Podcast Summary: "The Right Made Him President, The Left Made Him King"

Podcast: VINCE
Host: Vince Coglianese (Cumulus Podcast Network)
Guest: Emily Jashinsky
Episode: 150
Date: October 20, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the aftermath of recent "No Kings" protests organized by the political left in response to President Trump's reelection and public fears of authoritarianism. Host Vince Coglianese unpacks the motivations, rhetoric, and contradictions within these protests, juxtaposing them with conservative mobilizations of the past and highlighting alarming incidents of violent rhetoric among certain protest participants. The show also examines new threats to President Trump’s safety, featuring insights on a possible assassination plot and an update from FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino. Political commentator Emily Jashinsky joins to discuss protest dynamics, the ongoing government shutdown, double standards in media/politics, and more.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. "No Kings" Protests: Motivation and Irony

Timestamps: 04:22–10:54

• Confused Protesters: Vince shares a series of interviews from the "No Kings" protests, highlighting participants' inability to articulate specific grievances against President Trump.
  • Quote:
    • Reporter: “How has President Trump put your freedom in jeopardy?”
    • Protester: “I wouldn't say my freedom's in jeopardy.” (04:22)
  • Vince compares this to the Tea Party era, arguing those protesters could clearly state their concerns (e.g., taxes, Obamacare), unlike the current left-wing demonstrators.
• Theater and Absurdity: Protesters appear in odd costumes; Vince mocks their approach and questions the depth of their engagement.
  • Quote: “Isn't the fact that you can show up in, like, some sort of demented, inflatable costume in the middle of an American street and talk about how much you don't like Trump, isn't that all the evidence in the world that Donald Trump is not a king?” (10:54)
• Violent Rhetoric and Acts: Vince exposes disturbing moments where protestors either pantomime violence or directly express hopes for Trump’s (or other opponents’) deaths.
  • Protester (on camera): “I hope that I see the obituary. That's what I hope for.” (13:02)
  • Another protester, quoting: “Who are you gonna kill? Nazis. Who's a Nazi? Stephen Miller's a Nazi. So you're gonna kill Stephen Miller? If I had the chance, yeah, I would.” (14:03)
  • Protester calls for killing ICE agents: “We gotta turn around the guns on this fascist system. These ICE agents gotta get shot and wiped out.” (15:44)

2. Media and Political Leadership Response

Timestamps: 17:50–24:45

• Speaker Mike Johnson’s Counterpoint: Johnson asserts, ironically, that if President Trump were a king, the government would be open, and protests would have been suppressed, highlighting the illogical basis for the "dictator" label.
  • “If President Trump was a king, the government would be open right now. If President Trump was a king, they would not have been able to engage in that free speech exercise out on the Mall…” (17:59)
• Protest Theater: Vince mocks high-visibility Democrats like Nancy Pelosi (ripping a toy crown) and Elizabeth Warren (making a Boston Tea Party analogy) for performative gestures tied to the protest.
  • Vince quips on Warren: “Of all the historical references that Elizabeth Warren could make, she chose the one with the fake Indians.” (24:00)
• President Trump Responds via AI Meme: Trump posts an AI video of himself as king “dumping” on protesters, which riles up the left and amuses Vince.

3. Threats Against President Trump

Timestamps: 48:44–55:48

• Hunting Stand Incident: The Secret Service finds a hunting stand with a direct line of sight to where Air Force One parks at Palm Beach International Airport; the FBI, led by Dan Bongino, investigates.
  • Vince questions: “How does that thing go for months without anybody detecting it? Thankfully, the Secret Service does see it and the FBI is on the case.” (54:07)
• Historical Pattern: Vince connects this threat to previous assassination attempts, including the shooting of Trump and Charlie Kirk, noting the rise of violence and extremism targeting conservatives.

