The Al Franken Podcast: David Axelrod on The Trump Transition
Release Date: November 24, 2024

In this compelling episode of The Al Franken Podcast, host Al Franken engages in a deep and insightful conversation with political strategist and former chief strategist for Barack Obama, David Axelrod, focusing on the intricacies of the Trump transition, the challenges facing the Democratic Party, and the evolving dynamics of the 2024 election cycle.

1. Trump’s Nominee Vetting Controversies

Al Franken opens the discussion by addressing recent controversies surrounding President Trump's nominees. He highlights the withdrawal of Matt Gaetz from consideration for Attorney General amid serious allegations of sexual misconduct, specifically involving a 17-year-old girl. Franken expresses concern over the apparent lapse in the traditional vetting process:

"I'm wondering when Trump is going to start vetting these people. Normally the FBI does a pretty exhaustive background check on these folks."
(00:58)

David Axelrod concurs, emphasizing the lack of thorough background checks in Trump’s nominations:

"No. I mean, first of all, he's refused to allow the FBI to do background checks."
(05:28)

The conversation then shifts to another nominee, Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary, who faces his own allegations of sexual misconduct, further illustrating the administration's questionable vetting practices.

2. Trump’s Background and Its Impact

Franken probes deeper into Trump's personal history, questioning the integrity of his nominees given Trump's own legal issues, including fraud and manipulation:

"You can't tell people how they feel. And one of the things that's happened in our society, and it's one of the things that's happened to the Democratic Party is I didn't feel inflation."
(10:23)

Axelrod reflects on Trump’s perspective towards ethics and governance:

"He thinks the world is dishonest and he's just better at it. He thinks, you know, that's really what he thinks."
(43:41)

This mutual lack of transparency and ethical consideration raises alarms about the foundational values of Trump's administration.

3. Biden’s Presidency and Voter Perception

Shifting focus to President Biden, Axelrod discusses the disconnect between governmental achievements and voter perceptions, particularly concerning the economy and inflation:

"Joe Biden, his program in terms of labor, for example, and in terms of taxes and other things. He is a pro worker president without question."
(18:24)

However, despite policy successes, voter sentiment remains lukewarm, primarily due to tangible economic challenges faced by the populace.

4. Democratic Party’s Challenges with Working-Class and Hispanic Voters

Axelrod delves into the Democratic Party's struggle to resonate with working-class and Hispanic voters. He critiques the party's approach as being out of touch with the everyday struggles of these voters:

"We are still the party of working people. But too often we approach them like anthropologists or missionaries."
(12:17)

This approach has inadvertently fostered resentment, making the party appear elitist and disconnected from the needs of essential workers who form a significant voter base.

5. Election Dynamics: Trump’s Strategy and Social Media Influence

The dialogue transitions to the strategies employed by Trump in the 2024 election, particularly his adept use of social media and targeted campaigning to engage predominantly young male voters:

"He understood who their target was. Their target was largely men and young men."
(25:18)

Axelrod highlights how Trump's methods, such as leveraging podcasts and social media platforms, effectively mobilize a segment of voters who are less engaged through traditional media channels.

6. The Role of Elon Musk and Oligarchic Influences

A significant portion of the conversation addresses Elon Musk's increasing involvement in political processes and his potential impact on the U.S. government structure:

"Elon could fund the whole thing and it could be purely advisory. They'll figure a way to do it so that neither of those guys have any exposure."
(29:21)

Axelrod warns of the dangers posed by such oligarchic influences, drawing parallels to Hungary under Viktor Orban, where independent media and judicial systems have been compromised.

7. Senate’s Response and Internal GOP Dynamics

Axelrod and Axelrod discuss the current state of the Senate, noting the courage of certain Republican senators like Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski who have stood up against Trump's influence:

"She seems willing to stand up to Trump. Mitch McConnell now says that he's a free agent."
(35:53)

Despite the Republican majority, the internal dynamics reveal fractures that could influence future legislative and administrative decisions, especially concerning Trump’s legacy.

8. Ethical and Democratic Concerns

Finally, the conversation culminates in a stark warning about Trump’s worldview and its implications for American democracy:

"He doesn't have a concept of right and wrong. He thinks the world is the Hunger Games and the strong take what they want, the weak fall away."
(43:41)

Axelrod emphasizes the peril of such a mentality, highlighting the potential erosion of democratic norms and the subversion of institutional integrity.

Conclusion

This episode of The Al Franken Podcast offers a thorough analysis of the Trump administration's transition phase, the Democratic Party's strategic missteps, and the broader implications for American democracy. David Axelrod provides expert insights into the challenges ahead, underscoring the necessity for strategic realignment within the Democratic Party to effectively counteract the enduring influence of Trump's brand of politics.

Notable Quotes:

• "He thinks the world is dishonest and he's just better at it."
  David Axelrod
  (43:41)

• "We are still the party of working people. But too often we approach them like anthropologists or missionaries."
  David Axelrod
  (12:17)

• "He didn't have a concept of right and wrong. He thinks the world is the Hunger Games."
  David Axelrod
  (43:41)

This summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights shared during the episode, providing listeners and readers with a comprehensive understanding of the complex political landscape shaped by the Trump transition and its ramifications for future elections and governance.