Preston Parra is a pro-Trump reporter and activist who parted ways with a conservative news outlet over his memes mocking DeSantis. Here is his story.
My name is Preston Parra and I’m an American soldier, political personality, and writer. Although I’m only 21 years old, I like to think my upbringing and experiences have made me a man of conviction and principle.
So when I got the chance to contribute to Right Side Broadcasting Network as an opinion writer, after slugging away on campaigns and trying to gain more reach in the political world, my excitement was unparalleled.
For those that don’t know, RSBN served as a staple for many on the conservative right since its debut in 2015. For most of their history, RSBN’s content was almost entirely centered around then-candidate Donald Trump as they followed him on a nationwide tour of campaign rallies and press events. Since their founding, RSBN has been credited for covering virtually every public speech President Trump has given.
It seemed like a perfect fit.
My loyalty= pic.twitter.com/IYBeWCjehs
— Preston Parra (@ThePrestonParra) March 21, 2023
As of late, though, RSBN readers may have noticed the outlet has taken a turn toward covering a broader range of news, expanding from their pro-Trump roots. Unfortunately, this expansion ultimately led to me being fired.
You see, amid continued controversy surrounding Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his rumored presidential bid, RSBN began covering both the governor and President Trump with an even-handed approach, even as President Trump ramped up his rhetoric, and DeSantis all but ignored the Manhattan DA’s plot to arrest the former President.
So when RSBN discovered my personal social media page – which mainly consists of memes and political content – where I had been making fun of Governor DeSantis, things took a turn for the worse.
I received a text message last Thursday asking to set up a time to speak with the chief editor of RSBN.
WATCH: MEATBALL Ron can’t even manage a podium pic.twitter.com/nKpmn0ezkZ
— Preston Parra (@ThePrestonParra) March 11, 2023
The memes in question were mostly lighthearted spins on President Trump’s “Meatball Ron” and “DeSanctimonious” jabs.
However, in the Monday morning call, I was informed I would be terminated from RSBN over concerns that DeSantis’ team may not be willing to work with an outlet that contracts writers who post that type of content on social media.
WATCH: Ron-Ball DeSpaghetti has moment of TRUTH in CPAC speech pic.twitter.com/mlvdMyg9QD
— Preston Parra (@ThePrestonParra) March 7, 2023
I was immediately taken aback after hearing this, both because I was upset and confused: How could a conservative news outlet built upon the America First mission, which emboldens free speech and other constitutional rights, and which was created largely in the image of President Trump, fire me for making memes about his opponent?
I took to Twitter to inform my normal readers that I wouldn’t be contributing to RSBN anymore, explaining the circumstances that led to my termination. To my surprise, an outpouring of support immediately followed after releasing the post.
Opinions of frustrated individuals began flowing in, mostly in support of me over what had happened. Some of those opinions can be read below:
Very surprising and disappointing to hear. How is DeSantis going to handle a primary election if he can’t handle any criticism from fair journalists?
— Alex Sheppard 🇺🇸 (@NotAlexSheppard) March 20, 2023
I'm sorry it worked out that way but am impressed by your integrity. Good things will come!
— Meme TV (@MagaMemeWizard) March 20, 2023
Wow. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised when @FloridaGOP are trying to pass a law Senate Bill 1316 that writers have to register if they criticize @GovRonDeSantis & others officials.
— 🇺🇸 Shari McGriff 🇺🇸 (@ShariMcGriff) March 20, 2023
This guy got TERMINATED from RSBN for being too critical of Ron DeSantis
Free speech! Here we go https://t.co/rUtRvXKfeD
— E (@ElijahSchaffer) March 20, 2023
The Daily Dot also jumped into the mix, releasing an article titled “Columnist says conservative site fired him for anti-DeSantis memes, deepfake.”
In spite of the outpouring of public support, the question remains: What prompted RSBN to terminate a writer over frivolous memes about a political public figure?
Could it be that they are trying to stay relevant in the unlikely event that DeSantis becomes the Republican nominee?
Many of those who consume RSBN’s news have rallied against the organization for terminating me, with numerous individuals labeling it as a contradiction to the America First brand. Conservative Americans should also take note of this situation, as it may be emblematic of a growing pattern.
Patriots should be careful where they get their news, since the Republican establishment is working in full force to silently penetrate any pro-Trump outlet where they can sow their seeds of corruption.
174547
March 24, 2023 at 3:56 pm
So now they are the RIHNO SIDE BROADCAXTING NETWORK… Wolf in sheeps clothing!
SteveKerp
March 24, 2023 at 4:08 pm
Neither “Warp Speed” Trump nor DeSantis are our friends. Both are Judas goats. Both are assets of the British Crown and neither will be good for us or for America. Jesus is coming soon – these political messiahs will be exposed.
Bob
March 24, 2023 at 4:45 pm
What is the heck are you going on about? Off your meds?
xsnake
March 24, 2023 at 4:10 pm
The Lord loves drama.
