Michigan Church Shooting, Trump's Portland Takeover & Eric Adams Drops Out | PBD Podcast | Ep. 657

The podcast discusses the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, the ongoing challenges in Portland, the drop in US birth rates linked to shifting societal values, Eric Adams' withdrawal from the NYC mayoral race, Trump's actions regarding Amelia Earhart's records and Lithium Americas, and a powerful UN hypocrisy report on condemnations against Israel.

• Christian persecution, especially in Nigeria, is a severe global crisis largely ignored by mainstream media.

• Societal values, particularly modern feminism, are significantly impacting declining US birth rates, not just housing costs.

• The UN exhibits a clear double standard in its condemnations, disproportionately targeting Israel while overlooking severe human rights abuses elsewhere.

The discussion highlights the severe persecution of Christians globally, particularly in Nigeria where thousands have been killed and ignored by mainstream media. Domestically, Portland faces a governance crisis with escalating violence and police staffing shortages, leading to federal intervention from former President Trump. Societal shifts are also blamed for plummeting US birth rates, with an argument made against modern feminist ideals. The podcast also examines Eric Adams' exit from the NYC mayoral race, the UN's disproportionate condemnations against Israel, and Trump's efforts to declassify historical records and secure critical mineral independence.

Manc Updates & Tony Robbins

• 00:06:11 Manc, the app for connecting with influential people, announced a record-breaking month in September, culminating in Tony Robbins becoming its biggest strategic partner and investor. Robbins emphasizes 'proximity is power' for success and supports Manc's goal of democratizing access to top individuals, noting the app's 94% response rate compared to other platforms.

Portland's Governance Crisis

• 00:10:23 Portland, Oregon, is experiencing severe unrest and a policing crisis, with citizens begging for federal intervention due to constant protests and violence. The city's police force has seen over 300 resignations since 2020, yet Governor Tina Kotek claims the city has the situation under control, which is contradicted by internal reports of a major staffing crisis.

Michigan Church Shooting

• 00:21:52 A shooting and arson at a Church of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, left at least four dead and eight wounded. The assailant, Thomas Jacob Sanford, rammed a vehicle into the church, opened fire, and set it ablaze. The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of targeted violence, raising concerns about increasing political and religious violence in America.

Christian Persecution Globally

• 00:40:48 Christians are identified as the most persecuted religious group globally, with 7,000 killed in Nigeria in the first 220 days of 2025 alone, representing an average of 35 deaths per day. Despite these staggering numbers and the burning of 18,000 churches since 2009 by Islamist groups like Boko Haram, mainstream media largely ignores the crisis, a stark contrast to coverage of other conflicts.

US Birth Rate Decline

• 01:03:03 The US birth rate has fallen to an all-time low of 1.59 kids per woman in 2024, down from 2.1 just 19 years ago. While rising housing costs are cited as a factor, the primary cause is attributed to changing societal values influenced by modern feminism, which prioritizes careers over family for many women, contrasting with men's desire for family stability.

Eric Adams' Withdrawal

• 01:19:35 New York City Mayor Eric Adams withdrew from his re-election bid, citing constant media speculation and the campaign finance board's decision to withhold millions of dollars. Former President Trump suggests Adams' withdrawal and the city's progressive policies are setting the stage for a socialist mayor, leading to further urban decay and financial strain, including a proposed $100 million for free lawyers for undocumented immigrants.

UN Hypocrisy on Israel

• 01:49:11 Benjamin Netanyahu's UN General Assembly speech was met with walkouts, highlighting a perceived double standard where Israel has received 173 condemnations from the UN, while countries with severe human rights abuses like North Korea (10), China (0), and Hamas (0) have significantly fewer or none. This disproportionate criticism from the UN General Assembly raises questions about the body's impartiality.

Lithium Independence & Government Role

• 01:59:09 Trump's administration sought a stake in Lithium Americas, a Canadian mining firm with the largest planned lithium mine in the Western Hemisphere, as part of a $2.2 billion loan negotiation. This move aims to boost US production of lithium, crucial for electric vehicle batteries, to reduce reliance on China. Concerns are raised about government investment in private companies, fearing potential future conflicts of interest and a departure from capitalist principles.