The Find Out Podcast: Episode Summary
Title: Big Bullsh*t Bill Moves Closer to Reality
Release Date: July 1, 2025
Hosts: Tim Fullerton, Chris, Zach, and Rich
Introduction
In the episode titled "Big Bullsh*t Bill Moves Closer to Reality," the Find Out Podcast team delves deep into the ramifications of the proposed Trump tax bill as it navigates through the Senate. The hosts—Tim Fullerton, Chris, Zach, and Rich—provide a comprehensive analysis, blending humor with insightful critique to unpack the bill's potential impact on American society.
1. Overview of the Trump Tax Bill and Its Implications
The episode kicks off with Tim Fullerton highlighting the critical nature of the Trump tax bill, expressing concern over its swift progression through the Senate. He states:
"By the time you listen to this tomorrow morning... the Senate may have passed their version... But they've made the bill even worse than the Republicans had it." [00:00]
Key Points:
- Financial Cuts: The bill proposes $900 billion in cuts to Medicaid, potentially stripping health insurance from 16 million Americans.
- Healthcare Facilities at Risk: Approximately 300 hospitals and 500 nursing homes could face closure due to these cuts.
2. Reactions from Republican Senators
Chris raises a point about Senator Lisa Murkowski exempting Alaskans from some of the bill's provisions, to which Tim responds dismissively:
"Does that help? No. I'm from a state that may get some car votes..." [00:57-01:11]
The discussion shifts to Senator Susan Collins, with Tim delivering a scathing critique:
"Susan Collins has pulled the wool over Maine's eyes for 30 years and pretending that she is a moderate when she absolutely sucks." [01:09-01:32]
3. The Impact on Working-Class Americans
Zach compares the tax bill to trading millions of lives for trivial tax savings, likening it to offering a "crappy Vizio flat screen" in exchange for massive societal sacrifices:
"... the truth is the average Republican voter... is trading... millions of lives for a couple hundred bucks in tax savings every year." [02:00-02:25]
4. Historical Context and Recurrent Patterns
Chris draws parallels between the current bill and past tax cuts under Reagan, Bush, and Trump, emphasizing the recurring pattern of failed economic stimulation:
"It's the same as Bush's 2001 tax cuts, his 2003 tax cuts, Trump's 2017 tax cuts... almost 5 trillion is just the tax cut extensions." [03:05-04:07]
5. Democratic Messaging and Strategic Failures
Rich criticizes the Democratic Party's inability to unify messaging against the bill, attributing its passage to a lack of cohesive slogans:
"... no unified messaging around this. Everybody is calling it something different, like the Big Murder Bill, the Republican bad bill..." [05:13-06:15]
Tim suggests an alternative name to highlight the bill's detrimental effects:
"Big Murder Bill would have been a good one to use because... you're going to close 500 nursing homes, you're going to close 300 hospitals." [06:15-07:54]
6. Internal Conflicts within the Republican Party
Chris discusses the emerging fissures within the GOP, noting that fiscal conservatives are beginning to oppose the bill's massive Medicaid cuts:
"The Rand Paul's and a handful of people in the House are just saying, you're not going to be on the ballot..." [19:15-20:50]
Tim offers a hot take on Senator Thom Tillis's retirement, linking it to the bill's unpopularity:
"I think this is the beginning of a nightmare for him." [22:31-22:58]
7. Misinformation and Conspiracy Theories
The hosts address the spread of conspiracy theories surrounding the bill, particularly the unfounded claim that it aims to cancel future elections:
Rich:
"There is zero truth to that. But it is an idea that has caught on..." [26:16-27:52]
Tim:
"The Constitution states that there needs to be elections... we're going to be facing more of that as time goes on." [27:52-29:04]
Chris reinforces the importance of skepticism:
"Congress certified the election. There's no means to undo an election after Congress has certified it." [30:28-29:30]
8. Critique of Senator Josh Hawley
Tim singles out Senator Josh Hawley for his contradictory stance on the bill, highlighting his initial opposition followed by support:
"Josh Hawley... talked all kinds of on it... And then he voted for it." [35:11-35:28]
The conversation humorously touches on Hawley's public image, emphasizing his disingenuousness.
9. Zoran Mamdani's Campaign and Democratic Strategy
As the episode progresses, the discussion shifts to Zoran Mamdani, a Democratic candidate for mayor in New York City. The hosts analyze his campaign strategies and how they contrast with traditional Republican approaches:
Chris:
"The great news is that right now, the top marginal tax rate is at 37%... during Reagan era, America was great with higher tax rates." [43:22-44:24]
Tim praises Mamdani's focus on affordability:
"He focused on affordability, freezing rent, and addressing the high cost of living." [57:18-57:51]
Zach elaborates on the importance of positive messaging:
"Don’t demonize the billionaires... pitch that people deserve these benefits because America is great enough to afford them." [65:04-66:42]
10. Final Remarks and Call to Action
In concluding the episode, Tim urges listeners to engage politically by contacting their representatives and educating their communities:
"If you have a district that has a Republican member... Call them, tell them how mad you are about this." [70:50-71:11]
Rich promotes the podcast's merchandise and subscription services as ways to support the show:
"Buy the merch from findoutpodcast.com... also subscribing as a paid member to our substack helps us keep going." [71:11-72:04]
Tim wraps up with a reminder about the importance of voter engagement:
"We'll be back on Thursday. We'll talk soon." [72:04-72:03]
Notable Quotes
-
Tim Fullerton:
"By the time you listen to this tomorrow morning... the Senate may have passed their version... But they've made the bill even worse than the Republicans had it." [00:00] -
Zach:
"... the truth is the average Republican voter... is trading... millions of lives for a couple hundred bucks in tax savings every year." [02:00-02:25] -
Chris:
"It's the same as Bush's 2001 tax cuts, his 2003 tax cuts, Trump's 2017 tax cuts... almost 5 trillion is just the tax cut extensions." [03:05-04:07] -
Rich:
"There is zero truth to that [cancel elections]. But it is an idea that has caught on..." [26:16-27:52] -
Zach:
"We have to adopt the Republican strategy and just not adopt their shit ass policies." [53:31]
Conclusion
"Big Bullsh*t Bill Moves Closer to Reality" serves as a potent critique of the Trump tax bill, highlighting its potential to exacerbate social inequalities and weaken essential services. The Find Out Podcast team underscores the necessity for strategic Democratic messaging and voter engagement to counteract the bill's passage. Through a blend of humor, frustration, and strategic insights, the episode calls listeners to action, emphasizing the importance of informed political participation in shaping America's future.