LIVE: State of the Union Coverage From the Bulwark (W/ Pete Buttigieg)

Summary

Bulwark Takes Podcast Summary

Episode: LIVE: State of the Union Coverage From the Bulwark (W/ Pete Buttigieg)
Date: February 25, 2026
Host: The Bulwark Team (Sam Stein, Tim Miller, Andrew Egger, Sarah Longwell, and guests)
Special Guests: Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Pete Buttigieg

---

Main Theme / Purpose

This live episode of Bulwark Takes centers on real-time, in-depth analysis and reactions to President Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address, marking his first official SOTU of his second term. The discussion is energetic and unfiltered, mixing live commentary and post-game analysis with special guest interviews (notably Abigail Spanberger and Pete Buttigieg). The Bulwark team unpacks the speech’s messaging, tactics, and implications, reacting to notable moments and placing events within the broader context of Trump’s presidency, the current political climate, and the state of American democracy.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Pre-SOTU Context

• Trump’s Weak Political Position:
  • Andrew Egger notes how Trump is “far, far weaker than he was a year ago” given collapsing poll numbers and recent Supreme Court setbacks. (03:34)
  • “He's collapsed in terms of his public political polling across basically every single issue set...” — Andrew Egger [03:52]
• No Expectation of a Course Correction:
  • The panel agrees that Trump has “no pivot” in him, continuing to double down on an aggressive, unyielding approach regardless of political consequences. (07:18)
  • “We still have not seen his numbers stabilize. They're worse today than they were in November.” — Andrew Egger [08:30]
• Priming for a Marathon:
  • Some banter about how long the speech will go (over/under jokes), foreshadowing the length and tedium of Trump’s address. (17:42)

2. Trump’s SOTU Speech: Real-Time Reactions & Analysis

• Opening & Tone:
  • Tim Miller describes the speech as “long and pointless” and predicts nothing will sway public opinion.
    “There's nothing he can fucking do to improve his flagging poll numbers tonight.” — Tim Miller [12:10]
• Relentless Self-Congratulation & Unreality:
  • Trump paints a “golden age” narrative and takes credit for economic, military, and civilizational revival, often through misleading or fantastical claims.
  • “This is the golden age of America… we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before.” — Trump (via Joe Perdicone) [25:06]
• Endless Parade of Anecdotes & Awards:
  • Multiple segments dedicated to individual stories (hockey teams, heroic acts, Medal of Freedom and Purple Heart awards) seen by the panel as “stolen valor” and attempts to pad the speech without substance. (36:29, 44:44, 98:01)
    • “Half the speech is going to be about the hockey team because it's the only good thing going.” — Tim Miller [39:23]
• Dubious Boasts on Economy and Policy:
  • Fact-checked in real time: Tim and Sarah note that economic claims (record stock market, plunging inflation, lowered gas prices) don’t match reality or voter sentiment.
  • “We're going to lower prices for some, keep prices high for others...” — Tim Miller [31:47]
• Relentless Attacks on Democrats, Immigrants, and “Enemies”:
  • Large portions focus on blaming Democrats for crime, inflation, and border security. Regular invocation of violent or sensational anecdotes tied to immigration.
    • “Every Trump story is like a true crime podcast that he solved.” — Harry Nibs (read by Tim Miller) [75:42]
    • “He tries to divide us. He tries to enrage us, to pit us against one another, neighbor against neighbor.” — Governor Spanberger [146:59]
  • Details of gruesome crimes and immigrant “threats” are used to justify harsh law enforcement and anti-immigrant policies—prompting panelists to note the speech's “snuff film element.” [132:24]

3. Live Chamber Reactions & Drama

• Protests & Walkouts:
  • Al Green holds a “Black People Are Not Apes” sign and is ejected. Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and other Democrats vocally protest and some leave mid-speech. (21:21, 116:31)
• Cat Kamek "Frame Mogging":
  • Focus on the visually assertive Republican Congresswoman’s repeated ovations and presence near the Supreme Court.
• Lawmakers’ Boredom:
  • Joe Perdicone describes seeing lawmakers asleep, scrolling and deleting photos, or tuning out, reinforcing the speech’s tedium. [177:45]

4. Abigail Spanberger’s Democratic Response (143:18–156:25)

• Direct Rebuttal:
  • Spanberger attacks Trump’s “reckless trade policies,” infrastructure of corruption, targeting of immigrants, and prioritization of self-interest.
    • “Tonight, as we watched our nation's lawmakers gather for a joint session of Congress, we did not hear the truth from our President. So let's speak plainly and honestly and let me ask you, the American people watching at home, three questions. Is the President working to make life more affordable for you and your family? Is the President working to keep Americans safe both at home and abroad? Is the President working for you?” — Abigail Spanberger [145:00]
• Themes:
  • Focus on cost of living, government accountability, safeguarding democratic institutions, and the need for Americans to “demand more.”
• ICE & Immigration:
  • Spanberger, usually a centrist, is notably forceful in denouncing Trump’s “poorly trained federal agents … arresting and detaining American citizens and people who aspire to be Americans … without a warrant.” [146:58]
• Contrast with Trump:
  • Cites historical American ideals and warns against self-dealing and corruption.
    • “He’s enriching himself, his family, his friends. The scale of the corruption is unprecedented.” — Spanberger [146:59]

5. Pete Buttigieg Interview (156:57–175:57)

• Buttigieg’s Takeaways:
  • The SOTU offers “the same empty promises that we’re used to from this president.”
  • Real people “want to know what it’s going to mean to them,” and Trump gives them nothing of substance. [162:23]
• Policy and Messaging:
  • Democrats should articulate a more inspiring, actionable vision beyond criticizing Trump—policies to make daily life better, especially on affordability and childcare.
  • “We need to paint a picture of how this country can be an easier place to live in… the biggest thing we can do to be pro-family is to have policies that'll make it easier for you to start a family and afford it.” — Pete Buttigieg [168:14]
• On Trump’s Immigration Tactics:
  • Buttigieg notes Trump’s shift to feigning support for “legal immigration,” but says in reality both legal and undocumented avenues are being closed.
• On Investigating Corruption:
  • The proposal for a “war on fraud” led by JD Vance is ridiculed, with Buttigieg warning, “J.D. Vance is going to have a lot of work to do.”
• Congressional Checks & Democratic Priorities:
  • Emphasizes Congress' shaky ability to check Trump on war powers and the need for Democrats to “build lots of things at once” if returned to power.

6. Post-Speech Roundtable & Fact-Checking

• Universal Boredom & Lack of Substance:
  • The Bulwark team finds the address “long, boring, and mostly negative,” with a parade of lies, awards, and horror stories bereft of real policy or hope.
    • “What do you remember? I don't remember.” — Sarah Longwell [132:14]
• No Narrative Arc or Vision:
  • “There was no through-line whatsoever... He got up there and he immediately was just like. It was bad under Biden. It's better under me. Let's hand out 500 awards.” — Andrew Egger [141:11]
• Republican Alignment & Reactions:
  • Despite dysfunction, Republicans are expected to embrace most speech points, especially “Trump accounts” and other Trump-branded initiatives. [195:47]
• Democratic Takeaways:
  • Democratic messaging will harp on Trump’s gaslighting about the economy, his out-of-touch attitude, and the realities of corruption and anti-immigrant actions.

7. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Political Weakness:
  • “This is very much a Trump who’s, like, needing to try to recapture some mojo.” — Andrew Egger [05:08]
• On the Unchanging Trump Playbook:
  • “We have seen no pivot of any kind. We have seen doublings down on the worst instincts again and again.” — Andrew Egger [08:13]
• On the Speech’s Tedium:
  • “That's what he does—award, award, horror, horror, lie, lie, applause, applause.” — Tim Miller, paraphrased from (131:46–133:42)
• On Democratic Protest Tactics:
  • “Don’t be corny if you’re going to object. If you’re going to do it, go make them throw you out of the hall.” — Tim Miller [15:30]
• On Policy Gaslighting:
  • “He comes off just detached.” — Sam Stein [197:02]
• On the Speech’s “Snuff Film” Energy:
  • “The snuff film element of it, just like giving details of grisly murders I think is the most notable Trump innovation of the state of the union.” — Tim Miller [132:24]
• On Fact-Checking Trump’s Economic Record:
  • “We genuinely do not have the lowest drug prices in the world. Not even close.” — Jonathan Cone [192:09]

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Pre-Speech Setup, Panel Expectations: 02:13–13:32
• Trump Begins SOTU Address: 25:00
• First Panel Reactions to Tone & Claims: 31:14–36:29
• Olympic Hockey Team “Stolen Valor” Segment: 36:29–41:30
• Al Green Ejected, Floor Protest Drama: 21:21; 116:31
• Notable Quotes on Gaslighting & Economy: 57:22–59:12; 130:09–131:33
• Spanberger Democratic Response: 143:18–156:25
• Pete Buttigieg Interview: 156:57–175:57
• Post-Game Roundtable / Live Fact-Checking: 175:57–190:05
• Funniest Lawmaker Anecdotes (Perdicone): 177:45–178:23
• Final Roundtable & Takeaways: 190:16–198:43

---

Tone & Language

The Bulwark team is unabashedly candid and irreverent, blending sharp policy analysis with banter, sarcasm, and listener interactivity. There’s liberal use of casual, at times salty language, honest emotional reactions, and jokes, while always pulling the focus back to the civic and democratic stakes.

---

For Those Who Missed the Episode

This episode is an eventful, sometimes raucous window into a turbulent political moment. The Bulwark panel pulls no punches in its real-time critique of Trump’s State of the Union, balancing humor with grave concern about the administration’s tone, substance, and effect on democracy. If you want both instant fact-checking and honest reactions about what happened in the chamber and what really matters for Americans, this episode offers a highly engaging recap—with analysis you won’t find on mainstream or cable news.

---

Transcript

[Rocket Money Promoter]

Lets do the 60 second savings challenge. STEP 1 Download Rocket Money STEP 2 Link your accounts and see every subscription you're paying for. Tap one you don't use and cancel it. That's money back every month. Step 3 Create a financial goal $50 every paycheck. Or let the app automatically move small amounts of cash when you can afford it. In a week, you'll forget you set it up. In a month, you'll see real dollars piling up. In a year, you'll be shocked at

[Sam Stein]

how much money you've saved.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

Bonus Challenge Upload an Internet or phone bill and let Rocket Money try to lower it.

[Sam Stein]

You only pay if they find you savings.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

On average, Rocket Money members can save up to $740 a year when using all of the app's premium features. Users love the app with over 186,000 five star ratings. Make saving money the resolution you actually keep. Start the 60 second savings challenge at

[Sam Stein]

RocketMoney.com cancel that's RocketMoney.com cancel RocketMoney.com cancel

[Sarah Longwell]

we're lost. I'm going to pull over and ask

[Lauren Egan]

that man for directions.

[Andrew Egger]

Hi there.

[Lauren Egan]

We're looking to get to the campground.

[Tim Miller]

Well, you're going to take a left at the old oak tree end of this here road. I'm just kidding. Let me get my phone out.

[Sarah Longwell]

How are you getting a signal out here?

[Tim Miller]

T Mobile and US Cellular decided to merge, so the network out here is huge. We're getting the same great signal as the city and saving a boatload with all the benefits. Oh, and a five year price guarantee. Okay, here's those directions.

[Sarah Longwell]

Actually, can you point us in the direction of a T Mobile store?

[Joe Perdicone]

America's best network just got bigger.

[Sam Stein]

Switch to T Mobile today and get

[Tim Miller]

built in benefits the other guys leave out. Plus our five year price guarantee. And now T Mobile is available in US Cellular stores.

[Sam Stein]

Best Mobile Network Based on analysis by Oogle of Speedtest Intelligence data 2H2025 bigger network the combination of T Mobile's and US Cellular's network footprints will enhance the T Mobile network's coverage price guarantee on talk, text and data exclusions like taxes and fees apply. T mobile.com for details. All right. I hate waiting for it to go live because you never know when it actually is going to go live. Doing funny faces, all that stuff and

[Andrew Egger]

then boom, it's 3,000 extra people in the room.

[Sam Stein]

Everyone, it's me, Sam Stein, managing editor at the Bork. I'm with my man Andrew Egger, author of Morning Shots. Tim Miller, is about to join us. He's got to do responsible dad thing before he signs on, but fret not. Tim's going for the long haul. He is going to watch the entirety of the upcoming State of the Union address, the whole thing. We have rumors that Donald Trump will speak for potentially over two hours tonight. Tim promised he's going to be sitting there doing facial expressions the entire time. Just wants you to watch him. Watch Trump. As you can tell, we are waiting for the President to deliver his first official State of the Union of his second term. He did a speech last year, wasn't technically the State of the Union address. We will be here to watch it, but then we're going to be jumping back on when it is over to analyze it. Andrew will be there, Tim will be there, Sarah Longwell will be there. We have a surprise guest. Not much of a surprise. You've announced it. Pete Buttigieg will join us at some point tonight to talk about the whole shebang. We're going to cover Abigail Spamberger's response to Trump. It's gonna be a exceedingly late night. I need some caffeine, probably to make it through it. Andrew, what are your thoughts, your fears, your hopes, your expectations, your dreads heading into this evening?

[Andrew Egger]

Yeah. So just to take the 10,000 foot view for a minute, wind back the clock one year to Trump's first address of his second term, the one that was not technically a State of the Union. He talked for like an hour and 40 minutes that time. Completely different universe from the one we are in right now. When Trump made that speech, looking back now, you could kind of see him as sort of at the height of his perceived powers of his second term, at least so far. He was just, Doge was just running rampant all over everything. He had all of the institutions on the run, he had the law firms and the colleges and all of sort of white collar world was just like, oh gosh, he's just going to come smush us if we don't get in line. So we're going to get in line. I mean, it all really looked like, like he had just come in with a ferocity and he was prepared and he was gonna, you know, make the world bend itself into his image. I mean, that could not be further from the world that we are in now. He has not stopped trying to do a lot of these things. He's tried to do a lot more things. You know, he's, he's ratcheted up all sorts of different powers or tried to do so in all kinds of ways. But in terms of the political environment, I mean, he, he is far, far weaker than he was a year ago. You know, he, he's collapsed in terms of his public political polling across basically every single issue set he's coming off of. This is sort of the weirdest week for him to have to do this because he is just several days removed from the Supreme Court, knocking the legs out from under his signature economic policies.

[Sam Stein]

They will be there, right?

[Jonathan Cone]

They're gonna be there.

[Andrew Egger]

So it's weird. I mean, like he just got crushed in a bunch of off cycle elections back in November. So this is very much a Trump who's like needing to try to recapture some mojo. And, you know, there's more people tuning in than there are typically tuning in, even to him on a night like this. So he needs to somehow reverse the losses that he is suffering across basically every important issue set across immigration, across the economy, across, you know, foreign policy and all of these different things. But he does not have like a good issue to pivot to right now. He's basically at break even or worse on everything. So we'll see, we'll see what the big guy can manage to cook up tonight. I guess three hours of yapping ought to do it. You know, if he stands up for.

[Sam Stein]

I was gonna, if he's gonna go for three hours, he's gonna touch on a lot of stuff. Let me just quickly do a quick catch up and apology. If folks are joining us from Substack looking for the live feed on Substack just once, you know, a little technical difficulties with our live stream there. We're getting it fixed. Thank you for joining us here. But rest assured, we are making sure that people want to get this on Substack can get this on Substack. Also, Tim Miller is coming. Don't worry, it's not just me and Andrew. You can hold steady. Now to your point about Trump, it is a weird moment. I think a normal president would try to do some sort of pivot, right? You would say something like, you know, we heard the voters pains or we heard the voters feedback or we recognize that not everyone is like satisfied with the progress that we've done on the economy or there's more work to do. That would be something that no president would would say. Trump does not have that in his arsenal. The expectation is he's going to come in and just basically be like, I've solved all the world's problems. We are in the golden age. Everything is fantastic. You should be incredibly grateful. For my leadership. And, you know, I'm not sure how that plays. Right. Like, there's this old adage that you don't want to seem out of touch with voters by telling them that they should be grateful for how good things are when they don't feel it. But Trump doesn't have the ability to acknowledge that anything is other than spectacular. So how does he do it?

[Andrew Egger]

Yeah, and on one level, that's just sort of like a personal failing that he has had all along. You know, it's just part of his makeup. That's not the way he talks. It is also increasingly a part of sort of his information ecosystem as the President of the United States, as a person who is sort of surrounded by yes men and sycophants and good news guys at all times, who also, by the way, has a deep distrust for basically any source of bad news that might break through his bubble for polls and for news reports and all these sorts of things. So it's not even clear how much the president himself actually believes he's in trouble right now. But we're already a few months removed from the sort of scuttlebutt being that White House aides were starting to kind of gently try to wake Trump up to the fact that, for instance, he had a real affordability problem on his hands. Like, even ahead of the November elections. That was already starting to be a concern. And Trump was sort of begrudgingly going out on the campaign trail and talking about affordability. And I remember we wrote in morning shots right after, like, the week of those off cycle elections in early November, like Trump and the Trump people just got shellacked in these midterms or in these off cycle elections. There's a year to go till the midterms. Will there be some kind of real pivot here? And what have we seen since then? We have seen no pivot of any kind. We have seen doublings down on the worst instincts again and again. I mean, that was all prior to Minneapolis. That was prior to, you know, ice getting surged into the streets there, killing a couple of civilians, roughing up a bunch of protesters, just, you know, every. All of the stuff that we saw and continue to see in that city. And we're already, what now? I guess, close to three months on from then. We're already a quarter of the way of the year until the midterms from those last off year elections. We still haven't seen the pivot. We still have not seen his numbers stabilize. They're worse today than they were in November. So this is a really bleak moment politically for the President. Not so much for us. We kind of like it in some respect, but, but I mean, it's, it's bleak for all the reasons that they're still in power and all the horror.

[Sam Stein]

We are not the story. Andrew, let me, let me catch people up a little bit just so they know what they're saying. This is the House, that's the President's box. And I believe we're looking at the President's family. This is the floor where all the lawmakers are. A couple little interesting tidbits that we've gotten from both our reporter on the ground, Joe Perdicone and others who are there. Joe Perdicone wrote in to say that Thomas Matzie, the congressman who is arguably the biggest thorn in Trump's side, effectuated the release of the Epstein files. He is holding a seat apparently on the aisle so that he can shake Trump's hand or something. He's been alternating that seat with Ro Khanna, his collaborator on the Epstein's file legislation. So we're going to take a look for that. We're also going to look for Tim Miller, who has now joined us in a jumpsuit, hydrated jacket, temp rested, waiting

[Tim Miller]

jumpsuit just off of basketball coaching, high, high scoring match 2 to 2. So hopefully we will see a little more fireworks tonight from the Democrats in the crowd than I saw in the basketball court, but I'll take a tie. You know, it was a good defensive effort by the, by the honey badgers. I'm happy to be here with you guys. I'm just getting caught up as Trump comes in here soon. I am, uh, I will take some super chats from people so you can go ahead and super chat us and then I'm gonna sit, I'm gonna punish myself right now I'm just on water. That might change after a little bit. And I'll sit here and, you know, maybe talk a little bit while Trump talks and make fun of him a little bit or just make faces or just hang out with you guys.

[Jonathan Cone]

So that's.

[Sam Stein]

Look at Baron. We got Baron there. He's looking particularly tall.

[Tim Miller]

Aaron is talking to use Tim on the court tonight.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah, maybe, maybe he was guarding the hoop for one of the teams.

[Andrew Egger]

Just a quick appreciated how much taller Baron is than the other. I mean, I always knew he was tall, but that much than the other two adult Trump sons.

[Sam Stein]

He is a beast. Hey, quick shout out to our substack followers. We have fixed the stream. Want to extend another apology for the early technical difficulties, trust us, you didn't miss, you didn't miss anything. It was, it was some bland commentary for me and Andrew.

[Tim Miller]

I heard Andrew. I thought Andrew's commentary was spot on. Donald Trump is struggling.

[Sam Stein]

And speaking of, speaking of heights, you can't see him there because he's small. His is Marco Rubio. He's kind of hard to see because he's smaller than Baron. But he's walking through the aisle there. Not the best shot. There's Scott Besant, the cabinets coming in.

[Tim Miller]

Do you think Scott Besant stuffs his chest? Like, do you think that, you know, like kind of how teen girls used to. I feel like there's maybe something in, in there. He always is protruding from the middle in a way that feels unnatural.

[Sam Stein]

He does. He's got an interesting gate, I'll give you that. He walks like a man. Very confident in himself.

[Tim Miller]

Well, that's interesting.

[Sam Stein]

Tim, what are you expecting for tonight? How are you going to make it through the two hours?

[Tim Miller]

Here's what I'm expecting. I'm expecting that it's going to be long and pointless. So this is what you're supposed to say at the top of a stream like this. You know, if you're over there, if you're multi screening, you're watching cnn, you probably have some serious people talking about what the President needs to do tonight to improve his flagging poll numbers. There's nothing he can fucking do to improve his flagging poll numbers tonight. There's nothing he can do. It's possible like that he could announce a war with Iran or something and make things worse. I don't expect that he'll do, he'll do that. I expect that he'll do a very long, boring laundry list speech. There'll be some, a couple of times where he's surprised to see what is on his teleprompter. We'll do the thing where it's like, did we do that? We did Trump our ex, you know, we achieved that much. And he'll give like running commentary with his own speechwriters and you know, and then at the end we're gonna leave more tired and with him about, about in the same political space. So that's. I get.

[Sam Stein]

I'll tell you. Yeah, I agree with you. And here's the reason we know this. It's factual. It's factual. It's because if people don't remember this, Joe Biden resuscitated his entire political trajectory apparently with his State of the Union address, the last one he Gave, if you remember that he was back. Everyone was so excited about Biden proving the haters wrong. And then a couple months later, he had, he had the debate. I don't want to open old wins this.

[Andrew Egger]

And I'm not sure that was ever real. I mean, I think. I kind of think that was like a thing that sort of like the, the Beltway people talked themselves.

