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Elon Musk Calls SPLC ‘Evil’ as FBI Drops ADL: The Reckoning for Biased Watchdog Groups Has Begun

FBI Director Kash Patel has formally ended the Bureau’s partnership with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), calling it a political operation “masquerading” as a watchdog. It’s a decisive break from years of ADL-influenced trainings and briefings for agents, and it marks a turning point in how federal law enforcement chooses its outside “experts.” This decision didn’t happen in a vacuum. It followed mounting backlash over the ADL’s since-removed online material that smeared mainstream conservative organizations and figures — most notably the inclusion of Turning Point USA in a now-closed “extremism” glossary. Even as the ADL insists it merely offers education, the record shows a steady drift from civil-rights work to viewpoint policing. Director Patel’s action acknowledges that drift and ends the FBI’s support for it. The ADL has defended its collaboration with law enforcement and highlighted its “Law Enforcement and Society” (LEAS) programming. But that’s the point: trainings that start as neutral can morph into pipelines for selectively framed labels that end up in case files, policy memos, and media narratives. The most powerful investigative agency in the world cannot afford “outsourced bias” disguised as “expertise.” “Watchdogs” or Political Fronts? For years, self-styled “watchdogs” have claimed a monopoly on defining “hate” and “extremism.” These labels are then used to gatekeep social trust, stifle speech, and nudge public and private enforcers to punish the disfavored. That’s not accountability — it’s power without oversight. Patel’s move effectively says the FBI will no longer rent out its building or their badge to politicized third parties. He framed the break as a refusal to “partner with political fronts masquerading as watchdogs,” a standard that should apply across the board. If your “research” reads like a campaign mailer, you shouldn’t be writing the textbooks or lesson plans for federal agents. The SPLC Problem And Why It’s Boiling Over The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) exemplifies the same problem: originally created in 1971 to “ensure that the promise of the civil rights movement became a reality for all,” now treats ideological disagreement as pathology. The SPLC’s notorious “hate map” has lumped mainstream groups together with fringe outfits for years; media outlets cite it uncritically; platforms and donors lean on it to justify bans and blacklists. Early this morning, Elon Musk captured the public mood bluntly: “The SPLC is an evil organization that spreads hate propaganda relentlessly. It needs to be shut down.” That assessment will offend the professional hall-monitors, but it resonates with millions who’ve seen their beliefs smeared by politicized labels and watched those labels used to chill lawful speech. Whether one agrees with Musk’s exact phrasing, the core critique stands: when self-described “watchdogs” manufacture moral panics, they don’t reduce hate, rather they cheapen the term, dull public vigilance, and push our institutions toward selective enforcement. That’s the opposite of tolerance. Why This Matters for Real Tolerance The New Tolerance Campaign exists to confront double standards. We’ve documented a pattern: powerful institutions subcontract their moral judgment to advocacy groups and self-righteous individuals that claim neutral expertise but act like political actors. The results? Bias laundering: Agencies and companies adopt outside “ratings,” then claim their hands are clean. The politics didn’t disappear, rather they’ve been outsourced. Label inflation: The more expansive the definition of “extremism,” the more normal dissenters get swept in, and the easier it becomes to marginalize them. Public mistrust: When people see the rules enforced one way for some and another way for others, they stop trusting the referees. Director Patel’s decision begins to unwind that unhealthy dynamic, at least inside the FBI. It also sets a precedent other agencies and private-sector partners should follow: no automatic deference to organizations that use “tolerance” as a partisan weapon. What Should Happen Next?  To move from a single decision to durable reform, we recommend: Transparent Vetting of Third-Party Trainers: Any nonprofit organization selected to brief or train federal agents should meet a clear, public standard: empirical rigor, transparent methods, and demonstrable impartiality. Past political advocacy — left or right — must be checked at the door, fully disclosed and weighed appropriately before moving forward. Independent Review Panels: Congress and Inspectors General should establish neutral review panels to audit government reliance on external “hate” or “extremism” designations. If a list or map is used inside government, it should be replicable, falsifiable, and insulated from partisan funding streams. Diversified Perspectives: When agencies do bring in outside voices, they should ensure ideologically diverse perspectives, so that one advocacy brand can’t define the entire field. That’s how you avoid blind spots and groupthink. Sunset Clauses for Partnerships: Formal Memorandum of Understanding with advocacy groups should expire unless re-approved after performance audits. “Set it and forget it” is how bias calcifies as policy. A Culture of First Principles: Law enforcement must anchor training to constitutional rights, statutory law, and objective criminal indicators — not to NGO glossaries that conflate speech with violence. Addressing the Obvious Pushback You’ll hear that cutting ties risks “ignoring antisemitism” or “going soft on hate.” That is a false choice. The FBI can and must investigate crimes motivated by bias without deputizing political nonprofits to define which Americans are suspect. In fact, staying neutral strengthens legitimate hate-crime enforcement by keeping it free from the taint of partisan gamesmanship. Likewise, criticism of the SPLC isn’t a denial that hate exists; it’s a rejection of cartoonish scorecards that lump tens of millions of law-abiding citizens into rhetorical proximity with true extremists. The more indiscriminate the label, the less useful it is in stopping real threats. A Win for Accountability — If We Make It One Director Patel’s decision is a needed correction. But lasting reform requires policy, not just press releases. Agencies should publish their criteria for outside partnerships. Congress should exercise oversight. And the media should stop treating advocacy branding as gospel. When “watchdogs” become biased political attack dogs, storied institutions must have the courage to take away the leash. As for the SPLC, Musk’s blast will spur headlines, but the underlying question is bigger than one post: Should any private entity hold quasi-official power to define which viewpoints are acceptable? Our answer is no because tolerance cannot be selective. Real tolerance means one rule for everyone,

