Topic: Michael Schmidt

A new book by New York Times reporter Michael Schmidt claims Vice President Mike Pence was put on standby during President Trump's unannounced 2019 visit to Walter Reed Hospital. Trump responded on Twitter by denying he had suffered a "series of mini-strokes," a claim not actually made in the book. The hosts suggest Trump is "trolling" the media to draw a contrast with Joe Biden's health.

An impromptu interview between President Donald Trump and New York Times reporter Michael Schmidt at Mar-a-Lago is analyzed as a staged event. The hosts suggest the "chance encounter" was orchestrated to allow Trump to bypass his staff and deliver specific messages regarding the Russia investigation and his authority over the Justice Department directly to a skeptical media outlet.

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper is criticized for his public gaffes regarding Libya. A recent presidential memorandum outlining the succession order for the DNI is interpreted as a "shot over the bow" signaling Clapper's imminent departure. Speculation arises that Google's Eric Schmidt could be a candidate for a high-level government role.