Border Wars, Billionaire Babies & Banana Republic Lawfare - The Unknown 33 - Current Events Segment

Hosted by Richard Luthmann & Michael Volpe

🇫🇷 Le Pen Banned: France Embraces Lawfare
The episode opens with shock and outrage over Marine Le Pen’s five-year political ban by French courts—effectively blocking her from the 2027 presidential race. Volpe and Luthmann call it “lawfare,” a political witch hunt masking as justice. “This is fascism with paperwork,” Luthmann says, warning it's part of a global trend of weaponizing courts to eliminate political rivals. Volpe adds, “You’re removing your political opponents not at the ballot box, but through the courts.”

🏌️‍♂️ Real Estate to Peace Talks: Trump’s Pick Under Fire
Volpe slams Trump’s choice of Steve Witkoff—a real estate mogul with no foreign policy background—as Middle East peace envoy. “This guy plays golf with Trump and now he’s handling Iran and Hamas?” Volpe asks. Luthmann defends the appointment: “If you can survive NYC real estate, you can negotiate peace. This is about trust, not credentials.”

🚧 Border Crisis: Numbers Drop, Debate Rages
The hosts highlight a dramatic reduction in illegal border crossings under Trump, with encounters plummeting from over 100,000 to just 11,000. Volpe praises the results but criticizes Trump’s reliance on the Alien Enemies Act—a wartime law used to deport migrants without court hearings. One deportee: a gay makeup artist sent to a notorious Salvadoran prison based on tattoos reading “Love Mom.” Luthmann justifies it: “Due process is for citizens. Deportation is a tool of national defense.” Volpe fires back: “That’s un-American. Everyone on U.S. soil gets due process.”

📉 Elon’s Political Stock Slips
Elon Musk’s influence takes a hit after his endorsed candidate loses a high-profile Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Volpe mocks the billionaire’s “kingmaker” ambitions. Luthmann dismisses it as a “hiccup,” citing long-term gains and Tesla’s fundamentals. The duo agree Elon isn’t done yet—but his halo is dimming.

📺 DOGE Interview or Infomercial?
The Brett Baier interview with Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiencies” team gets mixed reviews. Volpe calls it “pure propaganda”—a fluff piece devoid of real pushback. Luthmann praises the professionalism, noting Musk filled the agency with tech-savvy private-sector talent. “It felt like a Silicon Valley startup pitch,” he says.

💸 Baby Daddy Billionaire
Ashley St. Clair, Musk’s former flame, is suing for child support. She sold her $100K Tesla on camera, claiming Musk cut her payments. Elon admits he’s not sure the baby is his—even after giving her $2.5 million. Volpe mocks the move: “You’re suggesting she’s a whore?” Luthmann jokes: “He’s spreading seed like GMO corn.” Both agree: this is high-stakes baby drama with Maury Povich vibes.

🧨 Laura Loomer & the Chaos Caucus
Volpe calls Laura Loomer a “distasteful bomb-thrower,” slamming her as more damaging than helpful to the MAGA movement. Luthmann calls her “effective,” even if controversial. Both agree she generates headlines but not always the kind Trump wants.