The Tom Woods Show Ep. 2750

America First After Trump: What Happens Next?
Guest: Clint Russell (Liberty Lockdown)
Date: April 9, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tom Woods welcomes Clint Russell, host of Liberty Lockdown, to discuss the turbulent political landscape after Trump and what the future of “America First” looks like. The conversation covers the MAGA movement’s transformation, the challenges of American foreign policy, the influencer ecosystem on the right, and the prospects for antiwar voices inside and outside the GOP. They dive into the problem of political consistency, the corrupting influence of money, possible presidential contenders for 2028, and the ongoing battle to preserve authentic dissent. The tone is frank, sometimes frustrated, and intentionally provocative.

Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. Personal Radicalization and the “Liberty” World ([01:07]-[02:36])

• Clint Russell shares his formative experiences: Waco, 9/11, and the COVID response as radicalizing moments.

  “Every time the government does something really egregious, it creates more of us. And unfortunately, they're doing a lot of egregious stuff.” — Clint [01:30]

• Influence of libertarian figures like Dave Smith and Ron Paul.
• The uniting power of shared outrage and skepticism toward official narratives.

2. COVID, War, and Disappointment in “Our Side” ([02:36]-[04:53])

• Tom expresses frustration at how many who saw through COVID hysteria are now embracing war propaganda.
• The MAGA divide: many former allies now fall in line with the next intervention.

  “If you didn't let Covid pull the wool over your eyes, you cannot possibly, you cannot possibly let this war do it.” — Tom [03:27]

• Disappointment that even supposed ‘America First’ influencers fold when push comes to shove.

3. The MAGA Movement and Mindless Cheerleading ([04:53]-[06:30])

• Clint’s viral tweet: He stands firm against war, calling Trump “insane” and challenging the notion that support for this war is “America First.”

  “This war is an abomination, and Trump is clearly insane. Keep clapping for the demise of our country. This ain't MAGA. This ain't America First.” — Clint [05:18]

• Interaction with a veteran highlights the pain of seeing friends die for lies in repeated interventions.
• Both lament the prevalence of uncritical ‘cult-ish’ thinking when someone’s “guy” is in power.

4. Trump’s Unfiltered Moments & Israel ([06:30]-[08:31])

• Trump's occasional candor: Admits US actions (like bombing Iran) were done for Israel, not US cities, despite prior official narratives.

  “I thought, that's just beautiful. He just flat out said it.” — Tom [07:05]

• Discussion of Trump’s revealing statements about supporting armed Iranian protesters and alleged CIA involvement.
• The “silver lining” of Trump: occasional accidental honesty, exposing foreign influence.

5. The Role of the Historian in a Propaganda Age ([08:57]-[10:08])

• Tom muses on the future of history-writing:

  “There’s never been a better time to be a historian who writes…” — Tom [09:56]

• The importance of tackling the “secret history” behind today's headlines, given deception in media and politics.

6. Hypocrisy in the MAGA Influencer World ([11:42]-[13:54])

• Clint names names: Attributes the sudden 180s of certain influencers to financial incentives, not sincere belief.

  “These people are being funded... they are literally being paid to lie to their audience to propagandize them.” — Clint [12:43]

• Cites “Project Esther” as an actual program funding pro-Israel messaging via American social media.
• Notes personal experience with being offered money for promotion and calls out the influencer class as the online equivalent of cable news shills.

7. Ethics, Selling Out, and the Algorithmic Rage Machine ([15:52]-[18:42])

• Tom and Clint reflect on the temptation—and refusal—to sell their principles for money.

  “The beautiful thing about making an honest living is I don’t need their money. ...I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I had it.” — Tom [15:53-16:20]

• Frustration with “rage engagement”: even negative comments boost grifter accounts.
• Clint advocates for sharp, high-visibility rebuttals to expose the shills and peel away followers.

8. The Challenge of Political and Cultural Resistance ([18:42]-[22:47])

• Shifting online landscapes: Facebook becomes less important; Twitter/X is the new battleground.
• Both feel compelled toward a more outspoken, “spicy” tone given the times.
• Clint argues: real passion and obvious outrage resonate with people—“that’s all they want.”
• Ongoing threats: continuous crises with no reprieve—COVID, Ukraine, now Iran.

9. What To Do About Systemic Corruption? ([22:47]-[26:05])

• Tom: The system’s evils run deeper than mere ignorance. Many know better but lie for a living.

