← The Parnas Perspective
The Parnas Perspective
Breaking: Trump Melts Down as the Tables Turn and he has Worst Week of his Presidency
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- [00:00]
Mackenzie
My name is Mackenzie and I started a GoFundMe for the adoptive mother of a nonverbal autistic child. The mother had lost her job because she wasn't able to find adequate care for this autistic child. So she really needed some help with living expenses, paying some back bills. So I launched a GoFundMe to help support them during this crisis. And, and we raised about $10,000 within just a couple of months. I think that the surprising thing was by telling a clear story and just like really being very clear about what we needed, we had some really generous donations from people who were really moved by the situation that this family was struggling with.
- [00:47]
Jessica Tarlov
GoFundMe is the world's number one fundraising platform, trusted by over 200 million people. Start. Start your GoFundMe today at gofundme.com that's gofundme.com gofundme.com this podcast is supported by GoFundMe.
- [01:00]
Aaron Parnas
We have major developments this evening. It really has been one of Donald Trump's worst weeks as President of the United States to date. It's been one week since the Epstein files have been released. And tonight, former President Bill Clinton is turning the tables on Republicans in the House of Representatives, saying, you know what? You want my testimony, you can have it, but only if you allow all the cameras to watch. Demanding public testimony. While at the same time, more Trump officials have been caught in the Epstein files. The latest, his Secretary of Navy, John Phelan, Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader has come out in his strongest terms yet, saying, quote, fuck Donald Trump over his racist images posted about the Obamas this morning, all while on Capitol Hill. Folks are actually nervous over the fallout from the Epstein files. And from this latest Epstein, this latest Obama photo, this racist video that Trump posted, a lot of stuff happening. Make sure to like, comment, share and subscribe. The more you like, the more people see this. And tonight's update is going to be a little longer, but people need to see it. Let's just jump right in right now because former President Bill Clinton says, you know what? You want my testimony, you can have it, but only if it's public. Quote, I have called for the release of the Epstein files. I have provided a sworn statement of what I know, and just this week, I've agreed to appear in person before the committee. But it is still not enough for Republicans on the House Oversight Committee. Now, Chairman Comer says he wants cameras, but only behind closed doors. Who benefits from this arrangement? It's not the Epstein's Victims who deserve justice, not the public who deserve the truth. It serves only partisan interest. This is in fact finding. It's pure politics. I will not sit idly as they use me as a prop in a closed door kangaroo court by a Republican party running scared. If they want answers, let's stop the games and do this the right way in a public hearing where the American people can see for themselves what this really is about. And it comes as members of Congress will be able to begin reviewing the unredacted version of of the Epstein files as soon as Monday morning. NBC News has confirmed that the review process will take place in person at the Department of Justice. According to a letter that members of Congress obtained today, the members will be able to review the material on computers at the DOJ offices, but not review the physical documents themselves. The letter states that members can review the documents in person provided that they give the DOJ 24 hours notice. The option right now is only available to members, not their staff. The review will only be of the 3 million files currently available to the public, not the extensive trove of more than 6 million documents in total that the DOJ says it has in its possession.
- [03:50]
Erin Partas
And it comes as this evening we.
- [03:52]
Aaron Parnas
Learned that John Phelan, the Secretary of Navy, is the latest Trump official to be embroiled in these Epstein files, being that he flew on Epstein's jet in a newly disclosed flight record back in 2006. He says that's the only time he met Epstein. And it also comes as the fallout over the racist Obama picture that Donald Trump posted overnight is growing to the point where this is a statement from Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader. Honestly, probably one of the strongest statements I've ever seen from a Democratic leader or a Republican leader. Quote, this disgusting video posted by the so called President was done intentionally. Fuck Donald Trump and his vile, racist and malignant behavior. This guy is an unhinged bottom feeder. President Obama and Michelle Obama are brilliant, caring and patriotic Americans. They represent the best of this country. It's time for John Thune, Mike Johnson and Republicans to denounce the serial fraudster who is sitting at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue pretending to be the President of the United States. Abroad Right now, the United States is getting protested, but you may never see it. See, during the Olympics today, JD Vance and his wife Usha were booed significantly. But right now, the International Olympic Committee, NBC News, all of these broadcasters are working overtime to disable any video of the booing, which is why I can't show it to you here but what we can do is confirm that it happened. Quote, holy f. The whole stadium booed J.D. vance and his wife. That was so wild. They don't want you seeing the boos. But they did happen, so know that. And it came after the International Olympic Committee told spectators, do not boo the vice President of the United States. Seems like they didn't get the message. Now, this evening, I did something different. I spoke with Jessica Tarlov. You may know her from the Five. We spoke about a whole host of issues that is plaguing the Trump administration over the past week. It's a little different. But I do want to say on a personal note before showing you this. Thank you. It has been a week of review, a week of hundreds of thousands of documents. I've gotten through so many of these Epstein files. They've been horrific, they've been graphic. They've honestly, at times, been too hard for me to handle. No human being should have to handle.
