The Mark Thompson Show

"Spain's national soccer team shared a photo of the team's celebration after winning the 2026 World Cup to social media on Sunday, July 19. Notably absent from the photo was United States president Donald Trump.As expected, Trump helped FIFA president Gianni Infantino present the World Cup trophy to Spain after La Roja won the tournament with a 1-0 victory over Argentina on Sunday.However, Trump lingered on the podium for part of Spain's celebration, despite Infantino's apparent efforts to usher him off the stage that had been set up in the middle of the pitch.""A Senate Democrat — for the second time in four days — criticized CBS's coverage of President Donald Trump's primetime speech on CBS's own air.Speaking with Margaret Brennan on CBS's Face the Nation Sunday, Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) called out network leadership for opting to air Trump's speech about election integrity — in which numerous fact checkers found the president made a bevy of false claims.“There are so many absurdities and falsehoods in Trump's Thursday night speech,” Warner said. “And I'm glad that most media treated it not as serious news — and I know some folks at your network, the journalists I have huge respect for. I was disappointed that your senior management made the decision to cover it as news.”"Mo'Kelly, Gary Dietrich, and Sarah Kendzior will join to discuss the top stories. Today's Guests LinksLooking for Sarah Kendzior's substack? https://sarahkendzior.substack.com/You can slso find links to Sarah's books at: https://sarahkendzior.com/The Mark Thompson Show 7/20/26Today's Guests LinksGary Dietrich, CBS TV & iHeart Radio Political Analyst https://twitter.com/garydietrichGary Dietrich's segment is sponsored by Bill Campbell at RE/MAX GOLD. If you're relocating in, to or from Northern California you need a highly respected real estate professional… like Bill Campbell of RE/MAX GOLD. Call or text Bill at (530) 448-7474… (530) 448-7474.Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

We examine President Trump's July 17, 2026, national address, including reactions to his remarks. "A White House teleprompter operator made more than $100,000 on Kalshi bets related to public speeches made by President Trump, two sources familiar with the matter told CBS News. The sources identified the federal employee as Gabriel Perez. A Kalshi spokesperson said the company investigated Perez's trading activity after its surveillance systems detected trades that didn't adhere to typical buying and selling patterns. Kalshi froze Perez's account, locking more than $90,000 in profits he made on the platform, the spokesperson confirmed." Mr. Mo'Kelly, Michael Shure, and Michael Snyder will join us to discuss the top stories of the week.

"Pete Hegseth wants a manly military. And he really, really wants you to know how badly he wants a manly military. In his 2024 book, The War on Warriors, Hegseth worried that the military risked becoming “effeminate, and apologetic”; he insisted that what liberals really want is “soft men, and a weak military,” and he scolded “Pentagon pussies” who refuse to stand up for soldiers on the battlefield. As secretary of defense, Hegseth has blocked the promotion of female military officers, removed the first woman to lead the Navy, and ordered a review of women's “effectiveness” in ground-combat roles. He has also used the Defense Department's social-media channels to post a steady stream of tougher-than-thou videos." Mr. Mo'Kelly and David Katz will join us to discuss the top stories of the week. The Mark Thompson Show 7/16/26

Todd Blanche is getting grilled today as he faces what could be the toughest test of his confirmation process to become Attorney General. Senators are expected to press him on the Justice Department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, allegations of politically motivated prosecutions, his close ties to President Trump, and his support for a proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund. With Republicans holding only a narrow advantage on the Senate Judiciary Committee, today's hearing is likely to produce sharp exchanges and revealing answers. We'll break down the biggest moments, what Blanche says under oath, and what it all means for the future of the Justice Department and the confirmation fight ahead. "Donald Trump has threatened to expand US strikes on Iran next week to target power plants and bridges if Tehran does not agree to a deal amid a continuing dispute over the strait of Hormuz.“Next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges,” the US president said in a Fox News interview on Tuesday. “We're going to knock out all their power plants. We're going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate.”Trump made similar comments in March, when he threatened to “obliterate” Iran's power stations and fresh water plants if Tehran did not agree to peace terms “shortly”. Destroying civilian infrastructure such as power and water facilities would be illegal under international humanitarian law and would probably constitute a war crime."Michael Shure, John Rothmann, and Jared Yates Sexton will join us to discuss the top stories of the week.The Mark Thompson Show 7/15/26Today's Guests LinksDavid Ost https://thenewpress.org/books/red-pill-politics/Mike Musheiesh https://www.detroitaxle.com/Jared Yates Sexton https://jaredyatessexton.substack.com/        https://www.jysexton.com/John Rothmann https://www.spreaker.com/show/around-the-political-world  https://www.youtube.com/@aroundthepoliticalworld_Jared Yates Sexton https://jaredyatessexton.substack.com/  https://www.jysexton.com/MichaelShure https://twitter.com/michaelshurePatreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT#News #Politics #TheMarkThompsonShow

"A federal judge on Monday imposed professional penalties against lawyers representing President Trump in a civil lawsuit he brought against the IRS and harshly criticized the Justice Department for its handling of the case, concluding that the suit was brought for an "improper purpose."In a scathing 56-page decision, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams referred one of Mr. Trump's lawyers, Alejandro Brito, to the Florida Bar for potential disciplinary action. The judge limited the ability of a second lawyer, Daniel Epstein, to practice in the Southern District of Florida.""US military says latest strikes will ‘continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping' in strait of HormuzDonald Trump's announcement that the US will start charging ships for safe passage through the strait of Hormuz comes after his administration has until now insisted the waterway should remain open to all without tolls – as it was before the US and Israel attacked Iran in late February."Michael Shure and David Cay Johnston will join to discuss the top stories. The Mark Thompson Show 7/14/26Today's Guests LinksGary Lucks https://www.garylucks.com/Prof. David Cay Johnston at RIT, Pulitzer Prize winning Author & Investigative Journalist  https://bsky.app/profile/davidcayjohnston.bsky.socialProf. David Cay Johnston at RIT, Pulitzer Prize winning Author & Investigative Journalist  https://bsky.app/profile/davidcayjohnston.bsky.socialMichael Shure https://twitter.com/michaelshureThe Rundown-Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

