NEW EPISODE · JUNE 15, 2026 · EP 550
551 EPISODES SUBSCRIBE →
Vol. V · No. 551Tuesday Edition
Righteous MediaSince 1776. Est. 2019

Episode 196

Michael Beschloss

  The most important election of our lifetime is finally over. And the final contest may be just beginning.

The Brief

→ Four things from today’s episode
01

Why a UFC event at the White House will cost taxpayers an es. Why a UFC event at the White House will cost taxpayers an estimated $10-12M in security and overhead alone

02

"Wasteful barbaric desecration". the WBD framing for how this money could feed hungry American families instead

03

The Orbán parallel. how corruption, not ideology, ultimately toppled Hungary's strongman

04

Paul on training in MMA in the military. and why a lifelong UFC fan still calls this the bastardization of the people's house



 

The most important election of our lifetime is finally over. Sorta. And the final contest may be just beginning. 

America is divided. And half the country is not happy this week. Again. Anger and division is the story of our lives in America now. And if you’re feeling like it’s not, just wait a few more days. Because President Mayhem is back. Trump is back. And we all know what that means for our politics.

But what does it mean for 2024?

What does it mean for a likely match up against Biden?

What does it mean for a possible run by an independent candidate for President?

And what does this midterm election mean?

What is its place in history?

Is this history repeating itself? Or are we starting over?

Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) is the perfect person to ask. He’s the winner of an Emmy award, serves as NBC News Presidential Historian, and contributes to the PBS NewsHour. He is the author of nine best-selling books, including Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and How They Changed America, 1789-1989, Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy (co-authored with Caroline Kennedy) and two volumes on President Lyndon Johnson’s secret White House tapes. Beschloss also has the largest Twitter following of any historian on earth. And in a Twitterverse filled with bots and hate and nastiness, he remains a reason to be on that website. Pouring out historic photos and perspective. He’s also a father…and a generous, kind and nice man. 

On the pod recently we’ve had a Professor of Nukes. 

Professors of War. 

Professors of Business.

Professors of Politics. 

We’ve had a professor of history. 

And now, we’ve got another.

Michael Beschloss is a truly important, inspiring and iconic American that is shaping what America has been, what it is, and what it will be. And a truly independent American. 

It’s a conversation that will help you get smarter, predict better, and of course, stay vigilant. Because eternal vigilance is the price of freedom. And this week, we saw what can happen if we’re willing to pay that price.

Is this history repeating itself? Or are we starting over? Welcome to Veterans Week. Welcome to the end of Election Season 2022. Welcome to the beginning of Election Season 2024. 

 Every episode of Independent Americans hosted by author, activist and social entrepreneur Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) is the truth beyond the headlines–and light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s content for the 42% of Americans that proudly call themselves independent. And delivers the Righteous Media 5 Is: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. Always with a unique focus on national security, foreign affairs and military and veterans issues. This is another 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.