We’re looking weaker and weaker, and it’s sad

The David Pakman Show

May 22, 2026•1 hr 8 min

--:--

Listen in podcast apps:

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Download

Listen to this episode in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episode description

-- On the Show:

-- Donald Trump's rallies revolve around emotional loyalty, repetition, grievance, and identity reinforcement rather than policy and ideology

-- The Democratic National Committee finally releases its 2024 election autopsy, bowing to intense internal pressure for transparency

-- Donald Trump tells reporters he might skip his son's wedding because of Iran and promotes the ballroom with bulletproof walls and a drone port

-- A new Quinnipiac poll shows Donald Trump collapsing on economic approval as Americans blame him for rising prices

-- Donald Trump receives praise and ceremonies from authoritarian leaders abroad but returns without meaningful diplomatic wins

-- The United States increasingly projects military power and nationalist imagery while struggling internally with debt, instability, and rising costs

-- Democratic leaders continue relying on cautious media strategies while Republicans adapt faster to aggressive, unscripted messaging

-- The Friday Feedback segment

-- On the Bonus Show: Graduation speakers across the country get booed over AI praise, and much more...

🩳 Quince: Get free shipping & 365-day returns at https://quince.com/pakman

🧠 Try Brain.fm totally free for a month at https://brain.fm/pakman

🛡️ Incogni lets you control your personal data! Get 60% off their annual plan: http://incogni.com/pakman 🥄 Magic Spoon: Use code PAKMAN for $5 off at https://magicspoon.com/pakman

-- Become a Member: https://davidpakman.com/membership

-- Subscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://davidpakman.substack.com

-- Get David's Books: https://davidpakman.com/echo

-- TDPS Subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/thedavidpakmanshow

-- David on Bluesky: https://davidpakman.com/bluesky

-- David on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/davidpakmanshow

(00:00) Start

(01:37) A closer look at Trump rallies

(08:16) DNC releases 2024 autopsy

(15:11) Trump might skip his son's wedding

(24:42) Trump's economic approval collapses

(31:18) Trump gets praise from foreign dictators, but no wins