The Daily Beans – "Freed From Liberation Day"
Date: February 23, 2026
Host: Dana Goldberg (Stepping in for Allison Gill)

Episode Overview

This Monday episode delivers a whip-smart, often biting summary of top political and social stories delivered in Dana Goldberg’s trademark snarky, progressive tone. With Allison Gill on vacation, Dana covers a tumultuous political week, involving everything from a fatal shooting at Mar-a-Lago and scandals in the Department of Labor to a Supreme Court blow to Trump’s trade agenda, plus lighter fare and listener-submitted good news.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Armed Man Fatally Shot at Mar-a-Lago

[04:33]

• An armed suspect, Austin Tucker Martin, 21, entered Mar-a-Lago’s secure perimeter with a shotgun and fuel canister; fatally shot by Secret Service and local law enforcement after refusing to drop the weapon.
• Incident follows prior assassination attempts and threats at Trump properties, referencing notable episodes from 2024.
• Dana’s pointed, satirical take:

  “Please don’t make this man a martyr. Let cholesterol do its job … Stop trying to take the President’s life, please. And you know, I don’t endorse anything like that. Just let nature take its course.” ([07:20])

2. Judge Scolds Meta (Zuckerberg’s) Team for Wearing AI Glasses in Court

[09:31]

• Members of Zuckerberg’s Meta team wore Ray-Ban Meta AI camera-enabled glasses into court during a trial examining social media’s impact on children. Judge Caroline Kuhl ordered their removal and threatened contempt if recordings had occurred.
• Highlights privacy issues with wearable tech and Meta team’s disregard for court protocol.
• Technology journalist Jacob Ward:

  “An extraordinary misstep by Meta.” ([10:56])

• Dana:

  “Now do you see why this is so fucking dangerous?” ([11:56])

3. Scandal Engulfs Labor Secretary’s Office

[13:30]

• Husband of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Dr. Sean DeRemer, barred from premises after two staffers accused him of sexual assault—one incident captured on security cameras.
• Broader misconduct investigation involves Lori Chavez-DeRemer herself, including alleged relationships with subordinates, misuse of department resources.
• Dana’s sharp summary:

  “These two sound like a fucking pair of peaches. I just, it feels like everyone in this administration, my God, it’s like a prerequisite to be a Republican now.” ([15:42])

4. DHS Admits Website Is Full of Errors (“Worst of the Worst” Immigrants)

[17:40]

• DHS publicly concedes key website listing so-called “worst of the worst” immigrants was riddled with inaccuracies, with crimes exaggerated or incorrectly listed for hundreds of people—blamed on a “glitch.”
• Dana’s assessment:

  “This website is bullshit. We know this…ICE agents have a longer criminal history than the people they have been apprehending in Minneapolis.” ([23:02])

• Quotes Minnesota DOC chief Paul Schnell:

  “At best, DHS fundamentally misunderstands Minnesota’s correctional system. At worst, it’s pure propaganda…” ([22:11])

5. Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s Sweeping Global Tariffs

[24:13]

• Major decision: Court rules (6–3) Trump’s unilateral global tariffs were unconstitutional; only Congress has taxing authority.
• Trump lashes out (against his own appointees), calling justices “disloyal” and “lap dogs” and alleging foreign influence with no evidence.
• Chief Justice Roberts:

  “The framers did not vest any part of taxing power in the executive branch.” ([27:43])

• Dissent from Kavanaugh, Alito, Thomas:

  “The tariffs at issue here may or may not be wise policy, but as a matter of text, history and precedent, they are clearly lawful.” ([28:09])

• Businesses rejoice; some seek refunds for billions paid. Illinois toy company CEO:

  “Somebody has got to pay this bill. Those people that pay the bill, they’re voters.” ([29:38])

• Dana:

  “A big win on this one and a big blow to Trump. His response was absolutely ridiculous.” ([30:31])

Listener Engagement: The Good News Segment

[32:00] and onward

• “Good trouble” call to action: Urges listeners to tell Democratic reps and senators to not attend the State of the Union unless escorting an Epstein survivor.
• Listener submissions highlight:
  • Creative activism (“MAGA Loves Pedo” sign campaign in Texas).
  • Corrections and clarifications (VA disability rating rule change).
  • Worker activism (Nevada sex workers unionize for fair contracts and AI/image rights).
  • Classroom innovation (Montessori teacher’s hands-on American Revolution simulation—“Quartering Act vibes!”).
  • Animal photos and stories—a “real dragon” class pet; baby onesie-wearing cats; and senior rescue dogs.
  • Abortion fund advocacy:

    "Just because abortion is legal doesn't mean it's accessible...The favorite part of my day is when I say I helped someone get an abortion today." (Kristin, [~36:10])

• Dana’s genuine, warm appreciation for community submissions, maintaining the “Beans” signature blend of political news and listener uplift.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Trump’s Martyrdom:

  “Let cholesterol do its job, and let’s just take a natural way out, please.” ([07:20])

• On the Meta Glasses Incident:

  “These douchebags knew they weren’t supposed to wear these things.” ([11:00])

• On DoL Scandal:

  “It sounds like a fun time being on her staff. As long as you’re not one of the people she’s having an affair with or one of the people her husband is sexually assaulting.” ([15:16])

• On DHS Website:

  “They admitted that they had fucked up, which is, like I said, really rare.” ([18:33])

• On the Supreme Court Ruling:

  “Trump, of course, was like, they didn’t tell me what to do. So it’s gonna be in the courts for years.” ([29:15])

• Listener Kristin’s Advocacy:

  “The favorite part of my day is when I say I helped someone get an abortion today. You can too, by donating to the clinic in your area.” ([36:10])

• Classroom Roleplay:

  “Today they organized. They made protest posters. They recruited allies from neighboring classrooms to sign a petition. That’s brilliant.” ([38:05])

Segment Timestamps

• [04:33] Armed man shot at Mar-a-Lago
• [09:31] Meta glasses courtroom scandal
• [13:30] Labor Department sexual assault and misconduct
• [17:40] DHS “worst of the worst” website errors
• [24:13] Supreme Court tariffs decision
• [32:00+] Listener Good News submissions and “Good Trouble” action

Tone & Takeaways

In classic “Daily Beans” fashion, Dana Goldberg navigates the dark news of the week with fierce wit, compassion, and a sense of community. She calls out deception and corruption with humor, commiserates with listeners, and amplifies stories of grassroots resistance, resilience, and progress.

Summary for the Uninitiated

If you missed this episode, you’ll come away with a sharp round-up of this week’s biggest headlines—from another Trump-related violence scare to the courtroom slapdown of Meta’s tech arrogance, escalating government scandals, administrative misinformation, and the rare spectacle of Trump’s Supreme Court appointees defying him. All served with the community-driven, sassy connective tissue that’s signature to “The Daily Beans.”

Next episode drops tomorrow! For good news submissions, go to dailybeanspod.com → Contact → Good News.