Trumpland with Alex Wagner: “Trump Team's Bad Faith Changes Political Calculus”

Release Date: January 18, 2025

In the episode titled “Trump Team's Bad Faith Changes Political Calculus” from the podcast series Trumpland with Alex Wagner, host Alex Wagner delves deep into the intricate dynamics of Donald Trump's second inauguration and the ensuing political landscape. Wagner engages with prominent figures such as Rachel Maddow and Mark Joseph Stern to unpack the implications of Trump's promises, policy shifts, and the broader resistance from various quarters.

1. Trump's Inauguration: A Prelude to Controversy

Alex Wagner opens the episode by reflecting on Donald Trump's consistent pattern of misinformation, particularly regarding crowd sizes at his inaugurations. She juxtaposes images from President Obama's 2009 inauguration with Trump's 2017 event, highlighting the stark difference in attendance. Wagner underscores the irony as Trump's second inauguration faces logistical changes:

[00:28] Alex Wagner: "Donald Trump was adamant that the public should not believe its lying eyes."

Due to frigid weather forecasts, Trump's inauguration is moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda, a venue with limited capacity compared to previous events. Wagner meticulously breaks down the numbers, emphasizing the impossibility of matching the estimated 1.8 million attendees from Obama's inauguration.

[01:28] Alex Wagner: "The math just does not. Math. That is the one thing we can probably bet on come Monday."

2. Trump's Day One Promises: Reality vs. Rhetoric

Wagner transitions to Donald Trump's ambitious list of policies slated for his first 100 days in office. Highlighting his disdain for "Bidenomics," Trump's agenda includes:

• Implementing "Maganomics" with a focus on fracking and drilling.
• Ending electric vehicle mandates.
• Revoking gender-affirming care policies.
• Reinstating the travel ban and suspending refugee admissions.
• Launching a massive deportation program.

Trump’s Direct Quotes:

[02:56] Donald Trump: "On day one, we're going to throw out Bidenomics. They're going to replace it with maganomics."

[04:08] Donald Trump: "If you are, I would sit down, let me just put it a nicer way. If I'm president, I will have that war settled in one day, 24 hours."

However, Wagner remains skeptical about the feasibility and sincerity behind these promises, especially considering Trump's history of legal issues and deceit.

[05:09] Alex Wagner: "Donald Trump is a known liar. He is a convicted felon."

3. Expert Analysis with Rachel Maddow: Assessing the Administration's Moves

Joining Wagner is Rachel Maddow, who provides insightful commentary on the implications of moving the inauguration indoors and Trump's broader strategies.

Key Discussions:

• Venue Change Impact: Maddow criticizes the shift from an outdoor to an indoor venue as undermining Trump's projected image of strength and masculinity.

  [06:12] Rachel Maddow: "The move from the Capitol to the Capitol One arena is like a real... downgrade."

• Resistance and Public Response: Maddow anticipates significant local resistance to Trump's proposed deportation policies, especially in major cities.

  [07:29] Rachel Maddow: "I think there is going to be a local reaction. I don't know how well organized or visceral it's going to be, but that could potentially be a big deal."

• Authoritarian Tendencies: Maddow warns of Trump's expansionist rhetoric and the potential strain on democratic institutions.

  [13:46] Rachel Maddow: "Every authoritarian leader the world over has always at some point, turned expansionist."

Maddow also discusses the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the TikTok ban, analyzing its implications for national security and free speech.

4. The TikTok Ban: Legal and Political Ramifications

Mark Joseph Stern from Slate joins the conversation to dissect the Supreme Court's unanimous decision to uphold the TikTok ban. The discussion highlights:

• Bipartisan Origins: The ban, initially supported by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, was rooted in national security concerns over data privacy and foreign influence.

  [24:00] Mark Joseph Stern: "The court gave a lot of credence to Congress's prior determination that this is a national security threat."

• Supreme Court's Stance: The Court focused narrowly on data security, avoiding broader implications related to censorship and propaganda.

  [26:38] Mark Joseph Stern: "They were both concerned that Congress had this other idea about preventing the Chinese government from spreading propaganda."

• Future Outlook: Stern emphasizes that the decision is not a rebuke to Trump but a reinforcement of existing national security assessments, noting that similar issues will persist with other Chinese-owned apps.

5. Economic Policies: Tax Cuts and Minimum Wage Stalemates

Wagner scrutinizes Trump's economic stance, particularly his administration’s approach to taxation and labor laws.

Key Points:

• Minimum Wage Stagnation: Scott Besant, Trump's pick for Treasury Secretary, vocally opposes raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25, arguing it's more suited to state-level decisions.

  [29:52] Rachel Maddow: "Do you think we should change the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour?"

  [30:03] Scott Besant: "No, sir."

• Tax Cuts for the Wealthy: Besant defends the continuation of tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, rejecting proposals to extend them to those earning even up to $1 billion annually.

  [31:46] Scott Besant: "I think that these are the job creators."

Wagner critiques the administration's disconnect between catering to billionaires and neglecting the working class, underscoring the long-standing stagnation of minimum wage increases.

6. Democratic Response: Messaging and Strategy Challenges

In a pivotal segment, Adam Chandler, a labor journalist and author, discusses the Democratic Party's struggles to effectively communicate their agenda amidst Trump's resurgence.

Highlights:

• Preserving Democracy vs. Immediate Needs: Chandler argues that while "preserving democracy" is crucial, it fails to resonate with individuals struggling with economic hardships.

  [35:29] Adam Chandler: "For people who are struggling... 'preserving democracy' doesn't resonate."

• Oligarchy and Wealth Concentration: Chandler emphasizes the need to highlight the undue influence of billionaires like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg in politics and economics.

  [37:38] Adam Chandler: "It's a problem that people should resent, especially given his track record..."

• Policy Failures During the Pandemic: He reflects on the temporary social safety nets established during the pandemic, which were abruptly dismantled, leaving Americans disillusioned.

  [39:37] Adam Chandler: "People are angry about the fact that they had the makings of a social safety net... But it's pretty commonplace in all the countries that we compare ourselves to."

Chandler suggests that Democrats need to shift their messaging to address tangible economic issues and the erosion of trust in democratic institutions.

7. Conclusion: The Road Ahead

As Trump prepares to take office, Wagner outlines her plans for the next 100 days, promising comprehensive coverage from the ground. She emphasizes the importance of understanding both Trump’s policies and the grassroots resistance shaping the political landscape.

Wagner concludes with a call to action for listeners to stay engaged as she embarks on field reporting to provide an in-depth look at the impacts of Trump’s administration.

[39:57] Alex Wagner: "It's going to be an adventure. These are extraordinary times. And so we are all aiming to achieve what the moment demands. And we hope you will hang with us for these next 100 days and of course, beyond."

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump on "Maganomics":

  [02:56] Donald Trump: "On day one, we're going to throw out Bidenomics. They're going to replace it with maganomics."

• Rachel Maddow on Venue Change:

  [06:12] Rachel Maddow: "The move from the Capitol to the Capitol One arena is like a real... downgrade."

• Mark Joseph Stern on Supreme Court Decision:

  [24:00] Mark Joseph Stern: "The court gave a lot of credence to Congress's prior determination that this is a national security threat."

• Scott Besant on Minimum Wage:

  [30:03] Scott Besant: "No, sir."

• Adam Chandler on Democratic Messaging:

  [35:29] Adam Chandler: "For people who are struggling... 'preserving democracy' doesn't resonate."

This episode of Trumpland with Alex Wagner offers a comprehensive analysis of the anticipated shifts in American politics with Trump's return to the presidency. By engaging with experts and dissecting policy promises, Wagner provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of the challenges and resistance that lie ahead.