The BradCast w/ Brad Friedman

Encore: original airdate 10/8/2026. On today's 'BradCast': Donald Trump and his top election conspiracy performance artists are being very open about their planned schemes to undermine the midterm elections if Republicans lose, including Trump declaring a national emergency, seizing voting machines and ballots, and much more. We separate the loony nonsense from the serious threats, and explain actions every American can take right now to counter anything these dopes may try and throw at our democracy. Trump Mobile phone service is violating national security laws. Hurricanes in both the Pacific and the Atlantic are set to wreak havoc in the US. New court documents confirm that Exxon executives knew in 1988 that burning fossil fuels would cause catastrophic climate change and chose to deceive the public about it. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast': Inflation and prices are soaring, higher than during the Biden Administration, mostly due to increased cost of energy caused by Donald Trump's War on Iran. Voters are increasingly leaning toward Democrats in deep 'red' states. Trump's Justice Department launched a new pretext to interfere with California's elections, threatening unspecified consequences if state officials don't withhold ballots based on dubious claims of non-citizen voters on the rolls. A new report confirms that damage to the Reflecting Pool was the fault of Trump's no-bid contractor, not by 'vandals.' LAIKEN JORDAHL of the Center for Biological Diversity explains the Trump Administration's latest plan to bulldoze thousands of protected saguaro cacti on tribal lands in Arizona to construct his ineffective border wall; the administration's broader attacks on Americans' beloved public lands; and much more.

Encore: original airdate 9-30-2026. On today's 'BradCast': Donald Trump touted a voluntary agreement with top AI companies pledging to police themselves with no guardrails, regulation or restrictions on development or use of AI tools. At a recent U.N. conference to develop an international treaty to regulate the use of lethal autonomous weaponry, the Trump Administration and Russia reportedly colluded to remove crucial clauses intended to protect civilians, like mandatory human review of AI military targets before a strike. VERITY COYLE, Deputy Director for Arms in the Crisis, Conflict and Arms division at Human Rights Watch, explains the dangers of lethal autonomous weapons systems, how to ensure guardrails and accountability governing the use of AI in military weaponry, and much more. A horrifying airline incident onboard a flight from Dubai to Israel is under investigation.

On today's 'BradCast': Donald Trump and his top election conspiracy performance artists are being very open about their planned schemes to undermine the midterm elections if Republicans lose, including Trump declaring a national emergency, seizing voting machines and ballots, and much more. We separate the loony nonsense from the serious threats, and explain actions every American can take right now to counter anything these dopes may try and throw at our democracy. Trump Mobil phone service is violating national security laws. Hurricanes in both the Pacific and the Atlantic are set to wreak havoc in the US. New court documents confirm that Exxon executives knew in 1988 that burning fossil fuels would cause catastrophic climate change and chose to deceive the public about it. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast': Some mostly encouraging news for the 2026 midterms and pro-democracy forces, along with plenty of caveats and concerning developments. New polling finds more Americans now identify with Democrats than in any of their quarterly surveys since 2009, and support for Democratic candidates continues to grow in generic polling averages. Republicans are diverting resources from previously safe seats in key U.S. Senate races in "red" states like South Carolina. Democratic candidates are holding their own against Republican billionaires' record ad spending. The Trump Administration is blocking international election observers for the first time in decades. The Defense Department quietly made it harder for overseas non-military voters to vote. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

Encore: original airdate 9-21-2026. On today's 'BradCast': Donald Trump launched an unprecedented ban on CNN, MS Now (formerly MSNBC) and Politico at the White House. The banned networks filed suit over the blatant First Amendment violation, and White House press pool members halted video coverage of Trump at the White House in solidarity. Paramount's new settlement with states clears the path for its merger with Warner Bros., which will place scores of media outlets under the control of the rightwing billionaire Ellison family, including CBS News and CNN. ROBERT GREENWALD of the nonprofit Brave New Films discusses the disturbing implications of the Paramount merger and his timely new documentary, "Murdering 60 Minutes," exploring how rightwing control has degraded the iconic news magazine, and much more. CA Gov. Gavin Newsom signed new election security laws to protect the midterm elections.

On today's 'BradCast': Donald Trump touted a voluntary agreement with top AI companies pledging to police themselves with no guardrails, regulation or restrictions on development or use of AI tools. At a recent U.N. conference to develop an international treaty to regulate the use of lethal autonomous weaponry, the Trump Administration and Russia reportedly colluded to remove crucial clauses intended to protect civilians, like mandatory human review of AI military targets before a strike. VERITY COYLE, Deputy Director for Arms in the Crisis, Conflict and Arms division at Human Rights Watch, explains the dangers of lethal autonomous weapons systems, how to ensure guardrails and accountability governing the use of AI in military weaponry, and much more. A horrifying airline incident onboard a flight from Dubai to Israel is under investigation.

