What A Day – "The Redistricting Game"

Host: Jane Coston
Guests: John Bisignano (President, National Democratic Redistricting Committee), Lisa Phillips (Epstein survivor advocate)
Date: October 30, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode unpacks the escalating battle over congressional redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, spotlighting recent maneuvers by both parties to redraw electoral maps and the legal/litigation skirmishes unfolding nationwide. The show also covers major political headlines (SNAP benefits, National Guard mobilization, immigration mishaps, Fed rate cut) and features a poignant segment with a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse.

The core focus: how a practice that’s usually technical and subdued—redistricting—is morphing into a high-stakes, highly politicized fight with national ramifications as both parties respond to new pressures and unprecedented tactics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Redistricting as Political Battlefront

[00:50] - [04:59]

• Why Redistricting is in the Spotlight:
  Redistricting is traditionally a once-a-decade, census-driven process, but is now a fierce, national issue because “Donald Trump is two things. One, he has consolidated a great deal of power within the Republican Party... And two, he has made himself acknowledge publicly that he cannot win this election fairly in 2026.” – John Bisignano [03:06]

• Trump's Pressure on Republican States:
  After his call to Texas Gov. Abbott, several Republican states have begun drawing new congressional maps outside the normal cycle, prompted by fears over losing House control.

• The Current House Balance:
  Republicans hold the House by just three seats, but this narrow margin is vulnerable:
  “Over the past two congressional election cycles, it's important to remember that we've had the most representative maps, arguably in this country's history... Republicans won those two congressional cycles. I acknowledge that.” – John Bisignano [03:54]

2. Specific States’ Moves and What’s at Stake

[05:14] - [06:53]

• Active Redistricting States:
  So far, Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina (all GOP-led) have already redrawn maps to shift seats away from Democrats, targeting up to seven districts (mostly held by people of color).

  • “Texas took probably five seats, or at least by their own estimation. Missouri took one, North Carolina took one. And I'll add six out of the seven individuals that were drawn out of their seats were people of color.” – John Bisignano [05:14]

• Other Republican States "on the Fence":
  Indiana, Kansas, Nebraska, and even New Hampshire (despite evident reluctance from state leadership, especially NH's governor, who is being pressured by threats of a primary from the Trump-aligned White House).

  • “Most folks in most states have no interest in doing this... and yet we found ourselves in a place where they all acquiesced to Donald Trump's pressure...” – John Bisignano [06:20]

3. Litigation and Court Battles

[06:53] - [07:47]

• Legal Counteroffensives:
  Ongoing and pending lawsuits challenge these rapid-fire redistricting efforts on constitutional and statutory grounds:
  “There is litigation in all these states... trying to claw back some of these maps from what Republicans have done is an equally valuable part of the equation...” – John Bisignano [07:06]

4. Democratic Counter-Moves: “Fighting Fire with Fire”

[07:47] - [08:50]

• Blue-State Redistricting:
  Democratic states (notably California under Gov. Newsom) are racing to redraw their own maps via ballot measure (Prop 50) to offset GOP gains.

  • “When Texas got serious... [California] started moving forward with a bill... to allow the people in California to decide whether they wanted to fight back against Trump's Texas gerrymander... I feel very positively or optimistic about the path forward in getting five seats out of California, which would offset what Texas has done.” – John Bisignano [07:58]

• Other Blue States Considering Similar Moves:
  Maryland and Illinois are also exploring new maps to “bring us back to that level of fair and representative democracy.”

5. Broader Implications & The Future of Democratic Participation

[09:01] - [10:37]

• Manipulating Democracy Preemptively:
  Both parties now seek to “pre-shape the electorate” before anyone votes, making elections less competitive or fair.

