Jacques Kennady, Author at HARDTIMES

Scientists Discover Direct Link Between Sending AI Videos to Your Friends and Being a Fucking Dweeb Who Can’t Read the Goddamn Room

Posted on May 20, 2026May 20, 2026 by Samuel Abraham

WASHINGTON — Scientists at the Brookings Institute happened upon an irrefutable link between those who feel compelled to send their friends AI videos and being a hopelessly socially deficient dweeb who is unable to gauge the atmosphere of their surroundings or the world around them.

“I’ve never seen findings this conclusive,” began Dr. Mia Reginald, the sociologist who spearheaded the study. “We had a large sample population, and all were given the opportunity and ease of infrastructure to send AI videos to their friends, in spite of how astonishingly repellent they are. We then would interview every participant after they were given the chance to send said videos. After months of rigorous, detailed observational and interactive studies, we noticed that every single person who opted to send AI content was indeed, a giant fucking doofus. Just a thick, inept goddamn dope that possessed absolutely no social skills or any necessary presence of mind that these modern times call for, whereas the subjects who didn’t send any AI content exhibited more or less normal amounts of assholery that you’d expect from your average citizen.”

Carl Bilgewater, a participant in the study and real fucking drag of a person, was eager to offer their perspective.

“Hey, man. These videos are cool. I love sending my friends these things! It’s like, there’s a little cat but it’s riding a motorcycle!” said Bilgewater. “I even took my money from the study to get a better subscription to ChatGPT and even scored a couple Louis CK tickets, too. The study was a nice break from the family, they never seem to like my cock jokes or whenever I wanna talk about my podcast about libertarianism at our Sunday dinners. Like, lighten up!”

Harland Gorkey, professor of social sciences at Harvard, offered grave warnings of the implications of Reginald’s discovery.

“These findings have ramifications that go well beyond the study,” said Gorkey. “If someone is this inept at reading the room, how are we to expect them to function in society long term? Fuck me, these fucking dorks are probably all going to have kids, too, and a gender reveal party that ends with 12 dead and a call to the fire department because they just had to use pyrotechnics in a forest during the dry summer season. Jesus Christ.”

As of time of printing, Bilgewater sent his family a total of 17 AI videos of his face on Rambo’s body doing pushups despite them all being upset that their grandfather just passed away.

Bitch Alert! This Woman With No Kids Enjoys Her Life — Guest Post by That Creepy Guy Staring Across the Bar at You and Your Friends While You Bask in Your Beautiful Independent Life

Posted on May 20, 2026 by Violet Meeker

What’s worse than a woman? A childless woman.

What’s worse than a childless woman? A childless woman enjoying her life.

If you want to press charges, the real crime is that one can only assume a childless woman has aborted at least 37 potential Kid Rocks. With that math, we could have more Kid Rocks. And what person is so bereft of culture to not desire such a thing?

Speaking of abortions, my wife says that until I find the clit I don’t get to decide if we keep it or not. Since I can’t procreate, it’s everyone else’s problem now. Including all the women I don’t know. I may not know the childless woman laughing at the bar with her friends that I’m staring down in a way that can only be described as “bone chilling,” but I know that a woman is one of three things: A girl, a mom, or a slut. So what the hell is this divergence? I just learned that word from a Marvel movie I watched another man watch on Twitch last night. It was fucking awesome.

Call me a breeding kink advocate, but I think it’s important to procreate if you can. It’s not a huge risk, either, considering the children we’re having now will probably be required to enlist in the U.S. Army by the time they’re ten years old. It’ll be just like the good old days! Procreation for the sake of the herd, and group trauma that bonds our nation under God. It’s making me hard just thinking about women being forced to not reach their full potential. The only things women do when they’re not having kids are get nose rings and do stand-up comedy. I think we can all agree that those are dangerous experiences a woman should not be participating in.

Women should be made to rear the mirror image of their fathers, not “finding themselves.” That’s weird, and whenever they do, they’re really mean to me.

U.S. Treasury Announces Trump Money Doubles as Dude Wipes

Posted on May 20, 2026May 20, 2026 by Doug Kolic

WASHINGTON — In honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States, the Treasury Department announced that Donald Trump’s signature will be printed on future U.S. paper currency, which will also double as Dude Wipes, nearby sources reported.

“Under Trump’s leadership, we’re on a path toward unprecedented economic growth, so there’s no better time than now to honor him with his own money that can also be used to prevent swamp ass,” sniveled Secretary Scott Bessent. “This newest innovation is another example of our beloved leader’s desire to give back to loyal patriots by allowing them to get more out of their hard earned cash. Not only will folks still be able to use it to buy normal, everyday items like five, ten, or twelve homes, but they’ll also now be able to wipe down their taints after a long day of harassing anti-ICE protestors or after storming state capitols.”

A man at an ATM machine was confused by the new legal tender.

“I’m not really thrilled with breaking the long standing tradition of having a sitting president’s signature on our cash,” said Casper DeBrun. “But if what you’re telling me is this money can also be used to wipe down my stank after a long day at work, I guess that’s a good thing? I mean, we already have Dude Wipes which were specially designed for this, but having another convenient option may be pretty handy. A lot of people already joke that Trump is full of shit, so I guess now he literally will be.”

Local brand expert Cindy Lainy explained that many Trump products have secondary uses.

“The president has slapped his name on over 2,000 products, and many of those can be used seamlessly for alternative purposes,” stated Lainy. “Trump steaks, for example, are perfectly suited to soak up vomit, since the cut of beef is closer in texture to mop fibers. Then there’s Trump cologne, which is great for anyone who runs out of vinegar and needs to find something else to repel skunks with. Not to be outdone, Trump Bibles can be used to read the gospel, but more importantly it can be used to easily identify members of the public who should not procreate.”

At press time, the U.S. Treasury also announced a new Trump coin that will double as a cyanide pill if he runs again in 2028.

IRS Forced to Get Trump on Lesser Crimes of Rape and Pedophilia

Posted on May 19, 2026May 19, 2026 by Dan Rice

WASHINGTON — After a settlement barring them from investigating Trump or his family on past tax issues, crestfallen IRS investigators are left with no choice but to try and nail Trump on violations as trivial as rape, underage sex trafficking, and war crimes, sources within the IRS confirm.

“I’m not gonna lie, this is a real blow,” lamented longtime IRS prosecutor Lewis Adredsson to reporters. “A year ago, I thought we were going to take this guy down on the most egregious charge of all, tax evasion, just like we did with Capone! Now, with this settlement, we’ve got nothing to go on but petty nickel and dime stuff – some rape, a little treason, the abuse and trafficking of minors. Maybe all cobbled together, we can get some case going, but honestly, next to tax evasion, it’s thin stuff if you ask me.”

Chen Wei, a legal researcher heavily involved with the previous investigation into Trump’s tax returns, echoed his colleague’s sentiments.

“This is the biggest upset since we failed to nab Charles Manson on his unreported gambling wins from 1967 and had to trump up all that bullshit murder cult nonsense just to get him off the streets. I still can’t believe we got away with that, I mean, talk about making a mountain out of a molehill!”

Federal justice expert Rita Collinsworth shed some light on the situation from the Internal Revenue Service’s point of view.

“Contrary to what a lot of people think, the IRS can use their powerful prosecution teams to investigate any crime they want; they just almost always choose tax evasion because to them, that’s the worst thing. They’re just like, weird guys, is what I’m saying.”

At press time, the president was reportedly on the phone with Putin and Netanyahu, making the case that he was doing a great job and deserved a raise.

Opinion: Oh, Cool, She Was Serious About the Witchcraft Stuff

Posted on May 19, 2026May 18, 2026 by Dan Rice

I’m at an age now where it’s time to get serious about finding a long-term partner. I won’t tell you what that age is, because frankly, I don’t like thinking about it, but there comes a point in every adult’s life where it’s time to delete Feeld and download Hinge (but also keep Feeld and get Tinder for good measure because you still like sex.) Well, after a few months of conversations that went nowhere and a small handful of awkward coffee dates, I finally met someone who checks my boxes! Audra is a smart, funny, age-appropriate woman who doesn’t want kids. We have a ton of common interests, and initially, I loved her whole spooky-witch-girl vibe. Well, turns out, it was more than just a vibe.

It has become clear that my now girlfriend Audra is, in fact, a “practicing witch” and an earnest believer in astrology, the Pagan Rites, and various occult traditions. And that’s, you know, it’s fine. Cool. I think it’s cool.

Yeah, it’s like, I’ll ask if she wants to go out to something sometimes, and she’ll be like, “Hang on, I have to check the moon.” It’s kinda cute! You know, and then she’ll like, actually check the moon, and sometimes the moon will actually be bad, and we actually won’t go out. And that’s a decision, in my life now, that the moon makes, and it’s, you know, hey, whatever!

40, by the way. I’m 40. So, you know, Crunch time.

Look, all religions are pretty weird when you look at them from the outside, right? And it’s not like she’s trying to convert me! I mean, she did pretty much force me to do a star chart. And some tea ceremonies. And she took me to a candle shop and introduced me to a 68-year-old diabetic named Draven, who she warned me was “very powerful.” But outside of that, she’s not pushy! She can be pushy. Actually.

Hey, it’s not like I’m afraid she’s going to turn me into a toad or something! I suppose I am a little bit afraid that she’s going to explain how witches don’t really turn people into toads, and that such representations are “really hurtful,” to like, say, my boss or something, but whatever.

She’s beautiful, she has a great sense of humor, and as long as I steer the conversation away from the stars, wind, or herbs, we have great conversations! So what if she really, really means it when she complains about Mercury being in retrograde? It’s not that annoying! It is, kind of annoying! It’s annoying.

Okay, I’m in a spot here. I think it might be time for an ultimatum. If she doesn’t let me bring her down to the learning center, get her on the e-meter, and start battling those thatens, I think we might be done.

Ken Burns Foaming at the Mouth After Being Invited to PowerPoint Party

Posted on May 19, 2026May 18, 2026 by Samuel Abraham

MANCHESTER — Conservator of Americana and lauded documentarian Ken Burns was seen foaming at the mouth on Thursday evening after being invited to a PowerPoint party scheduled for the following night, confirmed sources while checking to see if they still had access to Microsoft 365.

“That just wasn’t enough time to put together a deeply researched six-part, 750-slide presentation that is historically accurate and emotionally poignant,” stated Burns, still convalescing at his pastoral estate. “I knew I wouldn’t have time to weave together an equitable and level-headed account of something as vivid or complex as the American Revolution or Civil War, but if you ask Babe Ruth to be on your baseball team, he’s gonna want to hit a home run. I owe it to my fellow PowerPoint partygoers to be as thoughtful as possible. Even the mere thought of presenting something reactionary and glib makes me physically ill. I think I might be urinating as I speak, actually.”

Burns’ longtime narrator and veteran actor Peter Coyote provided an eyewitness account of the incident.

“It’s my fault, really,” began Coyote, lulling nearby listeners into an ethereal reverie of beauty and knowledge with his dulcet tones. “We were out to lunch and I casually mentioned that a buddy was gonna be throwing a PowerPoint party the next day and that he should come. I should’ve known that that’s like telling Garfield that we’re going to a fucking lasagna factory. He just started quivering, spitting up foamy detritus, and shaking like a paint mixer in the middle of the restaurant. It was horrifying.”

Bill Pulaski, the host of the PowerPoint party, offered a different point of view of the ill-fated gathering.

“Personally? I feel terrible that he fell ill, but I was thrilled that Ken couldn’t make it,” said Pulaski. “I’d have never invited him. Not because he’s a bad guy, but we were just trying to have fun, you know? Just putting together a few minute presentations on your opinions on hot dog condiments, or what zodiac sign has the most body hair or some shit- not signing up for a 12-hour recap of the Battle of Antietam or whatever.”

As Burns recovers, nurses are reportedly slowly moving old, sepia tone photos across his field of vision around the clock to keep his heart rate stable.

Man Can’t Tell if Friend’s Art Show Surrealist or Bad

Posted on May 19, 2026May 18, 2026 by Ben Friedman

NEW YORK — While attending a friend’s high profile art show, local man Brian Jacobs was left dumbfounded after being unable to tell if the works were supposed to be surrealist or just flat out bad, gallery visitors have confirmed.

