DC fiasco grows as Governor drops dementia bomb
The David Pakman Show - August 28, 2025
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A mass shooting in Minnesota reignited debate over gun control. Former Republican Congressman Trey Gowdy suggested that access to firearms, particularly among young white males, needs to be addressed. In contrast, Sean Hannity proposed increased security measures like armed guards and metal detectors, highlighting the ongoing partisan divide. While some Republicans acknowledge mental health as a factor, they often oppose funding mental health initiatives, raising questions about the party’s approach to preventing school shootings.
Republican members of Congress are increasingly struggling to defend Donald Trump as his unfulfilled promises become unavoidable for voters. At a recent town hall, Congressman Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma faced intense criticism from constituents over Trump’s broken pledges to lower drug and grocery prices. When pressed for specific legislative actions taken to fulfill these promises, Brecheen struggled, deflecting to state-level issues rather than providing concrete answers.
Economic concerns have mounted under Donald Trump’s policies. Reports show rising grocery and wholesale prices, driven by tariffs, import taxes, and thin margins, making his claims of cost-free benefits for Americans impossible. Meanwhile, staples like coffee and eggs have increased in price, layoffs have continued, and wages remain stagnant. Economists have warned of potential stagflation, with rising costs but no economic growth.
The $245 million Everglades detention center, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” built under Ron DeSantis to support Trump’s deportation policies, is being shut down by a federal judge. Florida taxpayers funded hundreds of millions of dollars, while contracts were awarded without competitive bidding to politically connected companies. The facility, built in a swamp, prioritized photo ops and political messaging over humane conditions or fiscal responsibility.
Concerns about Trump’s cognitive health have been publicly raised by California Governor Gavin Newsom after repeated nonsensical statements. Trump has exhibited a number of behaviors consistent with cognitive decline, including memory lapses, incoherent speech, and difficulty processing new information.
Contrary to claims that the military presence in Washington, D.C. created a “booming” city, restaurant reservations are down and closures continue. Rising costs from tariffs and labor changes have also strained local businesses.
Finally, Trump’s trade strategy has suffered setbacks. Japan canceled a planned trip to Washington, signaling reluctance to negotiate under the administration’s terms. Tariffs meant to pressure countries into accepting U.S. deals failed to generate leverage, with negotiators already lowering rates yet still facing resistance.
On today’s bonus show:
Prosecutors couldn’t secure a felony indictment against a man who threw a sandwich at a federal agent. Russia launched one of its largest attacks on Kyiv despite Trump’s claims of influence over Putin. And over 25 countries have suspended small package deliveries to the U.S. after Trump ended a key tax exemption.
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