Trump's Talks with Xi, the Middle East & Ukraine, and a Nazi problem Democrats and Republicans Share

Summary

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2WAY Morning Meeting Podcast Summary

Episode: Trump's Talks with Xi, the Middle East & Ukraine, and a Nazi Problem Democrats and Republicans Share
Date: October 22, 2025
Hosts: Mark Halperin (A), Sean Spicer (C), Dan Turrentine (B), plus audience guests

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers an energetic and candid roundtable on the converging crises and eccentricities of 2025's domestic and foreign policy:

• Trump's wobbling stances on Ukraine, a potential meeting with China's Xi, and the tense U.S.-China relationship
• America’s involvement in the Middle East, including the ongoing Israel situation
• Both parties’ shared difficulties dealing with extremism and cancel culture, from Nazi references to digital footprints
• State of play in Congress (shutdowns, healthcare), Democratic internal warfare, and an engaged listener Q&A covering polarization, party realignment, national service, and more

The tone reflects the trademark 2WAY blend of inside-baseball, gallows humor, and deep skepticism—offering a look at how TV news executives process the “day book,” featuring vivid live banter, memorable metaphors, and strong opinions.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Engagement in the Middle East

• Vice President’s trip to Israel: Discussion on high-level U.S. attempts (VP, Rubio, Kushner) to reassure and sway Netanyahu regarding tensions in Israel/Gaza.
  • Sean: “As long as things don’t go negative, that’s a positive.” (09:49)
  • Dan: “They are clearly panicked that Netanyahu may do something.” (10:06)
• Both parties are watching whether forward-looking commentary or peacekeeping plans will arise (within “four weeks,” per Spicer).

2. Russia & Ukraine: Trump’s Indecision

• Trump’s Position: Trump’s stance on Ukraine remains murky, fueling European anxiety and domestic confusion.
  • Dan: “The fact that we’re asking this question is the problem because nobody knows.” (12:22)
  • Sean: “Every time that Trump opens his mouth, everyone tries to say, oh, my God, what side he’s on. ... He wants peace, but he doesn’t want to own this. This was Biden’s war.” (12:59)
• Military vs. economic strategies: Spicer suggests harder economic measures (e.g., SWIFT ban), sees “a lot more upside than downside” to economic pressure (14:43).

3. U.S.-China Relations: Is a “Grand Bargain” Possible?

• Potential Trump-Xi summit during the Asia Summit in Korea: Uncertainty reigns.
• Debate over the value of commodity deals (rare earths, soybeans, chips, fentanyl), and whether these “crises” are Trump-created or necessary resets.
  • Halperin: “There’s going to be something that will look almost like a grand bargain, I believe.” (17:24)
  • Dan: “It’s the arsonist firemen. There’s nothing in that deal that was not created by Trump’s crisis.” (19:28)
  • Sean: “That’s what we should be doing... it will help the markets and help farmers, but if you actually think about it ... it’s not that big of a deal.” (18:41)
• Skepticism abounds about whether any breakthrough will be meaningful or lasting: “No follow through. Yeah, statements of agreement.” (18:01, Dan)

4. Domestic Politics: Shutdowns, Press Conferences, and Party Division

• Congressional Drama: Recap of the day’s shutdown spin wars between Speaker Johnson and Hakeem Jeffries (Schumer shutdown vs. Johnson shutdown rhetoric).
  • Spicer: “Once that date expires ... you can make a grand bargain ... both sides save a little face” (21:40)
• Healthcare Stalemate: Looming crisis over affordable health care, Republicans lack a cohesive alternative plan.
  • Spicer: “We wanted to get rid of Obamacare. We did not have a plan ... We still don’t.” (57:01)
  • Dan: “Anytime you got to go back 10 years as your talking point, you got problems.” (56:00)

5. Extremism, Cancel Culture, and Digital Footprints—Both Parties’ “Nazi Problem”

• NYT Story on Trump/Elon Musk/Nazi References:
  • Mark Halperin highlights a personal anecdote ("Fuhrer, Furor") and the shifting standards for public figures on past “Nazi jokes,” tattoos, or memes.
  • Dan: “The marketplace should make the determination ... We have elections and people decide.” (24:30)
  • Sean: “There is a difference between joking about something and having it come off versus thinking something.” (26:32)
  • Importance of self-research ("oppo") for candidates and the process/ethics of journalism when opposition research gets “dumped” without sourcing.

6. Party Realignment and Volatility

• Commenter Salvatore (50:53):
  • “The Republican and Democratic Party are still in the process of figuring out who they are... that’s a real reason why there’s a lot of volatility in the country.”
  • Dan: “Democrats still don’t ... come to terms that ... they’re more of a white-collar party ... there’s more working class than there are service professionals.” (51:52)

7. Polarization, Patriotism, and National Service

• Commenter Colleen (41:58) describes campus culture at Columbia, polarization, and a growing unwillingness to discuss patriotism.
  • Colleen: “The main cancer is the polarization and the division. And we have to get to the younger generation because it’s just getting worse.”
  • Sean: “I think it would be huge. I think there’s probably a zero chance of it happening in the next generation.” (45:08)
  • Dan: “If a Republican called for it, Democrats would say no. If a Democrat, Republicans ... It’s tribal like the rest of our country.” (45:36)

8. Listener Q&A: Smack in the Chat, Health Care, and Protein Bars

• Banter with listeners about habits on the platform, “smack in the chat,” and the struggle to maintain civil discourse.
• Spotlight on consumer products (Fairway & Greene shirts, ProSource Protein Bars), reflecting the show's casual, community feel.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “As long as things don’t go negative, that’s a positive.” — Sean, on Middle East negotiations (09:49)
• “The fact that we’re asking this question is the problem because nobody knows.” — Dan, on Trump’s Ukraine stance (12:22)
• “He wants peace, but he doesn’t want to own this. This was Biden’s war.” — Sean (12:59)
• “It’s the arsonist firemen. There’s nothing in that deal that was not created by Trump’s crisis.” — Dan, on U.S.-China talks (19:28)
• “We wanted to get rid of Obamacare. We did not have a plan ... We still don’t.” — Sean (57:01)
• “The main cancer is the polarization and the division. And we have to get to the younger generation because it’s just getting worse.” — Colleen, listener (43:01)

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Timestamps: Major Segments

• 04:00 President/Vice President schedule, NATO, Israel, Rubio & US diplomacy
• 09:39 Middle East deep dive (Netanyahu, U.S. envoy concerns)
• 12:22 Russia/Ukraine analysis, Trump’s strategic ambiguity
• 15:10 China preview—Trump/Xi meeting, rare earths, trade
• 17:24 Predicting the “temperature” of the US-China relationship post-summit
• 22:02 Shutdown negotiations, strategy, and “grand bargain” prospects
• 24:30 Nazi references, cancel culture, digital footprints—how both parties handle “intolerance”
• 29:08 “Oppo dumps” in politics/journalism ethics segment
• 33:43 Media frenzy over White House construction
• 37:55 DNC fundraising woes and Kamala Harris’ debt repayment
• 41:58 Listener Colleen: National service, campus polarization, patriotism
• 48:11 Listener Salvatore: Smack in the chat, party realignment, and ProSource plug
• 54:01 Listener Beverly: Healthcare reform and what’s next after shutdowns

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Takeaways

• Uncertainty and ambiguity dominate U.S. foreign policy, especially on Ukraine and China; neither party has a coherent, actionable vision.
• Both parties struggle with internal culture wars—from the far-right and Nazi references to cancel culture and “oppo” dumps—and have no consistent strategy for dealing with digital-era scandals.
• Congressional dysfunction continues, with shutdowns and healthcare stalemates reflecting deeper systemic inability to bargain.
• Listeners crave solutions for polarization, flagging patriotism, and broken health care—yet hosts agree the likelihood of large-scale fixes (like national service) is low.
• Both parties are mid-realignment: The old categories don’t fit, and both struggle to define their coalitions, priorities, and public identities.

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In the Spirit of the Room

The Morning Meeting blends earnest, inside-the-room political strategy with off-the-cuff banter, conscious of media narratives, digital trends, and the practical ironies of power in 2025. As Mark Halperin puts it:

“We’re about peace, love, and understanding...and the presumption of grace.” (04:02)

But as the show demonstrates, chronic gridlock, tribalism, and cynicism still rule—on the airwaves and in American politics.

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Transcript

[A]

This is it.

[B]

The world as you know it is over. Completely done.

[C]

It's not about to be over.

[B]

It's over.

[C]

Some of the scientists who helped build AI are now sounding the alarm. I was selling AI as a great thing for decades and I was wrong. I was wrong. There's a longer term existential threat that will arise when we create digital beings.

[D]

That, that are more intelligent than ourselves.

[C]

We have no idea whether we can stay in control. While others say that AI will usher.

[B]

In unfathomable abundance, I've always believed that.

[C]

It'S going to be the most important.

[B]

Invention that humanity will ever make.

[A]

This really will be a world of abundance. And among these fears and these fantasies.

[C]

We seek the story of our future.

[B]

Listen to the last invention on Apple.

[A]

Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts. Foreign hello, welcome to the morning meeting where we're talking about Jack Jermont hangover cures and the pregame show.

[B]

And if you no reason for that.

[A]

If you didn't, if you didn't dial into the pregame show and watch the program here on the two way platform, you're missing out. In the news business, we call that news you can use. There are three constants in life. Death. No, no. Taxes are not a constant because the Republicans want to eliminate taxes. There's death. There's the Jack Jermont hangover cure working every time. And then there's the comfort of a fairway and green shirt. Sean, put it on every time. What happens? It's like I don't even know I'm wearing a shirt.

[C]

It's like a magic cloak hanging out there.

[A]

Did I forget to get dressed today? I asked myself. And then I said, well, no. I look down and say my natural body, unlike Mr. What's his name, who's a senate candidate in Maine?

[B]

Platner.

[C]

Platner.

[A]

Unlike Mr. Platner, my body does not have signs on it. But when I wear a fairway and green shirt with the crest, it's not a logo. Donald J. Trump and I call this a crest of the morning meeting. I feel complete. I feel whole. Sean, what are you wearing today?

[C]

Well, I'm just one of these beautiful polos. I don't even know.

[A]

Anyway, go to Fair2Way TV Fair Fairway for 20 off all things on the site, including our, our great logoed stuff. And it says no smack in the chat on the sleeve right here. Believe it or not, you can own a shirt that says no smack in the chat right on the sleeve. Go to Two Way TV Fairway use the promo code Two Way, 20 for 20 off the entire.

[C]

What a day to buy. Dan and I were talking pregame. This is national anti bullying day.

[A]

So yeah, I'm just going to preview something coming up in the show just so Sean can be prepared because like Regis and Kathy Lee, we don't do any pregaming. We don't, we don't like to leave it in the locker room. So Sean, I'm going to ask you to later in the program to explain your party's fascination with Nazis.

[C]

Just, just my, my parties are Dan's.

[A]

Well, and I'm going to ask Dan the same thing. Both parties just, I don't know, stay off the, off the chat. Anyway, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the morning meeting based the television network news divisions morning meetings where we run through the day's activities, do a day book, we kick things around and then we open up to your question. The comments. If you hear in the two way platform like in the conversation, please raise your hand. But if you're watching on X or YouTube, I had dinner last night with one of our colleagues and he, he watches on YouTube and he was telling me the level of smack in the chat is extraordinary. In fact some of you on YouTube get on the platform even before the show starts and just start smacking like even before we've said a word. It's kind of incredible. Dan, why do people like to put smack in the chat?

[B]

That's a great question. Too much coffee right up there with.

[C]

Apple pie and baseball.

[A]

Sean, do you think, do you think I'm, do you think I'm admonishing people not to put smack in the chat incorrectly? Is there more I could do?

[C]

I don't know. Actually I should ask chat GPT that.

[A]

Yeah, that's a good question.

[B]

That might be like doing something into the wind. It's just.

[A]

Anyway, let me tell you what we're about here too. We're about peace, love and understanding and the presumption. Extending the presumption of grace. Call even this guy whose career is not ruined. He still works at the White House, but his nomination was withdrawn. His name, Paul Lagrazia. Is that I say his name.

[C]

Well, he's the DHS liaison.

[A]

Yeah, that's a pretty good job. Hey, Mom, Dad, I'm the dhs. I work in the White House of the United States. It's a construction site under demolition, but nonetheless I work at the White House and I'm the liaison to one of the biggest departments ever created by any government outside of Peking. And yet Politico wants to end my career. All right, here we go, the daybook. The President has nothing on his schedule except at 4 o' clock he's meeting with the Secretary General of NATO, known in Europe as Oton. This comes as many European leaders are concerned about the President's current posture, whatever it is today on the war between Russia and Ukraine. And this guy is a bit of a Trump whisperer. What's his name? Mark Root.

[B]

Root.

[A]

Mark Root. So that meeting's at 4 and it's closed press currently. Now the President tends to love talking with using Europeans the way the Harlem Globetrotters use the Washington general. So maybe that'll open up and give great material for two way tonight. But as of now, no plans to see the President. The the Vice President. However, second day in Israel, meeting with scheduled to meet with Bibi Netanyahu amidst word that apparently Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff and the Vice President. United States are not enough to wrestle Bibi to the ground. Marco Rubio is headed to Israel as well later in the week. So that'll be four of the top folks in the President's orbit who deals with the Middle East. And Mike Huckabee is there too, of course. Ambassador try to wrestle them to the ground. No end in sight for the shutdown. House remains out. There's a couple of Congress people of both parties. I don't know what this is about. Congresswoman Salazar, Republican of Florida, Tom Swazi, Democratic of New York, having an immigration reform press conference at this hour. Maybe we'll take it live.

[B]

Oh my God.

[A]

Mike Johnson, 10 o'. Clock, 10 o'. Clock. His daily 10 o' clock press conference to talk it. To say the word Schumer shutdown in as many sentences as possible. Remember that old great Joe Biden quip about Rudy Giuliani? He says everything Rudy Gianni says is a noun, a verb and 9, 11. Everything. Everything Speaker Johnson says is a noun, a verb. And Schumer shutdown. And then at 11 o' clock, Hakeem Jeffries and his colleagues have a press conference to explain the. What do they call it? The Johnson shutdown. What do they call it? I don't even know. 7:00 clock tonight, the second and final debate here in Gotham City between the frontrunner, Mr. Mamdani, Curtis Lewa, the Republican nominee, Andrew Cuomo, the nominee of some party I've never heard of. Independent candidate hosted by the city spectrum news new york1 and nyc gothamist with errol Lewis. You guys know Errol? Yes, longtime host of Inside City Hall. Road to City Hall.

[C]

He's a contributor at CNN, too.

[A]

And he's a contributor at cnn. Very nice man. Brian Lear, host of WNYC radio here. And then a woman I don't know, Katie Honan of the city. I don't know how long this one is. It starts at seven. Last one was two hours. And we'll see what kind of questions they ask amidst Curtis Lewis daily statement. He's not getting out of the race. I think he's already said it again today, even though people are still trying to get him out of the race.

[C]

Gavin, News as a fun fact, there are more people in my kitchen right now than will be watching that debate.

[A]

Well, I'm gonna watch. I'm gonna watch.

[B]

One's not.

[C]

You don't know how many people are in my kitchen.

