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Why is populism surging on both the left and the right? It comes down to a simple, valid grievance: people don't feel like they're living the lives their parents and grandparents lived and they're pointing to offshored industry and mass migration as the reasons why. But the conversation goes a level deeper, using Mamdani's city-run grocery store proposal as a real-world test case. The argument: these subsidized stores directly hurt small immigrant bodega owners who can't compete with taxpayer-subsidized losses, an outcome that cuts against the very communities the policy claims to help. We break down: • Why populist anger on both sides comes from the same root economic grievance • How offshoring and mass migration became the two flashpoints of that anger • Why Mamdani's grocery store plan is being used as a cautionary example • The case for judging policy by right vs. wrong outcomes, not left vs. right tribalism Part of the broader debate on left vs right politics, economic populism, and where democrats and republicans actually agree once you go past the labels. Subscribe for more sharp political analysis and breakdowns of the policy debates shaping the country. #CortesInvestigates #Populism #MassMigration #Economy #Politics Why Populism Is Rising: Offshoring, Mass Migration & the Broken Promise

Why Populism Is Rising: Offshoring, Mass Migration & the Broken Promise

A follow-up on DHS Secretary [Mark Wayne] Mullin's handling of border policy and a bigger question about why a red state like Oklahoma ends up represented by leaders who equivocate instead of fight. In this video, I call out Mullin, Senator Lankford, and Governor Stitt for placating pro-open-border Democrats and "collaborationist" Republicans, and makes the case that Oklahoma, and red states generally, need bolder representation heading into November. #CortesInvestigates #Oklahoma #GOP #RedStates #PoliticalCommentary Red States Need Fire Breathers, Not Placaters, in November

Red States Need Fire Breathers, Not Placaters, in November

Is a White House ballroom anywhere near the top of that list? Not even close. It's affordability, full stop. And I'll say it plainly: some people calling themselves conservatives are dismissing that concern, even talking down to regular Americans for raising it. You don't get to solutions until you admit the problem is real. #CortesInvestigates #Maga #Affordability #WhiteHouse #Politics The #1 Issue for MAGA Voters Isn't What You Think

The #1 Issue for MAGA Voters Isn't What You Think

We didn't vote for political posturing. We voted for mass deportations. At a moment like this, the Secretary of DHS should be an absolute badass. Instead, Secretary Mullen is promising big-city mayors that if they hand over the "worst of the worst," they won't even see ICE in their cities. That's not mass deportations, that's a carve-out. #CortesInvestigates #markwaynemullin #massdeportations #immigration #republicans Secretary Mullen's ICE Promise Isn't Mass Deportation, It's Political Cover

Secretary Mullen's ICE Promise Isn't Mass Deportation, It's Political Cover

In this video, we make the case for accelerating mass deportations, with a specific focus on worksite raids, as a direct fix for wage stagnation and job scarcity among American workers. The argument: current immigration policy floods the labor market with foreign workers, including hundreds of thousands of foreign students (many from China) who transition from OPT work authorization into h1b visa status and eventually citizenship, all while American college grads and STEM workers struggle to find jobs. This system benefits the "donor class" and corporate profit margins at the direct expense of the middle and working class. We break down: • Why worksite raids are framed as the most direct link between deportation policy and the affordability crisis • How the opt visa and H1B pipeline allegedly displaces American graduates from jobs • The "America First" argument for prioritizing citizens over foreign labor and foreign students • Why the speakers call current immigration policy a "scam" that rewards employers, not workers. This is part of the broader national debate on immigration enforcement, labor market protection, and economic nationalism heading into upcoming election cycles. Subscribe for more political commentary and breakdowns of the debates shaping American policy. #CortesInvestigates #MassDeportation #Immigration #Politics #Visas Mass Deportations & Worksite Raids: The Plan to Fix American Jobs

Mass Deportations & Worksite Raids: The Plan to Fix American Jobs

Mike Rogers just made a bold case for mass deportations as the most popular plank of the America First agenda and argued Republicans can push deportations AND broaden their coalition at the same time. In this clip, we break down why this stance could make Rogers a formidable candidate in the 2026 Michigan senate race, why his opponent Abdul's narrow win signals more persuadable Democrat voters than pundits assume, and what this tension between "sensible patriotic Democrat voters" and "Democrat office holders" reveals about the current deportation policy debate heading into the midterms. We cover: • Why deportations poll as the most popular part of the America First agenda • How Rogers is threading the needle between hardline immigration policy and swing-voter appeal • What Abdul's close margin says about the real state of Michigan politics • Whether there's room for GOP candidates to make this pitch to moderate and independent voters If you're following the 2026 Senate races, immigration policy fights, or how Republicans are positioning on deportation ahead of the midterms, this breakdown is for you. Subscribe for more political analysis and breakdowns of the races that matter. #CortesInvestigates #MikeRogers #MichiganSenate #Michigan #Politics Why Mike Rogers Could Flip Michigan: Deportations, Democrats & 2026

Why Mike Rogers Could Flip Michigan: Deportations, Democrats & 2026

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border crisis: Agents, policy & on-the-ground-reporting

Why does the populist left keep siding with corporate interests on immigration? In this debate, former Trump senior advisor Steve Cortes and political commentator Madeline Summerville clash over the real motivations behind open borders policies and who actually pays the price. Cortez argues that corporate CEOs push for more immigration because cheap labor inflates their profits, while populist left candidates like Graham Platner (running for US Senate in Maine) advocate for abolishing ICE entirely. Summerville counters that Republicans claiming to be populist are the ones actually working for corporate interests and that CEOs won't even pay a living wage to immigrants. This debate exposes the fault lines within American populism: • Why both the populist left and right share anti-war and anti-corporate instincts — but diverge completely on immigration • How the "ruling class" has cheated American workers for decades • Whether AOC's populism echoes the Tea Party's original energy • Why corporate chieftains want open borders for cheap labor • The real difference between conservative populism and what critics call "codified envy" If you care about the future of the working class, immigration reform, and who actually benefits from open borders — this is the debate you need to see. Subscribe for more political debates and analysis on populism, immigration, corporate accountability, and the 2026 political landscape. #Populism #Immigration #CorporateGreed #OpenBorders #AbolishICE #CheapLabor #AOC #WorkingClass #ImmigrationReform #2026Politics #PopulistLeft The Populist Left's Biggest Failure: Immigration & Cheap Labor

The Populist Left's Biggest Failure: Immigration & Cheap Labor

Why do corporate CEOs push for more immigration? Because cheap labor inflates their profits and the populist left is letting them get away with it. In this video, we break down how candidates like Graham Platner, who wants to abolish ICE entirely, represent an open borders agenda that serves corporate interests while betraying American workers. The immigration debate isn't just about CEOs exploiting the system — it's about how both legal and illegal immigration are being used to undercut American labor. We examine where the populist left falls short, why open borders policies benefit corporate chieftains, and what it means for the future of American workers. Subscribe for more political analysis and commentary on immigration reform, labor politics, and corporate accountability. #Immigration #AbolishICE #CheapLabor #PopulistLeft #ImmigrationReform #CorporateGreed #OpenBorders #LaborPolitics #GrahamPlatner #AmericanWorkers Abolish ICE? How the Left Sells Out Workers for Corporate Immigration

Abolish ICE? How the Left Sells Out Workers for Corporate Immigration

Sheridan Gorman - an 18-year-old Loyola Chicago student - was killed in a totally preventable tragedy. I report live from the Chicago crime scene. The illegal immigrant who killed Sheridan Gorman didn't act alone. Sanctuary city politicians created the system that allowed this to happen. I investigate who is responsible and why the mainstream media has imposed a near-total blackout on this story. Sheridan Gorman deserved better. Her family deserves answers. And the American people deserve the truth. 📢 Share this video to break the media blackout on Sheridan Gorman's murder. 🔔 Subscribe for more investigations. #CortesInvestigates #SheridanGorman #loyolachicago #illegalimmigration #crimestory #sanctuarycity Loyola U. Student Sheridan Gorman's Full Story

Loyola U. Student Sheridan Gorman's Full Story

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Health & Wellness: America’s Medical Crisis

Dr. Anthony Fauci, America's most trusted public health official, or the most dangerous man in U.S. history? The evidence is mounting, and the truth cannot be ignored. In this video, we examine the case that Dr. Fauci used American taxpayer money to fund gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the very lab tied to the origins of COVID-19. According to critics, he then perjured himself under oath before Congress to cover it up, and launched a sweeping fear campaign to consolidate unprecedented power over the American people. Key topics covered: • The COVID lab leak: how NIH funding allegedly reached the Wuhan Institute of Virology • Fauci's Congressional testimony and the perjury allegations from lawmakers including Rand Paul • How gain-of-function research may have created the coronavirus pandemic • The lockdown policies that critics say caused more damage than any foreign adversary in U.S. history • Why declassified documents and whistleblower accounts are reigniting calls for Fauci accountability The COVID cover-up didn't just cost lives, it cost trillions of dollars, shuttered businesses, and stripped Americans of their freedoms. Was Dr. Fauci the most harmful figure in modern American history? Watch and decide for yourself. #cortesinvestigates #covid19 #fauci #drfauci #covidnews Fauci Lied Under Oath and Nobody Stopped Him #Congress #Perjury #FauciFiles

Fauci Lied Under Oath and Nobody Stopped Him #Congress #Perjury #FauciFiles

Newly released intelligence documents from DNI Tulsi Gabbard reveal what many have long suspected: Dr. Anthony Fauci lied under oath, and the COVID cover-up goes deeper than anyone in Washington wanted you to know . In this discussion, we break down what the newly declassified documents actually say and what they mean for accountability. Topics covered: - Did COVID-19 originate from the Wuhan Institute of Virology? - What do the newly released DNI documents reveal about Fauci's actions? - Did Fauci fund gain of function research at the Wuhan lab — then lie about it? - How scientists were allegedly bullied and bribed to suppress the lab leak theory - China's role in the cover-up and what oversight of biolabs should look like going forward - Will there finally be real accountability? The science was never the issue. The cover-up was. Subscribe for daily political analysis and breaking news. Follow on X: https://x.com/CortesSteve Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.cortes.413204 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevecortes_/ Subscribe on Substack: https://www.cortesinvestigates.com/ #cortesinvestigates #fauci #covid #politics #covid19 Fauci LIED Under Oath: New DNI Documents Expose the COVID Cover-Up

Fauci LIED Under Oath: New DNI Documents Expose the COVID Cover-Up

My "winner of the week" segment with @SeanMSpicer @robertfkennedyjrofficial RFK polls great, and he had a VERY big week pushing for healthier, happier Americans. This MAHA agenda presents the best single lane to grow our coalition... Follow on X: https://x.com/CortesSteve Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.cortes.413204 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevecortes_/ Subscribe on Substack: https://www.cortesinvestigates.com/ #cortesinvestigates #makeamericahealthyagain Why This MAHA Agenda Presents the Best Single Lane to Grow our Coalition

Why This MAHA Agenda Presents the Best Single Lane to Grow our Coalition

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obama’s chicago years: investigations & interviews

Steve Cortes Interviews Kenneth Woodard: The Truth About Obama’s Chicago Legacy & Black Voters In this explosive interview, Steve Cortes sits down with Chicago native Kenneth Woodard to expose the harsh reality of the "Hope and Change" era. A father of six and law school graduate, Woodard breaks his silence on why he—and many others in America's inner cities—felt abandoned by Barack Obama's presidency. From the South Side of Chicago to the political frontlines, Woodard reveals how poverty, addiction, and homelessness shaped his worldview, and why he believes the Democratic party failed Black Americans. Through Woodard’s story, you’ll hear: 🏚️ How his family lost everything despite hard work and faith 🎓 Why he became disillusioned with Obama while still in college 💥 How race relations, corruption, and wealth inequality worsened under Obama’s leadership 🧠 His journey from radical hope to political clarity—and why he now believes Obama “missed every opportunity to unite this country” This isn’t punditry—it’s truth from the frontlines of the communities Obama left behind. Woodard’s story will challenge your assumptions and ignite a deeper conversation about race, class, and the real legacy of America’s first Black president. Follow on X: https://x.com/CortesSteve Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.cortes.413204 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevecortes_/ Subscribe on Substack: https://www.cortesinvestigates.com/ #ObamaExposed #CortesInvestigates #KennethWoodard #ChicagoVoices #HopeAndChange #ObamaLegacy #RealTalk #BlackVoicesMatter #RaceInAmerica #PoliticalTruth #2025Election Chicago Residents Reveal What Obama Left Behind — Full Interview

Chicago Residents Reveal What Obama Left Behind — Full Interview

After 25 years in Chicago, one resident had enough — crime, taxes, and cultural chaos drove their family out. And just like many others, Obama left too. Did he abandon the city that helped make him? #Chicago #Obama #UrbanDecline #EscapeFromChicago #Shorts Chicago's Downfall: Obama's Impact & Residents Speak Out

Chicago's Downfall: Obama's Impact & Residents Speak Out

He once repped the South Side in a White Sox cap. But after reaching the White House, Obama traded Chicago’s streets for Martha’s Vineyard’s elite. Did he abandon the city that built him? #Obama #Chicago #MarthasVineyard #SouthSide #PoliticalElite #Shorts Obama Ditched Chicago: From South Side to Martha's Vineyard!

Obama Ditched Chicago: From South Side to Martha's Vineyard!

In churches across the country, voting for Obama wasn’t just political — it felt spiritual. For many Black voters, saying no to history wasn’t an option. “It felt like a sin not to vote for him.” #Obama2008 #BlackChurch #HistoricElection #HopeAndChange #Shorts 2008: When Voting Obama Felt Like a Commandment

2008: When Voting Obama Felt Like a Commandment

Obama promised to close the wealth gap — but for many, especially young Black men in cities like Chicago, little changed. One speaker puts it plainly: “Obama’s a good talker… but not a doer.” #Obama #WealthGap #Chicago #BrokenPromises #Shorts Obama's Broken Promises: Did He Close the Wealth Gap

Obama's Broken Promises: Did He Close the Wealth Gap

It’s not about race. It’s about responsibility. As the first Black president, Obama made history — and millions. But some question whether his legacy reflects the integrity the moment demanded. #Obama #Legacy #WealthAndPower #BlackHistory #Shorts Obama Got Rich. But Did He Keep His Integrity?

Obama Got Rich. But Did He Keep His Integrity?

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America first: Politics, culture & national identity

Trump's 2024 win in Starr County, Texas, America's most Hispanic county, was one of the most stunning political shifts in recent memory. But new primary data is flashing a serious warning sign: those same voters may already be reverting. Political strategist Steve Cortez breaks down why Republicans need to pay attention right now. In Starr County's latest primary, 6,600 people pulled a Democratic ballot vs. just 90 who pulled a Republican one. That's not a blip. That's a warning siren. And here's the twist: it's NOT about immigration. Early polling shows the Hispanic community's frustration is rooted in the economy which means the GOP has a real opportunity, but only if they move fast. In this video: 🔴 Why Starr County is the ultimate bellwether for Hispanic voters 🔴 The 6,600 vs. 90 primary stat that should alarm every Republican 🔴 Why the economy, not immigration, is driving Hispanic voters back left 🔴 What Republicans must do to hold the coalition they built in 2024 🔴 The Iran war's hidden economic cost and what the White House is weighing 60 million Hispanic Americans were within reach. The GOP can't afford to lose them. #CortesInvestigates #HispanicVoters #Trump2024 #Politics Trump Won Starr County — Now He's Losing Hispanic Voters Again. Here's Why.

