Tanker seized by antiwar president as jobs problem grows
The David Pakman Show - December 11, 2025
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The United States seized a Venezuelan oil tanker in international waters using helicopters and tactical teams, bypassing legal or diplomatic processes. The tanker had ties to Iranian oil smuggling, and the seizure was carried out under a warrant issued two weeks earlier. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro called it piracy, while the Trump administration continues to frame itself as anti-war despite escalating military activity in the Caribbean.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell warns the U.S. economy is weakening, with job losses likely worse than reported and inflation rising due to tariffs. While the Fed cut interest rates to support the economy, Powell highlights the challenge of balancing employment and inflation.
A measles outbreak is spreading rapidly in South Carolina, driven by unvaccinated churchgoers and growing anti-vaccine sentiment. Nearly all of the 111 cases are among the unvaccinated, and dozens are quarantined. Falling vaccination rates have undermined herd immunity, and Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are fueling the skepticism.
Trump is promoting a “Gold Card” program that lets wealthy individuals or corporations buy U.S. citizenship for $1–$2 million. The plan contradicts his anti-immigration rhetoric and serves only the rich. By turning citizenship into a financial transaction, Trump is undermining the civic meaning and value of becoming an American.
Trump’s health appears to be declining, with swollen, discolored hands, swollen ankles, unexplained absences, and public naps during meetings. White House explanations are inconsistent, while Trump attacks journalists reporting on his condition.
Trump’s obsession with legacy has turned the White House into a construction disaster. His plan to build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom stalled after he demolished the East Wing without a clear plan, fired the architect, and pushed costs toward $350 million. The result is a half-demolished presidential complex and an international embarrassment, reflecting a pattern of mismanagement consistent with Trump’s business history.
Finally, we observe how Trump’s declining popularity matters little in an authoritarian context. His focus is on consolidating control over courts, law enforcement, the military, and state governments. History shows that authoritarians often lose popularity as they gain power, making the erosion of democratic norms the real threat.
On today’s bonus show:
A bidding war is underway over Warner Bros, the Senate will vote on two healthcare proposals, Trump wants tourists to disclose five years of social media activity, and much more…
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This ain't about oil...not even a little....this is all about a narcissist trying to manufacture a crisis in the US to sew chaos, distract and pit Americans against our own military AND to further GOP power. In short, a POWER GRAB facilitated by a self-created crisis. Venezuela has NOTHING the US needs. NOTHING. And this damn sure ain't about drugs or the narcissist-in-chief wouldn't be pardoning drug kingpins right and left.
Thank you, David, I always get so much out of your reporting and the way you write is comprehensive and succinct. I really appreciate everything you are doing to help keep us all informed!