Podcast
The Skepticrat
Hosted by Puzzle in a Thunderstorm, LLC · EN
Covering politics from the far center
31episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
274: Skepticrat274 - Trump Card Edition
5d ago01:03:03Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode: Nigel Farage will argue that, if anything, he’s TOO innocent ... Mitch McConnell is busy hanging out with a cat and some uranium in a secret box ... And Donald Trump will call FIFA to tell them they just need to find him three more goals.To support our show on Patreon, go here:patreon.com/skepticratTo hear more from Evil Giraffes on Mars, go here:facebook.com/EvilGiraffesOnMarsGet great deals while supporting the show by checking out our sponsors:quince.com/skepticratmintmobile.com/skepticratauraframes.com (code: SKEPTICRAT)groundnews.com/skepticratHeadline Sources: NATO summit in Turkiye: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/8/five-key-takeaways-from-the-nato-summit-in-ankarahttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/08/nato-leaders-world-cup-donald-trump-ankara-summithttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/08/us/politics/trump-air-force-one-security.htmlFarage resigns as MP and vows to fight by-election amid finances row: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0ly51kzdz3oMitch McConnell is not well: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/mitch-mcconnells-health-absence-mystery-with-us-senate-poised-return-2026-07-09/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/11/mitch-mcconnell-senator-healthStarmer quits as Labour leader and paves way for contest for new prime minister: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdxd00lg599oTrump calls FIFA prez to pressure a red card review: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/06/world/europe/fifa-trump-infantino-world-cup-red-card.htmlhttps://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/2026/07/fifa-trump-red-card-belgium/687820/
Transcribe →273: Skepticrat273 - Alga Rhythm & Blues Edition
3w ago00:48:06Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode: Donald Trump surrenders in victory ... Trump aides explain why you can’t waterboard algae ... And we learn about the profound geopolitical impact of Waffle House and ranch dressing.To support our show on Patreon, go here:patreon.com/skepticratTo hear more from Evil Giraffes on Mars, go here:facebook.com/EvilGiraffesOnMarsGet great deals while supporting the show by checking out our sponsors:mintmobile.com/skepticratquince.com/skepticratauraframes.com (code: SKEPTICRAT)groundnews.com/skepticratHeadline Sources: US Iran agree to Memorandum of…never mind: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/27/us-iran-trade-strikes-what-to-know-will-it-unravel-the-mouRFK Jr. is in charge of special education: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/20/us/politics/special-education-rfk.htmlTrump floats reflecting pool sabotage plot: https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-floats-up-wild-new-reflecting-pool-sabotage-plot/https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/25/politics/reflecting-pool-firm-renovation-unfeasibleWhite South African “refugees” in America get a welcome bag: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/us/politics/south-africa-refugees-welcome-bags.htmlTaylor Swift is getting married at MSG on July 4th: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/nyregion/taylor-swift-wedding-madison-square-garden.html
Transcribe →272: Skepticrat272 - SpaceX Machina Edition
Jun 1501:00:16Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode: Space X’s IPO is a POS ... We’ll explain to Eli why you can’t bet against Kalshi’s continued existence on Kalshi ... And Knicks fans like Heath can finally die happy.To support our show on Patreon, go here:patreon.com/skepticratTo hear more from Evil Giraffes on Mars, go here:facebook.com/EvilGiraffesOnMarsGet great deals while supporting the show by checking out our sponsors:quince.com/skepticratmintmobile.com/skepticratauraframes.com (code: SKEPTICRAT)groundnews.com/skepticratHeadline Sources: SpaceX IPO is full of shenanigans: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/10/business/spacex-ipo-what-to-know.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/06/12/business/spacex-ipo-elon-muskNo injuries, no props - CFTC proposes prediction market rules: https://www.espn.com/espn/betting/story/_/id/49019930/cftc-proposes-rules-limiting-prediction-markets-kalshi-sportshttps://www.theverge.com/business/948083/kalshi-prediction-markets-insider-tradingPentagon releases third tranche of UFO files, revealing more nothing: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ufo-files-pentagon-3rd-release-documents-videos/Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpT4K5ZElXECIA officer found with $40 million in gold bars and his entire life story was a lie: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/arrest-303-gold-bars-cia-officer-spun-tale-was-top-gun-fighter-pilot-rcna349037https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/10/us/politics/pentagon-cia-officer-gold-bars.htmlBathroom break during French Open match:https://apnews.com/article/arthur-gea-bathroom-break-french-open-3c031bafb4dd161fb074ccadb091e6d1Bryce Harper toothpaste insanity: https://apnews.com/article/bryce-harper-phillies-toothpaste-toothbrush-63653a5054c0acd4c2db43da48d75590Trump ruins the Knicks 13-game playoff win streak but then hopefully it's happy or something: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/08/trump-booed-knicks-spurs-madison-square-garden.htmlPete Hegseth’s fitness calamities continue to be impossibly funny: https://www.reddit.com/r/SipsTea/comments/1u3b1b4/hegseth_struggling_to_put_up_weight_at_guantanamo/
Transcribe →271: Skepticrat271 - Rats on a Lip Syncing Ship Edition
Jun 100:56:41Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode: Florida declares infinity plus ONE congressmen ... Bret Michaels had better things to do ... And we learn how a weighted penis bag might affect your weekend.To support our show on Patreon, go here:patreon.com/skepticratTo hear more from Evil Giraffes on Mars, go here:facebook.com/EvilGiraffesOnMarsGet great deals while supporting the show by checking out our sponsors:quince.com/skepticratmintmobile.com/skepticratauraframes.com (code: SKEPTICRAT)groundnews.com/skepticratHeadline Sources: Trump’s attempt at slush fund for Jan 6 rioters goes poorly: https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/29/politics/federal-judge-halts-work-on-trumps-anti-weaponization-fundJudge Allows Florida House Map That Could Add 4 Republican Seats: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/us/florida-congress-map-redistricting.htmlWere the Enhanced Games a Bust? - Organizers Are Upping the Ante to $10 Million: https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/story/enhanced-games-ten-million-rewardKash Patel's apparel site is trying to trick visitors into installing malware: https://www.pcmag.com/news/kash-patels-apparel-site-is-trying-to-trick-visitors-into-installing-malwareKa$h Patel actually does my joke 2 days later with custom engraved bourbon: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/05/kash-patel-fbi-bourbon/687066/Kash goes snorkeling at Pearl Harbor:https://newrepublic.com/post/210478/report-kash-patel-desperate-snorkel-graveyard-pearl-harborAlmost everybody pulls out of Trump’s stupid America rally and then he cancels it:: https://pagesix.com/entertainment/freedom-250-concert-festival-artists-backing-out-lineup/ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy02j1n87wloThe Knicks are in the finals and Donald Trump might ruin it: https://thespun.com/nba/knicks-fans-urged-to-ignore-president-trump-at-nba-finalsClavicular gives penismaxxing advice and gets mogged by a judge: https://www.wonkette.com/p/dont-go-taking-any-penis-advice-from
Transcribe →270: Skepticrat270 - Taipei Personality Edition
May 1800:49:11Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode: Marsh will explain British elections just in time for the empire to fall ... Donald Trump gets through his China visit without jumping out of the car at a red light and running around it ... and Trump supporters still won't have their gold phones.To support our show on Patreon, go here:patreon.com/skepticratTo hear more from Evil Giraffes on Mars, go here:facebook.com/EvilGiraffesOnMarsGet great deals while supporting the show by checking out our sponsors:mintmobile.com/skepticratquince.com/skepticratHeadlines sources:Trump’s China summit: https://www.opb.org/article/2026/05/15/key-takeaways-from-trumps-china-trip/England Local election results 2026:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2026/england/results#council-scoreboard The More Than 30 Scandal-Hit Reform Candidates Elected Last Week:https://bylinetimes.com/2026/05/12/the-more-than-30-scandal-hit-reform-candidates-elected-last-week/How Mamdani and Hochul Are Solving New York City’s Budget Crisishttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/12/nyregion/mamdani-budget-nyc.htmlTrump phone shenanigans: https://www.pcmag.com/news/after-delays-scam-accusations-trump-mobile-says-t1-phone-ships-this-week https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/nation-world/trump-mobile-shipping-gold-t1-phones-after-nearly-a-year-of-delays/507-28f15b24-fc2a-45b0-bea1-23effcad36b5Favorites to Win Eurovision:https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/15/arts/music/eurovision-song-contest-favorites.html
Transcribe →269: Skepticrat269 - Kash Heap of History Edition
May 400:53:04Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode: Claude takes a proactive approach to the tech sector ... Another would-be Trump assassin turns out to be as inept as his intended victim ... And Trump realizes that if you fire all of science, the lying thing works itself out in payroll.To support our show on Patreon, go here:patreon.com/skepticratTo hear more from Evil Giraffes on Mars, go here:facebook.com/EvilGiraffesOnMarsGet great deals while supporting the show by checking out our sponsors:mintmobile.com/skepticratauraframes.com (code: SKEPTICRAT)quince.com/skepticratgroundnews.com/skepticratbetterhelp.com/skepticratHeadline Sources:White House Correspondents' Dinner attack: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/04/27/politics/conspiracy-theories-whcd-attackClaude-powered AI agent’s confession after deleting a firm’s entire database: ‘I violated every principle I was given’:https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/29/claude-ai-deletes-firm-databaseKing Prince Charles lectures America on the dangers of monarchy: https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-us-state-visit-trump-congress-4cd294e6333b4a9ba7ada2af4dd71aa9Kash Patel sues The Atlantic for pointing out he's drunk all the time: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/04/kash-patel-fbi-director-drinking-absences/686839/https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/kash-patels-implausible-lawsuit-against-the-atlanticTrump fires entire advisory board of National Science Foundation: https://apnews.com/article/national-science-board-nsf-trump-6a23f3ab1b4c6eb131b4e79d95b3536fEverest guides accused of poisoning foreign climbers to force fake rescues in $20m scam: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/mount-everest-climb-nepal-insurance-scam-sherpa-poisoning-b2952027.html#
Transcribe →268: Skepticrat268 - First Lady Doth Protest Too Much Edition
Apr 2000:55:44Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode: It's been 12 years worth of weeks this month ... We all continue to be more qualified to run the FBI than Kash Patel ... And thanks to Donald Trump, the Strait of Hormuz exists in a quantum state of close-open.To support our show on Patreon, go here:patreon.com/skepticratTo hear more from Evil Giraffes on Mars, go here:facebook.com/EvilGiraffesOnMarsGet great deals while supporting the show by checking out our sponsors:auraframes.com (code: SKEPTICRAT)quince.com/skepticratmintmobile.com/skepticratgroundnews.com/skepticratbetterhelp.com/skepticratHeadline Sources:Pete Hegseth does war crimes, calls media "pharisees", and quotes Pulp Fiction Ezekiel: https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5834822-hegseth-pulp-fiction-bible-reference/https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/16/us/politics/hegseth-military-iran-blockade.htmlMelania’s insane speech that nobody asked for: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/us/politics/melania-trump-jeffrey-epstein.html https://epsteinexposed.com/reports/melania-epstein-april-2026LIV golf is collapsing, which is awesome: https://www.news.com.au/sport/golf/liv-golf-on-brink-of-collapse-as-saudi-backers-consider-pulling-funding/news-story/00e48c301b5d90d0249035c959958ea4While Iran gets paid for oil in crypto, let's not forget all the giant crypto scamming: https://www.thestreet.com/crypto/markets/actor-ben-mckenzie-slams-bitcoin-on-jon-stewart-showMayor Mamdani is doing a great job: https://www.nyc.gov/content/100days/pages/mapKid Rock’s music tour is a sad, pathetic mess: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/rock-the-country-tour-prices-drop-jelly-roll-drops-out-1235548014/
Transcribe →267: Skepticrat267 - Quantum Foreign Entanglement Edition
Mar 2300:57:26Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode: "Iran So Far Away" becomes more than a Flock of Seagulls song ... Virtual reality will get all the more virtual by existing less ... And the Trump cabinet gets some sweet new kicks for their Foot Klan.To support our show on Patreon, go here:patreon.com/skepticratTo hear more from Evil Giraffes on Mars, go here:facebook.com/EvilGiraffesOnMarsGet great deals while supporting the show by checking out our sponsors:quince.com/skepticratmintmobile.com/skepticratgroundnews.com/skepticratauraframes.com (code: SKEPTICRAT)betterhelp.com/skepticratHeadline Sources:Trump starts looking for an off ramp in Iran: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/21/us/politics/trump-iran-offramp.html98th annual Academy Awards: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/15/movies/oscars-winners-list.htmlFormer DOGE guy can't define DEI in deposition video - judge orders video taken down: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/13/nyregion/doge-depositions-musk-lawsuit.htmlhttps://abcnews.com/Politics/groups-fight-release-doge-deposition-videos-after-judge/story?id=131150741DOGE was even dumber than we thought: https://fortune.com/2026/03/19/doge-cancelled-350000-hvac-grant-dei-lawsuit-elon-musk/https://mashable.com/article/former-doge-employees-deposition-inside-look-elon-musk-agencyZuckerberg reminds everyone that he’s not a business genius, he was just lucky: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/19/technology/mark-zuckerbergs-metaverse-vr-horizon-worlds.htmlTrump makes a Pearl Harbor joke to the Prime Minister of Japan: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/19/us/politics/trump-japan-pearl-harbor-oval-office-takaichi.htmlRubio, Vance wearing clown shoes because Trump is obsessed with Florsheim: https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/13/style/rubio-vance-big-shoes-florsheim-cechttps://www.wsj.com/style/fashion/trump-florsheim-shoes-tucker-carlson-jd-vance-bessent-448567abMegyn Kelly feuding with Mark Levin about micropenis:https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/03/mtg-megan-kelly-have-bizarre-feud-over-fox-news-hosts-genitals/
