Podcast Summary: "Did You Vote for This: Why The Podcast Bros are Turning on Trump?"

Louder with Crowder | October 7, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Steven Crowder and co-hosts dive into the recent trend of prominent online personalities and "podcast bros" publicly shifting their views on Donald Trump, lamenting that they are not getting what they “voted for” from his administration. The conversation covers the “then vs. now” of Trump’s major policies, ongoing drama around right-wing infighting (notably Candace Owens and Charlie Kirk), and a critical look at American comedians participating in a Saudi Arabian state-funded comedy festival. The episode is marked by Crowder's usual blend of sarcasm, sharp political commentary, and bro banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The "Podcast Bros" Turning on Trump (00:00–34:00)

• Crowder jokes about the “manosphere” and well-known podcasters like Theo Von and Andrew Schultz allegedly cooling on Trump and framing this as a media-driven narrative.
• He asserts:

  “We're getting exactly what we voted for. But what can you expect from a community where a lot of people who lament the violation of human rights ... are willing to show up in Saudi Arabia for a check.” (01:38)

• The group pokes fun at the fickle loyalty and quick flip-flops among online influencers, drawing a line between their newfound criticisms and their prior support.

Notable Quote

• Crowder:

  "Oh boy. Jeez. I guess it's over. Pack up and go home. Because Theo Vaughn said that he doesn't like him and Andrew Schultz is less than happy." (00:30)

2. AOC and the Left's Approach to Political Discourse (07:00–17:30)

• The team plays and mocks a recent AOC live stream, criticizing her suggestion to “make fun of conservatives” as a tactic.
• Crowder asserts that progressive leaders avoid adversarial debate and are left with hollow ad hominem attacks.
• Discussion on height shaming and the futility of such personal attacks:

  "It has to be a joke. You can't just say the thing. That's all she did. She goes, he's short. Laugh at him. Like, that wasn't a joke." (15:35)

3. Candace Owens vs. Charlie Kirk, Conspiracy Drama (17:30–32:30)

• Crowder dissects Candace Owens' supposed “receipts” of group chats about Kirk, Jewish donors, and Israel, expressing skepticism about claims of conspiracy but acknowledging donors’ influence in conservative circles.
• Emphasizes fact-checking and caution against conspiratorial leaps, while also criticizing actors on the right for infighting.
• Crowder:

  "I am a truth seeker. I want to know what actually happened to Charlie. If there's anything other than what the official story is, I want to know... That being said, I haven't seen receipts for literally anything in this thread." (30:44)

4. Funding, Donor Influence, and Integrity (32:30–39:30)

• The hosts stress the show’s independence (funded by viewers) as a defense against outside influence, contrasting themselves with other right-wing organizations beholden to large donors.
• They caution about the trade-offs entailed by donor money, referencing TPUSA, Daily Wire, and the tension over controversial topics.
• Discussion of how losing major donors can affect right-wing organizations, but also reinforces their own model.

5. Trump’s Policy Consistency: "Then and Now" (39:30–01:08:00)

A central segment compares Trump’s campaign promises and recent actions, especially on:

a. Immigration & Deportations (43:00)

• Audio/video receipts show candidate and President Trump emphasizing mass deportations.

• Hosts highlight that the administration is fulfilling, not betraying, its core campaign immigration platform.

  “Massive deportations. We will seal the border. We will stop the invasion immediately.” – (clip of Trump, 44:10)

b. Crime & Law Enforcement (50:00)

• Recap of Trump’s law-and-order rhetoric from 2016, and crackdowns in left-leaning cities as President.
• Emphasis on the deployment of National Guard in situations like DC, Portland, and Chicago as fulfillment of campaign pledges.

c. Foreign Policy & War

• Trump’s record as a “non-interventionist” is called out as his most consistent stance—brokering peace deals, ending wars.

• List of peace agreements and ceasefires brokered, including Israel-Iran and Armenia-Azerbaijan.

  “President Donald Trump says Israel and Iran have agreed to a cease fire set to start in six hours.” (59:00)

d. Israel and U.S. Policy

• Challenges the idea that Trump is “working for Israel,” citing tough talk and clashes with Netanyahu.
• Clips and Axios-reported anecdotes of Trump berating Netanyahu.

