The BradCast w/ Brad Friedman

Encore: original airdate 6-16-2026. On today's 'BradCast': In Nevada, Republican 2020 election denier Jim Marchant won the GOP primary for the Secretary of State race, one of several election deniers seeking the top election chief role in GOP-controlled states. The Trumpers behind the 2020 fake electors scheme were arraigned in Wisconsin state court today, facing felony counts related to their failed plot to steal the 2020 presidential election. JOHN BERGMAYER of Public Knowledge discusses the Justice Department leadership's corrupt approval of the Paramount Skydance purchase of Warner Bros-Discovery (which owns CNN), how the merger threatens press freedom, consumer costs and choices, the impact on the entertainment industry, and much more. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast': A federal judge permanently blocked Donald Trump's executive order requiring documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote. The 2026 midterm elections are taking shape after primary elections in Utah, Maryland, South Carolina, and New York. All three of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's endorsed U.S. House candidates won their Democratic primaries. Trump Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth recently ended flu vaccine mandates; now a major flu outbreak is spreading among Texas troops. Dr. COLETTE DELAWALLA of Stand Up For Science explains their new campaign to stop the dangerous new anti-science proposal from the Trump Office of Management and Budget mandating Trump political appointees approve all federal science grants; why the proposal would decimate U.S. science research; and how the public can take action to save U.S. science

On today's 'BradCast': Donald Trump is pretending that his failed D.C. Reflecting Pool refurb is fantastic and is claiming the algae-filled water and peeling blue paint was caused by vandalism. New polling shows two-thirds of Americans strongly disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy and the Iran War. High stakes negotiations continue between the Trump administration and Iran, but experts say the hardline Iranian regime is likely to rake in hundreds of billions no matter how it turns out. A California proposal to levy a one-time tax on the state's billionaires has qualified for the state's November ballot, and has fractured support among unions, progressive, Democratic leaders, and other groups across the state. Callers weigh in.

On today's 'BradCast': In Donald Trump's 'Memorandum of Understanding' boondoggle with Iran, the Islamic Republic comes out the clear winner. Even longtime rightwing loyalists at Fox 'News' are pushing back hard against the temporary deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, lift sanctions allow Iran to sell oil, eventually discuss its nuclear program, and more, with the U.S. getting virtually nothing in return. In Trump's Reflecting Pool boondoggle, paint is peeling off the pool in addition to a massive green algae bloom -- a 'striking metaphor' for Trump's second term. The Trump Administration reversed plans to dismantle a critical ocean monitoring system after bipartisan congressional outrage. Trump's ballroom will actually cost $600 million and taxpayers will fund more than half of it. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast': In Nevada, Republican 2020 election denier Jim Marchant won the GOP primary for the Secretary of State race, one of several election deniers seeking the top election chief role in GOP-controlled states. The Trumpers behind the 2020 fake electors scheme were arraigned in Wisconsin state court today, facing felony counts related to their failed plot to steal the 2020 presidential election. JOHN BERGMAYER of Public Knowledge discusses the Justice Department leadership's corrupt approval of the Paramount Skydance purchase of Warner Bros-Discovery (which owns CNN), how the merger threatens press freedom, consumer costs and choices, the impact on the entertainment industry, and much more. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

Encore: original airdate 5-21-2026. On today's 'BradCast': House Republicans cancelled a vote to end the Iran War because they were going to lose it. Senate Republicans are revolting over legislation to use taxpayer money for Donald Trump's $1 billion ballroom bunker; public outrage over his $1.8 billion slush fund to pay off his supporters (including violent felons who attacked Capitol police on Jan. 6); and his administration's unprecedented scheme to grant him immunity from IRS audits. Trump is upending the 2026 midterm elections with his 'revenge tour.' The end of Stephen Colbert's late-night show marks the end of an era in American culture. Salon's HEATHER DIGBY PARTON and 'DRIFTGLASS' of 'The Professional Left Podcast' bring insight, hilarity, context and analysis to all of these topics and more. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

Encore: original airdate 5-18-2026. On today's 'BradCast': Donald Trump has invented a new way to grift the nation. Trump has dropped his absurd $10 billion lawsuit against his own IRS, and in exchange, his Justice Department will create a $1.7 billion 'compensation' fund - - a slush fund operated by Trump himself to distribute to his supporters and cronies. ROBERT WEISSMAN of Public Citizen explains the unspeakably corrupt, taxpayer-funded Trump scam, and what can be done about it. The World Health Organization declared a global health emergency over an outbreak of Ebola in Africa. Mild Trump critic Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-VA) lost his primary bid for re-election. Protesters rallied in Selma, AL to protest the return of Jim Crow voter suppression laws as Southern states move to eliminate Black-majority U.S. House districts.

Encore: original airdate 5-6-2026. On today's 'BradCast': Statewide primary elections in Ohio set the slates for a US Senate race and the governor's seat. In Indiana, at least five Republican state lawmakers who rejected Donald Trump's demands to further gerrymander their already heavily-gerrymandered state lost their primaries to Trump-endorsed MAGA Republicans. In Michigan, Democratic candidate Chedrick Greene won a critical special election for state senate by nearly 20 points, maintaining Democratic control of the chamber. ALICIA BANNON of NYU's Brennan Center for Justice explains why unprecedented rulings by the rightwing supermajority on the US Supreme Court – including recently giving the greenlight to rig US House maps in the middle of active primary elections -- demonstrate the need for comprehensive court reform to protect democracy, specific elements to reform the Court and the federal judiciary, and much more.