[A]

Yeah, I may have. I may have some reporting to unveil at six o' clock tonight. Right. An hour before the debate. It's not, it's not ripe yet. It's not cooked, it's not baked, it's not ready, it's not primed, whatever. But join me at six o', clock, potentially to hear big news about the debate and I mean about the campaign and Gavin Newsom. Six o' clock Eastern time. Press conference to discuss the economic advancement of California's community, land and resources. That sounds like a hoot. David in the chat says the debates, 90 minutes. That sounds right to me. John Sununu this morning, an announcement video we'll talk about in a moment. Got into the Republican nomination fight to be a senator again from the greatest state God has ever created, the Granite State.

[C]

All right, gentlemen, let's call that northern Rhode Island.

[A]

Let's go to the phones. Ted from Belmont, you're on with Sean and Dan. Just kidding. That's a. It's an inside joke for one person. Sorry. Here we go. We already told you about the president's schedule. Ukraine? No. Middle east. Middle East 104. Told you moments ago. Mr. Rubio, Secretary of State, slash national security advisor. Visit Israel on Thursday. And here we go. Rubio's arrival will follow that of Vance, who touched down Israel on Tuesday. Envoys Kushner, Wychoffs are also in Israel. That's from the Jerusalem Post. Pretty upbeat in public yesterday. Were the American officials saying things are fine, we're not here to, to hold Bibi's, you know, head out the window and say, nice country here. It'd be a shame if something happened to it. But in private, apparently they were a little concerned. So, Sean, where do we stand with the deal. What are you looking for next? To see developments of positive progress? Do you want to see a shopping mall built in Gaza City? What are you looking for?

[C]

It's the opposite. I mean, as long as things don't go negative, that's a positive. So as long as they can keep things moving forward and nobody going nuts, that's the win.

[A]

Dan? Yeah.

[B]

I would actually say you want some sort of forward looking comment about reconstruction and progressing on the deal. I think Netanyahu's silence tells you where he is. And the fact that, that Rubio is going there, it's not for, you know, the holidays. I mean, it's astonishing. They are clearly panicked that Netanyahu may, may do something.

[C]

I gotta be honest, like, I feel like that we've talked about the relationship before Netanyahu, I get it, but I also think that, like, he is a really smart political guy and he is not going to blow this thing. How much praise Trump has gotten, how much stock he's put into this thing, I get it, but I just, I have a hard time thinking that it, absent some huge misstep by Hamas, that he's willing to do something politically stupid.

[B]

Well, I mean, I think the problem goes back to Hamas is filling the vacuum and I have no doubt that Israel's sitting there thinking, we have got to step in and stop this, we have got to get this back under control. Then the problem is they go in, there's fighting. What do the Arabs say? Like, this is how it's because there was, you know, calm. And then we'll get to all the other details later. What would be the filling it.

[A]

What would be the soonest you would imagine there could be a peacekeeping force on the ground. Is that something that could happen in November?

[B]

Sure, if they wanted it.

[A]

Right. Well, I understand, but when would you anticipate there'd be, there'd be people on the ground?

[C]

I think at some point you have to, within four weeks, you have to show some signs. So maybe that's what I, that's a wave of advisors.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. All right, so we'll, we'll keep monitoring that. We'll see what happens with BB and, and Vance. Today. Another international hotspot of trouble is Russia, Ukraine. Here's the headline from one of Dan's favorite papers. It's called Le Mans. Is that how you pronounce that? The D and E or silent? Right. Le Mans. Here's the headline. War in Ukraine. Trump's wavering puts Europe under pressure. EU member states are meeting with Zelenskyy on Thursday, that's tomorrow. Aiming to extend their support for Kiev. This has become imperative as Donald Trump now seems to be getting closer to Moscow once again, even though his meeting with Putin was indefinitely postponed. Dan, this is what's confusing to me, and I was writing my newsletter this morning. It's kind of a little cognitive dissonance. Getting closer. But he canceled the meeting. Is he getting closer to Moscow or is he in no man's land? Now, where is Trump? Is he on the Ukraine side or is he on the Russia side or no man's land?

[B]

The fact that we're asking this question is the problem because nobody knows. I mean, just within one week, he's ping ponged about three different ways. And I think that's the, are we with Ukraine or are we not? And I think the question's really going to start becoming. Because I think deep down he doesn't. He wants peace, but he doesn't want to be bothered with this. Like, he wants it done. And if he can't get peace now, it's like I'm washing my hands of it. So then the question becomes, are you willing to let Russia take Ukraine? That's the bottom line. Now.

[C]

Look, I just, I think every time that Trump opens his mouth, everyone tries to say, oh, my God, what side he's done. I actually don't think he's been that far off where he's always been, which is kind of what Dan said, which is, look, look, I want there to be peace, but I don't want to own this. This was Biden's war. I don't want to. I don't want to get my hands dirty on this. So I will help if I can. I will see what I can do. But I understand that the guardrails are really thin. If I go too far to Ukraine, Russia is going to go nuts. We get dragged into a war. If I get too close to Ukraine, my base goes absolutely nuts. I don't think he's been that far off. I think everybody interprets something. He says something nice about Zelensky, they go, oh, my God, he's caved and he's going to go help the Ukrainians.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I don't think it's that different from where we've been.

[B]

So we're not an ally.

[A]

Brilliant. No, we're not. We want to end the war. That's what he wants.

[B]

He wants, no, we're not an ally of Ukraine.

[A]

Then he wants to end the war. Sean, what you just said was so brilliant. Somebody Clip that off, put it on YouTube and, and say, you know what?

[B]

The. Put it. No, no, put it.

[A]

Put it on. Put it on X. And do that little thing where you either say this with the down arrow or the little I thing. Whatever, Sean. Exactly. Sean, here's my question. What are the cards to play? There's the Tomahawks, but it doesn't seem he's going to play the Tomahawk card. So what are the cards to play?

[C]

The Tomahawk was a play. It was, it was like art of the deal, you know, he was like, look, I'm going to give him Tomahawks.

[A]

I understand, but if you, if you, but if you want to get this off the Schneide, One of my favorite. He's not going to meet with Putin.

[C]

It appears he's got to tighten the economic screws. They've got to start saying, we're not going to allow Europe and everyone else to buy the oil or we're going to cut them off. We're going to go to the swift banking system and stop cutting off the ability for Russia to trade. I mean, there are some real economic things that would have.

[A]

Yeah, this is. Caused Dan to do the vomit emoji with his own face.

[B]

I mean, I've heard this for six months. Never.

[C]

Just to be clear. Hold on. There's a difference. You're saying he won't do it? Mark asked me what could he do? And I think there's a distinction. And that's where I think the one thing that I think that, like the military stuff is I think what scares a lot of people, because you go, guess what? You do. This is what happens. The economic stuff has a lot more upside than downside, as far as I'm concerned.

[A]

All right, well, I haven't heard that. I haven't heard that from anybody but Sean S. Spicer. So let's hope somebody in the White House has a card to play. Okay. The third international hotspot to highlight is China, where Scott Bessant and Mr. Dude's name, Mr. Greer, are heading to meet with their Chinese counterparts amidst still some lack of certainty about whether the President and Premier Xi will meet on the sidelines of the Asia Summit in Korea coming up in a few days. Here is Mr. Greer himself this morning on one of my favorite morning shows. Squawk box 119, please.

[B]

And on again, off again. Can you fill us in, Mr. Ambassador? Where do we stand right now with the President and his meeting with President Xi?

[C]

Well, there's a spot for it.

[A]

On the schedule, if it happens. Obviously, it's a mutual decision as to.

[B]

Whether President Xi and President Trump meet together.

[A]

Obviously, I think it makes sense to talk, especially at a time where there are a lot of measures in place by the Chinese. But we'll see.

[B]

Is Secretary Bessitz involved? A lower level, too. Is that coming Friday?

