Podcast Summary: "The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show"

Episode Title: The Tudor Dixon Podcast: Trump's 100 Days: Michigan's Reaction
Release Date: May 2, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In this episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton delve into the Tudor Dixon Podcast, focusing on President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office and the specific reactions from the state of Michigan. The discussion highlights key policy implementations, political dynamics, and the evolving relationship between Governor Gretchen Whitmer and President Trump.

Trump’s First 100 Days in Michigan

Kyle Olson opens the conversation by emphasizing the rapid pace at which President Trump has been operating within his first 100 days. Both Kyle and his co-host Tudor Dixon attended the White House celebrations commemorating Trump's 100-day milestone.

Kyle Olson [03:28]: "I think that he's moving at really light speed. The guy never slows down."

The hosts discuss their observations from the White House, noting the relentless work ethic of Trump's administration despite signs of exhaustion among officials.

Border Security and Deportations

A significant portion of the discussion centers around border security measures implemented under Trump's administration. Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan, shares insights from her conversation with Ron Vitala, Senior Advisor for Customs and Border Protection.

Gretchen Whitmer [04:21]: "Illegal border crossings at the southern border have decreased 97%."

Whitmer attributes this reduction to stringent policies and technological changes, including an app previously used by the Biden administration to manage immigration, which has been repurposed to facilitate self-deportations.

Gretchen Whitmer [04:53]: "They changed the app so that it's actually now being used to self-deport."

Kyle Olson adds context by addressing the challenges of deporting individuals without due process, highlighting Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act to expedite deportations for gang members and terrorists.

Kyle Olson [05:19]: "If you are a gang member, if you are a part of one of these designated terrorist organizations, then you can be immediately deported."

Whitmer counters by asserting that the notion of lacking due process is unfounded, citing numerous cases where individuals were ordered for deportation by immigration judges but subsequently disappeared until Trump's administration acted.

Gretchen Whitmer [06:02]: "He was sworn in at noon and they started. And I said what that says to someone who has common sense is that if you knew on Inauguration Day that where these people were, then that means the Biden administration knew where these people were."

Relationship Between Governor Whitmer and President Trump

A focal point of the episode is the intricate relationship between Michigan's Governor Gretchen Whitmer and President Trump. Initially adversarial, their interactions have evolved, especially concerning the status of Selfridge Air Force Base.

Kyle Olson [07:11]: "The core of her campaign for both of them was, I'm going to fix the roads. The infrastructure is 41st in the nation."

Governor Whitmer acknowledges the necessity of collaborating with Trump to secure federal funding for Michigan's infrastructure challenges. She expresses frustration over previous lack of support from the Biden administration.

Gretchen Whitmer [09:21]: "I think Biden, this fleet needs to go somewhere. And I don't think Biden really necessarily cared about Michigan."

The hosts critique Whitmer's political maneuvering, suggesting that her increased collaboration with Trump may stem from her ambitions for higher office and reliance on federal funds.

Kyle Olson [08:36]: "She is sort of very hot and cold, whether it is, you know, he's saying nice things about her, but then she's covering her face with the folder in the Oval Office and then she's embracing."

Michigan's Political Climate and Future Elections

The discussion shifts to the broader political landscape in Michigan, touching upon internal conflicts within the Democratic Party and the potential implications for future elections, including the 2028 Presidential race.

Kyle Olson [24:56]: "She's a master gaslighter. I mean, all of her ads were filled with lies."

Whitmer's high approval rating juxtaposed with the state's infrastructural and economic issues creates a complex scenario for the Democratic Party. The hosts speculate on how Whitmer's relationship with Trump might influence her political trajectory and her viability as a presidential candidate.

Kyle Olson [25:03]: "If she runs, Michigan's gonna go for her. I mean, I would love to say that's not the case, but she has a high approval rating."

Gretchen Whitmer counters these critiques by highlighting Michigan's standings in various metrics, though she acknowledges areas needing improvement.

Gretchen Whitmer [40:01]: "We got the best case scenario. We're really happy with this news. It's huge for the Michigan economy, for our aerospace industry, for all the men and women who work on and around Selfridge."

The episode also touches upon the internal strife within Michigan's Democratic ranks, with various officials expressing dissatisfaction with Whitmer's approach and her alignment with Trump.

Kyle Olson [43:26]: "Trump has divided the Democrats because Whitmer, as we've been talking, is doing what she can to try and get money from him."

Conclusions and Future Outlook

As the episode wraps up, Kyle Olson and Gretchen Whitmer reflect on the strategic moves of President Trump's administration in Michigan, particularly focusing on securing the House and Senate majority in the upcoming elections.

Kyle Olson [45:37]: "Trump is very smart about how he manages everything that he does. So he comes into the state, he knows that he helps Michigan."

Whitmer emphasizes the effectiveness of Trump's policies in significantly reducing illegal border crossings, underscoring the administration's commitment to national security.

Gretchen Whitmer [45:37]: "Illegal crossings went from about 7,000 per day under Biden to less than 300. That's just stunning."

The hosts conclude by highlighting the importance of Michigan in the national political landscape and the ongoing efforts to monitor and analyze the state's pivotal role in shaping future elections.

Kyle Olson [46:17]: "We're going to watch Michigan closely because it's key to 2028."

Notable Quotes

• Kyle Olson [03:28]: "I think that he's moving at really light speed. The guy never slows down."
• Gretchen Whitmer [04:21]: "Illegal border crossings at the southern border have decreased 97%."
• Kyle Olson [05:19]: "If you are a gang member, if you are a part of one of these designated terrorist organizations, then you can be immediately deported."
• Gretchen Whitmer [06:02]: "He was sworn in at noon and they started. And I said what that says to someone who has common sense is that if you knew on Inauguration Day that where these people were, then that means the Biden administration knew where these people were."
• Kyle Olson [07:11]: "The core of her campaign for both of them was, I'm going to fix the roads. The infrastructure is 41st in the nation."
• Gretchen Whitmer [09:21]: "I think Biden, this fleet needs to go somewhere. And I don't think Biden really necessarily cared about Michigan."
• Kyle Olson [24:56]: "She's a master gaslighter. I mean, all of her ads were filled with lies."
• Gretchen Whitmer [40:01]: "We got the best case scenario. We're really happy with this news. It's huge for the Michigan economy, for our aerospace industry, for all the men and women who work on and around Selfridge."
• Kyle Olson [45:37]: "Trump is very smart about how he manages everything that he does. So he comes into the state, he knows that he helps Michigan."

Closing Remarks

This episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the political maneuvers and policy implementations of President Trump's administration in Michigan. It sheds light on the complex interplay between state and federal politics, the strategic importance of Michigan in national elections, and the evolving dynamics within the Democratic Party. Listeners gain valuable insights into how Michigan serves as a microcosm of broader national political trends.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, promotional content, and non-substantive sections to focus solely on the core discussions and analyses presented in the episode.