The $1.776 Billion Slush Fund, the Senate Hot Seat, and RIP Boca Britany Somers

Today's show was an emotional one. I found out this morning that my dear friend and comedy genius Boca Brit Somers passed away last night, and I just couldn't not talk about her — so you'll hear some of her brilliant bits throughout the show (the energy company ones are chef's kiss, and the NRA theme song she closed us out with? Perfect). I also spent the morning before getting the sad news watching the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee put acting AG Todd Blanche in the hot seat over Trump's obscene $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization" slush fund — and yes, that number is deliberate. Senators Van Hollen, Murray, Coons, and Reed asked the right questions; Blanche dodged most of them. We also get into the Epstein files reading, the Treasury lawyer who quietly resigned right after the fund was announced, and why every single January 6th insurrectionist might be in line for a taxpayer-funded payout. It's unconscionable. You might want to grab something to drink. 00:00 — Intro / Boca Brit's comedy bits 01:55 — RIP Boca Brit Somers: who she was and how we met 19:50 — Back to the news / apology for missing yesterday 20:12 — My oncologist visit and heart stuff update 30:10 — More of Boca's bits (she would've loved this chaos) 33:34 — Getting into the Todd Blanche Senate hearing 38:51 — The IRS breach: 405,000 returns leaked — including Trump's, on HIS watch 41:25 — The $1.776 billion slush fund explained 44:07 — Sen. Van Hollen tears into Blanche 49:00 — Blanche's visit to Ghislaine Maxwell in prison 56:44 — Sen. Patty Murray: "This is corruption, plain and simple" 01:00:13 — Epstein files: DOJ exposed victims' names while protecting alleged abusers 01:05:21 — Listener call with Spocko / Treasury lawyer Brian Morrissey's quiet resignation 01:07:06 — Who's eligible for slush fund payouts? Bannon, Navarro, Giuliani... but also Schiff and Hunter Biden? 01:18:04 — Marcy Wheeler clip: the Jan. 6er who used pardon money as leverage to silence a child he molested 01:20:17 — Wrap-up, Boca's website, tomorrow Driftglass is here ________________________________________ The Nicole Sandler Show is live weekdays from 3-4pm Eastern/noon-1 Pacific and then available to watch any time at your convenience. We have no paywall, but this show is listener supported, so please help us out if you're able to. Get more info and today's show notes & news notes at nicolesandler.com, where you can also make a contribution to support this program. And please subscribe to nicolesandler.substack.com to get it all delivered to your inbox.