[A]

So Secretary Bess and I, we're leaving today actually to go to Malaysia and we'll meet with the Chinese on the front end of this whole swing to try to see if there's room to move forward on some of these really difficult issues that have come up due to some new Chinese measures on rare earths. All right, so at the end of the Asia trip, zero is Cold War hostility and 10 is Nixon era detente. Where will US Chinese relations be? I have my own view, which I'll save for the end, Sean. Where will we be? 0 is cold war. 10 is full day taunt after the.

[C]

Bessett Greer meeting or after.

[A]

No, after the whole thing. After this whole seven part dance where Trump and Xi could meet in Asia and the President Travels around Asia. 6.5, 6.5, Dan.

[B]

5. Absolutely no difference.

[A]

The correct answer, 7.2. I'm very bullish. I'm very bullish on what's happening.

[B]

Wait, wait, so what, what is changing from that? Then?

[C]

We get rare earth.

[A]

The Chinese, The Chinese were just, you know, muss in our hair. They're going to be. There's going to be something that will look almost like a grand bargain, I believe.

[B]

So the Chinese back off and we don't back off.

[A]

No, no, they're going to. They're buying export control, they're buying soybeans, they're getting chips.

[B]

Okay. And all of that's going to actually happen?

[A]

Oh, yeah, I think it might. I'm very well.

[B]

No, I say that somewhat jokingly because the history of the gatherings have been statements of, Of. Of agreement. No follow through. Yeah, statements of agreement.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So I have no doubt that there will be some statement because she won't want to be embarrassed and Trump won't want to be embarrassed.

[A]

He or she.

[B]

Yeah, exactly. And they'll end up. That will be right back where we are. Because neither wants to back down.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

But they both know that again, I don't think this grand bargain, to be honest with you, if it's some rare earth, you buy some soybeans, we take some export controls off. That's not. And fentanyl. Yeah. But to be honest with you, that's not that big of a deal.

[B]

I mean, like, that's the irony.

[A]

Well, it leaves out Taiwan and Greenland, but that's for the next meeting.

[C]

But, like, this is what we should be doing. And so I would just argue that, like, this will be big. It will help the markets and help farmers. But when you actually think about if you dial back, you know, 12 months and go, if you had closed your eyes and said, tell me what a big deal looks like with China, and you're like, biggest, biggest, biggest.

[B]

Hold on, hold on.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

If we go back nine months, none of that stuff existed. So the whole deal is the manufactured crisis that was created.

[A]

It is.

[B]

Okay, what. So what. What. What was of what you just described? Soybeans. Other than fentanyl.

[A]

Other than soybeans. Fentanyl. And, and, and, and TikTok. TikTok. And a controlled promise to buy this. They will on this trip.

[B]

No, they will, but again, guys, it's the arsonist firemen. There's nothing in that deal that was not created by Trump's crisis.

[C]

Wait, wait, when were they ever going to buy? The soybean purchase was never part of any deal ever prior to Trump.

[A]

Yeah, exactly. Tell me, tell me what Joe Biden got in four years from Xi.

[B]

You're moving the goalpost. He did not create the crisis.

[A]

The crisis created. The crisis was created over the last several decades as the Chinese have. Have abused us economically and been on the march militarily.

[B]

They pulled rare earth because we did the tariffs. Right. No, no. So we said no on the chips. It's all reactionary rare earth, I'll give you.

[C]

But soybeans was not.

[B]

We were on January 19th. That's what the whole thing then becomes. Mark, you're shaking your head.

[A]

I don't, I don't know what I literally. I'd say, with respect, I literally don't know what you're talking about. If, if there's progress on fentanyl chips, soybeans.

[B]

The chip stuff was in reaction to the rare earth. The rare earths were reaction to the tariffs. You're just going in a circle.

[A]

No, we're trying to change the relationship so it's more advantageous the United States. That's what we're trying to do.

[B]

You haven't.

[A]

With that deal, you will be. That deal would be more advantageous than the status quo that Trump inherited. It's not. It's not. It's. All right, all right, we'll see.

[B]

All right, anybody not losing it, folks? I'm laughing at it.

[A]

Okay, anybody, Anybody see any way of the shutdown today? And either of you see any way of the shutdown today? Any optimism?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

What?

[C]

Shut down?

[B]

Yeah, yeah, exactly. Because the, because the, the, the cr. The House passed is going to, basically they're going to have to do something else and getting them back in town and getting everybody. That's your like opening the door.

[A]

Right. Activity. Yeah, I still, I agree with you, but I still think how you, how you negotiate a deal here is still very tough because both sides still think they're winning. Both sides have their dander up and the President doesn't seem to want it to end.

[C]

Yeah, but, but, but, but just to the point, I know we said this yesterday, but like once that date expires and they have to come to the table and then the House Republicans ostensibly lose the talking point, which is we've passed something.

[B]

Right.

[C]

Because it expires, then when you get in, you can make a grand bargain, which is because the idea of saying, you got to, we got to reopen the government to do this. It's, you've lost that talking point. And then there's the ability for both sides to save a little bit of face and say we'll reopen and do this at once. Right. And that's, that's where I think you can get a, a real grand bargain.

[A]

Right.

[C]

All right.

[B]

It's going to be a one year cr.

[A]

Yes, I think you're right. All right. Because I contain multitudes. I'm about to court trouble for this program or at least for myself as I introduce this topic. Okay. Yeah, we're going to talk about Hitler. So item, the New York Times this morning has a story about how the Trump administration tolerates intolerance and gives jobs to people and says nice things about people who have said things that are offensive to many and objectively offensive. And they include in the story, in their kind of laundry list of look at all the horrible people associated with Trump, they literally include a picture and then a sentence about Elon Musk's salute. So they're back to saying, even though we can provide a thousand photos of a thousand Democrats doing this, they're about to do that. Okay, number one.

[C]

Number two, by the way, Mark, you just got clipped.

[A]

Someone's going to off camera. Number two, when that story occurred, I came up with one of the greatest headlines ever in my newsletter as far as I'm concerned, okay. Because like, like the great Mel Brooks, I think joking about Nazis is perfectly acceptable. I just do Mel Brooks did it. The producers go watch it. Here's my headline. There's all this controversy over the allegation that Musk had done a Nazi salute. I called it furor. Furor, okay. Best headline I've ever wrote. Hilarious. But a joke about Nazis. Okay, now here's this guy, Paul Lagrazia, who, Who in a chat, a chat thing with a bunch of people who warned him up here, if the chat, if the things are real, who warned him and said, you don't want to be writing stuff like this. He made, he made joke about. About. Made jokes about Nazis as, as did these young Republicans a few days ago. That story and that. And now you have Mr. Platner, Democratic Senate candidate in Maine with a tattoo, which is widely described as also being a Nazi thing. So on the one hand, Dan, we should all be denouncing the Nazis. Least controversial statement possible. On the other hand, people joke about stuff. People do stuff. People say and do all sorts of things. And does that mean they should be. Not run for the Senate or lose their job, whatever. How do you, how do you feel about this Stew of, of, of a debate about intolerance, tolerance, cancellation? How do you feel about all this?

[D]

I.

[B]

Look, I think the marketplace should make the determination if, if people. Look, I think one of the things now about everyone's going to have a digital footprint. You know, people text both in their personal lives and be, you know, it used to be, be careful what you put in an email. Now it's be careful what you put on Instagram or a direct message or X or your text messages. Someone could screenshot it. The marketplace will make a judgment if, if they think it's inappropriate. It's, you know, it's like with Trump. I mean, when he speaks and does stuff, some people are horrified and offended and say, this is not what a leader should be. And other people say, I don't have a problem with this. In a leader, we have elections and people decide. So I'm sure people, I see the chat people have strong feelings. Some are joking about this, some are not. Let the marketplace decide.

[A]

I don't read the chat. What's the review for my Fuhrer?

[B]

Some of it's in German, so I'm not sure what it says.

