The latest episode of the long-running podcast No Agenda, titled "XY You're Out," dives into a week of startling news, from reports of an Iranian assassination plot against President Trump to a heated cultural debate in the WNBA. Hosted by fill-ins Darren O'Neill and Larry Bleidner, the episode continues the show's tradition of dissecting how stories are framed across mainstream media.
One of the most striking stories covered is the alleged plot against President Trump, which reportedly involved the use of a decoy Air Force One. According to reports, Trump was smuggled off the presidential aircraft in a catering truck after a NATO summit in Turkey, while the press remained aboard as a decoy. The hosts highlight that this tactic is not unprecedented. O'Neill points out that PBS NewsHour reported President Bill Clinton used the same maneuver in Islamabad in 2000, directly contradicting a guest on MS NOW who insisted Clinton would never have done such a thing. The implications of this story are significant, as it raises questions about presidential security and the measures taken to protect leaders from imminent threats.
The episode also delves into the WNBA controversy sparked by Caitlyn Jenner's blunt statement: "XX, you're in. XY, you're out. It's simple. That's the catchphrase. Let's remember that. I might get that tattooed on myself." The hosts replay her line and endorse it on the spot, adding to the debate surrounding transgender athletes in women's sports. This controversy has far-reaching implications for the league, players, and fans, as it touches on issues of fairness, inclusion, and the future of competitive sports.
Another segment covers Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed's viral Blue's Clues campaign ad, in which he cosplays as the beloved children's character to pitch Medicare for All. The hosts mock the ad, calling it an appeal to "kidults," but it raises questions about the effectiveness of using nostalgia in political advertising.
The episode also touches on a range of other stories, including Chris Matthews' warning to moderate Democrats about the DSA, AOC walking back progressive positions on ABC, and New York Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher redefining shoplifting as "crimes of poverty." The hosts use verbatim clips to let the sources speak for themselves, a hallmark of the No Agenda approach.
On the international front, the show covers H.R. McMaster's analysis of IRGC "pattern of life" videos targeting Barron and Melania Trump, Rahm Emanuel positioning himself as a moderate against Gavin Newsom, and a Grimerica clip breaking down new Canadian hate-speech guidance that treats social-media boycotts of 2SLGBTQI+ organizations as potential bias incidents.
The episode also includes a boots-on-the-ground segment from Sir Darius Unity detailing data-center construction protocols, phone confiscation, and reported downtime losses, offering a unique perspective on the tech industry's infrastructure challenges.
As always, No Agenda Episode 1895 provides a critical lens on the news, challenging listeners to question official narratives and understand the underlying motivations of media coverage. The episode is available now wherever podcasts are heard, with meetup information and producer credits at the episode page.
