Episode Overview

Title: Trump's Attack on James Talarico Blows Up In His Face
Date: February 18, 2026
Podcast: IHIP News
Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan

This episode dives into the recent uproar over Donald Trump’s interference with CBS programming, particularly the network’s refusal to air Stephen Colbert’s interview with Texas progressive James Talarico. Jennifer and Angie dissect how these attacks on free speech have boomeranged, drawing wider attention to both Talarico’s message and broader issues of media control, religious hypocrisy, and MAGA-driven conspiracy theories—all covered with sharp humor and personal insights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump, Media Control, and Free Speech

• The hosts open with outrage at recent events: Donald Trump’s associates and media buyers suppressing critical voices, like Colbert and Talarico, on CBS ([00:00]).
• Stephen Colbert allegedly went public on YouTube after CBS allegedly wouldn’t air his Talarico interview, citing it as a “horrible attack on free speech” ([00:40]).

Notable Quote:

"Corporate media executives are selling out the First Amendment to curry favor with corrupt politicians. And a threat to any of our First Amendment rights is a threat to all of our First Amendment rights."
— Guest 1 ([01:21])

2. Talarico and the Threat to the Right

• Discussion pivots to why James Talarico, a progressive Democrat from deep-red Texas, unsettles the political right:
  • He’s an empathetic Christian using his faith authentically to support progressive policy.
  • The right-wing employs religious messaging for control, but Talarico’s compassion exposes their hypocrisy and resonates, especially with religious voters ([01:44]).

Notable Quote:

“If you have this candidate like James Talarico that reminds people of what Christianity is supposed to be... That is a real weapon that they know that could really penetrate into some voters."
— Guest 2 ([02:07])

• Comparison is drawn between Talarico and Zoran Mamdani, noting how both undermine right-wing narratives by living their faith sincerely without broadcasting it for control.

3. Media Oligarchs and Ideological Takeover

• Critique of Larry Ellison’s acquisition of CBS—not for profit, but for ideological manipulation. Installation of Bari Weiss as a key player is viewed as an attempt to suppress dissenting voices and bolster an “Israel First” bias ([03:17]).

Notable Quote:

“Larry Ellison, he’s so rich... It is for control. It is for propaganda.”
— Guest 2 ([03:38])

4. Democratic Leadership vs. Comedians and Podcasters

• Frustration that resistance to this regime falls mainly to comedians, podcasters, and not Democratic leaders ([04:50]).
• Praise for Colbert and Kimmel for being braver in public than many sitting politicians.

Notable Quote:

“He and Jimmy Kimmel have more balls than the leadership we have in the House, in the Senate, because they are putting everything on the line to speak truth to power.”
— Host ([05:07])

5. Talarico’s Gospel—What Would Jesus Actually Do?

• Talarico’s most viral message: the Bible does not mention abortion or gay marriage but emphasizes compassion, feeding the poor, and welcoming strangers ([05:43]).

Notable Quote (from Talarico):

“Don’t tell me what you believe. Show me how you treat other people and I’ll tell you what you believe.”
— James Talarico, as played by Host ([06:29])

• Host reflects on the cognitive dissonance of religious conservatives who profess these values but act oppositely ([06:41]).

6. Impact on Texas and the State of the Race

• Hosts discuss how Trump’s attack amplified Talarico’s message: Instead of burying it, it’s gone viral—over ten million views across platforms ([10:38]).
• Possible realignment in Texas politics: If Talarico wins his primary (against Jasmine Crockett), a general-election faceoff with a scandal-plagued Republican would be explosive ([08:26]).
• Repeated theme: Talarico’s whiteness and Texas roots make him uniquely dangerous to MAGA narratives, compared to progressives of color ([05:16], [08:06]).

7. Republican Hypocrisy and “Republican Jesus”

• Satirical contrast between the “actual Jesus” advocating for the poor and “Republican Jesus,” supposedly backing wealth and exclusion ([08:52]).
• Discussion of how right-wing Christianity in places like Oklahoma manifests cruelty as a feature, not a bug ([09:28]).

Notable Quote:

“Jesus Christ was not a capitalist. The hoodwink of the Republican party... is one for the ages."
— Guest 2 ([10:11])

8. MAGA Conspiracy Theories—From Litter Boxes to Dog Bans

• Latest fear-mongering: The “Democrats want to ban your pets” narrative, tied to Islamophobia and urban myths about Muslims and dogs ([12:01]).
• The hosts ridicule the disconnect between reality (NYC dog culture) and MAGA fantasy (“Debbie in Choctaw, Oklahoma” convinced dogs are being banned in New York) ([12:50]).

Notable Quote:

“This is the complete scaring of the rubes that they do. Nobody that lives in New York would even take this seriously for a second.”
— Guest 2 ([13:13])

• Prediction that this conspiracy would be amplified by Trump and right-wing media personalities ([13:27]).

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Talarico’s core message: “Don’t tell me what you believe. Show me how you treat other people and I’ll tell you what you believe.” ([06:29])
• On Democratic inaction: “Comedians, podcasters... Why aren’t other corporations standing up?” ([04:37])
• Satire of MAGA myths: “We are one to two news cycles away from Donald Trump truth socialing that the Democrats are going to ban you from having a dog...” ([13:27])

Important Timestamps

• [00:40] — Colbert’s censored Talarico interview and free speech
• [01:21] — Guest 1 on First Amendment threats
• [03:38] — Corporate media as propaganda tool (Larry Ellison, Bari Weiss)
• [05:43] — Talarico’s Biblical appeal and viral quote
• [10:38] — Colbert/Talarico clip goes viral, ten million views
• [12:01] — The rise of the “dog ban” conspiracy theory and debunking
• [13:27] — Anticipation of Trump amplifying the pet-ban myth

Summary

In this lively, pointed episode, Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan break down how Trump's attempts at media manipulation backfired, making James Talarico’s progressive Christian message unavoidable. The hosts explore the fear this poses to MAGA circles, the hypocrisy of religious conservatism, and the absurdity of the right’s latest conspiracy—claiming Democrats want to ban dogs. Satirical, passionate, and unfiltered, Welch and Sullivan argue this viral moment represents not a silencing, but a spotlight on the values and messaging the right most fears.