"President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States was reinstating a naval blockade on Iran and would be reimbursed 20% on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz after ​Tehran claimed it had closed the vital waterway."The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, ‌with or without Iran. We are reinstating THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE," Trump said on Truth Social.""Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Sunday in his first public statement since he was hospitalized nearly a month ago that he was “briefly unconscious” after he suffered a fall.In the statement, accompanied by a photo of McConnell smiling in a hospital chair alongside his wife, Elaine Chao, he said doctors have not yet cleared him to return to the Senate floor to vote.“But rest assured that, in the meantime, I'm not taking a break from the Senate business that matters to you,” McConnell said. “I've also been keeping in touch with my Senate colleagues on the appropriations process, midterm politics, and everything in between.”McConnell, 84, said he has “submitted to every test” doctors can think of to figure out what prompted the fall and has moved from the hospital to a rehabilitation center where, he said, he will “keep regaining my strength.”"Michael Shure, Gary Dietrich, and Sarah Kendzior will join to discuss the top stories. Looking for Sarah Kendzior's substack? https://sarahkendzior.substack.com/You can slso find links to Sarah's books at: https://sarahkendzior.com/The Mark Thompson Show 7/13/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT#News #Politics #TheMarkThompsonShow

"An erratic and at times irascible Donald Trump has said he felt a “tremendous love” from western leaders at the Nato summit, only hours after lambasting them over their defence spending and not helping the US in attacking Iran." "President Donald Trump on Wednesday blundered his way through a briefing with reporters during a crunch summit of the NATO military alliance in Ankara, Turkey. While sitting alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president bragged about the U.S. military's ability to resist attacks from Iran, specifically an assault on the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln." Mr. Mo'Kelly and David Katz will join us to discuss the top stories of the week. The Mark Thompson Show 7/9/26

CNN's Scott Jennings claims to have recently spoke to Mitch McConnell on the phone while he's been in the hospital. Unfortunately, Republican cable news analysts aren't the most trustworthy people in the world so who knows how much of his claim is true...Michael Shure, John Rothmann, and Jared Yates Sexton will join us to discuss the top stories of the week.The Mark Thompson Show 7/8/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

A major controversy has erupted in Maine's U.S. Senate race after a 41-year-old woman publicly accused Senate candidate Graham Platner of sexually assaulting her five years ago. The allegation has thrown his campaign into turmoil, with numerous Democratic voices calling on him to withdraw from the race.Donald Trump pretty much admitted on Monday he meddled in the World Cup over a red card given to a USA team player during Wednesday's game against Bosnia-Herzegovina.According to the rules, Folarin Balogun should've been suspended for Monday's game against Belgium, but FIFA lifted the suspension on Sunday after Trump asked officials to review the call ― despite the lack of an official appeals process for appealing the penalty.David Cay Johnston and Mo Kelly will join us to discuss the top stories of the week.The Mark Thompson Show 7/7/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

On the 250th anniversary of American independence, hundreds of masked members of Patriot Front, a neo-fascist, white supremacist organization, marched through Washington DC. To the horror of many onlookers, the group gathered at Union Station carrying banners, including the Confederate flag, before marching toward Capitol Hill.The group was also spotted riding the DC Metro, drawing concerned reactions from other passengers. We'll explore what this reveals about extremism in America and whether it's inflamed by Trump and his MAGA movement. iHeart Political Analyst Gary Dietrich will stop by to talk politics. The conversation continues with author and scholar Sarah Kendzior. The Mark Thompson Show 7/3/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

There is a Presidential package option for the wealthy to watch Trump's fireworks extravaganza. The Kennedy Center is offering a $25,000 VIP fireworks experience for the Fourth of July display in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, the mishaps continue with a big chunk of the stage at the Great American Fair crashing down and narrowly missing a group of dancers. Is Trump cutting corners on this celebration? We are following the indictment of three-time U.S. Olympian David Hearn over alleged damage to the National Mall reflecting pool, and the questions surrounding President Trump's reported $1.4 billion in cryptocurrency income and what it could mean for his tax bill. Michael Shure and Mo Kelly will join us to discuss the top stories of the week. We will check in on our friends in Florida for some Friday Fabulous Florida craziness. The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder, will wrap it up with a look at the latest theater and streaming options for the weekend ahead.

Tucker Carlson is now openly talking about helping build a new third party after breaking with the GOP over Trump's war with Iran — a major sign of fracture inside the MAGA/right-wing coalition. Once one of Trump's loudest media allies and a key voice pushing JD Vance into the VP slot, Carlson now says the Republican Party has abandoned “America First” principles and become indistinguishable from Democrats on war and finance. His proposed third-party push could expose a deeper rebellion inside Trump's base — one driven by anger over foreign wars, immigration, and distrust of both major parties. Controversial continues to follow President Trump's new presidential aircraft. In his first flight aboard the Boeing 747 donated by the Qatari royal family, Trump has acquired what he calls a plane "nobody's ever seen anything like it." This $400 million jumbo jet was anything but free though it was gifted by Qatar's royal family. Taxpayer-funded military and communications upgrade costs could total $1 billion, in addition to the legal questions surrounding foreign gifts to government officials. Considering that Trump plans to take the plane with him when he leaves office and it makes for a thick jungle full of government ethics, presidential perks, and the use of taxpayer money. This unprecedented acquisition represents one of the most extravagant presidential decisions in U.S. history, and we're breaking down everything you need to know about it. Former federal prosecutor and now defense attorney, the brilliant David Katz will join us to give us his take on the most recent Supreme Court decisions and more.

New financial disclosures show President Donald Trump reported more than $2.2 billion in income during 2025, a dramatic increase from the roughly $600 million he reported the previous year. The filings indicate that much of the surge came from cryptocurrency ventures, digital tokens, licensing agreements, and other business interests that expanded after his return to the White House. The disclosures are already fueling renewed debate over presidential ethics, conflicts of interest, and whether a sitting president should be able to profit from private business ventures while serving in office.A federal judge is dealing the Pentagon another legal setback, blocking a policy that required journalists from The New York Times to be escorted by government officials while reporting inside the Pentagon. The ruling found the restriction likely infringed on press freedoms and underscored the constitutional role of an independent press in holding government accountable. We we welcome  presidential historian John Rothmann, host of the podcast ‘Around the Political World With John Rothmann' to talk politics. The conversation continues with the wonderful author Jared Yates Sexton.The Mark Thompson Show 7/1/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

In a major victory for Donald Trump, the Supreme Court cleared the way for the president to remove members of independent federal agencies, marking one of the most significant expansions of presidential authority in decades. The ruling allows the administration to move forward with the firings of officials at agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission, while broader legal challenges continue, and it signals that longstanding protections designed to insulate independent regulators from political pressure may no longer hold. It's a double whammy powerhouse kind of show as we welcome Pulitzer Ptize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston and amazing author and scholar Sarah Kendzior. The Mark Thompson Show Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

The Supreme Court handed Donald Trump another major legal setback, delivering rulings that pack significant consequences.Underwhelming. That seems to be the consensus of attendees of The Great American State Fair. It's President Trump's official 250th-anniversary celebration on the National Mall  going on through July. The fair was organized by Freedom 250, that's the Trump administration-created group that seemed formed to compete with the congressionally established America250 organization. Most states participated,  but Maine, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania refused to send delegations, citing costs, scheduling conflicts, and politicization concerns. Other states left their booths unstaffed, with visitors finding empty displays at Hawaii and Alaska. From the sparse crowds to the half-empty booths, the fair highlights a fractured nation struggling to celebrate together. iHeart political analyst Gary Dietrich will stop by to talk politics. *programming note: Sarah Kendzior will be on the show Tuesday this week instead of her usual Monday.The Mark Thompson Show 6/29/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

Here we go again. Ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is at a standstill again. The United Nations International Maritime Organization halted its plan to evacuate stranded ships after a British military report confirmed a vessel was struck by a projectile off the coast of Oman. The attack occurred just hours after Iran threatened ships using the UN-backed evacuation route without Tehran's permission. Iran's newly established Persian Gulf strait authority has now warned that any transit outside its designated routes will not receive safe passage guarantees. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, visiting the Gulf to reassure American allies, emphasized Washington's commitment to keeping the strait open saying "If that stops, then we're going to have a problem.” We'll talk about the back and forth nature of the Iran War negotiations and the complications of Trump's attempted exit ramp out of this conflict. Michael Shure and Mo Kelly join for ‘This Week in Politics.' A little love for our Florida friends and a trip to the movies with The Culture Blaster Michael Snyder and we are ready for the weekend.

For years, the Trump family organization cultivated lucrative relationships with Persian Gulf allies, but according to recent reporting, his decision to wage war on Iran and his unpredictable leadership have severely damaged his standing in the region. Now, major business figures and government officials, once friendly with Trump, are feeling betrayed. .Analysts say regional leaders that actively tried to prevent the war are angry over Trump's decision-making. That includes Emirati business leaders and government officials that say Trump's war reversed years of strategic cooperation. We'll examine the growing rift between Trump and his once-loyal Gulf supporters. Corey Brettschneider is a political science professor at Brown University. He will join us to talk politics. Former federal prosecutor, now defense attorney, David Katz will stop by the show to look at big cases and recent court rulings.

In a stunning political move this week, President Donald Trump cancelled a planned ceremonial signing of a major bipartisan housing affordability bill at the Capitol. The bill, which passed both chambers of Congress by overwhelming margins, would have addressed critical housing affordability challenges facing Americans.Trump is using the bill as leverage to force lawmakers to pass his proposed "SAVE AMERICA ACT," which would implement a radical overhaul of voting procedures. In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared the housing news conference and signing cancelled "until such time as we pass the desperately needed SAVE AMERICA ACT, which I consider to be a National Emergency."There has also been a significant legal setback for the Trump administration's immigration enforcement agenda comes from the ruling of a federal judge. U.S. District Judge P. Casey Potts ruled that ICE agents can no longer conduct arrests at immigration courthouses across the country. Judge Pitts, a Biden appointee, vacated the Trump administration's policies that were implemented via executive order last year, determining that the Department of Justice failed to provide adequate legal justification for the enforcement tactics. He called them "arbitrary and capricious," and said the Trump administration did not properly consider how arresting noncitizens at courthouses would impact people pursuing lawful immigration status. We welcome John Rothmann - presidential historian and the host of ‘Around the Political World with John Rothmann' to the show to discuss this and the latest on negotiations to end Trump‘s Iran war.The conversation continues as we welcome author and political commentator Jared Yates Sexton to the showThe Mark Thompson Show 6/24/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

Vice President JD Vance says there is "very good" progress in Switzerland  with Iran negotiations. He says Iran is agreeing to allow nuclear inspectors back into the country following initial negotiations . Was he sitting at the same table as Iran's negotiators? Iran's foreign ministry spokesman says nope, there  are no "plans for IAEA inspections" of nuclear sites,  Iran maintains the Strait of Hormuz will "never return to its pre-war conditions" and that Iran will maintain control of the vital waterway. Vance painted a positive picture with a new communication line established between negotiators to prevent incidents and ensure safe commercial transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the U.S., Iran, and Lebanon are creating a "deconfliction cell" to enforce the agreed ceasefire across all fronts. If negotiations are going so well, why is the Pentagon seeking roughly $80 billion to cover costs of the U.S. war against Iran? It's part of a massive $1.5 trillion military budget proposal. However, lawmakers are expressing skepticism about Trump's memorandum of understanding with Iran and hesitation over increased Pentagon funding amid rising costs of living for Americans. On the matter of the botched renovation of the reflecting pool, journalists pushed President Trump for proof after he claimed a very long slit was made in the paint at the bottom of the reflecting pool. There's no evidence to back up those claims, but Trump seems to be laying the blame squarely on vandalism as the pool now has to be re-emptied and repaired.We put it all to David Cay Johnston, Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist, from Iran to the mishaps on the national mall. Plus, entertainment reporter Lisa Joyner will join  us to talk about Hollywood,  podcasting  and  her love of animals.The Mark Thompson Show 6/23/26Today's Guests LinksLisa Joyner https://www.youtube.com/@PlusOnewithLisaandMorganProf. David Cay Johnston at RIT, Pulitzer Prize winning Author & Investigative Journalist  https://bsky.app/profile/davidcayjohnston.bsky.socialPatreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

Iran negotiations are causing uncertainty inside the Trump administration. President Trump recently joked that if the negotiations succeed, he'll take full credit, but if it fails, he's handing the blame to Vice President JD Vance. It might seem like a joke on the surface, but it may also indicate that Trump is positioning Vance as the face of the Iran negotiations, despite Vance's initial opposition to the war. Vance has had to come to the president's defense repeatedly over this very unpopular war. Could it impact Vance's 2028 presidential aspirations?  Is Vance's role allowing Secretary of State Marco Rubio to stay under the radar? We welcome iHeart TV and Radio political analyst Gary Dietrich to the show to discuss.The brilliant author and scholar Sarah Kendzior will stop through to talk politics.The Mark Thompson Show 6/22/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

More than 160 military recruits at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas are battling a flu outbreak instead of completing training. Just weeks before the outbreak, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ended mandatory flu vaccination for the military, citing bodily autonomy and concerns about "overreaching mandates.” According to The Guardian, after the vaccine became optional in April 2026, only about 40% of recruits chose to get vaccinated. Now, at least 160 servicemembers living in tight quarters are sick and they're being ordered to get vaccinated as part of containment efforts. This outbreak highlights the consequences of policy changes in military medicine and raises critical questions about military readiness and individual choice versus collective safety in environments where isolation isn't an option. In addition, there seems to be trouble with Trump‘s Iran deal. The US/Iran talks set to be held in Switzerland are being called off. That's because Israel and Hezbollah are still attacking each other in Lebanon. On top of that, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen but now, a surprise: Iran says fees/tolls to cover cost of managing the strait will take effect at end of 60-day negotiation period. So now the world will pay the price for Trump‘s decision to attack Iran? Mo Kelly is in for Mark Thompson. We welcome Michael Shure for a look at ‘This Week in Politics' and Michael Snyder for a look at the latest movies. Add a sprinkle of Friday Fabulous Florida and it's another great show to ease you into your weekend,

American “hardliners” opposing the US–Iran memorandum of understanding, are being accused of selectively trusting Iranian state-linked messaging while dismissing diplomatic progress. Details of the agreement remain incomplete. Vice President JD Vance is saying sanctions relief and un-freezing assets would be conditioned on Iran's follow-through in upcoming technical talks over the next two months. Responses are mixed: hardliners inside Iran are protesting, some US and Israeli critics warn of risks, while other international leaders call the deal a potential game-changer. We will talk about it with John Rothmann. He is a  presidential historian, a Middle East expert with a particular point of viewand the host of aAround the Political World with John Rothmann.Jayar Jackson, from The Young Turks, will stop by to talk politics. The conversation continues with author and political commentator Jared Yates Sexton.The Mark Thompson Show 6/17/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

Is Trump's Iran War and apparent peace deal a win or another Trump headline in search of substance?  President Trump is touting a new Iran deal as a major breakthrough, but lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are asking what's actually in this agreement. The reported deal comes with big promises about stability, security, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but details are scarce and even some Republicans say they'll need answers before declaring victory.We will run it past Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston. Mark talks politics with progressive host and author Thom Hartmann.The Mark Thompson Show 6/16/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

Trump's UFC White House stunt was quite the spectacle. President Trump's birthday party/UFC fight event on the White House lawn brought out the bros, from Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, Kris Marszalek, CEO of Crypto.com and David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount Skydance to Pete Hegseth and Kash Patel. Was the event intended to rescue a “macho” image for a president that seems to be getting weaker  and sleepier by the day? A president made to look even weaker by not being able to steamroll Iran as he planned?  Mark will discuss. The conversation continues with author and scholar Sarah Kendzior. You can always find more from Sarah at  https://sarahkendzior.substack.com/The Mark Thompson Show 6/15/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

Elon Musk has built some of the most valuable companies on Earth, but how much of that success comes from innovation, and how much comes from a system that gives billionaires a different set of rules? As SpaceX's valuation soars and IPO speculation grows, we look at the regulations, government support, private market advantages, and exceptions that critics say helped fuel the Musk empire. Were the rules bent ? Here we go again with the back-and-forth on Trump's Iran War. Trump says a deal is imminent, but Iran says there's no final decision on that. It's contrary to what President Trump told reporters - that a settlement has been reached and a memorandum of understanding could be signed soon, likely in Europe. In keeping with that statement, Trump called off planned hard strikes on Iran. Meanwhile, there's word that Iran tried to strike commercial ships trying to get through the Strait of Hormuz and US officials shot down Iranian attack drones. The reports are conflicting from all angles. Is this part of Trump's strategy or does the Trump administration, once again, not really have a handle on what it's doing? We'll put the question to Michael Shure and Mo Kelly who join us for ‘This Week in Politics.' Then, it's all about weekend frivolity with a swing by the state of Florida to check in on the craziness and a look at movies with The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder. Bring on the weekend! The Mark Thompson Show 6/12/26

Bill Gates has some big regrets when it comes to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Yesterday, Gates testified to the House Oversight Committee about his past ties to Epstein. In a closed-door hearing, Gates said Epstein attempted to leverage information about Gates's extramarital affairs “to pressure me to re-engage with him” after Gates had begun to cut ties. Gates said he regretted meeting with Epstein, but had never seen Epstein commit criminal conduct, and denied victimizing anyone. He acknowledged the meetings were a “grave error in judgment” that risked his reputation and his philanthropic work. Meanwhile, Epstein‘s longtime former personal assistant is reportedly giving Congress some names of people connected to Epstein. This comes as the House Oversight Committee Chair is reportedly working to bring acting AG Todd, Blanche in to testify. We welcome former federal prosecutor, and now defense attorney, David Katz to talk about the new revelations and whether there may be any legal fallout. We are excited to talk politics with Russ Baker. He is the founder of news organization whowhatwhy.org Then, we'll find out what's new to sip and wear at Coachellavalleycoffee.com as Roastmaster General Cliff Young stops by the show.

A ceasefire broken. The U.S.launched “self-defense strikes” on Iranian air defense and radar sites last evening after a U.S. Apache helicopter was downed Monday near the Strait of Hormuz. The two pilots were rescued. This came after President Trump said the U.S. response “should be very strong, very powerful,” and earlier said talks with Iran were in their “final throes,” possibly concluding in “two or three days” though the status of those negotiations is now unclear.  Sources say U.S. targets included Iranian air defenses and radar installations as part of the retaliation. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran will not leave any attack "unanswered."Mo Kelly speaks with political analyst John Rothmann about what this escalation means for any potential deal to end Trump's Iran War. Mark welcomes the authors of ‘Notes of Deception.' Drs. Merryl Goldberg and Vince Houghton tell the story of a quartet of American musicians that outwitted the KGB. We also consider how much we as consumers really need and how we can benefit our own communities. Kate Assaraf, founder and CEO of DIP Haircare  joins.The Mark Thompson Show 6/10/26Kate Assarafhttps://dipalready.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-assaraf-b25a741a7Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

President Trump is likely not pleased at having to relive a booing crowd over and over again as the video replays today. He attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden last night and became the first sitting U.S. president at an NBA Finals game. When the arena showed him on the jumbo screens during the national anthem as he gave a military salute, he was met with loud boos from the crowd; the jeers subsided when the U.S. flag appeared and fans cheered the Knicks. Trump watched from Knicks owner James Dolan's suite with guests including his granddaughter Kai, adviser Boris Epshteyn, and several Cabinet officials. His visit prompted heavy Secret Service and NYPD security, perimeter fencing, TSA-style screenings and an early-arrival recommendation for fansr. The outside watch party had to be moved and those fans also joined in the booing of Trump. After the game, Trump said the reaction was “mostly cheers.”We will discuss the fan reaction and whether it's a trivial moment at a sporting event or whether it may be tied deeper to growing discontent with Trump‘s job performance.Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist  David Cay Johnston will join the conversation to talk about  what late night host Jimmy Kimmel called the“Trumper Tantrum” over the weekend on NBC's Meet the Press and what appears to be a Trump‘s midterm election strategy… he's back to accusing states of rigging elections.Coachella Valley Coffee Roast Master Cliff Young will stop through to let us know what he's been up to and to bring us word of new additions, and perhap special deals on the very best coffees and teas. The Mark Thompson Show 6/9/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT 

President Trump abruptly ended an on‑camera interview with NBC's Kristen Welker after a heated back‑and‑forth about his claims that the 2020 election was “rigged” and assertions of voting problems in California's recent primary. The exchange escalated when Welker pressed Trump for evidence. He accused her and major networks of being “crooked,” removed his mic, and left, later agreeing to a second interview. The segment also touched on his defense of a proposed roughly $1.8 billion fund to compensate allies (which the Justice Department said would not move forward) and his remarks about the possibility of war and U.S. elections. Was Trump right to walk out or is this just another moment where he can't or doesn't want to answer a question and lashes out? Mark will discuss along with Gary Dietrich, iHeart TV and radio political analyst. Legal professor June Carbone will stop by to continue the political conversation.The Mark Thompson Show 6/8/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

Trump is using wartime presidential authority to hand $700 million to coal-fired power plants in the US to prop us what he calls “clean, beautiful coal”, despite it being the dirtiest of fossil fuels. The funds will be used to bring a new coal export terminal online in Oakland, California, and to restart an existing facility in Maryland. That's in addition to plants across 10 states: West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, Arizona, Oklahoma, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Trump says "Each of those 10 states voted for Trump, We won them all.” The two new coal plants will be in Alaska and West Virginia. We welcome Mo Kelly & Michael Shure for This Week in Politics - a look at the biggest stories, including election results, a new "Trump Promenade" and more. Keep your hands in the car as we cruise into Friday Fabulous Florida - you never know who has a machete! Plus, The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder brings the details on all the good movies and shows to see this weekend.

