DeProgram: “RussiaGate Revisited, Epstein, ICE at War, AI Little Marco”

LIVE 6:00 pm Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

Never a dull moment on the “DeProgram” show with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, deprogramming you about the news that matters.

RussiaGate Revisited: The Justice Department finally launches criminal probes into former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey over their roles in the Trump-Russia investigation. A “lessons learned” review of the creation of the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) that alleged Russia tried to influence the 2016 presidential election to help then-candidate Trump found that the process of the ICA’s creation was rushed with “procedural anomalies,” and that officials diverted from intelligence standards. It also determined that the “decision by agency heads to include the Steele Dossier in the ICA ran counter to fundamental tradecraft principles and ultimately undermined the credibility of a key judgment.” Whoopsie! Will the media stop pushing RussiaGate now?

The Epstein Circular File: Controversy surrounds Attorney General Pam Bondi as she claims there’s nothing to see and no one to prosecute in the Jeffrey Epstein case. A DOJ memo that denies the existence of a “client list” fails the smell test as Team Trump seems to be indulging in a cover-up.

ICE at War: Democratic senators are about to propose a bill to ban ICE agents from wearing masks, prompted by reports of impersonators committing crimes. Examples include Carl Thomas Bennett, 37, arrested in Raleigh, North Carolina, for impersonating an ICE officer and sexually assaulting a woman at a Motel 6. Bennett allegedly displayed a business card with a badge and threatened to deport the victim if she didn’t comply. A man in Philadelphia, wearing a tactical vest labeled “Security Enforcement Agent,” robbed an auto repair shop while posing as an ICE agent. He detained a 50-year-old Dominican woman using zip-ties and stole $1,000. A man in Texas posed as an ICE agent to rob a couple, blocking their car and demanding cash. The couple fought back, with the wife and husband firing weapons, hitting the suspect, who fled and was later hospitalized. Meanwhile, 11 people allegedly used fireworks and vandalism to lure ICE agents before ambushing them with 20-30 rounds, injuring a police officer in the neck at Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas.

AI Officials: Speaking of fakery, an AI-generated imposter used a fake Signal account to mimic Secretary of State Marco Rubio, contacting three foreign ministers, a U.S. governor, and a congressmember. This scam followed a similar AI-driven impersonation of Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles. Ted’s 2020 graphic novel “The Stringer” envisioned a world in which a bad actor would start wars using AI deep fakes. Could it happen now?

Zohran Zooming: Zohran Mamdani leads the general election race in a new poll. Mamdani gets 35%, followed by Cuomo with 25%, Sliwa with 14%, Adams—the corporate establishment favorite—at 11% and attorney Jim Walden at 1%. Never has the Democratic establishment been so out of touch.

Don’t miss the unfiltered truth on these pivotal stories.

TMI Show Ep 176: “Trump Threatens to Bomb Moscow”

LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

Leaked tape shows Trump bragging to rich fundraisers that he threatened Putin with US bombs on Moscow! A bragging lie or a genuine threat of World War III? “The TMI Show” with hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan breaks down this latest geopolitical firestorm! President Donald Trump’s head-spinning reversal on Ukraine (he loves them, he hates them, he loves them again) takes center stage.

Now Trump is sending more weapons to Kyiv, days after pausing deliveries of air defense missiles and precision-guided artillery because the U.S. was running out. Trump’s flip-flop comes as Ukraine reels from big Russian air barrages, with 11 civilians killed and over 80 injured, including seven kids, in recent attacks. Trump’s frustration with Putin is boiling over. Trump’s campaign promise to end the Russo-Ukraine War is still stalled, with Trump threatening sanctions against Russian oil purchasers like China and India like a 500% tariff bill backed by Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Ukraine is begging for more U.S. and European aid as the war grinds on. Ted and Manila unpack the chaos, the controversies, and what Trump’s next move might mean for global stability.

