Part of the Problem - "Trump Admits It All"

Date: December 18, 2025
Host: Dave Smith
Co-Host: Robbie “the Fire” Bernstein

Episode Overview

This episode centers around explosive comments and admissions by Donald Trump about the influence of major donors and the Israeli lobby on U.S. politics. Dave Smith and Robbie Bernstein break down Trump’s recent statements, critique the ongoing Israel-Palestine crisis, dissect media reactions, and reflect on internal controversies within the right-wing and libertarian movement. The episode highlights the danger of foreign influence, the nature of political tribalism, and the hypocrisy in public discourse on critical, taboo issues.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Catch-Up: Family Illness and Current Events

[00:53]

• Dave’s family is battling the flu, and he reflects on taking on caregiving duties.
• Robbie mentions his own projects and stresses, adding a comedic tone amidst the seriousness.

2. The Australia Hanukkah Terror Attack & the Weaponization of Tragedy

[03:00-15:57]

• Dave explains the basics: two gunmen attacked a Hanukkah celebration in Australia with tragic civilian casualties.
  • He laments the immediate polarization and online point-scoring (“How come Dave hasn’t denounced this terrorist attack?”).
  • Dave: “I just hope I’m never that devoid of soul that my first thing when there’s a tragedy like this is to... slam the other side or make a political point.” [04:10]
• Robbie sarcastically lays out the “required” public statements:
  • “Please don’t go on killing sprees. Do not murder innocent civilians. Jewish people around the world do not deserve to be killed at Jewish events just because of what’s going on in Gaza and Israel.” [06:14]

On False Flags and Conspiracy Narratives

• Dave addresses the conspiratorial reactions that such attacks are always “false flags” and explains why, although skeptical of power, he doesn’t jump to conclusions without evidence.
  • Introduces the CIA concept of blowback: actions of governments abroad lead to revenge attacks at home.
  • “Not everything has to be an Op or an inside job or a false flag.” [09:51]

Chicken-and-Egg Rhetoric in Israeli-Palestinian Violence

[11:34]

• Both acknowledge the endless argument: each side justifies its violence by citing a prior injustice.
• Dave traces the root of the conflict to the creation of Israel and the displacement of Palestinians.
  • “You could go all the way...to a bunch of Eastern Europeans deciding they were going to create a Jewish state in the middle of Arab land and in the process...ethnically cleansed like 750,000 of them... That’s the real start.” [12:40]
• Both emphasize: cycles of violence are self-perpetuating, but context and disproportionality matter.

Consequences, Blowback, and American Terrorism Fears

[17:24]

• Dave expresses concern for future terrorism tied to U.S. actions abroad:
  • “Terrorism is the price of empire.” - quoting Pat Buchanan [17:52]
  • Asserts the U.S. is not insulated given its funding of controversial wars and loose immigration.

3. Rob Reiner’s Murder and Trump’s Callous Response

[19:21-24:54]

• The hosts are appalled by Trump’s tweet about Rob Reiner’s death.
  • Dave: “Just come on. If you can’t at least just admit... if it was politically convenient for you, one of your political opponents did that, you’d be like, oh, what a piece of... what a godless, soulless monster.” [24:32]
• Dave pushes back on being accused of “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” citing his fairness and willingness to push back on both the media and Trump’s missteps.

4. Media and Culture Wars: Dave’s Megyn Kelly Appearance & Zionist Pushback

[30:52-36:02]

• Dave recounts controversy after appearing on Megyn Kelly's show, which sparked outrage from both Zionist and pro-conspiracy camps.
• Notes Megyn Kelly’s fairness and willingness to have diverse guests, even if she disagrees.
  • "Megyn Kelly's cool. You guys are out of your mind... She's kind of gone out of her way to be at least fair." [30:39]

“Self-Hating Hellenized Jew” Accusation

[31:09-36:02]

• Dave was smeared by Josh Hammer as a "self-hating Hellenized Jew" after demolishing Hammer in two debates.
  • Dave unpacks the term (“Jews assimilating into Greek secular culture”) and remarks, “Isn't that a weird criticism to have, Rob — a hellenized Jew?” [34:24]
  • Robbie: “Doesn't sound very American First to go, hey, this guy, he's too Americanized, so you shouldn't listen to his opinions.” [34:41]

Libertarian Movement Gatekeeping

• Dave draws parallels to snobbery within the libertarian movement, where legacy insiders resent popular, new voices who directly reach audiences.

