IHIP News Podcast Summary

Episode: Trump Drools Over Zohran Mamdani in Shocking Meeting and MTG Resigns

Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan
Date: November 22, 2025

Overview

This episode presents a raucously comedic and politically charged recap of what podcasters Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan dub one of the “wildest” 24-hour news cycles: Donald Trump’s unexpectedly glowing meeting with progressive Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and the surprise resignation announcement from Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG). With Midwest candor and irreverent bite, the hosts unpack viral moments, deliver pointed criticism of both Republican and Democratic leadership, and hold a magnifying glass to hypocrisy and shifting political winds.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump and Zohran Mamdani: The Unlikely Bromance

(Starts ~00:20)

• Trump’s Public Admiration:
  The hosts gleefully recount images and tweets showing Trump—referred to by the hosts with disparaging nicknames (“Kanks,” “cankles McTaco tits”)—displaying unprecedented admiration for Zohran Mamdani during their White House meeting.

  “Have you ever seen Kanks this happy? Have you ever seen him look at Melania… JD… even Ivanka, his favorite child?… as happy as he is looking up at Zoron? Incredible.”
  — Political Commentator, 00:27

• Impact on Trump’s Inner Circle:
  The moment is portrayed as earth-shaking, sending Trumpworld regulars (e.g., Stephen Miller, Elon Musk) into a tailspin.

  “I bet Stephen Miller is on suicide watch, because that image right there… [is] the remedy for all of the white supremacist ambassador ambitions of Stephen Miller.”
  — Political Commentator, 00:40

• On Zohran Mamdani:
  The hosts praise his authenticity, charisma, and working-class appeal, contrasting Mamdani’s grassroots popularity with the establishment’s cold shoulder.

  “We've interviewed him in person, you guys. He is authentic. He has charisma out the wazoo. He is handsome. He is smart.”
  — Political Commentator, 01:05

• Trump (On Being Called a Fascist):
  In a viral exchange, Trump responds to a direct question about being called a fascist:

  “I've spoken about. That's okay. You could just say okay. It's easier. It's easier than explaining it.”
  — Donald Trump, 02:22

  The hosts interpret this as Trump’s tacit admission and an uncharacteristically humble moment.

2. Analysis of the Meeting & Its Political Meaning

(02:34-07:00)

• Hosts’ Take:
  They marvel at Trump “glazing” Mamdani and absorbing all the “humiliation” for once, noting Trump’s instincts to align with rising populist figures even outside his base.

  “His political instincts have always been pretty spot on. He likes winners and he likes winning…he knows how popular Zoron is.”
  — Political Commentator, 03:26

• Contrast with Democratic Establishment:
  Jennifer and Angie criticize Dems like Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer for not embracing Mamdani’s momentum, attributing it to poor political judgement and misplaced fears over socialism and Islamophobia.

  “…when the Democrats are on the main ticket, they lose because they have terrible political instincts…some focus group says, oh, we don’t know if you should be seen with a socialist.”
  — Political Commentator, 04:19

• Trump Expressing Surprise at Agreement:
  During the meeting, Trump has trouble hiding his amazement at their shared priorities:

  “He wants to see no crime. He wants to see housing being built. He wants to see rents coming down. All things that I…”
  — Donald Trump, 06:36

  Hosts note this as an admission that Trump bought into Fox News fearmongering about Mamdani; meeting him reveals shared American values.

3. Media & Right-Wing Aftershocks

(08:27-09:00)

• Fox News Coverage:
  Even Fox News, notably Brian Kilmeade, responds with excitement to the unlikely pairing.

  “I think J.D. Vance is jealous. I think he, the president wants to use him as a running mate. They really got along fantastic…”
  — Brian Kilmeade, 08:27

• Hosts' Reaction:
  The enthusiasm spills over as the hosts point to Mamdani’s “Riz” (charisma) crossing ideological lines, embarrassing Republican favorites, and disrupting Fox’s narrative.

  “They picked up little Smokey, threw him under the bus, and drove right over him…You cannot escape the Riz and the message of Zoran Mamdani.”
  — Political Commentator, 08:46

• Progressive Policy as Path Forward:
  Key progressive themes highlighted:

  • Affordability and income inequality
  • Universal human rights—linking anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, misogyny, white supremacy, homophobia as fights to be waged together
  • Criticism of the ADL for “horrific bigotry in the name of anti-bigotry”

4. Laura Loomer’s Meltdown & Republican Fear Tactics

(10:00-12:30)

• Laura Loomer Tweetstorm:
  The hosts lampoon Loomer’s comparison of Mamdani’s warm White House welcome to Zelensky’s, spinning wild conspiracies about Putin’s influence over Trump.

