🎙️ Conservative Podcast Serves Up Anti-Semitic Conspiracy Theories and Suburban Grievance Against Tucson Politics | WAKE UP LIVE

🏛️ When Economic Conspiracy Theories Meet Transportation Politics: A Desert Deep Dive. Federal Reserve fantasies and RTA reality collide on Tucson's conservative airwaves

This is based on Wake Up Live with Chris DeSimone, a MAGA-conservative podcast hosted by a mayoral candidate for Oro Valley, podcasting from Marana, perpetually hating on Tucson, brought to you by Live The Dream Media on 6/2/25.

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😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾

🚗 Some local politicians went on a 🎙️ podcast to talk about 🛣️ roads, 💰 money, and 🏛️ city government. A guy who used to sell 🚗 cars wants to build more 🛣️ roads instead of 🚴‍♀️ bike paths. Another person spread 📰 false stories about 🏦 banks being controlled by certain families.

They also made fun of the 👩‍⚖️ mayor for being worried about her 🛡️ safety, even though people have been threatening her. A candidate for city council appeared on the show 🎙️ even though it might hurt his chances of winning because the people who listen probably can't 🗳️ vote for him anyway.

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🗝️ Takeaways

• 🚘 Former car dealer Steve Christy opposes sustainable transportation planning that would reduce automobile dependence

• 🏦 DeSimone spreads anti-Semitic Federal Reserve conspiracy theories linking banking to Jewish families

• 🛡️ Right-wing voices mock Mayor Romero's security concerns despite MAGA extremists sharing her address publicly

• 💰 RTA continues taking more from Tucson than it gives back while pushing unfinished projects to future ballot measures

• 🎯 Democratic candidate Jesse Lugo's appearances on conservative radio may backfire in the Ward 5 primary race

• 🌵 Suburban voices from Marana and Oro Valley continue lecturing diverse Tucson leadership on local governance

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Desert Delusions: When Car Dealers and Conservative Conspiracies Collide on Tucson Airwaves

Another day, another dose of conservative commentary contaminating our beautiful Sonoran soundscape

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On June 2nd, 2025, the "Wake Up with Chris DeSimone" podcast served up a particularly potent blend of suburban grievance politics, transportation mythology, and economic conspiracy theories that would make even the most seasoned political observer reach for their morning coffee—or something stronger.

Broadcasting from Marana while lobbing rhetorical grenades at Tucson (because nothing says "local expertise" like criticizing a city you've fled), host Chris DeSimone welcomed Pima County Supervisor Steve Christy for his "video debut" and fielded a call from Democratic Ward 5 candidate Jesse Lugo. The second hour featured DeSimone's "Brother Joe" spinning conspiracy theories about Fort Knox gold that would make Alex Jones blush.

Steve Christy: Roads, Revenue, and Reactionary Politics

Former car dealership owner Steve Christy appeared via video link, wearing his familiar badge as the lone conservative voice on the Pima County Board of Supervisors. His appearance perfectly encapsulated the intersection of personal financial interest and public policy that defines so much of conservative politics in Southern Arizona.

"I absolutely do [love being your supervisor]. Thank you for asking," Christy responded when DeSimone asked his signature opening question. Oh, how reassuring that our elected officials "love" wielding power over the rest of us.

Christy's primary grievance centered on the Regional Transportation Authority, where he claims new supervisors Andrés Cano and Jennifer Allen have joined Matt Heinz in prioritizing "resiliency and trees and bike lanes" over automobile throughput. For a former car dealer, this must feel like watching the world move beyond internal combustion engines—which, let's be honest, it is.

"[Heinz is] like a bowling ball. He sees the pins that are set up, and he doesn't want them there anymore. So instead of trying to remove them by a process or by rules or by any kind of traditional sense of rearranging the pin setting, he just takes a bowling ball, wants to knock them all down and set them back up according to the way he wants them," Christy complained.

Translation: How dare these progressives try to plan for a sustainable future when there are perfectly good roads to build and cars to sell?

