What A Day — Episode Summary
Podcast: What A Day
Host: Jane Coaston (Crooked Media)
Episode: Trump Dumps Putin?
Date: September 24, 2025
Overview: Main Theme & Purpose
This episode centers on shifting dynamics in U.S. foreign policy regarding Russia and Ukraine, particularly Donald Trump’s surprise public pivot away from Russian President Vladimir Putin during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Host Jane Coaston analyzes Trump’s recent statements at the U.N., his erratic posture on Ukraine and Russia, and the global political response, joined by Crooked Media’s Tommy Vitor for deeper analysis. The episode also addresses domestic political mayhem (Senate drama, government shutdown risk), former Vice President Kamala Harris’ book tour, and headlines involving Trump’s public appearances.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump's Flip-Flop on Russia and Ukraine (00:02–11:44)
Background:
- Since Russia’s invasion in 2022, Donald Trump has alternated between praising Putin and proposing deals that involve Ukraine ceding territory to Russia.
- Recently at the U.N. General Assembly, Trump surprisingly stated Ukraine could win back its territory—with Europe’s support—belittling Russia as a “paper tiger.”
- Quote: “I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back in its original form.” – Trump ([01:32])
In-Depth Analysis with Tommy Vitor (02:40–11:44):
- Vitor emphasizes the implausibility and incoherence of Trump’s new stance.
- Quote: “No one thinks that...even like the biggest defenders of Ukraine don't think they're likely to win back all of their territory." – Tommy Vitor ([02:59])
- Trump suggests NATO should shoot down Russian planes entering their airspace but hedges when asked if he’d back Article 5 mutual defense.
- Quote: “He’s recommending that NATO start a war, but...dancing around whether we still support the Article 5 responsibility.” – Tommy Vitor ([03:33])
- Jane points out Trump’s history of radical flip-flops, from demanding Ukrainian territorial concessions to now seemingly backing Ukrainian victory.
- Vitor decries Trump’s strategy as “flailing bullshit,” referencing prior episodes: sudden policy reversals at summits, inconsistent sanctions strategies, and impulsive demands.
- Quote: "I think it's flailing bullshit. I just think he is all over the place on this." – Tommy Vitor ([04:20])
- Trump’s rhetoric is parsed as impulsive and disconnected from both on-the-ground realities and long-term military strategy.
- Quote: “You can't just flail around on a war strategy like this..." – Tommy Vitor ([07:31])
Flattery & International Response:
- European and Ukrainian leaders publicly praise Trump’s “shift”; Jane detects this is strategic, recognizing Trump’s susceptibility to flattery.
- Quote: “If you just are as nice as possible to him and tell him everything he wants to hear, he will be nice to you.” – Jane Coaston ([07:02])
- Vitor: Such flattery does not translate to substantive long-term support or aid. Putin, meanwhile, is playing the long, attritional game.
- Quote: "Flattery is what it takes...If you say that he should get the Nobel Peace Prize, he will like you...I don't think it means he has your back at the end of the day." – Tommy Vitor ([09:09])
The (Never-Happening) Trump-Zelensky-Putin Meeting:
- Tommy Vitor likens the never-materializing proposals to the Zeno’s arrow paradox—endlessly promised, never realized.
- Quote: "I think he is just getting headlines...and punting the problem down the field, just as he's doing in Gaza." – Tommy Vitor ([11:03])
2. Trump at the U.N. — Style Over Substance (14:25–15:47)
- Trump returns to his signature style at the U.N., railing against immigration, dismissing climate change, attacking Biden, and complaining about malfunctioning escalators and teleprompters.
- Quote: "All I got from the United Nations was an escalator that on the way up stopped right in the middle...and a teleprompter that didn't work." – Donald Trump ([15:18])
- His speech nearly quadrupled the recommended length, with Coaston noting: "The overall message was pretty simple, though. America is hot and the rest of the world sucks." ([15:47])
3. Domestic Political Chaos
a. Government Shutdown Showdown (17:52–18:55)
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries challenge Trump over budget gridlock. Trump abruptly cancels a planned meeting via Truth Social.
- Quote: "Pretty sure that's worse than getting dumped by text." – Jane Coaston ([17:59])
- Trump blames Democrats for "unserious and ridiculous demands," while Democrats state a shutdown will be the GOP’s responsibility.
b. Attempted Trump Assassination — Trial Verdict (16:06–17:24)
- A recap of the sentencing in the trial of Ryan Ruth, who was convicted for attempting to assassinate Trump at his golf club.
- Notable: Ruth represented himself and made a scene in court post-verdict; Trump comments, "You can't let things like that happen. Nothing to do with me but a president or even a person.” – Donald Trump ([17:24])
4. Kamala Harris’ Blunt Book Tour (19:06–20:44)
- Vice President Kamala Harris discusses her book 107 Days, attributing 2024 electoral loss primarily to a lack of time.
- Quote: "We just didn’t have enough time." – Kamala Harris ([19:38])
- Harris slams Trump’s attacks on free speech, asserts “nothing” positive about his presidency, but urges Dems not to look for “a messiah” and spotlight the party’s roster of “superstars.”
- Quote: “I'm a bit done with the punditry around everybody looking for a messiah...There are many superstars in the party.” – Kamala Harris ([20:10])
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “I think it's flailing bullshit. I just think he is all over the place on this.” – Tommy Vitor ([04:20])
- “You can't just flail around on a war strategy like this.” – Tommy Vitor ([07:31])
- “If you just are as nice as possible to him and tell him everything he wants to hear, he will be nice to you.” – Jane Coaston ([07:02])
- “All I got from the United Nations was an escalator that on the way up stopped right in the middle...and a teleprompter that didn’t work.” – Donald Trump ([15:18])
- “We just didn’t have enough time.” – Kamala Harris ([19:38])
- “I'm a bit done with the punditry around everybody looking for a messiah...There are many superstars in the party.” – Kamala Harris ([20:10])
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Time | Segment/Topic | |----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:02–02:40 | Opening; Trump's shifting position on Russia/Ukraine | | 02:40–11:44 | Jane Coaston interviews Tommy Vitor | | 14:25–15:47 | Trump’s UN General Assembly speech & media spectacle | | 16:06–17:24 | Attempted Trump assassination trial verdict | | 17:52–18:55 | Government shutdown and Schumer-Trump standoff | | 19:06–20:44 | Kamala Harris book tour and Democratic Party messaging |
Episode Tone & Style
The tone is sharply analytical, skeptical, and occasionally irreverent—incorporating humor, exasperated commentary, and plainspoken analysis. Jane Coaston and Tommy Vitor maintain a conversational but incisive critique, especially regarding the inconsistency and unpredictability of Trump’s foreign policy moves.
Takeaways
- Trump’s abrupt pro-Ukraine statement is likely more tactical than heartfelt, seen as posturing rather than tying US policy to any substantive change.
- European and Ukrainian leaders increasingly treat Trump with strategic flattery, understanding how to play to his ego but remaining uncertain about substantive support.
- Domestic political posturing, government shutdown brinkmanship, and media theatrics continue to dominate US political life.
- Kamala Harris takes a blunt, self-critical tone, trying to shake off “messiah” candidate narratives within the Democratic Party.
- In Trumpworld, headline-generating showmanship often trumps (pun intended) substantive policy or long-term planning.
For those who missed it: This episode offers keen insight into the chaotic, ego-driven drivers of US foreign policy, the theater of American politics, and how global leaders have adapted to a capricious America in the age of Trump.