Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy

Air Date 8/6/2025 Today's slate of topics may feel disjointed at first until you realize that they're not. We set out to produce an episode in which we explored powerful men and those who look up to them from various angles and so that ended up including both real and fictional men from supervillains to superheroes. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: Tired of Putin's 'Bullshit': Trump Reverses, Says Us Should Send Weapons to Ukraine - Erin Burnett Outfront - Air Date 7-8-25 KP 2: What Does Trump See in Putin? Part 1 - The Foreign Affairs Interview - Air Date 3-14-25 KP 3: Russia's Indoctrination Machine Ft. Ian Garner Part 1 - The New Liberal Podcast - Air Date 5-31-25 KP 4: The Next Generation of Maga Influencers Part 1 - Some More News - Air Date 5-28-25 KP 5: Why the Right Hates James Gunn's Superman and Loves the Snyderverse Part 1 - Cinema Survivors - Air Date 7-16-25 KP 6: Super Mad About Superman Part 1 - Today, Explained - Air Date 7-18-25 KP 7: Brief Mehdi Hasan Vs Jordan Peterson Part 1 - Conspirituality - Air Date 7-26-25 KP 8: Mehdi Hasan Jubilee Debate Left Me Speechless Part 1 - Bulwark Takes - Air Date 7-22-25 (01:02:25) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On why supporting the rich and powerful is pathetic DEEPER DIVES (01:10:31) SECTION A: RUSSIA (01:46:10) SECTION B: MANOSPHERE (02:21:33) SECTION C: DEBATE CULTURE (03:39:51) SECTION D: SUPERMAN/MEDIA

In this insightful discussion, climate and energy journalist Andrew Freedman, author and environmentalist Bill McKibben, and climate change policy expert Alice Hill delve into the urgent actions needed to confront climate chaos. They spotlight the alarming rise in extreme weather and its implications for public health. The trio emphasizes grassroots activism and the need for systemic changes in energy policies, advocating for a just transition towards renewable resources. They call for accountability in media coverage and highlight the importance of community-driven solutions in tackling climate issues.

Air Date: 8-1-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: The impact of A.I. LLM “friend” bots on childhood development How using A.I. LLMs negatively impacts critical thinking and information retention The importance of understanding how A.I. LLM tools work before using them The ways in which A.I. LLM tools could and shouldn’t help movements on the Left, and evaluating the risks BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm (Members Only!) - The Gen Z Stare, and the incidents of A.I. LLM-induced psychosis   FOLLOW US ON: Bluesky Mastadon Instagram Facebook YouTube (This episode drops on YouTube on Friday - please share!) Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e   REFERENCES: AI Will Never Be Your Kid’s Friend - The Atlantic ChatGPT May Be Eroding Critical Thinking Skills, According to a New MIT Study - Time MIT researchers say using ChatGPT can rot your brain. The truth is a little more complicated - The Conversation What Happens When People Don’t Understand How AI Works - The Atlantic Steve Jobs on Why Computers Are Like a Bicycle for the Mind (1990) - The Marginalian Progressive grassroots activist groups must adopt AI or risk irrelevance - Sacramento Bee Final Thoughts & A Warning: AI as a Tool, Not a Substitute for Thinking - Harvard Kennedy School - Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation Can AI Chatbots Worsen Psychosis and Cause Delusions? - Psychology Today     TAKE ACTION: One Million Rising Trainings In a blue state? Help stop ICE overreach Use the 5 Calls app for scripts and to reach all your elected officials Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 Find your Indivisible group - or start one Write to the DNC     Join our Discord Server Reach us via Signal: Bestoftheleft.01 Leave a message at 202-999-3991   Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Air Date: 7/31/2025 Who would have thought that a political movement built almost exclusively on conspiracy theories and a cult of personality would end up being threatened by the cult leader being implicated in the biggest and worst conspiracy coverup… even though it’s been well documented for decades? Content warning for detailed accusations leveled against Trump and Epstein by their alleged victims. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: Epstein Files Firestorm Shows the Power of Online Conspiracy - There Are No Girls on the Internet - Air Date 7-8-25 KP 2: Trump Launches Wild Conspiracy Theory Smokescreen After Being Named in Epstein Files - What a Day - Air Date 7-24-25 KP 3: Epstein Conspiracy, or Epstein Conspiracy Theory? - Radio Atlantic - Air Date 7-7-25 KP 4: Lame Duck Trump Can't Deny Epstein Shockers: Wolff - The Daily Beast Podcast - Air Date 7-18-25 KP 5: Why They're Protecting Jeffrey Epstein's Secrets (w/ Julie K. Brown) - Lever Time - Air Date 7-6-25 KP 6: Epstein Exposed: Trump, Mossad & the Elites Dark Secrets - Double Down News - Air Date 7-21-25 (00:51:26) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the role of human psychology in conspiracies and authoritarianism DEEPER DIVES (00:58:55) SECTION A: THE VICTIMS SHOULD BE THE FOCUS A1: Epstein Survivor Calls for Accountability: Release the Files, End Impunity for Rich & Powerful Abusers - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-18-25 A2: As State Department Office Combating Human Trafficking Faces Cuts, Former Leader Weighs in - Pbs Newshour - Air Date 7-8-25 A3: How Miami Herald's Investigation & Jeffrey Epstein Survivors Helped Blow up a Sweetheart Deal - Miami Herald - Air Date 12-19-19 A4: Documentary: Who Is Jeffrey Epstein, Accused of Sexually Abusing Teen Girls? - Miami Herald - Air Date 11-29-18 (01:34:23) SECTION B: BROKEN NEWS: WE'VE HEARD THIS BEFORE B1: William Barr Pretends to Care About Jeffrey Epstein's Demise - The Majority Report W/ Sam Seder - Air Date 8-2-25 B2: The 'completely Unprecedented' Plea Deal Jeffrey Epstein Made with Alex Acosta - Pbs Newshour - Air Date 7-18-19 (01:49:11) SECTION C: IS THERE A DEEPSTATE? C1: Chris Hedges: Trump, Epstein and the Deep State - The Chris Hedges Youtube Channel - Air Date 7-2-25 C2: ‘Big Revelation’: Fbi Was Ordered to Flag Epstein Records Mentioning Trump, Says Senator - All in with Chris Hayes - Air Date 7-18-25 C3: What's Really Going on Between Ghislaine Maxwell and Trump's Justice Department #1680 - David Feldman Show - Air Date 7-22-25 (02:14:19) SECTION D: ENIGMAS NEVER DIE D1: Who Is Leslie Wexner? Narrated by Margaret Cho - Nowthis - Air Date - 12-13-21 D2: Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump and Sexual Blackmail Networks (w/ Nick Bryant) - The Chris Hedges Report - Air Date 7-16-25 D3: We Tracked Every Visitor to Epstein Island - Wired - Air Date 11-22-24 (02:39:05) SECTION E: THE MEDIA IS BAD THIS E1: Desperate Distractions Have Trump Caught in a Time Warp?! - Internet Today - 7-22-25 E2: BREAKING: Trump Is Confirmed in the Epstein Files | Hasanabi Reacts - Hasanabi Productions - Air Date 7-23-25 E3: The Trumpepstein Story Is Not a Conspiracy Theory - Rebecca Watson (skepchick) - Air Date 7-16-25 (03:02:29) SECTION F: TRUMP & HIS BASE F1: The Epstein Files Are Not Going Away | Explainer - Heather Cox Richardson - Air Date 7-22-25 F2: Mehdi Hasan: Why the Dems Are 'failing' on Trump's Epstein Scandal - Lbc - Air Date 7-23-25 F3: Flirting with Civil War: Trumps Dangerous New Rhetoric - Mallen Baker - Air Date 7-24-25 SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Photo of a bus stop in the UK with a large photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump. An unidentifiable person in a hoodie and yellow vest is closing the bus stop frame. Credit: “Put this photo everywhere for Trump's UK visit” via Crowdfunder by user Everyone Hates Elon | Changes: Cropped   