DeProgram: Ukraine Proxy War, Trump’s Third Term, and Marine Le Pen’s Prison Sentence

"DeProgram," hosted by Ted Rall, Michelle Witte, and John Kiriakou, is a provocative podcast that challenges mainstream narratives with incisive commentary. In this midday episode, the trio tackled the New York Times and mainstream media’s belated acknowledgment that Ukraine has been a proxy war, a stance they had previously taken on their Sputnik News shows—leading to their dismissal under the Biden administration’s sanctions. The hosts dissect how this admission reflects broader media reluctance to confront uncomfortable truths.

They also address Donald Trump’s public musings about seeking a third presidential term, exploring the constitutional hurdles and whether the Supreme Court might permit such a move, given its current composition.

Additionally, the episode covers Marine Le Pen’s recent sentencing to four years in prison (two suspended) and a five-year ban from public office for embezzling EU funds, a ruling that derails her 2027 presidential bid and sends shockwaves through French politics. With Le Pen’s National Rally party reeling, the hosts analyze the implications for France’s far-right and the nation’s political landscape. "DeProgram" delivers unfiltered perspectives, blending Rall’s leftist critique, Witte’s sharp insights, and Kiriakou’s whistleblower experience to unpack these pivotal issues.