[00:20] Good morning. It's Thursday, April 2nd. You're watching The Program with Ted Rall and John Kiriakou. Good morning, John. >> Good morning, Ted. How you doing? >> Pretty good. Let's talk So, let's go over what we're talking about today. John, did you have a chance to catch the president's speech last night? >> I'm sorry to say that I did. >> It wasn't exactly, you know, I mean, look, I didn't expect much and I got less than I expected. >> You know, I I'm trying to get a pardon. I'm trying
[00:50] really hard to thread this needle, right? But literally every word out of the man's mouth last night was a lie. That's all there was to it. Literally everything he said was a lie. And then saying that he's going to bomb the electrical grid, that's a war crime. You cannot bomb infrastructure. So, he's announcing in advance that he's committing a war crime. I just don't understand it at all. >> You know, assuming that yeah, assuming
[01:22] that this isn't just like bluster for the Canadian for the Iranians, I suspect strongly that you know, he's not done. He's not really pulling out in two or three weeks. This is all just misdirection. And I think you know, we're going in with ground troops. >> Yeah, that's what it looks like. We're going to go in with ground troops. And you know, is he going to be able to tell people that their sons were killed for for Israel and and they should be okay with that?
[01:54] >> Well, so John, this was a scripted speech where he went one of those scripted speeches where the president then like had his little meandering nobody's ever seen such you know, nobody thought it was possible kind of diatribes that we've seen over and over again. John, this seemed to me like you know, one of the president's do or die make it or break it moments. And it doesn't seem like it was taken very seriously, you know, in terms of the final product is is seriously lacking, right? I mean
[02:26] what what happens here internally in the White House? I mean, was the original speech writer not very good or did they not have enough freedom of action with the president looking over their shoulder or is it just Trump's impossible to work for or is it all Trump's fault? Like what's going on? >> I keep coming back to this comment that he made a few weeks ago in which a reporter asked him who his um advisers were and he said that he didn't have any advisers that he um simply went with whatever was in his
[02:58] gut. And I think that's exceedingly dangerous. Uh I'm sure that it's true. I'm sure that he does just go with his gut, but that's exceedingly dangerous and I think that he believes or wants to believe what Benjamin Netanyahu has told him about Iran even though it's demonstrably false. And um he's just going with it. That's the bottom line. He's just going with it and the American people are just going to have to either, you know, accept it or walk
[03:29] away. >> It's uh I mean, but the thing is the American people have already made very clear that they don't accept it. I mean, the approval rating for the president himself is at a record low. The approval rating for the war is basically roughly less than one out of three, maybe closer to one out of four voters. Um a lot of Republicans don't like this war and are worried about it. Um, it it just seems to me like this is a no-win situation for the president. I
[04:00] don't I don't know how it I mean, I just don't It just seems so poorly thought out. Um, you know, it seems so impulsive. Um, it's a little bit breathtaking. >> Well, you know, he said something too yesterday offhandedly that was so patently offensive. I can't believe people didn't jump up and down. He said um people are going to have to get used to high gas prices. If they don't like it, tough luck. It's like that's not what you said at the State of the Union just five weeks ago when you were bragging about about the
[04:32] price of gas and how it had never been lower, never been lower and I mean, this is exactly what the Republicans ran on against first Joe Biden and then Kamala Harris was the price of gas. Okay, now the price of gas is as high almost as high as it was at any point in the Biden administration. What are you going to do about it? Because it's not just gas prices. Gas prices lead to higher transportation costs, which lead to higher food prices and and things for everything from, you know, roofing tiles to to bottles of water. It's everything.
[05:04] Everything goes up. >> Yeah, well, for sure. And the thing is it's not going to come down quickly. I mean, and that said though, there wasn't like a lot of reassurance to the American people, right? Like Like I was expecting to hear something along the lines of, "Yes, uh, you know, I see you. I know that the prices have gone up. Uh, you know, I see the gas prices as I drive around Washington and I know it's a problem, but don't worry. It's not going to stay up for very long. The war is going to come to a conclusion. We're going to reopen the strait. Prices will
[05:35] come down. It might take a few months, but in the long run, we're all going to be better off." That's the message that Americans would expect to hear from their president, but they didn't. It was basically like suck it up buttercup. >> Yeah, that's it. >> Um >> That's it. That's what it came down to. >> It's really this I mean I published the column I was talking about yesterday I teased yesterday um about you know fascism. Um you know if people who studied I studied fascism under Robert O. Paxton the author at Columbia
[06:06] of uh The Anatomy of Fascism which I would encourage anyone to read it's the most useful book ever written on the topic in the English language. >> Yeah. >> Paxton uh always talks about how war is sort of the inevitable result culmination of fascism because of all the hostile hyper masculine aggressive rhetoric. You have to have ultimately break something but in the end war destroys the fascist regime um in the end right like uh it certainly you know Hitler probably only wanted a
[06:37] quick invasion of Poland and just didn't expect a two-front war that was going to grind up Europe and North Africa. And uh you know and but that destroyed him it destroyed Germany. Um you know it just seems like this will destroy whether Trump is fascist or not this will certainly destroy politically his administration is being >> Yeah. Yeah, I agree. This is going to be a serious problem but and this is another interesting thing to me Ted is that it seems like he genuinely doesn't give a
[07:10] [ __ ] about Republican prospects in the midterm election. >> No, he doesn't care. It's true. It's true. By the way politically by the way it's good thing that we have Aquiles Larrea friend of the show is going to be coming on at the bottom of the hour to talk about the economic impact of the war so that'll be I'm looking forward to hearing him talk about that. He's Larrea Wealth Management we've had him on before. But yeah, he doesn't care. John we have a few leftover questions from yesterday's Q&A show should we I to
[07:40] those? Okay. Sure thing. Manchild, um thanks for the donation. Since Trump is effectively torched America's global reputation, is the damage to our alliances now permanent or is there actually a way back? >> Well, that's actually a harder question than it than it sounds like. Um so long as so long as J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio
[08:11] aren't elected president, I think there's a way back. Um this is tough because because how should I vocalize this? There leaders leaders of the NATO countries are tired of being pushed around. They're tired of being bullied. They're tired of waking up in the morning and wondering if Donald Trump is going to be nice to them that day. And um I'm afraid that
[08:42] the next president, whoever he happens to he or she happens to be, uh the next president is going to say, "Well, everything's fine now with NATO. Trump's not president anymore." And then the NATO countries say, "Not so fast. We're tired of being shat on like this. We're not sure we want you guys in NATO anymore. If you if you're threatening to withdraw from NATO, then withdraw from [ __ ] NATO. We don't even care anymore." That's what I'm worried about.
[09:13] >> Well, could NATO could NATO um I guess NATO could continue without the US, but it would it would be a very different animal. The US was the found was it was it was the US's idea. It was uh US was the founding member. It would be like the UN without the US. >> Yes, that's exactly right. >> I mean, I think there's a way back to answer that question. I do think there's a way back. Um but, you know, basically it's you know, it's trust is broken in a second and it takes a long time to build it back and at this point, you know, the
[09:44] you know, the the allies feel very mistreated and it would take a new president to say, "Listen, I it's different now, but then of course the problem for them is how do we know we know it's different for you with you now, but how do we know we don't get another Donald Trump?" And and the answer is you don't know that. >> No, you don't know that. That's right. >> Uh this is thanks for the $20. Hey John, love your show and get a lot out of it. I'm a conservative when it comes being to being pro-life. Can you give me a little
[10:15] background about what influences your perspective on abortion both in your faith and political values? >> I've struggled with this all my adult life. Um I am a practicing Greek Orthodox Christian and abortion is forbidden in the Greek Orthodox Church. With that said, the position of the church is that while it is forbidden,
[10:47] it's between, you know, the woman and her conscience, really. So, there are priests who would say, "Oh, you're going to burn in the fires of hell." There are other priests who say, "All right, well, you know, you're forgiven." And then it's done. For me personally, I've always thought abortion is a terrible thing for me, but it's not up to me to judge other people
[11:17] and their decisions. Um I I personally have always struggled with the notion that life begins at conception. I don't think it does. Um and everybody is free to disagree with me and condemn me and do whatever you want, but I just always felt that it this was just an issue that wasn't up to me. And so you know, I always thought if you don't if you're against abortion then don't get an abortion.
[11:48] But it shouldn't be up to you if the person next to you wants an abortion. That's always been my personal position. >> Yeah, mine's a little different, but well, but the question was for you and we have a lot more questions. >> like to hear it actually. >> Oh, um I actually do think life begins at conception. Um and I think that women should need and have to have the right to murder their unborn babies. Um it's unfortunately uh and I think I would go further and say abortion should almost be sort of culturally if not legally, but
[12:18] culturally mandatory for kids. Like, you know, you're 15, you get knocked up, you really shouldn't become a mom. Um you're too you're too young. Um but I think that it's a horrible tragedy, it is murder um and I think it it sucks but that women have to have the ability to control their bodies for practical reasons. And and it really for me it it just it comes down to that. It's sort of like you know, I I mean I could make an analogy that would sound like you know, like I'm making light of the
[12:49] death of of a child. I don't want to do that, but anyway, that that's where I'm that's where I'm at. Um Mustafa, thanks for the $4.99. Mr. Ted, what is your favorite Afghan dish? Are you a dumpling guy? Where does mantu rank among the world's dumplings? I love dumplings. I love dumplings, too. My favorite are are soup are pork dumplings. Chinese ones are are my favorites, but I do I do like mantu a lot. But you know, give me a really good strong shashlik and I'm a happy
[13:22] >> Oh my god, yes. I I went to Uh, I went to a Turkish restaurant last night, and it was like Turkish Turkish, where there was this gigantic billboard uh photograph of of Istanbul on the uh on the wall, and then above the cash register was a giant framed portrait of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. But, I had dumplings. I had uh manti, which is dumplings filled with ground beef, and then with yogurt and tomato sauce on top of it. Oh my god,
[13:52] fantastic. >> It's such comfort food. >> Yeah. >> Arian Gordy, thanks for the $19.99. Good morning, John and Ted. Um the orange [ __ ] lies to our faces. What the [ __ ] is new? Also, Trump says allies need to need to grab the straight of homo. Do you think this can lead to escamate escalation? Any new thoughts on Pakistan, Afghanistan? The whole administration is as dumb as pigeon [ __ ] Love y'all. Lot going on there. Um look, uh Trump is is uh basically afraid
[14:25] to go into the Trump of to the Strait of Hormuz. He's right to be. Um US troops would be destroyed, decimated, as we've talked about here. And in terms terms of Pakistan, Afghanistan, um it it grinds on, and no one cares. >> No one cares. It's true. It's not even in the news. Like, you you have to actually go out and search for news about it. >> Yeah, it's true. It's not Yeah, it doesn't come up in your feed. Um >> No. >> Do you know what I'm saying? Do you have uh any thoughts about Strait of Hormuz?
[14:58] >> You know, the Strait of Hormuz situation should be so easy to figure out. It's not. You can't like the president said last night, either either take the oil or buy from us. >> It's a global market. >> What? It's a global market, and it's not just about oil. As we said yesterday, 65% of the world's fertilizer comes through the straight of Hormuz and the so-called Ukrainian breadbasket can't feed everybody. So, we're going to have to some kind of
[15:29] come to some kind of an agreement. This is >> And it's also like crazy to the contradictions yesterday just parenthetically. You know, we we obliterated the nuclear program. There's nothing but dust there. We don't care. Uh but we're going to, you know, destroy their ability to develop nuclear weapons and shoot ICBMs at us. Um but you said you did that. Um which is it? Um Starline, thanks for the 5.99 euros. John, you'd be better off waiting for a more honorable president. Then you can speak your mind freely. >> Yeah.
