Trump fumes at NATO after no help in Hormuz Strait, John Fetterman slams AOC as 'tone deaf,' ignorant over Israel genocide comments, James Talarico breaks silence, defends racism 'virus' tweet, and more | 3.18.26 - Rising Recap

Podcast: Rising

Published: 2026-03-18

Guests: Joe Kent, James Tallarico

What Happened

President Donald Trump expressed significant frustration with NATO, suggesting the United States might withdraw from the alliance due to NATO's lack of support in the Hormuz Strait incident. Trump emphasized the financial burden the US bears, stating it spends hundreds of billions annually on NATO, which he perceives as a one-sided affair.

Senator John Fetterman publicly criticized Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for her comments on Israel, describing them as 'tone deaf' and lacking awareness of the historical context, particularly the Holocaust. Fetterman emphasized his strong support for Israel, particularly in light of the October 7th attack, and positioned himself as a moderate within the Democratic Party.

Chief Justice John Roberts condemned the increasing personal attacks on judges, highlighting the dangers they pose to judicial independence. He stressed that criticism should remain within the bounds of legal analysis rather than personal attacks, noting a rise in threats against federal judges, which has been partly attributed to Trump's rhetoric.

Joe Kent, who resigned as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, cited differences over Iran policy and criticized the influence of Israel on US decisions, particularly those of President Trump. As a veteran and Gold Star husband, Kent opposes Middle East wars and has personal ties to the region, given his wife's death in Syria in 2019.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has not publicly opposed potential US military action against Iran, despite her previous statements downplaying the threat from Iran. This silence contrasts with her prior stance and raises questions about her current position.

The Senate narrowly voted 51-48 to begin debate on Trump's Save America Act, which includes measures like requiring voter ID and proof of citizenship for federal elections. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Tom Tillis opposed the act, while Trump vowed to withhold endorsements from lawmakers who vote against it, highlighting a contentious debate over voter ID laws and potential disenfranchisement.

James Tallarico, a Texas Senate candidate, defended his controversial statements, including calling God non-binary and Jesus a radical feminist. He also used a metaphor likening racism to a virus, which sparked mixed reactions, with some viewing it as an insightful analogy and others finding it off-putting. Tallarico criticized the one-party rule in Texas for fostering extremism and corruption.

Key Insights