10 Minute Drill

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

Politico is reporting exclusively that a woman who dated Graham Platner says he sexually assaulted her. She came forward after the New York Times buried her story in an attempt to discredit Lyndsey Fifield. Platner's campaign says he is contemplating the best path forward. This race just changed completely.

Fresh off major upsets in New York and Colorado, the Democratic Socialists of America are now targeting competitive statewide races in Wisconsin and Michigan. The wins are being driven almost exclusively by wealthy white college-educated women. Democrats are splitting into three camps — Josh Shapiro trying to push back, Hakeem Jeffries pretending it isn't existential, and Gavin Newsom calling it a big tent. The leopards are eating faces and everyone is surprised.

Abdul El-Sayed doesn't just have a problem with Israel. Former aides describe a hostile work environment, a previous employer says he only wanted to work with women under 40, and throughout this campaign he has called his female opponents dumb. He did a Blues Clues video. He dunked on Mallory McMorrow for dancing. He got caught not knowing how teachers union lobbying works. The Michigan Senate race is something else.

The Washington Post says Democrats are electing socialists while Republicans are calling them communists. Here's why that distinction matters less than the Post wants you to think. The latest crop — Zohran, Darializa, Claire Valdez, Melat Kiros — have openly called for seizing the means of production, eliminating private property ownership, and wealth redistribution. Socialism is the transitional gateway to communism.

Sunny Hostin — who asked "what is wrong with America" when Kamala lost, who called white Republican women "roaches voting for Raid," and who blamed earthquakes on climate change — is now afraid of American flags. We have the clips.

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0:00 - Intro

0:34 - Latest Platner Alligations

4:02 - Will Platner Drop Out?

5:26 - The Summer of the DSA

8:41 - Cringy Abdul El Sayed

11:16 - Socialism’s Gateway to Communism

13:14 - Sunny's Biggest Fear

The July 4th ceremony on the National Mall was something else. A 107-year-old Navy veteran and D-Day survivor. A 104-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor saluting the flag that went down with the USS Arizona. An Iwo Jima survivor Marine who raised the flag over that island. Gold Star families. Trump closed it out: "God bless the immortal patriots of 1776 — and long live the cause of independence." We have the clips.

While America celebrated, the socialist left held their own version. Zohran Mamdani said America's wealth sits in "the soft hands of a precious few." Claire Valdez called for liberation from Palestine to Puerto Rico and a Green New Deal — the same Claire Valdez who just got crushed by working class voters, losing low-income areas by 32 points and Black precincts by 50. The socialist coalition is not what they claim it is.

USA vs Belgium is tonight at 8pm. We preview the matchup and what's at stake as America's World Cup run continues.

Trump heads to NATO with new hope on Ukraine and Russia, and sits down with Prime Minister Netanyahu. We preview what to watch.

Abdul El-Sayed has said Israel doesn't have a right to exist and is deleting tweets about defunding the police as he eyes the Michigan Senate race. Mallory McMorrow has suspended her campaign — her team was calling it "McMomentum" as recently as last year.

A Gavin Newsom associate was wired by the FBI — during the Biden years, not the Trump era. So much for that narrative.

Crypto bills, housing bills, and Congress is racing to fit everything in before the August recess. We preview the week ahead.

Time Stamps:

0:00 - Intro

0:40 - World Cup Preview

1:10 - 4th of July recap

3:14 - Zohran’s “Dependence Day” message 

7:00 - Michigan Senate shakeup

10:19 - Trump at NATO 

11:41 - Gavin Newsoms in trouble

12:55 - the week ahead

All of it in 10 minutes.

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Happy July 3rd from the 10 Minute Drill — and what a week it has been!

⚽ USA WINS — FIRST KNOCKOUT ROUND WIN SINCE 2002 The US Men's National Team just advanced past the World Cup knockout round for the first time since 2002. Country Roads was blaring. The whole country felt it. What a moment for American soccer — and for America heading into the Fourth of July weekend.

🏒 WHAT A YEAR TO BE AN AMERICAN Gold medal Olympic hockey. World Cup knockout round. America is showing up on the world stage in a big way this summer heading into America 250.

🚨 SERIOUS NOTE: CHINA-LINKED GROUP HAS BEEN TRAINING AMERICAN JUDGES The Environmental Law Institute has trained more than 2,000 American judges on environmental law through its Climate Judiciary Project since 2018. A new report from national security organization State Armor — sent directly to Congress — reveals that ELI cultivated relationships with Chinese government-affiliated organizations, CCP-linked entities, and groups tied to China's military research ecosystem during its decades of China-related work. Congress is now being urged to investigate. This one matters.

🎬 BEST OF THE WEEK We close out the week with the highlights — the biggest moments, best clips, and top stories from a packed week on the 10 Minute Drill.

⏱️ All of it in the July 4th Special edition of the 10 Minute Drill.

🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell — and have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

0:00 - Intro

0:30 - America Turns 250!

1:29 - ELI’s ties to the CCP

3:38 - Top 5 Stories from the Week