Topic: Optionality

Senator Marco Rubio addressed the media regarding the deployment of U.S. troops, emphasizing the concept of "optionality" for the President. While stating that current objectives can be met without ground troops, Rubio noted that deployments are necessary for multiple contingencies. The administration maintains that the destruction of Iranian military assets is ahead of schedule.

A procedural debate continues regarding the "nuclear option," a workaround that would allow the Senate to bypass the 60-vote cloture requirement with a simple majority. While the method was used in 2013 and 2017 for judicial and executive nominations, its application to general legislation remains a point of political friction. Proponents suggest this could end the government shutdown, while opponents fear the long-term impact on minority party power.

Analysis of trading data prior to the July 13th assassination attempt refutes viral claims that 12 million shares of Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT) were shorted. Reports indicate that trading volume was subdued and the alleged 120,000 put contracts did not exist, suggesting the rumors were based on a clerical error or misinformation.

David Icke's recent appearance with Alex Jones is discussed, focusing on Icke's frustration with the "Mainstream Alternative Media" (MAMS). Icke argues that many popular alt-media figures are held back from exploring deeper truths. The hosts counter that many Chinese migrants are likely seeking economic opportunities and stock options rather than acting as spies, noting that actual intelligence safe houses exist on both sides.

President Trump encouraged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to "go nuclear" to confirm Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch if Democrats attempt a filibuster. The "nuclear option" refers to changing Senate rules to allow a simple majority vote for Supreme Court confirmations. The hosts note that the precedent for this maneuver was set by the Obama administration in 2013 for lower-level appointments.

A lengthy segment honors high-tier donors, including the promotion of "Sir Data Ops" to the rank of Baronet. A notable donation from Allison Ostrander leads to a discussion about the risks of options trading and a story about a trader who took physical delivery of soybeans, which allegedly swelled and damaged his house's foundation. The hosts also perform a "make good" for several producers whose notes were previously missed or misread.

Executive Producer Allison Ostrander contributed $1,000, crediting the podcast's geopolitical analysis for helping her maintain a profitable options trading account. By ignoring mainstream media reports of an imminent "World War III" during the Iran crisis, she remained bullish and avoided unnecessary hedging costs. Her donation also includes a request for an "instant night" title for her partner, Tony the Keeper.

BBC reports suggested that the intelligence regarding an "imminent attack" by Soleimani was "razor thin" and based on travel patterns and intercepted "chatter." President Trump was reportedly presented with a "menu of options" by military planners, with the assassination of Soleimani being the most extreme measure. The President initially chose a more moderate path before escalating following the U.S. Embassy attack in Baghdad.

Hillary Clinton is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the 2019 Cyber Defense Summit hosted by FireEye. Critics noted the irony of Clinton speaking on mitigating cyber attacks given her history with private email server mismanagement. FireEye, a public cybersecurity firm, is expected to provide a significant payday for the appearance, potentially involving stock options.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open the program with travel updates, noting Curry's upcoming trip to Chicago for a Ronald McDonald House charities conference. The conversation shifts to a financial tip regarding Tesla stock, specifically a January 2019 $200 put option. The hosts recount an afternoon of wake surfing on Lake Travis with a former New York banker who provided the market insight.

A former New York banker predicts that Tesla stock will drop to $100 per share by February, down from its current $300 range. The discussion touches on "trap stocks" like Netflix and the high short interest surrounding Tesla. Advice is given to look into put options rather than direct shorting to mitigate risk.

A suspect in the bombing of the Borussia Dortmund team bus allegedly placed "put calls" on the team's stock, hoping to net $1 million from the resulting price drop. The hosts refer to this as a "terror put," drawing parallels to suspicious market activity observed before the September 11 attacks. The suspect's mistake was buying a large volume of options on the day of the attack.

Bill O'Reilly is mocked for several verbal gaffes during a segment on the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch. O'Reilly mistakenly referred to the justice as "George Gorsuch" and the late Justice Scalia as "Anthony" instead of Antonin. The hosts speculate that O'Reilly may have been "hammered" or under extreme pressure during the broadcast.

The U.S. Senate changed its rules to allow for the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch with a simple majority, effectively ending the 60-vote filibuster hurdle for high court nominees. The segment discusses the history of the Senate, noting it was originally designed to represent state interests rather than the voting public. A $500 billion fraud at HUD is mentioned as a story overshadowed by war coverage.

Media figures like Chuck Todd are noted for comparing the election night market volatility to the 2008 economic collapse inherited by Barack Obama. The hosts suggest the overnight dip was a "scam" or a buying opportunity, speculating that George Soros may have profited from S&P put options. They observe that the markets ultimately ended up over 300 points the following day, contradicting the dire media predictions.

A producer on the BitMessage channel analyzed the "UNG" natural gas ticker following Adam's theory on the Syrian conflict. The analysis found massive open interest in January 2015 $17 puts, suggesting a major player is betting on natural gas prices remaining above that level. The segment explains complex trading terms like "strike peg" and the selling of "time" in the options market.

Analysis of the Goldman Sachs $550 million settlement with the SEC reveals suspicious trading patterns involving put and call options. Data suggests that insiders may have known the timing of the civil complaint and the subsequent settlement, allowing for massive returns on options. The SEC is criticized for potential leaks and general incompetence in regulating Wall Street.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request regarding suspicious put options on airline stocks prior to September 11, 2001, resulted in a response from the SEC stating the records were destroyed. The hosts note that these records were reportedly housed in World Trade Center 7, which collapsed during the attacks, preventing an investigation into who profited from the tragedy.

Charles Krauthammer argues that the healthcare bill effectively turns private insurance companies into government-controlled utilities. By mandating coverage and controlling premiums, the government achieves a "public option" without explicitly naming it. This analysis explains why many Democrats who initially demanded a public option eventually supported the final version of the bill.

President Obama's weekly address focused on Anthem Blue Cross raising premiums by up to 39% in California. The hosts theorize that these "outrageous" rate hikes are a coordinated effort to revive the "public option" in health care reform. They suggest the insurance industry may be in on the scheme to secure government-managed profits, potentially involving Goldman Sachs.