February 10, 2025
RALEIGH, N.C. — Todd Stiefel, founder of Americans for Prosparody, will be at the North Carolina Supreme Court when its new session begins the morning of Feb. 11 staging a one-man protest against the court’s corrupt handling of Republican candidate Jefferson Griffin’s challenge to the results of the election he lost to Justice Allison Riggs.
Stiefel will be hard to miss, dressed in judge’s robes and a white powdered wig, and wielding a gavel. In addition, a mobile billboard will be circulating near the Supreme Court building running an ad featuring Griffin and members of the Republican majority standing roasting marshmallows over burning boxes signifying the 60,000 ballots Griffin wants them to throw out without any evidence that even one of those votes was fraudulently cast.
That majority includes Chief Justice Paul Newby, who Griffin has referred to as a “good friend and mentor” and whose wife contributed the maximum allowed individual contribution to Griffin’s campaign. Justice Tamara Barringer’s husband also gave the maximum individual contribution to Griffin’s campaign.
“If Republicans on the North Carolina Supreme Court throw out legal votes or call for new elections until their friend wins, I will make it a personal crusade to expose their corrupt actions nationally,” said Stiefel. “And this novelty powdered wig shows just how deadly serious I am.”
Despite Griffin’s loss of the initial count, two recounts and a challenge before the state election board, he has refused to concede — and his friends among the Republican majority of the court have refused to tell him what everyone can see: The voters of North Carolina decided to keep Justice Riggs on the court.
Instead, the court’s Republican majority have kept the case alive, sending it back to Wake County Superior Court. If Griffin loses once again, he will undoubtedly appeal the loss to his friends — who would very much like to solidify the Republican supermajority on the court, a blatant conflict of interest.
“Jefferson Griffin’s relentless assault on democracy cannot be allowed to succeed,” said Stiefel. “Of the 60,000 votes Griffin is asking his Republican buddies to toss on a bonfire, not a single one has been proven to be cast by someone who wasn’t eligible to vote. Not one. This move by Republican justices would disenfranchise tens of thousands of Republican voters who showed a valid ID when they voted.
”Those North Carolinians who want to live in a system where elections are just for show should consider moving to Russia — but fair warning! The barbecue there is not nearly as good.”
Stiefel will be available for interviews outside the Supreme Court building. Look for the person in the powdered wig.
Americans For Prosparody is a nonprofit that uses satire to take on corruption and extremism in American politics. Learn more at americansforprosparody.org.