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

Episode 224

Gideon Yago

  MTV News gone. And Buzzfeed News and others.

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


 

MTV News gone. And so is Vice. And Buzzfeed News and others. But there was only one MTV News. And while it may be officially dead, its spirit lives on. Forever. MTV News was always about the future. And in this moment of hardship for America, it’s critical that we reflect on our past, to chart out a better future. 

The revolution will not be televised. Because TV is dead. But it will be broadcast. Because broadcasts of truth never die. They adapt, improvise and overcome. And the independent media, and especially truth tellers, will be essential. 

And so will the voice and mind of Gideon Yago (@gideonyago). And the younger generation that he informed and inspired. And the young generations that will follow. 

Welcome to a look back at our media, our politics and our culture 

Welcome to a discussion about the younger generation, that ain’t so young any more. 

And welcome to a conversation about the power of the young ones yet to come. 

Welcome to the next iteration of the MTV generation. 

MTV NEWS is DEAD, LONG LIVE MTV NEWS.

Welcome to Independent Americans, Episode 224.

Gideon Yago is the iconic host of MTV News who has interviewed Presidents, covered politics, war and culture for decades, and received a Peabody and Emmy Award. He started at MTV at only 21 years old, and has also worked at CBS News, hosted The IFC Media Project, served as Shorenstein Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, and been a writer for The Newsroom, Narcos and The Mosquito Coast.

And with host Paul Rieckhoff, this episode will also dig into the writers strike, American F-16s now en route to Ukraine, #MemorialDay, Ron DeSantis announcing his candidacy for president and more.

Every episode of Independent Americans is independent light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s content for the 42% of Americans that 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 vets issues. This is another pod to help you stay vigilant. Because vigilance is the price of democracy. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics and inspiration. 

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