Podcast Summary: The Find Out Podcast – "Trump is LOSING the Shutdown War"

Episode 49 | October 7, 2025

Overview

This lively episode of "The Find Out Podcast" dives deep into the ongoing government shutdown during Trump’s second term, exploring why the hosts believe Trump and the GOP are "losing" the narrative war. The panel, a crew of unapologetic left-leaning content creators, dissects the lies driving the shutdown, shifting voter sentiments, misinformation about healthcare for undocumented immigrants, and escalating authoritarian tactics such as the National Guard’s deployment. The tone is frank, irreverent, and at times hilarious, with the team balancing indignation, policy analysis, and gallows humor.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. The Shutdown: Who’s Winning the Messaging War?

Timestamps: [00:00]–[12:30]

• Hosts examine Trump’s Truth Social posts, which signal his discomfort with recent media coverage and public opinion.
• Democratic Senator Mark Kelly’s Fox News appearance is highlighted: he debunked GOP claims that Democrats want to give Medicare/Medicaid to "illegals."
• The panel references polling data: most Americans, especially independents (50-22 against Trump), blame Trump and Republicans for the shutdown.
• Discussion of historical context: major shutdowns tend to happen under unified GOP control, harming Republicans’ image as competent governors.

"If you want to blame somebody, blame Ronald Reagan. If you want to blame somebody, blame Reagan, you fuck."
— Host 3 [04:47]

• Insights on how misinformation gets laundered: the narrative about undocumented immigrants and emergency room care is rooted in a Reagan-era law, misrepresented by the right.
• Media critique: even mainstream outlets (CBS, Fox) amplify GOP misinformation, requiring Democrats to directly and calmly debunk lies.

2. Healthcare Misinformation & Democratic Messaging

Timestamps: [03:30]–[11:15]

• The Republican shutdown budget would remove ACA subsidies, making healthcare more expensive for everyone; Democrats stand firm to prevent this.
• Reminder that fewer insured people drives higher costs for everyone.
• The discussion highlights the importance of Democrats framing the debate in terms of costs and kitchen-table issues instead of policy wonkery.

"Less people on health insurance means higher costs and it’s working."
— Host 1 [10:34]

• Panelists appreciate Democrats for speaking in plain, relatable language (e.g., AOC, Jasmine Crockett, Gavin Newsom).

3. Weaponization of Government & Law Violation

Timestamps: [12:02]–[13:21]

• The Trump administration is using official government websites and social media to blame Democrats for the shutdown, violating the Hatch Act.
• Hosts argue the Hatch Act has "no teeth" and call for future reforms to prevent politicization of government communication.

"They have politicized what is supposed to be the part of government that is just supposed to be providing services. And of course, they've weaponized that."
— Host 1 [13:15]

4. Foreign Policy Humiliation: Trump, Lula, and Brazil

Timestamps: [13:32]–[17:44]

• Trump posts about his "very good" call with Brazil’s President Lula, which hosts interpret as a humiliating retreat after failed attempts to strong-arm Brazil under Bolsonaro.
• Trump’s trade tariffs have backfired, and now he seeks friendship with Lula after rising coffee and beef prices.

"He’s just not going to cover the fact that he just absolutely ate shit and lost that fight."
— Host 2 [15:47]

• Segue into farm relief: US consumers pay for Trump’s tariffs, and the federal government subsequently bails out farmers—highlighting the absurd cycle.

5. Reaching & Persuading Misinformed Voters

Timestamps: [18:39]–[27:38]

• Viral video of Maine politician Graham Platner is discussed: he responds empathetically to a constituent misinformed about Medicare for undocumented immigrants, emphasizing they’re "not stupid, they’ve just been deceived."
• Debate among panelists: Is shaming misinformed voters effective, or is empathy a more productive approach?

"The answer to that is not shame. The answer to that is not anger. The answer to that is empathy and compassion."
— Guest [19:17]

• Hosts acknowledge a hard ceiling of unreachable voters but argue for both confrontation and compassion depending on the target audience’s openness.

6. Democratic Party Tactics: Should Dems "Get Mean"?

Timestamps: [28:39]–[33:44]

• Panelists debate whether Democrats should embrace more aggressive, "bully" tactics to counter MAGA cruelty.
• Suzanne Lambert (creator/comic) and "Regina George liberal" persona praised for her take-downs of MAGA figures like Nancy Mace.
• Host jokes about running for Congress solely to make Marjorie Taylor Greene cry, reflecting frustration at Dems’ hesitance to play tough.

"Democrats need some bullies. If I were to run for office...my entire campaign platform would be I am going there to force Marjorie Taylor Greene to leave."
— Host 4 [29:43]

7. Escalating Authoritarianism: ICE & National Guard Deployments

Timestamps: [34:19]–[41:00]

• ICE’s paramilitary actions in Chicago and potential National Guard deployment to Oregon are dissected.
• Hosts criticize Republican governors (notably Texas's Abbott) for sending National Guard troops to blue states, likening it to “Kyle Rittenhouse, but scalable”.

"They’re doing the equivalent of what Kyle Rittenhouse did. Yeah, like on a National Guard scale."
— Host 3 [38:15]

• Observations about the right’s glorification of vigilante violence, the pardoning of killers, and hypocrisy regarding criminal and sexual misconduct.

"It’s always the ones we most suspect. And you know who it never is? A drag queen. It’s never a drag queen or a trans person."
— Host 1 [41:18]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the GOP’s shift to the far right:
  "If you actually look at what Reagan said...they'd be calling him a socialist. Like, people don't realize how far they've gone to the right."
  — Host 2 [04:52]

• On public understanding of health care:
  "The average American has an 8th grade reading level. I think liberals, we write for the professor and conservatives write for the child."
  — Host 2 [09:02]

• On empathy for misinformed voters:
  "People are being robbed of their critical thinking. They're being robbed of their empathy. The answer...is empathy and compassion."
  — Guest (Graham Platner clip) [19:17]

• On Democratic victories:
  "Well, don’t forget we are pretty good at snatching, what is it, defeat from the jaws of victory."
  — Host 1 [11:23]

• On the GOP’s projection:
  "It's always projection with these people, and it's just ridiculous."
  — Host 1 [41:55]

Additional Timestamps for Noteworthy Segments

• Shutting Down the Shutdown Rhetoric: [00:35]–[04:37]
• Reagan's Legacy and Its Twisted Use: [04:43]–[06:14]
• Healthcare Cost Messaging: [09:48]–[10:42]
• Democratic Strategy—Compassion vs. Bullying: [18:39]–[24:28]
• ICE & National Guard in Chicago/Oregon: [34:15]–[41:00]
• Fun with Merch/Community: [42:35]–[43:30]

Tone & Language

The episode is full of strong opinions, humor, swearing, and moments of dark comedic relief. The hosts blend substantive policy discussion with riffs, personal anecdotes, and political satire, aiming for relatability and candor over polished punditry.

Conclusion

In an episode marked by the frustration and absurdity of a shutdown led by Trump’s hardline GOP, the hosts see a silver lining: for once, the facts might be beating misinformation in the court of public opinion. The panel remains skeptical (“We’re good at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory”), but there's cautious optimism that clear, forceful messaging and strategic empathy—or sometimes a necessary dose of meanness—could help tip the scales.

For more, catch new episodes and explore the hosts’ merch and substack: findoutpodcast.com | findoutpodcast.substack.com