1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,760 Welcome back to the deep dive. 2 00:00:01,760 --> 00:00:04,440 It's a, it's wild, right? 3 00:00:04,440 --> 00:00:07,320 It's only day nine of Trump's second term. 4 00:00:07,320 --> 00:00:08,360 I know, right. 5 00:00:08,360 --> 00:00:11,120 And we're already seeing this kind of pattern developing 6 00:00:11,120 --> 00:00:12,680 in a lot of the news. 7 00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:13,520 Absolutely. 8 00:00:13,520 --> 00:00:15,320 So today we're gonna look at some news excerpts 9 00:00:15,320 --> 00:00:16,720 from just this past week 10 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:19,560 and try to answer a big question. 11 00:00:19,560 --> 00:00:20,400 Great. 12 00:00:20,400 --> 00:00:22,040 What did these early actions tell us 13 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:25,060 about what we can expect over the next four years? 14 00:00:25,060 --> 00:00:26,560 Yeah, it's interesting because it feels like 15 00:00:26,560 --> 00:00:27,880 all these different things happening 16 00:00:27,880 --> 00:00:29,960 are actually pieces of the same puzzle. 17 00:00:29,960 --> 00:00:30,800 Right. 18 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:33,440 You know, we've got these legal battles over spending, 19 00:00:33,440 --> 00:00:36,240 then you've got these diplomatic clashes with Columbia, 20 00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:38,280 and then you've even got these kind of weird things 21 00:00:38,280 --> 00:00:39,920 happening inside the federal government. 22 00:00:39,920 --> 00:00:42,040 Like, so there's a lot to unpack here. 23 00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:45,120 Yeah, so let's start with this my way 24 00:00:45,120 --> 00:00:47,800 or the highway approach to governing 25 00:00:47,800 --> 00:00:49,240 that we're seeing from Trump. 26 00:00:49,240 --> 00:00:52,360 He's facing pushback from like all sides at this point. 27 00:00:52,360 --> 00:00:53,200 He is. 28 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:54,440 So what's your take on that? 29 00:00:54,440 --> 00:00:57,280 I mean, some people are saying it's just classic Trump. 30 00:00:57,280 --> 00:00:58,120 Right. 31 00:00:58,120 --> 00:01:00,480 But I feel like there's gotta be more to it than that. 32 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:01,320 I think you're right. 33 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:02,720 It's definitely more than just his personality. 34 00:01:02,720 --> 00:01:03,560 Right. 35 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:04,600 If you look at these lawsuits 36 00:01:04,600 --> 00:01:06,760 challenging the freeze on congressional funds. 37 00:01:06,760 --> 00:01:07,600 Right. 38 00:01:07,600 --> 00:01:09,120 He's not just trying to control spending here. 39 00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:10,040 Yeah. 40 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:13,080 I think he's aiming to like fundamentally change 41 00:01:13,080 --> 00:01:14,680 the balance of power. 42 00:01:14,680 --> 00:01:17,800 Okay, so how would that work? 43 00:01:17,800 --> 00:01:20,000 Okay, so he's basically going after this law 44 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:22,760 called the Empowerment Control Act of 1974. 45 00:01:22,760 --> 00:01:23,600 Okay. 46 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:26,160 Which basically limits a president's ability 47 00:01:26,160 --> 00:01:29,560 to ignore Congress when it comes to spending. 48 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:30,400 Right. 49 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:35,400 So if he can get this law declared unconstitutional, 50 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:38,560 it sets a precedent for future presidents 51 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:40,400 to have way more power over the budget. 52 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:41,440 Oh, wow. 53 00:01:41,440 --> 00:01:43,520 And that is a huge shift in power. 54 00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:44,840 So it's not even about the money itself. 55 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:46,680 It's about who gets to make the decisions. 56 00:01:46,680 --> 00:01:47,880 Exactly, yeah. 57 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:51,640 And this power grab, it extends beyond finances. 58 00:01:51,640 --> 00:01:53,680 We're seeing it with the executive orders 59 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:56,400 targeting trans rights, which are already 60 00:01:56,400 --> 00:01:57,760 facing legal challenges. 61 00:01:57,760 --> 00:02:00,920 And then there's this whole thing with firing the commissioners 62 00:02:00,920 --> 00:02:03,200 from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 63 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:05,240 like without following the procedures. 64 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:07,680 It's all about consolidating control. 65 00:02:07,680 --> 00:02:10,040 It's interesting you say that consolidating control, 66 00:02:10,040 --> 00:02:13,680 because that brings me to this whole new federal email system. 67 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:14,520 Oh yeah. 68 00:02:14,520 --> 00:02:17,200 Everyone is freaking out about the privacy aspect of it, 69 00:02:17,200 --> 00:02:19,400 but it also seems like another way to tighten 70 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:20,480 his grip on things. 71 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:21,320 For sure. 72 00:02:21,320 --> 00:02:25,000 So I mean, is this level of control really sustainable? 73 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:27,400 Or is he just setting himself up for even more 74 00:02:27,400 --> 00:02:29,400 legal battles down the road? 75 00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:31,360 I think it's a risky strategy. 76 00:02:31,360 --> 00:02:32,240 OK. 77 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:35,000 It might appeal to his base in the short term, 78 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:38,040 but he's alienating a lot of people. 79 00:02:38,040 --> 00:02:42,320 And he's creating these potential legal vulnerabilities. 80 00:02:42,320 --> 00:02:45,320 A good example of that is this whole Colombian situation. 81 00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:47,680 He tried to force their president 82 00:02:47,680 --> 00:02:51,720 into accepting these deported immigrants on his terms, 83 00:02:51,720 --> 00:02:54,960 and specifically demanding the use of military aircraft. 84 00:02:54,960 --> 00:02:56,600 Which was a whole thing. 85 00:02:56,600 --> 00:02:59,280 Some people are saying that the Colombian president, Petro, 86 00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:01,840 actually stood up to Trump and made sure 87 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:05,240 that those immigrants were treated humanely, 88 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:06,760 but couldn't that have backfired? 89 00:03:06,760 --> 00:03:09,360 I mean, Colombia is a key ally for the US. 90 00:03:09,360 --> 00:03:10,640 Was it worth the risk? 91 00:03:10,640 --> 00:03:14,720 I think Petro actually played it really smart. 92 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:17,560 He knew that refusing Trump publicly 93 00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:20,320 would be really popular back home, 94 00:03:20,320 --> 00:03:22,320 and it actually forced Trump to compromise. 95 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:23,200 Oh, OK. 96 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:24,880 In the end, they used commercial aircraft. 97 00:03:24,880 --> 00:03:25,720 OK. 98 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:30,080 And Petro got to look like this strong leader who 99 00:03:30,080 --> 00:03:31,240 stood up to a bully. 100 00:03:31,240 --> 00:03:32,600 So win for Petro. 101 00:03:32,600 --> 00:03:33,400 Right. 102 00:03:33,400 --> 00:03:35,520 But what about the bigger picture? 103 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:36,960 Well, that's where it gets interesting. 104 00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:41,240 So by trying to bully a key ally, 105 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:45,160 Trump may have actually pushed Colombia and maybe other Latin 106 00:03:45,160 --> 00:03:47,560 American countries closer to China. 107 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:48,320 Oh, wow. 108 00:03:48,320 --> 00:03:50,800 They're all watching how the US treats its partners. 109 00:03:50,800 --> 00:03:51,440 Right. 110 00:03:51,440 --> 00:03:53,920 And if they see inconsistency or aggression, 111 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:55,480 they might start looking elsewhere 112 00:03:55,480 --> 00:03:57,840 for economic and political alliances. 113 00:03:57,840 --> 00:03:58,880 That's a really good point. 114 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:00,480 And we all remember how that little trade 115 00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:03,760 spat we had with Colombia over this whole thing 116 00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:06,480 caused coffee prices to spike here in the US. 117 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:09,880 So imagine what would happen if those trade relationships 118 00:04:09,880 --> 00:04:11,240 were damaged permanently? 119 00:04:11,240 --> 00:04:12,160 That's right. 120 00:04:12,160 --> 00:04:13,200 It would be chaos. 121 00:04:13,200 --> 00:04:14,040 Huge impact. 122 00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:16,560 So maybe this my way or the highway approach 123 00:04:16,560 --> 00:04:18,400 isn't so sustainable after all. 124 00:04:18,400 --> 00:04:18,800 Yeah. 125 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:20,840 It definitely raises questions about the long term 126 00:04:20,840 --> 00:04:21,560 consequences. 127 00:04:21,560 --> 00:04:22,720 For sure. 128 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:24,280 OK, let's switch gears for a second. 129 00:04:24,280 --> 00:04:24,600 Sure. 130 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:28,840 And talk about this deferred resignation offer 131 00:04:28,840 --> 00:04:30,760 for federal employees. 132 00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:31,120 OK. 133 00:04:31,120 --> 00:04:33,480 It sounds like a really fancy way of saying, like, 134 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:35,600 get out now or you're fired. 135 00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:36,880 It does, doesn't it? 136 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:39,960 So is he really just trying to purge the government 137 00:04:39,960 --> 00:04:43,200 and replace everyone with people who are loyal to him? 138 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:45,400 Well, that's certainly one way to look at it, 139 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:48,440 especially when you consider that announcement email. 140 00:04:48,440 --> 00:04:50,880 It was pretty blatant about job security. 