Podcast Summary: The Jim Acosta Show

Episode Title: Michael Cohen slams Trump playing golf while the markets melt down plus conservative writer Matt Lewis explains how you can be a Republican and dislike Trump
Host: Jim Acosta
Release Date: April 7, 2025
Description: Jim Acosta dives deep into the volatile financial landscape influenced by President Trump's tariff policies, features critical insights from Michael Cohen, and welcomes Matt Lewis to discuss maintaining conservative values while opposing Trump.

1. Market Volatility and Trump's Tariff Policies

The episode opens with Jim Acosta addressing the severe market downturn attributed to President Trump's unwavering stance on tariffs. He references a quote from Trump, highlighting the administration's dismissive approach to economic concerns.

• Jim Acosta [00:00]: "Sometimes you have to take medicine to fix something. So I guess we're all taking our medicine right now."

2. Michael Cohen Criticizes Trump's Economic Strategies

Michael Cohen joins the show to bluntly critique Trump's handling of economic policies and his interactions with global tech leaders. Cohen underscores the chaos and illogical nature of Trump's statements.

• Michael Cohen [00:52]: "Nothing that he says is true. Nothing that he says makes any sense."

Cohen mocks Trump's multitasking between golf and high-stakes negotiations, emphasizing the disconnect between Trump's proclamations and reality.

• Cohen [02:37]: "Imagine he's on the phone, saying, 'I just have to chip; I'm only 50 yards out from the pin.' And forget the penguins."

3. Tariffs on Israel and Diplomatic Tensions

The discussion shifts to Trump's imposition of a 17% tariff on Israeli imports, despite Netanyahu's presence at the White House advocating against it. Acosta highlights the inconsistency and potential diplomatic fallout.

• Jim Acosta [06:58]: "Trump is planning 17% tariffs on imports coming from Israel, but the White House has canceled a planned news conference with Netanyahu."

Cohen criticizes the White House officials, particularly Caroline Levitt, for their inability to provide coherent explanations, further destabilizing market confidence.

4. Planned Community Engagement: Michael Monday/Tuesday

Jim and Cohen announce their intentions to expand their outreach through live events, aiming to build a substantial community to counteract Trump's influence.

• Jim Acosta [16:22]: "We're going to take this show on the road. We're going to town halls in New York and other locations."

5. Supreme Court Ruling on Deportation Case

The conversation turns to a Supreme Court decision that temporarily halts the deportation of a Maryland man to El Salvador. Acosta and Cohen express deep concern over the administration's handling of immigration and civil liberties.

• Jim Acosta [20:43]: "The US does not have to return a Maryland man who is accidentally deported to El Salvador by midnight."

• Michael Cohen [21:24]: "He's weaponizing the Department of Justice to go against critics."

6. Hands-Off Protests and Public Resistance

Acosta highlights the surge in grassroots protests across major cities, reflecting a nationwide resistance against Trump's policies. Cohen acknowledges the strong public sentiment but doubts Trump's responsiveness to such movements.

• Jim Acosta [24:33]: "There were hands-off rallies in New York and D.C., showing folks are taking to the streets to let Trump know what they think."

• Michael Cohen [24:44]: "Trump was thinking about his next move, not the protests."

7. Concerns Over Potential Dictatorship

Both hosts express alarm over the escalating authoritarian tendencies within the administration, drawing parallels to historical dictatorships and emphasizing the erosion of constitutional safeguards.

• Michael Cohen [22:03]: "When you have someone who doesn't believe in the Constitution, you have people willing to weaponize the Department of Justice."

• Jim Acosta [25:31]: "Donald Trump doesn't understand the concept of a numerator and a denominator. He's in a 'I don't give a shit' mode."

8. Interview with Matt Lewis: Republican Identity and Opposition to Trump

Matt Lewis, a conservative writer, joins the show to discuss maintaining Republican values while critically opposing Trump. Lewis shares his background, rooted in traditional conservative principles, and his disillusionment with Trump's brand of politics.

• Matt Lewis [38:34]: "All of those reasons are the reasons that I'm against Donald Trump."

Lewis critiques the current Republican shift towards extremism and protectionism, contrasting it with the foundational beliefs of past conservative leaders like Ronald Reagan.

• Matt Lewis [42:14]: "Donald Trump is upending the post-World War II American-led consensus. He wants to return to an era before we learned these lessons."

9. The Republican Party's Struggle and Future Directions

Lewis and Acosta delve into the fragmentation within the Republican Party, highlighting the difficulty in maintaining traditional conservative values amidst Trump's dominance. They discuss the potential consequences for American democracy and the importance of restoring institutional integrity.

• Matt Lewis [53:00]: "If character mattered once upon a time, then character still matters. It's not about being pro-Trump; it's about preserving liberal democracy."

• Jim Acosta [54:01]: "The party of Reagan, Lincoln, and Eisenhower is just a mess right now and they're not standing up to Trump."

10. Final Remarks and Looking Forward

Jim Acosta wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of community engagement and vigilance against authoritarianism. He teases upcoming events and encourages listeners to stay informed through his Substack and future shows.

• Jim Acosta [34:00]: "Thank you to Matt Lewis and Michael Cohen for joining today. We need to build the community to ensure law and order is restored in the midterms."

Acosta concludes by addressing his international audience, acknowledging support from global listeners, and emphasizing the universal struggle for truth and democracy.

Notable Quotes:

• Jim Acosta [00:00]: "Sometimes you have to take medicine to fix something. So I guess we're all taking our medicine right now."

• Michael Cohen [00:52]: "Nothing that he says is true. Nothing that he says makes any sense."

• Matt Lewis [38:34]: "All of those reasons are the reasons that I'm against Donald Trump."

• Matt Lewis [53:00]: "If character mattered once upon a time, then character still matters."

Conclusion:

This episode of The Jim Acosta Show presents a critical examination of President Trump's economic policies and leadership style, featuring sharp insights from Michael Cohen and a thoughtful discussion with Matt Lewis on preserving Republican values without endorsing Trump's divisive tactics. The conversation underscores the urgent need for political accountability and community mobilization to safeguard American democracy amidst rising authoritarianism and economic instability.