Deep State Radio

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Twice a week, this podcast will take you on a smart, direct, sometimes scary, sometimes profane, sometimes hilarious tour of the inner workings of American power and of the impact of our leaders and their policies on our standing in the world. Hosted by noted author and commentator David Rothkopf and featuring regulars Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law School, Kori Schake of Stanford University and David Sanger of the New York Times, the program will be the lively, smart dinner table conversation on the big issues of the day that you wish you were having...without the calories. Sometimes special guests will join the conversation and always the emphasis will be on providing the unvarnished perspectives others shy away from. Deep State Radio is the insider perspective on American national security and foreign policy that you can't find anywhere else. If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider becoming a member by visiting thedsrnetwork.com.

The DSR Network


    • Mar 5, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • daily NEW EPISODES
    • 32m AVG DURATION
    • 3,013 EPISODES

    4.6 from 1,465 ratings Listeners of Deep State Radio that love the show mention: kori, david rothkopf, luce, dsr, deep state, rosa brooks, david and the crew, fp, international politics, best foreign policy podcast, entropy, want a mug, global issues, disheartened, national security, davids, mugs, foreign affairs, regular guests, despair.


    Ivy Insights

    The Deep State Radio podcast is a highly informative and engaging show that tackles current affairs and global issues. With a focus on having relevant experts as guests, the podcast stands out from its rivals by providing in-depth discussions on topics such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the situation in Ukraine. While occasional slips may occur, it is understandable considering the fast-paced nature of current affairs. Overall, The Deep State Radio makes a commendable effort to provide accurate and insightful content.

    One of the best aspects of The Deep State Radio podcast is its commitment to featuring guests with relevant backgrounds in each episode. This approach ensures that listeners receive expert insights and analysis on various topics. By doing so, the podcast stands out among its competitors who may not prioritize guest selection as much. Additionally, the show's discussion on the proliferation of false information in the public square offers valuable insight into how to curtail misinformation.

    However, there are some areas where The Deep State Radio podcast falls short. One criticism is that there are instances where certain perspectives or voices are missing from panel discussions. For example, a review mentions a panel lacking a black person making unsupported generalizations about the police. This lack of diversity can hinder the overall quality and accuracy of discussions.

    In conclusion, The Deep State Radio podcast is an invaluable resource for staying informed on current events and global issues. Despite occasional slip-ups and potential lacks in diversity, the show's dedication to featuring knowledgeable experts sets it apart from other podcasts in this genre. With engaging discussions and insightful analysis, The Deep State Radio provides listeners with an opportunity to delve deep into complex topics impacting society today.



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    Latest episodes from Deep State Radio

    DSR Daily March 5: Senate REFUSES to Reign in Trump's War Powers

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2026 24:05


    On the DSR Daily for Thursday, we discuss the Senate rejecting a measure to require congressional authorization for the war in Iran, Trump considering firing Kristi Noem, Minnesota suing the administration over Medicaid funding, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Daily Blast: Trump Explodes in Wild 2026 Panic as Texas Senate Results Rattle GOP

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2026 21:50


    In this week's Texas Senate primaries, Democrat James Talarico triumphed, while GOP Senator John Cornyn and MAGA extremist Ken Paxton are headed for a runoff. Talarico, who speaks openly about his religious commitments and about the need to win over MAGA voters, might have a shot, especially against Paxton. That caused Donald Trump to explode in an agitated, panicky tirade on Truth Social, where he warned that the GOP primary could cost Republicans the seat and “MUST STOP NOW!” He vowed to endorse soon and insisted that the other candidate will have to “DROP OUT OF THE RACE!” This comes as other Republicans are publicly airing their fears of a Talarico-Paxton matchup. We talked to Democratic operative Sawyer Hackett, a veteran of Texas races. He explains Talarico's unique appeal, why Texas is so hard for Democrats, what has to happen for them to win, and why they could fall short of this dream yet again.  Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Preparing for the Horrific Unintended Consequences of the Iran War

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2026 50:56


    In case you haven't heard, Trump decided we need to go to war with Iran. What is the strategy here? Does our President even have one, or are we at the mercy of an idiot guided solely by ridiculous impulses? Joe Cirincione, Jon Wolfsthal and Ed Luce join David Rothkopf to discuss the current situation in Iran, what this means for the US, and why we're even there in the first place. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    DSR Daily March 4: US Sinks Iranian Warship as Conflict Spreads

