Fascism Looks Like This with @The Dark Left

This week on Branding Democrats, we sit down with Essy, better known online as @TheDarkLeft — a progressive creator and Substack writer who’s built a massive following by cutting through right-wing spin with clarity and conviction.

In this episode, we unpack how modern fascism doesn’t look like tanks in the streets. It looks like what we’re living through right now: a president weaponizing government shutdowns, silencing critics through intimidation, and flooding the media ecosystem with disinformation.

Essy shares how his platform became an outlet for millions who felt unseen on the left, and why the Democratic Party’s messaging often struggles to match the right’s emotional punch. The conversation dives into how the GOP reframes lies into viral talking points, why mainstream media still hesitates to call out authoritarian behavior directly, and what Democrats must do differently.

To hear more from Essy, find him on TikTok, Instagram, and Substack: @The Dark Left

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