The Mark Thompson Show

Vice President JD Vance says there is "very good" progress in Switzerland with Iran negotiations. He says Iran is agreeing to allow nuclear inspectors back into the country following initial negotiations . Was he sitting at the same table as Iran’s negotiators? Iran's foreign ministry spokesman says nope, there are no "plans for IAEA inspections" of nuclear sites, Iran maintains the Strait of Hormuz will "never return to its pre-war conditions" and that Iran will maintain control of the vital waterway. Vance painted a positive picture with a new communication line established between negotiators to prevent incidents and ensure safe commercial transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the U.S., Iran, and Lebanon are creating a "deconfliction cell" to enforce the agreed ceasefire across all fronts. If negotiations are going so well, why is the Pentagon seeking roughly $80 billion to cover costs of the U.S. war against Iran? It’s part of a massive $1.5 trillion military budget proposal. However, lawmakers are expressing skepticism about Trump's memorandum of understanding with Iran and hesitation over increased Pentagon funding amid rising costs of living for Americans. On the matter of the botched renovation of the reflecting pool, journalists pushed President Trump for proof after he claimed a very long slit was made in the paint at the bottom of the reflecting pool. There’s no evidence to back up those claims, but Trump seems to be laying the blame squarely on vandalism as the pool now has to be re-emptied and repaired.We put it all to David Cay Johnston, Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist, from Iran to the mishaps on the national mall. Plus, entertainment reporter Lisa Joyner will join us to talk about Hollywood, podcasting and her love of animals.The Mark Thompson Show 6/23/26Today's Guests LinksLisa Joyner https://www.youtube.com/@PlusOnewithLisaandMorganProf. David Cay Johnston at RIT, Pulitzer Prize winning Author & Investigative Journalist https://bsky.app/profile/davidcayjohnston.bsky.socialPatreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you’re more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page. Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here’s a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

More than 160 military recruits at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas are battling a flu outbreak instead of completing training. Just weeks before the outbreak, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ended mandatory flu vaccination for the military, citing bodily autonomy and concerns about "overreaching mandates.” According to The Guardian, after the vaccine became optional in April 2026, only about 40% of recruits chose to get vaccinated. Now, at least 160 servicemembers living in tight quarters are sick and they're being ordered to get vaccinated as part of containment efforts. This outbreak highlights the consequences of policy changes in military medicine and raises critical questions about military readiness and individual choice versus collective safety in environments where isolation isn't an option. In addition, there seems to be trouble with Trump‘s Iran deal. The US/Iran talks set to be held in Switzerland are being called off. That’s because Israel and Hezbollah are still attacking each other in Lebanon. On top of that, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen but now, a surprise: Iran says fees/tolls to cover cost of managing the strait will take effect at end of 60-day negotiation period. So now the world will pay the price for Trump‘s decision to attack Iran? Mo Kelly is in for Mark Thompson. We welcome Michael Shure for a look at ‘This Week in Politics’ and Michael Snyder for a look at the latest movies. Add a sprinkle of Friday Fabulous Florida and it’s another great show to ease you into your weekend,

American “hardliners” opposing the US–Iran memorandum of understanding, are being accused of selectively trusting Iranian state-linked messaging while dismissing diplomatic progress. Details of the agreement remain incomplete. Vice President JD Vance is saying sanctions relief and un-freezing assets would be conditioned on Iran’s follow-through in upcoming technical talks over the next two months. Responses are mixed: hardliners inside Iran are protesting, some US and Israeli critics warn of risks, while other international leaders call the deal a potential game-changer. We will talk about it with John Rothmann. He is a presidential historian, a Middle East expert with a particular point of viewand the host of aAround the Political World with John Rothmann.Jayar Jackson, from The Young Turks, will stop by to talk politics. The conversation continues with author and political commentator Jared Yates Sexton.The Mark Thompson Show 6/17/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you’re more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page. Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here’s a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT

Trump’s UFC White House stunt was quite the spectacle. President Trump’s birthday party/UFC fight event on the White House lawn brought out the bros, from Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Kris Marszalek, CEO of Crypto.com and David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount Skydance to Pete Hegseth and Kash Patel. Was the event intended to rescue a “macho” image for a president that seems to be getting weaker and sleepier by the day? A president made to look even weaker by not being able to steamroll Iran as he planned? Mark will discuss. The conversation continues with author and scholar Sarah Kendzior. You can always find more from Sarah at https://sarahkendzior.substack.com/The Mark Thompson Show 6/15/26Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you’re more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.comThe Mark Thompson Show has an official new Facebook page. Please join! Here's the link: https://m.facebook.com/TheMarkThompsonShow/Show sponsors:coachellavalleycoffee.com - use code MarkT at check out to save 10%Suite 106 Bakery use code MarkT to save 15%Here’s a special link:https://suite106bakery.com/discount/MARKT