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All tickets and pre-orders at thedragonsprophecyfilm.com. Thedragonsprophecyfilm.com. From the Mighty 990 Broadcast Center, you're waking up in Starnes Country with Todd Starnes. And good morning, everybody. Happy Tuesday.
It's a little rainy out there today if you haven't peeked your head out the window just yet. By the way, welcome to Starnes Country and the principal Toyota Memphis studio this morning. And it is a mess, just a mess out there on the roadways. By the way, if you're coming in on 385, just fair warning, you're going to need to pack your patience this morning. We are currently working two accidents: one at Riverdale and one at Kirby Parkway, both of those westbound.
So if you're coming into the city this morning from the suburbs on 385, you might want to find another way in or just pack a few extra minutes of patience with you on your morning commute. We'll keep you updated, Commander Chuck, standing by with a look at the traffic coming up in just a little while. Also, Laura Huckabee will be along. This rain, by the way, is going to Be moving out. And the good news here is that we're going to have sunny skies for the rest of the week and some really nice fall temperatures.
And I know all of you folks are going to be happy, very happy about that.
Well, one of the big breaking news stories that we've been following, and this happened last night, we got word from the Justice Department that the Biden administration had been. been targeting Republican senators. They had been tracking, they had been spying on Republican senators. By the way, those Republican senators include both Tennessee senators Bill Haggerty and Marsha Blackburn. We do not know why the FBI under the Biden administration was targeting Senator Blackburn or Haggerty, but we do know that Senator Haggerty was a part of the Trump transition team.
And we also know that Senator Marsha Blackburn was a devoted and remains to be a devoted supporter of President. President Trump. Ladies and gentlemen, this is what an authoritarian regime looks like. Where you had the previous administration literally weaponizing the federal government to target Republicans. That's what was going on, not just during the Biden years.
This was simply a continuation of what was happening during the Obama administration, eight years, eight years of the weaponization of our federal government. And the idea that you had government agents within the FBI, Jack Smith, the special prosecutor. going after Republicans and no one knows why. And it seems to me at some point we need to come out here, we need to know who signed off on those on that documentation, who gave the AOK to go after sitting United States Senators. And who was involved in the investigation?
And all of those people need to be taken off the job if they're still employed. They should be fired, and every single one of them. should be investigated. And if any crimes were committed, then they need to be held accountable.
So here is Senator Marsha Blackburn talking about this just, wow, late last night. Uh let's go to uh cut four please. What we know is this, that the FBI Under Joe Biden and under Barack Obama, that they exercised activity that they had no authority to exercise. And as Senator Haggerty mentioned, we know what they did in 2016 to the Trump transition team. And now we find out.
that after the Mar-a-Lago raid, After the indictment of President Trump, they surveil us, people who support. President Trump. members who are all Republicans. But it shows you how out of control and rotten to the core and politicized The FBI had become and how they had absolutely no problem at all, whatsoever, with political weaponization. We appreciate the information we've gotten today.
We look forward to further investigation on this. And by the way, if you think it's just happening in Washington, D.C., you better think again. We've been getting, really for the past few months now, we've been getting bits and pieces of reports from citizens, from lawmakers who are telling us this kind of weaponization has actually been happening here in Memphis and Shelby County, where people who are not towing the Democrat Party line are coming under attack. We're also being told that some businesses and some business owners are being told they're not allowed to do business with the city of Memphis because of their politics and another reason that I don't want to get into today. But we're going to, we're going to be talking about these in the coming days and when these business owners, when these Citizens and when these lawmakers are ready to stand up and speak out, we're going to give them that platform here on the mighty 990.
But this is insane. By the way, here's Senator Bill Haggerty weighing in, cut number three. Thank you, Senator Johnson. And Chairman, grassly, thank you for your leadership in making this happen. This is an extraordinary revelation that just took place this afternoon.
