The John Fugelsang Podcast

Today, John discusses Trump meeting with Saudi crown prince MBS at the White House and defending him over journalist Jamal Khashoggi's horrific dismemberment. He also talks about federal prosecutors telling the judge in the Comey case that the grand jury was NOT shown the final indictment - which leaves the case hanging by a thread. Then, podcast star extraordinaire Bob Cesca returns to joke with...

John talks about Rep. Clay Higgins who was the only Republican to vote against the release of the Epstein files in the House. The Senate side-stepped having their names and votes on record by putting the bill through to the White House via Unanimous Consent. He also discusses Trump's blatant, misogynistic comments - telling one female reporter "Quiet Piggy!" aboard Air Force One when she asked abo...

John discusses Trump reversing course AGAIN and saying he doesn't care if they release the Epstein files. He also talks about Sen Ted Cruz announcing he will run for president again. Then, he speaks with Professor Corey Brettschneider about Trump flip flopping over the Epstein files and the special treatment of Ghislaine Maxwell in her sweetheart prison deal. Next, John jokes with comedian Rhonda...

John talks about Donald Trump facing major backlash from his his minions - unleashing his anger at Indiana Senate Republicans for not backing his GOP redistricting effort. Also promising FBI and DOJ investigations into prominent Democrats and business leaders tied to Jeffrey Epstein, including Bill Clinton, Larry Summers and JP Morgan Chase. AG Pam Bondi assigned the task to US Attorney Jay C...

Simon and Julie joined John to talk about Native American Heritage Month — a month that exists because Indigenous leaders spent more than a century fighting for recognition. From Dr. Arthur C. Parker (Seneca) in the early 1900s to Red Fox James (Blackfeet) riding state to state in 1915, the movement grew until Congress and President George H. W. Bush made November the first official Heritage Month...

John discusses the many revelations buried in the 20,000 pages of email and text messages from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate. Among the most notable were Epstein’s apparent role as advisor and confidant to Trump officials and Russian state officials, simultaneously. Then, he interviews political analyst, pundit, and writer - Lincoln Mitchell . Dr. Mitchell works on democracy and governance-related issu...

Max Burn guest hosts for John while he is in D.C. for his book tour. Max talks about the House passing a bill to re-open the government and end the longest shutdown in the nation’s history. Prior to the vote, the people of Arizona finally saw their will be done as Speaker Johnson swore Rep. Adelita Grijalva into Congress. Plus - House Dems releasing another trove of emails from the Epstein Estate,...

John discusses the many ways Trump has disrespected veterans and the military while saluting and smiling at them. He also talks about fake Christian/ county clerk Kim Davis losing at the Supreme Court in her bid to overturn same-sex marriage. Then, he speaks with award-winning author Diana Butler Bass, Ph. D about her new book " A Beautiful Year: 52 Meditations on Faith, Wisdom, and Perseverance "...

John talks about Minority leader Chuck Schumer and the eight Senate Democrats who signed onto a Republican offer to end the federal shutdown. The bill now must pass through the House, which is scrambling to return to D.C. The deal includes guarantees of back pay to federal workers, a promise of longer-term funding for certain programs and the promise of a vote to possibly extend ACA subsidies. The...

Tara Dublin again guest hosts for John. She talks about Congress remaining locked in shutdown hell after Republicans in the Senate rejected Democrats’ offers. Also, the Trump administration followed a court order and fully funded SNAP benefits to dozens of states but has not given up its legal fight to deny those funds moving forward. Then, she chats with Malcolm W. Nance about the shutdown and ot...

John interviews author David Gelles about his new book " Dirtbag Billionaire: How Yvon Chouinard Built Patagonia, Made a Fortune, and Gave It All Away ". He speaks with Sharon Eubank about her new book " Doing Small Things with Great Love: How Everyday Humanitarians Are Changing the World ". And he jokes with legendary musician Garry Tallent and his photographer fiancée Nicki Germaine . They discu...

Tara Dublin guest hosts for John. She talks about a federal judge ordering the Trump White House to pay the FULL amount of SNAP benefits owed to states, not the half-measure weakly agreed to after last week’s ruling. She also talks about a Washington D.C. jury returning a NOT GUILTY verdict for the man who hucked his Subway footlong at federal officers terrorizing his city. Then, she interviews Pa...

