Will the attacks on Trump propel him to the top of the GOP?

July 02, 2015

Writer

Progressives are jumping all over Donald Trump over comments he made about illegal immigrants during a presidential campaign event. Macy’s, Univision, and NBC Universal have all severed ties with the candidate and real estate mogul, and New York City officials have said they will review their contracts with The Donald. But amidst all the controversy, many polls are showing Trump near the top. Could all the negative attacks end up hurting him? Glenn has the story and reaction on radio.

Start listening about 6 minutes into today's podcast:

Below is a rush transcript of the segment, it may contain errors:

GLENN: Can I just tell you something? I have lost complete faith in the American people. Just today, I went to two websites. I open up the website. And, you know, I go to the internet, and I first click on Drudge Report. And the Drudge Report has, Donald Trump surging in polls.

PAT: Yeah.

GLENN: Okay. He's number one. Is he number one now in Ohio?

STU: No, he's number two, I think.

PAT: Two in Ohio.

GLENN: Behind Ben Carson? What I saw was a poll that said, Donald Trump, Ben Carson, and -- and then -- who was it? Scott Walker.

STU: Let's see.

GLENN: That's what it was on the Drudge Report.

STU: Scott Walker leads the Republican field with 18 percent. Ben Carson tied with Trump for second.

GLENN: Okay. Where was that?

STU: That's Ohio.

GLENN: Okay. That's Ohio. Okay. So -- and I'm thinking to myself, Donald Trump -- Donald Trump? Then I click over to the HuffPo to see what they're saying. They're all on Bernie mania. And Bernie Sanders has the biggest crowds ever. And I'm thinking to myself --

PAT: Biggest ever for a socialist or just biggest ever, period?

GLENN: So if this country decides to look and say, you know what, I don't know, it's either Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders, I am moving anywhere -- anywhere --

STU: I'm moving to North Korea if that's the case.

GLENN: Oh, my gosh, North Korea?

PAT: They have cool hotels.

GLENN: My gosh, what is wrong with us?

STU: I'm, by the way, opening this up to the entire audience. Willing to bet you any amount of money, any individual person, any amount of money that I can possibly afford, that Donald Trump will not be the Republican nominee and Bernie Sanders will not be the Democrat nominee.

PAT: He will not. We saw this last time.

STU: I'm open. @worldofStu, tweet me if you have an offer for a wager because I will accept all of them up to any amount I can afford. There is a 0 percent chance that Donald Trump is the nominee.

PAT: That is true. That is true. We need to keep this in perspective. Remember the time someone jumped in the race --

GLENN: Zero. This is what my wife said --

PAT: -- and they started making noise, and they went straight to the top.

GLENN: I know. But for the love of Pete, really? For the love of Pete.

PAT: Yeah, even Donald Trump. I know. I know. People are just grasping at straws.

GLENN: I actually think, because Paul Begala said, you know, this Donald Trump surge in the polls, it tells me that God is a Democrat, and he has a great sense of humor. And I thought to myself, that's the way I would view it too. Because that's the way I view Bernie Sanders. Thank you, Lord. Thank you. Because Bernie Sanders is a full-fledged socialist.

He's going to push Hillary -- there's no way he's going to win. He's going to expose the Democrats for who they really, truly are. Socialists.

PAT: Yeah. Yeah.

GLENN: He's going to push Hillary Clinton -- not that she needs very much of a push, but he's going to push her left. So I look at that and say, that's ridiculous. Thank you, Lord. That's the way they're looking at Donald Trump. Thank you, Lord.

STU: I don't think it's the same way. What you're saying is true. Obviously, I think both sides -- I get a kick out of Bernie Sanders. But the reason why I think Bernie Sanders is different because Donald Trump is just a joke.

GLENN: Yes. Yes.

STU: He's half, I'm going to tax people's bank accounts and half I'm going to say crazy things about Mexicans and I'm going to be outspoken and make a lot of crazy statements. Bernie Sanders is just articulate what Democrats believe.

GLENN: Yes.

STU: He's just not afraid to say it.

GLENN: I agree. Bernie Sanders is not crazy. He's just a full-fledged socialist.

STU: Right. And so is Hillary Clinton. But she doesn't say it. You know, he's just being honest. Donald Trump is not being honest about what Republicans believe. I'm sorry, Republicans do not believe you should tax the wealth out of people's bank accounts.

