Scrolling with Hayley — Ep. 241: “The ‘Shining Stars’ of the Democrat Party”

Host: Hayley Caronia
Date: February 23, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Hayley Caronia delivers her signature conservative commentary on the Democratic Party's so-called "shining stars," dissecting recent polling, viral soundbites, and political gaffes. She pokes fun at Kamala Harris and other prominent Democrats, criticizes party rhetoric around ID laws, education policies, and progressive posturing, and wraps up with viral stories about Olympian pride, “Captain Durag,” and the Internet’s latest obsession: Punch the baby monkey. Sprinkled throughout are sharp soundbites, amusing digressions, and Hayley’s unfiltered takes on the political and cultural news of the day.

Key Segments and Takeaways

Opening: Life in the Snow — and Not Missing It (00:00–05:00)

• Hayley welcomes listeners amidst widespread snowstorms on the East Coast, sharing her appreciation for relocating to warm Florida.
• Humorously notes the cultural divide: “My friends in New York…their house has no power, they have no heat, and it is 56 degrees inside… I just have to say how I don't miss the snow at all.” (01:08)
• Reminds listeners to subscribe via Rumble, Apple, and Spotify.

Kamala Harris: Debunking the “Shining Star” Narrative (05:00–17:30)

Harris Leads in the Polls—But Why? (05:00–08:45)

• Several new polls have Kamala Harris as the Democratic frontrunner for 2028 — “almost 40% of registered voters said that they would support Harris … Only 21% said Gavin Newsom, and only 10% would support AOC.” (06:24)
• Highlight: “If the Democrats want to run her, I mean, do it. I think it would be entertaining... Kamala Harris ran for president twice and failed—a complete failure.” (08:00)

Harris on Jon Stewart’s Podcast: The “So Many Stars” Clip (08:45–10:30)

• Hayley plays a viral Kamala Harris clip from Jon Stewart’s podcast where Harris lists “so many stars” in the party.
• Hayley mocks Harris’s delivery: “I thought I was listening to it in slow motion… Kamala Harris’s default setting is a drunk aunt.” (09:45)
  • Kamala Harris quote (from clip, ~09:00): “We have so many stars in our party. There are so many stars. And let’s not be afraid of them… Jasmine Crockett... We have so many stars.”

Not-So-Starry Lineup: Critiquing Democrat “Stars” (10:30–33:30)

Katie Porter: “F*** Trump”—Vulgarity as Rhetoric (10:30–12:40)

• Hayley plays a Porter clip of her chanting “F*** Trump” with supporters, calling it “tired…born…yawn.”
• Connects the rhetoric to increased threats against Trump: “Every time a Democrat gets behind a podium and bashes Trump, another weirdo in their party gets the bright idea to carry out some act of violence.” (12:20)

Karen Bass: Mayor Booed at Home (12:40–14:30)

• Shares a clip of LA Mayor Karen Bass being booed at a local event: “No one likes you, Karen. Thank you so much. No one likes you.” (13:37)
• Hayley finds it hilarious, saying, "He’s just following her car. Just know everything she says. He has a rebuttal…and other Democrats…were joining in booing." (14:00)

Andy Beshear: Boasting About Vetoing Conservative Bills (14:30–16:00)

• Clip of Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear: "I’ve vetoed every anti LGBTQ bill…because it’s the right thing to do."
• Hayley paraphrases: “He is basically saying…Republicans in my state, they keep wanting to protect kids. And I said nope, not on my watch.” (15:40)

Lee Finke: Defending Porn in LGBTQ Education (16:00–18:25)

• MN State Rep. Lee Finke claims online restrictions deny LGBTQ youth educational material, including pornography.
• Hayley sharply rebukes: “Giving kids access to pornography is not caring for them…if you think it is appropriate, you need to have your head checked.” (17:45)
• Notable: Hayley’s analysis morphs into a broader critique of Democrats’ approach to child protection and sexual education.

