10 Minute Drill

Matt Whitlock
  • 4.7 (107)
  • Politics
  • Updated Weekly

Your morning 10-minute rundown of the most important stories in news and politics, hosted by veteran political strategist Matt Whitlock. We’re keeping it fun, fast, and light because you’ve got enough going on. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

  1. 8h ago

    AG Nom Todd Blanche hearing fireworks; Nick Shirley on the Hill; Newsom vs. Musk

    In today’s episode of 10 Minute Drill, we break down the biggest stories from Washington, Capitol Hill, and the 2026 political landscape: President Donald Trump’s Defense & Innovation Summit: Trump announces a major defense manufacturing expansion in Pennsylvania and outlines his vision for rebuilding America’s defense industrial base through a “peace through strength” agenda. Todd Blanche vs. Senate Democrats: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche faces tough questions and a heated confirmation hearing showdown on Capitol Hill. Nick Shirley’s fraud investigation reaches Congress: The independent journalist brings attention to allegations of government waste and fraud during a Capitol Hill hearing — while Democrats decline to attend. Michigan Senate race update: New polling shows the Democratic primary between Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed tightening ahead of the 2026 Senate race. Gavin Newsom vs. Elon Musk: California Governor Gavin Newsom criticizes Elon Musk and claims California helped fuel his success — sparking a debate over regulation, innovation, and capitalism. Joe Biden’s next chapter: The former president announces a new book, prompting questions about authorship and the controversy surrounding the use of the autopen. Tune in for the latest political news, election updates, Capitol Hill battles, and the stories shaping America today on 10 Minute Drill. 0:00 - Intro 0:35 - Pennsylvania Defense Summit 2:45 - Todd Blanche Hearing for AG 4:11 - Nick Shirley Testifies on more Fraud 5:45 - New Michigan Senate Polling 7:51 - Gavin Newsom takes on Elon Musk 10:28 - Joe Biden Writes a Book

  2. 1d ago

    Supreme Court Justices Testify on Safety Threats, DSA Wants to Abolish the Senate

    On today's episode of Ten Minute Drill, Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan testify before Congress about escalating threats against the Supreme Court, including a swatting call at Barrett's home. We also cover the Democratic Socialists of America's push to abolish the U.S. Senate, restructure the Supreme Court, grant amnesty to all immigrants, and defund the Department of War. Plus: growing bipartisan calls to investigate foreign influence campaigns targeting U.S. AI data center projects, a new report on how private climate risk scores from First Street — tied to BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street — may be quietly lowering American home values with no appeals process, and our Waste Wednesday segment on a Texas hospital using taxpayer-subsidized 340B funding to advertise "birth packages" to expectant mothers crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. We close with the latest from the Michigan Senate race, where Medicare for All candidate Abdul El-Sayed faces scrutiny over his wife's private medical practice, plus an update on Haley Stevens' campaign. 0:00 - Intro 1:01 - SCOTUS Safety Concerns 4:13 - The DSA’s Agenda is WILD 6:53 - Data Center’s & China 8:35 - Zillow and Climate Change 10:45 - Waste Wednesday 13:22 - The Michigan Senate Mess

  3. 2d ago

    DSA Rebellion, Lindsey Graham's Legacy, & Katie Porter's Yelp Mess

    Matt Whitlock breaks down the biggest political stories of the day: the scramble to replace Lindsey Graham in the U.S. Senate and on the 2026 South Carolina ballot, new U.S. strikes on Iranian naval assets, backlash over Ro Khanna's controversial comments on Israeli security officials, fresh scrutiny of Graham Platner's campaign team, and old Yelp reviews resurfacing in Katie Porter's California Senate bid.  Who replaces Lindsey Graham in the Senate? Trump's pick for the interim appointment, South Carolina's special election timeline, and the GOP field — Russell Fry, Joe Wilson, Ralph Norman, and Pam Evette — plus a furious response to Nancy Mace floating her own name for the seat.  U.S. forces strike Iranian submarines and ship maintenance facilities near the Strait of Hormuz, as a War Powers fight brews in Congress over the legality of continued military action.  Ro Khanna faces backlash after viral bodycam footage appears to contradict his account of an incident involving Israeli security officials.  New reporting details Graham Platner campaign strategist Morris Katz, as members of the Democratic Socialists of America call to cut ties with him. Separately, Abdul El-Sayed blames AIPAC amid new questions over his tax returns.  And Katie Porter's old Yelp reviews resurface, including complaints about a Sherman Oaks spa and a hair stylist — reviews critics say are ironic given other reporting on her treatment of staff.  Subscribe to Ten Minute Drill for daily political news and analysis with Matt Whitlock, in ten minutes or less. 0:00 - Intro 0:36 - South Carolina Fallout 4:54 - Clarity Act for Graham 6:15 - Iran Bombing Restarts 7:24 - Ro Khanna’s Fake Detainment 9:51 - Fight Agency 11:20 - Katie Porter the Yelper

