Just Ask The Question Newsletter - 3.18.25
Are we the baddies!?
Welcome back to the Just Ask the Question newsletter where we share insights on the White House and politics through podcast interviews, original articles and commentary.
And because everyone deserves a break now and then from all that is D.C., we will also share the lighter side of the news with exclusive interviews from leading pop culture figures. sign up here
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Tom Arnold, Hal Sparks, and Brian Karem on stage at the Comedy Chateau!
Tom Arnold and Hal Sparks join Brian Karem for a hilarious night of comedy, politics, and free speech.
Trump hawking Teslas? That's his truest form
The single-minded resolve of an aging grifter is his greatest weapon — and weakness
It’s settled. Donald Trump is a Tesla car salesman. If you have any doubts, then I refer you to Trump and Elon Musk’s appearance on the South Lawn of the White House Tuesday to plug the flagging car brand. That’s right, Tesla’s been suffering under Musk’s leadership – particularly after he embraced Trump to the point where many can’t tell where one man begins and the other ends. Angry customers have protested Tesla dealerships, sales have suffered and Tesla’s stock has tumbled.
So there they were on the South Lawn in a red “S” series Tesla; Trump fumbling around pretending to be enamored of the computer software, while his faithful Renfield, Musk, smiled donning a black MAGA hat and his usual casual attire. For the richest guy on the planet, he certainly has a limited wardrobe. But to his credit, the pair looked like they were on a date. Trump would like to say he’s the husband, but some suspect he and Musk have swapped genders in that relationship.
They smiled and laughed. All that was missing was a big screen and a WWE match to make it a superlative bro’ down. The perfect commercial. As it turns out, this was a very expensive commercial for Tesla. A quick reminder; Musk gave over a quarter of a billion dollars through his super political action committee, America PAC to the president and Republicans in 2024…
Just Ask the Press - Trump, The DOJ, and The Rule of Law
In this episode, the hosts discuss the recent political landscape, focusing on Donald Trump's unprecedented speech at the Department of Justice, where he made alarming claims about the press and the legal system. They explore the implications of his rhetoric on press freedom and legal accountability, as well as the internal strife within the Democratic Party, particularly regarding Chuck Schumer's leadership. The conversation highlights the challenges facing Democrats as they navigate their strategy in the current political climate. In this conversation,Brian Karem, Mark Zaid and John T. Bennett discuss various themes surrounding financial uncertainty, market reactions to political events, the dynamics between media and government, and the ongoing dismantling of institutions under the Trump administration. They explore Trump's unique communication strategies and the hypocrisy in leadership, particularly regarding public perception and actions. The conversation also touches on legal challenges and advocacy efforts in response to these issues.
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Trump’s speech was the pinnacle of MAGA. Now what?
It’s Donald Trump’s state — but there is no union
For the lovers and the haters, Donald Trump’s speech before a joint session of Congress Tuesday night was the pinnacle of MAGA.
It was long (nearly 100 minutes), divisive, jarring and filled with lies, drama, pathos and poignancy. It featured several swipes at his perceived enemies and wild bleating cheers from his favorite sycophants. In other words, it was a typical Donald Trump speech. It’s length alone qualifies it for the record books and Donny loves that idea.
And while those who cheer Donny are happily onboard once again — without thought, observation, reflection, want or need — millions of others are left shaking their head and idly wondering if being struck by an asteroid would be all that bad. For if nothing else, after six weeks of unfettered Donald Trump in the White House it is easy to see why he filed for bankruptcy six times.
Down in the hollowed out rural towns across the country, people can relate to bankruptcy. My mother-in-law (God rest her soul) told her family on a few occasions about her cousin who, during the Great Depression, may or may not have walked over the hill with several members of the farm who were headed to the same fate Wilbur in “Charlotte’s Web” was destined to encounter. After walking over the hill, this cousin by the last name of Walton made his way south to Arkansas and created an empire based on the profit from selling those pigs at market…
Just Ask the Press - It's been a LONG six weeks
In this episode, Brian Karem, Mark Zaid, and John T. Bennett discuss the recent political landscape, focusing on Donald Trump's joint address to Congress, the implications of his speech for Democrats, and the ongoing legal challenges Trump faces. The conversation highlights the inaccuracies in Trump's address, the Democrats' response, and the broader implications of Trump's executive actions and legal battles. In this conversation, the speakers discuss various themes surrounding free speech, the role of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in public health, the implications of Donald Trump's transactional approach to international relations, and the future of democracy in America. They express concerns about the misunderstanding of free speech, the impact of vaccine hesitancy on public health, and the potential consequences of Trump's foreign policy decisions. The discussion culminates in reflections on the current state of democracy and the hope for a more sensible political discourse in the future.
Only Putin is still smiling after Trump and Zelenskyy squabble
Trump’s Oval Office tantrum blows up into a debacle for Zelenskyy
Vegas odd makers say after Friday that it’s a safe bet President Donald Trumpwill never get that Nobel Peace prize he’s always wanted. Meanwhile, it is rumored there will soon be a new sign posted on our country’s borders: Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here!
The week ended with a historically horrendous exchange Friday in the Oval Office among Trump, Vice President JD “Eyeliner” Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding a rare-earth deal for continued American support of Ukraine in its ongoing battle against a decade-long Russian invasion. The meeting began with statements and a few ridiculous questions from pool reporters, one of which was why Zelenskyy, dressed in black pants, shoes and a pull over shirt wasn’t wearing a suit. Zelenskyy responded that he’d wear a “kostyum,” the Ukrainian word for suit, after the war was over. The president of the White House Foreign Press Group later noted that Zelenskyy usually wore “an olive green military style pants and sweater,” but opted for a “more formal black outfit with a national symbol of Ukraine: the Trident” for his visit to the White House…
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