Deep State Radio

On the DSR Daily for Tuesday, we discuss the mass firings at ODNI under Bill Pulte, the US enacting a 60 day lift on Iranian sanctions, friction between MAGA and the Supreme Court, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump's renovation of the Reflecting Pool is a major fiasco, and it's getting him angrier. In Truth Social posts, he raged at a journalist for covering the story. He fulminated that vandals had cut at 250-foot gash in the facade (which is entirely unverified). He hailed multiple arrests at the scene. He even angrily threatened 10 years in jail. Yet these arrests are only growing more questionable. One man detained is a 67-year-old former Olympian who said he just wanted to examine the peeling coating. Another person detained said she was merely pulling a piece of paint out of the water. These explanations, plus the tenuousness of Trump's claims of vandalism, suggest a darker turn in the story. We talked to New Republic editor Michael Tomasky about his good piece on this whole mess. We discuss why Trump doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt on the arrests, why this story has deeper resonance for many ordinary people, and what it captures about Trump's effort to destroy republican governance and turn Washington into an imperial capital, with himself in the role of “czar.” Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his new novel Killing Baby Hitler, editor of The New Republic Mike Tomasky uses humor and satire to explore themes of responsibility and evil. But when our President does things like hosting a UFC fight in front of the White House, what is even satire anymore? Mike Tomasky joins David Rothkopf to discuss his new book as well as take stock of our current political climate and the future of political leadership. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR Daily for Monday, we discuss JD Vance announcing Iran has agreed to UN Nuclear inspections, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announcing his resignation, Jeanine Pirro announcing her office will strictly prosecute anyone caught vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump's war with Iran is making it clear this presidency could have much worse long-term consequences than we expected. Yet Trump is spending his nights indulging his crazed obsessions. In one early-morning tirade, he raged about “fools” who criticize his Iran fiasco, calling them “bad people” and “stupid.” In another, he fulminated at length about his ballroom. He's posting updates on the gilding of statues and images of himself on international magazine covers. The gap between the gravity of the moment on one side and his trivial megalomania on the other is jarring. We talked to economist Paul Krugman, who has been writing really well on his Substack about both sides of this divide. He goes big-picture, detailing the signs that we're a country in decline, why other countries are looking toward a post-American world, and why it's shocking that we put up with his worsening megalomania and nonstop desecration of our republic. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR Weekly Wrap-up for June 19th, we break down Israeli anger over the memorandum of understanding, a huge flu outbreak at a military base in Texas, a signal of the coming end of Keir Starmer's rule in the UK, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Twists of recent history have led to deep distrust of the AI sector and political decisions about AI—and with good reason for both. With expert Dave Karpf, we discuss how we got to this point and how tech barons have reached historic levels of power and influence in Washington.  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 indecency and sociopathy of Donald Trump's presidency is in sharp contrast with the leadership of past presidents. While Clinton, Obama and Bush all had their faults that have led us to our current political situation, they at least maintained some sort of professionalism and decency. Donald Trump, on the other hand, is a psychopath. David Rothkopf and Norm Ornstein discuss the implications of this shift in presidential leadership, as well as the rise of democratic socialism and emerging political leaders across the country. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We officially have a peace deal! At least, according to the mainstream media. Traditional outlets are taking the administration at its word, and frankly, that's never a good idea. Why does the “prestige” media continue to give this administration the benefit of the doubt? Dan Froomkin and Jeff Jarvis join David Rothkopf to examine why the establishment fails us again and again and why we desperately need an insurgent media.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR Daily for Thursday, we discuss the opening hours of the US-Iran peace deal, Pete Hegseth announcing a review of US forces in Europe, a billionaire tax reaching enough signatures for the ballot in California, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump's ceasefire deal with Iran has now been released, and it confirms what we all expected: He got nothing of any significance. A surprising number of his allies agree. Fox News figures, visibly angry and rattled, are saying the deal “doesn't feel like a victory,” that “we lost the most,” and that Iran is “better off” than before. Others are already throwing JD Vance under the bus, with one even suggesting the deal is so bad that it let Trump down. We think the story right now is that if anything, the next stage of the negotiations with Iran will be even worse for Trump. We talked to Sina Toossi, an Iran expert at the Center for International Policy. He walks us through the details of the deal, why it falls short of what Barack Obama got, why the criticism from allies creates a tough situation for Trump, and how his failures have created a new geopolitical reality—one that's worse for America than before.  Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The US has finally released the terms of its deal with Iran. In short, the United States is essentially suing Iran for peace, giving Iran what Iran wants, and getting very little of what the US has said it wanted. Will this deal survive, or are we headed for an even longer period of conflict and negotiation? How does this deal shift the dynamic with countries like Lebanon? Kim Ghattas joins David Rothkopf, Ed Luce, and Rosa Brooks to look at the implications of Trump's deal. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We now know the details of Trump's peace proposal for Iran, and it's ugly. The Iranians are making out like bandits, getting a dream deal that goes far beyond the JCPOA. Jon Wolfsthal and Joe Cirincione join David Rothkopf to examine this terrible deal and what it means for the future of Iran and the region.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR Daily for Wednesday, we cover the details of the peace agreement with Iran, Trump delaying the nomination of Jay Clayton for intel director, the early results of DC's mayoral race, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sources tell Axios that U.S. intelligence agencies seriously doubt that Iran will make the concessions on its nuclear program that Donald Trump expects it to once talks on it progress in earnest. The leaks are striking: They reflect badly on Trump's ceasefire with Iran and his claims that he prevailed on Iran to drop its nuclear ambitions. Tellingly, the sources also report that JD Vance was a vocal proponent of the deal during internal discussions. This strongly suggests Vance is getting shivved: He's getting set up to bear the blame if the deal goes south. There's lots of other evidence of this, too: Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, is vocally describing Vance as the deal's “architect.” Graham, an Iran hawk, expects Iran to not comply on nukes and clearly wants Vance to get blamed for it. We talked to New Republic contributing editor Virginia Heffernan, a sharp observer of MAGA turmoil. We discuss why Vance is so vulnerable to being shivved on Iran, why this is likely to tarnish his presidential ambitions, and how MAGA will reckon with all this as Trump's influence wanes.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Okay we have to say it — we told you so. The “peace deal” that Trump has struck with Iran is a fig leaf for surrender. With massive giveaways to the regime and no mention of Iran's nuclear material, it's clear that this is Trump's attempt to wash his hands of this debacle. Join Jon Wolfsthal, Joe Cirincione, and David Rothkopf as they break down Trump's latest humiliating defeat.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR Daily for Tuesday, we break down Trump's puzzling comments at the G7 summit, a political firestorm facing Benjamin Netanyahu, a DOJ investigation into Gavin Newsom, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now that Donald Trump has reached a ceasefire with Iran, the scrutiny of it has been brutal, making it obvious that he got nothing of significance. In a rambling monologue to reporters, Trump excoriated Barack Obama's Iran deal for making billions in funding available to the Iranians. But this is actually a self-own: Trump's own arrangement uses a very similar mechanism, opening up funds as an incentive to get Iran to agree to constraints on its nuclear program later. As Tom Nichols, a staff writer at The Atlantic, says on today's episode, Trump is “doing it exactly the way Obama did it.” And that's after Trump also waged a needless war that cost us tens of billions of dollars, depleted our stockpiles, killed some Americans and many Iranians, strained our alliances, and wrecked the global economy. Nichols discusses his new piece arguing that the U.S. capitulated to Iran, explains how Trump left us worse off than before, and walks us through what will happen next, with Trump in a weakened state.  Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR Daily for Monday, we discuss a tentative deal to tend the Iran war, the upcoming G7 summit, the results of Trump's UFC event at the White House, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump erupted in fury at Representative Jamie Raskin in a long, rambling Truth Social post. Trump called him a “loser” who suffers from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” But the tirade was unintentionally revealing. Trump raged that if Raskin and Democrats win the House, they will “impeach me” and called on Congress to “EXPEL THE BUM” before it's too late. In so doing, Trump revealed that he absolutely does fear impeachment. This gives Democrats a good argument: The last thing Trump wants is a Democratic Congress precisely because it will hold him accountable and put a check on his lawlessness. So what would this actually look like? We talked to Andy Craig, senior editor at The Unpopulist, who thinks creatively on this topic. We discuss the deeper reasons Trump fears another impeachment, all the hidden tools that the next Congress could use to constrain him, and why aggressive congressional action against Trump would rebalance our dangerously out-of-whack system.  Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR Weekly wrap-up for June 12, we cover reports of a new peace memorandum in the works, Trump's new nominee for Director of National Intelligence, Elon Musk preparing to become the first trillionaire, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump's polling just crashed to new lows. He's hit a net approval on inflation of negative 50 points in numerous surveys, something no other president has done—ever. Trump also is at 80 percent disapproval on gas prices. And this is the first time Democrats have led Republicans on inflation since the 1970s. It's no accident that this comes as sources around Trump tell CNN that he's “furious” because the media didn't make his latest Iran bombing look strong and powerful. These stories are linked: His failure to force Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is causing the very cost spikes that are tanking his approval and his party's chances in the midterms. We talked to Democratic strategist Christina Reynolds, who has extensive experience in midterms. She explains how Trump's travails are translating into new pickup opportunities in surprising places, parses a new poll showing Democrats up 10 in the generic House matchup, and explains why 2026 reminds her of Democratic routs in 2006 and 2018. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump is more concerned with a UFC fight at the White House than he is with the well-being of Americans. Surprised? The administration that is so focused on money and power is stripping civil rights and throwing away any concerns about the economic tolls millions of Americans are currently facing. Your favorite political heavyweights Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back to discuss this lunacy. Tune in here. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR Daily for Thursday, we break down Trump's promise to seize control of Iran's oil, his baffling declaration of love for inflation, and this administration's latest vitriol for immigrants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump is all over the place on Iran. After insisting a deal was imminent, he's now threatening more full-scale bombing. He just claimed that “I love the inflation” caused by the war. And in several rants, he insisted that the United States has secretly smuggled 100 million barrels of oil out of Iran and on to the world market (the whole thing appears mostly invented). In an extraordinary exchange, Representative Emilia Sykes sharply confronted Energy Secretary Chris Wright over Trump's “love” of inflation. Wright finally blurted out: “I would prefer lower inflation.” And Wright stammered before admitting that “um, I'm unaware” of Trump's oil smuggling scheme. We talked to former Defense Department official Ariane Tabatabai, who's now at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. She parses through what we know now, explains why Wright's public meltdown captures the very worst of the Trump administration, and charts what's next. (After we recorded, Trump resumed bombing.) Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senator Chris Van Hollen and J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami join David Rothkopf to discuss the ongoing seismic shift in the U.S. relationship with Israel and the Middle East. As Americans undergo a fundamental change in how they perceive allies and foes in the region, how must legislators respond? Don't miss this critical conversation on how we can forge a path toward lasting peace and stability. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR Daily for Wednesday, we break down the US and Iran striking one another, the victory of Graham Platner in Maine's primary, Bill Gates's upcoming testimony in a congressional Epstein investigation, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump faced merciless booing at the Knicks game Monday night, and Fox News figures quickly recognized how perilous this is. As Media Matters details, Fox personalties and on-air chyrons spun madly in response. They absurdly portrayed the reception as much more muddled, as inspired by something other than Trump, and even as meaningfully peppered with cheers for him. This comes as his polls just nosedived again: A new YouGov poll has Trump's approval on the economy and inflation in the twenties. And fresh data from The Argument shows Trump deeply underwater in numerous red states with competitive Senate races. He contines to slide in the polling averages, too. We talked to Grant Wiles, a data analyst with NextGen America, which just released new research on Trump's toxicity with young voters. We parse all the new polls, dig into why Trump propagandists fear he's in a downward spiral, and discuss how Democrats can avoid getting too complacent about the midterms.  Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can AI help deliver access to reliable, affordable energy in emerging economies? The team at ZOLA Intelligence believes the answer to that question is yes. According to the company's website, ZOLA's platform "is engineered to solve energy inequality for billions of people by asserting that true energy access requires intelligence, not just hardware." Join host David Sandalow as he talks with Bill Lenihan, CEO and founder of ZOLA Intelligence, about the challenge of providing reliable, affordable energy and the company's innovative work around the world.  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

On the DSR Daily for Tuesday, we discuss JD Vance's comments on the LA mayoral election, a judge striking down Trump's H-1B visa fee, Trump being greeted by a cacophony of boos at Madison Square Garden, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the weekend, Donald Trump exploded during an on-air interview with NBC's Kristen Welker. He called her “crooked” and “stupid” and abruptly ended the interview in a fury. This was ostensibly because she questioned his claims that California's ongoing vote counting is rigged against GOP candidates. But we think the real reason is darker. As the votes are being counted, those candidates—Spencer Pratt for Los Angeles Mayor and Steve Hilton for Governor—are looking weaker than advertised. In real time, Trump is witnessing the failure of MAGA's online disinformation apparatus to invent reality whole cloth and inflate the strength of his candidates into something it isn't. In today's episode, tech writer Gil Duran, author of the forthcoming The Nerd Reich, a book about techno-authoritarianism, puts this in perspective. He explains the California contests, why it's so infuriating for Trump to watch real votes coming in, why this saga represents a larger failure of Trump-MAGA online propaganda, and why that has heartening deeper implications.  Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR Daily for Monday, we break down Iran and Israel striking one another, Trump's dramatic temper tantrum during an interview, Hegseth's disgusting D-Day speech, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump is desperately trying to salvage his gala commemorating the United States's 250th anniversary after many celebrities pulled out. He let out a weird tirade insisting that he is telling them not to come, and also announced a paltry set of acts that's downright humiliating. This comes after he seethed that he didn't need other musical acts because he himself will be performing. Also, he's bigger than Elvis! Trump's plans drew savage mockery from MAGA influencer Matt Walsh, who ridiculed organizers for inviting “washed up geriatric one hit wonders,” and then turning it into a rally where “Trump will talk about himself for 90 minutes.” We talked to New Republic senior editor Alex Shephard, who writes well about Trumpism and the American zeitgeist. We discuss how Trump/MAGA had their cultural moment in 2024, how they pissed it away to inflict mass suffering on the people they hate, and the deeper reasons MAGA is so toxic within the culture.  Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR Weekly Wrap-up for June 5th, we discuss the House passing an Ukraine aid package, the Senate passing ICE funding, John Bolton's guilty plea deal, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time to get serious about the effects of AI on how we work. Like every technological revolution, the advent of AI is causing tectonic shifts in labor. But this time, it's entry-level and white color jobs that are feeling the effects. Georgios Petropoulos join David Rothkopf to discuss his recent article in MIT Technology Review and share how young professionals can prepare themselves for this new reality and why a new social contract is necessary.  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

Donald Trump is becoming more and more dangerous as his physical and mental health unravels. This cognitive decline, however, has serious implications for American democracy, far beyond simply falling asleep during meetings. Mary Trump joins David Rothkopf and Norm Ornstein to recount her personal experiences with her uncle, his current mental state, and what this all means for America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the House voted to direct Donald Trump to end the Iran war, he exploded at the four Republicans who turned against him, terming them “grandstanders” who “should be ashamed of themselves.” This comes as The New York Times reports that extensive internal war games among military officials established that Iran would react to an attack by closing the Strait of Hormuz—which Trump ignored. And incredibly, officials just leaked to The Atlantic that Trump is privately “irritated” by commentary casting his emerging framework as weaker than Barack Obama's 2015 nuclear deal. Trump also wants a way to argue that Iran “accepted terms from him that Obama never managed to extract.” We talked to former National Security Council veteran Emily Horne, author of the Spin Class Substack. We discuss how all those leaks themselves signal Trump's growing weakness, why his demand for a “better” deal than Obama's may be hopeless, and whether that leaves us any way out of this fiasco. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

American Democracy is more corrupt than ever. Trump and his allies are acting like the mob — making as much money as they can and breaking anything in their way. So what can we do to stop them? Barb McQuade's new book, The Fix, is here to provide an answer. Barb joins David to explore what makes this administration so odious and how we can restore accountability and balance of power to our ailing republic.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR Daily for Thursday, we break down the House finally passing a war powers resolution, an impending nomination of Todd Blanche as Attorney General, a damning report on the National Guard presence in DC, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before a House committee on Wednesday, Representative Ted Lieu questioned him at length about Donald Trump's mental decline. It was an extraordinary moment. Lieu repeatedly confronted Rubio with damning video of Trump falling asleep and spewing word salad, cornering Rubio into lying about what we can all see with our own eyes. The moment captured something essential about how our politics works today—and shows why Democrats should relentlessly center Trump's unfitness for the presidency whenever possible. We talked to Brian Beutler, author of the excellent Off Message Substack. We discuss the deeper reasons that Democrats need to pick viral fights like this, ponder how Trump understands politics through a strong-versus-weak frame, and parse through how James Talarico should combat right-wing smears in the Texas Senate race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The political landscape is heating up as we approach the midterm elections. Key issues like our economy are at the forefront of most voters' minds, and the Democrats need to take advantage during the coming political showdown. It is becoming clear that Dems might need to shift their focus onto the younger generations of Gen Z'ers and Millennials who are growing dissatisfied with the current establishment. How do the Dems appeal to the younger generation? Simon Rosenberg and E.J. Dionne join Ed Luce and David Rothkopf for an in-depth discussion looking at how the Democrats should be approaching these pivotal midterms. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR Daily for Wednesday, we cover Todd Blanche confirming Trump and his family will be immune to IRS audits, early results from California's gubernatorial primary, the Supreme Court's latest blunder, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump just named William Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence, replacing the outgoing Tulsi Gabbard. Pulte is best known for abusing his administration position to ransack the mortages of Trump's enemies for fake pretexts to get them prosecuted and jailed. In today's episode, University of Michigan law professor Leah Litman argues that the office of DNI could be put to even more nefarious and “terrifying” use. Indeed, GOP Senate Majority Leader John Thune suggested it may produce a “weaponized” DNI, a striking admission of serious danger ahead. Senator Tom Cotton curtly refused to share his opinion of the choice. And other GOP Senators said Pulte is unqualified for the job. Given the DNI's power, these objections reveal visible consternation. Indeed, MAGA figures fully expect Pulte to be turned loose on the left. Litman discusses what a “weaponized” national security state under Pulte could look like and ponders whether the rule of law will survive this presidency. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR Daily for Tuesday, we discuss Marco Rubio's congressional testimony, Californians heading to the polls, a major Russian attack on Ukraine, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pope Leo sent some strong messages about AI in his 42,000-word essay last week. Is the Pope anti-AI? What risks and benefits of AI does the Pope highlight? What impact will the Pope's essay have, including with big tech companies? Join host David Sandalow as he explores these questions and more with Paolo Carroza, a Professor of Law at Notre Dame and Co-Chair of the Meta Oversight Board. 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

Donald Trump is hitting many new difficulties. On Monday, Iran abandoned talks with the U.S., angering Trump. Speaking to CNBC, he raged that he “couldn't care less” if the negotiations die, threatened again to blow Iran “to kingdom come,” and seethed that NATO's refusal to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz shows that it's “very weak” and “very sad.” (He then insisted the talks are back on track.) Meanwhile, Senate Republicans' anxiety over the politics of Trump's corrupt $1 billion slush fund has grown: As one reporter notes, they are “absolutely screwed.” The fund may be on hold, but this signals broader GOP frustration with Trump. We talked to Molly Jong-Fast, host of the Fast Politics podcast and author of a great TNR piece with editor Michael Tomasky on Trump's ongoing crackup. We discuss how Trump appears stuck in a mental loop, whether our country can survive two-and-a-half more years of him, and what a final GOP breaking point might look. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR Daily for Monday, we break down the judicial review of Trump's anti-weaponization fund, new controversy surrounding Graham Platner, Pam Bondi's laughable congressional testimony, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former attorney general Pam Bondi testified behind closed doors Friday about the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. She effectively let it be known that Todd Blanche, now acting AG, has been responsible for this debacle, creating a new inquiry for Democrats to pursue that will be fraught for Trump. Bondi also went mum on how Trump instructed her to handle the Epstein files, basically declining to back Trump's spin that he was pro-transparency, raising still more questions for Democrats to pursue. Meanwhile, Trump's sinking approval, Iran debacle, ballroom and slush fund are fracturing Trumpworld and the GOP: One Republican told The Atlantic that he has “lame-ducked himself.” We talked to historian Nicole Hemmer, author of several books about the right. We discuss why the Epstein scandal continues to fracture the MAGA movement, the deeper reasons for Trump's weakening hold on the GOP, and why MAGA will go into deep turmoil once Trump passes from the scene.  Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR Weekly Wrap-up for May 29th, we break down the new tentative deal to extend the ceasefire with Iran, the explosion of Blue Origin's latest rocket, a horrific detention of a Ghanian mother, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For days, activists have been protesting terrible conditions at an ICE facility in New Jersey. In response, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is now threatening to pull Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in sanctuary cities, which could halt international flights to them. As even Fox News is pointing out, this would cause massive disruptions. Indeed, it would likely deal another big blow to GOP midterm chances. Yet the whole saga captures how Trump governance seeks to deliberately stoke searing tensions between MAGA and blue America. We talked to Nayna Gupta, policy director for the American Immigration Council, which just released a blueprint for a saner system. We discuss the worsening situation in Newark, why Mullin's threat is simultaneously deranged and comical, and how the fascist advisers around Trump see violent conflict between MAGA and blue America as a good and desirable outcome. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crime, crime, crime. Donald Trump and his cronies have absolutely zero concept of humility, of decency, or of anything other than corruption. No one is being held accountable while the US is enduring what very well might be the most contemptible administration in its history. What the hell is going on in our country? Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back for another weekly therapy session and to take stock of our hideous political situation. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices