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On Friday we learned that according to President Donald Trump, when coverage is negative, "It's no longer free speech." And it seems he's not alone. There's a growing sentiment within the Republican Party, which currently controls the White House and both Chambers of Congress, that actually, free speech doesn't apply if you say mean things about Republicans. This is all in regards to ABC pulling “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from its usual spot in the nightly lineup, after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said that Kimmel should face repercussions for comments regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. On this episode, we discuss why the suspension of a late-night talk show host isn't just about a late-night talk show host. It's about speech, and what you can, and apparently can't, say on television. To talk more about the media machinations that got Jimmy Kimmel pushed off the air, and the chilling effect of the FCC's implied threats, we spoke to Brian Stelter, media analyst for CNN. And in headlines, a federal judge in Florida tosses out Trump's $15-billion dollar defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, the United Kingdom, Australia, Portugal and Canada formally recognize a Palestinian state, and new H1-B applicants will have to pay an extra $100,000 fee for their visas.Show Notes:Check out Brian's recent story: https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/20/media/trump-kimmel-disney-bob-iger-abc-fccCall Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
“The Constitution gives the states the power to set the time, place, and manner of elections,” the election lawyer Marc Elias points out. “It gives the President no [such] power.” Yet, almost one year before the midterms, Donald Trump has called for a nationwide prohibition on mail-in voting, an option favored by Democrats, as well as restrictions on voting machines. The Justice Department has demanded sensitive voter information from at least thirty-four states so far, with little explanation as to how the information will be used. Will we have free and fair congressional elections in 2026? “I am very worried that we could have elections that do not reflect the desires and the voting preferences of everyone who wishes they could vote and have their vote tabulated accurately,” Elias tells David Remnick. “That may sound very lawyerly and very technical, but I think it would be a historic rollback.” Elias's firm fought and ultimately won almost every case that Trump and Republican allies brought against the 2020 election, and Elias continues to fight the latest round of incursions in court. And while he rues what he calls “re-gerrymandering” in Texas—designed to squeeze Texas's Democratic representatives out of Congress—Elias thinks states run by Democrats have no choice but to copy the tactic. “Before Gavin Newsom announced what he was doing, I came out publicly and said Democrats should gerrymander nine seats out of California, which would mean there'd be no Republicans left in the delegation. . . . At the end of the day, if there's no disincentive structure for Republicans to jump off this path, [then] it just continues.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
The Biden administration's covert Operation Arctic Frost targeted nearly 100 conservative groups and is proof that the National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism and its Strategic Implementation Plan were used to criminalize political dissent. In this episode of The P.A.S. Report, Professor Nick Giordano exposes new documents from Senator Chuck Grassley that reveal how a group of FBI and DOJ officials launched and expanded this investigation, possibly to intimidate donors and silence opposition. He also confronts the free-speech hypocrisy and how the hunger for power threatens liberty. This is why we must get back to the principles of limited government. Episode Highlights How Operation Arctic Frost began and why Grassley's findings point to a weaponized FBI targeting conservative groups and donors. The direct connection between Arctic Frost, the National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism, and Tulsi Gabbard's declassified Strategic Implementation Plan. Why many are guilty of free-speech hypocrisy, and why only a return to limited government can preserve liberty.
Donald Trump and his MAGA movement haven't just taken over Republican politics. They've also taken over Republican fashion.Gone is the stuffy, genteel uniform of the elite. In its place: a loud, anti-establishment, even vulgar sartorial agenda. But what does this style actually say about MAGA politics? What do these clothes suggest about the authenticity of the movement's leaders—especially when so many of Trump's policies remain old-school conservative? And what messages do these looks send when their words often mean something else entirely?To help us unpack the fashion evolution of the political establishment, we're joined by Derek Guy—better known online as the Menswear Guy and creator of the blog Die Workwear!Derek has written for The New York Times, the Financial Times, and other outlets. His essay, “From Blazers to Belligerence,” appears in the October books issue of The Nation.Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/THENATIONAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
This episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosted by Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton, explores a common trap in both policing and leadership (Amazon Affiliate): the belief that you can be everything to everyone. While the intention often comes from a good place—wanting to serve, to represent, to protect—the reality is that spreading yourself too thin or trying to cover all sides usually backfires. Using recent events as a real-world example, we look at how the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) attempted to endorse both Republican mayoral candidate Chad Bianco and Democratic candidate Antonio Villaraigosa. Instead of broadening support, this “cover all bases” approach was met with backlash so intense that PORAC eventually had to turn off its comments. The lesson? Not making a decision is still a decision—and trying to please everyone often means you please no one. The “Everything to Everyone” Mentality in Policing Officers often feel the need to be a protector, counselor, disciplinarian, and community voice all at once. How this leads to overextension, blurred roles, and burnout. The Leadership Parallel: PORAC's Political Endorsements Endorsing both sides was meant to keep the peace but created the opposite effect. Why trying to straddle the fence is often seen as disingenuous by the public and members alike. How This Backfires in Daily Law Enforcement Work Example: an officer trying to be a friend, disciplinarian, and problem-solver in one call. The public often perceives inconsistency or lack of authenticity. Personal toll: resentment, exhaustion, and identity conflict for the officer. The Hidden Costs of Over-Accommodation Loss of trust from those you're trying to serve. Reduced credibility as a leader or officer. Mental health strain from always shifting roles and expectations. Remedies: How to Serve Without Over-Serving Clarity of Role: Know what you are there to do—and what you are not. Boundaries: Give yourself permission not to fill every role in every moment. Authenticity: Stand firm in your decisions, even when not everyone agrees. Communication: Explain your stance clearly instead of trying to appease both sides. Resilience Practices: Build systems (peer support, supervision, personal reflection) to guard against burnout when pressures to “be everything” arise.
