Welcome to the Truth with Lisa Booth, where we cut to the heart of what matters to you. Today, we've got Matt Whitlock on this show. He's the host of Ten Minute Drill, a senior vice president at CRC Advisors, and he's also worked for National Republican Senatorial Committee Senator Mike Lee, a lot of people like that on Capitol Hill. We're going to impac the fallout from the devastating Texas floods.

Welcome to the Truth with Lisa Booth, where we cut to the heart of what matters to you. Today, we've got Matt Whitlock on this show. He's the host of Ten Minute Drill, a senior vice president at CRC Advisors, and he's also worked for National Republican Senatorial Committee Senator Mike Lee, a lot of people like that on Capitol Hill. We're going to impac the fallout from the devastating Texas floods.

Absolutely devastating.

Absolutely devastating.

So many young children have died in these floods, truly heartbreaking.

So many young children have died in these floods, truly heartbreaking.

But what are Democrats doing.

But what are Democrats doing.

They're trying to politicize this tragedy for political gains. So we'll get into that with Matt. Also, we're going to talk about the Big Beautiful Bill. If you look at parts of the bill they pull well, you know, people want border security, people want things like that, but overall the bill does struggle in pulling. So what does that look like for the midterms heading into them? For Republicans, you've got people like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries calling it a crime scene due to what he says or medicaid cuts.

They're trying to politicize this tragedy for political gains. So we'll get into that with Matt. Also, we're going to talk about the Big Beautiful Bill. If you look at parts of the bill they pull well, you know, people want border security, people want things like that, but overall the bill does struggle in pulling. So what does that look like for the midterms heading into them? For Republicans, you've got people like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries calling it a crime scene due to what he says or medicaid cuts.

So how do Republicans counteract that? What does that.

So how do Republicans counteract that? What does that.

Messaging need to look like, particularly when historically the party in charge does struggle in a midterm. I'm astly gonna ask Matt about a new victor. Davis Hansen op ed his scathing critique of America's experts and they're crumbling credibility.

Messaging need to look like, particularly when historically the party in charge does struggle in a midterm. I'm astly gonna ask Matt about a new victor. Davis Hansen op ed his scathing critique of America's experts and they're crumbling credibility.

So tune in.

So tune in.

We'll talk to Matt Whitlock about a lot of things and get his insight, particularly all his time in politics.

We'll talk to Matt Whitlock about a lot of things and get his insight, particularly all his time in politics.

So stay tuned for Matt Whitlock. Well, Matt Whitlock, It's great to have you on this show.

So stay tuned for Matt Whitlock. Well, Matt Whitlock, It's great to have you on this show.

I've known you for a little while now, so you have been doing hitting the TV circuit, but you've been on Capitol Hill for or you've worked on Capitol Hill in and around Washington, DC and politics for a long long time, and you know a lot.

I've known you for a little while now, so you have been doing hitting the TV circuit, but you've been on Capitol Hill for or you've worked on Capitol Hill in and around Washington, DC and politics for a long long time, and you know a lot.

So great to have you on the show. Appreciate you making the time.

So great to have you on the show. Appreciate you making the time.

Thanks for having me, big fan, big fan.

Thanks for having me, big fan, big fan.

Well, thank you.

Well, thank you.

You know, it's kind of disgusting because is you know, we're still finding out how many people have died in Central Texas. There's still you know, search and rescue recovery efforts that are underway.

You know, it's kind of disgusting because is you know, we're still finding out how many people have died in Central Texas. There's still you know, search and rescue recovery efforts that are underway.

Over ninety people have died.

Over ninety people have died.

That number are going to continue to climb, and yet Democrats are using this as an opportunity for politics. It really is.

That number are going to continue to climb, and yet Democrats are using this as an opportunity for politics. It really is.

It's gross. Yeah, really it's gross.

It's gross. Yeah, really it's gross.

And it begins with this sort of model of you know, let's blame Trump, let's figure out how he can pin this on him, and then you know, usually five to six hours go by and you get new data that shows, okay, wait, this wasn't Trump's fault. There actually was good staff and for the weather services. You get the people saying, oh, it's Trump's fault because he's ignoring climate change, and then you get the experts that are coming out and saying, no, actually, this is pretty similar to a pattern they've had for a long time. But it really is just gross to see again, as you said, they're still finding bodies and it already has become such a nasty political conversation. I think it just speaks to where our kind of political cultural dynamic is right now, which is really toxic.

And it begins with this sort of model of you know, let's blame Trump, let's figure out how he can pin this on him, and then you know, usually five to six hours go by and you get new data that shows, okay, wait, this wasn't Trump's fault. There actually was good staff and for the weather services. You get the people saying, oh, it's Trump's fault because he's ignoring climate change, and then you get the experts that are coming out and saying, no, actually, this is pretty similar to a pattern they've had for a long time. But it really is just gross to see again, as you said, they're still finding bodies and it already has become such a nasty political conversation. I think it just speaks to where our kind of political cultural dynamic is right now, which is really toxic.

Well's interesting too, because it's not just like the low brow Democrats who are just you know, completely gross and always taking cheap shots.

Well's interesting too, because it's not just like the low brow Democrats who are just you know, completely gross and always taking cheap shots.

It's also people like David Oxwrod.

It's also people like David Oxwrod.

Yep, yeah it is, and George Stephanopolis and even like Dana Bash, who I think actually tries pretty hard to be fair, had like a big segment right away was this climate change and did Trump do this? And it's like a lot of times when media people are asking questions like that, it's because they want to make the point, Yes, it is Trump's fault and this was climate change. And that's really really disappointing to see that. Again, like a lie travels around the world before the truth can get its shoes on. We see that so much because of those more prominent media figures.

Yep, yeah it is, and George Stephanopolis and even like Dana Bash, who I think actually tries pretty hard to be fair, had like a big segment right away was this climate change and did Trump do this? And it's like a lot of times when media people are asking questions like that, it's because they want to make the point, Yes, it is Trump's fault and this was climate change. And that's really really disappointing to see that. Again, like a lie travels around the world before the truth can get its shoes on. We see that so much because of those more prominent media figures.

