The Approval Drop, The Drive Home, and The Spotify Deal

Summary

The Breakfast Club – "The Approval Drop, The Drive Home, and The Spotify Deal"

Date: May 22, 2026
Host: Mimi Brown (The Black Effect Podcast Network, iHeartPodcasts)

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Overview

This episode of The Breakfast Club’s "Front Page" delves into the latest shift in President Trump’s approval ratings, the impact of Memorial Day travel amidst soaring gas prices, and a significant new development in the music industry as Spotify embraces AI-generated music. The show offers data-driven insights, real listener opinions, and an explainer on the technology and debates reshaping music creation and artist rights.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s Approval Drop

[02:59–06:20]

• News Update:
  President Trump's approval rating among Republicans has plummeted to 80%, its lowest since his return to the White House. Among non-MAGA Republicans, it's even lower at 54%; white voters and rural voters are both at 43%.

• Discontent Among Voters:
  The steep decline is attributed mainly to economic frustration and opposition to the ongoing war in Iran.

  • Quote (Caller, 04:32):
    “I voted for President Trump. The war in Iran and everything is, you know, what’s jacking up the price of everything right now?... I’d like to see the prices go down because it’s really killing you.”
  • Economic Data:
    Inflation has surged to 3.8%, the highest in nearly three years; 74% of Americans disapprove of the President’s handling of the economy.

• Key Statistic:
  Most Republican shift: up 7 points negative just in a month.

• Public Sentiment:
  “Independents jumped ship in 2025 and now non-MAGA Republicans and other core constituencies are wavering.” (Mimi Brown, 05:30)

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2. Memorial Day Travel & Pain at the Pump

[06:08–08:00]

• Massive Volume Expected:
  Nearly 39 million Americans are traveling, making for one of the busiest weekends in years.

• Travel Times to Avoid:

  • Friday, 11am–8pm (worst window)
  • Saturday afternoon, also heavy
  • Monday, noon–5pm for the return

• Highways to Avoid:

  • I-25 in Colorado
  • Golden State Parkway, New York
  • BWI Parkway

• Gas Prices Soaring:
  The national average is $4.48/gallon, a 50% increase since the Iran war began. Prices jumped 31 cents just last week.

  • Quote (Isaiah Thomas/CJ Toledano, 07:23):
    “Since gas is gone, it causes me to, you know, maybe cut back on, you know, eating out, driving certain places.”

  • On Lifestyle Shifts:
    “Pretty much just staying around this area.” (Isaiah Thomas/CJ Toledano, 07:40)

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3. Front Page Friday Quiz Segment

[08:06–09:58]

• Mimi invites listeners to answer questions about recent hot topics, offering recognition on-air:

  1. Name the man released from Oklahoma’s death row with Kim Kardashian’s support.
  2. Name three Southern states targeted in the NAACP athlete boycott campaign.
  3. The exact value of the Department of Energy’s HBCU clean energy grant.

• Listener Engagement:
  “Email or DM me… The first three correct get a shoutout right here next Friday.” (Mimi Brown, 08:20)

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4. Spotify’s AI Music Revolution & Industry Shakeup

[09:58–11:17]

• Major Update:
  Spotify’s new deal with Universal Music Group allows premium users to create AI-generated remixes and covers using licensed songs by big artists directly in the app.

• How It Works:
  Artists must consent and are paid for their work being used in AI remixes.

  • Quote (Mimi Brown, 10:02):
    “This means subscribers could eventually use AI tools to remake songs connected to some of the biggest artists in the world, like Taylor Swift, Drake, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish.”

• Debate & Pushback:

  • Pros:
    Supporters say this protects artists more than rogue, unregulated AI practices.

  • Cons:
    Independent musicians are suing AI music companies, arguing big labels get deals and protections first, leaving small artists exposed.

    • Quote (Jonas Brothers, 10:20):
      “If we look at the top chart of Spotify today, there’s a legitimate use of AI done by artists…and then there’s the one where it’s clearly someone trying to steal someone’s name or likeness…at which point we would say, that is not okay.”

  • Critical Question:
    “It seems like the music industry is not trying to stop AI anymore. It’s just trying to see who can own it first.” (Mimi Brown, 11:18)

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Notable Quotes

• On the Economic Crunch:
  “Tomatoes are nuts. What used to be…half of what we used to pay is now like $90 for a case of tomatoes.” – Mimi Brown, [04:56]

• Listener Opinions:
  “Still gotta drive, still gotta get to work. Got summer coming up, so just gotta budget things to get around.” – Caller, [08:00]

• Industry Reflection:
  “Who’s actually benefiting from AI Music? Because the biggest artists, the biggest corporations appear to be getting the deals first.” – Mimi Brown, [11:10]

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• [02:59] – Trump Approval Ratings Data Drop
• [04:32] – Republican Caller Shares Disillusionment
• [06:08] – Gas Prices, Memorial Day Travel Breakdown
• [07:23] – Listener Impact: Lifestyle Changes
• [08:06] – Front Page Friday Quiz Segment
• [09:58] – Spotify AI Partnership & Music Industry Debate
• [10:20] – Jonas Brothers on AI Music Ethics
• [11:18] – Mimi Brown Wraps AI Industry Concerns

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Memorable Moments

• Economic squeeze & war disillusionment from core GOP voters
• Highways-to-avoid tips for Memorial Day travel
• Spotify’s AI offering sparking debate: "Legitimate use" vs. "Stealing name or likeness" (Jonas Brothers, 10:20)
• Host’s call for listener input on AI’s future in music

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Summary

This fast-paced episode of The Breakfast Club frontloads pressing political, economic, and cultural shifts, brimming with stats, personal testimonials, and direct listener questions. While President Trump faces wavering support from his base over inflation and conflict abroad, everyday Americans are also bracing for record-high travel costs. Meanwhile, the music industry faces its own storm as AI-generated content moves mainstream via Spotify, raising the stakes for artist rights and industry fairness. The show closes by inviting deeper audience engagement on these issues, true to its lively, interactive spirit.

Transcript

[Mimi Brown]

This is an I heart podcast. Guaranteed human.

[HIV Prevention Advocate]

Yes, it's me again. We prepped. It's the time for empowerment. And I've got a message for you. Guess who. Guess who. Guess who's back. You gotta think about sexual health no matter what, when, when, or with who. Yeah, yeah. To all you lovers out there, ain't no judgment. This is your cue. Guess who. Guess who's back. It's time to talk about pre special prophylaxis, a part of HIV prevention. Talk to a healthcare provider and visit carefortheculture. To learn more.

[Mood.com Advertiser]

Let's be honest. Buying cannabis shouldn't be complicated, sketchy or low quality. That's why I want to tell you about mood.com. that's m o o d dot com. Mood ships federally legal cannabis straight to your door. No medical card, no hassle. And here's the kicker. The quality is better than anything you'll find at your local dispensary. Yeah, I said it. Whether you're into edibles, concentrates, flour, or just looking to explore the, you'll find it all at Mood. And it's not just the variety that makes them stand out. Every product is sourced from small American owned family farms that care deeply about what they grow. It's cannabis you can trust, delivered discreetly and ready to elevate your mood. And because you're a listener, you get 20% off your first order. Just head to mood.com that's M-O-Ood.com to get started.

[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

Hey guys, it's us, the Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called hey Jonas. We invented a podcast. Well, we didn't invent it, We. We just contributed to it.

[Jonas Brothers (additional commentary)]

We're the first people to do podcasts.

[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick. Listen to hey Jonas on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Just listen.

[Mimi Brown]

We don't care where you hear it.

[Sanjanah Bhasker or Tyler McCall]

Why are we all so obsessed with romance? On the Radio 831 podcast, join us Sanjanah Bhasker and Tyler McCall as we unpack all the trending tropes, buzzy adaptations, booktok drama and celebrity love stories with hot takes and sharp guests. Each episode digs into what these stories reveal about desire, fantasy, identity and how we love. Now Listen to the Radio 831 podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Mimi Brown]

President Trump's approval ratings just hit a new low and Republicans are the ones p it down.

[Trump Supporter Caller]

I voted for President Trump. I'd like to see the prices go down because it's, it's really killing you.

[Mimi Brown]

Memorial Day weekend traffic is about to test every driver in America. No vacations.

[Isaiah Thomas and CJ Toledano]

Pretty much just stand around this area now.

[Mimi Brown]

And Spotify just changed the rules. How music gets made in the AI era.