4. Government Shutdown and Democrat Strategy

Timestamps: 31:13–47:31

• Dialogue with Emily Jashinsky: Discussion on why “No Kings” protests gained traction, the psychology of anti-Trump activism, and the contrast with right-wing protest culture.
  • Emily observes: “On the left there's what, 30% hardened people who are anti-MAGA. That's their identity…” (33:50)
• Lack of Substance: Both note the protestors’ inability to articulate specific grievances despite the extreme stakes they attach to Trump’s presidency.
• Violence Double Standards: Emily and Vince highlight the contrast in media and political responses to violence or extreme rhetoric from their “own side” vs. opponents.
  • Emily: “So when you have these glaring double standards, you are going to have the right be less and less interested in gatekeeping and self policing because you're doing none of it.” (42:05)
• Shutdown Stalemate: Emily predicts the shutdown will soon end, with Democrats bending on healthcare for noncitizens but posturing as the “responsible” party.
  • “My prediction, Vince, is that we'll probably see substantial movement this week… Democrats are going to act like they all along did not support Health care for noncitizens.” (44:59)
• Obamacare Debate: Both criticize Obamacare’s unfulfilled promises and the need for Republican leadership to offer a better solution.

5. Crime and Law Enforcement Posture

Timestamps: 55:48–58:11

• FBI’s Crackdown: Dan Bongino touts “Operation Summer Heat,” highlighting a record 28,000 violent crime arrests in 2025, with aggressive, targeted efforts to restore order in cities.
  • Bongino: “President’s like, go get him, boys. Go get him. That was it...We cleaned up at the President's direction...28,000 violent crime arrests in 2025...” (55:48)
• Federal Aid to Lawless Cities: Bongino criticizes California officials dismissing federal help, insisting regular citizens welcome the FBI’s role in restoring safety.
  • “Ask the 67 year old woman living in a drug ridden area of LA or San Francisco... Go ask her if she wants us and the FBI, the US Marshals and the DEA...to clean up the city.” (58:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Vince on protester confusion:
  “They have no idea what they're even talking about...You can't answer a simple question. What brings you out here? What are you protesting? Nothing. Nothing.” (07:10)

• Vince on protest theater:
  “I haven't cringed that much since [Pelosi] wore Kente cloth and took a knee. She's insane.” (24:45)

• Emily Jashinsky on left-wing identity politics:
  “On the left there's what, 30% hardened people who are anti-MAGA. That's their identity, that's their personality.” (33:50)

• Dan Bongino's assessment:
  “...We cleaned up at the President's direction...28,000 violent crime arrests in 2025. And the year's not even over.” (55:48)

Segment Timestamps

• "No Kings" Protest Clips & Analysis: 04:22–15:48
• Violence & Radical Rhetoric at Protests: 13:02–15:48
• Speaker Mike Johnson Interview/Counterpoints: 17:50–24:45
• Pelosi, Warren, and AI Trump Video: 24:45–29:40
• Emily Jashinsky Interview (Protests, Shutdown, Media, Double Standards): 31:13–47:53
• FBI Investigation into Palm Beach Threat: 48:44–55:48
• Dan Bongino on Crime Crackdown: 55:48–58:11
• Bongino on Federal Assistance to Cities: 58:11–59:09

Tone and Style

The episode is marked by Vince’s signature sarcasm, sharp criticism of left-wing protest culture, and emphasis on double standards in political and media responses. His commentary is energetic, direct, and often mockingly humorous. Emily Jashinsky provides thoughtful, informed counterpoints and amplifies key themes of left-wing disconnect, media hypocrisy, and the shifting landscape of American protest culture.

Takeaways

• The "No Kings" protests, meant to warn against authoritarianism, were characterized by vague and ill-defined grievances, performative activism, and, disturbingly, escalating rhetoric of violence from some participants.
• Vince draws a clear contrast between these and past conservative protests, accusing the left of lacking both substance and self-awareness, and highlights the ease with which critics of Trump enjoy free speech—contradicting the "king/dictator" claim.
• High-profile left-wing politicians and media further fueled the protest’s theatrical nature, while simultaneously downplaying or ignoring violent rhetoric in their ranks.
• New threats to the president’s safety are taken seriously, with officials pledging strong action and transparency.
• The episode highlights the persistent government shutdown, with predictions for a resolution and a critical lens on healthcare policy rhetoric.
• Law enforcement leadership emphasizes a records-setting crackdown on crime under Trump, using it as a counter to progressive narratives about law and order.

For listeners interested in analysis of current US political protest culture, threats to political leaders, and the interplay between media narratives and grassroots activism—delivered with sharp wit and skepticism—this episode delivers on all counts.