Topic: Endorsements

Author Trevor Lohman received endorsements for his books "God's Eye View" and "Shroud Pilled" from the podcast hosts. The segment explores the philosophy of providing book blurbs, referencing Alan Watts' generous approach to endorsements and the modern use of AI tools like ChatGPT to generate synopses for forwards and reviews.

The IRS announced a major policy shift allowing churches and houses of worship to endorse political candidates from the pulpit without losing their tax-exempt status. This effectively carves out an exemption to the 1954 Johnson Amendment, provided the communications occur through "usual channels" during religious services.

Rapper Cardi B's endorsement of Kamala Harris is met with skepticism, with hosts suggesting her involvement may be linked to the ongoing P Diddy investigation. The discussion notes that many celebrities who previously avoided politics are now vocal supporters, leading to theories about "copious documentation" or leverage held by the establishment. The segment also mentions Chloe Grace Moretz coming out as gay and endorsing Harris.

The Washington Post announced it would not endorse a presidential candidate for the first time in decades, leading to the resignation of editor-at-large Robert Kagan and thousands of subscription cancellations. The decision is analyzed alongside a similar move by the LA Times, with speculation that owners Jeff Bezos and Patrick Soon-Shiong are protecting federal business interests.

Tom Hanks publicly endorses Kamala Harris, criticizing Donald Trump and Elon Musk as people one wouldn't want to "have a beer with." The hosts dismiss the "beer test" for presidency and speculate on whether celebrities are being blackmailed into making political statements. They also warn of increasing deplatforming and shadow-banning on social media platforms.

Lizzo appeared at a campaign rally in Detroit to support Vice President Kamala Harris, making a controversial comment that the whole country would be like Detroit if Harris wins. The hosts discuss Lizzo's physical transformation, speculating on the use of Ozempic, and critique the Harris campaign's heavy reliance on musical superstars to drive voter turnout.

Actress Linda Carter hosted a "Geeks and Nerds for Harris" Zoom call to mobilize voters for the Harris-Walz campaign. The event featured various sci-fi and TV icons, including LeVar Burton, but was criticized for its awkward tone and perceived lack of connection to the concerns of average Americans. The segment highlights the Democratic strategy of using niche celebrity groups to generate campaign enthusiasm.

Historical parallels are drawn between the current election and the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debates, where television viewers and radio listeners perceived different winners. Kamala Harris highlighted the endorsement of 200 Republicans, including Dick Cheney and Liz Cheney, as a sign of cross-party support. Critics argue that these endorsements and the debate format itself were part of a coordinated "culture war economy" effort.

During a Texas Tribune interview, Liz Cheney announced that her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, will be voting for Kamala Harris. The announcement is noted for its brevity and the irony of Democrats embracing a figure they previously criticized heavily during the Iraq War era.

The hosts discuss Don Lemon's "man on the street" interviews, which surprisingly show significant support for Trump. They also cover breaking news regarding Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s plan to end his presidential bid and potentially endorse Donald Trump. Nicole Shanahan's podcast comments about joining forces with Trump to prevent a Harris-Walz presidency are highlighted.

Speculation has circulated online regarding a potential Taylor Swift endorsement of Kamala Harris based on a silhouette in an Instagram post. The discussion dismisses the political weight of celebrity endorsements while joking about the voting age of "Swifties."

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated he takes Donald Trump's claims about stopping the war in Ukraine seriously and supports the sincerity of the proposal. The hosts note that mainstream media interpreted these comments as a formal endorsement of Trump.

Former President Donald Trump saw a 12-for-12 success rate for his endorsed candidates in recent GOP primaries. The hosts argue that this significant demonstration of political influence is being ignored by mainstream media in favor of negative coverage regarding the January 6th hearings. They contend that the media's primary goal is to marginalize Trump's influence.

The "70s Flashback" segment discusses CBS's new reality show, "The Real Love Boat," based on the classic 1970s sitcom. The hosts also briefly touch on the mixed results of Donald Trump's political endorsements in recent primary elections. The show concludes with a sign-off from the Texas Hill Country and Silicon Valley.

Former NBA player Andrew Bogut reveals he was offered money to film public service announcements encouraging citizens to stay home during the pandemic. Bogut refused the offer, citing the hypocrisy of a wealthy athlete telling "plebs" to isolate while he remained financially secure. The story highlights the use of paid influencers to promote government health mandates.

LL Cool J participated in interviews with Dr. Anthony Fauci to address vaccine hesitancy within the black community. This celebrity outreach coincides with CDC Director Walensky's appearance on The Rachel Maddow Show, where she claimed vaccinated individuals do not carry the virus. Critics view these media appearances as a coordinated effort to create an expectation of a spring surge.

Hillary Clinton officially endorsed Joe Biden during a virtual town hall, praising his compassion and adherence to science. Clinton highlighted that 80% of healthcare workers and one out of three essential workers are women, arguing that the pandemic has a disproportionate impact on them. Biden welcomed the endorsement, calling Clinton "the woman who should be president right now."

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that large-scale events like concerts and sporting matches are unlikely to return to the city until 2021. In national politics, Senator Elizabeth Warren officially endorsed Joe Biden for president, stating he would restore faith in effective government.

Elizabeth Warren appears on Saturday Night Live alongside Kate McKinnon but continues to withhold an official endorsement in the Democratic primary. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris officially endorses Joe Biden, a move labeled as hypocritical given her previous debate attacks on his record regarding busing. Speculation suggests Warren is being pressured by the party establishment to eventually back Biden rather than Sanders.

Instagram's "Perfectly Me" campaign encourages teens to share stories of "body positivity." Meanwhile, the FTC has sent letters to over 90 influencers, including the Kardashians, regarding undeclared paid endorsements. The hosts argue that Instagram and the FTC are cracking down on these deals because the platform isn't getting a financial cut of the "sneaky" advertising.