Plus:

  • A bizarre case in Belgrade: a woman’s death tied to a kitchen whisk. sex, and a fatal brain aneurysm.
  • Antidepressant withdrawal woes spark a new nonprofit to guide safer tapering.
  • TSA scraps shoe removal at airports, easing travel hassles.
  • Peter Jackson’s Moa obsession fuels a wild biotech quest to revive the extinct bird.

TMI Show Ep 175: “ICE Invades LA”

LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

Someone left the hate out in the rain!

On Monday, dozens of heavily armed federal agents, decked out in full military gear like they were invading a hostile foreign country, stormed Los Angeles’ iconic MacArthur Park in what they claimed was an immigration enforcement operation, though it is unknown if anyone was arrested. Border Patrol, backed by military vehicles and a DHS helicopter, swept through the park in this Latino neighborhood, where kids were playing just minutes before. Mayor Karen Bass was livid, racing to the scene to confront ICE agents, demanding they stand down. “Absolutely outrageous,” she blasted on X, sharing footage of officers, some on horseback, stomping through a civilian neighborhood. Local ctivists sounded the alarm, with megaphones blaring an urs. Protesters clashed with agents, screaming for them to leave, while Bass used an agent’s phone to argue with a senior official. Border Patrol’s chief, Gregory Bovino, scoffed at the mayor, saying, “Better get used to us now.” Local activists, like Ron Gochez of Unión del Barrio, called it a “perverse publicity stunt” to flex federal muscle. With Trump’s $170 billion increase to immigration enforcement while Americans continue to suffer economically, are these violent raids the new normal? On “The TMI Show,” Ted Rall and Manila Chan—both with strong LA connections—analyze the significance of this clash between federal and local rights.

Plus:

Jeffrey Epstein’s “no client list” memo raises questions about Ghislaine Maxwell’s conviction.

Trump’s 25% tariffs on Japan, South Korea, and others signal a trade war escalation.

Trump threatens BRICS nations with extra 10% tariffs for “anti-American” policies.

DMZ America Podcast Ep 208: “The History of Third Parties”

LIVE 12:30 pm Eastern, and then streaming whenever you wanna hear it:

Hey Elon! You’re going to need this history lesson. On the “DMZ America Podcast, s Ted Rall (Left) and Scott Stantis (Right) consider the prospects for Elon Musk’s “America Party” and the wild ride of third parties in U.S. politics! On Saturday, Musk, the billionaire disruptor, announced the launch of his “America Party” after blasting Trump’s $3.3 trillion spending bill as “criminal.” Promising fiscal restraint and liberty, his party has MAGA World furious, with critics like Steve Bannon seriously annoyed. Third parties, like Perot’s Reform Party, Greens, Prohibition Party and Eugene Debs’ Socialist Party often shake things up but tend to crash against America’s winner-takes-all electoral college system. Can Musk’s cash and clout change the game, or will it fracture the Right? Does this flaky dude have the followthrough necessary to see this project through? Ted and Scott dive into the facts, the beef, and the history without pulling punches. This ain’t your average political chat—expect straight-up analysis off why third parties have an uphill battle under our system!

Plus:

  • Texas floods devastate communities, with relief efforts lagging amid chaos. And there’s little to reason to think it won’t happen again.
  • The Trumpies’ embrace of cruelty, especially against trans soldiers and migrants, sparks debate: can America heal from this?

 

TMI Show Ep 174: “What Is the America Party”

LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

The “Big Beautiful Bill” is now law. What happens next? On “The TMI Show with Ted Rall and Manila Chan,” we visit President Trump’s over-the-top Fourth of July signing at the White House, complete with B-2 bombers, marking this sweeping policy as his second term’s signature achievement. The BBB slashes taxes on tips and overtime (but only 2.5% of workers actually qualify), guts Medicaid and denies coverage to millions of poor Republican voters, eliminates food benefits to increase starvation, and abolishes clean energy incentives, and balloons the national debt by $3 trillion. Trump called it “the greatest victory yet,” but the public’s not sold—55% oppose the BBB. Protests erupted nationwide, with 300 “Free America” demonstrations opposing Trump’s pro-billionaire agenda. Ted and Manila unpack the controversies, from the bill’s divisive impact to the 2026 midterm election fallout. This is must-watch political heat!

