War backfires, base revolts, gas prices spike as market collapses
The David Pakman Show - March 3, 2026
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Republicans expected to embarrass Bill and Hillary Clinton in closed-door hearings on the Epstein files, but it backfired spectacularly. Hillary handled poorly phrased, aggressive questions from Lauren Boebert and others with poise, clarifying false claims like Pizzagate and the Weiner laptop conspiracies. Instead of undermining her, the hearings humiliated Republicans, exposing their obsession with baseless theories and lack of preparation.
Trump’s base is fracturing as his military action in Iran directly contradicts his repeated anti-war promises. Civilian and U.S. troop casualties are mounting, and right-wing commentators and pro-Trump pollsters are openly criticizing him. Legal and constitutional questions loom due to the lack of Congressional authorization, and some Republicans may now support impeachment.
Gas prices are surging under Trump, rising from $2.73 to around $3.10 per gallon in just weeks, with potential to climb higher due to his Iran conflict. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and global energy markets are pushing oil toward $100–$120 a barrel, threatening $5 per gallon gasoline. The stock market has reacted sharply, endangering retirement accounts, and higher fuel costs will ripple into groceries and daily expenses.
At a medal ceremony for fallen soldiers, Trump stunned the room with awkward, confused behavior. He struggled to speak, fumbled the medal presentation, and abruptly ranted about drapes mid-event. The bizarre, off-script behavior contrasted sharply with the solemnity of honoring service members and puts in doubt his ability to make life-and-death decisions in Iran.
Melania Trump shocked observers by chairing a United Nations Security Council meeting in her husband’s place. Her remarks contrasted with Trump’s distraction at Mar-a-Lago, focused on drapes and decor.
Trump’s neck rash has raised major health concerns. Speculation ranges from syphilis to other conditions, yet the White House offered only a vague explanation about a “common preventative cream,” without naming the cream or the underlying issue. Combined with his long-standing splotchy, makeup-covered hands, this adds to serious doubts about transparency.
The rationale for Trump’s strikes in Iran is baffling. Marco Rubio called the attack “proactively defensive,” claiming preemption was necessary to avoid higher casualties if Iran struck first. Trump echoed this, saying the threat was “very nearly” imminent. The language is contradictory and confusing, and Trump’s own actions, like scrapping the Iran nuclear deal, helped create the current crisis.
Finally, Senator Ruben Gallego, Democrat from Arizona, joins us to discuss Donald Trump’s attacks on Iran, whether they constitute an impeachable offense, and how they will affect the midterm elections.
On today’s bonus show:
Americans are told to leave the Middle East, a draft Barron Trump website launches, the House opens an ethics probe into Nancy Mace, and much more...
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I think you have a point David. They probably won’t be an actual petroleum shortage but corporate will lie and say that there is because this is a perfect opportunity for corporate price gouging. This is a tried and true method used by corporate for decades.
OMG “gas prices might surge to $5 a gallon”.
Americans don’t realise how good they have got it. UK residents are paying the equivalent of around $8 an imperial gallon and this will likely rise because of this ill thought war.