Rep. Lauren Boebert has made it clear that she’s not rolling out the red carpet for fellow Republican Jacob Chansley, a man most widely recognized as the “QAnon Shaman.” Instead, she’s delivering a scathing jab regarding his absence from Congress due to depression. This could have been a powerful moment to discuss mental health—especially in a high-stress environment like politics. Instead, Boebert uses it to dismiss and belittle.

Corporate media outlets like CNN and MSNBC would love to spin this narrative; they’d have you believe Boebert represents a heartless, cruel side of the GOP. They’ll lap up the drama, framing Republicans as out-of-touch with human struggles—classic damage control to reinforce their own narrative. On the other hand, Fox News might paint Boebert as a fierce truth-teller, sheeting over any chance for compassion by focusing solely on her criticism.

Who wins in this battle of narratives? Certainly not the American public, who needs real conversations about mental health—especially among our leaders. It’s disappointing to see a missed opportunity exploited for clicks and dissent rather than a thoughtful dialogue.

So, here we are: another case of corporate media and politicians manipulating a story for their agendas. It’s high time we demanded accountability from both sides rather than basking in the glow of their drama-filled spectacles.