I've Had It — "The Divided States of America"

Podcast Hosts: Jennifer Welch, Angie “Pumps” Sullivan
Special Guest: Rep. Ro Khanna
Date: September 11, 2025

Overview

In this charged and irreverent episode, Jennifer and Angie tackle the escalating divisions in American society—focusing on misinformation, science denial, religious hypocrisy, and political double standards, particularly around the topics of vaccines, Trump-era politics, and institutional failures. Joined by Congressman Ro Khanna, the hosts dissect everything from the anti-vax movement and the persistence of cultish Trump support to Congressional inaction on critical issues like the Epstein files and the Israel–Palestine conflict. With biting humor and bracing honesty, the episode underlines why so many Americans are fed up—and asks what it will take to move the country forward.

Main Discussion Points

1. Anti-Science Sentiment and Misinformation

[01:10–08:19]

• Angie's Main Gripe: She is “sick and tired” of media treating Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as an authority on medicine, denouncing non-experts weighing in on complex issues:
  • "Do not take medical advice from me. Do not take scientific advice from me. ... Do not have your lawyer do your cataract surgery. This is crazy town." — Angie [01:48]
• Jennifer outlines how the internet and social media enable widespread confirmation bias, misinformation, and science denial—referencing anti-vax conspiracy theories and specific anecdotes about people refuting basic scientific evidence.
• Reflection on COVID-19 revisionism, the politicization of medical expertise, and dangerous culture wars over vaccines:
  • "You got exactly what you voted for. You're voting for dumb. You're getting dumb." — Jennifer [05:42]

2. Religious Hypocrisy and Spiritual Warfare

[10:10–14:30]

• Commentary on the sacralization of Trump by segments of the religious right; Jennifer notes the way “spiritual warfare” rhetoric has penetrated MAGA circles, especially in evangelical communities.
• Angie reflects on her upbringing and how themes of good vs. evil and "soldier for Christ" mindsets foster binary, combative thinking, often detached from original religious teachings of peace and empathy.

3. Absurdity, Petty Annoaynces, and Listener Reviews

[15:20–19:24]

• Hosts pivot briefly to their signature pettiness, reading glowing and hilarious listener reviews.
• Updates on “serial butt sniffer” and other bizarre crime stories, illustrating the show’s penchant for blending serious issues with the weird and ridiculous.

4. Childhood Encounters with Sexual Predators

[19:24–26:08]

• Jennifer and Angie share personal stories of encountering exhibitionists and public indecency as children and adults, emphasizing how such traumatic events often leave victims stunned into silence.

5. Empathy Education and American Cruelty

[26:08–28:02]

• A segment on Denmark’s national empathy curriculum sparks reflection on the lack of empathy in U.S. institutions—especially among evangelical Christians—who often resist or redefine empathy as “toxic.”
• Jennifer argues that taxing churches could curb their harmful influence since many operate as businesses dispensing bad advice.

Interview: Rep. Ro Khanna

6. Epstein Files & MAGA Hypocrisy

[32:11–41:30]

• Khanna discusses the need for transparency around the Epstein files and how Congressional Republicans, including Trump associates, have worked to cover up abuse.
  • "We just need to get these files out and do right by these survivors." — Ro Khanna [32:11]
• Jennifer sharply rebukes “MAGA is the party of pedophile cover up and they prove it.”
• Criticism of House Speaker “Moses Mike Johnson” for public Christian posturing while actively hindering justice for victims.

7. Economic Populism, Democratic Disconnection, and APAC Influence

[41:30–49:50]

• Khanna explains how the GOP’s economic populist messaging is often a rhetorical cover for policies benefiting billionaires, while Democrats risk alienating their base by staying silent or playing to donors like AIPAC.
  • "We have a Republican Party that basically is giving tax breaks to billionaires ... and the guy who represents more billionaires than anyone in the world is saying tax the billionaires more." — Ro Khanna [41:34]
• He details personal pushback from AIPAC and how their influence distorts party priorities around Israel/Palestine.
  • "AIPAC is bullying you and calling you a terrorist because you won't take their money? ... I think the Democrats have a big problem." — Jennifer [44:53]

8. Fractures in the Democratic Party

[52:43–54:37]

• Discussion about establishment Democrats losing touch with young voters and marginalized communities, illustrated by tepid support for strong progressive candidates and grassroots movements.

9. Right-Wing Populism and Strategic Dangers Post-Trump

[54:37–60:08]

• Analysis of how figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene are positioning themselves to lead beyond Trump, possibly outflanking Democrats with faux populist rhetoric.
  • "I see her as someone we need to keep an eye on because she is looking beyond Trump." — Jennifer [56:55]
• Jennifer warns that Democratic leaders' lack of clear, conviction-driven messaging creates a political vacuum—one that right-wing grifters rush to fill.

10. Dangers to Democracy and the 2026 Elections

[64:10–66:55]

• Urgent concern voiced about the trend toward authoritarianism: military deployments in blue cities, expected attacks on the election process, and voter suppression.
  • "Donald Trump will take as much power as we let him." — Ro Khanna [66:18]

11. Lightning Round: ‘Had It or Hit It’

[67:01–70:10]

• Ro Khanna and hosts play a game, giving thumbs up/down to figures like J.D. Vance, Twitter (now X), and, comedically, the United States of America.
  • On America: "It's a great country. It's a resilient country. It's a kind country. ... I love the country and I believe in the country, and I'm very confident we're going to come back." — Ro Khanna [70:10]

12. Hope & Solidarity for Immigrants and People of Color

[71:07–74:18]

• Khanna addresses heightened fear among immigrants and communities of color in an era of deliberate fear-mongering and ICE escalation, drawing from his own family’s immigrant experience.
  • "We’re going to become the first police and multiracial democracy in the world. That will be our generational achievement." — Ro Khanna [74:07]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Misinformation:
  "Facts have a liberal bias, and that's a problem for a conservative. So they started conducting their own research from their homes and ... posting on Facebook." — Jennifer [02:35]

• On RFK Jr's Medical Credibility:
  "Do not take medical advice from me. Do not take scientific advice from me." — Angie [01:48]

• On Religious Hypocrisy:
  "The central character of the Bible, Jesus Christ, was not about war, was about peace. ... Their whole existence is just breathtaking hypocrisy." — Jennifer [13:21]

• On Empathy and Evangelicals:
  "It is the Christian, evangelical Christian population that lacks the most empathy.... That’s where those [empathy] classes need to start." — Angie [26:45]

• On MAGA Pedophile Coverups:
  "MAGA is the party of pedophile cover up and they prove it. They can say they're not, but their actions speak louder than their words." — Jennifer [34:15]

• On AIPAC’s Influence:
  "AIPAC is bullying you and calling you a terrorist because you won't take their money ...?" — Jennifer [44:53] "Bullying would imply that they're succeeding or having any impact. It's more like they're being like, little chipping at my ankles or something..." — Ro Khanna [44:53]

• On Democratic Disconnection:
  "Democrats need a totally more connected, grassroots, fresh vision, willingness to say the old guard needs to step aside." — Ro Khanna [54:16]

• On American Resilience:
  "It's a great country. It's a resilient country. It's a kind country. ... I love the country and I believe in the country, and I'm very confident we're going to come back." — Ro Khanna [70:10]

Engaging and Impactful Segments (Timestamps)

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vs. Science: [01:10–08:19]
• Christian Nationalism, Spiritual Warfare in MAGA: [10:10–14:30]
• Listener Reviews - Satire Segment: [15:37–17:18]
• Serial Butt Sniffer & Public Indecency Stories: [17:32–24:30]
• Denmark’s Empathy Curriculum: [26:08–28:02]
• Interview: Ro Khanna on Epstein Files: [32:11–39:04]
• Discussion on AIPAC & Party Politics: [41:30–49:50]
• Right-Wing Populism, Marjorie Taylor Greene: [54:37–60:08]
• Concerns Over Authoritarianism & 2026 Elections: [64:10–66:55]
• Had It or Hit It — Game Segment: [67:01–70:10]
• Khanna’s Message to Immigrant Communities: [71:07–74:18]

Tone & Takeaways

• The conversation blends urgent concern, sharp wit, and vibrant storytelling—veering between righteous indignation, gallows humor, and hope.
• Hosts routinely call out hypocrisy, fake expertise, and dangerous political trends with biting sarcasm and authenticity.
• Congressman Khanna offers clarity, moral conviction, and hope for engaged activism, inspiring both hosts and listeners.

Conclusion

This episode of "I've Had It" is a raw, comedic, and incisive look at the fracturing American landscape. With Rep. Ro Khanna’s insights, the hosts dissect the dangerous rise of anti-science, the erosion of empathy and integrity in politics, and the urgent need for new, conviction-based leadership. Despite the swamp, the episode ends on a note of hope—reminding listeners of America’s resilience and the power of progressive activism.