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The President's Daily Brief

The First TVwww.thefirsttv.com
Each morning, the President of the United States receives a highly classified briefing on the most important issues facing the country -- The President's Daily Brief. Now you can hear your very own PDB, in the form of a podcast, every morning at 6am Eastern, and every afternoon at 4pm Eastern. You'll get 20 minutes of the most important topics of the day and why you should care, arming you with what you need to know to help solve America's most pressing challenges. Former CIA Operations Officer Mike Baker hosts new episodes daily.

Episodes

PDB Afternoon Bulletin | February 25th, 2025: Could The U.S. Use Privateers To Fight Cartels? & Europe Pledges Billions More For Ukraine

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: First, could the United States turn to privateers to bring the fight to South America’s drug cartels? We’ll explore the unconventional idea being floated in some corners of Congress, and the potential dangers of a return to legal piracy. Later in the show, as the U.S. appears to step back in its support of Ukraine, European leaders are doubling down, announcing plans to authorize a billion-dollar arms package for Kyiv at an emergency summit next wee...

Feb 25, 202514 minSeason 2Ep. 769

February 25th, 2025: Zelensky Says He’s ‘Ready’ To Resign Under Certain Conditions & A Rare Admission From Hamas

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky makes a major statement, saying he’s open to resigning under the right conditions, while President Trump signals he may meet with Zelensky next week. A senior Hamas official issues a rare admission, stating he wouldn’t have supported the October 7th attack had he known the consequences. China’s navy flexes its muscle in the Pacific, conducting live-fire drills that have New Zealand and Australia on edge. And i...

Feb 25, 202521 minSeason 2Ep. 768

PDB Afternoon Bulletin | February 24th, 2025: How Europe Is Funding Both Sides In Ukraine & Dan Bongino Named Next FBI Deputy Director

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: First, we’ll look at a report out of Europe that reveals the EU is spending more money on Russian fossil fuels than on financial aid to Ukraine, in spite of extensive sanctions imposed since the war began. Later in the show, Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent turned conservative political commentator, has been tapped by President Trump to serve as the next deputy director of the FBI. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of ...

Feb 24, 202513 minSeason 2Ep. 767

February 24th, 2025: Twin Islamist Terror Attacks Strike Europe & Trump Shakes Up Military Leadership

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Islamist terror attacks rock Europe, with a brutal stabbing in Berlin and a violent spree in France, raising concerns about growing threats across the continent. President Trump shakes up the military, firing Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and appointing Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine as his replacement. Israel halts the release of Palestinian prisoners after Hamas stages what Prime Minister Netanyahu...

Feb 24, 202524 minSeason 2Ep. 766

PDB Situation Report | February 22, 2025: Is A Shooting War Coming In Mexico? & Peace Talks Over Ukraine Begin

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Mexico is ramping up its fight against drug cartels, deploying thousands of troops into cartel strongholds. Is the country on the verge of an all-out shooting war with these powerful criminal organizations? Senior National Security Fellow for the Center for Immigration Studies Todd Bensman joins us to break it down. U.S. and Russian delegations met in Saudi Arabia this week to discuss potential pathways to ending the war in Ukraine. What came out o...

Feb 22, 20251 hr 6 min

PDB Afternoon Bulletin | February 21st, 2025: Netanyahu Vows Revenge After Hamas Lies About Returned Remains & Starmer Proposes 30,000 Strong 'Reassurance Force' For Ukraine

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: We’ll begin in Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is vowing revenge against Hamas after discovering the terrorist group failed to turn over the remains of an Israeli hostage as promised, throwing the fragile ceasefire into question. Later in the show, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to propose a European-led military force of 30,000 to oversee a potential Ukraine-Russia ceasefire when he meets with President Donald Trump in W...

Feb 22, 202513 minSeason 2Ep. 765

February 21st, 2025: U.S. Green Berets Deploy To Mexico & Russia Pushes NATO Withdrawal

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: U.S. Army Green Berets are in Mexico, training the country’s Naval Infantry Marines—what this rare mission says about deepening security ties between Washington and Mexico City. Russia is demanding NATO withdraw from Eastern Europe as a condition for peace talks with the U.S. What’s behind this latest push, and how are European allies responding? Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth orders the Pentagon to slash billions from its budget over the next five...