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Air Date: 7-27-2025 Back when I worked in the climate movement, just after the turn of the century, we knew that the extreme weather we were warning about would become ever-more clear to see in people's lived experiences and assumed that any doubts people had about the science of climate change would be wiped away with the evidence they could see with their own eyes as weather became more intense and less predictable. Of course, we didn't foreseen that we were headed straight into the eye of a storm of partisan conspiracism that would fully take over a third of the political spectrum. But here we are, head for high ground. The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue by Mike Tidwell Ebook Audiobook Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: Flooding Is Common in Texas Hill Country. This Was Different - Consider This - Air Date 7-7-25 KP 2: Trump Press Secs Fury at Media Over Texas Flood Exposes Worst of Maga - The Daily Blast - Air Date 7-9-25 KP 3: Why Kristi Noems Incompetence Matters Part 1- Bulwark Takes - Air Date 7-10-25 KP 4: Republicans Get Exposed on Fox Live - The Adam Mockler Show - Air Date 7-10-25 KP 5: Weekly Roundup: Texas Floods and the Vengeful Theology of Kristi Noem + Why the Concentration Camp Had to Be in Florida - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 7-11-25 KP 6: The Real Conspiracy Behind the Texas Floods - More to the Story - Air Date 7-16-25 KP 7: Disasters, Natural and Man-made Part 1 - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 7-8-25 (00:51:08) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On why we need to fight ignorance with research The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue by Mike Tidwell Ebook Audiobook DEEPER DIVES (00:57:45) SECTION A: FLOOD DETAILS A1: Texas Flooding Tragedy Was Both Predictable and Predicted Part 1 - The Bradcast - Air Date 7-7-25 A2: Flooding Is Common in Texas Hill Country. This Was Different Part 2- Consider This - Air Date 7-7-25 A3: Texas Flooding Tragedy Was Both Predictable and Predicted Part 2 - The Bradcast - Air Date 7-7-25 A4: This Is Not a Good Time to Cut Funding for Weather Forecasting - Even More News - Air Date 7-8-25 (01:33:24) SECTION B: FASCIST REGIME B1: Texas Floods and the Vengeful Theology of Kristi Noem + Why the Concentration Camp Had to Be in Florida Part 2 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 7-11-25 B2: Why Kristi Noems Incompetence Matters Part 2 - Bulwark Takes - Air Date 7-10-25 B3: Devastating Texas Floods Highlight Stakes of Vital Weather Services Amid Reckless Trump Cuts - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 7-8-25 B4: Trump Press Secs Fury at Media Over Texas Flood Exposes Worst of Maga Part 2 - The Daily Blast - Air Date 7-9-25 B5: Disasters, Natural and Man-made Part 2 - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 7-8-25 B6: GOP's Conspiracy Theorist Problem Worsens as Flood Disasters Trigger Misinformation Frenzy - The Briefing - Air Date 7-11-25 (02:13:59) SECTION C: CLIMATE POLICY CAPTURE C1: A Brighter Climate Future Really Part 1 - The Insurgents - Air Date 7-12-25 C2: The War on Climate Change Policy W/ Lauren Windsor Part 1- The Majority Report - Air Date 7-18-25 C3: Idea: Let Big Oil Dump Its Fracking Into Our Lakes, Rivers, Etc. - Jim Hightower's Radio Lowdown - Air Date 7-10-25 C4: The War on Climate Change Policy W/ Lauren Windsor Part 2 - The Majority Report - Air Date 7-18-25 C5: How the 'big Beautiful Bill' Is Bad for the Climate Part 1 - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 7-8-25 C6: A Brighter Climate Future Really Part 2 - The Insurgents - Air Date 7-12-25 C7: How the 'big Beautiful Bill' Is Bad for the Climate Part 2 - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 7-8-25 SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Photograph of a damaged bridge in Kerr County, TX over