- [06:07]
Erin Partas
Reviewing all of these files.
- [06:09]
Aaron Parnas
And yet, here we are. I'm never going to stop. I promise you, I'm never going to stop. I've received threats. I received people telling me to shut up. I've received essentially warnings that I shouldn't continue doing this work. Well, screw them. I'm not going to stop because I have your support. If you can please consider subscribing to.
- [06:31]
Erin Partas
My substack, click the link below.
- [06:33]
Aaron Parnas
Spread the word. You could also buy me a coffee.
- [06:36]
Erin Partas
Venmo.
- [06:36]
Aaron Parnas
Aaron Parnas Like Comment, share and subscribe. Here's my work with Jessica Tarlov right now.
- [06:43]
Jessica Tarlov
Jessica. Welcome to Raging Moderates. I'm Jessica Tarlov.
- [06:45]
Erin Partas
And I'm Erin Partas.
- [06:46]
Jessica Tarlov
In today's episode, we're discussing whether Trump is actually turning on his shadow president, Stephen Miller. The fallout from the Epstein files, which is an ongoing subject, and the fight over the SAVE Act. Plus, Kamala Harris is teasing a new future. All right, let's get into it. Stephen Miller is often described as the shadow president due to his significant influence over immigration policy and law enforcement. His ruthless approach, marked by aggressive tactics and a disregard for the truth, appear to be on the ass with Trump. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Donald Trump is dissatisfied with Miller. He has told advisors that he has been uncomfortable with how far Miller has gone on some fronts, said that business officials are calling and complaining to him, and apparently he reassured Governor Kemp in Georgia that there wouldn't be any more raids at factories and farms. The New Republic is also reporting that there's been resistance to building prison camps that would allow for the detention of 80,000 more migrants breaking out across red parts of Virginia, reddish parts of New Jersey, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Utah, and more. Aaron, is this just a liberal pipe dream that Trump is actually souring on Miller?
- [07:52]
Erin Partas
No, I actually don't think it is. I think that he's seeing internal polling and he's realizing that maybe what Miller is doing isn't as popular as he once thought it was. But I will say this. He kind of gave the keys to, like, the kingdom to Miller in a way. Kind of gave him whatever he wants, gave him full control. It's very hard to unring that bell once you kind of go down this path. And to me, I mean, this is a bit conspiratorial, but it kind of seems like Miller's kind of running this presidency as it relates to immigration and not Trump. And I don't, I don't know how much power Trump really has here to say, okay, you know what, even if you get, like, even if you cut off the head of the snake and like you remove Miller tomorrow, does that stop everything that's been happening across the country? Does that stop all the new ICE agents who are not properly trained? Does that stop this push from GNOME and dhs? I think you need a radical overhaul of Homeland Security. You can't just say, okay, Miller's gone. This issue is going to be fixed. Because I think, I think there are really a lot of, and I say this a lot between Trump 1 and Trump 2. The big difference is that in Trump 2, you have a lot of true believers. Like in Trump 1, you have a lot of normie Republicans that they just installed and didn't really do what Trump wanted in Trump too. They are like real true believers. And based on everything Miller has said privately behind the scenes and on tape as a child, as like a teen growing up and stuff, I mean, it's some scary stuff.
- [09:13]
Jessica Tarlov
Yeah, that's definitely. If you see that video of him on the school bus, I think he was like 15 or 16 years old. Like, that's the stuff. I think as a parent rings alarm bells like when you see that your 6 year old killed a squirrel. I think every single serial killer has killed an animal in their youth. I totally agree with you. And I don't think that he would actually get pushed out. I think that Trump's ego does not allow for that. So anyone who is going to be moved would just be more sidelined. With the exception of Kristi Noem.
- [09:43]
Erin Partas
Yes.
- [09:43]
Jessica Tarlov
Because I do think that that is hitting a bit of a fever pitch. And I think that Trump is also seeing, I don't want to say a totally warm reception, but that Tom Holman is a much more acceptable face to immigration enforcement, certainly in Minnesota. Democrats are happy to work with him, Walls and Mayor Fry in conversation with him. And Holman has already scaled back 700 troops from Minneapolis, saying that more could come out as well. So I don't know if Kristi Noem makes it to that hearing, the public hearing she's supposed to do in early March, and certainly not to the midterms. But I can't see a world in which Stephen Miller is ever out of the White House. He might just, you know, be in the corner.
