Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Episode: Sen. Cory Booker (Extended) | DOW And Out
Release Date: April 8, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert delves into the tumultuous economic landscape shaped by President Donald Trump's tariff policies. The show features an extended interview with Senator Cory Booker, who discusses his historic 25-hour Senate speech addressing the nation's economic and political challenges. The episode weaves together sharp political commentary, personal anecdotes, and a call to civic action.

Stephen Colbert’s Monologue

Time Frame: [01:04] – [12:24]

Stephen Colbert opens the episode with his characteristic humor and critical analysis of President Trump's administration, focusing on the economic repercussions of Trump's tariff strategies. He highlights the widespread public protests against Trump's policies, noting the significant turnout across all 50 states, including major cities like Chicago, Washington D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, Austin, and Philadelphia.

Key Points:

• Economic Turmoil: Colbert outlines the stock market's volatility, mentioning the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s decline and the S&P 500's significant drop, marking the worst market week since March 2020.
• Tariff Policies: He criticizes Trump's imposition of additional tariffs on China, responding to China's retaliatory tariffs. Colbert mocks the President's economic strategies, portraying them as reckless and detrimental to American workers' retirement funds and everyday expenses.
• Wall Street Reaction: The segment includes humorous references to Wall Street's disapproval, citing mock memoranda and pop culture analogies to illustrate the market's instability under Trump's policies.

Notable Quotes:

• "Trump is willing to tank the global economy and risk the wrath of American voters." – [08:59] Stephen Colbert
• "In Trump's economy, the only safe job is the guy who takes photos of panicked stockbrokers." – [03:30] Stephen Colbert

Interview with Senator Cory Booker

Time Frame: [13:26] – [36:27]

The core of the episode is an in-depth conversation with Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey. Booker discusses his record-breaking 25-hour and 5-minute Senate speech, which aimed to address the current state of the nation amidst economic instability and political division.

Key Sections:

Breaking the Senate Speech Record

• Historic Achievement: Booker broke Senator Strom Thurmond's 68-year-old record for the longest individual speech on the Senate floor.
• Purpose of the Speech: He emphasized the need to highlight the voices of everyday Americans affected by Trump's policies, particularly focusing on healthcare, retirement security, and social services.

Notable Quotes:

• "Change has never come from Washington. It often comes despite Washington." – [16:13] Cory Booker
• "The power of the people is greater than the people in power." – [17:32] Cory Booker

The Impact of Tariffs and Economic Policies

• Healthcare and Social Services: Booker criticizes Trump's plan to cut $880 billion from Medicaid, arguing it threatens the healthcare of 80 million Americans.
• Retirement Security: He discusses the detrimental effects on retirement savings, with 401(k) accounts plummeting, forcing many to extend their working years.
• USAID Cuts: Booker highlights the reduction in funding for USAID, undermining America's ability to respond to global crises and maintain international leadership.

Notable Quotes:

• "If America hasn't broken your heart, you don't love her enough." – [20:04] Cory Booker
• "This is a time to say, okay, I may disagree with you, I may disagree with what you did, but right now we're gonna unify in this fight because we've got bigger challenges before us." – [32:40] Cory Booker

The Role of the People in Democracy

• Civic Engagement: Booker emphasizes the importance of civic participation and grassroots movements in driving change, drawing parallels to historical movements like the Civil Rights and labor movements.
• Moral Responsibility: He calls for Americans to embody compassion and empathy, advocating for a "civic gospel" that prioritizes mutual support and communal well-being over partisan politics.

Notable Quotes:

• "We have to tell that truth. But it still falls to the question is, what are you going to do?" – [24:38] Cory Booker
• "Before you tell me about your religion first, show it to me and how you treat other people." – [29:39] Cory Booker

International Implications

• Global Leadership: Booker warns that the U.S.'s retreat from international leadership, exemplified by the withdrawal from USAID, invites other nations like China to fill the void, potentially undermining global democratic values.
• Diplomatic Relations: He shares anecdotes of international leaders expressing disappointment over America's current policies, underscoring the loss of trust and respect on the global stage.

Notable Quotes:

• "If you have the courage, even if your legs shake, if you have the courage to speak up, even if your voice breaks, you will be an inspiration to another, and then another, and then another." – [33:51] Cory Booker
• "The soul of our country right now, I think, needs redemption." – [33:51] Cory Booker

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Booker reaffirming the necessity for unity and proactive engagement in addressing the nation's challenges. He urges listeners to take personal responsibility in fostering change, emphasizing that collective action and moral integrity are crucial in overcoming the current political and economic crises.

Final Notable Quote:

• "We need to now rebuild it and reimagine it." – [35:00] Cory Booker

Key Takeaways

• Economic Critique: The episode offers a scathing critique of President Trump's tariff policies, highlighting their adverse effects on the economy and everyday Americans.
• Civic Responsibility: Senator Booker underscores the importance of active civic engagement and collective action in driving meaningful change.
• Historical Context: Booker contextualizes current events within the broader scope of American history, drawing lessons from past movements to inspire future action.
• Global Leadership: The discussion extends to the international ramifications of America's internal policies, stressing the importance of maintaining global leadership and alliances.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. "Change has never come from Washington. It often comes despite Washington."
   — Cory Booker [16:13]

2. "If America hasn't broken your heart, you don't love her enough."
   — Cory Booker [20:04]

3. "The power of the people is greater than the people in power."
   — Cory Booker [17:32]

4. "Before you tell me about your religion first, show it to me and how you treat other people."
   — Cory Booker [29:39]

5. "If you have the courage, even if your legs shake, if you have the courage to speak up, even if your voice breaks, you will be an inspiration to another, and then another, and then another."
   — Cory Booker [33:51]

This episode serves as a profound exploration of the intersection between political leadership, economic policy, and civic duty, urging listeners to reflect on their role in shaping the nation's future.