Shocking no one, Stripe has deplatformed this website.
I’ve been using Stripe, an online payment processor similar to PayPal, to accept online payments for both donations and memberships to The Realist Report since I set up this site (with the help of Kyle Hunt, I should add) back in late 2015. I was deplatformed from PayPal on November 24, 2014, and had major problems with any sort of online payment processor between then and the time I started using Stripe.
Incredibly, I was able to use Stripe for the past 3 1/2 years or so without any problems. Last Thursday, I received this email from Stripe’s support staff, informing me that my account was terminated:
I emailed Stripe back to see what specific policy I had violated, or how my account or business presents “a higher level of risk than we’re able to work with”. In a nutshell, they basically told me that it is their decision to terminate my account, and there is nothing I can do about it. And that’s fine. This was bound to happen.
Interestingly, pretty much the same day my account was terminated, Hunter Wallace of The Occident Observer was also deplatformed by Stripe. Groups like the SPLC and ADL monitor websites like this, taking note of how we operate, what social media or payment platforms we use (if we can even use any at all), etc. I would not be at all surprised if one of these subversive, anti-American organizations contacted Stripe with an update on all the “White supremacists” and “conspiracy theorists” who still utilized their platform, which resulted in our recent deplatforming. That’s how it always works, in my experience anyways.
I do have a PO Box though. If you are interested in supporting this operation financially, please do send in a donation. You can send any other written correspondence if you wish, too.
I can also be reached via email or Twitter if you have any questions or feedback. I am a pretty open person, so please do feel free to contact me through whatever medium you feel most comfortable. But for the time being, if you wish to donate, it will have to be via the PO Box.
John Friend
PO Box 20514
Long Beach, CA 90801
Long time readers and listeners will know that I’ve been through quite a bit doing this sort of writing, blogging, and podcasting. Openly addressing the extremely taboo and controversial topics I do here on the website using my real name is not the easiest thing to do. It involves substantial risk, which at this point I don’t even care about. I’ve already come this far; there is no going back.
And I wouldn’t “go back” anyways, even if I could. I can easily defend every single statement I make on this website or on the podcast. In fact, I’d be more than happy to elaborate on my views if given the chance. We have nothing to be ashamed of, despite the consequences and problems we may face openly saying some of the things we say here. And you know what? It’s the right thing to do. We have an entirely legitimate, righteous cause and message, one that is based on logic, reason, facts and evidence.
If you support the work I do here, please do consider sending in a donation, even if it’s only $5. Thank you to everyone who has supported this operation financially over the years – your generosity is very much appreciated.
Cheers,
John Friend