Radio Free Hillsdale Hour

Episode: Joe Concha Explores Trump's Big Comeback
Date: May 2, 2025
Host: Scott Bertram
Guest: Joe Concha (FOX News contributor, author of The Greatest Comeback Ever)
Podcast Network: Hillsdale College Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode of the Radio Free Hillsdale Hour features an in-depth interview with FOX News contributor Joe Concha about his new book, The Greatest Comeback Ever: Inside Trump's Big, Beautiful Campaign. The discussion centers on the pivotal events and decisions that shaped the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the weaknesses of the Democratic campaign, the shifting political landscape, and Trump's evolving governing style. Concha provides behind-the-scenes insights, memorable campaign moments, and frank analysis of America’s ongoing political transformation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Moment That Changed Everything – Trump’s Indictment

• Turning Point:
  • Concha identifies the formal indictment of Donald Trump by the Biden administration as the campaign's real pivot.
  • "Once I saw they were trying to go down that road and I saw the public's reaction to it...he suddenly became the victim. And that's a different kind of place for Donald Trump to be." — Joe Concha [02:04]
  • The indictment framed Trump as a victim of a politicized justice system, energizing his base and even convincing skeptics.

2. Other Defining Moments: Debates and the Assassination Attempt

• Biden’s Debate Performance:
  • Biden’s physical and cognitive slips (wandering on stage, referencing deceased world leaders, “shaking hands with the air”) were seen as signs of unfitness.
  • "[Biden] was talking to Francois Mitterrand, and he said, meanwhile, Mitterrand, like, died, like, many years ago." — Joe Concha [03:27]
• Vice Presidential Debate:
  • Kamala Harris’s running mate Tim Walz (often humorously dubbed "goofy 80s sitcom dad") was seen as ill-prepared compared to J.D. Vance, tipping momentum to the Trump ticket.
  • "They look like the normal ones, Trump and Vance, and Kamala and goofy Tim Walz look like the weird ones." — Joe Concha [04:46]

3. Democratic Campaign Missteps

• Selection of Tim Walz:
  • Walz was chosen for viral “weird” moments and Midwestern appeal but was ultimately a liability.
  • Fears of alienating Muslim voters (by picking Josh Shapiro) narrowed their options.
  • "She missed that two inch putt and went with that again, goofy 80s sitcom dad, who is Tim Walz." — Joe Concha [06:13]
• Kamala Harris and Fundraising:
  • Harris amassed a massive war chest ($1-1.5 billion), but money was spent inefficiently (e.g., Oprah’s company paid $1M, celebrity rallies, expensive podcast studio revamp).
  • "They blew through that money and actually had a deficit after the election...where did that money go?" — Joe Concha [07:29]

4. How Trump’s Campaign Won on Authenticity & Strategy

• Campaign Team:
  • Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles credited for a "flawless campaign"—tight ship, few leaks, correct tactical choices.
  • "He hired the right people this time. I think 2020, he didn't have a very good campaign...So, yeah, LaCivita and Susie Wiles, you didn't see a lot of leaks out of this campaign." — Joe Concha [09:29]
• Relatable Moments:
  • Iconic photo of Trump working at a McDonald's became a viral symbol of blue-collar relatability.
  • "That photo, Trump told me when I interviewed him, went more viral than any other photo outside of the assassination photo." — Joe Concha [10:37]
• Connecting with Blue-Collar Workers:
  • Trump’s “builder” persona and direct overtures (e.g., garbage truck stunt, supporting the Teamsters and UAW) swung working-class unions in his favor.
  • "That's a 40 point swing. The Teamsters, they're huge in Pennsylvania...No tax on tips. Beautiful. Again, that was just a stroke of genius." — Joe Concha [13:33]

5. The Evolving Media & Political Establishment

• Media Distrust:
  • Concha and Bertram reflect on the media’s turn against “outsider” politicians since 2000 (Bush, Obama, Trump).
  • "Outsiders tend to win more. And that's why the Democrats now, they can't run Kamala Harris again..." — Joe Concha [15:58]

6. Future of the Democratic Party

• Democratic Search for "Sizzle":
  • The next Democratic nominee might need to be a celebrity or major outsider (AOC, Jon Stewart, Mark Cuban) to re-energize the base.
  • "They’re going to go for the sizzle over the steak every time." — Joe Concha [18:07]
• Governing Style—Trump 2.0:
  • Trump now more focused, less concerned with critics, and “playing a long game,” thanks to choosing loyal cabinet, fewer leaks, and congressional majority.
  • "He doesn't give an F this time...he's just moving forward with his agenda and not worrying about fighting all those little battles..." — Joe Concha [19:30]

7. Looking Ahead: 2028 and "80/20 Issues"

• Republicans are likely to keep winning as long as they focus on straightforward, widely-supported “80/20” cultural issues.
• "It's not that hard to be on the 80 side of these 80/20 issues...Just keep doing what they're doing, they'll be fine." — Joe Concha [20:57]
• J.D. Vance highlighted as future GOP star.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the campaign's narrative pivot:
  "He suddenly became the victim. And that's a different kind of place for Donald Trump to be." — Joe Concha [02:04]

• On Kamala Harris’s VP pick:
  "She missed that two inch putt and went with that again, goofy 80s sitcom dad, who is Tim Walz." — Joe Concha [06:13]

• On why blue-collar unions shifted to Trump:
  "Teamsters had internal polls...Biden was leading...when Kamala came into the race against Trump, then Trump was up 30. I'm like, that's a 40 point swing." — Joe Concha [13:33]

• On the defining campaign image:
  "That photo, Trump told me when I interviewed him, went more viral than any other photo outside of the assassination photo. And he said, but more importantly, it went to people that...don't pay attention to political campaigns or vote." — Joe Concha [10:37]

• On Trump’s new governing style:
  "He doesn't give an F this time. Like, he was way too concerned about fighting every battle his first time in...Now, he's just moving forward with his agenda and not worrying about fighting all those little battles like he did in the first term." — Joe Concha [19:30]

• On the Republican pathway to future victories:
  "It's not that hard to be on the 80 side of these 80/20 issues...let Democrats implode the way they are, and they're going to be out in the wilderness for a very long time." — Joe Concha [20:57]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Turning Point: Trump Indictment – [02:04]
• Debates and Media Narratives – [03:27 – 04:55]
• Kamala’s VP Choice and Democrat Dilemma – [05:25 – 06:56]
• Campaign Fund Misuse and Celebrity Outreach – [07:29 – 08:50]
• Trump’s Campaign Team and Relatable Moments – [09:29 – 11:27]
• Unions and Blue-Collar Support – [13:06 – 15:05]
• Media & Political Outsiders – [15:05 – 17:18]
• Democrat Future: Searching for "Sizzle" – [17:47 – 19:15]
• Trump 2.0: New Governing Style – [19:30 – 20:32]
• Looking to 2028: 80/20 Issues – [20:57 – 22:01]

Tone and Style Reflected

• The conversation is candid, fast-paced, and laced with humor (e.g., repeated jokes about Tim Walz).
• Concha blends irreverence (“craptastic campaign”, “He doesn't give an F”) with grounded political analysis.
• The discussion is pointedly critical of Democratic missteps while outlining Trump’s effective, populist appeal.

Summary Prepared for Listeners Seeking Insights into Trump’s 2024 Comeback and U.S. Political Realignment