LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime: “The TMI Show with Ted Rall and Manila Chan” is back from the holiday weekend, droppin’ some serious knowledge on a cultural shift that’s got everyone talkin’—talking vanilla English, that is!

The Southern dialect among Black people in Atlanta has been fading fast over recent decades, and it’s all tied to the “Reverse Great Migration.” Back in the day, from 1910 to 1970, African Americans left the South for northern cities like New York, Detroit, and Chicago during the Great Migration. Now, their grandkids and great-grandkids—many college-educated—are moving back . A study shows the Southern accent among Black Gen Z (born 1997–2012) has dropped off big time, largely because over 5.8 million people have flooded the U.S. South in the 2020s, bringing speech patterns that dilute the classic drawl. Researchers, who previously studied white Atlantans, note that younger generations are leaning toward a pan-regional accent, sounding more like Californian dudes and babes than their Boomer grandparents. Cultural homogenization, social mobility, and even stereotypes are pushing kids to switch up their speech. But not everyone agrees—some argue the shift isn’t just due to migration but a sign of broader identity changes, sparking debates on what “Southern” even means anymore. Tune in for a convo that’s as real as it gets! Plus:

• Trump may pull out of the Ukraine peace process, frustrated by stalled progress, per the New York Times.
• Israel faces growing pressure from allies like the U.S. and Germany to end its Gaza operations.
• A shocking moment unfolds as Mrs. Macron’s slapping the President of France makes headlines.

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Ted Rall’s cartoon concerns the countless questions about former President Joe Biden’s mental capacity during his 2020 campaign and presidency. Echoing Senator Howard Baker’s Watergate query about what Nixon knew and when, Americans are now asking what Biden’s inner circle knew about his cognitive state and when. Recent reports, including a book by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, reveal that aides discussed putting Biden in a wheelchair due to his physical deterioration. Another story highlights Biden’s struggles in his 2023 special counsel interview, which featured numerous verbal stumbles and memory lapses. Biden is a figure more pathetic than Nixons.

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Live 12 noon Saturday and available via streaming afterwards:

Tune into “DeProgram” with fiery political cartoonist Ted Rall and brilliant CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, diving headfirst into the expanding war between President Trump and Harvard University over Kristi Noem’s ban on foreign students, which account for 27% of the student body. Trump’s moves to block international students from Harvard and other elite universities has sparked a fierce debate, with the administration arguing it’s a matter of national security and economic protection. Critics, including Harvard, slam it as xenophobic, claiming that it guts academic freedom and global collaboration. The policy, tied to Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, has led to lawsuits, with Harvard alleging the ban stifles its First Amendment rights and unfairly targets students from the Middle East and Asia. Protests have erupted on campus, and faculty are pushing back. Rall and Kiriakou unpack the legal, cultural, and political fallout of this high-stakes showdown, cutting through the noise with their no-BS analysis. Will Harvard’s defiance crush the White House, or will the school succumb to pressure? Tune in for a raw, unfiltered take on a fight shaking the nation’s intellectual core. Plus:

Art Spiegelman claims PBS censored him over anti-Trump content, raising free speech alarms.
Five years post-George Floyd, police killings continue to climb, fueling calls for reform.
Tensions spike as Israel eyes a potential strike on Iran’s nuclear program, risking regional chaos.

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LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

On today’s “TMI Show with Ted Rall and Manila Chan,” we dive into the powder keg of the nuclear standoff between Iran, Israel and the U.S. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards are throwing down the gauntlet, vowing a “devastating and decisive response” if Israel dares to strike their nuclear sites. This fiery warning follows U.S. intelligence reports hinting that Israel might be gearing up to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities, escalating tensions as Tehran and Washington head into a critical fifth round of nuclear talks in Rome today. At the heart of the clash: Iran’s refusal to halt uranium enrichment, now at 60% purity—way past the 3.67% limit set by the 2015 JCPOA, which Trump ditched in 2018. Iran insists its program is for civilian use, but the West and Israel see a clear path to nukes, raising fears of a preemptive strike that could spark a regional firestorm. With the IAEA meeting in June and the JCPOA’s October deadline looming, these talks are a global flashpoint. Will diplomacy work, or are we on the brink of a new war in the Middle East? Tune in for a no-holds-barred breakdown!