[Tim Miller]

Can we do this actually? This is meaningful. This is meaningful. I, I need to correct myself because I believe it was on the next level. I said that the last State of the Union that was meaningful was back during Axis of Evil days with W and I. That was wrong. Sam, you're right. The Biden, Biden being vigorous stalled the talk that he needed to step aside. And in a lot of ways, it was kind of like a false. It gave a false. I agree with Andrew. I don't think it changed anybody's, like, very many regular people's views. I think what it did is it changed the Beltways, it changed the narrative inside the Beltway. And it also, you know, some of his supporters who may be like, secretly inside were thinking, I don't know if he's up for this, were like, buoyed by it. So it did have that impact. I don't, I don't expect that from. From the current president tonight, but that is fair that, that.

[Sam Stein]

What do you, what do you expect from. What do you expect from the Democrats tonight? What would you cringe at if they did?

[Tim Miller]

I, I. Look, Al. Who was it? Was it Al Green? Al Green is the musician. Is that also the congressman's name?

[Sam Stein]

Yes, it's the congressman. Shook his cane. Yeah.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah. I was like one of the only people who liked that. I'm sure Andrew, who is more, you know, buttoned up more norms abiding, did not like it when Al Green shouted at him. I liked it. I think it's okay. I was in there. I would shout at him, I guess,

[Sam Stein]

you know, Bill Crystal. Bill Crystal loves me.

[Tim Miller]

It was Bill Crystal, me. Bill Crystal was the strongest supporter of it. I would shout at him. I mean, he is a criminal president who is like overseeing a criminal regime of secret police terrorizing country. So he deserves to be yelled at. I would say so. I wouldn't cringe at that. What I would cringe at, I guess, is that the Democrats did something very corny, you know, like, like they all, like, carried a sign. It's like they all stood up with like a sign that was like, persist.

[Sam Stein]

Epstein.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, don't be corny if you're going to object. If you're going to do it, go make them throw you out of the hall. I guess would be my.

[Sam Stein]

What about you, Andrew?

[Andrew Egger]

Oh, I just have this is this hardly even matters. The president is going to announce his support to block private equity from buying houses. And I think Democrats would be like, no, we want to do that. And everybody's going to fight over who gets to actually be the one who gets to own this totally pointless policy that everybody seems to love for no reason, just because it's a meme. But, but I don't know. That's. That doesn't really matter. That's just a B I have in my bonnet about.

[Tim Miller]

We got a couple super chats coming through. Let's go for it. Matthew Stivers, 4915, asked if Sarah is joining tonight. She is, and I don't know if I'm supposed to say this, but whatever.

[Sam Stein]

No, we said, we said it. We said it.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, it's her wife's birthday. You said that.

[Sam Stein]

No, we didn't say that.

[Tim Miller]

It's her wife's birthday. They're having dinner tonight. And so we thought that she was gonna have the night off, but Sarah, I think, is kind of maybe gonna wait for her to fall asleep. I don't know. I don't know exactly what happens it lesbian birthday dinners. But Sarah's gonna make it anyway, and. And so we appreciate her. Michael Nicholson, 78 Ask the boldest prediction for something Unexpected Andrew, do you have an unexpected prediction?

[Andrew Egger]

Oh, come back to me. I hadn't thought about it and seen the super chat.

[Tim Miller]

While you think about that, I'm going to answer this one. A. Monroe said that their guacaboli broke. That's an inside deep cut. He wants a replacement with the Jeb campaign. We sold Jeb branded guacabolis. They were widely mocked on the Internet.

[Sam Stein]

Hold on, hold on. How did you not. How did you not win?

[Tim Miller]

How did we win? Well, that's a long. That's a long story. I mean, we could probably do a candidate confessional on that if you want.

[Sam Stein]

Fair enough.

[Tim Miller]

So do we have any bold predictions? Nothing? No bold predictions from either of you.

[Andrew Egger]

No war with Iran announced.

[Sam Stein]

All right, let's do another game. Let's do another game. I'm going to read you the. So the big scuttle is that this is going to be an exceptionally long speech. His last speech was last State of the union, 2020 was 1 hour, 18 minutes. Longest day the union gave was 1 hour, 22 minutes. He did speak for 1 hour and 39 minutes. Last joint session, which was last year. Longest day of the union is an hour, 28 minutes. I'm going to set the over under at one hour and 45 minutes.

[Tim Miller]

Over over.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

Oh, jeez.

[Sam Stein]

Okay. I'm going to set the over under at 2 hours and 10 minutes.

[Andrew Egger]

Can't move the over under. That is a better over under, though.

[Tim Miller]

210 is a tough one. Well, you're going under on 210.

[Andrew Egger]

I don't know. It's a good one.

[Tim Miller]

I'm going over. I think he's going to roll in around 2 hours and 22 minutes.

[Andrew Egger]

I'll take the under also. That is such an astonishingly long amount of time.

[Pete Buttigieg]

I don't know.

[Sam Stein]

How can you take the under? What would you even talk about? I mean, what did we talk about?

[Andrew Egger]

Anything.

[Tim Miller]

For an interview, they did the 365 days of accomplishments. I like. Isn't he just going to do that again? I assume you factor in all the applause.

[Sam Stein]

Here's. Here's the. Here's the bold. Here's the bold. Here's the bold prediction.

[Tim Miller]

Okay.

[Sam Stein]

Does he admonish the Supreme Court justices? Is to their face, Mr. Speaker.

[Andrew Egger]

Oh, yeah.

[Sarah Longwell]

President of the United States.

[Sam Stein]

All right, all right, here's. Here's the deal. We're gonna do our last thoughts, then we're gonna shut up. Tim's gonna stay here, and we're gonna have Tim watch Trump for maybe 2 hours and 15 minutes.

[Tim Miller]

No one is gonna come back on. Like, if I start.

[Sam Stein]

I need to get a little tea. I need to, like, freshen up a little bit.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, I had a tea before the basketball game was pretty. On a lot of. Yeah, so. Okay. Well, it's just.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah, I want to see.

[Tim Miller]

Wait.

[Sam Stein]

I want to see if he shakes Tom Massey's hand. All right, let's look for this. Tom's been waiting. He's apparently Supreme Court.

[Andrew Egger]

Aren't they on the aisle?

[Sam Stein]

They are on the aisle. We gotta wait. We gotta see John Barrasso right there.

[Tim Miller]

He's always having the same skin tone as Donald Trump. Now has got to be one of the weirdest things of our politics. Like the Senate majority leaders. Like, oh, you're going to be a burnt sienna. I guess I'll match you like the other guys. They just do the same long red tie. But I'm gonna also do the same skin tone. It's an interesting choice. It's a little humiliating.

[Sam Stein]

It's the male version of the Mar a Lago look. All right, who do I get there? Tom Evers, you are right. He's looking. Emmer is Emmett, you're right. Thune is looking particularly tan.

[Tim Miller]

Not a lot of. Not a lot of women or. I know that Woke 1.0 is over, but not a lot of women or people of color. Well, I guess there's the burnt sienna people. Who's in the red hat? What? What jabroni is that?

[Sam Stein]

I don't know.

[Tim Miller]

Some of the deep cut congress people. I don't. I'm not sure. I know the whole back bench of the House.

[Sam Stein]

Is Tony Gonzalez. Is Tony Gonzalez in the House? Do we know?

[Tim Miller]

Oh, man, the Tony Gonzalez thing is wild. And, and it's like it shows how crazy times that I didn't get it into either podcast today. So just for one second, we should talk about it for people who don'. This is a guy who was. Was cheating on his wife with his staffer tales all the time in Washington. Really. But the interesting Al Green.

[Sam Stein]

Al Green's got a sign there. What has he got?

[Tim Miller]

There's Al.

[Sam Stein]

What does it say? He's holding the sign. What does it say? We gotta find out.

[Tim Miller]

I hope it's all right.

[Joe Perdicone]

Go on, go on.

[Tim Miller]

Yes. Anyway, he's texting his staffer gross texts, including things such as anal question mark. The staffer ends up lighting themselves on fire, literally killing themselves, committing suicide. The one that he was having an affair with. Usually this would cause a congressman to resign. Even Lauren Boebert has called for him to resign. But if the Republicans lose a single other person right now, then Thomas Massie controls the House floor because that is how small their majority is. So the Republicans are forced to circle the wagons around the guy that cheated on his wife with a staffer. And we can't do epso facto, but the staffer ended up lighting themselves on fire.

[Sam Stein]

Just a quick, quick, quick note. Al Green sign was black people are not apes.

[Tim Miller]

True. Okay.

[Andrew Egger]

We did a video on that.

[Tim Miller]

I like that. I agree with that. And didn't see Trump. Didn't see Trump to react.

[Andrew Egger]

Shouting out the truth social meme post that Trump made. If people. If people missed it a couple times,

[Sam Stein]

ripped it from him.

[Tim Miller]

So we already have some potential.

[Sam Stein]

We got a little drama. Just wait for tomorrow's woke Bill Crystal morning shots on Al Green 2.0.

[Andrew Egger]

We totally missed in that by the way, him going through shaking hands with the Supreme Court.

[Sam Stein]

I missed that. What do you do? We got to get out here quickly.

[Tim Miller]

But what do you.

[Andrew Egger]

Uneventful.

[Sam Stein]

Uneventful. Okay. All right, Timmy, I'm going to sign out Andrew's gonna sign out. Buddy, I'm. I'm rooting for you. I'm worried about you. Give me a holler if you need anything, okay?

[Tim Miller]

All right, everybody, I need your help with the content. People, people. You guys, get out of here. People of the YouTube feed, send us member chats. Where did I go? There I am. I will be answering those until the speech starts. Once the speech starts, my plan is to occasionally interject some thoughts. Now, Sometimes folks on YouTube don't like that because they want to hear every word of Donald Trump. I find that hard to believe on the Bulwark YouTube feed, but if you're mad at me, think I'm talking too much, please feel free to comment. We'll keep an eye on that. And, you know, just having me throw spitballs at them seems like better than the alternative for me. But to each their own. A couple super chats. We got one. I've had a couple of people mention these candidates to me. Andy Andrews in South Carolina Senate race. And Hallie Schoffer in Arkansas. I hope I got that name right. S C H O F F E R Shout out to. We like shouting out good Democratic candidates. Also, please consider pushing to Jose Dem primary debate in 28. I would like to do that. I would like to do that. I'm trying to steer clear a little bit of the 26 primaries, but 28. We'll put in a word with Ken Martin. Members of Congress, I have the high privilege and distinct honor of presenting to you the President of the United States. That was a little faster than usual. The. The weird shoulder pivot. It's deeply unnatural. I don't know where he learned that. A USA chant. Okay, I will shout out ROTW22. His father just got out of the hospital. Please give a shout out to Rich, our newest fan.

[Joe Perdicone]

Thank you very much.

[Tim Miller]

Thank you, Rich. I like you more than Donald Trump.

[Joe Perdicone]

An honor. Speaker Johnson, Vice President Vance, first lady of the United States.

[Tim Miller]

Oh, boy, this is going to be long. I hadn't considered how much of J.D. vance's face I'm gonna have to look at tonight. Until right now. Their assessed side profile.

[Joe Perdicone]

Second lady of the United States.

[Tim Miller]

Any. Any real ones? Longtime Bullard people know I am not in the Save Usha, Save Melania camp. I. I feel like Usha and Melania are very excited and on board with the whole agenda.

[Joe Perdicone]

Members of Congress and my fellow Americans, our nation is back. Bigger, better, richer, and stronger than ever before.

[Tim Miller]

What's happening with his jaw there? He's kind of short. I Don't. We might have a dentures issue. That's something to monitor. We might have a dentures issue.

[Joe Perdicone]

Less than five months from now, our country will celebrate an epic milestone in American history. The 250th anniversary of our glorious American independence. This July 4th, we will mark two and a half centuries of liberty and triumph, progress and freedom in the most incredible and exceptional nation ever to exist on the face of the earth. And you've seen nothing yet. We're going to do better and better and better. This is the golden age of America. When I last spoke in this chamber 12 months ago, I had just inherited a nation in crisis, with a stagnant economy, inflation at record levels, a wide open border, horrendous recruitment for military and police, rampant crime at home, and wars and chaos all over the world. But tonight, after just one year, I can say with dignity and pride that we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before.

[Tim Miller]

That's true.

[Joe Perdicone]

And a turnaround for the ages. It is indeed a turnaround for the ages.

[Tim Miller]

We have seen a transformation. I thought I was going to make it an hour before drinking, but I think I'm going to text downstairs and ask for a wine. I think I need a wine.

[Pete Buttigieg]

Okay.

[Tim Miller]

It's a little much of the cheering.

[Joe Perdicone]

And we will never go back to where we were just a very short time ago. We're not going back today. Our border is secure.

[Tim Miller]

Who is this for? The USA chant today.

[Joe Perdicone]

Our border is secure. Our spirit is restored. Inflation is plummeting. Incomes are rising fast. The roaring economy is roaring like never before. And our enemies are scared. Our military and police are stacked. And America is respected again, perhaps like never before.

[Tim Miller]

All right, so here's some feedback on the super chats. Artless Bunny says talk as much as possible. Possible. No one wants to hear all of this. I say this with dignity and pride. All right, Arlis. A little worried about my voice, but I'll do what the people want.

[Joe Perdicone]

After four years in which millions and millions of illegal aliens poured across our borders, totally unvetted and unchecked, we now have the strongest and most secure border in American history. By far.

[Tim Miller]

I should have mentioned the intro. Mayor Pete will be with us after Abigail Spamberger, so do stick around for that.

[Joe Perdicone]

Very excited to talk to my buddy Zero. Illegal aliens have been admitted to the United States, But we will always allow people to come in legally. People that will love our country and will work hard to maintain our country.

[Tim Miller]

Really? That's interesting. That's. That's not actually the Policy of the administration. It sounds nice, but they're menacing people who've come in legally and smearing of

[Joe Perdicone]

deadly fentanyl across cross our border is down by a record 56% in one year. And last year the murder rate saw its single largest decline in recorded history. This is the biggest decline, think of it, in recorded history. The lowest number in over 125 years. Year 1900 in fact. Substantially before my wonderful father. I had a wonderful father, Fred, before he was born. Substantially before he was born. That's a long time ago. He wouldn't like me to say that, but that's a long time ago. The Biden administration and its in Congress gave us the worst inflation in the history of our country. But in 12 months my administration has driven core inflation down to the lowest level in more than five years. And in the last three months of 2025 it was down to 1.7%.

[Tim Miller]

Cheers out there to fellow folks who decided it's wine o'. Clock. The jaw is something. I'm not sure if it's going to last the whole time.

[Joe Perdicone]

Gasoline, which reached a peak of over $6 a gallon in some states under my predecessor, it was quite honestly a disaster. Is now below $2.30 a gallon in most states and in some places $1.99 a gallon. And when I visited the great state of Iowa just a few weeks ago, I even saw $1.85 a gallon for gasoline.

[Tim Miller]

A lot of Biden talk so far. It's been quite a long time since Joe Biden was president. Not a great sign when you have to continually talk about mortgage rates are

[Joe Perdicone]

the lowest in five years and falling fast. And the annual cost of a typical new mortgage is down almost $5,000 just since I took office one year

[Pete Buttigieg]

because

[Tim Miller]

the economy is terrible but and low

[Joe Perdicone]

interest rates will solve the Biden created housing problem. Well, at the same time protecting the values of those people who already own a house that really feel rich for the first time in their lives. We want to protect those values. We want to keep those values up. We're going to do both.

[Tim Miller]

We're going to do both. We're going to lower prices for some, keep prices high for others want to keep it high.

[Joe Perdicone]

The stock market has set 53 all time record highs since the election. Think of that one year boosting pensions, 401 s and retirement accounts for the millions and millions of Americans. They're all gaining. Everybody's up, way up. In four long years the last administration got less than $1 trillion in new investment in the United States. And when I say less, substantially less. In 12 months, I secured commitments for more than $18 trillion pouring in from all over the globe.

[Tim Miller]

The hunch, okay, a lot of whiteies.

[Joe Perdicone]

Think of it. Much less than $1 trillion for four years versus much more than $18 trillion for one year. What a difference a president makes.

[Tim Miller]

Honestly, if you made this black and white, when they show the Republican side,

[Joe Perdicone]

it could be now we are the hottest country anywhere in the world. The hottest.

[Tim Miller]

It could be Dwight D. Eisenhower's State of the Union. Same demographics on the Republican side.

[Joe Perdicone]

As thousands of new businesses are forming in factories, plants and laboratories are being built, we have added 70,000 new construction jobs in just a very short period of time. It's getting bigger and bigger and stronger. Nobody can believe what they're watching. American oil production is up by more than 600,000 barrels a day. And we just received from our new friend and partner, Venezuela, more than 80 million barrels of oil.

[Tim Miller]

The friend and partner. The great friend and partner of Venezuela, the communist dictator that we installed after deposing the other communists. That's great. That's a great friend and partner, I should say. My buddy Joe Perdicone's on Reddit doing an ama. Go check that out.

[Joe Perdicone]

Is to drill, baby, drill.

[Tim Miller]

The truth here is that the oil industry is really kind of struggling. This is kind of like the housing thing where he wants to say, cheap houses for new home buyers, high expensive houses for existing buyers. He's doing the same thing for gas.

[Joe Perdicone]

More Americans working today than at any time in the history of our country. Think about that. Anytime in the history of our country, more working today.

[Tim Miller]

It's because we have more people.

[Joe Perdicone]

100% of all jobs created under my administration have been in the private sector.

[Tim Miller]

That doesn't seem right.

[Joe Perdicone]

We ended dei in america.

[Pete Buttigieg]

Clearly.

[Tim Miller]

Clearly. Great. Another W for white boomers.

[Joe Perdicone]

We have a record number of job killing regulations and in one year we have lifted 2.4 million Americans. A record off of food stamps.

[Tim Miller]

Shaking people off of food stamps is getting. And looks like four people are standing up for that.

[Joe Perdicone]

As I say tonight, members of Congress, the state of our union is strong.

[Tim Miller]

Is anybody watching? Like the Benny Johnson live feed?

[Joe Perdicone]

I don't know.

[Tim Miller]

I don't know if he might have shirtless go Go dancers behind them, but like, do they like this? Like what? This feels very boring, you know, I mean, I mean, it seems like if I was a mag, I'd rather be watching Canvas.

[Joe Perdicone]

Our country is winning again. In fact, we're winning so much that we really don't know what to do about it. People are asking me, please, please, please, Mr. President, we're winning too much. We can't take it anymore. We're not used to winning in our country. Until you came along, we're just always losing. But now we're winning too much. And I say, no, no, no, you're going to win again. You're going to win big. You're going to win bigger than ever. And to prove that point, to prove that point, here with us tonight is a group of winners who just made the entire nation proud. The men's gold medal Olympic hockey team. Come on in.

[Tim Miller]

See, this is what I was trying to talk about earlier. Donald Trump actually isn't winning. He keeps losing. Everything is terrible that Donald Trump. Trump has put his hands on. Nothing's been successful. These guys won. He has nothing to do with them now. Their victory is just as much your victory as in mine and Hakeem Jeffries and Donald Trump's. He doesn't know anything about hockey. Didn't coach them, so, you know, it's important just to not. Not let him have this. Not let him be on the side of the winning hockey team. We all won. Okay, great. The economy's a disaster. The foreign policy is a nightmare. You're tearing apart the capital. Corruption everywhere. Costs are higher, but the hockey team won. That's nice. Kudos to those guys. The Hughes brothers. I like the other Hughes brother didn't score. The goal is pretty handsome, I will say. Can I say that on the live stream? I found the other brother handsome. Cat asks what my feelings are about Dems who missed this. Could I blame them? Could you blame them? I can't blame them. Kind of feel like skip or shout at them seem like the best options. How many of those guys can name two players on the team? I would have to imagine that Mike Johnson cannot name a single player on the team. Anyhow.

[Joe Perdicone]

That's the first time I've ever seen them get up. And actually, not all of them did get up.

[Tim Miller]

See? See what he's trying to do? He wants that fight. Don't give him the fight.

[Sarah Longwell]

So.

[Joe Perdicone]

As did the American women who will soon be coming to the White House.

[Tim Miller]

Will they? That'll be interesting to see. Will they be coming to the White House? That seemed more like a threat than an invitation. Is it just me that. That seemed like a threat than an invitation. Stephanie Pruitt says we are the only reason she's watching this. She was not going to watch it at all, but she came to listen, I'm sorry, is my apologies. Feel free to not watch. You know, don't do this on my account. But I appreciate it. It's nice to see it. Nancy asks, I can't do this. Why am I doing this? We're all asking that. I'm certainly asking that.

[Joe Perdicone]

I've been in the office before and I just want to say a second. Very big congratulations to Team usa, But I have to say that. And I told them this, and we took a vote of the team. I said, anybody votes no, I'm not doing it. So they stood there and they weren't about to say no because I'd never seen a goaltender play as well as goalie Connor Hallebuck.

[Tim Miller]

Just one thing. Half the speech is going to be about the hockey team because it's the only good thing going. I should note they removed Al Green, so there's one less black person in the building. Al Green got removed. I guess you can't carry a sign in Donald Trump's America. What happened to free speech? I will say this goalie was awesome. I'm not a hockey expert, but I do believe he had 46 saves in the gold medal game. That's awesome. I love that. I wish Al Green could be in here to see that.

[Joe Perdicone]

But they kicked him out. Shots on gold. And I asked him, the one shot. The one where you put your stick in the back and it hit the neck of your stick and bounced off. You practice that, or was that little lucky? He refused to answer that question. But I just want to tell you that the members of this great hockey squad will be very happy to hear based on their vote and my vote, and in this case, my vote was more important. That I will soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor, which we will be given and which has been given to many athletes over the years. When I say many, not too many. Like 12.

[Tim Miller]

Oh, my God.

[Joe Perdicone]

It's called the highest civilian honor in our country, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

[Tim Miller]

Our man, Joe Perdicone, right there. There he is. He is answering your Reddit questions and sitting right next to the newest Presidential Medal of Freedom winner. Shout out. Joe Perdicom, looking handsome. Was JBL right about the hockey team? Ms. Industrial asks. No, obviously not. Okay, my point. I'm right. Let's see. Shauna told me to ask for the bottle. We'll get there.

[Joe Perdicone]

And I thought he deserved it. And I did take a vote. Every single one of them. I said, I'm not giving it. If anybody goes, no. And every single one of them rapidly Put up their hand. So I want to thank you all. What a special job you did, what special champions you are. Thank you very much.

