Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Joey Hudson / Just The Truth
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obama-Appointed Judge Rejects Trump DOJ's Firing Authority Argument (Ep 876) | 27 Oct 2026 | 00:41:01 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS RULED THAT THE TRUMP JUSTICE DEPARTMENT UNLAWFULLY FIRED THE DAUGHTER OF FORMER FBI DIRECTOR JAMES COMEY — AND THE DECISION IS RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT PRESIDENTIAL POWER. Maurene Comey, a former federal prosecutor in New York, challenged her dismissal from the Justice Department. On Monday, U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman, appointed by former President Barack Obama, ruled that the firing violated federal law. The court rejected the administration's broad argument about executive authority and raised constitutional concerns about the limits of presidential power. The Justice Department has said it intends to appeal. We'll examine what the judge decided, what remains unresolved and what the ruling could mean for the administration's authority over career federal employees. TRUMP AND OBAMA TRADE JABS OVER WHITE HOUSE RENOVATIONS Former President Barack Obama made headlines after comparing President Donald Trump's White House renovations to a Cheesecake Factory. President Trump responded Monday, defending his changes to the historic residence and criticizing how Obama maintained the White House during his presidency. We'll look at the exchange, the renovations behind the controversy and why the two presidents are still trading political barbs. PENNSYLVANIA VOTERS TALK ABOUT THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS With Election Day approaching, Fox News Digital interviewed voters in Pennsylvania who say opposition to President Trump and his administration is motivating them to participate. Their concerns offer a window into some of the issues shaping the midterm conversation, including affordability, government policy and the direction of the country. But individual voter interviews aren't the same as a statewide poll. We'll discuss what these conversations reveal and what they cannot tell us about the final election results. ANNIE ANDREWS RECEIVES BIPARTISAN ENDORSEMENTS IN SOUTH CAROLINA South Carolina Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Annie Andrews has received endorsements from two former governors representing different political parties. Former Republican Governor David Beasley and former Democratic Governor Jim Hodges have announced their support for Andrews in her race against Republican Senator Darline Graham. The endorsements add a new development to South Carolina's Senate campaign in the final days before November 3. We'll examine the former governors' reasoning, the reaction to their announcement and the issues dividing the two Senate candidates. ELECTION DAY — NOVEMBER 3 South Carolina early voting continues through October 31. Check your registration, early voting location and sample ballot at: JOIN THE CONVERSATION Should a president have broad authority to dismiss career federal prosecutors? What did you think about the Trump–Obama exchange over the White House? And what do you make of two former South Carolina governors from opposing parties endorsing the same Senate candidate? Share your thoughts in the comments. JOIN OUR MAILING LIST https://joeyhudson.com/ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj701CBeoTL6UMcHpr5aGtQ FIRMIN FORD TEXT & VOICEMAIL LINE 864-477-JOEY (5639) Send us a text or leave a voicemail that could be featured on a future podcast. FOLLOW JOEY HUDSON Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeyhudsononline/ X: https://twitter.com/joeyhudson #DonaldTrump #JamesComey #MaureneComey #DOJ #FederalJudge #BarackObama #WhiteHouseRenovation #Pennsylvania #Midterms2026 #AnnieAndrews #DarlineGraham #DavidBeasley #JimHodges #SouthCarolina #Election2026 #JustTheTruth | |||
| Musk's Ukraine Satellite Dispute | Omar Investigation | Election Countdown (Ep 875) | 26 Oct 2026 | 00:41:12 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson ELON MUSK ACKNOWLEDGES SPACEX RESTRICTED UKRAINE'S STARLINK ACCESS — AND THE CONTROVERSY OVER WHO MADE THE DECISION IS FAR FROM OVER. Ukraine says restrictions on satellite internet service disrupted military operations, including drone missions and efforts to intercept Russian attacks. Elon Musk has acknowledged that SpaceX imposed restrictions on the Starlink system, arguing that Ukraine was violating the service's terms by using it for certain military operations. But questions remain about the related Starshield military system and whether the Trump administration played a role in the restrictions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says service has now been restored to the speeds Ukrainian forces need. We'll examine what Musk admitted, what Ukrainian officials are saying and why satellite communications have become so important in the war against Russia. ILHAN OMAR INVESTIGATION: DELETED SOCIAL MEDIA POST RESURFACES The controversy surrounding Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar continues as a deleted social media post from 2013 draws renewed attention. The post reportedly referred to her father by a name different from the one appearing in other public records. Critics are questioning whether the post has any significance for longstanding allegations about Omar's former marriage and immigration history. Omar has denied allegations that she married her brother or committed immigration fraud. The resurfaced post does not establish those accusations as fact. President Donald Trump has also called for Omar to leave Congress amid the controversy. We'll examine the reported post, the allegations and what remains unproven. ARE AMERICANS TIRED OF POLITICAL CALLS AND TEXT MESSAGES? Election Day is approaching, and many Americans are receiving an endless stream of campaign messages. A new survey suggests voters are increasingly frustrated with unsolicited political calls and text messages, and some say excessive outreach could negatively affect their opinions of candidates. We'll discuss the survey, why campaigns rely so heavily on direct messaging and whether political outreach can sometimes have the opposite effect from what candidates intend. Are you receiving more political calls and texts than usual? We'd love to hear about your experience. THE FINAL STRETCH TO NOVEMBER 3 The 2026 general election is approaching, and early voting is underway in South Carolina. Whether you prefer to vote early or cast your ballot on Election Day, take time to check your polling location, review the candidates and ballot questions, and make a plan that works for you. SOUTH CAROLINA VOTING INFORMATION Early voting: October 19–31 Hours: 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday Election Day: Tuesday, November 3 Election Day polling hours: 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Find your early voting center, check your registration and view your sample ballot: JOIN THE CONVERSATION Who should have the authority to restrict Ukraine's access to satellite technology? What questions do you have about the Ilhan Omar investigation? And have political campaign calls and texts become too much? Share your thoughts in the comments. JOIN OUR MAILING LIST https://joeyhudson.com/ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj701CBeoTL6UMcHpr5aGtQ FIRMIN FORD TEXT & VOICEMAIL LINE 864-477-JOEY (5639) Send us a text or leave a voicemail that could be featured on a future podcast. FOLLOW JOEY HUDSON Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeyhudsononline/ X: https://twitter.com/joeyhudson #ElonMusk #SpaceX #Starlink #Starshield #Ukraine #RussiaUkraineWar #DonaldTrump #IlhanOmar #ImmigrationInvestigation #PoliticalTexts #Election2026 #EarlyVoting #SouthCarolina #Midterms2026 #JustTheTruth | |||
| WEEKEND: Drugs, Teens & Warning Signs: What Every Parent Should Know (Ep 874) | 25 Oct 2026 | 00:41:27 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson Youth substance abuse is a growing concern for families across America, and prevention may be one of the most powerful tools we have to protect the next generation. Martine Helou of RIZE Prevention joins Joey Hudson to discuss the challenges facing young people today, the warning signs parents should recognize, and what families, schools, and communities can do to prevent substance use before it begins. October is Youth Substance Use Prevention Month, and communities across Upstate South Carolina are stepping up. The City of Mauldin, City of Simpsonville, and Greenville County have officially recognized the importance of prevention, early intervention, and mental health support for young people. During our conversation, Martine shares the mission of RIZE Prevention and explains why educating families and building strong community partnerships are essential to keeping kids healthy and safe. We also discuss:
Parents, grandparents, teachers, and community leaders — this is a conversation you don't want to miss. Learn more about RIZE Prevention: https://rizeprevention.org/ Join the conversation: What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing young people today when it comes to drugs, alcohol, and peer pressure? Share your thoughts in the comments. For more conversations about the issues affecting our families and communities, subscribe to the Joey Hudson YouTube channel. 🌐 Website: https://joeyhudson.com 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joeyhudson #RIZEPrevention #MartineHelou #JoeyHudson #YouthPrevention #DrugPrevention #Parenting #GreenvilleSC #SouthCarolina #SubstanceUsePrevention #DrugTakeBackDay #SunriseCarolina | |||
| WEEKEND: Greenville's Penny Sales Tax: Just One More Penny? | Carlton Owen Explains (Ep 873) | 24 Oct 2026 | 00:20:00 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson Greenville County voters are being asked to approve another penny sales tax on November 3rd. But with the rising cost of living, property taxes, and inflation already squeezing family budgets, many taxpayers are asking a simple question: When is enough, enough? Carlton Owen, Chairman of Investing for Greenville's Future, joins Joey Hudson to discuss the proposed sales tax increase, what the additional revenue would fund, and why supporters believe it's necessary for Greenville County's future. We ask some tough questions: Why should taxpayers approve another tax? How can voters be confident the money will be spent responsibly? And what happens if voters say NO? Whether you support the proposal or oppose it, this is an important conversation before Election Day. Join the conversation: Is another penny a reasonable investment in Greenville County's future, or are taxpayers already paying enough? Share your thoughts in the comments! Subscribe for more interviews, local news, and straight talk about the issues affecting South Carolina. 🌐 Visit: https://joeyhudson.com 📺 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@joeyhudson #GreenvilleSC #GreenvilleCounty #PennySalesTax #SouthCarolina #Election2026 #Taxpayers #CarltonOwen #JoeyHudson #LocalPolitics #SunriseCarolina | |||
| Ilhan Omar Denies Marriage and Immigration Fraud Allegations (Ep 872) | 23 Oct 2026 | 00:34:08 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson A TOP HOUSE DEMOCRAT IS UNDER FIRE OVER VOTER ID — AND A NEW FEDERAL ELECTION FRAUD CASE IN CALIFORNIA IS RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT ELECTION SECURITY. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar has opposed stricter voter ID requirements in his home state of California. Now, following federal charges against 28 noncitizens in California election-related cases, critics are questioning his position. The Justice Department says 11 people were arrested in the latest operation, with 28 defendants charged overall. The allegations involve unlawful voter registration and, in many cases, voting by people who were not U.S. citizens. But do these cases demonstrate weaknesses in election safeguards? Would additional voter ID requirements have prevented the alleged offenses? And how should lawmakers balance election security with access to the ballot? We'll examine the charges, the political arguments and the debate over voter identification. OBAMA-APPOINTED JUDGE ACCUSED OF MISCONDUCT IN TRUMP-RELATED CASE A federal judge is facing allegations of misconduct in a legal dispute involving the Trump administration. The controversy centers on the administration's proposed Anti-Weaponization Fund, which was intended to compensate people who claimed they were unfairly targeted by federal law enforcement. We'll examine the reported misconduct complaint, the underlying court dispute and the distinction between allegations against a judge and an official finding of judicial wrongdoing. ILHAN OMAR DENIES IMMIGRATION FRAUD ALLEGATIONS Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is pushing back against allegations concerning her former marriage to Ahmed Nur Said Elmi. Omar denies that she married a sibling or entered into a marriage to obtain immigration benefits. The controversy has generated renewed national attention amid reports of a federal investigation, but the underlying allegations have not been established in court. We'll examine what Omar has said, the claims being circulated and what evidence would be necessary to substantiate accusations of immigration fraud. GREENVILLE'S PROPOSED PENNY SALES TAX — CARLTON OWEN JOINS US Greenville County voters are being asked to approve another penny sales tax on November 3. Carlton Owen, chairman of Investing for Greenville's Future, joins us to discuss the proposal and explain why his organization believes the additional tax is needed. The countywide proposal would add a 1% sales tax on eligible purchases to fund roads, bridges, intersections, transit and land preservation. Supporters say the proposal would help address years of infrastructure needs in one of South Carolina's fastest-growing areas. But many taxpayers have a different question: Why does government keep coming back asking for just one more penny? We'll ask Carlton about:
It's an important conversation before voters make their decision on November 3. SOUTH CAROLINA ELECTION INFORMATION Early voting is underway through October 31. Election Day: Tuesday, November 3. Check your registration, polling location and sample ballot at https://scvotes.gov/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION Should photo ID be required to vote? What questions do you have about Greenville's proposed penny sales tax? And how much more should taxpayers be expected to contribute for local infrastructure? Share your thoughts in the comments! JOIN OUR MAILING LIST https://joeyhudson.com/ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj701CBeoTL6UMcHpr5aGtQ FIRMIN FORD TEXT 864-477-JOEY (5639) Send a text or leave a voicemail that could be featured on a future podcast. FOLLOW JOEY HUDSON Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeyhudsononline/ X: https://twitter.com/joeyhudson #PeteAguilar #VoterID #ElectionIntegrity #California #DonaldTrump #JudicialMisconduct #IlhanOmar #GreenvilleSC #GreenvilleCounty #PennyTax #SalesTax #CarltonOwen #SouthCarolina #Election2026 #JustTheTruth | |||
| Trump Rallies for Darline Graham in South Carolina — Is the Race Too Close? (Ep 871) | 22 Oct 2026 | 00:40:25 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson An Atlanta rapper who flaunted private jets, luxury cars and stacks of cash is now facing federal charges in an alleged multimillion-dollar food stamp fraud scheme. And he's just one of the defendants caught up in a nationwide crackdown on fraud involving taxpayer-funded benefits. Mercedes Reshard New, known online as Shawty Dred, has been indicted on 63 federal counts involving alleged SNAP fraud, mail fraud, identity theft and illegal transactions with access devices. Federal prosecutors accuse him of obtaining more than $4 million in food assistance benefits through hundreds of fraudulent accounts between 2020 and 2026. The charges come as the Trump administration announces a nationwide enforcement initiative targeting tens of millions of dollars in alleged fraud involving federal nutrition and agricultural programs. How did investigators uncover the alleged scheme? What role did stolen identities and electronic benefit cards play? And how could money intended to feed struggling families end up in fraudulent accounts? We'll examine the federal charges, the rapper's extravagant social media presence and the larger effort to protect taxpayer-funded assistance programs. ILHAN OMAR RETURNS WITH A REQUEST FOR CAMPAIGN DONATIONS Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has released a new video thanking supporters and asking for additional contributions as she faces a federal investigation. In the video, Omar says supporters have already sent donations and argues that challenging President Donald Trump and his administration will be expensive. She also accuses the administration of attempting to intimidate political opponents ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. Omar's Washington, D.C., home was searched earlier this month as part of an investigation reportedly involving immigration paperwork. She denies wrongdoing, and no criminal conviction has established the allegations under investigation. We'll look at what Omar actually said, the reaction to her fundraising appeal and the latest developments in the investigation. TEXAS SENATE RACE: COULD DEMOCRATS BREAK A 30-YEAR STREAK? Texas hasn't elected a Democrat to statewide office in more than three decades, but the 2026 U.S. Senate race is drawing national attention. Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico are locked in a highly competitive contest, according to recent polling. The race could have major consequences for which party controls the United States Senate after November 3. We'll examine the new Fox News polling, the issues shaping the contest and why Texas is attracting so much attention this election cycle. PRESIDENT TRUMP RALLIES FOR DARLINE GRAHAM IN SOUTH CAROLINA President Donald Trump traveled to the Clemson area Wednesday night to support Republican Senator Darline Graham in her campaign against Democrat Annie Andrews. The president's appearance comes as the South Carolina Senate race has become more competitive than many Republicans expected. Trump urged supporters to back Graham, praised her late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, and addressed national political issues during the rally. The event also featured disruptions by protesters and renewed attention to differences between Trump and Graham over U.S. sanctions on Russia. What does Trump's visit tell us about the South Carolina race? Will his endorsement help unify Republican voters? And what should we watch as early voting continues? We'll recap the rally and discuss the political stakes heading into November 3. JOIN THE CONVERSATION What do you think about the federal crackdown on food stamp fraud? How do you view Ilhan Omar's latest fundraising appeal? And could Republicans face an unexpectedly close Senate contest in Texas or South Carolina? Share your thoughts in the comments! JOIN OUR MAILING LIST https://joeyhudson.com/ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj701CBeoTL6UMcHpr5aGtQ FIRMIN FORD TEXT LINE 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can leave a voice message that may be aired on a future podcast. FOLLOW JOEY HUDSON Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeyhudsononline/ X: https://twitter.com/joeyhudson #SNAPFraud #ShawtyDred #FoodStampFraud #IlhanOmar #DonaldTrump #TexasSenate #KenPaxton #JamesTalarico #DarlineGraham #AnnieAndrews #SouthCarolina #Clemson #Midterms2026 #Election2026 #JustTheTruth | |||
| Trump's New WHIP Program: Get Rewarded for Exposing Government Fraud? (Ep 870) | 21 Oct 2026 | 00:40:50 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have announced a new $25 MILLION program that could pay Americans thousands of dollars for exposing fraud involving taxpayer money! The new Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program, known as WHIP, is designed to encourage ordinary Americans to report suspected fraud involving federal government programs. Under the initiative, eligible whistleblowers could receive rewards of up to $30,000 when their information leads to qualifying federal fraud enforcement actions. The Department of Justice will administer the program, with funding from the Treasury Department. But how will WHIP work? Who qualifies for a reward? And could offering financial incentives help uncover fraud that might otherwise go undetected? We'll explain the new program, the administration's goals and the questions surrounding its implementation. U.S. AID TO UKRAINE DROPS SHARPLY UNDER TRUMP Newly reported aid figures show a dramatic change in American assistance to Ukraine since President Trump returned to the White House in January 2025. According to data cited by the New York Post, new U.S. aid commitments have fallen to approximately $540 million during Trump's current administration, compared with roughly $130 billion in assistance attributed to the Biden administration following Russia's 2022 invasion. The figures reflect a significant change in Washington's approach to supporting Ukraine, with Trump calling for European countries to shoulder more of the financial responsibility. But what do these numbers actually include? How much American assistance has been military aid versus economic and humanitarian support? And how does the shift affect Ukraine's ability to defend itself? We'll examine the spending figures, the changing American policy and the debate over the United States' financial commitments overseas. TRUMP RETURNS TO SOUTH CAROLINA — 13 DAYS UNTIL ELECTION DAY President Donald Trump is scheduled to return to the Upstate today, Wednesday, October 21, for a major campaign rally supporting Senator Darline Graham and other Republican candidates. The event comes as South Carolina voters are already casting early ballots ahead of the November 3 general election. Meanwhile, early voting numbers in states such as Georgia are drawing attention as campaigns evaluate participation ahead of Election Day. But high early turnout doesn't automatically tell us which party will benefit. It may represent new voters, or voters who would otherwise have cast ballots on Election Day. We'll discuss the rally, early voting trends and the issues shaping this year's midterm elections. CONGRESSWOMAN SHERI BIGGS JOINS THE SHOW South Carolina Congresswoman Sheri Biggs joins us to discuss President Trump's visit to the Upstate and the national political landscape heading into November 3. We'll talk about the midterm campaigns, the issues she's hearing about from constituents and the priorities facing Congress. We'll also discuss South Carolina's role in national defense, including efforts to bring F-35A fighter aircraft to McEntire Joint National Guard Base. Hear our conversation with Congresswoman Biggs in today's show. TRUMP RALLY — OCTOBER 21 T. Ed Garrison Arena 1101 W. Queen Street Pendleton, South Carolina Official event registration: https://events.gop.com/events/midterm-rally-in-clemson-sc-president-donald-j-trump-djt47 SOUTH CAROLINA EARLY VOTING Early voting is underway for the November 3 general election. Find your early voting location, check your registration and review your ballot at: https://scvotes.gov/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION Do you think financial rewards will help expose government fraud? What are your thoughts on America's financial commitment to Ukraine? And which issues matter most to you in the upcoming election? We'd love to hear from you. Join our mailing list: https://joeyhudson.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj701CBeoTL6UMcHpr5aGtQ FIRMIN FORD TEXT & VOICEMAIL LINE 864-477-JOEY (5639) Send us a text or leave a voicemail that could be featured on a future podcast. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeyhudsononline/ X: https://twitter.com/joeyhudson #DonaldTrump #JDVance #WHIP #GovernmentFraud #Whistleblower #TaxpayerMoney #Ukraine #UkraineAid #SheriBiggs #SouthCarolina #TrumpRally #DarlineGraham #Midterms2026 #EarlyVoting #F35 #JustTheTruth | |||
| Ilhan Omar Investigation: Could DNA Evidence Answer Questions About Marriage Allegations? (Ep 869) | 20 Oct 2026 | 00:41:43 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson NEW REPORT: Could DNA evidence play a role in the federal investigation involving Congresswoman Ilhan Omar? And what would investigators have to prove? The New York Post reports that federal prosecutors are examining DNA evidence as part of an investigation into longstanding allegations that Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar married her biological brother in 2009 to help him obtain immigration benefits. The report cites unnamed sources familiar with the investigation, but the alleged sibling relationship and immigration fraud have not been proven. The nature and significance of the reported DNA evidence have not been publicly established. Omar has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and has described the investigation as politically motivated. We'll examine the latest reporting, the questions surrounding the alleged evidence, and what would be required for federal prosecutors to bring a case. DOJ CHARGES 28 FOREIGN NATIONALS IN CALIFORNIA ELECTION CASES The Justice Department announced charges against 28 lawful permanent residents accused of illegally registering to vote in U.S. elections. Federal agents arrested 11 of those defendants Monday as part of an initiative called Operation Protect the Vote. According to prosecutors, most of the defendants allegedly cast ballots in elections despite not being U.S. citizens. Green-card holders can legally live and work in the United States, but they are not eligible to vote in federal elections. We'll look at the charges, the government's evidence and what these cases tell us about election enforcement as the November 3 midterms approach. UNITED AIRLINES CEO CALLS FOR NEAR-100% INHERITANCE TAX United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby is generating controversy after calling for a national wealth tax and inheritance taxes approaching 100% for certain estates. Kirby argues that growing wealth inequality threatens American society and says a nationwide tax would prevent wealthy individuals from avoiding state taxes simply by moving. But critics argue that taxing inherited wealth at such high rates could discourage saving and investment, create problems for family-owned businesses and undermine the ability to pass assets to the next generation. Supporters of higher estate taxes argue they could reduce concentrated inherited wealth and help fund public priorities. Kirby did not specify the estate value at which his proposed near-100% tax would apply. We'll discuss his remarks, the difference between existing estate taxes and his proposal, and the larger debate over how much of a family's accumulated wealth should be passed on to future generations. SC GOP CHAIRMAN DREW MCKISSICK JOINS THE SHOW South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Drew McKissick joins us to discuss the start of early voting, the November 3 general election and President Donald Trump's return to the Upstate this week. President Trump is scheduled to hold a midterm rally Wednesday, October 21, at the T. Ed Garrison Arena in Pendleton, near Clemson University. Doors are scheduled to open at 3:30 p.m., with presidential remarks beginning at 7 p.m. We'll discuss what the visit means for South Carolina's political landscape, the issues shaping the state's races and the importance of understanding where, when and how to vote. TRUMP RALLY INFORMATION Wednesday, October 21, 2026 T. Ed Garrison Arena, 1101 W. Queen Street, Pendleton, SC Doors: 3:30 p.m. | Remarks: 7:00 p.m. Official registration: https://events.gop.com/events/midterm-rally-in-clemson-sc-president-donald-j-trump-djt47 SOUTH CAROLINA EARLY VOTING Early voting is underway for the November 3 general election. Find official locations, voting hours and voter information at https://scvotes.gov/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION What questions do you have about the Omar investigation? What do you think about a near-100% inheritance tax? And which issues matter most to you in the upcoming election? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and join our mailing list for daily news, interviews and South Carolina coverage. Mailing list: https://joeyhudson.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj701CBeoTL6UMcHpr5aGtQ Firmin Ford Text and Voicemail Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Send a text or leave a voicemail that could be featured on a future podcast. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeyhudsononline/ X: https://twitter.com/joeyhudson #IlhanOmar #DNAEvidence #ImmigrationInvestigation #DOJ #CaliforniaVoting #ElectionIntegrity #ScottKirby #UnitedAirlines #InheritanceTax #WealthTax #DrewMcKissick #DonaldTrump #TrumpRally #SouthCarolina #Clemson #Midterms2026 #JustTheTruth | |||
