The gang breaks down the controversy surrounding Rep. Tony Gonzales after explicit text messages between him and former staffer Regina Santos-Aviles surfaced, prompting resignation calls and ethical questions about power dynamics in Congress. With Gonzales denying wrongdoing and calling the backlash politically motivated, they ask whether he should step aside or stay in the race. Then they turn to the Olympic culture war, as celebrations of Team USA’s gold medals collide with partisan backlash, White House invitations, and viral locker room politics. When did rooting for American athletes become a political statement?

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:14:36 - State of the Union

00:32:15 - Tony Gonzales

00:54:35 - Olympic Culture War

01:15:13 - Emails

01:36:17 - Wrap-up

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The gang debates the SAVE America Act, the proposal requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. Supporters say it strengthens election integrity, while opponents argue noncitizen voting is already illegal and rare and warn the documentation requirements could disenfranchise eligible voters. Then they turn to “Amelia,” the purple haired character from a UK government-backed anti-extremism game called Pathways, who became an unlikely internet mascot after critics argued her concerns about immigration and national identity were framed as extremism. How exactly did a government messaging tool turn into a meme?

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:10:01 - Halftime Show Emails

00:26:29 - SAVE America

00:59:12 - Brief Kid Rock-RFK Jr. Thoughts

01:01:53 - Amelia

01:21:30 - Emails

01:32:34 - Wrap-up

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The gang dives into the political turmoil sweeping Europe, where major leaders are seeing their approval ratings crater. From Keir Starmer’s record-low numbers in the UK to Emmanuel Macron’s struggles in France and Friedrich Merz’s challenges in Germany, Justin, Jen, and Heaton explore why incumbents across the continent are facing voter backlash and what it means for the rise of far-right movements. Then they turn to a jaw-dropping Olympic moment, as a Norwegian bronze medalist uses his post-race interview to confess to cheating on his girlfriend in a bid to win her back. Romantic gesture or spectacular miscalculation?

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:22:58 - European Leaders' Unpopularity

00:47:44 - Olympian Admits to Cheating on Girlfriend

01:03:43 - Emails

01:44:06 - Wrap-up

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The gang digs into the massive new release of Epstein-related documents and the public reaction to yet another transparency dump that raises more questions than it answers. From who gets named to what “appearing in the files” actually means, they talk through how information spreads, how narratives form, and why ambiguity fuels speculation. Then they pivot to a study on “kind lying,” debating when honesty is overrated, when lies are socially rewarded, and what people really want when they say they want the truth.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:14:33 - Epstein

01:04:20 - "Kind Lying"

01:25:46 - Emails

01:46:04 - Wrap-up

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The gang breaks down the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti during a Minneapolis protest against ICE, as federal officials quietly change their public posture amid growing backlash. With video evidence contradicting early claims and questions mounting about the agents’ actions, they ask what the most important unanswered piece of the story really is. Then they turn to the so called “substation theory,” as Super Bowl bound teams avoid the 49ers’ training facility over concerns that a nearby electrical substation may be linked to unusually high injury rates. Is there anything to the theory, or is this just another case of pattern seeking in sports?

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:10:45 - Minnesota ICE Shooting

00:52:44 - Substation Theory

01:11:55 - Emails

01:33:22 - Wrap-up

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The gang breaks down President Trump’s escalating rhetoric over Greenland, including newly revealed text messages with Norway’s prime minister and renewed claims that U.S. control of Greenland is necessary for global security. They debate how serious this push really is and what it signals about American power politics. Then they turn to the UK, where Prime Minister Keir Starmer is opening the door to a possible ban on social media for children under 16, reversing earlier opposition and raising questions about whether similar restrictions could come to the United States.

This episode was recorded prior to the framework deal being announced.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:22:00 - Greenland

01:17:17 - Social Media Ban

01:40:57 - Emails

02:22:32 - Wrap-up

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The gang discusses the killing of Renée Good, a U.S. citizen fatally shot by an ICE agent during protests against a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis. With conflicting accounts from federal authorities, witnesses, and local officials, they dig into questions of use of force, accountability, and how immigration enforcement is escalating inside U.S. cities. Then, they turn to California’s proposed billionaire wealth tax, which has prompted Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin to move assets and cut ties with the state. Is this a long overdue redistribution effort, or a policy that will drive massive capital flight?

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:08:27 - ICE Shooting in Minnesota

00:55:10 - Wealth Tax

01:24:59 - Emails

01:52:16 - Wrap-up

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The gang breaks down the U.S. operation that captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in a surprise overnight raid approved by President Trump, an unprecedented move that killed dozens of Cuban guards and triggered international outrage. With critics calling it illegal regime change and supporters celebrating Maduro’s removal, they ask what this means for U.S. foreign policy going forward. Then they turn to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s sudden decision to drop out of his reelection race amid a long-running fraud scandal involving state funded childcare programs. Why step aside now in a deep blue state, and what does the timing say about accountability and political pressure?

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:12:46 - Venezuela

01:08:42 - Tim Walz

01:36:34 - Emails

02:00:08 - Wrap-up

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