What A Day – “What A Week!”

Host: Jane Coaston (Crooked Media)
Date: October 10, 2025
Episode Summary by Segment

Episode Overview

This episode takes a whirlwind tour through the monumental political and cultural events of the week. Host Jane Coaston and guest Tommy Vietor (of Pod Save America) provide substantive analysis on breaking news from the new ceasefire deal in Gaza, Trump’s controversial National Guard deployments in American cities, the continuing government shutdown, and a sudden spike in chocolate prices just before Halloween. The tone is sharp, irreverent, and energetic, focusing on facts and nuanced perspectives rather than outrage or sensationalism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kendrick vs. Drake—Diss Track Defamation Case (00:02)

• Brief: Judge throws out Drake’s lawsuit regarding Kendrick Lamar’s diss track.
• Insight: The judge notes that “the average listener is not under the impression that a diss track is the product of a thoughtful or disinterested investigation conveying to the public fact checked, verifiable content” (00:20).
• Notable Quote:
  • Jane Coaston: “Or as Lamar himself once said, the audience not dumb. Shape the stories how you want. Hey, Drake, they’re not slow.” (00:23)

2. Israel-Gaza Ceasefire – What’s Next? (02:36)

• Main Theme: Trump administration brokers a new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas; Israel approves initial phase of plan for an end to fighting and hostage release.
• Tommy Vietor’s Perspective:
  • Trump succeeded in getting a temporary ceasefire, a feat Biden could not achieve, but the situation is far from resolved:
    • “Credit where credit is due. President Trump got a ceasefire deal done that had not happened before. Joe Biden didn’t get it done before.” (02:59)
    • The root issues — occupation, reconstruction, full peace — are not addressed.
    • “Trump’s original 20 point plan…what he’s gotten them to agree to so far is just a ceasefire and the IDF is still occupying the Gaza Strip. The reconstruction process is going to take generations…” (03:37)
    • Both agree it’s premature (“spiking the football a little early,” (04:20)), but count it as hopeful progress.
• Jane Coaston: Jokes that all it took for the deal was:
  • “Apparently all you have to do is just swear at Netanyahu.” (03:14)

3. US Government Shutdown – Who Blinks First? (04:25)

• Current Status: Shutdown is dragging into its second week, with little sign of compromise.
• Vietor:
  • Voters are just “annoyed that people are fighting”; real pressure comes from rising health care costs and missed paychecks for military and federal workers. (04:50)
  • Previous shutdowns were solved by small, moderate coalitions (‘gangs’)—but “there’s just no evidence that is happening” this time. (05:53)
• Jane Coaston:
  • Notes the slow burn effect of shutdowns:
    • “For a lot of Americans, government shutdowns are the kind of thing you notice slowly over time…” (06:14)
• Memorable Moment:
  • Tommy humorously compares the delays to eating a deadly hot wing: “It’s like a certain kind of hot wing. Right. You take that first bite, you’re fine and then 10 minutes later you’re like on the floor.” (06:44)
• Anticipated Tipping Point: Deadline for military pay on October 15 could ratchet up pressure (07:12).

4. Trump’s National Guard Deployments & Media Feedback Loop (07:34)

• Situation: Trump deploys National Guard from multiple states to Chicago and Portland, citing unrest. Legal and political backlash ensues.
• Media Role:
  • Vietor: “Trump's information bubble…it’s evolved into even more right wing…he believes that Portland is being torn apart by thousands of black bloc antifa warriors, when in reality it's like 22 people, mostly seniors, outside of an ICE facility, some of them wearing Halloween costumes.” (08:07–08:31)
• States’ Rights Conflict:
  • Coaston notes Democratic governors threatening to leave the National Governors Association; even Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt says it’s federal overreach. (08:40–09:13)
  • Vietor recalls Kristi Noem’s earlier “war on our hands” threat if Biden had done the same (09:13).
  • Critique of selective states’ rights advocacy:
    • “Other people’s right to do stuff is just less important.” (10:01–10:02)
• On-the-ground tensions:
  • Coaston describes federal law enforcement tactics as “bonkers” (10:27), recounts abuses against protestors.

5. Nobel Peace Prize Prospects? (11:08)

• Speculation on Trump winning for Gaza deal:
  • Vietor: “There is some reporting that suggests the committee had already chosen before this Gaza ceasefire deal. So I’m guessing no, but who knows?…genuine concern they may be targeted with sanctions and or drone strikes if they do not choose him.” (11:08)

6. Legal Block on National Guard in Chicago & Portland (13:48–14:53)

• Legal Update: A federal judge blocks Trump’s Guard deployment in Chicago, citing lack of evidence of “danger of rebellion.” (14:00)
• Governor J.B. Pritzker’s critique:
  • “We have to rely upon the courts to protect us from a president just saying things and then doing it, even though it’s unconstitutional, illegal.” (13:48)
  • “So why are they sending troops?…Donald Trump is telling them to, and they’re coming up with any argument that will work.” (14:46)

7. CDC Walkback on Vaccine Policy (15:00)

• Health Policy Whiplash:
  • RFK Jr. had removed the COVID vaccine from the recommended schedule for kids and pregnant women; CDC reverses this, recommending it again. Confusion reigns among policymakers and the public.

8. Shutdown Politics: Congress, Military Families, ACA Subsidies (16:00–17:40)

• Military families affected:
  • A military spouse calls House Speaker Mike Johnson, says, “I am begging you to pass this legislation. My kids could die.” (16:45)
• Johnson’s Blame Game:
  • Johnson responds, “The Republicans are the ones delivering for you…every Democrat…voted to close it. The Democrats are the ones that are preventing you from getting a check.” (17:20)
• Fact Check:
  • Coaston: Johnson’s plan wouldn’t fix Obamacare subsidies; blames “great work, Mr. Speaker. Bravo.” (17:40)

9. Chocolate Shortage and Tariffs – Halloween Gloom (18:00)

• Chocolate prices soar:
  • Cocoa prices are up 100%+ due to crop diseases and climate events in West Africa; costs passed onto US consumers just before Halloween.
  • Trump’s tariffs also blamed for higher prices.
• Response:
  • Candy makers may use more fillers; expect more “gum or suckers” this year.
• Coaston’s Quip: “Because in America, we annually pump our children full of sugar no matter what.” (19:40)

10. Argentina’s Economic “Chainsaw” – Libertarian Policy Fallout (20:00–21:45)

• Profile: Libertarian President Javier Milei fires thousands, slashes public sector.
• American right celebrates (initially):
  • John Stossel: “Milei has showed cuts are possible…and he actually gained popularity. Freedom can work, if only our politicians will learn from Javier Milei.” (21:30)
• Real-World Consequences:
  • Unemployment rises, corruption scandal, Milei’s party loses local elections.
• US Bailout: Biden admin announces $20B bailout for Argentina—contradicts US shutdown rhetoric.
• Coaston’s Snipe:
  • “So, in the middle of a government shutdown centered on the GOP’s refusal to help everyday Americans afford healthcare… the US Government is rescuing Argentina so that Javier Milei can hold more book launch turned rock concerts…” (21:45)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On diss tracks and truth:
  • [Jane Coaston, 00:23] – “The audience not dumb. Shape the stories how you want. Hey, Drake, they’re not slow.”
• On the shutdown’s slow effect:
  • [Tommy Vietor, 06:44] – “Shutdowns…are a slow burn. It’s like a certain kind of hot wing. Right. You take that first bite, you’re fine and then 10 minutes later you’re like on the floor.”
• On selective states’ rights:
  • [Jane Coaston, 10:01] – “[Some] have decided that what they meant was their right to do stuff. Other people’s right to do stuff is just less important.”
• On libertarian “chainsaw” economics:
  • [Jane Coaston, 21:45] – “So, in the middle of a government shutdown centered on the GOP’s refusal to help everyday Americans afford healthcare…the US Government is rescuing Argentina…”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Kendrick/Drake Court Case: 00:02–00:26
• Gaza Ceasefire / Trump Diplomacy: 02:36–04:20
• US Government Shutdown: 04:25–07:12
• National Guard in Cities / Media Angle: 07:34–11:08
• Nobel Peace Prize Segment: 11:08–11:28
• Headlines: Legal, Health, and Chocolate: 13:48–19:45
• Argentina’s Crisis/Bailout: 20:00–21:45

Tone, Style, and Final Thoughts

The episode blends brisk, informed reporting with wry asides and cultural commentary. Jane Coaston’s questions and interjections set a conversational, incisive tone, while Tommy Vietor offers inside-baseball political context and historical recall. The show’s humor frames serious topics—government overreach, global conflict, health policy, and economic struggles—in a way that keeps listeners both alert and entertained.

For Listeners in a Rush...

• Ceasefire in Gaza: Tentative and partial, with long road ahead.
• Trump’s National Guard Orders: Legally blocked (for now), spark debates over federal/state power.
• Government Shutdown: Stalemated, military families and healthcare at risk.
• Chocolate for Halloween: Scarcer and pricier due to climate, tariffs.
• Argentina’s “Chainsaw” path: Economic shock therapy falters; ironically, US taxpayers are bailing them out.

Summary compiled from What A Day, October 10, 2025 (host: Jane Coaston, guest: Tommy Vietor, Crooked Media).