The Truth with Lisa Boothe

Attorney Donna Rotunno joins Lisa Boothe for a deep dive into the controversial Cornell sexual assault case and the mounting questions surrounding the allegations. She examines the accuser’s original sworn statement, subsequent civil lawsuit, text messages and timeline—and explains how conflicting accounts could become critical if the case moves forward.

Rotunno also breaks down the difference between civil and criminal standards of proof, the challenges of reconstructing what happened years later, and concerns about the special prosecutor overseeing the reopened investigation. Her bottom line: bad decisions and criminal conduct are not necessarily the same thing.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa Boothe is joined by Will Hild, executive director of Consumers’ Research, for a deep dive into the growing backlash against data centers and the massive infrastructure buildout powering America’s digital economy and artificial intelligence boom.

Hild argues that Big Tech helped create its own political problem by failing to explain how essential data centers are to everyday life—and by ignoring legitimate concerns from the communities where these facilities are being built. He breaks down questions surrounding electricity prices, water consumption, noise, development and the impact on local communities, while explaining why he believes many fears surrounding modern data centers are overstated.

Lisa and Will also examine allegations of Chinese influence operations targeting the American debate over AI and energy policy, as well as Hild’s argument that elements of the ESG movement have shifted their focus toward opposing data-center development. They discuss how distrust of Big Tech following years of censorship, deplatforming and corporate political activism has helped fuel resistance to the industry’s latest expansion.

Plus, Hild explains the potential upside for communities that welcome data centers, including a larger tax base, infrastructure investment and potentially lower property taxes. He makes the case that America can expand the digital infrastructure needed to compete in the AI era—but that companies must once again recognize that the consumer comes first.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, Lisa Boothe is joined by Sentinel Action Fund President Jessica Anderson for a state-by-state look at the races shaping the battle for control of Congress.

Anderson explains why she believes national polling doesn't necessarily capture what Republican campaigns are seeing on the ground, while acknowledging that several traditionally Republican Senate seats have become increasingly competitive. She discusses the GOP's turnout challenge, President Donald Trump's campaign strategy and the importance of low-propensity voters in determining the outcome.

The conversation dives into some of the biggest Senate contests, including Mike Rogers versus Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, Jon Husted versus Sherrod Brown in Ohio, Susan Collins' race in Maine and Dan Sullivan's battle in Alaska. Anderson also examines Texas, Iowa and New Hampshire and explains why independent voters could behave very differently from state to state.

Plus, Lisa and Jessica discuss affordability, gas prices, the Iran conflict, President Trump's influence on turnout and the closing arguments Republicans are making to voters. The episode provides an inside look at the electoral strategy and ground game behind some of the most consequential races of the 2026 midterms.

Recent reporting also shows Republicans directing significant attention and resources toward competitive Senate races in states including Alaska, Iowa and Ohio, underscoring how broad the 2026 battleground has become.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What rights do parents have when public schools make decisions involving their children’s gender identity without informing them?

Lisa Boothe sits down with Jim Campbell, Chief Legal Counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), to examine the growing legal battle over parental rights in America’s public schools. Campbell discusses what ADF describes as “secret social transition” policies, including cases in which schools allegedly used different names or pronouns for students while withholding that information from their parents.

Campbell also breaks down ADF’s litigation involving parental notification and religious freedom, explains what he says recent court decisions mean for families, and discusses cases ADF has pursued in states including New York, Michigan, Kansas, New Jersey, Texas, and Virginia.

Lisa and Jim also tackle disputes over sexually explicit and LGBTQ-themed material in school libraries and classrooms, parents’ ability to opt their children out of certain instruction, and how families can challenge school policies through the courts and local school boards.

It’s a wide-ranging conversation about parental rights, public education, gender identity, religious liberty, free speech, and the legal fight over who makes consequential decisions for children.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senator Marsha Blackburn joins Lisa Boothe to discuss the fight over Title IX and women’s sports, artificial intelligence, public safety, and the future of Tennessee.

Blackburn explains her push to protect female athletes through the Title IX Clarification Act, including concerns about competition, scholarships, privacy, and locker rooms. She also discusses the political battle surrounding women’s sports and what could happen to Title IX protections if control of Washington changes.

The conversation then turns to artificial intelligence and data centers, with Blackburn outlining how Tennessee could capitalize on AI, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, health care, agriculture, and logistics while protecting children, creators, intellectual property, and consumers from higher utility costs.

Plus, Blackburn discusses the Memphis Safe Task Force, its efforts to combat violent crime and gang activity, and why she believes the federal, state, and local partnership could serve as a model for other American cities.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa Boothe is joined by Tommy Schultz, CEO of the American Federation for Children, for a wide-ranging conversation about school choice, declining academic performance, teachers unions, and the future of K-12 education in America.

They begin with the debate surrounding Nikole Hannah-Jones and her daughter's public-school experience, examining what Schultz argues it reveals about school choice, academic standards, classroom discipline, testing, and the consequences of putting educational philosophy ahead of an individual child's needs.

