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Deprogram with Ted Rall and John Kiriakou: Guess Who’s Scouring the Dark Web?

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Ted Rall

Live 5 pm Eastern and Streaming 24-7:

On Friday’s episode of DeProgram with Ted Rall and John Kiriakou, where political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou discuss MI6’s launch of a dark-web portal to recruit spies, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) massive expansion plans, Trump’s polls showing disapproval of his crime and immigration policies, Israeli airstrikes on a media complex that killed 31 journalists, and a judge dismisses Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times.

  • MI6: MI6 launches a dedicated dark web portal today to recruit spies globally, targeting Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, as announced by outgoing chief Sir Richard Moore in Istanbul. The secure messaging platform Silent Courier aims to bolster security by facilitating anonymous contact, with instructions available on MI6’s YouTube channel. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasizes the portal’s role in keeping the UK ahead of adversaries.
  • ICE Expansion: ICE is seeking 300 new office spaces nationwide to support hiring over 10,000 immigration officers and lawyers, with the General Services Administration forming special teams to expedite the “ICE Surge.” The expansion targets red states and cities, though no leases are signed yet.
  • Trump’s Not-Good Polls: A Washington Post-Ipsos poll today reveals public disapproval of Trump’s plans to deploy the National Guard to cities beyond Washington, with a 10-point margin opposing his crime policies. Americans disapprove of his handling of immigration, economy, and foreign wars by double-digit margins. Despite this, Republicans hold a 2-to-1 edge on crime trust over Democrats.  What’s going on?
  • Israel Kills Dozens of Journalists: Israeli airstrikes on a Yemeni media complex on September 10 killed 31 journalists, the deadliest attack on media since 2009, per a Committee to Protect Journalists report. The strikes targeted Houthi-connected outlets in Sanaa, also killing a child. The IDF claims the site was a Houthi propaganda hub.
  • Trump’s Lawsuit Tossed: A federal judge in Tampa today dismisses President Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, calling the 85-page complaint “impermissible.” Judge Steven Merryday criticizes the filing’s structure and intent.
  • Russia Violates Estonia’s Airspace: Three Russian military jets breached Estonia’s airspace for 12 minutes today in a “brazen” act, per Estonian officials. This follows Russian drones entering Polish airspace last week, heightening NATO tensions.

Deprogram with Ted Rall and John Kiriakou: Trump Talking to the Taliban

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Ted Rall

Live 5 pm Eastern and Streaming 24-7:

On Thursday’s episode of DeProgram with Ted Rall and John Kiriakou, where political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou dissect the news, the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the No Political Enemies Act, U.S. efforts to reclaim Bagram Air Base from the Taliban, hundreds of thousands strike in France.

  • Jimmy Kimmel: FCC Chairman Brendan Carr states that Kimmel misled the public by linking Charlie Kirk’s killer to MAGA, prompting ABC—with a merger pending before the Administration—to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely. Carr warns of ongoing shifts in the media ecosystem post-Trump’s election. House Democrats are accusing him of abusing power to coerce ABC and Disney, as Trump calls for more media cancellations.
  • Shield Act for Critics?: Democrats unveil their No Political Enemies Act, creating legal defenses for those targeted for political speech and allowing attorney fee recovery from government harassment. Sponsors like Senators Murphy and Schumer decry the Trump administration’s exploitation of Kirk’s assassination to silence critics, labeling it a path to autocracy and the worst free speech crisis since McCarthyism.
  • Bagram Air Base Back? Trump announces that the U.S. is working to regain Bagram Air Base from the Taliban, describing it as one of the world’s largest bases and strategically located an hour from China’s nuclear facilities. Trump pushes national security officials for months to negotiate its return, leveraging Taliban needs amid their push for sanctions relief and recognition. Will we normalize relations?
  • French Strikes and Protests: Hundreds of thousands join strikes against budget cuts, with unions estimating one million participants while officials report 500,000, deploying 80,000 police amid clashes in Paris, Lyon, and Nantes. Disruptions halt metro lines, block roads, and close 98% of pharmacies, as teachers and students protest reduced public services under new Prime Minister Lecornu. Over 140 arrests occur after protesters damage businesses.

