5️⃣ Student Visa Freeze: A War On Intelligence

Trump ordered US embassies worldwide to immediately stop scheduling visa interviews for all foreign students, expanding comprehensive social media screening to every international applicant. The economic carnage: 1.1 million international students contribute $44 billion annually and support 378,000 American jobs. California faces $6.4 billion in losses, Massachusetts $3.9 billion, Texas $2.5 billion.

Harvard has 33% foreign students who pay 3-6 times what domestic students pay. Dean's educator friend confirmed it's "virtually impossible" to replace this revenue. But Dean nailed the real target: Trump represents "stupid hillbillies" who resent intelligence itself - this is warfare against smart people, not security policy.

4️⃣ Food System Collapse: Deporting the People Who Feed America

The numbers should terrify everyone: 73% of agricultural workers are immigrants, over half undocumented. The food and agricultural sector is worth $1.53 trillion annually - Trump's deportations threaten $730 billion of that production. Farmers spend over $30/hour on H-2A workers who must leave families for 8 months, but say there's "flat out nobody" else willing to do the work.

Dock workers report 40% layoffs because nothing's coming into the country. Dean's warning: "When you can't feed your family, you take up arms" - we're "three months away" from even MAGA supporters turning violent when their children starve.

3️⃣ Trump’s Golden Dome Delusion

Trump tweeted that Canada is "considering" becoming the 51st state for his "Golden Dome" system, but Dean's sources in Carney's orbit say they "all laugh" at every Trump statement. The Golden Dome is "metaphysically impossible" according to physicists and defense experts.

Carney's real response: Military partnerships with EU, $1.5 trillion in defense spending, complete independence from US military by July 1st. Canada is building agreements with France, UK, Sweden, Finland, Ukraine - becoming the "Western drone capital of the world." The king's throne speech made it official: Canada leads the free world now.

2️⃣ Pentagon Wiretapping: Bigger Than Watergate

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's personal lawyer Tim Parlatore told White House advisers that three fired Pentagon aides - Dan Caldwell, Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll - were exposed through illegal warrantless NSA wiretaps. When advisers reacted with horror at the constitutional violation, Parlatore retracted the claim.

The scandal: A Defense Secretary managing $1 trillion budget and 2+ million troops is so paranoid he illegally surveilled his own staff, then covered it up. Dean called it the "kakistocracy" - rule by the worst people who know they're unqualified.

1️⃣ Putin-Trump Feud: Real or Fake?

Russian Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev threatened World War III after Trump called Putin "absolutely crazy." But Russian-linked senators Rand Paul (who delivered Trump's letter to Putin in 2018) and Ron Johnson (who spent July 4th, 2018 in Moscow) are blocking Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill." Elon Musk joined them criticizing Trump's spending.

Lev Parnas told Dean that Putin's mission is complete: Ukraine aid cut, NATO weakened, America isolated. Putin no longer needs his "very performative" asset and is discarding him.

Call Putin's Bluff:

Zev's crucial point: The Stop Russia bill sits in Senate with 80 co-sponsors. Instead of Trump's endless "two weeks" delays, America can impose tariffs on countries dealing with Russian oil TODAY. Call every senator at 202-224-3121and demand they pass this legislation in 48 hours instead of waiting for Putin's puppet to act.

The FiveStack is available as an audio podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Advertising inquiries email [email protected]. The FiveStack is a co-production of deanblundell.substack.com and narativ.org.

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5️⃣ KING CHARLES TROLLS TRUMP WITH CANADIAN THRONE SPEECH

King Charles III delivered the first throne speech by a monarch in Canada since 1977, and it was a diplomatic masterpiece. With full royal pageantry—carriage processions, military honors, the works—Charles sat on his own Canadian throne and delivered what Dean called "one of the most incredibly symbolic statements ever made in the history of Canadian politics."

The speech emphasized Canada's sovereignty, multicultural identity, and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples while laying out Prime Minister Mark Carney's agenda for building new relationships with "better partners." As Dean put it: "Today we established that Canada is just going to go it alone with better partners and better people. And that relationship is over." The timing wasn't subtle—this was a nuclear statement by the king of England telling Trump that Canada remains "true north strong and free."

4️⃣ HARRY & MEGHAN RECREATE THE SYSTEM THEY FLED

The Sussexes are formalizing professional separation with dedicated chiefs of staff and separate teams—exactly the royal hierarchy they criticized before moving to California. Harry spent Memorial Day weekend in China for business while Meghan stayed home in Montecito with the kids during their daughter's birthday. Dean's prediction: "I think in the next year or so, you're probably going to see a separation of Meghan and Harry." The irony is rich—they attacked the royal system for having separate teams, then recreated it in Hollywood. As Zev noted, "It's the FAFO rule—this is the FO part."

