The David Pakman Show: Trump Is Running Away from His High Gas Prices

Guest Host: Brittany Page
Date: April 7, 2026

Episode Overview

Guest-hosted by Brittany Page, this episode delves into President Donald Trump’s erratic public behavior, his administration’s war in Iran, its impacts on everyday Americans (rising gas prices, food costs), and growing unrest among Trump’s own supporters. Brittany criticizes not only the President’s rhetoric and policy but the silence of Republican leaders and the complicity of right-wing media. The episode features extensive commentary, selected Trump remarks, media coverage, reactions from Trump supporters (including military veterans), and statements from both Republicans and Democrats increasingly critical of Trump.

1. Trump’s Easter “Proof of Life” Appearance & Iran Rhetoric

[00:09–04:31]

• Brittany opens by discussing online rumors about Trump’s health, dispelled by a bizarre public appearance at the White House Easter Egg Roll, where Trump quickly shifted from celebrating Easter to threatening Iran:

  “If you had to guess, how long did it take for Donald Trump to go from introducing the event and talking about celebrating Jesus to revisiting his threats to annihilate Iran? … If you guessed about 60 seconds, you would be correct.” – Brittany Page ([00:21])

Key Trump Quotes:

• “Our country is doing so well, like it has never done before. … Things that we’ve done have not been done before. … Normally when you’re in very hostile territory … and I don’t think it gets much more hostile than Iran, … In fact, right now, they’re not too strong at all...” ([01:27])
• “One year ago, a little bit more. A country was dead. … Today, we have the hottest country anywhere...” ([03:37])

Page’s Commentary:

• Brittany critiques Trump’s dissonant tone and ominous messaging at a family event (“…the Easter Bunny has the perfect face for... horror reflected back to me in the bunny’s eyes...”). She highlights Melania’s discomfort and Trump’s habit of touting imminent positive change—implicitly acknowledging that things are, in fact, not going well.

2. Trump’s Escalating War Rhetoric and War Crimes Admission

[05:11–12:40]

Trump’s Comments (on Iran, war, and oil):

• Trump reminisces about bombing Iran and claims he’d like to “take the oil, keep the oil, and we’d make plenty of money.” ([05:11])
• On targeting infrastructure: “They’ll have no bridges, they’ll have no power plants...I won’t go further because there are other things that are worse than those two…” ([05:11])
• “If I had my choice, what would I like to do? Take the oil. Because it’s there for the taking.” ([05:11])

Denial of War Crimes:

• Trump openly dehumanizes Iranians: “It’s not a war crime because they’re animals.” ([08:12])

Page’s Rebuke:

• Brittany contextualizes Trump’s dehumanizing language and the normalization of his threats:

  “It is more important than ever for those in positions of power to say it loud and say it continuously: Remove this man from office.” ([09:09])

• She underscores the contradiction in Trump’s rhetoric: claims of protecting Iranians vs. threatening to “take out the country… probably tomorrow night.” ([10:00])

On “Bombs for Freedom”:

• Trump insists Iranians are begging for bombs:

  “Please keep bombing. … These are people living where the bombs are exploding...” ([11:05])

• Brittany: “This is truly sick stuff. Next he’ll be telling us Iranians are begging him to take the oil and keep the oil and that they really want him to be successful in life...” ([11:35])

On the Unraveling Messaging:

• When pressed on the war’s goals, Trump responds:

  “I can’t tell you. I don’t know. I can’t tell. It depends what they do. This is a critical period.” ([12:29])

3. Loyalists’ Praise and Contradictions

[13:21–15:50]

• Pete Hegseth lavishes Trump with praise for “courageous leadership”—despite the chaos:

  “None of this would have been possible without the courageous leadership and ironclad determination of President Donald J. Trump… authorized immediately, without hesitation, audaciously.” ([13:21]) “Tomorrow, even more than today. And then Iran has a choice. Choose wisely because this President does not play around.” ([14:58])

• Brittany skewers Hegseth as a sycophant:

  “All I heard is: I’m a good boy, please don’t fire me. I’m loyal, please keep me in my position of power...” ([14:05])

• She further exposes the hypocrisy of Trump’s allies on women’s freedoms and social policy.

4. Rising Gas Prices and Economic Discontent Among Trump Supporters

[19:43–24:21]

• Brittany pivots to domestic fallout: gas prices, groceries, and fertilizer costs surging amid Trump’s war in Iran.
• Clips of Trump’s campaign rhetoric promising “low inflation and affordable groceries” ([20:36]) are contrasted with the crushing reality.

Key Quotes:

• Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rawlins:

  “About 20 to 25% of our farmers...didn’t lock [fertilizer prices] in. We are working...to ensure we can get them what they need and it won't bankrupt them.” ([21:42])

• Pete Hegseth (on Today):

  “Average gallon of gas now $4.12, the highest in four years...crude oil now surpassing 110 bucks a barrel as the critical strait of Hormuz remains closed.” ([24:03])

• Brittany: “It’s just kind of outrageous how much it’s jumped recently...he doesn’t care...” ([24:21])

5. Trump Voter Backlash – Veterans Speak Out

[27:15–29:38]

• Brittany features reactions from Trump-supporting Air Force veterans.

Notable Exchanges:

• Q: “Did you get any light on [the war’s goal]?”
  A: “No. No, I did not.” ([27:49])

• On targeting civilian infrastructure:

  “I’m totally against it. It’s not a—it's a war crime...how do you win a war by destroying the country?...Let’s hope they negotiate and this never happens.” ([28:59])

• On Hegseth’s praise for Trump:

  “He’s a cheerleader.” ([29:37])

• Brittany: “A Trump supporter is saying Trump is threatening war crimes.” ([29:38])

6. Trump’s Contempt for Veterans & Vanity Projects

[30:55–32:24]

• When confronted about a veterans’ lawsuit against his planned “Independence Arch” in D.C., Trump brusquely replies:

  “You gotta be kidding me.” ([31:00])

• Brittany notes: “No interest in the veterans’ concerns—just personal grandiosity.”

7. Media Narratives & Cracks in the MAGA Base

[33:33–39:38]

• Brittany mocks the recurring “big strong men with tears in their eyes” trope and recounts Ainsley Earhart’s claim that “everyone” praised Trump at Easter Sunday lunch ([35:58]).

• Jessica Tarlov (Fox News) pushes back on the assumption that all Trump voters support the war:

  "...if they hear about bridges and...power plants...they’re gonna think that that sounds a little bit like escalation, which doesn’t necessarily make them soft or liberals...It is different..." ([38:03])

• Brittany: “This has the potential to break the spell for some of them. ...Many people are voting on vibes...someone who can’t afford to drive Uber now because of the gas prices because of the war in Iran...sometimes this is all it takes really to make someone vote for another party.” ([39:38])

8. Immigration Injustice & Children Detained by ICE

[43:09–46:56]

• Brittany features the traumatized family of Liam Ramos, a child detained by ICE:

  “What are you scared about most?”
  “Immigration.” “ICE.” ([44:05])

• Brittany draws on new Marshall Project numbers:

  “ICE has detained over 6,200 children during President Donald Trump’s second term...Families...in harmful conditions including poor medical care, inadequate access to education and inedible food...” ([44:09]) “A 13 year old...put into isolation after attempting suicide.”
  “This is part of why we can’t let these stories get buried while Trump spreads his chaos and terror.” ([46:09])

9. Democratic Messaging & the Call for Accountability

[47:18–51:39]

• Brittany spotlights Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), an Iraq War vet, who forcefully articulates the madness of endless war:

  “We have spent over 20 years, 5 to 8 trillion dollars, 7,000 American lives in what is now an endless cycle of conflict in the Middle East. And Americans are over it.” ([48:55]) “The President and administration failed to show an imminent threat...Americans can't afford groceries. We have to end this cycle.”

• Crow also warns:

  “I am gravely concerned by this president’s comments about bombing electrical infrastructure...that would be, on its face, a violation of the laws of war and would be a war crime.” ([50:31]) “We must always stand by the rule of law and the Constitution.” ([51:39])

• Brittany stresses that accountability and bold Democratic messaging are essential—and criticizes the lack of Republican bravery.

10. Chris Christie’s Scathing Indictment of GOP Cowardice

[54:25–64:19]

• Chris Christie lambasts his party’s “lack of principles” and Lindsey Graham as “a vapid, vacant human being” who is “disgusting” in his sycophancy toward Trump ([55:40], [57:52]).

• Christie exposes Trump’s obsession with power:

  “If you say something enough times, whether it’s true or not, it becomes true. That’s what he thinks about the 2020 election. That’s the principle he lives on.” ([62:52])

• Brittany: “We need to hear these behind-the-scenes stories...We need Republicans who are close to Trump, who have been close to Trump. To be honest, I just wish it was a Republican with more to lose, with more current power...” ([64:19])

Notable Quotes & Segments with Timestamps

• Trump on Iran:
  “In fact, right now, they’re not too strong at all, in my opinion. But we’re soon going to find out, aren’t we?” — Trump ([01:27])

• Trump on War Crimes:
  “It’s not a war crime because they’re animals.” — Trump ([08:12])

• On Economic Fallout:
  “Average gallon of gas now $4.12...” — Pete Hegseth ([24:03])

• Veteran Backlash:
  “How do you win a war by destroying the country? ... Let's hope they negotiate and this never happens.” — Trump supporter, Air Force vet ([28:59])

• Rep. Jason Crow:
  “Americans are over this perpetual state of conflict when they can’t afford rent, they can’t afford their mortgage, they can’t afford groceries. We have to end this cycle.” ([48:55])

• Chris Christie on GOP Cowardice:
  “They only do what he tells them to do...They care more about the title than they do about doing the job.” ([54:25])

Conclusion & Tone

Brittany Page’s guest-hosted episode is sharply analytical, often caustic, and aimed at laying bare both the dangers and absurdities of Trump’s conduct and messaging. She weaves together policy, media analysis, and personal testimony to argue that Trump is failing not only as a president but as a leader—and that cracks are emerging within his base and among supporting veterans. She calls for more courage among Democrats and Republicans alike, reminding listeners that accountability, protection for vulnerable people, and honest communication are paramount for American democracy.

For Listeners:

This episode offers a comprehensive, critical look at the latest chaos in Trump’s presidency, focusing on war, economics, and shifting political loyalties, and is especially useful for those concerned about both policy consequences and the state of political discourse in 2026.