3 Martini Lunch

Presidential historian and Ronald Reagan Institute Senior Fellow Tevi Troy is in for Jim today. Join Tevi and Greg as they break down the U.S. bombings of three Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday, the possible responses from Iran and the Trump administration's various comments about regime change, and the weird leftist condemnations of the strikes.First, they highlight the exceptional performance of the B-2 Bomber pilots, the lengthy and complex mission, and the airtight operational security, which may have been achieved by not telling any Democrats about the mission until after it happened. They also highlight how President Trump deftly pushed for a diplomatic solution, ramped up the tough talk, seemed to grant a two-week reprieve and then successfully surprises everyone with the timing of the strikes.Next, they contemplate what will come next - both from Iran and the United States. Will Iran close the Straits of Hormuz, focus on U.S. military bases in the region like today in Qatar, unleash sleeper cells in the U.S., or prioritize cyberterrorism? They also weigh in on Vice President Vance saying the U.S. does not have a goal of regime change in Iran while Trump openly suggests it on social media.Finally, they react to some of the most unhinged reactions to the bombings in Iran. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez thinks Trump's actions are impeachable. Obama administration figure Tommy Vietor says any deadly response from Iran will be because we started it. And even the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office condemned the bombings.Please visit our great sponsors:It’s free, online, and easy to start—no strings attached. Enroll in Understanding Capitalism with Hillsdale College. Visit https://Hillsdale.edu/MartiniTalk it out with Betterhelp. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://BetterHelp.com/3MLFatty15 is on a mission to help you live healthier, longer.  Get an additional 15% off their 90-daysubscription Starter Kit by going to https://Fatty15.com/3ML and use code 3ML at checkout.

Join Jim and Greg for the Friday 3 Martini Lunch as they dig into reports of immense frustration and fingerpointing among Democrats more than seven months after the election, whether there's any likelihood of a meaningful nuclear deal with Iran over the next two weeks, and the very disturbing impact artificial intelligence is already having on our brains and relationships.First, they pop the popcorn as Democrats are openly venting about Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin's weak leadership and how the party still resembles a circular firing squad long after President Trump's win in November. Polling also shows intense disapproval among Democrats for party leaders overall. Next, as President Trump gives Iran two weeks to make a concrete deal to give up its nuclear program, Jim examines whether there's any real expectation that Iran would ever agree to something the U.S. would find acceptable. They also discuss Iran's use of more sophisticated missiles in attacking Israel and how the Iron Dome is having a tougher time taking them out.Finally, they shudder at the negative impact artificial intelligence is having on our lives. An MIT study of ChatGPT on 54 student brains over four months shows a significant drop in neural connectivity or brain processing power. They also highlight how people are developing intense personal "relationships" with their AI at the cost of developing bonds with actual human beings.Please visit our great sponsors:No missed calls, no missed customers with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at https://Openphone.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.

It's National Martini Day! So join Jim and Greg for Thursday's 3 Martini Lunch as they look at Israel's ingenious plan to kill many top Iranian military figures as the airstrikes began last week. They also consider President Trump's final push for a nuclear deal with Iran, and Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost openly admitting he wants amnesty and citizenship for every illegal immigrant.First, they break down how Israel’s Mossad cleverly exploited Iranian communications to lure top commanders into the same bunker and then made that the first target of the bombing campaign. Jim and Greg can’t help but limagine the generals questioning who called the meeting moments before the explosion. Jim says this also confirms his long-standing loathing of in-person meetings.Next, they react to President Trump and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff trying the diplomatic route one more time to get Iran to abandon it's nuclear weapons ambitions. Jim has been less than impressed with Witkoff's performance in the Middle East and Russia so far. He also says it's clear Trump is doing everything he can to avoid a full-scale war with Iran.Finally, they react to Rep. Frost’s openly radical proposal to solve illegal immigration by simply granting amnesty and citizenship to everyone here unlawfully. Jim and Greg dissect the political and national security consequences, with Jim arguing this reflects Democrats’ ongoing delusion that Americans support their policies but just need them explained better.Finally, they cringe at the absurd but honest call from Rep. Frost to end the problem of illegal immigrants by quickly legalizing them and making them citizens. Amnesty would not only reward the existing lawbreakers but attract many more people to come here illegally. Jim says this is also evidence that many Dems convinced themselves of the delusion that Americans really do love their policies and they only need to communicate them better. Please visit our great sponsors:No missed calls, no missed customers with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at https://Openphone.com/3mlIf I needed to find a doctor quickly, Zocdoc is what I’d use. Stop putting off those doctor’s appointments and head to https://zocdoc.com/3ML to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.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.

