Adam Carolla on Cultural Shifts, DEI, and Trump’s Second Term

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Chris Cuomo Project – Adam Carolla on Cultural Shifts, DEI, and Trump’s Second Term

Episode Title: Adam Carolla on Cultural Shifts, DEI, and Trump’s Second Term
Release Date: January 21, 2025
Host: Chris Cuomo
Guest: Adam Carolla

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Introduction and Background

In this episode of The Chris Cuomo Project, host Chris Cuomo engages in a candid and comprehensive conversation with renowned comedian and radio personality Adam Carolla. The discussion delves into pressing political events, cultural shifts, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and the implications of Donald Trump's unprecedented second term as President of the United States.

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Trump’s Second Term and Its Significance

Chris Cuomo opens the dialogue by addressing the monumental event of Donald Trump’s re-election, raising questions about its implications for the nation.

Chris Cuomo [02:27]: "What is the significance of this second inauguration?"

Adam Carolla responds by reflecting on Trump's initial presidency, highlighting what he perceives as Trump’s lack of understanding of governmental systems.

Adam Carolla [02:27]: "He kind of stumbled into the first one with a lot of assumptions that probably weren't true... I think he was probably naive... This time his eyes are wide open and probably has a better shot of getting across whatever his agenda is."

Carolla suggests that Trump's second term might be marked by a more informed and strategic approach to governance, contrasting his first term where he may have underestimated the complexities of the presidency.

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Cabinet Selection and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)

The conversation shifts to the composition of Trump’s cabinet, scrutinizing the balance between DEI initiatives and the qualifications of appointees.

Adam Carolla [04:09]: "I think a lot of people... he's just picked his lackeys and his subordinates... I just feel like there is a way to have what would be a DEI cabinet without DEI hires... pretty diverse once you do it... I just don't want them there 100%."

Carolla expresses skepticism about DEI-driven appointments, advocating instead for diversity achieved through genuine qualifications rather than meeting specific quotas. He emphasizes the importance of bringing in individuals who reflect a variety of perspectives without solely focusing on their demographic backgrounds.

Chris Cuomo probes further into the topic, questioning whether the lack of representation—particularly the absence of Black professionals—in the cabinet undermines the concept of DEI.

Chris Cuomo [06:03]: "And look, that's the problem with our pendular politics... there’s not a single black job in this Cabinet... Does it matter?"

Adam Carolla [06:44]: "I don't see. I find that it means you're authentic in your decree of we're not going to do this."

Carolla challenges conventional DEI approaches, suggesting that authentic leadership should prioritize competence and effectiveness over merely fulfilling diversity criteria.

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Cultural Shifts and Political Polarization

The discussion broadens to encompass the current cultural landscape, emphasizing the increasing polarization and its ramifications on societal cohesion.

Chris Cuomo [08:20]: "Are you getting all one point of view?"

Adam Carolla [08:20]: "I don’t buy into that... I have a greater understanding of those guys because we were poor and we lived in apartments... I have much more in common with a Latino guy who worked construction than a white guy who never worked construction, 100%."

Carolla underscores the importance of shared experiences and practical understanding over superficial diversity. He highlights his connection with the Latino community based on mutual hardships and professional environments, advocating for representation that stems from genuine relational foundations.

Chris Cuomo [10:21]: "I'll push back a little in that... fraud forming about DEI because you guys had too many of them. I'm not going to have any of them."

The hosts delve into the complexities of implementing DEI policies without fostering resentment or perceptions of tokenism, exploring the delicate balance required to maintain inclusivity while ensuring meritocracy.

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Handling Crises and Political Accountability

The conversation transitions to crisis management, particularly focusing on the LA fires and the administration’s response.

Adam Carolla [18:15]: "My biggest positive hope is that they take care of business... get home ownership up... have success at it so that the table can be set for the next administration... focus on nuts and bolts..."

Carolla expresses a desire for the administration to prioritize tangible outcomes over political posturing. He advocates for addressing fundamental issues like the economy, housing, and infrastructure without getting entangled in divisive cultural or identity-based debates.

Chris Cuomo [20:32]: "Because that's what the out party does every time since Clinton."

Adam Carolla [20:36]: "Here's what I feel... Democrats hurt themselves... Trump sends over a hospital ship and Newsom's like, get rid of it... it's a two way street."

The duo discusses the cyclical nature of partisan politics, critiquing both parties for their inability to effectively collaborate during crises. They highlight instances where political motivations overshadow pragmatic solutions, exacerbating public frustration.

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The Challenge of Running Government Like Business

Chris Cuomo [22:46]: "Problem with running government as a business is that business only does the thing, government only does the things that business doesn't want to be involved in."

Cuomo and Carolla debate the feasibility of applying business principles to governmental operations. They acknowledge the inherent differences between profit-driven enterprises and the public service mandate, emphasizing that certain essential services require a non-profit-oriented approach.

Adam Carolla [24:43]: "When I'm saying run like a business... how do we incentivize them to go to the dump?"

Using practical examples like waste management, Carolla illustrates how business strategies could potentially streamline governmental inefficiencies, albeit recognizing the challenges in implementation.

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Friendships Amidst Political Divide

A poignant segment explores the enduring friendship between Adam Carolla and Jimmy Kimmel, despite their differing political views.