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2026 20:26


    On the DSR Daily for Wednesday, we break down the state of the war with Iran, results from the first primaries of the 2026 midterms, the US launching military operations in Ecuador, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Daily Blast: Trump Blurts Out Damning Iran Admission as MAGA Turns Harshly on Him

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2026 23:57


    Speaking Tuesday about his war on Iran, Donald Trump got too candid. He declared that the worst-case scenario could involve people running Iran who are just as bad as those he's deposing. He also admitted that most of the people the United States hoped will take over are now “dead,” and visibly had no idea what will happen next. All this accidentally reveals just how little thought he's given to what will happen as this continues to unfold. It comes as MAGA is turning against Trump over the war: Personalities like Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson, Matt Walsh and many more are sharply questioning Trump's stated rationales and Israel's role in dictating our war policy. We talked to Zeteo's Asawin Suebsaeng, who closely covers Trumpworld. We discuss how Trump is recklessly miring us in a horrifying quagmire, the real reasons MAGA is turning on Trump, whether MAGA angst could cause Trump to rethink, and what it means that MAGA opposes war in Iran while thrilling to savage brutality at home. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Siliconsciousness: Are We “Careening Toward Disaster” with Hegseth's Campaign Against “Woke AI?”

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2026 49:26


    As the Trump regime wages war on Iran and geopolitical crises are dominating tabloid headlines, the Pentagon's relationship with artificial intelligence is slipping under the radar. Alondra Nelson joins David Rothkopf to discuss the DoD's partnerships with private-sector AI companies, the Pentagon's push for unrestricted AI, and what this all means for our future.This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    AI, Energy and Climate: India AI Impact Summit: Arunabha Ghosh

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2026 42:40


    More than 35,000 people attended the recent India AI Impact Summit in Delhi, which featured speeches from more than 20 heads of state and dozens of technology company leaders including Sam Altman of OpenAI, Dario Amodei of Anthropic and Demis Hassabis of Google DeepMind. In this episode, host David Sandalow offers his reflections on the Summit and speaks with Arunabha Ghosh, President of CEEW, a leading Delhi-based public policy think tank. Ghosh offers his views on the Summit, data center construction in India and around the world and the role of AI in sustainable development, among other topics.   This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    DSR Daily March 3: Six American Soldiers Killed as Iran Retaliates

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2026 15:10


    On the DSR Daily for Tuesday, we break down the deaths of 6 US soldiers in Kuwait, an impending testimony by Kristi Noem, videos of the depositions of Hillary and Bill Clinton, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Daily Blast: Trump Hit by Damning Leaks on Iran Decision as Polls Turn Brutal Fast

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2026 22:30


    With Donald Trump's war on Iran getting worse, a new report in The New York Times reveals damning details about the runup to the decision. We learn that Trump's case rests on lies about the “imminent threat” Iran poses, and that he publicly misrepresented his own top general's misgivings about the invasion. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arguably misled congressional leaders, and JD Vance privately called for going big, undercutting his “noninterventionist” cred. This comes as a new CNN poll finds a whopping 59 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump's war, and a Reuters poll finds support at an abysmal 27 percent. We talked to Mark Jacob, who has a good piece for his “Stop the Presses” Substack on Trump's lawbreaking. We discuss why public impressions of his violent lawlessness are turning voters against the war, what will happen in the midterms if things get worse, and how Trump is assuming the powers of a mad dictator.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Experts: Trump's Illegal Iran War Likely to Trigger Dangerous Unintended Consequences

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2026 41:18


    After the supposed “success” of Venezuela, President Trump has set his sights on eliminating the nuclear threat of Iran once and for all. What could possibly go wrong? Christine Wormuth, Frank Kendall, and Rosa Brooks join David Rothkopf to break down the illegality and difficulty of the US and Israel's strikes on Iran, why regime change might be a double edged sword, and just how likely this conflict is to spin out of control. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    DSR Daily March 2: War with Iran Expands Across the Region

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2026 17:55


    On the DSR Daily for Monday, we break down the war with Iran spilling over into neighboring countries, a congressional attempt to restrain Trump's military operations, FBI probing a possible terrorism link to a Texas shooting, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Daily Blast: As Trump Goes Truly Off Rails on Econ, Fox Quietly Bursts His Bubble

