Aaron Magid on King Abdullah, "The Most American King"

The Gist

Peach Fish Productions

Daily News, News

4.5 • 3.7K Ratings

🗓️ 9 February 2026

⏱️ 36 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Middle East analyst Aaron Magid joins the show to discuss King Abdullah II and the argument at the heart of his book The Most American King. Magid explains how his political instincts track American priorities more closely than those of many regional leaders. Also, a look at a muddled argument from Rep. Tony Gonzalez about ICE masks, and a WEAVE SPIEL that runs from Lindsey Vonn's helicopter ride to Truth Social conspiracies, Bad Bunny math, and habit of outsourcing criticism to a handful of angry internet posts. Produced by Corey Wara Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig Do you have questions or comments, or just want to say hello? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠thegist@mikepesca.com For full Pesca content and updates, check out our website at https://www.mikepesca.com/⁠ For ad-free content or to become a Pesca Plus subscriber, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ For Mike's daily takes on Substack, subscribe to The Gist List https://mikepesca.substack.com/ Follow us on Social Media:⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pescagist/ X https://x.com/pescami TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@pescagist To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠ad-sales@libsyn.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist

Transcript

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0:00.0	It's Monday, February 9th, 2026 from Peach Fish Productions.
0:07.0	It's the gist. I'm Mike Pascal. We got aloud that some people say silly things, stupid things,
0:11.7	unthought of things. But here was an example of someone thinking beforehand what he should say
0:17.0	and then saying something rather stupid. It was an interview with Representative Tony Gonzalez,
0:21.7	who is a Republican from Texas, on Meet the Press. And this was his articulation of why
0:26.9	ICE agents shouldn't have to wear masks. I'll tell you what's not going to be there,
0:31.0	stripping away protections for law enforcement officers that are trying to protect themselves.
0:35.8	If rioters get to wear mask, then law enforcement
0:39.0	gets to wear a mask as well. Yes, let us adopt the exact procedures that the rioters adopt.
0:45.2	You know, let's also say, because we have to, many, if not almost all, and I think as future
0:52.2	adjudication will prove actually all of the people protesting in Minnesota
0:55.9	are not technically or in any way rioters.
0:59.3	But let's just give them some leeway on that.
1:02.1	If they were rioters or if they are protesters, if they throw a brick, should ICE agents be
1:07.6	able to throw a brick?
1:08.7	I don't think this was that well thought out.
1:10.9	And Tony Gonzalez is a moderate.
1:12.7	Now, when I think of Tony Gonzalez, I think of the Super Bowl, I think of sports.
1:15.8	And even though the Super Bowl was this Sunday, and I did watch it.
1:18.5	Sorry, I just woke up from it.
1:20.6	Beforehand, there was Lindsay Vaughn on the mountain, the 41-year-old American skier
1:25.9	attempting to make a comeback from an ACL injury nine days prior.
	...

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