WHERE I STAND with Richard French

In a normal American model, the warnings by top executives at the most prominent AI companies would find the U.S. President taking a leadership role. Instead, he has taken on a bizarre attitude with strange accusations. Listen here to find out more!

More people have died in the intervening years from September 11, 2001 to today from related illnesses like cancers and lung diseases than the many poor souls who perished that awful morning from the attacks.  Why? Richard explains.

In less than two months the midterm elections will take place and Americans will issue their political report card, and barring the very real threat of election interference by Trump, the GOP has essentially been warned by the teacher to expect some bad news. Richard explains.

Maria Bartiromo was fired at Fox Business Channel in a move most people outside network headquarters did not see coming. The anchor who had been with Fox for more than 12 years was dismissed with little warning leaving many to assume that maybe it was a precursor to her becoming the next White House Spokesperson.  It seems the real reason for her dismissal was more eyebrow raising. Richard explains.

Late last week Vice President J.D. Vance surprised the press corps when he announced that the war we have all been following month after month in Iran is in fact not a war. The American Public doesn’t trust this White House or it’s hapless Defense Secretary, and when they call this fiasco a skirmish or claim it’s been a war without sacrifice it not only insults our intelligence, it confirms our worst suspicions. Richard explains.

A 20 year old honors student, who had graduated high school in Ohio this past May, enrolled in college and the Junior ROTC. He was also a talented soccer player with plans to play in college. This past Monday, Pierre Damas Bel committed suicide. Richard explains the reason why and the cause for this heartbreaking tragedy.

A week from today a two day convention will be held for Republicans in Dallas. One organizer described the event’s agenda as essentially “Trumpa-palooza.” For many reasons it’s no surprise, despite arm twisting by Republican leadership, many GOP candidates are avoiding the convention like the plague. Richard explains why.

On Monday Army Secretary Danielle Driscoll went to the White House and told the President that he had enough. Driscoll made it clear that the Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, not only stood in the way of adapting to the new realities of warfare but his rampant insecurities were leading to a purging of the best and brightest leaders at the worst possible time. Richard explains.

I know two months is a lifetime in politics, but I see no signs that Trump fully grasps the political peril he’s courting, and there's no evidence he’s interested in lifting a finger or writing a check to help the only folks who could stand between him and the unflinching investigations that will be waiting for him if the Republicans lose the House and the Senate. Richard explains.

Trump recently revealed that despite being fed make believe messaging from his inner circle, he knows things are looking pretty dire when it comes to holding the House and very possibly the Senate. Richard reveals the current state of affairs in the GOP.

The overarching feeling many people share is that artificial intelligence is not only here to stay, it will change the world, and no one really seems to be putting up any guardrails. Richard reviews what Microsoft founder Bill Gates says about AI.

META agreed this week to settle with states for up to nearly 17-billion dollars in a landmark deal that declares Facebook and Instagram were set up in ways that harm children. Will this solve all the problems for families with young children? Probably not. Richard explains how it might be a good first step.

We have known for years that a link existed between repeated impacts to the head and the brain disease known as CTE. Now, a new study reveals some additional alarming facts for football players. Richard explains.

This weekend our President escalated yet again another trade war.  By imposing tariffs up to 50 percent on Canadian goods, he has managed to simultaneously be both politically and economically tone deaf. Richard explains the lack of logic behind Trump's decision.

Republicans know they are in real trouble for the midterm elections but running away from their biggest headache isn’t an option.  At this point they’re attached to Trump for better or worse. Richard explains.

The University of Michigan recently announced that starting this fall, in an effort to help students quote “establish early momentum” and “help students acclimate to the demands of college” they will replace traditional first semester freshman letter grades with a pass/fail grading system in their college of Literature, Science and the Arts. Richard explore the pros and cons of this controversial issue.

Even before day one, any objective consideration of Pete Hegseth, confirmed he was unfit for office, especially for a position as serious as Defense Secretary. Richard reviews the facts and reasons for this assertion.

The lasting damage Donald Trump is doing to our national security and our standing in the Iran war is no laughing matter but it’s also really concerning because his lack of judgement is getting worse by the day. Richard reviews some of the latest peculiarities.

Conditions on the USS Lincoln Aircraft Carrier have deteriorated to the point of squalid. Morale is exceedingly low with escalating mental health concerns among sailors. Richard searches for accountability among our highest government and military leaders.

A few days ago we all learned that the President was pulled off the new Air Force One to avert an apparently credible Iranian assassination plot. Richard exposes some disturbing questions involving other members of Trump's team that were traveling with him.

Our President, flanked by his Health and Human Services secretary on Monday set in motion a plan to imperil children.  Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for the scaling back on the number of vaccinations American children receive in a move that united the scientific and medical community in full throated opposition to a decision based on invented rhetoric instead of evidence or clinical trials. Richard discusses the consequences.

Three weeks ago on a bridge in downtown Nashville Gary Butler felt very alone, depressed…and saw no reason to continue living. That’s when Mike Hotz, a lieutenant for the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department arrived on the scene. Richard tells the story.

Midterms are usually referendums on the guy who’s not even running.  As Donald Trump goes, so most likely, goes the G.O.P.  That ought to scare the you know what out of Republicans. Richard reviews some of the latest polls.

The Department of Homeland Security recently alerted American businesses that it had officially ended humanitarian protections for 350 thousand Haitians.  That decision has sparked outrage not just from human rights groups but from employers across the nation. Richard explains why.

If you believe Trump’s surprise at the state of critical shortfalls in military munitions, it speaks to a stunning disconnect between the Pentagon and White House, and a reality that will materially impact how we not only conduct the war going forward but limit our capabilities in different theaters throughout the world.  Richard explains.

Our President in a Fox News interview said the economy, contrary to public opinion and undeniable facts, is both outstanding and that he in particular deserves public praise. If only reality matched that rhetoric. Richard goes over the real numbers!

The felony prosecution of former U.S. Olympian David Hearn for allegedly vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was unceremoniously dropped. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro submitted a court filing dropping the charges against Hearn and in the process condemned both the Department of the Interior and the contractor for the damage to the pool. Richard examens this latest fiasco.

This past weekend HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., was a guest on CNN’s State of the Union. It was a tense debate to put it politely or more aptly a temper tantrum by the Secretary. Richard discusses the controversy revealed by the conversation.

Starting this past weekend as many as 20 million Americans are now at risk of losing Medicaid coverage all courtesy of Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill that passed almost entirely along party lines. As frightening as this new reality is, it will only get worse as the lion's share of the cuts will go into effect after the midterms. Richard explains the threat this poses to the Republicans.

If we can’t even trust a person UNDER OATH trying to become confirmed as Attorney General of all things what does that say about his character and the lack of respect for the rule of law from the Administration he’d serve. Richard reviews the latest issues facing the Blanche confirmation.

This week the President made a campaign stop in Michigan where he made a curious pitch to autoworkers that they should not believe their lying eyes. Tariffs are making America wealthy according to Trump, but those in the auto industry object. Richard explains.

In the year and a half since Kennedy has helmed HHS he has proven as untrustworthy and he is uninformed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently posted on their website that “it’s not an evidence based claim that vaccines don’t cause autism.”  Decades of evidence and every legitimate public health group in America unequivocally denounce that baseless claim. So what does this mean for our healthcare systems? Richard explains.

Take a look at two men, both of whom have ascended to the highest office in the land. Watch how they, each in their own way, treat exceptional women who have reached levels of excellence in their own professions. The contrast might surprise you. Or maybe not! Richard explains.

Outwardly he seems better suited than Gaetz or Bondi, but just because he’s not a sleazy perv or someone clearly unsuited to the job doesn’t mean Todd Blanche hasn’t already disqualified himself to be the full time chief law enforcement officer of the land. Richard explains.

The Trump Administration signed a deal with Saudi Arabia that gives that country a pathway to enriching nuclear fuel that has alarmed members of both parties. Who in the Trump Whitehouse thought this was ever a good idea? Richard explores.

By every metric Americans are overwhelmingly unhappy. Promises made on the economy and keeping us out of foreign conflicts have not been kept. Promises of competency and care for the working man, again unmet. Richard looks at the latest polls on Trump's approval ratings.

Iran clearly believes they have leverage and doubt Trump’s resolve in the face of rising gas prices and the looming midterms for skittish Republican candidates. Richard provides updates on the situation in the Iran War.

By now you've probably heard of the term cyclospora, the food poisoning outbreak that has spread to 34 states and counting. Problem is, cuts to the CDC including the pathogen science lab, has left our infectious disease surveillance program woefully handicapped. Richard explains.

When unarmed people have been gunned down in broad daylight by ICE agents in Minnesota, Texas, Maine and beyond there is never a scintilla of contrition, to the contrary.  The White House has publicly defended, even encouraged officers, suggesting they're above the law and not subject to accountability. Richard examines the problem of ICE in America.

Our White House has somehow managed to turn a divisive and massively unpopular policy and make it offensively worse. The Trump administration is now threatening to withhold federally approved grants to cities that don’t open their doors to ICE Agents. Richard explains.

If Jay Clayton convinced you he’s the person for the job of Director of National Intelligence, especially at this moment in American History, Richard has a bridge for sale in Brooklyn that he can get you for a great price. Watch here!

Since February, Todd Blanche has confirmed the worst suspicions. Trump’s onetime personal attorney has treated the Justice Department as Donald Trump’s private law firm, acting as if the President is his client not the United States. Richard reviews the onslaught of resistance to Blanche's confirmation as U.S. Attorney General.

The late Senator had honor but if there was ever an example of how corrosive Trump can be to decency look no further than Mr. Graham who knew better but chose to go along to get along. Richard explains his perspective.

A packed DC Metro subway car with a large number of masked men, who identify as members of the Patriot Front, occupied every seat except for two. One was occupied by a young black woman, the seat next to her was empty. Richard explains the significance of this event.

Graham Platner, the embattled Democratic nominee for Senate in Maine, has called it quits. The democrats who believed they knew best in supporting Platner, proved the exact opposite. If you look up political malpractice in the dictionary, this pathetic episode is Exhibit A.

Is the Trump administration using the power of the White House, a compliant Republican Congress and a rubber stamp of his Department of Justice to coerce colleges, broadcasters and law firms into writing him checks, dictating their clients and curriculums, and mitigating their speech that we thought was protected? Richard looks at the evidence that free speech rights in America are under attack.

A month ago the most average Americans could tell you about our national soccer team was that they kicked a round ball.  The World Cup was, and by the way, still is amazing. Despite the loss the American team suffered, the tournament is a big plus for the USA and the world. Richard explains.

It’s an amazing, even unthinkable turn of events in Ukraine. Since the start of the war, it’s true that Ukraine has suffered terrible losses but the Russian costs have been incalculable by comparison. Richard examines what could happen next in this horrible war.

Being President is a privilege that should be an honor for the occupant. But by now you've probably heard the news flash that our President is making a mint by using his office for personal gain. Richard explains.

As we prepare to celebrate America’s quadricentennial, we spend a few minutes on how her citizens are feeling about the state of the nation and how our celebration is reflective our times. Richard explains. Happy Independence Day 250!