Joe Sudbay fills in for John again while he is on his cruise. He talks about the major election victories in New Jersey, Virginia, New York, Maine, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, California, Georgia and elsewhere as voters took to the polls for an off-year rejection of Trump Administration policies. He also discusses the tantrums coming in from Trump and company. Then, he speaks about the election wit...

Joe Sudbay guest hosts again. He runs down the election tallies as the results come rolling in. Democrats scored victories in the four major races of the night: the New York City mayoral race, the governor's races in New Jersey and Virginia, and Prop 50, California's redistricting ballot measure. Exit polling showed voters went to the polls with worries about the economy on their minds, coupled wi...

Joe Sudbay guests hosts while John is on his California cruise trip. Joe discusses Trump's Halloween glitzy Great Gatsby party - flouting lavishness while millions panic over SNAP benefits being constrained. He also talks about the major elections happening in New Jersey, Virginia, California, and New York. Then, he speaks with Jessica Mackler who is the president of EMILYs list. EMILYs List...

John talks about Trump's gaudy, pretentious ballroom - where he hopes to someday hold campaign rallies for his 3rd term. He also discusses the massive apathy from Republicans over the masses of people who are going hungry due to Trump withholding SNAP benefits. Then, political strategist Max Burns is back to talk about the upcoming elections, the destruction of the White House, and the non-functio...

This week, Simon Moya-Smith and Julie Francella joined John for a spooky-season conversation that blended truth, history, and humor. They talked about Halloween, Día de los Muertos, and how Indigenous traditions honor those who came before us. They also tackled headlines that can’t be ignored: Vice President J.D. Vance’s harmful claim that Indigenous peoples practiced “widespread child sacrifice”,...

John discusses the strange meeting with Trump and Chinese Pres. Xi. They announced a compromise on foreign trade that will see lower tariff rates for China, a promise to fight fentanyl and a delay on rules barring Chinese companies from receiving US technology. Then, he speaks with Rev. Barry Lynn about the government shutdown. And finally, John interviews Jessica Denson and Cliff Cash about the b...

John's monologue this time talks about the DOJ placing two federal prosecutors on leave after they wrote in a court filing that on Jan. 6, 2021, “thousands of people comprising a mob of rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol”. The 2 D.C. federal prosecutors, Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White, were locked out of their devices and placed on leave just hours after filing a sentencing memo in the case...

John talks about U.S District Judge Sarah Ellis ordering CBP honcho Greg Bovino to meet at her courthouse every day to report on immigration actions in greater Chicago. The ruling comes just a day after the Trump Administration quietly handed full control of immigration enforcement to CBP after ICE leadership fell short of deportation quotas. He also talks about the government shutdown. Dozens hav...

John talks about a mixed bag of Trump absurdities: congressional republicans are following his orders and ignoring the government shutdown, Trump boasting about his recent MRI and mental fitness, and Trump telegraphing his proposed military actions against Venezuela. Are narcoterrorists the new WMD's? Then, Professor Corey Brettschneider returns to discuss the legality of a president's emergency p...

John discusses Trump calling off trade talks with Canada after an ad aired in Ontario featuring Ronald Reagan’s critical thoughts on tariff policy. Canadian PM Mark Carney said in response he’d have an easy time finding trade partners in Asia instead. And he talks about the Pentagon announcing it had killed 6 people in yet another airstrike on a fishing vessel in the Caribbean, adding that an airc...

Simon Moya-Smith and Julie Francella discuss the government shutdown and the White House’s planned $300 million ballroom project, coming at the same time SNAP benefits are being cut and the GOP moves to gut VA healthcare. The impact on Indian Country is expected to be severe, with nearly one in four Native households relying on SNAP. They also covered the Vatican’s return of Indigenous artifacts,...

John talks about the East Wing of the White House being completely demolished. Trump told reporters the cost of his palatial throne room has ballooned to $350 Million. He also talks about the White House saying it will now shift to land-based extrajudicial killings in its war on drug cartels. Then, he interviews journalist and author Valerie Bauerlein . She covers national affairs for The Wall Str...

John discusses the demolition of the White House's East Wing as Trump builds his extravagant grand ballroom during a government shutdown (a dramatic change from previously described plans for Trump’s resort-styled banquet hall. He also talks about Christian Nationalist Joshua Haymes who does a podcast with Pete Hegseth's pastor Brooks Potteiger. In the podcast Josh discusses the bible's approval o...