UNBIASED Politics – December 18, 2025

Episode Theme:
This end-of-year episode, hosted by Jordan Berman, delivers an impartial breakdown of major political news—including President Trump’s executive actions on AI and fentanyl, a deep dive into the $901B National Defense Authorization Act passed by Congress, detailed fact-checking of President Trump’s year-end address, and a heartwarming round-up of good news from the podcast’s community.

Executive Orders: AI & Fentanyl

[00:27–17:30]

1. Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence

• Purpose of Executive Orders:
  • Jordan explains that executive orders direct federal agencies on how to implement policy—they don’t create new laws or override laws set by Congress.
  • "When you hear executive order... it's less about changing the law and it's more about telling federal agencies, hey, this is how I want you to operate." — Jordan (00:59)
• Key Points of the AI Executive Order:
  • Moves to centralize AI regulation at the federal (not state) level.
  • Directs the Justice Department to challenge state AI laws in court that conflict with federal policy.
  • Empowers agencies to potentially restrict federal funding for states with restrictive AI laws.
  • Instructs regulators to use federal preemption (“federal standards prevail”).
  • Urges Congress to draft permanent AI legislation; the executive order is inherently limited in scope and effect.
• Limitations & Outlook:
  • Doesn't invalidate state AI laws—states are already promising legal challenges.
  • Efficacy will depend on court rulings and future Congressional action.
  • "The executive order is less about regulating AI itself. It’s more about who gets to make the rules. It’s sort of a power setting move." — Jordan (04:33)

2. Executive Order Classifying Fentanyl as Weapon of Mass Destruction

• Summary:
  • Reframes fentanyl crisis from public health/drug problem to national security threat.
  • Directs agencies (DOJ, State, Treasury, Defense, Homeland Security) to use full government tools (legal, financial, intelligence, even military) against fentanyl trafficking.
  • "The order tells federal agencies to use as many government tools as possible...to go after production, movement and financing of illegal fentanyl and the chemicals that are used to make it." — Jordan (08:26)
• What Does Not Change:
  • Legal, medical fentanyl remains unaffected (hospitals, doctors, patients).
  • Criminal laws for average Americans do not automatically change.
• New Powers:
  • Allows targeting of trafficking networks as national security threats with sanctions, asset freezes, intelligence tools.

Congress Approves $901B National Defense Authorization Act

[12:36–17:40]

Context: Authorization vs. Appropriation

• Authorization Bill:
  • NDAA sets policies and lays out what the Pentagon is allowed to do, but does not supply the actual money.
  • Appropriations bills are required to provide funding (without them, newly authorized programs can't start).
  • "The NDAA answers the question: What is the military allowed to do? Appropriations answer: Do they have the money to do it?" — Jordan (13:57)

NDAA Highlights

• 3.8% pay raise for service members
• Eliminates DEI offices and training; cuts $1.6B from climate change programs
• Bans biological men from women’s sports at military academies
• Provides $400M/year in weapons for Ukraine (for next two years)
• Maintains 76,000 U.S. troops in Europe
• Repeals 1991 and 2002 Iraq war authorizations
• Authorizes use of military at US-Mexico border; allows Golden Dome missile defense system deployment
• "That's definitely not everything in this 3,000-plus page bill, but those are provisions getting the most attention." — Jordan (15:53)
• New programs can’t start yet due to ongoing “no new start” restrictions under a continuing resolution, except for military construction and VA, which are fully funded.

Fact-Checking President Trump’s End-of-Year Address

[18:09–42:00]

Jordan systematically fact-checks 14 claims from President Trump’s recent address:

Notable Fact-Checks

1. Inflation at 48-year high when Trump took office?

   • FALSE. Inflation was ~3%, not at a peak. The highest rate, 9.1%, was under Biden in June 2022.
   • "When Trump took office in January, inflation was back down to 3%." — Jordan (18:46)

2. "Country invaded by 25 million" under Biden?

   • FALSE. Pew: Undocumented population peaked at 14 million in 2023; 7.4 million illegal crossings under Biden.
   • "So 7.4 million, not 25 million." — Jordan (19:40)

3. Trump won the popular vote in 7 swing states & nationwide?

   • TRUE. Trump: 77.3M votes; Harris: 75M.

4. “Zero illegal aliens allowed in for 7 months”

   • TRUE, for official entries. But doesn’t mean zero illegal crossings, only zero officially allowed.
   • "CBP has not allowed anyone in...but it's possible some people have still entered the United States illegally." — Jordan (20:25)

5. Drugs by ocean/sea down 94%?

   • No data to confirm/deny.

6. “Settled 8 wars in 10 months” & Middle East peace?

