Shows
Earl & Kate Deep DiveTSA agents reassigned as "flight security guards" for mass deportations, prompting union cease-and-desistListen now | Air Marshals: From Counterterrorism to Deportation Duty | The unprecedented reassignment of Federal Air Marshals from their primary counterterrorism duties on commercial flights to provide security for ICE deportation flights since June 2025. This controversial move, affecting 10% of the force, has sparked legal challenges from the Air Marshal National Council, which argues it undermines aviation security and illegally subsidizes private contractors like GEO Group. Highlights a surge in deportation flights, ICE's budget shortfalls (leading to potential fund reallocations from other agencies like TSA), and growing public disapproval of these immigration policies. It also points to strained resources within the T...
2025-08-0113 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveGOP Leadership Fact-Checks, Air Force One Scandal, Epstein Files Cover-Up, Healthcare Cuts Impact & Roy Cooper Senate Run | Political Misinformation Deep DiveKey Takeaways* Air Force One Controversy: Qatar donated a $400M Boeing 747 to the Pentagon as an “unconditional gift” for retrofitting into Air Force One, bypassing congressional approval and raising ethical/espionage concerns .* Epstein Files Fallout: DOJ found no “client list” or blackmail evidence in Epstein files, triggering MAGA/QAnon backlash against AG Pam Bondi and accusations of a cover-up .* Medicaid Cuts Impact: The OBBB Act’s 15% Medicaid cuts could strip 11.8M Americans of insurance, disproportionately harming rural hospitals and low-income adults .* Scotland Crypto Offshore: Trump’s Scottish crypto deals come with more rumor t...
2025-07-2939 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveDHS Manifest Destiny Post 2025: Trump Administration Blood and Soil Ideology vs. Historic Manifest Destiny | Vance Citizenship Speech & Nazi Symbolism AnalysisKey Takeaways* The Trump administration's DHS weaponized 19th century "Manifest Destiny" art (Weistling, Gast, Kinkade) on social media with nationalistic captions like "Remember your Homeland’s Heritage" and "Protect the Homeland," explicitly linking settler colonialism to current immigration crackdowns .* Scholars and critics universally condemned these posts as modern propaganda aligning with "blood and soil" ideology, noting the deliberate omission of Indigenous genocide, enslaved Black cowboys, and Chinese railroad workers from the romanticized imagery .* Vice President JD Vance's rhetoric reinforces this ideology, defining American identity as "a particular people" (Claremont speech) while attacking Germany's ha...
2025-07-2828 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveRepublican Senators Challenge Project 2025 Budget Cuts: Vought Education Funding Freeze & DOGE Rescission Package ControversyKey Takeaways* 10 GOP senators defied Trump over a $5-7B education freeze impacting summer programs & migrant students, calling it “contrary to the President’s goal” of local control* Senate narrowly passed $9B DOGE cuts slashing foreign aid & PBS funding after VP Vance broke a tie; Collins/Murkowski opposed citing lack of transparency* States sued the administration after funds were halted via a “three-sentence email” with no timeline, causing summer school closures* OMB used “pocket rescission” threats to withhold $30B+ in congressionally approved spending, triggering legal battles over executive power* Education fund...
2025-07-2727 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveKenny Laynez-Ambrosio & Emmett Till: State Violence Then and Now : Immigration Brutality Analysis | Till Anniversary Historical ParallelKey Takeaways* Kenny Laynez-Ambrosio, an 18-year-old U.S. citizen, was violently detained by Border Patrol agents who declared, “You’ve got no rights here” during a May 2025 traffic stop .* Emmett Till’s 1955 lynching and his mother Mamie Till-Mobley’s demand to “let the world see” his body galvanized the Civil Rights Movement; his 84th birthday was commemorated July 25, 2025 .* Both cases reveal systemic patterns: state agents acting with impunity, suppressed accountability, and documentation (video/open casket) as tools for justice .* Federal immigration quotas (e.g., 3,000 daily arrests) incentivize brutality; agents referenced “$30,000 bonuses” during Kenny’s arr...
2025-07-2613 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveEpstein Files & South Park Satire Expose Trump: Media Crackdown, 37% Approval, ICE Scandals | July 24, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe Lists We Keep: On Satan’s Bedsheets, Unmarked Vans, and the Paper Trail of PowerBy Earl Cotten For The Earl Angle NewsletterLos Angeles, July 2025. On screens large and small, a familiar, cartoonish grotesquerie unfolds: a former President, rendered in crude lines and primary colors, shares a bed with Satan. The Prince of Darkness, propped on a pillow, voice dripping with a bored malevolence, poses the question hanging over this summer like smog: “Are you on the list or not? It’s weird that whenever it comes up, you just tell everyone to relax...
2025-07-2523 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveTrump Legal Accountability: Wealth Privilege, Sex Offender Status & Justice System Equity | July 24, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe Weather Underground: Tallahassee, 5 Hours with Ghislaine MaxwellBy Earl Cotten for The Earl Angle NewsletterI.The air in Tallahassee hangs thick in July. Spanish moss drips like tarnished lace from the live oaks. Inside a federal building not far from the prison, a meeting occurred. It lasted five hours. Five hours in which Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche sat across from Ghislaine Maxwell. She answered questions. Every question, we are told. She did not invoke the Fifth Amendment. She did not demur. She cooperated. This is the phrase they use: "cooperated...
2025-07-2532 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveTrump's White House Scandals and Distraction Tactics, MLK FBI Dump & White House Chaos | July 23, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe Weather of ScandalA Season of Distraction and Deflection in WashingtonBy Earl Cotten, for The Earl Angle NewsletterWe were told to watch the cards on the table—the grand reveal, the cathartic unmasking—but the dealer’s hands moved too quickly. In the humid July of 2025, the White House executed a ballet of misdirection so precise it felt rehearsed. The base demanded blood; the administration offered relics.I. The Ghost ListThe Epstein saga had curdled into a slow-burning revolt. In February, Attorney General Pam Bondi leaned into the camera...
2025-07-2339 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveTrump Epstein Letter: Bawdy 2003 Birthday Note & Nude Sketch Revealed | Cover-Up Lawsuit | July 19, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe Gilt Edges of Complicity: Notes on a Birthday LetterWritten by Earl Cotten for The Earl Angle NewsletterThe image arrives without warning, a photocopied specter from a world where power dines on bone china: a leather-bound album, gilt-edged pages, tributes from the anointed. Ghislaine Maxwell’s curation for her keeper’s 50th birthday, January 2003. Among the banal well-wishes of princes and financiers, one page stops the breath. A heavy marker’s crude outline—the curve of a woman’s naked breast—abuts a signature: Donald. Below it, typewritten lines masquerading as dialogue:Voice Over...
2025-07-1923 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveJohn Lewis Legacy: "Good Trouble" Protests & Voting Rights Activism 2025 | July 18, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe Gravity of the Hour: Notes on the National RequiemWritten By Earl Cotten, for The Earl Angle NewsletterI.On the morning of July 17, a woman leaned on her cane beneath it, her eyes tracing the lines of the portrait. Mellie Adams, 67, had seen Lewis walk these streets when the struggle was flesh, not memory. "A walking piece of history," she said to no one in particular. Around her, strangers pressed close—students with binders, mothers with strollers, retirees clutching water bottles. Five years to the day after Lewis’s death, they had...
2025-07-1821 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveEpstein Files Fallout: QAnon Betrayal Triggers Trump Panic in 2025 Crisis & Analysis | July 17, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisBy Katherine Mayfield For The Earl Angle NewsletterKey Takeaways: The Epstein Files & QAnon's 2025 Crisis* Trump Distanced Himself: Facing new Epstein file scrutiny, Trump publicly dismissed supporters demanding the files, calling them "stupid people."* QAnon's Core Belief Shattered: Trump's rejection directly contradicted the central QAnon prophecy that he would expose and dismantle elite pedophile rings, triggering widespread disillusionment.* Internal QAnon Chaos Erupted: The movement fractured, with intense infighting between those abandoning the conspiracy, those doubling down, and those shifting blame away from Trump.* Trump Campaign Panicked: His team scrambled...
2025-07-1716 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveSupreme Court Backs Trump DOE Dismantling & Power Grab | Rescissions, Epstein Files & Humanitarian Scandals | July 15, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe Engine of Unmaking: Notes from a Capital of Intentional RuinBy Earl Cotten for The Earl Angle NewsletterThings are being taken apart. Deliberately. Systematically. One listens for the sound of tearing fabric, the groan of stressed metal, but the machinery of disassembly operates with a chilling, bureaucratic quiet. Only the human consequences, one suspects, will arrive with noise.I. The Supreme Court ruling on the Department of Education landed on the 15th with the weight of a tombstone sealing a vault. Not a surprise, perhaps, given the composition of...
2025-07-1618 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveImmigration Poll Shock: 79% Back Benefits as ICE Raids Escalate & Detention Crisis Worsens | July 15, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe Contradiction at Krome: Notes on America’s Fractured SoulBy Earl Cotten for The Earl Angle NewsletterI. The Numbers, Like DustThe numbers arrive first, as they always do, promising order, promising meaning. Seventy-nine percent of Americans now believe immigration benefits the country. The highest figure in a quarter-century. A statistic that hangs in the air like the scent of ozone before a storm, heavy with implication. Sixty-four percent of Republicans concur. This represents an increase of twenty-five percentage points within a single year. A seismic shift, they call it. A re...
2025-07-1531 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveImmigration: A Century of Broken Promises and Resistance | July 15, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe American Exclusion: Notes on the Machinery of BelongingBy Earl Cotten for The Earl Angle NewsletterThe documents arrived in manila folders, crisp and bureaucratic, detailing what we have come to call a “crisis.” One learns to distrust such words. Crisis implies aberration, a rupture in the natural order. What the documents revealed, page after page of legislative history and demographic tables, was something quite different: a pattern, deliberate and recurring, as American as the copper beech trees shading the Long Island estates where such patterns were so often designed. It was a pattern of e...
2025-07-1544 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveJewish Actor Mandy Patinkin, Inigo Montoya from 'The Princess Bride,' Shares Important Message for Jews About GazaThe Revenge Business: On Mandy Patinkin’s Moral CalculusBy Earl Cotten for The Earl Angle NewsletterThe room is dark, the screen flickers. A man with a sword stands over his father’s killer and speaks the line that has entered the lexicon: “I have been in the revenge business so long. Now that it’s over, I do not know what to do with the rest of my life.” Mandy Patinkin watches this scene from The Princess Bride in his living room, and finds himself weeping—not for Inigo Montoya, but for Gaza. The actor, w...
2025-07-1438 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveAG Bondi Epstein Scandal, Purge & MAGA Backlash: Trump DOJ weaponization | July 13, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe Theater of the Absurd: Notes on the Epstein MemoBy Earl Cotten for The Earl Angle NewsletterThey release the memo on a Monday in July, a two-page distillation of institutional closure. The language is antiseptic: "exhaustive review," "no incriminating client list," "no credible evidence" of blackmail. The Department of Justice, that great cathedral of American rectitude, has spoken. Jeffrey Epstein died by his own hand in a Manhattan cell. There were no specters in the corridor, no ledger of the damned, no grand conspiracy . They even release ten hours of surveillance footage—a so...
2025-07-1336 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveCan Trump Revoke Citizenship for Critics like Rosie O'Donnell?: Birthright Citizenship Lawsuits | July 13, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe Paper Fortress: Notes on Citizenship in the Age of RageBy Earl Cotten for The Earl Angle NewsletterThe documents arrived in a manila envelope, thicker than anticipated. Inside lay the accumulated proof of belonging: a birth certificate from Commack, Long Island, dated 1962; school records; voter registration; the faded passport bearing stamps from a dozen vacations now rendered sentimental journeys. Rosie O’Donnell had assembled these papers, I imagine, not as an act of defiance, but as a quiet, necessary ritual. A reaffirmation of the tangible against the ephemeral fury emanating from the White Ho...
2025-07-1327 min
Earl & Kate Deep Dive2026 House Strategy: Redistricting Roulette | July 12, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe Calculating and the Calculated: Texas Redistricts Its GhostsBy Earl Cotten for The Earl Angle NewsletterIn the capitol, under the indifferent gaze of statues commemorating older, perhaps less intricate, betrayals, the machinery grinds. Governor Greg Abbott has summoned the legislature back. Ostensibly, they convene to address the floods, the drowned homes, the ruptured earth. But the true agenda, appended like a codicil to a will nobody wanted to read, is redistricting. Again. Mid-decade. A recalibration of power lines using instruments known to be faulty, guided by a map already fading from relevance. One...
2025-07-1329 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveDeepfake Statecraft: AI Impersonates Mark Rubio | July 11, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisListen now | The Rubio Deepfake: AI's Threat to National Security | The podcast talks about the escalating threat of AI-generated deepfakes, particularly voice cloning, in national security and political contexts. They detail incidents like the Marco Rubio deepfake, where AI was used to impersonate officials and attempt to access sensitive information, it highlight the alarming ease with which convincing voice clones can be created using minimal audio samples and readily available services, it also address the vulnerabilities exposed by these attacks, such as the failure of traditional authentication methods and the reliance on insecure communication channels. Finally, they propose a r...
2025-07-1236 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveTrump Tariffs Chaos, Texas Flood Failures & DOJ Scandal | July 10, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe Disassembling: Notes from a Fractured JulyBy Earl Cotten for The Earl AngleThis month offered a masterclass: a tax bill signed with fanfare that gutted the thin tissue of care for the poor; tariffs announced and rescinded and re-announced like erratic gunfire across the global marketplace; floodwaters rising in Texas while the agency meant to stem the tide drowned in its own leadership vacuum; a judicial nominee accused of the very contempt for the bench he would be sworn to uphold; and the relentless, performative challenge to a constitutional guarantee as settled as...
2025-07-1146 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveMeet Russell Vought: The “Christian Nationalist” Quietly Controlling Trump’s Budget and Consumer Protection | July 9, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe Mechanics of Unmaking: Russell Vought and the Quiet ApocalypseBy Earl Cotten for The Earl AngleThe air conditioning hums too loudly in the OMB Director’s suite, a persistent, low-grade mechanical complaint against the Washington heat. Outside, the city shimmers, a mirage built on bedrock compromises now being methodically dynamited. Inside, Russell Vought works. He works with the focused, unsentimental efficiency of a man dismantling an engine he believes is fundamentally flawed, its very design an affront to a purer principle. He controls the money. He controls, now, the agency meant to shield th...
