Joe Calls Trump "Too Big to Rig" and Dave Smith Warns Trump Against Appointing Mike Pompeo

Summary

This transcript offers an in-depth, candid discussion on the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Donald Trump's leadership, and the role of the media in shaping political narratives. It highlights a surprising realization about the legitimacy of voting, critiques the media's portrayal of Trump, and reflects on the challenges of governance during his presidency. The conversation also touches on cultural shifts, especially among minority communities, and the need for Trump to unite the country. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of appointing non-interventionist figures in a potential second term to push for meaningful change.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 2020 election results showed that voting is still a powerful tool, despite widespread skepticism about rigging and corruption.
• 😀 There were significant parallels between Trump's 2020 campaign and Obama's 2008 campaign, with both showing overwhelming enthusiasm but conflicting poll results.
• 😀 Trump dismissed polling as unreliable, claiming they were manipulated and purchased for specific results, a view he held throughout his campaign.
• 😀 Media coverage, especially by figures like Joy Reid, was often biased, comparing Trump to historical dictators despite his presidency being marked by economic growth and no new foreign wars.
• 😀 The complexities of governing were highlighted, with Trump facing challenges in making appointments and understanding who could be trusted in the administration.
• 😀 Trump’s controversial figures like John Bolton were seen as major obstacles to foreign policy success, particularly in the North Korea deal.
• 😀 The media's portrayal of public figures, such as the portrayal of comedian Tony Hinchcliffe's jokes, often ignored context, focusing on manufactured outrage instead.
• 😀 A noticeable shift in public sentiment since 2016 was observed, with fewer protests and more public alignment with Trump's rhetoric and policies.
• 😀 Despite criticism, Trump's economic policies were considered effective by some, with positive impacts on the economy, which led to his mandate in 2020.
• 😀 Trump’s circle of advisors in 2020 was stronger than in 2016, with a growing pool of non-interventionist figures like Rand Paul and Thomas Massie, suggesting a shift away from neoconservative influences.
• 😀 The rhetoric on Israel was criticized for being inconsistent, especially regarding Netanyahu's influence, showing a tension between Trump's foreign policy stance and domestic pressures.

Q & A

What was the main point discussed about voting in the transcript?

The transcript discusses the realization that, despite the skepticism and conspiracy theories around voting, the voting system still works, at least partially. The speaker points out that some elections, like Trump's, seemed impossible to rig due to the overwhelming public support.

How does the speaker compare Trump's campaign to Obama's in 2008?

The speaker draws a parallel between Trump's campaign and Obama's 2008 campaign, highlighting how both candidates seemed to have overwhelming public support, visible in crowd sizes and enthusiasm, even though the polls at the time suggested a much closer race.

What critique did Trump have about polls during his campaign?

Trump critiqued the polls, claiming they were manipulated and unreliable. He suggested that polls were often paid for and didn't reflect the true state of the race, which contributed to the media's misleading portrayal of the election.

How does the media's portrayal of Trump in the transcript reflect a broader narrative?

The media's portrayal of Trump is described as sensational and misleading, with figures like Joy Reid comparing him to dictators like Mussolini and Hitler. The speaker argues that this narrative ignored the positive economic outcomes during Trump's presidency and painted him unfairly as a right-wing authoritarian.

What difficulties did Trump face in his role as president, according to the transcript?

Trump struggled with the overwhelming responsibilities of appointing thousands of people to key positions, many of whom he didn’t know personally. This lack of familiarity made it challenging for him to navigate the complexities of governance, and he was often bogged down in this process.

What is the speaker's opinion on John Bolton's influence on Trump's presidency?

The speaker criticizes John Bolton's role in Trump’s administration, specifically regarding the North Korea negotiations. Bolton’s hawkish stance and aggressive tactics reportedly sabotaged the potential for a successful deal with North Korea.

How does the transcript address the shift in Trump's public support since 2016?

The transcript highlights a significant cultural shift from 2016 to the present. There is a noticeable lack of protests against Trump now, contrasting with the intense opposition and large-scale protests seen during his earlier campaigns and presidency.

What is Chamath Palihapitiya's view on Trump's message and presidency?

Chamath Palihapitiya is quoted as saying that Trump delivered the right message but was the wrong messenger. Despite Trump's polarizing personality, many of his policies, particularly those on the economy, were beneficial to the U.S.

What role does the speaker believe figures like RFK Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, and Elon Musk play in the political landscape?

The speaker sees figures like RFK Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, and Elon Musk as important voices in the political landscape, offering new perspectives and breaking away from traditional political ideologies. They are described as not being ideologically captured and capable of enacting meaningful change.

What concerns are raised about Mike Pompeo and Lindsey Graham’s potential influence in a second Trump administration?

The speaker expresses concern about Trump bringing in figures like Mike Pompeo and Lindsey Graham into key positions in a second term, especially given their ties to the war machine and interventionist policies. The speaker urges Trump to focus on non-interventionist advisors to avoid repeating past mistakes.