Hassan Piker Subpoenaed in Federal Investigation Over Cuba Trips and Foreign Funding
"Free me. We will free you, brother. Yeah, free me, free me."
About this episode
On this Memorial Day episode of the PBD Podcast, host Patrick Bet-David and co-hosts Tom Ellsworth, Adam Sosnick, and Vincent Oshana covered a historic U.S.-Iran nuclear agreement nearing finalization, the most significant diplomatic development in decades. President Trump announced Iran has agreed to surrender 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium—enough for 11 nuclear bombs—in exchange for unfreezing $6-30 billion in Iranian assets, reopening the Strait of Hormuz without tolls, and withdrawing U.S. forces from the region. Trump pledged the deal would be finalized within 30-60 days, contradicting predictions it wouldn't occur until later in the year. Bet-David outlined winners including American consumers due to expected oil price drops, and losers including the Iranian people who face continued oppression under the IRGC, and NATO nations exposed as unwilling to back America militarily. The team discussed an alleged assassination plot against Ivanka Trump by Iraqi national Mohammed al-Sadi tied to Iran's IRGC, seeking revenge for the Soleimani killing. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's resignation was announced, officially attributed to her husband's rare bone cancer, though speculation centered on tensions with the CIA over document declassification and lukewarm support for Trump's Iran strategy. Political streamer Hassan Piker was subpoenaed in a federal investigation into potential sanctions violations related to Cuba trips and foreign funding, with broader probes targeting U.S. influencers allegedly paid by foreign governments to promote anti-American content. The episode also covered the changing economics of MBA programs, with top schools like Duke, Michigan, and Harvard offering steep tuition discounts as corporations reduce hiring and AI disrupts consulting firms like McKinsey. Kevin Warsh was sworn in as Federal Reserve Chair in the tightest Senate confirmation in modern Fed history, 55-45, signaling deep partisan divide over monetary policy. A shooting near the White House left two dead after a gunman opened fire at a security checkpoint, underscoring escalating threats against Trump and the normalization of political violence.
Key takeaways
- Trump announced Iran agreed to surrender 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium capable of making 11 nuclear bombs in exchange for unfrozen assets and sanctions relief.
- Iraqi national Mohammed al-Sadi allegedly plotted to assassinate Ivanka Trump in retaliation for the 2020 killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
- Tulsi Gabbard resigned as DNI citing her husband's cancer, though tensions with CIA over declassification and limited Trump support fueled speculation of other motives.
- Hassan Piker and Medea Benjamin subpoenaed in federal probe investigating Cuba sanctions violations and foreign funding of U.S. influencers promoting anti-American narratives.
- MBA programs at Duke, Harvard, Michigan, and others slashing tuition up to 50% as corporate hiring declines and AI disrupts consulting industry.
- Kevin Warsh sworn in as Federal Reserve Chair after narrowest Senate confirmation in modern history, 55-45, reflecting deep partisan divide over monetary policy.
- Shooting near White House left two dead after gunman opened fire at security checkpoint, latest in string of threats against Trump administration.