| Could Ilhan Omar Be Deported? | Democrats Lead in Enthusiasm — But Will Their Voters Show Up? (Ep 868) | 19 Oct 2026 | 00:40:48 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson COULD ILHAN OMAR BE DEPORTED? Tom Homan says it's possible if federal investigators prove immigration fraud—and the controversy surrounding the Minnesota congresswoman continues to grow. Following last week's Homeland Security search of Rep. Ilhan Omar's Washington, D.C., residence, White House border czar Tom Homan is discussing the possibility of denaturalization and deportation. Investigators are examining allegations involving immigration paperwork and whether Omar's age was accurately represented when her family obtained U.S. citizenship. Homan says anyone who committed immigration fraud should be held accountable under the law, including elected officials. But there's an important distinction: Omar has not been found guilty of immigration fraud, and losing U.S. citizenship would require a legal process. Omar denies wrongdoing and says the investigation is politically motivated. So what would federal investigators have to prove? Can a naturalized American citizen lose citizenship decades later? And what legal protections would apply? We'll examine Homan's comments, the allegations, Omar's response and the legal questions surrounding the investigation. 2026 MIDTERMS: WILL VOTER ENTHUSIASM TRANSLATE INTO VOTES? With Election Day approaching on November 3, both political parties are closely watching turnout. Democrats are pointing to polling and fundraising numbers suggesting increased enthusiasm among their supporters. But former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway is warning that enthusiasm in a poll doesn't necessarily translate into actual ballots. Meanwhile, Democratic pollster Celinda Lake is raising concerns about whether her party has done enough to engage younger voters. The bigger question is whether polling, fundraising and campaign activity accurately reflect who will show up on Election Day. We'll discuss the differences between voter enthusiasm and actual turnout, what both parties are saying about their strategies and why participation matters in close congressional and statewide races. SOUTH CAROLINA EARLY VOTING BEGINS TODAY — MONDAY, OCTOBER 19! South Carolina voters can begin casting ballots in the 2026 statewide general election today. Here are the important dates and details:
Any registered South Carolina voter can vote early at an authorized early voting center in their county without providing a special reason. Remember to bring an accepted photo ID. Find your early voting location, check your registration and review your sample ballot at: Whether you vote early or on Election Day, take a few minutes to learn about the candidates and issues on your ballot. JOIN THE CONVERSATION! What do you think about the investigation involving Ilhan Omar? Should the government pursue denaturalization when immigration fraud is proven? And how much confidence do you have in the polls heading into November 3? We welcome your thoughts and questions. Join our mailing list: https://joeyhudson.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj701CBeoTL6UMcHpr5aGtQ Firmin Ford Text and Voicemail Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Send a text or leave a voicemail that could be aired on a future podcast. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeyhudsononline/ X: https://twitter.com/joeyhudson #IlhanOmar #TomHoman #ImmigrationFraud #Denaturalization #DonaldTrump #Midterms2026 #Election2026 #EarlyVoting #SouthCarolina #SCVotes #KellyanneConway #CelindaLake #Congress #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| WEEKEND: Greenville's Newest Event Venue! Inside The Sanctuary with Brian Stearns (Ep 867) | 17 Oct 2026 | 00:18:00 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson Greenville, South Carolina, has a new place to celebrate, gather, and create lasting memories! In this episode, Joey Hudson welcomes Brian Stearns to talk about The Sanctuary, a new event space in Greenville, SC. Brian shares the vision behind The Sanctuary, what makes the venue unique, and how it hopes to become a destination for weddings, private celebrations, corporate gatherings, and community events. We discuss the inspiration behind the project, the growing demand for event spaces in the Upstate, and what people should know if they're considering The Sanctuary for their next special occasion. Whether you're planning an event or simply enjoy hearing about exciting new developments in Greenville, this is a conversation you won't want to miss! 📍 Learn more about The Sanctuary: https://www.thesanctuarygvl.com/
Subscribe for conversations about the people, places, businesses, and issues shaping Greenville, the Upstate, and South Carolina. 👍 LIKE this episode if you enjoy hearing about new businesses investing in Greenville. 💬 COMMENT below: What kind of event would you love to see hosted at The Sanctuary? 🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more local interviews and community news! #TheSanctuaryGVL #GreenvilleSC #JoeyHudson #UpstateSC #GreenvilleEvents #EventVenue #SouthCarolina | |||
| Trump Rules Out Livestream of Nidal Hasan's Execution (Ep 867) | 16 Oct 2026 | 00:39:55 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson A South Carolina prosecutor says there was no evidence against one of the men Congresswoman Nancy Mace publicly accused of serious wrongdoing—and now questions are being raised about her allegations. Three men named by Mace during a speech on the U.S. House floor were arrested this week following an investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. The arrests involve allegations of sexual misconduct dating back to 2018. All three men have denied wrongdoing, and the charges have not been proven in court. But a fourth man, Brian Musgrave, was not charged. Charleston-area Solicitor Scarlett Wilson says investigators presented no evidence supporting Mace's accusations against Musgrave. Other prosecutors reviewing the matter reportedly reached similar conclusions. What exactly did Mace allege? What evidence supports the charges against the three arrested men? And why are prosecutors sharply questioning her statements about the fourth? We'll examine the arrests, the prosecutor's findings and the questions surrounding this developing South Carolina story. CORNELL ACCUSER'S FAMILY TARGETED IN DANGEROUS SWATTING INCIDENT A woman who filed a sexual assault lawsuit involving seven Cornell University fraternity members is reportedly facing frightening threats and harassment. According to a new report, someone made a false emergency call claiming a mass shooting was taking place at her family's home. Police responded believing they were dealing with an active shooter. The woman's boyfriend and brother were held at gunpoint before officers determined the report was fabricated. The incident is known as swatting, when someone deliberately makes a false emergency report to trigger an armed police response. The woman, identified publicly as Jane Doe, has also reportedly received numerous threats since filing her lawsuit. The allegations in her underlying lawsuit remain contested, and the men accused have not been convicted of the alleged assault. We'll explain what happened and why swatting can have deadly consequences. TRUMP CANCELS PLANS TO LIVESTREAM FORT HOOD SHOOTER'S EXECUTION President Donald Trump has made his decision: the scheduled execution of convicted Fort Hood mass shooter Nidal Hasan will not be livestreamed. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously announced plans to make the execution publicly viewable. But after criticism from lawmakers, religious leaders and others, Trump announced that the broadcast would not go forward. Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and wounding dozens more at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009. His execution by firing squad remains scheduled for December 3, with victims' family members expected to be permitted to attend. We'll discuss the president's decision, the arguments surrounding public executions and what happens next. LINDSAY CLANCY HOLDOUT JUROR SPEAKS OUT The lone holdout juror in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial is speaking publicly for the first time following the September mistrial. Michael Desronvil says he stands by his decision during jury deliberations. Eleven jurors supported finding Clancy not criminally responsible for the deaths of her three young children, while Desronvil disagreed. Now Clancy's defense attorney is asking a judge to examine Desronvil's jury questionnaire, court records and cellphone activity during the trial. Desronvil says everyone had access to their phones during breaks and questions why his records are being singled out. He also disputes suggestions that he was dishonest during jury selection. What could the defense's request mean for the case? And will prosecutors seek another trial? We'll examine the interview and the legal questions still unresolved. MINNESOTA'S SOMALI COMMUNITY REACTS TO ILHAN OMAR RAID The federal search of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's Washington, D.C., residence is drawing strong reactions in Minnesota. Members of the state's Somali community are questioning whether the investigation is a legitimate law enforcement matter or an attempt to target one of President Trump's most prominent political critics. Homeland Security Investigations conducted a court-authorized search earlier this week as part of an ongoing investigation reportedly involving immigration paperwork. Omar denies wrongdoing and says the investigation is politically motivated. Federal authorities maintain that the search was conducted under judicial authorization. We'll look at the reaction from Minnesota, the competing claims and what investigators have publicly confirmed. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Subscribe to our YouTube channel for daily national news, South Carolina stories, politics and true-crime coverage. Join our mailing list: https://joeyhudson.com/ Firmin Ford Text and Voicemail Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome. You can also leave a voice message that could be featured on a future podcast. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeyhudsononline/ X: https://twitter.com/joeyhudson #NancyMace #SouthCarolina #SLED #CornellUniversity #Swatting #NidalHasan #FortHood #DonaldTrump #LindsayClancy #TrueCrime #IlhanOmar #Minnesota #HomelandSecurity #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| Kamala Harris Calls for More Supreme Court Justices and Electoral Changes (Ep 866) | 15 Oct 2026 | 00:29:50 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson Elon Musk, President Trump and Ukraine are at the center of a new controversy over satellite technology that Ukrainian forces depend on to defend against Russian attacks. Ukraine says unexpected restrictions on SpaceX's Starshield military satellite service disrupted drone operations, including efforts to intercept incoming Russian attack drones. Ukrainian military officials reported that satellite connections were being cut when equipment traveled above certain speeds, creating problems for both defensive and offensive missions. Elon Musk responded by emphasizing that Starshield systems are controlled by the U.S. government and that decisions about their military use ultimately rest with American authorities. But the question remains: Who authorized the restrictions, and why were they introduced without advance notice? A senior U.S. official denied that the Trump administration was responsible. Ukraine is now working with SpaceX and American officials to resolve the situation. We'll examine the technology, the competing explanations and the potential consequences for Ukraine's military operations. KAMALA HARRIS CALLS FOR SUPREME COURT EXPANSION Former Vice President Kamala Harris is calling for significant changes to some of America's most important political institutions. During an interview this week, Harris said she supports expanding the number of justices serving on the United States Supreme Court. She also discussed changes to the Electoral College, arguing that the national popular vote should carry greater weight in presidential elections. Harris expressed support for statehood for Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Supporters of these proposals argue they would improve democratic representation and address concerns about the structure of American government. Opponents warn that expanding the Supreme Court could encourage future administrations and congressional majorities to add justices for political advantage. We'll examine what Harris proposed, what Congress would need to do and the constitutional questions involved. INDIANA CANDIDATE JAIME WEST'S FORUM APPEARANCE GOES VIRAL A local county council race in Indiana is attracting national attention after Democratic candidate Jaime West delivered an unusual appearance during a televised candidate forum. West, who is running for Fayette County Council, made a series of controversial statements about Republicans, Donald Trump supporters and firearms. Video from the forum quickly spread across social media, prompting strong reactions and questions about her remarks. We'll take a look at what West actually said, how the video became a national story and what the episode reveals about the attention local political races can receive online. IS PRESIDENT TRUMP COMING TO GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA? Reports suggest President Donald Trump could visit Greenville next week for a campaign event supporting U.S. Senator Darline Graham. Local officials say a presidential visit is a strong possibility, but final confirmation and public event details have not been announced. Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis has discussed preparations that would be necessary if the president visits the Upstate. Senator Graham has also expressed hope that the visit will take place. We'll share what local officials have confirmed, what remains uncertain and when an official announcement might come. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Subscribe to our YouTube channel for daily news, national politics, South Carolina stories and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Join our mailing list: https://joeyhudson.com/ Firmin Ford Text and Voicemail Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Send us a text or leave a voicemail that could be featured on a future podcast. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeyhudsononline/ X: https://twitter.com/joeyhudson #ElonMusk #SpaceX #Starshield #Starlink #Ukraine #DonaldTrump #Zelenskyy #KamalaHarris #SupremeCourt #ElectoralCollege #JaimeWest #IndianaPolitics #DarlineGraham #GreenvilleSC #SouthCarolina #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| Iran Shipping Crisis, Omar Investigation & Guilfoyle Exit (Ep 865) | 14 Oct 2026 | 00:42:11 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson The Strait of Hormuz is becoming one of the most dangerous shipping routes in the world—and the consequences could reach every American gas pump. New reports indicate that 24 commercial vessels have been attacked near the Strait of Hormuz over the past two weeks, marking one of the most intense periods of maritime attacks since the Iran war began. Oil tankers and cargo ships are increasingly vulnerable, and the flow of oil through this critical waterway has fallen dramatically. The Strait of Hormuz normally carries a significant share of the world's oil supplies. When shipping slows, the consequences can spread quickly through global energy markets. Higher oil prices can mean more expensive gasoline and diesel, increased transportation costs and additional pressure on American families. So why are these attacks intensifying? Can the United States protect commercial shipping? And what happens if the disruption continues? We'll examine the latest developments in the Iran war and what they could mean for the American economy. ILHAN OMAR INVESTIGATION — THE LATEST AFTER FEDERAL SEARCH Federal investigators searched the Washington, D.C., residence of Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar earlier this week. The Justice Department confirmed that Homeland Security Investigations executed a court-authorized search warrant as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. According to news reports citing sources familiar with the investigation, authorities are examining immigration-related paperwork dating back to Omar's childhood. Omar strongly denies wrongdoing and says the investigation is politically motivated. The search has sparked controversy in Washington, with questions about the allegations, the evidence and the timing of the investigation. What has actually been confirmed? What are investigators examining? And what happens next? We'll review the latest reporting and the responses from both sides. KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE OUT AS AMBASSADOR TO GREECE President Donald Trump has asked Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign as U.S. ambassador to Greece. The White House confirmed the decision Tuesday following reports alleging improper financial dealings and possible misuse of her diplomatic position. Published allegations include claims involving wealthy donors, gifts and access to administration officials. Guilfoyle denies wrongdoing and says the allegations against her are false. She has expressed continued support for President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio while pledging to defend her reputation. Why did the White House ask her to step down? What do the reports actually allege? And what comes next? We'll explain the developments and the questions still unanswered. SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR'S RACE — ALAN WILSON JOINS US South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joins us for a conversation about his campaign for governor. With the November election approaching, we'll discuss the issues facing South Carolina voters and the priorities Wilson is emphasizing on the campaign trail. Topics include economic growth, taxes, education, public safety and the role of state government. We'll also ask about his campaign strategy, his record as attorney general and the decisions he believes the next governor will face. Hear the conversation with Alan Wilson in today's show. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Subscribe to our YouTube channel for national news, South Carolina politics, consumer stories and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Join our mailing list: https://joeyhudson.com/ Firmin Ford Text and Voicemail Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome. Leave a voicemail that could be featured on a future podcast. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeyhudsononline/ X: https://twitter.com/joeyhudson #StraitOfHormuz #IranWar #OilPrices #GasPrices #MiddleEast #IlhanOmar #HSI #KimberlyGuilfoyle #DonaldTrump #AlanWilson #SouthCarolina #SCGovernor #SCPolitics #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| Ilhan Omar's Home Reportedly Raided by Homeland Security — What We Know (Ep 864) | 13 Oct 2026 | 00:41:38 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson Federal agents have searched the Washington, D.C., home of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar—and the investigation is raising major questions in Washington. Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant Monday morning at the residence of the Minnesota Democrat. The Justice Department confirms that the warrant was authorized by a judge and that the search is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation. Sources familiar with the case say investigators are examining immigration paperwork completed when Omar was a child. Omar denies wrongdoing and calls the search politically motivated. So what exactly are federal investigators looking for? What evidence has been made public? And what happens next? We'll separate the confirmed facts from the allegations in this developing story. ZELENSKYY ACCUSES PUTIN OF DEFYING TRUMP'S CEASEFIRE ANNOUNCEMENT President Donald Trump announced what he described as an immediate energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russian attacks on Ukraine's power and energy facilities have continued. Zelenskyy is accusing Vladimir Putin of rejecting American peace efforts and calling for greater international pressure on Moscow. Ukraine says it is willing to halt strikes against Russian energy infrastructure if Russia reciprocates. Can the White House bring both countries to an enforceable agreement? And what does the continuing conflict mean for energy prices and the war's next phase? We'll examine the latest developments. MORTGAGE RATES ABOVE 7% THROUGH 2027? If you're waiting for mortgage rates to drop before buying a house, a new forecast may not be the news you wanted. Mortgage Bankers Association chief economist Mike Fratantoni predicts that the average 30-year mortgage rate will remain above 7% through the end of 2027. The MBA projects a 7.3% average rate in the final quarter of 2026. Persistent inflation, elevated Treasury yields and government borrowing are among the factors contributing to the outlook. We'll explain what the forecast means for prospective homebuyers, current homeowners considering refinancing and families trying to make the numbers work. And we'll discuss why even a small difference in mortgage rates can substantially change a monthly payment. TRANSGENDER ATHLETE REIGNITES GIRLS' SPORTS DEBATE Another high-profile transgender-athlete story is bringing renewed attention to eligibility rules in girls' sports. The debate involves competitive fairness, opportunities for female athletes, inclusion and the responsibilities of schools and athletic organizations. We'll look at the reported competition, the governing rules and the reactions from those involved. The central question is how athletic organizations should establish and consistently apply eligibility standards. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Subscribe to our YouTube channel for national news, South Carolina stories, consumer information and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Join our mailing list: https://joeyhudson.com/ Firmin Ford Text and Voicemail Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Send us a text or leave a voicemail that could be featured on a future podcast. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeyhudsononline/ X: https://twitter.com/joeyhudson #IlhanOmar #HomelandSecurity #HSI #DonaldTrump #Zelenskyy #Putin #RussiaUkraineWar #MortgageRates #HousingMarket #Homebuyers #TransgenderAthletes #GirlsSports #SouthCarolina #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| BREAKING: Trump Says Russia and Ukraine Agree to Halt Energy Attacks (Ep 863) | 12 Oct 2026 | 00:40:21 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson President Donald Trump says Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an immediate ceasefire targeting attacks on energy infrastructure. But is the agreement already falling apart? Trump announced Sunday that both countries had agreed to stop attacking each other's power plants, oil refineries and other energy facilities. The president called for the agreement to take effect immediately. But there's a major complication. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the announcement came as news to him. He says Ukraine is prepared to stop attacking Russian energy facilities if Russia does the same. And Ukrainian officials report that Russian strikes on energy infrastructure have continued. So has Russia actually agreed to the ceasefire? Can the United States bring both sides to the negotiating table? And what does this mean for global energy prices and the ongoing war? We'll examine Trump's announcement, Ukraine's response and the latest developments. CHRISTA PIKE RETURNS TO PRISON — WHAT HAPPENS NOW? Tennessee death row inmate Christa Pike is back behind bars after surviving a failed execution attempt. Pike was sentenced to death for the 1995 murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer. On September 30, Tennessee attempted to execute Pike using lethal injection. She survived two doses of execution drugs and was rushed to a hospital, where she spent more than a week recovering. Over the weekend, her attorneys confirmed that she had been discharged and returned to prison in Nashville. But the legal questions are far from over. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has halted executions for the remainder of 2026 and ordered an independent review of the state's execution procedures. Pike's attorneys are seeking to have her death sentence commuted to life in prison without parole. So can Tennessee attempt to execute her again? Would another attempt violate constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment? And what happens to her death sentence while the investigation continues? We'll bring you the latest. HALLOWEEN CANDY PRICES JUMP 8.1% Halloween is getting more expensive. New federal inflation figures show candy and chewing gum prices increased 8.1% over the past year, more than twice the overall inflation rate. But that isn't stopping Americans from celebrating. According to the National Retail Federation, consumers are expected to spend approximately $4.1 billion on Halloween candy this year. That's a lot of chocolate bars, candy corn and peanut butter cups. For families buying costumes, decorations and enough candy for the neighborhood, the costs can add up quickly. We'll look at what's driving candy prices higher and share practical ways to save money without disappointing the trick-or-treaters. NEW QUESTIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA'S SENATE RACE And finally, new questions are being raised about the relationship between U.S. Senator Darline Graham and former South Carolina State Senator Katrina Shealy. The Carolina Courier has renewed attention on the subject as South Carolina approaches its November Senate election. What exactly is being alleged? What evidence has been presented? And have the people involved responded? We'll examine the reporting, distinguish documented facts from unanswered questions, and discuss why the story is receiving attention during the Senate campaign. Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com and subscribe to our YouTube channel for daily news, South Carolina politics, consumer stories and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome. You can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #DonaldTrump #RussiaUkraineWar #Ukraine #Russia #Ceasefire #Zelensky #ChristaPike #Tennessee #DeathPenalty #Halloween2026 #CandyPrices #Inflation #SouthCarolina #DarlineGraham #KatrinaShealy #SCSenate #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| WEEKEND:Is America Forgetting Its Christian Heritage? Rod Gragg on Faith and Freedom (Ep 862) | 11 Oct 2026 | 00:18:49 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson How important was Christianity and religious faith in the founding of the United States? And have we forgotten the role faith played in shaping the freedoms we enjoy today? Award-winning historian, bestselling author, and Coastal Carolina University lecturer Rod Gragg joins Joey Hudson for a fascinating conversation about America's founding, the influence of Christianity on our nation's earliest leaders, and why understanding our history matters more than ever as America approaches its 250th anniversary. Gragg is the author of more than 20 books, including Forged in Faith: How Faith Shaped the Birth of the Nation, which was nominated for the prestigious George Washington Book Prize. His award-winning historical works also explore the Civil War, World War II, and the extraordinary individuals who helped shape American history. We also discuss the upcoming Garnet & Gold Forum: Celebrating 250 Years of Faith in America, scheduled for October 23, where Gragg will be a featured speaker. Was America founded on Christian principles? What did the Founding Fathers really believe? And what lessons can today's Americans learn from the faith and sacrifices of earlier generations? Join us for a conversation about faith, freedom, history, and the future of America. Subscribe to @joeyhudson for more conversations about American history, faith, politics, and the issues shaping our country. 👍 Like this episode, share it with a friend, and tell us in the comments: Do you believe America has lost touch with the faith that helped shape its founding? #RodGragg #FaithInAmerica #America250 #ChristianHistory #FoundingFathers #AmericanHistory #JoeyHudson #ReligiousFreedom #ForgedInFaith | |||
