Michael Cohen rips Trump's plummeting poll numbers and Olivia Troye slams shameful deportation of 4-year old U.S. kid with cancer.

Summary

Episode Summary: The Jim Acosta Show

Title: Michael Cohen rips Trump's plummeting poll numbers and Olivia Troy slams shameful deportation of 4-year old U.S. kid with cancer
Host: Jim Acosta
Release Date: April 28, 2025

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1. Introduction and Trump's Declining Poll Numbers

Jim Acosta opens the show highlighting the critical state of former President Donald Trump's polling numbers. Citing a recent ABC News-Washington Post-Ipsos poll, Acosta notes, “Donald Trump has the lowest 100-day job approval rating of any president in the last 80 years” (00:00). He parallels this decline with that of Elon Musk, emphasizing the widespread discontent surrounding Trump’s policies and economic fears.

Key Points:

• Trump's approval ratings are at an unprecedented low.
• Public backlash against his policies is intensifying.
• Economic concerns, including fears of a recession, are contributing factors.

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2. Michael Cohen on Media Hostility and Authoritarian Tactics

Michael Cohen joins the discussion, fiercely criticizing Trump’s rhetoric against the press. At (01:05), Cohen states, “He really needs to understand how dangerous it is when you call the press the enemy of the state. That is so right out of an authoritarian playbook.” He draws parallels between Trump’s actions and those of authoritarian regimes, underscoring the perilous trajectory of American politics under Trump’s influence.

Notable Quote:

• Michael Cohen: “The only person that he just beat out for the lowest number happens to be himself from 2017… When you send off a 4-year-old child with stage 4 metastatic cancer, right, to El Salvador… It’s wrong, it’s cruel, it’s un-American.” (02:50)

Key Points:

• Trump’s labeling of the press as enemies echoes authoritarian strategies.
• Cohen criticizes Trump’s handling of sensitive deportation cases, particularly involving U.S. citizen children with severe illnesses.
• The administration’s actions are seen as increasingly inhumane and unconstitutional.

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3. Immigration Policies and Human Rights Violations

Jim Acosta and Michael Cohen delve into the administration's controversial immigration policies, focusing on the deportation of U.S. citizen children. Acosta references a specific case reported by NBC News: “a four-year-old boy with stage four cancer was flown to Honduras without his medication” (28:17). Both guests condemn these actions as “monstrous” and “heartless,” highlighting the blatant violation of due process and human rights.

Notable Quotes:

• Jim Acosta: “Trump wants to get rid of birthright citizenship… They are in violation of the law.” (07:54)
• Olivia Troy: “This is absolutely disgusting and deplorable… to have that child… when is that child coming back to the US so he can get the treatment he needs?” (23:47)

Key Points:

• The deportation of U.S. citizen children, especially those with medical needs, raises severe ethical and legal concerns.
• Critics argue that these actions undermine fundamental American values and constitutional rights.
• The administration is accused of using deportations as a political tool to maintain support within the Republican Party.

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4. Allegations of Judicial Undermining and Authoritarianism

The conversation shifts to the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan in Milwaukee for allegedly interfering with ICE operations. Michael Cohen critiques the administration’s stance on the judiciary, suggesting a potential threat to judicial independence. He argues that if lower judges are targeted, higher courts, including the Supreme Court, could be at risk.

Notable Quote:

• Michael Cohen: “This is the sort of shit that dictators and supreme leaders and monarchs and kings and despots and autocrats do. This is the United States of America.” (06:28)

Key Points:

• The administration is perceived as undermining judicial independence by targeting judges who interfere with immigration enforcement.
• There is apprehension about the potential for broader repression, including threats to higher courts.
• These actions contribute to fears of the U.S. sliding towards authoritarianism.

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5. International Repercussions and Trump's Global Influence

Jim Acosta discusses Trump’s impact on international politics, noting his negative influence on global perceptions of the U.S. and the rise of progressive movements in response to his administration. He mentions elections in Canada and Australia as examples where backlash against Trump-style policies is manifesting.

Key Points:

• Trump’s aggressive rhetoric is prompting backlash internationally, leading to political shifts towards more progressive and conservative leaders opposing his style.
• Countries like Canada and Australia are experiencing political changes partially influenced by Trump's policies and international stance.
• The administration’s actions are seen as pushing global politics towards instability and reactionary movements.

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6. The Media’s Struggle for Independence

In the latter part of the episode, Jim Acosta addresses concerns about the media’s independence, specifically referencing the turmoil at “60 Minutes.” He emphasizes the critical role of an independent press in a democracy and warns against corporate and governmental interference that threatens journalistic integrity.

Notable Quote:

• Jim Acosta: “Journalism isn't important to democracy. It isn't vital to democracy. It is democracy.” (41:02)

Key Points:

• Recent changes and resignations at prominent news institutions like “60 Minutes” signal threats to media independence.
• The consolidation of media ownership and fear of political backlash are compromising journalistic freedom.
• An independent press is essential for maintaining democratic accountability and transparency.

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7. Conclusion: Call to Action for Public Engagement

The episode concludes with a strong call to action, urging listeners to remain engaged, support independent journalism, and hold the administration accountable. Jim Acosta and Olivia Troy emphasize the importance of public participation in safeguarding democracy and human rights.

Key Points:

• Continued public vigilance and activism are necessary to counteract authoritarian tendencies.
• Supporting independent media outlets is crucial for preserving transparency and accountability.
• Listeners are encouraged to participate in democratic processes and advocate for human rights.

