nickelodeon had them sign NDAs upon NDAs and non-disparagements and all of this stuff. And there are very few people who didn't sign.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
And those have been able to speak out. And one did sign but then wrote a book where the characters were named different things. That was the book I'm Glad My Mom Died. It was a girl from iCarly, Jeanette McCurdy. But yeah, they've kept it completely silent.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
And to this day, that guy Dan Schneider, if you speak about him, if you don't say allegedly all of this stuff, I mean, his legal team will come at you. It doesn't matter who you are. If you're just a random YouTuber. And they have the power to do that. So it's like, imagine if they're doing that to people who are just talking about the story.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Guys, I am so excited to bring you the first long form conversation of the red Cooper show. Genuinely. I have been looking forward to this since all of this started. I've been promising you guys this for the last month that I've had a bunch of comments and DMs saying, when are the interviews going to start? Well, I was painting trim in this new studio.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Imagine what they did to somebody who people have claimed and speculated was abused. So that's my top person. That and Barron Trump. Two very polar opposites.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
That's actually something... So you were talking about your wife being a partner in all this. Alex, my husband, is very involved. You know, we have a very tiny team and he's... I think the creative genius behind a lot of my best ideas, to be honest. And so he's, and he's a strategist.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
So he's been pushing me on that in terms of, you know, you need to under, and that's kind of what I was talking about of understanding yourself and finding what's authentic is he's kind of been the driving force of, you know, why are you doing this? Why do you care so much? So he's pushed me on a lot of those questions because I have all these people that I want to talk to.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
He was like, what's the real reason why? And I think it's that you have a story that people haven't heard before. So it's like with you, when I was like, oh, I should talk to Sean, it's because there's so much about your, not even your past in, you know, special ops and military, but it's your journey of getting here.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Your life as a husband and a father that I think people don't get to hear about as much.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
How do you make it work?
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Yeah, I mean, family is more important than anything, which is why I only feed my family meat from Good Ranchers. Now guys, did you know that over 85% of the grass-fed beef in stores is actually imported? And that is because the country of origin labeling law was repealed in 2015. So now, meat in our American grocery stores can be packaged here in the US and earn a product of the USA label
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
even if it was born, raised, and harvested overseas. And the other truth is, a lot of the meat in our grocery stores are filled with things that you don't want, like antibiotics and added hormones, and even harmful seed oils. But GoodRanchers.com is changing everything.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Good Ranchers meat is born, raised, and harvested right here in the USA by American ranchers, so you know exactly where it comes from. It is free from hidden additives, no antibiotics ever, no added hormones, and no seed oils. Just simple, trustworthy ingredients that you can feel good about feeding your family. And they make life even easier by delivering their products straight to your door.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
So no more last-minute grocery store runs, no standing in the long Walmart lines or wondering if you're getting the best quality. With GoodRanchers.com, everything you need to create delicious meals for your family is just a click away. And at GoodRanchers.com, You can also check out my exclusive box.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
You can check out my handpicked selections from the bratwurst to the pork chops to the bacon that Alex and I eat every single day while simultaneously supporting my show and supporting American ranches. So go to goodranchers.com slash Brett to check out my box today. And if that hasn't sold you yet, right now, Good Ranchers is still running their new year new meat promotion.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
so you and your family can easily get the quality that you deserve. If you subscribe to any of their boxes, preferably it's the Brett Cooper box, but any of their boxes, you will get an option of getting free ground beef, chicken breasts, or salmon in every order for an entire year. Plus, you will get $25 off when you use my code BRETT at checkout.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
That is high quality, clean protein in every order delivered to your door for free for an entire year, plus $25 off. It has never been easier to prioritize your family's health and spend more time where it matters, together around the table. Visit GoodRanchers.com today and don't forget to use my code Brett to claim your free meat and $25 off. All right, back to you, Sean.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
That was a good rant. What is the key to your relationship with your wife, do you think?
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
it's humbling to have somebody who knows you better than yourself in a lot of ways and knows what you can be and what you could be and knows you at your happiest and is like, it's not, this is not it right now. And I think at times when I've been so clouded, I'm just in it and I'm completely, you know, bogged down by everything else.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Having somebody who's pulling back the curtain and saying, this is not sustainable in the slightest.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
I want to ask one more question that kind of ties in with that, and I'll let you go. I have so many young people who watch the show, and I think one of the biggest issues with my generation is obviously dating. We weren't taught how to date. I always joke that my first dating experience was on Snapchat. I was never asked out in person. People slid into my DMs, or we downloaded Tinder and Hinge.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
That was the first way that we dated. So there's a lot of societal issues in that regard, but I think people are just struggling. I think a lot of people also don't know what to look for or even how to present themselves.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
But specifically for young men, when you're dating with intention and you're looking for the person that you want to marry, I guess what would you advise young men look for in women? Because this can also help the women too.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Why waste the energy?
