Summary of The Dan Bongino Show – “The Left Can't Meme And Can't Win” (Ep. 2438)

Release Date: March 10, 2025

In Episode 2438 of “The Dan Bongino Show,” titled “The Left Can't Meme And Can't Win,” host Dan Bongino explores the challenges faced by the political left in effectively utilizing modern communication tools, particularly memes and social media, to engage and influence voters. Bongino provides a critical analysis of Democratic strategies, highlighting perceived failures and contrasting them with Republican successes in the digital arena. The episode weaves together current events, personal anecdotes, and political commentary to underscore the central thesis that the left is struggling to maintain its political relevance and effectiveness.

I. Studio Transition and Weekend Update

Dan Bongino begins the episode by sharing personal updates about transitioning to a new studio and preparing for significant changes in his professional life. He recounts a heartfelt bon voyage party hosted by his wife, Paula, expressing gratitude towards friends and colleagues for their support during this transitional period ([00:02]).

Bongino also announces the launch of Haley Carania’s new show, “The Evening Scroll,” scheduled to premiere that evening at 6 PM Eastern Time. He praises Haley’s talent and encourages listeners to follow her on Silverlock Media, emphasizing the importance of supporting new voices within the network ([00:05]).

II. Major News Topics

A. White House Shooting Incident

A significant portion of the episode delves into a recent shooting incident near the White House involving the Secret Service. Bongino relays NBC News’ report detailing an armed confrontation with a potentially suicidal individual:

“The US Secret Service has shot a man near the White house in Washington, D.C., according to our colleagues at NBC News.” ([05:30])

Bongino posits that this incident likely represents a "suicide by cop" scenario, urging listeners to withhold judgment until all facts are thoroughly investigated:

“Let the investigators get over there and see what happened, and then we'll all formulate an opinion.” ([06:00])

He further clarifies misconceptions about the Secret Service’s rules of engagement, dispelling the myth of “kill on demand” protocols at the White House:

“The rules of engagement are the exact same. There's no special rules of engagement there because it's the White House.” ([07:15])

B. President Trump's Commentary on Education

Bongino shifts focus to President Trump’s critique of the Department of Education, highlighting Trump’s transactional approach to governance:

“Donald Trump is a transactional businessman. He wants results. He sees the world as a spreadsheet.” ([12:45])

He emphasizes Trump’s dissatisfaction with the Department of Education’s performance, citing alarming statistics such as:

“23 Baltimore schools have zero students proficient in math. How do you have 23 schools with a donut, zero students proficient in math?” ([14:10])

Bongino connects these educational failures to broader themes of governmental inefficiency and advocates for a return of educational control to the states, aligning with Trump’s policies.

C. Democrats' Messaging and "Show Your Butts" Theory

A central theme of the episode is Bongino’s “show your butts” theory, which examines how the Democratic Party’s aggressive and emotionally charged rhetoric undermines their political objectives:

“The show your butts theory is this. You got these Democrats showing the ugly side of them all the time... they have to constantly one-up each other.” ([20:30])

He argues that the Democrats’ perpetual rage against figures like Donald Trump alienates voters and damages their party’s brand, contrasting this with Trump’s straightforward, results-driven approach.

D. Signs of Democratic Brand Collapse

Bongino presents evidence of the Democratic Party’s diminishing support, particularly among younger demographics and the general public. He highlights the ineffective use of social media by Democrats, which fails to resonate compared to Republican strategies:

“Transgender female athletes in women's sports: Only 18% of the country says that they should be allowed to participate.” ([25:15])

He discusses how Democratic figures, such as Rep. Rosa DeLauro, struggle to connect with audiences through awkward and out-of-touch social media efforts, using examples of poorly received phrases like “Rizzler” and “main character energy” to illustrate the party’s missteps.

Bongino also points to polling data indicating a significant public backlash against Democratic policies, reinforcing his argument that the left is losing its political foothold.

E. National Security and Tariffs

Addressing national security, Bongino covers remarks by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem regarding tariffs and fentanyl trafficking. He praises Trump’s strong stance and enforcement measures while criticizing the Democratic approach:

“In the conversations that I've had this week with Canadian officials, ... we just want to see them actually do it.” ([35:00])

Bongino underscores the importance of international cooperation in combating drug trafficking and illegal immigration, asserting that Republican policies are more effective in addressing these critical issues.

III. The Power of Memes and Social Media in Politics

Bongino dedicates a segment to the strategic use of memes and social media by the Republican movement, highlighting its effectiveness in engaging and mobilizing voters:

“There has not been a president or vice president who's understood this better than Donald Trump and J.D. Vance.” ([45:00])

He contrasts this with Democratic attempts to harness similar tools, which he claims are poorly executed and fail to make an impact. Using examples like Vice President JD Vance’s memes and Rep. Rosa DeLauro’s social media gaffes, Bongino illustrates the left's struggles to capitalize on digital platforms effectively.

IV. Conclusion

In concluding the episode, Dan Bongino reiterates his central argument that the Democratic Party is experiencing a “brand collapse” due to ineffective messaging and inability to engage successfully with modern communication methods. He emphasizes the success of the Republican MAGA movement in mastering these tools and suggests that the left’s inability to adapt will continue to erode their political standing.

Bongino wraps up by thanking his team and urging listeners to support Haley Carania’s new show, highlighting the importance of strong, effective communication strategies in achieving political success.

Notable Quotes

• Dan Bongino: “Donald Trump is a transactional businessman. He wants results. He sees the world as a spreadsheet.” ([12:45])

• Dan Bongino: “Let the investigators get over there and see what happened, and then we'll all formulate an opinion.” ([06:00])

• Dan Bongino: “The show your butts theory is this. You got these Democrats showing the ugly side of them all the time... they have to constantly one-up each other.” ([20:30])

• Dan Bongino: “Transgender female athletes in women's sports: Only 18% of the country says that they should be allowed to participate.” ([25:15])

• Dan Bongino: “There has not been a president or vice president who's understood this better than Donald Trump and J.D. Vance.” ([45:00])

Note: Specific timestamps have been included based on the flow of the transcript provided. They are approximations and may not correspond to the exact moments in the actual podcast.

This detailed summary captures the essence of Episode 2438, highlighting Dan Bongino’s critical analysis of Democratic strategies, the effectiveness of Republican communication methods, and the overarching theme of political branding and influence in the modern era.