September 16, 2025 • 24 mins
The Monday Fallout starts this week off with Trump once again waving the banner of emergency. The word itself is supposed to create urgency, fear, action. But when it gets used over and over, what is left of its meaning?
Next comes the battle over TikTok. On the surface it is framed as a matter of national security. Scratch a little deeper and the question becomes what the real truth is in this ongoing and delayed battle.
TikTok is no longer just a distraction filled with dances and jokes. It has become a global chessboard where algorithms and ownership carry more weight than speeches. When deals are struck, the question is not who owns the app but who owns the influence.
George Santos steps into the spotlight again, only this time the stage is a courtroom. A man who built his career on fabrications finds himself caught in a ruling that shines a light on truth, comedy, and consequence.
The pattern is hard to ignore. Emergencies that blur into reruns. Security that may not be secure at all. A public figure who cannot outrun the punchline of his own story.
These are not just headlines. They are signals of how power is used and how the narrative is managed. When the same storylines keep circling back, the repetition itself becomes part of the message.
Questions remain. What happens when extraordinary powers start to feel routine. What happens when the justification of security sounds more like the language of profit. What happens when the performance finally crashes into accountability.
This episode is not about settling those questions but raising them in full view. The answers are not packaged, the direction is not obvious, and that is what makes them worth asking.
By the time it ends, the stories of Trump, TikTok, and Santos look less like separate headlines and more like pieces of the same larger play. The stage is crowded, the audience is restless, and the performance keeps repeating until someone decides to call it out.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is a World Gone Mad.
This is a World Gone Mad, mad,mad, mad, mad.
Hello, I'm Jeff Allen Wolfe.
Welcome back to A World GoneMad.
And it's time for anotherMonday Fallout, where the week
starts off heavy.
So I make it lighter for you bythrowing it back in
(00:23):
Washington's face.
The headlines are crazy, thespin out of control.
I make it lighter for you bythrowing it back in Washington's
face the headlines are crazy,the spin out of control.
And I'm here to call it outwith honesty, caffeine and just
enough sanity to get us allthrough Monday.
Okay, here we go.
First story for the fallouttoday.
(00:43):
Didn't we just see this episode?
Trump declared a nationalemergency in DC.
He played federal cop for 30days, he then ended it and now
he's back again threateninganother one.
Why?
Because the mayor won't letlocal cops moonlight as ICE's
(01:08):
little sidekicks.
I swear Donald declaresnational emergencies like most
of us declare.
We're starting a diet tomorrow.
And let me ask you, the Wolfpacklistener, how many times do you
want to hear the words nationalemergency before they stop
meeting anything?
Is it still an emergency if ithappens every couple of weeks,
(01:31):
or is it just another day of theweek?
Think about it.
Last time Donald parachuted in,he federalized the DC police,
strutted around like the world'soldest hall monitor and then
poof, 30 days later it's overand here we go again.
(01:51):
Does this feel like leadershipor like the world's worst binge
watch, where every season is thesame plot recycled?
Do you actually feel safer whenTrump federalizes DC police?
Or does it just look likeanother power grab dressed up in
(02:11):
sirens and headlines?
And here's the absurdityImmigration enforcement is
already federal, ice alreadyexists, so why is Trump treating
local cops like unpaid internswho need to fetch him coffee and
deportation papers?
Do you want your city policeworking traffic accidents and
(02:35):
robberies or checking greencards at a Chipotle?
And the deeper question howmany emergencies can one
president declare before theword is as hollow as new and
improved on a cereal box?
Does this feel like protectingthe country?
Or does it feel like a realityshow gimmick to keep Trump's
(02:59):
name crawling across the bottomof the screen every night?
And maybe here's the biggerpicture nobody's talking about.
Is this just chaos for chaos'ssake, or is it the first step in
something larger?
Is this about normalizingemergencies so Trump can declare
them everywhere, city by city,state by state, until federal
(03:24):
control feels routine.
Is this the frustrating stepthat Donald is taking to make
troops on American streets seemnormal?
What do you, the listener,think?
Because here's the truthNational emergencies should be
rare.
They should matter.
They should make your stomachdrop, not your eyes roll.
(03:48):
But under Trump they're likeHappy Meal toys there's always a
new one in the bag.
So to the Wolfpack listeners,what do you think?
Is this leadership or is thischaos dressed up in a uniform?
Because if we don't talk aboutit, if we don't push back, then
the reruns become the new normal.
(04:09):
And personally, I'm not signingup for season three of Trump.
Takes DC, are you?
And speaking of reruns, nobodyasked for Trump's now overseas
playing international dealmaker.
Yep in London announcing morethan $10 billion in agreements
(04:30):
with the Brits covering tech,artificial intelligence, nuclear
energy and defense.
And of course, it's wrapped ina state visit with pomp royals
and cameras everywhere.
Think James Bond meets Big Macsand tax cuts.
It's less 007 and more 047undignity.
(04:52):
So let's break this down.
Wolfpack, $10 billion in dealsSounds huge, right, but ask
yourself who benefits.
Do you think that cash is goinginto your pocket, your kid's
school, your local hospital, ordo you think it's padding
defense contractors, nuclearfirms and data center deals so
(05:14):
big you'd need a telescope tosee the trickle down.
Now here's the part they don'tput in the headlines.
Buried in this deal is anuclear pact, britain and the US
agreeing to basically accepteach other's safety reviews so
reactors can be approved fasterFaster nuclear approvals.
(05:34):
Does that make you feel moresecure?
Or does it sound like shavingoff guardrails so companies can
say, hey, it's passed over there, no need to check here?
Would you buy a used car basedon someone else's inspection
across the ocean?
Then why are we doing it withnuclear reactors?
(05:58):
And let's talk optics, because,make no mistake, this visit is
designed for photos.
Trump shaking hands with royalsflashing that smile that looks
like a staple-on smilesurrounded by pomp and
circumstance.
My question to you, thelistener do you buy the image of
Trump as an internationalstatesman, or do you see a guy
(06:22):
trying to play James Bond whileactually giving off Austin
Powers energy yeah, baby, butwith executive orders and let's
go bigger picture.
Deals like this are supposed tosymbolize unity, strength,
partnership, but it is reallyabout partnership.
(06:43):
Is it at all about partnership,or is it about headlines?
Do you honestly think Trump isfocused on long-term stability,
or is this about flying homewith a stack of press clippings
that say $10 billion?
Man?
Ask yourself when you hearabout billions in deals overseas
(07:05):
, do you feel proud or do youfeel like the guy who was left
out of the group dinner checkwhile everyone else passed the
bill to you?
Because, dear listener, that'sthe reality.
The deals sound grand, but theyrarely touch the lives of the
(07:26):
people listening right now, inyour car or in your kitchen.
And here's the absurd cherry ontop Trump gets to stand next to
the royals, bask in the cameras,act like he's a king on a
mission, when in reality it'smore like Mr Bean with a nuclear
contract.
Do you trust him in that role?
(07:49):
Do you feel safer knowingnuclear approvals are being
fast-tracked because abillionaire and a monarch
thought it would look good on TV?
That's what I want to know,because to me, this isn't about
partnership, it isn't aboutprogress, it's about spectacle
(08:09):
and if we don't call it out,we're all extras in Trump's
badly written movie.
See here Global leadership orglobal theater.
Do you feel like this dealstrengthens your future or just
(08:30):
strengthens Trump's photo album?
Because if the only thing weget from this trip is another
picture of Trump pretending tobe an international bond figure,
then I say the movie's a flop.
All right, everyone, let's movefrom nukes and royals to
something even more absurdTikTok.
(08:51):
Yes, we're now at the pointwhere world leaders are burning
midnight oil, negotiating thefuture of cat dances and lip
sync videos, like it's the CubanMissile Crisis.
A framework deal is in place tokeep TikTok alive in America
under US control, but here's thetwist China still gets to keep
(09:15):
its fingerprints all over theapp.
So, while it may be owned herethe flavor, the filters, the
algorithms pushing what you seeand don't see that still has
Beijing written all over it.
Now tell me, wolfpack, do youreally believe this deal is
(09:35):
about your security and ourcountry's security, or is it
about who gets to profit offyour scrolling addiction?
Do you feel safer knowing yourfeed is being argued over at the
same level as nuclear weaponstreaties?
Or do you feel like you'rebeing played by billionaires in
(09:59):
two different time zones?
Think about it the UnitedStates is treating this like a
Cold War standoff.
Over what Videos of teenagersdancing in their kitchens,
comedy sketches with badlighting and influencers telling
you which mascara not to buy.
Does that feel like nationalsecurity to you, or does it feel
(10:21):
like political theater,starring your thumbs on a
touchscreen?
And let's not forget how weeven got here.
The whole point of forcingTikTok to sell in the first
place was national security.
The fear was that Beijing coulduse TikTok to hoover up
(10:42):
American user data and pumppropaganda right into your phone
.
That was Trump's original pitchForce TikTok to sell or ban it.
So here's the question Doesthis framework deal actually fix
that?
The whole security danger ofTikTok?
Or is it just a headline thatlets everyone claim victory,
(11:07):
while the same risks are stillbaked into the app?
And here's the absurdity thatno one wants to say out loud.
Even with this so-calledframework deal, china still
controls the DNA of TikTok, thealgorithm, the push, the pull,
what goes viral, what getsburied.
(11:29):
You think you're choosing whatyou see on TikTok.
You're not.
You're being nudged.
And if Beijing wants tosprinkle in a little soft power,
a little propaganda, a littlesubtle shift in the conversation
, guess what it happens whileyou're swiping.
Subtle shift in theconversation, guess what it
(11:49):
happens while you're swiping at2 in the morning.
So here's my question for you,the Wolfpack listeners Do you
actually care who owns TikTok ordo you care more about the fact
that both governments arefighting over who gets to
control your eyeballs.
Be honest If TikTok vanishedtomorrow, would you be
(12:11):
devastated?
Or would you move to the nextapp in about 30 seconds and
forget TikTok?
You ever missed it?
And think about the biggerpicture.
If America gives an inch here,if we let Beijing keep its hooks
in TikTok while pretending itis all under US control, what
(12:32):
stops us from becoming theplaybook for every tech fight
going forward?
One side says security, theother side says culture.
One side says security, theother side says culture, and you
end up as the pawn.
Who just wants to watch a dogskateboard down the sidewalk?
Wolfpack, here's what I want toknow from you.
(12:52):
Do you see this as leadershipor lunacy?
Do you see this as keepingAmerica safe or keeping you
distracted?
Because while world leaders aretreating TikTok like it's
nuclear codes, you're the onebeing studied, monetized and
(13:12):
nudged, one scroll at a time.
So tell me, are you buying thatthis is about national security
, or do you see it for what itreally is a global custody
battle over your attention span?
For the players, trump and MAGA, it's all about the money.
(13:37):
And now let's shift from nucleardeals and Cold War apps to a
courtroom circus starringAmerica's favorite pathological
liar, george Santos.
Yes, the man who made up entirechapters of his life tried to
sue Jimmy Kimmel because Kimmeltricked him into making cameo
(13:58):
videos and then roasted him onnational TV.
And appeals court just smackedthat down, calling it what it is
satire, which means for once inhis life, george Santos
actually got duped, and itwasn't by voters, it was by a
(14:19):
late-night host with a coffeemug and a punchline.
Here's the headline GeorgeSantos, a man who lied about his
education, his jobs, hisreligion, his family tree,
probably lied what he had forbreakfast Decided he was going
to sue Jimmy Kimmel.
Why?
(14:39):
Because Kimmel tricked him intomaking cameo videos and then he
used those videos to roastSantos on late night TV.
Santos called it fraud, thecourt called it comedy.
Let me ask you, the listeners,how do you lie about literally
(15:00):
everything in your own life andthen have the nerve to cry foul
when somebody finally lies toyou?
Isn't that like a pickpocketfiling a police report because
somebody stole his wallet?
An appeals court just sidedwith Kimmel, saying the obvious
this is satire, this is fair use.
(15:24):
A federal appeals courtexplicitly ruled that Jimmy
Kimmel's use of those videos wasfair use, and that's the absurd
beauty of it.
Santos wanted to turn Cameo intoa courtroom drama and instead
he became the punchline of hisown lawsuit.
(15:45):
Picture it George Santos, theman who once claimed he was a
volleyball star, a financewizard, a Broadway producer,
walks into court and says yourhonor, I was tricked, tricked by
Jimmy Kimmel.
Kimmel, whose entire job is totrick people into laughing at
(16:06):
night.
Tell me, does this sound likejustice or does it sound like
the universe, finally sendingGeorge Santos a bill for
services rendered?
And here's my question to you,wolfpack.
And here's my question to you,wolfpack what's funnier, jimmy
(16:40):
Kimmel writing jokes aboutSantos or Santos writing himself
into a joke by suing JimmyKimmel victim when he's been the
con artist all along?
