Beans Talk | Fundraising Off Fallen Troops

Summary

The Daily Beans: Beans Talk | Fundraising Off Fallen Troops
March 16, 2026 — Hosted by Allison Gill & Dana Goldberg

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Episode Overview

This episode of "Beans Talk" dives into the latest political controversies surrounding the ongoing war in Iran and the Trump administration's handling of fallen US troops. Hosts Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg dissect the hypocrisy and moral failures they see in recent government actions, particularly fundraising off military casualties and political grandstanding. The discussion is sharp, irreverent, and laced with the show's signature mix of outrage and dark humor.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Janine Pirro’s Legal Losses and Meltdown

• The episode opens with the hosts poking fun at Janine Pirro's public meltdown after Judge Boasberg tossed her Jerome Powell subpoenas for being "pretextual."
• Allison Gill: Highlights how Pirro was "flipping the [expletive] out, knocking over...she almost falls over when she leaves the podium. She just melted down." [02:19]
• Dana Goldberg: Mocks Pirro's math and inconsistency in prosecution stats, calling her a "mess." [03:04]
• Discussion shifts to Pirro quietly dismissing charges against veteran Jay Carey, who protested by burning a flag. Allison and Dana note the suspicious timing: "Rather than...defending her actions, she just dismissed the charges." [04:03]

2. Legal Overreach and the Rules of Prosecution

• Allison Gill: Emphasizes that "you can't just use a grand jury to go on a fishing expedition" and underscores federal rules demanding solid cases before trials. [04:33]

3. War in Iran & Losses Among US Troops

• The hosts lament the war's cost: "We've now lost 13 US service members. Jesus." [05:24]
• They reflect on prior discussions about military strategy and the escalating situation in Hormuz and Kharg Island.

4. Trump Fundraises Using Fallen Troops

• Both are appalled by Trump’s email showing a "dignified transfer of remains" at Dover AFB to solicit campaign donations.
• Allison Gill: “Just when you think there’s no bottom, he goes lower.” [06:02]
• Points out the likelihood that such images were used without the families' consent.

5. White House Depicts War as a Video Game

• Dana brings up the controversial administration video: "the video that the White House put out...uses video games to depict the war in Iran." [07:15]
• Senator Jon Ossoff's condemnation (audio clip):
  • “When American service members killed in action are returning...and even more Americans have lost limbs...This White House treats war like a game, and it's a disgrace.” [07:46]

6. Political Hypocrisy and the Disdain for Veterans

• Dana blasts leadership for their lack of empathy: "Just disgusting to me...three time draft dodger with bone spurs as...commander in chief." [08:43]
• Allison references prior disrespect: “It’s the–he hates veterans and war dead. He’s called them suckers and losers.” [09:25]

7. Jared Kushner and Mideast Money Scandals

• Critiques Kushner soliciting billions while serving as special Mideast envoy; details meetings with Saudi Arabia’s PIF (led by MBS), highlighting ethical and national security concerns. [09:54]

8. Anti-Muslim Rhetoric and Hypocrisy

• The hosts call out social media posts by Andy Ogles, Randy Fine, and Tommy Tuberville linking NYC politician Zohran Mamdani to 9/11, despite Mamdani being a child at the time. [10:43–11:00]
• Dana Goldberg: “Such a false...It’s just infuriating. And there’s everyone just letting him go.” [11:00]
• Allison critiques Lindsey Graham's calls for overbroad military action and the inconsistencies in invoking Saudi Arabia (9/11 connection). [11:14]

9. The Perpetual Cycle of Hypocrisy

• The hosts consider dedicating an entire show to GOP hypocrisy: “Republican Hypocrisy. It’s a five hour podcast on one news article.” [12:11–12:24]

10. War's Costs and Uncertainty for the Future

• Allison draws parallels to the Vietnam War, warning of another "forever war."
• Allison Gill: “I don’t know how we get out of this...We can’t hold it without massive loss of life, we can’t just apologize. Trump just can't be like, hey, sorry, I made a mistake. First of all, he wouldn't. Second of all, he killed the ayatollah and his family.” [13:15]

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Allison Gill [02:19]: "She just completely melts down...She just melted down. Watch."
• Dana Goldberg [03:04]: "My favorite part, why not just say 90%? Just say I prosecute 90% of the cases...She's just a mess."
• Allison Gill [06:02]: "Just when you think there’s no bottom, [Trump] goes lower."
• Senator Jon Ossoff [07:46]: "This White House treats war like a game, and it's a disgrace. And it speaks to the moral rot of this administration."
• Dana Goldberg [08:43]: "I know Kegseth was in the military. We've got a...three time draft dodger with bone spurs as...commander in chief...They don't care that we're losing lives."
• Allison Gill [09:25]: "He hates veterans and war dead. He's called them suckers and losers."
• Dana Goldberg [12:11]: "Republican Hypocrisy. It's a five hour podcast on one news article."
• Allison Gill [13:15]: "I don't know how we get out of this...Forever war. That is precisely it."

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Important Timestamps

• [01:00] — Light banter; setup of Pirro meltdown.
• [02:19] — Pirro's press conference clip and analysis.
• [03:04] — Discussion on Pirro dropping charges against a flag-burning vet.
• [05:24] — Discussion pivots to US war in Iran, service member deaths.
• [06:02] — Trump’s fundraising email featuring fallen troop imagery.
• [07:46] — Senator Jon Ossoff's remarks on the war and administration's attitude.
• [09:54] — Segment on Kushner's fundraising and foreign dealings.
• [10:43] — Anti-Muslim rhetoric by GOP figures highlighted.
• [12:11] — Extended riff on Republican hypocrisy.
• [13:15] — Reflections on the Vietnam War, fears of another perpetual conflict.

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Tone & Language

The conversation maintains a blend of sharp critique, dark humor, frustration, and camaraderie. The hosts are passionate, unapologetically progressive, and often irreverent, punctuating serious analysis with comic relief to soften the gravity of the news.

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Closing Thoughts

• The hosts express uncertainty and concern about the direction of the war.
• Dana Goldberg: Urges listeners to “find something joyful” to start their week, promising future discussion and more news breakdowns. [13:43]
• Lighthearted promo for Dana’s comedy shows wraps the episode, returning to the theme of finding laughter in dark times.

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For more analysis and snarky political commentary, tune in to future episodes of The Daily Beans.

Transcript

[Allison Gill]

History is messy. It's weird, wild, and anything but boring. Rainy Day Rabbit Holes is a history podcast about unhinged stories that make you stop and ask, wait, is this real life? From crazy disasters and tasty scandals to enlightening and surprising heartwarming tales, we explore

[Dana Goldberg]

the moments where people behave badly and sometimes beautifully.

[Allison Gill]

We've got naughty politicians, cultural chaos, and a deep love for the Pacific Northwest, including Bigfoot. It's thoughtful, irreverent, occasionally serious, and always entertaining. Let's fall down the rabbit hole. MSW Media. Hey, everybody. It's Monday, march 16, 2026. I'm allison gill.

[Dana Goldberg]

And I'm dana goldberg. And you're watching beans talk.

[Allison Gill]

You caught us mid laughter because we were.

[Dana Goldberg]

We're doing a little electric company radio.

[Allison Gill]

Yeah. So then we were.

[Dana Goldberg]

Sometimes we have to entertain ourselves.

[Allison Gill]

And we do. Or we can let box of wine Janine Pirro Entertainment make us laugh at press conferences. She flipped the out on Friday after Judge Boasberg tossed her Jerome Powell subpoenas in the trash, calling them pretextual. I'm paraphrasing, of course. Pretty close, but man, Dana, we covered this a lot in detail over on the breakdown yesterday. People, like, could see, like, me and Katie, discuss all of the different, you know, quotes from the actual ruling that was unsealed. You can see that@military road.com. but I have to share this one clip with you because I. I can't. Not right. I know it's a double negative, but it's real. She just completely melts down. She's banging her. I can't believe you. Look, I'll take anything to trial. Like, she was just flipping the out, knocking over, and then she almost falls over when she leaves the podium. She just melted down. Watch.

[Janine Pirro]

The process should have been allowed to run its course, and it wasn't. And shame on them. Oh, cut it out. Do you know how many convictions we've got?

