The Mark Thompson Show

There have been concerns about Trump's mental health going back almost a decade.  Recently released Epstein files show that in 2017, Jeffrey Epstein claimed Trump was showing signs of dementia.  He wrote, "Some at dinner with Donald last night, were concerned about dementia. Tons of makeup. did not recognize old friends." He wasn't the only one. Steve Bannon reportedly thought Trump had "early-stage dementia" back in his first term. That those close to him were worried so long ago, puts the latest concerns about Trump's cognitive issues and mental health in the forefront. We'll talk politics with iHeart TV and radio political analyst Gary Dietrich. We'll take a close look at revelations in the Epstein FIles with investigative journalist and author Sarah Kendzior.  The Mark Thompson Show 2/9/26Patreon 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.com

Trump's ego is on full display. In order to release more infrastructure funding for the Gateway Tunnels between New York and New Jersey, Trump is demanding that two major transportation hubs be named after him. Politico reports that Trump indicated to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer that he'd release funds if both Washington-Dulles International Airport and Penn Station were renamed in honor of Trump. It's the latest scheme that highlights the importance of Trump's self aggrandizement instead of prioritizing what's best for the country. Immigration attorney Michael Foote will stop by to talk about ICE tactics, Trump's Immigration policies and how he's seeing it all play out in real life. “This Week in Politics” includes Michael Shure and Mo Kelly breaking down the biggest stories of the week. We'll wrap it up with Friday Fabulous Florida and our Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder who will steer us toward all the good things on screens large and small.

Coachella Valley Coffee Use the code MarkT for 10% off!!!!! https://coachellavalleycoffee.com/ Zelmins Minty Mouth Use Code MARKT for 15% OFF Your First Order! https://www.zelmins.com/ Suite 106 Bakery Use discount code: MARKT for 15% Off https://suite106bakery.com/

The mere thought of nationalizing elections is bringing outrage.  As the White House tries to backpedal, President Trump is doubling. Trump is now saying he thinks the federal government should “get involved” in elections that are full of “corruption." According to the "New York Times," if states “can't count the votes legally and honestly, then somebody else should take over,” and  “Look at some of the places — that horrible corruption on elections — and the federal government should not allow that,” he added. “The federal government should get involved.”We discuss it with Presidential Historian and political analyst John Rothmann. Economic expert Phil Kerpen will join the conversation. 'It's the Planet, Stupid!' with our eco-journalist Belinda Waymouth. The Mark Thompson Show 2/4/26Patreon 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.com

Newly surfaced emails are raising questions about Jeffrey Epstein's true role, the powerful figures around him, and the network he may have been operating. We break down what's actually in the documents, what's verified versus speculation, and why these revelations are renewing scrutiny of Epstein's relationships, influence, and long-buried connections. We welcome Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston.One business born from another, Christy Grammer from suite106bakery.com talks family, winning cupcake wars twice and how desert became her passion. Tech Tuesday brings Jefferson Graham by the show to look at how tech is helping reunite people with lost pets. The Mark Thompson Show 2/3/26Patreon 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.com

Newly released Epstein-related documents from the Justice Department are raising serious questions — and triggering fresh outrage. What's actually new in this file dump, what remains hidden, and why are so many key details still missing years later? We break down what was released, what wasn't, and why accountability still seems elusive as public pressure continues to build.Gary Dietrich, iHeart TV and radio political anslyst joins to discuss it all.The political conversation continues with author and scholar Sarah Kendzior. Sharing her love for animals, Karen Dawn from Dawn Watch brings her unique perspective to the show.The Mark Thompson Show 2/2/26Patreon 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.com

A big dump of Epstein files came this morning. The DOJ posted the documents on its website. Reports indicate the fresh release includes some of the millions records that officials said were withheld from the initial release of documents last month. Trump is suing the IRS over leaks of his tax documents. He wants $10-billion for the breach. Trump and Senate Democrats managed to reach a deal to avert another government shutdown. The deal funds all of the government except the Department of Homeland Security through September. DHS would operate on a two-week stopgap bill while negotiations on its funding continue. We will talk about it with political analysts, Michael Shure and Mo Kelly. They consider the top stories of the week in “ This Week in Politics.” Florida's always wild news brings levity to wrap up a long week. After “Friday Fabulous Florida,” our movie critic, The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder will lay out weekend viewing options. The Mark Thompson Show 1/30/26

