The Mark Thompson Show

Senator Mitch McConnell returned to the Senate Agriculture Committee for a vote on the Farm Bill, but confusion arose when his name was called. After aides and fellow Republicans appeared to prompt him, his name had to be repeated twice before he slightly raised a finger and quietly said “aye.” The moment added to concerns about the 84-year-old senator’s health following his 92-day absence from Capitol Hill. From the possibility that Trump could knock down the Kennedy Center after a judicial ruling against carving his name into the facade to his latest tirade against Supreme Court justices that went against him on mail-in ballots, there is much to discuss with former federal prosecutor, now defense attorney, David Katz. We will sit down with Arlie Russell Hochschild. After years working as a sociology professor at Cal, she has turned her focus to writing with great success. Her latest book is called "Stolen Pride: Loss, Shame, and the Rise of the Right." You can find the book at: https://thenewpress.org/books/stolen-pride/

Vice President JD Vance spoke at a closed-door House Republican conference meeting on Capitol Hill, urging lawmakers to target Democratic candidates such as Abdul El-Sayed and James Talarico. Critics condemned his advice as an embrace of racist fearmongering. The discussion also focused on voters’ economic frustrations ahead of the midterms. We welcome presidential historian John Rothmann to the show. Jon can be heard on his podcast “Around the Political World with John Rothmann ” We’ll shine a light on a new book called “Draw the Line in Ohio: How One State's Fight for Fair Maps Explains Gerrymandering in America.” The co-authors, legal analyst Rory Riley Topping and Washington Correspondent Josh Rultenberg explain the history of redistricting and how it has become one of the greatest existential threats to US democracy. The book is already #1 on the list of Amazon new releases. Find it: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Draw-the-Line-in-Ohio/Rory-Riley-Topping/9781493098033 And check our their new Instagram page (@mind.themaps) to learn about redistricting. Political analyst Jared Yates Sexton will stop by. His thoughtful takes on current events just make sense. Find the writings of Jared Yates Sexton at: Dispatches From a Collapsing State. https://www.jysexton.com/books Substack - https://jaredyatessexton.substack.com/ The Mark Thompson Show 9/16/26 The Rundown- 0:00 Welcome 4:49 Fetterman flame out 12:51 Kennedy Center 19:02 Mitch Mcconnell 23:34 Hegseth impeachment 31:27 John Rothmann 56:03 Comments 57:55 Jared Yates Sexton 1:19:23 gerrymandering - Rory Riley Topping & Josh Rultenberg 1:37:02 Comments Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com The Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page. Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/ Show sponsors: coachellavalleycoffee.com - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%

The US Supreme Court is blocking a Trump administration rule that would have restricted mail voting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, and voting rights advocates are celebrating the win. The postal service rule, by presidential executive order, would have given the executive branch unprecedented control over how Americans vote by mail and let the Postal Service refuse to send ballots to voters. Legal experts warned the screening plan posed serious risks to voting access for millions of Americans. Election officials from Arizona, Texas, and Wisconsin are relieved the court recognized that election oversight belongs to the states, not the president, and that the midterms won't be disrupted by this contested rule being implemented mid-election. Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston will stop by to discuss this and more. David Cay Johnston’s Substack: https://substack.com/@davidcayjohnston Skye Perryman will join us to discuss her ongoing efforts to uphold democracy. She is the President and CEO of Democracy Forward, a nonpartisan, national legal organization that promotes democracy and progress through litigation, regulatory engagement, policy education, and research. Check out Skye's New Book: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times: How to Reclaim Your Power, Fight for Freedom, and Reimagine Democracy, comes out Learn more at democracyforward.org https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/826249/ordinary-people-extraordinary-times-by-skye-perryman/ The Mark Thompson Show 9/15/26 Today's Guests Links Prof. David Cay Johnston at RIT, Pulitzer Prize winning Author & Investigative Journalist https://bsky.app/profile/davidcayjohnston.bsky.social https://substack.com/@davidcayjohnston Skye Perryman https://democracyforward.org/ New Book, Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/826249/ordinary-people-extraordinary-times-by-skye-perryman/ Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com The Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page. Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/ Show sponsors: coachellavalleycoffee.com - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%

Donald Trump is pushing back against calls for stricter AI guardrails, calling them part of a “sick conspiracy” against the industry and data centers. As concerns grow over AI’s potential risks, Trump, discounting warnings of the demise of humanity from AI industry leaders, says the U.S. must keep moving fast to stay ahead of China. Guests today include: Emmy award winning news anchor David Shuster. You’ve seen him anchor on MSNBC - he’s worked for Fox News, CNN, Current TV, The Young Turks, and Al Jazeera America. Find David at: https://davidshuster.substack.com/ Comedian, impressionist & attorney J-L Cauvin will stop by the show. Check out his tour dates at: https://linktr.ee/JLComedy We welcome Common Cause CEO Virginia Kase Solomon . She is a nationally recognized leader in the fight for social justice, civil rights, and a more inclusive democracy https://www.commoncause.org/ The Mark Thompson Show Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com The Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page. Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/ Show sponsors: coachellavalleycoffee.com - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%

"I don’t care if I’m registered or not, I’m going to try to cheat like hell like they do." Donald Trump leads a crowd in a pledge to vote in the upcoming midterms, calling himself the greatest president in U.S. history and claiming that Democrats are the biggest cheaters of all. Today, marks 25 year since the September 11th attacks on America. How have we changed as a country? Kenneth Feinberg will tell us about his experience as the Special Master of the U.S. Government's September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. This Week in Politics brings journalist Michael Shure and political analyst Yasmin Khan to the show to discuss everything from Trump's midterm convention, to his call for a dividend should voters keep the house and senate red, to the soaring price of gas and diesel fuel. Follow Michael Shure on X at https://x.com/michaelshure Read Yasmin on Substack at open.substack.com/pub/yazzzzzk We'll stop by Florida to take the pulse of America's craziest state. The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder, will swing by to talk movies. Find Michael Snyder's column in The Voice of San Francisco at thevoicesf.org

Is the president actually trying to buy this election? You might be waiting for his latest promise of cash like you're still waiting for your DOGE check. Donald Trump gave a wild "midterm convention" speech promising every adult citizen a $5,000 "Trump dividend" if Republicans keep hold of Congress in the midterms. From the sheer desperation of the pitch to the legal reality that he can't just send out trillions of dollars without Congressional approval, we're questioning if this is just another fantasy or a straight-up attempt to rig the vote. Former federal prosecutor, now defense attorney, David Katz will stop by and we'll ask him if this so called dividend based on the outcome of an election is legal. We'll also look at word that former Trump attorney Michael Cohen is in line for a pardon. Then ,we are off to save the election with reporter Greg Palast. He just released a six-part series of short video reels on the latest in vote suppression tricks. His series is called "Jim Crow Reloaded" and you can find it at: SaveYourVote.org

President Trump doled out $45,000 in cold hard cash to three White House aides as holiday bonuses. Natalie Harp, Chamberlain Harris, and Margo Martin each had a merry trip to the bank. The White House insists is totally normal. Meanwhile, Harp's been making headlines for her suspiciously close relationship with Trump, including joining him on a secret catering cart jaunt to a secret plane trip and cramming herself in the trunk of the car Trump was in so they wouldn’t be too far apart. Yeah, that’s not normal. We'll look at the details of this holiday payout and where the money came from. We are joined today by John Rothmann. John is the host of “Around the Political World with John Rothmann. You can also hear him on the Voice of San Francisco at thevoicesf.org Author and political analyst Jared Yates Sexton will stop through. You can find details about Jared’s books and more of his writing at his website and on his sub stack. https://www.jysexton.com/books Substack - https://jaredyatessexton.substack.com/ The Mark Thompson Show 9/9/26 Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com The Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page. Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/ Show sponsors: coachellavalleycoffee.com - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%

Latest polling and projections are shaking up the 2024 midterm race—and the GOP is worried. Decision Desk HQ now gives Democrats a 67% chance of flipping the House, while Senate control has shifted to a dead heat, with forecasters calling it a near 50-50 toss-up, possibly going 51-49 for Democrats. This is a reversal from earlier predictions, where Republicans seemed poised to hold the Senate. FCC chair Brendan Carr is now trying to clamp down on polling information he doesn’t like by calling it fake. Despite Republican efforts at redistricting, which came before the Democratic response to such moves, and despite work to cut polling places in certain states and stamp out mail-in voting, Trump finds himself in a pickle and he knows it. What's driving this shift in midterm voter sentiment? What does it mean for the final stretch before election day? We will break down the latest numbers and examine growing alarm within Republican ranks. Pulitzer prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston will join us today. Find David Cay Johnston at: DCReport.org https://substack.com/@davidcayjohnston We will take a close look at Trump‘s ongoing Iran war. Trita Parsi will join us. He is the Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute and an award-winning author. Find Trita on Substack: https://tritaparsi.substack.com/ The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft: https://quincyinst.org/ The Mark Thompson Show Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com The Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page. Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/ Show sponsors: coachellavalleycoffee.com - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%

CNN’s well known conservative voice is calling for the U.S. to declare victory over Iran. Scott Jennings says it's the president's responsibility to explain to Americans how the war has been won. Meanwhile, money for the Iran war is still being spent and American warships are still deployed. Will Americans believe Trump if he claims victory or will it be perceived as another piece of propaganda in support of an unpopular war ahead of America’s midterm elections. Guests today include former federal prosecutor and now defense attorney, David Katz. We will ask him about Congress blocking a proposed constitutional amendment to keep Supreme Court justices to nine. Comedian, impressionist and attorney J – L Cauvin will stop through to talk politics and tell us about his upcoming comedy tour.

