A truly bad day for people who care about reality

The David Pakman Show - March 5, 2026

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Donald Trump is reacting to the Republican Senate primary in Texas with an authoritarian meltdown. Frustrated that no candidate won outright, he demanded on Truth Social that the election be stopped and that the candidate he doesn’t endorse drop out immediately. This ignores the democratic process, where voters, not one individual, decide the outcome. At the root, Trump fears losing control of the Republican Party, and that obsession drives his attempts to override voter choice.

During a congressional hearing, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem faced questions about a rumored sexual relationship with Trump operative Corey Lewandowski. When Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove asked directly, Noem refused to answer, dismissing it as tabloid gossip. Noem’s use of government resources also drew scrutiny, including firing a pilot mid-flight over a missing blanket and repurposing a luxury jet for deportations.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt gave a chaotic briefing on Trump’s war with Iran. She insisted Trump acted on a “feeling based on fact,” avoiding expert intelligence or consensus. She struggled to clarify whether regime change is a goal and would not rule out deploying American ground troops. Leavitt also lashed out at CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins, demanding the press focus on “successes” rather than casualties.

Leavitt also refused to explain Trump’s sudden neck rash. She said he was using a “common cream” preventatively but would not clarify the condition being treated or whether the redness is a symptom or side effect. This continues a pattern of limited transparency about Trump’s health.

Beyond the rash, photos reveal a diagonal crease across Trump’s earlobe, known as Frank’s sign. First described in 1973, the crease correlates with a higher likelihood of coronary artery disease, though it is not a diagnosis. At almost 80, with obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise, Trump has several risk factors, making the sign medically interesting.

At a public event, Trump appeared disoriented, nearly falling asleep, slurring words, and struggling to speak coherently. He made false and exaggerated claims about AI energy use, the U.S. car industry, and Iran’s nuclear capabilities, including that Iran would have had a nuclear weapon within two weeks without U.S. strikes.

Finally, Senator Chris Murphy, Democrat from Connecticut, joins us to discuss Donald Trump’s military actions against Iran, who should be held accountable, and what steps Congress can take to limit presidential war powers.

On today’s bonus show:

The Senate turns down legislation to stop Trump's war with Iran, RFK Jr. pushes medical schools to teach more about nutrition, Dan Crenshaw's loss in Texas is largely due to a feud with a billionaire, and much more...

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