Trump’s second term was supposed to be the reset: less chaos, fewer neocons, and a renewed focus on problems at home. Instead, we’re watching an Iran conflict spiral while the administration sells the public a fantasy of easy wins and controlled escalation.

I’m joined again by Dave Smith from Part of the Problem to revisit the 2024 election hangover and the uncomfortable question hanging over the right: was backing Trump a strategic mistake? We talk through what a Harris presidency might have meant for censorship, the border, regulation, and war, then pivot to what’s undeniable now: the incentives around Trump have changed, and his decision-making looks driven by perception and ego more than principle.

From there we get into the real stakes of the Iran war, including why “regime change by air” is a long-shot story, how the Strait of Hormuz turns foreign policy into immediate pain at the pump, and why ending the war could still look like historic humiliation. We also connect the dots to the midterms, Democratic messaging on Gaza and Israel, rising calls for tech censorship against antiwar voices, and the baffling White House security incident that kicked off a wave of conspiracy talk.

If you want clear-eyed political analysis that doesn’t treat propaganda as news, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

Chapter Markers

• 0:00. Welcome Back Dave Smith
• 1:10 Regret And The 2024 Vote
• 6:45 Why Trump Changes In Term Two
• 11:00 The Venezuela Lesson And Iran
• 13:00 The Ego Trap Of Ending War
• 19:06 Midterms And Gas Price Politics
• 21:20 Democrats Struggle With Gaza Talk
• 25:17. Who Still Backs Trump Now
• 28:58 White House Security And Conspiracies
• 33:33 Plugs And Final Requests

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