Creating election chaos could pay off big-time for Trump. He doesn't need to win every legal battle over mail-in ballots, gerrymandering, election monitors or voter confusion, he only needs the mess itself. Confusion becomes the weapon.Confusion suppresses turnout. Uncertainty over voting procedures and information discourages participation. A smaller, more demoralized electorate works in his favor. We’ll talk elections with presidential historian and host of Around the Political World. John Rothmann will join us in the first hour. Political analyst and author Jared Yates Sexton will stop through to talk politics. His brilliant insight on the issues will make you seek out his writing. He’s that good. Find Jared at : https://www.jysexton.com/books https://jaredyatessexton.substack.com/ Then, we are off to save the planet with amazing eco- journalist, Belinda Waymouth. She’ll explain how a mining company fell to opposition from Native American tribes. The Mark Thompson Show 9/2/26 Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com The Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page. Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/ Show sponsors: coachellavalleycoffee.com - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%

Here comes the Trump billion dollar ballroom we didn’t need. The Supreme Court is allowing Trump to move forward indefinitely with the construction of a new White House ballroom. In a 5–4 decision, the justices blocked lower-court rulings that would have halted work on the project’s above-ground portion. Trump’ tone deaf project, dripping with gold accents, comes ahead of the midterm elections - a time when issues of affordability are on the minds of voters. Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston stops through to talk about presidential powers, distractions and crimes. The Mark Thompson Show Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com The Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page. Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/ Show sponsors: coachellavalleycoffee.com - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%

Health concerns about President Trump are growing after he joined Trey Gowdy for a bizarre conversation covering golf, the economy, and foreign policy. Trump’s statements were so strange that critics questioned what was really going through his mind, including peculiar claims about Canada and an unusual plea asking voters to imagine him on the 2026 midterm ballots. Trump also claimed to have "largely taken care of inflation." We’ll talk about it with a star studded Monday guest list including: Emmy award-winning news anchor David Shuster, Find David: https://davidshuster.substack.com Journalist Greg Palast New series: Jim Crow Reloaded. SaveYourVote.org The Mark Thompson Show 8/31/26 Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com The Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page. Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/ Show sponsors: coachellavalleycoffee.com - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%

Trump’s latest trade-war power move is making waves. His new executive order officially renames Lake Ontario “Lake America.” The move is sparking fierce pushback from Canada, US governors, and Indigenous history advocates. Is this patriotic branding or political theater? Emmy award winning news anchor David Shuster returns to pilot the show. He'll look at "This Week in Politics" with Michael Shure and Mo Kelly, delve into the strange place that is the state of Florida and chat about movies with The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder. Happy Friday!

More than 165 people are dead and as many as 1,500 are unaccounted for following catastrophic floods devastating towns and valleys along the Nepal-Tibet border. In Nepal's hardest-hit Rasuwa region, videos show the power of the floodwaters as they tore apart bridges and swept people away. Authorities believe the disaster was triggered by a landslide associated with a glacial event in the Himalayas, which sent a massive surge of water. Emmy award-winning news anchor David Shuster is sitting in for Mark today. He’ll speak with former federal prosecutor and now defense attorney David Katz about the recent ruling on voting by mail and so much more.

Despite an embarrassing blunder during a recent debate, Darline Graham is advancing to the General Election in her South Carolina Senate Race, securing the party's nomination for the Senate seat previously held by her brother, Lindsey Graham. Darline is backed by Donald Trump, whose PAC dumped a lot of money into this race. She moves forward to face Democrat Annie Andrews in the general election. We’ll talk about it with John Rothmann. He is a presidential historian and political analyst. He’s also heard daily on his audio podcast ‘Around the Political World with John Rothmann.’ The political conversation continues with political analyst and author, Jared Yates Sexton. Find more of Jared at Substack - https://jaredyatessexton.substack.com/ “It’s the Planet, Stupid!“ brings our amazing eco-journalist Belinda Waymouth to the show. It’s worth staying to the very end to catch today’s uplifting turtle story. The Mark Thompson Show 8/26/26 Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com The Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page. Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/ Show sponsors: coachellavalleycoffee.com - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%

Here’s what happens when a racist, sexist jerk like Jesse Watters trieds to steamroll someone that can actually fight back with facts. Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed sat down with Watters for a heated debate covering gas prices, the Iran war, Sharia law, Colin Kaepernick, gender-affirming care, and more. They had an intense exchange on the issues shaping the 2026 election. We will put it to David Cay Johnston, our Pulitzer Prize, winning investigative journalist and best selling author. The Mark Thompson Show 8/25/26 Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com The Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page. Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/ Show sponsors: coachellavalleycoffee.com - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%

A federal judge is putting a stop to the Trump administration’s freeze on immigrant visas affecting applicants from 75 countries. U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Secretary of State Marco Rubio exceeded his legal authority by ordering visa denials for applicants who had otherwise been found eligible to enter the United States. The policy, introduced in January, suspended immigrant visa issuance to nationals from countries the State Department considered at high risk of public-benefit dependency. The affected nations span regions including Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. It's a star studded guest line up today: Sarah Kendzior joins us. She is a best selling author and scholar. Find her on The Mark Thompson Show Mondays at noon Pacific/3pm Eastern, check sarahkendzior.com for a quick way to buy her books and find more of Sarah on Substack at: https://substack.com/@sarahkendzior Emmy award winning news anchor David Shuster joins the Monday line-up. Find more of David: https://substack.com/@davidshuster Skye Perryman, CEO of Democracy Forward, will wrap it up with an update on the battle to uphold the Constitution . https://democracyforward.org The Mark Thompson Show 8/24/26 Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com The Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page. Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/ Show sponsors: coachellavalleycoffee.com - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%

The US-Iran conflict is at a dangerous standstill. President Donald Trump is threatening a sweeping new sanctions campaign against Iran and countries that continue doing business with it. We examine whether Washington’s “economic D-Day” can force a breakthrough, whether Iran’s sanctions-evasion networks and international alliances will undermine the strategy and whether Trump is making empty threats that may weaken the position of the United States. Mo Kelly and Yasmin Khan will join us for a look at 'This Week in Politics.' Friday Fabulous Florida highlights our weirdest state. The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder, will slide down his rainbow to share his thoughts on the latest movies and streaming options ahead of the weekend. Let's get this Friday started!

America doesn't have an Iran deal and gas prices are skyrocketing, but don't worry, at least we have a fancy new driveway and helicopter pad at the White House. President Construction Project is back at it with another way to spend money. Trump called reporters to the South Lawn for an impromptu tour of his new driveway replacement and a look at the progress on his new helipad. Trump also says the driveway is getting an upgrade with California-mined white granite that he says is more fitting for the White House. Standing near the carved granite helipad with the presidential seal, Trump presented the construction as a central part of his legacy. Speaking of goings on at the White House, we are learning more about the odd relationship between Trump and his aide Natalie Harp. Reports indicate that she once rode in the trunk when there weren't enough seats in Trump's vehicle so they wouldn't be separated...and that for more than a year, she refused to get a security clearance.

Progressive Democrats made a surprising splash in Florida’s Senate primary as state Rep. Angie Nixon beat Alex Vindman, setting up a tough general election against GOP Sen. Ashley Moody and signaling possible left-wing momentum in President Trump’s home state. 
We will look at election results from Alaska as well, where Democrats think they may have a road to the Senate.  In Wyoming, Megan Degenfelder becomes the 5th Trump-backed gubernatorial candidate to lose a primary this election cycle.  It seems that having Trump's support isn't the key to winning anymore. 
Guests today include John Rothmann.  He is the host of the podcast "Around the Political World with John Rothmann" and a former KGO Radio host.  
Belinda Waymouth joins us to talk about the environment. Our favorite eco-journalist brings the latest on efforts to drill for oil off the coast of California, but you will leave the show feeling hopeful as she always packs positive stories about our world too. 
The Mark Thompson Show 
8/19/26
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Donald Trump’s political problems are getting harder to ignore — and his options overseas may be shrinking just as fast. A brand-new Reuters/Ipsos poll has Trump’s approval at just 33 percent, the lowest of his presidency, with 64 percent disapproving and a remarkable 80 percent of Americans now expecting the Iran war to drag on. Meanwhile, Trump’s promised quick resolution with Iran looks increasingly elusive: the negotiating period has expired without a deal, the Strait of Hormuz remains a dangerous sticking point, and Trump is escalating his rhetoric even as his practical choices for ending the conflict appear increasingly limited. We’ll look at a president boxed in abroad, battered in the polls at home, and running out of room to maneuver on both fronts. Former CNN anchor Jim Acosta may be pulling a trick from Johnny Carson’s Carnac the Magnificent when it comes to predictions. Acosta recently guessed that President Trump would check out of the White House early, before his term is up. Acosta cited trump’s issues with cognitive decline, a disasterous job on affordability and the possibility that the Democrats could sweep the midterm elections as reasons for Trump’s growing frustration. Acosta also said a major event could force Trump out, like if he is caught overtly trying to steal the midterm elections. Military analysts think a big catastrophe forcing Trump out might not be far off if he continues with his Iran plans. We will put it to our Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston. Find David Cay Johnston: https://substack.com/@davidcayjohnston https://www.dcreport.org/ Christian nationalists are gaining more of a foothold in America with Trump‘s Religious Liberty task force and the promotion of laws that would force public schools to display the 10 Commandments in classrooms. Congressman Jared Huffman will drop by to talk about his new book “No Prophets: The Fight to Save Democracy from Christian Nationalism. The book is being released today. Find it here: https://www.amazon.com/No-Prophets-Democracy-Christian-Nationalism/dp/1324130482 For more on Congressman, Jared Huffman, please check out his sub stack: https://repjaredhuffman.substack.com/ The Mark Thompson Show 8/18/26 Today's Guests Links Prof. David Cay Johnston at RIT, Pulitzer Prize winning Author & Investigative Journalist https://bsky.app/profile/davidcayjohnston.bsky.social Congressman Jared Huffman https://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2026-08-18/congressman-jared-huffman-fight-save-democracy-christian-nationalism https://huffman.house.gov/ https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324130482 The Rundown- 0:00 Welcome 10:08 Iran and Korea 27:18 David Cay Johnston 1:04:07 Comments 1:05:58 Trump to step down 1:12:05 Congressman Jared Huffman 1:37:51 Comments Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/? The Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page. Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/ Show sponsors: coachellavalleycoffee.com - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%

Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff called out Trump’s relationship with his much younger aide Natalie Harp.  We'll roll the video. 
With a spotlight on Trump’s Iran War,  it is glaringly clear that there are critical vulnerabilities in his approach to military and defense strategies. Trump talks big, relying heavily on rhetoric and posturing, but defense analysts have identified significant gaps between public statements and strategic execution. 
In addition to the declining condition of the military under Trump’s Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, 
Trump’s military actions, including strikes on infrastructure, have often lacked long-term planning, leaving blind spots for after effects like disruptions to shipping lanes or unintended regional escalation.
His reliance on precision munitions depleted critical inventory, compromising military readiness and leaving America more vulnerable.  Add to that the damage Trump has done to America’s alliances. He has weekend coordination and information sharing. and damaged relationships that may now be beyond repair.
We will look at how these weaknesses shape the standing of U.S. defense and what they mean for global security.
Guests today include the brilliant Sarah Kendzior. She is a best selling author and a scholar. Her research on 
authoritarian states gives her a unique perspective on the current condition of America. 
Kelly Dietrich served as a Democratic strategist and is the founder & CEO of the National Democratic Training Committee. He joins to discuss recent primaries and how Democrats should move forward. 
The Mark Thompson Show 
8/17/26
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How much would it take for you to go on Fox News and tell lie after lie day after day? We’ll take a look at some surprising salaries. Sometimes when the lies get exposed to people that swallowed them whole, it can be very surprising. It appears Joe Rogan has had a bit of an awakening. President Trump wants the Navy to go back in time, ditching key technology aboard aircraft carriers in favor of older less efficient equipment. The changeover will cost big bucks. We’ll look at the biggest stories of the week with political analysts Michael Shure and Mo Kelly. A little Friday levity comes in the form of Friday Fabulous Florida and the Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder, will stop by to talk movies. Happy Friday y’all!

President Trump took a swipe at the Secret Service as he claimed a military plane that secretly flew him out of Turkey last month was “at greater risk” of being targeted, while also insisting it was the Secret Service that made the call. He told reporters he only followed what agents and the military wanted, saying they had arranged an “equal safety” change.  When pressed, Trump suggested the aircraft he was put on would be more likely to be the one attackers might go after.
On the election front, the progressive candidate in the Wisconsin governor's race fell to the more mainstream Democratic candidate. The My Pillow guy Mike Lindell was too crazy for Minnesota voters. Despite being endorsed by Trump, Lindell was defeated in his attempt to govern Minnesota. We'll examine the election results. 
Guests on the show today include  John Rothmann.  Our friend and former KGO host now hosts his own podcast "Around the Political World With John Rothmann"
Author and political analyst Jared Yates Sexton will stop by to talk politics.  
https://www.jysexton.com/books
Substack - https://jaredyatessexton.substack.com/
Then, we save the planet with eco-journalist Belinda Waymouth.  She'll discuss jellyfish, hippos and exciting developments in battery storage with "It'is the Planet, Stupid!"
The Mark Thompson Show 
8/12/26
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President Trump's latest executive order is aimed at overhauling the nation's childhood vaccination recommendations. He is directing federal agencies to cut the number of vaccines children receive and spread out their shots across more doctor ‘s appointments. Trump’s new "gold standard" recommendations consist of only 11 core vaccinations against the most serious diseases, along with the MMR vaccine, which the president hopes will eventually be administered as separate shots rather than as a combined vaccine. Doctors are already speaking out against these changes, saying it means fewer children will be fully vaccinated. The Washington Post is reporting that President Trump had to be smuggled out of Turkey in a catering truck and onto a smaller airplane in an attempt to thwart threats against him. We’ll discuss it all with Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston. The Trump administration‘s grifting, scandals and interesting pardon policies have us following the money. We get help in that regard from Dr. Bill Black. He is a law professor and the author of “The Best Way to Rob a Bank is to Own One.” The Mark Thompson Show 8/11/26 Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com The Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page. Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/ Show sponsors: coachellavalleycoffee.com - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%

"The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Donald Trump’s previous attempt to impose restrictions on birthright citizenship, but the President hasn’t stopped trying to reinterpret the constitutional guarantee to advance his restrictive immigration agenda. In the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump signed two new executive orders on immigration—one that would exclude specific categories of U.S.-born children from getting automatic citizenship, and another that would authorize visa and entry restrictions for “birth tourism.” Guests today include: Best selling author Sarah Kendzior Author and legal expert June Carbone News anchor David Shuster

President Trump signs new executive orders aimed at narrowing birthright citizenship, citing an “unfortunate” Supreme Court decision blocking his earlier effort. The moves tighten existing limits and narrow exceptions, including rules tied to “alien enemies” and so-called birth tourism...but the Supreme Court already reaffirmed that the 14th Amendment grants citizenship to children born on U.S. soil. Is Trump trying to skirt the Constiution and the Supreme Court ruling? We'll discuss.

Please help us grow The Mark Thompson Show. If you can click like, make sure you're subscribed and share the show with your social media contacts, it would be most appreciated. Let's get to 200k subscribers! It's going to be a great Friday Mark Thompson extravaganza.

'This Week in Politics ' brings two favorites, Mo Kelly and Michael Shure, by the show to discuss everything from the war in Iran to Trump's freak out over word of US munitions shortages to Vice President Vance taking on some of Trump's meaner qualities. 

A litte swing by Florida will lighten the mood and then 'The Culture Blaster' Michael Snyder will carry in the joy with a look at all the new movies and streaming options to kick start your weekend.

 The Mark Thompson Show Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link:   / themarkthompsonshow   Maybe you’re more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted... And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com The Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page. Please join! Here's the link:   / themarkthompsonshow   Show sponsors: coachellavalleycoffee.com - use code MarkT at check out to save 10% Have a great sponsor in mind? Email us at TheMarkThompsonShow@gmail.com #Trump #Iran #Birthright #SCOTUS #birthrightcitizenship

When Democrats can’t agree on Democratic priorities, you know something is wrong. It was evident on Monday’s installment of ‘The Weekly Show.’ Host Jon Stewart questioned Pennsylvania’s Democratic Senator John Fetterman about his threats to leave the Democratic Party because he feels there is insufficient support for Israel. To Fetterman's claim that Israel is his "red line," Stewart said "Israel is not our country." Today’s guests include: Former federal prosecutor David Katz. We will ask him about Todd Blanche, the dropped reflecting pool cases and the possibility that the UK could open an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and what that might mean here in America. Author and political analyst Jared Yates Sexton. The political conversation continues with Jared Yates Sexton. His take on the issues of the day will leave you thinking long after the show is over. Find Jared at: https://www.jysexton.com Substack - https://jaredyatessexton.substack.com/ “It’s the Planet , Stupid!” with eco- journalist Belinda Waymouth. Belinda will share details about continued grant funding at the EPA, damage to the environment from wildfires and a new trend involving ‘do it yourself’ solar projects.

