Summary of "DEFEATED BY KIMMEL AND AN ESCALATOR, TRUMP SHOULD RESIGN"
Countdown with Keith Olbermann (iHeartPodcasts), September 25, 2025
Main Theme & Episode Overview
In this episode, Keith Olbermann tackles what he deems “the most hapless 96 hours of his presidency”—a scathing review of Donald Trump’s recent blunders, self-inflicted scandals, and public humiliations. Olbermann focuses especially on the symbolic and literal beatdowns Trump suffered at the hands of Jimmy Kimmel, an inopportune escalator malfunction at the UN, and a series of bizarre, damaging events. The episode offers Olbermann’s signature political analysis, gleeful mockery, and vehement calls for Trump’s resignation, complete with commentary on the dangers of authoritarian rhetoric, media manipulation, and fresh takes on the dysfunction of the American right.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Trump’s Disastrous 96 Hours [02:51-06:44]
- Olbermann catalogues a “collection of disasters” encompassing Trump’s unhinged UN speech, a bizarre news conference about Tylenol and autism, reckless foreign policy statements (like encouraging NATO countries to shoot down Russian jets), and a whiplash stance toward Ukrainian President Zelensky.
- Trump’s administration is further marred by corruption allegations: his homeland security chief embroiled in bribery accusations, and a contentious approach to ICE, the FBI, and other agencies.
- Trump’s actions directly lead to a canceled meeting with Democrats, making him the “owner” of any ensuing government shutdown.
Quote:
“After perhaps the most hapless 96 hours of his presidency…the mentally deteriorating, untethered from reality Trump must resign and take his idiot sycophants with him.”
—Keith Olbermann [02:51]
- Resignation demanded; Trump’s enablers and cronies (“Vance, Gnome, Homan, Millay”) told to “leave the Epstein files” and depart with him.
The "Rapture" of Trump’s Invulnerability [06:45-07:39]
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Olbermann humorously likens Trump’s loss of “invisibility” to a South African pastor’s rapture prophecy:
- “Something sure disappeared into the sky…the hours before and after that sunset. And that something was Trump’s feeling of invulnerability.” [07:03]
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He emphasizes that every recent fiasco was self-inflicted: “Self-owns…obsessions, self-indulgences, destructions. Quicksand that Trump and Trump alone could voluntarily dive into an average of one every four hours.” [07:26]
Kimmel vs. Trump: The Late-Night Reversal [10:41-15:25]
- ABC and Disney, having previously sidelined Kimmel (reportedly after Trump’s threats), reinstate him, prompting Olbermann to gloat about Kimmel’s spectacular on-air takedown.
- Kimmel’s return monologue is described as “masterful, searing…so declaring of his ownership of Trump, that Jimmy had to take a commercial break in the middle of it.” [10:41]
Quote:
“This is a bullying victim coming back and hitting Scott Farkas Trump in the nuts.”
—Keith Olbermann [12:40]
- Trump, frustrated by Kimmel’s resilience and ratings, brags about “using threats to get Kimmel canceled”—a claim demonstrably false as Kimmel’s viewership skyrockets.
Quote:
“All things considered, more people watch Kimmel than watch Trump’s inauguration this year.”
—Keith Olbermann [14:44]
- Olbermann speculates about the corporate alignments and legal risks: suggesting Kimmel, ABC, and Disney all have grounds to sue the FCC and Sinclair for “tortious interference.”
The “Escalator-Gate” & UN Mishaps [22:58-28:46]
- Trump’s UN visit becomes a farce: the White House blames staff for a stopped teleprompter, and Trump himself allegedly tries to have the escalator operator arrested after being stranded.
- Right-wing pundits vent conspiracy theories, spinning routine equipment failures as sabotage or assassination attempts—including suggestions the US should “bomb the UN” in retaliation. Olbermann lampoons the paranoia.
Quote:
“Ultimately, amid all of this paranoia, somebody has to say this, and it might as well be me. Boy, that escalatored quickly.”
—Keith Olbermann [28:46]
Partisan Media, the Murdochs, and Olbermann as a Target [32:51-52:22]
- Olbermann, anticipating renewed attacks in Murdoch-owned media (New York Post, Fox News), details a history of their vendettas and fabricated stories against him.
- He reveals the mechanics of smear campaigns, from fabricated gossip stories to being mocked for responding appropriately to an anthrax scare.
Quote:
“The point of this is Murdoch and Fox and especially the New York Post have been doing this to me since about 1996, always, always getting it wrong…”
—Keith Olbermann [45:10]
“Worst Persons in the World” Segment [35:39-41:21]
- Jason Whitlock, Rep. Derek Van Orden, and Gov. Kristi Noem are lampooned for hypocrisy, paranoia, and, in Noem’s case, self-pity and her dog-killing allegations.
- Noem’s response to a “bad day” tweet is mocked as overblown and self-victimizing.
Olbermann’s Personal Experience with Media Lies and Threats [45:10-65:05]
- Recounts years of malicious, fabricated “scoops” by the New York Post (from supposed “meltdowns” about covering the Pope to the infamous “wearing cargo shorts” story).
- Describes an anthrax hoax incident in 2006, which led to a serious FBI investigation. He criticizes the New York Post for ridiculing his responsible response, despite their own staff having been targeted by real anthrax.
- Details the protocols of Murdoch’s gossip operations: escalate when challenged, fabricate details, never admit defeat unless the story is completely incontrovertible.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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“Kimmel looms above, around and behind every one of them. To paraphrase the Baseball Hall of Famer and builder Rube Foster: Kimmel is the ship. All else is the sea.”
—Keith Olbermann [07:35] -
“If Trump could get Kimmel fired, President Pritzker or President AOC will be able to get everybody at Fox News fired and maybe all of their podcasts canceled.”
—Keith Olbermann [12:14] -
Parodying conspiracy theorists on “Escalator-Gate”:
“You do not need to embarrass Donald Trump. He is self-embarrassing—a muse.”
—Keith Olbermann [25:01] -
“Twice [the New York Post] threatened me with stories that I had to take some action about…once they completely made one up, and once they ran a story, even though the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security specifically asked them not to run it.”
—Keith Olbermann [50:22] -
On Kristi Noem:
“If that's really menacing to you, you need to get to a convent or somewhere…A convent sounds like a good idea.”
—Keith Olbermann [41:03] -
On GOP calls to defund the Mayo Clinic:
“I don't think he can be trusted with a position of responsibility in a bakery, let alone a government. But just as sincerely, he's got PTSD going big time, probably from his service. Maybe it's CTE. In fact, the only thing he should be doing about the Mayo Clinic is going to it.”
—Keith Olbermann [38:35]
Key Timestamps for Important Segments
| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------| | 02:51 | Olbermann’s Special Comment: Trump’s 96-hour disaster| | 06:44 | Trump “Rapture” & Losing Invulnerability | | 10:41 | Kimmel’s Return & Trump’s Failed Retaliation | | 14:18 | Trump’s Legal Bluster, Kimmel Ratings | | 22:58 | Escalator-Gate & UN Paranoia | | 32:51 | Murdoch Media Vendetta Against Olbermann | | 35:39 | “Worst Persons in the World” Segment | | 45:10 | Olbermann’s History with Murdoch Smear Campaigns | | 59:17 | Anthrax Scare & Media Irresponsibility | | 67:13 | Outro: Trump’s Prospects & Final Thoughts |
Episode Tone & Language
- Tone: Sarcastic, indignant, darkly comedic, and righteously outraged.
- Language: Blisteringly direct, laden with Olbermann’s signature mix of high diction and blunt invective (“idiot sycophants,” “self-owning confession,” “utter snowflakes”).
Conclusion
This episode is a tour de force of Olbermann’s polemic style: a sprawling, rapid-fire rundown of Trump’s recent failures, MAGA delusions, and right-wing media tactics. Olbermann deftly intertwines news analysis, media criticism, and personal anecdotes, using his own experience with Murdoch’s media as both illustration and warning. Central throughout is the motif of self-sabotage—Trump’s, the GOP’s, and Rupert Murdoch’s. The symbolic victory by Jimmy Kimmel and ABC serves not merely as a media spat but as a case study in bullying, propaganda, and the resilience (and absurdity) of American political spectacle.