The Necessary Conversation

This week on The Necessary Conversation we cover one of the heaviest news weeks yet. 👉 Here’s what we dive into: 🏫 School Shooting in Minneapolis A tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School left 2 children dead and 17 others injured. We discuss the shooter’s identity, manifesto, and why gun violence has now become the #1 cause of death for kids in America. ⛳️ Trump Rumors & Golfing Again Trump vanished from public view for 4 days, sparking #trumpdead trends online. JD Vance even said he was “ready to step in” if tragedy struck. But Trump reappeared—on the golf course, again. We unpack the health rumors, bruised hands, and succession talk. 🇺🇸 Burning the Flag Trump signed an executive order criminalizing flag burning, despite Supreme Court precedent. An Army vet was arrested protesting in DC. Free speech or disrespect? 📰 Israel Kills Journalists Israel’s double-strike tactic at Nasser Hospital killed at least 20 people, including 5 journalists and medical staff. We discuss whether this marks a turning point in calling the Gaza war a genocide. 🧪 CDC in Crisis Trump fired CDC Director Susan Monarez less than a month after appointing her. Top officials resigned, dozens of employees walked out, and RFK Jr. is reshaping vaccine policy with skeptics on advisory boards. Is the CDC being dismantled from within? 📦 No More Mail Trump axed the “de minimis” exemption, forcing tariffs on low-value imports. Now over 25 countries—including the UK, Germany, Japan, and Australia—are suspending shipments to the U.S. What does this mean for consumers? 🐾 Simmer Down Not everything’s heavy—this week, we lighten up with Taylor & Travis. 💬 Join the debate: Should flag burning be illegal? Is Trump’s health failing? Why is America leading the world in school shootings? And would you give up your guns if it ended school shootings forever? 📌 Subscribe for new episodes every Sunday 📲 Daily clips on TikTok, Instagram & YouTube Shorts 🔔 Hit the bell & join the conversation! If you have a question for anyone on the show, record it in a 1 minute or under audio or video clip and send it to: thenecessaryconversationpod@gmail.com

This week on The Necessary Conversation: 🗳 Texas vs. California Texas Republicans delayed flood relief to ram through a redistricting bill flipping up to 5 House seats. Gavin Newsom fired back with the Election Rigging Response Act. Is this tit-for-tat how democracy is supposed to work? 📺 Newsmax Lied After years of pushing election conspiracies, Newsmax will pay Dominion $67 million in a defamation settlement. First Fox, now this. Is conservative media finally paying for the Big Lie? 📬 No More Mail-In Ballots Trump vowed to end mail-in voting before the 2026 midterms — citing Putin of all people as backup. He claimed the U.S. is the only country using them (false: at least 34 do, including Russia). With 99 million ballots mailed in 2024, does ending them destroy fair elections? 👼 Will Trump Go to Heaven? Trump told Fox & Friends: > “I want to try to get to heaven, if possible. I’m really at the bottom of the totem pole.” >  Does divine judgment care about Stormy Daniels or separating families? 🖥 Welcome to Communist America? The Trump admin just bought 10% of Intel — $8.9B worth. The U.S. government is now its biggest shareholder. Is this strategy, socialism, or self-enrichment? 📱 The White House on TikTok Trump once pushed to ban TikTok — but now the White House has an official account posting pro-Trump propaganda. Mixed messaging or smart youth outreach? 🐾 Simmer Down Not everything is fire and brimstone — this week we celebrate Kitty Kat Sugar Bear’s 14th birthday. 🎂🐶 💬 Join the debate: Should states redraw maps mid-decade? Should mail-in voting die? Will Trump ever face consequences? Or should we just eat cake with Kitty Kat? 📌 Subscribe for new episodes every Sunday 📲 Follow us on TikTok, Instagram & YouTube Shorts for daily clips 🔔 Hit the bell to never miss a Necessary Conversation If you have a question for anyone on the show, record it in a 1 minute or under audio or video clip and send it to: thenecessaryconversationpod@gmail.com

This week on The Necessary Conversation, the Kultgen family breaks down a wild stretch of politics at home and abroad—while celebrating three years of arguing, laughing, and surviving together. 🇷🇺 Trump & Putin: Red Carpet in Alaska Donald Trump rolled out literal red carpet treatment for Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage. The pageantry included flyovers, limo rides, and fawning photo ops—but no ceasefire deal for Ukraine. We discuss the ICC arrest warrant for Putin, the abduction of nearly 19,000 Ukrainian children, and whether Trump’s “end the war in 24 hours” promise is officially broken. 🪖 Martial Law in D.C. For the first time ever, Trump invoked Section 740 of the Home Rule Act to seize control of the D.C. police and deploy 800 National Guard troops. He claims crime is “out of control,” even as statistics show violent crime at a 30-year low. He also hinted at federal takeovers in Chicago, LA, NYC, Baltimore, and Oakland. Is this democracy—or something closer to authoritarian control? 💰 Trump’s Billions The New Yorker reports Trump has profited $3.4 billion during his presidencies, with the bulk coming from crypto schemes, Mar-a-Lago, PAC money, and merchandising. We break down the biggest numbers and ask whether any president should be allowed to profit like this. 🚨 Criminalizing Homelessness Trump signed executive directives turning homelessness itself into a crime, clearing 70+ encampments in D.C. under a “no-tolerance” policy. We ask whether arrests solve anything—or simply punish the vulnerable. 📉 Inflation, Jobs & Trump’s Numbers Game With inflation spiking and jobs growth lagging, Trump fired the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner and installed a loyalist. We dig into whether future “official numbers” will be fact or fiction. 🌉 Gavin Newsom Trolls Trump California Governor Gavin Newsom clapped back at Trump with parody “all caps” tweets and unveiled a plan to redraw districts that could flip five House seats. Is this trolling—or a serious counterstrike? 🔑 Episode Highlights * Trump & Putin’s red carpet meeting (and war crimes) * Trump’s martial law move in D.C. * The New Yorker exposé on Trump’s billions * Criminalizing homelessness in America * Inflation spike & Trump’s BLS purge * Gavin Newsom vs. Trump: Troll War 👉 What do YOU think: Is Trump protecting America—or himself?  💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments and join the debate. #Trump #Putin #Ukraine #Newsom #PoliticsPodcast #TheNecessaryConversation If you have a question for anyone on the show, record it in a 1 minute or under audio or video clip and send it to: thenecessaryconversationpod@gmail.com

This week on The Necessary Conversation, Chad and Haley face off with Mary Lou (Bob’s still out recovering from hip surgery!) in another fiery family debate that mixes breaking headlines with our signature cross-generational, cross-political banter. Topics include: * Trump–Putin Alaska Summit: Why Zelenskyy’s not invited, the $300B deal on the table, and what happens if Ukraine refuses to sign. * Texas Democrats Skip Town: The mass walkout to block GOP redistricting, Abbott’s legal threats, and whether blue states will retaliate. * Trump Burger Owner Deported: Roland Mehrez Beainy’s immigration scandal—and what it says about loyalty in MAGA world. * Trump on the Roof: The bizarre “nuclear missiles” moment and whether this is presidential behavior or something else entirely. * Gaza Crisis Escalates: Israel moves to take Gaza City despite international backlash—what consequences, if any, Netanyahu might face. * White House Goes Full Mar-a-Lago: Trump’s Rose Garden demolition, fake gold overload, and a $200M donor-funded ballroom while Americans struggle to put food on the table. Simmer Down: If you could bring back one pet from the dead—who would it be, and why? 🔥 Politics, absurdity, and family dynamics collide in every episode—whether you’re red, blue, or somewhere in between. #Trump #Putin #Ukraine #Texas #Redistricting #WhiteHouse #Politics #FamilyPodcast #FOOLSGOLD If you have a question for anyone on the show, record it in a 1 minute or under audio or video clip and send it to: thenecessaryconversationpod@gmail.com

This week on The Necessary Conversation, it’s just Mary Lou and Chad behind the mic—no Bob, no Haley—as we mark (almost!) three years of raw, honest political dialogue. We reflect on the very first episode of the show from August 17, 2022 and ask: has this podcast changed us? Has it brought us closer—or just made things even weirder? 📼 Then we dive into the biggest headlines of the week: * Trump’s Name Redacted from the Epstein Files? Bloomberg reports the FBI removed Trump’s name from public Epstein docs before FOIA release. As pressure mounts, Trump flees to Scotland and threatens to pardon Ghislaine Maxwell, who was just moved to minimum-security prison after cooperating with his DOJ. * Lawrence Taylor on Trump’s Fitness Council?! Trump revives the Presidential Fitness Test, tapping athletes like Bryson DeChambeau—and shockingly, registered sex offender Lawrence Taylor. Is this who we want shaping the future of kids’ health? * Starvation in Gaza A UN-backed report shows Gaza has reached famine conditions. Over 120 dead from starvation, including 83 children. Israel allows only a fraction of the aid trucks needed. And over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed while trying to get food. We ask: Is this intentional? * Smithsonian Erases Trump from History The National Museum of American History just removed Trump’s name from the presidential impeachment exhibit. Coincidence—or presidential pressure? * Ghislaine Maxwell’s Quiet Upgrade Now at a minimum-security dorm-style prison, Maxwell is reportedly cooperating for a pardon. Her survivors—including Virginia Giuffre—are furious. 🟢 Subscribe, share, and drop a comment—do YOU think Trump’s name is in the Epstein files? #TheNecessaryConversation #EpsteinList #TrumpNews #Gaza #GhislaineMaxwell #PresidentialFitness #PoliticsPodcast #Trump2025 #PodcastClips If you have a question for anyone on the show, record it in a 1 minute or under audio or video clip and send it to: thenecessaryconversationpod@gmail.com