Trump, Venezuela, Cuba & 2026: ICE, Economy, and Independents | Paul Rieckhoff vs. Tiffany Smiley
Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff joins former GOP Senate candidate Tiffany Smiley for a fiery, unscripted clash over Trump’s foreign policy vision for dominating the Western Hemisphere, from regime change ...talk in Venezuela, Cuba, Iran and even Greenland to the constitutional limits of presidential war powers and Congress’s role in authorizing military action. They battle over whether U.S.-controlled Venezuelan oil revenues undermine American values, what a potential collapse in Cuba would mean, and how Trump’s aggressive posture is reshaping America’s standing with allies in places like Denmark, Australia, and the UK. The debate then shifts hard to domestic politics, as they dissect Trump’s sinking approval with independents, the impact of immigration crackdowns and expanding ICE operations in cities like Portland and Phoenix, and whether voters will ultimately care more about regime-change wars or their pocketbooks in 2026. Smiley argues that tax cuts, rising real wages, and a soaring stock market will rescue Trump politically, while Rieckhoff warns that unpopular regime-change adventures, ICE abuses, and global outrage from veterans and allies could drive independents away in the midterms. The segment closes with a candid look at how independents—now roughly 45% of the country—may decide the future of Trump’s presidency, why Democrats and Republicans both misread them, and how shows like Independent Americans aim to give them a voice in a chaotic political moment. #IndependentAmericansShow More
