Podcast Summary: No Agenda Show Episode 1760 – "Mercenary Spyware"

Release Date: May 1, 2025
Hosts: Adam Curry & John C. Dvorak

1. Introduction and AI-Generated Spam

Adam Curry opens the episode by expressing frustration with AI-generated spam, particularly targeting phrases like "I hope this message finds you well." He humorously critiques the overuse of such phrases on platforms like LinkedIn, attributing them to AI tools like ChatGPT.

• [00:36] Adam Curry: "I'm convinced that that's just Chat GPT... LinkedIn has become a spam network."

2. Breaking News: State Department Shake-Up

The hosts swiftly transition to breaking news, announcing that National Security Adviser Mike Walsh and his deputy Alex Wong are out of their positions. John C. Dvorak introduces Tammy Bruce, the State Department spokesperson, for a press conference.

• [02:21] John C. Dvorak: "...national security adviser Mike Walsh is out, as well as his deputy Alex Wong."

3. Critique of Tammy Bruce’s Press Conference

The press conference led by Tammy Bruce is heavily critiqued by both hosts. They perceive her statements as unsatisfactory propaganda, failing to address critical issues and instead offering vague affirmations of President Trump's first 100 days.

• [06:03] Guest Speaker: "This mission was done well... But President Trump wanted it to work out very well."

• [06:57] Adam Curry: "Complete and utter. Was terrible crap propaganda."

4. Signal App and Department of Defense Usage

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the Signal app, widely used within the Department of Defense for secure communications. The hosts debate allegations of Signal having backdoors, linking it to broader concerns about government surveillance and cybersecurity.

• [07:29] Adam Curry: "The narrative that it said commercial app... It's all on its face. Bullcrap. But clearly, someone had to go, and today we know it’s Waltz and Wong."

5. Trump's First 100 Days: A Satirical Overview

John C. Dvorak sarcastically narrates President Trump's first 100 days, mocking policies such as detaining illegal aliens in Guantanamo and overhauling federal departments. The segment lampoons the administration's perceived authoritarian measures.

• [11:22] Guest Speaker: "Today, America's decline is over."

• [14:11] Adam Curry: "It's morning again in America... it's a communist holiday."

6. Democratic Party Internal Conflicts and David Hogg

The hosts delve into internal conflicts within the Democratic Party, particularly focusing on activist David Hogg and his push to unseat Democrats in safe seats through primary challenges. Ro Khanna is mentioned as a supporter of this movement, critiqued for potentially disrupting party unity.

• [30:32] John C. Dvorak: "He's trying to reach a compromise with the DNC and David Hogg."

• [34:04] Adam Curry: "Maybe Soros money is possible... The Soros gambit is over."

7. Major Blackout in Spain and Portugal: Renewable Energy Reliance

A detailed report covers one of Europe's largest blackouts affecting Spain and Portugal. The discussion attributes the outage to heavy reliance on renewable energy sources, specifically inverter-based solar and wind power, compounded by a substation fire in France that caused a significant power loss.

• [35:10] Guest Speaker: "Holly crap, it’s Spain and Portugal after one of Europe's biggest ever blackouts."

• [39:02] Adam Curry: "Inverter based means solar or wind because they generate direct current... 15 gigawatts is a lot of Generation to lose all at once."

8. Tony Blair’s stance on Climate Debate

Tony Blair is highlighted for his critique of the international climate debate, suggesting that current net-zero policies are unsustainable and criticize the financial burdens they impose. However, he still supports long-term goals for renewable investment and nuclear energy.

• [43:05] Guest Speaker: "Britain's former Prime Minister Tony Blair suggests there is hysteria in the climate debate."

• [44:59] Adam Curry: "This folds right into a classic clip I have..."

9. Rare Earth Minerals and the Stablecoin Bill

The conversation shifts to the strategic importance of rare earth minerals, particularly in the context of US-China relations. The hosts explain the upcoming Stablecoin Bill in Congress, which aims to digitalize the US dollar through stablecoins like Tether, backed by US Treasuries. They discuss how this move could enhance the dollar's global influence while controlling domestic interest rates via SOFR (Secured Overnight Financing Rate).

• [143:30] John C. Dvorak: "Tether is pushing the US dollar out into emerging markets..."

• [147:34] Adam Curry: "If they strip out those transactions, that is a case..."

10. Partial Impeachment of Donald Trump

John C. Dvorak reports on Congressman Shri Thanidar's resolution to impeach Donald Trump, citing obstruction of justice and abuse of executive power related to wrongful deportations. The segment underscores ongoing political tensions and Trump's contentious relationship with the judiciary.

• [160:08] Adam Curry: "This is a call you got earlier today on your... Is this a robo call?"

• [163:00] John C. Dvorak: "This is Congressman Shri Thanidar. Donald Trump has already done real damage to our democracy."

11. Engagement with Audience and Humor

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage in humorous exchanges, playful banter, and satirical commentary. They play clips mocking media segments, engage in light-hearted role-playing, and utilize humor to underscore their critiques of political events.

• [175:04] Adam Curry: "It's like Jenga, and at some point, DOGE is pulling out pieces..."

• [179:57] John C. Dvorak: "Another fabulous show. What more can I say?"

12. Donation Segment: Recognizing Supporters

The episode concludes with a detailed donation segment, acknowledging supporters who contributed $50 and above. The hosts read personalized messages from donors, humorously bestowing honorary titles such as "Commodore" and "Baron." This segment emphasizes the show's reliance on listener support and community engagement.

• [175:02] Guest Speaker: "All right, he left out. That's true."

• [176:22] Adam Curry: "It's your duty. It's your duty. All right, thank you very much."

Conclusion

Episode 1760 of the No Agenda Show delivers a blend of serious political commentary and sharp satire, addressing current events ranging from cybersecurity concerns and international energy policies to internal party conflicts and innovative financial legislation. Through witty dialogue and critical analysis, Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak provide listeners with a comprehensive deconstruction of contemporary media narratives, all while engaging their dedicated audience with humor and interactive segments.

Notable Quotes:

• [06:03] Adam Curry: "Last quick thought. You've given us nothing. Nothing. Nothing."

• [14:11] Adam Curry: "It's morning again in America. It's one of the most famous ads of its time and we have a modern day version."

• [35:03] Guest Speaker: "He [President Trump] has been very clear that his commitment is to diplomacy around the world."

• [47:53] Adam Curry: "Do you know what a euro dollar is? We hear it all the time."

• [147:34] Adam Curry: "You're trying to operate a Ferrari on a country road... It's a pedal bike on the Autobahn."

• [160:08] Adam Curry: "This is a call you got earlier today on your... Is this a robo call?"

• [163:00] John C. Dvorak: "This is Congressman Shri Thanidar. Donald Trump has already done real damage to our democracy."

Note: The transcript for this episode includes fictional events and characters set in the future. The summary captures the essence of the discussions as presented in the transcript.