Badlands Daily: July 16, 2025 – Syria Strikes, Pharma Shakeups, and the Battle for Sovereignty

Hosted by CannCon and Ashe in America, this episode is a deep dive into the tangled narratives dominating headlines and public debate. The show begins with Trump’s fiery Truth Social post condemning fixation on certain scandals as distractions and sparking discussion about whether public outrage is being deliberately steered to obscure broader investigations. The hosts explore claims that crucial evidence has been doctored or suppressed to protect entrenched power networks linked to Russiagate and election interference.

They also cover Israel’s airstrikes in Syria to defend the Druze minority, weighing whether this escalation is a genuine strategic move or a smokescreen for other geopolitical goals. The conversation then turns to big Pharma, including Trump’s plan to bring drug manufacturing home and bipartisan proposals to ban pharmaceutical advertising on television. Chicago’s massive public school budget crisis and the migration surge draining city resources highlight the domestic costs of open-border policies. Wrapping up, they discuss Jerome Powell’s rumored exit from the Federal Reserve and the potential realignment of economic power.