Topic: Coup D Etat

The discussion examines the recent string of military takeovers across Africa, specifically focusing on the coup in Gabon that ended the 56-year rule of the Bongo dynasty. Analysis of media coverage from France 24 features "Douchebag Doug," who attributes the regional instability to jihadist insurgencies and incompetent leadership. The hosts critique the media's framing of these events and the military's role in canceling "truncated" election results.

John Bolton admitted on CNN to having helped plan coups d'etat in foreign countries while discussing the January 6th investigation with Jake Tapper. Bolton argued that Donald Trump's actions were not a carefully planned coup but rather a series of impulsive decisions. The discussion references Bolton's involvement in the failed attempt to oust Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Vice President Mike Pence released a video message supporting Venezuelan opposition efforts to oust President Nicolas Maduro. Juan Guaido, head of the National Assembly, declared himself interim president, a move recognized by the United States, Canada, and several Latin American nations. Maduro responded by accusing the U.S. of orchestrating a coup and ordered American diplomats to leave the country.

A recording of Maxine Waters' 1998 speech defending Bill Clinton during his impeachment is played. In the speech, she calls the impeachment a "Republican coup d'etat" and an "abuse of power" driven by "unbridled hatred." The hosts point out the irony of her current stance on Donald Trump, noting that her 1998 arguments against impeachment could be applied almost verbatim to the current political climate.

Sidney Blumenthal appeared on a Dutch news program and characterized the 2016 election results as a "coup d'etat" orchestrated by a cabal of FBI agents in New York linked to Rudy Giuliani. The hosts mock Blumenthal for making such extreme claims on obscure international broadcasts, unaware that global "producers" are monitoring.

General Wesley Clark appeared on CNN to analyze the tactical failures of the Turkish coup executors, noting they failed to arrest the president or shut down the internet. Clark compares the situation to the 1989 move against Manuel Noriega in Panama, suggesting that for a coup to succeed, the perpetrators must be willing to use lethal force immediately.