The Jim Acosta Show – “No Kings 2 Coming Up Fast and Bolton Indicted”

Date: October 16, 2025
Host: Jim Acosta
Guests: Larry Sabato (Director, UVA Center for Politics), Ezra Levin (Co-founder, Indivisible)

Overview

In this lively episode, Jim Acosta surveys the turbulent American political landscape in the days before “No Kings Day 2,” a major protest aimed at the Trump administration’s authoritarian tendencies. Joined first by veteran political analyst Larry Sabato, discussion centers on the prolonged government shutdown, key gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey, and the impacts of recent scandals. Then, activist Ezra Levin joins to talk about the mood of the progressive grassroots, the escalating repressive actions of the Trump administration, and why mass mobilization remains vital. Acosta weaves in recent news about escalating racism within the Republican Party, the administration’s efforts to pressure universities, and the indictment of John Bolton.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown and Accountability

Segment start: 00:00

• Polling on blame: New AP-NORC poll shows ~58% of Americans blame Trump and Republicans for the ongoing government shutdown, compared to 54% who blame Democrats.
  • Jim Acosta: “With power comes responsibility. … If Republicans are in charge of the Congress, you’re on the line for this too.” (02:06)
• Larry Sabato: Argues it’s logical more blame falls on Republicans—they control the White House and both chambers, as well as the Supreme Court.
  • “The Republicans control the government. … If Donald Trump can solve the Middle East problems, can't he bring Democrats and Republicans together? And the answer is no, he doesn't care.” (01:27)

2. Virginia and New Jersey Gubernatorial Races

Segment start: 02:44

Virginia

• Poll tightening for Spanberger: Conservative pollster Trafalgar Group shows Democrat Abigail Spanberger’s lead shrinking to 3 points. Other polls (Washington Post, Emerson) had her up 10–12 points in September.
  • Scandal involving Democratic Attorney General nominee Jay Jones seen as dragging down the ticket.
  • Sabato: “He (Jay Jones) has no one to blame but himself. ... The Republicans were smart to release [the texts] when it was most damaging.” (03:57)
  • Sabato doesn’t believe the Spanberger race is in danger but acknowledges increased competitiveness.
• On campaign advertising: Analyzes a Spanberger attack ad portraying Republican Winsome Sears as dangerously far-right.
  • “That was a very good ad ... She is really hard right. There’s just no question about it.” (06:12)

New Jersey

• Race between Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli is close.
  • Sabato notes New Jersey has grown more competitive for Republicans and “Republican voters are considerably more enthusiastic than Democratic voters.” (08:56)
• Turnout seen as critical due to off-year timing and lower Democratic enthusiasm.

3. Democratic Weakness and MAGA Strength

Segment start: 08:56

• Acosta: Surprised Democrats aren’t benefiting more from Republican chaos and scandals.
  • “A lot of these races should be a cakewalk for the Democrats ... But Democratic popularity is not in a good place.” (09:20)
• Sabato: Cites ineffective Democratic leadership and contrasts it with Trump’s supercharged, unwavering base.
  • “Trump, in this second term... solidified a large functioning base... now it’s low-40s. ... His base won’t defect at all, even if he left for Mars.” (10:30)
• Discuss No Kings protests as a grassroots surge with potential to shake up turnout.

4. Threats to Academic Independence: The Trump University Compact

Segment start: 12:19

• Discussion of the Trump administration’s attempt to force universities to sign a “compact” that would limit academic freedom, cap international students, freeze tuition, and restrict criticism of conservatives.
  • Sabato: “That compact takes away our independence almost completely. It obliterates free speech—even in the classroom ... If we sign this, we are not allowed to ‘belittle conservatives.’ I tell people I’m in the belittling business. So are you.” (13:08)
  • “It’s the old line: ‘free speech for me, but not for thee.’ … We’ve got to fight it, not sign it.” (13:53)
• Acosta underscores how the initiative contradicts traditional conservative rhetoric about local control of schools.

5. Resurgent Racism and GOP Leadership Failures

Segment start: 17:30

• Trigger: Pro-Hitler, racist group chat among young Republicans comes to light.
• J.D. Vance (Vice President) response: Downplays the incident, calling for people to “grow up” and stop ruining young people’s lives over “stupid jokes.” (18:40)
  • Acosta reaction: “J.D. Vance, you’re the one that needs to grow up... For once, could these guys call out the racists in their party?... This is a leadership test and you failed.” (20:01)
• Broader context: Rising evidence of white nationalist and racist imagery and rhetoric within the MAGA movement and GOP.
  • “There’s a through line in all of this, folks... The racist behavior, the racist actions of this administration.” (20:28)
  • NYT reports Trump considering a refugee overhaul favoring white applicants.
  • Acosta: “The headline ought to just be ‘Trump favors white people.’ That should be the headline.” (21:10)
  • Connection to Charlottesville (“very fine people” moment) and ICE raids.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Larry Sabato:
  • “With power comes responsibility...” (02:06)
  • “Partisan pollsters tend to be accurate when their side wins. … I don’t believe it’s that close.” (03:48)
  • “The independence [of universities] is being threatened ... That compact takes away our independence almost completely.” (12:44–13:08)
• Jim Acosta:
  • “If Republicans are in charge of the Congress, you’re on the line for this too.” (02:06)
  • “J.D. Vance, you’re the one who needs to grow up ... This is a leadership test and you failed.” (20:01)
  • “There’s a through line in all of this... The racist behavior, the racist actions of this administration.” (20:28)
• Ezra Levin:
  • “If you’re feeling depressed, you’re paying attention. This regime is escalating ... They’re terrorizing American communities with a secret police force ... The fear you feel is what authoritarian regimes do. Our real enemy is cynicism, nihilism, fatalism.” (32:13)
  • “We’re headed into the largest peaceful protest in modern American history. ... We’re bigger, we’re more unified, we’re doing more stuff, and the regime is weakening.” (34:09–35:33)
  • “The single worst thing we could do is ... say, okay, we’re not going to exercise [our rights] ... If we do that, we lose them.” (37:39)
  • “We don’t do kings in America, and we have constitutional rights and we’re going to exercise them.” (39:33)
  • “I want to see in January 2027 ... hearings ... testimony—not just from the top dogs, but from anybody who said, ‘Well, I was just following orders.’ … You will face consequences...” (41:38–42:59)

Activism & Hope: No Kings Day 2

Segment start (with Ezra Levin): 31:38

• “No Kings” movement described as the largest peaceful protest in modern history; prior turnout was 4–6 million, with more expected.
  • Focused on anti-authoritarian action, defense of democracy, and mass mobilization.
  • “Our enemy is not Trump ... our enemy is cynicism and nihilism and fatalism ... We’ve got to break through.” (32:13–33:43)
• Safety preparations and nonviolent discipline emphasized in response to administration attempts to provoke unrest.
  • “We have trained tens of thousands ... every event has a safety lead and a safety plan.” (38:21)
• Ezra remains optimistic: “There are more of us than there are of the authoritarians. It’s not even close.” (36:25)
• Acosta and Levin lament the Democratic Party establishment’s reluctance to fight harder but see some shift toward a “fight back faction.”
• Both encourage listener participation in local No Kings events and continued pressure for real accountability and reform.

Timestamps for Major Sections

• 00:00: Episode intro, Larry Sabato joins
• 00:33–02:44: Shutdown polling and blame
• 02:44–07:16: Virginia/New Jersey governor races; poll credibility; impact of scandals, campaign ads
• 08:56–12:19: Democratic struggles, Trump’s energized base, and the mobilization power of No Kings
• 12:19–14:05: University “compacts,” academic freedom, and conservative hypocrisy
• 17:30–24:00: GOP racism scandals—Telegram chat, JD Vance’s reaction, Trump’s racialized policies
• 31:38–48:44: Ezra Levin on No Kings Day 2, protest strategy, hope vs. cynicism, Democratic leadership accountability, growing anti-authoritarian activism

Takeaways for Listeners

• The government shutdown intensifies partisan blame, largely falling on Republicans in control.
• Virginia and New Jersey races underscore the volatile, scandal-driven landscape and potential warning signs for Democratic turnout.
• Democratic leadership appears disconnected or weakly positioned in the face of an emboldened, loyal MAGA base, but there is a growing “fight back” movement inside the party and among grassroots activists.
• The Trump administration is exerting unprecedented pressure on academic institutions and furthering racially discriminatory policies.
• Escalating racist incidents and lackluster denouncements by Republican leadership represent a major crisis for democracy.
• The “No Kings” protest—now in its second mass mobilization—represents a significant, historic uprising of anti-authoritarian action and hope in troubled times.
• Joining local protests, maintaining hope, and demanding accountability are presented as civic imperatives.

Final Memorable Quote:
Ezra Levin (35:33):
“We’re headed into the largest peaceful protest in modern American history ... We are more unified than we were before ... So we’re bigger, we’re more unified, we’re doing more stuff, and the regime is weakening...”