[Tim Miller]

This is great. This would have been nice if it was like sports center. We do have some pretty serious problems in the country. And I don't think that dedicating 10 minutes of the speech to the hockey team and praising them is a great sign for Donald.

[Joe Perdicone]

I'm also pleased to say that the next time the Olympic torch is lit, it will be here in America for the 2028 Olympics. And it's the summer version, right in Los Angeles. We're going to do a good job in Los Angeles.

[Tim Miller]

Well, you hope so. A lot of people don't want to come to the country right now. Tourism's down. I think 11% was last I saw. People are scared that they're going to get hassled to customs and deported it. And we can.

[Joe Perdicone]

And Los Angeles is going to be safe, just like Washington, D.C. is now one of the safest cities in the country.

[Tim Miller]

Well, that's good news for the next mayor of Los Angeles. Hopefully not caring. And I must say, the troops are coming back.

[Joe Perdicone]

I got him in my first term, and I was disappointed because I didn't think I'd be the president when this happened. But strange things took place, and now I've got them because I got the Olympics and I got the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And I wanted to claim the 250th, but I didn't get away with that one. I couldn't claim that one for myself. But we're getting the World cup, so we have the World cup and the Olympics coming, and that is exciting news. Oh, my God. Hi.

[Tim Miller]

JBL might have been wrong about the hockey team, but here's the thing he's right about.

[Joe Perdicone]

This will be a year to celebrate our country and the heroes who have kept it free. Men like Buddy taggart. At age 17, Buddy volunteered to defend America in World War II, serving in the Pacific under the great General Douglas MacArthur. He fought bravely in the famous Battle of Manila, worked so hard, he was badly wounded and almost killed by enemy machine guns in Luzon. And 81 years ago this month, he liberated the largest internment camp in the Philippines, one of the largest anywhere in the world. But he earned many honors, including a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Came home, started a family, and tonight he is in the gallery looking forward to July 4th, 2026, his 100th birthday.

[Tim Miller]

That's nice. It's unfortunate that he has to sit next to Melania but we do appreciate his service. I'm going to tease you about what JBL was right about. We're going to wait till the next time it speaks to me. But he was right about something. Speaking of recessed side profiles, look at Eric boy.

[Joe Perdicone]

So buddy, you're a brave man and we salute you. Even in times of challenge, setback and immense heartache, the spirit of 1776 has always shone through very brightly. It was July 4th of last year when floodwaters tore through a girls summer camp in central Texas. One of the worst things I've ever seen. I was there. Rising 26ft.

[Tim Miller]

You was there.

[Joe Perdicone]

Matter of minutes. Tragically claiming many, many lives. You all remember that one. As the waters threatened to sweep her away, 11 year old Millie Kate McClaymond closed her eyes and prayed to God. She thought she was going to die. Those prayers were answered when Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskin descended from a helicopter above. Nobody knew where he came from. It was Scott's first ever rescue mission. Young guy, but very brave. Very, very top. Always topping his class. And he lifted not just Billy Kate but but 164 others to safety.

[Tim Miller]

That's nice. What a sweet girl. Another thing Donald Trump nothing to do with. This is kind of the stolen valor section of the speech but it's nice nonetheless.

[Joe Perdicone]

People watched Scott from a distance and they couldn't believe what they were seeing. The winds were blowing, the rain was pouring, everything was going. And that rapid water, nobody's ever seen anything like it. They said, wow, that's something. Tonight Scott and Millie Kate are here together, reunited for the very first time. Thank you. Scott, Millie Kate. And Petty Officer Ruskin, I'm pleased to inform you that I am now awarding you the Legion of Merit for extraordinary heroism. Which is what it was, extraordinary heroism. Thank you.

[Tim Miller]

Is it just my screen or is JD and Mike Johnson's face getting cut off or everybody else? Because that's really pleasant. One of the nice gifts I've been given here.

[Joe Perdicone]

I'd like to have the military aid to please come down and take care of the service. Military aid. Thank you very much. Take care of that very important service. Thank you very much. From 1776 to today, every generation of Americans has stepped forward to defend life, liberty and happiness.

[Tim Miller]

Not you though, actually.

[Joe Perdicone]

And they're really doing it for the next generation. But now it's our turn. Together we're building a nation where every child has the chance to reach higher and go further. Where government answers to the people, not the powerful. And where the interests of hardworking American citizens are always our first and ultimate concern. That is the debt we owe to the heroes who came before us. And that is the promise we must keep to America for our 250th year. Last year, I urged this Congress to begin the mission by passing the largest tax cuts in American history. And our Republican majorities delivered so beautifully. Thank you, Republicans.

[Tim Miller]

I gotta tell you, in some ways this feels like he's giving up. This is like a valedictory. We're gonna hand out awards. I'm gonna be the toastmaster. I talk about how good I've done.

[Joe Perdicone]

All Democrats, every single one of them, voted against these really important and very necessary massive tax cuts.

[Tim Miller]

Everyone's really feeling it. You hear it when you're talking in the streets. People are like, that tax cut that made a big difference for me. And you do hear that at the

[Joe Perdicone]

country club, they wanted large scale tax increases to hurt the people. Instead, well, just the rich people. We held strong. And with the great big beautiful bill we gave you, no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on Social Security for our great seniors.

[Tim Miller]

No tax on tips. So you can tip us right now and get, get your super chat in. I don't know if the massive tax cut for the wealthy and the regressive sales tax in the states is really great for the forgotten man.

[Joe Perdicone]

Auto loans tax deductible the first time, but only if the car is made in America.

[Tim Miller]

It's a nice gimmick. No one knows about any of these things. This is one of the downsides of Trump, like owning the news cycle by doing ape racist shit.

[Joe Perdicone]

Megan Hemhauser, a devoted mom who homeschools her children, beautiful two children, during the day while waiting tables at night as her husband works overtime operating very heavy equipment. Megan is here this evening and she's happy to tell you that she is so, so much richer. Because with no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and her expanded child tax credit done again by Republicans, Megan and her husband will take home more than $5,000 extra just for the year, cutting her tax bill in more than half.

[Tim Miller]

That's Sarah Longwell, fresh off a birthday dinner. Why are you doing this to yourself?

[Joe Perdicone]

Megan, please stand up.

[Sarah Longwell]

I heard you were. I heard it was hard out here for you by yourself.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, but it's a Lenten sacrifice. I'm a Catholic. This is what we do. We suffer during Lent.

[Sarah Longwell]

I got back from dinner, I said, put it in the chat. And I said, does Tim need help? And they were like, jump on.

[Tim Miller]

We listened to him and then talked

[Joe Perdicone]

during the brand new Trump accounts and I didn't name it. I did not name it.

[Tim Miller]

You hear a lot about the Trump accounts in the focus groups.

[Sarah Longwell]

I don't think I've heard a single person mention.

[Joe Perdicone]

Nobody believes me, but I did not name it. It was named by a very tall man standing right there in the third row.

[Tim Miller]

I believe you. That someone sucked up to you. I definitely.

[Joe Perdicone]

Investment for every American child. This is something that's so special and has taken off and gone through the roof. Millions will be pre funded Courtesy of the U.S. treasury and Private individuals like Michael and Susan Dell who have donated $6,250,000,000 to fund the Trump accounts for 25 million American children.

[Tim Miller]

That's so pathetic for Michael Dell. Just call them the Dell account. Why are you doing this? It's just so embarrassing. Few shots. Nicole says she needs to get violently stoned. I agree. Sarah. Do you. Are you going to have a glass of wine with me or what? Are you doing this?

[Sarah Longwell]

You know, I'm a couple drinks in actually. Which is probably why I said just let me cook. Just send me in.

[Joe Perdicone]

I sat on my dorm in school and I made computers and I'd sell them to people and I just kept selling and selling and selling and pretty amazing story that's called the American Dream. He sold a lot of computers, a lot of those laptops. So I congratulate him on that. But I really thank him and Susan as well as others like Brad Gerstner. Very tremendous guy. He was behind it right from the beginning.

[Tim Miller]

Have you been watching? Are you coming in cold?

[Sarah Longwell]

No, I was watching a little bit which is why I wanted to get on because I was like, I have, I have thoughts on this. Like are we just taking private donations now from people and announcing them at the State of the Union?

[Tim Miller]

It's like a toastmasters State of the Union.

[Joe Perdicone]

These young people.

[Sarah Longwell]

I hope he's going to go through

[Joe Perdicone]

everyone dollars or more by the time they turn 18. Think of it, how much money is that for somebody that started with nothing over 100,000. Could be much more than that. To make this investment in our children's Future, go to TrumpAccounts.gov TrumpAccounts.gov and a lot of people are doing it. That setting every.

[Sarah Longwell]

No children should go near anything with Trump's name on it.

[Joe Perdicone]

What was going to. What it was going to take. I'm so proud of them. I'm so proud of the people that got it started and now it's just taken off one of the primary reasons for our country's stunning economic turnaround, the biggest in history, where the Dow Jones broke 50,000 four years ahead of schedule and the S and P hit 7,000 where it wasn't supposed to do it for many years.

[Sarah Longwell]

Is there a schedule?

[Tim Miller]

The Dow Jones currently is at 49,000. I should just say it's not like it doesn't hit a mark and then

[Joe Perdicone]

you just get to keep it both economically and on a national security basis. Everything was working well. Countries that were ripping us off for decades are now paying us hundreds of billions of dollars. They were ripping us so badly. You all know that. Everybody knows it. Even the Democrats know it. They just don't want to say it. And yet these countries are now happy. And so are we. We made deals. The deals are all done and they're happy. They're not making money like they used to, but we're making a lot of money. There was no inflation, tremendous growth. And the big story was how Donald Trump called the economy correctly and 22 Nobel Prize winners in economics didn't. They got it totally wrong. They got it really wrong. And then just four days ago, an unfortunate ruling from the United States Supreme Court. It just came down.

[Tim Miller]

Came down.

[Joe Perdicone]

Very unfortunate ruling.

[Tim Miller]

Democrats finally get to clap for this Supreme Court.

[Joe Perdicone]

The good news is that almost all countries and corporations want to keep the deal that they already made. Right, Scott. Knowing that the legal power that I as president have to make a new deal could be far worse for them and therefore they will continue to work along the same successful path that we had negotiated before the Supreme Court's.

[Tim Miller]

So the picture is that foreign countries are going to voluntarily, despite the disappointment, keep paying the tariff.

[Joe Perdicone]

Powerful country saving. It's saving our country.

[Tim Miller]

I don't think that will stand up in court.

[Joe Perdicone]

Peace protecting.

[Sarah Longwell]

Let's see if he yells at the SCOTUS justices. They're right in front of you. Say it to their faces.

[Joe Perdicone]

Will remain in place under fully approved and tested alternative legal statutes. And they have been tested for a long time. They're a little more complex, but they're actually probably better. Leading to a solution that will be even stronger than before. Congressional action will not be necessary. It's already time tested and approved. And as time goes by, I believe the tariffs paid for by foreign countries will, like in the past, substantially replace the modern day system of income tax, taking a great financial burden off the people that I love.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, our aggressive tax code. That's great. That's what he wants. Taxes for everything you buy. No tax for rich People and their investments don't.

[Joe Perdicone]

Sure.

[Tim Miller]

He's mentioned affordability. Somebody said that. He did mention the gas prices. Lucas asks, where is the 199 gas? Have you said 199 gas?

[Joe Perdicone]

Not in Washington D.C. will continue pouring into the United States of America because we finally have a president who puts America first. Put America first. I love America.

[Sarah Longwell]

He's sort of like chatgpt where he like restates everything after he says it.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah. With the m dash. Brian Connor 9245 says, I'm going to need to do a line off the toilet. Not the worst idea.

[Sarah Longwell]

Make him health secretary.

[Joe Perdicone]

Trade to health care, from energy to immigration, everything was stolen and rigged in order to drain the wealth out of the productive, hardworking people who make our country great, who make our country run under Biden and his corrupt partners in Congress and beyond. It reached a breaking point with a green new scam. Open borders for everyone. They poured in by the millions and millions from prisons, from mental institutions. They were murderers. 11,888 murders. They came into our country. You allowed that to happen. And record setting inflation that cost the typical family $34,000 in just a speck of time. Now the same people in this chamber who voted for those disasters suddenly used the word affordability. A word.

[Tim Miller]

They just used it.

[Joe Perdicone]

Somebody gave it to him knowing full well that they caused and created the increased prices that all of our citizens had to endure. You caused that problem. You caused that problem.

[Tim Miller]

So this is really the pitch here. So you did miss. This is like our third or fourth time through on Biden. We'll drink it when he mentions Biden. And yeah, he, it's all. I think that he thinks his way out of his political problem is to try to remind people they didn't like the Biden economy or they knew their statements were.

[Sarah Longwell]

You should not reelect Joe Biden.

[Joe Perdicone]

They knew their statements were a dirty rotten lie. Their policies created the high prices. Our policies are rapidly ending them. We are doing really well. Those prices are plummeting downward.

[Tim Miller]

They are. They're plummeting downwards.

[Sarah Longwell]

I don't even think they're ticking downward. I don't think they're going down at all.

[Joe Perdicone]

The price of eggs is down 60%.

[Sarah Longwell]

Just eggs.

[Joe Perdicone]

Madam Secretary. Thank you.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah.

[Joe Perdicone]

The cost of chicken, butter, fruit, hotels, automobiles, rent is lower today than when I took office by a lot. And even beef, which was very high, is starting to come down significantly. Let's hold on a little while and soon you will see numbers that few people would think were possible to achieve just a short time ago. Nobody can believe when they see the kind of numbers, especially energy. When they see energy going down to numbers like that, they cannot believe it. It's like another big tax cut. I'm also confronting one of the biggest rip offs of our times. The crushing cost of healthcare caused by you since the passage of the unaffordable Care act, sometimes referred to as Obamacare. Big insurance company that's gotten rich. It was meant for the insurance companies, not for the people. With our government giving them hundreds and hundreds of billions of dollars a year as their stock prices soared. 1000 1200, 1400 and even 1700% like nothing else. That's why I introduced the great healthcare plan. I want to stop all payments to big insurance companies and instead give that money directly to the people so they can buy their own health care which will be better health care at a much lower cost.

[Tim Miller]

Okay, well they can't pass anything. Actually Lucas is back. He says his tax cut for the quote people he loves is pretty telling. I agree with that. Sully wants to drink every time he says tariffs. I don't. I'm not going to do that.

[Joe Perdicone]

In addition, my plan requires maximum price transparency. That's a big deal. Sounds.

[Tim Miller]

Asked earlier how things are going on the Benny Johnson feed, turns out they're not sure but there are fewer viewers than we have. I don't know that the MAGA base is that excited about this.

[Sarah Longwell]

I don't think so. Just blaming the Democrats the whole time.

[Joe Perdicone]

I'm also ending the wildly infarction of prescription drugs like has never happened before.

[Sarah Longwell]

Is it just me or do things seem muted in the chamber?

[Tim Miller]

They do. There was more cheer. Like they cheered a lot for the hockey teams.

[Sarah Longwell]

I saw that part.

[Joe Perdicone]

But they never could. They tried. Most didn't try actually, but they tried. They said they tried. They couldn't do it. They didn't even come close. They were all talk and no action. But I got it done. Under my just enacted most favored nation agreements, Americans who have for decades paid by far the highest prices of any nation anywhere in the world for prescription drugs will now pay the lowest price anywhere in the world for drugs anywhere, the lowest price.

[Tim Miller]

Okay, so some protectionism and some wish casting on health care. But you know we're in year 11,

[Joe Perdicone]

first year of the couple them standing for that.

[Sarah Longwell]

I did see that.

[Joe Perdicone]

Yeah, should be.

[Tim Miller]

Come on, don't stand strange things. No one's going to notice that you stood.

[Joe Perdicone]

I took prescription drugs, a very big part of healthcare from the highest price in the entire world to the lowest. That's a big achievement. The result is price differences of 300, 400, 500, 600% and more, all available right now at a new website called TrumpRx.gov and I didn't name that one either, by the way.

[Tim Miller]

Oh, yeah, sure. Did you hear about our new friend and partner in Venezuela? Were you on from that? Yeah, yeah. The new communist dictator is the very

[Joe Perdicone]

first customer ever to get that big discount and it is big. Katherine Rayner. For five years, she and her husband have struggled with infertility and they turned to IVF. One drug has been costing Catherine $4,000 to pay purchase. But a few weeks ago she logged onto the Trump RX website and got that same drug that cost $4,000. Got it for under $500. A reduction of much more actually than $3,500. Katherine, we are all praying for you and you're going to be a great mom.

[Tim Miller]

This is fun. This is like such a classic boring State of the Union. The Trump doing the thing where he's like, I'm going to name a random person and talk about how. Who, who is this for?

[Sarah Longwell]

I don't know, but I did. Somebody did say that it's their Republicans sitting on the Dem side. That's who's standing on the ground.

[Joe Perdicone]

My most favored nation program into law. Now, the one thing I'm not sure it matters because it's going to be very hard for somebody that comes along after me to say let's raise drug prices by 700 or 800%. But John and Mike, if you don't mind, codify it anyway. They may do it. Codify it anyway. Thank you. Many Americans are also concerned that energy demand from AI data centers could unfairly drive up their electric utilities.

[Tim Miller]

What's happening already? Yeah.

[Joe Perdicone]

Tonight I'm pleased to announce that I have negotiated the new rate payer protection pledge. You know what that is?

[Sarah Longwell]

No.

[Joe Perdicone]

We're telling the major tech companies that they have the obligation to provide for their own power needs. They can build their own power plants as part of their factory so that no one's prices will go up. And in many cases, prices of electricity will go down for the community and very substantially down. This is a unique strategy never used in this country before. We have an old grid. It could never handle the kind of numbers, the amount of electricity that's needed. So I'm telling them they can build their own plant, they're going to produce their own electricity. It will ensure the company's ability to get electricity while at the same time, lowering prices of electricity could be very substantial for all of you cities and towns, you're going to see some good things happen over the next number of years. Another pillar of the American dream that has been under attack is homeownership. With us tonight is Rachel Wiggins, a mom of two from Houston. She placed bids on 20 homes and lost all of those bids to gigantic investment firms that bypassed inspection, paid all cash and turned those houses into rentals.

[Tim Miller]

This feels false. This did not happen. I'm sorry. Not all 20 of them.

[Sarah Longwell]

Also. Are we just going to glide by

[Joe Perdicone]

the fact that is this right?

[Sarah Longwell]

We're going to have the tech companies pay for the AI data centers that

[Joe Perdicone]

have already been built.

[Sarah Longwell]

What's going on in the thousand economy

[Tim Miller]

never happened here before. You can trust us. The oligarchs and the president have cut a deal. The president has shaken them down and so now you can put these dirty data centers in your community and know that now I'm asking just trust Mark

[Joe Perdicone]

Zuckerberg because homes for people.

[Pete Buttigieg]

Great.

[Tim Miller]

And if he does it, Trump will really crack down.

[Joe Perdicone]

Not for corporations. Corporations are doing just fine. Racel thank you very much. Good luck with your home. You'll get one soon.

[Tim Miller]

Amy Jo is only watching.

[Sarah Longwell]

Someone's going to get a baby soon. Someone's going to get a house soon.

[Tim Miller]

And look underneath your seat for one lucky member of Congress.

[Joe Perdicone]

A new car for retirement. And under this administration, we will always protect Social Security and Medicare. They are not protecting it for our seniors. We will always protect Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid.

[Sarah Longwell]

Is that. This is amazing. He's. I love how he's leaning in on health care. The thing that they're currently gutting and have no plan for.

[Joe Perdicone]

The typical 401k balance is up by at least $30,000. That's a lot of money.

[Tim Miller]

Michelle Volmer writes that she doesn't have any stock, so she's not that thrilled about that. She's got higher groceries, all those records.

[Sarah Longwell]

Like I would say a majority of

[Joe Perdicone]

Americans, yet half of all of working Americans still do not have access to a retirement plan with matching contributions from an employer. To remedy this gross disparity, I am announcing that next year my administration will give these often forgotten American workers, great people, the people that built our country, access to the same type of retirement plan offered to every federal worker. We will match your contribution with up to $1,000 each year as we ensure that all Americans can profit from a rising stock market.

[Tim Miller]

How is he going to do any of this?

[Joe Perdicone]

Members of Congress cannot Corruptly profit from using insider information.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, it's been happening your whole time. Like you're in your second term now. This is all just like, how long has this been going on? Do we have a time count?

[Sarah Longwell]

I don't know, but is it just me or can he not stand up? Like, does he need the table? He's like lying on the table and like trying to read the prompter.

[Tim Miller]

Jaw and the leaning. I'm noticing the jaw in the leaning.

[Joe Perdicone]

They stood up for that. I can't believe. I can't believe it. Did Nancy stand up if she was here? Doubt it. Pass the Stop Insider Trading act without delay.

[Tim Miller]

This is so. It's so galling. That's cat camic. I think this is so galling. It's like this guy is making billions upon billions on insider trading. And he's like, okay, you know, Congressman Jones, you know, don't make a couple bucks on your really, you know, Amazon stock making hundreds of billions.

[Sarah Longwell]

They shouldn't do insider training. But lectures from him are they don't

[Tim Miller]

have anyone to investigate the insider trading they could break. They could write the law. No.

[Andrew Egger]

Who would.

[Joe Perdicone]

Who would prosecute them from the America taxpayer?

[Sarah Longwell]

The DOJ is busy.

[Joe Perdicone]

In actuality, the number is much higher than that. And California, Massachusetts, Maine and many other states are in even worse.

[Tim Miller]

It's only been 45 minutes.

[Joe Perdicone]

Kind of corruption that shreds. I'm taking off a nation.

[Sarah Longwell]

It's been 1,000 years.

[Joe Perdicone]

So tonight, although started four months ago, I am officially announcing the war on fraud to be led by our great vice president, J.D. vance.

[Tim Miller]

Oh, great. Yeah. J.D. vance is really going to crack down on fraud. I'm sure that all the fraud fraudsters they've pardoned. I'm sure JD Vance will review that.

[Sarah Longwell]

It takes a fraud to know a fraud.

[Tim Miller]

So it's kind of like a catch me if you can situation. You know, you hire the guy that was doing the fake checks.

[Sarah Longwell]

That's right.

