Rena Thorne
Bio
Unfiltered. Unbought. Unapologetic.
I’m not here to provoke—I’m here to make you rethink.
Stories (12)
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Trump, the Nobel Peace Prize, and the Politics of Recognition. AI-Generated.
In the aftermath of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize announcement, the social media landscape was quick to zero in on one name: Donald J. Trump — not as the winner, but as someone who didn’t win.
By Rena Thorne3 months ago in The Swamp
Machado Took the Nobel — and Handed Trump a Win. AI-Generated.
When the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was announced, the internet erupted. Not because of who won — but because of who didn’t. For many, the biggest victory wasn’t that Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was honored. It was that Donald Trump wasn’t.
By Rena Thorne3 months ago in The Swamp
The Myth of the Public’s “Right to Know” Is Falling Apart. AI-Generated.
We’ve all heard it: “The public has a right to know.” It’s a rallying cry for transparency, truth, and freedom of information. But lately, I’ve been questioning what that “right” even means — and more importantly, what people actually do with the information once they get it.
By Rena Thorne3 months ago in The Swamp
Charlie Kirk Left the Noise. We’re Still in It.. AI-Generated.
Charlie Kirk died, and the internet split in two. Many mourned—not just quietly, but publicly. They spoke out, shared their grief, defended his legacy, and pushed back against the wave of online cruelty that followed. But their voices were overwhelmed by a louder crowd: those celebrating. Posting memes, quoting his most controversial lines, treating his death as karma—a punchline and poetic justice. As if one man’s death somehow meant a win for the world.
By Rena Thorne4 months ago in The Swamp
Charlie Kirk’s Assassination Isn’t Justice. It’s a Warning.. AI-Generated.
When I heard that Charlie Kirk had been assassinated, I was stunned. But what shocked me even more was how many people celebrated it — as if his death were some sort of victory. It made me reflect, not just on who he was, but on how people have come to talk about him — and others like him.
By Rena Thorne4 months ago in The Swamp
From Daniel Penny to Iryna Zarutska: Two lives, two outcomes . Content Warning. AI-Generated.
We live in a time when acts of public violence play out in front of us — on trains, in subways, in parks — and often on camera. These moments force people to make split-second decisions about whether to intervene, freeze, or flee. But what happens after those decisions can be just as defining. And in two very different cases — Daniel Penny’s and Iryna Zarutska’s — we see the risks, the consequences, and the haunting question: what do we expect from each other in public?
By Rena Thorne4 months ago in The Swamp
Beyond the Beatdown: Raja Jackson, Rampage, and the Weight of Emotional Inheritance. AI-Generated.
Let me start by saying this: I’m not here to attack Rampage Jackson. That’s important to say up front, because what I’m about to unpack could sound like blame if you don’t listen carefully. But it’s not about blame. It’s about patterns. It’s about a moment that felt way too familiar — and way too painful — for anyone who grew up in households — often Black, but not exclusively — with certain kinds of parenting, under certain pressures to be ‘strong.’
By Rena Thorne5 months ago in Psyche
My Unpopular Opinion: People Call It Fanboying. I Call It Strategy. AI-Generated.
Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a controversial visit to the United States — his first since diplomatic tensions between Washington and Moscow reached Cold War levels. The trip included a private, closed-door meeting with President Trump, a joint press conference, and a series of photo ops that quickly exploded across headlines and social media feeds. Cameras caught Trump praising Putin’s leadership, downplaying past election interference, and offering warm, even deferential body language.
By Rena Thorne5 months ago in The Swamp
The Real Problem with the Sydney Sweeney Outrage. AI-Generated.
American Eagle has officially moved on from the Sydney Sweeney backlash. NFL star Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs (yes, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend) is now headlining the brand’s latest campaign. The Sydney Sweeney ad outrage? Already fading into the background. But before we all pretend it never happened, maybe it’s time we stop chasing easy villains — and actually reflect. Because the problem was never really the ad. It’s us.
By Rena Thorne5 months ago in The Swamp
Joey Swoll’s Comeback and the Outrage That Almost Took Him Down. AI-Generated.
August started with a storm of controversy that sent Joey Swoll—real name Joey Sergo—straight to ‘cancel land.’ As the month ends, things have gotten better. The outrage didn’t stick — but the moment still deserves a closer look. Because in a time when backlash usually means the end, Joey made a legendary comeback.
By Rena Thorne5 months ago in The Swamp
My Unpopular Opinion: Not Every Pun Deserves a Culture War (Seriously, Calm Down)
If you’ve been anywhere near social media in the last few weeks, you’ve probably seen the firestorm of criticism aimed at American Eagle’s latest ad featuring Sydney Sweeney. The ad’s pun — “great genes” — quickly turned into accusations of “eugenics” and even “Nazi propaganda.” But honestly? I think this whole thing is kind of overblown.
By Rena Thorne5 months ago in Geeks
