Military skeptical of Trump as speech goes haywire, government shuts down

The David Pakman Show - October 1, 2025

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The government shut down at midnight, marking the latest in a series of self-imposed political crises. Federal workers are now furloughed, services are delayed, and Americans face new financial uncertainty. While President Trump presents the shutdown as a tactic to pressure Democrats, by his own previous logic, ultimate responsibility lies with the president, highlighting both the immediate harm and the broader political stakes for Republicans.

In a speech to military leaders, Trump delivered authoritarian rhetoric, portraying domestic communities as potential enemies and suggesting military intervention against protesters. Military officials reportedly appeared uncomfortable or even mocked his remarks, illustrating potential vulnerability in his authority.

California Governor Gavin Newsom exposed a hypocrisy in the Trump administration regarding fitness standards. While criticizing overweight service members, Trump himself fails to meet similar standards, highlighting a pattern of hypocrisy and personal insecurities.

Political activism continues to build, with more than 2,100 anti-Trump protests planned for October 18. While numbers are high, analysts caution that sustained turnout, strategic disruption, and clear goals are necessary to create meaningful political pressure in a decentralized system; otherwise, demonstrations risk being symbolic rather than consequential.

Recent polling from the Associated Press, Gallup, Quinnipiac, Reuters, and The Economist shows Donald Trump is deeply unpopular, with approval ratings in the 30s on the economy, trade, and immigration. His signature issues are underwater, and high-profile stunts like the Jimmy Kimmel episode and the James Comey indictment have backfired. While hardcore MAGA supporters remain loyal, independents and skeptical Republicans are increasingly alienated.

Finally, Trump’s Energy Secretary is pushing costly coal subsidies despite low employment, high expenses, and environmental harm. This symbolic MAGA gesture ignores market realities and global trends, prioritizing ideology over competitiveness, public health, and long-term energy security.

On today’s bonus show:

Donald Trump posts a deepfake video depicting Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, sparking concern about AI-generated media. Republicans block the swearing-in of Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva to delay a vote on releasing the Epstein files. And OpenAI is launching a social app for AI-generated videos,

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