The David Pakman Show

Episode: "No Kings vs. CPAC did not go well"
Date: March 30, 2026
Host: David Pakman
Main Guest: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass

Overview

This episode explores the dramatic contrasts over the weekend between two prominent political events: the massive, decentralized "No Kings" anti-authoritarian protests and the anemic, embarrassment-laden annual CPAC conference. David Pakman dissects how these events reflect shifting political energies in America, details the right-wing media's ongoing efforts to spin bad news, critiques Trump’s latest erratic speeches and empty promises, and hosts LA Mayor Karen Bass for an illuminating discussion about real-world crime and homelessness policy. The show closes by examining right-wing media’s habit of deflecting blame from Trump and explores cracks within MAGA’s cultural identity, including critical remarks by Joe Rogan.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A Weekend of Political Contrasts

[01:30–09:00]

• No Kings Protests vs. CPAC:

  • On March 28, over 8 million Americans joined “No Kings” protests in more than 3,300 rallies nationwide—contrasted with a weak, sparsely attended CPAC conference.
  • Many note CPAC’s low energy and confusion, highlighted when attendees inexplicably cheered for impeaching Trump, embarrassing organizer Matt Schlapp.
  • Quote [04:54]:
    David Pakman: “They cheered for impeaching Trump at CPAC, if you can believe it… We're about to get eaten alive by the monster we helped build."
  • Protests demonstrated bottom-up, decentralized mobilization—a notable change from the right’s previously dominant grassroots energy.
  • Pakman emphasizes that the “No Kings” turnout signals a tectonic shift in enthusiasm and political narrative from the right to the left.

• Analysis of What Constitutes Political Energy:

  • For years, the right was seen as passionate while the left was labeled apathetic. Now, the reverse seems true.
  • Pakman dismisses the claim that only the right is energized, highlighting that much of the left’s alleged apathy is confined to peripheral, no-longer-representative fringes.

• Centralization vs. Decentralization:

  • CPAC represents top-down, controlled messaging; the No Kings protests, organic grassroots activism.
  • Quote [08:15]:
    David Pakman: “CPAC is trying to do maintenance on a dying vehicle. The No Kings protests are building something new.”

2. Right-Wing Media’s Reality Distortion on Gas Prices

[09:00–13:00]

• Fox News Statistical Spin:

  • Fox News attempts to minimize outrage over 45% higher gas prices after Trump’s war with Iran by broadcasting “average price per barrel” comparisons across presidencies, misleading viewers.
  • Quote [10:54]:
    Fox News: “Under Trump now $65.54. So still well below what the others had on average.”
  • Pakman explains how averages can be manipulated, using examples and statistical basics like the “Zuckerberg in a room with broke people” analogy.
  • Factors like the timing of global crises (COVID, wars) and short time windows make their “averages” meaningless regarding policy.

• Underlying Critique:

  • The right increasingly relies on constructing “alternate realities” as crises pile up.
  • Pakman points out that few presidential policies directly affect oil prices, but the war with Iran—Trump’s decision—clearly correlates with the current spike.

3. Trump Retreats to Vague, Tired Promises

[13:00–18:00]

• Resurrecting Empty Health Care Rhetoric:
  • Facing mounting criticism, Trump resumes offering vague promises about health care reform—repeating failed pledges from 2020 and earlier.
  • Quote [14:01]:
    Donald Trump (clip): “We’re signing a health care plan within two weeks... a full and complete health care plan.”
  • Pakman fact-checks: Not only does Trump lack a plan, but there's a record of missed, fake deadlines. Revisiting these “hits” signals desperation.
  • Points out lack of substance and failure to address actual problems.

4. Trump’s Bizarre, Troubling Public Appearance

[19:30–24:39]

• Speech Oddities and Alarming Comments:

  • Trump invites audience to “ask me anything... talk sex, do whatever you want” at a public event, then rambles into incoherence and self-incrimination.
  • Quote [19:37]:
    Donald Trump: “You can ask me anything you want. You can talk sex, you can do whatever the hell you want. I'm here for you.”
  • Pakman notes Trump’s physical unsteadiness, garbled sentence structure (“Norway has lost so credible, I stopped eight wars” [20:55]), and his open admission to circumventing legal war authorizations by calling wars “military operations.”
  • Quote [22:02]:
    Donald Trump: “As a military operation, I don't need any approvals. As a war, you’re supposed to get approval from Congress. Something like that.”
  • Pakman, in disbelief, calls this “cutesy” but criminal, underlining the profound consequences of these actions.

• Factual Corrections:

  • Trump claims factories are being built due to his policies; Pakman reveals data shows otherwise, citing Biden’s infrastructure law.
  • Trump boasts about stock market highs (“Dow 50K”) while downplaying economic fallout from his wars, signaling a disregard for ordinary Americans’ financial well-being.

5. Systemic Incentives and Political Cynicism

[24:39–35:20]

• Politicians Not Caring About People:

  • Pakman delivers a blunt critique: most politicians and political media personalities prioritize career and audience retention over genuine public service.
  • Mass inconsistency and performative messaging are rewarded; double standards are commonplace.
  • Quote [26:05]:
    David Pakman: “A large share of elected officials primarily care about themselves and their political careers. Not you and not me.”

• Content Creators’ Role:

  • Warns that many online pundits and influencers also chase outrage and fear for higher engagement, not truth.
  • Encourages listeners to apply skepticism and discernment to all messaging, including political content.

6. MAGA’s Decline and Post-Trump Positioning

[35:20–41:30]

• No Clear MAGA Succession Plan:
  • The MAGA solar system is losing its gravitational center as key figures (JD Vance, Marco Rubio) hedge bets and prepare for a future without Trump.
  • Donors, media, and political figures seek their own bases and messaging, no longer waiting for Trump’s blessing.
  • Pakman references a conversation with Gov. Gavin Newsom, noting that post-Trump right-wing politics might be up for grabs.
  • Institutions and think tanks are already drafting new visions for post-Trump conservatism, signaling downtrend in Trump’s absolute power.

7. Interview: Mayor Karen Bass on LA’s Homelessness & Crime Policy

[41:35–55:26]

• Homelessness Emergency Response:

  • Mayor Bass details declaring a state of emergency on her first day, focusing on getting people off the street and into interim/permanent housing—not simply hiding them.
  • She contrasts LA’s prior exclusive focus on building new housing (slow, insufficient) with New York’s more flexible approach utilizing interim shelter.
  • Quote [42:39]:
    Karen Bass: “Not shoe them away, not hide them—house them. And when you house them, address what led to their life falling apart...”
  • Cites critical failings in system design: lack of real-time tracking, insufficient service provision, particularly for underlying health needs beyond mental illness.

• Recidivism & Systemic Flaws:

  • Admission that up to 20% (possibly higher) of those in interim motel programs return to the streets, mainly due to underfunded service providers and tracking failures.

• Trump, ICE, and Crime:

  • On Trump’s threats to “make LA safe” with federal intervention:
    Karen Bass: "I don't want to see the troops come to skid row and round everybody up in a... Alcatraz type facility." [52:22]
  • Bass emphasizes large-scale, compassionate solutions over punitive, militarized tactics.

• Anecdotes & Policy:

  • When asked about law enforcement and encampments on private property, Bass explains outdated or inflexible laws and her team's new, more humane process of outreach and housing everyone in an encampment collectively.
  • Quote [54:51]:
    Karen Bass: “Because unhoused people have cell phones. They call their friends and say they're really going to house us. They're not just moving us.”

8. Right-Wing Media Blame-Shifting: Iran War and Megyn Kelly

[58:57–65:24]

• Megyn Kelly’s Deflection:
  • Kelly criticizes the Iran war's disastrous outcomes but insists on blaming influencers and advisers, not Trump himself.
  • Quote [58:57]:
    Megyn Kelly: “As this thing goes south, we need to know exactly who talked him into it...”
  • Pakman ridicules this deflection, arguing Trump built his brand on decisive agency and now isn’t held accountable by his supporters.
  • Quote [60:18]:
    David Pakman: “Megyn, is the guy you voted for so gullible that it couldn’t have been his decision? Wow.”

9. Joe Rogan Rips MAGA’s Brand – and the Right Notices

[65:24–end]

• Rogan Calls MAGA Supporters “Dorks”:
  • Joe Rogan, a past Trump voter and influential cultural podcaster, tells his audience,
    Quote [65:27]: "It becomes a movement of a bunch of dorks. Because a lot of them are dorks. These really weird, uninteresting, unintelligent people that have got something they cling to..."
  • MAGA Senator JD Vance tries to counter, saying there are more dorks on the left, “I know you are, but what am I?”–style, which Pakman frames as weak sauce.
  • Pakman underscores the danger to MAGA’s fragile “cool” identity if cultural arbiters like Rogan label it uncool and socially undesirable.

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Time | Speaker | Quote/Insight | |--------|-------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:54 | David Pakman | “They cheered for impeaching Trump at CPAC... about to get eaten alive by the monster we helped build.” | | 08:15 | David Pakman | “CPAC is trying to do maintenance on a dying vehicle. The No Kings protests are building something new.” | | 14:01 | Donald Trump | “We’re signing a health care plan within two weeks...” | | 19:37 | Donald Trump | “You can ask me anything you want. You can talk sex, you can do whatever the hell you want.” | | 22:02 | Donald Trump | “As a military operation, I don't need any approvals. As a war, you’re supposed to get approval from Congress.” | | 26:05 | David Pakman | “A large share of elected officials primarily care about themselves and their political careers. Not you.” | | 42:39 | Mayor Karen Bass | “Not shoe them away, not hide them—house them... address what led to their life falling apart.” | | 54:51 | Mayor Karen Bass | “Because unhoused people have cell phones. They call their friends and say they're really going to house us.”| | 58:57 | Megyn Kelly | “As this thing goes south, we need to know exactly who talked him into it...” | | 60:18 | David Pakman | “Megyn, is the guy you voted for so gullible that it couldn’t have been his decision? Wow.” | | 65:27 | Joe Rogan | “It becomes a movement of a bunch of dorks... these really weird, uninteresting, unintelligent people ...” |

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Weekend Contrasts/CPAC/No Kings: 01:30–09:00
• Gas Price Spin & Fox News: 09:00–13:00
• Trump’s Old Rhetoric & Health Care: 13:00–18:00
• Trump’s Weird Speech & Self-Incrimination: 19:30–24:39
• On Political Cynicism and Incentives: 24:39–35:20
• MAGAs Positioning without Trump: 35:20–41:30
• Interview with Mayor Karen Bass: 41:35–55:26
• Right Media Blame-Shifting (Megyn Kelly): 58:57–65:24
• Rogan on MAGA “Dorks” and Fallout: 65:24–end

Tone & Style

Pakman's tone is pointed, sardonic, and fact-forward—mixing sharp-edged humor, exasperation, and empirical analysis. The approach is simultaneously skeptical and hopeful for progressive grassroots action but unforgiving toward political spectacle, spin, and hypocrisy.

Conclusion

This episode paints a vivid picture of a right-wing movement losing its grip on cultural and political momentum, while new forms of left-leaning activism and pragmatic policy gain steam. Pakman leverages current events, media analysis, and direct interviews (notably Mayor Bass) to illustrate the stakes, and uses moments from both mainstream and alternative media to encapsulate the shifting vibes—and vulnerabilities—of the American political landscape.