World leaders are indulging in performative diplomacy while Iran maintains a strategic stranglehold on global trade. This self-congratulatory theater merely masks a reactive international policy that fails to address the core reality of authoritarian leverage.
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World leaders patting themselves on the back after ill-timed Strait of Hormuz meetingAdded:
Well, the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer really is a blubbering idiot, [music] isn't he? We want the Iran regime to know that the finger is still on the trigger. So long, farewell, Mr. and Mrs. Grifter. This is as stupid as stupid gets. Talk about low IQ, the hats that Tucker Carlson is now selling. Kamala Harris needs to buy one. Is it so sorry, Greta? Sorry.
>> [music] >> Another moment of shame for you.
This is De Neikid Goes Global from Sky News [music] Australia.
Welcome to the show. I am your host, De Neikid Goes Global. Well, the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer really is a blubbering idiot, isn't he? You know, how much longer can the world possibly stomach such an embarrassing dud?
So, he and the leaders of 49 countries, including Australia, held a virtual summit at the weekend to talk about reopening the Strait of Hormuz, even though at that stage the strait was opened before Iran then went and closed it again.
So, Keir emerges from that meeting boasting as if he was some sort of Churchill wartime hero.
We just had a very productive meeting bringing together 49 countries around a very simple message and proposition that the world needs the Strait of Hormuz fully open because that is how we keep prices down for our people and stop the global economic damage.
>> Really? So, we've all agreed there was real unity in the meeting that we've just had. We want to see a return to talks and a lasting agreement, including the reopening of the strait. That along with France, the UK will lead a multinational mission to protect freedom of navigation as soon as conditions allow.
So, sorry. Um he's going to lead a mission?
>> [gasps] >> Keir is going to lead a mission?
This is priceless. This This is priceless. Um And And who is this we that he talks about? What is he actually going to do about it?
He's done nothing since the start. But don't forget he kept He He came out over and over again saying we had nothing to do with this. We had nothing to do it.
Well, of course he didn't. You're a spectator.
Then he claimed that he was part of Trump's ceasefire negotiations. Again, he used the term we.
What did he do? What What exactly has he done?
And now he says that the strait has to be reopened. Way to state the obvious.
And that he's going to lead a mission but won't tell us what he will do to lead that mission.
Keir really is a comedy skit of himself at this point. I mean, no wonder Trump keeps trolling him. The US president put out this video at the weekend.
Watching a [music] master at work.
>> [music] >> And do you want to know why he did that?
He was mocking this from Starmer.
Our number one priority is protecting our people. And that's why long before the US and Israeli action last weekend, we had already deployed additional military capabilities Oh, that's gold. That's gold, isn't it?
You know, Keir is cooked not only abroad but at home, okay? Because the Prime Minister will deliver a statement to MPs on Monday over the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal. He's apparently going to explain how on earth Jeffrey Epstein's pal was able to take up the role as UK ambassador without the Foreign Office revealing it had overruled the decision on the vetting.
Seriously.
All I can say is Keir is a lame duck walking.
We're joining me now to discuss the ongoing situation in Iran is foreign policy analyst and editor-in-chief at The Foreign Desk, Lisa Daftary. Lisa, wonderful to have you on the show. Thank you so much for joining me. I want to start with this virtual summit that was held over the weekend. 49 countries, including the UK and France, got together to discuss how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. None of these leaders have done a thing, I've got to say, to help since the beginning of this war.
What realistically will they do in your view to add any sort of assistance in the strait?
So, I think they're trying to play catch-up real fast. Meaning Donald Trump has called them out many times.
The head of NATO basically said, "Yes, we know that that they were slow to respond. They probably should have done more." Obviously, they should have done more. But I do believe right now they're trying to at least come up with some sort of insurance policy, some sort of backup plan in case that does fall on their shoulders to maintain the opening of the the the waterway. So, if there's any sort of maritime chokeholds that affect their economies, they can then have some sort of backup plan. And And what they have said is France, UK, and other non-belligerent countries are going to come together to have some sort, again, of backup plan should they need it in the future. But I don't believe they're going to step in anytime soon.
Obviously, they're going to allow the United States to take on the bulk of this the burden of dealing with such a belligerent and really terroristic regime that affects the entire world, especially Europe right now if you take a look. If they were being honest with themselves, they would allow the United States to use their assets, they would allow them to use their bases, and they would contribute their share to what Donald Trump and all of us see as a global issue, not just an American issue.
Absolutely. And this is a thing. It is It's a It's something that it's actually affecting all of the West right now.
It's affecting everybody. This is not just an America first problem, that's for sure. And overnight the US intercepted and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship which was attempting to get past its blockade of Iran's ports.
Donald Trump posted, he said the Iranian crew refused to listen, so our navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room. Look, I found this quite interesting, Lisa. I mean, to me it speaks more volumes about what America is capable of. What does it say about the the America's defense, basically?
Yeah, you you said it perfectly. Right now, obviously, we're in a ceasefire.
So, if there's going to be any foul play, we want the Iran regime to know that the finger is still on the trigger.
So, it was very important for the United States to take this measure and say, "You can't do what you're doing, and if you do this there will be more of this kind of retaliatory action towards you."
Whether it is, you know, in terms of its terror proxies, whether it's, you know, it it with its ballistic missiles, with its drone program, or within maritime warfare, which is what it is conducting right now. The Iran regime has understood in the last 45 to 50 days that its main point of leverage is going to be the Strait of Hormuz. They're going to squeeze this lemon for all that it has in terms of giving it the leverage that it needs. Now, many would say, and I've heard many people say, "Well, they're suicidal." Because why would they be doing this to the United States when they have gotten plenty of warnings when they should be playing along. Every time Donald Trump says, "Well, there is a deal in the works."
Someone from the regime will leak or put on X, "No, there's not. There's no deal to be had." So, they're not even looking to give off the image right now of being cooperative or making concessions. So, that tells me they want more war. They only understand the language of force.
And what what happened with the ship overnight tells, you know, tells gives them the message or sends them the message that that that the United States does have the appetite to go back to war if necessary. So, so just on that point then, how much longer do you think that America will hold out before it does indeed go all out on Iran?
Right. So, we're coming up on the expiration of the 2-week ceasefire. Now we're having conflicting reports regarding the the the negotiations that are set to happen again tomorrow, round two.
Now, you know, whether or not the the negotiations take place, I can see one of two scenarios playing out. One, an extension of the ceasefire in order to come up with some sort of deal, which I don't even believe that's a to separate a commentary. What I I don't believe a deal can be had with this regime. Or number two, that we do go back to some sort of slap on the wrist or some, you know, pick up again of the military campaign once the ceasefire does expire this week.
With regards to them buying out or buying time, this is something that the regime does all the time. So, I wouldn't be surprised if as we get closer to the deadline, they do play along just a bit.
Again, playing out the clock. And so, everybody does understand one of the methods or strategies of of just existence for 47 years for this regime has been just to survive. So, for them, staying in the game, enduring a war or strikes by Israel or the United States means victory. Just the fact that they're still around to chest thump and saber rattle and to make threats against the United States while we're on the eve of potential negotiations or we're all we're in a ceasefire tells you everything you need to know about them.
They keep doing an about-face. They won't keep their promises. They're going to continue to play this back and forth this game to see if the United States, again, has the will. I think they they're By their calculations, they believe the United States doesn't have the appetite or Donald Trump doesn't want to see the markets crash. He doesn't want to see oil prices go back up. I I think that was their same calculation as to why they hit the Persian Gulf Arab states. By hitting those states, involving them in the war, trying to put pressure on the global economy, and thereby hoping that those countries then pressure Donald Trump into tapering down the war, ending the war, you know, you know, stopping short of what the agenda of the United States was. Yeah, I mean, it sounds like a game, as you said. It's like this game of chess. It's like it's back and forth.
And I do also know, Lisa, that Iran rejected taking part in the second round of talks with the United States. And it's interesting because you did mention that ceasefire. I mean, surely it's already on tenterhooks. I I'd be very curious to know how long this lasts, but given Iran's already saying, "No, not interested in another round. They're They're pulling out." Can that ceasefire hold? Is it going to hold?
I mean, it already hasn't, right? So, what we're watching at the Strait of Hormuz just tells you again that it won't hold. It hasn't held up.
And again, we're not dealing with a partner that can be trusted. We're dealing with a duplicitous fraud partner who will continue again to play this game, will continue to Now, they said that they they opened up the Strait of Hormuz, then we see that they did not open up the Strait of Hormuz.
This is again playing out the clock, trying to fool us into believing that they have some sort of will to come to the table.
But, you know, we have to ask ourselves, who are we dealing with? This is not a new regime. This is not 2.0. This is more of the same. This is remnants of the same regime that are carrying the same ideology that will rule by the same Sharia law, that will want to have the same centrifuge spin, the same ballistic missiles and drones amassed, the same proxies funded, and they will kill Iranian protesters the same way as the other leaders did. It's more of the same. These leaders are cut from the same cloth. They served in the same government. And if anything, I would say that this these leaders are more hardline because they come from the IRGC, which is non-compromising, a, you know, a militia force of this regime that will not make concessions. Their very existence is equivalent to all these things. So, if the American strategic imperative is not to have nuclear weapons, for example, how can we deal with a government whose very existence is to have nuclear weapons and to have missiles and to have drones and to swear to you know, death to America and death to Israel and to swear to take Israel off the map. All these things remain. So, this is not a partner that we can trust or somebody that we actually want to go to the negotiating table with. And I understand that Donald Trump has put every single tool on the table. I I do love that because when you study foreign policy, you understand that the best strategy is the strategy of ambiguity.
When your adversary doesn't know what tool you will use, but you have all your tools at your disposal and every threat at your disposal, and that's exactly where he has them. I do believe that this period of time, the ceasefire could be a time for the United States to also regroup, rethink, and re-strategize their approach to continue to degrade this regime.
Look, absolutely. I mean, it's a it's the same regime over and over. Different Ayatollah. Not Not that we know where this Ayatollah is at the moment. He seems to be >> [laughter] >> missing in action.
Now, you wrote this brilliant op-ed for Fox News. I I really enjoyed it. In In it, you said, "The Strait of Hormuz is one of the regime's most effective tools of coercion." You went on to say that that's exactly what we're seeing now.
"Tehran signals restraint then pivots back to escalation. It's not meant to sow confusion. It's meant to gain leverage." And And this goes back to the point that you were making earlier, Lisa. But again, I mean, what does it mean for any prospect of any any sort of agreement? Because I guess people are thinking, "Okay, well, where to next?
How do How is it How do you break through this stalemate?" But if they're using this for leverage, Donald Trump wants more help in in Hormuz. How do you see this playing out?
Yeah, there's so many things at play here, and I want to I want to clarify a few things. So, for people who thought that this was going to be a slam-dunk foreign policy move like Venezuela was, right? Overnight, the United States went in there, they took out Maduro, and then all of a sudden, we have regime change.
We have Delcy Rodriguez, who's part of the regime, but now she's able to play along with the United States and be a partner potentially for us, and we'll keep her in check if she wants to stay in power, and so on and so on. Well, the Iran regime is not that, and Donald Trump knew that. That is why it took some it took a long time between the time where we saw the Iranian protesters killed in January and Donald Trump promised that help is on the way up until February 28th. So, we're all We're talking about almost 2 months it took us to really plan, strategize, move forward with Israel in terms of the military campaign. It's not an easy task. Now, Donald Trump has not set out for regime change, but he did talk about regime collapse. And in the first hours of this war, he looked into the camera, he communicated with the Iranian people, and said, "We will degrade this regime to a certain point, and then we will pass the baton on to you, and you can move forward with regime change." People are asking, "Where are the Iranian people?" Well, they can't come out just yet. Obviously, they're going to be killed in the thousands, just like they were in January, because the regime has not been degraded to the point where the Iranian people can come out. We're hoping for mass defection that would help the Iranian people get weapons. It would help them strategize. It would help them get military people and assets and and and and planning on their side.
