Podcast Summary: IHIP News – "Fighting Anti-Democracy Propaganda Deep Within Trump Territory"
Date: November 8, 2025
Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan
Guest: Fred Wellman (Midas Touch podcaster, now Congressional candidate in Missouri)
Episode Overview
In this lively and candid episode, hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie "Pumps" Sullivan chat with Fred Wellman—political commentator, podcaster, Army veteran, and now Democratic candidate challenging incumbent Republican Ann Wagner in Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District. They dig deep into the entrenched right-wing propaganda machine in deep-red states, navigating faith, rural culture, and the Republican stranglehold on local narratives. The conversation blends sobering political realities with humor and optimism, offering listeners a behind-the-scenes look at running as a progressive in Trump country.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Running as a Democrat in Deep-Red Missouri
- Fred Wellman's Candidacy (00:22):
- Taking on Ann Wagner, who’s held office for 13 years and tripled her net worth, but is widely seen as absent and unresponsive to constituents.
- Noted the lack of town halls: "She just doesn't talk to us at all."
- On Breaking Through Political Divides:
- Immense grassroots energy, demonstrated by thousands protesting Trump in a thunderstorm.
- Encountered Republicans who dislike Wagner but can't stomach voting Democrat. Fred’s response: “When it comes down to me versus Ann Wagner, you can go in that booth and just that one time, get rid of Ann Wagner… If I suck, you can fire me in two years.” (01:25)
- Common frustration: Congress is a “doormat for Trump and his collaborators,” highlighting disillusionment with both parties’ representation at the federal level.
2. Republican Propaganda and Religious Narratives
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Democrats and Faith in Red States (03:02 – 05:27):
- Angie discusses how coastal strategists often misunderstand the power of faith-based messaging and decades of Republican propaganda, aided by local churches, in demonizing Democrats.
- Memorable moment: "Even though [Trump]'s a sinner, even though he is a piece of shit… he has R next to his name. And that's better than the demonic Democrat."
- Urges Democrats to reclaim moral and faith-based arguments: "Jesus Christ was a radical empath and fought for the marginalized…I think you cannot [win] without bringing up faith."
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Fred Wellman’s Approach:
- Open about being pro-choice, respectful of pro-life views but focuses on lack of representation: “The issue right now is that we’re not being represented.” (05:27)
- Aims for persistent presence in the community to counteract false messaging and humanize Democrats. “Being out amongst, look, I am who I am.”
- Willingness to work across the aisle if it benefits Missouri, citing Josh Hawley’s efforts on radioactive waste remediation as an example. “If it’s good for the people of Missouri, that’s why we’re elected.” (06:30)
- Emphasizes serving all constituents, not just special interests.
3. Values, Representation, & Personal Stories
- Fred’s Background and Vulnerability (07:10 – 10:45):
- Open about personal losses during 9/11 and the pandemic, transparent on social media and in public discourse.
- Tells story of befriending a former military colleague who disagrees politically but respects Fred’s consistency and integrity: “You’ve always stood for your values and you’ve never wavered from that.” (08:27)
- Condemns Wagner for banking-focused legislation, ignoring everyday constituents, including struggling farmers and families facing economic hardship due to federal policies.
- Shares the struggles and working-class reality of his family—a National Guardsman, a son trapped in a starter home, a small business owner impacted by tariffs, and a son who relies on Medicaid: "I'm watching on TV... and they're calling him names because he needed help. I'm tired of that. We should all be tired of that." (10:32)
- Aligns Christian values (“as you do unto the least of these…”) with policies that help the vulnerable.
4. Veterans, War Crimes, and Moral Leadership
- Current Military Policy Critique (12:01 – 15:54):
- Veterans deeply disturbed by the Department of Defense’s alleged war crimes and the use of American troops in questionable missions.
- Fred: “Rules of engagement…keep us from committing war crimes, okay? And what’s being done right now are war crimes. We are ordering our troops to murder people. And there’s no question about that.” (12:10)
- Cites a former Air Force legal official: “These are murders.”
- Concern that current military leadership is relishing violence, having purged legal oversight: “You only fire the lawyers when you want to do something illegal.” (13:45)
- Observations on the psychological cost of violence for veterans, condemning leaders who celebrate killing.
- Strong statement: “If you take pleasure in the murder of any other human being… you’re not right in the head.” (14:50)
5. Weaponizing Faith in Rural Culture
- Republican Hypocrisy (15:54 – 17:09):
- Hosts call out the Republican tactic of weaponizing Christianity to win votes while betraying core teachings ("They do the exact opposite of what their Sunday school teacher is preaching").
- Urge Democrats to fearlessly address these hypocrisies and speak to faith voters authentically.
6. Campaign Progress and Outlook
- Campaign Updates (17:09 – 18:36):
- Fred reports strong momentum: Over $250,000 raised in the first month and over two tons of food collected in a quick-turn community drive.
- Bolsters optimism: “This is not one of those jousting with windmill races… This is a campaign that will win.”
- Promotes campaign website for support: wellman4mo.com
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Uniting Across Divides:
“When it comes down to me versus Ann Wagner, you can go in that booth and just that one time, get rid of Ann Wagner… If I suck, you can fire me in two years.” — Fred Wellman (01:25) -
On Republican Branding and Demonizing Democrats:
“Even though [Trump] is a sinner... he has R next to his name. And that's better than the demonic Democrat.” — Angie Sullivan (03:25) -
On Faith-Based Democratic Messaging:
“Jesus Christ was a radical empath and fought for the marginalized.” — Angie Sullivan (04:35) -
On Serving All Constituents:
“If it’s good for the people of Missouri, that’s why we’re elected.” — Fred Wellman (06:30) -
On Relishing Violence in Leadership:
“If you take pleasure in the murder of any other human being… you’re not right in the head.” — Fred Wellman (14:50) -
On Republican Hypocrisy Around Faith:
“We need to talk about these lying Christians that are weaponizing the faith of really good folk in these red states and call it what it is.” — Angie Sullivan (16:10)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:22: Introduction to Fred Wellman, overview of Missouri’s political landscape
- 01:10: Voter reactions from across the political spectrum; representation frustrations
- 03:02: The impact of GOP propaganda and faith-based messaging
- 05:27: Fred’s strategy on navigating faith, abortion, and crossing party lines
- 07:10 – 10:45: Fred’s personal journey, family stories, and values
- 12:01: Veterans’ response to current DOD policies and emerging war crime concerns
- 13:45: Legal oversight and accountability in military leadership
- 14:50: PTSD, the morality of violence, and healthy military culture
- 17:09: Campaign fundraising success, community organizing, and race outlook
- 18:30: Call to action and closing remarks
Tone & Atmosphere
The episode is an honest, occasionally irreverent, but deeply compassionate discussion of Midwest politics, the intersection of personal values and campaign strategy, and the challenges of countering propaganda with authenticity. The hosts and guest blend gallows humor and optimism with determination for progressive change in hostile territory.
Closing
Listeners come away with a nuanced understanding of the daunting, but promising, fight to bring real representation and empathy-driven politics to the heart of Trump country—armed with faith, facts, and fearless comedy.