What the hell is happening with Iran and Donald “No Wars” Trump? This week Rachel and Aaron break down the confusion, and the rift it’s causing in MAGA’s alt-reality. Plus, Rachel has an important lesson for the news media about the difference between rioting and protesting. How decaying democracy has opened the door to political violence and… who told “Whisky Pete” Hegseth to “be a man” during a hearing on Capitol Hill?

LINKS:

• New York Times: Shifting Views and Misdirection: How Trump Decided to Strike Iran
• Tucker Carlson: Tucker Confronts Ted Cruz on His Support for Regime Change in Iran
• Sen. Slotkin to Hegseth: “Be a man”
• The Cycle: Monday Memo (Substack): Welcome Back to the ’70s, Baby!
• Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

What is the public hearing about Trump’s order to send more troops to Los Angeles? A lot of folks don’t even know who to blame. Plus, Rachel compares the fiery I.C.E. protests with how the Nazis rose to power in 1930s Germany. How Elon’s and Don’s Big Beautiful Breakup threatens the President’s tax cuts for billionaires. We unpack the DOJ’s fishy case against Kilmar Abrego Garcea and the headlines Americans are reading. And what, exactly, does tear gas taste like?

LINKS:

• Newsom to Defense Secretary Hegseth: Rescind National Guard Order
• LA Protesters Angry w/ Mayor Karen Bass & Governor Gavin Newsom
• Justice Department documents re: Kilmar Abrego Garcia
• The Cycle Monday Memo: Something Wicked This Way Comes (Substack)
• POLITICO: ‘You essentially destroyed any chance I have,’ DNC chair told David Hogg in private meeting
• Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

This week Rachel and Aaron follow Elon “Black Eye” Musk out the door as he whines about the American political system he destroyed. Plus: cracks in the ice when it comes to criticizing Donald Trump and the Big Ugly Bill, a weird reminder of death from a U.S. Senator (and a weirder “apology”). What happens when you call a fascist… a fascist? And we take a hard look at the Great Replacement Theory through the lens of Tucker Carlson.

LINKS:

• New York Times: On the Campaign Trail, Elon Musk Juggled Drugs and Family Drama
• Associated Press: Musk put a spotlight on federal spending, but cut less than he wanted
• Elon Musk interview on CBS This Morning
• Sen. Rand Paul on Face the Nation
• Sen. Joni Ernst: “We’re all going to die”
• Ernst makes sarcastic “apology” in graveyard
• Woman calls out Rep. Mike Flood as a fascist
• Trump confronted by TACO Theory
• Tucker Carlson interview with Canadian MP Maxime Bernier
• Trump throws 500-word hissyfit about Leornard Leo and the Federalist Society
• The Cycle on Subtack
• Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game