Big John and Mike ter Maat break down the November 2025 election results — from Zoran Mamdani’s historic New York City win to California’s Prop 50 — and debate what it all signals for America’s political future, fiscal priorities, and individual liberty. – Trump pushes to end Senate filibuster amid shutdown– NYC elects its first […]

Big John and Mike ter Maat dissect the Trump administration’s escalating conflict with Harvard University — from frozen federal grants to accusations of anti-Semitism and political bias. What does this showdown mean for free speech, academic independence, and America’s reputation as a global education leader? – Libertarian take: defending free inquiry from all sides– $2B […]

Big John and @MikeTerMaat_ react to new data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis suggesting the U.S. may already be in a recession. They break down what’s real, what’s political spin, and why Amazon’s clash with the Trump administration reveals deeper issues about government overreach and economic transparency. – Why libertarians fear state intrusion into […]

Big John and Mike ter Maat break down the controversial U.S.–Ukraine minerals agreement and its connection to ongoing peace talks. What’s the real motive—economic opportunity, geopolitical leverage, or a quiet pretext for deeper involvement? – Whether the U.S. or Europe can—or should—guarantee Ukraine’s security– How the May 1 deal gives U.S. investors first access to […]

Big John and Mike ter Maat break down President Trump’s high-stakes Asia tour — including meetings with Japan, Malaysia, and China’s Xi Jinping. They explore rare earth minerals, trade dependencies, Taiwan tensions, and the future of U.S.–China relations. – Libertarian concerns over government intervention– Trump’s stops in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea– The Xi meeting […]

In this Liberty Lens classic, Big John and Mike ter Maat dissect the decline of “woke” culture — from corporate DEI retreats to Zuckerberg’s reversal on content moderation — and explore whether artificial intelligence might be the next force shaping conformity. – Is AI the next engine of social engineering?– How “woke” culture collapsed in […]

In this Liberty Lens classic, Big John and Mike ter Maat dive into the unprecedented wave of pardons issued by outgoing President Biden and incoming President Trump — including Hunter Biden, J6 defendants, and Ross Ulbricht — and debate whether the pardon power has become a political weapon rather than a tool of justice. – […]

In this Liberty Lens classic, Big John and Mike ter Maat break down the Trump administration’s immigration actions — from deportations to Guantanamo — and ask what liberty means when policy meets principle. A measured, thoughtful look at how language, law, and freedom intersect in America today. – Why communication failures shape national division– Why […]

Author and podcaster Antony Sammeroff joins Mike ter Maat from Scotland to discuss how the U.S. and its leaders are viewed abroad—from foreign policy and NATO to cultural export and liberty’s global reach. Big John opens and closes with reflections on America’s example in the world. – What “liberty” means to those outside America– How […]

In this Liberty Lens classic, Big John and Mike ter Maat analyze President Trump’s breakneck foreign-policy announcements — from Gaza to tariffs — and what they reveal about strategy, ethics, and liberty. They tackle CIA buyouts, foreign-aid cuts, and the possible end of the Department of Education in a wide-ranging conversation. – Why tariffs hurt […]