So where does that leave us?
With George Santos officiallylosing a case where the court
had to explain to him, like akindergarten teacher, that
satire is legal, that satire islegal, with Jimmy Kimmel winning
(17:07):
not just laughs but a legalpresident that basically says
yes, it is okay to mock the manwho lied his way into Congress,
and you have to admit that'spoetic.
The one guy who spent alifetime inventing a fake resume
finally gets duped by acomedian with a desk, a coffee
(17:27):
mug and a sharper punchline thanSantos ever could.
So tell me, listeners, do youthink Santos learned anything
from this?
Or do you think he's alreadycooking up his next lawsuit,
maybe against Saturday NightLive, for making jokes without
his permission?
Because if there's one thingcertain in this world, it's this
(17:49):
.
George Santos is always goodfor a laugh.
The question is, are welaughing with him or at him?
And, judging by this courtruling, the answer is clear.
I'd like to address somethingbefore I close this episode of A
World Gone Mad To everyonelistening right now.
(18:09):
I've been hearing from some ofyou with emails, texts saying
you're done, you're tired ofpolitics, tired of the headlines
, tired of the nonstop chaos.
And I get it.
Politics right now feels likebinge watching a show where
(18:29):
every episode is worse than thelast and yet somehow it never
gets canceled.
Of course you want to turn itoff.
Who wouldn't?
And let me be clear there'snothing wrong with taking a
breather If you need to stepaway for your sanity.
That's human, that's healthy.
(18:50):
We all need to breathe.
Sometimes Republicans arecounting on that.
They want one in threeDemocrats to throw up their
hands, walk away and say I don'twant to deal with this anymore,
because every time we unplug,they get louder, they get
(19:14):
stronger and they get to set therules without anyone in their
way.
So the question isn't whetheryou the listener feels exhausted
.
Of course you do.
The question is do you wantthat exhaustion to hand them the
keys to the kingdom?
Do you want to wake up one dayand realize that while you were
(19:37):
resting, they were writing thescript for the next season of
this nightmare?
I'm not saying you can't take abreak.
I'm saying don't confusestepping away with giving up.
One is self-care, the other issurrender, and surrender is
(19:58):
exactly what they want.
So ask yourself are you trulydisengaging or are you just
hiding for a while andpretending it will go away?
Because if it's the second one,that's not escape, that's
denial, and denial doesn'tchange anything except who's in
(20:22):
charge.
When you finally look up again,I get the fatigue.
Listeners, I feel it too, but Ican't walk away, and neither
should you, because every timewe check out, they check in.
Every time we cover our eyes,they move another chess piece on
(20:44):
the board, and every time wesay I don't want to deal with
this anymore, I can't.
They smile and say thank youfor the power, for the extra
power.
So I'm imploring every one ofmy listeners and hopefully some
of you told me you've had enoughare still listening and
(21:05):
happening to catch this episode.
If you need to step back for aday, a weekend, take that time,
breathe, clear your head, butdon't mistake that pause for
permission to give up.
Take the breather but then comeback, stay angry, stay laughing
(21:27):
, stay, because the only thingmore dangerous than a world gone
mad is pretending you don'tlive in it.
Time to hear from you, the wolfpack.
Look, I'm not asking forapplause, I'm not asking for a
pat on the back or kudos, butI'm asking for you, the listener
(21:50):
, to engage.
Some of you repeatedly doengage with me Emails,
voicemails, texts.
I thank you for that.
Others are just crickets and no, I'm not insulting anyone who's
listening.
I'd like to hear from the restof the listening audience.
If you haven't written in awhile, say hello.
(22:10):
Please check back inWolfpacktalks at gmailcom
W-O-L-F-P-A-C-K-T-A-L-K-S atgmailcom.
Please use it.
Or voicemail 833-399-9653.
Please give me your feedback,give me rants, give me something
(22:34):
I can use because, honestly, toevery one of you listening
right now, I feel like I'm notmoving the needle at all and I'm
not doing anything to help atall and I'm not making a
difference.
I'm not complaining.
It would just be nice to hearfrom the rest of you.
Also, I have listeners in 55other countries and if you're
(22:58):
one of those listeners, I'd loveto get an email from you.
I'm literally building thatwall in my studio.
Like I said last episode, I'mputting up emails from all
different states.
