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SPEAKER 2
It's on. A full-fledged MAGA civil war is taking place between the MAGA tech bros and the far-right-wing MAGA nationalists. They're going at it. We will break it down. You've got Elon Musk banning the far-right MAGA nationalists, the far-right MAGA nationalists saying, All of these tech bros are now saying we need immigrants to fill engineering jobs. Donald,
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didn't you tell us that you were going to build schools here and give all these high paying jobs to Americans? Wait a minute. You're trying to bring these jobs now from India like the tech bro magazine? We'll break it down. And also I'll read you what like Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk have been saying,
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because if any Democrat ever used language like that, I guarantee you it would be the front page story around the clock and it would be all over. We'll break it down. But speaking about it being all over, we finally got that Matt Gaetz report. The Ethics Committee report dropped. It showed that Matt Gaetz engaged in

Legal AF Ad-Free: Ben and Popok React to Major Legal Developments

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On this episode of the Legal AF podcast, Ben Meiselas and Michael Popok dive into the latest developments at the intersection of law and politics. They explore whether the growing MAGA civil war over immigration and H1-B visa policies could fracture the movement and benefit Democrats in their fight against Trump in Congress. The episode also examines why Matt Gaetz has yet to face prosecution for alleged sex crimes and potential federal gun law violations, and whether Trump’s reliance on outside groups to target Democrats could legally transform those groups into government actors, exposing them to lawsuits and public scrutiny. Plus, the hosts discuss Trump’s potential attempts to leverage the Supreme Court for personal financial gain, including acquiring a stake in TikTok, and much more. Don’t miss this in-depth analysis of today’s most pressing legal and political issues.

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Pattii Brock's avatar

I love your channel but I am broke, can't afford $10 a month, can you make it $5

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MeidasTouch Network's avatar

This is free to all of our subscribers - and you can always watch on YouTube as well (there will just be a few ads over there)

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Robert Weber's avatar

“Marshall has made his decision. And, I have made mine! Now, let him try to enforce his.” ~ President, Major General, and Commander in Chief, Andrew Jackson (D) - Tennessee … “Well, Joe … Do ya feel lucky? Well, do ya p’nk!” ~ Inspector “Dirty” Harry Callahan aka Rowdy Yates … “Yee! Haw! Roll ‘em out! ~ Rawhide 🦅

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Rob Nelson's avatar

Patti, I paid for 2 reasons, to avoid the ads, and to support MEIDAS. I sent them $100. I love their work. Ben's interview with President Biden is EPIC.

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Pattii Brock's avatar

If I could afford it, I would gladly support the channel. If I had an extra $100 I would send it. I am on SS so money is very tight, and getting tighter 😞

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Bonnie's avatar

Disposable income is just a memory.

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WJB Motown's avatar

I will be moving up to founder in February to help cover for the Magat attacks that are forthcoming.

What MTN has now must be protected as the going will get tougher after Jan 20...

hide away 5 bucks a month.........you will be pleasantly suprised

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Pattii Brock's avatar

I'm on SS, living off $1000 a month.

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WJB Motown's avatar

No worries......Blessed Be

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WisconsinZebra's avatar

YouTube is free subscription of Meidas Touch and Legal AF 😉

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Pattii Brock's avatar

I am not looking for free, I want to support the channel, I am looking for a way where I can pay $5 a month instead of $10.

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Diane J's avatar

I understand that MT has overhead costs so we can get this news, however being a senior on a small fixed income I can only afford 1-2 subscriptions to Substack reporters and blogs and have hit my financial limit.

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MeidasTouch Network's avatar

This is free to all of our subscribers - and you can always watch on YouTube as well (there will just be a few ads over there)

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Robert Weber's avatar

“Marshall has made his decision. And, I have made mine! Now, let him try to enforce his.” ~ President, Major General, and Commander in Chief, Andrew Jackson (D) - Tennessee … “Well, Joe … Do ya feel lucky? Well, do ya p’nk!” ~ Inspector “Dirty” Harry Callahan aka Rowdy Yates … “Yee! Haw! Roll ‘em out! ~ Rawhide 🦅

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Raquel Tomic-Beard's avatar

When ate Jack Smith's reports going to be published?

