TMI Show Ep 160: “Israel-Iran War Escalating”

LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

Happy Monday! It’s time for “The TMI Show with Ted Rall and Manila Chan,” catching you up with the latest in the war between Iran and Israel. Iranian missiles slammed into Tel Aviv and Haifa, leveling homes and sparking alarm at the G7 summit—and glee among supporters of the Palestinians. In Petah Tikva, a residential building was scorched, windows shattered, and apartments wrecked, with four elderly residents killed and 87 injured. In the northern city of Haifa, 30 were wounded as fires raged near a power plant.

Iran’s state TV said the country fired over 100 missiles, retaliating for Israel’s surprise attack against Tehran’s nuclear research facilities and assassinations of top military officials. The Revolutionary Guards claimed that a new Iranian tactic fooled Israel’s defense systems. World leaders fear a wider Middle East war. Ted, who is a rare American to have visited Iran, and Manila unpack the stakes, controversies, and what’s next in this high-stakes showdown.

Plus:

  • Trump’s new “gold card” website lures rich foreigners with fast-track U.S. citizenship for big bucks, replacing the EB-5 visa.
  • Labor union giants Randi Weingarten and Lee Saunders resign from the DNC, slamming new chairman Ken Martin for shrinking the party’s big tent.
  • Rare immune reactions to others’ bodies—like semen allergies or PATM—baffle scientists, with toluene and external allergens as possible culprits.

DeProgram: “Israel-Iran War, Minnesota Assassinations, Sean O’Brien”

LIVE 12 pm Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

Today on the “DeProgram show” with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, we’re deprogramming you from the MSM BS that confuses more than it clarifies. First, we explore day three of the Iran-Israel conflict. Will Iran rush to obtain nuclear weapons? Can Trump, Putin or China negotiate a ceasefire? Will the conflict spread? Ted and John examine the stakes and the days ahead.

Next, the targeted shootings of Minnesota lawmakers Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman, both high-ranking Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party legislators, raise chilling questions about political violence. As prominent DFL leaders—Hortman as House Speaker Emerita and Hoffman as a key senator—their shared party ties and legislative roles suggest a possible political motive, though details remain unclear.

Finally, Sean O’Brien, founder of Yale Privacy Lab, joins to discuss his startup’s groundbreaking work protecting digital privacy against pervasive surveillance.

“Deprogram” delivers unflinching analysis of war, political violence, and the fight for personal freedom.

DeProgram: “Israel Attacks Iran”

LIVE 3 pm Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

As the world teeters on the brink, the “DeProgram” show with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, tackle two explosive global stories.

First, Israel’s airstrikes on over 100 Iranian targets, including nuclear facilities and missile sites, killed senior commanders like IRGC’s Hossein Salami and top scientists, prompting the Iranian government to call Israel’s aggression a “declaration of war.” Iran retaliated with over 100 drones, while Trump, praising the “excellent” strikes while in an awkward position because he asked Israel not to proceed, urged Iran to negotiate a nuclear deal or face “more brutal” attacks. We the geopolitical fallout. How will these Middle East tensions affect the Shia-Sunni divide, and oil prices? The U.S. claims it wasn’t involved but Teheran doesn’t believe them. What are the risks of U.S. entanglement? Was this the end of the Oman-based nuclear talks? How will the attacks play in Israel domestically? What is the effect in Palestine?

Next, we shift to the U.S., where major anti-Trump “No Kings” and anti-deportation protests are set for tomorrow. Fueled by Trump’s brutal immigration crackdowns, these demonstrations signal growing resistance spreading across the nation. With cities bracing for unrest, Rall and Kiriakou explore the protests’ roots, their potential to reshape the political landscape, and the broader fight over America’s identity. 

Join the DeProgram show with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou for unfiltered analysis that cuts through mainstream narratives.

TMI Show Ep 159: “Israel Attacks Iran”

LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

We’re kicking off “The TMI Show” with Israel’s explosive attack against Iran, launched overnight. Israeli airstrikes hit Iran’s nuclear sites, risking radiation releases, and assassinating top Iranian military officials like IRGC chief Hossein Salami and scientists, shaking the Middle East to its core. The U.S. denied having anything to do with the attacks and Trump is presumed to have disapproved, but will the US leave Israel on its own to deal with the inevitable Iranian retaliation? Israel says it’s a preemptive strike to stop a nuclear weapon, but it may also sabotage Trump’s Iran talks. In Israel, this looks like a new gambit to keep Netanyahu in power. With tensions boiling and retaliation on the horizon, this geopolitical showdown is essential to understand.

