Where's Waldo at the DNC

Issue #266 | August 22, 2024

Yesterday, conservative YouTuber Matt Walsh — a.k.a. the least funny man to ever be inspired by Borat — was spotted at the hippest event of the year, the Democratic National Convention. Nevermind that none of those words make sense to me — not the part where the DNC is the hottest invite since Stefon stopped guesting on “Saturday Night Live,” not the part where this fool managed to slip into the locked-down guestlist looking like a pedophile, the exact same way his latest “mockumentary” “What is a Woman?” slipped into exactly one AMC theater to play before Elliot Page’s “Close to You” — nothing.

But congrats to Matt Walsh for being in some CNN coverage of the DNC, a place where everyone who’s anyone happened to be this week. Doesn’t make this rage-nerd a “Who’s Who” so much as a “What’s That?” but to a certain alt-right fanbase courted by Walsh and his director (whose IMDb is WILD, to put it lightly), this is sure to be a feather in his non-rainbow peacock’d plume. I imagine it’s the color of mud, but what do I know?

THE COMMENTS SECTION

“You know Matt Walsh? That frickin nut job that went around creating a bad faith transphobic documentary… well, the Democrats or whatever heard he was coming, so they set a trap for him. This whole convention is a trap.“
– X user Diana (@DGKMusic) on Matt Walsh being at the DNC.

Is this weird? Technically, we support creators of all stripes here at Passionfruit, and Walsh is, ostensibly *deep sigh with dramatic burp-gag effect* an “independent” creator. On the other hand, we’re also all about accountability and transparency up in this house, and anyone who has a movie with previews currently showing at AMC, skulking around like a little creepy weirdo in a too-obvious MAGA hat behind Chuck Schumer at the DNC while making approximately $100k a month in advertising revenue alone isn’t above reproach in our book.

So yes, this is deeply, deeply weird, anti-social behavior. And it sucks to see at the DNC, which Lon Harris writes in this week’s column, is nothing if not the Influencer Ball of 2024, where people were getting axed from speaking on the main stage just for being Palestinian. Not a great look guys. And you know what the Joker said, “Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you…Matt Walsh, basically.” (“The Dark Knight,” 2008)

– Drew Grant, Editorial Director

NOTED BY LON HARRIS

This Year’s DNC Is the ‘Influencer Convention’

But what does that really mean?

By Lon Harris, Passionfruit Contributor

→ READ THE FULL STORY

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IN THE BIZ

YouTube’s automated “Made For Kids” labeling is causing creators to lose ad revenue and appeal options.
YouTube is expanding its partnership with Shopify, allowing more creators to earn through affiliate videos and access new shopping features.
Twitch’s new guidelines for music in streams are causing concern among rhythm gamers who fear their content may be penalized.
Twitch is increasing the price of Tier 1 mobile subscriptions in over 40 countries, causing concern among smaller creators on the platform.

PERSONALITIES

Goodbye Spotify: ‘Call Her Daddy’ Signs Exclusive Deal with SiriusXM

‘The Daddy Gang wants more, so we’re getting ready to give them more.’

By Charlotte Colombo, Passionfruit Contributor

READ THE FULL STORY →

CULTURE

How the Success of Action Game ‘Black Myth Wukong’ Got Overshadowed by Its Controversies

Creators who received early access were banned from talking about ‘feminist propaganda’ and COVID.

By Steven Asarch, Passionfruit Contributor

READ THE FULL STORY →

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

This teaser for Donald Duck doing Hot Ones this week has people questioning if there will be possible cannibalism.
Producer Ron Fair breaking down his production on Vanessa Carlton’s song “A Thousand Miles” was fascinating.
This TikToker had an unexpected visitor making wild accusations while doing a house cleaning.
Internet Anarchist took a look at how Coffeezilla exposed the scam that they call YouTube’s worst sponsor.