[Jonas Brothers (additional commentary)]

The top chart of Spotify today. There's legitimate use of AI done by artists and we would allow for them.

[Mimi Brown]

It's Friday, May 22nd. From the black Effect Podcast Network, I'm Mimi Brown. This is front page and here are today's biggest stories. Plus today on the front page Friday quiz, three questions from this week and it could be your name I'm calling out next Friday. Stay with me. The President's approval rating just hit an all time low. And the people pulling it down are not Democrats. They're his own voters. A new Fox News poll out this week shows Trump's approval rating has fallen among Republicans to 80%. That's the lowest number Fox News has measured for him since he returned to the White House. But here's where the numbers get interesting. Among non MAGA Republicans, the more moderate side of the party, Trump's approval is now at 54% among white voters overall, 43%. Among rural voters also 43%. Translation, the people who put him in office in 2024 are starting to back away.

[Trump Supporter Caller]

I voted for President Trump, the war in Iran, and everything is, you know, what's jacking up the price of everything right now? Well, I have mixed emotions. I don't like the war. I don't like bombings or killing civilians or anything like that. I wish we could stop that somehow. The other thing is, I'd like to see the prices go down because it's, it's really killing you.

[Mimi Brown]

The poll is clear on this one. It's the economy. 74% of Americans disapprove of how the President is handling the economy. That's up from 5 points just last month. And Republicans alone moved 7 points more negative on him. Republican pollster Darren Shaw, who conducted the poll along with a Democrat, said it plain, quote, make no mistake, it's all about affordability. Tomatoes are nuts. What used to be, you know, half of what we used to pay is now like $90 for a case of tomatoes. Independents jumped ship in 2025 and now non MAGA Republicans and other core constituencies are wavering. Inflation is also part of the reason why. Last month the Labor Department reported inflation hit 3.8% over the last 12 months, the highest in nearly three years. My grocery bill has definitely increased about $50. We probably went over about 150, $200 in a month with the same items. Then there's the war in Iran. 60% of Americans now oppose military action in Iran, up from 55% last month. Even with most Republicans still saying the US is winning the war, opposition to it is climbing.

[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

There is a material amount of oil that just can't get to market and that is driving up prices everywhere. I would expect us all to be paying upwards of $5 a gallon here in these first weeks of summer.

[Mimi Brown]

And here's where this matters. Republicans on Capitol Hill are six months out from November elections. They have a slim House majority. The White House has not commented on the poll. If you're driving this Memorial Day weekend, aaa says nearly 39 million Americans will be right there with you, making this one of the busiest holiday weekends in years. And travel experts say the timing is everything. Friday between 11am and 8pm is expected to be the worst traffic window of the entire weekend. Saturday afternoon could also be rough. While Monday's return to traffic is expected to peak between noon and 5pm some specific stretches of highways are also going to be very painful. AAA is projecting that i25 in Colorado, the Golden State Parkway in New York and the BWI Parkway will see triple digit percent increases over normal travel times. And here's the part that hurts even more. Gas prices. The price of a gallon of regular jumped 31 cents in just the last week.

[Isaiah Thomas and CJ Toledano]

Since gas is gone, it causes me to, you know, maybe cut back on, you know, eating out, driving certain places.

[Mimi Brown]

The national average is now $4.48. That's 50% higher than where prices were when the war with Iran began in February. No, no vacations.

[Isaiah Thomas and CJ Toledano]

Pretty much just staying around this area.

[Mimi Brown]

Now industry analysts are saying even if the war ends today and the Strait of Hormuz reopens, it will still take months to get prices back to where they were before. If you're traveling this weekend, leave early, expect delays and budget more money for gas than you probably planned. Still gotta drive, still gotta get to work. Got summer coming up, so just gotta

[Trump Supporter Caller]

budget things to get around.

