Podcast Summary: The Journal – Trump 2.0: The First 100 Days

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Journal
• Host/Author: The Wall Street Journal & Gimlet
• Description: The most important stories about money, business, and power. Hosted by Kate Linebaugh and Ryan Knutson, with Jessica Mendoza. The Journal is a co-production of Spotify and The Wall Street Journal.
• Episode Title: Trump 2.0: The First 100 Days
• Release Date: May 2, 2025

1. Celebrating the 100-Day Milestone

The episode opens with a lighthearted exchange between hosts Kate Linebaugh and Molly Ball, marking the completion of Donald Trump's first 100 days in office. This milestone serves as the foundation for a comprehensive analysis of Trump's initial actions and their implications for his administration and the country.

2. Trump's Executive Actions and Legislative Achievements

Executive Orders:

• Molly Ball states, “He’s really driven a lot of policy. It’s been his major way of running the government” (01:07).
• Kate Linebaugh quizzes Molly on Trump's activity, revealing that Trump signed 142 executive orders in the first 100 days (01:13).
• This high number surpasses previous presidents, indicating Trump's aggressive use of executive power.

Bills Signed into Law:

• In contrast to executive orders, Trump has signed only five bills into law (01:29), highlighting a discrepancy between executive and legislative actions.

Federal Budget and Spending:

• Molly Ball discusses budget cuts, mentioning that claims of a $160 billion reduction are offset by increased federal spending due to chaotic government operations (01:43).
• The net result is a negative impact on the federal budget.

Deportations and Immigration Policy:

• Trump has deported nearly 66,000 people in the first 100 days (02:15), falling short of the administration's goal of reaching one million.
• This policy remains a central focus, with high approval ratings among his base due to decreased border crossings.

3. Strategic Approaches and Policy Execution

Blaming the Predecessor:

• Donald Trump emphasizes the failures of Joe Biden, asserting, “Remember this, we were losing $5 billion a day on trade. And now we're making money. We're actually making money” (04:29).
• This strategy shifts blame and reinforces his administration's successes.

Mass Deportations as a Central Policy:

• Molly Ball notes that immigration is viewed as Trump’s centerpiece, supported by public approval for stringent border policies (05:22).
• The administration uses media effectively, showcasing successful deportations to bolster support.

Asserting Executive Power:

• Aaron Zitner explains that Trump has extensively used executive power, invoking the International Economic Emergency Powers Act to impose tariffs on China and Mexico (07:47).
• This unprecedented use of the law signifies a shift towards executive dominance.

Disempowering Institutions:

• Trump’s administration has targeted various institutions, including the media and universities, aiming to centralize decision-making and weaken traditional checks and balances (07:47).

4. Judicial Challenges and Constitutional Tensions

Confrontation with the Judiciary:

• Aaron Zitner highlights adverse rulings against Trump’s policies, particularly in immigration and federal cuts (09:52).
• Donald Trump faces orders from courts, such as returning a mistakenly deported individual, leading to tensions between the executive and judicial branches (12:03).

Potential Constitutional Crisis:

• Molly Ball discusses concerns about Trump potentially defying court orders, comparing his actions to authoritarian tactics (10:52).
• The administration claims adherence to court rulings, but specific incidents suggest possible challenges to judicial authority (12:15).

5. Public Opinion and Approval Ratings

Overall Approval:

• Aaron Zitner presents poll data showing Trump is underwater on job approval by double digits, with more disapproving than approving his performance (16:22).
• Despite low approval, there remains a segment of the population in "wait and see" mode regarding the administration’s long-term impact.

Demographic Breakdown:

• Trump's support among young people, minorities, and working-class white voters has declined across the board, except for a slight positive rating among working-class white voters (17:55).
• Aaron indicates that even among Trump voters, approval ratings are decreasing, suggesting a potential erosion of his core base (18:50).

Implications for the GOP:

• Molly Ball explains the tension within the Republican Party as some members begin to consider the political repercussions of declining approval ratings (21:03).
• The party remains largely supportive of Trump, fearing backlash if they distance themselves, but indicators show growing unease.

6. Internal Administration Dynamics and Cracks

Ouster of Key Officials:

• The administration saw the removal of National Security Adviser Mike Waltz amidst internal conflicts and leadership challenges (26:35).
• This departure signals instability and dissatisfaction within Trump's team.

Infighting and Division:

• Molly Ball attributes the ouster to controversies and internal strife, mirroring early administration turbulence (26:35).
• Pete Hegseth, another key figure, remains on thin ice, highlighting ongoing internal tensions (27:22).

Impact on Governance:

• Aaron Zitner reflects on the centralization of decision-making, noting that as Trump becomes the sole decider, the administration risks inefficiency and over-reliance on his judgment (15:16).
• This concentration of power may lead to increased vulnerability to both internal and external pressures.

7. Future Outlook: The Next 100 Days

Uncertainty and Potential Directions:

• Molly Ball anticipates the next 100 days could diverge significantly from the first, contingent on outcomes like a peace deal with Ukraine and the future of the DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) initiatives (24:42).
• The passage of major legislation, such as a comprehensive bill in Congress, remains uncertain and pivotal (26:26).

Legislative Hurdles:

• Kate Linebaugh and Molly Ball discuss the fragile state of upcoming legislation, emphasizing the narrow Republican majorities in Congress and the high stakes of passing pivotal bills (24:28).

Impact of Midterm Elections:

• While midterms are distant, Molly Ball points to upcoming statewide elections in Virginia and New Jersey as bellwethers for future political climates (28:38).

8. Conclusion and Final Reflections

The episode concludes with a reflection on the first 100 days of Trump's second administration, emphasizing the blend of aggressive policy actions and emerging internal conflicts. Hosts anticipate that the next phase will reveal whether Trump’s centralized power approach will sustain his administration's momentum or lead to significant challenges.

Notable Quotes:

• Molly Ball: “He’s really driven a lot of policy. It’s been his major way of running the government.” (01:07)
• Donald Trump: “Democrats have vowed mass invasion and mass migration. We are delivering mass deportation. And it's happening very fast.” (05:09)
• Aaron Zitner: “What a gamble. What a gamble.” (06:30)
• Aaron Zitner: “The first hundred days have really been marked by using executive power alone.” (07:47)
• Molly Ball: “We have the administration saying if they don't get the deal they've proposed with Ukraine, they could just walk away from the whole conflict.” (17:55)
• Molly Ball: “When you govern as a divisive president, you forfeit the ability to bring the country together.” (22:39)

Production Credits:

• Produced by: Enrique Perez de la Rosa
• Edited by: Kathryn Whelan
• Engineered by: Nathan Singapak
• Music by: So Wiley, remixed by Peter Leonard, additional music by Griffin Tanner
• Fact Checking: Kate Gallagher
• Artwork: James Walton

Closing Remarks: This episode marks the final installment of Trump 2.0. Continued coverage of the Trump administration will be available on The Journal's Daily Show. Hosts Kate Linebaugh and Molly Ball express their gratitude to listeners and acknowledge the end of the podcast series.