The “Hatman” is a widely reported paranormal phenomenon of a dark, featureless, shadowy figure, usually in a wide-brimmed hat and long coat, associated with sleep paralysis and terrifying hallucinations. While it has no known definitive origin, the Hatman is a common “shadow person” figure that appears during hypnagogic (falling asleep) and hypnopompic (waking up) states, a phenomenon that some believe is a shared cultural or psychological construct. In the stillness of night, when the boundary between sleep and waking blurs, some whisper of a dark silhouette that emerges at the edge of vision. Broad-shouldered, faceless, and crowned with a wide-brimmed hat, this figure has haunted dreamers and insomniacs across the world. He is known only as the Hat Man — a ghostly entity whose mere presence stirs primal fear. Is he a figment of troubled sleep, or something far older, crossing the veil of worlds? Dazzle Bright Halloween Decorations Outdoor The Haunting Figure in the Threshold Witnesses across continents tell eerily similar tales: a shadowy form glides into vision at the foot of the bed, crouches in a doorway, or leans in from beyond a closet. Always, the hat rests upon his head — sometimes a fedora, sometimes a bowler, sometimes a broad, old-fashioned brim. His body is featureless black, an outline of a man without detail, yet many swear they feel his gaze. He does not speak. He does not rush. He simply watches. On forums, TikTok videos, and paranormal podcasts, accounts of the Hat Man pour in. Unlike ordinary nightmares, these encounters leave behind something deeper — the unshakable conviction that something real had entered the room. The Science Versus the Specter Scientists offer an explanation rooted not in ghosts, but in biology. They point to sleep paralysis, a strange overlap of waking and dreaming. In such episodes, the brain awakens while the body remains locked in REM atonia — unable to move, breathe freely, or cry out. Hallucinations, often dark and terrifying, emerge with startling clarity. Up to 75% of sleep paralysis sufferers report visual intrusions: shadowy figures, strange beings, or a threatening presence. The Hat Man, skeptics argue, is one such hallucination — a shared illusion crafted by the brain’s chemistry and primal fear. But if it is mere neurology, why do so many unrelated people describe the same entity, right down to the hat? Eyewitness Encounters: When Darkness Watches Back The Hat Man’s legends are sustained by chilling real-world testimonies. Texas, USA: A man recalls waking to see a towering figure in his doorway, brimmed hat pulled low, trench coat brushing the floor. “He didn’t move,” the man swears. “But I could feel his eyes. He wanted me to know he was there.” Munich, Germany: A woman describes three consecutive nights of terror. The first night, the Hat Man lingered in the corner. The second night, he stood at the edge of her bed. On the third, she woke unable to breathe as he leaned directly above her. “I thought I was dying,” she says. When she finally moved, he dissolved into the wall. Queensland, Australia: A teenager saw him during the day — in the hallway mirror. “He was behind me, hat and all. I spun around and no one was there. But in the reflection… he stayed.” Such accounts, separated by distance and culture, seem bound by a chilling thread of consistency. Folklore’s Dark Reflections The Hat Man may be modern in name, but his roots stretch deep into human folklore. Around the world, shadowy figures of the night have been reported for centuries: The Nachtmahr (Germany): A demonic entity said to sit on the chest of sleepers, causing suffocation and dread. The Ankou (Brittany, France): A tall, hat-wearing figure who harvested souls at the hour of death. The Alp (Germanic legend): A mischievous nighttime spirit, always depicted wearing a magical hat that granted invisibility. The Incubi (Rome & Medieval Europe): Shadow beings who pressed upon sleepers, feeding on life energy. Kanashibari (Japan): Night-demons who paralyze sleepers, often interpreted today as episodes of sleep paralysis. Across cultures and eras, the stories echo: beings of shadow, connected to paralysis, suffocation, and unseen terror. The Hat Man may simply be our modern mask for something ancient. An Archetype in the Collective Shadow Psychologists point to the idea of archetypes — primal figures that emerge from humanity’s collective unconscious. Some believe the Hat Man is one such archetype: the Watcher, the Judge, the Harbinger. He appears in times of stress, trauma, or crisis, as if summoned by human suffering. But in paranormal circles, a darker interpretation rules: he is not summoned by us. He chooses to come. A predator, perhaps, feeding on fear itself. A psychic vampire who immobilizes his victims, draining them with silence and dread. Why the Hat? The detail of the hat troubles researchers most. Why would countless witnesses