Podcast Summary: What A Day – "While LA Burns, Trump Fuels The Disinformation Fire"
Release Date: January 10, 2025
Host: Jane Coaston, Crooked Media
1. Introduction: Setting the Stage
Jane Coaston opens the episode by highlighting two significant news events:
- Trump Sentencing Day: The former President Donald Trump faces sentencing in his hush money case.
- Underreported Gaza Death Toll: A new report indicates that the Palestinian death toll in Gaza has been significantly underreported.
She swiftly transitions to the primary focus of the episode—the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles—and the rampant misinformation surrounding them.
2. The Devastating Wildfires in Los Angeles
Wildfire Overview:
- Palisades and Eaton Fires: Began on Tuesday, January 8th.
- Destruction: Over 9,000 structures damaged or destroyed, spanning nearly 30,000 acres.
- Evacuations: Tens of thousands under evacuation orders due to advancing flames fueled by Santa Ana winds.
- Affected Areas: Including densely populated regions like Burbank and Hollywood.
Impact on Residents: Jane shares her personal experience, having evacuated her home amidst the chaos. She emphasizes the prevalence of misinformation online during crises, which can exacerbate fear and confusion.
Notable Quotes:
- Jane Coaston [00:02]: “...a time when good information is so critical to whether people like me stay in our actual homes or pack our go bags and get out of the city, there is not nearly enough actual information and way too much, well, bullshit.”
3. Combating Misinformation: Conversation with Scott Waldman
To address the spread of false narratives, Jane engages in a detailed discussion with Scott Waldman, a White House reporter focused on climate change at POLITICO's E News.
a. Debunking False Claims
Claim 1: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Policies Caused the Fires
- Jane [00:02]: “...some bullshit. While blame and bullshit like that the fires were caused by diversity, equity and inclusion policies...”
- Scott Waldman [02:10]: Dismisses the claim, explaining there's no connection between DEI policies and wildfire management.
Claim 2: Governor Gavin Newsom is Blocking Water Flow
- Jane [02:31]: “...Governor Newsom is keeping water from flowing from Northern California into Southern California.”
- Scott Waldman [02:31]: Clarifies that Trump refers to the Sacramento Delta's water flow, which aims to protect the endangered smelt fish, benefiting northern agricultural interests, not the reservoirs for firefighting.
Claim 3: FEMA is Out of Funds
- Jane [03:08]: “Trump keeps saying that Biden is leaving him no money in FEMA.”
- Scott Waldman [03:08]: Confirms FEMA is fully funded until September 30 and is prepared to handle current disasters. Any additional funds required will be addressed through Congressional appropriations.
b. The Politicization of Natural Disasters
- Jane [04:16]: Expresses frustration over conspiracy theories linking disasters to political agendas or malicious intent.
- Scott Waldman [04:28]: Attributes the rise of such theories to the current social media landscape and Trump's history of using disasters to attack political opponents. Highlights the complexity of climate-fueled fires, stating that sometimes natural events overwhelm firefighting resources.
c. Potential Federal Aid Manipulation
- Jane [05:38]: Questions whether Trump could reverse Biden's order to cover fire costs for 180 days and use it to punish California officials.
- Scott Waldman [05:55]: Notes Trump’s history of delaying aid for political motives, citing his 2018 actions during wildfires in Orange County. He discusses the likelihood of Congressional intervention preventing such politicization, despite Trump’s threats.
Notable Quotes:
- Scott Waldman [04:16]: “This is the age we live in...Trump is like, he is with a lot of things. Just an accelerant on this, on this fire...”
- Scott Waldman [07:51]: “It puts tremendous strain. And again, this is the cost of climate change...”
4. The Broader Implications of Climate Change on Infrastructure
Strain on Infrastructure and Resources: Scott emphasizes that the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters are direct consequences of climate change, which severely strains both federal and state infrastructures.
Future Preparedness: He advocates for proactive measures such as:
- Better Forest Management: Implementing controlled burns to reduce wildfire risks.
- Inland Flooding Solutions: Upgrading city infrastructure to handle excessive water flow.
- Conservative Collaboration: Framing infrastructure improvements as cost-saving measures in the long run to garner bipartisan support.
Notable Quotes:
- Scott Waldman [09:19]: “Look at la. It's not totally wrong. It's certainly not wrong to say that better forest management would help the area...”
5. News Headlines: Key Updates
a. Elon Musk and Doge Initiative
- Goal Adjustment: Musk admits that the initial aim to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget via the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) is unrealistic. The new target is $1 trillion.