[16:00] >> Uh Keep It Real, thanks for the 4.99. Good morning. Would you guys ever have Scott Ritter or Ryan Dawson on? I would. >> Yeah. Sure. >> Um >> Sure. >> Aryan, member for a month, just want to say thank you for the independent thoughts and media you three provide. It helps so many people, including me, find real news. Love you all. Thank you. Um Effy So, thanks for the donation. When Trump's Bay of Pizza is a massacre, odds that we could use a nuke?
[16:31] Um not zero, but not high. >> You know, I'm glad you said not zero. I think it's highly unlikely, but you can't say zero. And I've said before, I'll say it again. Dr. Peter Kuznick, one of the country's foremost experts on these issues and the director of the nuclear studies program at American University, says that he believes it is possible. He believes that that the use of a nuclear weapon is the final, his words, the final taboo.
[17:01] And that Donald Trump is willing to consider breaking that taboo um so that future presidents don't feel constrained about using nuclear weapons. >> It's a final taboo for a reason. Um Santos, thanks for the donation. Any comments on the viral video on Instagram from Scott Ritter's interview where he calls this intervention the most criminally criminally criminal war plan in history. >> I got to say, I've you know, having
[17:32] watched this stuff for 35 years, I've never seen something so poorly designed, so poorly thought out, so poorly considered ever. >> And so big. >> And so big. Yeah. >> Um Have you seen Have you seen Kurt Metzger's Seinfeld Epstein series? Lex Wexner as a Gremlin Yoda is hilarious. I have not. >> I haven't seen that. >> Uh I've been I've been obsessed with the Chinese and and Iranian propaganda
[18:04] videos. Um Sblest, thanks for the $19.99. My son Maxi is in fifth grade. He donated his allowance to ask you this question on the live stream. >> Oh my gosh. >> Should American tourists worry about terrorism by Iran when traveling internationally because of the war? Uh I >> I >> probably yes. >> Yeah. Um the Iranians Listen, I'm going to take [ __ ] from people that I'm close to for saying this. So, Azita, I'm sorry. I just have
[18:36] to call this like it is. Um Do the Iranians engage in terrorism? Of course they do. And they have for decades. They don't do it all the time. They don't do it as a matter of practice. They do it when they believe that they've been wronged. And right now they believe they've been wronged. And so does that mean that American tourists overseas are in danger? Sure it does. I think it's unlikely, but it's possible. >> Yeah, I mean your individual I always say like for example, you know, how
[19:07] dangerous is it is a city? Well, it's basically what are your per capita chances of being attacked or mugged or killed or whatever? And those chances as a tourist are are good. You're not You're probably not going to be, you know, you will you go to Italy or whatever, nothing's going to happen, you know, almost certainly, 99.99999%. But it's not zero, and those odds are a little higher than they used to be. Uh FC Sill, which Disney princess do you think Lindsey Graham do you see Lindsey Graham as?
[19:39] >> Oh my god. Did you see Have you seen the memes from Lindsey Graham? Oh my god, they're so funny. >> So funny. >> he was out shooting clays in whatever it was, Henderson County, and like it doesn't get any better than this, but then people have superimposed instead of his instead of his uh his shotgun, they have like a bubble gun and he's wearing Disney ears and princess rainbows or a Uh >> It's classic. >> That Kiwi, hey guys, genuine question.
[20:10] Do you think that deep down Trump regrets starting the war? Big fan of the show, much love from New Zealand. #pardonjohn. >> Thank you. >> You know, I I I think some part of him does, maybe not all of him, but I think I mean he's got to be having he's got to be having doubts. >> He's got to be. He's I mean I understand the arrogance, I really do. Every president is arrogant. But you've got to be thinking that damn Netanyahu duped me. >> Yeah.
[20:40] Yeah, got to be thinking that. Uh uh LaLa Aviation, Iran offers EU and the UK or or or Moos deal would uh would Israel hit tankers? >> Yeah, I think so. >> Wow. >> I do. I think so. I think that all the all the rules of warfare have been cast off to the side. >> Unlikely Utopia, thanks for the donation. So sad that this is John's last episode of Dprogram. We will be
[21:11] talking about that at the end of the show. Uh but wishing you the best in your future endeavors though, John. >> Thank you. >> Yes, with that that is Thank you. That's the same for me. Uh the show will go on um without uh without John starting tomorrow. Um hopefully you guys will stick around. Uh Jury Enjoyer $4.99. Hey fellas, I've seen reports of Chechen fighters saying they would back up Iran in case of an American ground invasion. Was wondering your thoughts on this. I don't know. I mean, Chechens are John Keegan, the
[21:42] Neocon historian, described Chechens as the most ferocious warriors in the history of mankind. >> From my own experience having captured Chechen fighters with these two hands, they are the most vicious, the most violent, and I'll use that word, the most ferocious fighters I've ever encountered. encountered. If If Al-Qaeda had been made up only of Chechens, we'd have lost.
[22:13] >> By the way, speaking of Al-Qaeda, um did you take note of the president's speech yesterday in which I was meaning to ask you about this? He blamed the bombing of the USS Cole on Iran. Now, I remember that being Al-Qaeda. >> Yeah, then somebody should release the Al-Qaeda prisoners at Guantanamo that we have for bombing the USS Cole. >> Who Who writes these speeches? >> See, I think he just wings it. I really do. I really do.
[22:45] >> So, would the Chechens make a difference? I mean, geographically, the Chechens aren't in a great position. Not I mean, they've got a lot of Russia separating them from Iran. >> Yeah. >> know what they could do really except for moral support. What do you think? >> I think that's that's pretty much it. >> Uh James they That's could do. I mean where where else where where they going to go? >> Thanks for the five bucks James Kelly. Do you think that that speech was him giving up on his administration and his presidency? No, he doesn't he doesn't he
[23:16] doesn't know. >> No way. I think he believes his own words. >> Yeah, I think so, too. Alex Bringler >> off by saying that that literally everything that he said, literally every sentence was a lie. >> Yeah. Yeah, no. I mean yeah, it was all crap and none of it is going to I mean he's he used to be I mean he's just not a good communicator. That's all.
[23:46] >> He's not. Obama gave them 1.4 billion green green cash. It was cash. It was all green. >> It was all theirs, too. >> That's not that's not oration. And it was all their money. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Which we which the right wing talks about. >> Yeah. >> Alex Bringler, sorry. Thanks for the 499 pounds. Sorry, just uh we we know I'm aware of Achilles coming on in a few minutes. Ted, do you still do daily cartoons? Ever considered a daily deep program cartoon? Um so >> Boy, that would be a lot of work.
[24:18] >> I do three cartoons a week currently. I used to do five. Um there was not really uh because of the decline of print media, there weren't enough outlets to run them. Um I would definitely consider a daily cartoon, like uh especially if there were a way for AI to animate them quickly cuz people like the moving ones more. Um but I currently don't have any such plans, but if you know, if there's if I felt like there was demand or someone wanted to pay for them, I would do it. Um John, is this Hey guys, John, is this
[24:48] your final episode on the show? Don't go. >> Yes, sorry. Yes, but listen, it yeah, it's my final episode as a co-host with Ted. But, Ted and I are buddies and uh and I'll be back as a guest. >> Yeah, which we're looking forward to. And uh there and basically what we're going to do is try out um you know, we're going to find a No one could really replace John, but we will get a a new co-host who uh will um you know, be uh will sit in the John chair. Um Hisham
[25:20] Sawan, thanks for the $6.99 Canadian. So, the show will continue Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. Um Morning, guys. John, could you please speak a little bit on Rafic Hariri? Was it in the Syrians or was it the Syrians or Israelis that killed him in your opinion? >> I think it was the Syrians. I liked Rafic Hariri. >> They're a lot of >> He He was the prime minister of Lebanon. Uh you know, just as Lebanon begins to claw its way out of failed state status,
[25:52] the Israelis, the Syrians, the Americans just push them right back down. It's a shame. >> Um Achilles thanks, we see you in the backstage. We'll get to you in a few minutes. Um Lorelei uh Lorelei uh mainly for John. >> lovely name. >> Uh what are your thoughts on Bustamante's plan to change his appearance and identity and hide in another country? It seems very different from having an extra place in Athens. >> Right? So, he cut his hair recently, but he cut his
[26:24] hair because he's he's hosting a show at the Discovery Channel and the president of Discovery told him he looked ridiculous. So, he had to cut his hair. But, this whole notion Listen, if you're going to if you're going to change your appearance and >> Don't tell anyone. >> and take your wife and kids and run away and hide in another country, don't announce it on national television in advance. Ridiculous. Um It's this constant struggle to remain relevant. >> Boy Ali, thanks for the 5 pounds. International law and the organizations around it, e.g. the UN, are at an
[26:55] all-time low low. True. Do you think we'll look back on Gaza as the new Manchuria moment? Yeah. Gaza is a real It's a It's a real trough for internet for the international community. We did nothing. >> Um yeah. Literally nothing to help any human beings. >> Matrix escaped. Um hey John, big fan. Just ordered some Chinese boneless spare ribs. Excited. Uh Mr. Kuriakou, thanks for that. By the
[27:27] way, this is from I love Superman. Uh thanks for the 20 Australian dollars. Big fan of your work. This for you, John. Praying for your pardon. I've always been curious about how we can separate freedom fighters and terrorists. Many attacks carried out by terrorists are called heroic when done by others. >> You know, I draw the line at um at the the targeting of civilians. The targeting of civilians for for political purposes. I'm I'm engaged in kind of a friendly debate uh in email
[27:58] with one of our uh viewers who who Every time I say that I believe Hamas can be considered a terrorist group, um he emails me and objects, which is perfectly fine. That's what a healthy debate is all about. Uh but I believe that if if a group specifically targets civilians, specifically targets noncombatants, that's an act of terrorism. >> Uh I agree with the IDF as a terrorist organization. >> I agree with that. Yeah. And I guess the
[28:30] US Air Force at this point. Um because of you know, you know, we target civilians. Exactly. Yeah, no, I I agree and like that that's like resistance organizations don't target civilians. And they're very very sad if they kill a civilian accidentally. Um Meow meow, this is crazy. Call spell I cup. I don't know what that means. >> Oh my dad Oh my god, when I was a little kid, my dad used to say that terrible joke. >> What does it mean? >> I C U P.
