The David Pakman Show – November 10, 2025

Episode: "Dems cave as Trump melts down and Groypers surge"
Host: David Pakman
Featured Interview: Congressman Seth Moulton

Episode Overview

This episode delves into a tumultuous political weekend, focusing on the Democrats' decision to end the government shutdown without substantive policy wins, Donald Trump's increasingly erratic online behavior (including a slew of controversial pardons and public meltdowns), and the rise of right-wing infighting as the "Groyper" faction destabilizes the MAGA establishment. David Pakman offers fact-based analysis, pointed criticism, and an illuminating interview with Congressman Seth Moulton, who is mounting a campaign to unseat Senator Ed Markey in Massachusetts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Democrats End Shutdown Without Tangible Gains ([00:00–11:30])

• Democratic Senators Cave:
  • Eight Democratic senators (Shaheen, Hassan, King, Kaine, Durbin, Fetterman, Cortez Masto, Rosenberg) agree to end the government shutdown, citing the promise of a mid-December vote on Obamacare subsidies as the only gain.
  • David decries the move as “a very, very poorly thought out thing” ([00:47]), questioning what was actually achieved besides a likely-futile vote.
  • Quote – David Pakman (03:55):
    “I can’t come here and in a serious manner tell you we got something good because there will be a vote in mid December. It's just not enough, guys.”
• Democrats Admit Defeat:
  • Senator Angus King (I-ME) openly concedes the strategy failed:
    Quote (05:43):
    “Standing up to Donald Trump didn't work. The shutdown actually gave him more power. Exhibit A being what he's done with SNAP and SNAP benefits across the country… So standing up to Donald Trump didn't work.”
  • Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) offers a weak rationale, expressing hope that Republicans will join later on health care, but can't point to any concrete deal:
    Quote (07:54):
    “We're going to have a vote, and I believe there are a number of Republicans who are going to join us in trying to address health care costs for Americans.”
  • Senator Cortez Masto (D-NV) spins the shutdown’s end as “the beginning” of fighting for the American people, but fails to specify real gains ([08:56]).
• David’s Critique:
  • He calls out Democrats for likely repeating failed tactics:
    Quote (10:23):
    “We might just do it all over again to get nothing. They are not going to negotiate with Democrats… I find this is all completely absurd.”
  • Trump’s own statement is replayed, highlighting that he will “never, ever, ever give any money to prisoners and illegals” ([10:51]), underscoring Republican refusal to budge.

2. Trump’s Weekend Meltdown and Corrupt Pardons ([11:30–24:00])

• Trump Issues Sweeping Pardons:
  • Pardons for key 2020 election conspirators including Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, Sidney Powell, John Eastman—many before any federal charges are even filed.
  • David sees this as rewarding loyalty and insulating his inner circle:
    Quote (14:44):
    “He’s being pardoned by Trump for crimes he hasn’t even been charged with. Think about what Trump is saying with this pardon... What Trump is systematically doing is rewarding loyalty, intimidating potential witnesses, and sending a message for the future, which is, if you commit crimes on my behalf to protect me, you will be taken care of.”
  • Raises constitutional question: can a president pardon co-conspirators in his own alleged crimes?
• Concerns Over Authoritarian Precedent:
  • David warns these moves further erode democratic accountability and may embolden greater lawlessness by Trump allies in future elections.

3. MAGA Infighting: Groypers vs. Conservative Establishment ([19:40–28:00])

• Rise of the Groypers:
  • The “Groypers,” followers of white nationalist Nick Fuentes, declare cultural war on establishment conservatives (e.g., Ben Shapiro, Ted Cruz).
  • Pakman analyzes the right’s radicalization:
    Quote (25:33):
    “They thought, we can control this so it doesn't become a catastrophe. And they were catastrophically wrong… Once you allow a movement that foments conspiracy theories and platforms voices that overtly traffic in dehumanization and bigotry, you can lose control of where it goes.”
• Establishment Pushback:
  • Mark Levin denounces Tucker Carlson as a “Nazi promoter… modern day David Duke” after being invited to debate by Carlson ([23:53]).
• Lesson for Progressives:
  • David contrasts left and right infighting, arguing the right's drift towards authoritarianism is uniquely threatening:
    Quote (26:36):
    “Even our messiest internal conflicts don't typically involve whether democracy itself should continue or which ethnic groups deserve rights… On the left, the danger is that if we get absorbed in our own intramural squabbles, the right can end up normalizing authoritarianism.”

