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    • Former President Trump's Waco Rally and January 6th SupportTrump rallied in Waco, Texas, to show support for January 6th attacks investigations and called for 'deep state' defeat, drawing comparisons to Waco siege and raising concerns about government overreach.

      During his recent rally in Waco, Texas, former President Donald Trump spoke about his potential indictment and showed support for those involved in the January 6th attacks. He portrayed himself as standing in the way of an unjust investigation and called for the "deep state" to be defeated. Meanwhile, his colleagues Jon Favreau, Jon Lovitt, and Tommy Vietor discussed the tour for their podcast "Lovett or Leave It" and their fundraising efforts for various causes. Trump's rally in Waco, held on the 30th anniversary of the Waco siege, raised questions about his intentions and drew comparisons to the government overreach some view from that event. The tone of the discussion was critical of Trump's actions and lighthearted about the podcast tour.

    • Potential for Violence if Trump is IndictedTrump's history of inflammatory language and violent responses from supporters raises concerns for potential violence if he's indicted. Democrats speaking out against Trump's efforts to incite violence may help deter further chaos.

      The potential for violence if former President Trump is indicted is a significant concern, given his history of inflammatory language and the violent response from some of his supporters during his presidency. Trump's threats and rhetoric, including a picture with a baseball bat next to Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg, who has received death threats, have raised concerns about the possibility of further violence. The FBI's response to the January 6th riots, including the arrests of violent protesters, has served as a deterrent, but it only takes one deranged person to cause chaos. Democrats speaking out against Trump's efforts to incite violence may be important in addressing this threat. Trump's use of dehumanizing language towards his opponents has historically been a prelude to violence. The obsession of Trump and MAGA politicians with the January 6th rioters can be seen as an attempt to rally their base.

    • Trump's rallies amplify message of persecution and victimhoodTrump's rallies and rhetoric galvanize his base by framing investigations as politically motivated attacks, resonating with supporters who see themselves as aggrieved and under threat.

      Donald Trump's rallies and rhetoric serve to galvanize his base by painting a picture of persecution and victimhood. The choice of locations like Waco, Texas, with its historical significance to anti-government groups, amplifies this message. Trump's attacks on the Justice Department and potential investigations or indictments are a central theme of his campaign, framing them as politically motivated and an attack on his supporters. This messaging resonates with his audience, who see themselves as aggrieved and under threat from perceived elites. The consequences of this rhetoric could impact both the primary and general elections, potentially fueling further division and unrest.

    • Trump's speech at Waco disengages audience with grievances and attacksTrump's focus on grievances and attacks against opponents may not resonate with moderate voters in the general election, as recent polling shows a majority believe Trump supporters acted wrongly on Jan 6th and election deniers performed poorly in midterms.

      During a recent speech by Donald Trump at a Waco event, the audience seemed disengaged due to the heavy focus on grievances and attacks against political opponents, rather than delivering a clear message or policy proposals. Trump's speeches have cycled between focusing on himself, culture war issues, and policy, but have mostly returned to a grievance-filled narrative about the 2020 election, insurrection, and his own prosecution. This approach may be effective in the primary by dominating news cycles and testing loyalty to Trump, but it could be a turnoff for moderate voters in the general election. Recent polling shows that a large majority of voters believe Trump supporters acted wrongly on January 6th, and Republican voters are split on the issue. Additionally, the midterm elections saw poor performance for election denier candidates and those celebrating January 6th. Trump's focus on attacking political opponents and rehashing past grievances may not be a winning strategy for the general election.

    • Trump's Base Remains Committed Despite Potential IndictmentsDespite potential indictments, Trump's die-hard supporters remain committed to him, and his mocking of rival DeSantis during a rally did not sway them. Political scientists suggest extensive charges are needed for effective prosecutions in developed democracies.

      The die-hard supporters of former President Trump, who attended his Waco rally in 2023, remain committed to him despite potential indictments. These supporters were unimpressed by Trump's mocking of his primary rival, Ron DeSantis, during the rally. Political scientists suggest that effective prosecutions of presidents often occur in more developed democracies when the list of charges against them is extensive. Trump's response to the potential indictment seems to be galvanizing his base, with some voters expressing disappointment in DeSantis' response to the situation. The muted reaction from the crowd during Trump's mocking of DeSantis was noted by media outlets, with some suggesting that the crowd was bored or done with the personal attacks. Overall, the primary is still a year away, and Trump's base remains steadfast in their support, despite the potential indictments and attacks from within the party.