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Letter to Chiefs Leadership Regarding the “Free 4” Pre-Game Stunt

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 Kansas City Chiefs Executive Leadership Clark Hunt, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Mark Donovan, President Brett Veach, General Manager Kansas City Chiefs 1 Arrowhead Drive Kansas City, MO 64129 Dear Mr. Hunt, Mr. Donovan, and Mr. Veach: On behalf of the New Tolerance Campaign and thousands of Americans who believe in fairness and responsibility, I am writing to express concern over recent displays of support for Rashee Rice by Kansas City Chiefs players, Travis Kelce and Tyquan Thornton, as well as the accompanying remarks made just one day later by Head Coach Andy Reid. Mr. Rice’s case is troubling not simply because of the reckless conduct that led to a devastating six-car crash, but because of what happened afterward. Court records and reporting confirm that Mr. Rice was racing his Lamborghini at 119 miles per hour on a Dallas highway when he caused the multi-car collision. Instead of checking on the innocent people he injured, he fled the scene on foot, leaving others to deal with the aftermath. The presiding judge, in sentencing him to five years of probation and thirty days in jail, made clear that this behavior “bothered him” and raised doubts about whether Rice was truly remorseful. Though Rice has since offered words of apology, his personal actions — running away and dodging accountability — spoke louder, especially to the victims and members of the surrounding community. Even today, Mr. Rice has failed to take responsibility in the most basic way: one of the victim’s attorneys confirmed that he has not paid the $1.1 million settlement owed to his client involved in the crash, citing lack of funds. This demonstrates that he has not even taken financial accountability for the harm he caused, compounding on the pain of those directly impacted by his careless decisions. Against this backdrop, it is alarming that at least two Chiefs players took to the field wearing “Free 4” apparel, as though the real injustice were Mr. Rice being held accountable, rather than the victims who were injured through no fault of their own. On a video call one day after this pre-game incident, Coach Reid told members of the media, “I know these guys love Rashee, and they feel for him sitting out here… I just think that those guys, they love the kid and want him to feel part of it in their own way.” Empathy for a teammate is understandable, but when paired with public displays that excuse serious misconduct, it risks sending a dangerous message — that talent and fame are a free pass from responsibility. The Kansas City Chiefs are more than a football team. You are a cultural institution with millions of fans, many of them young people who look to your players and organization as role models. The message they absorb matters. Do we want them to learn that accountability and responsibility come first, or that reckless behavior can be brushed aside if you wear the right jersey for a successful team? We respectfully urge the Chiefs to demonstrate real leadership by discouraging fans and banning players from displaying any “Free 4” material for the remainder of Rice’s suspension. We would also appreciate seeing a clear statement of support for the victims of this crash and encouraging Mr. Rice to take meaningful restorative actions that go beyond the bare minimum required by law. Such steps would quickly reaffirm that the Kansas City Chiefs stand for integrity, not excuses, and that no one — no matter how talented — is above accountability. The legacy of your franchise is built not only on victories but also on the respect of your stated values: “Win with Character, Unite our Community, Inspire our Fans, and Honor Tradition.” This is a moment to show that the Chiefs’ commitment to character is as strong as their commitment to winning another NFL championship. Sincerely, Chad A. Banghart President New Tolerance Campaign   P.S. It is worth underscoring that the New Tolerance Campaign has publicly supported members of your organization before. When your starting kicker Harrison Butker was attacked for delivering a commencement speech rooted in his Catholic faith, we stood with him and defended his right to express his beliefs without intimidation or censorship. Our commitment is not to target the Chiefs, but to hold all institutions, including the NFL, to the same standard of fairness and integrity — whether that means protecting free expression or demanding accountability for the celebration of reckless harm.

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Humanity vs. Insanity: Carrying Forward Charlie Kirk’s Fight for America’s Soul

