April 23rd • 2h 51m
Shownotes
Every new episode of No Agenda is accompanied by a comprehensive list of shownotes curated by Adam while preparing for the show. Clips played by the hosts during the show can also be found here.
01 - SPLC INDICTMENT (folder: 01 SPLC Indictment)
LEAD: The Southern Poverty Law Center has been indicted on 11 federal counts — 6 wire fraud, 4 bank fraud, 1 conspiracy to commit money laundering. Acting AG Blanche and FBI Director Patel announced the charges. SPLC paid at least $3 million to 8 individuals affiliated with KKK, Aryan Nations, Nazi groups, and American Front through fictitious shell companies. One recipient — a LEADER who planned the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville where one person was killed — received $270K over 8 years. SPLC then created "work product" reporting on the activities THEIR OWN PAID SOURCES participated in. They manufactured the extremism they claimed to fight. We've been calling this since 2013.
Rundown - 3 clips in play order (~7:03)
<b>— WE CALLED IT: 2013-2019 ARCHIVE MONTAGE —</b>
01 SPLC NA Historical Supercut (2:59) — file: SPLC NA Historical Supercut.mp3 (show folder root)
Archive montage spanning 2013–2019. JCD 2013: "I got a real distrust for these guys." Adam 2013: "I've always felt very uneasy about the Southern Poverty Law Center. They are the go-to guys." Adam 2017: "Scam... you want to be a hate group or you want to help us? Hate or help." Adam 2019: "The Southern Poverty Law Center, who we have been tracking for a DECADE... a juggernaut for fundraising... at the center of all these fact-check networks... everything that they accuse others of, they have been guilty of themselves."
ADAM GLUE: Thirteen years. We've been saying this for thirteen years. And now...
<b>— THE INDICTMENT —</b>
02 AG Blanche + FBI Director Patel Press Conference (2:21)
Full statement. 11 counts. Wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering. $3 million to 8 individuals. KKK, Aryan Nations, Nazis, American Front. $270K to Charlottesville rally planner. "Doing the exact opposite of what it told its donors."
ADAM GLUE: Doing the exact opposite. Now listen to what the donors thought they were funding.
<b>— CHARLOTTESVILLE: THE SPLC'S GREATEST HIT —</b>
03 Superclip — Biden Does Charlottesville (Steve Jones)
Steve's supercut of Biden invoking Charlottesville "very fine people" over and over — the event that launched his 2020 campaign. Play IMMEDIATELY after the Blanche indictment reveals SPLC was paying $270K to F-37 who PLANNED the Unite the Right rally. The SPLC manufactured the event that Biden used to run for president.
ADAM GLUE: The SPLC paid the man who planned the rally. Biden used that rally to run for president. Now listen to the donors who funded it all.
<b>— THE DONORS —</b>
04 SPLC Fundraising Video — "Why Give To The SPLC?" (1:43)
SPLC's own fundraising video. Donors praising the organization. "Morris Dees and the Southern Poverty Law Center stand between civilization and barbarism." "This is the outfit that sued the Klan and put them out of business." "If you don't want to be in the trenches, find the best person you can who is and support them."
ADAM CLOSER: Stand between civilization and barbarism. Sue the Klan and put them out of business. While paying the Imperial Wizard a salary. Paying the man who planned Charlottesville — the rally Joe Biden used to launch his presidential campaign. With YOUR donations. Through a shell company they named — and I'm not making this up — Center Investigative Agency. CIA.
<b>INDICTMENT DEEP DIVE — Adam reads on air:</b>
<b>The Shell Companies:</b>
SPLC set up fictitious entities to funnel donor money to Nazi informants:
• "Center Investigative Agency" (CIA) — yes, they literally named their shell company CIA
• Fox Photography
• North West Technologies
• Tech Writers Group
• Rare Books Warehouse
• Plus 4 earlier shells closed 2008-2013: Imagery Ink, J&J Electronics, Kelly's Marine, Turner Personnel
None were ever incorporated. No employees. No actual business. All opened at Bank-1 with false Sole Proprietorship documents signed by the CFO.
<b>F-9 — The Million-Dollar Nazi:</b>
National Alliance member. Paid OVER $1,000,000 by SPLC over 20+ years.
In 2014, F-9 BROKE INTO a violent extremist group's headquarters and stole 25 boxes of documents.
A high-level SPLC employee coordinated the theft and knew the documents were stolen.
F-9 went back and RETURNED the originals — second illegal entry.
The SPLC employee then published a Hatewatch article based on the stolen documents.
When it came to light, SPLC paid ANOTHER informant (F-39) $6,000 to take the blame.