Feb 21, 202524 minSeason 2Ep. 764

PDB Afternoon Bulletin | February 20th, 2025: Hamas Holds Sick Propaganda Ceremony For Dead Israelis & White House Designates Latin American Cartels As Terrorist Organizations

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: First, Hamas provoked international outrage with a barbaric display as they returned the bodies of four deceased hostages on Thursday, including the two youngest captives taken during the 7 October 2023 terror attack, parading their coffins in front of a crowd of cheering spectators who shouted anti-Israel taunts. Later in the show, the Trump administration moves to designate Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and a number of Mexican drug cartels as foreign ter...

Feb 20, 202513 minSeason 2Ep. 763

February 20th, 2025: Trump Brands Zelensky A 'Dictator' & Sudan's Paramilitaries Pursue Breakaway Government

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: First, relations between the U.S. and Ukraine are taking an ugly turn, as Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky engage in an escalating war of words, with the president slamming the Ukrainian leader as a "dictator." Later in the show, we’ll have an update on the ceasefire in Gaza, as Hamas signals they are willing to release all the remaining hostages at once, provided the truce moves into the second phase. Plus, Sudan’s civil war takes another blood...

Feb 20, 202526 minSeason 2Ep. 762

PDB Afternoon Bulletin | February 19th, 2025: Why A U.S. Military War on Cartels Would Be a Nightmare & An Arab Plan For Gaza Takes Shape

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: With more U.S. military assets deployed to the border, calls for direct action against the cartels are growing louder. But taking the fight to the cartels won’t be as easy as some think—we’ll break down the challenges. An Arab and Gulf state-led plan for post-war Gaza is beginning to take shape, with up to $20 billion in regional contributions potentially on the table. What does this mean for the future of the region? To listen to the show ad-free,...

Feb 19, 202515 minSeason 2Ep. 761

February 19th, 2025: Russia Plays Hardball In Riyadh & Iran Vows Another Attack On Israel

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Russia is playing hardball in negotiations with the U.S. over ending the war in Ukraine, demanding the West abandon Ukraine’s NATO ambitions and rejecting NATO peacekeepers. Iran is vowing another direct attack on Israel while taunting the U.S. over its nuclear program—what’s behind Tehran’s latest threats? Hamas says it will return the bodies of four hostages, including the youngest victims of October 7th, but what does this move signal? And in to...

Feb 19, 202522 minSeason 2Ep. 760

PDB Afternoon Bulletin | February 18th, 2025: CIA Reaper Drones Over Mexico & Border Crossings Collapse

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief: A major escalation in the fight against the cartels—President Trump has the CIA flying covert drone missions over Mexico, using the same Reaper drones deployed in the war on terror. Migrant shelters that once housed nearly a thousand people a day are now almost empty, as Trump’s border crackdown sharply reduces border crossings. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President’s Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please ...

Feb 18, 202513 minSeason 2Ep. 759

February 18th, 2025: U.K. Peacekeepers in Ukraine? & Hamas Agrees To Step Aside In Gaza

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: As Russian and U.S. officials engage in peace talks in Saudi Arabia, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has offered to send U.K. troops as peacekeepers in a potential deal. But European leaders remain divided on putting boots on the ground in Ukraine. Reports claim Hamas has agreed to hand control of the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian Authority—but Prime Minister Netanyahu is rejecting that idea outright. Newly revealed accounts from Hamas hostage ...

Feb 18, 202523 minSeason 2Ep. 758

PDB Afternoon Bulletin | February 17th, 2025: European Official Breaks Down In Tears Over Vance Speech & DOGE Comes For The Pentagon's Budget

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: First, we’ll discuss the fallout from Vice President JD Vance’s fiery address at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, where he chastised European leaders over their attempts to stifle democratic norms, leaving one official in tears. Later in the show, the Trump administration takes aim at Pentagon spending, with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency looking to trim eight percent from next year’s defense budget, an amount exceeding $80...

Feb 17, 202515 minSeason 2Ep. 757

February 17th, 2025: Arab Leaders Turn On Hamas & Trump Team Pursues Russia Peace Deal

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief: Arab nations are turning up the heat on Hamas—just weeks after President Trump floated his controversial plan for Gaza. Some leaders are now openly calling for Hamas to step aside. We’ll unpack what’s behind this shift. A White House team heads to Saudi Arabia for Russia-Ukraine peace talks, while European leaders scramble to respond. Western intelligence agencies say Russia has formed a secretive new spy unit, tasked with carrying out sabotage, as...

