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Marco Rubio Ends State-Sponsored Censorship, but is Free Speech Really Back? – Robert Ian Reports

from Kerry Lutz's Financial Survival Network

In a bold declaration, Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the U.S. has officially ended government-sponsored censorship through the State Department. In this episode, Robert Ian of ConquerChange.com breaks down Rubio’s April 17th, 2025 interview where he claims the Global Engagement Center—the controversial censorship arm of the State Department—was shut down in late 2024. Rubio reveals how this censorship infrastructure, originally created to counter radical extremism after 9/11, was quietly weaponized to silence American voices, especially during the 2020 election and early pandemic. NGOs were used as proxy hitmen, tagging U.S. citizens as “foreign agents” to justify de-platforming. Now, Rubio promises transparency, a deep investigation into who ordered the censorship, and a commitment to free speech as the antidote to disinformation. But questions remain: Will this effort truly dismantle the censorship machine? Can the U.S. push back against European Union censorship laws targeting American speech abroad? Or is this just another PR move? We explore it all—with hard questions, historical context, and a close look at what this means for freedom of expression in the digital age.

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Will Government Confiscate Your Bitcoin?

First They Pump It… Then What? No One Saw Them Coming for Your Gold in 1933

by Kerry Lutz
FinancialSurvivalNetwork.com

When I originally floated the idea that Bitcoin could be used by the U.S. government to help pay down the national debt and recapitalize Social Security, the reaction was swift—and not always polite.

Critics told me I didn’t understand how Bitcoin worked. That the government would never touch it. That this was all fantasy.

But let’s be clear: my original thesis wasn’t about confiscation. It was about price manipulation—the government allowing, even facilitating, a monumental Bitcoin bull run so that it could liquidate its own strategic holdings at the top and use the windfall to stabilize a collapsing financial system.

In other words: a government-engineered pump and dump.

One-Star Reviews, Five-Star Sales with DJ Sprague and Scott Brandley

from Kerry Lutz's Financial Survival Network

Today’s conversation is with DJ Sprague and Scott Brandley of Shopper Approved. The discussion focused on the significance of reputation in the purchasing process, particularly for high-value items like gold and silver. Kerry Lutz highlighted the importance of trust signals, such as reliable ratings and personal recommendations, while Scott Brandley warned about the prevalence of fraud in the market. DJ Sprague pointed out the potential manipulation of online reviews by companies, advocating for the use of multiple sources to ensure authentic feedback.

He emphasized the need for working with Google review partners to maintain credibility and prevent the deletion of negative reviews. The participants discussed the differences between open and verified review platforms, noting that consumers often lack awareness of these distinctions.

The conversation also examined the role of negative reviews in establishing brand trust, with DJ citing research that shows consumers are more likely to convert when they see authentic negative feedback. They agreed that a perfect five-star rating can reduce trust, while a rating between 4.2 and 4.9 is more credible. The importance of brands responding to negative reviews was emphasized as a demonstration of commitment to customer service.

DJ explained the legal ramifications of manipulative advertising practices, while advocating for verified review platforms that ensure feedback comes from actual customers.

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Tax Hacks That the IRS Fears Most with Anne Gannon

from Kerry Lutz's Financial Survival Network

Kerry Lutz interviewed Anne Gannon, a CPA specializing in tax advice for real estate investors, focusing on critical tax reporting issues. Gannon highlighted a common error among investors: misclassifying property improvements as repairs, which can complicate loan applications. She emphasized the necessity for clients to remain informed year-round to prevent surprises during tax season, citing a specific case where improper expense categorization led to mortgage difficulties. The discussion also covered the implications of bonus depreciation on tax returns, with Gannon noting the potential reduction from 100% to 40% and its significant impact on investment decisions. She clarified the different tax treatments for short-term rentals versus residential properties and mentioned that many clients are now undertaking cost segregation studies to enhance their tax understanding. Gannon offered to provide a checklist to help clients navigate these tax complexities.

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The Ultimate Reset: Bitcoin to Erase U.S. Debt in 2026

by Kerry Lutz
FinancialSurvivalNetwork.com

The United States is drowning in debt—$37 trillion and counting as of April 2025 . Politicians and economists wring their hands over this colossal IOU, debating painful solutions: draconian spending cuts, massive tax hikes, inflating the dollar to make old debts cheaper, or even default. None of these options are palatable. But what if there’s a radical Plan B lurking in the shadows? What if Washington’s ultimate “reset” button is Bitcoin? In a scenario straight out of a financial thriller, imagine the U.S. government secretly hoarding cryptocurrency and waiting for the right moment to wipe out the national debt in one fell swoop. Sound far-fetched? Perhaps—yet the pieces of this speculative puzzle are falling into place.

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Federal Property Sales = Big Opportunity with Dave Cordea

from Kerry Lutz's Financial Survival Network

The discussion focused on investment opportunities arising from the government’s sale of surplus properties, with David Codrea emphasizing the potential of acquiring smaller properties under 100,000 square feet for repurposing into local business spaces. He highlighted a recent list of federal properties available for sale, particularly in the Southeast region between Atlanta and Charlotte, which he views as having significant growth potential. Another speaker shared their investment strategy, favoring lower-rise buildings with flexible zoning to facilitate quicker leasing, and noted a typical profitability timeframe of about 18 months, factoring in municipal permitting. While acknowledging the rising interest in data centers, they expressed a preference for less competitive markets due to high costs and energy supply challenges. The complexities of converting commercial properties to residential use were also discussed, particularly the resistance from cities to zoning changes, along with reflections on past projects, including a successful turnaround of a mobile home park with infrastructure issues.

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Trump’s Tariff Wars: A Battlefront in America’s Silent War with China

by Kerry Lutz
FinancialSurvivalNetwork.com

When President Donald Trump launched his now infamous tariff war in 2018, most pundits and political operatives mistook it for a simple economic maneuver—another blunt instrument wielded by a real estate tycoon-turned-president who, in their minds, didn’t understand global diplomacy. But that perception missed the forest for the trees. The true crux of Trump’s trade war wasn’t about soybeans or washing machines—it was about confronting China’s decades-long campaign of economic warfare against the United States. Tariffs were the opening salvos in a broader strategy, one aimed at turning the tide on a total war waged without bullets.

Crypto Swap: America’s Debt Fix with Dale Smothers

from Kerry Lutz's Financial Survival Network

Kerry Lutz and Dale Smothers discussed the implications of recent GDP growth figures, deeming them less relevant for future economic strategies. Dale emphasized the importance of addressing current challenges rather than focusing on past performance, criticizing government inefficiencies and advocating for prioritizing domestic needs over foreign aid, especially in light of natural disasters. He expressed concerns about the media’s role in shaping public perception and the need for accountability and term limits in government to combat political polarization. Both acknowledged the necessity of overhauling outdated geopolitical strategies, particularly regarding China, and supported innovative economic policies that could benefit American consumers.

The conversation also explored potential solutions for the U.S. debt crisis, with Kerry proposing a strategic reserve of cryptocurrency, specifically Bitcoin, to facilitate a debt swap. Both he and Dale dismissed traditional solutions like default or inflationary depression as undesirable. They discussed the idea of abolishing income tax in favor of a national sales tax, which they believe could yield significant economic benefits.

They noted ongoing tax reform discussions in various states, highlighting a positive shift in political conversations around tax cuts, particularly with a Democratic governor in Kentucky advocating for these reforms. Overall, they expressed optimism about the potential impacts of these strategies on American consumers and taxpayers.

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“Biggest Copper Opportunity I’ve Seen in 25 Years,” Says Coppernico Metals CEO Ivan Bebek

from Kerry Lutz's Financial Survival Network

We sat down with Ivan Bebek, CEO of Coppernico Metals (🇺🇸 CPPMF — 🇨🇦 COPR), to for a sponsor update to discuss the company’s latest drilling program and the booming metals market. Ivan shares exciting updates on their first 20 drill holes in Peru, revealing promising signs of a massive copper system. With new targets like Raso and a permit expansion underway,

Coppernico is gearing up for a game-changing phase of exploration. Ivan also weighs in on rising copper prices—pushing past $5/lb—driven by global electrification and supply shortages, predicting a slow-but-massive bull market ahead. Plus, he hints at a potential U.S. copper project to diversify their portfolio.

Don’t miss this deep dive into Coppernico’s strategy and the future of copper!

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Disclaimer: Coppernico Metals has sponsored this video production. No questions were exchanged prior to the interview. The forward-looking statements in Coppernico Metals’ presentation apply to the content of this interview and write-up. The content on FinancialSurvivalNetwork.com (FSN) is for informational purposes only and should not be considered personal legal or investment advice, or a recommendation to buy or sell securities or any other products. It is based on opinions, SEC filings, current events, press releases, and interviews but may contain errors. FSN offers no inferred or explicit warranty regarding the accuracy of the information presented. Consult your investment advisor and do not base any investment decisions on the information contained herein or on FinancialSurvivalNetwork.com. We may hold equity positions in some of the companies featured on this site. FSN disclaims any responsibility for the content of any linked website. Use any information on FinancialSurvivalNetwork.com at your own risk. By reading this disclaimer, you agree to hold FSN harmless for any losses you may incur.

Dolly Varden SIlver Uplists to NYSE-American with CEO Shawn Khunkhun

from Kerry Lutz's Financial Survival Network

Dolly Varden Silver’s (🇺🇸 DOLLF – 🇨🇦 DV) CEO Shawn Khunkhun returns to the Financial Survival Network for a powerful sponsor update with host Kerry Lutz. With gold at record highs and silver back at $32, Khunkhun breaks down Dolly Varden’s latest drill results at the Homestake Ridge property—highlighting a major silver-gold discovery at Homestake and an impressive 160+ gram-meter intercept that points to a potential new high-grade zone.

He explains why a 10% rise in silver prices can lead to a 30% pop in share value, and how Dolly Varden’s $33.9 million war chest is fueling an aggressive 2025 drill program targeting 40,000 meters of exploration across key zones like Wolf, Homestake, and a new area called Red Point.

He announced the company’s uplist to the NYSE-American. Its inclusion means that multiple ETFs, institutional backing, along with the ease of purchasing share will help DV become a Top 10 silver company, Dolly Varden is well positioned for breakout growth—or a potential acquisition by a major.

Learn why Khunkhun says Dolly’s ounces in the ground are more discounted than ever—and why that spells opportunity for investors now.

📈 Ticker Symbols: 🇺🇸 DOLLF (OTC) 🇨🇦 DV (TSXV)

👉 Visit: https://DollyVardenSilver.com/

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Disclaimer: This interview is sponsored by Dolly Varden Silver, and Financial Survival Network has received payment to conduct this interview of thirty-one hundred and fifty dollars. The information provided in this video is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice, investment advice, or a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, we make no guarantees or representations as to its completeness, accuracy, or reliability. Viewers are strongly advised to conduct their own research, carefully review the information presented, and consult with professional investment advisors and financial counselors before making any investment decisions. The insights shared in this video are based on the perspectives and opinions of the interview participants and should be used at your own risk. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal, and past performance is no guarantee of future results.

What’s “Normal” in a Hyper-Normalized World?

by Charles Hugh Smith
Of Two Minds

Now that the entire economy depends on these hyper-normalized speculative bubbles for its “growth” and “wealth,” there is a profound fear of a future based not on artifice but on the real world.

Humans are quick to habituate to current conditions, i.e. consider them normal. This rapid normalization has advantages and disadvantages.

Normalization is an adaptive strategy, enabling humans to adapt readily to conditions that are considerably different from their previous “normal” state of affairs. So those ripped out of their “normal” lives and thrown into the Gulag soon consider the wretched conditions of the prison camp “normal.”

The downside of normalization is that it erects a defensive barrier between the real world and the perceived i.e. normalized world. In systems that have failed but are incapable of real reform, normalization phase-shifts into Hyper-normalization (generally one word, Hypernormalization), a peculiar adaptative state described by Alexei Yurchak, a Russian anthropologist who used the term in his 2005 book Everything was Forever, Until it was No More: The Last Soviet Generation.

Continue Reading at OfTwoMinds.com…

Psychotropic Drugs May Be to Blame for Mass Shootings

by Raw Egg Nationalist
DailyCaller.com

Tennessee has just passed a law requiring toxicology testing for mass killers. That means the bodies of these sickos will now get a full drug screening during autopsy, including for psychotropic drugs like antidepressants. It’s about time.

Other states should follow suit. Wyoming is already considering doing so. In fact, I’ll go further: RFK Jr. should strike while the iron is hot and announce an investigation at the federal level. He’s spoken before about the links between antidepressants and school shootings, and of course, he’s taken more than his fair share of flak for it. Now he can actually do something.

Tennessee Bill HB1349/SB1146 has passed both houses of the state legislature. It will mandate a full panel of toxicology screening for mass killers — defined as anybody who kills more than four people — and a detailed report will be made available to the public in each case. Investigators will study drug interactions in killers’ bodies, because combinations of drugs can have different effects than they would individually. Investigators will also consult with providers of mental health services in cases where the killer has used them.

Continue Reading at DailyCaller.com…

A Crisis Was Ordered Long Ago

by George Ford Smith
Mises.org

“The Financial Crisis was a failure of government, not capitalism.”—Peter Schiff, March 2025

“Wall Street got drunk,” President Bush said in 2008, to which Peter Schiff replied, “They did. And the Fed provided the liquor!”

Schiff—who credits his understanding of markets and Austrian economics to his father’s teachings growing up—is renowned for his prediction of the Financial Crisis of 2008, years before the housing market nosedived. His position earned him the scorn and ridicule of almost every other commentator, as seen in this collection of videos, but he never blinked. The market was in trouble, not because of a lack of regulations, but because the government and the Fed were on a fiat money high.

In 2009, Congress formed the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission (FCIC) to find out why the economy broke. In its final report, the commission stated that, “In the course of its research and investigation, the Commission reviewed millions of pages of documents, interviewed more than 700 witnesses, and held 19 days of public hearings in New York, Washington, D.C., and communities across the country.” Among those called to testify were “Helicopter Ben” Bernanke—then chairman of the Fed—and Fedspeak founder, Alan Greenspan (a former Fed chairman). And even though he asked to testify, troublemaker Peter Schiff was not called.

Continue Reading at Mises.org…

Poland Prosecutes 45 Doctors for Covid Vaccine Misinformation

by Martin Armstrong
Armstrong Economics

A group of Polish physicians attempted to warn the public that the COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations were not “safe and effective.” Countless evidence and studies have proven that the vaccination did more harm than good. Yet, Poland has placed 45 doctors on trial for spreading anti-vaccine misinformation during the pandemic. If found guilty, these men and women will lose their medical licenses.

These 45 physicians are part of the Polish Association of Independent Physicians and Scientists (PSNLiN), a group that actively sought to warn the public about the harmful side effects of the mRNA vaccine. Their mission as stated on their website: “Freeing the medical profession and scientists from enslavement and restoring professional and scientific freedom. Promoting prevention and treatment according to the doctor’s and patient’s choice.” Why should the government force vaccines upon the population and have the ability to override trained medical professionals?

Continue Reading at ArmstrongEconomics.com…

Despite Turmoil in Stocks: Financial Conditions, Financial Stress, Junk-Bond Spreads Still in La-La Land or Barely Exiting

by Wolf Richter
Wolf Street

These are aspects the Fed is considering in setting its monetary policy; that type of discussion is part of its meeting minutes.

Despite the turmoil in the stock market that has been zigzagging down from dizzying and mindboggling all-time highs as all kinds of stuff is getting repriced, broad financial conditions in the credit markets remain in la-la land, or are just barely exiting la-la-land.

The NFCI is still in la-la-land but looking for the exit. Overall financial conditions in money markets, debt markets, and equity markets, according to the Chicago Fed’s National Financial Conditions Index which tracks over 100 data points, have tightened from ultra-loose at the end of January, to still very loose in the most recent week, when the NFCI rose to -0.42.

Continue Reading at WolfStreet.com…

A Correct Decision On Press Access

by Karl Denninger
Market-Ticker.org

The Trump Whitehouse has, IMHO, done the right thing.

Now, the White House will instead set aside a second slot for “print” outlets that also includes wire services, as part of the rotating pool covering Trump for limited-space events, the New York Post reported. It has been traditional for either the AP, Reuters or Bloomberg News to have a guaranteed spot in limited pool events covering the president because of their expansive readerships.

Well, and?

Left out is what the “wire services” have done with their direct feeds in recent years: They have turned them into subscription services for ordinary people where they used to be freely available to anyone via the web or their own apps.

This is no longer true; you get “some number” of reads a month or whatever and then they demand money.

Continue Reading at Market-Ticker.org…

Gold SWOT: Goldman Sees Gold Topping $4,000 an Ounce By Mid-2026

by Frank Holmes
GoldSeek

Strengths

  • The best performing precious metal for the past week was palladium, up 5.93%. ETFs increased gold holdings for the sixth straight day, while selling 2,340 troy ounces of platinum, but only selling two troy ounces of palladium.
  • China has seen a surge in gold trading volumes on the Shanghai Futures Exchange as Sino-U.S. trade tensions rise, with investors seeking safety amid a potential new trade war. This buying frenzy has pushed prices to a premium over international prices.
  • Gold hit a new record high on April 16, as the Trump administration pressed ahead with probes that could broaden the U.S.’s sweeping trade war. The precious metal has rallied by more than a fifth this year as the worsening trade war has damped prospects for global growth, eroded trust in usually safe U.S. assets and roiled financial markets.

Continue Reading at GoldSeek.com…

Consequences of the AI Disruption

by Adam Sharp
Daily Reckoning

AI is set to usher in a new industrial revolution.

To prepare, I’ve been brushing up on past industrial revolutions, starting with the first one, which took place from around 1750 to 1830.

A few of the more disruptive inventions from this period include:

  • Steam engines
  • Mechanized factories
  • Power looms (textiles)
  • Stocking frames (knitting)
  • Coke smelting (iron tech)

The adoption of these tools completely changed the world economy. Most of these breakthroughs came from Britain, and it was the primary early beneficiary.

Continue Reading at DailyReckoning.com…

Credit Markets On Edge as Tariff Pressure Builds

Tariffs rocked corporate earnings expectations, raising credit default risks. Even safe havens provide little relief from the chaos to come.

by Peter C. Earle
The Daily Economy

Credit markets are becoming increasingly vulnerable to fallout from the emerging trade war. While the media will continue to focus on headline tariff announcements and retaliatory measures, structural risks are emerging. Trade frictions are being transmitted into funding markets, onto corporate balance sheets, and ultimately into broader economic activity.

Tariffs risk triggering a credit event that could spill into broader financial markets and catalyze a recession. Credit quality is like a credit score for companies, measuring financial solvency, the likelihood that a company (or government) will default on its loans. Credit spreads — the premium that investors demand to hold risky corporate bonds over nominally risk-free Treasury securities — have already begun to widen. That widening reflects rising concern about credit risk, as investors require higher compensation to hold debt issued by companies rather than the US government.

