I’m going to tell it to you straight, friend: if you haven’t noticed how noisy and confusing our world can be right now, you probably haven’t opened a social media app in a while. Because everywhere you turn, there’s a new wildfire—online and off—sparked by influencers, politics, corporations, athletes, and the chaos of change.
Here’s the thing: you don’t have to get swept up in it. In fact, these moments are golden opportunities to double down on your personal integrity, to anchor into what’s real, and to get smarter about who has your attention.
Related Podcast Episode:
From Public Outrage To Social Media Scandals: Who’s Driving The Narrative
Here’s how I see it: Reading between the lines of our headlines, memes, and viral videos isn’t just a survival tactic. It’s self-respect in action. I want to break down what’s happening out there—and more importantly, invite you to get real quiet so you can hear your own voice above the noise. Let’s dive in.
The Trump & Elon Saga: When “Drama” Isn’t Just for TV
Everybody loves a good celebrity feud—until it starts dividing friends, weaponizing facts, and rewiring our beliefs in the process. Take the latest rerun between Elon Musk and Donald Trump, two of social media’s most notorious disruptors: they have a public spat, the rumor mill spirals, and then there’s a “reconciliation.”
But this isn’t just gossip; it’s a masterclass in how powerful figures manipulate narratives for their own benefit.
Let’s get honest. Am I suspicious when egos this big clash in the public eye? Absolutely. And when Elon showed up with a black eye and started spinning stories about Trump and the Epstein files, I knew we were in for a wild ride. Was this wrestling with his son—like he claimed?
Or was it some coded nod to conspiracy circles? Here’s what I know for sure: people save receipts. If you’re an influencer or an average Jane like me, you have to be vigilant about what you say online—because half-truths, out-of-context rumors, and speculative posts can explode into something you never intended.
Here’s my honest take:
- If Trump actually appeared in any damning Epstein files, the Democrats would have ensured those details came to light long ago. It’s not like they’re lacking motivation.
- The argument that both political sides are protecting their own with strategic silences doesn’t add up when you consider their open disdain and increasingly desperate tactics.
- In today’s world, people forget that deleted tweets live on. Screenshots travel faster than apologies, and context is everything.
The real lesson here? Be careful what you post when you’re emotional, even if you’re a billionaire genius. Social media is the new court of public opinion, and it’s ruthless with half-truths and receipts. Let’s not be manipulated by every orchestrated spat between public figures—it’s often just a distraction from what really matters.
Social Media & Influence: How Misinformation Goes Viral
Before you “like” or share, ask yourself: Is this accurate? Is it full context? Social media algorithms are designed to amp up drama, not wisdom. And it’s easy for phony narratives to take root and go viral. I saw this firsthand when I stumbled across a post accusing J.D. Vance of “deafening silence” during the Trump-Elon drama.
The reality? He’d spoken at length about his support—but the misinformation traveled faster than the truth.
Why do we fall for it? Because it’s juicy and addictive—it gives us a hit of that “insider” feeling, even if it warps reality. Influencers often stir the pot, and sometimes even delete or curate comments to maintain a certain brand or narrative.
Here are the warning signs to watch for:
- Fabricated Drama: People creating beef or controversy where none actually exists.
- Partial Stories: Skipping the full context or conveniently ignoring contradictory facts.
- Echo Chambers: Posts and comments that reinforce a single view, deleting dissent or alternative perspectives.
- Algorithmic Bias: Content getting promoted because it’s inflammatory, not because it’s true.
Don’t become a digital pawn in someone else’s publicity machine. Check your facts, do your research, and don’t mistake attention for accuracy.
Simone Biles, Athletic Integrity & Why “Inclusivity” is Complicated
Simone Biles is an icon—no arguments here. Her work ethic, her achievements, her sheer power in gymnastics: outstanding. So I was floored to see her publicly challenge Riley Gaines, an activist who is fiercely advocating for female-only sports. When Biles sided with transgender athletes competing in female sports, critics pounced—myself included.
It’s not about being anti-anybody. It’s about recognizing biological and social realities. Creating a separate transgender category in sports? It’s a lovely thought, but practically impossible with such tiny numbers.
You can’t fill teams, and you can’t pretend that sex differences don’t make a competitive difference—science and experience both prove otherwise. Here’s the wound: when icons champion inclusivity at the cost of fairness, they risk sending the message to millions of little girls that their commitment and effort don’t matter. And that’s not just tone deaf—it’s crushing.
What’s happening here?
Let’s break down why this hit such a nerve:
- Biles suggested creating a separate athletic category for transgender athletes—without even recognizing how statistically impossible it would be to field entire teams from such a minuscule population.
- Her stance utterly disregarded the real, lived experiences of women like Riley, who not only compete but are exposed to uncomfortable—and, frankly, unfair—circumstances in locker rooms and arenas.
- Biles, who has championed body positivity and mental health after her own struggles with criticism, ironically hurled insults at another woman for her physique and activism.
Why Biles’ Position Misses the Mark
- Biology matters in sports: Physical advantages aren’t erased by feelings or politics.
- The system currently fails to protect female athletes: From medals to scholarships, opportunities are lost when we ignore physiological realities.
- Dismissing legitimate concerns as “bullying” is a gaslighting tactic that shuts down real dialogue.
- Proposals for separate categories for trans athletes are logistically and financially unworkable, given the tiny numbers involved.
- The social pressure on female athletes to “accept” losses to biological males is eroding the spirit of fairness that women fought for in sport.
Ultimately, this isn’t about hate, exclusion, or ideology. It’s about the future of girls who train their hearts out for a fair shot—only to be told their efforts don’t matter when the rules change mid-game.
Biles’ take is a wake-up call about how influential figures can sometimes miss the forest for the trees, especially when peer pressure and virtue signaling overwhelm critical thinking.
Commercial Pandering: The Truth About Big Brands & Your Identity
As if the controversies in the sports and political world weren’t enough, Los Angeles erupted—again—with fiery “protests” that defy any claim to peaceful assembly. Let’s not kid ourselves: when businesses are set ablaze, police attacked, and city infrastructure destroyed, we’re way past first amendment rights and deep into anarchy.
The Underlying Dynamics:
- Waves of frustrated, but often well-intentioned immigrants are being overshadowed by the violent, organized minority stirring chaos.
- People with real grievances—those who’ve worked hard for their green cards—are understandably fed up as others try to shortcut the process.
- The proliferation of masked agitators looting and damaging property isn’t a sign of principled activism but cowardice and opportunism.
- Stashes of bricks and rocks appearing out of nowhere? Feels manufactured—shades of 2020 “Soros vibes” all over again.
It’s important to recognize:
- True peaceful protest requires showing your face and accepting the consequences for your convictions. Masks signal fear, sometimes criminal intent, or at least a lack of commitment to the cause.
- Social media and influencer-driven narratives can minimize or romanticize the destruction, when, in reality, communities—especially minority and working-class ones—suffer most.
- The pattern of weaponizing outrage feels orchestrated, designed to pit us against each other for political gain. “United we stand” is a slogan for a reason, and the powers-that-be profit from every distraction and division.
The hard truth about corporate “values:”
Every June, I see it. Pride rainbow flags one year, patriotic stars and stripes the next. When Target stops pushing Pride merchandise but launches a “Patriot” section, don’t be fooled. These are marketing decisions, not moral stands.
Big brands don’t care about identity politics; they care about profit. They’ll chase whichever demographic delivers the dollars.
- They do not care about you, your identity, or your cause.
- Every campaign is designed to maximize profit, not advance rights or equality.
- Division is useful for commerce—it creates new products, collectives, hashtags, and “must-have” merchandise.
- When you see companies shifting gears with every news cycle, know they’re chasing trends, not taking principled stands.
So whether you’re grabbing rainbow socks or stars-and-stripes sweatshirts, do it for you—not because a corporation “supports” you. Their only loyalty is to their bottom line.
MLMs, Influencers & the Power of Doing It Your Way
Let’s really get honest: Network Marketing (MLM) is making headlines again for its “incestuous” movement of leaders and customer lists. In the latest shakeup, Modere and Shacklee have joined forces, distributing former reps’ entire customer bases to new leaders in the new company.
Some people are cheering—more money, more sales! But what you’re not seeing are the people who poured years of work into building genuine relationships, only to see their contacts handed over to strangers.
I know from personal experience: MLMs can look glamorous from the outside, with exotic trips, shiny cars, and leaders celebrating “community.” But the truth is, the system is designed for the 1%.
If you’re in, you have to fight daily not to get roped into behaviors you’d never want to see in your own kids: preying on someone else’s followers, chasing the next hot trend, and buying into get-rich-quick illusions. It’s exhausting, and the ROI—time, money, sanity—just isn’t there.
What to Beware of in the Influencer Economy:
- Shameless copycat marketing: If every other post starts with “It’s been a wild few weeks, just when you think the plot twists are over …”, run the other way.
- Recycled customers, not earned relationships: True loyalty can’t be inherited, bought, or stolen—it’s earned.
- Monetization over meaning: Whether it’s a sleep training account suddenly going political or MLM reps “pity-poaching” on old posts, the motive is always the same: your money and attention.
- “Authenticity” that disappears when real questions are asked: Many big accounts delete dissent, ignore feedback, or ban users who challenge the script.
- Endless pivots: When one revenue stream dries up, the top cats are onto the next shiny scheme, often leaving their followers—and the “average Joes” in their downlines—holding the bag.
What I’ve learned (and what I want you to know):
- Money isn’t meaning. You can’t build a meaningful, sustainable income on other people’s turf—especially not in a system that rewards the top at the expense of the bottom.
- Your time is precious. If you’re looking to earn online, choose paths—like UGC, shoppable videos, or real content creation—that pay for your creativity, not your ability to recruit.
- Do it for YOU. Social media isn’t reality. Don’t fall for the highlight reel. Find work that highlights YOUR strengths, not someone else’s idea of success.
- Influence is responsibility. Whether you have a hundred followers or a hundred thousand, your integrity and voice matter. Don’t sell out for a quick buck or viral fame.
This world can be a tornado of noise, conflict, and division. But you have the power to unplug from the drama, raise your standards, and get real about the work that actually fulfills you.
Stay vigilant with your energy, your dollars, and your attention. Don’t hand it over to billionaires, brands, or “influencers” who don’t have your best interests at heart.
Every week, I see more evidence that we live in times designed for distraction and division. Whether it’s celebrity drama, riots parading as protests, influencers showing their true colors, or MLMs pulling new tricks, the goal so often seems to be to keep us divided and off-balance. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
The more we demand honesty—in business, sports, politics, and our own lives—the stronger, freer, and more united we become.
Because at the end of the day, the only real certainty is this: If you know, you know… and if you don’t, well, it’s time to wake up.
Your voice is your superpower—use it wisely, protect it fiercely, and make sure every choice you make leads you back to yourself.
You got this.
