Louder with Crowder - Episode Summary: "Trump Loves Dictators: Debunking the Left’s Latest Attack Strategy"
Release Date: March 6, 2025
Host: Steven Crowder
Guests: Jared McBride, Gerald Morgan, Dave Landau
Introduction and Initial Banter
The episode kicks off with Steven Crowder engaging in lighthearted banter with his co-hosts, Jared McBride and Gerald Morgan. Crowder humorously criticizes mainstream comedians, stating, “They don’t know they’re not funny. How often do you see them? Every night.” (00:12). This sets the tone for a candid and irreverent discussion throughout the episode.
Main Topic: Debunking the "Trump Loves Dictators" Narrative
Trump's Transparency and Foreign Policy
Crowder addresses the prevailing leftist narrative that former President Donald Trump "loves dictators," primarily targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. He argues that Trump’s transparency surpasses that of previous presidents, emphasizing his direct communication via platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Truth Social. Crowder asserts, “Donald Trump is actually the most consistent president on authoritarians, on dictators, on foreign adversaries that we have seen in our lifetime.” (03:32).
Actions Towards Russia, China, and Iran
Crowder systematically dismantles accusations against Trump by highlighting his administration's stringent policies:
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Russia: Crowder notes that Trump imposed significant sanctions on Russian oligarchs and companies, stating, “In 2018 he slapped some major sanctions on seven Russian oligarchs, 12 Russian companies, 17 government officials.” (40:41). He contrasts Trump’s actions with those of previous administrations, emphasizing Trump's unprecedented tough stance.
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China: Addressing claims that Trump is overly friendly with Chinese leadership, Crowder clarifies, “President Trump is the first president in our lifetime to take the threat of China seriously.” He references Trump’s trade war against China, asserting its necessity to protect American economic interests.
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Iran: Crowder refutes allegations of Trump being lenient towards Iran by highlighting his administration’s severe sanctions and the targeted strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. He emphasizes, “Donald Trump has always and will always be much harder on Iran and the Islamic regime there than any Democrat.” (56:28).
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Venezuela: Countering claims that Trump admired Maduro, Crowder details Trump’s aggressive sanctions against Venezuela’s oil sector, resulting in significant economic strain. He states, “From 2017 to 2019, Donald Trump imposed a total of 1500 sanctions against Iran, give or take.” (56:37).
Transparency and Real-Time Diplomacy
Crowder argues that Trump’s direct communication style enhances transparency in international relations. He mentions, “This is the most transparent president of our lifetime because he has to be.” (Various timestamps). By speaking directly to the public, Trump bypasses traditional media filters, allowing real-time insights into his administration’s policies and responses.
Trade War with Canada
Tariffs and Economic Protectionism
A significant portion of the episode delves into the trade tensions between the United States and Canada. Crowder asserts that Canada’s longstanding tariffs act as a form of economic protectionism, which inadvertently harms Canadian consumers more than American ones. He explains, “Canada does this as a form of economic protectionism by their own words, while criticizing the USA for doing the same.” (19:56).
Effects on Consumers and the Economy
Crowder highlights the adverse effects of these tariffs on everyday Canadian goods, using dairy as a primary example. He elaborates, “Milk by the gallon in the U.S. is about $3.50 to $4. Right now Canada, it's over $8 a gallon.” (28:06). This discrepancy, he argues, is due to prohibitive tariffs that make American products economically unviable in Canada, ultimately burdening Canadian consumers with higher prices.
Proposed Solutions
Crowder emphasizes that ending these tariffs would not only benefit American businesses but also lower prices for Canadian consumers. He provocatively suggests that without these tariffs, Canada would essentially become the 51st state: “If you have truly free trade, Canada is the 51st state.” (30:18).
Critique of Democratic Constituents and Media
Mocking a Listener's Call
In a segment featuring a caller named Emily, Crowder and his co-hosts ridicule the frustrations expressed by a Democrat constituent. Emily pleads, “I need Democrats to do something,” lamenting her struggles. Instead of offering genuine solutions, Crowder mocks her by suggesting, “Have you considered not eating it and maybe brushing your teeth after whitening?” (06:09). This exchange underscores the show’s dismissive attitude towards Democratic grievances.
Criticism of Leftist Rhetoric and Media Coverage
Crowder accuses the left and mainstream media of misrepresenting Trump’s foreign policy, particularly his stance against dictators. He states, “The left wants you to believe that he cozies up to dictators because he's a fascist at heart,” (36:04). He further criticizes the media for perpetuating false narratives and undermining Trump’s policies by labeling him as friendly towards authoritarian leaders without substantial evidence.
Additional Topics and Banter
Late-Night Shows and Media Plagiarism
Crowder expresses disdain for contemporary late-night shows, claiming they lack originality and humor. He highlights issues of plagiarism and laziness, noting, “Have the exact same setup clip with the exact same time codes and almost verbatim the same punchline.” (11:00). This critique serves as a broader commentary on the state of entertainment media.
Cultural Critiques
The show briefly touches on cultural differences, with Crowder making derogatory remarks about non-Western customs, such as wiping with hands instead of toilet paper. He jokes, “They don’t use toilet paper. When you're shaking the hand of the Sultan of Siam, you're squeezing a Charmin. I prefer to go with a fist.” (47:25). This segment reinforces the hosts’ provocative and often offensive humor style.
Conclusion and Promotional Segments
Towards the end of the episode, Crowder promotes Rumble Premium, urging listeners to subscribe for an ad-free experience and additional content. He remarks, “We wouldn't be able to talk about any of this if not for Rumble.” (34:34). The episode concludes with more banter among the hosts, maintaining the show’s characteristic blend of political commentary and comedic interludes.
Notable Quotes:
- “Donald Trump is actually the most consistent president on authoritarians, on dictators, on foreign adversaries that we have seen in our lifetime.” (03:32)
- “Milk by the gallon in the U.S. is about $3.50 to $4. Right now Canada, it's over $8 a gallon.” (28:06)
- “If you have truly free trade, Canada is the 51st state.” (30:18)
- “The left wants you to believe that he cozies up to dictators because he's a fascist at heart.” (36:04)
Final Thoughts
In this episode, Steven Crowder and his co-hosts vigorously challenge the leftist narrative that former President Trump is sympathetic to dictators. Through a combination of policy analysis, personal anecdotes, and irreverent humor, they aim to portray Trump as a strong, transparent leader who actively combats authoritarian regimes. The episode also critiques Democratic constituents and mainstream media, asserting that misinformation undermines Trump’s legacy. Overall, the episode serves as a comprehensive rebuttal to the accusations leveled against Trump by his political opponents.
