The BradCast w/ Brad Friedman

'BradCast' 7/17/2026 (Encore: Dead Ends -- Iran, Platner, McConnell with guest David Faris of Roosevelt Univ.) 17.07.2026 58min

Encore: original airdate 7-9-2026. On today's 'BradCast': Maine's Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner has withdrawn from the race, with state party officials now scrambling to create a process to select a new nominee. Questions are swirling around the health status of hospitalized Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Senate Republicans' secrecy isn't helping. Donald Trump's War on Iran is back on again, and Trump claims the 'ceasefire' and the 'Memorandum of Understanding' between the US and Iran are 'over.' Roosevelt University's Prof. DAVID FARIS explains the latest developments, the major concessions that the U.S. made with Iran, potential pathways forward to resolve the conflict, and much more. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

'BradCast' 7/16/2026 (Energy and Interior Chiefs Beclown Selves for Trump, Fossil Fuel Industry as American Chokes, Drowns, Burns) 17.07.2026 58min

On today's 'BradCast': Central Texas is grappling with torrential rainfall and deadly, catastrophic flooding in the same region where a flood disaster destroyed Camp Mystic a year ago. The Midwest and East Coast are choking on toxic wildfire smoke. Studies confirm that the surge of new data centers is raising electricity rates across the country, prompting Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) to implement the nation's first moratorium on the construction of new hyperscaler data centers. Trump Energy Sec. Chris Wright and Interior Sec. Doug Burgum celebrated the end of federal renewable energy subsides in favor of fossil fuel expansion, while lying and trying to gaslight Americans about the cost and reliability of renewable energy and pretending that batteries don't exist. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

'BradCast' 7/15/2026 (Voice of America Being Unlawfully Used for Propaganda; Guest: Former VOA White House Chief Steve Herman) 16.07.2026 57min

On today's 'BradCast': For more than 80 years, Voice of America was a beloved world treasure, broadcasting across the globe in 49 languages as a living example of a free press, free speech, and American 'soft power'. Former VOA White House Bureau Chief STEVE HERMAN explains new allegations by former VOA correspondents that the Trump Administration is unlawfully abusing the news agency to promote propaganda in violation of VOA's mission, handing 'a strategic victory' to America's adversaries in ceding the information space to ramp up their own global influence operations, and much more. Trump's nominee for Director of National Intelligence, Jay Clayton, refused to say who won the 2020 election in his Senate confirmation hearing. Wisconsin election commission alleges billionaire Elon Musk committed criminal election fraud. Trump endorsed troubled 2020 election denier Mike Lindell for governor of Michigan.

'BradCast' 7/14/2026 (Trump Losing Everything Everywhere All At Once) 15.07.2026 58min

On today's 'BradCast': Donald Trump is losing one battle after another. Trump finally paid writer E. Jean Carroll the $5.6 million dollars he owes after a jury found him liable for sexually abusing her. Hunter Biden won a $1.7 million defamation suit against billionaire Patrick Byrne, a Trump ally, for spreading lies invented by Russian intelligence falsely accusing the Bidens of bribery. A federal judge threw out Trump's $10 billion settlement with the IRS as self-dealing, and more. DHS has suspended most vehicle stops around the country following ICE murders of immigrants. Trump reversed his ridiculous vow to charge a 20% toll on ships traversing the Strait of Hormuz. And data show that nobody wants to name their baby 'Donald' anymore. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

'BradCast' 7/13/2026 (Trump Fires All Commissioners on U.S. Elections Assistance Commission; Guest: Election expert Susan Greenhalgh) 14.07.2026 57min

On today's 'BradCast': Maine's Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner officially withdrew from the race; a statewide party convention will select his replacement. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) died suddenly; Graham's sister will fill out his term as Republicans plan a statewide convention to replace him. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released a statement to prove he is alive after being hospitalized for more than a month without explanation. Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz again, as Trump declared the U.S. will charge a 20% toll on cargo. Trump fired the entire U.S. Elections Assistance Commission in a new attack on U.S. election administration. Election security expert SUSAN GREENHALGH of Free Speech for People explains why Trump's dismantling of the E.A.C. is concerning, what it means for the November midterm elections and the 2028 election, and much more.