My colleagues and I found out, all of us Republicans, by the way. That we were placed under investigation by this FBI under the Joe Biden FBI that was led, I presume, by Jack Smith and his predecessors. This isn't the first time that it's happened, though. Senator Johnson just mentioned this. I served on the Trump transition team in Trump Tower.
in 2016. Senator Blackburn. was vice chair. of the Transition Committee then, as were probably a dozen or more members of Congress. To think that we were Travelling.
by the Obama FBI. This corruption run deep runs deep. and it's gone on for far too long. And the fact that it's happened here again. The fact that they are looking at our records in 2023 sitting members of the United States Senate.
Again, the only thing that we have in common The only thing that common in this entire list is that we're all Republicans. They've decided to come after us. This is as partisan as it gets. The FBI and the corruption that's running there has to be cleared out. Thank God we have cash, Patel.
and Dan Bongino there. This has to be addressed, it has to be resolved. It needs to happen today. Yeah, it does. And we've got to get to the bottom of this.
And it's just outrageous that our own senators from the great state of Tennessee were among those who were surveilled and targeted by the Biden FBI. Do you see what's going on here, folks? These Democrats are very bad, very dangerous people. And when they're given full control, They destroy everything they touch. And if you need an example, just take a look around you right now.
In Memphis. This is the result of Democrat rule for generations. People like the Tamey Sawyers of the world and the Justin Pearsons of the world, they're the ones that. that made Memphis what it is today. And all I can tell you is, thank the good Lord that President Trump has seen fit to send the National Guard, which, by the way, any week now they are expected.
And if you think things have been great already, wait until the National Guard shows up, just yet another level of security. And support. for our law enforcement. By the way, I will say this: Memphis City Hall, everybody's really upset about what's happening with the. with the police here.
And it's really funny. The Daily Memphrian, they put out a story by Samuel Hardiman and Lydia Williams. And the Memphian, by the way, we'll get into this in just a little while. The Memphian is in a world of hurt. They are getting, everybody's coming after the Memphian because of this Dan Conaway thing, where they Conaway quit, got in a pitched aissy fit.
He's got his little panties in a wad. Because someone dared edit his column over the Daily Memphian. The Daily Memphian should have had the courage to tell the guy to hit the road and don't come back. But they didn't, and they ran this piece of garbage. And we'll tell you more about that in just a little while.
But anyway, they're doing a story about. Who's being arrested and why? And you have to understand, you've got to read between the lines when it comes to these leftist rags like the Daily Memphid. You've got to read between the lines here. What they're trying to tell you is, oh, they're really not getting all that many bad people.
That's what they're trying to tell you. But don't you believe it, ladies and gentlemen? Do not believe it. What's happening here is that they're literally pulling over people for. For just you got a taillight out, you got a broken window, they're pulling you over.
And the reason why is because usually that leads to something else. And it turns out that this tactic is actually working because most of the people that have been arrested have outstanding warrants. They should have already been in jail. They should have already been off the streets, but they weren't. Why weren't they?
Well, because we don't have enough MPD officers to do that job.
So they went and talked. The Daily Memphis went to a Nashville attorney, a defense attorney. And they said, Hey, we need you to look over all these affidavits we got our hands on. Can you tell us if the MPD have the has the Highway Patrol, have they done anything wrong?
Well, it turns out they haven't. As a matter of fact, the attorney said that he saw not a single traffic stop that was illegal.
So again, this goes back to the narrative that Big Tammy and Big Hair Justin and all those guys, they're out there saying, oh, the cops are going to drag people out of their homes. They're just randomly throwing people into jail. They're going after the illegals. This is horrible. No, it's not true.
None of it is true. As a matter of fact, As a matter of fact, a number of the affidavits reveal the traffic stops are leading to more charges. We're talking about marijuana. We're talking about People who were, there's this one great story. Where is that story?
They said one affidavit detailed, oh, here we go. Many of the recent traffic stops have escalated to altercations.
Well, that wasn't on the part of the cops. It turns out these people got arrested for resisting arrest. They tried to run away from the police, the high-speed chases, and we've seen a lot of these on TV and social media.
