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Trump’s ego is on full display. In order to release more infrastructure funding for the Gateway Tunnels between New York and New Jersey, Trump is demanding that two major transportation hubs be named after him. Politico reports that Trump indicated to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer that he’d release funds if both Washington-Dulles International Airport and Penn Station were renamed in honor of Trump. It’s the latest scheme that highlights the importance of Trump’s self aggrandizement instead of prioritizing what’s best for the country. Immigration attorney Michael Foote will stop by to talk about ICE tactics, Trump’s Immigration policies and how he’s seeing it all play out in real life. “This Week in Politics” includes Michael Shure and Mo Kelly breaking down the biggest stories of the week. We’ll wrap it up with Friday Fabulous Florida and our Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder who will steer us toward all the good things on screens large and small.

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The mere thought of nationalizing elections is bringing outrage.  As the White House tries to backpedal, President Trump is doubling. Trump is now saying he thinks the federal government should “get involved” in elections that are full of “corruption." According to the "New York Times," if states “can’t count the votes legally and honestly, then somebody else should take over,” and  “Look at some of the places — that horrible corruption on elections — and the federal government should not allow that,” he added. “The federal government should get involved.” We discuss it with Presidential Historian and political analyst John Rothmann.  Economic expert Phil Kerpen will join the conversation.  'It's the Planet, Stupid!' with our eco-journalist Belinda Waymouth.  The Mark Thompson Show  2/4/26 Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal.   https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com

Newly surfaced emails are raising questions about Jeffrey Epstein’s true role, the powerful figures around him, and the network he may have been operating. We break down what’s actually in the documents, what’s verified versus speculation, and why these revelations are renewing scrutiny of Epstein’s relationships, influence, and long-buried connections.  We welcome Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston. One business born from another, Christy Grammer from suite106bakery.com talks family, winning cupcake wars twice and how desert became her passion.  Tech Tuesday brings Jefferson Graham by the show to look at how tech is helping reunite people with lost pets.  The Mark Thompson Show  2/3/26 Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal.   https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com

Newly released Epstein-related documents from the Justice Department are raising serious questions — and triggering fresh outrage. What’s actually new in this file dump, what remains hidden, and why are so many key details still missing years later? We break down what was released, what wasn’t, and why accountability still seems elusive as public pressure continues to build. Gary Dietrich, iHeart TV and radio political anslyst joins to discuss it all. The political conversation continues with author and scholar Sarah Kendzior.  Sharing her love for animals, Karen Dawn from Dawn Watch brings her unique perspective to the show. The Mark Thompson Show  2/2/26 Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal.   https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com

A big dump of Epstein files came this morning. The DOJ posted the documents on its website. Reports indicate the fresh release includes some of the millions records that officials said were withheld from the initial release of documents last month. Trump is suing the IRS over leaks of his tax documents. He wants $10-billion for the breach. Trump and Senate Democrats managed to reach a deal to avert another government shutdown. The deal funds all of the government except the Department of Homeland Security through September. DHS would operate on a two-week stopgap bill while negotiations on its funding continue. We will talk about it with political analysts, Michael Shure and Mo Kelly. They consider the top stories of the week in “ This Week in Politics.” Florida’s always wild news brings levity to wrap up a long week. After “Friday Fabulous Florida,” our movie critic, The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder will lay out weekend viewing options. The Mark Thompson Show 1/30/26

The Mark Thompson Show 1/29/26 Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com

The shooting of American citizen Alex Pretti at the hands of federal border patrol agents in Minnesota may end up costing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem...bigly. Though Trump told reporters he won't fire her, the political fallout is very damaging. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says Democrats are moving to impeach Noem: "Kristi Noem should be fired immediately, or we will commence impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives," the New York Democrat said in a statement. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way." The call for Noem's impeachment is growing. According to CBS News, more than 160 of the 213 House Democrats have signed on to the resolution to impeach Noem. It's not clear if lawmakers will reach the simple majority needed for impeachment, but it's unlikely as at least three House Republicans would need to vote with all Democrats. Still, it puts Kristi Noem and the Trump administration in a political show they may want to avoid with mid-term elections on the way. We will discuss it with presidential historian and political analyst John Rothmann. Mark has a must see discussion with progressive talk host Thom Hartmann at the start of the second hour. Then, we'll save the planet with our Eco-Journalist Belinda Waymouth and "It's the Planet, Stupid!" Today's Guests Links John Rothmann https://www.spreaker.com/show/around-the-political-world https://www.youtube.com/@aroundthepoliticalworld_ Belinda Waymouth https://twitter.com/belindawaymouth Thom Hartmann https://www.thomhartmann.com/ The Mark Thompson Show 1/28/26

A retreat from Minneapolis. Customs and Border Protection commander-at-large Greg Bovino is leaving the city where his immigration sweeps left horror and death. ABC News reports Bovino will return to El Centro, California and back to his duties as chief of that sector. Homeland Security officials say Bovino "has not been relieved of his duties" as some reports have suggested and that he is a key part of Trump's team and a "great American."  Despite the comments, the move is seen as a reaction to public outcry over the death of ICU nurse Alex Pretti   at the hands of Border Patrol officers and an indicator that the White House is feeling political pressure as a result.  We welcome Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston to talk about the fallout from violence in Minnesota and whether this may be a turning point for Trump's immigration policy plans. Tech Tuesday brings Jefferson Graham to the show.  We're talking Google and a payout after allegations they secretly recorded their customers.  The Mark Thompson Show  1/27/26 Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal.   https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com

Outrage boils over into protests after Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital, was killed by a Border Patrol agent. Trump administration officials say Pretti wanted to murder agents, but their claims about the shooting appear to be contradicted by video and witness testimony. A U.S. District Court Judge is granting a temporary restraining order against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to keep evidence connected to Pretti's killing from being changed or destroyed.  We’ll talk about it with iHeart Radio and TV political analyst Gary Dietrich, and author and journalist Sarah Kendzior.  The Mark Thompson Show  1/26/26 Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal.   https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com

Funding for the Department of Homeland Security and ICE gets a green light from the House. Despite ICE having disturbing and increasingly violent confrontations with the public, seven Democrats voted with all but one Republican to approve the funding bill, which now heads to Senate for consideration. The legislation includes $10 billion for ICE and $18 billion for Customs and Border Protection, on top of the $75 billion increase ICE received from Trump’s so-called Big Beautiful Bill. Democrats tried and failed to include changes to ICE’s procedures by requiring agents to have warrants before detaining immigrants and use a standard use-of-force policy. We will put it to Michael Shure and Mo Kelly in "This Week in Politics". We'll also talk about Trump's offensive and strange speech in Greenland and today's spending boycott in Minnesota. Friday Fabulous Florida shines a light on our fun loving friends in America's craziest state. The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder stops in to talk movies, streaming and more.

Trump says everyone is happy with a "framework" of a deal regarding the US and Greenland....but it seems he didn't really come away with anything at all. The United States already had an agreement with Greenland for military bases and troops to be on the island. So what was gained by all this posturing? Does Trump walk away trying to save face? We'll discuss it. Also, former Special Council Jack Smith is testifying before Congress today. We will listen in. Jessica Denson, host of the "Lights On" podcase will join us. Former Federal Prosecutor, now defense attorney, David Katz will swing by to talk about the hottest legal cases pending in the US.

In back-to-back public appearances, Donald Trump delivered meandering, unfocused speeches that left audiences stunned — first during a lengthy Washington press conference late last night, then again at the World Economic Forum in Davos. On today’s Mark Thompson Show, we examine the most alarming moments and what they reveal about Trump’s leadership, coherence, and state of mind. Political analysts, global leaders, and voters are reacting in real time. We’ll break down the clips, the fallout, and the broader implications for U.S. credibility abroad and political stability at home.  We'll be joined by presidential historian and former KGO host John Rothmann. “It’s the Planet, Stupid!” with Belinda Waymouth  features Trump’s legal attempts to stop environmental progress facing an uphill battle in the courts. The Mark Thompson Show  1/22/26 Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal.   https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24

Trump is headed to Davos, Switzerland to speak at the annual World Economic Forum's meeting. There will be leaders from government and business gathered. So far, this group has not been supportive of Trump’s efforts to get his hands on Greenland, but Trump says Europe will not ‘push back too much’ and he intends to tell anyone who disagrees with him that Denmark ‘can’t protect Greenland saying, “I don’t think they’re gonna push back too much. We have to have it. They have to have this done.” We will talk about it with Pulitzer prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston. The District Attorney for the city of San Francisco will stop by the show. We will ask Brooke Jenkins about crime, ICE enforcement and the challenges facing San Francisco. The Mark Thompson Show 1/20/26 Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com

Trump is escalating his efforts to take Greenland. If he’s not allowed to buy the country, he will impose tariffs on multiple European countries.  Denmark, France and the UK issued a joint statement against Trump’s tactics. Denmark’s leader says “Europe will not be blackmailed.” We will look at Greenland, the escalation of ICE enforcement and protests in Minnesota and more as we welcome iHeart political analyst Gary Dietrich.  Best selling author Sarah Kendzior joins to keep the political conversation going. The Mark Thompson Show  1/19/26 Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you’d like to help, here’s our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you’re more into PayPal.   https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you’ll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com