We start our discussion in this episode with a "quick" conversation about the Sydney Sweeney American Eagle ad in which she talks about her good "jeans/genes." Josh argues that this is why the left lost to Trump and conservatives, because they turn everything into identity politics and racism. Ryan argues that many on the left realized that as well. We then discuss Trump's threats to fire Jerome Powell and the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Erika McEntarfer. Tom argues that Trump is playing a smart long game, but Josh and Ryan both agree that this is classic authoritarian behavior - fire people who tell the truth because you don't like the truth. Finally, we discuss the defunding of public media, particularly the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which will be shutting down at the end of the year because of the cuts. Ryan argues that it generated wholesome content that taught kids important values, and the people who claim to care about those values - conservatives - are the ones who defunded it. Josh and Tom agree, but they don't think public money should be spent on that. Wholesome content needs to stand on its own. We kind of admit that Sesame Street doesn't really stand a chance then... Unless Sydney Sweeney goes on it and shows some sideboob.