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We need your help to build the future of independent news media and we hope to see you at Breakingpoints dot com. Same time, we have had a slate of hearings that happened yesterday, confirmation hearings for incoming officials in the Trump administration. The most high profile person yesterday was Senator Marco Rubio, up for Secretary of State. Had a couple of interesting remarks. The most important for our purposes is really going to be about future policy visa the Ukraine.

We need your help to build the future of independent news media and we hope to see you at Breakingpoints dot com. Same time, we have had a slate of hearings that happened yesterday, confirmation hearings for incoming officials in the Trump administration. The most high profile person yesterday was Senator Marco Rubio, up for Secretary of State. Had a couple of interesting remarks. The most important for our purposes is really going to be about future policy visa the Ukraine.

Here's what he had to say.

Here's what he had to say.

Let me first stackle the President's words and what he said in an interview about a year ago. He was asked about the war in Ukraine, he says, I want to die to stop. I want people to stop dying. I want the killing to stop. And frankly, I don't know how anyone could say they don't. The destruction that Ukraine is undergoing is extraordinary. It's going to take a generation to rebuild it. Millions of Ukrainians no longer live in Ukraine, and the disruption that means so many of them are going to come back, and what are they going to come back to. Even as I speak to you now, the Ukrainian infrastructure and their energy infrastructure is being decimated in ways that are going to cost hundreds of billions of dollars to rebuild over the next decades. So this is an important conflicent. I think it should be the official position of the United States that this war should be brought to an end. And I think it should be the official policy of the United States that we want to see at end. Now what that master plan looks like, it's going to be hard work. This is not going to be an easy endeavor by this but it's going to require bold diplomacy. And my hope is that it could begin with some ceasefire and we're going to have there are in order to achieve objectives like the one that needs to occur in Ukrainian it is important for everyone to be realistic. There will have to be concessions made by the Russian Federation, but also by the Ukrainians and the United States lend itself there. It's also important that there'll be some balance on both sides. In essence, it will be difficult to achieve the subjective of a ceasefire and ultimately a peace settlement unless both sides have leverage.

Let me first stackle the President's words and what he said in an interview about a year ago. He was asked about the war in Ukraine, he says, I want to die to stop. I want people to stop dying. I want the killing to stop. And frankly, I don't know how anyone could say they don't. The destruction that Ukraine is undergoing is extraordinary. It's going to take a generation to rebuild it. Millions of Ukrainians no longer live in Ukraine, and the disruption that means so many of them are going to come back, and what are they going to come back to. Even as I speak to you now, the Ukrainian infrastructure and their energy infrastructure is being decimated in ways that are going to cost hundreds of billions of dollars to rebuild over the next decades. So this is an important conflicent. I think it should be the official position of the United States that this war should be brought to an end. And I think it should be the official policy of the United States that we want to see at end. Now what that master plan looks like, it's going to be hard work. This is not going to be an easy endeavor by this but it's going to require bold diplomacy. And my hope is that it could begin with some ceasefire and we're going to have there are in order to achieve objectives like the one that needs to occur in Ukrainian it is important for everyone to be realistic. There will have to be concessions made by the Russian Federation, but also by the Ukrainians and the United States lend itself there. It's also important that there'll be some balance on both sides. In essence, it will be difficult to achieve the subjective of a ceasefire and ultimately a peace settlement unless both sides have leverage.

A couple of very interesting things that happened there. Number one is saying that, echoing Donald Trump's phrase, we need to stop the dying. But actually so I watched the entire hearing. The most important part was he says it's unrealistic to believe that Ukraine can ever push Russia back to pre February twenty twenty two invasion lines quote. There will also need to be concessions made by the Russian Federation and by the Ukrainians. He brought up later on Crystal the use of Russian sanctions as a leverage tool from the United States, effectively saying, listen, you guys, pull up this way, we'll take off these sanctions. I don't know how powerful that will be. The Russians have figured out a lot of ways around it.

A couple of very interesting things that happened there. Number one is saying that, echoing Donald Trump's phrase, we need to stop the dying. But actually so I watched the entire hearing. The most important part was he says it's unrealistic to believe that Ukraine can ever push Russia back to pre February twenty twenty two invasion lines quote. There will also need to be concessions made by the Russian Federation and by the Ukrainians. He brought up later on Crystal the use of Russian sanctions as a leverage tool from the United States, effectively saying, listen, you guys, pull up this way, we'll take off these sanctions. I don't know how powerful that will be. The Russians have figured out a lot of ways around it.

Sanctions. Turns out they don't actually work that well. Shocker.

Sanctions. Turns out they don't actually work that well. Shocker.

But I was very interested to say, I mean, this is effectively a declaration of policy here now from the incoming administration, that this idea of nothing without Ukraine. He even said, nothing without Ukraine, whatever long it takes, not going to happen.

But I was very interested to say, I mean, this is effectively a declaration of policy here now from the incoming administration, that this idea of nothing without Ukraine. He even said, nothing without Ukraine, whatever long it takes, not going to happen.

He's like, that era is over.

He's like, that era is over.

But two, the mere acknowledgment of the incoming Secretary of State to say the pre February twenty twenty two is not going to happen. That is a radical change in US policy. I know that it was assumed and all this nobody really knew for sure, but I mean that is as close as you can get to an actual statement from the incoming White House. And in Kiev they must be I mean, they're probably freaking out, especially what happened after they're used to the Biden people just being like, okay, okay, you can shoot into Russia, but only two hundred yards, and then the next month be like, now three hundred yards, but all right, we'll let's do it, Okay, all right, sure, Well, let's do whatever you want. Yeah, Now, I mean this is a whole other this is a whole new thing. So arguably the most important thing that came out of my that hearing, in my opinion.

But two, the mere acknowledgment of the incoming Secretary of State to say the pre February twenty twenty two is not going to happen. That is a radical change in US policy. I know that it was assumed and all this nobody really knew for sure, but I mean that is as close as you can get to an actual statement from the incoming White House. And in Kiev they must be I mean, they're probably freaking out, especially what happened after they're used to the Biden people just being like, okay, okay, you can shoot into Russia, but only two hundred yards, and then the next month be like, now three hundred yards, but all right, we'll let's do it, Okay, all right, sure, Well, let's do whatever you want. Yeah, Now, I mean this is a whole other this is a whole new thing. So arguably the most important thing that came out of my that hearing, in my opinion.

Yeah, that's probably right.

Yeah, that's probably right.

I mean Trump says he's going to get us a deal on day one, and so we've seen.

I mean Trump says he's going to get us a deal on day one, and so we've seen.

More days of war.

More days of war.

Listen, Steve would cough, get your ass on the plane.

Listen, Steve would cough, get your ass on the plane.

The key to Moscow. He is our new Avrel Herriman, who was this rich banker. He was the FDR's ambassador of Moscow during World War Two.

The key to Moscow. He is our new Avrel Herriman, who was this rich banker. He was the FDR's ambassador of Moscow during World War Two.

He was an excellent diplomat, by the way. So yeah, so listen, Steve, get over there, man, we need you.

He was an excellent diplomat, by the way. So yeah, so listen, Steve, get over there, man, we need you.

Part of what you say, though, does underscore the difficulty at this point of trying to bring this war to some sort of conclusion, because while with Israel we have all the leverage in the world, just requires the willpower to actually use it. With Russia we don't have as much.

Part of what you say, though, does underscore the difficulty at this point of trying to bring this war to some sort of conclusion, because while with Israel we have all the leverage in the world, just requires the willpower to actually use it. With Russia we don't have as much.