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Final Thoughts

In this episode of The Jim Acosta Show, host Jim Acosta, along with guests Michael Cohen and Olivia Troy, provide a critical examination of the Trump administration’s declining popularity, controversial immigration policies, and the broader implications for American democracy and global politics. Through pointed discussions and incisive commentary, the episode underscores the urgent need for public engagement and media independence in the face of mounting authoritarian threats.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jim Acosta (00:00): “Donald Trump has the lowest 100-day job approval rating of any president in the last 80 years.”
• Michael Cohen (01:05): “He really needs to understand how dangerous it is when you call the press the enemy of the state.”
• Jim Acosta (07:54): “Trump wants to get rid of birthright citizenship… They are in violation of the law.”
• Michael Cohen (02:50): “When you send off a 4-year-old child with stage 4 metastatic cancer… It’s wrong, it’s cruel, it’s un-American.”
• Jim Acosta (28:17): “Trump is going to continue to say people voted for this, that they voted for cruelty.”
• Olivia Troy (23:47): “When is that child coming back to the US so he can get the treatment he needs?”

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This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting the critical discussions, key points, and significant quotes to provide a clear understanding for those who haven't listened to the podcast.

Transcript

[Jim Acosta]

All right, welcome everybody to the Jim Acosta show. It is Monday, as you can see. Michael Cohen is back for another edition of Michael Monday. And you know, we gotta start off, it's 99 days into this presidency and Trump is obsessed with his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad poll numbers. Michael Trump's poll numbers are in freefall. ABC News saying Donald Trump has the lowest 100 day job approval rating of any president in, in the last 80 years with public pushback on many of his policies and extensive economic discontent, including broad fears of a recession. This is according to a new ABC News Washington Post Ipsos poll. Same thing For Elon Musk, AP reporting that Elon Musk just 33% of US adults have a favorable view of Elon Musk. And Trump is responding to these poll numbers by calling the press the enemy, saying that these people should be investigated for election fraud. And add in the Fox News pollster while you're at it. Michael, he's pissed off at Fox News too because they put out a poll showing the exact same thing, that his numbers are tanking.

[Michael Cohen]

Fox News, Ipsos, abc, Washington Post calling them, as you just rightfully said, enemy of the state. You know, there really needs to be legitimate understanding by your viewers, by my viewers, by everyone, how dangerous it is when you call the press the enemy of the state. That is so right out of an authoritarian playbook. Let me be very clear. He does not like the result of the poll number and that's understandable. Nobody wants to have poll numbers that are not just below water. It's below water where somebody sitting on your head and they're drowning you. That's how that, I mean, he's drowning himself.

[Jim Acosta]

He's drowning himself.

[Michael Cohen]

The only person who he, who, who he just beat out for the lowest number happens to be himself from the 2017 for the worst 100 days. So if you don't like the results of a poll, what do you do? How about do something that's going to raise you in the polls that make you favorable? He's tanking on the economy, he's tanking on immigration now which was his strong point. That's how he won the election. He's tanking on that too. When you send off a 4 year old child with stage 4 metastatic cancer, right, to El Salvador or to internment camp with no medication, no anything. I don't care, I don't care what somebody wants to say. It's wrong, it's cruel, it's un American. And that's why, that's why his Poll numbers.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah.

[Michael Cohen]

If he wants to change it, he change it. Do something good, for God's sakes. Wouldn't you and I, by the way, would you not turn around on next Michael Monday and say, hey, Michael, Donald did something fantastic. He went ahead, he got into Air Force One, he went off to El Salvador, rang the doorbell to that prison, got a hold of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, brought him back to the United States, you know, bought him a dinner and then said sorry and know gave him a MAGA hat and said, I'll see you soon. Yeah, I would say good job.

[Jim Acosta]

He's not going to do that. And you know how he is, Michael. You know, he's, he's pigheaded and he's just not, he's just not going to change course. I mean, I think that the Atlantic just came out with an interview this morning where they asked him about the tariffs and the markets and might the markets hit a certain low point where you'll turn around and change course on tariffs. And he said, no, I've been talking about this for 30 years, I'm not going to change course on this. And you mentioned these kids who are being deported. Let's just be very clear about this. NBC News reporting. I'm going to talk about this a little bit later with Olivia Troy too. Two US citizen children were sent on their mother's deportation flight to Honduras without the opportunity to speak to attorneys, leaving a four year old boy with stage four cancer without access to his medication, according to the National Immigration Project. I mean, Michael, I'm starting to think of this as, and I was thinking about, you know, Trump's good at branding. I, you know, sometimes you and I are pretty good at branding. These are MAGA monsters. These are MAGA monsters. When you deport a four year old US citizen kid with stage four cancer. I'm sorry, you are a monster. You're not a human being. And this is, this is what the public has gotten a taste of. They, they elected Donald Trump to deal with inflation, deal with the economy. He hasn't done that. He's tanked the markets and now they're deporting kids with stage 4 cancer. That's why people are pissed.

[Michael Cohen]

MAGA morons are governing America. That's what it stands for. Only a moron would do something like this, create a policy, not a concept of a policy, but an actual policy. So those people who are going to be subject to deportation know who they are, know what's going on. You don't show up, for example, at A nightclub in Colorado. Right. And then just start grabbing every, Everybody. Young women in dresses, guys wearing suits, and everybody somehow is now Ms. 13. I didn't know that Ms. 13 was that big. I mean, it's like every single person now that they're grabbing is Ms. 13.

[Jim Acosta]

Well, they, they see people who look like they're Hispanic or Latino, and they just automatically make the assumption that these people are in the country illegally.

[Michael Cohen]

In all fairness, Jim, you're Hispanic.

[Jim Acosta]

I, I, I am. And I'm, I am.

[Michael Cohen]

My grandmother was born in Argentina.

[Jim Acosta]

I was born in Virginia. Just for, just for future reference to the Trump. I was born in Virginia and I have the birth certificate. But, Michael, I mean, this is the issue. People might want, of course, border enforcement to be stepped up. There's no question about that. You look at the polls, that's reasonable. They might even say, yeah, I'll sign on for gang members and criminals and people who shouldn't be violent, people who shouldn't be in the country, obviously, sign me up, sure. But a mother with a kid with stage four cancer. I'm sorry, you're behaving like a monster. You're behaving as less than a human being.

