The Beat With Ari Melber 7/30/26 — 🅼🆂🅽🅱️🅲 Breaking News Today July 30, 2026

[0:00] RIGHT NOW. [0:01] HI, ARRIE. [0:02] HI, NICOLE. [0:03] THANKS SO MUCH. [0:04] WELCOME TO THE BEAT. [0:05] I'M ARRIE MELBER. [0:06] AND WE ARE TRACKING SEVERAL [0:08] STORIES OF DONALD TRUMP BASICALLY [0:10] ADMITTING THAT HE COULD HAVE AN [0:12] EMBARRASSING DEFEAT IN THE [0:14] CONGRESS THAT HIS PARTY [0:15] CONTROLS. [0:16] AND THIS ISN'T ONE OF THOSE [0:18] STORIES WHERE I HAVE TO TELL YOU [0:20] ONE SIDE SAYS THIS AND THE OTHER [0:22] SAYS THAT. [0:23] THE CONCESSION OF WEAKNESS [0:26] COMING OUT OF THE TRUMP WHITE [0:28] HOUSE IS CONFIRMED BY DONALD [0:29] TRUMP, WHO PUBLICIZED LATE [0:30] CONFIRMED BY DONALD TRUMP, [0:32] DONALD TRUMP SAYS HE MIGHT JUST [0:34] PULL THE ATTORNEY GENERAL [0:35] NOMINATION OF TODD BLANCH. [0:38] AND THAT'S BECAUSE THERE IS A [0:40] REVOLT, NOT JUST CRITICISM, NOT [0:42] JUST, OH, WHAT COULD HAPPEN, BUT [0:44] AN ACTUAL REVOLT THAT MIGHT [0:46] PREVENT BLANCH FROM GETTING [0:47] CONFIRMED THIS TERM. [0:48] ANDREW WEISMAN IS HERE ON THAT. [0:50] AND WHILE WE START WITH A [0:52] DIFFERENT STORY, I CAN TELL YOU [0:53] THAT KIND OF WEAKNESS, DONALD [0:55] TRUMP'S LOW POLLING, A [0:56] REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT'S LESS [0:57] AFRAID OF HIM, CANDIDATES THAT [0:58] WANT TO RUN AWAY FROM HIM IS [1:01] THE CONTEXT OF BASICALLY [1:02] EVERYTHING IN TRUMP'S [1:03] WASHINGTON RIGHT NOW. [1:04] AND THAT RELATES TO A REASON [1:06] HE'S UNPOPULAR THAT'S DIFFERENT [1:08] THAN JUST THE AG. [1:09] A CRISIS POINT WITH THE LOW [1:11] POLLING NUMBERS AND AN UNPOPULAR [1:13] WAR THAT TRUMP HAS CLEARLY [1:15] FAILED TO STEM, WHICH HAS THE [1:17] CASCADING EFFECT OF MORE [1:18] ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY AND GAS [1:20] PRICES THAT ARE ALREADY HIGH. [1:21] WE ARE NOW ABOUT HALF A YEAR [1:23] INTO THE WAR THAT TRUMP SAID [1:25] THE CONFLICT HAS BASICALLY [1:28] ELEMENTS OF EXPANSION. [1:30] WE'RE SEEING REPORTS THAT [1:31] TRUMP IS EXASPERATED THAT THIS [1:32] THING HAS SPUN COMPLETELY OUT [1:33] OF CONTROL. [1:34] REMEMBER, HE SOLD THAT PARTIAL [1:36] CEASE-FIRE AS SOME KIND OF [1:37] OFF-RAMP. [1:38] WELL, WE ARE NOT THROUGH THE [1:40] WORST OF IT. [1:42] REPORTING YOU SEE HERE, THE [1:43] PRESIDENT ERUPTED AT TOP [1:44] OFFICIALS DURING A RECENT [1:45] MEETING. [1:46] THAT'S A U.S. OFFICIAL AND A [1:47] PERSON FAMILIAR WITH THE [1:48] DISCUSSION TELLING NBC. [1:49] THE WAR IS ALSO DISSIPATED [1:51] ACROSS OTHER COUNTRIES. [1:52] THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE WHAT [1:54] WE WOULD CALL A REGIONAL WAR [1:55] YET BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE SOME [1:57] HOT CONFLICT ON THE GROUND. [1:58] BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME, [2:00] SAUDI ARABIA HAS JOINED IN [2:02] WITH STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN [2:04] BACKED MILITIA. [2:05] EGYPT WAS HIT BY IRANIAN [2:07] DRONES FOR THE FIRST TIME. [2:08] SO THAT'S NOT GOOD EVEN IF IT'S [2:10] NOT A FULL REGIONAL WAR. [2:11] EVERYONE IN THE REGION AND THE [2:12] U.S. AGREES ON ONE THING, [2:14] WHICH IS THAT HOPEFULLY IT [2:16] WON'T GET WORSE AND TURN INTO A [2:19] HOT CONFLICT. [2:20] AT HOME WE HAVE THE LATEST POLLS [2:22] WITH 66% DISAPPROVING OF TRUMP'S [2:24] HANDLING OF THE WAR. [2:25] WHEN YOU LOOK FOR PEOPLE WHO [2:26] APPROVE, YOU HAVE TO GO WELL [2:28] BEYOND TRUMP VOTERS OR [2:29] REPUBLICANS. [2:30] YOU GET A MUCH SMALLER SHARE OF [2:32] JUST 28%, A KIND OF HARD CORE [2:35] GROUP THAT THINKS THIS IS GOING [2:37] WELL AND THEY ARE IN THE CLEAR [2:38] MINORITY. [2:39] THE BACKLASH HAS BEEN CLEAR ON [2:41] THE RIGHT. [2:42] THAT INCLUDES MEDIA [2:43] CONSERVATIVES AND THE TRUMP [2:44] VOTERS THAT WE HEAR FROM. [2:47] IT WAS JUST TOTALLY NORMAL THAT [2:49] WE INVADED IRAN. [2:50] JUST DO THIS THING THAT WE KNOW [2:51] IS GOING TO WRECK OUR COUNTRY [2:52] WHICH IT NOW IS. [2:53] CLOCK IS TICKING FOR PRESIDENT [2:54] TRUMP TO GET OUT OF THIS WAR [2:55] BEFORE VOTERS HEAD TO THE POLLS. [2:57] I WENT FROM DISAPPOINTMENT NOW [2:58] TO ANGER. [2:59] IT WOULD BE NICE IF WE DIDN'T [3:00] HAVE SO MANY WARS OR WHATEVER [3:02] IS GOING ON AND THE GOVERNMENT [3:04] IS HIKING UP OUR GAS PRICES. [3:06] IT UPSET ME THAT HE TOLD [3:08] EVERYBODY HE WAS GOING TO END IT [3:10] QUICK AND NOW IT STARTED ALL [3:11] OVER AGAIN. [3:12] SO I'M NOT HAPPY WITH THAT. [3:13] I THINK YOU NEED TO MAYBE CHANGE [3:17] YOUR STRATEGY. [3:18] I DON'T THINK WE ARE CLOSE IN [3:20] THAT REGARD OF FINISHING THE JOB. [3:22] THE WORD IS OUT. [3:24] WE ARE OFTEN TOLD THAT WE LIVE [3:26] IN THIS ENVIRONMENT ESPECIALLY [3:27] WITH THE INTERNET AND PHONES [3:28] WHERE YOU CAN FIND YOUR OWN [3:29] VERSION OF EVENTS, YOUR OWN [3:30] STORIES. [3:31] I WILL TELL YOU AS SOMEONE WHO [3:32] DEALS ON A DAILY BASIS WITH [3:33] NEWS AND INFORMATION, THERE ARE [3:34] TOPICS WHERE THAT HAPPENS WHERE [3:36] PEOPLE KIND OF JUST GO