IHIP News - Episode Summary: "As Approval Ratings PLUMMET, MAGA is Getting BOOED at Every Turn"

Release Date: February 23, 2025
Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan
Podcast: IHIP News

Introduction

In this intense episode of IHIP News, hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan delve deep into the current political turmoil surrounding former President Donald Trump and the broader MAGA movement. With Trump’s approval ratings plummeting amidst rising foreign prices and internal governmental strife, Welch and Sullivan offer a critical analysis of the unfolding events in a red state environment. The episode is peppered with humor and sharp insights, maintaining the podcast’s signature comedic yet serious tone.

Declining Approval Ratings and Government Turmoil

[00:00] Jennifer Welch kicks off the episode by highlighting the declining approval ratings of Donald Trump, remarking, “they're as low as anyone has ever seen.” She connects this decline to increasing foreign prices and a deteriorating federal government, emphasizing the administration's focus on the Department of Defense (DoD).

Key Points:

• Trump’s approval ratings are at an all-time low.
• Escalating foreign prices are adding to the administration’s woes.
• The DoD is the next target for Trump's purges, with plans to replace military generals linked to Biden's DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives.

[00:40] Angie Sullivan discusses the leadership’s list targeting military officials associated with Biden, focusing on DEI initiatives. Welch counters by explaining how the administration uses DEI as a scapegoat to justify the removal of dedicated military personnel, labeling them as "DEI hires" to appease their "rabid racist base."

Notable Quote:

Jennifer Welch [01:06]: "Every time they do something, the blame always goes to DEI. That's how they provide a permission structure to their rabid racist base."

The Military and Constitutional Betrayal

Welch and Sullivan express deep concerns over the military’s oath to the Constitution and how the current administration is undermining this commitment. They argue that Trump and his allies prioritize loyalty to Trump over constitutional duty, signaling a dangerous shift in military allegiance.

Guest Expert [01:44]:

"The military officers continue to be in power through all administrations because they're to the Constitution. This tells me so much about Trump and the people that work for him. They don't care about the military supporting the Constitution, supporting America."

The discussion pivots to Pete Hegseth, critiqued as an incompetent and potentially problematic figure appointed to the DoD, reflecting the administration's lack of qualified leadership.

Scapegoating and Base Manipulation

[02:55] Jennifer Welch elaborates on Trump’s strategy of using scapegoating to maintain support from his base. By attributing failures to DEI initiatives and minority groups, the administration seeks to distract from systemic issues and maintain a facade of pro-military support.

Notable Quote:

"They have to figure out a way to fire people who have devoted their entire lives and ascended up the ranks of the United States Armed services. And how they can do that is to say, oh, they're just DEI hires or they're DEI pushers, because that's how racist the MAGA base is."

Infrastructure Failures and Economic Decline

The hosts shift focus to the failing infrastructure projects, particularly highlighting Kevin Kiley, a MAGA congressman from California. They criticize his stance on canceling infrastructure projects, portraying it as a move detrimental to job creation and economic growth.

Guest Expert [05:26]:

"Everything gets better when infrastructure is building and they want to take it away because Joe Biden's name's on it."

Jennifer Welch [05:56]:

"Residual anxiety and outright anger at exactly where Trump has driven this country in 30 days. Yes, they're upset about infrastructure, but all of that is exacerbated by the onslaught of the daily shit show that we see these imbeciles are doing with our country."

The Rise of Extremism and Fascism

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the alarming rise of extremist behavior among MAGA supporters and affiliated figures. Welch condemns the adoption of Nazi symbols and rhetoric within the movement, drawing parallels to fascism.

Notable Clips and Quotes:

• Steve Bannon at CPAC [06:42]:

  "We're not gonna surrender. We're not gonna quit. Fight."

• Jennifer Welch [06:53]:

  "MAGA are Nazis. That's just all there is to it. The United States of America has a Nazi problem."

Guest Expert [07:41]:

"They agree with [Nazi salute] because they support it. It is sad and it is..."

The hosts link this behavior to international perceptions of American fascism, noting the withdrawal of far-right European politicians from events like CPAC due to the toxic environment created by American MAGA extremists.

Corruption within Federal Agencies

The discussion turns to internal corruption, specifically targeting Kash Patel, the FBI Director, and Cash Patel. The hosts accuse Patel of prioritizing loyalty to Trump over national security and integrity, predicting chaos within the FBI under his leadership.

Jennifer Welch [08:11]:

"They are dismantling the government and they have all of these working class people believing that they are."

They further criticize Republican tax policies, arguing that tax cuts for the wealthy have exacerbated national deficits and led to economic instability.

Concluding Remarks: A Nation in Crisis

In their final analysis, Welch and Sullivan paint a bleak picture of the United States, highlighting multiple crises:

• Infrastructure destruction
• Erosion of democratic institutions
• Rise of extremist ideology
• Economic mismanagement

They assert that the combination of these factors has severely damaged the nation, with little hope for recovery under the current MAGA-dominated landscape.

Notable Quote:

Jennifer Welch [13:24]: "America has a Nazi problem. America has a corruption problem. America has a MAGA problem. And all of these MAGA voters... you have completely ruined our country."

Guest Expert [13:23]:

"I completely agree with you."

Conclusion

Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan wrap up the episode with a stark warning about the state of the nation, urging listeners to recognize the depth of the issues plaguing the United States. They call for awareness and action to combat the rising tide of MAGA-driven policies and extremist ideologies.

Call to Action:

"Make sure you subscribe to our channel. We'll see you all later."

This episode of IHIP News serves as a passionate critique of the current political landscape, emphasizing the dangers posed by Trump's diminishing approval and the aggressive strategies employed by his administration to maintain power. Welch and Sullivan blend factual reporting with fervent commentary, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing the United States today.