2025-07-1029 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveTexas Flood Horror Sparks SHOCK Plan to Defund Trump: Blue States Plot Tax Rebellion in Secret! | July 8, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe Fracture Lines: Notes from an Unsteady RepublicBy Earl Cotten for The Earl AngleThe water had receded, mostly. What remained across vast stretches of Texas was not landscape, but a provisional state: a thick, viscous scab of mud and ruin. Houses, stripped of dignity and purpose, slumped like abandoned stage sets after the final, disastrous performance. The air hung heavy with the sweet-sick odor of decay and wet gypsum board. One observed the people moving through this desolation – not with the frantic energy of rescue, but the stunned, methodical pace of archaeologists cataloging a...
2025-07-0929 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveFederal Immigration Raid in LA & Authoritarian Tactics: Trump’s Police State Expansion | July 7, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe Fault Lines: On MacArthur Park and the Machinery of FearBy Earl Cotten for The Earl AngleLos Angeles holds its breath in July. The light bleaches the boulevards, the jacaranda blossoms crisp and fall like forgotten confetti, and the city settles into a kind of suspended animation, waiting for the first Santa Ana winds. But this past Sunday, July 7th, the suspension snapped. In MacArthur Park, that improbable rectangle of green and concrete lake where Central America bleeds into the American dream, the machinery of the state descended, not with the Santa Anas...
2025-07-0828 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveTexas Flood Deaths Expose MAGA Governance Cuts: NOAA, FEMA & Climate Dismantling | July 6, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe Illusion of Control: Notes on a Hill Country DrowningBy Earl Cotten for The Earl AngleThe Guadalupe River flows through the Texas Hill Country like a remembered promise. Clear, usually, and shallow over limestone, a place for children to wade and skip stones. It is a landscape of deep shade and sudden, blinding sun, of live oaks twisting towards the sky, and quiet hollows where the heat gathers thick as wool. Camp Mystic, nestled along its banks for a century, traded on this promise of pastoral ease, of innocence preserved under a benevolent...
2025-07-0734 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveLuttig Scorches Roberts & Trump: Constitutional Crisis as Presidency Mirrors Monarchy | July 4, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe Unforgivable Reticence: Silence in the Hour of the WolfBy Earl Cotten for The Earl AngleThe former President, face florid, spittle forming at the corner of his mouth, demanding the impeachment of a federal judge. The name changes – Boasberg this week, someone else the next – but the incantation remains constant, a dark liturgy against the robes. The sound is off. One doesn’t need to hear the words; the intention vibrates through the screen, a low hum of menace. It is a performance designed for maximum erosion. And presiding over the highest court in thi...
2025-07-0537 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveFCC Reverses Prison Phone Price Cap: $500M Savings Blocked, Top Trump Donors Benefit | July 4, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe Alchemy of Separation: On the FCC and the Price of a VoiceIt happens quietly, this sort of thing. A decision rendered in the hermetic chambers of the Federal Communications Commission, couched in the bloodless prose of bureaucracy: "Order on Reconsideration," "Temporary Suspension," "Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking." The words slide past the attention, designed not to snag on the consciousness of the ordinary citizen. Yet beneath this veneer of administrative procedure lies a transaction of a different order, an alchemy practiced for decades that transmutes human longing and institutional power into pure profit. The FCC...
2025-07-0525 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveRadical Founding, Modern Threat: America’s Unfinished Fight for Equality | July 3, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe Ongoing Struggle for Equality's PromiseThe proposition hangs in the air still. That one, drafted in Philadelphia heat: all men are created equal. We recite it now like catechism, forgetting how the words exploded onto a world ordered by blood and crown. A radical utterance, yes. An act of faith scribbled onto parchment while men were bought and sold down by the docks, while nations lived on the land beyond the settlements, while half the human race remained legal non-persons. The dissonance was baked in from the start. The promise universal, the application viciously particular.
2025-07-0425 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveHouse GOP Scrambles for Votes on Controversial Budget Bill: Medicaid Cuts, Tax Breaks & Midnight Standoff | July 2, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisSUMMARYThe podcast describes a chaotic legislative effort in the United States Congress to pass a highly unpopular bill before an arbitrary Fourth of July deadline, Consider the Fourth of July deadline. An arbitrary marker, a day heavy with myth, chosen not by legislative necessity but by fiat from a former president demanding loyalty. The bill itself is a blunt instrument: tax cuts carved deep for corporations and the already wealthy, paid for by stripping sustenance from the poor – Medicaid pared to the bone, food assistance withdrawn. More money, always more, for the machinery of border enforcement. It...
2025-07-0323 min
Earl & Kate Deep Dive$170B ICE Funding & ‘Alligator Alcatraz’: Trump’s Detention Surge Post-SCOTUS Immunity Ruling | July 1, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe podcast critically describe a pivotal day in American politics, one year after a Supreme Court ruling granted the president absolute immunity from prosecution for official acts. This immunity appears to have empowered former President Trump, who is depicted as wielding significant power despite not currently holding office. The sources illustrate this through the Senate's passage of a controversial budget bill that slashes social programs while drastically increasing funding for immigration enforcement and detention facilities. Furthermore, Trump is shown making unprecedented threats against political opponents and U.S. citizens, indicating a potential shift towards an authoritarian state as he...
2025-07-0234 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveGOP Slashes Healthcare for 16M, Kids' Food Aid to Fund Millionaire Tax Cuts: "Immoral & Cruel" Senate Bill Compared to Pre-New Deal 1933 Crisis | June 30, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThe podcast "The Moral Battle for America's Future," critically examines a controversial piece of legislation currently before the U.S. Congress, with Democratic and Independent Senators arguing it is deeply immoral and harmful. They contend the bill cuts healthcare and nutrition benefits for vulnerable populations while providing significant tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations, leading to increased national debt. The source connects this legislative effort to a long-standing Republican philosophy, articulated by figures like Grover Norquist, that seeks to drastically shrink government's role to an extent not seen since before the New Deal era. This perspective stands in...
2025-07-0126 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveTrump’s Iran Admission, Economic Slump & GOP Medicaid Cuts | June 29, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisThis podcast episode examines, "Political Upheaval: Economy, Foreign Policy, and Budget Battles," which explores four significant political narratives. First, it discusses a contraction in the U.S. economy, attributed to President Trump's tariff policies and reduced consumer spending, contrasting it with a prior period of productivity. Second, the document highlights controversies surrounding U.S. foreign policy toward Iran, including intercepted communications about the effectiveness of U.S. strikes and President Trump's astonishing admission of allowing Iran to attack a U.S. military base. Third, the source details a Republican budget reconciliation bill that proposes substantial cuts to programs for...
2025-06-3031 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveGOP Budget Bill: $930B Medicaid Cuts, Permanent Tax Cuts for Wealthy & ICE Surge | June 28, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisSummaryThis podcast episode critically examines a new Republican budget reconciliation bill, highlighting its unpopularity and its intent to benefit the wealthy through permanent tax cuts. It details how the bill, despite some policy removals, drastically cuts social programs like Medicaid and significantly increases funding for migrant detention and deportation. It draws a parallel between this bill and the 1890 McKinley Tariff, arguing both measures exemplify a government favoring the rich, leading to public backlash and a call for economic justice that ultimately influenced political shifts and the emergence of reforms like Theodore Roosevelt's "square deal."...
2025-06-2912 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveBirthright Citizenship Debunked: Trump's False 14th Amendment Claims vs. Legal History | June 27, 2025 Podcast & Article AnalysisSummaryThe podcast critically examines former President Donald Trump's claims regarding birthright citizenship and the Supreme Court's decision in Trump v. CASA. Richardson refutes Trump's historical assertions, particularly his misinterpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment's origins, which he linked inaccurately to a post-Civil War case about enslaved individuals. Instead, the author explains how the Fourteenth Amendment was a direct response to discriminatory state laws following the Civil War, aiming to grant citizenship to Black Americans and other marginalized groups previously denied rights. The article highlights how historical discriminatory naturalization laws often targeted non-white immigrants, even as the Supreme...
2025-06-2813 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveIran Strike Fallout, Budget Crisis & Democracy Fears | June 26, 2025 Podcast AnalysisSummary A critical look at the Trump administration's actions and policies as of June 2025. It highlights a Defense Secretary's aggressive defense of disputed claims regarding strikes against Iran, contrasting this with reports from the New York Times and CNN suggesting a less impactful outcome and even secret negotiations with Iran. The text also details a controversial budget reconciliation bill, aimed at extending tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations while cutting social programs, facing significant public opposition and challenges from the Senate parliamentarian. Finally, it touches on the administration's stance on immigration, the unpopularity of extreme wealth...
2025-06-2716 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveTrump NATO Clash: Iran Intel Fight, Media Attacks & Netanyahu Plea | June 25, 2025 Podcast AnalysisTrump administration's reaction to intelligence leaks regarding recent military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. It describes President Trump's public statements at a NATO summit, where he downplayed the intelligence assessment that the strikes only temporarily set back Iran's nuclear ambitions, instead claiming "total obliteration" and attacking news organizations that reported otherwise. The source highlights the FBI's criminal investigation into the leak, the administration's decision to limit classified information sharing with Congress, and congressional Democrats' concerns about this move. Furthermore, the text touches on the Intelligence Community's differing assessment of the strikes' effectiveness and Trump's public support for Israeli Prime...
2025-06-2612 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveJeff Bezos announces ‘significant shift’ coming to the Washington Post. A key editor is leaving because of itJeff Bezos is implementing a "significant shift" in the Washington Post's opinion section, focusing on personal liberties and free markets, which led to the departure of editorial page editor David Shipley. This decision has sparked turmoil and rebellion among Post staffers, with some expressing concerns about the suppression of dissenting viewpoints and the influence of Bezos's personal and business interests. Conservatives are applauding the move, while others view it as an abandonment of accountability and justice. Publisher Will Lewis defends the changes as a recalibration to clarify the paper's stance, but dissatisfaction among staffers persists due to controversies surrounding...
2025-02-2609 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveTrump Administration Plans to Require Undocumented Immigrants to RegisterThe Trump administration announced plans to require undocumented immigrants aged 14 and older to register with the U.S. government, providing their fingerprints and facing potential criminal prosecution for non-compliance. This initiative aimed to encourage self-deportation by creating a more hostile environment. Critics argued the plan was unlikely to succeed, given fears of deportation and the government's inability to locate many undocumented individuals. The administration invoked an existing, but largely unenforced, pre-World War II law requiring registration. The policy did not apply to green card holders, those in deportation proceedings, or visa holders, but mandated parents register their undocumented children...
2025-02-2609 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveUkraine War: A World RedefinedThis podcast examines the shifting global landscape three years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It highlights Ukraine's resilience and the crumbling Russian economy while also noting the potential for the U.S. to withdraw support under President Trump. Trump's alignment with Russian propaganda and actions against resolutions condemning Russia are contrasted with Europe's efforts to step up and support Ukraine. Germany's new leadership and France's proactive role, along with fresh sanctions from the EU and UK, signal a growing European independence. The piece concludes by asserting the fundamental change to world order brought about by Trump's alignment with Putin.
2025-02-2612 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveMAGA Republicans, Trump, and Threats to Constitutional OrderThis podcast explores concerns about the rise of authoritarianism and threats to constitutional order in the United States. It focuses on actions by Donald Trump and his allies, particularly regarding pardons for January 6th rioters and efforts to consolidate power. The piece highlights warnings from historians and politicians who evoke the Constitution's framers and principles of checks and balances. It also notes the growing public opposition to unpopular policies and the perceived abuse of power. The examples of Senator Angus King and historical figures from Maine like Margaret Chase Smith and Bill Cohen are mentioned as examples of those...
2025-02-2612 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveTrump's Military Purge and the Rise of AuthoritarianismThe podcast details a concerning trend of political interference and authoritarian leanings within the U.S. military. It highlights Trump's alleged purge of top military leaders, replacing them with loyalists, and Defense Secretary Hegseth's concerning stance on the Geneva Conventions and torture. The podcast connects these actions to a broader reactionary movement, romanticizing an individualistic cowboy image warped into a tool for domination. The podcast suggests a dangerous shift towards prioritizing raw power over established legal and ethical boundaries, illustrated by the White House's disturbing use of migrant deportation videos as a form of perverse entertainment. The source contrasts...
2025-02-2412 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveTrump's Alliance with Putin: Abandoning Ukraine and Global Order 🇺🇸Recent actions by the Trump administration signal a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, moving away from long-standing alliances and support for Ukraine. This shift includes considering Russian demands regarding Ukraine's territory and NATO membership. Key figures like Secretary of Defense Hegseth and Vice President Vance have expressed views aligning with Russian interests and criticizing U.S. allies. Negotiations with Russia are underway, excluding Ukrainian and European representatives, raising concerns about potential concessions related to economic sanctions and energy interests. This new direction is seen as a move towards supporting Putin's agenda, abandoning established international principles, and potentially...
2025-02-2316 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveTrump, Musk, and the Erosion of American Norms 🚨This podcast focuses on Donald Trump's controversial actions and declining approval ratings. It highlights public disapproval of Trump's policies and behavior, including concerns about his authority and potential overreach. Elon Musk's growing influence and association with Trump are also scrutinized, raising worries about data privacy and government control. Furthermore, state governors are pushing back against Trump's executive orders, leading to legal challenges and accusations of dictatorial tendencies. Finally, the sudden purge of military leadership adds to the sense of instability and raises questions about Trump's motives.The Earl Angle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new...
2025-02-2319 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveThe Fragility of Liberal Order: Complacency and Authoritarianism's RiseThe podcast explores a perceived paradox: the stability of the post-World War II liberal order may have inadvertently fostered conditions that threaten its own existence. It argues that a long period of peace and security has led to complacency and a rise in extremism, with some unable to grasp the realities of authoritarianism or the importance of institutions. The podcast highlights examples of this phenomenon, including the dismantling of U.S. support for allies, cuts to the federal workforce disproportionately affecting veterans, and attacks on social programs that benefit Republican voters. It questions the administration's claims of eliminating waste...
2025-02-2123 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveMusk, Trump, and the "Doge Dividend" PlanElon Musk claims Donald Trump supports his plan to distribute savings from government cost-cutting, managed by his "Department of Government Efficiency (Doge)," directly to citizens in the form of "Doge dividend cheques". The Doge program aims to slash government spending and has supposedly saved $55 billion, though this figure is debated. While Trump has expressed interest in sending a portion of Doge savings to Americans, Republican leaders like Mike Johnson oppose the idea, citing concerns about fiscal responsibility and the national debt. Some advisors argue that distributing these savings would not necessarily stoke inflation, while Musk frames the distribution as...
2025-02-2107 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveNetflix saw highest day of cancellations this year after co-founder's $7M donation to Harris campaignSummaryA recent report suggests that Netflix experienced a surge in cancellations following co-founder Reed Hastings' $7 million donation to Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign. This spike, which was particularly pronounced in the five days after Hastings' endorsement, coincided with calls from Trump supporters urging conservatives to cancel their subscriptions. However, it remains uncertain if this political donation significantly impacted Netflix's overall performance, with their next financial report scheduled for October.The Earl Angle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
2024-09-3003 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveDark Trump: Former president calls Harris “mentally disabled”SummaryThe podcast describes former President Trump's recent rally in Wisconsin where he made several controversial remarks about his opponent, Vice President Harris. Trump claimed Harris is "mentally impaired" and "mentally disabled," suggesting she is unfit for office. He also reiterated his claims about widespread election fraud in 2020, suggesting he would attempt to overturn the results if elected. Additionally, Trump made inflammatory statements about immigration and border security, accusing immigrants of criminal activity and taking jobs from Americans. The podcast also notes the reactions of both the Harris campaign and historical experts, who criticize Trump's rhetoric as...
2024-09-2904 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveJD Vance appears at event hosted by Lance Wallnau, Christian nationalistSummaryThis podcast reports on Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance's appearance at a town hall event hosted by Lance Wallnau, a prominent figure in the New Apostolic Reformation movement. Wallnau, known for his hard-right politics and Christian nationalist beliefs, has previously demonized Vice President Kamala Harris and promoted election denialism. The podcast examines Vance's association with Wallnau and the implications of his presence at the event, highlighting concerns from Democrats and extremism researchers who view Wallnau's rhetoric as dangerous and Vance's involvement as a validation of those views. This is a public episode. If...
2024-09-2812 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveTrump threatens to criminally prosecute Google for displaying 'bad stories' about himSummaryDonald Trump has accused Google of intentionally manipulating search results to display only negative stories about him and positive stories about Kamala Harris. He claims this is an attempt to interfere with the 2024 election and threatens to criminally prosecute Google if he is re-elected. Trump’s accusations are based on a study by a conservative media watchdog group that claims Google favors Democrats in its search results. Google has denied any political bias in its search algorithms, arguing that they are designed to prioritize accurate and authoritative sources. Trump's accusations are the latest in a series of...
2024-09-2812 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveSupreme Court rejects RFK Jr's appeal to be put back on New York election ballotSummaryThe Supreme Court denied Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s appeal to be reinstated on the New York election ballot. After suspending his presidential campaign and endorsing Donald Trump, Kennedy attempted to withdraw from several key battleground states, but he was unsuccessful in removing his name from the ballot in New York. Meanwhile, New York Magazine reporter Olivia Nuzzi was put on leave after allegations of a "personal relationship" with Kennedy arose. Despite his departure from the race, Kennedy has been added to Trump's transition team along with former Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard....
2024-09-2802 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveHarris visiting border to show her record is more than Trump criticismSummaryVice President Kamala Harris visited the U.S.-Mexico border in Douglas, Arizona, to address her vulnerability on immigration, a key issue for the upcoming election. Despite facing criticism from former President Trump and Republicans for her handling of border issues, Harris announced plans to further tighten asylum restrictions. Her campaign argues that her past work as California attorney general and her efforts to address the "root causes" of migration demonstrate her commitment to border security. While Harris emphasizes the need for a humane and orderly process, Trump continues to portray the situation as a crisis...
2024-09-2811 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveNew York Mayor Eric Adams pleads not guilty to corruption chargesSummaryNew York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted on federal charges of accepting bribes and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish nationals. Prosecutors allege that Adams accepted luxury travel perks from Turkey and pressured city officials to allow Turkey's new consulate to open in exchange for favorable treatment. Adams has denied all wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Many city officials have called for his resignation, but Governor Kathy Hochul has indicated that she will review the situation before making a decision. The case has led to political upheaval in New York City and is...
2024-09-2709 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveDonald Trump bizarrely claims migrants have phone app direct to Kamala HarrisSummaryDuring a press event at Trump Tower, Donald Trump alleged that the Biden administration has a phone app which allows migrants to schedule appointments for release into the United States. Trump falsely claimed this app exists and attributed the "migrant crisis" to the Biden administration. Trump's statement was made without providing any evidence and is widely considered a conspiracy theory.The Earl Angle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd...
2024-09-2702 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveHarris to call for tougher security measures in first trip to southern border as nomineeSummaryKamala Harris is visiting the U.S.-Mexico border for the first time since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee. During her visit, she will call for tougher border security measures, including additional resources for Border Patrol agents and fentanyl detection machines at ports of entry. She will also argue that the U.S. should have a safe, orderly, and humane immigration system. Her visit comes at a time when the Biden administration is set to solidify new asylum restrictions and as a recent poll shows that border security is a major concern for voters. Her opponent...
2024-09-2704 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveBiden, Harris to roll out new executive action on gunsSummaryPresident Biden and Vice President Harris are announcing new executive actions on gun violence, timed to the one-year anniversary of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The actions aim to address the trauma inflicted on children by active shooter drills in schools and to tackle the threat of machine gun conversion devices. The event will highlight the vice president's leadership on the issue and serve as a legacy-building exercise for the president, who has made gun violence a top policy priority. The executive order will also establish a task force to assess the threat...
2024-09-2605 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveFederal Agents Search Mayor’s Residence After Adams IndictmentSummaryFederal agents have indicted New York City Mayor Eric Adams on charges related to illegal foreign donations and his involvement with the Turkish government. The indictment follows a lengthy investigation that began in 2021, and includes allegations of pressure on fire department officials to approve a new Turkish consulate despite safety concerns. This indictment marks the first time a sitting mayor of New York City has faced federal charges while in office. The charges are expected to be announced formally on Thursday, and several elected officials have called for Adams to resign, though he has denied any...
2024-09-2607 min
Earl & Kate Deep DivePro-Harris sticky notes pop up in women's restrooms and gyms and on tampon boxesSummaryWomen across the United States are engaging in a grassroots campaign to support Kamala Harris for president by writing pro-Harris messages on sticky notes and placing them in public spaces, primarily women's restrooms and gyms. This movement, which is largely organized online, has gained popularity on Facebook, where women share their experiences and ideas for spreading the message. The initiative has been particularly successful in Republican-dominated areas, where women say it allows them to express their political views without fear of backlash. While the campaign is not officially affiliated with the Harris campaign, women involved in...
2024-09-2610 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveRepublicans divided in response to Mark Robinson allegationsSummaryThe podcast discusses the controversy surrounding North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's campaign for governor, which has been rocked by allegations of unsavory comments he made on a porn site message board. Republican leaders and candidates are facing pressure to respond to the allegations, with some distancing themselves from Robinson while others remain silent or offer lukewarm support. Robinson denies the allegations, but the controversy has hurt his campaign, and his chances of winning appear increasingly bleak. The podcast also details how Robinson has responded to the accusations, including hiring a law firm to investigate CNN's...
2024-09-2507 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveHarris and Trump are offering radically different visions of manufacturingSummaryThe podcast contrasts the campaign platforms of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on the topic of manufacturing. Harris plans to utilize government incentives to stimulate manufacturing growth, building on the successes of the Biden administration. Trump, on the other hand, paints a dire picture of the state of manufacturing, advocating for protective tariffs, reduced regulations, and lower corporate taxes to revitalize the industry. Both candidates are vying for the support of manufacturing-minded voters in key swing states, and highlights the potential for a clash of visions between the two candidates.The Earl Angle...
2024-09-2508 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveThe Legacy of James Earl Jones: A Personal Glimpse Into His Bond with Father Robert Earl JonesSummaryThis podcast recounts encounters with actor Robert Earl Jones and his son, James Earl Jones. The podcast reflects on the complexity of their lives, particularly Robert Earl Jones's journey from sharecropper to actor, and James Earl Jones's rise to fame as a renowned actor. The author explores the themes of family, reconciliation, and the importance of art as a path to self-discovery and personal growth. He emphasizes the profound impact of their individual stories on their lives and their legacies in the world.The Earl Angle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new...
2024-09-2507 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveThe Election Mistake That Could Change Everything: A Game of Strategy and RiskSummaryLaw professor and author Lawrence Lessig argues that a recent change in election law creates a dangerous incentive for candidates to manipulate election results. He points to a 1960 example in Hawaii, where a recount changed the election outcome, and argues that under current law, the candidate declared the winner on the day electors meet would prevail, even if later legal disputes overturned the initial result. Lessig sees this as a significant threat to the integrity of the 2024 election and proposes an amendment to the Electoral Count Reform Act that would give courts more time to resolve...
2024-09-2508 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveDonald Trump Avoids ‘Black Nazi’ Mark Robinson as GOP Cuts Him AdriftSummaryMark Robinson, the Republican nominee for North Carolina governor, is facing a growing scandal after allegations emerged that he made offensive comments on a pornographic website. The Republican Governors Association has withdrawn their financial support for Robinson's campaign, citing the damaging publicity. Trump, who once compared Robinson to Martin Luther King, has also distanced himself, along with other high-profile Republicans. Robinson has denied the allegations, attacking the media for focusing on "tabloid trash," but the scandal is causing significant damage to his campaign.The Earl Angle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new...
2024-09-2408 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveStrange Cellmates in a Brooklyn Jail: Sean Combs and Sam Bankman-FriedSummaryThis podcast reports that Sean Combs, a prominent music executive, is currently housed in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, sharing a dormitory-style room with Sam Bankman-Fried, the convicted founder of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange. While Combs is awaiting trial on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, Bankman-Fried is serving his 25-year prison sentence. Despite the jail's history of overcrowding and poor conditions, Combs' lawyer has praised the detention center's staff for their professionalism and support, while requesting a speedy trial for his client.The Earl Angle is a reader-supported publication. To receive...
2024-09-2406 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveTrump wants to lure foreign companies by offering them access to federal landSummaryDonald Trump is planning to incentivize foreign companies to relocate to the United States by offering them access to federal land, in addition to a lower corporate tax rate. His plan, which aims to address job offshoring and bolster American manufacturing, will be discussed at a campaign event in Savannah, Georgia. This strategy comes amid increased focus on the economy, with Trump criticizing his opponent Kamala Harris's economic policies and expressing concerns about Chinese competition. However, questions remain about the practicality and effectiveness of Trump's proposal, including whether it would be feasible to offer such incentives...
2024-09-2404 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveTrump Tells Women That They Won’t ‘Be Thinking About AbortionSummaryFormer President Donald Trump is campaigning on a message of protecting women voters and making their communities safer, claiming they will "no longer be thinking about abortion" if he is elected. Trump highlights his role in overturning Roe v. Wade and returning abortion authority to the states, while dismissing concerns about his history of making demeaning remarks about women. The article notes that abortion rights remain a top issue for women voters and that Trump's stance on the issue may not be winning him their support.The Earl Angle is a reader-supported publication...
2024-09-2402 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveTrump threatens John Deere with 200% tariff if moves production to MexicoSummaryFormer President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for President in 2024, has threatened John Deere with a 200% tariff if the agricultural manufacturer moves production to Mexico. Trump made this threat at a campaign event in Pennsylvania, where he also threatened automakers that manufacture cars in Mexico. Trump believes that moving manufacturing jobs to Mexico hurts American farmers and manufacturing workers. John Deere has announced that it plans to shift production of some of its models to Mexico, a move that has resulted in layoffs at facilities in Iowa. John Deere, however, maintains that it remains committed to...
2024-09-2406 min
Earl & Kate Deep Dive2024 Race: Polls Suggest It’s 2016 All Over AgainSummaryThe podcast focuses on the 2024 US presidential election and the political landscape surrounding it. The podcasters analyzes polls and discusses the potential outcomes of the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. The podcast also delves into the scandals surrounding Republican candidate for governor of North Carolina Mark Robinson, examining allegations of racism and sexual misconduct. Additionally, the podcast criticizes the decision of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to cancel the ShotSpotter program, which uses technology to detect gunshots and assist police and emergency services.The Earl Angle is a...
2024-09-2408 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveIsrael-Hezbollah: US Sending Troops to Middle East to Help US CitizensSummaryThe US is sending more troops to the Middle East to help evacuate US citizens amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The deployment comes after Israel intensified airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, leading to significant casualties in Lebanon. Experts believe Hezbollah's retaliation is likely, raising concerns about a potential full-scale war in the region. Meanwhile, the US has been working to de-escalate the conflict and broker a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.The Earl Angle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free...
2024-09-2409 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveGovernor Newsom signs legislation to limit the use of smartphones during school hoursSummaryCalifornia Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 3216, the Phone-Free School Act, which requires all schools in the state to implement policies limiting smartphone use by July 1, 2026. The bill, supported by a bipartisan coalition of legislators, is intended to protect students' mental health and academic well-being by reducing digital distractions and promoting in-person interaction. The law builds upon previous legislation that granted school districts the authority to regulate smartphone use, acknowledging growing research on the negative impacts of excessive smartphone use on youth. The bill recognizes the need for balance by allowing for smartphone use in emergencies...
2024-09-2407 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveCalifornia sues ExxonMobil over its handling of plastics recyclingSummaryCalifornia accuses ExxonMobil of lying about plastics being recyclableCalifornia has sued ExxonMobil for allegedly deceiving the public about the effectiveness of plastics recycling. The lawsuit alleges that ExxonMobil has promoted the idea that plastic recycling can solve the pollution crisis despite knowing that most plastics aren't recyclable. This is the first time a U.S. government official has attempted to hold an oil and gas company accountable for misleading claims about plastics. The suit seeks billions of dollars from ExxonMobil to fund public education about recycling and research into effective plastic recycling methods...
2024-09-2408 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveCould we turn the sun into a gigantic telescopeSummaryA new scientific concept for using the sun as a giant telescope, known as gravitational lensing, is discussed. This concept could be used to observe distant objects in space with an unprecedented level of detail. The sun's massive gravity bends light, creating a focal point millions of miles away. By sending a spacecraft to this focal point, astronomers could use this natural phenomenon to capture images of exoplanets and other objects in the universe with incredible clarity. While this concept is ambitious and requires advanced technology, the potential benefits of this approach are immense, as it...
