How Trump is Doing with Michael Franzese

YouTube ^ | April 1, 2025 | Keeping It Real [sic] Podcast with Jillian Michaels

[SunkenCiv]

But here's where it gets even more interesting: are the tactics of the government really that different from those of the Mafia? Michael shares his firsthand experience with the inner workings of both, exposing corruption, backroom deals, and power plays that eerily mirror what happens in the political world. From tax schemes and money laundering to loyalty, fear tactics, and backstabbing, we break down the shocking parallels between organized crime and modern government. We also explore the world of sports gambling—one of the Mafia's biggest money-makers—and how its influence has evolved with legalization, corporate interests, and political involvement. 

How Trump is Doing with Michael Franzese | 3:57 
Jillian Michaels | 531K subscribers | 3,984 views | April 1, 2025

[SunkenCiv]

The full episode is linked here, and BTW, just so you know, I don't who does or doesn't have the time to sit through this whole thing, I won't be posting a transcript of either the above clip or the full interview, and for a summary, look at the chapter breakdowns.

---

In this eye-opening episode of Keeping It Real, Jillian sits down with former Mafia capo Michael Franzese, a man who lived deep inside the world of organized crime and walked away—something almost unheard of. We dive into his fascinating life story, from his rise in the Colombo crime family to his decision to leave the Mafia behind and find redemption.

But here's where it gets even more interesting: are the tactics of the government really that different from those of the Mafia? Michael shares his firsthand experience with the inner workings of both, exposing corruption, backroom deals, and power plays that eerily mirror what happens in the political world. From tax schemes and money laundering to loyalty, fear tactics, and backstabbing, we break down the shocking parallels between organized crime and modern government. We also explore the world of sports gambling—one of the Mafia's biggest money-makers—and how its influence has evolved with legalization, corporate interests, and political involvement.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone who wants an unfiltered look at how power really works—whether in the streets or in Washington, D.C. Don't miss this raw, unfiltered conversation with one of the most compelling figures in organized crime history.

From Mafia to Politics: Michael Franzese Exposes Shocking Parallels of Power, Corruption & Control | 1:44:59
Keeping It Real [sic] Podcast with Jillian Michaels | 531K subscribers | 53,252 views | March 6, 2025

00:00 Intro
03:30 Mobsters & Politicians
09:00 DOGE & Trump
13:00 Right VS Left
14:30 Inflation / Economy
17:00 Hollywood VS Maga
18:30 J6
24:00 Is The Right More Tolerant
28:00 Mob & Racism
31:00 Obama Hypocrisy
33:00 Why Michael Joined The Mob
41:00 Taking The Oath
44:00 HIT on Michael's Life
48:00 Guilliani
51:00 Michael Leaves The Mob
59:00 Parallels between Trump & Michael's Indictments
1:06:00 How To Build Resilience
1:09:00 Surviving Solitary
1:12:00 Finding Fath
1:26:00 Fixing Pro Sports Games
1:36:00 Trump Derangement Syndrome

[SunkenCiv]

• Michael search results on the JMKIR podcast

[ClearCase_guy]

I consider government to be organized crime. The differences are minimal. I also think that the concept of “police” was invented by government to protect the Bad Guys from the righteous anger of the Good Guys. We see it all the time — Bad Guys get away with all kinds of stuff. But if a Good Guy steps in and tries to deal with the Bad Guy, the cops show up real quick and stomp that Good Guy real hard. All of this should be seen as one big package in which honest working men are treated as Suckers and the Government pretends to provide desirable services.

[circlecity]

Bump

[smokingfrog]

I didn’t realize that Jillian had gone to “the dark side”.

[sauropod]

She never left the dark side.

[chajin]

The lesson here is that a society (which could be anything from a neighborhood to multiple nations), left on its own, will evolve into a Mafia-like organization, with leaders who combine corruption with concern for their underlings, warriors whose loyalty is based partly on oaths and partly on self-aggrandisement, and peasants who generally live in peace as long as they are compliant, but experience the sporadic violence around them.

It takes a concerted effort by a group of moral people to organize a republic designed to ensure that power does not coagulate into one place, nor that it has to be protected by force. We had it with the Founders. We may have it again, but it will take more than Trump to make it so.

[aquila48]

All governments are pretty much mafias with a shinier veneer.

It’s the natural result when you have a monopoly on force.

When you boil it down to its essence it’s basically a protection racket.

[SunkenCiv]

Getting rid of the DC permanent population, implementing real term limits at the city and state levels, and ridding law of judicial ex cathedra would help end most of it.

[SunkenCiv]

She’s a personal training nitwit, dumber than Joe Rogan was when he started doing podcasts, but will probably not see the same development, most of hers will always be under her blouse. In common with Rogan she seems to have few limits on who she interviews, but in the short clip describes herself as “center-left”, which of course means, she’s a weathervane.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Government is the greediest, most corrupt and murderous force on Earth, having murdered 262,000,000 of their own citizens in the 20th century alone, so there's that.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

In common with Rogan she seems to have few limits on who she interviews...

You should stick to Sunday morning cartoon news. They will never interview anyone you consider unworthy.

[Vaduz]

Great post food for the ignorant that had no idea how things operate and by who TDS people hit hardest.

[bee-z]

The government calls its bill collector the IRS and the mafia calls their bill collector Big Lou.

When you buy protection from the mafia, you get protection. When you buy protection from the government you can dial 911 and die.

The mafia’s protection is much less expensive than the Feds. The mafia wants around 10- 15% of your profits and the Federal Gubmint wants 37% of your profits.

[MayflowerMadam]

Like we didn’t already know the similarities. The government is worse and less honorable than the Mafia.

[MayflowerMadam]

I used to listen to Jillian on local CA radio around 20 years ago. Always on the dark side. IIRC, she said she’s homosexual.

[Irish Eyes]

Bookmark

[TimSkalaBim]

Agreed, especially as democrats practice it.

Converse is also true - the mafia is a government, always was. There's bosses and hierarchy and rules and sanctions for violating the rules.

[smokingfrog]

I was more or less joking because she claims to have voted for Trump.