DeProgram with Ted Rall and John Kiriakou: “Fed Cut: A Warning Sign?”

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Ted Rall

LIVE 5:00 pm Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

Political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou read the tea leaves behind the Federal Reserve’s quarter-point rate cut, the FBI director’s testimony on the Epstein files, a new age-verification system for ChatGPT raises questions, men who spike drinks with abortion pills, and a widow’s claim that Alexei Navalny was poisoned.

  • Is the Rate Cut a Warning?: The Fed approves a quarter-point rate cut, setting the overnight funds rate at 4.00%-4.25%, with two more cuts signaled for 2025 amid labor market concerns. Governor Stephen Miran dissents, pushing for a half-point reduction, while Fed Chair Jerome Powell notes rising downside risks to employment. Is a midterm-election recession imminent?
  • FBI Director Denies on Epstein Files: Kash Patel testifies he never discussed the Jeffrey Epstein files with Trump. Is he credible?
  • OpenAI’s Age-Prediction System: A new AI-driven age-prediction system will restrict ChatGPT access for users under 18, prioritizing teen safety. The move follows a lawsuit tied to a teen’s suicide after harmful chatbot interactions. Will it work? Is it smart?
  • Abortion Pill Spiking: Men face charges for secretly slipping abortion pills to pregnant partners, exploiting relaxed FDA rules on mifepristone. Cases highlight coerced abortions, prompting states like Texas to tighten regulations. Advocates warn of rising risks to women and unborn children.
  • Navalny Poisoned?: Yulia Navalnaya claims Alexei Navalny was poisoned in an Arctic prison, based on smuggled samples analyzed by two labs. She is accusing Putin of murder.

TMI Show Ep 224: “Tyler Robinson Faces Death Penalty”

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Ted Rall

LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

“The TMI Show” hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan are joined by guest Tyler Nixon. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray announces seven charges against 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, including aggravated murder, a death-penalty charge, for allegedly targeting Kirk due to his political expression. Gray is citing Robinson’s act in the presence of children and attempts to obstruct justice by hiding evidence and tampering with witnesses.

Plus:

• Luigi Mangione Case: New York judge drops terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione for the December 2024 killing of United Healthcare executive Brian Thompson. Mangione still faces second-degree murder and weapons charges, with federal prosecutors pursuing the death penalty.

• Robert Redford’s Legacy: Hollywood icon Robert Redford, who died at 89, leaves a cinematic legacy with classics like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and the Sundance Film Festival. His work as an actor, director, and environmental advocate reshaped independent film.

• Trump’s Defamation Lawsuit: Trump sues The New York Times for $15 billion, alleging defamatory reporting aimed at damaging his reputation. The case, targeting investigative articles and a book, sparks debate over press freedom and legal accountability.

 

DeProgram with Ted Rall and John Kiriakou: “Trump Lied to Qatar”

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Ted Rall

LIVE 5:00 pm Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

Start your week with DeProgram with Ted Rall and John Kiriakou, where political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, where we catch you up on the news of the weekend and prepare you for the week ahead and what it all means.

Bullet Points for Each Topic

  • Israel Lied to Qatar: Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar, approved by Netanyahu, kills five Hamas members and one Qatari officer. New reports claim Trump was in fact informed beforehand—exposing his statements that he learned after the bomb blasts in Doha began and immediately notified his ally, as lies. Israel is covering up for The Donald. But who will ever believe him again?
  • If a Tree Burns in the Woods, Will the EPA Report It?: Trump already gutted the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Now he seems to be trying to stop everyone from getting access to reliable information about the environment. His EPA will stop thousands of coal plants, oil refineries, and steel mills from reporting greenhouse gas emissions, a practice in place since 2010. This undermines climate policy by hiding emission sources, while the EPA claims it saves $2.4 billion in compliance costs. The move follows Trump’s efforts to erase climate change references and cut related funding.
  • If a Company’s Q3 Blows, Will Stock Analysts Ever Know?: Trump suggests public companies reduce financial reports from four to two annually, aiming to save costs and shift focus to business operations. Critics warn this reduces transparency for investors and regulators, potentially hiding financial crimes. The SEC must approve the change.
  • Right-Wing Cancel Culture: The assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University leads to firings of employees, including a sports reporter and a Secret Service agent, for public comments. Private employers cite reputational harm, with legal experts noting limited First Amendment protections. Should your boss be allowed to can you for what you say away from work?
  • Poland Want Ukraine No-Fly Zone: Poland’s foreign minister, after Russian drones entered Polish airspace last week, proposes a NATO no-fly zone over Ukraine to protect against debris and drones. The idea, floated to German media, would need NATO approval and revisits no-fly zones of the past. Will it escalate tensions with Russia.

TMI Show Ep 222: “Hochul Finally Endorses Mamdani”

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Ted Rall

LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

So late that it no longer matters or helps, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul tries to heel the rift between progressives and corporate Democrats by finally endorsing Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor—who continues to surge in the polls as the billionaire class desperately flails to stop him by supporting Andrew Cuomo—positioning them as united front against Trump. Hochul urges leaders to transcend differences, rallying to combat Trump’s tariffs, attacks on welfare programs, and attempts to seize military control of NYC. Endorsements still elude him from key Democrats like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, underscoring internal party tensions—but does it matter now?

Plus:

• TikTok Ban—It Lives!: Trump is still threatening a TikTok ban in the U.S. unless China relaxes tariff and technology demands tied to ByteDance’s forced sale, with a September 17 deadline looming. Madrid talks, involving Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, are flailing. Experts foresee no breakthrough without Trump-Xi dialogue.

• Russia’s Barter Revival: Russia revives barter in foreign trade, swapping grain for Chinese cars or flax for materials to evade Western sanctions, echoing 1990s practices amid Ukraine war disruptions. Over 25,000 sanctions since 2014 cut Russia from SWIFT; barter, hard to trace, fills gaps in deals like yuan-ruble exchanges, with a government guide promoting it as de-dollarisation advances.

• Emmy Awards: The 77th Emmy Awards crown “The Studio” as the top winner, securing 13 Emmys including best comedy series, with Seth Rogen tying records for individual wins—Hollywood loves to talk about itself. “Adolescence” claims eight limited series awards, “The Penguin” adds to Cristin Milioti’s lead actress victory, and “The Pitt” takes best drama; Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show” gets its first and last talk series win as a pity vote.

DeProgram with Ted Rall and John Kiriakou: “Charlie Kirk Suspect Arrested”

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Ted Rall

LIVE 5:00 pm Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

On the “DeProgram” show with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, we dissect the news with unflinching insight and a unique pair of journalistic backgrounds. Today we confront escalating tensions between ICE and city residents, the capture of a suspect and calls for retribution in the Charlie Kirk killing, and California’s defiant stand against the federal government.

  • ICE Kills Immigrant in Chicago: Federal ICE agents encounter Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez during a routine stop near Grand Avenue and Elder Lane in suburban Chicago, part of ICE’s Operation Midway Blitz targeting undocumented individuals with criminal histories like reckless driving. Villegas-Gonzalez refuses commands, accelerates his vehicle, striking an officer and dragging him, prompting the agent to fire in self-defense, killing the driver while sustaining injuries himself. Community leaders decry the incident as a stark example of militarized enforcement endangering neighborhoods.
  • Capture of Charlie Kirk’s Alleged Shooter: Authorities apprehend 22-year-old Tyler Robinson from Washington City, Utah, accusing him of fatally shooting conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. Robinson, a high-achieving former student at Utah State University with no prior criminal record, emerges from a tight-knit Mormon family, his capture facilitated by relatives and a friend after he confesses or implies involvement. Discord messages, surveillance video, and family interviews reveal his recent anti-Kirk sentiments expressed at dinner. Investigators recover a Mauser 98 bolt-action rifle in .30-06 caliber from a wooded area, along with casings inscribed with taunting memes, antifascist references like “Bella Ciao,” and gaming allusions such as Helldivers 2 airstrike codes, underscoring a politically motivated act prepared with practice.
  • Trump Invades Memphis: The President plans to deploy federal law enforcement and the National Guard to Memphis, Tennessee, inspired by concerns raised by a FedEx board member about the city’s crime rates. Despite Memphis Police reporting overall crime at a 25-year low, with murders and assaults declining, Trump extends similar rhetoric to New Orleans, vowing military involvement if needed, while the city’s sanctuary status limits ICE cooperation. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee welcomes the support.
  • California’s Mask Ban for ICE Agents: Lawmakers advance legislation banning federal immigration agents from wearing masks like balaclavas during raids across California, alongside requirements for visible badges or name tags to safeguard public trust and democratic norms. Assemblymember Juan Carrillo frames the bill as essential to prevent “secret police” tactics in an authoritarian vein.