Any I mean, with Ukraine, we've got total.

Any I mean, with Ukraine, we've got total.

With Ukraine, we do, but you have to get the Russians to come to the table as well.

With Ukraine, we do, but you have to get the Russians to come to the table as well.

So it is a tricky situation.

So it is a tricky situation.

But and you know, Rubio constitutionally like he is a hawk and especially with regards to anywhere in Latin America, which we'll get to in just a moment. But you know, I think there's almost a built way wide recognition, whether they want to admit it or not, that, like what Rubio said, it's just manifestly true. They're not going to be able to retake all of the I mean, they were talking about Pelosi saying or one hundred percent going to get back CRIMEA.

But and you know, Rubio constitutionally like he is a hawk and especially with regards to anywhere in Latin America, which we'll get to in just a moment. But you know, I think there's almost a built way wide recognition, whether they want to admit it or not, that, like what Rubio said, it's just manifestly true. They're not going to be able to retake all of the I mean, they were talking about Pelosi saying or one hundred percent going to get back CRIMEA.

Yes, that's not happening. Crazy, that's not happening.

Yes, that's not happening. Crazy, that's not happening.

So it's nice to hear at least a little bit of realism here from Rubio. We'll see how it actually plays out in practice, and the means that Trump uses he's a wild card in order to try to secure some sort of an end to the conflict if he decides to go in that direction. It was interesting, you know, it's so interesting watching Washington work like Rubio is basically, I mean, he is effectively a Neyoka.

So it's nice to hear at least a little bit of realism here from Rubio. We'll see how it actually plays out in practice, and the means that Trump uses he's a wild card in order to try to secure some sort of an end to the conflict if he decides to go in that direction. It was interesting, you know, it's so interesting watching Washington work like Rubio is basically, I mean, he is effectively a Neyoka.

He's a hawkish guy.

He's a hawkish guy.

There's lots of always has been right, that is his ideological direction. The fact that he gets put in as Secretary of State is really antithetical to the idea that the Trump administration is going to be oriented in this anti war kind of a way, and so you would think, like if it was you or I questioning, it would be contentious. But because Rubio is one of them, it's relatively like, you know, it's very core Joel The Washington Post endorsed him, like.

There's lots of always has been right, that is his ideological direction. The fact that he gets put in as Secretary of State is really antithetical to the idea that the Trump administration is going to be oriented in this anti war kind of a way, and so you would think, like if it was you or I questioning, it would be contentious. But because Rubio is one of them, it's relatively like, you know, it's very core Joel The Washington Post endorsed him, like.

You know, they're like, oh, he's one of us.

You know, they're like, oh, he's one of us.

He can yeah, he's respect he passes their respectability threshold. So it's a much different approach to him. I did think there was an interesting line of questioning taken by Senator Chris Murphy. He submerged as a kind of an interesting voice here in the second Trump emerging, second Trump term, where he really pressed Rubio on Trump's corruption and the fact that and this is this very important line of argument. Trump has these business deals all around the world, but in particular, he has massive and Kushner have massive financial interests in the Middle East and with the golf Arab states Trump, we don't even know how much money he's getting from this frickin Saudi live golf tour. They're going to have another event at one of his properties. That's just one example. Kushner got what two billion dollars from the Saudis they're all kinds of financial entanglements there. And you know, when you've got a president who the largest sphere of influence that a president has is in terms of foreign policy, you have to ask the question, how are these financial entanglements impacting their views and their approach to foreign policy. Is this just about American interest or is this about your business interest as well. Chris Murphy made this point and pressed Center Rubio on exactly this direction. Let's take a listen to a little bit of that.

He can yeah, he's respect he passes their respectability threshold. So it's a much different approach to him. I did think there was an interesting line of questioning taken by Senator Chris Murphy. He submerged as a kind of an interesting voice here in the second Trump emerging, second Trump term, where he really pressed Rubio on Trump's corruption and the fact that and this is this very important line of argument. Trump has these business deals all around the world, but in particular, he has massive and Kushner have massive financial interests in the Middle East and with the golf Arab states Trump, we don't even know how much money he's getting from this frickin Saudi live golf tour. They're going to have another event at one of his properties. That's just one example. Kushner got what two billion dollars from the Saudis they're all kinds of financial entanglements there. And you know, when you've got a president who the largest sphere of influence that a president has is in terms of foreign policy, you have to ask the question, how are these financial entanglements impacting their views and their approach to foreign policy. Is this just about American interest or is this about your business interest as well. Chris Murphy made this point and pressed Center Rubio on exactly this direction. Let's take a listen to a little bit of that.

Over the last eight years while he was in office and since he's been out of office, he and his family have become more deeply dependent on revenue from governments in the Middle East. During his last presidency, Middle East interests sent about ten million dollars to Trump properties. After he left office, Trump's son in law, Jared Kushner, who was his primary Middle East envoy, was handed two billion dollars in investment by the Saudis, even though a Saudi investment board said the investment was a bad business decision. That investment actually comes up for renewal in twenty twenty six, giving the Saudi's massive leverage over the Trump family. And then to make matters worse. Right after the election, the Trump Organization said that in this term, the president elects second term, it would drop its previous prohibition on doing new deals in the Middle East with private with private foreign companies aligned with foreign governments. So the Trump Organization is going to be signing new business deals in the Middle East with private companies that have connections to foreign governments at the very moment that you are going to be conducting sensitive diplomacy in these countries. That's just extraordinary. Never before in the history of this country has a president been, I mean literally receiving cash from foreign governments and from foreign companies that are backed by foreign governments in the middle of their term. If you or I had done this as senators, we would be in violent violation of Senate ethics rule. Do you have an issue or will you raise an issue with the President about his growing financial connection with the governments that you're going to be negotiating with.

Over the last eight years while he was in office and since he's been out of office, he and his family have become more deeply dependent on revenue from governments in the Middle East. During his last presidency, Middle East interests sent about ten million dollars to Trump properties. After he left office, Trump's son in law, Jared Kushner, who was his primary Middle East envoy, was handed two billion dollars in investment by the Saudis, even though a Saudi investment board said the investment was a bad business decision. That investment actually comes up for renewal in twenty twenty six, giving the Saudi's massive leverage over the Trump family. And then to make matters worse. Right after the election, the Trump Organization said that in this term, the president elects second term, it would drop its previous prohibition on doing new deals in the Middle East with private with private foreign companies aligned with foreign governments. So the Trump Organization is going to be signing new business deals in the Middle East with private companies that have connections to foreign governments at the very moment that you are going to be conducting sensitive diplomacy in these countries. That's just extraordinary. Never before in the history of this country has a president been, I mean literally receiving cash from foreign governments and from foreign companies that are backed by foreign governments in the middle of their term. If you or I had done this as senators, we would be in violent violation of Senate ethics rule. Do you have an issue or will you raise an issue with the President about his growing financial connection with the governments that you're going to be negotiating with.

Well, first of all, I am not neither authorized nor in any position to give you sort of any insights into any of these arrangements you've pointed out. You mentioned Jared Kushner as an example. He's a private citizen happens to be a Floridian. I don't know what, if any, engagement he has in the work that's going on. Now. I can tell you what I know. Obviously I'm not in the State Department yet, but I can tell you as an example, the President's envoid to that region who is charged. Steve Woodcoff, who was charged with being an onvoid towards reaching an accommodation between the Israelis and the Saudis, has been working cooperatively and together with the Biden administration, and in fact, I dare say that all involved deserve credit for the seaswire that the Chairman's just announced, but Steve wood calls been a critical component of it, and he has been involved in it from day one. I think the broader consideration about whether we want to see a Saudi Israeli mutual recognition and relationship would be one of the most historic developments in the history of the region. They have a right to be in the business. I mean, that's the business that they're in. They're in the real estate business. They've been for a very long time, both domestically and abroad. They have properties in multiple countries. So at the end of the day, I don't know his family is entitled to continue to operate their business. The fundamental question is not whether his family is involved in business. The fundamental question is whether that is in any way impacting the conduct of our foreign policy in a way that's counter to our national interests. And the Presence made abundantly clear that every decision he makes, and every decision we are to make at the State Department, should be driven by whether or not it serves the core national interests of the United States.

Well, first of all, I am not neither authorized nor in any position to give you sort of any insights into any of these arrangements you've pointed out. You mentioned Jared Kushner as an example. He's a private citizen happens to be a Floridian. I don't know what, if any, engagement he has in the work that's going on. Now. I can tell you what I know. Obviously I'm not in the State Department yet, but I can tell you as an example, the President's envoid to that region who is charged. Steve Woodcoff, who was charged with being an onvoid towards reaching an accommodation between the Israelis and the Saudis, has been working cooperatively and together with the Biden administration, and in fact, I dare say that all involved deserve credit for the seaswire that the Chairman's just announced, but Steve wood calls been a critical component of it, and he has been involved in it from day one. I think the broader consideration about whether we want to see a Saudi Israeli mutual recognition and relationship would be one of the most historic developments in the history of the region. They have a right to be in the business. I mean, that's the business that they're in. They're in the real estate business. They've been for a very long time, both domestically and abroad. They have properties in multiple countries. So at the end of the day, I don't know his family is entitled to continue to operate their business. The fundamental question is not whether his family is involved in business. The fundamental question is whether that is in any way impacting the conduct of our foreign policy in a way that's counter to our national interests. And the Presence made abundantly clear that every decision he makes, and every decision we are to make at the State Department, should be driven by whether or not it serves the core national interests of the United States.

So in any case, you're not going to get much out for Abana there. But I think that's a very important question, because we're a long way from Jimmy Carter selling his peanut farm in order to avoid any conflicts of interest. In fact, not only with regard to foreign government entanglements, but I mean, everybody knows the way to Donald Trump's art is through his pocketbooks. So they've been showering him with like insane amounts of money even after he wins reelection into his campaign coffies. They can't even run again, and yet all this money, hundreds of millions of dollars flowing into his campaign coffers. You know, Zuckerberg and Sam Altman and all these people sucking up to him with million dollar contributions into the inauguration fund. And then obviously you know the Golf AUP States in particular, they were early movers in this direction. I mean, the thing to Jared Kushner was just a flat out bribe. We know that MBS intervened in that decision to fund him to that regard, he had been rejected by the larger Council, and MBS came in over the top and was like, no, no, no, we're going to We're gonna make this one happen for him. So very legitimate, long line of questioning. Obviously you don't get anything useful out of Rubio there. The other thing that was just worth a mention that Glenn Greenwold pointed out is New York Times Hawks in particular Brett Stevens already making their move with Rubio lined up here to be Secretary of State, and he is almost certainly going to get confirmed by I think a large margin. I think a lot of Democrats will vote for Yeah, I think a lot of Democrats are going to vote for him as well. But New York Times publishing an op ed literally calling for military intervention into Venezuela to take out Maduro. We can put this up on the screen. This is B three. Donald Trump has set some grandiose foreign policy goals for a second term. They say, here's one goal that's overdue morally. Wright an international security interest deposing the regime of Nicholas Medoro in Venezuela through colercive diplomacy if possible, or force if necessary. Any lays out the case for why we should be willing to wage a regime change war in Venezuela, something that certainly Marco Rubio would be. If anyone it would be open to such a thing, it would be Marco Rubio.

So in any case, you're not going to get much out for Abana there. But I think that's a very important question, because we're a long way from Jimmy Carter selling his peanut farm in order to avoid any conflicts of interest. In fact, not only with regard to foreign government entanglements, but I mean, everybody knows the way to Donald Trump's art is through his pocketbooks. So they've been showering him with like insane amounts of money even after he wins reelection into his campaign coffies. They can't even run again, and yet all this money, hundreds of millions of dollars flowing into his campaign coffers. You know, Zuckerberg and Sam Altman and all these people sucking up to him with million dollar contributions into the inauguration fund. And then obviously you know the Golf AUP States in particular, they were early movers in this direction. I mean, the thing to Jared Kushner was just a flat out bribe. We know that MBS intervened in that decision to fund him to that regard, he had been rejected by the larger Council, and MBS came in over the top and was like, no, no, no, we're going to We're gonna make this one happen for him. So very legitimate, long line of questioning. Obviously you don't get anything useful out of Rubio there. The other thing that was just worth a mention that Glenn Greenwold pointed out is New York Times Hawks in particular Brett Stevens already making their move with Rubio lined up here to be Secretary of State, and he is almost certainly going to get confirmed by I think a large margin. I think a lot of Democrats will vote for Yeah, I think a lot of Democrats are going to vote for him as well. But New York Times publishing an op ed literally calling for military intervention into Venezuela to take out Maduro. We can put this up on the screen. This is B three. Donald Trump has set some grandiose foreign policy goals for a second term. They say, here's one goal that's overdue morally. Wright an international security interest deposing the regime of Nicholas Medoro in Venezuela through colercive diplomacy if possible, or force if necessary. Any lays out the case for why we should be willing to wage a regime change war in Venezuela, something that certainly Marco Rubio would be. If anyone it would be open to such a thing, it would be Marco Rubio.

Well, the only thing I can say is, at least we have seen Donald Trump has been able to exert some influence. Rubio was sing a real different tune on Ukraine, and at least these guys know that it's not up to them in public.

Well, the only thing I can say is, at least we have seen Donald Trump has been able to exert some influence. Rubio was sing a real different tune on Ukraine, and at least these guys know that it's not up to them in public.

Behind the scenes, I have no idea.

Behind the scenes, I have no idea.

In fact, Latin America is one of the very things I warned about, because it's the problem is is that you can only do that for stuff that you really care a lot about. But when you have somebody like that Secretary State in power, there's a lots of that goes on behind the scenes. I've talked about this extensively, that you have no power, that you have no interest in right back burner relationship Venezuela whatever, who cares. So that means that's kind of default up to the Secretary of State. Now what policy is he going to pursue. Don't forget you know, John Bolton and all that in the past always advocated for a regime change in Venezuela. So we're all going to keep our eyes on that one. And I genuinely think that is the biggest danger area.

In fact, Latin America is one of the very things I warned about, because it's the problem is is that you can only do that for stuff that you really care a lot about. But when you have somebody like that Secretary State in power, there's a lots of that goes on behind the scenes. I've talked about this extensively, that you have no power, that you have no interest in right back burner relationship Venezuela whatever, who cares. So that means that's kind of default up to the Secretary of State. Now what policy is he going to pursue. Don't forget you know, John Bolton and all that in the past always advocated for a regime change in Venezuela. So we're all going to keep our eyes on that one. And I genuinely think that is the biggest danger area.

Yeah, and there's a significant constituency in favor of EUD that's where it goes.

Yeah, and there's a significant constituency in favor of EUD that's where it goes.

All right, let's go to the next one. This was Pam Bondi.

All right, let's go to the next one. This was Pam Bondi.

She's going to be the art is up for Attorney General, probably going to get it. Looks pretty likely she was pressed about election certification in twenty twenty and some of those cases.