The passing of Charlie Kirk is a devastating loss, not just to his family, friends, and TPUSA colleagues, but to millions of Americans who found in him a fearless defender of faith, freedom, and truth. Charlie’s voice rang clear in a time of national confusion, and one of his greatest contributions was his ability to cut through the noise and frame our challenges with clarity. To honor his memory, we must continue that work. For too long, America has been told that our political ideology is simply left versus right, Republican versus Democrat, conservative versus liberal. That framing no longer fits our current reality. What we are really confronting today is not a traditional political debate, but a battle between insanity and humanity. Consider the issues before us. It is no longer a “left-wing” talking point to say men can become women and compete in women’s sports — it’s taking place in schools across our country – it’s sheer insanity. It is no longer just a policy disagreement to demand that children be indoctrinated with radical gender ideology in schools — it is an assault on our nation’s most vulnerable, their innocence and overall common sense. To refuse to secure our borders in the midst of national security threats, to celebrate abortion as a “right” while ignoring its murderous disregard of human life, to punish citizens for speaking their faith or defending their values – these are not mere differences of opinion. They are rejections of basic humanity. Charlie understood this. He recognized that our nation was in danger of losing its moral compass, and he worked tirelessly to remind us that freedom is not preserved by slogans, but by courage rooted in truth. His gift was not simply rallying conservatives but persuading everyday Americans to see what was right in front of them: that our culture is being pushed toward chaos, and it takes courage to stand for order, faith, family, and freedom. The good news is that when the argument is framed correctly, the American people know where they stand. Most parents do not want their children sexualized in classrooms. Most citizens want a secure border, safe neighborhoods, and a functioning justice system. A majority of our great American workforce want dignity in their labor, not lectures from corporate boardrooms about the latest progressive fad. These are not partisan desires – they are deeply human. This is the ultimate legacy Charlie Kirk leaves us: refuse to be trapped in the old political boxes, be outspoken about your faith, and to insist on standing for humanity against the minority who perpetuate insanity. He knew the stakes. If America loses its moral foundation, its traditional values, and its deep-rooted Christian faith, freedom will collapse with it. As conservatives, we honor the life of Charlie Kirk best not by softening our convictions, but by sharpening our language and moral clarity. We must continue to expose the absurdities that have become normalized in our culture, while offering our fellow citizens a hopeful alternative: faith, family, community, and country. That is not extremism — it is humanity. The challenge before us is urgent, but Charlie’s achievements in his young life are proof that one voice can make an actual difference. He lived boldly, he spoke truth without apology, and he inspired the next generation to stand firm. In this time of grief, may we carry his torch forward. For our fight ahead is not about left versus right; rather, it’s whether we have the courage to reject insanity and defend humanity itself. At the New Tolerance Campaign, we are committed to this very fight. We are standing on the side of humanity by calling out double standards, exposing woke cultural madness, and defending the values that keep America strong and united. In this critical moment, we join countless others in declaring that we will not bow to insanity. We will help people see the light within truth through faith and facts. We will never yield to the madness of our age, and we will continue to rise, unashamed and unafraid in order to further preserve humanity.

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California’s Intolerance Just Drove Out Another Business

If you’ve ever walked through San Francisco’s Castro District or caught a glimpse of the pastel-painted Victorians, you’ve seen the outward expression of California’s pride in its “spirit of tolerance.” As one BBC feature puts it, San Francisco has long embodied “a city of nonconformity,” where costumed parades, free expression, and welcoming acceptance are baked into its character. Meanwhile, The Golden State under Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom codified its ethos of diversity, equity, and inclusion — values that have become central to the governor’s identity and the state’s brand. Today, Bed Bath & Beyond’s Executive Chairman Marcus Lemonis announced that the company will refuse to open or operate retail stores in California and not for political reasons, but “because it’s about reality.” He laid out a stark truth: “California has created one of the most overregulated, expensive, and risky environments for businesses in America… We will not participate in a system that undermines both [customers and shareholders].” That’s not a partisan talking point, it’s reality. California’s “Tolerance” is Intolerance in Disguise What does it say when a state that prides itself on progress drives away employers, jobs, and affordable goods? Lemonis spelled it out: higher taxes, endless regulations, unsustainable costs for employees and customers alike. California’s political class calls this equity. But it’s really exclusion — punishing ordinary citizens with higher prices and punishing businesses with impossible rules. This isn’t tolerance. It’s hypocrisy. The Consequences Are Real Jobs lost: When businesses can’t survive in California, workers lose opportunities. Prices climb: Regulations and taxes don’t hurt the wealthy, but they certainly hit working families the hardest. Community life erodes: When real storefronts are replaced by online-only delivery – nothing builds civic pride like a vibrant local economy. Lemonis framed it as “common sense,” but in practice, it reveals something much darker: California has become a state that preaches openness while robbing its citizens of vast opportunity and injecting unnecessary burdens into everyday life. A Wake-Up Call for the Rest of America This isn’t about supporting one company, but it is about confronting a broader truth: California’s vaunted tolerance is failing. And if its model collapses under the weight of its own policies, why would anyone else emulate it? The mission of the New Tolerance Campaign is to expose hypocrisy when institutions declare values they don’t uphold. California claims to lead on equity and inclusion, yet its policies are forcefully excluding businesses, burning out minimum wage employees, and dissolving the idea of “the American Dream.” If California cannot meet its own standards, it doesn’t deserve to set the standard for the rest of our nation. The Bottom Line San Francisco may still wear the rainbow crosswalks and celebrate diversity, but behind that imagery is a failing system that no longer delivers. Bed Bath & Beyond is just the latest business to say, “Enough!” California’s “tolerance” has transformed into nothing more than intolerance and that should be disturbing to all of us, no matter which state we call home.

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When Going Woke Isn’t Enough: Target CEO Steps Down After 11 Tumultuous Years

This upcoming February will mark the end of another era for a recovering socially conscious brand. Target Chief Executive Officer Brian Cornell will step down in February 2026, ceding the top post after 11 years to longtime company veteran and Chief Operating Officer Michael Fiddelke. Under Cornell’s leadership, Target once dazzled, earning praise for modern store overhauls, pandemic-era growth, and a beam of corporate prestige. But according to a senior writer at Fortune, “Target reported yet another quarter of weak financial results, with comparable sales down 1.9% and the cheap-chic retailer reaffirmed its expectations that sales will decline by a low single digit percentage this year, projecting a third year in a row of decline.” There is no doubt at this point that the popular retailer is reeling — sliding sales, failed initiatives, and deep cultural divisions have only made Cornell’s departure all but inevitable. A Leader Defined by Ideological Overreach and Backlash Cornell’s tenure is inseparable from Target’s embrace and eventual retreat from deeply polarizing social initiatives. DEI Investment to DEI Retreat: In 2020, Target CEO Brian Cornell said George Floyd’s murder had a personal impact on him and just several months after the murder, Target pledged to increase its Black workforce by 20% throughout the company over three years and take other steps to “advance racial equity.” The following year, Target committed to spending more than $2 billion with Black-owned businesses by the end of 2025. In 2022, the Bullseye-logoed company was honored for its “outstanding commitment to DEI” by the Executive Leadership Council, who is the “preeminent global membership organization for Black current and former CEOs, senior executives,” amongst entrepreneurs, and other leaders. In 2023, Cornell defended Target’s bold commitments to DEI, saying they ‘fueled much of their growth’ over the years. However, his tune quickly changed at the beginning of this year. Target quietly rolled back a broad slate of their diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. In a post online the long running department store openly admitted to halting future surveys that went to the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index and they also said they would conclude their Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) initiatives this year. The announcement generated strong recoil, including from the granddaughters of a founding family member, who condemned the reversal, describing their personal feelings as “shocked and dismayed.” Nevertheless, Target rightfully surrendered to consumer boycotts, online hysteria, and conservative customer backlash. Pride Merchandise Firestorm: In May 2023, Target’s Pride Collection came under attack for selling “tuck-friendly” items within their “kid’s section.” The resulting boycott triggered major stock dips, “wiping out $10 billion in market value in just ten days and erasing $25 billion in shareholder value over the course of six months, its worst performance and longest losing streak in 23 years.” There were also threats against employees, and store vandalism, which ultimately forced Target to pull back their initial offerings and move displays to the back of some of their stores. The State of Florida and America First Legal joined forces to file a class action lawsuit against the popular retailer for “misleading and defrauding investors over market risks of LGBTQ activism” – litigation that is still playing out in court months later. Just one year later, in Target’s 2024 press release just one day ahead of “Pride Month,” they said their company would only be selling their pride-related collection of products and items in “adult apparel and home and food and beverage” sections of their store. Moreover, since the eye-opening tragedy, in the two years to follow the retail giant has scaled back their pride displays and merchandise. More notably, viral posts online and articles from this past June (2025) show Target had been prioritizing USA-themed apparel over LGBT merchandise during Pride Month. Investor Fraud Lawsuit: Amid DEI pledges coming to an end, shareholders led by the City of Riviera Beach Police Pension Fund in Florida filed suit alleging Target misled them on the financial risks tied to its social policies and ESG commitments. According to early reporting, “The lawsuit said the retailer, CEO Brian Cornell and other officials failed to disclose the risk of consumer boycotts stemming from Target’s Environmental, Social, and Governance and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives.” Reuters also noted in their original report that Target’s share price fell 22% on November 20, 2024, wiping out about $15.7 billion of market value. Caught Between Culture Wars: The company has now found itself alienating both ends of the political spectrum — progressive consumers have become upset by recently announced DEI rollbacks, while dedicated conservative customers have become infuriated by “woke” merchandise. The result? A socially conscious brand who successfully racialized division, suffers with plunging sales year after year, and finally pressures their CEO to resign.  A Strategic Pivot or Further Retreat? Even before Cornell’s announced exit, the company’s trajectory was in free fall. According to many media reports, “Target reported a 21% drop in net income in the quarter ended August 2. Sales were down slightly, and the company reported a 1.9% dip in comparable sales – those from established physical stores and online channels. Target has seen flat or declining comparable sales in eight of the past ten quarters including the latest period.” The board’s choice of Michael Fiddelke, a 20-year insider to succeed Cornell signals continuity, not upheaval. Neil Saunders, who serves as the Managing Director of GlobalData Retail said he had mixed feelings about the promotion of Fiddelke, other analysts think the retail veteran may lack the fresh perspective needed to reset Target’s faltering brand connection. New Tolerance Campaign’s Approach At the New Tolerance Campaign, we value consistency, courage, and coalition – not performative virtue signaling. According to their own website, Target deems their core purpose as, “help all families discover the joy of everyday life.” The commitments they outlined are simple: “more for your money, the best shopping experience, a healthy, happy and valued team, a brighter future, ethical business practices.” Simply put, the Target Corporation’s mission, corporate strategy and commitments

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The NFL’s End Zone Sermons Are Driving Fans From The Sport

As an avid enjoyer of pro-football and a yearly fantasy team player, I have watched the National Football League’s (NFL) slide from America’s favorite sport into America’s biggest lecture hall with growing disgust. For the sixth consecutive season, the league has announced it will keep stenciling hollow platitudes in its end zones — messages like “End Racism,” “Stop Hate,” “Choose Love,” and the new addition “Inspire Change.” They say it’s about unity. I say it’s about pandering. And the keyboard warriors they’re pandering to? They don’t even watch football. Football’s magic has always been its ability to bring people together who disagree on almost everything else. You can have political rivals sitting side by side in the stands, screaming in unison when the home team scores. After all, this mission is exactly what the NFL used to sell: a shared cultural space above the fray. But now, the league insists on dragging the fray into the one sacred place millions of people once went to get away from it. Preaching to the Wrong Crowd The NFL is bending over backwards to impress the cancel culture class — the same people who spent years mocking football as too violent, too masculine, or too toxic. These are not the folks packing stadiums on Sunday afternoons, spending all day watching the game with their fantasy cohorts and they’re certainly not buying their favorite player’s jersey to wear every week. In fact, many of them openly disdain the game, the fans, and the culture around it. Yet the NFL caters to them with high-profile gestures that do nothing for the sport’s actual supporters. This is like a steakhouse changing its menu to include plant-based options in order to appease militant vegans all while ignoring the regulars who keep the lights on. And the message to loyal fans couldn’t be clearer: your escape, your tradition, your favorite pastime still comes with a side of moral instruction, whether you asked for it or not. Virtue Signaling Over Victory The league wants to be seen as brave, as leading the charge for justice. But real courage isn’t slapping slogans on the turf. Real courage is doing the hard, unglamorous work that doesn’t get you applause at awards banquets — its funding mentorship programs, supporting at-risk youth, partnering with communities to create opportunity. Those are things that could change lives. Instead, we get “Choose Love” painted in the end zone while players are arrested for assault in the offseason and the league quietly buries concussion data. Instead, we get “Inspire Change” despite multiple players driving their expensive sports cars recklessly through various major cities and suburban communities. What the NFL is doing is hypocrisy dressed up as heroism. The league is using the field to buy social credibility while avoiding the heavy lifting that real change requires. The Fans See Through It Fans aren’t stupid. They know when they’re being sold something useless. They know when the sport they love is being used as a billboard for causes and slogans that have nothing to do with the game. And frankly, they’re tired of it. Sure, there will always be those who say, “What’s the harm? It’s just words painted in the artificial grass.” But if it were really harmless, the league wouldn’t need to make a press release or plant an exclusive story with one of their loyal media partners about it every single year. This is about narrative control, it’s about appeasing the keyboard warriors, it’s about reconciling with the demands of the entertainment industry before they agree to costly advertisement deals and multi-million-dollar sponsorship opportunities. This is all about making sure every touchdown, every camera pan, every highlight reel reinforces a culturally controlled message the league wants you to internalize. The problem isn’t that the messages are overly controversial; it’s that the NFL has decided there’s only one acceptable point of view. That’s not unity – that’s ideological conformity. And it’s exactly the opposite of tolerance. Sports Arenas Aren’t For Political Soapboxes The NFL is supposed to be the great escape. After all, last regular season’s average viewership consisted of 17.5 million viewers. For three hours (at the very least), fans should be able to leave politics, culture wars, and endless media outrage behind. They don’t come to be scolded or converted, rather they come to cheer, to boo, to high-five strangers in the next row. That’s the alchemy that makes sports special. When you turn the game into a political soapbox, you destroy that magic while creating even more division. This is the same league that once threatened to penalize players for wearing custom cleats honoring fallen police officers and victims of September 11th, but now they celebrate political messages as long as they’re in line with leftwing corporate-approved causes. The hypocrisy is staggering. The NFL has made it clear: some messages are welcome, others are not. It’s not about free expression, it’s about the right expression. A Better Way Forward If the NFL truly wants to help, here’s an idea: take the millions you spend on marketing and public relations around these slogans and put them into measurable community impact. Sponsor trades programs in struggling towns. Invest in inner-city athletic facilities. Fund student athlete scholarships. Help rebuild neighborhoods devastated by crime or addiction. Leave the end zones alone. Let the game be the game. Let fans of every background and belief come together without having a political message shoved in their faces. Closing Whistle The NFL’s job is to bring people together through the sport of football. Every time they use the field as a political pulpit, they drive a wedge between fans. They alienate the people who actually keep the league alive. And for what? Applause from people who wouldn’t be caught dead in a stadium? It’s time for the league to stop chasing the approval of the anti-football crowd and start respecting the fans who’ve been there all along. Keep politics out of the end zone. Bring back the game we came

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Was Gutfeld’s “Tonight Show” Appearance a Sign of Welcomed Change or Corporate Appeasement?

Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld appeared on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this last night, a booking that has raised eyebrows across the media landscape. On the surface, it looks like a rare moment of ideological crossover in a space that has long been dominated by one-sided perspectives. But is it really a sign of cultural balance returning to late-night television, or just a calculated move by a media giant under political pressure? The Rarity of Balance in Late-Night Late-night television has, for years, been an echo chamber for progressive talking points. A recent Newsbusters’ study shows that 99% of political guests lean left, a trend that has eroded trust and alienated millions of Americans. Compare that with Gutfeld’s program on Fox News, which has consistently beaten Fallon, Kimmel, and Colbert in the ratings and it’s clear why this booking is attracting attention. The Colbert Cautionary Tale CBS’ decision to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is instructive here. Since 2022, carefully tracked data shows Colbert hosted 176 liberal or Democratic guests, compared to just one Republican guest – who also happened to strongly dislike President Trump. That rigid guest booking pattern may have played well with one segment of the population, but it did him no favors in a nation where nearly half of the electorate felt ignored. In a cultural landscape this divided the nation due to their active effort in shutting out opposing viewpoints – which isn’t just bad for dialogue, but CBS learned it’s also bad for business. A Glimmer of Nonpartisan Hope or Manufactured Optics? Some may see Gutfeld’s appearance as a refreshing sign of openness. Think about it… a longtime left-leaning media network and its associated late night talk show finally recognized that half the country deserves to see their viewpoints represented. But in today’s media climate, nothing is ever that simple. Could this be less about ideological diversity and more about appeasing a presidential administration that holds the regulatory power, who has also proved  to successfully take on – and win – against various left-leaning media conglomerates in court? Corporate Pressure and Political Calculus Jimmy Fallon’s home network, NBC, is part of one of the most powerful media corporations in the world. In the wake of legal defeats and growing accusations of bias, is this appearance a genuine olive branch to a conservative audience, a sign of respect toward Gutfeld for his amazing late-night success, or is it a corporate PR strategy designed to curry favor with the Trump Administration? For media companies facing collapsing trust, shrinking audiences, and skittish advertisers, a Gutfeld-Fallon segment could be an easy, low-risk gesture toward “balance” without fundamentally altering their programming’s political lean. The New Tolerance Campaign’s Take At the New Tolerance Campaign, we welcome genuine dialogue across ideological lines. But token gestures are no substitute for a real cultural shift. If this signals a true willingness to feature diverse perspectives consistently, it’s a win for all Americans. If this is just a one-off stunt to check a box and calm critics, then it’s business as usual for a corporate media system that thrives on selective tolerance. The real test will come after the cameras stop rolling: Will NBC and Jimmy Fallon’s show keep booking conservative voices regularly, or will Gutfeld be the exception that proves the rule?

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Sydney Sweeney’s Great Jeans Worked. Jaguar’s Rebrand Didn’t. Guess Which One the Woke Mob Came For?

There’s a curious double standard playing out in corporate America and everyday consumers would do well to pay attention. When Jaguar tried to reinvent itself with a daring, “inclusive,” postmodern rebrand, they got applause from all the leftist circles. Never mind that it alienated actual customers and cratered public confidence in the brand. Meanwhile, when American Eagle ran a cheeky, lighthearted jeans ad with actress Sydney Sweeney, they were instantly accused of promoting racism, eugenics, and — brace yourself — “white supremacy.” Let’s break this down. The Fall of Jaguar: When Legacy Meets Woke Rebranding Remember when Jaguar meant something? British luxury. Sleek design. That iconic leaping cat. In an apparent bid to erase everything remotely masculine or classic, Jaguar unveiled a new “J” logo, painted everything soft pink, and launched a campaign with zero cars in sight. The tagline? “Copy Nothing. Delete Ordinary.” The slogans? “Create Exuberant,” “Live Vivid,” “Break Molds.” The marketing buzzwords were all there and the company executives responsible for rolling out this rebrand defended it saying it’s a “bold and imaginative reinvention” and a “dramatic leap forward.” But what they deleted was their entire identity. The blowback was immediate. Longtime fans called it a parody. Others wondered if it was satire. Tesla CEO Elon Musk responded to one of the ads posted on X (formerly Twitter) asking, “Do you sell cars?” Even Nigel Farage, a Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom weighed in to roast the rollout. But the truth of how bad the rebrand was for the company lies within their sales: Jaguar’s used car sales dropped 9% since their rebrand originally launched. The automotive company also faltered in Europe as sales plunged by 97.5% following their botched relaunch and pivot to electric vehicles (EVs). The overhaul went so poorly that Jaguar’s CEO Adrian Mardell, who had led the company in that position for 3 years and who had been with the company for 35 years, announced he would retire shortly after it all went sideways. So much for “live vivid.” Jaguar tried to win applause from the fashion elite. What they got was confusion, mockery, and a brand identity crisis. Now Compare That to American Eagle’s Sydney Sweeney Campaign  In contrast, American Eagle didn’t abandon their roots, they leaned into them. Their recent campaign, starring actress Sydney Sweeney, was a straightforward (and undeniably effective) play on words: “Great genes. Great jeans.” It was fun, flirty, and unmistakably American. But that was apparently too much for the outrage industrial complex. Woke critics accused the ad of promoting “eugenics.” One outlet even published an opinion piece that said the ad shows “an unbridled cultural shift toward whiteness.” Why did the author assert this, well, of course, it’s because Sweeney is, “blonde, blue-eyed and white.” But here’s the punchline: while the left raged online, American Eagle laughed all the way to the bank. According to recent reports, “American Eagle Outfitters saw its stock price surge more than 20% on Monday, after President Trump praised the retailer’s controversial marketing campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney on his Truth Social platform.” While the jeans are flying off store shelves and the share price increases daily, it turns out Americans are tired of being told that creative is offensive and that a confident young woman modeling denim is somehow a new political crisis everyone should be outraged about. The Real Lesson: Authenticity Wins. Woke Theater Doesn’t. Jaguar’s face-plant and American Eagle’s triumph tell the same story: when brands chase the woke left’s unachievable expectations instead of relying on creative clarity, they lose. When companies connect with American culture instead of lecturing it, they win. American Eagle didn’t have to burn their legacy to reach a new generation of shoppers, rather they embraced their brand standards and got innovative. Jaguar, on the other hand, threw their entire automotive footprint right into the trash. And the financial results speak for themselves. This is exactly why the New Tolerance Campaign exists: to call out the nonsense. Socially conscious corporations that bend the knee to the loudest activist voices while ignoring the public deserve scrutiny. Meanwhile, those willing to push back, those who double down, and those who refuse to apologize for being normal, deserve credit. You don’t have to love American Eagle, nor do you have to know who Sydney Sweeney is to see what’s happening here. The culture war is everywhere thanks to the progressive left who remain out-of-control. It’s in car commercials. It’s in denim ads. It’s in every branding decision where cowardice is dressed up as “boldness.” Woke Americans tried to cancel American Eagle for their advertisement of Sydney Sweeney showing off her great jeans. Jaguar canceled its own century-long history to please the progressive mob. Only one came out stronger on the other side. Let this be a lesson for any brand still thinking they can pander their way to cultural relevance: Be real. Be proud. And maybe keep the original logo, or in this case, the leaping jaguar.

