Iran backlash grows as they’re feeling around in the dark

-- On the Show -- Ronny Jackson and Pete Hegseth openly signal that political losses and higher prices are acceptable as long as Donald Trump does not back down in Iran -- With indicators pointing to possible Republican losses in 2026, the question becomes whether Trump will blame election fraud, the media, or members of his own party -- Rick Scott, Donald Trump, and Karoline Leavitt defend rising fuel and food costs while framing the economic pain facing voters as a necessary sacrifice -- Karoline Leavitt struggles to answer reporters’ questions about Iran negotiations, rising diesel prices, and Donald Trump’s statements during a tense White House briefing -- Television hosts and commentators increasingly question Donald Trump’s mental sharpness as polls show a growing share of Americans saying he appears more erratic with age -- A University of Massachusetts Amherst poll shows Donald Trump at 33 percent approval, highlighting deep public dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy and foreign policy -- Jessica Tarlov challenges Jesse Watters and Greg Gutfeld on Fox News by arguing that Donald Trump and Mike Johnson blocked a bipartisan plan that could have funded TSA workers -- Laura Ingraham raises questions on Fox News about whether Donald Trump fully understood the risks and complexity of the conflict with Iran before moving forward -- On the Bonus Show: David discusses his upcoming trip to Argentina, and much more... 🎙️ Plaud: Get the NotePin S at https://davidpakman.com/plaud or https://amzn.to/3PurJeG 🐟 Wild Alaskan Company: Get $35 OFF at https://wildalaskan.com/pakman 💻 Sponsored by Private Internet Access: 83% OFF + 4 months free at https://www.piavpn.com/DavidP 🐟 Wild Alaskan Company: Get $35 OFF at https://wildalaskan.com/pakman 🛡️ Incogni lets you control your personal data! Get 60% off their annual plan: http://incogni.com/pakman -- Become a Member: https://davidpakman.com/membership -- Subscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://davidpakman.substack.com -- Get David's Books: https://davidpakman.com/echo -- TDPS Subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/thedavidpakmanshow -- David on Bluesky: https://davidpakman.com/bluesky -- David on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/davidpakmanshow (00:00) Start (01:14) Trump allies accept political losses (08:13) Trump’s potential 2026 blame targets (17:56) GOP defends rising costs (24:54) Leavitt struggles on Iran questions (35:59) Commentators question Trump’s mental sharpness (42:15) Trump approval at 33 percent (49:22) Tarlov challenges Fox News hosts (55:49) Ingraham questions Trump on Iran Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

-- On the Show -- Rep. Sara Jacobs, Democrat from California's 51st district, joins us to discuss the No Kings protests, cost-of-living messaging, suspicious trading tied to Iran policy, and much more… -- Reports show the United States deploys more than 50,000 troops to the Middle East while the Army raises the maximum enlistment age to 42 -- Ann Coulter, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Erik Prince publicly criticize Donald Trump’s escalating Iran conflict, exposing rare fractures inside the MAGA coalition -- Architects criticize Donald Trump’s rushed plan to build a massive White House ballroom, pointing to design flaws like stairs that lead nowhere and columns that block views -- Donald Trump promotes his new White House ballroom and complains about mail-in voting and Democrats, while gas prices rise and international tensions escalate -- Donald Trump frequently says he is hearing about major issues for the first time and maintains a loosely structured daily schedule dominated by media consumption -- Donald Trump signals distance from Tulsi Gabbard by describing her as softer on Iran and nuclear weapons -- JD Vance says the United States does not expect to remain involved in Iran one or two years from now, revealing a longer timeline than earlier claims -- On the Bonus Show: Soldiers are suspended after flying helicopters near Kid Rock's house, counterintelligence officials plan an Antifa summit, NASA sets up for the first moon mission in 53 years, and much more... 🛏️ Eight Sleep: Get up to $350 OFF the Pod 5 at https://eightsleep.com/pakman 🤖 Sponsored by Venice: Use code PAKMAN for 20% off a Pro Account at https://venice.ai/pakman 🛌 Helix Sleep mattresses: Get 27% OFF sitewide at https://helixsleep.com/pakman 🔊 Blinkist: Read a nonfiction book in just 15 minutes! Try it FREE at https://blinkist.com/pakman 💪 AG1 is offering you $126 in FREE gifts at https://drinkag1.com/pakman -- Become a Member: https://davidpakman.com/membership -- Subscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://davidpakman.substack.com -- Get David's Books: https://davidpakman.com/echo -- TDPS Subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/thedavidpakmanshow -- David on Bluesky: https://davidpakman.com/bluesky -- David on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/davidpakmanshow (00:00) Start(01:24) US troop surge, enlistment age 42(08:31) MAGA figures criticize Trump Iran policy(17:58) Architects mock Trump White House ballroom(23:54) Trump promotes ballroom, complains about voting(32:04) Trump says hearing issues first time(40:01) Sara Jacobs interview(57:49) Trump distances himself from Tulsi Gabbard(1:04:06) JD Vance hints longer Iran timeline   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