Chris Cuomo [36:10]: "At the Caterpillar plant always."

Adam Carolla [36:12]: "He's the only politician that is always the same wherever he goes... that's why authenticity, I think, is gonna be a real upcoming commodity..."

Carolla praises Kimmel’s consistency and authenticity, attributing their unbroken friendship to mutual respect and personal connections that transcend political disagreements. This serves as a microcosm for how personal relationships can withstand broader societal and ideological divides.

Chris Cuomo [37:22]: "I think it's a huge commodity. And that's why I'm very, very happy to have you on every platform I have."

Cuomo lauds Carolla’s ability to foster dialogue and maintain open conversations across polarized lines, positioning their friendship as a testament to the possibility of unity amid division.

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Navigating Political Decorum and Authenticity

The hosts touch upon the importance of maintaining personal integrity and decency in political discourse.

Adam Carolla [35:18]: "It's sort of saying, go to an all black church and give a speech... It's just, unfortunately, a part of the human brain that just sort of kicks in."

Carolla criticizes the performative aspects of political engagement, advocating for genuine interactions over staged or calculated appearances. He emphasizes that personal character should take precedence over political posturing.

Chris Cuomo [35:55]: "Trump is the only politician that is always the same wherever he goes, which is 100%."

This consistency is contrasted with other politicians who may change their demeanor based on the audience, underscoring the uniqueness of Trump’s unvarying persona.

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Overcoming Polarization Through Personal Values

In the concluding segments, Cuomo and Carolla discuss strategies to mitigate polarization by focusing on shared human values and personal dignity.

Adam Carolla [40:55]: "You have to have a bit of dignity and sort of getting back to the golden rule... it's real golden rule stuff."

Carolla advocates for a return to fundamental ethical principles, such as the Golden Rule, to foster mutual respect and understanding. He suggests that judging individuals by their character rather than their political affiliations can bridge the widening ideological chasm.

Chris Cuomo [42:52]: "The best years are in front of you because I think that our country is getting exhausted by polarity."

Cuomo shares an optimistic view, emphasizing the potential for rejuvenated dialogue and reduced polarization if society embraces open-mindedness and personal connections over divisive rhetoric.

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Notable Quotes

• Adam Carolla [02:27]: "Trump kind of stumbled into the first one with a lot of assumptions that probably weren't true... this time his eyes are wide open and probably has a better shot of getting across whatever his agenda is."

• Adam Carolla [04:09]: "I feel like there is a way to have what would be a DEI cabinet without DEI hires... I just don't want them there 100%."

• Chris Cuomo [06:03]: "Does it matter?"

• Adam Carolla [35:18]: "It's just, unfortunately, a part of the human brain that just sort of kicks in."

• Chris Cuomo [42:52]: "The best years are in front of you because I think that our country is getting exhausted by polarity."

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Conclusion

The episode offers a thought-provoking exploration of current political dynamics, the intricacies of DEI in government, and the enduring value of personal relationships amidst ideological conflicts. Adam Carolla and Chris Cuomo provide insightful perspectives on how authenticity, mutual respect, and a focus on shared human values can navigate the complexities of a polarized America. Their dialogue underscores the importance of substantive conversations and genuine connections in fostering a more unified society.

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For listeners seeking deeper insights into America's political landscape and cultural transformations, this episode serves as a valuable resource, blending humor with critical analysis.

Transcript

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[Chris Cuomo]

What to make of the next administration? What to make of what's gonna happen with the fires and how two famous people have decided to stay friends despite feeling so differently about Trump. Adam Carolla can answer all of those, and I have them today. I'm Chris Cuomo. Welcome to the Chris Cuomo Project. Adam Carolla, you know him, he and Jimmy Kimmel blew it up with Lovelines. Jimmy helped launch his career. But boy, do they feel differently about Trump and just about everything political. Yet they've been friends forever. How and why does he see so much politics at play in the LA fires? And of course, the big headline with the inauguration of the unprecedented second presidency for Donald John Trump, what Adam Carolla believes is at play, what could go well and what could go horribly wrong? Adam Carolla, always a pleasure, always a benefit. Thank you for being part of my life.

[Adam Carolla]

My pleasure.

[Chris Cuomo]

You know, at some point we have to talk about our mutual passions. It's just that the world gets in the way. You know, we both love cars, we both do a lot of fight training. I'm a self defense guy, you're a sweet science guy. But we have to talk about, you know, these things at some point because they're definitely aspects of why I love you, but I just, I need your brain on things that are bigger than the two of us. Like this momentous only once before, but to be honest, never before political event of someone coming back and overcoming what Donald Trump has to become President of the United States for a second time. What is the significance of this second inauguration?

[Adam Carolla]

Well, I think Trump kind of stumbled into the first one with a lot of assumptions that probably weren't true. I think he felt like he's the president so the buck stops with him. And I don't think he realized how the system really worked. I think he was probably naive, and I don't mean naive. I don't think anybody outside of the system really understands the inner workings of the system, but I do. I don't know why, but I did. When I took over for Howard Stern on the West Coast, I took over at a Radio station, the home station where the management wanted somebody else and not me. And I didn't. It's sort of like your wife is poisoning your oatmeal every morning with just a little bit of strychnine. And all you know is you don't feel right, but you can't figure out what's going on. And everyone tells you you're crazy when you tell them you're not right. And so I know that feel, feeling of thinking you're in charge. But the powers that be that are around you, many forces are working to undermine you and against you. I don't, I'm not, I'm not talking about a big conspiracy theory. I just mean, I think he naively walked into the Oval Office and didn't understand exactly how the game was played. And I think this time his eyes are wide open and probably has a better shot of getting across whatever his agenda is, whether you like it or not.

[Chris Cuomo]

How do you see your understanding reflected in who he's picked to be in the cabinet?

[Adam Carolla]

I think that's a big part of it. I mean, I think a lot of people depending on where you go for news will go, well, he's just picked his lackeys and his subordinates and his lieutenants and all that, which is true because I think last time he really got jammed by not doing that. And this time he doesn't want to make the same mistake. A lot of the people who were talking about, you know, RFK Jr. And Tulsi Gabbard Vivek and people like that I've interviewed, I've had on my show. I've had long form discussions with them. I find them articulate, interesting. You know, there's, as you and I always talk about, there's the sort of cartoon version of this person right and left, and then there's diversion you get when you sit in the same room with them for an hour and have a real conversation. You know, I'm a fan of substantial people. You know, I, I found that Tulsi is, is substantial. And certainly whatever version they're painting of RFK Jr. Is, is way different than what you get when you hear that guy talk for a little bit on almost any subject. So I'm pretty, I'm, I'm, I'm confident about it, I'm happy about it. I feel like there is a way to have what would be a DEI cabinet without DEI hires, you know what I'm saying? Like you have a woman and you have an Indian American, married, diversity, gay somebody, and it's like it ends up being pretty diverse once you do it. I just don't want them there because that 100%.

[Chris Cuomo]

And look, that's the problem with our pendular politics, right, Is that things go too far in each direction, back and forth as course corrections. And this will be the reaction to DEI the same way Trump was the reaction to Obama. It is interesting, though, that Tim Scott, there's not a single black job in this Cabinet. Not a single black job. He couldn't find one to just throw in there just to make his point that I wasn't bluffing. I am about more than just white America, not just one, I guess you could say Cash Patel. I'm sure there's several people there who can claim some kind of ethnicity, but there's not just a black man or woman. Does it matter?

[Adam Carolla]

I don't see. I find that it means you're authentic in your decree of we're not going to do this. Like, you know, I watched the Rams play last night.

[Chris Cuomo]

Yeah.

[Adam Carolla]

I don't know if it's hard to find a white guy on the defensive side of the ball on either team. I like it that way because I go, these are the best players. You know what I mean? Like, if, if, if there was a white owner and a white head coach and they announced we're going to have 30% white players on the defensive side of the ball, I wouldn't like it.

[Chris Cuomo]

You wouldn't like it.

[Adam Carolla]

But that's playing the game up for me.

[Chris Cuomo]

Right. But their performance is not a function of who they are and their background. There is something to be said. And look, I know you do this with your act. I know you do this with your podcast. You populate things with people who have different backgrounds and ideas because that's what helps you as somebody who's drawing. You know, there's something inherently vicarious about what content creators. In a great comic, which is one of my favorite art forms, what you do, Louis ck, Bill Burr, many others, George Carlin, is. It's vicarious. You're taking from influences and people of different backgrounds and melding. And that's why you want diversity in administration. Not to check boxes, but to have people that give you a depth of understanding from different perspectives. And that's the question for Trump is are you getting all one point of view?

[Adam Carolla]

Yeah. I think that it's a bit of a misnomer to say, and we've seen it now with the wildfires and California that, you know, I need a firefighter that looks like Me, so they understand my, you know, X, Y, and Z. I don't. I don't buy into that. I feel like. And it's sort of my white privilege, which is, you know, Donald Trump is a white guy and I'm a white guy, and Pete Hegseth is a white guy, and I'm a white guy. We have nothing in common. We come. We don't have any common ground at all. No background, no lineage, no family past, that we don't have anything at all. He's just white, and I'm white. And I wouldn't profess to understand his needs because I'm white, because I don't. Because he doesn't understand my needs because he's white. But I would have, you know, I work with a lot of Latino guys in Southern California, working construction out here my whole life. It's mostly Latino guys you work with. I'm a much greater understanding of those guys because we were poor and we lived in apartments. We all drive pickup trucks and they break down and all the. All that comes with that world, we understand. You know, I understand. So I wouldn't. I would have much more in common with a Latino guy who worked construction than a white guy who never worked construction, 100%.

[Chris Cuomo]

But again, it's about backgrounds. And the responsibility in government is the constituency. Right. And I think it is hard to get around when the Latino community comes to you and says, you don't think that the people who are overseeing things that are going to affect us should reflect our traditions and background. None of them. Any of them. I think Trump could have done himself a favor. But you're right, it's probably a nod to the reaction formation of dei, because you guys had too many of them. I'm not going to have any of them.

[Adam Carolla]

I'll push back a little in that. I would say I would like the government to a safety number one, whether it's fires or criminality or foreign threats or poison in the drinking water, you know, it's like sort of safety, you know, citizen safety. And then, you know, economy, you know, education, traffic. Who's picking up the garbage? You know what I mean? There's too much graffiti. There's too much, you know, there's too much garbage in the streets. You know, whatever that stuff. At some point, they can stop the cultural part or the part where they understand my traditions or my Italian ethnicity or my background or something that's kind of for me and my family, my neighbors and my friends or whatever it is, keep the streets safe, keep the military Robust, keep the border strong and pick up the garbage. And then we'll have the gay parade without you. That's kind of what.

