Matt Bernstein: Samantha Fulnecky (Univ. of Oklahoma) Failed the Grift

[AStern]

When Samantha Fulnecky filed a religious discrimination complaint against her university after failing an essay assignment in which she only referenced the Bible, she was on a path to victory. Sure, the essay was a grammatical disaster and completely incoherent — not to mention offensive towards both her classmates and professors. Sure, the failing grade was deserved. But in the age of right-wing culture war domination, Samantha was poised to become a star. Her January 6th-loving mother, Turning Point USA (and their recent influx of cash), and the Oklahoma House of Representatives all threw their full weight behind her. Despite all this, Samantha Fulnecky became the last great joke of 2025. Today, Kat Tenbarge, Parker Molloy and I examine why she failed the grift (and the essay).

CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
3:55 Who the hell is Samantha Fulnecky
10:52 The Conservative Momager
21:12 Shoutout Blueland
23:00 THE ESSAY
37:41 Institutional Capitulation
41:55 The Speaking Circuit BEGINS!
51:34 Was it all planned?
56:45 Shoutout Ground News
59:15 The Doors Riley Gaines Opened
1:16:18 DEI for White Conservatives
1:19:25 How Samantha Failed
1:35:47 Woke is … coming back ?