[A]

The original German. Sean, Sean, how do you feel about this? Because at a minimum, there are people who are upset with the Republican Party because you're not denouncing in no uncertain terms these types of things.

[C]

Well, first of all, I will say this just to be clear. The person who wrote that story in the New York Times, as much as I hate the New York Times, is even Worse than the New York Times. I mean, what that person wrote was very typical for their style.

[A]

You're talking about. You're talking about Katie Rogers.

[C]

I didn't name a name. You did.

[A]

I'm just asking if that's the story you mean.

[C]

I'm not denying that that's the person.

[A]

You think she's more biased than most New York Times reporters?

[C]

Yeah, I mean, I think that, like, she has a history of being very anti conservative, very pro. Okay, so she's. She's worse than you. If your standard New York Times is a five.

[A]

Yeah, they should get her an editor, maybe.

[C]

Well, how about just get her a. Well, they should get rid of her. That being said, look, there, there's a. We talked about this example of the kids the other day. These younger Republicans.

[A]

Not kids. They're adults.

[C]

No, I said younger Americans. They made. And they've all. To my understanding, as they've gone through this face. Consequences. There is a difference between as and. I can say this is somebody who's told a lot of jokes that have fallen flat or been completely taken. Right. Joking about something and having it come off versus thinking something. So saying, you know, that's very fill in the blank and stupid. Versus, I believe that they're a good person. So expressing sympathy or admiring a brutal dictator is very different than trying to make a stupid joke. And the context does matter to Dan's pointed out the marketplace. You know, you need to be able to explain, you know, was I joking? I have generally, you know, advised people stay. There are certain topics you stay away from. That's one of them. Or you face the peril of that. There's other violent acts that are never smart to engage in discussing because again, they leave open to interpretation what you meant to do.

[A]

You think the world would be a better place if Hogan's Heroes was never made?

[C]

I was never a big fan. Growing. I mean, I don't know. I'm probably the wrong person to ask. I never liked it, but I don't.

[A]

Know if that's just my fantastic Bob Crane's best work. I felt it's a controversial view. All right, Platner, the boys from POD Save America are standing by him. Bernie Sanders is staying by him.

[C]

I'm standing by him.

[A]

Somebody is dumping oppo on this guy. So my question to you, Dan, if Platner called you and said, Dan, I'll give you a million bucks who's dropping all this Oppo is. Is it. Is it Chuck Schumer? Is it. Is it Susan Collins? Who is dropping this oppo. And I asked because here's what Jonathan Martin of the Politico reports this morning. You think it might be over? It's not. Jonathan Martin says about the oppo on Platner, there's more to come, I'm told by sources very familiar with the Platner opposition file who spoke on the condition of anonymity. And some of it will be even more localized, which will make for ready made targeted mail and digital ads from his opponent doesn't say which opponent doesn't say if that's, if that's former governor. What's her name? Mills.

[C]

Janet Mills.

[A]

Yeah, Janet Mills or Susan Collins. Martin writes, I've learned, for example that in 2020, Platner went online and called the Hancock County Sheriff's office a den of quote, overweight pansies and flatly said, quote, cops are opportunistic cowards. Now I have two questions, one for each of you. Sean, if you're, if you're an advisor to someone running for Senate who's never run for office before or not, shouldn't you do self opposition research so they know about these things?

[C]

Absolutely.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

The challenge early in a campaign always is that it costs money.

[B]

Money.

[C]

So when you want to do it, you have a in person like let's go through some of these issues. You hope the candidates straight with you and then as you get a little bit of money in the door, then you hire a firm that says go through and look at their digital footprint.

[A]

One one, one of Platinum's top aides quit. But so far you know, Sanders is standing by him. The valuable Pod Save America brothers saying by him, Dan, who is dropping this up on him. And I mean well you answer that then I got one more for Sean on this.

[C]

I know who's not by the way.

[B]

So I look, first off this is going to go down in the textbooks as one of the great political kill jobs that I've ever seen. Just in terms of all of this. You look at the timing and the incentive. This started right after Janet Mills got in the race. I don't think it's her, but I believe that it is. People who support her. Could be the folks on Maryland Avenue or a lot of this stuff now because it costs money, is outsourced to third party groups but that are in coordination with unofficially.

[A]

Yeah, Maryland Avenue is a dscc. Chuck Schumer, right?

[B]

Correct.

[A]

And Sean, here's my question to you. This maybe I should ask myself because the question about journalistic ethics, to me as big a story as this, all this Platinum or Oppo is who's doing it. And Jonathan Martin and all the. They've given it. They've given it to six different news organizations. Again, little pieces of it. I know.

[B]

If you. And it's all inside the Beltway.

[A]

I know, I know, I know. But Martin's saying it's going to start going to main press. I know. If you take. If you take an opposition research dump from a source, they say you can't say where you got it from. But. But it seems to me this is a journalistically suspect thing because they know who's killing the guy, and yet they're not saying. They're not saying it.

[C]

Yeah, but this is.

[B]

Again, so, remember, this is the game.

[C]

You know, look, we did this for six years when I was at the rnc.

[B]

This was pretty normal.

[C]

And so to your point, though, reporters know that if. If you want a taste, if you want a little something, you got to play the game. If you don't, great, I shop it to your competitor, and Mark Halpern gets it. And everyone goes, hey, I saw what Halpern prints in his newsletter. Can you come to me next time? And I mean, listen, I dealt with plenty of reporters, and we would say, hey, listen, you sat on it for 24 hours last time. We need to go, go, go. So this is a. I mean, this is a business, remember?

[A]

Okay, Dan, why isn't Platner coming out and calling? He must know who's doing it, right?

[C]

Oh, I don't.

[A]

You don't think he knows? I mean, there's only.

[B]

He knows why it's being done, but.

[A]

No, he knows. It's like, he wouldn't. Wouldn't he be better off. I'm asking rhetorically.

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

Mightn't he be better off to just have a press conference and say, I call on Janet Mills and Chuck Schumer to turn off their establishment attack dogs?

[B]

No, of course.

[C]

I mean, but it's also, like, because they're exposing some of the bad things I did. I mean, it's not like they're making up stuff, but it's not like. You know what?

[A]

It's not like he's not talking about it.

[C]

Exposing the things that I said about blacks, Jews and sheriffs.

[A]

Understood.

[B]

I also think you're getting into a process fight, and if you go to the end of the day, you're trying to get main voters, they're not going to worry about kind of where it's coming from. They're going to be like, dude, really?

[C]

But I Got to tell you, this is a huge. If you are. If you are, Tim Scott at the NRC right now, you're going because it's a late primary. He's not getting out. The guy's got a boatload of cash, Sanders sitting by him. Mills is old. She's 77 years old or whatever.

[A]

You don't.

[C]

The bottom line, you don't at it.

[A]

You don't think. You don't think. Planner is going to be forced out.

[B]

No, no.

[A]

We have three. We have three topics left that I would like to spend an hour on, but we've got a lot of hands up, so let's. We got to go licking. I probably should have started with these, because these ones I'm interested in. Dan, your party and the media are losing their mind over the White House construction. I just, I just, I watch these things.

[C]

If I knew this, I would have read.

[A]

I read. These quotes are like, this is. This is hard. You know, like, like desecration.

[C]

Can we show Maria Shriver's.

[A]

It's my show. The Marie Shriver. But. But there was a New York Times reporter on CNN yesterday who was losing his mind. He's like, this breaks my heart, infuriates me. Millions of dollars, not tax dollars, to build a new ballroom. Good God. I mean, this is what construction is. Yes, it's a. It's an historic building. But. But, Dan, what is. What is going on in the mind of the media and the Democratic Party that you're losing your mind? That this is like. This is like the symbolic apex of Trump's inhumanity? I don't know.

[B]

I think. I think so. First off, I wish the party would not focus so much on this. I fully agree with you. But the reason I think they're doing it is. I think it is another symbol of kind of the lack of explanation, the misdirection. If you want to be charitable or kind of outright lie about how much they were going to impact the building. And just bear with me for a sec. When you stuff like Doge and the Venezuela attack and some of the immigration activities to the party, it's just like, again, there's little explanation and what was given does not appear to hold up.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Again, it's a construction project.

[A]

Yeah. But let me ask you a serious question. I studied this. I don't know the answer. Why are people on your party and the media so emotional about. If you want to say they're violating the rules about doing construction, you know, we're going to sue them, whatever. But why are they so emotional. Why are they acting like he's, he's, he's. I can't even come up with the metaphor. Why they, why is there so much emotion about. They love. They love the East Wing so much.

[B]

I think unlike those other things, which are a little more amorphous, that's a physical structure that's like people associate with. Right. So to them, it's like a clear. I see the physical structure and I see the demolition. I'm just saying again.

[C]

Oh, I know. I mean, that, that was the.

[B]

Talk to my own family, guys.

[C]

Oh, my God.

[A]

I read, I read these quotes from these academics from the reporters. Objective reporters are like, they're like saying words like desecration and they're so emotional about just.

[C]

I don't understand, by the way. You know, the irony of this, by the way. A, it's being privately financed. Two, the benefit of it is going to be largely to the next president and future presidents. Yeah, Trump himself, I mean, I can't.

[A]

Except he's going to name it after himself and then the next president.

[B]

And he never said, I'm going to basically demolish the East Wing.

[C]

I mean, he didn't say polishing. It's taking the facade.

[A]

They're rebuilding it. They're rebuilding it. All right. All right, Sean. John Sununu, former senator, wants to be the next senator from New Hampshire. He's got a primary against Scott Brown as of now, and then he's running against the Democratic congressman who's most New Hampshire folks tell me will be the favorite in the streets. Here's a Johnson in his announcement video to run for Senate from New Hampshire. The issues he plans to emphasize. Maybe you're surprised to hear that I'm running for the Senate again. I'm a bit surprised myself. Why would anyone subject themselves to everything.

[C]

Going on there right now? Well, somebody has to step up and lower the temperature.

[A]

Somebody has to get things done.

[C]

Laser focus on the economy, jobs, our.

[A]

Debt, and making our lives more affordable. Somebody has to protect Medicare, do a better job for our veterans, and really.

[C]

Tackle our health care costs.

[A]

And on Social Security, we keep our promises to seniors, all of them over 12 years. I never voted to cut benefits and I never will. Okay, this is the issue. I'd be honored to have your support.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

The Democrats already attacking him. American Bridge, Democratic research firms already attacking him for being someone who wants to cut Social Security. Even though he's such a thoughtful guy, he actually wants to save the program by finding reforms, which a point of view, which is the one that best serves the American people but is in short supply in Washington. Sean, who is the front runner to be the next senator from New Hampshire, Brown, Sununu or Pappas? Sean?

[C]

I think it's a push between, I mean Sununu and then I think him and Pappas are probably slightly even with Pappas maybe ahead because he won't have a real primary.

[A]

Yeah. All right.

[C]

New England primaries.

[A]

We'll talk more about it. Maybe Senator Friend of two way will come on the show. Dan says Pappas lastly and again raise your hand. We're about to get to your questions. Democratic fundraising is an issue. Here's the Wall Street Journal story. 112 Democratic donors sit on sidelines as party schisms persist. Republican national committee had 86 million in cash to start October compared to 12 million for the DNC. I'm no math genius, but that seems like a pretty big decision that doesn't.

[C]

Include super PAC money.

[A]

Yeah, here's Axios113 best selling author Kamala Harris. DNC pays $1.6 million more for Kamala Harris's campaign debt. Not unusual for the National Party Committee to pay off the debt of a president.

[C]

Mark, can I ask this? I know that's that line was in the Axios column.

[A]

It's true.

[C]

I've never in my party's history on the Republican side. I've never known us to pay someone else's debt.

[A]

For Democratic side. I think, I think it did happen for Bush. I think maybe I'm wrong but that don't get mad at me Bush people if I'm wrong. 114 Again, the cash on hand number. And the DNC is very good at protecting the chairman by saying here's what happened in 1940 and you know this is, there's nothing unusual about this. The party that loses always in power. But 86 million to 12 million cash on hand is, is if it's not a historic disparity, it's pretty close to it. So Dan, if you were, if you were brought in as the DNC Finance director, how would you solve this problem?

[B]

Well, I actually will say this. I don't think the party is having a problem. The DNC is having a problem because the DCCC for the House, the D.C. for the Senate are outraising their Republican counterparts. Our candidates are doing extremely well, especially compared to their Republican counterparts. I'm concerned about the super PAC side because I think people are very afraid of the Trump administration and the dnc. It's a chairman issue.

[C]

Yeah, but you know, I mentioned the super PAC money. Trump's combined super PACs.

[B]

Oh, it's amazing.

[C]

Had over $300 million and they're going to spend a lot of that money in the midterms. This is a huge disparity that's actually complete not getting fully appreciated. They talked about to the point of how impactful that is on the get out the vote part on the data, the digital, the advertising front and this.

[B]

And don't underestimate the number of Democratic donors that think if they write $10 million, they're going to be under investigation.

[C]

By the way, I don't care if you go back to Washington himself and the DNC has paid off debt for the Dems. The idea that Kamala Harris just scored a massive book deal is running around doing events and they're still paying off her debt. That just doesn't sit well. I can't imagine a donor getting a phone call and saying, hey, she's getting rich.

[A]

Why are they doing it? She's not the incumbent vice president. Like an arrangement.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. I was about to say, I believe there was a deal prior to the election that she was going to go into debt or they were going to go into debt on her behalf and it would be repaid. As the sitting president. She would get it repaid.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And they're welcome.

[C]

Billion to spend it. 105 days.

[A]

Colleen, welcome in. Just a reminder, let everybody, let everybody know where you are. You're not allowed to criticize me for eating a protein cookie on the show yesterday. So that's off limits. But if you have another topic you'd like to raise after telling us where you are, thank you for being part of 2A. The floor is yours.

[E]

Thank you. You guys are fantastic. Such an addition to the country to have such an open dialogue. Respectful. I'm in Long Island, New York, so I just wanted to. I could discuss so many things about you. Talking about Trump's, Trump's leverage with the Ukraine and universities. I just spent a year at Columbia University doing a mid career Masters and I can tell you that he's absolutely correct. The students are terrified of voicing opinions that are not. Don't fit the status quo. And it's sad. There's no intellectual discussion. Even younger students from China, for example, would say to me because I was very expressive about my opinions and I'm a Democrat my whole life. But they would say, we came to the United States because we thought everybody here could speak openly and debate things and have topics. But here at Columbia, which And I love Columbia University, by the way. My whole life I've been associated with it. But it's a situation that needs to be resolved.

[A]

What's driving people's inhibition?

[E]

They're terrified of being canceled. I would say to the students on.

[A]

The left and the right.

