The Cigar Politico

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This week's pod is packed with SuperBowl takes and what we are watching post-football (Baseball, NASCAR, the Winter Olympics)  We also recap the Grammy Awards and JellyRoll's take that no one should care what his opinion is (preach!).

We then dive into the political stories of the week, Trump letting a distasteful video get posted, not really apologizing, and our surprise the story kinda died.

Early voting for the 2026 primaries begins next week and we take a look at John Cornyn's Senate Seat up for grabs.

Its a free for all lineup of stories and commentary from the week gone by.

Check out the shownotes below for topics and remember to follow us livestreaming the show on Twitch and videos of the show on YouTube!

00:00 Opening & Cigars

11:50 The Mavs

18:15 Superbowl LX

38:46 NASCAR & The Winter Olympics

53:02 Grammy's Recap

57:02 JellyRoll

1:01:27 Billie Eilish

1:04:09 Trump Lion King/Obamas Video

1:12:57 2026 Primaries & Cornyn's Senate Seat

1:23:52 Texas Republican Primary Propositions & Property Taxes

1:30:55 Nancy Guthrie

1:33:33 Minnesota?

1:36:16 Social Media woes

1:42:39 Wrap Up & the Week Ahead

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Episode 056 – Winter Weather, Grading Trump’s First Year, & the Minnesota Propaganda War

In Episode 56 of The Cigar Politico, we kick things off talking about the recent snow and ice that rolled through Texas and how winter weather seems to bring everything to a halt across the country. From there, we shift into awards season — the politics, the performances, and whether Hollywood has any broader influence.

We also take a look at the first year of Donald Trump’s return to office, grading the administration’s performance so far and discussing how public perception compares to policy outcomes. The conversation turns toward the economy and why everyday Americans still feel like things are getting more expensive despite improving headlines and economic indicators.

The guys dive into what they describe as a growing propaganda battle taking place in Minnesota, examining media narratives, political messaging, and how stories evolve depending on who’s telling them. We also discuss Don Lemon’s arrest and the legal arguments surrounding the FACE Act, and whether enforcement in this case was justified.

Finally, we wrap up with Kid Rock’s appearance before Congress, where he spoke about the rising cost of concert tickets, industry fees, and whether government involvement has any place in fixing the live entertainment market.

As always, it’s a wide-ranging conversation covering politics, culture, economics, and current events — all with a cigar in hand.

Check out the show notes below and follow us on Twitch and YouTube!

00:00 Opening comments, ice & snow stories

21:02 The SuperBowl and do you like snow games?

25:11 Awards Season & Music

37:21 Grading the 1st year of Trump 2.0

45:02 Is it the economy or lifestyle expectations?

1:00:16 The Minnesota Propaganda War

1:09:26 Minnesota has a new sheriff in town

1:24:15 Don Lemon finds out

1:31:23 SAVE Act

1:37:37 Texas Democratic Senate Debate

1:41:43 Kid Rock fights for Concert Ticket prices

1:54:24 New Segment: The Cigar Lounge Bookshelf & Technology in the Classroom

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Episode 55 is a wide-ranging conversation with local rancher and entrepreneur Lee Wells, a true Texan man who wears a lot of hats—and wears them well. Lee joins us to talk about his life as a rancher and entrepreneur, including supplying beef for his farm-to-table burger restaurant. We dig deep into Texas agriculture, with a special focus on the beef industry, global market pressures, and how international forces impact American ranchers.

Beyond the ranch, Lee shares insights from his work as a documentary filmmaker, author, podcaster, and pastor, offering a unique perspective on leadership, faith, and building meaningful businesses. We also zoom out to discuss the mindset of entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and a few current political stories shaping the country right now.

It’s a thoughtful, grounded conversation about food, faith, freedom, and what it means to live a purpose-driven life in modern America.

Check us out live-streaming the show on Twitch and video of this episode on YouTube!

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We're back for the new year and Episode 054 kicks off with the NFL regular season coming to a close, playoff pictures tightening up, and the coaching carousel heating up. From there, we shift gears into international and domestic politics, breaking down the Trump administration’s move to arrest Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and what it signals for U.S. policy in the Western Hemisphere.

We also dig into Minnesota politics, where Tim Walz announces he will not seek another term as governor amid mounting scandal—raising big questions about accountability, media silence, and what comes next for the state’s leadership.

Before wrapping up with current events we look back a couple weeks to one of the most eyebrow-raising developments of 2025: the Trump administration reviving letters of marque, effectively authorizing private citizens to go after drug-smuggling boats. We discuss the historical roots of privateers, whether this strategy can actually work, and what it says about the escalating fight against international drug trafficking.

As always—sports, politics, history, and the stories of the day while enjoying a nice cigar.

Check us out live-streaming the show on Twitch and on YouTube!