[29:01] >> Oh, brother. Okay. Uh Soden, thanks for the 1999. John, where you going? Uh Robin >> ready to start the podcast? >> Uh with Reza and Brennan L L O L >> Jake K, fair winds and following seas, my brother. Ted >> We go this to We go this to you're the captain now, Somali voice. Um hilarious. Um yes, I'm the captain now. We're We have We have Achilles waiting. We're going to take care of We're going to
[29:32] Let's Let's do Achilles and we'll We'll We'll fill everyone in after that toward the end of the show. Cuz the news comes first, always. Um okay, so without any further ado, um well, joining us here to discuss the economic implications of the war in the Middle East is Achilles Larrea. He's the head of Larrea Wealth Management in New York City. Achilles, as always, thanks for joining us. >> Thanks, Ted. Nice to see you, John. Hope everything's going well with you both. >> Thank you. Welcome back. You guys You
[30:03] You guys buy the same shirt? Is it What's going on? >> It's a good shirt. >> jealous. Don't be jealous, Ted. >> I am jealous. I'm going to run out to the store immediately after this. Um okay, so uh Achilles, it's great great to see you. Um so look, obviously you've been following uh you follow the markets, that's your job. Um How For My first question is are oil are oil futures traders incredibly stupid and naive to believe anything that Donald
[30:33] Trump has to say? I mean, he he'll say, "Well, we're going to get out of the war." The market the oil prices go down. Stock market goes up. Then he like, "Well, then there's something that that seems like it's going to be prolonged, it goes the other way." I mean, don't sh- Aren't these people supposed to be making decisions based on what they personal personally believe is likely to happen? >> You know, they trade on information, guys. What you see happening right now, they saw a while ago that could have
[31:06] happened. So, you place bets on it, and you place those bets in the hope that that happens. If it doesn't happen, you hedge your bet, and you get yourself out of that position. But, if it takes off, I mean, if you look at uh there was uh one of the hedge funds they were talking this morning in the journal, up 31% just in a very short period of time. All right? And this is not unusual. This is something I see all the time, you know, with traders. That there is a reason why
[31:38] they make so much money on a personal and on a uh entrepreneurial basis uh because you are risking capital every single day of your life. Kind of like that live by the sword, die by the sword. I think Jack could appreciate this. >> You know, my bad. Yes. >> You know, so going back to what we're talking about, you know, it is not the the you know, oil's at 110 or so a barrel right now. It's not the now that
[32:08] they were focusing in on. It was back when oil was 70 plus bucks, and that's when you needed to be in. You know, so people who are trying to hedge this right now, it's you know, you're kind of a Johnny-come-lately. And if you're an investor, you're like, "Hey, I'll get into oil now, and you know, let me let me make some bucks." Yeah, you might make a little bit. You might make it 2 3%. But, you're not going to make 30%. >> Well, may I ask you about that,
[32:39] Achilles? >> Yeah, absolutely. >> If There There are hedge funds and where this is all that they do, but we're in this odd position now where where gold and silver and copper, frankly, are at all-time highs or near all-time highs. Uh crypto is flat and people don't fully trust it. We've missed the oil run-up, as you just said. I I totally completely agree. So, then in a situation like that where you can't even trust bonds,
[33:10] um what's the hedge? Where where would hedge investors go in in an odd economic like global economic situation like this? >> John, I think that we're two factors short of a black swan event, where nothing works. But I will tell you this, anything that's blue chip and you got a hundred and fifty billion dollars in capitalization, >> Mhm. >> gives you options. And those are the
[33:42] kind of companies that we're owning right now. We're going in and saying, "We're not afraid to get back in the market." We're actually I've been buying the last few days for my clients, and I'm not afraid to go back in. We're not making huge bets here, because that's not the way I operate. >> Right. >> But if I'm adding say I add 1 and 1/2 to 1.8% of a you know, into another position, or a position we already own, that's not a terrible thing. You know,
[34:13] my clients may not understand it while it's going on. But long term, now I'm talking about 12 to 18 months, and I've said this on other media, you know, 12 to 18 months, you're not going to hurt yourself by doing that. So, getting into high-quality names, blue-chip stocks, or you know, I mean I hear about gold and silver all the time and do you want to have a position in them? Yeah, you know, it's it's kind of like >> 5% maybe.
[34:44] >> So small. No, so small, John. You know, let me tell you, if we if that really takes off and becomes the asset class, which it had at one point, but you know when's the last time that happened? The oil crisis. Yeah, you remember back in the 70s? I was Yeah, I was selling snacks and beverages on the gas lines when I was a kid. You know, so >> We were saying just the other day, Ted and I, my dad
[35:16] remember if you had like an even numbered plate, you could buy gas on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and an odd number plate Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. My dad used to be out there all the time. >> Yeah, there were exceptions. >> If you were a salesman, my dad was a salesman traveling around the country and he could go anywhere, any day. He wasn't restricted. So you did have that restriction. >> Right. My dad used to go out and switch the license plates every day depending on which car needed gas. Your dad your dad has my soul. When I I
[35:46] had a car in my first year in college in New York and I got tired of alternate side of the street parking. So I stole someone else's license plates whenever I wanted to just park wherever I wanted to park and then take the ticket, throw the ticket in the backseat, just ignore it. Wouldn't work now. I feel bad. It was a very bad thing to do cuz someone got my ticket. >> Ted was a rebel. >> I was I was an [ __ ] Yeah, I'm not I wouldn't do that now, but you know, older and wiser. >> What what are the two events that could lead to this black swan situation?
[36:16] Because I I think I listen, you're the expert, I'm not the expert, but but I I don't see any short-term hope right now. If even bonds can't be where you go to park your money, you know, during this time of economic uncertainty, then what's what's left? It There's It just seems like there's nowhere to go. And let me add one other thing. You just said something made me think of it. Are you looking are for for companies that are both blue chip and have large
[36:47] um stocks of uh of cash? >> Well, every company that we deal with will always hoard cash during these times. So, that's yeah, there that's a bit that's a another thing to consider. Um they'll that will give them a strategic advantage to become, you know, if you think about it, how did become companies become dominators in their industry? They didn't do it by spending everything they had. You know, everybody looks at a Microsoft and says, "Wow, they're
[37:17] spending all this money on AI." And do you really think that Microsoft is spending all the cash that they have? Yeah, there's a bit of a cash burn there, but they can go and buy their next largest competitor if they wanted to. Yeah. That's how big they are. Same thing with Apple. You know, these are companies that are dominators. They're going to continue to make money. There is a cult-like or a following that is still present.
