Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Episode 433: EXCLUSIVE — Jesse Ventura. The Body vs Trump. Jesse for Governor Again? Senate?

Released: February 4, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features an exclusive, in-depth conversation between host Paul Rieckhoff and Jesse Ventura, the iconic independent, Navy veteran, and former governor of Minnesota. Ventura returns to the national stage with full force, sounding the alarm about contemporary threats to democracy, the rise of authoritarian tactics—especially with ICE—and urging a new generation, including veterans, to step up and run for office as independents. Ventura reflects on his life, career, and provides a bold, unfiltered critique of Trump, establishment parties, and the state of the nation. The interview is rich in personal stories, political insight, and memorable Ventura moments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jesse Ventura’s Political Roots and Victory as an Independent

• Ventura recaps his political journey: from mayor of Brooklyn Park (1990) to governor of Minnesota (1999–2003).
• Emphasizes he only raised $300,000 to win the governorship, outspent by millions from both major parties.
  • Jesse Ventura (22:58):
    "You know how much money I raised to become the governor? 300,000. You know how much the Democrats and Republicans combined spent to beat me? 12 million. And I won. So you can see I was a very irritating person to them."
• Paul notes Ventura’s pioneering example proves independents can, and have, won major elections.

2. ICE Tactics, Authoritarianism, and Connection to January 6th

• Ventura reacts furiously to ICE operations in Minneapolis, particularly one at his old high school, Roosevelt High.
  • Calls ICE "Gestapo" and draws parallels to authoritarian history and his parents’ WWII service.
  • Connects ICE’s tactics to Trump’s pardoning and reusing of January 6th participants, suggesting many are now empowered within ICE.
• Both discuss the international outrage, especially with ICE agents being sent abroad (e.g., at the Olympics in Milan, met with protest).
• Critique of government shifting blame on protestors rather than accepting responsibility.
  • Ventura (45:43):
    "We in Minnesota do not believe a word out of that guy's mouth or Trump's. We don't believe it. He blamed all the violence on the protesters. He said it's our fault and that we should be cooperating... So we as citizens are supposed to violate our own constitution to support their Gestapo tactics?"
• Ventura shares emotional family history—his mother served as a nurse in North Africa, his father fought under Patton—asserting he’s earned the right to call out authoritarian tactics in America.
  • Ventura (48:06):
    "If my parents were alive and they saw what ICE is doing... I am sure that my parents would call that the Gestapo. That's why... I have every right, in my opinion, to call Trump's ICE the Gestapo."

3. Trump, Fake Tough Guys, and Elite Deceit

• Ventura recalls his brief early acquaintance with Trump after his 1998 governor win, when Trump considered a third party run.
  • Ventura (38:48):
    "He was friendly... a fun guy to be with. I had dinner with him in New York City... Woody Harrelson was there too, kept disappearing to smoke a joint. Turns out Woody just couldn't take being there unless he was stoned."
• Sharp critique of Trump’s "con job" and the nation's susceptibility to it.
  • Ventura (40:35):
    "Yeah, because this country is always susceptible to a good con job... we go hook, line and sinker for somebody like him who's a complete con man. I mean, look at every business he's ran..."
• Ventura, himself in the WWE Hall of Fame, blasts Trump’s induction.
  • Ventura (41:02):
    "He's in the Wrestling Hall of Fame... I'm angry over that... I have friends who are not in the Hall... Ken Patera was possibly the strongest man in the world... Well, guess what, he's not in the hall and Trump is."
• Ridicules Trump’s avoidance of military service, accusing him of false bone spur claims and never missing a round of golf.

4. The Crisis of American Democracy and Call to Action

• Ventura calls current times the "most dangerous" in his life for American democracy.
  • Ventura (80:11):
    "I believe this is the most dangerous time in my 75 years on the planet for our country. I believe this is the most dangerous because of who's in the White House... it's going to take everybody to survive this."
• Asserts the Insurrection Act is a real threat, and that deploying the US military against Americans is unconstitutional and a red line.
  • Ventura (51:05):
    "The Constitution says the US Military is not to be used against its own people... Now he's gonna send us into Minnesota... In January, three murders in Minneapolis—two by ICE."
• Encourages veterans to run for office as independents, noting independents now outnumber both major parties in self-identification.
  • Ventura (74:19):
    "Let me just say this to all the veterans out there. Run for office. Run as an independent. I can do it. You can do it. Your fellow veterans are going to rally behind you... Our country is at stake right now, veterans, and it's time for us to save it again."