[Chris Cuomo]

I totally get it. Although I did hear, so this isn't my idea, so I can't own it, but I will copy it. If someone's administration, their cabinet or the Supreme Court was all black and Latino, more women than men, but barely five, four women to men and black and Latino, white America would go crazy and say this doesn't reflect the country, but they would be 50% of the country the same way white America is the 50% of the country. And we wouldn't like that because there's no representation of a whole type within this country.

[Adam Carolla]

Yeah, but I think that's kind of myopic and a little bit playing into a racist point of view, which is the hero to all the Trumpers on the Supreme Court is Clarence Thomas, the black man. So they love him. Not because of the color of his skin, because of his ideas and what they represent, because they have a shared idea.

[Chris Cuomo]

And it's even better that he's a black guy because it insulates him from a lot of the criticism that the white guys get. Right.

[Adam Carolla]

And they don't like Sotomayor, but they don't like, it's not cause she's Latino, not because she's a woman, even though that's an easy path to go down. They like Clarence because he, they, he reflects their ideology. I totally don't like Sotomayor because she doesn't reflect. And it'd be an interesting experiment, but I would bet you if he stopped reflecting and she started reflecting the MAGA agenda or ideology, they would get on board with her as well. Sort of like they hated fetterman, you know, 10 minutes ago. And now they're like, that's the only Democrat that makes sense. He changed, something happened and they will go along with it. So I don't, you know, my feeling is whether it's the football coach or the supreme court, if it's five black women or, sorry, 10 black women, nine black women, and they're reflecting what I'm thinking. I think most America agenda wise is pretty good with it.

[Chris Cuomo]

Yeah. I mean, when rbg, I had problems with Justice Ginsburg in terms of the political side of her determination to stay in there and fight her cancer. I think that fundamentally burdened the Democratic Party, but that's on them and that's their problem. But she answered this question very well once also somebody said to her, so there were two justices or something females at the same time. And they said, how many do you think you'll have someday? Like, how many would be enough for you? Nine. We've had nine men. Why wouldn't we have nine women? There are more women in the country than men. And it was so shocking. And yet, you know, if you're really pure to the concept of, well, it's just about the person. It's not about what boxes they check. You wouldn't have any problem with there being nine women. But of course we would. When you look at this incoming administration support for the Chris Cuomo project comes from AG1. Look, New Year, new me, right? We're all going through it. I don't believe in resolutions. I believe the rent's due every day and you gotta do the right things every day. You need a routine and you have to stick with what works. And for me, AG1 is how I start my day. One and done. Put it in warm water, stir, stir, stir, gobble, gobble, gobble. And that's it. I've got the nutritional basis that I need to start the day right. And here's how I know I don't just have fluorescent pee when I take AG1. I get my blood work done on a regular basis. And I'm telling you, the absorption of B and D are up. I've been doing this a long time. I'm in my 50s, okay? And AG1 has been a difference maker for me. So this new year, try AG1 for yourself. It's the perfect time to start a new healthy habit. That's why I've been partnering with AG1 for so long. And I'd love to do more. AG1 is offering new subscribers a free $76 gift. When you sign up, you'll get a welcome kit, a bottle of D3K2, and five free travel packs in your first box. So make sure to check out drinkag1.com CCP for the Chris Cuomo Project, and you can get this offer. That's drinkag1.com CCP. And you can start your new year on a healthier note. Support for the Chris Cuomo Project comes from Everyday Dose. Look, we all want to be bettermentally, physically, but our habits don't always match up with our goals. That's where Everyday Dose comes in. Coffee? Yes, but better. Since I started drinking Everyday Dose, I've noticed I can get through my day with this consistent, smooth energy. No peaks and valleys. All right? That kind of roller coaster caffeine crash. Deal. No more. I'm big on gut health. This blend of collagen and mushrooms is like a one, two punch for keeping me regular and feeling good. Taste legit smooth rich coffee flavor. Definitely tastes like coffee because it's made with premium roast arabica coffee extract. Head over to everydaydose.com Chris and you will get 25% off plus five free gifts with your first order, including a USB rechargeable frother. Very important changes the drinking experience, trust me. Every month after you get additional amazing free gifts with your order just because you're now part of the team, every month you're going to get additional amazing free gifts. Go to everydaydosedose.com Chris and you'll get 25% off plus five free gifts with your first order. Support for the Chris Cuomo project comes from Factor. Are you ready to optimize your nutrition this year? You cannot out train a bad diet. That's where Factor comes in. Chef made gourmet meals makes eating and eating well easy. They're dietitian approved, ready to heat and eat in two minutes so you can fuel right, feel right no matter what life throws at you. Factor comes fresh, fully prepared, perfect for any active, busy lifestyle. How about losing eight pounds in eight weeks because of Factor Keto meals based on a randomized controlled clinical trial with Factor Keto you may be able to do it. Of course results are going to vary. With 40 options across eight dietary preferences on the menu each week, it is easy to pick meals tailored to your goals. Eat smart with Factor. Get [e-mail] Cuomo 50 off and use the code CUOMO50OFF and guess what? You get off 50 off your first box with free shipping. That's code [e-mail] Cuomo50OFF and you get bingo. 50 off plus free shipping on your first box. What's your biggest positive hope? What's your biggest concern?