- [10:26]
Erin Partas
I guess I could see there being a situation where I don't think Susie Wiles last saw four years. I don't think any chief of staff.
- [10:32]
Jessica Tarlov
Lasts just because she wants to go home and make money.
- [10:35]
Erin Partas
And her grandkids, no chief last four years. So I think she will leave after the midterms, if I had to guess, especially if they lose pretty badly. And where I could see Miller leaving is if Trump doesn't elevate him to chief. Right. Like if he just puts in someone else and says, you know, you're going to stay deputy chief, then I could see Miller kind of leaving in a, in a sort of post midterm shakeout and then go work as J.D. vance's chief policy advisor on his presidential. I don't, I don't know, like something like that. But I do want to get your thoughts. Like, you talk about Nome leaving, and I agree. I think she's gone. I think my theory on this is that they're just giving Glenn Youngkin a few months to relax post governorship, to install him as DHS secretary. That's what I think is happening here.
- [11:18]
Jessica Tarlov
That's interesting because I've been down the rabbit hole of it'll be DeSantis. I had not seen the Youngkin rumors. And Trump has made a few comments recently that are pretty nice about Meatball Ron, his alter ego from election time. And I thought that that was a pretty reasonable pick. I mean, people in Florida really like DeSantis or a lot of liberals that moved to Florida during COVID specifically because they thought that these policies were better. I have friends that are there who like it. They don't like open carry at Publix, but in general they're pretty happy. And now it's, you know, Democrats have been doing better, so it's a bit more of a mixed bag. But that's what I have been hearing. Where, where are you seeing this Youngkin stuff?
- [12:01]
Erin Partas
I've been seeing it all over the Internet and I actually agree with it.
- [12:04]
Jessica Tarlov
I am I not on the Internet, I'll send it. Am I on my algorithm is Floridian, not Virginian.
- [12:11]
Erin Partas
It's radically different, I think. But no, I think Glenn Young, I can't imagine he's gonna let the fox in the henhouse with DeSantis. Like Trump. He may be buddy buddy with DeSantis now and like being nicer to him, but he has never forgotten the 2024 election. Like Glenn Youngkin didn't run against Trump. Glenn Youngkin has kissed up to Trump, has never said one thing bad about Trump. So I think that this is a very different situation. I can't imagine Trump nominating DeSantis to lead DHS. And also for the record, those committee hearings are going to be bombshell because if I'm a senator, I want to know about Alligator Alcatraz. Right. Because Ron has some very, very, I mean the Human Rights Watch report coming out of Alligator Alcatraz, the and the Sea International report. I mean it's, it's pretty horrific what happened there. And he, in a lot of ways modern day torture. And he's going to have to answer for that if he's, if he's nominated.
- [13:02]
Jessica Tarlov
Totally. I think that's absolutely correct. There'll be a lot of questions also on emergency weather management, which in Florida he deals with this all the time. That was part of also the case for him that he work works with FEMA probably more than any other governor at this point, which is under Kristi Noem's purview. Even though you probably wouldn't notice that by the way that she struts around and poses. Do you think that Homan scaling back the 700 ICE agents is actually a big deal or it's like there were 3,000 there and now there are 2,300 and there were. I, I just saw actually there were 150 ICE agents before this surge started. So we're still at a massive increase.
- [13:42]
Erin Partas
I think that decision in just that decision is not a big deal. I think the overall change in tone and narrative that Homan has brought. And I think you were partially right on this last week. That. And I kind of partially.
- [13:54]
Aaron Parnas
And I disagreed with you.
- [13:56]
Erin Partas
And I disagreed with you. I do think Homan has brought a sense of kind of more toned down rhetoric, a sense of more kind of normal stability. Yeah, more stability. Now I disagree that this is stable, stable and normal to the Extent that, like, this is not normal.
- [14:10]
Jessica Tarlov
He's a stable figure.
- [14:10]
Aaron Parnas
Right.
- [14:11]
Jessica Tarlov
He doesn't feel like a loose cannon where he's going to show up tomorrow wearing, like, an SS coat and say, they're all domestic terrorists.
