Podcast Summary: The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour

Episode: Joe Concha Explores Trump's Big Comeback
Host: Scott Bertram (Hillsdale College)
Guest: Joe Concha (FOX News contributor, author of The Greatest Comeback Ever)
Date: May 2, 2025

Main Theme

This episode centers on Joe Concha’s new book The Greatest Comeback Ever: Inside Trump’s Big, Beautiful Campaign, which recounts Donald Trump’s return to the presidency in the 2024 election. Concha and host Scott Bertram dissect key turning points in the campaign, identify reasons for Trump’s victory, compare Democratic and Republican strategies, and discuss the cultural and political shifts that defined this historic election.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Indictment: The Pivotal Moment (02:04)

• Concha identifies Trump's indictment by the Biden administration as the campaign's turning point. He argues that it backfired by creating a rally-around effect for Trump, transforming him into a victim and galvanizing his base.

• Quote:
  “Once I saw they were trying to go down that road and I saw the public's reaction to it, which was to rally around Trump ... he suddenly became the victim. And that's a different kind of place for Donald Trump to be.” (Joe Concha, 02:04)

• He also attributes Biden's perceived cognitive decline as a significant factor:
  “Joe Biden's brain had turned to applesauce some time ago ... those two combinations just made me say, I gotta write a book.” (Joe Concha, 02:32)

2. Other Defining Moments: Debates and Assassination Attempt (03:07)

• Debate Performances: Both Biden’s poor first debate and VP Tim Walz’s lackluster showing were critical in shaping public perception of the Democratic ticket.

• Quote:
  “That all came to fruition that night at Georgia Tech on June 27.” (Joe Concha, 03:37)
  “Tim Walz ... came across as the deer in the headlights ... this guy has no business being one heartbeat away from the presidency.” (Joe Concha, 04:14)

• Assassination Attempt: Ranked by both as one of the top three moments of the campaign, heightening Trump's image as embattled yet resilient.

3. The Vice Presidential Pick: Tim Walz (04:55)

• Why Walz? Concha attributes his selection to his viral “weird” persona and the Democrats’ concerns about picking Josh Shapiro due to intra-party sensitivities about religion and key swing states.
• Quote:
  “They thought that would cost them too many votes ... So instead she missed that two-inch putt and went with that, again, goofy 80s sitcom dad, who is Tim Walz.” (Joe Concha, 06:35)

4. Fundraising & Democratic Strategy (06:56)

• Kamala Harris's campaign burned through up to $1.5 billion with little effect, spending on celebrity performances and influencer podcasts but failing to earn critical endorsements or win swing states.
• Quote:
  “They spent $500,000 on, like, fixing up the studio for the host. And you're like, why would they have to do that? ... all, again, that got them no swing states and popular vote, and they lost the Senate. So I just never seen a more craptastic campaign than this.” (Joe Concha, 08:34)

5. Trump Campaign's Behind-the-Scenes Brilliance (09:29)

• Concha credits Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles for running a leak-free, disciplined, innovative campaign.
• The "McDonald's Moment": Trump’s viral photo working a McDonald’s drive-thru is highlighted as emblematic of his campaign’s relatability and messaging prowess.
• Quote:
  "That was the whole campaign right there. This is the billionaire who could relate to people." (Joe Concha, 10:50)

6. Blue Collar Appeal: Why Unions Swung to Trump (13:07)

• Trump’s Authenticity: Concha asserts that despite his wealth, Trump connected with working-class voters due to his "builder" image and effective outreach (e.g., policy on no tax on tips).
• Union Endorsements: The refusal of the Teamsters to endorse Harris signaled labor's departure from the Democratic coalition.
• Quote:
  “The Teamsters had internal polls ... when Kamala came into the race against Trump, then Trump was up 30. I'm like, that's a 40 point swing.” (Joe Concha, 13:54)

7. Media Disconnect and Outsider Success (15:05)

• When did media lose touch? Both point to the Bush/Gore 2000 election and subsequent failures to comprehend outsider appeal.
• Outsiders Win: Obama, Bush, and Trump achieved success because of their outsider status.
• Quote:
  “Outsiders tend to win more. And that’s why the Democrats now ... need somebody from the outside...” (Joe Concha, 16:54)

8. The Future of Democratic Leadership (17:18)

• Celebrity Candidates Needed: Concha doubts traditional, “boring” politicians like Andy Beshear or Jared Polis can win, predicting an appetite for charismatic, outsider figures.
• Quote:
  “I think they want more Democrats to, at least in primaries... they're going to go for the sizzle over the steak every time.” (Joe Concha, 19:08)

9. Trump 2.0: A New Governing Style (19:15)

• More Decisive, Less Distractable: Trump, in his second term, is seen as more focused on policy with fewer distractions, now surrounded by a loyal Cabinet and less concerned about media or minor battles.
• Quote:
  “He doesn't give an F this time ... he's playing a long game, governing like a guy who isn’t going to serve a third term.” (Joe Concha, 19:30)

10. GOP’s “80/20” Cultural Issues Edge (20:57)

• Path Forward for Republicans: Maintaining majority positions on clear-cut cultural issues could secure future victories if discipline holds.
• Quote:
  “It's not that hard to be on the 80 side of these 80/20 issues ... Just keep doing common sense things, let Democrats implode, and they're going to be out in the wilderness for a very long time.” (Joe Concha, 21:18)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “This is the billionaire who could relate to people. And he got his message out.” — Joe Concha (10:50)
• “I just never seen a more craptastic campaign than this. But, hey, again, it helped the book write itself, that's for sure.” — Joe Concha (08:38)
• “That McDonald's visit and the Al Smith dinner, which Kamala blew off and Trump went to ... the Catholic vote obviously broke nicely for Trump.” — Joe Concha (11:16)
• “If Democrats can't get those votes, they can't win elections, and it's that simple.” — Joe Concha (14:19)
• “He has the cabinet that he wants. You don't see the leaks ... And he's playing a long game.” — Joe Concha (19:45)
• “As long as they just keep doing what they're doing, they'll be fine.” — Joe Concha (21:07)
• “I think JD Vance is seen as an outsider as well.” — Joe Concha (16:54)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Indictment as turning point: 02:04–03:02
• Debate/Assassination events: 03:07–04:55
• Tim Walz as VP pick: 04:55–06:56
• Democratic campaign spending & strategy: 06:56–08:50
• Trump campaign strategy & viral moments: 09:29–11:27
• Labor/Union support for Trump: 13:06–15:05
• Media disconnect and the "outsider" theory: 15:05–17:18
• Democratic leadership prospects and “celebrity factor”: 17:18–19:15
• Trump’s new style in second term: 19:15–20:32
• GOP’s culture war edge: 20:32–22:01

Tone & Style

• The conversation is casual but sharp, filled with sarcasm (e.g., “goofy 80s sitcom dad” for Tim Walz), direct assessments of candidates, and clear conservative perspectives.
• Concha’s style is self-assured and frequently injects humor and pop culture references, making otherwise technical political analysis engaging for a general audience.

Conclusion

This episode provides a brisk, opinionated, and revealing recap of the 2024 presidential race, focusing on the key factors behind Trump’s re-election and the missteps of his opponents. Joe Concha’s insider anecdotes and vivid analogies bring the political narrative to life, while regular timestamps, memorable quotes, and energetic dialogue ensure listeners come away with a clear understanding of both the drama and the lessons learned. The discussion ends with a prediction that Republicans, if they stay culturally grounded and disciplined, are poised for further success, while Democrats face an identity crisis amplified by their failure to connect with mainstream American voters.