White Flag with Joe Walsh

I get it, nothing is bigger in the news these days than all things “Epstein.” The Epstein lists, the Epstein files, the Epstein conspiracy theory, what is Trump hiding and covering up…on and on it goes. And I get it, the Epstein story matters. But as you and I go to work this Monday immigrants are piled on top of each other in cages ins concentration camp in Florida. Yes…in this country. This should be the biggest news story right now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Look, I've only been a Democrat for just over a month, what do I know, huh? But the way I see it right now…I don't give a damn what you think about the Middle East or government run grocery stores. Not right now. Right now ALL I care about is saving our democracy and preserving the rule of law. You in or not? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former CNN and Fox anchor Dave Briggs applauds Elon Musk for trying to launch a brand new political party and would eagerly jump on board to join him in the effort if asked. I think Elon Musk is an utterly horrible human being, this new party is just a vanity project for him, and I wouldn't want a thing to do with it. So Dave and I did what two people who disagree should do. We sat down and had a conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The only important takeaway from this whole Epstein business is that Trump and the rest of them lied. They lied to their followers about a big conspiracy. And now they've been caught in that lie. Also, Trump doesn't know who ordered the pause in aid to Ukraine. If Biden…never mind. And finally, the Governor of Texas doesn't know who the real losers are. All that today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So Elon Musk is launching a third party, huh? One of those most dishonest, divisive people in the world is launching a 3rd party? The guy who, more than anyone else, got Trump elected? He's starting a 3rd party? Oh that sounds like something I'd love to be a part of. How about you? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I sat down with long time Democratic activist Mike Nellis about why I became a Democrat, what problems the Democratic Party has, and what the party needs to do to prevail and help democracy prevail. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The big, ugly bill is gonna pass. And the wealthy will get huge tax breaks, and working class Americans will lose health care and food assistance, immigrants will be cruelly harassed, and the debt will increase by trillions. Republicans must pay a political price in 2026 for what they're doing right now. But it will be up to Democrats to make that case. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I sat down with Rachel Janfanza, founder of The Up and Up, an organization dedicated to young voters in America. Fascinating conversation - what does Gen Z care about? Where are they at politically? How do they want to make a difference? Good stuff, give it a listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Striking Iran's nuclear facilities might have been a good idea, but it would have been much better if there was a competent team in charge. Former Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger joined me to talk about it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Senate Republicans today look to advance a bill that gives tax breaks to the wealthy, cut health care & food assistance to the neediest among us, and adds trillions to the debt. How is that a beautiful bill? It isn't. And…you can't say you believe in freedom and say that billionaires shouldn't exist. You just can't. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone seems to continue to just beat up on the Democratic Party, pile on how messed up and problematic the Democratic Party is. Ok. The Democratic Party has issues, but my former political party is an authoritarian embracing cult that's given up on democracy and ignores the rule of law. So…WHICH party has issues? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I sat down with one of the smartest political minds I know, Mike Madrid, to get at what happened in NYC Tuesday, what's happening with the Democratic Party, what's happening to our American institutions, and where this great experiment in democracy is heading. As only he can do, Madrid offered fascinating insights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all make too much out of off year and special elections, but this much is clear by now: the Democratic Party base is angry, fed up and feeling ignored by their party establishment. And they're letting their party establishment know it. And hear it. This disruptive dynamic sounds so familiar to this former tea party guy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're detaining people in day care centers, schools, courthouses, places of work, parking lots, hospitals, etc, etc. we're detaining veterans, wives of veterans, fathers of veterans, etc, etc. this is not who we are. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No matter where you stand on what happened over the weekend in Iran, no matter where you stand on Israel, always know this basic truth: Donald Trump is a reckless, dangerous idiot who can't be trusted. Ever. Our military knows that. And Israel knows that. His voters will learn that once again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Buckle up America. Not only is what Trump doing to immigrants stupid, cruel, divisive and un-American. It's also gonna mess up our economy. Big time. Get ready to pay lots more at the grocery store for those peaches, that beef, and those onions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I sat down with Rachel Janfanza, founder of The Up and Up, an organization dedicated to young voters in America. Fascinating conversation - what does Gen Z care about? Where are they at politically? How do they want to make a difference? Good stuff, give it a listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He fought alongside our troops in Afghanistan, he was a translator, he escaped the Taliban, he made it to our border, he entered America legally, he was attending his asylum hearing, and ICE snatched him and wants to send him back to the Taliban. What the hell are we doing? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My former friend and colleague Utah Senator Mike Lee sent out a gross, cruel, utterly insensitive post two days ago on the horrible Minnesota shootings. Well, Minnesota Senator Tina Smith didn't look the other way or complain about what Lee did. She surprised him. And confronted him. There's a lesson here for my new political party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Upon hearing of the horrible politically motivated shootings in Minnesota over the weekend, damn near everyone instantly tried to prove the killer came from the “other side.” That's all social media cared about all weekend. Not how horrible and tragic this event was, but rather looking only to score political points off of the killings. We have to be better than this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quick hits this Friday: thank you Israel for once again doing the work of the free world; Kristi Noem said our military is going to overthrow the governments of Los Angeles and California; and, please ignore Trump's Kim Jong Un parade tomorrow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The economy was doing really well when Trump was sworn in. And there were no trade wars when Trump was sworn in. And border crossings had been dropping precipitously for over a year when Trump was sworn in. There was no immigrant “invasion.” So if you think things are in crisis right now, then there's only one person to blame - Trump. Am I right? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A conversation today with Ezra Levin, co founder of Indivisible (indivisible.org) one of the organizations behind the more than 1,800 No Kings rallies this Saturday, June 14th. Hear why it's so damn important that millions and millions of us peacefully take to the streets this weekend to oppose the authoritarian in the White House. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump immigration henchman Steven Miller last week demanded that ICE cops go to Home Depot and 7-Eleven parking lots to grab immigrants. And so they are. And this is what started the whole thing in Los Angeles last week. Is this really the kind of country we want to be? I don't think so. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's happening in Los Angeles right now, and what's been happening for the past few days has made it crystal clear again that Trump is just itching to put the Marines on American streets against the American people. That's his game plan. And that will be his game plan when he tries to cancel the 2026 midterms. Also, my conversations with the American people continue. This week, college students at the University of Delaware. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I formally joined the Democratic Party this week. My friend and fellow political traveler Sophia Nelson thinks that was a mistake. Sophia is an author, speaker, and professor. So bcuz we disagree, we decided to have a conversation about it. I also ask her about “Redefining Freedom Center Of Virginia,” an exciting new organization she founded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I gotta be honest, as a new Democrat, I don't care that much right now about where we disagree on healthcare policy or border policy. We can figure all of that out down the road once we preserve our democracy, once we secure the rule of law. That makes sense, right? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yesterday, I uttered 3 words I never ever thought I would utter - “I'm A Democrat.” Why? Easy. Only one of our two political parties embraces freedom, democracy and the rule of law. And it's not my former political party. So to best defeat my former political party, I became a Democrat. And btw…my former party is fighting with themselves again over that “big, beautiful” bill. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once again, a violent act of antisemitism in America. Once again, Jews in America were targeted in an attempted terror attack. This is so wrong. No matter where you are on the situation in Gaza, every America must condemn what happened yesterday in Boulder, CO. And every American should stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 4 months, Elon is gone. Sort of. And what did DOGE accomplish? A lot of lives destroyed and a lot of starving and dead children around the world. But DOGE has had ZERO impact on the debt. ZERO impact. Also, a final look at my face to face conversation with Maze Jackson, black activist on Chicago's South Side. Today…what about the black people? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Continuing my “face to face conversations across America” tour: South Side of Chicago with black activist Maze Jackson. His thoughts on our divide, he blames the tea party for a lot of it. And what do we do about the divide, the hate? Hint…it has to do with conversations. Having conversations. And giving grace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rahm Emmanuel says the Democratic Brand is toxic. He's right. But his answer is Dems must only talk about economic issues. He's wrong. Also, yes, Trump lies all the time, but Democrats could also learn from him when it comes to accessibility. And…every day, we are disappearing people off of our streets. Without due process. That's really wrong. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My face to face conversations with the American people took me to the south side of Chicago and a conversation with a long time political activist and advocate for black people, Maze Jackson. A fascinating conversation, today regarding black men. Also, speaking of men, Trump is the antithesis of a real man. That and more, today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Memorial Day, 2025. Today is a sad day, a day of remembering lives cut short, cut ridiculously short. Today is about lives not fully lived, love not fully realized, careers not fully pursued, promise not fully fulfilled. Think of those lives cut short today. Take a moment today, during the family celebrations & barbecues, take just a moment and give a thought to and a prayer for those lives cut short. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More content today from our conversation around a kitchen table with 7 politically diverse folks in suburban Chicago. Today's topic: Will America stay together or will we break up? And what to do we need to do to stay together? And…why don't we get along anymore? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are two big resistance protest opportunities coming up, and I sat down today with folks from two of the organizations helping to organize these days of protest. June 6th - huge rally on the Mall in DC to stand up for our Veterans. And June 14th will be a “No Kings” protest day, with protests taking place in every state in the country. Resist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My conversation with a politically diverse group of folks around a kitchen table in the western suburbs of Chicago continues. We try to answer two questions: Do most Americans still believe in certain common American principles? And do you believe your kids and your grandkids will have it better than you've had it? Some surprising answers. Also, we're disappearing people into countries that aren't their countries of origin. Evil. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A recent study out show that at least 50 of the Venezuelans who were grabbed, put on airplanes, and disappeared into an El Salvador jail were in this country LEGALLY. They were here legally. Also, Trump pays off the family of one of his insurrectionists, and the issue is transparency. Transparency is so damn important. And team Biden really failed at that. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our “face to face conversations with Americans” continues this week with a group of folks sitting around a kitchen table in the Western Suburbs of Chicago. How divided are we? I asked Harris voters why people voted for Trump. I asked Trump voters why people voted for Harris. I asked them all to put the best reasons forward. They all struggled with it. We lack understanding these days. We really do. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Final look today at my conversation with former FBI/DHS intel expert Brian Murphy. How foreign adversaries influence our elections. Also, James Comey does something stupid, Trump world whines about it, way too many of us are way too easily offended, and Kristi Noem is pushing something utterly cruel & despicable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My former political party, the Republican Party, is a cult. To stay in the party, you must pledge fealty to Trump. If you speak the truth about Trump or criticize Trump, you're banished from the party. Democrats should be different. Voters would appreciate Democrats being different. Which is why Democrats should acknowledge the truth about Biden. Also today, my interview on small businesses with Vermont Senator Peter Welch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Continuing my conversation in Northern Virginia with former FBI and Homeland Security analyst Brian Murphy. Today we talk about misinformation & disinformation. Who's responsible for the spread of both? What's the result of both? What does it mean to be radicalized? Fascinating conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They fought alongside American troops for years. They risked their lives siding with and helping American troops in Afghanistan. And because of that, they were promised refuge here in America. Yesterday, Trump broke that promise and is sending them back to suffer under the Taliban. Shameful. Also, the plane from Qatar isn't the Statue of Liberty, and, we continue to normalize Trump's lying. All today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, in my weekly face to face conversations with Americans, I sat down in Northern Virginia with regular guy/expert Brian Murphy, former Marine,FBI, and Homeland Security, to discuss the threats America faces at home and from abroad. Today, we dig into the threat of polarization. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A final clip today from my face to face conversation with folks from Lancaster, PA. Today they discuss whether a political party that ran on a “decency” platform could win. And this group of Republicans, former Republicans, and Democrats isn't convinced it would win. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick Wilson at the Center for American Progress supports a ban on assault weapons. I don't. We disagree. But we didn't have a fight about the issue, we didn't argue, we didn't debate. We sat down and had a conversation. We listened to each other. We tried to gain understanding. We need to do more of this Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our conversation with Democrats, Republicans, & former Republicans in Lancaster, PA continues today, and the focus is on the best way forward for the opposition party, the Democratic Party. The good folks in Lancaster wrestle with the age old question of how big of a tent should the Democratic Party be. And they're not quite sure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I spent way too much of my day yesterday explaining to Trump voters that that image of Trump as the next pope wasn't “fake news.” Time well spent. Stephen Miller thinks the American people are cruel. He's wrong. Republicans are growing “antsy” with Trump and his tariffs. Cowards. And, American support for Ukraine and for free trade is growing. Good news. All on today's show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I sat down with a group of twenty Republicans, former Republicans, and Democrats in Lancaster, PA. We talked about the political divide in America. Why all the hate politically these days? Why won't Republicans stand up against Trump? Why are people afraid to engage with those they disagree with politically. Fascinating conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Final clip from my conversation with a group of Los Angeles progressives. Today, their party. Should they go left, go center, embrace them all, do they want to big a big tent? Do they want to win? Is the party big enough for AOC and Joe Walsh? A conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the second time in a month, Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, found herself palling around with Donald Trump. I think this is wrong for her to do, writer/producer Andy Ostroy applauds her for doing what's right by the people of her state. We disagree with each other. So we sat down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.