2024-09-2408 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveIn step toward solar fuels, durable artificial photosynthesis setup chains two carbons togetherSummaryResearchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new system for artificial photosynthesis that uses gallium nitride nanowires and copper clusters to efficiently convert carbon dioxide and water into ethylene, a key component of many plastics. The system outperforms other artificial photosynthesis systems in terms of efficiency, yield, and longevity, demonstrating its potential for creating sustainable fuels. The team's long-term goal is to extend this technology to produce longer chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms, ultimately leading to the production of liquid fuels.The Earl Angle is a reader-supported publication. To receive...
2024-09-2310 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveSuspect in Trump Assassination Attempt Outlined Plans in NoteSummaryRyan W. Routh, a 58-year-old contractor, was arrested for attempting to assassinate former President Donald J. Trump. He was found staking out Trump's golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida with a rifle, equipped with a scope and a loaded chamber. Routh confessed in a pre-written note that he had planned the attack but failed. He was charged with possessing a firearm as a felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Evidence recovered from his vehicle revealed a list of dates and locations where Trump was scheduled to appear, highlighting Routh's premeditation...
2024-09-2308 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveInside Jony Ive’s Life After Apple and His LoveFrom Design BusinessSummaryThe podcast explores the life and work of Jony Ive after he left Apple and started his own design firm, LoveFrom. It examines his ambitious real estate project in San Francisco's Jackson Square neighborhood, where he is transforming a city block into a creative hub. The podcast highlights Ive's recent design projects, including work for Moncler, Ferrari, and Airbnb, as well as his collaboration with OpenAI to develop a new artificial intelligence device. The Podcast portrays Ive as a designer who is embracing uncertainty and pursuing new creative endeavors, while also reflecting on his legacy and...
2024-09-2209 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveCards Against Humanity sues Elon Musk's SpaceX over alleged trespassing in TexasSummaryThe party game company, Cards Against Humanity, has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk's SpaceX for allegedly trespassing on and damaging a plot of land the company owns in Texas. The lawsuit claims SpaceX has placed construction materials and debris on the land without permission, treating it as their own for at least six months. Cards Against Humanity seeks $15 million in damages, including the cost of lost vegetation on the property.The Earl Angle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
2024-09-2205 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveHow Intel Fell From Global Chip Champion to Takeover TargetSummaryIntel, once a dominant force in the semiconductor industry, has fallen from grace. The company's core chip business has been struggling, and the rise of artificial intelligence has further exacerbated the situation. Intel’s missteps include failing to anticipate the AI boom and lagging behind rivals in manufacturing advanced chips. This has led to Intel being a takeover target for Qualcomm, which could gain access to Intel's large computer and server chip market. However, the future of Intel hinges on the success of its upcoming next-generation chip technology, which is expected to be released next year....
2024-09-2108 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveElon Musk’s X Backs Down in BrazilSummaryElon Musk's social media platform, X, has been blocked in Brazil due to its refusal to comply with court orders issued by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who has broad authority to regulate online speech. These orders required X to take down accounts deemed harmful to Brazilian democracy, which Musk initially defied. However, after facing fines and the blocking of X in Brazil, Musk and his company have reversed their stance and complied with the orders. X is now seeking to regain access to the Brazilian market, which is a significant one for the company. This sudden...
2024-09-2108 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveVaporizing plastics recycles them into nothing but gasSummaryResearchers at the University of California, Berkeley have developed a new method for recycling polypropylene and polyethylene, two types of plastic commonly used in packaging and other products. This method, called isomerizing ethenolysis, utilizes catalysts to break down the polymers into gases, specifically propylene and isobutylene, which can then be used to create new plastics. The research team tested the method on various plastic mixtures, including contaminated samples, and found that it successfully converted the polymers into the desired gases, highlighting its potential for reducing plastic waste. However, scaling up this process and building necessary infrastructure...
2024-09-2109 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveTravis King: US soldier who fled to North Korea sentenced for desertionSummaryTravis King, a US soldier, was sentenced to one year of confinement and a dishonorable discharge for deserting the military. He had previously fled to North Korea while on a tour of the Demilitarized Zone. King was detained in North Korea for two months before being released and returned to the US. He pleaded guilty to several charges including desertion, assault, and disobeying an officer. Although King was released from custody, his legal team believes he will face the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life.The Earl Angle is...
2024-09-2107 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveArizona Supreme Court rules that 98,000 people without confirmed citizenship docs can still vote in state racesSummaryThe Arizona Supreme Court ruled that nearly 98,000 voters whose citizenship documents had not been confirmed can vote in state and local races. This decision came after a database error mistakenly designated these voters as having access to the full ballot for two decades. The court's decision was based on the principle that these voters, who had registered long ago and attested under the penalty of law to their citizenship, were not at fault for the error. The court considered the potential for disenfranchisement and the limited time remaining before the election. The ruling potentially impacts various...
2024-09-2108 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveDemocrats and Republicans finally agree on something: America faces a retirement crisisSummaryA recent survey by BlackRock revealed that Americans, regardless of their political affiliation, are concerned about retirement security. The survey found broad bipartisan agreement on the existence of a retirement savings crisis, with most respondents admitting to having less than $150,000 saved and a significant portion having no emergency savings. The survey also highlighted discrepancies between desired and expected retirement ages. While the average American retires at 62, the average over-50 worker expects to retire at 67. The podcast further examines the differences in the proposed plans for Social Security by the presidential candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump...
2024-09-2108 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveQualcomm recently approached Intel about a possible takeoverSummaryQualcomm, a chipmaker, has approached Intel about a potential takeover. Intel, once the world’s largest chipmaker, has struggled in recent years, facing competition in the market and investor doubts about its costly plans. While Intel has been focusing on its foundry business, it has missed out on the artificial intelligence boom, while Qualcomm has had success in mobile and automotive markets. A potential deal between the two companies would be one of the largest technology mergers ever, but it would likely face regulatory scrutiny due to antitrust and national security concerns.Thanks fo...
2024-09-2109 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveWhy the electoral college map could change right before the electionSummaryThe Podcast explains that Nebraska is considering changing its electoral college system to a winner-take-all method, which would give the Republican candidate an extra electoral vote. This move is particularly significant because the election is expected to be close. Maine, which also has a system that splits electoral votes, had threatened to implement a winner-take-all system in response to Nebraska's proposed change. However, Maine's deadline for changing its system has passed, leaving Nebraska free to implement its change without any repercussions from Maine.Thanks for listening to Earl’s Newsletter Podcast Subscribe for fr...
2024-09-2008 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveF.T.C. Accuses Drug Middlemen of Inflating Insulin PricesSummaryThe Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accused the three largest pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) of inflating insulin prices and steering patients toward more expensive insulin products to increase their profits. The FTC argues that PBMs have exploited their position as drug middlemen to drive up prices and make more money, while harming patients who need lifesaving medications. This action comes as insulin prices have been a significant concern for many Americans, and it reflects a broader debate about the role of PBMs in the healthcare system. The FTC is seeking to prohibit PBMs from favoring more...
2024-09-2006 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveSecret Service responsible for security failures in Trump attack July 13SummaryA report released by the Secret Service details multiple security failures that occurred during a July 13 assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The report identifies several key lapses in security, including a failure to use technology that could have detected the attacker, a lack of communication between Secret Service agents and local police, and a failure to secure a rooftop from which the attacker fired shots. The report also notes that the Secret Service is currently undergoing investigations by the FBI, Congress, and the Department of Homeland Security Inspector...
2024-09-2006 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveHouse passes bill to bolster Trump’s Secret Service securitySummaryThe House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill titled the Enhanced Presidential Security Act, which seeks to bolster former President Trump's security following two apparent assassination attempts. The bill requires the Secret Service to increase the number of agents protecting former presidents and vice presidents, despite the agency’s claim that Trump and Vice President Harris already receive the highest levels of protection. The Secret Service has not commented on the bill, and it is unclear if the Senate will consider the measure. The House vote comes as Congress debates providing the Secret Service with additional fu...
2024-09-2004 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveJudge keeps Biden's latest student loan forgiveness plan blockedSummaryA recent federal appeals court ruling has blocked the Biden administration's SAVE plan, which offered more generous repayment options and faster loan forgiveness for student loan borrowers. The ruling has led to chaos across the federal student loan system, with borrowers unsure of their repayment obligations and the Education Department struggling to implement the SAVE plan and other programs. The order has also raised questions about the future of student loan forgiveness under other income-driven repayment plans, as the court’s logic could threaten their validity as well. The consequences of the legal challenge are particularly co...
2024-09-2009 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveAt Emotional Event With Oprah, Kamala Harris Hits Core Campaign ThemesSummaryThe podcast details Vice President Kamala Harris's appearance at a campaign event hosted by Oprah Winfrey, focusing on her stances on key issues like immigration, gun control, and abortion rights. The event, "Unite for America," aimed to engage voters and mobilize support for Harris's presidential campaign. The article highlights Harris's personal experiences and her responses to audience questions, showcasing her campaign strategy of connecting with voters on a personal level. The podcast also discusses the criticism Harris received from the Trump campaign and the significance of Winfrey's endorsement.Thanks for reading Earl’s Ne...
2024-09-2004 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveMexico president blames U.S. for cartel killings as violence surges in Sinaloa after leaders arrestedSummaryMexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador blamed the United States for the surge in cartel violence in Sinaloa, Mexico, following the arrest of two Sinaloa cartel leaders in the U.S. The violence, which has resulted in at least 30 deaths in the past week, is attributed to a power struggle between factions of the cartel. López Obrador claims the U.S. acted illegally in capturing Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and that the move has led to instability in Sinaloa. The capture of Zambada, a key figure in the cartel, has also fueled criticisms of Lópe...
2024-09-2007 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveWhy a scandal consuming a Trump protégé could harm the ex-president in North CarolinaSummaryThe sources detail the potential implications of a scandal surrounding Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson on the outcome of the presidential election in North Carolina. Robinson, a Trump protégé, has been accused of making offensive and inflammatory remarks, which have led some to question his fitness for office. While Robinson's troubles might not directly impact Trump's chances, they could depress Republican turnout, giving Harris a significant advantage in a state that has historically been a Republican stronghold. The sources also explore the larger context of the Trump era, noting that Robinson is just one example of...
2024-09-2011 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveConstellation Energy to restart Three Mile Island nuclear plant, sell the power to Microsoft for AISummaryConstellation Energy plans to restart the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania, which was shut down in 2019. This restart is driven by the increasing electricity demand from the tech sector, particularly for data centers powering artificial intelligence. Microsoft has signed a power purchase agreement with Constellation, which will use the plant to generate carbon-free electricity for its data centers. This agreement marks a significant step in the revitalization of the nuclear industry, driven by a growing need for clean energy sources to meet the demands of expanding technology. This revival of nuclear power is...
2024-09-2003 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveElon Musk officially moves X headquarters to Texas (but not Austin)SummaryElon Musk has officially moved the headquarters of his social media platform, X, from San Francisco, California to Bastrop, Texas. The move follows Musk's previous statements about relocating the company to Austin, Texas. The change in headquarters coincides with the company's closure of its San Francisco office and the relocation of employees to the Bastrop location. While the move was initially motivated by Musk's disagreement with a California law regarding transgender students, the transition had been in the works for several months, with X signing a lease in Bastrop and subleasing its San Francisco office space...
2024-09-2004 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveFive takeaways from the latest flurry of Harris-Trump pollsSummaryRecent polls have emerged providing insight into the upcoming presidential election between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. While some polls suggest a slight advantage for Harris, particularly in swing states, others indicate a close race. The results, however, are subject to inherent margin of error and "noise," making it difficult to definitively determine the outcome. Despite the varied poll results, the race remains tight with both candidates having key strengths and weaknesses.Subscribe and listen to my podcast on all topics at Earl’s Newsletter PodcastMy Earl’s Ne...
2024-09-2007 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveTrump says Jewish voters would be partly to blame if he loses electionFormer President Donald Trump stated that Jewish-American voters would be partly to blame if he loses the upcoming election. He expressed concern about his polling numbers amongst Jewish Americans, citing a supposed 60% support for his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump maintains a strong stance on his support for Israel, arguing that his policies have been beneficial to the Jewish community. He has previously made controversial statements about his close ties with Israel and the Jewish community, and has faced accusations of anti-Semitism. Trump's campaign is prioritizing outreach to Jewish voters in key states, especially in Pennsylvania, where...
2024-09-2005 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveTucker Carlson Takes on Zyn: The Nicotine Pouch Wars Heat UpWatch my podcast on all topics at Earl’s Newsletter PodcastTucker Carlson, the conservative media icon, is making headlines yet again — this time with a bold move into the nicotine pouch market. After a spat with Philip Morris, the makers of Zyn, Carlson decided to create a competing brand: Alp. This story isn’t just about nicotine pouches; it’s about politics, culture wars, and Carlson’s mission to create a product that aligns with his vision of masculinity, conservatism, and independence. Let’s dive into the details of why Carlson felt compelled to enter this market and w...
2024-09-1908 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveRay Dalio Calls Upcoming U.S. Election the Most Consequential of His LifetimeWatch my podcast on all topics at Earl’s Newsletter PodcastChapter 1: IntroductionRay Dalio’s Bold Statement on the 2024 U.S. ElectionRay Dalio, a renowned investor and founder of Bridgewater Associates, has never been one to mince words, especially when it comes to assessing global economic and political landscapes. His recent comments about the 2024 U.S. election, however, have struck an even deeper chord. In an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box Asia, Dalio stated unequivocally that this election will be “the most important of my lifetime.”This declaration wasn’t mad...
2024-09-1911 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveApple iPhone 16 demand is so weak that employees can already buy it on discount This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earlcotten.substack.com/subscribe
2024-09-1905 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveEvery single member of the board just resigned from DNA tester 23andMe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earlcotten.substack.com/subscribe
2024-09-1807 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveA bottle of water per email: the hidden environmental costs of using AI chatbots This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earlcotten.substack.com/subscribe
2024-09-1809 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveStarbucks North America CEO Michael Conway Quits After Just 6 Months In The Position This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earlcotten.substack.com/subscribe
2024-09-1806 min
Earl & Kate Deep DiveWhat Scared Ford’s CEO in China This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earlcotten.substack.com/subscribe
2024-09-1809 min