00:00 Opening & Cigar talk

08:40 Dallas Cowboys, coaching carousel, & sports

19:14 Texas Sports Academy using Texas ESAs for "education"

33:14 Nicolas Maduro is arrested and arraigned

51:01 Nancy Pelosi says no doubt the Dems win the House in 2026

54:23 Tim Walz suspends campaign for Governor of Minnesota

1:00:51 Trump Admin revives Letters of Marque for Privateers

1:07:03 FCC cancels all new foreign drone licenses

1:09:59 SNAP benefits may no longer be used for junk food

1:13:27 GLP-1 is now in pill form

1:20:03 Jim Beam shuts down oldest operating distillery for 1 year

1:25:44 Trump recalls National Guard from 3 US cities

1:26:46 Smoke Sessions & Catching Up on current events

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Episode 053 kicks off with some big cultural and political headlines, starting with Jelly Roll being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry—and receiving a pardon from the Tennessee governor, sparking a broader conversation about redemption and second chances.

We then shift to geopolitics and energy as Venezuela faces a tightening oil quarantine, breaking down what it means for global supply, U.S. foreign policy, and Trump's message to Maduro.

On the domestic front, we dig into the auto industry as Ford Motor Company shutters its Lightning EV plant in Kentucky, raising serious questions about electric vehicle demand, government incentives, and whether the EV push is outpacing reality.

We wrap the episode by responding to comments made by Texas State Representative Brent Money in Episode 052—clarifying our question, expanding on the negative impact of expanded homestead exemptions on local schools, and continuing the conversation around Texas politics and accountability.

As always, it’s unfiltered discussion, real context, and straight talk without the corporate media gloss.

Find us live-streaming on Twitch and on YouTube.

00:00 Opening & Cigars

10:25 Jake Paul Fight

13:15 Jelly Roll has a great week

21:03 Texas school population numbers released

28:47 WB buys Netflix

32:03 Lake Mead at historic lows

38:18 Venezuela Oil Quarantine

48:06 Ford shutters Kentucky EV Plant

1:03:57 Historical Society sues Trump over the Ballroom

1:08:18 Expanded discussion on school finance (follow up from Episode 052)

1:23:16 Smoke Sessions

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This week on The Cigar Politico, we’re joined by Texas State Representative Brent Money (House District 2) for an in-depth conversation on some of the most pressing issues today.

We also discuss the sharp decline in narco boat activity, highlighting how the Trump administration’s enforcement strategy has dramatically reduced maritime drug smuggling in the Caribbean—down by roughly 91%. We discuss why aggressive interdiction matters, how cutting off trafficking routes protects American lives, and why slowing the flow of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs is a national security issue, not just a border talking point.

The conversation turns to public education, where we discuss school funding, accountability, and the ongoing battle over the future direction of Texas schools. We also dive into the rapid expansion of AI data centers across Texas, examining their economic upside, infrastructure strain, energy demands, and long-term implications for the state.

We wrap things up with Rep. Money’s predictions for upcoming Texas races, offering insight into what he’s seeing on the ground and how the political landscape may shift in the next election cycle.

As always, it’s a candid, no-nonsense discussion you won’t hear anywhere else.

00:00 Opening Discussion

09:26 Austrailia bans social media for kids under 16 & the Texas school cell phone ban

19:55 Rep. Money's thoughts on the 89th Regular Session of the Texas House

41:35 Family life as a State Representative

55:45 Narco-boats & stemming the tide of drugs in the Gulf

1:15:02 Property Tax Reform & Public Education Funding

2:04:42 AI Data Centers in Texas

2:12:54 Texas Agriculture (House Committee)

2:20:11 The THC debate in Texas

2:27:21 Notable Texas Races

2:44:45 Texas Redistricting Races

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Episode 51 — “Culturally Normal”

In this week’s episode, Clint and Kyle dive into the usual mix of sports updates and the biggest stories shaping the week. We break down the Tim Walz Minnesota Somali funding scandal, what’s known so far, and Tim's offense to the R-word.

From there, we turn to a series of Trump-related headlines: an executive order that autopen signatures are void, the rollout of proposed “Trump baby bank accounts”, and the Supreme Court’s decision to hear arguments on birthright citizenship—a case that could have huge implications on the interpretation of the Constitution for over 150 years.

We also play and react to a viral clip of California Governor Gavin Newsom calling on Democrats to start being more “culturally normal,” and what that means heading into 2026 and beyond.

Another episode packed with politics, culture, and the usual banter.

Find us live-streaming on Twitch, and on YouTube!

00:00 Opening & Cigar Talk

07:00 Pearl Harbor Remembrance

13:03 Is Black Friday dead?

