Graham Platner's Senate campaign is over — but he refused to go quietly. According to Politico, Platner's own top aides urged him to strike a conciliatory, gratitude-focused tone in his withdrawal announcement. He said no. 

Sources say Platner made it a condition of dropping out that he'd get to blast the Democratic establishment on his way out, training more fire on his own party than on Senator Susan Collins or Republicans. Now Maine Democrats are scrambling to pick a replacement, with insiders reportedly eyeing a roughly 600-person nominating convention — 500 delegates chosen proportionally by county committees, and the rest from the state committee. 

0:00 - Intro

0:30 - The End of Platner’s Senate Run

5:00 - This Week’s Top 5 Stories

On today’s episode of 10 Minute Drill, Matt Whitlock breaks down the latest developments in the Iran conflict, the Russia-Ukraine war, the 2026 Senate races, and the political controversies shaping the national conversation.

The conflict with Iran has reignited as a ceasefire collapses and new strikes escalate tensions across the Middle East. President Donald Trump responds to Iran’s actions and warns about the continued threat posed by the Iranian regime.

At the NATO Summit, President Trump highlights his improving relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, discusses efforts to save lives, and addresses the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war as Ukraine’s battlefield capabilities continue to evolve.

Back in the United States, turmoil is growing within the Maine Democratic Party as Graham Platner’s Senate campaign clashes with party leaders over the process for selecting a nominee. Meanwhile, Michigan gubernatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed faces renewed scrutiny over past “defund the police” comments, deleted social media posts, and his positions in the Democratic primary.

A new report from the State Financial Officers Foundation and Open the Books also reveals $225 million in alleged school fraud across 24 states and Puerto Rico, including claims involving fake tutoring programs, embezzlement, and bid rigging.

Plus, Texas Senate candidate James Talarico faces renewed attention over resurfaced comments about drag performances, transgender policy debates, and his political views ahead of the 2026 Senate race.

Subscribe to 10 Minute Drill for a fast, entertaining breakdown of the biggest stories in politics, elections, national security, and current events. Hosted by veteran political strategist Matt Whitlock. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

0:00 - Intro

0:36 - Trump Talks on Iran Bombings

2:39 - Ukraine War Takes a Turn

4:30 - Platner Extis the Race

8:56 - Adbul’s Latest Stumble

12:34 - SFOF Education Waste Report

14:04 - James Talacreapo

President Trump scores a major win at NATO, warning European allies on defense spending, immigration, and energy policy during his visit to Ankara, Turkey. Meanwhile, Graham Platner's Democratic Senate campaign in Maine is collapsing under scandal, and we expose the three phases of Democrat failure that got him here — from vetting breakdowns and a fawning New York Times and GQ launch, to the media's shifting excuses, to the sudden mass abandonment as internal polling shows he can't win. Plus: CNN's interview with Jenny Racicot, Zohran Mamdani calling for Platner to drop out, and what happens next as Democrats plot a replacement. 

Also in this episode: President Trump pushes for crypto legislation on Capitol Hill, framing digital currency policy as a national security issue against China, and renewing calls to pass the Clarity Act. And in Colorado, House candidate Manny Rutinel is under fire for backing a bill that lets courts weigh "misgendering" as a factor in child custody cases — a vote critics call disqualifying — while his history of calling animal agriculture "horrific" puts him at odds with the farmers and ranchers of Weld County. But there's another side to Rutinel: a resurfaced 2022 clip of him dreaming about falling in love at Trader Joe's over vegan chorizo. 

Subscribe to the 10 Minute Drill for daily political news and analysis.

0:00 - Intro

0:38 - Trump at NATO Summit

1:42 - The Graham Platner Fallout Continues

2:48 - Platner Phases of Failure

9:27 - What Comes Next for Maine Dems

12:16 - Trumps Take on Crypto

13:20 - Colorado DSA Agent Loves Vegan Chorizo

Politico is reporting exclusively that a woman who dated Graham Platner says he sexually assaulted her. She came forward after the New York Times buried her story in an attempt to discredit Lyndsey Fifield. Platner's campaign says he is contemplating the best path forward. This race just changed completely.

Fresh off major upsets in New York and Colorado, the Democratic Socialists of America are now targeting competitive statewide races in Wisconsin and Michigan. The wins are being driven almost exclusively by wealthy white college-educated women. Democrats are splitting into three camps — Josh Shapiro trying to push back, Hakeem Jeffries pretending it isn't existential, and Gavin Newsom calling it a big tent. The leopards are eating faces and everyone is surprised.

Abdul El-Sayed doesn't just have a problem with Israel. Former aides describe a hostile work environment, a previous employer says he only wanted to work with women under 40, and throughout this campaign he has called his female opponents dumb. He did a Blues Clues video. He dunked on Mallory McMorrow for dancing. He got caught not knowing how teachers union lobbying works. The Michigan Senate race is something else.

The Washington Post says Democrats are electing socialists while Republicans are calling them communists. Here's why that distinction matters less than the Post wants you to think. The latest crop — Zohran, Darializa, Claire Valdez, Melat Kiros — have openly called for seizing the means of production, eliminating private property ownership, and wealth redistribution. Socialism is the transitional gateway to communism.

Sunny Hostin — who asked "what is wrong with America" when Kamala lost, who called white Republican women "roaches voting for Raid," and who blamed earthquakes on climate change — is now afraid of American flags. We have the clips.

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0:00 - Intro

0:34 - Latest Platner Alligations

4:02 - Will Platner Drop Out?

5:26 - The Summer of the DSA

8:41 - Cringy Abdul El Sayed

11:16 - Socialism’s Gateway to Communism

13:14 - Sunny's Biggest Fear

The July 4th ceremony on the National Mall was something else. A 107-year-old Navy veteran and D-Day survivor. A 104-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor saluting the flag that went down with the USS Arizona. An Iwo Jima survivor Marine who raised the flag over that island. Gold Star families. Trump closed it out: "God bless the immortal patriots of 1776 — and long live the cause of independence." We have the clips.

While America celebrated, the socialist left held their own version. Zohran Mamdani said America's wealth sits in "the soft hands of a precious few." Claire Valdez called for liberation from Palestine to Puerto Rico and a Green New Deal — the same Claire Valdez who just got crushed by working class voters, losing low-income areas by 32 points and Black precincts by 50. The socialist coalition is not what they claim it is.

USA vs Belgium is tonight at 8pm. We preview the matchup and what's at stake as America's World Cup run continues.

Trump heads to NATO with new hope on Ukraine and Russia, and sits down with Prime Minister Netanyahu. We preview what to watch.

Abdul El-Sayed has said Israel doesn't have a right to exist and is deleting tweets about defunding the police as he eyes the Michigan Senate race. Mallory McMorrow has suspended her campaign — her team was calling it "McMomentum" as recently as last year.

A Gavin Newsom associate was wired by the FBI — during the Biden years, not the Trump era. So much for that narrative.

Crypto bills, housing bills, and Congress is racing to fit everything in before the August recess. We preview the week ahead.

Time Stamps:

0:00 - Intro

0:40 - World Cup Preview

1:10 - 4th of July recap

3:14 - Zohran’s “Dependence Day” message 

7:00 - Michigan Senate shakeup

10:19 - Trump at NATO 

11:41 - Gavin Newsoms in trouble

12:55 - the week ahead

All of it in 10 minutes.

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Happy July 3rd from the 10 Minute Drill — and what a week it has been!

⚽ USA WINS — FIRST KNOCKOUT ROUND WIN SINCE 2002 The US Men's National Team just advanced past the World Cup knockout round for the first time since 2002. Country Roads was blaring. The whole country felt it. What a moment for American soccer — and for America heading into the Fourth of July weekend.

🏒 WHAT A YEAR TO BE AN AMERICAN Gold medal Olympic hockey. World Cup knockout round. America is showing up on the world stage in a big way this summer heading into America 250.

🚨 SERIOUS NOTE: CHINA-LINKED GROUP HAS BEEN TRAINING AMERICAN JUDGES The Environmental Law Institute has trained more than 2,000 American judges on environmental law through its Climate Judiciary Project since 2018. A new report from national security organization State Armor — sent directly to Congress — reveals that ELI cultivated relationships with Chinese government-affiliated organizations, CCP-linked entities, and groups tied to China's military research ecosystem during its decades of China-related work. Congress is now being urged to investigate. This one matters.

