Daily Wire's Business Moves and Free Speech Drama: Two Videos Worth Watching

I wanted to share these two videos regarding The Daily Wire.

First: The Business Side

This clip from Valuetainment is a segment from a recent PBD Podcast. It discusses the company taking on more minority investors and exploring a potential IPO (similar in timing to SpaceX's moves this month).

Why does this matter? Before this news, The Daily Wire had been taking a serious beating. There were reports of major layoffs in May 2026 — roughly half the staff (around 100 jobs) in one round alone, part of multiple cuts. Former co-CEO Jeremy Boreing addressed the restructuring, while voices like Candace Owens sounded alarms earlier about ongoing struggles. Owens has since pointed to expensive missteps like the Pendragon project (over $50 million spent with little return), subscriber losses after high-profile departures, and broader leadership/operational challenges as key factors in the slowdown.

The outlet, known for voices like Ben Shapiro, Matt Walsh, and Michael Knowles, is now seeking fresh capital at a reported $750 million+ valuation with IPO talks potentially reaching $2 billion.

Watch here [VIDEO]

The Narrative with Will Sexton: A Fresh Voice Cutting Through the Noise

If you're tired of recycled punditry on cable news or endless hot takes on social media, channels like The Narrative with Will Sexton stand out. Will Sexton delivers structured, big-picture analysis on politics, culture, and power without sensationalism or partisan cheerleading. He zeros in on institutions, incentives, funding flows, and historical context—connecting dots that many overlook or avoid. His clear, sourced, and thoughtful style makes the channel worth following for anyone trying to make sense of why American politics feels like it's shifting under our feet.

In his recent video, "The Political Realignment Nobody Saw Coming | How Woke Failed," Sexton traces the arc of the last decade: the rapid rise of progressive cultural dominance after 2020, the money and machinery behind it, and why that era is visibly unraveling now.

Watch the full video here [VIDEO]

Sen. Rand Paul on Pod Force One: Straight Talk on Iran, Fauci, Borders, and Accountability

U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) joined Miranda Devine on the latest Pod Force One episode for a wide-ranging, no-nonsense discussion on foreign policy, immigration, surveillance, and holding power accountable.

Full episode of Sen. Paul's interview here (duration 40 mins) [VIDEO]

Big Night for Democratic Socialists in New York

 Last night’s Democratic primaries in New York City delivered clear momentum for the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Three high-profile congressional races saw Mamdani- and DSA-aligned candidates prevail, building directly on Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s 2025 upset victory and signaling a more organized push from the party’s left flank into federal office.

Democratic Socialists of America Flag via Amazon

These weren’t fringe races. They took place in safely Democratic districts where the primary winner is all but guaranteed a seat in Congress come November. The results add fresh energy (and some tension) to the national conversation about where the Democratic Party is headed heading into the 2026 midterms.

The Key Wins

NY-7 (Brooklyn-Queens area): State Assemblymember Claire Valdez, a DSA member and union organizer endorsed by Mayor Mamdani, defeated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and other challengers. She captured roughly 56-58% of the vote in a race framed as a test of DSA organizational strength versus more institutional progressive politics.

NY-10: Former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, backed by Mamdani, ousted two-term Rep. Dan Goldman in a strong progressive showing (around 66% to 34%).

NY-13 (Upper Manhattan and the Bronx): Community organizer and DSA member Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated five-term incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat. Early results showed her edging out the veteran congressman in a contest that highlighted divides over issues like housing, policing, and foreign policy.

These victories are part of a broader DSA/Mamdani slate performance in New York, with multiple endorsed candidates advancing or winning across congressional, state assembly, and local races. Mamdani’s volunteer network and brand appear to have transferred real power in these low-turnout primaries.

Rupert Lowe on PBD Podcast: Starmer’s Resignation and Britain’s Failures

This morning on the PBD Podcast, British MP Rupert Lowe joined Patrick Bet-David for a wide-ranging, no-holds-barred conversation. The episode — focused on the Rape Gang Inquiry Lowe recently released and Keir Starmer’s resignation — pulled no punches on Britain’s institutional failures, mass immigration fallout, and the rapid turnover of prime ministers.

It’s the kind of direct talk that rarely makes it through mainstream British media filters. Here’s a clear breakdown of who Lowe is and what stood out, especially his comments on the “revolving door” in the Prime Minister’s office.

Who Is Rupert Lowe?

Rupert Lowe is the Restore Britain MP for Great Yarmouth (elected in 2024 originally on the Reform UK ticket). He previously served as a Brexit Party MEP and built a career as a businessman, farmer, and former chairman of Southampton Football Club.

He split from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK after internal disagreements and launched Restore Britain as a harder-edged alternative focused on mass deportations, scrapping net-zero targets, and confronting what he calls the grooming gang cover-up. Lowe crowdfunded around £600,000 for an independent inquiry into organized child sexual exploitation, which he released recently. The report estimates (conservatively) up to 250,000 victims — mostly white British girls aged 11–13 — with perpetrators overwhelmingly of Pakistani Muslim background, alongside other groups.

Watch Rupert Lowe on the PBD Podcast (Full Episode) [VIDEO]

In the conversation, which dropped amid news of Keir Starmer’s resignation, Lowe doesn’t hold back on Britain’s leadership instability and the grooming gang scandal.

JD Vance’s Swiss Weekend: Strength or Weakness in the Face of Iran?

 I watched Ben Shapiro’s latest episode — “JD Vance’s Weekend Was Worse Than You Think” — and it hit on a key tension in how we handle high-stakes diplomacy. Then I checked Patrick Bet-David’s Valuetainment clip for more on Vance’s side of the story. Here’s a clear breakdown.

Watch Shapiro's podcast here [VIDEO]

The Backdrop: High-Stakes Talks in Switzerland

Vice President JD Vance led U.S. talks at the Bürgenstock resort near Lucerne with Iranian officials. Pakistan and Qatar mediated. Goals included Lebanon/Hezbollah de-escalation, nuclear steps, and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.

Vance projected optimism: progress on ceasefires, possible IAEA inspectors returning, technical work ahead. Trump kept the hard edge with public warnings about consequences if Iran crossed lines.

Shapiro’s Critique: Optics Matter

Shapiro focuses on the visuals and tone:

• No strong joint photos.
• Moments where Vance appeared sidelined or lightly corrected.
• Language leaning “give and take” rather than dominance.
• Progress claims (assets, inspectors) called thin.

Takeaway: Looks like weakness next to Trump and Rubio’s firmer approach. “Not peace through strength.”

Starmer Resigns: The Revolving Door of UK Prime Ministers Continues

So it has happened. The British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation today. As was predicted with certainty by President Donald Trump. I wonder if his spot-on call came from communication between the two “peers.”

Source: TruthSocial

Brexit at 10: Wins, Costs, Immigration Realities, and Starmer’s Mounting Crisis

Fresh reports say UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer could announce a resignation timetable as early as Monday. The Observer detailed his weekend at Chequers and internal pressure, while Reuters and BBC covered the shifting mood inside Labour and speculation about successor Andy Burnham. President Trump weighed in on Truth Social, declaring “Keir Starmer will resign” and citing failures on immigration and energy.

I watched Bloomberg Originals’ This Is What Brexit Cost the World amid this news. Here’s a concise breakdown.

Lebanon: The Flashpoint Threatening the US-Iran Deal

The Lebanon angle is one of the biggest reasons the US-Iran framework agreement feels shaky just days after it was signed. The deal isn't only about the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program — it explicitly ties in ending military operations "on all fronts, including in Lebanon." This reflects Iran's long-standing support for Hezbollah and its insistence that regional ceasefires go hand-in-hand with any broader truce.

Why Lebanon Keeps Derailing Progress

• Linked commitments: The memorandum calls for a permanent halt to fighting across the region, including Israeli operations in Lebanon. Iran has warned that continued strikes there violate the spirit (and possibly terms) of the deal.
• Recent flare-ups: Fresh Israel-Hezbollah clashes — with strikes killing civilians and militants on both sides — led to the postponement of technical talks in Switzerland. Iran briefly claimed to close the Strait of Hormuz again in response, though shipping appears to continue.
• Proxy dynamics: Hezbollah is a core part of Iran's "Axis of Resistance." Any deal that doesn't address Israeli presence or operations in southern Lebanon risks Iran backing away from nuclear concessions or Hormuz commitments.

US officials (including envoys like Steve Witkoff) are still heading to Switzerland for talks, with Vice President Vance involved, but the Lebanon situation adds real friction. Israel isn't a direct party to the US-Iran MoU, which complicates enforcement.

A Personal Look Back at the 2016 Presidential Race

The White House YouTube channel recently shared a video from Trump Tower titled The Golden Escalator That Changed History. It was posted on Wednesday, but it takes us right back to June 16, 2015 — the day Donald Trump announced his historic run for President. [VIDEO]

The video is nicely shot — kudos to the videographer. At the time, though, I honestly wouldn’t have paid much attention. In the years since, that Golden Escalator moment has become an iconic event. It launched a successful campaign that defeated a formidable opponent: a former Secretary of State and U.S. Senator who seemed poised to become America’s first female President.

From South African Farm Attacks to Safety in Alabama: Jason Bartlett on Glenn Beck

In this eye-opening Glenn Beck interview, South African farmer Jason Bartlett describes escaping what he calls a hidden massacre of white farmers and building a thriving new life in rural Alabama. The conversation is raw, hopeful, and full of contrasts that make you rethink everyday American freedoms.

Watch the full 15 minute clip here: [VIDEO]

Chicago Sports Teams and Juneteenth: History or Corporate Messaging?

EDITED Jun. 20, 2026: My apologies I realized I double posted the Chicago Bears tweet about Juneteenth under the Chicago White Sox, so I just edited that accordingly.

Source: CNN

Chicago teams marked Juneteenth today with social media posts and events.

Rosa Parks: Orchestrated Icon? Williams & Walsh Break It Down

In a recent PBD Podcast, Patrick Bet-David spoke with Andre Williams about “Black fatigue,” the Karmelo Anthony case, and tough truths facing Black America. Williams pulls no punches — and openly discusses the backlash he faces for saying these things.

I value conversations that cut through simplified narratives despite the cost.

Rosa Parks vs. Claudette Colvin: The Orchestrated Choice

Williams argues the Rosa Parks incident was orchestrated by the NAACP. They picked her as the symbol because she presented a more “respectable” image — lighter-skinned, from a respected family. He contrasts this with Claudette Colvin, the 15-year-old who refused her seat nine months earlier. Colvin was dark-skinned and working-class, and later became pregnant by an older married man (an encounter she described as statutory rape).

Williams points out the feared backlash: in the 1950s climate, Colvin’s status as an unwed teenage mother (from what she later called statutory rape) could have been twisted by opponents to smear the movement and distract from segregation itself. Leaders chose the “safer” symbol in Rosa Parks to avoid that risk.

This ties into his broader point about shaped narratives that can downplay internal community challenges.

Personal note: Learning about Claudette Colvin years ago was eye-opening — all I really knew back then was that a pregnant teen had done essentially what Rosa Parks did later. I had no idea at the time how strategically Parks was chosen or that the iconic imagery around her was more of a photo-op. It puts Williams’ point in even sharper perspective.

Watch the key clip: [VIDEO]

Fading Faith in the American Dream? Gallup Poll via Washington Post

The Washington Post recently highlighted a Gallup poll indicating declining belief that “anyone can achieve the American Dream,” amid ongoing concerns over housing, groceries, and living costs. Here’s a summary of the findings, an analysis of the coverage, and a balanced perspective.

Source: Smithsonian Mag

George Soros: The Man Behind the Curtain? A Former Mobster's Take

In 2021, on this blog I shared a video from the edu-tuber Mr. Beat. He breaks down historic figures in a straightforward way, and one of them was billionaire George Soros. Here's what I wrote back then:

As of late you hear a lot about how Soros uses his fortune to fund politicians favorable to his political ideology. He's also been accused of funding soft on crime prosecutors here in this nation from Los Angeles to San Francisco to Philadelphia. Even right here in Cook County/Chicago with our current State's Attorney.

That post stuck with the basics—his funding of progressive causes and DAs. It didn't dig into the "why" or the full picture of what Soros represents.

Recently, I came across a video from Michael Franzese, a former mobster who's shared a lot of raw stories about living that Mafia life. He often steps back to look at bigger issues in the world today. This time, he takes a hard look at Soros.

Why do Democrats seem to loathe America?

 In Illinois, the political dynamics seem flipped from the national narrative. Republicans are often accused of “loathing” the state, but what they’re really saying is that Illinois is off track and desperately needs fixing. Democrats, meanwhile, appear largely comfortable with the status quo. Under one-party rule, critics argue they’re not reversing the state’s decline—they’re simply managing it.

A recent CNN segment shared by Tom Elliott on X/Twitter (h/t Newsalert) highlighted a striking example of this disconnect:

CNN: "Just 27 percent of Democrats say they'll display the flag on July 4th ... just 29 percent of Democrats say they’re extremely, or very proud, to be an American." pic.twitter.com/EITuYqNRiU

— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) June 17, 2026

This comes at a time when many Americans are preparing to celebrate Independence Day. The low numbers raise a troubling question: What’s behind the reluctance to fly the Stars and Stripes?

US-Iran Agreement: Ceasefire, Hormuz, and Next Steps

Introduction: Trump’s Latest Deal in the Middle East

Folks, the United States and Iran have reached a preliminary memorandum of understanding (MoU) to de-escalate months of conflict. President Trump is calling it a strong step forward, centered on a ceasefire, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and 60 days of further talks on nuclear issues and sanctions.

It’s not a final peace deal, but it aims to end active fighting after over 100 days of tensions that disrupted global energy markets.

Key Points of the Agreement

• Ceasefire: 60-day halt to hostilities, with paths toward lasting peace (including Lebanon-related issues).
• Strait of Hormuz: Iran to reopen the vital oil waterway; US lifts naval blockade. This should ease supply pressures quickly.
• Nuclear Program: Iran reaffirms no nuclear weapons pursuit. Talks will address enriched uranium stockpiles and enrichment limits.
• Sanctions/Assets: Conditional relief based on compliance, including potential access to frozen funds.
• Timeline: Formal signing elements expected soon in Switzerland.

Interpretations vary between the sides.

Dad Saves America Podcast: Is America Heading Into an Empire Era Like Rome?

In a recent clip from the Dad Saves America podcast, host John Papola sits down with Wilfred Reilly — a Chicago native and political scientist at Kentucky State University — to explore striking parallels between America’s growth and the rise (and potential pitfalls) of ancient Rome.

Watch the clip here [VIDEO]

America is approaching its 250th birthday in 2026, and the conversation around what that means for our national story is heating up.

Founding Echoes of Rome