The John Fugelsang Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Massive Spikes in Health Care Premiums Coming After Senate Republicans Blocked a Proposal to Extend the ACA Subsidies Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Joe Sudbay fills in for John who is under the weather. He discusses the Department of Defense escalating their vindictive review of Senator Mark Kelly for his part in the "Illegal Orders" video. He also talks about Senators in both parties who are now bracing for another government shutdown next year after Republicans blocked a proposal to extend expiring health insurance subsidies, the issue that triggered the 43-day closure that consumed much of the fall calendar. Next, he speaks with David Nir who is publisher of The Downballot, a substack devoted to competitive races across the country. Their data guides and weekly podcast are essential even in off-years. And finally, Joe talks with Zachary Mueller who is the former Senior Research Director at America’s Voice and now devotes his efforts to combatting the threat of an ascendant radical right, particularly focused on the pipeline from nativist-populist politics to an authoritarian regime. That includes guiding everyday Americans in helping their neighbors against ICE and CBP raids.

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Epstein Pics Expose Much More as a Collage Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

John talks about House Dems releasing more photos from the Epstein Estate, personal photos from Epstein’s own collection – some prominently featuring Donald Trump. He also discusses Trump's statement that he is pardoning former Mesa County, Colorado, clerk Tina Peters, but it's legally ineffective because it targets her state convictions, which fall outside presidential authority. Colorado says LOL. Next, he interviews Chris Anders who is the Director of the Democracy and Technology Divison at the ACLU. The ACLU just filed a major lawsuit demanding the Trump administration release the secret legal memo authorizing U.S. military strikes on alleged drug-carrying boats. These strikes have killed at least 87 people since September, including a now-controversial “double-tap” strike on survivors. Despite conducting 22 lethal strikes, the administration has refused to disclose the legal justification—breaking with long-standing precedent of releasing such memos for major military actions. The lawsuit argues these killings occur outside any recognized armed conflict, making their legality highly suspect and the memo’s release urgently necessary. Then finally, John jokes with TV's Frank Conniff and they chat with listeners about pop culture and current Trump fuckery.

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We're Still Here with Simon and Julie Dec 13, 2025

Show notes

This time - Simon Moya Smith and Julie Francella talk about Thomas King - an award-winning Canadian-American author whose career was tied to his apparent indigenous ancestry. He has recently learned that he has no Cherokee roots. The announcement follows a November meeting with King and members of the Tribal Alliance Against Frauds, a US-based group dedicated to exposing people who falsely claim American Indian heritage. And they discuss Elaine Miles, an Indigenous actor best known for her roles in “Northern Exposure,” “Smoke Signals,” “Wyvern” and “The Last of Us”. While she was walking, 4 men wearing masks and vests with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement labels stepped out of two black SUVs with no front plates and pressed her for her ID. She handed them her tribal ID from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon. The agents called it "FAKE". Federal government agencies recognize tribal ID as a valid form of identification, and Miles has used it to travel back and forth to Canada and Mexico without any issues - until now. Plenty of great callers and topics in this inspiring episode!

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Finding Fortitude to Fight Fundamental Failing Fascists Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

John talks about the epic failures by Trump lackies to accomplish many of his tasks including a federal judge ordering Kilmar Abrego Garcia released from federal detention and Trump's redistricting plan for Indiana being soundly rejected by a bipartisan majority in the state house. Then, he chats with Democratic Strategist Max Burns on the Senate rejected both the Democrat AND Republican healthcare bills, and Trump's newest war with Venezuela. Then finally, John jokes with comedian Tara Dublin on the chaotic mishaps in the news and they take calls from the Evil Army of the Night on how to navigate the mayhem of Trumpland.

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The U.S. is Now the Pirates of the Caribbean Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

John discusses Trump's weird speech in Pennsylvania which was supposed to beon combating inflation but instead he boohooed about immigrants. He also talks about the Navy seizing an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela and Trump says he plans to keep the oil booty. Then, podcast wizard Bob Cesca is back to talk about some good news - Democrats scored more big wins in special elections last night: flipping a heavily gerrymandered district in Georgia and installing a democratic mayor of Miami, Florida for the first time in nearly 30 years. Next, John welcomes back The God Squad: Desimber Rose and Dillon Naber Cruz. They talk about the MAGA "War on Christmas" and they mention the fact that Jesus didn't celebrate Christmas and it's not mentioned in the bible. Then, rounding it out, John chats with legal analyst Dr. Tracy Pearson about the latest in the Supreme Court and Trump's newest fuckery.

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Is Trump Derangement Syndrome Covered Under Obama-Care? Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

This time, John talks about the Senate GOP prepping a vote on a healthcare bill that 100% does NOT extend ACA subsidies, literally the ONLY thing democrats and citizens want from a healthcare bill. Also, he discusses Trump telling reporters that Ukraine is running out of time and President Zelenskyy only has a few more days to accept Putin's surrender plan. Then, he chats with Leigh McGowan who is a freelance writer and social media influencer who is known by the name "Politics Girl". The Politics Girl Podcast gives people a reason to care and a reason to fight. She says: Our goal is to inspire. To instill in people a true understanding of what this country COULD be. And then finally, John interviews J-L Cauvin whois a community advocate, attorney, and comedian who is running as a Democrat to succeed Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill and represent New Jersey’s 11th District in Congress.

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Trump in a Slump, Marge in Charge, and Discovery in Recovery Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

John discusses the White House announcing a $12 Billion bailout to farmers who were decimated by the Trump Tariff Plan. Also, Paramount has proposed Warner Bros/Discovery shareholders with a plan for hostile takeover, throwing a large MAGA-sized wrench into a deal announced last week for Netflix to take over the film and TV giant. Next, Professor Corey Brettschneider is back to chat with John about the Supreme Court hearing arguments in Trump V Slaughter a major separation of powers case, where a majority of justices seemed ready to grant Trump more power to fire heads of independent agencies like the FTC. And then comedian Rhonda Hansome join the fun to joke with listeners about Barbie Bondi, Kegsbreath, and Comb-Over Caligula.

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OK - So Who Were the Other FIFA Peace Prize Nominees? Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

John's monologue this time is about the competition groups for the FIFA world cup having a ceremony that involved bestowing a brand-new Peace Prize to Donald Trump. Then, he welcomes back Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis who is the Senior Minister for Public Theology and Transformation at Middle Church in New York City’s East Village.She is a womanist whose preaching, teaching, speaking, writing, and activism are aimed at racial equality, gun control, economic justice, and equal rights for all sexual orientations and genders. And then, TV's Frank Conniff jokes with John and listeners about the latest news and Trump's twisted trickery.

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Special Weekend Interview: Jared Sexton Yates Dec 06, 2025

Show notes

Democratic Strategist Max Burns interviews author and political commentator - Jared Sexton Yates.

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Righteous Kill, Bro! Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

Democratic strategist Max Burns guest hosts. He talks about current news: the Supreme Court voted 6-3 to allow the Texas to move ahead with a highly gerrymandered district map for the upcoming midterm elections. The DOJ tried once again to indict NY AG Letitia James for mortgage fraud but the sitting Grand Jury said NOPE. Top DoD officials presented footage of a September attack on fishing vessels off the coast of Venezuela to members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, including the now-infamous second strike “double-tap” kill of what the white house says are narco-terrorists. And, the FBI arrested Brian Cole Jr of Virginia for allegedly planting the pipe bombs. Max then talks politics with Rick Smith who has been a voice for the working class and the labor movement for over 20 years, and his eponymous radio show has become a space where working folks can get their news, share their thoughts and build community and solidarity. And finally, he interviews Andrew Lownie who is a British historian and author. He has written books about the royal family, on the Duke of Windsor and his links with the Nazis, and on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, including his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein.

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