🎬 BEST OF THE WEEK We close out the week with the highlights — the biggest moments, best clips, and top stories from a packed week on the 10 Minute Drill.

⏱️ All of it in the July 4th Special edition of the 10 Minute Drill.

🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell — and have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

0:00 - Intro

0:30 - America Turns 250!

1:29 - ELI’s ties to the CCP

3:38 - Top 5 Stories from the Week

On today's 10 Minute Drill, we're covering the biggest stories of the day — in just over 10 minutes!

Melat Kiros just defeated Diana DeGette — a 15-term incumbent with a 98% progressive voting score — in the latest DSA primary upset in Denver. Kiros has called for defunding ICE, an immediate pathway for every undocumented immigrant, and Medicare for All. She also said America deserved 9/11. Democrats are calling it a wake-up call. It's more than that.

The DSA isn't hiding the playbook anymore. Their own materials say they're using the Democratic Party as "a ballot-access vehicle, not because we share its goals." AOC is defending the most unhinged beliefs of socialist candidates. Kamala Harris is quietly meeting with pro-Palestinian activists. Jamie Harrison is begging people to be on the team. Pass the popcorn.

Graham Platner spent months bashing Democrat wine cave fundraisers. Now his campaign is being swamped by outside GOP spending and is calling for reinforcements from the very establishment he attacked. The DSCC is opening a joint fundraising committee with him.

A new California gas tax takes effect just ahead of the Fourth of July — up to 63 cents per gallon, with 42 cents going to environmental fees. California gas already averages $5.41 — a dollar sixty above the national average. Happy Independence Day from Sacramento.

Every World Cup country has universal healthcare except America — or so the argument goes. In the UK, roughly 79,000 people were removed from healthcare waiting lists last year because they died before receiving care. In Canada, the average wait to see a specialist is nearly seven months and 23,746 people died waiting for surgeries or diagnostic scans. Tell us more about that model.

Ro Khanna says he has a moral duty to fight the ultra-rich who hoard wealth. He also has a 4-story indoor elevator, a wife with a $190,000 Range Rover, and two children under 10 who own three private golf courses in Ohio that paid them up to $2 million last year. The class warrior life is apparently very good.

All of it in just over 10 Minutes.

Time Stamps

O:00 - Intro 

0:37 - President Trump at the Teddy Roosavelt Library

0:52 - DSA upset in Colorado

3:50 - Meet the woman who said America deserved 9/11 

4:55 - Kamala Harris seeks communist support

5:39 - Democrats and DSA butt heads

8:12 - Platner and El Sayed beg DC Dems for money

10:36 - California gas tax 

12:16 - the myth of “universal healthcare”

14:38 - the lavish lifestyle of Ro Khanna

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On today's 10 Minute Drill, we're covering the biggest stories of the day

⚖️ SUPREME COURT: TRANS ATHLETES & TITLE IX The Supreme Court rules 6-3 that states can limit women's and girls' sports teams to biological females. Justice Thomas is clear: "Men and boys with gender dysphoria are not women or girls, even if they believe they are." Justice Kavanaugh writes that while the policy may be debated, the legal question under Title IX is settled. West Virginia can do it. A massive win for women's sports.

⚖️ SUPREME COURT: CAMPAIGN SPENDING & THE FIRST AMENDMENT In a 6-3 decision, the Court strikes down federal limits on coordinated spending between political parties and their candidates — ruling the restrictions violate the First Amendment. Justice Kavanaugh makes clear: all parties, Democrat and Republican alike, now compete on a level playing field. Carrie Severino calls it the latest proof that this is a First Amendment Court.

🗽 BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP: THE RULING EXPLAINED The Court upholds birthright citizenship — but the justices are far from unified on why. We break down the spectrum of opinions from Kavanaugh's narrowest view to the Thomas/Gorsuch domicile standard to the majority's broadest reading. Thomas dissents sharply, warning the ruling "devalues" American citizenship. Key context: in 2023, 9% of US births were to non-citizen mothers.

🗑️ WASTE WEDNESDAY Healthcare dollars meant for patients are ending up in overseas investments, elite club memberships, art collections, and sexual harassment lawsuit settlements. A new report breaks it all down — and a letter to JD Vance is demanding answers.

🌡️ EUROPE'S HEAT WAVE & THE AC BLAME GAME More than 1,300 heat-related deaths in Europe — and a Paris official is blaming Americans and their air conditioning. The European Commission turned off AC for lower-level staff floors. The same discredited climate group bankrolled by Jeff Bezos is declaring the heat wave impossible without climate change. Europe is quite literally dying rather than cool down — and somehow that's our fault.

🖥️ EUROPE'S WAR ON AMERICAN TECH The EU has designated Amazon and Microsoft cloud services as "gatekeepers" under its Digital Markets Act — another targeted assault on American innovation. While Brussels rakes in billions in fines from US tech companies, European firms like Accenture, DHL, and Spotify enjoy wide open access to American markets. It's time to hold them to the same standard.

🗽 DE BLASIO DEFENDS THE SOCIALIST TAKEOVER Bill de Blasio claims he wasn't aware of the Dan Goldman coffee shop incident — which is hard to believe. Then he turns around and offers another weak defense of the Democrat socialist surge. Meanwhile Graham Platner is getting crushed with non-college voters as Darializa Avila Chevalier builds a 21-point lead among working class voters — despite making the working class the center of his campaign.

0:00 - Intro

1:03 - SCOTUS Decision Day

3:34 - Birthright Citizenship Upheld

6:16 - Waste Wednesday

8:11 - Europe’s War on AC

12:03 - Europe’s Tech Overreach

13:48 - De Blasio the Socialist Defender

In today's 10 Minute Drill, we're covering the biggest stories of the day

Iran & Qatar Talks — New diplomatic talks are underway in Qatar even as tensions escalate inside Iran. What Tuesday's meeting signals about where this conflict heads next.

Democratic Party Infighting — Scott Wiener got shouted out of a San Francisco Pride event by anti-Israel activists. Meanwhile, Raphael Warnock and Chris Murphy insist the party is unified and growing. Is it?

Jamie Dimon & Your Financial Data — Big banks are pushing to restrict access to your personal financial data and limit electronic purchases. Will the Trump-era CFPB push back on what amounts to a consumer innovation crackdown?

Gavin Newsom's California Disaster — A billionaire wealth tax, a $250 billion high-speed rail to nowhere, rampant fraud, and a little-known port regulation quietly adding billions to the cost of goods for every American. Congress could repeal it — but will they?

SF Giants Pride Night Fallout — The controversy keeps growing after on-field vow renewals and a beat reporter suggesting "bigoted free agents" shouldn't bother signing with San Francisco.

James Talarico Goes Viral — The Texas Democrat tells supporters to embrace every attack label thrown at him. Does the messaging connect with the voters he's trying to win?

0:00 - Intro

0:37 - USA and Iran meet in Qatar

2:02 - Dems and the single issue Socialists

3:45 - Data Rationing memes

4:56 - Gavin’s Bad Ideas

7:28 - Giants Pride Fallout

9:21 - Tofu Talarico

Iran bombed tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. America bombed Iran. Iran struck US military installations. We break down the escalation cycle and where this is heading next.

San Francisco State Senator Scott Wiener — one of the most radical Democrats in the country — was chased out of a Pride event by pro-Palestine protesters. The socialist wing of the Democrat Party, primarily animated by hatred of Israel, has taken over. Nobody is safe — not even their most reliable allies.

Arabella Advisors and a network of dark money groups are bankrolling the anti-Israel energy consuming the Democrat Party. We break down who is funding it and how it flows.

The Supreme Court struck down Hawaii's gun law in a major Second Amendment and textualism victory. And on Temporary Protected Status for Haitians — what exactly do Democrats think "temporary" means? The theater of elected legislators getting mad at the Supreme Court for not doing their job for them is something. If any of them remembered Schoolhouse Rock, they'd know they're the only ones with the power to make "temporary" permanent.

Looking ahead: California is piling new regulations onto ships in nearby waters — driving energy prices up further. And Gavin Newsom is proposing a national wealth confiscation scheme to win back the socialist wing of his party.

Time Stamps: 

0:00 - Intro 

0:45 - America 250 Week! 

1:02 - Bombing Iran again 

2:07 - Far-left Democrat chased out of pride event 

3:50 - dark money anti-Israel activity 

4:45 - Supreme Court updates 

5:48 - week ahead

All of it in 10 minutes or less.

Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more people find the show.