Trump Admin Blackmails Kzoo and Michigan w/ Funding Freezes, and More

This week, the Empire Strikes Back at Michigan and Kalamazoo for respecting the humanity of immigrants and not ceding ground to critical racist theory (i.e., eliminating DEI) by attempting to blackmail those respective governments with funding freezes.

 

The President muses about pardoning the men who planned to kidnap Governor Whitmer and RFK Jr's health department turns in some sloppy (and dangerous) homework.

 

Michigan's chapter of 50501 is standing up for a free Palestine and we give you updates on Gaza as well as the recent violence in Boulder, Colorado.

 

We close with some important stories about Queer rights on this first episode of Pride month 2025- a beloved voice actor is murdered for being gay and the media omits key details and trans athletes will continue to be protected in the state of Michigan.

 

02:30- 09:00 A Brief Commentary on Media Coverage of Commissioner Tami Rey's Arrest

 

09:10- 19:20 Trump Admin Calls Kzoo a Sanctuary County, Threatens Funding

 

19:35- 31:00 Trump Threatens MI Road Funding Over Immigration & DEI

 

31:55- 47:40 Trump Muses About Pardoning Gov. Whitmer's Attempted Kidnappers

 

48:00- 53:50 Burnin' Down the House: Plantations Go Ablaze and Some Historical Context

 

54:00- 1:03:30 RFK Jr's Health Department Report Full of Bunk Science and AI Supplied Misinformation

 

1:06:40- 1:31:13 Gaza Updates: 50501MI Stands With Palestine, Violence in Boulder, Aid Ambushes in Gaza

 

1:31:14- 1:40:00 A Hate Crime and Media Complacency, Trans Rights in Michigan

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

 

Trump agency labels Kalamazoo County a ‘sanctuary county,’ officials say that’s ‘false’
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2025/05/trump-agency-labels-kalamazoo-county-a-sanctuary-county-officials-say-thats-false.html

 

Trump to Michigan: Comply with immigration, DEI orders or lose road funding
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/trump-michigan-comply-immigration-dei-orders-or-lose-road-funding

 

Whitmer opposes potential Trump pardons for men who plotted to kidnap her
https://www.mlive.com/politics/2025/05/whitmer-opposes-potential-trump-pardons-for-men-who-plotted-to-kidnap-her.html

 

RFK Jr.’s health report shows how AI slips fake studies into research
https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2025/rfk-jr-fake-citations-medical-journals/

 

For Palestinians, Seeking Food at a US-Israeli Aid Site Means Risking Your Life
https://truthout.org/articles/for-palestinians-seeking-food-at-a-us-israeli-aid-site-means-risking-your-life

 

50501 Michigan Stands for a Free Palestine
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AQTYPh5Et/

 

Michigan Senate Vows To Not Take On Sports Ban After It Passes House
https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/michigan-senate-vows-to-not-take