“Gavin has been hyping up his surrealist exhibit for so long and I just wanted to be a supportive friend but what the fuck am I looking at? Like this one, with the five-eyed fisherman holding a melting bowling ball. I mean sure it’s weird, but it looks like it was painted by a first grader,” said Jacobs. “I may only have a simple understanding of surrealism, but now I’m beginning to wonder if Gavin does as well, unless objects and people in his dreams also look like hot garbage. At least this shindig has an open bar.”

Artist-in-residence Gavin McCloud was excited his work was already creating a fierce discourse.

“I’ve been working on these pieces for nine months, and to see everyone have some passionate discussions about my work is incredibly validating. Everyone here is so shocked by the intensity of the paintings, they can barely make eye contact with me. What can I say, I’m very good at creating works that subvert rational thought,” said McCloud. “I can tell Brian is the most impressed. He keeps looking at me from across the room, shaking his head in disbelief. Don’t say anything, but I’m giving him that painting of the melting bowling ball when the show is over.”

Gallery owner Christine Morgan admitted to hosting exhibits of dubious quality.

“I want artists to view my gallery as a safe space to push the boundaries of avant garde, but sometimes a donor will hand me a six figure check and I will politely host their kid’s derivative work to justify their $90,000 art school bill, like tonight’s show,” said Morgan. “But even I feel bad when someone who doesn’t know Basquiat from their own butthole invites two dozen people to a surefire shit show. I’ve always advised if a friend calls them out to just say it’s all supposed to be ironically daub, and that the ambiguity of the art’s quality is the real art all along and then pray they don’t ask any follow up questions.”

As of press time, McCloud was visibly upset after Jacobs laughed in his face upon learning the cheapest painting had a $7,000 price tag.

Kash Patel’s Official Travel Schedule Suspiciously Similar To Upcoming Papa Roach Tour Dates

Posted on May 18, 2026 by Steve Packosky

WASHINGTON — FBI Director Kash Patel has come under fire for his official travel schedule being ostensibly identical to nu-metal band Papa Roach’s upcoming U.S. tour, sources report.

“Patel’s use of government resources, which he passes off as being part of his professional duties, is becoming a real problem for him,” said investigative journalist Yadira Jimenez. “From Hawaii snorkeling excursions to his use of the FBI’s Gulfstream V jet to attend concerts with his girlfriend, it’s obvious that Patel is using taxpayer dollars to fund personal activities. His following a rap-rock band from the early 2000s is just the most recent example of his wanton dereliction of duty. Just look at this map I’ve made of his schedule superimposed over the Papa Roach tour. He’s not even trying to hide it at this point.”

Former FBI Director James Comey agreed with Jimenez.

“I would express bewilderment at Patel still being in this job, but given the current administration, I suppose it’s par for the course,” Comey sighed. “You know how important his duties are to the security of all U.S. citizens? Should the sight of him pathetically chugging beer and singing some shitty Toby Keith song with the U.S. men’s national ice hockey team instill confidence in the American public? If he wants to live his angst-ridden teenage dream of following Papa Roach on tour, he should be doing it on his own time before we suffer another terrorist attack as a direct result of him ignoring his responsibilities.”

Patel was dismissive of the criticism lobbied against him.

“Pssht, whatever bro,” Patel scoffed as he polished off his sixth can of Natural Light over an expensed lunch of Wagyu beef tartare topped with foie gras and Osetra caviar. “I’m just going to tour FBI offices all over the country to make sure they’re operating to standard. What I might or might not do at night with my Bureau credit card is completely irrelevant. Look, is Papa Roach the sickest fucking band ever? Of course they are, and it’s been my lifelong dream to sing along to ‘Last Resort’ on every date of one of their tours, but that is unrelated to my professional life as Director of…wait. Which Federal organization am I the head of again?”

At press time, Patel’s upcoming visits to several conferences in Europe appeared to coincide with several Breaking Benjamin festival appearances.