The Mark Thompson Show 1/29/26 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 shooting of American citizen Alex Pretti at the hands of federal border patrol agents in Minnesota may end up costing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem...bigly. Though Trump told reporters he won't fire her, the political fallout is very damaging. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says Democrats are moving to impeach Noem: "Kristi Noem should be fired immediately, or we will commence impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives," the New York Democrat said in a statement. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way." The call for Noem's impeachment is growing. According to CBS News, more than 160 of the 213 House Democrats have signed on to the resolution to impeach Noem. It's not clear if lawmakers will reach the simple majority needed for impeachment, but it's unlikely as at least three House Republicans would need to vote with all Democrats. Still, it puts Kristi Noem and the Trump administration in a political show they may want to avoid with mid-term elections on the way. We will discuss it with presidential historian and political analyst John Rothmann. Mark has a must see discussion with progressive talk host Thom Hartmann at the start of the second hour. Then, we'll save the planet with our Eco-Journalist Belinda Waymouth and "It's the Planet, Stupid!" Today's Guests Links John Rothmann https://www.spreaker.com/show/around-the-political-world https://www.youtube.com/@aroundthepoliticalworld_ Belinda Waymouth https://twitter.com/belindawaymouth Thom Hartmann https://www.thomhartmann.com/ The Mark Thompson Show 1/28/26

A retreat from Minneapolis. Customs and Border Protection commander-at-large Greg Bovino is leaving the city where his immigration sweeps left horror and death. ABC News reports Bovino will return to El Centro, California and back to his duties as chief of that sector. Homeland Security officials say Bovino "has not been relieved of his duties" as some reports have suggested and that he is a key part of Trump's team and a "great American."  Despite the comments, the move is seen as a reaction to public outcry over the death of ICU nurse Alex Pretti  at the hands of Border Patrol officers and an indicator that the White House is feeling political pressure as a result. We welcome Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston to talk about the fallout from violence in Minnesota and whether this may be a turning point for Trump's immigration policy plans.Tech Tuesday brings Jefferson Graham to the show.  We're talking Google and a payout after allegations they secretly recorded their customers. The Mark Thompson Show 1/27/26Patreon 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.com

Outrage boils over into protests after Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital, was killed by a Border Patrol agent. Trump administration officials say Pretti wanted to murder agents, but their claims about the shooting appear to be contradicted by video and witness testimony. A U.S. District Court Judge is granting a temporary restraining order against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to keep evidence connected to Pretti's killing from being changed or destroyed. We'll talk about it with iHeart Radio and TV political analyst Gary Dietrich, and author and journalist Sarah Kendzior. The Mark Thompson Show 1/26/26Patreon 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.com

Funding for the Department of Homeland Security and ICE gets a green light from the House. Despite ICE having disturbing and increasingly violent confrontations with the public, seven Democrats voted with all but one Republican to approve the funding bill, which now heads to Senate for consideration. The legislation includes $10 billion for ICE and $18 billion for Customs and Border Protection, on top of the $75 billion increase ICE received from Trump's so-called Big Beautiful Bill. Democrats tried and failed to include changes to ICE's procedures by requiring agents to have warrants before detaining immigrants and use a standard use-of-force policy. We will put it to Michael Shure and Mo Kelly in "This Week in Politics". We'll also talk about Trump's offensive and strange speech in Greenland and today's spending boycott in Minnesota. Friday Fabulous Florida shines a light on our fun loving friends in America's craziest state. The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder stops in to talk movies, streaming and more.

