IHIP News Podcast Summary
Episode: "Karoline Leavitt Loses It in Violent Rant, Trump Gets Owned by Russia"
Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan
Air Date: October 17, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of IHIP News features Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan breaking down recent political news with their signature progressive, comedic style. The hosts focus on a series of headline-grabbing moments: the indictment of John Bolton, Caroline Levitt’s incendiary rhetoric at the White House, Donald Trump’s ongoing deference to Vladimir Putin regarding Ukraine, and hypocrisy within the GOP. They round out the show with a discussion about the influence of AIPAC on Democratic candidates and a takedown of Ted Cruz’s latest Twitter antics.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The John Bolton Indictment and Authoritarian Tactics
Timestamp: 01:21 – 03:14
- The episode opens after ads with a discussion of the DOJ’s indictment of former National Security Advisor John Bolton under Trump’s administration.
- Angie highlights two main concerns:
- Authoritarian Messaging: “This is a textbook authoritarian play that Trump is sending to everyone in his existing cabinet. You go along, you don’t act out, you stay loyal to me or I will indict you.” (02:00)
- Normalization of Retaliatory Indictments: The hosts warn that the Bolton case is setting the stage for more, specifically targeting Adam Schiff next.
- They note Letitia James’ previous legal victories against Trump, emphasizing the connection between Trump’s legal grievances and his attacks.
2. Caroline Levitt’s “Violent Rant” on Democrats
Timestamp: 03:14 – 03:35
- The hosts present a recent clip of White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt:
- Levitt claims: “The Democrat Party’s main constituency are made up of Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals. That is who the Democrat Party is catering to…” (03:14)
- Jennifer reacts sharply:
- Points out Trump is a convicted felon—“Law abiding Americans. Your boss is a convicted felon. Your boss commits crimes every day in office.” (03:35)
- Condemns Levitt’s labeling: “To call half of the country Hamas terrorists, illegal immigrants and violent criminals…The psychopathy of the people in this administration is something to study…” (03:37)
- The hosts stress the real purpose is to divide Americans and scapegoat marginalized groups while covering for policies that benefit billionaires.
3. Trump Bowing to Putin: The Tomahawk Missile Flip-Flop
Timestamp: 05:58 – 06:46
- Trump’s change of heart about sending Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine is examined:
- Trump’s words: "We need Tomahawks for the United States of America too…we can’t deplete for our country…” (06:19)
- Jennifer points to the timing: “Vladimir Putin immediately calls Trump and now Trump has flipped on a dime…” (06:46)
- The hosts develop the argument that U.S. foreign policy under Trump is largely dictated by Putin’s interests.
- "It’s like Vladimir Putin has a shock collar on Trump...he acts like a good dog." (approx 08:10)
- They underscore the larger impact: the decades-long campaign by Russia to create American division and Trump’s role as a willing participant.
4. Trump’s Nobel Ambitions and Gaza Hawkishness
Timestamp: 07:30 – 09:00
- They discuss reports that House GOP leader Mike Johnson is maneuvering to nominate Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize, despite Trump’s threats to send troops into Gaza.
- Jennifer: “He wants to win that peace Prize, because he can’t stand it that Obama won one and he hasn’t won one.” (approx 08:40)
- A Trump post is quoted threatening U.S. intervention if Hamas attacks continue, highlighting his inconsistency on war and peace.
5. AIPAC Money and Democratic Accountability
Timestamp: 10:10 – 11:20
- The hosts praise Massachusetts Senate candidate Seth Moulton for returning AIPAC donations, in contrast to Senator Ed Markey’s establishment status.
- “This tells me he understands the base…he says, ‘I am returning AIPAC donations and refusing to accept any donations or support from them.’” (10:25)
- Jennifer and Angie argue Democrats must clearly distance themselves from AIPAC, criticizing American military aid to Israel and advocating for a two-state solution.
6. Ted Cruz’s Social Media Hypocrisy
Timestamp: 11:50 – 13:10
- After appearing on MSNBC and discussing Vice President J.D. Vance’s failure to stand up to racist and bigoted speech, Jennifer is attacked by Ted Cruz on Twitter:
- Ted Cruz tweets: “This is disgusting. Leave his kids alone.”
- Jennifer’s comeback: “I think it’s super rich coming from Ted Cruz who couldn’t defend his own wife, who couldn’t defend the mother of his children…” (12:40)
- They recount Cruz’s history of defending Trump, even after personal attacks, branding the GOP as “Zeta males…hysterical anytime anybody calls them out.” (13:05)
- Close with a reaffirmation that GOP outrage is performative and hypocritical.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Authoritarian Tactics:
“This is a textbook authoritarian play that Trump is sending to everyone in his existing cabinet. You go along, you don’t act out, you stay loyal to me or I will indict you.”
— Angie Sullivan, 02:00 -
On Caroline Levitt’s White House Rant:
“To call half of the country Hamas terrorists, illegal immigrants and violent criminals. The psychopathy of the people in this administration is something to study.”
— Jennifer Welch, 03:37 -
On Trump and Putin:
“It’s like Vladimir Putin has a shock collar on Trump...he acts like a good dog. Because at the end of the day, these forces that used to be our adversaries, Trump is aligning with.”
— Jennifer Welch, approx 08:10 -
On AIPAC and American Policy:
“AIPAC has zero interest in anything to do with America other than getting American taxpayer monies to fund bombs and security for Israel. At some point, we have to start taking care of Americans.”
— Jennifer Welch, 10:50 -
On Ted Cruz:
“I think it’s super rich coming from Ted Cruz who couldn’t defend his own wife, who couldn’t defend the mother of his children. These men are absolutely Zeta males. They are hysterical anytime anybody calls them out.”
— Jennifer Welch, 12:40–13:05
Important Segment Timestamps
- 01:21 — Start of content (post-ads), Bolton indictment discussion
- 03:14 — Caroline Levitt’s rant clip and response
- 05:58 — Trump’s Tomahawk missile flip-flop & Putin deference
- 07:30 — Trump’s Nobel ambitions & Gaza comments
- 10:10 — Seth Moulton’s anti-AIPAC move
- 11:50 — Ted Cruz Twitter spat & GOP hypocrisy
Tone and Language
The hosts maintain a sharp, irreverent, and highly progressive tone, unafraid to use humor or pointed language (“psychopathic,” “ass kisser,” “Zeta males”). Their analysis is passionate, direct, and blends political commentary with personal frustration at political hypocrisy.
For Listeners
Whether or not you’ve listened, this episode offers a fiery critique of recent Republican and Trump-aligned actions, a forceful defense of progressive principles, and comedic condemnation of political double standards. The hosts invite listeners to remain vigilant—and to laugh along as they call out what they see as egregious abuses of power.