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

Episode 97

SPECIAL DISPATCH: Wayne Smith

We finally have a new president. A president who wants to be a uniter.

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

We finally have a new president. A president who wants to be a uniter. A president we all hope can reach beyond partisanship. No matter how hard it will be. 

This post-inauguration special of The Dispatches features an important conversation with a leader who is a national voice of reason — Wayne Smith—a man we call, “The Oracle.” He joined us back in Episode 63 of Angry Americans in June of last year, and he’s here again to help us get some perspective on one of the most turbulent times ever. What do we make of this week? What is our place in history? What’s next? How do you reconcile with someone who tried to kill you?  

They’re heavy questions and the solutions aren’t easy, but helpers like Wayne Smith can help us all find the way. 

We made it through the election. We made it through the inauguration. We made it through 4 years of Trump. And we made it through an insurrection attempt and domestic terrorist attack on our Capitol. But we made it through. And our flag is still there. 

The war is on. This is your update. This is The Dispatches.

Our host, Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) is an Army infantry and Military Police (MP) veteran, he’s fought an insurgency in Iraq, he’s guarded against violent mobs and terror attacks, and he’s set up check-points in New York City after 9/11. 

The Dispatches is powered by Righteous Media.

See video of this conversation with Wayne Smith and a range of music, political, business and media players from Chuck D to Jeffrey Wright to Medal of Honor Recipient Flo Groberg to Sarah Jessica Parker to Stephen Colbert to Meghan McCain to Mayor Pete Buttigieg on the Righteous Media YouTube page. It’s political, social and industry diversity like no other show in America. 

Righteous Media is your trusted, independent source for news, politics, culture and inspiration. It’s a smart, fun and no-BS perspective like nowhere else in the media.