The Banter Roundtable Podcast

There are a couple of serious geopolitical analysts I follow to make sense of the ever shifting power dynamics of global politics, and Pyotr Kurzin is one of them. The London based journalist has a fantastic Youtube channel called the Global Gambit, and has recently started a rapidly growing Substack newsletter. You can subscribe here: I spoke to Pyotr about Trump’s foreign policy and what it actually represents beneath the slogans — whether it’s isolationism, transactional nationalism, or a deeper shift in how American power is exercised. We unpacked the logic behind unpredictability as strategy, the treatment of alliances as leverage rather than institutions, the use of tariffs and trade as geopolitical tools, and the long-term consequences for Europe, China, Russia, and the global order itself. Enjoy! If you enjoy what we do here at The Banter, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. We rely entirely on our readers to fund us, so your contribution helps enormously. You’ll also get access to all members only content and exclusive chat threads. Join today!: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

A quick note to Banter readers: I’m making this video free because I think it’s a super important topic. If you’re not a video person here’s a lightly edited transcript: by Ben Cohen I wanted to talk a bit today about the attacks on the Jewish synagogue in Manchester, because we have a big anti-Semitism problem in the UK. Is this a problem about Islam? Is it a problem about the Israel–Gaza war? This is a complicated topic — really, really complicated.I’d really like to get some feedback from everybody watching, and all Banter listeners and readers.So what do we know about the anti-Semitic attacks thus far? This is from CNN:At least two Jewish worshippers were killed and several others injured in a car ramming and stabbing attack outside the synagogue in the English city of Manchester on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year. Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer flew back early to the UK from Denmark to chair an emergency meeting, condemned the attack, and warned that hatred is rising once again and Britain must defeat it once again.He used his address to reassure Britain’s Jewish community and vowed to do everything in his power to guarantee their security, starting with a “more visible police presence protecting your community.” UK authorities announced heightened security measures at synagogues across the country after police declared a terrorist incident against the backdrop of rising anti-Semitism and other forms of religious hatred worldwide following the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks and Israel’s war in Gaza.The framing of this is extremely interesting. A lot of people were saying they blame Benjamin Netanyahu for attacks on synagogues and attacks on Jews. And I can understand that, I really can.I think Benjamin Netanyahu is a terrible, terrible human being who has done more to inflame tensions in the Middle East than almost anyone outside of Hamas, obviously, and Iran. He’s a despicable person, and I can’t wait for him to go. He should be in prison on corruption charges.But I want to express some concern I have about blaming Netanyahu — or blaming Israel — for attacks on Jews worldwide. This is something Jews have had to swallow for years. The fact is that anti-Semitism spiked, particularly in the UK, after October 7. This was after Israel was attacked and before the Israeli government had declared war on Hamas. Anti-Semitism spiked to a ludicrous degree.Jewish schools and synagogues in the UK do active-shooter drills. English kids don’t — because there aren’t many guns in the UK — but Jewish kids do, because of fundamentalist Islamic extremists and their threats against synagogues. There is some anti-Semitism from the far right too, but it’s less so. Way less than from fundamentalist Muslims. That needs to be spoken about.Not subscribed to The Banter? Get the best political analysis on the interwebs: Look, being Islamophobic is terrible. I have a lot of Muslim friends in the UK and I don’t like seeing them discriminated against. But there is a serious problem with fundamentalist Islam, extremist Islam, in the UK, and the UK government has not dealt with this at all.Two people have been killed in a synagogue. And the statistics are staggering. From the BBC: reports of anti-Semitic incidents in the UK in the first half of 2024 reached another record high, according to a Jewish security charity. From January to June 2024, there were 1,978 anti-Jewish hate incidents. No other minority has to put up with this. None.If you think it’s about the war in Gaza, then where are all the attacks on Russians? Where are the mass killings of Russians in the diaspora? Are they being shot in the streets like the two Israeli embassy members in Washington, D.C.? Do Russian places of worship have to do active-shooter drills? I don’t think so. But the Jews do.This is my issue with holding Jews accountable worldwide for what the Israeli government is doing. I know about this firsthand. My uncle, for a long time, did security in synagogues in North London because of constant death threats and security threats. A lot of it stems from the assumption that all Jews are responsible for Israel, which they are not.As somebody of Jewish heritage, I find this pretty scary. Really scary. I get death threats. People send me horrific anti-Semitic messages — people saying they wish my kids were dead. I had to pull my kids out of school on the “Day of Vengeance” after Israel launched its war in Gaza. Most Jews I know are just scared. They don’t condone what’s going on in Israel. They hate Netanyahu. I don’t know a single Jew who thinks he’s good for Israel or for the world. Most think he should be in prison.Yet Jews pay the price whenever Israel acts. That’s not fair, and that’s a double standard other minorities don’t face. This speaks to the innate anti-Semitism that exists worldwide. I’ve experienced it directly — even playing online chess with people from Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia. They send me anti-Semitic abuse just because of my last name.I know the left thinks these attacks are about Zionism, about Israel. But maybe it’s just about anti-Semitism. Maybe it’s been normalized to the point where people excuse it by saying it’s about Zionism. It’s not. The casual anti-Semitism I’ve seen recently is shocking.I even watched a video of a famous UK boxer making a casual anti-Semitic “joke” about money — and nobody blinked. On the left, this is normalized.This is why I don’t spend much time speaking out about Israel. I care about what Israel is doing to Palestinians — I think it’s terrible. But Jews already have enough problems with anti-Semitism.And why is everyone more focused on Israel than, say, the Uyghurs in China? Or the civil war in Sudan? There are deadly conflicts all over the world. But as they say: if there are no Jews, there’s no news.Is this going to get better? I don’t think so. There’s a peace proposal