   • Exaggerated. Jordan lists six conflicts (only one a formal war) attributed to Trump’s efforts.
   • "The accurate way to state Trump's claim: helped settle six conflicts, including one war, in 10 months." — Jordan (22:25)
   • Middle East has seen other periods of relative peace in 3,000 years.

7. Gas prices & $1.99/gallon states?

   • Mostly FALSE. Few stations at $1.99; no state average that low. National average is $2.90 (AAA).

8. Thanksgiving turkey down 33%, eggs down 82%?

   • PARTLY TRUE. Turkey price fell ~16%, not 33%. Eggs down 54% from March high.

9. Real wages dropped $3000 under Biden, up $1300 under Trump?

   • Unclear. Jordan says real wages fell by about $860 under Biden; Trump increases unverifiable.

10. Wages rising faster than inflation?

    • TRUE. 3.5% wage growth vs 2.7% inflation.

11. $18 trillion investment claim?

    • Doubtful. White House lists $9.6T.

12. “Big beautiful bill” tax cuts (tips, overtime, Social Security)?

    • Partially True. Deduction for tips/overtime exists but with limits; Social Security still taxed but new deduction applies for 65+.

13. Mortgage costs up $15,000, down $3,000 recently?

    • Partly True. Surge under Biden, but savings since then closer to $540 for most people.

14. “Warrior dividend” ($1,776 bonus for 1.45M troops)?

    • Technically Correct. Funded via housing supplement in recent legislation, not a new bonus.

Quick News Roundup

[42:01–45:07]

• FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino resigns ("with upcoming midterms, Bongino wants to return to his show...").
• Pentagon (Sec. Hegseth): will not release unedited strike video to public, only to key committees.
• Federal admission of fault in January air accident (Army helicopter & American Eagle Flight 5342).
• CDC: New guidance—babies born to hep B-negative mothers may delay first vaccine dose to 2 months.
• White House ballroom construction: Judge blocks below-ground work temporarily pending review.
• Inflation: November CPI up 2.7% over prior year; continues downward trend.
• HHS: Hospitals/doctors may lose federal funds if they provide gender transition care to minors.
• Marijuana reclassification: New EO directs rescheduling to Schedule 3, easing research (doesn’t legalize).

Year-End GOOD NEWS! (Listener Stories)

[45:37–end]

Jordan reads out moving stories sent in from listeners, highlighting courage, resilience, and kindness across the country.

Notable Highlights

• Tim’s Stem Cell Donation: Reflecting on a decade since his mother’s cancer, Tim is now donating stem cells to help another patient.
  • "No matter our differences, everyone deserves a chance to live a happy, healthy life..." — Tim (46:10)
• Alicia’s Husband Receives a Kidney: Her best friend donated, both are healthy.
• M starts Riverstone Dye Company: Community rallied behind her when she launched the website.
• Michelle: Celebrated 12 years of sobriety.
• Mike, Civics Teacher: Recommends the podcast in his election-year civics class. Shout out to student Claire.
• Emily Ann: Landed dream job in the revitalized film industry.
• Jessica & John: John, who has Down Syndrome, graduated and launched Java John’s Coffee.
• Havana: Completed her Master’s in Public Health while parenting two toddlers and working three jobs.
• Pamela: Recounts inherited craft supplies; a quilt with her late mother’s stitching is transformed into cherished art.
• Russ: Broke both wrists/elbows in a bike accident—community and church provided financial and meal support.
• Amber: Family’s meal paid by a stranger during a rough restaurant moment.
• Many small celebrations: Listeners share personal milestones—academic success, new jobs and homes, recovery from injury, starting flight school, opening businesses, and more.

Closing Note (Jordan)

"I can't thank you enough for being here... Enjoy these next couple of weeks and I will talk to you soon." (End of episode)

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• "The executive order is less about regulating AI itself. It's more about who gets to make the rules." — Jordan (04:33)
• "The NDAA answers the question: What is the military allowed to do? Appropriations answer: Do they have the money to do it?" — Jordan (13:57)
• "CBP has not allowed anyone in...but it's possible some people have still entered the United States illegally." — Jordan (20:25)
• "No matter our differences, everyone deserves a chance to live a happy, healthy life and in the end, we are all human beings who deserve kindness, love and respect." — Tim (from listener story, 46:10)

Episode Structure Summary

1. Executive Orders: AI regulation (national vs. state), fentanyl as WMD
2. Congress: Key provisions and context of $901B NDAA
3. Fact-Check: Fourteen major claims from Trump’s address; data, context, and nuance
4. Quick Hitters: Important headlines in brief
5. Listener Good News: Diverse, uplifting stories from listeners
6. Jordan’s Sign-Off: Thanks listeners, teases coming news for 2026

This episode stands out for its steady, precise news coverage and the personal, positive stories that provide a hopeful, communal close to the year.