Louder with Crowder Podcast Episode Summary
Title: Grading Donald Trump's First 6 Months: Epic Success or Massive Failure?
Host: Steven Crowder
Release Date: July 30, 2025
Description: Steven Crowder delves into a comprehensive evaluation of President Donald Trump's first six months in office, assessing his policies on foreign affairs, economy, trade, immigration, and more. The episode features lively discussions, guest appearances, and insightful commentary, all delivered with the signature politically incorrect flair of Louder with Crowder.
Introduction: Setting the Stage (00:00 - 03:15)
Steven Crowder opens the episode with his characteristic humor and banter with co-hosts Nick DePaulo and Captain Morgan. The primary focus is announced: grading President Donald Trump's first six months in office across various policy areas using a rating system from A to D, including an "S" tier for exceptional performance.
Notable Quote:
- Crowder: "We're actually going to grade President Trump's first six months, A through D, and the S tier, which is, of course, very popular online right now." [00:30]
Immigration Policy: Border Security and Deportations (28:32 - 35:14)
The discussion begins with immigration, highlighting a significant reduction in migrant crossings by 99.99% under Trump's administration. Crowder praises Trump's efforts to secure the border without completing the wall, emphasizing that the border is "effectively secure."
Key Points:
- Border Security: Massive decrease in crossings; border deemed secure.
- Deportations: Over 206,000 deportations or detentions, surpassing Biden's first 100 days.
- Budget Allocation: $170 billion allocated to ICE, making it one of the largest budgets worldwide.
Notable Quotes:
- Crowder: "Migrant crossings are down 99.99%." [31:44]
- Nick DePaulo: "Significantly more deportations than Biden's first 100 days." [34:31]
Grading:
- Border Security: S Tier for exceptional performance.
- Deportations: Initially a B, moving towards an A pending further results.
Economic Performance: Inflation and Job Growth (36:15 - 41:17)
Crowder evaluates the economy, noting that year-over-year inflation stands at 2.7%, significantly lower than Biden's average of 5%, including a peak of 9% in 2022. Job growth is dissected into native-born versus foreign-born workers, illustrating a net gain of 1.5 million jobs for Americans and a reduction for foreign workers.
Key Points:
- Inflation: Successfully kept below expectations.
- Employment:
- Native-born job growth: +1.5 million.
- Foreign-born job growth: -1 million.
- Economic Indicators:
- GDP growth and reduced gas prices by 36 cents per gallon.
Notable Quotes:
- Crowder: "Inflation at 2.7% versus Biden's average of 5%." [36:19]
- Captain Morgan: "Economy deserves an A." [41:17]
Grading:
- Overall Economy: A
- Employment Policies: A for prioritizing native-born workers.
Trade Policy: Tariffs and International Deals (42:18 - 47:30)
Trump's trade strategies are lauded for their boldness and effectiveness. Crowder commends the administration for securing major trade deals with the UK, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, and the EU, projecting $10 trillion in foreign investment into the U.S. economy. The proactive stance against China is highlighted as a pivotal move to prevent China from becoming the next superpower.
Key Points:
- Trade Deals: Successfully negotiated with multiple nations, enhancing U.S. economic standing.
- Tariffs: Utilized as a tool for national security and balancing trade deficits.
- China Relations: Aggressive approach to curtail China's economic growth and intellectual property theft.
Notable Quotes:
- Crowder: "He's the only man to have had vision and actually take a crack at it." [44:00]
- Nick DePaulo: "Donald Trump was the first person to really bring it to the forefront." [46:50]
Grading:
- Trade Policy: S Tier for visionary and impactful strategies.
Foreign Policy: Middle East Interventions and Ceasefires (47:30 - 58:08)
Crowder assesses Trump's foreign policy actions, including strikes against Iran's nuclear capabilities, fostering ceasefires between conflicting nations, and handling relations with Russia and Ukraine. The successful mitigation of nuclear threats and the establishment of temporary peace accords are cited as significant achievements, despite ongoing challenges in regions like Israel and Hamas.
Key Points:
- Iran Strike: Effective military action with minimal collateral damage, strengthening U.S. stance against nuclear proliferation.
- Ceasefires: Announced between India-Pakistan, Israel-Iran, Thailand-Cambodia, showcasing diplomacy.
- Ongoing Conflicts: Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas remain unresolved, affecting overall foreign policy grading.
Notable Quotes:
- Crowder: "It's the only way to compete because of the policy that's been set." [53:00]
- Nick DePaulo: "Therefore, all calls for impeachment were unfounded." [54:01]
Grading:
- Overall Foreign Policy: B
- Iran Strike: S Tier for flawless execution.
- Ceasefires: High B, pending resolution of ongoing conflicts.
