The Hugh Hewitt Show: "President Trump in Davos"

Salem Podcast Network – January 22, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode offers a fast-paced series of conversations from The Hugh Hewitt Show, focusing on domestic policy, legislative challenges for Republicans in the House, economic initiatives—especially housing—and sharp critique and analysis of President Trump's recent appearance at the Davos World Economic Forum. Key Republican lawmakers and prominent commentators discuss political strategy for the 2026 cycle, tax and housing policy, U.S. foreign policy (with an emphasis on Iran), media analysis, and current U.S. political trends.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Impossible Task: House GOP Legislative Strategy

Guest: Rep. Jason Smith, Chair, House Ways & Means Committee
Segment: 00:00–08:00

• Reconciliation Hurdles: Smith details the challenge of passing a second reconciliation package with an extremely narrow GOP House majority (“can only lose two votes”) and vocal opposition from Rep. Thomas Massie.

  • “It is very, very difficult to do two reconciliation bills. And when you can only lose two people and one member…is going to be a no on, you know, whether you support Oxygen.” (B, 00:43)

• Major Policy Ideas Under Consideration:

  • Tax deductions and credits to make housing more affordable for young people—including a tax credit for first/last month’s rent, changes to capital gains exemptions, and access to 401k funds for first-time homebuyers’ down payments.
  • “First time home ownership went from 32 years old when Trump was last president to today it’s 40…We have to break that cycle.” (B, 04:22)

• Bipartisan Approach on Housing: Suggests some housing reforms could pass in a bipartisan tax bill rather than in partisan reconciliation.

• State Bankruptcy Proposal: Hewitt pitches a new chapter in the bankruptcy code for insolvent states like California, but Smith replies it's out of jurisdiction and favors states managing their own finances.

  • “We see a lot of them spin like drunken sailors. But it’s just. It's. It's crazy.” (B, 06:40)

• Skepticism About Second Reconciliation: Smith doubts a second attempt is possible given House dynamics.

  • “I just don't believe, though, Hugh, that there's a pathway.” (B, 07:34)

2. Navigating 2026: House GOP Political Landscape

Guest: Rep. Lisa McClain, Chairwoman, House GOP Conference
Segment: 08:00–15:48

• Midterm Math and Optimism: McClain acknowledges tough terrain but is optimistic given past odds-defying performance. Emphasizes pocketbook politics—tax cuts for working families.

• Michigan Politics: Discusses Republican prospects for Governor and Senate in Michigan, highlighting a strong slate and the Democratic Party’s tilt leftward.

  • “The Democrat Party in Michigan is just going way, way, way to the left. ...I think people want common sense and I think Mike Rogers bring that.” (C, 11:50)

• Campus Politics: Addresses higher education’s political climate and the tragic death of Charlie Kirk, noting growth in conservative organizations among youth.

• Redistricting Analysis: McClain offers a cautious but positive GOP outlook, pushing back against pessimistic projections regarding recent legal/legislative redistricting changes.

• Economic Relief for Young Adults: Details policies to help 21–30-year-olds, such as removing taxes on tips and overtime.

  • “No tax on tips and no tax on overtime…That will have a major effect on [young people] as well to keep the more money in their pocket and give less money to Uncle Sam.” (C, 15:11)

3. Trump at Davos: Foreign Policy & Leadership

Guests: Mary Katherine Ham (Getting Hammered podcast), Charles C.W. Cooke (National Review)
Segments: 16:00–34:33

a. Mary Katherine Ham Segment (16:00–25:41)

• Davos Recap: Hewitt praises Trump's press performance and economic messaging, urges more aggressive posture on Iran.
• Contrasting World Leaders: Discussion of Canadian PM Mark Carney’s speech—seen as lacking substance compared to Trump’s bluntness.
  • “What Carney was saying…was like this old thing that we all understood as the world order was kind of fake.” (D, 18:07)
• NATO & Trump: Ham notes, despite discomfort with Trump’s tone, it achieved greater Allies’ commitments on defense.
  • “The tone of Donald Trump is the only thing that's gotten any of them to spend money on defense, as the Secretary General of NATO pointed out.” (D, 19:58)
• Iran’s Domestic Repression: Stark comparisons between true authoritarian crackdowns and U.S. domestic politics.
  • “People call Trump a fascist... This is what a fascist regime actually does. It mows down 15,000 of its own people and imprisons 10,000 more.” (A, 22:55)

b. Charles C.W. Cooke Segment (26:34–34:33)

• Iran Policy Debate:

  • Cooke supports punitive action against Iran for human rights abuses but is skeptical U.S. can force regime change from the air.
  • “If the aim is merely to be punitive, I worry that we would not be able to affect the change that we want.” (F, 27:24)

• Greenland Acquisition Discussion: Agreement that acquiring Greenland would fit U.S. foreign policy tradition, but both find Trump's rhetoric—especially about invasion and tariffs—erratic and ultimately walked back after market reaction.

  • “The idea…that this is Trump being crazy or…a complete distraction…is wrong. …But I think that Trump’s behavior…has been…bizarre and indefensible.” (F, 30:32)

• Economic Well-Being: Cooke says he is “better off than a year ago,” credits tax and deregulation policies.

  • “Making [tax cuts] permanent and also adding in things like full expensing for businesses just allows a level of economic planning and assumptions that are really important.” (F, 33:27)

• Gun Rights and Supreme Court: Commentary on Justice Jackson Brown referencing “Black Codes” and Jim Crow laws in Second Amendment argument.

  • “I never thought I would hear a Supreme Court justice say that Jim Crow laws justify gun control.” (F, 34:10)

4. Quick Takes & Notable Moments

Guests: Sarah Bedford (Washington Examiner), others
Segment: 36:52–42:10

• Legislative Outlook: Bedford confirms that House Republicans are struggling to corral votes for another reconciliation bill, with hope only if the White House strongly backs narrow, targeted proposals (e.g., allowing retirement accounts to fund first home down payments).

  • “If they focus on something narrow that has broad appeal, maybe they can get it through.” (G, 40:15)

• Virginia's Shift Left: Observations on Virginia’s new Democratic trifecta and their push for new taxes and progressive policy.

  • “The Democrats now they have a trifecta in Virginia, put forward a bunch of really progressive stuff…that really fly in the face of the affordability agenda…” (G, 41:23)

• Weather Banter: Bedford offers a humorous, slightly alarmist take on D.C. winter storm forecasts.

  • “You would think that this is the storm of the century. The history books will record it. The streets will be littered with bodies… but also nothing could happen.” (G, 38:13)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Rep. Jason Smith:
  • “We need to do a better job at explaining what was in the first reconciliation bill before trying to debate whether there should be a second one.” (B, 01:23)
• Hugh Hewitt:
  • “To deliver something to the Youngs would be big. …This has to be for young people.” (A, 03:34)
• Rep. Lisa McClain:
  • “We are on the side of law and order. We are on the side of lower taxes for every American. We are on the side of common sense for good sakes. That's what really is going to prevail.” (C, 13:38)
• Mary Katherine Ham:
  • “Even when I’m annoyed with Donald Trump’s tone or saber rattling, I am reminded that I was incorrect about him and NATO the first time around because that is what got people to take care of their business…” (D, 19:58)
• Charles C.W. Cooke:
  • “I think that Trump’s behavior in the last three, four days has been erratic and bizarre and indefensible.” (F, 30:32)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:00–08:00: Rep. Jason Smith on legislative hurdles, GOP tax plans, and bankruptcy for states
• 08:00–15:48: Rep. Lisa McClain on House political math, Michigan politics, young voter outreach
• 16:00–25:41: Mary Katherine Ham on Trump at Davos, NATO, and Iran
• 26:34–34:33: Charles C.W. Cooke on U.S. foreign policy, economic well-being, gun law
• 36:52–42:10: Sarah Bedford on reconciliation prospects and Virginia’s legislative left turn

Episode Tone

• Conversational, sometimes humorous (“forecast: 1–78 inches of snow”), sharply political
• Candid insider perspective from both lawmakers and commentators
• Mix of optimistic and pragmatic takes on GOP fortunes

Final Takeaways

• The GOP faces serious legislative math problems in advancing its agenda, particularly on taxes and housing, but sees opportunities with targeted, bipartisan measures.
• Frustration persists with state fiscal policy and the inability to rein in “blue state” spending.
• Foreign policy is a key focus after President Trump’s Davos appearance, with subdued optimism on economic progress but strong calls for action against Iran.
• The 2026 political landscape is framed as a battle for the center, with concern about leftward drift in key blue and purple states.
• The episode closes on a pragmatic note, recognizing the difficulty of legislative and political battles ahead, but featuring creative policy proposals and an eye toward the electoral challenges to come.