What Christy conveniently omits is that the RTA has been a raw deal for Tucson from the beginning. The agency consistently takes more from our city than it gives back, prioritizing suburban sprawl projects that benefit places like Oro Valley and Marana while leaving Tucson's urban core to crumble. Now, as several Tucson projects remain unfinished, RTA is trying to pass the buck to RTA-Next, a ballot measure that may not even pass in 2026. And then what? More empty promises and suburban subsidies?

Christy's defense of RTA administrator Farhad Moghimi against Mayor Regina Romero's criticism reveals his true priorities. "Farhad has that legacy of that historical connection. He stands by the original foundational elements of why RTA was founded," he argued. You mean the "foundational elements" that have systematically shortchanged Tucson for two decades?

Economic Fantasies and Federal Reserve Phobias

The second hour descended into classic MAGA economic mythology when "Brother Joe" launched into conspiracy theories about Fort Knox gold reserves and Federal Reserve manipulation. This segment perfectly illustrated how conservative media weaponizes economic anxiety to promote dangerous isolationist policies.

"The Federal Reserve has nothing to do with the federal government. It is an independent private bank from the Rothschild family that we are in cahoots with," Brother Joe declared, hitting every anti-Semitic dog whistle in the conspiracy theory playbook.

Because when facing complex economic challenges, why look for nuanced solutions when you can blame shadowy Jewish banking families instead?

The obsession with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's tariff defense revealed a fundamental misunderstanding of trade policy. "65% of the tariffs will likely be eaten by the Chinese producers," Brother Joe claimed, parroting Trump administration talking points while ignoring the fundamental economic reality that American consumers ultimately pay tariffs.

Mayor Romero and the Security Theater Smokescreen

Perhaps most revealing was the hosts' attack on Mayor Regina Romero for maintaining security protocols during her recent international trip. When Romero explained her reasoning—"My address has been shared publicly by anti-vaxxers and MAGA extremists"—DeSimone's response was to mock her security concerns rather than condemn the threatening behavior.

"What does it matter if you're home or not? What happens when you're working? Are the cops always at your house? Are we paying for that?" DeSimone sneered.

This from the same political movement that claims to support law enforcement while encouraging violence against elected officials they disagree with.

The cognitive dissonance is stunning. These are the same voices that still defend January 6th as a "peaceful protest" while their own rhetoric creates the threatening environment that necessitates security for public officials.

Budget Battles and Municipal Finance Mythology

DeSimone's fixation on Tucson's budget increase since 2019 perfectly exemplified conservative bad-faith arguments about municipal finance. "We're always strapped for cash when it comes to delivering core services," City Manager Paul Cunningham had stated, which DeSimone gleefully quoted as evidence of mismanagement.

Because apparently acknowledging fiscal challenges is somehow worse than pretending they don't exist?

The 84% budget increase since 2019, which so horrified the hosts, conveniently ignores post-COVID infrastructure needs, inflation adjustments, population growth demands, and the deferred maintenance resulting from years of conservative budget cutting. When cities try to address decades of neglect, conservatives cry fiscal irresponsibility. When they don't, conservatives blame them for the crumbling infrastructure. It's almost like the criticism isn't made in good faith.

Jesse Lugo: A Democrat in the Lion's Den

Perhaps the most puzzling segment featured Democratic Ward 5 candidate Jesse Lugo, who called in to discuss transportation funding. While Lugo provided substantive policy discussion—emphasizing the importance of RTA funding for projects like the 22nd Street Overpass—his appearance raised serious strategic questions.

"Without RTA heading this project, this project would not be in the place where it's at now," Lugo argued, demonstrating his 13 years of experience on the bond review commission.

But here's the thing: why is a Democratic candidate appearing on ultra-conservative radio when the primary will determine the winner in Ward 5? None of DeSimone's listeners can vote for Lugo in the Democratic primary, and his Democratic opponents could use these appearances against him.

Despite having the endorsement of the respected former Ward 5 Councilmember Richard Fimbres and engaging in significant community work, Lugo's media strategy appears politically tone-deaf. In a city where Democratic voters are increasingly demanding authentic progressive voices, appearing on Tucson-hating shows that regularly attack our diverse leadership sends mixed messages.