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2026 22:58


    Donald Trump's state of the union speech was the culmination of many months of lies about his economy and his tariffs. Yet in recent days, even Fox News has been admitting to how bad the news is getting. Fox figures have gently tried to tell Trump the truth about tariffs: One hinted Trump should use the Supreme Court ruling against them as an offramp. Another said Republicans are privately celebrating the decision. A third warned the tariffs badly threaten the GOP's midterm hopes. On Fox Business, one anchor was surprisingly blunt about Friday's bad inflation data. And a reporter called the recent 1.4 percent growth numbers a “bad miss.” Yet Trump needs his media allies to sugarcoat his economy through the midterms. We talked to Media Matters senior fellow Matthew Gertz. He explains how Trump's economy is creating serious dissonance for Fox propagandists and viewers alike, how this reveals Trump's deepening problems with his base, and why all this spells trouble for the GOP this fall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    DSR Weekly Wrap-up: Hillary Clinton's Bizarre Epstein Testimony

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2026 21:11


    On the DSR Weekly Wrap-up for February 27th, we discuss Hillary Clinton's testimony before the House oversight committee, Paramount's victory over Netflix in the Warner Bros. acquisition, Anthropic resisting the Pentagon's demands, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Daily Blast: Trump Epstein Scandal Takes Brutal Turn as MAGA Slips into Tailspin

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2026 26:55


    This week, The New York Times confirmed the latest revelations in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, reporting on the missing files that appear to involve charges against Donald Trump himself. The Times is treating this as a blockbuster story, digging in hard on the details in a way that will surely cause media scrutiny to intensify further. MAGA is all over the place on this. Fox News has mostly ignored the revelations, as Media Matters shows. One big MAGA influencer is hyping Hillary Clinton's supposed role in the scandal, but that's backfiring. Other MAGA types remain split. We talked to New Republic contributing editor Ana Marie Cox, who writes really well about Epstein and right wing elites. We discuss why the Times coverage is so brutal for Trump, why the saga is driving MAGA toward crackup, what all this says about right wing elites, and why the sun may soon set on Trumpism as a movement.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Words Matter: Our Chances for Restoring Our Democracy are Hanging by a Thread

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2026 46:58


    The SAVE Act is the next assault on democracy by this administration — and it might just be the biggest yet. Trump and his cronies are focusing on pulling out all the stops to get this voter suppression bill passed including calls to end the filibuster. Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back to break down the cataclysmic effects this bill would have on our democracy and the mounting danger that threatens to pass the point of no return.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    DSR Daily February 26: Shootout Off Cuban Coast Kills 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2026 21:53


    On the DSR Daily for Thursday, we discuss a shootout off the coast of Cuba, the White House pausing Medicaid payments to Minnesota, missing Epstein files directly related to Trump, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Daily Blast: Trump Erupts at Speech Critics as Even Some GOPers Admit It Fell Short

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2026 24:42


    On Wednesday, Donald Trump exploded wildly on Truth Social, ripping into Democrats Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, who attacked him during his speech. He called them “Low IQ,” “mentally deranged,” and “LUNATICS,” and even savaged Robert De Niro, who also criticized the speech, as “sick and demented.” Trump hoped appeal to the middle, but he couldn't help sliding back into full racism at his first opportunity. Meanwhile, even some Republicans found the speech wanting: One strategist said it wouldn't help the party politically this fall, a second said it didn't give enough to people who are “hurting,” and a conservative writer opined that it “wasn't much of a game changer.” We talked to Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg, who had a mixed reaction. We discuss how Trump's tirade exposes a deep tension in his approach to 2026, why he can't let go of his tariffs and deportations, and how smarter GOP strategists really view that problem. We also discuss hidden reasons why this could still go badly for Democrats.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Siliconsciousness: Is the Pentagon Winning the Battle to Make AI More Dangerous? 

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2026 30:26


    The Pentagon wants less restricted, more dangerous AI—and it seems like they're getting it. Pete Hegseths's showdown with Anthropic is just the latest instance of this administration's pursuit of radical deregulation of artificial intelligence that shows no signs of slowing. The Brennan Center's Amos Toh joins David Rothkopf to explore the ramifications of deregulation for defense, public safety, and the future of the industry.  This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The President of the Board of Peace Seems to Be Bored of Peace