But it's like it's sad in an environment like this, you know, to sort of immediately turn to politics. But it's kind of just where we are politically at this point in the country, where like the hatred for Trump is so great that it supersedes human decency to you know, focus on what's in court right now, which is finding you know, these young girls, of trying to find you know, you know, to try to rescue people, to recover people as well, and so you know that the supersedes all else.

But it's like it's sad in an environment like this, you know, to sort of immediately turn to politics. But it's kind of just where we are politically at this point in the country, where like the hatred for Trump is so great that it supersedes human decency to you know, focus on what's in court right now, which is finding you know, these young girls, of trying to find you know, you know, to try to rescue people, to recover people as well, and so you know that the supersedes all else.

It reminds me a lot of how democrats react to like, you know, gun violence. It's always immediately, you know, how can we blame the NRA and whatever lawmakers are not angry enough about the NRA before we even know the facts on the ground, They've set up this sort of knee jerk reactionary machine to inject politics before we know any facts. And often, you know, based on the circumstances of the shooting, it will disappear from media as soon as details come out. But that's exact same thing we're seeing with Texas, with you know, how can we blame Trump, How can we blame you know, Republican involvement before we even know so much of how this happened. I think, to your point, it's really tragic.

It reminds me a lot of how democrats react to like, you know, gun violence. It's always immediately, you know, how can we blame the NRA and whatever lawmakers are not angry enough about the NRA before we even know the facts on the ground, They've set up this sort of knee jerk reactionary machine to inject politics before we know any facts. And often, you know, based on the circumstances of the shooting, it will disappear from media as soon as details come out. But that's exact same thing we're seeing with Texas, with you know, how can we blame Trump, How can we blame you know, Republican involvement before we even know so much of how this happened. I think, to your point, it's really tragic.

Well, and of course, you know they're turning into Doge cuts and you know, any sort of reduction in spending, you know they're they're going to sort of use US is a political weapon in times like these, So you know, this is not the last we're going to see of this moving forward. Essentially, every you know, any tragedy is going to be blamed on, you know, Doge in any sort of spending reductions that we do.

Well, and of course, you know they're turning into Doge cuts and you know, any sort of reduction in spending, you know they're they're going to sort of use US is a political weapon in times like these, So you know, this is not the last we're going to see of this moving forward. Essentially, every you know, any tragedy is going to be blamed on, you know, Doge in any sort of spending reductions that we do.

And the White House is already sort of setting up a model to work in overtime to refute that they're doing a good job at this. But again, by the time, you know, they're able to sort of get the facts out there and highlight the local experts who are saying everything these you know, more politically minded left wing people are saying is crap, like it's it's you know, unfortunate. How many people already have the cemented narratives. But you're totally right, this is going to be a case all the time where we get one day of insane news about look at what Trump and Elon let happen before we find out, oh, actually it wasn't connected to that at all.

And the White House is already sort of setting up a model to work in overtime to refute that they're doing a good job at this. But again, by the time, you know, they're able to sort of get the facts out there and highlight the local experts who are saying everything these you know, more politically minded left wing people are saying is crap, like it's it's you know, unfortunate. How many people already have the cemented narratives. But you're totally right, this is going to be a case all the time where we get one day of insane news about look at what Trump and Elon let happen before we find out, oh, actually it wasn't connected to that at all.

I think it's a huge.

I think it's a huge.

Problem, and they're going to do this with the Big Beautiful Bill as well. Heading into the midterms, We've already seen, you know, House Minority Leader Keem Jefferies say things on the House floor like people will die tens of thousands, perhaps year after year as a result of the Republican assault is what he's calling it on the healthcare of the American people. You've got the D Triple C saying that you know, they're going to go up with ads against Republicans already really sort of laying the groundwork that the Big Beautiful Bill is going to be a rallying cry for the left.

Problem, and they're going to do this with the Big Beautiful Bill as well. Heading into the midterms, We've already seen, you know, House Minority Leader Keem Jefferies say things on the House floor like people will die tens of thousands, perhaps year after year as a result of the Republican assault is what he's calling it on the healthcare of the American people. You've got the D Triple C saying that you know, they're going to go up with ads against Republicans already really sort of laying the groundwork that the Big Beautiful Bill is going to be a rallying cry for the left.

How do you think that will go politically?

How do you think that will go politically?

So I was in the Senate in twenty seventeen when we passed the Trump tax cuts, which also included the end of the Obamacare individual mandate, and I remember at that time we had really really similar, you know, doom warnings. You know, everyone's gonna die, people will you know, be destitute, and there will be huge problems and giant deficits. And almost every single one of those predictions ended.

So I was in the Senate in twenty seventeen when we passed the Trump tax cuts, which also included the end of the Obamacare individual mandate, and I remember at that time we had really really similar, you know, doom warnings. You know, everyone's gonna die, people will you know, be destitute, and there will be huge problems and giant deficits. And almost every single one of those predictions ended.

Up being wrong.

Up being wrong.

But what's unfortunate is those predictions and the sort of machine behind them limit what people are actually willing to do from a policy sense, because they're so worried of the marches and the activists who come in and say, you know, you've got blood on your hands for this policy. But when you look at the big, beautiful bill itself, particularly the Medicaid and Snap components that Democrats are so hyper focused on, these are eligibility requirements, and when you break down the numbers of who's going to lose care, it is overwhelmingly that people who should not be on these programs in the first place, whether it's illegal immigrants, which we know more than a million illegal immigrants are getting Medicaid right now. But even more than that, it's the able bodied video gamers. And we have data to show that the number of able bodied young adults with no dependents, who don't have a disability, they are playing more video games and doing more TV video watching, streaming than your average person because they have a free time. Those are millions and millions of people that we shouldn't want on the program. And when you look at the fact that there's about thirty five million people in the country right now below the poverty line and seventy million people on Medicaid, the math just doesn't add up. And so there should be a vehicle to get people off these programs, these safety net programs who shouldn't be on them. And when I hear Democrats talk about, you know, fifty thousand people will die a year because of these work requirements things like that, I have to point out. We know right now there's about seven hundred thousand people on waiting lists for Medicaid hiring community based services for the type of home care. But so many people with severe disabilities need they can't get it because they have to compete against these able bodied young men who shouldn't be on Medicaid in the first place. And the wait time for all these services is up to forty months, which again sounds like Europe.

