THE UNKNOWN PODCAST EPISODE 41 – CURRENT EVENTS SEGMENT - Richard Luthmann and Michael Volpe

In the Current Events Segment of Episode 41 of The Unknown Podcast, co-hosts Richard Luthmann and Michael Volpe unload a high-octane analysis of America’s most pressing political, legal, and constitutional issues. From the controversial debate over birthright citizenship to Sean “Diddy” Combs’ explosive RICO trial, the duo delivers no-holds-barred commentary with sharp legal insights and unapologetic opinions.

🚨 HEADLINE: BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP SHOWDOWN
The segment ends with a bang as Volpe and Luthmann square off over birthright citizenship. Trump recently reaffirmed his position that children born to illegal immigrants on U.S. soil are not automatically citizens. Volpe disagrees passionately. As a constitutional originalist, he insists the text of the 14th Amendment is clear: “All persons born…in the United States…are citizens.” Period.

Luthmann counters with a different reading. “You’re skipping the most important part—‘subject to the jurisdiction thereof.’” He argues that clause excludes children born to those here unlawfully because illegal aliens do not owe complete political allegiance to the United States. “If language means anything, that clause must mean something too,” he says.

The two debate the 1898 Supreme Court case Wong Kim Ark, which upheld citizenship for U.S.-born children of legal immigrants. Luthmann says the ruling doesn’t apply to illegal immigrants and warns the Supreme Court has never addressed the issue directly. “The 14th Amendment was written to overturn Dred Scott and protect freed slaves—not create citizenship by proximity for border jumpers.”

Volpe shoots back: “Once you’re here, you’re subject to our laws. That’s jurisdiction. Your argument is crap.” It’s a brutal, fiery constitutional cage match that you won’t hear anywhere else.

💸 THE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL – TRUMP’S TAX CUTS OR SPENDING MONSTER?
Luthmann and Volpe open the segment by dissecting Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Elon Musk has criticized the bill, saying it’s bloated with unnecessary spending. Luthmann agrees. “Musk is right. It’s not lean. There’s pork, carve-outs, and targeted giveaways.”

Volpe defends the bill as a much-needed tax cut package. “Tax breaks are not spending. I don’t like deficits either, but if the bill cuts taxes across the board, that’s not waste.”

But Luthmann raises a broader point about revenue loss. “When you cut taxes, you still have to pay for things. The SALT deduction is a targeted benefit that favors high-tax states. That’s not neutral policy.”

Volpe’s frustration with Trump’s spending history comes through: “If Trump ran his businesses like he runs the government, he’d be broke.” Luthmann points out Trump’s use of debt as leverage. “It’s classic Trump—when you owe the bank $4 million, it’s your problem. When you owe $400 million, it’s theirs.”

The segment draws a sharp line between strategic debt and reckless spending—and between Trump’s private sector mindset and the realities of federal governance.

🔥 UKRAINE STRIKE SPARKS MAGA CIVIL WAR
The segment shifts to the latest developments in Ukraine. Over the weekend, Ukraine launched a successful drone attack on Russian targets, but MAGA hardliners like Mike Flynn claim the “deep state” acted without Trump’s approval.

Volpe lights into Flynn. “Ukraine doesn’t need Trump’s permission to conduct military operations. Flynn’s a lunatic if he thinks so.”

Luthmann provides a counterpoint: “We have American personnel embedded with Ukrainian forces. We fund and equip them. This isn’t just their war—it’s ours.”

The debate turns to Zelensky’s motives. Volpe insists, “Nobody would love to retire more than Zelensky. This is nonsense. If World War III were going to happen, it already would’ve.” Luthmann suggests otherwise: “Zelensky is playing with fire. He knows that without a broader war, he could be ousted or prosecuted.”

They also argue whether Trump’s foreign policy has been effective or a disaster. Volpe calls Trump’s Ukraine policy “a complete and utter failure.” Luthmann defends it under a three-power worldview: “China, Russia, and the U.S.—everyone else is a satellite.”

⚖️ DIDDY ON TRIAL – SEX, EXTORTION, AND RICO
In a blistering analysis, Luthmann and Volpe dig into the details of the criminal case against Sean “Diddy” Combs, who faces multiple charges including RICO, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for prostitution.

Volpe says the sex trafficking charges are a stretch. “There’s lots of evidence that Diddy is a controlling, violent man. But force, fraud, and coercion have to be tied directly to the sex acts. That connection is weak.”

Luthmann agrees and drills down on the extortion count, pointing out a $20,000 payment Diddy allegedly demanded from a woman’s family—only to return the money a few days later. “That’s not extortion. No mobster ever gives the money back. This looks more like coercive control than criminal extortion.”

Volpe raises doubts about the RICO charge: “You’ve got one witness from 2018 saying Diddy did one thing. Another from 2021 saying he did something else. Where’s the organized enterprise?”

Luthmann compares it to the NXIVM trial. “In that case, you had collateral—blackmail. You had a mechanism. What’s the mechanism here? Being a thug isn’t a criminal enterprise.”

Volpe adds: “They’re trying to paint Diddy as some kind of criminal mastermind. But so far, they’re just showing he’s a jerk.”

The segment ends with both hosts doubting that prosecutors have proven the RICO element. Volpe sums it up: “I think they’ll split the baby. Maybe they convict on something minor. But this RICO stuff? Weak.”

💥 FINAL TAKE: UNCENSORED, UNFILTERED, UNMISSABLE
Episode 41’s Current Events Segment is classic Unknown Podcast—fast-paced, brutally honest, and legally rigorous. Luthmann and Volpe challenge each other on every point, bringing years of legal, journalistic, and political experience to the table. From policy debates to courtroom strategy to the limits of the Constitution, they cover it all.

This is not your sanitized, corporate punditry. This is war room talk—intelligent, aggressive, and raw. Whether you agree or disagree, you’ll walk away thinking harder.

Don't miss this explosive installment. Tune in, turn up the volume, and get ready for truth without apology.