1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,600 All right, so inauguration day 2025. 2 00:00:04,680 --> 00:00:07,120 Feels kind of surreal to say that, you know, 3 00:00:08,280 --> 00:00:09,760 Donald Trump is back in the White House. 4 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:13,280 It does feel like we've stepped back in time, in a way. 5 00:00:13,280 --> 00:00:15,200 Back to the future, almost, right? 6 00:00:15,200 --> 00:00:18,640 Anyway, today we're gonna be diving deep into some excerpts 7 00:00:18,640 --> 00:00:20,920 from the electoral vote newsletter, 8 00:00:20,920 --> 00:00:23,720 specifically the one from January 20th. 9 00:00:23,720 --> 00:00:25,240 We've got a lot to unpack. 10 00:00:25,240 --> 00:00:28,560 We do, it's a mountain of political and tech news, really. 11 00:00:28,560 --> 00:00:31,600 Our mission to extract the most insightful, 12 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:33,480 the most surprising takeaways for you. 13 00:00:33,480 --> 00:00:34,640 We're gonna try to make sense of it all. 14 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:37,760 Exactly, think of us as like your personal news digest, 15 00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:39,120 but way more fun. 16 00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:41,200 More fun and hopefully more insightful. 17 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:42,960 Exactly, so let's jump right in. 18 00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:43,800 Let's. 19 00:00:43,800 --> 00:00:45,400 First up, the inauguration itself. 20 00:00:45,400 --> 00:00:47,160 Ah, yes. 21 00:00:47,160 --> 00:00:50,280 The weather, well, the weather wasn't exactly cooperating, 22 00:00:50,280 --> 00:00:51,120 was it? 23 00:00:51,120 --> 00:00:52,840 Freezing temperatures, strong winds. 24 00:00:52,840 --> 00:00:54,480 Yeah, forced the whole ceremony indoors. 25 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:56,000 Had to move everything to the rotunda. 26 00:00:56,000 --> 00:00:58,480 It's a little reminiscent of William Henry Harrison's 27 00:00:58,480 --> 00:00:59,960 inauguration, wouldn't you say? 28 00:00:59,960 --> 00:01:03,000 It is, although hopefully no one comes down 29 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:05,000 with fatal pneumonia this time around. 30 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:07,320 Right, of course, but think about it, 31 00:01:07,320 --> 00:01:10,520 trying to cram Congress, the Supreme Court, 32 00:01:10,520 --> 00:01:12,280 all of Trump's entourage. 33 00:01:12,280 --> 00:01:14,800 Into a spacemen for what, a few hundred people? 34 00:01:14,800 --> 00:01:18,680 It's a far cry from his 2017 inauguration 35 00:01:18,680 --> 00:01:21,120 where the big concern was, you know. 36 00:01:21,120 --> 00:01:21,960 Empty space. 37 00:01:21,960 --> 00:01:22,920 Exactly. 38 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:25,480 I guess this time around, the scramble was for those 39 00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:27,960 golden tickets to actually get inside. 40 00:01:27,960 --> 00:01:29,000 I can say that again. 41 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:32,360 And speaking of 2017, hotel bookings in DC 42 00:01:32,360 --> 00:01:34,040 are way down this time. 43 00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:34,880 Makes you wonder. 44 00:01:34,880 --> 00:01:35,840 It does, doesn't it? 45 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:37,560 Maybe the enthusiasm's waning a bit. 46 00:01:37,560 --> 00:01:38,600 Maybe. 47 00:01:38,600 --> 00:01:40,720 Or maybe people just don't want to brave the cold. 48 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:43,400 True, but you know it's not waning? 49 00:01:43,400 --> 00:01:46,160 Trump's eagerness to get things done. 50 00:01:46,160 --> 00:01:49,760 Word is, he's got a stack of executive orders ready to go. 51 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:51,360 Yeah, and a lot of them seem to be aimed 52 00:01:51,360 --> 00:01:53,720 at reversing Biden-era policies. 53 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:56,360 That seems to be the theme, immigration, for one. 54 00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:58,080 He's going after catch and release again, 55 00:01:58,080 --> 00:02:00,400 that policy of releasing undocumented immigrants 56 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:01,600 while they await their hearings. 57 00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:04,440 Right, and there's even talk about challenging birthright 58 00:02:04,440 --> 00:02:07,200 citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. 59 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:08,080 That's a big one. 60 00:02:08,080 --> 00:02:09,040 Huge. 61 00:02:09,040 --> 00:02:11,360 The 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship 62 00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:15,160 to anyone born on US soil, challenging that. 63 00:02:15,160 --> 00:02:17,520 That's a direct confrontation with a core 64 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:19,200 constitutional principle. 65 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:21,680 Could set the stage for some serious legal battles. 