[Allison Gill]

Cut it out.

[Janine Pirro]

You're in one lane. We have cleaned up this city. Historic, really. I'll tell you what's historic. What's historic is that I prosecute everything other than 10% of the cases where the United States attorney before me didn't prosecute 67% of the cases. That's what's historic. I'm willing to take a not guilty. I'm willing to take a no true bill, because I'll take all the crimes and put them in. Thank you.

[Allison Gill]

Thank you. That's all the time we have.

[Dana Goldberg]

I think honestly, my favorite part, like, why not just say 90%? I do I prosecute all but 10% of the case? Just say I prosecute 90% of the cases. He said 67% for the other guy. She's just a mess. And that wasn't the end of, by the way, her losing on Friday, which is just. I. I hope to see more of this. Right after she actually stormed out of that whole. Whatever we just saw, her office filed a motion to dismiss the charges she brought against that veteran who burned the flag. I don't know if you remember that. Jay Carey, He's a combat veteran. We covered it. He set a flag on fire last August in Lafayette park to protest Trump's executive order illegally banning flag burning. He's like, what do you mean, I'm allowed to do this? It's actually part of the Constitution. Pirro didn't explain why she dropped the charges, but she did it right before the deadline, which is really interesting. She did it before the deadline to explain how she was. She wasn't violating his First Amendment rights, like I said.

[Allison Gill]

I see. So it was about to come up where she had to file a brief saying, defending her actions. And so rather than do that, she just dismissed the charges.

[Dana Goldberg]

And it's just so embarrassing. I mean, this guy served in Iraq. He's served in Bosnia, Afghanistan. Bureau is such a loser. I. I just. I don't know why these people. I. I hate that they are. Well, she's obviously not in charge of the military, but I hate that people like Hegseth, and she's in charge of prosecuting veterans for exercising their First Amendment rights. It just drives me crazy. It drives me crazy.

[Allison Gill]

Look, Dana, I'll bring charge. I don't care about a. No true bill. I don't care about a not guilty verdict. I'll bring whatever case. That's actually highly against the rules. You can't just bring whatever case. You can't just use a grand jury to go on a fishing expedition just because I. I want to be able to see if there was a crime committed. That's not how any of this works. And excuse me, I know a lot of people don't like that word, but you can't do that. The federal rules of criminal procedure say you cannot bring a case unless you are 100 sure you can get it passed a trial jury. You can't just. I'm gonna do it. Oh, she just flipped out. She's such a loser. And I didn't think this week. Dana, I want to pivot a little bit. I want to talk about the war in Iran, the legal War of choice.

[Dana Goldberg]

Yeah.

[Allison Gill]

In Iran, we've Now got lost 13 US service members. Jesus. And because last week, you and I were talking about, how do you. How do you open the Strait of Hormuz without a ground war? And. And why would they open it? Are they laying mines? It's a big crazy U turn. And then we were like, are they going to try to seize Kharg island, which is around the U turn and all the way up to the north of the Gulf by Iran? And how do you seize and hold that when you've got boats and drones and. Well, we've killed, we've. We've finished the war. We' We've gotten rid of. We've obliterated 100 of their stuff. Except for, you know, like, drones.

[Dana Goldberg]

All of their stuff.

[Allison Gill]

Yeah, yeah, all of their stuff. Right. And I didn't think it could get any lower than Trump, like, right after he launched that war, sent out fundraising emails about the war. But this past weekend, he did. He. He brought the bar lower. I should, we should always. I should never be unprepared for him to do that. He used photos of the dignified transfer of remains and a fundraising email in his. Let me show you part of that white hat. In that is his funeral hat, is what I call it. There's a casket, there's the Marines transferring the casket, and then there's him in his hat. Here's part of that email. It shows, like I said, the solemn transfer, the Marines. And there's a big yellow button that invites you to claim your spot on Trump's new national security briefing team. All for the low, low price of sending Donald Trump money. This is disgusting. I guarantee you he didn't get permission from the family or families of the fallen American that's in that casket that's shown. Or any of the Marines carrying that casket at Dover. Yeah, yeah. So just when you think there's no bottom, he goes. He goes lower.

[Dana Goldberg]

He always does, you know, in that. That made me. I was disgusted by this. And then the video that the White House put out that basically uses video games to depict the war in Iran. They think this is a joke. Kexeth thinks it's a joke with his little controller. And you know who doesn't think it's a joke? Senator Jon Ossoff, because he had something to say about it on Friday. Take a look.

[Senator Jon Ossoff]

And I don't know if you saw it, but last night, the White House put a video on social media

[Dana Goldberg]

that

[Senator Jon Ossoff]

depicted this war as a video game. Did you all see that. When American service members killed in action are returning to the United States in flag draped coffins and even more Americans have lost limbs or suffered terrible brain injuries or are fighting for their lives. This White House treats war like a game, and it's a disgrace. And it speaks to the moral rot of this administration.

[Allison Gill]

Man, he's spot on. Yep, he's spot on with that.

[Dana Goldberg]

I'm just, I'm just, like I said, I'm so disgusted that all of these people that are just behind not caring about human lives never really served. I mean, I know Kegseth was in the military. We've got a draft dodger, three time draft dodger with bone spurs. As the, you know, the commander in chief of the United States military. It's just disgusting to me. And they don't care that we're losing lives. They're upset because the press is actually reporting on the war as it should be, and they're making them look bad. They're making us look bad.

[Allison Gill]

Yeah, that's right. Brendan Carr of the FCC is like, you better stop this or we'll yank your licenses. And. And that's why independent media is so important. You, Brendan Carr, I don't answer to you. Yeah, but all this reminds me of. Remember that stunt he pulled at Arlington National Cemetery?

[Martin Sheen]

Of course.

[Allison Gill]

It's the. He hates veterans and war dead. He's called them suckers and losers. Anyway, meanwhile, Jared Kushner and his bribe farm are soliciting over $5 billion in investors while working as Trump's special Mideast envoy. Basically up the entire Mideast, shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil prices through the roof. He's out there soliciting 5 billion. He already got 2 billion from Muhammad Bonesa. He wants 5 billion more.

[Dana Goldberg]

Yeah.

[Allison Gill]

And basically his job as special Mideast envoy is to ensure that talks break down so that they could bomb schools right now. This is from the New York Times. It says as part of the fundraising effort, Affinity's representatives have already met with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which invests the proceeds of the kingdom's vast oil reserves. That's according to two people briefed on the discussions. PIF is led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. That's MBS Mohammed Bonsa, who has formed close ties with Mr. Kushner and the Trump administration. So he's just out there getting rich off the backs of our American service members.

[Dana Goldberg]

I don't know why that doesn't scare everybody that we're somehow besties with Bonesaw and that they're making so much money off the side. I just. I don't know why. The other side doesn't care.

[Allison Gill]

No. And that disgusting Andy Ogles and Randy Fine anti Muslim post that Tommy Tuberville retweeted and said good was a picture of mom Donnie having food with some New Yorkers and a picture of 9 11.

[Dana Goldberg]

Yeah.

[Allison Gill]

Saying the calls coming inside the house or whatever.

[Dana Goldberg]

Anything. Mom Donnie was what, 10? Nine. During 9 11. He was nine or 10 years old. Like to even tie something like that. Such a false. It's just infuriating. And there's everyone just letting him go. It's just not only that, chastising it.

[Allison Gill]

Not only that. Lindsey Graham's out there saying, we need to bomb them all. We need to kill every one of them. And. And we should put our own NATO together with Saudi Arabia, who. That's who attacked us on 9 11. And. But Tuberville has nothing to say about that. Ogles and Fine have nothing to say about that. And then of course, you know, a lot of people are like, this is a US Israeli war. It's a US Israeli, Saudi Arabia war. It was not only Bibi Netanyahu is also awful and needs to be taken out of his position and he should be in jail. And the only reason he's doing this is to prevent going from jail. Just like Donald Trump. But it wasn't just Bibi. It was also mbs. That dog walked Donald Trump into this war. And so to be out there like 9 11's happening all over again because New Yorkers elected Mamdani. But then to want to invite the country that. Where 911 came from, that to like, I'm just. Yeah. I mean, we could sit here and point out hypocrisies.