INTO THEIR [3:38] CORNER AND BELIEVE THE STUFF THEY [3:39] SAW. [3:40] THEY'LL TELL YOU, WELL, I READ [3:41] THIS ON FACEBOOK. [3:43] AS IF FACEBOOK ITSELF IS A SOURCE [3:45] OF FACTS OR NEWS, FACEBOOK IS A [3:47] BULLETIN BOARD AND YOU CAN FIND [3:48] ALL KINDS OF THINGS PEOPLE PIN [3:49] UP THERE. [3:50] SO ON SOME TOPICS THAT HAPPENS. [3:52] NOT THIS TOPIC. [3:53] AS YOU JUST HEARD THAT VOTER SAY [3:56] AND AS I JUST SHOWED YOU THE [3:58] POLLING REFLECTS, PEOPLE KNOW [3:59] THE WAR ISN'T OVER. [4:00] THEY KNOW THAT TRUMP'S MUCH [4:01] HYPED CEASE-FIRE DIDN'T WORK AND [4:03] THEY KNOW THEIR GAS PRICES ARE UP. [4:05] WE ALSO HAVE NEW NUMBERS WITH [4:06] ECONOMIC GROWTH. [4:07] NOW WHETHER YOU FOLLOW THIS DAY [4:08] TO DAY OR MORE BROADLY OR YOU [4:10] JUST KNOW THAT THINGS ARE [4:11] EXPENSIVE, U.S. ECONOMIC GROWTH [4:14] IS SLOWING, THEY SAY, [4:15] UNEXPECTEDLY IN THE SECOND [4:16] QUARTER BASED ON AT LEAST WHAT [4:18] ECONOMISTS HAD EXPECTED. [4:19] SO THAT'S A SHIFT, TARIFFS AND [4:21] THE WAR CUTTING INTO THE GAINS. [4:23] THE AP, ACCORDING ITS LOWEST [4:25] SECOND TERM APPROVAL RATING FOR [4:27] TRUMP, 33%. [4:28] YOU SEE THE OTHER POLLSTERS WHO [4:32] TRACK THIS, THIS IS DANGEROUS [4:34] TERRITORY. [4:35] THIS IS GETTING TOWARDS NIXON [4:37] WATERGATE TERRITORY. [4:38] SARAH LONGWELL WRITING IN THE [4:41] BULWARK PUT IT LIKE THIS, TRUMP [4:43] IS CLOSE TO THE DISASTROUS [4:45] BUSH LINE. [4:46] AN APPROVAL RATING HOVERING WHERE [4:48] GEORGE W. BUSH'S APPROVAL WAS [4:50] AT THE END OF THE TERM, LIKE I [4:52] MENTIONED, YOU GET DOWN TO 34%, [4:54] 30%, YOU'RE IN BUSH IRAQ WAR OR [4:56] NIXON WATERGATE TERRITORY. [4:57] HE IS NOT POLITICALLY RESILIENT, [5:00] HE IS NOT TEFLON, HE IS NOT [5:02] POPULAR, AND HE DOES NOT HAVE THE [5:04] MAGA BASE HE USED TO, WHICH IS [5:05] WHY REPUBLICANS ARE SO NERVOUS [5:06] ABOUT THE MIDTERMS. [5:07] AND REMEMBER, THE BUSH NUMBER I [5:09] MENTIONED INCLUDED NOT JUST THE [5:10] IRAQ WAR BUT ALSO ULTIMATELY, [5:11] BY THE END OF HIS TERM, A [5:14] FINANCIAL CRASH. [5:15] WHAT HAPPENED THEN? [5:16] OBAMA WON THE PRESIDENCY AND [5:18] DEMOCRATS HAD A BLUE WAVE. [5:19] NOW, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST OR [5:20] LAST TIME YOU MIGHT HEAR ABOUT [5:21] DEMOCRATS SAYING, WELL, IF [5:22] TRUMP AND OR THE REPUBLICANS [5:24] MESS UP ENOUGH, THEY SHOULD BE [5:25] HOME FREE. [5:26] AND SO, WHILE THAT IS THE [5:28] CONTEXT THAT WE BEGIN WITH [5:29] TONIGHT, THERE IS A HECK OF A [5:30] LOT OF POLITICAL DEBATE OVER [5:31] WHAT THE RIGHT MESSAGE IS GOING [5:34] INTO THESE MIDTERMS AT A TIME WHERE [5:36] AS YOU CAN SEE, VOTERS NOT ONLY [5:39] ARE PAYING MORE ATTENTION, BUT [5:41] FOR PEOPLE WORRIED ABOUT GAS [5:42] PRICES AND WHICH FAILING [5:43] NECESSITY THEY HAVE TO SACRIFICE [5:45] IN THE TRUMP ECONOMY, VOTERS ARE [5:47] PAYING ATTENTION BECAUSE THEY [5:48] HAVE TO. [5:49] I WANT TO BRING IN OUR POLITICO, [5:51] REVEREND AL SHARPTON, WHO OF [5:53] COURSE IS GOING INTO THE [5:54] DEMOCRATS, DEMOCRATS SAYING [5:55] WELL, IF TRUMP AND OR THE [5:56] REPUBLICANS MESS UP ENOUGH, THEY [5:57] SHOULD BE HOME FREE. [5:58] I WANT TO BRING IN OUR POLITICO, [6:04] REVEREND AL SHARPTON, WHO OF [6:06] COURSE IS PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL [6:07] ACTION NETWORK, HOST OF MSNOW'S [6:08] POLITICS NATION, AND ALTHOUGH [6:09] THEY DON'T MENTION IT IN EVERY [6:10] INTRODUCTION, SOMEONE WHO RAN [6:11] FOR PRESIDENT, STOOD ON THE [6:12] STAGE WITH OTHER CANDIDATES, [6:13] YOU KIND OF KNOW THAT SIDE OF [6:14] THE FIELD WHICH MOST OF US [6:15] DON'T, HOW IT LOOKS WHEN YOU'RE [6:16] STARING OUT AT VOTERS, AND WHY [6:17] DON'T WE START WITH THAT BECAUSE [6:18] TRUMP IS STARING OUT AT AN ANGRY [6:19] SET OF VOTERS NOW. [6:20] HE'S STARING AT AN ANGRY SET [6:22] ABOUT THE EXACT THINGS HE [6:24] PROMISED HIM HE WOULDN'T DO. [6:26] HE SAID WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE [6:28] WAR, I'M GOING TO DEAL WITH [6:30] MAKING LIFE EASIER FOR YOU IN [6:32] TERMS OF THE ECONOMY. [6:34] AND HE HAS ALSO STATED A BUNCH OF [6:38] CULTURAL WARS THAT HE'S NOT [6:40] REALLY SHOWN ANY ADVANCEMENT [6:41] THERE. [6:42] SO I REALLY THINK THAT HE'S IN [6:45] SERIOUS TROUBLE IN THE SENSE [6:47] THAT NOT ONLY IS HIS POLLING NEAR [6:50] WHERE BUSH WAS AT THE END OR [6:53] NIXON, BUT THERE IS NO CLEAR [6:56] STRATEGY ON HOW HE DIGS OUT OF [6:58] THIS. [6:59] SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT SENATOR [7:02] CORNING DID TODAY AND SENATOR [7:04] TILLOS, THAT'S LIKE JUST ONE OF [7:07] MANY THINGS THAT'S GOING AGAINST [7:09] HIM TO WHERE HE'S EMBARRASSED [7:11] THAT TWO REPUBLICAN SENATORS [7:14] FROM STATES THAT HE GETS A GOOD [7:17] DEMOCRATS. [7:18] I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR YOUR [7:21] CANDIDATE FOR THE ATTORNEY [7:23] GENERAL BECAUSE HE WANTS, HE [7:25] WILL NOT SIGN IN WRITING THAT [7:27] YOU CAN GET NEGOTIATIONS WITH [7:30] YOURSELF ABOUT A TAX [7:32] SETTLEMENT THAT YOU