Thoros
March 24, 2023 at 4:11 pm
Ever since 2007 when most of the “conservative” news people did their best to denigrate Ron Paul (Mr. Constitution) by cutting off his mic, losing the video feed, mocking him and attacking his common sense constitutional approach to exposing and ejecting the globalist puppets that has infiltrated the acronyms of the U.S. government, I’ve recognized that almost all of the so called “conservative” outlets are anything but… Since then and due to witnessing first hand the destruction of his 2012 campaign which was sabotaged by the establishment right, I’ve easily recognized the pawns running the “republicrat” operations. All they do is gaslight, lie, pretend and sabotage. I trust virtually none of them. The only real action to save America will come from the U.S. Marshalls, Sheriffs and Judges. And it seems they’re all too wimpy and afraid to step up and do what’s right. America is at war with the CCP and the WEF and until someone gets a spine to arrest the soros puppets, nothing will change. So basically every “article” that’s exposing the political class amounts to “nothing”.
sharon
March 25, 2023 at 1:10 pm
PRESTON: You claim you are a ‘Reporter” — THAT means you are to REPORT all news, NOT give us your opinion of any particular politician! We don’t give a Rats A** about YOUR opinion!! Just report the news! I’m glad your boss fired you. You need to get lots more experience on what comes out of your mouth! Otherwise you’ll be working at McDonald’s. And –Stop being so cocky!!
Rich Bach
March 25, 2023 at 9:52 pm
I get it now. The First Amendment and the Constitution that I defended as a Marine during the Vietnam Era is now no longer relevant if you are a reporter. What this reporter said was on his personal social media account. Now that RSBN has turned itself into another anti-first amendment media outlet like CNN, MSNBC, NBC< CBS, et al, everyone want to pile on this man. Grow the f*ck up. This is the United States of America and not a Banana Republic.
Lynda Dee
March 26, 2023 at 8:56 pm
“So when RSBN discovered my personal social media page” Sharon, maybe you should read the article first.
Jerry Gillespie
March 27, 2023 at 11:35 am
Sharon, I agree that a reporter should simply report the facts, however, Preston’s postings on social media are not made as a reporter but and individual. I know that all reporters have opinions they share with their friends………are they not allowed to have personal opinions?
Gypo O'leary
March 24, 2023 at 4:16 pm
Sorry I can’t agree with you. Accepting the fact that liberals completely disregard legitimate news reporting in favor of creating narratives to deceive, no on is going to take a NEWS outlet serious when they are openly biased. Just because Trump calls DeSantis ‘meatball’ doesn’t mean you as reporter should follow suite. Good for Rightside Media. You need to grow up a little and learn that calling people names and mocking them is a political tactic that President Trump can use, but you can’t if you want to consider yourself a reporter.
Jaycee
March 24, 2023 at 5:29 pm
I agree. further, 5 months ago conservative Patriots loved desantis now hes juat another globalist stooge to them. they ignore trump’s love of rinos, and the stuff hes done to help the globalists. as if trump is any different. why does the right bash their own candidates and make them unelectable in the Hope that the one they do want is going to be allowed to win. they are gonna screw themselves by supporting a man the government will NEVER allow to win the presidency election.
Marc
April 14, 2023 at 9:39 pm
America is tired of gaslighting in journalism.
This isn’t the WWF.
Arlen Smith
March 24, 2023 at 4:23 pm
True journalists are supposed to at least appear to be a neutral third-party and not showing preference for one politician over another while doing their job. You were fired for being a blatant, immature Trump-tard. Next time, act like a respectable, professional journalist and you won’t be fired.
Kent
March 24, 2023 at 4:46 pm
I think the writer is a very immature person who really has no business as an influencer. He should learn a little about issues and civil discussion.
Joe and Pamela Young
March 24, 2023 at 5:46 pm
You are wise beyond your years which is an unique quality! Remember to continue to use your talent on loan from God! AND thank you for YOUR service to our country! PLEASE stick to your guns! 🙂
tedphx
March 24, 2023 at 6:21 pm
The network is 100% right.
CPO Bill
March 25, 2023 at 9:28 am
Bet hunter gave em some chink cash!
Just Moi
March 25, 2023 at 4:36 pm
God forbid that someone on the right should write a biased piece of journalism! This is strictly for the leftist main stream media to write.
Its a long time passed that real journalists wrote the news without personal bias. We lost the five w: who, when, what, why and how. Now, its spin, innuendo and outright lies. Trying to keep the highest ideals while the left spouts outright propaganda is not a winning strategy.
Steve
May 21, 2023 at 11:28 pm
I read all the comments bashing Preston and praising his dismissal based on a key piece of information that they all seemed to misread conveniently or perhaps have a reading comprehension issue with, which is the plain and simple statement that was made several times, which is that he is an “OPINION WRITER/JOURNALIST” and not a straight news reporter/journalist. It appears to me that what we have here is not a difference of opinion but a severe lack of reading comprehension problem where people blindly gloss over clearly stated facts that lead them to false conclusions as well as mean and nasty comments to an inspirational well-meaning young person who has managed not to become an indoctrinated far left destructive force in the world. Think before you type people, if only to make sure you didn’t misread something ! ! !