The Mark Thompson Show

Attorney General Pam Bondi is claiming she's never heard reports of ICE agents covering their faces with masks during the round ups and arrests of undocumented people. At a hearing yesterday, the issue was raised by Michigan Senator Gary Peters and Bondi denied knowing about the masks but said of the agents: “I do know they are being doxxed … they're being threatened,” and “Their families are being threatened.” We welcome former federal prosecutor David Katz to the show to discuss this and more. Plus, a new anti-vaccine leader is being given a new job related to vaccine safety at the CDC. We'll talk to former CDC medical doctor and scientist. Dr. Charles LeBaron about the state of that agency and the issues at play.

Despite all the peacocking from Trump and Vance claiming they "obliterated" Iran's nuclear program by dropping a trio of bombs, it appears the damage only derailed the program for a couple months, according to intelligence reports. Never one to let facts get in the way of a good social media post, Trump bragged about being nominated for a Nobel Peace Price and then put up a music video with a parody of the Beach Boys song "Barbara Ann" with the words "Bomb Iran" instead playing over a video of B-2 stealth bombers dropping bombs. Even from Trump, it's a shocking display that could inflame tensions with Iran. Could it be meant to divert attention away from something else? We welcome Presidential Historian and political analyst John Rothmann to discuss this and more. We are excited to bring Sue Halpern to the show for the first time. She writes for the New Yorker about politics and technology and has a new book out called "What We Leave Behind."

Though Trump took to social media yesterday touting a “complete and total ceasefire” between Israel and Iran, both countries say nothing is official.  Iran's foreign minister says there is no ‘agreement' on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations,” but as long as Israel stops “illegal aggression,” Iran has no intention to continue responding. Trump is calling the conflict the “12 Day War” and saying his decision to work with Israel on bombing Iran while still entertaining diplomacy has succeeded. Journalist Anthony Davis, host of “5 Minutes News,” will swing by to examine current events.We welcome Jessica Denson, host of the “Lights On” podcast, to the show. She's been raising some important election security questions. We'll discuss. The Mark Thompson Show 6/24/25Patreon 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.com

Iran is promising the U.S. that a response is on the way after Trump and team dropped three bombs on Iran's nuclear sites. Trump claims the move called “Operation. Midnight Hammer” was successful and that damage obliterated the underground areas of the targeted sites. Whether that's really the case is still being evaluated by the military. Meanwhile, Trump is contradicting his Vice President and Secretary of State who both deny the U.S. is after a regime change in Iran. Trump took to social media last night tearing their work on Sunday talk shows down by writing:“It's not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!,” There's so much more to discuss from talk of sleeper cells in America to an increase in security around the U.S. to the global economic impact from the closure of the Staight of Hormuz to gas prices. We'll talk about all of it with iHeart television and radio political analyst Gary Dietrich.Have you ever been to a festival centered on celebrating some kind of animal? Whether it's the Calaveras Frog Jumping Jubillee or the Pismo Beach Clam festival, author Elizabeth MeLampy has an interesting perspective as she discusses her new book Forget the Camel. The Mark Thompson Show 6/23/25Patreon 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.com

It will be a couple of weeks until Trump will be ready to make a decision on how involved to get in Israel's conflict with Iran. Trump, who promised to bring peace, is now watching at fighting on three different fronts. Former ABC White House correspondent Jim Avila will stop by to discuss. Then…the weekend fun begins with Friday Fabulous Florida and The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder, packing movie reviews and fun. 

The attacks continue in the conflict between Israel and Iran as Trump tries to decide how much the United States will be involved. There are reports that he has reviewed attack plans for Iran but is still hoping the country backs off its nuclear program. We consider the summer skies today with astronomer Andrew Franknoi. He will tell us what we have to look forward to. Former federal prosecutor David Katz will drop by to talk about the law and politics. We'll look at the recent ruling by the Supreme Court on care for trans people and check on the case between Governor Newsom and President Trump over the federalization of the CA National Guard. The Mark Thompson Show 6/19/25

The Mark Thompson Show 6/18/25 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

Trump made an early and hasty exit from the G7 Summit in Canada as he warned anyone in Tehran, Iran to get out. The warning echoed similar calls from Israeli leaders to evacuate Tehran, possibly signaling that a large attack is imminent. Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist and author David Cay Johnston joins us to talk about world events.Pulizer Prize winning historian and author Steven Hahn joins to discuss his book “Illiberal America.”Quoting from the book description on Amazon, “If your reaction to the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol was to think, 'That's not us,' think again.” In Illiberal America, Steven Hahn “uncovers a powerful illiberalism as deep-seated in the American past as the founding ideals.” This should be a fascinating conversation. The Mark Thompson Show 6/17/25Patreon 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.com

Across America in cities large and small, "No Kings" protests were well attended.  From Miami to New York to Portland to San Francisco, people came out to march with signs and sing and chant together.  The events were mostly peaceful, except for a shooting in Utah. Initial estimates from the American Civil Liberties Union and MoveOn.org indicate that more than five million people participated in more than 2,100 rallies and protests.While Americans were rallying against authoritarianism, Trump spent his birthday in DC watching the military march past his large parade stand built to showcase the White House in the background.  Along with the tanks and troops, military equipment like drones and partners like Lockheed Martin were featured.  We welcome iHeart Radio and Television political analyst Gary Dietrich to talk politics. We turn to the economy as the G7 Summit gets underway in Canada, Trump's Tariffs continue to affect the global economy and Crypto takes hold. Dr. William K. Black, associate 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," will join.The Mark Thompson Show 6/16/25Patreon 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.com

The struggle for control of California's National Guard is playing out in the courts. Yesterday, a federal judge ruled the Trump administration illegally federalized California's National Guardsmen and women and ordered command returned to Governor Gavin Newsom by noon today. The Trump administration filed an appeal and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court temporarily blocked that order. Trump retains control of California's troops until at least Tuesday, June 17th, when the appeals court will hold a hearing on the matter. We are fortunate to have former federal prosecutor David Katz help us understand the courts decision with an eye toward how this may all play out. This Week in Politics brings journalist Michael Shure to the show to discuss the stories with the biggest impact. It's not all so serious though…add in Friday Fabulous Florida and The Culture Blaster Michael Snyder with reviews of offerings both streaming and in theaters and you've got a great weekend send off!

From terrorists to deportees, Guantanamo Bay is being transformed into a facility to hold a large number of migrants forced out of America. The Trump administration is preparing to hold as many as 9000 undocumented immigrants at Gitmo as it is running out of space inside the U.S. Mass arrests are underway in Los Angeles, as a curfew goes into place in an attempt to keep people from protesting in the downtown area. The California National Guard is reportedly protecting ICE agents as a battalion of US Marines remains on standby. We'll talk about it all with political analyst and presidential historian Jon Rothmann.

A full U.S. Marine battalion, comprised of more than 700 Marines, is now mobilized to respond to the deportation protests in Los Angeles. Though Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have both called for Trump not to use the California National Guard, some of 4000 guardsmen have also been activated. In order for members of the military to make arrests, Trump would need to invoke the Insurrection Act. So far, the military members may be an intimidating show of force against protesters, but they cannot take on law-enforcement duties. Why is Trump crossing this line? We will ask Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist and the author David Cay Johnston.Author Kyra Davis Lurie will stop by. She is a New York Times best selling author and screenwriter. Her new book, The Great Man, released today, is her first historical fiction novel. In this retelling of The Great Gatsby, the story is set among L.A.'s black elite. It's Tech Tuesday and our Jefferson Graham has some thoughts about newly released features coming to the next iPhones.The Mark Thompson Show 6/10/25Patreon 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.com 

A battle between federal and state rights is bubbling to the surface with Trump's latest move to escalate immigration raids in California. After ICE agents rounded up more that 40 people in the LA area Friday, protesters took to the streets. The response from Trump? Call out more than 2k members of the California National Guard over the objections over both LA Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom. In doing so, Trump federalized California's National Guard using Title 10 rules which allow a president to “repel invasion, suppress rebellion or execute laws.”Is it dangerous that the California National Guard now reports to Trump instead of Newsom? We'll talk about it with iHeart TV and radio political analyst Gary Dietrich.The Mark Thompson Show 6/9/25Patreon 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.com

The Musk/Trump bromance imploded spectacularly yesterday. What started with Musk criticizing Trump‘s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill”devolved into Trump threatening to pull Musk's government contracts and Musk claiming Trump would not have won the election without him and making allegations that Trump is listed in the Epstein files and that's why they haven't been released. Musk called for Trump‘s impeachment! The public breakup played out in comments made in the Oval Office during a press conference with the leader of Germany, on Trump's Truth Social and on Musk's X. We will ask journalist Michael Shure about this ugly public feud and more with “This Week in Politics.” There are some changes when it comes to recommendations on who should get Covid vaccines and boosters. We'll check in with our doctor, Emergency Medicine specialist, Dr. Michael Daignault. Friday Fabulous Florida is upon us once again and it does not disappoint Culture Blaster Michael Snyder will join us to talk movies and streaming as summer break begins.

Trump is still stuck on exacting revenge against his rivals. He's ordering an investigation into whether former President Joe Biden's aides hid information about his alleged declining mental state and whether staffers were making decisions and using an auto-pen to sign Biden's name. We've got two lawyers joining us today. June Carbone is the Robina chair of law, science, and technology at the University of Minnesota Law School. She wrote the recently released “Fair Shake:Women and the Fight to Build a Just Economy.” Former federal prosecutor, and now defense attorney, David Katz weighs in on legal rulings, legal questions and always has an interesting take on angles where the law intersects with politics.

Elon Musk may have checked out of D.C., but DOGE is far from done. The Trump administration wants to increase funding and staffing for the Department of Government Efficiency. Hidden in the appendix of budget documents released last week, new details about increasing DOGE staff from the current 89 to 150 next year. DOGE would also get more money, $45 million next year with another $10 million for software upgrades. Apparently, it's expensive to save money in America We are lucky enough to get to visit with presidential historian and political analyst John Rothmann.

Trump is working GOP Senators hard with phone calls and promises in order to get support for his so called Big Beautiful Bill. Though it narrowly passed in the House, moderates and far right-conservatives in the Senate are a big question mark. Republicans are already seeing some pushback after Elon Musk expressed disappointment in the debt this bill will bring. We'll talk about all of it with Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston. A new take on an old mystery from the days of the Civil War. Author Andrew Sillen discusses his book “Kidnapped at Sea.” Tech Tuesday brings Jefferson Graham to the show with a preview of Apple's developer conference next week.The Mark Thompson Show 6/3/25Patreon 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.com

An intel file on every single American. That's what Trump wants to create. It would include all of the information the government has on its citizens, including tax and financial information, immigration information, social media details about your life and more. This kind of invasive government file would certainly make it easier for Trump to figure out who is on his side and it might just frighten people into staying quiet. Welcome to the United States of China.We welcome, iHeartRadio, television and radio political analyst Gary Dietrich to the show to talk politics.If you've lost a pet, you know the grief can be overwhelming. Talking to most people about it might make you feel silly. We'll talk to you Beth Bigler about the reality of animal loss.Karen Dawn, of Dawn Watch, will join us to continue our discussion about animals.The Mark Thompson Show 6/2/25Patreon 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.com

The financial uncertainty involving Trump‘s tariffs continues. In addition to Trump‘s own stops and starts, causing all kinds of market volatility, now the courts are involved. Wednesday night, the federal court of international trade, put a stop to Trump‘s tariffs, saying he lacked the emergency authority to put them in place. Hours later, a federal appeal court paused that ruling allowing Trump to move forward with his tariffs for now. Trump is already calling for the Supreme Court to back him up.. We'll check in with journalists Michael Shure and Jim Avila to find out what they think about the latest tariff power struggle. We've heard from a couple of listeners this week regarding a wild Florida story. Let's just say gators are involved. Friday Fabulous Florida is upon us. The Culture Blaster Michael Snyder joins the show to share his thoughts about the latest offerings at the movie theaters and on streaming services.