644. Part 1 of our interview with David T. Ballantyne about his book, Fractured Freedoms: Reconstruction in Central Louisiana. "Fractured Freedoms is a riveting history of central Louisiana from the 1860s to the 1890s, focusing on majority-Black Rapides Parish during Reconstruction. Using the region as a case study, Ballantyne reveals what is, in part, a rural Reconstruction success story, emphasizing the resilience of Black politics and the persistence of significant divisions among white residents that allowed the Republican Party to gain and maintain power there. It was only with the collapse of state-level Republican power in 1877 that Democratic forces in the parish were able to dismantle local Republican political control and gradually constrict Black freedoms." (LSU Press). Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 221 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. We've recently added Mosquitoes, one of William Faulkner's early novels. Faulkner was one of the South's greatest writers. He wrote this novel about the artists he had met in the French Quarter. He put them on a yacht that took them through Lake Pontchartrain until they ran aground and were stranded for several days. That's right, Faulkner basically created Gilligan's Isle. "The violet dusk held in soft suspension lights slow as bellstrokes, Jackson square was now a green and quiet lake in which abode lights round as jellyfish, feathering with silver mimosa and pomegranate and hibiscus beneath which lantana and cannas bled and bled. Pontalba and cathedral were cut from black paper and pasted flat on a green sky; above them taller palms were fixed in black and soundless explosions. The street was empty, but from Royal street there came the hum of a trolley that rose to a staggering clatter, passed on and away leaving an interval filled with the gracious sound of inflated rubber on asphalt, like a tearing of endless silk. Clasping his accursed bottle, feeling like a criminal, Mr. Talliaferro hurried on. "He walked swiftly beside a dark wall, passing small indiscriminate shops dimly lighted with gas and smelling of food of all kinds, fulsome, slightly overripe. The proprietors and their families sat before the doors in tilted chairs, women nursing babies into slumber spoke in soft south European syllables one to another. Children scurried before him and about him, ignoring him or becoming aware of him and crouching in shadow like animals, defensive, passive and motionless." This week in Louisiana history. September 20, 1717. Gov. LePinay recalled to France after "ruining the colony." This week in New Orleans history. The last space shuttle fuel tank rolls out of the Michoud Assembly Facility on September 20, 2010. This week in Louisiana. Louisiana Gumbo Festival October 10-12, 2025 326 Hwy 304 Thibodaux, LA 70301 Celebrate Louisiana's Rich Culinary Heritage Indulge in a diverse array of Cajun and Creole cuisines, savor our traditional gumbo recipe, and immerse yourself in the captivating rhythms of live Zydeco and Cajun performances. With exciting activities for all ages, there's something for everyone to enjoy. The Louisiana Gumbo Festival began in 1973. During the 1970s, Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards signed a proclamation naming Chackbay the Gumbo Capitol of Louisiana. Annually, volunteers cook nearly 500 gallons of Gumbo during the festival weekend. You can also find various Cajun food, music, amusement rides, parade, auction, and so much more for the whole family to enjoy. This year, we are offering Pay One Price Advanced Weekend Armbands for $65.00 + tax. Advanced Armbands allow children unlimited carnival rides throughout the duration of the festival. Advanced Armbands are available for purchase ONLINE ONLY until Friday October 10, 2025. Armbands will NOT be sold at the festival. Advanced armbands can be picked up at the designated line of the festival ticket booth on Friday, October 11th beginning at 5:30pm. Postcards from Louisiana. Street Poet Melody Eloise. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook.
The Disney boycott explodes as ABC sides with Trump over Jimmy Kimmel. Brian interviews Daniel Goldman about Kimmel's cancellation, Jamie Raskin about the Epstein files, Adam Klasfeld about Trump's case against the New York Times getting thrown out, and Elliott Morris about polling that bodes poorly for Republicans in midterms.Shop merch: https://briantylercohen.com/shopYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/briantylercohenTwitter: https://twitter.com/briantylercohenFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/briantylercohenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/briantylercohenPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/briantylercohenNewsletter: https://www.briantylercohen.com/sign-upWritten by Brian Tyler CohenProduced by Sam GraberRecorded in Los Angeles, CASee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, guest host Ben Whedon sits down with Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne from Texas to discuss the recent redistricting in her state and its implications for the upcoming elections. As Texas adds Republican-leaning seats, we explore the shifting political landscape, the impact of new residents from blue states, and the importance of policies that resonate with Texans. The conversation also delves into Congress's challenges regarding spending, tariffs, and the path forward for the Republican Party. Also, Ben engages in a thought-provoking discussion with former Deputy National Security Advisor Victoria Coates, currently with the Heritage Foundation. We analyze the escalating conflict in Gaza, the implications of Israel's ground offensive, and the complexities surrounding the relationship between the U.S. and Israel. Victoria shares insights on the challenges of negotiating peace with Hamas, the shifting public opinion regarding Israel, and the potential for a diplomatic resolution. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
President Trump is in the UK on a State visit, where he's been hosted by the royal family and is set to meet with Prime Minister Starmer.The two leaders appear to have a strong relationship. But there's one big issue that's become a sticking point between them.Increasingly, free speech in the United Kingdom is a hot button rallying cry among the conservatives in the United States. Why have Republicans in America become so obsessed with free speech across the Atlantic? Especially when a crackdown on speech is kicking off at home.This programme includes language which some listeners find offensive.Every weekday, this is The Global Story. The world is changing. Decisions made in the US and by the second Trump administration are accelerating that change. But they are also a symptom of it. With Asma Khalid in DC, Tristan Redman in London, and the backing of the BBC's international newsroom, The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.Producers: Cat Farnsworth, Viv Jones and Xandra Ellin Executive producer: Annie Brown and James Shield Mix: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China CollinsImage: US President Donald Trump on second state visit to the UK (Credit: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA)Archive audio from Father Ted (Credit: Father Ted/Hat Trick Productions/Channel 4)
HEADLINE: Inside the Den of Spies: Iran Visit and Confessions of an Arms Procurement ChiefAUTHOR: Craig Unger SUMMARY: While investigating in Iran, Craig Unger visited the former US Embassy, known as the Den of Spies, now a spy museum. He secured a brief meeting with Mohsen Rafighdoost, former head of arms procurement for Ayatollah Khomeini, who accidentally referenced meeting with Republicans—a statement Unger captured on video, lending credence to the secret deal. Retry JB
FILE 8 PREVIEW: HEADLINE: October Surprise Fits Pattern of Republican Assaults on Democracy AUTHOR:Craig Unger SUMMARY: Craig Unger views the October Surprise as part of a consistent Republican pattern of relying on adversarial foreign countries, spanning from 1968's Nixon maneuvers to Donald Trump. Retry
