Podcast Summary: The Dan Bongino Show – "Trump Keeps Delivering And The Libs Are Seething" (Ep. 2427)
Release Date: February 20, 2025
Host: Dan Bongino
Network: Cumulus Podcast Network
1. Introduction and Overview
Dan Bongino opens the episode by addressing a recent Wall Street Journal article authored by Karl Rove. Rove, traditionally aligned with the Bush era rather than Trump, acknowledges the unprecedented winning streak of the Trump administration over a sustained period. However, Rove suggests that the momentum might benefit from pacing to consolidate victories, particularly highlighting the success at the border.
Notable Quote:
"[00:02] Dan Bongino: ...Karl Rove suggests that you should slow down some of the winning. Hear me out..."
2. Karl Rove’s Perspective on Trump’s Winning Streak
Bongino delves into Rove's article, emphasizing that despite Rove not being a staunch Trump supporter, he acknowledges the effectiveness of Trump's strategies, especially regarding border security. Rove posits that the continuous victories might be overwhelming for opponents, advocating for a potential slowdown to maximize impact.
Notable Quote:
"[00:04] Dan Bongino: I think we all know that Karl Rove is more of a Bush guy, but he acknowledges... that there's never been a month-long set of winning cycles like this with President Trump."
3. Border Security Achievements
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to celebrating Trump's achievements in border security. Bongino highlights the dramatic reduction in illegal crossings, attributing it to Trump's stringent policies and genuine enforcement rather than mere rhetoric. He underscores the importance of maintaining momentum to prevent opponents from regrouping.
Notable Quote:
"[40:25] Dan Bongino: ...I've been with Border Patrol since the INS days back in 1997... This is Trump keeping the borders closed. It's almost like illegal immigration has effectively stopped."
4. Political Strategy: Keep Winning vs. Slow Down
Bongino debates the merits of Rove's suggestion to slow down the winning streak. He argues against taking a victory lap, emphasizing the need to maintain pressure to keep opponents off balance. However, he entertains the idea of temporarily celebrating a significant legislative victory.
Notable Quote:
"[55:30] Dan Bongino: ...the Rock Em Sock Em Robots strategy is working because we keep winning. Don't slow down. Full speed ahead."
5. New Show Announcements: Evita and Hayley Carania
In a major announcement, Bongino introduces two new shows to expand his media empire. He highlights the success of the Evita Show on Rumble and introduces Hayley Carania, a long-time friend and viral personality, who will host the "Evening Edition" at 6 PM Eastern Time. This expansion aims to provide a robust competitor to traditional cable news.
Notable Quote:
"[12:15] Dan Bongino: We are launching Hayley Carania’s Evening Edition very shortly. She is super talented and you’re going to love it."
6. Executive Orders and Legislative Strategy
Bongino discusses the effectiveness of Trump's executive orders, citing their swift implementation compared to legislative processes. He underscores the limitations of executive actions, particularly their vulnerability to reversal by future administrations. Bongino advocates for comprehensive legislation to ensure lasting impact.
Notable Quote:
"[16:10] Dan Bongino: The upside of executive orders is the speed, but the problem is they can be overturned. We need legislation to make changes concrete."
7. US Attorneys Firing and Media Narrative
Addressing recent firings of US Attorneys by Trump, Bongino argues that such actions are routine and not scandals, contrasting them with past Democratic attempts to politicize similar moves. He criticizes the media for creating false narratives and diminishing the significance of these administrative changes.
Notable Quote:
"[29:00] Dan Bongino: This is not a scandal. George W. Bush fired US Attorneys too, and the media turned it into a scandal. It happens all the time."
8. New York Congestion Tax Controversy
Bongino critiques New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed congestion tax, labeling it as a burdensome tax on middle-class citizens. He highlights the absurdity of taxing individuals who already pay tolls to enter Manhattan and anticipates legal battles as Hochul seeks to implement the tax despite widespread opposition.
Discussion with Evita Duffy:
"[40:25] Evita Duffy: ...You already paid for these streets. Why am I paying an additional toll?"
Notable Quote:
"[40:52] Dan Bongino: This is total stupidity. New York City residents already pay tolls; this additional tax is designed to bankrupt the middle class."
9. International Relations: Ukraine and the EU
Bongino shifts focus to international affairs, particularly criticizing the ongoing support for Ukraine. He comments on Trump's distrust of Ukrainian President Zelensky, referencing the origins of the Russia collusion narrative. Additionally, Bongino addresses European Union dynamics, praising J.D. Vance's critical stance on European authoritarianism and highlighting the weakening transatlantic alliance.
Notable Quote:
"[46:46] J.D. Vance: ...If you're running in fear from your own voters, there's nothing America can do for you."
10. JD Vance’s Speech Analysis
Bongino analyzes J.D. Vance's speech at a military conference in Munich, applauding his candid criticism of the EU's authoritarian tendencies. He interprets Vance's remarks as a call for European nations to take greater responsibility for their defense and governance, aligning with Trump's stance on reducing American overreach.
Notable Quote:
"[48:11] Dan Bongino: ...JD Vance is setting the world on fire in a good way. He's pushing for a shakeup that the Europe can’t ignore anymore."
11. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Speech on Pharmaceuticals
In the final segment, Bongino discusses Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s speech criticizing the pharmaceutical industry. He highlights Kennedy's argument that pharma profits are incentivized by chronic diseases, suggesting that the industry prioritizes illness over health. Bongino supports Kennedy’s call for addressing fundamental health issues before relying heavily on medication.
Notable Quote:
"[55:39] Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: ...Pharma doesn’t make money when children are healthy. They make money when patients are sick."
12. Conclusion and Future Outlook
Bongino wraps up the episode by reiterating his commitment to providing continuous content and expanding his media presence. He encourages listeners to engage with his new shows, support the Bongino Army, and stay informed through his platforms. Bongino emphasizes the importance of maintaining the current momentum to ensure ongoing political victories against the liberal establishment.
Notable Quote:
"[55:36] Dan Bongino: We are going to give you content all day. Just give us some time. We're expanding and we’re not slowing down."
Key Takeaways:
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Persistent Winning: Bongino champions the relentless pursuit of political victories, arguing that pausing could allow opponents to regroup and counteract successes.
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Border Security: Trump's policies have significantly reduced illegal crossings, a critical achievement that Bongino highlights as a testament to effective governance.
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Media Critique: Bongino criticizes mainstream media for fabricating scandals and undermining Republican accomplishments.
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Legislative Push: Emphasizes the need for comprehensive legislation to cement Trump's policies, rather than relying solely on executive actions.
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Expansion of Media Empire: Introduction of new shows aims to solidify a media presence that competes directly with traditional cable news, catering to the Bongino Army’s demands for consistent content.
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International Stances: Supports stronger European accountability and criticizes ongoing commitments to foreign conflicts, aligning with a "America First" ideology.
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Healthcare Reform: Backs critical voices like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. advocating for fundamental changes in the pharmaceutical industry to prioritize public health over profits.
Note: This summary is crafted to provide a comprehensive overview of the episode’s main discussions and insights, incorporating notable quotes and timestamps for reference. Advertisements, sponsor messages, and non-content sections from the transcript have been intentionally omitted to focus on the substantive content of the show.