'BradCast' 7/10/2026 (Encore: The Trump Family's Staggering Crime Spree; Trump hijacked America's 250th) 10.07.2026 58min

Encore: original airdate 7-7-2026. On today's 'BradCast': New reporting is beginning to reveal the astonishing, unprecedented extent of Donald Trump's corruption and self-enrichment in his second term, far worse than previously understood, even while Americans struggle to survive his horrible inflationary policies and draconian cuts to critical services. The list of deeply corrupt, self-dealing actions by Trump and his two eldest sons is staggering, including increasing his own personal income by $1.6 BILLION over the last year, his sons profiting from federal government favoritism in their business investments, to hijacking America's 250th birthday celebrations, and much, much more. Controversial Maine Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner's campaign appears increasingly untenable amid allegations of sexual misconduct, as supporters withdraw their endorsements. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

'BradCast' 7/9/2026 (Dead Ends: Iran, Platner, McConnell, with guest David Faris of Roosevelt University) 10.07.2026 58min

On today's 'BradCast': Maine's Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner has withdrawn from the race, with state party officials now scrambling to create a process to select a new nominee. Questions are swirling around the health status of hospitalized Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Senate Republicans' secrecy isn't helping. Donald Trump's War on Iran is back on again, and Trump claims the 'ceasefire' and the 'Memorandum of Understanding' between the US and Iran are 'over.' Roosevelt University's Prof. DAVID FARIS explains the latest developments, the major concessions that the U.S. made with Iran, potential pathways forward to resolve the conflict, and much more. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

'BradCast' 7/8/2026 (John Roberts and Corrupt Republican SCOTUS Majority Winning the Long Game; with former DOJ official Lisa Graves) 09.07.2026 58min

On today's 'BradCast': Trump's ceasefire with Iran is failing, as predicted. Maine's Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner has withdrawn from the race. A federal judge ordered Donald Trump to pay writer E. Jean Carroll the $5.8 million he owes her after being found guilty of sexual abuse. LISA GRAVES, former Deputy Asst. U.S. Attorney General, discusses major rulings handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court's corrupted rightwing supermajority this term that broke with decades of precedent and relied on invented doctrines to achieve their preferred political outcomes. Graves explains Chief Justice John Roberts' decades-long agenda to increase presidential power; roll back voting rights, civil rights, and regulations that rein in corporate power and billionaires influencing elections; critical court reforms; why Trump attorney Todd Blanche must not be confirmed as U.S. Attorney General; and much more.

'BradCast' 7/7/2026 (The Trump Family's Staggering Crime Spree; Trump hijacked America's 250th) 08.07.2026 58min

On today's 'BradCast': New reporting is beginning to reveal the astonishing, unprecedented extent of Donald Trump's corruption and self-enrichment in his second term, far worse than previously understood, even while Americans struggle to survive his horrible inflationary policies and draconian cuts to critical services. The list of deeply corrupt, self-dealing actions by Trump and his two eldest sons is staggering, including increasing his own personal income by $1.6 BILLION over the last year, his sons profiting from federal government favoritism in their business investments, to hijacking America's 250th birthday celebrations, and much, much more. Controversial Maine Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner's campaign appears increasingly untenable amid allegations of sexual misconduct, as supporters withdraw their endorsements. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

'BradCast' 7/6/2026 (Maine Us Senate Race Rocked by Sexual Assault Claim Against Platner) 07.07.2026 58min

On today's 'BradCast': Breaking just before airtime, Politico reports that a former girlfriend of Maine's Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner has accused him of having sexually assaulted her in her home in late 2021. Graham denies the allegations but says he is 'taking the time to reflect on the best path forward' for his candidacy and Maine voters. Platner has until July 13 to drop out of the race, and several prominent Democrats have called on him to withdraw. Will they have a better chance of unseating incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Susan Collins with Platner out of the race? Callers weigh in.

'BradCast' 7/3/2026 (Encore: 'So Stupid it Makes Your Head Explode'; Guests: Heather Digby Parton and 'Driftglass') 03.07.2026 58min

Encore: original airdate 6-25-2026. On today's 'BradCast': The corrupted rightwing supermajority on the US Supreme Court issued major rulings in favor of Donald Trump's immigration policies, including a racist and dangerous ruling destroying Temporary Protected Status for refugees from Haiti and Syria and allowing Trump to unlawfully violate U.S. asylum laws. The Republican SCOTUS majority also barred another gun safety law, and shielded Monsanto/Bayer from liability over the cancer-causing chemical glyphosate. Lower courts halted Trump's unconstitutional attempts to restrict mail-in voting. Salon's HEATHER DIGBY PARTON and 'DRIFTGLASS' of the Pro-Left Podcast deliver insight, analysis, history and hilarity in discussing the 2026 midterm elections and Trump's efforts to cheat, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the Iran War, Trump's Reflecting Pool fiasco, corruption and needed reforms, and much more. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.

'BradCast' 7/2/2026 (Encore: Stop Trump's Project 2025 Scheme to Kill Science; Guest: Dr. Colette Delawalla of Stand Up for Science) 02.07.2026 58min

Encore: original airdate 6-24-2026. On today's 'BradCast': A federal judge permanently blocked Donald Trump's executive order requiring documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote. The 2026 midterm elections are taking shape after primary elections in Utah, Maryland, South Carolina, and New York. All three of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's endorsed U.S. House candidates won their Democratic primaries. Trump Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth recently ended flu vaccine mandates; now a major flu outbreak is spreading among Texas troops. Dr. COLETTE DELAWALLA of Stand Up For Science explains their new campaign to stop the dangerous new anti-science proposal from the Trump Office of Management and Budget mandating Trump political appointees approve all federal science grants; why the proposal would decimate U.S. science research; and how the public can take action to save U.S. science.

'BradCast' 7/1/2026 (Encore: Corporate Donors to Trump's Ballroom Win $50B in New Govt Contracts; Guest: Robert Weissman, Public Citizen) 01.07.2026 58min

Encore: original airdate 6-9-2026. On today's 'BradCast': New updates in California's primary election results include the Los Angeles mayoral race and the fight to see who will secure the second top spot for the general election in the governor's race. California's careful ballot-counting process and new reporting debunks Donald Trump's repetitive, baseless claims that any election outcome he doesn't like is 'rigged.' ROBERT WEISSMAN of the indispensable government watchdog Public Citizen explains their new report revealing unprecedented levels of grift by Trump, exposing how corporations that donated to Trump's ballroom have received more than $50 billion in new and expanded government contracts over the last six months. Weissman also covers the wildly illegal IRS immunity deal benefiting Trump and his family, and much more. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

'BradCast' 6/30/2026 (Encore: The Trouble With Trillionaires [and Billionaires]; Guest: Michael Mechanic of Mother Jones) 30.06.2026 58min

Encore: original airdate 6-17-2026. On today's 'BradCast': In a draft 'Memorandum of Understanding,' the United States and Iran will halt military actions for 60 days and open the Strait of Hormuz while negotiating a final agreement. The draft MOU indicates that Donald Trump made major concessions to Iran, including waiving punishing sanctions on Iran's oil exports. Georgia's GOP-controlled state legislature declined to re-gerrymander its US House maps -- for now. The November 2026 elections are taking shape after primaries, runoffs and special elections in Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma, California, and Washington D.C. Mother Jones' Senior Editor MICHAEL MECHANIC explains how Elon Musk became the world's first trillionaire with help from taxpayers, the many negative impacts of extreme wealth in America and around the world, potential solutions to reduce income inequality, and much more.

'BradCast' 6/29/2026 (Encore: Trump Policies Imperil Social Security Trust Fund; Guest: Nancy Altman of Social Security Works) 29.06.2026 58min

Encore: original airdate 6-11-2026. On today's 'BradCast': The ongoing Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda is on track to become the worst in history, made immeasurably worse by Donald Trump, Elon Musk and their DOGE Bros, who slashed U.S. public health funding and US AID. Florida's Republican-controlled state Supreme Court relied on specious arguments to justify ignoring the state's constitutional ban on partisan gerrymanders, in order to approve new, partisan-gerrymandered US House maps. NANCY ALTMAN, President of non-profit Social Security Works, explains this week's annual report from Social Security fund trustees warning that the fund faces a partial shortfall by 2032, and the reasons why; false fixes promoted by Republicans who hope to destroy the vital program; how to fully fund Social Security; and much more. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

'BradCast' 6/26/2026 (Encore: DOJ Greenlights Paramount-Warner Deal; Guest: John Bergmayer of Public Knowledge) 26.06.2026 58min

Encore: original airdate 6-16-2026. On today's 'BradCast': In Nevada, Republican 2020 election denier Jim Marchant won the GOP primary for the Secretary of State race, one of several election deniers seeking the top election chief role in GOP-controlled states. The Trumpers behind the 2020 fake electors scheme were arraigned in Wisconsin state court today, facing felony counts related to their failed plot to steal the 2020 presidential election. JOHN BERGMAYER of Public Knowledge discusses the Justice Department leadership's corrupt approval of the Paramount Skydance purchase of Warner Bros-Discovery (which owns CNN), how the merger threatens press freedom, consumer costs and choices, the impact on the entertainment industry, and much more. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

'BradCast' 6/25/2026 ('So Stupid it Makes Your Head Explode'; Guests: Heather Digby Parton and 'Driftglass') 26.06.2026 58min

On today's 'BradCast': The corrupted rightwing supermajority on the US Supreme Court issued major rulings in favor of Donald Trump's immigration policies, including a racist and dangerous ruling destroying Temporary Protected Status for refugees from Haiti and Syria and allowing Trump to unlawfully violate U.S. asylum laws. The Republican SCOTUS majority also barred another gun safety law, and shielded Monsanto/Bayer from liability over the cancer-causing chemical glyphosate. Lower courts halted Trump's unconstitutional attempts to restrict mail-in voting. Salon's HEATHER DIGBY PARTON and 'DRIFTGLASS' of the Pro-Left Podcast deliver insight, analysis, history and hilarity in discussing the 2026 midterm elections and Trump's efforts to cheat, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the Iran War, Trump's Reflecting Pool fiasco, corruption and needed reforms, and much more. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.

'BradCast' 6/24/2026 (Stop Trump's Project 2025 Scheme to Kill Science; Guest: Dr. Colette Delawalla of Stand Up for Science) 25.06.2026 58min

On today's 'BradCast': A federal judge permanently blocked Donald Trump's executive order requiring documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote. The 2026 midterm elections are taking shape after primary elections in Utah, Maryland, South Carolina, and New York. All three of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's endorsed U.S. House candidates won their Democratic primaries. Trump Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth recently ended flu vaccine mandates; now a major flu outbreak is spreading among Texas troops. Dr. COLETTE DELAWALLA of Stand Up For Science explains their new campaign to stop the dangerous new anti-science proposal from the Trump Office of Management and Budget mandating Trump political appointees approve all federal science grants; why the proposal would decimate U.S. science research; and how the public can take action to save U.S. science

'BradCast' 6/23/2026 (The Horses Races AND the Track Conditions; Why Trump endorsements matter; SCOTUS v. VRA Again) 24.06.2026 58min

On today's 'BradCast': It's good practice to not trust the Trump Administration's statements on its ongoing negotiations with Iran unless Iran confirms it. Voters head to the polls in New York, Maryland, Utah and South Carolina, where Donald Trump endorsed both Republican gubernatorial candidates to avoid embarrassment. The corrupted rightwing supermajority on the U.S. Supreme Court allowed a lower court to restrict assistance to disabled voters and others, again overturning decades of precedent to gut another section of the Voting Rights Act. A federal judge blocked the administration from accessing Americans' most sensitive data to wrongly purge voters from the rolls. GOP dark money groups hid behind liberal-sounding names to secretly influence Democratic primary elections. Some Senate Republicans say they won't pass the voter-suppressing SAVE Act. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

'BradCast' 6/22/2026 (Scandals and Vandals, Memoranda and Referenda; Trump Reflecting Pool; U.S.-Iran negotiations; Billionaire tax in CA) 23.06.2026 57min

On today's 'BradCast': Donald Trump is pretending that his failed D.C. Reflecting Pool refurb is fantastic and is claiming the algae-filled water and peeling blue paint was caused by vandalism. New polling shows two-thirds of Americans strongly disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy and the Iran War. High stakes negotiations continue between the Trump administration and Iran, but experts say the hardline Iranian regime is likely to rake in hundreds of billions no matter how it turns out. A California proposal to levy a one-time tax on the state's billionaires has qualified for the state's November ballot, and has fractured support among unions, progressive, Democratic leaders, and other groups across the state. Callers weigh in.