Trump's tariffs seem to be in violation of U.S. law. Yesterday, a three-judge panel at the US Court of International Trade put the brakes on Trump's tariffs. Trump claimed emergency economic powers when he imposed the tariffs but the court ruled that he overstepped his authority unconstitutionally. Trump's administration has already filed an appeal. The decision would leave the tariffs in limbo, but since Trump has gone back-and-forth on them, it appears the tariffs are already in limbo. We welcome former federal prosecutor, now defense attorney, David Katz to the show. We'll ask him about this little known court and dig into why the judges ruled against Trump in this case. Elex Michaelson, host of “The Issue Is…” and anchor for Fox11 in Los Angeles will join us to talk politics.

Trouble in Trumpland…After all the DOGE cutting, Elon Musk is not pleased that Trump's so called “Big Beautiful Bill' will raise the nation's debt burden. Musk tells CBS he is “disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.” Presidential historian and political analyst John Rothmann will join the show to talk about this and more.

While House Speaker Mike Johnson may conveniently not know anything about Trump's crypto dinner, but the New York Times managed to get a hold of the guest list. More than 200 big spenders paid an average of $1.8 million each to attend a dinner with food that reportedly tasted like cardboard. The meme coin winners were served small portions of food described as dull and beverages that included either water or Trump-branded wine. As for the attendees, many of them are big players in the crypto industry, there were a few sports celebrities, including basketball star Lamar Odom, who is starting his own crypto coin. Many tried to stay out of pictures amid a growing security concern among crypto investors. Trump spent time with the top 25 investors and the rest found themselves disappointed. Trump is growing increasingly frustrated with Vladimir Putin, who launched another attack on Ukraine, even as an effort for a cease-fire in peace, talks continueWe'll talk about all of it with Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston.Trump is threatening to raise tariffs on Apple products unless more manufacturing is done in the United States. Jefferson Graham joins us on this Tech Tuesday to explore whether that's feasible.Oh, and Mark Thompson is back in the big chair! The Mark Thompson Show 5/27/25Patreon 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.com

Historian Timothy Snyder looks at Trump and the history of tyranny. Please enjoy this important encore presentation. David Sirota, from The Lever, explores the impact of Trump's efforts to dismantle the systems of trade and government in this encore presentation. It's not Friday without Friday Fabulous Florida. We take a look back at one of our best.The Culture Blaster Michael Snyder has a new report for us this week covering the latest movies and streaming options, including the newest installment of Mission Impossible. Programming Note: We Hope you enjoy this “Best of Mark Thompson Show.” In observance of the Memorial Day holiday, we are dark on Monday, May 26th and we will be back live on Tuesday, May 27th. 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.com#Trump #TimothySnyder #Tyranny #DavidSirota #Politics #Political #PoliticalAnalysis #FridayFabulousFlorida #Florida #Movie #Entertainment #MovieReviewReviews #MovieCredit #TheCultureBlaster #MichaelSnyder #BestOf

Trump‘s crypto contest comes to an end tonight as he welcomes his top 200 $Trump investors to dinner at the Trump golf club in D.C.. The winners are mostly anonymous, many are from other countries and they spent big money to get some face time with the President. The average cost to attend tonight's event $1,7 Million. Will look at whether this is against the law. Michael Shure is in for Mark Thompson and we are very fortunate to have former federal prosecutor David Katz stopping by.

One phone call is certainly not doing the trick when it comes to bringing Russia and Ukraine together to end the war. Trump had a marathon call with Putin and afterward both men spoke to the press expressing very different opinions about the outcome of the discussion and what comes next. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was in front of a Senate hearing discussing deportations and whether the Trump administration has the power to suspend habeas corpus. She told senators “Habeas corpus is a constitutional right that the president has to be able to remove people from this country.” She was immediately corrected, but perhaps she should spend less time on hair and make up and more time on learning what's in the Constitution she swore to uphold. Michael Shure is back in the Captain's chair today. We welcome John Rothmann to the show to talk politics. It's the Planet, Stupid! continues with a discussion Mark had with Paul Rice, the founder of Fair Trade, USA.

