Overview of It Was Literally Made Up (Ep. 2526)
Dan Bongino’s episode centers on a forceful argument that the Russia collusion narrative was entirely fabricated, not merely exaggerated, and that the fallout from years of institutional deceit has helped fuel the public’s deep distrust of government, media, and other major institutions. He uses clips from Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Axios, a Michigan Senate debate, and a New Jersey ICE-facility protest to argue that the modern Democratic Party has become increasingly radical, strategically reliant on chaos, and unwilling to self-correct.
Russia Hoax: “Literally Made Up”
Bongino spends much of the episode revisiting the Russia-collusion investigation, saying:
- There was never any real underlying Russia conspiracy.
- The case was manufactured by officials inside the FBI/DOJ and amplified by the media.
- His old “shocked to my core” post from his FBI days came after he read a classified document he says confirmed how baseless the hoax was.
He plays a clip of Todd Blanche on Sean Hannity’s podcast, where Blanche says the Russia narrative was “literally made up.” Bongino treats that as validation of his long-running claim that the Trump-Russia story was a total fabrication and that people involved should apologize.
Core takeaway
Bongino argues the scandal was not “a little something blown out of proportion,” but a complete invention used to justify a broader weaponization of government against Trump and his supporters.
Trust Collapse and Public “Doomerism”
Bongino uses an Axios piece about a “rattled generation” to make a broader point about why so many Americans feel pessimistic despite historically strong objective conditions.
He highlights that, even according to non-conservative sources:
- Americans are wealthier, safer, and living longer than in any previous era.
- Violent crime is down.
- Energy production is at record levels.
- Consumer sentiment and institutional trust are still at historic lows.
His explanation:
- People no longer trust government, media, science, higher education, or religion.
- That collapse in credibility is largely the result of years of lies, radicalism, and institutional abuse—especially on the left.
The Democratic Party, Radicalism, and the Filibuster
A major theme is Bongino’s warning that Democrats will eliminate the Senate filibuster if they regain enough power.
He points to:
- A Michigan Senate debate where Democratic candidates openly call for abolishing the filibuster.
- Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema as the only Democrats who helped block prior attempts to do so.
- The fact that Manchin and Sinema are no longer in the Senate, removing the main institutional brake.
Bongino’s argument
If Democrats get to 51 Senate seats, he believes:
- The filibuster will be scrapped.
- Court-packing and statehood for D.C./Puerto Rico could follow.
- The justification will be framed as fighting “racism” or fighting Trump.
He says Republicans must take this threat seriously now, not after the fact.
Democrats and the Politics of Chaos
Bongino argues that many Democratic leaders and activists are drawn to chaos because they are “revolutionaries” at heart. He frames riots, anti-ICE protests, and street disorder as part of a broader strategy that fails politically over time.
Examples he cites:
- The unrest around the ICE facility in Newark, New Jersey.
- Protesters starting fires and clashing with police.
- Democratic officials being slow or unwilling to shut it down.
He says the party keeps making the same mistake:
- Tolerating disorder
- Excusing violence
- Refusing to prioritize law and order
Historical example: Rudy Giuliani
To prove chaos is politically toxic, Bongino points to New York City:
- David Dinkins beat Rudy Giuliani in 1989.
- Under Dinkins, crime and disorder worsened.
- Giuliani ran on law and order and won in 1993.
- He was reelected in 1997 by an even wider margin.
His point is that even heavily Democratic areas eventually revolt when life becomes unsafe.
The Media and “Made-Up” Racism Claims
Bongino also argues the left’s political playbook depends on falsely labeling opponents or institutions as racist.
He references:
- Al Sharpton making nonsensical connections between UFOs/“UFC” and racism.
- The idea that Democrats will try to brand the filibuster racist if they move to eliminate it.
- His view that this is part of a broader pattern of manufactured moral panic.
Calls to Action
He closes with several political and practical calls to action:
- Vote in the upcoming primaries and midterms.
- Bring others to vote, too.
- Reject institutional lies and political chaos.
- Stay healthy and move your body regularly.
- Keep supporting Rumble and the show’s guests and affiliates.
Final Notes
The episode mixes sharp political argument with comedy bits and sponsor ads, but the central message is consistent:
- The Russia hoax was fabricated.
- Institutional trust has collapsed because elites lied for years.
- Democrats are becoming more radical, not less.
- Law-and-order politics still wins when voters are forced to choose between stability and chaos.