Plus:

  • Elon Musk’s new “America Party” is born. But what the heck IS it?
  • Netanyahu meets with Trump to discuss a Gaza ceasefire and Iran nuclear talks.
  • Devastating Texas floods claim 80 lives, with Camp Mystic tragedy and a lack of warnings taking center stage.

 

DeProgram: “A Big Beautiful Mass Extinction Event for Republicans?”

LIVE 12:00 noon Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

As we wrap up the holiday weekend, catch up on the smartest takes on the big news—tune into the “DeProgram show with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou.”

John and Ted analyze the political and personal fallout of Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping tax-and-spending package signed July 4th, sparking numerous debates. Will the MAGA base see the massive increase in deficits as a betrayal? Can this latest attempt at Reaganite “trickle down economics” succeed in stimulating the economy? What of the millions of Medicaid recipients, mostly Republican voters, who will lose their healthcare? Is James Carville right to call this a “mass extinction event” for Republicans?

Elon Musk says he’s going to make good on his new “America Party,” as revenge for the Big Beautiful Bill. He wants to disrupt duopoly politics but can he attract new voters and overcome legal and institutional barriers?

Alligator Alcatraz, a Florida Everglades detention gulag that opened to imprisoned migrants last week, is being criticized for inhumane conditions like flooding and mosquito infestations, as well as its $450 million annual cost.

Israel rejected Hamas’ proposed changes to the latest Gaza hostage and ceasefire proposal, but will send negotiators to Qatar today. Is a breakthrough possible?

Finally, we look at the catastrophic Texas Hill Country floods, where over 10 inches of rain killed at least 50 people, including 15 children, with 27 missing from a girls’ camp. Did National Weather Service staff cuts of 600 by Trump’s DOGE lead to inadequate flood warnings, despite meteorologists’ claims that their forecasts were accurate?

 

What’s Wrong with the Democrats? They Need More Democracy

What’s wrong with the Democrats and how can the party be fixed? When an insurgent outsider candidate from the party’s progressive left defeats a moderate endorsed by the establishment, Democratic leaders reject the results and deny the will of their voters. They refuse the infusion of new ideas and tactics every organization needs to evolve. They anger their voter base. They lose elections they should have won.

It’s time for Democrats to democratize their party.

Democrats’ top-down leadership style is currently being deployed against Zohran Mamdani, the democratic socialist winner of New York City’s mayoral primary who defeated corporate favorite Andrew Cuomo. The primary results came in over a week ago, yet none of the party’s big guns—Obama, Schumer, Jeffries, Pelosi, Buttigieg, Newsom, Harris, DNC chair Ken Martin—has endorsed Mamdani. Ever the happy warrior, Mamdani says he’s grateful for the kind words he has received from his ideological fellow travelers Bernie, AOC and other members of The Squad. But the establishment’s silence is hypocritical—when the primary winner is a centrist like Biden, the Left is expected to fall in line—and telling.

Not so behind the scenes, the top Democrats who are not that into democracy are following the backroom skullduggery deployed against Howard Dean, Dennis Kucinich and Bernie Sanders. Eric Adams, the incumbent mayor elected in 2021, opted out of the Democratic primary due to his rock-bottom approval ratings amid federal corruption charges, which Trump’s DOJ dropped in exchange for opening his sanctuary city to ICE deportation operations. Yet he’s still running for reelection in the general election, as an independent under his one-man “End Anti-Semitism” line. Adams’ base is big business and Zionists. Cuomo is currently running too.

There’s a Republican, too—Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels. But he’s not a major factor in an 11% Republican city.

Billionaire Trump supporter Bill Ackman, hedge fund manager Daniel Loeb, former hedge fund executive Whitney Tilson, Kathy Wylde of the Partnership for New York City, along with the Murdoch-owned New York Post, want the disgraced Cuomo and the marginal Sliwa to step aside and consolidate the anti-Mamdani vote behind the disgraced Adams.

Even with the Post’s rabid attacks (“Socialist Mamdani Wants to Pay for Government Grocery Stores with Money That Doesn’t Exist,” Zohran Mamdani’s ‘No Billionaires’ Dream Fits His Goal — To Make Us All Live in Equal Misery,”  “With Code Words and Dog Whistles, Mamdani Puts a Pretty Face on Hate”), it’s too early to tell whether Adams’ unlikely alliance of Wall Street and Black voters can defeat Mamdani. But primary winners tend to perform better in general elections when their party is united. Support from party bosses is essential.

Obama’s opposition to the Iraq War and appeal to young and minority voters positioned him as an outsider challenging the party’s entrenched leadership in 2008, when he challenged Hillary Clinton in the primaries. His diverse coalition and fundraising prowess forced the DNC to embrace him. They won.

Similarly, party leaders got behind AOC and Squadsters Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush after they won their congressional primaries. All won.

DNC sandbagging of Bernie had mixed results. The first time, in 2016, it led to Hillary’s defeat in a contest Bernie would have been likelier to have won. Biden/Harris, the establishment choice, prevailed in 2020 but progressives who sat out contributed to the vice president’s defeat in 2024.

Though they constantly characterize Republicans as enemies of American democracy, Democrats who want to democratize their party should consider emulating their rivals. With fewer superdelegates who skew primaries toward the establishment, the GOP is structurally representative of its voters. And its party leaders tend to set their personal preferences aside when voters prefer an insurgent outsider.

The results confirm Newt Gingrich’s observation that “by definition, the person who learns enough to become the nominee is almost certainly the best person for the general election.”

Donald Trump, a businessman and reality-TV personality with no political experience, entered the 2016 primary on a lark and defeated establishment favorites Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio. Stalwarts like Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan opposed Trump but, in the end, pragmatism prompted acceptance and a unified GOP defeated Hillary.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, another political novice, ran in the 2003 California gubernatorial recall election. State GOP bosses preferred conservatives like Tom McClintock and Bill Simon because Schwarzenegger’s moderate politics (pro-choice, environmentalist) made him an outsider. After Schwarzenegger won 48.6% of the vote in a crowded field, GOP leaders fell into line. He won two terms.

In another insurgent campaign Rand Paul, a libertarian ophthalmologist, won the 2010 GOP Senate primary. Mitch McConnell and other Kentucky party bosses had backed Trey Grayson. The party embraced him to co-opt his Tea Party base. Paul holds a steady seat. J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and Dave Brat of Virginia all followed the path of the outsider who defeated establishment-backed candidates and were nevertheless accepted by the party hierarchy.

Like Democrats, Republicans lose when they fail to coalesce behind their insurgent primary victors. Some state Republican officials were displeased when former news anchor Kari Lake, a former news anchor, defeated establishment-backed Karrin Taylor Robson in the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial primary. The RNC supported her but it wasn’t enough. A similar fate befell Sharron Angle and Christine O’Donnell in their 2010 Senate races in Nevada and Delaware, respectively.

History is clear. The smart move for Democrats is to unify behind their winning primary candidates, whether they are establishment favorites or progressive insurgents. New York and national Democrats should endorse, fund and campaign Zohran Mamdani.

(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 173: “Bad Boy for Life”

LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

“The TMI Show” with host Ted Rall welcomes back Manila Chan to close out a truncated week, beginning with the verdict and looming sentence in the federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs! Diddy was acquitted of the major counts of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, yet the jury still nailed him on two counts of transporting prostitutes across state lines for drug-fueled sex marathons under the Mann Act. Despite his partial victory, Combs remains locked up in Brooklyn’s squalid Metropolitan Detention Center, where he faces up to 10 years per count—but as a first offender, he’ll likely get a few years after credit for time served. The judge noted that Combs’s own lawyer admitted to Diddy’s history of domestic violence and a 2024 assault on an ex-girlfriend, raising eyebrows. Sparked by Casandra “Cassie” Ventura’s $20 million lawsuit alleging abuse and forced sexual encounters, Combs now faces dozens of lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault and misconduct. This case is a wild ride of legal twists, celebrity scandal, and lingering questions about justice. Tune in as Ted and Manila unpack the details and controversies.

Plus:

Jonestown’s haunting legacy: A new $750 memorial tour stirs debate over commodifying tragedy. Is 50 years too soon?

Lone star ticks: These aggressive biters are spreading like wildfire, triggering bizarre meat allergies across the U.S. due to climate change.

AI in science: Chatbots are sneaking into research papers, raising ethical questions about authorship. Hint: certain words are giveaways.

DeProgram: “Diddy Dominates, Elon Moderates, Lama Delegates”

LIVE 6:00 pm Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

Today, on the “DeProgram show” with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, we analyze the verdict in the Sean Combs trial—which John and Ted predicted on the show—in which jurors acquitted him of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, sparking debates on justice, prosecutorial overreach and celebrity influence.

Next, let’s stress-test Elon Musk’s proposal for a new centrist (why centrist?) “America Party,” aiming to represent the supposedly underrepresented political middle ground, amidst his feud with President Trump over the budget-“busting One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Can the world’s richest man successfully launch a third party?

We look at the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday announcement of his succession plans, a critical moment for Tibetan Buddhism with global strategic implications. The Dalai Lama’s succession plans have sparked a major controversy, with the spiritual leader announcing that his successor will be chosen by his foundation and born outside China. China claims authority over the Dalai Lama’s succession based on historical and legal arguments rooted in its governance of Tibet. It points to the 1793 “29-Article Ordinance for the More Effective Governing of Tibet,” issued by the Qing Dynasty, which established the Golden Urn process for selecting high lamas, including the Dalai Lama, with approval from the central government. Additionally, China asserts that its control over Tibet, established since 1950, and its historical oversight of Tibetan spiritual leaders—such as approving the 14th Dalai Lama’s recognition—give it the sole right to manage reincarnations, a stance reinforced by modern regulations on religious affairs.

A new Gallup poll shows only 58% of U.S. adults are “proud to be American”—down from 67% last year and the lowest since 2001—raising serious questions about national identity. Most of the decline is among Democrats. Should we care?

Finally, “The CIA Book Club” offers a rare insider look at a covert CIA operation during the Cold War to smuggle millions of banned books into Eastern Europe, particularly Poland, to combat Soviet censorship. It highlights the efforts of individuals like George Minden, who led the program, and Mirosław Chojecki, an underground publisher, in distributing literature to inspire resistance and intellectual freedom. The narrative emphasizes the power of books as tools of liberation, detailing methods like smuggling via trucks, balloons, and travelers’ luggage.

TMI Show Ep 172: “Decoding Coolness”

LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

Today, on “The TMI Show” with hosts Ted Rall with Robby West filling in for Manila Chan, we’re identifying the objective standards that make people like David Bowie, Samuel L. Jackson, and Charli XCX seem effortlessly “cool.” A new study surveys 6,000 people across 12 countries, revealing six traits that define coolness: extroversion, hedonism, power, adventurousness, openness, and autonomy. Amazingly, these qualities hold up globally, across cultures, no matter your age, income, or culture. Unlike “good” people—who tend to be conforming, traditional, and warm—“cool” folks stand out for their bold, independent edge. But is coolness just a vibe? Or is there a deeper science to it? Coolness can probably be learned!

Tune in as we unpack this fascinating research and explore why some people just ooze that “it” factor.

  • Plus:
  • Japan’s “proxy quitting” trend: A new service helps scared workers quit their jobs by doing it for them.
  • Get ready for AI recruiters: Virtual agents now screen job candidates 24/7, but are they a game-changer or just cold and confusing?
  • The Great Dying: New fossil research links a 252-million-year-old mass extinction to collapsing forests, a key warning for today’s climate crisis.
  • Travis Kelce’s SNL struggle: The NFL star don’t read goodly yet still charmed audiences.
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