Person Comparing Artichokes in Produce Section Running on Pure Instinct

Posted on May 18, 2026May 14, 2026 by Samuel Abraham

ARCATA, Calif. — Local school teacher Sally Beehill is using pure instinct and deeply entrenched in thought while comparing which artichoke to purchase at the grocery store, confirmed sources who had no idea how to differentiate themselves.

“I suppose I’m supposed to be looking for any dark spots, bugs, or any other unpleasantries that can come with fresh, local produce, but it’s really just based on a hunch,” said Beehill. “However, this is bigger than all of that. It’s bigger than me, even. I’m not so much comparing artichokes as I am listening to the warm animal of my body and awaiting her guidance. There is a liberated, primal beast within me that will point me towards which one of these miraculous botanical gifts will pair best with the end of my jar of mayo that’s about to turn if I don’t use it. I don’t care if I’ve been standing here for 15 minutes. I need to know which one speaks to me directly before I move onto selecting the right mango.”

Onlookers have gathered in the produce section of local grocer Wildberries Marketplace and are waiting with bated breath for Beehill’s decision.

“What’s her strategy? What’s her value system?” shopper Terry Manson queried. “If I need an artichoke, I just grab one or two and that’s that. I’ve never thought to compare them. Are some artichokes fundamentally better than others? Could I have been supping the divine nectar of ambrosia in the form of artichokey perfection this whole time had I known the proper tips? Have I been doing it wrong? What else am I doing wrong? Jesus Christ, am I even breathing right?”

Experts were reached out to to weigh in on Beehill’s vexation, and the clearest response offered came from Doug Chalmers of DillyDale Farms in Oxnard.

“Look, I’m gonna let you in on a little secret,” Chalmers confided. “What Beehill is doing is right. You just gotta go with your gut on this one. Every single day I wake up and sell these little sci-fi looking things to whoever wants to buy them. It doesn’t mean that I know what I’m looking at. I don’t have the first goddamn clue about what makes one better than another. Are you- is anyone– eating enough artichokes in their diet for this to matter?”

Beehill, now surrounded by a crowd reaching the dozens, was last observed tapping the artichokes for a reason that remains opaque to observers.

Why “Love Is a Battlefield” by Pat Benatar Justifies My Combat Veteran License Plate

Posted on May 18, 2026May 14, 2026 by Steve Packosky

Wait, do you have a problem with the way I’m driving, pal? I promise I looked before I merged right in front of you, and no, I don’t really think turn signals are necessary. Maybe if you manned up and bought a Ford F-350 instead of that puny little Honda, I’d be able to see you better. Oh, you’re just asking about my combat veteran license plate. Which war did I serve in? Well, it wasn’t an actual military conflict, per se, but have you ever listened to “Love Is a Battlefield” by Pat Benatar? If you had, you’d be able to understand why my driving with that affixed to my rear bumper is completely justified.

What do you mean, that’s absurd? It sounds like you’ve never been in a tumultuous relationship with someone you cared deeply about, because if you had, you’d know it’s every bit as harrowing as taking heavy fire at Peleliu or storming the St. Mihiel salient. Pat Benatar understood this, even if the lady working for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania didn’t when I initially applied for this plate. She changed her mind, though, when I told her I was at Fallujah. To be fair, my shitty ex, Chelsea, cheated on me by giving an over-the-pants handy to that Monro employee with the ear gauges around the time that battle was going on, so if you ask me, I basically told the truth.

Oh, don’t get all high and mighty with me about “stolen valor” or whatever bullshit you’re going on about, either. You have no idea what you’re talking about, dude. Do yourself a favor and watch the music video for “Love Is a Battlefield,” and you’ll see what I mean. Watching Pat Benatar, playing a teenage runaway who finds employment as a taxi dancer in a nightclub, leading a rebellion (through dance) against its foppish but sleazy owner, will lead you to understand that there is no difference between laying down your life for your country and love, which you should understand is the most dangerous battlefield of all.

Look, we can stand in this Denny’s parking lot and argue about which of us is a “disgusting, pathetic, and morally deficient scumbag” until we’re blue in the face, but I have other stuff to do. Specifically, going inside and ordering a Grand Slam Breakfast, and not like it’s any of your business, but yes, I do plan on using this my license plate to obtain said breakfast free of charge. Good day to you.

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