A recent report from the Washington Post attacking U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Monrovia) is now drawing criticism for allegedly leaving out key pieces of information relating to anti-DOGE protestors in the Congressman’s home district.
The article in question features interviews of supposed Republicans and Independents from the Fifth District lambasting Strong, accusing him of cowardice for not attending liberal ran town hall meetings.
According to another news source, however, the Post’s story on Strong and the protestors is highly misleading for one reason in particular. Almost without exception, every person interviewed for the hit piece is a verified Democratic donor who has also posted liberal viewpoints on their social media.
The article focused largely on a protestor named Melanie Kolowski, who the media outlet claimed was a “politically independent” voter and a “second amendment fan.” A review of records indicates that Kolowski has donated multiple times to the liberal political action committee ActBlue. On social media, she has attacked Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, alleging that he is working to bring America back to the days of segregation. In a separate post, Kolowski promoted a rally for Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
The next protestor interviewed for the story was Michael Bonaker, who the piece identified as a “registered Republican.” Per FEC records, he has donated only to Democrats. Bonaker has posted anti-Trump and MAGA messages on the liberal social media site BlueSky. In one of the posts, Bonaker wrote, “We are mad as hell and not going to take it anymore! That rings a bell….Proud to peacefully demonstrate with my closest progressive-minded friends. Even in our racist red state.”
Additionally, a photo was included with the article featuring Kolowski and two other individuals named Zeb Lemon and Jeremy Devito. It has been confirmed that Lemon is a Democrat donor and has also described himself on social media as a “leftist.” Devito is a Democrat donor and has also filed to run against Rep. Strong.
*This article has been corrected to show that the individuals mentioned are known donors only.
Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
