3693 - Hegseth Faceplants; Rubio Targets DSA With McCarthyite Blacklists w/ Ken Klippenstein
episodePreviously titled “Hegseth Faceplants; Rubio Targets DSA With McCarthyite Blacklists w/ Ken Klippenstein” — renamed by the publisher on Aug 3, 2026
Transcript
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
It is Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026. My name is Emma Vigeland, in for Sam Seder, and this is the five-time award-winning Majority Report. We are broadcasting live steps from the industrially ravaged Gowanus Canal in the heartland of America, downtown Brooklyn, USA. On the program today, Ken Klippenstein, friend of the show, is back with us to talk about the State Department's renewal of McCarthyite blacklists to target left-wing groups. It's not good, folks. Last night, or also on the program... Last night, the House passed a $95 billion stopgap funding package, mostly for the Iran war and then relief for farmers because of the Iran war, but also some voter suppression funds. Once again, John Thune is resistant to using reconciliation again in the Senate.
We will see before the recess deadline at the end of the week. Later this afternoon, the House will vote on the NDAA, including a provision that would merge US and Israeli military cooperation. Call your representatives. We have the switchboard number down below. Trump vows to bomb bridges and power plants in Iran if they continue to fire on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. He also says he'll back Lebanon's skeleton government against Hezbollah. More evidence as to what Trita Parsi was telling us yesterday, that the U.S. and Israel want to spark a Lebanese civil war. Newkirk falls short in Arizona, but the House Democrats' chosen candidate in the first district looks poised to lose the third DCCC loss this cycle.
On the Republican side, Trump dominates again. An election denier from Sidney Powell's crack legal team wins the nomination for Secretary of State in Arizona. And the former Freedom Caucus chair, Andy Biggs, will face off against Hobbs in the gubernatorial race. Trump's super PAC has spent less than 1% of the $400 million it's raised on helping Republican candidates. You know, they're more focused on the operating expenses side. The salary part of the operating expenses is what my guess would be.
Maxing out my airplane to go campaign.
Although this might be even a smarter strategy than the Democrats were burning their cash to defeat progressives. So maybe we shouldn't get so high and mighty. Trump says he'll freeze more than a billion dollars in federal Medicaid payments to Minnesota and California. The administration's attacks on HIV prevention has caused the closure of 1,700 treatment sites. Mamdani announces he's hiring Lina Khan to lead the New York City Economic Development Agency. And lastly, Human Rights Watch urges Congress to investigate the growing U.S.-Ecuador military partnership, alleging torture, disappearances and illegal drone strikes. All this and more on today's majority report. Welcome to the show, everybody.
It's hump day. As a reminder, yes, you got to just take my word for it. Sam is still alive. He will be back. Not this week and probably not next week. But the week after is what looks extremely likely, right? That's what we're saying right now. That is grandma. That is so grandma. It's more like that is grandpa when he comes back. Oh, whoa. I shouldn't have said that. I've been really building up some goodwill here with the amount I'm filling in for my eventual takeover. He is not the host.
You are the host.
I am the host. I am the host now.
I don't consider you to be my mate. You are not a majority reporter.
The way that your voice can get to that place. I've been corrected by many people in the audience, by the way, because I've been saying Harvey Firestone the whole time. It's Steen. Steen. But Brian, you could do a Dead Ringer voice for Harvey Firesteen. David, call your mother.
You are not a New Yorker. You have no clue.
You've got no clue. We'll be talking about Zoran Mamdani and a video he released about Benjamin Netanyahu in just a second. But yesterday. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and the Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Kaine went to the Senate Appropriations Committee to beg for more money for the administration's criminal war on Iran.
On the obliterated Iran.
Right. The the they need more money.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–22:36
2
What is the Senate Appropriations hearing about Pete Hegseth and why did it become a viral moment?
22:36–28:25
3
How much is the White House requesting for the Iran war and what are the budgetary concerns?
28:25–46:41
4
What political and economic fallout is the Iran war causing for Democrats and voters?
46:41–55:39
5
How did Senators Gary Peters and Jack Reed publicly challenge Hegseth's handling of the Iran conflict?
55:39–1:13:07
Speakers
8 identifiedMore from The Majority Report with Sam Seder
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2735 - Paramount Settlement Sparks Outrage; The Forensics Of Israel's Genocide w/ Eyal Weizman
2734 - Republicans Are Losing Ground in Deep-Red States w/ David Dayen
2733 - Republicans Squirm Ahead Of Midterms; Tech Workers Rebelling w/ JS Tan, Clarissa Redwine