[37:48] But in answer to your question, John, what I would say is look at gold. You know, if that starts to become the {quote} asset class, that's one thing. >> Another thing is if oil starts, you know, Iran talked about oil going to 200. You know, they effectively control the Strait of Hormuz. You know, and that is a big black eye to us, you know, and you know, I'm not a political person by
[38:20] any stretch of the imagination, But, I know he who controls something gets to dictate something. You know, and we as as big a country as we are, if we're not careful, how many billions are we going to be paying Iran for that control? It's not too dissimilar than the Panama Canal. >> Yeah, it's a toll. It's going to be a toll. And they they used the word just a
[38:50] couple of of of days ago with this um Indian flag tanker taking oil to China. The Iranians let it through because they paid a toll and they paid it in yuan. So, they we need to set up a big easy pass like uh you know, at the at the Strait of Hormuz and at the Gulf of Aden uh you know, just for these tankers just to make it easy. Um but okay, so Aquila, let's let's talk about the elephant in the room here. Uh are we heading into a recession or
[39:21] worse? >> I think we're not at that point. You know, I thought about this this morning. I was listening to a couple of talking heads uh the last few days and they all kind of be tilt they're kind of tilting that way. Guys, but you know, I'm not convinced. You know, I'm super bullish when it comes to the market. And even if a bear market were to >> I'm just just um seeing breaking news. Um oil the price of oil jumped, stocks sank um in the first opening minutes of the of the uh of the market opened just
[39:54] about >> 10 minutes ago. >> Yeah, no surprise. Trump did not do anything last night to alleviate the situation right here. A smart man, an intelligent man would have tried to buffer especially a politician. A politician would have tried to buffer the language being used right now, the rhetoric. >> You mean like bombing them back to the stoned ages was not the right was not maybe the right word? >> Yeah, you might have want to temper your words a little bit, but obviously we
[40:27] don't have that in Mr. Trump. So, you know, what I would say to you right now, if you're an investor, you need to be strategic. You need to be moving in areas that, you know, look at the defensive areas. Look at the technology areas because those areas are going to be It's not that they're going to lose less money. It's just that when we come out of this nonsense, and I believe this is firm nonsense. I think there are ulterior motives. And John,
[40:57] you could disagree with me, but I believe that there are, you know, ulterior motives behind this that are not being spoken of at this particular point. >> All right, well, what do you think they are? I want to know what what you think they are. >> That's what I'd love to know at this point, you know, I I You know, I always say follow the money. You know, who's making the money right now by oil being up, by gold being at all-time high? >> the major oil producing countries. >> Correct. Correct.
[41:28] >> Saudis, etc. >> Right. So, I don't want to own those companies right now. I want to own the companies >> it's a temporary juice though, right? I mean, cuz overall, if oil prices go too high, you tank the global economy, you end up like during the pandemic when no one was buying anything, and then uh the whole you know >> Even worse, we end up in stagflation. You know, where nothing's growing, nothing's getting done. The, you know, Congress is still in a stranglehold right now. They you know,
[42:00] they're the ruling party cannot even pass legislation right now. >> Yeah. >> You know, they're it is one of the worst bottlenecks I've seen in this country's history. >> Well, the >> thing is that the Iranians are So, here's the thing. What What Trump did was the stupidest thing that you can possibly do in conflict. He not only cornered his adversary, something that Sun Tzu always said not to do, always allow a graceful exit, but on top of that he he didn't neglected to notice
[42:30] that his adversary had an ace in the hole, the Strait of Hormuz. And so, now he's cornered an adversary that has to win and has to win big. And so, we're offering a ceasefire, but the Iranians need and want the whole schmear. They have to have Basically, the US has to surrender. They have to say, "We will never attack you ever again and not only that, we'll control Israel and prevent them from ever attacking you again." That's a big ask.
[43:01] >> I don't think it's going to happen. I don't think that's going to happen. I think this >> what the Iranians have to have. >> Yeah, I think this is going to get prolonged out, but I also think that the Iranians at some point you know, how does this all get resolved? Diplomacy. Diplomacy has stopped many of the wars that have ever occurred. Although, the fighting will continue, but there has to start being some talking. And once the talking starts, it becomes
[43:31] beneficial and you know, they'll figure out a way where, you know, Iran and the US will figure out a way where you know, it's not just everybody's benefit to stop this it to figure out a way where everybody saves face. Including the United States. And that is the toughest part right now because you can't see it right now. But, it has to happen. So, that that's my take on this. Now, getting back to where we can make some more money
[44:02] is take a look at If you don't want to be in oil, they want to be in fertilizer. There are a lot of companies, you know, fertilizer, plastics are all derivatives of oil. So, you want to have your hand in that. You don't want to be in the oil bucket or barrel, for say. >> is the [ __ ] >> It's it is the [ __ ] is the [ __ ] Like, you know, like put >> to leave it there cuz we have to we have a but we we always enjoy having you on. Uh this show will go on and we'll have you back for sure. Thanks, Achilles.
