The Disinfo Detox

Inside the Battle for L.A. City Council District 15 with Jordan Rivers

Watch: https://youtu.be/nh4j-9TNYWs Subscribe to Gaslight Gazette: https://www.nolanhigdon.substack.com [https://www.nolanhigdon.substack.com]Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DisinfoDetox [https://www.patreon.com/DisinfoDetox]Learn more at: https://www.NolanHigdon.com [https://www.NolanHigdon.com] In this episode of The Disinfo Detox, we dive into local politics and the shifting power dynamics of Southern California. We sit down with Jordan Rivers, a candidate running for the Los Angeles City Council District 15 seat, to unpack what it takes to challenge an entrenched political establishment and advocate for working-class communities. Rivers shares his vision for the diverse neighborhoods of CD-15 and makes the case for why current representation is failing everyday residents. We look closely at the record of incumbent Tim McOsker, exploring how corporate interests and establishment politics dictate city policy, and discuss the concrete, transformative solutions needed to tackle L.A.’s most pressing crises—from housing and economic inequality to grassroots community empowerment. Inside This Episode:Representing the 15th: Jordan Rivers outlines the specific needs of the communities within District 15 and his vision for authentic, grassroots governance. Challenging the Incumbent: A critical look at the current occupant of the seat, Tim McOsker, and the corporate-aligned politics that dominate City Hall. A Blueprint for Change: Breaking down specific, actionable policy proposals designed to directly improve the material conditions of working-class Angelenos. Power to the People: Discussing how local elections serve as a vital battleground for dismantling corporate political control and rebuilding community-first representation. #JordanRivers #LACityCouncil #CD15 #Los Angeles #LocalPolitics #GrassrootsMovements #TimMcOsker #PoliticalReform #TheDisinfoDetox #NolanHigdon

The AI Job Threat, Campaign Cash Scandals, and the Corporate Capture of Education

Watch: https://youtu.be/nWJ4wdlCkvM Subscribe to Gaslight Gazette: https://www.nolanhigdon.substack.com [https://www.nolanhigdon.substack.com] Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DisinfoDetox [https://www.patreon.com/DisinfoDetox] Learn more at: https://www.NolanHigdon.com [https://www.NolanHigdon.com] Nolan Higdon and Ron Placone return to navigate a week defined by institutional rot, grassroots pushback, and the commercialization of our everyday lives. From college graduates openly revolting against the forced implementation of artificial intelligence to corporate deregulation threatening the safety of our drinking water, we break down the reality of a political and economic system prioritizing profit over people. From the latest dark money influence operations shaping the California Governor's race to a sweetheart Department of Justice settlement that permanently shields the Oval Office from tax accountability, we pull back the curtain on the power plays shaping May 2026. Inside This Episode:The Monopoly Economy: We break down the structural realities of modern corporate consolidation, unpacking recent congressional testimony on the hollowed-out state of American economic competition.Source: Congressional Testimony on Monopolies - PianoFighter Substack Graduation Revolts & Education Battles: Facing a grim job market and white-collar automation, 2026 graduates are loudly booing AI during commencement speeches. Meanwhile, we look at the dystopian reality of schools turning parking lots into safe zones for homeless students, and Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s fiery clash with House Democrats.Source: AI Getting Booed at 2026 Commencements - Fast Company | School Parking Lots for Homeless Families - The Hechinger Report | McMahon Tussles With House Democrats - Inside Higher Ed Environmental Deregulation: Under new directives, Trump’s EPA is actively moving to strip away safety limits on carcinogenic "forever chemicals" (PFAS) in public drinking water. We examine the corporate lobbying driving this assault on public health.Source: Trump's EPA Seeks to End Forever Chemical Limits - Earth.org | Environmental Protection Rollbacks - More Perfect Union Primary Election Shockwaves: A massive shakeup in the Pennsylvania primaries as progressive Democratic Socialist Chris Rabb and working-class union leader Bob Brooks score major victories despite heavy opposition spending. Plus, Thomas Massie blasts the influence of foreign lobbying after needing to track down his primary opponent in Tel Aviv just to concede.Source: AIPAC Lost! Chris Rabb Wins PA Primary - Common Dreams | Bob Brooks Wins PA Primary - Common Dreams | Massie Concedes Primary Race - The Times of Israel California Political Scandals: The race to lead California turns into an influencer wild west. The state is launching investigations into Tom Steyer's campaign over hidden influencer payments, while rival candidate Xavier Becerra gets caught up in his own major campaign disclosure fight. Closer to home, L.A. City Council progressives deliver a sharp political snub to Nithya Raman.Source: California Investigates Steyer Influencer Payments - CalMatters | Xavier Becerra Campaign Disclosure Fight - Sacramento Bee | City Council Progressives Snub Raman - AOL News The Corruption Corner: The infamous "Kars4Kids" charity jingle is officially banned from California airwaves following a massive false advertising crackdown. More critically, a newly unveiled DOJ settlement officially bars the IRS from taking auditing or enforcement action against Donald Trump over his historic tax returns.Source: Kars4Kids Jingle Banned in California - The Guardian | DOJ Settlement Bans IRS Action Against Trump - CBS News #NolanHigdon #RonPlacone #TheDisinfoDetox #AICrisis #EducationReform #LindaMcMahon #EPA #ForeverChemicals #PAPrimary #AIPAC #CAGov #TomSteyer #XavierBecerra #NithyaRaman #Kars4Kids #TrumpTaxes #MediaLiteracy

