Secretary of State Marco Rubio is running Venezuela from Washington — deciding how the country's money is spent, which businesses operate there, and even approving President Dulce Rodriguez's social media appearances. Ben Rhodes asks the obvious question: is life any better for Venezuelans or Americans?
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At 48:08 · chapter starts 47:00
Tommy updates the Venezuela situation: nearly 4,500 dead, 16,000 injured, up to 50,000 missing in a disaster the administration has pledged $300 million to address — funneled through the very international organizations it has systematically defunded. President Dulce Rodriguez hurt herself politically by wearing a $1,300 ski jacket while visiting victims. A New York Times story confirms what was long suspected: Marco Rubio is making granular decisions about which businesses operate in Venezuela, how money is spent, and even vetting Rodriguez's media appearances. Ben's reaction cuts through the triumphalism: to what end? Venezuelans are still repressed. Americans aren't seeing cheaper gas. The only plausible explanation is that Trump-connected Florida cronies are getting contracts to build Venezuelan infrastructure — the same extractive pattern as the Canadian bridge.
Venezuela's earthquake death toll has climbed to nearly 4,500, with over 16,000 injured and up to 50,000 people still missing — making the official count a likely dramatic undercount.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reportedly micromanaging Venezuela from Washington, including vetting President Dulce Rodriguez's social media and media appearances.
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Joe Rogan and Andrew Wilson watch a bystander video of the Corey Ruiz police shooting in Madison, Wisconsin live on air. The video is so blurry they initially think a female officer fired the fatal shots. They later learn a male officer did, after Ruiz allegedly pulled a knife and stabbed officers. Their conclusion: you cannot have a hot take on a story you don't understand yet.
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