The Deeper Currents: Settler Colonialism in Action

What's most revealing about this entire podcast is how it embodies the settler colonial mindset that Three Sonorans consistently challenges. Here we have predominantly white voices from Marana and Oro Valley lecturing Tucson—a majority-Latino city with Indigenous roots—about how to govern itself.

The obsession with automobile infrastructure over sustainable transportation reveals the car-centric planning that has devastated Indigenous communities and working-class neighborhoods for decades. When Christy pines for the days of moving "more vehicles from point A to point B in a quicker, more efficient manner," he's advocating for the same transportation apartheid that has divided our community along racial and class lines.

The irony of a former car dealer opposing bike lanes and public transit would be hilarious if it weren't so predictable.

A Message of Hope and Action

Despite the daily drumbeat of division and disinformation, our desert democracy continues to evolve and grow. Every time these conservative voices reveal their true priorities—protecting privilege over people, cars over community, conspiracy over collaboration—they remind us why progressive media like Three Sonorans matters more than ever.

Young leaders fighting for climate justice, Indigenous sovereignty, and immigrant rights are building the foundation for a more just and sustainable future. They understand that our strength lies in our diversity, our resilience comes from our solidarity, and our hope springs eternal from the desert soil that connects us all.

Want to help build that future? Support independent progressive journalism by subscribing to the Three Sonorans Substack. Your subscription keeps this critical analysis coming and helps us counter the misinformation machine one story at a time. Because in the battle for truth, every voice matters—especially yours.

¡La lucha sigue!

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What Do You Think?

This podcast raised several important questions about local politics and media strategy:

• Should Democratic candidates appear on conservative shows that regularly attack their party's values and leaders?

• How can progressive voices better counter the transportation mythology that prioritizes suburban sprawl over urban sustainability?

• What role should former car dealers play in setting transportation policy for a region facing climate change?

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. We'd especially love to hear from Ward 5 voters about what media appearances matter to them when choosing candidates.

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Quotes:

• "The Federal Reserve has nothing to do with the federal government. It is an independent private bank from the Rothschild family that we are in cahoots with" - Brother Joe, spreading anti-Semitic conspiracy theories about banking

• "My address has been shared publicly by anti-vaxxers and MAGA extremists" - Mayor Regina Romero, explaining security concerns that hosts mocked

• "We're always strapped for cash when it comes to delivering core services" - City Manager Paul Cunningham, honest assessment twisted by hosts into attack

• "[Heinz is] like a bowling ball...he just takes a bowling ball, wants to knock them all down" - Steve Christy, attacking progressive supervisor's reform efforts

• "65% of the tariffs will be likely eaten by the Chinese producers" - Brother Joe, repeating Trump administration talking points on trade

• "I absolutely do [love being your supervisor]. Thank you for asking" - Steve Christy, responding to host's signature opening question

People Mentioned

• Chris DeSimone - Podcast host running for Oro Valley mayor from Marana; "You think Steller's going to quote that and use that quote? No."

• Steve Christy - Pima County Supervisor, former car dealer; "I don't miss [Richard Elías and Ramón Valadez]...but they are much more significantly progressive than Ramon or Richard"

• Malta Joe - DeSimone's podcast sidekick; "That's what I calculated before he even said it"

• Brother Joe - Second hour co-host focused on economics; "When we had tariffs and we had a gold standard, this country was strong"

• Jesse Lugo - Democratic Ward 5 candidate; "This is how important the approval of the RTA project should be approved by the voters"

• Mayor Regina Romero - Attacked for international travel and security; referenced but not directly quoted on show

• Matt Heinz - Pima County Supervisor criticized by Christy; described as wanting to "knock down" existing structures

• Andrés Cano - New Pima County Supervisor; called "activist" by Christy

• Jennifer Allen - New Pima County Supervisor; called "activist" by Christy

• Paul Cunningham - Tucson City Manager; "we're always strapped for cash when it comes to delivering core services"

• Richard Fimbres - Labor leader who endorsed Lugo; mentioned but not quoted

• Farhad Moghimi - RTA administrator defended by Christy; "stands by the original foundational elements"

• Scott Bessent - Treasury Secretary discussed favorably; "He's a seasoned finance man"

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