  4. 3d ago

    Zohran aide attempts light treason; Ro Khanna’s Mideast Misadventures; Remembering Lindsey Graham

    An aide to NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani was caught scheduling a meeting with the Iranian ambassador to the United States — a major red flag that's not getting the attention it deserves. Plus, a tribute to Lindsey Graham's most heroic political moments and his surprising life story, why Ro Khanna says he's "seriously" considering a presidential run after a strange trip to Israel. And why the Israeli embassy is asking questions after being left out of coordination that Palestinian activists were reportedly part of. Also in this episode: a Texas hospital under fire for advertising discounted birth packages across the border in Mexico — a tax-exempt facility seemingly promoting birth tourism on the taxpayer's dime. And a new campaign fighting what critics are calling the "Jamie Dimon Tax," as rumors swirl that a new open banking rule could drop this week. All the news that matters, in 10 minutes or less. In this episode: Lindsey Graham tribute: fighting for Brett Kavanaugh and his lesser-known life story Ro Khanna on 2024 speculation Israeli embassy questions coordination gap Zohran Mamdani aide's Iran ambassador meeting Foreign influence in the data center policy debate Texas hospital's birth tourism advertising controversy The "Jamie Dimon Tax" and the open banking rule fight 🕰️ Time Stamps 0:00 - Intro  0:33 - Tribute to Lindsey Graham  1:20 - Lindsey’s Finest moment - defending Brett Kavanaugh 3:08 - Getting to know Lindsey Graham 4:07 - Lindsey Graham and Donald Trump  5:23 - The great untold story of Lindsey Graham’s upbringing 7:13 - Ro Khanna’s performative Israel Adventures 9:59 - Zohran aide does light treason 10:13 - Texas hospital promotes birth tourism with tax dollars 11:05 - Parents group calls to stop “Jamie Dimon Tax”

  5. 6d ago

    Unpacking Graham Platner’s strange hostage video and what it means for the midterms

    Graham Platner's Senate campaign is over — but he refused to go quietly. According to Politico, Platner's own top aides urged him to strike a conciliatory, gratitude-focused tone in his withdrawal announcement. He said no.  Sources say Platner made it a condition of dropping out that he'd get to blast the Democratic establishment on his way out, training more fire on his own party than on Senator Susan Collins or Republicans. Now Maine Democrats are scrambling to pick a replacement, with insiders reportedly eyeing a roughly 600-person nominating convention — 500 delegates chosen proportionally by county committees, and the rest from the state committee.  0:00 - Intro 0:30 - The End of Platner’s Senate Run 5:00 - This Week’s Top 5 Stories

  6. Jul 9

    Platner is OUT but for Democrats, the problems are just getting started

    On today’s episode of 10 Minute Drill, Matt Whitlock breaks down the latest developments in the Iran conflict, the Russia-Ukraine war, the 2026 Senate races, and the political controversies shaping the national conversation. The conflict with Iran has reignited as a ceasefire collapses and new strikes escalate tensions across the Middle East. President Donald Trump responds to Iran’s actions and warns about the continued threat posed by the Iranian regime. At the NATO Summit, President Trump highlights his improving relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, discusses efforts to save lives, and addresses the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war as Ukraine’s battlefield capabilities continue to evolve. Back in the United States, turmoil is growing within the Maine Democratic Party as Graham Platner’s Senate campaign clashes with party leaders over the process for selecting a nominee. Meanwhile, Michigan gubernatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed faces renewed scrutiny over past “defund the police” comments, deleted social media posts, and his positions in the Democratic primary. A new report from the State Financial Officers Foundation and Open the Books also reveals $225 million in alleged school fraud across 24 states and Puerto Rico, including claims involving fake tutoring programs, embezzlement, and bid rigging. Plus, Texas Senate candidate James Talarico faces renewed attention over resurfaced comments about drag performances, transgender policy debates, and his political views ahead of the 2026 Senate race. Subscribe to 10 Minute Drill for a fast, entertaining breakdown of the biggest stories in politics, elections, national security, and current events. Hosted by veteran political strategist Matt Whitlock. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. 0:00 - Intro 0:36 - Trump Talks on Iran Bombings 2:39 - Ukraine War Takes a Turn 4:30 - Platner Extis the Race 8:56 - Adbul’s Latest Stumble 12:34 - SFOF Education Waste Report 14:04 - James Talacreapo

