PBD Podcast | Ep. 716

Title: ICE Protests, Trump Weighs Iran Strike, Sonic Weapons + Jerome Powell DOJ Probe
Date: January 12, 2026
Host: Patrick Bet-David (Pat), with Tom, Vinnie, Adam, Rob

Episode Overview

This wide-ranging episode centers on several explosive current events: President Trump’s handling of the Iran crisis, the use of advanced sonic weaponry in Venezuela, escalations around ICE protests, Jerome Powell facing a DOJ probe, and the growing controversies around AI-manipulated images. The hosts offer real-time analysis, passionate debate, major news breakdowns, and personal anecdotes, all delivered with their signature humor and directness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump & the Iran Crisis

• Iran’s Threat Level & Negotiations

  • Trump discussed recent death tolls and mass arrests in Iran amidst widespread protests (11,000 arrested, 500+ killed reported; street estimates up to 4,000 killed).
  • [08:46] Trump, when asked if Iran fears US threats: “Wouldn't you say they probably do at this point...after going through it for years with me, being hit, Soleimani, Al Baghdadi, the Iran nuclear threat wiped out... What a stupid question.”
  • Iran reached out to negotiate, per Trump (“Iran called. They want to negotiate. Yes, we may meet with them. I mean, a meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what's happening before the meeting.” [17:28])

• The “Kill Switch” & Regime Tactics

  • Iran used an internet blackout (“kill switch”) to hide regime atrocities.
  • [14:36] Tom: “Turning off the media is the tool of the aggressor... Isolating people from communication is the tool of the aggressor.”

• Historical Context & US Intervention

  • Extensive discussion about US/Iranian history: the Shah, the 1979 revolution, US/UK intervention for oil, and pros/cons of American involvement today.
  • [30:08] Pat: “If you think Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi independently came in and replaced Mossadegh? Of course there's intervention. What did Mossadegh want to do with the oil? Nationalize it.”
  • [32:48] Pat: “95% of the time, stay out of it. Unless you absolutely have [to intervene].”

• Role of US Delta Force

  • Praised for precision operations (e.g., in Venezuela) and implied deterrence effect on Iran’s leadership.

2. Venezuela: Regime Change, Oil, and Sonic Weapons

• US Oversight & Oil Deals

  • Ongoing US rebuilding/oversight in Venezuela—and strategic oil investments.
  • [51:49] Trump: “The plan is for them to spend... at least $100 billion... Not government money, but they need government protection and security ... United States will immediately begin refining and selling up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil.”

• Oil Company Hesitancy

  • Big oil hesitant to re-enter Venezuela after past nationalizations ([52:00] Exxon: “We've had our assets seized there twice... In Venezuela, today, it's uninvestable.”).

• Strategic Motive: Choking China

  • [56:23] Adam (quoting Glenn Beck): “This, what they did in Venezuela, is the most America first thing move ever... Who buys all Venezuela’s oil? China... We don’t need more oil. We’re preventing China from energizing their economy.”

• Sonic Weapons Real-World Use

  • [61:35+]: Tweet and reports circulate that US used 15 years–in-development “sonic weapons” in Venezuela, incapacitating troops without casualties.
  • [66:26] Pat: “We spoke to a Delta guy just this morning. He says they've been working on this for 15 years... and this actually exists.”

3. ICE Protests and Media Coverage

• Escalating Protests & Politicization

  • [81:57+] Massive anti-ICE protests after a fatal incident in Minneapolis with growing attention in NYC, Portland, and DC.
  • Hosts question the organic nature of protests, suggesting paid activists and orchestration ([101:06] Vinnie reads purported “disbursement of funds” doc).

• High-Profile Criticism & Rhetoric

  • [84:24+] Actor Mark Ruffalo at the Golden Globes calls Trump a “convicted rapist... a pedophile.... the worst human being”—hosts discuss ramifications and calls for accountability.
  • [92:21+] NBA coaches Steve Kerr, Doc Rivers slam ICE—hosts critique their understanding and call for focus on facts.

• Mainstream Media’s Double Standard

  • [86:57+] Vinnie highlights Obama’s mass deportations went uncovered: “ICE agents were doing exactly what these people are doing right now... but... nobody said anything because ABC, CBS, MSNBC didn't show any of it.”
  • [97:36] Abby (CNN): “Obama was able to deport millions... I don't recall ever seeing things like that unfolding in suburban neighborhoods across the country.”
  • [97:47] Pat: “Maybe cuz you guys didn't cover it. It's that simple.”

4. Jerome Powell DOJ Probe

• Overview & Stakes

  • DOJ investigates Fed Chair Jerome Powell for testimony potentially misstating details of a $2.5B Federal Reserve building renovation.
  • [74:43] Powell (clip): “This unprecedented action should be seen in the broader context of the Administration's threats and ongoing pressure... The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment...rather than following the preferences of the President.”

• Hosts’ Take

  • [77:13+] Tom: “Powell was over there, said a couple things that in Congress turned out to be not perfectly correct. But no one... thought Powell was out and out lying... There is pressure on Powell to lower interest rates from the White House... also... yet again, the American taxpayer paying 20x what they should be paying for something.”
  • [80:37] Adam: “I don't like what he's doing with Powell... The worst that's going to happen to him is Trump's pressure and intimidation and he has four more months until he can go retire.”

5. AI, Deepfakes & Grok Controversy

• Sexualized, Fake AI Images

  • [124:57+] UK officials and JD Vance call for regulation after AI-generated sexualized images (e.g., of politicians) go viral via Grok (X/Twitter’s chatbot).
  • [125:30] Keir Starmer: “Disgraceful. It's disgusting and it's not to be tolerated. X has got to get a grip... This is wrong, it's unlawful.”

• Hosts Examine Legal/Ethical Limits

  • [130:08] Pat: “Imagine your daughter is tweeting. Somebody comes, she posts a picture, somebody comes in and says, put her in a bikini... Are you okay with that? She's 19 years old.”
  • [132:55] Adam: “For the most part, I believe the Internet. I believe in free speech. I don't want to... I don't know if I'm an absolutist, but without very few exceptions, I think you could be able to do what you want on the Internet.”
  • General consensus: slippery slope, likely need for watermarks/verification, and legal headaches to come.

6. Personal Stories, Pop Culture, and Social Commentary

• America’s Grateful vs Ungrateful (Ilhan Omar Discussion)

  • [113:55+] Adam: “If I could summarize Ilhan Omar in one word, it's just ungrateful. So let me understand this: You run away from a bad place, you come to a good place, and then you start complaining.”

• Entitlement and Dependency

  • [123:34] Pat: “Give once, you'll elicit appreciation. Give twice and you create anticipation. Give three times and you create expectation. Give four times and it becomes entitlement. Give five times, you have established dependency. That is the Democratic Party.”

• Age-Gap Dating

  • The team humorously debates the ‘acceptable’ age for a much older man dating a young woman, especially prevalent in Miami/Palm Beach. Norms shift based on age, location, and motivation.
  • [141:33] Adam: “There's a rule for this... half your age plus seven. So if Tom is 60... 30 + 7 = 37.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Iran’s fear of Trump:
  Pat ([09:18]): “How do you ask a question like that [if Iran takes Trump’s threats seriously]?... Maybe they forgot you killed Ghassam Soleimani.”

• On media manipulation:
  Tom ([14:36]): “Turning off the media is the tool of the aggressor... We’ve seen it in other failed states.”

• On historical intervention:
  Pat ([32:48]): “95% of the time, stay out of it. Unless you absolutely have to.”

• On China’s vulnerability:
  Adam ([56:23]): “We’re preventing China from world domination.”

• On ICE double standards:
  Vinnie ([86:55]): “Obama deported 5 million people... ICE agents were doing exactly what these people are doing right now, but... nobody said anything because abc, cbs, MSNBC didn't show any of it.”

• On AI dangers:
  Pat ([130:24]): “Imagine your daughter tweets, someone takes her picture, puts her in a bikini... Are you okay with that?”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:20 - 02:40: Opening rundown of hot topics
• 08:46 - 12:00: Trump's Air Force One interview on Iran threats
• 14:36 - 17:58: Iran’s internet “kill switch” & impact
• 30:08 - 36:13: Iranian revolution history & US policy debate
• 46:52 - 55:49: Venezuela, oil investments, and strategic “America first” moves
• 61:35 - 71:26: Sonic weapon use in Venezuela
• 74:43 - 81:57: Jerome Powell DOJ probe and Fed controversy
• 81:57 - 98:00: ICE Protests, Media hypocrisy, Mark Ruffalo & NBA coaches’ commentary
• 113:55 - 117:32: Ilhan Omar, gratitude, and the immigrant experience
• 123:34 - 124:16: The five-step slide from appreciation to entitlement
• 124:57 - 132:55: AI deepfakes, Grok, and sexualized image controversy
• 136:48 - 140:19: Age-gap dating—Where's the line?
• 144:56 - End: Shout-out to local business & closing banter

Tone, Humor & Style

The PBD Podcast maintains a high-energy, unscripted and candid tone. The hosts merge serious policy analysis with comedic banter (e.g., “gay bomb” anecdotes, ribbing on Florida cougar dating), pop culture references, and bold, at times brash, political opinions. They challenge media narratives and repeatedly critique establishment institutions—both in government and press—with skepticism and humor.

Conclusion

This episode navigates complex, sensitive global and domestic issues with an urgency fueled by breaking news: the potential for a historic regime change in Iran, stunning new military technologies, partisan battles over immigration and the Fed, plus an emergent AI-fueled culture war. Whether recounting historical coups, breaking down oil geopolitics, or lambasting the inconsistencies of legacy media, the hosts invite listeners to question, laugh, and dig deeper—reminding viewers to “focus on the signal, not the noise.”

For further information or next-steps on topics raised, listeners are encouraged to research independently and check out referenced interviews and news sources.