[Adam Carolla]

My biggest positive hope is that they take care of business. Don't get mired in a sort of ancillary, sort of side, kind of cat fighty, mudslingy, kind of just, you know, big basic economy military border, you know, just, just, you know, let's see if we can bring down the interest rates a little and get home ownership up and you know, more manufacturing in America and you know, a good stout southern border and so on and so forth, like big, big ticket items and, and have success at it so that the table can be set for the next administration, which could be Republican or Democrat, which is enough of this sort of, you know, talk about, you know, having a seat at the table and being treated with dignity and the LGBT plus community and stuff. Like, let's really just focus on nuts and bolts and move everyone. Instead of breaking off everyone into groups. We need to move this group ahead or that group ahead. Let's just see if we can get homeownership up amongst young people and get people off of Doritos and junk. Really let a guy like RFK Jr. Get in there and see if we can get some of these seed oils out of the stuff and some red dye number 17 out of stuff. Good stuff. And then the rest of the populace, at least as it pertains to politics, will go, okay, that's what people want. Now let's see if we can do better than that. Whatever side you're on, instead of all the kind of weird arguments we have. I guess my fear is that Democrats will try to slow the process just sort of. Because, you know, just because.

[Chris Cuomo]

Because that's what the out party does every time since Clinton.

[Adam Carolla]

Yeah, here's what. Here's what I feel. Here's where I feel the Democrats hurt themselves. And I live in Los Angeles, so I know about it. Trump said, let's do this. And our. Everyone in Los Angeles or California want. Trump wants what? We're doing the opposite. Trump wants to do what he wants a stout border. Screw that. Get rid of that wall. You know what I mean? Trump wants to says, we water whatever it is. Yeah, fuck off. Get rid of that. You know, we did a lot of like, Trump sends over a hospital ship and Newsom's like, get rid of it. You know, and it's like, sometimes you have to go, fine, I'll disagree with him about something else, or we'll disagree with the other party about something else. And I know it's a two way street.

[Chris Cuomo]

No, it isn't a two way street. You're right. The fundamental mistake Democrats make is they try to match Trump's tactics. But there's only one Trump. Only one person can get away with saying obnoxious shit that you're not supposed to say because he represents something different. Everybody else is being judged as a function of the establishment, and they hate the establishment. He isn't. So he can say to you, ah, that, Carolla, you disagreed with me last week. He's a bum. That guy's a mutt. And then he likes what you say and he says, yeah, I'm gonna help him, Carolla, with this because he's a good guy. He said the right thing. Ordinarily, you'd be like, Wait a minute. No, let's not forget what you said before. It's different with Trump, but when the Democrats try to play it like that, they just come off as straight hypocrites. And they get frustrated that Trump doesn't get treated that way because they haven't realized he represents something they don't.

[Adam Carolla]

I think. You know, it's funny because when I used to do Loveline 30 years ago, I was on the radio and I just said, I would always say I just want some guy to run the country like a business, just a business guy to come in and take care of business and, like, run it like a business. If we're getting screwed by NATO, then take care of that. And if we're getting screwed by Canada or Mexico, like whatever that thing is. And it's still sort of my pragmatic fantasy.

[Chris Cuomo]

It's a romantic. It's a romantical fantasy more than a pragmatic one. And I'll tell you why Bloomberg did that here in New York City in certain ways. And I'll tell you what he said to me. And for all you guys at home, you should know who Michael Bloomberg is. But if not, just look him up. And yeah, he ran for president. He was a complete dud because people like me forgot how non dynamic a personality he is. And I didn't know that that little book was gonna come out about him and that he'd handle it so badly. But I thought he had a lot of promise on the national level. And fundamentally, because of what Adam's saying right now, he should have. But, and we're seeing this out in California, problem with running government as a business is that business only does the thing, government only does the things that business doesn't want to be involved in. You know, like the prescribed fires business, you know, how you light fires to get rid of fuel. That business sucks. You can't get insured. The margins are crazy. Nobody wants to do it. The prison business sucks. Unless you're talking about minimum security prisoners. You know, government has to do things where you can't really be profit motivated. And they're missing the key ingredient. I don't know how much entrepreneurial stuff you've done, but when I was working in finance before I got into this, the first question they would always ask at the private equity table is, Carolla, what are you putting up? And maybe you'd get a pass. I'm putting in my brand equity. I'm Adam Carolla. Oh, okay. But everybody else is, how much money you putting in these lawmakers aren't playing with their own money. They're playing with house money. They're playing with our money. And that's why you see so many. Look, look at your state, California. This problem has been around since the 60s. You created FAIR, that emergency insurance program in California in the 60s. You started regulating insurance in the 80s, and you still have these problems. Why? Because it's never been cost effective to do anything about it for the people in power.

[Adam Carolla]

Yeah. You know, when I'm saying run like a business, I'm sort of implying, or at least trying to say, I'll give you. For instance, there's. There's a bunch of garbage. The street behind my studio is sort of a closed off dead end street, and people dump a lot of garbage there. And I know what the garbage is because I used to be in the business of doing remods. It's a lot of busted up stucco and drywall. It's demoed stuff from guys doing remods. So I was at a party at attorney Mark Garrigus house not too long ago. Good dude.

[Chris Cuomo]

Fair disclosure, that's my attorney. Continue.

[Adam Carolla]

Oh, okay. Well, he's a dear friend and I love that guy. Anyway, I'm sitting around and, you know, he has all his judges and his luminaries and his lawyer buddies, and this guy's a district selectman from whatever area. And I start talking to one of the guys and I go, you know, because I work in Glendale or something. I go, well, listen, I work in Glendale. My shop, my studio's there. There's all this junk out dumped in the street all the time, you know. And he goes, yeah, I know, people do a lot of illegal dumping. Well, I said, they're doing illegal dumping because they're poor Hispanic contractor guys and you guys are charging 200 bucks for them to go to the dump. And the dump is 15 miles away in Sun Valley. Why not just dump it behind my studio for free on Sunday night? No one's gonna know.

[Chris Cuomo]

Right?

[Adam Carolla]

You can't enforce it. They just come up and pick up trucks. They pull, you know, look around. No one's around. They just throw it out in the. Out in the street and they leave, you know, but it's a nuisance and it's a mess. And he said, yeah, yeah, yeah. I said, look, there's a Home Depot across the street. They're probably buying all their materials there. Why don't you just have a guy hand out leaflets in English and Spanish that says you can to dump for free and. And you'll get a 12 pack of Takati.

[Chris Cuomo]

And what do you say?

[Adam Carolla]

He goes. He looks at me, he goes, that's a really good idea.

[Chris Cuomo]

Yeah.

[Adam Carolla]

I said, yeah, that's all. Who's dumping it? Let him use the dump for free, and they'll dump it there for free. But they're not going to pay 150 bucks that's coming out of their pocket when they can do it for free. Anyway, about an hour later, he circled back to me at Mark's party and he said, what was that idea again, with dumping stuff? And I thought, oh, we are screwed. It's never going to happen. But what I'm saying is, my business metaphor is a business would do that. They'd go, who's dumping this stuff? Why are they dumping it? How do we incentivize them to go to the dump? We'll stand in front of the Home depot with our 12 pack of Ducati discount, and we'll hand them a leaflet.

[Chris Cuomo]

I listen, I love it. Look, that. You know, it's a big part of my brother's approach to government. And he could tell you stories for 10 hours about how hard it gets once you get into the process of. You know the old joke about a zebra as a horse made by committee and how these different special interests come in and what they want and what they don't. And that goes to your original point about Trump. Bobby told me a very funny story, Bobby Kennedy, that he wound up then sharing with other people after he promised me not to say anything. And then he said it on a stage at an event where he said that Trump told him when they were first talking, that when he came in, even though he was talking, drain the swamp. Drain the swamp. When he got in, all these lobbyists and guys inside who had helped him get elected said, you got to pick this guy. You got to pick that guy. So he just did whatever they told him to do. And he wound up saddled with a lot of guys he didn't know who weren't his guys, and it went south. And so what is that evidence of? Well, you can nitpick and say, well, he wasn't telling the truth about draining the swamp because he did exactly what feeds the swamp. Yeah. But he also had a learning curve. Support for the Chris Cuomo project comes from select quote. So here I am in my mid-50s, okay? I got three kids. I'm blessed to have a wife. I've got financial responsibilities. I've got real estate. I have a very uncertain estate tax environment. What am I talking about? I'M talking about what I need to secure for my family. Same concerns you have. And you know where it takes you into the world of life insurance. And man, is that a scary world. Everybody seems to be on the make, everybody seems to be looking to take. But. But even though I've been in this business a long time and it takes a lot for me to be surprised, there is something new to worry about. But I have a solution for you, so don't worry. There's so much out of our control when it comes to insurance and rates and how they get you on the back end and or it gets canceled in ways you didn't expect, right? How do you get control? Because this is about your financial future. Go to select quote get your life insurance right? Get it for you for less. Go to selectquote.com Chris C selectquote.com Chris C Get there today and get your quote Support for the Chris Cuomo project comes from Radioactive media business owners CMOs. You got a plan on growing in 2025, right? There's gonna be a lot of uncertainties this year, but not everything's uncertain, right? One thing for certain things are gonna be different. Why not utilize something reliable and stable for your marketing efforts and tap into the power of podcast and radio reach in the U.S. listen to this. Audio reaches more than 271 million people every week. That's more than social media and digital media combined. My friends at Radioactive Media know the recipe to launch, optimize and scale performance by building compelling audio campaigns which actually work. Their personal approach knowledge of the medium is unparalleled. They believe in the power of radio so much they even use it themselves. Right here, right now. Text my first name, C H R I S to 511-511. Just text Chris to 511511 or go on the web at RadioactiveMedia.com text rates may apply. And that's part of the story of what's going to come out of these fires. I was disappointed in the president elect for going so early to the blame game because I do believe that time, place and manner matters, especially in a crisis. And it's easy to blame the people in power and there's certainly blame that's there. My goal is gonna be to be telling this story six months from now when no one else gives a shit anymore. I already saw the ratings dropped, by the way, even the overnights. Yes, there was a football game on last night. That was a good game. Yes, there was, you know, other ratings things, but our interest flagged so quickly. But the lawmakers who were saying, well, when we give them federal money, you know, there's going to have to be strings attached. That starts to bother me because. Well, you don't say that when it's your state that needs money, when it's a red state, when it's Florida that needs money. Okay. After a hurricane, nobody says, well, you're going to deal with those insurance problems you have down there. Governor DeSantis, you don't say that you help the people in the moment and then you fight about the policies that matter. But you don't. You don't mortgage or leverage the people who need help on the political advantage of the same. I don't like hearing that about your fires, even if it sounds satisfying in the moment, cuz people are pissed about why it happened. What's your take?