<b>F-37 — The Charlottesville Planner ($270K):</b>
Member of the online leadership chat group that PLANNED the Unite the Right rally.
Made racist postings UNDER SPLC SUPERVISION.
Helped coordinate transportation to the event for several attendees.
Paid $270,000 between 2015-2023. One person was killed at that rally.
<b>The Imperial Wizard:</b>
SPLC was paying the Imperial Wizard of the United Klans of America.
In their own article (Nov 2013), SPLC described UKA as responsible for the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing that killed four little girls in 1963.
They were paying the leader of THAT organization.
<b>F-42 — The Extremist File Paradox:</b>
Former chairman of the National Alliance. Paid $140,000 (2016-2023).
SPLC had an "Extremist File" webpage about F-42 FROM WHICH THEY SOLICITED DONATIONS.
They were simultaneously paying F-42 AND using his name to raise money against him.
<b>The Bank Caught Them (2020):</b>
Bank-1 conducted internal investigation into the shell accounts.
SPLC President and Board Chair wrote a letter ADMITTING all accounts were opened for SPLC operations.
Instead of stopping, they SWITCHED METHODS: used ACH payments masked as "Rarebooks050" and "IPResearchCON050".
Also loaded donor money onto PAY CARDS issued to Nazis as fake "employees" of Rare Books Warehouse.
Continued until August 2023.
<b>The Money Trail:</b>
SPLC operating account → CIA account at Bank-1 → Fox Photography / North West Tech / Tech Writers → individual Fs
Also: CIA account → Rare Books at Bank-2 → pay cards to Fs
After bank investigation: direct ACH with masked names
Articles
02 - TUCKER BUCKLEY IRAN BETRAYAL (folder: 02 Tucker Buckley Iran Betrayal)
LEAD: Tucker Carlson's brother Buckley goes on the show to articulate what the MAGA base is feeling about the Iran war. People who wrote speeches, voted three times, feel betrayed, enraged, like suckers. Buckley names the breaking point — the attack on Iran was unnecessary, a forever war that kills Americans and degrades the country. Then the money shot: Adelson $250 million, neocon donors, "Jesus Rebbe." This is the right-wing anti-war movement finding its voice through a Carlson.
Rundown - 4 clips in play order (~6:30)
<b>— THE BETRAYAL —</b>
01 Tucker Carlson — People Feel Betrayed (1:27)
Tucker sets it up. People feel betrayed. Enraged. Like suckers. "Wrote speeches. Voted three times. My brother Buckley." Personal — Tucker bringing his own family into the critique.
ADAM GLUE: Tucker Carlson. His brother Buckley. Listen to this.
<b>— THE BREAKING POINT —</b>
02 Buckley Carlson — Breaking Point, Unnecessary Forever War (1:39)
Buckley: The breaking point is the attack on Iran. Unnecessary. Forever war. Killed Americans. Degrade the country. "Already has."
ADAM GLUE: Already has. Now listen to why he says Trump did it.
03 Buckley Carlson — Explicit Promises, Did It Against His Will (1:28)
Iran war betrayal. Explicit promises — Trump said he wouldn't do this. Did it against his will. No choice. Buckley: "No sympathy."
ADAM GLUE: No sympathy. And here's where the money comes from.
<b>— FOLLOW THE MONEY —</b>
04 Buckley — Adelson $250M, Neocons, Donors, Jesus Rebbe (1:56)
Buckley names names. Adelson — $250 million. Neocon donors. "Jesus Rebbe." The money trail behind the war.
ADAM CLOSER: Follow the money. $250 million buys a war. Now — Eric Weinstein has the bigger picture.
03 - WEINSTEIN BIGGER GAME (folder: 03 Weinstein Bigger Game)
LEAD: Eric Weinstein (Thiel Capital managing director) articulates the No Agenda thesis: the two American parties exist to prune populist candidates so both nominees are acceptable to the international order. Trump broke through in 2016 — first candidate ever with no military or government position. "Democracy is the greatest threat to democracy" — two different concepts overloaded on the same word. The unsolved problem they will not bring in front of the people.
Rundown - 3 clips in play order (~6:23)
<b>— DRUNKEN BOXING —</b>
01 Eric Weinstein — Wild Card Drunken Boxing (1:27)
Three people doing drunken boxing — Kanye, Elon, Trump. "I think Trump is an incredibly intelligent man. Incredible method in his tweets. Five or six types and the left falls for every one." Impossible to anticipate, impossible to trap. Forces the system to react instead of control.
ADAM GLUE: Eric Weinstein. Managing director of Thiel Capital. Here's the deeper thesis.