Then, we’re diving into Trump’s ongoing push for mass deportations, facing fierce resistance in the courts and streets as families and businesses are ripped apart by unidentified goons who claim to work for ICE. Joined by guest Susan Pai, this segment tackles the legal battles and public protests challenging the policy. Susan Pai is an experienced immigration attorney with over 26 years of legal expertise, focusing on immigration law, business law, estate planning, and guardianships, and has a background as a former Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and Public Defender in Washington.

Israel: An Idea That No Longer Makes Sense

People who support Israel, no matter what it does, tend to hang their hats on a series of familiar arguments. Israel, they say, is the only place Jews can live in security. Critics of Israel want to eliminate Israel. The abolition of Israel would render Israeli Jews homeless (ethnic cleansing), or they would be killed (genocide). Therefore, anyone who criticizes Israel—any anti-Zionist, anyone appalled by Israel’s oppression of the Palestinians—is, by definition, anti-Semitic.

Let’s take these assumptions one at a time, beginning with the shibboleth of Israel As Safe Haven. “I think without Israel, there’s not a Jew in the world that’s secure. I think Israel is essential,” President Biden, a strident Zionist, said to Bibi Netanyahu in 2023. He’s wrong. Whatever good Israel provides to Jewish people, it does not include protecting them from physical harm.

Roughly half the world’s Jews (7.2 million, three out of four Israelis) live in Israel compared to 8 million in other countries. Between 2015 and 2024, about 1,755 Jewish deaths in Israel were attributed to terrorism and armed conflict. Annualized, this comes to about 0.024% of Israel’s Jewish population (1,755 deaths out of 7.2 million). During the same period, about 24 Jewish deaths outside Israel were attributed to anti-Semitic terrorism or hate crimes, averaging about 2.4 deaths per year. This is roughly 0.0003% of the global Jewish diaspora (24 deaths out of 8 million).

Israeli prime minister Golda Meir is quoted as having said: “We Jews have a secret weapon in our struggle with the Arabs; we have no place to go.” Actually, statistics say, Jews ought to go anywhere but Israel. Jews in Israel are 73 times more likely to be murdered due to terrorism, hate crimes, or armed conflict than in the diaspora. Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack skews this heavily, but Israel is much riskier even in baseline years.

Pro-Israel lobbying groups such as the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League claim that the Palestinian rallying cry “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is genocidally anti-Semitic because “it calls for the establishment of a State of Palestine from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, erasing the State of Israel and its people.” In this telling, “State” and “people” are one and the same—their fate, at least. Yet the ash-heap of history is littered with nation-states that no longer exist, without genocidal consequences. Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, the Kingdom of Hawaii, the Republic of Texas, South Vietnam, East Germany and the Soviet Union were erased; their peoples lived on.

It is entirely possible to imagine a Republic of Palestine where Jews, Arabs and other groups live peacefully side by side, in a democracy. As Edward Said pointed out, that’s how it was for centuries in Ottoman Palestine. “Real peace,” Said wrote in 1999, “can come only with a binational Israeli-Palestinian state.”

There are counterfactuals. The invasions and annexations of Armenia, Tibet and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic led to genocides. But those are exceptions, not the rule. The argument that the end of Israel as a Jewish state and a British-inspired settler colonial project would necessarily lead to ethnic cleansing or worse is ahistorical.

Besides, not everyone who backs the Palestinians is out to get Israel. 20% to 35% of pro-Palestinian voters support a one-state solution that might effectively abolish Israel as a Jewish-majority state. 50% to 60% want Israel to change its policies, with a two-state solution, ending settlements, and/or improving human rights. Even if you think the fates of Israel and Israeli Jews are intertwined—and that’s a huge stretch—equating criticism of Israel with a desire for a second Shoah is unfair.

The underpinnings of political support for Israel in the United States stem from its founding in 1948, a few years after the Holocaust. To many Americans, it made (and still makes) sense to create a homeland for a people uniquely persecuted for centuries. Few gave a passing thought to the Palestinians who already lived there. Fewer still asked why people who had nothing to do with World War II should give up their land, as opposed to, say, Germany.

