There is a growing perception that Republicans are responsible for the government shutdown, which is being blamed for major delays at airports - though that narrative may not tell the full story. Republicans are working to sharpen their strategy and gain the upper hand in the ongoing debate over DHS funding involving both sides. On the Democratic side, calls are growing for Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to step down, with Senator Chris Murphy emerging as a potential replacement. Meanwhile, the U.S. has entered into indirect negotiations with Iran through a third party, and the outcome remains uncertain. One possible resolution on the table involves a transit fee for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, which could play a key role in ending the conflict. Mark interviews Roger Friedman of Showbiz 411. The two discuss Savannah Guthrie’s emotional search for her missing mother and her upcoming return to the Today Show, where she gave her first major interview since the story broke. Roger also provides an update on Paul McCartney and his recent activities. On a positive note, Broadway ticket sales are up approximately $5 million - a significant jump from the previous week. Attorney and former Special Counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice Jack Smith is drawing scrutiny after a memo revealed that only six people were aware that President Trump had taken classified documents. The television industry continues to contract, with Stamford, Connecticut, feeling the impact particularly hard. NBC has announced the closure of its Stamford studio, a facility that once served as the home base for several major productions. In other news, The New York Times published a piece examining the growing trend of former Florida residents relocating back to New York City. Mark interviews author Ann Coulter. Ann praises ICE agents for their work at airports in managing immigration enforcement and maintaining public safety. Mark and Ann also raise the question of whether TSA pat-downs are still necessary, given that no major terrorist attack on the scale of 9/11 has occurred in decades. She also weighs in on Mayor Mamdani’s proposal to raise corporate taxes, arguing that the plan functions as a de facto tariff, agreeing with Mark that the cost will ultimately be passed down to consumers.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.