The DSR Network

The Daily Blast: Trump Push to Jail Foes Takes Darker Turn—and GOP Senators Are Rattled 03.06.2026 22min

Donald Trump just named William Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence, replacing the outgoing Tulsi Gabbard. Pulte is best known for abusing his administration position to ransack the mortages of Trump’s enemies for fake pretexts to get them prosecuted and jailed. In today’s episode, University of Michigan law professor Leah Litman argues that the office of DNI could be put to even more nefarious and “terrifying” use. Indeed, GOP Senate Majority Leader John Thune suggested it may produce a “weaponized” DNI, a striking admission of serious danger ahead. Senator Tom Cotton curtly refused to share his opinion of the choice. And other GOP Senators said Pulte is unqualified for the job. Given the DNI’s power, these objections reveal visible consternation. Indeed, MAGA figures fully expect Pulte to be turned loose on the left. Litman discusses what a “weaponized” national security state under Pulte could look like and ponders whether the rule of law will survive this presidency. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DSR Daily June 2: Marco Rubio Testifies 02.06.2026 23min

On the DSR Daily for Tuesday, we discuss Marco Rubio’s congressional testimony, Californians heading to the polls, a major Russian attack on Ukraine, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI, Energy and Climate: The Pope's Powerful Message on AI 02.06.2026 44min

Pope Leo sent some strong messages about AI in his 42,000-word essay last week. Is the Pope anti-AI? What risks and benefits of AI does the Pope highlight? What impact will the Pope's essay have, including with big tech companies? Join host David Sandalow as he explores these questions and more with Paolo Carroza, a Professor of Law at Notre Dame and Co-Chair of the Meta Oversight Board. 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

The Daily Blast: Trump Rages over Fresh Iran Humiliation as GOP Angst Grows: “Screwed” 02.06.2026 22min

Donald Trump is hitting many new difficulties. On Monday, Iran abandoned talks with the U.S., angering Trump. Speaking to CNBC, he raged that he “couldn’t care less” if the negotiations die, threatened again to blow Iran “to kingdom come,” and seethed that NATO’s refusal to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz shows that it's “very weak” and “very sad.” (He then insisted the talks are back on track.) Meanwhile, Senate Republicans’ anxiety over the politics of Trump’s corrupt $1 billion slush fund has grown: As one reporter notes, they are “absolutely screwed.” The fund may be on hold, but this signals broader GOP frustration with Trump. We talked to Molly Jong-Fast, host of the Fast Politics podcast and author of a great TNR piece with editor Michael Tomasky on Trump’s ongoing crackup. We discuss how Trump appears stuck in a mental loop, whether our country can survive two-and-a-half more years of him, and what a final GOP breaking point might look. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DSR Daily June 1: Judge Freezes Trump’s ‘Anti-Weaponization’ Fund 01.06.2026 24min

On the DSR Daily for Monday, we break down the judicial review of Trump’s anti-weaponization fund, new controversy surrounding Graham Platner, Pam Bondi’s laughable congressional testimony, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Daily Blast: Trump Epstein Mess Worsens as MAGA Cracks Up: “He Lame-Ducked Himself” 01.06.2026 24min

Former attorney general Pam Bondi testified behind closed doors Friday about the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. She effectively let it be known that Todd Blanche, now acting AG, has been responsible for this debacle, creating a new inquiry for Democrats to pursue that will be fraught for Trump. Bondi also went mum on how Trump instructed her to handle the Epstein files, basically declining to back Trump’s spin that he was pro-transparency, raising still more questions for Democrats to pursue. Meanwhile, Trump’s sinking approval, Iran debacle, ballroom and slush fund are fracturing Trumpworld and the GOP: One Republican told The Atlantic that he has “lame-ducked himself.” We talked to historian Nicole Hemmer, author of several books about the right. We discuss why the Epstein scandal continues to fracture the MAGA movement, the deeper reasons for Trump’s weakening hold on the GOP, and why MAGA will go into deep turmoil once Trump passes from the scene. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DSR Weekly Wrap-up: A New Ceasefire Deal Reached. Where Have We Heard That Before? 31.05.2026 27min

On the DSR Weekly Wrap-up for May 29th, we break down the new tentative deal to extend the ceasefire with Iran, the explosion of Blue Origin’s latest rocket, a horrific detention of a Ghanian mother, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Daily Blast: Trump ICE Standoff in N.J. Takes Darker Turn with Unnerving DHS Threat 29.05.2026 23min

For days, activists have been protesting terrible conditions at an ICE facility in New Jersey. In response, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is now threatening to pull Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in sanctuary cities, which could halt international flights to them. As even Fox News is pointing out, this would cause massive disruptions. Indeed, it would likely deal another big blow to GOP midterm chances. Yet the whole saga captures how Trump governance seeks to deliberately stoke searing tensions between MAGA and blue America. We talked to Nayna Gupta, policy director for the American Immigration Council, which just released a blueprint for a saner system. We discuss the worsening situation in Newark, why Mullin’s threat is simultaneously deranged and comical, and how the fascist advisers around Trump see violent conflict between MAGA and blue America as a good and desirable outcome. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Words Matter: The One and Only Way to Truly Defeat the Trump Crime Family 28.05.2026 51min

Crime, crime, crime. Donald Trump and his cronies have absolutely zero concept of humility, of decency, or of anything other than corruption. No one is being held accountable while the US is enduring what very well might be the most contemptible administration in its history. What the hell is going on in our country? Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back for another weekly therapy session and to take stock of our hideous political situation. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NTK: A Fig Leaf for Surrender 28.05.2026 49min

