Topic: Russia Today

Reports from Russia Today suggest that Ukraine may backtrack on promises not to use U.S.-supplied weapons to strike Russian territory, specifically Crimea. Additionally, accounts from mercenaries in Ukraine claim that advanced anti-tank weapons like Javelins are often unusable because they lack necessary batteries.

Journalist Matt Taibbi discusses his book "Hate Inc." on Russia Today with Chris Hedges. The book explores how the modern media landscape is built around "demographic silos" that profit from manufacturing conflict and hatred between groups. Taibbi argues that this system creates political impotence and reinforces prejudices through digital analysis of consumer habits.

An analysis from Max Igan on RT suggests that Trump's trade policies are a form of "theater" designed to isolate America and push Europe toward China's One Belt One Road initiative. The hosts discuss whether this isolationism is a deliberate business strategy to marginalize the US dollar as the global reserve currency.

RT (Russia Today) published a 2016 pitch deck from Twitter that proposed a $1.5 million advertising package for the US election. The deck included "exclusive closed betas" and customized emojis. The hosts analyze the marketing jargon and the high cost of promoted tweets compared to their actual engagement value.

Russian President Vladimir Putin jokes during a Q&A session that Russia is ready to grant asylum to James Comey, comparing him to Edward Snowden. The hosts also discuss leaked Republican talking points regarding the obstruction of justice charges.

Former CIA agent Larry Johnson claims that British intelligence agency GCHQ passed information to the Obama administration through back-channels to bypass U.S. surveillance laws. Johnson asserts that while Barack Obama may not have directed the activity, John Brennan and James Clapper were fully aware. This alleged meddling is cited as a primary driver of the current schism within the intelligence community.

Larry Johnson argued on CNN that Russia Today (RT) has negligible influence on American voters compared to domestic networks. He highlighted a key difference in production: RT does not conduct "pre-interviews" to vet guest opinions, whereas U.S. networks like the BBC and CNBC often use them to ensure guests fit a specific narrative. The hosts share personal anecdotes about being bumped from segments for having non-conforming views.

Russia Today (RT) aired a satirical knighting of Nigel Farage, which included a child telling Farage her mother thinks he "hates foreigners." The segment transitions to the emerging "scandal" regarding Vice President Mike Pence's use of a private AOL email account.

While CBS News praised the "White Helmets" following their Oscar win for Best Documentary Short, Russia Today (RT) highlighted protests against the group. The RT report reminded viewers of allegations that the group has staged rescues and has ties to extremist organizations in Syria.

Representative Maxine Waters was targeted by the same Russian pranksters, who convinced her that Vladimir Putin had hacked the elections in a fictional land called "Limpopo." Waters also believed a story about Putin remotely changing a president's television channel to Russia Today.

RT reporter Gayane Chichakyan's name pronunciation is corrected, and her report on Michael Flynn's resignation is featured. The segment includes a new listener-submitted jingle regarding the KGB and FSB.

The Associated Press reportedly produces the Max Keiser Report and Larry King's programming before selling the content to Russia Today (RT). This syndication model raises questions about the involvement of Western news agencies in distributing state-sponsored media. Additional discussion covers the hiring biases against journalists with resumes from RT or Sputnik.

A confrontation between a Russia Today (RT) reporter and State Department spokesperson John Kirby is discussed. The reporter repeatedly asks for specific locations and proof of Russian hospital bombings in Syria, while Kirby dismisses her as working for a state-sponsored outlet. The hosts note the tension between Western media and Russian state media.

CNN commentators are criticized for framing Mike Flynn's appearances on Russian state television as dangerous. It is noted that other prominent American media figures, such as Ed Schultz and Larry King, have also appeared on or hosted shows for Russian outlets without similar levels of condemnation.

RT reporter Yan Chichican details how George Soros-funded groups like MoveOn.org organized "spontaneous" anti-Trump protests within hours of the election. The report highlights the irony of Clinton supporters slamming the electoral system they had praised just days prior to the vote.

Russia Today reports on a bombing at a funeral near Kirkuk that allegedly killed numerous women and children, an event the mainstream U.S. media has not covered. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Ash Carter arrived in Baghdad to assess the Mosul offensive against ISIS.

A report from Russia Today (RT) examines Hillary Clinton's "Turtle Theory," which suggests that Russian interference in the U.S. election is not accidental. The report counters by highlighting the Uranium One deal, where a company donor gave $2 million to the Clinton Foundation while the State Department approved the sale of U.S. uranium assets to Russia. RT characterizes the focus on Russia as a political diversion by the Clinton campaign.

Hackers leaked over 2,000 documents from George Soros' Open Society Foundations, revealing efforts to influence political processes in Europe and Russia. Reports from Russia Today (RT) suggest Soros coordinates closely with USAID and has direct access to top U.S. policymakers like Hillary Clinton. The documents detail funding for local advocacy groups and journalists to foster specific political debates across 16 countries.

Russia Today reported on specific revelations from the Clinton email leaks, including a partnership between Google and Al Jazeera to intervene in Syria. Other emails detailed Israeli intelligence perspectives on President Assad and British and French interests in Libyan oil following the 2011 intervention.

A repetitive audio clip features a news anchor, likely Liz Wahl, repeatedly saying the name "Putin" in a stylized manner. This refers to her public resignation from the Russian government-funded network RT (Russia Today). The hosts mock the pronunciation and the dramatic nature of her stance against the Russian president's actions.