happening in Israel right now, but will it go through? Doubtful. Netanyahu isn’t interested in peace. The longer the war goes on, the more he’s protected from criminal trial. He has a vested interest in keeping it going.Again, no love here for Netanyahu or his government. But why do Jews in Manchester have to be murdered for this?Why does the left struggle so much to confront fundamentalist Islam and Islamic terrorism? I think it comes from identity politics: Muslims are seen as “brown people” and Jews as “white people.” Therefore, Jews must be oppressors, Muslims oppressed. It’s reductive and stupid.The left tries to force the Israeli–Palestinian crisis through the lens of colonizer vs colonized, oppressor vs oppressed. It’s not a great way of looking at it. I’ve written about this before and I’ll do more. I may even bring in contributors for a Substack Live to expand on it.But let me know what you think. I’ll post this to The Banter and would really appreciate your comments.If you are enjoying The Banter, get 50% off a Membership today. We rely on readers to keep us going and your support is hugely appreciated! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In Justin’s final appearance on the podcast we discuss ABC caving to Trump who now plans on suing every media outlet into submission. Also: Elon Musk yanks Trump’s leash and orders a government shutdown, and why are people paying attention to what Trump says? We have ‘The Backstabbing Sellouts of the Week’, and then ‘The Last Ray of Sunshine!’. For Banter Members: The Emergency Meeting Podcast: Justin’s Best Work In The Emergency Meeting Podcast we discuss some Justin’s best work on The Banter. From going after the alt left to the shocking story of his childhood, Justin has poured his heart into The Banter for almost a decade. His work has been integral to our success and it will be very sad to see him go. This is the last episode of The Emergency Meeting before we reveal a new Banter podcast for next year! To listen, get 30 days free on a Banter Membership and go here: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: the coup in Syria - a bad day for Russia and a potentially good day for the Middle East? Christopher Wray obeys in advance. What does this means for the rule of law in Trump’s America? Also: Pete Hegseth is still in contention to be secretary of defense. Then we have “The stupidest thing you will hear all week” segment followed by our “Sunshine of the Week” story! For Banter Members: The Emergency Meeting: Horrors Stories in PublishingIn today’s Emergency Meeting podcast Ben and Justin reveal ‘horror stories in publishing’. We discuss how Justin helped build a monster (inadvertently), Ben’s time writing for a very scummy boxing promoter, and the time he lost all of his work for a major news organization and nearly got into an altercation with a professional fighter just hours before the deadline! Listen here and get 50% off a Banter Membership!: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: we have South Korea’s bizarre attempted auto-coup, the epic Hunter Biden pardon freakout, and then Kash Patel’s insane nomination to run the FBI. Also, Pete Hegseth’s nomination is in real trouble, but Trump’s alternative could be worse? Listen on Substack or on iTunes/Spotify! For Banter Members: Is Shooting Health Insurance Executives Ever Justified?America’s healthcare system is broken beyond repair, and with the public execution of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson this week, it is now clear the public has had enough. But are insurance executives the real enemy, or just part of a broken system? Can we take our anger out on random executives? We have very different takes on this, so it’s really a “Good Ben, Bad Justin of the Week” segment. Join us for a highly controversial members podcast!Listen here and get 30 days on a Banter Membership free!: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In today's episode of The Banter Roundtable podcast, I spoke to Democratic strategist Julie Roginsky. A veteran political consultant with over two decades of experience, Julie has emerged as a compelling voice in Democratic circles for her candid analysis of party strategy. She recently gained widespread attention after her appearance on CNN, where her frank assessment of Democratic messaging sent shockwaves through the party. I had a fascinating conversation with Julie, covering all the sensitive topics she believes Democrats are avoiding, and why the party desperately needs to talk with voters, rather than to them. You can follow Julie on Substack here, and on Bluesky here. For Banter Members: Emergency Meeting: Trouble in Trump WorldIn this special episode of The Emergency Meeting we talk trouble in Trump world. Trump hasn’t taken office yet, but his insane administration picks are facing enormous challenges, and his team are beginning to turn on each other. We dig into the sordid histories of Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth, and look at some of the other bonkers candidates Trump wants to run the country (here’s looking at you Elon Musk).Listen to this episode and get 30 days free trial on a Banter Membership: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: We talk about the ludicrous picks Trump has made for his cabinet. What will the consequences will be? Also, how big is Trump’s mandate? Not big, despite his bragging about it. Also, we discuss the MAGA legal theory that will strip millions of US citizens, including children, of their citizenship. In these dark times, we have a ‘Ray of Pure Comedy Gold’ involving psychotic madman Alex Jones. Listen now!For Banter Members: The Emergency Meeting: Should Democrats Let Trump Go Wild? In The Emergency Meeting we debate letting Trump go wild in the White House. Should America be made to feel the consequences of electing a fascist lunatic, or should Democrats expend time and energy protecting them from their tragic mistake? Listen here! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In this special episode of The Banter Roundtable Podcast, we talk to prolific progressive author and radio host Thom Hartmann about what went wrong for the Democrats. Why did Trump beat Harris so easily? What role did Joe Biden play, and why did working class Americans abandon Democrats? Thom’s insights into the election are fascinating and his advice to liberals reeling from the election is invaluable. If you would like to support The Banter please consider becoming a member. Members get access to all premium articles, The Emergency Meeting podcast, and all member chat threads. You can get 50% off a membership here: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In this very special episode of The Banter Roundtable Podcast, we have a secret guest on to discuss the state of the 2024 election! In the show we talk about Kamala Harris’ enormous rally on the Ellipse, Trump’s fascist rally in NYC, and the panic in MAGA land where Trump supporters have been arrested for the very things they are accusing Democrats of. Who is going to win the election, and are the polls right about