Think of the 2016 U.S. presidential election as a marriage between the Russian mafia in the West and the Russian mafia in the East. Now, there's talk out of Moscow that Trump has agreed to build a literal tunnel connecting Alaska to Russia, with Elon Musk's help. Russian mafia expert Olga Lautman of the Trump Tyranny Tracker joins us to ring the alarm on this MAGA-backed project, an insane move right when Russia's own neighbors are digging trenches to protect themselves from Putin.

So many crimes, so little time to cover them all. That's exactly why Gaslit Nation is joining forces with Olga and the Trump Tyranny Tracker. Together, we'll connect the dots and help you stay grounded against Steve Bannon's deliberate demoralization strategy of "flooding the zone with sh*t." We are up against a global kleptocracy enabled by opportunists across corporate America, the mainstream media, and elite law firms. None of us can do this work alone, which is why Andrea and Olga are partnering up. We're here to make covering this horror show more sustainable, build real civic power, and carry each other through the chaos to stay vigilant and fight back.

We also look at why the liaison for Trump's ballroom project took a trip to Moscow. Was he in search of a bribe? Is the ballroom just another Kremlin money-laundering scheme? For this week's bonus show, out Thursday, made with love and rage for our listeners who make our independent journalism possible, out later this week, we look at Jared and Ivanka's mysterious Albanian island–what are those two up to? 

Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Find your community at GaslitNation.Substack.com or Patreon.com/Gaslit

Show Notes:

Join Gaslit Nation's Songwriting Workshop June 22nd at 4pm ET with Leslie Nuss. Be sure to subscribe to Patreon.com/Gaslit or GaslitNation.Substack.com to join live or get the recording. Learn more about Leslie Nuss here: https://leslienuss.com/

Want to hear your music on Gaslit Nation? Submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-d_DWNnDQFYUMXueYcX5ZVsA5t2RN09N8PYUQQ8koq0/edit?ts=5fee07f6&gxids=7628

Knicks Clip: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZVpIn3yX1d/

Clip: "My mayor's Muslim / My bagel's Jewish / My Christian's Dior / Knicks in four!" https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZP8-3zRKYJ/

Clip: Trump is booed louder than the Spurs at Madison Square Garden https://bsky.app/profile/phillewis.bsky.social/post/3mnsxpyssls2s

A "Putin-Trump Tunnel" Connecting Russia and Alaska? Putin's Wallet Says an Agreement Will Be Signed Tomorrow https://olgalautman.substack.com/p/a-putin-trump-tunnel-connecting-russia

Underwater tunnel from Russia to Alaska will be built: Putin envoy https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/underwater-tunnel-russia-alaska-built-185910791.html

ICE is spending millions of dollars on iris scanners, expanding its arsenal of tech tools https://www.npr.org/2026/05/27/nx-s1-5822429/ice-buys-iris-scanners-tech-tools

'Democracy isn't working': Many young adults believe voting is not important, AP-NORC poll finds https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/democracy-isnt-working-many-young-adults-believe-voting-is-not-important-ap-norc-poll-finds

AP-NORC America 250 Poll: Only a third believe the American Dream still exists. https://apnorc.org/projects/ap-norc-america-250-poll/

GEO Group's "Dark Money" Donation to a Group Tied to a Top Lawmaker: ICE's top detention contractor donated $250,000 to a group linked to Representative Jim Jordan, who chairs a committee overseeing the agency — these types of donations are usually cloaked in secrecy. https://www.npr.org/2026/05/27/nx-s1-5822429/ice-buys-iris-scanners-tech-tools

Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit

EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION:

• Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community

• There's now a California Signal Group for Gaslit Nation listeners to find each other and connect in that state. Join on our Patreon or Substack! 

• The Gaslit Nation Outreach Committee discusses how to talk to the MAGA cult. Join on our Patreon or Substack! 

• Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other. Join on our Patreon or Substack! 

• Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other. Join on our Patreon or Substack! 

• Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect. Join on our Patreon or Substack! 

• Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join. Join on our Patreon or Substack! 

• Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group. Join on our Patreon or Substack! 

• As always, keep it kind in our chat groups, extend grace and assume good faith. A culture of care is how we build a better world.