66 00:02:21,680 --> 00:02:22,640 Absolutely. 67 00:02:22,640 --> 00:02:25,200 And then there's the talk of potential pardons 68 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:28,000 for those involved in the January 6th riots. 69 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:30,280 Not exactly a unifying gesture. 70 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:31,800 No, definitely not. 71 00:02:31,800 --> 00:02:35,160 Could spark outrage further deep in the political divide. 72 00:02:35,160 --> 00:02:36,200 You think? 73 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:37,520 And that's not all. 74 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:40,800 Executive action on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, 75 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:43,160 transgender people in the military, 76 00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:45,640 even the definition of gender itself could be targeted. 77 00:02:45,640 --> 00:02:47,160 It's like he's hitting the ground running. 78 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:47,480 Yeah. 79 00:02:47,480 --> 00:02:48,840 Or maybe sprinting is more like. 80 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:51,480 More like a full-on headfirst dive. 81 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:53,000 OK, but let's switch gears for a minute. 82 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:54,240 Let's talk TikTok. 83 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:56,440 Remember the Supreme Court upholding that ban? 84 00:02:56,440 --> 00:02:57,160 Oh, right. 85 00:02:57,160 --> 00:02:59,640 Led to that temporary blackout of the app. 86 00:02:59,640 --> 00:03:03,280 170 million American users left in the dark. 87 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:04,920 It's a fascinating case study, really. 88 00:03:04,920 --> 00:03:08,280 The clash between technology, national security, free speech. 89 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:09,560 Yeah, because on one hand, you've 90 00:03:09,560 --> 00:03:12,520 got those concerns about data privacy, potential Chinese 91 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:13,520 government influence. 92 00:03:13,520 --> 00:03:18,400 But on the other hand, millions of users, content creators, 93 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:20,560 whose livelihoods depend on the platform. 94 00:03:20,560 --> 00:03:22,120 Not to mention the investors. 95 00:03:22,120 --> 00:03:23,280 Lots of money at stake. 96 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:24,000 Lots. 97 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:27,680 And then Trump throws a wrench into the whole thing, 98 00:03:27,680 --> 00:03:30,600 extends the deadline for TikTok to negotiate a deal. 99 00:03:30,600 --> 00:03:32,480 90 days to maneuver. 100 00:03:32,480 --> 00:03:35,560 But the legality of that extension, debatable. 101 00:03:35,560 --> 00:03:36,240 Very debatable. 102 00:03:36,240 --> 00:03:38,040 So what can he actually do? 103 00:03:38,040 --> 00:03:38,880 Good question. 104 00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:42,280 Could he force a sale of TikTok to a US company? 105 00:03:42,280 --> 00:03:44,560 Maybe one with ties to, you know. 106 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:45,200 Damn. 107 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:46,200 Exactly. 108 00:03:46,200 --> 00:03:49,640 And what about the rise of those alternative Chinese-owned apps 109 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:51,120 filling the void? 110 00:03:51,120 --> 00:03:52,920 The stakes are incredibly high. 111 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:54,640 This is like a high stakes game of tech 112 00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:55,800 and international politics. 113 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:56,400 It is. 114 00:03:56,400 --> 00:03:58,480 OK, but here's where things get really interesting. 115 00:03:58,480 --> 00:04:00,080 Let's talk about Trump's cabinet picks. 116 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:03,080 This time around, it's like a who's who of billionaires. 117 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:04,320 Unprecedented, really. 118 00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:06,520 This level of concentrated wealth in government. 119 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:08,200 Yeah, never seen anything like it. 120 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:09,960 Makes you wonder about the influence of wealth 121 00:04:09,960 --> 00:04:11,160 on policy decisions. 122 00:04:11,160 --> 00:04:12,120 Does it ever? 123 00:04:12,120 --> 00:04:13,760 Will this administration prioritize 124 00:04:13,760 --> 00:04:15,320 the interests of the ultra-wealthy? 125 00:04:15,320 --> 00:04:16,080 Right. 126 00:04:16,080 --> 00:04:18,520 And what does it mean for public trust in government? 127 00:04:18,520 --> 00:04:19,920 Excellent questions. 