Venezuelans praise Trump for taking out Maduro, Stephanopoulos presses Rubio on America running Venezuela, Dems jump on healthcare messaging amid disastrous premium spike, And More: 1.5.26 - Rising Recap

Podcast: Rising

Published: 2026-01-05

Duration: 50 minutes

Guests: Marco Rubio

Summary

Venezuelans have praised Trump for removing Nicolas Maduro, but controversy surrounds U.S. involvement in Venezuela. Meanwhile, Democrats are focusing on healthcare messaging due to rising premiums.

What Happened

Venezuelans have expressed gratitude towards President Trump following the U.S.-led capture of Nicolas Maduro, who is now set to face prosecution in New York. Robby Soave highlights that Venezuelans are celebrating Maduro's downfall, viewing it as a liberation from economic collapse which has led over 8 million to flee since 2014. However, the U.S. administration's decision to run Venezuela has sparked criticism, with figures like Marco Rubio framing the intervention as necessary for Western Hemisphere stability.

Stephanopoulos challenges Marco Rubio on America's role in Venezuela, emphasizing concerns over U.S. involvement leading to an extended commitment similar to past interventions. Rubio defends the action, asserting it as a law enforcement operation rather than warfare, but controversy remains over the legality and future implications.

In a separate geopolitical issue, Trump has threatened Iran with intervention should they attack protestors. He stated the U.S. is ready to assist if Iran violently suppresses peaceful demonstrations, maintaining a stance of readiness.

Amidst these international issues, domestic concerns about healthcare are rising. With the expiration of ACA subsidies, millions face higher premiums, affecting the 'missing middle,' including gig workers and the self-employed. Lindsey Granger reports bipartisan efforts in the House to extend subsidies, though passage in the Senate is uncertain.

The episode also touches on the controversial suggestion by tech billionaire Shlomo Kramer for government control over social media platforms to mitigate misinformation and cyber threats. His comments have drawn criticism across the political spectrum, underscoring the ongoing debate about free speech and regulation.

Finally, Minnesota politics see a shake-up as Governor Tim Walz announces he will not seek re-election due to a scandal involving fraudulent nonprofits. Walz emphasizes his commitment to defending Minnesota's interests over political ambitions, while Amy Klobuchar considers entering the gubernatorial race.

Key Insights

• Over 8 million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2014 due to economic collapse, and the capture of Nicolas Maduro by U.S.-led forces is seen as a potential turning point for the nation.
• The U.S. intervention in Venezuela is framed as a law enforcement operation rather than a military action, raising concerns about the legality and long-term implications of such involvement.
• The expiration of ACA subsidies is leading to a significant spike in healthcare premiums, particularly affecting gig workers and the self-employed, with bipartisan efforts in the House to extend these subsidies facing uncertainty in the Senate.
• Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota will not seek re-election due to a scandal involving fraudulent nonprofits, potentially opening the door for Amy Klobuchar to enter the gubernatorial race.