logo
episode-header-image
May 2025
1h 32m

Con Man Air: Trump’s Middle East Cash Gr...

Crooked Media
About this episode

Tommy and Ben discuss how President Trump’s first official foreign trip is a blatant extraction of money from the Middle East, his announcement that the US will lift sanctions on Syria, the widening cracks between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump and Israel’s increasing isolation, and the different stories the US and Iran are telling about the latest nuclear talks. They also talk about why Trump caved to China on tariffs, India and Pakistan’s ceasefire and the Trump administration’s belated intervention in the conflict, and the latest talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey. Additionally, they talk about the first American Pope and why the Trump administration’s classification of white South Africans as refugees is white supremacy as policy. Finally, Tommy speaks with Senator Chris Murphy about the historic corruption on display during Trump’s Middle East trip and what Democrats can do to fight back.

 

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

 

Up next
Oct 8
Trump Barrels Towards War with Venezuela
Tommy & Ben sound the alarm about how Trump is laying the foundation for war with Venezuela—breaking down the administration’s justifications, what escalation could look like, and why attacking Venezuela won’t solve America’s drug problem. Then, they discuss the latest negotiatio ... Show More
1h 36m
Oct 1
Trump's Fascist Military Jamboree
Tommy & Ben react to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump's bizarre and alarming gathering of top military officials, including Trump's fascistic rhetoric about the "enemy within", wildly inappropriate partisan rants, and Hegseth's anti-DEI, pro-war-crimes lecture t ... Show More
1h 30m
Sep 24
Has Trump Ended 7 Wars? (No)
Tommy & Ben grit their teeth and dive into Trump’s rambling, insulting address at the United Nations and fact-check his ridiculous claim that he solved seven wars. They cover Trump’s proposed bank bailout for Argentina, his threat to re-invade Afghanistan, Pete Hegseth’s crackdow ... Show More
1h 34m
Recommended Episodes
Jul 29
Will Trump & Netanyahu Let Gaza Starve?
Donald Trump splits with Benjamin Netanyahu and acknowledges that Gaza is experiencing "real starvation"—but will he pressure Israel to end the war and allow more aid in? Lovett, Favreau, and Tommy react to the latest developments in Gaza, Trump's shifting and typically incoheren ... Show More
1h 42m
Oct 4
Hamas on ceasefire, Comey “perp walk” and Japan’s likely first female PM
Hamas agrees to key points in Trump’s proposed Gaza peace plan, which includes a ceasefire and prisoner exchange. An FBI agent is relieved of duty after refusing to participate in the "perp walk" of former FBI director James Comey. Sean “Diddy” Combs is sentenced. Sanae Takaichi ... Show More
11m 57s
Oct 9
Trump: Gaza ceasefire deal has been reached
President Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of his Gaza peace deal and that hostages could be released within days. Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu called the agreement "a great day for Israel". Hamas confirmed the deal, but said it's awaiting details ... Show More
30m 23s
Aug 28
Day 692 - White House meeting on Gaza hosts heavy hitters
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. A reportedly routine policy meeting in the White House m ... Show More
20m 58s
Mar 2025
Israel blocks aid to Gaza as it pushes new ceasefire terms
Israel has stopped humanitarian aid to Gaza as the first phase of the ceasefire deal expired this weekend. The Guardian's Julian Borger talks about why Israel has stopped that aid and ongoing negotiations with Hamas. Then, New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the ... Show More
27m 31s
Jul 25
Gaza whistleblower speaks of indiscriminate brutality against civilians
A US military veteran who worked for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has told the BBC he's never seen such brutality as that shown by Israeli soldiers and American contractors against starving civilians.And Israel's ambassador to France tells Newshour a French decision to recogn ... Show More
39m 23s
Sep 27
Netanyahu at UNGA, Gaza, Comey and Ryder Cup
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slams Western countries for recognizing Palestinian statehood during a UN General Assembly speech. A Reuters analysis contradicts Israel's explanation of a deadly August attack on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital. Former FBI Director James Comey’s ... Show More
11m 54s
Sep 26
Bibi vs. the U.N.;​ “ Dear Pam,” The Indictment of a Former FBI Director
Drama at the United Nations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the podium today, but not before dozens of delegates walked out to a chorus of jeers and applause. Netanyahu defended Israel’s actions in Gaza, nearly two years after the Oct. 7 attacks. His appearance ca ... Show More
21m 30s
Jan 2025
Trump 2.0 Sparks Global Shake-Up & State Department Resignations
In his first week back in office, President Trump's strong arm is already making itself felt around the world — with the United States pulling out of the World Health Organization and Paris Climate Accords, imposing tariffs on China and the Americas, and pledging to end wars whil ... Show More
42m 33s