- [14:18]
Erin Partas
And make no mistake when I say that this is normal. This is normal. As in, like, this is what Trump has parroted for a year now. This is nothing like crazy. And above what we've seen over the past year, it's still not normal because Minnesota residents are still living in fear and ICE raids are still happening. I mean, it's really bad what's happening on the ground still to this day. I think that the removal of the 700 horses, in my opinion, is kind of like a, okay, we're gonna wave the white flag just a little bit. But at the same time, people do forget. And you mentioned there are 3,000 of them. The entire Minneapolis Police Department is 600. Right. So they still have more than triple the amount of officers that local police officers have on the ground. And so it wouldn't be surprised if by the end of the month, you'll have a. Almost full drawdown, though that's kind of where I'm kind of getting at, is like, I think that this is, like, the beginning of, like, a. Okay, we're gonna slowly p back. We're gonna take Minneapolis, Minnesota out of the news. We're not gonna talk about it. But then you never know with this president who undermines his own people all the time. Like last night on NBC News saying that, oh, it's just two Americans who died. Just two Americans who were killed. Right. Like, just completely minimizing the murders. So we'll see what happens. I don't know.
- [15:25]
Jessica Tarlov
And then he went on to talk about the water tanks, and you see Tom Yama's face. He was like, what in fresh hell is this? Talking about the drawdown. And I do. You can see the writing on the wall that they're trying to post big wins. They're saying that they've gotten 4,000 criminals, and so they want to be able to. Everyone wants to claim victory all the time. And I am willing, for the sake of peace, to kind of give some victory that I don't think is legitimate. Obviously, people are going to have to go through and see who it is that they have actually arrested, because odds are that they are not all bad hombres that have been convicted of crimes or even necessarily are accused of crimes. But it was interesting to me. So J.D. vance was interviewed yesterday as well, was asked straight up, like, do you want to apologize to the family of Alex Brady for calling him a domestic terrorist? And he was like, why have you apologized?
- [16:17]
Erin Partas
Did you plan to apologize to the family of Alex Pareti? For what? For, you know, labeling him an assassin with ill intent? Well, again, I just described to you what I said about Alex Preddy.
- [16:28]
Jessica Tarlov
I don't want to say that I'm surprised, but it does feel like the official line of the administration is to shift away from that kind of rhetoric. And they do know that it is a big problem and something that is stuck in the national conscious. So do you think. Well, I guess. Were you surprised? And do you think it's a mistake for Vance?
- [16:45]
Erin Partas
Oh, I think it's a huge mistake for Vance. But I also think, like, I mean, I. I don't know, maybe I'm alone in feeling this. I think over the past several months, Vance has really been sidelined to kind of like, this VP who doesn't really have much power and has kind of trotted out to give these, like, random economic speeches across the country. And then he hurts himself by whenever he speaks, like, whether his tweets about the, like, calling Preddy an assassin. Now this. I mean, I really think Trump favors Rubio. I think Trump wants Rubio as the nominee in 28. It really seems like Vance is being sidelined. And I think the White House understands that every time Vance opens his mouth, it doesn't actually help their message. At least with Trump, it's like, you know, it's going to be chaos. And, like, something he says today will be very different from tomorrow. Whenever Vance speaks kind of scares me. I don't know how to like.
- [17:32]
Jessica Tarlov
Well, he has no likability.
- [17:33]
Erin Partas
Yeah, it's very different.
- [17:35]
Jessica Tarlov
Like, he seems, even when he is making a joke or playing into jokes, like the meme wars or whatever, it feels not quite Stephen Miller ish, but it feels like there isn't a lightness in him at all.
- [17:53]
Erin Partas
No.
- [17:54]
Jessica Tarlov
And that he can be guided in any direction. Like, if you can be hillbilly elegy and now you can be this. Nothing is scarier than someone with no ideology and a lust for power. Correct. At that level.
- [18:06]
Erin Partas
And that's what you have here. I mean, he called Trump Hitler 10 years ago, and now he's his VP. Right.
- [18:10]
Jessica Tarlov
Like, should have just posted the W and stuck with it.
- [18:14]
Erin Partas
Yeah.
- [18:14]
Jessica Tarlov
All right, let's take a quick break. Stay with us. Welcome back. The other major story this week is the fallout from the Epstein files dump. Top Democrats, including Congressman Robert Garcia, are suggesting they might want to interview Trump if they regain control of the house. I talked with Scott earlier this week about how disgusting the whole situation is. We talked about it for like 45 minutes. I almost cried. I feel like it is so overwhelming what's going on and the lack of interest by most people. And part of that is like you impossible to keep up. But I've been very disappointed. Even in mainstream outlets that had been doing a good job on it, it feels like they've kind of hit a wall. And maybe that's 3 million documents at once, but it does feel like it's kind of receded from some center stage in the way that it had been, which, yeah, is just disappointing. I wanted to add though, Brad Karp push out at the top of Paul Weiss. I'm not sure what's still, what's going to happen with Peter Attia, who is the CBS medical contributor who was in there. But those were just two points that we had touched on in our previous conversation. So what are you feeling? And I mean, you're deep in this. You stay up all night reading them. You talk to the survivors all the time.
