“Drums of War, Tanks of Vanity” (06/17/25)

Today’s show covers rising fears of war as tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, with lawmakers scrambling to prevent President Trump from unilaterally dragging the U.S. into a new conflict. Trump has refused to endorse the G7’s de-escalation statement, even as Fox News pushes unverified claims of secret Iranian nuclear sites—drawing comparisons to the lead-up to the Iraq War. Tulsi Gabbard and others warn Iran isn’t building a nuke, while Trump insists otherwise and takes aim at critics, including Tucker Carlson, who accuses Fox of acting like war propaganda. Meanwhile, GOP hawks like Lindsey Graham openly advocate regime change. The show revisits Trump’s own 2011 warning that presidents start wars when they can't negotiate—now ironically playing out in reverse. Public backlash is growing among MAGA supporters wary of a new war. The second half of the show shifts to Trump’s controversial $40 million military parade, which drew criticism, empty stands, awkward moments, and a visibly intoxicated Fox News guest. With Coinbase and Palantir as sponsors, the parade feels more like dystopian theater than national celebration.