Plot

Dave Smith Robbie Bernstein discuss Trump's recent interview with Elon Musk, his return to the X platform, campaign strategies involving Kamala Harris, Anthony Fauci's latest diagnosis, and Trump's reflections on his indictment.

Dave Smith and Robbie Bernstein kick off another episode of "Part Of The Problem" with casual banter. Smith asks Bernstein about his recent experiences on the road, and Bernstein shares his enthusiasm for the Porch Tour, now expanded to a year-round event. He mentions plans to extend the tour to warmer climates like Arizona and Vegas during winter, with a possible future trip to Australia.

Bernstein and Smith humorously debate when constantly being on a porch might cross the line into hobo territory. They joke about the tipping point being when Bernstein can no longer afford plane tickets and starts hopping on trains. Bernstein assures Smith that as long as he's flying to porches, he's safe from that label.

Smith expresses interest in joining Bernstein on a Porch Tour as a surprise guest for a short set. Bernstein agrees and suggests they arrange for Smith to join him for a local event in New Jersey when it makes sense. Bernstein then mentions an upcoming Porch Tour event in Perryville, Maryland, and they discuss how Smith could possibly make it work if he books other gigs in the area.

Smith continues by mentioning an upcoming show in Stamford, Connecticut, which was rescheduled, and expresses his excitement for it. He then lists other upcoming events, including stops in Casper, Wyoming, Dallas, Texas, Oklahoma City, and more. He highlights a theater show in Bozeman, Montana, scheduled for January 18th, 2025, noting it will be his first time performing in Montana.

Bernstein and Smith joke about winter activities in Montana, with Smith saying he'll stay inside drinking while Bernstein might ski. Smith then shifts to explaining his lack of sleep, caused by a last-minute flight change. He had moved a podcast recording for "Legion of Skanks" to accommodate a friend, only to realize it conflicted with his travel plans, leading to a hectic schedule.

Smith recounts his recent trip to appear on Tucker Carlson's show. The journey to Carlson's remote location was arduous, involving multiple modes of transportation, but Smith made it to the hotel at 3:30 AM. Despite the exhaustion, Smith enjoyed a morning breakfast with Carlson before recording an episode that he considers one of his best. He praises Carlson's character and describes a chaotic rush to catch his return flight, which he barely made.

Smith transitions into discussing technical issues that arose during a Twitter Space event featuring Elon Musk and Donald Trump. He acknowledges that Twitter Spaces is a cool concept but still has rough edges, especially under heavy traffic. Smith draws a parallel to the challenges he faced launching his own new website, noting that while beta testing helps, real-world usage exposes unexpected issues, likely what happened during the Trump-Musk event. Musk even suggested the problems were due to an attack on Twitter, though Smith isn't sure what that meant.

Smith shifts back to his morning with Carlson. On his way to Carlson's place, Smith reflected on the surreal nature of his career-speaking to the largest right-wing platform in America. He had a long conversation with Scott Horton the night before, planning what he wanted to say. Smith's main point was going to be urging Trump supporters to push Trump back onto Twitter. He believed Trump needed to regain control of the news cycle, which he hadn't managed as effectively through Truth Social.

As fate would have it, while en route to Carlson's, Smith checked Twitter and discovered that Trump had already returned to the platform, rendering his planned appeal unnecessary. Trump posted a campaign video that garnered 35 million views in short order, underscoring the importance of his presence on Twitter. Smith expresses his belief that Trump's return to Twitter is significant and timely, potentially restoring his influence over the media narrative.

Smith and Bernstein humorously discuss what Trump's first tweet should have been upon his return to Twitter. Bernstein suggests Trump should have tweeted about taking hydroxychloroquine for breakfast, referencing the controversy that got him banned. They reflect on the study that led to Trump's removal, which was later retracted, and how easily the original story can be misremembered.

Smith mentions that on Carlson's show, he criticized Trump for his weak campaign strategy. He believes Trump should run on the strong points that got him elected in 2016, particularly immigration, where he's been vindicated. Smith argues that Trump's campaign lacks a clear, impactful message, something that should be straightforward given his history. He expresses frustration that Trump isn't focusing on the easy wins, like reminding voters of his past predictions that have since come true.

Smith continues by pointing out that Trump should be capitalizing on issues like free speech, especially considering his own ban from social media while serving as president. He believes Trump should make his campaign a referendum on free speech, arguing that if Trump wins, free speech will be protected; if the Democrats win, it won't. Smith finds it baffling that Trump hasn't made this a central theme of his campaign, given its clear appeal.

Smith and Bernstein discuss the hypocrisy of the Democrats' claims of "preserving democracy" while propping up a president with apparent cognitive decline. They also mention the Justice Department's efforts to prevent Trump from running again, and Bernstein half-jokingly suggests they either ignored or facilitated attempts on Trump's life. Smith agrees and adds that it's scandalous that the country is led by someone deemed unfit to run for president, especially during a proxy war with Russia.

Smith recounts his discussion with Carlson about the flawed portrayal of Kamala Harris as a socialist. He argues that the real problem isn't socialism but cronyism, as Harris and others in power are primarily aligned with big business. Smith criticizes Trump's strategy of casting Democrats as socialists, saying it undermines his anti-establishment appeal. By framing the opposition as radicals, Trump inadvertently positions himself as a defender of the establishment, which is counterproductive to his original appeal as a disruptor.

Smith elaborates on how Trump's approach, particularly his unwavering support for Israel while branding his opponents as Palestinians, contradicts his previous anti-establishment stance. He emphasizes that no one supports Trump for being pro-establishment, and framing himself this way weakens his position. Smith expresses relief that Carlson agreed with his assessment and reflects on how this misguided strategy could cost Trump support. He then shifts the conversation back to Trump's current interaction with Musk, noting they'll check in on it shortly.

Smith shares that during a break in recording, he discovered that Dr. Anthony Fauci contracted COVID-19 for the third time despite being vaccinated and boosted six times. Bernstein jokes about the inadequacy of Fauci's vaccinations and mocks the notion that more boosters are needed. They humorously imagine Fauci blaming the unvaccinated and calling for renewed lockdowns.

Smith and Bernstein continue to mock Fauci, calling him "Dr. Truth Science" for his past statement that questioning him is equivalent to questioning science itself. They express schadenfreude over Fauci getting COVID again, given his role in promoting the vaccines and misleading the public. Smith notes that despite having zero vaccines, he's had COVID only twice and feels he's "beating" Fauci in that regard.

Bernstein questions why Fauci would even announce his latest infection, given that he's no longer in an official position. Smith agrees, noting that Fauci could have easily kept it private. They speculate that Fauci might be trying to remind people of the importance of boosters, even though the revelation undercuts his previous messaging. The segment wraps up with Smith planning to check in on Trump and Musk's conversation, while also preparing for another sponsor mention.

Smith transitions to another sponsor message, promoting Prolon, a plant-based nutrition program that mimics the effects of fasting. He explains how Prolon offers the benefits of fasting while allowing people to continue eating, citing its research backing and health benefits. Smith mentions that many people struggle with fasting but notes that Prolon provides a balanced alternative.

After the sponsor break, Smith reads some comments from viewers, including a joke about Fauci contracting COVID again. He then attempts to pull up the latest from Trump's interaction with Musk on Twitter, noting that Trump has posted several videos and tweets. Smith reads one of Trump's tweets, where Trump asks, "Are you better off now than you were when I was president?" Smith finds the phrasing clever, as it avoids the standard "four years ago" reference that might be problematic.

Smith comments on Trump's style, pointing out how he always manages to frame himself as the one who accomplished what others couldn't. Trump mentions that he got drilling approved in ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) where even Ronald Reagan had failed. Smith finds it amusing how Trump continues to boast about his achievements. He is curious about how Musk will respond to Trump's comments, especially regarding fossil fuels, as Trump had suggested there's still plenty of oil left to use.

Smith and Bernstein discuss the interaction between Trump and Musk on Twitter Spaces, noting that Trump's comments about not needing to rush into electric cars might seem like an accidental jab at Musk. However, they conclude that Musk likely agrees with Trump on the impracticality of completely abandoning fossil fuels by 2030. They find it amusing that Trump, a businessman known for running casinos, is giving advice on energy infrastructure to Musk.

Bernstein points out that Trump missed an opportunity to talk about something closer to his brand, like fast food or steaks, and instead shifted to energy policy. Smith finds the pivot odd, especially in a conversation with Musk, but acknowledges they are jumping into the middle of the discussion. They note that the Twitter Space had a technical issue earlier, reducing the listener count from 8 million to 1.2 million.

After another sponsor break, Smith praises Trump for participating in events like Twitter Spaces, the Libertarian Convention, and a Bitcoin convention. He appreciates Trump engaging with diverse audiences, though he remains skeptical about Trump's ability to fulfill his promises if re-elected. Smith specifically hopes Trump will follow through on his commitment to pardon Ross Ulbricht, who is serving a life sentence for creating the Silk Road website. Smith argues that Ulbricht's punishment is unjust, especially since he wasn't convicted of the more serious accusations made against him.

Smith expresses skepticism about Trump's ability to "drain the swamp" if re-elected, noting that while Trump has campaigned against the establishment, he's not convinced Trump will achieve significant reform. However, Smith acknowledges that Trump's campaigns have effectively mobilized tens of millions of Americans, making him a unique figure capable of shedding light on critical issues. Smith highlights the importance of Trump's willingness to engage with platforms like Twitter Spaces, the Libertarian Convention, and the Bitcoin convention, as these actions help disrupt the corporate media's influence.

Smith sees value in Trump's ability to set new precedents, like reaching out to unconventional audiences, which could impact future campaigns. He's less optimistic about Trump's potential to achieve significant policy changes but is excited by the way Trump's actions challenge the status quo. Smith believes that while Trump may not drain the swamp, his efforts to engage with diverse groups and alternative media platforms are beneficial for the broader political landscape.

Bernstein introduces a video where Trump discusses his decision not to pursue charges against Hillary Clinton, despite his campaign's "lock her up" slogan. In the video, Trump explains that he felt it would have been harmful to the country to imprison a former First Lady, even though she had committed serious offenses. He reflects on how he was protective of Clinton, despite his supporters' demands, because he believed imprisoning her would have divided the nation further. Trump contrasts this with the way he's been treated, expressing frustration over the double standard.

Smith reflects on Trump's claim that he never intended to actually imprison Clinton, noting how this contradicts Trump's earlier rhetoric. He finds it strange that Trump, who once rallied crowds with "lock her up," now considers it a terrible idea. Smith suggests that Trump's shift may stem from fear, considering the Justice Department's actions against him and the possibility of facing serious jail time. Bernstein adds that Trump's rhetoric about China and Russia being natural enemies is historically inaccurate and seems as misguided as Harris's oversimplified geopolitical statements.

Bernstein challenges Trump's assertion that China and Russia have always been natural enemies, pointing out that they have historically been allies, especially during the Cold War. Smith agrees, noting that while China and Russia haven't always been perfectly aligned, they have shared common interests. Smith contrasts three foreign policy approaches: the non-interventionism of Washington, Adams, and Ron Paul; the strategic realism of Kissinger, who sought to drive a wedge between China and the Soviet Union; and the "insane" policy of the Biden administration, which antagonizes both Russia and China simultaneously.

Smith argues that Trump's foreign policy leans more toward Kissinger's pragmatic approach than Ron Paul's non-interventionism, despite Trump's occasional rhetoric. He recalls that Trump even met with Kissinger during his presidency and received his approval, reflecting Trump's belief that China posed the greater threat while Russia was a secondary concern. Smith sees Trump's stance as a reversal of Kissinger's 1970s strategy but acknowledges it follows a similar logic of dividing potential adversaries.

Smith explains that Trump's foreign policy strategy has always been to realign Russia with the United States to counterbalance China, reflecting his understanding of global dynamics. Smith believes that while Trump's approach has some merit, a more prudent strategy would involve avoiding enmity with either Russia or China, as none of these nations pose an immediate conventional military threat to the U.S. due to the deterrent effect of nuclear weapons.

Smith argues that if the U.S. is primarily in economic competition with Russia and China, the best course of action would be to focus on free-market policies, including cutting taxes, spending, and regulations. He laments that special interests benefiting from government intervention and fiat currency prevent this from happening, despite it being the most effective way to ensure American economic dominance.

Smith concludes the episode by acknowledging his exhaustion and expressing his excitement for the upcoming interview with Carlson. He promises to analyze the Trump-Musk interview in more detail in the next episode. Smith thanks listeners and encourages them to subscribe to his website for exclusive content, as well as to attend his and Bernstein's live shows.