PBD Podcast | Ep. 709
Date: December 29, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives into recent headline-grabbing stories from alleged massive daycare fraud in Minnesota, Iran's bold statements regarding threats of total war with the US, Israel, and Europe, controversial political moves across the US, the proposed California billionaire tax, and current events updates involving Trump, Zelenskyy, and Elon Musk’s critique of political appointments. The panel—Patrick Bet-David (PBD), Vinnie, Tom, Adam, and Rob—engage in passionate, sometimes heated, conversation, analyzing media accountability, government overreach, social changes, and global affairs.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minnesota Daycare Fraud Scandal

Starts 00:20

• Story Summary: Nick Shirley, a 23-year-old independent journalist, exposed alleged multi-billion dollar fraud in Minnesota’s daycare/childcare system via a viral 42-minute video that garnered over 111 million views on X (Twitter). He investigated learning centers receiving millions in government funding but with few or no children present.
• Media Blackout: Major networks (CNN, ABC, CBS, etc.) are not reporting on the story; only Fox covered it.
  • B (Patrick): “This 23 year old kid is doing more investigative journalism about Minnesota's fraud… than ABC, CNN, CNBC, NBC.” (09:21)
• Political Fallout: Possible collusion between government figures (Gov. Tim Walz & Rep. Ilhan Omar) for personal and political gain, campaign finance irregularities, and money potentially flowing from childcare centers into political donations.
• Danger for Whistleblowers: Only one Democratic lawmaker, Melissa Hortman, voted against a key provision favoring illegal immigrants receiving healthcare. She was later murdered.
  • C (Vinnie): “One Democrat who voted against giving these illegals in Minnesota health care. She gets assassinated at her house with her husband. And the killer says that Tim Walsh also wanted him to kill Amy Klobuchar. It's so insane.” (14:57)
• Cultural/Ethnic Angle: Discussion around Somali immigrant welfare dependency (78% on public assistance after 10 years).
• Official Response: The FBI and Cash Patel responded only after public pressure, failing to credit Nick Shirley.

B (Patrick): “This is the biggest campaign finance scam in history. They are laundering money through public assistance programs into the Somali community… and then some of it comes back to Tim Walz's campaign.” (25:06)

C (Vinnie): “Yelling racism is absolutely ridiculous because it diminishes the word... accusations come first, then the truth comes in later on.” (113:01)

Key Segment:

• [14:00] - Vinnie breaks down how money is flowing, political ramifications, and connects real estate, community issues, and campaign donations.
• [27:56] - Clip of Melissa Hortman reacting emotionally after her lone “no” vote before she was murdered.

2. California's Billionaire Wealth Tax Proposal

Starts 38:52

• Policy Details: California wants a 5% annual tax on all billionaires’ net worth—covering both cash and unrealized gains.
• Political Maneuvering: The measure is union-backed and will likely make the ballot by leveraging almost 500,000 SEIU members.
  • A (Tom): “They got the unions, Pat, to sponsor the ballot measure that way.” (42:10)
• Economic Critique: Panel argues the plan is asset seizure, not just a tax, and predicts that billionaires will simply leave California for more business-friendly states.
  • B (Patrick): “What the hell is California thinking? ...What they're talking about, they want more money in the state of California.” (41:08)
• Recent State Fraud: State audit revealed billions lost to fraud and mismanagement, yet lawmakers seek more taxes.

B (Patrick): “If you keep giving your son $20,000 and he keeps failing, you're the idiot if you keep doing that. This is the same exact thing as Newsom coming to the people of California asking for more and more taxes...” (48:34)

Key Segment:

• [45:17] - Tom explains union involvement and likelihood of the measure’s passage.
• [47:05] - News clip of California auditors exposing massive fraud.

3. Iran: Currency Collapse and "Total War" Declaration

Starts 72:07

• News Update: Iran’s president declared “total war” against the US, Israel, and Europe and is rebuilding nuclear capabilities amid severe economic crisis.
  • B (Patrick): “If you want $1, you need 1,437,502 rials to buy $1.” (02:49)
• Social Context: Severe inflation, shortages (like water), public protests, executions spiking.
  • D (Adam): “They've been funding terrorism all around the world... their people are desperate, they're revolting.” (75:20)
• Political Questioning: The future of the Islamic Republic is uncertain; speculation on which group or ideology will fill a potential power vacuum.

4. Elon Musk vs. Zoran Mamdani and Actual Qualifications

Starts 58:52

• Controversy: New York appointed a non-firefighter, Lillian Bonsignor, as FDNY Commissioner based on DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) ideals; Elon Musk criticized the decision sharply.
  • Musk: “People will die. Proven experience matters when lives are at stake.” (59:56)
  • C (Vinnie): “Appointing someone who has never even been a firefighter to run the fire department is like hiring a vegan to run a steakhouse. Because they said, ‘oh, I love cows.’” (59:59)
• Broader Issue: Symbolic hires over experienced leaders, New York’s trend under Mamdani of favoring identity over competence, bringing in ex-cons for security roles.
  • A (Tom): “This is a symbolic hire, which is DEI... I'm sorry, I'm not buying it as an excuse for qualifications.” (70:14)

5. Airport Biometric & DNA Mandate for Non-Citizens

Starts 92:04

• New Rule: U.S. Department of Homeland Security now allows officials to request DNA from non-citizens at airports (in addition to facial recognition and fingerprints).
  • B (Patrick): “Under new law... officials may request additional biometric information, including fingerprints or DNA from non-citizens.” (91:50)
• Debate: The crew is divided—balancing national security against privacy risks and government overreach.
  • C (Vinnie): “I'm anti all that. I don't trust it. I don't trust government with any... No, I'm not a fan.” (95:08)
  • D (Adam): “We have to grapple with whether we want more freedom or more security and safety... This was the whole situation with the Patriot Act.” (97:58)

6. NFL: DK Metcalf’s Suspension and the Cost of False Accusations

Starts 107:20

• Incident: DK Metcalf, talented NFL wide receiver, was suspended for an altercation with a fan, costing him $555,000 in salary and potentially voiding $45M in contract guarantees.
• Accusation: Metcalf claimed the fan used racial slurs (N-word, C-word); video evidence debunked this.
  • C (Vinnie): “Yelling racism is absolutely ridiculous because it diminishes the word...” (113:01)
  • B (Patrick): "If you investigate and that didn’t happen, the NFL is responsible for saying ‘Nope, the fan never said that.’” (119:45)
• Broader Theme: Repeated discussion on how public accusations spread faster than truth, the risks of weaponizing such claims, and consequences for both the accused and accuser.

7. Trump Hosts Zelenskyy: Ukraine Peace Deal Update

Starts 122:30

• Status: Trump & Zelenskyy report 90% agreement on a 20-point peace framework, with details to be finalized and approved by the Kremlin.
  • C (Zelenskyy, 123:03): “We have great achievements. 20 point peace plan, 90% agreed. U.S.-Ukraine security guarantees 100% agreed.”
• Panel Analysis: General skepticism regarding both Ukraine's and Russia’s motives; cautious optimism about US brokerage but deep cynicism about corruption and war sustainability.
  • B (Patrick): “Do I trust him [Zelenskyy]?... The only thing I trust—Trump’s and his team’s ability to push the envelope.” (126:41)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On American Journalism & Activism:
  • “23 year old independent journalist... just showed everybody up.”
    — D (Adam), [38:39]
• On California’s Tax Plan:
  • “This is asset seizure, which is contemplated, which is going to be recurring... to erode the billionaires.”
    — A (Tom), [45:17]
• On Iran’s Crisis:
  • “You just got your ass kicked, Islamic Republic of Iran, and now you want to double down...”
    — D (Adam), [75:20]
• On Government Surveillance:
  • “They're making it comfortable... you’re giving them your face over and over and over. I'm, from what I've seen, one of the only ones... ‘I don’t want my face.’”
    — C (Vinnie), [95:14]
• On Hypocrisy in Media Coverage:
  • “If that was Donald Trump... forget it.”
    — C (Vinnie), regarding Epstein, [86:53]
• On Cultural/Religious Political Allegiances:
  • “The Democratic Party is a religion. It’s not a political party.”
    — B (Patrick), [55:06]
• On Foreign Policy Dilemmas:
  • “Everything in geopolitics is a binary option, and we have to suffer with picking the lesser of two evils.”
    — D (Adam), [128:14]

Notable Segments (Timestamps)

• Minnesota daycare fraud exposé | 09:21–38:39
• California billionaire tax proposal & state fraud | 38:52–56:12
• Iran’s crisis | 72:07–81:50
• Elon Musk vs. Mamdani & FDNY | 58:52–70:14
• Airport DNA rules & government surveillance | 92:04–103:31
• NFL DK Metcalf incident & societal implications | 107:20–120:57
• Ukraine peace deal, US foreign policy debate | 122:30–135:39

Episode Tone & Final Thoughts

The discussion is fast-paced, unflinching, and unapologetically critical of government, mainstream media, and the manipulation of identity or victimhood politics. The crew underscores American values—transparency, merit, skepticism toward authority, fierce independence, and a persistent optimism about the future despite today's chaos.

“Our goal with PBD podcast is to create thousands of conversations. That’s all it is. By reasonable people who are critical thinkers..."
– B (Patrick), [56:13]

This episode is a must-listen for those who want a candid, cutting, and insightful dissection of recent news—with plenty of sharp wit, memorable soundbites, and spirited team chemistry.