The Daily Beans – “Bucket Theory”

Date: August 19, 2025
Hosts: Allison Gill (“A.G.”) & Dana Goldberg
Podcast: The Daily Beans (MSW Media)

Overview

This episode dives into major political developments in the US, with an extra focus on recent Trump administration actions, voting rights, ongoing redistricting battles, and a host of courtroom updates. True to the Daily Beans’ style, the hosts tackle complex stories with their signature snark, weaving in moments of levity and personal anecdotes. They close out the show with uplifting listener-submitted stories and good trouble in the form of activism.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Trump, Zelenskyy & Crackdown on Voting Rights

[06:14 – 08:47]

• Trump met with Zelenskyy and other world leaders in DC, pledging to eliminate mail-in voting.

• Trump claims Putin supports his anti–mail-in ballot stance, referencing an Alaska meeting.

• Trump announces intent to issue an executive order to centralize election oversight and ban mail-in ballots, a move the hosts point out is both unconstitutional and bound for immediate legal challenges.

• Trump’s dangerous assertion: “Remember, the states are merely an agent for the federal government in counting and tabulating the votes… They must do what the federal government… tells them” — [07:38] (Trump, as quoted by A.G.)

• The hosts stress the fundamental untruths in Trump’s statements and warn of possible attempts to suspend elections under the pretense of war.

  • Quote (A.G., [08:22]): “This is what we’ve been warning about… he’s going to declare a war against the enemy from within… it is so crucial that we flip Congress in 2026.”

• Dana points out: ending mail-in voting disproportionately harms military voters — [08:59].

2. Redistricting Showdowns: Texas & California

[09:01 – 11:16]

• Texas Democrats return from a two-week walkout, having delayed a redistricting vote meant to support Trump’s mid-decade map redraw.

• GOP threatened arrests, fines ($500/day), and FBI involvement.

• Their protest drew national attention; Dems strategically returned to build the legal record necessary to contest the maps in court.

  • Quote (Rep. Gene Wu, [10:54]): “Our return allows us to build the legal record necessary to defeat this racist map in court.”

• California preparing its own map redraw in response to Texas, championed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

• The hosts repeatedly emphasize the deeply racial impacts of the Texas redistricting plan and why returning was a necessary strategic step for Democrats.

3. IRS Shakeup & Executive Overreach

[11:17 – 14:10]

• Treasury Secretary Scott Besant ousts three top IRS executives as the Trump administration tightens control.
• High executive turnover: Besant is now the 7th person to lead the IRS this year.
• Many resignations linked to the IRS’s handling of confidential tax data and compliance with White House immigration data sharing demands.
• The show revisits the “IRS targets conservatives” narrative, noting that past investigations cleared the agency of politically motivated targeting.

4. National Guard, D.C., & Pushback from Vermont

[14:10 – 15:56]

• Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott refused a Pentagon request to deploy Vermont National Guard troops to D.C. for Trump’s policing initiative, citing lack of emergency justification.

  • Quote (Jason Gibbs, Gov. Scott’s Chief of Staff, [15:08]): “…the government does not support utilizing the Guard for this purpose and does not view the enforcement of domestic law as a proper use of the National Guard.”

• The hosts highlight this as a rare instance of bipartisan resistance to federal overreach and muse about its possible role in future court cases.

5. Litigation & Accountability

• Newsmax Settlement With Dominion
  [02:21 – 03:03]

  • Newsmax settles with Dominion for $67 million over 2020 election lies. Trial was scheduled for October, but odds were against Newsmax.
  • Upcoming: Details to be covered in “Cleanup on Aisle 45” podcast with Harry Dunn.
  • Quote (A.G., [02:32]): “Settle, settle, settle. So they are paying $67 million.”

• USAID Workers Lawsuit vs. Musk/Doge
  [03:53 – 04:21]

  • Federal judge grants class action certification for USAID workers challenging Elon Musk’s shutdown of the agency, questioning legality under appointments clause.

• Media Matters vs. FTC Retaliation
  [05:08 – 06:14]

  • Trump’s administration’s investigation of Media Matters (via FTC) deemed retaliation and blocked by a federal judge. Injunction granted as this is likely a First Amendment violation.
  • Quote (Judge Souqnanan, as read by A.G., [05:58]): “Media Matters is likely to succeed in its First Amendment retaliation claim…”

6. Congressional Oversight: Epstein Files

[04:21 – 05:08]

• Rep. James Comer (R-KY), House Oversight Chair, says DOJ will begin turning over Jeffrey Epstein files after a missed deadline.
• Hints at potential selective disclosure (“cherry picking”) instead of full compliance.

7. Sherrod Brown Enters Ohio Senate Race

[03:03 – 03:53]

• Sherrod Brown officially launches his 2026 campaign for US Senate.
• Receives endorsements from notable Ohio natives, including Martin Sheen.
• His opponent, John Husted, is backed by Trump.
  • Quote (Dana, [03:41]): “Do everything you can to get out the vote for this guy. Because…the Senate seat in Ohio can use Sherrod Brown.”

Memorable Quotes & Lighthearted Moments

• A.G. describes her limited memory as the “full bucket theory,” relating it to storing nostalgic movie quotes and referencing her dad. [01:30]

  • “There wouldn’t be the full cup theory. Like the full bucket theory, my dad called it. Your bucket’s full.” (A.G., [01:34])

• Dana on movie quotes: “Nor should you if you’re going to remember one or the other—movie quotes, it is.” [01:57]

• A.G. on rewatching “West Wing”: “I started watching West Wing again because I long for a functional government fantasy show.” [02:01]

Good News & Listener Submissions

[17:54 – end]

• Listeners share acts of resistance, small joys, and community victories:

  • A federal employee details forgiving over $1.5M in overpayments and helping vulnerable populations despite “general fuckery” at their agency. (Federal Fuckery Resister, [23:40 – 25:12])
  • Shout-out to Jamie, a retired federal worker now protesting and volunteering in Santa Fe. [25:58 – 26:41]
  • Corey highlights kindness at national parks and a story about a foal with a prosthetic leg. [27:44 – 29:01]
  • Calls for support and action after a ranger at Yosemite was fired for a First Amendment expression (flying a trans flag). Info for activism (contacting park leadership) is provided. [21:07 – 23:05]
    • Quote (SJ, fired ranger, [22:52]): “Flying the trans flag signified acceptance and safety within the park. If this administration starts telling park rangers we’re not allowed the constitutional right of free speech as private citizens, what’s to stop them from taking it from you next.”

• Dana encourages listeners to nominate her for Out Magazine’s “Out 100” list ([19:31 – 21:04] and again at [31:59])—she’s raised over $70 million for LGBTQ+ causes and uses this as a lighthearted ask for community support.

• Pod pet tariffs (photos of pets), triumphs in gardening, and moments of levity pepper the end of the show, consistent with Daily Beans’ blend of snark and solace.

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:00] Headlines / Cold Open
• [01:34] “Bucket theory” and personal tangents
• [02:01] West Wing nostalgia
• [02:21] Newsmax–Dominion settlement details
• [03:03] Sherrod Brown’s Senate run and Ohio politics
• [03:53] Lawsuit against Musk/Doge
• [04:21] House Oversight and the Epstein files
• [05:08] Media Matters wins First Amendment injunction
• [06:14] Trump’s campaign against mail-in voting & Putin tie-in
• [08:47 – 11:16] Texas & California redistricting; demographic impacts
• [11:17] IRS firings and Trump administration consolidation
• [14:10] Vermont Governor rejects Guard deployment to D.C.
• [17:54] Good News segment: listener stories and activism

Tone & Takeaways

The episode is shaped by the hosts’ frustration at escalating anti-democratic maneuvers from the Trump administration, balanced by wit, resilience, and listener solidarity. They repeatedly stress the stakes of upcoming elections, the importance of legal strategy, and encourage civic engagement. Listener segments provide both catharsis and action steps, creating a community of resistance amid ongoing political tumult.

Final Note:
At every turn, the Daily Beans continues to provide progressive, informed—and yes, snark-laced—coverage of political news, focusing on not just what’s happening, but what listeners can do about it.