4. US Transportation Fiasco Amid Shutdown (and Bizarre Solutions) ([28:00–29:50])

• Air Traffic Controller Crisis:
  • Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy floats idea of bringing in uncertified air traffic controllers (from former Fox host Pete Hegseth) to mitigate delays.
  • David reacts in disbelief:
    Quote (28:52):
    “Uncertified air traffic controllers, I mean, what, what kind of a world are we living in here? It is a complete and total disaster.”

5. Trump’s Online Rants and Policy Contradictions ([29:50–39:40])

• Unhinged Truth Social Posts:
  • Trump proclaims everyone (but the wealthy) will get a $2,000 “dividend,” claims Democrats are “cracking like dogs” and urges Republicans to “blow up the filibuster” ([30:45–32:00]).
  • He rails against Obamacare’s supposed failures, despite the law’s modest successes in holding down premium increases.
• Fact-Checking Trump’s Claims:
  • David debunks Trump’s boasts about the economy, the border, and health care, citing personal experience with soaring premiums:
    Quote (32:52):
    “These are numbers that are criminal, just absolutely criminal numbers. Obamacare is not the solution. It was a teeny tiny band aid… But it is not the problem.”
• Ongoing Decline & Media Response:
  • Trump’s mental state comes into question as his posts get more incoherent.
    Quote (36:14):
    “One of Donald Trump's worst meltdowns overnight, morning, afternoon and evening. Posting endlessly lies. And this is what he spent the weekend doing as the government was shut down.”

6. Interview: Congressman Seth Moulton, Challenging Ed Markey ([40:25–58:00])

Topics Covered:

• Generational Change:
  • Moulton emphasizes the need for new leadership in the party, citing widespread concern about entrenched aged establishment.
    Quote (40:49):
    “There's a massive leadership vacuum. So it's time to let a new generation of leaders step up and take over.”
• Establishment Critique:
  • He pledges to oppose Senator Schumer and challenge the “go along to get along” culture he associates with Markey.
• Shutdown Response:
  • Moulton says he would NOT have voted with Democrats to end the shutdown for a mere promise of another vote.
    Quote (43:12):
    “Absolutely not. I mean, I just don't even understand what is going on here.”
• Budget Deadlocks & Department Funding:
  • Favors longer budget cycles for better planning; skeptical of lengthy DoD funding due to rapid change in modern warfare ([44:58]).
• Tax Reform:
  • Favors more robust capital gains and minimum tax measures over simply raising the top marginal income tax rate. Wants everyone to pay “their fair share.” ([48:30–49:38])
• AIPAC Money and Israel Policy:
  • Returned AIPAC contributions as a protest against the group’s continued support for Netanyahu, distinguishing support for Israel’s existence from backing the current Israeli government's actions.
    Quote (52:17):
    “AIPAC says its mission is to strengthen the US-Israel relationship. But… it’s hard to say they’re succeeding in that mission.”
• Ideological Differences with Dems:
  • Names support for GMOs as an area where he diverges, highlighting their importance in feeding the global poor, despite “pedestal” left’s preference for organics ([56:00]).

7. Trump’s Pay-to-Play Crypto Scandal ([59:53–65:18])

• Binance/Stablecoin/Presidential Pardon Scandal:
  • Trump pardons Binance founder “CZ” after a $2 billion transaction enriches the Trump family’s World Liberty Financial crypto business.
  • David connects the dots: huge foreign investment using Trump’s own stablecoin, a pardon for the money launderer, and regulatory changes benefiting Trump’s family:
    Quote (61:01):
    “Trump’s kids now run a crypto company… This boosted the Trump family's company… 2 billion in reserves earning 4% interest is like 80 million directly into the Trump family pockets.”
• Bribery Allegations:
  • David calls it a “quid pro quo,” with billions in profit for Trump family businesses, underpinned by controversial pardons and regulatory changes.
  • Quote (64:19):
    “It is really hard to see this as anything other than a quid pro quo. And finally, policy follows profit because Trump successfully pushed Congress to pass the Genius act, which creates a regulatory framework for these very stablecoins.”

