The Jim Acosta Show | March 7, 2025

Hosts: Jim Acosta
Guests: Olivia Troy, former Trump administration official and national security advisor to Mike Pence; Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA)
Description: Olivia Troy criticizes Donald Trump's Ukraine policy for endangering innocent lives, while Congressman Jake Auchincloss emphasizes the importance of Democrats focusing on economic issues to regain voter trust.

1. Federal Workforce Downsizing and Elon Musk’s Involvement

Discussion Overview:
Jim Acosta initiates the conversation by addressing the controversial downsizing of federal workers, including many veterans. The role of Elon Musk in these layoffs is scrutinized, especially following conflicting statements from Musk and Trump regarding his authority over government agencies.

Notable Quotes:

• Jim Acosta [00:00]:
  "Elon Musk is telling Republican lawmakers that he is not to blame for the firings of thousands of federal workers... Instead, he said... those decisions are left to the various federal agencies."

• Olivia Troy [03:01]:
  "It just reminds me of Trump's use of federal law enforcement and his view of the military and the law enforcement as his own pawns... That should be the headline here. And that screams of other countries that are failing democracies."

Key Points:

• Elon Musk’s Role:
  Musk claims he isn't responsible for federal layoffs, attributing decisions to federal agencies. This contradicts Trump's public statements positioning Musk as the head of "Doge" (presumably the Department of Government Efficiency).

• Agency Chaos:
  Olivia highlights the confusion and intimidation caused by federal marshals and DOGE employees raiding agencies like the US African Development Foundation, describing it as emblematic of authoritarian tactics.

2. Trump’s Ukraine Policy and Its Consequences

Discussion Overview:
The conversation shifts to Donald Trump's policies on Ukraine, with Olivia Troy vehemently condemning Trump's actions as detrimental to Ukraine's defense and supportive of Russian interests.

Notable Quotes:

• Olivia Troy [25:39]:
  "He wants to lose. Yeah. I think that tells you that Trump is siding with Russia, clearly. And what he's doing is he's actually helping them operationally."

• Jake Auchincloss [34:18]:
  "Donald Trump is a beta... and he views Vladimir Putin as an alpha. And so he subordinates himself to who he perceives as an alpha."

Key Points:

• Satellite Imagery Sharing Halted:
  Trump has suspended satellite imagery sharing with Ukraine, severely impacting Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian aggression.

• Implications for Ukraine:
  The reduction in military aid and intelligence support weakens Ukraine’s strategic position, effectively aiding Russia’s military efforts.

• Psychological Dynamics:
  Auchincloss discusses Trump's psychological subordination to Putin, suggesting a deep-seated alliance that undermines U.S. support for Ukraine.

3. Public Health Crisis: Measles Outbreak in Texas

Discussion Overview:
Jim Acosta brings up the resurgence of measles in Texas, drawing parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic's mismanagement. Olivia Troy criticizes current health policies and leadership, attributing the outbreak to anti-vaccine sentiments propagated by government officials.

Notable Quotes:

• Jim Acosta [08:09]:
  "How is it that measles is making a comeback in this country?"

• Olivia Troy [10:19]:
  "It's like ivermectin 2.0. Is it hydroxychloroquine? ... vitamin A does not prevent you from getting measles."

Key Points:

• Current Measles Statistics:
  Over 200 cases in Texas and additional cases in neighboring states, with hospitalizations primarily among unvaccinated children.

• Leadership Failures:
  Olivia points to the mishandling by HHS under RFK Jr., who has been promoting ineffective remedies and undermining vaccination efforts.

• Historical Trauma:
  Olivia relates the outbreak to her experiences in El Paso during COVID-19, emphasizing the recurring pattern of public health crises exacerbated by political interference.

4. Anti-Vaccine Movement and RFK Jr.’s Influence

Discussion Overview:
The role of RFK Jr. as the head of HHS is dissected, highlighting his contributions to the anti-vaccine movement and the resulting public health dangers.

Notable Quotes:

• Olivia Troy [17:05]:
  "Is there an office being established right now on how they're going to navigate this? Or is it just a bunch of conspiracy people ... playing into it?"