the high river running under it in the wake of the deadly July flood. Credit: “Texas Floods Devastate Local Communities” by World Central Kitchen, Flickr | License: CC BY 4.0 | Changes: Cropped   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: Old Democrats Must Go or Trump NEVER Will - UNFTR Media - Air Date 7-15-25 KP 2: 'The Economy Is Rigged": Robert Reich on Zohran Mamdani, The Democratic Party, Inequality, and Trump - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-26-25 KP 3: Why We Don't Revolt - Confronting Capitalism with Vivek Chibber - Air Date 6-18-25 KP 4: Socialism for Absolute Beginners - Second Thought - Air Date 5-6-22 KP 5: Why We Should Fight For Paid Family Leave ft Natasha Hakimi Zapata - THIS IS REVOLUTION podcast - Air Date 2-20-25 KP 6: What If We Ran The Economy? - Andrewism - Air Date 2-3-25 (00:47:58) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the US being inwardly focused to our own detriment DEEPER DIVES (00:57:10) SECTION A: HISTORICAL CONTEXT A1: Socialism Is Better Than Capitalism...Right? - Hakim - Air Date 1-31-21 A2: SOCIALISM: An In-Depth Explanation Part 1 - Ryan Chapman - Air Date 8-27-22 A3: Einstein's Socialism - Against the Grain - Air Date 11-25-24 A4: Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism - Balkan Odyssey - Air Date 11-22-24 A5: SOCIALISM: An In-Depth Explanation Part 2 - Ryan Chapman - Air Date 8-27-22 (01:45:23) SECTION B: FAILURE TO LAUNCH B1: Envisioning Socialist Futures: Planning the Economy Part 1 – 1Dime Radio Podcast - Air Date 8-30-24 B2: Why Are People Scared of Socialism? - Make Your Damn Bed - Air Date 6-27-25 B3: "Socialism Always Fails": A Dishonest Claim (3 Times It Worked) - overzealots - Air Date 9-4-24 B4: Zohran Mamdani on NPR: Democratic Socialism, Bernie Sanders, MLK, Making NYC Better for Billionaires - Socialism For All ☭ Intensify Class Struggle - Air Date 7-4-25 (02:16:09) SECTION C: CAPITALISM SUCKS C1: American Healthcare is a Nightmare - Second Thought - Air Date 3-17-25 C2: "Socialism Leads to Dictatorship": Debunked (3 Times Capitalism Did) - overzealots - Air Date 3-1-25 C3: Historic Medicaid & SNAP Cuts Could Tank Already Faltering U.S. Economy, w/ Prof. Richard Wolff - The Socialist Program with Brian Becker - Air Date 6-4-25 (02:42:05) SECTION D: MAMDANI D1: Mamdani’s Spectacular Victory w/ Alan Minsk - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 7-2-25 D2: Zohran Mamdani on Affordability, Billionaires, and Fighting Hate | Morning Edition | NPR - NPR - Air Date 7-1-25 (02:55:29) SECTION E: VISION OF THE FUTURE E1: Envisioning Socialist Futures: Planning the Economy Part 2 – 1Dime Radio Podcast - Air Date 8-30-24 E2: Could Socialism Fix American Healthcare? - The Real News Network - Air Date 12-19-24 E3: It's Time To Abolish Debt - Andrewism - Air Date 7-1-25 E4: Another World is Possible (w/ Natasha Hakimi Zapata) | Scheer Intelligence - ScheerPost - Air Date 3-31-25 E5: How To Prevent Collapse - Our Changing Climate - Air Date 3-14-25 E6: What Can We Do When The System Fails Us? - Andrewism - Air Date 4-23-25 SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Image of a fist bursting out of the desolate, rocky ground. Credit: “Fist-struggle-revolution” by olenchic, Pixabay | Pixabay License   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Air Date: 7–22-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: The need for universal childcare and the pressure release valve of fighting your employer over working from home The need for universal benefits and the pressure release valve of gig workers fighting for a patchwork of crumbs from giant corporations The need to get rid of the business model of tipped jobs and the pressure release valve of fighting over tipping culture and taxing The need for expanded social welfare programs and better wages and the pressure release valve of expanding food banks The need for effective federal disaster support and universal healthcare and the press release valve of GoFundMe culture   FOLLOW US ON: Bluesky Mastadon Instagram Facebook YouTube (This episode drops on YouTube on Friday - please share!) Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e   REFERENCES:   Exploring portable benefits for gig workers - Brookings Institute Ride-Hailing Apps Make Traffic Worse - And Now They’re Admitting It - Futurism Tipping Is Racist and Harms Us All — It’s Past Time to Eliminate It - Inequality.org Expanding food banks is no substitute for tackling poverty, charities warn - The Guardian GoFundMe Is The New FEMA - Wessiler via Substack GoFundMe Is a Boon for Disaster Survivors. Especially the Wealthy Ones. - The New York Times How GoFundMe Perpetuates Myths of Merit and Deservingness - MIT’s The Reader GoFundMe CEO - Dropout.tv For Trump’s ‘no taxes on tips,’ the devil is in the details - The Conversation   EXTRAS: Snopes: Investigating claims Kerr County rejected Biden admin's $10M offer to improve flood warning systems - Snopes via Yahoo News Study Erin mentions at 00:28:38 showing those in lower economic class think they are higher than they are. - Marketplace Did politics delay approval of Kerr County life-saving infrastructure? - Chrom.com (Former Houston Chronicle digital))   TAKE ACTION: One Million Rising Trainings In a blue state? Help stop ICE overreach Use the 5 Calls app for scripts and to reach all your elected officials Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 Find your Indivisible group - or start one Write to the DNC     Join our Discord Server Reach us via Signal: Bestoftheleft.01 Leave a message at 202-999-3991   Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Original Air Date: 10–16-2020 Transcript Today we take a look at the history and origins of the American militia movement right up to the recent plot to kidnap the Governor of Michigan, the likelihood of more violence and the high probability that they will show up at polling places on Election Day. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads! Join our Discord community! Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! Join our Discord community! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: FBI Foils Right-Wing Plot to Kidnap Michigan Gov. Months After Trump Urged "Liberation" of State - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-9-20 Just months after President Trump tweeted for his supporters to "LIBERATE MICHIGAN!" the FBI has foiled an alleged plot to kidnap and take hostage Democratic Governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer. Ch. 2: Ohio has long history with militias; 2020 saw a surge in activity - WBNS 10TV - Air Date 10-9-20 A group of men plotting to kidnap the governor of Michigan met in Dublin. Ch. 3: Rise of Violent Militias Prompts National Fears After Foiled Kidnapping Plot - The Takeaway - Air Date 10-12-20 Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, and Daryl Johnson, owner of DT Analytics and former senior analyst at the Department of Homeland Security, discuss the implications for the upcoming election. Ch. 4: Mary McCord on Unlawful Militias - CounterSpin - Air Date 10-9-20 Mary McCord, a law professor at Georgetown University & legal director at the school's Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection and an expert on unlawful militias that manage to be part of the political landscape while somehow escaping media. Ch. 5: Great Replacement Theory - RE-EDUCATION - Air Date 8-16-19 This theory has become mainstream. Ch. 6: Protests Put Spotlight on the Relationship Between Armed White Vigilantes, Militia Groups, and Law Enforcement - The Takeaway - Air Date 8-31-20 Armed vigilantes and militia groups are showing up to Black Lives Matter protests across the country. Ch. 7: Robert Evans Are We In a Second Civil War? - The Zero Hour with RJ Eskow - Air Date 10-13-20 Robert Evans explains what we need to do to avoid a second Civil War Ch. 8: Kathleen Belew Explains the Long History of the White Power Movement and its Global Plans for "Race War" - The Truth Report w. Chauncey DeVega - Air Date 5-26-19 Belew explains white supremacy is a cultural, social and political problem not just the pathology of a small number of people, what "white power" means, and how white supremacist and other right-wing foot soldiers preparing for various forms of "race war" Ch. 9: Did Trump's "Liberate Michigan" Result in Kidnapped Governor? - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 10-8-20 Donald Trump told his followers to "liberate Michigan". They answered by attempting to kidnap Governor Whitmer. SHOW IMAGE: "aIMG_0841" & "cIMG_1169b" & "01IMG_7336" by Becker1999 (Paul and Cathy), Flickr | License | Changes: Composite of 3 different images, cropped, added black background and red design    Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Air Date 7/16/2025 It increasingly feels like we are completely past the era of legitimate differences in political philosophy and policy preferences. Now that the Republican governing style has been completely consumed by Trumpism, we've entered the era of scam politics which fits nicely with Trump's traditional retail scams, capitalism's continual reinvention of financial scams, and the new age of crypto scams. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: Weekly Roundup Mamdani and the Rebirth of Birtherism + Christofascism in the Big Bill - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 7-4-25 KP 2: Make America Uninsured Again Part 1- Today, Explained - Air Date 7-2-25 KP 3: Michael Galant on Sanctions & Immigration, LaToya Parker on Budgets Racial Impacts - CounterSpin - Air Date 6-20-25 KP 4: Why Gutting SNAP Makes the Economy Worse for Everyone (with Lily Roberts) - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 6-3-25 KP 5: The Big Beautiful Bill, Explained Part 1- Leeja Miller - Air Date 7-2-25 KP 6: Why Private Equity Is Buying Hospitals & Shutting Them Down - More Perfect Union - Air Date 6-26-25 KP 7: Mind-Boggling Trump Voters Suddenly Learn Hes Screwing Them Badly - THE DAILY BLAST - Air Date 6-30-25 KP 8: Trump Supporters SEETHE After Getting SCAMMED by His Meme Coin He Fed Us Part 1 - The Humanist Report - Air Date 1-20-25 (00:56:27) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On how desperation drives scams and how progressive populism can turn the tide A Pale Blue Dot of Anxiety: Why humans commit despicable acts (SOLVED #9 — 5-23-25) DEEPER DIVES (01:03:55) SECTION A: BIG BEAUTIFUL SCAM A1: Make America Uninsured Again Part 2 - Today, Explained - Air Date 7-2-25 A2: The Big Beautiful Bill, Explained Part 2 - Leeja Miller - Air Date 7-2-25 A3: Most Massive Transfer of Wealth Upward in American History John Nichols on Trump's Budget Law - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-7-25 A4: Why Gutting SNAP Makes the Economy Worse for Everyone (with Lily Roberts) Part 2 - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 6-3-25 A5: Trump Accounts A Drop in the Leaky Bucket Part 1 - UNFTR - Air Date 6-19-25 A6: GOP Budget Bill Would Make ICE Largest Federal Law Enforcement Agency in the History of the Nation - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-2-25 A7: Mind-Boggling Trump Voters Suddenly Learn Hes Screwing Them Badly Part 2 - THE DAILY BLAST - Air Date 6-30-25 A8: Why Gutting SNAP Makes the Economy Worse for Everyone (with Lily Roberts) Part 3 - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 6-3-25 A9: Trump Accounts A Drop in the Leaky Bucket Part 2 - UNFTR - Air Date 6-19-25 A10: GOP Budget Bill Would Make ICE Largest Federal Law Enforcement Agency in the History of the Nation Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-2-25 A11: Weekly Roundup Mamdani and the Rebirth of Birtherism + Christofascism in the Big Bill Part 2 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 