1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,600 Hey everyone and welcome to our deep dive. 2 00:00:02,600 --> 00:00:07,360 Today is January 6th, 2025, five years to the day 3 00:00:07,360 --> 00:00:10,200 since that crazy scene at the Capitol. 4 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:13,480 But today we're not looking back, we're looking ahead. 5 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:15,200 You've given us a whole stack of sources 6 00:00:15,200 --> 00:00:17,560 on the aftermath of Trump's second presidential win. 7 00:00:17,560 --> 00:00:19,160 It's everything from legal analysis 8 00:00:19,160 --> 00:00:22,200 to political commentary, even some financial insights. 9 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:23,600 We are gonna break it all down. 10 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:25,840 And trust me, there are some crazy twists 11 00:00:25,840 --> 00:00:27,520 and turns along the way. 12 00:00:27,520 --> 00:00:28,480 It's remarkable, isn't it? 13 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:29,320 Oh yeah. 14 00:00:29,320 --> 00:00:31,400 And to think that he's back in the Oval Office. 15 00:00:31,400 --> 00:00:32,240 Yeah. 16 00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:34,640 Despite facing all of these criminal and civil cases. 17 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:36,040 It's definitely a lot to unpack. 18 00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:36,880 Yeah. 19 00:00:36,880 --> 00:00:38,240 The electoral vote news source actually dives 20 00:00:38,240 --> 00:00:40,280 into six different criminal cases against Trump. 21 00:00:40,280 --> 00:00:43,440 Everything from the January 6th insurrection charges 22 00:00:43,440 --> 00:00:46,720 to the fake electors cases in Arizona and Michigan. 23 00:00:46,720 --> 00:00:48,960 I think the question on everyone's mind is how. 24 00:00:48,960 --> 00:00:49,800 Yeah. 25 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:51,160 With all of this hanging over his head, 26 00:00:51,160 --> 00:00:53,960 how did he manage to win a second term? 27 00:00:53,960 --> 00:00:56,680 The source uses the word luck quite a bit. 28 00:00:56,680 --> 00:00:58,280 They talk about delayed prosecutions, 29 00:00:58,280 --> 00:01:00,280 Supreme Court rulings that went his favor. 30 00:01:00,280 --> 00:01:01,960 Even a judge's email gaffe 31 00:01:01,960 --> 00:01:03,760 that ended up working to his advantage. 32 00:01:03,760 --> 00:01:06,560 It's almost unbelievable how many things seem to have gone 33 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:08,360 right for him legally speaking. 34 00:01:08,360 --> 00:01:11,240 It's like in the Florida documents case. 35 00:01:11,240 --> 00:01:14,840 The source mentions that the assigned judge recused herself 36 00:01:14,840 --> 00:01:17,720 because her boyfriend was a prosecutor on the case. 37 00:01:17,720 --> 00:01:19,000 Talk about bad timing. 38 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:21,360 It is an interesting coincidence for sure. 39 00:01:21,360 --> 00:01:22,200 Yeah. 40 00:01:22,200 --> 00:01:24,400 But while luck may have played a part, 41 00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:27,360 the source also points out that Trump's legal strategy 42 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:29,000 has really focused on delay. 43 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:30,400 Oh, interesting. 44 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:32,600 His lawyers have been dragging things out, 45 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:34,880 hoping that public attention would fade 46 00:01:34,880 --> 00:01:37,360 and the political wins would shift in their favor. 47 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:38,200 Yo. 48 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:39,880 And it seems like that's exactly what happened. 49 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:42,520 It's like he's playing this legal chess game, 50 00:01:42,520 --> 00:01:44,120 just stalling for time. 51 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:44,960 Yeah. 52 00:01:44,960 --> 00:01:47,800 And even if he doesn't get the cases dismissed outright, 53 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:49,920 it buys him time, maybe even enough 54 00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:51,920 to get through a second term. 55 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:54,160 And we can't forget about the civil cases. 