Lisa and Tommy also discuss the relationship between politically powerful teachers unions and literacy reform, declining test scores, the lingering effects of COVID-era learning loss, and the amount of money being spent on America's K-12 education system. Schultz offers his perspective on why additional funding has not necessarily translated into stronger academic outcomes.

Plus, Tommy breaks down the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, which begins in 2027 and allows eligible taxpayers to claim a nonrefundable federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for qualifying contributions to Scholarship Granting Organizations in participating states. Lisa and Tommy discuss how the program could expand educational options for families and why school choice is becoming an increasingly significant issue nationwid

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa Boothe sits down with Texas Congressman Chip Roy for a wide-ranging conversation about artificial intelligence, Big Tech, immigration and the problems he believes are preventing Congress from delivering meaningful reform.

Roy explains why he supports the potential of AI while raising concerns about its rapid expansion, massive data centers, pressure on the electrical grid and water supplies, government subsidies, job displacement and the growing influence of a small group of technology companies. Rather than calling for sweeping federal regulation, Roy argues for greater transparency, congressional scrutiny and preserving nondigital alternatives — including cash, communications and transportation — so Americans aren't entirely dependent on connected technology.

The conversation then turns to immigration. Roy explains his proposal to pause immigration while Congress considers changes involving birthright citizenship, chain migration, diversity visas, public benefits and H-1B visas. Roy has separately introduced legislation in 2026 that would change the H-1B selection process, require employers to make good-faith efforts to hire Americans first and restrict companies that recently conducted layoffs from hiring H-1B workers.

Finally, Roy reflects on his time in Washington as he prepares to leave Congress. He discusses lobbying, reelection pressures, congressional spending, compromise and why he believes lawmakers too often focus on gaining influence and committee positions rather than solving major problems. He also talks about returning to Texas, spending more time with his family and remaining involved in public policy after his current term ends.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa Boothe sits down with Crime Prevention Research Center President John Lott for a wide-ranging discussion about illegal immigration, crime, deportations, and the financial cost of prosecuting and incarcerating noncitizens accused of crimes.

Lott breaks down his recent research estimating the taxpayer costs associated with criminal prosecutions, using a Virginia fentanyl case to illustrate how legal proceedings, jail time, public defenders, prosecutors, and eventual incarceration can add up. He argues that a relatively straightforward case can cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars and that violent-crime prosecutions can be substantially more expensive. His published analysis estimates that prosecuting 248,000 people at $150,000 per case would total $37.2 billion, while a $600,000-per-case scenario would approach $149 billion. Those figures are Lott's estimates and depend on the assumptions used in his analysis.

Lisa and Lott also discuss the distinction between being charged with and convicted of a crime, sanctuary policies, ICE enforcement, deportation proceedings, and the challenges of identifying criminal histories from other countries.

Later, the conversation turns to recent U.S. crime trends and Lott's argument that tougher enforcement and increased legal concealed carry can help deter crime.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twenty-five years after the September 11 terrorist attacks, Lisa Boothe sits down with Jeannette Pick, who was just nine years old when her father, Joseph Pick, was killed in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Jeannette recounts the unimaginable experience of being at school in Hoboken, New Jersey, and watching the second plane strike the tower where her father was working on the 94th floor. She shares her memories of her dad—from playing football and tennis together to his love of comic books—and describes how those few minutes on September 11, 2001, have remained with her throughout her life.

“For the country it’s once a year, but we all live it every day,” Jeannette tells Lisa, explaining why the anniversary remains so personal for the families of the 2,977 victims and why she believes future generations must continue learning about what happened that day.

Jeannette also discusses her participation in a recent press conference involving 9/11 families who object to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attending the 25th anniversary ceremony. She explains that her objection is based on what she describes as his associations with individuals who have minimized or justified the attacks, while making clear that Mamdani himself had nothing to do with 9/11. Mamdani has separately said he intends to commemorate the victims and has participated in events honoring those killed in the attacks.

Visit change.org/911ceremony

Above all, this is a conversation about a daughter remembering her father—not simply as a victim of 9/11, but as the dad who loved comic books, cheeseburgers, slushies and spending time with his little girl.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former U.S. Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette joins Lisa Boothe to break down the rapidly changing global energy landscape and how President Trump is using America’s energy strength as an economic and geopolitical weapon.

Brouillette explains how U.S. oil and gas production has weakened the power of traditional energy cartels, how the war with Iran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are reshaping global oil markets, and why new pipelines could dramatically reduce Iran’s leverage over one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints.

He also examines President Trump’s major Venezuela oil deal, what access to Venezuela’s massive reserves could mean for the United States, and why Americans shouldn’t expect it to bring immediate relief at the gas pump.

With gas prices reaching seasonal record highs, Brouillette discusses whether prices could fall before the midterm elections, America’s strained refining capacity, and why greater domestic energy infrastructure may be critical to lowering costs over the long term.

Lisa and Brouillette also explore the bigger geopolitical picture—including Russia, China, Iran, Venezuela, and how American energy dominance could give the United States greater leverage over its adversaries.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.