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DESCRIPTION President Trump's late endorsement of Pam Evette has ignited controversy across South Carolina's gubernatorial primary. Questions surrounding Henry McMaster Jr.'s potential role as lieutenant governor, allegations of political deal-making, and a tightening race have voters asking whether the state's political establishment is trying to extend its influence for another generation. Tara and Roger break down the endorsement drama, the polling shifts, and what it could mean for South Carolina's future. PODCAST SUMMARY South Carolina's governor's race took a dramatic turn after President Trump endorsed Lieutenant Governor Pam Evette, but the endorsement may have created more questions than answers. The biggest controversy centers on reports that Evette could select Henry McMaster Jr., son of Governor Henry McMaster, as her lieutenant governor running mate. While Trump referenced McMaster Jr. in his endorsement, Evette has continued to avoid directly confirming or denying the reports, fueling speculation about a political arrangement designed to preserve the state's longtime Republican establishment. Tara and Roger examine the timeline leading up to the endorsement, including Governor McMaster's handling of South Carolina's congressional redistricting efforts and claims that the endorsement may have been tied to broader political negotiations. The discussion also highlights concerns over immigration enforcement promises, including criticism of unfulfilled plans such as the proposed "Palmetto Pen" detention facility and questions about South Carolina's participation in federal immigration enforcement programs. Meanwhile, new polling suggests a highly competitive Republican primary with Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lieutenant Governor Pam Evette, Congressman Ralph Norman, and Senator Josh Kimbrell ally Rom Reddy all competing for position in a race that appears headed for a photo finish. The episode explores what voters should consider as they head toward the primary and whether South Carolina is facing a continuation of its political status quo or a major shift in leadership. KEY TAKEAWAYS President Trump's endorsement of Pam Evette has intensified debate in the governor's race. Questions remain about whether Henry McMaster Jr. will be selected as lieutenant governor. Critics argue the endorsement reflects establishment political deal-making. Immigration enforcement promises have become a major campaign issue. Recent polling suggests a tightly contested Republican primary. Voters face a choice between political continuity and potential change in Columbia. SOUND BITES "The governor's race is the number one story in South Carolina right now." "If she wins the primary, then we'll find out who the lieutenant governor pick really is." "This race is shaping up to be a photo finish." "The question voters have to answer is whether they want more of the same or a new direction." SEO KEYWORDS South Carolina governor race, Pam Evette, Donald Trump endorsement, Henry McMaster Jr, Alan Wilson governor campaign, South Carolina politics, Republican primary South Carolina, Trump South Carolina endorsement, SC governor election, McMaster political machine, South Carolina election news, immigration enforcement South Carolina CLICKABLE SOCIAL TITLE Trump's Endorsement Creates CHAOS in South Carolina Governor's Race
The New York Times has reported that Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein shared a much closer relationship in the late 1980s through the 1990s and early 2000s than Trump has publicly acknowledged. According to the Times, Epstein described Trump as his “best friend,” and the two socialized frequently at parties, spoke often by phone, and were part of the same high-society circles, particularly bonding over women. Epstein's former employees told the Times that Trump often discussed sex with him rather than business, and Epstein was described as Trump's “most reliable wingman” in that era. While Trump has denied involvement in Epstein's criminal conduct, the Times cited newly released emails and interviews suggesting Trump was aware of Epstein's sexual abuse of girls, though no evidence has surfaced that Trump was directly involved in those crimes.The reporting also highlighted specific incidents and firsthand accounts that paint a picture of their social interactions: Epstein introduced several women to Trump, including at least one who was a minor at the time, and an email referenced Epstein “giving” Trump a 20-year-old woman. Former employees recounted Trump sending modeling cards to Epstein “like a menu,” and one woman's story described Epstein directing her to social events where Trump was present. Although Trump and Epstein's friendship reportedly soured by the mid-2000s, and Trump has repeatedly sought to distance himself from Epstein—saying they had a falling-out long before Epstein's legal troubles—the Times reporting underscores a deeper and more personal connection than Trump has acknowledged.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/us/jeffrey-epstein-donald-trump.htmlBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
Market news for May 19, 2026: AI stocks face a pivotal test with Nvidia's earnings amid Gulf-driven oil and bond yield surges. While Trump's peace bid cooled prices, global inflation fears and looming central bank tightening cast a shadow over markets. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region. Written by: Howie Lim (howielim@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Chai Pei Chieh & Claressa Monteiro Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities --- Follow Market Focus Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btmktfocus Amazon: bt.sg/mfam Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/mfap Spotify: bt.sg/mfsp YouTube Music: bt.sg/mfyt Website: bt.sg/mktfocus Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. Discover more BT podcast series: BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks BT Correspondents at: bt.sg/btcobt BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Donald Trump's war with Iran is not merely a foreign-policy crisis. It is now a domestic economic crisis, a homeland-security crisis, and a national-strength crisis rolled into one. The damage is no longer theoretical. Oil has surged above $110 a barrel, gas prices have climbed, inflation pressure is rising again, bond markets are wobbling, and Americans are being forced to pay for a war they did not ask for, cannot afford, and have not been given a convincing explanation for. Recent reporting says Americans have already absorbed more than $40 billion in added fuel costs since the war began, about $316 per household, with higher costs spreading into food, travel, shipping, and consumer goods.“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” Proverbs 29:2 (KJB)On this episode of the Prophecy News Podcast, Trump's Iran War is doing what reckless wars always do, it's draining the American people, spiking energy prices, reviving inflation, shaking the markets, and handing our enemies a wider target set. While Trump talks tough overseas, the homeland is being left exposed to cyberattack, proxy retaliation, and symbolic violence at the very moment America prepares to celebrate July 4th. Whether the next blow comes through oil, markets, infrastructure, or a terror-style attack, the truth is plain, this war is not making America stronger. It is making America weaker, poorer, and more vulnerable. Trump promised America First, but his Iran War has produced America Exposed — exposed at the pump, exposed in the markets, exposed in cyberspace, and exposed on the homeland. Today we ask the question, has all this come about through Trump's massive ego and legendary hubris? Has it come about through incompetence and inability? Or… is what we're watching the actual plan the Deep State has had since the day they shot Trump's right ear in Butler, Pennsylvania? These are the tough questions we will attempt to answer today on this edition of the Prophecy News Podcast!
Trump's China Gamble EPISODE DESCRIPTION President Trump's high-stakes summit with Xi Jinping sparks outrage, confusion, and major questions about America's future. While Trump publicly praises China and pushes massive trade deals, reports from inside the trip reveal burner phones, security sweeps, and deep distrust behind closed doors. Is Trump playing 4D chess with global oil markets and Iran, or risking America's leverage against an ascendant China? Tara breaks down the trade strategy, the geopolitical stakes, the oil war with Iran, and the shocking reactions from conservatives and the media alike. HOOK Trump says China is investing hundreds of billions into America… while his own staff reportedly treated Beijing like hostile territory. What's really happening behind the scenes? KEY TALKING POINTS Trump and Xi Jinping announce new trade understandings Massive investment promises for American companies Skepticism surrounding China's past unfulfilled Boeing commitments Reports that Trump staff used burner phones and discarded all Chinese-issued items Security concerns involving Secret Service and Chinese officials Debate over Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland near military bases Trump defending Chinese student programs while visa restrictions quietly tighten Foreign student enrollment reportedly dropping sharply under Trump policies The larger geopolitical strategy involving Iran, Russia, and global oil markets China's dependence on discounted oil and Trump's energy leverage strategy Concerns about China's relationship with Democrats and election interference claims South Carolina lawmakers facing backlash over voting themselves pay raises FEATURED CLIPS Trump on China investing “hundreds of billions” into American companies Sean Hannity interview discussing Chinese farmland and foreign students Reports of burner phones and Air Force One security sweeps Victoria Coates on China, Iran, and global oil leverage Discussion on foreign student enrollment declines at U.S. universities SEO KEYWORDS Trump China summit, Xi Jinping trade deal, Trump oil strategy, China Iran alliance, Boeing China deal, Trump foreign policy, U.S. China tensions, Chinese farmland America, Trump energy policy, Iran oil sanctions, Sean Hannity Trump interview, China trade war, Trump Xi meeting, global oil politics, South Carolina legislature pay raise THUMBNAIL TEXT TRUMP'S CHINA GAMBLE YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION President Trump's latest meeting with Xi Jinping is raising eyebrows across the political world. Publicly, Trump is praising China and pushing massive trade and oil deals. Privately? Reports say staffers used burner phones, swept Air Force One for surveillance devices, and discarded everything handed out by Chinese officials. In this episode, Tara dives into: Trump's strategy with China The real stakes behind oil and trade negotiations Iran, Russia, and global energy leverage Why conservatives are divided over Trump's rhetoric Claims involving election interference and national security The hidden geopolitical battle shaping America's future Is Trump setting up the ultimate economic power play — or walking into a dangerous trap? CHAPTERS 00:00 Trump's China Summit Explained 03:41 Massive Trade Promises & Boeing Skepticism 08:17 Burner Phones & Secret Security Measures 13:42 China, Iran & Global Oil Control 19:28 Trump's Comments on Chinese Students Spark Backlash 25:51 The Real Strategy Behind the Deal 32:40 China's Oil Dependence & U.S. Leverage 39:14 Political Fallout & Conservative Reactions 45:33 South Carolina Legislature Controversy SOCIAL MEDIA POST
CannCon and Chris Paul close out the week with a Friday show built for the big picture. Trump wraps his China summit with Xi, and the White House readout makes no mention of Taiwan, which Chris Paul reads exactly as it should be: the Taiwan crisis is a media fairy tale being dismantled in real time. Xi pledges no weapons to Iran and expresses interest in buying American oil to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. While Trump is in Beijing, CIA director Ratcliffe quietly lands in Havana to meet with Cuban officials and Raul Castro's grandson, with CBS simultaneously reporting the US is moving to indict Raul Castro himself. CannCon maps the Venezuela and Iran regime change playbook onto Cuba and asks if 90-mile-away Cuba is next. The House Oversight Committee subpoenas Arabella Advisors' 1630 Fund over the Chorus Program, which paid social media influencers up to $8,000 a month to push Democrat talking points without disclosure. Chris Paul delivers a precise diagnosis of the Daily Wire's collapse, explaining how the Ben Shapiro network was never a product of real political analysis but of algorithm boosting and paid talking points. Chris then lays out his full theory of Trump's discombobulator strategy, explaining how Trump taking every position forces public opposition that resolves false narratives over time.
As Xi Jinping prepares to host Donald Trump for a delayed summit in Beijing on May 14-15, a lot has changed since the US president's last visit to China in November 2017. Trump's first trade war with China began in earnest the following year, ushering in a new era of trade tensions between the world's two largest economies.While Trump's second trade war raged in 2025, China reported a record trade surplus of US$1.2 trillion. Yes, direct trade with the US fell sharply, but China shifted its focus elsewhere, doubling down on an existing "great reallocation".In this episode, we speak to economist Jiao Wang at the University of Sussex, about how decisions China took over the past two decades meant it was able to protect itself from the worst of Trump's tariff wars.This episode was produced by Mend Mariwany and the executive producer was Gemma Ware. Mixing by Eleanor Brezzi and theme music by Neeta Sarl. Read the full credits for this episode and sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.If you like the show, please consider donating to The Conversation, an independent, not-for-profit news organisation.Supreme Court's tariff decision still leaves a ‘mess' for companies trying to grab refundsWith a shrinking population, China needs new drivers of growth. Consumer spending has yet to fill the gapAmid rising tensions, ‘friendshoring' might keep global trade aliveHave US tariffs failed to bite? China's trade surplus hits a record US$1.2 trillionMentioned in this episode:Voices of the South
From the publisher:"Esteemed presidential historian Stephen F. Knott takes readers on a sobering tour of the lowlights in the American presidency, showing how presidents from Thomas Jefferson to Donald Trump have engaged in reckless conspiracy-mongering about their political opponents in an effort to increase their power and privilege.Today we are inundated with conspiracy theories—QAnon, the “Big Lie,” Pizzagate, the Epstein Files, and innumerable false claims about vaccines and other medicines. But the widespread proliferation of lies and misinformation can make it easy to forget that conspiracy theories have been part of American life from the beginning. The land of the free and the home of the brave has also been the den of false rumors and conspiratorial claims about one's political enemies—not merely by rank-and-file Americans but also by our most powerful and consequential elected leaders. As political historian Stephen F. Knott recounts in painful detail, the Commander in Chief of the United States has often acted as Conspirator in Chief.Part presidential history and part descent into a political Dante's Inferno, Conspirator in Chief is a tour through the Hall of Shame in American politics. Thomas Jefferson used surrogates to spread false claims about Alexander Hamilton in order to destroy his political influence, attacked newspaper editors who were critical of his party and policies, and used conspiracy theories about the Federalists to tarnish them in the eyes of the American people. This brand of demagoguery reached an apex in the presidency of Andrew Jackson, who publicly defamed abolitionists, manipulated newspapers to publish his conspiracies, and spread his own “Big Lie” about the 1824 election being stolen from him in a “corrupt bargain.” Andrew Johnson spread false accusations about the Radical Republicans, declared the need for “white emancipation,” and made spurious claims about the dangers of a coming Black supremacy as a result of Reconstruction. Woodrow Wilson, according to Knott, continued Johnson's racist and conspiratorial interpretation of American history.In addition to our most infamous presidents, Knott uncovers the surprising conspiratorial inclinations of our more esteemed leaders, including Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Harry S Truman. Knott shows how both presidents painted their opponents in an extreme light, casting aspersions on political rivals by calling them “betrayers of America,” “spies, saboteurs, and traitors,” and comparing them to Nazis, fascists, and communists. Less surprising are the presidencies of Richard Nixon and Donald J. Trump, both known for their propagation of racist and paranoid beliefs and their denigration of political opponents. As Knott demonstrates in excruciating detail, Trump epitomizes the worst of this long American tradition. While Trump is in a league of his own regarding the sheer output and outlandishness of his conspiracy-mongering, he did not begin this odious practice."Information on Dr. Knott's book can be found at https://kansaspress.ku.edu/9780700641284/His website can be found at https://www.stephenfknott.com/AxelbankHistory.com is designed by https://www.ellieclairedesigns.com/Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at https://twitter.com/axelbankhistoryhttps://instagram.com/axelbankhistoryhttps://facebook.com/axelbankhistory
White House scare: shots fired—what happened, who’s safe? The Democrat death cult is attacking Americans daily. While Trump was hosting a WH event for Small Business, another psycho lefty was stopped by SS. But not before an innocent person was injured. Find out who. Meanwhile, a rogue judge APOLOGIZED to the WHCD shooter. What? Breaking: America’s Mayor in critical condition—prayers pour in! As Mayor he carried the nation during the darkest time in modern history. And the left targeted him for destruction! Who should be held accountable? MAGA critic & Star Wars star Mark Hamill teams up for Obama library push; May the Fourth be behind us! Who wants to hear from either one of the lefty lunatics as they push for Obama indoctrination center? Texas controversy: taxpayer funded city water park goes full shariah & sparks backlash. “Red state” Texas has gone green for shariah. A water park is hosting a Shariah compliant day at taxpayer’s expense and non-muslims must adhere to Shariah laws. What will they be required to do? How is this constitutional? With guests Bill Walton, The Bill Walton Show , Brian Maloney, Red Wave America & Eric Gumm, Super Nerd Comics.Support Our Mission: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ZMGRBFGDJKRS8See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
**Media Members Will Be 'Sitting Ducks'**While Trump prepares his remarks, insiders express concern for network talent attending the dinner.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
While Trump is indeed a major problem for our society, he is a symptom of a much larger problem ailing us at this time. Always more at dimitrigats.com
Holy wars? President Trump and Pope Leo are verbally sparring over Iran, and over a recent social media post featuring a Christ-like depiction of Trump (who claimed he thought it showed him a s a "doctor."). The post has been removed, but not before it added to the growing backlash. While Trump had broad support among Catholics in the last election, his support is waning dramatically after comments attacking the Pope.
This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Daniel Byman, Tyler McBrien, and Natalie Orpett to talk through aspects of the week's biggest Iran-focused news stories, including:“Situational Iran-y.” The world came into Tuesday evening fearing a major escalation in the ongoing U.S. and Israeli conflict with Iran. But instead, President Trump made a last-minute choice to accept a two-week ceasefire, conditional on the opening of the Strait of Hormuz—a condition that Iran indicated it was prepared to meet, kind of, so long as “open” means coordinating with its military forces (and paying) for safe transit. Is this the beginning of the end of the Iran conflict? And what does the shape of the ceasefire tell us about the conflict's likely regional implications moving forward?“Verbal Iran-y.” Tuesday's breakthrough ceasefire agreement came after days of increasingly outlandish rhetoric by President Trump, including a threat earlier that day that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if his conditions were not met. What role did Trump's threats play in the outcome? And what might the broader ramifications might be of the U.S. president issuing threats that would amount to war crimes (if not genocide) if actually followed up on?“Dramatic Iran-y.” While Trump's rhetoric was undoubtedly intended to communicate strength, it came from a place of increasing weakness. U.S. military operations in Iran were weeks away from a major statutory barrier, and efforts to secure needed supplemental funding are facing headwinds in Congress. Perhaps more importantly, the conflict has proven widely unpopular and devastating for the U.S. and broader global economy—two factors that weigh heavily on Trump and his congressional allies in an election year. What will this shift in the Iran conflict mean for Trump's political future? Not to mention the legal and institutional arrangements that have allowed him to pursue so unorthodox a foreign policy in recent months?In object lessons, Dan is not playing games when simulating the 1960 presidential election. Natalie is delighting in another kind of history with the masterful writing in Claire Messud's “This Strange Eventful History.” Scott is revisiting a 2002 Donald Trump review of “Citizen Kane” that has a somewhat surprising ending. And Tyler is recommending that you watch as much Artemis II content as humanly possible.Note: We're taking a little break next week, but keep an eye out for our next episode on April 23!To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Daniel Byman, Tyler McBrien, and Natalie Orpett to talk through aspects of the week's biggest Iran-focused news stories, including:“Situational Iran-y.” The world came into Tuesday evening fearing a major escalation in the ongoing U.S. and Israeli conflict with Iran. But instead, President Trump made a last-minute choice to accept a two-week ceasefire, conditional on the opening of the Strait of Hormuz—a condition that Iran indicated it was prepared to meet, kind of, so long as “open” means coordinating with its military forces (and paying) for safe transit. Is this the beginning of the end of the Iran conflict? And what does the shape of the ceasefire tell us about the conflict's likely regional implications moving forward?“Verbal Iran-y.” Tuesday's breakthrough ceasefire agreement came after days of increasingly outlandish rhetoric by President Trump, including a threat earlier that day that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if his conditions were not met. What role did Trump's threats play in the outcome? And what might the broader ramifications might be of the U.S. president issuing threats that would amount to war crimes (if not genocide) if actually followed up on?“Dramatic Iran-y.” While Trump's rhetoric was undoubtedly intended to communicate strength, it came from a place of increasing weakness. U.S. military operations in Iran were weeks away from a major statutory barrier, and efforts to secure needed supplemental funding are facing headwinds in Congress. Perhaps more importantly, the conflict has proven widely unpopular and devastating for the U.S. and broader global economy—two factors that weigh heavily on Trump and his congressional allies in an election year. What will this shift in the Iran conflict mean for Trump's political future? Not to mention the legal and institutional arrangements that have allowed him to pursue so unorthodox a foreign policy in recent months?In object lessons, Dan is not playing games when simulating the 1960 presidential election. Natalie is delighting in another kind of history with the masterful writing in Claire Messud's “This Strange Eventful History.” Scott is revisiting a 2002 Donald Trump review of “Citizen Kane” that has a somewhat surprising ending. And Tyler is recommending that you watch as much Artemis II content as humanly possible.Note: We're taking a little break next week, but keep an eye out for our next episode on April 23!To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
While Trump made public statements this week about bringing the war to an end soon, there is significant troop movement in the Middle East suggesting the opposite. There is no telling what comes next, and there is no path to opening up the Strait of Hormuz without a huge escalation. Iran now has control over the Strait and who passes through, benefiting their allies and America's adversaries. Meanwhile higher energy prices won't go away when the war stops and if we get another dose of inflation - which tends to fuel political radicalization - can the centre hold? In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice turn to the NDP and the election of Avi Lewis as the new party leader. He is moving the NDP further left, promising free public grocery stores and transportation. What is the appetite in Canada for this kind of hard-left politics? Can Lewis excite the public with the same energy that propelled Zohran Mamdani to victory in New York City? And are we underestimating the combination of Avi Lewis and his wife Naomi Klein as a powerful political force capable of reworking the NDP into a populist party? Become a Munk Donor ($50 annually) to get 72-hour advanced access to the full length editions of Friday Focus. Go to www.munkdebates.com to sign up.
