Today, Explained – Episode 47 Summary
Release Date: January 20, 2025
Hosted by: Noel King and Sean Ramisburg
Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network
Introduction: A Chilly Inauguration Day
Noel King and Sean Ramisburg open Episode 47 of Today, Explained from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., amidst the biting cold of Inauguration Day 2025. The hosts note the stark difference in crowd presence compared to previous years.
Noel King [00:00]: "It's Today Explained. I'm Noel King on the National Mall alongside."
Sean Ramisburg [00:04]: "Hi, I'm Sean Ramisburg."
The scene is set with a sparse crowd, snow-covered grounds, and the US Capitol dressed for the inaugural ceremonies. Despite preparations, the area remains notably empty.
Sean Ramisburg [00:25]: "But Noelle, I'm very concerned. There seems to be no one here."
Contrasting Inaugurations: 2016 vs. 2024
Insights from Susan Glasser
The hosts introduce Susan Glasser, a reporter for The New Yorker, who provides an in-depth comparison between the 2016 and 2024 inaugurations.
Susan Glasser [02:35]: "2016 was like nothing I've ever seen in Washington, D.C. it was almost like a sort of alien invasion."
Glasser highlights the unprecedented emptiness and uncertainty surrounding the 2016 inauguration, describing it as a "hostile takeover by an outsider" within the Republican Party. Reflecting on the political turmoil, she recalls notable moments such as former President George W. Bush's candid remarks about Donald Trump's inaugural address.
Susan Glasser [04:22]: "I was sitting there, like, just, wow, couldn't believe. George W. Bush says to me, well, that was some weird shit."
In contrast, the 2024 inauguration lacks the massive public resistance observed in 2016. Instead, there's a noticeable absence of large-scale protests and a fragmented Democratic response focused on internal blame rather than unified action.
Susan Glasser [05:18]: "There is a big change. ... eight years later, not only is there no such massive public kind of acts of resistance planned for the immediate aftermath of Trump's inauguration..."
Corporate Endorsements: Big Business Backs Trump
Glasser details a significant shift in corporate support, with major business leaders and top-tier corporations symbolically backing Donald Trump's inauguration.
Noel King [06:59]: "Mark Zuckerberg donated a million dollars to Trump's inaugural committee. A day later, Jeff Bezos and OpenAI founder Sam Altman each donated a million bucks of their own."
Prominent companies such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, and automotive giants like Ford, General Motors, and Toyota have contributed financially, signaling a concerted message to align with Trump's administration for continued influence and access.
Susan Glasser [07:41]: "It's almost like it's a concerted message that's being sent to America's corporate elite, which is that if you don't pony up at least a million dollars for this inauguration, you do not have a seat at the table in this future administration."
Cultural Shifts: The New Face of Inauguration Celebrities
Glasser observes a transformation in the cultural landscape surrounding the inauguration, noting the emergence of a distinct "MAGA celebrity universe."
Susan Glasser [08:15]: "Eight years on Trump has created almost a whole Alternate... a much more clearly defined MAGA political fan base that helped him win this election."
Notable cultural figures like Carrie Underwood have publicly supported Trump, a significant departure from their typically apolitical public personas.
Noel King [09:35]: "Carrie Underwood was the one who got me. ... perhaps even not associating herself with someone like Donald Trump."
The integration of unique musical choices and the appearance of unconventional performers like Kid Rock further illustrate the evolving cultural endorsements.
Judiciary Changes: Supreme Court Grants Presidential Immunity
In the second half of the episode, Ian Millhiser joins Noel and Sean to discuss a landmark Supreme Court decision that has profound implications for the presidency.
Breakdown of the Supreme Court Decision
The Supreme Court ruled in July 2024 that President Donald Trump has immunity from prosecution for crimes committed under the guise of presidential authority. Millhiser categorizes these protections into three distinct "boxes":
- Constitutional Authority: Total immunity for actions within the president's constitutional powers.
- Presidential Power: Presumptive immunity for actions related to broader presidential powers.
- Personal Conduct: Potential prosecution for crimes unrelated to official duties, albeit with significant legal hurdles.
Ian Millhiser [14:49]: "Essentially, they divided the sorts of crimes that the President can commit into three boxes."
This decision effectively limits checks on Trump’s power, allowing him to engage in actions ranging from manipulating investigations to potentially more severe abuses of authority without fear of legal repercussions.
Susan Glasser [15:31]: "Another power that the court said explicitly as one of the President's constitutional authorities is the ability to investigate and prosecute crimes..."
Implications and Future Concerns
Millhiser expresses deep concerns about the Supreme Court's stance, likening it to historical judicial overreaches such as in the Dred Scott and Korematsu decisions.
Ian Millhiser [23:10]: "Sometimes the justices reach decisions that I just cannot understand the value system behind it."
The hosts discuss the potential for abuse of this immunity, including hypothetical scenarios where the president could misuse military power or engage in corrupt practices with minimal accountability.
Noel King [15:31]: "If the president decides his rival is a corrupt person and he orders the military or orders someone to assassinate him..."
Millhiser also touches upon recent attempts by Trump to leverage this immunity in legal battles, though these efforts have faced significant pushback and judicial ambivalence.
Ian Millhiser [22:35]: "It's just something someone made up... they made it up recently."
Closing: A Modest Turnout and Looking Ahead
Returning to the inauguration scene, the hosts observe a small but present crowd heading towards the Capital One Arena, anticipating performances by artists like Kid Rock.
Noel King [13:02]: "We found the party, we found the crowd. It's not a huge crowd, but it's a crowd."
The episode concludes with reflections on the day's events and a hint at future discussions, emphasizing the gravity of the political landscape shaped by corporate support and unprecedented judicial rulings.
Noel King [26:22]: "Four more years of Today. Explains."
Notable Quotes
- Noel King [00:33]: "We are among the very few people on the National Mall at this time. Where is everybody?"
- Susan Glasser [04:07]: "Donald Trump: This American carnage stops right here and stops right now."
- Susan Glasser [05:18]: "There is a big change. ... eight years later, not only is there no such massive public kind of acts of resistance planned..."
- Ian Millhiser [14:49]: "Essentially, they divided the sorts of crimes that the President can commit into three boxes."
- Ian Millhiser [23:10]: "Sometimes the justices reach decisions that I just cannot understand the value system behind it."
Conclusion
Episode 47 of Today, Explained delves into the stark contrasts between the 2016 and 2024 inaugurations, highlighting shifts in public engagement, corporate endorsements, and cultural support for the Trump administration. The discussion with Susan Glasser and Ian Millhiser underscores significant political and judicial changes, particularly the Supreme Court's decision to grant expansive immunity to the president. As the inauguration unfolds with a modest crowd, the episode leaves listeners contemplating the profound implications of these developments on American democracy and governance.