Pod Save America - Episode: "High Crimes and Piss-demeanors" (June 1, 2025)

Hosted by Crooked Media's Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer, and Tommy Vietor, "High Crimes and Piss-demeanors" delves deep into the tumultuous political landscape of 2025. This episode navigates through sensational news, legislative battles, and the evolving dynamics of the American labor movement, providing listeners with insightful analysis and historical context.

1. Elon Musk's Controversial Revelations ([02:08] – [07:56])

The episode kicks off with a heated discussion about a groundbreaking New York Times exposé on Elon Musk's personal life. According to the report:

• Musk’s drug use is more severe than previously acknowledged, involving substances like ketamine, ecstasy, and psychedelic mushrooms.
• Chronic ketamine use has reportedly led to bladder issues, including incontinence.
• A photo revealed Musk carrying a daily medication box with about 20 pills, some resembling Adderall.

Dan Pfeiffer expresses skepticism about the trustworthiness of insiders sharing such personal information:

Dan Pfeiffer ([05:30]): "Tommy also made the point to me this morning that if we were a different party with a different media ecosystem, we would use Elon Musk's rampant ketamine use to the point of bladder failure as an argument to undo all the Doge cuts that they would be. They're illegitimate for that reason."

Tommy Vietor further critiques Musk’s behavior and the repercussions of his actions:

Tommy Vietor ([07:56]): "But I didn’t notice the first lady of France. I didn’t notice."

The hosts collectively question the bro code and the trust among elites, highlighting Musk's breach of personal boundaries by discussing his health issues publicly.

2. The Tax Bill Showdown and Senate Stalemate ([11:54] – [26:15])

The conversation shifts to the tax bill being negotiated in Congress, emphasizing the high stakes involved:

• Trump's Position: Threatens a 68% tax increase on 68% of Americans if the bill isn't passed, highlighting the potential default on the debt ceiling.

  Tommy Vietor ([12:03]): "That number nobody's ever heard of before. So that’s not right."

• Senate Dynamics: With key Republicans like Rand Paul and Ron Johnson opposing the deficit increase, the bill faces a precarious path in the Senate.

  Dan Pfeiffer ([12:55]): "Are they really going to reject Trump's bill and allow us to default and have taxes go up? That seems unlikely."

• House of Representatives: The potential for the bill to falter in the House due to dissatisfaction among Freedom Caucus members and possible opposition from moderate Republicans.

  Tommy Vietor ([16:28]): "I think that we have to fight to make the Democratic Party as pro labor as possible."

• Democratic Strategy: Dan Pfeiffer advocates for Democrats to capitalize on opportunities to raise awareness about the bill's negative implications, especially leveraging figures like Elon Musk to sway public opinion.

  Dan Pfeiffer ([17:27]): "We need a better Democratic Party as well to show the American working class that this is the party of the worker."

3. The State of American Labor and Union Movements ([28:33] – [90:00])

An extensive segment focuses on the American labor movement, its historical challenges, and current struggles:

a. Interview with Labor Historian Eric Loomis ([31:19] – [90:00])

Tommy Vietor introduces Professor Eric Loomis of the University of Rhode Island, author of "History of America in 10 Strikes." Their conversation explores pivotal labor strikes in American history, drawing lessons for today's political climate.

• General Strikes of 1919 and 1946:

  • Seattle General Strike (1919): Initiated by longshoremen seeking wage increases post-WWI. The strike demonstrated union solidarity but ultimately collapsed due to fear of radicalism.
  • Oakland General Strike (1946): Driven by post-WWII economic adjustments and pent-up demand, it led to significant wage increases and laid the groundwork for a prosperous middle class.

• Air Traffic Controllers Strike (PATCO, 1981):

  • Led by Ronald Reagan, who fired over 11,000 controllers for striking, marking a turning point that weakened the private sector's union power for decades.
  • The strike underscored the importance of public support; without it, the strike failed disastrously.

• United Farm Workers Boycott (1960s-70s):

  • Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta spearheaded a nationwide boycott against table grapes, building broad public solidarity and achieving major labor victories.

• Lessons for Today:

  • Public Support: Essential for successful labor actions. Strikes that engage and educate the public can lead to meaningful change.
  • Discipline and Clear Goals: Strikes must have specific, achievable objectives to maintain unity and effectiveness.
  • Government Role: Supportive government policies can make or break labor movements.

b. Current Labor Challenges ([78:19] – [90:00])

• Declining Union Membership: Only 6% of private-sector workers are union members, concentrated in a few northeastern states.

  Dan Pfeiffer ([84:15]): "We're not very close to that yet. Only 6% of private sector workers are currently in a labor union."

• Political Barriers:

  • Anti-Union Presidency: The current administration is actively undermining labor rights through policies and appointments at the NLRB.

  • Democratic Party's Stance: Despite historical ties to labor movements, recent actions by some Democrats (e.g., Governor Jared Polis of Colorado) show reluctance to fully support unions.

    Dan Pfeiffer ([85:48]): "If you don't believe in union rights and you don't believe in the power of unions to transform the American people, then I don't think you're a Democrat."

• Organizing Efforts:

  • Recent Starbucks union campaigns and teacher strikes demonstrate a resurgence in union organizing, but face significant resistance from corporate America.

  • Communication Gaps: Effective messaging and propaganda are crucial. Unlike historical movements that successfully conveyed their message, modern efforts often lack the cohesive narrative needed to galvanize widespread support.

    Tommy Vietor ([89:58]): "When corporations have unleashed violence against organizers, it has blown back against them."

• Future of Work:

  • Automation and AI: These technologies threaten job stability, making the role of unions even more critical in advocating for worker protections and fair wages.
  • Changing Labor Landscape: The traditional factory jobs that once symbolized dignity and stability are dwindling, replaced by service and gig economy roles that offer less security.

4. Reflections and Call to Action ([90:00] – End)

In concluding remarks, the hosts emphasize the urgent need for:

• Rebuilding Union Strength: Encouraging participation and solidarity within unions to counteract political and corporate opposition.
• Educating the Public: Highlighting the intertwined nature of economic justice and political movements to foster a more informed and active electorate.
• Policy Advocacy: Pushing the Democratic Party to adopt more pro-labor policies and unequivocally support union rights as a cornerstone of their platform.

Dan Pfeiffer underscores the importance of viewing policy victories not just as isolated achievements but as part of a broader, cohesive strategy to empower workers:

Dan Pfeiffer ([87:49]): "The March on Washington had economic demands that included a $2 an hour minimum wage, which in the contemporary economy of 2025 is something like $18 or $19 an hour. So they're pushing for widespread minimum wage legislation as well. All of that is totally erased from our memory of civil rights."

Conclusion:
"High Crimes and Piss-demeanors" serves as a compelling exploration of the intersections between personal controversies, legislative battles, and the pivotal role of labor movements in shaping American society. By intertwining historical insights with contemporary challenges, the hosts advocate for a reinvigorated approach to unionism and political activism as essential tools in countering authoritarian tendencies and fostering a more equitable future.

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