The Professional Left Podcast with Driftglass and Blue Gal

In this week's episode, we break down Trump's chaotic new trade war and its immediate devastating impact on the markets. We draw parallels between this administration's trade "liberation" and the Bush-era Iraq War disaster, examining:The fallout from Trump's sweeping tariff announcements that wiped $1.65 trillion from the US stock market in minutesThe mass layoffs hitting public health agencies, senior services, and cultural institutionsHow Elon Musk's DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) is driving record job cuts across the countrySurprising Democratic victories in local elections across Wisconsin and Illinois despite Musk spending millionsThe ongoing SignalGate scandal expanding as more security lapses are revealedLaura Loomer's alarming influence over national security personnel decisionsJoin us in the Cornfield Resistance for our trademark blend of political analysis, righteous anger, and sardonic humor as we document the latest chapter in Republican mismanagement. As we remind our listeners: "Never forget, it was our Republican neighbors, colleagues and family members who did this. This is what they voted for."More at proleftpod.com.We are scheduled to be on The Bob Cesca show on 4/9/2025.Support the show at Patreon.com/proleftpod, or send a letter/contribution to The Professional Left PodcastPO Box 9133Springfield, IL 62791Support the show

AKA There Is No Trump without Newt. In episode 888 of The Professional Left Podcast, hosts driftglass and Blue Gal dive into the political landscape of April 1st, 2025, where April Fools Day is effectively canceled at the Cornfield Resistance due to the real Fool occupying the Oval Office.The hosts examine how Republicans have weaponized language over decades, tracing the destructive path from Newt Gingrich's slash-and-burn politics through Rush Limbaugh's hate radio to Trump's presidency. They contrast this with Democrats' constant pressure to be "civil" and "bipartisan," recalling Senator Durbin's tearful apology for his anti-Gitmo torture comments while Republicans never apologize for anything.Also covered: Senator Cory Booker's filibuster against hate, the White House Correspondents' Association's capitulation by canceling comedian Amber Ruffin, Elon Musk's dangerous plan to replace the COBOL code running Social Security payments, and a news roundup featuring Trump's latest attacks on democracy—from Signal-gate to tariff impacts, DEI funding cuts, and threats to the Smithsonian.Don't miss this sharp, unapologetic analysis of why "talking to the other side" isn't viable when the other side has abandoned democratic principles entirely.More at proleftpod.com.Driftglass will be on The BradCast with Digby on 4/2/2025.   We are scheduled to be on The Bob Cesca show on 4/9/2025.Support the show at Patreon.com/proleftpod, or send a letter/contribution to The Professional Left PodcastPO Box 9133Springfield, IL 62791Support the show

Tulsi Gabbard's memory seems as selective as Alberto Gonzales's infamous "I don't recall" testimony from 2007. Imagine a Director of National Intelligence who can't remember being part of a classified Signal chat from just yesterday.  She's also not good at lying, which is a requirement included in her job description as Trump's DNI. From the Bush-era playbook of political corruption to Trump's current circus of catastrophic mismanagement, we trace the alarming pattern of Republican administrations treating national security like a reality show plot. Listen as we unravel how these supposed patriots leaked classified information with the recklessness of teenagers sharing summer vacation plans.It's a blistering look at the Trump team's stunning incompetence, media manipulation, and the right-wing propaganda machine working overtime to spin this epic security failure.Not safe for work. Not safe for Republicans. And it's definitely not safe for incompetent Trump officials. Support our podcast work.  And thank you.The Professional Left Podcast PO Box 9133 Springfield, IL 62791Support the show

In this week's episode, we dive deep into the world of narrative storytelling and spectacular political incompetence. What happens when an entire administration accidentally texts its top-secret military plans to a reporter? Welcome to the "Idiot Plot," a storytelling concept in which the entire plot is driven by everyone involved being profoundly stupid.We'll break down the Trump administration's Signal app security disaster, take a deep dive into Glenn Greenwald's media metamorphosis, and serve up our usual sharp political commentary that will make you laugh, cry, and wonder how we're all still functioning. From leaked military operations to the strange world of tech billionaires buying media influence, this episode is not to be missed.Warning: Not safe for work, definitely not safe for sensitive ears, and absolutely packed with our unfiltered political analysis.Support the show at Patreon.com/proleftpod, or send a letter/contribution to The Professional Left PodcastPO Box 9133Springfield, IL 62791Support the show

In this fiery episode, we turn the tables on the right-wing outrage machine by exploring what actual cancel culture looks like under the current administration. We dive into the Pentagon's removal of webpages about minorities who served in the military, including Ira Hayes, the Native American Marine who helped raise the flag at Iwo Jima.We play a game of "Do You Remember?" highlighting the hypocrisy of those who decried "cancel culture" just a few years ago but are now actively erasing history that doesn't fit their narrative. We examine the shocking DEI purges happening across government agencies, particularly in the National Archives and Department of Defense.From historical monuments to classic films and music, we explore what American culture would look like if we truly followed through on current efforts to erase "DEI" from our collective memory - everything from Johnny Cash's music to "To Kill a Mockingbird" would be on the chopping block.We connect contemporary deportation policies to Bush-era "black sites" and examine how the current administration learned its playbook from previous Republican administrations.Recorded March 20, 2025. Contains explicit language.Support the show

Happy 20th Blogiversary to Driftglass!  We celebrate by bringing on board a new fake sponsor.  Cryptocurrency that is modeled on our chatty, slightly annoying cat, Bosco.  $Bosco will make all your dreams come true! Glitter paws and crypto minds$Bosco’s here leaving doubts behindCash your dreams in feline flair$Bosco Coin taking you everywhere!!![Chorus]$Bosco Coin boogie, let’s igniteDancing through the blockchain nightPurrs of fortune in the air$Bosco’s groove is beyond compare!!! We also cover Chuck Schumer, Glenn Greenwald (did you know he's a conservative pundit now?), and a very much alive man declared dead by Social Security under Trump.  More at proleftpod.com where you can also contribute to this podcast via PayPal or at patreon.com/proleftpod  or mail contributions to The Professional Left PodcastPO Box 9133Springfield, Illinois, 62791Thanks for supporting our podcast work!Support the show

We're back with a fresh episode exploring what we call the media's "favorite drug" - their addiction to centrism and both-siderism! We'll take you behind the scenes of Chuck Todd's bitter departure from NBC, examine the rehabilitation tour of certain political figures, and discuss why MSNBC is hemorrhaging viewers.Plus, we'll dive into some troubling developments in the early months of Trump's second administration and share our thoughts on politicians desperately courting that mythical "middle voter" ahead of 2028.Not safe for work - explicit language.More at proleftpod.com, where you can also contribute to this podcast via PayPal or at patreon.com/proleftpod  or mail contributions to The Professional Left PodcastPO Box 9133Springfield, Illinois, 62791.Thanks for supporting our podcast work! Support the show

We're back with our latest episode, examining how the rope of crony corruption binds our politics asymmetrically - a pattern we've been observing for over twenty years in American politics and media.The heart of our conversation explores how right-wing media continues to dominate local airwaves while progressive voices face constant scrutiny and advertising challenges. I'll take you back to 2005 to show how little has changed - or how much worse it's gotten.In other news, FAFO hits federal workers as their own MAGA families fail to sympathize.  And some surprising resistance (and huge audiences) are forming in expected quarters. (Hi, Bernie!)Join us for this not-safe-for-work discussion as we continue broadcasting from the Cornfield Resistance on March 11, 2025.More at proleftpod.com, where you can also contribute to this podcast via PayPal or at patreon.com/proleftpod  or mail contributions to The Professional Left PodcastPO Box 9133Springfield, Illinois, 62791.Not safe for work!Support the show

The hosts delve into Peter Navarro's fantastical claims about Canada, sparking laughter and disbelief. They discuss Elon Musk's intriguing government email address and the absurdities surrounding his influence on politics. Missouri's wild tax incentives for crisis pregnancy centers get critiqued, hinting at larger issues in governance. A fascinating comparison emerges between L. Ron Hubbard's writing tactics and the struggle to engage audiences on democracy's significance. Plus, there's a whimsical tale of friendship between a sheep and a horse, adding some lighthearted fun!

In our latest episode, we dissect how prominent news outlets like the Associated Press are sanitizing Trump's increasingly unhinged behavior, literally editing out his most bizarre moments from official transcripts. From the shocking Oval Office encounter with Zelensky to the ongoing media capitulation, we show how journalism is failing in real time.We explore the deep shame many Americans feel as our country becomes increasingly aligned with authoritarian regimes, sharing insights from unexpected sources like David Brooks (yes, THAT David Brooks), who describes a profound moral injury to the nation. We discuss the continued spinelessness of Republican lawmakers and the systemic failures that have brought us to this moment.Our news roundup covers the devastating cuts to scientific research, the purge of federal workers, and the ongoing assault on democratic institutions. We examine how Trump's administration is dismantling everything from social services to international aid, with a particular focus on the impact on research, USAID programs, and endangered TREES. (As if we could hate him more than we do.) As always, we bring our trademark blend of righteous anger, dark humor, and unflinching analysis, asking the hard questions about how we got here and what we can do to resist.Content Warning: Contains explicit language and, you know, "direct" political commentary.More at proleftpod.com.Support the show, please!  patreon.com/proleftpod.Support the show