Deep State: Efforts to Drain the Swamp (58:08 - 59:10)
The administration's attempt to dismantle the so-called "deep state" is critiqued. While significant cuts in federal employment are acknowledged, Crowder expresses disappointment in the limited progress regarding intelligence agencies and ongoing corruption scandals like Epstein. The failure to comprehensively reform or eliminate entrenched bureaucratic institutions results in a low grade.
Key Points:
- Federal Employment Cuts: Approximately 127,000 employees fired or bought out.
- Intelligence Agencies: Minimal progress in reforming or addressing corruption within the FBI, CIA, and IRS.
- Public Perception: Ongoing issues with deep state influence undermine the administration's promises.
Notable Quotes:
- Crowder: "When you understand the scope of the federal government... I give them a D." [57:06]
- Captain Morgan: "A D. I agree." [57:06]
Grading:
- Deep State Efforts: D Tier for insufficient action and persistent corruption.
Apologies and Cancel Culture: Joey Swole's Controversy (07:03 - 12:50)
A segment discusses influencer Joey Swole's apology after posting a Hulk Hogan costume video upon Hogan's death. Crowder criticizes Swole's rapid apology as capitulating to cancel culture, arguing that such actions enable entitlement and do not foster genuine accountability. The conversation underscores the challenges public figures face when navigating apologies in today's politically charged environment.
Key Points:
- Joey Swole's Apology: Prompt and widespread, perceived as performative rather than sincere.
- Cancel Culture: Crowder contends that automatic apologies reward overreaction and stifle genuine discourse.
- Audience Interaction: Co-hosts agree on the problematic nature of such apology trends.
Notable Quotes:
- Crowder: "You're giving them exactly what they want. They're throwing a tantrum and you are rewarding them." [07:21]
- Nick DePaulo: "He could shoot a goddamn baby on the air, nobody would fucking talk about me." [09:01]
Conclusion: Crowder emphasizes the need for meaningful accountability over superficial apologies.
Guest Appearances: Nick DePaulo and Doja Cat (58:08 - 67:41)
Nick DePaulo:
Nick provides additional insights, echoing Crowder's assessments and expressing strong support for Trump's policies, particularly in trade and immigration. He highlights the effectiveness of Trump's strategies against China and lauds the administration for prioritizing American workers.
Doja Cat:
Doja Cat injects humor while discussing Trump's trade policies, likening their impact to historical tariff strategies. She supports Trump's aggressive stance against China, emphasizing the administration's role in preventing economic exploitation.
Notable Quotes:
- Doja Cat: "He has accomplished a tremendous amount in trade wars." [62:26]
- Nick DePaulo: "He never lost because he's a businessman and he knew just what he was doing." [48:10]
Conclusion: Both guests reinforce the podcast's overall positive assessment of Trump's handling of trade and economic policies, further solidifying the S and A grades in these areas.
Final Thoughts: Overall Grading and Wrap-Up (63:50 - 67:44)
Steven Crowder concludes the grading with a comprehensive overview:
- Border Security: S
- Deportations: B moving toward A
- Economy: A
- Trade: S
- Foreign Policy: B, with high grades for specific actions like the Iran strike
- Deep State: D
Crowder expresses optimism but also caution, noting that continued progress is necessary to maintain and build upon these achievements. The discussion underscores the complexity of governance and the multifaceted nature of policy impact.
Final Notable Quotes:
- Crowder: "Overall, President Trump has had an epic success in several key areas." [55:36]
- Nick DePaulo: "Donald Trump was the first person to really bring trade issues to the forefront." [46:50]
Final Grades Recap:
- Border Security: S
- Deportations: B/A
- Economy: A
- Trade: S
- Foreign Policy: B
- Deep State: D
Conclusion
In this episode, Steven Crowder and his co-hosts deliver a robust evaluation of President Donald Trump's initial half-year in office. The administration receives high marks in border security, economic management, and trade policies, particularly its strategies against China. However, efforts to dismantle the deep state fall short, earning a D grade. The podcast blends serious policy analysis with humor and lively guest interactions, providing a comprehensive and engaging assessment for listeners seeking a detailed critique of Trump's governance.
Notable Takeaways:
- Strong Economic Indicators: Low inflation and robust job growth for native-born workers.
- Aggressive Trade Strategies: Effective use of tariffs and securing international deals bolster the U.S. economy.
- Mixed Foreign Policy Outcomes: Successful strikes and ceasefires contrast with ongoing conflicts.
- Deep State Challenges: Limited success in reforming entrenched federal agencies.
For those interested in a nuanced and passionate perspective on current political dynamics, this episode of Louder with Crowder offers a thorough and entertaining analysis.