So here's the reality. And this is a public service announcement for Big Tammy and her ilk. If the Popo pulls you over, you see those blue lights, you pull over and you do what they say. If you've done nothing wrong, they let you go. If you've done something wrong and you're very nice and polite about it and there's nothing felonious about what you've done, they're probably going to give you a ticket, might even give you a warning if you're nice.
But if you act the fool, guess what? You're going to jail. I mean, it really is that simple.
Well, what to tell these folks? But that's the reality of it. Oh, by the way, this is great. Another thing that they've discovered, and you would think that the Democrats would be thrilled about this. But they're upset that the criminal thugs are being targeted.
I mean, that's ultimately what this is all about.
So in the daily Minfreyan piece. They report that they've also discovered, the police have discovered, a number of people who have had guns that were not supposed to have guns.
Well, imagine that. Why aren't the Democrats celebrating that news? I mean, you got these guns off the street. Just pointing these things out here. Let's check in with Commander and Chuck with a look at your traffic.
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So All right, a little topsy-turvy around here. We suffered a power outage. Just moments before going on air, so all of our systems are rebooting.
So you might hear things sounding that. Normally, don't sound.
So bear with us today. That's all we're asking. Welcome back, everybody. Good to have you with us here in the Principal Toyota Memphis Studio.
So, going back to Mayor Paul Young, and he's very concerned because he says it's his understanding. that they're going after the illegal aliens. in Memphis. And this is true. And my question is, why would they not go after the illegals?
If you are in this country and you don't have proper documentation, you do not belong here. I mean, it really is that simple.
And it doesn't matter how nice. Look, it doesn't matter how nice you are. It doesn't matter if you're a business owner. It doesn't matter if you're an upstanding member of the community. If you are here illegally, You have to go back.
And you've got to come back here the legal way. And it is absolutely unfair to every single person trying to come to this country the right way, the legal way. I mean, that's at least that's the way I've viewed this from day one. For me, this has always been A black and white issue. Any other way that I've looked at this.
And the idea that, you know, the accusation, well, President Trump, he's dividing families. No, actually, he's not. He's not doing that. As a matter of fact, President Trump is trying to keep the families together, which is why everybody gets deported. And I got I've got no problem with that at all.
Period. What say you, ladies and gentlemen? 901-260-5926. That's 901-260-5926.
Now, going back to the warrants.
Some of the people, actually, most of the people that are being arrested here are, in fact. being arrested because they have an outstanding warrant. Which is why you've got the FBI and the U.S. Marshals and the MPD's organized crime unit. Um out there.
Working on all of these arrests.
So, all of this to say. It is a good thing right now what's happening here in the Mid-South and in the Memphis area. Another big story that we've been following involves your local school board, and you talk about corruption. I would I would not be surprised if I If if If we are finally able to Really get down to brass tags. and investigate our local schools, the Memphis Shelby County Schools.
What do you think What do you think that would find? I'm just going to go out on a limb here and suggest they would find massive fraud and abuse. Hands down. I think that's exactly what they would find.
Now, the question is: Are we going to be able to get to the bottom of all of this? I mean, when you look, for example, At the, when you look, for example, at the schools and the buildings and the way they're selling some of this property. And the affiliations, former school board members, getting buildings valued at millions and millions of dollars for pennies on the dollar. That's corruption right there, ladies and gentlemen. By the way, the Bear building, which is being sold at what, for $5 million.
They purchased it for six. They spent what, thirty-three million dollars in renovations. And all of a sudden, there's a startup nonprofit that just went on the books back in July, and suddenly they've got $5 billion to buy this building.
Something doesn't smell right there.
So all that to say, we've got a lot of investigating to do when it comes to the Memphis Shelby County School Board. And those people that are sitting on that board, I smell you can smell it a mile away, and something stinks. And we're going to get to the bottom of it. Here on this radio program. I can promise you that.
We're going to get to the bottom of it. All right, coming up after the break, we're going to check in on what's happening today is primary day for Tennessee's congressional district, the former district held by Congressman Mark Greene, who resigned in really disgrace and scandal.
So we're going to tell you all about that. A big controversy because President Trump endorsed the rhino in the race, Matt Van Epps, who is a big pal of Governor Bill Lee. Jody Barrett, who is considered to be the true MAGA America First candidate.
Well, he is fighting for his life, his political life today. And a lot of conservatives in Middle Tennessee are really, really upset. About how all of this went down.
So, we're going to keep you updated throughout the day on that particular election. It will have an impact. And again, if the Rhino wins. he could have a hard time winning the general election. We'll be paying very close attention to that race.
All right, got to take a quick break here, folks. 901-260-5926. This is Strange Country. Tired of giving away all your rental profits to a property manager? You don't have to.
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Well, it is a rainy Tuesday here in the Mid South. Hello, everybody. Welcome back to Stern's Country in the principal Toyota Memphis studio.
So, an update for you on the scored situation and the county mayor yesterday, late yesterday, Lee Harris, issuing a veto. And this veto would would basically vacate the plan To set up the new elections for the school board, this is from the commercial appeal, Harris vetoing a resolution that will put all the Memphis Shelby County School Board seats up for re-election in 2026.
Now, I believe the original vote to do that had seven. You need eight to override the veto. And if I'm incorrect there, I have no doubt that a Shelby County Commissioner will text and let me know here. Harris sent a memo to the Commission late yesterday outlining his reason for the veto. He said absent an emergency or in the case of criminal misconduct, I do not believe that the term of elected officials should be shortened.
And therefore, he vetoed the vote.
Well, okay, let's talk about that. I've I think there's a pretty good case That we are dealing with an emergency. An overwhelming number of the kids cannot read or write at grade level, over 70%. That to me constitutes an emergency. The fact that you have chaos within the school board commission itself, that is an emergency.
The fact that you have chaos surrounding the superintendent, that to me seems to be an emergency. Anyway, folks, we'll get your reaction to Lee Harris.
Now vetoing Vetoing the plan. To put all the school board members up for re-election in 2026. 901-260-5926, our telephone number. That's 901-260-5926.
I am telling you folks. There is we need the FBI. We need the Justice Department down here in Memphis to take a very long, hard look at Shelby County government as well as Memphis City government. The level of corruption and grifting, unbelievable. Just unbelievable, and I'd especially look at these slush funds that the commissioners are getting and all these non-profits that are getting funding by city council.
And it just seems to me, and I got nothing against, look, I've got nothing against any non-profit in this city, but here's the deal. If I want to support a nonprofit, that should be my decision as a taxpayer. I don't need city council deciding for me what nonprofits I should be supporting with my tax money. That's where I draw the line. And I suspect that you and I could find much better use of that money than giving it to all of these nonprofits.
And by all the nonprofits, by the way, that are advocating for a safer Memphis, every single one of them ought to be defunded because they have completely failed in their assignment, every single one of them. All right, 901-260-5926, our number.
So Monty Fritz was in town and dropped by the national show. Monty is running to be the next. Governor of the great state of Tennessee. We already have two other Republicans in the race: Marshall Blackburn and Congressman John Rose. I forgot his name, Congressman John Rose.
And Marshall Blackburn is just pretty much crushing everybody right now in the numbers game. But Monty Fritz has generated a lot of support among the America First crowd and especially among Second Amendment advocates here in the volunteer state. Here's that conversation. You have been Really, all over the city. And one of the things I really appreciated about you is: yes, Memphis is a war zone, but you went to the front lines and you were in some communities that have really been ravaged by crime.
And I'm just curious, what did you see? And what did the locals tell you? I was down off Sim Street yesterday meeting with folks that live there in Orange Mount. and uh they were wonderfully warm to me. And I think that's what leaders do, Todd.
Leaders go to where the problems are and they assess for themselves. And I think we've been deficit in that in Tennessee. And so um Everybody I talked to had concerns about Crime? Failing education Utility bills. One dear lady, Miss Dolores, had paid $652 for her utility bill the previous month, and she's on fixed income.
