The Mark Thompson Show

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It seems Donald Trump is itching to get out of Iran. He says he is pausing ‘Project Freedom', that's the US mission to guide ships out of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump says the pause will allow time to set up a deal with Iran to end the war. Meanwhile, his blockade of Iranian ports remains and Iran shows no signs of backing down. In keeping with the confusing nature of the Trump administration,Trump pressing pause on Project Freedom  contradicts the messages from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. They indicated the U.S. secured the strait as a favor to the world and hundreds of commercial ships are lining up to get through. During their press conference, a cargo vessel in the strait reported being hit by a projectile. It doesn't seem like Iran is pressing pause. We'll talk about it all with presidential historian and political analyst John Rothmann.The Mark Thompson Show 5/6/26Patreon 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.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

Missiles fired at U.S. warships. A ceasefire on the brink…and Trump still calling it a “mini war.”Now the pressure is on. After Iran's latest attack in the Strait of Hormuz, the White House faces a critical choice: escalate with force or gamble on diplomacy. With voices like Lindsey Graham pushing for retaliation, the next move could reshape the entire conflict.Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist and author David Cay Johnston joins to talk Iran, Trump and more. Polls show California's gubernatorial race is far from settled. Democrats are still showing scattered support for multiple candidates. The most recent survey, conducted by the Democratic Party, puts Xavier Becerra, the former Democratic state attorney general and health and human services secretary, and Republican Steve Hilton, the British-born former Fox News commentator, neck and neck with 18% of likely voter support. Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has 15% support from likely voters and billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer, 12%. We welcome former San Francisco Chronicle Opinion Editor John Diaz to look at how the race is shaking out. Well, also talk redistricting, the Supreme Court decision on the voting rights act, and the latest  Trump demand for voter rolls. The Mark Thompson Show words5/5/26Patreon 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.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT 

A series of fresh national polls signal serious trouble for Donald Trump, with disapproval hitting its highest level yet. Voters are concerned about the economy, cost of living, and the ongoing Iran conflict. Is this the start of a deeper political slide heading into the midterms? We break down what's driving the numbers, where support is eroding, and whether this marks a turning point for Trump and the GOP. IHeart political analyst Gary Dietrich will join us to discuss this and more. Comedian J-L Cauvin will stop by to talk about his new project.

As Trump's Iran War continues, the administration is running into yet another problem. According to the 1973 War Powers Resolution, the president has to remove military forces from conflict within 60 days if Congress doesn't authorize a war before the deadline. That has House Speaker Mike Johnson claiming this is not a war at all… “I don't think we have an active, kinetic military bombing, firing or anything like that. Right now, we are trying to broker a peace. I would be very reluctant to get in front of the administration in the midst of these very sensitive negotiations, so we'll have to see how that plays out.” Meanwhile, Senator Lisa Murkowski plans to introduce an authorization for use of military force when Congress returns, if there's still a “lack of a credible plan” on Iran. The move could mean an increase in congressional oversight. So is it a war or not? Mo Kelly, in for Mark today, will discuss. This Week in Politics brings journalist Michael Shure by the show to discuss the biggest stories of the week. A spin by Florida and a check in with the Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder, brings us rolling into the weekend.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is answering questions at a House Armed Services Committee hearing. His main objective: trying to defend the 2027 military budget proposal. It shoots defense spending to an historic $1.5 trillion, in part for things like military drones, Trump Class warships and missile defense systems. Hegseth will inevitably face questions about the war in Iran, including the horrific strike on an Iranian school, killing hundreds of children .  We will have the latest details. Presidential historian and Middle East expert John Rothmann will join to help us break down Hegseth's testimony. The Mark Thompson Show 4/29/26Today's Guests LinksState of the Free Press - Shealeigh Voitlhttps://www.project-censored.org/shop/p/state-of-the-free-press-2025John Rothmann https://www.spreaker.com/show/around-the-political-world  https://www.youtube.com/@aroundthepoliticalworld_Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