• Jim Acosta [17:22]:
  "The CDC is planning a large study into potential connections between vaccines and autism... There is no link between vaccines and autism."

Key Points:

• RFK Jr.’s Policies:
  Initiatives that divert focus from proven health measures to debunked theories linking vaccines to autism, undermining public trust in vaccinations.

• Impact on Public Health:
  The leadership fosters misinformation, leading to increased vaccine hesitancy and preventable disease outbreaks.

• Call to Action:
  Emphasis on trusting local doctors and communities over federal directives compromised by anti-scientific agendas.

5. Fallout of Trump’s Speech to Congress

Discussion Overview:
Olivia Troy and Congressman Auchincloss critique Trump's recent speech to Congress, labeling it as authoritarian and detrimental to American democracy.

Notable Quotes:

• Olivia Troy [20:44]:
  "He gave a very authoritarian speech... he did absolutely nothing to acknowledge the veterans in our military that are being hurt right now."

• Jake Auchincloss [39:27]:
  "It was a bad night for American politics... Democrats need to key into the fact that Republicans are trying to give tax cuts to the 1% and cut Medicaid."

Key Points:

• Authoritarian Rhetoric:
  Trump's speech included attacks on allies, baseless claims about bureaucratic overreach, and a disregard for factual accuracy.

• Republican Complicity:
  Members of the Republican Party were criticized for aligning with Trump’s misleading narratives, perpetuating chaos and misinformation.

• Impact on Democracy:
  The speech undermines democratic institutions and erodes trust in government, both domestically and internationally.

6. Congressman Jake Auchincloss on Economic Issues and Social Security

Discussion Overview:
Congressman Auchincloss emphasizes the necessity for Democrats to focus on economic issues such as Social Security, Medicaid, and affordable housing to rebuild trust with voters.

Notable Quotes:

• Jake Auchincloss [43:18]:
  "Trump and his courtiers have disdain for expertise and for civil service... They want a court that governs through fear and favor."

• Jake Auchincloss [48:07]:
  "They are trying to use these claims of fraud as a screen to then privatize or otherwise defund Social Security. They're trying to do it already with field offices..."

Key Points:

• Economic Priorities:
  Addressing rising costs in housing, healthcare, and education is crucial for re-establishing voter trust and ensuring social safety nets remain robust.

• Social Security Threats:
  Republicans are accused of attempting to privatize Social Security under the guise of combating fraud, which threatens the financial security of millions.

• Democratic Strategy:
  Advocates for bold, innovative policies that directly tackle the economic concerns of everyday Americans, moving away from the status quo.

7. Reclaiming Science and Public Trust

Discussion Overview:
Jim Acosta concludes by highlighting a protest on the National Mall advocating for science, featuring Dr. Francis Collins, newly retired from the NIH. The protest underscores the critical role of science in public health and the dangers of politicizing scientific institutions.

Notable Quotes:

• Jim Acosta [32:04]:
  "Dr. Francis Collins... reminded us that government is supposed to be of the people, by the people, for the people. And science is supposed to be the same."

• Jim Acosta [32:23]:
  "Is that what's happening right now? Is that what's happening right now? It looks like we are doing a lot of harm."

Key Points:

• Protest for Science:
  Thousands gathered to support science-based decision-making, emphasizing its foundational role in public health and policy.

• Call for Integrity:
  The importance of maintaining the Hippocratic oath of "do no harm" in governmental actions, especially regarding public health.

• Public Sentiment:
  The resurgence of preventable diseases like measles is viewed as evidence of governmental failure to uphold scientific and ethical standards.

Conclusion

In this episode of The Jim Acosta Show, the conversation delves deep into the ramifications of Donald Trump's administration policies on federal workforce downsizing, Ukraine, and public health. Olivia Troy provides critical insights into the misuse of federal agencies and the dangerous propagation of anti-scientific narratives under RFK Jr.'s leadership at HHS. Congressman Jake Auchincloss underscores the imperative for Democrats to prioritize economic issues to rebuild trust and protect social safety nets. The episode culminates with a poignant reminder of the essential role of science in governance, advocating for integrity and evidence-based policies to prevent further societal harm.

For more insights and detailed discussions, visit Jim Acosta’s Substack.