She exposed the dark side of liberalism.
Ana Kasparian, co-host of “The Young Turks,” opened up about her decision to distance herself from the Democratic Party during an appearance on Jillian Michaels’ “Keeping It Real” podcast. Kasparian explained that over the past few years, she has felt “politically homeless,” particularly due to what she perceives as an increasing intolerance for debate and a tendency to embrace policies that are soft on crime, which she believes have harmful societal consequences.
She also criticized the growing trend on the left of vilifying and dehumanizing people with differing opinions. Kasparian admitted that she used to believe she couldn’t be friends with conservatives or Trump supporters, but her views shifted after experiencing personal attacks from liberals. A significant turning point for her came when she was publicly criticized for sharing her fear of leaving her home following a sexual assault by a homeless man. She recounted receiving harsh messages accusing her of being insensitive towards the homeless community, despite never mentioning the race of her attacker, who was white. This experience led her to question the assumptions and blind spots within the liberal circles she once aligned with.
Kasparian also expressed frustration with what she described as a “defeatist mentality” towards minorities within the Democratic Party. She reflected on her own upbringing by parents who taught her to be self-reliant and seize opportunities, contrasting that with the party’s messaging, which she felt often infantilizes people of color. She was particularly upset by an example of a Los Angeles school district canceling its honors program due to a lack of Hispanic representation, arguing that this approach removes opportunities rather than addressing the root issues in education.
Both Kasparian and Michaels discussed how they have seen their home state of California change over time, with Michaels citing the state’s policies on crime, homelessness, and other issues as the reasons she left for Miami. They criticized the far-left’s stance on issues such as the “fat-acceptance” movement and what they described as a reluctance to encourage self-improvement, even when people’s health is at risk.
As Kasparian shared her evolving views, she emphasized the importance of accountability and self-growth, lamenting how certain ideologies seemed to stifle that message. “We should celebrate people who want to better themselves,” she said, a sentiment echoed throughout their conversation.
