The DSR Network

We’re seeing a confluence of events that suggest President Trump’s corruption has crossed over to an ugly new place. Trump is destroying a White House building to create a ballroom for him and his rich friends. He’s demanding that the Justice Department hand over $230 million in taxpayer funds to compensate him for “damages.” And Democrats from Senator Chris Murphy to Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries are going after all this in a newly aggressive way. Into this mess stepped White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who issued an extraordinary new defense of Trump’s ballroom fiasco. It was absolutely laden with comically cultish devotion to the Audience of One, but the hagiography also revealed something darker. We talked to New Republic staff writer Matt Ford, author of a great new piece about Trump’s self-dealing. He explains how all this corruption and all this worshipful propaganda reveals Trump’s profound contempt for the rule of law, for DOJ independence, for the idea of the public good, and even for the American people. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR Daily for Wednesday, we break down Trump’s demands for a meeting with Democrats, Trump potentially seeking $230 million from the Justice Department, the White House pulling back on promises for a meeting with Putin, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not long after President Trump floated a $20 billion financial bailout for Argentina, he proposed importing beef from Argentina to bring prices down in the United States. This angered American beef producers and produced a backlash from farm-state Republicans. But the most interesting response came from Meriwether Farms, a beef producer in Wyoming that promises to “preserve the traditions of American ranching.” Meriwether posted a long lament on Twitter, professing “love” for Trump but urging him to change course. Meriwether warned that Trump was on the verge of an “absolute betrayal” of the “American cattle rancher” and of “the very people who put food on the table for us.” Does this mean Trump is screwing his own supporters so badly that they’re finally getting angry about it? We talked to Matt Hildreth of RuralOrganizing.org, whose own family has been in farming for generations. He explains the perfect storm of terrible policies hitting Trump’s rural supporters, discusses whether this will help Democrats rebound in those areas, and details how the party is changing its organizing approach in them.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A recent court ruling opens the door for National Guard deployment to Portland, stirring debate on presidential power. Meanwhile, Putin stands firm against a ceasefire in Ukraine, complicating diplomatic relations. Trump's nominee for the Office of Special Counsel faces intense backlash due to disturbing revelations about his past. The podcast also delves into America's gun culture, debating the implications of a Supreme Court case challenging firearm possession by drug users, and condemns the troubling rise of white supremacy in politics.

Ana Marie Cox, a writer and commentator for The New Republic, dives into the remarkable "No Kings" protests in Texas, challenging the narrative pushed by Trump and Republicans. She shares insights on the diverse demographics of the protesters, emphasizing their peaceful, patriotic display. The conversation highlights the disconnect between Trump’s rhetoric and the on-ground reality, as well as the existential threat many feel from Trumpism. Cox also discusses the movement's grassroots energy and the importance of sustaining momentum for future actions.

Simon Rosenberg, a Democratic strategist and author of The Hopium Chronicles, joins to dissect the chaos following Trump's fury over the government shutdown. He reveals how Trump’s termination of the NY-NJ tunnel project is a deranged act of retribution against Chuck Schumer. The discussion dives into Trump’s declining popularity, evidenced by a CNBC poll blaming him for economic fallout. Rosenberg warns that Trump’s escalating authoritarianism might backfire in the midterms, emphasizing the need for Democrats to unify and broaden their message to combat his strongman image.

The hosts dissect John Bolton's indictment under the Espionage Act, debating the political implications of DOJ actions. They recap the intense first NYC mayoral debate, highlighting the clash between insiders and outsiders. A conversation on Venezuela reveals tensions as Maduro mobilizes troops amid U.S. military maneuvers. They also discuss the shift in counterterrorism funding towards Republican-led states, and reflect on Trump’s proposed meeting with Putin, questioning the effectiveness of diplomatic pressure.

Words matter to the Trump administration, and their willingness to accept and embrace the most vile language and discourse is despicable. At the same time, popular media is normalizing the administration's antidemocratic agenda while we slide further into authoritarianism. Why can’t anybody call out the Trump administration for the authoritarian regime it is? Tune in as David Rothkopf and Norm Ornstein discuss this behavior, the dangers of Trump’s political discourse, and the state of our slowly dying democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The other day, President Trump announced that he has bombed yet another boat allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean sea. He has now struck six boats, with 27 people dead, and the bombings have been widely denounced as illegal. Now, in a strange turn of events, The New York Times reports that the head of the military’s southern command, Alvin Holsey, is stepping down amid unclear circumstances. Did his resignation have anything to do with these bombings? Congressman Adam Smith of Washington State, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, thinks the answer is likely Yes. Smith talks to us about what he’s personally heard about the resignation and why it’s plausible that Holsey was removed over potential opposition to the bombings. He illuminates just how appallingly lacking in transparency the administration has been about the strikes, and vows that his committee will seek Holsey’s testimony about his departure, which could be very revealing indeed. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the government shutdown drags on, millions of Americans are being impacted. So what are the real consequences of the shutdown? How can Democrats lead in these tumultuous times? Senator Elissa Slotkin joins David Rothkopf to share an inside look at the shutdown, how Michiganders are feeling the effects of the shutdown and tariffs, how Democrats can step up, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices