No Way Jose: Who Contacted Who? The Westboro Story Pretend Did Not Tell You
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Additional Receipts in this episdode
PRETEND's published transcript
We Are Not Afraid — my account and rebuttal
In this episode of No Way, Jose, David McClam examines a serious allegation published by PRETEND involving Westboro Baptist Church, Anthony Christopher’s LGBTQ establishment, and the claim that David threatened to send Westboro there for a “blood bath.”
But what does the available record actually show?
David breaks down the language used in PRETEND’s episode description and transcript, including Javier Leiva’s characterization of the alleged threat, and compares it with David’s account of what actually happened. According to David, Westboro Baptist Church contacted him first. He acknowledges that the thought of telling them to mobilize crossed his mind, but says he ultimately chose not to do so because of the potential hatred, confrontation, and violence that could result.
The episode also examines Javier’s conversation with Kiah Penfield and raises questions about what happens when someone is asked to react publicly to a serious allegation before independently reviewing the underlying source material. David argues that emotional reactions cannot substitute for verification, especially when the discussion involves Westboro Baptist Church, an LGBTQ establishment, threatened violence, and even references to the Pulse nightclub massacre.
At the center of the episode is one challenge:
Produce the threat.
If David contacted Westboro, show the communication. If he told them to mobilize, produce it. If he threatened Anthony Christopher with Westboro Baptist Church, show the words. If he said he wanted a bloodbath, play the recording in context.
David also makes an important distinction between evidence and allegation. Until the original Westboro communication is independently examined and authenticated, his description of that message remains his account. At the same time, PRETEND’s published characterization of the alleged threat is publicly available and can be examined directly.
This episode is ultimately about journalistic standards, primary sources, context, and accountability.
You do not have to automatically believe David McClam.
You do not have to automatically believe Javier Leiva.
Check everyone. Read the source material. Examine the evidence. Separate documented fact from characterization.
PRETEND has built its reputation around scrutinizing other people’s stories and demanding receipts.
Now the receipts are being turned in the other direction.
If the threat exists, play it.
Until then, we’ll keep reading the receipts.
