Mark Caputo

On immigration, they would say, well, look, we're trying. I don't like being in the position to answer that question, to be honest. But they would say, look, we're trying. And when we try to enforce the immigration laws.

On immigration, they would say, well, look, we're trying. I don't like being in the position to answer that question, to be honest. But they would say, look, we're trying. And when we try to enforce the immigration laws.

Yes. I mean, their general belief is, is that that I was talking to someone from. from the deportation industrial complex here in the DHS framework. And they were complaining. On one hand, they're getting shit from the right that they don't have enough deportations that are happening. And then on the other hand, they're just getting bombed by the left and the media

Yes. I mean, their general belief is, is that that I was talking to someone from. from the deportation industrial complex here in the DHS framework. And they were complaining. On one hand, they're getting shit from the right that they don't have enough deportations that are happening. And then on the other hand, they're just getting bombed by the left and the media

where every time there is a controversial deportation, it becomes these huge headline news events. And in their sense, they're sort of not getting enough credit for it. And Trump's numbers on immigration, like his numbers generally, are going down.

where every time there is a controversial deportation, it becomes these huge headline news events. And in their sense, they're sort of not getting enough credit for it. And Trump's numbers on immigration, like his numbers generally, are going down.

And I think that hits on Emma Jo's second point, which is the handling of the economy and sort of Trump's unsteadiness in implementing the tariffs and policies and not looking like he has as well a developed plan that he's sticking to, is probably the biggest cause of concern that folks in the administration have.

And I think that hits on Emma Jo's second point, which is the handling of the economy and sort of Trump's unsteadiness in implementing the tariffs and policies and not looking like he has as well a developed plan that he's sticking to, is probably the biggest cause of concern that folks in the administration have.

I know a few weeks ago, before he hit the pause on the reciprocal tariffs, that some folks, in the words of one senior White House official, were starting to go, quote, wobbly. Now, they didn't get completely wobbly because there is still sort of almost a messianic belief in Trump's abilities by his appointees, by his White House, by the political appointees in the cabinet agencies.

I know a few weeks ago, before he hit the pause on the reciprocal tariffs, that some folks, in the words of one senior White House official, were starting to go, quote, wobbly. Now, they didn't get completely wobbly because there is still sort of almost a messianic belief in Trump's abilities by his appointees, by his White House, by the political appointees in the cabinet agencies.

They're like, this is a guy who survived one, two assassination attempts, came back, was reelected president, indicted a bunch of times, convicted, adverse court hearing. So they do have this faith and this belief in him. But Does the rest of the country, I think outside of the MAGA base, we're seeing signs that the answer might be no.

They're like, this is a guy who survived one, two assassination attempts, came back, was reelected president, indicted a bunch of times, convicted, adverse court hearing. So they do have this faith and this belief in him. But Does the rest of the country, I think outside of the MAGA base, we're seeing signs that the answer might be no.

There is none. And Trump has been talking about this for at least 38 years in a political context. I wrote a story the other day called Trump's Tariff Brain, pointing out that in his first toe in the water flirtation with running for president in 1987 in New Hampshire, he gave a speech where he talked about other countries are ripping us off. We need to get better trade deals.

There is none. And Trump has been talking about this for at least 38 years in a political context. I wrote a story the other day called Trump's Tariff Brain, pointing out that in his first toe in the water flirtation with running for president in 1987 in New Hampshire, he gave a speech where he talked about other countries are ripping us off. We need to get better trade deals.

We need to stop subsidizing the defense. It's the same thing he's saying now. So for at least 40 years, Donald Trump in one way, shape or form has waited for this moment. And He could have done this differently. I was doing another show and someone had brought up rather intelligently, shouldn't Donald Trump have done this later? That is, he's got to do the reconciliation tax package.

We need to stop subsidizing the defense. It's the same thing he's saying now. So for at least 40 years, Donald Trump in one way, shape or form has waited for this moment. And He could have done this differently. I was doing another show and someone had brought up rather intelligently, shouldn't Donald Trump have done this later? That is, he's got to do the reconciliation tax package.

These are huge, heavy things to lift. He has small margins in the House that make these big things very difficult to do. And then he threw the tariff and the change in the global financial system on top of it. And it's just one big mess. That's a good point. But the reality is Donald Trump is sort of an old man in a hurry, and he believes in doing as much as he can as fast as he can.

These are huge, heavy things to lift. He has small margins in the House that make these big things very difficult to do. And then he threw the tariff and the change in the global financial system on top of it. And it's just one big mess. That's a good point. But the reality is Donald Trump is sort of an old man in a hurry, and he believes in doing as much as he can as fast as he can.

And unlike a conventional politician who would have looked at this and done it in a conventional way, let's come up with a plan, let's do it this way, let's do it later, let's phase it in, he realizes in his mind that he just needs to go for broke and go for the gusto, and he doesn't mind However, he'll never admit that he failed in real time. He doesn't mind experimenting in real time.

And unlike a conventional politician who would have looked at this and done it in a conventional way, let's come up with a plan, let's do it this way, let's do it later, let's phase it in, he realizes in his mind that he just needs to go for broke and go for the gusto, and he doesn't mind However, he'll never admit that he failed in real time. He doesn't mind experimenting in real time.

And that's what we're seeing, which is just unseen in politics, which is a real time experiment of constantly sort of fine tuning, doing deal making almost in public and in real time. It's just sort of staggering. Yeah. On top of that, the scope of changing the global financial system. Like we're in for a ride.

And that's what we're seeing, which is just unseen in politics, which is a real time experiment of constantly sort of fine tuning, doing deal making almost in public and in real time. It's just sort of staggering. Yeah. On top of that, the scope of changing the global financial system. Like we're in for a ride.

People are going to disagree with this, but, well, maybe not. Miller, Stephen Miller, you see one.

People are going to disagree with this, but, well, maybe not. Miller, Stephen Miller, you see one.

Rubio. That's actually true.

Rubio. That's actually true.

People are going to disagree with this. It's Howard Letnick.

People are going to disagree with this. It's Howard Letnick.

He might be gone soon.

He might be gone soon.

I'm still going with Susie. I'll go with Susie Wiles.

I'm still going with Susie. I'll go with Susie Wiles.

Pegson? Caroline Leavitt, baby.

Pegson? Caroline Leavitt, baby.

I think people who are, and now I'm going to swallow my words and be so wrong, but I think the people who are betting that Lutnick's almost a goner are wrong. are seriously underestimating his understanding of Trump and Trump's admiration for him.

I think people who are, and now I'm going to swallow my words and be so wrong, but I think the people who are betting that Lutnick's almost a goner are wrong. are seriously underestimating his understanding of Trump and Trump's admiration for him.

It's provocative. I like it.

It's provocative. I like it.

Yeah, sorry. No, I prefer she talk. This is just going to get me in trouble. Number one, I'm not part of the Washington Club. Yeah, I do cover the Trump White House. I am based in Miami.

Yeah, sorry. No, I prefer she talk. This is just going to get me in trouble. Number one, I'm not part of the Washington Club. Yeah, I do cover the Trump White House. I am based in Miami.

Okay. So some of these people are former co-workers or co-workers. They're friends in some cases. I do need to be careful. I've got myself in trouble on many a podcast. for saying these things.

Okay. So some of these people are former co-workers or co-workers. They're friends in some cases. I do need to be careful. I've got myself in trouble on many a podcast. for saying these things.