<b>— THE SYSTEM —</b>
02 Eric Weinstein — Two Parties Prune Populists, Magician's Choice (2:03)
"There has been a system in place." Two parties prune populists. Magician's choice — pick a card, any card, but the magician controls which card. Both candidates acceptable to international order — State Dept, intelligence community, Defense Dept. "You can't have alliances subject to the whim of the people in plebiscites."
ADAM GLUE: Everything was going fine. Until 2016.
<b>— THE BREACH —</b>
03 Eric Weinstein — Trump Broke Through, Democracy vs Democracy (2:49)
Trump broke through. First candidate ever with no military or government position. Full court press — loser, wild man, idiot, Russian agent. "Democracy is the greatest threat to democracy." Two concepts: will of the people vs. institutions that sprang from democracy. "The unsolved problem they will not bring in front of the people."
ADAM CLOSER: Two different concepts of democracy overloaded on the same word. That's it. That's the show.
04 - TARIFFS STEEL 232 (folder: 04 Tariffs Steel 232)
LEAD: Section 232 steel tariffs are working. Steel EVP on Fox Business: "Most exciting time." 232s paying off — full tariff on imports, $25 billion in new investment, 4 million tons new capacity, 1,000 destroyers worth of national security steel. Manufacturing jobs turning around — tens of thousands, every steel job creates six or seven through the supply chain. This is what Weinstein's "drunken boxer" actually built while everyone watched his fists.
<b>TARIFF DEEP DIVE — Adam reads on air:</b>
<b>The Supreme Court Play:</b>
Feb 20, 2026: Supreme Court strikes down IEEPA tariffs 6-3. Two TRUMP-APPOINTED justices — Gorsuch and Barrett — join majority. $165B collected, $1.4T projected through 2035. GONE.
SAME DAY: Trump signs Section 122 tariffs — 10% global. The executive order was READY. Pre-written. Waiting for the trigger.
April 2: Trump signs Section 232 restructuring. Full customs value. 50% on everything. "Melted and poured" incentive.
Bessent confirms: "Combining Section 122, 232, and 301 will result in VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED tariff revenue in 2026." Every dollar replaced.
<b>The Critical Change:</b>
BEFORE: Tariffs applied to VALUE OF METAL CONTENT only
AFTER: Tariffs apply to FULL CUSTOMS VALUE of finished product
50% on steel articles (pipe, coils, sheet, fittings, rebar)
25% on downstream products (auto parts, machinery, appliances)
10% ONLY if metal is "melted and poured" in the United States (95%+ US origin)
<b>What This Forces:</b>
A $200 Chinese pipe fitting: $200 + 50% = $300
A $200 American pipe fitting with US steel: $200 + 10% = $220
40-point advantage for American manufacturers using American steel
If you want to sell into the American market, you MUST use American steel
<b>The Fortress:</b>
IEEPA tariffs = temporary, legally vulnerable, courts struck them down
Section 232 tariffs = PERMANENT infrastructure:
• Creates jobs that can't be taken away without political suicide
• Creates factories that lobby for their own protection
• National security argument is self-reinforcing (post-Hormuz)
• No sunset. No expiration. No automatic review.
Trump didn't just replace the revenue. He replaced a temporary structure with a PERMANENT one. The drunken boxer built a fortress while everyone was watching his fists.
Rundown - 4 clips in play order (~5:15)
<b>— THE MISDIRECTION —</b>
01 Trump CNBC — Little Setback, One Sentence, $160 Billion, Doing It A Different Way (0:45)
Trump calls into CNBC Squawk Box. "We had a little setback with the Supreme Court. They said I can charge tariffs, but I have to do it a different way." Complains about paying back $160 billion. "All they had to do is add one sentence. Just one sentence. You don't have to pay back tariffs that have already been received." Lost by "just two votes" — his own appointees Gorsuch and Barrett sided with the majority. Closes: "So we're doing it a different way."
KEY: He's complaining about the MONEY, not the tariffs. He barely mentions losing the tariff authority itself — because he already had Section 232 ready. His own justices voted against him. The replacement was pre-written, signed SAME DAY. The "different way" is the fortress.
ADAM GLUE: A little setback. His own justices. Doing it a different way. Listen to what the "different way" actually produced.
<b>— THE RESULTS —</b>
02 Steel EVP — Most Exciting Time, 232s Paying Off (1:30)
Steel industry executive on Fox Business. "We are energized. Most exciting time." Section 232 tariffs paying off. Full tariff protection working.
ADAM GLUE: Most exciting time in steel. Now the numbers.
03 Steel EVP — $25 Billion Investment, 4 Million Tons, 1000 Destroyers (1:30)
$25 billion in new investment. 4 million tons of new crude steelmaking capacity. "1,000 destroyers" worth of national security steel. This is real industrial capacity being built.
