PBD Podcast Episode 694 Summary

Date: December 3, 2025
Host: Patrick Bet-David (PBD)
Guests: Jeff Snider, Tom Ellsworth, Brandon (Home Team)

Episode Overview

In this packed installment, Patrick Bet-David and the Home Team (Jeff Snider, Tom Ellsworth, Brandon) tackle a wide array of political, business, and social topics in their distinctive, fast-moving fashion. Leading stories include the Minnesota fraud probe involving Governor Tim Walz, Costco’s lawsuit against the federal government over tariff refunds, the ongoing Starbucks labor strike with Mamdani protest highlights, and Odell Beckham’s viral comments on the NFL, income, and wealth. The hosts also dive into economic trends, state policies, and social challenges—from housing and business migration to the emergent view of marriage as a luxury item.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minnesota, Tim Walz & Fraud Investigation

[10:00–32:45]

• Background:
  Minnesota is under scrutiny due to over $1 billion in alleged fraud during Tim Walz’s tenure as governor. Whistleblowers were allegedly silenced, and federal authorities are investigating if some stolen funds were funneled to terrorist organizations like Al Shabaab.

• Kristi Noem’s Claims:
  South Dakota's governor cites 50% fraudulent visa applications in Minnesota, blaming Governor Walz for lax policies enabling fraud and misuse of welfare benefits.

• Discussion:

  • The panel discusses declining confidence in government accountability.
  • Tom Ellsworth points out similar, larger-scale fraud in states like California: “Wait till you see the same sort of visa fraud, SNAP fraud, Medicare fraud and welfare fraud that's in California. It will make the numbers in Minnesota look like a child's allowance.” – [13:16]
  • Jeff Snider emphasizes a systemic erosion of the American Dream and individual responsibility:

    "The bigger government gets, the more people have their hand out… Everybody's using the government as some kind of payoff scheme." – [12:09]

• Crime & Sentencing Laxity:

  • Covered a disturbing local story about sexual assault and light sentencing, fueling broader voter anger about lack of law and order.

• Welfare Breakdown:

  • Discussion examining welfare statistics, highlighting illegal and legal immigrant household dominance over native citizens in welfare benefits.

• Politics as Business:

  • Commentators critique political office being used as a path to personal wealth instead of public service:

    “Now people are going in as a business model of how to create wealth, and that becomes a problem.” – Patrick Bet-David, [21:01]

• Federal Leadership & Community Responses:

  • President Trump’s pointed statements about immigrants:

    “They contribute nothing. I don't want them in our country…I'll be honest with you, okay?” – Trump, [23:13]

2. Florida’s Boom: Policy, Migration & Growth

[33:46–43:58]

• State Spotlight:
  Florida continues to lead the nation in GDP growth, entrepreneurship, and wealth migration—propelled by “open economic policies, no state income taxes, and year-round sunshine” with rapid business/real estate expansion.

• Leadership Appreciation:
  Tom credits Governor Ron DeSantis for economic dynamism and quick-response leadership:

  “I’m just gonna use the words leader and thank you for governor. Ron DeSantis is a leader here in Florida, and we thank you.” – [35:27]

• Business-Friendly Environment:

  • Jeff reflects on the reasons he, and many others, moved to Florida:

    “The reason we left New York state…was the government overreach and overregulation. Florida is much more free and open, less regulated.” – [38:31]

• Rankings:
  Florida remains second in real GDP growth, behind only South Carolina, far outpacing states like Texas, Tennessee, and Nevada.

3. Costco Sues Over Tariff Refunds & Corporate Political Leanings

[43:59–54:25]

• Costco’s Lawsuit:

  • Costco and other major companies are suing the US government over potential tariff refunds if Trump’s tariffs are ruled illegal, seeking to “preserve the right” to potential repayments.

• Corporate Politics:

  • Tom highlights Costco’s one-sided political donations:

    "91% to Kamala Harris and 8% to Donald Trump… next time you go to Costco instead of Sam's Club or Walmart, remember that number." – [46:04]

• Sourcing from China:

  • The panel dissects Walmart, Target, and Costco’s sourcing practices: Walmart (60% from China), Target (30%, down from 60%), and Costco (about one-third international).

• Economic Critique:

  • Brandon critiques the lack of protectionism and its effect on the hollowing out of US manufacturing, leading to dominance by big-box importers:

    “If we had tariffs...they would be sourcing from America.” – [52:04]

4. Starbucks Strike, Labor, & Progressive Protest

[54:26–70:56]

• Strike Escalation:

  • The Starbucks union strike extends into its third week, with baristas in 120 stores pushing for a fair union contract and improved staffing.

• Union Demands vs. Business Viability:

  • Tom:

    “If you improve wages and staffing per store, that location is completely unprofitable and I close it... union demands end up making another 7% of your locations unprofitable. You close them. So congratulations. You killed 12 jobs to get two.” – [58:16]

• Socioeconomic Realities for Workers:

  • Jeff stresses how the broader economy keeps many working dead-end jobs:

    “The reason why they're falling for this message from Bernie and Mandami and socialism is that they say, well, look, I'm stuck at Starbucks for the time being...yet working at Starbucks, I keep falling further and further behind in this economy.” – [69:13]

• Progressive Messaging & Hypocrisy:

  • PBD highlights Bernie Sanders’ “1%” messaging, financial disclosures, and union wage disputes, labeling it as political theater and hypocrisy.

