VINCE Podcast – Episode 138: The Schumer Shutdown Shafts Americans Again

Host: Vince Coglianese
Guest: Steve Hilton
Date: October 2, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively and unapologetically opinionated episode, Vince Coglianese delves into the ongoing government shutdown, pinning blame squarely on Democrats and lampooning their media strategies. He critiques their motives regarding federal funding for undocumented immigrants, mocks their meme “war,” and brings on California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton to explore the impacts on blue states, especially California. Later, Vince highlights the Trump administration’s crackdown on violent crime in Memphis, Tennessee, and celebrates law enforcement efforts while deriding Democratic leadership in America’s most troubled cities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Government Shutdown: Blame and Messaging

• Opening Shots ([00:00–05:00]):
  Vince sets the stage, gleefully mocking the Democrats for their “all out panic” as Russ Vought — whom he dubs "Vote Smash" — pushes drastic federal spending cuts. He commends Vice President J.D. Vance for managing the messaging and troll-worthy memes targeting Democrats.

• Sombrero Memes and the “Meme War” ([05:00–08:00]):

  • J.D. Vance, at the White House, jokes about continuing “sombrero memes” of Hakeem Jeffries until Democrats agree to reopen the government.

    “I make this solemn promise to you that if you help us reopen the government, the sombrero memes will stop.”
    — J.D. Vance, [05:35]

  • Gavin Newsom attempts to counter with memes of his own but, as Vince mercilessly points out:

    “The left can’t meme. They don’t have a sense of humor. They’re humorless skulls.”
    — Vince Coglianese, [06:20]

2. Democratic Talking Points—“Everyone Will Die!”

• Exaggeration and Fearmongering ([08:00–12:00]):

  • Clips from Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are played where they predict tens of thousands of deaths due to the shutdown.

    “50,000 low income working class Americans will die.”
    — Bernie Sanders, [08:10]

  • Vince rolls his eyes at these “Chicken Little talking points” and gestures at what he calls a “bullshit meter.”

  • He points out the administration’s new tactic: posting on official government websites that the shutdown is due to Democrats:

    “Just rub it in their stupid faces that they shut the government down.”
    — Vince, [09:20]

3. Healthcare for Illegal Immigrants

• Vince’s Case, Supported by J.D. Vance ([14:30–15:40]):

  • J.D. Vance details how two Biden-era programs explicitly provided healthcare funding to illegal aliens, and how the Trump administration stopped these.

    "We turned off that funding because, of course, we want American citizens to benefit from those hospital services, not to be taxed... to have those go to illegal aliens.”
    — J.D. Vance, [14:45]

  • Vince doubles down, explaining "money is fungible"—extra federal dollars given to states like New York (which gives Medicaid to illegals) free up the state’s own funds for undocumented immigrants, calling it a “blue state bailout.”

  • Direct critique of media:

    “Everybody in the media… are repeating these Democrat talking points and they’re engaged in a Democrat propaganda war.”
    — Vince, [16:34]

• CNN/Jake Tapper-Hakeem Jeffries Exchange ([21:00]):

  • Vince highlights a CNN segment where Jake Tapper gently confirms that some funding does cover undocumented immigrants, while Hakeem Jeffries denies it.

    “It’s not a lie, it’s true. You are trying to give our money to illegals.”
    — Vince, [22:30]

• Congressional Pay Hypocrisy ([22:45–25:00]):

  • Hakeem Jeffries ducks questions about forgoing his own paycheck during the shutdown.

    “No, I’m gonna keep taking 174,000, whatever the number is... Not going to do that.”
    — Vince, [25:25]

4. Interview: Steve Hilton—California, Crime, and the Shutdown ([29:47–42:03])

• California’s Woes Under Newsom ([30:00]):

  • Steve Hilton lambastes Gavin Newsom as “the most useless governor in America,” highlighting homelessness, sky-high costs of living, and a collapsing business climate:

    “He is the most useless governor in America... the right acronym for Newsom is Mugger: the most useless governor in America.”
    — Steve Hilton, [30:35]

• Crime & Cooperation With Trump ([33:00]):

  • Hilton promises full cooperation with federal efforts to reduce crime, including restoring state prison capacity and using state law enforcement if local (Democrat-led) leaders fail:

    “If you just have common sense, strong leadership, you can make a difference. Very quickly.”
    — Steve Hilton, [34:25]

• Healthcare Benefits for Illegal Immigrants ([34:47]):

  • Hilton confirms California provides $12 billion in free healthcare to undocumented immigrants, dismissing Democratic denials as “a joke.”

    "In his budget, where there was blowback even from Democrats... he increased the budget. It's over $12 billion in California spent on free health care for illegal immigrants."
    — Steve Hilton, [36:50]

• Illegal Immigration's Toll: Schools & Gangs ([39:00]):

  • Hilton discusses the burden on schools, the spread of cartel drugs, and human trafficking:

    “It's disgusting what they've allowed to happen... we just can't go on like this in California.”
    — Steve Hilton, [40:00]

• Ballot Harvesting & Voter ID ([41:10]):

  • Hilton commits to using legal ballot harvesting while pushing for a voter ID initiative to galvanize GOP turnout:

    “Whatever we think of these things, if they are the rules and we gotta use the rules to win.”
    — Steve Hilton, [41:30]

5. The Trump Administration’s Crime Crackdown in Memphis ([42:04–51:19])

• Immediate Results in Memphis ([43:00]):

  • In two days, a multi-agency task force led by the Trump administration arrested 53 people—including 12 illegal aliens—and seized illegal firearms.

    “Memphis has the highest violent crime rate in America... in just two days... 53 arrests, including 12 illegal aliens...”
    — Vince quoting DOJ/Todd Blanche, [43:45]

• Unified Law Enforcement, Presidential Support ([44:15–45:51]):

  • Governor Bill Lee publicly thanks President Trump and law enforcement for their roles:

    “I'm very grateful to the President. I'm very grateful to his team... and for you who are out there doing the hard work, who are putting yourselves in harm's way.”
    — Gov. Bill Lee, [44:20]

  • Secretary of War Pete Hegseth emphasizes the administration’s seriousness in defending American communities:

    “We are proud to be part of that effort to ensure we’re defending the homeland and defending those who defend the homeland.”
    — Pete Hegseth, [45:40]

  • Stephen Miller’s rousing words to Memphis police:

    “This isn’t just a task force. This is an all of government, unlimited support operation... We will liberate this city from the criminal element that has plagued it for generations. This is not just a strategy shift. This is an attitude shift... all that bullshit is done. It’s over, it’s finished.”
    — Stephen Miller, [46:58–48:45]

  • Vince and sidekick Justin celebrate:

    “We're done with that shit.”
    — Justin/Vince, [49:18]

• Local Response—Memphis Residents Welcome the Trump Plan ([50:00]):

  • A viral CNN clip features local residents brandishing “Democrats destroyed Memphis” and “Thank you, President Trump” signs.

6. Final Take: “Tampon Tim” and the 2024 VP Debate ([53:45])

• Debate Recap, Democrats' Failed Immigration Policy ([54:00]):

  • “Tampon Tim” (Tim Walz, alleged former VP candidate) admits he fumbled debating J.D. Vance:

    “I think she [Kamala Harris] has every right to be critical. I do think I let her down on a couple [debate] things...”
    — Tim Walz, [53:45–55:09]

  • Vince ridicules Walz and Harris as symbolic of “the left lying to us even then,” adding:

    “There’s no alternative universe where you walk away and you beat J.D. Vance in that debate. Sorry, Tampon Tim. Sorry.”
    — Vince, [55:00]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• J.D. Vance on Memes and Morale:
  “If you help us reopen the government, the sombrero memes will stop.” — [05:35]

• Vince on the Left’s Humor Deficit:
  “The left can’t meme. They don’t have a sense of humor. They’re humorless skulls.” — [06:20]

• J.D. Vance on Healthcare for Illegals:
  “We want American citizens to benefit from those hospital services, not to be taxed... to have those go to illegal aliens.” — [14:45]

• Steve Hilton on Newsom:
  “He is the most useless governor in America... the right acronym for Newsom is Mugger: the most useless governor in America.” — [30:35]

• Stephen Miller Rallying Law Enforcement:
  “This isn’t just a strategy shift. This is an attitude shift... all that bullshit is done. It’s over, it’s finished.” — [48:00]

• Vince’s Verdict on the Day:
  “God bless the Trump administration for stepping things up. And all I want is more. All I want is more.” — [49:00]

Important Timestamps

• [05:12] — J.D. Vance Press Conference: Memes and Shutdown
• [08:10] — Bernie & AOC Warn “Everyone Will Die”
• [14:33] — J.D. Vance Details on Health Care for Illegals
• [21:00] — CNN: Jake Tapper vs. Hakeem Jeffries on Medicaid for Undocumented Immigrants
• [29:47] — Steve Hilton Joins: Newsom, State of California, Crime
• [34:47] — Hilton on Medicaid, Blue State Bailout
• [42:04] — Crime Crackdown in Memphis Begins
• [46:58] — Stephen Miller's Hardline Memphis Address
• [53:45] — “Tampon Tim” on Losing the VP Debate

Tone & Style

Vince maintains a sardonic, combative, and often mocking tone throughout, with unapologetically conservative and Trump-aligned commentary. Language is direct, and the show frequently pivots from policy detail to lampooning political opponents.

In Summary

This high-energy episode combines political mockery, pointed policy critique, and unapologetic support for Trump-era solutions on the border and in crime-plagued American cities. With Steve Hilton’s testimony and the Memphis crime crackdown as centerpieces, it scrutinizes Democratic leadership at both the national and state level, concluding with confident calls for more aggressive, law-and-order conservatism. The episode is a must-listen for committed partisans—and a sharp window into the messaging and priorities of the current conservative movement.