ADAM GLUE: A thousand destroyers. And the jobs.
04 Steel EVP — Manufacturing Jobs Turnaround (1:30)
Manufacturing jobs turning around. Tens of thousands. "Every steel job creates six or seven through the supply chain." The multiplier effect in action.
<b>BOTG — OIL BARON: "RUN ON PIPE" — Adam reads on air:</b>
Our oil baron boots on the ground explains why shipping became the biggest problem:
<b>1) On-the-water cargo got repriced overnight.</b> When the Section 232 calculation changed, cargo that already left Korea, Japan — suddenly faced much higher duties at US customs. Deals that were profitable became losing money. Some cargos got delayed, rerouted, or sat at port waiting for clarity. That alone tightens supply immediately.
<b>2) Nobody wants to ship into uncertainty.</b> Pipe is not like oil — long lead time (60-120+ days), high working capital, thin margins. You don't know the final duty until arrival. You don't know how customs will interpret value. So traders think: why ship today if I might get crushed on arrival? New orders slowed or paused. Export mills hesitated to book US tons.
<b>3) Logistics got jammed.</b> Importers rushed to pull forward shipments. Ports saw surges in arrivals then sudden drop-offs. Not smooth flow — lumpy, chaotic flow.
<b>4) Domestic mills can't bridge the gap.</b> Even though US mills benefit, they can't instantly replace imports. 8-16+ week lead times. Limited threading and finishing capacity for OCTG. When imports stall, there's a real physical hole in supply.
<b>5) Pipe is NOT inventory-light.</b> If you miss a pipe delivery — rigs sit idle, frac schedule slips. So the reaction: over-order, secure early, hold inventory.
<b>The chain reaction:</b> Tariff formula changes → shipping economics break mid-transit → importers pause new shipments → supply pipeline literally slows → buyers panic (can't risk no pipe) → inventory gets hoarded → spot market tightens fast. That's your "run on pipe."
ADAM CLOSER: The drunken boxer built a fortress. Supreme Court struck down his tariffs, he came back with something better. Something permanent. And the oil baron says: that's your run on pipe.
05 - BESSENT TESTIMONY (folder: 05 Bessent Testimony)
LEAD: Treasury Secretary Bessent before Senate Appropriations. Russia profiting $150M/day from lifted sanctions while funding Iran with drones to kill US troops. Bessent reversed on sanctions in 24 hours after being lobbied at World Bank — $4.5B to Putin in 30 days. Oil market in "steep backwardation" — futures say gas coming down IF the war ends (Armed Services says it won't). IRA is the "Inflation Acceleration Act" — $80B IRS infusion was a scoring gimmick, tech upgrade $50B over budget. Then the swap lines — many Gulf AND Asian allies requesting dollar lifelines to prevent disorderly sale of US assets.
Rundown - 6 clips in play order (~8:00)
<b>— RUSSIA PROFITS FROM THE WAR —</b>
01 Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) — Russia Profiting $150M/Day From Sanctions Relief (1:15)
Coons (D-Delaware), ranking member Senate Appropriations. "No country has profited more from this war than Russia." Oil/gas up 50%. Treasury lifted sanctions = extra $150M/day. Russia using profits to support Iran with drones and intelligence to kill US troops.
ADAM GLUE: A hundred and fifty million a day. And Bessent reversed himself overnight.
02 Coons (D-DE) vs Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent — Disagree More + DNC Reversal + $4.5B Putin (2:07)
Coons grills Bessent. "Do you disagree?" — Bessent: "I couldn't disagree more." Coons: "I'm not the DNC, I'm the senator from Delaware." Bessent defends Hormuz math (100% of $100 < 80% of $150). Then the reversal: Bessent said Wednesday wouldn't extend, reversed Thursday after 10 countries lobbied at World Bank. "30 days, $4.5 billion to Putin's war machine."
ADAM GLUE: Reversed in twenty-four hours. Now here's Bessent doing his hedge fund thing.
<b>— THE ECONOMY —</b>
03 Treasury Sec. Bessent — Steep Backwardation, Energy Dominance, Path Dependent on War (0:52)
Bessent (Treasury Secretary): "The crude market is in what is known as very steep backwardation — future prices are much lower." Gas prices will come back. "President Trump has shown he is good at getting energy prices down." Senator (unnamed, Armed Services Committee): "How fast?" Bessent: "Path dependent on when the war ends." Senator: "From Armed Services, it's not likely to end soon."
ADAM GLUE: Path dependent on the war. Which isn't ending. Now the swap lines.
