The Breakdown Audio | Trump Election Threat Triggers Emergency Drills to Stop Him

Podcast: The Daily Beans (MSW Media)
Hosts: Allison Gill, with guest Simon Rosenberg
Date: February 23, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of "The Breakdown" centers on the latest legal, political, and electoral challenges facing Donald Trump and his administration, with a focus on the impact of the Supreme Court’s ruling against Trump’s use of tariffs, the crumbling of his support within the GOP, and unprecedented emergency preparations by state officials to secure the upcoming midterm elections. Host Allison Gill is joined by Democratic strategist and Hopium Chronicles author Simon Rosenberg, and includes a key interview clip with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. The discussion blends analysis of current events, political strategy, and a call for public vigilance as democracy faces stress-tests on multiple fronts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Major Legal and Political Wins Against Trump

Timestamps: 00:40–04:27

• Supreme Court Tariff Ruling: The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Trump’s tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are illegal.
  • Allison Gill highlights that Trump openly admitted defeat in a press conference:

    “He admitted clearly that he lost this one. He didn’t come up and say they’re wrong...he said, the Supreme Court told me, I can’t do this. I’ll find other ways… He’s squandered 13 months… trying to do something that he could have done had he just gone through Congress.” (04:27)

• Other Wins:
  • New Mexico AG reopening Epstein’s Zorro Ranch probe.
  • Prince Andrew arrested for sharing trade secrets with Epstein.
  • South Korean president sentenced for insurrection—“must be nice to have a functioning Supreme Court.”
  • Judge throws out Trump-era mass detention policy.
  • VA Secretary walks back rule cutting veterans’ benefits after backlash.

2. The Fallout: GOP Backlash & Erosion of Trump’s Power

Timestamps: 05:37–10:09; 12:13–17:07

• Congressional Republicans Split:
  • The House and Senate, both Republican-controlled, recently voted to repeal parts of Trump’s tariffs.
    • Simon Rosenberg:

      “This has been an area Trump has suffered his most significant...rebukes from the congressional Republicans on these tariffs.” (05:37)

  • Tariff refunds will cause budget chaos: the government was internally preparing for this (“IPA Refund Kickoff”).
• Abuse of Power:
  • Rosenberg calls Trump’s approach "the greatest abuse of presidential power in American history," noting the sweeping economic consequences and disregard for all branches of government. (07:45–09:50)
• Political Implications:
  • Trump's signature policies, like ICE expansion and mass deportations, are described as "wildly rejected" by the public, leaving GOP candidates to “defend the indefensible.” (12:13)
    • Simon Rosenberg:

      “What’s left is that these candidates have to go run on his agenda, and not him. Right. And you can’t defend what he’s doing.” (13:21)

  • Trump is polling well below his 2018 levels—a midterm year that saw Democratic gains.

3. Disintegration of Unity within the Republican Party

Timestamps: 13:57–17:07

• GOP members growing more willing to challenge Trump, emboldened by his visible weaknesses and declining poll numbers.
  • Simon Rosenberg:

    “I think his hold over the party has been also severely weakened and is eroding right now....when people see weakness, when they see blood in the water, you know, they pounce.” (13:57)

  • Notable drop in Trump’s polling marks an “enormous year of opportunity” for Democrats if they execute well.

4. The “Circle of Defiance”: Dissent Grows

Timestamps: 17:07–19:31

• Reference to Miles Taylor’s concept of “the price of dissent,” and how open rebellion within the GOP, and even among Trump’s core supporters, is lowering that price.
  • Allison Gill:

    “The more people that speak out against him...it's like an Econ 101, basic economics, right?” (17:07)

Emergency Election Planning: State-Level Preparations

Timestamps: 19:31–21:23

• Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State:

  • Benson describes comprehensive scenario planning and emergency drills (“tabletop exercises”) to protect elections from possible federal interference, including attempts to seize voting machines or disrupt ballot counting.
  • Jocelyn Benson:

    “We actually go through scenario planning exercises. What happens if there’s everything from a physical interference to something that creates confusion at the ballot box? We prepare for everything..." (20:39)

• Benson stresses confidence in law, facts, and the resilience of election systems and staff:

  “We’re all going to stand firm and ensure that our elections are held on schedule and continue to be safe and fair and free.” (20:16)

Anticipating 2026: What Might Happen Next?

Timestamps: 21:23–31:08

• Key Risks Identified:

  • Trump’s lawlessness and desperation are reaching new peaks.
  • Four key dynamics to anticipate in 2026 midterms:
    1. GOP Super PACs outspending Democrats.
    2. Media manipulation and control of information platforms (e.g., TikTok).
    3. Russian interference with weakened countermeasures.
    4. Direct attempts to interfere with election machinery, potentially refusing to accept any results except victory.
  • Prophylactic public communication is recommended to preempt confusion:
    • Simon Rosenberg:

      “Our public leaders need to have a big conversation to prophylactically explain to the public about what’s about to happen so that it isn’t a surprise...” (28:40)

• Resilience of Democracy:

  • State and local decentralization, robust scenario planning, and increasing organic opposition across coalitions are cited as strengths.

Strategies for Democratic Success

Timestamps: 31:08–35:56

Simon Rosenberg’s Formula:

1. Prepare: Fund candidates and party committees for a challenging, noisy information environment.
2. Degrade: Open as many “fronts” as possible to undermine and delegitimize Trump’s regime—especially using scandals like Epstein for maximum effect.
3. Support Independent Media (Allison Gill’s addition):
   • Allison Gill:

     “Support independent media, I think, is important. Thanks everybody for being here on the Midas Touch Network.” (35:56)

• The hosts celebrate the growing organic opposition to Trump, with stories of breakaway support even among MAGA loyalists, pro-life groups, and small business owners.
  • Simon Rosenberg:

    “Farmers are like, fuck this guy. Small business people. This guy like, this is becoming like a, you know, something that's like a cultural moment…” (34:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Weakening Grip:
  • Simon Rosenberg:

    “He’s in the shitter, man. And he has no easy way out.” (16:23)

• On Emergency Drills to Defend Elections:
  • Jocelyn Benson:

    “The bottom line is you need state and local officials who will plan for every contingency. As we are, we actually go through scenario planning exercises.” (20:45)

• On Eroding Legitimacy:
  • Simon Rosenberg:

    “The combination of him looking like a complete lunatic on the tariffs and this wild abuse of power, self indulgent, impulsive abuse of power, and the Epstein files, I think is starting to erode his legitimacy...” (22:56)

• On the Path Forward:
  • Allison Gill:

    “Support independent media...it's important.” (35:56)

  • Simon Rosenberg:

    “When we fight with him, we get stronger, he gets weaker...” (33:52)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Supreme Court ruling & Trump’s admission: 04:04–05:37
• Congressional rebukes & economic fallout: 05:37–10:09
• Tariff refund planning revealed: 10:09–12:13
• GOP reckoning and erosion of support: 12:13–17:07
• Defiance in the GOP and shift in public sentiment: 17:07–21:23
• Jocelyn Benson on election emergency drills: 19:31–21:23
• Simon Rosenberg outlines 2026 threats: 22:21–31:08
• Strategies: prepare, degrade, support media: 31:08–35:56
• Closing reflections & call to action: 35:56–37:29

Tone & Final Takeaway

The episode is assertive, urgent, and hopeful, with trademark progressive snark and deep political analysis. It highlights a new phase in the anti-Trump movement, emphasizing solidarity, resilience, opposition courage, and a practical road map to save democracy from an increasingly desperate, but weakening, Trump administration.

For more:

• Hopium Chronicles – Simon Rosenberg’s Substack
• [Follow The Daily Beans podcast for free, daily progressive updates]