141 00:04:50,880 --> 00:04:54,560 But you have to remember Elon Musk and his people 142 00:04:54,560 --> 00:04:57,400 are running the Office of Personal Management now. 143 00:04:57,400 --> 00:04:58,840 They have their own goals. 144 00:04:58,840 --> 00:05:02,160 And they might not line up exactly with Trump's. 145 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:05,200 So maybe this is more about shrinking the government 146 00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:07,080 than about installing loyalists. 147 00:05:07,080 --> 00:05:08,720 That's definitely a possibility. 148 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:10,360 But here's the thing. 149 00:05:10,360 --> 00:05:15,040 Fewer government workers means longer wait times 150 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:18,880 for things like passports, IRS help, Social Security 151 00:05:18,880 --> 00:05:20,280 assistance. 152 00:05:20,280 --> 00:05:23,960 These are things that affect everyday people, voters. 153 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:27,960 So if this starts impacting people's lives directly, 154 00:05:27,960 --> 00:05:29,080 it could really backfire. 155 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:32,320 It almost feels like they're not thinking about the long game 156 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:32,840 here. 157 00:05:32,840 --> 00:05:35,960 They're just trying to make a big splash right now. 158 00:05:35,960 --> 00:05:37,120 I think that's a fair assessment. 159 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:40,040 OK, speaking of short-sighted moves, 160 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:42,520 what about this whole situation with the Department 161 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:43,800 of Justice? 162 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:46,160 It seems like Trump is trying to turn the DOJ 163 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:49,320 into his own personal legal team. 164 00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:51,080 Isn't that a little bit alarming? 165 00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:52,840 Incredibly worrying. 166 00:05:52,840 --> 00:05:56,080 What's so troubling is how systematic it seems. 167 00:05:56,080 --> 00:05:58,600 He's reassigning these experienced prosecutors. 168 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:01,400 He's putting his political allies in key positions. 169 00:06:01,400 --> 00:06:04,240 He's even targeting the inspectors general, 170 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:06,480 who are supposed to keep the DOJ accountable. 171 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:08,720 It's like he's trying to dismantle it from the inside. 172 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:09,400 Pretty much. 173 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:11,200 And then there are the intimidation tactics, 174 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:13,120 threatening local law enforcement, 175 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:16,920 going after the prosecutors who handled the January 6 cases. 176 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:17,280 Right. 177 00:06:17,280 --> 00:06:19,160 It's like a total power grab. 178 00:06:19,160 --> 00:06:19,960 Absolutely. 179 00:06:19,960 --> 00:06:22,520 And then there's the reallocation of resources. 180 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:25,320 He's taking money away from counterterrorism efforts 181 00:06:25,320 --> 00:06:27,360 to put more towards the immigration crackdown. 182 00:06:27,360 --> 00:06:30,200 So is he compromising national security 183 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:32,000 for a political agenda? 184 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:33,040 It's a legitimate question. 185 00:06:33,040 --> 00:06:34,680 It's all very unsettling. 186 00:06:34,680 --> 00:06:37,960 It's like he's weakening the very institutions that 187 00:06:37,960 --> 00:06:40,720 are supposed to uphold the law and protect the public. 188 00:06:40,720 --> 00:06:41,840 It's a dangerous game. 189 00:06:41,840 --> 00:06:43,560 All to just consolidate power. 190 00:06:43,560 --> 00:06:45,760 It does make you wonder about the rule of law 191 00:06:45,760 --> 00:06:48,120 and the balance of power in this country. 192 00:06:48,120 --> 00:06:52,320 So we've seen attempts to control spending, reshape the DOJ, 193 00:06:52,320 --> 00:06:54,440 even potentially influence the media. 194 00:06:54,440 --> 00:06:54,800 Right. 195 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:56,160 It's a lot to take in. 196 00:06:56,160 --> 00:06:56,760 It is. 197 00:06:56,760 --> 00:06:58,800 And it kind of paints a pretty clear picture of where 198 00:06:58,800 --> 00:07:00,240 things might be headed. 199 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:02,680 It's a pattern worth paying attention to, for sure. 200 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:06,440 Yeah, these early actions, they suggest this desire 201 00:07:06,440 --> 00:07:09,960 for unchecked power, this disregard for the norms, 202 00:07:09,960 --> 00:07:13,360 and even this willingness to use the government 203 00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:14,720 for personal gain. 204 00:07:14,720 --> 00:07:15,520 I think that's right. 205 00:07:15,520 --> 00:07:17,960 So how this will all play out over the next four years, 206 00:07:17,960 --> 00:07:18,520 I don't know. 207 00:07:18,520 --> 00:07:20,720 But it's clear that we're in for a wild ride. 208 00:07:20,720 --> 00:07:21,360 Absolutely. 209 00:07:21,360 --> 00:07:22,000 Buckle up. 210 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:24,280 So, listener, we've covered a lot of ground here, 211 00:07:24,280 --> 00:07:25,800 but we're just getting started. 212 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:30,120 Stay tuned for part two of this deep dive, 213 00:07:30,120 --> 00:07:32,240 where we're going to look at some specific political 214 00:07:32,240 --> 00:07:33,160 shake-ups. 215 00:07:33,160 --> 00:07:33,520 Right. 216 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:37,080 Like Senator Gary Peters' surprise announcement 217 00:07:37,080 --> 00:07:39,240 and those Florida special elections. 218 00:07:39,240 --> 00:07:42,320 We'll also be looking at the bigger implications of Trump's 219 00:07:42,320 --> 00:07:45,160 actions for the political landscape for the media 220 00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:46,880 and, ultimately, for you, the voter. 221 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:50,240 So grab a pen and paper, jot down any questions or thoughts 222 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:52,320 that come up, because we'll be diving even deeper 223 00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:53,320 in the next segment. 224 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:54,160 We've been forward to it. 225 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:55,120 Me too. 226 00:07:55,120 --> 00:07:57,560 So we just spent some time talking about Trump 227 00:07:57,560 --> 00:08:00,520 trying to consolidate his power within the executive branch. 228 00:08:00,520 --> 00:08:01,840 But what about Congress? 229 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:02,240 Right. 230 00:08:02,240 --> 00:08:04,680 How does all of this stuff impact the balance of power 231 00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:05,360 there? 232 00:08:05,360 --> 00:08:06,680 Yeah, that's a great question. 233 00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:10,200 And it brings us to a pretty significant development. 234 00:08:10,200 --> 00:08:12,200 Senator Gary Peters announcing he won't 235 00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:14,480 run for reelection in 2026. 236 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:15,440 Wow. 237 00:08:15,440 --> 00:08:17,400 Yeah, this is a big deal for the Democrats, 238 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:18,720 because they're already struggling 239 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:19,920 to keep control of the Senate. 240 00:08:19,920 --> 00:08:20,280 Right. 241 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:22,160 Losing an incumbent is never ideal. 242 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:22,800 Never. 243 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:25,000 But I keep hearing people say that the Democrats have 244 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:26,520 a deep bench in Michigan. 245 00:08:26,520 --> 00:08:26,960 Right. 246 00:08:26,960 --> 00:08:27,960 What does that even mean? 247 00:08:27,960 --> 00:08:29,680 Like, how could that play out in this race? 248 00:08:29,680 --> 00:08:32,520 So a deep bench basically means they've 249 00:08:32,520 --> 00:08:36,720 got a bunch of strong potential candidates who could run 250 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:38,800 and have a good shot at winning. 251 00:08:38,800 --> 00:08:40,560 Some names that are already being thrown around 252 00:08:40,560 --> 00:08:44,800 are like Pete Buttigieg and Mallory McMorough. 253 00:08:44,800 --> 00:08:47,080 But Buttigieg has that national recognition 254 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:49,120 from when he ran for president. 255 00:08:49,120 --> 00:08:52,400 So he might attract a wider range of voters. 256 00:08:52,400 --> 00:08:55,200 And McMorough, she's kind of a rising star in Michigan 257 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:56,920 politics. 258 00:08:56,920 --> 00:08:59,440 So she already has a strong base within the state. 259 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:01,680 But even with those potential candidates, 260 00:09:01,680 --> 00:09:04,600 some analysts are saying that without Peter's 261 00:09:04,600 --> 00:09:07,960 incumbency advantage, this race is going to be really tight. 262 00:09:07,960 --> 00:09:08,960 Yeah, it's true. 263 00:09:08,960 --> 00:09:09,400 Yeah. 264 00:09:09,400 --> 00:09:11,200 Open seats are always more vulnerable. 265 00:09:11,200 --> 00:09:11,760 Right. 266 00:09:11,760 --> 00:09:14,680 So what could give the Republicans an edge here? 267 00:09:14,680 --> 00:09:17,320 Well, on the Republican side, you've got John James, 268 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:19,840 who's run for Senate in Michigan twice already. 269 00:09:19,840 --> 00:09:20,200 Right. 270 00:09:20,200 --> 00:09:21,680 But he lost both times. 271 00:09:21,680 --> 00:09:22,200 He did. 272 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:24,640 But he might have more name recognition this time around. 273 00:09:24,640 --> 00:09:25,160 OK. 274 00:09:25,160 --> 00:09:27,920 And then you've got Tudor Dixon, who lost the governor's race 275 00:09:27,920 --> 00:09:28,960 in 2022. 276 00:09:28,960 --> 00:09:29,680 Right. 277 00:09:29,680 --> 00:09:32,000 But she could still get some of those Republican voters 278 00:09:32,000 --> 00:09:32,760 energized. 