[Adam Carolla]

Yeah, I agree. And I think we all wish we lived in that world, you know, I mean, I think we. Back to the football metaphor. I sort of miss the old days when the guy scored a touchdown and.

[Chris Cuomo]

Just handed the ball back to the.

[Adam Carolla]

Ref and jogged, you know, Now a guy tackles a guy for a three yard loss and he does an entire ritualistic dance, you know, over the guy or the entire. The guy intercepts a football on fourth down, which was bad because it ended up being like a punt and he should have knocked the ball down and the whole defense has to run to the opposite end zone and do some kind of weird celebration or Hawaii 5o canoe paddle thing on the ground. I'm with you. I miss people wearing an ascot on an airplane and drinking tea with their pinky out. And a little something called decorum. But if Trump did that, I think we'd be calling for an mri.

[Chris Cuomo]

Yeah, look again, I was an early adapter to what Trump was about. It took me a little while in 2015, but I certainly figured it out covering the rallies before a lot of other people in the business, which is why I won so many pinky bets about whether it was gonna be him or Clinton, because it was obvious there was a populist movement afoot. And the Democrats, as in this last election, missed it because they dismissed him by looking at him through a lens that he wasn't being viewed by the rest of the country. And I see that in these fires also. I see it all the time now. Everything is put through the filter of advantage and a lot of it has to do with social media. And we saw it play out with Elon Musk, who I am not a critic of. I get beaten Up a lot for not being tougher on Elon Musk. But I believe that the guy's a genius. And it doesn't matter if I like his politics or dislike his politics. He's a huge force in our society. And to watch him with the firefighters at him and how different he was, not just because he was in the face of these, you know, very capable men and a few women who. He wasn't gonna, you know, say, hey, I heard you screwed up with the water. You know, he wasn't gonna say that in that room. But all the stuff that he's allowed on Twitter about the hydrants were empty. And there is so much, so much reservoir waste, and there should have been more that they never built. None of that has a basis in fact. You had pressure issues. You had one reservoir that was closed for repairs. No firefighters had said that was the problem. The infrastructure plan overall is a problem. But on Twitter, he's one guy, and then when he was there and he videoed their conference, he was another. And I believe that that's what you're talking about with decorum. And I don't think it's helping us. It helps your following, but I don't think it's helping as a leadership to get us anywhere better.

[Adam Carolla]

Yeah, I mean, it's sort of saying, go to an all black church and give a speech for an hour and try not to say y'all or you know what I'm talking about or something. It's just, it's. Unfortunately, it's a part of the human brain that just sort of kicks in. Like, I. I don't know what that is. It's there with just about everyone. And he certainly, certainly. It's kind of almost what defines politics. Like, what is a politician? It's a person who acts this way in front of this group and then acts that way in front of this social media.

[Chris Cuomo]

Turbocharged it.

[Adam Carolla]

Yeah. Yeah. So it's hard. Not. It's hard. Trump is one of the few guys that doesn't act any differently wherever he is. You know, other guys put on that flannel show and act like, you know, I'm part of the crew because I'm.

[Chris Cuomo]

At the Caterpillar plant always.

[Adam Carolla]

He's the only politician that is always the same wherever he goes, which is 100%.

[Chris Cuomo]

I interviewed him my first time for my brother's bachelor party video when I was in my 20s, and he was the exact same then as he is now. Our mothers went to the same beauty parlor. His mother told stories about Donald that are no different than he is today. You know, like it or dislike it, he was the same dude. There's zero faking the funk with that guy. And that's why authenticity, I think, is gonna be a real upcoming commodity cuz there's so many posers. And I think about your relationship with Kimmel now. I was listening to Kimmel. He's getting beat up on social media by some, celebrated by others for his latest round of going after Trump. And you and he have maintained a friendship. You go to his club in Vegas and you have very different politics, but you love the guy and you're still friends. And I even, I googled for our interview today just to make sure I was right, that you've defended him on multiple occasions even though you have different ideas about things. How do you achieve that in this day and age when you're both public facing.

[Adam Carolla]

Well, just to underline your point, you know, the fires broke out on a Tuesday night or I had to evacuate Tuesday night. I got the call from Jimmy, I don't know, Wednesday morning, asking me if I needed a place to stay, I could stay with him. I then said no, because I'm going to Vegas on Thursday to play your club. And then ended up just spending a few days in Vegas, you know, hiding out from the smoke. So, yeah, that's who that guy is. And I don't, you know, I am more curious about the question than I. So I think people look at us as a curiosity, but I'm more curious about the question. You know, I got started with him, he made my career, he's done more for me than, you know, any Carolla family member has, times a thousand. And I always feel indebted to him. And he's a very good, decent, generous human being. And I'm more curious in the why people would even ask, would this interrupt what has been a 30 year friendship?

[Chris Cuomo]

Well, why do you think?

[Adam Carolla]

I do understand the times we're living in and I do understand it's not, you know, I'm not trying to insult you and say that's a dumb question. I'm saying my answer, you know, it'd be like, you know, it'd be like if someone said to me, your, your son came out as gay. Do you still love him? I'd go, that's a stupid question. Of course I do. You know, like, why are you even asking this question? You know, I, they'd ask that question.

[Chris Cuomo]

Because we are in an environment right now where people believe that if your kid came out as trans, that you have some kind of duty, if not God ordained duty to stop them.

[Adam Carolla]

Yeah, I understand we're living in this time, but I am telling and everybody, as I always have, I'm a big fan of his. He's very generous, decent person and we've always remained friends and God willing will continue.

[Chris Cuomo]

And you talk politics, of course.

[Adam Carolla]

Yeah, yeah. I don't know, I don't feel, you know, I watch football every other Sunday over here with a whole bunch of writers and comedians and guys like that. Everyone is from Boston, they're from Philadelphia, they're from Pittsburgh. No one, I'm the only Rams fan in the group, you know, but I welcome these guys in, I give them wings and we have a laugh, you know, that's it.

[Chris Cuomo]

That's the way it's supposed to be. It's just not encouraged anymore because people profit off the manufactured division. We are living in an age where, where people believe you can't get along if you don't agree. Because it's not just 15% tax versus 12%. It's moral, it's good and evil. And I can't tell you how many people I meet and I won't expose them who are huge guys on the right that believe that I'm an enemy of the state. And when they meet me in person, they don't just compliment my work, but they wind up wanting my number and exchanging in conversation, wanting together, get together socially, even though they still shit talk me on their shows. That's where we are. The question is, what do we do about it?

[Adam Carolla]

I think you have to have a bit of a dignity and sort of getting back to the golden rule. I mean, I know it sounds trite and I don't know, biblical or something, but I just mean still golden rule stuff like would you want somebody saying this about you then if you wouldn't want them doing that, then maybe you shouldn't do. I mean, it'll cover. If your dog poops on your neighbor's lawn, pick it up because you wouldn't like it if his dog did that on your lawn. You know, just. Just real golden rule stuff. I know it sounds overly simplistic, but it would solve a lot of problems we're living in now. And also I don't think you need to conflate the person's politics with who they are as a parent or a neighbor or a friend, you know, So I know people, I just try to judge people's character, not so much their politics, you know, who are they, how they, you know. You know, it's like, I met Trump many, many years ago. I didn't like Trump. I thought he was a sort of douchebag blowhard. But I said out loud into the microphone quite a bit, I said, look, his kids respect the hell out of him. And I gotta say, that means something to me. I don't like him personally, and I think he's a blowhard and so on and so forth. But I've seen his kids around him, and they seem to really revere him and respect him. And that says something to me as a man. When your kids, and by the way, when your kids haven't talked to you in 22 years, that says something. They don't let you see their grandkids or whatever. That says something completely different to me. So, you know, I mean, like, carve that stuff out, whatever you disagree with. Is this person a criminal? Are they arsonists? Do they pay their taxes? They love their kids. Maybe have more in common than you think.

[Chris Cuomo]

Adam Carolla, I love talking to you, man. And I see you as a hub for conversation in the country. Yeah. Your podcast has been around longer than just about any in this space. But I think that your value to the dialogue, that the best years are in front of you because I think that our country is getting exhausted by polarity. It takes time. It takes time, but it's kind of like Chinese food. You know, you're exhausted about it in the moment, but you know, an hour later you want more of it. But, you know, you have strong views on things, but you're open to hearing everything. And I think it's a huge commodity. And that's why I'm very, very happy to have you on every platform I have. And I appreciate you. Thank you for doing this.

[Adam Carolla]

My pleasure. We'll talk soon. My friend.

[Chris Cuomo]

Just a smart guy, tells it like it is, gets hot. Okay. Calls himself a libertarian sometime I got to ask him about that. I really believe that saying you're a libertarian just is a way of saying you're better than everybody else. But libertarians never run anything. What have they ever gotten done in this country? It's funny, but Adam Carolla is even more funny. A comic, but the best brand smart guy who wants better change in society. And that's why we talk to him here on the Chris Cuomo Project. Thank you very much for subscribing and following. I'll see you On News Nation 8p, 11p every weekday night. If you can't get us out on Long island because of optimum cable, blame them. And there is a question to be asked about why they wanna silence News Nation. You know, you can ask them to answer that. I'll see you there if you can watch me. If not, you can get me on YouTube, you can stream the show, you can get me here if you want the podcast ad free, subscribe at my substack. Now I know it's doing well because I'm doing my fitness program there and no, I'm not putting that out for everybody because that's not what I really do. But I wanted to give people an opportunity to see into my private efforts. And if you care about that, you can go and you can subscribe at substack. But I'm not gonna be talking about that anywhere else because you know, that's my business. I'll make it discreet and I'll keep talking to you about what matters to all of us. My friends, there's plenty out there. Let's get after.