President Trump issues a stark warning for Iran during an Oval Office signing event, declaring that this represents Iran's "last chance" to negotiate a deal with his administration. Is that just another back-and-forth or is time running out for Trump to end his war with Iran? Guests today include: David Cay Johnston is a regular Tuesday delight on The Mark Thompson Show. Johnston is a Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist. He is a professor at the Rochester Institute of technology and the founder of DC report. https://www.dcreport.org/ https://substack.com/@davidcayjohnston Christopher Armitage is an author whose work focuses on governance, institutional resilience and public policy systems. You can find him at Christopherarmitage.com or on his substack: https://cmarmitage.substack.com/

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. got some hard pushback from CNN anchor Dana Bash during a contentious 21-minute interview on “State of Union." Bash pressed him on his vaccine skepticism. The conversation turned heated as Bash challenged Kennedy’s claims about COVID-19 vaccines and their impact on children, specifically asking whether he could point to credible research demonstrating that the vaccine “did more harm than good.” Guests today include: Trita Parsi. He is an expert on foreign policy, including Iran, and serves as the Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute. https://www.tritaparsi.com https://tritaparsi.substack.com David Shuster is an Emmy award winning news anchor. You’ve seen him on MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, Current TV, The Young Turks and more. https://substack.com/@davidshuster On YouTube - Rebel HQ Rich Logis was deep into MAGA until 2022. It was January 6th, the botched handling of Covid and Uvalde that shook his faith. Now he runs a group for those leaving MAGA. His book is called "One Betrayal Too Many: Why I left MAGA. Find him on the web at leavingmaga.org

"President Donald Trump has a choice: allow changes to a controversial court settlement and secure the confirmation of his former personal lawyer as attorney general, or thumb his nose at a pair of his few remaining Republican critics in Congress." Michael Shure and Mo'Kelly will join us to discuss the top stories of the week. The Mark Thompson Show 7/31/26

"The approval rating marks a new low for Trump’s presidency in the center’s polling. A CNN survey conducted within the same period reported an approval rating of 34 percent for the president. Seventy-six percent of GOP respondents in the July survey approved of Trump’s job performance, while 12 percent disapproved. The results are a notable difference from the university’s June 24 poll, in which 85 percent of Republicans expressed confidence in the president." David Katz will join us to discuss the top stories of the week.

Sen. Lindsey Graham was eulogized by President Trump as a "true American original" and "beloved friend"at his funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., attended by many members of Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy."
The Mark Thompson Show 
7/29/26
Today's Guests Links
Jared Yates Sexton https://jaredyatessexton.substack.com/
  https://www.jysexton.com/
Judith Kunisch 
Former Vice President of Medical Strategies at a Fortune 100 insurer, and 
Former director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Healthcare Leadership program at Yale University.
Kunisch has served on boards for public and private organizations, including the Donaghue Medical Research Foundation and the Connecticut Partnership for Patient Safety, which she co-founded.
Author of  "The Center of the Star - Understanding and Changing the US Healthcare System," 
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"President Trump’s speech at a rally in Michigan Monday afternoon was interrupted by a persistent heckler. 
Someone kept yelling “pedophile protector” while Trump was extolling the benefits of his tariffs on foreign automakers. Others in the crowd eventually tried to drown him out, and when the protester stopped, the crowd cheered before breaking into a “USA” chant."
David Cay Johnston will join to discuss the top stories. 
The Mark Thompson Show 
7/28/26
Today's Guests Links
Prof. David Cay Johnston at RIT, Pulitzer Prize winning Author & Investigative Journalist  https://bsky.app/profile/davidcayjohnston.bsky.social
Christopher Berry - Nonhuman Rights Project
https://www.nonhumanrights.org/person/christopher-berry/

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"The Pentagon updated its official war casualty database over the weekend, adding more than 140 wounded service members. The Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) also introduced a new casualty category labeled “Overseas Operations” for personnel killed and wounded “starting July 7”.
According to the updated database, the official toll for the earlier phase of the US-Iran war, known as Operation Epic Fury, now stands at 14 service members killed and more than 400 wounded in action."
Trita Parsi and Sarah Kendior will join us to discuss the top stories of the week.
Follow Trita Parsi:
https://x.com/tparsi
https://www.tritaparsi.com/
https://tritaparsi.substack.com/
Follow Sarah Kendzior, Author, scholar and journalist:
http://www.sarahkendziorbooks.com/
https://sarahkendzior.substack.com/
The Mark Thompson Show 
7/27/26
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"Donald Trump will address a rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Association (WCHA) dinner on Friday three months after the original event was abruptly halted after an armed assailant tried to storm it, with the alleged aim of assassinating him. The rearranged dinner has been condemned as “hypocritical” by retired journalists and press freedom groups, who are urging the association to use it to confront Trump over his administration’s intensified attacks on the media." Mr. Mo'Kelly and Michael Snyder will join us to discuss the top stories of the week.

"Democrats have accused the US House of Representatives judiciary committee of a “baseless” and “vindictive” attack on former special prosecutor Jack Smith after it referred him for criminal prosecution for allegedly lying to Congress over his investigation into Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The committee chair, Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican, wrote to the acting US attorney general, Todd Blanche, on Wednesday night, asserting Smith “made willfully and intentionally false statements of material fact” during testimony about obtaining phone records of a number of Republican lawmakers."

"NEW YORK — New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said late Tuesday that the city would not be able to execute an arrest warrant issued by the world's top war-crimes court for Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, but urged the federal government to do so.
In the video Mamdani described the Israeli prime minister as a "war criminal" and said he is not welcome in New York City."
The Mark Thompson Show 
7/22/26
Today's Guests Links

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"Fox News host Laura Ingraham called on President Donald Trump to find a way out of the Iran war that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu started in February.
The U.S. bombed Iran for the 10th consecutive night on Monday after Iran strikes on Jordan killed two active-duty U.S. Army soldiers over the weekend. Another U.S. soldier was killed in Iraq while disposing of an Iranian drone. At least 17 U.S. soldiers have been killed since Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched the war in February.
The conflict has intensified this month after a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran fell apart, leading Iran to re-close the vital Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. to reimpose its blockade of Iranian vessels in the Gulf of Oman."
Mo'Kelly and David Cay Johnston will join to discuss the top stories. 
The Mark Thompson Show 
7/21/26
Today's Guests Links
Prof. David Cay Johnston at RIT, Pulitzer Prize winning Author & Investigative Journalist  https://bsky.app/profile/davidcayjohnston.bsky.social

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"Spain's national soccer team shared a photo of the team's celebration after winning the 2026 World Cup to social media on Sunday, July 19. Notably absent from the photo was United States president Donald Trump.
As expected, Trump helped FIFA president Gianni Infantino present the World Cup trophy to Spain after La Roja won the tournament with a 1-0 victory over Argentina on Sunday.
However, Trump lingered on the podium for part of Spain's celebration, despite Infantino's apparent efforts to usher him off the stage that had been set up in the middle of the pitch."
"A Senate Democrat — for the second time in four days — criticized CBS’s coverage of President Donald Trump’s primetime speech on CBS’s own air.
Speaking with Margaret Brennan on CBS’s Face the Nation Sunday, Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) called out network leadership for opting to air Trump’s speech about election integrity — in which numerous fact checkers found the president made a bevy of false claims.
“There are so many absurdities and falsehoods in Trump’s Thursday night speech,” Warner said. “And I’m glad that most media treated it not as serious news — and I know some folks at your network, the journalists I have huge respect for. I was disappointed that your senior management made the decision to cover it as news.”"
Mo'Kelly, Gary Dietrich, and Sarah Kendzior will join to discuss the top stories. 
Today's Guests Links
Looking for Sarah Kendzior’s substack? 
https://sarahkendzior.substack.com/
You can slso find links to Sarah’s books at: 
https://sarahkendzior.com/
The Mark Thompson Show 
7/20/26
Today's Guests Links
Gary Dietrich, CBS TV & iHeart Radio Political Analyst https://twitter.com/garydietrich
Gary Dietrich’s segment is sponsored by Bill Campbell at RE/MAX GOLD. If you’re relocating in, to or from Northern California you need a highly respected real estate professional… like Bill Campbell of RE/MAX GOLD. Call or text Bill at (530) 448-7474… (530) 448-7474.
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We examine President Trump's July 17, 2026, national address, including reactions to his remarks. "A White House teleprompter operator made more than $100,000 on Kalshi bets related to public speeches made by President Trump, two sources familiar with the matter told CBS News. The sources identified the federal employee as Gabriel Perez. A Kalshi spokesperson said the company investigated Perez's trading activity after its surveillance systems detected trades that didn't adhere to typical buying and selling patterns. Kalshi froze Perez's account, locking more than $90,000 in profits he made on the platform, the spokesperson confirmed." Mr. Mo'Kelly, Michael Shure, and Michael Snyder will join us to discuss the top stories of the week.

"Pete Hegseth wants a manly military. And he really, really wants you to know how badly he wants a manly military. In his 2024 book, The War on Warriors, Hegseth worried that the military risked becoming “effeminate, and apologetic”; he insisted that what liberals really want is “soft men, and a weak military,” and he scolded “Pentagon pussies” who refuse to stand up for soldiers on the battlefield. As secretary of defense, Hegseth has blocked the promotion of female military officers, removed the first woman to lead the Navy, and ordered a review of women’s “effectiveness” in ground-combat roles. He has also used the Defense Department’s social-media channels to post a steady stream of tougher-than-thou videos." Mr. Mo'Kelly and David Katz will join us to discuss the top stories of the week. The Mark Thompson Show 7/16/26

Todd Blanche is getting grilled today as he faces what could be the toughest test of his confirmation process to become Attorney General. Senators are expected to press him on the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, allegations of politically motivated prosecutions, his close ties to President Trump, and his support for a proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund. With Republicans holding only a narrow advantage on the Senate Judiciary Committee, today’s hearing is likely to produce sharp exchanges and revealing answers. We’ll break down the biggest moments, what Blanche says under oath, and what it all means for the future of the Justice Department and the confirmation fight ahead. 
"Donald Trump has threatened to expand US strikes on Iran next week to target power plants and bridges if Tehran does not agree to a deal amid a continuing dispute over the strait of Hormuz.
“Next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges,” the US president said in a Fox News interview on Tuesday. “We’re going to knock out all their power plants. We’re going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate.”
Trump made similar comments in March, when he threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power stations and fresh water plants if Tehran did not agree to peace terms “shortly”. Destroying civilian infrastructure such as power and water facilities would be illegal under international humanitarian law and would probably constitute a war crime."
Michael Shure, John Rothmann, and Jared Yates Sexton will join us to discuss the top stories of the week.
The Mark Thompson Show 
7/15/26

Today's Guests Links
David Ost https://thenewpress.org/books/red-pill-politics/
Mike Musheiesh https://www.detroitaxle.com/
Jared Yates Sexton https://jaredyatessexton.substack.com/
        https://www.jysexton.com/
John Rothmann https://www.spreaker.com/show/around-the-political-world
  https://www.youtube.com/@aroundthepoliticalworld_
Jared Yates Sexton https://jaredyatessexton.substack.com/
  https://www.jysexton.com/
MichaelShure https://twitter.com/michaelshure
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"A federal judge on Monday imposed professional penalties against lawyers representing President Trump in a civil lawsuit he brought against the IRS and harshly criticized the Justice Department for its handling of the case, concluding that the suit was brought for an "improper purpose."
In a scathing 56-page decision, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams referred one of Mr. Trump's lawyers, Alejandro Brito, to the Florida Bar for potential disciplinary action. The judge limited the ability of a second lawyer, Daniel Epstein, to practice in the Southern District of Florida."
"US military says latest strikes will ‘continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping’ in strait of Hormuz
Donald Trump’s announcement that the US will start charging ships for safe passage through the strait of Hormuz comes after his administration has until now insisted the waterway should remain open to all without tolls – as it was before the US and Israel attacked Iran in late February."
Michael Shure and David Cay Johnston will join to discuss the top stories. 
The Mark Thompson Show 
7/14/26
Today's Guests Links
Gary Lucks https://www.garylucks.com/
Prof. David Cay Johnston at RIT, Pulitzer Prize winning Author & Investigative Journalist  https://bsky.app/profile/davidcayjohnston.bsky.social

Prof. David Cay Johnston at RIT, Pulitzer Prize winning Author & Investigative Journalist  https://bsky.app/profile/davidcayjohnston.bsky.social
Michael Shure https://twitter.com/michaelshure
The Rundown-

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"President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States was reinstating a naval blockade on Iran and would be reimbursed 20% on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz after ​Tehran claimed it had closed the vital waterway.
"The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, ‌with or without Iran. We are reinstating THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE," Trump said on Truth Social."
"Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Sunday in his first public statement since he was hospitalized nearly a month ago that he was “briefly unconscious” after he suffered a fall.
In the statement, accompanied by a photo of McConnell smiling in a hospital chair alongside his wife, Elaine Chao, he said doctors have not yet cleared him to return to the Senate floor to vote.
“But rest assured that, in the meantime, I’m not taking a break from the Senate business that matters to you,” McConnell said. “I’ve also been keeping in touch with my Senate colleagues on the appropriations process, midterm politics, and everything in between.”
McConnell, 84, said he has “submitted to every test” doctors can think of to figure out what prompted the fall and has moved from the hospital to a rehabilitation center where, he said, he will “keep regaining my strength.”"
Michael Shure, Gary Dietrich, and Sarah Kendzior will join to discuss the top stories. 
Looking for Sarah Kendzior’s substack? 
https://sarahkendzior.substack.com/
You can slso find links to Sarah’s books at: 
https://sarahkendzior.com/
The Mark Thompson Show 
7/13/26
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"An erratic and at times irascible Donald Trump has said he felt a “tremendous love” from western leaders at the Nato summit, only hours after lambasting them over their defence spending and not helping the US in attacking Iran." "President Donald Trump on Wednesday blundered his way through a briefing with reporters during a crunch summit of the NATO military alliance in Ankara, Turkey. While sitting alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president bragged about the U.S. military’s ability to resist attacks from Iran, specifically an assault on the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln." Mr. Mo'Kelly and David Katz will join us to discuss the top stories of the week. The Mark Thompson Show 7/9/26

CNN's Scott Jennings claims to have recently spoke to Mitch McConnell on the phone while he's been in the hospital. Unfortunately, Republican cable news analysts aren't the most trustworthy people in the world so who knows how much of his claim is true...
Michael Shure, John Rothmann, and Jared Yates Sexton will join us to discuss the top stories of the week.
The Mark Thompson Show 
7/8/26
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A major controversy has erupted in Maine's U.S. Senate race after a 41-year-old woman publicly accused Senate candidate Graham Platner of sexually assaulting her five years ago. The allegation has thrown his campaign into turmoil, with numerous Democratic voices calling on him to withdraw from the race.
Donald Trump pretty much admitted on Monday he meddled in the World Cup over a red card given to a USA team player during Wednesday’s game against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
According to the rules, Folarin Balogun should’ve been suspended for Monday’s game against Belgium, but FIFA lifted the suspension on Sunday after Trump asked officials to review the call ― despite the lack of an official appeals process for appealing the penalty.
David Cay Johnston and Mo Kelly will join us to discuss the top stories of the week.
The Mark Thompson Show 
7/7/26
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On the 250th anniversary of American independence, hundreds of masked members of Patriot Front, a neo-fascist, white supremacist organization, marched through Washington DC. To the horror of many onlookers, the group gathered at Union Station carrying banners, including the Confederate flag, before marching toward Capitol Hill.The group was also spotted riding the DC Metro, drawing concerned reactions from other passengers. We’ll explore what this reveals about extremism in America and whether it’s inflamed by Trump and his MAGA movement. 
iHeart Political Analyst Gary Dietrich will stop by to talk politics. 
The conversation continues with author and scholar Sarah Kendzior. 
The Mark Thompson Show 
7/3/26
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There is a Presidential package option for the wealthy to watch Trump’s fireworks extravaganza. The Kennedy Center is offering a $25,000 VIP fireworks experience for the Fourth of July display in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, the mishaps continue with a big chunk of the stage at the Great American Fair crashing down and narrowly missing a group of dancers. Is Trump cutting corners on this celebration? We are following the indictment of three-time U.S. Olympian David Hearn over alleged damage to the National Mall reflecting pool, and the questions surrounding President Trump's reported $1.4 billion in cryptocurrency income and what it could mean for his tax bill. Michael Shure and Mo Kelly will join us to discuss the top stories of the week. We will check in on our friends in Florida for some Friday Fabulous Florida craziness. The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder, will wrap it up with a look at the latest theater and streaming options for the weekend ahead.

Tucker Carlson is now openly talking about helping build a new third party after breaking with the GOP over Trump’s war with Iran — a major sign of fracture inside the MAGA/right-wing coalition. Once one of Trump’s loudest media allies and a key voice pushing JD Vance into the VP slot, Carlson now says the Republican Party has abandoned “America First” principles and become indistinguishable from Democrats on war and finance. His proposed third-party push could expose a deeper rebellion inside Trump’s base — one driven by anger over foreign wars, immigration, and distrust of both major parties. Controversial continues to follow President Trump's new presidential aircraft. In his first flight aboard the Boeing 747 donated by the Qatari royal family, Trump has acquired what he calls a plane "nobody's ever seen anything like it." This $400 million jumbo jet was anything but free though it was gifted by Qatar's royal family. Taxpayer-funded military and communications upgrade costs could total $1 billion, in addition to the legal questions surrounding foreign gifts to government officials. Considering that Trump plans to take the plane with him when he leaves office and it makes for a thick jungle full of government ethics, presidential perks, and the use of taxpayer money. This unprecedented acquisition represents one of the most extravagant presidential decisions in U.S. history, and we're breaking down everything you need to know about it. Former federal prosecutor and now defense attorney, the brilliant David Katz will join us to give us his take on the most recent Supreme Court decisions and more.

New financial disclosures show President Donald Trump reported more than $2.2 billion in income during 2025, a dramatic increase from the roughly $600 million he reported the previous year. The filings indicate that much of the surge came from cryptocurrency ventures, digital tokens, licensing agreements, and other business interests that expanded after his return to the White House. The disclosures are already fueling renewed debate over presidential ethics, conflicts of interest, and whether a sitting president should be able to profit from private business ventures while serving in office.
A federal judge is dealing the Pentagon another legal setback, blocking a policy that required journalists from The New York Times to be escorted by government officials while reporting inside the Pentagon. The ruling found the restriction likely infringed on press freedoms and underscored the constitutional role of an independent press in holding government accountable. 
We we welcome  presidential historian John Rothmann, host of the podcast ‘Around the Political World With John Rothmann’ to talk politics. 
The conversation continues with the wonderful author Jared Yates Sexton.
The Mark Thompson Show 
7/1/26
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In a major victory for Donald Trump, the Supreme Court cleared the way for the president to remove members of independent federal agencies, marking one of the most significant expansions of presidential authority in decades. The ruling allows the administration to move forward with the firings of officials at agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission, while broader legal challenges continue, and it signals that longstanding protections designed to insulate independent regulators from political pressure may no longer hold. 
It’s a double whammy powerhouse kind of show as we welcome Pulitzer Ptize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston and amazing author and scholar Sarah Kendzior. 
The Mark Thompson Show 
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The Supreme Court handed Donald Trump another major legal setback, delivering rulings that pack significant consequences.
Underwhelming. That seems to be the consensus of attendees of The Great American State Fair. It’s President Trump's official 250th-anniversary celebration on the National Mall  going on through July. The fair was organized by Freedom 250, that’s the Trump administration-created group that seemed formed to compete with the congressionally established America250 organization. Most states participated,  but Maine, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania refused to send delegations, citing costs, scheduling conflicts, and politicization concerns. Other states left their booths unstaffed, with visitors finding empty displays at Hawaii and Alaska. From the sparse crowds to the half-empty booths, the fair highlights a fractured nation struggling to celebrate together. 
iHeart political analyst Gary Dietrich will stop by to talk politics. 
*programming note: Sarah Kendzior will be on the show Tuesday this week instead of her usual Monday.
The Mark Thompson Show 
6/29/26
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Here we go again. Ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is at a standstill again. The United Nations International Maritime Organization halted its plan to evacuate stranded ships after a British military report confirmed a vessel was struck by a projectile off the coast of Oman. The attack occurred just hours after Iran threatened ships using the UN-backed evacuation route without Tehran's permission. Iran's newly established Persian Gulf strait authority has now warned that any transit outside its designated routes will not receive safe passage guarantees. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, visiting the Gulf to reassure American allies, emphasized Washington's commitment to keeping the strait open saying "If that stops, then we're going to have a problem.” We’ll talk about the back and forth nature of the Iran War negotiations and the complications of Trump’s attempted exit ramp out of this conflict. Michael Shure and Mo Kelly join for ‘This Week in Politics.’ A little love for our Florida friends and a trip to the movies with The Culture Blaster Michael Snyder and we are ready for the weekend.

For years, the Trump family organization cultivated lucrative relationships with Persian Gulf allies, but according to recent reporting, his decision to wage war on Iran and his unpredictable leadership have severely damaged his standing in the region. Now, major business figures and government officials, once friendly with Trump, are feeling betrayed. .Analysts say regional leaders that actively tried to prevent the war are angry over Trump's decision-making. That includes Emirati business leaders and government officials that say Trump's war reversed years of strategic cooperation. We’ll examine the growing rift between Trump and his once-loyal Gulf supporters. Corey Brettschneider is a political science professor at Brown University. He will join us to talk politics. Former federal prosecutor, now defense attorney, David Katz will stop by the show to look at big cases and recent court rulings.

In a stunning political move this week, President Donald Trump cancelled a planned ceremonial signing of a major bipartisan housing affordability bill at the Capitol. The bill, which passed both chambers of Congress by overwhelming margins, would have addressed critical housing affordability challenges facing Americans.
Trump is using the bill as leverage to force lawmakers to pass his proposed "SAVE AMERICA ACT," which would implement a radical overhaul of voting procedures. In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared the housing news conference and signing cancelled "until such time as we pass the desperately needed SAVE AMERICA ACT, which I consider to be a National Emergency."
There has also been a significant legal setback for the Trump administration's immigration enforcement agenda comes from the ruling of a federal judge. U.S. District Judge P. Casey Potts ruled that ICE agents can no longer conduct arrests at immigration courthouses across the country. Judge Pitts, a Biden appointee, vacated the Trump administration's policies that were implemented via executive order last year, determining that the Department of Justice failed to provide adequate legal justification for the enforcement tactics. He called them "arbitrary and capricious," and said the Trump administration did not properly consider how arresting noncitizens at courthouses would impact people pursuing lawful immigration status. 
We welcome John Rothmann - presidential historian and the host of ‘Around the Political World with John Rothmann’ to the show to discuss this and the latest on negotiations to end Trump‘s Iran war.
The conversation continues as we welcome author and political commentator Jared Yates Sexton to the show
The Mark Thompson Show 
6/24/26
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Vice President JD Vance says there is "very good" progress in Switzerland  with Iran negotiations. He says Iran is agreeing to allow nuclear inspectors back into the country following initial negotiations . Was he sitting at the same table as Iran’s negotiators? Iran's foreign ministry spokesman says nope, there  are no "plans for IAEA inspections" of nuclear sites,  Iran maintains the Strait of Hormuz will "never return to its pre-war conditions" and that Iran will maintain control of the vital waterway. Vance painted a positive picture with a new communication line established between negotiators to prevent incidents and ensure safe commercial transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the U.S., Iran, and Lebanon are creating a "deconfliction cell" to enforce the agreed ceasefire across all fronts. If negotiations are going so well, why is the Pentagon seeking roughly $80 billion to cover costs of the U.S. war against Iran? It’s part of a massive $1.5 trillion military budget proposal. However, lawmakers are expressing skepticism about Trump's memorandum of understanding with Iran and hesitation over increased Pentagon funding amid rising costs of living for Americans. 
On the matter of the botched renovation of the reflecting pool, journalists pushed President Trump for proof after he claimed a very long slit was made in the paint at the bottom of the reflecting pool. There’s no evidence to back up those claims, but Trump seems to be laying the blame squarely on vandalism as the pool now has to be re-emptied and repaired.
We put it all to David Cay Johnston, Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist, from Iran to the mishaps on the national mall. 
Plus, entertainment reporter Lisa Joyner will join  us to talk about Hollywood,  podcasting  and  her love of animals.
The Mark Thompson Show 
6/23/26
Today's Guests Links
Lisa Joyner https://www.youtube.com/@PlusOnewithLisaandMorgan
Prof. David Cay Johnston at RIT, Pulitzer Prize winning Author & Investigative Journalist  https://bsky.app/profile/davidcayjohnston.bsky.social

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Iran negotiations are causing uncertainty inside the Trump administration. President Trump recently joked that if the negotiations succeed, he'll take full credit, but if it fails, he's handing the blame to Vice President JD Vance. It might seem like a joke on the surface, but it may also indicate that Trump is positioning Vance as the face of the Iran negotiations, despite Vance's initial opposition to the war. Vance has had to come to the president’s defense repeatedly over this very unpopular war. Could it impact Vance's 2028 presidential aspirations?  Is Vance’s role allowing Secretary of State Marco Rubio to stay under the radar?
 We welcome iHeart TV and Radio political analyst Gary Dietrich to the show to discuss.
The brilliant author and scholar Sarah Kendzior will stop through to talk politics.
The Mark Thompson Show 
6/22/26
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More than 160 military recruits at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas are battling a flu outbreak instead of completing training. Just weeks before the outbreak, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ended mandatory flu vaccination for the military, citing bodily autonomy and concerns about "overreaching mandates.” According to The Guardian, after the vaccine became optional in April 2026, only about 40% of recruits chose to get vaccinated. Now, at least 160 servicemembers living in tight quarters are sick and they're being ordered to get vaccinated as part of containment efforts. This outbreak highlights the consequences of policy changes in military medicine and raises critical questions about military readiness and individual choice versus collective safety in environments where isolation isn't an option. In addition, there seems to be trouble with Trump‘s Iran deal. The US/Iran talks set to be held in Switzerland are being called off. That’s because Israel and Hezbollah are still attacking each other in Lebanon. On top of that, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen but now, a surprise: Iran says fees/tolls to cover cost of managing the strait will take effect at end of 60-day negotiation period. So now the world will pay the price for Trump‘s decision to attack Iran? Mo Kelly is in for Mark Thompson. We welcome Michael Shure for a look at ‘This Week in Politics’ and Michael Snyder for a look at the latest movies. Add a sprinkle of Friday Fabulous Florida and it’s another great show to ease you into your weekend,