Whatever logic justified U.S. support in 1948 for the creation of a Jewish ethno-state has evaporated after nearly a century of apartheid, injustice, brutality and war. Israel is dangerous for Jews who live there and it’s a toxic driver of global anti-Semitism everywhere else. Even if you don’t care about the Palestinians—if your only concern is for the Jews who survived the Holocaust—Israel no longer makes sense.

(Ted Rall, the political cartoonist, columnist and graphic novelist, is the author of “Never Mind the Democrats. Here’s WHAT’S LEFT.” Subscribe: tedrall.Substack.com.

TMI Show Ep 158: “Happy in the Bronx”

LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

Today on “The TMI Show with Ted Rall and Manila Chan, we’re exploring animal rights. Should animals be granted legal status? If so, which animals and why? The “Happy the Elephant” lawsuit, launched by the Nonhuman Rights Project, fought for Happy, an Asian elephant at the Bronx Zoo since 1977. Living alone since 2006, Happy’s self-awareness—proven by passing a mirror test—sparked the NhRP’s habeas corpus petition, demanding that she receive legal personhood and be transfered to a sanctuary where she would be, well, happier. They argued that her isolation and cramped space were unlawful imprisonment. The Bronx Zoo fought back, insisting Happy is well-cared-for and not alone, calling the suit a stunt. Courts, including New York’s highest in 2022, rejected Happy’s claim, ruling that habeas corpus is for humans only, though dissenters pushed for Happy’s rights. Is animal personhood a legitimate civil rights movement, or a slippery slope? Elephants’ established intelligence—tool use, epic memory, empathy—fuel the debate, alongside landmark cases like Sandra the Orangutan’s. Don’t miss this deep dive into animal rights and legal limits!

Plus:

  • Today’s Loving Day celebrates the 1967 Supreme Court ruling legalizing interracial marriage, sparked by Richard and Mildred Loving’s fight.
  • An Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad kills hundreds, including students, after hitting a medical college dining hall. It’s a Boeing 787.
  • Israel is gearing up for a potential Iran strike, risking Middle East chaos and Trump’s nuclear deal.

 

DeProgram: “Anti-ICE Protests Spread, Iran Trolls Israel, Amer-Exit”

LIVE 5 pm Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

Never a dull moment on the DeProgram show with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, dissecting three pivotal issues! First, they dive into ICE’s aggressive deportation sweeps, with over 100,000 arrests since January. Anti-ICE protests are erupting in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and New York City against mass deportations, leading to violent clashes with police and National Guard, prompting Los Angeles to impose a curfew. Is this a replay of Nixon’s “Silent Majority” vs. Hippies…and of Kent State?

Next, John and Ted turn to Iran’s nuclear standoff,as Tehran rejects a U.S. proposal allowing limited uranium enrichment. Iran’s counterproposal, presented via Oman, demands continued domestic uranium enrichment at 3.67% and calls for Israel to dismantle its undeclared nuclear arsenal for a “nuke-free Middle East.” Tehran insists on guaranteed economic benefits and criticizes the U.S. offer for lacking clarity on sanctions.

Finally, will the last one to leave the US turn out the lights? Between the low birth rate, mass deportations and now a post-Trump exodus, will anyone be left? American emigration has increased, with 5.4 million U.S. citizens living abroad in 2024, up from 4.4 million in 2020, marking a 22.7% rise driven by political, economic, and social factors. The trend accelerated post-2024 election, with 53% of millionaires and growing numbers of middle-class families citing instability and policy shifts as reasons for leaving.

Join Ted Rall’s pointed commentary and John Kiriakou’s insider expertise for a fearless breakdown of these stories.

TMI Show Ep 157: “Israel Is Dangerous to Jews.”

LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

Today, it’s a thought-provoking episode of “The TMI Show”! Political cartoonist and columnist Ted Rall brings his razor-sharp perspective to the forefront with his provocative thesis: Israel Is Dangerous for Jews. This isn’t just talk—this is a deep dive into a topic and longstanding assumptions that turn out to have been totally false. Rall tackles the long-held belief that Israel is the ultimate safe haven for Jewish people, armed with stark statistics: 1,755 Jewish people have died from hate crimes and terrorism in Israel during 2015-2024 (0.024% of its Jewish population) versus just 24 in the diaspora (0.0003%). That’s a 73-times higher risk, and even though the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack contributed, it’s still far more dangerous to be Jewish in Israel than anywhere else.

Ted challenges the narrative that pro-Palestinian activists want Jews to be killed if Israel dissolves, pointing to historical examples like Austria-Hungary’s dissolution without mass killings, and references Edward Said’s vision of a binational peace and a one-state solution. The controversy heats up as Rall questions U.S. support rooted in 1948 post-Holocaust logic, now strained by decades of conflict. Israel, it turns out, is making life worse for Jews.

Joined by co-host Manila Chan, this episode promises unfiltered insights into Zionist arguments, pro-Palestinian perspectives, and the messy reality of the Middle East. Whether you’re pro-Israel, pro-Palestine, or just here for the truth, this is must-see TV. Tune in, share your thoughts, and let’s get real about one of the world’s toughest issues.

Plus:

  • At least 10 people were killed and 12 wounded in a mass shooting at a high school in Graz, Austria, marking the deadliest attack in the country’s postwar history.
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced 4,000 National Guard troops will remain in Los Angeles for 60 days at a cost of $134M, amid a proposed $831.5B FY 2026 defense budget.
  • The U.S. and China agreed on a trade deal framework in London to implement a May 12 tariff pause, potentially easing rare earth mineral export tensions.

 

TMI Show Ep 155: “Trump’s War Against Los Angeles”

LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

Tune into an essential episode of “The TMI Show with hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan,” tackling the explosive unrest in Los Angeles that’s gripping the nation. Protests against aggressive immigration raids have spiraled into chaos, with burned cars, looted stores, and fireworks hurled at the LAPD. President Trump’s deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops, bypassing a governor for the first time since LBJ used them to desegregate Southern schools in 1965, has ignited a firestorm. Newsom is suing to reclaim control of the Guard, saying the LAPD had the situation under control before troops made things worse. Will Trump escalate even more and invoke the Insurrection Act to unleash active-duty Marines from Camp Pendleton, now on high alert? Or will Newsom’s legal challenge work?

The violence, sparked by random ICE raids targeting Latino communities, has seen flash-bang grenades and tear gas deployed against crowds blocking freeways and surrounding federal buildings. With tensions flaring in Paramount and Compton, will the chaos spread as the workweek begins, or can local leaders like Mayor Bass restore calm? The political stakes are massive—Trump’s calling protesters “insurrectionists,” while the governor and mayor urge peaceful resistance to deny Trump a pretext for more force. Internationally, the crackdown’s optics could strain diplomatic ties.

We have unmatched insight from three SoCal personalities: Manila, raised in East LA, Ted, a former Los Angeles Times cartoonist and KFI radio host, and guest Scott Stantis, The Chicago Tribune cartoonist from south of LA. They’ll unpack why this erupted, what’s next, and how it could reshape the nation’s political landscape.

DeProgram: “Deportation Riot in LA, Trump/Musk, Jan. 6ers Sue, Israeli Aid Scheme Stopped, mRNA HIV Cure?”

LIVE 12 noon Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

Join us for “DeProgram,” delving into the most pressing issues with unflinching clarity. On the “DeProgram show with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou,”  we dissect the deportation firestorm surrounding Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man mistakenly deported to El Salvador and the subject to a Supreme Court order, now back in the U.S.—but he’s facing new human smuggling charges after a legal battle in which the White House blew off the courts. Are the charges fair? What about his having been denied due process for months? Next, we unpack the chaotic clash in Los Angeles between ICE agents and protesters, sparked by aggressive enforcement and Trump’s latest travel ban. Trump won with a promise to do just this, but is a sense of chaos and mayhem undermining law and order?

Tesla’s stock is shown resilience amid the Trump-Musk feud, following a volatile period due to the public spat. The feud, centered on a spending bill dispute, saw Trump call Musk “crazy” and Musk propose an “America Party,” but there’s possible de-escalation after a White House call.

We also tackle the Proud Boys’ lawsuit challenging January 6th prosecutions, alleging political targeting in a case that could reshape legal accountability for the Capitol riot after the plaintiffs were already prosecuted.

Shifting to global crises, we explore the collapse of Gaza’s joint US-Israeli aid distribution system amid escalating violence, leaving millions in despair and humanitarian efforts in chaos.

Finally, we delve into groundbreaking medical news: could mRNA technology, the basis for COVID vaccines, unlock a cure for HIV? This potential breakthrough could transform global health. 

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