  “Many of these people privately agree with you... they are just beating the drums because that's how they maintain.” — Clint [23:16]

• The reality: there is no voluntarist fantasy solution for stopping wars—only political engagement stands a chance, even if imperfect.

  “There is no voluntarist way to stop the war machine except in fantasy.” — Tom [25:03]

• Dilemma: Voting may not feel noble, but it is at least tangible.

10. Strategies for the Post-Trump Era ([26:05]-[28:28])

• Clint outlines a hybrid approach: vote as a tactic, punish the worst offenders, but also build 'algopolitical' alternatives (homeschooling, hard money, entrepreneurship).
• Importance of not putting all hope on any one path—“do all of the above.”
• Fantasy of a Thomas Massie presidential run—would unite frustrated, antiwar voters.

  “You're telling me you're not going to vote for Thomas Massie because you're homeschooling your kids? Like, you out of your fucking mind.” — Clint [28:02]

11. Prospects for 2028: Rand Paul, Thomas Massie, Tucker Carlson ([32:28]-[48:25])

Rand Paul

• Rand’s qualifications and limitations: Intellectual strength but possibly lacking “the fire.”
• Needs to prioritize antiwar message—balancing the budget isn’t the nation’s top concern now.

  “If now isn't the time, it never will be.” — Tom [33:37] “The only way... is to take the Thomas Massie path.” — Clint [34:26]

• If Rand doesn’t seize the moment, he should throw his weight behind Massey.

Thomas Massie

• Massie’s unique authenticity: Consistently antiwar, willing to take unpopular stances.
• Facing a massively funded primary challenge backed by establishment dollars—losing him would be a huge blow to the liberty coalition.

  “If they're that scared of Thomas Massie, we need to be that defensive of Thomas Massie.” — Clint [41:43]

Tucker Carlson

• Tucker as a wild card: Incredible rhetorical skills, a true “heir apparent” to MAGA’s betrayed base.

  “I think he's the most important voice in the country, if not the world right now, by far.” — Clint [46:54]

• Outspoken on Israel and foreign lobbies, Christian ethos, and not just repeating Fox talking points. Could unite populist, post-Trump Right.
• If he runs, would instantly own the debate stage and attract the antiwar, antiestablishment vote.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Clint: “Every time the government does something really egregious, it creates more of us.” (01:30)
• Tom: “If you didn't let Covid pull the wool over your eyes, you cannot possibly let this war do it.” (03:27)
• Clint: “This war is an abomination, and Trump is clearly insane.” (05:18)
• Clint: “These people are being funded... literally being paid to lie to their audience.” (12:43)
• Tom: “There is no voluntarist way to stop the war machine except in fantasy.” (25:03)
• Clint: “You're telling me you're not going to vote for Thomas Massie because you're homeschooling your kids? Like, you out of your fucking mind.” (28:02)
• Clint: “I think he's the most important voice in the country, if not the world right now, by far.” (46:54)

Memorable Moments

• Clint’s frank naming of paid pro-war influencers, with a detailed explanation of the financial incentives behind online propaganda. (11:42–13:54)
• Both hosts expressing disappointment at former anti-COVID heroes who have sided with the new war machine. (03:42–04:53)
• The idea that some influencers “privately agree” but sell out their audiences anyway. (23:09–23:24)
• A candid discussion of the difficulty in maintaining antiwar consistency within the political system—expressing a mix of idealism, resignation, and stubborn activism. (25:03–26:10)
• Tucker Carlson's monologues called “unimprovable” and a possible blueprint for future “America First” messaging. (44:24–48:25)

Outlook and Takeaways

• The “America First” movement is at a crossroads: many prior allies have abandoned antiwar principles in favor of party or personal gain.
• The influencer ecosystem, fueled by foreign and corporate money, skews public discourse and punishes sincerity.
• The only hope for realignment lies in risk-taking leaders who will say the unsayable and endure the backlash. Massie, perhaps Rand (if bolder), and, in a wildcard scenario, Tucker Carlson, are identified as possible lifelines.
• The battle is uphill—with massive institutional money and inertia—but the right message, delivered with honesty and courage, still has a chance to break through.

For further insights and raw discussion, listen to the full episode or follow Clint Russell at Liberty Lockdown and Tom Woods for consistent, principled, and passionate takes on liberty and American politics.