IHIP News Podcast: "Red States are Turning On Trump; His Plans Backfire As Dems Plan to Takeover the Senate!"

Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan
Guest: Jasmine Thomas, U.S. Senate candidate from Oklahoma
Date: December 6, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth interview with Jasmine Thomas, a groundbreaking Democratic candidate challenging incumbent Senator Markwayne Mullen ("Booster Box") in Oklahoma—a traditionally red state. Thomas shares her perspective on representation, the intersection of religion and government, recent campus controversies, healthcare, and why Oklahoma's political landscape may be shifting. The discussion is energetic, comedic, and candid, staying rooted in local realities while reflecting on national implications.

Major Discussion Points

1. Jasmine Thomas: Representation & Motivation to Run (00:20–01:48)

• Diverse Background:

  • Jasmine emphasizes her multiracial heritage (Black, White, Chickasaw) and her perspective as a woman.
  • "I would be the first woman, but also the first person of color to ever hold this seat since statehood has even been enacted." (00:56, Jasmine Thomas)

• Motivation:

  • Thomas highlights the lack of authentic representation and the need for new voices in Oklahoma politics.
  • She refers to incumbent Markwayne Mullen as "Mediocre White Man (MWM)" for failing to represent the state’s diversity.

2. Critique of Markwayne Mullen & Trump Allegiance (01:52–02:40)

• Booster Box Mullen:

  • The hosts deride Mullen for Senate antics, lack of maturity, and defensiveness of Trump.
  • "He's tried to fist fight people on the floor of the Senate. Come on, grow up. Act like a real person." (01:52, Interviewer)

• Race and Representation:

  • Mullen’s defense of Trump is ridiculed, particularly in the context of race.
  • "He thinks Trump's not a racist. I'm like, dipshit, you're not getting it. You're part of the problem." (02:26, Interviewer)

3. Campus Controversy at University of Oklahoma (UO) (02:40–05:41)

• Incident Recap:

  • A student submits a religiously based response on an assignment, defies academic standards, and becomes a cause célèbre after conservative media and politicians get involved.
  • Turning Point USA targets the trans professor (Mel), escalating the story.

• Jasmine’s Take:

  • "If this was religious persecution, then we could also flip that narrative and say that this was a religious persecution for this professor, because this professor is trans and the professor's name is Mel." (03:14, Jasmine Thomas)
  • Jasmine uncovers the student’s mother is a Missouri attorney involved with January 6th cases, suggesting political orchestration.
  • "It was one of the worst ways of publicity that someone could have ever tried to do. And it took a livelihood away from someone." (04:17, Jasmine Thomas)

• Wider Implications:

  • Both the guest and hosts agree the university mishandled the incident, damaging its reputation.
  • "University of Oklahoma failed. They failed that professor. They failed every student in their student body." (05:41, Interviewer)

4. Religious Nationalism & Secular Government (06:00–08:28)

• Governance Critique:

  • Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt is criticized for supporting the student’s religious claim, while ignoring pressing social issues like homelessness.
  • "He comes out in support of this girl. And as an elected official in Oklahoma, where Christian nationalism is so prevalent, how do you maintain a secular government?" (06:21, Interviewer)

• Jasmine on Separation of Church and State:

  • "That's really all this is. It's really them implementing their religious beliefs into everyday people's lives. That's not practicing what they practice." (06:42, Jasmine Thomas)
  • She pledges to uphold church-state separation and criticizes Stitt for neglecting his responsibilities.

5. Healthcare, ACA, and Mullen’s Record (08:28–10:09)

• Policy Criticism:

  • Senator Mullen's voting record is scrutinized, especially on healthcare, Medicaid, and SNAP cuts.
  • Contradicts his claims on family values with his legislative actions.

• Impact on Constituents:

  • "Oklahoma has one of the lowest turnouts when it comes to the insured... if they are, they have been utilizing the ACA and it's been keeping their premiums and their health care in line." (08:58, Jasmine Thomas)
  • "He had campaigned on lowering medication costs, but then backpedals and says I'm on whatever Trump is on." (09:46, Jasmine Thomas)

6. Christian Nationalism and Women’s Shifting Allegiances (10:24–13:13)

• Cultural Shift:

  • Discusses how Christian nationalism is losing grassroots support, especially among women.
  • "But what I've noticed after the Christian nationalism projection is that we're seeing a lot more people come out and say, listen, like whatever our religion is, it's our business." (10:54, Jasmine Thomas)

• Women Resonating with Jasmine’s Candidacy:

  • Jasmine shares how women, especially mothers of children with disabilities, increasingly relate to her experiences and are crossing political lines.
  • "The women that resonate with that, they're just like, you know what, Maybe, just maybe I'm not being represented." (12:10, Jasmine Thomas)

7. Closing & Call to Action (13:44–14:53)

• Grassroots Campaign:

  • Jasmine urges listeners to support her campaign: "Everything that I do is and I get is from the community... I will directly listen to my constituents and not be sold out to any other sources." (14:22, Jasmine Thomas)
  • Campaign info: jasmine4ok on socials / jasmine4everyone.com / ActBlue link for donations.

• Optimism for Change:

  • "We can get Oklahoma to, if not turn blue, at least turn purple, right?" (14:48, Jasmine Thomas)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "We need this diversity. We need to be shown in a better light than what Mr. Mediocre White Man, Markwayne Mullen, has done." (00:56, Jasmine Thomas)
• "Senator Booster Box is super pro Trump... But in the Epstein stuff, he ran so much cover for Trump." (08:28, Interviewer)
• "Who are you working for? Are you working for us? Are you working for them? Because if you're working for them, they need to start paying you instead of my tax dollars." (08:14, Jasmine Thomas)
• "I have a son that's autistic. So when I'm out here talking about how I'm wanting to change things... the women that resonate with that ...are actually flipping their parties." (12:00-13:13, Jasmine Thomas)
• "We need dignity restored to politics." (13:24, Interviewer)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jasmine’s introduction & her motivation to run: 00:20–01:48
• Discussion of Mullen’s Senate antics and Trump support: 01:52–02:40
• University of Oklahoma controversy: 02:40–05:41
• Secular government vs. religious nationalism: 06:00–08:28
• Healthcare and impacts of ACA votes: 08:28–10:09
• Gender and shifting political allegiances: 10:24–13:13
• Jasmine’s campaign call to action: 13:44–14:53

Overall Tone & Takeaway

The conversation is fast-paced, irreverent, and deeply personal, with a strong sense of urgency for progressive change in traditionally red states. Both the hosts and their guest balance humor and frustration, focusing on the promise of representation and grassroots activism in Oklahoma. Jasmine Thomas emerges as a formidable challenger, rooted in experience and empathy, calling for a new generation of leadership.

For more info or to support Jasmine Thomas:

• Socials: @jasmine4ok
• Website: jasmine4everyone.com
• Donations: [ActBlue, linked via website/socials]