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Columbia Pays. Harvard Fights. Accountability in Higher Education is Coming.

After Columbia University agreed last week to pay over $200 million to resolve federal investigations into campus antisemitism and submit to outside monitoring and policy changes, Harvard is now reportedly in settlement talks of its own, with figures as high as $500 million being discussed. This is not a blip; it’s a reckoning and if done correctly, it will mark a turning point for accountability in higher education. Let’s be clear about what happened. Columbia’s deal with the federal government restored access to large pools of frozen federal funding, but also imposed independent oversight and reforms to hiring and campus policies. Separately, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a $21 million resolution for Jewish employees over a hostile work environment – it’s the largest public settlement in nearly two decades – underscoring this is about civil rights, not politics. Now all eyes are on Harvard. The university is fighting in court to restore $2.6 billion in frozen federal research funds even as press reports say it is exploring a settlement path similar to Columbia’s. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has publicly expressed hope that Harvard will ‘learn from’ Columbia’s approach. However, when this ends, it will set a national precedent for what real compliance looks like and whether elite institutions can be compelled to live up to the standards they claim to cherish. The Trend: Rebranding Without Reform At the same time, some institutions are not correcting course, rather their administrators are spending time and money relabeling it. Staff at two prominent universities in Tennessee were recently recorded acknowledging that their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs were rebranded to skirt enforcement. On Capitol Hill, a Senate hearing focused on the growing practice of swapping “DEI” for friendlier labels like “belonging” or “inclusive excellence,” without changing the underlying policies that have produced discrimination and ideological coercion. That’s not reform – it’s evasion. What Real Accountability Should Include If universities want public trust and federal funds then they should demonstrate measurable change. The New Tolerance Campaign recommends the following: Independent Monitoring with Teeth: Third‑party monitors must have access to records and authority to verify compliance, not just receive reports. Columbia’s model of having independent oversight and required reporting should be the floor, not the ceiling. Transparent Metrics: Publish quarterly data on antisemitic incidents, outcomes of investigations, and sanctions, alongside training content and complaint-resolution timelines. After all, the Trump Administration has already signaled to at least sixty higher education institutions that they expect sustained, documented progress in order for them to fulfill their obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect Jewish students on campus. End Compelled Speech & Political Litmus Tests: No student or employee should be forced to adopt ideological statements to enroll, be hired, or be promoted. This is where the ongoing strategy of ‘rebrand-to-evade’ must be confronted head-on. Equal Protection in Policy and Practice: Apply harassment and safety rules consistently — no double standards for virtue signalers, special interests, encampments, disruption, or threats based on viewpoint. The EEOC’s action at Columbia should be a warning that civil-rights laws still hold their weight. Independent Channels for Jewish Students and Faculty: Establish protected reporting lines and enforce zero-tolerance for targeted harassment, matched with due process for the accused. Recent cases show why both sides of that equation matter. Why This Matters Beyond the Ivy League Schools This isn’t just about Cambridge and Morningside Heights. Federal agencies have widened scrutiny across dozens of campuses, and statehouses are weighing how to protect free expression while ensuring compliance with civil rights. Universities cannot dodge responsibility through semantic games or linguistic restructuring. The status quo of performative tolerance and selective enforcement is collapsing under legal and public scrutiny alike. What You Can Do Today Tell your alma mater: No rebranding without reform. Demand published metrics and independent oversight. Report double standards you witness on campus: Send documentation to us so that we can investigate and, when necessary, mobilize campaigns. We even have a tipline on our website should you want to submit anonymously (click here). Share this blog: Share with parents, alumni, and trustees who expect better from institutions that receive taxpayer funds and philanthropic support. The New Tolerance Campaign was founded to call out hypocrisy and insist on equal standards. The Columbia agreement and the pressure on Harvard shows that accountability is possible – no matter how long it takes. Now we need to make it durable. While we will keep tracking these cases and spotlighting institutions that choose real reform over reputation management, if you have any evidence of rebranding to evade federal compliance or have any horror stories of antisemitism being tolerated or minimized on campus, contact us confidentially. We’re listening and we’re willing to take action!

