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Democrats keep moving the goalpost...
What is this shutdown really about?
October 17, 2025

ICYMI: Shutdown Day 16…

Tonight at 6pm ET Steve Bannon - join us for the premiere

Tune in for my conversation with special guest Steve Bannon as we break down the headlines! Click here and join us at 6pm.

Stories I’m reading…

My friend Jessica Reed Kraus of HouseInHabit has a great piece in her newsletter on the Navy’s 250th birthday and her experience during Fleet Week getting to see some of our amazing Sailors up close.

https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe76cfbf5-dfd4-4912-8071-9e1f8680b9bf_1080x1080.pngHouse Inhabit
Aboard USS: The Navy’s 250th Birthday
“The sea is emotion incarnate. It loves, hates, and weeps. It defies all attempts to capture it with words and obeys no man’s command…
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2 days ago · 82 likes · 21 comments · Jessica Reed Kraus

Letitia James is housing criminal OnlyFans model relative at her other Virginia property — which also faced fed investigation - via New York Post

Cover GLP-1 drugs under Medicare and Medicaid affordably - via The Washington Times

Scoop: Dozens of Dem candidates won't commit to backing Jeffries - via Axios

The Supreme Court Case That Could Hand the House to Republicans - via New York Times

Start your day in the know

Are you starting you day in the know? Every morning at 9am ET you can join the Morning Meeting with myself, Mark Halperin and Dan Turrentine. We walk thru the news of the day like no one else and then take your questions. You can find it all on the same YouTube channel as my 6pm show. Make sure to subscribe and hit the notification button so you don’t miss it!

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Next week on The Sean Spicer Show…

We’ve got a stacked week coming up! Monday I’m joined by lawyer and author Alan Dershowitz. Tuesday, I’m talking to Bill O’Reilly, then Wednesday we’ve got Representative Jodie Arrington on the show. Thursday. we’ve got a great panel featuring, Nan Hayworth, Alex Swoyer, and Adam Guillette. Finally, don’t miss Friday, where I’m joined by special guest Victor Davis Hanson.

Wellness update...

If you watch the show or have been reading the newsletter for a while you know I have been on my own MAHA/wellness journey. One of the big things I have done is switched out many of the personal care products (soap, toothpaste, vitamins, etc) and home care products (cleaning supplies, detergent) with products from an American based, family company where wellness is front and center.

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Democrats keep moving the goalpost...

We’re officially on day 17 of the government shutdown.

And no clear end in sight.

It’s got me wondering. . . what is this really about?

Not a rhetorical question.

The Democrats seem hell-bent on this shutdown, but they still won’t say exactly what they want.

They’ve voted 10 times now to keep the government shut down.

They’ve complained about plenty:

Medicare subsidies, healthcare for illegals, it’s the same thing we’ve heard a million times.

And now this week, the No Kings rally is coming to town, giving them a boost of support.

Maybe they wanted to keep the government shut down during the rally because they didn’t want to lose a talking point — after all, their supporters are come to rally in DC and I’m sure there’s no cancellation on the various youth hostels they are staying in.

But what's their endgame?

I, for one, am genuinely curious what this shutdown is really about.

Let’s break it down.

 

Healthcare red herring…

At the start of the shutdown, it seemed like the Democrats’ big bargaining chip was healthcare— restoring expiring subsidies and coverage that included illegals.

But let’s take a look at that.

They created this problem.

They did not make the subsidies permanent- they created this time line.

They claimed they would be temporary — under the guise of Covid.

Well, covid is over. They only cover people who make 400% above the poverty level. most of the subsidies actually go to insurance companies.

Plus, the funding levels in the bill they opposing, they’ve previously supported 13 times

Senator Eric Schmidt broke this down on Wednesday’s show:

The Dem’s “counter offer” is $1.5 trillion more in spending, healthcare coverage for illegals, and undoing all the recisions to that Americans continue paying for ridiculous initiatives overseas.

His take? “It’s not serious. . .it’s a psychological impact of Trump Derangement Syndrome.”

In short, the Democrats are playing politics with your tax dollar—for all appearances they’re shutting down the government out of spite.

They have the luxury of being able to do that without a second thought, meanwhile, Americans suffer.

Just look at the consequences:

Bar chart displays number of flight delays in blue bars reaching up to 8000 on left y-axis from October 8 to 14 and cancellations in light blue bars up to 600 on right y-axis over same dates sourced from FlightAware with New York Times attribution below x-axis labeled Oct 8 Oct 10 Oct 12 Oct 14
 

The White House’s Rapid Response account posted this chart, captioning it:

“You can thank a Democrat for these disruptions. They’d rather see women and children go hungry, the military go unpaid, flights delayed, and livelihoods destroyed than forego free health care for illegals.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

In a recent town hall, the President of the Air Traffic Controllers Association got real about just how dangerous this is.

Not only are air traffic controllers unable to feed themselves or their families while this shutdown continues, the fact that they’re not getting paid means they run the risk of working distracted.

The Left’s réponse?

Screenshot of CNN Politics article page with subscribe button, headline Another senior Democratic aide said as long as public perception is in their favor the party will not concede short of planes falling out of the sky highlighted in yellow, and subtext Winning the messaging war.
 

You can’t reason with that.

The bottom line…

Republicans have made it clear: they want the government open. Thune has already guaranteed a vote

But Democrats would rather dig in their heels for political points than do the right thing for the American people.

It’s sad, but it’s reality, and Americans can see right through the talking points.

A screenshot of a news article from The Hill with the headline More people are starting to blame Democrats for shutdown by Sarah Fortinsky dated October 7 at 4:47 PM, featuring the publications logo and byline details.
 

The problem is, Dems don’t have any real demands or grievances, besides the self-inflicted ones I mentioned.

Speaker Johnson laid this out nicely when asked what he was doing to negotiate with the Left.

“I don’t have anything to negotiate.”

That’s not a hardline stance, he’s being literal.

The temporary funding bill wasn’t loaded with partisan priorities— there’s nothing to take off to appease the Democrats.

Republicans want to reopen the government, but there’s nothing they can do without 7 or 8 Democrat votes.

So here we are stuck in a government shutdown that’s hurting the American people.

If we had an honest media that wasn’t just an extension of the Democrats, maybe they could get to the bottom of it.

But of course that’s wishful thinking, so this is where we’re left.

The bottom line?

Democrats need to get their act together.

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December 03, 2025

Republicans pulled out a nine-point victory in Tennessee. Was it enough?

Derrick Van Orden, congressman from Wisconsin, joins us on the show tonight. Plus, as a former Navy Seal, he weighs in on these strikes on Venezuela. Are they legal? What would he have done? So much to cover. Join us at 6pm ET on the Sean Spicer Show!

December 02, 2025

Drugs coming in by sea are down by 91% as decisions are being made to strike down drug smugglers in the Caribbean Sea.

WaPo created a media frenzy when it fabricated a story about a drug boat strike. Highly decorated 4 Star Admiral Bradley sent a second strike on a drug boat after the first strike was inefficient. The decision to strike the boat again was based on the cargo in the boat being retrieved by the cartels and resent to America, not the survivors of the strike.

Tim Parlatore is a legal expert and a reserve Navy JAG Commander. He joins the Sean Spicer Show today to discuss how these operations are formulated through an extensive legal process combined with intelligence gathering. The decision to strike a boat is well-formulated, and Admiral Bradley acted within the rules of engagement.

We break it down tonight at 6 pm ET here:

The future of higher education...
Are American students steering back to the Right?

Tonight at 6pm ET Military lawyer Tim Parlatore on the Venezuela strikes - join us for the premiere

Trust me, you aren’t goin to want to miss this one. Tim Parlatore is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and a lawyer that has represented BOTH President Trump and Pete Hegseth. Tune in for my conversation as we break down ALL of the big legal questions! Click here and join us at 6pm.

Stories I’m reading…

NY City Council considers $100K annual pay hike for Mamdani - via Just the News

‘I never want to hear again that the Democratic Party has a problem with young men’ - via Politico

A conservative media war erupts. Both sides hope Trump is in their corner. - via Politico

Top Trump intel official reveals DC terror suspect wasn’t vetted for entry to US - via New York Post

Scoop: Trump and Johnson to hold tele-rally for GOP in tight Tennessee House race - via Axios

Zelensky’s Top Aide Resigns as Corruption Probe Deepens - via The Wall Street Journal

Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who came to US in 2021 withdrawal, ID’d as alleged terrorist gunman in shooting of 2 National Guard members in DC - via New York Post

Dem House hopeful getting yanked from governor's office during attempted sit-in goes viral ahead of election - via Fox News

Cory Booker: ‘The Democratic Party has failed in my generation’ - via The Hill

Embattled Tennessee Dem Aftyn Behn Offers ‘Proof’ She Doesn’t Hate Nashville - via Daily Wire

NEW Morning Show!! Start your day in the know

Are you starting you day in the know? Every morning at 8:30am ET you can now join Dan Turrentine and journalist Rachael Bade as we break down the top political stories. We will be doing a daily briefing until the official launch of our new show THE HUDDLE starting January 5th.

You can find it all on the same YouTube channel as my 6pm show. Make sure to subscribe and hit the notification button so you don’t miss it!

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This week on The Sean Spicer Show…

Coming up this week, Thursday we’ve got a great panel featuring Jennifer Nassour, Tony Katz, and Grace Curley. Turn on notifications so you don’t miss it!

Audio podcast help

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The future of higher education...

It’s been clear for decades that American college isn’t doing what it’s supposed to do.

Starting in the 1960s and 70s, U.S. higher education began to be infiltrated with far left ideologues.

They called it “the long march.”

That long march through the institutions largely succeeded.

You see it all over.

The far-left, work indoctrination is happening in almost all the major universities and colleges.

This is especially true in the northeastern Ivy League colleges, when DEI and social justice reign.

But an interesting trend is emerging in college applications.

Per Fox News, students from the northeast are flocking to southern schools.

Why does this mean for the future of American higher education?

Let’s break it down.

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A lot to be thankful for...
Some reflections going into Thanksgiving.

Tonight at 6pm - Batya Ungar-Sargon, Chris Stigall and Alex Sowyer

Tomorrow we revisit our conversation with Victor Davis Hanson, Thanksgiving night we talk redistricting and Friday we talk the Epstein files with House InHabit’s Jessica Reed Kraus.

Stories I’m reading…

State-sponsored terror: Fraud schemes sent Minn. tax dollars to Somali ‘Qaeda’ group - via New York Post

F.B.I. Letters Send Shivers Through California’s Political Inner Circle - via The New York Times

Scoop: Dems eye ranked-choice voting for primaries - via Axios

AOC email seeks donations for turkey giveaway — but money goes straight to her campaign coffers - via New York Post

Court Filings Allege Meta Downplayed Risks to Children and Misled the Public - via Time

As Democrats Look to a New Generation, John Larson Hangs On - via The New York Times

Alito lets Texas reinstate gerrymandered House map that could give GOP 5 more seats - via Politico

Dem Rep Totally Collapses When Asked a Simple Question About Trump and Unlawful Orders - via Townhall

Bill, Hillary Clinton threatened with contempt of Congress as house expands Jeffrey Epstein probe - via New York Post

Monday morning political update at 8:30am ET

Update — Dan Turrentine and I will be helping you stay in the political know during the month of December. Join us every morning LIVE at 8:30am ET. . You can find it all on the same YouTube channel as my 6pm show. Make sure to subscribe and hit the notification button so you don’t miss it!

Subscribe HERE

Audio podcast help

If you watch the show on YouTube, Rumble or X, please do me a HUGE favor — can you click the link here, hit subscribe and give us a 5-star review on Apple. It’s super helpful. Thank you!

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Sponsor links…

Head over to my new page, where you can find all the show discounts and codes!

Sponsors and more...

A lot to be thankful for...

I heard a story the other day that went something like this:

A woman approached a man who had a sour expression on his face.