Trump says everyone is happy with a "framework" of a deal regarding the US and Greenland....but it seems he didn't really come away with anything at all. The United States already had an agreement with Greenland for military bases and troops to be on the island. So what was gained by all this posturing? Does Trump walk away trying to save face? We'll discuss it. Also, former Special Council Jack Smith is testifying before Congress today. We will listen in. Jessica Denson, host of the "Lights On" podcase will join us. Former Federal Prosecutor, now defense attorney, David Katz will swing by to talk about the hottest legal cases pending in the US.

In back-to-back public appearances, Donald Trump delivered meandering, unfocused speeches that left audiences stunned — first during a lengthy Washington press conference late last night, then again at the World Economic Forum in Davos. On today's Mark Thompson Show, we examine the most alarming moments and what they reveal about Trump's leadership, coherence, and state of mind. Political analysts, global leaders, and voters are reacting in real time. We'll break down the clips, the fallout, and the broader implications for U.S. credibility abroad and political stability at home. We'll be joined by presidential historian and former KGO host John Rothmann.“It's the Planet, Stupid!” with Belinda Waymouth features Trump's legal attempts to stop environmental progress facing an uphill battle in the courts.The Mark Thompson Show 1/22/26Patreon 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=PVBS3R7KJXV24

Trump is headed to Davos, Switzerland to speak at the annual World Economic Forum's meeting. There will be leaders from government and business gathered. So far, this group has not been supportive of Trump's efforts to get his hands on Greenland, but Trump says Europe will not ‘push back too much' and he intends to tell anyone who disagrees with him that Denmark ‘can't protect Greenland saying, “I don't think they're gonna push back too much. We have to have it. They have to have this done.” We will talk about it with Pulitzer prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston. The District Attorney for the city of San Francisco will stop by the show. We will ask Brooke Jenkins about crime, ICE enforcement and the challenges facing San Francisco. The Mark Thompson Show 1/20/26 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 is escalating his efforts to take Greenland. If he's not allowed to buy the country, he will impose tariffs on multiple European countries. Denmark, France and the UK issued a joint statement against Trump's tactics. Denmark's leader says “Europe will not be blackmailed.”We will look at Greenland, the escalation of ICE enforcement and protests in Minnesota and more as we welcome iHeart political analyst Gary Dietrich. Best selling author Sarah Kendzior joins to keep the political conversation going.The Mark Thompson Show 1/19/26Patreon 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.com

A deadly ICE shooting in Minnesota ignites protests, national outrage, and a political firestorm as Donald Trump threatens to invoke the Insurrection Act. Federal immigration agents fatally shot a woman during an enforcement operation, sparking clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement. Now the White House is signaling possible troop deployment, raising urgent questions about civil liberties, federal authority, and the growing militarization of immigration enforcement. We welcome our favorite Britisher, Anthony Davis, to talk about the possibility of using the military against civilians in Minnesota. Our friend, comedian, lawyer and now congressional candidate J-L Cauvin will stop by to check in from the campaign trail. We will ask him about Trump‘s comment on canceling the midterm elections that the White House claims is just a joke. J-L has a digital fundraiser “J-L YouTube Telethon 2” set for Jan 21st from 7pm-11pm Eastern. The political conversation continuous with ‘This Week in Politics' featuring Michael Shure and Mo Kelly weighing in on the biggest stories of the week. Friday on The Mark Thompson Show brings ‘Friday Fabulous Florida' and a visit with The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder, to check out upcoming movie releases. This is gonna be a great show…you've never seen anything like it!

Protests flared in Minnesota after the second shooting involving federal agents. A federal officer shot a man in the leg yesterday during an attempted traffic stop about 12 miles from where an ICE officer fatally shot Renee Nicole Good last week. The Department of Homeland Security said the shots were fired after law enforcement officials were attacked with a shovel and a broom in the midst of a targeted traffic stop. The man federal agents shot was hospitalized with injuries that are reportedly non-life-threatening. Meanwhile, Trump is now threatening to invoke the "Insurrection Act" in Minnesota. We welcome Russ Baker, Editor of WhoWhatWhy.org to discuss politics. Former Federal Prosecutor, now defense attorney, David Katz offers a legal perspective on the latest big cases.