Spirit Airlines is in deep financial trouble. There are reports the Trump administration has a $500 million rescue plan to save the discount airline. Is propping up a failing airline necessary? Would America's airline travelers suffer without Spirit Airlines?  We'll look at the pros and cons.Pulitzer prize winning investigative journalist and author David Cay Johnston joins to talk  politics. The Mark Thompson Show 4/28/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

Following a shot fired outside the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, President Trump spoke with Norah O'Donnell on 60 Minutes. He praised the quick response and professionalism of security teams, but fell apart when O'Donnell read excerpts from the suspect's reported manifesto. Trump assumed the claims  of top officials being involved in heinous crimes against women and children involved himself and jumped right into denying it all. Authorities identified the suspect as 31‑year‑old Cole Tomas Allen, of California. During his alleged attack, a Secret Service agent was struck but protected by a vest. The suspect was taken into custody. From Trump‘s reaction  on 60 Minutes to the growing sentiment that the attack appears staged, we will dig into it all. We welcome, iHeart, political, television, and radio analyst Gary Dietrich to the show.Dr. Ashely Alker stops by to discuss her new book “99 Ways To Die and How to Avoid Them.” The Mark Thompson Show 4/27/26Patreon 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.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

Donald Trump and Richard Nixon have more in common than being president. They now share the dubious distinction of having almost the same numbers when it comes to Americans supporting their impeachment. Anew Strength in Numbers/Verasight poll shows a majority of U.S. adults, or 55%, support a House impeachment vote. The poll shows 37% are opposed and 8% said they are unsure. Pollsters calculated a net “verdict” of +18, by subtracting the number of those who oppose a third Trump impeachment ftom those who approve it. The resullt has Trump very near Richard Nixon's numbers at the height of the Watergate scandal. We'll explore what it means and whether an impeachment is realistic as we welcome, Michael Shure and Mo Kelly for ‘This Week in Politics.' Then we hit pure Friday mode as we slide into the weekend with a swing through Florida and a look at new movies with The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder.

With a naval port blockade in progress and Operation Epic Fury under way, Trump & Company are ditching the leader of the US Navy. Secretary of the Navy, John C. Phelan, a wealthy financier who has held the post for one year, is departing the administration, effective immediately. They gave no explanation, but Politico reports it has to do with a large battleship that caused in fighting at the Pentagon. In his place, Undersecretary Hung Cao, a one time MAGA candidate is now the acting secretary of the navy. Phelan joins General Randy George in unemployment and becomes the second top military official fired this month, despite the ongoing war with Iran. Lawsuits and appellate decisions are flying this week. We welcome former federal prosecutor, and now defense attorney, David Katz to make sense of it all. Redistricting is a hot button issue in the state of Florida. We will check in with Jasmine Burney-Clark. She is the founder of Equal Ground, a group working hard to level the playing field and make sure the voices of all voters are counted.

President Trump is  laying down an indefinite ceasefire with Iran while he says negotiations continue- though Iran says they won't negotiate under threat. Overnight, Iran fired on three Ships In Strait of Hormuz.  The fear is that it may complicate  efforts  to  get peace talks off the ground. We welcome presidential historian and political consultant John Rothmann to discuss it all.  ABC-7 Weatherman Spencer Christian will stop by to talk health and recovery from a major surgery.The Mark Thompson Show 4/22/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

We all saw the video of FBI Director Kash Patel boozing it up in the locker room with the U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey Team. It seems that behavior wasn't a one-off. New reports in The Atlantic detail accusations by those in Patel's inner circle that he drinks to excess, passes out and has been unreachable behind the locked doors of his office. Staffers say they even have trouble waking him up. Patel denies the reports and is threatening to sue the Atlantic over the story. If it is true, it brings great concern about security in America at a time when Trump has lashed out at countries around the world, including Venezuela, Iran, Cuba, Greenland and Canada and has put a spotlight, or target, on the U.S. It's a very bad time to have an FBI director sloppy drunk and passed out at the helm. We welcome iHeart political analyst Gary Dietrich to the show to talk about this and more.

