LIVE: GOP in PANIC over MIDTERM COLLAPSE!! | The Weekend Show

Ryan Zinke, the Republican incumbent, accumulated 18 official ethics investigations during his tenure as Trump's Interior Secretary, ultimately leading to his dismissal for being 'too corrupt' even for that administration. A notable instance involved awarding a $300 million contract to rebuild Puerto Rico's electrical grid after Hurricane Maria to an inexperienced company, which allegedly enriched Zinke while leaving Puerto Rico with an insufficient power grid.

Guest Ryan Busse states Zinke had '18 official ethics investigations against him' and was 'fired from the Trump administration for being too corrupt.' He details the Puerto Rico contract awarded to a 'dude who has never has no experience building electrical electrical grids.'

Despite scientific consensus, the Trump administration's denial of climate change and policies like declaring CO2 not a pollutant have tangible negative effects. Montana experienced its warmest, strangest winter on record, with green grass in February and days above 60 degrees. Policies that disincentivize renewables, the cheapest form of new energy, directly raise power costs for working families in Montana.

Busse notes the Trump administration 'disavows science' and states, 'our grass is green and it's February in Montana. ... many days have been above 60°.' He adds that removing incentives for renewables, the 'cheapest form of new energy,' leads to 'power prices are going up.'

Montana is the least affordable state in the US, with a median income of $39,400 and average home prices around $600,000. This disparity, exacerbated by wealthy individuals buying property for short-term use, leaves local workers like cops, teachers, and mechanics unable to afford housing. Key campaign issues for Busse include housing affordability, universal healthcare, and the protection of public lands, which are vital for Montana's economy and quality of life.

Busse states Montana is the 'least affordable state in the union' with a median income of '$39,400' and average home price of '$600,000.' He lists 'cost of housing,' 'health care,' and 'public lands and conservation issues' as top priorities.

Trump-era tariffs have severely damaged Montana's economy, particularly its tourism and agricultural sectors. Canadian visitorship, which accounts for 18-20% of the state's tourism economy, has plummeted due to strained relations and tariffs. Farmers face increased input costs for essential Canadian fertilizers, while markets for their crops are also harmed. This 'needless' economic aggression has alienated a crucial neighbor.

Busse details 'tariffs here are killing this economy. 18 to 20% of our economy is Canadian visitorship and it's gone.' He cites a liquor store owner's business being down '18 to 20%' and farmers struggling with 'Canadian fertilizer.'

The Trump administration's increased funding for DHS and ICE has created a paramilitary force with a budget exceeding the US Marine Corps ($191 billion). This force conducts 'domestic terror' operations, like those in Minneapolis, using masked agents to intimidate and 'kill some' people, aiming to instill fear and impact voting in 'big blue cities.' The recruitment targets 'couch commandos' – individuals drawn to right-wing extremism – using $100 million in AI-driven marketing.

Busse states the DHS ICE budget is '$191 billion,' more than the Marine Corps. He calls ICE actions 'domestic terror' and describes agents 'dressed like they're marching into Fallujah.' He mentions a '$100 million' recruiting effort using AI to target 'vitriolic right-wing stuff.'

The killing of Alex Prey, an ICU nurse who was legally and responsibly carrying a firearm at a protest, by Border Patrol agents, exposed a shift in the administration's interpretation of Second Amendment rights. While the NRA traditionally advocated for citizens to arm themselves against government tyranny, Trump and his allies condemned Prey's actions, suggesting that gun ownership is for government control over people, not for citizens to control their government. This event served as a 'wakeup call' for many gun owners.

Busse states Prey 'did everything 100% by the book' and was 'killed because he was carrying a gun.' He highlights the irony that Prey 'was literally doing the exact thing that the NRA has been telling people to do... Stand up against governmental tyranny.' He concludes, 'These people see gun ownership in ICE agents owning guns against us, not us owning guns against the government.'

The influx of data centers and AI development, driven by billionaires and trillion-dollar companies, presents a challenge to traditional job growth and local resources. While offering short-term construction jobs, these centers are designed to replace human labor with robotics and AI, leading to long-term job displacement in various industries. Furthermore, they exploit cheap power and local water resources, raising utility costs and threatening natural environments, which angers local communities.

Busse cites Amazon warehouses becoming 'run by robotics' and states AI's 'very nature' is 'to replace human labor.' He notes data centers 'exploit cheap... power' and 'need the water to cool these huge data centers,' leading to 'power prices are going to double' and 'poison' rivers.