The Grift by Clay Cane Summary
Overview of The Grift
In "The Grift," Clay Cane exposes how Black Republicans transformed from Lincoln's allies to Trump's defenders. This instant NYT bestseller features revealing interviews with Michael Steele, examining how figures like Clarence Thomas impact communities of color. What price does political loyalty demand?
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Key takeaways
The Golden Escalator to Nowhere: America's Political Betrayal
When Donald Trump descended that golden escalator in 2015, he wasn't just announcing a presidential campaign-he was capitalizing on a phenomenon already well underway. A new breed of Black Republicans had emerged, willing to denounce their own communities while embracing policies that actively harmed those same communities. This isn't just political disagreement-it's a sophisticated grift with deep historical roots. Unlike Frederick Douglass, who used his Republican affiliation to fight tirelessly for Black liberation, today's Black Republican grifters leverage their identity to provide cover for white supremacist policies. They serve as human shields, deployed whenever accusations of racism arise. "How can we be racist?" the argument goes. "Look at our Black supporters!" What makes this betrayal particularly insidious is how it twists the legacy of the original Black Republicans-freedom fighters who risked everything for equality. The modern grift isn't about principle or policy disagreement; it's about personal advancement at the expense of community welfare. And as racial tensions continue to define American politics, understanding how these political opportunists operate reveals the machinery of power and betrayal lurking beneath our political discourse.
From Freedom Fighters to Political Props
The Betrayal Begins: First Grifters and False Compromises
From Roosevelt to Reagan: The Great Political Shift
The Blueprint: Clarence Thomas and the Modern Grift
The Trump Era: Grifting Goes Mainstream
Breaking the Cycle: Reclaiming Our Democracy
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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