She encouraged the grumpy man to be thankful, and he replied, “Thankful for what? I don’t even have enough money to pay my bills.”

The woman thought for a bit and said, “Well, be thankful you’re not one of your creditors.”

Jokes aside, Thanksgiving week is here, and if you ask me, we’ve got more to be grateful for this year than in a long, long time.

After four years of lectures, lockdowns, and skyrocketing prices, the American people said enough is enough—and we took our country back.

That alone is worth an extra special Thanksgiving.

We’re thankful the adults are back in charge.

Border crossings down 96% since January. Gas under three bucks in most states. Eggs finally affordable again.

There’s still work to be done but think back to where we were last year.

What a difference an election can make.

We’re thankful the left’s nonsense got rejected at the ballot box.

No more men in women’s sports getting trophies.

No more open borders disguised as compassion.

No more trillion-dollar green slush funds while your heating bill doubles.

We’re thankful for leaders who actually love this country.

Trump, Vance, the new Senate majority, the House that held the line—they’re not perfect, but they’re fighting for us.

They get it: America First isn’t a slogan, it’s a promise.

And they’re delivering.

Most of all, we’re thankful for America.

For the millions of citizens that held the line at the ballot box, who said no to the woke mob and took the country back.

For organizations like Turning Point USA who continue to stoke the love of freedom in the next generation.

For this country of ours that remains resilient in the face of new challenges .

Those challenges are real, and we’ll continue to face them head on as we look into the new year.

But if you ask me, it’s worth it to take a step back and reflect on everything we have to be grateful for.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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What's next for American healthcare?
It's time for real reform.

HUGE show Tonight at 6pm ET Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett AND UN Ambassador Mike Walz - join us for the premiere

What a way to end the week!!! Tune in for my conversation with Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett on members of Congress trading stocks (you wont believe who is not in the top 10) and the special election for a Nashville area seat. THEN…..UN Ambassador Mike Waltz will share how he got connected to rapper Nicki Minaj to highlight Christians being persecuted in Nigeria! Click here and join us at 6pm.

Stories I’m reading…

Zelensky agrees to negotiate on Trump's peace plan for Ukraine - via Axios

House unanimously rebukes Thune on data seizure payouts - via Politico

The "Mamdani revolution" comes for House Democrats - via Axios

Hakeem Jeffries refuses three times to answer question about appropriateness of Plaskett's Epstein messages - via Fox News

Court settlement calls for NPR to get $36M in government funds to operate US public radio system - via AP News

Judge rules Meta doesn’t have a social media monopoly - via Politico

House Democrats Press for Vote to Bar Military Action in Venezuela - via The New York Times

House set to denounce Illinois Democrat's succession scheme - via Politico

Top Trump official: OpenAI, Harvard should dump Summers - via Politico

Start your day in the know

This Monday join me at 9am ET on my YouTube channel for a LIVE political update to kick start the week. Make sure to subscribe and hit the notification button so you don’t miss it!

Subscribe HERE

Audio podcast help

If you watch the show on YouTube, Rumble or X, please do me a HUGE favor — can you click the link here, hit subscribe and give us a 5-star review on Apple. It’s super helpful. Thank you!

Subscribe and review HERE!

Sponsor links…

Head over to my new page, where you can find all the show discounts and codes!

Sponsors and more...

Call Bishop Gold!

Gold is over $4000 per ounce! NOW is the time to invest in gold and precious metals, and if you call my friends at Bishop Gold, you’ll get FREE silver included.

Learn more here

 

What’s next for American healthcare?

The current health care system sucks.

It’s that simple.

You wait weeks to see a doctor, then sit in the waiting room for hours.

A lot of doctors won’t even take insurance anymore.

Premiums are climbing, deductibles are through the roof, and you still can’t keep the plan you like.

Obamacare promised we could keep our doctor, keep our plan, and costs would go down.

None of that was true.

Now we have to deal with the mess, and restore American health care to a system that actually works for the American people.

With Republicans in control the White House, House, and Senate, it’s time to take advantage of our chance to actually fix it.

Let’s break it down.

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