- Notable Quote [13:07]:
Elon Musk [13:07]: “If we can drop the budget deficit from 2 trillion to 1 trillion and kind of free up the economy to... then there will be no inflation.”
b. Gaza War and Ceasefire Efforts
- Death Toll: Over 46,000 Palestinians reported dead, with more than half being women and children.
- Ceasefire Proposal: A potential agreement includes a six to eight-week fighting pause, the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages, and increased humanitarian aid.
- Diplomatic Efforts: Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasizes the proximity of a ceasefire before Trump's inauguration.
c. Title IX Ruling in Kentucky
- Decision: A federal judge strikes down the Biden administration's expanded Title IX protections for LGBTQ students, deeming them beyond presidential authority.
- Political Ramifications: 26 Republican-led states have paused these protections amidst ongoing legal challenges.
d. TikTok Ban Contemplation
- Supreme Court Hearing: The Court is set to decide on a potential ban of TikTok unless ByteDance severs ties with the app by January 19.
- Arguments: The Biden administration cites national security risks, while Trump seeks a negotiated resolution. ByteDance defends the app's ownership and security.
6. Deep Dive: Election Legitimacy and Judicial Independence in North Carolina
Case Overview:
- Justice Allison Riggs' Reelection: Defeated Republican Jefferson Griffin by fewer than a thousand votes.
- Griffin’s Lawsuit: Claims 60,000 ballots lacked proper identification, a statement without substantial evidence.
- Legal Proceedings: The case, initially directed to federal courts, was sent to the North Carolina Supreme Court, which has a conservative majority.
Conversation with Justice Allison Riggs:
a. Addressing Voter Fraud Allegations
- Jane [19:48]: Asks Riggs about Griffin’s evidence contesting 60,000 votes.
- Justice Riggs [19:59]: Explains Griffin's reliance on incomplete voter registration data lacking Social Security or driver’s license numbers. She provides a personal example, stating her father's use of a military ID for voting.
Notable Quotes:
- Justice Allison Riggs [20:56]: “This isn't about me. This is about the voters. Will I was a civil rights attorney...`
- Justice Allison Riggs [21:09]: “...these voters did everything that was asked for them...”
b. Implications for Democracy and the Judiciary
- Rigs’ Concerns: Emphasizes the threat to democratic integrity and judicial independence when election results are unjustly challenged.
c. Potential Outcomes and Broader Impact
- Jane [22:14]: Inquires about the duration of the legal battle if appeals court decisions are delayed.
- Justice Riggs [22:26]: Acknowledges uncertainty but stresses her commitment to upholding constitutional duties and the importance of respecting election outcomes.
Broader Implications: Justice Riggs warns that the case could set a precedent allowing elected officials to challenge election results without evidence, thereby destabilizing democratic processes nationwide.
7. Closing Remarks and Call to Action
Jane wraps up the episode by highlighting a fundraiser organized by Vote Save America Action and Crooked Ideas to support disaster relief efforts. She urges listeners to donate to aid groups like World Central Kitchen and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, especially amidst the wildfire crisis.
Final Quotes:
- Jane Coaston [23:56]: “That was my conversation with North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs...”
She also acknowledges Josie Duffy Rice for her contributions and reminds listeners to subscribe, leave reviews, and stay informed through the show's nightly newsletter.
Conclusion
In this episode of What A Day, Jane Coaston effectively navigates through the intertwined crises of wildfires in Los Angeles and the political machinations exacerbating misinformation. Through insightful conversations with experts like Scott Waldman and direct dialogues with figures like Justice Allison Riggs, the show provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the current socio-political landscape. The episode underscores the critical need for accurate information, judicial independence, and proactive climate change mitigation to navigate the challenges of today's world.
Notable Timestamped Quotes:
- Jane Coaston [00:02]: “...a time when good information is so critical to whether people like me stay in our actual homes or pack our go bags and get out of the city, there is not nearly enough actual information and way too much, well, bullshit.”
- Scott Waldman [02:31]: “That’s not true... pumping water for firefighting.”
- Scott Waldman [04:16]: “This is the age we live in...Trump is like, he is with a lot of things. Just an accelerant on this, on this fire...”
- Justice Allison Riggs [20:56]: “This isn't about me. This is about the voters...”
Listeners are encouraged to follow the podcast on their preferred platforms and engage with additional resources provided in the show notes for a deeper dive into these pressing issues.