It's News to Us

Nap Time & War Crimes

EPISODE NOTES & RUNDOWN SEGMENT 1: SLEEPY DON President Trump is caught dozing off during his own Cabinet meeting while officials list his accomplishments. We analyze the "head jerk" technique and the New York Times report on his fading stamina. SEGMENT 2: HEGSETH’S "DOUBLE TAP" The Defense Secretary faces accusations of war crimes after allegedly ordering a second strike on survivors of a drug boat explosion. The Pentagon is hiding the tapes, but Hegseth’s tweets say it all. SEGMENT 3: TACOS & TEAR GAS Rep. Adelita Grijalva gets pepper-sprayed by federal agents at a Tucson eatery. DHS says she was "obstructing," she says she was just standing there—either way, lunch is ruined. SEGMENT 4: YOU’RE FIRED (LEGALLY) The Supreme Court hears arguments on Trump v. Slaughter, a case that could let the President fire independent regulators for any reason. The "Unitary Executive" theory is about to make job security a thing of the past. SEGMENT 5: MEDICAL MYSTERY Democrats claim Trump is hiding a "major medical crisis" after he admits he doesn't know what body part he just got an MRI on. Plus, the mystery of the hand bandages. SEGMENT 6: BUYER’S REMORSE A new report shows Trump voters are panicking as tariffs send grocery prices skyrocketing. The "Golden Age" is feeling a lot more like the "Overdraft Age." SEGMENT 7: KICKER — SURF & TURF LOCKDOWN A drone carrying ribeyes, crab legs, and Old Bay seasoning is intercepted at a South Carolina prison. We pour one out for the finest meal never eaten. LINKS https://instagram.com/itsnewstous [https://instagram.com/itsnewstous] https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous [https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stranger Things Aren’t Just on Netflix

POLITICS & WORLD NEWS White House defends second strike in the Caribbean The administration claims the naval strike on a suspected drug-trafficking boat was legal and “self-defense,” despite mounting criticism and escalated tensions with Venezuela. Melbourne carbon monoxide leak A meat-processing plant disaster sends 24 workers to the hospital and raises new questions about industrial safety in Australia. Supreme Court hears major copyright case SCOTUS debates how much liability online platforms should face for user-uploaded content — a ruling that could reshape the internet. December snowstorm wrecks travel Holiday travel gets obliterated by early winter storms, leaving airports in full meltdown mode. ACA subsidy negotiations Democrats and Republicans clash over the extension of enhanced ACA tax credits, with millions’ healthcare costs hanging in the balance. Cyber Monday spending breaks records Consumers overspend despite inflation, because dopamine is undefeated. Leaked Kremlin recordings Alleged leaked audio suggests a U.S. envoy coached Putin’s aide on how to influence Trump on Ukraine. Trump considers firing Kash Patel Weeks into Patel’s tenure as FBI Director, Trump is reportedly already eyeing a replacement. ENTERTAINMENT NEWS December 2025 streaming overload Netflix drops Stranger Things 5 (finale), Knives Out 3, and a Jake Paul fight; Disney+ brings Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour: The Final Show; Peacock lands Bel-Air finale and Supernatural mega-dump; Prime drops Fallout S2; Apple TV+ rolls out F1: The Movie and Pluribus finale. Celebrity breakup season 2025 has seen major splits from Quinta Brunson, Naomi Osaka & Cordae, Dorit & PK Kemsley, Maria Bello, and more. Celebrity deaths of 2025 Remembering Diane Keaton, Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Roberta Flack, Michelle Trachtenberg, Jane Goodall, and others. 2025 film & TV chaos Endings for Stranger Things, Big Mouth, Handmaid’s Tale, and multiple cancellations across networks + streamers. Music industry moves New releases from Tems, Danny Brown, and Stray Kids; Doja Cat’s 80s-inspired tour meltdown; Zach Bryan announces a massive 2026 stadium run; Jade’s successful solo debut; and the ongoing global domination of K-pop. LINKS https://instagram.com/itsnewstous [https://instagram.com/itsnewstous] https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous [https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Falling Down, Covering Up, and Blowing… Wait, What?

INTERVIEW — NICK FROM RUN THE RIOT Nick introduces Run the Riot, a new high-energy punk/metal hybrid band. Discusses forming a band post-COVID and the chaotic reality of finding members in 2025. How DIY bands are surviving without labels and building everything from scratch. How their first single “Falling Down” came together + pushing it out across socials. The band’s influences, their early lineup story, and what’s next. Links: Website: runtheriot.band Music/Socials: https://linktr.ee/runtheriotmusic [https://linktr.ee/runtheriotmusic] Visualizer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8efJaE5ukpU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8efJaE5ukpU]   SEGMENT — “THE EPSTEIN FILES: TRUTH VS. POWER” Survivor Marina Lacerda, formerly “Minor Victim-1,” speaks publicly and demands transparency. Over 20,000 new pages released by House Oversight; many documents still heavily redacted. Trump reverses course and says he’ll sign a bill to release the files if passed. Republicans and the White House are increasingly split on what to release. Critics argue much of the material is old or incomplete, frustrating survivors. Satirical breakdown on the political grandstanding and weaponization of trauma. TikTok references for the segment: https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=epstein%20files%20transparency [https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=epstein%20files%20transparency] https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=marina%20lacerda%20epstein [https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=marina%20lacerda%20epstein] https://www.tiktok.com/@morga_tt/video/7572461857810713887 [https://www.tiktok.com/@morga_tt/video/7572461857810713887] https://www.tiktok.com/@benlapidus/video/7572380344603757879 [https://www.tiktok.com/@benlapidus/video/7572380344603757879]   SEGMENT — “DID TRUMP BLOW BILL CLINTON?” (THE INTERNET’S NEW NIGHTMARE) The story behind the actual email sentence in the Epstein archive containing the phrase: “Trump blowing Bubba.” Why everyone assumed “Bubba” meant Bill Clinton. Why Epstein’s brother says it wasn’t Clinton (which somehow makes it worse). Trump leans into the scandal anyway for political advantage. Additional Epstein emails raise renewed questions about Trump and Clinton’s ties. A satirical breakdown of how a joke email turned into a congressional talking point. TikTok search links for this segment: https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=epstein%20emails%20trump [https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=epstein%20emails%20trump] https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=bubba%20epstein%20clinton [https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=bubba%20epstein%20clinton] https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=political%20scandals%20news [https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=political%20scandals%20news]   LINKS https://instagram.com/itsnewstous [https://instagram.com/itsnewstous] https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous [https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Felony Footlongs & Trillionaire Tantrums

Politics: Chuck Schumer faces Democratic revolt over a GOP shutdown deal; eight Senate Democrats vote with Republicans, sacrificing ACA subsidies to reopen government. White House Chaos: Trump asks the Supreme Court to keep food aid frozen, then pardons Giuliani and his 2020 “Stop the Steal” dream team. Viral Justice: The “Sandwich Man” of D.C. found not guilty of assault after throwing a Subway sub at a Border Patrol officer—proof that sometimes the bread fights back. Economy Watch: America’s economy dubbed a “Jenga tower”—rich spending props up everyone else while the middle class pulls the wrong block. Tech & Culture: Elon Musk becomes a trillionaire, iOS 26.2 promises “urgent” reminders and offline lyrics, and recyclers are mining gold from old phones. Entertainment: Sydney Sweeney’s film Christy flops and her “Great Jeans” ad triggers controversy; Ace Frehley of KISS remembered as a rock legend gone cosmic. Closing Thought: America’s politics may be melting down, but at least our sandwiches, software updates, and recycling are still holding the line. LINKS https://instagram.com/itsnewstous [https://instagram.com/itsnewstous] https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous [https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Facts & Butt-Fumble Acts

Trump Blocked from Deploying National Guard to Oregon – Court says you can’t “borrow” another state’s troops; politics meets civics class.   Gaza Ceasefire Talks Begin in Egypt – Hostages, aid, airstrikes on the table; optimism on backorder. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek Steps Down – Co-CEO era begins; artists still want real payouts. Mark Sanchez Felony Charge (Parking Lot Fight) – From color commentary to charge sheet; “Parking Lot Rumble” replaces “Butt Fumble.” OpenAI + AMD Mega Deal – AI arms race picks teams; GPUs choose sides. Americans Don’t Trust AI in Elections – Deepfakes, disinfo, and regulation wish-casting. Tech Firms Crack Down on AI Nudity – Platforms promise fewer deepfakes; enforcement question marks. Everest Blizzard Rescue – Hundreds guided to safety in Tibet; climate chaos meets adventure tourism. MIT: Musicians Focus Better – Selective attention advantage; practice > procrastination. Diddy Sentenced to 50 Months – Accountability message from the bench; appeal incoming. TikTok: (search) diddy sentenced 50 months, judge subramanian diddy sentencing Louis C.K. Performs in Saudi Arabia – “Art vs. optics” debate ignites—again. Supreme Court Rejects Ghislaine Maxwell Appeal – 20-year sentence stands; unanswered questions linger. LINKS https://instagram.com/itsnewstous [https://instagram.com/itsnewstous] https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous [https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.