[Joe Perdicone]

Find enough of that fraud, we will actually have a balanced budget overnight. It'll go very quickly. That's the kind of money you're talking about. Will balance our budget. The Somali pirates who ransacked Minnesota remind us that there are large were they pirates and lawlessness are the norm.

[Tim Miller]

I think that's him not us importing these.

[Sarah Longwell]

What's up with his audio?

[Joe Perdicone]

Restricted immigration and open borders brings those problems right here to the usa. And it is the American people who pay the price in higher medical bills, cars, insurance rates, rent, taxes, and perhaps most importantly, crime. We will take care of this problem. We're going to take care of this problem. We are not playing games, Delilah Tam.

[Tim Miller]

Alex writes, I have colon cancer and I'm taking immunotherapy. We're so sorry. They ask, where are those drugs? I'm not sure if he was asking Trump or the cheap drugs he was promising are or asking us if we had drugs. Trump is making it up so he can't help you. Me, DM me. We'll see if we can help you out.

[Joe Perdicone]

2024, when a 18 wheeled tractor trailer plowed into her stopped car traveling at 60 miles an hour or more. The driver was an illegal alien let in by Joe Biden and given a commercial driver's license by open borders politicians in California. Doctors said Delilah would never be able to walk or talk. Have a good life. She wouldn't even be able to eat again. But against all odds, she is now in the first grade learning to walk. And she's here this evening with her dad, Marcus, a fantastic man. Delilah, please, you are a great inspiration. Please stand up.

[Tim Miller]

This is nice but the thing where we pretend like Trump cares about these people is just. It's too much to bear. Good for. We love Delilah. I wish her the best.

[Sarah Longwell]

Watching him just to go back, the thing that made me get on watching him do the stolen valor thing with the hockey team.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah.

[Joe Perdicone]

Was

[Sarah Longwell]

enraging.

[Joe Perdicone]

Thank you, Delilah.

[Tim Miller]

He didn't score any goals.

[Joe Perdicone]

Many of that. Most illegal aliens do not stop, speak English and cannot read even the most basic road signs as to direction, speed, danger, what or location. That's why tonight I'm calling on Congress to pass what we will call the Delilah law barring any state from granting commercial driver's licenses to illegal aliens.

[Tim Miller]

This is an old one. We'll be a bit of goody. Been working on this one for a while. You know maybe the Democrats could negotiate with him on this. He wasn't murdering people on the streets.

[Joe Perdicone]

At the White House I hosted a ceremony with Americans who lost their treasured loved ones to the scourge of illegal immigration. People came into our country. How we allowed this to happen are

[Tim Miller]

the pretty or good families that are doing now.

[Joe Perdicone]

Moms.

[Tim Miller]

And we'll effort that. We'll look into that. I don't know.

[Joe Perdicone]

Our government betrayed and our media totally ignored. Totally ignored. It was terrible. Hard to believe actually. In 2023, a 16 year old high school cheerleader named Elizabeth Medina was supposed to perform in her town's Christmas parade. But she never arrived. Her mother Jacqueline went home to look for her and she Found her lying dead in a bathtub, bleeding profusely after being stabbed 25 times. Lisbeth's killer was a previously arrested illegal alien who had broken in and brutally, just brutally extinguished the brightest light in her family's life.

[Tim Miller]

This snuff porn stuff.

[Joe Perdicone]

Her heartbroken mother is in the gallery to remind everyone in this chamber exactly why we are deporting illegal alien criminals. Our country, at record numbers, and we're getting them the hell out of here fast. We don't want them.

[Tim Miller]

Breitbart did this thing about a decade ago. They had a section called Black Crime, and it was just like, we're just going to talk about the victims of black crime. This is just the updated version of that. We're just going to talk about the evidence of immigrant crime. This is bad. That person should be held accountable. It's horrible. You feel horrible for this mother. But, like, again, his agents are killing people. Yeah, but where are their families?

[Sarah Longwell]

Nobody's objecting to deporting murderers.

[Joe Perdicone]

And we can never forget that many in this room.

[Tim Miller]

The snuff pelt not only allowed the

[Joe Perdicone]

border invasion to happen before I got involved, but indeed, they would do it all over again if they ever had the chance, if they ever got elected. They would open up those borders to some of the worst criminals anywhere in the world. The only thing standing between Americans and a wide open border right now is President Donald J. Trump and our great Republican patriots in Congress. Thank you. Thank you.

[Tim Miller]

Harry Nibs writes every Trump story is like a true crime podcast that he solved. That's right. That's what he's trying to do here. It's just like, as we, as we

[Joe Perdicone]

speak, Democrats in this chamber have cut off all funding for the Department of Homeland Security. It's all cut off. Yeah, it's all cut off. They have instituted another Democrat shutdown, the first one costing us two points on gdp. Two points we lost on gdp, which probably made them quite happy, actually. Now they have closed the agency responsible for protecting Americans from terrorists and murderers. Tonight, I'm demanding the full and immediate restoration of all funding for the border security, Homeland security of the United States, and also for helping people clean up their snow. We have no money because of the Democrats.

[Tim Miller]

Back to the drawing board.

[Joe Perdicone]

Cleaned it up. But you gave no money. Nobody's getting paid. It's a shame. So you have to think about this

[Sarah Longwell]

entire speech is actually the State of Our Union is bad, actually, and it's Democratic.

[Joe Perdicone]

One of the great things about the State of the Union is how it gives Americans the Chance to see clearly what their representatives really believe. So tonight I'm inviting every legislature to join with my administration in reaffirming a fundamental principle. If you agree with this statement, then stand up and show your support. The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.

[Tim Miller]

Oh, boy. You got us. You got us now. Oh, I won't stand the command. Great. One Gavin Newsom says Donald needs some of his hair gel. His hair is looking a little flat tonight. They really. Stephen Miller was really happy with that gimmick. Stand up if you like Americans better than illegals. Okay, sure. I don't stand a command. Great. Okay. Some of the super chats. Star starter says. I thought this was supposed to be uplifting. Me too. Dork. Coyote, Good name. Said he's doing stolen valor with Delilah. He didn't make her walk. God bless her, though. I agree with that. Lavy says from the bottom of her lifelong democratic art. Thank you to me and Sarah. You're welcome. We're doing our best. Don is watching with no sound and just watching our faces. That's great. That's is winning, Amy. Joe's only watching because of us. Thank you. Leah Moran went to school with Kat Kamek. Oh, tell us about that. I bet.

[Sarah Longwell]

Anything else on that?

[Tim Miller]

I bet she was popular. I'd like to know a little more. Leah.

[Sarah Longwell]

She seems to find it to be important to stand in the middle of the aisle to demonstrate clapping.

[Tim Miller]

I'm not gonna say why she might be in the middle of the aisle. Julian says this reminds me. Reminds me of Brezhnev addressing the Supreme Soviet.

[Sarah Longwell]

Well, Crystal would appreciate that reference.

[Tim Miller]

What are we even talking about? What are we even clapping for now? Is this still the clap for we like Americans better than illegals?

[Joe Perdicone]

You should be ashamed of yourself. You should be ashamed of yourself.

[Tim Miller]

You should be ashamed of yourself. Fuck you.

[Joe Perdicone]

That is why I'm also asking you to end deadly sanctuary cities that protect the criminals and enact serious penalties for public officials who block the removal of criminal aliens. In many cases, drug lords, murderers. All over our country. They're blocking the removal of these people out of our country. And you should be ashamed of yourself.

[Tim Miller]

You're killing Americans. You should be ashamed. Got a text from a buddy.

[Sarah Longwell]

Just sit there. Don't give him anything.

[Tim Miller]

Give him one of these. But he says he. That Trump said Somali, so he got paid by Cal. She. Congratulations, my friend. I don't support doing Kelsey, but you know you're going to do it.

[Sarah Longwell]

Yeah, we took a pass on that

[Tim Miller]

advertising, but we did. Hell no. Prediction market advertising. We're waiting. Vertico. And tell us about what they're yelling

[Joe Perdicone]

back to approve the Save America Act.

[Tim Miller]

Elon Omar Scream was one of the people screaming at Trump that he's killed

[Joe Perdicone]

Americans to stop illegal aliens and others.

[Tim Miller]

That's good. I agree.

[Joe Perdicone]

We're unpermitted persons from voting in our sacred American elections. That cheating is rampant in our elections.

[Pete Buttigieg]

Sure.

[Sarah Longwell]

Let's play this game.

[Joe Perdicone]

It's very simple. All voters must show voter id.

[Sarah Longwell]

It's actually not what the bill says. The bill says a lot of things.

[Tim Miller]

Here's the one thing where I'm kind of with them. I. I actually think they should turn up the save Act a little bit. Passport voting.

[Sarah Longwell]

Passport voting only.

[Tim Miller]

We got to be really sure.

[Sarah Longwell]

Yep.

[Tim Miller]

Biometric in order to vote. Biometric Passport only voting. I think.

[Joe Perdicone]

And no more crooked mail in ballots. Except for illness, disability, military or travel. None.

[Tim Miller]

That's all of them. That's most. Some are mail only states but.

[Joe Perdicone]

And this should be one. And by the way is polling at 89% including Democrats. 89%.

[Sarah Longwell]

People like mail in voting.

[Tim Miller]

Man. Why are you so mad? The mail in voting thing is ominous. That's where they're going to go in the midterms and I do think it's going to be too big.

[Joe Perdicone]

Communist mayor of New York City. I think he's a nice guy actually.

[Sarah Longwell]

I actually think it backs.

[Joe Perdicone]

He loves policy.

[Tim Miller]

But he loves.

[Joe Perdicone]

He just said they want people to shovel snow. They got hit hard. Wants them to shovel snow. But if you apply for that job you need to show two original forms of ID and a Social Security card. Yet they don't want identification for the greatest privilege of them all voting in America. No, it's no good.

[Tim Miller]

This is one of those things that this is a winning issue for them in a vacuum. People do support this but there's like so many other problems. It's just like really. Okay.

[Joe Perdicone]

And Congress should unite and enact this common sense country saving legislation right now. And it should be before anything else happens.

[Tim Miller]

Good luck. Unfortunately a lot of your Congress people have quit because they hate you. Perry, Pertico and Tom Cole. Congressman Tom Cole is asleep. Hopefully he's just resting his eyes because very narrow majority for Republicans right now. How can you sleep through Donald Trump screaming at you?

[Joe Perdicone]

The reason they don't want to do it. Why would anybody not want voter id? One reason. Because they want to cheat. There's only one reason. They make up all excuses. They say it's racist. They come up with things. You almost say what imagination they have. They want to cheat. They have cheated. And their policy is so bad that the only way they can get elected is to cheat. And we're going to stop it. We have to stop it. John.

[Sarah Longwell]

John. Is it John Roberts soon?

[Tim Miller]

Maybe. We talked earlier before we went about how John Thune has matched his skin tone.

[Sarah Longwell]

Is he also quite orange?

[Tim Miller]

He's a burnt sienna.

[Joe Perdicone]

And here is one more opportunity to show common sense government. In the gallery tonight are Sage Blair and her mother Michelle. In 2021, Sage was 14 when school officials in Virginia sought to socially transition her.

[Sarah Longwell]

We'll get the trans part now.

[Joe Perdicone]

Treating her as a boy and hiding it from her parents. Hard to believe, isn't it? Before long, a confused Sage ran away from home after she was found in a horrific situation in Maryland. A left wing judge refused to return Sage to her parents because they did not immediately state that their daughter was their son. Sage was thrown into an all boys state home and suffered terribly for a long time. But today, all of that is behind them because Sage is a proud and wonderful young woman with a full ride scholarship to Liberty University. Sage and Michelle, please stand up.

[Tim Miller]

I was happy for Sage until I heard that she has to suffer through Liberty University. It's a tough one. She's next to Erica Kirk. I once kissed a girl in the parking lot at Liberty University.

[Sarah Longwell]

That I kissed a boy from Liberty University.

[Lauren Egan]

Wow.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, I guess Liberty University kids like to try it out a little bit on somebody safe. Like a clearly closeted person who can

[Joe Perdicone]

believe that we're even speaking about things like this.

[Tim Miller]

Were you also in the parking lot?

[Sarah Longwell]

I was in Delaware. I was in Delaware.

[Joe Perdicone]

What's wrong with him?

[Tim Miller]

It was a.

[Sarah Longwell]

It was a graduate.

[Joe Perdicone]

Now we have to say it because it's going on all over numerous states without even telling the truth.

[Tim Miller]

Yes, we had that moment.

[Joe Perdicone]

But surely we can all agree no state can be allowed to rip children from their parents arms and transition them to a new gender against the parents will. Who would believe that we're even talking about. We must ban it and we must ban it immediately.

[Tim Miller]

John Kasich thinks the president has a real opportunity to bring the country to.

[Sarah Longwell]

Read me that tweet. Don't read me that tweet. I had to work so hard today not to spend all day yelling at him. John Kasich is not.

[Joe Perdicone]

These people bring us together. They're crazy.

[Tim Miller]

They're crazy. I'm curious if viewers or bulwark people watching like who? Like, is anyone really liking this? Is Anybody? Very excited. I genuinely wonder. I could feel. It's just so, like, he doesn't even.

[Joe Perdicone]

We're lucky I have a country with people like this.

[Sarah Longwell]

Other than when he's yelling at the.

[Joe Perdicone]

Destroying our country.

[Sarah Longwell]

He's having a good time.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, not really. Actually. He seems mad. He knows things are going bad and he's lashing out. He's lashing out.

[Joe Perdicone]

No one cares more about protecting America's youth than our wonderful first lady, now a movie star. She's a movie star. Can you believe it?

[Tim Miller]

Shouting out the Melania movie. Great job. To Tim Cook.

[Joe Perdicone]

Incredible impact. Championing shut down the Washington, posting a landmark executive order on foster care and helping secure $30 million to launch the Melania Trump Foster Youth to Independence initiative. It's a tremendous, really a tremendous thing that happened and had a lot of bipartisan support. She gets much better bipartisan support than I do. I get none. She gets a lot. Someday you're going to have to tell me how you did that. And students and educators in every state have joined the First Lady's efforts in the Presidential AI Challenge, keeping America's next generation position to succeed and strongly succeed in the future. Tonight, we welcome two young people whose lives reflect the First Lady's impact. Sierra Burns and Everest Nevermont.

[Tim Miller]

I'd like to see Melania try the sat.

[Joe Perdicone]

Thank you.

[Tim Miller]

I mean, she's struggling with English like it is. I just think it's worth reflecting on the fact that we just spent 20 minutes yelling about immigrants and driver's licenses. Yeah, they can't read stop signs. Can Melania read all the street signs? Doesn't seem like her English is top notch to me.

[Sarah Longwell]

Me, she's got a driver to take her everywhere because they're of the people.

[Tim Miller]

Also, her skin tone was strange, unnatural.

[Joe Perdicone]

I'm very proud to say that during my time in office, everyone's just got

[Sarah Longwell]

a lot of bronzer on the first

[Joe Perdicone]

four years, and in particular this last year, there has been a tremendous renewal in religion, faith, Christianity and belief in God. Tremendous renewal.

[Sarah Longwell]

Let's applaud God.

[Tim Miller]

What are praying that Donald Trump's masked agents don't kill them. Turn to the Lord side point.

[Sarah Longwell]

You know, he is mentioning this is especially true because they don't have any

[Joe Perdicone]

biggest part of that tax cut. My great friend, Charlie Kirk. Great guy, great man.

[Tim Miller]

Oh, Candace, watch out. Candace has got to be seething right now. Seething.

[Joe Perdicone]

So last year, Charlie was violently murdered by an assassin and martyred, really martyred for his beliefs. His wonderful wife Erica is with us tonight. Erica Please stand.

[Tim Miller]

Candace thinks Erica is the murderer. That's wrong. Couple of you commenters I noticed were on Candace's side about that. You're incorrect. Erica is not the murderer. She has some pretty. She's made some couple strange choices but like okay, I don't know, just want to say not the murderer and Charlie's

[Joe Perdicone]

Tyler Robinson must all come together to reaffirm that America is one nation under God. And we must totally reject political violence of any kind.

[Sarah Longwell]

What about in the streets of Minneapolis?

[Tim Miller]

None of the family members of people we sent to the Gulag bringing it

[Joe Perdicone]

back and it's coming. Love, religion, nobody actually thought possible. It's really a beautiful thing to see. Above all, unleashing America's promise requires keeping our communities safe. We have made incredible strides, yet dangerous repeat offenders continue to be released by pro crime democrat politicians. Again and again we are honored to be joined tonight by a woman who's been through hell. Anya Zaretska In 2022, she and her beautiful daughter. So beautiful. What a beautiful young woman. Irina fled war turn war torn Ukraine to live with relatives. Oh fuck you North Carolina. And by the way, what's going on with Charlotte? Last summer, 23 year old Irina was riding home on the train when a deranged monster who had been arrested over a dozen times and was released through no cash bail stood up and viciously slashed a knife through her neck and body. No one will ever forget there were people on that train. No one will ever forget the expression of terror on Irina's face as she looked up at her attacker in the last seconds of her life. She died instantly. She had escaped a brutal war.

[Tim Miller]

Only by the hardened criminal can we mute him for a second. Free to kill the Andrew Jackson asked with Italian new policies that are either illegal or impossible to enact. He's going four so far. Four feels low to me. Sarah, quiet part out loud. Wants to know what do you think all the founding fathers would do with this guy?

[Sarah Longwell]

Well, they would remind him that Congress exists to pass laws tarring and feathering.

[Tim Miller]

Maybe it's just something that came to mind for me. I don't know exactly what the rules were on that, but I do think that treason did come with a penalty of tarring and feathering. I feel this woman. It's so sad that what happened to this woman. But this is so sick that he tries to tie in the Ukraine part. I think about all the people in Ukraine that are dying because of him. They've stolen the fucking children. He's rolling out the red carpet For Putin. We can put him back on. I just. I couldn't deal with that anymore. Leah says that Cat Kamek was utterly insane in high school and promises to email us. I look forward to that email. Thank you.

[Joe Perdicone]

Starting last summer, I deployed our National Guard and federal law enforcement to restore law and order to our most dangerous cities, including Memphis, Tennessee. Big success. New Orleans, Louisiana. Big success.

[Tim Miller]

This is not true.

[Joe Perdicone]

The nation's capital itself.

[Tim Miller]

No success.

[Joe Perdicone]

Washington, D.C. where we have almost no crime anymore in Washington. How did that happen?

[Sarah Longwell]

Well, the military is everywhere in our streets.

[Tim Miller]

Crime was going down during the last few years.

[Joe Perdicone]

In fact, crime in Washington is now at the lowest level ever recorded. And murders in D.C. this January were down close to 100% from a year ago.

[Tim Miller]

Going through the super chats here, almost 3,000, 331 asked, why did I still show up?

[Sarah Longwell]

This is one worth walking out on, maybe. I mean, if he's gonna sit there

[Joe Perdicone]

and harangue them brave service members. Why do you achieve this stunning turnaround?

[Tim Miller]

Betsy Blue asks if anyone else has a massive headache.

[Joe Perdicone]

Specialist Sarah Beckster.

[Tim Miller]

I do.

[Joe Perdicone]

After a four month deployment, she voluntarily extended her service, her rank.

[Sarah Longwell]

I got on this chat because it was too boring to just sit and watch.

[Tim Miller]

I want to talk about this poor woman who we lost. Horrible. That was on a purposeless when she

[Joe Perdicone]

was ambushed and shot in the head by a terrorist monster from Afghanistan. Shouldn't have been in our country. And all because she wore the uniform of our nation. She was shot.

[Tim Miller]

You know what this is? This is like if you took the lead story from Newsmax from every night like throughout the whole year, and then

[Joe Perdicone]

you just compiled it to defend our capital.

[Tim Miller]

Join the Newsmax.

[Joe Perdicone]

And we are honored to be joined by her.

[Sarah Longwell]

Amazing. How absolute content this is.

[Joe Perdicone]

Your daughter was a true American patriot and she will be.

[Sarah Longwell]

Great people, they bring them in to

[Joe Perdicone]

tell her they've never seen anything like

[Tim Miller]

achievement.

[Sarah Longwell]

This is just. Let me tell you about this horrific murder so you can hate immigrants more.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, yeah, that's right. Lucas. Lucas, Louisiana says yeah. It didn't feel like a big success having the National Guard here. There's no progress. My bag did get checked once when I went down to the French Quarter for Mardi Gras.

[Joe Perdicone]

Thank you very much.

[Tim Miller]

They didn't stop Shia LaBeouf. Let me tell you. Shia LaBeouf was on a reign of terror of the French Quarter. He got arrested. He was beating people up. He was doing homophobic slurs. Sh was hammered all weekend. And the National Guard troops did nothing to stop Shia LaBeouf.

[Joe Perdicone]

The two of them, Sarah, both shot violently in the head. Neither was expected to make it.

[Tim Miller]

Texas Moon says everything is bad, but this is our golden age.

[Joe Perdicone]

His wonderful mother named Melody, who I spoke to the same night.

[Tim Miller]

That's the point.

[Sarah Longwell]

All he's doing is listing horrific things that happen. Is this supposed to make us feel good about America?

[Joe Perdicone]

No, no, Mr. President. Andrew will be fine. He's going to make it. I've never seen anything like it. I mean, he was given almost no chance. She said, I have no doubt, sir. He's going to be okay. This was a conversation that I had with her that night with her son laying helplessly in bed, blood all over. Everybody is praying. She said, sir, he will be okay. The doctors didn't understand what she was saying. And after looking at the.

[Tim Miller]

I'm going to take a little break.

[Joe Perdicone]

Damage done. Neither did I.

[Tim Miller]

You guys just keep paying attention.

[Joe Perdicone]

She was so strong and conclusive that even Andrew's great father felt she didn't really understand the gravity of the situation. But she turned out to be right. Right, Melody? She turned out to be. Amazing, actually. I said, where does this woman come from? She's the most positive person I've ever met. With God's help, Andrew has battled back from the edge of death. And we're talking about the edge of death. On his way to a miraculous recovery. He's got a little work to do, but he's doing great. Nice to see you. He's a good looking guy. Nice to see you. Thank you.

[Sarah Longwell]

We're talking about men's looks.

[Joe Perdicone]

Thank you very much.

[Sarah Longwell]

Make sure you say no homo.