279 00:09:32,760 --> 00:09:33,440 OK. 280 00:09:33,440 --> 00:09:36,480 And then there's around her Romney McDaniel, the chair 281 00:09:36,480 --> 00:09:37,960 of the Republican National Committee. 282 00:09:37,960 --> 00:09:40,080 She's kind of a wild card in this race. 283 00:09:40,080 --> 00:09:44,200 So even though Michigan's been leaning Democrat lately, 284 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:47,240 the Republicans might see this as a real opportunity. 285 00:09:47,240 --> 00:09:49,240 Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how it all shakes out. 286 00:09:49,240 --> 00:09:49,760 Definitely. 287 00:09:49,760 --> 00:09:52,120 And this leads to another big question. 288 00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:54,600 How will this whole fight for Congress 289 00:09:54,600 --> 00:09:57,040 play out during Trump's second term? 290 00:09:57,040 --> 00:09:57,480 Right. 291 00:09:57,480 --> 00:09:59,880 Will we see more of these partisan battles? 292 00:09:59,880 --> 00:10:02,640 Or could there be some weird alliances forming? 293 00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:03,600 Yeah, good question. 294 00:10:03,600 --> 00:10:05,080 Well, speaking of partisan battles, 295 00:10:05,080 --> 00:10:06,120 let's talk about Florida. 296 00:10:06,120 --> 00:10:06,720 OK. 297 00:10:06,720 --> 00:10:10,240 They just had primaries for two House seats 298 00:10:10,240 --> 00:10:13,280 that were vacated by, guess who, Trump loyalists. 299 00:10:13,280 --> 00:10:14,120 Of course. 300 00:10:14,120 --> 00:10:16,200 And the results are pretty much what you'd expect. 301 00:10:16,200 --> 00:10:17,560 Yeah, no big surprises there. 302 00:10:17,560 --> 00:10:19,200 So who are these new guys? 303 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:22,960 Well, the Republican nominees are Jimmy Petronas and Randy 304 00:10:22,960 --> 00:10:23,880 Fine. 305 00:10:23,880 --> 00:10:24,280 OK. 306 00:10:24,280 --> 00:10:27,240 And they are very much cut from the same cloth 307 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:28,480 as the people they were replacing. 308 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:29,000 OK. 309 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:31,200 Petronas is a huge Trump supporter. 310 00:10:31,200 --> 00:10:33,360 Like, he even tried to get the Florida legislature 311 00:10:33,360 --> 00:10:35,960 to give Trump millions of dollars to cover his legal bills. 312 00:10:35,960 --> 00:10:37,160 Wow. 313 00:10:37,160 --> 00:10:40,680 And Fine is a super hard line conservative. 314 00:10:40,680 --> 00:10:41,280 OK. 315 00:10:41,280 --> 00:10:44,280 With a history of saying some pretty inflammatory stuff. 316 00:10:44,280 --> 00:10:46,760 So not exactly a move towards moderation 317 00:10:46,760 --> 00:10:48,080 within the Republican Party. 318 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:48,720 Not really. 319 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:51,120 It seems like they're going all in on Trumpism. 320 00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:52,720 Even after all the controversy. 321 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:54,600 It really makes you wonder about the future 322 00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:55,640 of the Republican Party. 323 00:10:55,640 --> 00:10:56,160 Yeah. 324 00:10:56,160 --> 00:10:58,120 Are they just going to keep going down this road 325 00:10:58,120 --> 00:11:00,960 of aligning themselves with Trump's brand of politics? 326 00:11:00,960 --> 00:11:01,440 Right. 327 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:03,880 Or will we see them shift back to more traditional 328 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:05,400 conservative values? 329 00:11:05,400 --> 00:11:09,640 And how will this all affect the 2026 presidential election? 330 00:11:09,640 --> 00:11:09,920 Right. 331 00:11:09,920 --> 00:11:11,200 Is Trump going to run again? 332 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:13,720 And if he does, who could actually challenge him 333 00:11:13,720 --> 00:11:14,920 from within his own party? 334 00:11:14,920 --> 00:11:17,080 I mean, that's the million dollar question, isn't it? 335 00:11:17,080 --> 00:11:18,880 Right now, it's hard to imagine anyone actually 336 00:11:18,880 --> 00:11:21,200 being able to take him on within the Republican Party. 337 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:22,120 Right. 338 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:25,000 He's still got a really strong hold on the base. 339 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:30,200 But things could change if his legal problems get worse, 340 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:32,400 or if the economy takes a nosedive. 341 00:11:32,400 --> 00:11:34,760 We might start to see some of that support weaken. 342 00:11:34,760 --> 00:11:37,200 It's interesting how all of these smaller races, 343 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:41,000 like the Florida primaries or the Michigan Senate race, 344 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:43,520 can actually tell us so much about what's going on 345 00:11:43,520 --> 00:11:44,720 in the country as a whole. 346 00:11:44,720 --> 00:11:46,680 They really are like these little windows 347 00:11:46,680 --> 00:11:48,920 into the soul of American politics. 348 00:11:48,920 --> 00:11:49,160 Right. 349 00:11:49,160 --> 00:11:52,760 They're like microcosms of all these bigger forces at play. 350 00:11:52,760 --> 00:11:53,280 Exactly. 351 00:11:53,280 --> 00:11:55,440 And they often give us a preview of what 352 00:11:55,440 --> 00:11:57,000 we'll see happening on a national level. 