Topic: Midterms

The hosts discuss the upcoming midterm elections and dismiss fears of blackouts or world wars, advising listeners to stay grounded. Justin Proulx is granted the title "Certificate of Participation of the North Canyon Lake Hills." Sarah Heiney donates in honor of her husband Bobby's 45th birthday, expressing condolences to the hosts.

The Jeffrey Epstein scandal has resurfaced as a major theme in the 2026 midterm elections, with over 160 related ads aired at a cost of $35 million. Democrats are responsible for nearly 90% of these ads, targeting opponents in key Senate races in Georgia, Ohio, and Texas. The advertisements often focus on donors appearing in Epstein's files or alleged fumbles in the release of full investigative records.

Professor Zhang argues that the Democratic Party lacks a platform that appeals to average voters, focusing instead on subpoenas rather than policy. He suggests that if Democrats win both houses, they will likely become complicit in Trump's policies regarding Middle East escalation and AI bailouts due to the influence of Zionist and tech industry donors. This positioning could leave the party disadvantaged for the 2028 presidential election.

Former President Barack Obama released a video message urging Americans to get involved in the "most consequential" midterm elections in history. Obama's pitch focused on the concept of hope as a call to action rather than blind optimism, encouraging voters to support Democratic candidates. The hosts analyze the tone of the video, noting its laid-back presentation and questioning its authenticity in the age of AI.

Texas Senate candidate James Tallarico faced criticism from opponent Ken Paxton after canceling campaign events due to a flu diagnosis. Paxton and President Trump amplified rumors about Tallarico's absence, with Trump jokingly suggesting the candidate was sick from being forced to eat meat. Tallarico eventually re-emerged at the Austin City Limits music festival to dispel rumors and resume block-walking efforts.

Citizen journalist Charles Downs filmed a confrontation at a political rally where he was harassed by a protester calling him a "Nazi." The segment highlights the extreme vitriol and profanity present in modern political discourse. The hosts discuss the trend of labeling all political opponents as Nazis and the use of pre-printed "Impeach Trump" signs at midterm events.

The hosts debate the future of the Trump administration as it faces the 2026 midterms. Jason Calacanis predicts a "blue wave" due to public dissatisfaction with the war in Iran and persistent inflation. Adam Curry disagrees, suggesting Trump will remain focused on his agenda regardless of Congressional control, while Calacanis insists Americans have no tolerance for Middle Eastern regime change.

Jason Calacanis points to Polymarket data as a more accurate indicator of political trends than traditional polling. Current betting markets show a 61% chance of a Democratic sweep in the upcoming midterms. Calacanis argues that "the sharps" are betting against the Republicans due to economic headwinds and the ongoing conflict in Iran.

Critics like Heather Cox Richardson raise alarms over Elon Musk's $100 million investment in the midterm elections and his support for the website votesafe.org. They claim the site harvests personal data for political targeting. The hosts point out the hypocrisy of these claims, noting that mainstream platforms and Democratic organizations engage in similar data practices.

Jason Calacanis presents a "3x3" media analysis focusing on President Donald Trump's announcement of a deal to take control of 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil. Canadian Premier Doug Ford and Senator Ted Cruz offer differing perspectives on the geopolitical implications and the necessity of free elections in Venezuela. Curry argues the deal is a midterm ploy to lower gas prices despite the technical difficulty of processing heavy Venezuelan crude.

Adam Curry wraps up the interview with Jason Calacanis and plays a satirical summary of the Trump-Venezuela oil deal. The segment highlights the lack of a formal contract and the logistical hurdles of the 65-billion-barrel claim. It frames the announcement as a "midterm slogan" designed to distract from the lowest Strategic Petroleum Reserve levels in 44 years.

Adam Curry signs off from Rotterdam, announcing his next show on his birthday and a Wednesday appearance on "We Get To Do This" with Pastor Jimmy. The episode concludes with a "Just Baker" musical remix titled "Where's the Beef," which satirizes the geopolitical and economic implications of the Trump administration's beef import and oil deal announcements.

Nvidia has announced the acquisition of Hugging Face, potentially consolidating its control over the AI "full stack." The hosts debunk theories that China is behind the anti-data center movement in the U.S., characterizing the claims as midterm political maneuvering.

Adam Curry concludes the episode, noting that Congressional Dish will follow on the stream. He clarifies that the guest co-host format is not a "talent search" but a way to work with friends, and previews the upcoming Sunday show focused on further midterm election deconstruction.

President Donald Trump met with tech leaders at the White House to promote AI data centers as a source of jobs and tax revenue. Despite Trump's endorsement, a Gallup poll indicates that 70% of Americans oppose having data centers built in their local communities. The hosts analyze how this opposition is being framed as a top issue for the upcoming midterm elections.

ABC News reports that the Texas Senate race is now considered a toss-up by the Cook Political Report, partly due to local anger over data centers. The hosts discuss how private equity is offering homeowners in Northern Virginia millions of dollars to sell their properties for data center development. They view this as an opportunity for individuals to take money from firms like BlackRock and Vanguard.

President Donald Trump dismisses reports of food shortages on the USS Abraham Lincoln as "fake news" from CNN, asserting the ship will be replaced shortly. Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Kau issued a statement praising the resilience of the force and criticizing the media for portraying service members as victims. The hosts suggest the media coverage is a calculated effort to damage the administration's reputation ahead of the midterms.

Technology reporter Shira Ovide of *The Washington Post* analyzes how AI and data centers have become significant bipartisan issues in the upcoming midterm elections. While Democrats are more likely to propose government policies regarding AI, candidates in 45 states are addressing voter backlash against the "hulking computer complexes" appearing in their communities. The issue currently lacks hard party lines, with concerns spanning national security, the economy, and local land use.