Podcast Title: What A Day
Host: Jane Coaston
Episode: TikTok Is Still On The Chopping Block
Release Date: January 13, 2025

Introduction

In the January 13, 2025, episode of What A Day, host Jane Coaston delves into a myriad of pressing topics shaping the current socio-political landscape. The episode primarily focuses on the legal challenges surrounding former President Donald Trump, the pending ban of TikTok in the United States, Senate confirmation hearings for Trump's nominees, and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance's nuanced stance on pardoning January 6th rioters. Additionally, the episode touches upon the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's strategic maneuvers within the tech and political arenas.

Trump’s Conviction and Sentencing

The episode opens with significant news regarding President Elect Donald Trump's legal battles. After enduring months of procedural delays, New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Mershon delivered a verdict in Trump's criminal hush money case.

• Key Point: Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying documents related to his hush money payments.

• Notable Quote:
  Justice Mershon (01:05): “This court has determined that the only lawful sentence that permits entry of a judgment of conviction without encroaching upon the highest office in the land is an unconditional discharge.”

Despite the conviction, Justice Mershon did not impose any jail time due to Trump's impending presidency. Mershon emphasized the historical significance of the case amidst unprecedented media attention and security, yet remarked on the courtroom's normalcy post-session.

• Notable Quote:
  Justice Mershon (01:23): “This has been a truly extraordinary case. ...once the courtroom doors were closed, the trial itself was no more special, unique or extraordinary than the other 32 criminal trials that took place in this courthouse at the same exact time.”

Supreme Court Hearing: TikTok Ban Under Scrutiny

A pivotal discussion in the episode centers on the Supreme Court's deliberations over the potential ban of TikTok in the United States. The federal government's ultimatum mandates ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, to divest its U.S. operations by January 19 or face a complete shutdown.

• TikTok's Defense: The company, represented by former Trump Solicitor General Noel Francisco, denies national security threats and seeks to delay the ban until after Trump’s inauguration.

• Notable Quote:
  Noel Francisco (02:25): “There is nothing in the record that says that TikTok, like any other subsidiary, doesn't have its own independent making authority.”

Jay Willis, editor-in-chief of Balls and Strikes, provides in-depth analysis, expressing concerns over the Supreme Court's deference to national security claims without substantial evidence. He warns of potential slippery slopes, where similar justifications could be used to target other companies with foreign ties, exacerbating sinophobia and undermining free speech.

• Notable Quote:
  Jay Willis (07:53): “I would like to see a judiciary that is a little bit more skeptical, that asks for a little more information from the government whenever they say, you know, listen, this is so important for security..."

Conversation with Jay Willis: Legal Implications and Senate Hearings

Jane Coaston engages in a comprehensive discussion with Jay Willis, dissecting the ramifications of Trump’s sentencing and the broader legal landscape.

• Trump’s Sentence Motivation: Willis explains that the sentencing was more procedural, aiming to formalize the conviction without imposing severe penalties due to Trump's upcoming presidency.

  • Notable Quote:
    Jay Willis (03:18): “Really, this is the best approximation of justice that the legal system can do in this particular consequence.”

• Senate Confirmation Hearings: The episode highlights the commencement of Senate hearings for Trump’s nominees to key positions, including Attorney General Pam Bondi. Willis notes the prevalent thread among nominees: loyalty to Trump and alignment with his legal strategies, particularly those defending him in various legal battles.

  • Notable Quote:
    Jay Willis (05:17): “Like, their common thread is that these people are literally his defense lawyers in his various prosecutions or both his impeachments when he was president..."

• Judicial Nominees Shift: Willis expresses interest in Trump’s current judicial nominees, especially in the context of his strained relationship with the Federalist Society, indicating a potential shift to the right in the judiciary.

  • Notable Quote:
    Jay Willis (05:17): “I'm very curious to see, like, who the first sorts of names... that'll tell us a lot about just how far he's willing to shift the judiciary to the right over the next two to four years.”

Vice President-Elect J.D. Vance on January 6th Pardons

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Vice President-elect J.D. Vance's stance on pardoning individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol riot.

