Buffoon of the Week Staff
We will remember the 2024 political landscape for its fair share of controversy and irrational behavior. Let’s deep dive into a review of the most extreme political personalities that we dubbed “Lunatics” and see what we can learn from these political crazies.
What We Mean By “Lunatic”
As Gene Berardelli discusses in his book, Schnooks, Crooks, Liars & Scoundrels, the “Lunatic” is one of the most extreme Buffoons in politics. “Lunatics” react with over-the-top emotions, triggered by events or statements that provoke irrational responses. They are the “triggered” politicos; anything that causes someone to feel shame, fear, or anxiety leads to an emotional hijack, where the individual reacts impulsively, often in a public and unbalanced way. The result? A display of political lunacy.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: For more buffoonery, check out our discussion of the Egotist of the Year HERE!)
As you can see from the above-video hosted by Gene Berardelli and Ross Galloway, most of this year’s extreme political figures come from the far-left, dominated this category for their erratic behavior and inability to remain grounded in reality – especially when it came to any issue involving Israel.
Jamaal Bowman: First of “The Squad” to Get the Boot!
You probably remember Former Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), a member of the Squad, for that infamous moment came when he pulled a fire alarm in the Capitol Building during a vote. That resulted in Bowman’s conviction on a misdemeanor last year. But it was his erratic behavior on the campaign trail – his outbursts, cursing, and the like – that earns him this nomination as the “Lunatic.”
Bowman’s odd behavior on the campaign trail, combined with his radical political stances on Israel, made him a prime target for a primary, which he lost. All the way, Bowman bemoaned that AIPAC, a pro-Israel PAC, targeted him unfairly for being an outspoken critic of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Clearly, his district, with a heavy Jewish population, would not stand for his positions, or his machinations.
Cori Bush: Scandals, Outbursts & Hypocrisy
Former Congresswoman Cori Bush (D-MO), another Squad member, also lost in a primary to a more moderate Democrat. Bush started the year under investigation for spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on private security, including paying her husband for “security services” — despite him lacking the necessary security license. Many remembered her vocal calls to defund the police, and called Bush our as a hypocrite, especially in light of her poor reasoning for why she needs more security than normal people.
Moreover, Bush’s inability to attend committee hearings and her constant inflammatory rhetoric against political opponents only add to her reputation as a political “Lunatic.” She too lost in a primary and blamed AIPAC for targeting her seat due to her extreme support for Hamas.
In general, many “Lunatics” saw their political power diminished because of their anti-Israel rhetoric. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), another member of the Squad, led that charge by openly endorsing terrorist organizations like Hamas. Tlaib’s “Lunatic” allies followed her lead, and the American people openly rejected them and their extreme views, as evidence by the election results.
Lunatics on Campus Co-Opted by The Lunatic Left
These “Lunatics” led a troubling trend: anti-Semitic protests on college campuses, including on Ivy League campuses like Columbia University. While these protests are officially framed as anti-Israel demonstrations, many students and faculty members have reported a strong undercurrent of anti-Semitism. Chants in support of terrorists were routinely heard at these protests, leading to a debate about whether these protests should be classified as anti-Semitic Lunacy.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) championed the fight against such anti-Semitic behavior, grilling the presidents of other schools like MIT, University of Pennsylvania and Harvard for their complicity in subjecting Jewish students to such targeted hate and, in extreme cases, violence.
Why These Politicians Deserve to Be Called a “Lunatic”
These “Lunatic” politicians don’t just make bold claims — they go the extra mile to act on them in ways that defy logic and public decency. From Bowman’s antics to Bush’s unhinged hypocrisy, these “Lunatics” prioritize their radical beliefs over the needs of their constituents.
“Lunatics” also stirs up emotional chaos, triggering reactions from their followers that can lead to further division and unrest. Their ability to provoke emotional hijacks in the public and the media makes them central figures to be called the “Lunatic” of the year.
So… Who Ya Got?
As we head into 2025, look out for the political extremes in modern politics. “Lunatic” ideologues representing the most unhinged aspects of the political spectrum. Whether you agree with our political views or not, it’s hard to deny that these “Lunatics” earned their place among the most extreme examples of political lunacy in 2024.
