روما بت
ماه بت
پین باهیس
بهترین سایت شرط بندی
بت کارت
یاس بت
یک بت
مگاپاری
اونجا بت
alvinbet.org
بت برو
بت فا
بت فوروارد
وان ایکس بت
1win giriş
بت وینر
بهترین سایت شرط بندی ایرانی
1xbet giriş
وان کیک بت
وین بت
ریتزو بت
1xbet-ir.com.co/
https://www.symbaloo.com/mix/paperiounblocked2?lang=EN https://www.symbaloo.com/mix/agariounblockedschool1?lang=EN https://yohoho-io.app/ https://2.yohoho-io.net/paper.io unblocked https://www.symbaloo.com/mix/yohoho-unblocked-76?lang=EN https://www.symbaloo.com/mix/agariounblockedpvp https://www.symbaloo.com/mix/yohoho?lang=EN
HomeNewsFrom TikTok to Taking on the CIA: The Resurgence of Cutting Political...

From TikTok to Taking on the CIA: The Resurgence of Cutting Political Comedy with James Rehwald

Published on

In this day and age, it can sometimes feel like satire is dead. This is doubly true if one turns on a television to watch what passes for it. Yet genuinely sharp, cutting political comedy is enjoying a renaissance on platforms like TikTok, as young comedians who otherwise would not get a shot are stepping up to the plate.

Today, MintPress speaks to James Rehwald. Thanks to his innovative comedy and razor-sharp wit, James has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers across social media platforms, his viral, darkly satirical videos having been seen by tens of millions of people worldwide.

Unlike many partisan satirists, James constantly takes aim at the entire power structure to produce explicitly anti-imperialist, radical shorts that cut deep. A frequent target of his is the CIA. The CIA are basically gangsters for American capitalism,” he told “MintCast” host Alan MacLeod today, referencing their history of gunrunning and drug smuggling. “I love the new CIA ads. They really lean into identity politics. It feels like satire is dead when I watch their videos. It’s like ‘you too can join the imperialist project, toppling governments!’’ he added.

James also spoke about how he got into comedy. Growing up in a conservative household, “The Colbert Report” was a favorite of his. “Just seeing somebody do a satirical mock of the right-wing pundits that I grew up around was genius. But then, of course, it is sad when you see a lot of these guys who don’t point the target at Democrats. There’s no criticism from the left, except from the very obvious ones,” he said.

Liberals and liberalism is another primary target of James’ content. But, he said, he treads a fine line, not wishing to be seen as a partisan hack and wanting to explicitly note that both parties are part of the same war machine.

Fundraiser

“I always feel this pressure when I am making fun of liberals or Democrats in my videos that I gotta, in the same sentence, make fun of Republicans, just to let them know that you are [also] part of this problem!” he said.

“[I’m] just trying to make the type of comedy I wish I could see on TV,” he added.

Unfortunately, despite his extraordinary success and growth and his eye-popping viewership numbers, it is unlikely that TV channels will be calling his phone number any time soon. Referencing the handful of conglomerates that control mainstream media, James notes that, “These are big corporations that have their own interests, as well as advertisers that they need to make sure they’re creating a media environment that is conducive to their profits.” That essentially means criticism of the powerful and the structure of society is off limits. This certainly includes the CIA, the U.S. military, or corporate America, James’ primary targets. As he said:

Their whole model is built on ad revenue. They have to maintain relationships, as broadcasters, with advertisers. And the ones that can spend the most are the biggest companies. And you have everybody from fossil fuels, to insurance companies to whatever. The largest corporations keep these channels afloat, and they gotta play a delicate balance and not ruffle their feathers.”Still, that only leaves the lane even more free for comedians like James to make a name for themselves on social media.

Make sure you check out this hilarious new episode of “The MintCast.”

MintPress has also launched its annual funding drive. Faced with algorithmic censorship, arrests, financial sanctions and more, it is crucial that our readers and viewers support us. If you are in a financial position to do so, please consider supporting our work. We can only do it with you and can’t do it without you.

MintPress News is a fiercely independent media company. You can support us by becoming a member on Patreon, bookmarking and whitelisting us, and subscribing to our social media channels, including Twitch, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.

Subscribe to MintCast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and SoundCloud.

Also, be sure to check out rapper Lowkey’s video interview/podcast series, The Watchdog.

Alan MacLeod is Senior Staff Writer for MintPress News. After completing his PhD in 2017 he published two books: Bad News From Venezuela: Twenty Years of Fake News and Misreporting and Propaganda in the Information Age: Still Manufacturing Consent, as well as a number of academic articles. He has also contributed to FAIR.orgThe GuardianSalonThe GrayzoneJacobin Magazine, and Common Dreams.

The post From TikTok to Taking on the CIA: The Resurgence of Cutting Political Comedy with James Rehwald appeared first on MintPress News.

Latest articles

Famine in Gaza – What could be done

The horrific famine that the Israel Occupation Forces has imposed on Gaza is world news. The IOF has cut off all deliveries of any food or medicine to Gaza for nearly three months.  The Madleen, carrying aid from Italy to Gaza, with activists from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, June 2, 2025. (Photo Credit: Credit: Middle…

People’s power frees Lewelyn “Aunty Lynn” Dixon from ICE detention

Home » Im/migrants and Refugees » People’s power frees Lewelyn “Aunty Lynn” Dixon from ICE detention After three months of community and union protests, Lewelyn Dixon, a migrant worker from the Philippines and a Service Employees International Union (SEIU) member, was finally allowed to walk out of the Northwest Immigration and Customs Enforcement Processing Center…

Students deepen resistance for Palestine

Home » Editorials » Students deepen resistance for Palestine At this year’s graduation ceremonies in New York City, there was no business as usual. Students at Brooklyn College accepted their diplomas while carrying pro-Palestine flags and wearing keffiyehs; at Columbia University students and alumni burned diplomas; at Hunter College and at City College police attacked…

Palestinian Resistance condemns Israeli military massacre of starving Gazans

Home » Racism and Self-Determination » Palestinian Resistance condemns Israeli military massacre of starving Gazans The following excerpts of statements made by Palestinian Resistance factions was published by Resistance News Network on June 1, 2025: Palestinians mourn at a Rafah hospital after the Israeli military massacred over 30 people seeking food at an aid center…

More like this

Famine in Gaza – What could be done

The horrific famine that the Israel Occupation Forces has imposed on Gaza is world news. The IOF has cut off all deliveries of any food or medicine to Gaza for nearly three months.  The Madleen, carrying aid from Italy to Gaza, with activists from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, June 2, 2025. (Photo Credit: Credit: Middle…

People’s power frees Lewelyn “Aunty Lynn” Dixon from ICE detention

Home » Im/migrants and Refugees » People’s power frees Lewelyn “Aunty Lynn” Dixon from ICE detention After three months of community and union protests, Lewelyn Dixon, a migrant worker from the Philippines and a Service Employees International Union (SEIU) member, was finally allowed to walk out of the Northwest Immigration and Customs Enforcement Processing Center…

Students deepen resistance for Palestine

Home » Editorials » Students deepen resistance for Palestine At this year’s graduation ceremonies in New York City, there was no business as usual. Students at Brooklyn College accepted their diplomas while carrying pro-Palestine flags and wearing keffiyehs; at Columbia University students and alumni burned diplomas; at Hunter College and at City College police attacked…