Podcast Summary: The Hugh Hewitt Show: Highly Concentrated

Episode: Are you better off today than a year ago? Trump 2.0
Date: January 21, 2026
Host: Hugh Hewitt (Salem Podcast Network)
Guests: Brett Baier, Scott Bessant, Josh Holmes, Byron York, David Drucker, James Lilacs, Carolyn Levitt (clips)

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the one-year anniversary of President Trump’s second term, with particular attention to his unusual press conference highlighting administration accomplishments and controversies, such as immigration enforcement in Minnesota, escalating economic and foreign policy tensions (notably with Iran and the EU), and reflections on the current political landscape—including VP J.D. Vance’s first year and the challenges ahead for the GOP. The episode features in-depth analysis, memorable moments, political banter, and firsthand insights from top political journalists.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. The Anniversary Press Conference: Initial Reactions

[00:00–01:40]

• Hugh Hewitt introduces Brett Baier to discuss President Trump’s press conference, held one year into his second term.
• Brett Baier notes the president’s emphasis on accomplishments, focus on immigration enforcement (especially Minnesota), and teases regarding Greenland.
• Notable Quote: “I still to this day do not believe the US Military is going to be engaged in taking over Greenland.” — Brett Baier [01:40]

2. Foreign Policy Focus: Iran’s Human Rights Crisis

[01:40–03:49]

• Hugh Hewitt highlights the gravity of Iran's suppression, referencing 15,000 deaths and inquires about the US military option.
• Carolyn Levitt (Trump WH Press Secretary, clip): Explains US pressure stopped mass executions in Iran, but future uncertainties remain.
  • Notable Quote: “We let them know that if that happens, that will be a very bad day for them. And they decided not to do it.” — Carolyn Levitt [02:21]
• Brett Baier predicts military options remain on the table, particularly as Trump prepares for Davos.
  • Notable Quote: “You don’t know with Donald Trump. You really don’t. The president likes the dramatic ... it would be a very Godfather-esque move mid-speech at Davos to then move on on Iran." — Brett Baier [03:49]

3. Economic Shocks: Market Volatility & The Greenland/EU Tariff Threat

[04:13–05:18]

• Hugh Hewitt & Baier discuss sharp market declines, attributing them to tariff threats and European pushback.
• Scott Bessant (clip) highlights Senate debates about Russian oil tariffs, U.S. pressure on India and Europe’s ongoing purchase of Russian oil.
  • Notable Quote: “Europe buying Russian oil still, still for four years later, they are financing the war against themselves.” — Scott Bessant [05:18]

4. Political Messaging: Law and Order in Minnesota

[09:49–20:18]

• Hugh Hewitt, Josh Holmes (Ruthless podcast), and Carolyn Levitt dissect Trump's focus on crime and immigration in Minnesota.
  • President’s repeated mention of “10,000 criminals arrested” in Minnesota used as campaign messaging (Cut 19).
  • Notable Quote: “10,000 criminals arrested in Minnesota alone.” — Carolyn Levitt [13:20]
  • Holmes criticizes local leadership and the “one-party domination” in Minneapolis.
  • Discussion of “sanctuary cities,” radical local government, and the city’s transformation.

Notable Moment

• Josh Holmes: “This president’s pace of play is legendary. He’s on to the next, he’s on to the next, and you never get the full litigation of what it is that we’re doing here.” [13:39]
• Holmes on Minnesota: “It’s embarrassing as a Minnesotan, it’s embarrassing.” [15:00]

5. The Vice President’s Year and Political Dynamics

[07:13–08:17, 24:47–25:53]

• Hugh Hewitt & Brett Baier review VP J.D. Vance’s first year (not mysterious, highly visible, family news).
• Byron York: Vance perceived as Trump’s heir apparent, sparking “mind-reading” among commentators.
  • Notable Quote: “Vance seems to have consolidated his position as the heir apparent. ... But he is clearly the leading candidate to replace this president.” — Byron York [25:14]

6. Snapshots of Minnesota’s Crisis—Local Voices

[38:17–45:19]

• James Lilacs (humorist/Substack writer; Minneapolis resident) shares firsthand local color following Trump’s criticism of Minnesota.
  • Notes discrepancy in perceptions: daily life feels normal, but high-profile crime and political negligence weigh on the city.
  • Notable Quote: “This is a shooting that happened after a couple of trained Aragua guys, the, you know, the Venezuelan wonderful fellows had attacked an ICE officer and the ICE officer had shot him. This is what had made them nervous. It’s getting worse.” — James Lilacs [40:30]
  • Reminisces about earlier, safer decades; downtown Minneapolis “demonstrably worse” post-2020 but not “dystopian.”
  • Schools and other urban woes now take a backseat in city priorities.

7. Broader Political & Electoral Implications

[16:42–17:54, 31:00–33:26]

• Midterm outlooks: Hewitt and guests review historical losses in president’s second midterms (Ike, Nixon/Ford, Reagan, Bush), warn of strong headwinds for Republicans in upcoming cycle.
  • Notable Quote: “From a legislative capacity, year one is as good as you’re ever going to do.... They’re really going to have to focus on the economy and really pull people along.” — Josh Holmes [17:07]
• Immigration: Enthusiasm among GOP voters for the crackdown on criminal aliens, but concern over citizens being “caught up” in enforcement.
  • Notable Quote: “How these things are done matters a lot to the American people. It’s why we’ve always been so big on our constitutional rights.” — David Drucker [32:52]

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• “You’ll find out.” — President Trump’s ominous answer on Greenland [00:34, paraphrased by Baier]
• “We let them know that if that happens, that will be a very bad day for them.” — Carolyn Levitt [02:21]
• “Europe buying Russian oil ... they are financing the war against themselves.” — Scott Bessant [05:18]
• “10,000 criminals arrested in Minnesota alone.” — Carolyn Levitt [13:20]
• “It’s embarrassing as a Minnesotan, it’s embarrassing.” — Josh Holmes [15:00]
• “Vance seems to have consolidated his position as the heir apparent.” — Byron York [25:14]
• “The city was... a great, good place. And all of that’s happened... by the indifference of the people who know what needs to be done but refuse to do anything.” — James Lilacs [43:05]

Significant Timestamps

• 00:34–01:40: Baier analyses Trump’s press conference
• 01:40–03:49: Iran, military options, Trump at Davos
• 04:13–05:18: Market decline reaction, tariffs, Scott Bessant on Russian oil
• 09:49–16:42: Minnesota football & politics, Trump’s focus on the state
• 18:41–22:02: Byron York on Trump’s endurance and the meaning of 10,000 arrests
• 28:50–34:40: David Drucker evaluation—GOP voter sentiment & independent unease, immigration, and Iran
• 38:17–45:19: James Lilacs on day-to-day Minneapolis life, urban crime, schools

Tone and Language

The discussions throughout the podcast combine direct political analysis (often candid and blunt, especially from guests like Byron York and Brett Baier), sharp criticism of political opponents and local leadership (especially regarding Minnesota), and the occasionally sardonic, anecdotal humor of contributors like James Lilacs. The tone is conversational but informed by policy expertise and personal experience, engaging both the policy-wonk and the concerned citizen.

Conclusion

This special Hugh Hewitt episode offers a panoramic view of America under Trump 2.0 at the one-year mark—juxtaposing White House priorities, foreign and economic tremors, and the political and social fracturing in places like Minnesota. With guests providing both national and on-the-ground perspectives, it’s a revealing look at the administration’s unique blend of brash messaging, policy blitz, and political calculation heading into a turbulent midterm season.