Pod Save America – "Trump Celebrates High Gas Prices"

Date: March 13, 2026
Hosts: Jon Favreau, Dan Pfeiffer, Tommy Vietor
Special Guest/Clip: Ben Rhodes, plus clips from other podcasts (Joe Rogan, Runaway Country)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the consequences and political fallout from President Trump's ongoing war in Iran and the resulting global oil crisis, with gas prices surging and considerable instability at home and abroad. The hosts break down the disturbing new realities of U.S. foreign and domestic policy: escalating conflict, civilian casualties, disastrous messaging, and the administration's prioritizing propaganda and loyalty over strategic competence. They also address growing public (and influential podcaster) backlash, especially among young men, and highlight Republican infighting and extremism on issues from immigration to anti-Muslim rhetoric. Infused with Pod Save America's signature mix of biting wit and serious analysis, the episode pulls no punches on the incompetence and amorality of the current administration.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s War in Iran: Escalation Without a Plan

• Context: The U.S. has launched "Operation Epic Fury" in Iran. Civilian death toll in the thousands, including over 100 children killed by a U.S. missile strike on an elementary school. Seven U.S. troops dead, $11.3 billion spent in just the first week. (03:37–05:58)
• Intelligence shows Iranian leadership is mostly intact; Ayatollah vows more attacks. Trump claims: "We've won the war" and uses the operation's name as an applause line at rallies. (06:04–06:15)
• Ayatollah threatens revenge against U.S./Israel, and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, pushing oil to $100/barrel and potentially higher.

Quote:
"If you can't tell bad news to the President, then the President is going to operate from a false set of facts going forward... That’s an even bigger problem when that president lives in a hermetically sealed right wing news bubble."
—Dan Pfeiffer (11:29)

Analysis:

• The hosts slam the administration for lacking strategy, clear objectives, or even competent messaging. There’s a consensus that Trump "stumbled ass backward into something that could become World War III." (07:41–08:08)
• Discussion on how Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz was predicted in every "war game simulation" for decades — Trump ignored all best advice. (11:29–12:41)

2. Oil Crisis and Trump’s "Celebration" of High Prices

• Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Iranians laying mines and attacking tankers. U.S. Navy cannot guarantee safe passage, and administration messaging is inconsistent at best. (13:22–14:50)
• Trump’s Response: "The Straits are in great shape…The United States is the largest oil producer in the world by far. So when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money." (15:12–15:56)
  • The hosts rip apart this logic: Oil profits go to companies, not the government or American people. Higher prices hurt everyone except oil companies.

Quote:
"If big oil is getting rich, that is a win for our country. In his mind, if companies make money and the American consumer has to pay more... then that’s a win."
—Dan Pfeiffer (15:56)

Memorable Moment:
Tommy Vietor parodies the administration’s line: "If there are 10 mines and 12 ships go through, at least two of them are making it." (18:59)

3. Safety, Terror, and Propaganda

• Iranian Plots and U.S. Domestic Attacks: FBI warned of Iranian “aspirations” for a drone attack on California; recent domestic terrorist events possibly linked to international tensions. (19:08–21:45)
• Propaganda Tactics: The administration’s constant release of “video game footage,” triumphalist memes, and “snuff porn videos” of missile strikes—seen as a way to numb the public and radicalize adversaries. (21:45–24:47)

Quote:
"It’s nihilism and it’s really scary."
—Tommy Vietor (24:47)

4. Public and Influencer Backlash – The Joe Rogan Effect

• Young Men & Podcaster Turn: Focus group data & Joe Rogan clips illustrate disillusionment among young male Trump supporters, many of whom feel betrayed by the pro-war, high-price agenda. (27:53–31:00)
• Rogan: "It’s terrifying…It’s the opposite of what we were told…If oil prices spike, we’re fucked." (28:11)

Quote:
"The group that has abandoned Trump the fastest are young men…Trump ran on lowering prices and then has found diabolical ways to keep raising them. If you thought the tariffs were bad, wait till you go to the gas pump this week."
—Dan Pfeiffer (30:57)

• Call for Dem Strategy: Urges Democrats to reclaim antiwar messaging and avoid “Commander in Chief” bluster that doesn’t align with public sentiment. (31:00–36:28)

5. Republicans on Immigration, Deportations, and Culture Wars

• Retreat on Mass Deportations: White House advises Republicans to stop talking about mass deportations; House Speaker Mike Johnson downplays policy as a “hiccup” with Latino voters. (44:26–46:50)
• Messaging Problems: Trump’s policies are unpopular, and attempts to pin blame on previous Democratic policies are failing, as most voters remember the Biden era as better. (46:50–47:46)

Quote:
"Do you think cashless bail is going to tip the elections for you? These guys are so far up their own asses it’s like hard to see straight."
—Dan Pfeiffer (47:45)

• Save America Act & Filibuster Follies: Trump’s demands for a national voter ID law, ban on mail-in ballots, and anti-trans provisions stall in the Senate. John Cornyn flip-flops but still lacks support. (50:06–53:19)
• Predictions: Trump will likely attempt an executive order, fueling post-midterms conspiracy/fraud narratives. (53:50–54:48)

6. Crisis of Decency – Anti-Muslim Rhetoric and GOP Extremism

• Multiple GOP officials openly express anti-Muslim views; many refuse to condemn. (54:48–57:11)
• Focus on how this bigotry is being normalized and the political necessity to call it out and deliver “fierce, powerful political punishment” to enablers. (57:11–59:10)

Quote:
"It is an effort to make anti-Muslim bigotry socially acceptable... Democrats should deliver fierce, powerful political punishment on the people who are enabling this."
—Dan Pfeiffer (57:11)

7. The Doge Bro Tech Disaster

• Elon Musk's Doge Crew: Incompetent tech bros used ChatGPT to gut NEH funding after a “does this relate to DEI” prompt, firing 65% of staff and canceling $100M in grants. (62:23–65:48)
• Data Breaches: Whistleblower exposes a Doge staffer in Social Security stealing a database with 500 million Americans’ sensitive info—jokes about expecting a pardon if caught. (68:48–70:15)

Quote:
"Just some of the worst, dumbest people were given the most important jobs and with incredible consequences."
—Dan Pfeiffer (64:53)

• Political Relevance: The hosts call for running hard against “Silicon Valley clowns”—predict massive spending by tech and crypto in future elections, warn of further dangers.

8. Footwear Follies – Trump, Shoes, and Small Dick Energy

• Trump’s obsession with Florsheim shoes—gifting wrong sizes to senior officials, including Marco Rubio, leading to viral photos of Rubio tripping over oversized footwear. (70:49–73:49)
• Aging Dictator Vibes: The hosts note how Trump’s fixation on trivialities like ballroom décor and shoes is symptomatic of a leader in decline and a “declining empire.” (73:52–74:24)

Memorable Exchange:
"Trump gives these shoes to everyone as a gift, and then they're all stuck wearing their shoes around, in Marco's case, that don't fit him."
—Tommy Vietor (72:14)

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “There was no argument for this. There was no strategic imperative, no threat. We just...Trump just stumbled ass backward into something that could become World War III.”
  —Dan Pfeiffer (07:41)
• "High prices are good. And just, it is worth stepping back and dissecting that truth, because...if big oil is getting rich, that is a win for our country. In [Trump’s] mind…"
  —Dan Pfeiffer (15:56)
• “If there are 10 mines and 12 ships go through, at least, at least two of them are making it.”
  —Dan Pfeiffer (18:59)
• “It’s nihilism and it’s really scary.”
  —Tommy Vietor (24:47)
• “Do you think cashless bail is going to tip the elections for you? These guys are so far up their own asses it’s like hard to see straight.”
  —Dan Pfeiffer (47:45)
• “Just some of the worst, dumbest people were given the most important jobs and with incredible consequences.”
  —Dan Pfeiffer (64:53)
• "Trump gives these shoes to everyone as a gift, and then they're all stuck wearing their shoes around, in Marco's case, that don't fit him."
  —Tommy Vietor (72:14)

Major Timestamps

• 03:01 – Show proper begins: Iran war origins, civilian and military toll, administration spin
• 06:04 – Dissecting "Operation Epic Fury," war messaging, and lack of strategy
• 10:21 – Oil market shocks, Strait of Hormuz crisis
• 15:12 – Trump "celebrates" high gas prices
• 18:59 – Satirical take: "If there are 10 mines and 12 ships..."
• 21:45 – Propaganda and video game meme discussion
• 27:53 – Joe Rogan, Gen Z backlash
• 44:26 – Republican messaging on mass deportations
• 50:06 – Filibuster drama, Save America Act
• 54:48 – GOP anti-Muslim statements, Democratic response
• 62:23 – Doge admin tech disasters
• 68:48 – Social Security data breach
• 70:49 – Marco Rubio’s shoes and Trump’s dictator vibes

Memorable Moments

• Satirical breakdown of Trump’s logic on oil prices—hosts laughing in disbelief.
• Dissection of “video game” war propaganda as both numbing and radicalizing.
• The viral Rubio shoe story as metaphor for GOP’s sycophancy and Trump’s descent into triviality.
• Unanimous, explicit scorn for incompetent tech bros, summarizing the current tech-government relationship.

Summary Takeaway

This episode chronicles the cascading failures of Trump-era governance: the chaotic and gruesome war in Iran, economic self-sabotage disguised as victory, information mismanagement, vulnerable domestic security, and a culture prioritizing political spectacle over integrity or competence. The hosts draw sharp contrasts between the administration’s self-serving messaging and the harsh realities felt by ordinary Americans—and urge Democrats to reclaim antiwar, pro-democracy rhetoric. The episode is a blistering, unfiltered look at a country experiencing not just governmental but moral crisis, wrapped in Pod Save America’s trademark blend of gallows humor and urgency.

For a full transcript, email transcripts@crooked.com.