Podcast Summary: "Just Plain Foolish" – Deadline: White House with Nicolle Wallace

Release Date: May 30, 2025

In the episode titled “Just Plain Foolish” of Deadline: White House, host Nicolle Wallace delves into the tumultuous landscape of Donald Trump's second term, examining the promises, policies, and controversies that have defined his administration. Engaging in deep discussions with key experts and analysts, the episode unpacks the complexities of Trump's trade deals, the administrative chaos surrounding his policies, and the broader implications for American democracy.

Trump’s “90 Deals in 90 Days” – A Broken Promise

The episode opens with Wallace scrutinizing Donald Trump’s ambitious promise to secure "90 deals in 90 days" to reshape global trade relations. As the deadline surpasses, the reality starkly contrasts the rhetoric:

Wallace [01:20]: "But Trump went about it anyway, promising 90 deals in 90 days... more than halfway through that timeline. And what exactly does the US have to show for it?"

Treasury Secretary Scott Besant updates listeners on the negotiations:

Besant [02:34]: "They are a bit stalled."

Besant [02:39]: "I believe we may at some point have a call between the president and Party Chair Xi... confident that the Chinese will come to the table when President Trump makes his preferences known."

Despite Besant’s optimism, Wallace highlights the minimal progress:

Wallace [02:58]: "So from 90 deals in 90 days, one, in the words of the Treasury Secretary, stalled negotiation, one framework... 90 days, it could still happen, but time is running out."

Economist Justin Wolfers expresses skepticism about the sustainability and legality of Trump's tariff threats:

Wolfers [04:37]: "The court told us they didn't all but tell us."

Carusone [04:43]: "You can assume that even if we lose, we will do it another way."

Wallace criticizes Trump’s strategy, referencing the famous saying:

Wallace [05:10]: "You can't con people, at least not for long... Of course, that dealmaker was Donald J. Trump himself."

Economic Implications and Small Businesses Under Siege

The discussion shifts to the tangible impact of Trump's policies on small businesses and the broader economy. Joni Ernst, a Republican senator, joins the conversation to shed light on the repercussions:

Ernst [17:33]: "And I'm working to ease the burden... ensuring their benefits are protected from waste, fraud and abuse."

Wallace underscores the bipartisan nature of Medicaid usage:

Wallace [60:37]: "Do you know what percent of Democrats have either been personally covered by Medicaid or have had someone in their family? It's 62%. Do you know what percent of Republicans? 62%."

Ernst confronts the backlash from her constituents:

Ernst [48:42]: "For heaven's sakes, for heaven's sakes."

The panel critiques the lack of political alarm among Republicans regarding the widespread impact of Medicaid cuts, emphasizing that both Democrats and Republicans equally benefit from the program.

Elon Musk’s Controversial Tenure in the White House

A significant portion of the episode focuses on investigative reporting about Elon Musk’s drug use during his time in the White House. Megan Tuohy, an investigative reporter from The New York Times, details her findings:

Tuohy [34:44]: "Musk had been using ketamine often, sometimes daily, and mixing it with other drugs. The line between medical use and recreation was blurry, troubling some people close to him."

Wallace [37:39] raises concerns about the lack of transparency:

Wallace [37:39]: "SpaceX receives billions in contracts and is required to maintain a drug-free workplace, yet Musk received advanced warnings of drug tests."

The panel discusses the broader implications of Musk’s behavior:

Gessen [75:28]: "If he's using all of his power and influence to gut and eliminate critical medical aid... that makes you sad and angry at the same time."

Senator Joni Ernst’s Medicaid Cuts and Public Backlash

The episode highlights Republican Senator Joni Ernst's contentious stance on Medicaid cuts, which drew ire from her constituents:

Ernst [48:42]: "I've never felt like this before. It's like, you just get me."

Wallace criticizes Ernst’s inability to effectively communicate the policy’s consequences:

Wallace [56:14]: "It's the party that's so pro-life they'll let women die... can't connect with them and share that understanding."

Reverend Al Sharpton and other panelists condemn Ernst’s remarks, labeling them as indicative of a deeper moral and political decay within the Republican Party.

Corruption and Crypto-Related Controversies

Addressing alleged corruption, the panel discusses allegations that Trump’s crypto ventures may be a conduit for illicit financial flows:

Carusone [68:27]: "This crypto dinner represented all kinds of people seeking all kinds of favors from the government... foreign states channeling money to Donald Trump through this new crypto meme mechanism."

Angelo Carusone [72:04]: Explains the potential violations:

"Foreign emoluments clause says that the President cannot accept a present and emolument... Donald Trump sent a $400 million gift from Qatar while the US government was buying from Qatar."

The discussion underscores the lack of transparency and the aggressive pursuit of investigative measures to uncover the extent of such financial dealings.

Democracy at Risk: Slipping Toward Autocracy

A recurring theme in the episode is the erosion of democratic norms and the perilous shift toward authoritarianism under Trump's administration. M. Gessen, a Russian-born New York Times columnist, and Justin Wolfers, an economist, provide critical insights:

Gessen [84:16]: "Deploying policies like deportations and bans on gender-affirming care has become routine, not news."

Wolfers [85:02]: "We're in the habituation stage... People figure out how to get their footing, but it misleads us into complacency."

The panel emphasizes the importance of robust political institutions and the rule of law in safeguarding democracy:

Wolfers [90:01]: "If we can mobilize, we can fight this thing back."

Gessen [27:05]: Warns against the administration's attempt to undermine fundamental democratic principles:

"They are trying to cheat and do this thing where they like, democracy means that since Donald Trump got elected president, he can do whatever he wants because the people elected him... trying to turn Donald Trump into kind of a soft autocrat."

Conclusion: A Nation at a Crossroads

“Just Plain Foolish” paints a compelling and concerning picture of the current American political climate. Through incisive analysis and expert commentary, Nicolle Wallace highlights the gaps between presidential promises and administrative actions, the corrosive effects of unilateral policies on the economy and democratic institutions, and the alarming signs of authoritarian drift.

The episode serves as a call to action for listeners to stay informed, hold leaders accountable, and actively engage in the preservation of democratic values. As the nation stands at this critical juncture, the discussions in this episode underscore the urgent need for transparency, integrity, and united resistance against policies that threaten the foundational pillars of American democracy.

Notable Quotes:

• Wallace [05:10]: "You can't con people, at least not for long... Of course, that dealmaker was Donald J. Trump himself."

• Ernst [48:42]: "I've never felt like this before. It's like, you just get me."

• Gessen [27:05]: "They are trying to cheat and do this thing where they like, democracy means that since Donald Trump got elected president, he can do whatever he wants because the people elected him."

• Wolfers [85:02]: "It's the habituation stage... People figure out how to get their footing, but it misleads us into complacency."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights presented in the “Just Plain Foolish” episode, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the pressing political and economic issues shaping the United States today.