CLAIM THE [7:34] GOVERNMENT OWED YOU. [7:35] AND IT'S JUST UGLY. [7:37] I'M SITTING AT A GAS STATION [7:39] PAYING OVER $4 FOR GAS AND THE [7:42] PRESIDENT WANTS AN ATTORNEY [7:44] GENERAL THAT WON'T SIGN THAT HE [7:46] HAD A LITTLE BIT OF A [7:47] SETTLEMENT. [7:48] YOU WONDER WHY THE POLLS ARE [7:50] GOING DOWN? [7:51] PEOPLE ARE A LITTLE SOMETIMES [7:53] NOT PAYING ATTENTION BUT THEY [7:54] ARE NOT STUPID. [7:55] YEAH. [7:56] THEY SAY SOMETIMES WITH [7:57] AMERICA WE HAVE POLITICAL [7:58] AMNESIA. [7:59] THERE ARE COUNTRIES THAT ARE [8:01] RULED BY THE RECENT HISTORY OF [8:03] DEBATE. [8:04] IF YOU GO TO EUROPE, I THINK IT'S [8:06] FAIR TO SAY SOMETIMES THEY'RE [8:07] TALKING ABOUT HISTORY IN MORE [8:08] DETAIL THAN WE SOMETIMES DO. [8:09] YOU WONDER, WAS THERE AMNESIA [8:12] ABOUT THIS STRANGE END OF THE [8:13] FIRST TERM? [8:14] BECAUSE COVID AND SO MANY OTHER [8:16] FACTORS CONTRIBUTED. [8:17] TRUMP WAS RUN OUT OF THE FIRST [8:19] TERM. [8:20] FIRST ELECTORALLY WITH PEOPLE [8:21] SAYING, NO MORE. [8:22] THEN JAN 6, HE WAS AS OPPOSED AS [8:25] HE'D EVER BEEN. [8:26] BUT HE CAME BACK IN 24 ON THE [8:28] IDEA THAT IT MIGHT BE DIFFERENT [8:29] OR BETTER. [8:30] AND NOW, BY THE TIME THE NEXT [8:33] MIDTERM SHOW UP, WHAT DO YOU [8:34] MAKE OF THE ELECTORATE SAYING, [8:35] OH, MY GOSH, THEY FORGOT AND [8:36] NOW REMEMBER WHAT THEY DON'T LIKE [8:37] ABOUT HIS GOVERNANCE. [8:38] AND I THINK THE PART THAT THEY [8:41] ALL FORGET IS THEY GET IN THE [8:43] BELTWAY ARGUMENTS AND I THINK [8:45] IN SOME WAYS TRUMP HAS GOTTEN [8:47] INTO THAT WHERE THEY ARE [8:49] ARGUING WITH EACH OTHER IN THE [8:51] DRESSING ROOM, NOT REALIZING [8:53] THEY'RE NOT ON STAGE AND THE [8:54] AUDIENCE IS NOT IN THE DRESSING [8:55] ROOM AND THE AUDIENCE IS SAYING, [8:57] I DON'T LIKE WHAT I'M SEEING. [8:59] AND THEY'RE NOT HEARING THAT. [9:01] THE WEAKNESS OF EVERYONE TALKS [9:03] ABOUT HOW HE HAD SOME ADULTS [9:04] AROUND HIM IN THE FIRST TERM, [9:06] WHICH IS DEBATEABLE BUT THEY [9:08] CERTAINLY WERE BETTER THAN THIS [9:09] CREW. [9:10] THE WEAKNESS OF HAVING [9:12] SYNCOPHANTS AROUND YOU IS YOU [9:14] DON'T EVEN GET A REAL PULSE [9:16] READING ON WHERE THE PEOPLE [9:18] ARE. [9:19] THERE IS NO ONE TELLING HIM [9:22] THIS IS NOT WORKING ON MAIN [9:23] STREET. [9:24] YOU SAY TRUMP SOUNDS VERY [9:25] INSIDERY. [9:26] IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE, AND [9:27] YOU'VE KNOWN HIM A LONG TIME. [9:28] CHE COLEMAN DURY, A GUEST ON [9:29] OUR SHOW, SAID THIS WEEK THAT [9:30] TRUMP HAS ACTUALLY BECOME A [9:33] TYPICAL POLITICIAN LYING, [9:34] SPINNING, FOCUSED ON THESE [9:35] THINGS. [9:36] THAT HE'S LOST TOUCH WITH [9:37] WHATEVER IT WAS THAT BOUGHT [9:38] THE BASE. [9:39] THAT HE DOESN'T SEE HIMSELF THAT [9:40] WAY BUT THE VOTERS DO. [9:41] TO PARAPHRASE BIG PUN, A NEW [9:42] YORK ARTIST, YOU REMEMBER. [9:43] RIGHT. [9:44] HE SAID I'M NOT A PLAYER, I [9:45] JUST PLAY A LOT. [9:46] SO WITH TRUMP IT'S LIKE I'M NOT [9:47] A POLITICIAN. [9:48] THAT WAS HIS WHOLE PITCH, RIGHT? [9:50] AND HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE HE [9:52] FLIPPED INTO A POSITIVE. [9:53] WELL, NOW HE IS POLITICING A [9:54] LOT. [9:55] PEOPLE SEE THAT INCLUDING THE [9:57] D.C. CORRUPTION. [9:58] HE'S THE SWAMPIEST, MOST [10:00] CONFLICTED AND CORRUPT LEADER. [10:01] I CAN'T SAY WHETHER THESE ALL [10:03] BREAK CRIMINAL LAW, THAT WOULD [10:04] HAVE TO BE INVESTIGATED BUT I [10:06] CAN SAY HE HAS MORE ONGOING [10:08] CORRUPTION PROBLEMS THAN ANY [10:09] PRESIDENT WE'VE SEEN. [10:10] SO WHAT ABOUT THAT, IF YOU WILL, [10:12] BIG PUN PROBLEM THAT TRUMP WAS [10:14] TRYING TO SAY I JUST POLITIC A [10:16] LOT BUT I'M NOT LIKE THEM AND [10:17] NOW THE VOTERS SEEM TO THINK [10:19] HE'S EXACTLY WHAT'S WRONG WITH [10:20] THE SWAMP. [10:21] HE IS NOT ONLY WHAT IS WRONG [10:23] WITH THE SWAMP, HE'S MADE IT [10:26] SWAMPIER IF THERE'S SUCH A WORD [10:28] BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH GUYS THAT I [10:31] DID NOT LIKE, I'M VOTER A, I [10:34] DID NOT LIKE THE GUYS IN THE [10:36] SWAMP BECAUSE I FELT THEY WERE [10:37] SELF-DEALING. [10:38] THEY MAYBE WERE GOING ON A [10:40] VACATION AT TAXPAYER'S EXPENSE [10:42] OR THEY HAD SOME OTHER STUFF [10:44] GOING ON. [10:45] HERE'S A GUY THAT IS OUTRIGHT [10:47] NEGOTIATING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS [10:49] TO PAY HIMSELF BACK FOR A [10:51] GOVERNMENT. [10:52] HERE'S A GUY THAT GETS A PLANE [10:55] FROM A FOREIGN COUNTRY AS A GIFT [10:57] THAT HE'S GOING TO TAKE WITH [10:58] HIM. [10:59] THERE'S JUST TOO MUCH THERE FOR [11:01] THE AVERAGE GUY TO NOW SAY HE'S [11:03] ONE OF US, NOT ONE OF THEM. [11:05] HE'S ONE OF THEM WITH ADDITIONS [11:08] TO BEING ONE OF THEM. [11:10] I THINK THAT THAT'S THE [11:11] PROBLEM. [11:12] YOU CAN'T PLAY WE THE PEOPLE AND [11:14] THEN YOU'RE WAY AHEAD OF THE [11:15] PEOPLE. [11:16] YOU KNOW THERE WAS A SAYING WE [11:18] USED TO HEAR GOING ON THE [11:19] CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. [11:20] IF