Topic: Meddling

During testimony, Robert Mueller struggled with basic biographical facts, such as which president appointed him as a U.S. Attorney, incorrectly naming George W. Bush instead of Ronald Reagan. He also refused to answer whether his 22-month investigation found evidence that any American voter changed their vote due to Russian interference, claiming the impact of the meddling was outside his "purview."

During the G20 summit in Japan, President Trump jokingly told Vladimir Putin "don't meddle in the election" in response to a reporter's question. The hosts criticize the media for failing to appreciate the humor in the exchange and focusing on the lack of a formal warning.

British intelligence agency MI6 is reportedly concerned that President Trump may disclose sensitive information regarding their role in the Russia investigation. Specifically, the agency's involvement in the reports that led to the Carter Page wiretap could be exposed. The hosts discuss the lack of US media coverage on potential British "meddling" in the 2016 election compared to the focus on Russia.

Vice President Mike Pence issued a warning to Beijing, accusing China of a coordinated campaign to undermine President Trump and meddle in U.S. elections. This comes amid an escalating trade war and planned U.S. military exercises in the South China Sea. The hosts question if this is a distraction from the Russia narrative.

Trump delivers a harsh critique of China's trade practices at the UN, citing product dumping and intellectual property theft. He notes the loss of 60,000 factories since China joined the WTO and defends new tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods. Later, he alleges that China is attempting to meddle in the upcoming U.S. midterm elections by targeting farmers in Iowa.

Infowars contributor Paul Joseph Watson characterized the coordinated ban as "cultural imperialism" and a global antitrust problem. He argued that the 12-hour window in which all major platforms acted constitutes collusion intended to influence the upcoming elections. Alex Jones echoed these sentiments, claiming the move was a response to his role in the 2016 election.

Senator Rand Paul defended the importance of maintaining a dialogue with Russia, citing the Cuban Missile Crisis as a historical precedent for communication during tensions. In an ABC News interview, Paul argued that public confrontation is not always the most effective diplomatic tool and that all nations with spying capabilities engage in election meddling. The segment notes that Paul's nuanced view was largely excluded from broader media coverage.

A PBS report details how the Internet Research Agency allegedly used fake social media accounts to stoke American tensions regarding the NFL protests and Roseanne Barr. These activities are framed by some officials as a threat to critical infrastructure, while others dismiss the impact of "digital missiles" consisting of tweets and $100,000 in advertising. The discussion highlights the history of US interference in foreign elections as a counterpoint.

In a Fox News interview with Laura Ingraham, former CIA Director James Woolsey admits that the United States has historically meddled in foreign elections, citing interventions in Greece and Italy in the late 1940s. Woolsey justifies these actions as being "for the good of the system" to prevent communist takeovers. The hosts criticize the casual admission of hypocrisy regarding current allegations of Russian interference.

Katie Tur argues that potential 2020 Democratic leaders like Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren are avoiding the spotlight to escape early criticism. She claims there is a "vacuum of ideas" within the DNC and emphasizes that Russian meddling is the most critical threat to American sovereignty. The hosts critique the focus on Russia over issues like globalism and the WTO.

Representative Adam Schiff, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, is pressuring Silicon Valley to release data on Russian-bought ads used during the 2016 election. Schiff expressed concern that Facebook's algorithms create "informational silos" that reinforce biases, such as interest in Hillary Clinton's health. He also suggested that Russia uses proxies in the Caucasus to amplify misinformation and bypass platform detection.

Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook will turn over 3,000 Russian-linked political ads to Congress following an internal investigation into 2016 election interference. The company plans to implement new transparency standards for political advertising to disclose ad buyers and targeting data.

The technical aspects of the Russian Facebook ad buy are analyzed, with the hosts questioning the reported numbers of "3,000 ads." They point out the irony of Facebook promising to fix its algorithms so ads don't "influence" people, noting that the entire purpose of advertising is influence. They conclude that "political propaganda" is a standard practice used by all sides.

The consensus among 17 intelligence agencies regarding Russian interference is scrutinized, with a focus on the NSA's "moderate confidence" rating. The hosts debate the definition of "meddling" using Merriam-Webster, arguing that if an action is in a nation's self-interest, it may not technically meet the definition of interfering in something that is not one's concern.

Congressman Adam Schiff appeared on "Conan" to discuss the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Schiff called for an independent commission and warned that the only real defense against Russian cyber operations is to "inoculate" the public by informing them of Russian tactics. The hosts find Schiff's "inoculation" metaphor confusing and ineffective as a national security strategy.

Listener Donald Borosky writes in to discuss the history of HP and Agilent Technologies. Another listener, Thomas Shannon, questions why NBC has not been investigated for "meddling" in the election by leaking the "Access Hollywood" audio. The hosts agree that the NBC leak was functionally similar to the hacks and leaks attributed to Russia.