[Michael Cohen]

I'm behaving the way I remember hearing stories from my father, who is a concentration camp survivor from Poland, from Auschwitz. All right? This is the sort of shit that dictators and supreme leaders and monarchs and kings and despots and autocrats do. This is the United States of America. In fact, I have to tell you, when I first saw it, I'm embarrassed. I'm, like, embarrassed in front of the world. This is not who America is. This is not who we ever were. I mean, imagine we're now comparing ourselves to the worst of the worst in the world. When did something like this happen to us?

[Jim Acosta]

It happened because he was put back in office, Michael. And you and I and a lot of other people, we're warning people publicly over the airwaves. This is not a situation where people can say, well, you people in the media didn't report this. No, it was reported time and again. Donald Trump was out on the campaign trail and said he wanted to go after the enemy from within. They were waving signs at the RNC last summer with signs that said mass deportations. Now, this was all out in the open. This was crystal clear to people, and they made a decision, and now they're having to deal with it. The other thing, Michael, all I know.

[Michael Cohen]

Is I've been calling this, I've been yelling this from the rooftops. Forever. And by the way, you know who else is yelling this from the rooftops? The same guy that got tossed out of the briefing room and had his credentials taken from him. And of course, to those people that are watching, I am referring to the great Jim Acosta.

[Jim Acosta]

Oh, well, yeah.

[Michael Cohen]

His credentials. Oh, you found. I was talking about you.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah, yeah. No, I mean, honestly, again, this is not one of the situations where you guys in the media didn't report this or there weren't people out there not telling us this. And I do understand that, yes, there are people out there who agree and understand that that's the case. But, Michael, the other thing you and I need to talk about, because it's been a while since you and I have caught up, they arrested this judge in Milwaukee, accusing this judge of Judge Hannah Dugan of interfering with an ICE operation for trying to help an undocumented immigrant get away from enforcement and so on. And, you know, this was brought up at the White House press briefing earlier today. And the Trump. This is. According to the New Republic, the Trump administration is open to arresting Supreme Court justices if you listen to the White House press secretary, Caroline Levitt. Peter Doocy over at Fox said, you guys arrested a Milwaukee county judge for allegedly helping illegal immigrants get away. Ducey asked, are you looking at other judges? Would you even arrest somebody higher up on the judicial food chain, like a federal judge or a Supreme Court justice? And if you look at the answer from Caroline Levitt, she does not rule it out. She does not say, no, we would not do that. And she says anyone who is breaking the law or obstructing federal enforcement officials from doing their jobs is putting themselves at risk of being prosecuted. Absolutely. Michael, what was your response to that? You saw Cash Patel tweeting this out and so on. What do you think? Sure.

[Michael Cohen]

Well, look, they're all feckless. Cash Patel's and the rest of the Caroline Levitt, whatever the talking point memoir is for the day, understand that that's exactly what they say. It's what they have to say.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah.

[Michael Cohen]

You do remember approximately two weeks ago, maybe three weeks ago, the Supreme Court came down with a decision, and that was in regard to the firing as an example of Judge Boasberg, because Trump didn't like the decision. The Supreme Court understands exactly what's going on here. One of the fears that they have is that I wrote about it in my substack, why people keep ignoring what Trump is saying. So far, what he said he intended to do, he is actually doing. It's not like he's hiding about it. He is doing it in plain sight.

[Jim Acosta]

Yes.

[Michael Cohen]

So what was their big fear? Their big fear, Jim, was that he would fire Judge Boasberg, federal court judge, which is a lifetime appointment by another president. And their fear was not about Boasberg. It was about themselves. That he could fire a federal court judge. Why could he then not fire a Supreme Court judge? Well, they're talking about if they could arrest a judge on this and make this stick, create a precedent, why could they not arrest Judge Boasberg? Why could they not arrest Judge Engoron? Right. In the, in the civil case, the Tisching New York civil case.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah.

[Michael Cohen]

Why could they not arrest Judge Juan Merchan in the criminal case, New York, the Alvin Bragg case? Why could they not arrest a Supreme Court justice? Why could they not if the precedent exists? Because this group is lawless. They don't believe in the Constitution. They don't believe in due process. They don't believe in rule of law, despite the fact they keep telling everybody that they are the law and order party.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah, well, I mean, clearly, you know, Trump wants an authoritarian style government. They see the executive branch as sort of the premier branch of the three branches of government. That's not how it works in this country. And you know, Caroline Levitt could have gone out there into the briefing room today and taken that question, said, Peter, give me a break. You know, we're not going to go out and arrest Supreme Court justices. They're not going to. She didn't say that. She didn't say that because they want.

[Michael Cohen]

Everyone to be in fear and apprehension for their safety. Look, there's the reason, Jim, why they showed the video of the deportees, the right. In El Salvador.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah.

[Michael Cohen]

It's brutal. Ripping, you know, shaving their heads, stripping them out, you know, marching them where literally my, my back is. I wake up, my back hurts. With their head between their legs, like in a crawled position. That used to do to like, you know, the fraternity pledges. I mean, they wanted to show the brutality of it all in that way. Well, maybe Jim Acosta saw this. Maybe Jim Acosta doesn't want to have his beautiful hair shaved off. Maybe he's not able to walk like a duck like that, you know, stripped out and so on. You know, maybe these things will get to him and he'll say, you know what? I'm not going to say anything negative about anybody in this administration. I'm going to cower. I'm going to do what so many others are doing. I'm going to including some of the law firms that capitulated to the extortion to the tomb of $1 billion of free legal work for this administration. This is all absurd, seen again, and I don't want to sound like a broken record, it is un American. It's unconstitutional. It violates due process. It is insane. And that's why I say this all the time. This administration, they are literally following page by page to those of you who are a little bit too lazy to read the 922 page manifesto entitled Project 2025.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah, no, it's all there.

