DMZ America Podcast Ep 200: “Is the 21st Century Economy Crushing Your Soul?”

LIVE 10:15 AM Eastern time + Streaming on Demand Later:

The DMZ America Podcast dives in! Buckle up for a MIND-BLOWING episode of DMZ America with political cartoonists Ted Rall and Scott Stantis as they rip into the chaotic 21st-century economy! The securities markets are in a tailspin over tariffs, and it’s exposing a brutal truth: the way we pay our bills is BROKEN. Is the classic “work for pay” model dead in the water? This episode tackles the question head-on, dissecting how globalization, automation, and gig jobs have left workers scrambling.

But it gets DARKER. A 2023 Gallup poll reveals 38% of Americans feel “mostly negative” about their financial future, while a 2024 CDC study reports depression rates spiking to 20% among adults. Rall and Stantis dig into the gut-punch reality of economic turmoil fueling widespread ennui. Are sky-high costs and stagnant wages sucking the life out of us? A 2022 Pew Research study ties financial stress to mental health declines, suggesting the link is REAL—and it’s brutal.

Why are we so damn UNHAPPY? This episode isn’t just talk—it’s a wake-up call. From Wall Street’s tariff tantrums to the quiet despair in our daily grind, DMZ America lays bare the forces shredding our economic and emotional fabric. Can we fix this mess, or are we doomed to dystopia? Tune in for a raw, no-BS breakdown that’ll leave you questioning everything about how we live and work today. Don’t miss this economic EXPOSÉ—it’s the convo you NEED to hear NOW!

What Is Resistance?

France’s shocking surrender to Nazi Germany in June 1940 left citizens stunned and unsure how to resist the German occupation and Vichy’s collaborationist regime. Distrust was everywhere—few knew whom to confide in without risking betrayal. Prewar political parties, blamed for the defeat, lay discredited; the French Communist Party, later a Resistance powerhouse, stood down under Hitler’s nonaggression pact with Stalin. It took a year for the Resistance to gain traction. Backed by the Allies, De Gaulle’s Free French in London parachuted agents into occupied territory, uniting disparate groups with clashing ideologies. After Germany invaded the USSR in June 1941, communists joined en masse, adding militancy. By late 1941, 10,000 to 20,000 fighters were sabotaging factories, cutting rail lines and assassinating German officers.

Americans who want to resist Donald Trump face similar disarray and demoralization. Liberals blame progressives for failing to turn out for Kamala while leftists point fingers at Democrats for failing to counter a hard-right turn. Unlike France, where a coalition of resistance eventually coalesced, the U.S. lacks a unified revolutionary force waiting in the wings.

Project 2025 isn’t Pétain’s Collected Speeches—ICE raids and deportations aside, this is still autocracy lite. Vichy’s dictatorship had already taken root. So what’s the point of this analogy? Resistance is hard, even in France, with its history of three revolutions and major uprisings like the 1871 Paris Commune before World War II.

In the U.S., where sustained political protests have not taken over the streets for over 50 years, many on the left haven’t seen real resistance. How can they know what actively and effectively engaging the government of the world’s most powerful nation-state looks like?

Last weekend saw the first major protests of Trump’s second term. Thousands marched in cities in all 50 states against the president’s policies and deportation orders, braving snow in some areas. For opponents, the turnout—estimated at a million nationwide—offers hope. Anger is palpable. Energy is high. Are the “Hands Off!” demos the start of a lasting movement or, like the 2017 Women’s March (co-organized by some of the same Democrat-allied groups), a fleeting outburst?

If sustained, can marches alone create enough disruption to force Trump to back off? The history of protests suggests no.

Economic pressure has historically worked. In ancient Egypt circa 1157 BCE, hungry pyramid workers withheld their labor over small rations, as recorded in the Middle Kingdom’s Turin Strike Papyrus. The pharaoh caved. In 494 BCE, Rome’s Plebeians walked out, threatening to create a new city and crashing the economy until the Patricians granted representation, debt forgiveness and other concessions. Without organization, however, such tactics are destined to fail. Occupy Wall Street’s call for a general strike in 2011 and a February 2025 anti-Trump consumer boycott fizzled, leaving leftists looking impotent and foolish.

In Nazi-occupied Europe, resistance meant defiance at mortal risk. Dutch families like the ten Booms hid Jews in secret rooms, supplying food and forged papers despite Gestapo raids. France’s Maquis sheltered downed pilots, guiding them via the Comet network. Polish partisans spirited fighters through forests, sharing meager rations. These acts—punishable by torture, execution or deportation—disrupted Nazi control and saved lives. They were a message to the outside world: we refuse to stand by passively.

Little of this is possible without a unified militant political movement to organize people and to defend them when they are in trouble. So it’s understandable that, at this time when events are moving quickly, opponents of Trumpism choose to take a stand in the streets—marching and chanting and carrying signs is something anyone can do, especially when they have the day off from work on a Saturday. But nothing can substitute for the long hard work of rebuilding the American left from the ground up. Moreover, protest marches can be counterproductive. Local police departments and other agencies photograph and use drones to track protesters and add them to their databases, making troublemakers easier to catch in the future.

Resisting Trump might mean hiding migrants from ICE’s anonymous kidnapping squads in homes or safe houses, offering food, medical care or fake IDs through modern underground railroads. This risks prison, fines or asset seizure under a vicious federal law (8 U.S.C. § 1324) that bans harboring undocumented immigrants. In this surveillance state, it would be difficult to avoid detection. Discretion is essential.

Real resistance—the kind that matters—carries danger. In 2018, Ravi Ragbir, a Trinidadian activist, was detained by ICE in Manhattan for an 18-year-old conviction. Protesters, including councilmen Jumaane Williams and Ydanis Rodriguez, blocked the ICE van; both were arrested and one injured, but they won. A judge later blocked Ragbir’s deportation, citing his activism as a First Amendment defense. In Portland that year, days-long blockades of an ICE facility over family separations forced ICE to move and release some detainees. In Harlem in March, a white New Yorker named Dustin West and his neighbor physically intervened in an ICE arrest and were handcuffed and roughed up.

Resistance isn’t for everyone. Only about two percent of the French actively resisted the Nazis. But everyone understood what real Resistance was. If you’re serious about opposing Trump and a perceived slide into autocracy over which he is presiding, you must first grasp what resistance demands—sustained commitment, risk and, sometimes, standing between the agents of the state and their targets.

(Ted Rall, the political cartoonist, columnist and graphic novelist, co-hosts the left-vs-right DMZ America podcast with fellow cartoonist Scott Stantis and The TMI Show with political analyst Manila Chan. Subscribe: tedrall.Substack.com.)

TMI Show Ep 116: “Trump vs. Columbia University”

LIVE 10 AM Eastern + Streaming 24/7 After:

On “The TMI Show,” hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan dive into the escalating controversy surrounding President Trump’s push to place Columbia University under federal oversight, citing unsubstantiated claims of rampant anti-Semitism. Ted, a Columbia alumnus, reports live from the university’s Morningside Heights campus, where tensions are high following last year’s Gaza solidarity encampments. Despite the participation of many Jewish students in those protests and no concrete evidence of anti-Semitic incidents, the administration has since clamped down on free speech, suspending students and restricting demonstrations.

Is this a targeted attack on academic freedom, or the first step in a broader assault on higher education? The hosts unpack the implications, questioning whether an Ivy League institution like Columbia could be just the beginning.

Later, the show shifts gears to the volatile financial markets, rattled by President Trump’s erratic tariff policies. Manila and Ted welcome financial analyst Bubba Horwitz, who breaks down the economic fallout from the president’s on-again, off-again trade maneuvers. Horwitz offers insights into how investors are grappling with uncertainty, from spiking commodity prices to stock market jitters. The discussion highlights the real-world impacts on businesses and consumers, cutting through the noise of political posturing.

The TMI Show remains a viewer-supported platform, streaming live Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. ET on YouTube and Rumble, where no topic is too hot to handle.

DeProgram: “Israel’s Gaza Slaughter & a Detroit Lawyer’s Fight”

Streaming 2:30 PM LIVE and Replaying On Demand Afterward:

DeProgram with John Kiriakou and Ted Rall dives into two explosive stories that will leave you questioning everything.

