The President's Daily Brief: July 8th, 2025 Episode: Trump Targeted By Iran Again—Inside The Regime’s Latest Threat & Putin Tests Trump

Host: Mike Baker, Former CIA Operations Officer
Release Date: July 8, 2025

Overview

In today's episode of The President's Daily Brief, hosted by Mike Baker, a former CIA Operations Officer, the focus narrows in on escalating geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Iran, and Russia. The episode delves into Iran's renewed threats against former President Donald Trump, Russia's unwavering stance in its military campaigns, and significant domestic events such as the devastating floods in Texas. Additionally, the podcast highlights a heroic rescue operation and the resumption of Houthi attacks on commercial shipping, sparking retaliatory actions from Israel.

Iranian Threats Against Trump and Regional Stability

Timestamp: [00:36] – [08:27]

Mike Baker opens the episode by addressing the alarming escalation of threats from Iran's Islamic regime against former President Donald Trump. Iran has reportedly placed an $18 million bounty on Trump's life, a significant increase from previous symbolic threats. This move involves Iranian-regime-linked media outlets and Telegram groups actively calling for Trump's assassination, illustrating a disturbing shift from mere rhetoric to direct incitement.

Notable Quotes:

• Unnamed Analyst: “[...] this is how the Iranian regime exports terrorism without leaving fingerprints. [...] they let the proxies and civilian media do the dirty work.”
  [02:15]

• Mike Baker: “The exact figure being distributed across regime connected channels is $18,341,623 and is described as a donation that will be given to any individual or group that can execute the president.”
  [04:30]

The threats coincide with a fatwa issued on June 29 by Iran's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makaram Shirazi, declaring Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu as enemies of God, thereby urging Muslims worldwide to wage a holy war against them. This decree emphasizes Iran's intent to destabilize regional and global security actively.

Additional Insights:

• Counterterrorism Experts: Highlighted the risk of these calls inspiring lone-wolf attacks or extremist militias within the United States.
• Secret Service: Although silent on official comments, reports indicate bolstered security measures for Trump following these threats.

The discussion also touches upon a near-successful assassination attempt on former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Paris three years prior, underscoring Iran's persistent targeting of American officials.

Trump's Stance and Tensions with Putin

Timestamp: [09:17] – [18:26]

Transitioning to the U.S.-Russia dynamic, Baker reports a tense phone conversation between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump expressed significant dissatisfaction with the call, stating, “I am very unhappy with the call,” and revealed that he made “no progress convincing Putin to scale back the Kremlin's military campaign.” This strained interaction underscores Trump's growing frustration with Putin's unyielding military objectives in Ukraine.

Notable Quotes:

• President Trump: “We talk about sanctions a lot. Putin understands that it may be coming.”
  [09:45]

• Ukrainian President Zelensky: Described Russia’s recent aerial assaults as "cynical," accusing Moscow of "deliberately timing the bombardment as a show of defiance.”
  [12:30]

The podcast details a massive Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine, involving 550 Iranian-made drones and 11 missiles over seven hours, resulting in significant casualties and infrastructure damage. Despite Ukraine's air defenses successfully downing 270 drones, 208 drones evaded interception, some likely jammed or used as decoys.

In response to the ongoing aggression, President Trump hinted at potential new sanctions, although he remains cautious about the immediate implementation of additional penalties, hoping for a diplomatic breakthrough. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Affairs Adviser maintained that Russia is still seeking a negotiated political solution, a claim Trump seems skeptical of.

Additional Highlights:

• Ukrainian Foreign Minister: Called the Russian attacks “one of the worst so far” and a “horrible sleepless night.”
• President Trump’s Call with Zelensky: Focused on air defense cooperation and the potential shipment of Patriot missile batteries, which Trump lauds as “amazingly effective.”

This escalation marks one of the most intense periods in the Russia-Ukraine conflict since the invasion began, with over 5,400 drones launched by Russia in June alone—the highest monthly figure to date.

Devastating Floods in Texas and Heroic Rescue Efforts

Timestamp: [18:26] – [19:09] (Note: Some content may overlap with other sections)

Baker shifts focus to a national tragedy—the catastrophic July 4 floods in Texas, which have claimed over 100 lives with dozens still missing. The most affected area is Camp Mystic in Kerr County, where the Guadalupe River surged rapidly, causing widespread devastation and loss of life.

Notable Quotes:

• President Trump: “We wanted to leave a little time. I would have done it today, but we'd just be in the first responders' way.”
  [10:15]

• Petty Officer Scott Ruskin: “I just tried to comfort these kids and counselors. The hardest part was seeing parents and staff beg for help finding missing loved ones.”
  [13:50]

A glimmer of hope emerges with the tale of Petty Officer Scott Ruskin, a rookie Coast Guard rescue swimmer who saved 165 lives during his first mission. Ruskin's bravery and dedication have earned him national recognition, highlighting the valor of first responders in the face of disaster.

Issues Highlighted:

• Flood Warning Systems: Criticism from local officials, including Kerrville Mayor Joe Herrick Jr., who stated, “I did not see a flood warning. I did not receive a flood notification. I did not know.” at [14:40].
• Senator Ted Cruz: Called for a comprehensive review of Texas's flood detection and emergency alert systems to prevent future tragedies.

The Weather Prediction Center has issued additional flood warnings for Kerr County and surrounding areas, indicating potential for further devastation with upcoming storms.

Houthi Resurgence and Israeli Retaliation in the Red Sea

Timestamp: [19:09] – [Conclusion]

In the Back of the Brief, Baker addresses the resurgence of Houthi militant attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea after months of relative calm. The latest incident involved the bulk carrier Magic Seas, which was targeted with unmanned boats, missiles, and drones by the Houthis, resulting in severe hull damage and forcing the crew to abandon ship. Fortunately, all 19 crew members were rescued without injury, thanks to coordinated efforts by UAE and UK maritime authorities.

Notable Quotes:

• Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz: “Yemen will be treated like Tehran. Anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have it cut off.”
  [20:45]

Israel's response was swift and forceful. Following Houthi missile attacks on Israeli targets, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched retaliatory airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen, targeting power stations and the Hodeida port. This marks the first such retaliation since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Jerusalem and Tehran, signaling a robust stance against Iranian-backed terrorism.

Additional Insights:

• IDF Statements: Justified the strikes by stating that Houthi ports are used by the Iranian regime to transfer weapons for terrorist operations.
• Houthi Activity: Since the ceasefire, the Houthis have conducted over 145 attacks on commercial vessels, disrupting one of the world's critical maritime corridors and impacting global trade.

The ongoing conflict underscores the fragile stability in the region, with Israel vowing further retaliatory measures under Operation Black Flag to deter future attacks.

Conclusion

Mike Baker wraps up the episode by reiterating the interconnectedness of international tensions and domestic challenges. The persistent threats from Iran, coupled with unwavering Russian aggression, paint a complex picture for U.S. foreign policy. Simultaneously, domestic disasters like the Texas floods highlight the importance of effective emergency response systems. The episode underscores the necessity for vigilance, preparedness, and decisive action in both international and domestic arenas to safeguard national security and public safety.

For further inquiries or comments, listeners are encouraged to reach out to Baker at pdb@thefirsttv.com. Premium members can enjoy an ad-free experience by subscribing at pdbpremium.com.

Stay informed, stay safe, and stay cool.

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