I've Had It – "Billionaire A*s Kissers"

Podcast Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan
Guest: Cenk Uygur (The Young Turks)
Date: January 13, 2026

Episode Overview

The episode explores the corrosive influence of billionaires on politics, the rise of "billionaire ass kissers," and the way corporate money shapes both political parties and the media. Jennifer, Angie, and special guest Cenk Uygur (host of The Young Turks) traverse through the crumbling state of democracy, awakening on the left, critiques of the media–especially regarding Israel, and the importance of building alliances even with unlikely partners. Throughout, the show retains its signature blend of sharp political insight and irreverent humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The "Billionaire A*s Kisser" Concept

• Jennifer introduces "BAK hires"—her coinage for people elevated to top positions (especially under Trump) purely for their willingness to flatter billionaires, rather than any qualification.
  • Quote [00:29]: “It’s a B, A K. Hire—a billionaire ass kissing hire. ... In the Trump administration, they’re ubiquitous.” —Jennifer
• Discussion on the psychologies of billionaires: the tendency toward boredom, destruction, and a self-perceived expertise across unrelated fields (e.g. Musk, Bezos, Ellison).

2. Billionaires and Exploitation

• Jennifer and Angie deconstruct how amassing extreme wealth (Bezos, Musk) inherently exploits labor and cultivates a lack of empathy.
  • Quote [02:15]: “In order to be a Jeff Bezos, you have exploited labor … you have chosen money over human beings.” —Jennifer

3. Tesla, MAGA, and the Loss of Empathy

• Discussion on Tesla’s changing customer base; Musk’s switch from eco-friendly icon to MAGA stalwart; empathy absence in billionaire leadership.
  • Quote [05:16]: “He’s like going to be the world’s first trillionaire … we just attribute this genius to people who are … really good exploiters.” —Jennifer

4. Corporate Democrats and Controlled Opposition

• Introduction of Cenk Uygur [27:52]
  • Cenk’s central grievance: “corruption, money and politics ... It’s the cancer in our country.” [28:21]
• Both sides of the political spectrum are “owned” by donors; debates in politics/media are theater, not meaningful conflict.
  • Quote [28:47]: “Establishment media is the director of that play. So it’s all fraudulent... There’s donor money being exchanged. It’s legalized bribes.”

5. Drug Prices, Corporate Communism, and Congressional Corruption

• Vivid example of pharma’s control over politicians (and the artificial extension of drug patents).
• On both Democratic leadership and controlled opposition—Democrats are “paid to lose.”
  • Quote [32:45]: “The Democrats are paid to lose. ... This is the Harlem Globetrotters versus the Washington Generals.”

6. Awakening Among Voters & The Israel Paradigm Shift

• Both Jennifer and Cenk highlight a mass awakening among the base to the corporatization of parties and policy, and to the truth about U.S. support for Israel.
  • Cenk argues that mainstream media gaslights the public regarding Israel; donations from groups like AIPAC overwhelmingly shape policy.
  • Quote [45:28]: “Every article about politics is nonsense. The only thing, almost the only thing they should be talking about is who got paid by who.”
• Jennifer recounts her own journey through post-9/11 ambient Islamophobia, and evolving past it; respect for progressive Muslims shatters old prejudices.

7. Critique of Mainstream Media

• Cenk lambasts outlets like CNN, New York Times, and CBS News for acting as stenographers for corporate and Israeli donor interests, while dismissing legitimate criticism as anti-Semitic or anti-American.
  • Quote [54:23]: “None of the cable news anchors have called it a genocide... because everyone knows if you criticize Israel too much, you’re going to get fired.”
• Reviewing CBS takeover by pro-Israel billionaire Larry Ellison and hiring of Bari Weiss.
  • Quote [78:31]: “Ellison, a Zionist radical, takes over CBS and brings in Bari Weiss... Israel runs CBS now. If you’re going to see something on CBS News, it is likely to be a lie.”

8. Populism: Building New Coalitions

• On the right: Marjorie Taylor Greene breaks with Trump, aligning with "America First" rather than "Israel First."
  • Quote [56:14]: “It’s only going to get to be a bigger and bigger issue ... eventually almost all the Republican voters will be America first and not Israel first.”
• Cenk and the hosts argue for seizing the opportunity to work with former/estranged allies where interests overlap (e.g., family leave, anti-war measures), while still fighting vigorously on rights issues.

9. Universal Rights & Political Evolution

• Jennifer and Cenk champion a vision of universal rights: against anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, transphobia, and homophobia.
  • Quote [62:25]: “We have to include ... everybody. ... If you can throw a trans person under the bus and you feel good about it, you go live somewhere else ... If we have an economic message of populism ... it has to be for everybody.”
• They discuss the importance of allowing political evolution: “We have to allow everyone to evolve politically. I know I certainly have.” —Jennifer [70:57]

10. Redefining Success

• Wrapping up, Cenk offers a reflection on the societal obsession with status and wealth versus real happiness.
  • Quote [100:28]: “People are obsessed with money and status and fame … does that actually get you to happiness? ... Go straight to happiness. Joy is an act of defiance.”

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• The “Billionaire A*s Kisser” phrase launches the episode [00:29]:
  “It’s a B, A, K. Hire—a billionaire ass kissing hire... In the Trump administration, they’re ubiquitous.” —Jennifer

• On Democrats as “paid to lose” [32:45]:
  “The Democrats are paid to lose ... This is the Harlem Globetrotters versus the Washington Generals. The same guy is paying both of them.” —Cenk

• Media & Israel Critique [54:23]:
  “None of the cable news anchors have called it a genocide... Because everyone knows if you criticize Israel too much, you’re going to get fired.” —Cenk

• On CBS & Ellison [78:31]:
  “Larry Ellison, a Zionist radical, takes over CBS and brings in Bari Weiss. ... Israel runs CBS now. If you’re going to see something on CBS News, it is likely to be a lie.” —Cenk

• Why include unlikely allies [69:45]:
  “Take a yes vote... You could fight them on the January 6th stuff, you could fight them on the trans stuff, ... but take a yes vote.” —Cenk

• Allowing for personal growth [70:57]:
  “We have to allow everyone to evolve politically. I know I certainly have. ... It’s going to take strange bedfellows to do so. And we have to embrace our agreements and then, like you said, fight later.” —Jennifer

• On redefining success [100:28]:
  “People are obsessed with money and status and fame ... but does that actually get you to happiness?... Go straight to happiness. Joy is an act of defiance.” —Cenk

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 00:29 | Introduction of “Billionaire Ass Kissers” (BAK) | | 02:15 | Exploitation & billionaire psychosis | | 05:16 | How Musk lost old base, empathy in leadership | | 27:52 | Cenk Uygur Joins | | 28:21 | Cenk: Corruption in money and politics | | 32:45 | Controlled opposition & Democrats “paid to lose” | | 45:28 | Media’s role in gaslighting about AIPAC, Israel | | 54:23 | On media and Israel: silence and repercussions | | 69:45 | Building coalitions, “take the yes vote” | | 78:31 | CBS News under Ellison / Bari Weiss | | 100:28 | Reflection on real happiness and societal values |

Tone & Language

The episode is candid, irreverent, and combative—marked by Jennifer and Angie’s humorous pettiest takes and Cenk’s passionate, no-bullshit delivery. References to personal evolution, therapy breakthroughs, and the “ass kisser” motif keep the tone biting but hopeful, backed by a sense of necessary solidarity in perilous political times.

Closing Thoughts

• Embrace political evolution: The hosts and guest reflect on their own journeys to more principled positions and advocate for listeners to stay open to change.
• Value agreements, fight later: Uniting on core populist issues is essential—even with former adversaries, while continuing to stand for universal rights.
• True success ≠ money/status: In politics and life, fulfillment comes from authenticity, open-mindedness, and support for one another.

For Listeners New to “I’ve Had It”

This episode exemplifies the podcast’s blend of sharp political dissection, anti-establishment attitude, and sisterly humor—serving both therapy and rallying cry for listeners fed up with performative politics and eager for a better future.