Trump's Spain Warning, Texas' School Turnaround, and the Truth About Democratic Socialists
Monday, August 3, 2026
You’re listening to American Ground Radio with Stephen Parr and Louis R. Avallone. This is the full show for July 31, 2026.
We open with President Trump pointing to the migrant crisis in Spain's North African territory of Ceuta as a warning for the United States. Tens of thousands of migrants overwhelmed the small Spanish enclave in a single day, straining law enforcement and leaving dozens dead. We compare the scenes from Spain to what Americans witnessed at the southern border during the Biden administration, discuss why Trump believes voters need to remember those images before the next election, and examine how quickly both the media and the public forget just how chaotic the border became.
In our Top 3 Things You Need to Know, the Texas Stock Exchange officially begins trading in Dallas, marking another step in the financial migration away from New York. Then U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro moves to dismiss vandalism charges against former Olympian Davey Hearn after new evidence showed damage to the National Mall reflecting pool was caused by faulty construction rather than criminal activity. And President Trump announces the Freedom Haulers initiative, designed to help military veterans transition into commercial trucking while replacing foreign truck drivers with qualified American veterans.
We also discuss Boy George's decision to release a song honoring the victims of the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel—and the backlash that followed. After publicly supporting Israel and condemning terrorism, Boy George was dropped from a production of Jesus Christ Superstar. We examine how standing with victims of terrorism has become controversial in parts of the entertainment world and what that says about today's cultural climate.
Our American Mamas, Teri Netterville and Kimberly Burleson, answer a listener question about friends who always strike up conversations with strangers. What starts as a lighthearted discussion turns into a funny look at how getting older seems to remove any fear of awkward conversations, why some people can't resist complimenting complete strangers in the grocery store, and whether younger generations raised on technology will lose that habit altogether.
We dig into new membership data from the Democratic Socialists of America showing that only four percent of its members work in blue-collar jobs, despite the organization's constant claims to represent the working class. We contrast the rhetoric with the reality before turning to Houston, where Texas' state takeover of the Houston Independent School District transformed 121 failing schools into zero failing schools in just over three years. We examine why some critics still refuse to celebrate one of the most dramatic education turnarounds in the country.
We also cover Maine Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson's unusual family story before another round of Fake News Friday, featuring everything from the Alamo to WNBA betting controversies and some headlines that are just bizarre enough to sound believable.
And we close with 88-year-old Libby Downey, who has already spent decades serving her community as a nurse, city council member, and volunteer—but decided it was finally time to pursue a lifelong dream. This fall she'll begin law school with plans to become a mediator after graduation, proving it's never too late to start the next chapter.
May your pursuit of happiness bring you joy.
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, visit AmericanGroundRadio.com, and join the conversation at 866-AGR-1776.
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