Podcast Summary: "Inside Trump’s Personal Profits: His Abuse of Power for Private Deals & Who is Paying the Price"

Podcast Information:

• Title: We Can Do Hard Things
• Host/Author: Glennon Doyle and Audacy
• Episode: Inside Trump’s Personal Profits: His Abuse of Power for Private Deals & Who is Paying the Price | Jessica Yellin & Amanda
• Release Date: May 15, 2025

1. Introduction and Welcome (02:03 - 07:00)

Glennon Doyle reintroduces the podcast, expressing gratitude for reconnecting with the audience after a week on the road with Abby Wambach and Amanda Doyle. She emphasizes the importance of communal support in navigating hard times, highlighting the therapeutic nature of their discussions.

Notable Quote:

Glennon Doyle: "It feels really good, actually. It feels really. I feel very thankful for everyone who's coming out and devoting the time to be together." [03:59]

2. Trump’s Middle East Trip and Foreign Investments (07:00 - 17:50)

Jessica Yellin provides an in-depth analysis of President Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar. She outlines the substantial investments these countries are pledging towards Trump-incorporated businesses, including a $600 billion investment with aims to reach $1 trillion. The discussion highlights various deals such as a $142 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia and Qatar's $5.5 billion investment in Trump International Golf Club.

Notable Quotes:

Jessica Yellin: "Saudi Arabia has approved a 47 story Trump Tower in Jeddah... Qatar has approved a Trump International Golf Club, luxury villas worth $5.5 billion." [10:10]

Glennon Doyle: "It's very interesting... are counting towards the trillion that he's trying to get for us or whether it will all be him." [09:43]

3. Emoluments Clause and Trump’s Business Practices (12:21 - 16:08)

Glennon Doyle delves into the constitutional implications of Trump's business dealings, specifically the Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal office holders from receiving gifts or payments from foreign states. She contrasts Trump's refusal to divest his businesses with traditional presidential practices, pointing out his personal enrichment through foreign investments.

Notable Quotes:

Glennon Doyle: "Trump has not done this opposite at all. He's done quite the opposite." [12:25]

Jessica Yellin: "This is crypto that he called, quote, a haven for drug dealers and scammers." [15:00]

4. Medicaid Cuts and Economic Impacts (23:34 - 30:58)

The hosts discuss the Republican proposal to cut $880 billion from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act to finance tax cuts for the wealthy. They highlight the devastating effects of these cuts, including the loss of health insurance for 8.6 million Americans over ten years, particularly affecting the most vulnerable populations.

Notable Quotes:

Jessica Yellin: "Their cuts to Medicaid alone will cause 8.6 million Americans to lose their health insurance within 10 years." [27:16]

Glennon Doyle: "The reason they need to come up with this 800 billion is because their line in the sand is we will allow the richest of the rich to have even more money." [28:37]

5. Immigration Policies and ICE Violence (36:12 - 58:21)

A significant portion of the episode addresses the escalating violence and aggressive tactics employed by ICE in the deportation of undocumented immigrants. Jessica Yellin shares harrowing accounts of families being torn apart and individuals being treated inhumanely, emphasizing the urgent need for public awareness and action.

Notable Quotes:

Jessica Yellin: "They're ripping people literally off the street, out of their cars, in some cases out of their own backyards." [36:56]

Glennon Doyle: "It's very shocking to me that we are having this conversation about the violence and dehumanization of brown immigrants in our country..." [43:26]

6. South Africa Immigration Policy and Racial Implications (51:46 - 55:00)

Glennon Doyle critiques the Trump administration's policy of chartering private planes to transport white South Africans, juxtaposing it against the violent deportations of brown immigrants in the U.S. She argues that this policy is rooted in protecting white supremacy rather than addressing legitimate immigration concerns.

Notable Quotes:

Glennon Doyle: "This entire conspiracy that is happening right now... is so clearly not about protecting our borders or reducing immigration. It is so clearly about protecting whiteness." [44:06]

Jessica Yellin: "They're being welcomed as refugees and they're being given asylum, citing claims of racial discrimination..." [51:46]

7. Tariffs and Economic Chaos (55:00 - 56:08)

The discussion shifts to Trump's handling of tariffs, particularly on China. Jessica Yellin explains the ongoing economic turmoil caused by high tariffs, which have led to significant uncertainty and chaos for businesses.

Notable Quotes:

Jessica Yellin: "With zero concessions, Trump radically dropped tariffs on China, but now they're still at 30%. ... It's absolutely a meltdown." [55:07]

Glennon Doyle: "What is the tariff on a $450 million cutter jet?" [55:57]

8. Closing Thoughts and Call to Action (56:16 - 58:21)

In their closing remarks, Glennon Doyle and Jessica Yellin encourage listeners to take actionable steps against the injustices discussed. They advocate for contacting congress members, questioning local law enforcement's collaboration with ICE, and staying informed and engaged to combat systemic abuses.

Notable Quotes:

Glennon Doyle: "Call your congressperson. Call your local police force. Find out if they're colluding with ICE." [57:45]

Jessica Yellin: "Making more people aware is making a difference, because one of the few things that penetrates Trump's bubble is his approval numbers." [43:09]

Key Takeaways:

• Trump’s Personal Enrichment: The episode highlights how President Trump leverages his position to secure massive foreign investments into his private enterprises, raising constitutional and ethical concerns.

• Medicaid and Economic Inequality: The proposed Medicaid cuts represent a significant threat to millions of Americans, prioritizing tax cuts for the wealthy over the well-being of the most vulnerable.

• Aggressive Immigration Enforcement: The collaboration between ICE and local law enforcement agencies has led to violent and inhumane deportations, disproportionately affecting brown immigrants.

• Racial Motivations in Policy: The administration's selective asylum policies reveal underlying racial biases, favoring white South Africans while neglecting the needs of other vulnerable groups.

• Economic Instability from Tariffs: High tariffs, especially on China, continue to destabilize the U.S. economy, causing confusion and hardship for businesses.

Actionable Steps for Listeners:

1. Stay Informed: Continuously educate yourself on current policies and their impacts.
2. Engage Politically: Contact your congressperson to express your concerns and advocate for just policies.
3. Monitor Local Enforcement: Investigate and question your local law enforcement’s collaboration with ICE.
4. Spread Awareness: Share information and stories to increase public awareness and drive collective action against injustices.

Conclusion: This episode of "We Can Do Hard Things" provides a comprehensive and critical examination of President Trump's misuse of power for personal gain and the broader societal impacts of his policies. Through detailed discussions and emotional testimonies, Glennon Doyle and Jessica Yellin shed light on pressing issues, urging listeners to remain resilient, informed, and proactive in the face of adversity.