The right-wing machine wants you scared of progress, but I'm here to speak their worst nightmare out loud… If you're even remotely associated with the Democratic Party, whether running for office, helping out, or just breathing while Democratic, the GOP and their right-wing media attack dogs will label you a “far left radical.” Be proud, be loud, embrace the mantle.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The latest on what Democrats are demanding be included in the government funding bill and how they are planning to hold firm in negotiations with Republicans; the history and future of the spread of deadly diseases; President of the American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten discusses her new book ‘Why Fascists Fear Teachers', and the clear signal the Trump administration is sending to educators by dismantling the Department of Education Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The cautionary tale the United States must learn from UK politics in order to flourish in the future; inside MSNBC's exclusive reporting that Trump's Border Czar Tom Homan was investigated for accepting $50k in cash from undercover FBI agents, only for the Trump DOJ to shut the investigation down; what is needed globally in order to end the war in Gaza, and how multiple nations recognizing a Palestinian state could potentially set the table; how ICE investigators are using what are known as administrative subpoenas to get tech companies to hand over personal data. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen discusses what Democrats want in a new spending bill and the potential for a government shutdown in 10 days; the history and future of the spread of deadly diseases, and why it's a really bad time for the government to restrict access to vaccines; how holding officials to account is a fundamental principle of American Democracy, despite Trump calling any attempt to investigate him or his administration a ‘witch hunt' Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
September 21, 2025; 8am: ABC's suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show under pressure from the head of the FCC raised new fears about even more plans to silence critics. In response, Democrats announced new legislation to bolster free speech protections for people targeted by the President. Senator Alex Padilla, one of the senators who introduced this bill, joins “The Weekend” to discuss.For more, follow us on social media:Bluesky: @theweekendmsnbc.bsky.socialInstagram: @theweekendmsnbcTikTok: @theweekendmsnbcTo listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
September 21, 2025; 9am: This week Mamdani has received support from top democrats across New York, including Rep. Yvette Clarke, Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. There are still some key holdouts who have yet to offer their endorsements, including Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Sen. Chuck Schumer. Mamdani joins The Weekend to discuss his campaign for Mayor of New York City.For more, follow us on social media:Bluesky: @theweekendmsnbc.bsky.socialInstagram: @theweekendmsnbcTikTok: @theweekendmsnbcTo listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Purple Political Breakdown cuts through the noise to deliver nuanced political analysis that goes beyond the red vs. blue narrative. Hosted by Radell Lewis, this weekly podcast breaks down the biggest political stories, policy debates, and government developments with balanced perspective and sharp insights.What You'll Get:Nuanced News Analysis - We unpack complex political stories from multiple angles, examining how federal policy changes, congressional debates, and presidential actions affect real people's lives. From government funding battles and immigration policy to Federal Reserve decisions and Supreme Court rulings, we connect the dots between Washington politics and your daily reality.Research-Driven Commentary - Every episode features deep-dive research on trending political topics, policy implications, and emerging legislative issues. We fact-check claims, analyze voting patterns, and explore the historical context behind today's political movements.Balanced Perspective - Whether it's Trump administration policies, congressional dysfunction, or state vs. federal power struggles, we examine issues through a purple lens - acknowledging valid concerns from across the political spectrum while calling out partisan spin.The Good News Segment - Because politics isn't everything, we highlight positive developments in science, technology, community action, and environmental progress that mainstream media often ignores.Audience Engagement - "Break Down the Public" segments where we respond to listener questions, analyze social media political discourse, and examine cultural trends shaping political attitudes.Perfect for voters, policy wonks, students, and anyone seeking intelligent political discussion without the partisan theatrics. New episodes drop weekly with breaking news updates as needed.Keywords:Political analysis, government policy, congressional news, presidential politics, bipartisan commentary, political podcast, current events, policy debate, election coverage, political commentary, independent analysis, balanced news, political research, federal government, state politics, political trends, policy implications, political education, nonpartisan analysis, political breakdownSubscribe now for politics that makes sense in a world that often doesn't.Standard Resource Links & RecommendationsThe following organizations and platforms represent valuable resources for balanced political discourse and democratic participation: PODCAST NETWORKALIVE Podcast Network - Check out the ALIVE Network where you can catch a lot of great podcasts like my own, led by amazing Black voices. Link: https://alivepodcastnetwork.com/ CONVERSATION PLATFORMSHeadOn - A platform for contentious yet productive conversations. It's a place for hosted and unguided conversations where you can grow a following and enhance your conversations with AI features. Link: https://app.headon.ai/Living Room Conversations - Building bridges through meaningful dialogue across political divides. Link: https://livingroomconversations.org/ BALANCED NEWS & INFORMATIONOtherWeb - An AI-based platform that filters news without paywalls, clickbait, or junk, helping you access diverse, unbiased content. Link: https://otherweb.com/ VOTING REFORM & DEMOCRACYEqual Vote Coalition & STAR Voting - Advocating for voting methods that ensure every vote counts equally, eliminating wasted votes and strategic voting. Link: https://www.equal.vote/starFuture is Now Coalition (FiNC) - A grassroots movement working to restore democracy through transparency, accountability, and innovative technology while empowering citizens and transforming American political discourse FutureisFutureis. Link: https://futureis.org/ POLITICAL ENGAGEMENTIndependent Center - Resources for independent political thinking and civic engagement. Link: https://www.independentcenter.org/ Get Daily News: Text 844-406-INFO (844-406-4636) with code "purple" to receive quick, unbiased, factual news delivered to your phone every morning via Informed ( https://informed.now) All Links: https://linktr.ee/purplepoliticalbreakdownThe Purple Political Breakdown is committed to fostering productive political dialogue that transcends partisan divides. We believe in the power of conversation, balanced information, and democratic participation to build a stronger society. Our mission: "Political solutions without political bias."Subscribe, rate, and share if you believe in purple politics - where we find common ground in the middle! Also if you want to be apart of the community and the conversation make sure to Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/ptPAsZtHC9
Thousands have gathered in Arizona for the memorial service of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk. Among those in attendance is a number of Republican politicians and high-profile names including The President, Vice President and Elon Musk. US Correspondent Richard Arnold says that the rise of political discourse around free speech has grown alongside the grieving. 'Seen by most as completely abhorrent alongside the grieving, we've also seen a growing political debate over freedom of speech.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on Donald Trump seeing that the midterm polls are lining up to be a catastrophic defeat for Republicans so he wants to shutdown the government now to blame his deflating economy on Democrats. Visit https://meidasplus.com for more! Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast The Influence Continuum: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 Political Beatdown: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Coalition of the Sane: https://meidasnews.com/tag/coalition-of-the-sane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The right is finally waking up to the challenge at hand and appears ready to take action. But will they succeed? That's what Jesse Kelly dives into on this special, best of, edition of I'm Right.Best of I'm Right with Jesse Kelly on The First TV | 9-19-25 Cowboy Colostrum: Get 25% Off Cowboy Colostrum with code JESSETV at https://www.cowboycolostrum.com/JESSETV Choq: Visit https://choq.com/jessetv for a 17.76% discount on your CHOQ subscription for life Pure Talk: Go to https://www.puretalk.com/JESSETV and save 50% off your first month.Follow The Jesse Kelly Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJesseKellyShowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
HEADLINE: The Life and Political Downfall of Clodia, Champion of the Republic GUEST NAME: Douglas Boin SUMMARY: Professor Douglas Boin discusses Clodia's pivotal role in late Republican Rome, detailing her wealth, rivalry with Cicero, and her brother Clodius's murder, which preceded the Roman Civil War. 79 AD NAPLES