First, the shocking massacre of first responders in Gaza by Israel—brave heroes gunned down in cold blood while saving lives, followed by a chilling coverup that’s been buried too long. What really happened, and why won’t the world look?

Then, a jaw-dropping tale from Detroit: a fearless lawyer targeted by BCE, caught in a web of intrigue and retaliation that screams corruption at the highest levels. Why is this advocate being silenced, and who’s pulling the strings?

Hosted by ex-CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, who exposed torture and paid the price, and fearless cartoonist Ted Rall, no stranger to controversy, this episode rips the lid off hidden truths the powerful want kept quiet.

Will the Gaza atrocities ever see daylight? Can the Detroit lawyer fight back against BCE’s shadowy grip? Tune in to DeProgram for a rollercoaster of revelations that’ll make your blood boil and your mind race. Don’t miss this—click now to uncover the stories they don’t want you to hear!

TMI Show Ep 115: “Trump’s Tariff Twist, Lawyer’s Airport Drama, and a Congo Coup Fallout”

LIVE 10 AM Eastern + Streaming 24/7 After:

In this episode of “The TMI Show” with Ted Rall and Manila Chan, the hosts dive into a trio of pressing global stories.

First, they unpack U.S. President Donald Trump’s abrupt reversal on his tariff war strategy. After stock markets tanked and Treasury yields soared, Trump paused his sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs for 90 days, lowering them to a 10% baseline, though he hiked China’s imports to a steep 125%. Markets reacted swiftly: the S&P 500 spiked over 9%, and Japan’s Nikkei followed with a 9% leap, though Treasury yields hinted at lingering economic strain. China, meanwhile, retaliated with a 50% tariff bump on U.S. goods, pushing their total levy to 84%.

Next, the episode shifts to Detroit, where civil rights lawyer Amir Makled faced intense scrutiny at the airport. Returning from a family vacation, Makled—counsel to a pro-Palestinian activist—was detained by Border Patrol, questioned by a Tactical Terrorism Response Team, and pressed to unlock his phone. He resisted, citing client privilege, but allowed a limited contact list review, noting agents’ focus on Lebanese names. The incident sparked debate over government intimidation tactics.

Finally, the hosts cover the return of three Americans—Marcel Malanga Malu, Tylor Thomson, and Zalman-Polun Benjamin—to the U.S., after their death sentences for a failed coup in DR Congo were commuted to life imprisonment. Alongside this, Ksenia Karelina, a U.S.-Russian citizen jailed for treason in Russia, was freed in a prisoner swap, as U.S.-Russia talks gained traction.

TMI Show Ep 114: “Did a Ukraine RPG Plot Almost Take Out Trump?”

LIVE 10 AM Eastern + Streaming 24/7 After:

In this episode of The TMI Show, hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan examine the case of Ryan Wesley Routh, charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump on September 15, 2024, at his Florida golf course. The discussion centers on a recent Justice Department filing revealing Routh’s efforts to acquire a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) or Stinger missile from a Ukrainian contact in August 2024. Prosecutors allege Routh messaged via Signal, seeking weapons to target Trump’s plane, citing Trump’s perceived threat to Ukraine. Rall and Chan dissect the evidence, including Routh’s prior support for Ukraine’s war effort, and explore the implications of such an international plot.

The episode also covers Trump’s escalating trade policies, focusing on the 104% tariffs imposed on Chinese imports, and China’s retaliatory 84% tariffs, intensifying the U.S.-China trade war. They discuss Canada’s 25% counter-tariffs on U.S. autos, dubbed “testariffs,” signaling broader economic fallout. Additionally, the hosts address a judge’s ruling favoring the Associated Press, reinstating its White House access, and a quirky aside on windshield wiper regulations amid tariff talks.

DeProgram: Salvadoran Migrant Case, Trump Tariffs, Iran-US Nuclear Talks

Listen/Watch LIVE 2 pm Eastern and Streaming Anytime Afterward:
In this episode of DeProgram, hosts John Kiriakou and Ted Rall examine three pressing issues shaping current events as of April 8, 2025. The discussion begins with Chief Justice John Roberts’ recent decision to issue an indefinite stay on a court order requiring the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadorean migrant, halting his deportation amid legal challenges. The hosts analyze the implications of this ruling for immigration policy and judicial oversight. Next, they address the stock market turmoil linked to President Trump’s tariff policies, exploring how these economic measures have sparked volatility, disrupted trade, and raised concerns among investors and analysts. The episode concludes with a focus on the latest developments in U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, held the previous Saturday, where Trump’s administration offered talks but threatened military action if Iran’s nuclear program advances unchecked. The hosts assess Iran’s response, including its public rejection and back-channel outreach, alongside the broader geopolitical stakes, such as potential Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. This episode delivers a concise, critical look at these interconnected legal, economic, and international challenges.