    • Heating up Republican primary race for 2024 presidential nominationRon DeSantis faces criticism and declining poll numbers due to Trump's attacks and media focus, but still leads and has best favorability rating. Dynamic between DeSantis and Trump dominates headlines, but race may include other candidates.

      The Republican primary race for the 2024 presidential nomination is heating up, with Ron DeSantis facing criticism and declining poll numbers, likely due to Donald Trump's attacks and the media's focus on the former president. DeSantis' campaign has faced questions about his readiness for the race, but he still leads in some polls and has the best favorability rating of any candidate. The dynamic between DeSantis and Trump is expected, as Trump is dominating the headlines and attention. The media's focus on a potential DeSantis-Trump head-to-head contest may be misleading, as the race is likely to include other candidates as well. Overall, the race remains static, with no significant shifts in the polling numbers, and DeSantis' campaign stumbles may be temporary.

    • 2024 Republican Primary: Trump vs. DeSantis not as clear-cut as polls suggestThe 2024 Republican Primary race between Trump and DeSantis is uncertain, with Trump's lead not insurmountable and DeSantis performing well in early states. State polls are more important than national polls, and Trump's media attention may skew results. Ultimately, voter turnout will determine the outcome.

      The 2024 Republican primary race between Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis is not as clear-cut as the national polls might suggest. The polling data indicates that Trump's support is soft, and DeSantis is performing better in early states like Iowa and New Hampshire. The trend in polling shows that Trump's lead is not insurmountable, and the importance of state polls over national polls should be emphasized. Trump's ability to generate media attention may also be contributing to his lead in national polls. However, the race remains uncertain due to the presence of a significant number of voters who are either committed to Trump or have decided against him. The outcome of the primary will depend on which cohort of voters ultimately turns out to vote.

    • Potential Trump indictment could impact 2024 GOP primaryRon DeSantis may benefit from Trump's investigations, making a stronger electability argument and potentially gaining support from big donors. The conversation around the 2024 Republican primary is evolving, with the potential indictment of Trump playing a significant role.

      The potential indictment of Donald Trump could shift the dynamics of the 2024 Republican primary race in favor of Ron DeSantis. DeSantis may be able to make a more compelling electability argument as Trump becomes a liability due to the investigations and potential indictments. The electability argument may resonate more strongly as the general election approaches. Additionally, some big donors have reportedly paused their contributions to Trump, which could impact his campaign financially. A Republican operative suggested that DeSantis could have made a stronger response to the potential indictment by positioning himself as a protector of Trump, but this idea has been criticized as divisive and not practical. Overall, the conversation around the 2024 Republican primary is evolving, and the potential indictment of Trump could play a significant role in shaping the race.

    • Political Strategies of Potential Candidates ScrutinizedCandidates like Trump and DeSantis face criticism for perceived damaging actions and lack of authenticity. Authenticity and clear policy positions will be key as voters examine candidates closely.

      The political strategies of some potential candidates, such as Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, are being scrutinized and questioned by analysts. Trump's recent actions and messages, including his reference to the Waco incident and his desire for a perp walk, are seen as potentially damaging rather than brilliant. DeSantis, who has not yet announced his candidacy, is also facing skepticism due to perceived flip-flopping on issues and lack of authenticity. The comparison to Wesley Clark's 2004 campaign, which initially generated excitement but ultimately failed to deliver, is often drawn. As voters begin to examine candidates more closely, authenticity and clear policy positions will become increasingly important.

    • From Politics to Journalism: A New ChapterA former political staffer shares her experiences of transitioning from politics to journalism, discussing the challenges and similarities between the two fields.

      The transition from politics to journalism comes with its own unique challenges. Whether it's learning the technical aspects of broadcasting or adjusting to a new work environment, the experience can be both exciting and daunting. Sakhi, a former political staffer, shares her experiences of going from working in the White House to joining a media network. She recalls the early days of politics, where the focus was on candidates like Rick Perry, Herman Cain, and Donald Trump, and the constant speculation about their campaigns. Sakhi describes her initial nerves when starting her new job in media, comparing it to being the new kid at the lunch table. She also notes the similarity between the two fields, with both having experts and interesting individuals who are passionate about their topics. Despite not reaching out to fellow politicos-turned-journalists like Sean Spicer for advice before the show, Sakhi expresses her eagerness to learn and explore this new chapter in her career.

    • Exploring the complexities of people through their daily routines and personal livesSpending extended time with individuals, including politicians, can lead to valuable insights and a more nuanced understanding of their multifaceted nature

      People, even those in public positions like politicians, are complex and multifaceted. They have quirks and humanizing qualities that make them relatable, and understanding these aspects can lead to more meaningful connections. The hosts of a new cable show aim to explore this by spending extended time with various individuals, including politicians, to learn about their daily routines and personal lives. This approach can provide valuable insights and create a more nuanced understanding of the people behind the public persona. Additionally, the hosts plan to offer perspective and context to help viewers navigate the complexities of current events, providing a balanced and informative viewing experience.

    • Highlighting local infrastructure projects to boost approval ratingBiden team focuses on local infrastructure projects to improve approval rating, contrasting competence with political chaos, effectively communicating large bill benefits to voters.

      President Biden's team believes he can improve his low approval rating by highlighting the infrastructure projects passed by Congress last year on a local level. This strategy, while not particularly exciting, is effective due to the contrast between the Biden administration's competence and the chaos on the other side. The challenge lies in communicating the accomplishments of large bills, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, in a relatable way to voters. While some may argue that this approach is outdated, it allows the Biden team to lay the groundwork for informing communities about the president's achievements before an official campaign announcement. The success of this strategy will ultimately depend on the ability to effectively communicate the benefits of these projects to voters at the local level.

    • Biden's policy-focused approach in re-election campaignDespite initial focus on policy achievements, Biden will contrast his policies with potential Republican opponents as campaign heats up.

      Joe Biden's presidency is expected to focus on policy achievements rather than direct attacks against his political opponents during the initial stages. However, as the campaign heats up and Biden officially announces his re-election bid, contrasting his policies with those of potential Republican contenders like Ron DeSantis will become more frequent. Regarding recent criticisms of Biden shifting to the center due to his opposition to DC criminal justice reforms and support for the Willow oil drilling project, it's essential to consider the political context. Some actions, like the DC bill controversy, might be unfortunate sequences of events, while others, like Biden's stance on policing and oil drilling, reflect his long-standing beliefs. Overall, Biden's policy-focused approach is likely to remain a central theme in his re-election campaign.

    • Navigating Legal Restrictions in CommunicationsFollow rules, seek advice from experienced professionals, and appreciate unique qualities of colleagues.

      Navigating legal restrictions in communications can be challenging and frustrating, but it's important to adhere to the rules despite the potential consequences. The speaker, Jenn, shared her experience dealing with the Hatch Act during her time in the Trump campaign and how she had to pay a fine for violating it. She also emphasized the importance of having a strong support system, like her colleagues at CNN, who have been invaluable in helping her adjust to her new role and providing guidance. Despite the initial apprehension and pressure, Jenn felt grateful for the opportunity to learn from her colleagues and establish relationships with them. She also shared her admiration for their unique work styles and the impressive decor of their offices. Overall, the conversation highlighted the importance of following rules, seeking advice from experienced professionals, and appreciating the unique qualities of colleagues.

    • Discussing Gwyneth Paltrow's ski trial and expressing belief in her innocenceThe hosts expressed support for Gwyneth Paltrow during her ski trial, highlighting inconsistencies in the other party's story and lack of evidence against her. They praised her performance on the stand and criticized the opposing lawyer.

      The discussion revolved around the trial of Gwyneth Paltrow and a skiing incident, with the hosts expressing their belief in her innocence based on inconsistencies in the other party's story and the lack of evidence against her. They praised her performance on the stand and criticized the opposing lawyer. The conversation also included light-hearted moments, such as invitations for the guests to appear on each other's shows and a mention of Goop, Gwyneth's company. The hosts emphasized their support for Gwyneth and their belief that she is being unfairly targeted.

    • The Pod Save America team produces and distributes the podcastA team of professionals at Crooked Media produces and distributes the Pod Save America podcast, including executive producer Michael Martinez, senior producer Andy Gardiner Bernstein, and a support team of producers, mixers, editors, and sound engineers.

      The Pod Save America podcast is produced by Crooked Media with a team that includes Michael Martinez as executive producer, Andy Gardiner Bernstein as senior producer, Hailey Muse and Olivia Martinez as producers, Andrew Chadwick as mixer and editor, Kyle Seglen and Charlotte Landis as sound engineers, and a support team of Hallie Keefer, Ari Schwartz, Sandy Gerard, Andy Taft, Justine Howe, Elijah Cohn, Phoebe Bradford, Milo Kim, and Emilio Montauk. The episodes are uploaded as videos on YouTube at youtube.com/podsaveamerica. This team works together to create and distribute the podcast for listeners.

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    For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

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      Follow Aaron on Twitter and be sure to visit our website for links to both the Atlantic and New York Times articles that he references in the pod.

      Also, while you're on Twitter, follow us too!

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