The Bitchuation Room

How does allowing the right to dominate the conversation around trans athletes put us all in danger? And how does the Olympics new "gender testing" have historical parallels to the Nazi doctors in the 1936 Olympics games? We discuss with author and historian Michael Waters. Plus after just 100 days, Zohran is ready to tax the rich and talk democratic socialism, so of course he's got the right people triggered. We discuss Z's big moves and what's standing in his way with comedian and podcast host Franchesca Ramsey. And who is the bigger AI shill: Reese Witherspoon or Peter...

Go see Palestine 36. Before the U,S, it was Britain that helped shape Zionism into the colonial force it is. Palestine 36, a new film from Watermelon Pictures, dramatizes a pivotal moment in the country, when Palestinians rose up en masse against British partition and the loss of their land to  Zionist forces. A hundred years later, the song remains the same. Filmmaker Annemarie Jacir joins Francesca to talk about what her moving piece of historical fiction tells us about early colonialism of Palestine, and how anti-Arab racism has always been central to the program of ethnic cleansing. ...

Pete Hegseth declares V for Victory in Iran, but on what grounds? Seems like Iran has had the upper hand even on AI-produced propaganda. Then, Melania Trump addresses the nation about lies that are being spread about her relationship with Jeffery Epstein. Only problem is, we have no idea what she’s referencing unless she’s getting way ahead of an incoming bombshell. Then, the California governor’s race is an absolute mess as two Republicans gain traction in a 61-way jungle primary HAPPENING ON JUNE 2ND.  Congressman Eric Swalwell is being accused by multiple staffers of sexual...

Donald Trump: destroyer of civilizations and learner of Spanish? Trump praises Allah and says he's ready to bomb bridges, power plants, and civilians in Iran with reckless abandon. (Of course an hour after this recording he says there will be a two-week ceasefire. Apocalypse delayed!) Francesca discusses the nuclear ‘will they won't they’ with comedian Eddie Pepitone. Plus, Pam Bondi is the second Trump administration official to get the boot, and the second woman. This time however, a blonde! How could he? Then we check in with the Real News Network's Michael Fox about Trump's new...

Is SCOTUS really about to let Trump overturn the constitution and let Stephen Miller decide who should be a citizen? We discuss birthright citizenship case with professional Supreme Court-hater Rhiannon Hamam. Then, we talk about the long on the long-smeared and often misrepresented Palestinian-diaspora. Plus establishment Dems and Zionist media figures spin out about Hasan Piker and draw a line in the sand with them on the other side. And while all AI is terrible, something about Iran AI propaganda hits a bit different as Hegseth deploys more troops to the Middle East.  F...

Marissa Roy, who joined us for the LA live show, is BACK to talk about why being the city's lawyer is secretly one of the most important positions in city government. How has the current the LA City Attorney blocked affordable housing and possibly turned a blind eye to greedy landlords, abusive police, and bad bosses? And how will DSA-endorsed Roy change that? https://www.marissaroy.com/ *** SUNDAY APRIL 5TH 7PM, Francesca and Matt Lieb will be LIVE in Vancouver, BC co-headlining Chill X Studios. Get tickets here: https://bit.ly/vancouverFM <...

Spring break? Don't worry about missing your flight, 'cause Trump made sure to send thousands of alcoholics to stand around and play Candy Crush in the nation's busiest airports. Plus, why are right-wingers freaking out about Hasan Piker’s "5 star" Cuban hotel stay? Professor Christy Thornton (14:45), fresh back from a solidarity-humanitarian mission to Cuba breaks down the misinformation and explains just how existential this current crisis is to the country. Get involved with the National Network on Cuba to join a solidarity mission yourself.   Then, former congresswoman (and future congresswoman!) Cori Bush (52:40) joins to talk abou...

Are AI-powered cameras watching your every move? Journalist Jason Koebler from 404 Media joins to explain how a creepy company called “Flock” is partnering with ICE and police to build a nationwide database. Plus, we discuss how AI slop is destroying the internet and our economy. Then creator and streamer Caroline Kwan joins to talk warmongers, apolitical Oscar winners, and the first (perhaps only) Trump resignation: a counterterrorism director who’s had it with the war of choice on Iran. Is he a baddie or a baddie? Featuring:  Caroline Kwan (14:24) https://www.youtube.com/@UCpuaFc...

Emma Vigeland of The Majority Report joined Francesca on The Bitchuation Room to talk about  the nonsense and the news. The right wing freaks are losing their minds over Rama Duwaji, The First Lady of NYC. She had the audacity to like some Instagram posts that said the occupation of Gaza is bad! Even worse, she exposed her midriff in a picture. The horny… I mean, the horror! While distracted by the start of the newest forever war in Iran, the DOJ released files of a credible accusation against Trump by a 14-year-old girl. Why are...

Even IF you can afford a home, have a monthly mortgage, you’re oftentimes still being gouged by insurance companies. That’s what candidate Jane Kim wants to change by becoming California’s next insurance commissioner. Jane is a former SF Supervisor, ran for mayor, and was the California Political Director for Bernie 2020, and has served as the CA director of the Working Families Party. She’s ready for this key consumer-advocacy role that has the ability to change how we think of homeownership and “risk”. Not two years since the worst wildfires the state has seen, wi...

Don’t call it a war! It’s an excursion, a vision quest, an unwoke walkabout. Gas prices are rising along with the death toll, and Trump officials say there could be boots on the ground. We spoke about the propaganda and absurdity of the first two weeks of this war on Iran with expert Negar Mortazavi (13:52).  Then, while missiles fly overhead in Israel, settlers are attacking and killing Palestinians in the West Bank at a terrifying rate. Including American citizens. Journalist Jasper Nathaniel talks about the collaboration between settlers and the Israeli military, how he himself was c...

AIPAC hates her but it doesn’t stop her. Kina Collins is a grassroots community organizer who has worked for Medicare for all and against gun violence in Chicago’s 7th district. She’s also been arrested outside of the Israeli Embassy and was deeply involved in the BLM organizing that ousted Rahm Emanuel for covering up police murder. Now she needs your help and donations to win her primary in Illinois 7th! Plus, we talk with Oliver Larkin, an independent Democrat running for Congress in Florida's 23rd district. Oliver was raised in South Florida, worked for Bernie...

Who is really calling the shots in the US military operations in Iran? Marco Rubio and Mike Johnson are very open to admitting that Israel is the one who is dragging the US into war. Meanwhile Hegseth says his Department of War is different because it’s not woke. Francesca breaks down the latest on Iran plus the news about Kristi Noem's luxury Big Beautiful (Booty Call) Jet. Then, we'll talk with labor historian, author, and professor Eric Blanc (53:55) about what a real general strike would look like, the lessons about organizing from Minneapolis, and wh...

An impromptu show in the wake of the joint US-Israeli attack on Iran. Featuring: Trita Parsi, co-founder of the Quincy Institute https://x.com/tparsi *** The Bitchuation Room will be LIVE in Los Angeles with Emma Vigeland on Sunday March 22nd at Dynasty Typewriter. Tickets here: https://bit.ly/TBR322 *** Support the show becoming a patron https://www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom and get exclusive perks. You can also be a member on YouTube, Twitch, or a paid subscriber on substack: franifio.substack.com.  ***</p...

She’s a badass housing attorney who’s written tenant protection policies and is now running for city council at a time when LA is more expensive than ever. And she’s looking to unseat the most conservative city councilmember here, Traci Park. She is Faizah Malik looking to represent real people in one of the wealthiest districts in the city on a message of affordability and true safety.  As LA city council emerges from years of corruption and scandal, Faizah could join a growing number of council members who come from the grassroots and who rej...

The current reality of pedo-rings, state murders, and Epstein’s sperm bank of Nobel laureates *scrubs eyes* feels pretty far away from the “politics of joy” Kamala used to peddle. But a couple of leaks from the otherwise-shelved DNC autopsy of why Harris lost is revealing it did have a lot to do with Gaza. Francesca unpacks what we do know with political communications strategist Anat Shenker-Osorio (59:41). Plus, the badass bitches of the “I’ve Had It” podcast Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan (10:56) join Francesca to talk about ICE whistleblowers and suspicious deaths. Justice for Ruben Ray Martinez! Th...

She’s a 26-year old Palestinian-American journalist who’s spent her career reporting on the right. And now she wants to beat their agenda in Congress. She’s Kat Abughazaleh and she’s running for the democratic primary in Illinois’ 9th district on an anti-authoritarian platform of affordability. Kat joins Francesca to talk about her diverse district, how AIPAC is bolstering one of her rivals, how she was indicted by Kash Patel’s DHS, and why we should not trust the right’s newfound anti-Israel stance.  Get involved and or donate: https://katforillinois.com/ Early voting...

Stopping climate chaos means stopping the U.S. military. It is the biggest polluter and consumer of fossil fuels. In her new documentary, "Earth's Greatest Enemy”, Abby Martin unmasks the global military empire's climate impact on humans, animals and nations. Plus, was our only hope against Biden’s genocide a blunt and White Castle? We discuss Kal Penn’s recent admission on Hasan Minhaj’s show. Also this week, we learned that a 2-month old is being held in the squalid Dilley detention center in Texas. The baby is one of thousands held at this private...

Can Democrats convince voters they’re serious about stopping ICE ahead of the midterms? And also, will the midterms be fair given the amount of redistricting fuckery? Francesca and Usamah Andrabi of Justice Democrats discuss Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer's lackluster 10 commandments for ICE and how the so-called opposition party is already making concessions. Plus, will there be even BE midterm elections? We discuss how Trump is strong-arming Republicans to ensure they do not lose the house. David Daley joins to talk about how Republican gerrymandering has reshaped American politics and how the John Robert’s Su...

Want to bet on the U.S. invading Iran? Sure why not? You can do exactly that with prediction markets, the billionaire-backed platforms that gamble on the future while sucking your wallet dry. Francesca looks at the very recent rise of platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi which are now partnering with everything from awards shows to UFC fights, and even news outlets. After sports betting was legalized in 2018, the online gambling model that has lured many Americans in is expanding. This time to politics, culture and current events. You can now bet on how many deportations there...