  7. Jul 8

    Trump's NATO Victory, Democrats' Platner Crisis, Crypto Legislation Push & Manny Rutinel's Vegan Chorizo Controversy

    President Trump scores a major win at NATO, warning European allies on defense spending, immigration, and energy policy during his visit to Ankara, Turkey. Meanwhile, Graham Platner's Democratic Senate campaign in Maine is collapsing under scandal, and we expose the three phases of Democrat failure that got him here — from vetting breakdowns and a fawning New York Times and GQ launch, to the media's shifting excuses, to the sudden mass abandonment as internal polling shows he can't win. Plus: CNN's interview with Jenny Racicot, Zohran Mamdani calling for Platner to drop out, and what happens next as Democrats plot a replacement.  Also in this episode: President Trump pushes for crypto legislation on Capitol Hill, framing digital currency policy as a national security issue against China, and renewing calls to pass the Clarity Act. And in Colorado, House candidate Manny Rutinel is under fire for backing a bill that lets courts weigh "misgendering" as a factor in child custody cases — a vote critics call disqualifying — while his history of calling animal agriculture "horrific" puts him at odds with the farmers and ranchers of Weld County. But there's another side to Rutinel: a resurfaced 2022 clip of him dreaming about falling in love at Trader Joe's over vegan chorizo.  Subscribe to the 10 Minute Drill for daily political news and analysis. 0:00 - Intro 0:38 - Trump at NATO Summit 1:42 - The Graham Platner Fallout Continues 2:48 - Platner Phases of Failure 9:27 - What Comes Next for Maine Dems 12:16 - Trumps Take on Crypto 13:20 - Colorado DSA Agent Loves Vegan Chorizo

  8. Jul 7

    The end of Graham Platner; DSA candidate invokes Taylor Swift to combat women problem

    Politico is reporting exclusively that a woman who dated Graham Platner says he sexually assaulted her. She came forward after the New York Times buried her story in an attempt to discredit Lyndsey Fifield. Platner's campaign says he is contemplating the best path forward. This race just changed completely. Fresh off major upsets in New York and Colorado, the Democratic Socialists of America are now targeting competitive statewide races in Wisconsin and Michigan. The wins are being driven almost exclusively by wealthy white college-educated women. Democrats are splitting into three camps — Josh Shapiro trying to push back, Hakeem Jeffries pretending it isn't existential, and Gavin Newsom calling it a big tent. The leopards are eating faces and everyone is surprised. Abdul El-Sayed doesn't just have a problem with Israel. Former aides describe a hostile work environment, a previous employer says he only wanted to work with women under 40, and throughout this campaign he has called his female opponents dumb. He did a Blues Clues video. He dunked on Mallory McMorrow for dancing. He got caught not knowing how teachers union lobbying works. The Michigan Senate race is something else. The Washington Post says Democrats are electing socialists while Republicans are calling them communists. Here's why that distinction matters less than the Post wants you to think. The latest crop — Zohran, Darializa, Claire Valdez, Melat Kiros — have openly called for seizing the means of production, eliminating private property ownership, and wealth redistribution. Socialism is the transitional gateway to communism. Sunny Hostin — who asked "what is wrong with America" when Kamala lost, who called white Republican women "roaches voting for Raid," and who blamed earthquakes on climate change — is now afraid of American flags. We have the clips. Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more people find the show. 0:00 - Intro 0:34 - Latest Platner Alligations 4:02 - Will Platner Drop Out? 5:26 - The Summer of the DSA 8:41 - Cringy Abdul El Sayed 11:16 - Socialism’s Gateway to Communism 13:14 - Sunny's Biggest Fear

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Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
107 Ratings

About

Your morning 10-minute rundown of the most important stories in news and politics, hosted by veteran political strategist Matt Whitlock. We’re keeping it fun, fast, and light because you’ve got enough going on. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Whitlock
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    202
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    10 Minute Drill

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