She's going to be the art is up for Attorney General, probably going to get it. Looks pretty likely she was pressed about election certification in twenty twenty and some of those cases.

Let's take a listen.

Let's take a listen.

That's central to the peaceful transition of power in a democracy is the acceptance of the results of an election. To my knowledge, Donald Trump has never acknowledged the legal results of the twenty twenty election. Are you prepared to say today, under oath without reservation, that Donald Trump lost the presidential contest to Joe Biden in twenty twenty.

That's central to the peaceful transition of power in a democracy is the acceptance of the results of an election. To my knowledge, Donald Trump has never acknowledged the legal results of the twenty twenty election. Are you prepared to say today, under oath without reservation, that Donald Trump lost the presidential contest to Joe Biden in twenty twenty.

Ranky Member Dervin. President Biden is the President of the United States. He was duly sworn in, and he is the President of the United States. There was a peaceful transition of power. President Trump left office and was overwhelmingly elected in twenty twenty four.

Ranky Member Dervin. President Biden is the President of the United States. He was duly sworn in, and he is the President of the United States. There was a peaceful transition of power. President Trump left office and was overwhelmingly elected in twenty twenty four.

So yeah, typical.

So yeah, typical.

But I mean, listen, I guess one, now this doesn't really matter anymore. Let's put this one up there on the screen as well, because we wanted to keep you guys updated. Tulsi Gabberd's confirmation hearing is probably the diceiest one currently just in terms of the number of votes, and also it has not yet been scheduled, which people are very interested in. Shall we say. They are blaming it on procedural paperwork issues, but here the Washington Artistartre of the Wall Street Journal reports quote some Senate Republicans have left recent meetings with former Tulsi gapp Representative Telsea Gabbard with reservations about her qualifications. Those concerns have largely remained private, and gopmakers are expected to publicly support her despite that, but further missteps could jeopardize her nomination. In her meeting with Senator James Langford, Gabbard couldn't clearly articulate what the role of the D and I entails, According to two of her Republican aids and two transition officials. When she met with Senator Mike Rounds, she seemed confused about a key US national security surveillance power that's the top legislative priority for nearly every member. I'm assuming we're talking about seven zero two. They're keep in mind, these are anonymous leagues.

But I mean, listen, I guess one, now this doesn't really matter anymore. Let's put this one up there on the screen as well, because we wanted to keep you guys updated. Tulsi Gabberd's confirmation hearing is probably the diceiest one currently just in terms of the number of votes, and also it has not yet been scheduled, which people are very interested in. Shall we say. They are blaming it on procedural paperwork issues, but here the Washington Artistartre of the Wall Street Journal reports quote some Senate Republicans have left recent meetings with former Tulsi gapp Representative Telsea Gabbard with reservations about her qualifications. Those concerns have largely remained private, and gopmakers are expected to publicly support her despite that, but further missteps could jeopardize her nomination. In her meeting with Senator James Langford, Gabbard couldn't clearly articulate what the role of the D and I entails, According to two of her Republican aids and two transition officials. When she met with Senator Mike Rounds, she seemed confused about a key US national security surveillance power that's the top legislative priority for nearly every member. I'm assuming we're talking about seven zero two. They're keep in mind, these are anonymous leagues.

I don't know.

I don't know.

They probably want a knew ger and so they're sending this to the journal. The point, though, is that this is the first one I have seen where they said there were multiple people behind the scenes who are very, very skeptical of her. Senator Susan Collins, for example, has told reporters that she's going to wait for the background check before making any decisions. So they're not outright coming out and saying that they would vote for her. Senator John Curtis of Utah said he quote needs more information.

They probably want a knew ger and so they're sending this to the journal. The point, though, is that this is the first one I have seen where they said there were multiple people behind the scenes who are very, very skeptical of her. Senator Susan Collins, for example, has told reporters that she's going to wait for the background check before making any decisions. So they're not outright coming out and saying that they would vote for her. Senator John Curtis of Utah said he quote needs more information.

And that was just on Tuesdays.

And that was just on Tuesdays.

It was a couple of days ago before he can decide to vote for her.

It was a couple of days ago before he can decide to vote for her.

So there are multiple people.

So there are multiple people.

It seems, behind the scenes who are way like weary and absent direct intererviation from Trump. Let's say there's one thing they can hang their hat on, then they She's only one vote away from getting voted down. So she right now actually seems to be in a way more precarious position than even ourf cagion.

It seems, behind the scenes who are way like weary and absent direct intererviation from Trump. Let's say there's one thing they can hang their hat on, then they She's only one vote away from getting voted down. So she right now actually seems to be in a way more precarious position than even ourf cagion.

I think that's right. I think that's right.

I think that's right. I think that's right.

I mean you have to think about both the personal and the ideological.

I mean you have to think about both the personal and the ideological.

Right.

Right.

The Democrats hater because she's a turncoat, right exactly, she cannot count We'll not get a single vote. She cannot count on any support from the Democratic You may have one or who knows, but she cannot count on any support from the Democratic caucus because she's a turncoat.

The Democrats hater because she's a turncoat, right exactly, she cannot count We'll not get a single vote. She cannot count on any support from the Democratic You may have one or who knows, but she cannot count on any support from the Democratic caucus because she's a turncoat.

They don't want to support her.

They don't want to support her.

The Republicans, you have a lot of ideological concern because of things she said in the past. Now she's proven herself like willing to bend with the wind and you know, flip completely her position on Section seven oh two whatever. But they don't trust her, right and she doesn't have her really she was in the Senate, so she doesn't have a relationship with these people, And I'm just gonna be honest with you. When you're around Tulci Gabbard, she comes off kind of odd, like she's a hard person to like, really immediately click with. So the Republicans are like, not sure about this one now. I think they'll probably all end up voting for her. Donald Trump wants her. Donald Trump is likely to get her.

The Republicans, you have a lot of ideological concern because of things she said in the past. Now she's proven herself like willing to bend with the wind and you know, flip completely her position on Section seven oh two whatever. But they don't trust her, right and she doesn't have her really she was in the Senate, so she doesn't have a relationship with these people, And I'm just gonna be honest with you. When you're around Tulci Gabbard, she comes off kind of odd, like she's a hard person to like, really immediately click with. So the Republicans are like, not sure about this one now. I think they'll probably all end up voting for her. Donald Trump wants her. Donald Trump is likely to get her.

But if there was any other shoe to drop with her and.

But if there was any other shoe to drop with her and.

They had an excuse to not vote for her, I think that there are a number of them who would take that excuse to.

They had an excuse to not vote for her, I think that there are a number of them who would take that excuse to.

Not vote for her. And the margin is very narrow.

Not vote for her. And the margin is very narrow.

Republicans control fifty three seats in the Senate, so she only has a few that she could lead lose assuming that she gets absolutely no Democratic support, So hers is definitely the most on the rocks. Again, I expect that the most likely outcome is she also gets through. But this leak to the Wall Street Journal is, you know, a little bit of like a test balloon. I feel like to the Trump people of like, well, if we didn't vote for this one, how mad would you.

Republicans control fifty three seats in the Senate, so she only has a few that she could lead lose assuming that she gets absolutely no Democratic support, So hers is definitely the most on the rocks. Again, I expect that the most likely outcome is she also gets through. But this leak to the Wall Street Journal is, you know, a little bit of like a test balloon. I feel like to the Trump people of like, well, if we didn't vote for this one, how mad would you.

Be at us? Effectively?

Be at us? Effectively?

Yet, so let's all watch it. It's very possible that it may not happen the hearings. I mean, we've only got four days till Donald Trump is going to take office. They're going to continue a little bit after that. But da I mean, John Ratcliffe appears to be able to go through like quite easily for CIA director. But as of things where they stand right now, Kirsty Nome and Telsea Gabbard and R. K. Junior do not have hearings currently scheduled before the committees, which itself is kind of a problem, just because the longer this drags out, the more juice and energy that may be able to have.

Yet, so let's all watch it. It's very possible that it may not happen the hearings. I mean, we've only got four days till Donald Trump is going to take office. They're going to continue a little bit after that. But da I mean, John Ratcliffe appears to be able to go through like quite easily for CIA director. But as of things where they stand right now, Kirsty Nome and Telsea Gabbard and R. K. Junior do not have hearings currently scheduled before the committees, which itself is kind of a problem, just because the longer this drags out, the more juice and energy that may be able to have.

That said, probably more likely not she gets confirmed.

That said, probably more likely not she gets confirmed.

But she's the one who I only have at like the fifty five percentile as opposed to the rest where I have in like the sixties and plus absence.

But she's the one who I only have at like the fifty five percentile as opposed to the rest where I have in like the sixties and plus absence.

Something pretty crazy what happened.

Something pretty crazy what happened.

At the same time, Turning to Vivik Ramaswami, it seems that there could be a way out of him for DOGE, but it wouldn't be necessarily a firing, maybe just moving off. Let's put this up there on the screen. Our very own Jeff Stein has scooped this report. Ramaswami is being encouraged by Donald Trump to consider filling Ohio's vacant Senate seat. So remember jd Vance has officially vacated his seat as United States Senator before he's worn in as the Vice President of the United States in interim, Mike DeWine has a few days before he has to name the replacement for jd Vance. Now, the reason why that's important is that it is presumed whoever Diwine will appoint to fill out the remainder of the two years on jd Vance's term, that that person will then run for the seat after the term is up in twenty twenty six. Okay, So when we think about that though, it means that Shared Brown, who just narrowly lost his election Crystal, could actually run against the vivike Rama Swami. So part of the reason why people are afraid of appointing Viveke is, Yeah, look, he might be a beloved Maga figure and all this Ohio read, but it's not that red. We're not talking about Montana or something like this. And Shrige is a very unique political talent. Also, black Swan stuff happens all the time. Right in two years, who knows what's going to happen. Trump could be massively unpopular, like in the twenty eighteen midterms, and you can have all these people who get elected who have no business usually getting elected in their home state. You know, you don't want to leave a lot of things up to chance. But it seems clear that Trump Viveke is not tweeted in what two weeks January third, So it's been thirteen days since we've heard from Vivike.

At the same time, Turning to Vivik Ramaswami, it seems that there could be a way out of him for DOGE, but it wouldn't be necessarily a firing, maybe just moving off. Let's put this up there on the screen. Our very own Jeff Stein has scooped this report. Ramaswami is being encouraged by Donald Trump to consider filling Ohio's vacant Senate seat. So remember jd Vance has officially vacated his seat as United States Senator before he's worn in as the Vice President of the United States in interim, Mike DeWine has a few days before he has to name the replacement for jd Vance. Now, the reason why that's important is that it is presumed whoever Diwine will appoint to fill out the remainder of the two years on jd Vance's term, that that person will then run for the seat after the term is up in twenty twenty six. Okay, So when we think about that though, it means that Shared Brown, who just narrowly lost his election Crystal, could actually run against the vivike Rama Swami. So part of the reason why people are afraid of appointing Viveke is, Yeah, look, he might be a beloved Maga figure and all this Ohio read, but it's not that red. We're not talking about Montana or something like this. And Shrige is a very unique political talent. Also, black Swan stuff happens all the time. Right in two years, who knows what's going to happen. Trump could be massively unpopular, like in the twenty eighteen midterms, and you can have all these people who get elected who have no business usually getting elected in their home state. You know, you don't want to leave a lot of things up to chance. But it seems clear that Trump Viveke is not tweeted in what two weeks January third, So it's been thirteen days since we've heard from Vivike.

He's been effectively disappeared.

He's been effectively disappeared.

Trump is now leaking or people around them are leaking that they want him to go take this Ohio sentence. So clearly they're like, yeah, this doge thing, maybe that's going to happen. The other argument here is that he didn't piss Trump off. He pissed off Elon, which I think is equally possible. Is big egos, you know, eat, maybe Elon doesn't necessarily want to share the doge mantle with Viveke Ramas swam and he told Trump He's like, hey, I need you to get rid of a vic for me. So I don't know what's happening, you know now, But it is interesting because they had zero chance of getting the Senate seed zero Like previously Mike Dwine were about to show everybody. Ohio local media had lists of people floated. As of a couple of days ago. His name's not even on the damn list. It was one hundred percent assumed. But ever since this hold h one b saga, it now seems that Trump is looking for a way to get him out of the government and shunked him over to the Senate. A little weird though, because senator is actually like a very important job, like also your own principle and your own right. You know, I'm not so sure how Ohioan's feel about being called lazy. Love to see that one go over good luck, good luck to you. I'm sure shared would make a so I'm very curious to see what happens here. But nonetheless, something is happening. Either he pissed Trump off or he pissed off Elon. He hasn't tweeted it in a while, and now this thing before he's even taken his job.

Trump is now leaking or people around them are leaking that they want him to go take this Ohio sentence. So clearly they're like, yeah, this doge thing, maybe that's going to happen. The other argument here is that he didn't piss Trump off. He pissed off Elon, which I think is equally possible. Is big egos, you know, eat, maybe Elon doesn't necessarily want to share the doge mantle with Viveke Ramas swam and he told Trump He's like, hey, I need you to get rid of a vic for me. So I don't know what's happening, you know now, But it is interesting because they had zero chance of getting the Senate seed zero Like previously Mike Dwine were about to show everybody. Ohio local media had lists of people floated. As of a couple of days ago. His name's not even on the damn list. It was one hundred percent assumed. But ever since this hold h one b saga, it now seems that Trump is looking for a way to get him out of the government and shunked him over to the Senate. A little weird though, because senator is actually like a very important job, like also your own principle and your own right. You know, I'm not so sure how Ohioan's feel about being called lazy. Love to see that one go over good luck, good luck to you. I'm sure shared would make a so I'm very curious to see what happens here. But nonetheless, something is happening. Either he pissed Trump off or he pissed off Elon. He hasn't tweeted it in a while, and now this thing before he's even taken his job.

Now he's being flowed for another job. You don't want to be this whenever you're here in DALs.

Now he's being flowed for another job. You don't want to be this whenever you're here in DALs.

Could be some combination of both, but the pissing off Elon thing actually does make some sense, because this.

Could be some combination of both, but the pissing off Elon thing actually does make some sense, because this.

Did the vics.

Did the vics.

You know, boy, meets World Saved by the Bell infamous tweet at this point, which seems to have spelled somewhat of an undoing here in Maga world. I mean, that is part of what brought so much wrath against not just a fake but against Elon's the h I mean that just was absolute fuel on the fire. And you can see the way that Elon has reacted, you know, jumping into the UK Grooming Gang's discussion and all of that in an effort to regain the credibility that he previously had with Mega. So he clearly sees this as having been a problem for him with regard to his rep on the right.

You know, boy, meets World Saved by the Bell infamous tweet at this point, which seems to have spelled somewhat of an undoing here in Maga world. I mean, that is part of what brought so much wrath against not just a fake but against Elon's the h I mean that just was absolute fuel on the fire. And you can see the way that Elon has reacted, you know, jumping into the UK Grooming Gang's discussion and all of that in an effort to regain the credibility that he previously had with Mega. So he clearly sees this as having been a problem for him with regard to his rep on the right.