[Michael Cohen]

No problem.

[Jim Acosta]

That's right.

[Michael Cohen]

Yeah. You don't need to. You got Jim Acosta here to help break it down. You have Michael Cohen on Michael Monday. He will break it down for you and explain to you. You see, I've been calling this since 2018 when I testified live. That was one out of seven live before, what do you call it? The House Oversight Committee and God rest his soul, Elijah Cummings. And I told you what was going to happen.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah, I know. No, but the other thing about this, Michael, is there's a bumbling, sort of incompetent aspect to all of this. I mean, you know, Trump, on the same day he's complaining about these poll numbers, he continues to fantasize about Canada becoming part of the United States. You know, he's on Truth Social. They're having the elections up in Canada and they're deciding whether to extend the Liberal Party's decade in power. They may pick new Prime Minister Mark Carney there or hand over the opposition or hand control over to the opposition Conservatives and the populist leader there. This is all according to the ap Pierre Poliev, which I had to practice that name a little earlier today. Apparently even the Canadians have a tough time pronouncing his name. But one of the reasons why the Canadians are deciding the way that they're deciding today, they're voting, the way they're voting today is, is because they're, it's kind of a big middle finger to Trump. They're, they're sick and tired of seeing Trump fantasize about Canada becoming part of the United States, about the fact, you.

[Michael Cohen]

Know, half my family live in Toronto.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah.

[Michael Cohen]

And when I speak to them, in fact, I'm technically a Canadian citizen, even though I don't have a passport or anything like that. My father, you know, when I was born, my father was a Canadian citizen. It's a whole legal thing. Anyway, the point I'm trying to make here, they're sick and tired of the denigration of their country. The same way you would be sick and tired if they were doing it to America, as I would be. I mean, they're poking at Canada every single time that he gets a chance. It's, you know, oh, they would be glorious. They're broke. If it wasn't for us, they would be invaded. Who's invading Canada? England, Donald, they're already a territory of the uk. What are you talking about? Nobody is attacking Canada other than you. Maybe, maybe Vladimir Putin, but I don't even think Trump would allow too close to our border.

[Jim Acosta]

But up in Canada, I mean, Justin Trudeau's on his way out. It looked like maybe this Pierre Poliev, and I'm trying to say his name correctly, it looked like maybe he might get into power there, become the Prime Minister.

[Michael Cohen]

I'm pretty sure it's gonna be Carney.

[Jim Acosta]

Will win, but it's gonna be Mark Carney. And you know, you got everybody from Mike Myers, I mean, you name it. Any Canadian celebrity these days is basically giving the middle finger to the U.S. i mean, Trump is having this effect on politics around the world where you're seeing progressives and liberals and all kinds of different places, you know, having a comeback in part because of its a reaction to Trump. And I suspect that they're sort of the leading indicator in all of this and that the US will be next.

[Michael Cohen]

And then what happens? They turn around, they call it fake news, enemy of the state, simply because he doesn't like it. But you know, I'll tell you, the news, mainstream media, cable news media, they get it all wrong. Think about this. So Trump sits down with Zelensky and why he wasn't wearing a black suit suit, I don't know. True.

[Jim Acosta]

Oh, yeah, I wanted to talk to you about that.

[Michael Cohen]

I don't think Trump even owns a black suit. I've never in my 15 years working for him and then years thereafter.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah, what's with that? He always wears the same suit.

[Michael Cohen]

I've never seen him in a black suit other than a tuxedo. Never happened.

[Jim Acosta]

You go to the Pope's funeral and you're wearing a blue suit again.

[Olivia Troy]

Yes.

[Michael Cohen]

You were asked not to, but yeah. So this is the part that really bothers me about the mainstream and cable news. Yeah, they're fawning over Trump because he sat down in the basilica with Zelensky. All of a sudden everything has changed. Right. We sat down, we had a great meeting. It was a great meeting. It was beautiful, quite frankly. It was wonderful. And then you Say to yourself, what do you think was said at that meeting? So substantial, so significant, that Trump is now going to turn away from his bromance with Putin on behalf of Zelensky? Because they sat down for 15, 20 minutes and had some wonderful. What can you accomplish in 15, 20 minutes? Seriously, did you now settle European war in 15 minutes?

[Jim Acosta]

Apparently Trump, Trump is now saying he thinks Zelenskyy is ready to give up Crimea. He said this to reporters, you know, after meeting with Zelensky at the Vatican. And he said, oh, I think so, in response to a question on that. Apparently Zelensky said last that Ukraine is not going to give up Crimea. They're not going to accept US recognition of Russian annexation of Crimea. And so, you know, Trump just says things and he just lies. He just makes stuff up.

[Michael Cohen]

Just like he said about China. They've been engaging in conversations multiple. He won't tell you with who China comes out and says, no, we haven't. We're not backing down either. You know, I have a thought in regard to this whole thing with Zelensky. Obviously, he knows that it's one of the things that's bringing his poll numbers down. He's desperate for a win. So maybe he's thinking if he smooths his way, because Trump, as you know, Jim, can be very, very, very engaging. And, you know, he will just ask.

[Jim Acosta]

Bill Maher, you know, but anyway, yeah.

[Michael Cohen]

And by the way, it's a fact, I've seen it happen a hundred times. People that he curses out on a Monday come in and they're like, you know, he's not such a bad guy. You know, he's very charming, he really can do that. But he's not walking away from Putin. He was basically sending a message through the media without having to make the phone call to Putin. Listen, you're fucking me up. I don't like it. You need to come to the table, do something so that I don't keep getting my ass kicked. Lo and behold, what does Putin do? We're going to have a 48 hour ceasefire so that Putin could have his military parade.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah. Well, I'll tell you something. Two people who don't fall for the charming bullshit act that Trump puts on from time to time. Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin. Vladimir Putin, I mean, you know, Vladimir Putin is not, is not fooled at all. He knows Donald Trump all too well. I mean, as I've said many times on this show, I'll say it again, at every turn, Donald Trump sides with Vladimir Putin. Find Me an example. If somebody could find me an example, I'll be happy to put it out there on this program. Find me an example where Trump did not side with Vladimir Putin. Ultimately, he might say on day one, oh, stop, Vladimir. Stop bombing the civilians. But then in a couple of days, he'll turn around and do something that is completely supportive of Vladimir Putin, like this idea that Zelenskyy's just gonna give up Crimea. I mean, the Ukrainians are going to continue to maintain their right to their sovereignty, and there's just no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Michael, great to see you, my friend.

[Michael Cohen]

Always, always missed you at the Substack gala. You were sorely, sorely.

[Jim Acosta]

Oh, that was.

[Michael Cohen]

Next one.

[Jim Acosta]

They plan on doing another one next time. Next time. Yeah, that was great. It was big success for Substack. And they've got these. These posters up around D.C. that say, the media is not dead. It's on substack, which is fantastic. It's really good stuff. Good to see you, Michael.

[Michael Cohen]

Fantastic, Jim. Missed you. Thank you, brother. Thank you to everybody who's watching.

[Jim Acosta]

Thanks a lot. Appreciate it. It's Michael Cohen, Another edition of Michael Monday. Gonna bring Olivia Troy in now because Olivia and I want to talk about this immigration situation. I mean, Michael's right. One of the reasons why Donald Trump's poll numbers are tanking right now is because the public has essentially rejected what Trump is doing on immigration. He has some support in the Republican Party. He's always gonna have some support in the Republican Party. You see, you know, a litany of Trump officials going on Fox all the time defending his actions on immigration. So that's going to prop up pumps, troll number, poll numbers to some extent. Olivia, great to see. How you doing?

[Olivia Troy]

Hi. One day at a time here.

[Jim Acosta]

One day at a time here.

[Olivia Troy]

Oh, wait, wait. How am I doing? Really?

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah.

[Olivia Troy]

Can you hear the streaming goat?

[Jim Acosta]

Do it again.

[Olivia Troy]

Screaming goat. Hold on.

[Jim Acosta]

It's a screaming goat. Can you hear the stream?

[Olivia Troy]

I don't know if you can hear that. That's how I'm doing.

[Jim Acosta]

Well, we can just imagine it's one of those screaming goats that you see in the commercials and stuff, but. No, absolutely. That's where we all are right now. Olivia, I did want to talk to you about. I mean, we're at 100 days. Tomorrow's 100 days. And I mean, you and I sort of cut from the same cloth when it comes to this viewpoint. And that is, you know, it's still a bit surreal that Trump is even back in The White House. It is, it's kind of maddening and bewildering all at the same time. And every day is another day that ends and why. But, and you and I talk about this from time to time, he still has the capacity and his people still have the capacity to reach new depths that just absolutely terrify and shock you and disgust you at the same time. And, and one of those stories would be these US citizen children who were sent out of the country with their mother to Honduras over the last few days. One of them a four year old boy with stage four cancer without access to his medication. That's according to the attorney for this family. Your thoughts on all of this? I mean, to me, it is one of the more appalling things that I think we've ever seen from Donald Trump. And there's a lot in that list.

[Olivia Troy]

Yeah, well, first, I think this is absolutely disgusting and deplorable. I, you know, I, I saw the reporting where they had lined the White House today for the background for journalists with the illegal aliens that they've deported. And you know, they're claiming those are all the criminals. Right. But I think they're using it as a shield and a cloak for the other atrocities that they're doing, such as a violation of these children's U.S. citizens rights. And so when I saw Tom Homan, I have to say I was disgusted. Gusted when he's out there and he's like, well, these women have a choice. And he kind of skirts the issue and he's trying to avoid the fact that like he claims to be for lawless, you know, for lawfulness, but instead he's engaging in basically a total trashing of our Constitution and the judicial process. And to have that child, I guess what we need to be demanding, and I would say that we all need to be raising hell about this, to be blunt. When will those children come home? When does that 4 year old, they have a right? And that 4 year old with horrible cancer, when is that child coming back to the US So he can get the treatment that he needs in medicine?

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah, and keep in mind, we have to underline this. You know, these are citizens of the United States. Trump wants to get rid of birthright citizenship. He wants the Supreme Court to give him the green light to get rid of birthright citizenship. That has not occurred. And so they are in violation of the law. And I guess, you know, Marco Rubio was asked about this and Tom Holman was asked about this, and they're basically putting out the same talking Points, I'm assuming they were all sent around, which is, well, you know, the mother was given the chance to take them with her, and so that's what she did. The attorneys are saying the kids did not get due process. And again, we're getting back to this issue of due process. And you know, to me, I mean, Marco Rubio is the child of Cuban immigrants who came to this country. I mean, I could say this because I know from my experience as a Cuban American, you know, it's a bit outlandish for somebody of Cuban descent to take this kind of hard line position when Cubans had sort of a carve out, they had special treatment, special refugee status for many, many years in this country. And just to be so cruel and heartless to me, it's, it's sickening. I mean, it's very disappointing.

[Michael Cohen]

Yeah.

[Olivia Troy]

And it should be very concerning because this is now the pivoting of lacking due process with a number of individuals now. Right. So we are, what, we're disappearing two year olds and four year olds now a four year old, that's sick. Is that what we're doing? And to your point about Marco Rubio, he should be ashamed. He should be ashamed of himself. Because Marco Rubio that I was hearing in policy meetings when I was in the White House in the first Trump administration, was sitting there advocating for citizens in Latin America, was sitting there advocating for these children. There were heated discussions. Honestly, when I saw this, I was disgusted because it reminded me of the child separation issue that happened in the first Trump administration, which was very contested internally. I know that the public has very strong feelings about it. But I can tell you, in these policy meetings, I'm thinking about the types of lawyers that were in that room. And I'm remembering people like Tad Meisel, who now serves as a chief of staff to Pam Bondi. And these are the people calling the shots. And they had some pretty atrocious viewpoints back then on the child separation issue. This is child separation on steroids because these are US Citizens that are just being deported. And like, I mean, a one minute phone call, I think, is what they reported about this woman. And the judge placing the phone call, trying to reach the woman to verify that what he was hearing from the claims, the immigration people were correct and they find out that they're already on the flight. And so I guess that's why I'm saying, my question is, when Pam Bondi and Tom Homan, will these children be brought back to the United States? Or is it another situation where you're just gonna deflect and ignore the courts, you're gonna ignore this Judge again, who's O'Reagan appointee, I believe. Right. I mean, this judge is asking questions. This is a conservative judge that has ruled in favor of the Trump administration on previous issues. And so, and he's saying, I have concerns about the way this was handled and done. And. Exactly. So it makes sense. Right. Because if we're going to do this and we're going to skirt the law, it's not just these children, these US Citizens, who's next? That is a problem, a pattern of behavior here.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah. I mean, this is. According to NBC News, the four year old boy who is actively receiving treatment for a rare form of cancer was flown to Honduras without his medication. That is according to a lawyer with the National Immigration Project. And to me, when it's explained to the officials that he has cancer, that he is receiving treatment for stage four cancer in the United States, that he is being flown out without his medication. At some point, somebody has to be a human being. Somebody has to stop. And I understand if you're a federal employee, you know, you're just following orders, you might think, or you're worried about your pension or, I mean, I just don't know, I don't know what would go through somebody's mind to think that they would go along. I mean, I, I, I, I don't know the full details of this. Maybe there was an official somewhere along the way who said, that's it, I resign, I quit, I'm out, I can't do this. But that to me is the epitome of just heartlessness and monstrous, just nasty, cruel behavior. And it breaks my heart thinking about it. And it says to me that they're not going to stop.

[Olivia Troy]

Oh, absolutely. I think there is more to come. Yeah. We were just talking about the 100 days and how we didn't, you know, we hoped that there would not be a return of Donald Trump to the Oval Office, given his recklessness and the danger that he poses to everything that our nation stands for. But here we are and we're living it now. And so my question, I guess is I'm, you know, I'm reflecting on the past hundred days, but pretty much what we figured we were going to get, we got what did the next hundred days look like with more damage to be inflicted? And, you know, the Supreme Court's going to hear that case. I think they scheduled it for May. They're going to hear those arguments.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah.

[Olivia Troy]

And that case is going to be critical, because I think that is going to have ramifications across the board. And so for the next hundred days, I think things are only going to get worse. We're going to see worse. Both violations of rights at this point. I mean, this is human rights we're looking at. I mean, we are a country with declining human rights here. The rest of the world is watching this, just in shock at what's happening in the United States. It is horrid. And I think, I hope that someone maybe will come forward and really tell the truth about what happened here. I would implore you to do that and actually examine your moral conscience and say, how do you sleep at night? How do you look at yourself in the mirror knowing that this is the case, especially with a child who's sick.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah, well, and these people, I mean, they have lives to live after Donald Trump is out of office and not in the political scene anymore. And so you have to ask yourself, in 10 years, 15 years from now, what is going to be going through your mind knowing that you worked in an administration that is deporting US citizen children with cancer? I mean, if that's something you can live with, I guess there you go. That's you. You live your life. But it seems to me, I mean, I agree with you, I think there are going to be some people who are searching their souls in the coming days who are going to be coming out of the woodwork and talking. And I mean, the other thing that I brought this up with Michael earlier, I'll bring it up with you because you and I haven't had a chance to talk about this, this past this judge in Milwaukee who was arrested last Friday and Cash Patel is, you know, tweeting it on, on X and so on and celebrating this. I guess the judge was in, she was being let out in handcuffs or she was let out by officers. I saw a picture along those lines. And Caroline Levitt was asked about this in the briefing room today by Peter Doocy over at fox. What about a federal judge or even a Supreme Court justice? And she said, well, that's a hypothetical question. Again, I defer you to the Department of Justice for individuals that they are looking at or individual cases. I mean, are we getting to the point where, I mean, there are a lot of mayors and governors who are saying we're not going to go along with these deportation operations. I mean, might we see a mayor arrested, a sheriff arrested?

[Olivia Troy]

Yeah, I think we will.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah.

[Olivia Troy]

You know, I think we're going to test the role of federalism in the States. Right. I always say that, that this is a moment where this, this moment was made for. But I think you will. And I think they're going to make examples of people that why they did it with the judge. You know, Kash Patel posted that, then deleted and then he celebrated it afterwards. It's all theatrics as well. Right. We know this. It's all theatrics, pomp and circumstance for their base and for who they believe, their supporters, what the supporters want. And so I think we will see that. I think that they're making examples of people and I think they're trying to intimidate judges. I think they're sending a message very clearly to the people sitting on the Supreme Court about where they stand on this. And to me that's incredibly chilling. And I hope that they have the backbone as Supreme Court justices to stand strong in this. Because if this goes, this is it. I mean, we are on our path to being a failed democracy the way we are going. And I think they did that on purpose. It wouldn't surprise me. I've been there when they're tasking out questions. I mean, for him to ask that question to me actually came off as like that was a complete setup so they could send warning shot across the bow.

[Jim Acosta]

Really? Yeah.