353 00:11:57,000 --> 00:11:59,840 OK, so we've talked about the power shifts in Congress 354 00:11:59,840 --> 00:12:03,080 and the battle for control in 2026. 355 00:12:03,080 --> 00:12:05,800 But there's another really important player in all of this 356 00:12:05,800 --> 00:12:08,560 that we haven't really talked about yet, the media. 357 00:12:08,560 --> 00:12:11,040 What role are they going to play in all of this, 358 00:12:11,040 --> 00:12:13,960 especially with Trump seeming so determined 359 00:12:13,960 --> 00:12:16,920 to control the narrative? 360 00:12:16,920 --> 00:12:19,280 Well, the media's role is more important now than ever. 361 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:20,560 But they're in a really tough spot. 362 00:12:20,560 --> 00:12:21,120 OK. 363 00:12:21,120 --> 00:12:23,720 On the one hand, they have this responsibility 364 00:12:23,720 --> 00:12:28,080 to report the facts and hold people in power accountable. 365 00:12:28,080 --> 00:12:30,240 But on the other hand, they're constantly 366 00:12:30,240 --> 00:12:33,360 being attacked and undermined and even threatened. 367 00:12:33,360 --> 00:12:35,720 And we can't forget about the economic pressures 368 00:12:35,720 --> 00:12:38,920 they're facing with viewership and ad revenue declining. 369 00:12:38,920 --> 00:12:40,320 It's a tough environment for sure. 370 00:12:40,320 --> 00:12:43,560 Yeah, like that whole thing with CNN and Jim Acosta. 371 00:12:43,560 --> 00:12:46,400 It felt like CNN was trying to appease Trump 372 00:12:46,400 --> 00:12:49,080 by getting rid of one of his biggest critics. 373 00:12:49,080 --> 00:12:51,880 But is that really a good strategy in the long run? 374 00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:54,480 Like, well, giving in to him actually protect them 375 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:55,480 from more attacks. 376 00:12:55,480 --> 00:12:57,920 I think it's a dangerous game to play. 377 00:12:57,920 --> 00:13:01,000 If news organizations start censoring themselves out 378 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:04,560 of fear, then we lose one of the most important ways 379 00:13:04,560 --> 00:13:06,360 to hold power accountable. 380 00:13:06,360 --> 00:13:09,000 And it sets a really bad example for other media outlets, 381 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:11,280 especially smaller independent ones, 382 00:13:11,280 --> 00:13:13,600 who don't have the resources to fight back. 383 00:13:13,600 --> 00:13:15,400 So how can they deal with this? 384 00:13:15,400 --> 00:13:17,720 How can they balance the need to report the truth 385 00:13:17,720 --> 00:13:20,440 with the very real threat of retaliation 386 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:24,240 from a president who has no problem punishing his critics? 387 00:13:24,240 --> 00:13:25,920 That's the million dollar question. 388 00:13:25,920 --> 00:13:27,960 There's no easy answer. 389 00:13:27,960 --> 00:13:32,320 But it starts with a commitment to journalistic integrity, 390 00:13:32,320 --> 00:13:36,640 to being accurate, to being fair, and to being independent. 391 00:13:36,640 --> 00:13:41,080 It also means being willing to call out lies and misinformation, 392 00:13:41,080 --> 00:13:42,560 even when it's coming from the president. 393 00:13:42,560 --> 00:13:44,520 Even when it's coming from the most powerful person 394 00:13:44,520 --> 00:13:45,040 in the country. 395 00:13:45,040 --> 00:13:46,000 Exactly. 396 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:47,680 And it means standing up for their rights. 397 00:13:47,680 --> 00:13:49,840 Even when it's hard or even dangerous. 398 00:13:49,840 --> 00:13:52,680 It's a good reminder that a free and independent press 399 00:13:52,680 --> 00:13:55,120 is so important for a healthy democracy. 400 00:13:55,120 --> 00:13:55,720 Absolutely. 401 00:13:55,720 --> 00:13:57,800 And it's something that we as citizens 402 00:13:57,800 --> 00:13:59,400 need to protect and support. 403 00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:00,360 100%. 404 00:14:00,360 --> 00:14:01,720 And this brings up a bigger point 405 00:14:01,720 --> 00:14:04,880 about the role of informed citizens in all of this. 406 00:14:04,880 --> 00:14:06,600 Like, what can everyday people do 407 00:14:06,600 --> 00:14:08,560 to make sure their voices are heard 408 00:14:08,560 --> 00:14:10,000 and their rights are protected? 409 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:10,560 Yeah. 410 00:14:10,560 --> 00:14:12,840 I mean, for one thing, we can't just sit back and passively 411 00:14:12,840 --> 00:14:14,440 consume information. 412 00:14:14,440 --> 00:14:17,560 We need to think critically, question what we hear, 413 00:14:17,560 --> 00:14:21,720 and read, verify sources, be aware of our own biases. 414 00:14:21,720 --> 00:14:22,600 All of that. 415 00:14:22,600 --> 00:14:24,440 And we need to be willing to talk to people 416 00:14:24,440 --> 00:14:26,240 who have different opinions. 417 00:14:26,240 --> 00:14:27,480 Even if it's uncomfortable. 418 00:14:27,480 --> 00:14:28,320 Exactly. 419 00:14:28,320 --> 00:14:28,800 Yeah. 420 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:30,840 It's about having those tough conversations 421 00:14:30,840 --> 00:14:32,600 and trying to find common ground. 422 00:14:32,600 --> 00:14:33,040 Right. 423 00:14:33,040 --> 00:14:35,440 And working together to hold our leaders accountable. 424 00:14:35,440 --> 00:14:35,720 Right. 425 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:38,600 It's about actually being involved in our democracy, 426 00:14:38,600 --> 00:14:40,240 not just watching from the sidelines. 