Summary of The Tim & April Show - Episode 28: "Are We in the End Times? War, Whiffs and Trump Bombs"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Tim & April Show
• Host/Author: The New Evangelicals
• Description: Where we unravel faith, politics, and culture.
• Episode: 28. Are We in the End Times? War, Whiffs and Trump Bombs
• Release Date: June 27, 2025

1. Introduction and Personal Updates

The episode begins with Tim Whitaker and April Ajoy exchanging casual greetings and sharing personal anecdotes. April recounts her daughter’s ninth birthday party, highlighting the creativity involved in making a mini whodunit film with the children. Tim shares his struggles with dehydration due to excessive coffee consumption, setting a relatable tone for listeners.

2. Addressing Fake News and Fact-Checking

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the prevalence of fake news, particularly a viral video purportedly showing Donald Trump whiffing a golf shot. Both hosts admit initially believing the video, only to discover it was doctored. April emphasizes the importance of fact-checking in an age rife with misinformation:

April Ajoy [06:42]: "Let this just be a lesson to all of us, including myself, because I did fall for that video. Fact check. Fact check."

Tim echoes this sentiment, stressing the necessity of hard evidence before promoting claims about election fraud:

Tim Whitaker [08:10]: "I'm not saying it's out of the realm of possibility... But until I have hard evidence... I'm not gonna promote that on this show personally."

3. NYC Mayoral Race and Zoran Mamdani's Victory

The hosts pivot to discuss the surprising outcome of the New York City mayoral race, where Democratic Socialist Zoran Mamdani won the primary against the favored Andrew Cuomo. They express relief and approval of Mamdani's progressive platform, viewing it as a positive shift in political dynamics:

April Ajoy [12:09]: "His resume is very impressive... he seems like a really nice, like, cool, empathetic guy."

Tim further elaborates on Mamdani’s policies, highlighting their alignment with progressive values such as affordable housing, fair wages, and LGBTQIA protections:

Tim Whitaker [16:38]: "He wants to freeze the rent in New York City, build affordable housing... raise labor wages to $30 an hour by 2030... This is what you and I talk about on the show almost weekly."

4. Evangelical and Christian Nationalist Response

The conversation shifts to the reaction from Christian nationalists and evangelicals, who label Mamdani as a "communist lunatic" and "radical lefty." Tim criticizes the hypocrisy and racism underpinning these responses, drawing parallels to historical white supremacist ideologies:

Tim Whitaker [22:52]: "White supremacy is here. It's here. This is what's going on. It is unbelievable to witness."

April adds that such rhetoric fuels Islamophobia and xenophobia, further marginalizing non-white communities:

April Ajoy [24:34]: "I have to unlearn Islamophobia because it was just in the water... We are Christian and we don't like when people lump us in with crazy white supremacist Christian nationalists."

5. End Times Theology and Evangelical Enthusiasm

A contentious topic discussed is the endorsement of end times theology among white evangelicals, who view Middle Eastern conflicts as fulfillment of biblical prophecy. Both hosts express concern over leaders who preach about the imminent apocalypse, often supporting war as a divine sign:

Tim Whitaker [46:56]: "The Bible says exactly at the moment when it looks like all hope is lost, the Lord himself, Jesus Christ, will descend... he will win the war once and for all."

April shares her personal struggles with rapture anxiety, recounting traumatic experiences rooted in dispensationalist teachings:

April Ajoy [53:38]: "I was having a panic attack because I genuinely believe now that I have been left behind at 13 years old."

Tim critiques the theological foundations of these beliefs, asserting that mainstream Christianity does not subscribe to such apocalyptic ideologies:

Tim Whitaker [52:01]: "Most Christians, both historically and today, do not believe any of this. It is a uniquely American evangelical phenomenon."

6. Racist Incident at Hetero Awesome Fest in Idaho

The hosts highlight a disturbing incident at the Hetero Awesome Fest in Idaho, where racist remarks were made by a podcast host. They condemn the speaker’s comments endorsing segregation and anti-LGBTQIA sentiments:

April Ajoy [71:22]: "He says, 'diversity is a weakness, not a strength. The LGBTQIA movement is satanic.'"

