You’ve heard the headlines: record border crossings, talk of an “invasion,” and political promises of mass deportation. But what do the numbers actually say?

In this episode, we cut through the chaos to look at what’s really happening at the border. Spoiler: while border encounters are at historic highs, the undocumented population in the U.S. has barely changed in over a decade. We dive into why that matters, what Title 42 did, how the U.S. is spending billions on enforcement while underfunding immigration courts, and whether undocumented immigrants are truly fueling crime, or just filling jobs no one else will.

Topics covered:

• Why “border encounters” don’t mean more people are staying
• How Title 42 created a revolving-door effect
• Where the immigration budget really goes
• The truth about undocumented labor and crime
• Why the system is broken — not open

Email the show at thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com

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This week was packed with fireworks — and not just the kind Trump wanted at his birthday parade. From dramatic legal battles in California to global tensions in the Middle East, here’s what went down:

• Trump says he’d support arresting Gov. Gavin Newsom
• More Marines deployed to California as protests intensify
• Newsom and California’s AG sue Trump over National Guard takeover
• Trump’s military birthday parade faces high costs and low attendance
• “No Kings” protests erupt in all 50 states
• Two Democratic state lawmakers shot in Minnesota — one fatally

  • We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Rep. Melissa Hortman, whose life was tragically taken in this political attack. Her service and leadership will not be forgotten.

• Israel bombs Iran; U.S.–Iran nuclear talks are paused
• RFK Jr. removes all 17 members of CDC vaccine advisory committee
• 75 Democrats face backlash for voting to thank ICE in a GOP-sponsored resolution
• Andrew Cuomo is running for NYC mayor
• Trump issues an executive order for flying cars
• Marco Rubio congratulates Russia on “Russia Day”
• Craigslist ad recruits fake crowd for Trump’s military parade — White House calls it fake
• Michelle Obama says Bruce Springsteen is her and Barack’s personal mentor

Email us at thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com

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Is the Republican Party still the party of small government, personal responsibility, and traditional values? In this episode, we look at how far the GOP has drifted from its conservative roots—and how much of that shift is intentional.

We compare Reagan and Bush-era policies with Trump’s modern-day agenda, break down the authoritarian pivot of the party, and expose just how deeply Trump’s second term aligns with the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 blueprint. From mass purges of federal workers to the military enforcement of immigration policy, this isn’t the party of your parents—it’s something entirely new.

We ask: Is Trump the cause of the GOP’s transformation, or is he just the vessel for a deeper ideological takeover? And what does that mean for the future of American democracy?

Email us at thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com

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The word fascist gets thrown around a lot, but what does it actually mean? In this episode of The Lonely Liberal, we break down the true definition of fascism, explore how it differs from authoritarianism and populism, and examine whether Donald Trump's leadership, especially in his second term, is really crossing that line.

We examine the rhetoric, policies, and power grabs shaping Trump’s current administration and compare them with historical patterns from leaders like Mussolini, Orbán, and Duterte. From the politicization of the Justice Department to attacks on the press and voting rights, we unpack where the signs are real and where they might be exaggerated.

Is this just strongman politics? Or is it something more dangerous?

This episode is all about clarity, context, and calling it like it is—with facts, not fear-mongering.

This week on The Lonely Liberal, Rick and I cover a whirlwind of headlines that span the outrageous, the authoritarian, and the just plain bizarre.

In the news:

• Elon Musk finally turns on Trump—so naturally, Steve Bannon wants to deport him.
• Trump signs a proclamation to restrict student visas and ban entry from 12 countries.
• A new investigation into Biden’s cognitive health is underway,
• The administration says federal jobs will now go to “Patriotic Americans” first
• The National Guard is deployed to LA to crack down on ICE protestors.
• The Trump administration moves to remove Harvey Milk’s name from a Navy ship.
• Louisiana passes a bill banning chemtrails (yes, those chemtrails).
• A 22-year-old named Thomas Fugate is now apparently leading terror prevention efforts.
• Chuck Schumer starts calling the GOP bill the “we are all going to die” bill.
• Democrats launch the SAM Project to study young men
• And Hong Kong’s health chief wants people to stare at smokers until they stop.

It’s a week that perfectly encapsulates our new political era—equal parts dystopia and parody. Let’s break it all down.

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In this special cross-border episode, we are joined by the wonderful Delia, Canadian energy and supply chain maestro, to unpack the complicated, often overlooked dynamics between the United States and Canada. From Trump's past and present jabs at America’s northern neighbor to the surprising ways U.S. politics influence Canadian elections, we ask: What’s really going on here?

We explore:

• Trump’s shifting relationship with Canada: trade wars, pipeline politics, and “blame Canada” rhetoric
• How U.S. political chaos spills across the border — and what that means for Canadian elections
• The clean energy connection: How Canadian hydro, offshore wind, and critical minerals tie our economies together
• Plus: Why Canada is watching the 2028 U.S. election just as closely as we are

Whether you’re American, Canadian, or just curious how global neighbors influence each other, this episode dives deep into one of the world’s most important — and strained — partnerships.

Email us at thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com

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This week, Rick and I break down the chaos in Trumpworld and beyond:

Serious Headlines

• Trump’s tariffs ruled illegal — then reinstated by an appeals court.
• Trump claims he lowered China tariffs to protect them from civil unrest.
• Steel tariffs are set to double, prompting fears of a trade war rerun.
• “TACO” — Trump Always Chickens Out — goes viral (and he’s not thrilled).
• Lobbyists reportedly charging for help securing Trump pardons.
• Trump cancels a $766 million Moderna bird flu vaccine grant — during an actual bird flu outbreak.
• The MAHA report cites studies that don’t exist (including one that links to a dog food site).
• The State Department considers an “Office of Remigration” — a term borrowed from European far-right parties.
• PBS sues the Trump administration, just days after NPR did the same

Weird and Funny Stuff

• Trump retweets a conspiracy theory that Biden died in 2020 and was replaced by a robot.
• Elon Musk allegedly did so much ketamine while advising Trump that it affected his bladder.
• A newspaper publishes an AI-generated summer reading list with fake books
• Senator Joni Ernst, asked about Medicaid cuts, says: “Well, we’re all going to die.”

Email us at thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com

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It’s called the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’—but it might just be a big betrayal. In this episode, we break down the GOP’s new budget and how it slashes healthcare, food assistance, and clean energy investments that overwhelmingly benefit red states. If you live in rural America, you might want to tune in—because you’re footing the bill.