Join Jim and Greg for the Wednesday edition of the 3 Martini Lunch as they react to President Trump's cryptic yet playful comments on Iran, break down a major Supreme Court ruling on transgender procedures for minors, and shake their heads at yet another Democrat staging a protest for attention over ICE operations First, they get a kick out of President Trump having fun with a reporter's question about what might come next with Iran and adding, "I may do it. I may may not do it." Jim also wonders whether Trump's tough talk is just a smokescreen while Israel finishes the job at the nuclear sites.Next, they applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Tennessee’s law banning transgender surgeries, puberty blockers, and related treatments for minors. Jim says there needs to be a distinction between minors and adults on this issue. They also point out that most kids dealing with gender dysphoria end up embracing the way they were made while the surgeries and drugs are irreversible. Finally, they mock the latest political stunt involving a Democrat getting detained for interfering with ICE operations—this time New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who also happens to be a mayoral candidate with a primary next week. Jim fears this tactic may become a Democratic litmus test in 2026.  And they both have fun imagining a more organized way for Dems to carry out their publicity stunts.Please visit our great sponsors:No missed calls, no missed customers with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at https://Openphone.com/3mlIf I needed to find a doctor quickly, Zocdoc is what I’d use. Stop putting off those doctor’s appointments and head to https://zocdoc.com/3ML to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.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.

Join Jim and Greg for this Tuesday 3 Martini Lunch as they examine President Trump's intensifying pressure on Iran, the curious absence of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard from a key national security meeting prior to recent Israeli military action, and what Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass inadvertently revealed during her comments about immigrants in LA.First, they discuss President Trump's choice to cut his visit to the G7 summit unexpectedly short. Afterward, he issued several social media posts putting Iran's feet to the fire. They discuss Trump's consistency on refusing to allow Iran to have nuclear weapons and consider precisely what assistance he's willing to provide to Israel.Next, they wonder why Tulsi Gabbard did not attend the recent national security meeting at Camp David just days before Israel launched pre-emptive strikes inside Iran. Was she not invited? Did she choose not to come? And does this explain her cryptic video about being on the brink of nuclear annihilation just days later?Finally, they shake their heads again as Mayor Bass says much of the city's economy would suffer without immigrants. Of course, she won't distinguish between legal and illegal immigrants. She reveals the stark truth that California's economy functions on the backs of exploited illegal immigrants, leaving Jim and Greg to wonder how anyone could support her as mayor.Please visit our great sponsors. No missed calls, no missed customers with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at https://Openphone.com/3mlIf I needed to find a doctor quickly, Zocdoc is what I’d use. Stop putting off those doctor’s appointments and head to https://zocdoc.com/3ML to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.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.

Join Jim and Greg for the Monday edition of the 3 Martini Lunch as they assess Israel's military successes and Iran's desperate call for a ceasefire. They are also astounded at the New York Times' use of free market arguments in their plea for voters to reject Zohran Mamdani's mayoral bid. Additionally, they are horrified at the murder of one lawmaker in Minnesota and the serious wounding of another.First, Jim and Greg highlight Israel's dominance in the skies over Iran, eliminating more high-ranking officials and hitting strategic targets. While the Iron Dome has proven effective, a few Iranian missiles have broken through, causing Israeli casualties. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports that Iran is begging for a ceasefire—one Israel appears unlikely to entertain.Next, they're stunned that the New York Times is urging NYC residents to reject Zohran Mamdani for mayor, especially as they rip Mamdani's socialist calls for rent control and government-run grocery stores. The NYT editorial board also blasts Mamdani for calling Bill de Blasio the best New York City mayor in his lifetime. But will this make any difference? Would Andrew Cuomo be any better? And why is the Times really doing this?Finally, they react to the horrific shootings of two Minnesota state lawmakers on Saturday morning by a man impersonating a police officer. Former State House Speaker Melissa Hortman was murdered, along with her husband. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were severely wounded. Information about the shooter does not paint a consistent political ideology, but Jim and Greg are grateful he is now in custody.Please visit our great sponsors:No missed calls, no missed customers with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at https://Openphone.com/3mlIf I needed to find a doctor quickly, Zocdoc is what I’d use. Stop putting off those doctor’s appointments and head to https://zocdoc.com/3ML to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.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.

Join Jim and Greg for Friday’s 3 Martini Lunch as they assess Israel’s bold strikes on Iran’s nuclear program and how President Trump and the U.S. are navigating this conflict. They also weigh in on the controversy surrounding California Sen. Alex Padilla being handcuffed after interrupting a Homeland Security press conference in Los Angeles.First, they lay out what we know about Israel's attacks against Iranian nuclear sites, air defenses, and top military personnel. Jim points out that every president since George W. Bush has stated Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon and the Israelis clearly believe they could not wait any longer. They also marvel at the depths which the Mossad infiltrated Iran to help carry out the attacks.Next, they examine the U.S. response to the strikes. While initial American statements distanced the U.S. from involvement, President Trump voiced strong support for Israel and warned Iran to return to nuclear negotiations. However, Iran now claims it is abandoning those talks altogether.Finally, they break down the confrontation between DHS Sec. Kristi Noem and California Sen. Alex Padilla. Sen. Padilla interrupted Noem to shout questions. It was only after Secret Service and FBI began restraining him that Padilla identified himself as a U.S. senator. He was eventually handcuffed but quickly released when his identity was confirmed. Jim and Greg agree that Padilla's approach shows he wanted to create a spectacle. Jim also marvels that no one - even in LA - seemed to know what Sen. Padilla looks like.Please visit our great sponsors:Talk it out with Betterhelp. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://BetterHelp.com/3MLRight now, with zero commitment, try OCI for free.  Go to https://Oracle.com/MARTINIIt’s free, online, and easy to start—no strings attached. Enroll in Understanding Capitalism with Hillsdale College. Visit https://hillsdale.edu/Martini

Join Jim and Greg for Thursday's 3 Martini Lunch as they break down the money trail that might explain Gov. Newsom's reluctance to confront the LA rioters, whether the evacuation of some U.S. personnel and their families means we're on the brink of major conflict in the Middle East, and the staggering incompetence of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.First, they dig into reports suggesting California Gov. Gavin Newsom was uninterested in maintaining order during the recent LA riots because the group sponsoring the protest, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, contributed nearly half a million dollars and a lot of manpower to help him survive the 2021 recall.Next, they wonder how to interpret the State Department's decision to remove some U.S. personnel and their dependents from Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Are we on the brink of conflict over Iran's nuclear program or is this simply a move to pressure Iran to accept the U.S. nuclear deal?Finally, they head back to Los Angeles as Mayor Karen Bass continues to ooze incompetence. And she is still blaming the rioting, the looting, and the property destruction on President Trump and his followers. Jim explains how Bass has now badly failed two big tests over the past six months and reminds us that Bass was on Joe Biden's short list for a running mate in 2020.Please visit our great sponsors:Talk it out with Betterhelp. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://BetterHelp.com/3MLRight now, with zero commitment, try OCI for free.  Go to https://Oracle.com/MARTINIIt’s free, online, and easy to start—no strings attached. Enroll in Understanding Capitalism with Hillsdale College. Visit https://hillsdale.edu/Martini

Join Jim and Greg for the Wednesday edition of the 3 Martini Lunch where they bemoan the lack of 'serious people' in prominent positions. Those people include Terri Moran whose savage X post cost him his job at ABC, DNI director Tulsi Gabbard, who seems tired of being in the background, and Tennessee Rep. Mark Green who has the audacity to resign his position for an alleged business venture in Guyana. First, they laugh over Terry Moran's vitriolic X post, claiming Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and President Trump to be 'world class haters' and find nourishment by "eating their hate." Quite possibly the result of an evening of booze, this post could have been explained away with a simple apology, but Moran refuses to recant. Jim wonders if ABC is grateful for a reason to oust a boring reporter that costs them half a million dollars a year. Next, they dissect Tulsi Gabbard’s dramatic YouTube warning about nuclear war. Gabbard insists we’re closer than ever to nuclear annihilation, apparently forgetting the Cold War and Cuban Missile Crisis. Jim is skeptical, especially considering the recent war in Ukraine and Russia where nuclear weapons have not yet been used. He also says that Gabbard has a direct link to speak with the president about such concerns, so speaking out publicly suggests she is bored of working behind the scenes. Last, they are aghast at the resignation of Tennessee Rep. Mark Green for the sake of a private sector opportunity. Greg is enraged by any public official who would leave office for any reason other than health and family reasons or scandal. Green leaving for an elusive business venture in Guyana of all places has both Jim and Greg immensely irritated. Please visit our great sponsors:Talk it out with Betterhelp. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://BetterHelp.com/3MLRight now, with zero commitment, try OCI for free.  Go to https://Oracle.com/MARTINIIt’s free, online, and easy to start—no strings attached. Enroll in Understanding Capitalism with Hillsdale College. Visit https://hillsdale.edu/Martini

Inez Stepman of the Independent Women’s Forum fills in for Jim today on 3 Martini Lunch. Join Inez and Greg as they review a CNN poll showing immigrant voters shifting significantly to the GOP, address the clear organization present in the LA riots, and ponder the effects of Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley’s call for a minimum wage hike. First, Inez and Greg analyze new CNN polling that shows a dramatic 40-point swing toward Republican immigration policies among legal immigrant voters over the past four years. Inez adamantly presents the recent situation with the LA riots as a prime example of why people do not trust leftist immigration policy. Next, they examine the LA riots as a return to coordinated, violent left-wing activism. Inez also explains the distorted logic behind the rioters waving Mexican flags. And they marvel at how many people on the left and beyond openly admit they don't want federal immigration laws enforced.Finally, they unpack Sen. Josh Hawley’s proposal to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour through his "Higher Wages for American Workers Act." Greg argues the plan ignores basic economic principles, while Inez notes many employers already offer similar wages. She says the real danger lies in Hawley’s support for the PRO Act, which could reduce flexibility for freelancers and remote workers.Check out our great sponsors:Talk it out with Betterhelp. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://BetterHelp.com/3MLRight now, with zero commitment, try OCI for free.  Go to https://Oracle.com/MARTINIIt’s free, online, and easy to start—no strings attached. Enroll in Understanding Capitalism with Hillsdale College. Visit https://hillsdale.edu/Martini