3️⃣ REPUBLICANS SPLIT SEVEN WAYS ON TRUMP'S "BIG FLEECING BILL"

Senate Republicans face major divisions over Trump's massive tax package, with John Thune able to lose only three votes while no Democrats support it. The bill adds $5 trillion to the deficit while cutting Medicaid for 14 million people—what Dean called "a rounding error" tax break for the top 2% that "not one single person in that orbit would notice." Even MAGA senators like Ron Johnson and Rand Paul are breaking away, with Johnson saying the bill will "destroy us and kill Americans." The bill also includes provisions requiring bonds to challenge government officials for crimes—effectively making it impossible to hold Trump accountable.

2️⃣ UKRAINE BLEEDS WHILE SENATE SITS ON SANCTIONS

Putin launched 1,000 drones and missiles over three days, killing dozens of Ukrainian civilians, while 80 senators sit ready to pass crushing Russia sanctions with 500% tariffs. The "Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025" has supermajority support but Majority Leader Thune waits for Trump's blessing. As Zev noted, "That's not the way Congress is meant to work"—but fear of losing cushy lifestyles keeps Republicans from acting. Dean's brutal assessment: "All these f*****g unqualified a******s who've been given these incredible jobs" are asking themselves, "if I piss off the dotard, will I lose my gig?"

1️⃣ PENTAGON CREDIT CARDS FUND GAMBLING SPREES

Federal audits revealed Pentagon employees charged at least $500,000 on gambling, drinking, and online gaming using government credit cards, with one Air Force member withdrawing over $10,500 from Maryland casinos in five months. DOGE cancelled 200,000 federal credit cards after finding $40 billion in annual spending with minimal oversight. But as Dean pointed out, this is hardly the $2 trillion in savings Elon Musk promised—and Musk himself "got $8 million a day for the past four months" while "absconding with close to $3 billion to $4 billion in government contracts." The real government waste? DOGE itself.

The Bottom Line: As Dean concluded after visiting Rome's Pantheon: democracy works when it's "to offer all things to all people and to do acts for the common good"—the opposite of what we're seeing from Trump's America.

The FiveStack is available as an audio podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Advertising inquiries email [email protected]. The FiveStack is a co-production of deanblundell.substack.com and narativ.org.

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In a special FiveStack with Olga Lautman sitting in for Dean Blundell, we broke down the most dangerous provisions in Trump's 1,100-page "Big Beautiful Bill" that passed the House 215-214 in the dead of night. Here are the five biggest threats to American democracy:

5️⃣ THE RESTAURANT PAYROLL SCAM

Tax-free tips and overtime sounds great until you realize it creates a massive loophole for restaurants to reclassify regular wages as "tips" to dodge payroll taxes. Workers think they're getting tax-free income while actually losing employer-paid Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment contributions.

4️⃣ THE MEDICARE AND MEDICAID MASSACRE

Steve Rattner's analysis shows $700 billion in Medicaid cuts over ten years, with 7.6 to 15 million Americans losing coverage through work requirements starting December 2026. The deficit explosion also triggers automatic Medicare cuts of $500 billion over ten years, hitting seniors while restaurants dodge taxes.

3️⃣ THE RICH GET RICHER HANDOUT

The SALT deduction cap triples from $10,000 to $30,000, primarily benefiting households earning over $200,000. Rattner's charts show the top 20% get a 3.7% after-tax income boost while the bottom 20% lose $800 annually.

2️⃣ THE $25 TRILLION DEFICIT BOMB

Official estimates show $3.1 trillion in new debt, but Rattner reveals the real horror: if provisions become permanent, we're looking at $25 trillion over ten years. National debt would hit 200% of GDP while Treasury yields spike above 5% and the Dow crashes 800 points.

1️⃣ THE DEMOCRACY KILLER

Hidden provision states "no court may use appropriated funds to enforce contempt citations unless a bond is posted." UC Berkeley Law Dean calls this rendering judicial orders "mere advisory opinions"—effectively ending judicial oversight of executive power and making Trump king.

The bottom line: This isn't legislation—it's systematic dismantling of American democracy with popular tax cuts as bait. Even Wall Street is revolting against the fiscal insanity, but the real target is democracy itself.

The FiveStack is available as an audio podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Advertising inquiries email [email protected]. The FiveStack is a co-production of deanblundell.substack.com and narativ.org.

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5️⃣ SENATE ADVANCES CRYPTO BILL BENEFITING TRUMP FAMILY

The Senate voted 66-32 to advance the "GENIUS Act," which will directly benefit Trump's $2.1 billion UAE-backed stablecoin venture through his family firm World Liberty Financial. Senator Warner flipped to support the bill, claiming "the U.S. can't afford to keep standing on the sidelines" despite warnings from Elizabeth Warren that it would "turbocharge Trump's corruption."

What's clear is that the same administration securing Middle East diplomatic deals is simultaneously locking in billion-dollar crypto ventures for the family business – with bipartisan blessing.

4️⃣ CONVICTED FELON KUSHNER CONFIRMED AS AMBASSADOR

The Senate confirmed Charles Kushner as ambassador to France despite his criminal convictions for tax evasion and witness tampering. This is the same man who hired a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law and sent the tape to his own sister – a crime Chris Christie called "loathsome and disgusting."

Meanwhile, son Jared is developing a $500 million Trump Tower in Belgrade while his father will represent American interests in Paris. The Kushner family continues profiting from policy while exercising diplomatic power.