It would help them move forward again to reclaim their country. In the In the meantime, I want to also remind people that, you know, the United States doesn't talk about regime change because we have never done it well. And we've we have bad examples in In history. So, in Washington, D.C., they shy away from the idea of regime change because again, we messed up. We gave too much and we got too little, and we didn't end up with any government that would help us.
We're talking about Iraq. We're talking about Afghanistan. We're talking about Syria. We're talking about Libya. Places where we had some sort of involvement on the ground, but again, we did not gain what we needed to out of out of those places. And we don't want to nation-build, and we don't want to determine the future of Iran. But, not all regime changes are created equal.
And that means that a regime change in Iran will help the entire global community. That is why you see the Persian Gulf Arab states like the UAE, like the Saudis, like the Qataris that are pushing Donald Trump to finish the job. Only because they know that 47 years we've seen what they are capable of, what kind of behavior they show.
They will only continue that type of behavior. We will have to continue to play whack-a-mole every few years to curb the behavior of this regime. So, Donald Trump knows he's not at the at the negotiating table to tame them, to change their behavior, or to reform them. They have not been strategically created that way. That is not the DNA of this regime. It is meant to march forward with this ideology and to not only use this ideology to stay in power, but to export this ideology, and it has done so since 1979 by creating these proxies to spread its influence. So, when people went crazy over ISIS, the Islamic State in 2014, if you recall, well, ISIS was a puny army which had 80,000 fighters at its most at its peak, okay? You're talking about the original Islamic State that is the government inside Iran, the Islamic Republic. That is a Shiite Islamic State that had that came into power 47 years ago with that single intent of not only claiming control and power inside Iran, but again, exporting that out into the world. And they are in multiple continents with a lot of influence, not only in their proxies, but look at South America, at the foot bed of the United States, where they have so much of their presence there, building up assets there. They have exported Hezbollah cells into Southern and Central America and into the United States as well. We know that they're inside the sleeper cells inside here the United States as well. So, we have to remind ourselves who this adversary is, and that will give us the will, and that will remind us why we are in this war, and why this is not just a war to save the Iranian people, not just a war to stabilize the Middle East, but this is a homeland security effort for every single country who cares about securing itself and its future against terrorism. Absolutely.
And this is why it is so disgraceful to me that leaders like here in Australia, the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have been, I guess, spectators on the world stage to this. I mean, Donald Trump's not just doing this for America, as we've said. They're doing He's doing this for the West. He's doing this to rid terror of the West. So, I I I completely understand that point.
And And just on on that, another reminder why Trump's doing this. Iran's regime is set to execute its first female protester, one of an estimated 1,600 sentenced to death by the Islamic Republic in the past year.
Beta Hamati is the first woman due to be hanged in relation to those demonstrations that broke out in January. And again, Lisa, I mean, this regime, it is continuing with its barbaric crusades like this. In fact, it's speeding up its executions. So, you know, without the death of the regime, can there ever be change?
Never. This is They are the number one exporter of terror around the world. Not just with Hezbollah and the Houthis and Hamas, but also in suicide bombers, in in these sleeper cells that we talked about. They are also the number one executioner in the world. So, on an average month, we're not talking [snorts] about the the 30 to 50,000 that were killed in January. We're talking about an an average month, 300 to 500 Iranians are put to death for a mere Facebook post or being a wrestler or being a singer or being a dancer. I mean, I have covered so many stories over the last 22 years or so that I've been doing this kind of work for for for converting to Christianity away from Islam. For starting a home church in in in one's basement. I mean, there have been so many of these cases that I have covered, human rights cases whose voices no one has heard. And then if you recall Mahsa Amini, she was I would say one of the fortunate ones and the reason why I say fortunate is because her name was called around the world. There was a movement that started because of her name and she was the 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian girl who was wearing her hijab a little farther back on her head, some of her hair was showing. So the morality police brought her in, they beat her so badly that she bled to death.
And this movement started where women around the world were supporting the Iranian people who came out onto the streets and cutting their hair in support for those people. But how quickly we forget that this is the same regime. So again, I repeat, this is not just for human rights for the Iranian people, although that in it in and of itself is the deed is is a is the task for us here globally to be their voices and to come to their aid the way that President Trump promised we would. But also to understand that when a regime doesn't even have compassion over its own people, how can we respect them enough to go to the negotiating table and see them as the legitimate government for those same people?
I mean, that's really the bottom line.
They're the Islamic Republic. They don't even have the name Iran in the title of their government. They don't see the Iranian people or their civilization that is 2,500 years plus old the way the Iranian people do.
The Iranian people are a proud people.
They look at their history and they see the last 47 years as a blip that they want to erase. They want to go back to the '70s when this government came into power in in 1979 and tried to erase all of that and change the names of the streets and and and really bring in so much Arabic into the language and really try to bring this Islamist ideology into the country where the Iranian people again, they are so proud of their very just long civilization, long history.
When you look at the the very sensitive nuclear infrastructure that they have buried under just landmarks that are thousands of years old, wanting them to be bombed and destroyed. I mean, how can you say they are, you know, the guardians of Iran?
They're not and the people don't see them as such and that's really another point to be made here.
How can we even, you know, if we we if the war stops now, this government will never last with 92 plus million Iranian people that don't see them, the majority of whom don't see them as a legitimate government. So there's a boiling point here, right? So they they cannot go back to the status quo. You're looking at people who don't want this government. The economy is in shambles. They have no real, you know, legitimacy over the people. They have been badly decimated, although not degraded up to the the, you know, the point of regime change. But how can they go back? I mean, there will be constant turmoil. So I remind people to have patience over this whole situation because when we do read about regime change in history books, they don't take place in 50 days. And I think with if there is a day that that historians will write about regime change in Iran, they'll probably go back to 1999 when the student uprisings began or in 2009 when the green revolution took place and those brave Iranians became citizen journalists to tell their story to the world. Another reason why the internet is cut off right now because the government knows its brave citizens would come and tell their stories to the world and they won't they don't want them. They don't want them to communicate, they don't want them to organize and at the end of the day the Achilles' heel of this government is always going to be its people, a grassroots movement that will will topple the government one day. And I do I do believe that the Iranian people started this revolution and I do believe they're going to have the final say. It might not be in this round of of of military uh escalation, but it will be very soon.
