It was another long and busy day in the Senate yesterday, with confirmation hearings continuing for President-elect Trump’s cabinet. Pam Bondi absolutely killed it with a terrific smackdown of Adam Schiff. Marco Rubio beautifully articulated Trump's foreign policy priorities, but that wasn’t too hard. Just say what Biden’s team did so poorly and promise to do the opposite.

Meanwhile, Biden’s last gasp in office included an announced ceasefire and hostage deal in Israel which clearly came about thanks to the incoming Trump team. And he delivered a dark, somber, negative farewell address with absolutely no self-awareness about his own personal and political failings.

It was the perfect end to a lamentable and forgettable four years.

LARRY’S SHOW PREP

 

"JUST IN: Democrat Senator Chris Coons accidentally says the quiet part out loud, says Nancy Pelosi “orchestrated” a coup against Biden. The comment comes after the left has claimed for months that Biden stepped down all by himself. Coons was responding to Jill Biden’s comment https://t.co/AMngf5B5Ta" / X

Sean Spicer: "Big takeaway from tonight The speech writers have already bailed" / X

Sean Spicer: "in case I forget to mention it @PamBondi crushed it today -- she put on MASTERCLASS in how nominees handle a hearing" / X

"Stacey Abrams’ nonprofit hit with largest fine in state history for illegally using funds to support her 2018 bid for governor https://t.co/YGyBodgtEb https://t.co/NuSGH8zZZF" / X

"NYT, breaking: “A nonprofit founded by Stacey Abrams, a Georgia Democrat, admitted on Wednesday that it had violated state law by concealing the fact that it had campaigned for her during her 2018 run for governor. At the time of that campaign, the group was led by Raphael" / X

"🚨CIA Director nominee John Ratcliffe calls out Adam Schiff: "In 2020, when a chair of an intel committee misrepresented that a laptop owned by Biden's son was somehow a Russian intel operation...I stood alone and told the American people the truth." https://t.co/jlRTGPpuXC" / X

"Hunter Biden artworks worth ‘millions of dollars’ destroyed in Los Angeles fires: source https://t.co/F2s5Nf9Sw8 https://t.co/TjEAkt6ZrP" / X

Biden Peace deal? Or Trump Peace Deal?

"🚨 Biden's @StateDeptSpox Matthew Miller: "When it comes to the involvement of President-elect Trump's team, it's been absolutely critical in getting this deal over the line." https://t.co/q1StZgX5TE" / X

"Biden, who failed to reach a ceasefire agreement for over a year, says it’s a joke to think Trump had any influence over the outcome. The Arab officials claimed that one meeting with Trump got more done than Biden ever did. https://t.co/J95Zn7kcm6" / X

"Don't get it twisted. Israel and Hamas only agreed to a ceasefire after President Trump made them do it and not whatever Joe Biden claims he did. Trump told both sides he wanted a deal made before his Inauguration, and it happened just like that. https://t.co/q9E7YtiYB8" / X

"Even ABC's David Muir and Martha Raddatz admit at the end of the ABC News Special Report on the Israel-Hamas ceasefire-hostage deal that this is a near-identical repeat of the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis ending as Ronald Reagan came into office after defeating Jimmy Carter. https://t.co/cBi5IUjBXT" / X

"🔥🔥🔥 Rep. Clay Higgins (@RepClayHiggins) called the social security line during the hearing today. He was still on hold after 1 HOUR & 28 MINUTES! But Martin O’Malley said telework was increasing quality of care 🤔 https://t.co/lTEZ0jSOZ3" / X

"EXCLUSIVE: DESPITE CONFIDENCE IN AGENTS LEADING INAUGURATION PREPARATION, RANK-AND-FILE SECRET SERVICE AGENTS SHARE SOME CONCERNS RE: SECURITY PREP FOR THIS WEEKEND'S EVENTS AND PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP'S MONDAY SWEARING-IN. 1.) FRICTION AND DRAMA BETWEEN TOP SECRET SERVICE https://t.co/wRjZXtiuhQ" / X

Sen. Susan Collins: "Contrary to the assertion in the New Yorker article, I never turned down a meeting with Mr. Hegseth’s accuser. I was never contacted by her or her attorney." / X

Bondi vs Schiff FULL EXCHANGE

"WATCH: Pam Bondi completely DESTROYS Adam Schiff, a man who disgraces any government door he darkens. This is a masterclass on dealing with a pompous, slimy, show trail politician. Bravo, Pam Bondi. https://t.co/8iugTaS8ko" / X

Mic drop moment:

