10 Minute Drill – “Trump changes the energy equation; dark money fireworks, CA’s Super Bowl ‘jock tax’”

Host: Matt Whitlock
Date: February 11, 2026
Episode Focus: A rapid rundown of the week’s biggest political and policy news, including the Trump administration’s climate policy overhaul, dark money campaigns in U.S. politics, radical Virginia policies, and how California tax laws hit Super Bowl winners.

Main Theme or Purpose

This episode unpacks several breaking political stories and their implications on U.S. governance, energy policy, dark money in politics, state- and national-level legislation, and even sports taxation. The tone is incisive, quick-paced, and leans toward critical analysis of Democratic policy measures, highlighting ways the Trump administration and current conservative campaigns are pushing back.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Administration’s Repeal of the EPA “Endangerment Finding”

• [00:35–02:04]
  • Trump’s administration announces the repeal of the 2009 EPA endangerment finding—which declared that greenhouse gases jeopardize public health.
  • This ruling was the legal foundation for most of the climate-related regulations implemented by the EPA, including vehicle emissions standards, power plant carbon rules, and methane regulations.
  • Whitlock criticizes how the finding came into effect, arguing it was predetermined by the Obama administration and dismissive of public input.
  • Caroline Levitt (guest):

    “This will be the largest deregulatory action in American history, and it will save the American people $1.3 trillion in crushing regulations.” – Caroline Levitt [01:52]

  • Whitlock contextualizes: The repeal is positioned as freeing U.S. energy policy from "politically charged climate alarmism," reinforcing energy’s critical link to affordability, foreign policy, U.S.-China AI competition, and overall innovation.

2. House Deep Dive into Foreign “Dark Money”

• [04:15–05:03]
  • A House Ways and Means Committee hearing spotlighted foreign billionaires funneling $2.6 billion into U.S. political advocacy, especially progressive activations.
  • Americans for Public Trust’s Caitlin Sutherland testifies on tactics and agenda items such as:

    “Abolishing private cars, eating less meat, training judges, protests, suing energy companies. These are just a few examples of what is being financed by foreign money and it must stop.” – Caitlin Sutherland [04:24]

  • Highlights concerns over links between donors like Christopher Hohn and CCP-affiliated organizations.

    “Hones charity actually has an office in Beijing. They actively work with the Chinese government. They bankroll CCP connected organizations.” – Caroline Levitt [04:48]

  • Whitlock frames the issue as deeply impactful on U.S. sovereignty and policy, especially in radicalizing environmental and social justice policies.

3. Affordability Focus: Banks vs. Trump’s Agenda

• [05:46–06:37]
  • Trump’s platform on making America more affordable extends to challenges posed by the banking sector.
  • “Save Our States” campaign alleges that big banks, after previously targeting Trump-associated accounts, now aim to undermine affordability with new hidden fees (via “open banking”) on platforms like Venmo, Coinbase, and PayPal.

    “I have no higher priority than making America affordable again. That’s what we’re going to do. The banks that went after Trump now want hidden fees on every transaction.” – Save Our States ad [05:46]

  • Whitlock points listeners to more details at banksvsamerica.com and frames the issue as broader than politics—directly impacting ordinary Americans’ daily costs.

4. Virginia’s Aggressive Policy Shifts: Taxes, Gun Laws, and Gerrymandering

• [06:37–09:15]
  • Virginia as a “test case” for what Democrats might do nationally if they win further power.
  • Over 50 new taxes are being considered, targeting not just the wealthy but also individuals and small businesses, e.g., dry cleaners.
  • Gun restrictions: Proposed bans on standard handgun magazines, new liability standards letting victims sue manufacturers (with the goal of bankrupting the industry).

    “In what world should a firearms manufacturer be held liable for the acts of a deranged madman or crimes that they committed? It’s insanity.” – John Comerford, NRA [08:16]

  • Aggressive gerrymandering: Proposed congressional map would flip representation, giving Republicans just 9% of seats despite nearly half the vote share.

    “So now from the Commonwealth of Virginia, Democrats moving forward with a plan to redraw that state’s electoral map. This would give them four more seats the way the voting is now set up.” – Bill Hemmer [09:03]

  • Whitlock asserts these moves prove Democrats’ “scary plans” for after the midterms.

5. “You Can’t Make it Up” Segment: California’s “Jock Tax”

• [09:54–end]
  • Features the impact of California’s aggressive athlete “jock tax” on NFL quarterback Sam Darnold:
    • Darnold’s Super Bowl winnings: $178,000.
    • California tax bill: $249,000.

    “Sam Darnold’s insane California tax bill stunningly exceeds Super Bowl winnings... the Seahawks star reportedly will owe more than the 178,000 he earned.” – Matt Whitlock [09:59]

  • Whitlock questions the priorities of such taxation, especially contrasted against state projects like the “vanity project” high-speed rail and rising homelessness.
  • Concludes with skepticism towards California fiscal policy and a tongue-in-cheek warning about future sporting event planning.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[This] will be the largest deregulatory action in American history, and it will save the American people $1.3 trillion in crushing regulations.” – Caroline Levitt [01:52]
• “Abolishing private cars, eating less meat, training judges, protests, suing energy companies. These are just a few examples of what is being financed by foreign money and it must stop.” – Caitlin Sutherland [04:24]
• “In what world should a firearms manufacturer be held liable for the acts of a deranged madman or crimes that they committed? It’s insanity.” – John Comerford, NRA [08:16]
• “Sam Darnold’s insane California tax bill stunningly exceeds Super Bowl winnings... the Seahawks star reportedly will owe more than the 178,000 he earned.” – Matt Whitlock [09:59]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• EPA Endangerment Finding Repeal: [00:35–02:04]
• Foreign Dark Money in U.S. Politics: [04:24–05:03]
• Banks vs. America’s Affordability: [05:46–06:37]
• Virginia Extreme Legislation: [06:37–09:15]
• California “Jock Tax” Explained: [09:54–end]

Tone & Delivery

The episode is rapid and irreverent, with pointed criticism of Democratic policies and cheerleading for deregulatory and affordability-focused actions. Commentary is lively, occasionally sardonic, and underpinned by a sense of urgency about upcoming elections and their consequences.

This summary captures all the high-impact content for listeners who want to stay current without sifting through the rapid back-and-forth of the original episode.