Well, I mean, the world is hoping and praying for that that we know one day Iran can go back to being its its former best and that its people can be liberated and free and live in a democracy like like the rest of us and we can we can absolutely only hope. Lisa Daftary, it has been a pleasure to have you on the show. I've I've thoroughly enjoyed all of your insights. Thank you so much for joining me.
Thank you so much for having me. It was a pleasure.
Well, it is all over for the grifters of Oz. So long, farewell, Meghan or just call me Meg as uh she apparently likes to go by and her spare handbag, Harry, have finally left Australia after a whirlwind circus uh which included a taxpayer-funded walk around Sydney. The New South Wales Police dog squad were even called in for extra security. Seriously, you can't make this stuff up. A uh woe is me microphone tour, a blink and you'll miss Meg 2-hour girls' weekend appearance, a cash-for-wear clothing scheme. Oh, and the grifters are set to pocket $10 million from their four-day visit.
Terrific, isn't it? Oh, but don't worry.
They got their privacy. Look at this. Uh no crowds. No crowds for them at the Sydney Opera House. And if you look closely, they clearly expected crowds because you could see there the barricades were up. They were like fences up waiting waiting in anticipation.
And there was nobody. Harry's face is like, "Wait. Hang on, where? Where has everyone gone? Why am I not loved?"
Meghan probably thought the same.
And it's a far cry from the tens of thousands who lined up and camped out as you can see there 8 years ago when they last came. I mean, look at the crowds then, the signs, the Aussie flags. They loved them. They loved them.
Oh, and that was the same trip by the way that they called the catalyst for leaving the royal family. Well, look at that. Compare the pair.
Oh, and that was also the same trip by the way where Meghan reportedly said, "Oh gee, I can't believe I'm not being paid for this." Seriously.
But have a look at how unbothered Aussies are by these two.
>> [music] >> Oh, NO ONE'S MOVING. LOOK.
>> [music] >> NOTHING. I MEAN, THEY'RE NO ONE IS MOVING. THAT WOMAN ON the sand, please somebody find her and give her a medal. That is quintessentially Aussie.
We love the sunshine. We love the beach.
We ain't moving for nobody, especially these two non-royals.
And you know, they're here to make money, aren't they? Though they say they're not.
But they raked it in anyway because Prince Harry and Meghan are set to have made a whopping $10 million from this trip, would you believe? According to expert Ted Jenkin, this is extraordinary. Meghan and Harry could make more money from audience aggregation, premium access, brand leverage. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex could earn 2 million from speaking engagements and appearances, 3.5 million from sponsorships and brand deals, and 4.5 million from media and content value.
Hang on, but you know, weren't they supposed to be two private citizens? I mean, didn't they beg for for privacy?
Wasn't that the big stick for them leaving the royal family to go about their lives away from the cameras?
Please.
Now, we've got to talk about this girls' weekend, don't we? Where women paid thousands of dollars to hear Meghan speak.
So let me put this into perspective.
The pair start the morning off on a taxpayer-funded coastal walk in Sydney.
There they are, the the police around in tow, following them around.
Who's paying for that, by the way? The hardworking Aussies in the middle of a cost-of-living and fuel crisis.
So then they go to this lavish hotel where the event is being held and guess what?
According to the Daily Mail, the New South Wales Police dog squad was brought in for extra security at the hotel.
Now, can somebody please explain to me why the canines were there?
Was there some sort of a bomb threat?
And all at the expense of the taxpayer again. And look, I've got to say, lucky the dogs didn't go close to Harry.
I mean, the dogs would have been set off. We all know about his drug history.
He spoke about it very extensively in Spare.
So why the heck did they call the dogs?
How dramatic and pathetic can this be?
And so of course the event begins.
Meghan Markle spends 2 hours with these women.
There's the Molly ready to go. 2 hours.
And bear in mind they paid 3,200 Australian dollars for a chance to spend time with her. 2 hours. Oh, but don't worry. They got their little group photo.
They got the Q&A.
But spare a thought for those women who actually did pay that money because fans were getting completely free selfies with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Melbourne the day before. As one person posted on social media, this has got to be the scam of the century.
Attendees fooled into paying big bucks for a weekend with Meghan, I'd be calling for a refund.
Wouldn't you feel ripped off, too?
Seriously, you've paid all this money to have a group photo and she's willingly taking selfies.
And then at the event, Meghan told the women, "Quote, I've spent all of my life investing in women.
Can I finally invest in me?"
Uh what?
What does that mean? What what what investments is she talking about? The the Netflix series cuz that failed.
The Was it a polo documentary? I think it was. There was a Girl Scouts one, I think, too.
Then there was that Christmas special.
And the podcast, all of which have been failed ventures. I mean, everything that these two have touched have been a disaster. So, what what investments is she raising there?
And look, of course it couldn't be a a Sussex soap opera without a woe is me special. I mean, give Mr. and Mrs. Grifter a microphone, they'll sell you a sob story.
So, at one event, Prince Harry declared that he never wanted to be a working royal because it, quote, killed his mother.
He also said that he had to cleanse himself of the past before having children.
Here we go again, spare us.
This guy has been handed everything and more in his life. He has lived a very very privileged life with no money issues.
And yet he talks about it like he's lived the hardest life of anyone. And let's not forget, Prince William lost his mother, too. And he hasn't gone around and demanded sympathy left, right, and center. Now, I'm not saying that the spare hasn't had hardships, but for goodness' sake, mate, give it up.
And as for Meghan, well, Every day for 10 years, I think I was the most attacked and I was the most trolled person in the entire world, man or woman.
I'm still here.
She claimed that she was the most trolled person in the world, says the woman who's made a career out of trolling the royal family.
Who reportedly claimed the monarchy was racist. And who allegedly bullied her own staff.
And let's not forget Harry's also being sued for defamation by the charity he co-founded following allegations of bullying there, too. Her and Harry are the ultimate victims.
They will screw anyone over to make money.
So, they've come here on this fake royal tour and turned it into the sob story tour. They are pathetic.
Oh, and and Meghan was on this fake tour as well wearing designer clothes, which she put on a platform. It's an AI platform, which she's an investor in so that people can buy what she was wearing.
And she wore this $1,200 dress. This was to a visit at a hospital in Melbourne. And then she later wore that same dress to a homelessness shelter for women and popped it up on her platform, $1,200 dress.
And no doubt getting kickbacks from that. She's literally profiting off events which should have been low-key engagements for her to go out and do some charity work. I mean, if this was Princess Catherine, she wouldn't have made a a song and dance about it. But of course, Meghan needs money and she wanted to make money for it. It is disgusting. Again, grifters. It's actually gross.
According to the UK Telegraph, the commercialization of the Duchess's wardrobe has caused considerable concern behind palace gates. A royal source said, "Everybody just rolls their eyes now as they know the routine. Push the envelope, get criticized, reverse tack and say you made a donation. By making money while doing philanthropic work, they are very much appear to be having their cake and eating it." So true.
Another insider said, "Grifting is one thing, but carrying out a faux royal visit to a children's hospital while flogging your outfits online appears to have crossed the line." Absolutely, it has.
And so look, Meghan has kindly left Australia with a parting gift. She's about to appear on MasterChef, a cooking show in Australia. Apparently, she was there to mentor the contestants. Mentor. Mentor.
What?
And look, I've got some exclusive vision for you of what to expect.
You can't call this jam. Jam has to be equal parts fruit and equal parts sugar.
So, if you had eight cups of fruit, you would have to have eight cups of sugar.
She's a genius. She's a genius, isn't she? The the skills absolutely incredible. So, that's what I'm sure we can expect coming up on MasterChef. And look, I've got to leave you with this.
Here are how some Aussies felt about the visit.
I had no idea they were coming to Australia. Yes, I did read about it. I wasn't aware that they were coming out to Australia at all. I haven't seen anything on the news. Honestly, no. I did not really know they came last time as well. I don't know why they're coming. I think it's probably really nice for them to not have to do all the royal stuff, but yeah, I guess that also means that they're not as sort of relevant, I guess, here. They're very much about self-promotion. They probably be my least favorite royals, so let's put it that way.
How good are Aussies? Seriously, exactly.
And that is because they're not royals, are they?
So, all I can say is so long, farewell, Mr. and Mrs. Grifter.
Thank God the sideshow has come to an end.
Well, joining me now is Emmy Award-winning journalist Stella Escobedo. Stella, wonderful to have you back on the show. Thank you so much for joining us. Really appreciate it. Um look, we've got to start with this bizarre stupidity from the perpetually stupid Kamala Harris. This was her take on the Iran war claiming that Donald Trump was somehow influenced by Israel.
Have a look.
He entered a war got pulled into it by Bibi Netanyahu.
Let's be clear about that.
Entered a war that the American people do not want.
Putting at risk American service members.
Stella, what do you make of those comments that he was pulled into it by Israel as if he can't make a decision for himself?
Well, first of all, I think it's just as dumb as what is Tucker Carlson is saying right now that Trump is a slave to Israel. You cannot make Donald Trump do anything that Donald Trump does not want to do. Let's make that clear. The other thing is this is as stupid as stupid gets. Talk about low IQ, the hats that Tucker Carlson is now selling. Kamala Harris needs to buy one. 45,000 people were massacred. They hit to the streets of Iran, you know, protesting the Islamic regime that ended up massacring them. That's not enough for them? I thought this is the party of love and humanity. What is humane about having 45,000 people be massacred? The IRGC was going into hospitals and people who they didn't massacre on the streets, they were then going after them and killing them.
This is just so dumb. I'm just so happy she's not our president. Honestly, it's it's so low IQ. She needs to get a Tucker Carlson hat. Yeah, she she does.
And I love that term low IQ. Donald Trump loves that term and I think it is absolutely perfect for her. And I do want to come back to her possible campaign in a minute. Um but just on Iran, Donald Trump has again signaled his overwhelming support for the Iranian people. Have a look at this video.
street.
There's this magic moment.
Somebody appears on the scene and everything changes.
I am with you.
>> [music] >> I mean, we've never seen anything like this.
I will fight for you.
I just think that's so uh powerful, Stella, isn't it? The What What does that tell Iran, do you think?
It tells the Iranian people that he's not giving up on them. Honestly, he was like on fire last night. So, he had multiple tweets back-to-back Truth Social posts. And right before that one, he also posted something, whether people like Israel or not, they have proven to be a great great ally of the United States of America. They are courageous, bold, loyal, and smart. And unlike others that have shown their true colors in a moment of conflict and stress, Israel fights hard and knows how to win.
President DJT, I see you guys have it on your screen. And you know what? As I wrote on my social media, President Trump nailed it. You will respect it. So, he posted that. Then he posted that video and it just gave me the chills. It to me it signals, "I'm not giving up on you. I understand what's happening. I understand the death cult that you guys are under. I understand that your country has been occupied for 40, you know, 47 years. I am here and that's why that video started with that powerful image of saying, 'President Trump, help' or whatever it said on there. I I remember those images when the protesters were hitting the streets of Iran and saying, 'President Trump, please come and help us. Please come and help us.' So, to me again, that says, 'I'm going to help you.' Yeah, absolutely. And it also puts all the haters away, too. All the critics. I mean, he is doing this and he's not just doing this for Iran. He's doing it for the world, too. Too. Um when you've got a regime like this with its finger on the nuclear pulse that is murdering its own citizens, this is just a reminder of why this war is happening.
So, um I I think he's fantastic and the support to Israel I think is is outstanding as well. Look, we've we've we've got to pivot back to to Kamala, don't we? Um you know, again, just a real a real lunatic. She's put out uh this video. Have a look.
Everyone, so I'm here in Charlotte.
Since the start of Trump's war of choice, it's 15 more dollars every time you fill up your tank of gas. The price of diesel has now gone up 80% since the start of the war. And you best believe that's going to carry over to how much you're paying for all the goods that are being transported on those semis. We've got a president who is paying more attention to what he thinks is in his best political interest and personal interest as opposed to what is in the best interest of working people.