[Joe Perdicone]

So, Andrew, while you're up now, I'm going to ask a highly respected General James Seward to present Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolf and the great family of Sarah Beckstrom with the award created by our late, great president, George Washington himself. It's called the Purple Heart. Okay,

[Sarah Longwell]

Guys, this is a weird state of the union. I'm happy for this man, but this is all so strange. Okay, purple hearts and.

[Joe Perdicone]

We love you all. Love you. We're proudly restoring safety for Americans at home and we are also restoring security for Americans abroad. Our country has never been stronger. In my first 10 months, I ended eight wars, including Cambodia.

[Sarah Longwell]

You didn't end eight wars. This is not a thing.

[Joe Perdicone]

Sick people.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah, you.

[Joe Perdicone]

Cambodia, Thailand, Pakistan and India would have been a nuclear war. 35 million people said the Prime Minister of Pakistan would have died if it were not for my involvement. Kosovo and Serbia, Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia.

[Sarah Longwell]

A normal person would be so Embarrassed

[Joe Perdicone]

Azerbaijan, the Congo and Rwanda, and, of course, the war in Gaza, which proceeds at a very low level. It's just about there. And I want to thank Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for your help. Thank you, Steve. Thank you.

[Sarah Longwell]

But now that we're at the Foreign Policy Section, I just want to know, did we obliterate Iran's nuclear program, or do we have to go fight a war to make sure that Iran doesn't get nuclear weapons? Which is it? I hope he. I hope he tells.

[Joe Perdicone]

And I also want to thank the man they report to. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Thank you, Marco.

[Sarah Longwell]

Oh, show us, Marco. I want to see him. Want to see what he looks like? Oh, hey, Sam.

[Joe Perdicone]

Hey.

[Sam Stein]

Marco looks. He's short.

[Sarah Longwell]

He's sitting.

[Sam Stein]

He's doing that.

[Tim Miller]

He's in the meme.

[Joe Perdicone]

I like you. You know, Marco got 100% of the votes when he was in confirmation. I think our next one was about 54%. And some of the Democrats are now saying, I can't believe we approved that guy. And he's said, it's an honor that they feel that way. Right. Marco, you have done a great job. Great Secretary of State. I think he'll go down as the best ever.

[Sarah Longwell]

He looks unhappy. He never looks.

[Sam Stein]

He's doing the meme again. Yeah.

[Sarah Longwell]

He's like, actually, this is humiliating for me. I've sold my soul under the sea. It's unbearable to live my life.

[Joe Perdicone]

Every single hostage, both living and dead, has been returned home. Can you believe that?

[Sam Stein]

How you feeling, Sarah?

[Tim Miller]

Good.

[Sarah Longwell]

I'm glad you're here. I. I don't know how Tim just sits and vamps through this whole thing.

[Joe Perdicone]

I just thought it was.

[Sarah Longwell]

I just want to make upset faces

[Joe Perdicone]

the whole time he does it. Yeah. Both living and dead. And those parents who had a dead son, their boy that always told me. Their boy, they wanted him as much as though he were living. It was an amazing period of time. And they came back. And when we got all of the living hostages back and many, many before them, but I always said those last.

[Sarah Longwell]

Have you been watching this?

[Joe Perdicone]

But we got many, many more.

[Sarah Longwell]

What do you make of it so far?

[Joe Perdicone]

But I said, those last 20 are going to be tough. We got them back.

[Sam Stein]

It's.

[Joe Perdicone]

We only got back.

[Sam Stein]

It's not the finest oratory of the

[Joe Perdicone]

dead of the 28th.

[Tim Miller]

It's so boring.

[Sarah Longwell]

Punctuated by the occasional horrific story of someone being murdered.

[Joe Perdicone]

And they dug and they dug like this. It's a tough. It's a tough thing to do. Going through Bodies all over. Passing up 100 bodies sometimes for each one that they found. Tough job. And they finally got it back to 27. And then Steve and Jared, they got it back to 28. They found all 28. Nobody thought that was possible, but we did it. And I remember the family of the 28th. They were so grieved, but they were so happy. As happy as it's possible to be. They had their boy back. The mother said, sir, we have our boy back. What a period of time that was. But we got them all back. So thank you both very much. Great job. And we're working very hard to end the ninth war. The killing and slaughter between Russia and Ukraine, where 25,000 soldiers are dying each and every month. Think of that. 25.

[Sarah Longwell]

Do you know what this could use, Sam? Bad bunny.

[Joe Perdicone]

A month bad.

[Sarah Longwell]

Money would make this better.

[Joe Perdicone]

If I were president. Imagine if he came out as president. I will make peace wherever I can, but I will never hesitate to confront threats to America wherever we must. That's why in a breakthrough operation last June, the United States military obliterated Iran's nuclear weapons program with an attack on Iranian soil known as Operation Midnight Hammer. How can.

[Sam Stein]

Apparently not. Apparently not. We're still going at them.

[Sarah Longwell]

Let's square this circle. I want to hear. So, are we doing anything else in Iran?

[Sam Stein]

Barbara Wingles says. Wingle says. Sarah, can you please show us your cat again? So much better than this drink.

[Sarah Longwell]

He left many decades. That was Harry. Since they let my boys name them

[Joe Perdicone]

and we're on chapter. Murderous proxies have spread terrorism and death

[Sam Stein]

and hate like this.

[Joe Perdicone]

They've killed and maimed thousands.

[Sarah Longwell]

No, it's way better than this. Way better.

[Joe Perdicone]

Hundreds of thousands and even millions.

[Sam Stein]

Let's see what he says.

[Joe Perdicone]

With what's called roadside bombs. They were the kings of the roadside bomb. And we took out Soleimani. I did that during my first term. Had a huge impact. He was the father of the roadside going folks.

[Sam Stein]

I'm just holding in the fort until Tim comes back. You don't have to bear me for much longer.

[Sarah Longwell]

I was fine by myself just over

[Joe Perdicone]

the last helping you out with the protests. They've killed at least it looks like. 32,000 protests. 32,000 protesters in their own country.

[Tim Miller]

Here he is having some pistachios hungam.

[Joe Perdicone]

We stopped them from hanging a lot of them with the threat of serious violence. But this is some terrible people. Here we go. So we were doing the boring part.

[Sarah Longwell]

Now we're going to do violence in

[Joe Perdicone]

Europe and our bases overseas and they're working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America. After Midnight Hammer. They were warned to make no future attempts to rebuild their weapons program and in particular nuclear weapons. Yet they continue starting it all over. We wiped it out. And they want to start all over again and are at this moment again pursuing their sinister ambitions. We are in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal. But we haven't heard those secret words. We will never have a nuclear weapon. My preference.

[Sarah Longwell]

But what are you gonna do? They're just clapping because he said he doesn't want nuclear weapons. Great.

[Joe Perdicone]

My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy. But one thing is certain. I will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon. Can't let that happen.

[Tim Miller]

This is just unbelievably boring. Ari Fleischer liked it.

[Joe Perdicone]

And no nation should ever doubt America's resolve. We have the most powerful military on earth. I rebuilt the military in my first term and we're going to continue to do so. Also we just approved a trillion dollar budget. We have no choice. We have to be strong because hopefully we will.

[Tim Miller]

Mike Cernovich likes it. Also the gorilla mindset built together.

[Joe Perdicone]

So it's really cool.

[Sam Stein]

Did he call it the gorilla mindset

[Joe Perdicone]

strength and it's been.

[Tim Miller]

No, that was his book the gorilla.

[Sam Stein]

Oh yeah, you're right. I forgot about that. I'm looking at my MAGA trip Twitter feeds and it's not much.

[Joe Perdicone]

So thanks to Republican in Congress we're investing that record number of dollars have no choice in the United States armed forces also creating a lot of jobs. But we're not even doing it for that reason because as I said, we have more jobs, more people working today than ever. But before in the history of our country and NATO countries are friends and allies. They are. They're our friends and they're our allies. Have just agreed at my very strong request to pay 5% of GDP for military defense rather than the 2% which they weren't paying, we were paying for

[Tim Miller]

almost all of NATO is not a country club.

[Sam Stein]

As opposed to nothing.

[Tim Miller]

They're not dues. You don't pay anybody. It's just how much of your own budget goes to the military in defense.

[Joe Perdicone]

Megan Kelly, you should know on her

[Tim Miller]

stream she's just doing the hall monitor. She's just. She's just monitoring to see if the Democrats are standing or not. It's very important to Meg Kelly that Jason Crow stands.

[Joe Perdicone]

We send over to and if he does Ukraine is sent. And they pay us in full. They pay us.

[Sarah Longwell]

Megan Kelly in full.

[Joe Perdicone]

Every branch of our armed forces crushing the can. Setting records for recruitment. This is so exciting. Day times and every service member.

[Tim Miller]

She was going to be the mediator. She's mediating.

[Sarah Longwell]

Oh, I forgot about that.

[Sam Stein]

She didn't. She did mediate. Didn't work out.

[Tim Miller]

George Conway running for Congress in New York. That a lot of this is delusional projection.

[Joe Perdicone]

Received a warrior dividend.

[Sarah Longwell]

He's a malignant narcissist.

[Tim Miller]

Delusional projection.

[Sam Stein]

That's future Congressman George Conway.

[Sarah Longwell]

I'll tell you, since we've started having different legal experts on the legal show,

[Joe Perdicone]

you know, they put it on my. We got the money from George Legal News.

[Tim Miller]

Subscribe to that.

[Joe Perdicone]

Build that program a little bit, but it won't take long. But we got the money and it was 17.

[Tim Miller]

We get a time check. How long are we here?

[Sarah Longwell]

That's starting to work.

[Sam Stein]

I'm in the seventh layer.

[Joe Perdicone]

What's the number? 1700.

[Sarah Longwell]

You know what chat person should host one of the Democratic primaries? Call your congressperson.

[Joe Perdicone]

I said, what? Figured that. I never asked one more dollar. I said, 1776.

[Sarah Longwell]

We'll make great moderators.

[Joe Perdicone]

And I said, that's good. And I'll tell you what our military that was.

[Sam Stein]

We're an hour and 26.

[Joe Perdicone]

A person in the military that doesn't thank me for it. So we're honored to do it.

[Tim Miller]

Only an hour left.

[Joe Perdicone]

And se.

[Sam Stein]

We caught 17 over under 2 hours 10.

[Joe Perdicone]

And we love our military. We love our law enforcement. We love our firemen. You know, the firemen don't get mentioned.

[Tim Miller]

Love our nurses. We love our.

[Sarah Longwell]

So firemen are great.

[Abigail Spanberger]

Nowadays.

[Sarah Longwell]

No one ever talks about our firemen.

[Tim Miller]

Guys, if you have questions for Mayor Pete, go ahead and put them in the chat. Even the super chat, because my brain is atrophying.

[Sarah Longwell]

Also, if you just ask us questions.

[Joe Perdicone]

Security and dominance in the Western hemisphere acting to secure our national interests and defend our country from violence, drugs, terrorism and foreign interference. For years, large swaths of territory in our region, including large parts of Mexico, really large parts of Mexico have been controlled by murderous.

[Sam Stein]

Have we given sufficient attention to.

[Joe Perdicone]

That's why I designated Cat Kamek in

[Sam Stein]

the role she's playing live declared.

[Tim Miller]

Thanks for watching Lexicon Designs as why is Jared Kushner involved so much in foreign policy? I can feel that one. He got about a billion from mbs. He's in a business deal with the Serbians. He's in a business deal and with

[Joe Perdicone]

our new Military campaign. We have stopped record amounts of drugs coming into our country and virtually stopped it completely coming in by water or sea. You probably noticed that water or sea.

[Sarah Longwell]

Not redundant, Arby. Are seriously damaged.

[Sam Stein]

You know, sometimes you have that dirt nobody wants to.

[Joe Perdicone]

To go fishing anymore. We've also taken down one of the most.

[Tim Miller]

Nobody wants to go fishing anymore of all.

[Joe Perdicone]

You saw that yesterday.

[Sam Stein]

When's the last time you went?

[Joe Perdicone]

January.

[Sarah Longwell]

I read Inter Mezzo by. I forget the name of the person but somebody just asked us what book we wrote.

[Joe Perdicone]

American warriors carried out one of the most complex, spectacular feats.

[Tim Miller]

Sally Rooney that John Lovett recommended to me.

[Joe Perdicone]

No one's seen anything like it. Foreign. I won't tell you who called.

[Tim Miller]

It's like a 1980s pop psychology book about evil they couldn't believe.

[Joe Perdicone]

They all watched. They saw what happened. This is a different fighting force than we had years ago when we fought to tie. No, it's a great fighting force. I'm so proud of it. Look at Space Force. Space Force is my baby.

[Tim Miller]

Jason Isbell writes. Can't wait for Scott Jennings on how amazing this is. Oh, that's not Jason Isbell. It's Jason Bell. We appreciate you.

[Abigail Spanberger]

I'm so excited.

[Sarah Longwell]

For a second.

[Sam Stein]

Tim.

[Joe Perdicone]

Jason.

[Sam Stein]

Isabel's watching. Hey, Jason. What's up?

[Tim Miller]

People of the lie the Hope for Healing Human and Evil by M. Scott Peek. That's what I'm.

[Joe Perdicone]

America's armed forces overwhelmed all defenses and utterly defeated a enemy. Good fighters to end.

[Sam Stein]

Bruce Springsteen in our chat too.

[Joe Perdicone]

Nicholas Maduro and bring him

[Sam Stein]

Bruce esteem. Oh, look, Paul McCartney.

[Tim Miller]

You're a country music artist. Drop a super chat.

[Joe Perdicone]

And this was an absolutely colossal victory for the security of the United States. And it also opens up a bright new beginning for the people of Venezuela. We're working closely.

[Sam Stein]

Didn't we do Venezuela?

[Joe Perdicone]

Our new friend Rodriguez to unleash.

[Sarah Longwell]

Well, Sam, I don't know if you've noticed but it's not a very structured speech.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah. If you had to. If you had to say what the narrative arc of this speech is, what

[Joe Perdicone]

would you say tonight is?

[Sarah Longwell]

It bends toward boring.

[Joe Perdicone]

Gonzalez. She grew up in a tight knit Venezuelan family.

[Tim Miller]

This is interesting. So I assume we're going to pull up a Venezuelan here.

[Joe Perdicone]

Enrique.

[Tim Miller]

That we nabbed off the streets based on their tattoos and sent to a foreign gulag and tell their story. Let's listen. I think that's probably what will be happening here.

[Joe Perdicone]

Really? Infamous prison in Caracas.

[Tim Miller]

Oh, wait. Oh, Caracas.

[Joe Perdicone]

Never see her uncle again. She feared for her own life also. But since the raid. We have worked with the new leadership and they have ordered the closure of that vile prison and release hundreds of political prisoners already.

[Tim Miller]

Wait, they're releasing prisoners into our nation?

[Joe Perdicone]

Alejandro, I'm pleased to inform you that not only has your uncle been released, but he is here tonight. We brought him over to celebrate his freedom with you in person.

[Tim Miller]

So we're not bringing any of the Venezuelans that we're detaining and jailing right now. Got it.

[Sam Stein]

This is. This is such a Jerry Springer daytime television show. Move here.

[Sarah Longwell]

I wish. I wish someone would throw a chair.

[Sam Stein]

Come on down.

[Tim Miller]

Your.

[Sam Stein]

Your long lost uncle.

[Tim Miller]

The Mar? A Lago Awards. Pat Kanky, who has a good YouTube himself, he's watching us. He says, thanks for coming to Minneapolis. We did a better show than what Trump is putting on. I agree with that.

[Sarah Longwell]

Our show.

[Tim Miller]

Eve's Chris Christopher Eaves asked if I can say hi to his wife Jill to help her get through this. What's up, Jill? How you doing? How you doing?

[Sam Stein]

Why'd you say it like that?

[Tim Miller]

Nice to have you get her a little excited. You never know, girl.

[Sarah Longwell]

I was already feeling uncomfortable with this Liberty parking lot.

[Joe Perdicone]

It was very dangerous. They knew we were coming. They were all set. But the deeds of one warrior that night will live forever in the eternal chronicles of military valor. Chief Warrant Officer 5.

[Sam Stein]

All right, I have some breaking news. Arthur Delaney from LA says hour and 45 minutes into the speech, Rashida Tlib and Ilhan Omar have left. They just got up and left.

[Joe Perdicone]

Beautiful, powerful helicopter. It was a massive Chinook carrying, as you can imagine, many, many American war fighters wearing the dog tags his wife Amy had blessed with holy water before he left. She knew it was going to be a rough one. Look, honestly, the Chinook, under the COVID of Night Joe Biden, if he wasn't

[Tim Miller]

going to jail, should have let him be the head of the USO military and let him fly around giving out awards to people, giving them an honorarium technology.

[Joe Perdicone]

How did that work out?

[Sarah Longwell]

He doesn't want to give awards. He wants to take awards from other people.

[Joe Perdicone]

Well, prepare to take.

[Sam Stein]

You got to go metal today. And you got to go metal today.

[Joe Perdicone]

Very badly in the leg and hip. One bullet after another. He absorbed four agonizing shots, shredding his leg into numerous pieces. And yet, despite January 6, insurrectionists that

[Tim Miller]

have committed subsequent sex crimes. Meet the creative cellist asks, what dose of out of office gummies does he need to forget the speech ever happened? The 15 don't go higher than 5.

[Sam Stein]

No, multiple 15.

[Sarah Longwell]

Here's the thing.

[Tim Miller]

Here's what happens.

[Sarah Longwell]

You take a 15 and then you call 911 on yourself.

[Joe Perdicone]

Steep angle machine gun stood right.

[Tim Miller]

This is not medical advice.

[Joe Perdicone]

Right in front of them two machine

[Sam Stein]

gunners, you do the. You do the sole challenge, which is you build up by 5, 5 to

[Joe Perdicone]

10 helicopter with all of those lines

[Sarah Longwell]

and go to sleep.

[Joe Perdicone]

These gunners eliminate threes to five, turn the helicopter around so the gunners could take care of business. Saving the lives of his fellow warriors from what could have been a catastrophic crash deep in enemy territory. Only after safely landing the helicopter with all the warriors aboard. 40 milligrams, which was vital to the 128.

[Sarah Longwell]

That's too many milligrams.

[Joe Perdicone]

Maybe cancel the mission if that didn't happen. Eric told his co pilot, also wounded but not as gravely to take over. I'm about ready to pass out. The success of these.

[Sarah Longwell]

I'm also in.

[Joe Perdicone]

The lives of his fellow warriors hinge on Eric's ability.

[Tim Miller]

Machine Gun Kelly had what we call in the prison system a bitch.

[Joe Perdicone]

Unbelievable. What's happened to his legs.

[Tim Miller]

One night, Machine Gun Kelly took out his knife and cut out the bitch's eyes.

[Joe Perdicone]

People knew what was happening. Everybody in the back of the helicopter knew because they saw and defiled him

[Tim Miller]

in his ocular cavity.

[Joe Perdicone]

Chief Warrant Officer Slover is still recovering from his serious wounds, but I'm thrilled to say that he is here tonight with his wife Amy. Eric and Amy, come on in.

[Sarah Longwell]

Here's the thing. Trump thinks he can beat the old man rap by just talking for a really long time.

[Tim Miller]

Come on down, Edgar, we screwed up. We should be listening more. Andrew Edgar is actually watching, so we should have had him on instead of Sam responsible.

[Sam Stein]

I'll leave.

[Tim Miller]

He wants us to note that the comment about how no one wants to go fishing anymore is about the war crimes we're doing now. We're blowing up the boats so people don't want to go fishing anymore.

[Sam Stein]

Okay.

[Tim Miller]

So it's not that funny. Actually.

[Sam Stein]

Not funny.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, We have. We have crossed Bill Clinton's record for longest State of the Union in history. We need sound effects. I need a sound effect button. So we get on that for the next one.

[Joe Perdicone]

Eric and Amy. In recognition of Eric's actions above and beyond the call of duty, I would now like to ask General Jonathan Braga to present Chief Warrant Officer Slover with our nation's highest military award, the Congressional Medal of Honor.

[Tim Miller]

We're going to do it live.

[Sarah Longwell]

This guy looks like he deserves it.

[Tim Miller]

Congratulations. The stolen valor. The scope of the stolen valor in this speech is truly beyond measure.

[Sarah Longwell]

He has nothing to say about any achievement.

[Joe Perdicone]

Right.

[Tim Miller]

Sam, how's morning shots? Looking for tomorrow.

[Sam Stein]

Not great. What are we gonna do in this?

[Tim Miller]

I don't know.

[Sam Stein]

What is the takeaway? Bill will probably find some federalist paper to wrap it all together.

[Tim Miller]

That's true. Thank God for Bill, honestly.

[Sam Stein]

Maybe he'll do an inside the mind. Inside Trump's mind.

[Tim Miller]

You know, in England, something that they're looking into now is assisted dying. It's gone a little bit overboard in Canada for my taste.

[Joe Perdicone]

But Eric and Amy, it's interesting now

[Tim Miller]

I'm intrigued with them and with a

[Joe Perdicone]

lot of their fellow warriors at Fort brag.

[Sam Stein]

When you're 95 minutes war with it,

[Joe Perdicone]

the Second World War with it, and then they decide to change the name. So we changed it back.

[Tim Miller]

Wow.

[Joe Perdicone]

Everybody wanted to change back, too. And 10 of Eric's fellow warriors from that incredible.

[Tim Miller]

Gerard Baker, Wall Street Journal receiving medals

[Joe Perdicone]

at a private ceremony that the White House.

[Sam Stein]

And he has.

[Joe Perdicone]

Eric will be there.

[Tim Miller]

He writes. So far, this speech has been so full of falsehoods and fictions from starting to wonder whether the USA men's hockey team did actually win the gold medal. That's for the Journal editorial page. We're going to take that. That's a little funny. And correct. So, progress.

[Joe Perdicone]

Oof.

[Sarah Longwell]

Guys, no one is having fun.

[Joe Perdicone]

No one likes.

[Sam Stein]

This is torture.

[Joe Perdicone]

That's a big one. Tonight we've celebrated many truly extraordinary American patrons. But there is one last living legend to honor before we go.

[Sam Stein]

He is right at the end of the tunnel.

