CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, controversial cartoonist Ted Rall and political analyst Michelle Witte deprogram you from the propaganda in the news with smart, knowledgeable analysis of news, politics and culture.
DeProgram
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27 episodes
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Podcast Overview
CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, controversial cartoonist Ted Rall and political analyst Michelle Witte deprogram you from the propaganda in the news with smart, knowledgeable analysis of news, politics and culture.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
3/31/2025
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Recent Episodes
July 6, 2025
DeProgram: “A Big Beautiful Mass Extinction Event for Republicans?”
<p>As we wrap up the holiday weekend, catch up on the smartest takes on the big news—tune into the “DeProgram show with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou.”John and Ted analyze the political and personal fallout of Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping tax-and-spending package signed July 4th, sparking numerous debates. Will the MAGA base see the massive increase in deficits as a betrayal? Can this latest attempt at Reaganite “trickle down economics” succeed in stimulating the economy? What of the millions of Medicaid recipients, mostly Republican voters, who will lose their healthcare? Is James Carville right to call this a “mass extinction event” for Republicans? Elon Musk says he’s going to make good on his new “America Party,” as revenge for the Big Beautiful Bill. He wants to disrupt duopoly politics but can he attract new voters and overcome legal and institutional barriers? Alligator Alcatraz, a Florida Everglades detention gulag that opened to imprisoned migrants last week, is being criticized for inhumane conditions like flooding and mosquito infestations, as well as its $450 million annual cost. Israel rejected Hamas' proposed changes to the latest Gaza hostage and ceasefire proposal, but will send negotiators to Qatar today. Is a breakthrough possible?Finally, we look at the catastrophic Texas Hill Country floods, where over 10 inches of rain killed at least 50 people, including 15 children, with 27 missing from a girls’ camp. Did National Weather Service staff cuts of 600 by Trump’s DOGE lead to inadequate flood warnings, despite meteorologists’ claims that their forecasts were accurate?</p>
July 2, 2025
DeProgram: “Diddy Dominates, Elon Moderates, Lama Delegates”
<p>Today, on the “DeProgram show” with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, we analyze the verdict in the Sean Combs trial—which John and Ted predicted on the show—in which jurors acquitted him of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, sparking debates on justice, prosecutorial overreach and celebrity influence. Next, let’s stress-test Elon Musk’s proposal for a new centrist (why centrist?) “America Party," aiming to represent the supposedly underrepresented political middle ground, amidst his feud with President Trump over the budget-“busting One Big Beautiful Bill Act." Can the world’s richest man successfully launch a third party?We look at the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday announcement of his succession plans, a critical moment for Tibetan Buddhism with global strategic implications. The Dalai Lama's succession plans have sparked a major controversy, with the spiritual leader announcing that his successor will be chosen by his foundation and born outside China. China claims authority over the Dalai Lama's succession based on historical and legal arguments rooted in its governance of Tibet. It points to the 1793 "29-Article Ordinance for the More Effective Governing of Tibet," issued by the Qing Dynasty, which established the Golden Urn process for selecting high lamas, including the Dalai Lama, with approval from the central government. Additionally, China asserts that its control over Tibet, established since 1950, and its historical oversight of Tibetan spiritual leaders—such as approving the 14th Dalai Lama's recognition—give it the sole right to manage reincarnations, a stance reinforced by modern regulations on religious affairs.A new Gallup poll shows only 58% of U.S. adults are “proud to be American”—down from 67% last year and the lowest since 2001—raising serious questions about national identity. Most of the decline is among Democrats. Should we care?Finally, “The CIA Book Club” offers a rare insider look at a covert CIA operation during the Cold War to smuggle millions of banned books into Eastern Europe, particularly Poland, to combat Soviet censorship. It highlights the efforts of individuals like George Minden, who led the program, and Mirosław Chojecki, an underground publisher, in distributing literature to inspire resistance and intellectual freedom. The narrative emphasizes the power of books as tools of liberation, detailing methods like smuggling via trucks, balloons, and travelers' luggage.</p>
June 27, 2025
EXCLUSIVE on DeProgram: “A Live Interview with Jake Tapper”
<p>We’re pleased to announce a special episode of the “DeProgram show with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou”!One year ago today, President Joe Biden shocked the world with a disastrous presidential debate appearance that marked the beginning of the end of his reelection campaign and withdrawal a few weeks later. In the room where it happened was moderator Jake Tapper.Today join us for a LIVE interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, diving into his explosive book, “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.” The book, co-authored with Axios’ Alex Thompson, documents a damning account of President Joe Biden’s mental and physical decline during his presidency, based on over 200 interviews. It details how Biden’s inner circle, including aides and family, allegedly concealed his cognitive struggles—such as forgetting the names of longtime aides, failing to recognize famous friends like George Clooney, and confusing key officials—as well as physical challenges, including internal White House discussions about potential wheelchair use due to Biden’s spinal degeneration.“Original Sin” exposes a tightly controlled Administration that closed off access to Biden, scripted Cabinet meetings, and bullied those who asked about his fitness as enemies and partisan hacks. This is no less than one of the biggest political scandals in U.S. history.Don’t miss Ted and John’s hard-hitting exploration of these revelations and their impact on the 2024 election. Join us live on YouTube and Rumble to ask Jake Tapper your questions and engage with this critical look at the unraveling of the Biden presidency. Tune in for the unfiltered truth on the “DeProgram show”—where bold insights meet fearless dialogue!</p>
27 total episodes available
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