Shake It Off with Mert & Lucas

Episode 74 begins with a look at the battle between free speech and platform moderation, where the First Amendment protects against government censorship, but private platforms set their own rules. From Musk’s “hands-off” Twitter/X experiment to Europe’s Digital Services Act, the debate shows how moderation—whether by humans, AI, or governments—inevitably reflects politics, values, and power stru...

The hosts discuss a Washington, D.C. event where Wall Street’s elite bristled at Mayor‑elect Mamdani’s push for wealth taxes, rent freezes, and free transit—policies viewed as a direct threat to their power.  Into that tension stepped Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, whose gubernatorial campaign quickly became the business community’s rallying point against the city’s leftward turn and Governor Hochu...

Episode 73 examines how inflation and affordability have become critical political liabilities for President Trump and the Republican Party, particularly in the wake of recent electoral defeats in key states. Drawing on consumer sentiment data, economic trends, and voter polling, the show highlights the widening gap between official messaging and Americans’ lived financial realities. The hour concludes with an inter...

The hosts review how a tiny fraction of ultra-wealthy individuals—902 in the U.S. and just over 3,000 globally—wield outsized influence over public policy through campaign funding, media ownership, lobbying, and philanthropy. Drawing on polling and real-world examples, findings reveal growing concern over the democratic implications of billionaire power, even as many Americans ...

 Episode 72 explores the growing public scrutiny of nepotism across industries, not just in Hollywood but also in fields like law, politics, and medicine. It examines how family connections can shape careers, spark debates about fairness and merit, and influence public perception in an era of heightened transparency and accountability. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Dr...

The hosts analyze President Trump’s unexpected directive to resume U.S. nuclear weapons testing—ending a 30-year moratorium and unsettling global arms control norms. They explore the geopolitical implications, logistical challenges, and the central question: is this a move toward strategic deterrence or the beginning of a new arms race?  The show wraps with an interview with Brandon Bronaugh, founder of L...

Despite a string of recent electoral wins, Episode 71 opens with Democrats still fractured and leaderless, as some candidates embrace extremist platforms that risk alienating mainstream voters. With economic anxiety fueling turnout, the party faces a pivotal choice: rein in its ideological drift or double down on radical promises widely viewed as unrealistic and divisive. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Dr. Shel...

This hour, the hosts unpack George Soros’s controversial reputation—from his provocative claim that the U.S. is the main obstacle to global justice, to the widespread but false rumors of international bans—tracing how his philanthropic empire has faced mounting legal and political pressure abroad and here at home.  The show wraps with an interview featuring journalist Jane Eisner, author of Carole K...

Episode 70 opens with a look at John Bolton’s decades-long career as a hawkish national security figure and the dramatic turn it has taken, as he now faces 18 federal charges for allegedly mishandling classified information. His indictment represents a stunning fall from grace and highlights the escalating cycle of political retaliation and personal vendettas that have come to characterize the post-Trump era. The hour ends wi...

The hosts unpack the stunning presidential commutation of George Santos, whose brief congressional career collapsed under the weight of fraud, lies, and a federal conviction. Through biting satire and exhaustive detail, the show explores Santos’s tangled personal history, legal downfall, and the political firestorm ignited by his early release. The episode wraps with an interview featuring Tom Allon, veteran journalist a...

Episode 69 — the show’s “Election Eve Eve Special” — delivers a fiery, satirical deep dive into the political evolution of Zohran Kwame Mamdani, a democratic socialist mayoral nominee whose radical roots have given way to a more pragmatic, coalition-driven campaign. His shifting rhetoric, contentious endorsements, and identity-related controversies cast him as either a calculating strategist or a flip-...

The hosts explore the rapid rise of homeschooling in the U.S., highlighting academic outcomes and shifting demographics that challenge outdated assumptions. They also examine the controversy surrounding proposed regulations, fueling debate over parental rights, government oversight, and the inclusion of DEI and gender identity in curricula. The episode concludes with Dr. Monica Vermani, a clinical psychologist and author, whos...

In Episode 68, the hosts revisit Donald Trump’s campaign promise to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office—a bold claim repeated throughout 2024 and framed as proof of his diplomatic prowess. Nine months into his second term, the war continues, prompting questions about whether Trump underestimated Vladimir Putin or was strategically outplayed. The hour concludes with Mitch Francis, a serial entrep...

The hosts explore the significance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, spotlighting the persistent employment and healthcare barriers faced by 70 million Americans with disabilities. From workplace discrimination to inaccessible medical facilities, the episode calls for systemic change and celebrates the voices pushing for disability justice and inclusion. The show wraps with an interview featuring Samantha Ettu...

Former FBI Director James Comey is indicted for lying to Congress and obstructing a House investigation, reigniting fierce political tensions over his role in the Trump–Russia probe and the 2016 Clinton email case. Episode #67 unpacks the fallout—from Trump’s celebratory posts to Joy Behar’s surprising agreement with him—highlighting how Comey’s legacy continues to fracture partisan lines. The ho...

Given Rudy Giuliani’s dramatic rise from tough-on-crime New York City mayor to revered 9/11 leader—and his subsequent fall into legal and political controversy—the hosts examine the complexities of his legacy. With President Trump’s recent announcement to award Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the hosts explore whether the former mayor’s career still reflects the honor’s ideals. The sh...

Episode 66 explores the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, tracing his rise, the tragic circumstances of his death, and the deeply polarized reactions that followed. From heartfelt tributes to workplace firings over inflammatory remarks, the episode reveals how Kirk’s legacy continues to spark fierce debate across America. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Dr. Betsy McCaughey&mdas...

The hosts examine a Chick-fil-A in Kettering, Ohio, where a new teen chaperone policy requiring minors to be accompanied by adults has sparked debate over youth behavior, public safety, and business responsibility. The conversation expands into post-pandemic social dynamics, the erosion of adult supervision, and the growing role of businesses in managing public conduct. The episode wraps with Mark Gogolewski, a Silicon Valley ...

Episode 65 opens with a critical look at Kamala Harris’s memoir 107 Days, chronicling her rapid rise to the top of the Democratic ticket after President Biden’s sudden withdrawal in 2024. The hosts explore Harris’s account of internal party dysfunction, billion-dollar campaign spending, and her controversial decision to pass over Pete Buttigieg for VP—a move that reignited debates over identity politics...