The Joe Pags Show

The Sound Byte of the Night delivers an instant classic when Vice President JD Vance accidentally calls the “far left” the “fart left”—and even Vance can't help but acknowledge the slip. Then it's back to serious business as President Trump continues laying out his fight against international drug cartels before signing a major security agreement with Denmark and Greenland that significantly expands America's military presence on the island, including two new U.S. defense areas. Meanwhile, the White House's new 24/7 “Trump TV” YouTube stream is already generating plenty of controversy amid the ongoing fight with major media outlets. Then economist Vance Ginn, a former White House chief economist, joins for a deep dive into something hitting every American's wallet: interest rates. The Federal Reserve just raised its benchmark rate for the first time in more than three years as it tries to bring persistent inflation under control. What does that mean for mortgages, credit cards, borrowing and prices? Is today's economy actually stronger than it was under Biden? And how can raising interest rates ultimately help bring inflation back down? Ginn breaks down the economics in a way everyone can understand.

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The media fight isn't going away. After CNN, MS NOW and Politico were barred from the White House, Pags argues that access to the building is a privilege—not an unlimited right—and cuts through the First Amendment fight surrounding the ban. Then a shooting involving an ICE officer in North Austin explodes into the headlines, with stories emphasizing that a DoorDash driver was shot and remains detained with a bullet in his back. But buried much deeper in the coverage is another key fact: DHS says the Venezuelan man entered the country illegally and was under a final order of removal. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation. Pags cuts through the hysteria and misleading headlines, while also making clear he doesn't believe ICE should be operating in unmarked vehicles. It's another reminder of why where you get your news matters. Plus, Austin Rep. Greg Casar's reaction gets airtime before the White House launches “TRUMP TV,” a new online stream debuting Monday night. Trump also weighs in on the media controversy himself before heading to New York City's Gracie Mansion for another meeting with democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who invited him. The two have maintained regular contact despite major political differences, but Pags says that as a Trump supporter, he doesn't like seeing the president spending this much time with Mamdani—and explains why.

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The hour opens with a look back at Barack Obama and Pags’ argument that his presidency helped deepen America’s political divisions, including a look at what Rush Limbaugh was warning about at the time. Then the Lindsay Clancy case takes another wild turn. Defense attorney Kevin Reddington is asking the judge to investigate the lone holdout juror, including his alleged cellphone use during deliberations, his juror questionnaire and potentially his phone records. The judge has not yet ruled on the request. Pags has some VERY strong words for Clancy’s attorney and the latest legal maneuver. Then Kay Hill joins for an in-depth conversation about the White House media fight. CNN, MS NOW and Politico are suing over their loss of White House access, while ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox have joined CNN in halting pooled video coverage of presidential events. Why are outlets that weren't banned joining the fight—and why are they doing it now? There may be more to the strategy than meets the eye, and this is a conversation you have to hear.

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The Iran war keeps expanding, and now the Houthis are creating another major problem in Yemen. Iran-backed Houthi forces are pushing for more territory near critical Red Sea shipping routes, while reports say President Trump recently called off planned U.S. strikes against them. Pags asks the obvious question: Why didn't we just take them out when we had the chance? Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the U.S. pressure campaign could effectively ground Iranian airlines worldwide beginning Wednesday, and U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz previews Trump's upcoming showdown at the United Nations over accusations involving U.S. military actions in Iran. Then things get a little lighter with Gavin Newsom and Jake Tapper going fishing—and some deep-sea fishing talk from the crew—before another story really gets under Pags' skin. Amazon delivery drones are increasingly filling the skies over Richardson, Texas, after the FAA approved expanded operations, and residents are raising concerns about noise and the sheer number of flights overhead. Are we really ready to automate even MORE of our lives and accept drones constantly buzzing over our neighborhoods? Pags isn't sold, even as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy talks about embracing the best technology available. Plus, Bessent keeps getting pressed on AI as Washington wrestles with just how quickly this technology should reshape everyday American life.

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Free Speech Friday kicks off with a massive Truth Alert as President Trump announces a historic Greenland agreement securing expanded, permanent U.S. military rights on the strategically critical island. Then Hasan Piker says the Middle East would be “more stable” if Iran had nuclear weapons—and Pags absolutely tears the argument apart in a must-hear moment. The phones light up before another huge story breaks: Trump says CNN, MS NOW and Politico are being banned from the White House. That brings the First Amendment front and center as Pags breaks down what freedom of the press actually protects and where presidential authority over White House access comes into play. Plus, Trump takes questions from reporters, and listeners have plenty to say about it all.

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A bizarre Gavin Newsom image has people asking whether it's even real, and Pags breaks down what he's seeing. Then the spotlight turns to Trump-endorsed Florida Rep. María Elvira Salazar after she released a campaign ad directly challenging the president's immigration enforcement, saying it has gone “too far.” That has Pags asking a much tougher question: Did Salazar misrepresent where she stood to get Trump's endorsement? Her video gets the full treatment, along with the administration's response defending its immigration crackdown. From there, Pags makes one thing crystal clear—he's certainly not joining the crowd calling to defund the police. Listeners write in and get answers live before the amazing Dr. Carol Swain returns for Part 2. The accomplished author and political scientist digs into a question frustrating conservatives across the country: Why do Republicans so often seem determined to fight their own side while Democrats appear far more disciplined? It's a fascinating breakdown of the political landscape and the divisions shaping the GOP.

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The Don Jr. wedding story gets another update as President Trump says his son told him he will repay Umar Kremlev for the money spent on two wedding celebrations in the Bahamas. Trump says he doesn't know Kremlev and dismissed the controversy as "not a big deal," while Pags breaks down what actually happened versus the political narrative surrounding it. Then construction begins on new border barriers in Texas' Big Bend region as the administration continues expanding its border-security infrastructure. And FINALLY—the Pentagon releases another batch of UFO files, including documents tied to a secretive military program. Pags says Americans deserve the full truth about what the government knows. Plus, questions swirl over whether Universal will actually release its Elon Musk documentary after reports that the studio is reconsidering its plans. Then Erin Molan joins the show for a special interview wrapping up a wild week—from Ed Sheeran and the Lindsay Clancy case to Sydney Sweeney, Gavin Newsom and plenty more.

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Pags starts with the latest on the Iran war as the conflict increasingly draws attention toward Yemen and President Trump weighs what comes next. Then the lone holdout juror in the Lindsay Clancy trial finally speaks publicly, calling several fellow jurors “activists” and giving his side of what happened inside the deliberation room. Pags digs into his claims and asks listeners where they stand—and the phone lines explode. Then attention turns to Mitch McConnell after a confusing moment during a Senate Agriculture Committee vote. Video shows Sen. John Hoeven initially telling McConnell to vote “no,” apparently misunderstanding which question was being voted on, while McConnell maintained his “aye” vote; the farm bill ultimately advanced 12–11. Pags plays the clip and questions whether Washington applies the same standards to aging politicians on both sides of the aisle. Plus, a federal judge orders the Kennedy Center to provide 30 days' notice before making significant physical changes to the building.

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Pags says Texans need to be paying very close attention to the Senate race, and he's sounding the alarm over James Talarico. New undercover video features a minister from Talarico's longtime church questioning whether his recent political makeover is genuine, and Pags digs into what voters are being told versus Talarico's record. Then Gavin Newsom casually floats the idea of running for president during a bizarre fishing video, and Pags gets into Rep. María Elvira Salazar breaking with President Trump on immigration despite receiving his endorsement. Then former ESPN anchor Sage Steele joins Pags for an incredible Part 1. They tackle Caitlin Clark, the WNBA and the question the league seemingly refuses to answer clearly: What determines whether someone is eligible to play in a women's league? Plus, Steele takes us behind the scenes of ESPN, why SportsCenter used to be must-see television, what changed and why she ultimately walked away.

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Pags dives into a major decision facing President Trump as the Iran war spreads further into Yemen. Trump says he's weighing whether to resume large-scale attacks on Iran, asking whether he wants to “go in and annihilate them,” while also saying he hopes the months-long war is nearing an end. Pags doesn't mince words about where he stands: If America is going to fight a war, he argues, the objective should be to win it. The phone lines light up as listeners weigh in on what Trump should do next. Then the amazing Sage Steele returns for Part 2. The former ESPN anchor and host ofThe Sage Steele Show gets into Caitlin Clark, the WNBA and the debate over eligibility in women's sports before taking Pags deeper inside what happened at ESPN. What changed at SportsCenter? Why did something that was once must-see TV lose its way? And what ultimately pushed Steele to leave? It's another fascinating conversation with plenty more to unpack.

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