The Trump administration faced a series of damaging events this week, with JD Vance’s Kansas rally becoming a major embarrassment due to its lackluster attendance, awkward remarks, and offensive homophobia, including references to LGBTQ+ events and religious controversies involving Adam Hamilton. Critics noted that Vance’s messaging ignored real economic data, such as a 23,000-job cut and rising unemployment, and failed to resonate with audiences, who visibly disengaged and heckled him. This was compounded by deeper scandals: 60 Minutes exposed a pay-to-pardon scheme where lobbyists allegedly sold pardons to convicted felons like Ammon Kavino, revealing systemic corruption. Additionally, the administration faced legal challenges, including a lawsuit from New York Attorney General Letitia James over a rule that would deter immigrants from accessing public benefits, and a separate lawsuit by Zoran Mamdani over denied green cards. The situation was further highlighted by a sharp price hike at Costco Motor Oil, rising from $30 to $57.99 with limited supply, symbolizing broader economic and policy failures. Together, these incidents paint a picture of an administration plagued by inauthentic messaging, corruption, and public disapproval, undermining its claims of strength and popularity.
So the Trump administration had a really bad day today. And I'd say the biggest loser is JD Vance, but of course a close second is Donald Trump because something big about his presidency got exposed directly implicating him, which we'll talk about in just a moment. But I have to talk to you guys about this rally that JD Vance tried to have in Kansas today. It was utterly humiliating a lot of really bad, really awkward moments. I'm going to show you all of them right now. Please make sure to subscribe down below, drop a like on the video, comment. Let me know what you think about this stuff. And let's start here with a clip showing just how small the crowd was for JD Vance at this rally. This was pointed out by Aaron Rupar saying, I've seen six and over basketball games in elementary school gyms with bigger crowds than this. I mean, just watch, look at this. So I think the choice before us, ladies and gentlemen, is very simple and very clear. Oh, man, you know, the Trump administration says they are more popular than ever. Like everybody loves Donald Trump and everybody's eager to see members of his administration. Really, you know, I've seen more people in a Starbucks, put it that way. And then check this one out. JD Vance was bombing hard. Even the people behind him looked bored as he pushed some disgusting homophobia and was telling some terrible jokes that just weren't landing. Look at this. Look at the people behind him in particular. And you know this very summer, what Adam Hamilton did. He made sure that his church was a key financial sponsor of something called Pride Fest in Kansas City. He took, that was our little protester friend. He was actually a representative of that organization. That's why he was unhappy. He took the donations from his congregants, from people who show up and try to support the gospel of Jesus Christ. And you know what he did? You know where those dollars went? To events at this festival that were led by strippers and drag queens. Adam Hamilton sent his. Okay, so aside from the utter crap that JD Vance is talking about right now, because their entire platform is LGBTQ+ people. And I guess strippers now, okay. All right, look at all these people behind him. I mean these people, these people were having a conversation a moment ago. They're all just kind of looking around. Nobody's, look at this guy right here. You know, it's blurry, so you can't really see his face, but he just looks like, like, why did I come here? I don't know, buddy. I don't know why you showed up today to see this crap, but even he was not enjoying it, which really is not a good sign for JD Vance. And then check out this really. Ugh, he was just crashing bad. Look at this. - So we're gonna create more and more promotions for the workers like Braden who are working their tail off every single day. - Oh. Oh, you ever seen that clip of what was at Jeb Bush being like, please clap? That right there. That was like, that was a JD Vance. Please clap moment. He like paused and was hoping that everybody would first out into applause because of what he just said. Nobody wants to applaud. Nobody's listening, so they didn't know to clap, you know? Nobody's tuned into JD Vance, what he was saying. He also mentioned it in a clip we just watched, but he did get heckled in Kansas. JD Vance, a Kansas or a Republican state, voted for Donald Trump three times. Getting heckled in that state is not exactly a good sign for your future political aspirations and whatnot. (audience applauding) Roger, I see, I see, I see we have a guy who is protesting. Sir. (audience applauding) (audience applauding) The last. (audience applauding) (audience applauding) (audience applauding) (audience applauding) (audience applauding) You know, not a good sign, JD, if you're getting, and look, look at him getting, (audience applauding) not a good sign for JD Vance and the Trump administration if that's what's taking place. If you're getting heckled in Kansas, you know, ugh, yikes. And they have good reason to heckle JD Vance because he's just talking utter crap there. And the final thing I wanna point out from this particular speech is JD Vance saying, we made it easier for you to all get jobs and to build a life in the United States, which is of course just