Episode

7/21 Israel As A Wedge, Trump’s New Trial Date & The Question Of A “Lab Leak” w/ Ryan Grim & Matthew Film Guy

July 21, 2023

It’s Casual Friday! Sam and Emma chat with Ryan Grim, DC Bureau Chief at The Intercept, to round up the week in news. Then, they’re joined by Matthew Film Guy! First, Sam and Emma run through updates on Donald Trump’s myriad upcoming legal cases, more labor action in film and theatre, UPS pilots standing with UPS Teamsters, fascist witch hunts and legislation, and the least surprising Crowder revelations, before they parse through a debunking of RFK’s recent appearance on the GOP’s “Weaponization of Federal Government” committee. Ryan Grim then joins as he walks Sam and Emma through his perspective on an encounter with Jesse Watters he had at the 2016 White House correspondent’s dinner over Watters’ ambush journalism, and why he remains unrepentant. Next, they dive into the recent Congressional drama over the US’ relationship with the Israeli apartheid state, as Grim dives into the boycott of Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s recent appearance, Rep. Jayapal’s statements on the racism of Israel, and the ultimate vote House to rebuke these anti-Israel statements, before they reflect on the impact DMFI and AIPAC have had over the last few election cycles, particularly in how they’ve sought to undermine and buy-out progressive and pro-Palestine candidates. After briefly touching on updates to Donald Trump’s various legal battles, Ryan, Emma, and Sam wrap up by discussing recent revelations around the COVID “Lab Leak” theory, the GOP’s recent leak of their own, the partisanship around the theory – and bipartisanship around China hawkery – and what the lack of evidence for a lab-origin means for debate. Matthew Film Guy then joins as he unpacks his complex feelings for the upcoming “Barbie” movie, why brand affiliation is the wrong way for movies to go, why the Left™ needs to learn to enjoy things, and gives his recs of “How to with John Wilson” and Nina Menkes’ “Queen of Diamonds.”

And in the Fun Half: Sam and Emma discuss RFK Jr’s history as an anti-vaxxer, and new education policy in Florida dedicating classrooms as safe spaces… for white students. Jesse Watters and Ron DeSantis rail against Bud Light, and Sam and Emma dive deep into the most recent Crowder exposé, plus, your calls and IMs!

Check out Ryan’s work here: https://badnews.substack.com/

Check out Matthew’s Letterboxd here: https://letterboxd.com/langdonboom/

Check out Matthew’s film discussion group here: https://www.commonpointqueens.org/program/cultural-arts-and-jewish-heritage-classes/

Check out Matthew’s eBay auction here! https://www.ebay.com/itm/115464749223

Become a member at JoinTheMajorityReport.com: https://fans.fm/majority/join

Subscribe to the ESVN YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/esvnshow

Subscribe to the AMQuickie newsletter here: https://am-quickie.ghost.io/

Join the Majority Report Discord! http://majoritydiscord.com/

Get all your MR merch at our store: https://shop.majorityreportradio.com/

Get the free Majority Report App!: http://majority.fm/app

Check out today’s sponsors:

Stamps.com: Avoid the hassle and get started with https://stamps.com today. Sign up with promo code MAJORITYREPORT for a special offer that includes a 4-week trial, plus free postage, and a free digital scale. No long-term commitments or contracts. Just go to https://stamps.com, click the microphone at the top of the page, and enter code MAJORITYREPORT.

Rhone: Upgrade your closet with Rhone and use MAJORITYREPORT to save 20% at  https://www.rhone.com/MAJORITYREPORT

Sunset Lake CBD: sunsetlakecbd is a majority employee owned farm in Vermont, producing 100% pesticide free CBD products. Great company, great product and fans of the show! Use code Leftisbest and get 20% off at http://www.sunsetlakecbd.com.

Follow the Majority Report crew on Twitter:

@SamSeder

@EmmaVigeland

@MattBinder

@MattLech

@BF1nn

@BradKAlsop

Check out Matt’s show, Left Reckoning, on Youtube, and subscribe on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/leftreckoning

Subscribe to Brandon’s show The Discourse on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/ExpandTheDiscourse

Subscribe to Discourse Blog, a newsletter and website for progressive essays and related fun partly run by AM Quickie writer Jack Crosbie. https://discourseblog.com/

Check out Matt Binder’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/mattbinder

Check out Ava Raiza’s music here! https://avaraiza.bandcamp.com/

The Majority Report with Sam Seder – https://majorityreportradio.com/

 

Past Episodes

It's Casual Friday! Sam and Emma host Jeet Heer, national affairs correspondent for The Nation, to round up the week in news. First, Sam and Emma run through updates on Elon’s 6-digit spending spree for Trump, Pete Hegseth’s nomination, US healthcare, Trump’s expanding cabinet of billionaires, ...
It's ESVN OT! Emma and Bradley give their picks for Week #14 of NFL action. Follow Emma and Bradley on Twitter: @EmmaVigeland @BradKAlsop Check out Ava Raiza's music here! https://avaraiza.bandcamp.com/ EMMA AND BRADLEY'S PICKS OF THE WEEK!: Emma (20-17-2): Dolphins -5.5 vs. ...
It's an EmMajority Report Thursday! She speaks with John Carl Baker, director of programs at Ploughshares, to discuss the ongoing political unrest in South Korea. Then, she speaks with Giorgio Cafiero, CEO of Gulf State Analytics & adjunct assistant professor at Georgetown University, to ...