The American Dissent

On today’s show, Sam does a deep dive into three stories. First up, Vanity Fair published an excerpt from the newly released book by Matthew Cole called Princes and Theives: Jared Kushner and Mohamed bin Zayed’s Secret Plot to Remake the Middle East. This incredible revelation has already become a monster story and just this excerpt has made huge waves!

Second, a story coming out of Minnesota about fraud. Not the tired old story the GOP has been running on all year, but election fraud committed by popular conservative influencers trying to stir up drama. They got caught, and now they’re in big trouble! Could this be the end of James O’Keefe?

Last, we return to Ed Zitron’s coverage of the debt crisis surrounding the AI industry and the coming economic collapse of the industry. The numbers just don’t add up!

Here are links to the three articles in the episode:

Vanity Fair excerpt from Mattew Cole (paywalled): https://www.vanityfair.com/story/jared-kushner-hacked-phone-secret-negotiations

Alyssa Chen’s article on James O’Keefe in the Minnesota Reformer: https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/10/28/right-wing-influencer-james-okeefe-charged-with-voter-fraud-after-impersonating-registered-voters/

Ed Zitron’s Credit Crunch: https://www.wheresyoured.at/credit-crunch/

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On today’s show, Sam and Jen are thrilled about the success of Lula da Silva in Brazil and the Students’ List in Serbia winning convincingly over their fascist opponents. Lula’s win represents an end to what has become a lengthy winning streak for the right in Latin America.

Then it’s on to look at the Michigan race and the many headwinds making the race as difficult as possible for Abdul El-Sayed. He’s taking nearly as much fire from the center/right of the Democratic Party as he is from his Republican opponent. Meanwhile, he is getting a helluva boost from Barack Obama!

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On today’s show, Sam and Jen get back to Michigan for the second and final debate between Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers. Before they do: a quick check-in on election security and some goings-on in Minnesota.The El-Sayed debate leads to another debate, this time between the epitome of establishment politics—Neera Tanden of the Center for American Progress (CAP)—and Sam Seder of the Majority Report. What does it mean to be part of the left (which Neera distinguishes as outside of the Democratic Party) and why is Medicare for All not the right thing for America?With an optimistic perspective on what may happen on election day, it’s important to begin understanding the upcoming fights over policy within the Democratic Party. What will the future of policy look like?We’ll be revisiting this topic many times!Check out Sam Seder’s debate with Neera Tanden here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z507xSFKkyI&t=2668sAnd Mehdi Hasan’s Al Jazeera debate with her here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh49HPVMAg0&t=902sMusic licensed through Soundstripe.Code: LIPPQYRUP041WRZ8

On today’s show, Sam and Jen cover the two debates between Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and his hapless opponent Ron Schutz, longtime GOP legal though leader. Ellison is such a fantastic candidate and AG!

Before that coverage, we take a quick trip to Ohio where the Vice President is defending the indefensible: a political ad featuring a pedo protector! It’s as awful as you can imagine, and Vance is all the cringe.

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On today’s show, Sam and Jen break down the Minnesota Senate debate between Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and media personality Michele Tafoya. First, they highlight the brilliant viral video from rural Michigan of Abdul El-Sayed easily dispatching a Republican plant in his town hall, schooling the former Josh Hawley staffer on the basics of the US Constitution.

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On today’s show, Sam and Jen briefly take stock of where things stand in politics before diving into more coverage of candidates around the country. Today, it’s a focus on the second Maine debate between Troy Jackson and Susan Collins; the unusual CNN/Jubilee town hall set up for James Talarico (since Ken Paxton is apparently terrified to go near Talarico); and a couple of great moments from two different debates out of Montana’s first congressional district, where smoke jumper Sam Forstag is running an amazing insurgent campaign.

It’s a mere 19 days until the election. Vote early and in person if you can!!!

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On today’s show, Sam and Jen do more debate breakdowns, this time taking a look at the two Georgia Senate debates between John Ossoff and challenger Mike Collins; the Michigan debate between Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers; and the Iowa debate between Josh Turek and Ashley Hinson. Three VERY different debates!

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On today’s show Sam and Jen cover the latest outrages from Trump’s government run personal militia: DHS. They’ve raided the DC home of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. They opened fire at a car in New York City in the middle of a crowded street: there was a 5-year-old in the back seat.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, having sowed the wind, is now reaping the whirlwind. Ansar Allah, the Yemeni resistance against Saudi-led devastation of their country, is now firing uncontested ballistic missiles into Riyadh.

Meanwhile, the Russian war on Ukraine continues with Russia firing on civilian targets and Ukraine firing on Russian oil infrastructure, which has Trump piping mad.

Lastly, good news polling out of Minnesota!

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On today’s show, Sam covers some of the latest from the world of crypto legislation and regulation as well as the absolutely horrible financial situation surrounding AI and its grim future and implications on the broader economy. Thanks much to the work of Molly White and Ed Zitron.

Molly White’s Citation Needed article: https://www.citationneeded.news/issue-110/

Ed Zitron’s “Dead Money”: https://www.wheresyoured.at/dead-money/

Ed Zitron’s “Credit Crunch”: https://www.wheresyoured.at/credit-crunch/

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On today’s show, Sam and Jen break down two debates, one in Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District between challenger Trina Swanson and incumbent Pete Stauber and the Maine Senate debate between challenger Troy Jackson and incumbent Susan Collins. Two different strategies by the challengers, let’s dig in!

But first, an acknowledgement of three years since the genocidal slaughter in Gaza began. A dark day and far too many lives lost.

Also, the merger of Paramount/Skydance and Warner Brothers Discovery is now complete. Will the financials cause an immediate sell-off? It looks awfully bad for the Ellisons. This merger should NEVER have been allowed! How does AI play a role? Play the video!

Michigan Trump voters are conflicted about their Senate race. Could it be that some of them plan to vote for El-Sayed or just sit out entirely? Looks like it!

Join us for our debate breakdown!!

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