CONTINUED HEADLINE: The Life and Political Downfall of Clodia, Champion of the Republic GUEST NAME: Douglas Boin SUMMARY: Professor Douglas Boin discusses Clodia's pivotal role in late Republican Rome, detailing her wealth, rivalry with Cicero, and her brother Clodius's murder, which preceded the Roman Civil War. 1802 ROMAN WOMEN
CONTINUED HEADLINE: The Life and Political Downfall of Clodia, Champion of the Republic GUEST NAME: Douglas Boin SUMMARY: Professor Douglas Boin discusses Clodia's pivotal role in late Republican Rome, detailing her wealth, rivalry with Cicero, and her brother Clodius's murder, which preceded the Roman Civil War. 1573 ROMAN WOMEN
CONTINUED HEADLINE: The Life and Political Downfall of Clodia, Champion of the Republic GUEST NAME: Douglas Boin SUMMARY: Professor Douglas Boin discusses Clodia's pivotal role in late Republican Rome, detailing her wealth, rivalry with Cicero, and her brother Clodius's murder, which preceded the Roman Civil War. 1802 ROMAN WOMEN
Ralph interviews New York Times reporter, David Gelles, about his new book, “Dirtbag Billionaire: How Yvon Chouinard Built Patagonia, Made a Fortune, and Gave It All Away.” Then, we welcome back former IRS commissioner, John Koskinen, to update us on how the Trump Administration is dismantling the IRS and stealing your personal information.David Gelles is a reporter on the New York Times climate team and he leads the Times's “Climate Forward” newsletter and events series. He is the author of The Man Who Broke Capitalism: How Jack Welch Gutted the Heartland and Crushed the Soul of Corporate America—and How to Undo His Legacy, and his new book is Dirtbag Billionaire: How Yvon Chouinard Built Patagonia, Made a Fortune, and Gave It All Away.He [Yvon Chouinard] saw Patagonia as a role model for other corporations and believed that by running Patagonia in a different way, he could show that capitalism just didn't have to suck so much.David GellesThere's a paradox that runs through the pages of Dirtbag Billionaire and it's never fully resolved…It's the fact that Chouinard is an environmentalist who wants to reduce the impact of mankind on planet earth, and yet he runs a big, complicated clothing company that is taking a toll on the environment that he's trying to protect. He runs a company that in theory, he says, and in practice is largely doing, the work of funding grassroots activists and environmental conservation. But he's doing it by participating in the very capitalist system that is responsible for so much of the damage to our natural world. And the list goes on. These contradictions are what really has animated Chouinard and his executive team for all these years. They understand their own perfections. But unlike most, they are willing to really examine their own failings, to look it square in the eye, straight in the mirror, and try to figure out how to make things better.David GellesChouinard being a “dirtbag” is something he always identified as and he still does at a certain level. The great insult in his mind is being called a “billionaire.”David GellesJohn Koskinen served as the IRS Commissioner from 2013 to 2017.Lobbyists and corporations are very good at making sure that [tax advantages] always stayed. You never hear too often of tax advantages taken out of the code, what everybody argues about as new ones being put into the code.John KoskinenThese (IRS workers) are very skilled people who in fact have given up the opportunity to make two or three times more money in the private sector because they believe in public service.John KoskinenNews 9/19/25* Just weeks after David Ellison's Skydance Media completed their $8 billion takeover of Paramount Global, Ellison is setting his sights even higher – a proposed $70 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Variety reports. If this deal proceeds, it would mean that Ellison would control CNN in addition to CBS news, the latter of which he seemingly plans to place under the supervision of “anti-woke” arch-zionist media personality Bari Weiss. While true that cable news does not possess nearly as much clout as it did just a few years ago, this would represent a nearly unprecedented consolidation in that sector. Ellison and his lieutenants would wield a tremendous amount of influence in the media, which would translate to real impacts on the political process. It remains to be seen whether the Trump administration media regulators will take any action to block this deal. Based on their actions so far, it seems unlikely.* In more media news, ABC has indefinitely suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which the comedian has hosted since 2003, after he criticized Trump and his allies for “capitaliz[ing]” on the murder of Charlie Kirk to score political points, CNN reports. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr threatened action up to and including revoking the broadcast license for ABC, which airs the program, or possibly blocking their merger with Nexstar. While Rolling Stone reports multiple executives at ABC and its parent company Disney, felt that Kimmel “had not actually said anything over the line,” they folded immediately under the threat of retaliation by the administration. This move represents a major contradiction of Carr's previously stated belief that “[the FCC] must dismantle the censorship cartel and restore free speech rights for everyday Americans.” Democrats are incensed at this attack on free speech, Congressman Ro Khanna is seeking to subpoena Carr to testify to the House Oversight Committee. Trump, feeling confident after claiming the scalp of both Kimmel and Colbert – two outspoken critics – is now calling for NBC to remove Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, via Truth Social. Variety reports conservative media conglomerate Sinclair will “replace the Friday timeslot of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!' with a Charlie Kirk tribute special on its ABC affiliate stations — and is offering the special to all other ABC stations across the country.”* Regarding social media, the Wall Street Journal reports that the U.S. and China are nearing a deal on control of TikTok, under a framework in which “an investor consortium including Oracle... Silver Lake and Andreessen Horowitz” would acquire an 80% stake. Oracle is of course run by David Ellison's father, Larry Ellison, one of the richest men in the world, while Andreessen Horowitz is the venture capital firm of Trump ally Marc Andreessen. Silver Lake is another Silicon Valley private equity firm. This deal would finally put an end to the nebulous legal limbo created by Congress passing the TikTok ban and Trump refusing to enforce it. According to this report, the new company that would be created to run TikTok in America, “would also have an American-dominated board with one member designated by the U.S. government.”* The administration is seeking to shore up support in corporate America in other ways too. Trump has renewed his 2018 push to eliminate the reports businesses are mandated to issue on a quarterly basis, moving to a biannual reporting system. Trump argues that this shift would “cut costs and discourage shortsightedness on the part of publicly traded companies.” Others however believe that this change could be harmful to the economy, making companies less transparent and therefore increasing potential investor risk. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it is “making Trump's proposal a priority.” This from Reuters.* More troubling signs are emerging in the U.S economy. Per Bloomberg, “Consumers in the top 10% of the income distribution accounted for 49.2% of total spending,” in the second quarter of 2025. This is the highest percentage of consumer spending accounted for by that demographic going back to 1989, according to an analysis of the Federal Reserve's Financial Accounts and Survey of Consumer Finance data conducted by Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody's. Chandan Economics reports a spike in late rent payments in August, suggesting stress in the “financial health of renter households,” while for homeowners, Polymarket reports that even more people are searching "help with mortgage" on Google than during the 2008 housing crisis. This comes as only 1.3 million home building permits were issued in August, the lowest level since the Spring of 2020, according to economist and Washington Post columnist Heather Long. Taken together, this data paints a picture of an economy flailing, and kept afloat only by the very rich.* Speaking of the very rich, the first American Pope, Leo the XIV, condemned the precipitous rise in CEO pay compared to their employees. Leo remarked that CEOs now make “600 times more than what average workers are receiving," adding "What does that mean…If [money] is the only thing that has value anymore, then we're in big trouble." Specifically, Leo was referring to the proposed new compensation package for Tesla CEO Elon Musk, which could turn the billionaire into a trillionaire. This from Yahoo! Finance. Senator Bernie Sanders echoed this sentiment, writing “The Pope is exactly right. No society can survive when one man becomes a trillionaire while the vast majority struggle to just survive — trying to put food on the table, pay rent and afford health care. We can and must do better.”* Turning to Israel and Gaza, AP reports Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry's is resigning from the company after 47 years. In a letter, Jerry explains that he could not “in good conscience” remain at Ben & Jerry's because their parent company – the British conglomerate Unilever – has been constraining his ability to advocate against the genocide in Gaza. Jerry writes “For more than 20 years under their ownership, Ben & Jerry's stood up and spoke out in support of peace, justice and human rights, not as abstract concepts, but in relation to real events happening in our world…It's profoundly disappointing to come to the conclusion that that independence, the very basis of our sale to Unilever, is gone.” This is the largest, but by no means only, rupture between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever; this report notes “In March Ben & Jerry's said that its CEO was unlawfully removed by Unilever in retaliation for the ice cream maker's social and political activism.” However, as Greenfield's departure illustrates, the founders have little recourse besides their public platform and resignation.* In a sign of Israel's waning influence in the Democratic Party, POLITICO reports Democratic public affairs “megafirm” SKDK has ended their $600,000 contract with the state of Israel which was supposed to run from April 2025 through March 2026. The firm's recent focus had been “pitching guests for news shows to hear Israel's side of the war in Gaza.” The firm has been tight-lipped on this decision, saying only the work “had run its course.” Yet, this decision comes directly on the heels of reporting that Stagwell, the parent company of SKDK, was involved in “setting up a bot program ‘to amplify pro-Israel narratives on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, and other platforms,'” as revealed in a Foreign Agents Registration Act filing.* On Wednesday, Senator Bernie Sanders crossed a major rhetorical rubicon, labeling Israel's actions in Gaza a “genocide.” In an op-ed appropriate titled “It Is Genocide,” Sanders cites the casualty totals – noting that “The full toll is likely much higher, with many thousands of bodies buried under the rubble” – along with the Israeli blockade on the enclave and their systematic destruction of Gaza's infrastructure, including hospitals, water and sanitation facilities and schools. Sanders also cites the genocidal intent expressed by Israeli leaders, through quotes like “the Gaza Strip should be flattened, and there should be one sentence for everyone there — death. We have to wipe the Gaza Strip off the map. There are no innocents there.” Sanders concludes this piece by warning that if the world fails to act, as during the Holocaust, Netanyahu and other “demagogues” will feel emboldened. History, Sanders writes “demands that the world act with one voice to say: enough is enough. No more genocide.” After Sanders' announcement, Vermont Congresswoman Becca Balint came out with her own statement accepting the genocide label. Zeteo reports a total of 20 members of Congress now say Israel is committing genocide.* Finally, to end on a positive note, on Monday the House passed the bipartisan Mental Health in Aviation Act, which seeks to “break down…barriers and support the mental health of our aviation workforce by changing the current rules which prevent aviation professionals from seeking mental health care by imposing unfair penalties on those who do,” according to a press release by the bill's Republican sponsor Pete Stauber. A press release from the Democratic sponsor, Sean Casten, reads “Aviators should not be unfairly penalized for seeking mental health care…The current system perpetuates a culture of silence, and it's past time that changes.” Some observers have attributed some credit for the passage of this bill to the comedian Nathan Fielder's series The Rehearsal, the latest season of which dealt extensively with the issue of aviators' mental health. While congressional staff have downplayed the show's influence, it seems hard to deny that at the very least it raised the profile of this pressing issue. Either way, hopefully this bill will make it safer to fly by removing the stigma from pilots seeking mental healthcare. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe
Congress left town without reaching a deal to avoid a shutdown after the Senate blocked competing Republican and Democratic proposals to keep the federal government funded until November 21st. The failure to reach a compromise before the weekend increases the likelihood of a shutdown at the end of the month. FOX News Senior Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram breaks down the government shutdown showdown. Then, Chad discusses other news from the Hill this past week, including how Congress responded to Charlie Kirk's assassination and the drama surrounding FBI Director Kash Patel's appearances before House and Senate committees. Additionally, Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization, pays tribute to his friend Charlie Kirk and weighs in on the debate over how America should address its political violence problem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The ironic plot twist stemming from the Federal Reserve's decision to lower interest rates; how the Trump administration's continued strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean is sparking fears of a wider confrontation with Venezuela; how a dangerous and once-fringe conspiracy theory peddled by white nationalists is creeping its way into mainstream Republican politics. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ali Velshi takes on the Trump administration's crackdown on the media and the implications for our democracy; the IRC's David Miliband discusses the stakes for the world's refugees as the UN General Assembly meets; and Rep. Bennie Thompson addresses Democrats' with a potential federal government shutdown looming Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Former Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan discusses how today's consolidated media landscape is caving to Trump's demands with huge implications for our democracy; the IRC's David Miliband breaks down the stakes for the world's refugees as the UN General Assembly readies to meet; and best-selling author of the Divergent series Veronica Roth discusses George Orwell's classic ‘1984' in this week's meeting of the Velshi Banned Book Club Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Jen Psaki reports on the negative reactions of some surprising Republicans to the Trump administration's use of political intimidation to silence Donald Trump's critics. Along with the few Republicans who have opposed Trump on covering up Jeffrey Epstein's crimes, the unquestioning obedience Trump enjoys from his party may be showing cracks. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Another day in the resistance against Republican fascism. Poppy Champlin joins to discuss the madness. Group behind Project 2025 urges FBI to brand ‘transgender extremists' a domestic terror threat Judge throws out Trump's $15 billion lawsuit against New York Times and more! We discuss the madness Welcome back to Tarabuster with comedian Tara Devlin—your one-woman fighting for decency, dignity, democracy, and humanity! In this episode, Tara dives deep into the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's de*th, exploring political viol#nce, media hypocrisy, Republican victimhood, and the dangerous erosion of free speech on college campuses. What's Covered In This Episode: Bold analysis of Charlie Kirk's legacy: unraveling the truth behind his divisive rhetoric, hate speech, and his impact on American political discourse. The disturbing canonization of Kirk by media and Republicans—straight out of the fascist playbook. "Hoerst Wessel" Exposing the double standards: political viol#nce, personal responsibility, and the right's refusal to look in the mirror. Case study: Texas A&M's shocking firing of a lecturer for teaching about gender as a construct—what it means for academic freedom and the future of education. Tara's unapologetic take on the Trump movement, GOP hypocrisy, g#n culture, and why empathy is essential for a functioning democracy. Why sticking together and supporting independent media matters NOW more than ever. Main Takeaways & Viewer Benefits: Get the real story behind the headlines—no sugarcoating, no billionaire-backed spin. Empower yourself with facts, sharp wit, and a community fighting back against right-wing hate and misinformation. Understand the dangers of political viol#nce, rising fascism, and how you can push back—legally, peacefully, unapologetically. Your Calls to Action: Subscribe & become a paid Substack member at politicalvoices.com—keep the show going & growing! Join the conversation by commenting below and sharing your views. Support Tara's work at patreon.com/taralin Check out APS Radio News for more independent progressive voices. Follow Tara every Tuesday & Thursday for the Tara Show on Political Voices Network (great guests: Senators, journalists, activists—don't miss it!). __________________________________________________ Check out "The Tara Show" with Tara Devlin and Tara Dublin every Thursday 2PM EST on the Political Voices Network! www.youtube.com/@PoliticalVoicesNetwork Head on with Robyn Kincaid is on 5 nights a week! headon.live/ Tarabuster is among the independent media voices at APSRadioNews.com BECOME A "TARABUSTER" PATRON: www.patreon.com/taradevlin Subscribe to the Political Voices Substack: https://www.politicalvoicesnetwork.com/ Join the Tarabuster community on Discord too!! discord.gg/PRYDBx8 Buy some Resistance Merch and help support our progressive work! tarabustermerch.com/ Contact Tarabuster: tarabustershow@maskedfort.com Keep the REAL liberal media going and growing! Support Tarabuster: www.paypal.com/paypalme/taradacktyl