And yeah, Vivek was an.

And yeah, Vivek was an.

Important part of creating that story and making it as much of a conflagration as it ultimately was. So that does actually make sense to me that Elon was like, you know, I don't really need this dude around, Like, go do something else with him, Go to the hinterlands and run for this Senate seat in the you know, in his conception, Yeah, I don't know how it will go for him if he's running against Jared Brown, who's probably the one Democrat who could potentially still even win in the state of Ohio has tons of working class and labor cred. After Viveake did his whole screed against the white working class and kind of showed us colors there, that might be a little bit of a difficult thing to overcome. And then the other thing Sager that I didn't realize is apparently Vivecan wanted to run for governor of Ohio, which is up in twenty twenty six, which if you are in this Senate seat and you get appointed, then you have to run in twenty twenty six for the full Senate term. So it creates some awkward timing for him. So and then you've got DeWine who just won, I mean Diwine won his seat, and absolute Landslide has its own power base in the state of Ohio, does not have to kowtow to Donald Trump and you know, enact his wishes. But then what does he want to do post governor's mansion? Does he want some sort of administration gig? Is there something that Trump could give him as well? So there's a lot of different interesting political peace is here going on, But the most fascinating one is the big standing within Maga world visa v. Trump Visa v Elon and how they clearly are trying to kind of push him aside and push him out of DOGE.

Important part of creating that story and making it as much of a conflagration as it ultimately was. So that does actually make sense to me that Elon was like, you know, I don't really need this dude around, Like, go do something else with him, Go to the hinterlands and run for this Senate seat in the you know, in his conception, Yeah, I don't know how it will go for him if he's running against Jared Brown, who's probably the one Democrat who could potentially still even win in the state of Ohio has tons of working class and labor cred. After Viveake did his whole screed against the white working class and kind of showed us colors there, that might be a little bit of a difficult thing to overcome. And then the other thing Sager that I didn't realize is apparently Vivecan wanted to run for governor of Ohio, which is up in twenty twenty six, which if you are in this Senate seat and you get appointed, then you have to run in twenty twenty six for the full Senate term. So it creates some awkward timing for him. So and then you've got DeWine who just won, I mean Diwine won his seat, and absolute Landslide has its own power base in the state of Ohio, does not have to kowtow to Donald Trump and you know, enact his wishes. But then what does he want to do post governor's mansion? Does he want some sort of administration gig? Is there something that Trump could give him as well? So there's a lot of different interesting political peace is here going on, But the most fascinating one is the big standing within Maga world visa v. Trump Visa v Elon and how they clearly are trying to kind of push him aside and push him out of DOGE.

At this point.

At this point.

Absolutely, let's put C three up there on the screen. So this is why this is a time sensitive segment. Governor DeWine is set to put his is set to name this person, like I said, any day now. According to somebody close to him, this was local Ohio media. They say, whoever it is has to be sworn in or should be sworn in before Jdvance is sworn in as vice president on January twentieth. Okay, so that means like we're talking about four days and now this is a very fast moving thing. The previous names that have been floated are the Lieutenant Governor John Husted. Sorry, by the way, to the local ohioans, I don't know who you are. Other notable names include the Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague, former state Senator Matt Role, yeah Big Sprague, Head Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Columbus Area Congressman Might Care, and former Ohio Republican Party chair Jane Timkin.

Absolutely, let's put C three up there on the screen. So this is why this is a time sensitive segment. Governor DeWine is set to put his is set to name this person, like I said, any day now. According to somebody close to him, this was local Ohio media. They say, whoever it is has to be sworn in or should be sworn in before Jdvance is sworn in as vice president on January twentieth. Okay, so that means like we're talking about four days and now this is a very fast moving thing. The previous names that have been floated are the Lieutenant Governor John Husted. Sorry, by the way, to the local ohioans, I don't know who you are. Other notable names include the Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague, former state Senator Matt Role, yeah Big Sprague, Head Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Columbus Area Congressman Might Care, and former Ohio Republican Party chair Jane Timkin.

I don't know why that name.

I don't know why that name.

I know she's familiar to me, so she ran for something else. I don't know.

I know she's familiar to me, so she ran for something else. I don't know.

It's funny some of these names, they're back here somewhere from various news coverage now over the years. But the point is, every single one of the folks that we just listed are Ohioans in their own right. There are people who are long standing ties in the state. They have been floated previously. Vivek is from Ohio. I don't actually know if he lives there. I'm assuming he does, probably has houses everywhere. But he was not even on the short list. It was assumed one hundred percent of was going into dog. So the question mark now is if he does get it. Was that an Elon move? It makes some very interesting politics going forward. Man, I would love to cover that if he is. If he gets it, I'm gonna go to Ohio to go see the midterm. I got to see it for myself, Like this h one b stuff, Share it and it would be an incredible race.

It's funny some of these names, they're back here somewhere from various news coverage now over the years. But the point is, every single one of the folks that we just listed are Ohioans in their own right. There are people who are long standing ties in the state. They have been floated previously. Vivek is from Ohio. I don't actually know if he lives there. I'm assuming he does, probably has houses everywhere. But he was not even on the short list. It was assumed one hundred percent of was going into dog. So the question mark now is if he does get it. Was that an Elon move? It makes some very interesting politics going forward. Man, I would love to cover that if he is. If he gets it, I'm gonna go to Ohio to go see the midterm. I got to see it for myself, Like this h one b stuff, Share it and it would be an incredible race.

It absolutely would well because I mean not only the victims anti why working class creed, but also I mean, here he is this billionaire dude who you know, basically got rich from scamming investors on this Alzheimer's drug that had already failed test trials multiple times, and so there's a lot to work with that someone like Shared can actually make Hay out a different Democrat. Like we had this, you know problem in Virginia with Glen Youngkin running against Terry mccuff. Like Colo couldn't make anything of Glenn Youngkin's past financial dealings.

It absolutely would well because I mean not only the victims anti why working class creed, but also I mean, here he is this billionaire dude who you know, basically got rich from scamming investors on this Alzheimer's drug that had already failed test trials multiple times, and so there's a lot to work with that someone like Shared can actually make Hay out a different Democrat. Like we had this, you know problem in Virginia with Glen Youngkin running against Terry mccuff. Like Colo couldn't make anything of Glenn Youngkin's past financial dealings.

Because he was implicated in that sort of thing as well.

Because he was implicated in that sort of thing as well.

So so yeah, he couldn't make anything out of it. But Shared Brown, that's his lane. He would know how to exploit those weaknesses with regard to if the vague, So that would be I'm cheering for it just because that would be a really interesting race to cover and listen if you had to.

So so yeah, he couldn't make anything out of it. But Shared Brown, that's his lane. He would know how to exploit those weaknesses with regard to if the vague, So that would be I'm cheering for it just because that would be a really interesting race to cover and listen if you had to.

Bet right now.

Bet right now.

I mean, just history is that typically the opposition party does well in the first mid term. After you know that, there's like a backlash and people want to check and the opposition is motivated and the people were in power less motivated. So you know, that also makes things more interesting.

I mean, just history is that typically the opposition party does well in the first mid term. After you know that, there's like a backlash and people want to check and the opposition is motivated and the people were in power less motivated. So you know, that also makes things more interesting.