So, Stella, she's at a gas station. They literally really. I mean, that to me sounds like a campaign ad. Do you think she's gearing herself up?
I mean, maybe. She didn't win the first time around. Why I mean, why would she win the second time around? But, you know, it's so pathetic to stand there at a gas station and act like you actually care about Americans. Because if you cared about Americans, you were the border czar when you were the vice president and you allowed all these illegal immigrants to come into the United States of America, who by the way are taking our taxpayer money, our dollars are on they're on all these welfare programs and all these programs that should be for Americans. You really care about gas prices? By the way, don't forget when this Islamic regime, this death cult, chants death to America, they're not just saying it for fun. They actually really mean it. And if they wanted a nuclear if they they want a nuclear weapon and that's why they haven't given up their ambitions. And if they could have one tomorrow, this is why the talks are going the way they are because they are so committed in having this nuclear weapon. They would launch it into the United States of America.
They say Israel is the little Satan.
Satan. America is the big Satan. Kamala Harris, what makes you believe that these are good people? Again, it's the Democrat Party in itself that is just so hypocritical. And let me tell you something, Danica. If Donald Trump found a cure for cancer tomorrow, they'd say why cancer is probably good.
Yeah, literally. I mean, it could be Joe and mumbling, stumbling, and fumbling about on the world stage, you know, finding a cure for cancer as you said and they'll think, "Wow, he's a genius.
He's he's done something absolutely fantastic." But, when it comes to Donald Trump and this is why I think a lot of the left are not supportive of this.
It's because it's Donald Trump. But, you're right. If it if it was the Dems, no, probably wouldn't even be having this conversation. I I totally totally agree with you. It's just the hypocrisy is outstanding. Now, let's talk about this massive story that you broke about the California governor race. This the slimy Eric Swalwell, he's out of course as he faces sexual misconduct allegations. But, billionaire businessman Tom Steyer Steyer is it?
Tell us a little bit about his brand of politics and the backing that he's got.
Well, so this is really interesting. So, when Eric Swalwell, the whole situation happened, Eric Swalwell drops out of, you know, the governor's race and I start looking into, okay, who is, you know, leading the pack with the Democrats? And I'm like, "Oh my goodness, this guy Tom Steyer." Tom Steyer is a Democrat mega donor mega billionaire, excuse me.
He's fun He's funding his own campaign.
He's he's that wealthy. He's known for funding a lot of, you know, progressive issues in the state of California alongside George Soros. Okay, so I am going to go out on a limb and I said this in my videos, I am going to go out on a limb and say the Democrat Socialists of America will endorse him. He is left of left. Okay, if you think that Newsom is is is left, Newsom looks like Donald Trump compared to this compared to this guy. So, he's also backed by the California Teachers Union. The California Teachers Union is such a lefty union. They during COVID they fought and fought to keep the schools closed. Now in California we have kids who who are still behind on reading and math.
What else did I write about him?
Oh, he donated to CAIR, the Council on American Islamic Relations. Now, CAIR, as you know, in 2008 was named an unindicted co-conspirator in the largest Hamas financing case in US history.
Obama's AG at the time, Eric Holder, dropped the case against CAIR and CAIR has grown to be what it is today. But, so when I say I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Democrat Socialists of America are going to endorse him, yeah, he's that left. It's the socialist Marxist Islamist. And California needs to watch out because he could potentially buy his seat. This is a real worry, I've got to say. And and it wouldn't surprise me if he does get that endorsement. How do you think this is changing the dynamics for voters ahead of the primary?
Well, I think because with Eric Swalwell in the race, it kind of gave a little bit, you know, they can actually split the votes. But, now he could take majority of the votes. And you know, socialism is super popular in the United States of America right now. The Islamists are using the the the the woke left who don't even realize what is actually happening. The red green alliance. They're swal I mean, look at Mondaire Jones. Look at New York City. I mean, Mondaire was just on NBC News talking about he was asked a question like, "You're a Democrat Socialist. You know, how do you think things are going?" He's like, "Oh my god, yes, I'm a Democrat. This is great." He's not a Democrat Socialist. He is not a Democrat. That is a lie. They are socialist Marxist Islamist. So, back to California, how is this going? I don't know. There's a chance. It's not good.
It's not good because socialism is super popular right now because people have been brainwashed. And I I'm I'm a former Soviet Jewish refugee. I know what it's like to live under communism. These people have no idea because they live in cush America and they think, "Oh my god, these freedoms that I have." Yeah, go live under communism and see what happens to you. And try to use your freedom of speech that you think you have in a communist country. Yeah, spot on. And and as you mentioned, I mean, look what already is happening in New York under Mondaire Jones. If you want an example of this sort of socialism in work, look no further. It is an absolute disaster. I'm really curious to know how this race goes down. But, I'm yeah, well done to you on your journalism on that matter. It's it's fascinating to see how this is going to to play out. Now, look, speaking of Mondaire Jones, let's talk about his wife because she has apologized for using the N-word in a social media post as a teenager. Jamaal Bowman said she felt a lot of shame for tweeting the slur when she was 15 years old. The hypocrisy is astounding with this, Estella, because there's no apologies from her for liking Instagram posts celebrating Hamas's October 7th attack on Israel and all of her other anti-Israel posts. Oh, but when it comes to other matters, she's willing to apologize, isn't she?
She's not sorry. That's not an apology.
It's again, these people, the Democrat Socialists, are using certain voting blocks and they're using the black community to they're using them as in like, "We're here for you." Which they're not. So, that's why Jamaal Bowman comes out with a half, you know, apology saying she's sorry. Meanwhile, like you said, after October 7th, in her 30s, she's liking Hamas images and agrees with the mass massacre and murder and and, you know, stealing of people. Jamaal Bowman is not sorry. Jamaal Bowman casually all the time uses the N-word.
She hates black people. And Jamaal Bowman also hates Jewish people. And let me tell you something. Jamaal Bowman is sorry for using the N-word. She's not sorry because the only place in the Middle East where black people are not slaves is Israel.
Yeah, exactly. It's all an affront because she has obviously copped so much criticism over the post and she's trying to make it all look really really good.
But, that woman has >> They're using Exactly. Exactly. And she has a real her agenda is not pure. It does not come from a place of goodwill. It is a really awful awful agenda. And I think her and her husband are disgusting people. They Mondaire Jones are disgusting. Just Let me tell you something. I just want to Speaking of New York City, I have my best friend. She lives in New York City.
She called me today and she's like, "I am despondent. I don't know what to do with myself." She lives in a very very expensive area of New York, Tribeca, okay? Where the medium price of an apartment there is like 5 million. So, if you're going to rent something, it's like $10,000 a month. She's going on for her jog and she literally sees a woman taking a take it like literally pooping and peeing on the streets. This is what has what is happening to New York City. And when she called me and told me that, I was like, "Sounds like California.
Totally normal here." And you know, as we were talking, I said, "They want us out of here." Like, they want people they want me out of California. They want us to get angry. And they want people out of New York. They want to turn these beautiful areas into socialist Marxist. I mean, $5 million medium home and somebody is taking a poop in the street. It's disgusting.
Yeah, and that is Mondaire Jones' New York. When everything was meant to be free under Mondaire Jones, everything was going to get better under him. And when you've got people living like that in expensive areas, it tells you everything you need to know. And you're right, it's like it's like California 2.0. It's it's it's shocking.
Now, there's been a lot of I guess back and forth between Pope Leo and Donald Trump this week over of course the Iran war. But, Pope Leo has now downplayed the any chance of a rift. This is what he said.
Been a certain narrative that has not been accurate in all of its aspects, but because of the political situation created when on the first day of the trip, President of the United States made some comments about myself.
Much of what has been written since then has been more commentary on commentary trying to interpret what has been said.
Um I just one little example, the the talk that I gave at the prayer meeting for peace a couple days ago, it was prepared 2 weeks ago, well before the president ever commented on on myself and on the message of peace that I am promoting.
And yet, as it happens, it was looked at as if I was trying to debate again the president, which is not my interest at all.
And I did laugh at this comment by comedian Bill Maher. I'm going to show you this, Stella. Um exposing the hypocrisy of the left on this issue.
>> [applause] >> I I love hypocritical America. I really do. See, the liberals suddenly love the Pope. The Pope who 2 weeks ago was all in the headlines. You know why?
Exorcisms. He had this big thing about we got to exorcise the demons are all around, the devil. That's who the Pope is, okay? A guy who does exorcism, doesn't believe in gay marriage, no women priests. But now, because he's feuding with with Trump, MSNBC loves this guy. He's got a big speech on the floor from Chuck Schumer.
Eric Swalwell sent him A DICK PIC.
>> [laughter] >> I CAN'T HELP BUT LAUGH AT THAT. And he's not wrong, is he? He's spot-on.
>> No.
Listen, the TDS, like I said earlier, if Donald Trump had found a cure for cancer, they would say, "You know what?
We need cancer around because, I don't know, creates more babies." I just made that up. It's It's outrageous. But it's It's It's crazy to me because Catholics are not aligned with what these leftists think. Catholics say, "We don't agree with We're, you know, for no abortions.
We're for no gay marriage. We're for no transing kids." Literally the opposite of what these people stand for. But all of a sudden, because there's a rift going on, they love him. And you know what's interesting? It's like the Pope needs to stay out of politics, okay? And if you really care about Christians, let's talk about the mass murder of Christians happening in Sudan. Let's talk about that. Let's talk about the Christians, uh you know, the lack of Christians in Gaza. Let's talk about the Christians who have been persecuted in Lebanon. Let's talk about the Christians who are literally being persecuted by Islamists all over the country. And you don't want to talk about that. It's The hypocrisy is so rich. Stay out of politics. Worry about the Catholic Church. And let the politicians worry about the wars.
Absolutely. I cannot stand the virtue signaling that is going on from these leaders. It is ridiculous. Like everyone stay in your own lanes. Focus on your own areas. Stop putting your two cents in. It's It's ridiculous. But I did I love that from Bill Maher. I thought he was absolutely >> add something? I just I just love the fact that Donald Trump he has taken off the gloves and he's like, "You're coming for me, I'm coming for you." Just like the other day when he came from Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens. He finally You know how many people in the conservative movement in America were like, "When is he going to talk about them? When is he going to say something?" Tucker's been walking to the into the administration. His son was working for the VP, which he no longer is apparently working for the VP, which again goes back to my point. I think Donald Trump took off his gloves and said, "I am done with you." Which he has said many times, "I created MAGA. You don't get to tell me what MAGA is." And then Tucker Carlson now telling him he's a slave to Israel. I am so happy to see Donald Trump So he's, you know, he's not a guy who's who's afraid. But especially with this post yesterday saying Israel is a great ally. It's like, "Yeah, suck it to you guys." Yeah, I think that's spot-on. Exactly. He's not scared. But and And that's what we should expect from the leader of the free world. You want somebody with a spine and a backbone and the courage he has shown has been exemplary. As as well, I've got to say with Benjamin Netanyahu. Like the both of them just showing what leaders are made of in this world. So fantastic.
Hats off to both. Stella Escobedo, wonderful to have you back on the show.
Love your insights as always. Thanks so much for joining me.
Thank you for having me.
Well, now it is time for the Hall of Shame where every week I name and shame.
Coming in at number five this week is New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani. Now, he's gone and done an interview over the weekend.
And would you believe he has refused to support Kamala Harris. He has refused to endorse her. Have a look at this. Would you like to see former Vice President Kamala Harris run for president again? I have to be honest, I haven't thought about the candidacies for president this time. My focus is 2026.
>> only Democrat who hasn't thought about that. And I'm proud to say that I am not and will never be running for president.
Would you Well, I mean, firstly, God we hope so. We hope that Zoran will not be running for president. Not that we can trust him. The guy can't be trusted altogether. But Is he actually refusing point-blank? It was a simple question. I mean, he could have just said, "Yeah, I think she'd be a great candidate." It is very clear to me that he does not think that she would be a good candidate.
Because otherwise he would have said so.
Now, let's be honest, the Dems have got no one. What they're going to pick I don't know, AOC?
AOC? Another Another absolute prize for the Democrats? Kamala? Shocking. What about Gavin?
Give Gavin a crack. Did Did they ask Zoran about that?
Seriously, they've got nobody in the Democrat Party. But I just think it speaks volumes that Zoran has publicly refused to support Kamala Harris.
Speaks louder, doesn't it? Speaks absolute volumes. Okay, now it is time for shame number four.
Now, Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert, okay? As you know, they've got chronic Trump Derangement Syndrome, like off the charts.
However, they have remained silent on the fall, I guess would be the best word, of Eric Swalwell, okay? Now, he's a slimy let's be honest. He's pulled out. Actually, sorry, pardon the pun on that one.
Probably not the right word when it comes to Eric. But he's pulled out, whatever, from the California governor race because he's facing sexual misconduct allegations.
And he has been The two comedians, rather, they have been torched on Fox by Joe Concha. And I just have to show you this epic rant. It is brilliant. Let's have a look.
>> did the late-night rounds before the scandal. They built him up. What do you make of their silence now?
Uh well, of course Kimmel and Colbert are silent, Carly. I mean, these guys are and have always been hacktastic at their jobs, which isn't to entertain, make us laugh, but to serve as sycophants to the Democratic Party. Both Kimmel and Colbert, just to underscore this point, have not had on any Republican guests not named Liz Cheney in years. Contrast that with Bill Maher, who I can absolutely guarantee you will talk about this at length tomorrow night on HBO as far as Swalwell and these horrible allegations.
>> And indeed. But But Kimmel truly is the worst. To have Swalwell on, as you just played, to announce his gubernatorial campaign, only to not even mention it over the last couple of nights, shows us once again that late-night comedy is a one-way protection racket. That's where we're at. Bingo. Bingo. Absolute He is spot-on. It is a one-way protection racket. It really really is. And Maher did mention it. We played it a little earlier in the show, didn't we? With Stella Escobedo. He did mention it. I mean, he's He's open about it. But where's Jimmy?
Where's Kimmel? Where's Stephen Colbert?
Silent. And it is It is a complete protection racket. And bear in mind this Swalwell is a slimy He doesn't deserve protection. He needs to face what he's done, allegedly, head-on. So clean up your act, these comedians comedians. Now, look, speaking of this, I had to give number three this week to Jimmy Kimmel for being a comedian. Because he's just gone and done the Michelle Obama podcast.
Exciting, isn't it? Terrific. And he has told his critics, would you believe, that they need to stop telling him that his job is to be funny. The irony in that.
Let's take a look at this now. You This This whole comment baffled me.
>> I just can't imagine on those nights talking about anything other than what we are talking about.
And And I give a lot of credit to my colleagues for doing the same thing.
I I think it would be embarrassing if we didn't talk about this stuff. Sorry, I just pause it there for just 1 second.
Basically, what he is saying is that he needs to talk about big issues big issues big political issues because it would be embarrassing to not, even though he's a comedian, his job is to make people laugh. Continue. It [clears throat] would be shameful. I love telling jokes. I love being funny.
I love when the audience laughs. There's nothing that's more exciting to me than that. But well-rounded human beings don't behave that way. And to say that, "Oh, your job is this." It makes me No. No. No. No. No. Jimmy, your job is to be a comedian, okay? That is what you are paid to do. You are paid to be funny. You are not paid to be, you know, trying to be a Democrat. You are not paid up there to to talk about your politics. You're there to be funny.
What is it with these comedians that inject their their political views in, but they're not funny?
And also, it's never against the Democrats, is it? It's always because of of Donald Trump. Always. Always. Now, look, we've got to go for number two this week. I had to give it to the former Prince Andrew, the man formerly known as Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
And the reason why I have done that is because the comedian John Oliver. This is the the the Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. He's quite a funny funny guy. He is a UK-born British comedian. And I've got to say that he is absolutely hilarious in his commentary. Now, we know right now that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is facing misconduct allegations. So that's still before UK investigation.
But really, what's happened to to Andrew ever since? So he was arrested.
And we saw that vision of him in the back of his of of the the police car.
And now, basically, he has been, I guess, all but hold up at home with his dogs, with his horses. Although he's not even allowed to to to ride his horse.
And you've just got to give it to John Oliver. Have a listen to him absolutely going berserk on him.
Um and where do you think being an English person and I'm of the Commonwealth, where do you think Prince Andrew's going to end up? Where does he end up?
Long-term, if I believed in hell, he'll be there. Uh, I mean, I don't know where he's going to end up. I have I have very little respect for that guy before all of this. So, I I don't know where he's going to end up and I to the marrow of my bones don't care.
That's fair If that's that's a fair call. Um, I don't think anybody cares, to be honest, at this point. And and look, he he's right. He is right. He There is a special place in hell for the likes of Andrew, isn't there?
Extraordinary.
Number one this week, ladies and gentlemen, Greta Thunberg. Yes, do you know why?
Disaster for the Freedom Flotilla. You know the Freedom Flotilla that's trying to allegedly drop aid into Gaza? Well, look, the boats are rocking, baby, because the leader of the Flotilla has been accused of sexual misconduct. Yes, according to the New York Post, a senior leader within the Flotilla, a member of the steering committee, the highest governing body of the organization, engaged in sexual relations with multiple activists while on the boat heading to Gaza. Not one person, not two, but three different individuals. Woo, baby, okay. I want to wonder if they all knew.
I wonder if they all knew that this guy was allegedly going between one one to another. I mean, this is absolutely uh brilliant. On the high seas and well, getting high. I mean, that's that's all we can say. So, um another disaster for the Freedom Flotilla. It just It's just not working, is it? So, sorry, Greta. Sorry.
Another moment of shame for you.
That is all for Danica Goes Global.
Thank you for joining us. We'll see you again next week and make sure you subscribe to Sky News Australia on YouTube.
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