The Mark Thompson Show

"Pete Hegseth wants a manly military. And he really, really wants you to know how badly he wants a manly military. In his 2024 book, The War on Warriors, Hegseth worried that the military risked becoming “effeminate, and apologetic”; he insisted that what liberals really want is “soft men, and a weak military,” and he scolded “Pentagon pussies” who refuse to stand up for soldiers on the battlefield. As secretary of defense, Hegseth has blocked the promotion of female military officers, removed the first woman to lead the Navy, and ordered a review of women’s “effectiveness” in ground-combat roles. He has also used the Defense Department’s social-media channels to post a steady stream of tougher-than-thou videos." Mr. Mo'Kelly and David Katz will join us to discuss the top stories of the week. The Mark Thompson Show 7/16/26

Todd Blanche is getting grilled today as he faces what could be the toughest test of his confirmation process to become Attorney General. Senators are expected to press him on the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, allegations of politically motivated prosecutions, his close ties to President Trump, and his support for a proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund. With Republicans holding only a narrow advantage on the Senate Judiciary Committee, today’s hearing is likely to produce sharp exchanges and revealing answers. We’ll break down the biggest moments, what Blanche says under oath, and what it all means for the future of the Justice Department and the confirmation fight ahead. 
"Donald Trump has threatened to expand US strikes on Iran next week to target power plants and bridges if Tehran does not agree to a deal amid a continuing dispute over the strait of Hormuz.
“Next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges,” the US president said in a Fox News interview on Tuesday. “We’re going to knock out all their power plants. We’re going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate.”
Trump made similar comments in March, when he threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power stations and fresh water plants if Tehran did not agree to peace terms “shortly”. Destroying civilian infrastructure such as power and water facilities would be illegal under international humanitarian law and would probably constitute a war crime."
Michael Shure, John Rothmann, and Jared Yates Sexton will join us to discuss the top stories of the week.
The Mark Thompson Show 
7/15/26

Today's Guests Links
David Ost https://thenewpress.org/books/red-pill-politics/
Mike Musheiesh https://www.detroitaxle.com/
Jared Yates Sexton https://jaredyatessexton.substack.com/
        https://www.jysexton.com/
John Rothmann https://www.spreaker.com/show/around-the-political-world
  https://www.youtube.com/@aroundthepoliticalworld_
Jared Yates Sexton https://jaredyatessexton.substack.com/
  https://www.jysexton.com/
MichaelShure https://twitter.com/michaelshure
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"A federal judge on Monday imposed professional penalties against lawyers representing President Trump in a civil lawsuit he brought against the IRS and harshly criticized the Justice Department for its handling of the case, concluding that the suit was brought for an "improper purpose."
In a scathing 56-page decision, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams referred one of Mr. Trump's lawyers, Alejandro Brito, to the Florida Bar for potential disciplinary action. The judge limited the ability of a second lawyer, Daniel Epstein, to practice in the Southern District of Florida."
"US military says latest strikes will ‘continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping’ in strait of Hormuz
Donald Trump’s announcement that the US will start charging ships for safe passage through the strait of Hormuz comes after his administration has until now insisted the waterway should remain open to all without tolls – as it was before the US and Israel attacked Iran in late February."
Michael Shure and David Cay Johnston will join to discuss the top stories. 
The Mark Thompson Show 
7/14/26
Today's Guests Links
Gary Lucks https://www.garylucks.com/
Prof. David Cay Johnston at RIT, Pulitzer Prize winning Author & Investigative Journalist  https://bsky.app/profile/davidcayjohnston.bsky.social

Prof. David Cay Johnston at RIT, Pulitzer Prize winning Author & Investigative Journalist  https://bsky.app/profile/davidcayjohnston.bsky.social
Michael Shure https://twitter.com/michaelshure
The Rundown-

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"President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States was reinstating a naval blockade on Iran and would be reimbursed 20% on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz after ​Tehran claimed it had closed the vital waterway.
"The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, ‌with or without Iran. We are reinstating THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE," Trump said on Truth Social."
"Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Sunday in his first public statement since he was hospitalized nearly a month ago that he was “briefly unconscious” after he suffered a fall.
In the statement, accompanied by a photo of McConnell smiling in a hospital chair alongside his wife, Elaine Chao, he said doctors have not yet cleared him to return to the Senate floor to vote.
“But rest assured that, in the meantime, I’m not taking a break from the Senate business that matters to you,” McConnell said. “I’ve also been keeping in touch with my Senate colleagues on the appropriations process, midterm politics, and everything in between.”
McConnell, 84, said he has “submitted to every test” doctors can think of to figure out what prompted the fall and has moved from the hospital to a rehabilitation center where, he said, he will “keep regaining my strength.”"
Michael Shure, Gary Dietrich, and Sarah Kendzior will join to discuss the top stories. 
Looking for Sarah Kendzior’s substack? 
https://sarahkendzior.substack.com/
You can slso find links to Sarah’s books at: 
https://sarahkendzior.com/
The Mark Thompson Show 
7/13/26
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"An erratic and at times irascible Donald Trump has said he felt a “tremendous love” from western leaders at the Nato summit, only hours after lambasting them over their defence spending and not helping the US in attacking Iran." "President Donald Trump on Wednesday blundered his way through a briefing with reporters during a crunch summit of the NATO military alliance in Ankara, Turkey. While sitting alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president bragged about the U.S. military’s ability to resist attacks from Iran, specifically an assault on the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln." Mr. Mo'Kelly and David Katz will join us to discuss the top stories of the week. The Mark Thompson Show 7/9/26

CNN's Scott Jennings claims to have recently spoke to Mitch McConnell on the phone while he's been in the hospital. Unfortunately, Republican cable news analysts aren't the most trustworthy people in the world so who knows how much of his claim is true...
Michael Shure, John Rothmann, and Jared Yates Sexton will join us to discuss the top stories of the week.
The Mark Thompson Show 
7/8/26
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A major controversy has erupted in Maine's U.S. Senate race after a 41-year-old woman publicly accused Senate candidate Graham Platner of sexually assaulting her five years ago. The allegation has thrown his campaign into turmoil, with numerous Democratic voices calling on him to withdraw from the race.
Donald Trump pretty much admitted on Monday he meddled in the World Cup over a red card given to a USA team player during Wednesday’s game against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
According to the rules, Folarin Balogun should’ve been suspended for Monday’s game against Belgium, but FIFA lifted the suspension on Sunday after Trump asked officials to review the call ― despite the lack of an official appeals process for appealing the penalty.
David Cay Johnston and Mo Kelly will join us to discuss the top stories of the week.
The Mark Thompson Show 
7/7/26
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On the 250th anniversary of American independence, hundreds of masked members of Patriot Front, a neo-fascist, white supremacist organization, marched through Washington DC. To the horror of many onlookers, the group gathered at Union Station carrying banners, including the Confederate flag, before marching toward Capitol Hill.The group was also spotted riding the DC Metro, drawing concerned reactions from other passengers. We’ll explore what this reveals about extremism in America and whether it’s inflamed by Trump and his MAGA movement. 
iHeart Political Analyst Gary Dietrich will stop by to talk politics. 
The conversation continues with author and scholar Sarah Kendzior. 
The Mark Thompson Show 
7/3/26
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There is a Presidential package option for the wealthy to watch Trump’s fireworks extravaganza. The Kennedy Center is offering a $25,000 VIP fireworks experience for the Fourth of July display in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, the mishaps continue with a big chunk of the stage at the Great American Fair crashing down and narrowly missing a group of dancers. Is Trump cutting corners on this celebration? We are following the indictment of three-time U.S. Olympian David Hearn over alleged damage to the National Mall reflecting pool, and the questions surrounding President Trump's reported $1.4 billion in cryptocurrency income and what it could mean for his tax bill. Michael Shure and Mo Kelly will join us to discuss the top stories of the week. We will check in on our friends in Florida for some Friday Fabulous Florida craziness. The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder, will wrap it up with a look at the latest theater and streaming options for the weekend ahead.

Tucker Carlson is now openly talking about helping build a new third party after breaking with the GOP over Trump’s war with Iran — a major sign of fracture inside the MAGA/right-wing coalition. Once one of Trump’s loudest media allies and a key voice pushing JD Vance into the VP slot, Carlson now says the Republican Party has abandoned “America First” principles and become indistinguishable from Democrats on war and finance. His proposed third-party push could expose a deeper rebellion inside Trump’s base — one driven by anger over foreign wars, immigration, and distrust of both major parties. Controversial continues to follow President Trump's new presidential aircraft. In his first flight aboard the Boeing 747 donated by the Qatari royal family, Trump has acquired what he calls a plane "nobody's ever seen anything like it." This $400 million jumbo jet was anything but free though it was gifted by Qatar's royal family. Taxpayer-funded military and communications upgrade costs could total $1 billion, in addition to the legal questions surrounding foreign gifts to government officials. Considering that Trump plans to take the plane with him when he leaves office and it makes for a thick jungle full of government ethics, presidential perks, and the use of taxpayer money. This unprecedented acquisition represents one of the most extravagant presidential decisions in U.S. history, and we're breaking down everything you need to know about it. Former federal prosecutor and now defense attorney, the brilliant David Katz will join us to give us his take on the most recent Supreme Court decisions and more.