What? That's what she told me: $652. Yes, sir. And of course, Part of that's brought on by the fact that we've allowed our generating capacity to diminish in Tennessee. And we have to buy more kilowatts off the economy.
One out of four kilowatts in Tennessee come from outside the state of Tennessee. I set up the energy policy in Tennessee a couple years ago and restructured the Energy Policy Council. We're trying to fix that. And of course, you also worked in the Trump administration as well in the first term. I did, yes, sir.
I was offered an appointment, a non-competitive appointment, not a Senate confirmed, but I was federal program manager for material recovery and recycle, and then I set up the Office of Stockpile Production and Integration under Trump 45.
So you clearly are a Trump supporter, and I'm curious your thoughts about the President announcing that he was going to send the National Guard to Memphis, and the President also sending the National Guard to other cities that have been war-torn by these Democrat policies. Yes, sir. The blue state policy, blue city policies are failing. They overload their citizens with propagandas and lies. I heard from a couple folks yesterday that open carry had caused the problems in Memphis.
That is not, and you know that's the case. I think that it's a I think what I like best about Donald Trump is he's not afraid to act. And thankfully he did that. I think it's a crying shame that we in Nashville were reluctant for years. I think you have to ask a simple question, Todd.
Is it a criminal rebellion in Memphis or is it not? And if it is, I think the governor has a responsibility to act and help restore law and order and to send guardsmen to Memphis unarmed. is unacceptable, in Monty's opinion. It's absolutely unacceptable. Quite frankly, everybody here, if you're law abiding, should be armed because there's a good chance you may come face to face with a carjacker.
Well, it's true, Todd. And I'll tell you the first thing I think we need to do to restore safety on the streets in Tennessee, and it's all of Tennessee, not just Memphis, not just Shelby County, but Roan County, Loudoun County. The Nashville establishment is attacking your firearms rights today. And this Hughes v. Lee lawsuit in the appeal, where they're going to spend more of the Tennessee taxpayers' dollars.
To continue to apply a Jim Crow law on Tennesseans, the intent to go armed. that a three-judge panel ruled unconstitutional. And to oppose that and want to perpetuate Jim Crow law is so, it leaves a stench on those men in Nashville that are doing that.
So I'm a proud member of the Gun Owners of America and spoke at their convention in Knoxville, their national convention. And it's really exciting to see the growth of that group. But there were a lot of concerns about Republican leadership here in Tennessee going after the rights of law-abiding gun owners. If you could explain for our national audience. In the same situation in their states with their Republican leadership as well.
What are the Republicans doing here? How are they targeting gun owners?
Well, first, in this Hughes v. Lee, the appeal by the governor and the attorney general of the state of Tennessee, we as Americans believe that we're innocent until proven guilty. But because of this 154-year-old intent to go armed language, you and I as gun owners are criminals until we can use other law to defend ourselves as innocent. And that's unacceptable. And what we have done is created a reluctance for the citizen, the law-abiding citizen, to defend themselves.
Well that brings on the predatory attacks. And if indeed there is, and I think there is based on what I heard in Orangebound yesterday, a criminal rebellion in Memphis, we're only exacerbating that. By discouraging Tennesseans from arming themselves. This is the patron state of shooting stuff, and I know that sounds country boy to come out, but. We should not allow this.
And so, unfortunately, I've been in the General Assembly for three years. We've tried legislatively to take that language out, to remove this foolish 1989 law that you can't possess a long gun except under certain conditions. But I will just tell you the the the Nashville establishment They're okay traveling about the state with armed guards to protect them. But they don't want you to defend yourself. I've noticed that.
By the way, the mayor of Memphis has a full security detail and lives in a gated community.
Well, most Memphians don't have that luxury. Can I just offer this, Todd? I think I'm going to win this election. I know that surprises some people, but I think that most of us Tennesseans have had it up to our nose holes with lying politicians who career politicians who infringe upon our rights, take more of our money, our budget's out of control in Tennessee. And they walk about with armed guards.