A shocking new poll shows Americans have dramatically flipped on ICE, with public support collapsing amid growing backlash over aggressive enforcement tactics and Trump-era immigration policies. As Donald Trump doubles down on ICE, voters across the political spectrum are turning against the agency in ways that could reshape the national debate on immigration, accountability, and law enforcement power.What's driving this sudden shift?We break down the numbers, the outrage, and the political fallout.The Mark Thompson Show 1/14/26Patreon 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.com

Minnesota sues the federal government after a fatal ICE shooting, escalating the case nationwide.The lawsuit directly challenges Donald Trump and federal immigration enforcement tactics.Legal expert and Minnesotan June Carbone joins to discuss this and more. Pulitzer Prize winning author and Investigative journalist David Cay Johnston will be in to talk politics and the state of the world. The Mark Thompson Show 1/13/26Patreon 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.com

Trump is going after Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Trump's Department of Justice is opening a criminal investigation involving Powell — an unprecedented move threatening the Fed's independence.The issue concerns Powell's congressional testimony and a Federal Reserve renovation project, but critics say the bigger problem is political pressure on an institution designed to operate free from partisan control.On The Mark Thompson Show, we break down what this investigation really means — for markets, for the economy, and for the future of independent governance in the United States.iHeart radio and television political analyst Gary Dietrich will join to talk politics.The brilliant scholar and author Sarah Kendzior will stop by to look deeper into Trump's actions. …and Mo Kelly is in the Captain's Chair.The Mark Thompson Show 1/12/26Patreon 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.com 

If you're wondering how far Trump will go when it comes to taking over other states and countries with a military show of power, he's laid it out in a New York Times interview. Trump told the NYT the only constraint to his power as president of the US is “my own morality, my own mind”…“It's the only thing that can stop me,” “I'm not looking to hurt people.” As far as following International Law, Trump said, “It depends on what your definition of international law is.” With the recent takeover of Venezuela and threats he's made against Cuba, Columbia, Mexico, and Greenland, his moral compass is already in question. We welcome LA Times columnist Gustavo Arellano to the show. This week in politics brings Michael Shure and Mo Kelly back to the Mark Thompson show to talk about the biggest stories of the week. It would not be Friday in Mark Thompson land without a stop by Florida and a look at the best movies and streaming entertainment with The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder.

America is seeing the video from different angles of a woman getting shot to death by ICE. That means people know that Trump, Kristi Noem and others in the administration are not being truthful. On Truth Social, Trump wrote that the woman was being “disorderly”: “The woman driving the car was very disorderly, obstructing and resisting, who then violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer, who seems to have shot her in self defense.” That is contrary to video evidence. If Americans realize that Trump is lying about what happened in Minnesota, perhaps people will start asking what other lies he is telling. We'll bring you the latest developments on the Minnesota case and discuss the legality of an ICE agent opening fire. Former federal prosecutor and now defense attorney David Katz will join. We will dig deeper into a series of cash infusions into some big banks. Economic and legal expert professor Bill Black will join us live.

Trump will not be waiting around to collect the Venezuelan oil to which he feels entitled. Effective immediately, Trump is directing the energy secretary to execute a plan for Venezuela to surrender as much as 50-million barrels of oil. Trump posted on social media the spoils of his takeover "will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!" We welcome Mr. Global aka Matt Randolph to explain. He is the principal partner of Sentinel Energy and an oil and gas expert. John Rothmann, our presidential historian and political analyst will join to talk politics. On Sunday evening the New York Federal Reserve made another gigantic infusion of cash into one or more Wall Street banks. Our friends at DCreport.org, co-founded by David Cay Johnston, have been reporting on cash infusions into big Wall Street Banks. First it was 17 billion the day after Christmas and this week, DCReport found that after “more than five years with little to no cash infusions from the New York Fed, one or more of the big Wall Street banks has been requiring gigantic infusions of cash since Halloween.” We will get all the details on what could possibly be happening in the banking industry and how it could affect you. Economic expert, legal scholar and whistleblower on the Keating Five, Professor, Bill Black will join us. Then, we will save the planet with Eco-journalist, Belinda Waymouth. She has new details on ways to reduce microplastic ingestion and a heartwarming story of humans going to great lengths to help bears survive. “It's The Planet, Stupid!” Is back.

