ICE deadly shooting sparks divide, Russia condemns U.S. seizure of two oil tankers, RFK Jr. flips food pyramid , And More: 1.8.26 - Rising Recap

Podcast: Rising

Published: 2026-01-09

Duration: 49 minutes

Summary

This episode of Rising covers a range of political and social issues, including Mehdi Hasan's controversial proposal for prosecuting Elon Musk, a divisive ICE shooting incident, Russia's condemnation of the U.S. seizure of oil tankers, and RFK Jr.'s radical change to dietary guidelines.

What Happened

Mehdi Hasan, a leftist commentator, proposed that Democrats should consider prosecuting Elon Musk, citing societal harm from Musk's social media platform. This idea was met with criticism from Robby Soave, who argued that free speech should be upheld as a progressive value.

A deadly shooting in Minnesota involving ICE officers and a civilian, Renee Nicole Good, has sparked protests. The incident, where Good allegedly used her vehicle as a weapon, led to calls from Minneapolis officials for federal agents to leave the city, highlighting tensions between local and federal authorities.

The U.S. recently seized two oil tankers, one of which flew a Russian flag, for violating sanctions on Venezuelan oil. Russia condemned the seizure, arguing that no state should use force against vessels registered in other jurisdictions, signaling rising geopolitical tensions.

Despite the absence of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela remains under a repressive regime. Reports indicate increased repression and fear, with mass militias returning to the streets and state TV promoting loyalty rallies.

The Trump administration's new dietary guidelines have flipped the traditional food pyramid, emphasizing protein and dairy while reducing the focus on whole grains. This change has been applauded by the American Medical Association but criticized by the American Heart Association for potential health risks.

Conan O'Brien discussed the impact of comedians focusing heavily on anti-Trump content, warning that such a focus could lead to a loss of comedic edge. He emphasized the need for comedy to have a 'straight line' to play off of, which is currently lacking in the political landscape.

Key Insights

• The U.S. seized two oil tankers, including one flying a Russian flag, for violating sanctions on Venezuelan oil, leading to condemnation from Russia and highlighting geopolitical tensions.
• A deadly shooting involving ICE officers in Minnesota has led to protests and calls from local officials for federal agents to leave the city, reflecting strained relations between local and federal authorities.
• The Trump administration's revised dietary guidelines prioritize protein and dairy over whole grains, a shift supported by the American Medical Association but criticized by the American Heart Association for potential health risks.
• Conan O'Brien warned that comedians focusing heavily on anti-Trump content risk losing their comedic edge, as the lack of a 'straight line' in the current political landscape challenges traditional comedy dynamics.