Emptywheel Friday: No Gremlins, All Chaos: Marcy Wheeler on Trump's Collapsing Empire
Summary
Marcy Wheeler joins Nicole Sandler to critique Trump’s failed foreign policy, including renaming Lake Ontario and ineffective Iran sanctions, while analyzing his declining physical health. They discuss John Ratcliffe’s meeting with Putin, the purging of national security experts, and the crisis on the USS Lincoln where sailors jumped due to extreme deployment conditions. The episode also covers Hakeem Jeffries’ leadership and the administration’s suppression of military press coverage.
Topics discussed
Intro: Unspun Podcast and Amanda Stergel
Sponsor: Rainy Day Rabbit Holes Live Event
Welcome to Empty Wheel Fridays with Marcy Wheeler
Trade negotiations with Canada and Iran sanctions
Trump's renaming of Lake Ontario and Great Lakes politics
Analysis of Trump's physical health and mobility issues
Russia interference, X/Twitter location data, and EU law
NATO, Kaliningrad, and the failure of Iran sanctions
Ratcliffe-Putin meeting and US intelligence on Russia
Purging of NSC experts and Laura Loomer's impact
US weakness, China's role, and the Iran war context
Historical context: Arthur Schlesinger and US power
Sailor suicide on USS Lincoln and deployment conditions
Military Times, Stars and Stripes, and press freedom
Naming the next aircraft carrier after Trump
Whiskey Pete, subpoenas, and corporate bribery
Sponsor: Midas Tires
Sponsor: Nicole Sandler Show and donations
Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer, and post-election strategy
Texas depositions and Florida election fraud claims
Minnesota fraud cases and Ashley Moody's corruption
Michelle Toffoya and the 1963 March on Washington
Georgia Senate race and John Osso's comments
Investigation into fabricated Antifa cases in Minnesota
Tribute to Dolly Parton and her legacy
Election focus and closing remarks
Outro: Unspun Podcast
Sponsor: Martin Sheen Podcast
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