President Donald Trump is standing by his embattled Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, and brushing off concerns even as new details are emerging about the military information Hegseth shared in a second group chat on Signal that included his family and friends. Hegseth is also dealing with the fallout from a leadership purge at the top of the Pentagon as he cashiered three top advisers who have lengthy histories with the Defense Secretary.

Jimmy and Americans’ Comedian Kurt Metzger discuss how the knives have come out for Hegseth, demanding his resignation, and why powerful interests at the Pentagon may be eager to see him go — and it has nothing to do with the so-called “Signal” controversies.

Plus segments on Trump’s berating Volodymyr Zelensky for stonewalling negotiations to end the Ukraine War, Trump similarly posting “Vladimir, STOP!” to Putin about recent Russian attacks on Kiev and new Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa’s recent attempts to cozy up to Israel.

Also featuring Mike MacRae and Stef Zamorano. And a phone call from Vince Vaughn!

ELL 198: Philosopher Justin Tosi on “Grandstanding: The Use and Abuse of Moral Talk”