As Trump and his crew of billionaires are focused on self-serving dealmaking, China is hardball negotiating on important geopolitical topics. With only dollar signs driving American interests, Trump's corruption takes center stage and the American people are left out of the picture. Why exactly are 10 billionaire CEOs taking center stage at such a critical series of international relations meetings. Key administration officials should be fighting for the security and well-being of the people. That hardly seems the case. The only citizens faring worse are the Taiwanese, who are getting tepid support from Trump at best. They appear to be on the way to being "Ukrained" by Trump. The process by which a democratic ally gets abandoned by America because Trump doesn't see the personal benefit in defending their sovereignty. But the American oligarchy does not care. they are in it for themselves. As Chairman Xi pointed out, America in decline.

Democratic candidates are out running in primaries or prepping for the Midterms with a way toos soft and safe message. There is a lot of commentary on the easy topics where everyone is on board. The easy applause lines: Data centers, AI, the Economy anti-AIPAC and the Iran War. These topics are easy pickings, but not the crux of the matter. What happened to Abolish ICE? or codifying women's right to choose? or universal health care? or at the doubling down on the ACA? or Racism? Any chance a Democrat makes a strong statement about being pro-immigration? or pro-DEI? or a believer in a multi-cultural society as America's strength? How is it possible when a White Supremacy Movement is dismantling U.S. democracy can the Opposition party be so timid. The Democratic leadership of ken Martin, Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries are the wrong people for 2025. They are not wartime leaders and thus far the Democrats are not a party up for the fight. The rank-and-file is ready. the leadership is not.

A wave of protests are scheduled throughout the South, and specifically in Alabama, this weekend. Black America is planning this show of force in historically relevant places such as Selma to fight for voting rights last fought for over 60 years ago. Mark points out that America has turned back the clock. MAGA is wining its battle to restore a Jim Crow era society. Brock points out that with Black people out on the streets it is a golden opportunity for White people to show solidarity and start building a unified coalition against Trump 2.0 Project 2025 White Supremacy. Wouldn't it be ironic if SCOTUS overreach actually builds a real Resistance Movement. It may ne a longshot but the hope and need for a multi-culural;. multi-racial counterforce to MAGA is imperative.

DL Hughley, Eddie Glaude and Ryan Clark are calling for college football players to de-commit from SEC schools and switch to colleges in states with fair voting rights. Mark and Brock discuss the viability of getting young kids to sacrifice life changing money to make a statement. Is it their responsibility? Haven't civil rights movements always been led by young people. It is complex as the owner to labor dynamic in America is very white against black. The topic highlights the lack of breakout leadership in the Resistance which coupled with a shortage of true anger has left the counter to MAGA lacking. White America is still too complacent as rights are taken away. Mark believes Black America is ready to mobilize against the voter suppression, but not ready for street protests. The push for athletes to take a leading role is hopeful but may not be realistic.

mark and brock discuss...Republican lawmakers in Tennessee enacted a new U.S. House map Thursday that carves up a majority-Black district in Memphis, reshaping it to the GOP’s advantage. The move — part of President Donald Trump’s strategy to hold a slim majority in the November midterm elections — follows a Supreme Court ruling last week that significantly weakened federal Voting Rights Act protections for minorities.
* Health authorities across four continents Thursday were tracking down and monitoring passengers who disembarked a hantavirus-stricken cruise ship before its deadly outbreak was detected, and trying to trace others who may have come into contact with them since then.
* In Argentina, a team of investigators has yet to leave for the southern town where they suspect the outbreak originated, officials from the country’s Health Ministry told The Associated Press on Thursday. The Argentine investigators suspect a Dutch couple may have contracted the virus while on a bird-watching trip before they boarded the cruise ship.

The Supreme Court decision on the Voting rights Act lays bare America's systematic racism for all to see. There is no more hiding behind feigned ignorance, although MAGA messaging that "we took away your rights because Racism is no longer an issue" is wordsmithing genius. Basically we are going to screw you over and gaslight you at the same time. So with the Racism so bold and institutional in nature, when do White American acknowledge Racism and when does the country have a Racial Reckoning. The kind of honest discussion on Race in America which society has avoided for 250 years. We can't expect politicians to lead. It will need to be a bottom up process. As a final topic we discuss union-busting and Jeff Bezos tone deaf Met Gala wit a question on why were WNBA players in attendance? Seems they should be supporting unions having just been through a 6-month Labor negotiation. But, No. Time to party with Amazon, America's number one union antagonist. Disappointing showing by Paige Bueckers, Aja Wilson and Angel Reese.

Trump and his "Advisors" have put themselves in a box and don't seem to know how to get out. In the meantime, U.S. Consumers are getting crushed by prices at the pump and now another spike in grocery prices. The MAGA team is not great at problem-solving so we are not optimistic about what comes next. All the while, Project 2025 continues the assault on women's bodily autonomy. Finally, we discuss DOGE cuts to medical research and the long-term impact on all of our lives as progress on cancer and other curable diseases will inevitable slow. We just do not see the benefit and how we have money for war, but not life-saving medicine.

Mark expresses optimism that there were significant economic-focused protests today as anger grows on the Left. But the hosts debated whether the SCOTUS ruling to roll back Voting rights would trigger increased involvement by the Black community in future protests. Mark believes many Black people have been shaken up by the rulings and will fight back. Brock expresses his hope that Black citizens will join with Progressives to endorse language and policies that will radically alter American society. But this could only happen after a thorough racial reckoning as the Racism which has prevented achievement of a true, equal democracy must be addressed first.