It Could Happen Here: "Executive Disorder: White House Weekly #38"
Date: October 24, 2025
Hosts: Robert Evans, Garrison Davis, Mia Wong, James Stout, Michael Lewis
Podcast: Cool Zone Media / iHeartPodcasts
Overview
This episode of "Executive Disorder" offers a satirical yet unflinching recap of the latest week in U.S. national politics, with a special focus on the repercussions of the ongoing government shutdown, the demolition of the White House’s East Wing, escalating food insecurity, troubling right-wing rhetoric, ICE’s weapons procurement panic, renewed U.S.-China trade war escalations, and more. The hosts dissect sensational news coverage, clarify widespread misinformation, and provide context and commentary around trending stories, while keeping the tone irreverent but incisive.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. White House Chaos & Shutdown Update
[03:13–04:29]
- The week covers October 15–22, plus catch-up from a recent government shutdown-related hiatus.
- Trump is demolishing the East Wing of the White House for a $250M privately funded ballroom.
- James Stout jokes: “Now James’s people can finally shake hands with the United States government in destroying large portions of the White House.” [04:01]
- Robert Evans dryly references that demolition is even using a Volvo excavator (not American-made). [04:13]
- The shutdown is entering its fourth week, with SNAP benefits (food stamps) set to expire on November 1. No end in sight.
2. SNAP Benefits Crisis & Food Insecurity
[04:32–07:45]
- Millions face potential loss of SNAP benefits, heightening risk of mass food insecurity and instability.
- Michael Lewis emphasizes: “We are coming to a very, very critical moment in terms of wide scale food insecurity in this country for a whole bunch of the most vulnerable people in the country.” [05:37]
- “The people who are going to lose food are disproportionately non-white, queer, and very disproportionately trans,” Michael Lewis adds [06:38], highlighting deeper systemic injustices.
- James Stout warns, “If you're looking at predictors of violent instability in countries, mass starvation is top of the list.” [07:11]
3. Trump Seeks $230 Million Payout
[07:46–08:39]
- Trump is seeking $230M from the Justice Department as compensation for investigations into him, stating the money will go to “charity.”
- Mia Wong notes, “In the end, it will be him making the final call on this, which he says he feels strange about.” [08:28]
- Michael Lewis: “We’ve just fully entered the looting the storehouse as part of the regime.” [08:32]
4. Weapons–Grade Plutonium & AI
[08:45–09:18]
- Satirical aside on government proposals to let AI companies access weapons-grade plutonium.
- James Stout deadpans: “That's what I trust. Sam Altman with weapons grade plutonium.” [08:53]
- Michael Lewis: “Hopefully the AI bubble collapses before they get weapons grades.” [09:00]
5. Russia Sanctions & Ukraine Peace Talks Breakdown
[09:23–09:43]
- U.S. sanctions two of Russia’s largest oil companies after Putin backs out of Ukraine peace negotiations; tensions are rising ahead of planned (now-cancelled) Trump-Putin meetings.
6. ICE Weapons Procurement: Setting the Record Straight
[09:43–19:52]
- Viral reports falsely claim ICE is purchasing "guided missiles" and "chemical weapons."
- James Stout corrects the record: ICE is buying more conventional weaponry (AR-style rifles, body armor, “distraction devices” e.g., flashbangs), not actual missiles or chemical arms.
- Robert Evans explains: “The contract with the guided missile product or service code very clearly states it is for multiple distraction devices... The chemical weapons? It was OC spray. It was pepper spray.” [12:12]
- James Stout: “A distraction device...is a grenade that makes a loud noise to distract people.” [13:00]
- The real issue is ICE’s ongoing militarization and increase in weapon stocks—not sci-fi arsenal.
- Discussion on how media incentives and lack of editorial oversight (on platforms like Substack) can lead to misinformation.
