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Trump Sabotages Trump Agenda

Explore episode Jun 26, 2026
Government
Why Democratic Base Anger at the Establishment Is Real and Justified

Trump Sabotages Trump Agenda · Jun 26, 2026 Government

Dan Pfeiffer identifies three reasons the Democratic base has turned on the party establishment: anger that leadership hasn't stood up to Trump, the perception that the party is too captured by corporate interests, and the issue of Israel and Gaza. These aren't fringe concerns — they're driving primary upsets coast to coast, and the institutional party has no credible answer.

3m 45s

Where this was said

What's Driving the Progressive Wave — And Where It Goes Next

At 38:15 · chapter starts 36:15

Jon and Dan survey the next wave of progressive primaries: Abdul El-Sayed leads the Michigan Senate race against Mallory McMorrow and Haley Stevens; DSA state rep Francesca Hong is running for Wisconsin governor; DSA candidate Melat Quiros challenges Diana DeGette in Colorado. Pfeiffer is careful not to make the electability argument against these candidates — he notes that dismissing liberal nominees as unelectable has been wrong before, and that running a smart, state-appropriate campaign matters more than ideological label. A key data point emerges: Gallup shows 66% of Democrats view socialism favorably, with men 30–44 — millennials who came of age in the Great Recession — showing the highest favorability of any cohort. Favreau argues the number reflects frustration with capitalism, not ideology: when people say 'socialism,' they picture Medicare for All, not abolishing prisons. Pfeiffer then distills the three forces powering anti-establishment energy: anger that Democrats failed to stand up to Trump, perception of corporate capture, and Israel-Gaza — with the Gaza issue particularly prominent in the Goldman and Chevalier races. And Favreau adds a fourth: the original sin of losing to Trump twice, after his criminal conviction and January 6th.

Society & Culture
Millennial Men Are the Most Socialism-Friendly Demographic — And It's About Capitalism Failing

Trump Sabotages Trump Agenda · Jun 26, 2026 Society & Culture

Men aged 30 to 44 — millennials — show the highest favorability toward socialism of any demographic group, outpacing even younger voters by 9 points. But Jon Favreau argues this isn't ideological: it's a verdict on capitalism. When people say 'socialism,' they picture Medicare for All — not abolishing prisons.

2 min

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