Just one week apart from each other, MSNBC promoted two covert liberal activists under the guise of average Americans suffering from President Trump’s policies. MSNBC was not forthright with its audience and hid the extensive history of both guests, who were deeply involved in Democratic Party politics; one even ran as a Democrat.
During the October 27th edition of The 11th Hour, Stephanie Ruhle welcomed on Illinois farmer John Bartman and described him as “a corn and soybean farmer, for real.” During his appearance, the undercover farmer oddly advocated for a specific piece of legislation and signaled his heroic commitment to environmentally-friendly farming practices:
… what we really need the Secretary to do right now is to implement the 45Z sustainable aviation and biofuel tax credit. […] And more importantly, we get to save the environment because I farm sustainably and we're going to create a new industry. And it's going to be good for rural America, and it's going to be great for the environment. And we need to be supporting this type of legislation. […] But they don't, because why? Cause that was Joe Biden's plan, and they don't want anything to do that Joe Biden did.
What Ruhle didn’t mention was that Bartman had a history of liberal activism and involvement with Democrat politics.
Bartman was the star of a recent Democratic National Committee video whining about Trump’s trade policies. He discussed Trump’s trade war and bailout for Argentina with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS), and DNC deputy executive director Libby Schneider on a call for the DNC’s War Room.
He appeared alongside Illinois Governor JB Pritzker during a press conference in late October for an executive order Pritzker signed in response to Trump’s tariffs, and spoke on Pritzker’s behalf. In February, he provided testimony for Representative Bill Foster (D-IL) against Trump’s freeze on federal funding.
Back in 2017, Bartman joined a group of farmers to meet with Democratic Congress members on Capitol Hill. And in 2016, Bartman ran (unsuccessfully) as the Democratic candidate to represent the 63rd district in the Illinois state House.
Bartman has also been a bit of a busy media beaver this year, making appearances on NewsNation’s Morning in America in November and October, CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper in October, CBS News Chicago in May, and ABC 7 in April.
Days later, Ruhle featured a video clip of Bartman where he, predictably, celebrated Biden and demeaned Trump (see transcript below).
On the November 3rd edition of Chris Jansing Reports, MSNBC brought on “SNAP recipient” Hazel Willow:
JANSING: … the Trump administration has said that it will at least partially pay for SNAP food benefits this month. Are you breathing a little bit of a sigh of relief? […]
WILLOW: Yeah. I don't — it doesn't bring me relief. I'm very aware of the cycles of power and control that are happening right now since I've become, you know, more educated about it, becoming a survivor. And, you know, my abuser loved to do the bare minimum, too, after he abused me and deprived me of my basic necessities. The fact that it's temporary is ridiculous to me, because that's continuing the mental anguish and torture and uncertainty for all of the Americans that rely on this.
Interestingly, Willow has been the media’s go-to victim for when federal and state welfare programs were threatened with cuts over the past several years.
In July, the Portland Press Herald highlighted Willow as one of the Mainers who would be impacted by the One Big Beautiful Bill’s cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. During debt ceiling negotiations in mid-2023 USA Today featured Willow due her status as a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families welfare recipient. The Maine People’s Alliance’s Beacon publication described Willow as “chronically unhouse since 2021.” A local news outlet quoted her months later about SNAP adjustments. She advocated for affordable housing as early as March of 2022.
Willow has also been a vocal proponent of welfare programs outside of food stamps. Back in May, Willow testified and advocated in favor of a state bill to increase child care affordability. In April, Willow testified in favor of increasing the state’s child tax credit. In March, she protested against state cuts to child care.
MSNBC never mentioned that Willow was a member of Maine People’s Alliance, the self-described “largest progressive community action organization” in the state that “has worked to build a powerful statewide grassroots movement for progressive social change.”
So, when should MSNBC stop pretending their guests are normal, everyday Americans? How about right (MS)NOW!
The transcript is below. Click "expand" read:
MSNBC’s The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle
October 27, 2025
11:40:10 p.m. EST
STEPHANIE RUHLE: For clarification, Secretary Bessent himself is not a farmer. What he actually means is he collects rent on farmland that he owns in North Dakota. I want to welcome John Bartman. He is a corn and soybean farmer, for real, from Illinois. John, thank you for staying up late and joining me tonight. I want to start with what the Treasury Secretary said. What did you make of that?
JOHN BARTMAN: Well, Steph, it's very obvious that we've got another Republican who's all hat no cattle. And, unfortunately, they think that they can buy their calluses, but, you know, you have to earn them. And the American people know that and they can see through it.
RUHLE: China bought more than half of the U.S.-grown soybeans in 2023 and 2024. Tell us what this has been like, their boycott, how has it affected your day-to-day business?
BARTMAN: Well, Steph, one thing I really appreciate your show is that you understand markets. And right now we're sitting on a billion bushels that don't have a home. That's about 25 percent of our market right now. And what I'm really concerned about is 2026. And if we don't get these bushels sold, we're really looking at economic disaster in 2026.
RUHLE: You are not a cattle rancher, but the President proposed, you know, in this same vein, now buying beef from Argentina to bring beef prices down here. What do you think of that?
BARTMAN: Well, it's his Argentina first agenda, that's what he's trying to do, unfortunately. I mean, we're giving $40 billion to Argentina, and the minute that they lifted their export tax, China came in and bought roughly $800 million worth of beans from them. That's $800 million that should be going back to rural America so that farmers can pay off their operating loans, and more importantly put some American factory workers back to work right now. Deere is laying off people, Case IH is laying off people, and we really need to step up to the plate and support Americans here.
And I feel bad for the beef industry, because the beef industry they buy about 6 billion bushels of corn from us every year, and that's worth $25 billion of economic activity that goes back to grain farmers like me. And those poor cow calf producers are finally getting ahead after being in debt too. And, Stephanie, the American people need to realize that only 16 cents of every dollar goes back to me, the farmer and the rancher. And it's the packers who are making the money right now.
And when I — I feel so bad for our seniors sitting at home saying, “Why are these farmers asking for a bailout?” We're not asking for a bailout. Donald Trump did this to us. And unfortunately, we're — we are hurting right now. We are the collateral damage to what's going on. And he had eight years to plan this. Why did he put us in the crosshairs of this collateral damage? He doesn't have a plan.
And, unfortunately, what we really need the Secretary to do right now is to implement the 45Z sustainable aviation and biofuel tax credit. That's money that goes directly to me, the farmer. That would be worth about a dollar a bushel to me. And more importantly, we get to save the environment because I farm sustainably and we're going to create a new industry. And it's going to be good for rural America, and it's going to be great for the environment. And we need to be supporting this type of legislation. And it's sitting right there on his desk. He can implement that tomorrow if he really cared. But they don't, because why? Cause that was Joe Biden's plan, and they don't want anything to do that Joe Biden did. And that's the unfortunate reality.
RUHLE: Damn, John. The goal of this show is to make our audience better and smarter every night, and you certainly did that for us tonight. I really appreciate you joining us. Thank you so much. Please come back soon.
BARTMAN: Thanks for having me. Thanks for supporting American agriculture.
RUHLE: Thank you.
(…)
MSNBC’s The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle
October 30, 2025
11:23:14 p.m. EST
RUHLE: I actually just a couple nights ago spoke to a soybean farmer who was talking to us about the impact of the trade war, about what's happening to cattle farmers. And he shared with us today his thoughts about this, quote unquote, “commitment” from China to buy tons and tons of soybeans. Here's what he said.
[Cuts to clip]
BARTMAN: So, Steph, here's the deal. The President is touting a 25 million metric tons purchased to China. But the reality is, Biden's administration they used to buy a lot more than that. And we've just gone through a hell of a trade war. Factory workers are let go, farm bankruptcies are up. Who's the real winner now?
(…)
MSNBC’s Chris Jansing Reports
November 3, 2025
1:13:06 p.m. EST
CHRIS JANSING: The questions now, when does the money start flowing again, and who will get it? I want to bring in Hazel Willow. Hazel lives in Maine and relies on SNAP food benefits.
Hi. Hazel, it's so kind of you to come on the program. And I know this isn't easy to talk about, but I just wonder, before we get to the news today, can you help people understand — you’re a mom — what these last days and weeks have been like for you?