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Connection first.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
I think the theme of you is being 100% yourself, which is a testament to you. I think it's the reason why you've blown up in the way you have. The reason why your marriage is strong. Well, thank you. It's a good thing. Thank you for coming on the show. I appreciate it.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Thank you. I'm reaching over the mic. Thank you.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
I was going to ask if you had noticed something that worked and leaned in or whether it was completely driven by you and your interest, but I guess that answered it there.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
We were hanging shiplap and getting all the wallpaper done. We were building furniture this morning. And now we have our first guest here with me today. The incomparable Sean Ryan host of the Sean Ryan show. And if you guys don't know, Sean is a former Navy SEAL and CIA operative turned podcaster who interviews some of the world's most interesting people.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
And you've stayed independent the whole time, basically.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
You've had people come and go, which is very difficult to do. I don't think many have.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
Thank you. And you've been so wonderful. And for those who don't know, Sean's here in Nashville and has been a great source of support. So I appreciate it. And that's why I'm so happy that you're the first guest. You brought something up about your therapist. You were talking about men coming on the show and being able to be vulnerable. I think that there is a...
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
prevailing attitude especially on X in this like manosphere world where we kind of have this new caricature of men and obviously I think that it is a response to the softening of men in our society obviously and what people are experiencing but it feels like we've been pushed in the opposite direction where men are now these caricatures of
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
You can't cry, you can't love a woman, you can't get married, you know, being a father's gay. Obviously, you know, you're a husband, you're a father, you have these men who are incredibly, incredibly successful, incredibly brave, probably the most masculine men in our society, and they're coming on and crying. What...
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
I guess, can you talk about masculinity in your mind and what an accurate representation of masculinity is based on your experience?
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
I made it broader than it probably should have been.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
His show is consistently ranked in the top three podcasts in the world, as it should be. He has also become a wonderful friend and mentor to me, especially in this transition into independence. And so I'm just so honored that he agreed to be my first guest. Sean, thank you so much for being here.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
And I think that goes for men and women, especially anyway, it's more of a generational thing too, where I think a lot of my generation is floating through and trying to get by and we self-diagnose very aggressively. That's the thing that Gen Z does. It's like, well, we're all depressed. We're all anxious. We can't change anything. The world is against us.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
And that mindset I think has really held us back because now my generation is like, well, then why would we even try? Like we can't change anything. And it's so crippling. Yeah.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
You're guest number one.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
And to be able to move forward from it and set an example of somebody who can grow and live a productive life and start a family and be that example. I think that a lot of people see, you know, vulnerability or crying and that in and of itself is, you know, powerful and it's an important thing, you know, it's an important part of processing.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
I know. I'm very excited. No, I'm honored that you came. I wanted actually to start off by asking you, who was your first guest? Do you remember?
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
And it's so hard. I think there's a juxtaposition in our society right now because, again, if we go back to the masculinity conversation, people are definitely overusing therapy, in my opinion, especially young people. People claim PTSD for ridiculous things. They claim they're depressed when they're basically just going through a hard time.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
That's something that Jordan talks a lot about is convoluting depression with just going through a normal challenging part of your life. And I'm sure it's difficult to try to be like, no, I'm not that. And I'm not feeding into those weaknesses and the ridiculousness of what our culture has cultivated. But to understand that you still need help, I'm sure that that's difficult for them to walk.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
That's a great first guest.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
And plus, I mean, the support for veterans has been abysmal.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
I really feel like I've learned so much from you, almost as much as I learn at Peterson Academy. And Peterson Academy is Jordan Peterson's online university that is open for enrollment right now.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
If you are somebody who loves lifelong learning, wants to learn from the brightest professors in the world, or if you've ever benefited from Dr. Peterson's lectures or his podcast, his amazing guests, this platform is for you. Every month, Peterson Academy releases four new in-depth eight hour university level courses taught by world renowned experts and produced to keep you fully engaged.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
They cover an amazing range of topics from philosophy and history and psychology and science and business, complete with optional testing to further your understanding. Plus, they are continually rolling out new educational features as they grow. And there is also a built-in social community where you can connect and learn alongside like-minded people from around the world.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
So if you are ready to challenge your intellect and expand your horizons and take control of your education and learn as much as I'm learning from Sean Ryan right now, it is time to go to petersonacademy.com slash brett. It is $599 per year or $59 a month to access all 31 eight-hour courses with four new courses a month plus the community with a seven-day money-back guarantee.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
I love Fieldcraft. It's great. I think that Fieldcraft has inspired all of my husband's prepping.
The Brett Cooper Show
Shawn Ryan on Masculinity, Independence, and Family | Episode 6
And the best part is, for that price, you don't have to take out a $60,000 loan to further your education. Again, that is petersonacademy.com slash brett to join Peterson Academy today. As you were saying, Sean.