What, exactly, is Trump’s plan in Iran? Does he know? Does anyone? Negotiations are underway over Iran’s nuclear capabilities, but the likelihood that a deal is reached that comes close to the original JCPOA is slim to none. Joe Cirincione and Jon Wolfsthal join David Rothkopf to share why the US under Trump is in a worse spot than ever with Iran and why Iran is succeeding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DSR Daily May 28: Judge Paves Way for Trump’s Mail-in Voting Crackdown 28.05.2026 26min

On the DSR Daily for Thursday, we cover a judge paving the way for Trump’s mail-in voting executive order, a Justice Department probe targeting E. Jean Carroll, Jill Biden’s insane admission, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Daily Blast: Trump Blurts Out Surprise Admission about Midterms as GOP Panic Erupts 28.05.2026 21min

“I don’t care about the midterms,” Donald Trump admitted during a monologue about his Iran war. In addition to candidly declaring that he doesn’t care that his policies are badly imperiling his GOP colleagues, Trump also suggested that the GOP nomination of MAGA whackjob Ken Paxton in Texas—which Trump engineered—was a major accomplishment. This accidentally showed that Trump is still under the delusion that he and MAGA are popular. Yet this comes as The New York Times reports that Republicans are freshly “alarmed,” with some admitting that Trump is putting them in severe danger. We talked to New Republic contributing editor Felipe De La Hoz, who’s been arguing that Trump’s historic unpopularity gives Democrats new openings. We discuss how Texas is now winnable for Democrats, why Republicans are accepting Trump’s destruction of their midterm hopes, and what Democrats can do to capitalize on Trump’s travails. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Urgent Need to Uncrazy America 27.05.2026 52min

The US is weakening itself in every area of geopolitical strength. Thanks to the total inadequacy of the Trump administration, we have gone from a reliable partner to a country that others, including our allies, have to tip-toe around on the global stage. Where do we stand? How do we “uncrazy” our foreign policy and counter the misinformation that feeds into it? Max Boot of the Council on Foreign Relations joins David Rothkopf, Rosa Brooks, and Ed Luce to discuss the current foreign policy shift and what this means for the future of global politics. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Siliconsciousness: Pope Leo Trolls Trump on AI…and much much more 27.05.2026 50min

The Pope has spoken on AI, and he has some concerns. The Pope’s new encyclical warns of profound dangers associated with artificial intelligence and calls for global action. He’s not the only one concerned with ensuring AI benefits everyone. Professor Alondra Nelson joins David Rothkopf to explain the need for auditing artificial intelligence, the need for responsible regulation, 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

DSR Daily May 27: MAGA Wins the Battle in Texas.. But Loses the War? 27.05.2026 24min

On the DSR Daily for Wednesday, we discuss the victory of Ken Paxton in Texas, Trump’s latest giveaways to Russia, the US’s role in the disastrous Ebola outbreak, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Daily Blast: Trumpworld Erupts in Fury as Coverage of His Health Takes Brutal Turn 27.05.2026 20min

After Donald Trump attended his physical, he proclaimed his health perfect. Then the White House rapid response team—which leads the charge for Trumpworld—unleashed an extraordinary series of angry attacks on journalists. Their transgression? Reporting accurately on Trump’s decline. This comes as Trump’s physical exam has prompted brutal coverage of his deterioration. We’ve seen scalding on-air assessments of his health from doctors, as well as media coverage that meticulously lists out the symptoms of his decline and notes his lack of transparency about exam results. Like good little authoritarians, Trump and his propagandists feel compelled to portray him as a physical superman whose virility is unquestioned—but this just reminds everyone of what they can see with their own eyes. We talked to Michael Cohen, who writes well about Trump’s weakness for his Substack, Truth and Consequences. We discuss why the cult of Trump’s virility is backfiring and what it says about the failings of Trumpworld’s broader totalitarian playbook. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Right Now with Perry Bacon: Why Losing Stephen Colbert's Show Matters 26.05.2026 53min

In the latest episode, Perry speaks with Professor Meredith Conroy on why Trump is so afraid of The View, Colbert and Kimmel. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DSR Daily May 26: US Attacks Iran… AGAIN 26.05.2026 22min

On the DSR Daily for Tuesday, we break down the latest attacks on Iran, the Pope’s bold new encyclical on AI, an important Texas primary battle today, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Daily Blast: Trump Tirades Take Unhinged Turn as His Epic Poll Collapse Rattles GOP 26.05.2026 16min

GOP discomfort with Donald Trump is growing. Republicans have effectively blocked taxpayer money for his ballroom, revolted against his corrupt slush fund for insurrectionists, and turned against his war. GOP panic about the his cratering approval and the midterm elections has reportedly escalated amid the ballroom and slush fund dramas. Amid mounting GOP opposition, Trump let out a strange, self-pitying Truth Social rant about his ballroom. Then at a rally he unleashed a weird tirade about the stock market and another bizarrely manic-sounding one about affordability. The rants only underscored how disconnected he is from the reality of voters’ economic experiences. We talked to New Republic deputy editor Jason Linkins, who’s been writing well about Trump’s corruption as a major political vulnerability. We discuss Trump’s growing mania, why these stories are uniquely difficult for Republicans to defend, and why Americans’ experience of the economy poses a potentially unsolvable political problem for the GOP. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NTK: A Different (Smarter) Perspective on China 26.05.2026 28min

There was a shifting power dynamic during Donald Trump’s recent trip to China. Of course, this administration has been fraught with a foreign policy strategy (or lack thereof) that has only come back to bite the US. What does this meeting with Xi Jinping tell us? And how should the US approach China on the global stage? China expert Jessica Chen Weiss joins David Rothkopf to discuss the state of US-China relations, the future of Taiwan, and why the US might not be viewing China the way that they should. Listen here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices