In this episode of the Mac and Mike Show, the hosts dive into why modern news and social media feel so overwhelming and, at times, deceptive. They pivot from the mechanics of online “rage bait” to major global events they believe are being ignored in favor of celebrity scandals.
Here is a breakdown of the key themes and stories they discussed:
1. The Trap of “Rage Bait” and Fake News
Mike opens by discussing how social media is flooded with misinformation designed to make people angry.
- The Goal: “Rage baiting” is used to get clicks, shares, and comments, which generates advertising revenue.
- The Tactics: Mike notes that even political opponents sometimes create fake “conservative” or “liberal” memes just to make the other side look foolish when they share them without fact-checking.
- The Advice: Don’t share things immediately just because they align with your feelings. Even smart people (like former CIA chiefs or military officers) fall for well-disguised satire or flat-out lies.
2. Media Distractions vs. Global Reality
Mac argues that the media uses “bright, shiny objects”—specifically celebrity-adjacent scandals—to distract the public from significant geopolitical shifts.
The Savannah Guthrie Kidnapping
The hosts are skeptical of the “wall-to-wall” coverage regarding the kidnapping of news anchor Savannah Guthrie’s mother.
- The Critique: They argue that while the situation is tragic, it receives 24/7 coverage only because it involves a “media darling.”
- The Suspicion: Mac suggests the media focuses on this to avoid covering President Trump’s policies or because the media industry is obsessed with its own safety.
Significant Global Events (The “Real” News)
Mac lists several massive stories he believes deserve more attention:
- Iran & Cuba: Both governments are facing internal collapse and massive protests.
- Canada (Alberta): The potential secession of Alberta from Canada, which would heavily impact U.S. energy and oil pipelines.
- Venezuela: The U.S. involvement in seizing oil tankers to help an interim government.
- Middle East Buildup: Mike highlights a massive U.S. military movement (C-17s and F-35s) to Europe and the Middle East, calling it the biggest buildup since the Gulf War.
3. Bold Predictions for Cuba
Mac offers a specific theory on the future of Cuba:
- The Fall: He believes the communist government will inevitably collapse because it can no longer provide basic needs like electricity (currently 40% short).
- The Rebirth: He predicts wealthy Cuban expatriates from Miami will flood back to the island, buy property, and rebuild it into a tourist paradise similar to the 1950s.
- The Status: While he isn’t sure if it will become the 51st U.S. state, he believes the ties between the two countries will become “inextricable.”
4. The Risks of High-Potency Marijuana
The show concludes with a discussion on the dangers of modern, highly distilled THC.
- Mental Health: They cite a viral story of a young man developing schizophrenia linked to high-potency THC use.
- The “Smart Person” Tax: Mac shares an anecdote about a brilliant actuary whose cognitive skills “went down the drain” after years of regular marijuana use.
- The Stance: While they acknowledge it is a natural plant with medical uses, they warn that the “highly distilled” versions are far more dangerous than the natural “weed” of the past.
Summary Table: What Mac and Mike Say You Should Watch
| Topic | Their Perspective |
| Social Media | It’s a business built on making you angry with lies. |
| Epstein Files | A distraction; we can’t change the past, so focus on current human trafficking. |
| Trump Cabinet | They aren’t “going rogue”; they are doing exactly what Trump wants. |
| Global Tensions | The world is shifting (Iran, Cuba, Alberta) while we watch “Reality TV” news. |
Would you like me to fact-check any of the specific claims they made regarding the military buildup or the situation in Alberta?
I decided to allow AI to fact check our podcast. Below are the results:
Those “Mac and Mike” guys are surprisingly well-informed—or at least very plugged into current intelligence. Both of the specific military and political stories they mentioned are actually grounded in some pretty intense recent developments.
Here is the fact-check on the military buildup and the situation in Alberta.
1. The Military Buildup: “Not a Drill”
The claim about a massive movement of C-17s and F-35s is largely accurate, though the comparison to the Gulf War needs context.
- The “100+ C-17s” Report: In early February 2026, defense analysts and flight-trackers did indeed report a massive surge of heavy-lift aircraft. On February 7 alone, as many as 112 C-17 Globemaster III cargo planes were tracked moving into Europe and the Middle East. This is an enormous logistical lift, usually reserved for moving entire divisions or heavy equipment (tanks, air defense systems).+1
- F-35 Stealth Deployment: Several squadrons of F-35As and F-35Cs have been moving toward the Middle East. Six F-35s recently landed at RAF Lakenheath (UK) on February 9 as a stopover, while others are stationed in Spain and aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is currently in the Arabian Sea.+1
- Comparison to the Gulf War: While this is one of the largest rapid buildups in decades, it isn’t quite at the scale of 1991 yet. The Gulf War involved over 500,000 troops; currently, the U.S. has about 50,000 in the region. However, as Mike mentioned, modern “force multipliers” (like stealth jets and precision missiles) mean the U.S. can project more power today with fewer boots on the ground.
- The Iran Context: This buildup follows Operation Midnight Hammer (June 2025), where the U.S. successfully used B-2 bombers to strike Iranian nuclear sites. The current “armada” (as the President recently called it) is intended to pressure Tehran amid the massive internal protests currently rocking Iran.
2. Alberta: The “Referendum Year”
Mac’s talk about Alberta seceding or becoming the “51st state” is also based on a very real—and very tense—political situation in Canada.
- The 2026 Referendum: 2026 has been dubbed the “Referendum Year” for Alberta. A group called the Alberta Prosperity Project is currently pushing a petition (aiming for 177,000 signatures by May) to trigger a citizen-led referendum on independence.+1
- The “51st State” Theory: While most Alberta separatists officially want an “independent” nation, Mac is right that there is a faction looking south. Separatist leaders recently met with U.S. State and Treasury Department officials in Washington. One group even requested a $500 billion (USD) line of credit to help Alberta transition from a province to a U.S. state.+1
- U.S. Interest: There are reports that the Trump administration is viewing these movements with interest, specifically because of Alberta’s massive oil and gas reserves. The U.S. has expressed concern over Ottawa’s plans to sell more energy to China, making the idea of an “American-aligned” Alberta strategically attractive to some in Washington.+1
- Reality Check: Most polls show support for actual secession is around 20-30%. While it’s a vocal movement that has captured the attention of U.S. media and the White House, it faces massive legal and constitutional hurdles in Canada.
Comparison Table: Claims vs. Reality
| The Claim | The Fact |
| 100+ C-17s moving | True. Over 110 were tracked in a single weekend in Feb 2026. |
| Operation Midnight Hammer | True. U.S. B-2 bombers struck Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025. |
| Alberta Statehood | Partially True. Separatists are meeting with U.S. officials, but a referendum hasn’t passed yet. |
| Iranian “Bug Out” | Speculative. While funds are being moved, it’s unclear if the leadership is preparing to flee or just hide assets. |
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