6. Media Framing & Polls on Trump’s Support (01:09:00–01:12:30)

• Cites polling indicating that most Americans and Trump voters feel he is delivering on promises.

• Dismisses the “podcast bro disillusionment” as overhyped and mostly performative for clicks.

  “People who hate Donald Trump, they hate him because he's doing exactly what he said he would do. The people who voted for him are... happy.” (01:11:30)

7. U.S. Comedians, Saudi Arabia, and Human Rights (01:12:30–end)

• Critical segment targeting American comedians (Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, Louis CK, etc.) accepting large sums to play at a Saudi festival—despite strict restrictions and the country’s terrible human rights record.
• Crowder notes the hypocrisy among those willing to “cash in” while refusing to perform at, say, a Trump inauguration, and being unable to do genuine political satire under Saudi censorship.
• Quotes and clips from comics attempting to justify their gig, with Crowder’s team mocking their rationalizations.

Notable Quotes

• Crowder:

  "You are taking a check to go perform for what is effectively just... a perpetual abuser of human rights, Saudi Arabia. And you can't make fun of them for it? How can you speak truth to power if that's baked into the contract?" (01:18:10)

• Louis CK, defending his Saudi Arabia set:

  "They said, there's only two restrictions. It's their religion and their government. I don't have jokes about those two things... I just think comedy is a great way to get in and start talking." (01:21:24)
  (Crowder: "How many of these people would have performed at a Donald Trump inauguration? None.")

• Pete Davidson, paraphrased admiration by Crowder:

  "...I was willing to take the money because, hey, it's a good check." (01:28:27)

Human Rights Context

• Saudi Arabia as #4 slave-owning nation.
• Executions for homosexuality, apostasy.
• Ban on criticism of government/religion in festival contracts.

Memorable Moments & Timestamps

• [00:30] Crowder riffing on the hysteria about podcasters abandoning Trump: “Pack up and go home... Theo Vaughn said that he doesn't like him.”
• [15:35] “It has to be a joke. You can't just say the thing. That wasn't a joke. That was just a statement. It also wasn't true.”
• [30:44] On Candace allegations: “Haven't seen receipts for literally anything in this thread.”
• [44:10] Trump (historic clip): “Massive deportations. We will seal the border... largest deportation operation in our country’s history.”
• [59:00] News on Trump-brokered Israel-Iran ceasefire.
• [01:11:30] “People who hate Donald Trump, they hate him because he's doing exactly what he said he would do.”
• [01:18:10] On comedians in Saudi: “How can you speak truth to power if that’s baked into the contract?”
• [01:21:24] Louis CK on restrictions: “It's their religion and their government. I don’t have jokes about those two things...”

Summary Table of Trump’s “Then and Now” (as presented in the episode)

| Policy Area | Trump: Then | Trump: Now | Verdict (per show) | |-------------------|------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------| | Immigration | Seal border, mass deportations | Active deportations, large raids | Delivering promises | | Crime | Restore law/order, tough on crime | National Guard/ICE in blue cities | Delivering promises | | Foreign Policy | End wars, broker peace | Multiple ceasefires/peace deals | Delivering promises | | Israel | Support, but tough on Netanyahu | “Significantly harsher” rhetoric | Not Israel’s puppet |

Conclusion

Crowder’s episode aims to refute the narrative that Trump has betrayed his original supporters or shifted his policies. He portrays recent public disappointment among online influencers as disingenuous, opportunistic, and largely disconnected from actual policy outcomes. By juxtaposing Trump's campaign promises with current actions, Crowder argues Trump’s track record is one of remarkable follow-through—at least compared to his predecessors. Finally, the episode closes by comparing the principles (or lack thereof) among comedians willing to perform under authoritarian regimes, while continuing to lecture Americans about virtue and morality, offering a final jab at hypocrisy in the cultural elite.

For those who haven’t listened:
This episode is a dense, acidic, and satirical take on recent shifts in conservative media circles, doubling as a spirited defense of Trump’s governance and a critique of cultural hypocrisy. Crowder's caustic style and moments of biting humor pervade the analysis, making the tone confrontational and unapologetic.