<b>— DOLLAR SWAP LINES —</b>
04 Treasury Sec. Bessent — Many Gulf Allies Requested Swap Lines, Prevent Disorderly Sale (1:05)
Bloomberg TV coverage of Senate hearing. Unnamed senator asks about UAE swap line request. Bessent (Treasury Secretary): "Many of our Gulf allies have requested swap lines... to maintain order in dollar funding markets and prevent the sale of US assets in a... disorderly way." Asian allies requesting them too. The pause before "disorderly" is telling.
05 Treasury Sec. Bessent — UAE Swap Line, WLFI, Binance, AI Chips (1:14)
C-SPAN, Senate hearing. Senator lays out UAE context: $500M WLFI deal, $2B Binance, AI chips. Now swap line. Bessent (Treasury Secretary): "Prevent sale of US assets. Both benefit."
ADAM CLOSER: Gulf allies, Asian allies, all requesting dollar lifelines. This is the Mar-a-Lago Accord in action. Swap lines = dollar dependency reinforcement. Now meet the man who's going to run the Fed.
06 - WARSH FED CONFIRMATION (folder: 06 Warsh Fed Confirmation)
LEAD: Trump's Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh before Senate Banking Committee. Called 2021-22 inflation a "fatal policy error." Declared "regime change in the conduct of policy." Said inflation comes from government printing, not wages. Pointed out half of Americans own zero financial assets — QE only benefits Wall Street. Warren screams about "sock puppets." Kennedy asks Warsh: "Are you going to be the president's human sock puppet?" — "Absolutely not. I'll be an independent actor."
Rundown - 5 clips in play order (~3:00)
<b>— REGIME CHANGE AT THE FED —</b>
01 Kevin Warsh (Fed Chair Nominee, fmr Fed Governor) — Fatal Policy Error, Regime Change, New Framework (0:55)
Warsh (Trump's nominee for Fed Chair, former Fed Governor 2006-2011, managing director Morgan Stanley): "Prices went up 25-35% for virtually all Americans. The fatal policy error going back four or five years is still a legacy we're dealing with. We need fundamental policy reforms. I think that means a regime change in the conduct of policy. A different new inflation framework."
ADAM GLUE: Regime change. The Fed chair nominee said that. At his confirmation hearing.
02 Warsh (Fed Chair Nominee) — Inflation = Government Prints Too Much (0:30)
Warsh responding to senator's question on inflation causes: "I don't think inflation comes about when hard-working Americans get increased in their wages. I think inflation comes about when the government prints too much — by which I mean the central bank — and the government spends too much."
ADAM GLUE: The Fed nominee blaming the Fed. Now the kicker.
03 Warsh (Fed Chair Nominee) — Half Americans Own Zero Financial Assets (0:25)
Warsh explaining why he favors interest rate policy over QE: "Interest rates affect a far broader cross-section. Interest rates get in the cracks. Versus quantitative easing, which tends to move through financial assets first. Half of our fellow Americans don't own any financial assets, so they're wondering what's in it for them."
ADAM GLUE: Half of Americans don't own any financial assets. QE did nothing for them. Now — the theater.
<b>— THE THEATER —</b>
04a Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) — Sock Puppet Rant (0:30)
Warren (D-Massachusetts), Senate Banking Committee: "Having a sock puppet in charge of the Fed would give the president access to enrich himself, his family, and his Wall Street buddies. A Fed under Donald Trump's control creates more opportunities for Trump's corruption."
04b Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) + Warsh — "Are You Going to Be the President's Human Sock Puppet?" (0:40)
Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Senate Banking Committee, questioning Warsh. "Professor, what's the sock puppet?" Warsh: "That thing you stick your hand in." Kennedy: "What's a HUMAN sock puppet?" Warsh: "Somebody who does what somebody else tells them to do." Kennedy: "Are you going to be the president's human sock puppet?" Warsh: "Absolutely not. I'll be an independent actor if confirmed as chairman of the Federal Reserve."
ADAM CLOSER: Senator Kennedy. God bless that man.
07 - DEEP STATE DOJ (folder: 07 Deep State DOJ)
LEAD: FBI Director Kash Patel tells Maria Bartiromo arrests are coming — Comey indicted, hidden files found. Then former CIA Director John Brennan confirms on MSNBC he's been subpoenaed in the grand conspiracy probe alongside Comey. His defense: "I would have been derelict if we didn't expose Russian interference." Calls Trump a pathological liar, incompetent, deeply corrupt. Reveals Trump asked Starmer "why do you need advisors?" — acts on gut alone.
