At a time when democracy is under siege from Kremlin-backed strongmen to MAGA disinformation machines, this week’s Gaslit Nation bonus show offers much-needed hope. We unpack the NATO summit, celebrate a major grassroots victory in New York City, and also discuss how to contain Russia with security expert Candace Rondeaux, author of Putin’s Sledgehammer.

First up: NATO is finally stepping up. All member nations, except Spain, have committed 5% of their GDP to defense and security by 2035. Predictably, Trump is already trying to take credit, but this shift isn’t about him. It’s a direct response to Putin’s ongoing war in Ukraine. European leaders have learned how to handle Trump’s ego: offering flattery when necessary while quietly strengthening defenses against the very aggression he once downplayed. That’s not concession; it’s strategic diplomacy.

Meanwhile, in New York City, there’s real reason to celebrate: Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the Democratic primary for mayor is a major win for grassroots organizing and progressive politics. His campaign, alongside Brad Lander and others, championed public investment, reallocated resources from the NYPD’s military-sized budget, and pushed back against Fox News crime porn fearmongering and disinformation. It’s a clear signal that authentic, coalition-driven campaigns have the power to break through. Is the Democratic Party establishment listening?

And finally, don’t miss our powerful conversation with Candace Rondeaux, who outlines how to contain Russian fascism and the ongoing threat of the Wagner Group. As we’re always saying at Gaslit Nation: fascists don’t stop until they’re stopped.

Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit!

Show Notes

• Putin’s Sledgehammer – Candace Rondeaux: https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2025/6/17/putins-sledgehammer

• Manufacturing Impunity (Global Rights Compliance): https://globalrightscompliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Manufacturing-Impunity.pdf

• Trump’s NATO Summit – AP News: https://apnews.com/article/trump-nato-defense-ukraine-143b53c6429e8de256c8ce0b97fdcd7f

• Zohran Mamdani’s Victory Speech: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=zohran+mamdani

• Russian Parcel Attacks in Europe – Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lithuania-says-russia-responsible-exploding-parcels-that-caused-fires-2024-11-05/

• Lander & Mamdani Cross Endorsement Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYH_zerPE3M

• Danish Study on Mental Health & Society – Newsweek: https://www.newsweek.com/psychology-dark-triad-psychopathy-narcissism-personality-conditions-2085956

• IPS Study: Wealth Expands After Taxing the Rich: https://ips-dc.org/report-wealth-expands-after-higher-state-taxes-on-high-income-earners/

• Join Weekly Protests at Fox News (Rise and Resist): https://www.riseandresist.org/

Support Gaslit Nation on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/gaslit