Podcast Summary: The Tim & April Show – Episode 7: Gavin Newsom Sells Out, and Trump Says Boycotts are Illegal - Christians Agree
Release Date: March 13, 2025
Host/Author: The New Evangelicals
Description: Where we unravel faith, politics, and culture.
1. Success on Apple Podcast Charts
Timestamp: [06:59]
Robert Morris kicks off the episode by celebrating the show's impressive climb on the Apple Podcast charts. Starting at number 74 in the spirituality and religious category, "The Tim & April Show" surged to number four by actively encouraging listeners to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.
Robert Morris:
"We beat Girls Gone Bible, we did. I can't pull the charts up here. I wonder here. Yeah [...]. We're at number four right now, which is very cool." [08:01]
April expresses excitement about the milestone, highlighting the show's unique position as a progressive Christian, anti-MAGA, and anti-Christian nationalist platform amidst predominantly fundamentalist competitors.
April:
"And so if you want to help push us over, [...] follow and rate it is really the, the big boost over there if you want to help." [10:00]
2. Gavin Newsom and Charlie Kirk's Podcast Appearance
Timestamp: [25:24]
A significant portion of the episode delves into Governor Gavin Newsom's recent podcast appearance featuring Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon. Robert Morris criticizes Newsom for platforming Kirk, labeling him as a propagandist with extremist views.
Robert Morris:
"Why don't forget Republicans have control of the House, the Senate, the presidency, the Oval Office and the courts. The Dow Jones is tanking and they're still trying to convince you that no, no, none of this is Trump's fault." [21:17]
Charlie Kirk's rhetoric on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and trans issues is heavily criticized. Robert points out Kirk's problematic statements regarding trans athletes and racial biases, emphasizing the lack of good faith conversation.
Robert Morris:
"He assumes that they're so inferior that they had to be given extra handouts and had to get around certain testing that white pilots with a jawline couldn't do. This is who Charlie Kirk is." [40:27]
April adds that Kirk's approach is fundamentally racist and transphobic, questioning Newsom's motives for seeking common ground with such figures.
April:
"But when Gavin has this conversation, as we're going to see here around trans folks, he completely capitulates to bs, to nonsense." [42:52]
3. Indictment of Robert Morris
Timestamp: [99:33]
In a shocking revelation, Robert Morris, founder of Gateway Church in Texas and former spiritual advisor to President Trump, is indicted on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child, dating back to the 1980s in Oklahoma. This development is presented as a significant setback for Christian nationalism.
Robert Morris:
"Robert Morris, founder of Gateway Church in Texas and former spiritual advisor to President Trump, has been indicted on five counts of lewd acts with a child..." [99:33]
The hosts express relief and satisfaction over the indictment, highlighting it as a rare instance of accountability within Christian nationalist circles.
April:
"We don't hear of most of them. Because [...] they're willing to protect their testimony and the ministry." [101:35]
4. Donald Trump’s Statements on Boycotts and Tesla
Timestamp: [74:06]
Donald Trump enters the discussion with his vehement stance against boycotts, specifically targeting Tesla. A segment includes Trump endorsing Tesla on the White House lawn, praising Elon Musk while condemning boycott efforts as "illegal and collusive."
Trump:
"There’s no better team, but there’s nobody like this and he shouldn’t be penalized." [76:05]
Robert Morris and April critique Trump’s endorsement, labeling it as unethical and hypocritical, especially given his previous statements against electric cars.
Robert Morris:
"Don't worry guys, this is who Charlie Kirk thinks is doing a great stand up, bang up job making America great again." [78:12]
April:
"He's not a citizen. He has no right to be here. He's purely, he's here purely as a recipient of our hospitality." [82:01]
They highlight the absurdity and inconsistency in Trump's actions and rhetoric, questioning the moral implications of publicly endorsing a company while demonizing boycotts against it.