The GOP-led House is behind a largely symbolic measure directing the president to remove U.S. forces from active hostilities with Iran unless Congress authorizes force or declares war. Four Republicans joined all Democrats in supporting it. The vote follows earlier attempts that stalled out. It also builds momentum for a related effort in the Senate. The White House is raising objections saying the move could weaken negotiations. The House also advanced a separate motion to bring Ukraine aid to the floor. Mo Kelly will discuss the idea that this vote signals growing congressional resistance, even within Trump's party. Former federal prosecutor and now defense attorney, David Katz will stop by the show to offer his legal expertise on whether Todd Blanche will be able to get confirmed as AG and whether Trump‘s immunity from IRS audits will withstand legal scrutiny.

Results from yesterday's primaries are still coming in, but they are shaping the 2026 midterm map and setting up a string of dramatic November matchups from New Jersey to California. We will look at key primary outcomes that could flip critical House and Senate districts and continuing redistricting efforts that could upend midterm outcomes. Presidential historian and political analyst John Rothmann joins the show to talk elections and more. Politics Girl - Leigh McGowan - stops by to talk Trump, midterms and America 250.The Mark Thompson Show 6/3/26Today's Guests LinksPolitics Girl - Leigh McGowan https://www.politicsgirl.com/aboutJohn Rothmann https://www.spreaker.com/show/around-the-political-world        https://www.youtube.com/@aroundthepoliticalworld_Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT#Trump #Epstein #Iran #elections #IranWar #CAGov #redistrictng #Gerrymandering #America250 #reflectingpool #ufcfight #goldenstatues #politicsgirl #politics #political #JohnRothmann

Trump Stops Israel Strike Plan? Iran Quitting Talks? David Cay Johnston & Trita Parsi Join 6/2/26The Mark Thompson Show 6/2/26Today's Guests LinksProf. David Cay Johnston at RIT, Pulitzer Prize winning Author & Investigative Journalist  https://bsky.app/profile/davidcayjohnston.bsky.socialhttps://www.dcreport.org/2026/06/01/kids-who-remember-hurricane-helene-trauma/Trita Parsi https://tritaparsi.substack.com/Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

Not so fast J6ers. A Judge is blocking payments from Trump's new $1.776B "Anti‑Weaponization Fund" while courts consider challenges to the settlement that created it.  Trump is posting angry rants on social media against U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema who ordered a temporary freeze on any transfers, claims processing or disbursements from the fund after a lawsuit by former Jan. 6 prosecutor Andrew Floyd and other plaintiffs argued the program unlawfully favors political allies and lacks oversight. The fund was created as part of a deal tied to President Trump dropping lawsuits against the IRS and related civil claims; that settlement has prompted separate judicial inquiries into whether the court was misled. A hearing is set for June 12 to consider a longer injunction and related briefs, while other judges have asked whether the original settlement amounted to deception. We welcome iHeart radio, and television political analyst Gary Dietrich to the show to discuss it.The Mark Thompson Show 6/1/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

Corruption Central has new address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. From Trump's Weaponization slush fund to international negotiations including Trump Towers and sketchy stock trades and Crypto deals, this next gift should come as no surprise: Dell wins a $9.7B Pentagon deal — weeks after Trump publicly urged people to “go out and buy a Dell” and after Michael Dell's family pledged $6.25B to seed the administration's “Trump accounts.” We'll check out the contract (a five‑year Core Enterprise Technology Agreement to supply Microsoft licensing, cloud subscriptions and on‑prem software). We'll drill down into the Pentagon's claim the award followed a competitive process and will save roughly $422M a year, and we'll examine why timing — stock purchases, public praise, and Dell's ties to the Trump administration are now prompting ethics and conflict‑of‑interest scrutiny. We'll roll this story past Michael Shure and Mo Kelly as we lay out the top Stories of the week in ‘This Week in Politics.' Fingers crossed Albert finds a good gator story this week but whether it's meth, machetes, or mayhem, Friday Fabulous Florida never disappoints. Quick set change… and ou tcomes the rainbow. The Culture Blaster Michael Snyder will slide right in to give us the best advice on movies and streaming options worth your time.

Now threats to blow up Oman are coming from Trump. He is warning Oman to abandon talks with Iran about jointly charging a toll for ships in the Strait of Hormuz saying, “Oman will behave just like everybody else or we'll have to blow them up.” Mark will discuss Trump's latest threat, the rejected toll plan, the diplomatic ties between Oman and Iran and the U.S. military posture proposed to keep shipping open, and of course, dig into the regional and global risks if tensions escalate. Trump's Iran war is bringing disastrous global economic consequences.Dr. Bill Black will stop by to share his thoughts. He is a professor of economics and law at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, and author of “The Best Way to Rob a Bank is to Own One.” Trump‘s Department of Justice is now opening an investigation into E. Jean Carroll, according to CNN. We will ask our legal expert, former federal prosecutor, and now defense attorney David Katz, about that and word that dozens of ex-judges are calling for a closer look into Trump's "anti-weaponization fund" settlement, calling it a "fraud on the Court"

