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The Liberty Conspiracy Audio Pod, for 12-18-25
Greetings, fellow Conspirators!
From the Trump pull-back (for now) from a full-on invasion of Venezuela, to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine actually being right about something, we got to cover a large number of key breaking news stories, stories that offered learning opportunities to see key principles of liberty! Join us, live, m-f at 6 pm on Rumble and on X (“at” gardgoldsmith) and be sure to subscribe at Substack! Here are some of the key breaking stories we got to investigate…
Subscribe now
Share
US ECONOMY- Word from DC is that Trump was preparing to announce last night an invasion of Venezuela, but the negative outcry from about noon to night (prompted by people such as Tucker C and AntiWar) was so potent, White House Advisors warned him off it, delaying any such announcement, but continuing the sea attacks and military build up in an overall attempt to get Maduro to step aside. Instead of pushing his military marauding, Trump spent 18 minutes tooting his own “economic horn”. Of course, he filled the time with self-congratulatory lies and half-truths, avoiding key data points, and avoiding his own oath to protect and defend his Constitution.
Trump touted rapid economic progress under his administration, claiming he inherited soaring prices from the Biden era but was now driving them down dramatically. Key assertions included:
…”gasoline prices falling sharply” (implying averages under $2.50/gallon nationally, with some states at $1.99); “groceries and eggs plummeting” (eggs down 82% since March, Thanksgiving turkey down significantly); “car prices, hotel rates, and airfares declining quickly”; “inflation ‘stopped’” after being the worst in history; “wages rising much faster than costs”; and “a record $18 trillion in new investments secured”, largely via tariffs bringing factories home.
…Many claims were misleading, exaggerated, or false. National gas averaged ~$2.90/gallon on December 18, far above Trump’s implied figures, with no states averaging $1.99. Inflation stood at ~2.7-3.0% year-over-year in late 2025, similar to levels when Trump took office in January (3.0%), not halted nor inherited as a historic peak (it peaked at 9.1% in 2022).
…Grocery prices rose ~1.9-2.7% year-over-year; the egg drop reflected recovery from “avian flu peaks” (really, fake PCR claims of flu, and government orders to cull millions of birds), not broad declines. Wage growth marginally outpaced inflation, not “much” faster, with average hourly earnings up 3.5% year-over-year in November but slowing to just 0.1% monthly amid broader labor market weakness. And that does not include the higher number of unemployed. Unemployment has risen over the past few months, reaching 4.6% in November—a four-year high—up from 4.3% in August, signaling a crashing job market with payroll growth stalling since April. As a result, the “wage” measurements by the government are useless. The unemployed are not counted in wage rate statistics, which focus solely on employed workers, making these wage figures misleading as they fail to reflect the full economic strain on the broader labor force, where rising joblessness can mask underlying wage pressures or distortions.
…The $18 trillion figure overstated announced (not committed) investments, mostly from businesses that are being forced to shift operations into the US to avoid Trump’s tariff terrorism, in turn meaning that the investments are not being made on the back of decisions re productivity, but because of government coercion... This is not “investment” - it is extortion.
…. Here is CNN with a good X based check, and here are some sources you can utilize to refute Trump’s claims.
NYT Fact Check & Transcript: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/us/politics/fact-check-trump-economy-address.html
CNN Fact Check: https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/17/politics/fact-check-trump-prime-time-address
CNN Fact-Check Video (Daniel Dale): https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/17/politics/video/donald-trump-fact-check-politics-affordability-immigration-kaitlan-collins-daniel-dale
NBC News Fact Check: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-speech-fact-check-economy-immigration-rcna249837
Share Gardner Goldsmith
-”INFLATION” - The US government, which told us they were “shut down” for most of October, through November 12, one wonders how the federal bureaucracy can measure “inflation” (inflation already has occurred, these would be the price increases due to the inflation of the money supply. LINK This news likely will see the Federal Reserve lower rates again in a few weeks. Since the govt-granted monopoly of the Fed and the vast debt of the US both rule over the buying power of our money, it’s key to be aware of their terminology. The “federal funds rate” is the interest rate at which banks lend reserve balances to each other overnight. The Federal Reserve does not set a single precise rate but instead announces a target range (currently 3.50% to 3.75% as of the December 10 announcement). The Fed influences the actual market rate—known as the effective federal funds rate (a volume-weighted median of transactions)—to stay within this range using so-called “tools” like interest on reserve balances (IORB) and the overnight reverse repurchase agreement rate. Last week’s move to lower rates to 3.50%–3.75% was the third consecutive rate cut in 2025. The decision passed in a divided 9-3 vote, with some officials dissenting for no change and one favoring a larger cut. Here is a good piece from the MISES Institute on it: LINK
Subscribe now
WARUKRAINE -The EU is preparing to vote (likely tomorrow) to seize the Russian assets being held in Euroclear, in Brussels. The EU leadership has been able to change the manner of the vote, which will make it easier to steal the money. The EU previously renewed the freeze on approximately €210 billion in Russian sovereign assets (mostly held by Belgium-based Euroclear) every six months under the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) sanctions regime. This process required unanimous agreement among all 27 member states, giving any single country (e.g., Hungary) veto power.In December 2025, EU leaders shifted the legal basis to Article 122 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). This article allows the Council to adopt measures “appropriate to the economic situation” in cases of severe difficulties or exceptional crises, acting on a Commission proposal in a spirit of solidarity.
Why Article 122 Enables Weighted Voting: Article 122 justified the change by arguing that suddenly releasing the assets could trigger a liquidity crisis for Euroclear and broader eurozone instability. It requires only qualified majority voting (QMV) in the Council, bypassing unanimity and the European Parliament. Here is more, via RT LINK
-AND, as we suspected, the European Union leaders want to use this war-money system to help their friends at arms contracting corporations. LINK
-The Polish PM is vowing military action against Russia. LIN
K
VENEZUELA - The Trump gang went silent last night, as we mentioned, re VZ….
-And Maduro ordered the VZ Navy to escort tankers, thumbing his nose at Trump. Well done! LINK
-And the House did not pass Massie’s bill to require Trump to abide by the Constitution and NOT attack VZ in any way, without a “authorization by Congress” (itself a step away from the Constitutionally mandated Declaration of War). LINK
-In fact, both War Powers Resolutions failed in the U.S. House of “Representatives” yesterday. The two actually were Democratic-led measures, invoked under the 1973 War Powers Resolution to require congressional authorization for military actions:
One focused on Venezuela specifically (led by Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass, and Massie.): It aimed to direct the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in or against Venezuela. It failed narrowly, 211-213 (with a few Republicans like Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene joining most Democrats in support).
The other broader one (led by Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y. and Massie): It targeted hostilities with presidentially designated terrorist organizations (e.g., drug cartels) in the Western Hemisphere, including ongoing strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific. It failed 210-216.
These votes occurred amid escalating U.S. military actions in the region, including airstrikes on boats and buildup near Venezuela. No votes on these resolutions have been reported today (December 18, 2025).Sources:
New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/us/politics/trump-venezuela-house-vote.html
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-house-defeats-bids-rein-trump-venezuela-campaign-2025-12-17/
The Hill: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5653973-house-resolutions-venezuela-caribbean-boat-strikes/
NOTUS: https://www.notus.org/foreign-policy/house-trump-war-powers-vote-venezuela
House Clerk Roll Calls: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025345 (for one of them)
ISRAEL - Funding fiends inside Gaza, of course. LINK
-Sweeping through E. Jerusalem. LINK
Share Gardner Goldsmith
IMMIGRATION POLICE STATEThe U.S. Supreme Court is addressing a dispute over a Justice Department policy restricting immigration judges from publicly discussing immigration matters in their personal capacity, even off-duty. This policy, originating from the Trump era, was challenged by the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ) as a First Amendment violation. A D.C. federal district court ruled in their favor, allowing the lawsuit to bypass administrative exhaustion requirements. On December 17, 2025, Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily stayed that lower court decision, granting an emergency request from the administration to maintain the speech curbs while the Supreme Court considers the case. The NAIJ urged the Court to lift the stay, arguing it silences judges amid rising caseloads and policy pressures. As of December 18, 2025, no full Court ruling has been issued, but the stay highlights ongoing tensions in immigration enforcement and free speech rights for federal employees. Related rulings, like a judge easing congressional access to ICE facilities, underscore broader oversight battles. LINK
-Gov Mike D is unlikeable and wrong on many things but he is correct here. LINK
-New legal allegations of the already illegitimate ICE engaging in ugly activity. LINK
-More misallocations of capital due to govt climate fascism. LINK
Subscribe now
That’s it for now, all! MANY, MANY thanks for supporting freedom, and for sharing the links! And remember, you can back us here by becoming a paid subscriber if you would like, and feel free to watch Liberty Conspiracy LIVE on Gardner’s X @gardgoldsmith and on Rumble! Spread the word! Thanks, again! Please feel free to SHARE the links, and join us every M-F at 6 PM on Rumble, and my X @gardgoldsmith — and you also can donate to help the Liberty Conspiracy, itself! Just visit PayPal to help out! You also can mail GG at:
Gardner Goldsmith
PO Box 581
Amherst, NH, 03031
Share
Leave a comment
View all episodes
By Gardner GoldsmithGreetings, fellow Conspirators!
From the Trump pull-back (for now) from a full-on invasion of Venezuela, to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine actually being right about something, we got to cover a large number of key breaking news stories, stories that offered learning opportunities to see key principles of liberty! Join us, live, m-f at 6 pm on Rumble and on X (“at” gardgoldsmith) and be sure to subscribe at Substack! Here are some of the key breaking stories we got to investigate…
Subscribe now
Share
US ECONOMY- Word from DC is that Trump was preparing to announce last night an invasion of Venezuela, but the negative outcry from about noon to night (prompted by people such as Tucker C and AntiWar) was so potent, White House Advisors warned him off it, delaying any such announcement, but continuing the sea attacks and military build up in an overall attempt to get Maduro to step aside. Instead of pushing his military marauding, Trump spent 18 minutes tooting his own “economic horn”. Of course, he filled the time with self-congratulatory lies and half-truths, avoiding key data points, and avoiding his own oath to protect and defend his Constitution.
Trump touted rapid economic progress under his administration, claiming he inherited soaring prices from the Biden era but was now driving them down dramatically. Key assertions included:
…”gasoline prices falling sharply” (implying averages under $2.50/gallon nationally, with some states at $1.99); “groceries and eggs plummeting” (eggs down 82% since March, Thanksgiving turkey down significantly); “car prices, hotel rates, and airfares declining quickly”; “inflation ‘stopped’” after being the worst in history; “wages rising much faster than costs”; and “a record $18 trillion in new investments secured”, largely via tariffs bringing factories home.
…Many claims were misleading, exaggerated, or false. National gas averaged ~$2.90/gallon on December 18, far above Trump’s implied figures, with no states averaging $1.99. Inflation stood at ~2.7-3.0% year-over-year in late 2025, similar to levels when Trump took office in January (3.0%), not halted nor inherited as a historic peak (it peaked at 9.1% in 2022).
…Grocery prices rose ~1.9-2.7% year-over-year; the egg drop reflected recovery from “avian flu peaks” (really, fake PCR claims of flu, and government orders to cull millions of birds), not broad declines. Wage growth marginally outpaced inflation, not “much” faster, with average hourly earnings up 3.5% year-over-year in November but slowing to just 0.1% monthly amid broader labor market weakness. And that does not include the higher number of unemployed. Unemployment has risen over the past few months, reaching 4.6% in November—a four-year high—up from 4.3% in August, signaling a crashing job market with payroll growth stalling since April. As a result, the “wage” measurements by the government are useless. The unemployed are not counted in wage rate statistics, which focus solely on employed workers, making these wage figures misleading as they fail to reflect the full economic strain on the broader labor force, where rising joblessness can mask underlying wage pressures or distortions.
…The $18 trillion figure overstated announced (not committed) investments, mostly from businesses that are being forced to shift operations into the US to avoid Trump’s tariff terrorism, in turn meaning that the investments are not being made on the back of decisions re productivity, but because of government coercion... This is not “investment” - it is extortion.
…. Here is CNN with a good X based check, and here are some sources you can utilize to refute Trump’s claims.
NYT Fact Check & Transcript: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/us/politics/fact-check-trump-economy-address.html
CNN Fact Check: https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/17/politics/fact-check-trump-prime-time-address
CNN Fact-Check Video (Daniel Dale): https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/17/politics/video/donald-trump-fact-check-politics-affordability-immigration-kaitlan-collins-daniel-dale
NBC News Fact Check: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-speech-fact-check-economy-immigration-rcna249837
Share Gardner Goldsmith
-”INFLATION” - The US government, which told us they were “shut down” for most of October, through November 12, one wonders how the federal bureaucracy can measure “inflation” (inflation already has occurred, these would be the price increases due to the inflation of the money supply. LINK This news likely will see the Federal Reserve lower rates again in a few weeks. Since the govt-granted monopoly of the Fed and the vast debt of the US both rule over the buying power of our money, it’s key to be aware of their terminology. The “federal funds rate” is the interest rate at which banks lend reserve balances to each other overnight. The Federal Reserve does not set a single precise rate but instead announces a target range (currently 3.50% to 3.75% as of the December 10 announcement). The Fed influences the actual market rate—known as the effective federal funds rate (a volume-weighted median of transactions)—to stay within this range using so-called “tools” like interest on reserve balances (IORB) and the overnight reverse repurchase agreement rate. Last week’s move to lower rates to 3.50%–3.75% was the third consecutive rate cut in 2025. The decision passed in a divided 9-3 vote, with some officials dissenting for no change and one favoring a larger cut. Here is a good piece from the MISES Institute on it: LINK
Subscribe now
WARUKRAINE -The EU is preparing to vote (likely tomorrow) to seize the Russian assets being held in Euroclear, in Brussels. The EU leadership has been able to change the manner of the vote, which will make it easier to steal the money. The EU previously renewed the freeze on approximately €210 billion in Russian sovereign assets (mostly held by Belgium-based Euroclear) every six months under the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) sanctions regime. This process required unanimous agreement among all 27 member states, giving any single country (e.g., Hungary) veto power.In December 2025, EU leaders shifted the legal basis to Article 122 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). This article allows the Council to adopt measures “appropriate to the economic situation” in cases of severe difficulties or exceptional crises, acting on a Commission proposal in a spirit of solidarity.
Why Article 122 Enables Weighted Voting: Article 122 justified the change by arguing that suddenly releasing the assets could trigger a liquidity crisis for Euroclear and broader eurozone instability. It requires only qualified majority voting (QMV) in the Council, bypassing unanimity and the European Parliament. Here is more, via RT LINK
-AND, as we suspected, the European Union leaders want to use this war-money system to help their friends at arms contracting corporations. LINK
-The Polish PM is vowing military action against Russia. LIN
K
VENEZUELA - The Trump gang went silent last night, as we mentioned, re VZ….
-And Maduro ordered the VZ Navy to escort tankers, thumbing his nose at Trump. Well done! LINK
-And the House did not pass Massie’s bill to require Trump to abide by the Constitution and NOT attack VZ in any way, without a “authorization by Congress” (itself a step away from the Constitutionally mandated Declaration of War). LINK
-In fact, both War Powers Resolutions failed in the U.S. House of “Representatives” yesterday. The two actually were Democratic-led measures, invoked under the 1973 War Powers Resolution to require congressional authorization for military actions:
One focused on Venezuela specifically (led by Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass, and Massie.): It aimed to direct the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in or against Venezuela. It failed narrowly, 211-213 (with a few Republicans like Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene joining most Democrats in support).
The other broader one (led by Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y. and Massie): It targeted hostilities with presidentially designated terrorist organizations (e.g., drug cartels) in the Western Hemisphere, including ongoing strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific. It failed 210-216.
These votes occurred amid escalating U.S. military actions in the region, including airstrikes on boats and buildup near Venezuela. No votes on these resolutions have been reported today (December 18, 2025).Sources:
New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/us/politics/trump-venezuela-house-vote.html
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-house-defeats-bids-rein-trump-venezuela-campaign-2025-12-17/
The Hill: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5653973-house-resolutions-venezuela-caribbean-boat-strikes/
NOTUS: https://www.notus.org/foreign-policy/house-trump-war-powers-vote-venezuela
House Clerk Roll Calls: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025345 (for one of them)
ISRAEL - Funding fiends inside Gaza, of course. LINK
-Sweeping through E. Jerusalem. LINK
Share Gardner Goldsmith
IMMIGRATION POLICE STATEThe U.S. Supreme Court is addressing a dispute over a Justice Department policy restricting immigration judges from publicly discussing immigration matters in their personal capacity, even off-duty. This policy, originating from the Trump era, was challenged by the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ) as a First Amendment violation. A D.C. federal district court ruled in their favor, allowing the lawsuit to bypass administrative exhaustion requirements. On December 17, 2025, Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily stayed that lower court decision, granting an emergency request from the administration to maintain the speech curbs while the Supreme Court considers the case. The NAIJ urged the Court to lift the stay, arguing it silences judges amid rising caseloads and policy pressures. As of December 18, 2025, no full Court ruling has been issued, but the stay highlights ongoing tensions in immigration enforcement and free speech rights for federal employees. Related rulings, like a judge easing congressional access to ICE facilities, underscore broader oversight battles. LINK
-Gov Mike D is unlikeable and wrong on many things but he is correct here. LINK
-New legal allegations of the already illegitimate ICE engaging in ugly activity. LINK
-More misallocations of capital due to govt climate fascism. LINK
Subscribe now
That’s it for now, all! MANY, MANY thanks for supporting freedom, and for sharing the links! And remember, you can back us here by becoming a paid subscriber if you would like, and feel free to watch Liberty Conspiracy LIVE on Gardner’s X @gardgoldsmith and on Rumble! Spread the word! Thanks, again! Please feel free to SHARE the links, and join us every M-F at 6 PM on Rumble, and my X @gardgoldsmith — and you also can donate to help the Liberty Conspiracy, itself! Just visit PayPal to help out! You also can mail GG at:
Gardner Goldsmith
PO Box 581
Amherst, NH, 03031
Share
Leave a comment