128 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:22,240 We've basically entered a new gilded age, haven't we? 129 00:04:22,240 --> 00:04:23,040 It seems that way. 130 00:04:23,040 --> 00:04:25,880 And it's already impacting the DC real estate market, 131 00:04:25,880 --> 00:04:26,840 by the way. 132 00:04:26,840 --> 00:04:29,240 High-end properties are in high demand 133 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:31,440 as these billionaires settle in. 134 00:04:31,440 --> 00:04:34,080 Imagine getting a call from a real estate agent, 135 00:04:34,080 --> 00:04:36,400 asking if you'd sell your house to a billionaire cabinet 136 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:36,920 member. 137 00:04:36,920 --> 00:04:39,040 I'd probably think it was a prank call. 138 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:40,080 Me too. 139 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:43,160 But speaking of billionaires, we can't forget about Trump's 140 00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:45,880 own forays into the world of cryptocurrency. 141 00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:47,200 Ah, yes. 142 00:04:47,200 --> 00:04:50,360 The digital trading cards, the DJT stock. 143 00:04:50,360 --> 00:04:53,840 And now, his very own Trump's P crypto coin. 144 00:04:53,840 --> 00:04:58,040 Reached a paper value of $27 billion in a single day. 145 00:04:58,040 --> 00:04:58,920 Astonishing. 146 00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:00,120 It's wild, right? 147 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:01,600 Makes you think, what does this say 148 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:03,120 about the state of the crypto market? 149 00:05:03,120 --> 00:05:04,800 And the power of Trump's brand. 150 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:06,600 Is this genuine investor confidence 151 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:09,160 or just a speculative bubble waiting to burst? 152 00:05:09,160 --> 00:05:10,160 Tough to say. 153 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:12,920 There's this concept called the greater fool theory. 154 00:05:12,920 --> 00:05:16,280 Basically means people buy an asset, like a cryptocurrency, 155 00:05:16,280 --> 00:05:18,720 believing they'll find someone else willing to pay even more 156 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:19,680 for it later. 157 00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:22,960 So it's all about finding that greater fool to cash out to. 158 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:23,960 Essentially, yes. 159 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:27,000 And with Trump's SEC pick focusing heavily 160 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:29,080 on shareholder value above all else. 161 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:31,280 Raises concerns about the potential for market 162 00:05:31,280 --> 00:05:31,880 manipulation. 163 00:05:31,880 --> 00:05:32,480 Definitely. 164 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:33,840 Oh, and let's not forget Melania. 165 00:05:33,840 --> 00:05:35,440 She's getting in on the action too. 166 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:36,320 Right. 167 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:38,320 With her own Melania coin. 168 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:39,800 Power couple in crypto, I guess. 169 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:41,200 Who would have thought? 170 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:43,640 But while the Trumps are building their crypto empire, 171 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:46,880 the Republicans in Congress are facing a familiar challenge. 172 00:05:46,880 --> 00:05:48,120 The national deficit. 173 00:05:48,120 --> 00:05:49,520 The one and only. 174 00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:50,960 They're pushing for tax cuts again. 175 00:05:50,960 --> 00:05:54,240 But this time around, those deficit hawks, 176 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:56,480 the fiscally conservative members of the party. 177 00:05:56,480 --> 00:05:57,640 They're not so thrilled. 178 00:05:57,640 --> 00:05:58,720 Not exactly. 179 00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:02,080 Remember the 2017 tax cuts? 180 00:06:02,080 --> 00:06:03,600 Those to pay for themselves? 181 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:04,840 Didn't quite work out that way. 182 00:06:04,840 --> 00:06:05,400 Not quite. 183 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:08,840 The deficit's ballooned to $36 trillion. 184 00:06:08,840 --> 00:06:12,120 Repeating that claim this time around might be a tough sell. 185 00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:15,120 It's like deja vu, but with even higher stakes. 186 00:06:15,120 --> 00:06:16,000 Exactly. 187 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:17,840 And it's going to be fascinating to see 188 00:06:17,840 --> 00:06:20,360 how this internal battle within the Republican Party 189 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:21,400 plays out. 190 00:06:21,400 --> 00:06:23,800 Can they reconcile their desire for tax cuts 191 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:26,320 with the need for fiscal responsibility? 192 00:06:26,320 --> 00:06:28,040 Well, speaking of reconciliation, 193 00:06:28,040 --> 00:06:29,440 that's the process they'll likely 194 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:31,640 use to push through those tax cuts 195 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:33,720 and any other legislative priorities. 