Trump Won Starr County — Now He's Losing Hispanic Voters Again. Here's Why.

Oil prices just plummeted to $76 a barrel down by a third in 72 hours — and it's all because of Trump's new Iran deal. But is this political genius or a foreign policy disaster? In this breakdown, former Trump campaign senior advisor Steve Cortes and Brigadier General John Tygert debate both sides of the deal. Cortes argues it's politically brilliant: Americans care about gas prices and inflation, not foreign wars, and Trump knows it. Gen. Tygert counters that handing Iran hundreds of billions in unfrozen assets reconstitutes a terror-sponsoring regime and shatters American credibility and deterrence. We cover: • Why oil crashed to $76 and what it means for midterm voters • The "pinky promises from terrorist supporters" problem • Trump's January 2020 quote: "Iran never won a war but never lost a negotiation" • Why Americans don't support drawn-out wars of choice abroad • Whether Israel and the Gulf States should handle the Middle East themselves • The inflation blame game shifting from Biden to Trump Is this the deal that wins the midterms but loses the Middle East? Watch and decide. 🔔 Subscribe for political commentary, foreign policy analysis, and breaking news breakdowns. #cortesinvestigates #iran #war #irannews #donaldtrump #newstoday Trump's Iran Gamble: Genius Politics, Disastrous Military Strategy

Trump's Iran Gamble: Genius Politics, Disastrous Military Strategy

California is handing out $633 million in government contracts to LGBT-owned businesses but first, you have to PROVE you're gay enough. In this video, we break down the bizarre certification process that requires a letter from an LGBT organization, a newspaper article calling you gay, or three friends willing to vouch for your sexuality. We discuss how this program started in 2014, why the economic rationale doesn't hold up (LGBT individuals are among the highest-earning demographics in America), and how the ever-expanding LGBTQ+ umbrella makes defining who qualifies virtually impossible. From the absurd certification methods to the inevitable discrimination within the program itself, this is everything wrong with California's latest diversity initiative. Subscribe for more political commentary and news breakdowns. #cortesinvestigates #lgbtq #california #californianews #claiforniagovernment You Need PROOF You're Gay for This Government Contract

You Need PROOF You're Gay for This Government Contract

The bond market is sending Washington a warning and most people aren't listening. With $39 trillion in debt, even a small rise in the 10-year treasury yield becomes catastrophic for the United States. We're already spending more on interest payments than on national defense. And if the 10-year yield breaks through 4.5% and races toward 5%, every American will feel it in their mortgage, their car loan, and their credit card rate. In this video, I break down: - Why the 10-year bond yield crossing 4.5% is a critical danger threshold How global bond markets are staging a revolt against fiscally reckless governments - Why dollar supremacy is eroding and where wealthy capital is fleeing (gold, crypto, real estate) - The terrifying truth: America's entire economy is now a highly leveraged bet on AI - What a debt-to-GDP ratio at World War II levels actually means for your financial future - The bond market doesn't lie. The question is whether Washington is listening. #cortesinvestigates #bondmarket #treasuryyields #debt #nationaldebt America's Debt Crisis: The Bond Market Revolt No One Is Talking About

America's Debt Crisis: The Bond Market Revolt No One Is Talking About

In 2021 and 2022, they told you inflation was "transitory." Janet Yellen said it. Biden's economists repeated it. Jerome Powell ran with it. They were wrong and they knew it. While Washington insisted rising prices would fade on their own, the federal government kept spending at crisis levels long after COVID panic had passed. Trillions in stimulus pumped into an economy already reopening. The result? Systemic inflation that embedded itself into every price you pay... groceries, rent, gas, insurance. #cortesinvestigates #inflation #politics #newstoday #inflationexplained Who Caused Inflation? The Transitory Lie That Cost You Thousands

Who Caused Inflation? The Transitory Lie That Cost You Thousands

Should the Chinese Communist Party be allowed to buy American farmland? The answer is simple — absolutely not. But we need to go further than that.In this video, I break down why hostile nations should not be permitted to purchase ANY American real estate — not one acre of farmland, not one square foot of residential land. The debate over foreign land ownership has intensified lately, and the core principle is straightforward: American land for American citizens. #China #AmericanFarmland #CCP #ForeignOwnership #NationalSecurity #USChinaRelations Why We Can't Let China Own One Acre #Farmland #NationalSecurity #CCP

Why We Can't Let China Own One Acre #Farmland #NationalSecurity #CCP

Ex-Trump senior advisor Steve Cortes and News Nation's Lauren Wright break down why Trump is losing control of the Republican Party and why the midterms could be a bloodbath. In this candid discussion, former Trump advisor Steve Cortes and political contributor Lauren Wright expose the growing fractures between Donald Trump and Republican senators. Cortes pulls no punches — the GOP senators "never really believed in America First" — and explains why Trump's obsession with the stock market is a political liability with working-class voters. Wright delivers a grim midterm forecast, predicting Republicans could be "absolutely destroyed" regardless of economic improvements. #CortesInvestigates #Trump #TrumpMidterms #GOP #Politics #DonaldTrump #TrumpNews The Real Reason GOP Senators Are Abandoning Trump Right Now

The Real Reason GOP Senators Are Abandoning Trump Right Now

From a $10,000 credit card to a $700 million business - now Nate Morris is running for U.S. Senate in Kentucky. In this interview, he explains exactly why he's stepping into the political arena and what he plans to do when he gets there. Nate Morris is a 9th-generation Kentuckian, self-made entrepreneur, and political outsider who built one of the most successful waste management companies in America. Now he's taking on the career politicians he says have run the country off a cliff and he's not holding back. In this interview, Nate covers: 🔹 How he built a $700M business starting with $10K on a credit card 🔹 Why he's running to replace Mitch McConnell in the Kentucky Senate race 🔹 His America First stance on immigration and border security 🔹 Why he calls Andy Barr "Amnesty Andy" and what that means for Kentucky workers 🔹 His friendship with J.D. Vance and why Elon Musk is backing his campaign 🔹 What it means to be a true outsider in today's political landscape If you're tired of career politicians who are "in it for the paycheck and the title," this one is worth your time. 🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with the candidates and voices shaping America's political future. Follow on X: https://x.com/CortesSteve Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.cortes.413204 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevecortes_/ Subscribe on Substack: https://www.cortesinvestigates.com/ #CortesInvestigates #NateMorris #KentuckySenate #AmericaFirst #Senate2026 #KentuckyPolitics Nate Morris: Why This Entrepreneur Is Running for U.S. Senate in Kentucky

Nate Morris: Why This Entrepreneur Is Running for U.S. Senate in Kentucky

Can Trump really end the Iran war in just two to three weeks and what happens to Republicans if he can't? Former White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, Trump senior media advisor Steve Cortez, and retired Air Force General John Tyger go head-to-head on Trump's war timeline and whether it's a genuine military strategy or a political talking point ahead of November. 🔑 Key topics covered: • Trump's 2-3 week war timeline — real deadline or strategic ambiguity? • What Iran hears when Trump announces a timeline • The Strait of Hormuz, closed shipping lanes, and the economic pressure on America • The April 6th deadline - Trump's threat to strike Iranian power plants • The political fallout for Republicans if the Iran war drags into the 2026 election cycle • Why Iran's incentives may actually favor a longer war 🔔 Subscribe for daily breaking news and political analysis. #CortesInvestigates #TrumpIranWar #IranWar #StraitOfHormuz #MickMulvaney #BreakingNews Can Trump End the Iran War in 3 Weeks Before November? Former White House Officials Debate

Can Trump End the Iran War in 3 Weeks Before November? Former White House Officials Debate

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