427 00:14:40,240 --> 00:14:40,720 Exactly. 428 00:14:40,720 --> 00:14:43,240 And don't underestimate the impact of your actions. 429 00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:44,080 OK. 430 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:46,760 Whether it's voting in local elections, 431 00:14:46,760 --> 00:14:48,600 contacting your representatives, 432 00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:52,080 supporting organizations that align with your values, 433 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:53,960 or even just talking about these issues 434 00:14:53,960 --> 00:14:55,040 with your friends and family. 435 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:55,680 Right. 436 00:14:55,680 --> 00:14:57,040 Every little bit counts. 437 00:14:57,040 --> 00:14:58,480 It's a team effort. 438 00:14:58,480 --> 00:14:59,120 It is. 439 00:14:59,120 --> 00:15:01,200 We need to work together to protect the things that 440 00:15:01,200 --> 00:15:02,800 make our democracy strong. 441 00:15:02,800 --> 00:15:04,080 And that starts with each of us. 442 00:15:04,080 --> 00:15:04,720 Absolutely. 443 00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:07,000 So we've covered a lot of ground today. 444 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:08,960 We've talked about the potential power shifts 445 00:15:08,960 --> 00:15:11,840 within the government, the future of the Republican Party, 446 00:15:11,840 --> 00:15:14,600 the role of the media, and how important it is for citizens 447 00:15:14,600 --> 00:15:16,600 to be informed and involved. 448 00:15:16,600 --> 00:15:17,640 It's a lot to take in. 449 00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:18,560 It is. 450 00:15:18,560 --> 00:15:21,320 But we hope this is giving you some things to think about. 451 00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:23,600 Remember, this is just a glimpse into the first nine 452 00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:25,080 days of Trump's second term. 453 00:15:25,080 --> 00:15:25,640 Yeah. 454 00:15:25,640 --> 00:15:27,400 There's a lot more to come, and it's probably 455 00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:28,280 going to be a bumpy ride. 456 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:30,840 But if we stay informed and engaged, 457 00:15:30,840 --> 00:15:34,600 and keep our critical thinking skills sharp, 458 00:15:34,600 --> 00:15:37,640 we can get through these crazy times together. 459 00:15:37,640 --> 00:15:38,560 We can. 460 00:15:38,560 --> 00:15:39,920 What are your thoughts, listener? 461 00:15:39,920 --> 00:15:42,560 What stood out to you the most from this deep dive? 462 00:15:42,560 --> 00:15:44,640 What questions are still on your mind? 463 00:15:44,640 --> 00:15:47,400 Hold on to those questions and keep digging. 464 00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:50,080 Because the more we understand what's going on, 465 00:15:50,080 --> 00:15:52,520 the better prepared we'll be for whatever comes next. 466 00:15:52,520 --> 00:15:54,640 And remember, knowledge is power. 467 00:15:54,640 --> 00:15:56,480 So keep learning. 468 00:15:56,480 --> 00:15:59,800 Keep asking questions and stay curious. 469 00:15:59,800 --> 00:16:00,960 Couldn't have said it better myself. 470 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:01,960 It's crazy, right? 471 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:04,120 All these different things we've been talking about, 472 00:16:04,120 --> 00:16:07,960 they all seem to be connected to this idea of control, 473 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:11,440 whether it's controlling the story or the information 474 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:14,240 people get, or just grabbing power. 475 00:16:14,240 --> 00:16:16,400 It feels like that's what's really motivating 476 00:16:16,400 --> 00:16:17,760 a lot of Trump's actions. 477 00:16:17,760 --> 00:16:20,240 It's a pattern we've seen with him for a long time. 478 00:16:20,240 --> 00:16:23,360 But it feels even stronger now that he's in his second term. 479 00:16:23,360 --> 00:16:23,760 Right. 480 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:27,440 And it seems like he always prioritizes loyalty 481 00:16:27,440 --> 00:16:30,920 over actual experience, or even following the rules. 482 00:16:30,920 --> 00:16:31,200 Yeah. 483 00:16:31,200 --> 00:16:33,360 And that can be really dangerous for a democracy. 484 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:33,880 Exactly. 485 00:16:33,880 --> 00:16:36,560 We saw it with the whole DOJ thing and his battles 486 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:40,280 with the media, and even in how he handles foreign policy, 487 00:16:40,280 --> 00:16:41,280 like with Columbia. 488 00:16:41,280 --> 00:16:46,200 Right, he basically sees any pushback or criticism 489 00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:48,480 as a personal attack that he has to shut down. 490 00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:49,160 Right. 491 00:16:49,160 --> 00:16:51,080 So how does that impact people? 492 00:16:51,080 --> 00:16:53,920 Well, it can erode trust in institutions. 493 00:16:53,920 --> 00:16:56,120 It weakens the checks and balances that are supposed 494 00:16:56,120 --> 00:16:57,240 to keep things in check. 495 00:16:57,240 --> 00:16:57,720 Right. 496 00:16:57,720 --> 00:16:59,920 And it just makes society more divided. 497 00:16:59,920 --> 00:17:02,200 So basically a recipe for disaster. 498 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:02,920 Pretty much. 499 00:17:02,920 --> 00:17:04,640 So what can regular people do? 500 00:17:04,640 --> 00:17:08,000 I mean, how do we deal with this crazy political landscape? 501 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:09,960 Like, what advice would you give to someone 502 00:17:09,960 --> 00:17:12,600 who's just feeling completely overwhelmed by all this? 503 00:17:12,600 --> 00:17:15,400 I think the most important thing is to not just give up. 504 00:17:15,400 --> 00:17:15,880 OK. 505 00:17:15,880 --> 00:17:19,160 It's easy to feel powerless when you see how much power 506 00:17:19,160 --> 00:17:20,160 these people have. 507 00:17:20,160 --> 00:17:23,520 But we can't forget that our democracy needs 508 00:17:23,520 --> 00:17:25,720 us to be active and informed. 509 00:17:25,720 --> 00:17:28,280 So what can we actually do? 510 00:17:28,280 --> 00:17:30,800 Well, you can start by being really careful 511 00:17:30,800 --> 00:17:32,280 about the information you consume. 512 00:17:32,280 --> 00:17:33,240 OK. 513 00:17:33,240 --> 00:17:35,680 Don't just believe everything you hear or read. 514 00:17:35,680 --> 00:17:36,800 Question things. 515 00:17:36,800 --> 00:17:37,640 Check the facts. 516 00:17:37,640 --> 00:17:39,520 And think about your own biases. 517 00:17:39,520 --> 00:17:43,200 So like, be aware of the echo chambers we all get stuck in. 518 00:17:43,200 --> 00:17:43,840 Exactly. 519 00:17:43,840 --> 00:17:45,160 Especially with social media. 520 00:17:45,160 --> 00:17:45,640 Right. 521 00:17:45,640 --> 00:17:48,440 You have to make an effort to get outside of that bubble. 522 00:17:48,440 --> 00:17:48,920 OK. 523 00:17:48,920 --> 00:17:50,760 And talk to people who see things differently. 524 00:17:50,760 --> 00:17:51,840 Even if it's hard. 525 00:17:51,840 --> 00:17:52,760 Exactly. 526 00:17:52,760 --> 00:17:54,280 You might not always agree. 527 00:17:54,280 --> 00:17:55,000 Yeah. 528 00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:56,760 But listening to each other and trying 529 00:17:56,760 --> 00:17:59,000 to understand different viewpoints. 530 00:17:59,000 --> 00:17:59,920 Right. 531 00:17:59,920 --> 00:18:01,800 That's what makes a democracy work. 532 00:18:01,800 --> 00:18:04,320 And it's not just about staying informed, right? 533 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:06,320 It's also about doing something. 534 00:18:06,320 --> 00:18:06,800 Absolutely. 535 00:18:06,800 --> 00:18:07,920 Vote in every election. 536 00:18:07,920 --> 00:18:08,880 Even the local ones. 537 00:18:08,880 --> 00:18:09,520 Yeah. 538 00:18:09,520 --> 00:18:11,200 Contact your representatives. 539 00:18:11,200 --> 00:18:12,560 Tell them what you think. 540 00:18:12,560 --> 00:18:15,680 Support organizations that are fighting for things you believe 541 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:15,960 in. 542 00:18:15,960 --> 00:18:16,440 Right. 543 00:18:16,440 --> 00:18:18,040 And don't forget about those conversations you 544 00:18:18,040 --> 00:18:19,560 have with your friends and family. 545 00:18:19,560 --> 00:18:21,480 Sometimes just talking about these issues 546 00:18:21,480 --> 00:18:24,120 and sharing different perspectives can make a difference. 547 00:18:24,120 --> 00:18:27,000 So it all comes back to being engaged. 548 00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:28,120 We all have a role to play. 549 00:18:28,120 --> 00:18:30,760 We have to be involved and informed and active 550 00:18:30,760 --> 00:18:31,960 in our democracy. 551 00:18:31,960 --> 00:18:33,760 Not just watching from the sidelines. 552 00:18:33,760 --> 00:18:34,240 Well said. 553 00:18:34,240 --> 00:18:36,360 That's exactly what we're trying to do with this show. 554 00:18:36,360 --> 00:18:36,720 Right. 555 00:18:36,720 --> 00:18:39,000 To give people the knowledge and tools they 556 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:41,000 need to make sense of all this. 557 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:41,920 Absolutely. 558 00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:43,840 Because knowledge is power. 559 00:18:43,840 --> 00:18:44,200 Right. 560 00:18:44,200 --> 00:18:46,840 And the more we understand about what's happening, 561 00:18:46,840 --> 00:18:49,520 the better prepared we'll be to create the future we want. 562 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:50,800 I couldn't agree more. 563 00:18:50,800 --> 00:18:53,800 So as we wrap up this deep dive, we 564 00:18:53,800 --> 00:18:56,400 want to leave you with a message of hope. 565 00:18:56,400 --> 00:18:58,520 There are definitely challenges ahead. 566 00:18:58,520 --> 00:18:59,120 Yeah. 567 00:18:59,120 --> 00:19:01,520 But we can get through them if we work together. 568 00:19:01,520 --> 00:19:02,160 We can. 569 00:19:02,160 --> 00:19:03,400 So stay curious. 570 00:19:03,400 --> 00:19:04,480 Stay engaged. 571 00:19:04,480 --> 00:19:05,560 And stay informed. 572 00:19:05,560 --> 00:19:06,400 That's the key. 573 00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:08,480 The future of our democracy depends on it. 574 00:19:08,480 --> 00:19:09,160 It does. 575 00:19:09,160 --> 00:19:10,640 Thanks for joining us on this journey. 576 00:19:10,640 --> 00:19:11,680 It's been great. 577 00:19:11,680 --> 00:19:14,920 We'll be back soon with more deep dives into the news 578 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:17,360 and events that are shaping our world. 579 00:19:17,360 --> 00:19:18,480 Looking forward to it. 580 00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:19,320 Me too. 581 00:19:19,320 --> 00:19:37,080 Until then, keep those critical thinking caps on.