Senator Alex Padilla, Ice Raids & The World Cup

This week on The Game Within, Jerry Jones ramps up his feud with Micah Parsons, throwing public jabs at the Cowboys star during a tense contract standoff. Over 100 NFL players face fines and possible suspensions for reselling Super Bowl tickets. In international news, Trump’s immigration crackdown blocks a Venezuelan Little League team from competing in the U.S., drawing fresh scrutiny ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Steph Curry questions whether NBA players are actually underpaid despite soaring league revenues, and new data shows women’s sports are booming globally—from sold-out tournaments to billion-dollar investments. Finally, we break down Trump’s new executive order targeting college sports, aiming to restrict NIL deals, protect scholarships, and strip athletes of employee status. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Kander and Ravi Gupta break down Donald Trump’s explosive lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal over its reporting of a crude birthday card he allegedly sent to Jeffrey Epstein. They unpack the card’s bizarre artwork, Trump’s denial, and new polling that shows most Americans think the letter is real. Kander and Gupta also dive into Trump’s desperate attempts to shift the focus—blaming Obama, posting erratically on Truth Social, and even sharing AI videos of Obama’s fake arrest. Plus, they cover chaos at FEMA, where top officials are resigning in protest over delays and dysfunction tied to Trump’s appointees. This and more on the podcast that helps you, the majority of Americans who believe in progress, convince your conservative friends and family to join us—this is Majority 54! Cook Unity: Go to https://www.cookunity.com/majority54free for Free Premium Meals for Life. Thanks to CookUnity for supporting the show! Indacloud: If you’re 21 or older, get 25% OFF your first order + free shipping @IndaCloud with code MAJORITY at https://inda.shop/MAJORITY! #indacloudpod Majority 54 is a MeidasTouch Network production. Theme music provided by Kemet Coleman. Special thanks to Diana Kander. Majority 54 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/majority54 Jason on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JasonKander Jason on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonkander/ Ravi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RaviMGupta Ravi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ravimgupta Ravi on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LostDebate Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast The Influence Continuum: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 Political Beatdown: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Coalition of the Sane: https://meidasnews.com/tag/coalition-of-the-sane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Game Within, Trump tries to distract from the Epstein files by pressuring the Commanders to change their name. A new executive order could reshape college sports in the NIL era, while the University of Minnesota makes students cover athlete salaries. Fox Sports strikes a massive deal with Barstool, and WNBA players use the All-Star Game to demand better pay. Plus, we take a closer look at the role religion and superstition play in how athletes process wins, losses, and pressure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Kander and Ravi Gupta break down the escalating fallout from the Epstein case, as Trump faces renewed questions about his connection to the disgraced financier. They analyze a series of clips featuring Trump allies like Pam Bondi, Dan Bongino, and Kash Patel scrambling to defend him, as well as notable reactions from Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan. Kander and Gupta also examine a bizarre moment involving Alan Dershowitz that’s raising eyebrows across the political spectrum. Then, they shift to the troubling FEMA response to catastrophic flooding in Texas, where Governor Noem delayed deployment of emergency teams and the federal agency failed to answer thousands of survivor calls. They unpack reporting from CNN, The Atlantic, and The New York Times, showing how a depleted FEMA workforce and lack of leadership are hindering disaster relief. Plus, they dive into new inflation data as tariffs begin to bite, Trump's erratic threats against Brazil, and an eyebrow-raising moment where Trump redefines his stance on Putin from the Oval Office. This and more on the podcast that helps you, the majority of Americans who believe in progress, convince your conservative friends and family to join us—this is Majority 54! Hiya: Go to https://HiyaHealth.com/MAJORITY and get your kids the full-body nourishment they need to grow into healthy adults. Nutralfol: Get results you can run your fingers through! For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to https://Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code MAJORITY. Majority 54 is a MeidasTouch Network production. Theme music provided by Kemet Coleman. Special thanks to Diana Kander. Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast The Influence Continuum: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 Political Beatdown: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Coalition of the Sane: https://meidasnews.com/tag/coalition-of-the-sane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode asks whether coaches should call out their players in public—or keep it behind closed doors. But first: gamblers are fuming over Trump’s new tax bill, the UFC might be heading to the White House, and Trump inserts himself into the Club World Cup. The NFLPA faces fresh scrutiny over conflicts of interest, and billionaire Bill Ackman draws heat for playing in a pro tennis event. Then, we dive into the growing debate over public criticism in pro sports—from Mike McDaniel to Goran Ivanisevic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ravi is out this week, so guest hosting with Jason is one of our favorite co-hosts: Stephen Webber. In addition to being one of Jason’s closest friends, Stephen is a Marine infantry veteran who served two tours in Iraq, the former chair of the Missouri Democratic Party, the current communications director for the Missouri AFL-CIO, and a Missouri State Senator representing Boone County. Jason Kander and Stephen Webber break down the fallout from the DOJ’s Epstein report as MAGA influencers implode over the Trump administration’s conclusion that Epstein died by suicide and left no “client list.” They analyze the backlash from right-wing figures like Patrick Bet-David, Mike Cernovich, and Elon Musk, Trump’s bizarre response praising Bongino and Patel. Kander and Webber also dive into Trump’s crumbling economic plan, as his 90-day tariff blitz backfires, online shopping plummets, and foreign leaders mock his erratic letters. Plus, they unpack the Trump-Musk political breakup, Elon’s third-party chaos, and what polling says about public reaction to the budget bill. This and more on the podcast that helps you, the majority of Americans who believe in progress, convince your conservative friends and family to join us—this is Majority 54! Majority 54 is a MeidasTouch Network production. Theme music provided by Kemet Coleman. Special thanks to Diana Kander. Majority 54 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/majority54 Jason on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JasonKander Jason on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonkander/ Ravi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RaviMGupta Ravi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ravimgupta Ravi on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LostDebate Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast The Influence Continuum: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 Political Beatdown: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Coalition of the Sane: https://meidasnews.com/tag/coalition-of-the-sane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Rose, filling in for Jason Kander, joins Ravi Gupta this week to break down the GOP’s reckless budget bill as Mike Johnson shamelessly spins its benefits on Fox News and Chip Roy sells voters a dangerous pack of cuts. They analyze Lisa Murkowski’s pushback to Rand Paul’s criticism, Trump’s bizarre threat to Elon Musk, and how delaying Medicaid cuts until after the midterms is a cynical ploy to fool voters. Rose and Gupta also dive into Trump’s desperate attacks on Mamdani and what his victory signals for the future of bold progressive ideas, plus they discuss CBS News settling a Trump lawsuit, and Trump’s sneaky move to shift his Des Moines Register case to a friendlier state court, all while Fox News parrots GOP talking points with zero shame. This and more on the podcast that helps you, the majority of Americans who believe in progress, convince your conservative friends and family to join us—this is Majority 54! Hiya Health: Go to https://HiyaHealth.com/MAJORITY and get your kids the full-body nourishment they need to grow into healthy adults. Majority 54 is a MeidasTouch Network production. Theme music provided by Kemet Coleman. Special thanks to Diana Kander. Majority 54 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/majority54 Jason on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JasonKander Jason on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonkander/ Ravi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RaviMGupta Ravi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ravimgupta Ravi on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LostDebate Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast The Influence Continuum: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 Political Beatdown: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Coalition of the Sane: https://meidasnews.com/tag/coalition-of-the-sane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re diving into the controversy around Big League Advance, the investment firm being sued by pro athletes like Fernando Tatis Jr. for predatory financial deals that may violate state law. But first, we break down Brad Pitt’s high-stakes F1 movie debut, the strange overlap between celebrity body image and sports, and how the Browns' stadium battle is splitting Ohio lawmakers. Plus: why politicians are courting athletes to run for office, and what we know about the federal gambling probe into Malik Beasley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Kander and Ravi Gupta break down the fallout from Trump’s Iran strike as new CNN reporting casts doubt on whether the targeted facility was actually destroyed. They analyze Trump’s meltdown over the report, his shifting rhetoric on negotiating with Iran, and what it reveals about his broader foreign policy failures. Kander and Gupta also dive into the NYC political shakeup after Zohran Mamdani’s surprising win, as pundits debate whether it signals a progressive resurgence or a shift in strategy. They unpack viral reactions from across the spectrum, what Mamdani’s campaign really stood for, and how it’s reshaping Democratic politics. Plus, they sit down with JD Scholten to discuss the comeback of a controversial Iowa meatpacker, the real story behind tariffs and trade in the Midwest, and the role of immigration enforcement in rural America. This and more on the podcast that helps you, the majority of Americans who believe in progress, convince your conservative friends and family to join us—this is Majority 54! Hims: Hims: Thanks to HIMS! Start your free online visit today at https://hims.com/majority for your personalized ED treatment options Fatty15: Fatty15 is on a mission to optimize your C15 levels to help you live healthier, longer. You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to https://fatty15.com/MAJORITY and using code MAJORITY at checkout. Majority 54 is a MeidasTouch Network production. Theme music provided by Kemet Coleman. Special thanks to Diana Kander. Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast The Influence Continuum: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 Political Beatdown: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Coalition of the Sane: https://meidasnews.com/tag/coalition-of-the-sane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Game Within, we dig into the deeper story behind the NBA Finals—what this year’s matchup revealed about the league’s identity crisis, shifting power dynamics, and what’s coming next for the business of basketball. Before the deep dive, our Quick Five covers HBO’s Surviving Ohio State and the staggering abuse scandal it uncovers, the Dodgers turning ICE away from their stadium and sparking a DHS backlash, Juventus getting dragged into a Trump photo op, DraftKings launching a political PAC, and the Lakers setting a record with a $10 billion sale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices