New York Gov Hochul Responds to Trump’s Disastrous Policies

Summary

The MeidasTouch Podcast: New York Gov. Hochul Responds to Trump’s Disastrous Policies

Podcast Information:

• Title: The MeidasTouch Podcast
• Host/Author: MeidasTouch Network (Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas)
• Episode: New York Gov Hochul Responds to Trump’s Disastrous Policies
• Release Date: March 5, 2025

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Introduction

In this compelling episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, the Meiselas brothers engage in a profound discussion with New York Governor Kathy Hochul. The focus centers on the adverse effects of former President Donald Trump’s policies on New York State, particularly highlighting tariffs, federal job cuts, Medicaid reductions, and the broader implications for democracy and the American populace.

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Impact of Trump’s Tariffs on New York Farmers

Timestamp: [01:11]

Governor Hochul vehemently criticizes the Trump administration’s implementation of tariffs against Canada and Mexico, emphasizing their detrimental effects on New York’s agricultural sector. She states:

“This is just another devastating policy from the Trump administration. ... This is going to crush the livelihoods of people who supported them. These are your supporters you're killing.” ([01:11])

She elaborates on the dependence of New York farmers on Canadian exports for their products, supplies, and essential materials like fertilizer and sawdust. Hochul underscores the irrationality of these tariffs, arguing they inflict immediate hardship without delivering the promised long-term gains.

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Federal Job Cuts and the Assault on Public Servants

Timestamp: [02:26]

The conversation shifts to the Trump administration’s federal job cuts and the proposed $880 billion reduction in Medicaid funding. Governor Hochul passionately denounces these actions:

“They’re killing us. ... These are essential people and they're treated as if they're like disposable tissue.” ([02:26])

Hochul highlights the invaluable contributions of federal employees—ranging from lawyers and engineers to social workers and researchers—who safeguard national security and public health. She introduces New York’s proactive response with the “You’re Hired” campaign, aiming to absorb displaced federal workers by offering nearly 7,000 open positions across the state.

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Medicaid Cuts and Their Dire Consequences

Timestamp: [03:35]

Governor Hochul addresses the severe implications of Medicaid cuts, particularly for rural communities and vulnerable populations. She shares a poignant account from a recent visit to a Queens hospital:

“They’re not going to make it home. ... So many of them.” ([04:00])

Hochul describes witnessing critically ill children and stressed parents, illustrating the human cost of reduced Medicaid funding. She urges New Yorkers to mobilize and hold Republicans accountable, emphasizing that electoral consequences are forthcoming as Democrats prepare for the 2026 elections.

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Responding to the White House’s Unusual Behavior

Timestamp: [05:41]

The discussion takes a turn towards the unconventional actions of the White House, including Donald Trump’s bizarre social media posts like “Long Live the King” and altered Time magazine covers. Governor Hochul labels these actions as “next level insanity”:

“It's next level insanity. ... Who are you kidding here?” ([06:11])

She condemns the attempt to position Trump as a monarch-like figure, asserting the United States’ long-standing democratic principles. Hochul also criticizes Republican interference in state matters, such as traffic management and clean energy initiatives, reaffirming New York’s commitment to progressive policies.

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Electoral Shifts and the Future of New York Politics

Timestamp: [07:20]

Governor Hochul reflects on recent political events, including a town hall at Hofstra University where Congressmember Suozzi received a standing ovation for condemning Trump’s attacks on Ukrainian President Zelensky. She highlights the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee’s negative reactions to such town halls, which they accuse of featuring “paid actors”:

“It’s so painful, the way that he just tried to embarrass a brave, courageous individual ... villains.” ([09:40])

Hochul emphasizes New York’s strong Ukrainian community and the importance of supporting democratic leaders like Zelensky. She predicts a significant backlash against Republican policies in the 2026 elections, driven by voter frustration with ongoing political turmoil.

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Governor Hochul’s Initiatives for Affordability and Economic Relief

Timestamp: [10:51]

Governor Hochul outlines her administration’s initiatives aimed at enhancing affordability for New Yorkers. She details several monetary relief measures:

“My budget has plans to put upwards of $5,000 back in the pockets of hardworking New Yorkers. ... families are going to get a $500 rebate.” ([11:02])

Key programs include a thousand-dollar child tax credit, middle-class tax cuts, and inflation rebates funded by additional sales tax revenue collected due to high inflation rates. Hochul underscores her personal connection to economic hardship, drawing from her upbringing, and pledges to continue supporting New Yorkers through proactive state policies.

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Support for Ukraine and International Solidarity

Timestamp: [09:40]

Governor Hochul passionately advocates for unwavering support for Ukraine amidst its struggles against Russian aggression. She condemns Republicans’ attempts to undermine Ukraine’s leadership and emphasizes the importance of international solidarity:

“Republicans ought to hang their heads in shame ... stand with them.” ([09:40])

Hochul stresses that New York represents the largest Ukrainian population outside Ukraine, advocating for sustained financial and moral support to ensure Ukraine’s resilience and sovereignty.

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Conclusion

In this episode, The MeidasTouch Podcast effectively navigates the complexities of New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s responses to Donald Trump’s policies. Through a blend of rigorous analysis and heartfelt advocacy, Hochul articulates the profound challenges facing New York and offers a vision for a resilient, progressive state poised to counteract federal policy adversities. The episode not only sheds light on the tangible impacts of political decisions but also reinforces the critical role of state leadership in safeguarding democratic values and supporting vulnerable communities.

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Notable Quotes:

• Kathy Hochul at [01:11]:

  “This is going to crush the livelihoods of people who supported them. These are your supporters you're killing.”

• Kathy Hochul at [02:26]:

  “They’re killing us. ... These are essential people and they're treated as if they're like disposable tissue.”

• Kathy Hochul at [04:00]:

  “They’re not going to make it home. ... So many of them.”

• Kathy Hochul at [06:11]:

  “It's next level insanity. ... Who are you kidding here?”

• Kathy Hochul at [09:40]:

  “Republicans ought to hang their heads in shame ... stand with them.”

• Kathy Hochul at [11:02]:

  “My budget has plans to put upwards of $5,000 back in the pockets of hardworking New Yorkers. ... families are going to get a $500 rebate.”

---

This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented by Governor Kathy Hochul, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of the episode’s critical themes and messages.

Transcript

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[Kathy Hochul]

Well, this is just another devastating policy from the Trump administration. Just a couple of hours ago, I convened a roundtable of farmers from New York who, who are desperately fearful that this is going to kill their livelihood. I mean, they export most of their products to Canada. They get a lot of supplies. Their fertilizer all comes in from Canada. The sawdust that they use for their animals comes in from Canada. So I don't know what they're thinking in Washington, but this is going to crush the livelihoods of people who supported them. These are your supporters you're killing. So it makes no sense. And to say that it's short term pain for long term gain, like people want relief now. They were promised relief from high prices on inauguration day. Still waiting for that one. And now this is going to make it more expensive for average family. So. So it makes no sense at all. We have to shut this down.

[Host]

Let's talk about some of the other policies coming out of this Trump regime that we know are harming New Yorkers. Would love to get your take on some of these federal job cuts in particular. And then I think we should also talk about how Donald Trump and the Republican budget gutting $880 billion in Medicaid is going to impact New Yorkers.

[Kathy Hochul]

They're killing us. First of all, the poor people who are dedicated public servants who could make a lot more in the private sector. These are talented individuals. They're lawyers, they're engineers, they're social workers. They're people that make sure the planes land safely. They're the ones who keep an eye on the nuclear code. They're the ones that are working to do research, to have cures to save our lives and make sure that we don't die from the next pandemic. So these are essential people and they're treated as if they're like disposable tissue. They don't care about them. So here in New York, I started a campaign. In fact, we have digital ads right now in Union Station in Washington as well as in Moynihan Station in New York saying, you know what? Doge doesn't want you. They say you're fired. We say you're hired. Come up to New York. I have almost 7,000 open jobs, great jobs throughout the state. I want you to come to New York. So screw that. I'm sorry about what happened to you. It's painful. I sat down with federal workers yesterday and they're so traumatized. They don't know what hit them and they didn't deserve this. So here in New York, we're saying we appreciate you. We value. Come on, we've got a job for you.

[Host]

Let's talk about those cuts to Medicaid. I mean, I mean, millions and millions of people in New York and other states, I mean red states as well, on Medicaid. This is not like he's just attacking blue states or people who vote a certain way. Tell us about the impact this is having or can have on New York. What are you telling the people in New York and what should we know?

[Kathy Hochul]

A lot. First of all, you're absolutely right about the impact on our rural communities. A lot of people think of New York City as just Manhattan and the city. Most of our land mass, 25%, is agricultural. A lot of it is really small towns. And we have rural hospitals that will absolutely collapse under the weight of this if they lose the Medicaid dollars. I was in a hospital in Queens just a couple of days ago and we went and saw a hospital that's caring for the most, the sickest kids you'd ever see. They're not going to make it home. So many of them. And I went there and many of them are on ventilators and their parents are little two year olds sitting in a wheelchair, maybe never going to go home. And I said, I was so angry to think that these Medicaid cuts could hurt families like these. They've got so much stress. And I said, republicans from New York, come on down here and look in the eyes of these children and their parents and tell Them you're going to cut Medicaid. And if you can do that and go back to Washington, then you've got the most callous, cruelest hearts of people ever walked this earth. I hit them hard and I said, families, you need to start marching to these Republican offices and demanding that they stop what they're doing. They voted for this, they own this. And she said, what are we going to do? I'm going to make sure everybody knows who did this to them. So that's what we're going to do here in New York. Make sure people know that elections have consequences. And there's one way to fix it. In 2026, we're going to make sure that we continue our sweep of elections. We won five out of seven battleground seats in Congress last year. We worked really hard. And I'm going to make sure we can make Hakeem Jeffries the speaker to create a firewall against the insanity that has been unleashed on Washington.

[Host]

And what went through your mind when Donald Trump started posting Long Live the King? And then he like reposted like fake Time magazine covers from the official White House account as he was going after the policies of New York and, and just reposting this stuff? I mean, look, it's, it's, it's cruel, it's unconstitutional. But, like, this is not normal. Like, this is not normal. This is weird stuff. Like, so what do you make of just this behavior?

