On The Left Hook, host Mark Bland opened the show by tapping into a feeling many Americans already have: when Donald Trump talks about being a "dictator," it no longer sounds like a joke. Bland argued that the comments feel revealing, not playful, and stressed that dictatorship has never been part of the American tradition or something the public has ever wanted.

Bland connected that rhetoric to Trump's governing style, describing it as transactional and self-serving. He pointed to Trump bypassing Congress, using foreign policy as leverage for personal or political gain, and benefiting financially through branding and crypto ventures—reportedly up to $1.5 billion—while in office. In Bland's view, the line between public duty and private profit has all but disappeared.

Turning to public sentiment, Bland cited new polling showing roughly 70% of Americans believe the country is out of control, including many Republicans and Trump voters. He framed that frustration around everyday realities: high prices, unaffordable housing, broken economic promises, and fear sparked by aggressive immigration enforcement.

The moment that grounded the segment came when Bland shared a personal story: his daughter, usually uninterested in politics, texted him a clip of Trump and asked why a president would talk this way. Bland said that moment underscored what's at stake—young people are watching, learning, and forming opinions in real time. His warning was simple: Americans are exhausted by chaos and are craving leadership that steadies the country instead of rattling it.

Today's show takes a fun, non-political detour with special guest Clay Cornett, better known online as That STL Guy — a passionate St. Louis content creator famous for his neighborhood bike tours, history deep-dives, food spots, and events on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

Clay shares how his project started as a creative outlet while living in Baltimore during his wife's med school years. Tired of nonstop St. Louis chatter at work, he embraced the nickname 'That STL Guy' and began filming bike rides through all 79 St. Louis City neighborhoods with a GoPro. The videos exploded, building a huge following of people who love the city's pride, quirks, and hidden stories — from educational history to cool local eats.

They geek out over St. Louis lore, like the infamous Bloody Island in the Mississippi (site of historic duels, including Abraham Lincoln's near-miss with James Shields over snarky newspaper letters — Lincoln cleverly chose broadswords!). They touch on heavy topics like Pruitt-Igoe, the 1874 Great Divorce (city-county split), white flight, Delmar Divide, and why St. Louis crime stats get exaggerated due to its tiny 60-square-mile boundaries.

It's a heartfelt love letter to STL pride, bipartisanship, and community — plus congrats to Clay on his upcoming baby! Check out ThatSTLGuy on TikTok for more. Classic St. Louis vibes.

The latest episode of The Left Hook, hosted by Mark Bland with guest Jason Kull, delivers a fiery critique of President Trump's early 2026 actions, framing them as evidence of a rogue presidency detached from law, protocol, and basic decency.

Hosts highlight Trump's unilateral military raid on Venezuela, where U.S. forces abducted President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in early January, whisking them to New York for trial on drug and weapons charges. Trump has declared the U.S. will "run" Venezuela indefinitely, controlling its massive oil reserves and revenues—potentially billions—while claiming it reimburses America and benefits U.S. companies. Critics call this an illegal invasion and resource grab, violating international law and echoing imperial overreach, with no congressional approval and Congress attempting (but likely failing) to limit his war powers. The move has sparked global condemnation, protests, and fears of prolonged occupation.

Tying into domestic overreach, the episode condemns a fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis: 37-year-old U.S. citizen and mother of three Renee Nicole Good was killed by an agent during an immigration operation. Video evidence shows her attempting to drive away, not charge officers, yet DHS and Trump allies labeled it self-defense and smeared her as an agitator. Local leaders demand accountability, but federal takeover of the investigation blocks state access, fueling outrage over clumsy, unnecessary force and impunity under Trump.

Bland and Kull argue Trump disregards norms—kidnapping foreign leaders, seizing assets for personal or national gain, ignoring Congress, and defending deadly errors—while surrounded by figures like Stephen Miller pushing aggressive, unapologetic power plays. They say this transcends left-right divides: it's about decency versus indecency, with calls for impeachment, resignation, or public vote to rein him in before more harm. They are urgent, warning Americans their tax dollars and military enable a leader gone rogue, eroding U.S. reputation worldwide.