Trump's Iran Chaos: Live with John Aravosis

Thank you NJ McGuigan, Sally, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.On tonight’s show, I’ll be discussing Trump’s incoherent new claims about Iran and the Strait of Hormuz -- one minute saying we have “total control,” the next minute basically admitting we don’t -- as Iran hardens its position on near-weapons-grade uranium and reportedly looks for ways to formalize its control over maritime traffic through the Strait. And while Trump keeps trying to sell strength, US intelligence reportedly says Iran is already rebuilding parts of its drone program faster than expected after the US-Israeli strikes.I’ll also get into the truly obscene effort to create a taxpayer-funded payday for January 6 rioters and Trump allies -- including Enrique Tarrio, other convicted rioters demanding millions, and Mike Lindell claiming he lost $400 million. Even some Republicans are now calling this out, with one GOP senator calling the whole thing “stupid on stilts,” because apparently there are still a few people in Washington who remember that Americans are worried about groceries (such an old word!), rent, mortgages, and gas -- not handing out a billion-dollar slush fund to insurrectionists.And we’ll talk about the broader Trump corruption machine: the so-far failed push for ballroom money, Trump’s arch getting approved even though Congress hasn’t paid for it, the RJ Reynolds vape-regulation payoff story, Trump blurting out that we have CIA operatives in Cuba, Fox’s own polling showing Americans hate his handling of the economy, and the Washington Post’s look at how Trump’s second-term rhetoric has gotten even more vulgar, insulting, and self-obsessed. Plus: CNN debunks Trump’s insane claim that Jesus would have counted California for him, FIFA hotel cancellations, a missing GOP congressman, Don Jr.’s wedding drama, and the ex-gay leader arrested in a horrifying, yet not surprising, underage sex sting.0:00 — Welcome, YouTube and Substack2:22 — Saturday coffee talk reminder3:14 — Trump’s Iran chaos and shifting threats4:15 — Iran hardens its position on near-weapons-grade uranium8:14 — Trump says we have “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz -- then admits we don’t10:43 — Iran, Oman, and the idea of a permanent Strait of Hormuz toll system12:39 — CNN report: Iran rebuilding military capabilities faster than expected14:28 — January 6 rioters line up for taxpayer-funded payouts14:54 — Enrique Tarrio wants millions after seditious conspiracy conviction17:00 — Mike Lindell claims he lost $400 million19:50 — Todd Blanche’s stunning answer on people who hurt police getting taxpayer money24:00 — GOP unease grows over Trump’s January 6 slush fund25:25 — Trump’s ballroom money runs into Republican resistance25:45 — Thom Tillis calls the fund “stupid on stilts”28:07 — Trump’s arch, the ballroom, and the cult-of-personality spending spree30:04 — Bill Cassidy warns Americans care about rent, groceries, gas -- not Trump’s payout fund34:30 — Fox poll: cost of living is the top worry, and Trump’s economy numbers are brutal35:01 — RJ Reynolds, Trump, RFK Jr., and the flavored vape regulation story36:12 — Trump confirms CIA operatives in Cuba36:20 — Washington Post analysis of Trump’s more vulgar, insulting second-term rhetoric36:34 — Trump’s ridiculous Jesus-and-California vote-counting claim38:08 — FIFA hotel cancellations in major US cities38:48 — Missing GOP congressman Tom Kean and 88 missed House votes42:14 — Trump maybe skipping Don Jr.’s wedding47:54 — Ex-gay leader Alan Chambers arrested51:58 — Breaking Reuters update: Trump flip-flops on Poland54:00 — Allergy shot pain, Trump lying, and side discussion58:00 — Ukrainian design and show-and-tell tangent62:00 — Cuban arrest story and Homeland Security press release confusion72:00 — Using ChatGPT to rewrite a terrible government press release76:00 — Why the DHS/ICE release is written so badly80:00 — Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aravosis.substack.com/subscribe