The Hugh Hewitt Show: Highly Concentrated

Episode: President Trump returns to discuss Cuba, Iran, SCOTUS and more
Date: January 9, 2026
Host: Hugh Hewitt
Guest: President Donald Trump

Episode Overview

In this episode of "The Hugh Hewitt Show: Highly Concentrated," host Hugh Hewitt interviews President Donald Trump in an in-depth, wide-ranging conversation covering U.S. foreign policy (Iran, Cuba, China, Venezuela), military priorities, judicial appointments, health care strategy, and the domestic political landscape. The episode is a condensation of the full interview, focusing on major current events and significant policy questions facing the Trump administration in 2026.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Situation in Iran and U.S. Foreign Policy

• Iran's Internal Crisis: Hewitt opens by noting reports from analysts about Iran's failing regime—fuel/electricity/water shortages and ongoing protests ([00:12]).
• Trump's Stance: Trump claims his administration already "brought down" Iran’s influence and defuses any admission over pushing for complete regime collapse, but warns of strong retaliation if protests lead to more violence against civilians:

  "I've let them know that if they start killing people...they're going to have to pay hell." — Donald Trump ([01:03])

• Message to Iranian People: Trump praises Iranians, recalls American businesses thriving in pre-revolution Iran, and contrasts the current situation with the past ([01:57]).

2. China, Activism, and Diplomacy

• Jimmy Lai’s Situation: Hewitt asks if Trump has engaged Xi Jinping on the jailed Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai. Trump confirms he raised Lai’s case but has not received a response so far:

  "If Jimmy Lai was freed, would you consider that to be a very significant gesture by China?" — Hugh Hewitt
  "I would. I think it would be a great thing...His son is working hard to get him out." — Donald Trump ([04:11-04:17])

3. Cuba and Shifting Geopolitics in the Hemisphere

• Cuban Regime's Vulnerability: Hewitt wonders whether the Cuban dictatorship is at a breaking point post-Venezuela ([05:11]).
• Trump's View: Trump describes Cuba as "hanging by a thread" due to lost Venezuelan support, highlighting recent U.S. actions in Venezuela as pivotal. He attributes Cuba's decline to lost revenue and says collapse is possible but notes "people have been saying that for many years" ([06:20], [06:54]).

4. The "Trump Doctrine" and National Security

• Doctrine Summarized: Hewitt proposes the Trump Doctrine as: "Don't kill or threaten Americans or our property...or we will hit you very, very hard" ([07:45]).
• Trump Expands: Trump includes drugs as part of this threat matrix, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for both security and narcotics issues ([08:00]).

5. Defense Spending and Military Modernization

• Naval Expansion ("Golden Fleet" and Shipyards):
  • Trump details a massive defense spending increase, the banning of defense contractor stock buybacks, capping executive salaries, and the re-opening and expansion of shipyards, especially in Philadelphia ([14:14], [15:17], [15:47]).
  • Plans for new battleships—"25 on schedule"—and possible return to WWII-era levels of production, including modernization with missile tubes ([15:22]).
  • Partnership with South Korea and others for rapid shipbuilding ([15:47]).

6. Supreme Court and Future Judicial Appointments

• Potential SCOTUS Candidates: Hewitt lists prominent conservative judges and politicians; Trump praises all, jokes Ted Cruz would be the "only one guaranteed confirmation" as "everyone wants him out of the Senate" ([16:21-17:43]).
• Advisors: Trump avoids naming current judicial advisors on the air ([17:50]).

7. Domestic Policy: Health Care, Legislation Strategy, and DREAMers

• Bundling Health Care Legislation: Hewitt suggests combining health care reform with popular initiatives (AM radio in every car, DREAMers Act) to attract Democratic votes ([20:48]).
• Trump’s Health Care Stance: Trump insists health care is too significant to bundle and emphasizes directing money to people, not insurance companies—reiterates the failures he attributes to Democrats being “in bed with the insurance companies” ([21:20], [21:45]).

8. Political Strategy and Reflections on Debates

• Debates and Party Health: Trump reminisces on prior debate performances, justifies abstaining from crowded 2023-24 GOP debates, and claims he "did the right thing" by not participating ([23:38]).
• Biden Debate Recap: He asserts the debate with Biden revealed Biden's infirmity ([23:54]).

9. Democratic Prospects for 2028

• Democratic Field: Hewitt asks Trump's opinion on 2028 Democratic hopefuls; Trump dismisses all named candidates, calls it "sad," and avoids stating which Democratic contenders he finds strongest ([25:32-26:24]).

10. New York City & Leadership

• Future of NYC under New Mayor: Trump comments on Mr. Mamdani:

  "His policies are not good, but maybe he changes...I want to do everything I can to help New York." — Donald Trump ([26:51-27:34])

11. Space Force “Golden Dome” Hub

• Location Under Consideration: Hewitt mentions studies favoring Ravenna, Ohio as the hub for Space Force. Trump says he loves Ohio and confirms it’s under consideration ([27:53]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Iranian Protest Crackdowns:

  “If they start killing people...they're going to have to pay hell.”
  — Donald Trump ([01:19])

• On the Cuban Regime:

  "I think that Cuba is hanging by a thread. Cuba's in big trouble."
  — Donald Trump ([06:20])

• On Defense Spending:

  "All that money ... is going to have to be... put into building new plant and equipment ... we're going to be very much back in the shipbuilding business."
  — Donald Trump ([14:14], [15:47])

• On Health Care Reform:

  "I want the money to go directly to the people and let the people buy their own health care and everybody loves it."
  — Donald Trump ([21:20])

• On Potential Supreme Court Nominees:

  "All of the names that you mentioned are great names, every one of them. I know them all."
  — Donald Trump ([17:40])

• On Future Debates:

  "I love debating. But I think I did the right thing ... I figured, why should I allow myself to be whacked by all 10 people at the same time?"
  — Donald Trump ([23:38])

• On 2028 Democrats:

  "With 350 million people ... that's the best they can do. It's pretty sad."
  — Donald Trump ([25:44])

• On Mr. Mamdani (NYC Mayor):

  "His policies are not good, but maybe he changes."
  — Donald Trump ([26:51])

Important Segment Timestamps

• Opening & Iran Discussion: [00:01]–[03:29]
• China & Jimmy Lai: [03:29]–[04:55]
• Cuba & Venezuela: [04:55]–[06:54]
• Doctrine, Media, Defense: [07:45]–[15:47]
• Supreme Court Future & Advisors: [16:21]–[18:01]
• Health Care & Legislative Strategy: [20:48]–[21:45]
• Political Strategy & Debates: [23:38]–[24:24]
• 2028 Democratic Field: [25:32]–[26:24]
• NYC & Space Force Hub: [26:47]–[28:06]

Episode Tone

The conversation is brisk, unscripted, and occasionally jocular, reflecting the long-standing rapport between Hewitt and Trump. Both use a direct, conversational style, with Trump often digressing into personal anecdotes or jabs at opponents, and Hewitt focusing on getting succinct policy and strategy answers that are relevant to current headlines and future policy directions.

Summary

This episode provides a comprehensive view of President Trump's current foreign and domestic policy priorities, approaches to diplomacy and defense, strategy regarding judicial appointments, and forward-looking commentary on the future of major American cities and the Democratic Party. The discussion is engaging both for Trump supporters and anyone interested in understanding the current administration’s perspective on world affairs, national security, American institutions, and political competition.