Podcast Summary: "Dems in DC, Tren De Aragua, or Houthi Pirates: Who had the Worst Weekend?"

Podcast: 10 Minute Drill
Host: Matt Whitlock
Release Date: March 18, 2025

Introduction

In the March 18, 2025 episode of 10 Minute Drill, host Matt Whitlock delves into the tumultuous weekend in Washington D.C., dissecting the Democrats' maneuvers in the face of a government funding crisis, the controversial deportations linked to the Venezuelan gang Tren De Aragua, and the aggressive actions against Houthi pirates in Yemen. Whitlock, alongside guests Ben Shapiro and snippets of Donald Trump's commentary, provides a comprehensive analysis of the current political climate, public opinion polls, and the strategic missteps of the Democratic Party.

Government Shutdown and Democratic Strategy

The episode opens with Ben Shapiro summarizing the recent legislative battle over government funding. House Republicans had passed a funding bill, prompting Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to threaten a government shutdown—a move that ultimately backfired.

Ben Shapiro [00:32]: "House Republicans had just passed a bill to fund the government. Soon after, Leader Schumer in the Senate announced that Democrats were going to be shutting down the government."

Donald Trump echoes the Republican perspective, highlighting the lack of support in the Senate:

Donald Trump [00:41]: "Republicans do not have the votes in the Senate to invoke cloture on the House cr."

Shapiro critiques the Democrats' strategy, pointing out two major mistakes: misrepresenting the continuing resolution to their base and overestimating their actual power, leading to unprecedented frustration and low approval ratings.

Polling Data on Democratic Approval

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the latest CNN polls, revealing a dramatic decline in public support for the Democratic Party.

Ben Shapiro [02:00]: "Americans favorable views of the Democratic Party brand are at a record low, just 29%."

The polls also highlight the confusion within the Democratic base regarding party leadership, with only 10% endorsing figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and Bernie Sanders.

Democratic Leadership and Public Perception

Shapiro emphasizes the lack of effective leadership within the Democratic Party, citing Chuck Schumer's postponement of his book tour due to safety concerns:

Ben Shapiro [04:06]: "Chuck Schumer wrote a book about needing to fight against antisemitism. So he's postponing a book tour about stopping antisemitism because of threats and concerns about his own safety after voting to fund the government."

This postponement underscores the internal struggles and declining morale among Democrats, further eroding public trust.

President Trump's Positive Polling Surge

Contrasting the Democrats' struggles, President Trump is experiencing a notable uptick in approval ratings. Shapiro references exclusive CNN polls indicating Trump's approval has risen to levels not seen since 2004.

Donald Trump [04:35]: "If that doesn't seem like a lot, the last time it cracked 40%, you gotta go back to 2012."

Shapiro interprets these numbers as evidence that many Americans are satisfied with Trump's handling of key issues, from the economy to foreign policy.

Criticism of President Biden's Administration

The episode also critiques President Biden's administration, particularly spotlighting questionable actions and executive decisions allegedly made without his direct oversight.

Ben Shapiro [05:30]: "President Biden said, I didn't do that. And it was clear to Speaker Johnson that he had no idea that staffers using his name had signed an executive order pausing liquid natural G exports."

Shapiro argues that these missteps have led to a lack of coherent policy direction, fueling public skepticism about the true leadership behind the Biden administration.

Deportations and Action Against Foreign Terrorists

A major news story covered is President Trump's recent deportation of illegal immigrants linked to the Venezuelan gang Tren De Aragua, notorious for criminal activities in the U.S.

Ben Shapiro [07:15]: "President Trump announced over the weekend that they had sent a plane full of illegal immigrants connected to the Venezuelan gang Trende Aragua."

Shapiro cites New York Times polling data showing overwhelming public support for deporting criminal and violent illegal immigrants, with approval rates reaching up to 87%.

New Segment: "You Can't Make It Up"

Introducing a new segment, Whitlock discusses the emergence of the group Families Over Billionaires, which has gained attention for organizing protests against high-profile billionaires like Elon Musk and President Trump.

Ben Shapiro [09:00]: "Families Over Billionaires is actually funded by foreign billionaire Hans Jorg Wiess, who has gotten a lot of attention for funding just about every negative political activity in the country through the Arabella Advisors Network."

This revelation points to significant foreign influence in domestic political activism, raising questions about the authenticity and motives behind such movements.

Conclusion

In this episode of 10 Minute Drill, Matt Whitlock, alongside Ben Shapiro and insights from Donald Trump, paints a vivid picture of a Democratic Party in disarray, grappling with low approval ratings and ineffective leadership. Concurrently, President Trump capitalizes on this weakness, bolstering his own standing through decisive actions and favorable public perception. The episode underscores the shifting dynamics in American politics, highlighting the challenges and strategies shaping the ongoing political landscape.

Note: This summary is based on the provided transcript and includes attributed quotes with timestamps for clarity and reference.