Legal AF by MeidasTouch – Episode Summary: "The Intersection with Michael Popok" (Released July 9, 2025)
In this episode of Legal AF, host Michael Popok delves deep into several pressing legal and political developments shaping the current landscape. Covering high-profile settlements, landmark court cases, and emerging threats in digital security, Popok provides a comprehensive analysis of how these events intersect with law and politics.
1. CBS/Paramount/Skydance Settlement and Alleged Bribery Scandal
Michael Popok opens the discussion by examining the recent settlement between CBS, Paramount, Skydance, and former President Donald Trump. He alleges that the $16 million settlement may conceal a more substantial bribery scheme aimed at securing regulatory approval for Skydance's acquisition of Paramount.
Quote at [05:45]:
"What's this really about? This is really about just a bribery scandal. Donald Trump got back into power, used his Federal Communications Commission, headed by Brendan Carr, to squeeze the balls of Sumner Redstone and Shari Redstone."
Popok connects the dots between David Ellison, Skydance's owner and son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison, and the Trump administration, suggesting that Ellison facilitated payments to influence FCC decisions. He further claims that an additional $15 to $20 million in public service advertisements were promised to the Trump administration, bringing the total alleged bribe to approximately $30 million.
2. Planned Parenthood's Legal Battle Post-Medina Ruling
Shifting focus, Popok discusses the implications of the Supreme Court's decision in the Medina case, where South Carolina's cut of Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood was upheld. Contrary to initial setbacks, a new legal avenue emerges as Planned Parenthood files a constitutional challenge in Massachusetts.
Quote at [15:30]:
"Planned Parenthood is not in the abortion business. Planned Parenthood provides reproductive counseling... they don't perform abortions."
He emphasizes that the Supreme Court ruled Planned Parenthood lacked standing to challenge Medicaid funding cuts under the existing statutes. However, leveraging First Amendment rights concerning freedom of association and speech, Planned Parenthood secured a temporary restraining order from Judge Talwani, preventing the immediate closure of 200 centers across 90% of states where abortion is legal.
Quote at [22:10]:
"Judge Talwani has determined that there's more likely than not that they're going to be able to prove their constitutional violations. The irreparable harm is obvious."
Popok views this as a significant victory for Planned Parenthood, ensuring continued operations while the case advances through the judicial system.
3. Abrego Garcia's Case and Judge Zinnis's Rulings
Popok provides an update on the Abrego Garcia case in Maryland, highlighting the Trump administration's inconsistent legal strategies regarding Garcia's deportation and criminal charges.
Quote at [30:55]:
"She has to put him back in the place he was in terms of status quo before you deported him and he wasn't in Tennessee standing charges before you deported him."
Judge Zinnis has denied the Trump administration's motion to dismiss the case, citing the need for due process. Popok criticizes the Department of Justice for mixed messages and their failure to provide transparent answers, predicting that the administration will likely resort to contempt proceedings against the judge for non-compliance.
Quote at [38:20]:
"How do you do it? It's easy. You take... and now you know why... they're not our friends, they're our enemies."
He underscores the administration's apparent disregard for judicial authority, suggesting potential appeals to higher courts and continued legal tussles.
4. Ongoing Challenges to Birthright Citizenship
Addressing immigration policy, Popok analyzes recent attempts to redefine or revoke birthright citizenship, especially in light of Supreme Court rulings against nationwide injunctions.
Quote at [41:15]:
"The 14th Amendment was just for the babies of newly freed slaves... It says all people, all persons."
He explains that while 29 states have secured injunctions against executive orders targeting birthright citizenship, the remaining 21 states pose a barrier to a unified nationwide approach. Popok suggests that multi-state class actions are the next strategic move, although political divisions make this challenging.
Quote at [44:40]:
"It's not great for the other 31. But there is 29 states where if you're having babies at the moment, you don't have to worry about that state rejecting your baby's birth certificate."
He anticipates that several legal battles will continue into the upcoming Supreme Court term, where substantive evaluations of executive overreach into constitutional amendments will take center stage.
5. Deepfakes and AI Security Threats in the Trump Administration
In a segment addressing national security and digital misinformation, Popok warns of the growing threat posed by deepfakes, particularly within the Trump administration's use of the Signal communication platform.
Quote at [46:20]:
"The states are onto this... Russia, Iran, China. Would anybody, North Korea, would anybody be surprised if it's one of those countries trying to collude in such a way as to undermine the Trump administration?"
He details incidents where deepfake technology has been used to impersonate officials like Marco Rubio and Susie Wiles, undermining trust and potentially influencing political decisions. Popok criticizes the administration's reluctance to regulate AI technologies, attributing it to alliances with tech interests and exposing vulnerabilities in national security protocols.
Quote at [50:05]:
"If you're thinking about what's happened in the last 10 days... they can do algorithmic bias... They're regulating that."
Popok underscores the necessity for state-level regulations to manage AI's ethical implications and prevent its misuse in political interference.
6. Supporting Independent Journalism
Throughout the episode, Popok emphasizes the importance of supporting independent journalism and encourages listeners to engage with the Legal AF YouTube channel, leave reviews, and share content to bolster the platform's reach and impact.
Quote at [35:30]:
"Hit the free subscribe button and help us continue to grow Legal AF, the YouTube channel."
He highlights contributions from various experts and contributors, advocating for a unified front in promoting pro-democracy values through informed legal analysis.
Conclusion
In this episode, Michael Popok navigates a complex array of legal and political issues, from high-stakes corporate settlements and landmark court rulings to emerging threats in digital security. His analysis underscores the intricate interplay between law, politics, and technology, offering listeners a thorough understanding of the challenges and developments shaping the nation's legal landscape.
For more detailed discussions and ongoing updates, subscribe to Legal AF by MeidasTouch on your preferred podcast platform and join the conversation on their YouTube channel.