Podcasts about ffrf

This morning we're taking a hard, honest look at the state of the country. The economy is wobbling, unemployment is skyrocketing, families can barely afford groceries, and yet the Trump administration continues to insist we're living in the “strongest economy ever.” The disconnect couldn't be more insulting. Meanwhile, the Hegseth Venezuela boat strike scandal is still growing, with new details raising even more serious questions about legality, leadership, and accountability. And to make matters worse, the Supreme Court has now allowed Texas to move forward with its new redistricting map, a decision that could hand Republicans up to five additional seats, reshaping power in Washington for years to come. So the question becomes: What do we do? How do we fight back? And how do we hold onto hope in times this bleak? This episode is sponsored by ZBiotics. Go to https://zbiotics.com/LEMON and use LEMON at checkout for 15% off first time orders. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Visit https://FFRF.US/SHOP or DON to 511 511 From Black Friday through December 9th, you can get 20% off all FFRF merchandise — wear your principles, speak your truth. And you can give the gift of freethought with a 2-for-1 membership offer. Join FFRF and get a free gift membership for a fellow freethinker in your life. New U.S. memberships only. Not renewals. Not lifetime tiers. Just a chance to grow the movement and defend real liberty. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self This episode is sponsored by Aura Frames. Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/DONLEMON. Promo Code DONLEMON. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight we're breaking down the latest developments in the Hegseth Venezuela boat strike scandal, a story that just keeps getting darker. Was it a war crime? Many experts say yes. Others are calling it outright murder. But the biggest question remains: Will anyone in this administration ever face accountability? The answers so far aren't reassuring. We'll walk through the newest reporting, the shifting White House explanations, and the mounting pressure on Pete Hegseth as this scandal continues to grow. And tonight, Don won't be unpacking it alone. We're joined by our very own Lemon Legends, who will weigh in, ask questions, and help break down all the latest twists and turns. This episode is sponsored by ZBiotics. Go to https://zbiotics.com/LEMON and use LEMON at checkout for 15% off first time orders. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Visit https://FFRF.US/SHOP or DON to 511 511 From Black Friday through December 9th, you can get 20% off all FFRF merchandise — wear your principles, speak your truth. And you can give the gift of freethought with a 2-for-1 membership offer. Join FFRF and get a free gift membership for a fellow freethinker in your life. New U.S. memberships only. Not renewals. Not lifetime tiers. Just a chance to grow the movement and defend real liberty. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self This episode is brought to you by Lean. Every Brickhouse product — from better sleep to superior collagen — is 30% off. But hurry, because these Black Friday deals go fast. Visit https://BrickhouseSale.com and save 30%. This episode is sponsored by Aura Frames. Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/DONLEMON. Promo Code DONLEMON. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight we're diving back into the Epstein scandal because it is far from over. Today, House Democrats released never-before-seen photos and videos from Epstein's island in the U.S. Virgin Islands… and “creepy” doesn't even begin to describe them. The material raises even more questions about who visited, what happened there, and how much has been kept from the public. So how much more is still out there? Will the full Epstein files ever actually be released? Join us live as we break down the political fallout and what this latest release means for transparency and for the powerful people who still don't want these files to see the light of day. This episode is sponsored by ZBiotics. Go to https://zbiotics.com/LEMON and use LEMON at checkout for 15% off first time orders. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Visit https://FFRF.US/SHOP or DON to 511 511 From Black Friday through December 9th, you can get 20% off all FFRF merchandise — wear your principles, speak your truth. And you can give the gift of freethought with a 2-for-1 membership offer. Join FFRF and get a free gift membership for a fellow freethinker in your life. New U.S. memberships only. Not renewals. Not lifetime tiers. Just a chance to grow the movement and defend real liberty. This episode is sponsored by Aura Frames. Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/DONLEMON. Promo Code DONLEMON. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self This episode is brought to you by Lean. Every Brickhouse product — from better sleep to superior collagen — is 30% off. But hurry, because these Black Friday deals go fast. Visit https://BrickhouseSale.com and save 30%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This morning we're diving back into the rapidly escalating Venezuela boat strike scandal and the White House's increasingly desperate attempts to shield Pete Hegseth from the fallout. Despite the spin, despite the conflicting stories, the core question remains the same: Did Hegseth's actions constitute war crimes or even murder? Legal experts say yes. The administration of course says “nothing to see here.” We'll break down the latest reporting, the shifting defenses, and whether anyone in this MAGA-led White House will ever face accountability or if the machine is just veering even further into outright lawlessness. This episode is sponsored by ZBiotics. Go to https://zbiotics.com/LEMON and use LEMON at checkout for 15% off first time orders. This episode is brought to you by Lean. Every Brickhouse product — from better sleep to superior collagen — is 30% off. But hurry, because these Black Friday deals go fast. Visit https://BrickhouseSale.com and save 30%. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Visit https://FFRF.US/SHOP or DON to 511 511 From Black Friday through December 9th, you can get 20% off all FFRF merchandise — wear your principles, speak your truth. And you can give the gift of freethought with a 2-for-1 membership offer. Join FFRF and get a free gift membership for a fellow freethinker in your life. New U.S. memberships only. Not renewals. Not lifetime tiers. Just a chance to grow the movement and defend real liberty. This episode is brought to you by Heat Holders. Go to https://HeatHolders.com — and from now until Cyber Monday, use code “DON25” to save an incredible 25% off your order! Free shipping on orders over $25 This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight we're diving into all the major stories of the day, and the chaos is piling up fast. First, did Pete Hegseth order the second Venezuelan boat strike? The White House can't seem to get its story straight, and the conflicting explanations are only raising more questions. If these reports are true, we're looking at actions that many experts say could constitute war crimes, and the pressure for accountability is growing. Then we turn to Alina Habba. A federal appeals court has ruled that she had been serving unlawfully as the U.S. attorney in New Jersey, a stunning blow to the Trump administration. Don is traveling tonight, so we're joined by guest host Charles Coleman, MSNBC legal analyst, former prosecutor, and civil rights attorney, to help us break it all down. This episode is sponsored by ZBiotics. Go to https://zbiotics.com/LEMON and use LEMON at checkout for 15% off first time orders. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Visit https://FFRF.US/SHOP or DON to 511 511 From Black Friday through December 9th, you can get 20% off all FFRF merchandise — wear your principles, speak your truth. And you can give the gift of freethought with a 2-for-1 membership offer. Join FFRF and get a free gift membership for a fellow freethinker in your life. New U.S. memberships only. Not renewals. Not lifetime tiers. Just a chance to grow the movement and defend real liberty. This episode is brought to you by Heat Holders. Go to https://HeatHolders.com — and from now until Cyber Monday, use code “DON25” to save an incredible 25% off your order! Free shipping on orders over $25 This episode is sponsored by Aura Frames. Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/DONLEMON. Promo Code DONLEMON. This episode is brought to you by Lean. Every Brickhouse product — from better sleep to superior collagen — is 30% off. But hurry, because these Black Friday deals go fast. Visit https://BrickhouseSale.com and save 30%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This morning we begin with the heartbreaking news that one of the National Guard members shot in Washington, D.C. has now passed away after the horrific attack near the White House. But even in a moment like this, Donald Trump is doing what he always does, using a national tragedy to push his own agenda and turn the focus back onto himself. Instead of leading with empathy or unity, he's choosing self-interest and political opportunism. Don breaks down the details of this terrible incident, the reaction from officials, and Trump's response, which once again reveals exactly where his priorities lie. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Visit https://FFRF.US/SHOP or DON to 511 511 From Black Friday through December 9th, you can get 20% off all FFRF merchandise — wear your principles, speak your truth. And you can give the gift of free thought with a 2-for-1 membership offer. Join FFRF and get a free gift membership for a fellow freethinker in your life. New U.S. memberships only. Not renewals. Not lifetime tiers. Just a chance to grow the movement and defend real liberty. This episode is sponsored by Heat Holders. Go to HeatHolders.com — and from now until Cyber Monday, use code “DON25” to save an incredible 25% off your order! Free shipping on orders over $25 This episode is brought to you by Lean. Every Brickhouse product — from better sleep to superior collagen — is 30% off. But hurry, because these Black Friday deals go fast. Visit BrickhouseSale.com and save 30%. This episode is sponsored by ZBiotics. Go to https://zbiotics.com/LEMON and use LEMON at checkout for 15% off first time orders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, Don is joined by friend of the show George Hahn for some much needed post-Thanksgiving laughs. MAGA has been in full meltdown mode lately, stumbling from crisis to crisis, and the cracks in Donald Trump's once unshakable grip are getting harder to ignore. Has Trump's spell finally broken? Is the end of MAGA actually near? Or is this just the beginning of a much louder, much messier unraveling? Don and George break it all down with humor, sharp insight, and just the right amount of holiday snark. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Visit https://FFRF.US/SHOP or DON to 511 511 From Black Friday through December 9th, you can get 20% off all FFRF merchandise — wear your principles, speak your truth. And you can give the gift of free thought with a 2-for-1 membership offer. Join FFRF and get a free gift membership for a fellow freethinker in your life. New U.S. memberships only. Not renewals. Not lifetime tiers. Just a chance to grow the movement and defend real liberty. This episode is sponsored by Heat Holders. Go to HeatHolders.com — and from now until Cyber Monday, use code “DON25” to save an incredible 25% off your order! Free shipping on orders over $25 This episode is brought to you by Lean. Every Brickhouse product — from better sleep to superior collagen — is 30% off. But hurry, because these Black Friday deals go fast. Visit BrickhouseSale.com and save 30%. This episode is sponsored by ZBiotics. Go to https://zbiotics.com/LEMON and use LEMON at checkout for 15% off first time orders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are thankful for the many speakers and performers at FFRF's 48th annual convention. We listen to 20 clips from that entertaining and enlightening event.

It's Thanksgiving Eve, a time meant for joy, family, and connection, yet far too many people are trying to replace that spirit with fear. From Donald Trump's continued attacks on Democratic lawmakers who simply reminded military members of their legal obligations, to the inhumane and heartbreaking ICE detentions unfolding across the country, the moment feels incredibly heavy. This morning, Don is joined by Senator Ruben Gallego to break down what's happening, why these crises matter, and how we can hold onto truth and humanity in a time when cruelty is becoming policy. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Visit https://FFRF.US/SHOP or DON to 511 511 From Black Friday through December 9th, you can get 20% off all FFRF merchandise — wear your principles, speak your truth. And you can give the gift of free thought with a 2-for-1 membership offer. Join FFRF and get a free gift membership for a fellow freethinker in your life. New U.S. memberships only. Not renewals. Not lifetime tiers. Just a chance to grow the movement and defend real liberty. This episode is sponsored by Heat Holders. Go to HeatHolders.com — and from now until Cyber Monday, use code “DON25” to save an incredible 25% off your order! Free shipping on orders over $25 This episode is brought to you by Lean. Every Brickhouse product — from better sleep to superior collagen — is 30% off. But hurry, because these Black Friday deals go fast. Visit BrickhouseSale.com and save 30%. This episode is sponsored by ZBiotics. Go to https://zbiotics.com/LEMON and use LEMON at checkout for 15% off first time orders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight we're digging into some fresh reporting that could signal more cracks inside MAGA world. Donald Trump may be considering removing Kash Patel as FBI Director. The White House is denying it, but… we've seen this movie before. Could this be the start of yet another MAGA ouster? And what does it say about the growing instability around Trump? Then, after the political chaos, Don switches gears for something lighter: a fun Thanksgiving conversation with friends of the show Reecie Colbert, Symone Redwine, and Wajahat Ali. From food plans to family traditions to holiday hot takes, it's the perfect way to head into the season. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Visit FFFRF.US/SHOP or DON to 511 511 From Black Friday through December 9th, you can get 20% off all FFRF merchandise — wear your principles, speak your truth. And you can give the gift of freethought with a 2-for-1 membership offer. Join FFRF and get a free gift membership for a fellow freethinker in your life. New U.S. memberships only. Not renewals. Not lifetime tiers. Just a chance to grow the movement and defend real liberty. This episode is sponsored by Heat Holders. Go to HeatHolders.com — and from now until Cyber Monday, use code “DON25” to save an incredible 25% off your order! Free shipping on orders over $25 This episode is brought to you by Lean. Every Brickhouse product — from better sleep to superior collagen — is 30% off. But hurry, because these Black Friday deals go fast. Visit BrickhouseSale.com and save 30%. This episode is sponsored by ZBiotics. Go to https://zbiotics.com/LEMON and use LEMON at checkout for 15% off first time orders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Good Tuesday morning Lemon Nation. Today we dive further into the desperation that is sweeping across the MAGA landscape. Several of Trump's political retribution campaigns are failing and he's grasping at straws to assert his power in new ways. What does Pete Hegseth have to say about Mark Kelly? Will any other politicians join MTG in defying Trump, resigning, or both? Join Don at 10am EST to break down how MAGA is circling the drain. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Visit FFFRF.US/SHOP or DON to 511 511 From Black Friday through December 9th, you can get 20% off all FFRF merchandise — wear your principles, speak your truth. And you can give the gift of freethought with a 2-for-1 membership offer. Join FFRF and get a free gift membership for a fellow freethinker in your life. New U.S. memberships only. Not renewals. Not lifetime tiers. Just a chance to grow the movement and defend real liberty. This episode is sponsored by Heat Holders. Go to HeatHolders.com — and from now until Cyber Monday, use code “DON25” to save an incredible 25% off your order! Free shipping on orders over $25 This episode is brought to you by Lean. Every Brickhouse product — from better sleep to superior collagen — is 30% off. But hurry, because these Black Friday deals go fast. Visit BrickhouseSale.com and save 30%. This episode is sponsored by ZBiotics. Go to https://zbiotics.com/LEMON and use LEMON at checkout for 15% off first time orders. WE HAVE MERCH!! Purchase here: https://don-lemon-merch-store.myshopify.com/ WATCH & Subscribe on YouTube @TheDonLemonShow! Become a member of our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXs0PlIGUDSXfBaF7j-1euA/join Follow Don on Substack! Listen on Apple, Spotify and iHeart Radio! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This morning we're breaking down the bombshell news that Marjorie Taylor Greene is resigning from Congress, a stunning twist after her very public split from Donald Trump. Once one of his most loyal supporters, Greene broke ranks over the release of the Epstein files… and Trump immediately turned his fire on her. The insults flew, the alliance shattered, and now she's calling it quits. So what happened behind the scenes? Is this punishment for stepping out of line? And what comes next for one of the most controversial and divisive figures in modern politics? Join us live as we unpack the resignation, the fallout, and what this seismic political breakup means for Trump, MAGA, and the future of the GOP. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Visit FFFRF.US/SHOP or DON to 511 511 From Black Friday through December 9th, you can get 20% off all FFRF merchandise — wear your principles, speak your truth. And you can give the gift of freethought with a 2-for-1 membership offer. Join FFRF and get a free gift membership for a fellow freethinker in your life. New U.S. memberships only. Not renewals. Not lifetime tiers. Just a chance to grow the movement and defend real liberty. This episode is sponsored by Heat Holders. Go to HeatHolders.com — and from now until Cyber Monday, use code “DON” to save an incredible 25% off your order! Free shipping on orders over $25 This episode is brought to you by Lean. Every Brickhouse product — from better sleep to superior collagen — is 30% off. But hurry, because these Black Friday deals go fast. Visit BrickhouseSale.com and save 30%. This episode is sponsored by ZBiotics. Go to https://zbiotics.com/LEMON and use LEMON at checkout for 15% off first time orders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After talking about warning labels on bibles and reporting on state/church news, we hear Brandi Carlile's new song "Church and State." FFRF Senior Litigation Counsel Sam Grover joins us to talk about our newest lawsuit with South Carolina plaintiff Jim Reel, who was denied becoming a poll worker because he could not swear "so help me God."

After reporting state/church victories and complaints in California, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Tennessee, Washington, Texas and Arkansas, we speak with Mother Jones national correspondent Kiera Butler about her article, God's “Blank Check”: Christian Zionists Are Pouring Billions of Dollars Into Israeli Extremism.

Journalist William J. Kole tells us about his book, “In Guns We Trust: The Unholy Trinity of White Evangelicals, Politics, and Firearms.” Then, we speak with historian and poet Jennifer Michael Hecht, author of ”The Wonder Paradox: Embracing the Weirdness of Existence and the Poetry of Our Lives.”

U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren. D-Calif., explains how California's Proposition 50 is trying to fight religious-right authoritarianism. Legal fellow Kyle Steinberg describes FFRF's new federal lawsuit challenging a religious oath in South Carolina.

After reporting on state/church news, we hear the song "Friendly Atheist T-shirt" by the Freethought Band of Humanists of Minnesota. Then, we speak with University of Toronto Professor of Religion Kevin Lewis O'Neill about his book, Unforgivable: An Abusive Priest and the Church That Sent Him Abroad.

After covering state/church news, we report on the "war-mongering" Christian nationalist rhetoric at Charlie Kirk's memorial. Then, we hear distinguished attorney Richard Katskee speaking at the Scopes Trial Centennial conference about his role in the 2005 lawsuit in Dover, Pennsylvania, defending the teaching of evolution in the public schools.

We celebrate a court victory in Arkansas, where a federal court issued a second preliminary injunction blocking a state law requiring the posting of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. We criticize a “faith-based disaster recovery event” at the National Mall in which Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner proclaimed that "faith is back in our government." We speak with Rep. Mark Pocan about the whitewashing of history in the wake of Christian nationalist Charlie Kirk's murder and the ever-growing importance of the separation between church and state.

Christian nationalists in government are ramping up the rhetoric. We report how FFRF is protesting the White House "America Prays" initiative and a bill to put "In God We Trust" on federal buildings. Then, we speak with journalist Haley Cohen Gilliland, author of A Flower Traveled in My Blood: The Incredible True Story of the Grandmothers Who Fought to Find a Stolen Generation of Children, about right-wing Argentine dictator Jorge Rafael Videla, whose government kidnapped, tortured and killed thousands of protesters and stole hundreds of their babies to be raised with "Western Christian values."

We report on state/church victories and challenges in Arkansas, South Carolina, Texas, Morocco, Minnesota and Florida. Then, we hear Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Ed Larson (Summer for the Gods) tell us the story of the 1925 Scopes Trial, the “Trial of the Century,” pitting science against religion in Dayton, Tenn., 100 years ago.

We are not backing down in our lawsuit challenging the Ten Commandments in Texas public schools, in spite of the Texas Attorney General's warning that he won't back down from posting them. After covering state/church news in Texas, Arkansas, Minnesota and Colorado, we hear Rachel Maddow's warning about authoritarianism. Then, we speak with April Ajoy, author of the book Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding A True Faith.

Donald Trump has declared a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., invoking federal power to take temporary control of the city's police force. Chris Cuomo breaks down what this move really means — why it may resonate with voters who like a show of force, and why Democrats risk losing the argument if they frame it the wrong way. Chris explores whether deploying the National Guard and military-style policing actually reduces crime, the deeper social conditions fueling violence, and how the politics of “law and order” shape public perception. Is this about safety — or strategy? Follow and subscribe to The Chris Cuomo Project on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday: https://linktr.ee/cuomoproject Join Chris Ad-Free On Substack: http://thechriscuomoproject.substack.com Support our sponsors: Visit http://FFRF.us/school or text CHRIS to 511511 Go to http://GetSoul.com and use the code CUOMO for 30% off Try Oracle Cloud Infrastructure for free at http://oracle.com/ccp http://www.kalshi.com?utm_source=chriscuomo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After we cover state/church news around the country, FFRF Senior Litigation Counsel Sam Grover recounts FFRF's recent victory stopping the Ten Commandments from being posted in Texas public schools. Then, journalist Mary Annette Pember, a citizen of the Red Cliff Band of Wisconsin Ojibwe, describes her new book Medicine River: A Story of Survival and the Legacy of Indian Boarding Schools.

FFRF Legal Director Patrick Elliott tells us some breaking good news about a Christian nationalist legal attack against FFRF by Oklahoma state Superintendent Ryan Walters. Then, we'll hear a chilling warning about encroaching Christian fascism by author Katherine Stewart.

We announce a great victory from the Arkansas courts blocking the state from displaying the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom. After reporting state/church news in California, West Virginia, Iowa and West Point Military Academy, we hear the Tom Lehrer song "I Got it from Agnes" and the "1919 Influenza Blues" by Essie Ray Jenkins. Then, we listen to the talk given at the Scopes Trial Centennial last month by Brenda Wineapple, author of Keeping the Faith: God, Democracy, and the Trial that Riveted a Nation.

This morning, we start with a powerful and emotional message from the family of Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein's most well-known victims. They are speaking out, directly and forcefully, against Donald Trump, and their words deserve to be heard. We'll cover their response with the respect it warrants. Then we turn to Wisconsin, where GOP Rep. Bryan Steil got a taste of how voters are really feeling. Let's just say... it was not a warm welcome. Boos, heckling, and some very pointed questions made for a town hall he won't forget. And finally, the Smithsonian has quietly removed Trump from its impeachment exhibit at the American History Museum. Because apparently rewriting history is the new MAGA-approved curriculum. Are we seriously sanitizing reality to spare Trump's ego? It's a lot. Grab your coffee. Let's get into it. This episode is brought to you by Mint Mobile. Get this new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at https://MINTMOBILE.com/DONLEMON. This episode is sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Don't let your rights be rewritten. Go to https://FFRF.US/school or text “DON” to 511511 This episode is brought to you by Magic Spoon. Get 5 dollars off your next order at https://MagicSpoon.com/LEMON. Or look for Magic Spoon on Amazon or in your nearest grocery store. This episode is sponsored by Chef IQ. Summer Grilling Season is here and Chef IQ Sense makes you a grill master! During their flash sale you get 15% off. Visit https://ChefIQ.com and use promo code Lemon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What a day Lemon Nation! We ended Hot Topics with news that the FBI redacted multiple instances of Trump's name from the Epstein files. Soon after that we learned that Trump is moving Ghislaine Maxwell to a minimum security prison in Texas. THEN it was reported that Trump has ordered two nuclear submarines in close proximity to Russia. Oh, and don't let us forget that in response to bad job numbers Trump has moved to fire officials in charge of labor statistics. What is reality anymore? Find out with Don at 5pm! This episode is brought to you by Mint Mobile. Get this new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at https://MINTMOBILE.com/DONLEMON. This episode is sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Don't let your rights be rewritten. Go to https://FFRF.US/school or text “DON” to 511511 This episode is brought to you by Magic Spoon. Get 5 dollars off your next order at https://MagicSpoon.com/LEMON. Or look for Magic Spoon on Amazon or in your nearest grocery store. This episode is sponsored by Chef IQ. Summer Grilling Season is here and Chef IQ Sense makes you a grill master! During their flash sale you get 15% off. Visit https://ChefIQ.com and use promo code Lemon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Incursions of Christian nationalism at the federal and state level are increasing, and we are fighting back. We report a quick legal victory removing a Ten Commandments monument from an Illinois county courthouse. Then, we remember the lives of two precious freethinkers who died this month: long-time FFRF member Dick Hewetson, an Episcopal priest turned gay/atheist activist, who died at age 95; and satirical songwriter Tom Lehrer ("Vatican Rag"), who died at age 97.

Good evening Lemon Nation! While Mike Johnson sent the House Representatives home for break, the Senate is still working hard to release some of the Epstein files. Invoking a rare rule known as the "Rule of Five," Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Senate Democrats announced today that this is their current strategy. What is this rule? Will it work? What is the timeline for this release? Join Don at 5pm tonight to break it all down! This episode is brought to you by Magic Spoon. Get 5 dollars off your next order at https://MagicSpoon.com/LEMON. Or look for Magic Spoon on Amazon or in your nearest grocery store. This episode is sponsored by Chef IQ. Summer Grilling Season is here and Chef IQ Sense makes you a grill master! During their flash sale you get 15% off. Visit https://ChefIQ.com and use promo code Lemon. This episode is brought to you by Mint Mobile. Get this new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at https://MINTMOBILE.com/DONLEMON. This episode is sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Don't let your rights be rewritten. Go to https://FFRF.US/school or text “DON” to 511511 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Good morning, Lemon Nation! Let's dive into the latest twist: new video analysis suggests that footage from Epstein's jail cell may have been altered. Government officials, of course, say there's nothing to see here. Totally normal, right? Meanwhile, Ghislaine Maxwell is still dangling her offer to testify before Congress if she's granted immunity. You know, just minor immunity for a woman accused of helping run an international sex trafficking ring. And through it all, Trump continues to spiral, ducking the press and throwing out distractions like candy at a parade. The question isn't “What happens next?”...it's “How much worse can it get?” Tune in. We'll break it all down with receipts, reality, and just the right amount of rage. This episode is brought to you by Magic Spoon. Get 5 dollars off your next order at https://MagicSpoon.com/LEMON. Or look for Magic Spoon on Amazon or in your nearest grocery store. This episode is sponsored by Chef IQ. Summer Grilling Season is here and Chef IQ Sense makes you a grill master! During their flash sale you get 15% off. Visit https://ChefIQ.com and use promo code Lemon. This episode is brought to you by Mint Mobile. Get this new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at https://MINTMOBILE.com/DONLEMON. This episode is sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Don't let your rights be rewritten. Go to https://FFRF.US/school or text “DON” to 511511 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump-Epstein scandal has dominated headlines, sparked lawsuits, and triggered full-blown meltdowns from Mar-a-Lago to MAGA Twitter. But outside the media circus, what does the public actually think? Is the scandal breaking through, or are people tuning it out like another one of Trump's "perfect phone calls"? Let's dig into the public sentiment, polling data, and online reaction to see if this story has real staying power… or if Trump's latest distraction campaign is actually working. This episode is sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Don't let your rights be rewritten. Go to https://FFRF.US/school or text “DON” to 511511 This episode is brought to you by Mint Mobile. Get this new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at https://MINTMOBILE.com/DONLEMON. This episode is brought to you by Magic Spoon. Get 5 dollars off your next order at https://MagicSpoon.com/LEMON. Or look for Magic Spoon on Amazon or in your nearest grocery store. This episode is sponsored by ZBiotics. Go to https://zbiotics.com/LEMON and use LEMON at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've got whiplash-level updates on the Trump-Epstein-Maxwell mess. First up: Ghislaine Maxwell has reportedly offered to testify before Congress, but only if she gets immunity. Yes, immunity. From a woman accused by multiple victims of being even worse than Epstein? You can't make this stuff up. And just when you thought Trump couldn't make this situation any more unhinged, he goes and outdoes himself. After previously claiming he cut ties with Epstein because he was “a creep,” Trump now says it was actually because Epstein “stole” an underage girl from him. We'll just leave that there. Joining us tonight to unpack all of this is the brilliant Katie Phang and legal analyst Dina Doll. Buckle up, it's going to be a wild one. This episode is sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Don't let your rights be rewritten. Go to https://FFRF.US/school or text “DON” to 511511 This episode is brought to you by Mint Mobile. Get this new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at https://MINTMOBILE.com/DONLEMON. This episode is brought to you by Magic Spoon. Get 5 dollars off your next order at https://MagicSpoon.com/LEMON. Or look for Magic Spoon on Amazon or in your nearest grocery store. This episode is sponsored by ZBiotics. Go to https://zbiotics.com/LEMON and use LEMON at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just when you thought the Trump-Epstein saga couldn't get weirder… Trump now claims he cut ties with Jeffrey Epstein not because of his predatory behavior, but because Epstein poached some of his employees. Seriously. Tonight, Don is joined once again by Mark Epstein, Jeffrey Epstein's brother, to break down the latest twists in this deeply unsettling and increasingly absurd scandal. Plus, we'll unpack Trump's desperate attempts to change the subject: accusing Obama of treason, calling for investigations into Beyoncé and Oprah, and lashing out at windmills (yes, again). It's chaos, but it's chaos with consequences. Let's get into it. This episode is brought to you by Magic Spoon. Get 5 dollars off your next order at https://MagicSpoon.com/LEMON. Or look for Magic Spoon on Amazon or in your nearest grocery store. This episode is sponsored by Chef IQ. Summer Grilling Season is here and Chef IQ Sense makes you a grill master! During their flash sale you get 15% off. Visit https://ChefIQ.com and use promo code Lemon. This episode is brought to you by Mint Mobile. Get this new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at https://MINTMOBILE.com/DONLEMON. This episode is sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Don't let your rights be rewritten. Go to https://FFRF.US/school or text “DON” to 511511 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump is spiraling, and the distractions are getting wilder by the day. First, it was accusing Obama of treason. Then came his sudden crusade to prosecute Beyoncé and Oprah (yes, seriously). And now he's ranting about windmills again. But let's be real, it's all an increasingly desperate attempt to shift attention away from the one thing he really doesn't want to talk about...the Epstein files. Despite once promising transparency, Trump's name is in the files, and now even some of his die-hard supporters are feeling duped. Is this the beginning of a MAGA mutiny? Or just another week in the circus? Join us as we break it all down with receipts, reality, and all the rage. This episode is brought to you by Magic Spoon. Get 5 dollars off your next order at https://MagicSpoon.com/LEMON. Or look for Magic Spoon on Amazon or in your nearest grocery store. This episode is sponsored by Chef IQ. Summer Grilling Season is here and Chef IQ Sense makes you a grill master! During their flash sale you get 15% off. Visit https://ChefIQ.com and use promo code Lemon. This episode is brought to you by Mint Mobile. Get this new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at https://MINTMOBILE.com/DONLEMON. This episode is sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Don't let your rights be rewritten. Go to https://FFRF.US/school or text “DON” to 511511 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Freethought Radio, guest hosts Ryan Jayne and Leo Costello talk about a Christian state representative in Texas who's speaking out against a new law that would place the Ten Commandments in every public school in the state. Plus, we listen to debates featuring FFRF Co-Presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker as they address the questions: "Is religion a force for good?" and "Can religion cure the loneliness epidemic?"

It's been a wild week in the Epstein saga, and we're here to bring you more. Donald Trump now seems to be avoiding the media, and it's not hard to see why? His rants keep adding more fuel to the Epstein drama fire. And according to new reports, the FBI has been ordered to flag every instance his name appears in Epstein-related documents. What are they bracing for? What's being hidden? The deeper this goes, the more suspicious it gets. Let's dig in. This episode is brought to you by Wild Alaskan. Go to wildalaskan.com/LEMON for $35 off your first box of premium, wild-caught seafood. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. This episode is sponsored by Lean. Let me get you started with 20% off when you enter code Lemon20 at takelean.com. This episode is sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text DON to 511 511 and become a member today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump–Epstein scandal just got another jolt, this time courtesy of a new Wall Street Journal report. The story reveals a bawdy birthday letter sent from Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein in the early 2000s. It's crude, it's creepy, and it confirms what many have long suspected: Trump and Epstein were far closer than he wants anyone to believe. Now Trump is threatening to sue over the article (classic move), but the damage may already be done. So how is MAGA reacting? Are they still buying the “we weren't close” line? Or is the base starting to crack under the weight of receipts? We'll break it all down, what this letter means, why Trump's scrambling, and where this scandal might head next. Buckle up. This episode is brought to you by Wild Alaskan. Go to wildalaskan.com/LEMON for $35 off your first box of premium, wild-caught seafood. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. This episode is sponsored by Lean. Let me get you started with 20% off when you enter code Lemon20 at takelean.com. This episode is sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text DON to 511 511 and become a member today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We report on state/church violations in the White House, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Then, FFRF Rapid Response Attorney Chris Line tells us what it means now that the IRS has announced that places of worship can endorse political candidates. Finally, we speak with distinguished Dartmouth historian Randall Balmer, who is an Episcopal priest, about his new book, America's Best Idea: The Separation of Church and State.

It's the scandal that just won't go away, and Trump's attempts to downplay it are only making things worse. The Epstein file fiasco is spiraling, with growing outrage not just from Democrats but from within MAGA itself. After all the Trump administration's bold claims about releasing the files, we're now being told they never existed..or they did, but it was a scam by democrats? Even Trump's base is starting to ask questions, and the pressure is mounting. Join us as we break down the latest twists in the scandal Trump can't seem to shake. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. This episode is sponsored by Lean. Let me get you started with 20% off when you enter code Lemon20 at takelean.com. This episode is brought to you by Wild Alaskan. Go to wildalaskan.com/LEMON for $35 off your first box of premium, wild-caught seafood. This episode is sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text DON to 511 511 and become a member today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump–Epstein file scandal just keeps spiraling. Now, in a truly bizarre twist, Trump is turning on his own supporters, lashing out at those demanding answers and calling the Epstein investigation a “hoax.” Joining us to unpack it all is Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. He's calling on Congress to “demand answers” and pushing back hard against the Trump administration's attempts to bury this story. So what is Trump's endgame here? Does he really believe this will blow over? The desperation is so thick, they're even trotting out presidential health rumors to change the subject. It's messy. It's revealing. And it's far from over. Let's get into it. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. This episode is sponsored by Lean. Let me get you started with 20% off when you enter code Lemon20 at takelean.com. This episode is brought to you by Wild Alaskan. Go to wildalaskan.com/LEMON for $35 off your first box of premium, wild-caught seafood. This episode is sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text DON to 511 511 and become a member today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Epstein scandal is back, and this time, it's blowing a hole right through MAGA world. Trump once ran on the promise to release the Epstein files. Now? The files supposedly don't exist. Cue the outrage. Even die-hard Trump loyalists are calling foul, demanding answers, and turning on their king. Could this finally be the moment the cult cracks? Or will they fall in line like always? Don Lemon breaks it all down...no conspiracies, just facts (and a healthy dose of side-eye). This episode is brought to you by Wild Alaskan. Go to wildalaskan.com/LEMON for $35 off your first box of premium, wild-caught seafood. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. This episode is sponsored by Lean. Let me get you started with 20% off when you enter code Lemon20 at takelean.com. This episode is sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text DON to 511 511 and become a member today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So... what happened to the Epstein files? Donald Trump made releasing them a campaign promise. Pam Bondi claimed they were on her desk. And now? Suddenly, they don't exist. The Trump administration is backpedaling fast, and they'd really like us all to just stop asking questions. But we won't. What happened to the files? Why the cover-up? And why is Trump, of all people, trying to make this story disappear? Join Don and political strategist Rick Wilson as they break down the scandal, the silence, and the MAGA meltdown that's starting to follow. This episode is brought to you by Wild Alaskan. Go to wildalaskan.com/LEMON for $35 off your first box of premium, wild-caught seafood. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. This episode is sponsored by Lean. Let me get you started with 20% off when you enter code Lemon20 at takelean.com. This episode is sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text DON to 511 511 and become a member today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, Don Lemon is joined by Mark Epstein (yes, that Epstein, Jeffrey Epstein's brother) for an unfiltered conversation about the latest twists in a case that just won't go away. From alleged ties to Donald Trump, to the bizarre about-face on releasing Epstein's files (first promised, now suddenly never existed), we ask: what does Mark really make of it all? What's true, what's spin, and who's trying to keep the truth buried? If you've been wondering why powerful names keep dodging accountability, you won't want to miss this. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. This episode is sponsored by Beam. Right now, Beam is offering UP TO 40% off their best-selling Dream Powder for my listeners. It's a limited time offer and the perfect way to overcome that exhaustion and stay in the fight every day. Go to shopbeam.com and use code LEMON at checkout. This episode is brought to you by Wild Alaskan. Go to wildalaskan.com/LEMON for $35 off your first box of premium, wild-caught seafood. This episode is sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text DON to 511 511 and become a member today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're breaking down the major headlines rocking the entertainment world. First, the serious accusations against Tyler Perry. His accuser is now speaking out publicly. Is there truth to the claims? And what could this mean for one of Hollywood's most powerful figures? Then, the drama between Nicki Minaj and Jay-Z is heating up. Minaj alleges that Jay-Z owes her up to $200 million tied to her equity in Tidal. What's really going on behind the scenes? Don Lemon is joined by Jesse Weber (Anchor for Law & Crime Network and NewsNation Legal Contributor) and legal analyst Symone Redwine (host of the Is That Legal? podcast) to break it all down, from legal stakes to career fallout. Buckle up. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. This episode is sponsored by Beam. Right now, Beam is offering UP TO 40% off their best-selling Dream Powder for my listeners. It's a limited time offer and the perfect way to overcome that exhaustion and stay in the fight every day. Go to shopbeam.com and use code LEMON at checkout. This episode is brought to you by Wild Alaskan. Go to wildalaskan.com/LEMON for $35 off your first box of premium, wild-caught seafood. This episode is sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text DON to 511 511 and become a member today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We criticize Texas Governor Gregg Abbott for using the flood devastation as an opportunity to preach his personal religious views. We point out that in spite of the IRS decision not to punish two churches for politicking from the pulpit, the Johnson Amendment prohibiting such action is still the law of the land. After honoring the life of our friend, the Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist Steve Benson, who died this week at age 71, we talk with attorney Kat Grant about their Freethought Now “Pride Month” blog: ”Don't make sacrifices on the altar of authoritarianism.”

FFRF announces another Ten Commandments lawsuit, this one in Texas. After covering state/church news at the federal, state and local levels, we talk with Joe Gerstein, M.D., founder of SMART Recovery, a secular program for dealing with alcoholism and other addictions that is based on science and evidence, not faith.

We discuss the Supreme Court decision allowing states to defund Planned Parenthood and we decry many attempts by Christian nationalists to force religious conformity on a diverse nation. After celebrating the life of the irreverent comedian, actor, filmmaker, songwriter and playwright Mel Brooks (who turns 99 this month), we hear opening statements in two debates in the United Kingdom that FFRF co-presidents participated in. We hear the Opening Statement by Dan Barker in a debate at Oxford University on the topic: "This House Believes God Is a Delusion." Then we hear the Opening Statement by Annie Laurie Gaylor at Cambridge University on the topic: "This House Believes Religion and Feminism Are Incompatible."

We celebrate Juneteenth, recognizing the end of slavery, and World Humanism Day, which occurs at the Summer Solstice as a secular alternative to religious holidays. After covering national and FFRF news, we speak with FFRF's Senior Policy Counsel Ryan Jayne and Regional Governmental Affairs Manager Mickey Dollens about the slew of good and bad bills dealing with religion at the state level around the country.

Seth and Josh welcome Jeffrey Dean Morgan to the pod! Straight from his family farm in the airstream, Jeffrey talks all about farm life in upstate New York, childhood memories of driving from Lake Arrowhead to Disneyland, the many jobs he had growing up, his love for F1, what it will be like for his kids to transition to being city kids, his family's upcoming trip to France, and so much more! Plus, Jeffrey chats about his new series, Destination X! Support our sponsors: Freedom From Religion Whether you've always been secular or have left religion behind, believe in keeping faith out of government, F-F-R-F has your back Join us. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text “FAMILY” to five eleven five eleven and become a member today. Text fees may apply. Beam For a limited time, you can get UP TO 35% off plus 2 FREE gifts when you go to shopbeam.com/TRIPS and use code TRIPS at checkout. Uplift Desk Elevate your workspace with UPLIFT Desk. Go to https://upliftdesk.com/trips for a special offer exclusive to our audience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices