Podcast Summary: What A Day

Episode: President Trump Is Disconnected From His Beloved Base

Date: December 3, 2025
Host: Jane Coston
Guest: Jonathan Lemire (The Atlantic, Morning Joe)

Overview

This episode, hosted by Jane Coston, dives into President Donald Trump’s growing isolation during his second term, with a focus on how his disconnection from his core supporters is impacting his governance, the Republican Party, and the country at large. Key coverage includes discussion with journalist Jonathan Lemire of The Atlantic about his recent article "The Bubble Wrapped President," insights into Trump’s shifting priorities, as well as updates on several major national stories including controversial administration actions and the atmosphere of political threat and discord.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Isolation in the White House

• Cabinet Meetings & Public Appearances

  • Trump is described as more cloistered and physically absent from his political base, attending fewer domestic travels and rallies, while spending more time internationally and with wealthy donors.
  • Quote: “He was falling asleep. Or as my grandmother would say, the President of the United States was resting his eyes during a Cabinet meeting, a move I usually reserve for televised golf.” (Jane Coston, 00:37)

• Shift in Focus

  • Instead of public engagement, Trump is prioritizing projects such as building a new White House ballroom and foreign policy adventures, notably pushing for a conflict with Venezuela.
  • Lemire attributes this shift to “losing his feel for what his voters really care about and they fear. And leaving him out of touch.” (Jonathan Lemire, 03:20)

2. The Nature of Presidential Isolation

• Comparison With Previous Presidents

  • Jane notes that all presidents operate in a “bubble,” but Lemire stresses that Trump’s is uniquely impenetrable: he is now mostly surrounded by “yes men and women…That’s by design.” (Jonathan Lemire, 04:00)
  • Lemire points out Trump’s isolation is compounded by his reliance on his own social media platform, Truth Social, further insulating him from dissent.

• Feedback Loops & Decision Making

  • Trump, no longer exposed to occasional contradictory voices even on platforms like Twitter, is focused on his own interests rather than base concerns, exemplified by his obsession with initiatives like the White House ballroom.

3. Has Trump Changed, or Was This Always His Nature?

• Responsiveness to the Base
  • Lemire notes Trump has, in the past, pivoted on issues to maintain favor with his supporters (e.g., initially touting COVID vaccines but abandoning that when booed by crowds).
  • Quote: "There have been moments where he's been responsive to the will of the people, if you will, at least his supporters. But you’re also right…particularly this term, he seems far less interested in that." (Jonathan Lemire, 06:11)

4. Impact on the Republican Party and Midterms

• No Campaigning for Down Ballot Republicans

  • Trump is not actively campaigning for other GOP candidates, leading to concerns about Republican performance in upcoming elections.
  • Quote: “If he's not on the ballot, his voters don't turn out. But if he shows up at rallies, he can basically say, like, I pick this person.” (Jane Coston, 06:28)
  • Lemire confirms that while future campaign events are planned for Trump, follow-through is uncertain.

• GOP’s Future and Potential Defiance

  • Growing rifts are emerging, with some Republicans breaking with Trump on controversial issues (e.g., Jeffrey Epstein, filibuster issue, Venezuela strike).
  • Quote: “Republicans...have to start thinking about what a post-Trump future will look like.” (Jonathan Lemire, 10:24)

5. Trump’s Focus on Wealth and International Affairs

• Affinity for the Wealthy

  • Trump values the company of the wealthy, which influences who he prioritizes and listens to.
  • Quote: “I've been told he really like enjoys having that sway in power over people, you know, who are fabulously wealthy because that is by many measure how Trump gauges whether he respects someone or not might be the size of their bank account.” (Jonathan Lemire, 08:10)

• Pursuit of Foreign Policy Legacy

  • Trump’s attention is directed to overseas issues, possibly an attempt to secure a Nobel Peace Prize, alongside traditional “second term” focus on foreign policy due to decreased domestic leverage.