DeProgram with Ted Rall and John Kiriakou: “Dragnet for Kirk’s Killer”

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Ted Rall

LIVE 5:00 pm Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

The DeProgram show with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou gives you the dope on what’s happening across the nation and around the world—deprogramming you from political and corporate media spin.

  • FBI Manhunt for Charlie Kirk’s Killer: The FBI shares images of a college-aged “person of interest,” seen in a stairwell wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, linked to Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting at Utah Valley University. A $100,000 reward is in effect, while Trump World frames Kirk as a fallen martyr for their political movement. Authorities recover a towel-wrapped Mauser rifle, its cartridges bearing “transgender and anti-fascist” inscriptions, now under forensic scrutiny. Was Luigi Mangione an inspiration?
  • Bolsonaro Convicted: Brazil’s Supreme Court panel votes to convict Jair Bolsonaro on five counts, including plotting a coup to overturn the 2022 election. Prosecutors say his scheme involved plans to assassinate President Lula da Silva, Vice President Alckmin, and a Supreme Court justice. Evidence shows Bolsonaro’s “full knowledge” of efforts to pressure the military and create a parallel crisis office.
  • U.S. Mass Slaughter on “Venezuela” Boat Was Baseless: Senate Armed Services Committee’s Sen. Jack Reed reports Tuesday’s Defense Department briefing lacked evidence proving a Caribbean boat’s crew were Tren de Aragua members or that the boat was from Venezuela. Briefers note it turned around after spotting a military aircraft. No intelligence confirms the targets were armed or posed an imminent threat. Ted and John discuss this shocking violation of international and U.S. law.

• Iran-Contra Coda: Oliver North, a decorated former Marine and onetime national security aide in the Reagan administration, and Fawn Hall, his former secretary, were married in Virginia last month, four decades after they became central figures in the arms-for-cash scandal known as the Iran-Contra affair. Mr. North, 81, and Ms. Hall, 65, were married on Aug. 27 in a civil ceremony in Arlington County. Ms. North, Mr. North’s wife of 56 years and the mother of their four children, died in November at age 80. Ms. Hall had previously been married to Danny Sugerman, a manager of the rock band the Doors, who died of lung cancer in 2005 at age 50.

TMI Show Ep 220: “What Causes Political Violence?”

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Ted Rall

LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University is the focus of “The TMI Show” with cartoonist Ted Rall and producer Robby West filing for Manila Chan, who is currently working on the Titanic recovery project. Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance pivot from their planned 9/11 memorial trip in New York to visit Salt Lake City, paying respects to Kirk’s family. As investigators race against time, combing the crime scene and surrounding areas for clues about the rooftop shooter, described by former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe as a highly skilled and dangerous individual facing lifelong imprisonment or worse, we try to move past the blame game to answer the question of what causes political violence in America? Is one side to blame more than another?

Guest: CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou

Plus: 

  • Trump’s Hypocrisy on South Korean Workers: The President offers South Korean workers from a raided Georgia battery plant a chance to stay, delaying their return. Is racism why some illegal immigrant workers treated better than others?
  • Speaking of Which…: Donna Hughes-Brown, a green card holder from Ireland since 1977, fights deportation over a decade-old $25 bad cheque, highlighting Trump’s cruelty to those without political ties to the White House. 
  • The History of Political Murder: From Charlie Kirk to historical cases like the 2001 murder of Mayor Dale Bagley, “TMI” examines a chilling list of ideologically driven attacks from both sides of the aisle.

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