56 00:01:54,160 --> 00:01:56,920 The electoral vote news source mentions lawsuits 57 00:01:56,920 --> 00:01:59,160 like bank fraud and defamation. 58 00:01:59,160 --> 00:01:59,480 Right. 59 00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:01,520 And those civil cases, they can't put him in jail, 60 00:02:01,520 --> 00:02:03,120 but they definitely hit him where it hurts. 61 00:02:03,120 --> 00:02:03,600 Yeah. 62 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:05,000 His wallet and his reputation. 63 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:05,640 Yeah. 64 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:08,080 The New York attorney general's case on bank fraud. 65 00:02:08,080 --> 00:02:08,480 Oh, yeah. 66 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:11,320 Forced Trump to pay back a massive amount of money. 67 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:12,640 Hundreds of millions of dollars, 68 00:02:12,640 --> 00:02:14,720 which for some people that's like a drop in the bucket, 69 00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:16,760 but still a significant financial blow. 70 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:17,480 It is. 71 00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:21,000 And then there's that E. Jean Carroll defamation case. 72 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:24,560 He was found liable for sexually abusing and defaming her. 73 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:27,200 So even if you can avoid the criminal charges, 74 00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:29,440 it shows that there can be consequences. 75 00:02:29,440 --> 00:02:30,360 Oh, absolutely. 76 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:33,200 It really does raise the question, though, of are there 77 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:36,040 limits to the law when it comes to holding 78 00:02:36,040 --> 00:02:37,480 powerful individuals accountable? 79 00:02:37,480 --> 00:02:37,980 Yeah. 80 00:02:37,980 --> 00:02:42,040 Is it truly blind or do wealth and influence tip the scales? 81 00:02:42,040 --> 00:02:42,720 Exactly. 82 00:02:42,720 --> 00:02:45,080 It's a heavy thought, for sure, especially with him 83 00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:46,400 being back in the White House. 84 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:46,920 Yeah. 85 00:02:46,920 --> 00:02:49,040 But this deep dive also takes us 86 00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:52,480 into some fascinating legal and political dramas 87 00:02:52,480 --> 00:02:54,160 that are playing out right now. 88 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:55,280 And the stakes are high. 89 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:56,640 Absolutely. 90 00:02:56,640 --> 00:02:58,440 One of the most captivating subplots 91 00:02:58,440 --> 00:03:01,400 has to be the downfall of Rudy Giuliani. 92 00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:03,680 I mean, remember, America's mayor. 93 00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:04,640 Oh, yeah. 94 00:03:04,640 --> 00:03:07,080 According to the electoral vote news source, 95 00:03:07,080 --> 00:03:09,840 he's in some serious legal hot water right now. 96 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:12,040 It's amazing how things have changed for him. 97 00:03:12,040 --> 00:03:16,240 From America's mayor to potentially facing jail time, 98 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:18,960 the sources that he's defied two federal judges 99 00:03:18,960 --> 00:03:21,800 and refused to cooperate in the defamation case brought 100 00:03:21,800 --> 00:03:24,080 by Ruby Freeman and Shea Moss. 101 00:03:24,080 --> 00:03:26,200 Those were those election workers from Georgia. 102 00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:26,480 Yes. 103 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:30,680 And that lack of cooperation could land him in deep trouble. 104 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:33,200 He's looking at potential contempt charges, 105 00:03:33,200 --> 00:03:35,160 which could mean prison time. 106 00:03:35,160 --> 00:03:38,840 And remember when he claimed a 9-11 related cough 107 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:40,200 to avoid a court appearance? 108 00:03:40,200 --> 00:03:40,600 Right. 109 00:03:40,600 --> 00:03:43,600 The source makes it clear that the judge was not buying it. 110 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:45,400 Not at all. 111 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:46,840 It really makes you wonder if Giuliani's 112 00:03:46,840 --> 00:03:48,680 going to flip on Trump to save himself. 