196 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:37,440 But it's a complicated process, full of potential pitfalls. 197 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:38,960 Definitely not a smooth ride. 198 00:06:38,960 --> 00:06:39,840 Not at all. 199 00:06:39,840 --> 00:06:43,760 And the person at the helm of this legislative ship, 200 00:06:43,760 --> 00:06:46,520 Representative Jody Arrington, the new chair 201 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:48,480 of the House Budget Committee, he's 202 00:06:48,480 --> 00:06:50,960 got some ambitious plans. 203 00:06:50,960 --> 00:06:52,000 Let's just say that. 204 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:53,400 Ambitious might be putting it lightly. 205 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:54,480 Yeah, you could say that. 206 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:55,400 But he got in mind. 207 00:06:55,400 --> 00:06:58,960 Oh, you'd major cuts to social programs? 208 00:06:58,960 --> 00:07:00,880 Like what kind of programs are we talking about here? 209 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:02,960 We're talking Medicaid, Medicare. 210 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:05,720 Even the Affordable Care Act is on the chopping block. 211 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:06,200 Yeah. 212 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:09,880 Oh, and he's also looking to slash climate change mitigation 213 00:07:09,880 --> 00:07:10,320 efforts. 214 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:11,760 Well, hold on a second. 215 00:07:11,760 --> 00:07:13,120 Those are some pretty massive cuts. 216 00:07:13,120 --> 00:07:15,280 What kind of impact would that even have? 217 00:07:15,280 --> 00:07:17,600 Well, millions of Americans could lose their health care 218 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:18,960 coverage for starters. 219 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:20,120 That's a huge deal. 220 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:20,640 It is. 221 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:23,320 And slashing climate change funding, I mean, come on. 222 00:07:23,320 --> 00:07:26,280 That could have devastating long-term consequences 223 00:07:26,280 --> 00:07:27,160 for the environment. 224 00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:28,320 You're not wrong about that. 225 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:30,040 But here's the kicker. 226 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:32,640 A lot of these proposed cuts, they fall 227 00:07:32,640 --> 00:07:35,400 under the jurisdiction of other committees. 228 00:07:35,400 --> 00:07:37,000 So he's kind of stepping on some toes here. 229 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:38,280 Oh, big time. 230 00:07:38,280 --> 00:07:40,920 Yeah, this is going to lead to some serious in-fighting 231 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:42,240 within the GOP. 232 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:44,000 You've got these competing interests, 233 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:46,360 different factions within the party, 234 00:07:46,360 --> 00:07:49,200 all vying for control and influence. 235 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:51,400 Sounds like a recipe for political gridlock. 236 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:52,240 It is. 237 00:07:52,240 --> 00:07:55,520 So we've got this internal GOP battle over spending cuts, 238 00:07:55,520 --> 00:07:59,920 a ballooning deficit, and this super complicated reconciliation 239 00:07:59,920 --> 00:08:03,440 process is probably going to be a nightmare to navigate. 240 00:08:03,440 --> 00:08:04,640 What else is in store for us? 241 00:08:04,640 --> 00:08:06,360 Oh, well, don't forget about the debt ceiling. 242 00:08:06,360 --> 00:08:06,720 Right. 243 00:08:06,720 --> 00:08:08,680 Raising it is never popular. 244 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:09,280 Never. 245 00:08:09,280 --> 00:08:11,680 And this time around, it's going to be even more contentious, 246 00:08:11,680 --> 00:08:14,520 because it's tied up in this whole reconciliation mess. 247 00:08:14,520 --> 00:08:15,840 It's like a political pressure cooker. 248 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:17,480 Multiple things coming to a boil at once. 249 00:08:17,480 --> 00:08:18,640 Exactly. 250 00:08:18,640 --> 00:08:22,040 And then you add in Trump's anti-China stance. 251 00:08:22,040 --> 00:08:24,360 Things get even more complicated, especially 252 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:25,680 when it comes to TikTok. 253 00:08:25,680 --> 00:08:26,180 Right. 254 00:08:26,180 --> 00:08:28,480 He can't be seen as caving to Beijing, 255 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:30,520 but banning TikTok outright. 256 00:08:30,520 --> 00:08:33,000 He'd alienate millions of American users. 