Detailed Summary of "Louder with Crowder" Episode: "Trump Slams Dictator Zelensky: Why He NOW Has a Point"
Release Date: February 20, 2025
In this episode of "Louder with Crowder," host Steven Crowder and his co-hosts—Nick DiPaolo, Dave Landau, and guest Gavin McInnes—delve into a heated discussion surrounding former President Donald Trump’s recent comments labeling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a dictator. The episode interweaves political commentary, media critique, and an entertaining segment on Hollywood lawsuits, all while promoting their platform, Rumble Premium.
1. Introduction & Rumble Premium Promotion [00:19 – 01:30]
The episode kicks off with playful banter about transitioning from "Mug Club" to "Rumble Premium." The hosts emphasize the platform's commitment to free speech and ad-free content.
- Gavin McInnes [00:26]: “Gentlemen, welcome to Mug Club. First rule of Mug Club is Tell everyone about Mug Club.”
- Steven Crowder [00:37]: “Don't you mean Rumble Premium?”
This segment sets a lighthearted tone while highlighting their promotion strategy for Rumble Premium.
2. Donald Trump Calling Zelensky a Dictator [01:30 – 28:51]
Steven Crowder leads the discussion by addressing Donald Trump’s controversial statement about Zelensky, questioning its accuracy and political implications.
- Steven Crowder [03:00]: "Now, is Zelensky a dictator? Yes. Now there's some gray area..."
Crowder argues that while Zelensky exhibits authoritarian traits, equating him with established dictators like Vladimir Putin oversimplifies the situation. The conversation critiques the media's portrayal and examines the underlying political motives.
Fact-Checking Media Bias:
- Crowder [22:15]: "In 2024, it was 85% negative. In 2020, he received 150 times more negative coverage than former Vice President Biden."
The hosts highlight the disproportionate negative coverage Trump has received versus other political figures, attributing this to media bias and censorship by tech giants.
Critique of Bernie Sanders:
- Crowder [05:00]: "Bernie Sanders does have a long standing history of bitching about Trump."
They dismantle Bernie Sanders’ critiques, arguing that his policies lack practicality and merely seek to increase government spending without addressing core issues.
3. The Kennedy Center Under Trump’s Chairmanship [06:00 – 09:50]
The discussion shifts to Trump's role as chairman of the Kennedy Center, analyzing how increased federal funding influences the arts.
- Crowder [07:25]: "The left is really tipping their hand here... they don't understand that no one cares if you want to do art. When we're paying for the art, it's different."
The hosts express concern over taxpayer dollars being used to propagate politically charged art, contrasting it with privately funded initiatives that don't impose the same cultural agendas.
4. Congestion Pricing in New York City [11:04 – 14:13]
Crowder criticizes Trump’s reversal of New York City's congestion pricing, highlighting its unpopularity and practical drawbacks.
- Crowder [12:53]: "Yesterday Donald Trump killed the New York City congestion pricing program."
They discuss how New Yorkers have devised workarounds to avoid fees, underscoring the policy’s inefficacy and its burden on everyday commuters.
5. Wealth Transfer During COVID-19 & Progressive Policies [14:13 – 38:02]
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing Bernie Sanders’ op-ed and broader progressive economic policies.
Wealth Inequality:
- Crowder [20:19]: "The solution from Bernie Sanders is exactly the same thing from the left as they have on everything right now, which is status quo. Do the exact same thing, only more money, money, money."
The hosts argue that progressive policies exacerbate wealth inequality by favoring billionaires and increasing government deficits rather than genuinely addressing poverty and economic disparities.
Critique of Entitlement Programs:
- Crowder [25:00]: "The solution from Bernie Sanders to fix the wealth disparity in this country is... status quo. Nothing different, only more money, money, money."
They assert that increased government spending on entitlement programs like education, housing, and healthcare without structural reforms leads to inefficiency and economic strain.
6. Entertainment Segment: Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni Lawsuit [59:17 – 66:25]
Introducing Bill Richmond, a "half Asian lawyer," Crowder transitions to an entertaining yet contentious discussion about the high-profile lawsuit between actress Blake Lively and actor-director Justin Baldoni.
Overview of the Lawsuit:
- Crowder [59:58]: "Actor director Justin Baldoni is now suing his former co star Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, seeking more than $400 million in damages..."
Bill Richmond provides insights into the allegations of defamation and extortion, highlighting the complexities of the legal battle and its impact on Hollywood reputations.
Analysis and Commentary:
The hosts dissect the lawsuit’s motives, suggesting that aggressive legal tactics are more about public relations battles than genuine grievances.
- Nick DiPaolo [61:08]: "Are you team Blake Or Team Justin. That's uncomfortable a little bit."
This segment blends legal analysis with humor, offering listeners a multifaceted view of celebrity disputes.
7. Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks [66:25 – End]
Wrapping up the episode, Crowder reiterates the main themes of media bias, ineffective progressive policies, and the contentious relationship between Trump and Zelensky. He encourages listeners to join Rumble Premium for more exclusive content.
- Crowder [56:08]: "Think about that. He's going into the military saying, all right, we don't need this..."
- Crowder [43:14]: "We don't accept SNAP."
The hosts leave listeners with a blend of humor and critical analysis, maintaining their stance against what they perceive as leftist overreach and media manipulation.
Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps
- Gavin McInnes [00:26]: “Gentlemen, welcome to Mug Club. First rule of Mug Club is Tell everyone about Mug Club.”
- Steven Crowder [03:00]: "Now, is Zelensky a dictator? Yes. Now there's some gray area..."
- Steven Crowder [22:15]: "In 2024, it was 85% negative. In 2020, he received 150 times more negative coverage than former Vice President Biden."
- Steven Crowder [07:25]: "The left is really tipping their hand here... they don't understand that no one cares if you want to do art. When we're paying for the art, it's different."
- Nick DiPaolo [61:08]: "Are you team Blake Or Team Justin. That's uncomfortable a little bit."
Conclusion
This episode of "Louder with Crowder" presents a robust critique of current political figures and policies, interspersed with humor and personal commentary. By addressing topics from international politics to Hollywood lawsuits, Crowder and his co-hosts aim to engage their audience with a blend of serious analysis and entertaining dialogue. The promotion of Rumble Premium underscores their commitment to providing an alternative platform for free speech, free from mainstream media biases and advertiser influence.
For those interested in politically unfiltered discussions and critical analysis of current events, this episode offers a comprehensive overview of the hosts' perspectives on pressing issues of early 2025.