[E]

On the left. I mean, they can't. They can't. I mean, for example, I did a speech there on patriotism. That's one of the topics I was going to ask you guys about today, saying, I think it's a national security issue that Gen Z is, you know, that patriotism, like only 22% will say they're proud to be American. When I did this speech, and it was very measured and talking about how I think that we should, you know, have a mandated national service so that Americans, young Americans, spend time with each other and to try to attack the polarization issue, because going forward, I do believe it's a national security issue. A lot of the students came up to me afterwards, you're so brave talking about patriotism. You should have called it something else. People are going to think you're a Republican. I said, how do you know I'm not a Republican? But, you know, I mean, it's just. I just think that all these other issues that we debate and discuss every day as a nation and fight about, the main cancer is the polarization and the division. And we have to get to the younger generation because it's just getting worse. I mean, in Gen Z now already young Americans can't say they're proud to be American. It's embarrassing to them. Even my sons, who I've raised purple because I have friends and family that I love on both sides of the aisle. And again, I've been a Democrat my whole life, though I'm ashamed of the Democratic Party right now. It's an issue. And I think the only way to tackle the cancer that is polarization and division is starting young and doing something like a mandatory national service where young Americans from around the country, all economic backgrounds, all political backgrounds, all race backgrounds, work together and then they, once they spend time together, they will be able to solve problems together. Because how are we going to face all the problems that we have if we can't even work together? So my question is basically, what's the chance of having a mandatory national service? I think it should be top priority.

[A]

Yeah. Sean, I'd love for you to comment on a range of what Colleen said and then specifically on the national service.

[C]

Yeah, I mean, again, I don't mean to beat the Same drum over and over again. But you watch these studies where kids spend so much time addicted to a phone and they're not interacting with human beings. And, you know, you look at Jonathan Haidt and all these guys who are talking about it, they just. The relationship piece, the interaction with individuals is so different, you know, on a basis. I think that's. That's part of the problem on the national service piece. I'm with you. I'd love to see it. We talked about this the other day on the show. Yeah, I think it just. It would. It would mean a lot for the country. And it would also, like, from preparedness standpoint, having kids go through some basic, you know, civic training and. And you. Anyway, I. I think it would be huge. I think there's probably a zero chance of it having happening in the next generation.

[E]

Well, that's very sad because, I mean, something has to be done to prevent.

[C]

Someone would have to. Here's the answer. Colleen, to your. To your. And I mean, Dan can tell me if he disagrees, but I think somebody would have to make it. Somebody at a very high level or two or two people make it, champion the effort. Because until then, that's not. That's just. Yeah, someone has to make it something that people respond to and join or not. But it's not gonna happen organically.

[E]

Like President Trump. He could.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, I think. I agree with Sean. I think it would be great if we had it for a lot of reasons, not just patriotism, but work ethic, the idea of sacrificing responsibility and doing something greater than yourself. I think a generation that thinks very inwardly. But I agree there's something. I mean, I could see the attacks of it being un American to require this. I could see different communities objecting. If a Republican called for it, Democrats would say no. If a Democrat, Republicans, it's the Tea Party, get off my lawn type of thing. I think in terms of young voters and not being proud, I'm with you. It does break my heart. Some of this, I think, is just generational. Some of it is. Look, for years, young voters didn't vote very often because they were apathetic, as a rule, about politics. It's not until you kind of start getting a job in taxes and family that you kind of like tune into your community to say, aha, I care. And who's in power matters to me. And I think some of it, too, is when there's a Democrat, young Republicans are apathetic. When there's a Republican, young Democrats are apathetic. It's tribal like the rest of our country.

[C]

I think that the other part, Colleen, is I think even if you get broad acceptance that we had to do it right. Dan and I had this conversation the other day where I. I would want to keep it very limited in scope. Do the military or the Peace Corps, something like that, full stop. And where what happens is, is more people get involved in it. They'll say, yeah, I'll do it, but. But I want make sure teachers could be involved in it. And I'd go, nope, can't do it. So once you start getting going down that, that thing where you're gonna find disagreement is, you know, you'll agree at the top and then it starts to fray pretty quick.

[E]

Yeah, but this is the problem because we've become a country where we can't get things done. This is a good solution. And this is the main cancer that's eating away at everything, our democracy and everything. And we can't solve it. And it's going to get worse because these young people, they're so divided already and they're afraid. They're afraid to express their opinions, ask questions, ask.

[B]

So they will. They'll get involved. They will.

[E]

I hope so.

[A]

Colleen, thank you. Thank you for being part of Two Way. Grateful to you.

[E]

Thank you, guys. Thank you.

[A]

Sorry about that. My Internet went down.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Luckily I had a backup.

[B]

I'm not sure how many of you are.

[A]

Rest of my day. Salvatore, welcome in. Thank you for being part of the two way experience. Love your shirt. Love your glasses. Love the beard. It's just. It's a visually arresting tableau you've created for us. Welcome and tell folks where you are in your car and what's on your mind.

[D]

Awesome. Yeah. I'm from Toms River, New Jersey, which is on the border of Central and South Jersey. But currently I'm in South Plainfield, New Jersey, which is also beautiful, the battleground state of New Jersey.

[B]

Actually.

[D]

My question today and what motivated me to get on here and talk to you is I have been arguing online with. I'm one of the people who put snap in the chat, Mark. So I feel like I owe you an apology, so.

[A]

Oh. Oh, you just. Just don't criticize my eating of the protein cookie.

[D]

I actually have a good recommendation for protein bars if I can give a plug to my brother's company.

[A]

Yeah, what's it called? What's it called?

[D]

Pro Source Protein Bar. So he'll be extended.

[A]

Paul, put that up on the screen when you get it. Salvador, what's The. What's the best flavor?

[D]

They have like an almondy flavor. I think I forget what. It's what they call it, but it's like an almond flavor. That's what I like. But I think that chocolate chip, that's pretty good, too.

[A]

I don't. I don't eat men, except in toothpaste. I don't eat mint food. Why do you put smack in the chat?

[D]

Well, I feel like it's just my disposition, being an Italian from New Jersey. I. I try and control it the best I can, but it just, like.

[B]

It just emanates out of me.

[A]

What's it. What's an example of something you'd put in the chat that, you know, I would consider smack.

[B]

Careful.

[D]

Sometimes. Sometimes Dan will say things and I'll just. I'll verit with grace and love. I'll say, dan, that's ridiculous. But I want to say worse things. That's just how I keep it on this platform.

[A]

Yeah, but I love Dan.

[D]

I really do.

[A]

Yeah, he's very popular.

[D]

He's a star. So I just wanted to kind of express my frustration and Dan might appreciate this conversation because I feel like I've lived through the party realignment that everyone talks about all the time, but I don't think it's really over yet. On the right side of the aisle, the I would group, Nick Fuentes and, like, Thomas Massie, they're not really related, but their ideologies go hand in hand. And I feel like that side of the aisle is still going to split away from us in the upcoming election or two elections. But I also think as Trump removes himself and kind of graduates from presidency to, like, retired president and advance and Arrubio take over the MAGA movement, the independents that are apprehensive about MAGA will be more open to voting for maga. So I think that the Republican and Democrat Party are still in the process of figuring out who they are. And that's a real reason why there's a lot of volatility in the country and why we can't agree on what is what, because we're figuring out what our identities are as parties and as ideologies.

[A]

Super well said. You speak for tens of minutes. Paul. Put the. Put the bars back up. Salvatore, where does your brother make these? They made in America.

[D]

I actually think they have to pay tariffs from Canada, but I'm not sure. I don't want to slam the company.

[A]

And is this. Can you see the screen? Are these the right ones? Is that his?

[D]

Yeah, I believe that's it?

[A]

Yeah, that's it. Better hope so.

[D]

I don't eat protein bars personally. I'm not an exerciser. But he's really buff and fit and.

[B]

This is like a passion project.

[A]

All right, have it, have him calling because I want to find out about that chocolate peanut butter one that looks.

[C]

That'S when I was trying to Google.

[B]

Yeah, absolutely.

[D]

Yeah, for sure.

[A]

Have him call in. Sean reaction to Salvatore's very de Tocquevillian insight into America?

[C]

Well, I'm actually Googling the prosource bars right now. Yeah, but, but look, I, I, I, I, I get his, his point. Anyway, I, I'll, I'll, I'm, I'm googling. Sorry, you got me distracted on the bar. That peanut butter chocolate one. I'm sorry.

[A]

Looks good.