5. Mahmoud Khalil ICE Detention
Timestamp: [66:20]
The hosts discuss the troubling case of Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident of Palestinian descent, who was detained by ICE under dubious circumstances. Despite having a green card and a U.S. citizen wife, Khalil was wrongfully detained for protesting against U.S. government funding of actions in Palestine.
Robert Morris:
"His wife went to get his green card from her apartment and said, no, no, no, he's here. He's got a green card. But the officer said that his lawful permanent residency had been revoked." [66:20]
The episode condemns the actions of ICE and the Trump administration, framing it as an attack on free speech and family unity.
April:
"They are trying to deport any foreign nationals who protest against America." [73:30]
6. "Weird Christian" Segment
Timestamp: [103:39]
In the final segment, titled "Weird Christian," the hosts showcase an absurd youth group service led by a youth pastor in a full cow suit with oversized udders. This segment serves as a satirical critique of overly zealous evangelical practices.
April:
"Utter." [104:24]
Robert Morris:
"Look at those things. That's got me, like, seven inches of utter. I mean, it's ridiculous." [106:20]
The segment highlights the eccentric and sometimes inappropriate nature of certain religious expressions, emphasizing the need for authenticity over performative displays.
7. Conclusion and Call to Action
Timestamp: [108:31]
The episode wraps up with a strong call to action, urging listeners to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help it climb to the top of the charts. Robert Morris humorously pledges to eat pineapple pizza live on air if they reach number one, reinforcing their commitment to the show's success.
Robert Morris:
"I will then eat pineapple pizza live on the air. Okay, let's get into something, April." [108:31]
April:
"Bye." [108:31]
Notable Quotes:
-
Robert Morris:
"We started talking to our people online and being like, hey, you know, we are beating Mike Winger, which is a huge win, [...] we got to number four, which is very cool." [08:01] -
April:
"It is like one of those things that in the scheme of life doesn't really matter, but it's just fun." [09:31] -
Robert Morris:
"Pineapple on pizza is a complete abomination. It's not even a question." [11:35] -
Robert Morris:
"Gavin Newsom will either be ignorant or he doesn't care that Charlie Kirk has one goal, command and conquer the right." [17:30] -
April:
"He's an opportunist. He will always use, even if at times he's correct, information to deflect from his guy." [25:29] -
Robert Morris:
"They are weaponizing what is a minority of the population. Trans folks as a whole, I think at the most are 1 to 3% of the population." [47:43] -
April:
"You're never going to find the common ground by trying to say, look, Charlie, I give a little you give a little." [57:14] -
Robert Morris:
"A million moms, which is actually more like 15,000 moms on a good day." [82:23]
Key Insights and Conclusions:
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Chart Dominance: The show’s rise to the top of the Apple Podcast charts underscores its resonance with listeners seeking progressive Christian and anti-nationalist perspectives.
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Platforming Extremists: Governor Newsom’s decision to feature Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon on his podcast is heavily criticized as it provides a platform for extremist ideologies without sufficient pushback.
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Accountability in Leadership: The indictment of Robert Morris is portrayed as a victory against the moral failures within Christian nationalist leadership, emphasizing the need for accountability.
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Hypocrisy in Political Endorsements: Donald Trump’s endorsement of Tesla while condemning boycotts is highlighted as hypocritical, questioning the integrity of his political maneuvers.
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Immigration and Free Speech: The case of Mahmoud Khalil illustrates perceived overreach by ICE and the Trump administration, framing it as an attack on free speech and family rights.
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Eccentric Religious Practices: The "Weird Christian" segment sheds light on the performative and sometimes absurd practices within certain evangelical circles, advocating for genuine faith expressions.
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Call to Action: The episode concludes with a strong urge for listener engagement to support the podcast’s mission, emphasizing community and collective resistance against prevailing nationalist ideologies.
Overall, Episode 7 of "The Tim & April Show" delivers a critical examination of contemporary Christian nationalism, political hypocrisy, and the challenges faced by progressive voices within the faith community. Through incisive discussions, the hosts advocate for accountability, genuine dialogue, and resistance against extremist influences in politics and religion.