The Daily Beans: "Refried Beans | Things To Do In DC When You’re Misled"

Date: January 20, 2025 (rebroadcast as Refried Beans on January 25, 2026)
Hosts: Allison Gill (AG), Dana Goldberg (DG)
Podcast: The Daily Beans by MSW Media
Theme: A snarky, progressive look at the latest political and social justice news, with a focus on U.S. events around the 2025 Presidential Inauguration, MAGA political stunts, and the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Episode Overview

This episode, aired on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2025 and replayed as a “Refried Beans” episode in 2026, breaks down the wild news cycle during a fraught political moment. The hosts discuss the legacy of MLK, chaos for MAGA supporters in D.C., political stunt strategies, Trump’s crypto “scam,” media capitulation, immigration crackdowns, Elon Musk’s and Vivek Ramaswamy’s government ambitions, and ends with some much-needed good news and community shoutouts.

Main Discussion Segments

1. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Reflections & “MAGA in DC” (03:11–06:02)

• MLK Jr. Day:
  AG starts with gratitude for her co-host and the importance of MLK Day, reminding listeners of the ongoing struggle for equality, and recommends related programming:

  "John Fugal Sang will be having an entire show...dedicated to Martin Luther King Day. So give that a listen.” — Alison Gill [03:48]

• MAGA Supporters Stranded:
  Snarky tips for MAGA followers who traveled to D.C. for a non-existent or anti-climactic event:

  • Visit the MLK Jr. Monument, Black History Museum, Holocaust Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Library of Congress, National Archives—injecting biting commentary about learning history and the irony of protestors’ actions.
  • “...as it dawns on you that you’re not in the fucking club.” — Alison Gill [05:24]

2. The TikTok Political Farce (06:02–07:37)

• Trump’s Manufactured “Rescue”:
  • TikTok was banned and then theatrically “rescued” by Trump, despite earlier Republican efforts to destroy it.
  • The hosts criticize the media for falling for the charade.

  “They were shut out just so Trump could look like he saved it.” — Alison Gill [06:36]

3. Quick Hits: Major Political News (07:38–13:11)

a. SCOTUSblog Publisher Indicted

• Tom Goldstein faces indictment for tax evasion and covering gambling debts; noteworthy since he had publicly advocated for dropping Trump’s charges [07:38].

b. Biden’s Clemency Actions

• Biden commutes 2,500 nonviolent drug offenses and calls for the Equal Rights Amendment to become the 28th Amendment, though he hasn’t ordered the archivist to act, citing likely Supreme Court obstruction [08:16–09:57].

“This action is an important step toward righting historic wrongs.” — Joe Biden, quoted by Dana Goldberg [08:23]

c. Vivek Ramaswamy Eyes Ohio Governor Run

• Ramaswamy is urged by Trump to take a Senate seat but instead aims for Ohio governor. Hosts express concern, referencing his “piss poor” presidential bid [09:57–10:37].

d. Jim Acosta Gets "Midnighted" by CNN

• CNN moves Trump-critic Jim Acosta’s show to the middle of the night, seen as capitulation to Trump [10:37–11:20].

e. SpaceX Starship Explosion

• FAA grounds Starship after an explosion; AG snarks about Musk’s “rapid unscheduled disassembly” [11:20–12:21].

4. Corporate Media Capitulates to Trump (13:11–16:25)

• Paramount & CBS Consider Settling with Trump:
  Trump sues CBS for $10B over supposed “election interference” in edited interviews. Paramount, seeking a major business merger, is rumored to be considering concessions to mollify Trump and his allies at the FCC.

  “What’s going on here is a lot of bluster to discipline the future operations of CBS.” — Andrew J. Schwartzman, quoted by Alison Gill [15:54]

5. Immigration Crackdown Plans (16:25–19:20)

• Operation Safeguard:
  ICE and Trump’s incoming administration plan mass enforcement in Democratic-run cities like Chicago and San Diego, targeting immigrants in the days following the inauguration.
  • Illinois’ Governor Pritzker vows protection for migrants: “We have laws that protect people that are undocumented... I’m concerned that Trump administration and his lackeys aren’t going to follow that law.” [18:51]
  • “It’s frightening...San Diego too—which is another...target city. They’re calling it Operation Safeguard, which if you’re watching Silo, that’s especially frightening.” — Alison Gill [19:20]

6. Elon Musk & Vivek Ramaswamy’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (19:20–22:25)

• Tech Billionaires Prep to Slash Federal Spending:
  • Musk and Ramaswamy, labeled as joint heads of a non-existent “Department of Government Efficiency” (DODGE/DOGE/DODGY), are sending aides into government agencies to seek budget cuts—another Trump-backed scheme.
  • Personnel are hired out of SpaceX offices; goals are vague, ambitious, and widely distrusted by career civil servants.

  “This is a non-governmental body ordered by Donald Trump to help realize his goal of radical government shakeup... which I would call dismantling the federal government, but okay.” — Alison Gill [19:51]

7. Trump’s Meme Coin Grift (22:25–27:12)

• Trump Launches a Meme Coin:
  • Celebrates a crypto scheme that inflates his notional wealth and allows global, anonymous investment—raising huge ethical and corruption risks.

  “It’s literally cashing in on the presidency, creating a financial instrument so people can transfer money to the president’s family in connection with his office.” — Adav Noti, quoted by Dana Goldberg [25:46]

  • Hosts recall prior Trump “grifts” (SneakerCon gold sneakers, "God Bless the USA" bibles, NFTs).
  • AG: “This is essential consulting on steroids... and now they don’t even have to say who they are.” [26:45]

8. Good Trouble: Launching a Listener Social Platform

(27:12–30:24)

• A Progressive, Supporter-Driven Alternative to Traditional Social Media
  • AG announces the creation of a patron-funded, listener-moderated social platform for the community to escape oligarchy-owned Facebook and support independent media.

Good News & Listener Community

(31:08–end)

• Listener Shoutouts:

  • Retiring early thanks to TRICARE, birthday wishes for AG, and the positive impact of government programs.
  • Adorable pod pet pictures (cats Zippy and Cheese, adoptable bulldog Carbon, rescue pups Koopa and Luma, and beloved cat Max).
  • Heartfelt submissions about marriage equality and gratitude for supportive family in the face of right-wing threats.
  • Calls to brave activism, connection to antiwar protests, and the spirit of community as things feel bleak.

• Host Encouragement & Self-Care

  • DG encourages listeners to share self-care stories from MLK Day/Inauguration: "Tell us what you did for self care... We would love some of these feel good stories." [42:58]
  • End on a hopeful, supportive note: “Please take care of yourselves, take care of one another, ... take care of your mental health and your family.” — Alison Gill [44:01]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• AG on MAGA DC Stunt:

  “...after you go visit the Lincoln Memorial... you can go think about how you’re not a billionaire while you stare longingly into the reflecting pool as it dawns on you that you’re not in the fucking club.” [05:24]

• Snark on Crypto Grift:

  “First of all, I don’t think he knows what a meme is, but whatever. This is truly dangerous. This is essential consulting on steroids.” — Alison Gill [26:31]

• DG on Immigration Crackdown:

  “More agents than needed have volunteered at this point, which makes my skin crawl and little hairs on the back raise.” [17:53]

• AG on Self-Care:

  “We would love to hear those positive uplifting stories about January 20th: National Cheese Day, my birthday, Martin Luther King [Jr. Day]…” [43:55]

Notable Timestamps

• MLK Reflection & MAGA Stunt: 03:11–06:02
• TikTok Political Theater: 06:02–07:37
• Quick Hits (News Roundup): 07:38–13:11
• Media Capitulation: 13:11–16:25
• Immigration Enforcement Plans: 16:25–19:20
• Musk & Ramaswamy’s DODGY Agency: 19:20–22:25
• Trump Meme Coin / Crypto Corruption: 22:25–27:12
• Good Trouble (Listener Social Network): 27:12–30:24
• Good News & Listener Shoutouts: 31:08–end

Summary & Tone

The tone remains resilient, sardonic, and hopeful in the face of anxieties around Trump’s return to power, corporate media’s quick surrender, and attacks on civil rights. The hosts blend sharp wit ("rapid unscheduled disassembly"), pointed analysis, and community warmth. Listeners are invited to support each other and remain brave—anchored by reminders of activism’s impact throughout history.

For progressive news and cathartic snark, The Daily Beans delivers both biting critiques and affirming community.