NEW EPISODE · JUNE 15, 2026 · EP 550
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Vol. V · No. 550Monday Edition
Righteous MediaSince 1776. Est. 2019

Episode 238

End of Summer Madness

Summer is almost over. But the hits just keep on coming.

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

Summer is almost over. But the hits just keep on coming. Bad ones. Like a new school shooting at the University of North Carolina, Senator Redneck’s ongoing blocks on military promotions, and a hurricane hitting the south. But some good hits keep coming too. Like Simon Biles winning a record 8th gymnastics championship, the return of football, and the epic end to the Little League World Series. It’s been a summer of highs and lows. Jerks and heroes. And our host, Paul Rieckhoff’s got a quick summer installment of the pod hitting on the GOP infighting to be #2 to Trump, why Chris Christie thinks independents are key to winning the New Hampshire GOP primary, how Senator Tommy Tuberville continues to screw our military, how this summer has been full of examples of role models–and full of examples of the opposite–and MUCH more. This might be the only show in America to cover (and contrast) Rudy Giuliani and Shohai Ohtani. No. We’re not like other political and news podcasts. And proud of it. 

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 49% of Americans that proudly call themselves independent. 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. 

Check out Saint Javelin’s Javelin case coffee table auction Paul talked about on the show

-Read the piece Paul talked about by Marc Polymeropoulos, John Sipher and Adam Kinzinger: Why Biden Must Send Ukraine the ATACMS It Needs — Now