Podcast Summary: What A Day – August 5, 2025

Episode Title: Amid Bad Jobs Report, Trump White House Leans Into Politics
Host: Jane Coaston, Crooked Media
Release Date: August 5, 2025

1. Introduction

In today's episode of What A Day, host Jane Coaston delves into the Trump administration's controversial actions following a disappointing jobs report, Texas Governor Greg Abbott's intensified battle over redistricting with state Democrats, and the White House's backtracking on a key campaign promise regarding IVF coverage. The episode provides in-depth analysis and expert insights on these pivotal issues shaping the current political and economic landscape.

2. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Trump Administration's Response

Overview: The episode opens with a discussion on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Trump administration's reaction to a disappointing jobs report. President Donald Trump's decision to fire the BLS commissioner, Erica McIntarfer, amidst bipartisan criticism, signals a troubling politicization of what is traditionally a nonpartisan agency.

Key Highlights:

• Partisan Politics Intrusion:
  Jane Coaston highlights how President Trump has injected partisan politics into the BLS, a position historically maintained as nonpartisan.
  “The fallout from Trump's decision last week to fire the head of the BLS in the wake of the report continued Monday,” [00:02].

• Kevin Hassett's Justification:
  Kevin Hassett, White House National Economic Council director, blames the "deep state" for resistance against Trump, asserting the need for "highly qualified people" to ensure data transparency.
  “...the deep state. [Trump] is going to get highly qualified people in there that have a fresh start and fresh set of eyes on the problem.” [01:16].

• Contradictory Statements:
  Coaston points out Hassett's previous support for BLS data revisions that criticized the Biden administration, highlighting inconsistencies in his stance.
  “... downward revisions were totally fine if they could be used to criticize the Biden administration.” [01:51].

Interview with Heidi Schierholz:

Jane Coaston interviews Heidi Schierholz, President of the Economic Policy Institute and former Chief Economist at the Department of Labor under President Obama, regarding Trump's firing of Erica McIntarfer.

• Democratic Concerns:
  “Taking down the commissioner of BLS because the numbers themselves were bad is a real marker of something is not right here. This is a move that an autocrat makes, not in a democracy.” [03:15].

• BLS Integrity and Methodology:
  Schierholz explains the BLS's rigorous process, emphasizing the impossibility of manipulating job numbers and the importance of data revisions for accuracy.
  “It is impossible to make up... literally hundreds of people go into working on these numbers.” [03:54].

• Economic Implications:
  Discussing the significant downward revisions in job numbers, Schierholz warns that such trends could indicate an impending recession and erode trust in critical economic data.
  “Like, our economy runs on reliable data. Like businesses deciding whether they're going to hire and expand the Federal Reserve... It is absolutely crucial that we have good data.” [08:21].

3. Texas Political Turmoil: Redistricting Battle

Overview: The episode transitions to the political showdown in Texas, where Republican House Speaker Dustin Burroughs faces off against Democrats over redistricting efforts aimed at benefiting President Trump in the upcoming midterms.

Key Highlights:

• Quorum Deadlock:
  Due to strategic absences by Democratic state representatives, the Republican-dominated Texas House failed to establish a quorum necessary to proceed with redistricting.
  “Members, a quorum is not present. The roll has been called and a quorum has not been established.” [13:47].

• Civil Arrest Warrants and Governor Abbott's Response:
  Speaker Burroughs declared civil arrest warrants for absent Democrats, a move supported by Governor Greg Abbott, who authorized state troopers to locate and arrest the fleeing lawmakers.
  “Sabotage at its finest... Abbott backed the move by ordering state troopers to help find and arrest those who fled.” [13:56].

• Governor Abbott's Rhetoric:
  Governor Abbott criticized the absent Democrats for neglecting flood relief responsibilities, framing their actions as a betrayal to Texans.
  “Our fellow Texans are being let down and not getting the flood relief they need because these Democrats have absconded from the responsibility.” [14:30].

4. Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Russiagate Reboot

Overview: The episode addresses Attorney General Pam Bondi's initiative to reopen investigations into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election, targeting claims that the Obama administration fabricated intelligence to undermine Trump's presidency.

Key Highlights:

• Initiation of Grand Jury Investigation:
  Bondi has ordered the Department of Justice to launch a grand jury investigation based on allegations by former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard that the Obama administration falsified evidence against Russia.
  “She personally ordered the Department of Justice to open a grand jury investigation and declare claims that the Obama administration faked intelligence...” [15:10].

• Lack of Substantive Evidence:
  Coaston notes that multiple investigations, including those by special counsels and congressional committees, have not corroborated claims that the Obama administration fabricated Russian interference.
  “Nothing the Trump administration has released so far has undercut those conclusions.” [16:48].

• Trump's Objective:
  The move appears to align with Trump's long-standing objective to discredit political opponents by seeking legal troubles through the Justice Department.
  “Who could forget the many, many times the president mentioned wanting to so very badly put his political opponents in jail?” [16:48].

5. Republican Representative Nancy Mace's Gubernatorial Bid in South Carolina

Overview: Nancy Mace, a Republican Representative from South Carolina, announces her candidacy for the state's governorship, positioning herself firmly within the pro-Trump, MAGA faction of the party.

Key Highlights:

• Campaign Platform:
  Mace's announcement emphasizes a staunchly conservative agenda, including banning pronouns in classrooms, opposing glitter parties, and restricting funding for education on gender diversity.
  “We are going to ban pronouns in the classroom... No state dollars to any K through 12 school, college or university that teaches there are more than 2 genders.” [17:57].

• Political Shift:
  Transitioning from a moderate Republican to a far-right candidate, Mace leverages Trump's endorsement to gain traction in the crowded Republican primary.
  “She used multiple pronouns in this very announcement. Sad.” [18:17].

• Election Dynamics:
  With notable figures like Lieutenant Governor Ralph Norman and Attorney General sitting in the race, Mace faces significant competition, although recent polls suggest she may have a slight edge.
  “Recent polls show she could have a slight edge over her competition in the state's Republican primary.” [18:17].

6. Trump Administration's Unfulfilled IVF Insurance Coverage Promise

Overview: Coaston examines the Trump administration's shift away from fulfilling a campaign promise to mandate health insurers to cover in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments, despite prior commitments and public assurances.

Key Highlights:

• Campaign Promise vs. Administration Action:
  President Trump had promised to require health insurers to cover IVF, marketing himself as the "father of IVF." However, reports indicate the administration lacks concrete plans to implement this mandate.
  “...Trump almost a year ago at a campaign event in Wisconsin, promising to do something that would help Americans, especially real human women...” [19:22].

• Executive Order and Challenges:
  An executive order was signed, directing the administration to propose recommendations to protect and reduce IVF costs within 90 days. However, financial implications and potential premium hikes have complicated these efforts.
  “Requiring state subsidized health care plans to cover the procedure could lead to higher premium costs for everyone on them.” [19:22].

• Political Ramifications:
  The complexity and potential political fallout of mandating IVF coverage may influence Republican strategies ahead of the midterm elections, highlighting the challenges of balancing policy goals with electoral considerations.
  “The political risks of axing Medicaid coverage for millions of Americans clearly didn't stop them before.” [19:22].

7. Conclusion

Jane Coaston's comprehensive coverage in this episode of What A Day underscores the intertwining of politics and economics under the Trump administration. From undermining nonpartisan institutions like the BLS to escalating partisan conflicts in Texas and South Carolina, the episode paints a stark picture of the current political climate. Additionally, the administration's retreat from key campaign promises raises questions about policy integrity and future governance.

Notable Quotes:

• Kevin Hassett:
  “...the deep state. [Trump] is going to get highly qualified people in there that have a fresh start and fresh set of eyes on the problem.” [01:16]

• Heidi Schierholz:
  “Taking down the commissioner of BLS because the numbers themselves were bad is a real marker of something is not right here. This is a move that an autocrat makes, not in a democracy.” [03:15]

• Nancy Mace:
  “We are going to ban pronouns in the classroom... No state dollars to any K through 12 school, college or university that teaches there are more than 2 genders.” [17:57]

• Donald Trump:
  “To the establishment this morning and the cowards hiding behind their long written press releases, buckle up. To the radical left. Brace yourselves. And to the great people of the great state of South Carolina, Help is on the way, you and me.” [16:48]

This detailed summary captures the essence of the episode, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of the key discussions and insights presented by Jane Coaston on August 5, 2025.