3631 - Foiled Correspondence Assassination Attempt; The Myth of Red Texas w/ David Griscom

In this episode of The Majority Report, host Sam Seder opens with a humorous and personal anecdote about trying to win the affection of his cat through premium cat food from Smalls, using the product as a sponsor plug. He then transitions into a wide-ranging discussion of current events, including a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, which he downplays as a media spectacle, and the political fallout from the shooter's manifesto, which included allegations of pedophilia and treason. Seder critiques the media's obsession with the event and draws parallels between the shooter's vague anti-Trump rhetoric and the broader right-wing narrative around the Epstein scandal. He also touches on the White House's shady dealings with the ballroom contractor and Iran's offer to open the Strait of Hormuz without discussing nuclear weapons. The main feature of the episode is a conversation with David Griscom, author of 'The Myth of Red Texas,' who dismantles the myth that Texas is inherently conservative. Griscom traces a rich history of radical populism, labor organizing, and class struggle in Texas, from the 1880s cowboy strike to the Farmers Alliance and the People's Party, arguing that the Republican Party's dominance was built on suppressing these movements through voter suppression, gerrymandering, and cultural myth-making. He contrasts the failed Democratic strategy of relying on demographics with the more grassroots, energizing approach of candidates like Beto O'Rourke and the emerging potential of candidates like Tallarico, who appeal to working-class voters through a blend of Christian values and progressive economic messaging. The episode ends with a surreal, absurdist 'fun half' segment featuring chaotic audio and a plug for a podcast and movie related to the Epstein era.