Duane's World

Silicon Valley is going pro-America. Palantir's Alex Karp explains why the U.S. must win the AI race, what Constitutional values have to do with technology, and why we need vocational workers over college graduates. Plus: Fetterman vs. Couric on extreme rhetoric and Lileks with The 10 Dumbest Things Said This Week.Watch this episode here.

The shutdown ends as predicted—with Democrats losing leverage and leadership facing backlash. Jim Talent and I discuss what went wrong, the coming healthcare debate, and whether longer mortgages are the answer to America's housing crisis.Watch this episode here.

Democrats are playing a dangerous game. After election wins, Senate progressives convinced leadership to keep the shutdown going—until something catastrophic happens. An anonymous aide admitted they're waiting for "planes to fall out of the sky." Why in the world would Democrats think federal workers and air safety are acceptable bets? And, of course, Lileks is back to review The 10 Dumbest Things Said This Week. Enjoy!Watch this episode here.

Democrats cave on shutdown after Election Day—was the timing deliberate? Duane Patterson and Jim Talent analyze Virginia and New Jersey results, reveal over a dozen Senate Dems now negotiating to reopen government, and discuss the conservative movement's Tucker Carlson problem. Government could have reopened last Friday.Watch this episode here.

The Schumer Shutdown continues and Democrats face a brewing crisis with their traditional base. Union leaders from the Teamsters, airline pilots, and federal employees join Republicans at the White House demanding action. Generic ballot polling shows the shutdown strategy backfiring spectacularly on Democrats. Plus, Lileks is back to join us in reviewing the dumbest things said this week!Watch this episode here.

The government shutdown is entering its fourth week, and the Democrats just lost their own unions. Jim Talent breaks down why Senate Republicans are watching their opponents drown in a box canyon of their own making—just one week before critical elections in Virginia and New Jersey. Watch this episode here.

The Democrats are losing their minds, and we have a front row seat. This week: Why is Stephen A. Smith defending the mob over Trump's DOJ? How did Michelle Obama spend $376 million (that's $551M in today's dollars) on White House landscaping with zero outrage? And why are leftists more concerned about drug runners' rights than actually stopping the cartels? From the NBA gambling scandal to White House renovation hysteria, it's all the silly and stupid you can handle.Watch this episode here.

Well, the "No Kings" rally took place this weekend, and when the last of the courtesy shuttles finished transporting the protestors back to their nursing homes, the Republicans gave the Dems yet another off ramp which they promptly ignored. Alas, the Schumer Shutdown continues..Is it time for another rule change? Former Senator Jim Talent and I explore that idea.Watch this episode here.

Today I have for you a special guest and good friend who has written a wonderful new book that you should check out. Also, the latest on Boltongate and more.Watch this episode here.

Former Senator Jim Talent argues that Trump's Middle East diplomacy has fundamentally reshaped the region by checkmating Hamas and establishing Israel as the undisputed hegemon. We also explore the idea of a narrow filibuster reform to end the government shutdown by allowing appropriations bills to pass with 51 votes.Watch this episode here.

My special focus group of one returns to report how things are going one year later. Also, President Trump pulls off the near-impossible. Watch this episode here.

Watch this episode here.

In the Shutdown About Nothing a.k.a. The Schumer Shutdown, everything is theater. They know it can't go on for long, and no one's laughing.James Lileks is around for The 10 Dumbest Things Said This Week this week and off the next couple. Enjoy!Watch this episode here.

It is not a good week for Chuck Schumer, Senate Democrats, and a lot of nervous federal workers/contractors. Jim Talent and I discuss the shutdown as well as President Trump's peace plan for Gaza and more.Watch this episode here.

Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted by a grand jury yesterday. I break it down and give you my reaction, then we get to The 10 Dumbest Things Said This Week with James Lileks.Watch this episode here.

Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted by a grand jury yesterday. I break it down and give you my reaction, then we get to The 10 Dumbest Things Said This Week with James Lileks.Watch this episode here.

President Trump addressed the UN General Assembly in New York City yesterday and held bilateral talks with leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron. Jim Talent and I break it down, then it's time for The Good, The Bad, and The Stupid.Watch this episode here. 

There have been a lot of reactions to Charlie's assassination, some of which have resulted in firings or suspensions. The latest, and perhaps biggest, is Jimmy Kimmel. Also, we are back with another week of Dumb Things said, and Lileks is here as usual to help me go through them. Don't forget to check out his Substack here.Watch this episode here.Thanks to our sponsor, Best Hot Grills.

It's been a week since Charlie's murder and the alleged assassin has been captured. Jim Talent joins me to reflect on the trauma that was inflicted as a result of this event and how we are seeing it affect every day Americans.Watch this episode here.

God Bless Charlie Kirk, his family, and all who were closest to him.Watch this episode here.

A senseless murder in Charlotte from a career criminal throws the media into chaos. Israel takes out Hamas leadership in Doha. Jim Talent joins me to discuss.Watch this episode here.

Senate Majority Leader Thune said on Hugh's show yesterday that the "Reid Rule" will be invoked next week to clear the logjam of Trump appointees awaiting confirmation. Also, the Department of War is back as is James Lileks for this week's 10 Dumbest Things. Watch this episode here.

I'm joined by former Senator Jim Talent to discuss two governments you probably haven't been paying attention to that are teetering on collapse - France and the UK. We examine how elite policy failures, unchecked immigration, and social breakdown have created what military historians warn could lead to civil war in Europe. We also dive into Trump's expanding federal law enforcement strategy, from the successful 87% reduction in D.C. carjackings to his potential intervention in Chicago, where Mayor Johnson and Governor Pritzker are threatening to sue rather than accept federal help with their crime crisis.Watch this episode here.

Pray for the families of Annunciation Catholic in Minneapolis.Watch this episode here.

Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has been trying his best to negotiate an end to hostilities in Gaza with the hope of rescuing any of the remaining hostages, but Hamas has dug in. President Trump is set to chair a meeting on Gaza with Israel in D.C. today. Is this the beginning of the end of this war?Watch this episode here.

Watch this episode here.

Watch this episode here.

Watch this episode here.

Watch this episode here.

From Gaza to Gerrymandering, Jim Talent and I discuss what's going on in the news around the world.Watch this episode here.

There was some hoopla about newly found Russiagate-era documents this week. We'll see if that amounts to anything. In other easily-missed news, the Senate is considering a rule change, using the "nuclear option" to clear the logjam of Trump appointees waiting to be confirmed. Also, Lileks is back in the house for this week's Top 10! Don't forget to check out his Substack for more content.Watch this episode here.

Another week of winning as President Trump lands the US-EU trade deal in Scotland. Watch this episode here.

President Trump visited the Federal Reserve with chair Jerome Powell and it was must-see TV. Also, Lileks back in the house for the top 10 of the week. Check out his Substack here.Watch this episode here.

The Dealmaker in Chief is back to closing deals after capping off the most successful first 6 months of any presidency in the modern era. Watch this episode here.

Watch this episode here.

Watch this episode here.

I've been on a cruise all week with my lovely wife, but Lileks and I taped this music episode for you to enjoy just before I left. Have a great weekend! We'll be back to our regular schedule next week.Watch this episode here.

Happy 4th of July, everyone! What a glorious week it has been, and to cap it off with me is our good friend Lileks who is back once again for another edition of Dumb Things. Don't forget to check out his Substack for more! Watch this episode here.

One quick trip back to the House and then it'll be on President Trump's desk for signing. Watch this episode here.

The media are trying their best to sell the country on a low-confidence preliminary intelligence assessment of Operation Midnight Hammer leaked by none other than the dossier queen herself, Natasha Bertrand. SecDef Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. 'Razin' Caine correct the record. Watch this episode here.

Iran's nuclear facilities were destroyed over the weekend in what officials confirm was the largest B-2 bomber operation in history. The mission launched from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Former Senator Jim Talent and I break it down.Watch this episode here.

In this special edition of Duane's World, we're taking a break from the news and jumping into some tunes. Lileks and I have been wanting to do this for a while and we're probably going to do it again sometime soon. Enjoy! Watch this episode here.

After a less than a week of trading strikes, Israel has achieved air superiority over the skies of Iran, leaving them practically defenseless. What comes next could spell disaster for the Ayatollah and Iranian state should they fail to negotiate or surrender unconditionally. Watch this episode here.

Watch this episode here.

Anti-ICE riots have erupted across LA as "mostly peaceful" protesters clash with federal officers trying to enforce immigration law, forcing Trump to deploy the National Guard and Marines to restore order. Jim Talent and I discuss.Watch this episode here.

Since leaving DOGE and the Trump administration, Elon has been increasingly vocal about his concerns with the One Big Beautiful Bill. Then came the X wars yesterday.Watch this episode here.

In a stunning turn of events, Russia loses up to 41 aircraft, some nuclear-capable, destroyed in a covert operation which saw dozens of drones smuggled via trucks attack air bases deep in Russian territory. Former Senator Jim Talent joins me to discuss.Watch this episode here.

The U.S. Court of International Trade (which no one heard of until yesterday) struck down a set of President Trump's tariffs only to be reinstated a few hours later by the Appellate Court.Also, James Lileks is here to sift through the dumbest things said this week with me. Don't forget to check out his Substack. Watch this episode here.

Democrats have a branding problem right now. Republicans are capturing voter sentiment on major issues while getting things done at The White House and in Congress. Former Senator Jim Talent and I discuss the wilderness that Democrats have found themselves in and if there is a way out. Also, we review the Golden Dome initiative, its implications for national security, and the reactions from global powers like China and Russia.Watch this episode here.

House Republicans did their job. Bravo, Speaker Johnson. The bill now makes its way to the Senate and hopefully to President Trump's desk by July 4th. And as always, James Lileks joins us to review The 10 Dumbest Things Said This Week. Check out his Substack here.Watch this episode here.

Jim Talent and I review what should be the beginning of the scandal of the century.  Watch this episode here.