8. Trump Booed at Football Game; Desperate for Praise ([65:18–70:00])

• Trump Faces Public Rejection:
  • At a Commanders NFL game, Trump is “brutally booed by a massive audience.”
    Quote (65:20):
    “If Biden did that, they would be going, 'Oh my God…' Just brutal, brutal booing.”
• Pakman’s Take on Political Fan Service:
  • Criticizes sports broadcasters for nodding along as Trump spouts propaganda from the booth. Notes the event triggers Trump’s “greatest insecurities.”
• Health Concerns:
  • David points to Trump’s ongoing physical decline: “hands just rotting and covered in this incredibly sickly looking makeup… the hand bruising.”

9. Caroline Levitt & GOP’s Filibuster Plot ([70:01–73:01])

• Levitt Admits Filibuster Strategy Out Loud:
  • Trump’s Press Secretary admits the GOP wants to blow up the filibuster to prevent Democrats from doing so in the future and rush through policy changes:
    Quote (70:01, Caroline Levitt):
    “The President is saying, we have three years of me in the Oval Office to do everything the American people want us to do. Let's take advantage of this historic opportunity, get rid of the Filibuster now before the Democrats can do it, impact the Supreme Court, make Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. states…”
• David’s Analysis:
  • Explains filibuster purpose, why “ending it” is really about facilitating minority rule in a narrowly divided Senate.
  • Levitt further dismisses the press as “vultures,” betraying an open disdain for the media.
  • Pakman questions whether Levitt is a uniquely bad or uniquely effective press secretary under Trump-world logic.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “I can’t come here and in a serious manner tell you we got something good because there will be a vote in mid December. It's just not enough, guys.”
  – David Pakman ([03:55])

• “Standing up to Donald Trump didn't work. The shutdown actually gave him more power.”
  – Angus King ([05:43])

• “We might just do it all over again to get nothing. They are not going to negotiate with Democrats… I find this is all completely absurd.”
  – David Pakman ([10:23])

• "He’s being pardoned by Trump for crimes he hasn’t even been charged with… What Trump is systematically doing is rewarding loyalty, intimidating potential witnesses, and sending a message for the future, which is, if you commit crimes on my behalf to protect me, you will be taken care of."
  – David Pakman ([14:44])

• "They thought, we can control this so it doesn't become a catastrophe. And they were catastrophically wrong… Once you allow a movement that foments conspiracy theories and platforms voices that overtly traffic in dehumanization and bigotry, you can lose control of where it goes."
  – David Pakman ([25:33])

• “Absolutely not. I mean, I just don't even understand what is going on here.”
  – Seth Moulton, on whether he would have voted to end the shutdown ([43:12])

• “AIPAC says its mission is to strengthen the US-Israel relationship. But… it’s hard to say they’re succeeding in that mission.”
  – Seth Moulton ([52:17])

• “Uncertified air traffic controllers, I mean, what, what kind of a world are we living in here? It is a complete and total disaster.”
  – David Pakman ([28:52])

• “If Biden did that, they would be going, 'Oh my God…' Just brutal, brutal booing."
  – David Pakman, on Trump’s NFL moment ([65:20])

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–11:30: Democrats cave on shutdown, analysis of their reasoning, and clips from Schumer, King, Shaheen, and Cortez Masto
• 14:00–19:30: Trump pardons conspirators, discussion of the power and danger of these pardons
• 19:40–28:00: Groypers vs. MAGA infighting, Mark Levin vs. Tucker Carlson, lessons for the left
• 28:00–29:50: Transportation chaos, uncertified air traffic controller story
• 29:50–39:40: Trump’s tirades on Truth Social, fact-checking, and implications
• 40:25–58:00: Interview with Seth Moulton, focusing on generational change, budget reform, tax policy, AIPAC, and ideological differences
• 59:53–65:18: Trump crypto pay-to-play scandal, sequence of events and ethic concerns
• 65:18–70:00: Trump booed at football game, analysis of the significance
• 70:01–73:01: Caroline Levitt’s comments on the filibuster and the GOP’s legislative agenda

Conclusion

This episode of The David Pakman Show delivers a scathing, in-depth look at Democratic missteps during the shutdown, the lawlessness and hypocrisy of Trump’s administration, and the self-devouring trajectory of right-wing American politics. The interview with Seth Moulton offers thoughtful commentary on generational change and internal party critique. Memorable quotes and biting satirical commentary capture the chaos, contradictions, and dangers fueling U.S. politics as we head into 2026.