Blake Lively says she was harassed and then “buried” with a sophisticated smear campaign. Justin Baldoni says he’s actually the victim. But the fiercest battle isn’t unfolding in court - it’s playing out in the comments. In this episode, we explore how online narratives can flip from #MeToo solidarity to “victim fatigue,” how smear campaigns are manufactured and spread, and why figures like Candace Owens seize on moments like this to stoke the rage economy. From astroturfing to viral edits, we ask what these culture wars reveal about power, gender, and the precarious value of reputation in the internet age.
Clips featured in this episode:
Candace Owens on her YouTube channel, Ep 137
Sara Pascoe on High Performance Podcast, Ep 335
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