Additional News Highlights

Cabinet Meeting Peculiarities

• At Trump’s latest Cabinet meeting, officials lauded him in synchronized fashion, avoiding responsibility for a controversial military strike in Venezuela and responding to the opioid crisis with combative rhetoric.
• Quote: “We're taking those son of a bitches out.” (Unidentified, 13:48)

Immigration Judges Fired

• Eight immigration judges in New York were fired, continuing a trend of mass firings (over 100 judges since the start of the second term), even as the immigration court backlog approaches 4 million cases. Legal challenges are emerging, highlighting apparent politically motivated discrimination. (14:00)

Threats Against Political Opponents

• Democratic Senator Alyssa Slotkin revealed violent threats following Trump’s Truth Social posts calling for her and other lawmakers’ execution for “treason.”
• Quote (violent threats): “I can eat popcorn while I watch you get executed for treason. God, I'm gonna pray for that. Yeah, TikTok, I hope you get murdered. I want to see you murdered on tv.” (Unnamed constituent, 15:23)

SNAP Funding Threatened

• Trump’s administration plans to withhold food assistance from Democratic-led states that refuse to provide detailed records on aid recipients, bringing added instability to SNAP in the wake of shutdown and increased requirements.
• Quote: “It's almost as if Trump doesn't care about SNAP and its recipients at all. Mighty strange for a president who cares so much about affordability.” (Jane Coston, 17:47)

FBI Director Kash Patel Under Fire

• Senator Chris Murphy criticizes FBI Director Kash Patel’s lack of professionalism and misuse of agency resources for personal reasons.
• Quote: “He does seem to be spending most of his time gallivanting around the country, visiting his girlfriend, going on golf trips with his buddies, getting as close to the MAGA celebrity world as is humanly possible. And he's racking up all these huge bills on us, the taxpayers.” (Sen. Chris Murphy, 18:40)
• A confidential report alleges his leadership has left the agency “paralyzed by fear," and describes multiple incidents of ego-driven mismanagement and internal standoffs. (Jane Coston, 19:14)

Notable Quotes & Segments with Timestamps

• Jane Coston on Trump’s disengagement:
  “He was falling asleep. Or as my grandmother would say, the President of the United States was resting his eyes during a Cabinet meeting.” (00:37)

• Jonathan Lemire on Trump’s isolation:
  “Compared to [2017]…this time barely at all. He's done some foreign travel, yes, but he hasn't really gone across the United States...people around him...are saying because he hasn't been out there, that's part of the reason why he's lost his feel for what his voters really care about.” (03:17)

• On Trump’s feedback bubble:
  “…in this term, he's not even on Twitter, where occasionally he'd be exposed to contrary views. Now he's on Truth Social…everyone there agrees with him.” (04:25)

• On the Republican Party’s growing unrest:
  “There have been so few moments where Republicans in either Trump term have been really willing to defy him…That's changing.” (Jonathan Lemire, 09:30)

• Sen. Chris Murphy on FBI Director Kash Patel’s job performance:
  “We've probably never seen an FBI director care so little about his job as Kash Patel…” (18:40)

Episode Structure & Natural Flow

• Opening (00:02–00:37): Satirical nod to Trump’s declaration of "National Green Bean Casserole Day."
• Deep Dive (00:37–10:31): Interview with Jonathan Lemire, dissecting Trump’s unusual behavior and what it could mean for the GOP.
• Headlines & Updates (13:00–19:57): Rapid-fire news summaries of political turmoil, agency shakeups, and threats to public programs.
• Closing Remarks & Housekeeping (19:57 onward): Brief commentary, credits, and recommendations for related Crooked Media programming.

Tone & Language

Consistent with the show’s signature blend of dry wit and serious inquiry. Jane Coston balances sardonic commentary with empathy; guest Jonathan Lemire provides measured, journalistic insights. There’s an undercurrent of dark humor, especially when highlighting the absurd or extreme moments in contemporary politics.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode offers a candid, sharply observed look at how Trump’s growing isolation is shaping national politics, illustrated by insider accounts, real-world repercussions for governance and policy, and alarming signs of overtly authoritarian impulses in DC. The episode is essential listening for those seeking deeper understanding of today’s political climate—beyond the headlines and outrage.

Recommended follow-up: Read Jonathan Lemire’s "The Bubble Wrapped President" (linked in show notes) for extended insights discussed in the episode.