AOC: Foreign-Policy Flub & Blaming Trump (18:25–20:15)

• Shows a clip of AOC defending a foreign-policy stumble at Munich and blaming the result on Trump.
• Hayley: “She just admitted that she can’t keep up with Trump intellectually, which we all knew.” (19:20)
• Adds a playful aside about a possible dog snoring in the background during AOC’s video.

The Voter ID / SAVE Act Debate (20:15–28:30)

Bernie Sanders and Gavin Newsom: “I Lost My Birth Certificate” (20:15–23:30)

• Both Sanders and Newsom claim confusion over how to obtain a birth certificate.
• Hayley lampoons: "They’re either stupid, they’re lying, or both. And I can believe that.” (22:30)
• Breaks down the SAVE Act’s documentation requirements, noting: “This is all fake outrage. Everybody has a photo ID. Even illegals, thanks to Democrats!” (23:15)

More “Virtue Signaling”: Schiff, Mamdani & Snow Socialism (28:30–34:30)

Adam Schiff—State of the Union Virtue Signal (28:30–29:40)

• Schiff declares he’ll boycott Trump’s State of the Union. Hayley: “Who cares?...Would he mind not running again as well?” (29:20)

Zorin Mamdani—Snow Shoveling & Irony of ID (29:40–34:30)

• Mamdani (NY Assemblyman, Democratic Socialists of America) proposes New Yorkers should shovel snow themselves, but only if they have extensive paperwork and IDs.
• Hayley: “This excludes most of New York City, apparently. You need to have some sort of photo ID. Oh man. And it’s racist to require that!” (31:35)
• Sarcastic twist: “If you were unhappy with the snow removal last time, do it yourself!” (30:45)

Susan Rice on Netflix—Political Retribution and Monopoly Fears (34:30–41:00)

• Plays a clip from Susan Rice on the Stay Tuned with Preet podcast about consequences for corporate America supporting Trump.

• Hayley’s response: “They love to claim that democracy is under siege…but what she’s saying is that people who voted for Trump should face retribution.” (36:50)

• Jabs at Netflix for hiring Rice and the Obamas; notes anti-competitive fears with Netflix potentially acquiring HBO Max.

• Trump's response (summarized):

  • “Netflix should fire racist Trump-deranged Susan Rice immediately or pay the consequences… Her power is gone and will never be back.” (39:30)

Woke Disney & The “Captain Durag” Controversy (41:00–48:30)

• Hayley reacts to controversy over the new Disney kids’ show Hey AJ featuring a superhero “Captain Durag” and sidekick “Snow Bunny.”
• Reads creators’ defenses on social media, lampoons their statements (“That was my armor, my power source…”), and explores the discussion around racial stereotypes and cultural representation.
• Notable quote: "The black superhero doesn't fight crime. You a grime fighter." (47:55)
• Critiques Black History Month merchandise and “liberals trying to be anti-racist so much they come full circle and become racist.” (48:15)

Olympics “Cognitive Dissonance” & Patriotic Shame (48:30–52:30)

• HuffPost article claims U.S. viewers feel “cognitive dissonance” supporting American athletes while hating the U.S. government.
• Hayley mocks: “It’s my cognitive dissonance acting up. I can’t go to work. I can’t go see my friends…It’s manifesting in my jaw, my neck, my back, my crack.” (51:05)
• Riffs on the “leftist” penchant for medicalized labels and excuses.