GLENN: And Donald Trump does.

STU: And Donald Trump does. He has actually supported that policy. He supported all kind of crap. He's a protectionist. Is that what the Republican Party is? I don't think it is at all.

GLENN: I don't know what it is anymore.

PAT: It's not that. I mean, Donald Trump is -- he's a reality TV star, and he's a guy who knows how to get attention.

GLENN: He's as serious as I would be -- no, I contend I would be more serious running for president.

STU: You would be. You would be. The guy has half run for president 90 times because he likes the attention it brings. He's going down this road maybe for real this time. But there is, again, a 0 percent chance he wins this nomination. 0 percent. And we're going to play this back when he's the nominee and make me feel bad. But there's a 0 percent chance.

PAT: He's in trouble right now too. This is serious -- NBC already dropped him. Macy's just dropped his clothing line. The PGA is reviewing whether or not they're going to drop his golf courses from their tour.

STU: Wow.

PAT: New York City is reviewing whether they'll drop all their business relations with him. New York City and Donald Trump, they're practically one and the same. He has developments all over town.

GLENN: Yeah, but he's not the same anymore. Because they've just elected a socialist.

PAT: Yeah. I know. I know.

GLENN: So the socialists hate Donald Trump.

PAT: But can you imagine if New York City stops doing business with Donald Trump?

GLENN: Honestly I know this is a complete conspiracy theory and it's one that I'm just making up, and I want to make it clear, I'm just making this up. I'm thinking out loud here on crazy thoughts. But if I were the Democrats, I would have started the protest on Donald Trump because I would be like, you know what, if you start getting him thrown off of things, it will make him more popular with the right.

STU: It makes you want to defend him.

GLENN: Because it makes me want to say, you know what, Donald, I'm not for you, but I'm for you on that. What kind of world do we live in where you can't say anything? It's stupid what he said. I don't agree with what he said. But he has a right to say it and not be run out of so it society. What is wrong with us?

PAT: If he nuanced what he said just ever so slightly, there's no problem with what he said at all. He just said it inartfully. The excuse they always use, and he should have used it too. I spoke inartfully. I spoke inartfully when I said...

DONALD: When Mexico sends his people, they're not sending their best. They're not sending you. They're not sending you --

PAT: Does anybody argue, like is Carlos Slim coming across the US border illegally?

STU: Probably not.

GLENN: No.

PAT: The guy with $68 billion, is he coming across the US border? No. He's probably mostly right about that statement so far. The best in their society, the economically well off are not coming across the border illegally. We know that.

JEFFY: Our own reports show that they're expecting the gang members to be across the border.

PAT: Sure. And they are coming by thousands.

DONALD: They have lots of problems, and they're bringing their problems with them. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.

PAT: Okay. If he would have just said, you know, there are some rapists, would he been in any trouble at all, instead of saying they're rapists?

GLENN: No. If he would have said, court records show that many of the people coming across are -- are undesirable in Mexico. They are people that raped over there and are raping over here. They have committed crimes over there and crimes over here. And that's well-documented. Now, sure there are good people coming across. This is -- this is just a bad way of saying what we all know to be true.

STU: There are obviously some people who come over who commit crimes. We know this to be true.

GLENN: We know it.

STU: That does not mean the vast majority of them are. But why should we be rooting for any? Right? We don't need additional crimes here. We're all set with our crimes. The people here commit enough crimes. We don't necessarily need some of Mexico's crimes too.

PAT: Exactly. That's the point. Because every time you mention the fact that an illegal alien has committed a felony. Well, Americans should -- right. And we have enough of that with our own citizens. We don't need other people's citizens doing the same thing here. We don't need that.

GLENN: So what do you think? So what happens to Donald Trump here?

STU: The thing I'm worried about is they're going to make this protest into a legitimate thing, and like New York City will cut off his business interests, which just entrenches him more in this campaign. I mean, if everything else goes away, this is all he'll have. And he'll sit here and just --

GLENN: Unless his advisers are saying, get out of this now.

STU: Well, I've always been on that bandwagon because eventually he has to turn over financial records, and I don't think he'll do that.

JEFFY: It's too late for him to get out now.

STU: You're right. He's getting to that point where he's entrenching himself.

GLENN: That's intense. That's intense. Because there will be a lot of people that will be for him, despite his progressive policies.

STU: Yeah, because at this point, they're seeing, guy who is outspoken. Not backing down. And that's it.

GLENN: And guy who is willing to say, you know, the president is Kenyan. You know what I mean?

STU: Right. Willing to say something incorrect. But still willing to say something that's controversial and not back down.

GLENN: Right. But there's a lot of people who believe that, many on the Democrat side, and nobody would say that. Well, because it was wrong, that's why. Because it was wrong.

STU: That's a minor part of the story.

GLENN: I know. But they don't believe anything anymore. People don't believe anything. So when somebody has the -- and then with everybody coming after him, they think, oh, see.

JEFFY: Yep.

GLENN: Oh, we're in trouble.

STU: It's just the climate we're in. It's weird. I was at the grocery store the other day and bought a delicious box of Triscuits. They were toasted coconut and sea salt Triscuits, which were delicious. And on the face, smiling back at me, was Martha Stewart. A woman who went to prison for an actual crime. She's the face of Triscuits. Okay?

What is the Secret Service trying to hide about Trump's assassination attempt?

KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / Contributor, Anadolu / Contributor | Getty Images

This past weekend we were mere inches away from a radically different America than the one we have today. This was the first time a president had been wounded by a would-be assassin since 1981, and the horrific event has many people questioning the competency and motives of the supposedly elite agents trusted with the president's life.

The director of the Secret Service apparently knew about the assassin's rooftop before the shooting—and did nothing.

Kimberly Cheatle has come under intense scrutiny these last couple of weeks, as Secret Service director she is responsible for the president's well-being, along with all security operations onsite. In a recent interview with ABC, Cheatle admitted that she was aware of the building where the assassin made his mark on American history. She even said that she was mindful of the potential risk but decided against securing the site due to "safety concerns" with the slope of the roof. This statement has called her competence into question. Clearly, the rooftop wasn't that unsafe if the 20-year-old shooter managed to access it.

Glenn pointed out recently that Cheatle seems to be unqualified for the job. Her previous position was senior director in global security at America's second-favorite soda tycoon, PepsiCo. While guarding soda pop and potato chips sounds like an important job to some, it doesn't seem like a position that would qualify you to protect the life of America's most important and controversial people. Even considering her lack of appropriate experience, this seems like a major oversight that even a layperson would have seen. Can we really chalk this up to incompetence?

Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / Contributor | Getty Images

The Secret Service and DHS said they'd be transparent with the investigation...

Shortly after the attempted assassination, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the Secret Service, launched an investigation into the shooting and the security protocols in place at the rally. The DHS promised full transparency during the investigation, but House Republicans don't feel that they've been living up to that promise. Republican members of the House Oversight Committee are frustrated with Director Cheatle after she seemingly dodged a meeting scheduled for Tuesday. This has resulted in calls for Cheatle to step down from her position.

Two FBI agents investigate the assassin's rooftop Jeff Swensen / Stringer | Getty Images

Why is the Secret Service being so elusive? Are they just trying to cover their blunder? We seem to be left with two unsettling options: either the government is even more incompetent than we'd ever believed, or there is more going on here than they want us to know.

Cheatle steps down

Following a horrendous testimony to the House Oversight Committee Director Cheatle finally stepped down from her position ten days after the assassination attempt. Cheatle failed to give any meaningful answer to the barrage of questions she faced from the committee. These questions, coming from both Republicans and Democrats, were often regarding basic information that Cheatle should have had hours after the shooting, yet Cheatle struggled with each and every one. Glenn pointed out that Director Cheatle's resignation should not signal the end of the investigation, the American people deserve to know what happened.

What we DO and DON'T know about Thomas Matthew Crooks

Jim Vondruska / Stringer | Getty Images

It has been over a week since 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks narrowly failed to assassinate President Trump while the president gave a speech at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennslyvania. Despite the ongoing investigations, we still know very little about the would-be assassin, which has left many wondering if the agencies involved are limiting the information that Congress and the public are receiving.

As Glenn has pointed out, there are still major questions about the shooter that are unanswered, and the American people are left at the whim of unreliable federal agencies. Here is everything we know—and everything we don't know—about Thomas Matthew Crooks:

Who was he?

What we know:Thomas Crooks lived in Bethel Parks, Pennsylvania, approximately an hour south of Butler. Crooks went to high school in Bethel Parks, where he would graduate in 2022. Teachers and classmates described him as a loner and as nerdy, but generally nice, friendly, and intelligent. Crooks tried out for the school rifle team but was rejected due to his poor aim, and reports indicate that Crooks was often bullied for his nerdy demeanor and for wearing camo hunting gear to school.

After high school, Crooks began work at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center as a dietary aide. In fact, he was scheduled to work on the day of the rally but requested the day off. He passed a background check to work at the facility and was reportedly an unproblematic employee. Crooks was also a member of a local gun club where he practiced shooting the day before the rally.

It was recently revealed that sometime before his attempted assassination, Crooks posted the following message on Steam, a popular computer application used for playing video games: "July 13 will be my premiere, watch as it unfolds." Aside from this, Crooks posted no warning or manifesto regarding his attack, and little other relevant information is known about him.

What we don't know:It is unclear what Crook's political affiliations or views were, or if he was aligned with any extremist organizations. Crooks was a registered Republican, and his classmates recall him defending conservative ideas and viewpoints in class. On the other hand, the Federal Election Commission has revealed he donated to a progressive PAC on the day Biden was inaugurated. He also reportedly wore a COVID mask to school much longer than was required.

Clearly, we are missing the full picture. Why would a Republican attempt to assassinate the Republican presidential nominee? What is to gain? And why would he donate to a progressive organization as a conservative? This doesn't add up, and so far the federal agencies investigating the attack have yet to reveal anything more.

What were his goals?

What we know: Obviously we know he was trying to assassinate President Trump—and came very close to succeeding, but beyond that, Crooks' goals are unknown. He left no manifesto or any sort of written motive behind, or if he did, the authorities haven't published it yet. We have frustratingly little to go off of.

What we don't know: As stated before, we don't know anything about the movies behind Crooks' heinous actions. We are left with disjointed pieces that make it difficult to paint a cohesive picture of this man. There is also the matter that he left explosives, ammo, and a bulletproof vest in his car. Why? Did he assume he was going to make it back to his car? Or were those supplies meant for an accomplice that never showed up?

The shocking lack of information on Crooks' motives makes it seem likely that we are not being let on to the whole truth.

Did he work alone?

What we know: Reportedly, Crooks was the only gunman on the site, and as of now, no other suspects have been identified. The rifle used during the assassination attempt was purchased and registered by Crooks' father. However, it is unlikely that the father was involved as he reported both his son and rifle missing the night of the assassination attempt. Crooks' former classmates described him as a "loner," which seems to corroborate the narrative that he worked alone.

What we don't know: We know how Crooks acquired his rifle, but what about the rest of his equipment? He reportedly had nearly a hundred extra rounds of ammunition, a bulletproof vest, and several homemade bombs in his car. Could these have been meant for a co-conspirator who didn't show? Did Crooks acquire all of this equipment himself, or did he have help?

There's also the matter of the message Crooks left on the video game platform Steam that served as his only warning of the attack. Who was the message for? Are there people out there who were aware of the attack before it occurred? Why didn't they alert authorities?

We know authorities have access to Crooks' laptop and cellphone that probably contain the answers to these pertinent questions. Why haven't we heard any clarity from the authorities? It seems we are again at the mercy of the federal bureaucracy, which begs one more question: Will we ever know the whole truth?

Who will be Kamala Harris' VP pick?

JIM WATSON / Contributor, Chris duMond / Stringer, Justin Sullivan / Staff | Getty Images

Over the weekend, President Joe Biden officially dropped out of the 2024 presidential election and put forward his endorsement behind his Vice President Kamala Harris.

Glenn recently predicted that Biden would step down due to the mountain of pressure within his party to do so. But now that we are here we are faced with an all-new line of questions, like, who will be the candidate on the Democratic ticket? Who will be their pick for vice president?

As of now, the answer to the first question seems to be Kamala Harris, who received the support of the president and several prominent democrats. It's still too early to call for certain, and Glenn doesn't think it's likely, but assuming Kamala becomes the Democrat nominee, who will her VP pick be? There are endless possible options, but there are a 5 big names that could prove beneficial to Harris' campaign:

California Gov. Gavin Newsom

Bill Pugliano / Stringer | Getty Images

Governor Newsom has spiked in popularity within his party since his taking office in 2019 due to his scathing criticisms of President Trump and other Republicans. Newsom has been a popular contender as a possible Biden replacement, and a future presidential bid seems likely.

His widespread recognition may be a boon to Kamala's ticket, but the California governor comes with a dark side. Newsom was famously nearly recalled as Governor in 2021, hanging on to his office by a narrow margin. He also faced criticism for his hypocrisy during the COVID lockdowns, attending large gatherings while the rest of his state was locked inside. There's also the issue that both Newsom and Kamala are from California, meaning that if they were to appear on the same ticket, that ticket would lack geographical balance and would potentially lead to a Constitutional issue that would force the duo to forfeit all 54 of the states' Electoral College votes.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro

Tom Williams / Contributor | Getty Images

Another prominent Democrat Governor, Josh Shapiro has also been floated as a potential VP pick. Governor Shapiro has become a viable pick due to his well-received performance as Pennslyvania's Governor. The governor has good support within the swing state due to his handling of the I-95 bridge collapse, the train derailment in East Palestine, which had effects on his state, and the assassination attempt on the former president last week. Shapiro would bring much-needed support from the swing state if he was put on the ticket.

That being said, Shapiro has little time to build nationwide name recognition before the DNC in August and the November election. This would be Shapiro's debut on the national stage, and he would find himself in the most unforgiving situation possible.

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg

FREDERIC J. BROWN / Contributor | Getty Images

Former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and opponent of Biden during the 2020 Democratic primaries, "Mayor Pete's" name recognition might be what Kamala needs on her presidential ticket. Buttigieg rose to popularity during the 2020 election due to his youth and status as "openly gay." Buttigieg has served as the Secretary of Transportation during the Biden administration for the past four years and has formally endorsed Harris.

Nevertheless, Buttigieg has some dark spots on his resume. The East Palestine train derailment disaster has besmirched his reputation as Secretary of Transportation. And while his youth may work in his favor when compared to the other elderly members of our federal government, it also means Buttigieg lacks the experience and prestige that other politicians enjoy.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Noam Galai / Stringer | Getty Images

Yet another governor of a crucial swing state, Whitmer was elected in 2018, two years after President Trump was elected, helping secure the state for the Democrats. Whitmer is known for her strong opposition to Trump, both during his presidency and his reelection campaign. Whitmer serves as co-chair for the Biden-Harris campaign and as vice chairperson of the DNC, which gives her influence over the Democratic party, something that would come in handy as a Vice President. Gov. Whitmer also established the Fight Like Hell PAC, which is dedicated to helping Democrats get elected and to stopping Trump by any means.

On the other hand, in a statement following Biden's resignation from the election, Governor Whitmer stated that her role “will remain the same.” It is also worth noting that if she were to be chosen as Kamala's VP, that would make their ticket all-female, which may foster some "woke points," but is politically risky.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear

Lexington Herald-Leader / Contributor | Getty Images

Andy Bashear has seemingly beaten the odds twice, having been elected and reelected as the Governor of Kentucky, despite the deep-red nature of the state. Beshear, who has moderate tendencies, would be a boon to the Harris campaign as he has a track record of reaching rural, typically conservative regions where Democrats tend to struggle. He is also known for his propensity to talk about his Christian faith and willingness to work with Republicans, which are traits that might help win over moderates.

But, like Gov. Shapiro, Bashear has very little time to whip up national support and recognition. He also is unlikely to be very much help for the Harris campaign in winning over important swing states.

Five times Glenn had J.D. Vance on his show and where he stands on key issues

CHANDAN KHANNAMANDEL NGAN / Contributor | Getty Images

We finally have an answer to the long-awaited question of who Trump will pick for his running mate, and it's none other than Ohio Senator and friend of the show, J.D. Vance. At the RNC in Milwaukee, Trump officially accepted the party's nomination as the Republican candidate and announced J.D. Vance as his running mate.

Glenn has had Senator Vance on the show several times to discuss everything from DEI to the Southern Border. If you are looking to familiarize yourself with the next potential Vice President, look no further, here are five conversations Glenn had with Trump's VP pick:

Glenn's Show Prep