On today's 'BradCast': The nightmare is now over for Crystal Mason, a Black Texas woman who was zealously prosecuted for mistakenly casting a provisional ballot in 2016, despite being ineligible. But white Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who illegally voted at least six times, and a white Republican man in Georgia, who voted unlawfully nine times, have not been held accountable. The Trump DHS claim that it 'found' 16,000 noncitizens registered to vote in Nevada fell to ZERO after a state investigation. Texas officials failed to process tens of thousands of new voter registrations. The US Supreme Court majority allowed states to use a notoriously inaccurate federal database to check voter rolls despite knowing it could disenfranchise lawful voters. But the US Supreme Court blocked another attempt by Missouri Republicans to use racially-gerrymandered maps in the November election.

On today's 'BradCast': A federal judge rejected the Trump White House's absurd, laughable false claims that their unconstitutional attempt to ban three major media outlets was justified due to 'national security.' Donald Trump gave China's authoritarian Communist leader Xi Jinping a lavish welcome. Trump's Republican Party appears to be heading over a cliff, even among Republican voters, in the last 40 days before the critical midterm elections. HEATHER DIGBY PARTON of Salon and Hullabaloo and ‘DRIFTGLASS’ from The Professional Left Podcast delve into the landscape of the midterm elections, the Iran War, the decline of US authority and power in the eyes of the world, and much more, with insight, context, history and hilarity.

On today's 'BradCast': Public approval of Donald Trump's handling of the economy dropped another 9 points over the last week to a near-record low. Polls show Democrats are increasingly competitive in U.S. Senate races, including Republican strongholds like Texas, Iowa, and Nebraska. Some Republicans candidates are distancing themselves from Trump, like Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate Rep. Byron Donalds. Sen. John Curtis (R-UT) called for an investigation into a Russian oligarch's funding of Don Jr.'s wedding party. South Dakota's outgoing Republican Sec. of State endorsed the Democratic candidate seeking the top election job. A federal appeals court revived Missouri's unconstitutional gerrymandered maps, despite being rejected twice by the US Supreme Court. Russia has launched another wave of deceptive election disinformation campaigns. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

Encore: original airdate 9-15-2026. On today's 'BradCast': Election officials and voters across the nation are relieved after the US Supreme Court blocked Donald Trump's unconstitutional executive order attempting to use the US Postal Service to interfere in the critical midterm elections and undermine mail-in voting. The man-baby president threw a tantrum in response. But it isn't over yet -- Trump and Republicans will continue their schemes to steal the midterms. A Florida county experienced how the now-blocked USPS rule would have generated chaos in the election. Costco restricted shoppers' purchases of motor oil as Trump's expanding Iran War triggers shortages of refined oil products. Trump's EPA repealed limits on climate-warming emissions from the nation's polluting power plants, and moved to block future administrations from enacting emissions standards. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast': In Delaware, progressive candidates won big in state legislature primary races. A handful of Republicans joined House Democrats in voting to limit Donald Trump's Iran war powers, but GOP House leaders adjourned early to block Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie's (R) impeachment vote against Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth. Trump Justice Department election monitors in Wyoming attempted to access voting systems. The City of Denver sued to block the Trump Administration from illegally deploying federal immigration agents to polling places. Trump cabinet members refuse to pledge that agents will not interfere with voting. A new guide from election law experts helps judges adjudicate election challenges. Election integrity investigator RICHARD HAYES PHILLIPS explains the once-unthinkable possibility that Trump will attempt to seize ballots in the midterms, and actions citizens can take to protect our elections.

On today's 'BradCast': America has just 50 days to go until the critical midterm elections -- last chance to vote is November 3rd. The US Postal Service's restructuring resulted in the rejection of thousands of legal, on-time, mail-in ballots across the country, particularly affecting rural voters. Two federal courts blocked Donald Trump's unconstitutional executive order directing USPS to interfere with mail-in balloting. A whistleblower and the Postal Workers union warn USPS is radically unprepared to implement the order. The US Supreme Court blocked Trump's USPS scheme, but voters should try to vote early, dropping their ballot at a dropbox or polling place, or mail ballots at least 7 days before Election Day and ask for a manual postmark. The road ahead will get very bumpy, so vote carefully, and spread the word. Callers weigh in.