  • “They are trying to take this moment in time and draw the Americans [sic] people voice out of the equation... I'm not sure we've ever seen a White House this comfortable with the reality that they can't win without cheating.” – John Bisignano [09:20]

• Resources Diverted from Policy:
  “They could be... using (their time) to try and lower the cost of drug prices or, you know, lower the cost of groceries.... But this White House doesn't care about that. ...what they're really trying to do is cheat to hold on to power as long as possible.” – John Bisignano [10:17]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jane Coston’s Opener Connecting Sports and Politics:
  “College football is politics and politics is College Football. Exhibit 1215.” [00:02]

• On Democratic Strategies:
  “Some Democrats are fighting fire with fire and working to draw new congressional maps of their own.” [07:47]

• On the Reluctance of State Officials:
  “[New Hampshire’s] governor has no interest in doing this at all.” – Jane Coston [06:15]

• On Danger to Democracy:
  “Trying to use the year before an election even takes place to reshape or pre-shape the exact look of the map and the electorate and... draw the Americans people voice out of the equation.” – John Bisignano [09:20]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Redistricting Explained & Trump’s Role:
  [03:06]–[04:46]

• State-by-State Map Manipulation Details:
  [05:14]–[06:53]

• Litigation Against New Maps:
  [07:06]–[07:47]

• Democratic Pushback Strategies:
  [07:47]–[08:50]

• Long-term Threats to Electoral Integrity:
  [09:01]–[10:37]

Additional Major News Headlines (Brief Summary)

SNAP Benefits at Risk

[13:16]–[13:42]
Senate Majority Leader John Thune defends his party's actions blocking SNAP funding, even as millions face the loss of food assistance during the shutdown. Hypocrisy noted by host.

National Guard Mobilization

[14:25]–[15:38]
Pentagon orders all states to deploy “quick reaction” riot control forces, echoing memories of Vietnam-era military crackdowns on domestic protest.

Federal Reserve Rate Cut

[16:01]–[16:38]
Chair Jerome Powell lowers interest rates a quarter-point, citing mixed economic signals due to the government shutdown.

Immigration and Judicial Defiance

[16:38]–[18:56]
ICE deports an Alabama man to Laos in direct defiance of a federal court order, raising legal alarms.

Extended Segment: Survivor Lisa Phillips on Epstein

[18:56]–[24:58]

• Personal Story:
  Lisa recounts being lured to Jeffrey Epstein’s island under false pretenses as a young model, details the abuse, and reflects on her delayed decision to go public.

• Barriers to Speaking Out:
  Fear of Epstein’s power and powerful associates kept her silent until after his death.

  • “I would never have spoken out if Jeffrey was alive... Some of the girls... were underage and it was the exact same M.O.” – Lisa Phillips [22:37]

• On Epstein’s Network and “Birthday Book”:
  “That birthday book was the best representation of the people around him.” [23:56]

• Message to Survivors:
  “Don’t be ashamed of what happened to you... You have the power to own it and move on from it... There is light at the end of the tunnel.” [24:14]

Episode Closing Notes

• Jane Coston’s Commitment:
  Promises continued coverage on Congressional action regarding Epstein investigations and other major stories.

• Related Podcasts Promo:
  Assembly Required (Stacey Abrams and Erica Chenoweth on protest movements).

Summary Table: Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | Key Focus | |----------------------------------|--------------|----------------------------------------------| | Redistricting’s Rise & Stakes | 03:06–04:46 | Trump’s pressure, why 2026 matters | | GOP State Map Changes | 05:14–06:53 | Texas, Missouri, NC, people of color | | Litigation Strategy | 07:06–07:47 | Courts and ongoing legal challenges | | Democratic Counteractions | 07:47–08:50 | CA Prop 50, other blue states | | “Pre-shaping” Democracy | 09:01–10:37 | Cheating accusations, broader implications | | Headlines | 13:16–18:56 | SNAP, National Guard, Fed, ICE/Deportation | | Lisa Phillips’ Story | 18:56–24:58 | Epstein survivor narrative |

Overall Tone & Style

• Direct, urgent, often wry; Jane Coston maintains a brisk pace, using sharp, pointed commentary intermixed with substantive reporting and empathy for vulnerable guests.
• The episode critiques political hypocrisy and self-serving maneuvers from both parties, while foregrounding the stakes for ordinary Americans.

TL;DR

This episode of What A Day delivers a sharp, detailed look at the new arms race in congressional redistricting, exploring partisan maneuvering, racial dynamics, legal battles, and the impact on democracy. Counterpointed by a powerful personal account from an Epstein survivor, the episode skillfully blends political analysis, legal context, and human stories.