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Joan Fregapane's avatar

So the tech bros’ disdain for and dismissal of regular of MAGAs seems to mirror Trump’s, just said blatantly out loud in public. If the regular MAGAs truly understood how little Trump thinks of them, perhaps they’d rethink their votes and their MAGA identities.

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Arlene B's avatar

Watching the crowd on Steve Bannon's speech (wherever) they ugly countenances of all those white a$$wipes in the room cheering to get Matt Gaetz back, Matt Matt Matt! cheering tells exactly what those scum are. Ugly human beings. They have now gotten permission to be scum publicly.

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Daniel Solomon's avatar

I am incensed that you acquiece letting insurrectionists take oaths of office. Don’t let democracy die on our watch. https://truthout.org/articles/trump-is-using-unitary-executive-theory-in-his-bid-to-amass-supreme-power/

January 3-5, Washington, D.C. Details coming soon

https://nowmarch.org/join-the-movement/ts the burden

https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/5055171-constitution-insurrection-trump-disqualification/

We need to take a stand. William Baude and Michael Paulsen, Harvard Law Review, "Sweeping Section Three under the Rug: A Comment on Trump v. Anderson:

"Yet equally significant is what the Court did not decide. It did not reject the Colorado Supreme Court’s conclusion that Trump is disqualified from future office, under the standards of Section Three. It did not hold that the events culminating in the January 6 attack on the capitol fell short of the constitutional standard for an “insurrection.” It did not reject the Colorado Supreme Court’s conclusion that Trump had “engaged in” that insurrection. It did not question the Colorado courts’ factual findings concerning Trump’s conduct and intent. And–perhaps contrary to initial appearances, and contrary to the critique of the justices concurring in the judgment only–the Court did not hold that Section Three is legally inoperative without enforcement legislation by Congress. Nothing in the case contradicts the conclusions we reached in our prior scholarship, The Sweep and Force of Section Three, on any of these points.

"The upshot is that Donald Trump remains constitutionally disqualified from the presidency and may not lawfully serve in that office or any other unless Congress removes the disqualification by two-thirds majorities of both houses. Nothing in Trump v. Anderson changes that legal reality. If Donald Trump was constitutionally ineligible to the presidency on March 3, 2024, the day before the Court’s decision, he remained constitutionally ineligible on March 5, the day after its decision. And he remains ineligible today. A variety of potential avenues to enforce that disqualification remain. Sweeping Section Three under the rug thus may merely have postponed the day of ultimate constitutional reckoning."

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Control Tower's avatar

Two-thirds of SCOTUS is complicit, in opposition to the clear-as-day Constition's words on the matter, and should be considered domestic enemies (and treated as such).

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Daniel Solomon's avatar

Even more reason to stand up.

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Robert Weber's avatar

“Marshall has made his decision. And, I have made mine! Now, let him try to enforce his.” ~ President, Major General, and Commander in Chief, Andrew Jackson (D) - Tennessee … “Well, Joe … Do ya feel lucky? Well, do ya p’nk!” ~ Inspector “Dirty” Harry Callahan aka Rowdy Yates … “Yee! Haw! Roll ‘em out! ~ Rawhide 🦅

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RockyMountainMimi's avatar

H1-B visas are a way to establish a class of indentured servants and destroy the bargaining power of American workers.

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Lance Lubin's avatar

Here is a question out of left field. Over Popok's right shoulder, in the background, there is a boater hat. I direct a chorus in the Barbershop Harmony Society, and that hat is associated with Barbershop Quartets. Is Popok a barbershopper?

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Lyn Yexley's avatar

I sat down to peruse the news and the first headline that pops up on my notifications is something about Jenner on CNN saying Joe Biden will leave office in disgrace because he pardoned Hunter and commuted sentences of 37 prisoners on death row. Not a word about the criminals Trump pardoned or has promised to pardon. Next was the WaPo urging Liberals not to feel gleeful over the Republican mess and Trump’s supporters “getting what they deserve” because “other people will be hurt, too.” NFS! These guys aren’t bowing down; they’re bending over.

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James G. Hermsen's avatar

Looks like Trump's honeymoon first 100 days is going to be a nightmare on Pennsylvania Avenue.

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RockyMountainMimi's avatar

I'm laughing just like Popock. I suppose I should be appalled, but this circus is hysterical.

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donpodlas5@gmail.com's avatar

Sadly, a good portion of what Musk said is correct. Here's a staggering stat on Americans. One half of adults in this country read at the level of a 5th grade child. And a fifth of American adults read at the level of a 3rd grader. Gotta call it like I see it. This is NOT an education driven society.

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Control Tower's avatar

True, in large part. That still doesn't give that fucking nazi a pass. He needs to fuck all the way off. Now.

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donpodlas5@gmail.com's avatar

I could not agree with you more! What a phucking mess.....Have a great New Year!

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Control Tower's avatar

Back to your original point, I've seen the dumbing-down process in action (and the results) for decades. Frankly, I'm surprised it took this long to get here. 😢

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Control Tower's avatar

Thanks, and Happy New Year to you!

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Sal Teodoro's avatar

You two are great! Have a Happy New Year Ben and Michael. 🎉🎊💙🇺🇸

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West Winds's avatar

Way back in the 1970's, I think, SUNY New Paltz in mid-state NY was known as a liberal arts, but primarily as an art school. However, under George Pataki as governor, the art school was defunded and he converted that campus to an engineering school that catered to Indian foreign students. That college has been rocking Indian engineering students EXCLUSIVELY ever since. No Americans; no Whites allowed. So, this idea if Musk's has been in place for decades.

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ellen casteel's avatar

Elon Musk IS racist but will look the other way if it can save HIM money......From S. Africa and believes in Apartheid. East Indians who live in S. Africa are considered to be Black. Ever notice that Musk and Vivek Rama smarmy are NEVER seen together??

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Lulu Manus's avatar

Democrats be Democrats. This is really important. How does it get implemented?

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Ken steffes's avatar

Real news should be free. How else can the public get facts? Think npr

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MeidasTouch Network's avatar

This is free to all of our subscribers - and you can always watch on YouTube as well (there will just be a few ads over there)

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Robert Weber's avatar

“Marshall has made his decision. And, I have made mine! Now, let him try to enforce his.” ~ President, Major General, and Commander in Chief, Andrew Jackson (D) - Tennessee … “Well, Joe … Do ya feel lucky? Well, do ya p’nk!” ~ Inspector “Dirty” Harry Callahan aka Rowdy Yates … “Yee! Haw! Roll ‘em out! ~ Rawhide 🦅

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Unstinting Girl's avatar

NPR may offer free content, but they still need funding to operate, relying on donations and sponsorships. The same goes for The Meidas Touch—they need Substack paid subscriptions to keep things running or funding via their YouTube channel with the use of Patreon.

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WJB Motown's avatar

Money is fluid.........it moves from one hand to another.......MTN is an integral part in saving democracy and our way of life.......it must be part of the circular pathway of money. Being fortunate and able to support MTN, during these volitile times is non-debatable for me.

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Unstinting Girl's avatar

Agreed. For those with the means it is a necessity. However, like the Meidas Touch noted, they are on YouTube for free for those who can't afford to help and for now parts of this Substack are being offered. Unlike other news agencies, they are trying to do their part to get the necessary information out there without forcing everyone into a financial committment. Not only is it rare, but commendable. They understand that without doing this, all Americans and our allies might not have the important access to all of the information. As such, The Meidas Touch doesn't alienate anyone.

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WJB Motown's avatar

MTN is being used as source information for the smaller progressive podcasts and news sources.

These days of preparation for Jan 20 and beyond are vital. The MM welcomes and needs every person possible to be onboard. Resistance and pushback against Trumps 2025/authoritarian agenda will require all of us.

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Pattii Brock's avatar

I don't expect free

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Arlene B's avatar

How can we get through the knuckleheads that run the Democratic party. I'd love to (virtually) take a bat to their head and knock some sense into them, because for all those high paid 'political consultant' they don't care about the rest of us, and our 'leaders' seem not to either. Otherwise, they'd get off their privileged asses and get to work doing exactly what you (Ben) have outlined what is needed. I am sick of their deafness when it comes to we who are the base.

RE: TikTok sale. Well, I think the billionaire who buys it will likely be another right-wing fascist and so all avenues of communication between average folks will be closed off. The walls are closing in.

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Duilleag's avatar

Musk fired a bunch of americans so he can import immigrats..!!

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FeralAF's avatar

Been trolling DeSantis and asking him when he's going to charge Gaetz with statutory rape but wasn't sure if he was the right guy to harass.... sounds like I'm on the right path tho

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Kelley Selby's avatar

Look here, ram - smarmy. You call yourself educated ? Let me educate YOU. Americans are NOT called native Americans as you put in your post. Native Americans were the first culture in America and Christopher Columbus killed them to give the new America to the King and Queen of Spain. My cousin is married to a Native American. You just showed how uneducated you are about American history. GFY...

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K-ROM's avatar

You are 💯 correct about mainstream media’s underplaying of the truth and his treason/siding with China about the 1st Amendment and Russia about Ukraine. Did you see Major Garrett sitting in for Margaret B. on Face The Nation yesterday? The entire table were Trumpist revisionists. One lady (Jan Crawford) actually said that the Dems overstated/overblown controversy about whether SCOTUS is corrupted/corruptible … AND that SCOTUS has a high public opinion rating than Dems claim. Total BS … at least 2 are corrupt! and no one… NO ONE … corrected her or pushed back at all. Her lie just sat there as if fact. AND someone else put forth some other lower public opinion rating (I forget what agency) to make what she said seem true. WTAF.

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Patricia Good's avatar

Dogebags

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BenefitHumanity's avatar

I love this platform. Thanks!

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RDR's avatar

It's great to get your content free. Keep it up. Keep talking over the cacophony of those who would divide and distract. I like the two acronyms ABC and DBD . Democrats need to talk to ppl every single day. Find your medium and get to it! Every. Single. Day. ❤️

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BenefitHumanity's avatar

59 mins in. I say anyone running for office, needs to hire this team of legal geniuses if they want to get into elected office. Ok, going listening to the vid again...

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West Winds's avatar

The MAGAS hate Black and Brown people???

What color is Ramaswamy, Roswell gray??? Make it make sense, MAGAs!!! 🙃🤪😜🤔

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LWms's avatar

Wait until the magats find out they won't be hired for all those "gubmint" jobs!!

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BenefitHumanity's avatar

I'm watching nowwwwww! 7 mins in. hope I don't reply back in a follow up cursing my azz off...

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Ken steffes's avatar

Public Donations

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Maxine Jones's avatar

In Atlantic City, he was stealing money from his own casino to fill his pockets. When things got “hairy” he had Daddy refill it.

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Rita Brengle's avatar

Great podcast!

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Julie's avatar

You went on a tangent because you’re passionate! Don’t be apologetic about that❤️

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Retha Mckenna🥀's avatar

💯💯👍

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Kimberly Montgomery (CA)'s avatar

Seriously, the GOP has dumbed down education for decades to the utter shock of every educator who knows the system is geared to create more low wage job earners. Passing kids along who aren't ready is the biggest issue.

India has a Caste system that absolutely does not educate all children. Only families that can afford to go to school are educated.

These tech bros want to create a system that benefits them and no one else. MAGA wants to do the same by creating a Christian Nationalist agenda turning America into Gilead. Neither option is acceptable.

Looking forward to seeing them implode.

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Cynthia Mory's avatar

Now is the time to attack the House! Pressure to NOT certify the electoral vote. Force SCOTUS to rule on the DJT resurrections!

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Enlightenment's avatar

There should be a Meidas Foundation to provide access to everything for those struggling!

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Deborah Dowe's avatar

If he had pardoned people in jail for his admittedly racist drug and prison policies, I could have more respect for his support of his son.

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FeralAF's avatar

Ooooh emaluments... haven't heard that word since ummm.. 2016-20.

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FeralAF's avatar

Scary on the TikTok thing. At what point is this President elect elect going to get the title and charge of being a traitor? Smh.

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FeralAF's avatar

I like your tangents Ben, that's the kind of messaging we need to beat into maga heads

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Nancee Wipperfurth Killoran's avatar

re: the TikTok ban; for the millions of Americans who have been able to create a career because of TikTok, what do you suggest that they do once the app is banned? (and please do not say "go get a job") Because currently TikTok is the only social media app that offers monetization for creation from wherever you are. It provides financial freedom for those who can't simply go out and get a regular job because of mental health, safety, their lifestyle, etc. This is just as important information that needs to be shared on this subject.

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Ginny Ragland's avatar

Hi from Louisville KY

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Lisa Heath's avatar

Love listening to you two, Ben and Popok

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maxgal's avatar

About that MAGA catfight... O, VivElonia, your hubris is showing already. OOPS.

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Nancy Guzan's avatar

To go against the USA is treasonist! Why is he continually allowed to break the law and go against the Constitution. As President-elect and he goes against the USA is so wrong.

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Jen Andrews's avatar

The tack Democrats need

To take is to

1 no more medical bankruptcies

2 no more unlimited donations to political campaigns or PACs from anyone.

If we can stay consistent on that, we can get rid of the Republican Party forever

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Melanie's avatar

Ben, I loved what you said about continuous campaigning. I can’t remember the acronym but that was spot on.

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RockyMountainMimi's avatar

How about educating American citizens to understand how "social" media works? This is not new information.

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LindaThalman's avatar

I'm pretty sure google, amazon, instagram, booking have much more info on me than tiktok could ever have. (not on Tiktok). Esp. amazon w/ my payment methods / where I live and travel or want to travel or what products I might buy; on google where I am... totally stupid to block TT -- it's a diversion in my humble senior status opinion. Biden was wrong to block it; Donnie is just stupid and only votes with where the money comes. Just let TikTok tick on in peace.

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Sara Frischer's avatar

Ben, you and Michael helped me keep up the pace on a balmy walk here in CT. Listening to the last segment with a cup of coffee. Thank you

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Steve's avatar

Matt Gaetz would make a fitting republican nominee for president.

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phillip stano's avatar

Let’s develop the “Trump doesn’t need and disregards MAGA voters because he’s President now and can’t run again” argument and encourage MAGA voters to boycott the 2026 elections.

It’s not too early to lay the groundwork for a 2026 boycott as Musk (and Trump) will continue to disrespect Trump’s core support.

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Control Tower's avatar

Amazing how many people can't comprehend "...consider becoming a *free* or paid subscriber." and kvetch about 'paying'. This level of stupid is how the orange ass-pimple won.

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Bonnie's avatar

Seriously? Come back when you're a senior living on a fixed income. Your comment is just plain ignorant! STFU!

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Control Tower's avatar

Which part of "free" eascpes you? Come back when your head's out of your tuchus.

I *am* a senior on fixed income, you presumptuous ass.

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because if any Democrat ever used language like that, I guarantee you it would be the front page story around the clock and it would be all over. We'll break it down. But speaking about it being all over, we finally got that Matt Gaetz report. The Ethics Committee report dropped. It showed that Matt Gaetz engaged in