Transcribe →266: Skepticrat266 - Poly Noemial Edition
Mar 900:47:44Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode: The news plays our least favorite repeats of the 90s ... Reform UK will tell us that voting for any party other than them is cheating ... And Kristi Noem gets old yellered but she might need to get shot by a puppy if she wanders back.To support our show on Patreon, go here:patreon.com/skepticratTo hear more from Evil Giraffes on Mars, go here:facebook.com/EvilGiraffesOnMarsGet great deals while supporting the show by checking out our sponsors:groundnews.com/skepticratmintmobile.com/skepticratquince.com/skepticratauraframes.com (code: SKEPTICRAT)betterhelp.com/skepticratHeadline Sources:War with Iran:https://www.theinternet.boingsploosh.netPolymarket bans "nuclear detonation" bets:https://ground.news/article/2a768216-a0a1-44c0-8b14-e57702bfe1fbLord Mandelson arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office - BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cew8jde9pxqtAndrew released under investigation after arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office - BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx28yel4811oCallers to Washington State hotline press 2 for Spanish and get accented AI English instead:https://apnews.com/article/washington-dol-spanish-accent-ai-3a1b8438a5674c07242a8d48c057d5a3Kristi Noem fired and replaced with a guy named Markwayne:https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/06/politics/kristi-noem-lost-trump-markwayne-mullinGreen party wins Gorton and Denton byelection, pushing Labour to third place: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/27/green-party-wins-gorton-and-denton-byelection-in-blow-to-keir-starmerReform and Tories report ‘family voting’ allegations to watchdog | Byelections | The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/27/family-voting-allegations-gorton-and-denton-byelection-tories-reform-watchdogOsaka stunned by anonymous gold bar gift worth $3.6M to fix aging water pipes:https://apnews.com/article/japan-osaka-gold-donation-water-pipes-2f2e68017b7b041858c2de46a67be7ab
Transcribe →265: Skepticrat265 - Hellebuyck Stops Here Edition
Feb 2300:49:45Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode: The Supreme Court does a good thing to keep us on our toes ... Obama outs the aliens in hopes they’ll beam him up before it’s too late ... And RFK Jr. is the relatable kind of guy you wanna sit down and have a milk with.To support our show on Patreon, go here:patreon.com/skepticratTo hear more from Evil Giraffes on Mars, go here:facebook.com/EvilGiraffesOnMarsGet great deals while supporting the show by checking out our sponsors:mintmobile.com/skepticratgroundnews.com/skepticratquince.com/skepticratauraframes.com (code: SKEPTICRAT)betterhelp.com/skepticratHeadline Sources:Trump’s tariffs ruled invalid: https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-tariffs-trump-0485fcda30a7310501123e4931dba3f9How Mamdani’s Income and Property Tax Proposals Could Affect New Yorkers: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/nyregion/mamdani-millionaire-tax-property.htmlObama says we definitely don't have aliens at Area 51 wink:https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/16/politics/obama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intlCortina condom shortage: https://www.thestar.com/sports/olympics-and-paralympics/cortina-condom-shortage-athletes-were-given-10-000-free-condoms-at-the-olympics-they-disappeared/article_6136a95e-d991-4e4d-95c1-332585a3ed00.htmlhttps://youtube.com/shorts/3GF43uY2LkU?si=QOu31kbrpOkUo9W1SHENANIGANS at the Olympics: https://www.startribune.com/feuding-curlers-slushy-ice-and-other-shocking-olympics-scandals/601583262Trump hosts first “board of peace” meeting: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/19/trump-gets-his-board-of-peace-even-as-bigger-countries-steer-clear-00789617https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/20/azerbaijan-trump-board-peace-protestorsRFK Jr. and Kid Rock collaborate on MAHA video with hot tub and milk: https://www.thedailybeast.com/rfk-jr-and-kid-rock-bizarrely-strip-off-to-push-maha-agenda/
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