Dan Bongino, Fox, and the Rise of Right-Wing Influence in America

1. The Departure from Fox and the Rise of Rumble

Dan Bongino, a prominent right-wing commentator and conspiracy theorist, parted ways with Fox News in 2023, reportedly over a contract dispute. However, his influence did not wane; instead, he continued to grow his reach on Rumble, a right-wing video platform where he holds a significant financial stake. Rumble has become a haven for controversial figures such as Steve Bannon, Andrew Tate, and Nick Fuentes, all of whom espouse extremist views. Bongino’s presence on this platform solidifies his role as a key figure in the right-wing media ecosystem, allowing him to spread his ideas to a dedicated audience. His ability to monetize his influence through Rumble has further entrenched his position as a powerful voice in conservative circles.

2. Bongino as a Conduit Between the Fringe and the Mainstream

Angelo Carusone, president of Media Matters for America, highlights Bongino’s unique role as a bridge between the fringes of the right-wing internet and the highest levels of power. Even among the numerous right-wing figures who have populated Trump’s administration, Bongino stands out for his ability to bring conspiracy theories and baseless claims into the mainstream. His proximity to power makes him a dangerous figure, as he is now in a position to turn wild, unfounded notions from the far-right internet into pretexts for federal investigations. For instance, before Trump’s inauguration, Bongino claimed that the FBI was hiding a massive fake assassination plot to discredit questions about the 2020 election. Such baseless accusations demonstrate how Bongino could weaponize conspiracy theories to harassment and political vendettas.

3. The Erosion of Democratic Norms and the Rise of Totalitarian Tendencies

Contemplating Bongino’s ascension, it is impossible to ignore the eerie parallels to Hannah Arendt’s classic work, The Origins of Totalitarianism. Arendt’s warning that totalitarian regimes replace competent leaders with “crackpots and fools” whose loyalty is secured by their lack of intelligence and creativity is keenly relevant. Trump’s administration, rather than seeking a sophisticated ideologue to reshape the FBI, chose Bongino for his fiery, unpredictable, and deeply partisan approach. This reflects a broader trend in the Trumpist movement: a preference for loyalty over merit, and a disdain for the intellectual and moral standards that underpin democratic governance.

4. The Trump Administration’s Assault on Meritocracy and the Celebration of Mediocrity

The Trump administration often claims to champion merit-based hiring, blaming diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives for undermining excellence. Yet, this rhetoric is deeply disingenuous. Trumpists have consistently shown a preference for appointing individuals who share their partisan zeal over those with genuine expertise. This is symptomatic of a deeper cultural shift described by Arendt: a spirit of corrosive cynicism and nihilistic glee at the inversion of old standards. The Trump administration delights in scandalizing the meritocracy that it feels has wronged it, embracing cruelty, disregard for human values, and amorality as a form of revolutionary defiance.

5. The Uncanny Interregnum: Liberal Democracy on the Brink

We are living in a surreal moment where Trump and his allies are actively laying the groundwork for autocracy, yet their power remains incomplete. The liberal democratic system that most Americans have taken for granted is increasingly fragile, teetering on the brink of collapse. While its fall still feels almost unthinkable, it also seems alarmingly inevitable. This sense of unease has left many Democrats frozen in response, unable to mount an effective resistance. For those who have spent their lives working within the system of laws and civic institutions, the prospect of its failure is daunting. Yet, the specter of an FBI run by figures like Bongino and Kash Patel—a man with ties to Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election—serves as a stark reminder that the system is indeed falling apart.

6. The Danger of an FBI Weaponized for Political Ends

The notion of an FBI run by Bongino and Patel is deeply unsettling. While the agency has long been a flawed institution, it has historically provided a measure of stability and impartiality that is rare in global history. If the FBI becomes a tool of political repression, as Bongino and his allies seem intent on making it, the consequences for American democracy could be catastrophic. The FBI’s transformation into a partisan weapon would mark a significant step toward autocracy, eroding the last vestiges of trust in the institutions that underpin American democracy. For now, we remain in a state of uncertainty, grappling with the knowledge that the system we once trusted to hold the line against authoritarianism is rapidly unraveling before our eyes.