Recorded live on April 30, 2026
(Season 12. Episode 97)
AMA & Hangout with Contributors (May 2026) | Yaron Brook Show
**Trump, Iran, Taiwan, Immigration & the Collapse of Political Sanity | AMA with Yaron Brook**
Is the world becoming more dangerous—or are our leaders simply incapable of facing reality?
In this wide-ranging AMA, Yaron Brook tackles some of today's most controversial issues: America's failures toward Iran, China's ambitions for Taiwan, NATO's future, the rise of extremist ideologies, immigration, military spending, AI-driven transportation, GLP-1 drugs, and even whether government employees should vote.
Along the way, Yaron discusses self-esteem, Peter Thiel's move to Argentina, the future of driverless cars, California politics, Swiss immigration policy, and lessons from Rome and the Renaissance.
Whether you're interested in geopolitics, economics, philosophy, technology, or personal development, this episode delivers sharp analysis and provocative insights you won't hear anywhere else.
Join the conversation and let us know in the comments: Which issue poses the greatest threat to freedom today—Iran, China, immigration policy, government spending, or something else entirely?
Watch Now: https://youtube.com/live/Zn2FULk5lCw
#Timestamps
00:00 Introduction, AMA Session & Super Chat Details
02:12 Is "Disminding" a Real Concept?
06:04 Why Does Europe Struggle to Produce Strong Leaders?
08:24 The Rise of Extreme Ideologies in America
10:34 Is the U.S. Military Prepared for Future Threats?
15:28 Iran, Regime Survival & American Foreign Policy Failure
19:27 Women in Trump's Administration
24:46 Building Self-Esteem as a Young Adult
Live Audience Questions
28:34 Trump, NATO & America's Commitments Abroad
33:09 Why Is Peter Thiel Moving to Argentina?
35:07 Feynman on Expectations, Success & Personal Growth
37:23 Personal Updates & Audience Responses
38:17 Is China Preparing to Take Taiwan?
43:19 Taiwan's Defense Strategy & U.S. Involvement
46:51 Chip Wars, Industrial Policy & Economic Nationalism
56:40 Driverless Cars: Revolution or Disruption?
1:00:36 Can Autonomous Vehicles Handle Snow and Ice?
1:03:31 The Growing Education Gap in American Politics
1:08:10 Is Oxnard, California Worth Living In?
1:10:26 Switzerland Votes to Limit Immigration
1:13:12 California's Billionaire Tax Proposal
1:14:24 Russia Attacks Romania—What Should Happen Next?
1:17:26 GLP-1 Drugs: Benefits, Risks & Side Effects
1:22:13 A Different Perspective on Immigration Policy
1:26:36 Should Customs Agents Leave Blue-State Airports?
1:29:30 Should Everyone Have the Right to Vote?
1:31:06 Should Government Employees Vote?
1:32:24 Public Pensions, Benefits & Government Privilege
1:33:32 Rome, Renaissance Art & the Lessons of Civilization
1:38:49 Book Recommendation: The Agony and the Ecstasy
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Yaron is the executive chairman of the Ayn Rand Institute and a world class speaker. He is the coauthor of the national best-seller Free Market Revolution: How Ayn Rand’s Ideas Can End Big Government, Equal is Unfair: America's Misguided Fight Against Income Inequality and In Pursuit of Wealth: The Moral Case for Finance. He speaks around the world on a variety of topics including the morality of capitalism, Ayn Rand and her philosophy, finance and economics, and the value of inequality.