NEW EPISODE · AUGUST 21, 2026 · EP 605
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Vol. V · No. 605Sunday Edition
Righteous MediaSince 1776. Est. 2019

Episode 151

Michael Smerconish

As we all saw this weekend, NFL overtime sucks. A score on the opening drive should NOT end the game.

The Brief

→ Four things from today’s episode
01

Jesse on the Iran strikes. “completely illegal” — Congress hasn’t voted in six months and Republicans “run and hide.”

02

“They’re a family of cowards.” Why no Trump has ever put on. “They’re a family of cowards.” Why no Trump has ever put on the uniform while the family cashes in on drone-industry defense contracts.

03

The $40 trillion debt. every American now owes over $100,000, and Republicans put the war on the credit card.

04

Why the entire U.S. military is socialism. and why the “communist” smear against Mamdani-style Democrats collapses the second you look in the mirror.

As we all saw this weekend, NFL overtime sucks. A score on the opening drive should NOT end the game. It’s just not fair. The system is broken. Badly. But it’s not just the NFL OT system. The American political system is broken too. Badly. And so is the media. Badly. And the stakes there are so much higher than in football. 

And in this episode, we’re staying focused on the media (like we did last episode with Soledad O’Brien). But we’re also zooming out into the bigger picture of where this independent movement is–and where it’s going. We’re breaking down who independents are—and who might be an independent candidate for President in 2024. And we’re continuing to identify the systems that are broken, and offering solutions to fix them. 

And our guest has been as focused on it all. For long before we have. And he’s here to help us explore all of it. 

He’s a longtime political commentator, radio host, TV host, best-selling author, and maybe the single most high profile political independent in the media. A guy who has served as a guest host for voices on all sides of the political spectrum. He’s been a guest host for Chris Matthews AND for Bill O’Reilly. For Chris Cuomo AND for Glen Beck. And he’s the host of his own SiriusXM radio and CNN TV show. And Paul Rieckhoff’s stunt double. 

He’s a one man island of political independence in talk radio and the media: Michael Smerconish (@Smerconish).

Every episode of Independent Americans hosted by Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) provides light to contrast the heat. It’s independent content for independent Americans. And every episode delivers a dose of the Righteous Media 5 Is: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. This is another insightful pod to help you stay vigilant. Because vigilance is the price of democracy. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans will continue to be your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. 

Stay vigilant, America. 

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Watch the full video of this conversation with Paul and Michael here.

-Read the new article about Paul’s Understanding 9/11 class at Amherst College

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