10 Minute Drill

Iran tensions escalate near the Strait of Hormuz, Republican enthusiasm surges heading into the 2026 midterms, and Democrats struggle to define a clear agenda. We break down the biggest political stories and controversies of the day.

In this episode:

Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: New U.S. strikes and escalating tensions in southwestern Iran raise fresh questions about the conflict, Iran’s military capabilities, and the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz.

2026 Midterm Elections: Republican enthusiasm is surging as the midterms approach. We look at the latest enthusiasm numbers and ask whether the GOP’s momentum could translate into major gains in November — while Democrats continue to face questions about their political agenda.

Waste Wednesday — Birth Tourism: A House hearing examines birth tourism and allegations that taxpayer dollars are being used to promote it. We discuss the implications for U.S. citizenship, immigration policy, and government spending.

$40 Trillion Debt and Medicare for All: Abdul El-Sayed faces criticism over his comments about the national debt, healthcare spending, and Medicare for All. We break down the numbers and the debate over the cost of expanding government-run healthcare.

The Politics Get Weird: From NFL-style political analysis to “Love Island” parodies, we take a look at some of the stranger moments in modern political commentary.

Dana Nessel and Antisemitism: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sparked controversy with comments about Israel, Jewish survival, and the broader political debate surrounding antisemitism in America. We examine her remarks and the growing divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel.

James Talarico and Capitalism: Texas Democrat James Talarico is facing scrutiny over his campaign strategy, his relationship with progressive activists, and comments describing capitalism as an “oppressive system” that should be dismantled.

Plus, the latest political news, Democratic and Republican strategy, the 2026 midterm outlook, immigration, national security, healthcare, Israel, antisemitism, and the issues shaping American politics.

0:00 - Intro

0:36 - Iran Updates

1:44 - Republican Optimism for Midterms

3:40 - Waste Wednesday: Birth Tourism

6:04 - Abdul’s Ick Comes Out

10:27 - Dana Nessel Sells Out for Climate

12:32 - James Talafreaco is back

#2026Midterms #Iran #10MinuteDrill #BirthTourism #MedicareForAll #DanaNessel #JamesTalarico #StraitOfHormuz

President Donald Trump declares Iran a “failed nation” as tensions escalate in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Canada is making a push to attract American academics and researchers amid changes to U.S. federal research funding. And as the 2026 midterm elections approach, the MAHA movement is taking on public health, screen time, and the health of America’s children.

In this episode, we break down the latest developments involving Trump and Iran, including Iran’s military and economic instability, its political leadership, and the potential for further escalation in the Middle East.

We also examine Canada’s efforts to recruit U.S. academics and researchers, particularly those working in areas such as climate, equity, and gender studies, as the Trump administration reshapes federal research priorities.

Then, Bethany Mandel and Mary Katharine Ham join us to discuss the rise of MAHA (Make America Healthy Again), the movement’s focus on public health and children’s screen time, and how MAHA could shape the 2026 midterm elections.

In this episode:

• Trump’s warning about Iran and escalating Middle East tensions

• Iran’s military, economy, and political instability

• U.S.-Iran relations and what could happen next

• Canada’s push to attract American academics

• Trump administration changes to federal research funding

• Climate, equity, and gender studies

• MAHA and the future of public health

• Children, screen time, and technology

• Bethany Mandel and Mary Katharine Ham on MAHA

• How MAHA could influence the 2026 midterm elections

Tune in for analysis of Trump, Iran, U.S. politics, foreign policy, Canada, MAHA, public health, and the 2026 elections.

0:00 - Intro

0:44 - Iran Heating Up Again

2:06 - Canada Takes U.S. Undesireables

3:51 - MAHA and the Midterms/Price Transparency

7:00 - Healthier Food Choices

9:12 - Screen time for Children

11:35 - Vaccine Schedules

It's the Monday Rundown, and Michigan Democrats have a big blue mess on their hands.

We break down the chaos at the Michigan Democratic convention, where a land acknowledgment kicked things off and the state's top elected Democrat reportedly stayed away over fears of harassment. Then the Abdul El-Sayed and Hasan Piker saga escalates: Abdul dodges questions about the Twitch streamer at a gaggle, Debbie Dingell says she doesn't understand why Piker inserted himself into Michigan politics, and a "fake apology" gets called out — including by Mark Penn. Even Democrats online are losing patience with how Abdul has handled it.

Plus, Rahm Emanuel insists the DSA isn't part of the Democratic Party, but the polling numbers out of New Hampshire and the Manhattan Institute tell a different story. We also look at Jim Clyburn, Jamie Raskin, and Sheldon Whitehouse making the case that going after the Supreme Court is becoming a Democratic litmus test, and why the LA mayor's race is shaping up to be the Special Olympics of governing failure.

All that, plus a preview of Bethany and MKH Part 2, in today's 10 Minute Drill.

Time Stamps:

0:00 - Intro

0:45 - Michigan Dems low-energy convention

2:03 - Abdul’s inexplicable defense of Hasan Piker

3:02 - Piker: Abdul invited me!

6:21 - Rahm Emanuel’s Democrat party

8:19 - Dems SCOTUS packing litmus test

12:30 - LA Mayors race to the bottom

14:02 - Week ahead!

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What are everyday Americans really thinking as the 2026 midterm elections approach?

In this 10 Minute Drill, Bethany Mandel and Mary Katharine Ham take a closer look at what moms, families, and “normies” are actually talking about outside the political bubble. From the issues shaping everyday life to the concerns that could influence voters, they discuss what Americans really care about heading into the 2026 midterms.

Are political insiders missing what everyday voters are thinking? What issues will matter most to moms and families? And what could drive voters to the polls in November?

Time Stamps:

0:00 - intro

0:36 - Introducing Bethany and Mary Katherine

1:36 - norm focus grouping the midterms

2:00 - Dems socialism scare

2:21 - Abdul El-Sayed and circumcision

4:00 - gas prices are no joke

4:18 - the affordability fight

5:09 - Do voters care that Democrats have no agenda?

6:00 - warnings from blue cities

7:00 - “Burrito price feelings”

8:00 - public safety and voters

9:03 - Fairfax County as a case study

10:25 - what can change the midterms

12:04 - Prescription drug prices

Listen for an honest conversation about American voters, moms and families, political trends, and the issues that could shape the 2026 midterm elections.

Hasan Piker faces bipartisan backlash over comments about American Jews, while Abdul El-Sayed’s “moderate” political image comes under scrutiny. We also break down the legal battle surrounding the proposed Paramount-Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery merger, as Iowa and Montana sue California over its attempt to block the deal.

Plus, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner faces criticism over controversial comments about the White House ballroom and renewed scrutiny of his record before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. We also discuss Canadians pushing back on comparisons to “universal healthcare” in the United States and podcaster Jennifer Welch criticizing Hakeem Jeffries over his meeting with Jared Kushner.

In this episode:

Hasan Piker’s comments about American Jews and the resulting backlash

Abdul El-Sayed and questions surrounding his “moderate” image

Iowa and Montana’s lawsuit over California’s opposition to the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger

Larry Krasner’s controversial White House ballroom comments

Krasner’s record and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court

Canadians respond to U.S. comparisons about universal healthcare

Jennifer Welch calls out Hakeem Jeffries over his meeting with Jared Kushner

The latest political news, media controversies, and breaking stories

Subscribe and listen for daily political news, analysis, and commentary on the biggest stories in American politics and media.

0:00 - Intro

0:40 - Democrats Hasan Piker Problem

3:13 - Abdul the Fake Moderate

6:15 - State AGs take on the Paramount Merger

10:40 - Krasner’s Explosive Ballroom Comment

12:24 - Canadians are Done with Universal Healthcare

13:35 - Hakeem’s True Boss