About this episode
-- On the Show -- A weekend of mass violence spans a Brown University shooting, an antisemitic terror attack in Sydney, and the killing of Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner -- Sloppy circulation of misleading Jeffrey Epstein related images weakens real accountability by allowing Donald Trump and allies to dismiss verified evidence -- The Federal Reserve unanimously reappoints regional bank presidents early to protect institutional independence and blunt Donald Trump's influence over interest rates -- New NBC News polling shows Republican identification with MAGA slipping as economic frustration drives quiet disengagement ahead of the 2026 midterms -- Kevin Hassett reveals Donald Trump is shielded from bad economic data, leaving him detached from voter reality and worsening Republican electoral losses -- Donald Trump delivers a rambling Christmas event speech filled with delusions, distractions, and broken promises that leaves the audience visibly uncomfortable -- Donald Trump repeatedly falling asleep during official meetings raises unavoidable questions about stamina and fitness for future office -- Erika Kirk refuses to condemn Donald Trump's violent rhetoric during a heavily promoted town hall that collapses into incoherence and low viewership -- On the Bonus Show : Australia moves to strengthen gun laws after the Bondi Beach shooting, The Washington Post launches an AI-personalized podcast, a JetBlue flight narrowly avoids a collision with a US military aircraft near Venezuela, and much more... 🖼️ Aura Frames: Use code PAKMAN for $35 off Carver Mat frames at https://auraframes.com/pakman 🥐 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 (02:02) Weekend of mass violence (09:03) Misleading Epstein images circulate (17:56) Fed protects independence (23:28) GOP support slipping (29:56) Trump shielded from economic reality (37:21) Trump's rambling Christmas speech (46:40) Trump falling asleep in meetings (52:27) Erika Kirk avoids condemning rhetoric