17:48 Mascots

20:45 Sports talk, Concussions,The Cowboys chances, Schotty for the Win

31:44 CFP Bracket

38:50 Tyson factory closes

42:07 Gallup poll says lowest number of Americans drink regularly

46:09 Campbell's Soup

51:18 Netflix tries to buy WB/HBO

53:19 Trump increases Medal of Honor pension

58:54 Tim Walz Somali Fraud Scheme

1:10:12 Trump EO on AutoPen signings

1:17:57 New Texas laws taking effect

1:28:42 Trump baby savings accounts

1:31:49 SCOTUS agrees to hear Trump's EO on Birthright Citizenship

1:41:55 Gavin Newsom says Dems need to be "Culturally Normal"

1:51:48 Wrap Up

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🎙️ Episode 50 — The Big 5–0: Wives on the Mic + Wild Week in Politics

It’s a milestone episode of The Cigar Politico — Episode 50!

To celebrate, we brought the wives on for the final 30 minutes for some unfiltered, hilarious, behind-the-scenes banter you won’t want to miss.

Before they joined, we covered a packed slate of sports, current events, and political stories from a busy week:

🔥 What We Covered

• Sports Round-Up: Latest NFL, NBA, and college storylines we’re watching heading into the holiday stretch.
• Dept. of Education Says Nursing Is “Not a Profession”: What that ruling actually means, why it’s creating a firestorm, and why the headline is different from the reality.
• Congress Forces the Epstein Files Release: What’s included, what’s still being fought over, and why this could blow open long-standing allegations.
• Nicki Minaj Addresses the United Nations: Yep. That happened. We break down why she was there and the reactions online.
• Marjorie Taylor Greene Resigns from Congress: How it happened, what might have pushed her out, and what this means for the GOP.
• Supreme Court Allows Texas Redistricting Maps: What the decision changes (and doesn’t), and how it sets up the 2026 races.

💍 Special Segment — The Wives Take Over

For the last 30 minutes, the wives join the pod to celebrate Episode 50, share their candid thoughts about life with two political loudmouths, share their experiences and teachers and moms, and give their takes on the stories we covered. Chaos and comedy guaranteed.

Check the shownotes below, find us live-streaming on Twitch and find full episodes on YouTube!

00:00 Opening, Dallas Cowboys beat the Philthy Eagles (live commentary while we record) and other sports

11:45 Insurance stinks

15:55 Back to Sports, Rangers moves & the Mavs

20:25 The Dept of Ed rules that nursing is no longer a "profession" and what that actually means

25:23 The CDC says vaccines may be a cause of autism

31:23 Two Texans try to take over a Haitian island

33:44 Congress forces the release of all non-classified Epstien files

38:57 Nikki Minaj address the U.N.

45:47 Mamdani visits the White House

54:35 Marjorie Taylor Greene resigns from Congress and other rifts in conservative politics

1:01:26 Democrats run an ad telling the armed forces they can disobey the Commander in Chief

1:05:31 SCOTUS says the Texas redistricting map can stand

1:10:12 Texas mandates a reading list for all students

1:15:49 10 Commandments law in Texas put on hold

1:20:24 Smoke Sessions with the Wives

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In this episode, we fire up the cigars and jump right into the big Dallas news: the Mavericks firing GM Nico Harrison. We break down how we got here, Cuban back in the front-office, and reaction from Luka and the GOAT - Dirk.

Right after that, we get into a very Texas story—Buc-ee’s suing a Colorado underwear company for copyright infringement. We look at both logos, talk through the case, and explain why we don’t think they look anything alike despite the legal drama.  Do Beavers even like acorns?

We also swap a couple of recent movie reviews, sharing what’s worth watching and what you can skip.

Then we pivot to DC, where the government shutdown officially ended, with a group of Democrats who crossed the aisle to vote to reopen the government. We get into the political fallout and who actually came out on top - or just somewhere in the middle-ish.

From there, we dive into the controversy surrounding Tucker Carlson hosting Nick Fuentes, the reaction across media, and why it caused such a stir.

We also touch on Marjorie Taylor Greene going on The View and splitting from Trump on the Epstein files, exploring what that means for the MAGA universe.

Internationally, we cover the reported $100 million energy scandal in Ukraine, plus Trump's decision to move the Gerald Ford carrier group off the coast of Venezuela, raising a strong presence in the region.

Another week, another cigar—and plenty to break down.

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In this episode, the guys break down the aftermath of the November 4th general election and what the results mean heading into 2026. They react to the breaking news of Nancy Pelosi’s retirement and the passing of former Vice President Dick Cheney, then shift gears to talk about the government shutdown that finally looks to be ending. From Capitol Hill shakeups to state-level surprises, it’s another packed week of political headlines, hot takes, and cigar-side banter.

Find us live-streaming on Twitch and full episodes on YouTube!

00:00 Intro & Youth Sports

20:08 Help your kids face their demons

28:01 Cowboys DT Marshawn Kneeland

36:51 Dallas Sports

41:35 Nov 4, 2025 General Election

1:07:43 Government Shutdown update (last one?)

1:16:12 Nancy Pelosi announces retirement/Dick Cheney dies

1:27:59 Trump cuts the fat (125 million pounds)

1:32:02 is that video AI?

1:34:16 Smoke Sessions

1:45:33 Will Fetterman rise?