Luke Thomas: MAGA is taking over American sport

Luke Thomas: The Lakers ownership deal raises uncomfortable questions about political access, Trump-connected wealth, and the growing overlap between professional sports, media, and government power. Luke examines the chain connecting Mark Walter, Joshua Kushner, Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump, then compares the Lakers transaction to Paramount’s aggressive spending on UFC media rights and The Free Press. He argues that these deals may be about more than ordinary market value, potentially offering wealthy companies and individuals a way to gain influence within the Trump political ecosystem. The discussion then turns to Marco Rubio and why Luke considers him one of the administration’s most authoritarian figures. From ICE detention and the destruction of USAID to attacks against the International Criminal Court and international officials, Rubio’s record becomes a case study in how government power can be weaponized against critics, institutions, and political opposition. Finally, a WNBA controversy involving DiJonai Carrington and Sophie Cunningham opens a broader conversation about whether many online commentators care about women’s basketball or simply use the league as another vehicle for culture-war outrage and policing women. Subscribe for more political analysis through the lens of sports, media, and power. Listen to the full conversation over on Luke’s Substack: https://lthomas.substack.com/ Chapters 00:00 Trump Lakers Deal Raises Questions 01:48 Kushner and Trump Connections 02:52 Paramount and UFC and Trump 03:35 Paramount Buying Favor With Trump 05:00 ICE, USAID, and ICC 07:25 Policing Women Through Outrage