| WEEKEND:The Surprising Way to Prevent Crime Without Hiring More Police (Ep 861) | 10 Oct 2026 | 00:19:50 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson Can we actually prevent crime before it happens simply by changing the way we design and maintain our neighborhoods, businesses, parks, and public spaces? Esther Wagner with PalmettoPride joins Joey Hudson to discuss an innovative approach to public safety known as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and how South Carolina communities can use these strategies to reduce opportunities for crime. From better lighting and landscaping to improved visibility and neighborhood involvement, CPTED focuses on practical ways to make our communities safer without relying exclusively on additional law enforcement resources. In this conversation, we explore how property owners, business leaders, neighborhood associations, and local governments can work together to discourage criminal activity and improve quality of life. Esther also shares information about PalmettoPride's efforts to educate South Carolinians through CPTED training and the important connection between community pride, property maintenance, and public safety. Topics include:
Can a cleaner, better-maintained neighborhood also be a safer neighborhood? It's an important conversation about prevention, personal responsibility, and making South Carolina a better place to live. Subscribe to @joeyhudson for conversations about South Carolina news, public safety, politics, and the people working to improve our communities. 👍 Like this episode , share it with your neighbors, and tell us in the comments: What would you change in your community to make it safer? Learn more about PalmettoPride: https://www.palmettopride.org/ #EstherWagner #PalmettoPride #CrimePrevention #CPTED #SouthCarolina #CommunitySafety #PublicSafety #JoeyHudson #NeighborhoodSafety | |||
| Pete Hegseth: Fort Hood Killer Nidal Hasan's Execution to Be Live Streamed (Ep 860) | 09 Oct 2026 | 00:40:28 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson JD Vance is taking on Microsoft, Adobe and several of the world's largest technology and outsourcing companies over alleged abuse of America's employment-based green-card system. The Trump administration announced Thursday that it is suspending Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Technologies and Capgemini from the federal PERM labor-certification program. That program allows employers to seek permanent residency for foreign workers after certifying that qualified American workers are not available for the positions. Vice President JD Vance accused Microsoft of laying off American employees while continuing to rely heavily on foreign workers. Labor officials say the affected companies have received hundreds of thousands of work-visa approvals and permanent labor certifications over the years. The administration argues that the program has been misused at the expense of American workers. But the companies and supporters of employment-based immigration argue that foreign talent fills specialized jobs and helps American businesses compete globally. So what exactly is the PERM program? Does this mean foreign employees are being deported? What happens to green-card applications already in the system? And could this change how America's biggest technology companies hire workers? We'll explain the announcement, the allegations and what it means for American jobs. OBAMA AND EL-SAYED: FROM CRITICISM TO CAMPAIGN STAGE Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed once criticized former President Barack Obama for failing to deliver on progressive campaign promises. El-Sayed argued that Obama's reelection represented a compromise for progressive voters who wanted more ambitious change. Now the two are preparing to appear together at a campaign event. Obama's participation comes as Democrats work to bring together different parts of their coalition ahead of the November midterm elections. El-Sayed has attracted support from prominent progressive figures while also receiving backing from more established Democratic leaders. So what did El-Sayed say about Obama? Has his assessment of Obama's presidency changed? And how does the upcoming appearance fit into Michigan's closely watched Senate campaign? We'll look at his earlier comments and the political context surrounding the event. WANT TO LIVE TO 100? THREE DRINKS WORTH TALKING ABOUT What if some of the beverages associated with healthy aging are already sitting in your kitchen? Longevity researcher Dan Buettner, known for his work studying the world's Blue Zones, has identified three drinks commonly consumed in communities with unusually high concentrations of people living into their 90s and beyond. His three selections are: Water. Black coffee. Red wine. Water tops the list because hydration is essential to healthy bodily function. Coffee consumption has been associated in observational research with several favorable health outcomes. And red wine appears in the traditional diets of some long-lived communities, although the potential risks of alcohol make that recommendation controversial. Here's the important distinction: drinking these beverages does not guarantee a longer life, and health experts do not recommend starting to drink alcohol for longevity. We'll look at what the research actually suggests and the everyday habits that may matter far more than any single beverage. FORT HOOD MASS SHOOTER'S EXECUTION WILL BE PUBLIC Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the execution of convicted Fort Hood mass shooter Nidal Hasan will be made available for public viewing. Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and attempting to murder 32 others during the 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, Texas. He was sentenced to death in 2013. President Donald Trump has approved execution by an Army firing squad, and the execution is scheduled for December 3 at Fort Hood. Hegseth says the public should be able to witness the consequences of Hasan's crimes. If carried out, it would be the first execution under the American military justice system since 1961. The announcement also raises questions about military capital punishment, the use of firing squads and the decision to make an execution publicly viewable. We'll explain the announcement and what happens next. Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com and subscribe to our YouTube channel for national news, South Carolina stories and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome. You can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #JDVance #Microsoft #Adobe #GreenCard #H1B #Immigration #AmericanJobs #DonaldTrump #BarackObama #AbdulElSayed #MichiganSenate #Longevity #BlueZones #NidalHasan #FortHood #PeteHegseth #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| Trump Weighs More Iran Strikes — “Easy Way or Hard Way” (Ep 859) | 08 Oct 2026 | 00:41:25 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson Could the United States launch another round of military strikes against Iran before the November midterm elections? New reports say President Donald Trump is weighing additional military action as the White House again warns Tehran that it can resolve the confrontation the “easy way or the hard way.” According to reporting from Axios and The Atlantic, military planners have been preparing options for renewed operations against Iran. But no final decision has been announced. The possibilities reportedly include strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure and other strategic targets. The White House maintains that President Trump has military and diplomatic options available, while negotiations with Iran remain stalled. So what would another round of strikes accomplish? Could it bring Iran back to the negotiating table? Or would renewed fighting drive oil prices even higher and deepen the conflict just weeks before Americans vote? We'll examine the latest reporting and what it could mean for American troops, national security and the economy. THREE KILLED IN SAUDI AIRPORT ATTACKS Meanwhile, the fighting in the Middle East is expanding. Iran-backed Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for deadly attacks on two international airports in Saudi Arabia. Three people were killed and 36 others injured in attacks involving airports in Riyadh and Abha. The Saudi-led coalition has responded with major military operations against Houthi positions in Yemen. The violence raises concerns about civilian air travel, international shipping and the security of a region already dealing with the consequences of the Iran conflict. We'll have the latest developments. TRUMP'S COMMENTS ABOUT LOS ANGELES AND SAN DIEGO SPARK BACKLASH President Trump is facing criticism over remarks suggesting Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego. The comments came during a campaign rally in Nebraska as the president discussed the cost of the Iran war and the importance of protecting the United States. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the remarks, arguing that a president's responsibility is to protect American cities. California Governor Gavin Newsom and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also criticized the comments. The White House says Trump was highlighting the danger that a nuclear-armed Iran could eventually pose to the United States. Critics argue that the president's language was irresponsible, regardless of his intended meaning. What did Trump actually say? What was the context? And what do we know about Iran's ability to threaten American cities? We'll examine the exchange and the reaction. FIRST THE PENNY — NOW THE NICKEL? And finally, another familiar American coin could be on its way out. After the decision to end production of the penny, lawmakers are considering whether the nickel should be next. The issue comes down to something surprisingly simple. It costs the U.S. Mint more than five cents to manufacture and distribute a nickel. That means taxpayers lose money on every new nickel produced. But eliminating another coin raises practical questions. Would stores round cash purchases to the nearest dime? Would electronic transactions still be calculated to the exact cent? And what happens to the nickels already sitting in jars, drawers and cup holders across America? We'll explain what Congress is considering and what it could mean for everyday purchases. Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com and subscribe to our YouTube channel for daily national news, South Carolina stories and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Send us a text or leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #DonaldTrump #Iran #IranWar #MiddleEast #Houthis #SaudiArabia #KarenBass #LosAngeles #SanDiego #USMint #Nickel #Penny #Midterms2026 #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| Trump Eyes Gas Tax Holiday as Fuel Prices Squeeze Americans Before Midterms (Ep 858) | 07 Oct 2026 | 00:40:07 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson Could some relief finally be coming at the gas pump? President Donald Trump says his administration is considering suspending the federal gasoline tax as higher fuel prices continue putting pressure on American families. But with the midterm elections now less than a month away, there’s an obvious political question: Is it too little, too late? The federal gasoline tax is 18.4 cents per gallon. The federal diesel tax is 24.4 cents per gallon. Suspending those taxes could theoretically provide immediate relief at the pump—although exactly how much of the savings would ultimately reach consumers would depend on how the policy is implemented and how fuel markets respond. And there’s another issue: Federal fuel taxes help finance the Highway Trust Fund, which pays for roads, bridges and transportation projects. So how long would the tax be suspended? Would Congress have to act? Would the entire savings actually show up at the pump? And with voters already frustrated by fuel prices, would a gas-tax holiday make much political difference this close to Election Day? We’ll look at what President Trump is considering and what it could actually mean for your wallet. 🗳️ DOJ CHARGES 16 NONCITIZENS IN ELECTION-CRIME CASES The Justice Department has announced charges involving 16 noncitizens in connection with alleged election crimes across the country. The cases involve allegations including illegal voting in federal elections, fraudulent voter registration, falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and making false statements during the naturalization process. Some of the defendants are accused of voting in the 2024 presidential election. Others face allegations involving earlier elections or false citizenship claims connected to voter registration and naturalization. The cases stretch across multiple states and federal jurisdictions. These are criminal charges—not convictions—and the defendants are entitled to the presumption of innocence. The prosecutions also do not, by themselves, tell us how widespread noncitizen voting is nationally. But they do establish something important: Federal prosecutors are alleging that specific noncitizens illegally registered or cast ballots in American elections. We’ll look at who has been charged, what prosecutors allege happened and what these cases do—and do not—tell us about noncitizen voting in the United States. ⚖️ CHRISTA PIKE IS AWAKE AND SPEAKING We have a remarkable update on Tennessee death row inmate Christa Pike. Last week, Tennessee attempted to execute Pike for the brutal 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer. Executioners administered two doses of pentobarbital. Pike survived. She was rushed from the prison to a hospital, where she remained unconscious and on a ventilator. Now her attorneys say Pike is awake. She is conscious. And she is speaking. Pike remains hospitalized and continues receiving critical medical care. Her attorneys say her arms suffered severe burns and blistering during the failed execution and that her long-term prognosis remains uncertain. Governor Bill Lee has halted additional Tennessee executions while an independent investigation determines what went wrong. Pike's attorneys are also seeking to preserve evidence from the failed execution and are again asking the governor to commute her death sentence to life without parole. That leaves Tennessee confronting an extraordinary legal question: Can—and should—the state attempt to execute her again? We'll have the latest developments. 🔥 FORT HOOD MASS KILLER TO FACE FIRING SQUAD Meanwhile, the Trump administration has cleared the way for the execution of former Army Major Nidal Hasan. Hasan was convicted of murdering 13 people and wounding 32 others during the 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas. The Pentagon says President Trump approved the use of an Army firing squad following a recommendation from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. An execution date has now been set for December 3, 2026. If carried out, Hasan's execution would be the first U.S. military execution since 1961. We'll explain why the military justice system is different from civilian death-penalty cases and what happens next. 🌴 $5 MILLION FLOWS INTO SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE RACE And if you needed another indication that national Republicans are paying very close attention to South Carolina, here it is. The Senate Leadership Fund—the major Republican super PAC focused on Senate races—is putting $5 million into South Carolina to support Republican Senator Darline Graham. Five million dollars. In South Carolina. A state Donald Trump carried by 18 points just two years ago. Graham is facing Democrat Annie Andrews in the special election to complete the term of Graham’s late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham. Republicans say they still expect to hold the seat and describe the money as an insurance policy. But you don't spend $5 million in the final weeks of a campaign for absolutely no reason. The investment comes as recent polling has shown a race that appears more competitive than Republicans would normally expect in South Carolina. And President Trump is also expected to return to South Carolina to campaign for Graham before Election Day. So why are national Republicans putting this kind of money into a state that has been reliably Republican in federal elections? Where will the $5 million be spent? And what does it tell us about the state of this race with Election Day approaching? We'll break it down. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily national news, South Carolina politics, consumer stories, faith, culture and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #DonaldTrump #GasPrices #GasTax #Inflation #Midterms2026 #Election2026 #DOJ #ElectionIntegrity #NoncitizenVoting #ChristaPike #NidalHasan #FortHood #DarlineGraham #AnnieAndrews #SouthCarolina #SCSenate #SCPolitics #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| SC Congressman Jim Clyburn: “I Didn’t Know” What AI Was Until Recently (Ep 857) | 06 Oct 2026 | 00:42:45 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson Newly released documents are providing a remarkable look inside the FBI investigation that eventually led to the search of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home. The records show the FBI tracked the travel plans of Melania Trump and Barron Trump as agents prepared to execute the search warrant. Why? Investigators wanted to know when the former president and his family would be away from Mar-a-Lago. The documents also reveal extensive monitoring of the phone activity of Susie Wiles, who was helping run Trump’s political operation at the time and would eventually become his White House chief of staff. Between February and May of 2023, investigators compiled records showing Wiles’ contacts with lawyers representing Trump, campaign advisers, political operatives, journalists and Trump himself. The records include the timing and duration of calls and other phone activity. The investigation—known internally as “Plasmic Echo”—focused on Trump’s handling of classified and national-security documents after leaving office and possible obstruction involving their return. Trump and his allies say the newly disclosed investigative tactics are evidence of the weaponization of federal law enforcement. Former Special Counsel Jack Smith has defended his Trump investigations, denied acting for partisan reasons and said his team followed Justice Department rules. So what exactly did the FBI collect? Why were Melania and Barron’s movements part of the planning? And how extensively was Susie Wiles’ phone activity monitored? We’ll walk through the newly released documents and separate what they actually show from what they don’t. 🏠 WOULD YOU LET THE GOVERNMENT TAKE YOUR HOME? Here’s one for the “nothing surprises me anymore” file. Fox News Digital went to the Takoma Park Street Festival in Maryland and asked people about socialism, private property and whether they would be willing to let the government take private property—including their own homes—to benefit other people. And some of the answers were remarkable. One Maryland resident said there is privately owned property that could be put to better public use for housing and resources. Another woman, when asked about giving up her housing as part of a broader redistribution system, responded: “I’d be so game.” A third man said he might not like having his property taken but would at least consider it if he believed the result was beneficial. Now, let's keep this in perspective. These were street interviews with a handful of people at one festival. This was NOT a scientific survey of Maryland residents or Democrats nationally. And other people interviewed rejected the idea. But it does provide an interesting window into the debate over socialism, private property and just how much authority some Americans are willing to give government. We’ll let you hear the arguments and decide what you think. 🏚️ FORECLOSURES ARE RISING — AND SOUTH CAROLINA TOPS THE LIST There’s another warning sign in the housing market. More American homeowners are losing their homes to foreclosure. According to ATTOM’s latest data, lenders repossessed 5,794 homes in August. That represents a 42% increase from a year earlier. Overall foreclosure filings—including default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions—affected more than 40,000 properties during the month. And here's the number that should get our attention in South Carolina: South Carolina had the highest foreclosure rate in the country. Approximately one out of every 1,547 housing units in South Carolina had a foreclosure filing during August. Why is this happening? Families continue dealing with high housing costs, borrowing costs, insurance, taxes and the cumulative effects of higher everyday living expenses. But some perspective is important. Foreclosure activity remains well below the levels America experienced during the Great Recession. So this isn't 2008 all over again. At least not based on the current numbers. But when completed foreclosures jump 42% in a year—and South Carolina leads the country in foreclosure rate—it deserves our attention. We’ll break down the numbers and what they could mean for homeowners and the broader economy. 🤖 JIM CLYBURN’S AI ADMISSION And finally, here's one that hits close to home. South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn was asked during a podcast interview whether he uses artificial-intelligence tools such as ChatGPT or Claude. His answer? “Believe it or not, I didn’t know what that was until a week ago.” Yes. South Carolina. Clyburn is 86 years old and one of the most senior Democrats in Congress. The interview actually took place over the summer, but the clip is circulating again as Washington debates how government should regulate artificial intelligence. Clyburn said he relies heavily on knowledgeable staff and outside experts to help him understand complicated subjects. And that raises a broader question that goes well beyond one congressman or one political party: How much should lawmakers personally understand about the rapidly changing technologies they are being asked to regulate? Artificial intelligence could transform employment, education, medicine, national security, elections and virtually every part of American life. Congress will inevitably be asked to make major decisions about it. So how technologically knowledgeable should the people making those decisions be? We’ll show you what Congressman Clyburn said and talk about the larger question his comments raise. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily national news, South Carolina politics, consumer stories, faith, culture and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #DonaldTrump #FBI #MelaniaTrump #BarronTrump #SusieWiles #JackSmith #MarALago #HousingMarket #Foreclosure #SouthCarolina #SCNews #JimClyburn #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #ChatGPT #Socialism #PrivateProperty #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| Trump Warns Iran: “The Easy Way or the Hard Way” — What Comes Next? (Ep 856) | 05 Oct 2026 | 00:39:24 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson President Donald Trump says Iran has been “decimated” and has “virtually given up” any plans for a nuclear weapon. But the President is also warning Tehran that whatever comes next could happen the “easy way or the hard way.” So what exactly does that mean? Speaking to reporters Saturday, Trump said he still has a decision to make regarding Iran. His comments come after months of war, enormous military spending and growing questions about how and when the conflict ends. Iran continues to insist that it does not seek nuclear weapons and says its nuclear program is for civilian purposes. Trump, however, says U.S. military pressure has fundamentally changed Tehran’s position. So are we approaching a negotiated end to the conflict? Could additional military action still be on the table? And what does Trump mean when he talks about doing this the easy way—or the hard way? We’ll look at exactly what the President said and where things stand. 