170: Cherry First Amendment, with Krystal Ball

Quick Overview

Hosts Matt Leeb and Daniel Mate welcomed Krystal Ball of Breaking Points to discuss the concept of 'Cherry First Amendment' regarding guests, clarifying a previous exchange with Canadian podcaster Jesse Brown, and analyzing current political hypocrisy surrounding US interventionism in Venezuela and the ongoing situation in Gaza.

Key Points: Matt Leeb issued a clarification regarding Jesse Brown, stating Jesse is brave and not afraid to speak on the podcast, but that Bad Hasbara generally avoids booking guests who refuse to call the actions in Gaza a genocide because it compromises the comedy. Krystal Ball explained that on Breaking Points, she and co-host Sager agree enough on the reality of the Israel-Gaza situation, despite differing on international law perspectives, allowing for productive discussion. Ball noted that she is no longer interested in debating whether the events in Gaza constitute a genocide, stating that anyone still arguing it is fine are not productive discussion partners. The hosts and Ball agreed that figures like Trump, who explicitly state self-interest (like taking Venezuelan oil) motivates intervention, are less annoying than liberals who scramble to justify actions while maintaining a facade of morality. Ball highlighted that the base of the Democratic party has become more radicalized, especially regarding Gaza, showing impatience with figures like Cory Booker or Gavin Newsom who engage in political hedging. The discussion noted that the US intervention in Venezuela, framed by Trump as being for oil and benefiting donors like Paul Singer, is being met with more skepticism (a 40/40 split in a Washington Post poll) than typical pro-war propaganda receives. Ball mentioned facing threats from GHF (a foundation associated with Israel) who allegedly threatened to sue them, but she felt vindicated as GHF seems to no longer exist.

Context: The podcast 'Bad Hasbara,' hosted by Matt Leeb and Daniel Mate, kicked off its 2026 season by addressing a recent controversy involving critical comments made about Canadian podcaster Jesse Brown, necessitating a clarification for 'journalistic integrity.' They then welcomed Krystal Ball, co-host of Breaking Points, to discuss media narratives, political consistency, and US foreign policy, particularly concerning the recent US involvement in Venezuela and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.