The DSR Network

Tara McGowan, a media and political strategist, and Simon Rosenberg, a political analyst, join the conversation to unpack the ever-evolving political landscape. They discuss the alarming tactics from Republicans leading up to the 2026 midterms and the implications of gerrymandering and voting restrictions. The duo emphasizes the need for authentic messaging on corruption and democratic threats. They highlight the role of decentralized protests, like inflatable frogs, and the urgency of grassroots organizing to protect democracy.

Meredith Shiner, a contributing editor at The New Republic, critiques media coverage of the Trump administration and its real-world impacts. They discuss Trump's bizarre rant about a cognitive test, revealing his mental decline and underlying racism. Shiner connects his attacks on nonwhite women to harmful federal policies affecting communities, especially in Chicago. The conversation underscores the media's failures in holding Trump accountable and highlights the need for Democrats to expose the true power dynamics behind his administration.

Trump hints at running again in 2028, stirring conversations about the 22nd Amendment and the implications of such a move. There's significant GOP infighting over expiring ACA subsidies, highlighting the risks for working-class voters. The U.S. military is ramping up near Venezuela, raising questions about strategy. On a lighter note, Hurricane Melissa is rapidly intensifying, reminding listeners of climate change’s urgent impacts. It's a whirlwind of political intrigue and environmental concerns!

Joining the discussion is Steve Benen, a respected MSNBC writer and author of *Ministry of Truth*. He dives deep into the political machinations behind Trump's selective disaster aid decisions, emphasizing how they serve as rewards for supporters and punishments for opponents. Notably, Benen highlights the impact on rural Trump-voting counties in Maryland, revealing a disconnect that could backfire on GOP support. The conversation also probes into the broader implications of MAGA ideology and the potential backlash from disillusioned voters.

The podcast dives into Trump's shocking cancellation of trade talks with Canada, triggered by a controversial ad. Discussions also highlight questionable donor influence on presidential policies. A major illegal gambling bust involving NBA figures raises concerns about sports betting's impact. The conversation shifts to U.S.-China relations, focusing on trade negotiations and technological independence. Predictions about warming ties between the superpowers add an intriguing outlook to the current geopolitical landscape.

Donald Trump just tore down the East Wing of the White House. Yup, that’s right - the President of the United States, in the middle of a government shutdown, decides that what America really needs is a new grand ballroom in Washington, DC. Where is the accountability? How is such corrupt politics being normalized? Join David Rothkopf and Norm Ornstein as they search through the rubble and try to find answers. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a shockingly brazen move, President Trump is demanding that the Justice Department pay him $230 million stemming from certain federal actions against him. Representative Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, sent a scalding letter to the White House demanding all internal communications on this shakedown. What struck us was the letter’s forceful indictment of Trump’s corruption and criminality: It denounced Trump’s “blatantly illegal and unconstitutional effort to steal $230 million from the American people” and his “outrageous and shocking” effort to “shake down” the Treasury, labeling this straight-up “theft.” There’s much more, and it made critical legal points as well. We talked to the University of Michigan’s Leah Litman, author of Lawless, a book on the Supreme Court. We discuss Raskin’s letter, the legal nitty-gritty of Trump’s heist, how it exemplifies the MAGA movement more broadly, and how the Supreme Court brought us to this dangerous moment.  Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The US government has taken a ‘light touch’ approach to regulating artificial intelligence under Trump and a Republican controlled Congress. Should our government be doing more? California Representative Ted Lieu joins David Rothkopf to explore the pitfalls of hands-off federal regulation, how AI has become a critical component of national security and the labor market, and more.  This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR Daily for Thursday, we cover JD Vance’s harsh comments on Israel, the administration introducing new sanctions on Russia, Trump’s demolition of the East Wing, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After more than three years of expanded conflict, there might be some glimmers of hope for Ukraine. President Trump’s frustrations with Putin are growing, but Trump’s flip-flopping on the issue has continued to vex world leaders. So what can we expect from Trump? Has he really had a turn of heart? Ambassador Bill Taylor and Rosa Brooks join David Rothkopf to shed light on the latest news and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices