The Karel Show

Trump, Hollywood & Streaming: Is Entertainment Taking Over Politics?**
Politics has become entertainment — and entertainment has become political.
Donald Trump came to the presidency after decades as a celebrity and reality-TV star. His administration has included people with backgrounds in television, podcasting and other media. Meanwhile, Hollywood is facing another wave of consolidation, streaming has transformed how we watch television and movies, and the relationship between Washington and the entertainment industry keeps getting more complicated.
So what exactly **is entertainment in 2026?**
Are movie theaters dying — or are audiences simply waiting for movies worth leaving the house to see...

Why Hate Is the Only Thing Uniting America Right Now
America doesn't have one shared value left — except hate. Not division, not gun violence, not high prices. Just hate. And it's everywhere: from the Ed Sheeran pile-on after he simply called out the catastrophe in Gaza, to Trump banning CNN, MSNOW, and Politico from the White House for daring to tell the truth. We feel it at the gas pump, in line at the store, scrolling the news. I'm tired of it — including my own. On today's Karel Cast, I break down how hate became America's only note, why the...

160 Arrested for Being Gay — Why Is the World Silent?
Over 160 people arrested in Turkey — for being LGBTQ. This is one of the most alarming crackdowns on gay rights in recent memory, and almost nobody's talking about it.
This Gay Week, after an Ukraine check-in, Scott Jacobsen joins Karel to break down what's happening in Turkey: why it's happening now, who's behind it, and how the rest of the world is responding — or failing to.
Then it's a global tour of LGBTQ rights right now: Cyprus, Australia, and the UK, looking at where things are improving and where they'r...

Why Can't We Criticize Israel? Ed Sheeran's Band Just QUIT
Ed Sheeran's band walked. Every opening act pulled out. AOC says she'd turn off the radio if he came on. And the thing nobody will name out loud is the reason why.
In today's world it seems there's exactly one country immune to criticism — Israel. Meanwhile Trump agrees to sell $2.8 billion in weapons we don't have to spare, for a war we shouldn't be in. Many argue we wouldn't be at war with Iran at all if Israel didn't want us there, which means our economic pain, our su...

Do Award Shows Even Matter Anymore? Plus: Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran’s Tour Over Palestine
The Emmys just happened. Did anyone outside Hollywood actually care?
Award shows have always caught flak for being elitist, out-of-touch spectacles — but they still move the needle: box office bumps, viewership spikes, higher asking prices for the winners. The real question is whether any of that still matters to the average viewer in a world of disposable content, where shows blow up and vanish in a news cycle and movies trend for five minutes before disappearing completely. We’re breaking down whether awards...

AI Extinction Warnings vs. Trump’s AI Policy: What’s at Stake?
Could artificial intelligence threaten humanity—and how is Washington responding? The Karel Cast examines AI extinction warnings, Donald Trump’s approach to AI regulation, and the debate over how fast this technology should advance.
Leading AI researchers and industry executives have called for treating extinction risk as a global priority. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has emphasized accelerating AI development and reducing regulatory barriers, alongside security measures. AI risk statement · White House AI policy
This episode explores the questions behind the headlines: What do those warnings actually...

The Gay Hero Who Helped Stop 9/11 — And the Partner Benefits Fight That Came After
He helped take down a hijacked plane headed for the Capitol — then his own partner had to fight to be recognized at all.
Tomorrow marks 9/11, and one of the biggest heroes of that day was Mark Bingham — one of the four passengers on Flight 93 who fought back, forcing the plane down in a Pennsylvania field instead of Washington, D.C. Mark was gay, and in the aftermath, his surviving partner was initially denied benefits by the airline until public pressure shamed them into doing the ri...

Zepbound Could Save My Heart — Or Wreck My Gallbladder | The 9/11 Lie Nobody Talks About
My cardiologist just offered me Zepbound — for my heart, my weight, my blood pressure. So why am I hesitating?
Zepbound and the other GLP-1 weight loss drugs are being called wonder drugs, and for good reason: lower blood pressure, less risk of Afib, real weight loss. My doctor says he’s comfortable putting me on a low dose to help shrink my aortic growth and get my numbers where they need to be. But these drugs also carry real risks — pancreas damage, gallbladder problems, even vis...

Trump’s Wild Weekend: If This Happened on a Plane, They’d Tape Him to the Chair
A passenger aboard a flight from Tucson reportedly became so disruptive—using racial and homophobic slurs and behaving aggressively—that he ultimately had to be restrained. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump spent part of the holiday weekend posting a barrage of unusual material on Truth Social, including maps depicting Canada, Mexico and other territory under the American flag and repeated posts promoting the idea of renaming New Mexico “New America.” 
On today's The Karel Cast, Karel asks the provocative question: If behavior this erratic...

This Gay Week: Anti-LGBTQ Violence Rises as Trump Officials Joke About Our Lives
Anti-LGBTQ violence is rising in America—and while LGBTQ people are being attacked and killed, members of the Trump administration are making jokes. What is happening to LGBTQ safety in the United States, and how much are politics, religion and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric contributing to the climate we're living in?
On this edition of This Gay Week, Karel and Scott Douglas Jacobsen examine disturbing stories affecting LGBTQ people in the United States and around the world.
Two gay men were shot and killed outside an Ar...

Are Influencers Dying? Why Brands Are Spending Billions on the New Creator Economy
The era of the influencer may be ending—but influence itself is bigger business than ever. Social media has changed dramatically, and the creators who once dominated Instagram, YouTube and TikTok are discovering that simply showing off a fabulous lifestyle isn't enough anymore.
So what happened to the traditional influencer—and where did their audiences go?
Social media began as a place to share photos, friends and everyday life. Then came influencers: creators who attracted enormous audiences, landed lucrative brand deals and turned online popu...

Trump Isn't The Problem — Our Broken Institutions Are
Everyone with a functioning brain is disgusted by Trump — alienating our allies, unjust wars, prices at the pump and grocery store skyrocketing, and dodging accountability on Epstein. But here's the uncomfortable truth: it's not his fault.
So who IS to blame?
🔴 The voters who got conned — again — by a man who played their racism, nationalism, and grievance politics for a fool's game, blaming Biden, immigrants, and trans people for problems he created.
🔴 The institutions that keep caving. The Supreme Court just greenlit his ballroom project — even conservative Chief Justice John Rob...

Monday News Meltdown
Iran Strikes, Nepal’s Death, Trump’s Lake, Rogue AI — Monday News Meltdown
USA attacks Iran again. Nepal’s death toll climbing to horrifying numbers. Trump pettily trying to rename a lake out of spite. Canada refusing to bow to the Orange Oligarch. And AI quietly acting on its own without anyone’s permission. Welcome to Monday.
You wanted a hopeful start to your week. Instead you got America — struggling, dying, fighting, and somehow still finding time for lake-renaming pettiness. No wonder everyone’s wishing it was already Friday.
PLUS: you might be hurting yourse...

Dolly Parton’s LGBTQ Legacy, Texas Drag Ban Defeated & Hope for Uganda
Why did the loss of Dolly Parton resonate so deeply throughout the LGBTQ community? On this edition of “This Gay Week,” Karel and Scott Douglas Jacobsen of The Good Men Project examine Parton’s enduring legacy as an ally—and why the deaths of certain LGBTQ icons and supporters become defining cultural moments.
Karel and Scott also explore some of the week’s biggest and most surprising LGBTQ stories from around the world:
A Texas judge strikes down the state’s drag ban, cites Dolly Parton, and de...

Dolly Parton’s Death Raises a Big Question: Does the Public Have a Right to Know?
Dolly Parton’s death shocked millions of fans around the world. Within hours, the public learned that cancer was the cause. But increasingly, when celebrities, politicians and other public figures die, we hear that they died—but not necessarily how or why.
So where should the line be drawn between a family’s right to medical privacy and the public’s right to know?
On today’s The Karel Cast, Karel examines how reporting on death has changed in the age of instant n...

Democrats Need to Figure It Out, FastYesterdayTrump Tanks But Democrats Don't Soar in America—Can They Turn It Around Before It’s Too Late?Donald Trump’s approval ratings are falling—but Democrats shouldn’t celebrate yet. Many polls suggest the Democratic Party is struggling to win over voters, build enthusiasm, and present a compelling alternative.In this episode of The Karel Cast, Karel asks why a party that claims to champion working families, civil rights, healthcare, and democracy continues to lose public confidence. Why are so many voters attracted to the very politicians whose policies may work against their interests...

