Summary of "Mark Leibovich and Molly Jong-Fast on Trump’s 100 Days" – The Al Franken Podcast

Release Date: May 4, 2025

In this engaging episode of The Al Franken Podcast, host Al Franken sits down with distinguished guests Mark Leibovich of The Atlantic and Molly Jong-Fast of the Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast podcast to dissect the first 100 days of Donald Trump's administration. The conversation delves into a myriad of underreported actions, economic policies, social initiatives, and the broader implications for the United States. The trio navigates through Trump's controversial decisions, shedding light on both overt and subtle maneuvers shaping the nation's trajectory.

1. Introduction: Setting the Stage

Al Franken opens the discussion by acknowledging the extensive coverage of Trump’s first 100 days, emphasizing major topics like tariffs, the stock market, the war in Ukraine, immigration policies, and infrastructure projects. However, he expresses a desire to spotlight some of the "horrible things" the administration has undertaken that haven’t received adequate media attention.

Al Franken [01:01]:
"I care deeply about these issues. But I want to talk today about some of the horrible things the Trump administration has done that have been under reported."

2. Rapid Fire Ridiculousness: Unpacking the Oddities

Franken introduces a segment titled "rapid fire ridiculousness," aimed at eliciting immediate reactions from his guests on some of Trump's more bizarre initiatives.

a. The Gold Decor in the Oval Office

The conversation begins with the striking gold decor adorning the Oval Office, which Franken humorously compares to a Trump Hotel.

Mark Leibovich [02:05]:
"This seems to be a full, fuller version of the Trump aesthetic, fanning out into the new administration."

Molly Jong-Fast [02:45]:
"It's got nice North Korea vibes."

b. Annexing Greenland and Canada

Franken transitions to Trump's audacious plans to annex Greenland and suggest Canada as the 51st state. He references Mark Carney's visit to an Air Force base in Greenland and the administration's flitting rhetoric regarding annexation.

Al Franken [02:50]:
"Trump has been taking us, has us taking a different look at our maps. The Gulf of Mexico is no longer. We now have the Gulf of America. And he hopes to annex Greenland."

Mark Leibovich [04:05]:
"There are 57,000 Greenlanders in the whole country, making it smaller in population than Bethesda, Maryland."
(04:05)
Molly Jong-Fast [04:29]:
"Trump is calling Canada the 51st state, but after Mark Carney's victory, he's now referring to Trudeau as the Prime Minister instead of the governor."
(04:29)

c. Don Jr.'s Executive Branch Social Club

The discussion moves to Don Jr.'s new social club, "The Executive Branch," which boasts a hefty membership fee.

Al Franken [05:14]:
"Don Jr. has a new social club called the Executive Branch, which will open in D.C. next month. It has a $500,000 membership fee, plus annual dues."

Mark Leibovich [05:14]:
"Molly and I are trying to get our applications together. We're clearly interested, right, Molly?"

Molly Jong-Fast [05:25]:
"No, I have not heard about the Trump watches, but I have heard about a lot of the other stuff, like the Trump coin."

3. Economic Policies: The Tariff Tug-of-War

A significant portion of the conversation centers on Trump's tariff policies and their cascading effects on the U.S. economy.

a. Tariffs and Trade Wars

The guests critique Trump's approach to tariffs, particularly targeting China, and the resultant economic instability.

Molly Jong-Fast [10:45]:
"The tariffs regime is probably the thing that has got him down into the 30s."
(10:45)

Mark Leibovich [11:03]:
"His number one reason for being elected is to cut prices, but this isn't doing that."

b. Potential Stagflation

Franken and his guests explore the looming threat of stagflation—a combination of stagnant economic growth and high inflation—stemming from Trump's policies.

Molly Jong-Fast [35:31]:
"Stagflation means things are more expensive and you're in a recession. That's what happened in the 1980s and 1970s."

Mark Leibovich [35:25]:
"If Trump changes his mind, this is where we're heading in two, three weeks. Otherwise, we might face a catastrophe."

c. Port Traffic and Supply Chain Disruptions

They discuss the sharp decline in port traffic at major ports like Los Angeles and Long Beach, predicting severe shortages of goods, including holiday presents.

Molly Jong-Fast [33:49]:
"Port traffic is down 60% next week and 80% the week after. We'll run out of China-made stuff in the States, leading to a catastrophe."

4. Social and Domestic Policies: Government Reductions and Public Welfare

The trio examines Trump's attempts to dismantle key government agencies and programs, highlighting the potential humanitarian and societal impacts.

a. Eliminating FEMA and NOAA

Trump’s move to abolish FEMA and NOAA is critiqued as a step toward extreme federalism, where disaster response is left to individual states without centralized support.

Al Franken [15:30]:
"They want to eliminate 988, a suicide and crisis hotline for LGBTQ youth."

Molly Jong-Fast [27:28]:
"They want to privatize FEMA functions, leaving states to handle disasters without federal support."

Mark Leibovich [26:15]:
"Trump wants to get rid of FEMA. Currently, there are FEMA resources across the country for disasters."

b. Cutting NIH Funding

A controversial shift in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding is analyzed, particularly Elon Musk’s influence in capping indirect grant funding, which threatens scientific research and innovation.

Molly Jong-Fast [21:05]:
"Elon Musk capped NIH indirect funding for medical research to 15%, freezing a lot of scientific work."

Al Franken [21:54]:
"NIH has come up with cures for stuff and does basic research for pharmaceutical companies."

Mark Leibovich [24:17]:
"Intellectual property from foreign grants undermines American innovation."

c. Impact on Scientific Research

The guests discuss the broader implications of reduced NIH funding, including a potential brain drain as scientists seek grants from other countries, leading to decreased innovation and economic growth domestically.

Molly Jong-Fast [22:43]:
"We're going to lose a brain drain to end all brain drains, resulting in less scientific research and fewer patents in the U.S."

Mark Leibovich [24:54]:
"Imagine a scientist in New Jersey switching to French grants, transferring intellectual property abroad."

5. Influence of Elon Musk: Intersection of Technology and Politics

The episode explores Elon Musk’s role in shaping federal policies, especially concerning scientific funding and executive decisions.

Al Franken [19:07]:
"Elon Musk is conducting 'five things you did this week' emails to the federal government."

Molly Jong-Fast [19:07]:
"Elon Musk lacks advisors who tell him his ideas are bad, similar to Trump’s isolated decision-making."

Mark Leibovich [20:20]:
"Both Musk and Trump exhibit a narcissistic sense of entitlement, exacerbated by their respective statuses."

Molly Jong-Fast [21:05]:
"Elon Musk's interference in NIH funding showcases his disregard for established scientific processes."

6. Government Overreach: Executive Orders and Targeting Individuals

Trump's extensive use of executive orders to target specific individuals and entities is scrutinized, highlighting the authoritarian undertones of his administration.

a. Targeting Chris Krebs and Others

Al Franken [17:49]:
"Tell me about Chris Krebs. He was head of cybersecurity and was fired for not supporting election fraud claims."

Mark Leibovich [17:59]:
"Chris Krebs is losing all clearances and is being harassed, representing an abuse of power."

b. Resentment Presidency

The administration’s penchant for wielding executive power to settle personal vendettas is discussed as a destabilizing force in governance.

Molly Jong-Fast [45:08]:
"He uses executive orders to target people he doesn't like, like Chris Krebs. It's a resentment presidency."

Mark Leibovich [45:46]:
"The psychic toll of the government targeting individuals is incredibly high, especially in Washington, D.C."

7. Impact on Tourism and National Image

The panel addresses the decline in tourism due to Trump's policies, affecting major economic hubs and the overall international perception of the U.S.

Mark Leibovich [29:09]:
"Tourism in places like Las Vegas and national parks is taking a major hit, exacerbated by Trump's isolationist policies."

Molly Jong-Fast [29:23]:
"America has become an economic pariah, damaging the tourism sector and global relationships."

Al Franken [30:42]:
"Tourist destinations are struggling, impacting local economies reliant on visitors."

8. Political Dynamics and Party Challenges

The conversation transitions to the internal struggles within the Republican and Democratic parties, analyzing approval ratings and leadership issues.

a. Republican Party Loyalty

Leibovich and Jong-Fast discuss the unyielding loyalty within the Republican party, with historical comparisons to past administrations.

Mark Leibovich [31:05]:
"There's a much more purified reduction of loyalty, with no one standing up against Trump."

b. Democratic Party Leadership

The challenges faced by the Democratic party, including leadership appointments and approval ratings, are critically examined.

Molly Jong-Fast [38:01]:
"Democrats have a 35% approval rating in Georgia, struggling with leadership and communication."

Mark Leibovich [39:24]:
"John McCain and Bob Corker have been replaced by less effective leaders, diluting the party's influence."

Al Franken [37:32]:
"Democrats' approval ratings are low, partly due to ineffective leadership and inability to counter Trump's narrative."

9. The Illusion of Activity: Executive Orders vs. Legislative Achievements

Franken and his guests critique the administration’s focus on executive actions over tangible legislative progress, questioning the effectiveness of such strategies.

Al Franken [44:22]:
"Trump’s constant illusion of activity through executive orders masks the lack of actual legislative achievements."

Mark Leibovich [44:54]:
"Executive orders amount to press releases without substantive policy changes."

Molly Jong-Fast [45:00]:
"Executive orders targeting specific individuals are not productive and showcase the administration's flawed priorities."

10. Conclusion: Assessing the First 100 Days

As the episode draws to a close, the guests offer a somber reflection on the Trump administration’s early actions, emphasizing the long-term repercussions for the U.S. economy, scientific community, and societal fabric.

Mark Leibovich [46:10]:
"The most destructive actions include airline safety cuts and USAID reductions, harming both national and global communities."

Molly Jong-Fast [46:10]:
"The government's overreach is causing fear and uncertainty among the populace, with lasting psychological impacts."

Al Franken [47:00]:
"The administration has packed too much into the first 100 days, setting a troubling precedent for governance."

The episode effectively captures the trio's critical analysis of Trump's initial tenure, highlighting the administration's contentious policies and their broader implications. Through insightful dialogue and pointed critiques, Franken, Leibovich, and Jong-Fast provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and challenges unfolding in the early days of Trump's presidency.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Al Franken [01:01]:
  "I want to talk today about some of the horrible things the Trump administration has done that have been under reported."

• Mark Leibovich [02:05]:
  "This seems to be a full, fuller version of the Trump aesthetic, fanning out into the new administration."

• Molly Jong-Fast [10:45]:
  "The tariffs regime is probably the thing that has got him down into the 30s."

• Molly Jong-Fast [35:31]:
  "Stagflation means things are more expensive and you're in a recession."

• Mark Leibovich [29:09]:
  "Tourism in places like Las Vegas and national parks is taking a major hit, exacerbated by Trump's isolationist policies."

• Molly Jong-Fast [45:17]:
  "The administration’s penchant for wielding executive power to settle personal vendettas is a destabilizing force."

These highlighted quotes encapsulate the core sentiments expressed by the guests, providing listeners with poignant insights into the ongoing political discourse surrounding Trump's leadership.