[Kathy Hochul]

Weird? It's next level insanity. And when I saw that post, I thought, did someone hack into his account? He didn't just call himself the King, did he? And then I thought my staff, I thought maybe one of them had made the picture of Donald Trump with the crown on. And it turned out it was the White House that posted it. So I went right down to the subway. I was so pissed off. I marched in there and I said, we have not labored under a king for 250 years and we sure as hell are not starting now. So what I also said here, the Republicans say that states should be the ones who determine control and whether or not a woman can control her own bodies, right? Reproductive freedom. They want to be able to control women's decision making. But I in New York can't control my own damn traffic. Who are you kidding here? So we're fighting this, the end of congestion pricing, which has worked incredibly successful. The traffic is down, the quality of life is up. And who are you to tell us we can't do this? This is managing our traffic. For God's sake, go Worry about solving the crisis in the Middle east and Ukraine, figure out something more useful to do and stop doing so much harm to New York.

[Host]

What's your message? You know, we know his staff often watches these clips. They have their rapid response 47 or whatever. And so we know that they follow, you know, these shows, these interviews. And so if he's watching this evening on the eve of when he's giving this joint address, like what's your message? What would your message be to him?

[Kathy Hochul]

Stop hurting America. A lot of people put, a lot of people put their faith in you. They believe that you would actually reduce prices the day you got sworn and they believed you that you'd create all this. All these great things are going to happen and it hasn't happened. Things are off the charts. Anxiety levels of families. When you're talking about taking away health care that covers little kids or seniors. Your parents and grandparents are nursing homes. You know what's going to happen if Medicaid can't cover their cost? They're going back right home in your guest room. You're going to be able to take care of them. That's the reality of America today. He can stop this. President Trump can stop this. He did a lot, I would say just pull it all back and start thinking about are you really going to keep hurting your voters? I will talk about a place like Long Island. Offshore wind is big for us. A lot of people, union members trained hard to be able to get these good paying jobs as we transition to clean energy economy. But guess what? Long island voted for you. These guys voted for you. And then one of the first things you do is you kill the industry. So I would say look at the people who voted for you and stop hurting them.

[Host]

You saw that town hall, I think it was in New York's third in Hofstra, at Hofstra University in Hempstead. Congressmember Suozzi. It was a plus five, I think Trump area. And he was talking about how horrified Congressmember Suozzi, how horrified he was about what happened in the Oval Office with Trump attacking Zelensky. He got a standing ovation at town hall. I think I, I heard earlier this morning that the head of the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee said stop the town halls, cancel them all. And they're now accusing these people of being like paid actors, which just to me further demeans the suffering of these people. What vibes are you, are you seeing a vibe shift in New York amongst the electorate there?

[Kathy Hochul]

Oh, I represent the largest Ukrainian population outside of Ukraine now we go to the Ukrainian restaurants, we go to the, you know, we interact with individuals all the time. And this is so painful, the way that he just tried to embarrass a brave, courageous individual who's leading this country through some of the most traumatic times you ever could imagine. Republicans ought to hang their heads in shame about how they are cozying up to one of the most villain vile people who's in Russia, Putin, who's been doing nothing but hurting us and undermining us and compromising our own security. We have to walk away from people like that and embrace people like Zelensky and praise him for what he has done and give him more money, don't starve him. It's a shame that he has to run in the arms of Europeans and not get that kind of comfort and support that he had all these years. The last three years he's had that from us. And now to just say it's gone. They don't know what hit him. So let's stop the craziness, let's stop the insanity and say let's really look at who our friends are and stand with them.

[Host]

You talk about the you're hired program that you have in New York. Any other kind of programs and policies that you're excited about right now that you want New Yorkers and the rest of the country to hear about.

[Kathy Hochul]

I just wish Washington would do what we're doing here in New York, which is focus on affordability. My budget has plans to put upwards of $5,000 back in the pockets of hardworking New Yorkers. Thousand dollar child tax credit, middle class tax cuts and inflation rebate. You know what? Here in New York, because inflation was so high for the last few years, we collected $3 billion more in sales tax revenue. And I said, that doesn't belong to us. Put that in the pocket of New Yorkers so families are going to get a $500 rebate. So I've added up countless ways to address what we heard loud and clear. Democrats heard this in the election, that people want some kind of relief. Someone who's listened to them understands their pain. Listen, I didn't start here. My parents used to live in a trailer park. We bought our clothes at used clothing stores and ate Spam sandwiches for dinner a lot. So I know what they've been through and I want them to know that we are going to not just listen to you, we're going to do something about it. Washington has the same power. They should be doing this, but until they do, other states, my friends, Democratic governors, and they are just extraordinary leaders are working hard to just say, we'll take care of you. And I think there's going to be a backlash like we've never seen in the 2026 elections for the House and the Senate. And then we finally get the checks and balances, the firewall that is so essential that is not there right now.

[Host]

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, thanks for joining us.

[Kathy Hochul]

Thank you, everybody.

[Host]

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