NOTE: This piece was first published on NYNewsPress.com.
By Frankie Pressman with Richard Luthmann and Michael Volpe
TRUMPONOMICS: TARIFFS, SURPLUSES, AND SPIN
Co-hosts Michael Volpe and Richard Luthmann lit up Episode 47 of The Unknown Podcast with a firestorm debate on Trump’s latest economic moves. Top of the list: a shocking $27 billion budget surplus in June 2025, which Luthmann called “proof the tariff regime works.”
“Trump made promises, and he’s getting results,” Luthmann declared. “This is money we were getting robbed of. It’s ours now.”
Volpe wasn’t as sold. He warned that core inflation—still clocking in at 2.7% year-over-year—tells a different story.
“It’s like driving 90 miles an hour instead of 95 and patting yourself on the back,” Volpe said. “This is still bad.”
“Two words caused the inflation: Jerome Powell,” he said, calling on the central bank to drop rates and stop sabotaging Trump.
The two then sparred over Trump’s growing list of trade deals. Luthmann praised the president’s hardball strategy with Indonesia and the UK, citing sector protections and gains for U.S. farmers.
Volpe pushed back: “That sounds vague. No one has any clue what the deal actually says.”
As for the missing trade pacts with China, Japan, and the EU, Volpe gave Trump a “C-minus at best.”
Luthmann countered, “Trump wrote The Art of the Deal. He’s walking away to get the best terms.”
THE UNKNOWN PODCAST 47: UKRAINE, MELANIA, AND THE FIFTY-DAY THREAT
Shifting to foreign policy, the hosts dissected Trump’s stalled promise to end the war in Ukraine within “24 hours” or “100 days”—both deadlines that have long since passed.
Volpe delivered the kicker: “Trump finally figured out who the enemy is—and it’s not Zelensky. It’s Putin.”
According to Volpe, the turning point came from Trump’s most trusted advisor—his wife.
“Melania kept asking, ‘Why is Putin bombing hospitals? Why is he shelling Kyiv?” Volpe said. “Eventually, Trump looked into it—and she was right.”
Luthmann didn’t hold back his praise.
“She speaks six or seven languages. Her philanthropy is beyond belief. She deserves the Nobel Peace Prize if she brokers peace.”
Trump’s latest move? A 50-day ultimatum threatening “astronomical” tariffs if Russia doesn’t agree to a ceasefire.
Volpe was skeptical.
“We don’t trade much with Russia. Tariffs won’t scare Putin. He’s betting that he can outlast everyone because he’s a dictator and Trump’s an elected official.”
Luthmann doubled down.
“Control Russia by controlling oil prices. It’s a gas station masquerading as a sovereign nation. President Trump gets it. And he’s got partners in the Middle East to make it happen.”
In typical Luthmann fashion, the rabblerouser couldn’t help but take shots at the Obamas.
“Melania may be the greatest First Lady ever. Much better than your favorite people from Chicago. And the best part is, she doesn’t even have a penis.”
THE UNKNOWN PODCAST 47: JEFFREY EPSTEIN – SPY, SCAPEGOAT, OR SUICIDAL SCOUNDREL?
From there, the hosts dove headfirst into the swamp: Jeffrey Epstein.
Volpe dismissed the noise.
“This is becoming the JFK assassination and Tupac’s murder all over again—just conspiracy fodder. No one wants to believe Epstein was just a manipulative rapist.”
He also took shots at Trump’s cabinet.
“When Pam Bondi says the list is on her desk, then says there is no list—she’s done. And now Kash Patel and Dan Bongino are twisting in the wind. They fed the base this garbage.”
Luthmann fired back with his own theory.
“Epstein wasn’t logging 120-hour weeks at Goldman Sachs. He was promoted from obscurity to partner. That only happens if a nation-state is backing you. He was a spook—either CIA or Mossad.”
Volpe wasn’t having it.
“You’ve got no hard evidence. That’s like saying the sky is blue, so you’re a bad guy.”
Luthmann pointed to Epstein’s lavish lifestyle and lack of real clients.
“Where did the money come from, Michael? Who paid for the jets, the island? The only answer is a nation-state.”
Volpe snapped.
“It’s circumstantial. This conspiracy will live forever, because no one wants the boring truth.”
THE UNKNOWN PODCAST 47 – MEDIA MADNESS: CARLSON, COOPER, AND CANDACE
The podcast closed with a scathing takedown of today’s “thought leaders.”
“Tucker Carlson now has on Daryl Cooper, the guy who says Winston Churchill was the real villain of WWII,” Volpe said. “That tells you everything about where we are.”
Luthmann said Carlson was acting like a “useful idiot,” pushing outrageous stories for clicks or to manipulate the narrative.
“He’s either a deep state puppet or chasing ratings,” Luthmann said. “He’s got too big a platform just to be stupid.”
The co-hosts lamented the rise of online provocateurs like Candace Owens, Charlie Kirk, and Carlson—figures who thrive by being outrageous.
“Back in the 1950s, there were three outlets. You had to work your way up,” Volpe said. “Now, anyone can say anything and go viral.”
Luthmann nodded.
“It’s the Wild West. And people believe what makes them feel good, not what’s true.”
With a sharp mix of wit, analysis, and verbal punches, The Unknown Podcast once again made the known world a little less certain.
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