IHIP News Podcast Summary
Episode: Karoline Leavitt Has Total Meltdown During Most Insane Presser Yet
Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie "Pumps" Sullivan
Date: September 23, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into a chaotic press conference featuring Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s combative press secretary, whose defiant and incendiary statements sparked outrage among journalists and critics alike. Using their signature mix of progressive passion and biting humor, Jennifer and Angie dissect Leavitt’s tactics, lament the state of the American press, and critique both the Trump administration and the Democratic response — all while emphasizing the urgency for collective media resistance and political courage. The conversation is punctuated by memorable rants, pointed analysis, and memorable quotes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Karoline Leavitt’s Press Conference Performance
- Deflection & Aggression: Leavitt, described as “the meanest, cruelest female” by Angie (00:33), responds defensively when questioned about Trump’s directive to target political enemies, especially Letitia James.
- Justifying Trump’s Actions: Leavitt insists Trump is entitled to “express how he feels” about those “who literally tried to ruin his life and businesses” and demands accountability for those she claims abused power (01:12).
- Hosts’ Response: Jennifer calls Trump "a criminal and he is corrupt," and criticizes both Trump’s incompetence and Leavitt’s enabling (01:33).
- Normalization of Authoritarianism: Angie voices dismay that such behavior by the president and his spokesperson has become “the norm” in American politics (01:33).
2. Press Corps Complicity & The Need for Media Alliances
- Lack of United Response: Angie sharply admonishes mainstream journalists for not forming alliances in response to Trump’s exclusion of unfavorable media (“you kicked out the Associated Press, therefore we are not going to come to your press conferences either”) (02:22).
- Tolerance of Propaganda: She criticizes the presence of “Russian paid propagandists” in White House briefings and the lack of press solidarity against such moves.
- Urgency & Democracy at Stake: Angie’s tone is alarmist—“we are at a 911, house is on fire” (03:00+), warning that these repeated abuses threaten democracy and civil liberties.
3. Examples of Press Failures & Democratic Weaknesses
- Failure to Press for Truth: Jennifer rails against the press for not challenging or following up on glaring inconsistencies (“he'll respond, oh, I solved seven wars... And they don't double down and be like, what are you talking about?”) (04:17).
- Endorsement of Alliances: Both hosts agree the press needs to unify—“If you do it to one of us, you do it to all of us” (05:41).
- Tom Homan Bribery Allegations: Angie brings up the lack of response when Trump appointee Tom Homan was accused of taking a bribe in 2024 and contrasts Leavitt’s denial with the DOJ’s alleged ineptitude (06:17-07:00).
4. The Double Standard in Justice and Democratic Complicity
- Weaponization Narrative Debunked: Angie counters claims that Biden’s DOJ is weaponized—“If the Biden Department of Justice were truly these weaponizers, this information wouldn’t have just come out this week. That’s why we lose.” (06:40).
- Failure to Hold Trump Allies Accountable: Angie laments that high-profile corruption in Trump’s orbit goes uncharged, asserting this is due to “the constant deference that is always given to these crazy right wing fascists” (07:00–08:00).
- Waning Faith in Democrats: Both hosts criticize fecklessness within the Democratic Party, referencing Democrats voting to honor controversial figures and failing to take bold action (08:00+).
5. Escalation of Propaganda & Authoritarian Tactics
- Propaganda Machine: Angie declares, “the propaganda machine is something this regime is going to continue to do. It’s going to escalate” (05:35).
- Need for Courage & Resistance: They advocate adopting a defiant stance—citing John Oliver—"Fuck you. Make me." (11:00), as the only viable response to government bullying and lies.
6. Lament for America’s Political Climate
- Sense of Loss and Dislocation: Both hosts express profound grief for what America has become—Jennifer: “I’m not recognizing this country because we are not what we were when I was 25 years old.” (13:31)
- Elite Abdication of Responsibility: Angie skewers billionaire benefactors of the status quo who “can’t stand up for the country that made them so wealthy” (12:35).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Leavitt’s Tactics:
“She comes out in her cross after a big Jesus, you know, prayer… and then hands up lies.”
— Angie Sullivan, (00:33) -
On Trump’s Criminality:
“Donald Trump was full of charges and been found guilty and fraud convictions and all that is because he is a criminal and he is corrupt and he doesn't want to follow the rules.”
— Jennifer Welch, (01:33) -
On Press Alliance:
“If you attack one of us, you attack all of us.”
— Angie Sullivan, (02:53) -
On Escalating Crisis:
“We are at a 911, house is on fire. What do we do to get around this? What can we do to salvage the First Amendment? What can we do to salvage civil liberties? What can we do to salvage democracy?”
— Angie Sullivan, (03:00) -
On Responding to Bullies:
“I think it was John Oliver said, there’s four words that can be said when Trump tries to bully you … 'Fuck you. Make me.' And that's the fight that we need to have."
— Angie Sullivan, (11:00) -
On America’s Decline:
“I do know that this is a country I no longer recognize. … so incredibly heartbreaking.”
— Angie Sullivan, (12:35) -
On the Generational Change:
"I'm not recognizing this country because we are not what we were when I was 25 years old.”
— Jennifer Welch, (13:31)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Karoline Leavitt’s Press Conference Highlights – 00:33–02:22
- Calls for Press Unity & Critique of Journalistic Failures – 02:22–05:41
- Tom Homan Bribery Allegations & DOJ Critique – 05:41–07:00
- Discussion on Democratic Weakness & Need for Resistance – 08:00–11:00
- Reflection on America’s Decline & Elites’ Complicity – 12:35–13:37
Tone & Takeaway
Unfiltered, passionate, and acerbic, Jennifer and Angie lament the systemic failures in both the press and government, urging urgent alliances and a combative stance in the defense of democracy. Their tone is both despairing and defiant — warning listeners that the U.S. faces an authoritarian slide unless unity and civic courage are marshaled swiftly. This episode is essential for anyone grappling with the erosion of truth and accountability in U.S. politics.