Is it a war for America’s security or profit by Trump? episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 24, 2026 · 45 MIN

Is it a war for America’s security or profit by Trump?

from On Democracy with FPWellman · host Fred Wellman

Yesterday Kash Patel triumphantly announced the arrest of a Special Forces Master Sergeant who had bet on the fall of Maduro and made upwards of $400,000. But, oddly, no investigations have been announced into the series of oil futures trades and others just minutes before major announcements by Trump on Iran. Someone with the ability to spend $760 million is acting on insider information but the curiosity to find out who doesn’t seem to have struck the Trump Administration, DOJ, or the Republican Congress. Is this unplanned and disastrous war with Iran to make us safer or just another profit vehicle for Donald Trump, his kids, and friends? Fred sits down with Washington Post writer Josh Rogin to discuss the suspicious market manipulations, the war in Iran, and much more. Rogin is lead industry analyst for Global Security for WP Intelligence. Since 2016, Josh has served as a columnist for the Global Opinions section of the Post, where his columns have broken news, provided insight and driven the Washington conversation around national security and foreign policy. With a particular focus on Asia, Josh has interviewed top world leaders, officials and decision makers including the Prime Minister of Japan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris, Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo, and many more. He holds a BA from George Washington University in International Affairs and attended Sophia University, Tokyo. He is a recipient of the Livingston Award for Young Journalist and a 2011 finalist for the Interaction Award for Excellence in International Reporting. He also spends time reviewing ramen and fine watches at his Instagram @wastchtheramen in his limited free time.Sponsors:ETHOS: Get your free quote at ETHOS.com/FRED

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Apr 24, 2026

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Is it a war for America’s security or profit by Trump?

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