YOU GET TOO FAR AHEAD OF THE [11:22] TROOPS, THEY'LL START SHOOTING. [11:23] THEY DON'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE [11:24] BETWEEN YOU AND THE ENEMY. [11:25] HE'S WAY AHEAD OF HIS OWN BASE. [11:27] THAT'S WHY, YEAH, TILLOS AND [11:29] CORNAN DIDN'T LIKE HIS POLITICS [11:30] IN THEIR STATE. [11:31] BUT THEY ALSO KNOW THAT THE [11:33] PEOPLE IN THEIR STATE ON THE [11:34] GROUND GIVES THEM ENOUGH CUSHION [11:35] TO STAND UP TO HIM AND NOT HAVE [11:37] TO PAY FOR IT. [11:38] YEAH. [11:39] AND TRUMP, WHEN HE WAS ON HIS [11:41] GAME, WHEN IT WAS FIRST TERM, [11:43] HE WAS SELLING THINGS THAT AT [11:45] LEAST APPEALED TO SOME PEOPLE. [11:46] WE CAN DEBATE THEM. [11:47] BUT THE MESSAGE DISCIPLINE, I [11:49] MENTIONED THE SWAMP, SO HE [11:51] KNEW WHAT HE'S NOW DOING IS [11:53] UNPOPULAR. [11:54] THE WALL. [11:55] HE HAD CLEAR THINGS THAT WEREN'T [11:57] JUST ABOUT HIMSELF. [11:58] NOW THEY CAN'T EVEN EXPLAIN THE [11:59] TRUMP ECONOMY. [12:01] I WANT TO SHOW YOU RIGHT AFTER [12:03] THIS SHORT BREAK WHAT HOWARD [12:05] LUTNIK BASICALLY GOT CAUGHT [12:06] SPINNING ON HOW BAD THE ECONOMY [12:07] IS. [12:08] SO WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THAT [12:10] WHEN WE'RE BACK WITH REV IN 90 [12:13] SECONDS. [12:14] SECOND QUARTER OF 2026 TO BE [12:17] AMAZING AS ALL THIS MONEY COMES [12:19] BACK INTO THE ECONOMY FROM THIS [12:21] BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL. [12:23] WE GOT THE TAPE. [12:25] THAT WAS IN THE PRIOR QUARTER. [12:27] PREDICTION UNTRUE. [12:28] YOU COULD CALL THAT, YOU KNOW, [12:30] THAT'S FINE. [12:32] YOU COULD HOPE FOR IT. [12:33] BUT THEY HAVEN'T DELIVERED. [12:34] WHERE DOES THAT TYPE OF SORT OF [12:38] FALLEN EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS [12:39] TRUMP ECONOMY FIT IN? [12:40] THEY HAVE LAID THEIR OWN [12:42] BASIS OF FAILURE. [12:43] BECAUSE THEY'RE SPEAKING IN [12:45] EMPHATIC TERMS THAT ARE [12:47] EMPHATICALLY NOT COMING TO [12:48] BECOME TRUE. [12:49] LOOK FOR THE SECOND QUARTER WHERE [12:52] WE'RE THERE AND LOOK AT WHAT WE [12:53] SEE. [12:54] IT WASN'T THIS IS WHAT WE'RE [12:55] TRYING. [12:56] THIS IS A GOAL. [12:57] THIS IS THE FACTORS THAT WE'RE [12:59] LOOKING AT. [13:00] IT WAS A PROMISE. [13:01] THEY TALK VERY BASIC TO PEOPLE, [13:03] COMMON LANGUAGE. [13:04] THERE'S NO EQUIVOCATION ABOUT [13:06] WHAT THEY'RE SAYING. [13:07] SO THERE IS NO EQUIVOCATION THAT [13:09] THEY FAILED AT WHAT THEY SAID. [13:11] YEAH. [13:12] AND SO PEOPLE FEEL THAT. [13:14] I MEAN, THAT'S THE REALITY [13:15] THEME THAT WE HIT. [13:16] WE'RE LIKE YOU CAN'T JUST SPIN [13:18] OUT OF THAT. [13:19] RIGHT. [13:20] THERE'S NO SPIN WHEN YOU MADE A [13:21] COMMITMENT. [13:22] AND IN FACT, NOT ONLY DID NOT IN [13:24] THE SECOND QUARTER OF THE [13:25] ECONOMY GET BETTER FOR THE [13:26] AVERAGE AMERICAN, INCLUDING THE [13:28] MAGA VOTERS. [13:29] IT GOT WORSE. [13:30] RIGHT. [13:31] GAS PRICES WENT UP. [13:32] PRICES OF CERTAIN FOOD AND [13:35] GROCERIES AT HOME WENT UP. [13:37] SO I NOT ONLY ENDED UP GETTING [13:39] BETTER, I GOT WORSE. [13:41] AND YOU EMPHATICALLY TOLD ME [13:43] THAT I'D GET BETTER. [13:44] WAIT, HOLD ON FOR THE SECOND [13:46] QUARTER. [13:47] AND NOW WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF [13:49] IT AND I'M DOING MUCH WORSE. [13:50] AND FINALLY BRIEFLY, I WANT TO [13:51] SHOW HEALTHCARE. [13:52] YOU AND I KNOW THIS IS TRUE. [13:53] YOU MENTIONED CIVIL RIGHTS. [13:54] IT'S TRUE IN ACTIVISM. [13:55] IT'S TRUE IN THE NEWS. [13:56] SOME STORIES ARE HARDER TO TELL [13:57] JUST BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF [13:58] WHAT'S HAPPENING. [13:59] SO THIS HEALTHCARE CUT FROM THE [14:00] GOP IS A SLOW ROLLING PROBLEM. [14:01] WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE [14:02] PICTURES. [14:03] BUT I WANT TO PUT UP ONE [14:05] HEADLINE HERE THAT PATIENTS WHO [14:06] HAVE LOST THEIR INSURANCE [14:08] BECAUSE OF THESE GOP CUTS ARE [14:10] NOW SHOWING UP IN EMERGENCY [14:12] ROOMS AND CLINICS. [14:13] THEY LOST WHAT WAS THE AFFORDABLE [14:15] CARE ACT OR SOMETIMES CALLED [14:16] OBAMACARE COVERAGE. [14:17] THE FINAL QUESTION, DOES THIS [14:19] ALSO MATTER AS REPUBLICANS SAID, [14:20] OH, IT WILL BE FINE. [14:21] PEOPLE WILL FIGURE IT OUT. [14:22] THEY'RE NOT FIGURING IT OUT. [14:23] THIS IS A HEALTHCARE CRISIS. [14:24] IT'S A HUGE PROBLEM FOR THEM. [14:26] MANY OF US SAID WHEN THEY LET THE [14:29] OBAMACARE OR AFFORDABLE CARE [14:30] ACT NOT BE EXTENDED, THIS WOULD [14:31] HAPPEN. [14:32] BUT IT TOOK A SLOW PROCESS. [14:34] NOW PEOPLE ARE SEEING I HAVE NO [14:37] INSURANCE. [14:38] I CAN'T AFFORD WHAT I NEED. [14:40] SENIOR CITIZENS, JUST REGULAR [14:41] PEOPLE THAT WAS ON THE AFFORDABLE [14:43] CARE ACT. [14:44] AND IT'S NOW WITH THE TERM [14:46] CHICKENS COME HOME TO ROOST. [14:48] PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT THE [14:51] SAYING WAIT A MINUTE. [14:53] AND YOU LEFT FOR US NO CUSHION. [14:54] THERE WAS NO ALTERNATIVE. [14:55] IT WASN'T LIKE THEY SAID THIS IS [14:58] OUR HEALTH PLAN AND IT'S BETTER [15:00] THAN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. [15:01] THEY HAD NO PLAN. [15:02] THEY JUST WANTED TO STOP [15:04] ANYTHING THAT BARACK OBAMA DID. [15:06] AND IN THE PROCESS THEY PUT [15:08] MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHERE THEIR [15:10] HEALTHCARE WAS OUT OF REACH IN [15:11] TERMS OF THEIR BEING ABLE TO [15:13] PAY FOR IT. [15:14] YEAH. [15:15] I APPRECIATE YOUR CANDOR AND ALL [15:17] THIS IMPORTANT STUFF. [15:18] I'LL LET THE VIEWERS IN ON A [15:20] STAGE. [15:21] WE ASKED YOU, CAN YOU STICK [15:23] AROUND FOR SOMETHING REALLY [15:24] SPECIAL AT THE END OF THE HOUR? [15:25] YOU SAID SURE BECAUSE YOU'RE A [15:26] GREAT COLLEAGUE. [15:27] SO WHAT WE'RE DOING AT THE END OF [15:28] THE HOUR IS EVEN MORE FUN THAN [15:29] WHAT WE JUST DID. [15:30] ABSOLUTELY. [15:31] REV STICKS AROUND FOR THAT. [15:32] AS WE LOOK AT THE ARTIST [15:34] FIGHTING BACK AGAINST TRUMP, [15:35] JIMMY KIMMEL WINNING. [15:36] THAT'S LATER IN THE SHOW. [15:37] TRUMP ALSO NOW SAYING WHAT [15:39] REV ALLUDED TO. [15:40] HE MIGHT PULL HIS AG NOMINATION. [15:42] A MOMENT OF WEAKNESS. [15:43] WHAT'S HAPPENING? [15:44] ANDREW WEISMAN IS HERE. [15:45] NEXT. [15:46] IN WASHINGTON, JUST THROUGH FACTS. [15:50] ONE, TRUMP CARES MORE ABOUT THE [15:52] ATTORNEY GENERAL POSITION THAN [15:53] JUST ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE IN [15:54] GOVERNMENT. [15:55] IT IS THE FULCRUM OF HIS [15:57] EFFORTS TO BREAK THE RULE OF [15:59] LAW, TO PUNISH AND INDICT [16:01] ENEMIES, AND TO HAVE SORT OF [16:03] FAVORABLE TREATMENT OF WHAT HE [16:04] PERCEIVES TO BE HIS [16:05] VULNERABILITIES. [16:06] TAX AUDITS AND THE LIKE. [16:07] YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD ABOUT [16:08] THAT IN THE NEWS. [16:09] THAT'S NUMBER ONE. [16:11] NUMBER TWO, TODAY WAS A [16:13] REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED SENATE TO [16:17] CONFIRM HIS ATTORNEY GENERAL [16:18] NOMINEE. [16:19] AND AS A REMINDER, MOST OF [16:21] TRUMP'S CABINET HAS BEEN [16:22] PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD, PRETTY [16:23] EASILY CONFIRMED BY THIS [16:24] REPUBLICAN SENATE. [16:25] AND YET IF YOU'VE BEEN [16:26] WATCHING THE NEWS, THE TOP OF [16:27] THIS BROADCAST OR REALLY ANY [16:28] NEWS LATELY, YOU MIGHT HAVE [16:29] HEARD THAT TRUMP IS CRASHING IN [16:30] APPROVAL. [16:31] REPUBLICANS LESS AFRAID OF HIM. [16:32] DON'T NEED TO WORK WITH HIM [16:33] AS MUCH DEPENDING ON THE [16:34] ISSUE. [16:35] AND THAT BRINGS US TO POINT [16:36] NUMBER THREE. [16:37] THE PLAN TO INSTALL, [16:40] CONTROVERSIALLY HIS FORMER [16:41] PERSONAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE [16:42] FLOOR AS ATTORNEY GENERAL, IS [16:44] DERAILLED. [16:45] THAT SCHEDULED VOTE, OFF. [16:48] SO THAT RIGHT THERE IS A LOSS OR [16:50] SETBACK IN THE PLAN. [16:51] IF THEY HAD THE VOTES, WE KNOW [16:53] HOW CONGRESS WORKS, THEY WOULD [16:54] HAVE VOTED TODAY. [16:55] TRANSLATION, THEY DON'T HAVE THE [16:56] VOTES AND WE HAVE MORE [16:57] EVIDENCE ON THAT. [16:58] BUT THIS HAS BEEN DERAILLED. [17:00] DONALD TRUMP'S PLANS NOT GOING [17:02] THE WAY HE WANTED AND THE FEAR [17:04] OF CROSSING HIM IS FADING. [17:06] TRUMP SAYS IN RESPONSE TO THE [17:09] SETBACK THAT MAYBE HE WOULD JUST [17:11] PULL THE WHOLE NOMINATION WHICH [17:13] IS A KIND OF PLOY TO LEAVE TO [17:16] BLANCH IN HIS ACTING AG. [17:18] THEN THE MIDTERMS WOULD COME. [17:20] TRUMP IS HOPING THEY HOLD THE [17:21] SENATE AND THEN THE TWO SENATORS [17:23] CAUSING THE MOST PROBLEMS. [17:24] WHO HE PRIMARIES WOULD BE GONE [17:26] AND HE HOPES REPLACED BY MORE [17:28] LOYAL REPUBLICANS. [17:29] BUT THAT ITSELF IS A GAMBLE THAT [17:32] REQUIRES THEM WINNING THE [17:33] MIDTERMS WHICH IS REALLY UP IN [17:35] THE AIR ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU LOOK [17:36] AT THE POLLING AND THE WAR. [17:38] CORNYN RESPONDING THAT THERE ARE [17:39] OTHER SENATORS THAT HAVE SIMILAR [17:40] CONCERNS. [17:41] THEY JUST HAVEN'T BEEN FLUSHED [17:42] OUT IN PUBLIC WHICH IS AN [17:43] INTERESTING POINT WE WILL [17:44] DISCUSS TONIGHT. [17:45] WHAT HE'S BASICALLY SAYING IS [17:47] HE'S THE HEAT SHIELD. [17:48] OTHER PEOPLE OPPOSE THIS BUT [17:49] THEY DON'T NEED TO GET INTO A [17:51] CIVIL WAR IF THE NOMINATION IS [17:52] ALREADY STALLED. [17:53] THAT CAME HOURS AFTER CORNYN [17:57] SENT THE DOJ A NEW PROPOSAL TO [17:59] TRY TO RESOLVE THIS SORT OF FAKE [18:01] MADE-UP SETTLEMENT DEAL THAT [18:03] TRUMP CLAIMS WOULD IMMUNIZE HIM [18:05] AND HIS FAMILY FROM FUTURE [18:06] AUDITS. [18:07] ALL OF THIS TIED UP AS WELL IN [18:09] THE PLAN TO TRY TO GIVE OUT [18:11] MONEY TO MAD GUY ALLIED CONVICTS. [18:13] CORNYN TOLD REPORTERS ALREADY [18:15] THAT THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING [18:17] MEANING AS OF THAT MOMENT HE WAS [18:18] JUST GOING TO VOTE NO ON THE