[44:34] It's Achilles >> Thank you. >> CEO of Achilles uh wealth of of Luria Wealth Management, my apologies, in New York City. Um and I always enjoy his insights. Um okay, so John, we have a bunch of questions and of course people want answers to where you're going. So, we'll be getting into all that. Um and I wanted to just answer personally one question here, Kobe. I would like to Ted to explain why his son, all caps, will never go to into the military. He might, it's up to him. But other kids must must to make fun fun make up for his
[45:06] fortunate son or just no military at all, Ted. >> Don't you just love it when people think they know? >> I know, it's lovely. First of all, I can't control my son. He's a [ __ ] grown-ass man. He's he's he's going to be he's almost 22 years old. If he wants to join the military, >> doesn't he live off doesn't he live off the giant trust fund that you >> Yeah, exactly. The the giant cash flow that is Luria Corp. Um no, I mean, so look, I don't want him to join the military. I want to be very clear, I don't want anyone to join the military and no one else must because it's a
[45:38] volunteer military. So, there is no must. Nobody has to join the military. Now, if there's a draft, we can have a different discussion, but that's my answer to that question. >> Okay. You know, my son my son flirted with the idea of joining Air Force ROTC. And I told him it's totally up to him. I wouldn't do it only because I don't trust the country's leadership, whether it's a Democrat or Republican. >> Precisely. >> And I said, you don't
[46:08] His mother does quite well. I said, you don't need the the scholarship money or whatever they call it. I wouldn't do it. And then he sort of just dropped the idea. >> Yeah. Well, that >> But no, it's it's not so, you know, poor kids can go fight our battles for us. >> We'll leave the last few minutes for what what you're up to in the in the what your next steps are going to be, but let's do some questions. Nick Brand, four thanks for the 499. How will Putin react to a US is Iran conflict given his
[46:41] strong opposition to the US-driven regime change. Huge fan, John. Um I think I mean, Putin's Look, Putin's laughing. I mean, you know. >> Sure he is, cuz we're bogged down. >> Yeah. I mean, this is this is good news for him. The less he says, the better. You know? Like when your enemy, you know, wasn't Napoleon who said, like when your enemies are just tearing each other apart, don't interfere. >> Oh, yeah. >> Um >> Oh, yeah, yeah. That's right. Let them
[47:11] destroy each other. Or destroy themselves. >> for the 100 rupees. Hey John, about India and Pakistan. You said we need to resolve Kashmir unify. Do you think the MI6 and CIA had any hand in dividing the Punjab and cause militancy? >> On the contrary, I worked for a guy who was tasked by President Clinton to be the secret
[47:41] envoy, the secret mediator between the Indians and the Pakistanis over Kashmir. His position was, look, if if we can come to an agreement on Kashmir, whether it's a division, whether it's an independent Kashmir, whatever everybody can agree on, then economically, militarily, it's going to be better for the entire region. Better for Pakistan and for India economically, certainly. Um and um I will say we talked about this
[48:12] extensively. I will say one side just was not willing to engage in such a conversation. >> Okay. Um Melissa, thanks for the very generous $100 donation. This is just my small token of appreciation. This podcast is part of my workday morning routine, and hopefully it will continue to be. Um the uh OG, uh thanks for the donation. Love y'all, watch every morning religiously. Do you think the 250th anniversary celebrations in DC
[48:43] will be dangerous? Well, they will be will be to the to the cage fight cage match fighters on the White House lawn. >> Quite literally. >> cage match on the White House lawn. Classy. A k l a s s i e, or targeted by our adversaries. I actually don't. We Americans always think that like these, you know, it's like Hollywood, right? Like a you know, oh, there's it's like there's going to be a big event and No, I don't think so. It's like it it would be if you're looking to attack the
[49:15] United States, you want to come when they don't see you coming on a clear Tuesday morning in a on a nondescript day. You know what I mean? >> Yeah. Boy, do I. >> Um yeah, uh thanks very much um Sir Charles for joining the show. Uh subscribe Seabot, thanks for the 10 bucks. Lift driver here, one passenger said nothing all right, then reported me for listening to your podcast as anti-Semitic. WHAT THE
[49:46] >> WHAT? >> HOW CAN we encourage debate when criticisms of Israel get labeled anti-Semitism? I am First of all I want to say I am so sorry. >> I yeah, I I personally apologize to you for for this happening. >> If there's anything I can do like to write a letter, email, whatever. Wow. I will do that and I mean I like there's not an anti-semitic bone in John or my body. It's it's it's No way. And to answer your question, I don't
[50:18] know. Well, the answer is that we have to all be brave enough to ignore those kinds of criticisms. >> Wow. >> Um Waterways, thank you John. The program will miss you. Yes, it will. I pray for health and happiness for you and everyone here. Thanks for the good times. Appreciate you. Robbie, do we have any ads? >> Nope. >> Okay, no ads. All right, so should we go we will continue to take your questions, but let's we have a few minutes left in the show. So John, if you you this is going
[50:51] to be you let us you had told me this morning that this was going to be your last show. So I'll turn the mic over to you. >> Yeah, first of all, I I apologize to everybody. Things have moved very very quickly for me over the last 6 weeks. You know, 6 weeks ago um it was just my normal life. You get up, you read the papers, you you do the show, did my other show, you know, go through the motions, read more papers, more news sites.
[51:22] But then a kid a 20-year-old kid at the University of Texas took my interview with Diary of a CEO and chopped it up into shorts and made a funny voice and made laser shoot out of my eyes and changed my life. It was all in good fun. I enjoyed it. It was fun to watch. I got a good laugh out of it. But it somehow resonated with Gen Z to the point where you know, I'm occasionally recognized on
[51:52] the street. Now, I can't go 20 ft without somebody stopping me and asking me for a selfie. It happened twice on an airplane yesterday and five times in the airport as I was leaving from the gate to the to the exit of the airport. It's it's constant now. And so the president of a major premium network um saw me saw one of my videos. And his kids said his kids are 20 and 21. They said, "Oh my god, we love this
[52:22] guy. He's so popular with Gen Z right now." And so the the network president saw that I was represented just in the last 2 weeks by the Creative Artists Agency, CAA, and he reached out to me. So, we had a conference call yesterday with my agent, my managers, my attorney the network president and the head of arguably the most important television production company on the planet. And um and they bought the rights to my
[52:54] first book. Now, this is the the fourth time that I've sold the rights to the book. But um but they asked if we could engage in contract negotiations immediately. And I mean, when we hung up the call the contract negotiations began. I'm going to sign the contract today. They want me to to go to Los Angeles uh imminently. We're going to start writing the script for the pilot. And uh this is going somewhere. So, it's not just television,
[53:25] but life has turned so so quickly that at CAA, I'm not just represented because of my speeches or because of my books. I have six agents at CAA. One for books, one for scripted television, one for unscripted television, one for speeches, one for for licensing, one for something else. I'm the new spokesman for a for a vineyard in Napa Valley. I'm going to do a shoot for GQ tomorrow in New York. I have to take an early
[53:56] train. And um yeah, it's it's just it's moved on to a a plane higher than anything I've ever experienced before. And I'm I'm just simply not going to have the time to do podcasts anymore. Uh as much as it pains me and it really does cuz I love Ted and Robbie. >> Likewise. >> And this is this is fun. I mean, we're not really making any money. We're doing it mostly cuz we love doing it. Um but I but I have to move on.