Feb 17, 202525 minSeason 2Ep. 756

PDB Situation Report | February 15th, 2025: Trump's Crackdown Triggers Cartel Retaliation & Global Tariff Fight

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report: Mexican drug cartels are reportedly planning to target U.S. law enforcement as the Trump administration escalates its border crackdown. Former DHS Senior Advisor Chuck Marino joins us to assess the threat. The White House is rolling out reciprocal tariffs against key global trading partners, marking a significant shift in U.S. trade policy. What’s President Trump’s strategy, and how will it impact the economy? Kenneth Rapoza from the Coalition for a P...

Feb 15, 20251 hr 2 min

PDB Afternoon Bulletin | February 14th, 2025: Arab States Seek Alternative To Trump's Gaza Plan & Moscow Accused Of Striking Chernobyl Nuclear Plant

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: First, following President Trump’s proposal last week for the U.S. to take control of the Gaza Strip and relocate its Palestinian population, Arab leaders, led by Saudi Arabia, are now scrambling to develop an alternative reconstruction plan. Later in the show, a suspected Russian drone struck the former Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine overnight, damaging its protective shell. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called it a "terrorist at...

Feb 14, 202516 minSeason 2Ep. 755

February 14th, 2025: European Leaders Chastise Trump Over Putin Call & White House Unveils Plans For Reciprocal Tariffs On US Allies

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: We'll start things off in Europe, where leaders are criticizing the Trump administration following the president’s recent call with Vladimir Putin seeking a negotiated settlement to the war in Ukraine. Later in the show, President Donald Trump ups the pressure on U.S. allies by announcing his plans for widespread "reciprocal tariffs" on American trading partners. Plus, in an apparent effort to thaw relations with the West, Belarus’s autocratic pres...

Feb 14, 202526 minSeason 2Ep. 754

PDB Afternoon Bulletin | February 13th, 2025: Another Terror Attack In Germany & Hamas Agrees To Resume Hostage Releases

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: First, an Afghan migrant has carried out a suspected terror attack in Germany ahead of the Munich Security Conference on Friday, leaving at least 28 people injured, including children. Then, Hamas does an about-face on their threats to delay the next release of hostages, putting the fragile ceasefire in Gaza back on track. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President’s Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remembe...

Feb 13, 202513 minSeason 2Ep. 753

February 13th, 2025: Ukraine Negotiations Set To Begin & Gaza Braces For Renewed Conflict

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: President Trump announces that negotiations to end the Ukraine war will begin immediately following his call with Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warns that Ukraine’s goal of reclaiming its 2014 borders is unrealistic. As the fragile Gaza ceasefire hangs by a thread, Israel calls up military reservists in preparation for potential renewed conflict. A bombshell revelation in Ukraine—intelligence officials expose one of...

Feb 13, 202522 minSeason 2Ep. 752

PDB Afternoon Bulletin | February 12th, 2025: Drug Cartels Using Tunnels To Avoid Detection & An American Returns Home

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: The Trump administration’s border crackdown is showing real progress on the surface, but underground, cartel tunnels remain a major challenge. We’ll break down how smugglers are bypassing security with sophisticated passageways beneath the U.S.-Mexico border. American teacher Marc Fogel is finally back on U.S. soil after spending three and a half years in a Russian prison on trumped-up drug charges. We’ll bring you the latest details on the negotia...

Feb 12, 202515 minSeason 2Ep. 751

February 12th, 2025: Is The FBI Sabotaging The Border Crackdown? & Vance To Meet With Zelensky

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: A bombshell accusation—top Trump administration officials allege the FBI deliberately leaked ICE operation details to the media. If true, this would be a direct attempt to sabotage immigration enforcement. Vice President JD Vance prepares to meet with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy as President Trump announces a $500 billion rare earth minerals deal. The United Nations suspends humanitarian operations in Yemen’s Houthi-controlled territory after dozens of UN ...

Feb 12, 202522 minSeason 2Ep. 750

PDB Afternoon Bulletin | February 11th, 2025: Trump Threatens ‘All Hell Will Break Loose’ In Gaza & U.S. Starts Venezuela Deportations

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: President Trump issues a major ultimatum to Hamas, warning that if hostages aren’t released by Saturday, “all bets are off” and “hell” will break loose. Venezuela, a longtime U.S. adversary, agrees to its first deportation flights, sending nearly 200 Venezuelans back home. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President’s Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The P...

Feb 11, 202511 minSeason 2Ep. 749

February 11th, 2025: U.S. Spy Planes Target Drug Cartels & Trump Announces New Tariffs

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief: The U.S. military has ramped up surveillance of Mexican drug cartels, with nearly 20 spy plane flights in the past two weeks. Is this just intelligence-gathering for Mexico’s military, or is something bigger in the works? President Trump reignites a trade battle from his first term, announcing plans to impose a 25% tariff on aluminum and steel imports. As the ceasefire in Gaza faces new obstacles, the IDF targets Hezbollah sites in Lebanon, raising...

Feb 11, 202521 minSeason 2Ep. 748

PDB afternoon Bulletin | February 10th, 2025: Hamas Suspends Hostage Exchanges Indefinitely & Trump Talks To Putin

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: Hamas has announced it is delaying the release of Israeli hostages until further notice, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement. Israel calls it a complete breach of the deal and is now preparing for "any possible scenario" in Gaza. Former President Donald Trump says he’s already spoken with Vladimir Putin about ending the war in Ukraine. What did they discuss, and what does it mean for the conflict? To listen to the show ad-free, beco...

Feb 10, 202512 minSeason 2Ep. 747

February 10th, 2025: The Very Worst Of USAID Spending & Hamas Releases Emaciated Hostages

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: The Trump administration is moving to overhaul USAID—an agency that doles out billions in foreign aid with little oversight. Is it finally time to rein it in? The world reacts as Hamas releases three emaciated hostages over the weekend as part of the ongoing ceasefire deal. As both sides exchange hostages and prisoners, Israel follows through on another key part of the agreement—pulling troops from a critical corridor in Gaza. And in the Back of th...

Feb 10, 202525 minSeason 2Ep. 746

PDB Situation Report | February 8th, 2025: Trump Takes A Wrecking Ball To USAID & Declassifies JFK Files

In this episode of PDB Situation Report: The Trump administration moves to reform the federal government, setting its sights on USAID; the agency responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. Former Congressman Jim Renacci joins us to break down what this means. President Trump issues an executive order to declassify records related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, former Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. Author Gerald Posner shares insights on what may,...

Feb 08, 20251 hr 3 min

PDB Afternoon Bulletin | February 7th, 2025: Soros-Backed Station Exposes ICE Agents & Alaska Plane Vanishes

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Sabotage against immigration enforcement? A Soros-backed radio station broadcast ICE agents’ locations live on air, and a major immigration raid was reportedly undermined by an intelligence leak. A commercial passenger plane goes missing over the Bering Sea—marking the third aviation disaster in just two weeks. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President’s Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscr...

Feb 07, 202511 minSeason 2Ep. 745

February 7th, 2025: Trump Prepares Long-Awaited Peace Plan To End Ukraine War & North Korea's Major Leap In Ballistic Missile Technology

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: First, we'll discuss reports that the Trump administration is preparing to unveil their long-anticipated peace plan to end Russia’s war on Ukraine at a security conference in Germany next week. Later in the show, Ukrainian officials say they have observed a marked improvement in the accuracy of North Korean ballistic missiles fired on their cities, suggesting the hermit kingdom is using the conflict to successfully test and improve their missile te...

Feb 07, 202523 minSeason 2Ep. 744

PDB Afternoon Bulletin | February 6th, 2025: Zelensky Reveals Conditions For Ending The War & Israel Prepares For Palestinian Exodus From Gaza

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: First, we’ll begin in Ukraine, where President Volodymyr Zelensky has requested that the U.S. provide Kyiv with nuclear weapons as an alternative security guarantee if NATO membership remains off the table. We’ll discuss the implications, and how President Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine is responding. Then, an update on Donald Trump’s proposal for a US-led takeover of the Gaza Strip, as Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz instructs the IDF to pre...

Feb 06, 202511 minSeason 2Ep. 743