Dictatorship doesn't always look like tanks and troops in your city. It's the everyday lawlessness and looting spree in the White House, the draconian persecution of activists exercising their Constitutionally protected rights in Republican-hostage states like Texas and Tennessee. It's routine executions by the police.

None of this is normal, which is why we must reject it, and learn how we resist succumbing to a freeze or fawning response, and instead take action, keeping ourselves and our communities safe.

For more insights on ways to resist, listen to our summer 2025 interview with Jamila Raqib of the Albert Einstein Institute founded by Gene Sharp, author of From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Guide to Nonviolent Resistance. Listen here to her advice on concrete steps to take for non-violent resistance, including how to prepare to be brave.

ICE is ramping up kidnappings again. So be sure to stay grounded in the concrete steps you can take to protect against ICE and know your rights. Join a community self-defense. If you don't have one, start one. More here:

• ICE Watch Programs Can Protect Immigrants in Your Neighborhood — Here's What to Know https://www.teenvogue.com/story/ice-watch-programs-immigrants-how-to-start

• Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE https://immigrantjustice.org/for-immigrants/know-your-rights/ice-encounter/

• What to do if you see ICE in your neighborhood https://pix11.com/news/local-news/what-to-do-if-you-see-ice-in-your-neighborhood/

• A Group of Organizers Is Building an Anti-ICE Movement Rooted in Jewish Values https://truthout.org/articles/a-group-of-organizers-is-building-an-anti-ice-movement-rooted-in-jewish-values/

Millions of small decisions become sand in their gears. We are not powerless. We are the leaders we've been waiting for.

Never forget the power of your voice.

We're publishing now on Thursdays an excerpt from Monday's salon, and our full recording of the salon for our Patreon donors at the $10/month tier and higher (anyone who was receiving this perk before will continue to receive it at any tier, as long as your membership is currently active). Not yet signed up? Become a member on Patreon.com/Gaslit, GaslitNation.Substack.com, or as a YouTube member; discounted annual memberships are available, and you can give the gift of membership. Thank you to everyone who supports the show–we could not make Gaslit Nation without you!

Happy birthday, America! Our democracy has been hijacked by a convicted criminal, sexual predator, Russian mafia goon. We are fighting back like Ukrainians: by rebuilding from the wreckage. That means forcing every single 2028 Democratic presidential hopeful to publicly commit to appointing a mob-busting Attorney General who will actually take on the mafia instead of emboldening it.

This week, Allison Gill of MSW Media joins Andrea to discuss the catastrophic failures of Merrick Garland. We break down how to demand an AG who meets this moment, strategies to Trump-and-Putin-proof our democracy, and how to protect ourselves from the Christian nationalist terrorists on the Supreme Court.

This week's bonus show is a special segment called All the President's Criminals, featuring Todd Blanche. Trump's personal defense attorney faces a confirmation hearing, to officially become Attorney General, before a pliant Republican Senate. To keep up with the Trump Family's' looting spree, we're now running our bonus shows as extended Tuesday shows, available in full to our listeners on Patreon, Substack, and YouTube members who make Gaslit Nation possible. It's because of you that we can continue to be a reality check, stay grounded in the truth, and deliver independent journalism that helps us rebuild and imagine the world we want to live in.

Join our community of listeners and ad free listening, get bonus shows, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit or Substack!

EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION:

• Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit and GaslitNation.Substack.com for our community

• New! There's now a California Signal Group for Gaslit Nation listeners to find each other and connect in that state. Join on Patreon or Substack!

• The Gaslit Nation Outreach Committee discusses how to talk to the MAGA cult: Join on Patreon or Substack!

• Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other: Join on Patreon or Substack!

• Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other: Join on Patreon or Substack!

• Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect. Join on Patreon or Substack!

• Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join. Join on Patreon or Substack!

• Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group. Join on Patreon or Substack!

• As always, keep it kind in our chat groups, extend grace and assume good faith. A culture of care is how we build a better world.

Show Notes:

1,200+ Former DOJ Employees Oppose Todd Blanche's Nomination https://www.thejusticeconnection.org/1200-former-doj-employees-oppose-todd-blanches-nomination/

Jack Smith testimony: Full opening statement on Trump probes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuewjQuaWF0

Jack Smith, in his first interview since resigning as Special Counsel: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WxaXkDfZkpw

The World Must Stand Up to Trump's America: The Elie Mystal Interview https://gaslitnation.libsyn.com/the-world-must-stand-up-to-trumps-america

Exclusive: Woman who dated Graham Platner says he sexually assaulted her https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/06/graham-platner-sexual-assault-allegation-00987737

To date, the DOJ has published around half of the Epstein files: https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trumps-acting-attorney-general-todd-blanche-tries-to-dodge-further-release-of-jeffrey-epstein-files/

DOJ alums call on senators to reject Blanche nomination as attorney general https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5956374-blanche-nomination-faces-opposition/

Trump Installs Top Justice Dept. Official at Library of Congress, Prompting a Standoff: The president named Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, as the acting librarian. But staff members refused access to two department officials he chose for key roles at Congress's main research arm. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/us/politics/trump-library-of-congress.html

Immigrant Arrests Surge to 10,000 in 5 Days as ICE Clamps Down: The agency has doubled its daily arrest numbers without the fanfare of last year's large urban operations, sowing fear in immigrant communities: "Markwayne Mullin, the homeland security secretary, pledged to mount a quieter enforcement campaign following the chaos of a monthlong operation in Minnesota, where federal officers killed two U.S. citizens." https://archive.ph/wFIYV#selection-4627.0-4631.144

Tennessee national guard troops shoot man dead in Memphis: Authorities claim Tyrin Johnson, 20, pulled gun on officers controversially deployed at instigation of Trump https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/06/memphis-national-guard-troops-shoot-man

Todd Blanche is a surprisingly competent lawyer. And he's on track to keep his client out of jail until the election. https://web.archive.org/web/20260413020342/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/trump-trial-lawyer-todd-blanche-defense.html

US justice department halts funding for human-trafficking survivors https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/22/justice-department-human-trafficking-survivors-support-funding

Thousands of agents diverted to Trump immigration crackdown https://www.reuters.com/world/us/thousands-agents-diverted-trump-immigration-crackdown-2025-03-22/

Who is Boris Epshteyn, the controversial aide by Trump's side in court https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/3936390-who-is-boris-epshteyn-the-controversial-aide-by-trumps-side-in-court/

How Todd Blanche Climbed the Ranks in Trumpworld to Acting Attorney General https://www.notus.org/trump-white-house/how-todd-blanche-climbed-the-ranks-in-trumpworld-to-acting-attorney-general-pam-bondi

Todd Blanche Is About to Face the Senate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B9uLK_32To

Library of Congress official Trump tried to fire can keep her job for now, Supreme Court says https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/30/politics/supreme-court-allows-library-of-congress-official-trump-tried-to-fire-to-keep-her-job

John Solly Is the DOGE Operative Accused of Planning to Take Social Security Data to His New Job https://www.wired.com/story/john-solly-doge-operative-accused-social-security-data-leidos/

Alex Karp Has Money and Power. So What Does He Want? https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/17/style/alex-karp-palantir.html?smid=url-share

Benjamin "Champagne" Song, a U.S. marine reservist, got 100 years in prison in Texas–no air-conditioning, sweltering heat–for saving a protester's life. So why are Democrats like Hakeem Jeffries busy battling social democrats rather than unifying resistance to Trump behind this urgent cause for freedom and the U.S. Constitution?

In Texas, eight political prisoners recently received a combined 450 years for a July 4th, 2025 demonstration outside an ICE concentration camp. Song got a century behind bars for firing a warning shot to stop a cop from shooting a fleeing, unarmed protester. Other defendants got decades simply for being in a book club or transporting a box of their own zines.

This is illegal collective punishment designed to destroy our trust networks and terrorize the resistance–no matter where you live. We are sliding into a fascist fever dream, and any politician who wants our support in the 2028 Democratic Party primary must publicly commit to pardoning these political prisoners.

Trump's Soviet-style war on antifa endangers us all, because America's progress, what makes this country great, like the U.S. helping liberate Europe from Nazis, was built by the anti-fascists. Anyone who is anti-antifa is clearly a fascist. It's as simple as that.

We refuse to let them normalize this terror. Support our independent journalism by subscribing to Gaslit Nation on Patreon and Substack today so we can keep fighting back. Thank you to everyone who supports the show–we could not make Gaslit Nation without you.

A quick correction: An earlier version got the timeline wrong and said the Prairieland protests happened after the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, when they happened before. We've fixed it, and we're sorry for the error.

Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit or GaslitNation.Substack.com.

Show Notes:

Post-Sentencing Statement from Benjamin "Champagne" Song https://prairielanddefendants.com/defendant-writings/statement-by-benjamin-champagne-song/

The Guardian clip: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaMfR_lu-3v/

Opening clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUxP9enCBaQ

How to Help the Prairieland Defendants: Donate, write letters to them in prison, amplify their story on social media, if you're a media outlet – tell their story: https://prairielanddefendants.com/

Texas anti-ICE protesters convicted of terrorism charges sentenced to at least 50 years in prison https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/23/prairieland-ice-protesters-texas-sentenced

Federal trial over air conditioning in Texas prisons set to start Monday https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/criminal-justice/2026/03/30/547466/texas-prison-air-conditioning-lawsuit/

How do we fight back?

This week on Gaslit Nation, Tad Stoermer, author of A Resistance History of the United States, explains how true resistance is built by communities like ours. Looking at the Underground Railroad and the French Resistance, Stoermer digs deep on what Gaslit Nation has said for years: grassroots power is the most reliable power we have left. Small acts of individual resistance compound into collective awakening.

Today's localized protests against ICE in Minneapolis and Delaney Hall are the true making of a great America. Our story is a story of progress, and white reactionary blood lust. MAGA are the vampires that have long sucked on human flesh. They're back in the forms of Big Tech wannabe-cyborgs and craven weirdos. Simply put, they're slimy creepers, the strongmen who have always lived by spilling blood.

We have grassroots power, but now we need to build political power through elected officials who meet the moment, not take money from AIPAC and crypto trust funds.

There is no substitute for political power. Communities like Gaslit Nation build together.

That's our Declaration of Independence.

This week's bonus show, out Thursday, will look at Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's crypto threat to our country as she enriches her family like a corrupt Russian politician. We'll also demand justice for the Prairieland Defendants – activists sentenced to 30 to 100 years in prison for protesting. Harsh sentences to punish the people ignited our Founding Fathers to build militias. Demand unconditional pardons for our Prairieland Defendants – we must reverse and heal the damage of Trump fascism.

Join our Gaslit Nation community on Patreon.com/Gaslit or GaslitNation.Substack.com – get bonus shows, ad free listening, exclusive events, and more. Thank you to everyone who supports the show – we could not make Gaslit Nation without you.

Show Notes:

Opening clip: AOC on MSNow https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Nxb-JLE0WZY

EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION:

• Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit and GaslitNation.Substack.com for our community

• New! There's now a California Signal Group for Gaslit Nation listeners to find each other and connect in that state. Join on Patreon or Substack!

• The Gaslit Nation Outreach Committee discusses how to talk to the MAGA cult: Join on Patreon or Substack!

• Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other: Join on Patreon or Substack!

• Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other: Join on Patreon or Substack!

• Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect. Join on Patreon or Substack!

• Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join. Join on Patreon or Substack!

• Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group. Join on Patreon or Substack!

Today is Orwell's birthday. We're celebrating with the recording of the Mrs. Orwell live-taping – available in full this Sunday, only on Patreon and Substack for our supporters who make Gaslit Nation possible. For now, here's our special primary election recap.

The message from New York's elections is clear: voters want fighters.

Brad Lander built trust by showing up at immigration court to protect vulnerable people. Progressive challengers are defeating establishment politicians tied to AIPAC. Across the country, voters are demanding consequences for lawlessness and attacks on democracy–the unholy trinity of strongmen: Trump and his two buddies Netanyahu and Putin.

But our solidarity must be morally consistent.

Progressives cannot just rightfully condemn Netanyahu's violations of international law while repeating Kremlin propaganda that blames the United States or NATO for Russia's genocidal invasion of Ukraine. Putin and Netanyahu belong to the same transnational crime syndicate, as Gaslit Nation is here to remind you.

Ukraine is not the reason Americans lack universal healthcare and a functioning social safety net. We can tax the rich, confront corporate greed, invest in our communities, and help Ukraine defeat Russian imperialism.

The struggle against authoritarianism is global. Our solidarity must be, too.

Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit or GaslitNation.Substack.com

Show Notes:

NATO - The largest military alliance in the world | DW Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cTFk6MNUHQ

Brad Lander New York Primary Night Victory Remarks https://www.c-span.org/program/campaign-2026/brad-lander-new-york-primary-night-victory-remarks/681601

Federal agents track down Syracuse woman, demand she remove Instagram post about ICE https://www.syracuse.com/news/2026/06/federal-agents-track-down-syracuse-woman-demand-she-remove-instagram-post-about-ice.html

Darializa Avila Chevalier: pro-Palestinian doctoral student steps into politics with 'faith in the future' https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/24/darializa-avila-chevalier-win-new-york

Where AI, pro-Israel and other big-money groups spent millions, won and lost in Tuesday's primaries https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/ai-israel-groups-big-money-spent-millions-won-lost-tuesdays-primaries-rcna351599

The Bibi Files documentary on Gaslit Nation: https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes/hitler-youth/

Mamdani-backed congressional candidate deleted posts calling to seize private property, abolish police, borders, prisons https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/01/politics/kfile-ny-13-darializa-avila-chevalier-deleted-tweets-defund-abolish-police-prisons-deportations

Brad Lander found not guilty in trial over immigration court arrest https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/brad-lander-guilty-immigration-court-arrest/

What the Prairieland Prosecutions Reveal About Trump's America https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/2026/06/trump-justice-antifa-texas-january-6/687707/?gift=5sEjti6FimVYKnwaLcONjEJ8wOgaBa9e-kSI9ttDNhI&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share

Glen Greenwald cheers on lack of support for Ukraine among progressives: https://x.com/KareemRifai/status/2069977490765021387

Ten years after the Kremlin helped tip the very close Brexit vote, Nigel Farage is shockingly leading UK polls. The Putin fanboy, bankrolled by a crypto-king in Thailand tied to Putin's propaganda machine, is making false promises like Donald Trump in the 2024 election. Farage and his billionaire backers want to install a Kremlin Trojan horse to dismantle the rule of law, enrich themselves and the transnational pedo-trade, and wage war on marginalized communities. The waves of hate violence plaguing the UK right now will only get worse.

Like Keir Starmer's time as Prime Minister, Putin is a dead man walking. While his puppets try to break the West, Ukraine is turning Crimea into the world's largest Russian prisoner-of-war camp. Supply lines are being cut, and Russians are fleeing the peninsula. Joining Gaslit Nation with a special message from Ukrainians and to discuss his recent trip to Ukraine is American veteran Ken Harbaugh, along with Russian mafia-expert and Gaslit Nation wing-woman extraordinaire, Olga Lautman, of the Trump Tyranny Tracker.

We cannot do this alone! Support our independent journalism in these dark times by subscribing to Gaslit Nation on Patreon or Substack today so we can keep bringing you the truth in the fog of gaslighting. Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available at Patreon.com/Gaslit or GaslitNation.Substack.com!

Show Notes:

2019: Brexit and Trump are the Same Crime: The Carole Cadwalladr Interview https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes/brexit-and-trump-are-the-same-crime-the-carole-cadwalladr-interview/

"Emma Briant, an academic expert on disinformation at George Washington University, has unearthed new e-mails that appear to reveal the earliest documented role played by Bannon in Brexit. The e-mails, which date back to October of 2015, show that Bannon, who was then the vice-president of Cambridge Analytica, an American firm largely owned by the U.S. hedge-fund billionaire Robert Mercer, was in the loop on discussions taking place at the time between his company and the leaders of Leave.EU, a far-right nationalist organization. The following month, Leave.EU publicly launched a campaign aimed at convincing British voters to support a referendum in favor of exiting the European Union. The U.K. narrowly voted for the so-called Brexit in June, 2016. The tumultuous fallout has roiled the U.K. ever since" https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/new-evidence-emerges-of-steve-bannon-and-cambridge-analyticas-role-in-brexit

Farage confronted over 5 million GBP gift from crypto king https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btQJsxgnON0

Frozen by the challenges of power: how Starmer turned triumph into tragedy https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2026/jun/22/frozen-by-the-challenges-of-power-how-starmer-turned-triumph-into-tragedy

Charity to shut months after marking 40th birthday https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj6g7xl6k6eo

U.S. Special Counsel Mueller filing shows Manafort drafted Ukraine op-ed despite gag order https://www.reuters.com/article/world/us-special-counsel-mueller-filing-shows-manafort-drafted-ukraine-op-ed-despite-idUSKBN1E3017/

Reform UK's former Wales leader jailed for taking bribes for pro-Russia speeches https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/nov/21/nathan-gill-former-reform-uk-wales-leader-jailed-bribes-pro-russia-statements-mep

Ukrainian Author of Manafort Op-ed Says He Sought Input to Avoid Errors https://www.voanews.com/a/ukrainian-author-manafort-oped-says-he-sought-input-to-avoid-errors/4157176.html