A new NPR report reveals the Department of Justice, under the Trump administration, systematically removed news releases and public records connected to prosecutions from the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. That includes records documenting violent assaults on police. Some records have been preserved by independent trackers and NPR's Jan. 6 archive. Even so, the effort to wipe away criminal records fits into broader actions by the Trump administration, like mass pardons, personnel changes at DOJ, and public messaging that attempts to reframe the riot. We welcome presidential historian John Rothmann, host of the podcast ‘Around the Political World with John Rothmann,'to examine where we've seen this type of dry cleaning of facts before. We continue the conversation with journalist Isaac Saul, from Tangle. https://www.readtangle.com The Mark Thompson Show 5/27/28 Today's Guests Links Isaac Saul from Tangle https://www.readtangle.com/ John Rothmann https://www.spreaker.com/show/around-the-political-world https://www.youtube.com/@aroundthepoliticalworld_ The Rundown- 0:00 Welcome 4:02 RFK Snakes 5:55 Iran and Gas Prices 25:22 J6 30:11 John Rothmann -Trump Corruption -Paxton and Texas -Abraham Accords -Cuba -ICE 1:00:10 Isaac Saul from Tangle -J6 Slush Fund -Elections 1:18:51 Comments 1:26:00 Chunk of Trump Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you're more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com The Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page. Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/ Show sponsors: coachellavalleycoffee.com - use code MarkT at check out to save 10% Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15% Here's a special link: https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

President Trump returns to Walter Reed…again.Monday was Trump's third in-person medical checkup during his second term and it comes as experts speculate that his health is failing. We will look at he White House statement made about Ttump's health, prior imaging and exams (including last year's CT scan and April physical), the administration's explanations for bruising and leg swelling (chronic venous insufficiency and aspirin use), and how critics and independent physicians have reacted to repeated visits and limited public detail despite being the oldest person to take on a new US presidential term. A trip to see the doctor wasn't all  Memorial Day brought for the president. In addition to laying a wreath at the tomb of the unknowns, Trump went on a fresh rampage against Democrats. His social media posts and comments were less than solemn on a day meant to honor America's war dead. Pulitzer  Prize winning investigative journalist and author David Cay Johnston joins to discuss this and much more. Animal activist Karen Dawn, of Dawn Watch, will stop by to talk about a new argument being made against spaying or neutering pets.Please subscribe for free and hit the bell to get notified when we post analysis, expert interviews, and more.The Mark Thompson Show 5/26/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link: https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

The $1.8B Trump–Blanche slush fund is even more corrupt than we first realized. Todd Blanche is reportedly offering to cut Republican senators in on payouts to buy their support. They will be able to apply for fund money too. This scheme threatens America's Constitutional Democracy. Please watch, share, and call your senators to demand an investigation and stop this. Mo Kelly will discuss this and more. We've got journalist Michael Shure, The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder and Friday Fabulous Florida too!

Trump's sketchy new $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund will operate through the end of 2028. It will be overseen by a five-member commission to be appointed by the acting attorney general. Fearing convicted and pardoned January 6th insurgents will be eligible for payouts, two Capitol police officers are filing suit to put a stop to it. The DOJ says the commission will decide an applicant's eligibility and payouts under a broadly worded “totality of the circumstances” standard. We welcome former federal prosecutor, and now defense attorney, David Katz to discuss the legality of what critics are calling Trump's Slush Fund, the attached ban on tax audits for Trump and his family, and whether this so-called settlement will stand up if scrutinized in a court of law. Mark has a conversation with journalist and political strategist Christopher Armitage.

The Justice Department quietly adds a stunning amendment to a wildly corrupt agreement that created a $1.776 billion compensation fund tied to former President Trump. Tucked into the slush fund for Trump's allies, a ban on the IRS ever auditing Trump, his family, his companies or related entities for returns filed before the deal. Does Trump have something to hide? Is this the reason he never officially released his tax returns …because something sinister is lurking inside of them ? We will examine  the reasons Acting AG Todd Blanche may have included that ban in the deal, accusations that Blanche is acting as Trump's consigliere and why Blanche set himself up as the person to choose the five-person board to approve payouts. Those members would be removable at the president's will. Journalist  John Harwood calls the settlement a Trump smash & grab. Does this deal mean public accountability is dead?Mark welcomes John Rothmann,  presidential historian and host of the Around the Political World with John Rothmann podcast to discuss this and more.Skye Perryman, with Democracy Forward, will stop by to talk about using the law to fight the corruption in the Trump administration. Subscribe and hit the bell to stay updated.The Mark Thompson Show 5/20/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

Trump's  DOJ is creating a $1.7 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund.” It's part of a deal resolving Trump's lawsuit over leaked tax returns but will compensate his allies who say they were mistreated by the Biden-era Justice Department. Is America paying attention to the inside job? Democrats and watchdogs are already denouncing the move as an unprecedented taxpayer-funded slush fund and are promising legal challenges. It appears Americans are getting fleeced and Mark Thompson returns to make sure we know exactly what is going down. Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston will stop by to help make sense of it all. Can America be saved? Jared Yates Sexton, political analyst and author of the book The Midnight Kingdom: A History of Power, Paranoia, and the Coming Crisis will join the conversation. The Mark Thompson Show 5/19/26Today's Guests LinksJared Yates Sexton  https://www.jysexton.com/Prof. David Cay Johnston at RIT, Pulitzer Prize winning Author & Investigative Journalist  https://bsky.app/profile/davidcayjohnston.bsky.socialPatreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT#Trump #Epstein #DavidCayJohnston #JaredYatesSexton #Iran #Cuba #Elections #IRS #SlushFund #Religion #ChurchAndState #Politics #Political #PoliticalAnalysis

Donald Trump is reportedly close to settling a $1.8 billion IRS lawsuit and critics say the payout looks like a political slush fund. Anyone who feels wronged by the DOJ under the Biden administration, including all the pardoned J6ers, would be able to apply for a government payout. Trump and his family would reportedly be off-limits when it comes to IRS audits. We will explore the legal and ethical questions raised and look at what it could mean for accountability and future prosecutions. iHeart Political analyst Gary Dietrich joins the conversation. Dr. Katharine Wilkinson, a transformation voice in the world of climate change, comes bearing ideas obout how everyone of us can participate in the fight to save the planet. The Mark Thompson Show 5/18/26Today's Guests LinksDr Katharine Wilkinson - Climate Wayfinding Healing Ourselves and the Planet We Call Home https://www.kkwilkinson.com/Gary Dietrich, CBS TV & iHeart Radio Political Analyst https://twitter.com/garydietrichSubscribe for political analysis and hit the bell to get notified when we publish new videos.Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is abruptly stopping a planned nine-month rotation of 4,000 U.S. troops bound for Poland. The move comes at a precarious time for Poland and is catching Pentagon staff and European allies off guard. Mo Kelly is in for Mark Thompson and he unpacks the timeline of the canceled deployment, contrasts official statements with anonymous Pentagon sourcing, and connects the move to recent U.S. troop shifts in Europe — including plans to withdraw forces from Germany. We examine why allies are worried about deterrence on NATO's eastern flank and what signals the decision might send to Russia and our NATO allies. Plus, This week in Politics brings Mo Kelly and Michael Shure together to recap the biggest stories. We'll take a spin through Florida with Friday Fabulous Florida and head over to the movies with The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder. Happy Friday!

President Trump is in China with a delegation drawing scrutiny across Washington: family members, billionaire tech allies and business figures appear front and center, while longtime China experts and senior State Department voices are far less visible. Is Trump on the verge of a corrupt deal for himself and his family that won't serve U.S. or historic interests? Is he prioritizing dealmaking and optics over diplomacy and strategy? Where are experienced American diplomatic voices at this pivotal moment? Mo Kelly is in for Mark Thompson and will discuss this and more. We welcome former federal prosecutor and now defense attorney David Katz to talk about the impending Trump deal with the IRS, redistricting battles headed to court and criticism of the Supreme Court. Then, we pivot to marijuana. Mark welcomes Dr. Peter Grinspoon. He is a primary care physician and a board-certified addiction specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Grinspoon's upcoming book is titled “Aging Well with Cannabis: Feel Better, Sleep Better and Live Better with Marijuana and CBD.” It's a culmination of his hard work to help ‘canna-curious' seniors, family members, and caregivers by providing practical instructions, real-life case studies, and a balanced view of the benefits and risks of cannabis and CBS.

FBI Director Kash Patel faced a fiery Senate confrontation yesterday as lawmakers pressed him over allegations of excessive drinking, unexplained absences and possible misuse of FBI resources. Patel angrily denied the claims, calling them “a total farce.” Democrats questioned whether FBI personnel and assets were improperly used to go after critics and reporters covering the claims that Patel was, at times, so drunk he passed out behind locked doors and security had to break in to make sure he was okay. The hearing devolved into a shouting match, with Patel yelling at senators and accusing those speaking against him of politically motivated attacks.Mo Kelly is in for Mark Thompson.  He looks at whether Patel's rocky Congressional hearing could put him in the same boat as his former colleague Kristi Noem and whether the allegations against Patel have become an embarrassment for Trump. Presidential historian and political analyst John Rothmann joins  to talk politics. Paid protesters are a real thing, but the concept might be different than you imagine. Mark talks with Adam Swart,  the CEO of Crowds on Demand, to find out more about how it works and whether ethics are considered in the game of optics.The Mark Thompson Show 5/13/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

The Mark Thompson Show 5/12/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

Trump is blasting Iran's latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, calling Tehran's response “totally unacceptable” as tensions rise again across the Middle East. With drone attacks reported near Gulf shipping lanes, uncertainty surrounding Iran's leadership, and fears growing over oil prices and a wider regional conflict, the pressure is building on all sides. We will break down the collapsing negotiations, the strategic stakes in Hormuz, and whether the ceasefire momentum is already slipping away.IHeart television and radio political analyst Gary Dietrich will swing by. Should talk about the latest in Iran and the California governor's race.Mark speaks with Dr. Steven Bezruchka. He's the author David Cay Johnston recommended we have on the show. Dr. Bezruchka ust released “Born Sick in the USA: Improving the Health of a Nation.” The Mark Thompson Show 5/11/26Stephen Bezruchka - Born Sickhttps://stephenbezruchka.comPatreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

The Virginia Supreme Court is blocking a voter-approved, Democratic-drawn congressional map, ruling the amendment process used to approve it violated state procedure. It's a decision that could blunt Democratic hopes and give Republicans a redistricting edge heading into the 2026 midterms. We'll look at the legal arguments over early voting and the constitutional amendment process and the likely impact on the balance of the U.S. House. A shaky ceasefire is compromised by an escalation between the U.S. and Iran near the Strait of Hormuz. We'll look at U.S. Defense Department and CENTCOM statements on self-defense strikes against missile, drone and small-boat threats and Iran's response accusing the U.S. of violating the ceasefire and attacking an Iranian tanker and coastal sites. We also examine the immediate impacts on maritime traffic and the implications for ongoing peace talks. This Week in Politics with Michael Shure & Mo Kelly brings a review of the top stories making an impact. The wild streets of Florida come to life with Friday Fabulous Florida. Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder, takes us to the movies and right into the weekend.

There is a wild new twist in the Kash Patel story: The Atlantic reports that FBI Director Kash Patel has been traveling with and handing out self-branded bourbon labeled “Ka$h Patel,” making FBI events…interesting? The revelation arrives the same day news broke that the FBI opened a criminal probe into Atlantic reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick over an earlier story alleging Patel's excessive partying and drinking. We welcome former federal prosecutor, and now defense attorney David Katz to discuss what passing out branded liquor on official business could mean ethically and legally. We'll explore how the new allegation collides with the criminal inquiry into the reporter who first reported on Patel's conduct.