3️⃣ TRUMP THREATENS REPUBLICANS OVER "BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL"

Trump stormed Capitol Hill to pressure Republicans opposing his economic package, publicly attacking Rep. Thomas Massie as a "grandstander" while privately telling lawmakers "don't f**k around with Medicaid." His claims of a "meeting of love" contradicted reports of heated exchanges and threats against lawmakers seeking spending cuts.

Despite promising the "biggest tax reduction in history," the bill primarily benefits wealthy Americans while exploding the national debt – exactly what fiscal conservatives are fighting against.

2️⃣ DHS SECRETARY DOESN'T UNDERSTAND HABEAS CORPUS

Kristi Noem defined habeas corpus as "a constitutional right that the president has to be able to remove people from this country" during a Senate hearing. When corrected by Senator Hassan, Noem doubled down, insisting "the president has the authority to decide if it should be suspended."

This constitutional ignorance is particularly alarming as Stephen Miller confirms the administration is actively considering suspending this fundamental protection against unlawful detention – potentially allowing them to detain anyone indefinitely without explanation.

1️⃣ CBS NEWS SURRENDERS EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE

CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon was forced out as Paramount executives clear the path for a settlement with Trump over a "60 Minutes" interview with Kamala Harris. This follows veteran producer Bill Owens' resignation after revealing that "Paramount began to supervise our content in new ways."

The collapse of America's most prestigious news magazine coincides with Paramount's pursuit of a $1.5 billion merger requiring Trump administration approval. As established media surrenders its independence, critical reporting on power becomes a career-ending corporate liability.

The FiveStack is available as an audio podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Advertising inquiries email [email protected]. The FiveStack is a co-production of deanblundell.substack.com and narativ.org.

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5️⃣ Little Odessa

In a special FiveStack episode, Lev Parnas took viewers on a remarkable journey through Brighton Beach, the Brooklyn neighborhood where he grew up after immigrating from Ukraine. Walking the streets where Russian and Ukrainian immigrants settled in the 1970s and 80s, Parnas offered rare first-hand insights into the community that became a significant nexus in the Trump-Russia story.

"This is primarily where we all immigrated in the 1970s and 80s as prosecuted Jews from the Soviet Union," Parnas explained, pointing out the apartment buildings, shops, and restaurants that formed this vibrant enclave. In a surprising revelation, Parnas shared that he worked for Fred Trump as a teenager, selling co-ops in the Trump buildings that still stand in the neighborhood today.

The tour vividly illustrated how this melting pot of Russian, Ukrainian, and other former Soviet immigrants created a cultural bridge that would later become central to Trump's business and political relationships. "The beauty of Brighton Beach is it was just a mixture of everything. You have Jews, Catholic, Christians, Russians, Uzbek, Kazakh, but we all related as ones," Parnas reflected as he navigated the familiar streets.

4️⃣ Origin Story

As Parnas guided viewers through a Russian supermarket filled with traditional foods, he reflected on his extraordinary personal journey from Trump confidant to democracy advocate. When asked about whether he had regrets about turning against Trump, especially after his 2024 victory, Parnas was unequivocal.

"I got a lot of calls from people inside Trump that were like, 'Oh, you see, you should have just waited a little longer. Oh, why don't you, you know, you could get back into his good graces,'" Parnas revealed. "I thought about that. I said, it was never about that. It was about right or wrong."

This remarkable transformation reflects Parnas's evolving understanding of Trump's true intentions. "Even when I was with Trump, as crazy as it sounds, I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I was helping save our democracy," he explained. "And when I realized it wasn't the case, I tried to do the right thing again, this time being on the right side of history."

3️⃣ Mob Story

Walking along the famous boardwalk, Parnas warned about the invisible power structures supporting Trump's administration. "The crazy part is the ones that you don't see," he cautioned. "The people that are spending the $5 million for these gold cards that Latina keeps talking about. I want to see who these people are."

This insight into Trump's secretive financial backers followed discussion of recent trips to the Middle East, where the Trump family has been securing business deals while conducting official diplomacy. "You didn't see all the other people that are working with Trump on Air Force One or have went there alongside of cutting business deals while Trump is there," Parnas explained, describing how Trump administration policy benefits wealthy supporters away from public view.

Parnas emphasized the worsening authoritarian trajectory ahead: "It's going to get worse before it gets better because this guy is out for not only vengeance and revenge, but he's figured out that he has certain power that's not being controlled or being held accountable for."

2️⃣ Kabuki Theater

The conversation turned to breaking news of the day - a two-hour call between Trump and Putin following Russia's largest drone attack of the war, with 273 drones sent into Ukraine just one day before their scheduled conversation. Parnas offered unique perspective on this relationship and the supposed peace negotiations.

"I've always said, you know, they can't have a ceasefire because Putin can't stop the war," Parnas explained. "He needs to, he wants to take over Ukraine. He wants to unite the Soviet Union, he wants to go into Europe. That's what Putin wants." Parnas detailed how Putin's war machine has transformed Russia's economy and social structure in ways that make genuine peace impossible.

Reflecting on the statements from both leaders following their call, Parnas noted: "Just think about the statements that he's made in the past, like 72 hours about the difference from 'we need the peace talks,' 'I'm going to stop it,' 'only I can stop it'... and today they spoke about for two hours and they didn't even discuss even talk about these plans. I mean, I'm laughing but it's sad."

1️⃣ Brighton Beach Boardwalk of Crime

As Parnas walked viewers through the cultural landmarks of Brighton Beach, he offered fascinating insights into the neighborhood's complex history of organized crime, including where Russian and Italian crime families interacted and eventually collaborated.

Pointing toward the location of the El Carib catering hall once owned by Michael Cohen's family member, Parnas described how it became "home to the five Italian families and also Murad Balagula, who was the godfather of the Russians." This convergence of criminal enterprises changed the nature of organized crime in America, as Russians introduced sophisticated financial schemes that transformed traditional mob operations.

"The Russians came with crazy business ideas of how to do Medicaid fraud, tax fraud, all these different huge billion-dollar fraud schemes," Parnas explained. "A lot of the Russians were not gangsters, but they were mathematicians." This cooperation ultimately changed New York City itself, as Russian immigrants brought not just criminal innovation but also cultural and economic transformations to America's largest city.

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5️⃣ Romania's Democratic Test Weekend

Romania's presidential election this Sunday isn't just another European vote—it's a litmus test for Russian disinformation's reach into the heart of Europe. Centrist Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, backed by French President Macron in a video call this week, faces off against hard-right candidate George Simeon, who won the first round with 40% to Dan's 20%.

The stakes couldn't be higher. Romania's Supreme Court previously nullified an election due to TikTok disinformation campaigns supporting pro-Russian candidates. This weekend's race, alongside elections in Poland, will determine whether Putin's influence machine can replicate its American success in Eastern Europe. If Dan can consolidate left-leaning support, there's hope. If not, the Kremlin gains another foothold on NATO's eastern flank.

4️⃣ Ambassador Chooses Conscience Over Career

Ambassador Bridget Brink's resignation from Ukraine represents the deepest diplomatic split yet over Trump's foreign policy. After three years witnessing Russia's "pure evil"—150,000 documented war crimes, 20,000 abducted children—this 30-year State Department veteran chose principle over position.

Her Detroit Free Press op-ed pulls no punches: Trump's policy is "appeasement" that will lead to "more war and suffering." Brink warns that Putin won't stop with Ukraine, and success there signals to China and others that borders can be redrawn by force. When career diplomats who've served five presidents walk away calling current policy a betrayal of American values, that's not partisan politics—that's historical documentation of a democratic breakdown in real time.

3️⃣ ICE Barbie's Reality Show Spectacle

While implementing mass deportations and building concentration camps, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is developing a reality show where immigrants compete for fast-track citizenship. "The American" would feature 12 contestants traveling by train across America, competing in challenges from Wisconsin log-rolling to Florida rocket-building.

The tone-deafness is staggering. Losers get million airline miles and Starbucks gift cards; the winner gets sworn in on Capitol Hill. This is the same woman who toured El Salvador's prison camps without flinching, who wants a $50 million plane upgrade. The contradiction is peak American dystopia—gamifying citizenship while forcibly removing families, turning human dignity into entertainment while building a police state.

2️⃣ Exercise Your Petition Right

1️⃣ When Seashells Become Federal Cases

James Comey's deleted Instagram photo of shells forming "8647" now has the Secret Service and DHS investigating. The interpretation: "86" (remove/eliminate) plus "47" (Trump as 47th president) equals a coded assassination threat, according to Trump and his allies.

Let's be clear—Comey knew exactly what he was posting. As former FBI director, he understood the implications. But this isn't about violent threats; it's about weaponizing federal law enforcement against political critics. The same DOJ now has Ed Martin running a "weaponization department" to "name and shame" Trump critics. When restaurant slang becomes the basis for federal investigations, you're living in an authoritarian state where the real criminals run the Justice Department.

Connecting the Threads

These four stories tell one larger tale: democracy under siege globally and domestically. In Romania, Russian disinformation tries to install another puppet. In Ukraine, career diplomats resign rather than implement appeasement policies. At home, reality TV replaces serious immigration policy while federal agencies investigate beach photos.

The pattern is clear. Authoritarian forces, whether Putin's Russia or Trump's America, follow the same playbook: undermine institutions, weaponize law enforcement, normalize the abnormal. When former FBI directors face investigation for social media posts while sitting attorneys general profit from insider trading, the rule of law has become a sick joke.

Ambassador Brink got it right: appeasement doesn't lead to peace, it leads to more war. The same principle applies domestically. Every day we normalize Trump's authoritarian moves, every investigation of critics, every reality show proposal, we inch closer to a point of no return.

The question isn't whether Comey's post was appropriate—it's whether we still live in a country where beach photos can become federal cases while real crimes go unpunished.

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Traditional media is dying. Journalists are being laid off en masse. Trust in news is at historic lows, suppression has led to self-censorship. Are we witnessing the end of teh free press, or a rebirth. On tonight’s FiveStack, Substack co-founder Hamish McKenzie laid out a vision that could save journalism itself—and it's already working.

"This Has Absolutely Saved My Life"

Dean opened our exclusive interview with words you rarely hear directed at tech founders: "This is not another app. This is saving lives and families and free speech. It has absolutely saved my life."

He's not being dramatic. Both of us are living proof that Substack's model works. After years struggling in traditional media and social media platforms that rewarded sensationalism over substance, we found a platform that actually allows independent journalists to thrive. Dean gained 25,000 subscribers in two months. I've built a sustainable journalism business. But the numbers don't tell the whole story—it's about freedom.

From Tesla's Megaphone to Media's Revolution

Hamish's journey to building media's salvation began in an unlikely place: working for Elon Musk at Tesla. He reached out through the most unconventional networking strategy ever—emailing Elon's mom via her nutritionist website. It worked.

But Tesla taught him what not to build. "Elon really needs and wants to be the person who's effectively the editor of all of Tesla's communications," Hamish revealed. Instead of being an independent journalist inside the company, he became Tesla's voice—writing everything from blog posts to earnings reports.

This experience of being controlled, of having your editorial voice managed by a single powerful figure, directly influenced what Substack would become: the anti-Twitter, the anti-corporate media, the anti-everything that's wrong with today's information ecosystem.

The Death and Rebirth of Media

Hamish broke down media's evolution into three critical phases:

Phase 1: The Aristocracy (Traditional Media)A few powerful institutions controlled all information flow through ownership of printing presses, broadcast towers, and distribution networks. Built on a 100+ year old business model that the internet destroyed.

Phase 2: The Oligarchy (Social Media Era)"Everyone can have a voice," but power still flows to the top—Zuckerberg, Musk, the Chinese Communist Party. Writers dance for algorithmic peanuts while tech billionaires control the narrative.

Phase 3: The Democracy (The Substack Model)True ownership for creators. Direct relationships with readers. Economic power distributed to independent voices. "It's not about hoarding power, but distributing power."

The Algorithm That Builds Trust Instead of Division

Here's what most people don't understand about Substack: it has algorithms, but they're designed for the opposite purpose of social media.

While Facebook and Twitter use algorithms to trap users in addictive doom-scrolling sessions to serve more ads, Substack's algorithms "are trying to drive people into deeper relationships." They help readers discover writers they might "fall in love with and learn to trust over time."

The result? As I've experienced firsthand, you don't see the irresponsible journalism that floods Twitter. There's "upward pressure on quality because you get paid from your audience and then you have to hold on to their loyalty over time."

The Network: The Future of News

The most exclusive part of our conversation revealed Substack's next evolution: the network model. Hamish envisions a system where independent journalists can collaborate formally while maintaining their independence—think traditional TV networks, but inverted.

Instead of powerful networks controlling local affiliates, independent creators choose to collaborate and share resources. "We're trying to build a network where you can grow, you can collaborate in new ways, you can cross-promote, you can share audiences."

This isn't just theory. Publications like The Free Press, Drop Site News, and The Ankler are already showing what's possible when journalists become media entrepreneurs, building teams while maintaining editorial independence.

The Economics of Trust

"Money is a crass thing to talk about," Hamish admitted, "but when it comes to journalism, it's very f*****g important because it is the thing that funds the ongoing production of this really important work."

Substack's model is brutally simple: writers succeed by earning and keeping the trust of their audience over time. No corporate bosses. No advertiser pressure. No algorithmic gatekeeping. Just the ultimate compliment, as Dean put it: "having someone pay you for your time."

From Peanuts to Profits, From Chaos to Culture

"We've gone from an aristocracy to an oligarchy to something that's a lot more like democracy," Hamish explained. "It's exciting, a little bit messy in places, but overall a lot more free and can produce a lot more value."

The traditional media paid journalists peanuts while executives got rich. Social media gave writers followers, not income. Substack gives creators ownership—of their content, their audience, and their economic future.

How to Game the Algorithm

I couldn't resist asking Hamish the question every creator wants answered: "How do we game the algorithm?"

His response was beautifully simple: "All you have to do is keep producing quality work that your audience really values."

That's it. No hacks. No tricks. No chasing viral moments. Just good work, consistently delivered to people who want to read it.

The Ripple Effects of Doing the Right Thing

As Dean concluded our conversation: "Sometimes doing the right thing always works out for the people that want to do the right thing. The ripple effects of doing the right thing have created wealth, put food on tables for people, given people second, third, fourth lives in the media industry."

Substack didn't set out to save journalism—they set out to build a better system. But in creating a platform where writers can own their audience, control their content, and build sustainable businesses, they may have accidentally saved the news.

The New Economic Engine for Culture

After 30 minutes with Hamish, it's clear: Substack isn't just a newsletter platform. It's not just a Twitter alternative. It's a new economic engine for culture itself—one that rewards quality over quantity, relationships over reach, and truth over engagement.

