What a Day Podcast Summary: "We Went To The 'Fighting Oligarchy' Rally"

Release Date: April 14, 2025
Host: Jane Coaston
Podcast: What A Day by Crooked Media

Introduction

In the April 14th episode of What a Day, host Jane Coaston dives into a spectrum of pressing political and social issues shaping the United States. The episode primarily focuses on the dynamic "Fighting Oligarchy" rally featuring prominent Democrats Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC). Additionally, Jane explores turbulent developments in Washington, including tariff uncertainties, a shocking arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence, and controversial immigration policies affecting thousands of immigrants.

Fighting Oligarchy Rally: Uniting Against the Trump Administration

Event Overview

Jane Coaston and producer Johanna Case attended the "Fighting Oligarchy" rally in Los Angeles’ Gloria Molina Grand Park, where Sanders and AOC galvanized over 34,000 attendees. The event aimed to unify Democrats, union representatives, and activists in opposition to the Trump administration's policies.

Key Speakers and Highlights

• Bernie Sanders ([01:43]): Sanders addressed the crowd by highlighting Elon Musk’s recent tweet criticizing his focus on combating oligarchy. He affirmed, “Elon, you're damn right that's what I've been talking about. The difference is I'm no longer talking about how we're moving to oligarchy. I'm talking about how we are living today in an oligarchic form of society.”

• Jane Coaston ([02:33]): Jane emphasized the rally’s unifying spirit, stating, “What seemed to unite people was a desire to show solidarity with one another and reject Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.”

• Attendee Perspectives:

  • Audrey ([03:07]): Expressed frustration with the current administration’s policies, criticizing the erosion of rights: “Because he's a fucking asshole. He's trying to take away all the rights that we got 50 years ago.”

  • Hector Ruiz ([03:46], [07:06]): A third-grade teacher from Orange County voiced the need for tangible Democratic action over mere messaging: “I want the Democrats to start showing a lot more fight than they've been showing... the $5 isn't going to cut it.”

  • Trent ([05:21], [07:44]): From Pasadena, he stressed the importance of legislative battles against unfair practices: “... I would like for more, I guess actual fighting and legislation like Cory Brooker just did... actually trying to fight fire with fire.”

  • Jen and Audrey ([05:51], [05:59]): Jen, accompanied by her niece Jocelyn, highlighted the importance of safeguarding social programs: “I don't care if you have to cross the aisle, but I don't want them to give up on Social Security and Medicaid and Medicare... It needs to be good for all.”

  • Kenna ([06:30]): From Santa Monica, she discussed the balance between activism and personal well-being: “Instead of just doom scrolling, I took on my brother and some friends out here and I'm ready to have some fun and be ready as a community.”

  • Glory ([07:21], [07:42]): Representing Long Beach, Glory focused on the collective strength of the community: “I’m just trying to figure out how to persist... if we're all together in this, we can keep fighting forward.”

Jane’s Reflections

Jane found the rally deeply inspiring, noting the diversity and unified purpose of the attendees: “The diversity of age, race, gender, beliefs was off the charts and all of them were united in support of something better than what we have right now.”

News Highlights

1. Tariff Chaos Under the Trump Administration ([11:13] - [12:48])

• Electronic Tariffs Confusion: President Trump's administration faced backlash due to conflicting statements about tariffs on electronics from China. Initially, Customs and Border Protection exempted items like smartphones and computers from the proposed 145% tariffs. However, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick later clarified that these products would still be subject to tariffs under separate semiconductor sectoral taxes, set to implement in two months ([11:25]).

• China’s Response: In retaliation, China announced the suspension of certain exports, including rare earth minerals and magnets crucial for fighter jets, cars, and electronics, further escalating trade tensions ([12:11]).

2. Arson Attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s Residence ([12:48] - [14:11])

• Incident Details: Early Sunday morning, a fire broke out at Governor Josh Shapiro’s mansion, leading to his evacuation along with his family. Police arrested a man suspected of arson, who allegedly accessed the property by climbing a fence and used homemade incendiary devices. The attack coincided with the first night of Passover, a significant Jewish holiday ([12:57]).

• Governor Shapiro’s Response: Shapiro remained resolute, stating, “I refuse to let anyone who had evil intentions like that stop me from doing the work that I love... looking out for all Pennsylvanians” ([13:57]). He also expressed gratitude towards first responders for ensuring his family's safety ([13:36]).

3. Immigration Policies Targeting Immigrants’ Social Security Numbers ([14:11] - [End])

• Policy Overview: The Trump administration initiated a controversial effort to classify over 6,000 living immigrants as deceased by transferring their Social Security numbers to the Death Master File. This move effectively strips immigrants of financial benefits, making it challenging to secure legal employment, use credit cards, or enroll children in schools.

• Case Study: Mahmoud Khalil: A Columbia University graduate student of Syrian and Palestinian descent, Mahmoud Khalil, faced deportation despite his legal permanent residency. Accused by the White House of holding "pro Hamas" beliefs, his lawyers argue that his activism is protected under the First Amendment. An immigration judge upheld the administration’s decision, citing an undated memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, though no concrete evidence was provided ([14:11]).

• Public Reaction: Attendees like Hector Ruiz voiced deep concerns about the administration’s actions, emphasizing the human impact: “Having to pay $150 more, for example, for a washing machine doesn't help them... trying to apologize to them as an adult for having screwed up their future so badly.”

Conclusion

The April 14th episode of What a Day captures a pivotal moment in American politics, showcasing grassroots activism against perceived oligarchic governance and highlighting significant policy disputes affecting immigrants and trade relations. Through on-the-ground reporting and in-depth interviews, Jane Coaston provides listeners with a comprehensive overview of the current political landscape, emphasizing the need for unity and decisive action amidst growing societal challenges.

For those interested in further details and the electrifying atmosphere of the Fighting Oligarchy rally, subscribing to What a Day on your preferred podcast platform or watching the latest episode on YouTube is highly recommended.

This summary is based on the transcript provided and aims to encapsulate all essential discussions, insights, and conclusions presented in the episode.