A.J. Rice, author and CEO of Publius PR, has built his career on a unique blend of satire, sharp political commentary, and media expertise. Drawing inspiration from iconic figures like Howard Stern, Rush Limbaugh, George Carlin, and Ricky Gervais, Rice uses humor as a tool to tackle the most pressing cultural and political issues of our time. In this article, Rice discusses how he balances humor with serious commentary, his views on the cultural shifts that have led to what he calls a “modern catastrophe,” and his advice for those looking to break into the media world.
When asked how he balances humor and serious commentary, Rice’s response is clear: balance isn’t the goal, truth is. “Balance? Who needs balance?” he says. For Rice, humor and mockery are crucial in the fight against wokeness, and he sees no need to temper his approach. He compares his use of satire to the classic 1974 film Blazing Saddles, which employed over-the-top humor to make sharp points about race and society. “Was Blazing Saddles ‘balanced’? No, it used over-the-top satire and mockery to make searing points. Is Dave Chappelle balanced? No – he uses every tool he has to make his points.”
In today’s culture, Rice argues, the stakes are too high for moderation. Wokeness, in his view, represents a form of cultural totalitarianism, and humor is the best weapon against it. “Humorists are usually the first witnesses of recorded history,” he says. “The definition of comedy is sometimes ‘tragedy plus time,’ but when your culture is being eaten alive by a woke tapeworm, and you are running out of time, you must make haste, and blast them in the face with as many jokes as possible to expose the insanity.”
For Rice, comedians and satirists hold a unique role as truth-tellers. He believes that humor serves as a powerful tool to shine a light on cultural absurdities and to fight back against the suffocating grip of political correctness. He points out that totalitarian regimes have always feared humorists, as they possess the rare ability to undermine authority through laughter. “Someone once said you will know totalitarian has arrived when the comedians are scared,” Rice explains. This belief drives his no-holds-barred approach to writing and public commentary.
Rice’s latest book, The White Privilege Album, is described as a “hysterical guide to the catastrophe of our modern culture.” When asked about the most significant cultural shifts contributing to this catastrophe, Rice doesn’t hesitate to point to wokeness. “Wokeness is like the acid blood in the Alien movies,” he says. “It corrupts and eats away at every single thing it touches.”
Rice views wokeness as an existential threat to the foundations of American society. He believes it has infiltrated every aspect of culture, from politics to education to entertainment, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. According to Rice, wokeness is a product of Cultural Marxism, an ideology that seeks to dismantle traditional values and institutions. “We have to defeat it to save America,” he asserts.
For Rice, humor is the most effective weapon in this fight. He believes that humor has the power to disarm the woke left and expose the absurdity of their positions. “Humor is the one thing that the Cultural Marxists hate the most,” he says. “They can’t stand being ridiculed as they deserve to be.” By using satire and comedy, Rice hopes to “nuke wokeness from orbit—just to be sure.”
In his writing, Rice uses humor not only to entertain but also to provoke thought and spark debate. He believes that laughter can open people’s minds to new perspectives, allowing them to see through the façade of wokeness and recognize its corrosive effects on society. For Rice, the ultimate goal is to push back against this cultural tide and restore common sense to public discourse.
Rice’s success in media and public relations didn’t come overnight. Reflecting on his journey, he encourages those looking to break into the field to start as soon as possible. “Get started. Meet people. Get your ideas out there. It’s never too early—or too late,” he advises. For Rice, the key is to build relationships and to be unafraid of sharing your ideas, even in a competitive and often hostile media environment.
Rice describes his own career as a “path of most resistance.” Rather than attempting to quickly climb to the top, he chose to build his career from the ground up, brick by brick. “Some people come into our world, and they try to parachute to the top of the mountain,” he explains. “I decided to build the mountain and walk up it as I’ve built it.” This approach, while slower and more challenging, has prepared him to handle the “tribulations” that come with the territory, and has allowed him to consistently produce high-quality work.
Looking ahead, Rice remains focused on the future of Publius PR and the broader political landscape. “At Publius, we will keep on winning,” he says confidently. The upcoming 2024 presidential election looms large, and Rice sees it as a pivotal moment for the country. “The political and media board is about to reset itself,” he predicts. “If Trump wins, we will get four more years of a wild ride, one that could keep the country from falling apart. If he loses, people will be looking for different content to fill their programming with.”
Regardless of the outcome, Rice is prepared for what comes next. He’s committed to continuing his fight against wokeness, using his platform at Publius PR to amplify conservative voices and challenge the dominant cultural narrative.
A.J. Rice’s career is a testament to the power of humor, persistence, and a willingness to fight for what you believe in. Whether through his books, his media work, or his leadership at Publius PR, Rice is determined to push back against the cultural forces that threaten the future of America. In a world where comedians are increasingly silenced and satire is under attack, Rice remains unapologetic in his use of humor as a tool to expose the absurdity of wokeness and to defend the values that he holds dear.
Learn more about A.J. Rice’s work in the following link.
