Podcast Summary: The Daily Beans

Episode Title: Refried Beans | Court Pants (feat. Michael Harriot)
Date Aired: September 19, 2023 (Republished September 20, 2025)
Host: Allison Gill (AG), Dana Goldberg (DG)
Guest: Michael Harriot, author and podcast host

Episode Overview

This episode of The Daily Beans revisits a September 2023 episode as part of the "Refried Beans" series, highlighting how progressive news and political commentary have evolved. The show offers a fast-paced, snarky look at major political events of the time including updates on Trump court cases, Hunter Biden’s legal battles, the role of cameras in federal courts, racist and sexist controversies in pop culture, and a substantive interview with historian and author Michael Harriot about Black history and the importance of representation in storytelling.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Legal Drama: Mar-a-Lago Docs & Trump Associates

• Trump’s Obstruction in Mar-a-Lago Case:
  Trump’s aide, Molly Michael (referred to as "Trump Employee 2"), found classified documents which Trump used as notepaper for to-do lists, and Trump allegedly told her, "You don't know anything about the boxes,"—clear hints of obstruction and intimidation.
  [02:00] AG: “That seems like obstruction or witness intimidation, suborning perjury, something.”
• Molly Michael’s Cooperation:
  She was the source of photos used in the indictment, and she handed over classified-marked documents to the FBI after discovering them.
  [03:41] AG: “Good for her.”
• Ken Cheesebrough’s Motion:
  Attempted to dismiss charges by claiming fake electors were “duly elected and certified”—an argument the hosts mock as baseless. [03:49]

2. Jeffrey Clark Skips Court

• No-Show at Removal Hearing:
  Trump DOJ official Jeffrey Clark missed his court appearance seeking to move his Georgia charges to federal court. AG and DG joke about him not having "court pants."
  [05:23] DG: “No court pants.”

3. Hostage Release in Iran

• Return of Five Americans:
  Covered the Biden administration’s deal involving the unfreezing of $6 billion of Iranian funds, clarifying these are not U.S. taxpayer dollars and have strict spending controls.
  [04:22] AG: “Try not to buy the GOP hype that we’re getting $6 billion of your taxpayer money in cash to the Iranians... it’s not exactly what’s going on.”

4. Hunter Biden Sues the IRS

• Privacy Breach:
  Hunter Biden sues the IRS, alleging improper public disclosure of his tax information by agency whistleblowers, who exceeded the whistleblower protections by publicizing confidential details.
  [07:00] AG: “He’s not here to make money. He’s here for discovery. And that’s what I'm fucking here for.”
• Legal Ramifications:
  If lawsuit proceeds, it could force discovery on improper disclosures, damaging future cases against Hunter and the credibility of GOP prosecutors.
  [09:35] AG: “If the suit makes it to trial, this is going to be really bad for any future tax charges against Hunter from David Weiss…”

5. Cameras in Federal Court Debate

• House Democrats Push for Transparency:
  Lawmakers make bipartisan calls for television coverage of Trump-related trials and federal court proceedings, championed by Glenn Ivey and others.
  [12:24] DG: “…give Americans an unbiased, unfiltered view of the justice system. I happen to agree…”
• Resistance Likely:
  AG expresses skepticism that the conservative Judicial Conference will allow such changes.
  [15:47] AG: “I don’t have much hope here.”

6. Trump’s Attack on Liberal Jews

• Antisemitic Social Media Post:
  Trump posts a flyer during Rosh Hashanah accusing “liberal Jews” of voting to destroy America and Israel, drawing condemnation from Jewish leaders and anti-defamation groups.
  [16:03] AG & DG: Highlight how Trump uses these themes to appeal to conspiracy theories regarding "dual loyalty."

7. Jan Wenner’s Removal from Rock Hall Board

• Racist & Sexist Comments:
  Rolling Stone co-founder Jan Wenner ousted for asserting women and Black artists were “not articulate enough” or “not at that level,” sparking widespread outcry and his subsequent apology.
  [19:04] DG: “What a dick.” [22:27] DG: “He’s getting every piece of flack that he deserves on social media and abroad.”

Feature Interview: Michael Harriot

[23:03 – 38:50]
Topic: New book "Black AF History: The Unwhitewashed Story of America" & "Drapetomaniacs" Podcast

Key Points:

• A Rethinking of American History:
  The book isn’t just “Black history” but U.S. history told through Black perspectives, emphasizing lived experience, overlooked primary sources, and humor.
  [23:49] MH: “It’s not necessarily a Black history book...it specifically looks at America through the eyes of Black people and tells those stories through those eyes.”
• Whitewashing and Memory:
  Harriot discusses systemic efforts to erase or distort Black history (e.g., Daughters of the Confederacy, destruction of Black newspapers), and parallels to current curriculum battles.
  [31:26] MH: “…it wasn’t kind of a game of telephone where it was misinterpreted through the years…they intentionally wanted us to believe that…slavery wasn’t that bad…”
• What Can People Do?
  Learn accurate history, normalize truth-sharing, engage with local school boards, and push back using arguments similar to those wielded by opponents of inclusive education.
  [34:31] MH: “…the more that the truth becomes normalized…putting the truth out there is an important first step.”
• Drapetomania & The Podcast:
  “Drapetomania” was a racist diagnosis for enslaved people who wanted freedom; Harriot’s show reclaims the term to spotlight Black resistance and untold stories, often using humor and celebrity voices.
  [37:13] MH: “…this diagnosis was in medical books until the 1930s…”

Notable Quotes:

• [26:29] “History is not something that happened. It is something that is happening.”—Michael Harriot
• [34:27] “Learn the shit. Right?”—AG

Good News Segment [39:10 onward]

A series of lighthearted, community-submitted stories:

• Creativity & Encouragement: Listeners share small business launches, personal successes, and shout-outs for mispronunciations.
• Pet Stories: Photos of dogs and cats, including stories of loss and joy.
• Support for Inclusivity: Highlights of a bakery hiring neurodiverse staff and another launching a new spice blend.

Memorable Moments & Humor

• [05:23] The "no court pants" running joke about Jeffrey Clark’s absence:
  DG: “No court pants. No court pants. Yeah, he did not show up.”
• [22:27] DG bluntly on Jan Wenner: “Yeah, he’s a dick.”
• [38:54] Harriot’s closing humor: “Thank you for having me and telling us what to read.”

Timestamps for Critical Segments

• [01:45] – Episode rundown of headline stories
• [02:00 – 05:00] – Mar-a-Lago docs, obstruction
• [05:17] – Jeffrey Clark’s court fiasco
• [06:04] – Hunter Biden IRS lawsuit analysis
• [11:20] – Lawsuit details and context
• [12:30 – 16:03] – Cameras in federal court debate
• [16:03 – 19:00] – Trump attacks on “liberal Jews”
• [19:00 – 22:34] – Jan Wenner’s removal
• [23:03 – 38:50] – Michael Harriot interview on Black history, education, and media
• [39:10 – end] – Good news and community submissions

Tone & Style

The episode maintains The Daily Beans’ signature blend of news analysis, sarcasm, and warmth. The interviews are engaging, the news is covered thoroughly yet with levity, and the good news/community segment fosters inclusivity and positivity.

Conclusion

A rich episode combining sharp political commentary, social justice advocacy, and cultural critique with a generous dose of wit. Michael Harriot’s appearance elevates the discussion of history and representation, connecting past and present struggles for truth in America’s story.

Listen if you want:

• A timely breakdown of 2023’s most significant legal and political headlines
• Smart, biting humor woven into the news
• Insights on the importance of unwhitewashed history and ways to support truth in education
• Heartening stories from a vibrant progressive community