5. Independent Movement, Candidate Recruitment, and Next Steps

• Ventura underlines the potency of recruiting known figures as independent political candidates; name recognition and TV presence are essential.
  • Ventura (57:10):
    "What we need to be doing to get independent candidates is to get people with that name recognition. That way you don't have to go buy it."
• Teases a possible return to the ballot—considering runs for governor or Senate (as interim if Klobuchar leaves).
  • Ventura (61:03):
    "If she [Klobuchar] came back here, run and won... she gets to name her replacement... What if she named me the interim senator, then for two years, Donald Trump would have to face me out in Washington. The coward would have to look at the frogman."
• Strong call for political disruption, not “passive resistance.”
  • Ventura (65:39):
    "It's time for us to not be passive anymore. Enough of this passive resistance. This guy doesn't understand that. The only strength he knows is to kick his butt."

6. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On America’s susceptibility:
  "This country is always susceptible to a good con job."
  — Jesse Ventura (40:35)

• On voting for women:
  "The last election, like it or not, they have the opportunity to elect the first woman president and they dropped the ball... Wouldn't it be about time for a woman? That's how I viewed it."
  — Jesse Ventura (34:46)

• On ICE:
  "In Minneapolis in January... three murders. Two of them were done by ICE. So ICE is the leading murderer... and apparently there's going to be no trial."
  — Jesse Ventura (51:05)

• On running as an independent:
  "I can do it. You can do it. Your fellow veterans are going to rally behind you. It ain't about money, people. You served our country before when you were asked to do it. There's no greater calling than what's going on right now."
  — Jesse Ventura (74:19)

7. Below the Radar: Hope & Heroism

• Paul highlights Staff Sergeant Michael Alice, awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for heroism in Afghanistan.
• Ventura shares story of fellow SEAL Mike Thornton, who received the Medal of Honor for saving another Medal of Honor recipient, Tommy Norris.
  • Ventura (72:55):
    "Mike got the Medal of Honor for saving the life of a previous Medal of Honor winner, Tommy Norris... I don't think that'll ever, ever occur again."

8. Personal Stories & Football

• Ventura reminisces about playing football against Dave Winfield, "the greatest athlete in Minnesota history," and reflects on his own journey from quarterback to defensive end.
  • Ventura (78:31):
    "In high school I was 6'3", 200 pounds... and I was the smallest guy on our D line."
• Picks Seahawks for the Super Bowl due to Sam Darnold's unique comeback story.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ventura’s take on ICE and Minnesota’s resistance: [22:58]–[27:53], [45:43], [48:06]
• Ventura on Trump, wrestling, and fake toughness: [38:29]–[43:44], [67:52]–[70:49]
• Call for veteran and independent candidacies: [74:19], [56:54]
• Stories about football, Dave Winfield: [75:31]–[79:09]
• Medal of Honor stories: [72:29]–[74:02]
• Boldest one-liners referencing American democracy at risk: [80:11]

Tone and Language

Ventura’s language is blunt, kinetic, unapologetically critical of Trump and government overreach (“Gestapo tactics,” “criminal in the White House”). His passion for constitutional values, military/veteran solidarity, and independent politics comes through in every answer. Rieckhoff’s style is similarly forthright but adopts a coaching, energizing approach, framing the interview as a rallying point for politically homeless voters.

Conclusion—Why Listen?

• Jesse Ventura is back, sounding the alarm and offering hard-earned wisdom.
• Offers bold, direct criticism of authoritarian trends and calls for independent action—especially among veterans.
• Firsthand stories connect politics, culture, and personal legacy in a way few public figures can.
• The episode is a rallying cry for the millions disenchanted with the major parties, and anyone who cares about defending democratic values.

Notable Quotes Summary Table

| Time | Speaker | Quote | |---------|----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22:58 | Jesse Ventura | "I raised 300,000... Dems and Republicans combined spent 12 million. I won." | | 45:43 | Jesse Ventura | "We...do not believe a word out of that guy's mouth or Trump's." | | 48:06 | Jesse Ventura | "If my parents were alive...they would call that the Gestapo." | | 40:35 | Jesse Ventura | "This country is always susceptible to a good con job." | | 74:19 | Jesse Ventura | "Run for office. Run as an independent. I can do it. You can do it." | | 51:05 | Jesse Ventura | "Three murders in Minneapolis in January. Two of them were done by ICE." | | 80:11 | Jesse Ventura | "This is the most dangerous time in my 75 years on the planet for our country."|

If you’re in the frustrated middle, hungry for raw truth and hope, or considering your own independent run, this episode is a must-listen.