While Republicans are bickering about the extent of cuts to America's safety net programs for the poorest among us, they are also concerned about tax cuts, increasing debt ceilings and numbers that may indicate debt that will plague generations to come.We welcome Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston to discuss the nations debt, where we stand with tariffs and much more.Mark sat down with Yale history professor Greg Grandin to explore his new book “America, América.” It's a deep look at what our American ideals have always been and where and why we seem to have fallen shortAre we raising our kids to be kind and ready for a diverse world. In this new anti-DEI landscspe, how can we do better. Mark speaks with psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Sweeney, author of “Culturally Competent Kids: Raising Children to Thrive in a Diverse World.”It's Tech Tuesday. Jefferson Graham, former USA Today technology columnist, will join us to talk about the future of Google.The Mark Thompson Show 5/20/25Patreon 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.com

Late Sunday night, Trump's “Big Beautiful Bill”cleared an important House Committee. Conservatives that wanted deeper cuts to MedicAid got some changes made that led them toward advancing this massive tax cut and border security package. Speaker Mike Johnson isn't saying what the changes include, calling them minor things. It was a crazy music related weekend for Trump. He posted a video of himself lip syncing Journey's “Don't Stop Believing” and he unleashed verbal attacks on Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift. Michael Shure is in for Mark Thompson today. We welcome iHeart Radio and TV political analyst Gary Dietrich to the show to talk politics. The Mark Thompson Show 5/19/25Patreon 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.com 

This one is a real head scratcher. The Department of Homeland Security is reportedly considering a reality television show called “The American” that would have immigrants competing for U.S. citizenship. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is said to be supportive of the idea but it has not yet been officially approved. We have thr good fortune to welcome D~L Cauvin to co-host the show. Add in journalist Jim Avila, a dash of Friday Fabulous Florida and The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder, and you've got yourself a great start to the weekend!

Trump‘s “Big Beautiful Bill” isn't so beautiful for poor people. Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted in favor of big cuts to Medicaid. The issue now goes to the House Budget Committee to be merged with legislation from other committees, like the House Agriculture Committee. Ag members voted along party lines to cut as much as $300 billion in nutritional food aid. Both issues affect the poorest Americans and are part of Trump's efforts to slash spending to pay for Republicans' domestic policy agenda. From arguments on birthright citizenship to rumblings that the Trump administration has plans to suspend habeas corpus, there are many legal issues to discuss. Enter former federal prosecutor and now defense attorney, David Katz. J-L Cauvin is in for Mark. His background as both a lawyer and a comedian makes for an intelligent and lively conversation.

Donald Trump's sons Eric and Donald Jr. are about to rake in large sums of money by taking their American Bitcoin mining firm public on the Nasdaq exchange. The company is merging with Gryphon Digital Mining in an all-stock merger. As the Trump administration announces the framework of a tariff deal with China, Chinese President Xi Xinping appears to be sidestepping Trump and looking to smooth trade relations with South American countries while denouncing bullying and isolationism. We welcome Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist and author David Cay Johnston to the show to discuss it all.Jefferson Graham returns for Tech Tuesday. He'll take a look at Apple's fall pricing and whether tariffs are expected to have an effect.The Mark Thompson Show 5/13/25Patreon 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.com

It would be one of the most valuable gifts ever received by the United States of America; a Boeing 747-8. The commercial model sells for $400 million, but the price could go way up if they trick it out for top-notch luxury, extra security and all the bells and whistles you would expect on Air Force One.  If Trump accepts that gift, as he indicates he will, does that mean the United States is beholden to Qatar? Trump advisor Steven Miller says the Trump administration is looking for ways to suspend the writ of habeas corpus. That means you could be arrested and no one has to tell you why, and no one has to make sure that you appear before a judge theoretically, authorities could do anything with you and take you anywhere and your family would never know where you ended up. Are we looking at the end of the Constitutional privileges we all enjoy? We'll explore.IHeart television and radio political analyst Gary Dietrich will join the conversation. The Mark Thompson Show 5/12/25Patreon 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.com

Trump keeps tapping his favorite Fox talent pool to help fill government jobs. This time, Judge Jeanine Pirro will be stepping in to head the largest U.S. Attorney's office in the country. Trump wants Pirro to be the interim U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C. but there's no word on whether that comes with the possibility of permanence. We have a great guest lineup on today's Mark Thompson Show, including author Sarah Kendzior. In addition to her many books, including: They Knew, Hiding in Plain Sight, The View From Flyover Country and Thd Last American Roadtrip, Sarah Kendzior cohosted the podcast “Gaslit Nation” covering corruption in the US and the rise of autocracy. We'll talk politics with our favorite duo: journalists Michael Shure and Jim Avila. Then we press the fun button for “Friday Fabulous Florida” and The Culture Blaster Michael Snyder will slide in with plenty of pop culture love, movie reviews, and more.

The Vatican makes history with the first Pope from America! Robert Prevost becomes Pope Leo XIV. We'll have details. DOGE is working to create a centralized government database that would include pooling the personal information of millions of Americans and non citizen residents. The move violates long held privacy and security protections. Elon Musk and his DOGE crew have been amassing data from across the government. The Washington Post says the single info hub could “advance multiple Trump administration priorities, including finding and deporting undocumented immigrants and rooting out fraud in government payments.” Will there be a Covid booster available this autumn? The head of the FDA, Dr. Marty Makary, said he needs better data when asked if the FDA would be approving Covid boosters before the winter. We welcome Dr. Paul Offit, an internationally recognized expert in virology and immunology, to discuss it. Trump administration lawyers are formally invoking state secrets privileges in an effort not to turn over documents in the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case. We turn to our esteemed legal expert, former federal prosecutor, and now defense attorney, David Katz. Having trouble sleeping? Same. Let's find out how to get a handle on that with Vital Signs featuring our medical expert Dr. Michael Daignault.

Finally, after all kinds of posturing about whether trade negotiations would or would not be happening, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says he will start talks with China Saturday in Switzerland. On Fox, Bessent admitted China has been the missing piece as the rest of the world comes to the U.S. to make trade deals. In this case, the U.S. is going to them -meeting in Switzland because the Chinese team is traveling through Europe. Political analyst on presidential historian John Rothmann will join to talk trade and politics. “It's the Planet, Stupid!” with Belinda Waymouth takes us to China where an EV battery revolution is underway.

Four-Star Generals and Admirals are next in line to face DOGE. Pete Hegseth reportedly wants a 20% cut to the U.S. military. That includes active duty military brass and general officers in the National Guard. He's calling the move “Less Generals, more GIs.”The new Prime Minister of Canada will be at the White House today, working on a trade agreement with Trump. Already, some Trump allies, like Howard Lutnick, are calling Canada socialist and  casting doom on the meeting before it even starts. .We'll run it all past our friend and Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston. There's a new organization called Nature is Non-partisan working to bring people of different political ideologies together in support of shared environmental ideals. From hunters to tree huggers, the goal is to protect the planet. We have Meg Haywood Sullivan stopping by to give us details. The Mark Thompson Show 5/6/25Patreon 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.com

What is now a San Francisco tourist hotspot was once a notorious prison for hardened criminals. Trump wants to turn back the clock and make Alcatraz into the isolated prison for the worst offenders that it once was. If that leaves, you scratching your head, some other things he said over the weekend will too. The president questioned whether he has to follow the constitution. He told the press he would not rule out taking Greenland by force and he says there will be a 100% tariff for foreign films in America.We will talk politics with author Jared Yates Sexton and iHeart TV and radio political analyst Gary Dietrich. Karen Dawn of Dawn Watch will join to help save the animals.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.com

God, Guns & Dr. Phil. Christianity needs protecting, according to Trump, so he has created the Religious Liberty Commission. Trump is choosing Dr. Phil McGraw, who got his start on Oprah and then hosted his own daytime TV show, to sit on the holy task force. Dr. Phil says he is very proud to see religion coming back to the White House. Trump says his new Religious Liberty Commission is an effort to “vigorously enforce the historic and robust protections for religious liberty enshrined in Federal law.” Also on the RLC, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, and New York Archbishop Cardinal Timothy Dolan. So far, no Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist or other religions are represented. We've got our Friday A-team in place. Journalists Michael Shure and Jim Avila will join Mark to talk religion and politics. It's just not Friday without a trip to Florida. Get ready for some alligators and some sunshine in this addition of Friday Fabulous Florida. Sliding in on a Friday rainbow, it's our beloved Culture Blaster Michael Snyder bringing movie reviews, streaming options and an infusion of pop culture to the world.

The Trump team is getting inventive about playing off bad ecconomic numbers as good. It's likely hard for Trump, who made promises to voters about his economic prowess, to admit that the US economy just had its worst quarter since 2022. Economists blame Trump's significant policy changes for shaking up consumers and businesses. We welcome Ambassador Francis Rooney to The Mark Thompson Show. He served in Congress representing Florida's 19th Congressional District and served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, under President George W. Bush. We'll ask Ambassador Rooney what Trump's American foreign policy should look like. Former federal prosecutor and now defense attorney, David Katz joins us. He will discuss the Supreme Court's upcoming decision on whether religious schools can be funded with taxpayer dollars.

Despite Trump vowing to cut government spending, hiring Elon Musk and taking chainsaw to federal agencies, your taxpayer dollars are flying out the door faster than ever. Trump's administration has spent about $220 billion more in his first 100 days compared to the same time period last year. According to a CBS analysis, Trump's government is now spending more, day to day, than was spent in nine of the last 10 years. We will look at the details with presidential historian and political analyst John Rothmann.Eco-journalist Belinda Waymouth returns with another attempt to save the world. Join us for, “It's the Planet, Stupid!”The Mark Thompson Show 4/30/25Patreon 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.com

You know it's bad for Trump when Karl Rove appears on Fox saying Trump is in very bad shape in regards to his mismanagement of the economy. Rove says Trump is not only in trouble with voters in the short term but in the long run too, even if he gets his way on tariffs. Rove says recent polls show Americans are angry about how Trump has managed taxpayers' money.Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist David Cay Johnston will join us to discuss this and more. What role did Trump play in Canada‘s election yesterday? The country took a turn toward progressive ideas. We'll talk to journalist, author and professor Andrew Z. Cohen about Trump‘s impact on international politics.The Mark Thompson Show 4/29/25Patreon 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.com

Fresh polling by multiple agencies shows Trump losing support, bigly. ABC says Trump has the “lowest 100-day approval rating in 80 years.” Results are similar from CNN and AP. Trump's support is falling among voters and also among Republicans in Congress where what appeared to be a unified front a couple months ago now appears to be splintering.  In addition, an RMG Poll of likely voters shows that if an election for Congress were held today, 48 percent would vote for the Democrat on their ballot, while 44 percent would vote for the Republican.We will check the numbers with journalist Michael Shure and iHeart radio and TV political analyst Gary Dietrich.The Mark Thompson Show 4/28/25Patreon 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.com

Trump seems to have miscalculated when it comes to trying to bully China into a trade deal. Trump says he is making progress with China, but hasnt offered any specifics. China says it is not even engaged in any negotiations with the U.S. The country is working to form an international trade coalition that will exclude the United States. Add that to a rocky ride for investors, concerns about the dollar and a come to Jesus meeting with the CEOs of Target, Walmart and Home Depot and Trump is blinking first, softening his position on tariffs and caving to pressure as China digs in. We've got journalists Michael Shure and Jim Avila on the show today to lay it all out. We'll check in on those crazy kids in Florida and find out about the latest movie and streaming options with the Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder.

Forget world renowned economists and financial experts, it seems to have taken the CEOs of the biggest retailers in America to convince Trump to ease off the Chinese tariffs. The leaders of Target, Walmart and Home Depot met with Trump in the oval office yesterday and finally, Trump seems to be getting the message that his tariffs are bad for business. We'll explore that and more with award-winning journalist Gil Gross. Still no movement in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, despite calls from a judge to bring him back to America. Judge Paula Xinis gave the Trump administration an extension on the time she allotted them to show evidence that they are trying to bring him home while also letting them know she's far from pleased, writing: “Defendants have failed to respond in good faith, and their refusal to do so can only be viewed as willful and intentional noncompliance. That ends now," We will run the case past former federal prosecutor, and now defense attorney, David Katz.

The same day investors learned that Tesla earnings dropped 71% in the first quarter, Elon Musk announced his decision to step away from DOGE. The controversial Trump administration role leaves Musk with a tarnished public image and a company that has born the brunt of public anger toward him. Musk told Tesla investors that next month, he will transition away from DOGE, spending a day or two a week on efforts to cut government waste, fraud and abuse. The move comes even as his efforts to cut $2 trillion fell far short. According to the Washington Post, Musk is ready to check out of Trump's administration as "attacks" from the left have also taken a toll. Presidential historian and political analyst John Rothmann will drop by the show to talk about Musk and much more. “It's the Planet, Stupid!” brings eco-journalist Belinda Weymouth to the show. On the heels of Earth Day, Belinda will showcase some of the organizations working to help the earth, despite a policy shift away from environmental protections.

After embarrassing the Trump administration and the Department of Defense multiple times with the careless treatment of America's most sensitive secrets, there are reports that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is being replaced. NPR quotes an anonymous source as saying the White House is already trying to find someone else for the job. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt calls it “fake news”We welcome Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston to discuss We'll talk tariffs and a faltering economy with Michael Hiltzik, an award winning journalist with  the LA Times.The Mark Thompson Show 4/22/25Patreon 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.com

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appears to be a prolific texter of America's secrets. Because a journalist was mistakenly added to texts on the Signal platform about the timing of a bombing in Yemen, that incident was well reported. Now, there is word of a second Signal group chat regarding the same attack. Even more egregious, this one reportedly happened on his personal phone and included his wife, lawyer and brother. Damaging Infomation about Hegseth is surfacing after the ouster at least four former Pentagon officials Hegseth fired last week.Michael Shure helms the show today.The Mark Thompson Show 4/21/25Patreon 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.com

Despite everything laid out in Project 2025, Trump 2.0 is a chaotic disaster. While it seems Trump and friends are trying to follow the script, they just can't seem to get anything right. Trump‘s tariff plan put the global economy in the dumpster and made him look like an amateur. His immigration policy, while slowing traffic at the border, has put him on a head-on collision course with the courts. Even his beloved Supreme Court allies are rolling their eyes at the bumbling Trump clown car. The move to cut government spending resulted in an on again off again firing spree, making it difficult for federal workers to function. From measles outbreaks to plane crashes to a ridiculous focus on retribution instead of tackling pressing matters, Trump's second term looks like a full on mess. John Aravosis will stop by to talk politics. You may know him from his wildly successful offerings AmeriBlog or The Aravosis Report on TikTok. We welcome journalists Michael Shure and Jim Avila to the show to recap this week in politics. Their insight, wisdom and witty banter make this a segment not to be missed. We'll pay a visit to our friends in Florida for a little levity on a Friday. Plus, The Culture Blaster Michael Snyder will slide in to share the best in streaming and movies in theaters.

Two judges, overseeing different deportation related cases brought against the Trump administration, are getting more frustrated. Trump officials are ignoring or outright defying federal court orders. It has District Judge James Boasberg announcing that there is probable cause to find the government in contempt after the showing what he called "willful disregard" for his order to stop planes carrying alleged gang members to El Salvador. Federal Judge Paula Xinis says that despite her order for Trump officials to facilitate the return of the deported alleged gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whom the Trump administration admitted was deported by error, they have not communicated any movement on progress . For that inaction, Judge Xinis is considering whether to hold officials in contempt. We welcome long time talk show host and friend of the show Pat Thurston in the first hour. Then, Former federal prosecutor and now defense attorney, David Katz will join to share his thoughts on the contempt, enforcement of judicial orders and more.

The U.S. District Court Judge overseeing the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador by the Trump administration in what they claim was an administrative error, wants to know what Trump officials have done so far to facilitate his return to the United States. Judge Paula Xinis says the Supreme Court has spoken on the matter and she is now ordering the testimony of four Trump administration from ICE, Homeland Security and the State Department. We welcome Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston to the show. We are taking the pulse of our environment with eco-journalist Belinda Waymouth. She joins us for “It's the Planet, Stupid!”