Feb. 17, 2025

US-Russia Talks in Saudi, Vance's Shock msg to Munich, Mexico-Gunmaker Row, Fort Knox Audit Demand, US Canada Hockey Slugfest

Show Notes
Transcript

US-Russia Talks in Saudi, Vance's Shock msg to Munich, Mexico-Gunmaker Row, Fort Knox Audit Demand, US Canada Hockey Slugfest

Is the world on the brink of a geopolitical shake-up? As we navigate the tumultuous waters of international relations, this episode of Ranting Politics Headline Updates takes you right to the heart of the US-Russia talks unfolding in Saudi Arabia. Brace yourself for a look at the UK's audacious plan to deploy troops in Ukraine under Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership—a move that's ringing alarm bells across Europe. We'll dissect the strategic gambits led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the unique peacemaking role of Saudi Arabia, and Trump's dual-track negotiation strategy with Ukraine. Plus, the EU scrambles to keep up with the political chess game, calling for an emergency summit amidst fears of being sidelined.

Stepping away from the diplomatic chessboard, we also cover Vice President JD Vance's headline-making comparison of Elon Musk to Greta Thunberg at the Munich Security Conference. His remarks spur a heated debate on free speech and censorship, casting Europe's policies into the spotlight with Musk's ongoing regulatory battles as a backdrop. We’ll also touch on escalating tensions between Mexico and US gunmakers, the brewing storm over Rand Paul's demand for a Fort Knox gold audit, and the fiery twist in the US-Canada hockey rivalry that’s turning political. This jam-packed episode promises to keep you informed on the political dramas that are reshaping our world.

source credits:

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/16/europe/us-russia-ukraine-talks-saudi-uk-troops-intl-latam/index.html https://www.foxnews.com/politics/jd-vance-elon-musk-greta-thunberg-europe-munich-security-conference https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/14/mexico-gunmakers-lawsuit-terror https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/02/sen-rand-paul-calls-first-fort-knox-gold/ https://www.foxnews.com/sports/american-hockey-star-zach-werenski-reacts-national-anthem-boos

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ranting-politics/id1677427078
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2rFqmUhX6ReG2s2DX824Rk?si=b450dbea7a5a4dce
X/Twitter: @rantingRP
YouTube: @RantingPolitics
Website: www.RantingPolitics.com

This show is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only. All information should be verified and treated as an opinion.
FAIR USE NOTICE:
This show may use copyrighted material that is made available for commentary and educational purposes only. This constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Title 17 U.S.C. Section 106A-117 of the US copyright law.

WEBVTT

00:00:02.706 --> 00:00:04.711
Welcome to Ranting Politics Headline Updates.

00:00:04.711 --> 00:00:09.541
I'm JOC, bringing you today's top political stories that have everyone talking Coming up.

00:00:09.541 --> 00:00:19.573
We'll dive into the high-stakes US-Russia talks kicking off in Saudi Arabia today with some dramatic developments, including the UK's surprising offer to put boots on the ground in Ukraine.

00:00:19.573 --> 00:00:22.730
You won't believe what Prime Minister Starmer is proposing.

00:00:22.730 --> 00:00:31.591
Then our own Vice President, jd Vance, stirs the pot at the Munich Security Conference with some choice words, comparing Elon Musk to Greta Thunberg.

00:00:31.591 --> 00:00:34.770
Let's just say the Europeans weren't exactly thrilled.

00:00:34.770 --> 00:00:42.250
We've got Mexico threatening US gunmakers with fresh legal action as Trump pushes to label cartels as terrorist organizations.

00:00:42.250 --> 00:00:45.801
The tension between these neighbors just keeps ratcheting up.

00:00:45.801 --> 00:00:53.191
Senator Rand Paul is demanding answers about what's really in Fort Knox, calling for the first gold audit in nearly 50 years.

00:00:53.191 --> 00:00:56.924
The story behind those missing audit reports will raise your eyebrows.

00:00:56.924 --> 00:01:04.227
And finally, politics hits the ice as US-Canada hockey rivalry takes an ugly turn with national anthem protests.

00:01:04.227 --> 00:01:07.906
Wait until you hear what happened in just the first nine seconds of the game.

00:01:07.906 --> 00:01:08.768
Stay with us.

00:01:08.768 --> 00:01:32.900
We've got all these stories and more In breaking news.

00:01:32.921 --> 00:01:35.927
High-level talks between the United States and Russia over the Ukraine conflict are set to begin today in Saudi Arabia.

00:01:35.927 --> 00:01:45.769
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz are all heading to Riyadh for these crucial negotiations.

00:01:45.769 --> 00:01:47.727
The Saudis aren't just playing host.

00:01:47.727 --> 00:01:53.349
They're taking an active role in mediating these discussions, with their National Security Advisor leading their team.

00:01:53.349 --> 00:01:59.590
This comes hot on the heels of their successful role in securing Mark Fogel's release from Russia just last week.

00:01:59.590 --> 00:02:01.486
Now here's where it gets interesting.

00:02:01.486 --> 00:02:04.936
While Ukraine won't have a seat at the table for these initial talks, trump's Russia gets interesting.

00:02:04.936 --> 00:02:13.947
While Ukraine won't have a seat at the table for these initial talks, trump's Russia-Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg is running what they're calling a dual-track set of negotiations, with plans to be in Kiev this week.

00:02:13.947 --> 00:02:18.592
The president himself has assured that Ukraine will eventually be part of the process.

00:02:19.319 --> 00:02:28.807
But the real bombshell dropped when UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced he's ready to put British troops on Ukrainian soil to enforce any potential peace deal.

00:02:28.807 --> 00:02:36.200
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Starmer argued this would strengthen not just Ukraine's security but Britain's and Europe's as well.

00:02:36.200 --> 00:02:41.362
This has set off alarm bells across Europe, with leaders scrambling to hold an emergency summit tomorrow.

00:02:41.362 --> 00:02:46.243
There's growing anxiety that Trump's push to work with Russia might leave them out in the cold.

00:02:46.243 --> 00:02:59.647
French President Macron has called together the heads of Germany, italy, poland, spain, the Netherlands and Denmark, along with top EU and NATO officials, for what they're diplomatically calling an informal meeting.

00:02:59.647 --> 00:03:08.713
Starmer's trying to play both sides, calling this a once-in-a-generation moment, while emphasizing the importance of keeping the US and Europe united.

00:03:08.713 --> 00:03:17.875
But let's be real With Trump working his Saudi connections and Europe feeling sidelined, this diplomatic dance is getting more complicated by the minute.

00:03:20.080 --> 00:03:28.314
Vice President JD Vance just stirred up quite a storm at the Munich Security Conference with a spicy take on Europe's relationship with tech mogul Elon Musk.

00:03:28.314 --> 00:03:44.790
In a speech that had European leaders shifting uncomfortably in their seats, vance delivered what might be the political zinger of the week, suggesting that if American democracy could weather a decade of Greta Thunberg's climate crusade, surely Europe could handle a few months of Elon Musk's criticism.

00:03:44.790 --> 00:03:47.447
Climate crusade surely Europe could handle a few months of Elon Musk's criticism.

00:03:47.447 --> 00:03:54.793
The Vice President's remarks came as part of a broader critique of European censorship policies, where he urged leaders to pay more attention to their voters' concerns.

00:03:54.793 --> 00:04:06.806
It's worth noting that Musk has been locked in an ongoing battle with European regulators, particularly over content moderation on X and his somewhat controversial endorsements of right-wing political movements.

00:04:06.806 --> 00:04:22.057
The European Commission has recently ramped up its investigation into whether Musk's platform violates EU content rules, while Musk himself has been throwing verbal jabs, calling the Commission undemocratic and demanding EU-wide referendums on major policies.

00:04:22.057 --> 00:04:28.579
He's also ruffled quite a few feathers by supporting Germany's Alternative for Germany Party and Britain's Reform Party.

00:04:28.579 --> 00:04:33.160
But Vance's comparison to Thunberg wasn't just a random shot in the dark.

00:04:33.160 --> 00:04:45.286
The now 22-year-old Swedish activist spent years giving American politicians some pretty uncomfortable moments, including that memorable 2019 Senate appearance where she told them they simply weren't trying hard enough.

00:04:45.286 --> 00:04:50.778
She later questioned how long they thought they could ignore climate issues without facing consequences.

00:04:50.778 --> 00:05:02.750
The vice president's remarks highlight the growing tension between American and European approaches to free speech, tech, regulation and political discourse, all while managing to throw a bit of diplomatic shade with a smile.

00:05:02.750 --> 00:05:07.744
As they say, in politics, sometimes the sharpest points are made with a touch of humor.

00:05:09.995 --> 00:05:18.447
In a bold move that's raising eyebrows on both sides of the border, mexican President Claudia Scheinbaum is throwing down the gauntlet against US gunmakers.

00:05:18.447 --> 00:05:30.386
She's warning that if Washington moves forward with designating Mexican cartels as terrorist groups, these manufacturers could find themselves facing fresh legal charges as accomplices to organized crime.

00:05:30.386 --> 00:05:38.497
Let's put this in perspective we're talking about 74% of weapons used by criminal groups in Mexico coming from north of the border.

00:05:38.497 --> 00:05:50.067
According to US Justice Department figures, that's somewhere between 200,000 and 750,000 American-made weapons crossing the border annually, with many showing up at crime scenes.

00:05:50.067 --> 00:06:03.180
This comes hot on the heels of reports that the State Department is planning to slap the terrorist organization label on several criminal groups, including Mexico's heavyweight Jalisco, new Generation and Sinaloa cartels.

00:06:03.180 --> 00:06:13.206
President Trump's January executive order set this process in motion, declaring these cartels a national security threat beyond typical organized crime.

00:06:13.206 --> 00:06:29.221
The timing is particularly interesting considering Mexico's previous $10 billion lawsuit against six US, though they're still pursuing cases against Smith Wesson and interstate arms.

00:06:29.221 --> 00:06:33.954
This new terrorist designation could open up fresh legal avenues, adding fuel to the fire.

00:06:34.336 --> 00:06:43.524
Tensions between these neighboring nations are already running high after Trump's recent threat of 25% tariffs on Mexican goods over immigration and drug smuggling concerns.

00:06:43.524 --> 00:06:53.278
Though these tariffs are currently on pause, scheinbaum isn't pulling any punches, especially after rejecting White House allegations of government cartel collusion.

00:06:53.278 --> 00:07:02.142
As she put it rather pointedly, if there's any alliance with criminals to be found, it's in those US gun shops selling high-powered weapons to these groups.

00:07:02.142 --> 00:07:07.021
The stark contrast between the two countries' approach to firearms couldn't be more clear.

00:07:07.021 --> 00:07:20.982
While Mexico maintains extremely tight controls on legal gun sales, they're fighting an uphill battle against weapons flowing south from the US, in a development that's raising serious questions about America's gold reserves.

00:07:21.449 --> 00:07:26.273
Senator Rand Paul is demanding the first comprehensive audit of Fort Knox in nearly half a century.

00:07:26.273 --> 00:07:35.745
This call for transparency was sparked by a viral exchange on X, where Elon Musk expressed surprise at learning the nation's gold hasn't been reviewed in decades.

00:07:35.745 --> 00:07:43.250
The numbers we're talking about here are staggering 4,580 tons of gold supposedly stored in those Kentucky vaults.

00:07:43.250 --> 00:07:50.103
The last time anyone took a proper look was during a drawn-out audit process from 1974 to 1986.

00:07:50.103 --> 00:07:54.252
Even then, only 97% of the gold was verified.

00:07:54.252 --> 00:08:01.418
And here's where things get really interesting Seven out of 13 audit reports from that period have mysteriously vanished.

00:08:01.418 --> 00:08:10.576
You might think keeping track of the nation's gold reserves would be a top priority, but attempts to get answers through Freedom of Information Act requests have hit dead ends.

