Gavin Newsom Plays Victim as Ted Cruz Calls Him Out

Gavin Newsom Plays Victim as Ted Cruz Calls Him Out

Author: Jim Geraghty & Greg Corombos – Political Humor Commentary February 17, 2026 Duration: 29:41
Join Jim and Greg for the Tuesday 3 Martini Lunch as they discuss California Gov. Gavin Newsom's pathetic response to being accurately called "historically illiterate," growing speculation about a possible Supreme Court vacancy, and a new clash among Stephen Colbert, CBS, and federal regulators over election law.

First, they dissect Gavin Newsom’s controversial comments in Germany comparing ICE to the Gestapo or the Stasi, along with his claim that President Trump was the first commander-in-chief to deploy the National Guard and active-duty military inside the United States. After Texas Sen. Ted Cruz labeled Newsom “historically illiterate,” Newsom fired back by accusing Cruz of mocking his dyslexia. Jim and Greg explain why Newsom is wrong on all counts.

Next, they examine rumors that Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito may be considering retirement this year. While much of the speculation appears thin, Jim and Greg outline one practical reason why Alito could decide this is the right moment to step down from the high court.

Then, they dive into the dispute involving Stephen Colbert, CBS, and the FCC over Colbert’s planned interview with Texas Democrat James Talarico just weeks before the Texas U.S. Senate primary. CBS and the FCC say equal time applies in this situation, meaning Colbert needed to offer an interview to Democrat Jasmine Crockett and possible the Republican U.S. Senate candidates.

Finally, they reflect on the passing of the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

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Each day can feel like a barrage of headlines, a chaotic mix of the serious and the absurd. That’s where 3 Martini Lunch-Political Humor & Commentary comes in. Hosts Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos have built a following by sorting through the noise with a specific, effective ritual. They serve up the day’s events in three distinct parts they call "martinis": one for the genuinely good news, another for the frustratingly bad, and a final one reserved for the utterly crazy stories that defy belief. What you’ll hear in this podcast is a conversation that feels like sitting with two well-informed friends who aren’t afraid to be sharp, witty, or blunt. They analyze politics and culture with a perspective that cuts through partisan talking points, aiming for clarity and, often, a much-needed laugh. The pace is brisk and designed for a commute or a lunch break, but the commentary is substantial. Tuning into this podcast means getting a digest of what matters, framed with humor and insight that makes the whirlwind of news actually digestible. It’s a daily check-in that manages to be both smart and consistently entertaining, providing a structured way to understand the world without losing your sanity in the process.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

3 Martini Lunch – Political Humor & Commentary
Podcast Episodes
Super Bowl Halftime Sparks Backlash After Bad Bunny Performance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Duration: 30:04
Join Jim and Greg for the Monday 3 Martini Lunch as they recoil at Vogue’s absurdly fawning profile of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, unpack new revelations from the latest Epstein document release, and chronicle the pain…
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Duration: 29:08
Join Jim and Greg for the Friday 3 Martini Lunch as they break down the arrest of former CNN anchor and podcaster Don Lemon over his role in the Minnesota church invasion, a federal judge dismissing key charges against L…
Tom Homan Lays Down the Law While Dems Keep Calling ICE Nazis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:23
Join Jim and Greg for the Thursday 3 Martini Lunch as they applaud Border Czar Tom Homan for plainly explaining what ICE actually does and the clear line opponents cannot cross. They also groan as Democrats and left-wing…
Latest Gavin Newsom Failure Shows Why Voters Flee Blue States [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:41
Join Jim and Greg for the Wednesday 3 Martini Lunch as they break down how the Electoral College map is likely to look after the 2030 Census, another staggering policy failure under California Gov. Gavin Newsom, the Ilha…
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Duration: 24:23
Join Jim and Greg for the Tuesday 3 Martini Lunch as they welcome the arrival of some sanity and some protection for immigration officials in Minnesota, examine Democrats’ push to shut down the government over ICE despit…