Gaslit Nation

Sending FBI Director Kash Patel to Moscow right before the Midterms is like sending a coked-up frat boy into a whorehouse in hell, and the FSB will eat him alive. As Trump pushes the SAVE Act to disenfranchise millions, is he calling in Russian reinforcements to steal Congress? 
Can we overcome a gutted Voting Rights Act, MAGA poll taxes, and Russian cyber warfare and disinformation brainrotting? Yes. By treating our vote as sacred and doing the unglamorous, powerful grassroots work that wins elections–and ensured Zohran Mamdani defeated Andrew Cuomo not once, but twice. We deserve nice things–but we must work for them. That's how progress gets made. Our heroes who came before us felt demoralized and tired, too. Andrea's new book, A Reasonable Guide for Unreasonable Women: 20 Steps to Find Your Purpose and Power in a World on Fire, shares some of their stories and insights. We can put an end to Trump and Putin's dreams of turning America into a Russian-style oligarchy by remembering our power. 
On this week's show, we're joined by comedian and activist Pete Dominick of the Stand Up with Pete Dominick podcast. We break down the Epstein files, media intimidation, and the growing resistance to authoritarianism. In our bonus show, available exclusively for our Patreon and Substack supporters, we name names of who in the media enabled Trump's rise, and Pete shares what it was like trolling Trump to his face on The Apprentice. 
We refuse to let them steal our future and our children's futures. Come discuss this and more at the Gaslit Nation Salon this Monday at 4pm ET. We could not produce this independent journalism or build this resilience community without you. Join us, get access to the Salons, and hear Part II of our interview with Pete Dominick by subscribing at Patreon.com/Gaslit or GaslitNation.Substack.com today.
EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION:
Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit and GaslitNation.Substack.com for our community

New! There's now a California Signal Group for Gaslit Nation listeners to find each other and connect in that state. Join on Patreon or Substack!

The Gaslit Nation Outreach Committee discusses how to talk to the MAGA cult: Join on Patreon or Substack!

Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other: Join on Patreon or Substack!

Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other: Join on Patreon or Substack!

Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect. Join on Patreon or Substack!

Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join. Join on Patreon or Substack!

Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group. Join on Patreon or Substack!

As always, keep it kind in our chat groups, extend grace and assume good faith. A culture of care is how we build a better world. 

Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit
Show Notes:
Pre-order Andrea's new book today! A Reasonable Guide for Unreasonable Women: 20 Steps to Find Your Purpose and Power in a World on Fire https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/807202/a-reasonable-guide-for-unreasonable-women-by-andrea-chalupa/
Listen to Stand Up! With Pete Dominick https://standupwithpete.com/
Murkowski: SAVE Act Could Require $1,000 Trips to Register to Vote https://www.newsweek.com/murkowski-save-act-could-require-1000-trips-to-register-to-vote-12214305
Trump says he spoke with Sen. Lindsey Graham hours before his death President Donald Trump said Graham called him to discuss the SAVE America Act on Saturday. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/trump-phone-call-lindsey-graham-death-save-act-rcna552732 
FBI Director Kash Patel plans Russia trip The plans come as the U.S. and Russia have failed to come to terms on ending the war in Ukraine. https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/20/kash-patel-fbi-russia-trip-01005078 
US, Russian teams met in Florida and discussed 'variety of topics,' Witkoff says https://www.reuters.com/world/us-russian-teams-met-florida-discussed-variety-topics-witkoff-says-2026-03-12/

Instead of watching Trump's speech tonight, watch Monday's Gaslit Nation Salon on July 14 - Bastille Day! Here's an excerpt. You can watch the full recording by joining our community of listeners on Patreon.com/Gaslit or GaslitNation.Substack.com. We had a lively discussion of Lindsey Graham's sudden death, how Russians see themselves as meat for the meatgrinder, and more.
Trump's North Korean propaganda speech tonight is meant to strongarm Republicans into passing the Trad Wife Act -- (a.k.a. the Save Act), suppressing the votes of millions of people, especially married women who will be forced to show their birth certificates to vote if they changed their last names for marriage. It would also of course target anyone who changed their names, including trans people. It's bad all around, so bad that even many Republicans can't bring themselves to support it. They know the ripple effect will be a last straw for the powder keg that is the United States during this time of political violence in a slow-moving Civil War.
Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit or GaslitNation.Substack.com

Legendary filmmaker Robert Greenwald joins Gaslit Nation to talk about his powerful documentary from Brave New Films, Gaza: Journalists Under Fire. We break down the horrifying media consolidation driven by Netanyahu-ally , billionaire Larry Ellison, who is actively dismantling beloved institutions like CBS to enforce a McCarthyist, pro-Netanyahu chill on American journalism.
We also expose how Trump and Jared Kushner have dragged the US into an illegal, unconstitutional war with Iran, draining vital air defense systems for Ukraine, while Trump's ICE agents go on a killing spree, openly executing parents in front of their children, and expanding their network of concentration camps at home and abroad. As always, Gaslit Nation also provides ways to fight back and plant powerful seeds of hope and change—because we will ultimately build a better world.
This week's bonus show, for our listeners on Patreon and Substack who make Gaslit Nation possible, explores who is actually running the new kleptocratic new world order. To hear the full exclusive bonus show at the end of this episode join our community on Patreon or Substack today at the Truth-teller ($5/month) or higher. Discounted annual memberships are available, and you can give the gift of membership. Plus you'll get the show ad free, all bonus shows including our archive of bonus shows, invites to exclusive events, and more. Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit or on Substack. Thank you to everyone who supports the show -- we could not make Gaslit Nation without you. 
 
EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION:
Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit and GaslitNation.Substack.com for our community

New! There's now a California Signal Group for Gaslit Nation listeners to find each other and connect in that state. Join on Patreon or Substack!

The Gaslit Nation Outreach Committee discusses how to talk to the MAGA cult: Join on Patreon or Substack!

Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other: Join on Patreon or Substack!

Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other: Join on Patreon or Substack!

Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect. Join on Patreon or Substack!

Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join. Join on Patreon or Substack!

Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group. Join on Patreon or Substack!

As always, keep it kind in our chat groups, extend grace and assume good faith. A culture of care is how we build a better world. 

Show Notes:
WATCH: Gaza: Journalists Under Fire https://www.bravenewfilms.org/palestinianjournalists
Protect yourself and your community from ICE: https://www.patreon.com/gaslit/posts/free-prairieland-162794130?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Meet Josh Gruenbaum and Aryeh Lightstone of the Board of Peace: https://boardofpeace.org/members
Fight back with the Gaslit Nation Action Guide on GaslitNationPod.com and the Media and Democracy Project (https://www.mediaanddemocracyproject.org/) and also Rise and Resist (https://www.riseandresist.org/) 
Famine confirmed for first time in Gaza https://www.who.int/news/item/22-08-2025-famine-confirmed-for-first-time-in-gaza
209 Journalists and Media Workers Killed in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory https://cpj.org/2026/06/cpj-undertakes-review-of-its-documentation-of-journalists-killed-in-israel-gaza-war-since-2023/
Amnesty UK draws criticism for arguing journalist death toll in Gaza higher than in any other war https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-864300
ICE Ordered to Cease Most Vehicle Stops After 2 Killings in a Week: Agents fatally shot a man in Houston and another in coastal Maine, both in their vehicles. The killings were the latest in a string of ICE shootings during President Trump's second term. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/14/us/ice-agents-traffic-stops.html?unlocked_article_code=1.xlA.K8PG.HyO51Npt7m7m&smid=url-share 
E. Jean Carroll Receives Trump's $5 Million Judgment Plus Interest
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/
E Jean Carroll receives $5.6m owed by Trump after court releases damages https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/14/e-jean-carroll-trump-payment
ICE Suspends Vehicle Stops After Fatal Shootings in Maine and Texas https://www.reuters.com/world/ice-suspends-vehicle-stops-us-immigration-enforcement-sources-say-2026-07-14/
ICE Officer Fatally Shoots Driver in Biddeford, Maine  https://www.reuters.com/world/us/person-killed-ice-involved-shooting-maine-media-reports-2026-07-13/
What to Know About ICE's Fatal Shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston
https://apnews.com/article/7f8b3218b97c63388fc016b3da9718ee
Trump Abandons Proposed 20-Percent Strait of Hormuz Fee https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-us-will-take-investment-deals-with-gulf-states-instead-fee-using-2026-07-14/
Trump Announces U.S. Control and Proposed Toll on the Strait of Hormuz  https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-says-us-will-control-strait-hormuz-get-paid-it-2026-07-13/
Associated Press Fact Check: Competing U.S. and Iranian Claims Over the Strait of Hormuz https://apnews.com/article/8df557699c900b29fb33172e6da7f3e9
Lindsey Graham's Final Mission to Support Ukraine
https://www.wsj.com/world/lindsey-graham-death-ukraine-russia-81ccfe7f
Committee to Protect Journalists: Journalists Killed in the Israel–Gaza War
https://cpj.org/2026/
Record Number of Journalists and Media Workers Killed in 2025  https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/record-129-journalists-media-workers-killed-2025-mostly-by-israel-says-cpj-2026-02-25/
Israel Schedules National Election for October 27, 2026  https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-election-will-be-held-october-27-coalition-head-says-2026-07-12/
Maggie Haberman & Jonathan Swan - On "Regime Change" & Inside The Trump Presidency | The Daily Show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdmdGTrJ2nI
How Trump Took the U.S. to War With Iran: In a series of Situation Room meetings, President Trump weighed his instincts against the deep concerns of his vice president and a pessimistic intelligence assessment. Here's the inside story of how he made the fateful decision. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/us/politics/trump-iran-war.html?unlocked_article_code=1.xlA.RnIs.VnaiNfmBkDie&smid=url-share
Iran Strikes U.S. Military Facilities Across Gulf Region: A Times analysis of satellite imagery and verified videos shows Iran found vulnerabilities in U.S. locations in the region. 
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/01/world/middleeast/iran-strikes-us-military-facilities.html?unlocked_article_code=1.xlA.W64r.SKCZ8fldvUxu&smid=url-share
What's Trump's 'Board of Peace' really about? https://www.cbc.ca/listen/cbc-podcasts/209-front-burner/episode/16193683-whats-trumps-board-of-peace-really-about
32 Palestinians killed trying to reach food distribution hubs, Gaza authorities say https://www.npr.org/2025/07/19/g-s1-78420/palestinians-food-aid-deaths
Trump notifies Congress of new war against Iran President Donald Trump's notification that the U.S. is again at war with Iran gives the administration another 60-day clock for military action. https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/13/trump-notifies-congress-of-new-war-against-iran-00995170
Iraq journalist deaths match number killed during Vietnam War https://cpj.org/2006/05/iraq-journalist-deaths-match-number-killed-during/
Andrea's interview with Alex Gibney and Alexis Bloom of the must-watch documentary The Bibi Files https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes/hitler-youth/
Trump's Crypto Scheme to Sell Ukraine to Russia https://www.patreon.com/gaslit/posts/trumps-crypto-to-144034868?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
New book reveals how Trump compared himself to Mao, Stalin, Attila the Hun https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/18/politics/new-book-reveals-how-trump-compared-himself-to-mao-stalin-atilla-the-hun
Marco Rubio: "Actually, the Board of Peace was chartered and set up by the UN Security Council through a vote at the UN Security Council as to deliberations, so it's an international organism recognized by the Security Council of the United Nations, which is something I think many of you should be supportive of..." https://x.com/StateDept/status/2016582608377749629?lang=en
What the UN Security Council vote means for Trump's Gaza peace plan https://abcnews.com/International/security-council-vote-means-trumps-gaza-peace-plan/story?id=127623162

Dictatorship doesn't always look like tanks and troops in your city. It's the everyday lawlessness and looting spree in the White House, the draconian persecution of activists exercising their Constitutionally protected rights in Republican-hostage states like Texas and Tennessee. It's routine executions by the police. 
None of this is normal, which is why we must reject it, and learn how we resist succumbing to a freeze or fawning response, and instead take action, keeping ourselves and our communities safe. 
For more insights on ways to resist, listen to our summer 2025 interview with Jamila Raqib of the Albert Einstein Institute founded by Gene Sharp, author of From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Guide to Nonviolent Resistance. Listen here to her advice on concrete steps to take for non-violent resistance, including how to prepare to be brave. 
ICE is ramping up kidnappings again. So be sure to stay grounded in the concrete steps you can take to protect against ICE and know your rights. Join a community self-defense. If you don't have one, start one. More here: 
ICE Watch Programs Can Protect Immigrants in Your Neighborhood — Here's What to Know https://www.teenvogue.com/story/ice-watch-programs-immigrants-how-to-start

Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE https://immigrantjustice.org/for-immigrants/know-your-rights/ice-encounter/

What to do if you see ICE in your neighborhood https://pix11.com/news/local-news/what-to-do-if-you-see-ice-in-your-neighborhood/

A Group of Organizers Is Building an Anti-ICE Movement Rooted in Jewish Values https://truthout.org/articles/a-group-of-organizers-is-building-an-anti-ice-movement-rooted-in-jewish-values/

Millions of small decisions become sand in their gears. We are not powerless. We are the leaders we've been waiting for. 
Never forget the power of your voice.
We're publishing now on Thursdays an excerpt from Monday's salon, and our full recording of the salon for our Patreon donors at the $10/month tier and higher (anyone who was receiving this perk before will continue to receive it at any tier, as long as your membership is currently active). Not yet signed up? Become a member on Patreon.com/Gaslit, GaslitNation.Substack.com, or as a YouTube member; discounted annual memberships are available, and you can give the gift of membership. Thank you to everyone who supports the show–we could not make Gaslit Nation without you!

