RealClearPolitics' Tom Bevan Calls Guardian Op-Ed's America View "Mental Illness"

Tom Bevan, co-founder and president of RealClearPolitics, sharply criticized a recent op-ed published in The Guardian, asserting that its depiction of the United States is "so distorted it qualifies as a mental illness." His pointed comment, made via a tweet on June 30, 2025, specifically targeted an article by playwright Eve Ensler, known for "The Vagina Monologues."

The op-ed, penned by Ensler (who now goes by 'V'), presented a grim portrayal of America. It included stark claims such as "Every day people are kidnapped by masked men in unmarked cars, taken to hidden sites and left in deplorable conditions" and references to "starving people in Gaza slaughtered as they clamor for a bag of flour." Ensler's piece also mentioned "brain-dead women forced to give birth" and a pervasive "glib language of hate and cruelty," painting a picture of a nation in profound moral and societal decline.

As co-founder and executive editor of RealClearPolitics, a prominent political news aggregator and analysis site, Tom Bevan frequently offers commentary on political discourse and media narratives. RealClearPolitics is recognized for its aggregation of diverse political opinions and polling data, often serving as a key reference for political observers across the spectrum. Bevan's strong statement reflects a common conservative critique of what he perceives as an overly negative and factually inaccurate portrayal of the nation by some commentators.

Bevan's tweet quickly garnered significant attention on social media, with many users echoing his sentiment and criticizing Ensler's perspective as detached from reality or overly dramatic. The exchange highlights ongoing ideological divisions regarding the state of the nation and the perceived biases in media representation. This public debate underscores the contentious nature of current political and social narratives surrounding American identity and its global standing.