It has been five years since insurrectionists rushed the Capitol building in an effort to stop a presidential election from being certified. Five years and nothing has been done to protect America from clear lapses in policy and security. All of those arrested and convicted were recipients of a blanket pardon by Trump. ABC News details two new reports from Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee looking at the aftermath of the attack. We will examine the reports along with the latest details on the U.S. takeover over of Venezuela. Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston will stop by to discuss it all.The Mark Thompson Show 1/6/26Patreon 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.com   

After being snatched from his home country, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appeared in a New York courtroom today. He says he is still the leader of Venezuela, that he was kidnapped in a military incursion and he pleaded not guilty to charges involving "narco-terrorism."  We will talk about all of it with iHeart political and radio political analyst Gary Dietrich.  We keep the political conversation going with author and scholar Sarah Kendzior.  Former federal prosecutor David Katz will join us to talk about his time in Venezuela.  Karen Dawn of Dawn Watch will swing by to talk about animals.  The Mark Thompson Show 1/5/26Patreon 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.com

The Mark Thompson Show 12/31/25Patreon 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

As Elon Musk checked out of DOGE and left government service, he promised he would be starting his own political party: the America party. Now, it appears he is back in the fickle embrace of MAGA… and it's no accident. According to the Washington Post, Vice President JD Vance spent much of the summer and fall working to bring Musk back into the good graces of Donald Trump.Despite disagreements on the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” and the Epstein files, Musk really wanted his associate Jared Isaacman to lead NASA. After Trump pulled the nomination, Vance reportedly paved the way for Isaacman to be re-nominated and then confirmed. The Trump-Musk truce is in place, but for how long?We welcome Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston to the show to talk politics.It's Tech Tuesday on The Mark Thompson Show. Jefferson Graham will swing by to talk gadgets. The Mark Thompson Show 12/30/25Patreon 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

Presidential pardons for sale? The Wall Street Journal is reporting that lobbyists "close to Trump" are charging $1m and up, one went for $6m, to get presidential pardons for their clients. The Wall Street Journal says in the case of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, Binance paid $800,000 to lobby for the pardon along with added "success fees of as much as $5 million."  Is anyone surprised?  We will talk about it with iHeart TV and radio political analyst Gary Dietrich. We'll keep the political conversation rolling with the brilliant author and scholar Sarah Kendzior.The Mark Thompson Show 12/29/25Patreon 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

It seems using the military against United States citizens crosses a line even Supreme Court justices aren't comfortable, stepping over. Yesterday, the Supreme Court denied Trump's emergency request to keep National Guard troops in Illinois. The preliminary decision may impact National Guard deployments in other states too. We will dig deeper into that ruling as we welcome presidential historian and political analyst John Rothmann to the show. Our very own J-L Cauvin is running for Congress in New Jersey. He's at a critical stage of fundraising and has a brand new commercial that he will share.. We welcome The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder, to look at the big holiday movie weekend ahead. *Show note: the Mark Thompson show will be dark on Christmas and the day after for Mark‘s birthday

The Mark Thompson Show 12/23/25Patreon 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

If Turning Point USA's AmericaFest is any indicator, MAGA, conservatives and conspiracy theorists are no longer aligned. From so called ‘Heritage Americans' being more important than other more recent Americans to America First policies and blatant racism/antisemitism, the speakers at the event ripped into each other. The infighting was so awkward, Erika Kirk said it “Feels like a Thanksgiving dinner where your family's hashing out the family business,” JD Vance tried to laugh it off but ended up doing little to bring people together. We'll talk about it with iHeart TV and radio political analyst Gary Dietrich Astronomy Professor Andrew Fraknoi joins to take us to the stars. The Mark Thompson Show 12/22/25Patreon 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  