A.G. [18:20] NOMINEE. [18:21] EVERY TIME I THINK WE'RE GETTING [18:24] CLOSE TO A RESOLUTION SOMEBODY [18:26] THROWS A WRENCH INTO THE WORK. [18:29] SO WE THIS MORNING IT LOOKS LIKE [18:34] WE'RE NO CLOSER THAN WE WERE [18:35] BEFORE. [18:36] I AM PREPARED TO VOTE NO. [18:38] BUT I DO THINK I OWE IT TO MY [18:44] CONSTITUENTS. [18:45] TO MR. BLANCH TO TRY TO [18:48] NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH. [18:49] AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING. [18:52] THE SOUND YOU HEAR IS OF A [18:56] REPUBLICAN ACTUALLY USING A [18:58] LITTLE BIT OF THEIR POWER AS A [19:02] CO-EQUAL BRANCH TO GOVERN AND [19:04] REGULATE THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH. [19:05] ONE THAT MANY PEOPLE SAY HAS [19:08] BECOME A RUNAWAY EXECUTIVE [19:09] BRANCH. [19:10] NOW WE'LL LEAVE IT TO THE SIDE [19:11] FOR NOW WHETHER CORNYN COULD [19:12] HAVE DONE THIS. [19:13] I DON'T KNOW. [19:14] ANYTIME IN THE LAST SIX YEARS [19:15] HE LOST HIS SEAT ANYWAY. [19:16] BUT THAT'S WHERE WE STAND. [19:18] NOW THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY [19:19] LEADER THUNE IS STILL TRYING TO [19:21] WORK WITH TRUMP TO COME UP WITH [19:22] SOME RESOLUTION BEFORE THIS LONG [19:24] SUMMER RECESS BEGINS WHICH SORT [19:25] OF WOULD PUT A FORK IN THE [19:26] WHOLE PLAN. [19:27] HERE'S HOW POLITICO, A [19:29] NONPARTISAN OUTLET, PUTS IT. [19:30] THUNE LEAVING THE DOOR OPEN TO [19:31] GETTING BLANCH CONFIRMED NEXT [19:32] WEEK IF THE SENATORS ARE ABLE [19:34] TO COME TO A DEAL WITH THE DOJ. [19:36] BUT, AND THIS IS CRUCIAL, [19:38] POLITICO WRITES CORNYN AND [19:40] TILLIS HAVE YET TO BLINK. [19:42] TRUMP IS THREATING TO TAKE HIS [19:45] BALL AND GO HOME. [19:46] THAT WOULD BE OBVIOUSLY A VERY [19:48] PUBLIC LOSS IN A VERY KEY [19:50] AGENCY, THE DEPARTMENT OF [19:51] JUSTICE, ALL BECAUSE THESE [19:52] SENATORS DECIDED TO STAND UP [19:53] FOR SOMETHING. [19:54] SO, NOT YOUR NORMAL NARRATIVE. [19:55] A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. [19:56] I WANT TO BRING IN ANDREW WEISSMANN, [19:59] FORMER FBI GENERAL COUNSEL, [20:01] FORMER PROSECUTOR. [20:02] HE HAS LIVED THE INTERSECTION OF [20:04] THE DOJ AND CONGRESS. [20:05] WHEN CONGRESS IS DOING ITS JOB, [20:07] IT CAN EXERCISE A PRODUCTIVE [20:09] TYPE OF OVERSIGHT. [20:10] THAT'S WHY WE SEE PEOPLE, [20:12] INCLUDING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, [20:13] TESTIFY. [20:14] LATELY, I THINK A LOT OF FOLKS [20:16] ARE SKEPTICAL OR CYNICAL ABOUT [20:18] THE WHOLE THING. [20:19] WE'LL PUT TO THE SIDE CORNYN'S [20:21] NEWFOUND CONSTITUTIONAL [20:22] RESPONSIBILITY. [20:23] WE CAN DO IT IN THREE MINUTES. [20:26] BUT FOR NOW, WHAT'S HAPPENING [20:28] HERE AND DO YOU SEE THIS AS A [20:30] TYPE OF PROGRESS? [20:32] LOOK, IT IS, AS YOU SAID, IT IS [20:35] A LOSS, EVEN IF ULTIMATELY HE [20:39] IS CONFIRMED, YOU KNOW, IN SHORT [20:42] ORDER OR UPON, YOU KNOW, A NEW [20:45] SENATE, IF THE SENATE IS STILL [20:48] CONTROLLED BY REPUBLICANS, IT IS [20:50] STILL A LOSS. [20:51] BUT HAVING SAID THAT, THE IDEA [20:55] WHEN YOU HAVE SENATOR THUNE AND [20:57] OTHERS WILLING TO CONFIRM [20:59] SOMEBODY, WHERE THE HILL THAT [21:04] TWO SENATORS HAVE CHOSEN TO DIE [21:06] ON, WHERE THEY HAVE DRAWN THE [21:07] LINE, IS SUCH SMALL POTATOES. [21:11] THIS IS SOMEBODY WHO HAS [21:14] SUBPOENAED THE NEW YORK TIMES [21:16] AND HIS OWN LAWYERS HAVE HAD TO [21:19] GO TO COURT AND SAID, WE MADE [21:21] MISTAKE AFTER MISTAKE AND WE [21:22] DIDN'T EVEN READ THE LEADING CASE [21:24] ON POINT AND SO WE'RE IN [21:26] VIOLATION OF LAW. [21:27] AND THEN THE DEPARTMENT OF [21:29] JUSTICE ISSUES A PRESS STATEMENT [21:31] SAYING THAT THE JUDGE IS WRONG. [21:33] AFTER A COURT APPEARANCE WHERE [21:34] THEY WERE, THEY HAD TO ADMIT [21:36] OVER AND OVER AGAIN HOW THEY, IT [21:38] WAS THE DEPARTMENT THAT VIOLATED [21:40] THE LAW. [21:41] YOU HAVE TODD BLANCH, DEPARTMENT [21:43] OF JUSTICE, TRYING TO INDICT SIX [21:45] SITTING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. [21:47] YOU HAVE THEM TRYING TO OPEN A [21:49] CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO [21:51] JEROME POWELL AND THE FEDERAL [21:53] RESERVE. [21:54] YOU HAVE THEM IN VIOLATION OF THE [21:56] EPSTEIN TRANSPARENCY ACT. [21:57] YOU HAVE A FEDERAL JUDGE WHO [21:59] SAID THAT MR. OBRIGO GARCIO WAS [22:01] VINDICTIVELY PROSECUTED AND [22:03] LAYING THE BLAME CLEARLY OVER [22:05] AND OVER AGAIN AT THE FEET OF [22:07] TODD BLANCH AND YOU HAVE A [22:09] FEDERAL JUDGE WHO HAS REFERRED [22:11] TODD BLANCH AND WHAT THE BAD [22:13] FAITH CONDUCT IN CONTECTION WITH [22:15] THIS SO-CALLED SETTLEMENT SLUSH [22:17] FUND TO THE BAR ASSOCIATION FOR [22:20] THE NOMINEE TO BE THE HEAD OF [22:22] THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND YET [22:25] YOU HAVE JUST TWO REPUBLICAN [22:28] SENATORS SAYING THAT THERE IS A [22:30] PROBLEM. [22:31] PARAPHRASE TUCKER CARLSON AS I [22:33] WANT TO DO. [22:34] WE HAD BIG PUN EARLIER QUOTED IN [22:36] THE SHOW BUT TUCKER SAID ABOUT [22:38] THIS MOMENT IN THE TRUMP [22:40] AREA VERY ACCURATELY AND WE'RE [22:42] SUPPOSED TO PRETEND THIS IS [22:43] NORMAL? [22:44] THERE IS NOTHING NORMAL OR IN [22:46] BOUNDS ABOUT THIS KIND OF [22:48] ATTORNEY GENERAL AND WHETHER [22:49] PEOPLE LIKE TO HEAR IT OR NOT [22:51] THE PRESIDENT IS FULLY [22:52] ENTITLED TO NOMINATE A [22:54] QUALIFIED ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO [22:56] HAS STRONG CONSERVATIVE POLICY [22:57] VIEWS. [22:58] ABSOLUTELY. [22:59] JEFF SESSIONS WAS AT THE TIME [23:01] ONE OF THE MOST RIGHT-WIN [23:02] VOTING MEMBERS OF THE SENATE [23:03] BUT HE DID BY ALL ACCOUNTS [23:05] FOLLOW THE DOJ RULES AND WENT [23:07] THROUGH A CONFIRMATION [23:08] PROCESS. [23:09] HERE YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO AS [23:11] YOU'RE POINTING OUT IS ALREADY [23:13] ON A RAMPAGE AGAINST THE RULE OF [23:14] LAW, AGAINST THE FIRST [23:15] AMENDMENT, THE FOURTH AMENDMENT [23:16] PROBABLY DEPENDING ON HOW YOU [23:18] VIEW ABUSE AND A HECK OF A LOT OF [23:22] OTHER RIGHTS AND RULES. [23:24] SO YOU KIND OF SAY, YEAH, TO GET [23:27] BACK TO THE CORNIN OF IT, IF I [23:29] CAN NERD OUT WITH YOU. [23:30] YEAH. [23:31] IF THIS FLIES, THEN WHAT THE [23:35] HECK? [23:36] I WANT TO PLAY A LITTLE BIT OF [23:38] THIS WAS TRUMP AND CORNIN [23:39] BECAUSE THIS HAS BECOME THEIR [23:41] STANDOFF. [23:42] MAYBE YOU HAVE SAID THAT THE [23:47] WEAPONIZATION FUND IS A MOOT [23:49] ISSUE. [23:50] IS THAT YOUR POSITION? [23:53] THE TIME. [23:55] THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. [23:58] THIS IS ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT [24:03] EVEN IF YOU'RE THE PRESIDENT OF [24:04] THE UNITED STATES, YOU DON'T GET [24:06] FAVORABLE TERMS FROM THE [24:08] GOVERNMENT IN A SETTLEMENT OF A [24:10] LAWSUIT THAT ORDINARY CITIZENS [24:11] WOULD NOT GET. [24:12] YOU KNOW, IT'S A COMBINATION OF [24:15] LAWYER-EES AND WASHINGTON-EES. [24:16] THE WAY HE SAYS THAT, I MEAN, I [24:18] HAVE IT WRITTEN HERE. [24:19] YOU DON'T GET FAVORABLE TERMS [24:20] FROM THE GOVERNMENT IN A [24:21] LAWSUIT THAT ORDINARY CITIZENS [24:23] WOULD NOT GET. [24:24] NO. [24:25] YOU DON'T GET TO CORRUPT THE [24:27] ENTIRE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO DO [24:28] SELF-ENRICHMENT THAT CAN [24:30] ENDANGER THE PUBLIC GOOD. [24:31] YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. [24:32] REMEMBER, THE GENERAL RELEASE [24:34] THAT IS AN ISSUE HERE WAS SIGNED [24:36] BY ONE AND ONLY ONE PERSON, [24:38] TODD BLANCH. [24:39] TODD BLANCH. [24:40] YEAH. [24:41] AND TODD BLANCH AT HIS [24:43] CONFIRMATION HEARING MADE IT [24:44] ABSOLUTELY CLEAR AND FRANKLY TO [24:46] HIS CREDIT THAT HE IS NO ELLIOTT [24:48] RICHARDSON THAT THE WAY HE IS [24:50] GOING TO RUN THIS JUSTICE [24:51] DEPARTMENT IS IF THE PRESIDENT [24:53] SAYS I SHOULD DO IT, I'M GOING [24:55] TO DO IT, PERIOD, THE END. [24:57] YOU KNOW, ELLIOTT RICHARDSON [24:58] FAMOUSLY WAS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL [25:01] WHO SAID WHEN RICHARD NIXON SAID [25:03] FIRE THE SPECIAL COUNSEL, [25:04] ARCHIPAULT COX, HE SAID NO, I'M [25:07] NOT GOING TO DO IT. [25:08] FIND YOURSELF ANOTHER PATSI TO [25:09] DO THAT. [25:10] TODD BLANCH MADE IT VERY CLEAR [25:12] AND FRANKLY NOW THE REPORTING [25:13] ON WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN [25:14] CONNECTION WITH THIS NEW JAMES [25:16] COMEY INDICTMENT, THAT'S [25:17] EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED WHERE [25:18] THE WHITE HOUSE WAS BEHIND ALL [25:20] OF IT. [25:21] AND HE IS SAYING THAT IS THE NEW [25:23] MODEL. [25:24] I AM THROWING OUT THE SORT OF [25:26] TRADITIONAL REPUBLICAN [25:28] AND DEMOCRATIC MODEL POST [25:30] WATERGATE IS NOT HOW TODD BLANCH [25:32] IS GOING TO RUN THIS. [25:33] AGAIN, THAT SHOULD BE, JUST TO [25:36] GET BACK TO SORT OF THIS IDEA [25:37] OF NORMALIZATION OF IT, THAT [25:39] SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT [25:41] REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC [25:42] SENATORS SHOULD BE SAYING NO TO [25:45] BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THE NEXT [25:46] PRESIDENT CAN BE A DEMOCRAT AND [25:48] IT WILL BE JUST AS BAD IF THE [25:50] DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS JUST [25:52] DOING WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE IS [25:54] SAYING THAT YOU SHOULD DO IN [25:55] TERMS OF WHO TO PROSECUTE AND [25:56] WHO NOT TO PROSECUTE. [25:57] THAT SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT [25:59] PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO [26:01] COALESS AROUND. [26:02] WELL, AND WE STARTED WITH SORT [26:03] OF THE POLITICAL STANDOFF [26:04] HERE, WHICH I STILL WANT TO [26:05] BUTTON UP SO FOLKS UNDERSTAND [26:06] WHAT TRUMP IS BETTING ON. [26:08] BUT FACED WITH A QUESTION ABOUT [26:10] THE REPUBLICAN GAMES AND THIS [26:11] PLAN, YOU DOVE DEEPER INTO THE [26:12] SUBSTANCE AND WHERE