Donald Trump made a huge push to expand his support among Black men in the 2020 election. However, he only did 2% better in 2020 than in 2016 with the demographic.
Part of that strategy involved creating fake Twitter profiles of Black men who support Trump to convince others to join them.
Republican Dean Browning, a former commissioner in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania who recently lost his bid for the House of Representatives, got caught tweeting as a gay, Black man on Tuesday and things really went downhill from there.
On November 8, Browning tweeted, "What Trump built in 4 years, Biden will destroy in 4 months."
Then, on Tuesday, someone argued back saying, Obama built what Trump takes credit for and Browning's response was confusing at best.
"I'm a black gay guy and I can personally say that Obama did nothing for me, my life only changed a little bit and it was for the worse," he wrote. "Everything is so much better under Trump though. I feel respected — which I never do when democrats are involved."
Wait, what?
Twitter user Karin Sung broke down the entire story perfectly.
She discovered that Dean Browning has a gay, Black Twitter alter ego named Dan Purdy and he forgot to switch accounts before tweeting his response.
First of all, impersonating someone of a different race to push Donald Trump's political agenda is a pretty disgusting move. But Browning takes things a step further by saying racist things through his Black alter-ego, Dan.
After getting caught, Browning said he was "quoting a message" he received earlier this week
Then things got really weird when someone posing as Dan Purdy Tweeted a video defending Browning.
"Hey guys, my name is Dan Purdy and I am indeed a gay, Black man" the imposter said, adding that he has "a problem with how people of my race and sexual persuasion are treating Donald Trump."
He then went on to say Trump hasn't hurt anyone during his short time in office.
"So what's the big deal?" fake Dan Purdy said. "I sent that message to Dean, he accidently posted it somehow and that's the end of the story.
A little research showed that the man in the video isn't Dan Purdy, but Byl Holte, the adopted son of singer Patti LaBelle.
The original video was blocked because the Purdy account was suspended. Sung later found it online.
10/ I SALVAGED THE VIDEO. Here is Byl Holte, Patti LaBelle's son. aka not at all Dan Purdy pic.twitter.com/QGcPMK3HZT
— Karin Sung 🗽 (@KarinSung_) November 10, 2020
Byl has a Medium page where he calls himself an "anti-feminist TV critic."
Here's Byl with Patti.
Wow, that story really got out of hand fast.
After all the craziness, Browning just keeps tweeting away.
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.