7-4-25 (02:39:46) SECTION B: TRUMPS PERSONAL SCAMS B1: STUNNING NEW DETAIL about Trumps Corruption $100K Watches, MAGA Bibles, Billion Dollar Crypto Scam Part 2 - Pod Save America - Air Date 7-5-25 B2: Vietnam Sidesteps Their Own Laws To Give Trump A MAJOR Bribe - Ring of Fire - Air Date 5-27-25 B3: Trump LOSES IT as ABC host Calls OUT MAJOR Scam - MeidasTouch - Air Date 6-2-25 B4: STUNNING NEW DETAIL about Trumps Corruption $100K Watches, MAGA Bibles, Billion Dollar Crypto Scam - Pod Save America - Air Date 7-5-25 B5: Trump Supporters SEETHE After Getting SCAMMED by His Meme Coin He Fed Us Part 2 - The Humanist Report - Air Date 1-20-25 (03:19:19) SECTION C: OTHER SCAMS C1: Economist's Scary Warning Trump's Tariff Are a SCAM to Make Billionaires Richer w/ Greg Palast - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 6-5-25 C2: EXPOSED 90 Deals In 90 Days Trump Scam IMPLODES Spectacularly - Secular Talk - Air Date 7-7-25 C3: Why the United States Is Really Losing to China (w/ Kishore Mahbubani) - Current Affairs - Air Date 7-2-25 C4: Hudson's Bay How Private Equity Destroyed North America's Oldest Brand - Spoke Media - Air Date 6-27-25 C5: Rule by Private Equity w Megan Greenwell Part 1 - Behind the News - Air Date 7-7-25 C6: Private Equitys Ruthless Takeover Of The Last Affordable Housing In America Part 1 - More Perfect Union - Air Date 9-18-25 C7: Rule by Private Equity w Megan Greenwell Part 2 - Behind the News - Air Date 7-7-25 C8: Private Equitys Ruthless Takeover Of The Last Affordable Housing In America Part 2 - More Perfect Union - Air Date 9-18-25 C9: Who Wins in Trumps Deregulation Spree - Robert Reich - Air Date 7-8-25 C10: Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) Man Goes to the U.S. South and Tells the Brutal Truth - Kanie Laing - Air Date 7-8-25 SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Composite of a high contrast image of Trump smirking and giving a thumbs up, over the outline of the US filled in with the flag, and the word SCAM over his chest. Credit: Composite design A. Hoffman. Elements from Pixabay. Trump, Scam, US | License   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Air Date: 7–13-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: ⁃ The calculated, propaganda motives behind “Mar-a-Lago face” and bizarre MAGA hyper-femininity ⁃ How MAGA uses Kristi Noem’s “Border Barbie” vibes to attempt to soften its vicious immigration policy, and project victimization ⁃ How bad AI imagery is now the look of modern fascism ⁃ The cruelty of the White House X account - a propaganda machine of memes (run by Groypers) ⁃ The Right’s psychopathic treatment of immigrants, and bracing ourselves for what’s coming next ⁃ …and more in BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm (MEMBERS ONLY!) FOLLOW US ON: Bluesky Mastadon Instagram Facebook YouTube Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e REFERENCES: MAGA glam isn’t about beauty — it’s about politics - Vox The “Delicate, Beautiful, Tiny” Fascism of Kristi Noem - Mother Jones AI: The New Aesthetics of Fascism - New Socialist The Gleeful Cruelty of the White House X Account - The Atlantic The Right’s Cruelty to Immigrants Is Psychopathic - Current Affairs EXTRAS: @Novaramedia and @blindboyboatclub (The video on Trump and wrestling that Erin couldn’t recall during the show!) MEMBERS ONLY Systems are crumbling – but daily life continues. The dissonance is real - The Guardian TAKE ACTION: July 17th - National Day of Action - Good Trouble Lives On One Million Rising Trainings In a blue state? Help stop ICE overreach Use the 5 Calls app for scripts and to reach all your elected officials Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 Find your Indivisible group - or start one Write to the DNC Join our Discord Server Reach us via Signal: Bestoftheleft.01 Leave a message at 202-999-3991 Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening!