10 Minute Drill

Matt Whitlock breaks down the biggest political stories of the day: the scramble to replace Lindsey Graham in the U.S. Senate and on the 2026 South Carolina ballot, new U.S. strikes on Iranian naval assets, backlash over Ro Khanna's controversial comments on Israeli security officials, fresh scrutiny of Graham Platner's campaign team, and old Yelp reviews resurfacing in Katie Porter's California Senate bid.

Who replaces Lindsey Graham in the Senate? Trump's pick for the interim appointment, South Carolina's special election timeline, and the GOP field — Russell Fry, Joe Wilson, Ralph Norman, and Pam Evette — plus a furious response to Nancy Mace floating her own name for the seat.

U.S. forces strike Iranian submarines and ship maintenance facilities near the Strait of Hormuz, as a War Powers fight brews in Congress over the legality of continued military action.

Ro Khanna faces backlash after viral bodycam footage appears to contradict his account of an incident involving Israeli security officials.

New reporting details Graham Platner campaign strategist Morris Katz, as members of the Democratic Socialists of America call to cut ties with him. Separately, Abdul El-Sayed blames AIPAC amid new questions over his tax returns.

And Katie Porter's old Yelp reviews resurface, including complaints about a Sherman Oaks spa and a hair stylist — reviews critics say are ironic given other reporting on her treatment of staff.

Subscribe to Ten Minute Drill for daily political news and analysis with Matt Whitlock, in ten minutes or less.

0:00 - Intro

0:36 - South Carolina Fallout

4:54 - Clarity Act for Graham

6:15 - Iran Bombing Restarts

7:24 - Ro Khanna’s Fake Detainment

9:51 - Fight Agency

11:20 - Katie Porter the Yelper

An aide to NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani was caught scheduling a meeting with the Iranian ambassador to the United States — a major red flag that's not getting the attention it deserves. Plus, a tribute to Lindsey Graham's most heroic political moments and his surprising life story, why Ro Khanna says he's "seriously" considering a presidential run after a strange trip to Israel. And why the Israeli embassy is asking questions after being left out of coordination that Palestinian activists were reportedly part of.

Also in this episode: a Texas hospital under fire for advertising discounted birth packages across the border in Mexico — a tax-exempt facility seemingly promoting birth tourism on the taxpayer's dime. And a new campaign fighting what critics are calling the "Jamie Dimon Tax," as rumors swirl that a new open banking rule could drop this week.

All the news that matters, in 10 minutes or less.

In this episode:



Lindsey Graham tribute: fighting for Brett Kavanaugh and his lesser-known life story



Ro Khanna on 2024 speculation



Israeli embassy questions coordination gap



Zohran Mamdani aide's Iran ambassador meeting



Foreign influence in the data center policy debate



Texas hospital's birth tourism advertising controversy



The "Jamie Dimon Tax" and the open banking rule fight

🕰️ Time Stamps

0:00 - Intro

0:33 - Tribute to Lindsey Graham

1:20 - Lindsey’s Finest moment - defending Brett Kavanaugh

3:08 - Getting to know Lindsey Graham

4:07 - Lindsey Graham and Donald Trump

5:23 - The great untold story of Lindsey Graham’s upbringing

7:13 - Ro Khanna’s performative Israel Adventures

9:59 - Zohran aide does light treason

10:13 - Texas hospital promotes birth tourism with tax dollars

11:05 - Parents group calls to stop “Jamie Dimon Tax”

Graham Platner's Senate campaign is over — but he refused to go quietly. According to Politico, Platner's own top aides urged him to strike a conciliatory, gratitude-focused tone in his withdrawal announcement. He said no.

Sources say Platner made it a condition of dropping out that he'd get to blast the Democratic establishment on his way out, training more fire on his own party than on Senator Susan Collins or Republicans. Now Maine Democrats are scrambling to pick a replacement, with insiders reportedly eyeing a roughly 600-person nominating convention — 500 delegates chosen proportionally by county committees, and the rest from the state committee.

0:00 - Intro

0:30 - The End of Platner’s Senate Run

5:00 - This Week’s Top 5 Stories

On today’s episode of 10 Minute Drill, Matt Whitlock breaks down the latest developments in the Iran conflict, the Russia-Ukraine war, the 2026 Senate races, and the political controversies shaping the national conversation.

The conflict with Iran has reignited as a ceasefire collapses and new strikes escalate tensions across the Middle East. President Donald Trump responds to Iran’s actions and warns about the continued threat posed by the Iranian regime.

At the NATO Summit, President Trump highlights his improving relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, discusses efforts to save lives, and addresses the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war as Ukraine’s battlefield capabilities continue to evolve.

Back in the United States, turmoil is growing within the Maine Democratic Party as Graham Platner’s Senate campaign clashes with party leaders over the process for selecting a nominee. Meanwhile, Michigan gubernatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed faces renewed scrutiny over past “defund the police” comments, deleted social media posts, and his positions in the Democratic primary.

A new report from the State Financial Officers Foundation and Open the Books also reveals $225 million in alleged school fraud across 24 states and Puerto Rico, including claims involving fake tutoring programs, embezzlement, and bid rigging.

Plus, Texas Senate candidate James Talarico faces renewed attention over resurfaced comments about drag performances, transgender policy debates, and his political views ahead of the 2026 Senate race.

Subscribe to 10 Minute Drill for a fast, entertaining breakdown of the biggest stories in politics, elections, national security, and current events. Hosted by veteran political strategist Matt Whitlock. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

0:00 - Intro

0:36 - Trump Talks on Iran Bombings

2:39 - Ukraine War Takes a Turn

4:30 - Platner Extis the Race

8:56 - Adbul’s Latest Stumble

12:34 - SFOF Education Waste Report

14:04 - James Talacreapo

President Trump scores a major win at NATO, warning European allies on defense spending, immigration, and energy policy during his visit to Ankara, Turkey. Meanwhile, Graham Platner's Democratic Senate campaign in Maine is collapsing under scandal, and we expose the three phases of Democrat failure that got him here — from vetting breakdowns and a fawning New York Times and GQ launch, to the media's shifting excuses, to the sudden mass abandonment as internal polling shows he can't win. Plus: CNN's interview with Jenny Racicot, Zohran Mamdani calling for Platner to drop out, and what happens next as Democrats plot a replacement.

Also in this episode: President Trump pushes for crypto legislation on Capitol Hill, framing digital currency policy as a national security issue against China, and renewing calls to pass the Clarity Act. And in Colorado, House candidate Manny Rutinel is under fire for backing a bill that lets courts weigh "misgendering" as a factor in child custody cases — a vote critics call disqualifying — while his history of calling animal agriculture "horrific" puts him at odds with the farmers and ranchers of Weld County. But there's another side to Rutinel: a resurfaced 2022 clip of him dreaming about falling in love at Trader Joe's over vegan chorizo.

Subscribe to the 10 Minute Drill for daily political news and analysis.

0:00 - Intro

0:38 - Trump at NATO Summit

1:42 - The Graham Platner Fallout Continues

2:48 - Platner Phases of Failure

9:27 - What Comes Next for Maine Dems

12:16 - Trumps Take on Crypto

13:20 - Colorado DSA Agent Loves Vegan Chorizo