Stopping the Steal

This show shows even more so why people think Trumpers are a cult! They have no idea what to do or think unless their leader tells them. You guys blindly follow your leader regardless of what he does or says. He's done everything but kill someone in broad daylight and even then they would excuse it. No matter how many lies, disinformation or conspiracy theories with no facts he told, it doesn't matter to these people, they still follow and believed every word out of his mouth like it was gospel. They always say he didn't say it, and if he did say it then he didn't mean it, and if he did mean it then it's hey look at Kamala Harris or Joe Biden. The twice impeached felon Trump was a pathologically lying narcissistic who exploited democracy and the people.

The amazing effort Dan Reed put into this project is surpassed only by his brilliant result. It's the trial America has been needing. A verdict is soon to be rendered and this film will most certainly ensure a better outcome. Stopping the Steal was so engaging it was easy to lose sight of one's own perceptions and convictions; although, some extra name tags would have helped my brain recall all the players. The interview with Rusty Bowers stole the show and was especially inspiring. Of course, re-living Rudy Giuliani's drippage just made me lose my snot. In the end, it wasn't about presenting evidence, it was about revealing intent. Mr. Reed did the job well. Remaining denyers will either have to step out of their echo chambers and seek a new master, or find even more emotions to persuade with, because all reason has now been exhausted.

Anyone can make a film where they embolden confirmation bias by interviewing people and presenting evidence that only supports their own position. That is part of the disease of today's social media culture. The strength of this film is that it presents a hypothesis-that Donald Trump knew he lost the election, and there was no evidence to support it and proceeded anyway, from the position of pre-Trump supporters, State Officials, and Washington insiders. These people all wanted Trump to win, but they believed in truth more, The film shows how they were systemically targeted and vilified as they could not find any viable evidence to support the outrageous allegations made by the President's election team. It really is heart-wrenching to watch. Mike Pence, whom I was never a fan of, is a hero. He is a hero, for not only not overturning the election, but, as you will see, by not abandoning The Capitol while under siege, as he could have. This is a must watch.

I was hesitant to watch Stopping the Steal because I already knew how crooked the attempts to overturn the results of the election were. The likely outcome of my viewing, I thought, would only be further agitation at how many people bought the lies and took their displeasure to violent extremes. But I loved it and actually felt encouraged after watching it because A) it's very well done and B) I forgot and was partly unaware of how many heroes stepped up (Republicans, mind you) to ensure the election results were secure and ultimately honored. The makers went to the trouble of including a few Trump diehards who are still not convinced of the validity of the results, but their participation really just served as a reminder that there's still a range of opinions out there (regardless of how rational they may or may not be). People should know the names of the individuals who disregarded any sense of party allegiance in favor of allegiance to the process that makes America great--yes, already great.

Stopping the Steal is a gripping documentary that exposes the dangerous consequences of lies and manipulation in American politics. The film takes an unflinching look at the insidious "Stop the Steal" movement, spearheaded by none other than Donald Trump, a man who has shown a complete disregard for truth, democracy, and the American people.

What makes this film so compelling is how it meticulously unpacks the events that followed the 2020 presidential election. It showcases how Trump's baseless claims of a rigged election were not only detached from reality but also a cynical ploy to cling to power. Watching his supporters-misled, emboldened, and manipulated-unfolds like a slow-motion train wreck, but the real tragedy is the damage done to the nation's democratic fabric. Trump, a man whose ego apparently outweighs any concern for the country, comes off as nothing more than a sore loser who weaponized lies for personal gain. His rhetoric has inflicted irreparable harm on trust in American institutions, leaving a trail of division, chaos, and violence.

What elevates this film beyond mere documentation of events is its careful dissection of how Trump's narcissism fueled the entire movement. His refusal to accept responsibility is shocking but unsurprising. Stopping the Steal expertly captures his ability to exploit fear and stoke the flames of division-something he has been doing throughout his entire career.

While the subject matter is disturbing, the filmmakers deserve immense credit for their sharp narrative and focus on the facts, driving home how easily the fragile nature of democracy can be shaken when leaders like Trump act without integrity or accountability.

The only reason it's not a perfect 10 is that I wish they had gone even further in highlighting the ongoing repercussions of Trump's actions. The stain he's left on American politics, unfortunately, goes far beyond January 6th.

In short, this is a must-watch for anyone who values truth and democracy, and a sobering reminder of what can happen when a man like Trump is given power.