113 00:03:48,680 --> 00:03:49,680 Oh, that's a good question. 114 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:52,240 What does he know that could potentially 115 00:03:52,240 --> 00:03:54,120 damage Trump's legacy? 116 00:03:54,120 --> 00:03:55,840 It's a question with huge consequences. 117 00:03:55,840 --> 00:03:57,040 It's almost like a cliffhanger. 118 00:03:57,040 --> 00:03:57,640 Right. 119 00:03:57,640 --> 00:04:00,520 And the source even draws a parallel to President 120 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:01,720 Warren G. Harding. 121 00:04:01,720 --> 00:04:02,400 You remember him? 122 00:04:02,400 --> 00:04:03,080 Oh, Cardi. 123 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:05,520 Well, his presidency was plagued by all these scandals 124 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:08,000 that didn't even come to light until after he died. 125 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:12,320 So the point is that even one single damaging revelation, 126 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:16,360 no matter how late it surfaces, can completely redefine 127 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:18,440 a president's legacy regardless of any 128 00:04:18,440 --> 00:04:19,440 of their accomplishments. 129 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:23,400 It's a stark reminder that even the most powerful individuals 130 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:26,720 are not immune to the consequences of their actions. 131 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:28,680 Sometimes those consequences just take a little while 132 00:04:28,680 --> 00:04:29,480 to catch up. 133 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:31,120 So we've got Trump back in office 134 00:04:31,120 --> 00:04:33,440 facing all these legal battles on multiple fronts. 135 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:36,840 His former lawyers teetering on the edge of a meltdown. 136 00:04:36,840 --> 00:04:39,000 But hold on tight because there's more to unpack. 137 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:41,840 This deep dive also goes into the current legislative 138 00:04:41,840 --> 00:04:42,640 landscape. 139 00:04:42,640 --> 00:04:44,240 And let me tell you, things are just 140 00:04:44,240 --> 00:04:45,960 as chaotic on Capitol Hill. 141 00:04:45,960 --> 00:04:48,960 Trump's got some very ambitious plans. 142 00:04:48,960 --> 00:04:51,520 The electoral vote news source specifically 143 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:54,200 mentions a massive reconciliation bill 144 00:04:54,200 --> 00:04:55,640 that he wants to push through. 145 00:04:55,640 --> 00:04:58,200 And it covers everything, tax cuts, border security, 146 00:04:58,200 --> 00:04:58,840 energy policy. 147 00:04:58,840 --> 00:05:00,560 He's calling it a huge e-bill. 148 00:05:00,560 --> 00:05:01,160 Naturally. 149 00:05:01,160 --> 00:05:02,280 Naturally. 150 00:05:02,280 --> 00:05:04,200 But according to the source, it's 151 00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:06,000 going to be a really tough sell. 152 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:09,360 The Republicans only hold a very slim majority in the House, 153 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:11,880 which basically means there's no room for dissent. 154 00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:14,360 And even if he gets it through the House, 155 00:05:14,360 --> 00:05:16,280 the Senate is a whole other challenge. 156 00:05:16,280 --> 00:05:16,960 Exactly. 157 00:05:16,960 --> 00:05:19,760 And then there's a matter of paying for all this. 158 00:05:19,760 --> 00:05:21,560 The source points out that this bill could 159 00:05:21,560 --> 00:05:23,640 lead to ballooning deficits. 160 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:25,800 And there's definitely going to be pushback 161 00:05:25,800 --> 00:05:27,520 from people within his own party who 162 00:05:27,520 --> 00:05:30,160 are concerned about fiscal responsibility. 163 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:32,560 They might even have to resort to what the source calls 164 00:05:32,560 --> 00:05:35,200 fuzzy accounting to make the numbers work. 165 00:05:35,200 --> 00:05:35,440 Right. 166 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:38,040 It's a classic example of the challenges of governing 167 00:05:38,040 --> 00:05:39,880 in such a divided political climate. 168 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:40,760 Yeah. 169 00:05:40,760 --> 00:05:43,240 You have to balance the demands of your base 170 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:46,840 with the realities of how legislation actually gets done. 171 00:05:46,840 --> 00:05:49,000 It's a difficult tightrope walk. 172 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:51,920 So what do you think are the chances of this massive bill 173 00:05:51,920 --> 00:05:53,160 actually making it through? 174 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:55,520 And what does this all tell us about the state of the Republican 175 00:05:55,520 --> 00:05:56,560 Party right now? 176 00:05:56,560 --> 00:05:58,920 These are the million dollar questions. 177 00:05:58,920 --> 00:05:59,680 Yeah. 178 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:02,240 And the deep dive doesn't shy away 179 00:06:02,240 --> 00:06:06,080 from the potential for conflict and gridlock. 180 00:06:06,080 --> 00:06:08,120 It actually highlights a brewing battle 181 00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:11,680 between Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune 182 00:06:11,680 --> 00:06:13,040 over the future of the filibuster. 183 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:13,680 Oh, yeah. 184 00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:15,480 That's where things get really interesting. 185 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:17,160 Thune has made it very clear that he wants 186 00:06:17,160 --> 00:06:19,840 to uphold the filibuster, which basically means 187 00:06:19,840 --> 00:06:22,000 that anything that's not a budget item 188 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:25,560 is going to need at least some democratic support to pass. 189 00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:27,480 And we all know how likely that is. 190 00:06:27,480 --> 00:06:29,200 The implications are huge. 191 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:31,240 It could mean total gridlock. 192 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:32,200 I mean, think about it. 193 00:06:32,200 --> 00:06:35,400 Many of Trump's big campaign promises 194 00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:37,600 are dead on arrival if they need democratic votes. 195 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:39,240 It could lead to major frustration 196 00:06:39,240 --> 00:06:42,080 within the Republican Party, maybe even a public clash 197 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:43,200 between Trump and Thune. 198 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:46,080 And this isn't just some abstract political theory either. 199 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:48,360 Remember back when Biden was president? 200 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:50,440 The Democrats had their own internal battles 201 00:06:50,440 --> 00:06:51,560 over the filibuster. 202 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:51,920 Right. 203 00:06:51,920 --> 00:06:54,440 This tension between wanting to take action 204 00:06:54,440 --> 00:06:56,960 and needing to deliberate and compromise. 205 00:06:56,960 --> 00:06:58,840 It's a constant in American politics. 206 00:06:58,840 --> 00:06:59,680 Absolutely. 207 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:02,400 It begs the question, will Thune hold firm 208 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:04,880 or will he cave to pressure from Trump? 209 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:06,600 What does this tell us about who really 210 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:08,840 holds the power within the Republican Party? 211 00:07:08,840 --> 00:07:11,480 Is it still Trump's party or has the old guard 212 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:12,800 taken back control? 213 00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:13,840 So many questions. 214 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:16,400 And this deep dive is really giving us a lot to think about. 215 00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:17,480 But we're not done yet. 216 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:19,400 We still have to unpack the Hush Money case 217 00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:22,320 sentencing, a major development in net neutrality, 218 00:07:22,320 --> 00:07:25,640 and a story about censorship that raises some serious concerns 219 00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:27,760 about the future of journalism. 220 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:30,360 We'll tackle all of that in part two of our deep dive. 221 00:07:30,360 --> 00:07:32,280 So don't go anywhere. 222 00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:33,560 Welcome back. 223 00:07:33,560 --> 00:07:35,360 We're picking up right where we left off 224 00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:38,160 in the middle of this wild political landscape. 225 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:40,720 Remember that Hush Money case we were talking about? 226 00:07:40,720 --> 00:07:43,720 The one where Trump was found guilty on 34 counts? 227 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:45,840 Well, guess what the sentencing is happening right now? 228 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:47,440 It's pretty unprecedented. 229 00:07:47,440 --> 00:07:49,880 I mean, sentencing a president-elect? 230 00:07:49,880 --> 00:07:50,440 Yeah. 231 00:07:50,440 --> 00:07:52,200 Have we ever done that before? 232 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:54,040 I don't think so. 233 00:07:54,040 --> 00:07:55,920 The electoral vote news source lays out 234 00:07:55,920 --> 00:07:58,200 some of the really unique challenges facing Judge 235 00:07:58,200 --> 00:07:59,800 Juan Merchant in this case. 236 00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:01,000 I mean, just think about it. 237 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:03,520 He could actually send a president-elect to prison. 238 00:08:03,520 --> 00:08:03,880 Right. 239 00:08:03,880 --> 00:08:05,720 But the source also says that there are other options 240 00:08:05,720 --> 00:08:07,880 on the table, too, like delaying the prison 241 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:10,880 sentence until after Trump's potential second term probation 242 00:08:10,880 --> 00:08:14,760 finds, or even just closing the case with no punishment at all. 243 00:08:14,760 --> 00:08:16,120 So many different options. 244 00:08:16,120 --> 00:08:16,320 Yeah. 245 00:08:16,320 --> 00:08:18,040 Each with its own consequences. 246 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:19,120 Exactly. 247 00:08:19,120 --> 00:08:22,120 And the source seems to think that unsupervised probation 248 00:08:22,120 --> 00:08:23,400 might be the most likely outcome. 249 00:08:23,400 --> 00:08:24,560 Interesting. 250 00:08:24,560 --> 00:08:26,560 No actual jail time for Trump. 251 00:08:26,560 --> 00:08:28,600 But he would still be treated like any other criminal 252 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:31,960 on probation, which probably wouldn't sit well with him 253 00:08:31,960 --> 00:08:32,280 at all. 254 00:08:32,280 --> 00:08:33,960 Oh, can you imagine the headlines? 255 00:08:33,960 --> 00:08:36,640 Convicted president on probation. 256 00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:38,280 Let's talk about a PR nightmare. 257 00:08:38,280 --> 00:08:38,760 Yeah. 258 00:08:38,760 --> 00:08:41,160 But even if they just closed the case without any punishment, 259 00:08:41,160 --> 00:08:43,920 he still has that criminal conviction on his record. 260 00:08:43,920 --> 00:08:44,360 Right. 261 00:08:44,360 --> 00:08:46,440 Which could have some interesting implications 262 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:47,040 down the line. 263 00:08:47,040 --> 00:08:47,840 Absolutely. 264 00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:50,000 A permanent stain on his legacy. 265 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:52,240 And let's not forget the potential for future appeals 266 00:08:52,240 --> 00:08:53,240 and legal challenges. 267 00:08:53,240 --> 00:08:55,240 This case could drag on for years. 268 00:08:55,240 --> 00:08:55,920 Oh, for sure. 269 00:08:55,920 --> 00:08:58,840 So we've got this legal drama unfolding in courtrooms 270 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:00,920 all over the country, political power 271 00:09:00,920 --> 00:09:03,800 plays on Capitol Hill, a president-elect who's 272 00:09:03,800 --> 00:09:05,080 also a convicted criminal. 273 00:09:05,080 --> 00:09:05,680 Right. 274 00:09:05,680 --> 00:09:07,040 But wait, there's more. 275 00:09:07,040 --> 00:09:09,800 This deep dive also takes us into the world of technology 276 00:09:09,800 --> 00:09:12,240 with a major development concerning net neutrality. 