Plus:

• Harvard’s international student ban rocks the academic community.

• House Republicans’ “One Big Beautiful Bill” sparks Senate debate.

• The U.S. penny’s production ends.

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Ted Rall’s cartoon skewers Democratic hopefuls copying Trump playbook. Last week Gavin Newsom faced backlash for proposing deep cuts to immigrant health care while vowing to crack down on the homeless. Pete Buttigieg stirred debate by endorsing Trump style tariffs to protect American jobs. Gretchen Whitmer drew criticism for rejecting birthright citizenship to appeal to conservative voters. Yet Democratic voters expressed frustration with these candidates for mimicking Trump policies while opposing him. Rall mocks this hypocrisy as Newsom, Buttigieg and Whitmer chase Trump voter base by adopting his tactics. The irony lies in their anti Trump stance while embracing his ideas.

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Buckle up for an awesome episode of “DeProgram” with hosts Ted Rall and John Kiriakou, hitting the airwaves today! This isn’t just news—it’s a deep dive into the raw, unfiltered truth behind today’s biggest stories.

Domestically, the U.S. housing crisis escalates as median home prices soar past $500,000, locking out first-time buyers while corporate landlords face backlash for rent hikes. The opioid epidemic worsens, with new CDC data revealing a spike in fentanyl overdoses this month, fueling debates over pharmaceutical accountability. Voting rights are in the spotlight as restrictive state laws spark protests over voter suppression, countered by claims of securing elections. Globally, the Russia-Ukraine war intensifies, with NATO’s $2 billion aid package stirring fears of escalation. In Gaza, Israel’s ongoing blockade, tightened since March, has led to 14,000 babies at starvation risk, as per the UN, with protests erupting over civilian tolls. China’s economy stumbles as trade data shows a 7% export drop, raising global supply chain concerns amid U.S. tariffs. Climate change talks heat up with COP30 approaching, but agreements over funding for developing nations have stalled. Ted and John will slice through the spin with their no-BS approach, exposing what’s really driving these crises. Tune in for a convo that’s as real as it gets—DeProgram is your ticket to understanding the chaos shaping our world today!

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LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

Today on “The TMI Show,” Ted Rall and Robby West (filling in for the whale-watching Manila Chan) to tackle a gut-wrenching double murder that’s rocking the nation. On Wednesday night, a shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., left two Israeli embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, dead. The suspect, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, gunned down the couple—described as deeply in love —before being detained by event security. Police say Rodriguez shouted “Free, free Palestine” after his arrest, igniting fierce debates over antisemitism and anti-Zionist rhetoric. Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said the shooter was pacing near the FBI’s field office before the attack. Israeli leaders, including Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and Prime Minister Netanyahu, condemned the killings, linking them to rising antisemitic incitement. President Trump also slammed the attack, calling for an end to hatred. The incident has sparked heated controversy, with questions about motive, security failures, and the broader climate of division. Tune in as Ted and Robby unpack the facts, the fallout, and what this means for a polarized world.

Plus:

• The Republican-led House narrowly passed a massive tax and spending bill, fulfilling Trump’s campaign promises but adding $3.8 trillion to the national debt.

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s upcoming report on childhood chronic diseases has food and farm industries worried about potential regulations.

• Mouth taping, a viral sleep trend, promises better rest but raises serious health concerns, including risks of asphyxiation.

• Sea level rise at 1.5C could trigger catastrophic inland migration, with ice sheet melting already outpacing global defenses.

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“What did the President know and when did he know it?” That was the iconic question posed by Howard Baker, the ranking Republican on the Senate Watergate Committee, during televised hearings in 1973, to former White House Counsel John Dean about Nixon’s knowledge of and involvement in the break-in at Democratic HQ and the subsequent cover-up.

Now we need someone—presumably a Republican exercising Congress’ constitutional oversight duty—to ask someone in the know—definitely a Democrat who worked inside the White House—what President Biden didn’t know and when it became clear that his thoughts were turning foggy.

As most voters are only learning now that it’s too late, after the election, there is ample evidence that we were repeatedly misled by top administration officials and their allies in the media about Biden’s mental acuity and the physical effects of his advanced age, the highest ever for a president. Now that he’s been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer, a disease that would have been detected by the standard PSA test administered annually to U.S. presidents, we must ask: were we lied to about his physical conditions too?

In January 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris painted a picture of a leader who was sharp as a tack: “I’ll tell you, the reality of it is, and I’ve spent a lot of time with Biden, be it in the Oval Office, in the Situation Room and other places—he is extraordinarily smart. He has the ability to see around the corner in terms of what might be the challenges we face as a nation or globally.”

Democratic media allies laid it on thick. “Start your tape right now because I’m about to tell you the truth. And f*** you if you can’t handle the truth. I’ve said it for years now, he’s cogent. But I undersold it when I said he was cogent, he’s far beyond cogent. In fact, I think he’s better than he’s ever been, intellectually, analytically, because he’s been around for 50 years…This version of Biden, intellectually, analytically, is the best Biden ever.” MSNBC host Joe Scarborough said that in March 2024.

“As sharp as ever,” Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called Biden on July 3, 2024, a week after his catastrophic debate performance. Biden dropped out July 21st. To hear her tell it, the president was an intellectual tornado: “He is someone that engages with us. He wants to know, he pushes us, he prods us—wanting to figure out like the bigger picture of whatever we’re trying to explain to him, or even granular details.”

During this same period, we now know, White House aides did not allow most cabinet members to see the president. Biden appeared “incoherent and frail” during a White House meet-and-greet with influencers before the April 2024 White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, struggling to tell understandable stories. Biden couldn’t recognize George Clooney at a June 2024 fundraiser, prompting the actor to write an alarmed op-ed.

Clearly, we were lied to. Or the people around Biden were stupid. Or both.

We need to find out exactly what happened. Because the worst possible interpretation is really bad: that a cabal of DNC insiders, Biden staffers, family members and journalistic stooges deliberately misrepresented Biden’s cognitive state to get him elected, keep him in place for four years while unelected ciphers secretly ran the country, and then plotted to run what was left of him for a second four-year term, during which they planned to maintain their increasingly ridiculous ruse. If even half of these allegations are true, this was a silent coup d’état. Democracy depends on the people knowing who and what they are voting for; anything less is an alien form of government.

The political powerbrokers who aided and abetted the Biden Coup are still in place. Unless they are exposed, they will remain in a position to subvert the people’s will. As things stand, something like this can happen again. While it’s tempting to “look forward”—Democrats’ current crisis-response talking point—and instead focus on illegal deportations and other outrages being carried out by Trump, we must clean house and hold those responsible accountable. Democratic voters should remember that what Jake Tapper calls Biden’s “Original Sin”—his decision to run for reelection—gave us Trump 2.0. That choice was masterminded by current Democratic Party leaders who gambled democracy against what they called fascism, and lost.

Some people tried to raise the alarm.

Dean Phillips, the Minnesota congressman who challenged Biden in the 2024 primaries, promised to continue the president’s policies but worried about his chances in a general election. “I’m not running against Joe Biden’s policies,” Phillips said. “I’m running because I believe that at 81 years old, he’s not the right person to lead us into the future.” Party bosses retaliated by stripping him of his committee chairmanship and declaring him a pariah.

After spending hours deposing him in October 2023, Special Counsel Robert Hur declined to prosecute Biden over the classified documents he took home with him after leaving the vice presidency in 2017, concluding that a jury would see him as “a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.” Democrats called Hur a cruel partisan hack. Tapes of the depositions confirm Hur’s assessment.

I cried into the wind over the years:

March 9, 2020: “Joe Biden obviously has dementia and should withdraw… Democrats are conspiring to gaslight the American people by engineering the presidential election of a man clearly suffering from dementia.”