Rundown - 5 clips in play order (~4:30)
<b>— THE PROSECUTION —</b>
01 FBI Dir. Kash Patel + Maria Bartiromo (Fox News) — Arrests Coming, I Promise (1:00)
Patel (FBI Director) on Fox with Bartiromo (Fox Business anchor). "With Trump since day one. Gowdy, Ratcliffe, Nunes — FISA abuses." Comey indicted. Hidden files found. "Arrests coming. I promise."
ADAM GLUE: Kash Patel. FBI Director. Arrests coming. Now — the target's reaction.
<b>— THE TARGET REACTS —</b>
02 John Brennan (Fmr CIA Dir.) — Subpoena Confirmed, Grand Conspiracy, Harass and Ruin People (1:23)
Brennan (former CIA Director, Obama admin) on MSNBC. Confirms subpoena: "Jim Comey, myself and others have received subpoenas from the Department of Justice about some grand conspiracy or the work that we did while we were in government — going back basically 10 years. This is an effort to try to harass and ruin people professionally, personally, financially." Defense: "I would have been derelict if we didn't expose Russian interference in the 2016 election."
ADAM GLUE: Grand conspiracy. Harass and ruin. His words. Listen to this man.
03 John Brennan (Fmr CIA Dir.) — Dismayed, Disappointed, Mean-Spirited, DOJ Has Fallen, Surreal (1:10)
Brennan on MSNBC. "Dismayed. Disappointed. Mean-spirited. The DOJ has fallen. Surreal." Full emotional display.
04 John Brennan (Fmr CIA Dir.) — Pathological Liar, Incompetent, Deeply Corrupt, Gulf War (0:30)
Brennan on MSNBC: "There's this toxic mix of traits — he's a pathological liar, he is incompetent on so many fronts, and he's deeply corrupt, which is now manifesting itself in terms of the Gulf War. There was no real rationale for this war. He doesn't understand how he's going to get himself out of this mess."
<b>— THE TELL —</b>
05 John Brennan (Fmr CIA Dir.) — Trump Asks Starmer "Why Do You Need Advisors?" (0:46)
Brennan on MSNBC: "Trump said something very telling. Starmer told Trump, I need to speak with my advisors. And Trump said, why do you have to speak with your advisors? These are all things he does on his own." Brennan: "Starmer listens to intelligence professionals, military experts, foreign policy advisors. But Donald Trump acts on his gut, on his feelings."
ADAM CLOSER: Why do you need advisors? The former CIA Director thinks that's a weakness. Eric Weinstein thinks it's the drunken boxer. You decide.
08 - STARMER MANDELSON EPSTEIN (folder: 08 Starmer Mandelson Epstein)
LEAD: Peter Mandelson — the "Prince of Darkness" — twice sacked from UK cabinet, Epstein associate, emails to Epstein saying "best pal" and "fight for early release." Starmer appointed him anyway. Senior civil servant Olly Robbins testifies Number 10 applied constant daily pressure — never interested in WHETHER to appoint, only WHEN. Epstein vetting was overruled on national security grounds. The PM either lied or is incompetent.
Rundown - 4 clips in play order (~4:30)
<b>— WHO IS MANDELSON? —</b>
01 Benedict Spence (GBNews commentator) — Mandelson Recap, Twice Sacked, Epstein, "Did You Know? Yes" (1:10)
Spence (GBNews political commentator) lays out Mandelson's history. Twice sacked from cabinet — Notting Hill home loan, Hinduja passport scandal. Then Epstein. Starmer was asked directly: did you know? Yes. "Is the Prime Minister lying or is he incompetent?"
ADAM GLUE: Twice sacked. Epstein. And they appointed him anyway. Here's why they call him the Prince of Darkness.
<b>— THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS —</b>
02 Esther Krakou (international commentator) — Prince Of Darkness, Resigned Twice, Indian Billionaire Passports, Emails (1:15)
Krakou (international affairs commentator) names him: "The Prince of Darkness." Resigned twice. Indian billionaire passports. Liberation Day financial crisis. The emails. Starmer knew all of it.
ADAM GLUE: The Prince of Darkness. Now — the testimony that proves Number 10 rammed it through.
<b>— THE COVERUP —</b>
03 Olly Robbins (Fmr Senior Civil Servant, Cabinet Office) — Constant Pressure, Daily Calls, Never WHETHER Only WHEN (1:05)
Robbins (former senior civil servant, Cabinet Office) testifying before parliamentary committee. "Constant pressure. Daily calls from Number 10." The question was never WHETHER Mandelson should be appointed — only WHEN. National security concerns raised but overridden.
ADAM GLUE: Never whether. Only when. And the vetting?