Last week Fox News decided everything was more important than the war between Israel, the United States and Iran. Although the conflict was still the top topic for the week most of the segments dedicated to it included retired military leaders pontificating on possible next moves for the commander-in-chief.While the PBS News Hour showed massive damage to residential buildings and energy infrastructure in Lebanon, Israel and other countries in the Middle East, Fox News featured war correspondents talking into cameras.Anyone watching Fox News would have no idea that civilian targets in Israel, Iran and Lebanon were hit. The violence in Iran was reduced to the same recycled aerial shots from the start of the conflict.The folks at Fox News appeared delighted that Trump decided to “take a break” from a war he seemed to start on a whim. None of us can truly know Trump's motives for launching the conflict but suddenly the media stopped talking about the ever-worsening scandals surrounding the president and the Epstein files.While Trump's poll numbers plummeted and gasoline prices skyrocketed Fox News was so desperate for distracting content it manufactured a fake outrage campaign against the actress Sydney Sweeney.Fox News claimed progressives were enraged that Sweeney sent well wishes on social media to her brother in the Air Force along with all troops stationed overseas. Any backlash she did receive didn't amount to much except for a reason for Fox News to feature scantily clad photos of her.Most of the negative comments I could find online about Sweeney's post were directed at President Trump or Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu not the actress.The network also hyped-up various crimes committed by undocumented immigrants while Sean Hannity trashed a YouTube children's performer and complained about the horrors of spring break.Another major topic was the government shutdown over DHS funding which Fox presented as a major fiasco caused by Democratic lawmakers even though Republicans control both houses in congress and the White House.In a sign of true desperation the network featured an extended phone interview with the president on its number one rated show – The Five. In a scene out of a dystopian novel Trump face's was plastered on a giant screen near the back of the studio as the hosts spoke to a disembodied voice. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit decodingfoxnews.substack.com/subscribe
Duke gave us a glorious all-time meltdown and UCONN delivered a historic buzzer beater to lead us into the Final Four. While Trump is ruining the world, Jack ran into some old friends on vacation.
President Donald Trump seemed to preemptively attack Supreme Court justices as “stupid” and “dumb”—ignoring a warning from Justice John Roberts about “dangerous” rhetoric—as they prepare to hear oral arguments Wednesday in a landmark case challenging Trump's executive order limiting birthright citizenship. Key Facts The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Wednesday in Trump v. Barbara, a case concerning the legality of Trump's executive order saying babies born in the U.S. cannot be citizens if their parents aren't U.S. citizens or permanent residents themselves. Trump claimed Monday morning the U.S. is “the only Country in the World that dignifies” the topic of birthright citizenship “with even discussion”—which is false—and expressed pessimism the Supreme Court would rule in his favor, after the court previously ruled against his signature tariff policy. Other countries are “laughing at how STUPID our U.S. Court System has become” while taking advantage of U.S. citizenship by birth, Trump claimed on Truth Social, adding, “Dumb Judges and Justices will not a great Country make!” The 14th Amendment grants citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof,” which has long been interpreted as guaranteeing citizenship by birth in nearly all cases, except for children of foreign diplomats or enemy soldiers. The Trump administration has adopted a novel legal theory claiming children of undocumented immigrants or temporary U.S. residents are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the U.S., with Trump's executive order stating children born in the U.S. are not citizens unless at least one of their parents is a citizen or permanent resident at the time of their birth. Parents and children impacted by the decision, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, have challenged the order in court, arguing it's unlawful and the court should affirm the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to children even when their parents aren't permanent residents or citizens. What To Watch For The court will hear oral arguments Wednesday in the birthright citizenship case and issue a ruling in the coming months, sometime before the court's term ends in late June. Trump's order limiting birthright citizenship is not in effect while the court is deliberating, meaning babies born in the U.S. to temporary or undocumented immigrants will still be granted citizenship at least until the court rules. Big Number 255,000. That's the approximate number of babies who would be affected by Trump's executive order each year if it takes effect, according to the Migration Policy Institute and Penn State's Population Research Institute. Surprising Fact Trump's order limiting birthright citizenship is part of the president's broader crackdown on undocumented immigration. If it takes effect, the Migration Policy Institute projects the number of undocumented immigrants would significantly increase, however, estimating there would be an additional 2.7 million by 2045 and 5.4 million by 2075. Do Other Countries Have Birthright Citizenship? Yes. While Trump has claimed birthright citizenship is unique to the U.S., nearly 40 other countries have policies guaranteeing citizenship to people who are born there. Countries with birthright citizenship policies are largely concentrated in North, Central and South America and include Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Canada, Ecuador, Mexico, Pakistan and Venezuela, among others. Read the full story on Forbes: ByAlison Durkee https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2026/03/30/trump-slams-stupid-supreme-court-ahead-of-birthright-citizenship-case/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this week's Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick checks in with Protect Democracy co-founder Ian Bassin about the United States' speedy retreat from democracy, and how lawyers seeking to protect the constitution are adapting their strategies for Trump 2.0. While Trump's second term is following an authoritarian playbook, some courts are acting as speed bumps, while others (we're looking at you, SCOTUS), are increasingly pickled in right-wing brine. The velocity of America's descent into illiberalism is startling and dangerous, but Bassin argues it is also potentially self-defeating, thanks to Trump's historic unpopularity that is growing faster than his ability to consolidate power. The two discuss Protect Democracy's shift from a litigation-heavy strategy to combining court fights with coalition-building, and Ian outlines threats to the 2026 elections—“deceive, disrupt, deny”—including efforts like the SAVE Act and why the President's decision to deploy ICE to stand around in airports around the country is a clear effort to normalize their presence at polling places in November. But he also stresses that overwhelming participation and public organizing are the ultimate backstops if election results are contested.Suggested reading: protectdemocracy.org/executive-override/Want more Amicus? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes with exclusive legal analysis. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Amicus show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/amicusplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this week's Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick checks in with Protect Democracy co-founder Ian Bassin about the United States' speedy retreat from democracy, and how lawyers seeking to protect the constitution are adapting their strategies for Trump 2.0. While Trump's second term is following an authoritarian playbook, some courts are acting as speed bumps, while others (we're looking at you, SCOTUS), are increasingly pickled in right-wing brine. The velocity of America's descent into illiberalism is startling and dangerous, but Bassin argues it is also potentially self-defeating, thanks to Trump's historic unpopularity that is growing faster than his ability to consolidate power. The two discuss Protect Democracy's shift from a litigation-heavy strategy to combining court fights with coalition-building, and Ian outlines threats to the 2026 elections—“deceive, disrupt, deny”—including efforts like the SAVE Act and why the President's decision to deploy ICE to stand around in airports around the country is a clear effort to normalize their presence at polling places in November. But he also stresses that overwhelming participation and public organizing are the ultimate backstops if election results are contested.Suggested reading: protectdemocracy.org/executive-override/Want more Amicus? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes with exclusive legal analysis. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Amicus show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/amicusplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this week's Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick checks in with Protect Democracy co-founder Ian Bassin about the United States' speedy retreat from democracy, and how lawyers seeking to protect the constitution are adapting their strategies for Trump 2.0. While Trump's second term is following an authoritarian playbook, some courts are acting as speed bumps, while others (we're looking at you, SCOTUS), are increasingly pickled in right-wing brine. The velocity of America's descent into illiberalism is startling and dangerous, but Bassin argues it is also potentially self-defeating, thanks to Trump's historic unpopularity that is growing faster than his ability to consolidate power. The two discuss Protect Democracy's shift from a litigation-heavy strategy to combining court fights with coalition-building, and Ian outlines threats to the 2026 elections—“deceive, disrupt, deny”—including efforts like the SAVE Act and why the President's decision to deploy ICE to stand around in airports around the country is a clear effort to normalize their presence at polling places in November. But he also stresses that overwhelming participation and public organizing are the ultimate backstops if election results are contested.Suggested reading: protectdemocracy.org/executive-override/Want more Amicus? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes with exclusive legal analysis. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Amicus show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/amicusplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As the Trump administration makes a bid to hire more young people in the federal government via the Tech Force, the leader of the Office of Personnel Management told lawmakers he doesn't believe stability is the biggest draw for the next generation. Director Scott Kupor told lawmakers on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government at a Wednesday oversight hearing that he doesn't “think young people actually think about 40-year careers. I think they think about small increments.” Kupor said that's why the Tech Force — the administration's program to fill federal tech vacancies with early career workers — was designed to be two years. He later stated that he doesn't “think stability for young people is the most compelling message.” The comments arose in an exchange between Kupor and Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., the ranking member of the subcommittee, about the message that OPM is sending to attract younger people to the federal government. The technology industry is heavily represented in President Donald Trump's first list of appointees to restock a White House science and tech advisory panel. Among the 13 appointees to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) were Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, Oracle's Larry Ellison, Google's Sergey Brin, and Nvidia's Jensen Huang. That panel will be co-chaired by David Sacks, Trump's AI and crypto czar, and Michael Kratsios, director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.The PCAST has been around for decades as a way for the White House to receive feedback from scientists, engineers, technologists, and representatives from the private sector. While Trump announced the re-establishment of the council via executive order in January 2025, there hadn't yet been details on its membership. In addition to the Wednesday list, the White House said it expects to announce more appointees “in the near future along with information about the Council's first meeting.” The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.
Russia is actively sharing satellite imagery and upgraded Shahed drone technology with Iran, helping Iranian forces more effectively target US military assets in the region. While Trump continues his deference to Vladimir Putin, the US has eased sanctions on Russian oil sales to compensate for the Hormuz closure, inadvertently funneling an estimated $150 million per day into Russia's war economy in Ukraine. Iran's response has been deliberate and decentralized, striking Gulf civilian infrastructure including airports, hotels, and energy facilities. Real estate values in Dubai have reportedly dropped 30%. Iran still holds roughly 72,000 unused Shahed drones and hypersonic ballistic missiles largely untouched. A senior Iranian official stated the regime intends to sustain this conflict through the 2026 midterm elections. Israel has mobilized 450,000 reservists, is pushing into Lebanon, and Israeli military leaders are planning operations through April 2027. The resignation letter of the counterterrorism director, a handpicked MAGA appointee, acknowledged the US was deceived into entering this war. SUPPORT & CONNECT WITH HAWK- Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mdg650hawk - Hawk's Merch Store: https://hawkmerchstore.com - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mdg650hawk7thacct - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hawkeyewhackamole - Connect on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mdg650hawk.bsky.social - Connect on Substack: https://mdg650hawk.substack.com - Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hawkpodcasts - Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdg650hawk - Connect on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mdg650hawk ALL HAWK PODCASTS INFO- Additional Content Available Here: https://www.hawkpodcasts.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@hawkpodcasts- Listen to Hawk Podcasts On Your Favorite Platform:Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3RWeJfyApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/422GDuLYouTube: https://youtube.com/@hawkpodcastsiHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/47vVBdPPandora: https://bit.ly/48COaTB
Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles take us inside the mysterious world of Susie Wiles—the quiet, rarely seen chief of staff who may be the most powerful person in Donald Trump's orbit. While Trump famously trusts no one and burns through aides at lightning speed, Wiles has not only survived but brought an unexpected level of discipline to the chaos of Trump World. Wolff reveals how the Florida political operative who Trump once dismissed as “a refrigerator” quietly outmaneuvered rivals, crushed Ron DeSantis, and built a White House operation designed around one simple rule: never try to control Donald Trump. From her unusual strategy of staying out of the spotlight to the psychological tactics she uses to handle a president who refuses bad news, the episode uncovers the secrets behind the grandmother who may be the most important—and least visible—figure in the Trump administration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this solo episode of the Explaining History Podcast, I step back from the daily news cycle to offer a comprehensive analysis of where we stand in the unfolding crisis with Iran—and what it tells us about the state of American power in the twenty-first century.What began as what Donald Trump apparently imagined would be a 48-hour spectacular—a Venezuela-style "regime change" moment complete with TV-friendly images of military might—has rapidly escalated into something far more dangerous. The escalation ladder that took years in Vietnam is being condensed into days, and with none of the strategic thinking that accompanied even the most flawed of America's previous interventions.I examine the chaotic decision-making behind the current conflict. Trump, advised by Netanyahu, Jared Kushner, and Steve Witkoff, launched this war with virtually no understanding of Iran—its capabilities, its politics, or the strength of its nationalist sentiment. The result is that every conceivable objective the US might have had is now moving into reverse.The role of Israel is crucial here. While Trump appears to be looking for a quick exit, Israel's interests lie in weakening Iran for a generation—perhaps even in triggering an inter-communal civil war. The gap between American and Israeli objectives is widening, and Trump seems genuinely surprised that a war doesn't simply end when he declares it over.I also explore the deeper historical context: Iran's experience of quasi-colonization, the long shadow of the 1953 CIA-backed coup, and the return of Reza Pahlavi making embarrassingly explicit offers to sell Iran's oil in exchange for power. The global south watches these dynamics with knowing eyes—regime change has never been about democracy, but about installing client figures who will open the country to Wall Street exploitation.Then there's the question of American military capacity. The industrial base that won World War II is gone, outsourced and mothballed during the neoliberal era. The social contract required to ask—or compel—Americans to fight for an oligarchic class is broken. And Iran has abundant missiles, cheap drones, and the ability to shut down the Persian Gulf.What comes next? I see a future where America's strategic position in the Gulf states is fatally weakened, where shipping becomes consistently vulnerable, and where China emerges as the direct beneficiary. If America cuts and runs, it leaves Israel to face Iran alone—and of the two nuclear powers, it's Israel I'd be more worried about deploying that option.This is the flailing moment of a dying imperium. Not strength, but insecurity and panic. Not strategy, but spectacle. And the consequences will reverberate for decades.Topics covered:Trump's decision-making and the role of Netanyahu, Kushner, and WitkoffThe gap between American and Israeli objectivesIran's military capabilities and nationalist sentimentThe 1953 coup and the history of US interventionReza Pahlavi's embarrassing offer to sell Iran's oilAmerica's lost industrial base and broken social contractThe "escalation ladder" from Vietnam to IranChina's potential role as beneficiaryNuclear risks and the Israel factorI also announce important changes to the podcast's platform. Due to ongoing difficulties with Patreon, we will be migrating to Substack in the coming weeks. If you're a current Patreon supporter, please download any content you wish to keep. I'll provide more details soon. The move will allow me to create a curated news feed with video clips, exclusive deep dives, and ad-free podcasts—at the same price.Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
While Trump is prayed over in the Oval Office, senior GOP leaders like Marco Rubio and Mike Johnson are framing the war on Iran as a holy crusade , and military commanders are already telling troops this is Armageddon. Dina Doll reports. Lola Blankets: Get 40% off your entire order at https://LolaBlankets.com by using code: MISSTRIAL at checkout. 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 Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show The Ken Harbaugh Show: https://meidasnews.com/tag/the-ken-harbaugh-show Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered
A range of AI use cases — from coding assistance to workflow automation — face alteration or retirement as federal agencies work to comply with a Trump administration directive to remove Anthropic tools from their systems within the next six months. The recent clash between the Claude maker and President Donald Trump comes after federal officials have spent years building up AI capabilities in government, including tools from Anthropic. Now, a growing list of agencies are immediately dropping use of those services, and in some cases, replacing it with other providers. In recent days, the Department of Treasury, the Office of Personnel Management, NASA, and the International Trade Administration all indicated to FedScoop they have stopped or plan to stop using Anthropic technologies in the wake of the ban announced via Truth Social. That adds to previous statements and internal communications at the Department of Health and Human Services, the State Department, and the General Services Administration. Trump's directive is the result of an escalated disagreement between Anthropic and the Department of Defense over how the technology should be used. While Trump accused Anthropic in his social media statement of attempting to “strong-arm” the DOD with its terms of service, CEO Dario Amodei said the company simply wanted to maintain safeguards to ensure that its technology would not be used in mass surveillance or fully autonomous weapons. The Secret Service is gearing up to launch what CIO and Chief AI Officer Chris Kraft is calling a new AI Program, which will act as a working group that comes in and helps IT teams. Kraft told FedScoop at Secret Service headquarters Wednesday in Washington, D.C., that the group will consist of 10 members initially and will also be tasked with identifying areas of opportunity to implement AI and other emerging technologies. Kraft said that “having that internal expertise, I believe, will be really transformational for us.” The Secret Service already uses AI technologies for license plate identification, facial recognition and other threat analysis. The AI group will focus on iterating existing use cases, as well as others like expanding counterfeit currency identification. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.
In the midst of Ramadan, when many are reflecting, fasting, and seeking peace, the world seems to be spiraling into chaos. The United States, under President Trump's administration, has plunged into an unchecked military operation against Iran, leaving many to question the motives and repercussions of this sudden escalation. The crux of the conversation centers around President Trump's declaration of war on Iran. This act not only challenges the legalities of war, which traditionally require Congressional approval, but also the moral compass of a nation deeply divided in ideology. Republicans and Democrats, typically at odds, find themselves split over this unilateral action. While Trump supporters defend the administration, often contradicting themselves over past narratives about war, progressive voices call for accountability, pointing out the stark hypocrisy in American politics. This Week In White Supremacy continues to provide a platform for insightful and critical discussions, balancing humor, and seriousness to tackle pertinent cultural and political issues. 1HOOD's vibrant conversations serve to enlighten and engage audiences, encouraging broader awareness and action against injustice. Join them next week as they continue to expose white supremacy and advocate for a more equitable society for all people.--To help us build liberated communities through arts, education, and social justice visit our website 1hood.org to purchase your official 1HOOD apparel or consider making a tax-deductible donation to 1Hood Media. --WATCH THE SHOW: youtube.com/@twiws--FOLLOW 1HOOD youtube.com/@1hoodfacebook.com/1hoodmediainstagram.com/1hoodmediax.com/1hood--DISCLAIMERS: The views and opinions expressed during this presentation are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of 1Hood Media, 1Hood Power, and or its affiliates. We do not own the copyrights to the selected songs, audios and/or videos shared in this broadcast. This Week In White Supremacy is brought to you by the 1HOOD Media NetworkExplicit LanguageParental Discretion is AdvisedTV-MA Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The launch of Operation Epic Fury against Iran by the U.S. and Israel marks the beginning of what President Trump hopes is the end of the regime in Tehran and its nuclear program. While Trump is calling on Iranians to take control of the government, Iran is hitting back with a barrage of missiles and drones targeted at Israel and U.S. bases across the Middle East. The strikes risk sparking a wider conflict in one of the world's most economically important regions. In this special episode of What's News Sunday, host Luke Vargas is joined by WSJ national-security reporter Alex Ward and WSJ Middle East correspondent Jared Malsin to discuss the strikes, Iran's response and the political debate taking shape in Washington. Follow the Journal's live coverage on wsj.com. Further Reading: Trump Rolls the Dice on Regime Change Who's Who in the Iranian Regime Why Did U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks Fail? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hawk watched Donald Trump's State of the Union address on February 24, 2026, then watched the Democratic response delivered by Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, and came away far angrier at the Democrats than at Trump. While Trump's behavior was predictable, the Democratic response was scripted, sanitized, and shockingly silent on the most damning facts about a convicted felon, adjudicated rapist, and fraudster who was indicted 91 times across four jurisdictions, convicted on 34 felony counts for interfering with the 2016 election, incited the January 6th insurrection, and whose company was convicted of 17 fraud-related felonies. Spanberger never said the words convicted felon, rapist, fraudster, fascist, authoritarian, or genocide. She did not mention Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, or the ICE killings of Renee Good, Alex Prey, or Keith Porter. She did not call Trump a liar. She did not mention that he pardoned January 6th insurrectionists, ignored the Constitution, or is dismantling democracy. Meanwhile, Raphael Warnock, when given time on air, immediately named Epstein, called out the administration's wickedness, and spoke to the transfer of wealth from the bottom 75% to the top 1%. Hawk argues Warnock, or the young Somali woman from Minneapolis who spoke plainly about racism and murder, should have delivered the response instead. Congressman Al Green was physically removed from the House floor for holding a sign reading "Black people are not apes," while Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer, and every other Democrat sat silent. Hawk also points to the DNC's own post-2024 autopsy confirming that Democratic support for Israel's actions in Gaza cost them the election, yet Democrats continue accepting millions from AIPAC and J Street. SUPPORT & CONNECT WITH HAWK- Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mdg650hawk - Hawk's Merch Store: https://hawkmerchstore.com - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mdg650hawk7thacct - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hawkeyewhackamole - Connect on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mdg650hawk.bsky.social - Connect on Substack: https://mdg650hawk.substack.com - Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hawkpodcasts - Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdg650hawk - Connect on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mdg650hawk ALL HAWK PODCASTS INFO- Additional Content Available Here: https://www.hawkpodcasts.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@hawkpodcasts- Listen to Hawk Podcasts On Your Favorite Platform:Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3RWeJfyApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/422GDuLYouTube: https://youtube.com/@hawkpodcastsiHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/47vVBdPPandora: https://bit.ly/48COaTB
The New York Times has reported that Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein shared a much closer relationship in the late 1980s through the 1990s and early 2000s than Trump has publicly acknowledged. According to the Times, Epstein described Trump as his “best friend,” and the two socialized frequently at parties, spoke often by phone, and were part of the same high-society circles, particularly bonding over women. Epstein's former employees told the Times that Trump often discussed sex with him rather than business, and Epstein was described as Trump's “most reliable wingman” in that era. While Trump has denied involvement in Epstein's criminal conduct, the Times cited newly released emails and interviews suggesting Trump was aware of Epstein's sexual abuse of girls, though no evidence has surfaced that Trump was directly involved in those crimes.The reporting also highlighted specific incidents and firsthand accounts that paint a picture of their social interactions: Epstein introduced several women to Trump, including at least one who was a minor at the time, and an email referenced Epstein “giving” Trump a 20-year-old woman. Former employees recounted Trump sending modeling cards to Epstein “like a menu,” and one woman's story described Epstein directing her to social events where Trump was present. Although Trump and Epstein's friendship reportedly soured by the mid-2000s, and Trump has repeatedly sought to distance himself from Epstein—saying they had a falling-out long before Epstein's legal troubles—the Times reporting underscores a deeper and more personal connection than Trump has acknowledged.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/us/jeffrey-epstein-donald-trump.html
The New York Times has reported that Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein shared a much closer relationship in the late 1980s through the 1990s and early 2000s than Trump has publicly acknowledged. According to the Times, Epstein described Trump as his “best friend,” and the two socialized frequently at parties, spoke often by phone, and were part of the same high-society circles, particularly bonding over women. Epstein's former employees told the Times that Trump often discussed sex with him rather than business, and Epstein was described as Trump's “most reliable wingman” in that era. While Trump has denied involvement in Epstein's criminal conduct, the Times cited newly released emails and interviews suggesting Trump was aware of Epstein's sexual abuse of girls, though no evidence has surfaced that Trump was directly involved in those crimes.The reporting also highlighted specific incidents and firsthand accounts that paint a picture of their social interactions: Epstein introduced several women to Trump, including at least one who was a minor at the time, and an email referenced Epstein “giving” Trump a 20-year-old woman. Former employees recounted Trump sending modeling cards to Epstein “like a menu,” and one woman's story described Epstein directing her to social events where Trump was present. Although Trump and Epstein's friendship reportedly soured by the mid-2000s, and Trump has repeatedly sought to distance himself from Epstein—saying they had a falling-out long before Epstein's legal troubles—the Times reporting underscores a deeper and more personal connection than Trump has acknowledged.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/us/jeffrey-epstein-donald-trump.htmlBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump’s tariff policies suffered their strongest political blow yet with the Republican-led US House passing legislation aimed at ending the president’s levies on Canadian imports. Wednesday’s vote represents an increase in political pressure to change course on Trump’s signature economic policy just months before the midterm elections, including by forcing swing-district Republicans affected by the tariffs to weigh when or if to cross the president by voting against his agenda. The vote also signals a growing anxiety over the White House’s economic agenda before elections that are expected to focus heavily on affordability. Democrats were quick to attack the Republicans who voted to protect the tariffs, blaming them for shielding policies that increase the cost of living for their voters. While Trump is almost certain to veto any bill calling for a repeal of his tariff agenda, making it unlikely the measure will ever become law, defections from six Republicans alongside opposition from nearly all Democrats underscore his increasingly tenuous hold on the narrow House majority.2) Republicans advanced voter ID legislation over the opposition of most Democrats Wednesday as House GOP leaders seek to convince their Senate counterparts to muscle through the bill. Conservatives are touting the measure, which the House passed by 218-213, as necessary to beef up election security ahead of the November midterms and 2028 presidential race. Most Democrats oppose the legislation, dubbed the SAVE America Act, and argue it would amount to voter suppression, especially for marginalized groups. The bill faces steep obstacles in the Senate, where GOP leaders would need 60 votes to overcome the legislative filibuster. House Republicans are urging Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to change Senate rules to advance the bill, but the measure’s House backers are also looking at opportunities to tack it onto must-pass bills.3) Democratic lawmakers accused Attorney General Pam Bondi of using the US Justice Department to target enemies of President Donald Trump and bungling the release of files on disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein during a fiery hearing Wednesday. “You’ve turned the people’s Department of Justice into Trump’s instrument of revenge,” said Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee in Washington. “Trump orders up prosecutions like pizza. And you deliver every time.” Raskin cited Justice Department probes of former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James and six members of Congress who recorded a video urging military service members to refuse unlawful orders. Prosecutors failed to get grand jury indictments of Comey and James, and the New York Times reported Tuesday that the department also failed to secure indictments of the lawmakers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
You're listening to American Ground Radio with Stephen Parr and Louis R. Avallone. This is the full show for February 5, 2026. 0:30 We dig into Trump’s underappreciated strategy of political misdirection, starting with the infamous Greenland proposal and pivoting to a far more serious — and far less mocked — possibility: Alberta. As media elites rolled their eyes, were quiet conversations happening behind the scenes with Canadian separatists from the energy-rich province of Alberta? With U.S.–Canada relations already strained by tariffs, trade wars, and Trump’s “51st state” trolling, the discussion explores Alberta’s growing independence movement, its economic dominance within Canada, and whether sovereignty — or even alignment with the United States — is legally and politically plausible. Is this about energy, geography, national defense, or leverage on the global stage? And was Greenland ever the real story at all? 9:30 Plus, we cover the Top 3 Things You Need to Know. President Trump is announcing the launch of a new website tonight designed to help people get prescription drugs at a lower cost. A self described ANTIFA leader was arrested this week for threatening to kill ICE Agents. The State of Missouri is suing the Federal Government over how it counts people in the Census. 12:30 Get TrimROX from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20. 13:00 An anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis crossed a dangerous line, and now there are serious consequences. We break down the arrest of Elizabeth Rose, a 42-year-old activist charged with assaulting federal agents after allegedly ramming an ICE vehicle. As vehicle attacks against ICE officers surge nationwide — with DHS data showing hundreds of incidents across the country — the conversation shifts from protest and free speech to violence, enforcement, and the rule of law. When does activism stop being protected speech and become a felony? Using a car as a weapon against federal law enforcement isn’t civil disobedience — it’s assault, and it can be deadly. 16:00 Is it sexist to think of Michelle Obama as Barack Obama’s wife — or is that just reality?American Mamas Teri Netterville and Kimberly Burleson weigh in on Michelle Obama’s recent comments claiming she was reduced to “just the president’s wife,” despite her elite education and career. Drawing on their own experiences being proudly known by family ties, the conversation challenges the modern idea that being identified through a spouse is somehow degrading. From Harvard Law and bestseller book deals to White House privilege, therapy disclosures, and public criticism of Barack Obama, we contrast Michelle Obama with past First Ladies like Nancy Reagan and asks a blunt question: when does empowerment turn into entitlement? If you'd like to ask our American Mamas a question, go to our website, AmericanGroundRadio.com/mamas and click on the Ask the Mamas button. 23:00 A devastating crash in Indiana reignites a furious national debate over illegal immigration, public safety, and who is being put at risk on America’s highways. We react to reports that an illegal over-the-road truck driver was involved in a crash that killed a father and his three sons — yet another tragedy that could have been prevented. The discussion zeroes in on states accused of looking the other way by issuing commercial licenses to illegal immigrants, the role of lax enforcement and open-border policies, and why 40-ton 18-wheelers become deadly weapons in the wrong hands. With pointed criticism of the Biden administration and state leaders, we ask a blunt question: if someone isn’t legally allowed to be in the country, why are they allowed to drive across it? 25:30 America’s biggest cities are sitting on a financial time bomb, and the numbers are staggering. We Dig Deep into a new Truth in Accounting report that examines the true fiscal health of New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Philadelphia — factoring in debts, assets, and massive unfunded pension liabilities. The result: every one of these Democrat-run cities carries a crushing taxpayer burden, with residents on the hook for anywhere from $1,300 in Los Angeles to a jaw-dropping $61,700 per person in New York City. The conversation zeroes in on runaway spending, backroom union deals, unfunded pensions, and the assumption that federal bailouts will always save the day. With strong-mayor systems, one-party rule, and governing by ideology instead of math, fiscal reality always wins. From Chicago’s $42,600 per-person debt to warnings that New Orleans may be next, how long can America’s largest cities ignore the numbers before bankruptcy becomes unavoidable? 32:30 As the search continues for Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother, new and troubling details emerge. We discuss reports that law enforcement has arrested an individual for allegedly creating a fake ransom notice, even as authorities say they still have no identified suspect in the disappearance of the 84-year-old woman. The conversation turns to an unexpected development: President Donald Trump directing federal law enforcement to assist Guthrie’s family, setting politics aside during a deeply human crisis. Despite years of tension between Trump and NBC News, this moment complicates the media’s usual narrative — and underscores the seriousness with which the federal government is treating the case. 35:30 President Donald Trump used the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. to deliver a message rarely heard from modern presidents — and to announce a major faith-centered event on the National Mall this May. We highlight Trump’s call to rededicate America as “one nation under God." Drawing from the Declaration of Independence, George Washington’s warnings, and the idea that rights come from God — not government — the discussion explores faith, gratitude, and moral accountability in leadership. While Trump veered off script to criticize Democrats, the bigger story is a president openly invoking God, religion, and America’s founding principles in the public square. 39:30 New York City’s new mayor is already under fire — and now Washington is stepping in. We break down how Mayor Zohran Mamdani moved quickly after taking office to nullify multiple pro-Israel executive orders signed by former Mayor Eric Adams, quietly reshaping how the city defines antisemitism and positions itself toward Israel. That decision has triggered a U.S. Senate committee investigation, led in part by Senator Bill Cassidy, who warns that antisemitism in New York is not theoretical but a daily reality for millions of Jewish residents. With billions in federal funding potentially on the line, the discussion zeroes in on whether New York City will tolerate antisemitism — and what it means for the city with the largest Jewish population outside of Israel. Articles Trump launches discount drug platform: What to know Missouri AG sues over counting of illegal aliens in census A new measure of issue polarization using k-means clustering: US trends 1988–2024 and predictors of polarization across the world "Since 1988, polarization in the US has been overwhelmingly due to the Left moving leftward, while the Right has basically stayed the same. This is according to a new analysis using k-means clustering, which measures actual positions instead of self-labels." Financial State of the Cities 2026 Report: 5 largest U.S. cities don’t have enough money to pay bills Trump Vows To Rededicate America As One Nation Under God Follow us: americangroundradio.com Facebook: facebook.com / AmericanGroundRadio Instagram: instagram.com/americangroundradioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Did Trump just cave to the Radical Left—or are we missing the bigger picture?In today's episode, Drew vents his frustration and asks the uncomfortable question: What does it matter if we beat our enemies abroad if we're losing to leftists at home? Trump sends a carrier strike group toward Iran, pressures Canada's Prime Minister Carney to rethink cozying up to China, and negotiates hard with NATO over Greenland—clear wins on the global stage.But then comes Minneapolis. While Trump scores victories internationally, chaos and radical left ideology continue to dominate at home. Is this a strategic tradeoff—or a dangerous blind spot? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drewallen.substack.com/subscribe
SEND ME A TEXT MESSAGE NOWIn this episode, I'm talking about Crazy Donald Trump and a moment that feels unstable in ways we can no longer pretend are normal. From the movement of U.S. warships toward Iran to the language coming directly out of Trump's mouth, the contradictions are piling up fast.What he says publicly does not line up with the risks being created, and that gap is starting to matter in real time.I connect Trump's foreign posturing with what is happening inside the United States, where ICE is increasingly acting as if constitutional limits do not apply to them. While Trump lectures other countries about how they treat protesters, his own administration is carrying out aggressive raids and home entries that raise serious Fourth Amendment questions.That hypocrisy is not abstract. It has consequences, and it changes how dangerous miscalculation becomes.I also get into why Jack Smith's warning to Congress should stop people cold. When a career prosecutor who led the January 6 investigation says democracy is in jeopardy, that is not politics or opinion.It is a statement about what happens when elections are undermined, courts are attacked, and accountability is reframed as persecution. Systems like this do not collapse all at once. They weaken until they suddenly fail.I close by confronting what it means when the government starts treating judges as optional and power as self authorizing. When ICE relies on internal paperwork instead of judicial warrants, it crosses a line that does not stay confined to one group of people.This episode is about recognizing that moment while it is happening, not after the damage is already done.I talked about the major financial upheaval that my girlfriend and I are going through.If you can, and you would like to help…Support link Herehttps://gofund.me/18cf67fe4AWorldGoneMadPodcast@gmail.com
Today, Les, Jamil, Morgan, and Jess discuss Greenland as President Trump arrives at the World Economic Forum in Davos and once again places the Arctic island at the center of global attention. While Trump's rhetoric has sparked backlash across Europe, the debate raises serious strategic questions: Greenland's growing importance to U.S. national security, its role in Arctic defense, and why Washington has sought greater influence over the territory for more than a century.Should we be wringing our hands or rending our garments over the Kerfuffle with Europe? Does the United States have a legitimate national security interest in Greenland, and if so, what's the right way to pursue it without fracturing NATO unity? How should Washington balance pressure with reassurance to allies already rattled by the war in Ukraine? And as Trump enters his second year in office, what does the Greenland debate tell us about how this administration plans to wield power going forward?@lestermunson@jamil_n_jaffer@morganlroach@NotTVJessJonesLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/RTw7qRU1Z6U Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The New York Times has reported that Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein shared a much closer relationship in the late 1980s through the 1990s and early 2000s than Trump has publicly acknowledged. According to the Times, Epstein described Trump as his “best friend,” and the two socialized frequently at parties, spoke often by phone, and were part of the same high-society circles, particularly bonding over women. Epstein's former employees told the Times that Trump often discussed sex with him rather than business, and Epstein was described as Trump's “most reliable wingman” in that era. While Trump has denied involvement in Epstein's criminal conduct, the Times cited newly released emails and interviews suggesting Trump was aware of Epstein's sexual abuse of girls, though no evidence has surfaced that Trump was directly involved in those crimes.The reporting also highlighted specific incidents and firsthand accounts that paint a picture of their social interactions: Epstein introduced several women to Trump, including at least one who was a minor at the time, and an email referenced Epstein “giving” Trump a 20-year-old woman. Former employees recounted Trump sending modeling cards to Epstein “like a menu,” and one woman's story described Epstein directing her to social events where Trump was present. Although Trump and Epstein's friendship reportedly soured by the mid-2000s, and Trump has repeatedly sought to distance himself from Epstein—saying they had a falling-out long before Epstein's legal troubles—the Times reporting underscores a deeper and more personal connection than Trump has acknowledged.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/us/jeffrey-epstein-donald-trump.html
The New York Times has reported that Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein shared a much closer relationship in the late 1980s through the 1990s and early 2000s than Trump has publicly acknowledged. According to the Times, Epstein described Trump as his “best friend,” and the two socialized frequently at parties, spoke often by phone, and were part of the same high-society circles, particularly bonding over women. Epstein's former employees told the Times that Trump often discussed sex with him rather than business, and Epstein was described as Trump's “most reliable wingman” in that era. While Trump has denied involvement in Epstein's criminal conduct, the Times cited newly released emails and interviews suggesting Trump was aware of Epstein's sexual abuse of girls, though no evidence has surfaced that Trump was directly involved in those crimes.The reporting also highlighted specific incidents and firsthand accounts that paint a picture of their social interactions: Epstein introduced several women to Trump, including at least one who was a minor at the time, and an email referenced Epstein “giving” Trump a 20-year-old woman. Former employees recounted Trump sending modeling cards to Epstein “like a menu,” and one woman's story described Epstein directing her to social events where Trump was present. Although Trump and Epstein's friendship reportedly soured by the mid-2000s, and Trump has repeatedly sought to distance himself from Epstein—saying they had a falling-out long before Epstein's legal troubles—the Times reporting underscores a deeper and more personal connection than Trump has acknowledged.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/us/jeffrey-epstein-donald-trump.html
The New York Times has reported that Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein shared a much closer relationship in the late 1980s through the 1990s and early 2000s than Trump has publicly acknowledged. According to the Times, Epstein described Trump as his “best friend,” and the two socialized frequently at parties, spoke often by phone, and were part of the same high-society circles, particularly bonding over women. Epstein's former employees told the Times that Trump often discussed sex with him rather than business, and Epstein was described as Trump's “most reliable wingman” in that era. While Trump has denied involvement in Epstein's criminal conduct, the Times cited newly released emails and interviews suggesting Trump was aware of Epstein's sexual abuse of girls, though no evidence has surfaced that Trump was directly involved in those crimes.The reporting also highlighted specific incidents and firsthand accounts that paint a picture of their social interactions: Epstein introduced several women to Trump, including at least one who was a minor at the time, and an email referenced Epstein “giving” Trump a 20-year-old woman. Former employees recounted Trump sending modeling cards to Epstein “like a menu,” and one woman's story described Epstein directing her to social events where Trump was present. Although Trump and Epstein's friendship reportedly soured by the mid-2000s, and Trump has repeatedly sought to distance himself from Epstein—saying they had a falling-out long before Epstein's legal troubles—the Times reporting underscores a deeper and more personal connection than Trump has acknowledged.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/us/jeffrey-epstein-donald-trump.html
The New York Times has reported that Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein shared a much closer relationship in the late 1980s through the 1990s and early 2000s than Trump has publicly acknowledged. According to the Times, Epstein described Trump as his “best friend,” and the two socialized frequently at parties, spoke often by phone, and were part of the same high-society circles, particularly bonding over women. Epstein's former employees told the Times that Trump often discussed sex with him rather than business, and Epstein was described as Trump's “most reliable wingman” in that era. While Trump has denied involvement in Epstein's criminal conduct, the Times cited newly released emails and interviews suggesting Trump was aware of Epstein's sexual abuse of girls, though no evidence has surfaced that Trump was directly involved in those crimes.The reporting also highlighted specific incidents and firsthand accounts that paint a picture of their social interactions: Epstein introduced several women to Trump, including at least one who was a minor at the time, and an email referenced Epstein “giving” Trump a 20-year-old woman. Former employees recounted Trump sending modeling cards to Epstein “like a menu,” and one woman's story described Epstein directing her to social events where Trump was present. Although Trump and Epstein's friendship reportedly soured by the mid-2000s, and Trump has repeatedly sought to distance himself from Epstein—saying they had a falling-out long before Epstein's legal troubles—the Times reporting underscores a deeper and more personal connection than Trump has acknowledged.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/us/jeffrey-epstein-donald-trump.htmlBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
The New York Times has reported that Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein shared a much closer relationship in the late 1980s through the 1990s and early 2000s than Trump has publicly acknowledged. According to the Times, Epstein described Trump as his “best friend,” and the two socialized frequently at parties, spoke often by phone, and were part of the same high-society circles, particularly bonding over women. Epstein's former employees told the Times that Trump often discussed sex with him rather than business, and Epstein was described as Trump's “most reliable wingman” in that era. While Trump has denied involvement in Epstein's criminal conduct, the Times cited newly released emails and interviews suggesting Trump was aware of Epstein's sexual abuse of girls, though no evidence has surfaced that Trump was directly involved in those crimes.The reporting also highlighted specific incidents and firsthand accounts that paint a picture of their social interactions: Epstein introduced several women to Trump, including at least one who was a minor at the time, and an email referenced Epstein “giving” Trump a 20-year-old woman. Former employees recounted Trump sending modeling cards to Epstein “like a menu,” and one woman's story described Epstein directing her to social events where Trump was present. Although Trump and Epstein's friendship reportedly soured by the mid-2000s, and Trump has repeatedly sought to distance himself from Epstein—saying they had a falling-out long before Epstein's legal troubles—the Times reporting underscores a deeper and more personal connection than Trump has acknowledged.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/us/jeffrey-epstein-donald-trump.htmlBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
