They Chose Wall Street Over The Firefighters: The Ground Zero Toxin Lie Exposed. Trump’s Prime-Time Flop Up Against The NFL. “Every Day Is Like A 9/11 For Ukraine.” Media Blitz Pod

On the week of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Paul Rieckhoff broadcasts from Lower Manhattan with the memorial lights going up over his shoulder — and a fresh wound reopened. A new report confirms what first responders, Stuyvesant students, and downtown families have said for a quarter century: city leaders knew the air was toxic and told the public it was safe anyway. They prioritized reopening the New York Stock Exchange over the health of the kids, the cops, and the firefighters. Paul's message is blunt: outrage and sadness get old. We need an action plan. If people lied about a public health catastrophe, they should go to jail — no matter who they are.This is a Media Blitz episode, he takes on Trump's prime-time convention flop — scheduled up against NFL kickoff, the US Open, and September baseball — and breaks down why Trump's sub-20% approval with independents is the real battleground of 2026. He connects the anniversary to Ukraine, where civilians live through a 9/11 every single day under Putin's bombs, and calls out the fantasy that a war criminal can be negotiated with as a peace partner. Rigorous, personal, and unflinching — this is what independent analysis sounds like when the person delivering it actually lived it.-WATCH full video of this episode here.-Millions of American veterans are being locked out of primary elections in the country they served. See what we’re doing to change that.-Visit Kalshi and trade on anything. Use code INDEPENDENT to get $25 when you trade $25.-Head to cozyearth.com and use the code AMERICANS for an exclusive 20% off.-Join Noble Mobile today and get a $100 bonus when you use code PAUL and stay a member for 2 months!-Join IVA and help us get independent veterans elected to office.-Learn more about Paul’s work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America.-Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here.-Remember Independent is an Attitude.-Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It’s a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.Connect with Independent Americans:Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platformsRead more at SubstackSupport ad-free episodes at Patreon Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky-Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power. -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year. Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. And now part of the BLEAV network!    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.