Podcast
The Skepticrat
Hosted by Puzzle in a Thunderstorm, LLC · EN
Covering politics from the far center
33episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
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/
Transcribe →264: Skepticrat264 - Files To Go Before I Sleep Edition
Feb 900:55:20Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode: Olympians will get private about their jump technique, two thirds of us will not appear in the Epstein files, and we're gonna make you wait way too long to learn which of us is the third.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:Epstein document release: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/epstein-files-key-takeaways-trump-musk-rcna256713What do emails between Mandelson and Epstein say?https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz9vz8d0n85o 'I never left your side': Emails reveal more about Mandelson's Epstein friendshiphttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cevn33kgxgmoMandelson offered to help Epstein get Russian visa, documents suggesthttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0r4knee4gno ‘Penis injection’ claims in Winter Olympics ski jumping investigated by Wadahttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/feb/05/penis-injection-doping-claims-in-winter-olympics-ski-jumping-investigated-by-wadaDid Trump shit himself on live television? https://uk.news.yahoo.com/no-credible-evidence-trump-pooped-002800721.htmlFarage unveils plan to cut price of pint by reinstating two-child benefit caphttps://metro.co.uk/2026/02/03/farage-unveils-plan-cut-price-pint-reinstating-two-child-benefit-cap-26689701/ Braverman and Jenrick 'accidentally' vote for two child cap to be removed in blunderhttps://www.lbc.co.uk/article/braverman-jenrick-accidentally-vote-two-child-cap-5HjdRpJ_2/ Rupert Lowe’s sim-plistic approach to counting migrantshttps://x.com/RupertLowe10/status/2014083705493483760 / https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/rats-in-a-sack-rupert-lowes-sim-plistic-approach-to-counting-migrants/ (https://archive.is/Ch84S)Ukip logo 'linked to Nazi symbol' thrown out by Electoral Commissionhttps://www.thenational.scot/news/25799148.ukip-logo-linked-nazi-symbol-thrown-electoral-commission/Rep. Nancy Mace made aides upvote her in Reddit “who’s hotter” posts, former staff allegehttps://dailydot.com/nancy-mace-reddit-pollsPolice chief retires over Israeli fans ban rowhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c77k670ez6yo
Transcribe →263: Skepticrat263 - Moral Kombat Edition
Jan 2601:02:10Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode: After crossing a red line, Trump goes yellow on Greenland ... A Venezuelan Nobel Peace Prize winner bribes a demon kid so she won’t get wished into the cornfield ... And Republicans invite the world's leading expert on Donald Trump's crime to headline a big public hearing on Donald Trump's crime.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 at Davos: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/21/us/politics/trump-davos-speech-takeaways.htmlhttps://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/trump-davos-speech-greenland-stupid-moments.htmlProtest at Minnesota Church Service Adds to Tensions Over ICE Tactics: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/us/politics/minnesota-church-protest-ice.htmlWhite House Uses AI to Alter Protester’s Face So That She’s Sobbing: https://nz.news.yahoo.com/white-house-uses-ai-alter-211105749.htmlGuinea-Bissau halts RFK Jr. inspired Hep B vaccine trial: https://apnews.com/article/guinea-bissau-suspends-us-hepatitis-b-study-9d172d68afb36c62a85d1236f639ddcfJournalist Laura Jedeed applied for a job at ICE as a joke and got the job way too easily:https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2026/01/ice-recruitment-minneapolis-shooting.htmlICE agents slipping on ice in Minnesota and falling so hard:https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/16/us/minneapolis-ice-protest-winter-weather.htmlICE slipping on ice montage: https://www.reddit.com/r/Minneapolis/comments/1qaljce/ice_agents_slipping_on_ice_a_montage/Machado Presents Trump With Her Nobel Peace Prize Medal: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/world/americas/machado-trump-meeting-nobel-peace-prize.htmlJack Smith testifies before congress: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/us/politics/takeaways-jack-smith-congress-testimony.html
Transcribe →262: Skepticrat262 - Klanifest Destiny Edition
Jan 1200:56:27Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode: We’ll talk about the most dangerous ICE on the roads ... Elon Musk will show us what he really meant about making Twitter the everything app ... And the original 6-7 is a sex thing that came from Monica Geller on Friends.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/skepticratauraframes.com (code: SKEPTICRAT)groundnews.com/skepticratbetterhelp.com/skepticratHeadline Sources:ICE agent Jonathan Ross executes Renee Good: https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000010631041/minneapolis-ice-shooting-video.htmlhttps://www.cnn.com/2026/01/09/us/ice-shooting-minneapolis-renee-good-cell-phone-invshttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/us/politics/trump-minnesota-ice-shooting-video.htmlWe took Venezuela:https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/us/politics/trump-capture-maduro-venezuela.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/01/09/trump-machado-meet-peace-prize/Elon Musk’s Grok Apologizes After Generating Sexual Image of Young Girls: https://www.newsweek.com/grok-apology-deepfake-images-sexualized-young-women-pornography-11297025 Elon Musk's Grok AI image editing limited to paid X users after deepfakes: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99kn52nx9do Betty Boop and Blondie enter the public domain: https://apnews.com/article/public-domain-2026-betty-boop-40cb2f7a30ba9d7aec0bfc9191ab02c1Trump says he's taking Greenland too: https://ground.news/article/us-weighs-paying-greenlanders-up-to-100-000-to-leave-denmark-reuters_076ad6https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/world/americas/trump-greenland-annex.htmlTen found guilty of cyber-bullying Brigitte Macron: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c78v6z7597yo Viral ‘6-7' tops 2025 list of overused words and phrases: https://apnews.com/article/2025-words-slang-phrases-list-university-67-59f896e28b7b16edfdfcc453a8af388a
Transcribe →261: Skepticrat261 - Butter Emails Side Down Edition
Dec 1500:49:28Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode: Kash Patel calls shotgun ... We will be shocked to find out what a young Nigel Farage thought about jews and brown people ... And Eli's a narc about medical marijuana.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/skepticratauraframes.com (code: SKEPTICRAT)groundnews.com/skepticratbetterhelp.com/skepticratHeadline Sources:Kash Patel is giant embarrassment who wouldn't leave his plane without an FBI jacket: https://nypost.com/2025/11/30/opinion/damning-report-labels-fbi-rudderless-ship-under-kash-patel-with-he-and-dan-bongino-more-concerned-with-building-personal-resumes/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democrats-probe-fbi-director-kash-patel-fbi-gulfstream-jet/https://people.com/fbi-director-kash-patel-directed-security-detail-to-drive-girlfriend-friend-home-report-11862942Farage turns on broadcasters over racism allegations as number of claims hits 28: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/dec/04/farage-turns-on-broadcasters-racism-allegations-bbcIndiana Lawmakers Reject Trump’s New Political Map: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/us/indiana-senate-redistricting-republicans.htmlFeds bring woman to US to face charges, then say she's here illegally:https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/12/10/extradition-deportation-belarus-russia/The Liz Truss Show review – hapless ravings from a cupboard: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/dec/05/the-liz-truss-show-review-hapless-ravings-from-a-closetBeware the Liz Truss chatshow - viewers will require survivor therapy: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/dec/06/welcome-to-the-liz-truss-chatshow-but-beware-viewers-may-end-up-in-survivors-therapy Review of Medical Cannabis Use Finds Little Evidence of Benefit: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/health/medical-cannabis-benefits.html
Transcribe →260: Skepticrat260 - Bubba Trump Pimp Company Edition
Nov 1700:51:58Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode: The Epstein files completely ignore Trump’s golf score ... Donald Trump hides his declaration of war behind a lace fan ... And Andrew Cuomo just keeps losing elections to the same guy.To support our show on Patreon, go here:patreon.com/skepticratTo hear more from Evil Giraffes on Mars, go here:facebook.com/EvilGiraffesOnMarsAnother amazing word of the day from Susie Dent:https://bsky.app/profile/susiedent.comGet great deals while supporting the show by checking out our sponsors:quince.com/skepticratauraframes.com (code: SKEPTICRAT)groundnews.com/skepticratbetterhelp.com/skepticratHeadline Sources:New emails released from Epstein files:https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/us/politics/epstein-emails-trump.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/business/media/epstein-trump-emails-conservative-media.htmlTrump summons Boebert in order to pressure against Epstein files release: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/us/politics/trump-epstein-vote-boebert.htmlDemocrats cave on shutdown: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/held-democratic-voters-support-party-after-shutdown-ends/story?id=127542740Trump would like to go to war with Venezuela, please: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-venezuela-sort-of-made-up-mind-after-top-officials-spent-3rd-day/Big wins on Election Day: https://apnews.com/article/virginia-new-jersey-trump-election-democrat-republican-fad109893cfd4be5b49a5bb1b0138d8dDrinking is cool: https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/heavy-drinking-youth-career-success-b92scqwdhRussian robot faceplants in its debut: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/technology/ai-robot-russia-falls.html
Transcribe →259: Skepticrat259 - Heath is Furloughed Edition
Nov 300:30:00Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode: We’ll check in with American democracy quick while we still can ... Our trip to Europe matches up with a jewel heist as a COINCIDENCE ... And Elon Musk will continue to try to build a world where he’s right rather than admit he was wrong.Learn more about Vulgarity for Charity here: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/To support our show on Patreon, go here:https://www.patreon.com/skepticratTo hear more from Evil Giraffes on Mars, go here:https://www.facebook.com/EvilGiraffesOnMars
Transcribe →258: Skepticrat258 - Young Republicans Chat the Bed Edition
Oct 2000:40:03Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode: RFK Jr. tries to give Tylenol credit for Eli's son's puzzle skills ... It turns out Hitler was just a young guy making offensive jokes ... And Dr. Phil is a sad pile of failure. To support our show on Patreon, go here: patreon.com/skepticrat To hear more from Evil Giraffes on Mars, go here: facebook.com/EvilGiraffesOnMars Another amazing word of the day from Susie Dent: https://bsky.app/profile/susiedent.com Get great deals while supporting the show by checking out our sponsors: quince.com/skepticrat groundnews.com/skepticrat betterhelp.com/skepticrat auraframes.com (code: SKEPTICRAT) Headline Sources: Young Republicans' group chat: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/14/private-chat-among-young-gop-club-members-00592146 NYC mayoral race debate featuring Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10/16/nyregion/nyc-mayor-debate-mamdani-cuomo-sliwa RFK Jr. v Tylenol continues: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/reupping-unproven-claims-about-tylenol-kennedy-claims-a-link-between-circumcision-and-autism DHS claims that Mexican cartels are offering bounties on ICE officers up to $50,000: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/16/mexico-sheinbaum-cartel-bounties-immigration-officials Bari Weiss is now editor-in-chief of CBS News: https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/10/queer-anti-woke-journalist-bari-weiss-is-now-cbs-news-editor-in-chief-thats-troubling/ Everything going very badly for Dr. Phil: https://slate.com/business/2025/10/dr-phil-mcgraw-donald-trump-merit-media-maga.html https://www.nationalmemo.com/dr-phil-bankrupt
Transcribe →257: Skepticrat257 - Eyes Wide Shutdown Edition
Oct 600:48:38Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode: Trump gives the troops a talking to ... Republicans get more frightened by a bunny than anyone since Arthurian England ... And ICE completely missed a big opportunity at the UN General Assembly.To support our show on Patreon, go here:patreon.com/skepticratTo hear more from Evil Giraffes on Mars, go here:facebook.com/EvilGiraffesOnMarsAnother amazing word of the day from Susie Dent:https://bsky.app/profile/susiedent.comGet great deals while supporting the show by checking out our sponsors:quince.com/skepticratExpressVPN.com/skepticratgroundnews.com/skepticratbetterhelp.com/skepticratauraframes.com (code: SKEPTICRAT)Headline Sources:Hegseth and Trump lecture generals and admirals: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/us/politics/hegseth-military-officers.htmlhttps://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/30/hegseth-meeting-pushback-00588181Government shuts down, Trump DESPERATELY blames Democrats: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crrj1znp0pyoMAGA has racist, homophobic meltdown over Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance: https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/09/demonic-maga-has-homophobic-meltdown-over-bad-bunnys-super-bowl-performance/Trump claims the UN sabotaged his escalator and teleprompter at UNGA: https://www.npr.org/2025/09/25/nx-s1-5553272/trump-escalator-united-nations-investigationIranian diplomats attending UNGA banned from Costco: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/world/middleeast/iran-diplomats-costco-ban-trump.htmlStuck in Traffic, French President Macron Calls Trump About His Motorcade: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/us/macron-trump-unga-motorcade.htmlA zoo in Denmark asked patrons to donate their pets for food:https://www.npr.org/2025/08/06/nx-s1-5493363/denmark-zoo-donate-pets-feeding-animalsTrump wants his face on a dollar coin: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/03/treasury-department-trump-dollar-coin-00593368
Transcribe →