I think there's only been three midterms since the eighteen hundreds where the party in power has gained seats, so three since the eighteen hundreds. Biden was actually one of those who defied expectations shockingly enough only to go on to get blown out in the next election. So that goes to show you public opinion is very thermostatic, and it moves around a lot. You can get do well on the midterms, you can get blown out in the general election. So things happen and they move and they shake all the time. Yes, all right, let's get to California.

I think there's only been three midterms since the eighteen hundreds where the party in power has gained seats, so three since the eighteen hundreds. Biden was actually one of those who defied expectations shockingly enough only to go on to get blown out in the next election. So that goes to show you public opinion is very thermostatic, and it moves around a lot. You can get do well on the midterms, you can get blown out in the general election. So things happen and they move and they shake all the time. Yes, all right, let's get to California.

Yes, So, John Stewart had a in my opinion, fantastic monologue talking about the LA wildfires and really in particular going after Republicans for suggesting, and many of them will show you in a minute, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, that either California not get aid or that it be tied to some sort of preconditions. Let's take a listen to a little bit of what John Stewart had to say.

Yes, So, John Stewart had a in my opinion, fantastic monologue talking about the LA wildfires and really in particular going after Republicans for suggesting, and many of them will show you in a minute, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, that either California not get aid or that it be tied to some sort of preconditions. Let's take a listen to a little bit of what John Stewart had to say.

Problem now is Republicans apperior to want to attached there. I told you SOS as a condition of funding California's disaster relief, expect.

Problem now is Republicans apperior to want to attached there. I told you SOS as a condition of funding California's disaster relief, expect.

That there will be strings attached to money that is ultimately approved.

That there will be strings attached to money that is ultimately approved.

I think there should probably be conditions on that day.

I think there should probably be conditions on that day.

That's my personal view.

That's my personal view.

Before we put funds into place, we've got to find out exactly how we're going to hold these leaders accountable and what sort of policy changes are required. Reb states are always the tragic victims of circumstance outside of their control, and Democrats always vote for their aid, whereas blue state disasters are a function of their flawed morality and policy. And if we help blue state survivors, well, what message will that send? Improvements can be made in leadership, in management, in design, in materials, in myriad ways, but sometimes fire fox a tornado and make some mockery of human infrastructure and our ability to dictate the terms of our existence on this planet. One thing it shouldn't dictate is the cruelty that we would show to those in pain because we don't think they consistently vote right.

Before we put funds into place, we've got to find out exactly how we're going to hold these leaders accountable and what sort of policy changes are required. Reb states are always the tragic victims of circumstance outside of their control, and Democrats always vote for their aid, whereas blue state disasters are a function of their flawed morality and policy. And if we help blue state survivors, well, what message will that send? Improvements can be made in leadership, in management, in design, in materials, in myriad ways, but sometimes fire fox a tornado and make some mockery of human infrastructure and our ability to dictate the terms of our existence on this planet. One thing it shouldn't dictate is the cruelty that we would show to those in pain because we don't think they consistently vote right.

I think that is all very well said, And I was telling you, Sager, one of the things that actually radicalized me against the Democratic Party is when I lived in Kentucky, and Kentucky has was one of the sort of shifting red states that actually held on to Democratic majorities in their state House for a long time. This, like Appalachian Realignment, was the last one to happen at the state level, and the number of just I mean, I'm not talking about like you know, Nancy Plis, I'm talking about just random Democrats online who as this raft of terrible legislation, attacks on teachers, pension, and attacks on labor unions, et cetera, et cetera, was rolling through the Kentucky State House and being signed into legislation by the at that time Republican governor Matt Bevin.

I think that is all very well said, And I was telling you, Sager, one of the things that actually radicalized me against the Democratic Party is when I lived in Kentucky, and Kentucky has was one of the sort of shifting red states that actually held on to Democratic majorities in their state House for a long time. This, like Appalachian Realignment, was the last one to happen at the state level, and the number of just I mean, I'm not talking about like you know, Nancy Plis, I'm talking about just random Democrats online who as this raft of terrible legislation, attacks on teachers, pension, and attacks on labor unions, et cetera, et cetera, was rolling through the Kentucky State House and being signed into legislation by the at that time Republican governor Matt Bevin.

Who were like, we'll screw you.

Who were like, we'll screw you.

You should have voted different, like you should have known better, you should have done something different. And I found that attitude so disgusting because I don't think whether people have a good life or not should be dependent on whether they voted for the politician that you like or don't like. I you know, have Karen Bass I think has made a mess politically for herself.

You should have voted different, like you should have known better, you should have done something different. And I found that attitude so disgusting because I don't think whether people have a good life or not should be dependent on whether they voted for the politician that you like or don't like. I you know, have Karen Bass I think has made a mess politically for herself.

She pled she wouldn't go out in the country.

She pled she wouldn't go out in the country.

Then she was out in the country when the worst disaster possible struck the state. I am no Gavin Newsom fan. I don't think that should have anything to do with whether or not people who just lost their homes and everything they ever worked for, whether or not they get aid. Some of those people, by the way, are Republicans too. There are a lot of Republicans in California, though the state overall is blue. And if we start going down this path of saying I'm only giving aid and only helping out when you vote for the politicians that I want you to vote for, there is no end to that hell for this country that we would go, I.

Then she was out in the country when the worst disaster possible struck the state. I am no Gavin Newsom fan. I don't think that should have anything to do with whether or not people who just lost their homes and everything they ever worked for, whether or not they get aid. Some of those people, by the way, are Republicans too. There are a lot of Republicans in California, though the state overall is blue. And if we start going down this path of saying I'm only giving aid and only helping out when you vote for the politicians that I want you to vote for, there is no end to that hell for this country that we would go, I.

Will look, I'll split the difference.

Will look, I'll split the difference.

I'm not saying I'm fine with conditioning aid as long as it's reasonable. And what I mean by that is, for example, like when we bailed out pension funds, right, we don't bail out pension funds and allow them to just continue doing business after two thousand and eight. We'll bail you out, but we need to have some systematic reform to make sure that this stuff doesn't happen. So if it was actually policy focused, I would be fine. But the problem is is if they're for example, as people here know, I don't agree with the electoral vehicle mandate at all.

I'm not saying I'm fine with conditioning aid as long as it's reasonable. And what I mean by that is, for example, like when we bailed out pension funds, right, we don't bail out pension funds and allow them to just continue doing business after two thousand and eight. We'll bail you out, but we need to have some systematic reform to make sure that this stuff doesn't happen. So if it was actually policy focused, I would be fine. But the problem is is if they're for example, as people here know, I don't agree with the electoral vehicle mandate at all.

It had nothing to do with the fire.

It had nothing to do with the fire.

So we shouldn't be bailing out the state, conditioning on them, reversing policy that has nothing to do with the actual circumstances here. So let's say we're talking about water reservoir Well, we're like all right, Well, here's this money for this water reservoir to build ten more. Don't use it for something else. I'm fine with that, you know whatever. I don't even know if.

So we shouldn't be bailing out the state, conditioning on them, reversing policy that has nothing to do with the actual circumstances here. So let's say we're talking about water reservoir Well, we're like all right, Well, here's this money for this water reservoir to build ten more. Don't use it for something else. I'm fine with that, you know whatever. I don't even know if.

It's necessarily conditioning eight.

It's necessarily conditioning eight.

But if it's about broader politics, I'd be totally against it. I mean another principal thing too. People here, now, I love California always. Well, it doesn't matter how screwed up it gets. It's just a beautiful state. But the thing is is, we're given unconditioned aid to Ukraine and to Israel, but we're going to condition aid to the state of Calcia.

But if it's about broader politics, I'd be totally against it. I mean another principal thing too. People here, now, I love California always. Well, it doesn't matter how screwed up it gets. It's just a beautiful state. But the thing is is, we're given unconditioned aid to Ukraine and to Israel, but we're going to condition aid to the state of Calcia.

That's too much for me.

That's too much for me.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Where I'm like, so the Israelis can do whatever they want with our money, and so the Ukrainians can do whatever we want through our money.

Where I'm like, so the Israelis can do whatever they want with our money, and so the Ukrainians can do whatever we want through our money.

And look, I can make.

And look, I can make.

An economic case probably California deserves to get bailed out than any other state in the entire nation. They paid probably more income tax to the federal government than anybody else. They've got the biggest population. It's a G seven nation in its own right. You got twenty five percent of the GDP of the entire country tied up in an industry which is headquartered there. So look, got a lot of problems and all that, but you know, if California is split off from America, we'd be screwed.

An economic case probably California deserves to get bailed out than any other state in the entire nation. They paid probably more income tax to the federal government than anybody else. They've got the biggest population. It's a G seven nation in its own right. You got twenty five percent of the GDP of the entire country tied up in an industry which is headquartered there. So look, got a lot of problems and all that, but you know, if California is split off from America, we'd be screwed.

It'd be not good for any of us.

It'd be not good for any of us.

So look just based on that alone, and then you've got the civic argument here, which is, look at state just like any other I would stay for Alabama, I'd say from Mississippi. All these other states which are probably net negatives you know, on a balance sheet for the federal government, doesn't mean they aren't our citizens. Puerto Rico, any of these places. If you're under our purview, we take care of you. So yeah, I have some problems with it, and I just think it'd be absurd.

So look just based on that alone, and then you've got the civic argument here, which is, look at state just like any other I would stay for Alabama, I'd say from Mississippi. All these other states which are probably net negatives you know, on a balance sheet for the federal government, doesn't mean they aren't our citizens. Puerto Rico, any of these places. If you're under our purview, we take care of you. So yeah, I have some problems with it, and I just think it'd be absurd.

I also do think.

I also do think.

It's pretty antithetical the America first conception of it, when you're like, sure, Israel have whatever you want, but oh, struggling citizen in California.

It's pretty antithetical the America first conception of it, when you're like, sure, Israel have whatever you want, but oh, struggling citizen in California.

Sorry, not a big Karen Bass fan.

Sorry, not a big Karen Bass fan.

So your and I do think that there are I mean, like you said, there are a lot of Republicans in California.

So your and I do think that there are I mean, like you said, there are a lot of Republicans in California.

I need to go look it up. I have millions of people.

I need to go look it up. I have millions of people.

I saw someone there.

I saw someone there.

I think just the state is so large, but I think there's the largest number of Republicans of any state in the state of California, just simply because it is such a large population there.

I think just the state is so large, but I think there's the largest number of Republicans of any state in the state of California, just simply because it is such a large population there.

Population shift all the time. I I can tell you this. I know people in La California, they have been radicalized. Things are very going to be They're going to be very different. I think the LA elite. I mean, look at ari Emmanuels are supporting a recall on not officially, but he's like endorsed Karen Bass. He's the unofficial mayor right like WMME. You've got people like Rick Caruso and others, the tech guys, half of them are right wing. Peter Thiel lives in La. There's a lot of right wingers who live in LA. There's a lot of very rich Californians. But not just them. Now, the voters, they've got a good case against Karen. I mean, she's done right, she's dead. She's never gonna I would certainly, Yeah, she'll probably get a recalled given them what's happened to her, and that guy Rick Caruso is probably gonna win. So you can think about You've got all these guys and others who are effectively supporting a Dino like a Democrat in name only, I mean, who cares whether it's Democrat or Republican if you want the policy to change. This would actually give Karen Bass and some of the liberals an argument for why to you know, to argue against people like the actual reformers and others that you may want to see in power. So that'd be another main reason not to do it well.

Population shift all the time. I I can tell you this. I know people in La California, they have been radicalized. Things are very going to be They're going to be very different. I think the LA elite. I mean, look at ari Emmanuels are supporting a recall on not officially, but he's like endorsed Karen Bass. He's the unofficial mayor right like WMME. You've got people like Rick Caruso and others, the tech guys, half of them are right wing. Peter Thiel lives in La. There's a lot of right wingers who live in LA. There's a lot of very rich Californians. But not just them. Now, the voters, they've got a good case against Karen. I mean, she's done right, she's dead. She's never gonna I would certainly, Yeah, she'll probably get a recalled given them what's happened to her, and that guy Rick Caruso is probably gonna win. So you can think about You've got all these guys and others who are effectively supporting a Dino like a Democrat in name only, I mean, who cares whether it's Democrat or Republican if you want the policy to change. This would actually give Karen Bass and some of the liberals an argument for why to you know, to argue against people like the actual reformers and others that you may want to see in power. So that'd be another main reason not to do it well.

And also just keep in mind, like a lot of the focus has been on Pacific policies, which is not I guess the I mean, I have sympathy for anyone who works their home, even they're rich, famous, whatever, But you know, these are wealthy people.

And also just keep in mind, like a lot of the focus has been on Pacific policies, which is not I guess the I mean, I have sympathy for anyone who works their home, even they're rich, famous, whatever, But you know, these are wealthy people.

They're going to be able to rebuild. By and large.

They're going to be able to rebuild. By and large.

There's a middle class, longtime black community that was just utterly devastated, and you're going to tell me you're not going to give them help in this horrible situation, No fall to their own because you don't like the way that California votes, like that's disgusting, That is just to me, that is just an absolutely repellent way to treat your fellow human beings, let alone your fellow citizens. And you know, Democrats, certainly, they have always consistently voted for the aid for whatever state wherever it comes from. But there's nothing that would keep that principle in place. If you're going to wage war on California that way. Guess what next time there's a hurricane that hits Florida, which Lord know is going to happen next to hurricane season, suddenly they may have some questions about whether they want to vote that aid through and help Floridians in their time of need because they don't like the way that the state has shifted to the right.

There's a middle class, longtime black community that was just utterly devastated, and you're going to tell me you're not going to give them help in this horrible situation, No fall to their own because you don't like the way that California votes, like that's disgusting, That is just to me, that is just an absolutely repellent way to treat your fellow human beings, let alone your fellow citizens. And you know, Democrats, certainly, they have always consistently voted for the aid for whatever state wherever it comes from. But there's nothing that would keep that principle in place. If you're going to wage war on California that way. Guess what next time there's a hurricane that hits Florida, which Lord know is going to happen next to hurricane season, suddenly they may have some questions about whether they want to vote that aid through and help Floridians in their time of need because they don't like the way that the state has shifted to the right.

So that's why I say this is, you.

So that's why I say this is, you.

Know, absolute hell path to go on, as if the nation isn't already divided enough.

Know, absolute hell path to go on, as if the nation isn't already divided enough.

There you go.

There you go.

All right, let's get to mister beast. This is a really fun story. I've been excited to cover it. First and foremost is just the fate of TikTok. What the hell is going to happen? Literally four days from when we're taking this segment, TikTok is set to shut down as long as the Supreme Court doesn't issue an opinion, and the Supreme Court has already said we're not issuing opinions for the next week, So basically it's over as of January nineteenth, TikTok's plan is shut it all down. Now people have been floating trying to buy it. Mister Beast has planned. Nobody really knows if this is a bit or not. It's probably both. But mister Beast has come out and said that he's met with a bunch of billionaires to try and buy TikTok.