IHIP News Podcast:

Episode: Trump Still Fuming Over Massive Protests, No Kings Leaders Speak Out
Date: November 2, 2025
Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan
Guests: Ezra Levin & Leah Greenberg (Founders of Indivisible and "No Kings")

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the massive wave of “No Kings” protests held across the U.S. in response to Donald Trump’s self-celebratory June 14th event, and the outpouring of progressive, pro-democracy activism even in deep red states. Hosts Jennifer and Angie, both based in Oklahoma, interview Ezra Levin and Leah Greenberg—organizers and driving forces behind the Indivisible movement and “No Kings”—about what made these protests so huge, the right-wing backlash, efforts to reclaim patriotism, and what’s next for the movement as America nears its 250th birthday.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Birth and Growth of “No Kings” (01:24–03:12)

• The idea began with energized grassroots opposition to Trump and accelerated as Republicans planned a Trump “birthday parade.”
• Actions referenced: Tesla takedown, No Kings President’s Day protests, Hands Off in April.
• Leah Greenberg:

  “Regular people have not been ready to bow to Donald Trump... we knew that we were building towards something big.” (01:33)

• The organizers expected energy, but were overwhelmed by the sheer numbers and cross-country involvement, noting events everywhere from San Francisco to tiny General, California, and on every Hawaiian island.

Red State Rebellion: Oklahoma and Beyond (02:23–03:12)

• The hosts highlight witnessing thousands turning out in deep-red Oklahoma—a powerful contrast to perceptions of the region.
• The movement was not a coastal or “blue state” phenomenon, but truly nationwide.

The Right-Wing Response & Narrative Shifts (03:12–06:30)

• Ezra Levin:

  “They spent two weeks leading up to this talking about how we were going to be violent Marxists... then we had the largest peaceful protest in modern American history... and now what they've settled on is [that it] didn’t exist, wasn’t real.” (03:12)

• The Trump administration and right-wing media moved through a sequence: first demonizing the protesters as violent, then weird, then irrelevant, finally pretending the protests did not happen at all.
• Ezra Levin:

  “An authoritarian regime depends on one thing, making you feel alone and isolated and powerless.” (04:27)

Notable Quote

• Ezra Levin:

  “They’re between an Iraq and a hard place, right?” (04:14)

The “Paid Protestor” Smear and Its Ironic Backfire (04:55–06:30)

• Hosts and guests discuss the persistent right-wing claim that protesters are “paid agitators,” and how laughable—and telling—that is.
• Leah Greenberg:

  “What it does is it persuades your side that there is not something very serious happening... They are just dismissing massive popular opposition... [which] always backfires, usually in the form of an election.” (05:48)

• Protesters reported feeling deeply patriotic, far more than at any right-wing event, united in the defense of democracy.

Reclaiming Patriotism & Symbols (06:30–08:55)

• Concerns over how the right has monopolized patriotic imagery, and the left’s need to reclaim the American flag and national pride.
• Ezra Levin:

  “We should claim it... We led [the Philly rally] with 100,000 people protesting monarchical rule, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance... God, it felt good.” (06:30)

• Ezra Levin:

  “MAGAs not our country... We are protecting our country. We are organizing for our country.” (07:08)

• The discussion includes the irony of those undermining constitutional rights parading as super-patriots. The left’s challenge: own patriotic symbols in service of real democracy and inclusion.
• Ezra Levin:

  “Take back the American flag. Let's celebrate our history... loving America so much that they demand more of it.” (08:21)

What’s Next for “No Kings”: From Protest to Ongoing Action (08:55–10:25)

• Introduction of the No Kings Alliance—a new organizing hub for regular, actionable resistance.
• Weekly local actions include protecting communities from ICE, fighting cuts to public benefits, and pressuring politicians.
• Leah Greenberg:

  “The first thing we are doing is helping people who are being hurt by the coming SNAP cuts... we gotta organize locally to get the electeds who are actually going to represent and fight for us in office.” (09:07)

Corporate Capitulation and Economic Resistance (10:25–12:49)

• Discussion of companies like Spotify and Disney as “enablers” of authoritarian drift by running ads or bending to regime pressure.
• Example: Disney/Kimmel protest campaign—1.7 million Disney+ cancellations as organized pushback.
• Ezra Levin:

  “If you were listening to Spotify right now, you are helping fund the recruitment of a secret police force that is terrorizing American communities.” (10:59)

• The economic pressure campaign is framed as critical to building a “culture of defiance” and preventing further authoritarian consolidation.
• Ezra Levin:

  “What that looks like is the growth of a major national pro-democracy movement that's going to be able to protect our election results when they try to steal them next year.” (12:29)

Mass Mobilization and Grassroots Leadership (13:18–14:03)

• Ezra and Leah underscore the bottom-up nature of the movement.
• Ezra Levin:

  “We are not the leaders of this... There are millions of people who are out there leading and this is very much bottom up. So if somebody is listening to this and it's like, oh, I'm glad somebody has it. Nuh, you've got it. Start organizing.” (13:18)

• The resistance and democracy defense effort is not about waiting for leaders, but everyone taking responsibility and linking arms.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Ezra Levin (on shifting right-wing narratives):

  “First we were violent Marxists, and then we were weirdos, and then we were old fogies, and now what they've settled on is didn't happen, didn't exist, wasn't real.” (03:27)

• Leah Greenberg:

  “They are just dismissing massive popular opposition as some kind of fake situation... Always backfires, usually in the form of an election.” (05:58)

• Ezra Levin:

  “It's bullshit. We should not see[d] that ground. We should claim it.” (06:34)

• Ezra Levin:

  “Take back the American flag. Let's celebrate our history... loving America so much that they demand more of it.” (08:21)

• Ezra Levin (on economic resistance):

  “We showed with Disney what's possible... what that creates, it creates a culture of defiance. It prevents the regime from concentrating control.” (11:25)

• Ezra Levin (call to action):

  “Nuh, you’ve got it. This is your message. Start organizing. Reach out to your community... But find your local group and get to work.” (13:22)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:24] – Origins and unexpected scale of “No Kings”
• [03:12] – Administration’s narrative war & largest peaceful protest in U.S. history
• [05:48] – “Paid protestor” smear tactic backfires
• [06:30] – Patriotic pride and flag reclamation at protests
• [09:07] – No Kings Alliance: from moments to movement
• [10:59] – Economic organizing & boycotts: Disney, Spotify, and beyond
• [13:18] – Bottom-up leadership call and practical advice

Conclusion

This episode offers a vibrant, hopeful look at grassroots activism’s power to resist authoritarianism, reclaim American values, and mobilize for real democracy—even from within red states. Listeners are encouraged to join ongoing action—be it local organizing, supporting threatened neighbors, or taking part in consumer boycotts—to sustain the momentum and protect upcoming elections. The tone is witty, direct, unvarnished, and deeply motivational, aiming to galvanize all who want democracy to thrive.

Helpful links mentioned:

• nokingsalliance.com
• indivisible.org
• nokings.org