NEW EPISODE · MAY 21, 2026 · EP 529
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Vol. V · No. 529Friday Edition
Righteous MediaSince 1776. Est. 2019

Episode 410

Ron Perlman Unloads On Trump, Venezuela, Robber Barons,

  Ron Perlman is back. The man, the myth, the legend joins Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff on Paul’s birthday for a wild, unfiltered and deeply hopeful conversation that only these two could have, from

The Brief

→ Four things from today’s episode
01

Why Trump's numbers with independents are in the 20s. and why Memorial Day is about to make it worse

02

The $1.8B taxpayer giveaway to January 6 insurrectionists, M. The $1.8B taxpayer giveaway to January 6 insurrectionists, Mike Lindell's $400M ask, and Tarrio's $2-5M demand

03

Plan C explained. how Trump is green-lighting political violence to disrupt free and fair elections

04

$5 gas, the Iran war Americans never wanted, and why he can'. $5 gas, the Iran war Americans never wanted, and why he can't spin his way out of it



 

Ron Perlman is back. The man, the myth, the legend joins Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff on Paul’s birthday for a wild, unfiltered and deeply hopeful conversation that only these two could have, from Venezuela to Hollywood, Trump to Teamsters, the Nuremberg trials to the magic of movies. They dig into why Ron thinks “the cockroaches’ days are numbered,” how authoritarianism spreads, the loss of empathy in our leadership, and why—despite the rage and the urge to burn it all down—there are still far more “beautiful people who just want to love each other and get a fair shot.”​

Ron also pulls back the curtain on his next great act: Asylum Studios, a radically new model for filmmaking where every single person on a project—from the director to the person cleaning the toilets—owns a piece of the movie, restoring ownership, dignity and respect to the people who actually make the art. He and Paul connect that vision to the kind of America they want for their kids, as Paul shares birthday reflections, what this tense moment in the country feels like, and why independent voices—especially independent veterans—are more important than ever. It’s candid, profane, patriotic and hopeful—and guaranteed to give you fuel for the fights ahead.

And they have the most fun Football Friday yet. On Oregon vs Indiana, all the NFL Playoff games and the amazing three celebrities that joined Ron for his first ever golf game. It’s what you need to end this trying week. 

Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories–and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve–and stay vigilant.

WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now.