At the Republican convention, Laurie Penny was invited to a rally led by alt-right provocateur Milo Yiannopolous and an unholy cast of characters united behind Donald Trump for whom turning raw rage into political currency is just a game
This is a story about how trolls took the wheel of the clown car of modern politics. Its a story about the insider traders of the attention economy. Its a story about fear and loathing and Donald Trump and you and me. Its not a story about Milo Yiannopoulos, the professional alt-right provocateur who was last week banned from Twitter for directing racist abuse towards the actor Leslie Jones.
But it does start with Milo. So I should probably explain how we know each other and how, on a hot, weird night in Cleveland, Ohio, I came to be riding in the backseat of his swank black trollmobile to the gayest neo-fascist rally at the Republican national convention.
Milo Yiannopoulos is a charming devil and one of the worst people I know. I have seen the death of political discourse reflected in his designer sunglasses. It chills me. We met four years ago when he was just another floppy-haired rightwing pundit and we were guests on a panel show. Afterwards, we got hammered and ran around the BBC talking about boys.
Since that day, there is absolutely nothing I have been able to say to Milo to persuade him that we are not friends. The more famous he gets off the back of extravagantly abusing women and minorities, the more I tell him I hate him and everything he stands for, the more he laughs and asks when were drinking.
Feminism is cancer is one of Milos slogans, and yet it took him only seconds after learning we would both be at the RNC to offer me a lift to his Wake Up! rally. This time God help me I said yes.
Image copyright Jason Seebaluk Image caption Jason Seebaluk Fears have been raised that some junior doctors could quit their jobs in the UK for work overseas if new contracts come into force. Dr Jason Seebaluk, 27, works in Euston, London….
Australia doesnt have the best history when it comes to invasive species. One such animal is the European carp, which has spread throughout much of Australias waterways. Now, in an unlikely alliance, both conservationists and fishermen are calling for approval…
Media captionFollowing her 113th birthday celebrations in January Gladys Hooper said she was looking forward to her next birthday The UK’s oldest person has died at the age of 113. Gladys Hooper, from the Isle of Wight, who celebrated her…
The actor on being frisked, anti-stretch mark cream and her desire to cook for Donald Trump Born in Oman to Scottish parents, Isla Fisher, 40, was raised in Australia. She started acting as a child and went on to appear…
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Liverpool’s pierhead hosted the opening stage of the Tour of Britain in 2014 Liverpool is planning a bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the city’s mayor has said. Joe Anderson said the city…
(CNN)Serena Williams cruised to her 300th career victory at a grand slam to secure a place in the fourth round of Wimbledon Sunday. The World No.1 and defending champion crushed Germany’s Annika Beck 6-3 6-0 to move into second place…