describe not just a man-shaped shadow, but one wearing a distinctly human accessory? Some folklorists suggest the hat signifies authority: undertakers, plague doctors, even the Grim Reaper are all depicted with head coverings. The hat transforms him from formless shadow into something ranked, powerful, purposeful. Others argue the hat is an anchor to memory. The human mind, struggling to interpret the unknowable, dresses him in the symbols of power it understands. But what if it is not the brain inventing the hat — what if the hat is his calling card? Psychic Predator or Guardian Spirit? Interpretations of the Hat Man vary as widely as the encounters. For some, he is a demonic parasite who appears at moments of weakness. For others, he is a harbinger — appearing before death, illness, or tragedy, marking those whose lives are about to change. And then there are those who see him differently still: not as an attacker, but as a sentinel, watching over the thresholds between life and death. In this view, his silence is not malevolence but protection — though terrifying, he might be standing watch against something worse. How to Protect Yourself from the Hat Man Paranormal enthusiasts often suggest defenses against shadow entities: Resisting fear: Some claim the Hat Man thrives on terror, and that facing him with calm reduces his presence. Light and protection rituals: Religious symbols, prayers, or protective charms are said to disrupt his visits. Breaking sleep paralysis: Learning to recognize and interrupt paralysis episodes may “banish” him from appearing. Still, many experiencers report that no matter what rituals or precautions they take, he sometimes returns. Between Worlds and Minds: Where Truth Hides Is the Hat Man a shared hallucination born of fragile neurology? A collective archetype etched into the human subconscious? Or a real interdimensional visitor who has haunted us for centuries? Science insists on the first explanation. Folklore whispers the second. Believers swear the third. What remains certain is that for those who have seen him, the Hat Man is no theory. He is memory — sharp, real, unforgettable. A shadow that refuses to be explained away. And perhaps, in the hush of midnight, the most chilling thought is not that he might be a dream… but that he might be watching even now, from the corner of the room.

The Kentucky man who killed 6-year-old Logan Tipton was freed 13 years early after state law labeled his assault convictions “non-violent,” despite the brutal nature of the crime. According to investigators, Ronald Exantus, 42, broke into the Tipton family home in Woodford County, Kentucky, on the night of December 7, 2015, stabbing Tipton, who later died of his injuries, and assaulting the boy’s father and sibling. The story has drawn national outrage, as many Americans are questioning how a man who brutally killed a child could walk free after serving less than half of his 20-year term — all because his convictions were classified as “non-violent” under Kentucky law. On Monday night, Daily Wire host Matt Walsh, who has focused extensively on the story this week, reached out to the parole board that signed off on Exantus’ parole, seeking more information on how he was allowed to be released after serving less than half of his 20-year sentence. The parole board told Walsh that it had no choice but to release Exantus under state law, since he was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder, and his remaining convictions were classified as “non-violent” offenses. Get 40% off new DailyWire+ annual memberships with code FALL40 at checkout “He stabbed a child to death and then went on to assault the entire family, and yet he is ‘non-violent’ under the law because he was only convicted of second degree assault,” said Walsh. “The murder didn’t count at all because he was ‘not guilty by reason of insanity.’ That’s what we were told. Apparently Ronald Exantus ‘non-violently’ stabbed a child to death and then stabbed the rest of the family after breaking into their home. If you think our criminal justice system is completely and totally broken, you don’t even know the half of it. It is so much worse than you think.” Exantus was tried in 2018, but the jury deemed him mentally insane and did not convict him of murder. Instead, he was convicted on a lesser charge of second-degree assault for the attack on Tipton’s father and sibling and sentenced to 20 years in prison. The Kentucky Parole Board said in a statement that state law forced the board to sign off on Exantus’ release. “Every time it had the opportunity, the Parole Board recommended Ronald Exantus stay in prison,” the board said. “Exantus was reviewed for parole on 09/30/2025, as required by state law. The Parole Board issued a decision that Exantus stay in prison for the remainder of his sentence. Despite this decision, Kentucky law required the Department of Corrections to release the inmate on Mandatory Reentry Supervision.” Exantus’ release on parole does not mean he’s a free man. He will likely have parole conditions that he must follow, but the specifics of those conditions remain unclear. Walsh said that his team asked the Parole Board what the conditions would be, but the board did not respond. After Exantus was released, Logan Tipton’s father, Dean, said the news dredged up the trauma his family had carried since the brutal killing nearly a decade ago. “It’s crazy, it’s brought back a lot of emotions that I thought were gone, a lot of hurt, anguish,” Dean said. The father added that Exantus needs to be held accountable, whether he’s “insane or not.” The case could also come under federal scrutiny, as the White House said over the weekend that it is looking into Extantus’ release. In a statement responding to one of Walsh’s social media posts about the story, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote, “I can confirm the White House is looking into this. It’s wholly unacceptable for a child killer to walk free after just several years in prison.” I can confirm the White House is looking into this. It’s wholly unacceptable for a child killer to walk free after just several years in prison. https://t.co/pOjKxvmrZV — Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) October 4, 2025 Tipton’s mother, Heather, said it was a relief to see social media and the White House bring attention to their story, WKYT reported. “My first reaction was, finally. We are finally, people are finally finding out about this,” she said. “You know, 10 years ago we tried to get the word out, but social media was not what it is now.”

Country star Zach Bryan is pushing back after facing fierce criticism for his new anti-ICE song, “Bad News.” The 29-year-old recording artist was criticized for the timing and message of the lyrics, as incidents of violence against Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have been increasing. In a new Instagram Story, he insisted that people are missing the “full context” of the song. “I love this country,” Bryan wrote in a lengthy defense of the viral track. “My friends are all degenerates, but they’re all I got/ the generational story of dropping the plot/ I heard the cops came, Cocky motherf****s, ain’t they?” the song lyrics say.  “And ICE is gonna come bust down your door/try to build a house no one builds no more/but I got a telephone/ Kids are all scared and all alone/The bar stopped bumping, the rock stopped rolling /the middle fingers rising, and it won’t stop showing/ Got some bad news /The fading of the red, white, and blue.” Bryan tried to explain himself on social media. Get 40% off new DailyWire+ annual memberships with code FALL40 at checkout “This shows you how divisive a narrative can be when shoved down our throats through social media,” the country singer wrote. “This song is about how much I love this country and everyone in it more than anything. When you hear the rest of the song, you will understand the full context that hits on both sides of the aisle. Everyone using this now as a weapon is only proving how devastatingly divided we all are. We need to find our way back.” “I served this country, I love this country and the song itself is about all of us coming out of this divided space. I wasn’t speaking as a politician or some greater-than-thou a***hole, just a 29-year-old man who is just as confused as everyone else,” the post went on.  “To see how much sh** it stirred up makes me not only embarrassed but kind of scared. Left wing or right wing we’re all one bird and American. To be clear I’m on neither of these radical sides. To all those disappointed in me on either side of whatever you believe in just know I’m trying my best too and we all say things that are misconstrued sometimes.” He added that he’s been “scrutinized” over the last few months more than ever. He reiterated that he is “SO proud to have served in a country where we can all speak freely and converse amongst each other without getting doxxed or accosted on the internet or worse.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem weighed in on Bryan’s new song, saying it made her feel “disappointed and disheartened.” “I hope he understands how completely disrespectful that song is, not just to law enforcement but to this country,” Noem told conservative podcast host Benny Johnson on Tuesday. “To every single individual that has stood up and fought for our freedoms. He just compromised it all by putting out a product such as that, that attacks individuals who are just trying to make our streets safe.” “Zach, I didn’t listen to your music. I’m happy about that today,” she added. “Today, that makes me very happy that I never once gave you a single penny to enrich your lifestyle. I am going to go out and probably download some Jason Aldean, John Rich, Kid Rock, and Jon Pardi songs.”