• Starbucks’ Employee Development Programs:

  • The show acknowledges substantial benefit programs—including free college tuition, leadership training, mental health support, and mobility paths—but notes those stories rarely break through the protest narrative.

5. Odell Beckham & The $100 Million “Problem”

[98:07–111:14]

• Viral Quote:
  Odell Beckham:

  “You give somebody a five year, $100 million contract, right? What is it really? It's five years for 60. You're getting taxed...you spend, you save, you invest...Can you make that last forever?” – [99:34]

• Athlete Wealth Management Debate:

  • Shannon Sharpe contends any athlete who burns through $60 million has a problem.
  • Tom offers to coach athletes for free, emphasizing basic financial literacy:

    “If you're an athlete and you got a giant contract and you want to come down here and have coffee, I will spend two hours with you for free...I'm going to warn them about the wrong kind of financial advisors. I'm going to warn them about always paying your taxes.” – [102:32]

• Broader Relevance:
  PBD points out these challenges apply at all income levels: habits of financial discipline and future planning are essential, not just for celebrities.

6. Trump’s New SNAP Requirements

[111:17–117:44]

• Policy Change:
  New rules require able-bodied adults up to age 64 to work, train, or volunteer to qualify for SNAP food aid. Projected to reduce rolls by only 2.4 million over 10 years from 41.7 million recipients.

• Hosts’ Reaction:

  • Brandon is underwhelmed by the modest decrease, expecting a much larger impact.
  • Jeff and Tom argue the hesitation reflects political fear of backlash due to the centrality of entitlement spending to electoral coalitions:

    “If it's anything more, it could cost them 2028 and 2026 midterms...they don't want that optics.” – PBD, [114:38]

7. Marriage, Economics, and Social Shifts

[117:45–131:20]

• Professor Scott Galloway's Thesis:

  • “Marriage is the new luxury item.” For the first time, more 30-year-olds are unmarried and non-homeowners than ever before (down from over 50% married homeowners in the 1950s to only 10% today).
  • Women are increasingly selective; men’s “economic viability” is more central than ever.

    “The most dangerous person in the world is a lonely, broke young man.” – Prof. Galloway, [121:07]

• Economic & Cultural Explanations:

  • College debt, feminism, and high cost of living cited as major barriers to marriage and family formation.
  • Tom:

    "Feminism has robbed women of the place that they put their natural, nurturing, protective emotions...people stop getting married, college, debt effect, ...there's like four social things that have flipped it [marriage/home ownership rates].” – [97:03]

• Advice on Self-Development:

  • Brandon points to “sexual market value” analysis—explaining why men’s and women’s desirability peaks at different ages, emphasizing the importance of sustained self-improvement.

• Personal Reflection:
  PBD closes with a stirring argument for the value and joy of family:

  “All the money in the world—you don't even think about it...You just think family. And to not experience that as an individual, it's a travesty because it's a God given tool, God given gift...” – [131:20]

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On Government Fraud & Accountability:

  "The bigger government gets, the more people have their hand out… Everybody's using the government as some kind of payoff scheme."
  – Jeff Snider, [12:09]

• On Crime & Soft Sentencing:

  "You wonder why people are furious...They want exactly what Kristi Noem said and they want it backed up with handcuffs."
  – Tom Ellsworth, [15:59]

• On Political-business Entanglement:

  "Now people are going in as a business model of how to create wealth, and that becomes a problem."
  – Patrick Bet-David, [21:01]

• On Costco’s Political Donations:

  "91% to Kamala Harris and 8% to Donald Trump… next time you go to Costco instead of Sam's Club or Walmart, remember that number."
  – Tom Ellsworth, [46:04]

• On Athlete Wealth:

  “You give somebody a five year, $100 million contract...it's really five years for 60. You're getting taxed...Can you make that last forever?”
  – Odell Beckham, [99:34]

• On Worker Frustration:

  “...working at Starbucks, I keep falling further and further behind in this economy.”
  – Jeff Snider, [69:13]

• On New SNAP Requirements:

  “If it's anything more, it could cost them 2028 and 2026 midterms...they don't want that optics.”
  – Patrick Bet-David, [114:38]

• On Marriage As a “Luxury Item”:

  “The most dangerous person in the world is a lonely, broke young man."
  – Prof. Scott Galloway, cited at [121:07]

Timestamps for Main Segments

• Opening & Headlines Rundown: [01:09–10:00]
• Minnesota Fraud Probe & Reactions: [10:00–32:45]
• Florida’s Economic Magnet & Migration: [33:46–43:58]
• Costco Tariff Lawsuit & Corporate China Sourcing: [43:59–54:25]
• Starbucks Strike & Labor Dynamics: [54:26–70:56]
• Odell Beckham & Athlete Wealth: [98:07–111:14]
• SNAP/Food Stamp Reform: [111:17–117:44]
• Marriage, Economics, and Society: [117:45–131:20]
• Closing Thoughts/Announcements: [131:20–end]

Takeaways

• A diverse show with sharp, unsparing takes on government, business, culture, and personal responsibility.
• The conversation repeatedly returns to the theme of accountability—political, personal, and corporate.
• Social change (marriage decline, work-life challenges) is increasingly being seen through an economic and cultural lens, with hosts advocating for personal development but also calling for structural change.
• Throughout, the panel’s banter maintains a lively, irreverent tone, balancing real policy debate with accessible stories and relatable analogies.

For a full exploration of these issues and plenty of unscripted color, tune in to the episode.