The Jennifer Bukowsky Show Ep 167 - The Manipulation Machine

Who is actually talking to you — and who’s paying them?

This week, we dig into the increasingly murky world of political persuasion: China-linked influence operations targeting American debates, politicians quietly paying social-media influencers, and a new push in Congress to force more disclosure about who is really behind the messages showing up in your feed.

Then: Are Republicans headed for a midterm wipeout? Democrats are heavily favored to take the House, the once-safe Republican Senate firewall is suddenly looking shaky, and races in places like Texas, Alaska, Ohio and Iowa are flashing warning signs. We break down whether a 2026 blue wave can still be stopped.

Plus, the **Golden Cabinet** returns with a potentially enormous Venezuela oil deal, Scott Bessent's economic war against Iran, Todd Blanche's very busy week at DOJ, and an America First dilemma over the price of beef.

Also on the docket: Meta's massive multistate settlement over kids and social media; the extraordinary 25-year legal saga of alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed; the Lindsay Clancy murder trial; a farewell to Dolly Parton; DOJ's latest targets; and a trip through August 30 in history.