As Israel’s war against Hamas terrorists in Gaza approaches its third year following the October 7, 2023, massacre, the conflict has shaken the foundations of public opinion, shifting views not only toward Israel but toward Palestinians as well, according to a recent Cygnal survey. For decades, Israel enjoyed strong bipartisan support in the United States, but that consensus has eroded, and younger Americans are at the forefront of that shift. Among American voters, Israel’s image is slightly underwater overall, with 41 percent viewing it favorably and nearly 44 percent unfavorably. But among voters aged 18 to 44, Israel’s standing is significantly worse — it is deeply underwater with a net favorability of -31. For voters over 55, it’s the opposite – Israel has a net favorability of +14. This trend should come as no surprise amid two years of anti-Israel protests, often echoing Hamas messaging, on college campuses and throughout liberal cities. However, declining support for Israel has not translated to a pro-Palestinian shift. Public opinion on Palestinians is even more negative, with 45 percent of Americans having an unfavorable view compared to just a 31 percent favorable one. But it is here that the generational and partisan divides cut in the opposite direction — 60 percent of voters over the age 55, and 64 percent of Republicans, hold the most unfavorable view of Palestinians. Get 40% off new DailyWire+ annual memberships with code FALL40 at checkout! Americans are more broadly aligned in their views of Hamas, with three-quarters of likely voters having a negative opinion of the U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization. As is often the case with tracking public opinion, single digits tend to get a mere glance, especially in this case, when only 6 percent view Hamas favorably. However, that 6 percent translates into roughly 20 million American voters holding a favorable view of Hamas. That’s enough people to fill 186 Michigan football stadiums (each holding more than 107,000 people), and it not only reflects a dangerous moral confusion, but also a broader cultural shift that favors ideological extremes. Most Republicans, and some Democrats, support Israel’s effort to destroy Hamas to prevent future massacres and secure the release of the remaining hostages. They are the type of voters who welcome groundbreaking talks between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, as we witnessed this week. But radical voices on the far Left often point to the devastation in Gaza and accuse Israel of genocide. A loud minority on the Right have also begun to believe Israel seeks to draw America into another conflict, or see Israel at the center of every conspiracy, from toppling the Assad regime to assassinating Charlie Kirk. For American “normies,” all of this is, of course, absurd. This moment in time is not a passing dip in support for Israel. Another Cygnal survey from just after the horrific attacks by Hamas on innocent civilians on October 7, 2023, revealed 47 percent of American voters were concerned about pro-Palestinian protests in America, but that 38 percent were indifferent, and 15 percent supported them. It’s not unreasonable to assume indifference and tacit support are the same here, meaning that in less than a week after the unprecedented attacks on Israel that sparked the current conflict, more were accepting of the pro-Palestinian protesters’ grievances and open calls for violence against Israel. These alarming trends were specifically cited by Charlie Kirk, who warned that a war over information was being waged against Israel, especially on social media, and that it had permeated into conservative movements. This latest data affirms the incredibly high-stakes nature of this new era. But how fitting is the promise of a leader like President Trump to set a new course, not just on the diplomatic stage but on the public one as well. His critical role to support Israel as a bastion of democracy and a strong American ally will only be as effective as Israel’s efforts to rebuild trust and reshape its image among younger Americans in particular. Maintaining bipartisan, or even just intergenerational Republican support for Israel as a strategic ally is not merely in Israel’s interest – it is in America’s interest. In a democracy, public opinion is not a secondary concern, but the foundational pillar that sustains long-term foreign policy. Ignoring these dangerous trends is something neither country can afford. Alex Tarascio is a principal and pollster at Cygnal. Or Yissachar is the executive director of David Institute for Security Policy and member of the Israel Defense and Security Forum.