When is the next UK general election? https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg0dzrw5rno

Nigel Farage's £9m Donor Profits From Putin Propaganda Platform While Holding MoD Stake https://bylinetimes.com/2025/12/16/nigel-farages-9m-donor-profits-from-putin-propaganda-platform-while-holding-mod-stake/

UK voters "taxed" 4-percent over Brexit costs since 2016 vote https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-06-23/eu-looks-forward-as-brussels-marks-brexit-anniversary

EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION:

• Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit and GaslitNation.Substack.com for our community

• New! There's now a California Signal Group for Gaslit Nation listeners to find each other and connect in that state. Join on Patreon or Substack!

• The Gaslit Nation Outreach Committee discusses how to talk to the MAGA cult: Join on Patreon or Substack!

• Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other: Join on Patreon or Substack!

• Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other: Join on Patreon or Substack!

• Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect. Join on Patreon or Substack!

• Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join. Join on Patreon or Substack!

• Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group. Join on Patreon or Substack!

• As always, keep it kind in our chat groups, extend grace and assume good faith. A culture of care is how we build a better world.

Americans have been so beaten down by corruption, ramped up since the Reagan Revolution, that many act like they forgot their rights. Gaslit Nation is here to remind you: Trump's UFC cagefight White House party is illegal, and so are likely many of the events of Trump's Freedom 250, his shell company for illegally collecting bribes and selling access to the White House in the name of celebrating America's 250th anniversary.

While a shocking amount of corruption has been illegalized, we are still a nation of laws. It's illegal to use money that Congress appropriated for a different purpose. It is also illegal to mingle corporate money with public tax-payer funds appropriated by the government, without, getting permission from Congress. That is exactly what Trump is doing: he stole tax-payer funds appropriated by Congress from America 250–the bipartisan planning event–and is using that, along with corporate funds/bribes to hold MAGA rallies for his death cult. Dan Friedman, an investigative reporter for Mother Jones, breaks down our path to accountability, to stand up to yet another king–there's no better way to truly honor the American Revolution.

Remember when we all cheered when Trump's name was taken off the Kennedy Center? We can do that again if lawsuits reclaim our stolen funds for Trump's Freedom 250 grift. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty of Ohio brought the Kennedy Center case with Democracy Defenders Action and the Washington Litigation Group. Email her office to demand another case.

Two-hundred and fifty years ago, a group of rebels defeated an empire. We can and must do it again. Gaslit Nation is here to remind you who the true patriots are.

Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit or GaslitNation.Substack.com or by becoming a member on YouTube.

Show Notes:

Number of National Guard troops deployed to Washington, D.C. set to double https://www.npr.org/2026/05/25/g-s1-124213/number-of-national-guard-troops-deployed-to-washington-d-c-set-to-double

Michelle Obama at the opening of the Obama Library: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZvKNDhEnfj/

Mayor Mamdani at the Knicks parade: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZvFVSJjIlj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Trump's efforts to turn the 250th in a partisan party for himself. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/06/military-parade-army-trump-american250-a250/

Trump's War on History: As America's 250th anniversary approaches, the president wants to control the country's future by bulldozing its past. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/02/america-freedom-task-force-250-trump-anniversary-history-smithsonian-kennedy-center/

Piece on Interior/NPS effort to get rid of National Park signs: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/02/donald-trumps-national-park-signs-francis-newlands-chevy-chase-circle/

Trump's Christian Nationalist rally on the Mall https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/05/trump-maga-freedom250-christian/

The barbarians are inside the gates and throwing a toxic masculinity pageant on the front lawn. While the United States should be preparing to honor the 250th anniversary of our democratic republic by working toward a more perfect union, Donald Trump has hijacked the historic milestone to throw corrupt, all-caps "TRUMP RALLIES" and UFC cage matches to distract from his economic warfare on the American people as he and his family rake in billions.

This week, Mother Jones investigative reporter Dan Friedman joins Gaslit Nation to expose the blatant kleptocracy behind "Freedom 250," a shadowy, dark-money shell company created by the White House to bypass congressional oversight and strip taxpayer funds from the bipartisan America 250 Commission.

This corporate-sponsored slush fund allows the administration to openly sell White House access to elite corporate donors and tech oligarchs seeking to build monopolies approved by Trump's DOJ and rake in tax breaks. Even more alarming: the contractor hired to run these "patriotic" events is Event Strategies, the exact same group that profited from organizing Trump's violent January 6th coup attempt.