Truth to power, Mark. Go ahead. To quote Team America, freedom isn't free. There's a hefty fucking fee. I think I'd said previously, I have to do some home renovations myself. It seems every spring I wind up doing that. I usually wind up in Home Depot covered in various construction materials and looking at Instagram and

Truth to power, Mark. Go ahead. To quote Team America, freedom isn't free. There's a hefty fucking fee. I think I'd said previously, I have to do some home renovations myself. It seems every spring I wind up doing that. I usually wind up in Home Depot covered in various construction materials and looking at Instagram and

And seeing everyone having a great time at these parties, but it's just really, it reminds me of the Hunger Games. It has a real Pan Am vibe. And in previous years, I think this year, from what I just saw through my Instagram feed and what I read, I think this was the best year that they've done it. Because it's probably best that the president not be there. This was the best? I disagree.

And seeing everyone having a great time at these parties, but it's just really, it reminds me of the Hunger Games. It has a real Pan Am vibe. And in previous years, I think this year, from what I just saw through my Instagram feed and what I read, I think this was the best year that they've done it. Because it's probably best that the president not be there. This was the best? I disagree.

And it's probably best that there's not a comedian there. No, no, no, no, no.

And it's probably best that there's not a comedian there. No, no, no, no, no.

It was very heavy and weird. People should loosen up. They should have a few drinks and have a good time and try to raise some money.

It was very heavy and weird. People should loosen up. They should have a few drinks and have a good time and try to raise some money.

I would have done Cat Williams as my comic.

I would have done Cat Williams as my comic.

I think there could be more change coming regarding the seats. I wouldn't be surprised if they went to a lottery system soon of just. Or first come, first serve, or who knows what. But the feud between the WACA, the White House Correspondents Association, and the White House does seem to be a bit on pause.

I think there could be more change coming regarding the seats. I wouldn't be surprised if they went to a lottery system soon of just. Or first come, first serve, or who knows what. But the feud between the WACA, the White House Correspondents Association, and the White House does seem to be a bit on pause.

I can say that before the White House embarked on its battle with WACA, it talked to the big TV networks. And and basically sounded them out that, hey, we're going to do this. And they basically let the networks know we care about you because the president cares about television. That's right. And from what I'm told, from what I'm told, the television networks let it be known.

I can say that before the White House embarked on its battle with WACA, it talked to the big TV networks. And and basically sounded them out that, hey, we're going to do this. And they basically let the networks know we care about you because the president cares about television. That's right. And from what I'm told, from what I'm told, the television networks let it be known.

I'm using passive voice here that. fine, as long as we get our access, you go right ahead and do this. So I'm not sure what value WACA brings outside of what used to be the pool reports, but even that has been changed now.

I'm using passive voice here that. fine, as long as we get our access, you go right ahead and do this. So I'm not sure what value WACA brings outside of what used to be the pool reports, but even that has been changed now.

Thanks to Mark and Emma Jo.

Thanks to Mark and Emma Jo.

On immigration, they would say, well, look, we're trying. I don't like being in the position to answer that question, to be honest. But they would say, look, we're trying. And when we try to enforce the immigration laws.

Yes. I mean, their general belief is, is that that I was talking to someone from. from the deportation industrial complex here in the DHS framework. And they were complaining. On one hand, they're getting shit from the right that they don't have enough deportations that are happening. And then on the other hand, they're just getting bombed by the left and the media

where every time there is a controversial deportation, it becomes these huge headline news events. And in their sense, they're sort of not getting enough credit for it. And Trump's numbers on immigration, like his numbers generally, are going down.

And I think that hits on Emma Jo's second point, which is the handling of the economy and sort of Trump's unsteadiness in implementing the tariffs and policies and not looking like he has as well a developed plan that he's sticking to, is probably the biggest cause of concern that folks in the administration have.

I know a few weeks ago, before he hit the pause on the reciprocal tariffs, that some folks, in the words of one senior White House official, were starting to go, quote, wobbly. Now, they didn't get completely wobbly because there is still sort of almost a messianic belief in Trump's abilities by his appointees, by his White House, by the political appointees in the cabinet agencies.

They're like, this is a guy who survived one, two assassination attempts, came back, was reelected president, indicted a bunch of times, convicted, adverse court hearing. So they do have this faith and this belief in him. But Does the rest of the country, I think outside of the MAGA base, we're seeing signs that the answer might be no.