<b>— VETTING OVERRULED —</b>
04 France24 Correspondent — Robbins Letter, Epstein Vetting Overruled, National Security (1:00)
France24 correspondent (international source) reporting on Robbins' letter to the committee. Epstein connection flagged in vetting. Vetting overruled on national security grounds. The appointment was pushed through despite the flags.
ADAM CLOSER: Vetting overruled. National security. The Prince of Darkness sits in Starmer's cabinet because Number 10 made daily phone calls until it happened. And Starmer says he didn't know.
09 - CIA MEXICO CARTEL OP (folder: 09 CIA Mexico Cartel Op)
LEAD: Four officials including two CIA officers killed in car crash in Chihuahua, Mexico — just south of the US border. Local government calls it an accident, but it happened after a special operation to destroy drug labs. Sheinbaum resists US boots on ground — sovereignty. Fmr US Ambassador Feeley explains the dichotomy between what Mexico says publicly and what happens operationally.
Rundown - 4 clips in play order (~5:00)
01 PBS Amna Nawaz (anchor) — CIA Agents Killed in Mexico Crash, Cartel Drug Lab Op (1:10)
Nawaz (PBS NewsHour anchor) reports: four officials killed including two Americans widely reported as CIA officers. Crash in Chihuahua after special op to destroy drug labs. Sheinbaum pressed for answers.
02 Amb. John Feeley (Fmr US Amb. to Panama) — Why Would CIA Be In Cartel Op? (1:15)
Feeley (former US Ambassador to Panama, lengthy Latin America career, now CEO Center for Media Integrity of the Americas) explains why CIA would be involved in cartel operations.
03 Amb. Feeley — Sheinbaum Resists US Boots, Sovereignty, Dichotomy (1:20)
Feeley on Sheinbaum consistently resisting Trump pressure to deploy US forces. "American boots on the ground would violate Mexico's sovereignty." But there's a clear dichotomy between what she says publicly and what's happening on the ground.
04 Amb. Feeley — El Mencho, Cartels, Violence Episodic, Plaza to Plaza (1:15)
Feeley on cartel violence patterns. El Mencho killed earlier this year set off firestorm. "Violence in Mexico related to cartels is always episodic. Goes up, goes down, moves from plaza to plaza." Until Mexico and US cooperate fully, cycle continues.
10 - TRUMP 25TH AMENDMENT (folder: 10 Trump 25th Amendment)
LEAD: Larry Johnson (former CIA analyst) on Judge Napolitano's show reports: emergency meeting at the White House Saturday night. Trump allegedly wanted to use nuclear codes on Iran. Gen. Dan Caine invoked his privilege as head of military and said no. "Pictures of Caine coming out of that meeting with his head down to the ground." Single source — treat accordingly.
Rundown - 1 clip
01 Larry Johnson (Fmr CIA Analyst) on Judge Napolitano — Trump Wanted Nuclear Codes, Gen. Caine Said No, Emergency Meeting (0:45)
Johnson (former CIA analyst) on Judge Napolitano show: "Report out that they had an emergency meeting Saturday night. Trump wanted to use the nuclear codes. General Dan Caine stood up and said no. He invoked his privilege as the head of the military. It was apparently quite a blow up. Pictures of Caine coming out with his head down to the ground."
NOTE: Single source, Judge Napolitano show. Explosive if true. No MSM confirmation yet.
11 - IMMIGRANT TAX FILINGS (folder: 11 Immigrant Tax Filings)
LEAD: Undocumented immigrants have stopped filing taxes. At one LA clinic, ITIN filers dropped from 1 in 3 to 1 in 10. ICE used IRS tax records to track immigrants — federal judges banned it, but the damage is done. Cato Institute: undocumented immigrants generate a $500 billion net surplus annually. IRS could lose $147-479 billion over the next decade from reduced filings plus deportations.
Rundown - 3 clips in play order (~3:30)
01 Apple News Today — ITIN Filings Drop From 1 in 3 to 1 in 10 (1:10)
Apple News report. Tax preparers noticing sharp drop. LA clinic: ITIN clients went from 1 in 3 to roughly 1 in 10. Illinois tax professional Evelyn Vasquez confirms same pattern.
02 Apple News Today — ICE Used Tax Records, Judges Banned Data Sharing (1:15)
ICE used IRS tax records to locate immigrants. Federal judges ruled it illegal in February, banned ICE from using collected information. So far no arrests from tax data. But the chilling effect is real — experts worry about fiscal impact of fewer filings.
03 Apple News Today — Cato: Half Trillion Dollar Surplus, IRS Could Lose $147-479B (1:05)
Libertarian Cato Institute: in 2023 alone, net surplus from undocumented immigrant taxation was about half a trillion dollars. Yale Budget Lab: IRS could lose $147-479 billion over the next decade from reduced filings combined with deportations.
ADAM CLOSER: Half a trillion dollars in net surplus. And they stopped filing. The government scared away its own revenue.
12 - IRAN WAR HORMUZ (folder: 12 Iran War Hormuz)
LEAD: Day 53. The Iran war is now hitting condom prices. Carex — world's top producer, 5 billion condoms a year, supplies Durex and Trojan — raising prices 20-30%. Oil prices impact everything: raw materials, chemicals, plastics, aluminum foil, silicone oil, packaging. "We have no choice but to transfer the cost." Then the mines that may not even exist.
Rundown - 2 clips in play order (~2:30)
<b>— CONDOM INFLATION —</b>
01 The Star (Malaysian news) — Carex CEO: Condom Prices Up 20-30% Due To Iran War (1:40)
Carex Berhad CEO (world's top condom producer, Malaysian company, 5 billion condoms/year, supplies Durex and Trojan). Raising prices 20-30%, possibly more. "Oil prices impact everything — transportation, raw materials, plastics, chemicals, aluminum foils, shrink film, silicone oil." Dollar/ringgit exchange not helping exporters. "We have no choice but to transfer the cost to customers." Joins growing list of companies bracing for supply chain bottlenecks as Iran war strains petrochemical flows.
ADAM GLUE: Condoms. The Iran war is now affecting condom prices. Five billion condoms a year. And the mines that are causing all this?
<b>— THE MINES —</b>
02 Sean Bell (Sky News military analyst) — Day 51, Mines May Be None At All, Just A Threat (0:46)
Bell (Sky News military analyst, Day 51 briefing): "How is it that with President Trump having devastated the Iranian military, they're still able to control the Strait of Hormuz?" The minefield: "Not entirely sure how many mines there. There may be none at all. Professionally, there could be up to 12." Iran has 6,000 in stockpiles. "It's just a threat of mines there that's causing the issue."
ADAM CLOSER: May be none at all. Up to 12. Out of 6,000. And THAT is why condom prices are going up 30%. The threat of mines. Not actual mines. The threat.
13 - BIG TECH AI (folder: 13 Big Tech AI)
LEAD: Tim Cook steps down as Apple CEO — John Ternus replaces him in September. Meanwhile the AI bubble is hitting the ground: half of ALL new US electricity demand from data centers. Bills up 23%. A man ARRESTED at a city council meeting for opposing a data center. Michigan statewide movement against Microsoft. Texas demand could QUADRUPLE. Last show we covered the hyperscaler bubble from the financial side (Allbirds, Jensen, token demand). This is what it looks like in people's neighborhoods.
Rundown - 6 clips in play order (~6:00)
<b>— APPLE —</b>
01 France24 — Tim Cook Steps Down, John Ternus Replaces September (0:30)
France24 report. Tim Cook stepping down as Apple CEO. John Ternus (hardware engineering chief) replaces him in September. Cook's defining challenge left for his successor: fixing Apple's AI strategy.
ADAM GLUE: Tim Cook out. And where is all the AI going? Into your neighborhood.
<b>— DATA CENTER REVOLT —</b>
02 ABC News — Half All New Electricity Demand, Bills Spiked 23% (0:49)
ABC News national report. Half of all new US electricity demand in the next 5 years from data centers. Laura in suburban Chicago — bills spiked 23%. "How do you budget? You can't."
03 Local News OK — Opponent ARRESTED at City Council Meeting (1:09)
Local news, Claremore Oklahoma. Darren Blanchard arrested at city council meeting for opposing Project Mustang data center. "Land, water, and power. Why put in the middle of people's homes?"
ADAM GLUE: Arrested. For asking questions at a city council meeting. Michigan next.
04 News Channel 3 MI — Statewide Movement Say No To Microsoft, Great Lakes (1:04)
Local news, Michigan. Statewide movement against Microsoft data center. 100 people. "Save Pierre. They want our Great Lakes. They want our water. They don't care how they do it."
05 WBRC AL — Forever Home, Five Houses For Sale, AI Factory (0:35)
Local news, Alabama. Couple moved to forever home. Five houses now for sale on their street. "Not against progress. Against this type of factory in a residential area."
ADAM GLUE: AI factory in a residential area. And Texas?
06 Local News TX — Electricity Demand Could Quadruple From Data Centers (1:35)
Local news, Texas. ERCOT says Texas electricity demand could quadruple from data centers. "Can the power grid handle that demand?"
ADAM CLOSER: Half of all new demand. Bills up 23%. Arrested for asking questions. They want your Great Lakes. Your forever home. And Texas demand could QUADRUPLE. Last show CNBC called the shoe company the bubble. The bubble is in your backyard.
