The A.M. Update covers escalating tensions in Texas as House Speaker Dustin Burrows approves arrest warrants for Democrats who fled to block a GOP redistricting plan, with Governor Greg Abbott accusing them of abandoning their duties and delaying flood relief legislation. The DOJ, under Attorney General Pam Bondi, launches a grand jury investigation into the alleged Trump-Russia collusion hoax, prompted by DNI Tulsi Gabbard’s criminal referral. Internationally, the Kremlin downplays nuclear rhetoric after Dmitry Medvedev’s comments provoked a U.S. response, with Trump moving two nuclear submarines closer to Moscow. USDA Secretary Brooke Rawlins bans SNAP benefits for junk food, a move backed by HHS Secretary RFK Jr. as common sense. A DHS memo briefly linking disaster aid to Israel boycott policies stirs controversy before being revised. Chadd Wright delivers a powerful message on divine grace on the Joe Rogan Experience. Aaron McIntire reflects on his waning enthusiasm for the upcoming NFL and college football seasons, citing early start dates and cultural shifts, and invites feedback via a poll on X.

 

Texas redistricting, arrest warrants, Greg Abbott, Dustin Burrows, DOJ grand jury, Pam Bondi, Tulsi Gabbard, Trump-Russia, nuclear submarines, Kremlin, SNAP benefits, Brooke Rawlins, RFK Jr., DHS Israel memo, Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil coup, Chadd Wright, Joe Rogan, NFL season, college football, cultural decline

On the Monday edition, Aaron McIntire covers the U.S. Office of Special Counsel’s investigation into former special counsel Jack Smith for possible Hatch Act violations tied to his 2022 probes against Donald Trump. President Trump fires BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer after revised jobs data shows a slowdown, hinting at partisan manipulation. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting shuts down after losing funding, JD Vance jokes about probing UFOs, and a University of Iowa official admits to skirting DEI bans. A tragic church shooting in Seattle and Jared Allen’s heartfelt NFL Hall of Fame speech round out the show.   Jack Smith, Hatch Act, Donald Trump, Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs report, illegal immigration, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, JD Vance, UFOs, University of Iowa, DEI, Seattle

This A.M. Update: Week in Review recaps the week's top moments, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis exposing the H-1B visa scam that displaces American workers, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. detailing corruption in the vaccine injury compensation program, and comedian Tony Hawks sparking debate by refusing to leave an inheritance for his son. Plus, a look at the economy with mixed sentiments from listeners and Aaron’s personal take on tax relief hopes for next year.   Ron DeSantis, H-1B visas, immigration policy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., vaccine injury, pharmaceutical corruption, Tony Hawks, inheritance debate, economy, tax relief, A.M. Update Week in Review

On this No Suck Saturday, Aaron and Bella share five uplifting stories: a group of Iowa men from a Christian recovery program heroically save a man from a submerged car, a groom learns sign language to include his deaf in-laws in his wedding vows, a Pittsburgh man comforts a trapped driver, Alaskan locals save a beached whale, and Coach Deion Sanders reveals his inspiring recovery from bladder cancer. Plus, Bella answers listener health questions in the August edition of Ask Izzy, covering seed oils, constipation, and nighttime wakefulness.   Iowa rescue, sign language vows, Pittsburgh compassion, whale rescue, Deion Sanders, bladder cancer recovery, Ask Izzy, seed oils, constipation, blood sugar, health tips, No Suck Saturday

On this Friday edition of The A.M. Update, Aaron McIntire dives into newly declassified documents exposing Hillary Clinton’s role in a 2016 campaign plot to smear Donald Trump with Russia ties. The show also covers Trump’s frustration with Senate confirmation delays, a new presidential fitness council featuring Harrison Butker, tragic violence against Christians in the DRC, and Nicole Shanahan’s take on the Democratic Party’s shift toward centralized control. Plus, an engaging "Ask or Tell Me Anything" segment with listener questions on food, culture, and more.   Russiagate, Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Senate confirmations, presidential fitness council, Harrison Butker, DRC violence, Nicole Shanahan, Democratic Party, communism, Ask Me Anything, food supply, cultural commentary

President Trump announced a major trade deal with South Korea, securing $350 billion in U.S.-directed investments, $100 billion in energy purchases, and a 15% tariff on Korean goods, while U.S. exports face zero tariffs. U.S. GDP grew 3% in Q2 2025, surpassing expectations, with inflation dropping to 2.1%, prompting optimism from the White House despite the Federal Reserve holding interest rates steady. Nancy Pelosi endorsed a congressional insider trading ban after Trump accused her of profiting from insider knowledge, while a new Stanford study revised COVID vaccine lives saved to 2.5 million globally, far below WHO’s 14.4 million estimate. U.S. fertility rates hit a record low of 1.6 children per woman, with a Georgian church-led initiative cited as a model for reversing declines, and Senator Josh Hawley’s $600 tariff rebate proposal sparked debate as a morally questionable gimmick.

