Summary of "The Next Level" Podcast Episode: Can Trump TACO His TACO?

Release Date: June 19, 2025
Host/Author: The Bulwark (Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and Jonathan V. Last)

In the episode titled "Can Trump TACO His TACO?", hosts Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and Jonathan V. Last engage in a spirited discussion about former President Donald Trump's ongoing political strategies, particularly focusing on his immigration policies, their impact on various demographics, and the broader implications for the Democratic Party.

Trump’s Immigration Policies: "Taco-ing" the Taco

The episode opens with a metaphorical exploration of Trump's immigration tactics, likening them to "taco-ing his taco." The hosts critique Trump's approach to enforcing immigration laws, highlighting concerns about selective enforcement and its repercussions on rural communities.

• Sarah Longwell (03:09):
  "Over the weekend, we had Donald Trump taco on his deportations of migrants who work in farm communities and in the service industry for hotels."

• Tim Miller (04:09):
  "Trump has created an environment where every person's incentive is to be as cruel and fucked up to immigrants as possible."

The discussion emphasizes how Trump's policies disproportionately affect rural areas, leading to the closure of hospitals, increased healthcare costs, and economic strain on small businesses and farmers dependent on migrant labor.

Impact on Rural America and the Economy

The hosts delve into the economic fallout of Trump's immigration policies, arguing that mass deportations undermine industries reliant on migrant workers.

• Sarah Longwell (10:06):
  "He can say no carve outs, but do carve outs in practice. That's the trick."

• Tim Miller (17:03):
  "Once you start doing raids in the neighborhood and you know Abuela is getting taken out in cuffs, that's going to impact some percentage of Hispanic voters and young voters."

They discuss the potential for economic downturns in sectors like agriculture and hospitality, stressing that the loss of migrant workers could cripple these industries, leading to broader economic instability.

Polling Data: Decline in Trump's Support Among Key Demographics

A significant portion of the episode examines recent polling data indicating a decline in Trump's popularity, especially among Hispanic voters and the youth.

• Sarah Longwell (16:52):
  "He's now underwater by 29 points. It's like 24 points."

• Tim Miller (18:32):
  "Voters 18 to 29... he was plus five with them. So he was 48, 43 approved. Yeah, he's now minus 39, 27 approved, 66 disapproved."

The hosts analyze how Trump's aggressive immigration stance has alienated younger voters and Hispanic communities, potentially weakening the Republican base and presenting challenges for future elections.

Law Enforcement and Political Arrests: The Case of Brad Lander

The conversation shifts to a recent incident involving the arrest of New York City Comptroller Brad Lander at an immigration courthouse, raising questions about law enforcement tactics and professionalism.

• Tim Miller (22:26):
  "Brad Lander’s in the Elizabeth Warren Lane."

• Sarah Longwell (28:24):
  "You have to prove that he never touched anybody... Show me a warrant."

They critique the aggressive approach taken by immigration officers, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in law enforcement actions to maintain public trust and uphold civil liberties.

Platforming Controversial Figures: The Debate Over Zoran Mamdani

A heated segment revolves around the decision to interview Democratic primary candidate Zoran Mamdani, sparking debate about the ethics of providing platforms to controversial figures.

• Tim Miller (40:15):
  "Zoran Mamdani... he’s charming, he’s a good hang... but I don't think he should be mayor."

• Jonathan V. Last (JVL) (55:11):
  "What you were doing is conducting an interview in which you asked a difficult question. And I thought that as Tim notes, that's why everybody has this soundbite from him basically giving some mealy-mouthed garbage answer."

The hosts discuss the balance between fostering open dialogue and preventing the amplification of harmful ideologies, ultimately defending the choice to engage with Mamdani to promote informed political discourse.

Foreign Policy and MAGA Dynamics: Shifts in Trump’s Stance

The latter part of the episode explores Trump's evolving foreign policy positions, particularly concerning Iran and Israel, and how these shifts reflect broader MAGA dynamics.

• JVL (80:41):
  "Trump flip-flop on U.S. Interventionism strikes at the heart of the whole MAGA ethos."

• Sarah Longwell (85:34):
  "Michael Shearer from the Atlantic talked with Trump and he asked him who gets to decide what America first means? And Trump said, considering that I'm the one that developed America first... I think I'm the one that decides that."

The hosts analyze how Trump's contradictory statements on interventionism and support for Israel indicate a complex and potentially unstable foreign policy stance, questioning the coherence and long-term viability of his strategies.

Concluding Remarks: The Future of Political Strategy

The episode concludes with reflections on the current political climate, the challenges of maintaining a cohesive strategy amid shifting alliances and policies, and the imperative for both parties to address internal divisions to effectively respond to Trump’s maneuvers.

• Sarah Longwell (83:05):
  "The problem is that if he's elected mayor and something bad happens in New York under his watch, that's going to be used to hurt Democrats across the country."

• Tim Miller (86:00):
  "I think what is interesting to me is the argument that he can get away with it is that the people most likely to bail on him over it, like, are probably the least gettable people for Democrats."

The hosts emphasize the importance of strategic adaptability and the need for the Democratic Party to cultivate candidates who can unite diverse voter bases while addressing both domestic and international challenges.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Sarah Longwell (03:09):
   "He's figured out that he can just enforce this stuff in blue states and just hurt economies for Democrats and urban dwellers."

2. Tim Miller (04:09):
   "Trump has created an environment where every person's incentive is to be as cruel and fucked up to immigrants as possible."

3. Sarah Longwell (16:52):
   "He's now underwater by 29 points. It's like 24 points."

4. Tim Miller (17:03):
   "Once you start doing raids in the neighborhood and you know Abuela is getting taken out in cuffs, that's going to impact some percentage of Hispanic voters and young voters."

5. Sarah Longwell (28:24):
   "You have to prove that he never touched anybody... Show me a warrant."

6. JVL (80:41):
   "Trump flip-flop on U.S. Interventionism strikes at the heart of the whole MAGA ethos."

7. Sarah Longwell (85:34):
   "Considering that I'm the one that developed America first... I think I'm the one that decides that."

Conclusion

"Can Trump TACO His TACO?" offers a critical analysis of Trump's ongoing influence on American politics, emphasizing the tangible impacts of his immigration policies, the shifting support among key voter demographics, and the intricate dynamics within the MAGA movement. The hosts advocate for strategic responses from the Democratic Party to counteract these challenges, underscoring the necessity for informed and nuanced political strategies in an increasingly polarized landscape.