Pod Save America Trump's War on Blue America
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Oct 7, 2025 
Ben Smith, Editor-in-Chief of Semafor and co-host of Mixed Signals, joins the discussion on media evolution and Trump's influence. They explore Bari Weiss's controversial appointment at CBS and its implications for news coverage. Smith unpacks the challenges facing CBS amidst declining viewership and how Trump's shift to an insulated media bubble impacts information dissemination. The conversation highlights the tension between corporate media and creative talent, including insights on political pressures in today’s media landscape.
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Black Hawks Over Chicago Apartments
- In Chicago, Black Hawk helicopters landed on an apartment building and ICE used flashbangs to detain residents, including legal residents and children.
- Witnesses reported children separated from parents, citizens held for hours, and agents filmed the operation for social media.
Militarized Raids As Political Theater
- The Trump administration is using militarized immigration raids and National Guard deployments to create dramatic images of chaos in Democratic cities.
- Hosts argue this is a deliberate political strategy to portray Democrats as weak on crime and immigration.
Fight For Cameras, Not Just Enforcement
- The hosts note ICE and administration media teams film and amplify raids to craft propaganda-like 'hype videos.'
- They compare these visuals to foreign counterinsurgency operations, underscoring performative militarization.