Continue Reading at TheDailyEconomy.org…

Why Due Process Matters

Plus: A listener asks who was the better president: Trump or Obama?

by Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch
Reason.com

In this week’s The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss how President Donald Trump is de-prioritizing due process by not adhering to a ruling from the Supreme Court.

They also talk about how Harvard University’s tax status could be in jeopardy and reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis.

Click Here to Listen to the Audio

Continue Reading at Reason.com…

Not In Kansas Any More

by Christopher Chantrill
American Thinker

As America and the world deal with the phenomenon of Trump 2.0, with the Left slinging the ACLU at the court system and educated liberal ladies demanding HANDS OFF! and Standing up for Free Speech, and the rest of us wondering if our Democrat friends are really serious about flying to El Salvador on the taxpayers’ dime to advocate for helpless innocent Central American gang members. Of course, maybe traveling to the country named after The Savior during Holy Week is a brilliant and sophisticated pitch for the votes of Christians.

The rest of us are wondering if this is really the start of the promised Golden Age or just the descent into another recession.

The only thing we know for sure is the maxim of popular philosopher Dorothy Gale that we are not in Kansas anymore. Remember when the young Barack Obama was assuring us that the future was full of Hope and Change? Truth is, Mr. President, that Change is very seldom Hopeful. Usually it is terrifying, and it is especially terrifying if you have lived all your life in the liberal bubble and the only thing you know is that the liberal way is the only way.

Continue Reading at AmericanThinker.com…

Is Gold Really Overbought? Craig Hemke’s Insights

by Craig Hemke
Sprott Money

Gold Bull Markets And Price Pullbacks

Over the holiday weekend, I’ve seen many posts and comments about how “gold is overbought” and “due for a pullback”. That may be true, of course, as all bull markets in gold play out in a series of higher highs and higher lows. But is gold truly “overbought”? That’s a good question.

Most of this analysis appears to be based on a feeling that “price is too high”. Generalist investors who don’t often focus on gold see the price above $3000 and think it’s too expensive. But too expensive compared to what? Stock? Bonds? Or is it just the price itself that bothers people?

Continue Reading at SprottMoney.com…

Trump Successfully Gets Illegal Aliens To Self-Deport From U.S.

by John Binder
Breitbart.com

President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration is successfully getting illegal aliens to self-deport from the United States, a concept once mocked by the establishment media.

According to interviews with illegal aliens and immigration attorneys, published in the Los Angeles Times and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, many of the nation’s 11 million to 22 million illegal aliens are deciding to self-deport rather than face deportation under the Trump administration.

“The more likely candidates for self-deportation are younger immigrants who arrived to the U.S. relatively recently and don’t yet have children. Anyone with deeper roots in the country is likely less mobile,” the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported:

Continue Reading at Breitbart.com…

This is Why Empty Shelves and Painful Shortages of Certain Items Are Coming

by Michael Snyder
The Economic Collapse Blog

We are about to find out what happens when thousands of very popular products are suddenly no longer available for sale. A lot of Amazon shoppers have been shocked to learn that some of their favorite products have already disappeared. In fact, there are entire stores on Amazon that are now completely gone. Of course it isn’t just Amazon that is facing an unprecedented crisis. Walmart, Target, Home Depot and our largest dollar store chains are all going to have to figure out new ways to fill their shelves in the months ahead.

Those that wish to export products to the United States will soon have to pay enormous port fees on top of the tariffs that have already been announced.

For certain products coming from China, that will mean paying port fees on top of tariffs of up to 245 percent.

Some companies will still attempt to sell Chinese-made products in the United States, but they will be forced to hike their prices extremely high.

Continue Reading at TheEconomicCollapseBlog.com…