September 20, 2025; 8am: The Senate recently rejected dueling Republican and Democratic bills that would have kept the government funded on a short-term basis, and now there are only 10 days left until the October 1st deadline. Party leaders on both sides of the aisle are blaming each other, claiming the other side isn't willing to negotiate. Congress will be in recess next week and the Senate will only have two days to agree on a plan when they come back. Former Office of Management and Budget director Shalanda Young joins “The Weekend” to discuss.For more, follow us on social media:Bluesky: @theweekendmsnbc.bsky.socialInstagram: @theweekendmsnbcTikTok: @theweekendmsnbcTo listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
September 20, 2025; 9am:the U.S. Attorney for Eastern District of Virginia Erik Siebert resigned under pressure, after Trump said he wanted him "out" over his refusal to bring criminal charges related to alleged mortgage fraud against New York Attorney General Letitia James. It comes as the administration is also planning to take action against left-wing groups the president and his allies claim have contributed to political unrest and violence. Stacey Abrams joins The Weekend to discuss how the administration is conducting its retribution campaign and what it could mean for the president's political adversaries.For more, follow us on social media:Bluesky: @theweekendmsnbc.bsky.socialInstagram: @theweekendmsnbcTikTok: @theweekendmsnbcTo listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Glenn goes through who will attend the memorial service for civil rights leader Charlie Kirk, to be held this weekend at State Farm Stadium. Every faction of the Republican movement and even some of the Democrat side is expected to make an appearance to honor Charlie Kirk's legacy. The guys react to actors Rainn Wilson and Mark Ruffalo denouncing any leftist celebrating Charlie Kirk's assassination. Was ABC looking for a reason to oust Jimmy Kimmel due to his abysmal ratings? Glenn reacts to FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr's breakdown of Jimmy Kimmel's show being suspended. Washington Examiner national political reporter Salena Zito joins to share how Charlie Kirk's assassination is having a bigger impact on everyday Americans than people realize. Foundation for Defense of Democracies senior adjunct fellow Peter Doran joins to expose the global threat that looms over America as foreign enemies want Americans divided over Charlie Kirk's assassination. Grace City Church lead pastor Josh McPherson joins to discuss the revival that is forming to honor Charlie Kirk. Host of "Your Welcome" Michael Malice joins to discuss the Left being more outraged over Jimmy Kimmel's show being terminated than the political assassination of Charlie Kirk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on Republican's losing total control in the House of Representatives as their hearings are turning into chaos and Meiselas interviews Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia who is finally leading Democrats to launch an aggressive oversight sweep of Trump and MAGA like we haven't seen in recent history. Visit https://meidasplus.com for more! Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast The Influence Continuum: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 Political Beatdown: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Coalition of the Sane: https://meidasnews.com/tag/coalition-of-the-sane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode of the MeidasTouch Podcast, we break down a five-alarm fire for free speech as Trump pressures ABC to take Jimmy Kimmel off the air—and they comply—before demanding that anyone who criticizes him face the same fate. We cover Trump's disastrous trip to the United Kingdom, how Republicans are shamelessly exploiting the tragic killing of Charlie Kirk to blame Democrats, and the Fed's grim economic news as it issues its first rate cut of the year. We also dive into FBI Director Patel's heated hearing over his concealment of the Epstein Files, plus more of the stories you need to know. Deals from our sponsors! Qualia: Take control of your cellular health today. Go to https://qualialife.com/meidas and save 15% to experience the science of feeling younger. Naked Wines: To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to https://NakedWines.com/MEIDAS and use code MEIDAS for both the code AND PASSWORD. Quince: Go to https://Quince.com/meidas for FREE shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Hims: Start your free online visit today at https://hims.com/meidas for your personalized ED treatment options. Miracle Made: Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to https://TryMiracle.com/MEIDAS and use the code MEIDAS to claim your FREE 3 piece towel set and save over 40% OFF! Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 Political Beatdown: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the wake of Charlie Kirk's death, conservatives have moved quickly to consolidate power and attack their political enemies, whose relative impotence and penchant for capitulation to power and decorum have been on full display this week."You have these right-wing forces that smell blood, they smell weakness, and they're going after everyone who doesn't comply and run through the obligatory kind of mourning," said Adam H. Johnson, a media analyst and co-host of the “Citations Needed” podcast. This week on The Intercept Briefing, host Jessica Washington speaks with Johnson about the White House's weaponization of Kirk's death and the broader rightward tilt of the media ecosystem."I think what they're doing in part [is] to make it very, very difficult for Democrats to ever beat Republicans. If you gut their media, if you gut their nonprofits, if you snuff out any kind of dissent, if you punish people at the workplace and dox them,” says Johnson. “They're basically trying to make 9/10 the new 9/11. Obviously the scope is different, but in terms of the sort of emotion, the shock. Obviously it was on video, which adds to this extra layer of psychology that's being exploited. They want to exploit that to jam in policies which they've long wanted to jam in.”Johnson also noted that part of what we're witnessing with the increasing alignment between corporate media and Trump is the end of the "veneer" of liberalism among the billionaire class."You have this increasingly postmodern lack of a need for this liberal patina, this kind of veneer of universalism, and everything is just about the exercise of raw power, the exercise of pure racist propaganda," he said. "So yeah, things are bad. But I think what we've learned is that they can get worse." Listen to the full conversation of The Intercept Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. You can support our work at theintercept.com/join. Your donation, no matter the amount, makes a real difference. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tim, Phil, Mary, & Elaad are joined by John Reid to discuss Jimmy Kimmel reportedly refusing to apologize over his comments on Charlie Kirk, Jimmy Fallon canceling an appearance after Kimmel was fired, Trump accusing Ilhan Omar of immigration fraud, and a man arrested for sending death threats to a Republican governor. Hosts: Tim @Timcast (everywhere) Phil @PhilThatRemains (X) Mary @PopCultureCrisis (Everywhere) Elaad @ElaadEliahu (X) Serge @SergeDotCom (everywhere) Guest: John Reid @JohnReid4VA (X)
BULLETIN: SEASON 4 EPISODE 16, COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN In an Oval Office news briefing crazy even by his standards, Trump answered a question about the FCC blackmailing of ABC over Charlie Kirk by changing the topic to himself, making up a statistic that "94, 95, 96, or 97 percent" of all network television stories about him are critical of him, and declaring of such criticism: "That's really illegal, in my opinion." In Trump's damaged condition he could forget this by morning. But after this week's mafioso style shakedown of ABC by the FCC and the owners of Sinclair to force Jimmy Kimmel off the air by FCC Commissioner, Brendan Carr, the real question is - what if he doesn't? What if somebody like Carr in his administration decides to curry favor with Trump by trying to enforce an "it's illegal to criticize Trump" declaration"? Taking the two stories together, and perhaps adding in Trump's threat to declare something that doesn't really exist (Antifa) a "terrorist organization" (which could just as easily lead to him declaring you a member of Antifa and thus a "terrorist") the FCC's action is so bad that it provoked serious, well-thought-out, sober yet angry condemnation Friday afternoon from the unlikeliest of sources: Senator Ted Cruz, who warned Republicans that the government needed to stay out of the bullying media business. Whether that will register with Trump remains to be seen. For now the gist is: Trump says criticizing him (or in the best possible interpretation, criticizing him a LOT) is illegal. He cannot remain president under such circumstances.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Gaslit Nation listener once asked me: What's the canary in the coal mine for American democracy? My answer: when they come for the comedians. Because when authoritarians kill the jokes, they kill the dissent. Look at Russia. In Putin's early years, Kukly, a wildly popular political satire by smack-talking puppets, mocked him mercilessly. One of his first moves? Force media consolidation. Suddenly, the show vanished. Fast forward 25 years to today, you can't hold an anti-war sign in Moscow without being arrested. As The New York Times reported back in 2000: “‘Kukly' is political satire. But that is like calling an ermine a rodent. By turns vicious, obscene, hilarious and knowing, it has long been the most popular television show in Russia. At 10 p.m. on any given Sunday, more than half the nation's sets are riveted on the program.” [Emphasis mine]. Now it's happening here. Trump and the far-right are consolidating media ownership, especially local stations, while evangelicals push their “Seven Mountains Mandate” to seize control of religion, family, government, business, education, arts, and, of course, media. Trump is their “God's imperfect vessel"–like many strongmen featured in the Old Testament, bulldozing what's left of democracy in a white-rage backlash to the Civil Rights movement. Formerly “woke” Disney CEO Bob Iger, who previously denounced Trump's Muslim ban and Florida's anti-gay laws, is now in the crosshairs, pressured by Nexstar and Sinclair, Republican-aligned networks with monopoly-level reach. But Disney did this to itself, and the country, by giving a convicted felon a $15 million “charitable contribution” to his “presidential library” to settle a defamation suit. That surrender paved the way for the widespread mainstream media capitulation helping Trump consolidate power. Jimmy Kimmel has now been silenced for saying what Gaslit Nation also pointed out: Charlie Kirk's killer came from the same white, male, MAGA gun culture that empowered Trump. That truth cost Kimmel his platform, so far, but thanks to you, our listeners, we can keep saying it. So who rescues us as Trump tries to turn America into Russia? Enter KPop Demon Hunters. Netflix's massive hit–its most watched film–is a reminder that the free market still caters to the people. America's greatest export isn't oil or weapons. It's culture, humor, art. Our comedians are resistance fighters with punchlines. Which means one of the best ways to fight fascism is simple: dictators hate truth and humor. Every single one of us pointing out the truth, and having a damn good time while doing it, will break the fever of this dystopian feverdream. Because pay attention to Kimmel's monologue that got him pulled from air: he goes into length on Trump's Epstein cover-up. Listen here for yourself or in the end of this week's bonus show. Like Gaslit Nation warned, Charlie Kirk's murder is being used as part of the larger Epstein cover-up. For our Patreon members, this week's lively salon has already been posted, along with the Zoom link for next week's salon. You can find that here. See you Monday at 4pm ET. If you would like to join our weekly hang outs and help support our independent journalism, get all episodes add free, bonus shows and more, be sure to join our community of listeners at Patreon.com/Gaslit. Thank you to everyone who supports the show–we could not make Gaslit Nation without you! Show Notes: ABC agrees to give $15 million to Donald Trump's presidential library to settle defamation lawsuit https://apnews.com/article/abc-trump-lawsuit-defamation-stephanopoulos-04aea8663310af39ae2a85f4c1a56d68 Trump Celebrates Kimmel Suspension As Right Rages Over Charlie Kirk Killing: Live Updates https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-king-charles-live-updates_n_68c80c2be4b0642964ce9b92 Seven Questions with Perry Sook https://rbr.com/seven-questions-with-perry-sook/ TV's Impious Puppets: On Kremlin's Hit List? https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/18/world/tv-s-impious-puppets-on-kremlin-s-hit-list.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare What is the ‘Seven Mountains Mandate' and how is it linked to political extremism in the US? https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/07/10/what-is-the-seven-mountains-mandate-and-how-is-it-linked-to-political-extremism-in-the-us/ 1990 report: Ivana Trump told her lawyer Donald Trump kept Hitler speeches beside bed https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2023/12/18/donald-trump-campaign-rhetoric-cnc-vpx.cnn Clip: https://bsky.app/profile/rbreich.bsky.social/post/3lz5hoh3dip23 Clip: https://bsky.app/profile/jamellebouie.net/post/3lz5faps5tk2g Jimmy Kimmel Surprised That Bombshell Jeffrey Epstein Tapes About Trump Friendship Aren't Getting More Attention https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/jimmy-kimmel-jeffrey-epstein-tapes-trump-friendship-1236200783/ Jimmy Kimmel's Epstein monologue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHT7ICvMtlA&t=573s
The Wall Street Journal goes inside Disney's decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel. Congress faces another tight deadline to avoid a government shutdown. Sahil Kapur, senior political correspondent for NBC News, joins to discuss the tensions between Democrats and Republicans this time around. Some parents of children who died by suicide say AI chatbots played a role in losing their kids, and they're calling for stronger protections from lawmakers. Washington Post reporter Nitasha Tiku told us their stories. Plus, the CDC’s vaccine board recommended against a particular combined childhood vaccine, the FTC is suing Ticketmaster over secondary markets, and how drinking less alcohol is helping runners get faster. Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick. Warning: This episode mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
“The Constitution gives the states the power to set the time, place, and manner of elections,” the election lawyer Marc Elias points out. “It gives the President no [such] power.” Yet, almost one year before the midterms, Donald Trump has called for a nationwide prohibition on mail-in voting, an option favored by Democrats, as well as restrictions on voting machines. The Justice Department has demanded sensitive voter information from at least thirty-four states so far, with little explanation as to how the information will be used. Will we have free and fair congressional elections in 2026? “I am very worried that we could have elections that do not reflect the desires and the voting preferences of everyone who wishes they could vote and have their vote tabulated accurately,” Elias tells David Remnick. “That may sound very lawyerly and very technical, but I think it would be a historic rollback.” Elias's firm fought and ultimately won almost every case that Trump and Republican allies brought against the 2020 election, and Elias continues to fight the latest round of incursions in court. And while he rues what he calls “re-gerrymandering” in Texas—designed to squeeze Texas's Democratic representatives out of Congress—Elias thinks states run by Democrats have no choice but to copy the tactic. “Before Gavin Newsom announced what he was doing, I came out publicly and said Democrats should gerrymander nine seats out of California, which would mean there'd be no Republicans left in the delegation. . . . At the end of the day, if there's no disincentive structure for Republicans to jump off this path, [then] it just continues.”
Rick Wilson dives into the chaos of 2025 with an explosive episode covering Kash Patel's congressional meltdown over the Epstein files and Trump's installation of FCC Chair Brendan Carr. Patel screamed at Republicans and Democrats alike, exposing the dysfunction of congressional hearings, while Carr begins reshaping America's media landscape, threatening free speech and expanding state-run media influence. Join Wilson as he dissects Trump's FCC takeover, Patel's public breakdown, and what it all means for censorship, executive overreach, and democracy. Join the Lincoln Square community on Substack today for unparalleled insights, expert commentary, and news from your favorite pro-democracy voices. Subscribe for free at: https://lincolnsquare.media ---Subscribe to Lincoln Square on YouTube: / @lincolnsquaremedia ---Buy official pro-democracy merch and protest gear at the Lincoln Square shop. Use code YOUTUBE for 15% off. Shop here: https://lincolnsquare.shop/discount/Y... --Support independent media and help inform disengaged Americans. Every $10 reaches 1,000 voters with the facts: Donate here via Act Blue: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/lin... ---Stay connected by following Lincoln Square on your (or tolerated) social media platforms: Instagram: / lincolnsquarehq Facebook: / lincolnsquarehq TikTok: tiktok.com/@resolutesquare Sez Us: https://sez.us/user/lincolnsquarehq?1... BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/lincolnsquar... YouTube: @ResoluteSquare Xitter: https://x.com/LincolnSquareHQ Substack: lincolnsquare.media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, both Republicans and Democrats called for unity and understanding — but polarizing rhetoric has continued to escalate. President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other White House officials have vowed to target the “radical left” for being politically violent. Democratic officials have warned that the White House may try to use the assassination to suppress speech. Those fears may have been realized when ABC was threatened over late-night host Jimmy Kimmel's comments about conservatives' reaction to Charlie Kirk's killing. Brendan Carr, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, pressured the network to pull Kimmel off the air indefinitely. How do Americans feel about a government agency censoring speech that they don't agree with? Whose responsibility is it to turn down the temperature when it comes to rhetoric and polarization? David Greene worked with country singer Ketch Secor of the band Old Crow Medicine Show to produce a music documentary called Louder Than Guns. Greene spent time with Secor, touring across the country and hearing Americans' reflections on gun violence and gun rights. When FOX News host Trey Gowdy said that Americans should have a conversation about preventing more gun violence, his fellow conservatives said he should be ashamed. How do we stop talking past each other during conversations about guns and create an open dialogue?Are Americans too enraged by each other to ever experience unity? This week, a listener asked Left, Right and Center about America's history of political violence and if our panel thinks anything has changed.
Corporations are sick of trying to cater to the left. The worlds driest hands. The ideal ballpark menu. Afghanistan vs Italy. Trust in the media: Democrats vs Republicans. Your democrat friend is stuck in their world of make believe. Follow The Jesse Kelly Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJesseKellyShowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Damage Report host John Iadarola will be breaking down today's top stories. Republicans take a victory lap after ABC pulls Jimmy Kimmel's show. Sinclair wants Kimmel to donate to Charlie Kirk's family. The GOP is preparing to vote on a resolution honoring Charlie Kirk. Nancy Mace's attempt to censure Ilhan Omar fails. Trump designates Antifa as a terrorist group. Co-Host: John Solo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
There's a lot of gadget news this week! But we begin the show in an unprecedented way: with a bit of Brendan Carr is a Dummy, America's favorite podcast within a podcast. Nilay pops on the show to discuss what happened to Jimmy Kimmel, why the FCC's assault on speech is so dangerous, and why a couple of broadcast TV companies matter so much to the story. After that, Jake Kastrenakes and Richard Lawler join to talk about all of Meta's new smart glasses, including the company's first pair with a built-in display. Finally, in the lightning round, we talk about Reddit's new AI deal with Google, Nvidia's new chip deal with Intel, and Samsung's terrible plan to put ads on your fridge. Further reading: Here's the Jimmy Kimmel clip that got him pulled off the air Jimmy Kimmel Live pulled after FCC threat over Charlie Kirk joke Republicans are honoring Charlie Kirk's memory by declaring war on the First Amendment Charlie Kirk's death got complicated by “extremely online” culture The right wing is creating a society of snitches Meta Ray-Ban Display hands-on: the best smart glasses I've ever tried Oakley Meta Vanguard hands-on: what athletes actually want Meta's new Ray-Ban smart glasses have twice the battery life Conversation focus is the first new feature on deck. I sat down with Mark Zuckerberg to try Meta's impressive new Ray-Ban Display glasses Meta is opening up its smart glasses to developers | The Verge Snap OS 2.0 is a small step towards AR glasses you might actually wear Android's next flagship processor is the ‘Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5' Nothing wants you to talk to your earbuds' charging case Nvidia invests $5 billion into Intel to jointly develop PC and data center chips The US and China might finally have a TikTok deal U.S. Investors, Trump Close In on TikTok Deal With China Samsung brings ads to US refrigerators Reddit wants a better AI deal with Google: users in exchange for content YouTube is inching closer to becoming a shopping channel Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-- On the Show: -- Sarah Matthews, former Trump White House Deputy Press Secretary, joins David for a Substack Live -- America is split between those who see change as belonging and those who see it as threat -- Conspiracy influencers spin events like the Charlie Kirk shooting to erode trust in evidence -- JD Vance jokes about civilian deaths after US strikes, treating loss of life as comedy -- Marjorie Taylor Greene calls for a national divorce and says Republicans will not fix the country -- Gavin Newsom mocks Donald Trump with a dementia jab after Trump spreads false claims about California -- The Friday Feedback segment -- On the Bonus Show: Kamala says she didn't pick Buttigieg for VP because it was "too risky," and much more...
The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 4: 6:05pm- Flashback: Charlie Kirk shuts down a white nationalist who idiotically claims being American is synonymous with being white. 6:10pm- On Friday, 38 Democrats—including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez—voted against a House resolution honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk. The resolution ultimately passed with bipartisan support despite performative outrage from AOC. 6:30pm- Trump Should End the Federal Communications Commission (FCC): ABC/Disney has indefinitely suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live”—following Kimmel's comments on the killing of Charlie Kirk. The late-night host shamefully accused Republicans of using the death to “score political points.” While the network's move appears to be a result of Kimmel's comments coupled with poor ratings, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr suggested his department could potentially investigate ABC/Disney over Kimmel's vitriolic remarks—muddying the waters. Many have expressed concern that Carr's warning amounts to a First Amendment violation. Republicans must be consistent defenders of free speech. Rich thinks Carr should mimic Linda McMahon's pledge to do away with the Department of Education and end the FCC once and for all.