We refuse to normalize corruption. If we look away now, the floodgates will swing wide open for future autocrats to follow. Listen to Part I now, and stay tuned for Part II this Thursday, where we discuss our leverage for accountability and how to fight back!

Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit

Show Notes:

Opening clip: JD Vance on The View https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mog4pzuauh2x

Trump's efforts to turn the 250th in a partisan party for himself. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/06/military-parade-army-trump-american250-a250/

Trump's War on History: As America's 250th anniversary approaches, the president wants to control the country's future by bulldozing its past. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/02/america-freedom-task-force-250-trump-anniversary-history-smithsonian-kennedy-center/

Piece on Interior/NPS effort to get rid of National Park signs: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/02/donald-trumps-national-park-signs-francis-newlands-chevy-chase-circle/

Trump's Christian Nationalist rally on the Mall https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/05/trump-maga-freedom250-christian/

EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION:

• June 22nd Songwriting Workshop with Leslie Nuss. Come explore the power of art at our Monday June 22nd Gaslit Nation Salon at 4pm ET opened with a songwriting workshop by Leslie.

• Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community

• Join the California Signal Group for Gaslit Nation listeners to find each other and connect in that state - available on Patreon.com.

• The Gaslit Nation Outreach Committee discusses how to talk to the MAGA cult - available on Patreon.com.

• Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other - available on Patreon.com.

• Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other - available on Patreon.com.

• Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect - available on Patreon.com.

• Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join - available on Patreon.com.

• Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group - available on Patreon.com.

• As always, keep it kind in our chat groups, extend grace and assume good faith. A culture of care is how we build a better world.

We dive into Ivanka and Jared's Albanian nightmare. What were they really up to while trying to develop a private island in Albania on protected land, and what are the ramifications of this secret operation in the broader war of democracy vs. fascism? Why are they trying to buy an island in a part of the world notorious for sex trafficking?

These questions matter in light of Ivanka's brother marrying Epstein's longtime banker, and the new bombshell reporting out of the New York Times. The Times reports that the Kremlin Klown Kar (KKK) in the White House uses our tax payer-funded Situation Room–meant for sensitive national security matters–to plot the ongoing Epstein cover-up, protecting Epstein's longtime friend, convicted felon Donald Trump. Look to the show notes for a gift link of the New York Times' reporting.

For this week's bonus show, Russian mafia expert Ogla Lautman helps connect the dots on what is up with Ivanka and Jared's mysterious island in Albania, a part of the world known for sex-trafficking. Should we be concerned? The Albanian people are–they're storming their own government in a growing anti-corruption movement over Jared and Ivanka's attempts to buy an ecologically protected island.

We also discuss Ben Black, Leon Black's son, getting a job in the Trump administration. Both father and son are all over the Epstein files.

To listen to this full episode and support our independent journalism, subscribe to Gaslit Nation on Patreon.com/Gaslit or GaslitNation.Substack.com – thank you to everyone who supports the show – we could not make Gaslit Nation without you!

Show Notes:

Inside the White House Freakout Over the Epstein Files The president's top advisers gathered in a series of Situation Room meetings as they struggled to contain a scandal engulfing Donald Trump himself. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/10/magazine/trump-epstein-files-white-house-vance-doj.html?unlocked_article_code=1.pVA.8Bpw._gUv6lvoFPWC&smid=url-share

Situation Room Scramble Over Sick Trump Fetish Claim Revealed https://www.thedailybeast.com/situation-room-scramble-over-sick-trump-fetish-claim-revealed/

Records: SC woman accused Trump, Epstein of sexual abuse in 1980s https://www.wistv.com/2026/03/09/records-sc-woman-accused-trump-epstein-sexual-abuse-1980s/

Donald Trump groped me in what felt like a 'twisted game' with Jeffrey Epstein, former model alleges https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/23/donald-trump-accuser-stacey-williams-jeffrey-epstein

Dozens of FBI records apparently missing from Epstein files, including Trump accuser interviews https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/24/us/epstein-files-trump-accuser-missing-files-invs

Justice Department publishes documents with sexual assault allegations against Trump https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/05/donald-trump-epstein-files-allegations-00816123

Opening clip: Rep. Garcia on MSNow https://bsky.app/profile/robertgarcia.house.gov/post/3mnzjwzllis2l

"House Oversight Ranking Member Robert Garcia says he plans to formally ask Chairman Comer to bring JD Vance, Susie Wiles, and Kash Patel before the Committee in light of the new NYT Epstein reporting." https://bsky.app/profile/kylegriffin1.bsky.social/post/3mnzj3dj7ns2z

Trump appointee leading $205bn US agency had personal ties to Epstein, emails show https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/03/ben-black-investment-trump-epstein

Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Find your community at GaslitNation.Substack.com or Patreon.com/Gaslit

Think of the 2016 U.S. presidential election as a marriage between the Russian mafia in the West and the Russian mafia in the East. Now, there's talk out of Moscow that Trump has agreed to build a literal tunnel connecting Alaska to Russia, with Elon Musk's help. Russian mafia expert Olga Lautman of the Trump Tyranny Tracker joins us to ring the alarm on this MAGA-backed project, an insane move right when Russia's own neighbors are digging trenches to protect themselves from Putin.

So many crimes, so little time to cover them all. That's exactly why Gaslit Nation is joining forces with Olga and the Trump Tyranny Tracker. Together, we'll connect the dots and help you stay grounded against Steve Bannon's deliberate demoralization strategy of "flooding the zone with sh*t." We are up against a global kleptocracy enabled by opportunists across corporate America, the mainstream media, and elite law firms. None of us can do this work alone, which is why Andrea and Olga are partnering up. We're here to make covering this horror show more sustainable, build real civic power, and carry each other through the chaos to stay vigilant and fight back.

We also look at why the liaison for Trump's ballroom project took a trip to Moscow. Was he in search of a bribe? Is the ballroom just another Kremlin money-laundering scheme? For this week's bonus show, out Thursday, made with love and rage for our listeners who make our independent journalism possible, out later this week, we look at Jared and Ivanka's mysterious Albanian island–what are those two up to?

Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Find your community at GaslitNation.Substack.com or Patreon.com/Gaslit

Show Notes:

Join Gaslit Nation's Songwriting Workshop June 22nd at 4pm ET with Leslie Nuss. Be sure to subscribe to Patreon.com/Gaslit or GaslitNation.Substack.com to join live or get the recording. Learn more about Leslie Nuss here: https://leslienuss.com/

Want to hear your music on Gaslit Nation? Submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-d_DWNnDQFYUMXueYcX5ZVsA5t2RN09N8PYUQQ8koq0/edit?ts=5fee07f6&gxids=7628

Knicks Clip: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZVpIn3yX1d/

Clip: "My mayor's Muslim / My bagel's Jewish / My Christian's Dior / Knicks in four!" https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZP8-3zRKYJ/

Clip: Trump is booed louder than the Spurs at Madison Square Garden https://bsky.app/profile/phillewis.bsky.social/post/3mnsxpyssls2s

A "Putin-Trump Tunnel" Connecting Russia and Alaska? Putin's Wallet Says an Agreement Will Be Signed Tomorrow https://olgalautman.substack.com/p/a-putin-trump-tunnel-connecting-russia

Underwater tunnel from Russia to Alaska will be built: Putin envoy https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/underwater-tunnel-russia-alaska-built-185910791.html

ICE is spending millions of dollars on iris scanners, expanding its arsenal of tech tools https://www.npr.org/2026/05/27/nx-s1-5822429/ice-buys-iris-scanners-tech-tools

'Democracy isn't working': Many young adults believe voting is not important, AP-NORC poll finds https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/democracy-isnt-working-many-young-adults-believe-voting-is-not-important-ap-norc-poll-finds

AP-NORC America 250 Poll: Only a third believe the American Dream still exists. https://apnorc.org/projects/ap-norc-america-250-poll/

GEO Group's "Dark Money" Donation to a Group Tied to a Top Lawmaker: ICE's top detention contractor donated $250,000 to a group linked to Representative Jim Jordan, who chairs a committee overseeing the agency — these types of donations are usually cloaked in secrecy. https://www.npr.org/2026/05/27/nx-s1-5822429/ice-buys-iris-scanners-tech-tools

Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit

EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION:

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• The Gaslit Nation Outreach Committee discusses how to talk to the MAGA cult. Join on our Patreon or Substack!

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• Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect. Join on our Patreon or Substack!

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• Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group. Join on our Patreon or Substack!

• As always, keep it kind in our chat groups, extend grace and assume good faith. A culture of care is how we build a better world.