
A 31-year-old with a shotgun, a pistol, and a stack of knives tried to assassinate Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. A Secret Service agent took a round to the vest. Wolf Blitzer lost a shoe. And UFC’s Dana White called it “awesome.” Paul Rieckhoff — combat veteran, IAVA founder, 9/11 first responder and past attendee of the event — flies solo on this Manosphere Monday to put the attack in context: this is our normal now, and the president most responsible for the atmosphere is the same one weaponizing it against the press. And, he takes you inside what the event (and the security) are really like.
From there it’s a full and fast briefing — the collapse of Iran negotiations and Trump’s billion-a-day bombing math, oil over $100 a barrel, Macron calling out the new axis lining up against Europe, GOP senators admitting Hegseth couldn’t get reconfirmed today, and the White House’s pearl-clutching campaign to cancel Jimmy Kimmel. Plus a real reason for hope: independent veteran and Senate candidate Brian Bengs officially on the ballot in South Dakota with the highest signature validation rate of any statewide candidate this cycle, and a Ukrainian grandma rescued from a shelled-out village by a ground robot with a blanket that read “grandma, get in.” Independence is an attitude. Stay vigilant.
-WATCH full video of this episode here.
-Ditch your expensive carrier and support Independent Americans! Make the switch to Noble Mobile.
-Join IVA and stand up to Trump’s Forever Wars.
-Learn more about Paul’s work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America.
-Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here.
-Get some of Maine’s finest gear – check out Loyal Citizen.
-Remember Independent is an Attitude.
-Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It’s a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.
Connect with Independent Americans:
Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms
Read more at Substack
Support ad-free episodes at Patreon
Connect: Instagram • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook
Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky
–Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.
–And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.
Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.
And now part of the BLEAV network!
Ways to listen:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXe
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff/id1457899667
Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff
TuneIn Radio: https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/Independent-Americans-p1214607/
Ways to watch:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@independentamericans
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/IndependentAmericansUS/
Social channels:
X/Twitter: https://x.com/indy_americans