Happy birthday, America! Our democracy has been hijacked by a convicted criminal, sexual predator, Russian mafia goon. We are fighting back like Ukrainians: by rebuilding from the wreckage. That means forcing every single 2028 Democratic presidential hopeful to publicly commit to appointing a mob-busting Attorney General who will actually take on the mafia instead of emboldening it.
This week, Allison Gill of MSW Media joins Andrea to discuss the catastrophic failures of Merrick Garland. We break down how to demand an AG who meets this moment, strategies to Trump-and-Putin-proof our democracy, and how to protect ourselves from the Christian nationalist terrorists on the Supreme Court.
This week's bonus show is a special segment called All the President's Criminals, featuring Todd Blanche. Trump's personal defense attorney faces a confirmation hearing, to officially become Attorney General, before a pliant Republican Senate. To keep up with the Trump Family's' looting spree, we're now running our bonus shows as extended Tuesday shows, available in full to our listeners on Patreon, Substack, and YouTube members who make Gaslit Nation possible. It's because of you that we can continue to be a reality check, stay grounded in the truth, and deliver independent journalism that helps us rebuild and imagine the world we want to live in.
Join our community of listeners and ad free listening, get bonus shows, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit or Substack!
EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION:
Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit and GaslitNation.Substack.com for our community

New! There's now a California Signal Group for Gaslit Nation listeners to find each other and connect in that state. Join on Patreon or Substack!

The Gaslit Nation Outreach Committee discusses how to talk to the MAGA cult: Join on Patreon or Substack!

Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other: Join on Patreon or Substack!

Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other: Join on Patreon or Substack!

Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect. Join on Patreon or Substack!

Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join. Join on Patreon or Substack!

Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group. Join on Patreon or Substack!

As always, keep it kind in our chat groups, extend grace and assume good faith. A culture of care is how we build a better world. 

Show Notes:
1,200+ Former DOJ Employees Oppose Todd Blanche's Nomination https://www.thejusticeconnection.org/1200-former-doj-employees-oppose-todd-blanches-nomination/
Jack Smith testimony: Full opening statement on Trump probes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuewjQuaWF0
Jack Smith, in his first interview since resigning as Special Counsel: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WxaXkDfZkpw
The World Must Stand Up to Trump's America: The Elie Mystal Interview  https://gaslitnation.libsyn.com/the-world-must-stand-up-to-trumps-america
Exclusive: Woman who dated Graham Platner says he sexually assaulted her https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/06/graham-platner-sexual-assault-allegation-00987737
To date, the DOJ has published around half of the Epstein files: https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trumps-acting-attorney-general-todd-blanche-tries-to-dodge-further-release-of-jeffrey-epstein-files/
DOJ alums call on senators to reject Blanche nomination as attorney general https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5956374-blanche-nomination-faces-opposition/
Trump Installs Top Justice Dept. Official at Library of Congress, Prompting a Standoff: The president named Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, as the acting librarian. But staff members refused access to two department officials he chose for key roles at Congress's main research arm. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/us/politics/trump-library-of-congress.html
Immigrant Arrests Surge to 10,000 in 5 Days as ICE Clamps Down: The agency has doubled its daily arrest numbers without the fanfare of last year's large urban operations, sowing fear in immigrant communities: "Markwayne Mullin, the homeland security secretary, pledged to mount a quieter enforcement campaign following the chaos of a monthlong operation in Minnesota, where federal officers killed two U.S. citizens." https://archive.ph/wFIYV#selection-4627.0-4631.144
Tennessee national guard troops shoot man dead in Memphis: Authorities claim Tyrin Johnson, 20, pulled gun on officers controversially deployed at instigation of Trump https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/06/memphis-national-guard-troops-shoot-man
Todd Blanche is a surprisingly competent lawyer. And he's on track to keep his client out of jail until the election. https://web.archive.org/web/20260413020342/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/trump-trial-lawyer-todd-blanche-defense.html
US justice department halts funding for human-trafficking survivors https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/22/justice-department-human-trafficking-survivors-support-funding
Thousands of agents diverted to Trump immigration crackdown https://www.reuters.com/world/us/thousands-agents-diverted-trump-immigration-crackdown-2025-03-22/
Who is Boris Epshteyn, the controversial aide by Trump's side in court https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/3936390-who-is-boris-epshteyn-the-controversial-aide-by-trumps-side-in-court/
How Todd Blanche Climbed the Ranks in Trumpworld to Acting Attorney General https://www.notus.org/trump-white-house/how-todd-blanche-climbed-the-ranks-in-trumpworld-to-acting-attorney-general-pam-bondi
Todd Blanche Is About to Face the Senate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B9uLK_32To
Library of Congress official Trump tried to fire can keep her job for now, Supreme Court says https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/30/politics/supreme-court-allows-library-of-congress-official-trump-tried-to-fire-to-keep-her-job
John Solly Is the DOGE Operative Accused of Planning to Take Social Security Data to His New Job https://www.wired.com/story/john-solly-doge-operative-accused-social-security-data-leidos/
Alex Karp Has Money and Power. So What Does He Want? https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/17/style/alex-karp-palantir.html?smid=url-share