Right now, I've got only asmall slice of America covered.
I know more of you out thereare listening, and I have only
one email from outside thecountry.
So come on, wolfpack, let's getevery state on the map and
(23:20):
every country that's listeningto.
Please check in with a text, anemail, a voicemail.
Wolfpacktalks at gmailcom.
This has been a World Gone MadMonday's Fallout edition.
I'm Jeff Allen Wolf.
I'll be back Wednesday becausesomeone has to say the shit that
(23:41):
no one else will, andapparently that job's mine.
Until then, wolfpack, listeners, stay skeptical, stay focused
and, most of all, stay hopeful.
There is chaos in the world,can't you see?
And we need to stand up andpreserve our democracy.
(24:06):
This is a world gone mad.
This is a world gone mad.
This is a World Gone Mad.
This is a World Gone Mad, mad,mad, mad, mad.
Hello, I'm Jeff Allen Wolfe.
Welcome back to A World GoneMad.
And it's time for anotherMonday Fallout, where the week
starts off heavy.
So I make it lighter for you bythrowing it back in
(00:23):
Washington's face.
The headlines are crazy, thespin out of control.
I make it lighter for you bythrowing it back in Washington's
face the headlines are crazy,the spin out of control.
And I'm here to call it outwith honesty, caffeine and just
enough sanity to get us allthrough Monday.
Okay, here we go.
First story for the fallouttoday.
(00:43):
Didn't we just see this episode?
Trump declared a nationalemergency in DC.
He played federal cop for 30days, he then ended it and now
he's back again threateninganother one.
Why?
Because the mayor won't letlocal cops moonlight as ICE's
(01:08):
little sidekicks.
I swear Donald declaresnational emergencies like most
of us declare.
We're starting a diet tomorrow.
And let me ask you, the Wolfpacklistener, how many times do you
want to hear the words nationalemergency before they stop
meeting anything?
Is it still an emergency if ithappens every couple of weeks,
(01:31):
or is it just another day of theweek?
Think about it.
Last time Donald parachuted in,he federalized the DC police,
strutted around like the world'soldest hall monitor and then
poof, 30 days later it's overand here we go again.
(01:51):
Does this feel like leadershipor like the world's worst binge
watch, where every season is thesame plot recycled?
Do you actually feel safer whenTrump federalizes DC police?
Or does it just look likeanother power grab dressed up in
(02:11):
sirens and headlines?
And here's the absurdityImmigration enforcement is
already federal, ice alreadyexists, so why is Trump treating
local cops like unpaid internswho need to fetch him coffee and
deportation papers?
Do you want your city policeworking traffic accidents and
(02:35):
robberies or checking greencards at a Chipotle?
And the deeper question howmany emergencies can one
president declare before theword is as hollow as new and
improved on a cereal box?
Does this feel like protectingthe country?
Or does it feel like a realityshow gimmick to keep Trump's
(02:59):
name crawling across the bottomof the screen every night?
And maybe here's the biggerpicture nobody's talking about.
Is this just chaos for chaos'ssake, or is it the first step in
something larger?
Is this about normalizingemergencies so Trump can declare
them everywhere, city by city,state by state, until federal
(03:24):
control feels routine.
Is this the frustrating stepthat Donald is taking to make
troops on American streets seemnormal?
What do you, the listener,think?
Because here's the truthNational emergencies should be
rare.
They should matter.
They should make your stomachdrop, not your eyes roll.
(03:48):
But under Trump they're likeHappy Meal toys there's always a
new one in the bag.
So to the Wolfpack listeners,what do you think?
Is this leadership or is thischaos dressed up in a uniform?
Because if we don't talk aboutit, if we don't push back, then
the reruns become the new normal.
(04:09):
And personally, I'm not signingup for season three of Trump.
Takes DC, are you?
And speaking of reruns, nobodyasked for Trump's now overseas
playing international dealmaker.
Yep in London announcing morethan $10 billion in agreements
(04:30):
with the Brits covering tech,artificial intelligence, nuclear
energy and defense.
And of course, it's wrapped ina state visit with pomp royals
and cameras everywhere.
Think James Bond meets Big Macsand tax cuts.
It's less 007 and more 047undignity.
(04:52):
So let's break this down.
Wolfpack, $10 billion in dealsSounds huge, right, but ask
yourself who benefits.
Do you think that cash is goinginto your pocket, your kid's
school, your local hospital, ordo you think it's padding
defense contractors, nuclearfirms and data center deals so
(05:14):
big you'd need a telescope tosee the trickle down.
Now here's the part they don'tput in the headlines.
Buried in this deal is anuclear pact, britain and the US
agreeing to basically accepteach other's safety reviews so
reactors can be approved fasterFaster nuclear approvals.
(05:34):
Does that make you feel moresecure?
Or does it sound like shavingoff guardrails so companies can
say, hey, it's passed over there, no need to check here?
Would you buy a used car basedon someone else's inspection
across the ocean?
Then why are we doing it withnuclear reactors?
(05:58):
And let's talk optics, because,make no mistake, this visit is
designed for photos.
Trump shaking hands with royalsflashing that smile that looks
like a staple-on smilesurrounded by pomp and
circumstance.
My question to you, thelistener do you buy the image of
Trump as an internationalstatesman, or do you see a guy
(06:22):
trying to play James Bond whileactually giving off Austin
Powers energy yeah, baby, butwith executive orders and let's
go bigger picture.
Deals like this are supposed tosymbolize unity, strength,
partnership, but it is reallyabout partnership.
(06:43):
Is it at all about partnership,or is it about headlines?
Do you honestly think Trump isfocused on long-term stability,
or is this about flying homewith a stack of press clippings
that say $10 billion?
Man?
Ask yourself when you hearabout billions in deals overseas
(07:05):
, do you feel proud or do youfeel like the guy who was left
out of the group dinner checkwhile everyone else passed the
bill to you?
Because, dear listener, that'sthe reality.
The deals sound grand, but theyrarely touch the lives of the
(07:26):
people listening right now, inyour car or in your kitchen.
And here's the absurd cherry ontop Trump gets to stand next to
the royals, bask in the cameras,act like he's a king on a
mission, when in reality it'smore like Mr Bean with a nuclear
contract.
Do you trust him in that role?
(07:49):
Do you feel safer knowingnuclear approvals are being
fast-tracked because abillionaire and a monarch
thought it would look good on TV?
That's what I want to know,because to me, this isn't about
partnership, it isn't aboutprogress, it's about spectacle
(08:09):
and if we don't call it out,we're all extras in Trump's
badly written movie.
See here Global leadership orglobal theater.
Do you feel like this dealstrengthens your future or just
(08:30):
strengthens Trump's photo album?
Because if the only thing weget from this trip is another
picture of Trump pretending tobe an international bond figure,
then I say the movie's a flop.
All right, everyone, let's movefrom nukes and royals to
something even more absurdTikTok.
(08:51):
Yes, we're now at the pointwhere world leaders are burning
midnight oil, negotiating thefuture of cat dances and lip
sync videos, like it's the CubanMissile Crisis.
A framework deal is in place tokeep TikTok alive in America
under US control, but here's thetwist China still gets to keep
(09:15):
its fingerprints all over theapp.
So, while it may be owned herethe flavor, the filters, the
algorithms pushing what you seeand don't see that still has
Beijing written all over it.
Now tell me, wolfpack, do youreally believe this deal is
(09:35):
about your security and ourcountry's security, or is it
about who gets to profit offyour scrolling addiction?
Do you feel safer knowing yourfeed is being argued over at the
same level as nuclear weaponstreaties?
Or do you feel like you'rebeing played by billionaires in
(09:59):
two different time zones?
Think about it the UnitedStates is treating this like a
Cold War standoff.
Over what Videos of teenagersdancing in their kitchens,
comedy sketches with badlighting and influencers telling
you which mascara not to buy.
Does that feel like nationalsecurity to you, or does it feel
(10:21):
like political theater,starring your thumbs on a
touchscreen?
And let's not forget how weeven got here.
The whole point of forcingTikTok to sell in the first
place was national security.
The fear was that Beijing coulduse TikTok to hoover up
(10:42):
American user data and pumppropaganda right into your phone
.
That was Trump's original pitchForce TikTok to sell or ban it.
So here's the question Doesthis framework deal actually fix
that?
The whole security danger ofTikTok?
Or is it just a headline thatlets everyone claim victory,
(11:07):
while the same risks are stillbaked into the app?
And here's the absurdity thatno one wants to say out loud.
Even with this so-calledframework deal, china still
controls the DNA of TikTok, thealgorithm, the push, the pull,
what goes viral, what getsburied.
(11:29):
You think you're choosing whatyou see on TikTok.
You're not.
You're being nudged.
And if Beijing wants tosprinkle in a little soft power,
a little propaganda, a littlesubtle shift in the conversation
, guess what it happens whileyou're swiping.
Subtle shift in theconversation, guess what it
(11:49):
happens while you're swiping at2 in the morning.
So here's my question for you,the Wolfpack listeners Do you
actually care who owns TikTok ordo you care more about the fact
that both governments arefighting over who gets to
control your eyeballs.
Be honest If TikTok vanishedtomorrow, would you be
(12:11):
devastated?
Or would you move to the nextapp in about 30 seconds and
forget TikTok?
You ever missed it?
And think about the biggerpicture.
If America gives an inch here,if we let Beijing keep its hooks
in TikTok while pretending itis all under US control, what
(12:32):
stops us from becoming theplaybook for every tech fight
going forward?
One side says security, theother side says culture.
One side says security, theother side says culture, and you
end up as the pawn.
Who just wants to watch a dogskateboard down the sidewalk?
Wolfpack, here's what I want toknow from you.
(12:52):
Do you see this as leadershipor lunacy?
Do you see this as keepingAmerica safe or keeping you
distracted?
Because while world leaders aretreating TikTok like it's
nuclear codes, you're the onebeing studied, monetized and
(13:12):
nudged, one scroll at a time.
So tell me, are you buying thatthis is about national security
, or do you see it for what itreally is a global custody
battle over your attention span?
For the players, trump and MAGA, it's all about the money.
(13:37):
And now let's shift from nucleardeals and Cold War apps to a
courtroom circus starringAmerica's favorite pathological
liar, george Santos.
Yes, the man who made up entirechapters of his life tried to
sue Jimmy Kimmel because Kimmeltricked him into making cameo
(13:58):
videos and then roasted him onnational TV.
And appeals court just smackedthat down, calling it what it is
satire, which means for once inhis life, george Santos
actually got duped, and itwasn't by voters, it was by a
(14:19):
late-night host with a coffeemug and a punchline.
Here's the headline GeorgeSantos, a man who lied about his
education, his jobs, hisreligion, his family tree,
probably lied what he had forbreakfast Decided he was going
to sue Jimmy Kimmel.
Why?
(14:39):
Because Kimmel tricked him intomaking cameo videos and then he
used those videos to roastSantos on late night TV.
Santos called it fraud, thecourt called it comedy.
Let me ask you, the listeners,how do you lie about literally
(15:00):
everything in your own life andthen have the nerve to cry foul
when somebody finally lies toyou?
Isn't that like a pickpocketfiling a police report because
somebody stole his wallet?
An appeals court just sidedwith Kimmel, saying the obvious
this is satire, this is fair use.
(15:24):
A federal appeals courtexplicitly ruled that Jimmy
Kimmel's use of those videos wasfair use, and that's the absurd
beauty of it.
Santos wanted to turn Cameo intoa courtroom drama and instead
he became the punchline of hisown lawsuit.
(15:45):
Picture it George Santos, theman who once claimed he was a
volleyball star, a financewizard, a Broadway producer,
walks into court and says yourhonor, I was tricked, tricked by
Jimmy Kimmel.
Kimmel, whose entire job is totrick people into laughing at
(16:06):
night.
Tell me, does this sound likejustice or does it sound like
the universe, finally sendingGeorge Santos a bill for
services rendered?
And here's my question to you,wolfpack.
And here's my question to you,wolfpack what's funnier, jimmy
(16:40):
Kimmel writing jokes aboutSantos or Santos writing himself
into a joke by suing JimmyKimmel victim when he's been the
con artist all along?
So where does that leave us?
With George Santos officiallylosing a case where the court
had to explain to him, like akindergarten teacher, that
satire is legal, that satire islegal, with Jimmy Kimmel winning
(17:07):
not just laughs but a legalpresident that basically says
yes, it is okay to mock the manwho lied his way into Congress,
and you have to admit that'spoetic.
The one guy who spent alifetime inventing a fake resume
finally gets duped by acomedian with a desk, a coffee
(17:27):
mug and a sharper punchline thanSantos ever could.
So tell me, listeners, do youthink Santos learned anything
from this?
Or do you think he's alreadycooking up his next lawsuit,
maybe against Saturday NightLive, for making jokes without
his permission?