 

Trump South Korea trade deal, U.S. GDP growth, inflation rate, Josh Hawley, tariff rebates, Nancy Pelosi, insider trading, COVID vaccine study, U.S. fertility rate, Georgian Orthodox Church, Cincinnati violence, Vinay Prasad, FDA

A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula triggers tsunami warnings for Hawaii, Alaska, and the U.S. West Coast, with Japan’s Pacific coast expecting waves up to 3 yards. The quake, the largest since 2011, causes minor damage in Russia. The Senate confirms Trump’s DOJ nominee Emil Bove as a federal judge in a 50-49 vote. Dr. Vinay Prasad resigns from the FDA after facing Big Pharma backlash. Trump reflects on sparing Hillary Clinton from prosecution, contrasting it with the Russiagate hoax. Ron DeSantis criticizes H-1B visa abuse, and ICE arrests a Jamaican overstaying his visa, hired as a Maine police officer. Senator Josh Hawley proposes $600 tariff rebates for Americans. Job vacancies drop to 7.4 million.

 

Tsunami warning, Kamchatka earthquake, Shane Tamura, Manhattan shooting, emil Bove, Vinay Prasad, Trump administration, Ron DeSantis, H-1B visas, Josh Hawley, tariff rebates, economy

The A.M. Update reports on a violent Cincinnati brawl where five suspects face charges after viral videos showed a mob brutally attacking a man and a woman, with Police Chief Teresa Theetge condemning the "cruel" act and noting only one of 100 bystanders called 911. Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy spoke to victim Holly, a single mom left bloodied, highlighting official inaction. In Midtown Manhattan, a gunman with an assault rifle shot a police officer and a bystander at 345 Park Avenue before being neutralized, with no motive or identity yet confirmed. A federal judge blocks Trump’s defunding of Planned Parenthood’s Medicaid reimbursements, defying his tax legislation. Trump warns the UK on immigration during his Scotland visit, while the EU trade deal secures $600 billion in investments and lower tariffs. California Senator Alex Padilla pushes amnesty for long-term illegals, countered by JD Vance defending Trump’s DOJ transparency on Jeffrey Epstein. Ghislaine Maxwell appeals her sex trafficking conviction, and Beto O’Rourke compares Trump to Hitler. A Reno casino shooting kills three, with the suspect arrested but motive unclear. A UK job ad for a Sharia court administrator sparks outrage, and RFK Jr. targets reform of the corrupt Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Air analysis questions if random shootings in Manhattan and Reno could hint at Iran-linked sleeper cells activated post-border closure.

 

Cincinnati brawl, Manhattan shooting, Iran sleeper cells, Teresa Theetge, Vivek Ramaswamy, Planned Parenthood, Trump EU trade deal, UK immigration, Alex Padilla, JD Vance, Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, Beto O’Rourke, Reno shooting, Sharia court, RFK Jr., Vaccine Injury Compensation

The A.M. Update dives into major developments: President Trump and EU’s Ursula von der Leyen announced a trade deal with a 15% tariff on European imports, particularly automobiles, effective August 1, 2025, with Trump hinting at tariff rebate checks due to massive revenue and potential debt reduction. OMB Director Russ Vought claims progress toward a balanced budget, citing tariff revenues and spending cuts. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino’s cryptic X post about “shocking” discoveries in government corruption investigations raises questions, with no specifics provided. CIA Director John Ratcliffe alleges a criminal conspiracy in the Russiagate hoax, suggesting ongoing actions by DOJ and FBI. A harrowing evacuation at Denver International Airport due to a smoking American Airlines jet’s landing gear issue left one injured. A Michigan Walmart stabbing spree is charged as terrorism, while a Cincinnati brawl raises racial concerns. Comedian Tony Hawks’ decision to leave his wealth to charity, not his son, sparks debate about boomer inheritance trends and parental responsibility.

The A.M. Update Week in Review highlights key moments from the week. Malcolm Gladwell’s Wall Street Journal talk argues driverless cars, tested with Waymo in Phoenix, are too safe, incentivizing pedestrian misbehavior like kids playing soccer on streets, potentially causing urban gridlock. A discussion with Dr. Beisner reframes the global warming debate as not about human contribution (which he concedes is negligible) but about whether Earth exists for human flourishing or vice versa, questioning if conceding human impact is strategic. Tucker Carlson’s Turning Point USA speech critiques conservatives for focusing on minor victories like gender in sports while ignoring bigger issues like drugs and economic decline, linking moral and middle-class decay. Richard Nixon’s In the Arena excerpt on 1960s education dysfunction parallels today’s societal challenges, emphasizing education as a linchpin. The Trump administration earns a B+/A grade, marred by slow DOJ/FBI action on accountability, despite strong immigration and military recruitment gains. A poll shows 70.3% give Trump a “pass,” with critiques on Epstein files and Syria policy.   Malcolm Gladwell, driverless cars, Waymo, pedestrian behavior, global warming, Dr. Beisner, human flourishing, Tucker Carlson, Turning Point USA, moral decay, middle class, Richard Nixon, education dysfunction, Trump administration, DOJ accountability, Epstein files