Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert featuring Senator Alyssa Slotkin

Episode: Sen. Elissa Slotkin (Extended)
Release Date: August 2, 2025
Podcast: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert
Host: Stephen Colbert
Guest: Senator Alyssa Slotkin

1. Introduction and Personal Background

[04:35] Stephen Colbert opens the conversation by introducing Senator Alyssa Slotkin, highlighting her diverse background as a former Michigan congresswoman, a CIA analyst with three tours in Iraq, and her recent election to the United States Senate.
[04:54] Alyssa Slotkin: "Nice to meet you, sir."

Colbert delves into Senator Slotkin’s family heritage, uncovering a fascinating connection to the American food industry.

[05:11] Stephen Colbert: "I learned something interesting that your family's farm was responsible for the ballpark franks."

[05:35] Alyssa Slotkin: "My great grandfather emigrated here through Ellis Island and started a small meat company and became a big meat company. We're very proud."

She elaborates on her family's legacy, emphasizing their contributions beyond just hot dogs.

[05:24] Stephen Colbert: "Is this a hot dog empire or all cased meats?"
[05:35] Alyssa Slotkin: "Other cased meats and other products and other things."

2. CIA Analyst Experience and Field Work

The discussion transitions to Senator Slotkin’s career in intelligence, where she clarifies misconceptions about the role of an analyst.

[06:10] Alyssa Slotkin: "It is definitively not a sandwich. I mean, it's not."

[07:19] Stephen Colbert: "What does an analyst do?"
[07:30] Alyssa Slotkin: "My job was to understand the terrorist groups and the militias that were shooting at U.S. forces and plotting against the U.S. homeland."

She explains her responsibilities, focusing on intelligence gathering and threat assessment.

[07:43] Alyssa Slotkin: "I carried a weapon. But I actually, in my first tour in Iraq, bunked with a woman who was in charge of disguises..."

Senator Slotkin shares anecdotes from her time in the field, illustrating the blend of analytical and on-the-ground operations.

3. Addressing the 'Deep State' and Intelligence Community Misconceptions

Colbert brings up the prevalent conspiracy theories surrounding the "deep state."

[09:06] Stephen Colbert: "As a former spy, is there a deep state? What do they mean by deep state?"

[09:26] Alyssa Slotkin: "This idea that there's some network of people that are running the world, it doesn't really match reality. These people are doing things to protect this country."

She debunks the notion of a deep state, emphasizing the dedication of intelligence and military personnel to national security.

[09:51] Stephen Colbert: "Eating ballpark franks."
[09:52] Alyssa Slotkin: "Well, eating their hot dogs or doing whatever."

She humanizes the intelligence community, portraying them as everyday Americans committed to safeguarding the nation.

4. Political Strategy and 'Alpha Energy' in the Democratic Party

The conversation shifts to the political climate and strategies within the Democratic Party.

[12:44] Stephen Colbert: "You say the Democrats out there have to get what you call Alpha Energy. What do you mean by Alpha energy?"

[12:50] Alyssa Slotkin: "It's about leadership... people who have a gut, who are bold, who are gonna put out an opinion and not try to mealy mouth it."

She describes "Alpha Energy" as a form of dynamic leadership, drawing parallels with sports culture in Michigan.

[13:30] Alyssa Slotkin: "Coach energy... How are we gonna get from the dark place we're in through the tunnel to the light."

Senator Slotkin advocates for proactive and assertive leadership to navigate the Democratic Party through challenging times.

5. Gerrymandering and Democratic Response to Texas Redistricting

Colbert addresses the recent gerrymandering efforts in Texas aimed at increasing GOP seats.

[15:13] Alyssa Slotkin: "Gerrymandering is literally redrawing lines so that you can pick your voters. It is ridiculous."

She shares her personal experience with gerrymandering during her initial campaign in Michigan.

[15:30] Alyssa Slotkin: "Michigan was so disgusted with this political way of drawing lines that we passed a constitutional amendment. We now have an independent state citizens commission that draws the lines every 10 years so that they're fair and competitive."

Senator Slotkin criticizes Texas Governor Greg Abbott's aggressive redrawing of congressional districts, equating it to bringing a knife to a gunfight and emphasizing the need for Democrats to respond in kind to protect fair representation.

[16:27] Alyssa Slotkin: "If he's gonna go nuclear, so am I."

6. U.S. Responsibility in Humanitarian Aid and the Gaza Crisis

The discussion moves to the United States' role in international conflicts, particularly focusing on the Gaza crisis.

[17:15] Stephen Colbert: "What should the United States responsibility and response be here?"

[17:20] Alyssa Slotkin: "The responsibility to get humanitarian aid in is not an open question. We know what that answer is."

She draws parallels between her experiences in Iraq and the current situation in Gaza, advocating for unwavering humanitarian assistance regardless of political tensions.

[18:15] Alyssa Slotkin: "A rabbi and a Muslim leader come to me and say, we want to do something together. We desperately, we will pay for all of it. We'll buy all the formula, baby formula and all the clean water. Please, can we just greenlight that aid?"

Senator Slotkin emphasizes the bipartisan and interfaith support for humanitarian efforts, underscoring it as an American, Jewish, and Muslim value.

7. U.S.-Israel Relations and the Impact of Current Actions

Colbert probes into the ramifications of Israel's actions in Gaza and their perception globally.

[19:38] Stephen Colbert: "Do you think that Israel might be harming itself because you've got countries ready to call this a genocide?"

[19:40] Alyssa Slotkin: "The way that this is being carried out now, particularly some of the very right-wing, very open statements by people of the Netanyahu government, to me, is harming the long-term interests of the state of Israel."

She argues that Israel’s current strategies may be detrimental to its long-term goals, as international perceptions turn increasingly negative.

[20:24] Alyssa Slotkin: "We understand that you have to respond to an attack like October 7th, but the way that this is being carried out is not helping your long-term cause."

Senator Slotkin calls for balanced responses that protect national security while maintaining Israel’s positive standing in the international community.

8. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the conversation wraps up, Colbert thanks Senator Slotkin for her insights, reinforcing the depth and breadth of her expertise in both national security and political strategy.

[20:24] Stephen Colbert: "Well, Senator, thank you so much for being here."

[21:20] Alyssa Slotkin: "[...]"

The episode concludes with Colbert promoting The Late Show's various platforms and upcoming content.

Notable Quotes:

• Alyssa Slotkin on 'Alpha Energy':
  "It's about leadership... people who have a gut, who are bold, who are gonna put out an opinion and not try to mealy mouth it."
  [12:50]

• On Gerrymandering:
  "Gerrymandering is literally redrawing lines so that you can pick your voters. It is ridiculous."
  [15:13]

• On Humanitarian Aid in Gaza:
  "The responsibility to get humanitarian aid in is not an open question. We know what that answer is."
  [17:20]

• On Israel's Long-term Interests:
  "The way that this is being carried out now... is harming the long-term interests of the state of Israel."
  [19:40]

Conclusion

In this extended episode, Senator Alyssa Slotkin provides an in-depth look into her multifaceted career, from intelligence work to legislative responsibilities. She addresses pressing political issues such as gerrymandering, the need for dynamic leadership within the Democratic Party, and the United States' role in international humanitarian efforts. Senator Slotkin's insights offer listeners a comprehensive understanding of her perspectives on national security, political strategy, and foreign policy, making this episode a valuable listen for those interested in contemporary political discourse.