257 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:34,520 It's a tough balancing act. 258 00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:35,000 It is. 259 00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:37,160 It really highlights that tension, 260 00:08:37,160 --> 00:08:40,280 the growing tension between national security concerns 261 00:08:40,280 --> 00:08:43,160 and the global reach of technology. 262 00:08:43,160 --> 00:08:46,160 You've got the concerns about data privacy, 263 00:08:46,160 --> 00:08:49,120 the whole potential Chinese government influence thing. 264 00:08:49,120 --> 00:08:49,560 Yeah. 265 00:08:49,560 --> 00:08:51,880 But you also have to consider the economic impact 266 00:08:51,880 --> 00:08:54,360 of banning a popular platform like that. 267 00:08:54,360 --> 00:08:55,840 It's like walking a tightrope. 268 00:08:55,840 --> 00:08:58,400 One wrong step could have major consequences. 269 00:08:58,400 --> 00:08:59,600 Absolutely. 270 00:08:59,600 --> 00:09:00,880 And it's not just about TikTok. 271 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:03,000 Remember those alternative Chinese-owned apps, 272 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:06,040 the ones that users flocked to when the ban was looming? 273 00:09:06,040 --> 00:09:06,400 Yeah. 274 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:08,680 Well, they posed the same security risks, 275 00:09:08,680 --> 00:09:10,200 and they're gaining popularity. 276 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:11,640 It's like a hydra. 277 00:09:11,640 --> 00:09:13,680 Cut off one ahead, two more grow back. 278 00:09:13,680 --> 00:09:15,800 So we're stuck between a rock and a hard place. 279 00:09:15,800 --> 00:09:16,480 Pretty much. 280 00:09:16,480 --> 00:09:18,560 But this whole TikTok saga, it really 281 00:09:18,560 --> 00:09:20,920 highlights the power of social media. 282 00:09:20,920 --> 00:09:21,520 Doesn't it? 283 00:09:21,520 --> 00:09:25,280 It's not just about silly dances and viral videos anymore, 284 00:09:25,280 --> 00:09:26,640 social media platforms. 285 00:09:26,640 --> 00:09:29,400 They're major players on the global stage. 286 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:31,160 Yeah, they can influence elections, 287 00:09:31,160 --> 00:09:32,760 shape public opinion. 288 00:09:32,760 --> 00:09:35,200 They can even spark geopolitical conflicts. 289 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:36,840 It's kind of scary when you think about it. 290 00:09:36,840 --> 00:09:37,960 It is a little bit frightening. 291 00:09:37,960 --> 00:09:38,200 Yeah. 292 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:39,080 But also fascinating, right? 293 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:39,680 No, absolutely. 294 00:09:39,680 --> 00:09:40,960 It's a double-edged sword. 295 00:09:40,960 --> 00:09:44,800 It can be a tool for connection, for creativity. 296 00:09:44,800 --> 00:09:48,760 But it can also be a weapon, disinformation, manipulation, 297 00:09:48,760 --> 00:09:49,440 all that. 298 00:09:49,440 --> 00:09:50,840 And like we've seen with TikTok, 299 00:09:50,840 --> 00:09:53,800 it can be a pawn in a much larger game, 300 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:55,080 international power politics. 301 00:09:55,080 --> 00:09:55,680 Oh, exactly. 302 00:09:55,680 --> 00:09:58,000 OK, so while Trump's busy navigating 303 00:09:58,000 --> 00:10:00,680 this complex tech landscape, what's 304 00:10:00,680 --> 00:10:02,640 happening with Tulsi Gabbard's nomination 305 00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:04,880 as director of national intelligence, 306 00:10:04,880 --> 00:10:09,040 last we heard it was facing some pretty strong opposition. 307 00:10:09,040 --> 00:10:11,440 Yeah, and that opposition, it seems to be growing. 308 00:10:11,440 --> 00:10:12,680 Every time you turn around, there's 309 00:10:12,680 --> 00:10:16,160 another revelation about her past that just raises more eyebrows, 310 00:10:16,160 --> 00:10:17,440 just fuels the fire. 311 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:19,480 What kind of revelations are we talking about here? 312 00:10:19,480 --> 00:10:20,880 Oh, you know, her past statements, 313 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:24,040 praising Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, 314 00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:26,600 her cozying up to right-wing figures, 315 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:29,360 her support for Edward Snowden, and then there 316 00:10:29,360 --> 00:10:32,480 are the concerns about her qualifications, her experience. 317 00:10:32,480 --> 00:10:34,120 It sounds like a lot of baggage for someone 318 00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:36,920 who's supposed to be the nation's top intelligence official. 319 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:37,720 It is, yeah. 320 00:10:37,720 --> 00:10:40,600 Raises some serious questions about her judgment, 321 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:43,880 her integrity, her fitness to lead our intelligence community. 322 00:10:43,880 --> 00:10:46,240 Sounds like her nomination is in serious jeopardy. 323 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:47,280 It does, doesn't it? 324 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:48,720 Frankly, it wouldn't be surprising 325 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:50,760 if she just withdrew her name from consideration 326 00:10:50,760 --> 00:10:52,160 before it even gets to a vote. 327 00:10:52,160 --> 00:10:54,840 That would be a dramatic turn of events. 