U.S. Ships Under Fire — Forcing a Trump Decision? David Cay Johnston Joins 5/5/26

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of recent missile attacks on U.S. warships and the political landscape of California's gubernatorial race.

Missiles fired at U.S. warships. A ceasefire on the brink…and Trump still calling it a “mini war.” Now the pressure is on. After Iran’s latest attack in the Strait of Hormuz, the White House faces a critical choice: escalate with force or gamble on diplomacy. With voices like Lindsey Graham pushing for retaliation, the next move could reshape the entire conflict. Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist and author David Cay Johnston joins to talk Iran, Trump and more. Polls show California’s gubernatorial race is far from settled. Democrats are still showing scattered support for multiple candidates. The most recent survey, conducted by the Democratic Party, puts Xavier Becerra, the former Democratic state attorney general and health and human services secretary, and Republican Steve Hilton, the British-born former Fox News commentator, neck and neck with 18% of likely voter support. Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has 15% support from likely voters and billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer, 12%. We welcome former San Francisco Chronicle Opinion Editor John Diaz to look at how the race is shaking out. Well, also talk redistricting, the Supreme Court decision on…

People in this episode

Host: Mark Thompson

Guest: David Cay Johnston

Topics covered

• U.S. military actions
• Iran conflict
• Trump administration
• California gubernatorial race
• voting rights
• redistricting

Keywords

• missiles
• warships
• Trump
• Iran
• California
• gubernatorial race
• Lindsey Graham
• voter rights
• redistricting

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Democratic Party

Places: California, Iran, Strait of Hormuz

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