The Brink of Bedlam: Missile Blocks, Nuclear Tests, and the 3.8% Squeeze

Watch: https://youtu.be/oe_l8H7VJ28 Subscribe to Gaslight Gazette: https://www.nolanhigdon.substack.com [https://www.nolanhigdon.substack.com] Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DisinfoDetox [https://www.patreon.com/DisinfoDetox] Learn more at: https://www.NolanHigdon.com [https://www.NolanHigdon.com] Nolan Higdon and Ron Placone return to navigate a week defined by global instability, from the brink of nuclear escalation to a domestic economic squeeze and a rising health crisis. As the conflict with Iran sends shockwaves through the U.S. economy, we break down the reality of modern warfare and the political fallout of a "me-first" foreign policy. From the expiration of landmark nuclear treaties to the environmental and economic costs of the AI land grab, we pull back the curtain on the power plays shaping May 2026. * The Iran Long Game: A new CIA report reveals Iran has retained 70% of its pre-war missile stockpile and can withstand a blockade for months. We discuss the failure of "shock and awe" and the reality of a sustained conflict. * Source: CIA says Iran has 70 percent of pre-war missiles - Middle East Eye [https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/cia-says-iran-has-70-percent-pre-war-missile-stockpile-can-withstand-blockade-months-report] | More Perfect Union [https://x.com/moreperfectus/status/2054613887861858761?s=46] * Nuclear Brinkmanship: With the U.S. nuclear treaty officially expired, Russia has wasted no time testing long-range missiles. We look at the terrifying return to an era of unchecked nuclear proliferation. * Source: Russia Tests Long-range Missile - Barron's [https://www.barrons.com/news/russia-tests-long-range-missile-after-us-nuclear-treaty-expires-ea5a47db] * The War Tax (Inflation): U.S. inflation has jumped to 3.8% as energy costs surge due to the war with Iran. Meanwhile, Trump states he isn’t thinking about American finances "even a little bit" during negotiations. We dissect the disconnect between the White House and the working class. * Source: US inflation jumps to 3.8% - BBC [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c202pgxx89lo] | Trump on finances and Iran - NBC News [https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-not-thinking-american-finances-iran-talk-rcna344785] * Hantavirus Outbreak: A different kind of threat emerges as Hantavirus cases rise to 11. We look at the investigation into a possible Illinois case and why experts say this strain is a different beast than COVID-19. * Source: Hantavirus Outbreak Reaches 11 Cases - WDBJ7 [https://www.wdbj7.com/2026/05/13/hometown-health-hantavirus-outbreak-reaches-11-cases-local-expert-says-strain-differs-covid-19/] | Illinois Investigation - FOX8 [https://fox8.com/news/possible-hantavirus-case-not-linked-to-cruise-ship-investigated-in-illinois/] * Data Centers & Lake Tahoe: The battle over Big Tech’s physical footprint moves to Tahoe. We examine why nearly 50,000 residents are sounding the alarm over the environmental impact of massive new data centers. * Source: Tahoe Data Center Conflict - Yahoo Finance [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nearly-50-000-lake-tahoe-170925969.html] * CA Governor’s Race Shakeup: A brand new poll shows a major shift and a new frontrunner in the race to lead California. We analyze the changing political winds in the Golden State. * Source: New Poll Shows Major Shift in CA Gov Race - KRON4 [https://www.kron4.com/news/politics/inside-california-politics/new-poll-shows-a-new-frontrunner-in-california-governors-race/] #NolanHigdon #RonPlacone #TheDisinfoDetox #IranWar #NuclearTesting #Inflation #Hantavirus #DataCenters #LakeTahoe #CAGov #MediaLiteracy #PoliticalScandals Inside This Episode:

Trump’s Hormuz Withdrawal, Fetterman’s GOP Flirtation, & Kevin O’Leary’s Data Center War

Watch: https://youtu.be/7yWQdqqgs58 Subscribe to Gaslight Gazette: https://www.nolanhigdon.substack.com [https://www.nolanhigdon.substack.com]Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DisinfoDetox [https://www.patreon.com/DisinfoDetox]Learn more at: https://www.NolanHigdon.com [https://www.NolanHigdon.com] Nolan Higdon and Ron Placone return to dissect a whirlwind week of brinkmanship in the Middle East, the shifting sands of party loyalty, and the high cost of the "Big Tech" land grab. We start with the sudden de-escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, questioning why the Trump administration launched—and then abruptly halted—a military operation against Iran within 24 hours. We also tackle the "everything, everywhere" corruption allegations surrounding the White House, the GOP’s aggressive recruitment of John Fetterman, and the redistricting "arms race" triggered by the latest Supreme Court ruling. From the final warnings of a dying political generation to the environmental devastation promised by a new billionaire-backed data center in Utah, we pull back the curtain on the power plays shaping 2026. Inside This Episode: * The One-Day War: Analyzing Trump’s lightning-fast military pivot in the Strait of Hormuz. Was it a show of force, a tactical retreat, or a distraction from domestic scandals? * The Fetterman Flip: Inside the quiet Republican effort to court John Fetterman. We discuss what happens to the Democratic platform when the GOP starts picking off its most prominent mavericks. * The Everything Corruption Story: Breaking down Isaac Saul’s deep dive into presidential self-dealing and the "all-at-once" nature of modern political graft. * Redistricting Arms Race: Following the Supreme Court’s VRA ruling, states are sprinting to redraw the maps. We look at who wins and who loses in this high-stakes gerrymandering sprint. * The Dying Generation: As Barney Frank issues a final warning to the left and Rudy Giuliani receives last rites, we reflect on the passing of an era and the legacy these figures leave behind. * Data Centers vs. The Great Salt Lake: "Mr. Wonderful" comes to Utah. We examine the furious local protests against a massive new data center that threatens to double the state's electricity use and drain its water. * Cinco de Mayo Memes & Salt: Even in the midst of global tension, the White House and GOP find time for cringe-worthy social media spats. We look at the performative politics of holiday pandering. #NolanHigdon #RonPlacone #TheDisinfoDetox #Iran #StraitOfHormuz #Fetterman #Redistricting #Corruption #BigTech #Utah #EnvironmentalJustice #MediaLiteracy #PoliticalScandals

How US Media Sanitizes Israeli War Crimes with Scholar Robin Andersen

Watch: https://youtu.be/5JP4CZaCNh8 Full Episode: https://youtu.be/bNVjGMSkqMU [https://youtu.be/bNVjGMSkqMU]Subscribe to Gaslight Gazette: https://www.nolanhigdon.substack.com [https://www.nolanhigdon.substack.com]Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DisinfoDetoxLearn more at: https://www.NolanHigdon.com In this episode of The Disinfo Detox, we sit down with media scholar Robin Andersen to discuss her urgent new book, The Complicit Lens: US Media Coverage of Israel’s Genocide in Gaza. We explore the disturbing ways in which American establishment media has functioned as a propaganda arm, echoing Israeli military narratives and sanitizing the reality of state violence. While international news and social media captured the visceral reality of the conflict, Andersen argues that legacy outlets employed a "complicit lens"—using passive language to deflect blame and repeating unverified talking points to justify war crimes. From the "Flour Massacre" being rebranded as "aid-related deaths" to the systematic censorship of the word "genocide," we deconstruct how journalism can be used to manufacture consent for atrocity. * The Architecture of Complicity: How US corporate media aligns its reporting with IDF narratives to recast violence as defense. * Language as a Shield: Analyzing the use of passive voice and the editorial bans on terms like "massacre" and "genocide." * Propaganda Tropes: Debunking the foundational myths used to justify the assault and how they persisted in the press long after being discredited. * Targeting the Truth: Discussing the unprecedented dangers faced by journalists and aid workers on the ground. * The War on Dissent: Examining the hostile media portrayal of global protests and student uprisings against the Gaza genocide. #TheComplicitLens #RobinAndersen #MediaLiteracy #TheDisinfoDetox #Gaza #JournalismEthics #MediaCriticism #ProjectCensored #NolanHigdon #PropagandaDeconstruction Inside This Episode: