Shoe Sanity at TSA, Trump & Bondi's Odd Epstein Answers, Hegseth's Ukraine Weapons Pause

Join Jim and Greg on Thursday's 3 Martini Lunch as they discuss the suspension of numerous Secret Service figures following the Trump shooting, former White House physician Kevin O'Connor refusing to testify to Congress about Joe Biden's health, and the bizarre sequence of events that led Kamala Harris to pick Tim Walz as her running mate.First, they welcome the news that six Secret Service personnel (both supervisors and line-level agents) were suspended after the attempted assassination of President Trump last summer in Butler, Pennsylvania. There have also been significant technological advancements, including drones and better communication with local law enforcement helping to secure events. Jim thinks these are good steps and suspects Trump is satisfied with the fallout.Next, they shake their heads as Dr. O'Connor invokes doctor-patient confidentiality and his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination for refusing to answer lawmakers' questions about Joe Biden's true cognitive and physical condition while serving as president. O'Connor declared Biden fully fit to serve as president as late as February 2024.Finally, they get a kick out of the bizarre reasons Kamala Harris ruled out Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as her running mate and the equally odd conclusions they reached for choosing Tim Walz. Walz was not only a terrible choice, but it created more doubt about Kamala's ability to be president.Please visit our great sponsors:Manage your workplace stress with Better Help. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://BetterHelp.com/3MLUpgrade your skincare routine with Caldera Lab and see the difference.  Visit https://CalderaLab.com/3ML and use code 3ML at checkout for 20% off your first order.

Greg is back. Today, Jim and Greg discuss the TSA finally ending its insane shoe policy, President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi offering odd answers about Jeffrey Epstein, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly pausing defense assistance to Ukraine without informing the president.First, Jim and Greg celebrate the end of TSA forcing air travelers to take off their shoes while going through security screening. The policy dates back to one terrorist trying to set off explosive in his shoes in 2001 and since then we've been dealing with the annoyance of having to wander through TSA checkpoints in our socks or even barefoot.Next, they react to President Trump acting offended that a reporter would ask questions about Jeffrey Epstein just two days after the Justice Department announced there was no client list and the case was effectively closed. Attorney General Pam Bondi then glossed over the question about whether Epstein was somehow connected to U.S. or foreign intelligence agencies. Greg says it's vital that we get a complete, honest answer on that question.Finally, they discuss reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unilaterally paused military aid to Ukraine and failed to inform President Trump. Jim credits Trump again for restoring the assistance but wonders how and why Hegseth would make such a move without consulting or at least informing the president.Please visit our great sponsors:Manage your workplace stress with Better Help. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://BetterHelp.com/3MLUpgrade your skincare routine with Caldera Lab and see the difference.  Visit https://CalderaLab.com/3ML and use code 3ML at checkout for 20% off your first order.

(00:00:00) Trump Pivot on Ukraine (00:06:27) Mamdani media pass (00:14:22) Kamala Ignores Campaign Advisors Join Jim and guest host Craig Collins for Monday’s 3 Martini Lunch as they dig into Trump’s surprising new stance on Ukraine aid, the media’s defense of a New York mayoral candidate who misrepresented his race on college applications, and fresh revelations that Kamala Harris had a shot at winning over GOP voters—and blew it.First, they analyze Donald Trump’s recent comments that he would restore U.S. military aid to Ukraine if re-elected. What’s behind the pivot, and how is it playing on both sides of the aisle?Next, Jim and Craig unpack the media’s spin around New York mayoral candidate Nadim Mamdani, who claimed to be “Black or African-American” on his college applications. Critics call it deceptive. The press? Not so much.Finally, they dive into new reporting that Kamala Harris was handed memos urging a strategy to reach independents and Republicans—highlighting crime, immigration, and even recommending an appearance on Joe Rogan. She opted for a January 6 speech instead. Political malpractice, defined.Please visit our great sponsor:Upgrade your skincare routine with Caldera Lab and see the difference.Visit https://CalderaLab.com/3ML and use code 3ML at checkout for 20% off your first order.