I don't think the governor of Tennessee needs six men around him. to protect him. I don't think that I'll drive myself. I'll interface with people in Tennessee as governor just like I did the good folks in Orange Mound yesterday.
So you've got two other folks running, and Marcia Blackburn, according to the polling data, looks like this is hers, right? You've got Congressman John Rose. I don't understand the strategy there, but he's got a lot of money and not spending a lot of it, not getting to know people in parts of the state where he might be unknown.
So I'm kind of surprised I have to push back a little bit. What makes you think you can win this thing?
Well, everybody knows Marsha. They do. They do know Marsha. And I appreciate those people's service, but I would remind folks that the national debt under the time that Senator Blackburn has been in. Congress has gone from $6.8 trillion At the end of 2024 at over $55 trillion.
She's been a part of that problem. Our budget in Tennessee has gone from a request in 2019 of $37.5 trillion. to the request this year of 59.5 trillion, 59% increase. If we think we can Stand more DC in Nashville. I'm probably not your guy.
If you want somebody to get a hold of the budget, stand up for the people of Tennessee and all Tennesseans. I think I'm going to get lots of looks on this. And Congressman Rowe, super, super nice guy. And I understand that he said he was going to spend $20, $25 million. I appreciate that he's got that to spend.
But I will tell you, I bet my new friends in Orange Mound and my friends in Rome County, when they hear that, they think, Why would anybody spend that much money to buy an election? It's a great question, actually. And again, I commend you because I think you are the only candidate who has actually been boots on the ground visiting the actual citizens of Orange Mound, who also happen to be voters in this state. And they're Tennesseans, and they're Tennesseans just like the VFW folks I just met with out in Collierville this morning. And I think that the Part of what I want to do is recalibrate Nashville.
I want to get the budget under control and leave more money in your pocket, Todd, and all Tennesseans' pockets. I want to recalibrate Nashville, Tennessee, to understand that they work for us. And under the authority of the Constitution, period. And they've forgotten that. I'm curious at your thoughts on the culture war issues.
There's been a lot of debate within the Republican Party and the platform whether or not we should be a staunchly pro-life party, whether or not we should be talking about things like traditional marriage and God. What say you're smiling here? What say you? Yeah, I think we still fall under the authority of that almighty God that's mentioned in Article 1, Section 3 of the Tennessee Constitution. And I think that legislation that I pass that a person cannot be forced.
to solemnize a marriage is important. I think that the marriage between A man and woman is what God designed, and nine black-robed judges cannot redefine that to something that is really an abomination in God's eyes. And I think that pro-life, our Tennessee Republican Party guiding principles. It is very clear that life begins at conception, We've allowed a little too much DC in that, and the DC Folks that have come into Nashville now want to change that to some nebulous when the baby can survive or what is a late-term abortion type thing. I think God sees that innocent blood flowing in the streets of America.
I think we're going to be judged for it. and I think that we should repent. Bonnie Fritz joining us, wanting to be the next governor of the state of Tennessee. And he's going to have some competition. Marcia Blackburn, also John Rose running, a congressman running.
And really, I mean, we are a super majority red state.
So ultimately, whoever wins the primary is going to be the next governor of the state of Tennessee. And if that is you. I'm curious if this crime problem is still going on in Memphis, how do you as the governor address that? And where is that on your list of priorities? It's high priority for all Tennesseans, that we should not allow the disruptive criminal rebellion to take place in many of these blue cities.
Because we have adopted Marxist ideologies and the leadership in these places. And More than than my my Disappointment that our governor and governors, once before Governor Lee, have not acted to help restore law and order to Memphis and to Nashville is problematic for me. We should do that. We have an obligation to help restore law and order, but we also have an obligation to investigate the corruption that has led to that. A thousand percent.
And stop talking about removing this person or that person, and let's do it. And let's look at what is wrong in the judicial and the prosecutorial field and the law enforcement field. I suspect we have lots of good Memphis police officers that feel abandoned. That they go make the arrest and the next day this criminal person's out on the street. We have to fix that.
If we don't fix the corruption, Then it's just going to come back.