Tim underscores the alignment of such remarks with Christian nationalist and white supremacist ideologies:

Tim Whitaker [72:06]: "He cites his quote unquote Christian beliefs to prove that he's not racist. Wow."

7. Personal Experiences with Rapture Theology

April openly shares her traumatic experience with rapture theology during her teenage years, illustrating the emotional and psychological toll of such beliefs:

April Ajoy [73:25]: "I started to panic... I genuinely believed that I have been left behind at 13 years old."

Tim discusses the historical origins of rapture theology, attributing its rise to 19th-century dispensationalism and its impact on contemporary evangelical thought:

Tim Whitaker [53:14]: "This was largely invented in the 19th century... books like The Late Great Planet Earth and Left Behind really put it into the average American evangelical psyche."

8. Critique of Christian Supremacy and Hypocrisy

Both hosts vehemently oppose Christian supremacy, pointing out the inherent racism and hypocrisy within certain evangelical circles. They argue that actions and rhetoric from leaders like Jeff Howerton and Michele Bachmann contradict true Christian values:

Tim Whitaker [45:28]: "It's fucking disgusting, April."

April Ajoy [75:41]: "People who say they don't see color are lying. Stop lying."

9. Final Remarks and Community Acknowledgment

In their concluding segment, Tim and April express gratitude to their listeners, emphasizing the importance of community in navigating challenging times. They encourage continued support through likes, subscriptions, and merchandise purchases, reinforcing their commitment to addressing issues of faith, politics, and culture:

Tim Whitaker [83:16]: "I am super, super grateful for all of you who tune in... It's cathartic for both of us."

April Ajoy [84:48]: "These are scary, unprecedented times that we're living in, and I do think community is very important."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• April Ajoy [06:42]: "Let this just be a lesson to all of us, including myself, because I did fall for that video. Fact check. Fact check."

• Tim Whitaker [08:10]: "I'm not saying it's out of the realm of possibility... But until I have hard evidence... I'm not gonna promote that on this show personally."

• April Ajoy [12:09]: "His resume is very impressive... he seems like a really nice, like, cool, empathetic guy."

• Tim Whitaker [16:38]: "He wants to freeze the rent in New York City, build affordable housing... raise labor wages to $30 an hour by 2030... This is what you and I talk about on the show almost weekly."

• Tim Whitaker [22:52]: "White supremacy is here. It's here. This is what's going on. It is unbelievable to witness."

• April Ajoy [24:34]: "I have to unlearn Islamophobia because it was just in the water... We are Christian and we don't like when people lump us in with crazy white supremacist Christian nationalists."

• Tim Whitaker [46:56]: "The Bible says exactly at the moment when it looks like all hope is lost, the Lord himself, Jesus Christ, will descend... he will win the war once and for all."

• April Ajoy [53:38]: "I was having a panic attack because I genuinely believe now that I have been left behind at 13 years old."

• Tim Whitaker [53:14]: "This was largely invented in the 19th century... books like The Late Great Planet Earth and Left Behind really put it into the average American evangelical psyche."

• April Ajoy [71:22]: "He says, 'diversity is a weakness, not a strength. The LGBTQIA movement is satanic.'"

• Tim Whitaker [72:06]: "He cites his quote unquote Christian beliefs to prove that he's not racist. Wow."

• April Ajoy [73:25]: "I started to panic... I genuinely believed that I have been left behind at 13 years old."

• Tim Whitaker [75:32]: "He won't apologize for a podcast that he invited to be at the event saying that the city is better without black people."

• April Ajoy [84:48]: "These are scary, unprecedented times that we're living in, and I do think community is very important."

Conclusion

Episode 28 of The Tim & April Show delves deep into the intersections of faith, politics, and culture, critically examining the rise of Christian nationalism, the implications of end times theology, and the pervasive influence of racism and Islamophobia within evangelical circles. Through candid discussions, personal anecdotes, and incisive critiques, Tim and April provide listeners with a comprehensive analysis of current sociopolitical dynamics, urging vigilance against misinformation and the harmful ideologies that threaten societal cohesion.