Bonjour! Starting off with a TEMP CHECK -- going over our favorite Olympic Opening Ceremony moments (and why it offended the far right) and how Beyoncé is reclaiming the flag aesthetic. Also, why you should be excited about Val Demings joining the USPS Board, and what that might mean for Post Master General Louis DeJoy. MAIN NEWS 14:15 Sami walks us through 3 of the most dangerous groups that are behind Donald Trump that we have affectionately nicknamed the “trifecta of death.” This includes Project 2025/the Heritage Foundation, technocrats like Peter Thiel and Elon Musk (who we can thank for JD Vance’s presence on the ticket) and anti-western foreign interests like Russia and China. Even though all three groups have different tactics, it’s clear their mutual short-term goal is to get Donald Trump elected to end American democracy for their own ends. DOWN BALLOT ERA 48:45 This week, we’re shouting out democratic candidate for Ohio’s 12th district, Jerrad Christian, who outed Trump & Guiliani’s dealings with the Russian mafia, going back to the 1980's on his X thread. Christian highlights how the Russian mafia was living in Trump Tower, and Giuliani’s involvement with them. We love a representative who does his homework. Read Jerrad Christian's full X thread here: https://x.com/JerradChristian/status/1816489797004984584 AMERICAN'T 52:00 We simply can’t fathom the lack of vetting of JD Vance. That’s what happens when you put Don Jr. and Eric in charge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices