DrWebNov 9

Understanding the Occupy Democrats Post on Facebook about the Kennedy Center – Perplexity & DrWeb – DWD Editorial

Editor’s Note: I had been following the Facebook group called “Occupy Democrats,” for some time. A post today in my timeline was surprising. I did read it. It was on point in many ways, but feels over the top, dramatized, inflamatory? Not a slam on the group; I was (my bad) unaware of its background (duh).
So I asked Perplexity to bring me up-to-speed, and this is the analysis of their post on the Kennedy Center. It notes they often post unsigned material, and no cited sources. I am not opposed to left wing political groups; nor am I opposed to progressive Democrats. I know now to remember: these posts have a “slant” and strong POV. That’s what free speech is all about. Good wishes to Occupy Democrats!
A lesson even for an old whizbanger from the old days like me. Verify. Verify. Verify. –DrWeb

Screenshot of the Occupy Democrats recent post, captured today (Nov 8, 2025).

Understanding the Occupy Democrats Post on the Kennedy Center

The above message circulating from Occupy Democrats appears to be written in the editorial style typical of the organization, which is known for publishing unsigned, inflammatory content without individual bylines.1 This explains why there’s no signature or author name on the post.2

About Occupy Democrats

Occupy Democrats is a left-wing Facebook page and media outlet founded in 2012 by twin brothers Rafael and Omar Rivero.1 The organization is designed to operate as a “counterbalance to the Republican Tea Party” and has grown to become one of the largest progressive political pages on Facebook with over 10 million followers.1 Their content is characterized by hyperpartisan messaging, clickbait headlines, and highly emotional language that frequently uses terms like “BREAKING” and emphasizes outrage.3

The Rivero brothers manage the page collectively and rarely sign individual posts, treating Occupy Democrats as a brand voice rather than attributing content to specific authors.2 This is standard practice for their operation—they publish unsigned content that represents the organization’s collective perspective rather than individual authorship.1

The Kennedy Center Situation

The substance of what Occupy Democrats posted is largely accurate based on reporting from legitimate news sources. The Washington National Opera is indeed considering leaving the Kennedy Center due to Trump’s February 2025 takeover of the institution.45 Key facts include:

  • Trump appointed himself chair of the Kennedy Center and installed Richard Grenell as president65
  • Ticket sales have plummeted by approximately 40%, with performances now at 60% capacity compared to 80-90% before Trump’s takeover45
  • Artistic Director Francesca Zambello did describe the building as “tainted” in interviews47
  • Donors have fled and sent angry messages to the opera company, with some comparing the situation to 1930s authoritarianism57

The New York Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post, and other mainstream outlets have all reported extensively on this crisis at the Kennedy Center.68 The Occupy Democrats post appears to be a highly dramatized synthesis of these legitimate news reports, repackaged in their signature inflammatory style.13

Works Cited

1. “Occupy Democrats.” Wikipedia, 20 Aug. 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupy_Democrats.

2. “Rafael Rivero.” Democracy Partners, https://democracypartners.com.

3. “Occupy Democrats Bias and Reliability.” Ad Fontes Media, 12 Aug. 2024, https://adfontesmedia.com.

4. “Washington National Opera Considers Exiting the Kennedy Center.” OperaWire, 7 Nov. 2025, https://operawire.com.

5. “Washington National Opera Considers Leaving Kennedy Center.” Evrim Ağacı, 8 Nov. 2025, https://evrimagaci.org.

6. “The Kennedy Center Crackup.” The New York Times, 7 Nov. 2025, https://nytimes.com.

7. “Washington National Opera Eyes Abandoning Kennedy Center amid Trump Takeover.” Raw Story, 8 Nov. 2025, https://rawstory.com.

8. “Kennedy Center Plagued with Dismal Ticket Sales as Patrons Stay Away.” Yahoo! News, 31 Oct. 2025, https://yahoo.com.

#DrWebEditorial #DWDEditorial #Facebook #FacebookGroup #JohnFKennedyCenterForThePerformingArts #LeftWing #OccupyDemocrats #Perplexity #Popular #Progressive #SignedPosts #SourcesCited #Verify

DrWebOct 25

Trump’s Unauthorized East Wing Demolition – A Special Report – October 24, 2025

Trump’s Unauthorized East Wing Demolition

Image generated by WP AI.

DrWeb Editorial:

I was afraid this might be long. So I’ll be brief.
Like the flickering TV and ads and social media posts and messages that fly by like so much dust in the wind (we used to call it a firehose). And in these times, (I have take to calling it Trump2.XKNGS) –some Americans accept the shutdown, some look away, some wait, some hesitate, some ignore. But, I go off on a tangent.
The sudden, complete destruction of American history, the complete East Wing –shows us much is wrong with American Democracy –our protections for it; our legal system for it; our states’ rights to their protections, in a federal system. We are weaker than I thought, less capable of fighting authoritarianism, corrupt and cruel leaders starting with Trump. We need to fix Democracy, too, after his failed administration fails, and he is gone.
Most Americans know that if One Man can do this, and worse, and kill “suspected” drug dealers in the Caribbean –he can do whatever he wants. That is not Democracy.
Oh, he and his broken circle will try to corrupt and disturb the 2025 November elections –trial run for Presidential election in 2028– so they will be monitored by the states and Democratic coverage.
This is an example of our failures –to modernize our government; to ensure protections exist for Trump-like attacks, balance the Supreme Court and enlarge it for balance, reduce Presidential authority over Congress 100%. We have a system with flaws, and GOP and Trump and ghost figures like Musk, Bannon, and Miller and the dark ones in the shadows, and we failed clearly to see Project 2025’s actions were not imaginary after all.
The East Wing Destruction (EWD) is a metaphor for all that’s wrong. In real time. We saw what HE seems to be allowed to do. Today (October 25), I see lawsuit is filed, perhaps more to follow. These are the darkest days of our nation and Democracy since the Nazis. We all allowed some of this darkness to descend. Let’s learn, pull on our asbestos suits, and fight like Hell for the nation WWII and since showed America’s strength. We need that strength now. –DrWeb

Top Ten Major Media Stories – The East Wing

  • BBC – “Satellite images show extent of demolition at the White House” (October 24, 2025)1
  • CBS News – “Where is debris from the White House East Wing demolition being taken?” (October 24, 2025)2
  • PBS NewsHour – “The East Wing of the White House has been demolished. Here’s a look at its history” (October 24, 2025)3
  • ABC News – “White House East Wing demolished, new images appear to show” (October 23, 2025)4
  • CNN – “See the White House’s East Wing demolition from satellite images” (October 23, 2025)5
  • NBC News – “White House’s East Wing demolition finished as Trump makes way for new ballroom” (October 23, 2025)6
  • CNN – “Why Trump’s sudden East Wing demolition is extraordinary” (October 22, 2025)7
  • Reuters – “White House East Wing will be torn down fully to make way for Trump ballroom” (October 22, 2025)8
  • The New York Times – “See the White House as It Stood and What Trump Envisions” (October 22, 2025)9
  • USA Today – “Trump exposed a ‘loophole’ to demolish the White House East Wing” (October 23, 2025)10

    • Best Five Images – Major Media

  • CNN Photo Gallery – “In pictures: Trump’s East Wing demolition” – Complete visual documentation of the demolition process11
  • Getty Images – “Trump To Demolish Entire East Wing” collection – 23 professional images12
  • ABC News Australia – Satellite imagery showing complete demolition13
  • PBS NewsHour – “PHOTOS: White House starts East Wing demolition”14
  • Yahoo News Canada – “Photos reveal shocking destruction of East Wing” – Ground-level destruction images15

    • What in World is Trump Doing Now?
    Why Would He Do This?

    The Trump administration’s stated rationale centers on a complaint –that no one made–about inadequate space for large-scale diplomatic functions16. Trump also argues –though again, no one said this anywhere–the federal government has lacked adequate space for large gatherings at the White House for 150 years16.
    It’s a home, a house, a symbol, a residence, a meeting space for small gatherings, the First Lady’s staff and space. The new 90,000-square-foot ballroom will accommodate nearly 1,000 guests, compared to the East Room’s 200-person capacity14.

    However, critics question the timing and priorities. The project costs an estimated $300 million during a government shutdown that has lasted nearly three weeks [as of 10/24/2025], halting most government expenditures16, including damaging Americans health care and food support.

    Christina Hurt, director of government ethics at Santa Clara University, questioned whether it’s “justifiable for an administration to embark on costly, primarily aesthetic projects while ordinary Americans are experiencing financial hardships and federal employees are going unpaid”16.

    –Christiana Hurt’s view

    The funding comes from private donations and corporations, including major defense contractor Lockheed Martin and tech giants like Amazon and Google16. Ethics experts warn this fundraising approach could foster corruption, with companies “clearly doing so to curry favor with the government,” according to Richard Painter, former chief ethics lawyer during George W. Bush’s administration16.

    Best Editorial Quotes – Suggested by Perplexity and approved

    “This encapsulates Trump’s presidency in a single image. Illegal, destructive, and not beneficial to you.”
    — Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)17

    “Oh you’re trying to say the cost of living is skyrocketing? Donald Trump can’t hear you over the sound of bulldozers demolishing a wing of the White House to build a new grand ballroom.”
    — Senator Elizabeth Warren18

    “I didn’t know draining the swamp meant Donald Trump building a $200 million ballroom for billionaires to bend the knee for special favors.”
    — Senator Elizabeth Warren19

    “The people’s house is basically being sold to the highest bidder. It is corruption at its core.”
    — Former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre20

    “The companies providing funds are clearly doing so to curry favor with the government and enhance their visibility among federal officials.”
    — Richard Painter, Corporate Law Professor and Former Ethics Lawyer16

    MLA Bibliography – Thanks Perplexity!

    1. BBC News. “Satellite Images Show Extent of Demolition at the White House.” BBC, 24 Oct. 2025, www.bbc.com/news/videos/c4gkrnn4892o.

    2. CBS News. “Where Is Debris from the White House East Wing Demolition Being Taken?” CBS News, 24 Oct. 2025, www.cbsnews.com/news/white-house-east-wing-demolition-debris/.

    3. PBS NewsHour. “The East Wing of the White House Has Been Demolished. Here’s a Look at Its History.” PBS, 24 Oct. 2025, www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/the-east-wing-of-the-white-house-has-been-demolished-heres-a-look-at-its-history.

    4. Hutzler, Alexandra, and Isabella Murray. “White House East Wing Demolished, New Images Appear to Show.” ABC News, 23 Oct. 2025, abcnews.go.com/Politics/new-images-show-entire-white-house-east-wing/story?id=126800684.

    5. CNN. “See the White House’s East Wing Demolition from Satellite Images.” CNN, 23 Oct. 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/10/23/us/east-wing-white-house-satellite-photos-invs.

    6. NBC News. “White House’s East Wing Demolition Finished as Trump Makes Way for New Ballroom.” NBC News, 23 Oct. 2025, www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/white-house-east-wing-demolished-new-ballroom-rcna239399.

    7. CNN. “Why Trump’s Sudden East Wing Demolition Is Extraordinary.” CNN, 22 Oct. 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/10/22/politics/white-house-east-wing-demolition-trump.

    8. Reuters. “White House East Wing Will Be Torn Down Fully to Make Way for Trump Ballroom.” Reuters, 22 Oct. 2025, www.reuters.com/world/us/white-house-east-wing-will-be-torn-down-fully-make-way-trump-ballroom-official-2025-10-22/.

    9. The New York Times. “See the White House as It Stood and What Trump Envisions.” The New York Times, 22 Oct. 2025, www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/10/22/us/politics/east-wing-trump-ballroom.html.

    10. USA Today. “Trump Exposed a ‘Loophole’ to Demolish the White House East Wing. Here’s What We Know.” USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025, www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/10/23/trump-white-house-east-wing-demolition-explained/86837471007/.

    11. CNN. “In Pictures: Trump’s East Wing Demolition.” CNN Politics, 22 Oct. 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/10/22/politics/gallery/east-wing-white-house-demolition.

    12. Getty Images. “Trump To Demolish Entire East Wing To Build White House Ballroom.” Getty Images, 2025, www.gettyimages.com/editorial-images/news/event/trump-to-demolish-entire-east-wing-to-build-white-house-ballroom/776405723.

    13. Allison, Charmayne. “Satellite Images Show the White House’s East Wing Has Been Demolished.” ABC News Australia, 24 Oct. 2025, www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-24/white-house-east-wing-demolished-trump-ballroom/105930582.

    14. Associated Press. “PHOTOS: White House Starts East Wing Demolition to Build Trump’s Ballroom.” PBS NewsHour, 21 Oct. 2025, www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/photos-white-house-starts-east-wing-demolition-to-build-trumps-ballroom.

    15. Yahoo News Canada. “Photos Reveal Shocking Destruction of East Wing as Crews Work to Build Trump’s $300M Ballroom.” Yahoo News, 22 Oct. 2025, ca.news.yahoo.com/photos-reveal-shocking-destruction-east-193833511.html.

    16. Deutsche Welle. “Trump’s White House Ballroom Sparks Criticism Amid Shutdown.” DW, 23 Oct. 2025, www.dw.com/en/trump-ballroom-project-white-house-renovations-shutdown/a-74478671.

    17. The New York Times. “The White House Wrecking Ball.” The New York Times, 22 Oct. 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/us/politics/trump-white-house-demolition.html.

    18. Benzinga. “Elizabeth Warren Says Trump Is Deaf To Cost Of Living ‘Over The Sound of Bulldozers.'” Benzinga, 21 Oct. 2025, www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/10/48320523/elizabeth-warren-says-trump-is-deaf-to-cost-of-living-over-the-sound-of-bulldozers-knocking-down-white-house-wing-for-new-grand-ballroom.

    19. QuiverQuant. “Press Release: Senator Elizabeth Warren Critiques Donald Trump’s $200 Million Ballroom for Billionaires.” QuiverQuant, 15 Oct. 2025, www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release:+Senator+Elizabeth+Warren+Critiques+Donald+Trump’s+$200+Million+Ballroom+for+Billionaires.

    20. Fox News. “Trump White House Ballroom Sparks Liberal Outrage Over Demolition.” Fox News, 24 Oct. 2025, www.foxnews.com/media/democrats-liberal-media-figures-fume-over-trump-demolishing-white-house-east-wing-ballroom.

    Additional Citations – Added October 25, 2025

    What’s Been Lost In Donald Trump’s Teardown Of The East Wing To Build A White House Ballroom – Analysis- https://deadline.com/2025/10/trump-white-house-east-wing-demolition-1236595980, October 23, 2025

    White House East Wing demolished, new images appear to show – https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/new-images-show-entire-white-house-east-wing/story?id=126800684 October 23, 2025

    The Daily, New York Times’ podcast, “The Trump administration completed its demolition of the East Wing of the White House on Thursday to make way for a new presidential ballroom” – https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/podcasts/the-daily/demolition-white-house-east-wing-ballroom.html October 24, 2025

    Google News – Lawsuit(s) East Wing – https://news.google.com/search?q=lawsuits%20east%20wing&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen October 25, 2025

    #2025 #America #Demolished #Demolition #Destroyed #DonaldTrump #DrWebEditorial #EastWing #Education #Health #History #Images #LawSuits #Libraries #Library #LibraryOfCongress #Opinion #PerplexityAI #Politics #Resistance #Science #SpecialReport #Trump #TrumpAdministration #UnitedStates #WhiteHouse