  “Laura, if you would stop with your head up kings's, ask…you'd know that Putin has the goods on kanks blowing Bubba.”
  — Political Commentator, 10:44

  Loomer’s tweets questioning the need for Republican opposition in light of Mamdani’s policies are met with dry encouragement to “sit this one out,” referencing GOP policies that harm the working class.

  “There is no need to vote for the GOP in 2026 because your policies suck…we’re a bottom five state [Oklahoma]…he has driven the education system from 14th down to 50th.”
  — Political Commentator, 11:30

5. Riley Gaines & Right-Wing Christian Hypocrisy

(12:30-14:30)

• Mocking Riley Gaines:
  The hosts mock conservative activist Riley Gaines’s “last place” political instincts and her claims about rising communism:

  “Her, her rise to fame is because she tied for fifth place with a Transformer. Tied for fifth. And while Trump is glazing Zoron in the Oval…here’s Riley Gaines’ political impulses right here. Coming in last yet again.”
  — Political Commentator, 12:46

• Christian Signaling & Hypocrisy:
  Jennifer and Angie call out Riley Gaines and others for using “Christian branding” to mask support for policies that run counter to Christian values—especially cruelty toward immigrants and the poor.

  “…one of the most insidious lies that the Republican Party has perpetrated on well meaning Americans in flyover states and beyond.”
  — Political Commentator, 14:11

6. MTG (Marjorie Taylor Greene) Resigns

(15:42-17:00)

• Clip from MTG’s Announcement:

  “Self respect and dignity. I love my family way too much and I do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President that we all fought for...”
  — Marjorie Taylor Greene, 15:42

• Hosts’ Interpretation:
  The hosts speculate MTG is seeking a lane as a more “compassionate” (but still MAGA) conservative, perhaps prepping for a national run, and lampoon her votes against working-class interests.

  “She's either going to be Tucker Carlson's vice presidential pick…or…run for President. But she is removing herself from a very toxic president who is in the low 30s approval rating…”
  — Political Commentator, 16:15

  “To marginalize and just straight up be diabolically cruel to your fellow Americans, the poorest, is about the most unchristlike thing you could possibly do.”
  — Political Commentator, 17:00

7. Closing Reflections on the Moment

(17:00–end)

• Moment’s Significance:
  Hosts reflect that Trump’s embrace of Mamdani marks a shake-up in the political order, and reiterate calls for progressives to build a community centered not in party but in decency, rights, and working-class solidarity.

  “Some days it is very difficult to be an American. Some days it gets a little better. But you guys, we have to keep fighting.”
  — Political Commentator, 17:46

  “We have to keep building a community…a pro democracy ecosystem that is not linked to corporate ownership.”
  — Political Commentator, 18:10

Notable Quotes & Timestamped Moments

• “Find you somebody who looks at you like Donald Trump looks at Zoron Mamdani.” (00:27, Political Commentator)
• “I've spoken about. That's okay. You could just say okay. It's easier.” (02:22, Donald Trump)
• “Kanks was willing to absorb all of the humiliation.” (03:23, Political Commentator)
• “We had a meeting today that actually surprised me…he wants to see no crime…housing being built.” (06:36, Donald Trump)
• “You cannot escape the Riz and the message of Zoran Mamdani. And this is the path forward for Democrats.” (08:46, Political Commentator)
• “We cannot prioritize anti Semitism over Islamophobia…over misogyny…over white racism towards black people. They are all connected.” (09:35, Political Commentator)
• “Sit this one out. She goes on to say, I'm confused. No need to oppose the left, I guess.” (11:52, Political Commentator)
• “To marginalize and just straight up be diabolically cruel to your fellow Americans, the poorest, is about the most unchristlike thing you could possibly do.” (17:00, Political Commentator)

Takeaways

• Trump-Mamdani friendship disrupts entrenched narratives: The GOP establishment, right-wing media, and even Fox News were left spinning after Trump’s overt admiration for Mamdani, a populist progressive.
• Democratic establishment out of step: Lack of Democratic leadership support for Mamdani is seen as political malpractice.
• Critique of right-wing hypocrisy: Hosts trash the Christian signaling and culture war distractions of Trumpists like Riley Gaines and Marjorie Taylor Greene.
• Progressive vision forward: Affordability, economic justice, and genuine fight against all forms of bigotry are painted as essential for the Democratic future.
• Call for grassroots action: Jennifer and Angie urge listeners to keep building inclusive, justice-centered political communities, independent of corporate interests.

For listeners and political junkies, this episode offers laugh-out-loud commentary, sharp critiques of hypocrisy across the spectrum, and an unfiltered, hope-tinged progressive perspective on a transforming political landscape.