WE SHOULD [26:13] BE. [26:14] YOU ARE THE EMBODIMENT OF THE [26:16] OPPOSITE OF CLICK BAIT, ANDREW. [26:17] WE HAVE THE THING HERE AND YOU [26:19] GO, LET'S GET TO THE POINT OF [26:20] IT. [26:21] WE NEED THAT. [26:22] WE HAVE ENOUGH CLICK BAIT I [26:23] WOULD ARGUE. [26:24] IT'S THE NEW CLICK BAIT. [26:25] ANDREW STAYS AND WE ARE GOING TO [26:28] TALK ABOUT WHAT THE ACTUAL PLAN IS [26:29] IF TRUMP LOSES HERE AND MAKES [26:31] GOOD ON HIS PLAN B TO PUNT THIS [26:32] TO NEXT YEAR. [26:33] WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK. [26:35] WE JUST WATCHED SOMETHING [26:36] ALREADY? [26:37] WHAT IS THE PASSWORD? [26:38] WAIT, ARE WE STILL USING YOUR [26:45] BROTHER'S ACCOUNT? [26:46] WE DON'T NEED ONE. [26:48] FANDANGO, STREAM FREE WITH NO [26:51] BOGGIN REQUIRED. [26:52] ON OUR PODCAST, CLOCK IT, WE [26:55] ARE POSITIONING OURSELVES AT [26:58] THE INTERSECTION OF CULTURES. [26:59] THE PRESIDENT'S VOTE FOR [27:01] HIS ATTORNEY GENERAL NOMINEE, [27:04] TODD BLANCH, WAS SCHEDULED FOR [27:06] TODAY AND CANCELLED, DERAILING A [27:08] PROCESS THAT HAS SORT OF TAKEN ON [27:10] A LIFE OF ITS OWN. [27:11] ANDREW WEISSMAN IS BACK WITH US. [27:12] SO TRUMP SAYS, ALL RIGHT, IF I [27:14] CAN'T WIN BACK THESE REPUBLICANS [27:15] WHO HAVE THESE LOW STANDARDS YOU [27:17] ALREADY DISCUSSED, THEY WON'T [27:18] EVEN MEET THEM, HE SAYS, OH, [27:20] WE'LL JUST LEAVE BLANCH'S ACTING [27:22] AG AND NEXT YEAR I'LL GET NEW [27:26] REPUBLICAN SENATORS HE EXPECTS TO [27:27] REPLACE THESE ONES TO VOTE WITH [27:29] HIM. [27:30] THAT MEANS THEY WOULD HOLD THE [27:32] SENATE. [27:33] WHAT DO YOU VIEW AS TRUMP'S [27:34] CALCULATION HERE AND HOW WOULD [27:35] THIS ACTUALLY WORK? [27:36] SO THERE ARE A COUPLE THINGS. [27:38] ONE, HE CAN BET ON THE FACT THAT [27:41] THE REPUBLICANS WILL HOLD THE [27:43] SENATE. [27:44] BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S A RISK. [27:45] YEAH, WHO KNOWS. [27:46] IT MAY NOT HAPPEN, IN WHICH CASE [27:48] YOU COULD EASILY IMAGINE THE [27:50] DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY SAYING NO [27:53] YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU HAVE TO HAVE [27:56] SOMEBODY WHO IS MORE MODERATE. [27:58] FOR INSTANCE, SOMEBODY WHO [27:59] BELIEVES IN THE POST-WATERGATE [28:01] NORM OF BEING INDEPENDENT OR WHO [28:03] DOESN'T SEEK TO INDICTE SIX [28:05] MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FOR [28:07] ASSERTING SOMETHING THAT'S [28:09] PROTECTED BY THE FIRST [28:10] AMENDMENT. [28:11] THAT COULD GO ON AND ON. [28:12] YEAH. [28:13] SO THAT'S ONE. [28:15] TWO, HE COULD, IF, EVEN IF THE [28:19] REPUBLICANS LOSE THE SENATE, HE [28:21] CAN KEEP THE ACTING ATTORNEY [28:25] GENERAL AS ACTING FOR AS LONG AS [28:28] POSSIBLE. [28:29] AND THERE IS A LOT OF [28:30] COMPLICATION ABOUT THE LAW WHEN [28:31] WE COULD REALLY NERD OUT ON THAT [28:33] ISSUE. [28:34] BUT YOU BASICALLY THINK HE'S [28:35] LOOKING AT WHAT IS RIGHT NOW A [28:36] LOSS, SO HE'S PUNTING AND SAYING [28:38] MAYBE IT WON'T BE A LOSS LATER, [28:40] WHICH IS VERY TRUMP. [28:41] RIGHT. [28:42] IT MAY NOT BE A LOSS LATER. [28:43] I CAN KEEP WHO I WANT NOW IN AN [28:46] ACTING POSITION. [28:47] THAT'S FOR SURE, THAT HE CAN [28:48] KEEP HIM IN THAT. [28:49] BUT THERE STILL IS THE MARK, [28:51] RIGHT, WHICH IS THAT HE WANTED [28:52] SOMETHING THAT WAS DENIED AND [28:54] DENIED, AS YOU SAID, BY A [28:57] REPUBLICAN-MAJORITY SENATE. [28:59] AND SO, IN MANY WAYS, THIS IS [29:01] SORT OF PAYBACK, WHICH IS, YOU [29:03] KNOW, YOU HAVE TWO SENATORS WHO [29:05] YOU CROSSED, AND NOW THEY ARE [29:07] ACTUALLY DOING WHAT THEY SHOULD [29:09] HAVE DONE ALL ALONG. [29:10] BUT AT LEAST THEY ARE DOING IT [29:12] NOW. [29:13] THE OTHER THING, THERE IS A THIRD [29:14] OPTION, WHICH, YOU KNOW, I HAVE [29:16] NO IDEA WHETHER HE WOULD DO IT, [29:17] BUT HE COULD SAY, IS THERE [29:19] SOMEBODY ELSE WHO I CAN PUT UP [29:23] IN THIS POSITION? [29:24] NOW, IT'S UNCLEAR WHETHER THAT [29:26] WOULD... [29:27] IF THE TWO SENATORS ARE SAYING THE [29:29] REAL PROBLEM HERE IS THIS FUND AND [29:32] HOW IT WOULD BE USED, ANY NEW [29:34] PERSON WHO WAS PUT UP IS GOING TO [29:36] BE ASKED THE SAME QUESTIONS. [29:37] OH, YEAH. [29:38] BUT AGAIN, THEY BLUFF AND THEY [29:40] BLUFF AND THEY BLUFF AND THEN [29:41] WHEN THEY LOSE ON INTEL, HE [29:43] ULTIMATELY DID SWAP OUT A [29:44] PARTISAN WARRIOR PRETTY QUICKLY. [29:45] IF CORNYN IS NOT LYING, WHY [29:47] WOULD HE LIE? [29:48] RIGHT. [29:49] ON THIS OF ALL THINGS. [29:50] HE SAYS THERE ARE OTHER [29:51] REPUBLICAN SENATORS WHO HAVE THE [29:52] SAME VIEW AND ARE JUST HIDING [29:53] BEHIND HIM LIKE THE TOUR DE [29:55] FRANCE BIKERS. [29:56] SO WE'LL SEE WHETHER THAT [29:57] INCREASES. [29:58] ANDREW, ON A COUPLE OF SEGMENTS, [30:00] THANKS FOR JOINING US. [30:01] YOU'RE WELCOME. [30:02] APPRECIATE IT. [30:03] WHEN WE COME BACK, REV [30:05] SHARPTON RETURNS WITH A SPECIAL [30:06] GUEST ON THIS BACKLASH TO TRUMP'S [30:07] FREE SPEECH, CRACKDOWN.