5. Trump’s Candid Admissions: The Israel Lobby & Donor Influence

Main Theme
[41:36-65:16]

• Dave and Robbie walk through a series of Trump live clips and statements, highlighting how Trump openly admits:
  • The extent of the Israel/Jewish lobby’s political power,
  • How donor money (specifically Miriam Adelson’s $250 million) paves the way for policy and access,
  • American foreign policy being shaped by the interests of a foreign state.

Notable Quotes and Moments

On the Israel Lobby

• Trump: “If you go back 10, 12, 15 years ago at the most, the strongest lobby in Washington was the Jewish lobby. It was Israel. That’s no longer true. You have to be very careful.” [41:36]
• Dave:
  • “How can you openly say there’s a lobby on behalf of a foreign country that used to be all powerful…and the problem is now they're only almost all powerful?” [44:02]
  • “It's okay to say it if you're for it, but if you say it and you're against it ...all the guys I just named hate your fucking guts.” [44:43]

On Donor Influence and Miriam Adelson

• Trump: “Miriam Adelson... gave my campaign indirectly and directly, $250 million. She was number one. When somebody can give you $250 million, I think that we should give her the opportunity to say hello. And Miriam, make it quick because $250 million is not what it used to be.” [52:54]
• Robbie: “Hey, you can buy a ticket to come speak at the White House. It’s one of those things that’s not supposed to be said out loud.” [53:29]
• Dave: “She’s going, yeah, they give me hundreds of millions of dollars, but that doesn’t come free. They then require to constantly be seeing me asking for something else. And what are they asking for, Rob? Israel. And so I do it.” [60:30]

On American Interests and Foreign Lobbies

• Dave: “Even if you support a foreign government, you should never want their lobby to be the most powerful lobby...there couldn’t possibly be a situation where our interests diverge?” [51:59]
• Robbie: “There’s no reason why a foreign government should be the number one lobby in the United States of America.” [52:37]

On Sheldon Adelson, Policy, and Priorities

• Trump: “Sheldon [Adelson]... he fought for Israel. That’s all he really fought for. Just wanted to take care of Israel. So he was a great guy.” [59:52]
• Dave: “It's astounding that Trump admits all of this out loud...He’s saying, they gave me $250 million a year. They may give me another $250 million to unconstitutionally attempt a third term. And they come. Every goddamn day, they come...and what are they asking for? Rob, Israel. And so I do it.” [60:30]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:53] – Dave's family flu update and the “week where everything happened”
• [03:00-15:57] – Australian Hanukkah terrorist attack and the morality/politicization of tragedy
• [17:24] – America as a future terrorism target; “Terrorism is the price of empire”
• [19:21-24:54] – Rob Reiner’s murder & Trump’s tasteless response; TDS accusations
• [30:52-36:02] – Megyn Kelly controversy, Josh Hammer, and “Hellenized Jew” debate
• [41:36-52:54] – Trump’s public statements on the Israel lobby, Jewish influence, and Palestine
• [52:54-60:30] – Trump’s donor admissions (Miriam Adelson) & foreign lobbying's sway on U.S. policy
• [60:30-end] – Final reflections, wrapping the episode

Summary Tone & Notable Asides

• Dave and Robbie are characteristically irreverent, blending dark humor with political analysis.
• The episode is uniquely candid—few mainstream outlets or podcasts would openly play and dissect these particular Trump moments.
• Dave repeatedly appeals to honesty, critical thinking, and the futility of tribal denial.
• Both hosts reflect an anti-tribal, libertarian "America First" (anti-foreign entanglement) vantage point while critiquing hypocrisy on left and right.

Key Takeaways

• Trump’s candor reveals the extent of foreign influence and donor power in US politics—and how normalized it is among political elites.
• The Israel/Palestine discourse in America remains uniquely taboo and charged; dissent from pro-Israel orthodoxy is still met with fierce backlash.
• Criticism of U.S. foreign policy, even from within the Jewish community, is smeared as traitorous or “Hellenized.”
• Cycles of violence—abroad and at home—are self-perpetuating and often instrumentalized for political gain.
• Honest conversation about these realities is desperately needed, even amidst the noise and pushback.

Memorable Quote:

"He’s saying, they gave me $250 million a year. They may give me another $250 million to unconstitutionally attempt a third term. And they come. Every goddamn day, they come...and what are they asking for? Rob, Israel. And so I do it."
— Dave Smith [60:30]

For listeners seeking an unvarnished analysis of power, tribal interests, and how the “swamp” really works, this episode is essential.