(00:00:00) Big Beautiful Bill Begins (00:04:59) Will Musk Make "America Party"? (00:11:03) Epstein Conspiracy Laid to Rest Join Jim and Craig – in for Greg, we must enunciate – for this Monday edition of 3 Martini Lunch. Today they salute Congressional Republicans for getting the Big Beautiful Bill passed, consider Elon Musk's threats to create a new political party, and find truth in the recent Department of Justice declarations about Jeffry Epstein. First, Jim and Craig congratulate Republicans for pulling together to pass such a consequential piece of legislation. Though Jim does not love every part of it, he is impressed that almost the entire Trump agenda was signed into law by Independence Day. Next, they worry over Musk's threats, in light of the Big Beautiful Bill's passing, to create the "American Party" as a third-party opposition. Craig wonders how this might impact support of conventional conservative candidates while Jim argues that there probably just aren't enough voters who care about the deficit and debt to fuel a serious third party.Finally, their own suspicions are laid to rest with the Department of Justice's declaration that Jeffrey Epstein never had a list… even though Pam Bondi said earlier this year the list was on her desk. Suspicions of suicide and blackmail have also been proven wrong. Jim and Craig are convinced by this since the information is not especially advantageous for those who revealed it. Please visit our great sponsors: Upgrade your skincare routine with Caldera Lab and see the difference. Visithttps://CalderaLab.com/3ML and use code 3ML at checkout for 20% off your first order.

Join Jim and Greg as they honor America on its 249th birthday by reflecting on what they love about the United States. Originally aired in 2021, they each extol three things they deeply appreciate about our nation.First, Jim focuses on the incredible variety of places to live in the U.S. Whether you like big cities, rural areas, or somewhere in between, you can find your sweet spot somewhere in this country. Greg heaps praise upon the founders and specifically the Declaration of Independence, which radically and boldly proclaimed our rights come from God and our government gets its power from the people.Next, Jim reflects on his time living in Turkey and how being in that country or any other country helps you appreciate what we have in America even more. Greg is grateful for the example America set that attracted our ancestors and so many others to leave everything and come - legally - to the U.S. Finally, Jim applauds the great people you meet in every corner of the U.S. Yes, there's even some nice ones in and around Washington. Greg points to the incredible physical beauty of our land from coast to coast.Please visit our great sponsors:No missed calls, no missed customers with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at https://Openphone.com/3mlIt’s free, online, and easy to start with no strings attached. Enroll in the American Foreign Policy course FREE with Hillsdale College. Visit https://Hillsdale.edu/Martini

Join Jim and Greg as they head into Independence Day by looking at stories they would have chosen for martinis in recent weeks if huge news events had not intervened. Today on 3 Martini Lunch, they discuss good news in an unlikely place in the quest for building trust in elections. They also react to the very different track records for Florida and New York over the past 25 years, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's disturbing affection for China.First, they look at polling showing a strong majority of people in California supporting laws requiring people to prove their citizenship before they can vote. But they also scratch their heads as Nevada's Republican governor vetoes a Voter ID bill because of other provisions in the bill he doesn't like.Next, they look at data showing the stark difference in how much New York and Florida are spending per capita on programs like education and Medicaid. Despite spending almost three times more than Florida per pupil, New York students fared far worse in reading and math. They also consider how the populations of the two states are trending in very different directions.Finally, they dig into why Gov. Walz would suggest China has surpassed the U.S. and other nations as having the most moral authority to broker calm in the Middle East. Walz said this just after Israel's airstrikes began three weeks ago. What does Walz fail to understand about the Middle East and why is he so fond of Communist China?Please visit our great sponsors:No missed calls, no missed customers with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at https://Openphone.com/3mlIt’s free, online, and easy to start with no strings attached. Enroll in the American Foreign Policy course FREE with Hillsdale College. Visit https://Hillsdale.edu/Martini

Join Jim and Greg's substitute, Craig Collins as they prepare for the Independence Day holiday with this all-California edition of 3 Martini Lunch. Today, they are pleased to see a recent poll suggesting that Kamala Harris is not an intimidating Democratic nominee in the 2026 governor’s race, they are amused by LA Mayor, Karen Bass's refusal to meet with ICE agents while telling them to go home, and they are wishing to reenact action films with California's recent firework factory explosion. First, they speculate about a recent poll which asked people if they would vote for Kamala Harris if they had a choice between her and a generic Republican candidate. Shockingly for Kamala and for California, Jim notes 41-percent would vote for her while 39-percent would vote Republican with the other 20-percent being undecided or not voting. Jim and Craig are unsure if Kamala will even choose to run, though. Next, Jim and Craig wonder where Bass wants ICE to go when she refuses to meet with them and tells them to go home. Aren't they already home? Recent Democratic commentary about ICE is laced with insurrectionist language, but Jim calls Bass's bluff arguing she is "talking big" but will not cross ICE when it comes down to it. Last, they are ecstatic about the recent explosion of a fireworks factory -- in YOLO, California of all places. Because nobody was hurt, they joke that every building demolition ought to involve fireworks. Jim and Craig find it reminiscent to a scene from The Naked Gun, and both wish they could have been there to witness it. Visit our spectacular sponsors: No missed calls, no missed customers with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months athttps://Openphone.com/3mlIt’s free, online, and easy to start with no strings attached. Enroll in the American Foreign Policycourse FREE with Hillsdale College. Visit https://Hillsdale.edu/Martini

Craig Collins is in for Greg again today for the 3 Martini Lunch. Join Jim and Craig as they laugh over Democrat's looking to model future campaigns after Zohran Mamdani's, voice concerned over the lack of fiscal considerations regarding the Big Beautiful Bill and reveal the truth about seemingly ominous program cuts at Indiana Universities. First, Jim and Craig are entertained by Rep. Chris Murphy's enthusiastic interest in running future Democratic campaigns in similar fashion to that of Zohran Mamdani. Jim wonders if Democrats could really be silly enough to over-interpret Mamdani getting a plurality in a relatively low-turnout Democratic NYC mayoral primary and think this is the way to win elections again.Next, they are wary of the results passing the Big Beautiful Bill may have. It seems only to get less budget friendly as it moves through the Senate. Jim and Craig are concerned that fiscal conservatives, in hope of seeing their party's bill passed, are not being honest about the financial danger is poses. Finally, they are amused misleading numbers in an Indiana Public Media article which would lead readers to believe Republican policy is responsible for the 20% cut in degrees. Jim explains that it sounds ominous -- until you see how many students are affected.Please visit our great sponsors: It’s free, online, and easy to start with no strings attached. Enroll in the American Foreign Policycourse FREE with Hillsdale College. Visit https://Hillsdale.edu/MartiniNo missed calls, no missed customers with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months athttps://Openphone.com/3ml

Jim is back though Greg is gone for today's 3 Martini Lunch. In his stead is radio personality Craig Collins. Join Craig and Jim as Independence Day week kicks off with a good, a bad, and a crazy bit of news. The week begins with Canada rescinding their digital service tax in response to Mr. Trump's Truth Social post, North Caroline Senator Thom Tillis and Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon will not be seeking reelection, and a Gallup poll finds that pride in America is significantly down from last year. First, Craig and Jim are pleased that just two days after Trump declared on Truth Social that he was suspending trade talks with Canada over their digital services tax, Canada announces they're rescinding the tax. Jim argues this tax to be particularly unfair and discriminatory toward U.S. businesses. Craig notes how Trump has been following through on his threats, and Canada seems unwilling to test him on this. Next, they mourn the bad news that North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis AND Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon will not be seeking reelection. Because the Republican Party won by narrow margins in those states, Jim worries this may swing states blue making it a good week for the DSCC and DCCC.Last, they are aghast at the recent Gallup poll which shows pride in America to be down significantly from last year particularly among Democrats. Jim is amused that Democrats felt more pride in the country when President Biden was in office. Ultimately, Jim and Craig argue that pride in one's country should not be contingent upon who is in office. Please visit our great sponsors:No missed calls, no missed customers with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months athttps://Openphone.com/3mlIt’s free, online, and easy to start with no strings attached. Enroll in the American Foreign Policycourse FREE with Hillsdale College. Visit https://Hillsdale.edu/Martini

Ricochet Co-Founder Rob Long is in for Jim today. Join Rob and Greg for another round of the 3 Martini Lunch as they break down two major Supreme Court decisions, get Rob's thoughts as a longtime New York resident on the rise of Zohran Mamdani, and the one-year anniversary of the disastrous debate that ended Joe Biden's political career.First, they cheer a Supreme Court decision empowering parents to opt their children out of classroom instruction that promotes the LGBT agenda. The ruling affirms parental rights in education and sheds more light on activist agendas in public schools. Rob also offers a deal to teachers intent on pushing a progressive cultural agenda, but Greg isn't buying it. They also approve of the Supreme Court largely restraining federal district court judges from issuing orders that impact the entire nation.Next, Rob weighs in on New York City Democrats choosing Zohran Mamdani for mayor. As a longtime resident of the city, Rob says it's nothing new for voters there to choose "a crackpot, left-wing incompetent," but he is surprised they picked one so obvious. Rob explains how even parts of the Mamdani agenda would ruin the city and what his highest hopes for the next four years would be.Finally, they reflect upon the one-year anniversary of President Biden imploding any chances of re-election with his awful debate performance. Rob and Greg remember the most telling moments of the debate, the tumultuous aftermath, and how the White House and its media allies tried to cover up what more than two-thirds of Americans already knew. They also discuss the details of the Biden cover-up that we still need to know.Please visit our great sponsors:It’s free, online, and easy to start—no strings attached. Enroll in American Foreign Policy  with Hillsdale College. Visit https://Hillsdale.edu/MartiniFatty15 is on a mission to help you live healthier, longer.  Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to https://Fatty15.com/3ML and use code 3ML at checkout.