[Dana Goldberg]

Oh, all day, every day. They. They will always. For all day, every. The longest podcast in the world. If we just talked about Republican hypocrisy, maybe that's what we should start a new one. Republican Hypocrisy. It's a five hour podcast on one news article.

[Allison Gill]

Yeah, it's. It's just hypocrisy after hypocrisy after hypocrisy. Oh, my goodness. Anyway, thanks for letting us rant a little bit. That just made me so mad, that fundraising email. I was just. I, you know, again, shocked, but not surprised at the depths that he will sink to. Yeah. This weekend. So we're gonna keep an eye on all this. I have no idea how this ends. Dana. It's not like we can take. Neither do they without, like, massive loss of life. We can't hold it. Without massive loss of life, we can't just apologize. Trump just can't be like, hey, sorry, I made a mistake. First of all, he wouldn't. Second of all, he killed the ayatollah and his family.

[Dana Goldberg]

Yeah. Like, and we've lost 13 service members. My bad.

[Allison Gill]

I don't know how we get out of this. I don't know how we get out of there, but we'll keep an eye on it for you. All right, everybody. Forever war. That is precisely it. And. And like said in the. In the daily beans and the audio podcast, the Vietnam war started in 1965 with a small Marine expeditionary unit. It's just an excursion. We're just gonna. Yeah, we know how that turned out. Anyway, any. Any other thoughts before we get out of here?

[Dana Goldberg]

No. Everyone just find something joyful. It is the beginning of the week. It is the beginning of the week. Right. I hope you enjoyed the Oscars. Obviously, we're recording this before. We don't know who won, but we'll touch on it tomorrow because I have a feeling there's gonna be some things we want to talk about and because I have a feeling some. There's going to be some speeches. So join us tomorrow. Of course. And we've got. We'll always have more for you.

[Allison Gill]

Yeah. And if you ever want some laughter, check out danagoldberg.com she's got a ton of shows coming up. Villages, Dallas, got a bunch of galas, and you can join her Patreon and become a dissenter as a member of the Dugout. There's all of [e-mail] I know that there you just had that amazing show at Zany's in Nashville, and everybody got to come out and laugh with you in a. In a very inclusive and safe room. And I think that that's super important. So. Yeah. All right, everybody, we'll see you tomorrow. I'm Allison Gill.

[Dana Goldberg]

And I'm Dana Goldberg. And that was beans Talk.

[Allison Gill]

Again. I don't know how to end this show.

[Dana Goldberg]

It's okay. We're gonna figure it out. They love us anyway. Cut. Cut the feet.

[Allison Gill]

Cut the fe.

[Martin Sheen]

Filming the Way on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela was one of the most important and rewarding experiences of my life, and it was by far the most satisfying role of my career. The Way was filmed in 2009 over an eight week schedule and followed the pilgrimage route from St Jean Pierre de Port in the French Pyrenees across. Across northern Spain to Santiago and then on to Mushia for the final scene. And the entire production was a family affair. Those are the opening lines of a story I share and they reflect the very heart of my podcast. And through sharing autobiographical stories and inspired poetry and personal reflections, that is the theme I find myself exploring again and again. But I do so in the hope that it sparks listeners to see how it relates to their own lives and their own story of discovery. So please join me each Sunday for a beautifully crafted 20 minute journey of personal exploration. I'm proud to announce the Martin Sheen Podcast Season two. I've often said if it's not personal, it's impersonal. And that is how I choose to approach my podcast. With all its contents from storytelling to poetry and book selections, each unique episode is a journey we will share together. And I think it's important you know that I have no intention of leaving who I am at the door with this podcast. Anyone who knows me knows I cannot tell a personal story that doesn't have at least some social justice connection at its core. I have my convictions and issues that draw on my empathy and compassion. Frankly, that's what drives and informs my conscience and makes me who I am. How could I bring any less to this endeavor? So tune in Sundays as I invite you to follow, subscribe and receive notifications about what's next for me. Martin Sheen. Oh, and for more information please visit themartensheenpodcast. Com and thank you again.