[Olivia Troy]

That's how I saw it. I was like, okay, you're throwing them that one. How is she going to respond? And she's sending a message clearly there.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah. And when. And Pam Bonney was saying, and Cash Patel were both saying, no one is above the law. No one is above the law. I'm sorry, you are acting as though you are above the law. And I think they want to say that other people are acting as if they're above the law and saying no one is above the law. If you're deporting a 4 year old with cancer who is a US citizen, you are behaving in a way where you think you're above the law. I mean, they've acted in ways that they think that they're above the law numerous times. And so I mean, Pete Hegseth putting out war plans, attack plans over signal. I mean, obviously if this were a low level sergeant or you know, intel officer or something along you, we'd be arrested.

[Olivia Troy]

I mean, signal is if you had.

[Jim Acosta]

Tick text, if you had texted that to me, we'd both be in jail.

[Olivia Troy]

We'd both be in jail. We'd be looking at each other across the cell being like oopsie. But he also installed signal on his desktop. Like, where, where's the line? Where's the line? I think if I did that, I'd be in some serious trouble. It's like an area without bones. And so I guess there is no line for them because the law doesn't apply for them. And if they're the people that are supposedly, I guess, in charge of instilling and, you know, instilling the rule of law and enforcing it and, you know, this is what we've got. And I think this is really concerning and chilling and I don't know where it's going to stop, which is why I say, as much as I was worried about, we saw some glimpses of it in the past 100 days. I am just very concerned about the aggression that we're going to see in the next hundred days and how they're going to push things to the limit.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah. I mean, it's the next thousand days that should worry everybody. And I mean, this is not only is this a Trump is king, he's above the law kind of administration, it's a no accountability administration. I mean, that's putting things mildly. Trump did this interview at the Atlantic and on Signalgate and Pete Hegseth, he said, quote, I think he's gonna get it together. Trump said of Pete Hegseth, oh, that's nice. It's sort of like when your kid isn't quite mastering going to the bathroom just yet. Like, potty training. You're in the middle of potty training and they're. You're trying the trick where you put the Cheerios in the toilet and say, here, aim at the Cheerios. And that's what they're doing with little Pete Hegseth right now. He's not quite getting it. He's just not quite getting it. And so Trump says, I think he's going to get it together. And he said, I had a talk with him, a positive talk, but I had a talk with him. Okay.

[Olivia Troy]

Oh, great. What did he do? Give him like, you know, punched him on the, like, shoulder and said, hey, buddy, you got to really get it together, buddy. But you're doing an amazing job. You're doing good work. Don't worry about it. You know, it's just, they're all out to attack you, but keep it up. Meanwhile, his own. I guarantee you, the military, I mean, I've heard from the community that the jokes are abound, by the way, he's completely lost the respect of the workforce. And that is what is really actually the most depressing thing of it. Is that the military community, the intelligence officers, all the civilians that work in that department, it's a massive Department of Defense. I started my career in the Pentagon. He's the, the butt of the jokes.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah.

[Olivia Troy]

The leader. You know, it's not good.

[Jim Acosta]

I know. I, I was at a baseball game last week, and you hear things like Keg's breath, you know, like, they, they. There's, you know, a lot of nicknames flying around D.C. right now. And I. But the, the thing that is ridiculous, since we're at 100 days. I mean, the thing that's ridiculous about the whole thing is that this time around, and you would know this all too well, Olivia, it seems that this time around, Trump is totally resistant to firing anybody. You know, he's. People can just bumble around and make mistakes in this new administration, and he's just not going to do anything about it because he doesn't want to hand out a scalp. He thinks it's going to reward the media if somebody loses their job and so on.

[Olivia Troy]

I think it's, I mean, that's what happens when he has staffed with complete loyalists. And I think that that is a thing he is not going to give anyone else a win on then.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah.

[Olivia Troy]

And, you know, and so regardless, regardless of the implications, and I would say, like, if anyone's coming close, it's Pete Hegseth with a number of incidents and the things that we're hearing about his staff and his own chief of staff, apparently, like, I read an article about cocaine in his office. Like, wow, that is true. I mean, that is incredibly serious. I can't even, like, I can't even, like, picture that or imagine it.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah.

[Olivia Troy]

These are the type of individuals serving the highest levels of government, which would.

[Jim Acosta]

Is certainly concerning and we should note allegations or allegations. We don't know, maybe everything is just fine and dandy, but it doesn't look like it. And I was talking about this with Michael a little bit. The thing that Trump is doing is he is pushing the rest of the world to the left. So, you know, you're seeing this election in Canada today where it looks like Mark Carney is going to be the prime minister. And, you know, it looked like Canada was trending right and was moving in a conservative direction. Trump comes in, that's not going to be the case. Apparently the Australians have an election coming up. Apparently that's going to be the case in Australia. And so, and I've heard this, this is happening in a number of places in Western Europe and I suspect will be the Lagging indicator, the United States. We don't have a parliamentary form of government or an election around the corner. And so we won't see these things until maybe the fall with these gubernatorial races or the midterms next year. But I mean, that is, I mean, let's just hope these Democratic guardrails hang in there.

[Olivia Troy]

Yeah. And we've got a ways to go. And what I would say is I, you know, I think I would call on the international community to hold us accountable. I never thought I'd say that about my own country, but it's important and it's important to do so and as a career national security official, to watch this happening here. But I would say to them, keep paying attention to what's going on in the United States and call us out. Be very public. Call us out.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah, absolutely. Olivia, great to see you. Thanks so much. Really appreciate it. I definitely wanted to get to the immigration piece of all of this. And my feeling is, my sense of it is we're going to see, and this is what we saw during the first administration on that issue. We're going to see more dehumanizing events in the coming days. I just think that that's what we're going to be seeing and the public needs to brace themselves for it. Trump is going to continue to say people voted for this, that they voted for cruelty, they voted for mass deportations that are carried out with a sledgehammer. And I think that's what we're just going to see. I just don't, I, you know, he's not going to stop and the Supreme Court may try to stop him. And I don't think he's going to listen to that. And it's going to, and you know, shit's going to go down. That's my guess.

