The Dam is Starting to Break on Trump’s Stupid War (Sarah, Sam & Amanda Carpenter) | Bulwark Podcast
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Trump's 'thug fund' and immunity demands are a politically toxic attempt to shield him and his allies from legal and financial scrutiny.
- ❖The US-Israel plan to install Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as Iran's leader was a catastrophic failure, highlighting a lack of strategic coherence.
- ❖Corporate leaders like Jeff Bezos are publicly praising Trump, likely driven by the pursuit of lucrative government contracts despite his controversial actions.
Insights
1The 'Thug Fund' and Perpetual Immunity for Trump
Amanda Carpenter and Tim Miller detail how Donald Trump's leaked tax returns led to a 'deal' with the Department of Justice. This 'deal' allegedly includes a $1.7 billion fund for January 6th rioters (dubbed the 'thug fund') and permanent immunity for Trump and his family from future tax crimes. The hosts highlight the lack of logical connection between the initial tax leak and these remedies, suggesting the lawsuit was a 'kayfabe fake' pretext for political ends. The DOJ's alleged failure to argue against Trump's lawsuit, despite IRS defenses, and the timing of the fund's announcement (the day before a judge demanded a brief on potential collusion) further underscore concerns about the deal's legitimacy and its role in insulating Trump from accountability.
Amanda Carpenter states Trump's demands include 'a free pass for all future tax criming forever and ever' and the '$1.7 billion thug fund to give money to all my henchmen and cronies.' Tim Miller adds that the Justice Department never argued against Trump's lawsuit, and the fund was announced the day before a judge ordered an explanation for potential collusion. The IRS is to be 'forever barred and precluded from pursuing examinations of Trump or related or affiliated individuals or their trusts or their businesses.'
2The Absurd and Failed Iran War Strategy
The podcast reveals a shocking and poorly conceived plan by the Trump administration and Bibi Netanyahu to install Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the new leader of Iran. This audacious strategy quickly unraveled when Ahmadinejad was injured by an Israeli strike on his own home on the first day of the war, leading him to become 'disillusioned' with the regime change plan. The hosts mock the sheer incompetence of bombing the very person intended to lead the new government and the unrealistic expectation of a popular uprising for a figure known for brutal suppression.
Tim Miller reads from a New York Times story detailing the plan to install 'Mahmoud Ahmadinejad' and how he 'was injured on the war's first day by an Israeli strike at his home in Tehran,' subsequently becoming 'disillusioned with the regime change plan.' Sam Stein questions, 'Who's going to popular uprise for Ahmadinejad?'
3Corporate Sycophancy and Jeff Bezos's Trump Praise
The hosts express outrage over Jeff Bezos's public comments on Squawk Box, where he praised Donald Trump as 'more mature, more disciplined' and 'right about a lot of things.' This praise comes despite Amazon's significant financial loss on a Melania Trump documentary, which Bezos claimed was a 'good business decision.' The hosts suggest Bezos's sycophancy is motivated by the pursuit of lucrative government contracts, such as those for Blue Origin, rather than genuine admiration. They highlight the hypocrisy of supporting tax cuts for the wealthy while refusing to advocate for higher taxes on the super-rich.
Jeff Bezos stated, 'I think he is a more mature, more disciplined version of himself than he was in his first term. Trump has lots of good ideas and he has done a lot of been right about a a of things. You have to give him credit where credit is due.' The Melania documentary cost $75 million to produce and market but only made $16 million. Bezos also supported zero federal income tax for the bottom 50% of earners but refused to say the wealthy should pay more.
Bottom Line
The 'Audit the White House' strategy could be a powerful unifying issue for Democrats to expose and confront alleged corruption within the Trump administration and family.
This approach offers a concrete, politically resonant way to hold power accountable, potentially galvanizing voters by highlighting perceived abuses of office and attempts to evade scrutiny.
Democratic leaders could champion this audit as a central campaign theme, demanding transparency and accountability for the executive branch and its financial dealings, especially given Trump's demands for future immunity.
Disaffected Republican senators, targeted by Trump's 'jihad' for opposing him, represent a potential 'Yolo caucus' that Democrats could leverage to block Trump's agenda in their remaining time in office.
These senators, having faced Trump's wrath and with little left to lose politically, might be willing to vote against his initiatives, creating unexpected bipartisan opposition on key issues.
Democrats should actively engage with figures like Bill Cassidy, Thomas Massie, and John Cornyn to identify areas of common ground and push through legislation or block measures that run counter to democratic principles, capitalizing on their newfound independence.
Lessons
- Stay informed and vocal about political developments like the 'thug fund' and attempts to grant immunity, as public pressure can influence congressional action.
- Support organizations and initiatives focused on government transparency and accountability, such as those advocating for 'auditing the White House' and monitoring election integrity.
- Engage with elected officials, particularly Republicans who have shown signs of dissent against Trump, to encourage them to prioritize democratic principles over party loyalty, especially as their terms conclude.
Notable Moments
Amanda Carpenter details the timeline of the 'thug fund,' linking it to Trump's tax return leak and a suspicious DOJ 'settlement' that included immunity and a $1.7 billion payout.
This moment exposes the alleged collusion between the Trump administration and the DOJ to create a fund for J6 rioters and grant Trump and his family unprecedented legal immunity, raising serious questions about the rule of law.
The hosts reveal the absurd US-Israeli plan to install Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as Iran's new leader, which failed when he was bombed by his supposed allies.
This highlights a perceived profound lack of strategic thinking and competence in foreign policy decisions, turning a serious geopolitical issue into a farcical display of incompetence.
Jeff Bezos publicly praises Donald Trump as 'mature' and 'disciplined' on Squawk Box, despite Amazon's financial losses on a Melania Trump documentary.
This illustrates the extent to which corporate leaders may engage in sycophancy for business interests, potentially influencing political narratives and undermining accountability for powerful figures.
Senator Bill Cassidy, previously a Trump loyalist, begins to openly criticize Trump's actions and policies, including the 'ballroom project' and endorsing Ken Paxton.
This reflects a trend of politicians finding their voice against Trump only when their political careers are ending, prompting questions about their integrity and the timing of their dissent.
Quotes
"Tax returns being leaked does not mean Donald Trump gets $1.7 billion to throw around as Trump bucks for his friends."
"He is arguably the single most powerful man on the earth. What harm has he suffered?"
"The idea here was we were going to bomb his complex with such precision that he would escape unscathed and be totally fine with the fact that we nearly killed him with the bomb."
"I'm comparing him to his first term and I think he is a more mature, more disciplined version of himself than he was in his first term. Trump has lots of good ideas and he has done a lot of been right about a a of things. You have to give him credit where credit is due."
"The American people do not expect perfection from their leaders, but they do expect seriousness. Leaders who are steady, not erratic, thoughtful, not impulsive."
"The only good thing I'll say about Cassidy is I do think it is interesting the way that Trump has gone on this jihad against anybody who opposed him, right? Those people have seven more months in office."
Q&A
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