November 7, 2020: “Biden will be the first president to begin his first term with clear signs of dementia.”

April 2, 2021: “The president has dementia.”

Those who pointed out that the emperor had no brain were ignored, insulted, marginalized and accused of ageism and secretly supporting Trump. Apologies would be nice. But what is more important is to clear the air by exposing the truth so that, the next time something like this happens, Americans who raise the alarm get taken seriously.

Why hasn’t the GOP Congress opened an investigation into the Biden Coup? Maybe they’re afraid of setting a precedent that could soon be used against Trump. After all, he’s the same age as Biden was in 2020 and has a similar tendency to babble incoherently. Or perhaps they’re following Napoleon’s advice to never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.

Republicans need to step up. Did Democrats knowingly install a president they knew was senile and/or suffering from an advanced fatal disease? In the landmark Watergate-era case United States v. Nixon, Chief Justice Warren Burger noted: “The very purpose of a system of checks and balances is to produce a friction between the branches that results in a government that is responsive to the people. The Congress, through its investigatory powers, plays a critical role in maintaining this balance.”

It’s time for Congress to perform its duty.

(Ted Rall, the political cartoonist, columnist and graphic novelist, is the author of “Never Mind the Democrats. Here’s WHAT’S LEFT.” Subscribe: tedrall.Substack.com

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LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

Get ready for a no-holds-barred episode of “The TMI Show” with Ted Rall and Manila Chan, diving deep into the murky waters of President Biden’s cancer diagnosis and the many questions swirling around it. When did Biden and his inner circle really learn about his condition?

For years, whispers of his declining mental state have been brushed under the rug—now that it’s too late, the truth is clawing its way out. This episode tackles the timeline of Biden’s health revelations, the controversies over who knew what and when, and the accountability that’s long overdue. Was it his family, top officials, or a complicit media that kept the public in the dark about his capacity to lead? We’re breaking down the facts, the spin, and the fallout—nobody’s off the hook. Should there be resignations, investigations, or something bigger? Tune in for a raw, unfiltered look at the shocking scandal that’s shaking the nation’s trust.

Plus:

• Elon Musk pivots Tesla back to the private sector, boasting a sales rebound and plans for unsupervised self-driving cars by June.

• Former Ukrainian politician Andriy Portnov, a controversial figure tied to Yanukovych, is gunned down near Madrid, raising questions of motive.

• The Supreme Court greenlights Trump’s push to revoke Biden-era TPS for Venezuelans, threatening deportation for thousands.

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Ted Rall’s cartoon exposes United States foreign policy contradictions in May 2025. The Trump administration claims to combat antisemitism while facing criticism for equating Israel critiques with antisemitism. Meanwhile Arab states upheld strict laws banning Jewish practices as Saudi Arabia maintained its prohibition on public worship. Yet the United States stayed silent on these violations while channeling billions in aid to the region and accepting gifts and cash from real antisemites. Rall cartoon jeers at this blatant hypocrisy as the United States expels critics of Israel but overlooks Arab states outright suppression of Judaism. The double standard underscores a foreign policy driven more by political convenience than by any commitment to consistent values.

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LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

Today on “The TMI Show,” hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan dive into the recent phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. The conversation, shrouded in secrecy, has ignited fierce speculation about its implications for U.S.-Russia relations and global geopolitics. Was it a strategic move to ease tensions or a controversial alignment that could reshape alliances? Trump says it’s up to Russia and Ukraine to hold direct talks. Is this the beginning or the beginning of the end for efforts to end the war?

Ted and Manila unpack the context, stakes, and potential fallout of this high-stakes dialogue, exploring how it could influence everything from sanctions to military posturing. With their signature blend of sharp analysis and no-nonsense commentary, they cut through the noise to examine what this call means for America’s foreign policy and the world stage. Don’t miss this critical discussion that promises to reveal the undercurrents driving today’s headlines.

Plus:

• Trump questions Biden’s late-stage cancer diagnosis, hinting at a possible cover-up to match the cover-up over the former president’s mental state.

