PBD Podcast — Episode 639 Summary

Episode Title: Minneapolis Trans Shooter, Newsom FEAR MONGERS, Trump's Health & Influencer Dark Money EXPOSED
Date: August 29, 2025
Host: Patrick Bet-David (Pat)
Co-Hosts: Rob, Tom, Adam
Notable Guest: Caroline Levitt

Overview

In episode 639, Patrick Bet-David and the team dissect the week’s hottest and most controversial stories: the tragic Minneapolis transgender school shooting and its broader social implications, Gavin Newsom’s political theater and possible presidential ambitions, growing concerns about Trump’s health and media coverage (or lack thereof), and a deep dive into “dark money” paid to Democratic influencers. The crew also discusses global geopolitics, America's economic outlook, and pop culture oddities with their signature blend of sharp analysis and lively banter.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Minneapolis Transgender School Shooting

[10:04–32:46]

• Event Recap:
  • Suspect: Identified as Robin (formerly Robert) Westman, a trans individual, opened fire at Annunciation Catholic School during morning mass, killing 2 children and injuring 17 others before taking their own life.
  • Victim & Suspect Details: The suspect had changed their name in 2019, with mother’s support; connections to the school unclear; disturbing YouTube content found.
• Panel Discussion:
  • Trans Shooter Trend & Data: Pat and Rob highlight statistics showing a rise in violent acts among trans/non-binary individuals.
    • “Trans, nonbinary is the highest. Then it’s Asians, then it’s Blacks, then it’s Whites, then it’s Hispanics… Why are we not paying attention more to data?” — Pat [12:04]
  • Root Causes Debated:
    • The group scrutinizes family structure, mental health, social isolation, and the influence of contemporary culture.
    • “There’s something going on... the data is in... a significant percent of people in the trans community ...say there’s something deeper and emotional and troubling.” — Tom [13:24]
  • Media & Politics: Accusations that Democrats politicize such events, focusing on victimhood rather than addressing core issues.
  • RFK Jr. Soundbite ([26:49]): Mass shootings are seen as a health crisis; pharmaceutical overmedication and psychiatric drugs are under scrutiny for their possible role.
    • “We’re the most over-medicated nation in the world… psychiatric drugs have black box warnings on them.” — RFK Jr. [27:03]
  • Panel’s Conclusion:
    • Trans shooters frequently have troubled backgrounds, histories of family instability, and mental illness.
    • Adam: “There’s men, there’s female, and then there’s the mentally ill.” [23:34]
    • Pat: “This is what makes people transphobic… not your identity, but that you have a clear mental issue and then it manifests into killing innocent people.” [20:25]
• Spiritual Dimension:
  • Several hosts and guests repeatedly underscore a ‘spiritual warfare’ angle, describing the cultural crisis as being not just mental or social—but spiritual.
    • “It’s deeper and it’s also spiritual, folks. No one wants to talk about it.” — Tom [18:31]

2. Gavin Newsom's Media Moves & Political Ambitions

[32:46–41:08]

• Social Media Management:
  • Newsom’s tweets are mostly managed by staff, not personally by him.
    • “So now we know I’m not doing it. Those are not him. Of course not… Somebody else is doing it for him.” — Pat [33:07]
• Presidential Campaigning Speculation:
  • Team discusses Newsom’s growing national profile, possible candidacy in 2028, and DNC preferences (Pritzker vs. Newsom).
  • Discussion on the “Trump 2028 hats” meme and Newsom’s reactions.
• Ballroom Construction at the White House:
  • Announced by Caroline Levitt, this controversial move is scrutinized as a “legacy project” for future administrations.

3. Influencer ‘Dark Money’ Exposed

[41:08–51:47]

• New York Post Story:
  • Dark money group 1630 Fund linked to paying left-leaning social media influencers up to $8,000/month via the “Chorus” incubator.
  • Multiple online personalities and YouTubers are named; secrecy clauses and non-disclosure strategies debated.
    • “So what’s the difference between this and the Russia thing that they were paying people $100,000? …Where is it coming from? Who’s paying to influence these people?” — Pat [43:50]
  • Republican vs. Democratic influencer ecosystems compared—Democrats allegedly need to pay for influencer support while Republicans are “organic.”
• Funding Trails:
  • “Dark Money” traced to Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss and connected foundations.
• Panel’s Take:
  • Coordinated messaging, legal loopholes, and transparency issues fuel public distrust in both parties.
    • “Chorus coordinates consistent messages among these influencers… their branding has got a reason behind it.” — Tom [46:31]

4. Lobbying & US Political Corruption

[51:47–58:49]

• Chris Cuomo Clip:
  • Exposes influence-peddling at both DNC and RNC events: “Those suites start at $500k… They are filled with the same people they say they’re going to regulate.” — Chris Cuomo [52:03]
• Panel Analysis:
  • Lobbyists’ outsized role in shaping legislation and insulating incumbents.
  • Pros and cons of lobbying: acknowledged that not all lobbying is bad (interest group representation can be positive), but big money often leads to cronyism.
    • “If [lobbying] wasn’t there…it would be much easier for new people with ideas to run against [incumbents]…” — Tom [54:50]

5. Global Geopolitics: Russia, China, North Korea, and the West

[83:02–93:48]

• Putin’s Nuclear Test Threats & Manpower Scramble:
  • Russia is preparing its first nuclear bomb test in 35 years and attempting to recruit HIV-positive and STD-infected individuals to fight in Ukraine, promising free healthcare.
    • “They are out of manpower… having to basically enforce a draft. And now…if you’re sick, HIV positive, no problem. I’ll give you free health care for life if you survive.” — Tom [87:30]
• Beijing Parade as a Show of Force:
  • Putin, Kim Jong Un, and Xi Jinping plan joint appearance at a Chinese parade, signaling resistance to Western pressure.
    • “Show me your friends, I’ll show you your future. This is the gang… This is the axis of evil, this is the axis of resistance.” — Adam [89:07]

6. U.S. Economy & Financial Trends

[93:48–99:27]

• Economic Growth:
  • Q2 GDP growth surpasses expectations (3.3%), consumer spending remains robust.
    • “The good news is consumption came in higher than previously thought. Americans are continuing to spend…” — Tom [95:05]
• Interest Rates Dropping:
  • 30-year mortgage rate dips below 6.5% for the first time in two years; potential for further decrease.
  • “Right now, the numbers for the economy look good, but we still need factories brought back and jobs coming here…” — Tom [98:35]
• K‑Shaped Economy:
  • Division between asset-owners (who are thriving) and others (left behind).
    • “If you own assets, you’re doing pretty good... but if not... I understand why it’s very frustrating.” — Adam [99:27]

7. Trump’s Health & Presidential Transparency

[64:23–71:26]

• Media Scrutiny:
  • Rumors over Trump’s bruised hands, swelling, and minor misstatements; press is far more inquisitive than it was towards Biden.
    • “He does shake hands and he’s aggressive…But it makes me laugh that the media is worried about him when for four years Biden was falling upstairs, forgetting everything, shaking hands with ghosts…” — Pat [68:16]
• Expert Opinion:
  • “With the exception of Nixon, every single US president [since 1980] made it to at least 90… Trump, for all the betting people out there, will make it through his final term.” — Adam [66:17]
• Lifespan vs. Healthspan:
  • Difference between living longer and living healthier emphasized by hosts.
  • “Life is about healthspan, not lifespan. How long of a healthy life you live.” — Rob [70:30]

8. Cultural Oddities: Lil Nas X Arrest & Celebrity ‘Devil Deals’

[71:26–83:02]

• Lil Nas X Arrest:
  • The pop artist is arrested for bizarre public behavior on Ventura Boulevard, with the panel using it as a launching point to discuss fame, mental health, and industry rumors about celebrities “selling their soul.”
    • “My opinion… Tom, I know we were talking about the spirituality. That’s not drugs. This is…you see where he’s at spiritually, like, look where he’s at.” — Pat [75:09]
• Celebrity ‘Devil Deals’:
  • Bob Dylan’s “deal with the chief commander” and a list of other stars rumored to make pacts with the devil are discussed as metaphors for spiritual crisis in American pop culture.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Spiritual Crisis Framing:
  • “No one wants to talk about it. There is a spiritual side to this... people who understand it know I’m speaking the truth.” — Tom [18:31]
• Lobbying & Political Power:
  • “The most powerful word in American election lexicon is incumbent.” — Tom [53:13]
• Trump Media Double-Standard:
  • “For four years, Biden was falling upstairs, forgetting everything, shaking hands with ghosts, lost his mind. They said nothing.” — Pat [68:16]
• Dark Money in Politics:
  • “Chorus coordinates consistent messages among these influencers…The chorus sings together. Their branding has got a reason behind it.” — Tom [46:31]
• Cultural Commentary:
  • “The T’s [trans] have single-handedly dismantled the progress that gay people have made to gain the public's trust.” — Pat [22:12]
• On Geopolitics:
  • “Show me your friends, I’ll show you your future… This is the axis of evil, this is the axis of resistance.” — Adam [89:07]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|---------------| | Minneapolis School Shooting | 10:04–32:46 | | Newsom’s Social Media, Presidential Odds | 32:46–41:08 | | Influence Dark Money Exposed | 41:08–51:47 | | Lobbying & Political Corruption | 51:47–58:49 | | Russia/China/N. Korea Geopolitics | 83:02–93:48 | | U.S. Economy & Main Street vs Wall Street | 93:48–99:27 | | Trump’s Health | 64:23–71:26 | | Lil Nas X & Celebrity Spiritual Crisis | 71:26–83:02 |

Final Thoughts

The episode delivers a whirlwind tour of America’s current events—combining poignant cultural analysis, political skepticism, and a recurring emphasis on underlying societal and spiritual crises. Listeners are left with more questions than answers, but with a clearer lens on how national narratives are shaped not just by news and data, but by the unseen forces (economic, psychological, and spiritual) driving American life.