Trump's War on Americans ContinueYesterdayTrump's War on Americans ContinueTrump’s Canada Tariff, Iran Conflict & ICE Crackdown: Americans Pay the PriceDonald Trump’s latest policies could hit Americans where it hurts most: their wallets, workplaces, healthcare, and communities.
In this episode of The Karel Cast, Karel examines how a new tariff on Canadian goods could raise prices across construction, food, alcohol, and other key industries. He also discusses escalating tensions with Iran, continued pressure on gas and food prices, and America’s growing alienation from its allies.Plus, how is the ICE immigration crackdown affecting everyday life? Fear within immigrant commun...

LGBTQ Rights Under Attack: Ukraine, Russia, Africa and the Politics Behind the Backlash
Why are LGBTQ+ people increasingly being targeted during times of war, political instability and economic uncertainty?
In this episode of This Gay Week, Scott Jacobsen joins Karel live from Ukraine during one of the most intense nights of bombing in the war. Together, they examine the realities facing LGBTQ+ communities in Ukraine, Russia, Africa and around the world.
The conversation explores whether attacks on LGBTQ+ rights are being used as political distractions—and why some American conservative organizations are exporting anti-LGBTQ+ campaigns to African na...

Did Lizzie Borden Get Away With Murder? The Chilling Truth Behind the Legend
Did Lizzie Borden really take a hatchet and murder her father and stepmother—or has history convicted an innocent woman?
As Netflix revisits the infamous Lizzie Borden case in Ryan Murphy’s Monster, The Karel Cast investigates the evidence, unanswered questions and surprising details behind one of America’s most enduring true-crime mysteries.
Karel speaks with Ryk McIntyre, a longtime Lizzie Borden history specialist affiliated with the Borden House in Fall River, Massachusetts. Was Lizzie the killer? Did she arrange a murder for hire? Or doe...

Is the West Running Out of Water? Las Vegas, Trump & a Congress in Hiding
Lake Powell is approaching record-low territory, the Colorado River crisis is intensifying—and the American West is running out of time. When will our leaders finally treat this like the emergency it is?
Karel examines a frightening New York Times report about the future of Lake Powell and what it could mean for Las Vegas, Lake Mead and millions of people across the West. Could Southern Nevada eventually enforce its annual residential water-use cap? What would a limit of roughly 460 gallons per household per da...

Why Americans Defend the Indefensible: Trump, Billionaires & Corporate Power
Why do so many Americans defend corporations, billionaires and political leaders whose actions may work against their own interests?
After discussing how corporate power is damaging everyday life in America, Karel was stunned to see viewers rush to defend the corporations. California remains deeply divided over taxing billionaires. Donald Trump repeatedly crosses boundaries that once seemed politically disqualifying—yet his supporters continue to defend him.
Have we reached a point where no action is beyond defense? And why do people increasingly attack proposed solutions, the people offering them an...

LGBTQ Rights Worldwide: UN Honors Advocates as Senegal Arrests 72 Men | This Gay Week
LGBTQ rights are making headlines worldwide. Scott Jacobsen of The Good Men Project joins Karel live from Ukraine for a new edition of “This Gay Week,” examining major stories affecting LGBTQ+ people and communities around the globe.
In this episode:
The United Nations honors five people for their extraordinary service.
Senegal arrests 72 men accused under laws targeting same-sex activity.
Long Beach, California, moves ahead with plans for a new Pride-themed float.
Karel and Scott examine more LGBTQ news, human-rights developments and stor...

94 Major Wildfires Are Burning Across the West—Is This the New Normal?
The Western United States is facing a dangerous wildfire crisis. Crews are fighting to protect Big Sur, three fires are burning near Reno with single-digit containment, and 94 large wildfires remain uncontained across the West as of August 11, 2026.
From the Northwest and Northern Rockies to California, Nevada and the Southwest, extreme heat, dry conditions and expanding fire activity threaten communities, public health and the environment. Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds of miles, while the economic and human costs continue to mount.
What can America do to pr...

Can America Survive This Divided? The United States Isn’t United Anymore
America isn’t simply divided into left versus right anymore. We’re splintering into smaller and smaller tribes—and increasingly, those groups don’t just disagree with each other. They don’t even seem to want to coexist.
A New York Times article about the “atomization” of America captures something happening across the country: the United States may still be united on a map, but socially, politically and culturally, we’re becoming a nation of isolated groups living completely different realities.
On today’s Karel Cast, we ask the unc...

Is Civility Dead in America? The Truth About Online Hate & Who’s Really Behind It
Is America really becoming more hateful—or is social media giving us a dangerously distorted picture of who we actually are?
Oprah Winfrey has limited online comments after dealing with relentless negativity. Perez Hilton has faced vicious attacks online even while sharing images of himself injured and hospitalized. Scroll through social media or watch the news long enough and it can feel like basic human decency has disappeared.
But is civility actually dead in America—or are a relatively small number of people...

Content note: This episode discusses self-harm, online harassment and mental-health struggles. If you or someone you know needs help please reach out to the services globally setup to assist. 
This Gay Week: Apple Censors Gay Apps, Pride Flag Creator Flees | This Gay Week
Apple has removed gay dating apps in China—but what does that say about the company’s claim to be an LGBTQ+ ally?
This week, Karel examines the growing pressure facing LGBTQ+ people and their allies online. Perez Hilton’s disturbing livestream raises urgent questions about cyberbullying, hateful comments and mental health. Ariana Grande is also...

Is Modern Life Actually Better? Online Shopping, Refund Scams & Toxic Social Media
Modern life promises greater convenience—but is it really making our lives better?
Shopping has increasingly moved online, even when dealing with major retailers such as Home Depot and Best Buy. The selection may be larger, but what happens when the record arrives warped, the clothes don’t fit, or the product isn’t what you ordered? Getting a proper refund can become its own battle, with sellers offering percentage refunds if you agree to keep something you never wanted.
For those who remember resolving proble...

America Is Exhausted: Is Tuning Out Self-Care—or Surrender?
Political chaos, economic anxiety, extreme heat, social media outrage—America is running on empty.
In this episode of The Karel Cast, Karel examines the growing sense of national fatigue under Donald Trump. As controversies pile up and tempers rise, more Americans are tuning out to protect their peace. But does stepping away help us recover—or allow the chaos to continue unchecked?
Karel also discusses Ariana Grande’s reported retreat from the spotlight amid relentless criticism of her appearance and the negativity surrounding social media. Her decision raises a questi...

Trump’s Reflecting Pool Claims, Gun Violence & Boy George’s Israel Controversy
Another deadly weekend in America—and another mass shooting followed by familiar arguments but few meaningful solutions. Three people are dead, five are injured, and an armed civilian reportedly helped bring the standoff to an end. What does this incident reveal about gun access, public safety and America’s seemingly endless cycle of violence?
Karel also examines Donald Trump’s claims about alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Were people maliciously prosecuted based on a false political narrative? What roles did the White House, Trump’s pr...

UK Arms Police to Protect Pride as Anti-LGBTQ+ Violence Surges Worldwide
As the UK considers arming police officers assigned to protect LGBTQ+ communities and Pride events, Karel asks a difficult question: Have we become dangerously numb to violence, war, and injustice?
Gay Week contributor Scott Jacobsen is currently experiencing an active bombing situation in Ukraine—a stark reminder that millions of people have lived under the threat of ballistic missiles for years while much of the world looks away. Karel also addresses the devastation in Gaza, the killing of a person by a van in Berlin, Romania’s rest...

America’s Food Safety Crisis: Cyclospora, Salmonella and Trump-Era Cuts
More than 11,000 Cyclospora cases nationwide, a multistate salmonella outbreak linked to eggs—and critical questions about the safety of America’s food supply.
Why are foodborne illnesses spreading, why has identifying their sources proved so difficult, and what role could federal cuts to food-safety surveillance play? Karel examines the outbreaks, America’s regulatory system and why the United States appears unable to keep its food supply safe.
Also in this episode:
Could AI apps that simulate dead loved ones or pets help people cope—or prevent them from...

Democrats, Read the Room: Why AOC, Mamdani and Young Voters Could Decide the Future
Republicans are already branding Democrats as “socialists” and “communists” to frighten voters—but should Democrats really let those attacks dictate their agenda?
Candidates such as Zohran Mamdani are winning because younger voters want affordable housing, healthcare, economic fairness and meaningful change.
They’re listening to democratic socialists, liking what they hear and turning out to vote. So why are establishment Democrats fighting the candidates energizing their own base instead of working with leaders such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez?
Karel asks whether Democrats truly want transfo...

Middle East on the Brink, Berlin Pride Terror, and America’s Housing Crisis | The Karel Cast
The world feels like it’s balancing on the edge of a knife.
Iran says it will stop bombing if the attacks against it stop, while the Houthis open another dangerous front by targeting Saudi Arabia. Is the Middle East moving toward de-escalation—or toward an even wider regional conflict? And what role is U.S. leadership playing as tensions continue to rise?
Then, tragedy strikes at one of the world’s oldest Pride celebrations. A deadly attack at Berlin Pride leaves p...

LGBTQ Rights Under Fire Worldwide: Pride Bans, Political Vetoes and Violence | This Gay Week
LGBTQ rights are advancing in some parts of the world—but this week’s headlines reveal a dangerous global backlash.
On this episode of This Gay Week, Karel examines new reporting about the LGBTQ community in wartime Ukraine, a Romanian city’s refusal to authorize a Pride march, and condemnation of Indonesia’s decision to classify the “spread of LGBTQ culture” as a national security threat.
In Poland, the president has vetoed legislation intended to recognize same-sex couples. In Senegal, the daughter of a prominent...

Trump’s $87.6 Billion Iran War Request vs. SNAP: War or Food?
The Trump administration wants another $87.6 billion, mostly for military spending connected to the Iran war. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the war has already cost $37.5 billion, while more than 500 American troops have reportedly been wounded and 17 killed. What has this enormous sacrifice accomplished—and where is the plan?
Consider the numbers:
Annual federal cost of SNAP in FY2024: $99.8 billion
Reported Iran-war cost to date: $37.5 billion
Administration’s supplemental request: $87.6 billion
Combined amounts under discussion: $125.1 billion
That last comparison is not a precise accoun...

Why Gen Z Is Bringing Back Old Tech | Vinyl, CDs, Flip Phones & Film Are SurgingYesterdayWhy Gen Z Is Bringing Back Old Tech | Vinyl, CDs, Flip Phones & Film Are SurgingWhy are young people embracing yesterday's technology? Vinyl records are booming, CD sales are climbing, film cameras are back, and even flip phones are making a surprising comeback. After decades of racing toward an all-digital world, are we finally experiencing digital fatigue?On today's episode, Karel explores why consumers are rediscovering physical media and analog technology. As streaming services remove content, gaming companies push toward digital-only ownership, and algorithms dominate our daily...

Trump Rehashes 2020 Election as U.S. Soldiers Die | The Karel Cast
Donald Trump used a Thursday night Oval Office address to revisit the 2020 election—again—even as American soldiers die overseas and families at home struggle with soaring grocery bills, gas prices, extreme heat and dangerous air quality. While the nation faces urgent crises, Trump is heading to a FIFA match.
Karel examines the priorities, politics and human cost behind this troubling moment. Also in today’s episode:
California steps in to help rescue Lake Mead.
The Odyssey is driving the right-wing outrage machine wild—but Karel ha...

LGBTQ Rights Under Attack? Senegal, Trinidad, Trump & Hollywood | This Gay Week
From Washington, D.C. to Senegal and Trinidad & Tobago, LGBTQ rights are facing renewed challenges around the world. Join Karel and Scott Jacobsen of The Good Men Project, reporting from Ukraine, for another lively edition of This Gay Week—where serious news meets sharp conversation and a little Hollywood fun.
This week we cover:
🏳️‍🌈 The Trump administration’s move to roll back protections designed to help LGBTQ foster youth be placed with affirming families.
🌍 Senegal once again criminalizes same-sex relationships.
⚖️ Trinidad & Tobago reinstates laws criminalizing gay sex...

Is AI Already Biased? Who’s Really Programming Your Future? | The Karel CastYesterdayIs AI Already Biased? Who’s Really Programming Your Future? | The Karel CastCan artificial intelligence ever be truly neutral, or is it already reflecting the beliefs, priorities, and agendas of the people and governments building it?AI is growing at an astonishing pace, but someone is teaching it how to think. Tech companies, programmers, regulators, and now governments are all helping shape the future of artificial intelligence. As AI becomes more deeply connected to politics, business, and society, one question becomes impossible to ignore: Can we trust AI to b...

Trump’s Thursday Speech: New 2020 Election Claims, Democracy Fears & The Satellite Company That Could Change Earth Forever
President Donald Trump is preparing a major national address Thursday night centered on newly declassified intelligence and renewed claims about the 2020 election. Reports indicate he plans to discuss alleged foreign interference and voting machine vulnerabilities, despite years of investigations, audits, and court rulings finding no evidence that foreign interference changed the outcome of the 2020 election.  
What could this speech mean for the future of American elections? Could it become part of a broader push for new federal election laws, including proof-of-citizenship vot...