HAZEL WILLOW: Hi, Chris. Thanks so much for having me. Yeah, it's difficult to be vulnerable about this stuff because in society, you know, we're not supposed to talk about the hardships we face. And I haven't had SNAP benefits, like, I ran out two weeks ago. So, it's been really difficult because I already didn't have enough. I found out last month that I was getting $140 in SNAP benefits because I was a participant in LIHEAP, a program that I didn't know qualified me, and then I fell off of them. So, I went from having $536 of SNAP benefits to [$]396. So, I've been out for a while.
I have just, kind of, been taking it moment by moment, kind of how I've had to do for a long time. And I just try to stay focused on my kiddo and what he needs. And, yeah, I been asking our support services for information about different food pantries. There's a number of them, and there's all different kinds and times, but it can be really overwhelming. And I also have PTSD, and it makes it really difficult for me to go out in the world. And so, it's not just finding out where the food pantries are, it's how do they work? How many people will be there? Do I need to get a support person to go with me? And, you know, using a food pantry hasn't gotten easier in the past almost four years since I had to start accessing them. I thought it would. But I have to swallow my pride every time, you know, and try to stay focused on being able to meet my child's needs. But —
JANSING: I did wonder, I know that you were brought up in a middle class family. You even told our booking producer that you volunteered at a food bank when you were in high school.
WILLOW: Yep.
JANSING: So, emotionally — and I know you're trying to be strong for your son, who I think is seven now — what is that moment even like when you have to start going to a food bank when you used to volunteer at one?
WILLOW: [Tearing up] Thanks for asking. I try to tell myself that I'm just using it temporarily, that I'm accessing a support that's meant to be there. But, you know, I had all of my needs met as a teen. I was doing it for part of my community service, for my confirmation requirement. And so, it was very much like, “Oh, you know, look at me being a good person in my community.” Which I was, but I don't think I understood what it meant, how much it helped, and also how difficult it is. I have a gluten allergy, so that makes it difficult to access the food pantry. And also, like, weirdly, you feel ungrateful because you don't always have the ability to eat what's available. And so, you know, it's, again, something I'll do because I have to and I have and will always move heaven and Earth to take care of my child and get his needs met. I'm the adult, so it's my responsibility to move through the discomfort of these times. But it is —
JANSING: How's he doing, Hazel? Does he have an idea what's going on?
WILLOW: I've chosen not to tell him yet. I've intermittently, you know, introduced him to the supports that were on so that he grows up knowing that they're there, that they're meant to be used. I want to help destigmatize it. I think he might be aware because the school sent home some literature about food security and supports. Different people have offered to him, they said, like, “Hey, if you or your mom need anything, let us know. We can help you with food.” But, you know, he's got a high ACE score, Adverse Childhood Experience score, so he doesn't need the extra worry. If it becomes an issue, I'll raise it up to him. But, you know, right now in his world it's just we can't buy the fun treats. So, yeah.
JANSING: So, we got this new information just, literally, less than half an hour ago, saying that the USDA, that the Trump administration has said that it will at least partially pay for SNAP food benefits this month. Are you breathing a little bit of a sigh of relief? Are you still nervous because there's so much uncertainty surrounding exactly what that might mean for you, and, frankly, all of the 42 million people who are waiting to hear?
WILLOW: Yeah. I don't — it doesn't bring me relief. I'm very aware of the cycles of power and control that are happening right now since I've become, you know, more educated about it, becoming a survivor. And, you know, my abuser loved to do the bare minimum, too, after he abused me and deprived me of my basic necessities. The fact that it's temporary is ridiculous to me, because that's continuing the mental anguish and torture and uncertainty for all of the Americans that rely on this. And not just the Americans that rely on this, but the businesses that rely on this. There — especially in Maine and rural Maine, there are so many small country stores that take EBT and SNAP. I can't imagine what that's doing to their income. There's a lot of Maine farmers. We have an incredible program here using your SNAP benefits to get fresh produce at farmers markets. I can't imagine what that's doing to our local farmers.
So, unless it's a full-throated, fully funded, like, reinstatement of our rights to programs we've already paid into that we deserve to have to meet our basic needs, I think it's, I think it's an arrogant and offensive attempt at anything.
JANSING: Well, Hazel Willow, I can't tell you how important it is for people to hear real stories of people who are being impacted by this. And I thank you for your bravery and for coming on the program.
WILLOW: Thank you so much for having me, Chris. I appreciate it.