[Mimi Brown]

It's quiz time. Three questions from this week's story. So if you've been listening, you've got these email frontpage with mimi gmail.com or DM me@mimi brown tv. The first three correct get a shout out right here next Friday. But first, let's get to last week's winners. So shout out to Lance Elkins. You got all three questions right. Theo Brown, no relation. You got all answers right. And Tylan Fuller. Shout out to all three of you getting the answers right to last Friday's front page quiz. So here we go. We're going to do this week's quiz, right? Question number one. After 29 years on Oklahoma's death Row, Kim Kardashian paid the bond to release a man we covered on Tuesday. What was his name? Question number two. The NAACP just launched a campaign called out of Bounds, and it's asking black athletes to consider boycotting schools in seven Southern states. Name three of those states. All right, y', all, this is the curveball from Wednesday's underplayed. The Department of Energy gave HBCUs a major clean energy grant within $10 million. What was the amount? All right, well, that's your quiz. Email or DME your answers by Tuesday night. Winners will be announced next Friday on the show. So, front pagers, let's talk about where the music industry is headed, because Spotify just made a move that could change the industry faster than a lot of people realize. So the company just announced a new partnership with Universal Music Group that will eventually let premium users create AI generated remixes and covers using licensed songs directly inside the Spotify app. So that means subscribers could eventually use AI tools to remake songs connected to some of the biggest artists in the world, like Taylor Swift, Drake, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish. Spotify says those artists involved in the program will have to give their permission to receive compensation. And supporters, though, they argue that this is better than what is already happening, where AI music tools are being trained on artists without their consent.

[Jonas Brothers (additional commentary)]

If we look at the top chart of Spotify today, there's a legitimate use of AI done by artists, and we would allow for them. And then there's the one where it's clearly someone trying to steal someone's name or likeness or even infringe on someone's ip, at which point we would say, that is not okay. That is not what we stand for, and we would take that down.

[Mimi Brown]

But here's the bigger conversation. Independent musicians are already suing major AI music companies, arguing that these tools are threatening the future of smaller artists who do not have major label protections or negotiating power. So this is just raising a few questions for me, like who's actually benefiting from AI Music? Because right now, the biggest Artists, the biggest corporations appear to be getting the deals first. They get first protections and the first payouts. While smaller artists, they're still trying to figure out how to protect their voices, their songs, their livelihoods.

[Mood.com Advertiser]

Hmm.

[Mimi Brown]

So, I don't know, it seems like the music industry is not trying to stop AI anymore. It's just trying to see who can own it first. I don't know. What do you guys think? Email me frontpage with mimi mail.com. let me know your thoughts. That's your front page. I'm Mimi Brown. Have a safe and beautiful Memorial Day weekend. Take care of each other and I'll see you on Monday with three new stories and a Monday brief for the week ahead. This podcast was brought to you by the Black Effect Podcast Network.

[Mood.com Advertiser]

Let's be honest. Buying cannabis shouldn't be complicated, sketchy, or low quality. That's why I want to tell you about mood.com. that's mood.com. mood ships federally legal cannabis straight to your door. No medical card, no hassle. And here's the kicker. The quality is better than anything you'll find at your local dispensary. Yeah, I said it. Whether you're into edibles, concentrates, flower, or just looking to explore, you'll find it all at Mood. And it's not just the variety that makes them stand out. Every product is sourced from small American owned family farms that care deeply about what they grow. It's cannabis you can trust, delivered discreetly and ready to elevate your mood. And because you're a listener, you get 20% off your first order. Just head to mood.com that's mood.com to get started.

[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

Hey, guys, it's us, the Jonas Brothers.

[Trump Supporter Caller]

I'm Joe.

[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called hey Jonas. We invented a podcast. Well, we didn't invent it, we just contributed to it.

[Jonas Brothers (additional commentary)]

We're the first people to do podcasts.

[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but, you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick. Listen to hey Jonas on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast podcast, just listen. We don't care where you hear it.

[Sanjanah Bhasker or Tyler McCall]

Why are we all so obsessed with romance? On the Radio 831 podcast, join us, Sanjana Basker and Tyler McCall as we unpack all the trending tropes, buzzy adaptations, booktok drama and celebrity love stories with hot takes and sharp guests. Each episode digs into what these stories reveal about desire, fantasy identity and how we love. Now Listen to the Radio 831 podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Isaiah Thomas and CJ Toledano]

What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas and I'm CJ Toledano.

[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast Point Game the Playoffs.

[Isaiah Thomas and CJ Toledano]

We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season and I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was firm.

[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

You just understood.

[Isaiah Thomas and CJ Toledano]

That's how personal it get. Wow. Then after that game seven, Marquis coming to you, he's like, you know I love you, dog. You know it's all love. This was just playoffs. This was just basketball.

[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

So listen to Point game on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Mimi Brown]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.