TRUMP MAKES HIMSELF MILITARY DICTATOR OF VENEZUELA - 1.5.26

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Jan 5, 2026

The discussion revolves around Trump declaring himself the 'El Presidente' of Venezuela, raising eyebrows about legality and authority. Olbermann critiques the potential repercussions of this illegal invasion on both domestic and international fronts. The segment on impeachment reflects a call for accountability, especially focusing on Marco Rubio's misleading claims. Polling data reveals scant public support, while Trump's health narrative undergoes scrutiny. A humorous note is added with comedic interludes, balancing the serious themes.

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INSIGHT

Illegality Turns Us Into A Rogue Nation

Keith Olbermann argues Trump's declaration of running Venezuela and naming a proxy is illegal and transforms the U.S. into a rogue nation.
He warns this regime-change behavior risks global instability and emboldens other countries to do the same.

INSIGHT

Regime Change Sets Dangerous Precedent

Olbermann connects regime-change precedent to the risk of reciprocity where other nations might claim the right to install leaders.
He warns this sets a dangerous international norm threatening U.S. sovereignty.

ADVICE

Seek Immediate Accountability

Olbermann urges accountability: pursue impeachment and legal action against Trump and enablers like Marco Rubio.
He recommends turning them over to international courts and using domestic impeachment where possible.

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SEASON 4 EPISODE 46: COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN

A-Block (2:30) SPECIAL COMMENT: Well, that's it in sum, isn't it? He's "El Presidente" now, isn't he? Military Dictator. Succeeding Maduro. Until he finds somebody else to “run” it. Not the elected Vice President. Not the actual winner of the last election. Not the U-N. Maybe somebody he, in his dysfunctional haze, somebody he can trust. Maybe an oil executive. Or Elon Musk. Or Catturd.

The invasion was illegal there, and illegal here. The kidnapping was illegal. Declaring we would run it is illegal. Naming a proxy dictator is illegal. As was his threat yesterday to the acting president that quote “if she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro” and calling for her belief that her country shouldn’t be invaded by another country breaking its own laws is quote “defiant rejection.” THAT’S illegal. It’s all illegal. That’s a lot of illegal – even for Trump. And I say this, hating Maduro completely.

So he needs to be impeached, if not now then a year from now. Rubio can be impeached now for deceiving Congress about its approval. And both of them turned over to the World Court. And the ramifications are almost uncountable, including emboldening them to consider this in Cuba, Greenland, Iran. The poll numbers are terrible, and the risk to Americans of terrorism and violence are just as terrible. And maybe worst of all the evidence of linkage between Putin's strange silence about his ally Maduro, and Trump's dithering about Ukraine, is terrible too.

But at least it produced a pretty good Olivia Nuzzi joke.

ALSO: WHY DID THEY CHANGE THE TRUMP HEALTH COVER-UP STORY AGAIN? Five significant changes, about his MRI/CT, his cardiovascular health, and now the total of Cognitive tests he's gotten in just the last nine months. Three? Not two? He's really needed three tests in nine months? To repeat the insightful question from his niece Mary Trump: Why do they have to keep giving him cognitive tests?

B-Block (40:00) THE WORST PERSONS IN THE WORLD: There's begging the new boss to let you keep your current job, then there's what CBS Legal Analyst Jan Crawford is doing for Bari Weiss to try to keep hers. Chuck Schumer comes out firing on Venezuela: with one-millionth of one barrel blazing. And just when you think Cheryl Hines can't get any dumber, Tucker Carlson tries to talk to her about vaccines.

C-Block (50:00) THINGS I PROMISED NOT TO TELL: Will Ferrell did a great comedy bit at the L.A. Kings hockey game on New Year's Day and he did it for the pure joy of it. Which reminded me of the difference between amateurs and pros, and of the days when "Anchorman" was new and Will and I ad libbed a pretty good comedy bit that he said he really loved doing.

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