- [19:33]
Erin Partas
The dam is breaking.
- [19:34]
Aaron Parnas
It really is.
- [19:35]
Erin Partas
I mean, I think that, yes, I agree with you that I think the media has done actually a pretty shitty job in covering the Epstein files. And even like today, like, you look at any headline or like look up CNN.com, nBC news.com, whatever, you're not, you may not even see the Epstein files as a top story anymore.
- [19:50]
Aaron Parnas
Right.
- [19:50]
Erin Partas
So, like, they have kind of moved on from it. But I really do think this is a different moment. Right.
- [19:56]
Jessica Tarlov
Really?
- [19:56]
Erin Partas
Yeah, I do. Because Brad Karp stepping down as one of the most powerful lawyers, one of the most powerful law firms. That's a big deal. Keir Starmer, the UK prime minister, coming out and addressing the nation and publicly apologizing on behalf of his government for not properly vetting Peter Mendelsohn. That's a big deal. The Clinton's calling Comer's bluff and saying we're going to testify and we're going to do it publicly. That's a big deal.
- [20:18]
Jessica Tarlov
Get the popcorn.
- [20:19]
Aaron Parnas
Right.
- [20:19]
Jessica Tarlov
I just, I love that. I mean, James Comer is not built for that. He wasn't built for the kindergarten moments with the Hunter Biden stuff. He is not built for going up against the Clintons. Do you think he'll actually go for it? Because I feel like he's, he has to retreat and he has, he has.
- [20:36]
Aaron Parnas
To, has to go for it. Has to go for it.
- [20:39]
Jessica Tarlov
Because you just say it's too sensitive. It has to be a private hearing.
- [20:42]
Erin Partas
No, he has to go for it. I can't, I can't. He's. He can't walk.
- [20:46]
Jessica Tarlov
You don't think he has one advisor who's going to tell him, you're going to look like an effing idiot for sure. If you try to intellectually box with the Clintons, for sure. But they're going to burn it down. Oh, I mean, they are going to name every name 100%.
- [21:03]
Erin Partas
And I want this to happen. I cannot imagine. I can't imagine. He, he, he bows down here. I don't know.
- [21:11]
Jessica Tarlov
Oh, I, I feel like he is, as Jared Moskowitz would say, that he's, you know, we'll see, doing something in his pants in fear.
- [21:19]
Erin Partas
But in any event, I mean, listen, I think that, like, so, like, the tide really is shifting with these files. And, okay, I will say also, like, I think a lot of people want to get Trump. Right? Like, that's the prevailing narrative. They're like, I just want to see Trump in the files. I want to connect the dots. I want Trump to go down. But there have been some actually pretty revealing documents that have actually vindicated a lot of survivors. Like, remember that. And if people don't know, there is that famous photo from 2001 with Andrew, formerly known as Prince Andrew, Ghislaine Maxwell and Virginia Giuffre. And Andrew, for the longest time claimed that that photo was fake, that he was at a, quote, pizza restaurant at the time that was taken. Never met Virginia that night. Well, last night, there's a. We found a document where Ghislaine Maxwell admitted that photo was real privately. Right. So, like, completely vindicated Virginia after speaking out for decades and completely undermine what Andrew and Maxwell have been saying. So there are these, like, these stories are really big, in my opinion, and bombshell developments, but unfortunately, they're not going to be spread a ton because they're not Trump indicted. Right. So I think people need to remember that this is more than just about one man and just more than just about Trump. And we really need to keep the survivors kind of centered here.
- [22:31]
Jessica Tarlov
I absolutely agree with you. I don't think that there's a world in which this actually ends up affecting Trump besides headaches for him and the continual PR swirl, which I know really frustrates him. I don't know what the dam breaking on this could be. When I look at the level of coverage, and it's not just in the uk There are other countries where People have resigned. So I get that other people are behaving like normal human beings about this and what even an association with someone as depraved as Jeffrey Epstein means for the futures of their organizations or a government, but I just. Maybe I'm just too down on the country and like, what. What we're capable of. But I just. I don't know when you say, like, the dam is breaking, like we're going to have all of this information, but I want to read this to you because it really struck a chord with. Reality is such nightmare fuel that if you try to talk about current events with someone who is blissfully uninformed, it is quite literally impossible not to sound delusional, conspiracy pilled and wildly schizophrenic. Yeah, and that's totally how I feel. Like you can't. How would you even sum up this moment as it relates to the Epstein files to someone that, you know who'd been taking a nap for a year?