💵 ARE YOU GETTING A $90 MEDICARE CHECK? President Trump announced Friday that more than 20 million Medicare beneficiaries will receive a one-time $90 payment this month. Most eligible recipients will receive the money by direct deposit. Others will receive an actual Treasury check in the mail. The money is coming from the Medicare Improvement Fund, which Congress funded with approximately $2 billion. But here's the obvious question: Is $90 really going to make much difference? The standard Medicare Part B premium in 2026 is $202.90 per month. So the $90 payment covers less than half of one month’s standard Part B premium. It may certainly be welcome money for seniors living on a fixed income. But it's also a one-time payment—not a permanent $90 reduction in Medicare premiums. Most Medicare Part B beneficiaries qualify, but not everyone. People whose premiums are already paid by Medicaid and higher-income beneficiaries who pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount generally do not qualify. We’ll explain who gets the money, when it's arriving and just how much difference $90 really makes when you look at the cost of Medicare. 🗳️ TRUMP HITS THE ROAD FOR THE MIDTERM SPRINT With Election Day just weeks away, President Trump is dramatically stepping up his campaign schedule. The President is expected to travel extensively during the final weeks of the midterm campaign, with plans that reportedly include at least 10 states. Trump has already been campaigning in states including Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama and Ohio. The goal is straightforward: Turn out Republican voters and help GOP candidates retain control of Congress. The President has said he plans to campaign almost every day between now and Election Day. But the strategy also creates some interesting questions. Where does Trump go? Which candidates want him standing next to them? And which races will the White House decide are worth the President’s limited campaign time? We’ll look at Trump’s final midterm push and where he may be headed next. 💰 HE FOUND $128,514 SITTING ON TOP OF AN ATM Now for a story that may restore a little of your faith in humanity. A 37-year-old barber in Lewisville, Texas, stopped at a Bank of America ATM and noticed something unusual sitting right on top of the machine. A bag of money. Not a few hundred dollars. Not a few thousand. $128,514 in cash. There was also another bag containing 19 checks. So what would you do? The barber first tried to figure out who owned it. One of the bags appeared to have a connection to a nearby Chick-fil-A, so he actually drove over there and asked whether the money belonged to the restaurant. It didn’t. So he called 911. Police counted the money twice. Every single dollar was still there. Investigators eventually determined that the money belonged to Bank of America and had been accidentally left behind by a Brink’s worker servicing the ATM. The barber asked that his name not be publicized. Police say they plan to recognize him for his honesty. Sometimes doing the right thing really is the whole story. ⚖️ FEDERAL JUDGES WEIGH IN ON ELECTION RULES And with the midterms only weeks away, federal courts are issuing important rulings involving election law. One ruling came in Florida, where a federal judge dismissed a criminal case against a Jamaican national accused of illegally voting in the 2020 election. The judge ruled that Congress exceeded its constitutional authority when it made it a federal crime for noncitizens to vote in federal elections, concluding that the Constitution gives states the authority to determine voter qualifications. That ruling does NOT mean noncitizens suddenly have a general right to vote in federal elections. It means one federal judge concluded that the specific federal criminal statute used in that case exceeded Congress’s constitutional authority. The ruling is expected to face further legal scrutiny. Meanwhile, in South Carolina, a federal judge reached a very different result in a challenge brought by the South Carolina NAACP and disabled voters. The plaintiffs challenged a state law limiting how many absentee ballots one person may assist in requesting or returning. They argued that the restriction made it more difficult for some disabled voters to cast absentee ballots. The judge dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that the plaintiffs had not established the kind of concrete injury necessary for the case to proceed. South Carolina officials say the law is designed to protect against ballot harvesting and possible fraud. Voting-rights groups argue that restrictions like these can make voting more difficult for elderly and disabled citizens who depend on assistance. So these are two different cases involving two different legal questions—and two different outcomes. We’ll explain what each judge actually ruled and what these decisions could mean as voting gets underway. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily national news, South Carolina politics, consumer stories and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #DonaldTrump #Iran #IranWar #NuclearWeapons #Medicare #SocialSecurity #Seniors #MedicarePartB #Midterms2026 #Election2026 #VotingLaws #SouthCarolina #SCPolitics #ElectionIntegrity #Texas #GoodNews #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| WEEKEND:The Story Behind “Revolutionary” | Filmmaker John Oliver on Bringing History to Life (Ep 855) | 04 Oct 2026 | 00:20:44 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson What does it take to turn history into a story audiences will want to see on the big screen? Filmmaker John Oliver joins me on Word on the Street to talk about his film Revolutionary and the upcoming Tryon International Film Festival. John takes us behind the scenes of Revolutionary—the story that inspired the project, the process of bringing it to life, and the challenges independent filmmakers face when they take an idea from the page to the screen. We also talk about the Tryon International Film Festival and the important role festivals like this play in giving independent filmmakers an opportunity to put their work in front of audiences. If you enjoy movies, history, independent filmmaking, or simply hearing the story behind the story, I think you’ll enjoy this conversation. Watch the full interview, then let me know what you think in the comments. And while you're here, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE to the channel, and SHARE it with someone who might enjoy the conversation. — Joey Hudson #JohnOliver #Revolutionary #TryonInternationalFilmFestival #TRIFF #IndependentFilm #Filmmaking #History #WordOnTheStreet #JoeyHudson | |||
| Tennessee Tried to Execute Christa Pike — Then Rushed Her to the Hospital (Ep 854) | 02 Oct 2026 | 00:42:51 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson How do you go from the execution chamber to the emergency room? That's exactly what happened in Tennessee after the state attempted to execute convicted murderer Christa Pike. Pike was sentenced to death for the brutal 1995 torture and murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer. Wednesday night, Tennessee attempted to carry out that sentence using its one-drug lethal injection protocol. But something went terribly wrong. Pike received two doses of pentobarbital. And she didn't die. Witnesses reported that Pike continued breathing and could be heard snoring long after the drugs were administered. Her attorneys say the execution team had difficulty accessing her veins, and Pike reportedly complained that her arm hurt during the procedure. Eventually, the state could go no further under its execution protocol. And then came the extraordinary scene: The woman the state had just attempted to execute was loaded into an ambulance and rushed to a hospital. Her attorneys say she was in critical condition and receiving life-saving medical care. Think about that sentence. The state tried to end her life. Then medical personnel had to try to save it. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has now halted the state's remaining executions for the year and ordered a comprehensive independent review of what happened. The Tennessee Department of Correction says its execution team followed the state's established protocol. Pike's attorneys strongly disagree and are raising serious constitutional questions about what happened inside that execution chamber. We'll walk you through the timeline, explain how the execution failed and look at what happens next in one of the strangest death-penalty cases we've ever seen. ✝️ CHRISTIAN GROUPS SUE VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY Two Christian student ministries are suing Virginia State University over a new campus ministry policy they say discriminates against Christian organizations. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Women of Victory and Bethel Campus Fellowship. The groups allege that Virginia State stripped them of their status as registered student organizations and subjected Christian ministries to oversight by a university-appointed campus minister and advisory board. The lawsuit also alleges that Christian ministries are prohibited from maintaining the same kind of relationship with their national parent organizations that they previously enjoyed. Here's where the constitutional argument gets interesting. The plaintiffs say non-Christian religious organizations—including Muslim student groups—aren't subjected to the same requirements. Their attorneys argue that a public university cannot impose one set of rules on Christian organizations and another set of rules on other religious groups. Virginia State University had not publicly responded to the allegations when the lawsuit was initially reported. And that's important. These are allegations in a federal lawsuit, not a court finding that Virginia State violated the Constitution. We'll explain exactly what the Christian organizations say happened, what the disputed policy requires and why they believe their First Amendment rights were violated. 👶 IS MS. RACHEL GETTING TOO POLITICAL FOR TODDLERS? Millions of parents know Ms. Rachel. Her real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, and she built an enormous following with videos designed to help babies and toddlers learn language, songs and early childhood skills. She now has more than 21 million YouTube subscribers. But Moms for Liberty co-founder Tina Descovich says parents should understand that Ms. Rachel has also become an outspoken political activist. Accurso has publicly advocated on issues including Gaza and Palestinian children, immigration detention and LGBTQ issues. Descovich argues that parents who put on a Ms. Rachel video expecting songs and early-learning content may not realize how politically active the person behind the children's programming has become. Ms. Rachel and her supporters see it differently. Accurso has said her advocacy is motivated by concern for children and has defended speaking publicly about humanitarian and social issues. So here's the question for parents: Does a children's entertainer's political activism matter if that activism isn't necessarily part of every educational video your child watches? And how much should parents know about the people and organizations producing the content their toddlers consume? This isn't about telling parents what their children should or shouldn't watch. It's about knowing what's behind the screen and making that decision for yourself. We'll give you the background and let you decide. 🚨 MASSIVE I-95 PILEUP OVER LAKE MARION And finally, an incredible scene on Interstate 95 in South Carolina. What was initially reported as a pileup involving more than 30 vehicles turned out to be much larger. Officials now say nearly 70 vehicles were involved in the crashes along I-95 over Lake Marion. Dense fog blanketed the bridge Thursday morning when cars and tractor-trailers began colliding. Vehicles were scattered across the interstate. At least one vehicle caught fire. Dozens of people were taken to area hospitals. And Interstate 95—the major north-south artery along the East Coast—was shut down for hours. The scene stretched across the bridge between Clarendon and Orangeburg counties. We'll have the latest numbers, what authorities believe contributed to the crashes and an update on the people who were injured. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily national news, South Carolina stories, politics, faith, culture and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #ChristaPike #Tennessee #DeathPenalty #BreakingNews #VirginiaStateUniversity #ReligiousFreedom #FirstAmendment #ChristianStudents #MsRachel #MomsForLiberty #Parents #SouthCarolina #I95 #LakeMarion #SCNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| Trump Is Mailing $500 Checks to Nearly 1 Million Americans — Are You Getting One? (Ep 853) | 01 Oct 2026 | 00:41:46 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson Check your mailbox. The Trump administration is sending out nearly half a billion dollars in $500 refund checks to more than 950,000 Americans. And South Carolina is one of the states where eligible residents will receive them. The Treasury Department began sending the payments to people in 30 states who purchased health insurance through the federal Affordable Care Act marketplace. But the check isn't arriving by itself. President Donald Trump is also sending recipients a signed letter explaining why they're receiving the money. The administration says the federal ACA exchange collected more in user fees than was necessary to operate HealthCare.gov, and those costs were ultimately passed along to consumers through their insurance premiums. Trump says that surplus belongs to the people who paid it. Most of the recipients paid most or all of their insurance premiums without federal premium assistance. So who qualifies? Why is the federal government sending the money back now? Why are residents in only 30 states eligible? And if you live in South Carolina, could there be a $500 check headed to your mailbox? We'll explain exactly what's happening. 🇺🇸 A MASSIVE NEW MILITARY BASE — COULD SOUTH CAROLINA GET IT? Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has announced plans for what the Pentagon is calling the “Next Great American Base.” And this isn't going to be a small installation. The proposed base would house approximately 15,000 to 25,000 military personnel and occupy hundreds of thousands of acres. Hegseth says the installation would be built from the ground up using modern technology. It would generate its own power. It would be capable of operating independently from the commercial electrical grid. It would incorporate autonomous systems and advanced air defenses. And it would serve as a major hub for military operations, command-and-control and cyber and technological capabilities. Here's where this gets interesting for South Carolina. The Pentagon plans to hold a nationwide competition. Governors and state adjutants general will be invited to pitch their states directly to military leadership. So here's the obvious question: Could South Carolina compete for it? Think about what South Carolina already has. Fort Jackson. Shaw Air Force Base. Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. Joint Base Charleston. The Naval Nuclear Power Training Command. A growing aerospace and defense industry. The Port of Charleston. And a state with a long military tradition. There are plenty of unanswered questions. Where would you find hundreds of thousands of acres? What infrastructure would be required? How much would the project cost? And what would a base housing potentially 25,000 troops mean for housing, roads, schools and the economy of the community that gets it? But governors are going to get an opportunity to make their case. So should South Carolina throw its hat into the ring? We'll look at what Hegseth announced and what the Pentagon says it's looking for. 🛂 RUBIO: MORE THAN 250,000 VISAS REVOKED Secretary of State Marco Rubio's State Department says it has now revoked more than 250,000 U.S. visas since President Trump returned to office. The administration says the revocations involve a wide range of cases. That includes foreign nationals accused of committing crimes, violating the terms of their visas, committing fraud, abusing the immigration system, supporting terrorism or posing national-security concerns. The total also includes approximately 2,300 visa revocations connected to so-called “birth tourism”—foreign nationals allegedly traveling to the United States specifically to give birth so their children receive U.S. citizenship. The administration says the crackdown is part of a much larger effort to continuously vet foreign nationals who have been granted permission to enter the United States. The State Department's message is simple: A visa is a privilege—not a right. We'll look at how the program works, why visas are being revoked and what this tells us about the Trump administration's broader immigration strategy. 🌴 AMERICA'S ECONOMIC CENTER OF GRAVITY IS MOVING SOUTH And finally, as America celebrates its 250th anniversary, something significant is happening to the country's economy. The economic center of gravity continues moving south. A new analysis estimates that the American South has grown into a roughly $6 trillion regional economy, with population, businesses and investment continuing to migrate toward Southern states. And South Carolina is right in the middle of that story. South Carolina led the nation in inflation-adjusted GDP growth in 2024 at 4.2%. The state tied for first in 2025 with 3.1% growth. And South Carolina ranked first in the country in population growth during 2024-25. Think about what's driving it: BMW and the automotive industry in the Upstate. Boeing and aerospace in the Lowcountry. The Port of Charleston. Advanced manufacturing. Defense. Logistics. Foreign investment. And hundreds of thousands of people who continue moving South. But growth comes with challenges. Housing. Traffic. Energy. Infrastructure. Schools. And making sure the workforce can keep pace with employers. South Carolina isn't just benefiting from America's move South. In many ways, we're becoming one of the clearest examples of it. We'll look at the numbers and what this growth could mean for South Carolina's economy over the next decade. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily political analysis, breaking national news, South Carolina stories, consumer news and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #DonaldTrump #TrumpChecks #500DollarCheck #Obamacare #ACA #PeteHegseth #USMilitary #MilitaryBase #SouthCarolina #SCNews #MarcoRubio #Immigration #Visa #Economy #SouthCarolinaEconomy #GreenvilleSC #CharlestonSC #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| Did Trump Back Off Mass Deportations? ICE Confusion Sparks MAGA Backlash (Ep 852) | 30 Sep 2026 | 00:41:21 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson Did the Trump administration just back away from its mass-deportation policy? That question is creating a major debate among some of President Trump’s strongest immigration supporters after reported guidance instructed some ICE offices to pull back on arrests of illegal immigrants who did not have additional criminal histories. The reaction was immediate. Immigration hawks accused the administration of sending mixed signals and potentially retreating from one of President Trump’s biggest campaign promises. But then came another twist. The guidance was rescinded within hours. President Trump says his policy has NOT changed. The White House says ICE continues to prioritize the “worst of the worst,” but that does not mean other people who are in the country illegally are exempt from arrest. So what happened? Was this an actual change in policy? Was it a miscommunication inside ICE? And why did it produce such a strong reaction from some of Trump’s own supporters? We’ll separate what was actually ordered from the political reaction surrounding it. 💰 FBI SAYS $17 BILLION SEIZED IN GLOBAL SCAM CRACKDOWN Then we have an extraordinary number from FBI Director Kash Patel. $17 BILLION. Patel says that is roughly how much the FBI has seized in assets tied to massive overseas scam operations targeting Americans. The effort is called Operation Blackout. And these aren’t necessarily scammers sitting alone behind a laptop. The FBI describes sprawling scam compounds operating in places including Southeast Asia, the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa. Some operate almost like cities. The criminal networks use sophisticated investment scams, cryptocurrency schemes and online relationship scams to convince victims to hand over enormous amounts of money. Older Americans are frequently targeted. And there’s another disturbing side to this story: Some of the people carrying out these scams are themselves victims of human trafficking, forced to work inside compounds controlled by criminal organizations. The FBI says Operation Blackout combines overseas raids, asset seizures, disruption of communications networks, rescue efforts involving trafficked workers and attempts to recover stolen money for victims. If you have parents or grandparents who spend time online, this is a segment you may want to share with them. We’ll explain how these scams work, what warning signs families should recognize and what the FBI is doing to shut them down. 🏊♀️ RILEY GAINES’ NCAA LAWSUIT DISMISSED Former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines has suffered a major setback in her lawsuit against the NCAA. A federal judge granted summary judgment to the NCAA on the remaining Title IX claims brought by Gaines and more than a dozen other current and former female college athletes. But there’s an important distinction in this ruling. The judge did NOT decide whether the NCAA’s former transgender-athlete policy discriminated against female athletes. Instead, the case turned on a technical but crucial legal question: Does the NCAA itself receive federal financial assistance? That matters because Title IX applies to education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. The athletes argued that the NCAA qualified through its relationship with federally funded institutions and a concussion-research partnership involving the Department of Defense. U.S. District Judge Tiffany Johnson disagreed. She concluded that the evidence did not establish that the NCAA itself received federal funds. Without that connection, she ruled that the plaintiffs’ Title IX claims against the NCAA could not proceed. Gaines says this fight isn’t finished. She and the other plaintiffs plan to appeal the ruling to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Meanwhile, the NCAA policy at the center of the original lawsuit is no longer in effect. The organization changed its participation rules in February 2025 following President Trump’s executive order on women’s sports. We’ll explain what the judge actually decided, what she did NOT decide and where the case could go next. ⚠️ DISTURBING SOUTH CAROLINA CASE INVOLVING TWO CHILDREN And finally, a horrific story out of Spartanburg County, South Carolina. Authorities say a mother stabbed her two young children dozens of times during an attack inside their home. The children are just 6 and 3 years old. Investigators say the two suffered roughly 50 stab wounds combined. According to authorities, some of the wounds were so severe they reached bone. The 6-year-old reportedly faces the possibility of losing fingers and possibly an arm because of the extent of his injuries. Police discovered the children after the older child reportedly called his grandmother and told her he was hungry. That prompted a welfare check. Officers arrived to find the children alone, badly injured and covered in blood. Their mother, 35-year-old Taylor Gosnell, returned to the house shortly afterward. Authorities say she was eventually taken into custody. Gosnell is charged with two counts of attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. She has been denied bond. These are allegations, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. The good news in an otherwise horrific story is that both children were reported in stable condition and are expected to survive. We’ll have the latest details on the investigation. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily political analysis, breaking national news, South Carolina stories, consumer alerts and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #DonaldTrump #ICE #Immigration #MassDeportation #BorderSecurity #KashPatel #FBI #OperationBlackout #Scams #Fraud #RileyGaines #NCAA #TitleIX #WomensSports #SouthCarolina #Spartanburg #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| Murder Mystery Twist: NY Times Executive’s In-Laws Arrested After Fatal Shooting (Ep 851) | 29 Sep 2026 | 00:42:25 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson A stunning twist in the murder of a New York Times executive. Jonathan McKinsey, a 40-year-old director of engineering for New York Times Games, was shot multiple times Saturday afternoon in the parking lot of a sports complex in Dublin, California. And police say the two people arrested on suspicion of killing him were his wife’s parents. Michael and Pamela Sheafe, both 77 years old, were taken into custody within minutes of the shooting. Police have not publicly announced a motive. So what happened in that parking lot? What led investigators to McKinsey’s in-laws so quickly? And what do we know about the relationship between the victim and the two suspects? We have the latest details on this unusual murder investigation. 🏛️ SENATE REPUBLICANS SCRAP THEIR EARLY EXIT FROM WASHINGTON With the midterm elections approaching, Senate Republicans aren’t heading home quite as early as originally planned. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is keeping senators in Washington as Republicans try to finish legislative business before lawmakers scatter across the country for the final campaign push. The decision comes with control of Congress at stake in November. Republicans want to use their remaining time in the majority to advance legislation and other priorities while senators facing competitive races also want to get home and campaign. That creates an interesting political balancing act. Every additional day in Washington is another day incumbents aren’t campaigning back home. But every day the Senate remains in session is also another opportunity for the majority to move its agenda. We’ll explain why Thune changed the schedule and what senators are trying to accomplish before leaving Washington. 🚀 SPACEX STARSHIP REACHES ORBIT FOR THE FIRST TIME SpaceX has just achieved a major milestone. Starship reached Earth orbit for the first time. The massive rocket lifted off from Starbase, Texas, on its 14th test flight and successfully deployed 26 next-generation Starlink satellites. That was a major first for the Starship program. But everything didn’t go according to plan. The spacecraft had been scheduled for a much longer mission involving multiple trips around the Earth. Instead, an engine problem forced SpaceX to end the flight early. Even with the shortened mission, reaching orbit and deploying an actual payload represent important milestones for a rocket system SpaceX hopes will eventually replace much of its existing Falcon fleet. Starship is also central to Elon Musk’s long-term plans for the Moon and eventually Mars. We’ll explain what went right, what went wrong and why this flight could be one of the most important Starship tests yet. 🗳️ SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATS TARGET ALL 124 STATE HOUSE DISTRICTS While much of the political attention is focused on control of Congress, South Carolina Democrats are trying something they haven’t accomplished in more than half a century. They recruited Democratic candidates for all 124 seats in the South Carolina House of Representatives. Every single district. Republicans currently hold a large majority in the State House, so Democrats face a substantial challenge. But Democratic Party leaders argue that simply putting candidates on the ballot everywhere gives voters a choice and forces Republicans to defend seats they might otherwise take for granted. Republicans can point to their existing strength in the chamber and their success with South Carolina voters in recent elections. So does having a candidate in every district translate into additional Democratic seats? We won’t know until voters have their say. But the strategy itself represents a significant change. Instead of conceding heavily Republican districts without a challenger, Democrats are putting someone on the ballot everywhere. We’ll look at the numbers, the history and why the battle for the South Carolina State House deserves attention alongside the races for Congress, governor and U.S. Senate. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily political analysis, breaking national news, South Carolina politics, consumer stories and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #JonathanMcKinsey #NewYorkTimes #TrueCrime #DublinCalifornia #BreakingNews #SpaceX #Starship #ElonMusk #Starlink #SouthCarolina #SCPolitics #Midterms2026 #SouthCarolinaDemocrats #JohnThune #USSenate #Election2026 #JustTheTruth | |||
| Sen. John Kennedy to Trump: Tell Americans How the Iran War Ends (Ep 850) | 28 Sep 2026 | 00:40:02 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson Republican Senator John Kennedy says it’s time for President Donald Trump to explain directly to the American people what the plan is for the war with Iran. Appearing on CBS’s Face the Nation, Kennedy said Americans are worried about two things that are increasingly connected: The cost of living. And the war in Iran. Kennedy says he wants President Trump—or Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine—to give the country a straightforward explanation of why the United States went into Iran, what victory looks like and, most importantly, how America gets out. Kennedy is not calling for the United States to immediately abandon the conflict. He says sanctions and the blockade should continue. But his message to the administration is clear: Explain the strategy to the American people. We’ll show you what Kennedy said and look at the growing debate in Washington over the future of the Iran war. 🇺🇸 ARE REPUBLICANS CHANGING THEIR MESSAGE ON MASS DEPORTATION? Immigration was one of Donald Trump’s signature issues in the 2024 presidential campaign. But with the 2026 midterms approaching, some Republican candidates in competitive congressional districts are adjusting how they talk about immigration enforcement. Rather than emphasizing the broad phrase “mass deportation,” some candidates are focusing their message on deporting people who have committed serious crimes. Colorado Republican Congressman Gabe Evans has said enforcement should prioritize “gangbangers, not grandmas.” Florida Republican Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar has also publicly criticized aspects of the administration’s immigration crackdown and says some Hispanic voters who supported Trump now feel betrayed. Does this represent a Republican retreat from Trump’s immigration policies? Not necessarily. Republican campaigns continue spending heavily on immigration messaging and generally support stronger border enforcement. But in some competitive districts, the language is changing. We’ll look at what Republican candidates are saying and why immigration could become a complicated issue for both parties in November. 🇺🇦 UKRAINE’S UNEXPECTED SOURCE OF WAR REVENUE: PORN Here’s a headline I never expected to read. Ukraine is considering decriminalizing pornography—and supporters say one benefit could be additional tax revenue to help finance the country during its war with Russia. Producing and distributing adult pornography involving consenting adults is currently criminalized under Ukrainian law. But enforcement has created an unusual situation. Some Ukrainian adult-content creators have been paying taxes on their income while simultaneously facing the possibility of criminal prosecution for producing the content that generated that income. A bill before Ukraine’s parliament would decriminalize the production of pornography involving consenting adults and its distribution to adult audiences. At the same time, the legislation would strengthen penalties involving child sexual abuse material. The bill passed its first reading in July by an overwhelming vote of 231 to 8, with three abstentions. Supporters argue that legalizing and regulating adult content could eliminate opportunities for police corruption and allow the government to collect additional tax revenue from an industry that already exists. And in a country trying to finance an expensive war, supporters say every source of tax revenue matters. We’ll explain what the legislation actually does—and why Ukrainian lawmakers are considering it now. 🗳️ NEW SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE POLL: GRAHAM 43.4% — ANDREWS 42.3% Finally, we have a new poll in South Carolina’s special U.S. Senate election. And these numbers are worth examining. A new Trafalgar Group survey of likely South Carolina voters finds Republican Senator Darline Graham with 43.4% support. Democrat Annie Andrews is at 42.3%. That’s a difference of just 1.1 percentage points. Another 5.9% selected another candidate, while 8.5% remain undecided. And here's the important polling context: The difference between Graham and Andrews is smaller than the survey’s roughly three-point margin of error. That means this poll does not establish a clear leader. It is also only one poll—a snapshot of likely voters at a particular moment, not a prediction of what will happen on Election Day. But it comes after other surveys have also shown varying degrees of competitiveness in the race. An InsiderAdvantage survey earlier in September showed Graham ahead by roughly two points. An August Impact Research poll commissioned by the Andrews campaign showed the candidates tied. So what should we make of these numbers? We’ll break down the new Trafalgar survey, who was polled, how many voters remain undecided and what we can—and cannot—conclude from one poll with Election Day approaching. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily political analysis, breaking national and international news, South Carolina politics and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #JohnKennedy #DonaldTrump #Iran #IranWar #MarcoRubio #Immigration #MassDeportation #Midterms2026 #Ukraine #RussiaUkraineWar #SouthCarolina #SCSenate #DarlineGraham #AnnieAndrews #TrafalgarPoll #Election2026 #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| Netanyahu BLASTS Mamdani at UN: “Jews No Longer Feel Safe” in New York (Ep 849) | 25 Sep 2026 | 00:40:18 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took direct aim at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a fiery address before the United Nations—telling the mayor that “many Jews no longer feel safe in New York.” Netanyahu accused Mamdani of antisemitism and attacked the mayor over his criticism of Israel and previous statements about arresting Netanyahu if he came to New York. Mamdani fired back, accusing Netanyahu of spreading “baseless lies” and again accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza—an allegation Israel strongly denies. So how did a speech by the prime minister of Israel before the United Nations turn into a direct confrontation with the mayor of New York City? And what does the available data tell us about antisemitism and hate crimes against Jewish New Yorkers? We have the details. ⛽ COULD TRUMP’S MEETING WITH XI HELP LOWER GAS PRICES? President Donald Trump is meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast says Trump has an opportunity to address something millions of Americans are feeling every time they pull into a gas station. High gas prices. Mast argues that China’s support for Iran is contributing to instability in the Middle East and putting additional pressure on global energy prices. His argument is that if President Trump can persuade Xi to reduce Chinese support for Tehran, it could reduce instability surrounding the Strait of Hormuz—one of the most important oil shipping routes in the world. Would that actually translate into lower gasoline prices for Americans? It’s not quite that simple. Crude oil prices are a major factor in what we pay at the pump, but refinery capacity, inventories, distribution costs, taxes and other factors matter too. We’ll explain what Mast is asking Trump to do—and whether it could eventually make a difference at your neighborhood gas station. 🇺🇸 TRUMP BUTLER RALLY SHOOTING VICTIM JAMES COPENHAVER DIES We also have sad news involving one of the victims of the July 13, 2024 assassination attempt against Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. James Copenhaver has died after continuing to suffer complications from the injuries he sustained that day. Copenhaver was seriously wounded when gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire on Trump’s campaign rally. Corey Comperatore was killed. Copenhaver and David Dutch were wounded. And Donald Trump was struck in the ear. Copenhaver survived the initial shooting but underwent multiple surgeries and reportedly continued living with serious medical complications from his wounds. His death is a reminder that the consequences of what happened in Butler continued long after the television cameras left Pennsylvania. 🏠 TEXAS HOMEOWNER BEATS HER HOA—AND THE HOA PRESIDENT PAYS TOO Have you ever been frustrated with your homeowners association? Wait until you hear this story. A Texas homeowner spent nearly three years fighting her HOA over rental restrictions and what she claimed was improper interference with her property. She eventually took the case to court. And she won. The total judgment exceeded $33,000. But here’s the part that should get the attention of HOA board members everywhere: The HOA president was held personally liable for $12,500 for interfering with the homeowner’s rental contract. So how did what started as a neighborhood dispute turn into a three-year legal battle—and a judgment against both the association and its president? We have the details. 🔎 FBI DEFENSE-CONTRACTOR INVESTIGATION HAS A SOUTH CAROLINA CONNECTION And finally, a major investigative report involving a Hawaii defense contractor, political contributions, federal contracts and the FBI has a South Carolina connection. The company was Navatek, a Hawaii-based defense contractor that expanded operations around the country while pursuing federal research contracts. Navatek’s former CEO, Martin Kao, eventually pleaded guilty in federal cases involving campaign-finance violations and COVID loan fraud. According to a ProPublica investigation, Kao later cooperated extensively with federal investigators and made allegations about relationships between his company, political donations and government contracts. One major focus was Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins. Collins denies wrongdoing, and the FBI says an earlier investigation found nothing implicating Collins or her campaign. But ProPublica reports that investigators later opened another inquiry based on information Kao provided. And this is where South Carolina enters the story. Navatek had targeted South Carolina for expansion. The company opened operations in Columbia and partnered with the University of South Carolina on Navy research. According to ProPublica, FBI investigators eventually began asking questions about Navatek’s South Carolina activities and a steak dinner involving Kao and the late Senator Lindsey Graham. That does not establish wrongdoing by Graham, Collins or anyone else. It means federal investigators were examining allegations involving a defense contractor that was making political contributions while pursuing federal business. We’ll explain what Navatek was doing in South Carolina, what investigators were reportedly looking at and what remains allegation rather than established fact. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily political analysis, breaking national and international news, South Carolina stories and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #Netanyahu #ZohranMamdani #Israel #NewYorkCity #UnitedNations #NYC #DonaldTrump #XiJinping #China #GasPrices #Iran #JamesCopenhaver #ButlerPA #TrumpRally #HOA #SouthCarolina #SusanCollins #Navatek #LindseyGraham #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| Iran’s President Tells UN His Country Is a “Victim of Terrorism” (Ep 848) | 24 Sep 2026 | 00:43:54 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson Iran’s president stood before the United Nations and declared that his country has been a “victim of terrorism.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used his UN General Assembly address to accuse the United States and Israel of attacking his country and to portray Iran as the victim in the ongoing Middle East conflict. That statement immediately raises an obvious question: How does Iran reconcile that argument with its long history of supporting armed proxy groups throughout the Middle East? The United States has designated Iran a state sponsor of terrorism for decades, and U.S. government reports have documented Iranian support for Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis and other armed groups. So we’ll look at exactly what Pezeshkian said—and put those remarks into historical context. Then former Vice President Kamala Harris is back on the campaign trail. While campaigning in Detroit with Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, Harris declared that an attack on diversity, equity and inclusion—DEI—is also an attack on maternal care. Her argument centered specifically on racial disparities in maternal health, particularly the higher maternal mortality rates experienced by Black women. So what does DEI have to do with pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care? We’ll explain the argument Harris is making and why her comments are generating debate. Then—parents, you may not be the only ones who need to put down the phone. There’s growing concern about how older Americans are using social media, short-form video and artificial intelligence. Researchers and experts say seniors are increasingly spending significant amounts of time online and may be especially vulnerable to addictive algorithms, misinformation and AI-powered scams. So maybe somebody needs to check on Grandma and Grandpa’s screen time too. And finally, a major abortion-policy battle is heating up here in South Carolina. Women Speak Out PAC, a partner of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, says it is launching a $1 million campaign aimed at Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Annie Andrews and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jermaine Johnson. The organization says its campaign will focus on the candidates’ abortion positions and will use digital advertising, voter mail, text messages and phone calls. We’ll explain who is behind the campaign, what the group is saying and where Andrews and Johnson stand on abortion policy. 🇮🇷 IRAN’S PRESIDENT SAYS IRAN IS A “VICTIM OF TERRORISM” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian took the stage at the United Nations General Assembly with a very different description of his country’s role in the Middle East than the one Americans frequently hear. Pezeshkian said Iran has been the victim of terrorism and accused the United States and Israel of responsibility for attacks against his country. Iran has suffered terrorist attacks on its own soil over the years. But there is another side to this story. The United States has designated Iran a state sponsor of terrorism since 1984. U.S. government reports have documented Iranian support for Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Houthis and Iran-aligned militias operating in Iraq and Syria. That support has included money, weapons, training and technology. So we’ll look at Pezeshkian’s remarks in context and explain why Iran’s definition of terrorism differs dramatically from that of the United States and many of its allies. 🏥 KAMALA HARRIS: ATTACK ON DEI IS ATTACK ON MATERNAL CARE Former Vice President Kamala Harris made headlines in Detroit while campaigning alongside Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. Harris said: An attack on diversity, equity and inclusion is, by definition, an attack on maternal care. What was she talking about? Harris was speaking during a discussion focused on Black maternal health. She argued that programs designed to address racial disparities in healthcare are part of the broader DEI framework and that eliminating those programs could undermine efforts aimed at improving outcomes for Black women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care. There are documented racial disparities in maternal health outcomes in the United States. The debate is over whether DEI programs are an effective or necessary way to address those disparities. Harris says they are connected. Critics of DEI policies argue that healthcare should focus on individual medical need rather than race-based frameworks. So we’ll break down what she actually said and what the disagreement is about. 📱 GRANDMA’S DOOMSCROLLING TOO? We spend a lot of time worrying about children and technology. TikTok. Instagram. YouTube Shorts. Video games. Artificial intelligence. But researchers are increasingly studying what all of this technology is doing to older adults too. Nine out of ten Americans over 50 now use some form of social media. Adults over 65 are estimated to spend more than 100 minutes a day on social platforms. And artificial intelligence use among older Americans is growing rapidly. Experts say older users may be particularly vulnerable to several problems: Addictive short-form content. Misinformation. Algorithm-driven political content. And increasingly sophisticated AI scams. But there’s an important caveat. Researchers do NOT yet have enough evidence to say that seniors universally have worse technology habits than teenagers. The research is still developing. What we can say is that problematic and excessive technology use is no longer just a youth issue. Apparently doomscrolling doesn’t come with an age limit. 🗳️ $1 MILLION ABORTION CAMPAIGN TARGETS SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATS Abortion is becoming a major issue in South Carolina’s November elections. Women Speak Out PAC, which partners with Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, has announced a $1 million campaign targeting Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Annie Andrews and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jermaine Johnson. The organization describes both candidates’ abortion positions as extreme. That is the PAC’s characterization. The campaign reportedly includes digital advertising, mail, text messages and phone calls directed toward voters across South Carolina. Women Speak Out PAC is supporting Republican candidates who oppose abortion and says abortion policy will be a major focus of its turnout effort. Andrews and Johnson support abortion rights to varying degrees and have criticized Republican restrictions on abortion access. So we’ll look at what the PAC is spending, what each candidate has actually said about abortion and how the issue is shaping the South Carolina campaign. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily political analysis, breaking national and international news, South Carolina politics and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #Iran #UnitedNations #MasoudPezeshkian #MiddleEast #KamalaHarris #DEI #MaternalHealth #ArtificialIntelligence #SocialMedia #Doomscrolling #SouthCarolina #AnnieAndrews #JermaineJohnson #Abortion #Midterms2026 #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| JD Vance Says 750,000 Obamacare Enrollments Cut in $2.2 Billion Fraud Crackdown (Ep 847) | 23 Sep 2026 | 00:41:17 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson Thousands of Iranian Americans and supporters of the Iranian opposition gathered outside the United Nations in New York Tuesday with a message for world leaders: Stop the executions in Iran. The demonstration took place as leaders gathered for the United Nations General Assembly. Organizers with the National Council of Resistance of Iran are calling for an end to executions of political prisoners and for a transition to a democratic, secular republic. The protest comes amid continuing international concern over Iran’s use of the death penalty against protesters, dissidents and people accused of political offenses. We’ll show you what happened outside the UN and explain why Iran’s execution policies are receiving renewed attention. Then we turn to Washington. Vice President JD Vance says the Trump administration has identified hundreds of thousands of allegedly fraudulent or ineligible Obamacare enrollments. The administration says approximately 750,000 to 760,000 people are being removed from Affordable Care Act exchanges and estimates the move will save taxpayers about $2.2 billion. Officials say hundreds of thousands more enrollments are undergoing additional verification. But critics are raising questions about whether legitimate enrollees could also lose coverage. We’ll explain exactly what the administration says it found and what happens next. Then—speaking of fraud—a federal grand jury in Minnesota has indicted an Indian national accused of falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen in order to vote in the 2024 election. The Justice Department says Mukeshkumar Somabhai Chaudhari signed a voter certificate affirming that he was a U.S. citizen and cast a ballot on November 5, 2024. Those are allegations. Chaudhari has been indicted but has not been convicted, and under our legal system he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. The case comes as the Justice Department increases enforcement involving allegations of unlawful voting and false citizenship claims. And finally, we bring the story home to South Carolina. A major international investigation has identified nearly $271 million in American real estate linked to dozens of current and former Nigerian officials, their relatives, associates and affiliated companies. And some of those properties are right here in South Carolina—including Aiken and Spartanburg. The investigation identified hundreds of properties purchased over several decades. Many of the Nigerian officials named have faced public corruption accusations or investigations, but being linked to a property does not by itself establish that the property was purchased with illegal funds. We’ll look at what investigators found, how foreign money moves into American real estate and why South Carolina properties ended up in the investigation. 🇮🇷 THOUSANDS RALLY OUTSIDE THE UNITED NATIONS OVER IRAN Thousands gathered across from UN headquarters in Manhattan Tuesday during the United Nations General Assembly. The demonstration was organized by supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran. Their message: End political executions. Release prisoners. And support democratic change inside Iran. Human-rights organizations have documented continuing concerns over executions in Iran, particularly involving protesters, dissidents and people convicted on national-security charges after proceedings that critics say failed to meet international fair-trial standards. So while the politics surrounding Iran’s opposition groups can be complicated, the broader concern over executions is well documented. We’ll look at what the protesters are demanding and why they chose the UN General Assembly to make their case. 💰 VANCE ANNOUNCES OBAMACARE FRAUD CRACKDOWN Vice President JD Vance says his White House anti-fraud task force has uncovered widespread problems involving Affordable Care Act insurance enrollments. The administration says roughly three-quarters of a million people identified as fraudulent, nonexistent or otherwise ineligible are being removed from Obamacare exchanges. Officials estimate that will save taxpayers approximately $2.2 billion in subsidy payments. Another group of enrollees is undergoing additional verification involving citizenship, immigration status, income or other eligibility requirements. The administration says some insurance brokers improperly enrolled people in plans in order to collect commissions or trigger federal subsidy payments. Critics argue that the administration needs to make sure legitimate consumers aren’t swept up in the crackdown. So how widespread was the fraud? How were these enrollments approved? And how did federal tax dollars continue flowing to questionable accounts? We’ll break down what the administration says it found. 🗳️ NONCITIZEN VOTING CASE IN MINNESOTA The Justice Department has brought a federal case involving the 2024 election. A grand jury has indicted Indian national Mukeshkumar Somabhai Chaudhari. Prosecutors allege that Chaudhari falsely claimed to be a United States citizen when he signed a voter certificate in Minnesota and then cast a ballot in the November 2024 general election. He faces two federal counts. If convicted, each count carries a potential maximum sentence of five years. But this is important: An indictment is an accusation—not a conviction. The government will have to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. The case also raises a broader policy debate over voter-registration safeguards and how election officials verify citizenship. Minnesota election officials maintain that noncitizen voting is extremely rare and that state law already makes such voting illegal. So we’ll look at what prosecutors allege happened in this specific case without using one prosecution to make claims about the overall prevalence of noncitizen voting. 🏠 $271 MILLION IN U.S. REAL ESTATE—AND SOME OF IT IS IN SOUTH CAROLINA And finally, this is an extraordinary investigation. Researchers identified 284 U.S. properties worth nearly $271 million linked to 61 current and former Nigerian officials, their family members, associates or affiliated companies. The purchases stretch back to the early 1990s. The investigation found that more than half of the properties—worth roughly $177 million—were acquired while the officials were serving in government. And some of those holdings were located here in South Carolina, including properties in Aiken and Spartanburg. The investigation focused on the risks of politically exposed persons moving wealth into American real estate. That does not mean every property identified represents stolen money. And public accusations of corruption against an official are not the same thing as a criminal conviction. But the findings raise important questions about how easily foreign wealth can enter American real-estate markets and whether U.S. disclosure requirements are strong enough to identify the true owners behind some transactions. We’ll dig into the South Carolina connection and explain what investigators found. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily political analysis, breaking national and international news, South Carolina stories and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #Iran #FreeIran #UnitedNations #UNGA #IranProtests #PoliticalPrisoners #JDVance #Obamacare #ACA #HealthcareFraud #ElectionIntegrity #Minnesota #NoncitizenVoting #Nigeria #Corruption #RealEstate #SouthCarolina #Spartanburg #Aiken #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| Trump’s Media Ban Escalates: Even Fox News Joins White House Pool Protest (Ep 846) | 22 Sep 2026 | 00:41:17 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson President Trump’s feud with some of America’s biggest news organizations has escalated dramatically. Trump announced that CNN, Politico and MS NOW were being banned from the White House. Now those organizations are fighting back in court. But there’s another twist. The major television networks—including Fox News—are standing together in a dispute over White House television pool coverage. ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC have suspended participation in the White House TV pool after CNN was prevented from fulfilling its scheduled pool assignment. That doesn't mean these networks have stopped covering President Trump or his administration. But it does mean something unusual is happening with the system television networks have traditionally used to provide shared coverage of presidential events. And on Monday, viewers saw the consequences. President Trump held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new White House helipad—but without normal television pool coverage, viewers watching the White House feed couldn't properly hear his remarks. So what exactly is happening? What did Trump ban? Why did Fox News join the other networks? And do CNN, Politico and MS NOW have a constitutional case against the White House? We’ll explain it. Plus, if you've considered buying a condo because a traditional single-family home has become too expensive, there's another number you need to look at before signing anything: The HOA fee. Rising HOA dues, insurance costs and enormous special assessments are creating serious problems for some condo owners—and in some cases they're making the units difficult to sell. Then Colin Kaepernick is back in the news. The former NFL quarterback is once again defending his controversial comparison between the NFL Combine and the slave trade. And South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Drew McKissick joins us with an update on the SCGOP's federal lawsuit challenging South Carolina's open-primary system and what the party is doing ahead of November. 📺 TRUMP vs. THE MEDIA—AND FOX NEWS JOINS THE PROTEST The relationship between President Trump and several major news organizations has reached another breaking point. Trump announced that CNN, Politico and MS NOW were banned from the White House. Reporters from those organizations subsequently had their access revoked. Now CNN, MS NOW and Politico have gone to federal court, arguing that the White House violated their First Amendment and due-process rights. The Trump administration maintains that it has the authority to control access to the White House and says these organizations have engaged in false reporting. But Monday brought another development. CNN was scheduled to handle television pool coverage of President Trump. The White House wouldn't allow CNN to perform that assignment. And the other television networks refused to step in and replace CNN. That includes ABC. CBS. NBC. And yes—Fox News. The television pool has now suspended its coverage of events designated for pool coverage. And that created an unusual scene during President Trump's ribbon cutting for the new White House helipad. Without normal television pool coverage, the White House provided its own feed. Viewers could see President Trump speaking—but couldn't properly hear what he was saying. So now this fight isn't simply Trump versus CNN. It's raising much broader questions about presidential press access, the First Amendment and whether a White House can exclude particular news organizations because it objects to their coverage. We'll look at what both sides are arguing and where this legal fight goes next. 🏢 THINK A CONDO IS THE AFFORDABLE OPTION? LOOK AT THE HOA Buying a condo has traditionally been one way to get into homeownership for less money. But increasingly, there's another number buyers need to examine just as carefully as the mortgage payment. The HOA fee. Condo owners around the country are reporting rapidly increasing HOA dues. Others are getting hit with major special assessments. Then there's insurance. Aging buildings can be expensive to insure, and if a condominium association loses adequate insurance coverage, buyers may have trouble obtaining conventional financing. That can create a vicious cycle. HOA expenses increase. Fewer buyers can afford the unit. Financing becomes more difficult. And an owner who needs to sell suddenly discovers that the supposedly affordable condo isn't so easy to sell. Nationally, median HOA fees have increased substantially since 2019, and some individual communities have experienced far larger increases. So if you're shopping for a condo, don't just ask: “What's my mortgage payment?” Ask: What's the monthly HOA fee? How much money is in the association's reserves? Are major repairs coming? Have there been recent special assessments? Is the building adequately insured? And are more assessments likely? A condo can still make financial sense. But the sticker price doesn't necessarily tell you what living there will actually cost. 🏈 COLIN KAEPERNICK DOUBLES DOWN ON NFL-SLAVERY COMPARISON Colin Kaepernick is back in the news. And he's revisiting one of his most controversial arguments. During a conversation with former NFL player and ESPN commentator Ryan Clark, Kaepernick defended the comparison he previously made between the NFL Combine and slave auctions. Kaepernick says the Combine creates a power dynamic in which prospective players are measured, examined and evaluated by teams before the NFL Draft. He described the experience as a “meat market” and argued that there are parallels between that process and slave auctions. Kaepernick acknowledges an obvious difference: NFL players can make millions of dollars. But he argues that what he considers the underlying power dynamics and intentions behind the evaluation process have similarities. His critics strongly reject that comparison, pointing to the enormous difference between voluntary, highly compensated professional sports and the forced ownership and exploitation inherent in slavery. So we'll let you hear what Kaepernick actually said and put his argument into context. 🗳️ DREW McKISSICK JOINS US South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Drew McKissick joins us with an update on a legal fight that could eventually change the way South Carolina conducts its primary elections. The SCGOP has been challenging South Carolina's open-primary system in federal court. The party argues that Republican voters and the Republican Party should have the ability to determine who participates in choosing Republican nominees. Opponents of closed primaries argue that South Carolina's current system gives voters flexibility and allows citizens who don't formally affiliate with a political party to participate. So where does the federal lawsuit stand? What would a victory by the SCGOP actually change for South Carolina voters? And with November approaching, what is the party doing to encourage Republican voters to participate in the midterm elections? We'll get an update directly from SCGOP Chairman Drew McKissick. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily political analysis, breaking national news, South Carolina politics and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #DonaldTrump #Trump #CNN #FoxNews #Politico #MSNOW #WhiteHouse #Media #FirstAmendment #ColinKaepernick #NFL #Condo #HOA #HousingMarket #SouthCarolina #SCGOP #DrewMcKissick #SCPolitics #Midterms2026 #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| How Much Is the Iran War Really Costing American Taxpayers? (Ep 845) | 21 Sep 2026 | 00:40:56 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson TRUMP CUTS CAMP DAVID WEEKEND SHORT President Trump returned unexpectedly to the White House after cutting short a weekend at Camp David. The White House did not immediately give a public explanation for the schedule change. But it came during a significant escalation in the Middle East. The United States has warned that renewed hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen could escalate rapidly. A Houthi ballistic missile was launched toward Riyadh, marking a significant expansion of the renewed conflict. The State Department has also issued new warnings to Americans traveling through the region. So we'll look at what happened, what we know about the President's unexpected return and what we should be watching next. 🇺🇦 UKRAINE LAUNCHES MORE THAN 1,000 DRONES AT RUSSIA Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine just saw an extraordinary escalation of its own. Ukraine launched more than 1,000 drones toward targets across Russia overnight. Hundreds were directed toward Moscow in what Russian officials described as the largest drone attack ever launched against the capital. The attack came as Russia was completing the third and final day of parliamentary voting. Russian officials reported deaths and injuries, and Moscow's oil refinery was among the facilities damaged. Russia says it intercepted enormous numbers of drones. Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russian oil, energy and military infrastructure as it attempts to weaken Moscow's ability to sustain its war effort. We’ll take a closer look at what happened and why the timing of this attack is getting so much attention. 💰 THE IRAN WAR: AT LEAST $43.6 BILLION—AND COUNTING How much is America's war with Iran costing taxpayers? We finally have a better idea. U.S. Central Command has provided Congress with a new estimate putting the military cost at approximately $43.6 billion through September 3. The biggest expense? Weapons. About $28 billion of the estimate is associated with replacing munitions used during the conflict. Billions more have gone toward military operations and equipment that has been lost or damaged. Additional fuel costs reported separately push the overall figure closer to $45 billion. But here's the important part: Even that may not be the final bill. The estimate does not fully account for rebuilding or repairing American military facilities damaged during Iranian attacks. There is also the question of replenishing America's missile and interceptor inventories. And the war is continuing. So $43.6 billion isn't necessarily the price tag for the war. It's closer to a snapshot of the bill through early September. We'll break down where the money has gone and what additional expenses could still be coming. 🏗️ A $3 BILLION “MINOR” DEVELOPMENT? And finally, we come home to Spartanburg County. A legal fight is underway over the massive Valara data center project on South Pine Street. The basic question sounds simple: Is this a major development or a minor development? But the answer has enormous consequences. Residents represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center argue that Spartanburg County improperly treated the project as separate minor developments. Why does that matter? Because under the county's process, a major development receives Planning Commission review and greater public scrutiny. A minor development can be handled administratively without that same process. The residents argue a project of this size and scope should have gone through the major-development process. Spartanburg County and Valara dispute that interpretation and argue the classification depends on the specific language of the county ordinance—not simply the project's price tag or physical size. And there's another development. South Carolina's Department of Environmental Services has now approved an air construction permit allowing Valara to construct and operate 11 simple-cycle combustion turbines. So this debate isn't simply about whether somebody thinks a project “sounds” major. It's about what Spartanburg County's ordinance actually requires and whether the county followed that ordinance. We'll look at what both sides are arguing and why a judge is now being asked to sort it out. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily political analysis, breaking national and international news, South Carolina news and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #DonaldTrump #MiddleEast #SaudiArabia #Houthis #Iran #IranWar #Ukraine #Russia #Moscow #Putin #IranWarCost #CENTCOM #DataCenters #SpartanburgSC #SouthCarolina #Valara #ArtificialIntelligence #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| WEEKEND:What Happened to Tucker Hipps? His Parents Keep Fighting for Answers & Change (Ep 844) | 20 Sep 2026 | 00:20:29 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson September 22 marks another painful anniversary for the family of Tucker Hipps. Tucker was a 19-year-old Clemson University student who died in 2014 after joining fraternity members and pledges on an early-morning run. His body was later found beneath the Highway 93 bridge over Lake Hartwell. More than a decade later, questions remain about exactly what happened that morning. In this conversation, I sit down with Tucker's mother, Cindy Hipps, to remember the young man behind the headlines. Cindy shares memories of her son, talks about the impact his death has had on her family, and explains why she has devoted so much of her life to raising awareness about the dangers of hazing. We also discuss the culture of silence that can surround hazing, what parents need to know before their children join fraternities, sororities and other organizations, and what students should do if they witness dangerous behavior. Cindy and her husband, Gary, have worked to make sure Tucker's life continues to have an impact through the Tucker W. Hipps Memorial Foundation, which supports scholarships, charitable organizations and hazing-awareness efforts. Tucker's story is heartbreaking, but his legacy is about much more than how he died. It's about how he lived—and a family's determination to help protect other young people. Learn more about Tucker and the work of the Tucker W. Hipps Memorial Foundation at TuckerGives.org. Please share this interview with parents, grandparents and college students. It may start a conversation that could save a life. If you have information that may lead to the TRUTH about what happened that morning please contact Oconee Crime Stoppers online or call 1-844-71CRIME. Subscribe for more conversations about the people and issues affecting South Carolina and our country. | |||
| WEEKEND: BIG Fall Concert Lineup Coming to Walhalla | Mark Thompson Reveals What’s Ahead (Ep 843) | 19 Sep 2026 | 00:21:01 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson You don't have to drive to Atlanta or Charlotte to see some great live entertainment. Some big names are coming right here to the Upstate! Mark Thompson from the Walhalla Performing Arts Center joins Joey Hudson to preview an exciting fall lineup featuring country, bluegrass, Christian music, comedy, tribute acts and holiday entertainment. We talk about the artists coming to Walhalla, why some shows are selling out, the experience of seeing nationally known performers in an intimate venue, and how the Walhalla Performing Arts Center has become a destination for live entertainment in Upstate South Carolina. Mark also explains what goes into booking these performers and why audiences—and the artists themselves—enjoy the unique atmosphere of this historic venue. 🎟️ See the complete concert schedule and ticket information at the Walhalla Performing Arts Center website. Be sure to LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to the channel and SHARE it with someone who loves live music. And tell us in the comments: Who would YOU like to see perform at the Walhalla Performing Arts Center? #WalhallaSC #WalhallaPerformingArtsCenter #UpstateSC #SouthCarolina #LiveMusic #CountryMusic #Bluegrass #Concerts #ThingsToDoSC | |||
| Trump Promised $5,000 Checks — Now Republicans Ask: Where’s the Money Coming From? (Ep 842) | 18 Sep 2026 | 00:42:24 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson President Trump got plenty of attention at the Republican convention in Dallas when he promised a $5,000 “Trump dividend” to every adult American citizen if Republicans retain control of the House and Senate in November. Five thousand dollars sounds pretty good. But now some Republicans in Congress are asking the obvious question: Where are you getting the money? The proposal could cost more than $1 trillion, and several Republican lawmakers are questioning whether the federal government can afford it when the national debt has already surpassed $40 trillion. Others are looking for ways to make Trump's proposal work. So today we’re going to follow the money. How much would these checks actually cost? Could tariff revenue pay for them? Would Congress have to approve them? And what would sending that much money into the economy mean for inflation and the national debt? Plus, parents—you’re going to want to hear this next story. A father says his 9-year-old son managed to spend $118,000 promoting his Minecraft and Roblox videos on YouTube. And it apparently started after Dad showed him how to run a $20 advertising campaign. Talk about a marketing lesson getting expensive! Then we come home to South Carolina. The Palmetto State continues adding people at an extraordinary rate. But voter-registration numbers aren't keeping pace with that population growth. So here's my question: Where are all these new South Carolinians when it comes time to register to vote? And finally, today is one of my favorite days of the year. It's Law Enforcement Appreciation Day—LEAD Upstate. Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis joins us to talk about something incredibly simple that can mean an awful lot to the men and women who put on that badge every morning: Thank you. 💰 REPUBLICANS QUESTION TRUMP’S $5,000 DIVIDEND President Trump made a very big promise in Dallas. If Republicans maintain control of the House and Senate in November, Trump says every adult American citizen will receive a $5,000 dividend. Now comes the hard part. Paying for it. Estimates suggest the program could cost somewhere around $1.2 trillion. And some Republican members of Congress are raising concerns. South Carolina Congressman Ralph Norman is among those questioning the proposal and asking where the money would come from. Other Republicans are more receptive but say Congress would need to be involved. Trump has argued that revenue generated from tariffs can help fund the payments. Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno has proposed legislation that would use what he calls “market access fees” on foreign goods to finance the checks. So there are several big questions still unanswered. Is there enough tariff revenue? Would the payments add to the deficit? Would Congress approve them? And could putting more than a trillion dollars into consumers’ hands put additional pressure on inflation? Forget the slogans for a moment. Let's do the math. 💳 A 9-YEAR-OLD SPENDS $118,000 ON YOUTUBE ADS?! Parents, this story should get your attention. A father says he wanted to teach his 9-year-old son a little about marketing. The boy had a YouTube channel featuring Minecraft and Roblox videos and was disappointed that he wasn't getting many views. So Dad showed him how YouTube advertising works. They created a small campaign with a budget of about $20. Apparently the 9-year-old learned the lesson a little too well. According to his father, the boy later returned to the advertising system and started creating campaigns himself. And the credit card attached to the account? It wasn't Dad's personal card. It was his company credit card. Three weeks later, Dad says he was called into a meeting with company officials and shown the total: $118,000. Apparently the young man figured more advertising meant more views. Technically, he wasn't wrong. Some of the videos reportedly reached around 200,000 views. But I don't think Dad was planning on a $118,000 marketing budget! There is a serious lesson here for every parent and grandparent. Check what credit cards are saved on your devices. Use parental controls. Set spending limits. And don't assume a child understands that clicking a button on a screen is actually spending real money. 🗳️ SOUTH CAROLINA IS GROWING—SO WHERE ARE THE NEW VOTERS? South Carolina continues to be one of America's fastest-growing states. People are moving here. New neighborhoods are being built. Traffic is increasing. Schools are growing. Businesses are expanding. You can see the growth practically everywhere. But here's something interesting: Our voter-registration rolls haven't been growing at anything close to the same pace. And that raises a pretty simple question. Why? Are newcomers waiting before registering? Are many keeping registrations in their former states? Is the population growth concentrated among people who aren't eligible to vote? Or are thousands of eligible South Carolinians simply choosing not to register? This isn't about telling anyone how to vote. It's about participation. If you're eligible to vote and South Carolina is now your home, registering is how you gain the ability to participate when Election Day arrives. So with all these people moving into the Palmetto State, where are the new voters? 🚔 TODAY IS LEAD DAY Finally, today is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day—LEAD Upstate. Hundreds of law enforcement officers from across Greenville County will come together at the Greenville Downtown Airport. And the purpose really couldn't be simpler. Thank you. Thank you for putting on the uniform. Thank you for missing dinners with your family. Thank you for working holidays. Thank you for answering the call when the rest of us are running away from danger. And thank you for serving communities that sometimes forget just how difficult that job can be. Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis joins us to talk about LEAD and why those two simple words—thank you—can mean so much to a law enforcement officer. We'll also talk about morale, recruitment, retention and what ordinary citizens can do to show officers that their service is appreciated. Sometimes support doesn't require a big speech. Sometimes it just requires two words. Thank you. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily political analysis, breaking national news, South Carolina politics and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #DonaldTrump #TrumpDividend #5000Check #Congress #Republicans #Midterms2026 #SouthCarolina #SCPolitics #VoterRegistration #YouTube #Parenting #OnlineSafety #LEADUpstate #LawEnforcement #SheriffHobartLewis #GreenvilleSC #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| Secret 2024 Democratic Poll Reportedly Put Kamala Harris LAST Among Biden Replacements (Ep 841) | 17 Sep 2026 | 00:41:22 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson There’s a fascinating new story about what may have been happening behind the scenes inside the Democratic Party during those chaotic weeks of the 2024 presidential campaign. Former Democratic fundraiser Lindy Li says Democrats conducted secret polling as questions mounted about whether President Joe Biden could remain the party’s nominee. And according to Li, Vice President Kamala Harris finished last among the potential Biden replacements tested in that polling. If her account is accurate, it raises some fascinating questions about what Democratic insiders knew before Biden withdrew—and how Harris ultimately became the nominee. We’ll separate what has been documented from what is being alleged and look back at one of the most extraordinary periods in modern presidential politics. Plus, there will NOT be a House vote this week on Congressman Thomas Massie’s articles of impeachment against Secretary Pete Hegseth. Why? House leaders sent everybody home. We’ll explain what happened. Then, disturbing video from a New York college campus shows a violent confrontation that left three students stabbed and two people in custody. And if you were hoping interest rates were finally about to come down, the Federal Reserve had other plans. The Fed raised rates by a quarter point Wednesday—the first increase since 2023. And here in South Carolina, lawmakers are providing hundreds of thousands of dollars to expand Flock license-plate cameras even as communities around the country debate privacy concerns surrounding the technology. WHAT DID DEMOCRATS KNOW ABOUT KAMALA HARRIS IN 2024? We all remember those extraordinary weeks in the summer of 2024. President Biden’s debate performance intensified questions about whether he could continue as the Democratic nominee. Democratic leaders were debating what to do. Donors were nervous. Potential replacements were being discussed. Eventually Biden withdrew, and Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee. But now former Democratic fundraiser Lindy Li is describing what she says was happening privately. Li says secret polling tested Harris against other possible Biden replacements—and she says Harris finished last among the alternatives. That claim could become part of the discussion surrounding Harris if she considers another presidential campaign in 2028. But there is an important distinction: The underlying poll has not been publicly released, so this is Li’s account of what Democratic insiders were seeing—not independently verified public polling. We’ll look at what she says happened and how it compares with what was publicly known during those chaotic weeks in 2024. 🏛️ NO HEGSETH IMPEACHMENT VOTE—HOUSE LEAVES WASHINGTON Remember Congressman Thomas Massie’s effort to force a House vote on eight articles of impeachment against Secretary Pete Hegseth? That vote isn’t happening this week. House Republican leaders abruptly ended the chamber’s legislative week Wednesday, sending members home ahead of the November midterms. That means Massie’s effort to force lawmakers to vote on his impeachment resolution has been interrupted. Massie isn’t happy. He argues that Congress should have remained in Washington and voted. House leadership says lawmakers have completed their scheduled business and are returning home. We’ll explain what happened and what it means for Massie’s effort against Hegseth. 🚨 THREE STUDENTS STABBED ON COLLEGE CAMPUS What is happening on our college campuses? Disturbing video captured a violent confrontation at Westchester Community College in New York that left three students injured. Authorities say two people were taken into custody following the incident. Video from the scene appears to show students fighting as the confrontation escalates. Three students suffered stab wounds. We’ll look at what authorities say happened, what the video shows and what we know about the investigation. 