The New York Times has reported that Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein shared a much closer relationship in the late 1980s through the 1990s and early 2000s than Trump has publicly acknowledged. According to the Times, Epstein described Trump as his “best friend,” and the two socialized frequently at parties, spoke often by phone, and were part of the same high-society circles, particularly bonding over women. Epstein's former employees told the Times that Trump often discussed sex with him rather than business, and Epstein was described as Trump's “most reliable wingman” in that era. While Trump has denied involvement in Epstein's criminal conduct, the Times cited newly released emails and interviews suggesting Trump was aware of Epstein's sexual abuse of girls, though no evidence has surfaced that Trump was directly involved in those crimes.The reporting also highlighted specific incidents and firsthand accounts that paint a picture of their social interactions: Epstein introduced several women to Trump, including at least one who was a minor at the time, and an email referenced Epstein “giving” Trump a 20-year-old woman. Former employees recounted Trump sending modeling cards to Epstein “like a menu,” and one woman's story described Epstein directing her to social events where Trump was present. Although Trump and Epstein's friendship reportedly soured by the mid-2000s, and Trump has repeatedly sought to distance himself from Epstein—saying they had a falling-out long before Epstein's legal troubles—the Times reporting underscores a deeper and more personal connection than Trump has acknowledged.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/us/jeffrey-epstein-donald-trump.htmlBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
A troika of foreign policy amateurs—Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and JD Vance—are trying to impose a Russia-drafted peace plan on Ukraine. While Trump was in the loop, other senior officials in the administration were in the dark, even as Kushner was using backchannels to work with a Putin ally. Vance eagerly got on board because he's desperate to stab Ukraine in the back and declare himself MAGA's heir apparent for 2028. But rival Marco Rubio—who sees that Russia doesn't really want peace—is working on an alternative deal. Michael Weiss joins Tim Miller to break all the machinations down. Michael's Substack, "Foreign Office" Michael's reporting at "The Insider" Today's Morning Shots New Bulwark merch! Exclusive $45-off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARK. Promo Code BULWARK
Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureThe [DS]/[CB] are moving forward with their tax plan world wide, this will destroy their [CB] system. You can now see the difference between the red states and blue states. The American replacement of foreign workers is now in progress. Trump reveals the economic plan to the people. Trump tested the [DS], they used lawfare and the activist judges to dismiss the cases of Comey and James. The prosecution is continues, appeals coming. Time to impeach the Judges. Trump is on the verge of making a peace deal with Russia and Ukraine and the [DS] is trying to stop him. Trump places a target on the Muslim Brotherhood, he will designate them as a terrorist group. The only way is the military, military tribunals. Economy https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1992258797830873248?s=20 (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); Tick, Tick , Tick: Study Shows California Losing A Taxpayer Every Minute California is facing a perfect storm in finances, with a crippling deficit and a declining tax base. Now, a study of IRS data by the National Taxpayers Union Foundation found that California is losing a taxpayer roughly every minute, as states like Florida, Texas, and North Carolina attract new residents due to lower taxes and higher standards of living. In comparison, Florida gains a new taxpayer every 2 minutes and 9 seconds while Texas gains one every 2 minutes and 53 seconds. The result has been a bonanza for Florida, which is now collecting $4 billion more per year for its budget. The states losing taxpayers at the fastest rate are California, New York, and Illinois. Here is the rate of loss: California: every 1 minute and 44 secondsNew York: every 2 minutes and 23 secondsIllinois: every 6 minutes and 4 seconds.Massachusetts: every 11 minutes and 38 secondsNew Jersey: every 14 minutes and 14 seconds. Source: zerohedge.com https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1992969030186025199?s=20 considering allowing Nvidia, $NVDA, to sell advanced AI chips to China. accurate. Now we can set our sights on the big picture. To that end, President Xi invited me to visit Beijing in April, which I accepted, and I reciprocated where he will be my guest for a State Visit in the U.S. later in the year. We agreed that it is important that we communicate often, which I look forward to doing. Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA https://twitter.com/profstonge/status/1992933719192277169?s=20 https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1992651508744065266?s=20 other hand, 34% see gold prices falling below $4,000, with 26% anticipating a range of $3,500 to $4,000. Meanwhile, 39% of professional investors in the survey do not own any gold in their portfolios. Gold is also no longer “the most crowded” trade after topping that list for the first time in October. Wall Street is still unconvinced about gold. apply to, without avoidance, and the amounts payable to the USA will SKYROCKET, over and above the already historic levels of dollars received. These payments will be RECORD SETTING, and put our Nation on a new and unprecedented course. We are already the “hottest” Country anywhere in the World, but this Tariff POWER will bring America National Security and Wealth the likes of which has never been seen before. Those opposing us are serving hostile foreign interests that are not aligned with the success, safety and prosperity of the USA. They couldn't care less about us. I look so much forward to the United States Supreme Court's decision on this urgent and time sensitive matter so that we can continue, in an uninterrupted manner to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT https://twitter.com/589bull10000/status/1992941720628047931?s=20 Read what he actually said: – Importers burned through the “stock up” dodge – Now they're trapped— everything they buy gets hit – Tariff revenue is about to explode vertically – America becomes a trade-powered superstate – And anyone opposing it is “serving hostile foreign interests ” If SCOTUS blocks this, they're siding with the global parasites not the American people. This is the keystone to the entire monetary reset: • RLUSD as the digital dollar • XRP/XDC settling global flow • ISO 20022 rails snapping together • Ripple + BNY Mellon wiring the system • BRICS commodity shift accelerating • Iraq's IQD prepping for international use • Tariffs funding the transition away from income tax It's all connected and Trump knows exactly what he's doing. He's daring SCOTUS to kill the revenue engine powering America's comeback. Refunds? Please. That would nuke the entire global architecture being built right now. SCOTUS isn't suicidal. This is the moment the old system dies and the new one comes online. You're watching the reset happen in real time Political/Rights https://twitter.com/RobertMSterling/status/1992807431747891538?s=20 https://twitter.com/TriciaOhio/status/1992956196794343889?s=20 used their training and appropriate force. https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1992972952313249990?s=20 https://twitter.com/Geiger_Capital/status/1992731012174954975?s=20 immigration.” The 1924 Act passed the House and Senate with overwhelming support. Democrats AND Republicans agreed. The bill introduced tight immigration quotas, new visa requirements, the Border Patrol, and outright banned immigrants from certain countries that we viewed as incompatible with our culture. It dramatically reduced the number of people coming into the country, and provided an opportunity for the recent “great wave” of immigrants to assimilate. By the 1940’s and 1950’s, American society thrived with a boomimg economy, rising middle class, common culture and limited immigration. The Act was in place until 1965. Since then, we have experienced decades of *historic* immigration, both legal and illegal. Today we have higher levels of foreign-born than the early 1900's by both raw number and percentage of population. This mass immigration has also included vastly different cultures than the mostly Europeans we accepted then. It's obvious that we once again need to make a national policy shift, and it should be bipartisan… It's time for another Immigration Act. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1992591518314668440?s=20 https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/1992794921569517639?s=20 DOGE https://twitter.com/ElectionWiz/status/1992754205308944525?s=20 https://twitter.com/drawandstrike/status/1992765443052814719?s=20 based on recent reports, it’s true that DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) has been integrated into many federal agencies through embedded teams, staff, or operational units—often described as “DOGE offices” or equivalents—that continue its mission of efficiency, waste reduction, and oversight. This decentralization followed the quiet disbandment of DOGE as a standalone entity around November 2025, ahead of its original July 2026 expiration. While sources vary on the exact scope (e.g., “all” vs. “many” agencies), the embedding is widespread and includes: Office of Personnel Management (OPM): Acts as a central hub for DOGE’s workforce reduction directives, with embedded staff handling HR overhauls and agency-wide efficiency mandates. Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Institutionalizes DOGE’s tools for deregulation, AI audits, and budget cuts, with teams funded through agency IT modernization funds. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Former DOGE staffers in roles like chief technology officer, focusing on fraud detection and program streamlining. State Department: Embedded personnel overseeing foreign assistance and efficiency reforms. Department of Education: DOGE teams with access to federal student loan data and other systems for waste elimination. Treasury Department (including IRS): Staff integrated for system access and financial oversight. Other agencies: Reports mention integration in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Naval Research, General Services Administration (GSA), Social Security Administration, and dozens more, with over 100 former DOGE staffers reassigned across the government. Some agencies were directed to establish minimum teams of four specialists (e.g., engineer, HR expert, lawyer, and lead) coordinating with a rebranded U.S. DOGE Service in the Executive Office of the President. This model makes DOGE’s influence more pervasive and harder to dismantle, as it’s no longer a single target but distributed “watchdogs” with data access and decision-making roles. Critics, including Democrats, have raised concerns about political influence from these embedded staffers. Overall, while not every minor agency may have a formal “DOGE office,” the embedding affects a broad swath of the federal government, with ongoing activities like contract terminations (e.g., $1.9 billion in recent cancellations). Geopolitical https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1992964442380779549?s=20 https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/1992964685071839677?s=20 Barbary Pirates were a raiding group of true pirates who captured American and European ships off of the North African coast, stole the ships and cargo, and enslaved or ransomed the crews. The pirates were generally under the control of the Ottoman Tripolitania, and many were true privateers: i.e., civilian ships and civilian crews causing great harm to American interests. So President Thomas Jefferson sent the Navy and the Marine Corps to North Africa to blow those private ships and crews the hell out of the water. Tommy J. didn't have Predator drones like Trump is using to blow narcoterrorists out of the water who are trying to slaughter hundreds of thousands of Americans with fentanyl, but Tommy did have some kick-ass Marines to blow pirates out of the water who were enslaving American citizens. Right on the shores of Tripoli. Hence the song. But Democrats are too stupid to know what that means. ‘Murica. Blowing up civilian ships since 1801, all to protect America. So how about it, you lobotomite Democrats? Were Tommy J.'s orders lawful or unlawful? We all know the answer, even though you won't admit it. Lawful. Just like Trump's lawful preservation of American lives from the scourge of fentanyl. Learn a little history, you Democrat goons. Now go write the Marines' Hymn 5,000 times on the blackboard until you learn your lesson. War/Peace Europe’s Counter-Plan For Ukraine Peace Leaves Door Wide Open For NATO Admission Even as the Trump White House is busy in Europe trying to get NATO and EU states on board its 28-point peace plan which controversially demands the Ukrainian side cede territory, the Europeans have leaked their own counter-plan which proposes much less in the way of compromise with Russia. The UK, France, and Germany have put forward their own counter-proposal, and the draft differs sharply from the US version. Like with prior proposed deals, it contains terms which Moscow is expected to flatly reject, mostly notably it does not provide guarantees that Ukraine will stay out of NATO, and also absent is the ceding of any territory. While Trump’s plan makes clear that Ukraine must renounce ever joining NATO, the European draft states that Ukraine's potential NATO membership “depends on the consensus of NATO members, which does not exist.” This intentionally ambiguous language of course leaves leaves the door wide open, dependent on when such consensus is reached. Source: zerohedge.com Iuliia Mendel, a former press secretary for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, called for Ukraine to take a proposed peace deal to end the war with Russia. https://twitter.com/IuliiaMendel/status/1992359920587456588?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1992359920587456588%7Ctwgr%5E9b767ce8c41408adb1f6ebbec3a08e6fcaf1888f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.breitbart.com%2Ft%2Fassets%2Fhtml%2Ftweet-5.html1992359920587456588 Russian budget or support Ukraine enough to win, no direct dialogue with Moscow, and no meaningful leverage over either the Kremlin or Washington. Arguments that “Russia has gained so little land” sound almost childish when you consider the human cost. We have lost more people in three years than some European nations have as the whole population. My country is bleeding out. Many who reflexively oppose every peace proposal believe they are defending Ukraine. With all respect, that is the clearest proof they have no idea what is actually happening on the front lines and inside the country right now. War is not a Hollywood movie. I will never abandon the values that God and democracy both place at the very foundation of human existence: human life is the highest good, and people — living, breathing people — are the ones who must be saved. https://twitter.com/greg_price11/status/1992980022043213980?s=20 sided with Dems to oppose Trump’s tariffs, fought against nuking the filibuster, and is now attacking President Trump for working to end the Russia/Ukraine war. Medical/False Flags https://twitter.com/AGJamesUthmeier/status/1992956482351215039?s=20 https://twitter.com/DC_Draino/status/1992706763112776014?s=20 [DS] Agenda https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/1992835356798980492?s=20 https://twitter.com/Riley_Gaines_/status/1992677326249750743?s=20 https://twitter.com/MattWalshBlog/status/1992755422542074095?s=20 identify the foreign intruders and bully them mercilessly until they shut up and leave us alone. We cannot talk about or fix any of our problems with a mob of foreigners constantly barging into the conversation. https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1992780986891813024?s=20 couldn’t remember where the dead gum bathroom was. And he’s reviewed 8,000 files on pardons? Give me a freaking break!” “Almost a thousand NGOs working out of Afghanistan…they’ve told us that we’ve given them close to $5 billion and we’re still doing it because it goes to the NGOs!” “The Democrats fought that amendment that we added NGOs into the bill. Why? Because there’s a thousand NGOs and you know good and well that that money’s coming right back to Washington!” President Trump's Plan https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/1992975955913036001?s=20 https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/1992967800407589115?s=20 https://twitter.com/FBIDDBongino/status/1992469890679394430?s=20 https://twitter.com/ColonelTowner/status/1992776650157600796?s=20 https://twitter.com/realLizUSA/status/1992623917551538562?s=20 BREAKING: Clinton Judge Dismisses Comey, Letitia James Cases – Rules Lindsey Halligan Illegally Appointed A federal judge dismissed the criminal cases against James Comey and Letitia James. The case was dismissed without prejudice. Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, a Clinton appointee ruled that US Attorney Lindsey Halligan was invalidly appointed: For the reasons set forth above, it is hereby ORDERED AND ADJUDGED as follows: 1. The appointment of Ms. Halligan as Interim U.S. Attorney violated 28 U.S.C. § 546 and the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. 2. All actions flowing from Ms. Halligan's defective appointment, including securing and signing Mr. Comey's indictment, were unlawful exercises of executive power and are hereby set aside. 3. The Attorney General's attempts to ratify Ms. Halligan's actions were ineffective and are hereby set aside. 4. Mr. Comey's motion to dismiss the indictment (ECF No. 60) is granted in accordance with this order. 5. The indictment is dismissed without prejudice. 6. The power to appoint an interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 546 during the current vacancy lies with the district court until a U.S. Attorney is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate under 28 U.S.C. § 541. Source: thegatewaypundit.com Comey’s indictment is “dismissed without prejudice.” A former DOJ official said that means the indictment could potentially be refiled. https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/1993028886393958499?s=20 https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1992711909184000022?s=20 now defend Big, Rich Insurance. The bill would halt Obamacare premium spikes, per MSNOW. The plan reportedly includes a DEPOSIT mechanism, putting money into a Health Savings Account, incentivizing lower-premium options. It would also end the premium hikes, end zero-premium subsidies, and STOP massive fraud known as “ghost beneficiaries.” Trump recently said: “I am calling today for insurance companies NOT to be paid. But for this massive amount of money be paid DIRECTLY to the people so they can buy their own healthcare!” “We will pay a lot of money to the people, and FORGET this Obamacare madness!” Klobuchar Delivers Insane Word Salad When Asked What Specific “Illegal” Orders Trump Issued the Military (VIDEO) NBC's Kristen Welker actually pressed Democrat Senator Amy Klobuchar about the seditious Democrat lawmakers and their viral video urging the military to refuse President Trump's orders. NBC's Kristen Welker on Sunday asked Klobuchar what specific “illegal acts” the seditious Democrats were referring to in the viral video. “I wonder, do you know what the specific, illegal acts are that your democratic colleagues were referring to there?” Kristen Welker asked Klobuchar. Klobuchar could not answer Welker. She delivered a word salad about the National Guard and a District Judge's order. “If their commander were to tell them, hey go out on the streets… and do this and that, that's not following the order that is in law,” Klobuchar said. Source: thegatewaypundit.com WATCH: Sen. Elissa Slotkin Now Admits Trump NEVER Issued an Illegal Order – Compares Trump to Hitler, Cites Nuremberg while Defending Her Calls for Military Sedition The Democrats' orders to defy President Trump's lawful orders and their outrage over Trump's calls for accountability– and even the death penalty– are now blowing up in their faces after days of intended backlash against Trump. Trump is being proven right to call for criminal charges and the death penalty, if a jury determines it appropriate, by their own statements! Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousLMC/status/1992413372504301986?s=20 Sen Mark Kelly is being investigated for violations of the UCMJ after his video telling service members to disobey the duly elected Commander in Chief. https://twitter.com/DeptofWar/status/1992999267967905905?s=20 has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures. This matter will be handled in compliance with military law, ensuring due process and impartiality. Further official comments will be limited, to preserve the integrity of the proceedings. The Department of War reminds all individuals that military retirees remain subject to the UCMJ for applicable offenses, and federal laws such as 18 U.S.C. § 2387 prohibit actions intended to interfere with the loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces. Any violations will be addressed through appropriate legal channels. All servicemembers are reminded that they have a legal obligation under the UCMJ to obey lawful orders and that orders are presumed to be lawful. A servicemember's personal philosophy does not justify or excuse the disobedience of an otherwise lawful order. https://twitter.com/ShadowofEzra/status/1992766569265401863?s=20 https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/1992977389849035017?s=20 https://twitter.com/ScottJenningsKY/status/1992991385616601256?s=20 now have the Strongest Border EVER, Biggest Tax Cuts, the Best Economy, Highest Stock Market in USA History, and sooo much more. BUT, THE BEST IS YET TO COME! VOTE REPUBLICAN!!! (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");
Read Eric's interview here: https://www.laborpolitics.com/.../ultra-leftism-wont-help... Two years after October 7, public outrage against Israel is widespread, yet the US grassroots movement in solidarity with Palestine is nowhere near as powerful as it needs to be. While Trump's ceasefire plan might provide relief from Israel's genocidal onslaught, Gaza has been decimated, and the proposed deal would codify a vastly deteriorated situation for millions of Palestinians. To discuss how American organizers might more effectively fight to support Palestinians' rights to freedom and self-determination, I spoke with Bashir Abu-Manneh, who is writing a book provisionally entitled Disposable Palestinians, and Hoda Mitwally, a member of New York City Democratic Socialists of America and LSSA/UAW Local 2320 speaking in a personal capacity. Check out our new bi-weekly series, "The Crisis Papers" here: https://www.patreon.com/bitterlakepresents/shop Thank you guys again for taking the time to check this out. We appreciate each and everyone of you. If you have the means, and you feel so inclined, BECOME A PATRON! We're creating patron only programing, you'll get bonus content from many of the episodes, and you get MERCH! Become a patron now https://www.patreon.com/join/BitterLakePresents? Please also like, subscribe, and follow us on these platforms as well, (specially YouTube!) THANKS Y'ALL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG9WtLyoP9QU8sxuIfxk3eg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thisisrevolutionpodcast/ Twitter: @TIRShowOakland Instagram: @thisisrevolutionoakland SUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@jmylesoftir Read Jason Myles in Sublation Magazine https://www.sublationmag.com/writers/jason-myles Read Jason Myles in Damage Magazine https://damagemag.com/2023/11/07/the-man-who-sold-the-world/ Read Jason in Unaligned here: https://substack.com/home/post/p-161586946... Read, "We're All Sellouts Now" here: https://benburgis.substack.com/.../all-we-ever-wanted-was...
While Trump won the first time as an anti-status-quo hero, the low-trust podcast cranks like Rogan and Tim Dillon who put him back in the White House now see him as the establishment. And they're making Trump own the economy, the security state of masked marauders and bombing campaigns—and his close ties to the tech companies. The Democrats have not had a better moment to run against the status quo since 2008. Meanwhile, the insidious anti-semitism from Candace and Tucker has reached insane levels. Plus, the accusations that Schumer was behind the cavers, the filibuster already favors Republicans, and the risks and rewards of candidates pursuing a high-attention strategy. Chris Hayes joins Tim Miller. show notes "All In with Chris Hayes" on MS NOW "Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast" "The Sirens' Call: How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource," Chris's latest book Marc Andreessen mocking the pope on Twitter Take advantage of Ridge's Biggest Sale of the Year and GET UP TO 47% Off by going to https://www.Ridge.com/THEBULWARK #Ridgepod
Buckle up, patriots – President Trump just DOMINATED his Asia powerhouse tour, sealing a MASSIVE fentanyl deal with Xi in South Korea and unlocking $2 TRILLION in U.S. investments! Treasury Sec. Bessent calls it GAME-CHANGING, but back home? Dem socialist saboteurs have SHUT DOWN YOUR GOVERNMENT for 29 straight days! Speaker Johnson ROASTS their "political survival" scam, Sen. Thune exposes the LEVERAGE play, and Rep. Tenney nails it: "Marxist activists and dark money OWN the Democrat Party!" While Trump wins globally, America's bleeding – TIME TO FIGHT BACK!ICE HEROES UNDER 8,000% DEATH THREAT SIEGE – CITIES FALLING TO FOREIGN INVASION! ICE warriors are ROLLING despite the chaos – 3,000+ rapists, murderers, and gangbangers BUSTED in the Midway Blitz, per Sec. Noem! But radical mobs are UNLEASHING 8,000% SPIKE in violent threats, assaults, and doxxing! Meanwhile, Minneapolis is DEARBORN 2.0: Socialist-Muslim mayor wannabe Omar Fateh waves SOMALI FLAGS, pledges loyalty to FOREIGNERS, and blasts "WHITES are the real threat"! Mayor Frey dances for jihad flags – where are AMERICAN VOTERS? Dearborn's already blasting 5AM Muslim prayers, ignoring noise laws and CRUSHING citizens – YOUR CITY NEXT?!FREE SPEECH MASSACRE + NEWSOM OWNED Free speech BLOODBATH: Josh Hammer demands Tucker Carlson "NEUTRALIZED" for interviewing Nick Fuentes – MTG and Joe Oltmann EXPLODE! Gavin Newsom GETS CHECKMATED by a reporter on his $300M mystery Capitol Project – ZERO transparency after BADMOUTHING Trump's White House! DON'T JUST WATCH – ACT! Our EPIC FAX BLAST to Congress demands: FUND ICE MASS DEPORTATIONS, JAIL THREATENERS, DEFUND SANCTUARY HELLHOLES, PROSECUTE OBSTRUCTORS! History's watching – BE THE HERO! Tune in, gear up, and #BackTheBadge – THIS is WAR.
While Trump and Stephen Miller send in the troops to quell imaginary emergencies, Republicans continue the relentless push to give back to the wealthy donors who got them elected...Plus, Thom reads from " Stop Being Reasonable: How We Really Change Our Minds" by Eleanor Gordon-Smith.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday in Anchorage, Alaska, to discuss the future of the war in Ukraine (which Putin started). While Trump insisted Wednesday there would be “very severe consequences” if Putin doesn't agree to some kind of ceasefire, the Russian president has given no indication he plans to give up his goal of eventually taking over all of Ukraine. And Ukraine continues to insist it will not cede any of its territory to Russia. In short: The war is still at a stalemate, and the president of the United States wants to move the needle by hosting the aggressor — an international pariah who faces an arrest warrant on war crimes from the Hague – right here on American soil. Julia Ioffe, a founding member of Puck News and a long-time Russian politics expert, joins us to talk about the Alaska summit and what could come out of it.And in headlines: Trump suggested he may extend federal control of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department beyond the 30-day limit, a panel of appeals court judges opened the door for the White House to suspend or terminate billions in foreign aid funding, and fewer Americans say they're drinking alcohol.Show Notes:Pre-order Julia's book – https://tinyurl.com/2btnv3pkCall 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