[Olivia Troy]

Yeah, I think it's, I think we are in for the long haul and how bad this gets, but it doesn't mean that we don't continue to take a stand. We don't continue to fight. And I think we have to have our voices heard. And I think we keep showing up and we have the backs of the officials that do take a stand up against them. We've got to have their backs, too, as they fight this out.

[Jim Acosta]

Well, Olivia, I'm grateful to you because here we are. You're my last guest on this, on this show, on this 99th day of this new Trump administration. I'm glad that you're in the fight, that you're still speaking out. Others like you are speaking out and that is. I mean, and this is not to puff ourselves up or anything. This goes for all the folks out there at home who are watching this, who are listening, who are showing up at rallies, who are showing up at town halls, who are showing up at demonstrations, who are leaving comments even on this program or. Or taking part in the conversation, the larger conversation on places like Substack. It's that engagement that is going to be one of the guardrails. And so you have to continue to keep doing what you're doing out there. And that goes for you, too, Olivia.

[Olivia Troy]

I'll be here.

[Michael Cohen]

I know you will.

[Olivia Troy]

I'm in the trenches, and I'm more committed now than ever, especially watching, you know, Scott Pelay on 60 Minutes and what's happening with Bill Owens. And good for him for calling out his own company and going on record with that and just saying it, how it is to America about what's going on here across the board.

[Jim Acosta]

Yeah. The truth needs to be said now more than ever. No question about it. Great to see, Olivia. Thanks a lot.

[Olivia Troy]

Thanks.

[Jim Acosta]

That's my friend Olivia Troy. And it's almost as though she knew what I was going to end this show with. And that is, I did want to make a couple of comments about 60 minutes. Not to sound like Andy Rooney here at the end of this program, but, you know, when 60 minutes has to address 60 minutes, we're in a lot of trouble, folks. We're in a lot of trouble, folks. Last night, 60 Minutes did address the departure of executive producer Bill Owens. Scott Pelley, the longtime correspondent on that program, he explained to viewers on that program last night. This is, according to the Associated Press, that Paramount, the parent company, has begun to supervise 60 minutes and their stories in new ways. This is what Scott Pelley said, Quote, none of our stories has been blocked, Pelly said. But Bill, talking about Bill Owens, felt he lost the independence that honest journalism requires. No one here is happy about it. But in resigning blood, Bill proved he was the right person to lead 60 minutes all along. And the question becomes, and I'm not going to do it. I saw somebody say, can you do an Andy Rooney in person? You ever wonder, remember Andy Rooney? You ever wonder that's how he would end those shows? But in all seriousness, you have to wonder what's next for 60 Minutes? You know, the tick, tick, tick of the stopwatch is there, those fabulous correspondence and people are there. People like Scott Pelley are there. But the public must have the assurance that 60 minutes will continue to be 60 minutes. And whoever is put in charge of that program ultimately on a permanent basis as the executive producer must have the confidence of the American people. 60 Minutes is not just a TV show. It's not just another news program. It is of legend status in this country. It's a national treasure in this country. It's been duplicated in other countries around the world. I once did an interview with 60 Minutes Australia because they have a 60 Minutes program down there. And you can't have a situation in the United States where the most prominent news program in this country, in the most powerful country on earth, is gun shy and is incapable of making independent decisions when it comes to what it's going to put on its program because they're worried about what the parent company might think. And the parent company is thinking what the guy in the White House might think. And that is why it is vitally important that we have a free press in this country, that you have independent journalism in this country. And you have to have people like myself able to say in a journalistically sound way what is going on in the world and be able to do that with an independent voice, with a voice that is not concerned about what the guy in the, in the really nice office upstairs is thinking about. Because if we're in that kind of a situation in this country, as I said last week, when 60 Minutes is in trouble, we're all in trouble. And we just can't have that kind of, we can't have that kind of media system in this country. I've talked about this time and again on this program when I go out and speak to different events, panel discussions and so on. I talk about this all the time. The information system of the United States of America is broken, ladies and gentlemen. It's broken when the press, when much of the press is owned by giant corporations. And those giant corporations are worried about mergers and acquisitions and worried about the White House calling them and complaining about stories and so on. We don't have, by and large, independent media. And that is why it is so critically important that places like Substack continue to thrive in its independence and that you still have independence and journalism in America. And people will say, and I've heard this from time to time, my goodness, why, you know, Jim, why do you have to give your, your hot take on this, your opinion on this? We don't, we, we don't need to hear your perspectives on this, okay? That's your God given right as an American to express that viewpoint. That's fine. But I'm here to tell you As a journalist, as an American, it is absolutely my point of view that from time to time, it is okay for me to tell you what my perspective is on all of this. And this is a very. I'm just going to explain to the naysayers out there who are critical of this. It is a very American thing to say that we need to have independence in our press, independence in our media. As Walter Cronkite used to say, journalism isn't important to democracy. It isn't vital to democracy. It is democracy. And if a place like 60 minutes can no longer be relied upon as an independent voice out there, folks, what are we doing? What are we doing? I've gone on a little longer than Andy Rooney might at the end of his show, but it's an important topic. The press has to remain free in America. And that not only means free from government interference, it means free from corporate interference, too. And corporate overlords who were just worried about the bottom line or cutting the next deal or worried about what the guy in the White House thinks. That is also vitally important. I would argue that that's not just giving you an opinion or a hot take that is very much sharing an American viewpoint. We have to remain independent. We have to stay free. And with that, I want to thank Michael Cohen, Olivia Troy, and thank all of you for watching. Still reporting from Washington, I'm Jim Acosta. Have a good evening, everybody. Good night.