💰 THE FED JUST RAISED YOUR INTEREST RATE If you were waiting for the Federal Reserve to start lowering interest rates, you’re going to have to wait a little longer. The Fed went in the opposite direction Wednesday. Policymakers unanimously raised the federal funds target rate by a quarter percentage point to 3.75% to 4%. It is the first Federal Reserve interest-rate increase since July 2023. Why? Inflation. The Fed says inflation remains too high and that higher rates are necessary to move inflation back toward its 2% target. But there’s a cost. Higher rates can mean higher borrowing costs on credit cards, auto loans, business loans and other variable-rate debt. And there may be more coming. Federal Reserve projections indicate policymakers expect another quarter-point increase before the end of the year. We’ll explain what this means for your wallet and why the Fed is raising rates when so many Americans were expecting them to come down. 📸 SOUTH CAROLINA PUTS MORE MONEY INTO FLOCK CAMERAS There’s an interesting debate happening over automated license-plate readers. Some communities around the country have restricted or reconsidered Flock cameras because of privacy concerns. But South Carolina lawmakers are moving in another direction. The state budget includes $365,000 for four South Carolina law-enforcement agencies to add automated license-plate readers or expand their existing camera networks. The money is going to agencies in Cameron and Florence and McCormick and Marlboro counties. Supporters say these cameras can be valuable tools for finding stolen vehicles, locating suspects and solving crimes. Critics worry about how much information is being collected, how long it's stored and who can access it. So where should the line be? How do we give police useful technology without creating a surveillance network that tracks innocent people? That’s a conversation worth having. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily political analysis, breaking national news, South Carolina politics and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #KamalaHarris #JoeBiden #Democrats #Election2024 #Election2028 #PeteHegseth #ThomasMassie #Congress #FederalReserve #InterestRates #Inflation #FlockSafety #FlockCameras #SouthCarolina #Privacy #CollegeCrime #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| Impeach Hegseth? GOP Rep. Massie Forces Iran War Showdown (Ep 840) | 16 Sep 2026 | 00:40:57 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson There was plenty of drama on Capitol Hill Tuesday. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie has filed articles of impeachment against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth over the continuing war with Iran. Massie accuses Hegseth of committing “high crimes and misdemeanors” and says the administration has continued military operations without the congressional authorization required by the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution. The administration disputes that argument. And now Massie is seeking a House vote. We’ll explain exactly what Massie is accusing Hegseth of doing, what the administration says in response and why this fight goes far beyond one cabinet secretary. At the heart of it is a constitutional question Americans have debated for decades: Who ultimately has the power to take America to war? Plus, Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters had a heated exchange with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over the Trump administration’s approach to artificial intelligence. Waters says America may be moving too quickly. The Trump administration says America cannot afford to fall behind its global competitors. We’ll get into that debate. Then we have a story that proves golf apparently isn’t always the gentleman’s game we thought it was. A Kansas man ended up in the hospital—and then jail—following a wild altercation on a Wichita golf course. And finally, the Justice Department has announced a massive nationwide crackdown on COVID-era fraud. Federal prosecutors took enforcement actions involving more than 160 defendants and approximately $245 million in alleged intended losses to taxpayers. 🏛️ REPUBLICAN MOVES TO IMPEACH PETE HEGSETH Kentucky Republican Congressman Thomas Massie is once again challenging the Trump administration over the war with Iran. This time, he’s going after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Massie filed eight articles of impeachment accusing Hegseth of violating the Constitution and federal law through his role in carrying out military operations against Iran. Massie argues that Congress has not authorized the continuing war and says Hegseth should be held accountable for carrying out those operations. The administration disputes that interpretation of the War Powers Resolution and has defended Hegseth’s leadership. So this is about much more than Thomas Massie and Pete Hegseth. It raises one of the oldest constitutional debates in Washington: Congress has the constitutional power to declare war. The president is commander in chief. But where does one power end and the other begin when American military operations continue for months? We’ll look at what Massie is alleging, what the administration says and what happens next. 🤖 MAXINE WATERS vs. SCOTT BESSENT OVER AI Artificial intelligence continues to create some interesting political alliances. Congresswoman Maxine Waters challenged Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over the Trump administration’s AI policies, arguing that Washington needs to take warnings about rapidly advancing artificial intelligence more seriously. And she isn’t alone in raising concerns. Some of the very people developing advanced AI systems have warned that the technology is advancing faster than our ability to understand all of the potential consequences. The Trump administration has emphasized another risk: What happens if America slows down while China keeps going? That gives us a fascinating debate. Which poses the greater risk to America? Moving too quickly? Or falling behind? We’ll take a look at both sides. ⛳ WHEN GOLF BECOMES A CONTACT SPORT And now for something completely different. Apparently golf can be a contact sport. A Kansas man spent the weekend in jail after a golf course altercation in Wichita got completely out of hand. Police say 52-year-old Scott Denning was involved in an altercation with other golfers after an errant shot. At some point, authorities say, a golf club became a weapon. Denning reportedly ended up with serious facial swelling, went to the hospital—and eventually landed in jail. All this over a round of golf. I always thought the most dangerous part of golf was standing too close to somebody with my backswing. Apparently I was wrong. 💰 DOJ CRACKS DOWN ON COVID FRAUD Remember the hundreds of billions of dollars Washington rushed out the door during the COVID pandemic? Federal investigators are still trying to figure out where some of it went. The Justice Department has announced the results of a nationwide enforcement surge targeting fraud involving pandemic-era small-business programs. The numbers are staggering. Enforcement actions involved more than 160 criminal defendants and approximately $245 million in intended losses to American taxpayers. Nearly 80 defendants were newly charged. Others pleaded guilty or were sentenced as part of the broader enforcement effort. The allegations include fabricated businesses, false payroll and revenue claims, identity theft and other schemes designed to obtain pandemic relief money. And five years after those programs were created, investigators are still tracking down people accused of stealing taxpayer money. We’ll look at what prosecutors uncovered and why COVID-era fraud remains such an enormous issue years after the pandemic. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily political analysis, breaking national news, South Carolina politics and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #PeteHegseth #ThomasMassie #DonaldTrump #Iran #IranWar #Impeachment #Congress #WarPowers #MaxineWaters #ScottBessent #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #COVIDFraud #PandemicFraud #DOJ #Golf #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| Trump Rejects Calls to Slow Down AI: “Whoever Wins AI Wins” (Ep 839) | 15 Sep 2026 | 00:40:43 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson There’s a major battle developing over the future of artificial intelligence. And the dividing lines may surprise you. Some of the biggest names in AI are now warning that the technology is advancing so rapidly that it may be time to slow down, strengthen safety measures and make sure we understand what these increasingly powerful systems are capable of doing. President Donald Trump has a very different concern. Trump says the United States is leading China in artificial intelligence—and he doesn’t want America to surrender that advantage. His message is essentially this: Whoever wins AI wins. So which is the bigger risk? Moving too quickly with technology we may not fully understand? Or slowing down while China keeps moving forward? We’ll get into that debate. Plus, questions are being raised about Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding after reports revealed that a Russian oligarch with close ties to Vladimir Putin paid hundreds of thousands of dollars toward the lavish celebration. Don Jr. and his wife say there’s a straightforward explanation: the man is a friend and the spending was a wedding gift. We’ll tell you what is known, what isn’t known and why the relationship is attracting scrutiny. Then, South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Drew McKissick joins us to talk about last week’s Republican National Convention, the November midterms and South Carolina’s traditional role in choosing Republican presidential nominees as attention slowly begins turning toward 2028. And there’s another interesting development in South Carolina’s U.S. Senate race. A grassroots effort encouraging voters to write in Congressman Ralph Norman continues—even though Norman himself has endorsed Republican nominee Senator Darline Graham. Could enough Republican voters participate to affect the November contest? We’ll look at what this independent movement is actually doing and where Congressman Norman himself stands. 🤖 TRUMP VS. AI LEADERS: SHOULD AMERICA SLOW DOWN? Artificial intelligence is advancing at a breathtaking pace. And now some of the very people building this technology are telling us we need to be careful. Leading figures in the AI industry have expressed support for slowing the development of cutting-edge systems long enough to strengthen safeguards and allow independent researchers greater ability to evaluate what these systems can do. President Trump isn’t buying the argument that America should hit the brakes. His concern is China. Trump says the United States currently leads China in artificial intelligence and argues that slowing American innovation could allow Beijing to catch up—or potentially move ahead. And that sets up a fascinating debate. We know artificial intelligence could transform medicine, education, manufacturing, national defense and virtually every part of the American economy. But we also know there are legitimate concerns about jobs, cybersecurity, misinformation and increasingly autonomous AI systems. So where is the balance? How do we stay ahead of China without moving faster than our ability to understand the technology we're creating? 🇷🇺 WHO HELPED PAY FOR DONALD TRUMP JR.’S WEDDING? There are new questions surrounding Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding to Bettina Anderson earlier this year. Reports say Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev paid hundreds of thousands of dollars toward their elaborate wedding celebration in the Bahamas. Kremlev is president of the International Boxing Association and has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to reporting on the event, Kremlev helped cover major expenses, including renting one of the private islands used for the celebration and an elaborate fireworks display. Don Jr. and his wife have confirmed that Kremlev helped pay for the festivities and describe him as a friend whose contribution was a generous wedding gift. That doesn't by itself establish wrongdoing. But given Kremlev’s relationship with Putin and Donald Trump Jr.’s relationship to the sitting President of the United States, the arrangement is drawing scrutiny. So we’ll give you the facts that have been reported, explain who Kremlev is and let you draw your own conclusions. 🇺🇸 DREW McKISSICK JOINS US South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Drew McKissick joins us for a conversation about where Republicans stand heading toward November. We’ll get his firsthand perspective on the Republican National Convention and the enthusiasm he saw among activists and delegates. We’ll also discuss the issues Republicans are emphasizing in the midterm elections and what he believes South Carolina voters are focused on. And yes—we’re already beginning to hear the first whispers about 2028. South Carolina has traditionally played an enormously influential role in the Republican presidential nominating process. So what does McKissick expect South Carolina’s role to look like in the next presidential primary? 🗳️ WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH “WRITE-IN RALPH”? There’s an unusual grassroots political effort underway in South Carolina. Supporters of Congressman Ralph Norman are encouraging voters to write his name in for U.S. Senate in November. But there’s an important fact voters need to understand: Ralph Norman himself has endorsed Senator Darline Graham. Graham defeated Norman in the Republican runoff and is now the Republican nominee. The “Write-In Ralph” effort describes itself as an independent grassroots project and specifically says it is not authorized, operated, endorsed or coordinated with Norman or his campaign. So how much support does the movement actually have? Could it attract enough voters to affect the Senate race? And what does Norman’s endorsement of Graham mean for voters who are still considering writing his name on the ballot? We’ll take a look at the movement, what its organizers are saying and what we actually know about its support. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily political analysis, breaking national news, South Carolina politics and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #DonaldTrump #Trump #China #BigTech #DonaldTrumpJr #Russia #VladimirPutin #UmarKremlev #DrewMcKissick #SCGOP #SouthCarolina #RalphNorman #DarlineGraham #SCSenate #Midterms2026 #Election2026 #JustTheTruth | |||
| Jeffries Won’t Rule Out Trump Impeachment If Democrats Win the House (Ep 838) | 14 Sep 2026 | 00:41:03 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson Could President Donald Trump face another impeachment fight if Democrats take control of the House in November? House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on ABC’s “This Week” Sunday and was asked directly whether impeachment would be on the table if Democrats win the House. Jeffries did not rule it out. We’ll look at exactly what he said, what he didn’t say, and why the question of impeachment is already becoming part of the conversation surrounding the November midterms. Plus, diesel fuel has now surged past $6 a gallon nationally, setting another record as disruptions from the Iran war and other global supply problems continue putting pressure on fuel markets. And remember: diesel isn’t just about truck drivers. Diesel moves America. Trucks, farms, construction equipment and much of the machinery that keeps the economy moving depend on it. When diesel goes up, those additional costs can eventually show up in the prices consumers pay for everything from groceries to building materials. We also have a major development in Mississippi, where police have arrested a 51-year-old man on a murder charge following the death of Tasia Fortune, the 29-year-old mother of four who was found hanging from a tree behind an abandoned home. And LaDonna Ryggs joins us with a firsthand report from last week’s Republican midterm convention in Dallas. 🏛️ JEFFRIES WON’T RULE OUT TRUMP IMPEACHMENT House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared Sunday on ABC’s “This Week,” where George Stephanopoulos asked him about what Democrats would do if they regain control of the House. And one word inevitably came up: Impeachment. When asked whether impeachment would be on the table, Jeffries did not rule it out. That does not mean Democrats have formally announced an impeachment effort, nor does it mean articles of impeachment have been introduced as part of this discussion. But it does mean the Democratic leader is leaving the possibility open. We’ll listen closely to what Jeffries actually said and discuss what another potential impeachment battle could mean for Washington following the November elections. ⛽ DIESEL BLOWS PAST $6 A GALLON This is one of those stories that affects people who never buy a gallon of diesel. The national average price of diesel has now climbed above $6 per gallon, setting a record as global fuel supplies remain under pressure. And this matters far beyond the trucking industry. The food at your grocery store gets there on a truck. The packages delivered to your home spend time on trucks. Farmers use diesel. Construction companies use diesel. Manufacturers and distributors depend on diesel-powered transportation. Those businesses don't simply absorb higher fuel costs indefinitely. Eventually, those costs can work their way through the supply chain. We’ll look at what is driving this record increase, how the Iran war and other global disruptions are affecting supplies, and what Americans should be watching in the weeks ahead. 🔎 ARREST IN DEATH OF TASIA FORTUNE There has been a major development in the disturbing case of Tasia Fortune. Fortune was a 29-year-old Black mother of four whose body was discovered hanging from a tree behind a vacant home in Jackson, Mississippi, last month. The circumstances surrounding her death generated national attention and intense speculation. Now the Mississippi state medical examiner has ruled Fortune’s death a homicide, and Jackson police have arrested 51-year-old Jarques Ratliff on a murder charge. Police say Ratliff had an association with Fortune, but authorities have not publicly explained the nature of that relationship or announced a motive. Police also say the investigation is continuing and additional arrests could be coming. That makes this an important reminder about cases that explode across social media before investigators have completed their work. We’ll look at what we actually know, what remains unknown and where the investigation goes from here. 🇺🇸 INSIDE THE REPUBLICAN MIDTERM CONVENTION And finally, we’re going inside last week’s Republican midterm convention in Dallas. LaDonna Ryggs has been involved in Republican politics for years and has attended national conventions before. She joins us to give us a firsthand account of what it was like inside the convention. What was the mood? Which speakers generated the strongest reaction in the room? What issues were Republican activists talking about when the cameras weren’t rolling? And what did she hear from grassroots delegates about the November midterm elections? We’ll get her firsthand perspective from Dallas. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily political analysis, breaking national news, South Carolina politics and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #DonaldTrump #HakeemJeffries #Impeachment #Democrats #Congress #Midterms2026 #Election2026 #DieselPrices #GasPrices #Iran #IranWar #Inflation #TasiaFortune #Mississippi #RNC #Republicans #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| WEEKEND: “Church Attendance Isn’t Enough: How Do We Help People Belong?”| Dustin Dozier (Ep 836) | 13 Sep 2026 | 00:21:47 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson Why do some people visit a church once and never come back? And perhaps the bigger question is this: How can churches help people move beyond simply attending on Sunday morning to actually feeling like they belong? In this conversation, Joey Hudson sits down with Pastor Dustin Dozier to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing churches today — building genuine Christian community in a culture where millions of people are struggling with loneliness, isolation and disconnection. We discuss what first-time visitors are really looking for, why some never return, how important the first few minutes of a church experience can be, and why small groups, volunteering and personal relationships can make such a difference. We also tackle the challenge of reaching Millennials and Gen Z, why authenticity matters, and what smaller churches can do — without huge budgets or elaborate programs — to create a place where people feel welcomed, known and needed. At its heart, this conversation isn't about church marketing or simply increasing attendance. It's about something much deeper: helping people find Christian community and move from attending church to becoming part of a church family. LISTEN and then tell us in the comments: What made you feel like you truly belonged at a church? And if you haven't been to church in a while, what would make you consider going back? Subscribe for more conversations about faith, family, community and the issues affecting our lives. | |||
| WEEKEND: Choosing Life: How Carolina Pregnancy Center Helps Moms & Saves Babies (Ep 837) | 13 Sep 2026 | 00:19:03 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson What happens when a woman facing an unexpected pregnancy feels frightened, overwhelmed and unsure where to turn? Carolina Pregnancy Center is working to make sure she doesn't have to face that moment alone. In this interview, I talk with Alexia Newman of Carolina Pregnancy Center about the organization's mission to protect unborn life while providing practical help, encouragement and support to mothers, fathers and families. We discuss pregnancy testing and ultrasounds, parenting education, material assistance, support for fathers, and the role faith plays in helping women facing difficult decisions. We also preview Babies, Barbecue & Bluegrass, a special Southern pig pickin' fundraiser benefiting Carolina Pregnancy Center. 📅 Saturday, October 10, 2026 ⏰ 4:00–6:00 PM 📍 1108 Charisma Drive, Spartanburg, SC 🎟️ General Admission: $25 👨👩👧👦 Family Package: $40 Come enjoy barbecue, live bluegrass music and an afternoon with friends and family while supporting a ministry working every day to help mothers, fathers and their unborn children. Learn more about the mission, services, volunteering and ways to give at Carolina Pregnancy Center. If you believe women facing unexpected pregnancies deserve compassion, support and real choices, share this interview with someone who needs to hear about this ministry. And tell us in the comments: What more can churches and communities do to support mothers who choose life? | |||
| Trump Promises $5,000 Checks After Midterms — But There’s a Catch (Ep 835) | 11 Sep 2026 | 00:41:53 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson President Trump certainly got people talking at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas. And it wasn’t just about Iran, inflation or the economy. Trump announced what he called a “Trump dividend” — a proposed $5,000 payment to adult American citizens if Republicans maintain control of both the House and Senate in November. Five thousand dollars. Obviously, we have some questions. Where would more than a trillion dollars potentially needed for these payments come from? Would Congress have to approve it? Who exactly would qualify? And could injecting that much money into the economy affect inflation? We’re going to talk about it. Plus, there are new revelations from jurors in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial, Nike is being removed from the S&P 100 after losing more than $200 billion in market value from its peak, and today we pause to remember September 11, 2001—25 years after the day that changed America forever. 💰 TRUMP PROPOSES A $5,000 “DIVIDEND” President Trump made one of the biggest announcements of the Republican midterm convention when he proposed sending $5,000 to adult American citizens if Republicans retain control of the House and Senate. Trump compared the idea to a successful corporation distributing dividends to its shareholders. There’s one other proposed requirement: the money would have to be spent in the United States. Sounds pretty good when somebody says they want to send you five thousand dollars. But there are some enormous questions. Where does the money come from? Would Congress authorize it? Who qualifies? How would a requirement that the money be spent in America actually work? And with Americans already concerned about prices, what could a massive infusion of money into the economy mean for inflation? We’re going to separate the political promise from the practical details and discuss what it could mean for American taxpayers. ⚖️ NEW LINDSAY CLANCY JURY REVELATIONS More jurors are speaking publicly following the mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy case. Now one juror is describing a disturbing moment inside the deliberation room involving the lone holdout on the 12-person panel. According to the juror, the holdout wrapped one of the exercise bands involved in the deaths around a water bottle in an apparent attempt to recreate the strangulations. The account provides another glimpse into what reportedly happened during the tense deliberations that ultimately ended without a unanimous verdict. The jury was reportedly divided 11-1. We’ll discuss what these jurors are saying, why the panel couldn’t reach a verdict and what could happen next in this extraordinarily difficult case. 👟 WHAT HAPPENED TO NIKE? For nearly two decades, Nike was part of the S&P 100—the group of some of America’s largest blue-chip companies. Now it’s coming out. At its peak in 2021, Nike was worth more than a quarter-trillion dollars. Since then, more than $200 billion in market value has disappeared. Nike has struggled with declining sales, weakness in China, competition from brands like HOKA and On, and strategic decisions involving its relationships with traditional retailers. The company has also repeatedly found itself at the center of America’s cultural and political debates. So what really happened to one of the most powerful brands in American sports? Was Nike distracted from its core customer? Did its business strategy simply fail? Did competitors outmaneuver it? Or was it some combination of all of those things? We’ll look at the numbers and let you decide. 🇺🇸 25 YEARS LATER — REMEMBERING 9/11 And finally, today is different. Twenty-five years ago, on September 11, 2001, America changed forever. Nearly 3,000 innocent people went to work, boarded airplanes, responded to emergency calls or simply began an ordinary Tuesday morning—and never came home. Most Americans who were old enough to remember that day can still tell you exactly where they were when they heard the news. We remember the people trapped inside the World Trade Center. We remember those at the Pentagon. We remember the passengers and crew of Flight 93. And we remember the firefighters, police officers, paramedics and ordinary Americans who ran toward danger when every instinct told them to run away. Twenty-five years later, an entire generation of Americans has now grown up knowing September 11 only as history. That makes our responsibility even greater. Tell the stories. Remember the heroes. Remember the families. Remember what happened. And never forget. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily political analysis, breaking national news, South Carolina politics and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #DonaldTrump #TrumpDividend #Midterms2026 #Congress #Economy #Nike #SP100 #LindsayClancy #September11 #September11Attacks #911Anniversary #NeverForget #Election2026 #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| Trump Says Iran War Won’t End Before Midterms | Fuel Prices Could Stay High (Ep 834) | 10 Sep 2026 | 00:42:01 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson President Trump is acknowledging something Americans may not want to hear: the war with Iran may not be over before the November midterm elections—and relief from higher fuel prices may not come anytime soon. We’ll look at what the President said, what’s happening with oil and gasoline prices, and why the Strait of Hormuz remains so important to American consumers. Plus, a federal appeals court has handed the firearms industry an important legal victory in its challenge to New Jersey’s gun-industry liability law. Apple has finally entered the foldable phone business—and you’d better get your checkbook ready. The new iPhone Duo starts at $1,999. And finally, we remember our friend and fellow broadcaster Charlie Kirk, assassinated one year ago while speaking at Utah Valley University. 🇺🇸 TRUMP: DON’T EXPECT THE IRAN WAR TO END BEFORE THE MIDTERMS President Trump is setting expectations for Americans about the continuing war with Iran. The President acknowledged that the conflict may continue through the November midterm elections and that oil and fuel prices may remain elevated longer than many Americans had hoped. That matters because the war isn’t simply a foreign-policy story. Americans are seeing the consequences every time they pull into a gas station, buy groceries, purchase products transported by truck or pay for an airline ticket. We’ll look at what Trump said, why the Strait of Hormuz remains so important to global energy markets and what the continuing conflict could mean for American families. ⚖️ FEDERAL APPEALS COURT REVIVES CHALLENGE TO NEW JERSEY GUN LAW An 18-month legal battle has taken an important turn involving New Jersey’s attempt to hold firearm manufacturers and sellers legally responsible under the state’s “reasonable controls” law. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the National Shooting Sports Foundation now has standing to challenge the law and that the federal court should not have abstained from hearing the case simply because New Jersey had already begun enforcement actions against firearm companies. That does not mean the appeals court struck down the New Jersey law. But it does mean the firearms industry’s constitutional challenge can move forward. We’ll explain what happened, why New Jersey’s enforcement actions changed the legal landscape and what comes next. 📱 APPLE’S $1,999 FOLDABLE iPHONE Well, Apple finally did it. The company has introduced its first foldable iPhone. It’s called the iPhone Duo, and when you unfold it, you get a 7.6-inch inner display designed for videos, gaming and running multiple apps. Pretty impressive. Then you see the price. $1,999—and that’s where it starts! Apple also introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max along with new Apple Watches and other updates. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while the Pro Max starts at $1,299. So the question is pretty simple: Would you pay two grand for a folding iPhone? We’ll take a look at what Apple is offering and whether this is enough to convince people to replace the traditional smartphone. 🇺🇸 REMEMBERING CHARLIE KIRK — ONE YEAR LATER Finally today, we remember Charlie Kirk. One year ago, on September 10, 2025, Charlie was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University. For me, this story is also personal. Charlie and I were both talk show hosts with Salem Media, and while we approached broadcasting from our own perspectives and experiences, Charlie never hesitated to talk openly about the things he believed mattered. His faith. His country. The next generation. And his belief in speaking openly and debating ideas. Whatever someone's politics, the assassination of a person for engaging in political speech is something Americans should reject unequivocally. Charlie left behind his wife, Erika, his family, friends, colleagues and a movement that continues today. So one year later, we remember Charlie Kirk—not simply for the headlines surrounding his death, but for the life he lived, the faith he professed and the conversations he started. We’ll take some time today to remember our friend. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily political analysis, breaking national news, South Carolina politics and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #DonaldTrump #Iran #IranWar #GasPrices #OilPrices #StraitOfHormuz #SecondAmendment #GunRights #NewJersey #Apple #iPhoneDuo #iPhone18Pro #FoldableiPhone #CharlieKirk #RememberingCharlieKirk #TurningPointUSA #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| Missouri Election Chaos: Supreme Court Leaves 2022 Congressional Map in Place (Ep 833) | 09 Sep 2026 | 00:41:32 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson There’s a major congressional election fight unfolding in Missouri, and the situation became even more complicated when Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh denied the state’s emergency request to use its revised congressional map in November. That means Missouri is now preparing to hold the general election using its older 2022 congressional districts—even though voters participated in the August primary using the newer map. We’ll explain how Missouri ended up in this extraordinary situation, why the state Supreme Court blocked the revised map, and what happens to candidates and voters between now and November. Plus, the U.S.-Canada trade war has escalated dramatically. President Trump has announced bans on imports of Canadian alcohol, dairy products and motorcycles after Canada imposed new retaliatory tariffs on American goods. We’ll look at what each country is doing and, most importantly, what another round of trade restrictions could mean for consumers and businesses on both sides of the border. Then, three jurors from the Lindsay Clancy murder trial are speaking publicly after the case ended in a mistrial. They say the jury was divided 11-1 and that one holdout prevented a unanimous verdict. And here in South Carolina, we have what may be one of the most unusual constitutional lawsuits of the year. A Greenville-area entrepreneur wants to operate a mobile beauty salon, but South Carolina law permits mobile barbershops while restricting many cosmetology services to fixed locations. She says that distinction violates her constitutional rights. 🗳️ MISSOURI’S CONGRESSIONAL MAP MESS Missouri voters went to the polls in August and selected congressional nominees using a Republican-backed map approved in 2025. But the Missouri Supreme Court later ruled that the newer map never legally took effect because a voter-backed referendum suspended the law. Missouri asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who handles emergency applications from the Eighth Circuit, denied the request without comment and did not refer it to the full Court. The result is extraordinary: Missouri is now set to use its 2022 congressional districts for November after holding its primary under different district lines. We’ll explain what happened, why the courts reached this point and what it means for voters and candidates. 🇺🇸🇨🇦 TRUMP ESCALATES THE TRADE WAR WITH CANADA The U.S.-Canada trade fight has entered another phase. President Trump announced restrictions on imports of Canadian alcohol, dairy products and motorcycles after Canada imposed retaliatory tariffs on billions of dollars of American products. Canada’s tariffs cover a broad range of U.S. goods, while the Trump administration says its new restrictions are a response to Ottawa’s actions. Whatever your view of tariffs, there’s a practical question Americans will be asking: What does this mean for prices? We'll look at the products affected, why both governments are escalating the dispute and what consumers and businesses should watch next. ⚖️ LINDSAY CLANCY JURORS BREAK THEIR SILENCE Three people who served on the jury in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial are talking publicly after last week’s mistrial. Clancy was charged in the deaths of her three young children and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The jury ultimately could not reach a unanimous verdict after days of deliberations. Jurors who have now spoken publicly say the panel was divided 11-1 and that one holdout prevented them from reaching a verdict. We’ll look at what the jurors say happened inside the deliberation room and what could come next in this closely watched case. 💇♀️ A SOUTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTIONAL FIGHT…OVER A BEAUTY SALON? Here’s a South Carolina lawsuit with an unusual premise. Greenville entrepreneur and licensed esthetician Brandi Rosemond wants to operate a mobile beauty salon. South Carolina law allows licensed mobile barbershops. But many cosmetology and esthetician services are restricted to traditional fixed-location salons. Rosemond and the Institute for Justice have filed a federal lawsuit arguing that the distinction violates her constitutional right to pursue her occupation. The state has not yet had the final word, and the lawsuit will have to work its way through federal court. But it raises an interesting question: If a barber can legally operate from a mobile shop, why should differently licensed beauty professionals be treated differently? 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily political analysis, breaking national news, South Carolina politics and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #Missouri #SupremeCourt #BrettKavanaugh #Redistricting #Election2026 #DonaldTrump #Canada #Tariffs #TradeWar #LindsayClancy #SouthCarolina #GreenvilleSC #Constitution #SmallBusiness #SCPolitics #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| Hunter Biden Launches Meme Coin Mocking Laptop Scandal (Ep 832) | 08 Sep 2026 | 00:42:11 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson If you traveled over the Labor Day weekend, you probably noticed it at the gas pump. Gas prices hit a new record for the holiday amid continuing U.S.-Iranian military tensions in the Middle East. Now Iran says it has reached an agreement with Oman on maps for a “new international corridor” through the Strait of Hormuz, while also announcing plans for a restricted zone in the Persian Gulf. What exactly does that mean—and could continuing instability in one of the world's most important oil-shipping routes push American gasoline prices even higher? Plus, Hunter Biden is getting into cryptocurrency with a new meme coin apparently making light of the laptop scandal that followed him for years. President Trump showed up in New Jersey with a noticeably different look that has social media asking: Has Trump finally ditched the famous blond hair? And here in South Carolina, communities are beginning to push back against the explosion of massive data centers being built to power artificial intelligence and other digital services. ⛽ IRAN, THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ AND RECORD GAS PRICES Iranian officials say maps have been agreed upon with Oman for a new international corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, along with plans for a restricted zone in the Persian Gulf. That deserves our attention. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategically important waterways in the world because an enormous amount of the world's oil and natural gas moves through it. Any disruption—or even the threat of disruption—can quickly affect global energy markets. And Americans are already feeling the consequences of instability in the region. Gas prices reached a new Labor Day record following additional U.S. and Iranian strikes. So what happens next? Could this new arrangement make shipping safer and more predictable? Or does Iran's plan for a restricted zone create another potential flashpoint? Most importantly for American families: Where are gasoline prices headed from here? 💻 HUNTER BIDEN TURNS THE LAPTOP SCANDAL INTO CRYPTO Here's one I didn't have on my 2026 bingo card. Hunter Biden is reportedly launching a cryptocurrency meme coin that appears to make light of his infamous laptop scandal. Yes, that laptop. After years of investigations, political battles and controversy surrounding Hunter Biden, the former president's son is now apparently turning one of the biggest scandals associated with his name into a crypto venture. We'll explain what the coin is, how it's being marketed and why it's already generating controversy. And we'll revisit the larger question of accountability surrounding Hunter Biden following the sweeping pardon he received from his father, former President Joe Biden. 💇♂️ HAS PRESIDENT TRUMP DITCHED THE BLOND HAIR? We deal with plenty of serious issues around here. Every once in a while, however, we need something a little lighter. President Trump arrived in New Jersey for a weekend at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster sporting what appeared to be a considerably darker hairstyle. And naturally, people noticed. Has Donald Trump finally abandoned the famous blond look? Was it a new color? Was it the lighting? Or are we all spending entirely too much time analyzing the President's hair? We'll show you the pictures and let you decide. 🖥️ SOUTH CAROLINA PUSHBACK AGAINST AI DATA CENTERS GROWS This is becoming a major issue across South Carolina. A growing number of counties are considering temporary pauses or restrictions on new data center development as residents raise questions about the enormous facilities needed to power artificial intelligence, cloud computing and other digital services. The concerns include electricity demand, water consumption, noise, land use, infrastructure and what these massive projects could mean for nearby communities. The debate is particularly complicated because South Carolina currently lacks a comprehensive statewide framework governing data center development. That leaves many of these decisions to local governments. AI may be the future—but South Carolina communities are increasingly asking: What is the cost of building the infrastructure needed to power it? And who gets to decide where these enormous facilities go? 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily political analysis, breaking national news, South Carolina politics and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #Iran #StraitOfHormuz #GasPrices #OilPrices #DonaldTrump #Trump #HunterBiden #Crypto #MemeCoin #TrumpHair #DataCenters #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #SouthCarolina #SCPolitics #EnergyPrices #MiddleEast #JustTheTruth | |||
| Trump Cuts Migrant Population by Nearly 3 Million — Why Isn't This Bigger News? (Ep 831) | 07 Sep 2026 | 00:42:23 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson Happy Labor Day! We have a new immigration number today that deserves a lot more attention than it's probably going to receive. New estimates indicate the migrant population in the United States has fallen by nearly 3 million people during President Donald Trump's second term. That's a remarkable shift—and we're going to break down what's behind it, including deportations, voluntary departures and changes in the number of migrants entering the country. Then there's a number that may be even more remarkable: 89% of Americans now believe government corruption is widespread. Republicans have expressed that concern for years, but a new poll shows Democrats' concerns have surged as well. Apparently, government corruption may finally be an issue capable of bringing the country together! Plus, imagine ordering dinner from DoorDash, hearing a knock at your door and discovering your delivery driver is wearing absolutely nothing. Yes, apparently that happened. And finally, another federal judge has blocked President Trump's latest attempt to restrict birthright citizenship, setting up another major constitutional battle for the administration. 🇺🇸 NEARLY 3 MILLION FEWER MIGRANTS IN THE UNITED STATES? Let's start with the number that caught my attention. The total migrant population in the United States is estimated to have declined by nearly 3 million people since President Trump returned to office. If accurate, that would represent a significant reversal after years of growth in the foreign-born population. So how did it happen? How much can be attributed to deportations? How much involves people voluntarily leaving the country? And how much comes from dramatically fewer migrants entering in the first place? We're going to break down the numbers because immigration policy isn't simply about what politicians say they're doing. The numbers tell us whether it's actually working. 🏛️ 89% OF AMERICANS SAY GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION IS WIDESPREAD Here's a statistic that ought to concern everybody in Washington. A record 89% of Americans now say corruption in government is widespread. Think about that. Nine out of ten Americans. What's particularly interesting is that the increase is being driven partly by Democrats, whose concerns about government corruption have risen dramatically. Republicans and Democrats may disagree about who is responsible for the problem and what constitutes corruption, but increasingly they're reaching the same conclusion: They don't trust the government. We'll look at what's driving this extraordinary collapse in confidence and why it should concern politicians in both parties. 😳 THE DOORDASH DELIVERY NOBODY ASKED FOR Now for something completely different. A Houston-area family says their DoorDash order arrived—but apparently the driver's clothes didn't. According to reports, the delivery driver showed up completely naked. Imagine checking your doorbell camera expecting to see your dinner sitting on the porch and seeing...well...something else entirely. How did this happen? What did the family do? And perhaps the most important question: Did they still eat the food? You're going to want to hear this one. ⚖️ JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP'S BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP ACTION And once again, President Trump's attempt to restrict birthright citizenship has run into a federal judge. A federal court has halted the administration's latest executive action while the larger constitutional fight continues. The Trump administration argues that the traditional interpretation of the 14th Amendment is too broad and should not automatically grant citizenship in every circumstance involving children born in the United States to noncitizen parents. Opponents argue that more than a century of constitutional interpretation and Supreme Court precedent protects birthright citizenship. This fight is far from over. And ultimately, the biggest question may be: Is this an issue that the Supreme Court will finally have to settle once and for all? 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily political analysis, breaking national news, South Carolina politics and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #DonaldTrump #Trump #Immigration #IllegalImmigration #BorderSecurity #Deportations #BirthrightCitizenship #14thAmendment #GovernmentCorruption #GovernmentTrust #DoorDash #LaborDay #Politics #Election2026 #Midterms #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||
| WEEKEND:The YMCA Is MUCH More Than a Gym | Trey Oakley Explains Its Mission (Ep 830) | 06 Sep 2026 | 00:19:30 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson When you hear “YMCA,” do you immediately think about a gym, swimming pool or basketball court? There is a whole lot more happening at the YMCA. I sat down with Trey Oakley of the YMCA of Greater Spartanburg to talk about the organization’s mission, its Christian foundation and the work being done every day to strengthen children, families and the Upstate community. The YMCA of Greater Spartanburg has roots going all the way back to 1869, and today its work includes youth development, after-school programs, summer camps, swimming and water safety, programs for cancer survivors, opportunities for adults with learning differences or physical limitations, efforts to address food insecurity and financial assistance for families who otherwise might not be able to participate. Trey and I also discuss what the YMCA means when it talks about putting Christian principles into practice, the challenges facing families today and how people can get involved through membership, volunteering and financial support. If you think the YMCA is simply a place to work out, I think this conversation may surprise you. 👍 LIKE this episode if you support organizations working to strengthen our local communities. 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What does the YMCA mean to you and your family? 🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more conversations about the people, organizations and issues making a difference in our community. #YMCA #SpartanburgSC #Spartanburg #SouthCarolina #UpstateSC #Community #ChristianValues #YouthDevelopment #TreyOakley #JoeyHudson | |||
| WEEKEND:GREENVILLE’S NEWEST HOT SPOT, DINNER WITH A RUNWAY VIEW (Ep 829) | 05 Sep 2026 | 00:21:16 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson There’s a new restaurant taking off in Greenville—and the location is unlike just about anything else in town. I sit down with longtime Greenville restaurateur Trish Ballentine and Lauren Good to talk about their newest venture, Hangar 28 Kitchen & Events, located at the Greenville Downtown Airport. I’ve known Trish for many years and have watched her own and operate restaurants throughout the Greenville area. In this conversation, we talk about what brought her back into the restaurant business, why she chose this unique airport location, and what she’s learned after years in Greenville’s rapidly changing restaurant scene. We also get into the food at Hangar 28, the emphasis on scratch cooking, weekend breakfast, cocktails and the restaurant’s unique aviation atmosphere. And Hangar 28 isn’t just about food. Trish tells us about the approximately 3,500-square-foot event venue overlooking the airport and her plans for private events, corporate gatherings, fundraisers, live music and more. If you live in the Upstate—or you just enjoy discovering unique locally owned restaurants—this is one you'll want to check out. 👍 LIKE this episode if you enjoy discovering local Greenville businesses. 💬 COMMENT: What's your favorite locally owned restaurant in the Upstate? 🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more conversations about the people, businesses and issues shaping Greenville, the Upstate and South Carolina. #GreenvilleSC #Hangar28 #GreenvilleRestaurants #YeahThatGreenville #GreenvilleFood #UpstateSC #SouthCarolina #LocalBusiness #GreenvilleDowntownAirport #JoeyHudson | |||
| 25 Years After 9/11 — Why Has Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Still Not Been Tried? (Ep 828) | 04 Sep 2026 | 00:41:43 | |
Just the Truth Podcast with Joey Hudson Three stories today that raise some fundamental questions about politics, justice and accountability in America. The House has passed legislation aimed at cutting off certain federal funding to colleges that boycott Israel—but the overwhelming majority of House Democrats voted against it. Then, nearly 25 years after the September 11 terrorist attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed—the accused architect of 9/11—still has not been tried and sentenced. How is that possible? And here in South Carolina, the state Supreme Court has ruled that a civil rights organization cannot be punished for releasing certain information about the state's execution process that had already been made public. 🇮🇱 HOUSE PASSES BILL TARGETING COLLEGE BOYCOTTS OF ISRAEL The House of Representatives has passed legislation aimed at preventing certain federal funds from going to colleges and universities that participate in boycotts of Israel. Most House Democrats opposed the legislation. We'll look beyond the political rhetoric and examine what the bill actually does, why Republicans supported it and why so many Democrats voted against it. The vote also comes amid continuing disagreements within the Democratic Party over Israel. Is this simply a disagreement over how the federal government should respond to boycotts? Or does the vote reveal something larger about how the Democratic coalition's relationship with Israel is changing? We'll dig into it. 🇺🇸 25 YEARS AFTER 9/11 — WHERE IS THE JUSTICE? Think about this. We are approaching the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. Nearly 3,000 people were murdered. America went to war. We spent trillions of dollars. Thousands of American military families sacrificed during the wars that followed. And yet Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind behind the September 11 attacks, still has not faced a completed criminal trial. How can that be? The case has been consumed by years of legal disputes involving his treatment in CIA custody, the admissibility of evidence and confessions, plea agreements, military commissions and endless courtroom battles. Now another ruling involving Mohammed's confession has once again complicated the prosecution. We'll walk through how we got here and ask the question many Americans—especially families who lost loved ones on 9/11—may be asking: How can the American justice system take a quarter-century to resolve one of the most consequential terrorism cases in our nation's history? ⚖️ SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT RULES IN EXECUTION RECORDS CASE Here in South Carolina, the state Supreme Court has issued an important ruling involving the state's execution process, government secrecy and the First Amendment. The dispute involved information about executions that the state argued was protected by South Carolina's shield law. But there was a significant complication: Some of the information had already been made public. The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that a civil rights organization could not be punished for sharing certain execution-related information that was already publicly available. We'll explain what information was involved, why the state wanted to restrict its release and what the ruling could mean for future disputes over South Carolina's execution secrecy law. 📩 Join our mailing list at JoeyHudson.com 📱 Firmin Ford Text Line: 864-477-JOEY (5639) Your texts are always welcome, and you can also leave a voice message that could be aired on a future podcast. Subscribe for daily political analysis, breaking national news, South Carolina politics and conversations about the issues affecting American families. Facebook: facebook.com/joeyhudsononline X: @joeyhudson #Israel #Congress #Democrats #Republicans #Antisemitism #CollegeCampus #September11 #September11Attacks #911Anniversary #KhalidSheikhMohammed #GuantanamoBay #SCOTUS #SouthCarolina #SCSupremeCourt #DeathPenalty #SCPolitics #BreakingNews #JustTheTruth | |||