00:08:10.576 --> 00:08:21.451
The Treasury Department, the National Archives and the Office of Inspector General all seem to be playing a game of bureaucratic hot potato, with none of them able to produce these missing documents.

00:08:21.451 --> 00:08:24.120
This isn't just about counting bars of gold.

00:08:24.120 --> 00:08:31.973
Former Representative Alex Mooney tried to address this back in 2021 with a bill demanding a full accounting of America's gold holdings.

00:08:31.973 --> 00:08:37.654
His reasoning was pretty straightforward With our current levels of government spending and mounting national debt.

00:08:37.654 --> 00:08:41.552
Knowing exactly what's in our gold reserves isn't just good bookkeeping.

00:08:41.552 --> 00:08:43.577
It's a matter of national security.

00:08:43.577 --> 00:08:54.244
Meanwhile, as we're sitting here wondering what's really in Fort Knox, countries like Russia and China are steadily building their gold reserves, potentially threatening America's financial dominance.

00:08:54.244 --> 00:08:57.918
Paul's call for an audit isn't just about transparency.

00:08:57.918 --> 00:09:04.131
It's about ensuring one of our nation's most valuable assets is exactly where it's supposed to be.

00:09:06.409 --> 00:09:11.121
The latest face-off between the US and Canadian hockey teams turned into more than just a game folks.

00:09:11.121 --> 00:09:22.340
What started with boos during the American national anthem at Montreal's Bell Centre quickly escalated into an old-school hockey slugfest, with gloves hitting the ice just nine seconds into the match.

00:09:22.340 --> 00:09:30.341
The Americans ultimately claimed victory with a 3-1 win, but US defenseman Zach Wierenski wasn't exactly thrilled about the pregame reception.

00:09:30.341 --> 00:09:33.640
These boos, mind you, aren't coming out of nowhere.

00:09:33.640 --> 00:09:43.455
They're apparently the latest chapter in an ongoing protest against Trump's recent Canadian tariff threats and his playful jabs about making Canada the 51st state.

00:09:43.455 --> 00:09:47.429
The game itself, it was like watching the good old days of hockey.

00:09:47.429 --> 00:10:01.780
The Tickachuck brothers put on quite a show, with Matthew dropping gloves with Brandon Hagel right off the opening faceoff, while his brother Brady went toe-to-toe with Sam Bennett, jt Miller and Colton Pareko rounded out the opening night fight card.

00:10:01.780 --> 00:10:06.245
Despite the hostile atmosphere, the Americans seemed to use it as fuel.

00:10:06.245 --> 00:10:18.557
After McDavid opened the scoring for Canada, jake Gwenzel answered back with two goals, including an empty netter, and Dylan Larkin chipped in another to seal the deal, as Gwenzel put it after the game.

00:10:18.557 --> 00:10:26.342
The packed house and electric atmosphere made for something pretty special, even if it wasn't exactly the warmest welcome for Team USA.

00:10:28.631 --> 00:10:33.871
Well, folks, that wraps up another action-packed episode of Ranting Politics Headline Updates.

00:10:33.871 --> 00:10:50.744
We've covered quite the range today, from high-stakes US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia to the brewing tensions in Europe, mexico's bold stance against US gunmakers, senator Paul's push for that long-overdue Fort Knox Knox audit and even some heated international hockey drama.

00:10:50.744 --> 00:10:54.116
The world of politics never sleeps, and neither do we.

00:10:54.116 --> 00:11:04.342
For more breaking news and in-depth analysis, follow us on X at Ranting RP, catch our latest videos on YouTube and visit us at RantingPoliticscom.

00:11:04.342 --> 00:11:11.214
This is JOC signing off, and thank you, our loyal listeners, for choosing Ranting Politics headline updates.

00:11:11.214 --> 00:11:15.250
We'll be back soon with the updates you need to navigate these interesting times.

00:11:15.250 --> 00:11:20.341
Until then, stay tuned, stay informed and, as always, stay free.

US-Russia Talks in Saudi, Vance's Shock msg to Munich, Mexico-Gunmaker Row, Fort Knox Audit Demand, US Canada Hockey Slugfest

Listen On

Recent Episodes