[B]

Dan, I do think the parties are realigning. I do think the Republicans know who they are now. Kind of the MAGA working class based party. Democrats still don't haven't really come to terms that whether they like it or not, they're more of a white collar party of kind of services professionals in urban areas and suburban areas. And there's obviously more working class than there are service professionals. Just from a numbers game, I think as far as maga's ability to pull in swing voters, those voters tend to be more kind of what are you doing for me on the issues that I care about right now? And in 2024, Trump was laser focused on what they cared about and Kamala Harris was not. I mean, she wasn't really focused on any issue per se, other than democracy. I can't predict in 2028 what the issues will be. I can't tell you what JD's Vanta's platform will be in 2028. And I can't tell you, maybe Rahm Emanuel is beginning to kind of shape a meta narrative, but I can't tell you what anyone else is going to focus on.

[A]

Yeah, Salvatore, thanks for being part of it. I think we're getting three new people today without any prodding. Makes it one of my favorite episodes. Beverly, welcome and thank you for being part of Two Way. Love what you're wearing.

[E]

I'm here in western North Carolina. It's cold, so this is perfect. But I really live in southwest Florida. And Sean, I'm a camel also, so.

[C]

Yeah, well, just like I don't say the name of that New York Times reporter, I don't admit where I went to undergrad.

[A]

So just to be clear, Beverly, had you, were you familiar with Fairway and Green products before this.

[E]

No, I was not.

[A]

And tell us, tell us what you think of them. Oh, it's so.

[E]

It is one of the. It's the softest shirt that I've ever had. And it's. I mean, it's comfortable.

[C]

And that's the quarter zip, right?

[A]

Yeah, but what's that?

[C]

Is that the quarter zip?

[E]

Yes, it is.

[C]

Fantastic. Yes.

[A]

Beverly, thank you for purchasing it and thank you for sharing your experience. I never hesitate asking people how much they like it because it is extraordinarily well made. Yeah. Welcome. And thank you for being part of Two Way. Tell us what's on your mind today.

[E]

Okay, so here's my question, because, Sean, you mentioned that, you know, ultimately they're.

[A]

Going to come back.

[E]

They may need to make a decision on the shutdown to extend or this is an opportunity to solve. But then what's the next step? I mean, you can't have nothing once the shutdown's over. With the health care plan, we have working class people that are not going to be able to afford health care, and that's been recognized by both parties. So there needs to be a plan or all of this will be, I think, a real negative in the midterms.

[C]

Yeah, I just, I can't go without saying, I just want to be clear about the context because it's gotten lost here. President Obama and the Democrats took over health care under the guise of making it more affordable. It is not more affordable. The subsidies were put in place because it was so unaffordable that during COVID they wanted to add these temporary subsidies in the hopes that it became less affordable. It's still not working. It is broken. And the idea of continuing subsidies to create this facade that the Democrats ridiculous health care proposal is working is actually a Ponzi scheme. The idea that we will spend more money on doing this. And by the way, it's a payoff to massive amounts of insurance and fraud. I think the, in my mind, the grand bargain comes back to this. Republicans, the timeline will expire when they have to come back to town to do something to set. Because the talking point expires. Right. Because right now they're saying, hey, Senate, pass a bill that'll get us to November. Then we'll come back and we'll make this other. We'll use that time. Once that Runway is gone and there's no time, they'll have to come back to do something and they will agree to maybe punt for a year, maybe do 200% of the subsidies or something like that. But There'll be something in the timing and in the funding percentage that will buy some time and that's the best.

[B]

They'Re going to do and that's the best.

[A]

Dan?

[B]

Yeah, Beverly, it's so well said. I mean, anytime you got to go back now 10 years as your talking point, you got problems, right? Republicans have been divided on this issue for 20 years. They have been. I mean, the Obamacare plan was originally the Mitt Romney plan. That was the genesis of what they kind of worked off of. Look, we haven't talked about it, but rate notices are starting to go out. Some states are seeing 20% increases even without the Obamacare subsidies being factored in. And people are getting nervous. I can tell you, having insight into the health insurance industry, a lot of the driver is drug costs. More people are buying drugs and the drug prices are going up. It's like 18% of the cost versus actual medical increases are like 5%. But it is going to be a problem. Republicans have a huge, huge problem. You can't keep saying it's the Obama problem. You own the government. You didn't fix it your first term, you got to fix it now.

[C]

Well, that part might be true, right? Which is that we and I agree. I mean, I've told this story before, but I remember when President Trump was talked into making healthcare the number one priority after getting office and we had no plan. It was shortsighted at best. He should have started with health care with taxes, which is what his instinct was to do. But all we knew is we wanted to get rid of Obamacare. We did not have a plan to do it. We still don't to this day. And that's where the Republicans need to say we can't just say no. We've got to have something to replace it with.

[A]

Beverly, thank you for being part of Two Away. Very grateful to you. Ton of stuff to tell you guys about. I'm just going to run through here chronologically. 10 o' clock I'll be on Smerconish, my regular Wednesday hit. So join me there. SiriusXM. Then at noon Eastern Time, the three gentlemen you're looking at here, Sean, Dan, Mark and myself will all be on with Megyn Kelly on the Megyn Kelly Network. So please join us there for some frivolity and hilarity. Also at noon, Citizen McCain, Megan's guest, Erica Donalds, leading education expert, chief of education opportunity, America First Policy Institute. She's chair rather and potentially the next first lady of Florida will join Megan. Also at noon, Michael Moynihan is doing his program pre taping for tomorrow. Uh, you can find details of that on our website. So that's three opportunities at noon, six o', clock, two opportunities. First two way tonight, Steve Alakara, one of our favorite guests, and Beverly Hallberg, one of our favorite guests, teaming up together to talk about today's events. And we're all doing a little rain dance and, and solemn prayer that the president opens up his 4pm photo op with the NATO chief. And then also at six o', clock, Sean, what do you have?

[C]

Congressman Ben Klein. He's a member of the Freedom Caucus, he's a member of the House Budget Committee, and he's a House appropriator. So we're going to talk about when the government's opening up, what's it going to take and what's next. By the way, real quick, I did an interview with Alan Dershowitz on Monday that aired and we really got into that press freedom question that we all went around on. So if you want to hear the legal interpretation, that's up on the channel as well.

[A]

Great. And then finally at seven o', clock, our friend Bridget Fedisi has a show on the dream of homeownership standing by live. Not really. Here's Bridget with the.

[C]

Homeownership was once considered part and parcel of the American dream. Now it is something that is out of reach for many Americans. Do you own your own home?

[E]

Do you want to own a home.

[C]

But can't afford it?

[E]

Do you own a home but wish you didn't?

[C]

What are some of the benefits and.

[E]

Disadvantages of homeownership that you've experienced?

[C]

We're going to talk about all of this and the frustration so many young Americans are feeling about not being able to achieve that dream on our next Real America. Join me, Bridget Fedisy on Real America, Wednesday, October 22nd at 7pm Eastern, 6pm Central. We will be live discussing this. You can register to join the conversation at 2way TV, BridgetZoom. Or you can simply watch the the episode at Real America FY on YouTube. See you then.

[A]

All right, that's a lot of programs to remember, Dan. Here's a quiz. Give me the order. Tell me all the programs that are on today.

[B]

We had the morning meeting, then you're on with us. Raanish, Megan Kelly, Megan McCain all at noon, but also Michael Moynihan taping at noon. Two way tonight, Sean and Bridget Fedesy.

[A]

You're. You're effing geniuses. As Pink would say.

[B]

I pay attention.

[A]

Very good. I'LL see you all in Sparkonish in just a moment. And the three of us, believe it or not, because of our commitment to the craft, will be back right here in 23 hours on the morning meeting, 9:00am Eastern Time tomorrow. Thank you for your service to America. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Thank you for sending us free protein bars. Have a good day.