328 00:10:54,840 --> 00:10:57,200 OK, let's shift gears again for a second. 329 00:10:57,200 --> 00:11:00,000 Let's talk about something that's been on a lot of people's minds, 330 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:02,480 Trump's approach to immigration. 331 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:06,240 We know mass deportations are a logistical nightmare, 332 00:11:06,240 --> 00:11:09,280 not to mention financially difficult. 333 00:11:09,280 --> 00:11:10,480 So what's the plan? 334 00:11:10,480 --> 00:11:13,360 Well, it seems he's banking on a strategy that's both, 335 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:16,320 well, chilling and effective. 336 00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:18,560 Fear, he's trying to create an environment, 337 00:11:18,560 --> 00:11:21,280 an environment that's so hostile, so uncertain, 338 00:11:21,280 --> 00:11:23,960 that undocumented immigrants feel like they have no choice 339 00:11:23,960 --> 00:11:25,040 but to self-deport. 340 00:11:25,040 --> 00:11:26,520 So he's using fear as a weapon. 341 00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:27,840 Basically, yeah. 342 00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:28,560 And it's working. 343 00:11:28,560 --> 00:11:30,960 People are uprooting your lives, leaving behind 344 00:11:30,960 --> 00:11:33,440 their communities, their homes, their jobs, 345 00:11:33,440 --> 00:11:35,760 just to escape the threat of being detained, 346 00:11:35,760 --> 00:11:36,840 to be deported. 347 00:11:36,840 --> 00:11:38,000 Stop breaking. 348 00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:39,520 Family is being torn apart like that. 349 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:40,000 It is. 350 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:42,160 But what's fueling this climate of fear? 351 00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:44,040 What specific actions are we talking about? 352 00:11:44,040 --> 00:11:47,880 Well, we're seeing a resurgence of ICE raids on workplaces. 353 00:11:47,880 --> 00:11:50,640 There's been a shift in deportation priorities, 354 00:11:50,640 --> 00:11:52,920 targeting anyone who's undocumented, 355 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:55,120 regardless of criminal history. 356 00:11:55,120 --> 00:11:57,600 And then, of course, there's the constant rhetoric, 357 00:11:57,600 --> 00:12:01,160 the dehumanizing language, the portrayal of immigrants 358 00:12:01,160 --> 00:12:04,000 as criminals, as threats to national security. 359 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:05,360 It's a strategy. 360 00:12:05,360 --> 00:12:08,480 It's calculated to make life as difficult as possible 361 00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:11,240 for undocumented immigrants, hoping they'll eventually 362 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:12,360 just give up and leave. 363 00:12:12,360 --> 00:12:13,360 Exactly. 364 00:12:13,360 --> 00:12:14,080 It's cruel. 365 00:12:14,080 --> 00:12:14,880 It's cynical. 366 00:12:14,880 --> 00:12:16,760 It preys on people's anxieties. 367 00:12:16,760 --> 00:12:19,000 There are hopes for a better future for their children. 368 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:21,720 It forces them to make impossible choices. 369 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:24,000 Weighing the risks of staying against the pain of leaving 370 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:25,080 everything they know behind. 371 00:12:25,080 --> 00:12:25,680 Exactly. 372 00:12:25,680 --> 00:12:27,240 It's a tragic situation. 373 00:12:27,240 --> 00:12:29,400 And it speaks to a larger issue, I think, 374 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:31,040 the demonization of the other. 375 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:32,040 You're absolutely right. 376 00:12:32,040 --> 00:12:35,320 It's about creating a climate of fear, of division. 377 00:12:35,320 --> 00:12:36,920 Pitting people against each other 378 00:12:36,920 --> 00:12:38,400 based on their differences. 379 00:12:38,400 --> 00:12:40,440 And that's a dangerous path to go down. 380 00:12:40,440 --> 00:12:42,840 One that erodes our shared humanity, 381 00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:44,720 weakens the fabric of our society. 382 00:12:44,720 --> 00:12:45,920 I couldn't agree more. 383 00:12:45,920 --> 00:12:48,400 But let's circle back to Trump's billionaire cabinet 384 00:12:48,400 --> 00:12:49,240 for a moment. 385 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:50,920 We touched on this earlier, but I think it's worth 386 00:12:50,920 --> 00:12:52,040 the delving a bit deeper. 387 00:12:52,040 --> 00:12:52,840 Yeah, absolutely. 388 00:12:52,840 --> 00:12:54,160 It's unprecedented. 389 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:58,400 Having so many ultra-wealthy individuals in positions of power, 390 00:12:58,400 --> 00:13:00,360 what are the implications of that? 391 00:13:00,360 --> 00:13:02,600 Well, there are concerns about conflicts of interest. 