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Del Monte’s Collapse: How ESG, DEI, and “Belonging” Couldn’t Save a 138-Year-Old Brand

On July 1, 2025, Del Monte Foods Inc., one of America’s most iconic food brands, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after 138 years in business. Once a household staple, Del Monte is now seeking protection from creditors as it desperately looks for a buyer to keep its legacy alive. But behind the mainstream media headlines about restructuring lies a deeper, more telling story: a corporate culture that traded business fundamentals for ideological activism. And now, the bill has come due. Del Monte’s collapse isn’t just about financial missteps, rather it’s a warning shot to every socially conscious brand or organization prioritizing performance theater over performance metrics. A Perfect Score… And a Perfect Disaster In the 2023–2024 business cycle, Del Monte proudly earned a perfect score (100/100) on the political left’s cherished “Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index,” recognizing the canned vegetable and fruit company’s LGBTQ+ workplace policies and extensive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Del Monte even issued a press release celebrating their recognition. To achieve this accolade, Del Monte doubled down on policies around “Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging” (DIB)—a rebranded form of DEI aimed at not just representation but identity-centered workplace restructuring. From equity training and internal affinity groups to executive-level DEI oversight, Del Monte placed social engineering at the heart of its longstanding brand. And yet, just months later, that same company is now filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and desperately searching for a buyer. Know Your Audience One of the top reasons cited by the media for Del Monte Foods’ struggles is that canned food has simply become less popular in the age of the foodie, and that stands to reason. Del Monte Foods is focused on canned and packaged produce, and is completely separate from Fresh Del Monte, which sells fresh items. But it makes Del Monte’s choices even more baffling. The small number of liberal elites who are impressed by DEI programs and HRC accolades are also the type who post farmers’ market selfies and wouldn’t be caught dead cooking with canned green beans. While Del Monte’s efforts may have earned them some points with investors, the substantial amounts of time and money they spent on these programs arguably did nothing to help sell their products. Del Monte appears to have forgotten who they were serving after all. The Disappearing ESG Page Lest you think this was all about principle for Del Monte, their efforts are already starting to disappear from view. Visit Del Monte’s website and scroll to the bottom. You won’t find a tab that highlights their commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG). However, if you click the “careers” tab and scroll down you’ll find a tab labeled “ESG”. Click it, and you’re greeted with a dead end. Although we reached out to company representatives and are awaiting their comment as to why this phenomenon occurs, this kind of digital vanishing act might not just be a glitch, but it could be symbolic. While the ESG tab is nowhere to be found on their homepage, and it mysteriously leads to nowhere from their “careers” page, a bit of digging reveals that Del Monte’s 2024 ESG Report and other similarly published green communications are still quietly housed under its “sustainability reports” section, buried a layer deeper and harder to find. And even from their main website, Del Monte’s current sustainability section hosted in a small rectangular box on their homepage doesn’t highlight their flagship environmental commitments that their President and CEO Greg Longstreet and ESG Senior Manager Molly Laverty once bragged about to the media. Instead, you have to scroll all the way to the bottom of the “sustainability” webpage and click the “sustainability reports” link in order to find their most recent ESG report and latest work toward their 2022 commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050. Why the sudden demotion of a once-celebrated pillar of their corporate identity? Perhaps it’s the recent change in political headwinds. Or perhaps it’s because when companies hit hard times, it’s often their ideological indulgences they try to scrub or conceal first, especially when those indulgences may have contributed to their storied downfall. Whatever the reason, their actions suggest calculation rather than principles. When Virtue Signaling Replaces Strategy According to Del Monte’s website, their purpose is to be “a leading producer, distributor and marketer of premium quality, primarily branded, plant-based packaged food products that are healthy, tasty, convenient and satisfy the needs of today’s consumers.” Moreover, the company’s stated core values are centered around what they call, “CHOICE,” or the enablement of “a collaborative and innovative culture that brings the best out of our teammates to achieve widespread success.” However, Del Monte’s focus over the last few years, if not longer, has shown that they decided to betray their own stated values in order to virtue signal rather than create greater value. Instead of focusing on core strengths like product innovation, supply chain resilience, or responding to evolving consumer preferences, Del Monte went all in on symbolic gestures. They pledged allegiance to ESG frameworks, sought top billing on DEI or DIB indexes, and used corporate resources to burnish a progressive public image, all while their financial health quietly deteriorated… until now. This is not to suggest that diversity or sustainability are inherently bad. But when these initiatives replace — and don’t supplement – sound business strategy, they become resource draining liabilities. At the end of the day, a perfect HRC, ESG, or DEI “score” didn’t save Del Monte Foods Inc. from a financial collapse. It may have even accelerated it. Now, when you visit the ESG page buried on the careers page, you get this fitting error page. “Oops!” indeed. Why the New Tolerance Campaign Is Watching At the New Tolerance Campaign, our mission is to demand accountability from institutions that preach one thing while practicing another. Del Monte Foods Inc. isn’t alone. Across America, we’re watching other socially conscious companies, Ivy League universities, and nonprofits race to check every progressive box—only to

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