IHIP News Podcast Summary

Episode: Trump Rages at NYT Over His Frailty and Declining Mental State, Calls Reporter Ugly
Date: November 26, 2025
Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan

Episode Overview

In this episode, hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan dive into recent media coverage of Donald Trump’s apparent physical and cognitive decline—mainly referencing a New York Times article and Trump’s furious response. The conversation blends biting political commentary, humor, and regional context, focusing especially on conservative governance in red states and the consequences for constituents. The hosts also critique “fiscal conservatism,” highlight president Trump’s ongoing grifting, and contrast Oklahoma's outcomes with states like Massachusetts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mainstream Media Finally Acknowledges Trump’s Frailty

• Welch notes that the New York Times has begun reporting on Trump’s reduced stamina and public schedule, comparing current metrics to his 2017 presidency.
  • “This guy is as tired as all get out. He's dozing off nonstop, which is so ironic considering his nickname for Joe Biden was Sleepy Joe.” (Welch, 00:19)
• Key stats: Trump now starts scheduled events in the afternoon (average of 12:08pm in 2025, versus 10:31am in 2017). Total appearances are down 39%. (00:19–01:41)
• The hosts express disbelief that media hadn’t highlighted these issues throughout the campaign.
  • “It's so unbelievable that this hasn’t been the headline every day since the campaign.” (Sullivan, 01:41)

2. Trump’s Outrage and Insults: Reaction to NYT Article

• Trump’s defensive Truth Social post is dissected, in which he calls NYT reporter Katie Rogers “a third rate reporter who is ugly both inside and out.” (Welch reads, 02:04–03:29)
  • “The fact that he called a reporter ugly should be a really big deal but it's not because that's the way this administration treats women.” (Welch, 03:38)
• Welch and Sullivan comment on Trump’s reliance on sycophantic staff and suggest he is insulated by fabricated positive poll numbers within niche groups (e.g., QAnon). (03:38–04:43)
• They connect Trump’s anger to his continued grifting—even targeting his poorest supporters with false product promises like the “Trump phone” and dubious crypto investments. (04:43–05:28)
  • “He will fuck you at every turn. You're never going to get a phone.” (Sullivan, 05:07)

3. Trump’s Alleged Mental Decline & Social Media Blunders

• The Daily Beast is lauded for covering Trump’s accidental amplification of an anti-Trump account, suggesting confusion and cognitive decline. (Welch, 05:28)
  • “Confused. Trump, 79 years old, mistakenly amplifies calls to impeach himself.” (Welch, quoting Daily Beast, 05:28)

4. Oklahoma’s Political Reality and Republican Leadership Failures

• Hosts react with shock to Trump’s negative approval rating in Oklahoma (“Woklahoma”), a deep red state.
  • “His approval rating in Oklahoma is minus 10. What? It's Woklahoma, baby.” (Welch, 06:33)
• Welch discusses Oklahoma’s drop in education ranking under Republican governance and compares outcomes to Massachusetts, which taxes the wealthy and invests in public goods (schools, transit).
  • “You have to blame the Republicans. You have to blame your state government, because they have had super majorities.” (Welch, 07:10)
  • “Massachusetts taxed the rich. Now they have an extra 1.5 billion to spend... free public school meals, free community college and public transit.” (Welch, 09:06)

5. Broader Critique of ‘Fiscal Conservatism’

• Welch argues fiscal conservatism is a “scam” and a “lie,” likening government services and protections to responsibilities not meant for profit. (10:48)
  • “Fiscal conservatism has always been a scam. It has always been a lie... Government should never be run like a business.” (Welch, 10:48)
• Critiques of current Republican leadership, especially House Speaker Mike Johnson (“Moses Mike Grinder Johnson”), for benefiting the rich and increasing government spending while pretending to be fiscally responsible. (11:50–12:06)
• Sullivan reiterates that Democratic presidents consistently have to “clean up the mess” left by Republican administrations. (12:06)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump's Health Coverage:
  “Finally they're talking about what a washed up old queen this man is.”
  — Welch (00:19)

• On Media’s Role:
  “It's so unbelievable that this hasn’t been the headline every day since the campaign…”
  — Sullivan (01:41)

• On Trump's Grifting:
  “He will fuck you at every turn. You're never going to get a phone.”
  — Sullivan (05:07)

• On Oklahoma's Shift:
  “His approval rating in Oklahoma is minus 10. What? It's Woklahoma, baby.”
  — Welch (06:33)

• On ‘Fiscal Conservatism’:
  “Fiscal conservatism has always been a scam. It has always been a lie. If you ever hear a politician say, ‘I want to run government like I run a business,’ Government should never be run like a business.”
  — Welch (10:48)

• On Policy Outcomes:
  “The comparison between MAGA, family values, politicians that look in the camera and lie… they lie to rural voters and rile them up…”
  — Welch (09:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump’s stamina and health coverage: 00:19–01:41
• NYT article and Trump’s response: 02:04–03:29
• Trump’s grifting and supporter exploitation: 03:38–05:28
• Daily Beast’s coverage on Trump’s mental state: 05:28–06:33
• Oklahoma poll numbers and state government critique: 06:33–10:22
• Comparison to Massachusetts, the value of taxing the rich: 09:06–10:22
• ‘Fiscal conservatism’ as a scam: 10:48–12:21

Tone & Delivery

The episode is delivered with sharp progressive humor, fierce regional pride (“Woklahoma”), and a sense of solidarity with frustrated red-state liberals. Welch and Sullivan mix personal anecdotes and stats with irreverent, often profane, banter—directed mostly at Trump and local GOP leadership.

For listeners who missed the episode:
You’ll hear candid, unsparing criticism of Trump’s declining capacities, red-state GOP failure, and the myth of fiscal responsibility—all punctuated with memorable one-liners and biting wit from two unapologetic progressive voices.