Resumption of Military Strikes
President Trump announced that the United States has resumed military strikes against Iran and will act as the guardian of the Hormuz Strait, charging a 20% toll.
12Pod Save America
Trump Honors Dead Friend, Restarts War
The hosts discuss President Trump's announcement of resumed military strikes against Iran and the unexpected death of Senator Lindsey Graham.
President Trump notified Congress that the military has resumed strikes against Iran, while also honoring the unexpected death of Senator Lindsey Graham.
1Listen to the source episode
Trump Honors Dead Friend, Restarts War
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Ask naturally. GenPod can find a related episode—or make a focused explainer when the right one does not exist.Key takeaways
What to know before you press play.
Death of Senator Lindsey Graham
Senator Lindsey Graham died unexpectedly, prompting discussions about his legacy and the impact of his absence on Trump's legislative agenda.
13Legislative Impacts
The absences of Senators Lindsey Graham and Mitch McConnell are expected to affect Trump's legislative agenda, following McConnell's own brush with death.
3Media and Health Subpoenas
The administration subpoenaed four journalists at The New York Times, and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is linked to an outbreak of explosive diarrhea.
34Ask GenPod next
Keep the question moving.
“How will the death of Lindsey Graham affect the Senate's balance of power?”
“What are the economic implications of a 20% toll on the Hormuz Strait?”
“How do the recent subpoenas of New York Times journalists impact press freedom?”
Background reading
The context behind the episode.
Foreign Policy
The Guardian of the Hormuz Strait
President Trump announced that the United States will become the guardian of the Hormuz Strait and begin charging a 20% toll.
2Questions
Questions to carry into the episode.
What military action did Trump announce regarding Iran?
Trump notified Congress that the military has resumed strikes against Iran.
1How does the US plan to manage the Hormuz Strait?
The US will become the guardian of the Hormuz Strait and charge a 20% toll.
2What health issue is associated with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.?
He is linked to an outbreak of explosive diarrhea across the country.
4Experts
Voices named in the source.
Brian Tyler Cohen
Author
5Sources and disclosure
Where this guide comes from.
This guide is based on the episode 'Trump Honors Dead Friend, Restarts War' from the show Pod Save America, published on 2026-07-14.
- Publisher show notes
Lindsey Graham unexpectedly dies and President Trump notifies Congress that the military has resumed strikes against Iran.
- Publisher show notes
Jon, Tommy, and Lovett discuss Trump's announcement that the United States will become "THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT" and begin charging a 20% toll.
- Publisher show notes
Then, they discuss the legacy of Lindsey Graham, Mitch McConnell's unexpected and unconvincing proof-of-life photo after his own brush with death, and how both senators' absences will affect Trump's legislative agenda—before touching on the administration subpoenaing four journalists at The New York Times and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.
- Publisher show notes
Kennedy Jr.'s role in an outbreak of explosive diarrhea across the country.
- Publisher show notes
Finally, Brian Tyler Cohen stops by to talk to Lovett about his new book, "The Day After: How to Wield Power in a Post-Trump World."
- Publisher show notes
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date.
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