U.S. vs. Canada: Olympic Hockey & Online Banter (52:30–54:00)

• U.S. men’s and women’s hockey teams defeat Canada. Trudeau’s “You can’t take our game” tweet is countered by a White House meme.
• Hayley: “This is not that deep…such a beta loser” (referring to George Conway’s “Classless” reply). (53:42)

Heartwarming/Heartbreaking: The Saga of “Punch” the Monkey (54:00–1:00:15)

Viral Story: Punch, the Baby Monkey

• Baby monkey Punch, abandoned by his mother in Japan, is raised with a stuffed animal as an emotional support plushie.
• Emotional play-by-play of videos: Punch is bullied by adult monkeys and finds comfort with his monkey plush.
• “He’s hugging the monkey. Someone in the chat says, my niece has one of those [stuffed animal]… Punch is what, two apples tall?... He’s running away with him. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.” (56:45…57:10)

Ups and Downs: From Social Struggles to Hopeful Integration

• Scenes of integration attempts; moments of acceptance and rejection.
• Hayley: “He goes in for a hug and gets pushed away… he goes back to his monkey and covers it. I can’t even look.” (59:10)

Internet Reaction and Moral Reflection

• Discusses global web fascination. Cites viral X post: “Women will cry over a baby monkey…then turn around and get an abortion. Fact check: True.”
• Hayley’s pro-life message: “You’re no less valuable based on how small you are or where you are in development…your life needs to be protected.” (1:01:10)

Punch’s “AI Happy Ending”

• A playful AI mashup shows Punch being comforted by Donald J. Trump in the Oval Office.
• “He’s working in the White House…protected… in the loving embrace of Donald J. Trump. Okay, everyone, Punch is fine.” (1:01:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Kamala Harris’s default setting is a drunk aunt.” (09:45)
• “Every time a Democrat gets behind a podium and bashes Trump…I swear, another weirdo in their party gets the bright idea to carry out some act of violence.” (12:20)
• “This excludes most of New York City, apparently. You need to have some sort of photo id. Oh man. And it's racist to require that.” (31:35)
• On “Captain Durag”: “The black superhero doesn’t fight crime—just think about that. He’s not a crime fighter. You a grime fighter.” (47:55)
• “It’s my cognitive dissonance acting up. I can’t go to work…It’s manifesting in my jaw, my neck, my back, my crack.” (51:05)
• “Punch is what, two apples tall? He’s running away with his monkey—it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.” (56:45)
• “You’re no less valuable based on how small you are or where you are in development… your life needs to be protected.” (1:01:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–05:00: Opening remarks, Florida vs. snow, show rundown
• 05:00–08:45: Kamala Harris leads in polling, polling analysis
• 08:45–10:30: “So many stars” - Kamala Harris on Jon Stewart’s podcast
• 10:30–12:40: Katie Porter’s “F*** Trump” chant, Trump threat rhetoric
• 12:40–14:30: Karen Bass booed in LA
• 14:30–16:00: Andy Beshear’s progressive vetoes
• 16:00–18:25: Rep. Lee Finke’s stance on LGBTQ education and pornography
• 18:25–20:15: AOC’s Munich conference flub, Trump blame game
• 20:15–23:30: Bernie Sanders and Gavin Newsom on voter ID “confusion”
• 28:30–29:40: Adam Schiff’s State of the Union boycott
• 29:40–34:30: Zorin Mamdani’s “socialized” snow removal in NYC
• 34:30–41:00: Susan Rice, Netflix, Trump retribution and monopoly claims
• 41:00–48:30: Disney’s “Captain Durag” & representation controversy
• 48:30–52:30: Olympics, HuffPost, “cognitive dissonance” satire
• 52:30–54:00: U.S. vs. Canada Olympic hockey, meme banter
• 54:00–1:00:15: Punch the Monkey, internet obsessions, pro-life reflection, AI ending

The Tone

Hayley’s style is fast-paced, sarcastic, conversational, and unapologetically conservative. She relies heavily on viral clips, caustic humor, and pointed paraphrasing, punctuating her critiques with playful exaggeration and real-world asides.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a sardonic tour through left-wing politics and internet trends, with Hayley pulling no punches as she calls out Democratic hypocrisy, cultural foibles, and what she sees as the party’s laughably weak “shining stars.” Heartwarming content and viral oddities round out a show that keeps conservatives informed and entertained.