277 00:09:12,240 --> 00:09:13,480 This is a big one. 278 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:15,560 The Electoral Vote news source reports 279 00:09:15,560 --> 00:09:18,120 that the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals just 280 00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:20,080 struck down net neutrality. 281 00:09:20,080 --> 00:09:22,720 OK, so for those of us who aren't tech wizards, 282 00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:24,320 what does that actually mean? 283 00:09:24,320 --> 00:09:26,760 Well, essentially, it means that internet service providers 284 00:09:26,760 --> 00:09:32,800 like Comcast or Verizon can now legally prioritize or slow 285 00:09:32,800 --> 00:09:35,560 down certain types of internet traffic. 286 00:09:35,560 --> 00:09:38,160 Oh, so they don't have to treat all data equally anymore. 287 00:09:38,160 --> 00:09:41,000 So what does that mean for us everyday internet users? 288 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:44,200 Well, the source has some pretty eye-opening examples. 289 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:48,120 Imagine Amazon Prime deciding to slow down Netflix and Disney 290 00:09:48,120 --> 00:09:49,840 Plus because they're competitors. 291 00:09:49,840 --> 00:09:50,560 Oh, wow. 292 00:09:50,560 --> 00:09:55,800 Or Walmart throttlingtarget.com to gain an edge in e-commerce. 293 00:09:55,800 --> 00:09:58,360 It really paints a picture of almost like a wild west. 294 00:09:58,360 --> 00:09:59,240 It does, doesn't it? 295 00:09:59,240 --> 00:09:59,480 Yeah. 296 00:09:59,480 --> 00:10:01,120 Where the companies with the deepest pockets 297 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:03,320 can really control our online experience. 298 00:10:03,320 --> 00:10:04,680 And it's kind of scary when you think 299 00:10:04,680 --> 00:10:07,360 about the implications for news and information. 300 00:10:07,360 --> 00:10:09,600 The source even mentions Rupert Murdoch, the owner 301 00:10:09,600 --> 00:10:10,880 of Fox News. 302 00:10:10,880 --> 00:10:13,000 What if he decided to pay internet providers 303 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:15,080 to slow down MSNBC and CNN? 304 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:15,360 Right. 305 00:10:15,360 --> 00:10:17,160 That would give Fox a huge advantage 306 00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:19,440 and could really impact how people get their news. 307 00:10:19,440 --> 00:10:20,960 It's a chilling thought. 308 00:10:20,960 --> 00:10:23,040 It almost makes you wonder, are we 309 00:10:23,040 --> 00:10:25,960 headed towards a more fragmented internet where 310 00:10:25,960 --> 00:10:27,880 access to information is determined 311 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:29,200 by who can pay the most? 312 00:10:29,200 --> 00:10:30,560 It's a valid concern. 313 00:10:30,560 --> 00:10:31,240 Yeah. 314 00:10:31,240 --> 00:10:34,120 And it really goes against that whole idea of a free and open 315 00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:35,680 internet that we've come to expect. 316 00:10:35,680 --> 00:10:36,200 Yeah. 317 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:37,840 It definitely raises some serious questions 318 00:10:37,840 --> 00:10:40,480 about the future of the online world. 319 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:42,240 And this brings us to the final story 320 00:10:42,240 --> 00:10:43,640 in this part of our deep dive. 321 00:10:43,640 --> 00:10:45,440 And it's one that hits close to home 322 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:47,640 for anyone who cares about journalism 323 00:10:47,640 --> 00:10:49,800 and holding the powerful accountable. 324 00:10:49,800 --> 00:10:52,000 This one's about Anne Telnees, a cartoonist 325 00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:53,280 for The Washington Post. 326 00:10:53,280 --> 00:10:54,320 She recently resigned. 327 00:10:54,320 --> 00:10:55,280 Oh, wow. 328 00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:56,760 And the reason for her resignation, 329 00:10:56,760 --> 00:10:59,200 according to the Electoral Vote news source, 330 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:02,040 is that Jeff Bezos, the owner of The Washington Post, 331 00:11:02,040 --> 00:11:03,520 censored one of her cartoons. 332 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:04,240 Really? 333 00:11:04,240 --> 00:11:05,800 This isn't the first time Bezos has 334 00:11:05,800 --> 00:11:08,120 been accused of interfering with editorial decisions 335 00:11:08,120 --> 00:11:09,200 at the Post. 336 00:11:09,200 --> 00:11:11,200 The source reminds us about that incident back 337 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:12,920 during the election when he blocked a staff 338 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:15,320 written endorsement of Kamala Harris. 339 00:11:15,320 --> 00:11:17,160 Back then, the excuse was that they didn't want 340 00:11:17,160 --> 00:11:18,880 to anger a potential president. 341 00:11:18,880 --> 00:11:20,640 But this latest incident with Telnees 342 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:23,040 makes you wonder if there's a deeper issue here. 343 00:11:23,040 --> 00:11:24,280 It definitely does. 344 00:11:24,280 --> 00:11:27,520 And the content of the censored cartoon is pretty telling. 345 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:31,000 It depicted Bezos us, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sam Altman, 346 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:34,320 all these powerful tech figures offering bags of money 347 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:36,760 to a giant statue of Donald Trump. 348 00:11:36,760 --> 00:11:38,000 It's a powerful image. 349 00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:41,280 And I can see why it would make some people uncomfortable. 350 00:11:41,280 --> 00:11:44,000 But the fact that it was censored raises some serious concerns 351 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:48,280 about Bezos' influence over the Post's editorial independence. 352 00:11:48,280 --> 00:11:50,840 Is he trying to curry favor with those in power, 353 00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:52,880 or is there something else going on here? 354 00:11:52,880 --> 00:11:54,520 It's a question worth asking. 355 00:11:54,520 --> 00:11:56,040 The source goes even further, suggesting 356 00:11:56,040 --> 00:11:58,960 that Bezos should donate The Washington Post to a foundation 357 00:11:58,960 --> 00:12:00,920 in order to ensure its editorial freedom. 358 00:12:00,920 --> 00:12:02,000 That's a bold idea. 359 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:02,520 It is. 360 00:12:02,520 --> 00:12:05,480 But it does highlight how crucial a truly independent press 361 00:12:05,480 --> 00:12:07,080 is, especially in today's world. 362 00:12:07,080 --> 00:12:09,840 When you have these powerful individuals like Bezos exerting 363 00:12:09,840 --> 00:12:12,600 control over media outlets, it undermines 364 00:12:12,600 --> 00:12:14,960 the essential role of journalism as a watchdog, 365 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:16,640 holding those in power accountable. 366 00:12:16,640 --> 00:12:17,280 Absolutely. 367 00:12:17,280 --> 00:12:20,560 We need journalists to be able to report freely and without fear 368 00:12:20,560 --> 00:12:23,360 of censorship so they can provide us with the information we 369 00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:25,600 need to make informed decisions. 370 00:12:25,600 --> 00:12:26,000 OK. 371 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:28,240 So we've covered a lot of ground in this part 372 00:12:28,240 --> 00:12:29,480 of our deep dive. 373 00:12:29,480 --> 00:12:32,080 From a president-elect facing sentencing 374 00:12:32,080 --> 00:12:34,760 to the potential reshaping of the internet 375 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:37,440 and concerns about censorship in the media. 376 00:12:37,440 --> 00:12:38,480 A lot to process. 377 00:12:38,480 --> 00:12:39,920 It is a lot to process. 378 00:12:39,920 --> 00:12:42,240 But all of these stories, they're interconnected. 379 00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:44,120 They speak to some of the larger challenges 380 00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:46,120 that we face as a society. 381 00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:48,280 Questions about power accountability, 382 00:12:48,280 --> 00:12:49,800 the future of our institutions. 383 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:51,080 We're going to take a quick break. 384 00:12:51,080 --> 00:12:52,760 When we come back, we'll discuss what all of this 385 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:54,920 means for you, the listener, and what the future might 386 00:12:54,920 --> 00:12:57,520 hold for American democracy. 387 00:12:57,520 --> 00:13:01,560 And we are back for the final part of our deep dive. 388 00:13:01,560 --> 00:13:03,600 I have to say, these sources have really given us 389 00:13:03,600 --> 00:13:04,760 a lot to think about. 390 00:13:04,760 --> 00:13:08,600 We've gone from courtrooms to Capitol Hill to the internet, 391 00:13:08,600 --> 00:13:09,960 even into the newsroom. 392 00:13:09,960 --> 00:13:13,800 And we uncovered some pretty unsettling trends along the way. 393 00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:14,320 Yeah, it's true. 394 00:13:14,320 --> 00:13:17,400 The sources paint a complex picture of where we are as a nation 395 00:13:17,400 --> 00:13:19,000 in 2025. 396 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:21,560 But that's what makes these deep dives so fascinating, right? 397 00:13:21,560 --> 00:13:21,920 Oh, yeah. 398 00:13:21,920 --> 00:13:23,760 I mean, they challenge us to connect the dots, 399 00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:25,920 see how seemingly unrelated events are actually 400 00:13:25,920 --> 00:13:26,960 all intertwined. 401 00:13:26,960 --> 00:13:27,640 Exactly. 402 00:13:27,640 --> 00:13:29,880 And it's not just about understanding what's happening. 403 00:13:29,880 --> 00:13:31,400 It's about what does it mean for us? 404 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:34,040 What does it mean for everyday citizens? 405 00:13:34,040 --> 00:13:36,080 So let's bring it back to you, the listener. 406 00:13:36,080 --> 00:13:39,400 What does this all mean for the future of American democracy? 407 00:13:39,400 --> 00:13:40,720 That's the big question, isn't it? 408 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:42,880 I mean, we've seen how a president can ascend 409 00:13:42,880 --> 00:13:45,320 to the highest office, even while facing 410 00:13:45,320 --> 00:13:47,800 multiple criminal and civil cases. 411 00:13:47,800 --> 00:13:50,480 We've seen how the internet, once a symbol of freedom 412 00:13:50,480 --> 00:13:54,240 and connection can be manipulated by powerful corporations. 413 00:13:54,240 --> 00:13:57,160 And we've seen how even institutions like the Free Press 414 00:13:57,160 --> 00:13:59,760 are vulnerable to censorship and outside influence. 415 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:02,040 It's definitely a reality check and not 416 00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:03,440 a particularly comforting one. 417 00:14:03,440 --> 00:14:04,840 I think it's important to remember, though, 418 00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:06,240 that we're not powerless. 419 00:14:06,240 --> 00:14:06,520 Right. 420 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:09,200 We have a voice, and we have a responsibility to use it. 421 00:14:09,200 --> 00:14:10,760 I completely agree. 422 00:14:10,760 --> 00:14:13,880 We can't afford to just sit back and be passive observers. 423 00:14:13,880 --> 00:14:16,480 We need to stay informed, stay engaged, 424 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:18,480 and hold those in power accountable. 425 00:14:18,480 --> 00:14:20,680 That means asking tough questions, 426 00:14:20,680 --> 00:14:22,960 demanding transparency, participating 427 00:14:22,960 --> 00:14:24,320 in the democratic process. 428 00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:26,360 You know, this deep dive has given us a glimpse 429 00:14:26,360 --> 00:14:29,000 into some of the most pressing issues of our time. 430 00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:30,600 But it's really just a starting point. 431 00:14:30,600 --> 00:14:32,640 It's up to each of us to continue exploring, 432 00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:35,600 to dig deeper, and to use our voices to shape 433 00:14:35,600 --> 00:14:36,920 the future that we want to see. 434 00:14:36,920 --> 00:14:37,960 Absolutely. 435 00:14:37,960 --> 00:14:41,120 So as we wrap up, I want to leave you with one final thought. 436 00:14:41,120 --> 00:14:42,760 Given everything we've discussed today, 437 00:14:42,760 --> 00:14:45,200 the legal battles, the political maneuvering, 438 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:48,280 the potential for internet and media manipulation, 439 00:14:48,280 --> 00:14:50,680 what do you think the next four years hold 440 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:52,120 for American democracy? 441 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:54,760 What role will you play in shaping its future? 442 00:14:54,760 --> 00:14:57,240 Stay curious, stay engaged, and never stop 443 00:14:57,240 --> 00:14:59,320 asking those critical questions. 444 00:14:59,320 --> 00:15:01,320 The future of our democracy might depend on it. 445 00:15:01,320 --> 00:15:02,880 Thanks for joining us for this deep dive. 446 00:15:02,880 --> 00:15:23,240 We'll see you next time.