The old media is dead. The social media oligarchy is crumbling under its own contradictions. What's rising in its place is something unprecedented: a truly democratic media ecosystem where good writers can make good livings doing good work.

And that, as Hamish would say, is how you save the news.

What part of Hamish's vision resonates most with you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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From Geneva trade truces to manufactured disinformation, here are today's most critical developments as American democracy faces unprecedented threats:

5️⃣ China Trade "Deal" Proves Trump's Chaos Cycle

Wall Street celebrated as Trump and China agreed to slash tariffs from their crisis-level peaks. U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods drop from 145% to 30% for 90 days, while Chinese tariffs fall from 125% to 10%. The Dow gained 2.24%, the S&P 500 rose 2.52%, and Nasdaq jumped 3.45%.

But Dean calls it perfectly: "This isn't a deal—it's a surrender." Neither side claims a formal agreement exists. Trump created a massive economic crisis with extreme tariffs, terrorized markets for months, then stepped back just enough to claim victory. The classic Trump pattern: manufacture chaos, then take credit for marginal improvement from the disaster you created. At 30%, tariffs remain punishingly high while Trump portrays basic crisis management as economic genius.

4️⃣ Alex Jones Manufactures Russian Propaganda with Doctored Images

When European leaders traveled to Ukraine by train, Macron removed a tissue from the table—ordinary behavior that Russian disinformation operatives turned into a "cocaine bag" narrative. Alex Jones didn't just amplify this Russian lie; he created doctored images to "prove" the false claim.

Side-by-side analysis reveals Jones fabricated evidence from footage clearly showing tissues and crystal glasses. This is disinformation laundering at its purest: Russia plants the lie, American propagandists manufacture fake evidence, then it circulates as "investigation." Jones' fingerprints prove the American far-right doesn't just amplify Kremlin narratives—they actively enhance them. As Dean noted: "There is no world where Alex Jones is to be believed in any capacity."

3️⃣ White Afrikaners Get Express Refugee Status While Others Suffer

While Trump has essentially destroyed America's refugee program, 59 white South Africans received VIP treatment this week—processed in just three months versus the typical years-long wait. Trump falsely claims "genocide" against white farmers, though whites own 70% of South Africa's farmland despite being only 7% of the population.

This is blatant racial engineering disguised as humanitarian policy. Dean correctly identifies these refugees as connected to Musk, Thiel, and other South African billionaires who helped put Trump in power. One U.S. official calls it "immigration fraud," but the program continues while refugees of color face deportation. The apartheid mindset has infected American immigration policy—rich white friends get fast-track entry while brown children get caged.

2️⃣ Syria Sanctions Become Ukraine Peace Hostage Deal

Trump dangled Syrian sanctions relief after Turkey's Erdogan offered to host Ukraine-Russia peace talks this Thursday. The transaction is transparent: Turkey gets Syria's economic reconstruction in exchange for delivering a peace deal Trump can claim as victory.

The grift goes deeper. Multiple sources confirm Trump Organization representatives have explored Syrian development opportunities, including a potential Damascus tower. Dean nailed it: "He's leveraging the death of hundreds of thousands of Russians, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, hundreds of thousands of Syrians, so he can get another resort." Meanwhile, Qatar—where Hamas leaders reside—prepares to give Trump a $400 million private jet. Foreign policy as personal enrichment scheme reaches new depths.

1️⃣ NARATIV EXCLUSIVE: Trump's $3 Billion Crypto Empire Built with Foreign Money

Our investigation reveals the stunning scope of Trump's cryptocurrency network—and how foreign governments are pouring billions into ventures that undermine America's currency while enriching the president's family. American Bitcoin goes public tomorrow on NASDAQ with Trump receiving 20% for nothing.

The money trail is damning: Saudi sovereign wealth flows through companies like Coatue to fund American Bitcoin mining operations. China's Justin Sun—previously under SEC investigation until the case was mysteriously dropped—invested $75 million in World Liberty Financial. The UAE's Binance contributed to a $2 billion stablecoin deal using Trump family tokens.

Trump isn't just betting against the dollar—he's actively working to replace it with crypto systems that pay him transaction fees. Dean captured the broader implications: "This is effectively licensing the president of the United States for $10 million here, $6.3 billion there." Foreign royalty are buying into Trump's crypto empire because they want a feudal king ruling America, not a democratic president.

The constitutional violation couldn't be clearer: The president is using his office to create cryptocurrency ventures that benefit from undermining American currency. Each bitcoin mined, each transaction processed, each stablecoin traded generates revenue for Trump's family. The Emoluments Clause becomes meaningless when the president openly profits from foreign government investments.

The Bigger Picture

These five stories connect into a single narrative: American institutions are being systematically destroyed from within. From manufactured trade crises to racial immigration policies to selling American foreign policy for crypto profits, Trump has weaponized every lever of presidential power for personal gain.

As America's global approval ratings plummet toward Russia's level, the world watches a superpower consume itself through corruption. Trump's crypto empire represents the ultimate betrayal—a president literally betting against his own country's currency while foreign adversaries fund his family's fortune.

Dean's prediction seems increasingly certain: "There are countries around the world that really believe, still, that Trump's name has something to do with it." But they're not licensing a brand—they're buying a king.

The FiveStack is available as an audio podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Advertising inquiries email [email protected]. The FiveStack is a co-production of deanblundell.substack.com and narativ.org.

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As US-China trade negotiations commence in Switzerland, the Trump administration is signaling weakness that undermines America's leverage. From judicial appointments to wellness influencers as top health officials, this week revealed a regime operating on incompetence while global powers forge alliances against American interests.

5️⃣ TRUMP NAMES PIRRO AS DC PROSECUTOR

Fox News personality Jeanine Pirro has been appointed as interim U.S. Attorney for Washington D.C., replacing Ed Martin whose nomination was withdrawn after Senate Republican opposition. Her past includes promoting election fraud claims that cost Fox News $787.5 million in the Dominion settlement.

"She is the same Jeanine Pirro who, if you remember, at the start of COVID, missed the first 15 minutes of her show, magically appeared, disheveled, slurring, and absolutely hammered on boxed wine," Dean noted during our conversation.

Pirro's appointment exemplifies Trump's approach to staffing critical positions - prioritizing loyalty over qualifications. With 23 former Fox News personalities now in administration roles, these appointments form a pattern where personal devotion trumps competence. As Zev observed, "She's the person who's responsible now for prosecution, for making indictment decisions... The entire insurrection, 1,600 cases - that all came out of Washington D.C. And now she's the person responsible for that."

4️⃣ WELLNESS INFLUENCER NOMINATED FOR SURGEON GENERAL

Trump's nomination of 37-year-old Casey Means as Surgeon General has shocked the medical community. With an inactive medical license since 2019 and an incomplete residency, Means has built her career as a wellness influencer promoting supplements to her 765,000 Instagram followers.

Her wellness approach includes unconventional methods like seeking relationship advice from trees and "manifesting a husband with shrooms and meditation." In her own words: "I hiked alone and talked literally out loud to the trees, letting them know I was ready for partnership and asked them if they could help."

Even former Surgeon General Richard Carmona criticized the nomination: "In every previous surgeon general, they've got the license, they've gotten the residency, they have at least some leadership ability that's scalable. We don't see any of that here."

3️⃣ TRUMP SURRENDERS TO CHINA BEFORE TRADE TALKS

As Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer prepare for negotiations in Switzerland, Trump has already undermined their position by publicly floating tariff reductions from 145% to 80% - a major concession before substantive talks have even begun.

Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin revealed: "We could imagine everything – we could imagine a mutual suspension of customs duties during the course of the discussions." This surrender of leverage comes at the worst possible moment - the U.S. economy contracted 0.3% in the first quarter while China's targeted retaliation with 125% tariffs inflicts maximum pain on vulnerable American industries.

The timing couldn't be worse as Chinese President Xi Jinping openly displays his partnership with Putin while ignoring Trump's calls. As we discussed, "Chinese officials are putting Trump regime officials on hold for extended periods of time... playing Joe Biden speeches."

2️⃣ PUTIN AND XI SHOWCASE "UNBREAKABLE" ALLIANCE

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended Russia's 80th Victory Day parade alongside Vladimir Putin, signing a declaration to "further deepen" their comprehensive strategic partnership. Their public display of unity comes as they position themselves against Western influence.

"When I watch this stuff going on in Red Square today, I wonder if we're being played," Dean reflected. "I wonder if this whole tariff thing with China is just a ruse."

While officially described as "unbreakable," analysts note the relationship is increasingly asymmetrical, with China emerging as the dominant partner as Russia grows more dependent on Beijing amid Western sanctions. The leaders outlined economic cooperation through 2030, including the delayed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline - a sign of their deepening ties as America's global influence wanes.

1️⃣ TRUMP PREPARES FOR MIDDLE EAST GRIFT TOUR

Trump's upcoming four-day trip to Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar represents the most brazen monetization of the presidency yet. While telling Americans children should have "two or three dolls instead of 30" due to tariffs, Trump is openly selling access to himself for millions.

The UAE announced a $2 billion investment using Trump-affiliated digital coins ahead of the visit, while Eric Trump recently announced plans for new Trump-branded hotels and towers in Dubai at a cryptocurrency conference.

"This is just the most brazen monetization of the White House that you will ever see," Dean observed. "You don't have to pay tribute to him in Washington. You can pay tribute to him and bribe him anywhere in the world. And here's the catch - it is totally untraceable."

The upcoming Dubai trip may serve as a summit for crypto interests tied to Russian and Chinese financial players, further entangling Trump's personal business with geopolitical maneuvering against American interests.

As we concluded, the convergence of cryptocurrency, autocratic alliances, and Trump's self-dealing points to a dangerous new reality - what Dean called "watching the mobbing up of America" with "Donald Trump as the biggest mobster in the world, and crypto is the game."

Thank you Kathy E Utley, Jo Greenwood, MB Matthews, she/her, Shoshana, ANNEMARIE HAYNES, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.narativ.org/subscribe

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5️⃣ FIRST AMERICAN POPE: VATICAN MAKES HISTORIC CHOICE

When white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney today, it signaled more than just a new pontiff – it marked a historic shift in the Catholic Church's 2,000-year European tradition.

Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69, is now Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first American to ascend to the papacy. His dual US-Peruvian citizenship helped overcome the Vatican's longstanding reluctance to select an American pope due to concerns about US geopolitical influence.

"This is a big, big news that he's an American," noted Zev during our discussion. "The conclave has spoken, he'll be around for a while, and he's the first American pope in 2000 years."

While considered a centrist who's slightly more conservative on LGBTQ issues than Pope Francis, Prevost is expected to continue his predecessor's progressive agenda on environment, migration, and social justice. His selection after just two days of conclave is notably quick – a sign of decisive agreement among cardinals.

MAGA figures like Laura Loomer immediately attacked the new pope, calling him "a total Marxist" – suggesting his papacy may become another front in America's culture wars.

4️⃣ TRUMP REPLACES CONTROVERSIAL DC PROSECUTOR ED MARTIN

After 15 tumultuous weeks, Trump's loyalist US Attorney Ed Martin has been removed before Senate confirmation, following sustained criticism of his targeting Trump's perceived enemies.

Martin, who had no prior experience as a prosecutor, sparked controversy by firing or demoting career prosecutors, particularly those who worked on Capitol riot cases. He dismissed approximately 1,600 pending January 6 cases and Democrats accused him of violating legal ethics by attempting to freeze Biden climate grant funds against career prosecutors' recommendations.

"He was just basically a hired gun going after Trump's political opponents," Zev observed. "It's good that he's gone. He was also one of the big organizers of January the 6th, which places him right in the middle of a crime."

Trump told reporters he hopes to place Martin elsewhere in his administration, with a new nominee for DC's top prosecutor to be announced "within two days." This removal coincided with Trump's controversial appointment of Casey Means – who never completed medical school or residency – as Surgeon General.

3️⃣ KEY WITNESS IN DIDDY TRIAL MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEARS

Federal prosecutors revealed they cannot locate "Victim 3" – a crucial witness expected to testify about coerced explicit acts in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial.

As jury selection continues, prosecutors disclosed they're struggling to reach both the witness and her lawyer, who is reportedly dealing with undisclosed "personal issues." The prosecution warned the court that Victim 3 "does not live locally" and "may not show up, even if we try to enforce the subpoena."

"Where is victim number three and what does it mean for this big trial?" Dean asked, highlighting the potential impact on the case. Online speculation ranges from witness intimidation to payoffs, with social media users suggesting she either "got paid to disappear" or worse.

The mysterious disappearance threatens to weaken the government's case against the disgraced music mogul, whose trial has parallels to the Jeffrey Epstein case in its allegations of honeypotting, drugs, and exploitation of young people at lavish parties.

2️⃣ BIDEN BLASTS TRUMP'S FIRST 100 DAYS IN TV APPEARANCE

Former President Joe Biden delivered a forceful critique of his successor during an appearance on ABC's "The View" with Dr. Jill Biden, calling Trump's first 100 days in office "the worst any president's ever had."

Biden defended his own legacy while dismissing claims of cognitive decline that led to his withdrawal from the presidential race. "They are wrong," Biden stated. "There is nothing to sustain that." Dr. Biden added that reports claiming she insulated her husband were "very hurtful, especially from some of our so-called friends."

The former president revealed he speaks frequently with Kamala Harris, saying "she's got a difficult decision to make about what she's going to do," while noticeably sidestepping questions about his current relationship with Barack Obama.

"I think it's both," Dean said when asked if this was a reputation reclamation tour or democracy defense. "He's also trying to insert some common sense and some calm into the conversation around the damage that Donald Trump is doing."

1️⃣ TRUMP'S UK "TRADE DEAL" NOTHING MORE THAN A CONCEPT

Despite Trump's grandiose announcement of a "historic" and "comprehensive" trade agreement with the United Kingdom, experts quickly dismissed it as little more than a minimal tariff adjustment and photo opportunity.

The "deal" – which Trump admitted is merely a "concept of a plan" to be put on paper "in the next few weeks" – removes his 25% tariffs on British steel and aluminum and allows 100,000 UK-made vehicles tariff-free. It includes vague technological cooperation promises and a commitment from a British airline to purchase $10 billion in Boeing aircraft.

"This is not a trade deal. This is the opposite of a trade deal," Dean emphasized. "It's comprehensive in name only." Economist Justin Wolfers pointed out the limited significance, noting the UK is only America's 11th largest trading partner, representing just 3% of US trade.

Missing from the announcement: comprehensive services access, investment protections, digital trade frameworks, labor standards, environmental protections, and actual treaty text. Even UK officials were reportedly surprised by Trump's characterization of the preliminary discussions as a completed agreement.

The FiveStack is available as an audio podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Advertising inquiries email [email protected]. The FiveStack is a co-production of deanblundell.substack.com and narativ.org.

Thank you Jeanne Elbe, US Citizen, Valerie DeFields, Li Bendet, Patty O, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.

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