Political activists are being put on notice. The Trump administration is going to try to squash what they are calling "left-wing domestic terrorism. Attorney General Pam Bondi is ordering all federal law enforcement agencies to share intelligence on “Antifa” and “Antifa-related” activities with the FBI. Bondi wants agencies to come up with lists of Americans and foreigners to investigate. Is it the end of free speech in America? We will talk about it with Michael Shure & Mo Kelly on This Week in Politics. Friday Fabulous Florida brings a crazy road rage story! Plus, The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder, will stop by to talk movies and streaming options for the weekend ahead. Happy Friday!

The President's address to the nation last night was a smorgasboard of his favorite hits. He railed against former President Biden and touted questionable economic numbers. He did announce a bonus for members of the military. His so called "Warrior Dividend" will be paid for by his controversial tariff policies, without the approval of Congress. We will talk about Trump's odd speech and about the latest release of pictures related to Jeffrey Epstein. Former Federal Prosecutor and now defense attorney David Katz will join the conversation to talk about Friday's deadline for the Epstein Files and Ghislaine Maxwell's efforts to get out of her prison camp.

President Trump is moving to put a blockade in place around Venezuela, targeting all “sanctioned oil tankers.”  He claims Venezuela is using oil to fund drug trafficking and according to the Associated Press, Trump says he will "continue the military buildup until the country gives the U.S. oil, land and assets.  The blockade comes after the US seized an oil tanker in the region last week.  Meanwhile, the attacks on suspected "drug boats" off Venezuela continues and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says he will not he releasing video of the so called "second strike" video that killed two survivors of one such attack.  We'll discuss that and more with politicao analyst and presidential historian John Rothmann. The Mark Thompson Show 12/17/25Patreon 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

It may be that bad mouthing a beloved American Icon on he day he died is too much for even Trump to overcome. Usually, the public expects cruelty from Trump and his outbursts bring a collective shrug. His nasty words about actor/director Rob Reiner being killed because of Trump Derangement Syndrome seem to have been a bridge too far.  Even some MAGA faithful are turning away and finding it hard to defend Trump this time.  We will talk about it with Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston.  It's Tech Tuesday and Jefferson Graham is back from from Japan and ready to talk gadgets.  The Mark Thompson Show 12/16/25Patreon 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 Mark Thompson Show 12/15/25Patreon 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

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

Blatant theft and an act of piracy. That's what Venezuela is calling the actions of the United States in the seizure of an oil tanker. The ship was leaving Venezuela when US Marines and Special Forces dropped down from a helicopter and took the tanker. It's the latest in a string of actions, including blowing up so called "drug boats", escalating a possible confrontation between the US and Venezuela. We'll discuss whether it was piracy or lawful with former federal prosecutor David Katz.

It appears that GOP leaders in Congress are turning away from extending tax credits that would help more than 20 million Americans pay for Affordable Care Act health insurance. They're following President Donald Trump's lead. He told Politico he would not endorse extending subsidies that are set to expire, despite billing himself as the affordability president. So far, Trump's only plan for healthcare is to give people $2k to pay for it without offering details of how that would work. We welcome presidential historian and political analyst John Rothmann to discuss this and more. The Mark Thompson Show 12/10/25Patreon 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

The Mark Thompson Show 12/9/25Patreon 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

Members of Congress from both parties are now supporting the release of the video showing the U.S. carrying out a double-tap strike on a speed boat in the Caribbean. The move reportedly killed two survivors of the initial attack that were in distress. With allegations of war crimes being discussed, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is refusing to say whether the Pentagon will be releasing the video, only that, “We're reviewing the process, and we'll see.”We'll visit with iHeart TV and radio political analyst Gary Dietrich and we'll talk politics with author, journalist and scholar. Sarah Kendzior. The Mark Thompson Show 12/8/25Patreon 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 

Even Republican senators are growing wary of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. From Signalgate to allegations of war crimes in the killing of two people already in distress on an alleged drug boat, Hegseth is getting harder to support. We run though the latest developments on This Week in Politics with Michael Shure & Mo Kelly. A check in with J-L Cauvin to see how his congressional bid is going brings a big announcement. Comedian Mark Malkoff joins to talk about late night television and his new book Love Johnny Carson. We”ve got Friday Fabulous Florida and a look at movies with The Culture Blaster Michael Snyder.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is taking heat from all sides. A growing number of members of Congress, both Democrat and Republican, are vowing to provide special oversight after his the "Kill Them All" order took out two people dangling from the wreckage of a boat off the coast of Venezuela. Whether the boat was being used by fishermen or to run drugs is at question, as is whether the men posed a clear and present danger to the United States. If allegations of war crimes in that case weren't enough, the result of Pentagon's Signalgate review conclude that Hegseth violated military regulations when he used the unsecure chat platform to discuss details of US strikes in Yemen. What are the legal ramifications, if any? We'll ask former federal prosecutor David Katz to weigh in.

The Mark Thompson Show 12/3/25Patreon 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

According to the White House Press Secretary, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized Admiral Frank Bradley to carry out a second strike on a burning drug boat, already hit by one US mortar, in the Caribbean. Two people were hanging off the boat after it was hit the first time and reportedly did not survive the second strike. Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says there is no question the second strike was a war crime. The matter brings to the forefront the question of what constitutes an illegal order and whether Admiral Bradley and those involved in carrying out such killings, have a duty to refuse.We welcome Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston to the show. We'll talk about this and much more.Today, the White House announced Trump Accounts. The investment accounts are said to be away to help young people prepare for the future. Is this the first indicator of privatizing social security? We'll talk to professor Ray Madoff about what these accounts really mean. We'll also discuss her eye-opening new book “The Second Estate: How the Tax Code Made an American Aristocracy.“The Mark Thompson Show 12/2/25Patreon 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 Mark Thompson Show 12/1/25Patreon 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.comSarah Kendzior - HUGE DEAL! On Kindle   ​​If you've been wanting to read Sarah Kendzior's books, there's a cyber Monday deal today only.     https://substack.com/@sarahkendzior/note/c-182963820

New details are emerging about who made the call to send a plane load full of immigrants to El Salvador, in direct conflict of a judge's order.  The Justice Department says it was Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem who made the choice not to comply with federal Judge James Boasberg's order to hold the deportation. Judge Boasberg is looking to revive criminal contempt proceedings against Trump administration officials who authorized the deportation flights.We'll talk about it with political analyst and presidential historian John Rothmann. Bringing an early look at the Thanksgiving weekend movie releases, it's the Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder. The Mark Thompson Show 11/26/25Patreon 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

FBI Director Kash Patel is being called out for mis-using law enforcement. Patel assigned an FBI SWAT team to protect his girlfriend Alexis Wilkins after she faced online threats. The agents didn't live up to Patel's standards for private security. The agents went to the Georgia World Congress Center where Wilkins was speaking and when they found the venue secured and Wilkins in no danger, they left before the event ended. Patel reportedly tore into the team's commander. It wasn't the only time agents were assigned to watch over Wilkins. Should he have paid for her security himself or should taxpayers assume the cost?We will ask Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston for his thoughts. Does Trump really mean what he says? Linguists Michael Fragomeni and Peter Woods try to make sense of the current political situation.Jefferson Graham joins for Tech Tuesday.The Mark Thompson Show 11/25/25Patreon 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 Mark Thompson Show 11/24/25Patreon 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

Fresh off finger pointing at Democrats for so called violent political rhetoric, President Trump is calling for the hanging of lawmakers who made a video reminding military troops not follow unlawful orders. When asked about the President calling for the deaths of other lawmakers, House Seaker Mike Johnson dropped the word unlawful from the story and agreed that any lawmaker calling for the military not to follow orders should be punished. We'll discuss. We've got Michael Shure & Mo Kelly for This Week in Politics. A little Florida news is always a Friday bright spot. Plus, The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder, is here with movies and streaming options for the chilly weekend ahead. 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/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