Trump threatens to sue Michael Wolff, Iran leader warns U.S. attack will result in regional war, TX Dem stuns in special election runoff, And More: 2.2.26 - Rising Recap

Podcast: Rising

Published: 2026-02-02

Duration: 49 minutes

Guests: Stephen A. Smith

Summary

This episode covers President Trump's legal threats against Michael Wolff and Trevor Noah, Iran's warning of regional conflict in response to U.S. actions, and a surprising Democratic win in a Texas special election. It also discusses divisions within the Democratic Party over DHS funding.

What Happened

Don Lemon's arrest for participating in an anti-ICE protest has sparked discussions across political lines. Stephen A. Smith defended Lemon's actions, highlighting his three-decade career in journalism. Lemon insists he was covering the protest as a journalist when detained, raising questions about press freedom under the FACE Act, which protects places of worship and abortion clinics from protests.

The Department of Justice released a massive trove of 3 million pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, in which Trump's name appeared 1,800 times. This disclosure led to Trump's threats of legal action against Michael Wolff, who he accuses of conspiring with Epstein. Trump also targets comedian Trevor Noah for a joke made at the Grammy Awards, suggesting a growing pattern of Trump using legal threats to silence critics.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has issued a stern warning that any U.S. military action could lead to a regional war. The country's foreign minister echoed this sentiment, citing a deep mistrust in negotiations due to past U.S. actions. This comes amid reports of severe human rights violations in Iran, with 7,000 confirmed dead and 50,000 detained, according to independent sources.

In domestic politics, a Texas Democrat, Taylor Remmitt, won a special election runoff in a state senate district that Trump had previously won by 17 points. This surprising victory is seen as a potential indicator for the upcoming midterms, as it challenges the narrative of Republican dominance in the region.

The episode also delves into the internal conflicts within the Democratic Party regarding the DHS funding bill. Some Democrats are hesitant to support it due to fears of political fallout from a government shutdown, while others argue that they must stand their ground to maintain leverage.

Amidst these political shifts, a Fox News poll reveals that 52% of voters currently support Democratic candidates in their districts, compared to 46% for Republicans. The poll indicates higher enthusiasm among Democrats, with 82% inclined to vote in the upcoming elections, compared to 76% of Republicans.

The conversation further examines the accountability of federal agents, suggesting they should be held to the same use of force standards as local law enforcement. This debate aligns with the broader discussion on immigration enforcement and the future of ICE, as some Democrats advocate for its abolition, while others propose common sense reforms.

Key Insights