Topic: Inauguration

The Trump administration has reportedly issued termination notices to over 500 journalists at Voice of America. The hosts discuss the changing landscape of the White House press corps, which now includes more "influencers" and podcasters. They reminisce about past political predictions involving Marco Rubio and Bernie Sanders, and the lack of an invitation to the 2016 inauguration.

Steve Bannon has reportedly pleaded guilty to defrauding donors of the "We Build the Wall" campaign as part of a plea deal to avoid further prison time. The discussion also touches on Elon Musk's son appearing at official events, with the hosts criticizing the use of the child as a "prop" during high-level government meetings.

A gesture made by Elon Musk during the presidential inauguration sparks a viral debate over whether it was a "Roman salute" or a "Sieg Heil." While some historians and activists criticize the movement, the ADL describes it as an awkward gesture of enthusiasm. Similar gestures by politicians like Tim Walz and AOC are cited to argue that the controversy is politically motivated.

Extreme cold and 23-degree temperatures have forced the relocation of the presidential inauguration ceremony from the outdoor platform to the Capitol Rotunda. This marks the first indoor inauguration since Ronald Reagan in 1985, significantly limiting the number of in-person guests to several hundred members of Congress and VIPs. The traditional inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue has been canceled in favor of a celebration at the Capital One Arena.

The "Delulu" (delusional) community on TikTok is featured, with creators predicting that Donald Trump will be arrested at his inauguration rather than sworn in. These theories often cite the absence of former presidents and the high level of security fencing as evidence of a planned "take down." The segment mocks these predictions as a form of left-wing "Q-Anon" style speculation that ignores political reality.

The Village People confirmed they will perform at one of Donald Trump's inaugural balls in Washington, D.C. The group's hit song "YMCA" served as a staple at Trump campaign rallies throughout the 2024 election cycle. The performance is scheduled for the day before the official swearing-in ceremony.

Donald Trump reportedly joked about using a "tiny desk" next to the inauguration podium to begin signing executive orders immediately following his speech. Advisors expect the signing of approximately 100 executive orders within the first few hours of the new administration. This aggressive start aims to reverse previous policies and implement "America First" initiatives without delay.

MSNBC President Rashida Jones is reportedly departing the network, while Rachel Maddow is set to return to a nightly schedule for the first 100 days of the Trump administration. Chuck Todd has also left NBC and is reportedly seeking new media opportunities. Additionally, Michelle Obama confirmed she will not attend Donald Trump's inauguration, though Barack Obama will be present.

The hosts coin the term "Algo Chasers" to describe YouTubers who prioritize platform algorithms over building a sovereign audience. They critique a segment from Patrick Bet-David's show where Dan Bongino warns that the Secret Service and FBI are "lying" to the Trump transition team. Bongino expresses grave concern for Donald Trump's safety at the upcoming inauguration, a narrative the hosts view as "spinning people up" for views.

In an unprecedented move, Donald Trump has reportedly invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his upcoming presidential inauguration in January. While Trump has been critical of China and threatened significant tariffs, he reportedly places high value on face-to-face meetings with global rivals. If Xi attends, it would mark the first time a Chinese communist leader has been present for the inauguration of an American president, potentially signaling a new era of direct back-channel diplomacy.

A supercut reminds listeners of the widespread claims by Democrats and media figures that the 2016 election was "stolen" by Russia. The segment also highlights the violent protests and riots that occurred in Washington D.C. during Donald Trump's inauguration.

Federal prosecutor Michael Sherwin revealed on "60 Minutes" that the DOJ's strategy following January 6th was to use "shock and awe" by arresting high-profile "internet stars" to deter people from attending the inauguration. Currently, 16 members of the Oath Keepers are facing conspiracy charges, with trial dates set as far out as August 2022. Critics argue that holding defendants for over a year without trial is a violation of legal standards and part of a broader political ramrod.

Hotel bookings in Washington D.C., specifically at Trump-owned properties, have seen significant price increases for March 3rd and 4th. This coincides with QAnon-related theories suggesting Donald Trump would be inaugurated on the "original" inauguration date of March 4th. The hosts express skepticism toward these "nut job" theories while noting the financial opportunism of the hotels.

Discussions regarding mask efficacy have shifted to the electrostatic properties of surgical masks, which supposedly mimic N95 protection when paired with a cloth cover. Simultaneously, media outlets are highlighting a specific line from President Biden's inaugural speech regarding "the power of our example" versus "the example of our power." This phrasing has been noted for its similarity to rhetoric used by previous political figures.

A recurring mispronunciation of the word "inaugural" (as "inaugural") is noted in clips from The Wall Street Journal and other sources. The hosts compare this to a similar mistake made by Darren O'Neill, questioning if the mispronunciation is becoming a broader trend in media.

The return of daily White House press briefings under Jen Psaki is discussed. The hosts debunk the media claim that Biden's failure to mention Trump in his inaugural address was an "elegant rebuke," noting that it is standard historical practice for incoming presidents not to mention their predecessors by name during the speech.

Leaked internal footage from Twitter, released by Project Veritas, shows CEO Jack Dorsey discussing the permanent suspension of Donald Trump's account. Dorsey indicates that the platform's actions will extend far beyond a single account and will continue long after the inauguration. The move is described as part of a broader, long-term approach to content moderation on the platform.

Archival audio from 2016 reminds listeners that Donald Trump's inauguration was met with violent protests, burning cars, and over 100 arrests. The hosts note that the media and public have largely forgotten the chaos of four years ago, focusing instead on the "Women's March" that occurred the following day.

A humorous critique is directed at podcaster Darren O'Neal for his specific pronunciation of the word "inauguration." The hosts play several clips of O'Neal and compare them to a standard pronunciation guide, jokingly suggesting his "big announcer voice" prevents his co-host from correcting him.

Representative Eric Swalwell discussed new security protocols for members of Congress, including the reimbursement of expenses for bulletproof vests. With 10,000 National Guard troops deployed in Washington D.C., officials are preparing for the January 20th inauguration while labeling protesters as "terrorist insurgents."