- Robert Evans: “The way we build trust in the media is through openness.” [14:44]
Notable Media Critique
- James Stout on journalistic standards: “A major thing editors do is point out...hey, it looks like somebody just fucked up putting in a code. We need to check on this so we can state it to a point of certainty. That’s what an editor should be doing, right?” [18:08]
7. National Guard, Marines' 250th, and Bizarre Incidents
[26:38–32:06]
- Updates on legal developments: The 9th Circuit Court lifts limits, allowing possible use of Oregon’s National Guard by federal authorities.
- Marines’ 250th celebration incident: A 155mm howitzer shell prematurely detonates, damaging a car assigned to VP JD Vance’s security.
- Hosts lampoon the use of satirical military video game music at official events.
8. DHS Deportation Numbers & Disinformation via "GROK"
[32:06–33:39]
- DHS inflates deportation stats, including airport turnarounds and interdictions, and promotes dubious “self-deported” figures rooted in data from hate group-adjudicated think tanks.
- AI chatbot GROK is “heavily weighted” with anti-immigrant think tank data.
- “I don’t know if they straight up just said like, yeah, the CIS is your source for information when they were programming it to be less woke... but it seems to be the CIS seems to be heavily weighed in the GROK algorithm these days,” Robert Evans [33:14]
9. TPUSA’s "All American Halftime Show" & Right-Wing Media
[34:54–36:24]
- Turning Point USA is launching an "All American Halftime Show" alternative after Bad Bunny is announced as Super Bowl headliner, soliciting audience input on “anything in English” as a genre.
- James Stout jokes: “I love anything in English as a genre.” [35:27]
- Satirical ideas fly: “They had a separate Super Bowl in which Ben Shapiro faces off alone against the Philadelphia Eagles...” [35:42]
10. Right-Wing Infiltration, Surveillance & Crackdown on Activists
[36:24–43:47]
- Trump hosts an “Antifa round table” with far-right personalities (Jack Posobiec, Andy Ngo, etc.), normalizing demonization of political opponents as “terrorists.”
- James Stout: “This is worrisome...these idiots are getting to speak this close to power about their theory...everyone they don’t like...is part of a terrorist organization and should be put in prison or executed.” [37:56]
- Warnings: Increased infiltration of leftist spaces, undercover recordings at book fairs and panels intended to frame activists as violent extremists.
- Robert Evans: “Anything you are saying or at a public event...assume that’s being recorded and... used to destroy people’s lives." [41:07]
- Discussion of how “Riot Inc.” conspiracy claims are laying legal and rhetorical foundations for RICO or cartel-style prosecution of left-wing groups.
11. Trade War with China Heats Up
[54:16–63:39]
- Trump administration resumes and drastically escalates trade restrictions/tariffs on China, targeting state-connected enterprises and rare earth metals.
- Michael Lewis: “China refines 99% of the world’s dysprosium...The capacitors are made from ultra pure dysprosium, which is extremely difficult to refine. A single refinery in Wuxi, near Shanghai produces the entire world’s supply.” [56:38]
- New tariffs, port fees, and potential catastrophic knock-on effects for global supply chains.
- Michael Lewis: “These port fees are already, in effect.” [58:44]
- Consideration of banning all exports of U.S.-made software to China.
- Fallout: Trump angers base (soybean farmers, ranchers), launches trade offensive even as U.S. military/industrial sectors rely on the same Chinese materials.
12. Nazi/White Supremacist Discord in GOP Youth & Mainstream
[63:43–71:40]
- Politico exposes Nazi rhetoric, rape references, and Holocaust fantasies in NY Young Republican telegram chats.
- Elise Stefanik, Matt Walsh, and VP JD Vance respond by downplaying, deflecting, or outright defending the men involved, characterizing them as “kids.”
- Vance: “We’re not going to allow the worst moment in a 21-year-old’s group chat to ruin a kid’s life for the rest of time.” [66:03]
- Hosts point out these "kids" are mostly in their 30s and 40s, and are actually responsible for policy in the GOP.
- Michael Lewis: “Are just Nazis. They’re just Nazis. And every time one of these group chats comes out, it looks like this. And that's a really significant factor in why American politics looks like this.” [69:26]
- Discussion of "post-ironic" or memetic Nazi symbolism and its diffusion into public agencies (citing ICE recruiting ads and dhs Twitter “dog whistles”).
13. Alaska Native Climate Refugees & Call to Action
[71:47–74:38]
- A typhoon devastates remote Alaska Native villages—now climate refugees at the start of winter.
- Trump EPA recently canceled a $20M flood protection grant.
- “These villages are very remote...these guys are really only accessible by small planes or by boats...their inhabitants are now climate refugees. At the very start of winter, right in the coldest place in the United States.” James Stout [71:47]
- Appeal to listeners: Donate to relief, linked in show notes. “Recovery for these people with this federal government...will be horrifically difficult.” [74:10]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- James Stout (on White House demolition):
- “Now James’s people can finally shake hands with the United States government in destroying large portions of the White House.” [04:01]
- Michael Lewis (on food insecurity):
- “We are coming to a very, very critical moment in terms of wide scale food insecurity...for a whole bunch of the most vulnerable people in the country. And yeah, this is a good moment for—if you have actual access to food, which is a very, very bleak thing to be saying...” [05:37]
- Robert Evans (on ICE arms hysteria):
- “The contract with the guided missile product or service code very clearly states it is for multiple distraction devices. Yeah, it's a contract with a company called Quantico Tactical... The chemical weapons, it was OC spray. It was pepper spray.” [12:12]
- James Stout (on fact-checking):
- “A major thing editors do is point out...hey, it looks like somebody just fucked up putting in a code.” [18:08]
- Michael Lewis (on Republican policy staffers):
- “And these are a bunch of people who are also making White House policy. You know, Stephen Miller...are just Nazis. They're just Nazis. And every time one of these group chats comes out, it looks like this.” [69:26]
- James Stout (on Alaska disaster):
- “It’s an unmitigated disaster. So if you’re able to help, I think it would be very much appreciated.” [74:10]
- Robert Evans (on public events):
- “Assume that’s being recorded and that people will be pulling out the worst parts they can from it and trying to use that to destroy people’s lives.” [41:07]
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:13 | Restart after ad break, shutdown catch-up | | 04:32 | SNAP/food insecurity crisis update | | 06:38 | Disproportionate impact on non-white, queer, and trans people | | 08:28 | Trump’s $230M Justice Department payout | | 09:43 | ICE weapons budget panic, correcting the record | | 12:12 | “Guided missile contracts” are just distraction devices | | 18:08 | Importance of editorial fact checking | | 26:38 | National Guard developments, Marines' 250th birthday incident | | 32:06 | DHS deportation # disinfo, GROK and CIS | | 34:54 | TPUSA alternative Super Bowl halftime show | | 36:24 | Far-right/antifa roundtable, crackdown & infiltrations | | 41:07 | Security warnings for activists in public | | 54:16 | Major escalation in U.S.-China trade war, rare earths, tariffs | | 63:43 | NY Young Republican Nazi chat leak, GOP downplaying response | | 69:26 | Nazis in staff roles, effect on GOP and American politics | | 71:47 | Alaska Native climate refugee update and aid appeal |
Tone and Style
The episode deftly balances detailed analysis and grave warnings with the hosts’ hallmark irreverence, sarcasm, and dark humor, reflecting the bizarre reality of modern U.S. politics. The tone mixes righteous anger at injustice, sharp skepticism, and moments of cathartic comic relief.
Takeaway
The ongoing government shutdown is precipitating major crises for millions of Americans, especially in food security. The militarization of immigration enforcement agencies continues apace beneath a layer of sensationalist misinformation. The trade war with China is reignited with potentially catastrophic global consequences, and right-wing political movements are mainstreaming Nazi-adjacent rhetoric and policies under cover of meme culture and institutional complicity. The episode ends with an urgent call to aid Alaska Native climate refugees—underscoring that, amidst relentless political absurdity, real people are suffering and action is needed.
Action Items & Resources
- Donate to Alaska Native climate refugee relief (see show notes for link)
- Email the show at coolzonetips@proton.me for tips or encrypted correspondence
This summary omits advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections; all timestamps are approximate and referenced in MM:SS format.