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2026 42:51


    War with Iran is looming. After Trump's incendiary and lie-fueled State of the Union address, it's clear that our President, the founder of the Board of Peace, might just be bored of peace. Kim Ghattas, Steven Cook, and Ed Luce join David Rothkopf to forecast what the President might do in Iran, what could possibly be going on in Trump's head, and why conflict might just be inevitable.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    DSR Daily February 25: The Unending Disaster of Trump's State of the Union Address

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2026 24:39


    On the DSR Daily for Wednesday, we break down the lie-a-palooza that was the State of the Union, the House failing to pass an aviation safety bill, a judge blocking the DOJ from reviewing a reporter's data, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Daily Blast: Trump's Epstein Scandal Takes Damning Turn as Dem Drops New Bombshell

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2026 23:28


    The Jeffrey Epstein scandal has just taken another bad turn for Donald Trump. NPR reports that the Justice Department has withheld key documents from the publicly-released Epstein files. Guess what: They apparently relate to charges that Trump potentially abused a minor. And Congressman Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, also dropped a bombshell, claiming he's reviewed DOJ materials personally and confirmed that DOJ does appear to have withheld critical FBI interviews. Is this really as bad as it sounds? As University of Michigan law professor Leah Litman explains in this episode, the answer is: Yes, it is. Litman—the author of Lawless, a book about the Supreme Court—demystifies the legal ins and outs of these new revelations, lays out a roadmap to what will happen now, and explains the prospects for achieving genuine accountability.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Need to Know: The Coming Earthquake in US Politics and Why It May Be a Very Good Thing

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2026 51:15


    It's time to face the facts: Donald Trump's goose just might be cooked. After the violence of Minneapolis and the shocking revelations of the Epstein Files, it's clear that a major political shake-up is coming. The Contrarian's Jennifer Rubin joins David Rothkopf to explore the fall of legacy media, the rise of independent voices, and the tectonic generational shifts happening in American politics.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    DSR Daily February 24: Anger Mounts over Trump's New Tariff

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2026 19:20


    On the DSR Daily for Tuesday, we discuss reactions to the implementation of Trump's new tariff, Democrats tapping Abigail Spanberger and Alex Padilla for the SOTU response, shocking texts from Rep. Tony Gonzalez, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Daily Blast: Trump Angered by Fresh Slide in Polls as Even Fox Admits He's Tanking

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2026 22:46


    A new CNN poll finds Donald Trump's approval at an abysmal 36 percent. And a Washington Post survey finds him absolutely tanking on just about all major issues. But to Trump, this cannot be real: He just issued an angry, rambling tirade about how such polls are "fake." He even declared that his support is “silent,” while insisting he got many millions more votes in 2024 than he actually got. Amusingly, this came even as Fox News aired a striking graphic showing Trump's approval on tariffs at an abysmal 34-64. This isn't the first time Fox has admitted how badly things are going: The network's own recent poll found him deeply underwater on the economy, tariffs, and even immigration. We talked to Marquette University political scientist Julia Azari, author of a good new piece explaining how Trump operates outside the Constitution. We discuss how this extra-Constitutional governing is itself rendering him deeply unpopular, why Trump's poll denial reflects a refusal to acknowledge legitimate opposition, and what it all tells us about the current state of the American experiment. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    DSR Daily February 23: Trump's Anger Over Supreme Court Tariff Ruling

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2026 21:35


    On the DSR Daily for Monday, we break down President Trump ignoring the Supreme Court ruling on tariffs, Mexico killing a powerful cartel boss, Kash Patel's embarrassing celebration with US hockey players, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Daily Blast: Trump's Rage at SCOTUS Explodes—then Backfires as GOPers Turn on Him

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2026 21:17


    After the Supreme Court struck down Donald Trump's tariffs, he detonated. He targeted justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, fuming that the ruling was an “embarrassment to their families.” He doubled down on the idea that he has unilateral tariff power. He tacitly threatened to investigate the high court for foreign influences. He called the ruling a “disgrace to our nation.” Yet this is backfiring: It prompted GOP Representative Don Bacon to declare that this might prompt more GOP votes to constrain him, remarking that Trump “didn't do himself any favors.” Indeed, after we recorded this episode, Senator Mitch McConnell pointedly noted that Congress is “not an inconvenience to avoid,” suggesting more Congressional action ahead, and other Republicans celebrated the ruling.  We talked to legal scholar Matthew Seligman, a lawyer for some of the businesses looking for tariff refunds. He explains why the ruling was such a major rebuke, why Trump's efforts to revive the tariffs might encounter turbulence, and how his impotent fury—and the GOP response to it—undermine his political mystique in a deeper sense.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    DSR Weekly Wrap-up: Former Prince Andrew ARRESTED Over Epstein Ties

