The Mark Thompson Show

American “hardliners” opposing the US–Iran memorandum of understanding, are being accused of selectively trusting Iranian state-linked messaging while dismissing diplomatic progress. Details of the agreement remain incomplete. Vice President JD Vance is saying sanctions relief and un-freezing assets would be conditioned on Iran’s follow-through in upcoming technical talks over the next two months. Responses are mixed: hardliners inside Iran are protesting, some US and Israeli critics warn of risks, while other international leaders call the deal a potential game-changer. 
We will talk about it with John Rothmann. He is a  presidential historian, a Middle East expert with a particular point of viewand the host of a
Around the Political World with John Rothmann.
Jayar Jackson, from The Young Turks, will stop by to talk politics. 
The conversation continues with author and political commentator Jared Yates Sexton.
The Mark Thompson Show 
6/17/26
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Is Trump’s Iran War and apparent peace deal a win or another Trump headline in search of substance?  
President Trump is touting a new Iran deal as a major breakthrough, but lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are asking what’s actually in this agreement. 
The reported deal comes with big promises about stability, security, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but details are scarce and even some Republicans say they’ll need answers before declaring victory.
We will run it past Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston. 
Mark talks politics with progressive host and author Thom Hartmann.
The Mark Thompson Show 
6/16/26
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Trump’s UFC White House stunt was quite the spectacle. President Trump’s birthday party/UFC fight event on the White House lawn brought out the bros, from Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Kris Marszalek, CEO of Crypto.com and David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount Skydance to Pete Hegseth and Kash Patel. Was the event intended to rescue a “macho” image for a president that seems to be getting weaker  and sleepier by the day? A president made to look even weaker by not being able to steamroll Iran as he planned?  Mark will discuss. 
The conversation continues with author and scholar Sarah Kendzior. You can always find more from Sarah at  https://sarahkendzior.substack.com/
The Mark Thompson Show 
6/15/26
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Elon Musk has built some of the most valuable companies on Earth, but how much of that success comes from innovation, and how much comes from a system that gives billionaires a different set of rules? As SpaceX’s valuation soars and IPO speculation grows, we look at the regulations, government support, private market advantages, and exceptions that critics say helped fuel the Musk empire. Were the rules bent ? Here we go again with the back-and-forth on Trump’s Iran War. Trump says a deal is imminent, but Iran says there’s no final decision on that. It’s contrary to what President Trump told reporters - that a settlement has been reached and a memorandum of understanding could be signed soon, likely in Europe. In keeping with that statement, Trump called off planned hard strikes on Iran. Meanwhile, there’s word that Iran tried to strike commercial ships trying to get through the Strait of Hormuz and US officials shot down Iranian attack drones. The reports are conflicting from all angles. Is this part of Trump’s strategy or does the Trump administration, once again, not really have a handle on what it’s doing? We’ll put the question to Michael Shure and Mo Kelly who join us for ‘This Week in Politics.’ Then, it’s all about weekend frivolity with a swing by the state of Florida to check in on the craziness and a look at movies with The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder. Bring on the weekend! The Mark Thompson Show 6/12/26

Bill Gates has some big regrets when it comes to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Yesterday, Gates testified to the House Oversight Committee about his past ties to Epstein. In a closed-door hearing, Gates said Epstein attempted to leverage information about Gates’s extramarital affairs “to pressure me to re-engage with him” after Gates had begun to cut ties. Gates said he regretted meeting with Epstein, but had never seen Epstein commit criminal conduct, and denied victimizing anyone. He acknowledged the meetings were a “grave error in judgment” that risked his reputation and his philanthropic work. Meanwhile, Epstein‘s longtime former personal assistant is reportedly giving Congress some names of people connected to Epstein. This comes as the House Oversight Committee Chair is reportedly working to bring acting AG Todd, Blanche in to testify. We welcome former federal prosecutor, and now defense attorney, David Katz to talk about the new revelations and whether there may be any legal fallout. We are excited to talk politics with Russ Baker. He is the founder of news organization whowhatwhy.org Then, we’ll find out what’s new to sip and wear at Coachellavalleycoffee.com as Roastmaster General Cliff Young stops by the show.

A ceasefire broken. The U.S.launched “self-defense strikes” on Iranian air defense and radar sites last evening after a U.S. Apache helicopter was downed Monday near the Strait of Hormuz. The two pilots were rescued. This came after President Trump said the U.S. response “should be very strong, very powerful,” and earlier said talks with Iran were in their “final throes,” possibly concluding in “two or three days” though the status of those negotiations is now unclear.  Sources say U.S. targets included Iranian air defenses and radar installations as part of the retaliation. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran will not leave any attack "unanswered."
Mo Kelly speaks with political analyst John Rothmann about what this escalation means for any potential deal to end Trump’s Iran War. 
Mark welcomes the authors of ‘Notes of Deception.’ Drs. Merryl Goldberg and Vince Houghton tell the story of a quartet of American musicians that outwitted the KGB. 
We also consider how much we as consumers really need and how we can benefit our own communities. Kate Assaraf, founder and CEO of DIP Haircare  joins.
The Mark Thompson Show 
6/10/26

Kate Assaraf
https://dipalready.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-assaraf-b25a741a7

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President Trump is likely not pleased at having to relive a booing crowd over and over again as the video replays today. He attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden last night and became the first sitting U.S. president at an NBA Finals game. When the arena showed him on the jumbo screens during the national anthem as he gave a military salute, he was met with loud boos from the crowd; the jeers subsided when the U.S. flag appeared and fans cheered the Knicks. Trump watched from Knicks owner James Dolan’s suite with guests including his granddaughter Kai, adviser Boris Epshteyn, and several Cabinet officials. His visit prompted heavy Secret Service and NYPD security, perimeter fencing, TSA-style screenings and an early-arrival recommendation for fansr. The outside watch party had to be moved and those fans also joined in the booing of Trump. After the game, Trump said the reaction was “mostly cheers.”
We will discuss the fan reaction and whether it’s a trivial moment at a sporting event or whether it may be tied deeper to growing discontent with Trump‘s job performance.
Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist  David Cay Johnston will join the conversation to talk about  what late night host Jimmy Kimmel called the“Trumper Tantrum” over the weekend on NBC’s Meet the Press and what appears to be a Trump‘s midterm election strategy… he’s back to accusing states of rigging elections.
Coachella Valley Coffee Roast Master Cliff Young will stop through to let us know what he’s been up to and to bring us word of new additions, and perhap special deals on the very best coffees and teas. 
The Mark Thompson Show 
6/9/26
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President Trump abruptly ended an on‑camera interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker after a heated back‑and‑forth about his claims that the 2020 election was “rigged” and assertions of voting problems in California’s recent primary. The exchange escalated when Welker pressed Trump for evidence. He accused her and major networks of being “crooked,” removed his mic, and left, later agreeing to a second interview. The segment also touched on his defense of a proposed roughly $1.8 billion fund to compensate allies (which the Justice Department said would not move forward) and his remarks about the possibility of war and U.S. elections. 
Was Trump right to walk out or is this just another moment where he can’t or doesn’t want to answer a question and lashes out? Mark will discuss along with Gary Dietrich, iHeart TV and radio political analyst. 
Legal professor June Carbone will stop by to continue the political conversation.
The Mark Thompson Show 
6/8/26
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Trump is using wartime presidential authority to hand $700 million to coal-fired power plants in the US to prop us what he calls “clean, beautiful coal”, despite it being the dirtiest of fossil fuels. The funds will be used to bring a new coal export terminal online in Oakland, California, and to restart an existing facility in Maryland. That's in addition to plants across 10 states: West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, Arizona, Oklahoma, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Trump says "Each of those 10 states voted for Trump, We won them all.” The two new coal plants will be in Alaska and West Virginia. We welcome Mo Kelly & Michael Shure for This Week in Politics - a look at the biggest stories, including election results, a new "Trump Promenade" and more. Keep your hands in the car as we cruise into Friday Fabulous Florida - you never know who has a machete! Plus, The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder brings the details on all the good movies and shows to see this weekend.

The GOP-led House is behind a largely symbolic measure directing the president to remove U.S. forces from active hostilities with Iran unless Congress authorizes force or declares war. Four Republicans joined all Democrats in supporting it. The vote follows earlier attempts that stalled out. It also builds momentum for a related effort in the Senate. The White House is raising objections saying the move could weaken negotiations. The House also advanced a separate motion to bring Ukraine aid to the floor. Mo Kelly will discuss the idea that this vote signals growing congressional resistance, even within Trump’s party. Former federal prosecutor and now defense attorney, David Katz will stop by the show to offer his legal expertise on whether Todd Blanche will be able to get confirmed as AG and whether Trump‘s immunity from IRS audits will withstand legal scrutiny.