But what's unfortunate is those predictions and the sort of machine behind them limit what people are actually willing to do from a policy sense, because they're so worried of the marches and the activists who come in and say, you know, you've got blood on your hands for this policy. But when you look at the big, beautiful bill itself, particularly the Medicaid and Snap components that Democrats are so hyper focused on, these are eligibility requirements, and when you break down the numbers of who's going to lose care, it is overwhelmingly that people who should not be on these programs in the first place, whether it's illegal immigrants, which we know more than a million illegal immigrants are getting Medicaid right now. But even more than that, it's the able bodied video gamers. And we have data to show that the number of able bodied young adults with no dependents, who don't have a disability, they are playing more video games and doing more TV video watching, streaming than your average person because they have a free time. Those are millions and millions of people that we shouldn't want on the program. And when you look at the fact that there's about thirty five million people in the country right now below the poverty line and seventy million people on Medicaid, the math just doesn't add up. And so there should be a vehicle to get people off these programs, these safety net programs who shouldn't be on them. And when I hear Democrats talk about, you know, fifty thousand people will die a year because of these work requirements things like that, I have to point out. We know right now there's about seven hundred thousand people on waiting lists for Medicaid hiring community based services for the type of home care. But so many people with severe disabilities need they can't get it because they have to compete against these able bodied young men who shouldn't be on Medicaid in the first place. And the wait time for all these services is up to forty months, which again sounds like Europe.

It sounds like socialized medicine.

It sounds like socialized medicine.

And if it sounds like that to you, it's important because what Democrats have done with medicaid expansion and trying to make it more attractive for able body young men to jump on this is their project to create socialized medicine in America through medicaid by turning it into single pair and things like that. And so that's why this system sounds more and more like Europe and less like a free market system. And so again, these eligibility checks are incredibly popular, as are almost all the individual components of the.

And if it sounds like that to you, it's important because what Democrats have done with medicaid expansion and trying to make it more attractive for able body young men to jump on this is their project to create socialized medicine in America through medicaid by turning it into single pair and things like that. And so that's why this system sounds more and more like Europe and less like a free market system. And so again, these eligibility checks are incredibly popular, as are almost all the individual components of the.

Big beautiful bill.

Big beautiful bill.

But if you turn on the media, all you hear is doom and gloom about how this is going to hurt so many people and be a tax cut for the rich. The rich have the exact same tax cut or tax rate after this bill that they had before. Nothing is changing for them except the fact that the tax cuts that help the economy so much from twenty seventeen until.

But if you turn on the media, all you hear is doom and gloom about how this is going to hurt so many people and be a tax cut for the rich. The rich have the exact same tax cut or tax rate after this bill that they had before. Nothing is changing for them except the fact that the tax cuts that help the economy so much from twenty seventeen until.

Now are extended.

Now are extended.

And I do hope Republicans go on offense on the fact that every Democrat in Congress just voted for one of the biggest tax increases we've ever seen by opposing the extension of these incredibly popular tax cuts from twenty seventeen. So as you go point by point through this bill, the individual components are incredibly popular, and Republicans have their work cut out for them trying to erase the lies and dishonesty from Democrats in the media about the bill as a whole.

And I do hope Republicans go on offense on the fact that every Democrat in Congress just voted for one of the biggest tax increases we've ever seen by opposing the extension of these incredibly popular tax cuts from twenty seventeen. So as you go point by point through this bill, the individual components are incredibly popular, and Republicans have their work cut out for them trying to erase the lies and dishonesty from Democrats in the media about the bill as a whole.

We've got to take a quick commercial break more with Matt Whitlock on the other side. I do think there's a challenge in this sense, Like even if you look at some of the polling, like as you pointed out, the individual components, like you know, securing the border, things like that, those are popular and they pull well. But like at hole as a whole, the bill has not been pulling as popular. You know, you know, whether you know, a lot of the polling has been skewed over the years, but you know, Fox had a recent one where you know, fifty nine percent opposed it. There's been some other pulling as well on the totality.

We've got to take a quick commercial break more with Matt Whitlock on the other side. I do think there's a challenge in this sense, Like even if you look at some of the polling, like as you pointed out, the individual components, like you know, securing the border, things like that, those are popular and they pull well. But like at hole as a whole, the bill has not been pulling as popular. You know, you know, whether you know, a lot of the polling has been skewed over the years, but you know, Fox had a recent one where you know, fifty nine percent opposed it. There's been some other pulling as well on the totality.

Of the bill.

Of the bill.

Uh, you know, do you think there's a danger in just the largeness of it, of being able to sell it or do you think, you know, I guess, how do Republicans sell that? How do those how do they turn those numbers around heading into the midterms.

Uh, you know, do you think there's a danger in just the largeness of it, of being able to sell it or do you think, you know, I guess, how do Republicans sell that? How do those how do they turn those numbers around heading into the midterms.

That's such an important question.

That's such an important question.

I do think they have to break down what the bill is, they have to rebrand it. One way that they did it back in twenty seventeen was highlighting the individual benefits, particularly as companies saw their own you know, were able to keep more of their own money to pay their own employees they hired. They were able to pass on the benefits of that by expanding, by giving out bonuses to their employees, things like that. This will be a bill that needs to be told in story form as people go through and talk about the benefits to it. It is hard to message on a you know, near miss of catastrophe. It's hard to message on you almost just had this massive tax like it's still good policy and it's still important to do. But that is part of the reason this is such an uphill battle is conveying to people what their tax situation would have been if this didn't happen, that at the worst possible time, they would have seen an increase of fifteen hundred dollars a year on their tax bill and seeing all these other horrible fees go up, and so they do need to go on the road point by point and explain to people that there is something for everyone in this bill. You know, whether it's no tax on tips for somebody who's working, you know, hourly jobs or in the service industry, whether you're a senior talking about the deduction to your Social Security taxes, talking about as you said, immigration enforced continues to be one of the most popular things President Trump is working on. This gives a massive cash infusion to carry that out. Gun owners, the decrease on taxes for suppressors, that's a huge one they've been fighting on for years. It gets more and more niche as you go. But the point is there is something for everyone. In the downside that Dems are talking about are things that simply aren't going to materialize, particularly when you talk about these tens of thousands of deaths that didn't happen when we got rid of the individual mandate, and it's not going to happen because of eligibility checks that make Medicaid work better and longer for the people actually need it. So again, we do have our work cut out for us and selling this. But I also think it's going to be an exercise of seeing the bill come into play and realizing that there's been so much crying wolf from Democrats.

I do think they have to break down what the bill is, they have to rebrand it. One way that they did it back in twenty seventeen was highlighting the individual benefits, particularly as companies saw their own you know, were able to keep more of their own money to pay their own employees they hired. They were able to pass on the benefits of that by expanding, by giving out bonuses to their employees, things like that. This will be a bill that needs to be told in story form as people go through and talk about the benefits to it. It is hard to message on a you know, near miss of catastrophe. It's hard to message on you almost just had this massive tax like it's still good policy and it's still important to do. But that is part of the reason this is such an uphill battle is conveying to people what their tax situation would have been if this didn't happen, that at the worst possible time, they would have seen an increase of fifteen hundred dollars a year on their tax bill and seeing all these other horrible fees go up, and so they do need to go on the road point by point and explain to people that there is something for everyone in this bill. You know, whether it's no tax on tips for somebody who's working, you know, hourly jobs or in the service industry, whether you're a senior talking about the deduction to your Social Security taxes, talking about as you said, immigration enforced continues to be one of the most popular things President Trump is working on. This gives a massive cash infusion to carry that out. Gun owners, the decrease on taxes for suppressors, that's a huge one they've been fighting on for years. It gets more and more niche as you go. But the point is there is something for everyone. In the downside that Dems are talking about are things that simply aren't going to materialize, particularly when you talk about these tens of thousands of deaths that didn't happen when we got rid of the individual mandate, and it's not going to happen because of eligibility checks that make Medicaid work better and longer for the people actually need it. So again, we do have our work cut out for us and selling this. But I also think it's going to be an exercise of seeing the bill come into play and realizing that there's been so much crying wolf from Democrats.

Man.

Man.

I definitely think the medicaid aspect is going to be probably you know, the prickliest part about it. You know, we're kind of already seeing like Representative Chris Papas, who's running for Senate in New Hampshire, you know, going on earth least attempting to go on offense, saying that forty six thousand people in New Hampshire will lose their health insurance. I know there's been some Congressional Budget Office estimates, you know, saying millions of people.

I definitely think the medicaid aspect is going to be probably you know, the prickliest part about it. You know, we're kind of already seeing like Representative Chris Papas, who's running for Senate in New Hampshire, you know, going on earth least attempting to go on offense, saying that forty six thousand people in New Hampshire will lose their health insurance. I know there's been some Congressional Budget Office estimates, you know, saying millions of people.

Could lose coverage.

Could lose coverage.

So I do think that's probably like the biggest point of concern. Would you agree with that in terms of that's sort of like the biggest point of vulnerability potentially.

So I do think that's probably like the biggest point of concern. Would you agree with that in terms of that's sort of like the biggest point of vulnerability potentially.

I think it's the biggest point of vulnerability if people don't understand what the medicaid reforms in this bill actually were. And that's one thing I think Scott Besson, you know, on Sunday, did a really good job great.

I think it's the biggest point of vulnerability if people don't understand what the medicaid reforms in this bill actually were. And that's one thing I think Scott Besson, you know, on Sunday, did a really good job great.

I say, put him on.

I say, put him on.

TV every week, if not more, if you can the way that you described both the Medicaid eligibility check but also the misconception about Medicaid cuts. One thing that he pointed out that's so important here is Medicaid is going to continue to grow. It will still be about ten percent larger in ten years from now than it is right now. So it's not cuts to Medicaid as a program. It is trying to ensure that it doesn't continue to row so astronomically that we can't afford it in that it's not actually helping people. So when people like you know, Pappus or for example Amy Klovich a brought out a bunch of patients the week of the vote to say this person's Medicaid is at risk, and he brought out, for example, a dad with a disabled daughter to say her Medicaid is at risk, the reality is and I wish if our media was as aggressive fact checking Democrats as they are against Republicans, they would have pointed out nothing about this built risks that girl's medicaid. But what does risk her access to Medicaid is Democrats' insistence that she compete for care against illegal immigrants and people who are able bodied with no dependence and no disabilities who shouldn't be on the program in the first place. So again, the problem here is media has not fact checked Democrats on these numbers. They haven't fact checked Democrats on the fact that every time you hear a Democrat talk, they're tacking on another two or three million who are going to lose their health care without any actual sort of data behind it. They just kind of to keep expanding and expanding and expanding and hoping that nobody checks on it. And I mean, they've been lucky that nobody really has. But as you talk about how this is actually going to work taking people off, about eighty percent of the country believes there's fraudway it's going to be used in Medicaid, and about sixty five to seventy percent support the eligibility requirements. But what Democrats have convinced people is that Republicans are taking a chainsaw to the program so that people who actually need the program are going to lose it.

TV every week, if not more, if you can the way that you described both the Medicaid eligibility check but also the misconception about Medicaid cuts. One thing that he pointed out that's so important here is Medicaid is going to continue to grow. It will still be about ten percent larger in ten years from now than it is right now. So it's not cuts to Medicaid as a program. It is trying to ensure that it doesn't continue to row so astronomically that we can't afford it in that it's not actually helping people. So when people like you know, Pappus or for example Amy Klovich a brought out a bunch of patients the week of the vote to say this person's Medicaid is at risk, and he brought out, for example, a dad with a disabled daughter to say her Medicaid is at risk, the reality is and I wish if our media was as aggressive fact checking Democrats as they are against Republicans, they would have pointed out nothing about this built risks that girl's medicaid. But what does risk her access to Medicaid is Democrats' insistence that she compete for care against illegal immigrants and people who are able bodied with no dependence and no disabilities who shouldn't be on the program in the first place. So again, the problem here is media has not fact checked Democrats on these numbers. They haven't fact checked Democrats on the fact that every time you hear a Democrat talk, they're tacking on another two or three million who are going to lose their health care without any actual sort of data behind it. They just kind of to keep expanding and expanding and expanding and hoping that nobody checks on it. And I mean, they've been lucky that nobody really has. But as you talk about how this is actually going to work taking people off, about eighty percent of the country believes there's fraudway it's going to be used in Medicaid, and about sixty five to seventy percent support the eligibility requirements. But what Democrats have convinced people is that Republicans are taking a chainsaw to the program so that people who actually need the program are going to lose it.

But that's just not the case.

But that's just not the case.

The reality is the people that are going to lose Medicaid are the people that shouldn't be on it in the first place. That's going to make it work so much better for the people actually need it. And Republicans have to keep following the lead of people like Scott Besson and getting out there shouting it from the rooftops, even holding media accountable for letting Democrats get away with so much dishonesty on this topic.

The reality is the people that are going to lose Medicaid are the people that shouldn't be on it in the first place. That's going to make it work so much better for the people actually need it. And Republicans have to keep following the lead of people like Scott Besson and getting out there shouting it from the rooftops, even holding media accountable for letting Democrats get away with so much dishonesty on this topic.

Well, I do you think the difference now between you know, when we're getting hit with the Path to Prosperities stuff with Paul Ryan. You know, the difference now is Trump right, and the Republican Party has become a lot more aggressive under him, a lot you know, like gone are the days of Oh, a binder is full of women, you know, like with Roney, it's like we're just you know, Trump has sort of encouraged the Republican Party to be you know, hit back a little bit more strong, you know strong.

Well, I do you think the difference now between you know, when we're getting hit with the Path to Prosperities stuff with Paul Ryan. You know, the difference now is Trump right, and the Republican Party has become a lot more aggressive under him, a lot you know, like gone are the days of Oh, a binder is full of women, you know, like with Roney, it's like we're just you know, Trump has sort of encouraged the Republican Party to be you know, hit back a little bit more strong, you know strong.

Uh. You know, it's interesting.

Uh. You know, it's interesting.

I worked for Tommy Thompson, who was sort of like the pioneer of medicaid reform in Wisconsin with Wisconsin Works. You know, Bill Clinton actually copied his model when he was president to reform medicaid and it was a positive for the state of Wisconsin. I mean, the caseloads declined by more than ninety percent for welfare and the economic status of those that are part of Wisconsin Works improved, So you know, it was to the benefit of the individuals involved with sort of the work requirements as part of that reform. So, you know, I viewed that aspect is definitely as a positive and really all of it. It's just you know, obviously we're talking about the politics of things. I wanted to ask you, Victory Davis Hansen had an interesting article talking about how, you know, everyone just keeps getting things wrong in the age of Trump, whether it's tariffs, whether it's saying that we're going to enter into World War three, if President Trump engaged with Iran. You know, the list goes on and on, and he blames like the universities for you know, sort of waging this war against free thinkers, free speech, free expression.

I worked for Tommy Thompson, who was sort of like the pioneer of medicaid reform in Wisconsin with Wisconsin Works. You know, Bill Clinton actually copied his model when he was president to reform medicaid and it was a positive for the state of Wisconsin. I mean, the caseloads declined by more than ninety percent for welfare and the economic status of those that are part of Wisconsin Works improved, So you know, it was to the benefit of the individuals involved with sort of the work requirements as part of that reform. So, you know, I viewed that aspect is definitely as a positive and really all of it. It's just you know, obviously we're talking about the politics of things. I wanted to ask you, Victory Davis Hansen had an interesting article talking about how, you know, everyone just keeps getting things wrong in the age of Trump, whether it's tariffs, whether it's saying that we're going to enter into World War three, if President Trump engaged with Iran. You know, the list goes on and on, and he blames like the universities for you know, sort of waging this war against free thinkers, free speech, free expression.

Do you sort of agree with that assessment.

Do you sort of agree with that assessment.

I guess part of me thinks too, it's like this Trump derangement syndrome that you know, previously smart people are now blinded to any sort of objectivity. But you know what, do you think sort of that source of why the experts continue to just be so blatantly wrong.

I guess part of me thinks too, it's like this Trump derangement syndrome that you know, previously smart people are now blinded to any sort of objectivity. But you know what, do you think sort of that source of why the experts continue to just be so blatantly wrong.

I think that's such a good question.

I think that's such a good question.

And for one, I read everything to David Santsili, so I think he's so smart. But he also just has such a long view of these cultural conversations that I think are so important. This reminds me a lot of a conversation that we've been having, you know, particularly with media for the last week, with pulling about fourth of July, showing that people no longer are as proud to be Americans. And to me, that goes back to the university system, and it goes back to the education system, that is, you know, convincing young people that America is a problem that we need to sort of put our you know, the ugliest parts of our history to the forefront when we educate kids and then are surprised that more people aren't proud to be Americans. And I think with Trump too, when your north star is criticizing an individual, it gets impossible to see the forest for the trees. And that's what we've seen both, you know, from kids coming out of school, academia, Hollywood.

And for one, I read everything to David Santsili, so I think he's so smart. But he also just has such a long view of these cultural conversations that I think are so important. This reminds me a lot of a conversation that we've been having, you know, particularly with media for the last week, with pulling about fourth of July, showing that people no longer are as proud to be Americans. And to me, that goes back to the university system, and it goes back to the education system, that is, you know, convincing young people that America is a problem that we need to sort of put our you know, the ugliest parts of our history to the forefront when we educate kids and then are surprised that more people aren't proud to be Americans. And I think with Trump too, when your north star is criticizing an individual, it gets impossible to see the forest for the trees. And that's what we've seen both, you know, from kids coming out of school, academia, Hollywood.

If your north star is this guy is bad.

If your north star is this guy is bad.

I mean, some of the things we've seen from Democrats the last six months just knee jerk reaction to anything Trump does puts them in some pretty bizarre positions. And I think, you know, a version of this is the Abrago Garcia conversation. The fact that you had Democrats, you know, flying Tel Salvador to have margaritas with a guy who is a serial wife abuser, likely involved in human traffick, likely involved in gangland murders, doing this just because they needed to oppose Trump. And that has trickled down to such a huge part of our society that view the urgency of opposing anything Trump does as more important than being right, being you know, having good sound policy and ideas about our country or history anything like that.

I mean, some of the things we've seen from Democrats the last six months just knee jerk reaction to anything Trump does puts them in some pretty bizarre positions. And I think, you know, a version of this is the Abrago Garcia conversation. The fact that you had Democrats, you know, flying Tel Salvador to have margaritas with a guy who is a serial wife abuser, likely involved in human traffick, likely involved in gangland murders, doing this just because they needed to oppose Trump. And that has trickled down to such a huge part of our society that view the urgency of opposing anything Trump does as more important than being right, being you know, having good sound policy and ideas about our country or history anything like that.

And it really does worry.

And it really does worry.

Mean, I think it's a huge problem, and I think Victor nails it when he talks about what this means for you know, free expression and the future of our society. But you've got to have more people like Victor, Davis, Hanson, Elon Musk others who are creating those universes where it's okay to say what you believe, it's okay to push back, you can be comfortable, you know, going against the grain with what pop culture and everybody else is saying about things.

Mean, I think it's a huge problem, and I think Victor nails it when he talks about what this means for you know, free expression and the future of our society. But you've got to have more people like Victor, Davis, Hanson, Elon Musk others who are creating those universes where it's okay to say what you believe, it's okay to push back, you can be comfortable, you know, going against the grain with what pop culture and everybody else is saying about things.

You know, the Brego Garcia situation is wild to me that they decided to to, you know, go full throttle for a marilynd Man from a Salvador who you know, we at least who has been alleged by the federal government of being a human smuggler, among other things.

You know, the Brego Garcia situation is wild to me that they decided to to, you know, go full throttle for a marilynd Man from a Salvador who you know, we at least who has been alleged by the federal government of being a human smuggler, among other things.

It's did not have that my bano card quick break, stay with us.

It's did not have that my bano card quick break, stay with us.

Do you think, you know Elon wanting to launch this new party, the America Party. He says that it's going to be pro gun, pro bitcoin, pro free speech, et cetera, et cetera. I mean, a lot of those issues are you know, issues that our voters care about, that Republicans care about. You know, we're already looking at a midterm where traditionally the party in charge, or historically the party in charge loses seats. We don't have a lot of seats to lose, particularly in the House. You know, how will this formation of a new party impact us in the midterms, which historically could already be tough for us.

Do you think, you know Elon wanting to launch this new party, the America Party. He says that it's going to be pro gun, pro bitcoin, pro free speech, et cetera, et cetera. I mean, a lot of those issues are you know, issues that our voters care about, that Republicans care about. You know, we're already looking at a midterm where traditionally the party in charge, or historically the party in charge loses seats. We don't have a lot of seats to lose, particularly in the House. You know, how will this formation of a new party impact us in the midterms, which historically could already be tough for us.

You know, I am somebody who actually likes Elon. I have a lot of association for.

You know, I am somebody who actually likes Elon. I have a lot of association for.

The con stations he started, whether it's doze and actually, you know, pulling back the layers to understand the terrible things our government's funding. I think the work he did on that is critical. People will say, oh, he didn't cut enough, or the top line numbers weren't enough. He started a conversation that was really really important that will be carried out for years.

The con stations he started, whether it's doze and actually, you know, pulling back the layers to understand the terrible things our government's funding. I think the work he did on that is critical. People will say, oh, he didn't cut enough, or the top line numbers weren't enough. He started a conversation that was really really important that will be carried out for years.

But also free speech.

But also free speech.

What he's done with Twitter and making it a platform where people could actually, you know, talk and have conversations. Obviously there's conversations about the technical side of it, but I think pushing back a big tech is critical. So again, I appreciate so much of what he's done. I also understand his frustration with the two party system. I feel that way constantly. But I think what he's going to find here is creating a third party that is disproportionately conservative is only going to help the people that want to throw him in jail, the people that want to investigate him and his companies, the people that cheered for the failure of his stock prices, and the people who firebombed his dealerships, because they will be the beneficiaries when he splinters a party that overwhelming he agrees with. And I think that's the challenge here there's not an actual constituency that supports all of his exact priorities to a t. It's always going to be broken up, and right now those break broken up parts are going to fall between one party or the other. And unless Democrats also had multiple parties of their own, different fractions of liberals and we have the sort of European you know, four or five party system where you build coalitions, Elon's is just going to create a Democrat supermajority.

What he's done with Twitter and making it a platform where people could actually, you know, talk and have conversations. Obviously there's conversations about the technical side of it, but I think pushing back a big tech is critical. So again, I appreciate so much of what he's done. I also understand his frustration with the two party system. I feel that way constantly. But I think what he's going to find here is creating a third party that is disproportionately conservative is only going to help the people that want to throw him in jail, the people that want to investigate him and his companies, the people that cheered for the failure of his stock prices, and the people who firebombed his dealerships, because they will be the beneficiaries when he splinters a party that overwhelming he agrees with. And I think that's the challenge here there's not an actual constituency that supports all of his exact priorities to a t. It's always going to be broken up, and right now those break broken up parts are going to fall between one party or the other. And unless Democrats also had multiple parties of their own, different fractions of liberals and we have the sort of European you know, four or five party system where you build coalitions, Elon's is just going to create a Democrat supermajority.

And I think that he's probably going.

And I think that he's probably going.

To change course on this before he gets too far down the road as he considers what empowering that other side might do. I do hope that like he's able to course correct and see the challenges here before the sort of back and forth with President Trump gets too far, because I think that can you know, really ebb and flow, and it seems to be more on the side of like getting ugly again, which you know isn't really help of anyone. Again, Like, the other good thing that Elon did for us that I should have included is his financial support and organizing did have a huge role in us winning the majorities that we have in President Trump winning and I think it's going to counter all of that almost immediately to do this third party thing and help Democrats.

To change course on this before he gets too far down the road as he considers what empowering that other side might do. I do hope that like he's able to course correct and see the challenges here before the sort of back and forth with President Trump gets too far, because I think that can you know, really ebb and flow, and it seems to be more on the side of like getting ugly again, which you know isn't really help of anyone. Again, Like, the other good thing that Elon did for us that I should have included is his financial support and organizing did have a huge role in us winning the majorities that we have in President Trump winning and I think it's going to counter all of that almost immediately to do this third party thing and help Democrats.

Yeah, just I worry that sometimes when things enter into like the personal element that you know, then you sort of lose sight of oh, yeah, well we have all these things in common, because then it's just like, you know, I don't like this guy, and now we're at war type mentality exactly.

Yeah, just I worry that sometimes when things enter into like the personal element that you know, then you sort of lose sight of oh, yeah, well we have all these things in common, because then it's just like, you know, I don't like this guy, and now we're at war type mentality exactly.

That's a huge risk.

That's a huge risk.

Yeah, so I do worry about that a bit.

Yeah, so I do worry about that a bit.

But you know, we'll see, you know, heading into the midterms, I guess, you know, how are you feeling about where Republicans stand right now? I mean, we're I know, we're pretty far out, so you know, obviously anything can happen in politics this far out, But how do you sort of assess the lay of the land today?

But you know, we'll see, you know, heading into the midterms, I guess, you know, how are you feeling about where Republicans stand right now? I mean, we're I know, we're pretty far out, so you know, obviously anything can happen in politics this far out, But how do you sort of assess the lay of the land today?

Totally? That's a really good question.

Totally? That's a really good question.

So I do think that one my most fundamental take is this is not twenty seventeen and twenty eight In twenty seven eighteen, when you consider where President Trump was right now, there was the massive Muller Report investigation. Democrats were the protests that we've seen, the like no King's Day nonsense, things like that. They do not have a fraction of the same energy and uniformity that we saw with like Women's March and the Resistance in twenty seveneen and twenty eighteen. And part of it is the fact that the protests we're seeing now are primarily dark money, you know, pop up group driven exercises. I do think that there's a lot of people who are true opponents of President Trump who show up to these, but the energy is not the same, and that's what we're seeing in polls.

So I do think that one my most fundamental take is this is not twenty seventeen and twenty eight In twenty seven eighteen, when you consider where President Trump was right now, there was the massive Muller Report investigation. Democrats were the protests that we've seen, the like no King's Day nonsense, things like that. They do not have a fraction of the same energy and uniformity that we saw with like Women's March and the Resistance in twenty seveneen and twenty eighteen. And part of it is the fact that the protests we're seeing now are primarily dark money, you know, pop up group driven exercises. I do think that there's a lot of people who are true opponents of President Trump who show up to these, but the energy is not the same, and that's what we're seeing in polls.

President Trump, his.

President Trump, his.

Approval rating and his current political situation is night and day different than it was in twenty seventeen and twenty eighteen.

Approval rating and his current political situation is night and day different than it was in twenty seventeen and twenty eighteen.

And the wins that he's putting on the.

And the wins that he's putting on the.

Board right now, I think are the kind of things that could potentially drive the historic shift that you would need for Republicans to overperform in twenty twenty six. And I also just think Republican are really benefiting from the Democrats total, total, total lack of.

Board right now, I think are the kind of things that could potentially drive the historic shift that you would need for Republicans to overperform in twenty twenty six. And I also just think Republican are really benefiting from the Democrats total, total, total lack of.

Identity and their own civil war.

Identity and their own civil war.

And I think that, like there's an Axios article today on Monday about Democrats under pressure from their base to commit violence or to be shot, trying to disrupt and ice rate things like that Democrats have totally lost it and I think that as they continue to have that sort of civil war fallout, it's going to be hard for them to sort of mobilize in the way to really capitalize in twenty twenty six. And when you look at who their current standard bearers are, you've got polls that show people like AOC, people like Jasmine Crockett, And as those people get more and more attention, Republicans start to look pretty good again. Even if you were starting to think, Okay, maybe for these midterms, I'm gonna go with the other guys. So I do think we're also seeing that pop up in primaries. Democrat primaries are insane. I look at, for example, you know Zoab the destroyer in New York that he's gonna have both in the midterms. But even before that, look at the New Jersey governor's race. That's one that I'm keeping a close eye on just to see the impact because you have a lot of people who vote in New Jersey and work in New York and are gonna be seeing this for several months now. So I do think that we're benefiting from a political climate that is much more favorable to us than it was at this time in President Trump's first term. But you still can't take anything for granted. That's why I am so hyper focused on Republicans getting out, making the case of the big beautiful bill, finding the positives for people, dispelling the negatives, and doing what you were saying about President Trump going on offense, not taking the crap for media that often, you know, sets in these narratives of you know, total dishonest coverage about bills, things, we're doing stuff like that.

And I think that, like there's an Axios article today on Monday about Democrats under pressure from their base to commit violence or to be shot, trying to disrupt and ice rate things like that Democrats have totally lost it and I think that as they continue to have that sort of civil war fallout, it's going to be hard for them to sort of mobilize in the way to really capitalize in twenty twenty six. And when you look at who their current standard bearers are, you've got polls that show people like AOC, people like Jasmine Crockett, And as those people get more and more attention, Republicans start to look pretty good again. Even if you were starting to think, Okay, maybe for these midterms, I'm gonna go with the other guys. So I do think we're also seeing that pop up in primaries. Democrat primaries are insane. I look at, for example, you know Zoab the destroyer in New York that he's gonna have both in the midterms. But even before that, look at the New Jersey governor's race. That's one that I'm keeping a close eye on just to see the impact because you have a lot of people who vote in New Jersey and work in New York and are gonna be seeing this for several months now. So I do think that we're benefiting from a political climate that is much more favorable to us than it was at this time in President Trump's first term. But you still can't take anything for granted. That's why I am so hyper focused on Republicans getting out, making the case of the big beautiful bill, finding the positives for people, dispelling the negatives, and doing what you were saying about President Trump going on offense, not taking the crap for media that often, you know, sets in these narratives of you know, total dishonest coverage about bills, things, we're doing stuff like that.

No, I agree, I worry about that in New York. I just spent a lot of time here, and I don't know's I do too.

No, I agree, I worry about that in New York. I just spent a lot of time here, and I don't know's I do too.

I think that we're we can't get too ahead of our skis thinking this is going to help us, because, for one, unless something crazy happens, that lunatic is going to be the next mayor of New York City and there's a lot of damage that he can do. Republicans might feel good about being able to sort of run against that and capitalize on it, but the damage that will come from that will still be catastrophics. I don't think anyone should really be celebrating from either side on that.

I think that we're we can't get too ahead of our skis thinking this is going to help us, because, for one, unless something crazy happens, that lunatic is going to be the next mayor of New York City and there's a lot of damage that he can do. Republicans might feel good about being able to sort of run against that and capitalize on it, but the damage that will come from that will still be catastrophics. I don't think anyone should really be celebrating from either side on that.

Well yeah, I mean, but the sad thing is is the problem is you know, Cuomo, Adams, and Curtis Slowa.

Well yeah, I mean, but the sad thing is is the problem is you know, Cuomo, Adams, and Curtis Slowa.

Sliwa Slowa, I'm saying it's the last name wrong. I think I think you're right with Slila Sleiwa.

Sliwa Slowa, I'm saying it's the last name wrong. I think I think you're right with Slila Sleiwa.

Yeah, they're splitting the non Zoron vote, and so the challenges If it was just Doron versus like, you know, Cuomo or versus Adams, he'd probably lose. But you know, you've got three other people sort of splitting like the somewhat normal vote in the city.

Yeah, they're splitting the non Zoron vote, and so the challenges If it was just Doron versus like, you know, Cuomo or versus Adams, he'd probably lose. But you know, you've got three other people sort of splitting like the somewhat normal vote in the city.

Well, and that's why you look at like Bill Ackman.

Well, and that's why you look at like Bill Ackman.

He had that really long thread about how he was in people, he's so thoughtful, and his take was after meeting with Cuomo and he wanted Cuomo.

He had that really long thread about how he was in people, he's so thoughtful, and his take was after meeting with Cuomo and he wanted Cuomo.

To drop out because he didn't have the energy.

To drop out because he didn't have the energy.

But then there was pulling a few days later that showed that Adam's unfavorability was so high that there was very little path for him even in a one on one against Zorn. So I think whatever is going to happen needs to happen fairly soon, because if all those guys get in this race out of their own pride, they're going to pave the way for Zoron even more than it needs to be. So I think You're right that splitting is a huge concern, and I don't know who has this sort of you know, clout to come in and say, okay, guys, sit down here, when of you's got to get out. The tough thing is like, it's not going to be President Trump because even though Adams and Sliewa might listen to him, Cuomo won't, you know. And so I don't know who can broke or that, but something needs to shift.

But then there was pulling a few days later that showed that Adam's unfavorability was so high that there was very little path for him even in a one on one against Zorn. So I think whatever is going to happen needs to happen fairly soon, because if all those guys get in this race out of their own pride, they're going to pave the way for Zoron even more than it needs to be. So I think You're right that splitting is a huge concern, and I don't know who has this sort of you know, clout to come in and say, okay, guys, sit down here, when of you's got to get out. The tough thing is like, it's not going to be President Trump because even though Adams and Sliewa might listen to him, Cuomo won't, you know. And so I don't know who can broke or that, but something needs to shift.

Well, then you've got all the egos and politics.

Well, then you've got all the egos and politics.

I had the same thought process that oh, Cuomo and Curtis should drop out, and then but then I saw the same poll you did, and I was like, oh, man, Eric Adams.

I had the same thought process that oh, Cuomo and Curtis should drop out, and then but then I saw the same poll you did, and I was like, oh, man, Eric Adams.

Is really unpopular.

Is really unpopular.

So yeah, well you know, we'll be looking for all these things moving forward politically. But Matt, great to having the show, my friend. Appreciate you sharing your insight and your time with us today.

So yeah, well you know, we'll be looking for all these things moving forward politically. But Matt, great to having the show, my friend. Appreciate you sharing your insight and your time with us today.

Thank you for having me. Thank you for your work.

Thank you for having me. Thank you for your work.

You put together such a good show and I know you hustle to get the facts right and it is very much appreciated.

You put together such a good show and I know you hustle to get the facts right and it is very much appreciated.

You're fantastic.

You're fantastic.

Thank you well, so were you. Take care Matt, appreciate you.

Thank you well, so were you. Take care Matt, appreciate you.

You too, Thanks so much.

You too, Thanks so much.

That was Matt Whitlock. Appreciate him for coming on the show. Appreciate you guys at home for listening every Tuesday and Thursday, but you can listen throughout the week until next time.

That was Matt Whitlock. Appreciate him for coming on the show. Appreciate you guys at home for listening every Tuesday and Thursday, but you can listen throughout the week until next time.