VINCE Podcast Episode Summary

Episode: E.J. Antoni On Tariffs, Trade Wars, and the Economy | Ep. 09
Release Date: March 27, 2025
Host: VINCE (Cumulus Podcast Network)

Introduction

In this episode of VINCE, host Vince Coglianese delves into a range of pressing political and economic issues, featuring a special guest appearance by economist E.J. Antoni. The discussion centers around President Trump's recent tariffs on auto imports, the complexities of trade wars, and their broader impact on the American economy. Additionally, Vince provides insights into recent congressional hearings and highlights key special elections across the United States.

Exclusive Interview with the President

Vince begins by reflecting on his recent interview with the President of the United States, detailing the behind-the-scenes efforts to secure this high-profile guest.

• Logistics of the Interview:

  • Vince explains the rigorous process involved in connecting with the President, emphasizing the role of the communications team and the coordination between studios in Washington, DC, and Florida.
  • Vince shares a behind-the-scenes moment:

    “[02:30] Vince: 'We were just waiting for a phone call to come in... Phone call rings, and I can hear the whole exchange feeding to me in this earpiece...'”

• President’s Health and Performance:

  • Addressing concerns about the President sounding under the weather, Vince reassures listeners:

    “[09:05] Vince: 'By the afternoon, he did sound like he got some more energy in him. That's normal if you're feeling sick...'”

• Content of the Interview:

  • The discussion touched on various topics, including the controversial Atlantic Signal story and critical views on Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. Vince highlights the President's strong stance:

    “[09:15] E.J. Antoni: 'She can't speak.'”
    “[09:17] Vince: 'No, she can't speak. She can't get the words out of her mouth...'”

Congressional Hearing on NPR and PBS

Vince shifts focus to a recent congressional hearing targeting NPR and PBS, criticizing them for perceived wasteful spending and biased reporting.

• Highlights of the Hearing:

  • Vince critiques NPR CEO Kathryn Maher, recounting Congressman Brandon Gill’s aggressive questioning:

    “[24:09] Kathryn Maher: 'Do you believe that America is addicted to white supremacy?'”
    “[24:13] Brandon Gill: 'I believe that I tweeted that...'”

  • Vince condemns the defense put forth by Maher, showcasing the tension between conservative lawmakers and public broadcasters:

    “[26:09] Vince: 'It's a relatively small think of your taxes...'”

• Introduction of Jasmine Crockett:

  • Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett attempts to defend NPR's stance, which Vince criticizes for overstepping constitutional boundaries:

    “[28:10] Jasmine Crockett: 'They don't care about public safety...'”
    “[28:56] Vince: 'She's reading the Constitution. The gentlewoman's time has expired...'”

"Dumbest Member of Congress" Contest

Vince introduces a lighthearted yet pointed segment comparing members of Congress, focusing on AOC (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) and Jasmine Crockett.

• Current Standings:

  • Jasmine Crockett leads with 82.6% of the vote, challenging AOC’s longstanding dominance:

    “[29:09] E.J. Antoni: 'That.'”
    “[37:28] Jasmine Crockett: 'They don’t care about public safety...'”

• Vince’s Commentary:

  • He critiques AOC's effectiveness and praises Crockett's strategic timing:

    “[37:55] E.J. Antoni: 'That was a comedy sequence...'”
    “[38:17] E.J. Antoni: 'Most respect.'”

Economic Analysis with E.J. Antoni

The heart of the episode features an in-depth conversation with economist E.J. Antoni about President Trump's recent implementation of a 25% tariff on imported cars and car parts.

• Impact of Tariffs:

  • Vince addresses the media's oversimplification of tariffs:

    “[38:02] E.J. Antoni: 'It's not simply a tax...'”
    “[39:45] E.J. Antoni: 'It's something like about half, I think, of the cars bought here are made here...'”

  • E.J. Antoni explains the complexities behind tariff implementation and its effects on both consumers and manufacturers:

    “[36:02] E.J. Antoni: 'Part of the reason why so much ire has been directed at Canada lately...'”
    “[39:24] E.J. Antoni: 'A car does not have to be made overseas...'”

• Goals Behind the Tariffs:

  • Addressing supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by COVID-19, E.J. outlines the administration's objectives:

    “[41:55] E.J. Antoni: 'Another aspect is the fact that he's trying to get reciprocity...'”
    “[43:11] E.J. Antoni: 'Exactly, exactly... That's why they're putting a lot of stuff here...'”

• Economic Growth and Investment:

  • E.J. Antoni emphasizes the importance of investment over consumption for long-term growth:

    “[45:54] E.J. Antoni: 'How does that affect economic growth?... and this was one of the things that was so detrimental during the Biden years...'”

• Private vs. Government Workers:

  • A discussion on the ratio of private sector workers to government employees highlights fiscal policies:

    “[47:04] E.J. Antoni: '...the reason why we're at 80 to 1 is...'”
    “[47:44] E.J. Antoni: 'So there again, there's a lot of different moving components here...'”

Update on Special Elections

Vince provides an urgent update on several crucial special elections that could significantly influence the political landscape.

• Pennsylvania State Senate:

  • Democrats narrowly won a seat by 500 votes, highlighting the importance of mail-in ballots:

    “[50:10] Vince: 'Conservatives, you just have to make it a habit...'”
    “[51:00] Vince: '...the Democrats just had the mail-in ballot advantage...'”

• Wisconsin Supreme Court Election:

  • A pivotal race that could alter the judicial balance, potentially affecting future election laws:

    “[54:30] Vince: 'Scott Pressler says, if Wisconsin doesn't elect conservative Brad Schimmel...'”
    “[55:00] Vince: 'It's a huge case in Wisconsin. President Trump won Wisconsin narrowly...'”

• Florida Special Elections:

  • Matt Gaetz's Replacement:

    • Jimmy Petronas, endorsed by President Trump, is the favored Republican candidate:

      “[56:52] Vince: 'Own seat... need to support Jimmy Petronas to replace Matt Gaetz...'”

  • Michael Waltz's Replacement:

    • A competitive race between Randy Fine (R) and Josh Wheel (D), with significant financial disparities:

      “[56:54] E.J. Antoni: '1 million.'”
      “[57:00] Vince: 'The money difference here is huge. $10 million raised by Josh Wheel vs. $1 million by Randy Fine...'”

Conclusion

Vince wraps up the episode by reiterating the critical nature of upcoming elections and the necessity for conservative engagement to maintain political power. He emphasizes the strategic importance of economic policies like tariffs in restoring American manufacturing and securing the nation's economic future.

Notable Quotes

• Vince on Tariffs:

  “[38:45] Vince: 'But the media talk about this is so low iq, I barely want to reference it...'”

• E.J. Antoni on Investment:

  “[45:23] E.J. Antoni: 'It looks like over $3 trillion. I mean, it's really incredible...'”

• Brandon Gill on Kathryn Maher:

  “[25:03] Brandon Gill: 'I don't believe that anybody feels that way, sir...'”

• Jasmine Crockett on Free Speech:

  “[28:28] Jasmine Crockett: 'And to be clear, free speech is not about whatever it is that y'all want somebody to say...'”

Final Thoughts

This episode of VINCE effectively blends political commentary with economic analysis, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of current events and their implications. The inclusion of expert insights from E.J. Antoni adds depth to the discussion on tariffs and trade policies, while Vince's dynamic hosting style engages the audience in critical issues facing the nation.

Disclaimer: This summary is based on the provided transcript and is intended to capture the essence of the podcast episode for informational purposes.