Topic: Election Funding

DNC Vice Chair David Hogg is facing internal backlash for his plan to raise $20 million to challenge incumbent Democrats in safe seats during primary elections. Congressman Ro Khanna expressed support for Hogg's "new generation of leadership" approach, while James Carville accused Hogg of being a paid operative. Hogg maintains his role is voluntary, leading to speculation about potential outside funding from sources like George Soros.

President Zelensky suggests that while elections are typically suspended during wartime, he would be willing to hold them if the West provides $5 billion in funding. He cites the high cost of organizing voting for millions of refugees across Europe. The hosts characterize this as a "gouge" and a potential scam to extract more money from allies.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed frustration during a quarterly investor call following leaked internal documents and continued political pressure. Zuckerberg and his wife previously donated nearly $400 million to local election offices, a move that critics say primarily benefited the Democratic Party. Despite this support, Democratic lawmakers continue to lead the charge in criticizing the platform.

During Trump's rally in Georgia, the crowd chanted "Lock him up" in reference to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The anger stems from the $45 million Zuckerberg provided to fund election-related activities in 2020, which Trump supporters view as improper interference.

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative provided $350 million to the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL) to fund local election offices during the 2020 cycle. These grants were used for equipment, hazard pay, and the installation of hundreds of ballot drop boxes, primarily in swing states. Critics argue that private funding of public election infrastructure creates potential conflicts of interest and partisan advantages.

George Soros spoke at Davos about the potential for a "revolutionary situation" in the United States leading up to the 2020 election. Financial links between Soros-funded organizations and the organizers of Black Lives Matter are discussed as a primary driver of the current unrest. Analysts suggest the timing of these protests is intended to disrupt the economy and damage President Trump's re-election prospects.

The final set of donations for the episode is acknowledged, including contributions from Amsterdam and Iowa. The hosts remind listeners that they can send physical checks or use automated bank payment systems to support the show. The idea of forming a "No Agenda Super PAC" for the 2016 election cycle is briefly revisited as a potential project.

The hosts discuss the potential for candidates like Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum to scam the public election financing system for millions of dollars. The conversation shifts to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' recovery from a shooting, specifically mentioning a chip implanted in her skull to measure brain pressure, which the hosts speculate on as a future political narrative.