• New Orleans police secretly used facial recognition cameras, violating city privacy laws.

• South African President Ramaphosa faces Trump in a tense White House meeting.

• A Thai construction magnate surrenders after a deadly earthquake-triggered building collapse.

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LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

This week on The TMI Show, hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan confront the stunning news of President Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis, a bombshell that escalates calls for the Democratic Party to answer for its handling of his health. The revelation intensifies scrutiny over the party’s cover-up of Biden’s cognitive decline, which ushered in Trump’s sweeping victory. Ted and Manila dissect the political wreckage, probing how the Democrats’ reluctance to address Biden’s senility shattered public confidence and altered the nation’s course. Why did party leaders prioritize lies over victory? How does Biden’s cancer diagnosis deepen doubts about transparency in governance? With their fearless, incisive approach, the hosts unravel the consequences for the Democratic Party’s credibility and the evolving political arena. This is The TMI Show at its most gripping—delivering unflinching analysis of leadership, health, and accountability.

Plus:

Joined by guest Todd “Bubba” Horwitz, the show examines the U.S. economy’s current trajectory, marked by persistent inflation and shifting trade dynamics. Horwitz offers insights into potential market disruptions and growth sectors for 2026. The discussion forecasts whether policy shifts under Trump could stabilize or continue to unsettle the economic outlook. Todd “Bubba” Horwitz is a renowned financial analyst and founder of BubbaTrading.com, known for his unfiltered market commentary.

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Ted Rall cartoon skewers recent news to lay bare American political double standards. In early May 2025 Qatar dangled a shiny four hundred million dollar luxury jet for the United States to use as Air Force One. President Trump shrugged off the Constitution outright ban on federal officials grabbing foreign gifts without congressional consent claiming it modernizes travel. Democrats clutched pearls over ethics while ignoring their own past indulgences. Meanwhile 2024 saw scholars grumble that the Constitution cannot handle today governance messes. The cartoon mocks how the United States drools over Qatar extravagant toys while mulling a rewrite of its dusty old rulebook. Clearly flashy perks trump sacred values in this absurd game of priorities.

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LIVE 1:30 pm, Streaming Thereafter:

This week’s DMZ America podcast delivers a compelling deep dive into the Supreme Court’s high-stakes oral arguments on national stays, separation of powers, and the 14th Amendment. Hosts Ted Rall and Scott Stantis, joined by legal expert Ricardo Aparicio, unpack a case that could reshape the core of American governance. The Court is grappling with the controversial use of nationwide injunctions that halt federal policies, the boundaries of authority between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and the 14th Amendment’s role in safeguarding rights in today’s polarized climate. These arguments strike at the heart of how power is balanced and how laws are enforced across the nation. With the potential to set precedents that will echo for decades, the outcome could redefine judicial reach and constitutional interpretation. What’s at stake for democracy when the justices weigh these monumental issues? How will their rulings impact the fabric of American law? Tune in for an incisive, serious discussion that cuts through the complexity, offering sharp insights into a defining moment for the nation’s highest court.

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Join hosts Ted Rall and John Kiriakou on this riveting episode of DeProgram as they tackle three seismic issues in U.S. foreign and domestic affairs. First, they dive into the high-stakes Ukraine peace talks, where U.S. diplomacy navigates a delicate path amid Russia’s advances and global pressure for resolution. Next, they unpack the intensifying U.S. sanctions on Venezuela, fueling economic chaos and regional instability with far-reaching consequences. Finally, they explore the Supreme Court’s latest clash over the 14th Amendment, a domestic showdown with profound implications for civil rights and constitutional law. With their sharp insights and fearless commentary, Rall and Kiriakou cut through the spin, delivering clarity on these pivotal moments. This episode is essential for anyone craving a deeper understanding of the forces shaping America’s role at home and abroad. Tune in to DeProgram for unfiltered analysis that challenges conventional narratives and equips you with the knowledge to navigate today’s complex world. Subscribe now, catch the episode on your favorite platform, and join the conversation about the future of U.S. policy and justice. Don’t miss this chance to stay informed and engaged with the issues that matter most.

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On this riveting episode of The TMI Show, hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan dive into France’s ambitious quest to build a “Collective European Defense,” a seismic shift in the continent’s security framework. With global power dynamics in flux, France is leading the charge to unite European nations, fostering military cohesion and reducing dependence on NATO. This episode unravels the implications of this bold strategy, exploring how France aims to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy amid rising tensions with powers like Russia and China. What obstacles lie ahead for a unified European defense? How will this reshape alliances across the Atlantic? Tune in for a sharp, serious breakdown of a development poised to transform global geopolitics.

Plus:

• Trump’s Iran nuclear proposal: The U.S. delivers a plan to address Iran’s advancing nuclear program, with talks reaching expert-level intensity. Tehran demands the right to enrich uranium, while the Trump administration insists on a total halt.
• Aviation data sold to ICE: A massive aviation clearinghouse sells passenger data to the Trump administration for its immigration crackdown.
• CRISPR baby’s historic treatment: A U.S. infant with a rare genetic condition receives a groundbreaking personalized gene-editing therapy.

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A widely recognized poem by Martin Niemoller illustrates the gradual expansion of oppression as it targets one group after another. Niemoller’s work, often titled First They Came, reflects on the Nazi era, noting how inaction enabled broader persecution: initially targeting socialists, then trade unionists, followed by Jews, and eventually the speaker, with no one left to protest. The Trump Administration has intensified its deportation efforts at a pace that exceeds the early progression of Nazism. Within three months the scope of roundups broadened significantly. Authorities first focused on gang members. They then moved to individuals wrongly accused of gang ties. Next came campus protesters followed by green card holders. The policy soon reached people nearing citizenship and finally extended to babies holding United States citizenship. This swift escalation shows a widening net that engulfs diverse populations rapidly. Each phase builds momentum surpassing historical examples in speed. The strategy of this leadership highlights risks of unchecked overreach.

What IS the Left? What should we fight for? How can we rebuild outside of the Democrats? Order my latest book “WHAT’S LEFT” here at Rall.com. It comes autographed to the person of your choice, and I’ll deliver it anywhere. Cost including shipping is $29.95 in the USA.

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Anti-Semitism as we know it has resulted from a complex witch’s brew of historical stereotypes, economic resentments, ignorance and political extremism. Anti-Semites believe that Jewish people “have too much power,” “have too much control and influence,” and “are more willing than others to use shady practices to get what they want.”

A central, paranoid canard of anti-Semitism is that Jews secretly manipulate the media, business, politics, academia and other institutions via a shadowy cabal. Rational people know this is not and cannot be true. One in five Jewish households in the U.S. is either poor or near-poor, meaning they cannot make ends meet or are barely managing to do so. If practitioners of their 4,000-year-old religion is dedicated to conniving and getting rich, they’re doing a lousy job.

Anti-Semitism is poisonous and stupid. Yet, after decades of subsiding, it appears to be spreading again. Zionism is a contributing factor to the recent increase—or, more specifically, the tactics being deployed by some Zionists to stifle their political opponents.

Supporters of Israel have long argued that criticism of the Jewish state and/or the policies of its government is tantamount to anti-Semitism. Since many of the most strident enemies of Zionism are ultra-religious Jews and many of the most passionate opponents of Israel and its treatment of the Palestinians are Jewish, this too is not and cannot be true. After Hamas broke through the Gaza-Israel Barrier and attacked Israelis on October 7, 2023, Americans who back Israel have come closer than ever before to institutionalizing a presumed equivalence between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly declared the two to be one and the same in a bipartisan resolution, the once-staid Anti-Defamation League began counting reports of anti-Israel speech as anti-Semitic incidents, and Ivy League colleges like Columbia and Harvard adopted disciplinary codes that ban speech against Israel, including protest demonstrations.

Criticizing Israel has long been fraught. Now, it’s more dangerous than ever. You can be doxxed, fired, blacklisted, suspended, expelled, stripped of your college degree, arrested, overcharged with felonies, or disappeared and deprived of medical care to the point of imperiling your life. You can even have your application for citizenship summarily denied or be deported.

If the idea is to make people afraid of speaking their minds, these strongarm tactics are working—discussion of the Israel-Palestinian conflict and the Middle East has all but vanished from campuses and workplaces. Zionists and their Trump Administration allies don’t seem to mind. They say they’re fighting anti-Semitism, a goal all decent people agree with.

One wonders if they’ve considered the consequences of their aggressive approach, which brooks no dissent or criticism—and operates ruthlessly behind the scenes to get people. When you violate the privacy of and endanger passionate young antiwar protesters, and you derail their educations, and you pull strings at the White House to get them violently deported, will they start supporting Israel? It’s far likelier that they, their friends and family members, and those who read about what happened to them, will conclude that Zionists are vicious, disgusting people—that they “have too much control and influence.” Since Zionists have conflated their loyalty to a country with the practice of a religion, some may start to resent Jewish people as well.

Let’s say you’re one of the 30% of American voters who already believe Jews control the media. Supporters of Israel are working overtime to confirm your bigotry.

News coverage of Israel’s war in Gaza spills nearly as much ink on the few hundred hostages seized by Hamas as the few hundreds of thousands of Gazans killed by Israel. Few Democratic or Republican politicians are willing to criticize Israel, much less call for severing military and diplomatic relations to force Israel to stop its war—because they’re both afraid of AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobbying group. That, obviously, is influence.

Or, let’s say you think American Jews are like the man behind the curtain in The Wizard of Oz, pulling strings to get their way. Then you read how Angelica Berrie, a wealthy donor to Columbia, lit up her private direct line to that university’s president for months, threatening to withhold future payments unless the school provided “evidence that you and leaders across the university are taking appropriate steps to create a tolerant and secure environment for Jewish members of the Columbia community.” Yet when you scour the Internet for evidence that Jewish students at Columbia have suffered intolerance, there’s little there there. Instead, the university has banned Jewish groups that support Palestine, suspended and expelled their members, had them arrested and roughed up by the cops, and when that wasn’t enough for the donors, they got the president fired too, and convinced Trump to cancel hundreds of millions in federal research grants.

Even after all that, Columbia didn’t issue a peep of protest when one of its recent master’s degree graduates, Mahmoud Khalil, was dragged off into the night by unidentified goons in an unmarked car in front of his eight-month-pregnant wife and dumped in a private Louisiana prison, where he remains. His crime, according to Trump: peacefully protesting Israel’s war against the people of Gaza. Tufts student Rümeysa Öztürk, currently out on bail, was similarly kidnapped off the street; her offense, according to the authorities, was co-authoring an op-ed in the student newspaper asking Tufts to support the Palestinians. The president and his secretary of state say these and other recent roundups are just the beginning, and that anyone who criticizes Israel risks deportation and similar abuse at the hands of the U.S. government.

Whatever one’s opinions on Israel, it’s impossible to deny that this tiny country the size of the state of New Jersey, with no natural resources to speak of, enjoys unique lèse-majesté status—a special don’t-go-there zone that has become even more ferociously defended under Trump. France is a close U.S. ally, yet Americans can say anything you want about it or its president, Emmanuel Macron. If you’re a green-card holder or attending an American college on a student visa, you need not fear deportation for insulting Eritrea on social media, or protesting Brazil on campus, or penning an op-ed about the rascals who govern South Korea.

The right-wing crackdown on anti-Israel commentary orchestrated by Zionists and their MAGA allies of convenience did not evolve organically, resulting from a vigorous and open exchange of views in a free society. There has been no buy-in, nor any effort by individuals and organizations who support Israel to reach out to people with moderate views, much less those who believe Israel is waging genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Palestinians. There has only been bullying. If you dare speak out against Israel, sinister forces, that you may or may not ever be able to identify, will declare you an anti-Semite and crush you.

Which might prompt you to conclude that you’d been the victim of people who “use shady practices to get what they want.”

For the time being, Zionist bullying will continue to be effective. But it cannot and will not seduce any hearts and minds into seeing things from Israel’s perspective. To the contrary, support for Israel in the United States has plunged to a 25-year low over the last two years. It will keep dropping.  If you’re truly worried about anti-Semitism, and you ruin people’s lives for expressing anti-Zionist thoughts while you equate anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism, you will not only turn Americans against Israel, you will turn them against Jews. Some of your victims—and those who care about them—will become vulnerable to the toxin of actual anti-Semitism.

(Ted Rall, the political cartoonist, columnist and graphic novelist, is the author of “Never Mind the Democrats. Here’s WHAT’S LEFT.” Subscribe: tedrall.Substack.com.)

What IS the Left? What should we fight for? How can we rebuild outside of the Democrats? Order my latest book “WHAT’S LEFT” here at Rall.com. It comes autographed to the person of your choice, and I’ll deliver it anywhere. Cost including shipping is $29.95 in the USA.

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LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

Get ready for a gripping episode of The TMI Show with hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan, diving into one of the most pivotal legal battles of 2025! The main focus is the U.S. Supreme Court’s oral arguments on May 15, tackling whether federal courts can issue sweeping temporary stays to block President Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship. This historic case, rooted in the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of citizenship for those born on U.S. soil, pits the Trump administration against 22 Democratic-led states and immigrant rights groups. Federal judges in Washington, Massachusetts, and Maryland issued nationwide injunctions, calling the order “blatantly unconstitutional,” but the administration argues these broad blocks overstep judicial power.

With arguments set to explore the scope of universal injunctions, the outcome could reshape how courts check executive actions, impacting millions and redefining citizenship rules. Tune in for a deep dive into this constitutional showdown, its implications for immigration policy, and the balance of judicial authority.

Plus:

• An Israeli airstrike in Northern Gaza killed 50, including 22 children, as Israel escalates its offensive to “capture” the enclave.
• Iran-backed Houthi rebels fired missiles at Israel, prompting evacuation orders for Yemeni ports amid rising tensions.
• U.S. drug overdose deaths dropped 27% in 2024 to 80,000, the largest decline on record, driven by naloxone and methadone access.

Join The TMI Show for unfiltered analysis of these critical issues, streaming live and 24/7!

The post TMI Show Ep 139: “SCOTUS Tackles Birthright Citizenship” appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.

Get ready for a powerhouse episode of DeProgram with hosts Ted Rall and John Kiriakou, delivering a no-filter take on today’s hottest global and domestic stories! This week, they unpack President Trump’s blockbuster Saudi Arabia trip, dissecting the $600 billion investment deal reshaping U.S.-Middle East dynamics.

Next, they dive into the Iran nuclear talks’ deadlock, where Tehran’s defiance meets Trump’s hardline stance, fueling Gulf tensions. The focus shifts to Syria, where Trump’s surprise sanctions lift and talks with interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa spark debate—is this diplomacy or a risky gamble? Then, the hosts explore the Menendez brothers’ resentencing drama, as fresh evidence and public pressure challenge their life sentences.

Finally, buckle up for the Qatar jet scandal, with Trump’s luxury plane gift igniting Senate fury and ethical firestorms. Rall’s biting commentary and Kiriakou’s whistleblower savvy make this episode a must-listen, blending serious analysis with sharp humor. From Saudi deserts to D.C. courtrooms, DeProgram cuts through the spin, connecting the dots on power, politics, and justice. Whether you’re a news junkie or just curious, this episode serves up bold insights to keep you informed and engaged. Don’t miss the chance to join Rall and Kiriakou as they decode the chaos of our world with wit and wisdom. Plug in and get DeProgrammed—stream now for a front-row seat to the stories shaping our future!

The post DeProgram: “Trump’s Desert Deals, Iran Standoff, Syria Shift, Menendez Twist & Qatar Jet Jolt” appeared first on Ted Rall's Rallblog.