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2026 32:31


    On the DSR Weekly Wrap-up for February 20th, we cover the arrest of the former Prince Andrew, President Trump issuing a 10 day timeline on negotiations with Iran, massive new Trump branding on the DOJ headquarters, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Words Matter: Special Edition: Why the SCOTUS Tariff Decision May Lead to More Abuses of Power by Trump

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2026 47:02


    The Supreme Court has ruled against Donald Trump's tariff agenda in a major blow to his economic policy. Are we finally seeing real pushback against this administration? What does this decision mean for our democracy? Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf react to this evolving story, discussing the SCOTUS decision, the SAVE Act, and the corruption within the Trump administration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Daily Blast: Trump Ramblings on Epstein Take Revealing Turn as MAGA Fury Boils Over

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2026 26:13


    After British police arrested the former Prince Andrew in connection with revelations involving Jeffrey Epstein, a reporter asked Donald Trump directly if anyone will face accountability in the United States. Trump rambled and rambled, insisting he had been “totally exonerated.” That's not true, but regardless, Trump could not explain why accountability is happening in other countries, but not in ours. He also had nothing whatsoever to say about whether his Justice Department will ever seek accountability for any elites implicated in the scandal. Meanwhile, MAGA figures are raging over the latest Epstein-file revelations and demanding exactly the accountability that is not forthcoming from DOJ. We talked to Nicole Hemmer, author of good books about the conservative movement and about the right wing media. She explains why Trump has not been exonerated, how the latest in this scandal is causing MAGA to crack up, what all this reveals about supposed Trump-MAGA hatred of “elites,” and what the prospects are for genuine accountability. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Need to Know: There's No Time to Lose: What Dems Need to Do Right Now

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2026 42:39


    The Democratic Party is at a flashpoint. With the naked fascism on the Republican Party under Trump, the time is ripe for the Democrats to become more popular than ever. Yet the leadership has stumbled time and time again. The New Republic Editor Michael Tomasky joins David Rothkopf to outline exactly to the Dems need to do right now to trounce Trump and win back the favor of the American people.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The DSR Daily for February 19: Epstein Impacts Abroad

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2026 18:50


    On the DSR Daily for Thursday, we cover Prince Andrew's arrest, Trump's Board of Peace's first meeting, Pete Hegseth inviting Christian nationalist pastor Doug Wilson to speak at the Pentagon's monthly worship service, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Daily Blast: Trump Erupts in Angry Panic over 2026 as Polls Take Truly Brutal Turn

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2026 18:38


    Donald Trump has the midterms on his mind. A few days ago he erupted in a wild tirade on Truth Social, raging about voter fraud and voter ID while urging Republicans to make them central in the elections. He's now pinned this rant to the top of his feed. Over the last 24 hours, he's been on a tear, elevating half a dozen other tweets on these topics. By “warning” that Republicans must centralize voter fraud, he's actually telling them to engage in mass voter suppression or perish. He has good reason to panic: One new poll has his approval at 38 percent. Another survey puts Democrats ahead in the House ballot matchup by six points. And polling averages find Trump's approval on immigration, his “good” issue, at abysmal lows. We talked to Lakshya Jain, head of political data for The Argument. He explains why the numbers are even worse for Trump if you dig into the details, particularly on the economy; why it's so unusual that Trump is tanking on two GOP issues, the economy and immigration; and why that is creating unexpected opportunities for Democrats. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The More the World Hears from the US, the More Confused it Gets

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2026 38:03


    ⁠“Rubio goes to Munich, then goes out for a cup of tea…”⁠ The Munich Security Conference highlighted the unpredictability of US foreign policy. Europe is coming to terms with US unreliability, and the Democratic party is beginning to see its primary candidates emerge. What should we make of the Munich Security Conference? What - or who - is the future of the Democratic party? Max Boot of the Council on Foreign Relations joins David Rothkopf, Rosa Brooks, and Ed Luce to discuss all this and more. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The DSR Daily for February 18: Is This The End of Kristi Noem?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2026 20:39


    On the DSR Daily for Wednesday, we cover politicized sewage spill in Maryland,Kristi Noem's clash with the Coast Guard, the FDA agreeing to review a new mRNA vaccine, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Daily Blast: Minneapolis Mayor's Emotional Message to Trump: You Failed to Break Us

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2026 25:56


    In today's episode, we talk to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey about the latest developments in his city. Donald Trump and border czar Tom Homan have said they're winding down ICE's occupation, and Frey tells us there are some positive signs in this regard. But Frey also discusses how ICE violence has been directed from the very top, shares new details about the enormous and lasting damage it did to the city, and explains how the extraordinary solidarity between ordinary people there is enabling Minneapolis to emerge from this dark period unbroken and unbowed. “The people here are tough as hell,” Frey tells us, adding that the city feels “pride” at “what we are overcoming.” Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    DSR Daily February 17: Reverend Jesse Jackson Dies at 84

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2026 18:38


    On the DSR Daily for Tuesday, we break down the death of Rev. Jesse Jackson, ongoing negotiations between Iran and the US, right-wing rage over AOC's appearance at the Munich Security Conference, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Daily Blast: Trump Press Sec's Weird Cult Moment on Fox Wrecked by Fresh ICE Horror

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2026 23:37


    White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt went full North Korea cult propagandist on Fox News, gushing that the ICE crackdown in Minneapolis has been a “resounding success.” Never mind that two Americans were murdered, violent civil conflict has reigned, and Trump's approval has cratered. Leavitt also undercut her own spin by describing all arrested by ICE as “criminals” and insisting the operation is “targeted”—revealing she can't tell the truth about its targeting of noncriminals because it's so widely hated. She was further undermined by the shocking news that two ICE agents lied about an incident leading to the shooting of an immigrant, a reminder that this entire fiasco has been perpetually awash in lawless horror. We talked to Democratic messaging strategist Anat Shenker-Osorio, who explains how that shooting wrecks White House spin, why Trump's propaganda narratives are collapsing at a deep level, why he's in an unusually weak position, and what Democrats can do with their own narratives to seize the moment.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    DSR Daily February 16: Bondi Faceplants Again Over Epstein Files

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2026 24:45


    On the DSR Daily for Monday, we discuss the DOJ's ludicrous claims regarding the Epstein Files Transparency Act, DHS attempting to have tech companies unmask anti-ICE accounts, the vacuum of leadership at the NIH, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    DSR Weekly Wrap-up: Trump Deals Death Blow to Climate Change Ruling

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2026 21:34


    On the DSR Weekly Wrap-up for February 13th, we discuss the administration reversing a major ruling on greenhouse gases, continued escalating tensions in the Middle East, the impending partial government shutdown, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Words Matter: American Democracy at a Point of No Return

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2026 52:18


    Concerns about an impending government shutdown are growing, and it is critical that the Democratic Party can adopt strong messaging to voters. There is no oversight for the Republican cult in Washington - Bondi, Bovino, Blanche, the list is endless. If we can still save our democracy, we need to do so now. Tune in as David Rothkopf and Norm Ornstein discuss the looming government shutdown, the threats to voting rights, and the hideousness of Pam Bondi.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    DSR Daily February 12: Pam Bondi's Disastrous House Hearing

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2026 19:29


    On the DSR Daily for Thursday we discuss Pam Bondi's aggravating House Judiciary Committee hearing, the end of the immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota, the House passing the SAVE America Act, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Daily Blast: Trump Threat to Rig 2026 Darkens amid Damning News on FBI Georgia Raid

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2026 16:48


    President Trump is tacitly threatening to interfere in the 2026 elections. He's urged Republicans to “nationalize” them and recently said he regrets not seizing voting machines in 2020. Last month the FBI seized ballot boxes in Fulton County, Georgia as part of some sort of criminal investigation that remains murky. Now it's being reported that this FBI move originated with claims from a well-known election denier that have been widely debunked. This raises serious worries that Trump could direct the FBI to seize 2026 midterm ballot boxes based on a similarly spurious rationale. We talked to Lauren Groh-Wargo, head of the voting rights group Fair Fight Action. She explains who this election denier is, decodes the latest revelations about the FBI's action in Georgia, walks through how Trump could attempt to disrupt the 2026 midterm vote count, and lays out ways that local officials—and the rest of us—can start preparing to fight back. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Need to Know: It Sucks to be MAGA

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2026 41:05


    Trump is weak. From the Epstein Files to nationwide outrage over ICE, it's safe to say it sucks to be MAGA right now. Now the question is how Democrats can capitalize. Tara McGowan and Simon Rosenberg join David Rothkopf to discuss just how precarious of a moment this is for Republicans, why Trump is more desperate than ever, and how Democrats can build momentum towards total victory in the midterms.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Need to Know: Prosecutors Nationwide are Sending a Message to Trump: FAFO!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2026 26:52


    Donald Trump shows no signs of slowing down his assault on our basic rights in this country. It's high time we do something about it. DEFIANCE.org's Miles Taylor and Philadelphia's District Attorney Lawrence Krasner join David Rothkopf to discuss the Fight Against Federal Overreach project (FAFO) and how this new coalition of district attorneys and prosecutors is fighting back against federal officers who violate the law and disregard our constitutional rights.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Welcome to the New Nuclear Nightmare

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2026 47:41


    Donald Trump has not “obliterated” Iran's nuclear arms program as his administration would like you to believe, and now he is threatening to send another carrier battle group into the Persian Gulf. As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, it is clear that the dialogue around nuclear arms control is not just a relic of the Cold War. Joe Cirincione and Jon Wolfsthal join David Rothkopf to discuss the current state of arms control. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    DSR Daily February 11: Immigration Enforcement Heads Under Fire in House Hearing

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2026 21:05


    On the DSR Daily for Wednesday, we discuss the Congressional hearing on immigration oversight, the FDA rejecting a Moderna flu vaccine, growing calls for the resignation of Howard Lutnick, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Daily Blast: Krugman: Trump's Trade Adviser Just Exposed the Scam at MAGA's Core

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2026 29:31


    Donald Trump's top trade adviser, Peter Navarro, just offered an extraordinary statement on Fox News. He admitted that we should lower our expectations for job creation because of Trump's success in removing immigrants from the country. In essence, Navarro suggested it was a good thing to have lower jobs numbers provided the (supposed) cause is higher deportations, and confirmed that removing immigrants isn't creating jobs for Americans. We think this provides an opening to explore what MAGA economics is really trying to accomplish. So we talked to economist Paul Krugman, author of an illuminating piece on his excellent Substack that takes apart Trump's immigration agenda. He explains how Navarro wrecked a core scam that Trump has long peddled about immigrants, how this undermines the most basic story MAGA tells about the economy, and how Democrats can seize on the failure of that story to tell a better one of their own.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    DSR Daily February 10: Schumer and Jeffries Reject White House DHS Deal

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2026 22:18


    On the DSR Daily for Tuesday, we discuss Democrats rejecting a White House proposal for a DHS deal, lawmakers accusing the DOJ of inappropriately redacting the Epstein files, top immigration officials set to testify before the House, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Daily Blast: Trump's Fury at NFL Show Spikes amid Fresh Signs His Base is Imploding

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2026 22:23


    Donald Trump was initially angry over the decision to feature Bad Bunny in the Super Bowl halftime show. But then, as he performed, Trump's rage worsened: In a furious rant, he claimed the show was a “slap in the face” to our country, that Bad Bunny's use of Spanish means “nobody understands a word this guy is saying,” and that the show was “absolutely terrible.” Other MAGA figures fumed that the show was a betrayal of America. Meanwhile, CNN polling guru Harry Enten details in a new analysis that Trump is hemorrhaging support from his working class base. What if those two developments—Trump-MAGA fury at the show and Trump bleeding his base—are related? We talked to Adrian Carrasquillo, author of The Bulwark's excellent newsletter “Huddled Masses.” We discuss how Trump-MAGA are in a bubble about Bad Bunny's show, how most Americans likely viewed it, why Trump's ICE raids and hostility to immigrants are costing him working class support, and how that wrecks various myths about 2024.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    SIliconsciousness: Why Do People Hate So Many of AI's Moguls?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2026 44:43


    The explosion of artificial intelligence has been a huge boon for leaders in the tech space. But many of us outside of Silicon Valley aren't fans. So where does this hate for AI moguls come from. MIT Technology Review editor in chief Mat Honan joins David Rothkopf to discuss his recent coverage of Davos, reasons to be optimistic and skeptical about developing trends in AI, and what comes next.  This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    DSR Daily February 9: MAGA World Seethes Over Bad Bunny

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2026 29:11


    On the DSR Daily for Monday, we break down MAGA outrage over Bad Bunny's halftime show, Trump keeping Democrat governors out of a White House meeting, the Pentagon cutting ties with ‘woke' Harvard, and more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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