Podcast Summary: "Trump commits major Thanksgiving mistake"

No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen – November 30, 2025

Overview

This episode explores Donald Trump's controversial Thanksgiving Day social media post and its political aftermath, as well as pressing issues in U.S. and California politics. Brian Tyler Cohen hosts four interviews with Senator Mark Kelly, gubernatorial candidates Eric Swalwell and Tom Steyer, and Pod Save America's Tommy Vitor, diving into topics like military law, democratic resilience, affordability crises, and fractures within the Republican party.

Main Theme

Trump's inflammatory holiday post sparked backlash within his own party and highlighted broader concerns about his leadership style, ongoing legal sagas, and declining political effectiveness. The episode further investigates the state of democracy, upcoming elections, California’s policy leadership, and emerging cleavages in right-wing unity.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Trump's Thanksgiving Post and Immediate Fallout

[00:01 – 06:09]

• Context: While Americans celebrated Thanksgiving, Trump posted a screed alleging that Somali refugees and gangs were overrunning Minnesota, ending with a slur directed at the governor, Tim Walz.
• Host Reaction: Brian Tyler Cohen sharply criticizes Trump's use of derogatory language, noting the irony given decades of conservative attacks on the “war on Christmas.”
• Immediate Impact:
  • An Indiana Republican publicly withdrew support for a GOP redistricting effort, citing the president's repeated use of insulting slurs. ("His choices of words have consequences. I will be voting no on redistricting..." – Indiana Republican, paraphrased by A, 02:24)
  • Indiana's GOP-initiated redistricting session is now "on life support," attributed directly to Trump's self-inflicted controversy.
• Broader Implications: Cohen contends that Trump’s pattern of provocation is a distraction tactic, especially as his support falters, with recent defeats on the "Epstein files" and poor polling: "You’ve heard the saying, never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty, but the pig likes it." (A, 03:45)

2. Interview: Senator Mark Kelly – Military Law and Chilling Effects

[06:09 – 14:48]

• Issue: Kelly, a former astronaut and combat veteran, faces possible court martial for a video (reciting "You can refuse illegal orders")—a literal quote from the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
• Kelly’s Main Concern: Not for his own fate, but the chilling effect on military personnel’s willingness to resist unlawful orders and on national free speech:
  • "It does have a chilling effect. And I really worry about service members." (B, 06:57)
  • "If they can come after me and shut me up, what does that say to the rest of the people out there?" (B, 12:53)
• Historical Context: Kelly cites Trump’s record, including urging military force against civilians and past statements rejecting limits on presidential orders.
• 2026/2028 Election Context: Highlights risk that fear-induced silence could stifle resistance to illegal election-related orders, such as seizing voting machines.
• Quote: "I don't think they really give a shit about [the Constitution] anymore." (B, 14:44)

3. Interview: Rep. Eric Swalwell – Gubernatorial Run and California Policy

[16:00 – 32:39]

• Campaign Vision: Focused on combating Trump’s influence and addressing California's "cost crisis."
  • "I see it as the governor of California has two jobs: keep the worst president ever out of our homes ... and bring a new California that can take on the cost crisis." (C, 16:26)
• Key Policies:
  • Housing: Proposes a statewide cost crisis declaration to accelerate home construction—decisions on applications within 90 days.
  • Voting: Suggests a fine on counties for wait times over 30 minutes and proposes secure vote-by-phone options.
    • "If we want to be the party that is expanding access to democracy, we should put it in people's hands the same way we do for banking, health care, records..." (C, 20:14)
  • Small Business: Advocates for a three-year tax holiday for new small businesses.
• California's National Role: Explains how large states "shoehorn" national policy by setting high standards, especially in areas like AI regulation, environmental health, and democracy access.
• Entertainment Industry: Responsive to declining in-state production, proposes raising California’s film/TV tax credit to $3 billion, particularly "above the line," to immediately boost investment.
  • "Captain America should be filmed in America, and it's not." (C, 26:19)
• Wildfire Crisis and Insurance: Urges regulatory fixes and more competition to make insurance accessible statewide.

4. Interview: Tom Steyer – Climate Leadership & Structural Reform

[34:15 – 52:12]

• California as Anti-Trump Bulwark: Emphasizes the state’s responsibility to lead opposition against Trump’s agenda, referencing his own "Need to Impeach" movement.
  • "The only thing a bully understands is strength, and we need to be strong and stand up to him at every occasion." (D, 36:06)
• Climate Policy:
  • Criticizes state reliance on monopolistic utilities and high prices, urges adoption of “cheaper, faster, better” renewables, leveraging California technology and leadership.
  • "[Dealing with climate] has to work for California families ... and California businesses." (D, 38:51)
• Assessment of Newsom: Praises Newsom's “values and policies,” especially in standing up to Trump. Critiques reluctance to disrupt status quo and special interests.
• Housing Crisis: Steyer pledges one million houses over four years, targeting regulatory and zoning barriers and promoting construction innovation.
  • "We are so overregulating. The point of the perfect is the enemy of the good." (D, 43:04)
• Entertainment Industry: Supports competitive subsidies for film production, but calls for a holistic review of all costs and structural obstacles, not just subsidies.
  • On the $3 billion tax credit idea: "The idea of throwing out a big number I consider to be superficial ... The critical question is, are we providing enough money and an environment for them to compete and succeed worldwide?" (D, 50:46)

5. Interview: Tommy Vitor (Pod Save America) – Trump’s Age & Fractures in GOP

[52:17 – 64:23]

• Discussion of Trump’s Health and Age:
  • Trump’s schedule is reportedly shrinking, starting at noon and ending at 5pm, with public events down 40% since 2017.
  • "It's giving Sleepy Joe." (A, 53:26)
  • "Trump is old. The headline was 'Trump Faces Realities of Aging in Office.' Can you imagine a headline that will piss him off more, by the way, like an insecure man who just can't grow up?" (E, 52:45)
  • Noted that concern about Biden’s age has now come full circle for Trump.
• Political Dynamics:
  • Trump’s projection of strength is crucial; visible aging undercuts his image.
  • Internal GOP succession is blocked by Trump’s refusal to yield attention (“It's very Logan Roy ... Is it gonna be Shiv?” – E, 57:01)
• Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Rebellion:
  • Greene publicly lashes out at right-wing critics, hinting she doesn’t have "zero fucks left to give." (A, 58:22)
  • Potential for this to embolden other GOP members to challenge Trump as intra-party divisions deepen.
  • "If Marjorie Taylor Greene is able to reach people that you or I or any Democrats are not going to be able to reach, then you, you, you take what you can get." (A, 60:33)
  • Greene’s critique on affordability and transparency (Epstein files) could break the right-wing media bubble.
  • "If MTG lets one rip in the submarine, you know, it's going to smell extra bad." (E, 61:50) (humorous analogy for breaking through Fox News echo chamber)
• Coalitional Politics: Notes how cross-party collaborations (e.g. on Epstein file disclosures) can amplify impact against entrenched partisan interests.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "Trump was hunched over his phone farting out screeds to the world."
  — Brian Tyler Cohen, (A), [00:29]

• "His choices of words have consequences. I will be voting no on redistricting."
  — Indiana Republican (paraphrased by A), [02:32]

• "If they can come after me and shut me up, what does that say to the rest of the people out there?"
  — Senator Mark Kelly, (B), [12:53]

• "I don't think they really give a shit about [the Constitution] anymore."
  — Senator Mark Kelly, (B), [14:44]

• "I see it as the governor of California has two jobs: keep the worst president ever out of our homes ... and bring a new California that can take on the cost crisis."
  — Eric Swalwell, (C), [16:26]

• "Captain America should be filmed in America, and it's not."
  — Eric Swalwell, (C), [26:19]

• "The only thing a bully understands is strength, and we need to be strong and stand up to him at every occasion."
  — Tom Steyer, (D), [36:06]

• "We are so overregulating. The point of the perfect is the enemy of the good."
  — Tom Steyer, (D), [43:04]

• "Trump recently had an MRI and we have zero information about why, what it was for... they said I had as good a result as they've ever seen. So does that seem credible to you?"
  — Tommy Vitor, (E), [53:13]

• "Trump is old. The headline was 'Trump Faces Realities of Aging in Office.' Can you imagine a headline that will piss him off more..."
  — Tommy Vitor, (E), [52:45]

• "If MTG lets one rip in the submarine, you know, it's going to smell extra bad. It's me extra potent. And I think that's what's happening here."
  — Tommy Vitor, (E), [61:50]

Important Timestamps

• Trump’s Post and Consequences: [00:01 – 06:09]
• Senator Mark Kelly Interview: [06:09 – 14:48]
• Rep. Eric Swalwell Interview: [16:00 – 32:39]
• Tom Steyer Interview: [34:15 – 52:12]
• Tommy Vitor Interview: [52:17 – 64:23]

Tone & Style

• Direct, progressive, and unabashedly critical of Trump and current GOP leadership.
• Mixes sharp political analysis with sarcasm and humor—willing to call out "bullshit" in both parties.
• Reflects urgency about the state of democracy, while highlighting pathways for coalition-building and policy reform.

Memorable Moments

• The Indiana Republican’s public revolt over Trump's use of slur, directly imperiling GOP gerrymandering efforts.
• Mark Kelly: Candid about the chilling effect on military dissent and the erosion of constitutional norms.
• Swalwell’s “California as new country” pitch and bold promises for industry/tax credit overhaul.
• Steyer’s focus on affordability, competition, and breaking regulatory bottlenecks to build housing.
• Tommy Vitor’s “Logan Roy” comparison for Trump’s refusal to yield the GOP throne, and humorous “MTG lets one rip in the submarine” analogy for right-wing media disruption.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode provides a vivid snapshot of current American and California political conflict, illustrating how Trump’s impulsiveness is fracturing GOP plans and fueling broader anxiety over democratic norms, legal integrity, and economic survival. The interviews highlight both the risks posed by Trump’s leadership style—especially to the military and elections—and the opportunities for creative policy leadership in California. The show closes by spotlighting cracks in Trumpist unity, suggesting that even small shifts may disrupt the MAGA hold on the right. The tone is frank, urgent, and at times darkly comedic, appealing to progressive listeners concerned with both immediate and structural political challenges ahead.