Hi all, Ben here.
It’s Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Soon after I recorded my video report, news broke that ICE murdered a woman in Minneapolis. Eyewitness videos are already flooding the Internet, and we have received numerous reports from our sources on the ground. The Department of Homeland Security is already spinning this as an act of self defense. I’m sure corporate news will echo their propaganda. But the notion that the woman was trying to “run over” law enforcement is demonstrably false by all accounts. Let me be clear and say this with complete moral clarity: this was murder. And the Department of Homeland Security is lying.
Minneapolis Mayor Frey warned: “So, they are already trying to spin this as an action of self-defense. Having seen the video of myself, I want to tell everybody directly: That is bullshit.”
“I have a message for ICE: Get the fuck out of Minneapolis,” he said during the press conference.
We have collaborated with our friends at Status Coup to bring you exclusive footage from on the ground in Minneapolis of the deadly shooting. You can watch it here. Viewer discretion is advised. Remember to follow Status Coup.
Donald Trump is out of control. In addition to sending his ICE goons into cities to murder U.S. citizens, the other thing on top of Trump’s mind this morning was invading Greenland.
Trump began his day with an all-caps screed proclaiming that he “single handedly ended eight wars,” whining that Norway “foolishly” didn’t award him the Nobel Peace Prize, and warning that NATO might not be there for us because he doubts their loyalty. Once again he attacked the alliance, diminishing one of the most important global stabilizing institutions ever created. Every time he does this, Vladimir Putin smiles.
Then, within the hour, his administration unveiled a new “food pyramid” that encourages Americans to drink alcohol because it is a “social lubricant.” So while removing science-based childhood vaccine recommendations that save lives, Trump’s government is telling people to drink more. And the logic from Trump’s hand-picked spokespeople is exactly what you’d expect: this is all about productivity, keeping Americans working longer, retiring later, and serving corporate interests rather than protecting public health.
Mehmet Oz, speaking like a corporate wellness salesman rather than a medical doctor, said the quiet part out loud: if Americans “work one year longer,” GDP will rise by “trillions.” Forget health, safety, or basic humanity—Trump wants you clocking in longer because it benefits his donors. Never retire. Work your whole life to increase the GDP for Dear Leader. MAGA!
Meanwhile, up on Capitol Hill, the foreign-policy clown show continued. Secretary of State Marco Rubio openly threatened Greenland and NATO. He said the United States “retains the option” of military action against Greenland, then doubled down by saying the administration “prefers to buy Greenland” but reserves the right to seize it if Denmark refuses to sell. That was followed by Trump press secretary Karoline Leavitt refusing to rule out military strikes on a NATO ally. Just another Wednesday in Trump’s America.
The deranged rhetoric kept escalating. MAGA Congressman Andy Ogles declared the United States a “predator” that must act like a predator and “seize Greenland.” He spoke proudly of America’s supposed “dominance” in the Western Hemisphere and insisted we must assert control. When someone tells you who they are, believe them. This movement views itself as predatory. They are telling you directly. They are predators.
And then came MAGA Mike Johnson, stumbling through his usual cowardice, dodging basic constitutional questions about war powers by claiming reporters were asking “gotcha questions.” When reminded that Congress, not Trump, holds the authority to declare war, Johnson hid behind Bible verses. What he did not do was defend the Constitution he swore to uphold. Coward.
Journalists pressed him on Trump’s claim that he would unilaterally seize up to “50 million barrels” of Venezuelan oil and sell it. Johnson flailed, deferred to other members, and eventually admitted he didn’t know what he was talking about. His message to Americans was essentially: Trump will do whatever he wants and I’m too weak to stop him.
This is the leadership of today’s Republican Party.
And while this circus is happening, Trump’s administration is simultaneously revoking billions of dollars in childcare funding, stripping vaccine guidance, and pushing junk science about “ending obesity” while Trump himself does not follow any of these policies. RFK Jr. delivered a bizarre speech about ultra-processed food while his phone quacked like a duck mid-sentence. Rick Scott openly fantasized about regime-changing every country in the Western Hemisphere. Nancy Mace admitted she doesn’t believe Republicans will keep the House. And MAGA media spent the morning cheerleading all of it.
I say this often because it remains true: authoritarianism doesn’t arrive in one dramatic moment. It arrives step by step: normalized chaos, escalating lies, and a leader who demands loyalty over law.
We’re going to keep holding this administration to account no matter how much they try to capture the media. Networks like CBS News may have fallen, but we will never kiss the ring of the thug in the White House.
One other thing I want to flag: I recently filled in as a co-host with Jessica Tarlov, the one sane voice on Fox News, on her show Raging Moderates. I know a whole lot of you have been asking for this collaboration. Be sure to watch it here, and show her channel some love.
