No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen — Episode Summary

Episode: Trump flip flops as global plans IMPLODE
Date: March 25, 2026
Host: Brian Tyler Cohen
Guests: Rep. Ro Khanna; Ezra Levin & Leah Greenberg (Indivisible/No Kings organizers)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into Donald Trump’s recent political reversals, particularly his “flip flop” on the airport security (TSA) funding crisis and the wider domestic consequences of his global policies—especially a new, unpopular war in the Middle East. Brian Tyler Cohen examines the growing backlash within the Republican Party, the surge in inflation and costs across America, escalating political activism (notably the “no Kings” mass protest), and ongoing calls for accountability around the Epstein files. The episode features an interview with Rep. Ro Khanna unpacking failures in Trump’s administration, followed by a segment with the co-founders of Indivisible discussing the unprecedented scale and strategy of “no Kings” coalition-building.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s TSA Flip Flop and Political Fallout

• Trump’s Initial Stance: Openly refused bipartisan efforts to fund TSA and said Americans should "feel the pain" (00:24).
  • He justified refusing the deal to push for the “Save America Act”—a bill labeled by Brian as a “massive voter suppression bill.”
• Trump’s Reversal: Amid mounting public anger over airport chaos, Trump suddenly blamed Democrats, denying responsibility for the delays (00:48).
  • Quote (Trump on Jatu Social): “Blame the Democrats for the airport's mess. They want our country to do badly...” (00:48)
• Political Consequences: Trump’s strategy backfires, with anger directed at him, not at Democrats as he intended (01:11).
  • This crisis is compounded by an unpopular Middle East war, record-high inflation, gas prices, and a host of domestic issues under Trump’s administration.

2. The Unpopularity of the New War and Economic Turbulence

• The war in the Middle East: “the least popular war at its outset in history” with unclear aims or exit strategy (01:24).
• Consequences include:
  • Gas prices surging
  • Secondary increases in cost of living (flights, groceries, consumer goods)
  • Inflation projected over 5% (01:48)
  • Quote (Brian): “Trump has ushered in high prices, expensive gas, endless war, and insane travel delays in an election year.” (02:12)
• Comparison with Biden era inflation highlights Trump’s record unfavorably (01:56).

3. Republican Complicity and Party-Wide Repercussions

• Republicans such as Speaker Mike Johnson are embracing Trump ever more tightly:
  • Johnson presents Trump with the first-ever “America First Award” (03:15)
  • Memorable mocking line (Brian): “A new award! Like Trump is a fucking nine year old.” (03:57)
• Cohen argues that Republican leaders are not victims but active accomplices to Trump’s mismanagement (04:05).
  • Resulting in disastrous policy outcomes—expensive basics, gutted social programs, endless conflict.
• Voters are responding: Democrats are flipping seats by double-digit margins, including Trump’s own backyard (Mar-a-Lago’s legislative district) (04:35).
  • Quote (Brian): “It’s no wonder that Democrats are running the table on Republicans in election after election.” (04:39)

[07:00] Interview: Rep. Ro Khanna — Epstein Files, Iran, and Trump’s Political Troubles

Epstein Files and Accountability

• UK police now more aggressively seeking info from US DOJ regarding Prince Andrew and others (07:02)
  • Ro Khanna: “Isn’t it ironic... other governments in other countries... are demanding the full files, including the 50% that Pam Bondi has not released.” (07:27)
• Major figures with allegations remain shielded, and the US government is less proactive in bringing justice (08:14).
• New deposition videos from Epstein’s accountant & lawyers raised more questions than answers:
  • Accountant Richard Kahn reversed testimony about whether a settlement was paid to a woman accusing Trump of rape at age 13 (08:46).
  • Ro Khanna: “He gave totally inconsistent testimony. It also shows that there may have been an actual settlement...” (09:32)
• Khanna urges DOJ to investigate for possible perjury, as Congressional power has limits (09:59).

Pam Bondi Withholding Epstein Documents

• Pam Bondi continues to withhold half the Epstein files (10:31).
  • Excuses given are to “protect survivors,” but survivors want release.
  • Next update expected after Bondi’s deposition on April 14 (10:50).

The War in Iran as a Distraction

• Public interest in Epstein story dropped after the new war; Trump not held accountable for both war or the Epstein cover-up (12:26).
  • Ro Khanna: “It’s been a total betrayal of his voters... it has taken [Epstein coverage] off the front page...” (12:48)

Trump’s Flip Flop on Airport Chaos

• Trump initially bragged about blocking a TSA funding deal to force passage of the “Save America Act”; now blames Democrats when backlash mounts (13:29).
  • Real reason: political damage as gas and travel prices spike, lines get longer.
  • Ro Khanna: “He caused it by going into Iran, and he caused it by rejecting Democratic offer after offer to fund TSA.” (14:30)
  • “He wants married women, 190 million American women, to show their birth certificates and their marriage certificates before they can vote. It is absolutely absurd.” (14:53)
• Republicans unlikely to go nuclear or abolish filibuster for Trump at this stage; political gravity is reasserting itself (16:32).

Democratic Momentum and Changing Coalition

• Recent elections reveal a broader anti-Trump coalition, with dramatic swings in formerly GOP-strong areas (17:18).
  • New “coalition forming in American politics... opposed to this war... elite impunity... Trump’s tax breaks for billionaires...”
  • ICE brutality and overreach galvanizing even non-traditional Democratic voters.

Republican Frustration & Dissent

• Some Republicans breaking with Trump—especially over Epstein transparency, Iran, gas prices, ICE abuses.
  • “Hundreds of discharge petitions” show cracks in GOP unity (20:01).
  • Larger question: Can disappointed Republicans move Trump to change course before total collapse?

[22:42] Interview: Ezra Levin & Leah Greenberg (Indivisible, “no Kings” Protest Organizers)

No Kings 3 Protest: Scope and Ambition

• “Largest protest in American history” planned: over 3,100 protests globally (22:42).
• Purpose: mass, visible defiance against Trump, ICE, the administration’s agenda of “chaos, cruelty, and corruption” (23:09).
  • Leah Greenberg: “You are within 30 minutes of a no Kings protest wherever you are in America right now...” (23:14)
• Events aim to propel participants into long-term community organizing and electoral engagement.

Protests as Movement-Building, Not Singular Victory

• Ezra: “Nobody thinks... we have a historic protest with millions of people out, and suddenly democracy wins. ...It is, however, a very essential tactic for welcoming new people into the movement and then getting them trained up and connected locally so we can escalate tactics...” (24:07–24:40)
• Organizers coach hosts to immediately recruit at events and direct people toward follow-up gatherings and action (25:28).

Rural and Unlikely Areas Joining Protest

• Not just big cities: New chapters have robustly emerged in rural, red, or purple America (28:08).
  • “There are 17 events across Alaska. There are 12 across Hawaii...” (28:41)
• Ezra Levin: “I’m from rural Texas... rural red, deep red areas where Trump won... by 70 or 80%—they’re having no Kings protests as well.” (28:41)
• Bruce Springsteen opening flagship protest in the Twin Cities.

Diverse and Cross-Political Coalition

• The movement is drawing in independents, first-timers, and even disillusioned Trump voters (30:28).
  • “Everybody has their own breaking point... We want Trump voters who... now feel betrayed. We got to welcome them with open arms.” (31:03)
• Focus is on growing infrastructure, long-term organization, and not repeating old campaign cycle tactics (32:00).
  • Brian’s anecdote: Right-wing radio investments vs. Democratic ad spending don’t provide lasting reach (32:00–33:28).

Call to Action

• Anyone interested can find protests at nokings.org (34:22).
• Personal challenge: Bring three non-political friends to join the protest—“Reach out to them and give them the gift of an invitation...” (34:32)

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• On Trump’s reversal and blame-shifting:
  • Brian: “Trump went from saying that he doesn’t want a deal because he could use that pain to try and pass the SAVE act, to suddenly claiming that he’s not responsible anymore for the airport delays at all.” (00:48)
• On Republican complicity:
  • Brian: “A new award! Like Trump is a fucking nine year old.” (03:57)
• On Trump’s political strategy and backlash:
  • “You see, part of governing like an autocrat is that you don’t think you’re accountable to the public. ...But to the dismay of today’s Republican Party, it clearly does [exist].” (04:54)
• Ro Khanna on the Epstein files:
  • “Isn’t it ironic... other governments in other countries... are demanding the full files, including the 50% that Pam Bondi has not released.” (07:27)
  • “He gave totally inconsistent testimony. It also shows that there may have been an actual settlement [with the woman who accused Trump of rape].” (09:32)
• On why No Kings protests matter:
  • Leah Greenberg: “There are an enormous number of us who are collectively coming together to link arms and to oppose this agenda of chaos, cruelty, and corruption.” (23:09)
  • Ezra Levin: “We got to welcome [disillusioned Trump voters] with open arms. ...We have to build a gigantic coalition.” (31:03)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump Flip Flop & Republican Response: 00:24–04:54
• Interview: Rep. Ro Khanna (Epstein files, Iran, Republican schism): 07:00–21:22
• Interview: Ezra Levin & Leah Greenberg (No Kings protest): 22:42–35:38

Conclusion

This episode chronicles the cascading consequences of Trump-era policies—escalating public outrage over travel chaos, inflation, endless war, and governmental stonewalling on urgent issues like the Epstein files. Cohen asserts that as Trump acts like political gravity doesn’t exist, it is beginning to reassert itself forcefully—seen both in GOP fractures and in unprecedented activism on the left. The “no Kings” protest is spotlighted as both a symbol and engine of resistance, channeling energy not just into mass demonstrations but sustainable, local organizing, explicitly designed to build a broader and more resilient opposition coalition.

[For protest info: nokings.org]