Topic: Surprise

President Donald Trump met with Japanese journalists to discuss the ongoing conflict with Iran. When asked why the United States did not notify allies like Japan before initiating military action, Trump joked about the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. He emphasized that military strategy requires secrecy and surprise to be effective.

Adam Curry describes the Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas, noting the character's thin appearance and red robes compared to the American Santa Claus. He explains the custom of drawing names for a gift exchange where presents are hidden in elaborate "surprises" (such as boxes of wood chips) and accompanied by anonymous poems. The segment also touches on neighborhood "house wars" involving competitive Christmas light displays.

Special Counsel Jack Smith released a 165-page filing outlining the prosecution's case against Donald Trump regarding the 2020 election. The document attempts to bypass the Supreme Court's immunity ruling by arguing Trump's actions were those of a private candidate rather than a president. The hosts dismiss the filing as a "lame" October surprise with no new evidence.

Houston attorney Tony Buzby announced he represents 120 alleged victims of Sean "Diddy" Combs, with accusations spanning from 1991 to 2024. The victims, including 25 minors at the time of the incidents, allege drug-fueled sexual assaults at high-profile parties in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. Buzby stated that 55% of the victims filed reports with authorities or hospitals, and some have spoken with the FBI.

Adam Curry describes a surprise 60th birthday party organized by his wife, Tina, at Six Twists on Main Street in Fredericksburg, Texas. Attendees included various show donors and associates such as Grand Duke Foley and Sir Mark Hall. Curry received several gifts, most notably a 12-gauge short-barrel shotgun for home defense from his brother.

While the EU has moved toward more meaningful tech regulation, the U.S. remains hesitant to impose rules on critical digital infrastructure. Observers warn that the CrowdStrike incident serves as a dry run for potential "glitches" during the 2024 election, particularly if voting machines are found to have similar low-level operating system vulnerabilities.

The hosts review listener-submitted artwork for the current episode, selecting a piece by "Pickle Surprise" as the winner. The art features a smiling cow with a vertical split layout and the caption "now laced with Listeria." Other submissions discussed include a mechanical cow by Nick the Rat and a 33-year-old throwback photo of the hosts.

Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland visited Kiev to demonstrate U.S. support and unity with the Ukrainian government. During her visit, she promised that Vladimir Putin would face "nice surprises" on the battlefield in 2024. The hosts interpret this as a sign of further military escalation and the provision of long-range weaponry.

The first round of executive producer donations includes Bob Millsap, Dame Becky, and Felix Rios. Sir Luca of Walla Walla shares a story about scanning 333 family photos, while Sir Brian Leslie is honored by his wife for his "fatherhood magnificence."

The lack of medical transparency regarding Paul Pelosi's skull fracture is contrasted with the high-profile media coverage leading up to the 2022 midterm elections. The incident is characterized as a potential "October Surprise" that may be losing momentum. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Senate race between John Fetterman and Mehmet Oz remains a primary focus of national political attention.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open episode 1491 on October 2, 2022, speculating on a potential "October Surprise" ahead of the midterm elections. Curry discusses his recent media appearances on the Glenn Beck and Alex Jones radio shows, noting the strategic value of reaching new audiences through these platforms.

NPR suggests a Democratic campaign slogan for the fall: "Jobs, Jobs, Jobs and Dobbs, Dobbs, Dobbs," referring to the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case. The discussion posits that the Supreme Court leak happened too early to be an effective "October Surprise" and that high gas prices may hinder voter turnout.

A 2017 recording from George Washington University features Dr. Anthony Fauci predicting that the next administration would face a "surprise outbreak" of infectious disease. Fauci cites his 32-year history as the director of NIAID as the basis for his certainty that every administration faces such challenges. The phrasing is scrutinized for its seemingly prophetic nature regarding the current global health crisis.

Long-time listener Joe Winky, founder of Healthy Surprise and Jambo Superfoods, is featured. After his original snack box business was disrupted by larger competitors, he transitioned to the CBD industry. He sent the hosts samples of "CBD Muscle Balm," leading to a humorous discussion about foot massages.

The concept of the October Surprise is traced back to the 1980 election involving the Iranian hostage crisis and Ronald Reagan. Recent political cycles, including the 2016 election and James Comey's involvement with Hillary Clinton's emails, are analyzed to determine if genuine surprises still occur. Current events are viewed as an attempt to create a critical mass of support for the Democratic Party ahead of midterms.

Joe Winky, known for "Healthy Surprise," donates $333.33 and is discussed as having moved into the CBD industry. The conversation shifts back to Hillary Clinton's birthday and her past comments regarding the death of Muammar Gaddafi. The hosts replay the "We came, we saw, he died" clip to analyze her reaction.

The history of the "October Surprise" is revisited, specifically the 1980 Iran hostage crisis and theories that the Benghazi attack was a botched attempt to create a similar hero moment for the Obama administration. The current Clinton campaign is criticized for lacking a positive message, relying instead on attacking Donald Trump's character and associations.

With less than four weeks until the election, the hosts anticipate a major "October Surprise." They speculate on the existence of tapes showing Hillary Clinton in a "screaming fit" or "lunatic rant," as rumored by former Secret Service members. They argue that the public has become desensitized to email leaks and requires something more visceral to shift the race.

Julian Assange's highly anticipated "October Surprise" press conference resulted in no new immediate leaks, which the hosts find disappointing. The discussion covers a reported 2010 memo where Hillary Clinton allegedly asked if the U.S. could "just drone" Assange. Clinton later stated she did not recall making such a joke, though the hosts believe the threat may have influenced Assange's recent behavior.

Retired Four-Star Admiral James Lyons claims that the 2012 attack in Benghazi was a kidnapping operation gone wrong. Lyons suggests the plan was to capture Ambassador Chris Stevens and exchange him for the "Blind Sheikh" as an "October Surprise" to boost President Obama's re-election. He cites a confidential FBI informant as the source of this theory, which contradicts the official narrative regarding the spontaneous nature of the attack.