The Daily Beans | February 26, 2026
Episode: Three Miles To Mar-a-Lago (feat. Cliff Cash)
Host: Dana Goldberg (MSW Media)
Special Guest: Cliff Cash
Episode Overview
This episode, hosted solo by Dana Goldberg while Allison Gill is on vacation, dives into progressive political news with the signature Beans mix of snark, irreverence, and hope. Key topics include court setbacks for ICE contractors and Trump-era immigration policies, Harvard's Larry Summers resigning over Epstein ties, the ongoing Mark Kelly–Pete Kegseth dispute over veterans' free speech, and a powerful interview with activist-comedian Cliff Cash about his upcoming protest event near Mar-a-Lago. The show rounds out with listener good news, corrections, and uplifting stories.
Main News & Discussion Highlights
Supreme Court Ruling Against GEO Group:
[03:56]
- The Issue: GEO Group, a private ICE detention contractor, faces a lawsuit for allegedly forcing detainees to work for $1/day, threatening solitary confinement for noncompliance—well below the $8 Colorado minimum wage.
- SCOTUS Ruling: The Supreme Court unanimously dismissed GEO’s immunity claim, allowing the trial to proceed.
- Quote [paraphrased, 04:33]:
“The justices said the company was not entitled to preempt the lawsuit by claiming a form of immunity flowing from the federal government’s sovereign immunity.”
- Quote [paraphrased, 04:33]:
- Outcome: The detainees' lawsuit will now head to trial unless settled.
Judge Blocks Device Search of WaPo Reporter
[06:49]
- Key Ruling: Federal judge denies DOJ’s request to directly search the devices of reporter Hannah Natenson, insisting the court oversee to protect sources.
- Judge’s Criticism:
“Normally we’d let you do this, but you’ve already fucked up too many times so we don’t trust you.” [07:21] - Significance: Major win for press freedom, though devices remain in government custody for now.
“Third Country” Deportation Policy Ruled Unlawful
[08:26]
- Ruling: Judge Bryony Murphy finds Trump-era policy of deporting immigrants to countries with no ties is unlawful, requiring meaningful notice and due process.
- Quote [Murphy, 09:30]:
“This court affirms these and our nation’s bedrock principle that no person in this country may be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.”
- Quote [Murphy, 09:30]:
- Temporary Suspension: 15-day stay allows for possible appeal.
Larry Summers Resigns Amid Epstein Controversy
[11:16]
- Background: Former Treasury Secretary leaves Harvard following exposure of regular contact with Jeffrey Epstein.
- Quote [Summers, 12:32]:
“I have made the difficult decision to retire from my Harvard professorship... I will always be grateful to the thousands of students and colleagues I’ve been privileged to teach and work with.”
- Quote [Summers, 12:32]:
- Host’s Take:
“I want everyone involved… to be out of the public eye.”
“There should be accountability.” [13:48]
Interview: Cliff Cash, “Three Miles to Mar-a-Lago”
[17:44–31:25]
Who is Cliff Cash?
- Comedian, activist, and protest organizer from Wilmington, NC.
- Awards: Port City's Top Comic, Comedy Zone's Almost Famous, performed on Comedy Central’s Up Next and NBC Standup.
- Organizing: Led multiple nationwide protest actions.
Upcoming Event Details
- Event: “Three Miles to Mar-a-Lago”
- Date/Place: March 7, Meyer Amphitheater, West Palm Beach, FL
- Lineup: Cliff Cash (standup), Earth to Eve (music), Robert Arnold (poetry), activist speakers including the daughter of a detainee and the head of the Revolutionary Black Panther Party.
- Purpose:
“I really want to kind of make some noise. Very close to Mar-a-Lago… Try to make these fascists nervous.” [18:12] - Strategy: Legal protest/concert close to Mar-a-Lago, with implied direct action—“wear comfortable shoes.”
- Tickets/info: comediancliffcash.com ([19:19])
Quote Highlights
- On protest strategy:
“If you’re going to mobilize 7 million people, aim them at something… let’s get a million people to DC” [20:24] - On GOP/Trump:
“They need to be more scared of the American people than they are of a dying pedophile in a diaper.” [22:17] - On activist group FLARE:
“They have a physical presence, basically a tent on the National Mall… 24 hours a day, every day.” [23:15] - On MAGA & reaching moderates:
“If anybody’s still on board with MAGA, I don’t think they are reachable… But those jaded by ICE or tariffs or Epstein, some are reachable—best through progressive veterans.” [27:14] - On Trump’s image:
“He’s a soft-handed, weakling rich boy who’s never worked an honest day in his life… There’s nothing alpha about licking that guy’s boots.” [28:04]
Memorable Moments
- Cliff sells “Trump is a Pedophile” and “My Grandpa Killed Nazis” hats to provoke and empower in red regions [25:09].
- Host: “I know that people come for us on social media… every time they comment, that puts a little dollar in your pocket because of the algorithm.” [26:13]
Where to Follow Cliff Cash
- Website: comediancliffcash.com
- Social: @CliffCashComedy [30:12]
Good News & Listener Stories
[34:44+]
- Bird Rescue Activism: Highlight on Jackie and Shadow the eagles’ threatened habitat—call to support at savemooncamp.org
- Listener Corrections: Thank-yous and pronunciation clarifications for New Hampshire’s governor Ayotte (“A-yot”)
- Crowdsourced Joy:
- Milk donation for NICU babies
- Homemade crafts (including emotional support pickles!)
- Shout-out to Rep. Al Green’s protest sign at “State of Disunion” [Kelly/Sia, 39:56]
- Pictures of pets, babies, and crafts flood the segment
Quote—On Community:
“Every time the hate comes in, you know, their bank account goes up. But walking around with these hats… you get more high fives than… people telling you they don’t like your hat. There’s still more of us than them.” [26:13]
Notable Quotes
- “We have to keep resisting. If they’re not more scared of us than they are of a dying pedophile, then we’re not doing our job.” – Cliff Cash [22:17]
- “Let’s scare them. Let’s show them how much power we have.” – Dana Goldberg [20:02]
- “If this isn’t enough proof, there is no such thing as enough proof for you.” – Cliff Cash on MAGA loyalty [27:23]
- “No person in this country may be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.” – Judge Murphy [09:30]
Key Timestamps
- 03:56 – Hot Notes: GEO Group lawsuit, ICE contractor updates
- 06:49 – Court restricts search of journalist’s devices
- 08:26 – Judge strikes down "third country" deportation
- 11:16 – Larry Summers resigns from Harvard
- 17:44 – Cliff Cash Interview (full segment)
- 34:44 – Listener Good News, community stories
Tone & Style
Dana Goldberg delivers the episode with her characteristic mix of wit, righteous anger, and encouragement, always with a nod to grassroots power. Both Dana and Cliff embrace frank language and biting humor about the far-right and the state of national politics, but ground their snark in practical organizing advice and calls for solidarity.
Summary
Today’s episode breaks down recent progressive wins in the courts, exposes the continued fallout from the Epstein scandal, and spotlights how creative activism—combining comedy and direct action—can challenge power close to home. Cliff Cash models how to “make good trouble” even (especially) in deep-red areas, while the host and listeners celebrate small wins and resilience across the nation.
For event details: comediancliffcash.com
Listener submissions: dailybeanspod.com/contact
Next episode: John Fugelsang joins for “Fuqua Singh Friday.”