There is none. And Trump has been talking about this for at least 38 years in a political context. I wrote a story the other day called Trump's Tariff Brain, pointing out that in his first toe in the water flirtation with running for president in 1987 in New Hampshire, he gave a speech where he talked about other countries are ripping us off. We need to get better trade deals.

We need to stop subsidizing the defense. It's the same thing he's saying now. So for at least 40 years, Donald Trump in one way, shape or form has waited for this moment. And He could have done this differently. I was doing another show and someone had brought up rather intelligently, shouldn't Donald Trump have done this later? That is, he's got to do the reconciliation tax package.

These are huge, heavy things to lift. He has small margins in the House that make these big things very difficult to do. And then he threw the tariff and the change in the global financial system on top of it. And it's just one big mess. That's a good point. But the reality is Donald Trump is sort of an old man in a hurry, and he believes in doing as much as he can as fast as he can.

And unlike a conventional politician who would have looked at this and done it in a conventional way, let's come up with a plan, let's do it this way, let's do it later, let's phase it in, he realizes in his mind that he just needs to go for broke and go for the gusto, and he doesn't mind However, he'll never admit that he failed in real time. He doesn't mind experimenting in real time.

And that's what we're seeing, which is just unseen in politics, which is a real time experiment of constantly sort of fine tuning, doing deal making almost in public and in real time. It's just sort of staggering. Yeah. On top of that, the scope of changing the global financial system. Like we're in for a ride.

People are going to disagree with this, but, well, maybe not. Miller, Stephen Miller, you see one.

Rubio. That's actually true.

People are going to disagree with this. It's Howard Letnick.

He might be gone soon.

I'm still going with Susie. I'll go with Susie Wiles.

Pegson? Caroline Leavitt, baby.

I think people who are, and now I'm going to swallow my words and be so wrong, but I think the people who are betting that Lutnick's almost a goner are wrong. are seriously underestimating his understanding of Trump and Trump's admiration for him.

It's provocative. I like it.

Yeah, sorry. No, I prefer she talk. This is just going to get me in trouble. Number one, I'm not part of the Washington Club. Yeah, I do cover the Trump White House. I am based in Miami.

Okay. So some of these people are former co-workers or co-workers. They're friends in some cases. I do need to be careful. I've got myself in trouble on many a podcast. for saying these things.

Truth to power, Mark. Go ahead. To quote Team America, freedom isn't free. There's a hefty fucking fee. I think I'd said previously, I have to do some home renovations myself. It seems every spring I wind up doing that. I usually wind up in Home Depot covered in various construction materials and looking at Instagram and

And seeing everyone having a great time at these parties, but it's just really, it reminds me of the Hunger Games. It has a real Pan Am vibe. And in previous years, I think this year, from what I just saw through my Instagram feed and what I read, I think this was the best year that they've done it. Because it's probably best that the president not be there. This was the best? I disagree.

And it's probably best that there's not a comedian there. No, no, no, no, no.

It was very heavy and weird. People should loosen up. They should have a few drinks and have a good time and try to raise some money.

I would have done Cat Williams as my comic.

I think there could be more change coming regarding the seats. I wouldn't be surprised if they went to a lottery system soon of just. Or first come, first serve, or who knows what. But the feud between the WACA, the White House Correspondents Association, and the White House does seem to be a bit on pause.

I can say that before the White House embarked on its battle with WACA, it talked to the big TV networks. And and basically sounded them out that, hey, we're going to do this. And they basically let the networks know we care about you because the president cares about television. That's right. And from what I'm told, from what I'm told, the television networks let it be known.

I'm using passive voice here that. fine, as long as we get our access, you go right ahead and do this. So I'm not sure what value WACA brings outside of what used to be the pool reports, but even that has been changed now.

Thanks to Mark and Emma Jo.