-- On the Show -- Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles, California, joins us to discuss her approach to reducing homelessness and crime in LA, as well as her concerns about Trump intervening in the 2028 Olympics -- Donald Trump allies gather at CPAC with smaller energy while millions attend No Kings protests across thousands of rallies -- Fox News defends Donald Trump over gas prices by highlighting historical oil averages, while Trump again promises to replace the Affordable Care Act -- Donald Trump delivers a rambling speech, misstating foreign policy achievements and admitting he labels military actions as operations to avoid congressional approval --Many politicians and political media figures shape their messaging around polls, incentives, and engagement rather than consistent ideology or concern for voters -- Republican figures such as JD Vance and Marco Rubio position themselves for influence as factions within the MAGA movement prepare for leadership after Trump -- Megyn Kelly criticizes the Iran war but shifts responsibility toward right-wing activists and journalists rather than holding Trump accountable for the decision -- Joe Rogan calls many MAGA supporters uninteresting and unintelligent, prompting a response from JD Vance as Republicans attempt to contain criticism -- On the Bonus Show: TSA workers start getting back pay despite the DHS shutdown persisting, birthright citizenship goes to the Supreme Court, architects criticize Trump's ballroom's design flaws, and much more... 🛏️ Eight Sleep: Get up to $350 OFF the Pod 5 at https://eightsleep.com/pakman 🎙️ Plaud: Get the NotePin S at https://davidpakman.com/plaud or https://amzn.to/3PurJeG 💻 Sponsored by Private Internet Access: 83% OFF + 4 months free at https://www.piavpn.com/DavidP 😺 Smalls cat food: Use code PAKMAN for 60% off & free shipping at https://smalls.com ✉️ StartMail: Get 50% OFF for a year subscription at https://startmail.com/pakman 🤖 Sponsored by Venice: Use code PAKMAN for 20% off a Pro Account at https://venice.ai/pakman -- Become a Member: https://davidpakman.com/membership -- Subscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://davidpakman.substack.com -- Get David's Books: https://davidpakman.com/echo -- TDPS Subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/thedavidpakmanshow -- David on Bluesky: https://davidpakman.com/bluesky -- David on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/davidpakmanshow (00:00) Start(01:29) CPAC vs No Kings rallies(07:59) Fox News spins gas, Trump ACA(17:28) Trump’s rambling foreign policy claims(24:16) Politicians follow polls, not ideology(32:06) MAGA leaders jockey for influence(39:51) Karen Bass interview(56:19) Megyn Kelly blames others for Iran war(1:03:20) Rogan insults MAGA, Vance responds   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

-- On the Show -- Fox News confronts Speaker Mike Johnson with Donald Trump publicly rejecting the shutdown deal and Johnson struggles to reconcile his defense of Trump -- Melania Trump appears at the White House, introducing a humanoid robot named Plato that she says will help teach children classical studies -- The Pentagon under Pete Hegseth removes journalists from inside the building after a federal judge rules previous restrictions illegal -- Travelers facing massive disruptions directly blame Donald Trump for the chaos, contradicting Republican messaging that attempts to shift responsibility onto Democrats -- Melania Trump calls herself a visionary, while advisers claim she is working on legislation and signing executive orders, even though only the president can legally issue executive orders -- Jesse Watters and Greg Gutfeld debate whether Kamala Harris is attractive on Fox News, while broader national issues like war tensions and rising prices dominate public concerns -- The Friday Feedback segment -- On the Bonus Show: Trump hosts a cabinet meeting, says it's okay he voted by mail because he's president, asks about getting a statue of himself in Venezuela, and much more... 🛍️ Shopify: Sign up for $1/month trial and start selling today at https://shopify.com/pakman 🤖 Sponsored by Venice: Use code PAKMAN for 20% off a Pro Account at https://venice.ai/pakman 🛏️ Eight Sleep: Get up to $350 OFF the Pod 5 at https://eightsleep.com/pakman 💻 Sponsored by Private Internet Access: 83% OFF + 4 months free at https://www.piavpn.com/DavidP 🛡️ Incogni lets you control your personal data! Get 60% off their annual plan: http://incogni.com/pakman -- Become a Member: https://davidpakman.com/membership -- Subscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://davidpakman.substack.com -- Get David's Books: https://davidpakman.com/echo -- TDPS Subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/thedavidpakmanshow -- David on Bluesky: https://davidpakman.com/bluesky -- David on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/davidpakmanshow (00:00) Start (01:25) Johnson pressed after Trump kills deal (08:26) Melania unveils White House robot (17:41) Pentagon removes journalists after ruling (23:24) Travelers blame Trump for disruptions (32:22) Melania calls herself a visionary (40:22) Fox hosts debate Kamala Harris’ looks (48:38) Friday Feedback segment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

-- On the Show -- Senator Tammy Baldwin, Democrat from Wisconsin, joins us to discuss what Congress can do to rein in Trump's war, gas price hikes, ICE at airports, and much more -- Billionaire investor Leon Cooperman tells Fox News that the US is heading towards a recession under Donald Trump which undermines Trump’s economic brand -- Donald Trump gives a confusing speech to GOP congressional members, making contradictory statements about the Iran War and mail-in voting -- Karoline Leavitt delivers a rambling defense of Trump, misrepresenting facts, and avoiding answering key questions about Iran and congressional authorization -- Pete Hegseth’s pastor publicly prays for the death of Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico and Talarico responds with love instead of threats -- Donald Trump posts erratic messages on Truth Social, demanding the filibuster be terminated, and complains about NATO and Iran -- Trump’s allies, including Nancy Mace, publicly criticize his Iran war strategy and refuse to support troops on the ground, signaling political distancing -- On the Bonus Show: The right wing is divided ahead of CPAC weekend, the Army raises its enlistment age to 42, Trump gets a new trophy, and much more... 📖 Book By Anyone: Create an unforgettable fully-customized gift at https://bookbyanyone.com ✉️ StartMail: Get 50% OFF for a year subscription at https://startmail.com/pakman 💻 Sponsored by Private Internet Access: 83% OFF + 4 months free at https://www.piavpn.com/DavidP 🤖 Sponsored by Venice: Use code PAKMAN for 20% off a Pro Account at https://venice.ai/pakman -- Become a Member: https://davidpakman.com/membership -- Subscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://davidpakman.substack.com -- Get David's Books: https://davidpakman.com/echo -- TDPS Subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/thedavidpakmanshow -- David on Bluesky: https://davidpakman.com/bluesky -- David on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/davidpakmanshow (00:00) Start(01:18) Cooperman warns of recession(08:59) Trump speech confuses GOP(20:50) Leavitt rambles on Iran(29:35) Pastor prays for Talarico's death(38:17) Tammy Baldwin interview(49:52) Trump posts erratically online(56:48) Allies criticize Trump’s Iran war   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

-- On the Show -- Democrat Emily Gregory wins Donald Trump’s home district in Florida flipping a Republican seat despite Trump’s endorsement and presence -- Millions of people protest across the U.S., creating massive visible opposition that unsettles Donald Trump during multiple crises -- CBS News ratings collapse under Bari Weiss’s leadership as the network shifts toward Trump-friendly coverage, losing key viewers and demographics -- Suspicious market trades occur minutes before Trump announces halts on Iran attacks raising insider trading concerns and calls for investigations -- Donald Trump delivers confused and incoherent remarks about the Iran war, asylum seekers, and Kamala Harris -- Donald Trump struggles to stand and speak, and contradicts himself while addressing Iran and military matters -- Markwayne Mullin is confirmed as the new DHS Secretary despite bragging about physically disciplining his children and threatening his daughter’s boyfriend -- C-SPAN callers criticize Republicans and Donald Trump for the DHS shutdown, holding them accountable for policy choices and government failures -- On the Bonus Show: Afroman wins a lawsuit against the police, Trump is being briefed on the Iran war with a daily video montage, CNN experiments with podcast-like news sets, and much more... 🤖 Sponsored by Venice: Use code PAKMAN for 20% off a Pro Account at https://venice.ai/pakman 💻 Sponsored by Private Internet Access: 83% OFF + 4 months free at https://www.piavpn.com/DavidP 🛡️ Incogni lets you control your personal data! Get 60% off their annual plan: http://incogni.com/pakman -- Become a Member: https://davidpakman.com/membership -- Subscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://davidpakman.substack.com -- Get David's Books: https://davidpakman.com/echo -- TDPS Subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/thedavidpakmanshow -- David on Bluesky: https://davidpakman.com/bluesky -- David on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/davidpakmanshow (00:00) Start(01:30) Trump’s home district flips(08:41) Massive protests hit Trump(18:20) CBS ratings collapse(24:57) Suspicious Iran-related trades(32:10) Trump’s incoherent Iran remarks(39:37) Trump struggles speaking publicly(48:21) Mullin confirmed as DHS Secretary(53:56) Callers blame Trump and GOP   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

-- On the Show -- Donald Trump negotiates a framework to end the Iran war that closely matches the Iran nuclear deal negotiated by Barack Obama -- Massive bets on oil and stock futures appear minutes before Donald Trump announces he is delaying strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure -- Senator John Kennedy says Donald Trump blocked a Republican plan that would have reopened the Department of Homeland Security and paid TSA workers -- Donald Trump gives erratic answers at a press conference about Iran negotiations, ICE arrests at airports, and sanctions on Iranian oil -- Donald Trump tours Graceland, jokes about fighting Elvis Presley, and speculates about pilgrimages to Mar-a-Lago -- Jessica Tarlov tells Dana Perino and Greg Gutfeld that Democrats introduced multiple bills to fund TSA workers while Republicans blame Democrats for the shutdown -- Stephen Miller, Kash Patel, and Pete Hegseth praise Donald Trump at a Memphis event while Donald Trump appears sleepy and later says Hegseth first pushed for the Iran war -- On the Bonus Show: ICE deployed at airports to help with security, Markwayne Mullin confirmed as DHS secretary, Trump votes by mail again, and much more... 💦 Pocket Hose: Text PAKMAN to 64000 for free extras with purchase of any size Copper Head hose 🧳 Ekster: Get up to 45% off + extra 20% off with code PAKMAN at https://davidpakman.com/ekster 🛌 Helix Sleep mattresses: Get 27% OFF sitewide at https://helixsleep.com/pakman -- Become a Member: https://davidpakman.com/membership -- Subscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://davidpakman.substack.com -- Get David's Books: https://davidpakman.com/echo -- TDPS Subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/thedavidpakmanshow -- David on Bluesky: https://davidpakman.com/bluesky -- David on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/davidpakmanshow (00:00) Start(01:28) Trump claims Iran deal framework(09:29) Suspicious oil market trades before announcement(21:43) GOP senator says Trump blocked deal(29:34) Trump gives erratic press conference answers(40:08) Trump visits Graceland during war(47:39) Tarlov challenges Fox shutdown narrative(54:33) Trump allies praise him at event   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

-- On the Show -- Donald Trump prepares the public for winding down the Iran war while simultaneously threatening massive escalation over the Strait of Hormuz -- Donald Trump claims on Truth Social that the United States is getting what it wants and will not need to bomb Iran, sending market surging while Iran denies talks taking place -- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent struggles to explain administration policy when Kristen Welker asks whether Donald Trump is escalating or ending the Iran conflict -- Donald Trump celebrates the death of former FBI director Robert Mueller, highlighting the contrast with earlier Republican condemnation of celebrating the death of political opponents -- Gas prices surge 44% in two months after Donald Trump escalates tensions with Iran around the Strait of Hormuz, creating a self-inflicted economic crisis -- Donald Trump falsely claims that CNN released a poll showing 100% support for him, illustrating how he invents statistics as the Iran war worsens -- Donald Trump confuses his own talking points about transgender athletes during remarks to the Naval football team, revealing he cannot clearly explain the issue -- Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins claims food prices have mostly fallen despite ongoing high grocery costs, reinforcing a narrative aligned with Trump -- On the Bonus Show: Elon Musk offers to pay TSA workers' salaries, the cost of Trump's Golden Dome is up 50% already, lawmakers introduce a bill to ban sports betting on prediction markets, and much more... 💪 AG1 is offering you $126 in FREE gifts at https://drinkag1.com/pakman 💡 Outskill: Grab your free seat to the 2-Day AI Mastermind at https://link.outskill.com/PAKMANDEC1 👖 Fair Harbor: Get 20% off with code PAKMAN at https://fairharborclothing.com -- Become a Member: https://davidpakman.com/membership -- Subscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://davidpakman.substack.com -- Get David's Books: https://davidpakman.com/echo -- TDPS Subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/thedavidpakmanshow -- David on Bluesky: https://davidpakman.com/bluesky -- David on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/davidpakmanshow (00:00) Start (01:19) Trump prepares Iran war exit(08:24) Trump claims progress Iran denies(18:36) Bessent struggles explaining Iran policy(25:07) Trump celebrates Robert Mueller death(32:05) Gas prices surge amid Iran tensions(38:46) Trump invents 100 percent poll(45:06) Trump confused about sports rhetoric(51:39) Rollins claims food prices falling   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