392 00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:05,680 These billionaires, they have vast business empires, 393 00:13:05,680 --> 00:13:09,000 financial holdings that could influence their decision making. 394 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:11,520 So the worry is that they might prioritize 395 00:13:11,520 --> 00:13:13,760 their own financial interests over the needs 396 00:13:13,760 --> 00:13:14,800 of the American people. 397 00:13:14,800 --> 00:13:15,440 Exactly. 398 00:13:15,440 --> 00:13:17,400 And then there's the question of representation. 399 00:13:17,400 --> 00:13:20,520 Can a cabinet composed primarily of billionaires 400 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:24,320 truly understand and address the needs of everyday Americans? 401 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:27,760 It raises questions about who our government is truly serving. 402 00:13:27,760 --> 00:13:28,400 It does. 403 00:13:28,400 --> 00:13:31,080 And it feeds into that growing sense of disillusionment, 404 00:13:31,080 --> 00:13:33,200 that distrust that so many people feel 405 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:34,880 towards our political system. 406 00:13:34,880 --> 00:13:37,080 It's like a widening gap between the ruling class 407 00:13:37,080 --> 00:13:37,760 and everyone else. 408 00:13:37,760 --> 00:13:38,640 Exactly. 409 00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:41,320 And that gap has been widening for decades. 410 00:13:41,320 --> 00:13:44,760 But this billionaire cabinet, it seems 411 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:48,040 to symbolize that divide in a very stark way. 412 00:13:48,040 --> 00:13:49,960 It's definitely a cause for concern. 413 00:13:49,960 --> 00:13:50,560 It is. 414 00:13:50,560 --> 00:13:52,480 And it's something we need to keep a close eye on 415 00:13:52,480 --> 00:13:54,200 as this administration unfolds. 416 00:13:54,200 --> 00:13:55,560 Absolutely. 417 00:13:55,560 --> 00:13:57,520 But amidst all this political turmoil, 418 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:01,600 there's one area where Trump seems to be thriving, 419 00:14:01,600 --> 00:14:03,640 the world of cryptocurrency. 420 00:14:03,640 --> 00:14:04,400 Yes. 421 00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:08,160 His foray into the wild west of digital assets. 422 00:14:08,160 --> 00:14:09,560 It's been a wild ride, hasn't it? 423 00:14:09,560 --> 00:14:09,840 Yeah. 424 00:14:09,840 --> 00:14:12,520 The digital trading cards, the DJT stock, 425 00:14:12,520 --> 00:14:16,240 and now the Trump P-coin, he's building his own crypto empire. 426 00:14:16,240 --> 00:14:16,960 He is. 427 00:14:16,960 --> 00:14:19,760 And it's generating a lot of buzz, both good and bad. 428 00:14:19,760 --> 00:14:23,200 What are some of the concerns surrounding his crypto ventures? 429 00:14:23,200 --> 00:14:26,320 Well, there are concerns about potential market manipulation, 430 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:29,760 especially given his SEC picks focus on shareholder value 431 00:14:29,760 --> 00:14:30,920 above all else. 432 00:14:30,920 --> 00:14:33,360 And there are questions about the long term viability 433 00:14:33,360 --> 00:14:34,240 of these projects. 434 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:37,480 Are they legitimate investments or just speculative bubbles 435 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:38,600 waiting to burst? 436 00:14:38,600 --> 00:14:40,160 That's the million dollar question, isn't it? 437 00:14:40,160 --> 00:14:40,560 It is. 438 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:42,600 The high risk, high reward game. 439 00:14:42,600 --> 00:14:44,760 Only time will tell how it all plays out. 440 00:14:44,760 --> 00:14:46,800 It definitely adds another layer of intrigue 441 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:49,160 to an already fascinating political landscape. 442 00:14:49,160 --> 00:14:49,800 It does. 443 00:14:49,800 --> 00:14:52,400 It's another example of how Trump is constantly pushing 444 00:14:52,400 --> 00:14:54,560 boundaries, disrupting the status quo. 445 00:14:54,560 --> 00:14:55,720 Love him or hate him. 446 00:14:55,720 --> 00:14:57,800 He's a master at capturing attention. 447 00:14:57,800 --> 00:14:58,720 He is. 448 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:00,320 And it's going to be fascinating to watch 449 00:15:00,320 --> 00:15:03,240 how he wields that power over the next four years. 450 00:15:03,240 --> 00:15:04,320 Absolutely. 451 00:15:04,320 --> 00:15:06,000 So we've covered a lot of ground today. 452 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:07,760 We've still got more to discuss, right? 453 00:15:07,760 --> 00:15:09,520 Let's dive back into this after a quick break 454 00:15:09,520 --> 00:15:10,760 to gather our thoughts. 455 00:15:10,760 --> 00:15:12,560 Stay with us. 456 00:15:12,560 --> 00:15:14,200 We'll be right back for the final part 457 00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:16,280 of our Inauguration Day deep dive. 458 00:15:19,920 --> 00:15:20,640 Welcome back. 459 00:15:20,640 --> 00:15:23,160 Before the break, we were talking about Trump's approach 460 00:15:23,160 --> 00:15:25,560 to immigration, that whole idea of using fear 461 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:27,960 to encourage self-deportation. 462 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:29,840 It's a pretty unsettling thought. 463 00:15:29,840 --> 00:15:32,760 It really makes you think about our values as a country. 464 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:35,000 Are we truly a nation that welcomes 465 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:37,240 those seeking a better life? 466 00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:39,680 Or are we closing our doors to those in need? 467 00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:41,640 It's a question we all need to ask ourselves, I think. 468 00:15:41,640 --> 00:15:43,640 This administration, it seems like they're really pushing 469 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:45,640 the boundaries of what it means to be American. 470 00:15:45,640 --> 00:15:46,560 Yeah. 471 00:15:46,560 --> 00:15:48,040 And speaking of pushing boundaries, 472 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:50,240 let's circle back to Tulsi Gabbard's nomination 473 00:15:50,240 --> 00:15:51,800 as Director of National Intelligence. 474 00:15:51,800 --> 00:15:53,200 Doesn't look good for her, does it? 475 00:15:53,200 --> 00:15:53,680 No. 476 00:15:53,680 --> 00:15:54,200 Not really. 477 00:15:54,200 --> 00:15:56,320 Those past statements, her associations, 478 00:15:56,320 --> 00:15:58,400 it's proving to be a real obstacle. 479 00:15:58,400 --> 00:16:00,160 And it's not just about political differences. 480 00:16:00,160 --> 00:16:02,720 It's about judgment, integrity. 481 00:16:02,720 --> 00:16:03,480 Exactly. 482 00:16:03,480 --> 00:16:06,560 And for someone who would be handling sensitive intelligence, 483 00:16:06,560 --> 00:16:09,160 I mean, those qualities are essential, wouldn't you say? 484 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:11,240 Imagine being a foreign leader, trusting her 485 00:16:11,240 --> 00:16:13,560 with state secrets, knowing her history. 486 00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:13,880 Right. 487 00:16:13,880 --> 00:16:15,520 Makes you wonder if this nomination was ever 488 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:19,000 a serious consideration or just some kind of political game. 489 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:19,800 Who knows? 490 00:16:19,800 --> 00:16:22,040 But either way, it seems like her time in the spotlight 491 00:16:22,040 --> 00:16:23,480 might be coming to an end. 492 00:16:23,480 --> 00:16:26,040 It'd be interesting to see who Trump picks as a replacement. 493 00:16:26,040 --> 00:16:26,520 Definitely. 494 00:16:26,520 --> 00:16:27,020 OK. 495 00:16:27,020 --> 00:16:29,640 But stepping back for a minute, looking at the big picture, 496 00:16:29,640 --> 00:16:32,800 this inauguration day, it's been a whirlwind. 497 00:16:32,800 --> 00:16:36,280 Executive orders, a potential debt ceiling crisis, 498 00:16:36,280 --> 00:16:39,640 this complicated budget reconciliation process, 499 00:16:39,640 --> 00:16:42,000 and just a whole lot of political drama. 500 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:42,800 It's a lot. 501 00:16:42,800 --> 00:16:46,080 Feels like we're entering a new era in American politics. 502 00:16:46,080 --> 00:16:49,280 Volatility, uncertainty, deep divisions. 503 00:16:49,280 --> 00:16:49,600 Yeah. 504 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:51,280 It's almost overwhelming. 505 00:16:51,280 --> 00:16:53,040 But that's why we do this, right? 506 00:16:53,040 --> 00:16:55,880 To try to make sense of it all, to offer some clarity. 507 00:16:55,880 --> 00:16:56,800 Exactly. 508 00:16:56,800 --> 00:16:59,320 We're here to guide you through it all, offer insights, 509 00:16:59,320 --> 00:17:01,760 analysis, help you understand what's happening 510 00:17:01,760 --> 00:17:03,480 and why it matters. 511 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:07,920 So as we wrap up this deep dive into inauguration day 2025, 512 00:17:07,920 --> 00:17:11,440 what's the one key takeaway you leave our listeners with? 513 00:17:11,440 --> 00:17:14,080 I think the biggest takeaway is this. 514 00:17:14,080 --> 00:17:15,640 We're at a crossroads. 515 00:17:15,640 --> 00:17:18,000 The decisions made in the next few months, even the next few 516 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:20,280 weeks, they're going to have a huge impact 517 00:17:20,280 --> 00:17:23,160 on the direction of our country for years to come. 518 00:17:23,160 --> 00:17:26,040 More than ever, it's important to stay informed, 519 00:17:26,040 --> 00:17:28,880 stay engaged, make your voice heard. 520 00:17:28,880 --> 00:17:30,480 That's a powerful message. 521 00:17:30,480 --> 00:17:33,000 And I think it's a great place to end our conversation today. 522 00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:34,560 Thanks for joining me on this deep dive. 523 00:17:34,560 --> 00:17:35,320 It was my pleasure. 524 00:17:35,320 --> 00:17:37,400 And to our listeners, thank you for tuning in. 525 00:17:37,400 --> 00:17:39,800 We hope this deep dive has been informative, thought 526 00:17:39,800 --> 00:17:40,760 provoking. 527 00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:51,320 Until next time, stay curious, keep exploring.