[Joe Perdicone]

Heroic American aviator, Navy fighter pilot Charles Williams. Royce Williams served In World War II, Korea, Vietnam, flying more than 220 missions in the skies over Korea in 1952, Royce was in the dogfight of a lifetime. Legendary dogfight. Flying through blizzard conditions, his squadron was ambushed by seven Soviet fighter planes. It was his first aerial combat of the war. And despite being massively outnumbered and outgunned, Royce led the takedown of four enemy jets and almost destroyed the others. Vanquishing his adversaries while taking 263 bullets to his own plane. And being seriously hurt. His story was secret for over 50 years. He didn't.

[Tim Miller]

James Carville weighs in from his cruise ship. You fat sorry sack of shit. People hate you.

[Joe Perdicone]

But tonight, at 100 years old, this brave Navy captain is finally getting the recognition he deserves. He was a legend long before this evening. Royce, please stand up. And I will ask the first lady of the United States to present Captain Royce Williams with his Congressional Medal of Honor.

[Tim Miller]

Amy Powell says Sarah, my daughter, is admitted to Kenya and we visited the second time yesterday. And she's going to commit.

[Sarah Longwell]

I love that. Tell her she's gonna have the best time of her life.

[Tim Miller]

XC depths donated $4.20 with the comment bong rips for Tim. I'm not. I'm not doing this those on weeknights anymore.

[Joe Perdicone]

Okay.

[Tim Miller]

I gotta be fresh for you guys in the morning and in your 40s is a hangover to the bong rips. Susan Clark, also Kenya Kelly. Guy is a veteran of ptsd. He had a great session with his therapist this morning. After watching this, he's going to call her to see if she's available tomorrow. I'm sorry that I did this to you. Cali Guy, go watch Love story. Jonathan Kennedy Jr. And Catherine Bassett. Have you watched Carolyn Bessette?

[Sam Stein]

Guys, have you watched? Of course I haven't watched yet. I'm. I'm intrigued, but I haven't gotten there yet.

[Sarah Longwell]

The season premiere of Survivor 50.

[Sam Stein]

There's been 50 survivors.

[Tim Miller]

I'm never gonna watch Survivor again. I watched John Love it in the first episode. I like the amount of joy I experienced in that moment is unmatchable. And I don't know why I would do anything that'd be less satisfying.

[Sarah Longwell]

Can't believe they didn't bring him Back to the 50th.

[Tim Miller]

Awesome.

[Sam Stein]

By the way,

[Sarah Longwell]

interesting how Jared and Ivanka kind of like slowly crept their way back into this administration after going off and, you know, washing their hands of it.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, Joe's got to do some deals. Yeah, it's tough. One of the tough things to really think about if you're not dark enough yet is just that, like, now. Like, just generational stolen wealth for the Kushner great grandchildren years after we're gone. You know, it's tough. Tough one to stomach unless we claw it all back in the next administration. Something to think about.

[Joe Perdicone]

I've always wanted the Congressional Medal of Honor, but I was.

[Sam Stein]

Oh, God.

[Joe Perdicone]

Not allowed to give it to myself. And I wouldn't know why I'd be taking it, but they ever open, he's

[Sam Stein]

going to take it.

[Joe Perdicone]

I will be there.

[Sam Stein]

He's going to take it.

[Sarah Longwell]

He's going to take it from that old man.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah. Oh, you're giving it to me.

[Joe Perdicone]

That's a big thing. And it's an honor to be in the same room with you. Thank you both very much. Eric, thank you. Thank you. 250 years is a long time in the life of a nation.

[Sarah Longwell]

This is the bookend. It started here.

[Joe Perdicone]

In a sense, it's really a mere moment in the eye of history. Two of the gentlemen we met in the gallery this evening took their first breaths.

[Tim Miller]

One horrifically written story 100 years before

[Joe Perdicone]

that, on July 4, 1826, the author of the Declaration of Independence, brilliant Thomas Jemison, to his last breath. Just a single long human lifespan separates the giants who declared and won our independence from the heroes who stand among us today.

[Sarah Longwell]

They would hate you.

[Joe Perdicone]

Everything our nation has done, everything we have achieved, has been the work of those few great lifetimes. In those brief chapters.

[Tim Miller]

Sarah, I've got some bad news.

[Joe Perdicone]

Built this nation from 13

[Tim Miller]

people need

[Joe Perdicone]

joy into the pinnacle of human civilization.

[Tim Miller]

When you thought that, you said the Gettysburg Address. Started with the Gettysburg Address pivoted into the Declaration of Independence.

[Sarah Longwell]

I do know this.

[Joe Perdicone]

Oh, my God.

[Sam Stein]

I began. Such applause for I know.

[Sarah Longwell]

But I began reciting it to my wife when I was telling her about it. And as I lapsed into the second part, I was like, wait. Wait a minute.

[Sam Stein]

Wild west talk about stolen from empty

[Joe Perdicone]

marshes and wide open plants. You know what raised up.

[Sarah Longwell]

If they thought I was right, that was good enough.

[Joe Perdicone]

Together we mastered a couple.

[Tim Miller]

People are just nice enough not to say anything. First complaint about King George. He has refused his ascent to laws the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. I think he's on the wrong side of the Declaration.

[Joe Perdicone]

Americans lifted humanity into the skies on the wings of of aluminum and steel. And then we launched mankind into the stars on rockets.

[Sarah Longwell]

I was doing a mashup.

[Joe Perdicone]

American will and unyielding American pride. We wired the globe with our ingenuity. We captivated the planet with American culture. And now we are pioneering the next great American breakthroughs that will change the entire world. All of this and so much more is the enduring legacy and unmatched glory of the hardworking patriots who built and defended this country and who still carry the hopes and freedoms on all of humanity's backs. For years they were forgotten, betrayed.

[Tim Miller]

Now I remember why I hated Lent as a kid.

[Joe Perdicone]

But that great betrayal of the sacrifices are horrible.

[Tim Miller]

I'm serious. I need questions.

[Joe Perdicone]

Courage, daring, vision. Inspiration it is.

[Sarah Longwell]

Are you going to stay on? I got on early so that I didn't have to.

[Joe Perdicone]

And when God needs He's got miracles. He knows who to ask. There's no challenge Americans cannot overcome. No frontier to ask for us to conquer.

[Sarah Longwell]

I. I was asked whether or not I could handle getting us to chase.

[Joe Perdicone]

No horizon too distant for us to claim. For our destiny is Written by the hand of Providence. And these first 250 years were just the beginning. From the rugged border towns of Texas to the heartland villages of Michigan, from the sun kissed shores of Florida to the endless fields of the Dakotas, and from the historic state streets of Philadelphia to right here in our Nation's capital, Washington D.C. the Golden Age of America is upon us. The revolution that began in 1776 has not ended, it still continues. Because the flame of liberty and independence still burns in the heart of every American patriot. And our future will be bigger.

[Sarah Longwell]

You can tell how bored he is

[Joe Perdicone]

by these person ever before.

[Tim Miller]

Mark Kirtland wants me to clarify that.

[Joe Perdicone]

God bless you and God bless co

[Tim Miller]

opted and you served valor. Thank you.

[Sarah Longwell]

What a miserable speech.

[Tim Miller]

What's our head count? What's our time? What do we get? Where do we roll in? We went well, 2 hour 10.

[Sam Stein]

Well under 210.

[Tim Miller]

The under was right, man. I was getting ready to just buckle up for 1 hour 40.

[Sam Stein]

1 hour 47 minutes.

[Tim Miller]

Was. Did he get anything out of that? Like what will people, what will people remember about that? I guess him yelling at the Democrats and the hockey team I think is what people remember, if anything. Nothing.

[Sam Stein]

I'm trying to what I remember. What do you remember? I don't remember.

[Joe Perdicone]

I don't remember.

[Sarah Longwell]

Boring, boring, boring. Lie, lie, lie. Violence. Lie, lie, lie.

[Andrew Egger]

Boring.

[Sarah Longwell]

More violence.

[Tim Miller]

Nothing. The snuff film element of it, just like giving details of grisly murders I think is the most notable Trump innovation of the state of the union. I don't, I don't, I don't recall a lot of that before him.

[Sarah Longwell]

I don't know the other. I mean the looking right at the Democrats and being like this is your fault. Because can we just. This is as an overarching matter. He gave an almost two hour speech about everything bad. Like it was almost all bad stuff. Terrible things are happening. And then at the end he's like, we're in a golden age.

[Sam Stein]

There's your girl.

[Tim Miller]

There's your girl everywhere. You cannot miss her. She is. You know what the kids are calling what Cat Kamek did tonight. She was frame mogging. She was frame mogging. I don't think it's the same way that. Speak of which, do we have the video of clavicular and JD Vance ready if we do just go ahead and pull that up whenever. But Cat camera quits frame logging. This is just a gift for everybody. We had to suffer. So I just, I just want to give everybody a little dessert. Our friend Clovik, my Grandma texted me today. She's like, stop making fun of J.D.

[Joe Perdicone]

vance.

[Tim Miller]

And I was like, oh, my God, bro. Like, bro, it's so bad.

[Joe Perdicone]

I'm not gonna do that.

[Tim Miller]

He's fat and he's ugly. No, thank you, Grandma.

[Joe Perdicone]

I appreciate it, but no, thank you.

[Tim Miller]

You can see why he's fourth in the Chad rankings right now on kick. No, thank you, Grandma. Cat Gammick was frame mogging. So here's what's left for everybody sticking with us. We get Abigail Spamberger, we get Bulwark Pilled. Now we get Abigail Spamberger giving a rebuttal. That should be easy. Much, much. A lot of material to work with there for her. Governor Virginia and then slayer Pete will come on. Do we have a couple reporters maybe to.

[Sam Stein]

We got Edgar coming in soon. We gotta get Edgar in.

[Sarah Longwell]

Yeah, I'm gonna let Edgar. I'm gonna tap out.

[Tim Miller]

You're done.

[Sarah Longwell]

I'm gonna go watch Abigail. I'm gonna go watch Abigail with a.

[Tim Miller]

Get on the couch with your wife and just get a. Get a gallon of ice cream.

[Sam Stein]

Why don't you let me. Let me give you a little recommendation. Why don't you pull up the actual Gettysburg Address and study it for future reference? Okay, that's fine.

[Joe Perdicone]

You know what?

[Sarah Longwell]

Why don't you say the preamble to both those documents and see how you do. I knew them both and said them together.

[Tim Miller]

I mean, you just. You accepted a standing ovation. Speaking of co opted valor, you accepted a standing ovation.

[Sam Stein]

She absolutely did. Everyone was so amazed by her.

[Jonathan Cone]

You guys.

[Sarah Longwell]

I thought it was right at the time.

[Tim Miller]

And I'm gonna tell you, your confidence. Your confidence made me recoil because there was a little. Just that part of your brain that's like. That doesn't sound exactly right, but I was like, I'm not going to challenge her on the spot.

[Sarah Longwell]

The words were familiar. They're all true words in founding documents. They're just from two separate documents.

[Tim Miller]

That's Andrew Egger. We've got Abigail Spanberger and Pete Buttigieg after that. Andrew, any deep thoughts? Sarah, you get out of here.

[Sam Stein]

Bye, Sarah.

[Tim Miller]

Give your wife our love.

[Joe Perdicone]

Have fun.

[Tim Miller]

Edgar, any insights? Any punditry? No.

[Andrew Egger]

The only reason I got on here was to hang out with Sarah and Andrew.

[Sam Stein]

You are loud, brother.

[Andrew Egger]

Oh, I don't know what's going on with that.

[Sam Stein]

Sorry.

[Andrew Egger]

What was back in. In the middle of the thing. Can't test the levels. Am I good? Now you can hear me without blowing out your ears?

[Tim Miller]

Anything there that you think will resonate with the American people.

[Andrew Egger]

I don't know. I guess I had a bummer thought and a good thought, and the bummer thought was that it's a little bit crazy that he did, like, 10 minutes of just, like, shaking a finger at the Democrats to their faces saying, you guys steal elections and we're not going to let you do it anymore. And we're going to be doing a lot of stuff to prevent you from doing that in the future. And Republicans are all out here saying, pass the Save act or we're going to lose the midterms. I mean, just like all this very, like, naked election malfeasance stuff. And yet, like, even, even, like, to us, even to. Even to us, people who are, like, totally keyed up on it, like, it's still. You almost have to, like, make yourself pay attention to that kind of thing. Like, that's how bleak it is out there on one level with the. With regard to the election stuff. Like, that's crazy that that happened in a State of the Union address.

[Tim Miller]

Can I offer a positive off of that crazy, though? Yeah, it's going to be glass half full. Tim, Today it was like, when JBL said, aren't. Isn't it concern you that three of the nine members of the Supreme Court are total hacks, will give Donald Trump whatever he wants? And I was like, well, well, six. Six aren't. So that's surprising. Here's my response to that. That did not seem like a State of the Union from somebody that wants to be a permanent dictator to me. I'll just say, like, if you're, I mean, on the, on the curve of, like, normal presidential speeches, that was insane. And, like, the lies were off the charts and, you know, it makes you embarrassed to be an American. But, like, I don't know. I mean, on the Trump scale, he could have been crazier. I guess I would prefer Toastmaster Trump thinking about the Arc de Trump thinking about renaming things after himself over, like, Putin. Trump, like, thinking about how to push his enemies out of buildings and consolidate power. And that seemed like an old man who wanted to have a valedictory. Is that wrong for you?

[Andrew Egger]

No, I totally agree with that. Sorry, Sam, go ahead.

[Sam Stein]

Well, I just. I'm going to throw the question back at you. Like, what would a, like, I want to be dictator speech look like?

[Tim Miller]

I think it'd be a little tighter.

[Sam Stein]

No, you're wrong. All the dictators go along.

[Tim Miller]

Dude, what are you talking about? That could be a little tighter. I don't know. I think that they he would have announced new mission. You know, we're invading Springfield to find the real cat and dog eaters.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah.

[Tim Miller]

You know, like, we have plans to be talked about.

[Sam Stein]

Somali pirates.

[Tim Miller]

We're gonna dismantle the midterm. You know, we're gonna make sure that the midterms are safe by putting.

[Sam Stein]

Again, he talked about mail in ballots and all that. Like, he's doing that.

[Andrew Egger]

Yeah.

[Tim Miller]

It's not good. Don't make me.

[Joe Perdicone]

Don't point.

[Tim Miller]

I was like Trump was. It wasn't. It was dangerous. It was. It was a liberal.

[Sam Stein]

I'm just waiting for that. I'm just waiting for the people to clip it. Tim.

[Tim Miller]

Okay.

[Andrew Egger]

The thing I keep coming back to, the guy has a limited finite number of chances to somehow pull a rabbit out of his hat and turn this thing around ahead of the midterms in like eight months or however far they are now. He is burning through them. You know, this was one big one that in theory, if he had anything to do, he could. This would have been a moment to do it. And it's just not happening. It's just. I mean, he's. He is going to do his thing. He's going to do his thing tomorrow and the next day and the next day and the next day, and then they're just going to crash land into the midterms. Seems to be the way this is going to go, barring some, you know, dramatic new, like economic giant recovery or something like that. But he does not seem like he has another. Another gear.

[Sam Stein]

It's just, to me, it's like. It's just like a classic illustration of a White House that's so obsessed with creating Internet moments versus, like actually doing anything other than that, you know, like the whole sort of. If you believe in, you know, that illegal immigrants are horrible and Americans are great, you would stand up. Like, that was just so transparent. And all the. All the, like the award.

[Tim Miller]

You don't think that was a clever gotcha?

[Sam Stein]

I mean, it would be clever if it wasn't so transparently a gotcha.

[Tim Miller]

You don't think Jake Auchincloss was shaking in his boots? Should I stand or should I sit?

[Sam Stein]

I mean, but, you know, but they. But obviously they're going to clip that and run on it and all that stuff. What is the club field day? Oh, Megan Kelly.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sam Stein]

Look at this. Look at this guy sitting and cheering America. You know, illegals. I don't know, but there's nothing. Again, do you disagree with the idea that this was built around trying to create viral Moments, the hockey team coming in and, you know, Trump talking about Nancy Pelosi and stock trading. I mean, it felt like that was all that they were trying to do.

[Tim Miller]

I. I think that it was pretty weak, if that's what they're trying to do. You have crazy Trump up there, the Honey Badger, and you could tell him to do anything. I mean, think about it. He could have gone down into the crowd and stood next to Pelosi and shouted in her face, like, handed her a stock. Yeah, I don't know. Sign this right now. I don't know. I guess I don't think any of those.

[Sam Stein]

It was a little bit.

[Tim Miller]

Those moments will be viral and, like, barstool, Twitter, like the hockey thing. Right. But, like, I don't. I don't think that shouting at the Democrats was that great.

[Andrew Egger]

There was no through line. No through line whatsoever. He got up there and he immediately was just like. It was bad under Biden. It's better under me. Let's hand out 500 awards. I mean, it's just. There was nothing to it. We just went and went.

[Tim Miller]

Joe Perdicone spent a few minutes watching. Can you name the North Dakota senators?

[Sam Stein]

Hovind.

[Tim Miller]

North Dakota Senators.

[Sam Stein]

Hoven. Yeah, I got one round.

[Tim Miller]

Kramer.

[Sam Stein]

Kramer.

[Tim Miller]

Oh, yeah, I forgot that John Hoban was a senator, actually, Joe Perdicone, didn't he? Which is good, since he's the congressional reporter for the Bullets. And bare minimum, he watched Hovind, and he spent about five minutes scrolling through the photos he'd taken this evening, deleting the ones he doesn't like. And that's. That's good. That's nice. You know, what would you have done?

[Sam Stein]

Yeah. What would you have done if you're in the chamber? I would have.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

Absolutely.

[Sam Stein]

Instagram. Yeah.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, for sure. 2048. All right, well, we're still waiting for Abigail Spamberger. After you'll spin. After Abigail Spamberger, we will have Pete, which I'm excited about. I. Why do you got. Do you guys have any thoughts on why Pete Buttigieg, unemployed father of two, decided to subject himself to this speech? That's gonna be my first question for him. I'm wondering what you.

[Sam Stein]

It's a great question. What were you. Why do. Why are you doing this? Pete, don't you have other. Don't you want to, like, wake up with your kids? No.

[Andrew Egger]

He's building his book.

[Tim Miller]

Do school dropout book.

[Sam Stein]

All right, hold on. I gotta give you a little bit of a. Apparently, Spamberger has started, and we are working to get the feed up for folks.

[Tim Miller]

Okay. Come on.

[Sam Stein]

Well, Jared, let's get, let's get her started here if we can. And we deserve to at least see her. So if the folks running the show in the back and can get the stream up, let's do it.

[Abigail Spanberger]

Good evening and welcome to historic Williamsburg. We are gathered here in the chambers of the House of burgesses. In 1705, the people of the Virginia Colony gathered here to take on the extraordinary task of governing themselves. Before there was a declaration of independence, a constitution, or a bill of rights, there were people in this room. The people who served here ultimately dreamed of what a new nation, unlike anything the world had ever seen could be. The United States was founded on the idea that ordinary people could reject the unacceptable excesses of poor leadership, band together to demand better of their government, and create a nation that would be an example for the world. And this year, as we celebrate 250 years since America declared our independence from tyranny, I can think of no better place to speak to you as we reflect on the current state of our union. Tonight, as we watched our nation's lawmakers gather for a joint session of Congress, we did not hear the truth from our President. So let's speak plainly and honestly and let me ask you, the American people watching at home, three questions. Is the President working to make life more affordable for you and your family? Is the President working to keep Americans safe both at home and abroad? Is the President working for you? As I campaigned for governor last year, I traveled to every corner of Virginia and I heard the same pressing concern everywhere. Costs are too high in housing, health care, energy and childcare. And I know these same conversations are being had all across this country. Because since this President took office last year, his reckless trade policies have forced American families to pay more than $1,700 in each in tariff costs. Small businesses have suffered, farmers have suffered, some losing entire markets. Everyday Americans are paying the price. And even though the Supreme Court struck these tariffs down four days ago, the damage to us, the American people, has already been done. Meanwhile, the President is planning for new tariffs, another massive tax hike on you and your family. And Republicans in Congress, they remain unwilling to assert their constitutional authority to stop him. They're making your life harder. They're making your life more expensive. They're even making it more difficult to see a doctor. Rural health clinics in Virginia and across the country are already closing their doors, thanks to the so called one big beautiful bill championed by the President and Republicans in Congress. And tonight, the President celebrated This law, the one threatening rural hospitals, stripping health care for millions of Americans and driving up costs in energy and housing, all while cutting food programs for hungry kids. But here in Virginia, I am working with our state legislature to lower costs and make the commonwealth more affordable. All right, well, and it's not just me.

[Sam Stein]

Here we go.

[Abigail Spanberger]

Democrats across the country are laser focused on affordability in our nation's capital and in state capitals and communities across America. In the most innovative and exceptional nation in the history of the world, Americans deserve to know that their leaders are focused on addressing the problems that that keep them up at night. Problems that dictate where you live, whether you can afford to start a business, or whether you have to skip a prescription in order to buy groceries. So I'll ask again. Is the president working to make life more affordable for you and your family? We all know the answer is no. I grew up in a house of service. My mother was a nurse, and my father was a career law enforcement officer. I began my career by following in my father's footsteps as a federal agent working money laundering and narcotics cases. I work side by side with local and state police to keep our community safe and to uphold and enforce the law. Law enforcement officers across the country know that it is a unique responsibility to do the serious work of investigating crimes, comforting victims, and making arrests. It's about building trust, and that requires an abiding sense of duty and commitment to community. And yet, our president has sent poorly trained federal agents into our cities where they have arrested and detained American citizens and people who aspire to be Americans. And they have done it without a warrant. They have ripped nursing mothers away from their babies. They have sent children, a little boy in a blue bunny hat, children, to far off detention centers. And they have killed American citizens in our streets. And they have done it all with their faces masked from accountability. Every minute spent sowing fear is a misunderstood minute not spent investigating murders, crimes against children, or the criminals defrauding seniors of their life savings. Our President told us tonight that we are safer because these agents arrest mothers and detain children. Think about that. Our broken immigration system is something to be fixed, not an excuse for unaccountable agents to terrorize our communities. After working in law enforcement, I continued my career of service as a CIA officer working undercover to protect the United States and our allies from global threats, terrorism, nuclear weapons, and the aggression of adversarial nations around the globe. But as the President spoke of his perceived successes, tonight he continues to cede economic power and technological strength to Russia. Bow down to China, bow down to a Russian dictator, and make plans for war with Iran. Here's the truth. Over the last year, through Doge mass firings and the appointment of deeply unserious people to our nation's most serious positions, our President has endangered the long storied history of the United States of America being a force for good. So I'll ask again, is the President working to keep Americans safe both at home and abroad? We all know the answer is no. In his speech tonight, the President did what he always does. He lied, he scapegoated and he distracted. And he offered no real solutions to our nation's pressing challenges, so many of which he is actively making worse. He tries to divide us. He tries to enrage us, to pit us against one another, neighbor against neighbor. And sometimes he succeeds. And so you have to ask, who benefits from his rhetoric, his policies, his actions, the short list of laws he's pushed through this Republican Congress? Somebody must be benefiting. He's enriching himself, his family, his friends. The scale of the corruption is unprecedented. There's the COVID up of the Epstein files, the crypto scams. Cozying up to foreign princes for airplanes and billionaires for ballrooms. Putting his name and face on buildings all over our nation's capital. This is not what our Founders envisioned, not by a long shot. So I'll ask again, is the President working for you? We all know the answer is no. But here's the special thing about America. On our 250th anniversary. We know better than any nation what is possible when ordinary citizens, like those who once dreamed, right here in this room, reject the unacceptable and demand more of their government. We see it in the determination of students organizing school walkouts all across the country, whose voices are becoming so powerful that the Governor of Texas seeks to silence them. We see it in the bravery of Americans in Minnesota standing up for their communities. From peacefully protesting in sub zero temperatures to carpooling children to school so that their immigrant parents are not ripped away from them in the parking lot. As a mother of three school age daughters, I am inspired by their bravery. But I am sickened that it is necessary. And Americans across the country are taking action. They are going to the ballot box to reject this chaos. With their votes. They are writing a new story, A more hopeful story. In November, I won my election by 15 points. And we won 13 new seats in our state legislature. Because voters decided they wanted something different. Our campaign earned votes from Democrats, Republicans, Independents and everyone in between because they knew as citizens they could demand more, that they could vote for what they believe matters and that they didn't need to be constrained by a party or political affiliation. This is happening across the country. New Jersey elected Mikey Sherrill as governor in a double digit victory. Democrats flip state legislative seats in places like Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi and Texas. The list goes on and on. Ordinary Americans are stepping up to run in the spirit of our forefathers. They are running to demand more and to do more for their neighbors and communities. I know this story well. I first ran for office in 2018 alongside dozens of other Democrats who did the seemingly impossible, flipping 41 seats in Congress. In my case, I was the first Democrat elected in 50 years, swinging our district 17 points. Those who are stepping up now to to run will win in November because Americans, you at home know you can demand more and that we are working to lower costs. We are working to keep our communities and our country safe. And we are working for you. In his farewell address, George Washington warned us about the possibility of, quote, cunning, ambitious and unprincipled men rising to power. But he also encouraged us, all Americans, to unite in a common cause to move this nation forward. That is our charge once more and that is what we are seeing across the country. It is deeply American and patriotic to do so. And it is how we ensure that the state of our Union remains strong, not just this year, but for the next 250 years as well. Because we the people have the power to make change, the power to stand up for what is right. The power to demand more of our nation. May God bless the Commonwealth of the Virginia and may God bless the United States of America.

[Tim Miller]

All right, there you go. That was Abigail Spanberger, new governor of Virginia after that blowout win last November. I'm Tim Miller with the Bulwark. Thanks for sticking around with us. I'm starting to lose my voice, but we got a little bit more. It's our post State of the Union live show. We are going to get some more analysis and reaction from my colleagues from Joe Perdicone who is inside the room. Few minutes, but right now I want to welcome a special guest. He's a mayor, secretary, a father, a slayer. You might know him. It's Pete Buttigieg. I think he's coming. There he is.

[Pete Buttigieg]

Okay, now I'm up and I still don't hear him.

[Tim Miller]

You can't hear me. I look good, though. This is the nice part about, you know, live streams and media. We'll just look at Pete's. Is that a little bit Of a gray. Look at him. Look at that. I love that he's got the flag pin. People are going to say the Democrats don't love America, but that's not true. You can see right there with the flag pin that they do. Why don't you guys take Pete in the back? You guys work out the audio. I'll vamp for a little bit. That's. That's what we call a teaser in the business. Okay. When I go on cable news, sometimes what they do, it's really kind of lame, you know? So as they show your face, they show your face, and they're like, hey, there's. Who's gonna be up next. And they ask you to smile, and I never know what to do. Then I kind of give a smile, and I look weird. But anyway, that's Sam Stein. That's not Pete Buttigieg.

[Sam Stein]

Have you ever. Have you. Have you. Because I felt bad for you. Have you ever been on TV where they actually. Have you ever been on TV where you can't hear them, but they're showing you?

[Tim Miller]

My very first TV hit, this happens. Or my second, maybe my second TV hit of all time, this happened. I was awfully the spokesperson for Jon Huntsman. And, yeah, it was really talent. It was really challenging. It was a challenging moment. I hope people.

[Sam Stein]

It's awful.

[Tim Miller]

In the archives, talk about Abigail Spamberger for a second while we wait for Pete Workman, like, performance. Checked all the boxes, didn't panic, and look for a bottle of water. The video was not creepy. It was not in her kitchen. You were not afraid that someone was going to grab a knife and stab you because there was a strange scream kitchen set. I got to say, the Katie wrote response, that was the best in the annals of history. When we really look back on it, people, you know, they say, Bobby Jindal did poorly. Marco did poorly. Others have done poorly. The Katie Britt speech was the only time when, you know, you don't have a monoculture anymore, right? You don't have this communal experience. But here I was, and we're texting. You know, you're watching it for a few minutes, and it's so strange. And you do believe that creepy music is going to come in and that we're going to be in a scream situation. And you wonder why they're showing the butcher knives so closely and why the. Why the angle is such. And eventually, like, I start texting my friends. I'm like, am I just high or is this as weird for you as it is for me?

[Sam Stein]

It was well, hold on. The Brit one obviously was the worst of the bunch, but there's been so many bad ones, Right? The Bobby Jindal one, You remember that one? That was like the creepy sterile one. Mark Rubio was a bad one. It's just a thankless job. I thought her. I thought she was good. I mean, no one's gonna remember any of this, right? But like, I guess if I had to say one takeaway, it was how hard she went on the ICE stuff, right? Like a year ago, Democrats would never even touch this shit.

[Tim Miller]

You know, it's interesting she mentioned ice. He didn't. Yes. Who we should talk about with that?

[Sam Stein]

Not me.

[Tim Miller]

Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who I think is ready now. Let's bring him back in. Did you notice that. That she mentioned ice?

[Pete Buttigieg]

And he did it again.

[Tim Miller]

Well, there you go. Welcome or not.

[Sam Stein]

I'll be here. I'm here as the Buttigieg.

[Tim Miller]

This is great.

[Sam Stein]

Standby.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, this is good. This is good content. Here's the thing.

[Sam Stein]

Why don't we. Helen, keep me on until we're sure. Put Pete on. We'll make sure he can talk and then you can kick me off. Why don't we do it?

[Tim Miller]

That's a good idea. You should have been a producer on Morning Joe. In another life, Sam. No, but that is true. I believe it's true. Somebody fact checking on these. I don't think Trump said ice. Did Trump say ice?

[Sam Stein]

He talked about. He talked about taking.

[Tim Miller]

He talked about. Yeah, sure, he talked about the dead like girls that random illegal immigrants killed. But he did not speak about their mass deportation program.

[Sam Stein]

No. Well, I mean think about a year ago where we were. Where was just like Democrats would. Were actually voting for price measures and now they're running against. I mean she directly referenced Liam Ramos. She talked about the masking issue. All this, keep in mind, is coming during a government shutdown over DHS funding, which Democrats have no. I see no indication that they are possibly going to bend on that. So I thought it was a. A very notable signpost about where we are. And other than that, I mean I thought the. The delivery is good. The corruption stuff was the other thing stood out. The way she went after them for just self dealing corruption, the crypto things. I mean it's very evident that those are the. Some of the major planks obviously in healthcare too. So. Yeah, no, I thought it was a fine speech. Again, none of this matters.

[Tim Miller]

It was. It was fine. Oh, wait. Hello? Is that people?

[Pete Buttigieg]

Yeah, it's third time the charm.

[Tim Miller]

You hear me?

[Pete Buttigieg]

All Right.

[Tim Miller]

That's great. I'm complimenting your hair. You know, you're looking dignified now. I was able to look at that while you figured it out. Here's my first question.

[Pete Buttigieg]

I would love to offer pearls of wisdom, but. Oh, now I got something. Say something one more time.

[Tim Miller]

Here's my question for you, my main question. You sat there, you witnessed history. I don't know if you know this. This is the longest State of the Union on record in the history of the Republic. There's never been a longer State of the Union. Why did you watch it?

[Pete Buttigieg]

That's a great question. I guess. You know, I can't say that I watched it hoping that I would learn something. I guess I watched it because I'd promised to talk about it on television afterwards. Let me say this. I think the reason a lot of real people watch the State of the Union is they want to know what it's going to mean to them. Right. You imagine, you know, I just caught up after bedtime with Chasten. He's putting the kids down at home right now, or you know, he put them down and then he follows along. A lot of people around the country are doing that. You get done with dinner, you put your kids to bed, and then you tune in to see if your president can tell you how he's going to make your life better. Especially because this president has made your life worse. Right. A year ago, he was promising that costs were going to go down. He has directly driven them up. And it would have been nice to hear some indication of what he was going to do differently this time in order to have different results. But obviously that's not what happened. But I think a lot of people around America, if they were hoping to get some indication of how their everyday lives were going to be better, then they're going to be disappointed because at most they heard the same empty promises that we're used to from this president.

[Tim Miller]

And you know, I don't, don't take this wrong way. I don't want to minimize you, but I feel like you can relate to the average American. You're kind of an unemployed American now. And so if you didn't have to be on TV or with me after, I feel like you kind of would have turned it off. Right. I mean, it was extremely, you know,

[Pete Buttigieg]

great, great job for AI is to ask it to summarize it for you so you can read it in the morning.

[Tim Miller]

Right. We heard some big news on AI that we are going to have a state managed economy now or trump Trump is going to demand that the Trump of the tech oligarchs have a deal and they're going to make sure to pay for the data centers. And if.

[Pete Buttigieg]

Yeah, look, by the way, I think that they. Yeah, I mean, look, I think the AI companies should be doing whatever they got to do to, to make sure that their data centers don't add to the price. We're all paying for electricity a lot of different ways to make sure that happens. But again, the point is, right now we're paying more for electricity. The president painted this picture that made it sound like the opposite, but we're paying more. Part of why we're paying more is the tariffs have increased, the prices of the that are needed to maintain utility grids. Part of it is that he's killing clean energy projects around the country. So, you know, look, it's not unusual. Everybody knows the president is loose with the truth. Everybody kind of braces for a lot of falsehoods. But in particular tonight, I think what's really striking is, you know, we're a year in. I mean, we're now substantially into the second year. All these things he said were going to get better are getting worse. And it's time for Democrats to come in with a different message. Not just a message that everybody expects to hear from us, which is that this president is making you worse off. But here's what we could do differently. Right now's a great opa. I'm glad. The governor, for example, mentioned things like child care. I don't think the president said a thing about child care. But, you know, I was just in New Hampshire, had a set of conversations at the YMCA child care facility there about the shocking percentage of people's income that so many people are paying now in order to get childcare. We can talk about that. We can talk about what we're doing to boost wages. We can talk about what we're doing to make everyday life a little bit easier. Health care, obviously, these are the kinds of things that I think somebody, whether they're tuning into a State of the Union or just subjecting themselves to political coverage in general, most want to see is, what's this going to do to make me better off?

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, I wonder what you think about how Democrats can effectuate that change in the future and what the tactics are. Here's something that happened this week as an example. Susan Rice, who was with you in the Biden administration, created a stir because she was basically saying to corporations, hey, you're sucking up to Trump now. You're doing some of these deals now that are off the books. Right. That aren't how business as usual works. And if you act inappropriately, we'll come for you next time. So be careful. Do you think that is the right approach or do you think the right approach would be to try to get back, to say, no, we're going to get back to business as usual. You're not going to get bullied by the White House again.

[Pete Buttigieg]

I mean, look, we should make it clear that we're not going to behave. We would never behave the way this White House is. I do think there's a message, though, that needs to go out to these institutions that have not exactly been covering themselves in glory. The companies that have folded, the law firms that folded, the universities that tried to play ball. And it's really just about what's in your own interest. Not because we're out to come and beat you up, but just because of what happens when you fold these guys, which is, of course, they always come back for another pound of flesh. What we've seen from the handful of institutions that have stood up is the they can get him to back off. Same as, I think the lesson of the Indiana Senate Republicans, which is not a group I definitely at the beginning of last year would never have guessed that that would be one of the groups I would draw inspiration from or point to as an example. But you look at what they did in defying the President's demands on gerrymandering, the thing they figured out was if they all jumped together, they would be okay. And that's why you didn't just see a few defections. A majority of them stood together. If and when companies, universities, media firms, law firms, you name it, are prepared to do that, they themselves will be better off.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah. The President didn't talk much about affordability. Kind of mocks the idea of affordability. Abigail Spinberger did in the response. I wonder what your take is on this. As somebody who's was renowned as communicator, I feel a little bit nervous that sometimes the Democrats message on affordability feels a little stale. But it's like this is magic amulet that you say, like, say I'm going to make things more affordable. And now that's great. That's a good message because Trump's made things less affordable. But it gets more complicated than that. And that might work for November and this year, but going forward, how do you think Democrats can talk about that issue in contrast with Trump in a way that's like credible and connects with people?

[Pete Buttigieg]

Yeah. I mean, the comparatively easy part is pointing out how he's made things more unaffordable.

[Joe Perdicone]

Right.

[Pete Buttigieg]

So we can and should do that. We are doing that. Whether it's the increase in healthcare premiums because of the Republicans actions or things costing more at the store, all of that, that's kind of table stakes. But I do think it would be a terrible mistake if we do well in 26 and miss the bigger message, miss, miss the bigger push, which is we need to paint a picture of how this country can be an easier place to live in. Yes. More affordable and also where your hopes and dreams as an American are likely to be fulfilled. The hope of owning a home, by the way, the hope of owning a home before you're 40, which is now the median age of a first time homebuyer. The hope of being able to start a family. It used to be in the 20s and now it's 40. The hope of being able to start a family which so many people say is there and young people say is their most important hope in life. And you know, obviously conservatives are known for talking more about family. Now's the moment for Democrats to say the biggest thing we can do to be pro family, pro your family is to have policies that'll make it easier for you to start a family and afford it. That's childcare for sure. That's things like paid family leave. It's also things like making sure we invest in pre K, invest in schools. Didn't hear a whole lot about public education from the president tonight either. Obviously making sure didn't hear anything about ice.

[Tim Miller]

Can you believe that? He didn't talk about ice. He talked about the immigrant deaths and stuff. But his mass deportation program he didn't talk about. Right.

[Pete Buttigieg]

I mean, because the American people have already turned on him on it, I think. Yeah. So he did his usual work to try to demonize all immigrants. But he did do one thing which is interesting. It was a lie, of course, but he claimed that he was supporting legal immigration while closing off illegal immigration. That's what most Americans want to see. Right. The important thing of course, is not only have they gone way, way, way over the top in shutting down illegal immigration and brutalizing undocumented immigrants, but they've also made it basically impossible to be here the right way, whether through asylum, refugee process or just normal, the normal quotas that I think all of us need to be trued up. Because until we do that, there's this huge yawning gap between the level of immigration our law allows and the level of immigration our economy requires. I think an adult conversation about that would be welcome. But it's interesting that he kind of again, is a lie. But it's interesting that he gestured toward that and claimed that was what he was doing. I think he's aware of his vulnerabilities on that and I think he's also, he's kind of aware of the vulnerabilities on corruption too. So obviously telling his story about fraud, that's the closest he came to acknowledging what's happening.

[Tim Miller]

He pardoned Chris Collins for insider trading. But he does want a law band and sort of trading. It's an interesting, you know, it's a story.

[Andrew Egger]

Yeah.

[Pete Buttigieg]

I mean, J.D. vance is going to have a lot of work to do.

[Tim Miller]

He's going to be.

[Pete Buttigieg]

The frauds are right. I mean, first of all, he's got to figure out how these guys are getting pardons from the White House, the well known fraudsters. You might have to look into the billion or two or three or whatever it is that the Trump family has made. I mean, I suppose, you know, one charitable way to look at this is, you know, given the fraud convictions of, of the Trump Organization, Trump figured out that he should outsource the investigation of fraud to somebody else in the administration. But I'm a little worried about what's in store for JD Vance if he takes that mandate seriously.

[Tim Miller]

A couple listener questions really quick. But first, I mentioned earlier that, you know, it's important Democrats try to connect with the average American. Gavin Newsom this week was such. They made up such fucking lies about him. They'd so some up about how when he was saying that, you know, he's just like everybody else because he got a 960 on the SAT. And that made me wonder what you got on the SAT? Oh God, you have 1580.

[Pete Buttigieg]

I don't. It was good. I don't remember exactly.

[Tim Miller]

You can't remember your SAT score? No. Is that true?

[Jonathan Cone]

Yeah.

[Tim Miller]

I bet Chasten knows it.

[Pete Buttigieg]

I have to really.

[Tim Miller]

Okay, we're gonna circle back on that.

[Pete Buttigieg]

And we froze the thing as, you know, like these. I don't know, there's always a kind of a fresh drama of the day, but I respect him. A lot of people I've met actually in politics and outside of politics who have found a way through not just hard work but really original structuring of their thinking to turn dyslexia from a disadvantage into something that's actually part of how they've been empowered to think differently. So I was moved by his story about how he did that. Maybe it didn't come out right in one or, or in a particular format. But look, as part of somebody's life story, I got nothing but respect, especially in a field as verbal and as full of words as politics. Anybody who maneuvers through that and becomes a very effective politician has a ton of respect for me.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, classic story, like a fake outrage thing that actually draws attention to something that humanizes them. So I think kind of a backfire there. Okay, really quick. I'll let you go. The listener questions. This is an important one from See King. What is realistic path for the Congress to end the President declaring war without congressional authorization? That's happening all over the place now. I don't believe that the 2002 Iraq AUMF qualifies for Iran and Venezuela. I'm not a lawyer, but I'm wondering what you think about that.

[Pete Buttigieg]

Great question. I mean, it's kind of a meta question, right? Because it's how can Congress enforce its own enforcement? For lack of a better way to put it. I mean, look, I think the bottom line here is that Congress, which is led by Republicans, needs to decide whether it's actually prepared to constrain the President, which means not only saying or passing resolutions, but actually dropping the COVID that they run for him if he is not complying with the law. There's only two. We got three branches, right. So there's only two other ones to look at. One of them is the courts and the other one is the Congress. Each one pretty rickety in terms of its capability for checks and balances. But, you know, the other thing to remember is that if one or both of those branches fail, the ultimate backstop actually is the people. And every time he backs down on matters big and small, whether it's on the original version of the tariffs last year or whether it's. It's on my mind just because I was in New Hampshire where he just backed down on places in this big ICE detention facility because people stood up. When people stand up in a way that you just cannot ignore and cannot shout down. I think for the big picture stuff, if Congress fails us and the courts fail us, that's actually the ultimate backstop that we have.

[Tim Miller]

Last one from Michael Elder. Will Democrats be ready immediately to make policy to course correct when we retake the government? I like that. What would be the first thing that you'd want Democrats to do and would it be bulldozing the new East Wing ballroom?

[Pete Buttigieg]

So we got to learn from them, right? They broke lots of things at once. We should be ready to build lots of things at once. And so looking in the past was like, okay, what should our one priority be? Then we'll move on to the next priority. We're not going to have time for that. We got to do major structural and institutional reform. Get it underway on all the unsexy but super important stuff like tackling money in politics, dealing with. With making Congress more representative, less corrupt, and at the same time, take the big policy swings and show people that we're working for them by actually delivering better health care and more affordable childcare and all of the things that we care about as Democrats. I think it's going to be really important. There's not a lot I want to emulate out of this White House, but one thing they definitely do is lots of things at once. Aim big and do lots of things at once. We should be prepared to do the exact same in different ways.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, sure. You can actually do things. All right, thank you for staying up. Sorry for the technical difficulties. Terry Mayer Slayer, Father Pete Buttigieg. We'll be talking to you soon. All right, brother.

[Jonathan Cone]

Take care.

[Pete Buttigieg]

Thanks.

[Tim Miller]

All right, we got a couple other folks back in. Joe Pertico is inside the room. Is Sam still here? So Lauren Egan is here. That's not Joe Perdicone. There he is. Look at that. Full crew. All right, well, Sam, why don't you take over for me? I'm running on empty.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah, you just take a breath. Joe, you were in the room. Two questions. One, I saw you. The hockey players were on top of you. Did you have any idea that was gonna happen? And two, what would, like, the. Hold on. What were the three most hilarious observations that you had from lawmakers?

[Joe Perdicone]

So.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

So I was. Beforehand, I was like, have you seen the hockey players? To some of the photographers who are around me, and they were like, no, we haven't seen them yet. And then I'm doing the Reddit AMA during it, and I all sudden hear usa. And I look up and they're like, right there.

[Joe Perdicone]

And I'm like, oh, my God.

[Sam Stein]

Okay, hold on. There's Joe. There's Joe. You can see him down there. Why are you looking at your computer when they're right there?

[Rocket Money Promoter]

Because that might have been, like, before I realized were there.

[Tim Miller]

Did you clap for them? No.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

It's like, it's strict rules. No signs of approval.

[Tim Miller]

Strict rules. You're not allowed to clap, even for America?

[Rocket Money Promoter]

No. Wow.

[Tim Miller]

If you would have. If you would have gotten kicked out for clapping for America, I would have defended You. I thought about it.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

I was like, what if I fist bumped him when he left? But then I was like, I'm not going to risk it. But. So that was weird. And then in terms of the funniest things, I saw Tom Cole sleeping long time.

[Tim Miller]

Appropriate.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

So he's sitting there like. Like, mouth open, eyes closed, like fully out. And then all of a sudden there's some thing that Trump says, so there's a standing ovation. And he just goes and just gets up and starts clapping. Like, I'm like. He had no clue what he. What he was clapping about. He just woke up and saw everyone doing it. Another funny thing, Tim had mentioned it before Secretary Pete came on was John Hovind. I was looking down at him and he was just, like, looking at pics. Delete. Looking at the pig. Delete. He was just like, I gotta clean up my phone space. And I just found that really funny.

[Sam Stein]

Hey, there's a lot of time to kill.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

And then a very, like, serious but also funny moment was, like, when Al Green was holding the sign out. It was one of those retractable ones like you see at stadiums. And Mark Wayne Mullen, who

[Joe Perdicone]

may have

[Rocket Money Promoter]

enjoyed himself prior to coming to the floor, he. He runs up, like, all pissed, and he, like, tries to snatch it. And Green just goes boom. And closes it. And so he totally whiffs and almost falls on the seat. And then he was, like, so embarrassed by that. This old man just made him whiff that. He just turned around and stormed away. And, like, that was just genuinely funny. So those are my three funniest moments.

[Sam Stein]

That's pretty good. All right. Tim and I were talking, Lauren, about how unmemorable this was. Like, if you look back, there really wasn't. I don't know, there was. I'm actually having trouble recalling what actually happened. Is your audio working? Couldn't hear you, Laura. Give it one more try. Nope, no audio. We're having real audio issues this day. Anyways, I'll switch to Joe then. And then if Lauren can figure out our audio, we'll figure it out. But the one sort of confrontational moment beyond Al Green and his thing was the insider trading bit. And I want to play the video so that we can get a little bit of insight into what was going on here, because I actually want to know what the legislative prospects are for this. So let's play the video and. And we will come back after that.

[Joe Perdicone]

We ensure that all Americans can profit from a rising stock market. Let's also ensure that members of Congress Cannot corruptly profit from using insider information. They stood up for that. I can't believe it. I can't believe it. Did Nancy Pelosi stand up if she was here? Doubt it.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

Pelosi did stand.

[Joe Perdicone]

Yes. The Stop Top Insider Trading act without delay.

[Sam Stein]

All right, can we stop the video there? So why have they not passed this act?

[Rocket Money Promoter]

So, two reasons. One, Mike Johnson has deliberately delayed it. This is going to make it a lot harder for him to delay it. Two, Democrats believe that this should not just apply to Congress, but also to employees at the White House because you're seeing pretty open corruption on their end. And this does. Just doesn't address it at all. So those are the two kind of impasses about it. Johnson had said he wanted to ban stock trading and then he kind of backtracked. There's a lot. I think there's a lot more widespread opposition in the Republican conference over it than there is for Democrats. But it's. It's mainly stalled because Johnson does not put it on the floor.

[Sam Stein]

All right, well, let's see if Lauren from her mahogany book study.

[Lauren Egan]

Yeah, it's my cigar lounge.

[Sam Stein]

Okay.

[Tim Miller]

Sorry.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah, yeah, it's not. All right. Lauren, how are you?

[Lauren Egan]

I'm doing well. How are you doing?

[Sam Stein]

Did you enjoy the speech?

[Lauren Egan]

I had a great time. It was exactly how I wanted to spend my evening. No, I mean, it was like. Yeah, it was nothing memorable. I don't know, like, just looking at my notes, I'm like, nothing really stands out. Which is fine.

[Sam Stein]

That's the top end analysis that we.

[Tim Miller]

What else you got in the notes?

[Sam Stein]

What's part two and three?

[Joe Perdicone]

That was so.

[Lauren Egan]

You know, I was folding. Folding some laundry while he was talking. He just like. I mean, the whole thing was. But that's like, fine. Like we're just at this phase of like his administration where, I mean, what is there to say? You know? Yeah, I guess he just seemed like desperate through. And the D part.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah. Well, not just Spamberger, but Omar Al Ghost Green. I mean, they're the usual suspect, but

[Lauren Egan]

like, I mean, I think there was a lot of like, even like further how they're going to protest. I mean, after last year, you probably recall last year, I guess it wasn't a real State of the Union address, but during Trump's speech, Democrats just like were totally roasted for their. Their protesting. Remember, they were holding up like almost like the bingo cards that were like. Yeah, it was like kind of silly and like really captured this phase of, of where the Democratic Party was. Or they just couldn't get their shit together. They didn't have a real plan for how to push back and be an organized oppositional party. There was obviously, I think, some efforts to be a bit more organized this time around. I know Jeffries kind of had some conversations with folks and said, you know, either sit silently through the speech or just don't show up. And there were a few counter rallies type things happening on the National Mall with people like. Like Chris Murphy was there. So a number of Democrats didn't show up. But I think it's inevitable that you have kind of your few little shouts here and there, which I don't think is a bad thing.

[Sam Stein]

No. Shout out to Midas Touch, which apparently was broadcasting live from outside.

[Lauren Egan]

Yeah, it looks really cold.

[Sam Stein]

Absolutely. Would not do that.

[Tim Miller]

Throw out. I'm not. The Stock act is interesting because we do have it. Do we still have the emoluments that's still in there, right?

[Sam Stein]

Yeah.

[Tim Miller]

Can we lump that in with the Stock Act? We affirm the emoluments because I do think that Donald Trump's breaking that. That law currently. We're not going to do that.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

They're not going to do it.

[Joe Perdicone]

Does it.

[Tim Miller]

Wait, so who's the Stock act banning for? I mean, we can trade Kalshee and predict it on Iran bombings from inside

[Rocket Money Promoter]

the White House, prediction markets winning. I don't think they would be included in the current trading ban.

[Sam Stein]

Does the trading ban extend to the executive branch? No. Oh, how convenient.

[Joe Perdicone]

Yeah. And then that's why.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

That's why Democrats are opposed.

[Tim Miller]

Whereas you should ask the big. For the big Kelsey supporters in the Republican Party on the Hill where they're. Whether that should be included. That'd be interested in their point of view on that.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

A lot of members just don't know what a prediction market is. So that's a kind of.

[Tim Miller]

There are a couple of pros, though.

[Lauren Egan]

Reassuring.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

Yeah.

[Sam Stein]

Who do you think. Who do you think are the. The ones who do know what it is?

[Rocket Money Promoter]

Mike Collins, He's a big crypto trader. You know, you'd have to look at like, you know, the tech savvy ones. There are a few of them.

[Tim Miller]

Brandon Gill is on Kill Richie.

[Sam Stein]

Torres knows what it is, but that's because he wants to outlaw somebody. All right, let's play the Ilhan Omar clip because we were talking with Egan about this. She was the one who, I, I think at one point, Joe, correct me if I'm wrong, she got up and left the chamber, just decided she had enough. There's a lot of that okay. Yeah.

[Tim Miller]

She started, like, how many people left early?

[Rocket Money Promoter]

Tons of Democrats.

[Joe Perdicone]

Maybe. Really.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

Maybe a quarter of them.

[Joe Perdicone]

Like, not at.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

Not at once, but, like, people were just getting up.

[Lauren Egan]

Interesting. You couldn't really pick up on that from the screen. Yeah, well.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah, well, I want to. Let's put yellow on Omar. Let's talk about that. And then I also want to talk about our girl Kat K afterwards because she was the star of the show. But first,

[Joe Perdicone]

you should be ashamed of yourself not standing up. You should be ashamed of yourself. That is why I'm also asking you to end deadly sanctuary cities that protect the criminals and enact serious penalties for public officials who block the removal of criminal aliens, in many cases, drug lords, murderers. All over our country. They're blocking the removal of these people out of our country. And you should be ashamed of yourself.

[Sam Stein]

All right, so what was going on there?

[Rocket Money Promoter]

Joe Ilhan Omer was repeatedly yelling, you killed Americans. Rashida Tlib was also doing like a live fact check, basically, where every time Trump said anything, she'd be like, lies, liar, lies. No, not true.

[Lauren Egan]

Just like, shouting it.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

Yeah.

[Sam Stein]

Huh. What was Mike. What was Mike Johnson doing with his mic there?

[Rocket Money Promoter]

I couldn't monitor. I mean, he could be signaling to the sergeant in arms. So, like, when Al Green got up, sergeant in arms went straight to him.

[Jonathan Cone]

Him.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

Because they had to almost drag him out the last time Trump gave a speech to Congress. And he had to be like, you gotta go. And then he left. So maybe a signal to the sergeant at arms who just walks up and says, time to leave. But then they ended up leaving on their own at different times.

[Joe Perdicone]

I know.

[Sam Stein]

Again, is it helpful? I actually am fine with her doing it like they did. They did kill Americans like they did.

[Lauren Egan]

Yeah. I'm not like, I don't really like, you know, I'm not like a pearl clutcher about some of this stuff. I think it'd be kind of weird to not have at least one moment where you're sort of pushing back against Trump in some of this. You know, I think it's totally appropriate to do a little bit of that. Republicans certainly do the same shit when it's a Democrat that's up there. And especially on an issue like that, you know, if you're going to pick any issue to kind of go at him for, I think that that's a completely reasonable one to try and make a little bit of a moment.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah, I guess I'll push you on this one. Then we gotta swap you out for con. But with the Spamberger speech. Tim and I were talking about this before Pete came on, but, I mean, she went so hard at the ICE stuff in a way that I was, it just sort of stood out that they, that she was just like, you know, decided that that's the, you know, soft underbelly for Trump. Does it signify something that I'm missing?

[Lauren Egan]

I think it's, I mean, it's remarkable because if you had told me even just, you know, six months ago that that would be something that she would have really gone hard on in her speech, I would have thought you were crazy. This is just something that Democrats did not want to engage on, especially Democrat like her.

[Sarah Longwell]

Right.

[Lauren Egan]

She's definitely positioned herself as this more moderate centrists in the party, someone who comes to issues of immigration, you know, with the sort of even hand. So I think it signals that the, the temperature has really changed a lot. I also thought the way she kind of went at, you know, he's enriching himself, I thought was interesting. And you can clearly tell from that speech that's just going to be a key theme from Democrats and midterms.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah, yeah.

[Tim Miller]

Laura Ingram says that was the best speech he's ever given on 5 spam burger. Laura. No, no. Donald Trump.

[Sam Stein]

Oh, Ingram said Trump. That was the best speech Trump's ever given.

[Tim Miller]

Ever given.

[Sam Stein]

For real.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

Until his next speech.

[Tim Miller]

Not a competitive category, I guess, but

[Sam Stein]

I want some more commentary from on the webs.

[Tim Miller]

I gotta tell you, I know that we're bringing Jonathan cone, who is going to offer some very important insight on the health care, but I need to do some personal health care and to have one more glass of wine. And I, I, I gotta say, a, a whole newfound respect out there to the streamers. You know, people, people, sometimes I have had some negative thing to say about Hassan Piker recently. A lot of slander of clavicular online. But like the bros that are out there in the streets streaming 17 hours a day, that's endurance.

[Sam Stein]

They're not doing anything. They're like, some of it, they're just sleeping.

[Tim Miller]

Literally, they're typing. It's something to be said for it. It was great being here with everybody, though. I appreciate everybody. Jonathan Cohen's gonna bring some real wisdom that I don't have to offer. I'll see you guys soon. Cheers.

[Sam Stein]

See you, Timmy. Thank you for your service. All right, we're gonna bring a Cone. We're gonna put a nice bow in this. We have to have some brains coming into the operation. There he is, folks. Jonathan, how you doing, buddy?

[Jonathan Cone]

I, I was quickly googling the latest research on whether wine is good for your health or not. So it's doing fine.

[Sam Stein]

It's doing.

[Lauren Egan]

I think it's controversial, actually.

[Andrew Egger]

There's.

[Jonathan Cone]

Yeah, there's like, you know, the studies are going back and forth. It's, it's, it's very hard to keep track. I've lost track of that one.

[Sam Stein]

All right, we're going to keep this tight because it's midnight. I'm exhausted. Everyone else is exhausted. Joe's still in the capital. He needs to go home. Let's go.

[Joe Perdicone]

We.

[Sam Stein]

John, just what were like some of the big whoppers tonight that you noticed?

[Jonathan Cone]

I mean, it was the usual litany, right? You know, the economy is great. No, you know, it's got all these problems. You know, manufacturing jobs are off, actually, manufacturing jobs are down. You know, we're, we're becoming more competitive, actually. We're killing our research and development. You know, we're losing our competitive edge in industry. So, you know, there was all of that garbage on health care. You know, he said, you know, he told. Talked about the one big beautiful bill. He forgot.

[Tim Miller]

This one big beautiful bill.

[Andrew Egger]

It's great.

[Jonathan Cone]

It cuts taxes. Well, actually, it cuts taxes for the wealthy people and it cuts 10 million people off from health insurance. The big thing that I paid attention to was this pitch on prescription drugs, which he spent a fair amount of time on his big claim. I brought the most favored nation, lowest drug prices in the world. And, and not because I think anyone's gonna listen to this speech or remember that from this speech, but this is their big pitch, right? I mean, this is their, like, answer on affordability going into the campaign. It's their way of trying to deflect from attacks on their healthcare record. And I even think it has a sort of third layer, which is, you know, they've got this. They've got to soften up their image somehow, right? I mean, with the immigration stuff and, you know, health care as sort of codes, as a kind of caring issue. So. So it kind of gives you that caring and it kind of gives you a population and just, you know, we'll. I'm sure we'll be talking about this a lot and maybe writing about this soon, but we do not have the lowest drug prices in the world. Not even close.

[Sam Stein]

Not close. Not.

[Jonathan Cone]

Not even close. You know, he made these secret agreements with a couple of the drug companies. You can get to them through Trump Rx for the most part. If you have insurance, it's not going to do you that much.

[Sam Stein]

Good.

[Jonathan Cone]

If you're paying cash for these people, you're paying cash for your drugs. There's a really good chance that you can already get a generic drug cheaper than what is available there. There's exceptions. He's done, you know, for the. The two big categories are the weight loss drugs and the fertility drugs, because those tend to be ones that people pay cash, even if they have insurance, because a lot of insurance doesn't cover it. And you can get lower prices there. So, you know, that's a good thing. Sure, you know, deserve some credit. But this idea that he's made this giant progress on drugs, it's just. It's ridiculous.

[Andrew Egger]

It's absurd.

[Jonathan Cone]

And it's a way to distract and cover up from the very real cuts to health care that are going through the system now. And they're really going to really hurt people going forward.

[Sam Stein]

All right, let me get some audience questions, and I'm going to kick it around the horn because they're fun. Michael Nicholson, 7813CON. I'm going to go to you first. What's the one thing the president didn't say tonight that he probably should have?

[Jonathan Cone]

Okay, well, that's hard for me to

[Andrew Egger]

answer because if it were me, I

[Jonathan Cone]

would say you should explain why you're, you know, you're. Why did you cut off all the funding for global health, you know, to USAID and killing millions of people?

[Sam Stein]

All right, Lauren, you take this, because

[Lauren Egan]

I know way there's too many things. There's just like, too many things. I mean, like, I'm gonna say

[Pete Buttigieg]

he

[Lauren Egan]

just needed to, like, acknowledge that some of the economic stuff in a real way, but, like, he was never going to do that. You know, it's questions hard to answer because he was never. He's never going to say the things he probably should have said.

[Sam Stein]

No, but you're right. It's like the sort of Bill Clinton idea of, like, I feel your pain, and he just couldn't. Yeah, right.

[Lauren Egan]

Yeah,

[Sam Stein]

yeah. If this were a Bill Clinton speech, it would have been narratively different. Right.

[Jonathan Cone]

It would have been narrowly different, and there would have been some pivots on some of the things. He would have signaled changes on the vulnerability, vulnerabilities. I mean, that's basic politics 101. Almost every other president would have done that except Donald Trump. Right. I mean, we would have heard, you know, some kind of recalibration on immigration. There would have been some subtle acknowledgment that, oh, you know, maybe we did go a Little too far, but it's really important to do that and didn't get any of that.

[Sam Stein]

So, yeah, this one's vertical. This one's for you. Scott Tilden, 528. Oh, sorry, wrong one. Sorry, Scott, not going to answer that one. KL Gray, Scott 6341. How can any GOP candidate think they can campaign with this?

[Rocket Money Promoter]

I think it depends. We saw there were several Republican candidates in there. Ken Paxton was up in the gallery. John Cornyn was down there schmoozing. They all want this. They all want this. They all think it's great. You know, and even when they've lost elections with Trump, they come running back to him. So I think they're all going to think this is great. I don't think you'll see them run from him except in a handful of vulnerable House districts, maybe in Susan Collins Senate race.

[Sam Stein]

I mean, maybe I don't think even

[Rocket Money Promoter]

then, but I think they're going to run towards him, you know, Susan Collins standing more. Let me put it this way down there.

[Sam Stein]

Okay, let's rephrase the question. Was there anything he did in this speech that Republican in Congress say, yeah, like we're going to run on that? Was it the, the call for the corporate tax cuts, the call for the personal tax cuts, the call for the insider trading bans, the call for some of the prescription drug stuff? I mean, there was some stuff he threw out there.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

I got, yeah, I got to look at some of the talkers that House Republicans and Senate Republicans were basically told to go and say to the press. And basically it just repeated the stuff he said. All the prescription, the Trump accounts. That's a big thing that they're going to lean into, even though it's probably not as valuable as just setting up a 529 plan for your kid, whatever. But that's a huge thing. He mentioned the Trump accounts. He mentioned Trump rx, anything that's Trump branded. They might not really phrase it that way. They might just say, oh, these are the Republican baby bonds, depending on, you know, where they're campaigning. But I think they're going to run with pretty much everything he said.

[Sam Stein]

All right. And then, Lauren, I guess the inverse goes to you. Like, what's the one thing you said tonight that Democrats are going to harp

[Lauren Egan]

on the total gaslighting about the reality of economic situations? I mean, it was just kind of mind boggling for him to be up there and say everything across the board is getting better and we're winning too much in kind of that, like, weird, mocking tone he used. I don't know if you remember that. That was, like, right at the beginning. I think that that's. That's going to be the thing that

[Sam Stein]

they really does strike me that he comes off right kind like. He comes off just detached.

[Jonathan Cone]

He does. He does. He does come off to. I mean, he's completely. I mean, honestly, I think what they'll jump on is they'll do the attacks. You know, Democrats want to give away your money to illegal alien aliens. They're. They don't care about waste and fraud. I mean, if I was a Republican, that's where I'd go. Because you can't sell on the economy, right? I mean, you can't gaslight people on what they're saying. The best you can do is build up the Democrats as an enemy is a scary. Taking your money, you know, the usual playbook, and hope that. That you bring them down enough and, you know, you fight it to a draw.

[Sam Stein]

And then, last thing, Kat Kamek, I hope I pronounced it correctly. She was the star of the show. I don't know if people saw her. She was sitting. Why was she sitting on. On the Democratic side of the aisle? This is a congresswoman, Republican congresswoman.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

She just went and took a seat, and she was right behind the Supreme Court. And it made no sense at all. Byron Donalds was kind of down there with the senators, but he was nowhere near as far into, I guess, right field as she was.

[Sam Stein]

She was just hooting and holing. And then the other one, John Roberts,

[Rocket Money Promoter]

was just, like, depressed. Every time she jumped up, his head went down.

[Sam Stein]

Okay, did Tom Massey. Did Tom Massey get a handshake with Trump or.

[Rocket Money Promoter]

No, he moved in, and he was sitting next to Keith Self and Nancy Mace. So he moved in after, like, staking out the aisle, and then all of a sudden, he just stopped and went in. Maybe he had a change of heart of whether or not to pull a stunt.

[Sam Stein]

Okay, all right, I'm gonna close up shop here. According to our feed, we've been doing this for three hours and 16 minutes. It's a lot. I don't think anyone needs any more of us. Unless you guys disagree.

[Jonathan Cone]

I don't need any more of me.

[Sam Stein]

Okay, let me close. Let me close by saying this. I want to.

[Tim Miller]

I want to.

[Sam Stein]

I want to send my kudos to Tim Miller for enduring almost the totalities. I'm a little bit surprised he. He tapped out because he could have had the full shebang. But a big thanks to our audience for. For participating. This was a really successful feed and thank you for enduring some of the technical snafus we had with Pete Buttigieg. The question I almost read but didn't from Scott Tilden. 528 was come to Texas in just the Democratic primary. I don't know what he meant by that, but he did say come to Texas. And in fact, we are coming to Texas. We have live shows in Texas. I don't know if folks know this. We're gonna be in Dallas on March 18th. We're going to be in Austin on March 19th. So we're coming to Texas. And folks should just look and try to get some tickets because the live shows are dope. Other than that. Oh yeah, go to the bulwark.com events. I've been told. Other than that. Lauren, Jonathan, Joe. I can't believe you didn't get a gold medal. Joe should just snatch it from someone's neck. Thank you guys for doing this, everyone. Thank you you for listening to us. Subscribe to the Bulwark. We do this because we love you, but your support means everything to us. It helps us do this type of stuff. So do subscribe to the bulwark either on YouTube or on substack. We will do this again at some point in time next year for the next state of union for sure. Fellas, Lauren, take care. Bye guys.

[Lauren Egan]

Bye guys.

[Sarah Longwell]

We're lost.

[Lauren Egan]

I'm going to pull over and ask that man for direction.

[Andrew Egger]

Hi there.

[Lauren Egan]

We're looking to get to the campground.

[Tim Miller]

Well, you're gonna take a left at the old oak tree end of this here road. No, I'm just kidding. Let me get my phone out.

[Sarah Longwell]

How are you getting a signal out here?

[Tim Miller]

T Mobile and US Cellular decided to merge. So the network out here is huge. We're getting the same great signal as the city and saving a boatload with all the benefits. Oh, and a five year price guarantee. Okay, here's those directions.

[Sarah Longwell]

Actually, can you point us in the direction of a T Mobile store?

[Joe Perdicone]

America's best network just got bigger.

[Sam Stein]

Switch to T Mobile today and get

[Tim Miller]

built in benefits the other guys leave out. Plus our five year price guarantee. And now T Mobile is available in US Cellular stores.

[Sam Stein]

Best mobile network based on analysis by Oogle of speed test intelligence data 2H 2025 bigger network. The combination of T Mobile's and US Cellular's network footprints will enhance the T Mobile network's coverage price guarantee on talk text and data exclusions like taxes and fees apply. Ctobile.com for details.