-- On the Show -- Donald Trump escalates the conflict with Iran as a strike on Qatar’s Ras Laffan energy facility sends global gas and oil prices surging -- FBI Director Kash Patel struggles through congressional questioning about firing Iran counterintelligence experts and basic voter fraud investigations, -- Donald Trump confuses economic data and makes a bizarre Pearl Harbor remark to a Japanese leader while misrepresenting the economic fallout from his Iran conflict -- Donald Trump faces rising political danger as surging oil, diesel, and fertilizer prices drive inflation across farming, transportation, and food costs that could define his presidency -- Republican donors and party figures quietly organize around Marco Rubio for 2028 as Donald Trump tests support between Rubio and JD Vance -- A Pennsylvania voter who supported Donald Trump three times now angrily denounces him over rising costs, signaling potential cracks in Trump’s loyal voter base -- A longtime conservative influencer who once backed Donald Trump declares that MAGA is dead and says she no longer recognizes the president -- The Friday Feedback segment -- On the Bonus Show: The staggering costs of the war in Iran, and much more... 🥐 Wildgrain: Use code DAVID for $30 off & free croissants FOR LIFE at https://wildgrain.com/david -- Become a Member: https://davidpakman.com/membership -- Subscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://davidpakman.substack.com -- Get David's Books: https://davidpakman.com/echo -- TDPS Subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/thedavidpakmanshow -- David on Bluesky: https://davidpakman.com/bluesky -- David on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/davidpakmanshow (00:00) Start(01:22) Trump Iran strike spikes energy(09:02) Kash Patel grilled in Congress(17:31) Trump Pearl Harbor economic confusion(25:07) Rising fuel costs threaten economy(32:36) GOP donors shift toward Rubio(38:39) Trump voter turns against him(45:31) Conservative influencer says MAGA dead(51:06) Friday Feedback segment   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

-- On the Show -- JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois, joins us in person to discuss immigration enforcement fears in Chicago, regulating crypto and prediction markets, and what agenda Democrats should pursue ahead of 2028 -- Jerome Powell warns the United States economy faces rising inflation risks, weak private sector job growth, and tariff-driven pressure, as Donald Trump’s policies strain the labor market -- Maria Bartiromo and other Fox hosts react nervously to hotter-than-expected inflation data and warn Americans that prices could worsen in the coming months -- Donald Trump posts a confusing threat about the South Pars gas field in Iran that reveals panic over escalating conflict and the economic fallout of the war -- Karoline Leavitt struggles to defend Operation Epic Fury and gives evasive answers when pressed about NATO coordination and the administration’s war strategy -- Markwayne Mullin, Trump's choice to replace Kristi Noem at DHS, refuses to say he would follow the law over the president when questioned by Maggie Hassan about illegal orders -- JD Vance delivers a speech to a quiet crowd and tells Americans struggling with gas prices that people overseas are suffering even more -- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez argues the Trump administration’s shifting explanations for war with Iran contradict earlier claims about destroying Iran’s nuclear capabilities -- On the Bonus Show: Labor rights leader Cesar Chavez is accused of sexual abuse, Joe Kent is under FBI investigation after resigning in protest over the Iran war, a judge implies he'll stop construction of Trump's ballroom, and much more... 🥄 Magic Spoon: Use code PAKMAN for $5 off at https://magicspoon.com/pakman 🩳 SHEATH Underwear: Code PAKMAN for 20% OFF at https://sheathunderwear.com/pakman -- Become a Member: https://davidpakman.com/membership -- Subscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://davidpakman.substack.com -- Get David's Books: https://davidpakman.com/echo -- TDPS Subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/thedavidpakmanshow -- David on Bluesky: https://davidpakman.com/bluesky -- David on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/davidpakmanshow (00:00) Start(01:37) Powell warns of economic risks(08:23) Fox reacts to inflation report(16:20) Trump threat about Iran gas field(22:21) Leavitt struggles defending war plan(29:29) Mullin questioned on illegal orders(36:10) JB Pritzker interview(45:49) Vance comments on gas prices(52:42) Ocasio-Cortez questions Iran war claims   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices