IHIP News – Episode Summary
Episode: BREAKING Ted Cruz Makes Surprising U-Turn Betraying Trump!?
Date: September 19, 2025
Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan
Main Theme
In this episode, hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan react with both incredulity and humor to Texas Senator Ted Cruz’s unexpected public criticism of Trump-era policies and the FCC chair, seen as a rare “moment of clarity” from a staunch Trump ally. The duo also discuss broader trends of authoritarianism, hypocrisy among conservative figures, and disappointing actions by some Democratic leaders, all with their signature irreverent, progressive flair.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Ted Cruz’s Break from Trump Allies
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Breaking News: Ted Cruz criticizes FCC chair Brendan Carr for threatening media organizations and targeting Jimmy Kimmel, likening Carr’s rhetoric to mob tactics.
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Hosts’ Reaction: Skeptical that Cruz’s stance is motivated by principle, suggesting self-interest and self-preservation are more likely motives than genuine moral clarity.
“Even unfuckable, unlikable pieces of shit like Ted Cruz are capable of moments of clarity.”
– Angie, [01:46]"He cannot just say this and not be a prick. He can't just say this and not embarrass himself."
– Angie, [02:05] -
Audio Clip Discussion: Ted Cruz denounces Carr’s tactics as “right out of Goodfellas… a Mafioso coming into a bar.”
“If you can't nail the accent, Ted, don't do it.”
– Jennifer, [03:42]“Jimmy Kimmel didn’t lie. The person that lies all the time is the guy who says that your dad shot JFK.”
– Jennifer, [03:53]
2. FCC, Brendan Carr, and the Trump Cult
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Brendan Carr’s Transformation: Hosts detail Carr’s shift from claiming to defend the First Amendment (even siding with Joe Biden at times) to overt sycophancy—wearing a Trump lapel pin and enforcing cultish loyalty.
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Reflect on how quickly some public figures become subsumed in Trump’s cult of personality.
“Within two years, they have completely collapsed. Completely collapsed.”
– Angie, [06:02]“Is it for power? Is it ass kissing? Does he just fucking suck? All of the above.”
– Jennifer, [06:21]
3. Trump’s Legal Failures
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Latest Court Loss: Trump’s $15 billion lawsuit against the New York Times is tossed out by a federal judge as “decidedly improper and impermissible.”
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Highlight the repetitive, pyrrhic nature of Trump’s lawsuits and his limited legislative victories outside his Supreme Court allies.
“Every time he goes to court… he loses his ass. He cannot legislate. He is trying to set up the groundwork to rig the 2026 elections… but he can’t win again.”
– Angie, [07:03] -
Public Backlash: Share a story of a Missouri farmer confronting local Republican leadership over Trump’s policies harming their industry.
4. Democratic Party Frustrations & Hakeem Jeffries
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Charlie Kirk Honor: Outrage that Congress voted to give Charlie Kirk a commemorative day, with Hakeem Jeffries among those voting “yes.”
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Question how the Democratic leader (himself a Black man) could vote to honor a figure with an explicitly racist record.
“I need for somebody to explain to me… how a black man votes to honor an unrepentant racist that says the Civil Rights Act of 1964 should have never been passed.”
– Angie, [09:39] -
Criticize the prevalence of “strongly worded letters” and call for new, bold Democratic leadership.
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Praise Robert Garcia’s leadership as an example to emulate.
"Real leadership in this moment would be to say, I… support free speech… However, I am not going to vote to honor a racist who oppressed people..."
– Angie, [11:10]
5. Warning Signs of Fascism
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Reference to Holocaust Museum: Read aloud the “Early Warning Signs of Fascism” and relate each point to current U.S. political trends, emphasizing issues like nationalism, media control, and attacks on minorities.
“Powerful and continuing nationalism. Disdain for human rights… Obsession with national security… Controlled mass media… Rampant cronyism and corruption. Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding.”
– Angie, [13:00]
6. Call to Remain Anti-Fascist
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Emphasize that being anti-fascist is part of America’s historical values, not radical or fringe.
“We are anti fascist. That poster is in a museum in the United States of America. Because the United States of America's policy is… to be anti fascist.”
– Angie, [13:49]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Ted Cruz’s Grandstanding:
“What an insufferable, insufferable douchebag. What a grandstander. I mean, first of all, if you can't nail the accent, Ted, don't do it.”
– Jennifer, [03:42] -
On Systemic Republican Collapse:
“Within two years, they have completely collapsed. Completely collapsed.”
– Angie, [06:02] -
On the Absurdity of Honoring Charlie Kirk:
“I cannot for the life of me understand how he votes for that before he endorses Zoran Mamdani. Unless it's because he has taken over a million dollars from APAC…”
– Angie, [10:12] -
On Historical Reminders:
“The America that I've grown up in is anti fascist. I remain anti fascist. There is no headquarters for the anti fascist. There are no dues that we pay. It was the way we were raised.”
– Angie, [13:49]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [00:48] – News breaks on Ted Cruz’s “betrayal” and public commentary
- [02:48] – Audio clip of Ted Cruz’s Goodfellas imitation
- [03:42] – Hosts react to Cruz’s performance and hypocrisy
- [06:21] – Discussion of FCC chair Brendan Carr’s political evolution
- [07:03] – Trump’s legal woes and ongoing court losses
- [09:39] – Outrage at Charlie Kirk’s congressional commemoration, with Hakeem Jeffries’ vote
- [13:00] – Early warning signs of fascism and their relevance to today
- [13:49] – Affirming anti-fascist values and calling listeners to awareness
Tone & Takeaways
Throughout, Jennifer and Angie use biting satire and passionate critique to dissect the latest political paradoxes and betrayals. They call out hypocrisy on both sides, lament the capitulation of some Democratic leaders, and end with a forceful reminder of America’s anti-fascist foundation—urging listeners to stay vigilant, informed, and vocal.