not true. I mean, here's a report from earlier in August. The US employers unexpectedly cut 23,000 jobs amidst strain from the Iran war, unemployment dips to 4.1%. So there were actually losing jobs in the United States right now, so I don't know why JD Vance is just openly lying. I guess he got his directive from Donald Trump, but I have friends who have graduated from great colleges, really smart guys, really smart girls, who are highly qualified and they can't even find jobs, right? So the idea that JD Vance is saying, well ignore the data, ignore your personal experiences from hearing young people or people of all ages that can't get jobs, just trust me. Life is easier in the United States. It's just so ridiculous and such a slap in the face. Then at a separate event, JD Vance had some more embarrassing moments and this one was especially bad where he said, I want people to know to get rich in the United States, you have to build a business or a product, not to steal from the American taxpayer. That's the message we're sending, completely ignoring who his boss is. I want people to know that the way to get rich in the United States of America is to build a business or build a product, not to steal from the American taxpayer. That's the message that we're sending to this fraud or with this fraud task force is we're telling people, do not defraud the taxpayer, go and get a job. Thank you guys. - Yeah, so JD, the Democrats are against all kinds of fraud. I know the Republicans for some reason think we all love fraud, we hate it. We want fraudsters to be held accountable and that's why we want Donald Trump to be held accountable. I mean, he's been found liable for a bunch of business fraud. The Trump organization has been found liable for a bunch of business fraud. We don't think that's good, but you work for a fraudster, JD, your party voted for a fraudster, JD. So it kind of sounds like you guys are the party of fraud. And it seems like the only major political leader right now that's scamming the American people and stealing taxpayer dollars are members of the Trump administration, specifically Trump. I mean, the very same day that JD Vance was saying this, like don't defraud the American taxpayer, Donald Trump was bragging about the helipad that he built at the White House. Who asked for this? Who asked for this except Donald Trump? 'Cause the American people didn't ask for a helipad at the White House. We don't want a helipad at the White House. That doesn't help anybody. But Donald Trump used our taxpayer dollars to do it. He's also using our taxpayer dollars to build a ballroom that nobody wants or the reflecting pool or these statues in DC. So JD, if you're concerned about stealing from the American taxpayer, look at your own guy. And of course, reminder, Donald Trump has pardoned a bunch of fraudsters losing victims nearly $2 billion in restitution. Is that pro or anti-fraud, JD? I just can't tell. You want an idiot, this guy's. He is so irritating. And you know what, from these clips, you can see that JD Vance doesn't have it. You know, the it factor. It's something that people refer to when you're looking at a presidential candidate. Do they have it? When they enter into a room, can they captivate and everybody's listening to them? JD Vance is one of the most awkward and cringe and boring politicians. I've ever seen be vice president. And of course, there are many more. He is just so especially bad. Like for example, he started glitching out at this event as well. Just look at this. It is so embarrassing. (audience applauding) What was that? Little delayed there, JD. I think the clapping already stopped. And he tried to walk up to the podium and hit us with one of those at the end there. Really, really embarrassing stuff. But I did say at the beginning of this video, I do think JD Vance was the biggest loser of the day because he had a lot of humiliating moments as you can tell. But also, Donald Trump. Because 60 minutes, their hidden cameras caught footage showing lobbyist, pitching their services as pardon brokers to a felon who says he's seeking a presidential pardon. This is kind of the pay to play scheme that Donald Trump is running from the White House. If you pay people associated with me, then maybe you get a pardon. And that's what 60 minutes caught on their cameras. Just watch this. - Ammon Kavino was seeking a pardon. Seated is his wife, Crystal, and joining them at this Virginia hotel lounge are lobbyists, Jacob Wohl and Jack Berkman, who don't know they're being recorded as they pitch their services as pardon brokers. - Look, you can't just submit a pardon application, it doesn't work that way. - Ammon is a felon. - This whole body tends to be once. - The Kavinos run several zoos and aquariums. A decade ago, he was convicted of illegal wildlife trafficking and served 23 months in prison. He applied for a pardon, taking the regular route through the Justice Department. - We just filled out the fire. - It's a three-page form. - And what happened? - When the pardons came out, we were on the list of rejections. - So we asked him to try again the new way. - Why? - We had wanted to interview brokers who promised pardon seekers they can circumvent the Justice Department for a hefty fee. What they do is not illegal, yet none would talk to us. So we asked Ammon to engage with these access merchants as if he's reapplying for a pardon and let our cameras follow him. - Isn't that something? Isn't that something? And they were. They were offering pardons for charge. Hey, give us a call.
give us some money and we'll go get you some pardons. It is really gross, it is really openly corrupt, and I think it's a perfect representation of the Trump administration. Some other pieces of bad news for Trump that I want to round up the video with here. Donald Trump is being sued by Zoran Mamdani for denying immigrants green cards, which is great. Zoran Mamdani continues to stand up to Donald Trump in MAGA, and he's not the only New York politician doing that as well. The Attorney General, Atecia James, is suing the Trump administration to block a rule that would deter immigrants from accessing city services and benefits. And there's more to that story as well. But finally, Costco Motor Oil has nearly doubled in price from $30 to $57.99 as well. Stores are limiting purchases to two packs per customer per week as supplies tighten. That's Donald Trump's America. That's his legacy. So I don't know what the hell JD Vance is talking about at that rally saying everything is so great. It is obviously not great, and all of these headlines go to show, but the Trump administration has had a really, really bad day. You can pick any of these stories, and that in and of itself, those singular story would be bad for them. Put them all together. Ugh. Not good. So look, I will leave the video there. I just had to cover this disastrous JD Vance rally, along with everything else we talked about. But thank you so much for being here. Let me know what you think about all this stuff we just talked about. Have an amazing rest of your day, and we will talk soon.
Podcast Summary
Key Points:
JD Vance's rally in Kansas was widely criticized for its small crowd, awkward delivery, and lack of audience engagement, with attendees appearing bored and disinterested.
Vance made controversial and factually incorrect claims about job creation and economic prosperity, contradicting recent data showing job losses and youth unemployment.
The Trump administration faced serious scrutiny for alleged corruption, including 60 Minutes footage revealing lobbyists offering to sell pardons to felons, and for using taxpayer funds on projects like a White House helipad and luxury ballrooms, while simultaneously pardoning fraud victims.
Summary:
The Trump administration faced a series of damaging events this week, with JD Vance’s Kansas rally becoming a major embarrassment due to its lackluster attendance, awkward remarks, and offensive homophobia, including references to LGBTQ+ events and religious controversies involving Adam Hamilton. Critics noted that Vance’s messaging ignored real economic data, such as a 23,000-job cut and rising unemployment, and failed to resonate with audiences, who visibly disengaged and heckled him. This was compounded by deeper scandals: 60 Minutes exposed a pay-to-pardon scheme where lobbyists allegedly sold pardons to convicted felons like Ammon Kavino, revealing systemic corruption.
Additionally, the administration faced legal challenges, including a lawsuit from New York Attorney General Letitia James over a rule that would deter immigrants from accessing public benefits, and a separate lawsuit by Zoran Mamdani over denied green cards. 99 with limited supply, symbolizing broader economic and policy failures. Together, these incidents paint a picture of an administration plagued by inauthentic messaging, corruption, and public disapproval, undermining its claims of strength and popularity.
FAQs
The rally was criticized for having a very small crowd, awkward and boring speeches, and audience members appearing bored or disengaged. Vance was also accused of promoting homophobia and making poor jokes that failed to connect with attendees.
Yes, he claimed it was easier to build a life in the U.S., but this contradicted data showing job losses of 23,000 in August due to the Iran war, and reports of unemployed graduates struggling to find work.
He stated that people should build businesses or products, not steal from taxpayers. However, critics argue this message is inconsistent with the Trump administration’s use of taxpayer funds for projects like the White House helipad and ballroom.
Yes, 60 Minutes reported that lobbyists were pitching services to a felon seeking a pardon, offering to bypass the Justice Department for a fee, which raised serious concerns about a 'pay-to-play' scheme.
Critics pointed out that the administration's popularity claims were contradicted by public reactions, such as low attendance at rallies and widespread audience disengagement during speeches.
The administration is being sued by Zoran Mamdani for denying immigrant green cards, and Attorney General Atecia James is challenging a rule that would deter immigrants from accessing city services and benefits.
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