PBD Podcast #744: El Mencho Killing IGNITES Narco War & Newsom's 960 SAT Speech
Date: February 23, 2026
Host: Patrick Bet-David (PBD) & Panel
Location: The Vault, Valuetainment Studios, Fort Lauderdale
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into two dramatic current events: the fallout from the killing of Mexican drug lord El Mencho, which has triggered country-wide cartel violence and political questions about narco-state dynamics; and Governor Gavin Newsom’s controversial SAT speech aimed at the Black community. The conversation weaves in broader US-Mexico relations, Supreme Court decisions on tariffs, the state of US politics, security, societal issues, and moving personal stories about family, fatherhood, and forgiveness.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. El Mencho’s Death and the Narco War in Mexico
Starts: 11:20
Main Narrative
- El Mencho (Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes), leader of the CJNG (Jalisco New Generation Cartel), was killed in a military operation.
- His death caused violent clashes, fires, blockades, and general chaos in tourist areas.
- US issued warnings for Americans to shelter in place—especially alarming since these are major vacation spots.
- El Mencho’s background: Former cop, arrested in the US, deported, broke from Sinaloa cartel to form CJNG.
- The group is notorious for brutal acts and the lucrative fentanyl/meth trade.
Key Quotes
- Vinny (16:06):
“We just heard a phone call of the recently deceased head of this freaking cartel calling the head of their police department and saying, I give you guys money. I know where 30 of you live…These people are freaking relentless.” - Tom (18:32):
“If you cut the head off the dragon, you better be ready with plan B. Who’s going to step in behind it and manage it?”
Notable Moments
- Played violent, real-time social media clips of burning vehicles, chaos at airports, and public executions.
- Discussed corruption at the highest levels of Mexican government, hinting President Sheinbaum may be compromised or aligned with cartels.
Analysis and Broader Implications
-
Tourism Fallout:
Hosts discussed second-guessing future trips to Mexico.
PBD (26:46):
“I don’t know if we’re gonna go to Mexico in the next five years as a family.” -
Power Vacuum:
Concerns about violence intensifying as other cartel figures fight for control. -
US Perspective:
Should the US intervene with "surgical attacks" or remain isolationist? Panel agreed the situation at the border (drugs, guns, trafficking) is untenable. -
Upcoming Events:
The security threat to the 2026 World Cup, particularly matches scheduled in Jalisco.
Tom (19:47):
“119. You know what that is, Pat? The number of days to the World Cup event in Jalisco.”
2. US-Iran Tensions—Parallels to Mexico
Starts: 32:49
Main Narrative
- Iran is on the brink of military confrontation with the US, amidst mounting student protests (“Death to Khamenei”) and failed negotiations over nuclear enrichment.
- The hosts draw parallels between sudden “decapitation” of regimes (El Mencho, Saddam, potential in Iran) and the chaos that follows.
- Trump’s approach is described as “surgical” and deliberate—he doesn’t want another Iraq-style quagmire.
Key Quotes
- Tom (34:29):
“You got to go after the facilities, but then you gotta have a plan for succession. That’s the issue, Pat.” - Adam (37:24):
“How brave are these protesters in Iran…[after] tens of thousands were murdered by the regime and they went out and protested again?”
Insights & Concerns
- The issue isn’t just toppling a dictator; the challenge is what comes after and ensuring stability.
- Dilemmas around negotiating with “the enemy” vs. upholding the US stance of not making deals with terrorists.
3. Tariffs, Supreme Court & Trump’s Economic Policy
Starts: 65:00
Main Narrative
- Trump raises global tariffs from 10% to 15% following a Supreme Court ruling (6-3) against executive tariff authority.
- Heated panel debate about constitutional powers, practical trade impact, and the globalists vs. sovereignty narrative.
Key Quotes
- Tom (65:29):
“We’ve got liberals that think it’s a good thing that you’ve incapacitated your leader from making good decisions for your country…It’s just anti-Trump.” - Adam (73:37):
“We need to make Congress great again… we respect the rule of law… but I also understand why people are pissed.”
Notable Guest Input
- Rand Paul (via earlier interview): Tariffs are the House’s prerogative, not the President’s—a warning about executive overreach.
- Kevin O’Leary (Short Business Clip, 76:01): Outlines the massive compliance confusion and economic ripple from tariff policies and Supreme Court ambiguity.
Panel Summary
- Frustration with slow American legislative process contrasted with autocracies like China: “Days to weeks” vs “months or years.”
- The Supreme Court as America’s true “board of directors.”
4. Governor Newsom’s 960 SAT Speech
Starts: 92:09
Main Narrative
- Newsom tries to “relate” to an African American audience by admitting his own mediocre SAT score and claiming, “I can’t read a speech.”
- Widely seen as condescending and pandering, even racist, by the panel.
Key Quotes
- Vinny (93:45):
“If DeSantis was on stage with a black mayor and was like, man I’m like y’all…I barely passed the SATs because I’m dumb like y’all… Where is the outrage?” - Tom (96:14):
“The pandering has gone on from the Democrats for a long time…There are African Americans that are waking up, thinking for themselves, that are saying, ‘I will not be automatically assumed to be your voting block.’”
Analysis
- Deep frustration with what is perceived as Democrats’ “soft bigotry of low expectations.”
- Reference to earlier incidents (“Biden’s ‘you ain’t black’ gaffe”, “Kathy Hochul’s computer comment”) as examples of systemic condescension.
5. New York Governance & ID Requirements Paradox
Starts: 113:27
Main Narrative
- Irony and hypocrisy in NYC’s strict ID/documentation for paid snow shoveling — “2 forms of ID and a Social Security card”—vs. arguments against voter ID laws.
- Report by influencer Lizzie Savetsky goes viral, exposing the absurdity and bureaucracy.
Key Quotes
- Panel (116:31):
“They want to tell us we don’t need ID to vote but we need two forms of ID to shovel.” - Adam (125:43):
“Fareed Zakaria…said the big blue cities are out of control, promising more, delivering less…The budget has doubled since Bloomberg—where are the results?”
Additional Issues
- Massive NYC budget ($127B), shrinking population, spiraling taxes, and ideological policies leading to urban exodus.
6. Religion, Public Displays, and Social Cohesion
Starts: 117:01
Main Narrative
- Protests and prayers in Times Square by Muslims, claims of “taking over the city,” and increasing discomfort with aggressive public displays of faith, especially considering 9/11’s anniversary.
- Concerns that these acts are not simply religious observance, but assertions of dominance, especially when juxtaposed against rules for Christians.
Key Quotes
- Vinny (119:46):
“Shutting down Times Square as a New Yorker is a spit in the face to everybody…that’s a battle call.” - Tom (123:21):
“Compromise doesn’t help, it only dilutes your values; that’s how once-thriving societies are undermined.”
7. Personal Stories: Fatherhood, Forgiveness, and Family
Starts: 138:46
Main Narrative
- Moving discussions centered around interviews with Anthony Hopkins (estranged from his daughter), a father-son reconciliation moment (with rapper Logic), and the deep need for fathers in sons’ lives.
Key Quotes
- Anthony Hopkins (141:15):
“We are imperfect. We’re not saints…We do the best we can. Life is painful. Sometimes people get hurt, sometimes we get hurt. But you can’t live like that. You have to get over it.” - Logic (Dialogue, 151:18):
“I was that little boy…and you told me you would come, and you promised, you promise. I’m a man of my word today because you weren’t.”
Panel Reaction
- Vinny (144:17): Emotional reflection on losing his father, the need for forgiveness, and the importance of presence.
- Adam (147:29): Shared personal story of estrangement with his father, lessons in breaking generational cycles, and being intentional about future relationships with children.
- Tom (153:47):
“Parents don’t leave each other; they leave kids…If people say, ‘That hurt me so bad, I’m never going to let you close to me,’ it’s human tragedy. Regardless how deep you go…Jesus Christ can heal, even if the parent is never to be seen again.”
8. Other Notable Segments
-
US Hockey Victory:
84:54
Celebration of US men’s hockey win against Canada.
Jack Hughes: “I’m so proud to be American. Let’s go!” -
Mar-a-Lago Shooting:
130:25
Discussion on the attempted armed breach by an apparently mentally ill man, with speculation on security and motives. -
California’s Next Governor:
107:12, 110:03
Brief comedic tangent on “Kim” (Katie) Porter’s campaign ad—“F Trump” as sole message.
Notable Timestamps & Quotes
| Time | Speaker | Quote / Segment | |----------|---------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 11:20 | PBD | “First story...Mexico’s Most Wanted drug dealer El Mencho killed in military operation as violent clashes erupt...” | | 16:06 | Vinny | “These people are relentless...I saw videos...the brutality there.” | | 18:32 | Tom | “If you cut the head off the dragon, you better be ready with plan B.” | | 26:46 | PBD | “I don’t know if we’re gonna go to Mexico in the next five years as a family.” | | 34:29 | Tom | “You got to go after the facilities, but then you gotta have a plan for succession. That’s the issue, Pat.” | | 65:29 | Tom | “We’ve got liberals that think it’s a good thing that you’ve incapacitated your leader from making good decisions...” | | 73:37 | Adam | “We need to make Congress great again… but I also understand why people are pissed.” | | 92:09 | Newsom | “I’m like you… I’m no better than you… I’m a 960 SAT guy.” | | 93:45 | Vinny | “If DeSantis was on stage with a black mayor...I’m dumb like y’all...Where is the outrage?” | | 116:31 | Panel | “They want to tell us we don’t need ID to vote but we need two forms of ID to shovel.” | | 123:21 | Tom | “Compromise doesn’t help, it only dilutes your values; that’s how once-thriving societies are undermined.” | | 141:15 | Hopkins | “We are imperfect. We’re not saints…you have to get over it…And if you can’t get over it, fine. Good luck to you.” | | 151:18 | Logic | “I waited for you. I waited every weekend and you never showed up... I’m a man of my word today because you weren’t.” | | 153:47 | Tom | “Parents don’t leave each other; they leave Kids...it’s human tragedy...But there’s always a way out...” |
Notable Quotes (With Attribution & Timestamps)
- “We just heard a phone call of the recently deceased head of this freaking cartel calling the head of their police department and saying, I give you guys money...These people are freaking relentless.” — Vinny (16:06)
- “If you cut the head off the dragon, you better be ready with plan B. Who’s going to step in behind it and manage it?” — Tom (18:32)
- “I don’t know if we’re gonna go to Mexico in the next five years as a family.” — PBD (26:46)
- “You got to go after the facilities, but then you gotta have a plan for succession. That’s the issue, Pat.” — Tom (34:29)
- “960 SAT guy...if you got 940...” — Gavin Newsom (92:13)
- “If DeSantis was on stage with a black mayor and was like, man, I’m like y’all...Where is the outrage?” — Vinny (93:45)
- “We are imperfect. We’re not saints...You have to get over it. And if you can’t get over it, fine. Good luck to you.” — Anthony Hopkins (141:15)
Flow & Tone
- Conversational, dynamic, and combative, especially regarding political hypocrisy, policy implications, and cultural trends.
- Tone alternates between outrage (Newsom, cartel violence), sober analysis (tariffs, succession plans in unstable states), and profound personal vulnerability (family/forgiveness sections).
- Frequent use of real-world analogies (e.g., “cutting the head off the snake”), humor, and pop culture references.
Concluding Thoughts
The episode blends urgent current affairs with classic PBD Podcast depth: illuminating analysis of geopolitical instability, systemic government dysfunction, and raw, relatable stories about family and personal growth. The frequent call-outs of political hypocrisy (bipartisan), the importance of stable leadership, and the power of presence and forgiveness in family life tie the themes together.
Advice to listeners: Reflect on the personal and political lessons—whether about the dangers of power vacuums, the need for accountable governance, or the critical importance of family and presence for kids.