10 Minute Drill
10 Minute Drill
Matt Whitlock
Trump changes the energy equation; dark money fireworks, CA’s Super Bowl “jock tax”
11 minutes Posted Feb 11, 2026 at 10:30 am.
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Show notes

It’s a packed midweek 10 Minute Drill — big policy, big money, and yes… hockey hype to kick things off. 🏒

First up: the EPA’s 2009 Endangerment Finding — the ruling that declared greenhouse gases like CO₂ and methane a threat to public health and became the legal backbone of modern U.S. climate regulation. With reports that President Trump is moving to repeal it, we break down what that would mean for vehicle standards, power plant rules, methane regulations, energy access, AI development, and the broader affordability debate.

Then: a new watchdog report alleges that $2.6 billion in foreign money has flowed into U.S. advocacy groups through legal loopholes. Are foreign entities influencing energy policy, litigation, protest movements, and judicial training? We unpack what’s being claimed — and why it matters.

Also in this episode:

🏦 Big banks vs. open banking — hidden data fees and the fight over financial competition 🔫 Virginia’s latest gun restrictions and redistricting battles — is it a preview of national trends? 🏈 California’s “jock tax” — how one Super Bowl payday reportedly turned into a bigger tax bill than the winnings themselves

Energy, dark money, banking power, state-level policy experiments — it’s all connected.

Fast. Focused. No fluff.