American “hardliners” opposing the US–Iran memorandum of understanding, are being accused of selectively trusting Iranian state-linked messaging while dismissing diplomatic progress. Details of the agreement remain incomplete. Vice President JD Vance is saying sanctions relief and un-freezing assets would be conditioned on Iran’s follow-through in upcoming technical talks over the next two months. Responses are mixed: hardliners inside Iran are protesting, some US and Israeli critics warn of risks, while other international leaders call the deal a potential game-changer. 
We will talk about it with John Rothmann. He is a  presidential historian, a Middle East expert with a particular point of viewand the host of a
Around the Political World with John Rothmann.
Jayar Jackson, from The Young Turks, will stop by to talk politics. 
The conversation continues with author and political commentator Jared Yates Sexton.
The Mark Thompson Show 
6/17/26
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Is Trump’s Iran War and apparent peace deal a win or another Trump headline in search of substance?  
President Trump is touting a new Iran deal as a major breakthrough, but lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are asking what’s actually in this agreement. 
The reported deal comes with big promises about stability, security, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but details are scarce and even some Republicans say they’ll need answers before declaring victory.
We will run it past Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston. 
Mark talks politics with progressive host and author Thom Hartmann.
The Mark Thompson Show 
6/16/26
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Trump’s UFC White House stunt was quite the spectacle. President Trump’s birthday party/UFC fight event on the White House lawn brought out the bros, from Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Kris Marszalek, CEO of Crypto.com and David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount Skydance to Pete Hegseth and Kash Patel. Was the event intended to rescue a “macho” image for a president that seems to be getting weaker  and sleepier by the day? A president made to look even weaker by not being able to steamroll Iran as he planned?  Mark will discuss. 
The conversation continues with author and scholar Sarah Kendzior. You can always find more from Sarah at  https://sarahkendzior.substack.com/
The Mark Thompson Show 
6/15/26
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Elon Musk has built some of the most valuable companies on Earth, but how much of that success comes from innovation, and how much comes from a system that gives billionaires a different set of rules? As SpaceX’s valuation soars and IPO speculation grows, we look at the regulations, government support, private market advantages, and exceptions that critics say helped fuel the Musk empire. Were the rules bent ? Here we go again with the back-and-forth on Trump’s Iran War. Trump says a deal is imminent, but Iran says there’s no final decision on that. It’s contrary to what President Trump told reporters - that a settlement has been reached and a memorandum of understanding could be signed soon, likely in Europe. In keeping with that statement, Trump called off planned hard strikes on Iran. Meanwhile, there’s word that Iran tried to strike commercial ships trying to get through the Strait of Hormuz and US officials shot down Iranian attack drones. The reports are conflicting from all angles. Is this part of Trump’s strategy or does the Trump administration, once again, not really have a handle on what it’s doing? We’ll put the question to Michael Shure and Mo Kelly who join us for ‘This Week in Politics.’ Then, it’s all about weekend frivolity with a swing by the state of Florida to check in on the craziness and a look at movies with The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder. Bring on the weekend! The Mark Thompson Show 6/12/26

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

A ceasefire broken. The U.S.launched “self-defense strikes” on Iranian air defense and radar sites last evening after a U.S. Apache helicopter was downed Monday near the Strait of Hormuz. The two pilots were rescued. This came after President Trump said the U.S. response “should be very strong, very powerful,” and earlier said talks with Iran were in their “final throes,” possibly concluding in “two or three days” though the status of those negotiations is now unclear.  Sources say U.S. targets included Iranian air defenses and radar installations as part of the retaliation. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran will not leave any attack "unanswered."
Mo Kelly speaks with political analyst John Rothmann about what this escalation means for any potential deal to end Trump’s Iran War. 
Mark welcomes the authors of ‘Notes of Deception.’ Drs. Merryl Goldberg and Vince Houghton tell the story of a quartet of American musicians that outwitted the KGB. 
We also consider how much we as consumers really need and how we can benefit our own communities. Kate Assaraf, founder and CEO of DIP Haircare  joins.
The Mark Thompson Show 
6/10/26

Kate Assaraf
https://dipalready.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-assaraf-b25a741a7

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President Trump is likely not pleased at having to relive a booing crowd over and over again as the video replays today. He attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden last night and became the first sitting U.S. president at an NBA Finals game. When the arena showed him on the jumbo screens during the national anthem as he gave a military salute, he was met with loud boos from the crowd; the jeers subsided when the U.S. flag appeared and fans cheered the Knicks. Trump watched from Knicks owner James Dolan’s suite with guests including his granddaughter Kai, adviser Boris Epshteyn, and several Cabinet officials. His visit prompted heavy Secret Service and NYPD security, perimeter fencing, TSA-style screenings and an early-arrival recommendation for fansr. The outside watch party had to be moved and those fans also joined in the booing of Trump. After the game, Trump said the reaction was “mostly cheers.”
We will discuss the fan reaction and whether it’s a trivial moment at a sporting event or whether it may be tied deeper to growing discontent with Trump‘s job performance.
Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist  David Cay Johnston will join the conversation to talk about  what late night host Jimmy Kimmel called the“Trumper Tantrum” over the weekend on NBC’s Meet the Press and what appears to be a Trump‘s midterm election strategy… he’s back to accusing states of rigging elections.
Coachella Valley Coffee Roast Master Cliff Young will stop through to let us know what he’s been up to and to bring us word of new additions, and perhap special deals on the very best coffees and teas. 
The Mark Thompson Show 
6/9/26
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President Trump abruptly ended an on‑camera interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker after a heated back‑and‑forth about his claims that the 2020 election was “rigged” and assertions of voting problems in California’s recent primary. The exchange escalated when Welker pressed Trump for evidence. He accused her and major networks of being “crooked,” removed his mic, and left, later agreeing to a second interview. The segment also touched on his defense of a proposed roughly $1.8 billion fund to compensate allies (which the Justice Department said would not move forward) and his remarks about the possibility of war and U.S. elections. 
Was Trump right to walk out or is this just another moment where he can’t or doesn’t want to answer a question and lashes out? Mark will discuss along with Gary Dietrich, iHeart TV and radio political analyst. 
Legal professor June Carbone will stop by to continue the political conversation.
The Mark Thompson Show 
6/8/26
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Trump is using wartime presidential authority to hand $700 million to coal-fired power plants in the US to prop us what he calls “clean, beautiful coal”, despite it being the dirtiest of fossil fuels. The funds will be used to bring a new coal export terminal online in Oakland, California, and to restart an existing facility in Maryland. That's in addition to plants across 10 states: West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, Arizona, Oklahoma, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Trump says "Each of those 10 states voted for Trump, We won them all.” The two new coal plants will be in Alaska and West Virginia. We welcome Mo Kelly & Michael Shure for This Week in Politics - a look at the biggest stories, including election results, a new "Trump Promenade" and more. Keep your hands in the car as we cruise into Friday Fabulous Florida - you never know who has a machete! Plus, The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder brings the details on all the good movies and shows to see this weekend.

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

Results from yesterday’s primaries are still coming in, but they are shaping the 2026 midterm map and setting up a string of dramatic November matchups from New Jersey to California. We will look at key primary outcomes that could flip critical House and Senate districts and continuing redistricting efforts that could upend midterm outcomes. 
Presidential historian and political analyst John Rothmann joins the show to talk elections and more. 
Politics Girl - Leigh McGowan - stops by to talk Trump, midterms and America 250.
The Mark Thompson Show 
6/3/26

Today's Guests Links
Politics Girl - Leigh McGowan https://www.politicsgirl.com/about
John Rothmann https://www.spreaker.com/show/around-the-political-world
        https://www.youtube.com/@aroundthepoliticalworld_

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#Trump #Epstein #Iran #elections #IranWar #CAGov #redistrictng #Gerrymandering #America250 #reflectingpool #ufcfight #goldenstatues #politicsgirl #politics #political #JohnRothmann

Trump Stops Israel Strike Plan? Iran Quitting Talks? David Cay Johnston & Trita Parsi Join 6/2/26
The Mark Thompson Show 
6/2/26

Today's Guests Links
Prof. David Cay Johnston at RIT, Pulitzer Prize winning Author & Investigative Journalist  https://bsky.app/profile/davidcayjohnston.bsky.social
https://www.dcreport.org/2026/06/01/kids-who-remember-hurricane-helene-trauma/
Trita Parsi https://tritaparsi.substack.com/

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Not so fast J6ers. A Judge is blocking payments from Trump’s new $1.776B "Anti‑Weaponization Fund" while courts consider challenges to the settlement that created it.  Trump is posting angry rants on social media against U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema who ordered a temporary freeze on any transfers, claims processing or disbursements from the fund after a lawsuit by former Jan. 6 prosecutor Andrew Floyd and other plaintiffs argued the program unlawfully favors political allies and lacks oversight. The fund was created as part of a deal tied to President Trump dropping lawsuits against the IRS and related civil claims; that settlement has prompted separate judicial inquiries into whether the court was misled. A hearing is set for June 12 to consider a longer injunction and related briefs, while other judges have asked whether the original settlement amounted to deception. 
We welcome iHeart radio, and television political analyst Gary Dietrich to the show to discuss it.
The Mark Thompson Show 
6/1/26
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Corruption Central has new address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. From Trump’s Weaponization slush fund to international negotiations including Trump Towers and sketchy stock trades and Crypto deals, this next gift should come as no surprise: Dell wins a $9.7B Pentagon deal — weeks after Trump publicly urged people to “go out and buy a Dell” and after Michael Dell’s family pledged $6.25B to seed the administration’s “Trump accounts.” We’ll check out the contract (a five‑year Core Enterprise Technology Agreement to supply Microsoft licensing, cloud subscriptions and on‑prem software). We’ll drill down into the Pentagon’s claim the award followed a competitive process and will save roughly $422M a year, and we’ll examine why timing — stock purchases, public praise, and Dell’s ties to the Trump administration are now prompting ethics and conflict‑of‑interest scrutiny. We’ll roll this story past Michael Shure and Mo Kelly as we lay out the top Stories of the week in ‘This Week in Politics.’ Fingers crossed Albert finds a good gator story this week but whether it’s meth, machetes, or mayhem, Friday Fabulous Florida never disappoints. Quick set change… and ou tcomes the rainbow. The Culture Blaster Michael Snyder will slide right in to give us the best advice on movies and streaming options worth your time.