[54:29] >> Yeah. >> Well, I mean, John, obviously, this is a I mean, it's incredibly what an incredible reversal of fortune, right? I mean, just think about where you were 11 years ago. >> Yeah, walking out of a prison. Yeah, walking out of a prison. >> It's it's uh it's it's a it's it's the American dream in a way, right? It's weird. >> It is. It's crazy. You like my my sister said to me the other day, "You're an overnight success and it only took 18 years to get there." >> Yeah, exactly.
[55:00] Yeah. >> Yeah. So, my even my new book agent, when even before I was introduced to him, I said, "I know that guy. He's like the most famous literary agent in America. He represents, you know, Stephen King and and and giants." And they said, "Yeah, well, he's your new book agent." And I said, "Well, I'm working on a book of of stories. I'm trying to put all my stories in one place." And they were like, "Yeah, that's going to be a blockbuster." So, things have changed.
[55:30] >> So, yeah, that's going to be amazing. So, um what So, what kind of timeline And we be for this TV show of yours? Um Well, if they green-lighted. >> When we were when we were in the call yesterday, the agent asked, "How quickly do you want to move on this?" And he said, "I want to move quickly like today." And we were like, "Oh, okay." He said, "Yeah, call business affairs as soon as we hang up the phone." >> Yeah, business affairs is of course these are the internal in-house lawyers who negotiate Hollywood contracts.
[56:02] >> Exactly. And so, boom, it's done just like that. >> Amazing. I mean, it's like I knew John when I So >> You know, I I don't forget us. A couple of things that that shock me. And and it happens about once a week is a a kid, and I say kid usually cuz it's a teenager, 15, 16, 17, the last to take a picture with me. And I always always say I would be delighted to take a picture with you. But one of the things
[56:33] that I I just it's inexplicable to me is I always put my arm around their shoulder, right? And we take a selfie. >> Mhm. >> And they're trembling. And I'm like, "Buddy, I'm not worth trembling over. It's just me. Don't worry about it." >> Uh few few last comments for you. Uh Jimmy Dean, if it's Larry Ellison's conglomerate, your message will be "Pro Ziyo, we'll miss you, John. Which network?" >> No, I can't say yet. >> Okay. >> Uh CAA's going to make the announcement.
[57:04] >> Hazardous Vibes, thanks for the 20 bucks. Love you guys. Keep up the good work. I'm 17 and often watch you guys. I show my friends and family a lot of your videos. By the way, John, all my friends who are girls love you and think you're attractive. >> Uh thank you. >> I've had three marriage proposals in the last 2 weeks. >> Hey, uh thanks so much. Um should the Philippines cut its ties with the US and fully align itself with China politically after this war? >> No. No. The the Filipinos are being disrespected right now.
[57:34] Uh but they've got an alliance with the United States, Australia, and New Zealand and Japan and South Korea by extension. They're desperately worried about the Chinese. And so, if anything, they're going to be pushed more into the American camp. >> Uh two more uh Moro. I I nominate Andrew Bustamante as the new co-host. I kid. I kid. And the best thing that could happen to John, this is amazing from Hog's Candy Land $5. That's a good place to leave it. Um so, obviously, this news
[58:05] caught me by surprise. So, uh and so, Robbie and I are going to put our heads together. We want the show to go on. We're going to continue. We'll be back here tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. analyzing the news. Um probably, Robbie is going to co-host tomorrow uh almost certainly. Um I don't know. We're going to put our Robbie and I are going to put our heads together over the weekend and try to figure out what our next steps are. But in all likelihood, we'll have some kind of uh we'll try maybe several possible co-hosts, see how it all goes.
[58:36] Um or uh we might end up with a scenario where there's someone does Monday, Wednesday, Friday, someone else does Tuesday, Thursday, whatever. Um I In response to the question, I have reached out to Germal Thomas. Hope to hear back from him today. So, if anyone knows him, tell him to call me. He has my digits. Um anyway, uh that's about it. John, uh I won't I won't lie. I'm sad, but I'm going to miss you. But but don't be a stranger and call any any time. >> Same here. Thanks for everything. Not
[59:07] just to you and Robbie and and to Trent, but but to everybody who has watched and listened and and who's made this uh podcast a success. Thanks, everybody, for everything. >> And let me say something here real quick before we uh before we sign off from this last show. Uh I put the links in the chat. So, John now has a official Tik Tok channel. And you can find him with a nice little shadowed avatar there called official John Kiriakou well tiktok.com at official John Kiriakou.
[59:39] And also you can find him on Rumble on the Rumble on his official channel on Rumble. The reason why >> Yeah, and Cameo. >> And Cameo has has become an important part of my life the last month. >> Yep, for sure. Yeah, I mean it's it's pretty wild. Uh so, you uh still able to find you still able to find all of this contact you'll be able to find all of this content. Uh he's not flying off the face of the earth. He's just outgrown us. That's That's a good problem to have. >> That's it. Exactly. That's true. It is a good That's a good way to put it.
[1:00:09] Robbie, you're always good at that. Um all right guys, we'll see you back tomorrow Robbie and I at uh 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time Friday, April 3rd. John Kiriakou, I will see you when I see you and uh stay tuned for the TMI show with me and Manolo Jean.