For a man who won the presidency seemingly based on the high cost of living. Including rising grocery store prices, Trump appears to have forgotten that, “It's the Economy, Stupid!” With Americans growing more frustrated by the day about the price of gas, Trump brushed it off yesterday saying prices are "not very high.” He said, gas is “not as high as what was expected from the war” and higher prices are worth it to keep Iran from having a nuclear weapon. By ignoring the economy in favor of war, is Trump pushing Americans away with the midterm elections coming up? We'll discuss. From religion and the Pope to Iran and Hegseth's impeachment charges being filed, we will cover the top stories of the week with Michael Shure and Mo Kelly. Then it's off to swing by Suite 106 bakery to check out the new flavors on tap for Mother's Day! We'll roll through Florida for some Friday fabulousness. Finally, our Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder, will stop through to share his thoughts on the best movies and streaming options to watch. Happy Friday!

Five articles of impeachment are being brought by Democrats against Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. They will likely go nowhere because Republicans control the house, but they sure make a statement. The first article accuses Hegseth of violating his oath of office in overseeing an “unauthorized war against Iran and reckless endangerment of United States service members.” Hegseth is accused of war crimes for targeting civilians, breaking the rules of armed conflict, and the alleged mishandling of sensitive information in the “Signal-Gate” scandal. He is accused of obstructing congressional oversight responsibilities, in his alleged withholding of details on military actions and of abuse of power for “launching bogus investigations against certain elected officials for the express purpose of retribution.” Despite the serious nature of the charges, a Pentagon spokesman says it's “just another Democrat trying to make headlines. We welcome former federal prosecutor and now defense attorney David Katz to discuss this and more. Congressman Jared Huffman will stop by the show. He's the ranking Democrat on the Committee on Natural Resources and serves on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He has a lot to say about plans to drill for oil off the coast of California, stripping historical information from national parks and Donald Trump, Jr.'s rare earth start up. Plus, cupcakes! Christy from Suite106Bskery stops by to debut her new Mother's Day flavors and OMG do they look delicious.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche says there are no more Epstein Files to release. He tells Fox News that he doesn't intend to release any more saying “We have released everything, We reviewed six million pieces of paper. What we released [was] anything associated with the Epstein files. So we are not sitting on a single piece of paper. Nothing that should be released.” It wouldn't be the first time the DOJ gave the public the runaround. Last year, former AG Pam Bondi said the Epstein list was "sitting on my desk" for review.  She later said it was the case file not a client list. It took an act of Congress and intense pressure to get any files released. Have we truly seen all the Epstein files or is Blanche protecting Trump?We'll share the latest on Trump's War in Iran and the results of his effort to blockade Iranian ports. Presidential historian and political analyst John Rothmann joins. Should Americans be ‘happy' that Trump is deeply involved in the Department of Justice? We'll ask former US pardon attorney Liz Oyer.“It's the Planet, Stupid!” brings our lovely eco-journalist Belinda Waymouth by to help save the world.The Mark Thompson Show 4/15/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page.  Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com  - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here's a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

Vice President JD Vance is likely not too high on Trump's list right now. He was sent to Hungary to give Victor Orban a pre-election day boost. It didn't work and Orban lost. He was sent to hammer out a deal with Iran as Pakistan facilitated talks…that also failed. No deal and no dice. Sadly for Vance, his boss isn't too understanding. On Easter, Trump was asked about a deal with Iran and joked,”If it doesn't happen, I'm blaming JD Vance, If it does happen, I'm taking full credit.” We know Trump's jokes come with a jumbo sized side of truth. That has to have Vance feeling uneasy. Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston will swing by the show to talk about this and more.