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

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

President Trump returns to Walter Reed…again.
Monday was Trump’s third in-person medical checkup during his second term and it comes as experts speculate that his health is failing. We will look at he White House statement made about Ttump’s health, prior imaging and exams (including last year’s CT scan and April physical), the administration’s explanations for bruising and leg swelling (chronic venous insufficiency and aspirin use), and how critics and independent physicians have reacted to repeated visits and limited public detail despite being the oldest person to take on a new US presidential term. 
A trip to see the doctor wasn’t all  Memorial Day brought for the president. In addition to laying a wreath at the tomb of the unknowns, Trump went on a fresh rampage against Democrats. His social media posts and comments were less than solemn on a day meant to honor America’s war dead. 
Pulitzer  Prize winning investigative journalist and author David Cay Johnston joins to discuss this and much more. 
Animal activist Karen Dawn, of Dawn Watch, will stop by to talk about a new argument being made against spaying or neutering pets.
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The Mark Thompson Show 
5/26/26
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The $1.8B Trump–Blanche slush fund is even more corrupt than we first realized. Todd Blanche is reportedly offering to cut Republican senators in on payouts to buy their support. They will be able to apply for fund money too. This scheme threatens America’s Constitutional Democracy. Please watch, share, and call your senators to demand an investigation and stop this. Mo Kelly will discuss this and more. We’ve got journalist Michael Shure, The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder and Friday Fabulous Florida too!

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

The Justice Department quietly adds a stunning amendment to a wildly corrupt agreement that created a $1.776 billion compensation fund tied to former President Trump. Tucked into the slush fund for Trump’s allies, a ban on the IRS ever auditing Trump, his family, his companies or related entities for returns filed before the deal. Does Trump have something to hide? Is this the reason he never officially released his tax returns …because something sinister is lurking inside of them ? 
We will examine  the reasons Acting AG Todd Blanche may have included that ban in the deal, accusations that Blanche is acting as Trump’s consigliere and why Blanche set himself up as the person to choose the five-person board to approve payouts. Those members would be removable at the president’s will. 
Journalist  John Harwood calls the settlement a Trump smash & grab. Does this deal mean public accountability is dead?
Mark welcomes John Rothmann,  presidential historian and host of the Around the Political World with John Rothmann podcast to discuss this and more.
Skye Perryman, with Democracy Forward, will stop by to talk about using the law to fight the corruption in the Trump administration. 
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The Mark Thompson Show 
5/20/26
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Trump’s  DOJ is creating a $1.7 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund.” It’s part of a deal resolving Trump’s lawsuit over leaked tax returns but will compensate his allies who say they were mistreated by the Biden-era Justice Department. Is America paying attention to the inside job? Democrats and watchdogs are already denouncing the move as an unprecedented taxpayer-funded slush fund and are promising legal challenges. 
It appears Americans are getting fleeced and Mark Thompson returns to make sure we know exactly what is going down. 
Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston will stop by to help make sense of it all. 
Can America be saved? Jared Yates Sexton, political analyst and author of the book The Midnight Kingdom: A History of Power, Paranoia, and the Coming Crisis will join the conversation. 
The Mark Thompson Show 
5/19/26

Today's Guests Links
Jared Yates Sexton  https://www.jysexton.com/
Prof. David Cay Johnston at RIT, Pulitzer Prize winning Author & Investigative Journalist  https://bsky.app/profile/davidcayjohnston.bsky.social

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#Trump #Epstein #DavidCayJohnston #JaredYatesSexton #Iran #Cuba #Elections #IRS #SlushFund #Religion #ChurchAndState #Politics #Political #PoliticalAnalysis

Donald Trump is reportedly close to settling a $1.8 billion IRS lawsuit and critics say the payout looks like a political slush fund. Anyone who feels wronged by the DOJ under the Biden administration, including all the pardoned J6ers, would be able to apply for a government payout. Trump and his family would reportedly be off-limits when it comes to IRS audits. We will explore the legal and ethical questions raised and look at what it could mean for accountability and future prosecutions. 
iHeart Political analyst Gary Dietrich joins the conversation. 
Dr. Katharine Wilkinson, a transformation voice in the world of climate change, comes bearing ideas obout how everyone of us can participate in the fight to save the planet. 
The Mark Thompson Show 
5/18/26
Today's Guests Links
Dr Katharine Wilkinson - Climate Wayfinding Healing Ourselves and the Planet We Call Home https://www.kkwilkinson.com/
Gary Dietrich, CBS TV & iHeart Radio Political Analyst https://twitter.com/garydietrich

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

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

FBI Director Kash Patel faced a fiery Senate confrontation yesterday as lawmakers pressed him over allegations of excessive drinking, unexplained absences and possible misuse of FBI resources. Patel angrily denied the claims, calling them “a total farce.” Democrats questioned whether FBI personnel and assets were improperly used to go after critics and reporters covering the claims that Patel was, at times, so drunk he passed out behind locked doors and security had to break in to make sure he was okay. The hearing devolved into a shouting match, with Patel yelling at senators and accusing those speaking against him of politically motivated attacks.
Mo Kelly is in for Mark Thompson.  He looks at whether Patel's rocky Congressional hearing could put him in the same boat as his former colleague Kristi Noem and whether the allegations against Patel have become an embarrassment for Trump. 
Presidential historian and political analyst John Rothmann joins  to talk politics. 
Paid protesters are a real thing, but the concept might be different than you imagine. Mark talks with Adam Swart,  the CEO of Crowds on Demand, to find out more about how it works and whether ethics are considered in the game of optics.
The Mark Thompson Show 
5/13/26
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The Mark Thompson Show 
5/12/26
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Trump is blasting Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, calling Tehran’s response “totally unacceptable” as tensions rise again across the Middle East. With drone attacks reported near Gulf shipping lanes, uncertainty surrounding Iran’s leadership, and fears growing over oil prices and a wider regional conflict, the pressure is building on all sides. We will break down the collapsing negotiations, the strategic stakes in Hormuz, and whether the ceasefire momentum is already slipping away.
IHeart television and radio political analyst Gary Dietrich will swing by. Should talk about the latest in Iran and the California governor’s race.
Mark speaks with Dr. Steven Bezruchka. He’s the author David Cay Johnston recommended we have on the show. Dr. Bezruchka ust released “Born Sick in the USA: Improving the Health of a Nation.”
 
The Mark Thompson Show 
5/11/26

Stephen Bezruchka - Born Sick
https://stephenbezruchka.com

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

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

It seems Donald Trump is itching to get out of Iran. 
He says he is pausing ‘Project Freedom’, that’s the US mission to guide ships out of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump says the pause will allow time to set up a deal with Iran to end the war. Meanwhile, his blockade of Iranian ports remains and Iran shows no signs of backing down. 
In keeping with the confusing nature of the Trump administration,Trump pressing pause on Project Freedom  contradicts the messages from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. They indicated the U.S. secured the strait as a favor to the world and hundreds of commercial ships are lining up to get through. During their press conference, a cargo vessel in the strait reported being hit by a projectile. It doesn’t seem like Iran is pressing pause. 
We’ll talk about it all with presidential historian and political analyst John Rothmann.
The Mark Thompson Show 
5/6/26
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Missiles fired at U.S. warships. A ceasefire on the brink…and Trump still calling it a “mini war.”
Now the pressure is on. 
After Iran’s latest attack in the Strait of Hormuz, the White House faces a critical choice: escalate with force or gamble on diplomacy. With voices like Lindsey Graham pushing for retaliation, the next move could reshape the entire conflict.
Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist and author David Cay Johnston joins to talk Iran, Trump and more. 
Polls show California’s gubernatorial race is far from settled. Democrats are still showing scattered support for multiple candidates. The most recent survey, conducted by the Democratic Party, puts Xavier Becerra, the former Democratic state attorney general and health and human services secretary, and Republican Steve Hilton, the British-born former Fox News commentator, neck and neck with 18% of likely voter support. Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has 15% support from likely voters and billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer, 12%. We welcome former San Francisco Chronicle Opinion Editor John Diaz to look at how the race is shaking out. 
Well, also talk redistricting, the Supreme Court decision on the voting rights act, and the latest  Trump demand for voter rolls. 
The Mark Thompson Show words
5/5/26
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A series of fresh national polls signal serious trouble for Donald Trump, with disapproval hitting its highest level yet. Voters are concerned about the economy, cost of living, and the ongoing Iran conflict. Is this the start of a deeper political slide heading into the midterms? We break down what’s driving the numbers, where support is eroding, and whether this marks a turning point for Trump and the GOP. IHeart political analyst Gary Dietrich will join us to discuss this and more. Comedian J-L Cauvin will stop by to talk about his new project.

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

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is answering questions at a House Armed Services Committee hearing. His main objective: trying to defend the 2027 military budget proposal. It shoots defense spending to an historic $1.5 trillion, in part for things like military drones, Trump Class warships and missile defense systems. Hegseth will inevitably face questions about the war in Iran, including the horrific strike on an Iranian school, killing hundreds of children .  We will have the latest details. 
Presidential historian and Middle East expert John Rothmann will join to help us break down Hegseth’s testimony. 
The Mark Thompson Show 
4/29/26
Today's Guests Links
State of the Free Press - Shealeigh Voitl
https://www.project-censored.org/shop/p/state-of-the-free-press-2025
John Rothmann https://www.spreaker.com/show/around-the-political-world
  https://www.youtube.com/@aroundthepoliticalworld_

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