Well, and the issue there is in the Tennessee House of Representatives, the Speaker of the House, Cameron Sexton, standing in the way of doing something about our George Soros District Attorney, Steve Mulroy, who Pam Bondi is clearly focusing on right now. Yes, and I appreciate Pam Bondi focusing on that. But I'll be honest with you: many of the leadership in the Republican Party, I'm so Republican, I squeak to it. But much of the Republican leadership has failed to act on that first thing we must do. We must first ensure the right of the individual to protect themselves.
And so while Governor Lee and General Scrimetty have gone after your rights with this Hughes v. Lee appeal, Many of the leadership have sat timidly silent and not said anything. And I think that's not going to wire well with them in history. They should be ashamed of themselves and they should speak up for the rights of Tennessee. Still managing your rental business like a side hustle?
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This is Starnes Country on this rainy Tuesday here in the Mid-South. Great to have you with us. I'm Todd Starnes. We are in the principal Toyota Memphis studio this morning.
Wellsome.
Some bad news for you folks uh who Frequent the cranker barrel. Over on, well, near Sycamore View. This is on Shelby Oaks Drive. Cranker Barrel announcing they have closed that location. And a lot of people are wondering if it had anything to do with the big dust up over the they changed the logo, they got rid of the old timer, and then all you know what broke loose, and then they reversed policy and they put everything back the way it was.
Well, according to the local news. They don't explain why the restaurant closed. But if you go in and read the social media comments, it's either because of all the hookers or crackheads in the neighborhood.
So take your pick, one or the other. But apparently, folks were a Folks were just not interested in having breakfast and seated next to a crackhead.
So there you go. 901-260-5926. Our telephone number. That's 901-260-5926.
The seventh congressional district race is just a complete mess right now. President Trump coming in, and the president endorsed a guy by the name of Matt Van Epps. He's a pal of. Governor Bill Lee. And Van Epps was the guy who was basically the Tennessee Fauci.
That's what they're calling him, the Tennessee Fauci. Van Epps was the guy responsible for shutting down. your child's school, your church, your small business. This is a bad dude. And they're saying that he's, well, yeah, he's got the endorsement of President Trump.
Again, we have seen, and this is not a slight at the president, but for whatever reason, when the president gets involved in these local races, sometimes he ends up endorsing the wrong guy. And in this case, he endorsed a rhino. I mean, that's all there is to it.
Now, a lot of people are pushing back, including our good buddy John Rich, the country music artist. And John Rich is a huge supporter of Jody Barrett and And Barrett's been on he's been on K WAM before. And he certainly seems like the America first candidate. I don't know that much about him other than the few times that we've been on the air together. But Bear it seems to be.
A good guy. And if John Rich is vouching for somebody, I'm willing to go along with that. And I got no problems, no problems with that at all. As a matter of fact, they grew up together. They went to school together, John Rich and Jody Barrett.
So they've known each other for many, many, many, many years.
So the question now is, what happens?
Well, today you've got 11 candidates running. Several have dropped out, but their names are still on the ballot. And the reason they dropped out, I believe Lee Reeves, one of those names, and they dropped out because of the Trump endorsement of Van Epps, who was actually not the top guy. There's been some concern here. That Republicans and Republican leadership wanted to make sure they had a guaranteed vote.
And they did not want another, and for lack of a better illustration here, they didn't want another MTG, somebody who might not vote. Along with the party leadership and the rank and file. They did not want another member of the House Freedom Caucus. And by the way, the House Freedom Caucus actually endorsed Jody Barrett.
So we'll see how this all plays out tonight. But there could be, and the low voter turnout is troubling. We'll keep an eye on all of that and we'll uh we'll do a rehash tomorrow. But it looks like the conservative movement, if they rise up here, they could send a message to Washington tonight in Tennessee 7th. All right, we've got to scoot out of here, folks.
Again, I apologize for those tech issues. We'll be back tomorrow, and we'll be back here at 11 for the Todd Starden Show Nationally. Get out there, be safe, and drive, Memphis.
