US enters war with Iran, MAGA civil war bursts

The David Pakman Show - June 18, 2025

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Despite branding himself for years as an antiwar candidate, Donald Trump has now fully embraced a wartime posture, escalating tensions with Iran following his 2018 withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. His recent social media posts boast of U.S. military dominance over Iran and demand “unconditional surrender,” signaling a shift toward aggressive, performative brinkmanship aimed at rallying his political base. This shift has exposed deep contradictions within the MAGA coalition, with prominent figures like Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson openly clashing over how to frame Trump’s militarism and what it means for their movement’s identity.

Meanwhile, official U.S. policy remains murky. A recent State Department briefing featured spokeswoman Tammy Bruce offering little clarity on objectives or strategy, instead praising Trump’s leadership while sidestepping key questions on regime change or diplomacy. This opacity raises fears that critical decisions about war and peace are being made impulsively and without transparent oversight.

At home, the authoritarian turn is evident in immigration enforcement. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested by ICE agents during a peaceful protest at an immigration court, illustrating how Trump’s crackdown on immigration extends beyond deportations to suppressing dissent and undermining democratic norms. This growing pattern of law enforcement acting in politically charged ways reflects a broader erosion of constitutional protections under the current administration.

Adding to the climate of suspicion, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s sudden hospitalization after visiting a controversial biohazard lab—details of which remain scarce—has fueled speculation and underscored a persistent lack of transparency in politically sensitive matters.

Finally, in an exclusive interview, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic nominee for New Jersey governor, addressed the 10-point swing toward Republicans in her state’s recent election. She attributed the shift largely to low Democratic turnout driven by economic concerns, especially housing affordability. Sherrill outlined her plans to tackle this crisis by repurposing vacant commercial spaces, promoting transit-oriented development, and preserving open spaces, while also vowing to protect constitutional rights against federal overreach.

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On today’s bonus show:

We explore how social media has overtaken television as the primary news source for Americans, reshaping how information spreads and influences public opinion. We also cover the latest on TikTok, with President Trump again extending the deadline for ByteDance to sell its U.S. assets. Meanwhile, Texas quietly halts its state-funded border wall project, reflecting shifting priorities in immigration enforcement.

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