Because if there's one thingcertain in this world, it's this
(17:49):
.
George Santos is always goodfor a laugh.
The question is, are welaughing with him or at him?
And, judging by this courtruling, the answer is clear.
I'd like to address somethingbefore I close this episode of A
World Gone Mad To everyonelistening right now.
(18:09):
I've been hearing from some ofyou with emails, texts saying
you're done, you're tired ofpolitics, tired of the headlines
, tired of the nonstop chaos.
And I get it.
Politics right now feels likebinge watching a show where
(18:29):
every episode is worse than thelast and yet somehow it never
gets canceled.
Of course you want to turn itoff.
Who wouldn't?
And let me be clear there'snothing wrong with taking a
breather If you need to stepaway for your sanity.
That's human, that's healthy.
(18:50):
We all need to breathe.
Sometimes Republicans arecounting on that.
They want one in threeDemocrats to throw up their
hands, walk away and say I don'twant to deal with this anymore,
because every time we unplug,they get louder, they get
(19:14):
stronger and they get to set therules without anyone in their
way.
So the question isn't whetheryou the listener feels exhausted
.
Of course you do.
The question is do you wantthat exhaustion to hand them the
keys to the kingdom?
Do you want to wake up one dayand realize that while you were
(19:37):
resting, they were writing thescript for the next season of
this nightmare?
I'm not saying you can't take abreak.
I'm saying don't confusestepping away with giving up.
One is self-care, the other issurrender, and surrender is
(19:58):
exactly what they want.
So ask yourself are you trulydisengaging or are you just
hiding for a while andpretending it will go away?
Because if it's the second one,that's not escape, that's
denial, and denial doesn'tchange anything except who's in
(20:22):
charge.
When you finally look up again,I get the fatigue.
Listeners, I feel it too, but Ican't walk away, and neither
should you, because every timewe check out, they check in.
Every time we cover our eyes,they move another chess piece on
(20:44):
the board, and every time wesay I don't want to deal with
this anymore, I can't.
They smile and say thank youfor the power, for the extra
power.
So I'm imploring every one ofmy listeners and hopefully some
of you told me you've had enoughare still listening and
(21:05):
happening to catch this episode.
If you need to step back for aday, a weekend, take that time,
breathe, clear your head, butdon't mistake that pause for
permission to give up.
Take the breather but then comeback, stay angry, stay laughing
(21:27):
, stay, because the only thingmore dangerous than a world gone
mad is pretending you don'tlive in it.
Time to hear from you, the wolfpack.
Look, I'm not asking forapplause, I'm not asking for a
pat on the back or kudos, butI'm asking for you, the listener
(21:50):
, to engage.
Some of you repeatedly doengage with me Emails,
voicemails, texts.
I thank you for that.
Others are just crickets and no, I'm not insulting anyone who's
listening.
I'd like to hear from the restof the listening audience.
If you haven't written in awhile, say hello.
(22:10):
Please check back inWolfpacktalks at gmailcom
W-O-L-F-P-A-C-K-T-A-L-K-S atgmailcom.
Please use it.
Or voicemail 833-399-9653.
Please give me your feedback,give me rants, give me something
(22:34):
I can use because, honestly, toevery one of you listening
right now, I feel like I'm notmoving the needle at all and I'm
not doing anything to help atall and I'm not making a
difference.
I'm not complaining.
It would just be nice to hearfrom the rest of you.
Also, I have listeners in 55other countries and if you're
(22:58):
one of those listeners, I'd loveto get an email from you.
I'm literally building thatwall in my studio.
Like I said last episode, I'mputting up emails from all
different states.
Right now, I've got only asmall slice of America covered.
I know more of you out thereare listening, and I have only
one email from outside thecountry.
So come on, wolfpack, let's getevery state on the map and
(23:20):
every country that's listeningto.
Please check in with a text, anemail, a voicemail.
Wolfpacktalks at gmailcom.
This has been a World Gone MadMonday's Fallout edition.
I'm Jeff Allen Wolf.
I'll be back Wednesday becausesomeone has to say the shit that
(23:41):
no one else will, andapparently that job's mine.
Until then, wolfpack, listeners, stay skeptical, stay focused
and, most of all, stay hopeful.
There is chaos in the world,can't you see?
And we need to stand up andpreserve our democracy.
(24:06):
This is a world gone mad.
This is a world gone mad.
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