TMI Show Ep 113: “Iran-ing Out Nuclear Issues”

Streaming 10 AM Eastern & 8 AM Mountain time + Streaming Afterwards:

In this episode of “The TMI Show,” hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan tackle the upcoming US-Iran talks slated for this weekend. They dig into the nitty-gritty: the US wants tighter reins on Iran’s nuclear program, while Iran’s after sanctions relief to juice its economy. The goal? Keep the Middle East from boiling over.

Ted, with his razor-sharp political lens, predicts a standoff—Iran’s stubbornness clashing with US posturing. Manila, ever the pragmatist, questions if either side can stomach a compromise. They spar over outcomes: a fragile deal or just more bluster. Expect Ted’s biting sarcasm on oil prices and Israel’s shadow moves, paired with Manila’s knack for cutting through diplomatic fluff. It’s 60 minutes of unfiltered takes—will diplomacy win, or are we doomed for chaos? Rall and Chan don’t hold back. Catch the fireworks.

TMI Show Ep 112: “Don’t Look Down: Stocks In Freefall”

Streaming 10 AM Eastern & 8 AM Mountain time + Streaming Afterwards:

In this episode of “The TMI Show,” hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan tackle the escalating unrest in global securities markets following President Trump’s tariffs, announced last week on “Liberation Day,” April 1. The discussion centers on the dramatic overseas market reactions and the futures markets’ ominous signals. On Monday morning, Asian markets led the plunge: Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 nosedived 7.8%, its steepest drop in a decade, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng cratered 13.2%, the worst since the 1997 financial crisis. Shanghai’s Composite fell 7.3%, and Taiwan’s Taiex shed 9.7%, a record single-day loss. In Europe, the pain spread as Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 each tumbled 5.8%, and Britain’s FTSE 100 slid 4.9%, reflecting widespread fears of a trade war spiral.

Futures markets amplified the dread: U.S. Dow futures dropped 1,246 points by early Monday, signaling more turbulence ahead. With financial expert Aquilles Larrea, Ted and Manila explore the global anxiety—overseas traders are bracing for retaliatory tariffs, supply chain chaos, and a potential recession. With markets reeling and uncertainty looming over the week, the hosts debate whether this is a temporary shock or the start of a deeper crisis.

TMI Show Ep 111: “Car-azy: Tariffs, Ford Price Cuts and Tesla Attacks”

Streaming 10 AM Eastern & 8 AM Mountain time + Streaming Afterwards:

Ted Rall and Manila Chan welcome auto industry expert Lauren Fix to dissect the impact of President Trump’s new 25% tariffs on foreign cars. The discussion explores how these tariffs, effective immediately, are shaking up the automotive landscape. Ford and GM, with 20-30% of their U.S. sales tied to imports, face pressure, prompting Ford to announce price cuts to offset rising costs. The episode delves into projections of auto prices climbing $5,000-$15,000, as even American-made vehicles rely on foreign components, leaving consumers squeezed amid persistent inflation.

The conversation also covers Tesla’s position, fully U.S.-produced and thus insulated from the tariffs, though its stock has dipped 5% after hours due to unrelated backlash. Broader market effects take center stage, with the tariffs triggering volatility—Ford’s stock rises 2%, GM’s falls 1.5%, and global trade tensions loom. Potential retaliation from Canada and Mexico, key players in the $460 billion auto trade network, adds fuel to the fire, unsettling investors further. Lauren Fix provides data-driven insights, while the hosts keep the pace brisk and engaging, blending economic analysis with real-world implications. The episode captures a pivotal moment as policy shifts ripple through wallets, assembly lines, and Wall Street, delivering the raw, unfiltered breakdown TMI fans expect.

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