Trump Says U.S. Is “In Charge” of Venezuela — But What Happens Next? | Pivot

Pivot is back! Kara is joined by Don Lemon, Stephanie Ruhle, and Brooke Hammerling to break down what’s happening in Venezuela and the global repercussions, from the “Donroe Doctrine” and Trump’s oil ambitions to Nicolás Maduro’s viral Nike outfit. Plus, how "Heated Rivalry" became a cultural phenomenon over the last few weeks, and the biggest questions and predictions for 2026. Watch "The Don Lemon Show" on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCXs0PlIGUDSXfBaF7j-1euA Watch "The 11th Hour" on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/11th-hour Subscribe to Pop Culture Mondays: https://popculturemondays.com/# #pivot #podcast #karaswisher #2026 #venezuela #maduro #heatedrivalry 00:00 Intro 1:06 U.S. “In Charge” of Venezuela 14:33 “Heated Rivalry” 28:11 Biggest Stories of 2026 40:10 2026 Predictions and Questions Producers: Lara Naaman Zoë Marcus Taylor Griffin Video Producer: Jim Mackil Vox Media's Executive Producer of Podcasts: Nishat Kurwa Subscribe to Pivot on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pivot/id1073226719 Subscribe to Pivot on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MU3RFGELZxPT9XHVwTNPR Follow us on Instagram and Threads at: https://www.instagram.com/pivotpodcastofficial/ Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@PIVOTPODCAST Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or email pivot@voxmedia.com

Kara SwisherhostDon LemonguestStephanie RuhleguestBrooke Hammerlingguest

Jan 6, 20261h 5mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: January 6, 2026
Duration: 1h 5m
Channel: Pivot
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Pivot is back! Kara is joined by Don Lemon, Stephanie Ruhle, and Brooke Hammerling to break down what’s happening in Venezuela and the global repercussions, from the “Donroe Doctrine” and Trump’s oil ambitions to Nicolás Maduro’s viral Nike outfit. Plus, how "Heated Rivalry" became a cultural phenomenon over the last few weeks, and the biggest questions and predictions for 2026. Watch "The Don Lemon Show" on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCXs0PlIGUDSXfBaF7j-1euA Watch "The 11th Hour" on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/11th-hour Subscribe to Pop Culture Mondays: https://popculturemondays.com/# #pivot #podcast #karaswisher #2026 #venezuela #maduro #heatedrivalry 00:00 Intro 1:06 U.S. “In Charge” of Venezuela 14:33 “Heated Rivalry” 28:11 Biggest Stories of 2026 40:10 2026 Predictions and Questions Producers: Lara Naaman Zoë Marcus Taylor Griffin Video Producer: Jim Mackil Vox Media's Executive Producer of Podcasts: Nishat Kurwa Subscribe to Pivot on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pivot/id1073226719 Subscribe to Pivot on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MU3RFGELZxPT9XHVwTNPR Follow us on Instagram and Threads at: https://www.instagram.com/pivotpodcastofficial/ Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@PIVOTPODCAST Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or email pivot@voxmedia.com

SPEAKERS

Kara Swisher
host
Don Lemon
guest
Stephanie Ruhle
guest
Brooke Hammerling
guest

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Pivot, featuring Kara Swisher and Don Lemon, Trump Says U.S. Is “In Charge” of Venezuela — But What Happens Next? | Pivot explores trump’s Venezuela Gamble, MAGA Fractures, and a Gay Hockey Phenomenon The episode examines President Trump’s surprise military intervention in Venezuela, his claim that the U.S. is now “in charge” of the country, and the downstream consequences for democracy, global norms, and the U.S. economy. Don Lemon flags the action as chaotic and precedent-setting, highlighting Trump’s impunity and parallels between Maduro’s alleged crimes and Trump’s own behavior. Stephanie Ruhle dissects the economic and Wall Street angles, arguing this is fundamentally about oil, deregulation, and fragile K-shaped growth that could be destabilized by Trump’s de‑globalization agenda. Brooke Hammerling explores the cultural reaction—from TikTok memes of Maduro as a fashion icon to the viral success of the low‑budget Canadian show "Heated Rivalry"—as evidence of how social media, independent content, and new forms of “woke” storytelling are reshaping culture and politics. The trio ends with predictions about MAGA fracturing, AI’s unchecked rise, Elon Musk’s quiet consolidation of power, and a potential cultural shift toward “love and kindness” after years of political exhaustion.

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