"Pam Bondi has a HUGE mic drop moment! “Despite the questions from Senator Schiff, I look forward to working with you and the state of California to do everything we can to fight violent crime in California. And you know as well as I, that crime is only going to go through the https://t.co/hZWJFLy6jt" / X

Rubio articulates the Trump foreign policy

"MARCO RUBIO: Under President Trump, the top priority of the United States Department of State will be the United States. The direction he has given for the conduct of our foreign policy is clear. Every dollar we spend, every program we fund, every policy we pursue, must be https://t.co/fPayLozf88" / X

"Marco Rubio says it was a "dangerous delusion" to believe "that all mankind was destined to abandon national sovereignty and national identity" to "instead become...citizens of the world." "The postwar global order is not just obsolete—it is now a weapon being used against us." https://t.co/McsoonQdT2" / X

"🚨 Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio just issued a grave warning for America. Listen intently. He's right, and we need to act. "If we stay on the road we are on right now - in less than 10 years, virtually everything that matters to us in life will depend on whether China https://t.co/vWOfPSMrHw" / X

“If you cannot come in [to the US] because you’re a supporter of Hamas, you shouldn’t be able to stay on a visa if you’re a supporter of Hamas.” - Incoming Secretary of State Marco Rubio https://t.co/Q1yGmy8NBj" / X

Biden’s DARK farewell address

"Washington’s Farewell Address—avoid entangling alliances Biden’s Farewell Address—I don’t like Meta’s new moderation policy" / X

"Biden ends his presidency by using rhetoric that would be right at home in a third-world communist dictatorship. This may be the worst farewell speech in presidential history. https://t.co/u6ML91aECp" / X

"DanaPerino: To me, it felt like Biden’s farewell address speechwriters have already left the building, and they asked ChatGPT to write a speech for Joe Biden in which he doesn’t remember he was president for the last four years. https://t.co/l06IyItxrP" / X

Scott Jennings: "My immediate reaction to Biden’s farewell address on @cnn tonight. https://t.co/7338sUo0KS" / X

Hey VIP Peeps! The Pete Hegseth hearings dominated yesterday’s news cycle and will dominate today’s radio show as well! Plus we’ll have more previews of the inauguration festivities including weather forecasts predicting a VERY COLD day in DC.

Today’s guests:

• 6:05 AM - INTERVIEW - GARRETT EXNER - with the group Veterans on Duty, adjunct fellow at Hudson Institute and former military legislative assistant to Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), former counterterrorism policy advisor in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and was a special operations officer in the United States Marine Corps

TOPIC: React to Hegseth’s confirmation hearing

WEBSITE: https://vetsonduty.org/leadership/

• 6:35 AM - INTERVIEW - CAL THOMAS - syndicated columnist

• 7:05 AM - INTERVIEW - MATT WHITLOCK - Republican strategist, former Senior Advisor for National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), and former spokesman for Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah)

SOCIAL MEDIA: https://x.com/mattdizwhitlock

TOPICS: React to the Hegseth hearing and look ahead to the other Trump cabinet hearings this week

• 8:35 AM - INTERVIEW - CHRISTIAN TOTO - film critic at Hollywood in Toto on the Reagan movie being shut out from awards for woke reasons

Links to stories and posts we’re looking at today…

LARRY’S SHOW PREP

Great Hegseth Moment

"QUOTE OF THE DAY: “If you’re a rifleman, and you lose your rifle, they’re throwing the book at you. If you’re a general and you lose a war, you get a promotion.” https://t.co/PBiQMOAEpe" / X

"Top 5 moments from Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing: 5. Hegseth calls out the media for manufacturing fake stories to give Democrat Senators "ammo" to come after him. 4. Senator Gillibrand has a bizarre emotional outburst while arguing why women should serve in combat roles https://t.co/I25glmuatM" / X

Markwayne Mullin Blasts Dem Hypocrisy

"Senator Markwayne Mullin COMPLETELY DESTROYS the Democrats for their hypocrisy over the Hegseth confirmation. He calls out Senators who have voted drunk, and those who have cheated on their wives. WOW. https://t.co/dkN5BSPrsF" / X

"SENATOR TIM SHEEHY: How many genders are there? HEGSETH: Two. SHEEHY: I know that well, I'm a "she-he (Sheehy)." What is the diameter of a rifle round fired out of an M4A1? HEGSETH: 5.56. SHEEHY: How many pushups can you do? HEGSETH: I did 5 sets of 47 this morning. https://t.co/67hcWgS0Sa" / X

"Pocahontas: "You are quite sure every General who serves should not go directly into the defense industry for 10 years but you're not willing to make that same pledge?" Hegseth: "I'm not a General, Senator." 😂 https://t.co/0k4DFmjMMQ" / X

"🚨 Senator Joni Ernst announces she will vote YES on @PeteHegseth's confirmation: "Yes, I will be supporting President Trump's pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth." https://t.co/2BbRNOFpVQ" / X

"It was notable that no Democrats in the Hegseth hearing focused on his Christianity (tattoos) or the trans issue. They know both issues are huge losers for them." / X

"Wow — statement from @LindseyGrahamSC: “With today’s performance, I believe Pete Hegseth’s path to confirmation has been assured.” https://t.co/8KzOipPQrU" / X

"Message from a friend who is a decorated combat veteran: “Pete Hegseth did amazing today. Not only did he show personal growth through faith, he illustrated why as a warfighter he’ll make a real difference in the Pentagon.”" / X

TAPPER AND CNN FACE DEFAMATION TRIAL

Nicholas Fondacaro on X: "Tapper doesn't know his official title at CNN: "I think it's chief Washington anchor and senior Washington correspondent...I don't pay a tremendous amount of attention to titles." Tapper doesn't know what his ratings are: "I don't pay attention to ratings." https://t.co/AmdIcEol8K" / X

Speaker Johnson Schools Reporter on Bible Position on Gender

(2) Terry Schilling 🇺🇸 on X: "Speaker Johnson uses the Bible to shred ignorant reporter Reporter: Where in scripture does it say male and female? @SpeakerJohnson: GENESIS https://t.co/OfGl32wmQR" / X

LA Fire Clips

"I ask that our unhoused neighbors not have warming fires." - LA County Fire Chief, begging the homeless not to start anymore fires https://t.co/9Z9m7i9DVu" / X

"Video proof that there was no response to LA's Pacific Palisades fire for 45 minutes. Terrific reporting here by @RichMcHugh @NewsNation https://t.co/LzxZDMfKnf" / X

Michael Shellenberger on X: "Nothing could have been done to stop the catastrophic L.A. fires that killed 24, incinerated 12k homes, and cost $250B, say the media. Nonsense, says an LA firefighter. The failure by Newsom & Bass to mobilize firefighters before the fires began led to an avoidable catastrophe. https://t.co/bM7dgulyDn" / X

"Douglas Murray slams the Fire Department over DEI hiring practices after multiple friends of his lost their homes and never saw a single fire truck: Douglas Murray: "If you even now look at the website that she has her bio, it's all about the fact that she's a diverse woman, that https://t.co/S2GWC4WI7t" / X

SCOOP: Sen. Marsha Blackburn has been making calls and telling people she is likely to make a bid for governor, D.C. and Tennessee sources tell Axios. https://t.co/xPZAy47V4L" / X

=====================================================================

JULIE’S SHOW PREP

AUDIO: Scott Jennings unloads on WaPo’s Catherine Rampell after she claimed Pete Hegseth’s main accomplishment was being a TV host. Rampell: “He was very articulate and polished and he's a TV host. That's his main qualification.”

Jennings: “Why do you denigrate this man's service?”

“I'm sorry, that's baloney. His main qualification is that he's a war fighter and he's gonna be the closest war fighter we've ever had to the enlisted people running the Pentagon.”

https://x.com/CollinRugg/status/1879370524700373411

He did five sets of 47 pushups this morning?! CONFIRM PETE NOW!

https://x.com/itslinklauren/status/1879237855765205410?s=46&t=gRROFjbymmJxptiuuAQr6Q

Rosas: Never forget the Marine Corps did a 9-month study on women in combat units vs. male-only combat units, which showed the male-only units outperformed the integrated units at nearly every event and sustained fewer injuries. Obama's Navy Secretary, Ray Mabus, said the study was just sexist towards women.

https://x.com/julio_rosas11/status/1879235745493221636?s=46&t=gRROFjbymmJxptiuuAQr6Q

Biden takes Cuba off state terrorism list: https://x.com/jenvanlaar/status/1879257856828186883

LARRY’S SHOW PREP

'Reagan' Not Diverse Enough for Oscars

New York Post on X: "Trump’s MAGA garbage truck expected to join inaugural parade https://t.co/O22ZqIlfHC https://t.co/Y8pVFgxPmI" / X

Benny Johnson on X: "🚨BREAKING: Trump’s 2024 campaign garbage truck will roll in his Jan. 20 inaugural parade. https://t.co/GeGErJ7cld" / X

Eric Daugherty on X: "🚨 #BREAKING The first responders from the fateful Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania will be at the front of Trump's inaugural parade. Chills. Wow. FULL list below: https://t.co/FcePLfg4uR" / X

"PRES. TRUMP INAUGURATION WEEKEND PERFORMERS: - Carrie Underwood - Kid Rock - Jason Aldean - The Village People (!!) - Billy Ray Cyrus - Christopher Macchio - Lee Greenwood https://t.co/5fgHcbcwVS" / X

VillagePeople on X: "Happy to announce our participation in President Trump's inaugural activities! https://t.co/HGsQMIScR1" / X

 

FOX 5 Atlanta on X: "The federal agency is looking for people with the rare skill to read cursive for a unique project. https://t.co/dgPNKC0ZVk" / X

Yamiche Alcindor on X: "I'm heading back to the White House beat for @NBCNews to cover the second Trump administration. It's a true honor to be a journalist and I welcome all news tips and story ideas." / X

Richard Grenell on X: "NBC News has a real credibility problem. Yamiche is a left wing activist. Who is the NBC executive who signed off on this hire?" / X

John Hasson on X: "Wow, good to see @NBCNews has learned— *checks notes* —nothing. They’ve learned absolutely nothing from their mistakes https://t.co/hDQG7W6xPz" / X

Libs of TikTok on X: "HAHAHAA CNN is freaking out because polls show most people don't think "climate change" is responsible for the CA fires https://t.co/3HLYr2Sc1I" / X

"BREAKING: DC police officials just announced that nearly 4,000 cops nationwide have volunteered to come help on President Trump's inauguration day. Additionally, all DC officers will be activated for the event. They are anticipating a historic crowd. This is Trump's reward for https://t.co/rhJZz1Fq21" / X

KAMALA WORD SALAD

Libs of TikTok on X: "Just 7 more days of this word salad queen https://t.co/CckXIAvniE" / X

"DOOCY TIME: “If I don't see you again —” KJP: “I, well, you know.” Doocy: “— in the briefing, thank you for all that — you could have stopped taking the hard questions years ago, and you didn't, so we appreciate that.” KJP: “Over two years, my friend, this is — uh — let's say https://t.co/MsCSP2AU9Y" / X

 

"Buried lede: The Chinese government does, in fact, control TikTok https://t.co/Dm6KHUvpJU" / X

Tom Cotton on X: ".@SenateDems voted *unanimously* for Rachel Levine. And now they're lecturing us about supporting President Trump's nominees? Give me a break. https://t.co/Pj0vUgWb3f" / X

Detroit Lions playoff tickets: Cheapest price vs Commanders nearly $600

LOL Jennifer Rubin…

"This ENERGY is incredible oh god YES I AM SO AMPED https://t.co/tRWiU9R4ia" / X

Glenn Greenwald on X: "Given Jen Rubin finally quit the WashPost -- to start a blog called "The Contrarian" with @NormEisen, Senior Fellow of the Brookings Institution, totally known for contrarianism -- here's my absolute favorite TV clip from the Queen of Partisan Dreck:👑 https://t.co/s4QtI1mHnd" / X

"CNN Panelist Squirms as Scott Jennings Exposes Who’s Really Fueling Division Over LA Wildfires John Avlon never saw this coming. AVLON: “I think also in this environment right now, where immediately there’s disinformation flowing through social media networks that cleaves down https://t.co/Du04KHMbhN" / X

===============================================================

JULIE’S SHOW PREP

Imam who refused to call Hezbollah a terrorist organization scheduled to deliver a benediction at Trump’s inauguration https://trib.al/tT4KBWJ

Kamala continues to be a bitch: Scoop: When JD Vance moves into the Naval Observatory residence on Jan. 20 with his wife Usha and their three young children, it will be his 1st time there. No invitation for a formal sit-down or tour has been extended by VP Kamala Harris, multiple D and R sources told CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/harris-jd-vance-vice-presidents-residence/

JPMorgan just told all 300,000 employees they must return to office full-time in March. Their response to employees raising concerns about childcare and commuting costs? They shut down comments.

https://x.com/blaketoliver/status/1878160313373114649?s=46&t=gRROFjbymmJxptiuuAQr6Q

BREAKING: Jennifer Rubin quits the Washington Post - CNN

https://x.com/ericldaugh/status/1878817954663690430?s=46&t=gRROFjbymmJxptiuuAQr6Q

You know you've got a problem when the CEO of your nation's largest state-funded media outlet is also on the board of directors for the world's largest censorship organization.

https://x.com/amuse/status/1878567310056972432?s=46&t=gRROFjbymmJxptiuuAQr6Q

Gov. Youngkin aims to end sanctuary cities in Virginia with new budget amendment crackdown

https://wjla.com/news/local/glenn-youngkin-calls-to-end-state-funding-for-sanctuary-counties-including-fairfax-county-ice-aliens-illegal-undocumented-cities-casa