• Vance's Position: Vance supports pardoning peaceful protesters who were perhaps unfairly prosecuted, but opposes pardoning those who committed violence.

  • Notable Quote:
    J.D. Vance (19:43): “If you protested peacefully on January 6th and you've had Merrick Garland's Department of Justice treat you like a gang member, you, you should be pardoned. If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldn't be pardoned.”

• Strategic Implications: Vance indicated that he and Trump would evaluate pardon cases individually, suggesting a tailored approach rather than blanket pardons.

• Context: With over 1,200 convictions and 1,600 arrests related to January 6th, Vance’s stance introduces a nuanced approach to addressing the fallout from the Capitol riot.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s Political Maneuvers

Jane Coaston shifts focus to Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, highlighting his strategic “sucking up” to political powers.

• Policy Changes: Meta is revamping its speech policies, shifting from strict fact-checking to community-driven notes, ostensibly to enhance free expression, though Coaston critiques the consistency of these policies.

• Geographical Shifts: The migration of Meta's community moderation team from California to Texas is portrayed as an attempt to align with less politically biased environments.

• Political Engagement: Zuckerberg’s visits to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence and his appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast underscore his efforts to ingratiate with conservative figures.

  • Notable Quote:
    Mark Zuckerberg (22:05): “You want like feminine energy. You want masculine energy... the corporate culture sort of had swung towards being this somewhat.”

• Historical Context: Coaston references Zuckerberg's past efforts to win favor with the Chinese government, juxtaposing his current maneuvers towards aligning with Trump.

Los Angeles Wildfires and Political Responses

The episode also addresses the catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles, the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history, resulting in significant loss of life and property.

• Government Response: California Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass express confidence that the incoming Trump administration won't impede federal aid for wildfire relief, despite Trump’s critical remarks on social media.

  • Notable Quotes:
    Karen Bass (15:22): “It's a fine call. So I'm not concerned about that.”
    Governor Gavin Newsom (15:41): “Spirit of an open hand, not a closed fist. He's the president elect. I respect the office.”

• Trump’s Stance: Contrastingly, Trump criticized the current handling of the fires on his platform, Truth Social, blaming officials for incompetence without offering constructive solutions.

  • Notable Quote:
    Trump (19:38): “The incompetence PaulS have no idea how to put them out...”

• Ongoing Crisis: With forecasts predicting worsening conditions, the episode underscores the urgent need for effective wildfire management and disaster relief.

Conclusion

Jane Coaston wraps up the episode by emphasizing the interconnectedness of legal, political, and social issues currently at play. From Trump’s legal proceedings and TikTok’s uncertain future to strategic political alignments by tech giants and the dire environmental crisis in Los Angeles, What A Day paints a comprehensive picture of the myriad forces shaping the United States in early 2025. The episode serves as a crucial guide for listeners to stay informed on the complexities of these evolving narratives.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Justice Juan Mershon (01:05):
  “This court has determined that the only lawful sentence that permits entry of a judgment of conviction without encroaching upon the highest office in the land is an unconditional discharge.”

• Justice Juan Mershon (01:23):
  “This has been a truly extraordinary case. ...once the courtroom doors were closed, the trial itself was no more special, unique or extraordinary than the other 32 criminal trials that took place in this courthouse at the same exact time.”

• Noel Francisco (02:25):
  “There is nothing in the record that says that TikTok, like any other subsidiary, doesn't have its own independent making authority.”

• Jay Willis (03:18):
  “Really, this is the best approximation of justice that the legal system can do in this particular consequence.”

• Jay Willis (05:17):
  “Like, their common thread is that these people are literally his defense lawyers in his various prosecutions or both his impeachments when he was president..."

• J.D. Vance (19:43):
  “If you protested peacefully on January 6th and you've had Merrick Garland's Department of Justice treat you like a gang member, you, you should be pardoned. If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldn't be pardoned.”

• Mark Zuckerberg (22:05):
  “You want like feminine energy. You want masculine energy... the corporate culture sort of had swung towards being this somewhat.”

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing valuable context and analysis for listeners seeking to understand the multifaceted issues explored by Jane Coaston and her guest, Jay Willis.