- [23:56]
Erin Partas
Yeah, I mean, I don't. I don't know. I don't have an answer for you. Honestly, I don't. I.
- [24:00]
Aaron Parnas
But I.
- [24:01]
Erin Partas
When I say the dam is breaking, it comes at a consequential time, in my opinion. Like, the files were released. You now have Pam Bondi testifying on February 11 in less than a week. Right. So that's going to be the next big moment. And I think the big thing here is that the public and the media and anyone watching just needs to keep it top of mind. Because I think what the Trump administration had working in their advantage on this in December when the first tranche were released, was the fact that it was Christmas and New Year's. Right. And then people just completely forgot about it. And then he abducted Maduro and we moved on from that. Here it's very different. And so you have February 11th, the Bondi hearing. I think you keep it top of mind. And then you have State of the Union on the 24th, I believe, and I think that if I'm someone on Capitol Hill, I'm making the State of the Union about the Epstein files. I would encourage members of Congress to interrupt the President.
- [24:53]
Jessica Tarlov
I'm sure survivors will come as guests.
- [24:55]
Erin Partas
Well, not just survivors as guests. I want. I want members of Congress interrupting that speech and yelling out the Epstein files. I want a top of mind. I want. If he's not going to talk about it, people need to demand that he talks about it. So I don't know.
- [25:07]
Jessica Tarlov
I don't even know what kind of mayhem that would be. I mean, he'll get so angry, which I'm not against. I wanted to ask you about the SAVE Act. So it's a big plot line. GOP has a big push for this. I have been very hot and bothered about this, talked about it on Wednesday on the Five, posted also to my Instagram account about how frustrated I am that no one seems to know what the SAVE act actually is, that it's not a voter ID bill, that it's a voter registration bill that would demand that people had proof of citizenship. So that's your birth certificate or your passport. The number of categories of people who would not have those documents are almost too many to enumerate. But I pointed out on air in particular that this could hurt Republicans who a think that they're so good with younger voters now, who definitely are not showing up at college with their birth certificates, if their parents even have it, and probably don't have a passport. Nearly 50% of Americans don't. Also, women who have changed their names because they're good wives. Right. And have taken on their husband's names. Also, people were pointing out in the comments on Instagram like people have gone through, been adopted, gone through the foster care system. They're just not going to have a birth certificate. What do you think about the GOP's push for the SAVE Act?
- [26:28]
Erin Partas
I think that as someone far smarter than me said on the Five yesterday that this is not a voter ID act, this is a voter registration bill. Right. Like it's exactly what you said. I mean, this is, to me an attempt by those in Congress to undermine upcoming elections.
- [26:46]
Jessica Tarlov
So as part of it, just for the audience, it would also essentially nationalize the elections because they would have access to voter rolls from all the states, which even conservative states have said we don't want you to, especially based on.
- [26:58]
Erin Partas
What Doge did, I think it's unconstitutional. I actually think that part of it will kind of be thrown out pretty quickly by the courts, which will have to. I mean, I don't think this bill will ever become law as it's currently written is kind of what I'm saying. I do think, though, that this push for the SAVE act is just an effort to make it harder for certain people to vote. And I think it's part of a whole. A whole being an attempt by the administration to make it harder to vote, whether that's deploying National Guard or now Steve Bannon is saying ICE agents at polls from attacking the veracity of elections. Tulsi Gabbard spending her holidays in Puerto Rico, looking at voter rolls there, I mean, like, whatever. Like, it's all kind of this major push to undermine American confidence in elections. And that to me is very dangerous. Right? Because like, I could totally see Democrats sweeping the House and potentially even now the Senate in 2026. And then the day after Trump comes out and says, no, it was fake, can't verify it. Right. And then what happens then? Like, I, I don't know what the country looks like.
- [27:59]
Jessica Tarlov
No, I don't either. It's nightmare fuel stuff. And even more frustrating that people don't seem to know what's going on. I guess this is thematically leading off of the Epstein files. But I think the average person would like to know about these efforts to undermine elections and what's in this bill in the SAVE act, and I agree with you, probably doesn't get through in this format. There will also be a lot of resistance to undoing universal mail in voting. States like Utah that goes red all the time, use mail in voting. Nevada, which Trump picked up in 2024, mail in voting. So they'll be pushed back on that. But I have been frustrated and rage texting people in our party, or I should say more in my party. I mean, you're a left leaning guy, but I'm more so, you know, put a donkey on me saying like, Democrats need to own this issue better. Like a, do better on the education of what is in the SAVE act. But then also speak to the fact that over 80% of Americans do think that you should show some form of voter ID when you go to the poll. And you know, very important and influential Democrats like Jim Clyburn has said, we're not against the idea of showing some form of voter id. It just can't be disproportionately burdensome. Do you think Dems should lean into this issue more or just go hard against the SAVE act and move on?
- [29:26]
Erin Partas
Well, I think if they're going to lean into it, they should also lean into the fact that it's very hard for a lot of people to even get an id. Right. Like in many communities across the country. Your local DMV is not a walk down the street.
- [29:37]
Jessica Tarlov
Yeah, but if they, if they took a state id, if they accepted a tribal id, if they accepted a student ID in some case, like I'm talking about a wide breadth of an electric bill. You know, like it, to me, it's.
- [29:50]
Erin Partas
Like, it's fine if it's very wide and it's, it's very, if the scope of it is Very large. I think it's totally fine. I think most Americans would agree that showing some form of identification is not a problem. To me, it's like, well, okay, make it easier to obtain certain identification that you're going to require. So it's gotta.
- [30:07]
Jessica Tarlov
And make it a federal holiday. An automatic voter registration.
- [30:10]
Aaron Parnas
Exactly.
- [30:11]
Erin Partas
It's gotta be accompanied by other things. So I think that, like, I'm totally fine with them going hard against the SAVE Act. Why? Because I really don't think the SAVE act will ever become law. I don't think you'll get a filibuster proof majority in the Senate on this. You just won't. So I don't. It's kind of just like this bill in the House that exists. But you know what, what else exists in the House? Authorization for Trump to rename Greenland. Right. Like, so there are all these bills in the House that exist that never become law. And I think this will be one of them.
- [30:41]
Jessica Tarlov
Kayleigh McEnany scared me. She said that they would nuke the filibuster for this one.
- [30:45]
Erin Partas
Apparently, if they do that, all gloves are off.
- [30:49]
Jessica Tarlov
Oh, yeah. I can't even imagine what Republicans unchained look like. Did you see Kamala HQ live?
- [30:58]
Erin Partas
I did.
- [30:59]
Jessica Tarlov
What are, what are your thoughts? So Kamala HQ accounts which were used through the election, suddenly alive late Wednesday night, Thursday morning announcement. I have good news.
- [31:11]
Mackenzie
So Kamala HQ is turning into headquarters.
- [31:14]
Jessica Tarlov
Kamala with a video there that it's going to be a Gen Z content machine. What do you think she's trying to accomplish here? And how disappointed were you with what it actually was?
- [31:25]
Erin Partas
So here's. This is me thinking, like, do I, do I like, make some headlines with my response here or do I just keep it very, like politically correct and neutral and juice.
- [31:35]
Jessica Tarlov
It just. I mean, I don't know.
- [31:37]
Erin Partas
To me, part of this seems like Kamala's trying to compete with Gavin Newsom on Twitter Just a little bit. A little bit? Yeah, that's kind of what it seems like. Listen, I am totally in favor of the vice president coming out and having a platform and using that platform. I think this should have happened a year ago. I don't think it, I mean, like, good, like, use this platform. It's a large platform. Attack Republicans, do your thing, uplift candidates.
- [32:01]
Aaron Parnas
Good.
- [32:02]
Erin Partas
All of that is a good thing. So, like, I'm not against any of it. I just think that, like, maybe, I mean, a lot of people thought that this was like her announcing a run for governor potentially or something. And like they did A good job hyping it up. So, I mean, listen, like, I'm not opposed to any of it. I think, like, okay, good. Like if you're going to use this for good, great. But if it really is only going to be like six, seven memes, then maybe that's not what. That's not worth it.
- [32:24]
Aaron Parnas
Right.
- [32:26]
Erin Partas
So we'll see. I mean, I'm waiting with bated breath. Let's see what happens.
- [32:31]
Jessica Tarlov
You mentioned that people were saying, oh, maybe she's announcing her run for governor. I saw folks passing around the polymarket odds were 30% that she announced that she's running for president by July. And Polymarket is getting in on the kind of online fun at least. So they have this free grocery store pop up situation in New York City. It's only going to be open for five days starting on February 12. Mamdani has responded about it. What do you make of these kind of like viral marketing stunts, I guess, playing into Mom Donnie's. Because like, they're taking a shot at Mom Donnie. Right. And in how they're doing it, I.
- [33:11]
Erin Partas
Actually think they're helping. I think they're helping actually, because I think like any blowback this gets. Any negative coverage this gets, right? It'll be like, okay, it's a poly market company where Don Ju. I think Don Jr. Or whatever, like Republicans are like on the board of. Right. That's just like doing something stupid in New York City. But if it works, Mom Donnie will just be like, okay, let's do it again. Just keep doing it.
- [33:31]
Aaron Parnas
Great.
- [33:31]
Erin Partas
Right?
- [33:32]
Jessica Tarlov
He's like, you guys look like idiots. Like, I was out here wearing my customers jacket.
- [33:37]
Erin Partas
Great. Give away some food. I mean, like, okay, you know how.
- [33:40]
Jessica Tarlov
Mad I am about the poor snow collection situation. Retweet post store. Yeah. So bad.
- [33:46]
Erin Partas
That is what I'm raging about this week. Because my car is still iced in. Still more than a week later. Later.
- [33:54]
Jessica Tarlov
Well, I mean, we're skipping ahead, but did I tell you that Brian, my husband, went out and bought shovels and a stick spade and went out and shoveled the corners. Every corner that we have to take with a stroller to get to school. Because he heard on the podcast last week that's how he's like, we don't talk. Like you just like complain to Aaron about the, the stroller condition. So we had a clear walkway because I married a good man. But mom, Donnie did not clear that path for me.
- [34:30]
Erin Partas
If he wanted to, he would.
- [34:32]
Jessica Tarlov
Well, he doesn't want to. He doesn't want to. Come on my podcast or make it easier for me to walk my kids to school. I'm just kidding. Please, come on. We would love to have you before we wrap up super bowl this weekend. Bad Bunny show. Kid Rock show. Which one are you watching? I'm just kidding.
- [34:46]
Erin Partas
Which one? I'm watching the Super Bowl.
- [34:49]
Jessica Tarlov
Like, do you think that there's going to be any traction to the alternate one? Because I just think Benny Johnson isn't even going to actually be. Oh, it's going to be like when people say, I was at Melania and it was packed, people were standing and I guess it's true. David, our producer, told me that he went even in Hollywood and it was crowded on opening day.
- [35:14]
Aaron Parnas
Yeah.
- [35:14]
Erin Partas
I mean, I have so many thoughts about the Milania documentary, but I'm watching the Bad Bunny halftime show. I'm not watching this alternative. I don't want to listen to Kid Rock. Respectfully. Like, I don't care.
- [35:23]
Jessica Tarlov
No one does.
- [35:23]
Erin Partas
I don't care if he's a Republican or Democrat. I just don't want to listen to him. Um, and that's kind of it.
- [35:28]
Jessica Tarlov
Okay, then. What are your Melania thoughts?
- [35:30]
Erin Partas
I think that this idea that it's like this bestselling documentary is kind of a misnomer because they're comparing it to other documentaries that haven't had 75 million to pump it up and to promote it, and all these conservative influencers to promote it. It's very. It's very. It shouldn't be compared, in my opinion, to box office numbers for movies rather than documentaries, in which case it would flop. So that's kind of where I'm at.
- [35:56]
Jessica Tarlov
I'm good with it. I. Yeah, I'm still.
- [35:58]
Erin Partas
And Brett Ratner's in the Epstein Files.
- [36:01]
Jessica Tarlov
Totally. But it was his ex fiance, apparently in the picture.
- [36:06]
Erin Partas
I don't know anything about it.
- [36:07]
Jessica Tarlov
Yeah, he was asked about it. They're not together anymore. He didn't end up marrying her. But yes, he's in the.
- [36:12]
Erin Partas
We could talk about all his other allegations against him then.
- [36:15]
Jessica Tarlov
Oh, no, no, no. Definitely. Melania did not get, like, pick of the litter. Okay. You're still raging about snow. Your car still in there. What should we calm down about?
- [36:26]
Erin Partas
Yeah, the fact that I like pineapple pizza. I got a lot of shit for that.
- [36:30]
Jessica Tarlov
No, I get it.
- [36:31]
Erin Partas
I'm down about it. I had it.
- [36:32]
Jessica Tarlov
I'm not ham and pineapple or I'm Jewish.
- [36:36]
Erin Partas
Oh.
- [36:37]
Jessica Tarlov
I mean, so am I. But I'm a pork eating Jew.
- [36:40]
Erin Partas
But yeah.
- [36:41]
Jessica Tarlov
Yeah. Okay. Shellfish pizza. All right.
- [36:44]
Erin Partas
Yeah.
- [36:44]
Jessica Tarlov
Anyway, great to see you.
- [36:46]
Erin Partas
You too.
- [36:51]
Aaron Parnas
Foreign. Hey folks, thanks so much for watching. Feel free to add this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you watch for the latest breaking news and daily hits throughout the day. Make sure to follow. Subscribe. See you soon for more.