Podcast Summary: What A Day – "Project 2025: Trump's 100-Day Blitz"
Introduction
In the May 5, 2025 episode of What A Day, hosted by Erin Ryan for Jane Coaston, Crooked Media delves into the tumultuous first 100 days of President Donald Trump's administration. The episode, titled "Project 2025: Trump's 100-Day Blitz," provides an in-depth analysis of Trump's aggressive policy implementations, focusing primarily on the controversial Project 2025—a comprehensive, nearly 1,000-page policy blueprint crafted by the Heritage Foundation.
Trump's Provocative Moves
The episode opens with a critique of President Trump's recent actions that have stirred public and political backlash. Notably, Trump's White House team released an AI-generated image depicting him as the Pope, which was poorly received by the global Catholic community mourning Pope Francis's passing. Erin Ryan highlights the public relations misstep, quoting Trump directly:
- Donald Trump [01:06]: "Well, you know, it wasn't good."
The discussion then shifts to Trump's interview with NBC's Kristen Welker, where his handling of economic policies, particularly tariffs, left many questioning his leadership. Trump attempted to downplay the impact of tariffs on everyday items, leading to confusion and frustration among the public:
- Donald Trump [01:38]: "I'm just saying they don't need to have $30, they can have three. They don't need to have 250 pencils. They can have five."
Ryan criticizes Trump's inconsistency, emphasizing how promises to reduce costs have backfired, making everyday goods more expensive instead.
Furthermore, the administration's attempt to cut funding for NPR and PBS through an executive order sparked significant concern. NPR CEO Catherine Marr and PBS CEO Paula Kerger warned of severe impacts on local stations and educational programming, highlighting the potential rise of "news deserts" affecting 20% of Americans.
Deep Dive with David Graham
To unpack the complexities of Project 2025 and its ramifications, Ryan interviews David Graham, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of "Project 2025: How Project 2025 is Reshaping America." Their conversation provides a critical examination of the administration's strategies and the underlying motives driving these changes.
Implementation and Impact of Project 2025
Graham explains that Project 2025 has enabled the Trump administration to execute sweeping changes swiftly, bypassing traditional checks and balances. This has included significant layoffs within federal departments and the restructuring of governmental agencies without substantial opposition from Congress.
- David Graham [05:14]: "They have really succeeded in taking a buzzsaw to the federal government and closing departments, shrinking things, laying people off. And that's stuff that's going to be very hard to put back."
Graham notes the administration's focus on dismantling elements of the New Deal, reducing taxes drastically, and enforcing conservative social policies aimed at reinstating traditional gender roles and the nuclear family structure.
Future Directions and Challenges
Looking ahead, Graham anticipates further efforts to regulate gender roles, family structures, and sexuality, building on existing orders like the trans athletics directive. He warns of a "dystopian" vision if these policies are fully realized, characterized by a blend of 1950s conservative values and libertarian economic policies.
- David Graham [08:15]: "It's this weird. Like, it's sort of like the 50s. You know, you have this really conservative family vision... It's kind of dystopian."
The conversation also touches on the administration's ability to push forward despite low public approval for certain policies. Graham attributes this to the swift actions taken before organized opposition can materialize and highlights the role of the judiciary as a potential check on executive overreach.
Trump's Role and Strategic Alignment
Graham challenges Trump's portrayal of himself as a hands-on leader, suggesting that he serves more as a vessel for the Heritage Foundation's specific policy agendas. Despite Trump's repeated denials of familiarity with Project 2025, Graham asserts that key figures from his administration were instrumental in its creation and implementation.
- David Graham [10:52]: "I think he totally didn't read it. I believe that."
This alignment between Trump and the Heritage Foundation illustrates a symbiotic relationship where the administration enacts policies that the president may not personally champion but are driven by influential advisors and appointees.
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with a reflection on the broader implications of Project 2025 and Trump's governance style. Graham expresses concern over the long-term effects of these policies and the potential lack of checks to prevent further consolidation of power within the executive branch.
- David Graham [12:30]: "When everything feels like chaos, I want to remind myself that there is in fact a plan underneath that some people are working on."
Final Thoughts
What A Day provides a comprehensive and critical look at President Trump's first 100 days, highlighting the aggressive implementation of Project 2025 and its profound impact on American governance and society. Through insightful discussion with David Graham, the episode underscores the challenges and potential dangers of rapid policy changes driven by a narrow ideological agenda.
Notable Quotes
- Donald Trump [01:06]: "Well, you know, it wasn't good."
- Donald Trump [01:38]: "I'm just saying they don't need to have $30, they can have three. They don't need to have 250 pencils. They can have five."
- David Graham [05:14]: "They have really succeeded in taking a buzzsaw to the federal government and closing departments, shrinking things, laying people off. And that's stuff that's going to be very hard to put back."
- David Graham [08:15]: "It's this weird. Like, it's sort of like the 50s... It's kind of dystopian."
- David Graham [10:52]: "I think he totally didn't read it. I believe that."
- David Graham [12:30]: "When everything feels like chaos, I want to remind myself that there is in fact a plan underneath that some people are working on."
This episode serves as a crucial resource for listeners seeking to understand the depth and breadth of President Trump's policy initiatives and their lasting effects on the United States.