Podcast Summary: "Trump CAVED To The Deep State On Defense Spending" featuring Ben Cohen
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Jimmy Dore Show
- Host: Jimmy Dore
- Guest: Ben Cohen
- Episode Title: "Trump CAVED To The Deep State On Defense Spending"
- Release Date: March 17, 2025
Introduction to the Discussion
The episode kicks off with an unexpected live interaction between host Jimmy Dore and Senator Chuck Schumer, quickly transitioning into a broader conversation about government spending, executive overreach, and the influence of the so-called "deep state" on defense budgets.
Key Points:
- Senator Schumer's Stance on Resistance:
- Quote: “We, unlike them, are respecting the rule of law and resisting, hence resistance, these unacceptable measures.” (01:20)
- Schumer emphasizes a nominal resistance without outlining concrete actions, highlighting a disconnect between rhetoric and effective measures against executive overreach.
Elon Musk's Interruption and Its Implications
Elon Musk makes an unexpected cameo, discussing government waste and attempting to influence the conversation, which highlights the complexities of private influence on public affairs.
Key Points:
- Musk on Government Spending:
- Quote: “A part of the Doge initiative is to cut government waste... it simply must be slashed like everything else.” (03:35)
- Musk criticizes significant government expenditures, implicitly targeting vast institutions like the Pentagon.
- Senator Schumer's Reaction:
- Quote: “You, a man with no actual government authority whatsoever? Is that what you're saying, Mr. Musk?” (04:10)
- Schumer rebuffs Musk's authority to dictate government actions, underscoring tensions between private citizens and public officials.
Ben Cohen Joins the Conversation
Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's and an activist, joins the show to delve deeper into government spending, particularly focusing on USAID and the Pentagon’s budget.
Key Points:
- USAID Critique:
- Quote: “I believe that’s a big part of what it does. And... in terms of the food that they supply, you know, it’s all US Food, which kind of undercuts the domestic agricultural industries...” (08:00)
- Cohen highlights USAID’s dual role in humanitarian aid and covert operations, questioning its efficiency and intentions.
- Pentagon Budget Concerns:
- Quote: “The Pentagon budget is obscene and it must be cut.” (14:56)
- Cohen aligns with former political strategist Steve Bannon, stressing the necessity to significantly reduce military spending.
Deep State Influence on Defense Spending
The discussion pivots to the "deep state" and its impact on defending budgets, with both Jimmy and Ben expressing skepticism about genuine efforts to reduce Pentagon expenditures.
Key Points:
- Trump's Defense Budget Promises:
- Quote: “What he originally said was that he wants to cut the Pentagon budget by 50%. Was apparently bullshit.” (13:32)
- Cohen asserts that former President Trump never truly intended to reduce the Pentagon budget despite initial promises.
The Connection Between Militarism and Climate Change
Ben Cohen introduces the concept of "common sense defense," linking excessive military spending with environmental degradation, particularly emphasizing the Pentagon as a major polluter.
Key Points:
- Pentagon’s Environmental Impact:
- Quote: “The Pentagon is the largest polluter and the largest contributor to global warming.” (29:15)
- Cohen underscores the environmental consequences of sustained military activities and budgets.
- Call to Action:
- Quote: “People need to start standing up and telling their politicians that they don’t want to spend so much money on killing people.” (30:09)
- Emphasizing grassroots activism, Cohen advocates for direct communication with lawmakers to drive budgetary changes.
Government Spending Efficiency and Social Programs
The conversation shifts to the potential reallocation of military funds towards domestic needs, with Ben advocating for robust social programs.
Key Points:
- Reallocation of Funds:
- Quote: “What else we could have gotten with that money in terms of things that people actually need and want like housing, health care, child care.” (18:30)
- Cohen argues that funds currently misallocated to the Pentagon could vastly improve social infrastructures.
- Government’s Role:
- Quote: “The government is capable of doing things. Social Security is a great program.” (20:52)
- Affirming faith in government’s ability to manage resources effectively, Cohen supports enhancing rather than dismantling essential services.
Critique of Corporate Influence and Oligarchy
Jimmy Dore challenges the influence of the wealthy elite on legislation, questioning why affluent business owners like Ben aren’t more uniformly supportive of initiatives like single-payer healthcare and Pentagon budget cuts.
Key Points:
- Oligarchic Control:
- Quote: “We don't live in a democracy, we actually live in an olig...” (22:33)
- Dore emphasizes the disproportionate influence of the upper economic tiers on policy-making.
- Ben’s Interaction with Business Circles:
- Quote: “The business guys I associate with... they would want Medicare for all, but I don't know what's going on with the other guys.” (24:05)
- Ben reflects on discrepancies within business communities regarding support for major social reforms.
Environmental Destruction Amidst Climate Initiatives
The episode also touches upon the paradox of environmental degradation occurring alongside supposed climate initiatives, exemplified by the construction of a highway through the Amazon for the COP30 summit.
Key Points:
- Infrastructure vs. Climate Goals:
- Quote: “A new four lane highway cutting through tens of thousands of acres of protected Amazon rainforest is being built for the COP30 climate summit...” (51:28)
- Dore points out the contradiction between the environmental goals of the summit and the actual destruction happening to the Amazon.
- Local Impact:
- Quote: “Our harvest has already been cut down. We no longer have that income to support our family.” (55:15)
- Highlighting the adverse effects on local communities, the discussion underscores the broader implications of such projects.
Call to Action and Final Thoughts
Towards the end, Ben promotes his website "dogeversusblob.org," encouraging listeners to engage in activism aimed at reducing Pentagon spending. Both hosts express frustration with the current state of government and media, advocating for greater public involvement in legislative processes.
Key Points:
- Activism Encouragement:
- Quote: “It's not so much with emails, not so much with sign on petitions, but actually making the phone call...” (30:09)
- Emphasizes the importance of direct action over passive methods in influencing policy.
- Media Critique:
- Quote: “You get promoted for that [lying]. For lying. You don't get promoted for telling the truth.” (50:29)
- Criticizes corporate media for favoring misinformation over factual reporting, fostering public distrust.
Conclusion
The episode concludes with a reflection on the systemic issues plaguing American governance, including the entrenched military-industrial complex, corporate influence, and ineffective activism. Both Jimmy and Ben advocate for informed and direct public action to instigate meaningful change in government spending and policy priorities.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Senator Schumer on Resistance: “We, unlike them, are respecting the rule of law and resisting, hence resistance, these unacceptable measures.” (01:20)
- Ben Cohen on Pentagon Budget: “The Pentagon budget is obscene and it must be cut.” (14:56)
- Jimmy Dore on Oligarchy: “We don't live in a democracy, we actually live in an olig...” (22:33)
- Ben Cohen on Government Capability: “The government is capable of doing things. Social Security is a great program.” (20:52)
- Jimmy Dore on Media Lies: “You get promoted for that [lying]. For lying. You don't get promoted for telling the truth.” (50:29)
Key Takeaways:
- Government Spending: A critical examination of how defense budgets are influenced by entrenched interests, with minimal genuine resistance to cuts.
- Corporate and Elite Influence: Highlighting the disproportionate power of the wealthy in shaping legislation, often at the expense of broader democratic processes.
- Environmental Contradictions: Pointing out the contradictions in climate initiatives funded by environmentally detrimental projects.
- Call for Direct Activism: Encouraging listeners to engage in proactive measures, such as direct communication with lawmakers, to effectuate policy changes.
This episode serves as a deep dive into the interplay between government spending, corporate influence, and environmental policy, urging listeners to recognize and confront the systemic challenges hindering meaningful progress.