it being close? You definitely don’t want to miss this one!For Banter Members: NOTE: All proceeds from Banter Membership sales will go directly to the Harris/Walz campaign!The GOP Plot to Steal the Election is Happening Right NowIn The Emergency Meeting Podcast, the Banter crew (including our secret guest!) break down the Republicans ongoing attempts to subvert the democratic process and steal the election. Republicans are now claiming there tens of thousands of illegal votes (only in swing states of course), and plan not to certify legitimate results. Will their plans work, and what are Democrats doing about it? Listen here: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: Trump loves Nazis and his former chief of staff called him a fascist. Now the media is finally willing to use the f-word! LA Times won’t endorse Kamala Harris, because a South African billionaire thinks fascism is ok. We have our super creepy fascist of the week Tucker Carlson in one of his weirdest, most deranged monologues yet, then we have ‘Ben’s Belly Laugh of the Week’: Russell Brand’s Magic Amulet! For Banter Members: The Emergency Meeting: The Polling ApocalypseIn the Emergency Meeting we do a deep dive on the polls. Is there any reason to believe Trump is “surging” in the polls? Where does the race really stand today? We discuss why polls are insane, and probably shouldn’t be taken seriously. Also what can Democrats do to stop freaking out and get Kamala Harris elected? Listen to The Emergency Meeting Podcast and get 50% off a Banter Membership today. NOTE: The Banter will donate ALL proceeds from Banter Memberships sold to the Harriz/Waltz campaign: Listen to the podcast here: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: Trump is in the middle of a full Nazi meltdown, but the press isn’t holding him to account. Also, what exactly happened at Trump’s “music concert”? Republicans flood the zone with bullshit polls. Who is actually winning the race? We have out ‘Shameless Propagandist of the Week’ Ron DeSantis and then finally ‘Sunshine Story of the Week’: Bob Woodward’s extraordinary account of Joe Biden’s efforts to prevent World War III and calm tensions in the Middle East. No Emergency Meeting Podcast today, but we’ll be back next week!If you are enjoying The Banter and would like to support us, please consider purchasing a paid membership. Banter Members get access to all premium articles, The Emergency Meeting Podcast, and exclusive member chat threads. You can get 50% off here: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: Donald Trump and Elon Musk are sabotaging hurricane relief efforts for political gain. Trump gave Putin Covid tests while Americans were dying, Republicans on the Court double down on cruelty to women, we have our ‘Grifting Scumbag of the Year’ and finally our ‘Sunshine Story of the Week’ featuring the Billion Dollar Baby Kamala Harris! For Banter Members: The Tucker Carlson PSYOPIn the Emergency Meeting Podcast for members, we listen to truly shocking audio of the former Fox News presenter spreading conspiracy theories and whipping up racial resentment. Why is Carlson prepping MAGAland for violence in November while pretending to be a ‘meek and mild’ Christian who cares about his country? To listen to The Emergency Meeting Podcast, get 50% off a Banter Membership and go here!: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: we talk about the vice presidential debate. Who won? Did it matter? Is JD Vance a sociopath? Also on the show: Judge Tanya Chutkan and special Counsel Jack Smith give the corrupt Republicans of the Supreme Court a giant middle finger, we talk Israel’s execution of Hasran Nasrallah and the new war in Lebanon. What does this mean for the region, and is Israel justified? For Banter Members: The Emergency Meeting: Patriotic Prayers With Russell Brand and Matt Taibbi!In the Emergency Meeting we talk Matt Taibbi, Russell Brand, Jordan Peterson and the “Rescue the Republic” conspiracy theory shit show in Washington DC last week. Why was Matt Taibbi at a show filled with antivaxxers and extremists? What was Russell Brand doing there praying with Jordan Peterson? We look at the weird world of Alt extremism, and the reality they have constructed to justify their apocalyptic warnings about the Democratic Party. Listen here and get 50% off a Banter Membership!: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: Harris quadruples Trump’s fundraising in August, we do a polling deep dive, Trump is strangling House races, and there is no government shutdown. Then we have our “White Nationalist of the Week” and our “Sunshine of the Day” involving the IRS? We then head into the Emergency Meeting where we talk about the politics of the death penalty, and why it matters if Trump gets elected. For Banter Members: The Emergency Meeting: The Politics of the Death Penalty In The Emergency Meeting Podcast, we talk about the politics of the death penalty. Last week, five people were put to death in America, which is still the only Western democracy where the state has the right to execute its citizens. Why is Donald Trump for it, and Kamala Harris against it? Also, why is Harris not speaking about her position before the election? We discuss this hot button topic and explain our own controversial positions on whether the state should have the right to kill people. To listen to The Emergency Meeting Podcast or read the transcript, get 50% off a Banter Membership and go here! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: We talk the latest assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the new Republican government shut down, and then the consequences of the Supreme Court’s abortion ban. Also, we look at the latest polls, discuss our “Racist of the Week”, before ending with an amazing “Sunshine of the Week” story of Jill Stein being destroyed by Medhi Hassan! For Banter Members: The Emergency Meeting: Trump’s Crypto Scam (But is Crypto a Scam?)In the emergency meeting, we talk Trump latest crypto scam. Does Trump actually know anything about blockchains, and why does he keep talking about electricity? We then get into a furious debate about whether crypto is legit or not. Ben disagrees with Justin on this, so be prepared for an entertaining debate! To listen, get 50% off a Banter Membership and go here!: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In this special episode of The Banter Roundtable Podcast, Ben and Justin do a deep dive on what was one of the most impressive debate performances in modern history. How exactly did Kamala Harris take Donald Trump apart last week, and what made her strategy so ruthlessly effective? We look at the post debate polls, look at the media reaction, and discuss what the aftermath of the drubbing means for the race. For Banter Members: RFK Jr’s True BelieversCharles Eisenstein is Bobby Kennedy's 'spiritual guru'. Like Kennedy, he is now supporting Donald Trump. In The Emergency Meeting Podcast, we do a deep dive on Charles Eisenstein, RFK Jr’s senior campaign advisor and ‘spiritual guru’. Eisenstein published a huge essay on his Substack last week justifying his support for Donald Trump after his candidate dropped out. Why have these “progressives” seamlessly moved from Kennedy to extreme right wing figure like Trump? Do conspiracy theories about the Democrats play a role, or do they believe that Trump is really a good guy with a bad reputation? To listen or read the transcript, go here and get 50% off a Banter Membership! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

And we’re back!! In the show today: Tucker Carlson shills for Nazis, Trump is still missing in action, and RFK Jr. is frantic to stop ratfucking Trump (and it’s not going well). We have our “Useful Idiots of The Week” segment, and a bleak but very encouraging Ray of Sunshine”!Listen to The Emergency Meeting Podcast For Banter Members and get 50% off a Banter Membership!: The Ultimate Poll BreakdownWe tell you all you need to know about the 2024 presidential campaign.In The Emergency Meeting Podcast, Ben and Justin break down the latest polls. We talk national polls, statewide polls, and what the Electoral College map looks like. Does either candidate have an advantage in the swing states, and how do we think the election will play out as of today? We also talk about the Trump and Harris campaign’s infrastructure — does one have an advantage over the other? If you are struggling to understand what it all means, we are here to help!Listen here and get 50% off today! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: We do an EPIC breakdown of Elon Musk’s podcast with Donald Trump, we talk about the co-author of Project 2025 caught on hidden camera being a lying fascist, we discuss Trump’s emails and the press refusing to publish them, and then we vent on the press some more! We also have our ‘Grifter of the Week’, and then finally our ‘Sunshine Story’ of the week featuring one of the craziest geopolitical events in recent history! For Banter Members: The Emergency Meeting: The Implosion of the Trump CampaignIn The Emergency Meeting, we talk about the spectacular implosion of the Trump campaign. What is going on in Trump world, why is the ex-president melting down over Kamala Harris, and just how bad are the polls? No one expected it to get this bad, this quickly, and Trump does not have much time to turn things around. To listen to this podcast or read the transcript, get 50% off a Banter Membership and go here! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today we talk Tim Walz and his meteoric rise to fame. Did anyone know who the governor from Minnesota was before Kamala Harris picked him for her running mate? Why did Harris pick him over Josh Shapiro? Furthermor, who is Tim Walz, what does he stand for, and why is his presence freaking Trump out so badly? We also try their Minnesota accents out, discuss a brilliant fan website, and look at the dirty tactics Republicans are engaging in to stop the Walz phenomena. If you are enjoying The Banter, please consider supporting us by becoming a member. You can get 50% off a membership and get access to all Members Only articles, The Emergency Meeting Podcast, and exclusive member chat threads! We greatly appreciate your support! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: we talk Trump’s racist disaster in Chicago, Israel assassinates Ismail Haniyeh, we talk Josh Shapiro and antisemitism, Trump tells Christians they won’t have to in four years, the albatross sinking GOP prospects in November, and we have our new segment, “election rigger of the month”, followed by a hilarious Ray of Sunshine story! In our podcast for members: DC Gossip — Are Republicans Turning on JD Vance? Listen to the latest podcast for Banter Members and get 50% off a Banter Membership!:The Emergency Meeting: DC Gossip Edition — Are Republicans Turning on JD Vance? The word is in DC that Republicans are turning on JD Vance and a secret campaign has emerged to get rid of him, led by a very notable former Trump staffer. How badly does Vance compromise Trump’s campaign, and what would be the ramifications of dropping him from the ticket? We discuss this and the disaster Trump faces having picked the worst VP candidate in modern history. Listen or read the transcript here! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: Joe Biden is an American hero. Kamala Harris hits the ground running, the GOP is freaking out, and the alt weirdos are busy trying to figure out their lines of attack. Also, JD Vance is a weirdo, and finally, who is the old man in the race now? Listen by clicking the play button above, or in iTunes/Spotify! For Banter Members: Emergency Meeting Podcast: The Risk of a Right Wing Coup Just Went up DramaticallyHow do we know this? Because Republicans are now engaging in trial runs to overthrow democratic elections around the country. MAGA election officials refusing to certify results, and Trump has assembled a team we know will work day and night to stop the will of voters in November. Listen to the details in this explosive members only podcast! To listen or read the transcript, get 50% off a Banter Membership and go here: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In this special episode of The Banter Roundtable Podcast, I spoke to progressive giant Thom Hartmann. We covered a range of topics, from whether Joe Biden should stay in the race, to how Kamala Harris would do against Donald Trump, and the extraordinary dangers of Project 2025. We also spoke about the media’s role in normalizing Donald Trump, the impact of the assassination attempt last weekend, the collapse of progressive media, and the danger of the radical Supreme Court. At the end of the show, I also ask Thom about his dream Democratic ticket, so take a listen now!: If you are not subscribed to Thom’s newsletter, make sure to do so here: If you’d like to support The Banter, please consider becoming a member. Members get access to all premium content, The Emergency Meeting Podcast, and exclusive member chat threads. Your support is greatly appreciated! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: UPDATE: Ben shares his thoughts on the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Also: we talk Project 2025 and why Republicans are running away from it, Biden’s survival week, a deep dive on the polls (is New York really a swing state now?), Justin praises The New York Times (yes, really!), and the hypocritical attempts by the GOP to subpoena the White House!For Banter Members: Emergency Meeting: Matt Taibbi vs Ben Cohen. Who is the Better Journalist?Last week, Ben and Matt Taibbi got into a spat on Substack over each other’s journalistic credibility. We explain the history, break down the hilarious beef, and determine whose reporting you can trust. After listening, please let us know who you think wins: To listen to The Emergency Meeting Podcast or read the transcript, go here and get 50% off a Banter Membership: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In this special episode of The Banter Roundtable Podcast, Ben and Justin go through the appalling Supreme Court decisions this week that will fundamentally change the trajectory of American democracy. How bad can this be? Bad. Very, very bad. From legalizing bribery to making the president king, the activist court has delivered a stunning blow to democracy and the rule of law. We break down the decisions and explain why every American citizen should be extremely concerned. (NOTE: we experienced some audio issues during the recording. There is a slight echo in the recording. We should have the problem fixed for next week.) For Banter Members: The Emergency Meeting: Should President Biden step down? In probably the most heated Emergency Meeting Podcast we’ve ever done, Ben and Justin discuss the debate last week. How bad was this for Biden? Should be step down, or was this just a bad night? What are the arguments for and against, and are those calling for the president to step down aiding the anti-Biden press? We talk Kamala Harris, racist voters, and what a new ticket would do the Democratic Party. This podcast was hard to do, but ultimately needed given the stakes. WARNING: Very, very NSFW. Listen here and get 50% off: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: We discuss sinister right wing media corp Sinclair’s plan to turn America fascist, Trump’s disastrous meeting with 80 CEOs, we have our “media fail of the week” and our “$50 billion Ray of Sunshine”!In the Emergency Meeting Podcast for members, we talk about Trump’s new, ultra humiliating beauty pageant:Listen to The Emergency Meeting Podcast and get 50% off a Banter Membership: Trump’s New, Ultra Humiliating Beauty PageantDid you know that Donald Trump is doing yet another beauty pageant? This time, it’s for his position as Vice President! Who will be willing to humiliate themselves enough to please the former president? Is Trump too racist to pick a black candidate, and are the frontrunners too rich or too talented for his fragile ego? We do a deep dive on the pros and cons of each candidate and give you our pick! Listen here and get 50% off a Banter Membership: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: we talk Hunter Biden and the Deep State out to get, er, Hunter Biden? The Supreme Court declines to ban mifepristone, we discuss the shocking Justice Alito recording, Ron DeSantis says he has executive privilege, (but he doesn’t). We have our Heartless Monster of the Week (this might be the worst person we’ve ever covered), our Ray of infrastructure Sunshine, then we go into the Emergency Meeting Podcast to discuss Ben’s controversial piece on Briahna Joy Gray!Listen to The Emergency Meeting Podcast and get a 60 day trial on a Banter Membership!: The Emergency Meeting Podcast: Briahna Joy Gray, Horseshoes, and the Rat F**king LeftIn The Emergency Meeting Podcast, Ben and Justin do a deep dive on the firing of Briahna Joy Gray, the ratf**king left, audience capture, why identity politics is so toxic, and the horseshoe theory of politics. Also, is Gray sincere in her beliefs, or is there something more sinister behind them?WARNING: Very NSFW!To listen go here: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

On the show today: The verdict is in, and Trump is guilty! We provide an update before the show. Also: Trump gets mocked by libertarians, did judge Alito lie about his wife, and why does it matter? The world is at war update on Israel, Gaza, Russia and Ukraine, we have our long awaited return of ‘Fascist of the Week, followed by our Sunshine Story of the Week!In our podcast for Banter Members: Trump is auctioning off White House, but does anyone care? Listen to The Emergency Meeting and get 50% off a Banter Membership: The Emergency Meeting: White House For Sale!How dangerous is it that Trump is openly selling the Oval Office to the highest bidder? In The Emergency Meeting Podcast, we discuss this frightening update to Trump’s plan to wreck democracy and enrich his friends. To listen to the podcast or read the transcript, go here. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: Trump wants a “Unified Reich”, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis angle for 2028 by selling their souls, Biden tried to kill Trump? (At least according to Trump). We have out Biden Derangement Syndrome of the Week, and finally our Sunshine of the week story before we go into The Emergency Meeting.Listen to The Emergency Meeting Podcast and get 50% off a Banter Membership today!: The Emergency Meeting: Getting Racially Abused on Chess.com In The Emergency Meeting Podcast, Ben and Justin discuss Ben’s recent experience of antisemitic abuse on the world’s biggest online chess platform, Chess.com. This is what antisemitism looks like, and no one wants to talk about it because Jews don’t count. Ever.To listen to The Emergency Meeting Podcast, go here. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the podcast today: Michael Cohen takes the stand. How bad was this for Trump? Also, Biden goads Trump into doing something very stupid, and on live television! Some big news on the The Supreme Court, we have our ‘Transphobe of the Week’, and finally our ‘Sunshine of the Week’ story. For Banter Members: January 3rd 2025: The Day American Democracy Lives or DiesIn The Emergency Meeting to discuss the importance of January 3rd 2025. Why this date in particular? It’s the day Speaker of the House Mike Johnson tips his hand or stands down and allows democracy to take its course. Will he stay loyal to Donald Trump, or follow in the footsteps of Mike Pence? Listen here and get 50% off a Banter Membership!: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today, we talk RFK Jr’s brain worm, Trump gets rewarded for his corrupt legal strategy while experiencing some ‘Stormy’ weather in court. Marjorie Taylor Greene gets publicly humiliated, we have our “Waste of Time of the Week”, and finally our “Sunshine of the Week” story! Listen by clicking the play button above, or on iTunes/Spotify. For Banter Members: Emergency Meeting: What The F**k Is Israel Actually Doing? In the Emergency Meeting Podcast, Ben and Justin discuss some frightening updates to the Israel/Gaza conflict. Should AI be used in warfare? Does Israel have a strategy anymore, what is the purpose of going into Rafah, and is the continued fighting about the Israeli hostages or Benjamin Netanyahu’s political career? Listen/read the transcript here and get 50% off a Banter Membership. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: Trump’s deranged TIME interview, Kristi Noem shoots puppies, Trump keeps falling asleep, and Tucker Carlson goes off the deep end. Also on the show, we have out ‘Theocratic Fascists of the Week’ and finally our ‘Sunshine story of the Week.’ Listen by clicking the play button above, or on Spotify/iTunes! For Banter Members: The Emergency Meeting: The Cosplay Revolutionaries In a very controversial Emergency Meeting Podcast, Ben and Justin discuss the anti-Zionist/pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses across America. How does virulent antisemitism, smashing up buildings, and pretending to starve at an elite university help Palestinians or end the horrific war in Gaza? Are the protestors genuinely concerned about the Palestinians, or are they just cosplay revolutionaries? To listen to The Emergency Meeting Podcast, get 50% off a Banter Membership and go here. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In today’s episode of The Banter Roundtable podcast, I spoke to noted author Daniel Pinchbeck about the ecological crisis, and what he is trying to do about it. Pinchbeck has authored a number of fascinating books on ecology, psychedelics, and indigenous wisdom traditions that includes ‘Breaking Open the Head,’ ‘2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl,’ and ‘How Soon is Now.’ Daniel has also developed a course called ‘Embracing Our Emergency,’ an online seminar featuring thinkers like Thom Hartmann, Jane Fonda, Jamie Wheal, and Michael Mann. The course aims to help people develop personal strategies to cope with the environmental crisis, build communities around regenerative practices, and help transform the catastrophe into something positive. I had a wide ranging conversation with Daniel about the historic causes of climate change, our inability to come to terms with the scale of the disaster, why indigenous cultures have a more advanced understanding of nature, and what we can do about it. Daniel is one of the most fascinating thinkers of our time, so I think Banter readers will find the podcast incredibly insightful and above all, hopeful. If you’d like to participate in the Embracing Our Emergency course, Banter readers can get a 30% discount here (NOTE: The Banter does not receive any commission from this). Please consider supporting The Banter by getting a Banter Membership. You’ll get access to Members Only articles, our locked archive, The Emergency Meeting Podcast, and Member chat threads. You’ll also be supporting truly independent media. Thank you! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

On the show today: Trump’s bad day in court: It’s Don Snoreleone! How bad is this going to be for Trump? Will he go to prison? It might be more likely than you think. The World War III that wasn’t: why are the extremes on both sides so excited about a potential world war? Also: Is the Supreme Court helping red states ban protest? This week in RFK Jr.’s attempts to ratfuck the election: a new homophobic low, even for him. We have our fascist of the week featuring the delightful Kari Lake, our Sunshine of the Week featuring more good news for Democrats, and then in the Emergency Meeting we discuss our favorite racist Saira Rao, the far left’s love for Iran, and why their movement is now dangerously out of control!Listen by clicking the play button above or in Spotify/iTunes. The Emergency Meeting: Saira Rao, Iran, And The Nazi Zionists?In a very, very sweary Emergency Meeting Podcast, Ben and Justin do a deep dive on The Banter’s favorite “liberal” racist Saira Rao. Rao is part of a broader movement on the left that is becoming increasingly militant — and dangerous. Apparently Iran — a fascist theocracy — is part of the fight against the “oppressors,” and Zionists are also Nazis? Listen here for the ultimate takedown of this nonsense. Listen/read the transcript here and get 50% off a Banter Membership! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: we talk Trump’s bad legal week part 756 plus his idiotic abortion gambit. We discuss the death of OJ Simpson, and why his trial showed progress in America’s racial wars (hear us out!). The New York Times outdoes itself by “both sidesing” abortion, we have our Soulless Monster of the Week, and then our Sunshine of the Week! For Banter Members: ;isten to The Emergency Meeting and get 50% off a membership today!: RFK Jr’s Shocking Election Motive RevealedIn The Emergency Meeting where we talk about the extraordinary video circulating of RFK Jr’s New York state campaign director Rita Palma. What is RFK Jr. playing at, and how dangerous is the anti-vaxx/Alt movement behind him? Warning: definitely NSFW language! Listen or read the transcript here! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: Israel kills 7 volunteer workers in air strike. We talk Project 2025, the not so secret MAGA plan building the framework to let Trump remain president for life. Did the GOP just lose Florida? We have a “Bat Shit Crazy” of the week over the eclipse, our Grift of the Week featuring a deranged cult, and a Ray of Sunshine featuring Ben being very right about something! In the emergency meeting, it’s Matt Taibbi again and his batshit insane post on Substack Notes. The Ultimate Matt Taibbi Takedown In The Emergency Meeting, Ben and Justin go even further on Matt Taibbi’s extraordinary claims, ripping apart his journalism and uncovering the former Rolling Stone reporter’s true motivations. What exactly happened to the once great journalist? Read the transcript or listen to our members only podcast here and get 50% off a Banter Membership! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: committed Christian Donald Trump is hawking $60 bibles, we talk the Baltimore Bridge collapse and the ensuing conspiracy theories, Trump games the legal system, then a revealing story about abortion in Alabama the warning it represents for Republicans. Also: the Biden Bump the press hates, our “Fascists” (plural) of the Week, and then our Ray of Sunshine! Listen to The Emergency Meeting Podcast and get 50% off a Banter Membership! The Emergency Meeting: The Corporate News Is AwfulIn The Emergency Meeting we talk Ronna McDaniel’s four day career at NBC News and why the corporate media is, well, a complete joke. Also, Justin has a very unique theory on why NBC hired McDaniel. Get ready for a real rant of a podcast! NOTE: A transcript is also available for members! Listen here!: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: Biden is rolling in money and Trump is… not….Trump is also hiring known Russian agent Paul Manafort to his campaign, because what could go wrong? Trump is threatening violence again, the supreme court is letting Texas persecute minorities, we have our “Corrupt Weasels of the Week,” and then in the Emergency Meeting Podcast, it’s Ben’s revenge on the Twitter files story! Emergency Meeting: Ben’s Revenge (Twitter Files Edition!) According to journalists like Matt Taibbi and Jake Shellenberger, Elon Musk’s Twitter Files story blew the lid off a huge conspiracy between Big Tech and the government. In The Emergency Meeting Podcast, we talk about the Supreme Court’s reaction to two cases on Big Tech’s relationship with the government — a reaction that you might find very surprising. Is this the final nail in the coffin for the story Ben has been hammering Matt Taibbi for? Tune in to find out! To listen to this episode or read the transcript, go here and get 50% off a Banter Membership! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: We talk America’s dramatic pivot on Benjamin Netanyahu, Robert Hur's failed attempt to smear President Biden over the classified documents case, Biden's impressive State of the Union address, and the concerning takeover of the Republican National Committee by Donald Trump. Also: Trump praises Hitler, plus his open endorsement of cutting social security and Medicare. We have our "Grifter of the Week" segment featuring Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s bonkers potential running mate, and then our ray of sunshine on a recent development that could prevent Republicans from abusing the legal system!Listen by clicking the play button above, or on your favorite podcast player! Listen to our Banter Members podcast and get 50% off a Banter Membership!: Emergency Meeting Podcast: Who Owns Donald Trump? In our Members Only podcast, we do a deep dive into where Trump got the money to pay a $92 million bond in the E. Jean Carroll case. Who is Evan Greenberg and his company Chubb? Is Trump now a compromised presidential candidate? When you examine Trump’s history of taking money from Russian mobsters, it doesn’t look good for the former president, but will the American legal system hold him to account? To listen or read the transcript, go here! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: We talk Trump and the 14th Amendment, why Super Tuesday turned out to be super great for Biden and super not so great for Trump. Also: while the press focuses on Biden’s age, it is evident that Trump’s physical and cognitive breakdown is accelerating — is he healthy enough to keep running? We have our “Idiot Of The Week,” we have our sunshine story of the week from Arizona (it’s not so sunny for Republicans), and then we head into the Emergency Meeting podcast where we talk Trump’s threat to pull funding for schools with vaccine mandates. Listen by clicking the play button above! Get access to The Emergency Meeting Podcast and get 50% off a Banter Membership!: The Emergency Meeting: Trump Wants Another Pandemic Question: What is the best way to prevent global pandemic that could kill tens of millions of people? Answer: If you are Donald Trump, you start running an anti-vaccine campaign! In this episode of The Emergency Meeting Podcast, we look at Trump’s insane anti-vaxx statements, the potential of a Trump/RFK Jr. ticket, and why this is an absolute disaster for the country. Listen here, and get access to the transcript! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: Mitch McConnell is stepping down in November, Biden dominates in Michigan — but the press would have you believe he lost. Does Donald Trump have Alzheimers? We’re just asking questions….Peace activists on the left aren’t very peaceful, we have our “Greedy Bastard of the Week”, our Clown of the week, and finally our Ray of sunshine, all the way from California! Listen by clicking the play button above, or on Spotify/iTunes! Listen to The Emergency Meeting podcast and get 50% off a Banter Membership! The Emergency Meeting: The Supreme Court Is Trying To Steal The Election We have just witnessed a naked attempt by the nation’s highest court to swing the 2024 Presidential election to Donald Trump. We look at what happened, and ask whether there is anything Democrats can do to stop it. Are there any positives from their horrendous decision, and should President Biden stack the Supreme Court if he wins in 2024? WARNING: Very NSFW languageA transcript of this podcast is available for members. Go here to listen/read! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: Trump’s massive fraud judgment is in — he owes hundreds of millions, but can he pay? Also, did the press conveniently swept it under the rug?Christian nationalism wants to dismantle the Constitution, the Biden impeachment drama takes a hilarious turn, and we need to get ready for another government shutdown. Watch out for MAGA Mike's downfall! We also have our clown of the week featuring a MAGA trucker tantrum, and we end with a glimmer of hope from Wisconsin. Listen by clicking the play button above, or find us on iTunes and Spotify! For Banter Members: The Big Debate: Is Joe Biden Too Old? In The Emergency Meeting, we discuss the elephant in the room: President Biden’s age. Is he too old to run again? Are Democrats avoiding the topic? Is the press engaging in double standards? In this spirited debate, Ben and Justin take nuanced but different positions and go at it. Come join us for a very lively debate.WARNING: A lot of NSFW language…Listen here, or read the transcript and get 50% off a Banter Membership!: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In today’s episode of The Banter Roundtable podcast: we have the Supreme Court vs the 14th Amendment, we look at the total unraveling of Republican Party, then discuss Trump’s terrible legal week. No immunity for you! We have an extra special “Fascist of the Week” featuring a live display of xenophobia on Fox News, and an extra hilarious “Sunshine of the Week” story.Listen by clicking the play button above, or find us on iTunes or Spotify! Get access to The Emergency Meeting Podcast and get 50% off a Banter Membership! You’ll also get access to all premium articles, member chat threads and our locked archive. The Emergency Meeting: Comrade TuckerIn The Emergency Meeting Podcast, we talk about Tucker Carlson’s interview with Vladimir Putin. Why did the Alt Right hero travel to Russia to interview a fascist dictator? What were the parameters of the interview? Did Carlson agree to questions beforehand, or did the Kremlin handpick Carlson for his sympathetic views? We also discuss Alt journalists Glenn Greenwald and Matt Taibbi's bizarre defense of Carlson, and Elon Musk’s troubling involvement in the controversial interview. Listen to The Emergency Meeting Podcast here. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: We talk Trump and the GOP’s severe money woes. Nikki Haley is saying the unspeakable about Trump’s mental state, a rapist and a white nationalist walk into a bar (see image above), we have our sunshine of the week segment, and then we move into the Emergency Meeting where we discuss Matt Taibbi’s bonkers article where he claims Democrats are going to steal the 2024 election. Listen by clicking the play button above, or subscribe via iTunes or Spotify!The Emergency Meeting: Matt Taibbi’s Insane Accusation In The Emergency Meeting podcast, we discuss Matt Taibbi’s truly insane article accusing Democrats of conspiring to steal the 2024 election. Where does Taibbi get his evidence from? Does he have any credibility on the subject left, and what exactly are his motivations? Go here to listen or read the transcript and get 50% off a Banter Membership!: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

On The Banter Roundtable Podcast today: Trump’s New Hampshire shuffle - was Trump’s victory all that impressive? Biden wins in a primary he didn’t participate in, Ron De Santis disappears, and we have ‘This Week In Antisemitism’. Finally, we have our ‘Fascist Of The Week’ bro influencer Andrew Tate, who is now openly advocating Holocaust denialism on Twitter, and then our ‘Ray Of Sunshine’!Get access to The Emergency Meeting podcast and get 50% off a Banter Membership: The Emergency Meeting: Why The GOP Wants A Border Crisis In The Emergency Meeting, we look at the toxic politics surrounding the border crisis. Trump and the GOP are trying to torpedo a wide ranging deal that gets them everything they want. Why? We also discuss the unfolding disaster on the Texas border that could put Texas in direct conflict with the US government. A transcript is also available for Banter Members. Listen here! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

On the show today: Trump's 51% win in Iowa – a true victory or media hype? We dissect what this means and the half of GOP voters saying 'no thanks.' The Government shutdown saga continues, we have shocking news from Texas. Trump goes full blown dictator in our fascist of the week, and we have a ray of sunshine from the Biden Administration. Listen by clicking the play button above, or on iTunes/Spotify! Listen to The Emergency Meeting Podcast and get 50% off a Banter Membership! A transcript of the podcast is also available for members. The Emergency Meeting: Everyone’s Favorite Topic: Israel Gaza! In The Emergency Meeting Podcast, we discuss an incredibly promising plan to end the carnage in Gaza and create a hopeful future of Israelis and Palestinians. Who is responsible for the plan? Is it viable? Will both sides take it seriously, or will the bloodshed continue? Go here to listen or read the transcript: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: Trump is demanding absolute immunity for any and all crimes. What does this mean if he becomes president? Chris Christie is out of the GOP race leaving only Nikki Haley as a serious candidate. Is she a real threat to Trump? An amazing leaked audio from Christie suggests otherwise. We talk the surprising government shutdown avoidance. MAGA Mike is making deals with the enemy. Republicans want to reintroduce child labor, we have our "Grifter of the Week" and a ray of sunshine coming out of New Hampshire. Listen by clicking the play button above!Listen to the latest episode of The Emergency meeting: The Emergency Meeting: Fallout from the racist, anti-racist sh*t showCan you be anti-anti-racist while still being against racism? Is it ok to be racist towards white people? Are Jews a real minority, or are they privileged white people? We discuss this in The Emergency Meeting Podcast after a very tumultuous week on The Banter. We talk about Ben’s highly controversial article on anti-white/anti-zionist activist Saira Rao and why we had to kick some actual racists off the site. Listen and get 50% off: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to the 100th episode of The Banter Roundtable Podcast! Yes, we’ve managed to record that many episodes of the show. The podcast has grown immensely over the past 18 months and is becoming one of the most popular features of The Banter newsletter. A big thanks to everyone tuning in each week! On the show today: we talk Claudine Gay, the plagiarism accusations, her resignation, and the right’s double standards. Then we discuss Biden's groundbreaking insulin price cap — which is, to use a Biden saying, “a big effing deal.” The media reaction has been, well, interesting to say the least. The alt-left is whipping up hate against Jewish doctors, we talk Marianne Williamson and Dean Phillips conspiracy theories, and we have our "Fascist of the Week" segment featuring Florida's Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo. The show ends with some very positive economic news before we move on to The Emergency Meeting. The Emergency Meeting Podcast: Should Trump be removed from ballots?The New York Times reported that: “Formal challenges to Donald J. Trump’s presidential candidacy have been filed in at least 34 states.” Trump, the article continues, “was disqualified from the primary ballot in Colorado and Maine pending appeals, but many other challenges have been dismissed or have not progressed in court. Beyond Colorado and Maine at least 19 states have unresolved challenges.”In The Emergency Meeting Podcast, we ask whether this is a good idea. Does it help or hurt Trump? What does it say about democracy and the rule of law? It’s a very contentious issue that is going to have a huge impact on the election this year. NOTE: A transcript is available for Banter Members. Listen to the latest episode of The Banter Roundtable Podcast here and get 50% off a Banter Membership!: This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

In the show today: Chris Christie smacks down Vivek Ramaswamy, but does anyone care? Donald Trump wants to trash Obamacare and announces his dictatorial ambitions. We discuss the George Santos debacle and what his situation reveals about the GOP’s values and priorities. There are more Trump legal woes, more revolting antisemitism on the alt-left, debates over school indoctrination in Florida, and finally our fascist of the week! Get 50% off a Banter Membership and listen to The Emergency Meeting Podcast. Members also get access to all premium articles and member chat threads. The Banter is 100% independent and funded entirely by readers. Your support is greatly appreciated:“Depending On The Context” In the Emergency Meeting we discuss the shocking congressional hearings over rising antisemitism in colleges. Presidents of Harvard, MIT and U Penn maintained that calling for the death of Jews doesn’t necessarily constitute “bullying and harassment” and is dependent on the “context.” We listen to the audio and ask whether this would be acceptable if the same question was asked about other minority groups. Also, who is rep. Elise Stefanik, and is she really a friend to the Jewish people? A transcript of this podcast is also available for members. NOTE: There is a lot of bad language in this podcast. You have been warned… This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe

On the show today: we discuss the RNC’s serious lack of cash heading into 2024 and look at how Trump and Jared Kushner's control over fundraising platforms like WinRed might be affecting the GOP's campaign funding. Also on the show: the ongoing Hunter Biden saga and Republican’s sudden change of heart over his testimony. Then we look at the performative "Ceasefire Now" protests where protestors are demanding something that has already happened. Also: the Koch brother fund Nikki Haley in a monumental waste of money, we have our "Fascist of the Week" and finally, our "Sunshine of the Week"! Get 50% off a Banter Membership and listen to The Emergency Meeting Podcast. Members also get access to all premium articles and member chat threads. The Banter is 100% independent and funded entirely by readers. Your support is greatly appreciated:The Emergency Meeting: The Susan Sarandon Spectacle In the Emergency Meeting Podcast this week, we talk Susan Sarandon’s horrendous remarks about Jews and The Banter’s long history of going after her. In a speech in NYC, Sarandon appeared to be gleeful that Jews suffering discrimination and violence so they now know what “real” minorities go through. How much damage has Sarandon done to her career, and what drives this bizarre exclusion of Jews as a valid minority worthy of protection? Listen here. A transcript of this podcast is also available for members. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebanter.substack.com/subscribe