Topic: Black Voters

A clip features Maxine Waters calling Black men who support Donald Trump "crazy" and "shameful," claiming they do not understand how government works. The hosts contrast this harsh rhetoric with her "meet them where they are" approach toward Megan Thee Stallion. They highlight the hypocrisy of her attacking independent thinkers like Ice Cube while supporting the degradation found in gangsta rap.

Krystal Ball's analysis of the Biden meeting highlights the President's "thin-skinned" response to criticism and his warning to Black leaders that they must work with the growing Hispanic population. The hosts discuss the concept of ADOS (American Descendants of Slavery) and the necessity of consolidating the Black vote into a flexible block to maintain political power as other demographics grow.

Adam Curry and Moe discuss the delay in releasing episode 54 due to a lack of concrete data following the 2020 United States election. Moe highlights his focus on tracking national black voter turnout numbers, noting a "buffering of information" from mainstream sources. The hosts establish that the episode will provide a unique perspective on the election results beyond common theories like "the Kraken" or voting machine glitches.

LaTasha Brown of Black Voters Matter discusses how black voters are primarily concerned with healthcare and the coronavirus. She predicts a record turnout despite a drop in 2016. The hosts question how such massive registration and turnout were achieved during a pandemic when "ground games" and door-knocking were restricted.

A discussion of the increasing trend of Black and Latino men leaning toward conservative candidates, citing reports from CNN regarding Florida voters. The hosts criticize the Democratic Party for attempting to model the Hispanic vote after the Black vote and failing to address the specific desires of these communities.

Mondale Robinson of the Black Male Voter Project discusses the mission to create "super voters" among Black men by addressing their specific psychological and economic needs. The hosts critique the use of behavioral psychology to change the "psyche" of voters and discuss how withholding a vote acts as a form of political leverage.

A 1964 clip of Malcolm X's "The Ballot or the Bullet" speech emphasizes the power of the Black voting block to determine who stays in the "doghouse" or goes to the White House. The hosts discuss the strategy of withholding votes in the 2020 election to signal dissatisfaction with both parties, arguing that a low voter turnout is a conscious political message. They reject the media narrative of "voter suppression," asserting that Black men are becoming "politically mature" by demanding tangible results in exchange for their support.

The Republican National Convention is reviewed, with a focus on Kimberly Guilfoyle's high-energy speech and its "dog whistle" to Black and Hispanic men. The hosts observe that the GOP is strategically targeting a small percentage of Black male voters in swing states like Pennsylvania and Michigan. They argue that the Republicans are successfully positioning themselves as the party of "masculinity" and "freedom" compared to the Democratic "nudge" tactics.

Mondale Robinson explains the mission of the Black Male Voter Project, which aims to turn Black men into "super voters" using behavioral psychology. The hosts express skepticism after discovering the project's donation button links directly to ActBlue, a Democratic fundraising platform. They criticize the project's "BMEP Additory Approach" and its use of slang like "Brothers Be Voting" as patronizing and manipulative.

Kanye West confirmed a meeting in Colorado with Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump to discuss "Powernomics" and empowering Black Americans. The analysis suggests West is not targeting "woke" youth but rather older, socially conservative Black Christian voters who may be alienated by the Democratic Party's removal of religious planks. Trump's campaign operatives are reportedly active in helping West secure ballot access in states like Arkansas, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

A throwback clip features activists like Latasha Brown and Angela Rye asserting that Black women are the "miracle workers" of the Democratic Party and that Biden "owes" them. They explicitly demanded a Black woman Vice President, warning that candidates like Amy Klobuchar would fail to energize the base. The hosts argue that while Black women have significant influence, their vote is rendered less effective if Black men "sit on their hands."

MSNBC correspondent Tremaine Lee discusses the "hubris" of Joe Biden's comments but ultimately concludes that black voters will likely maintain their support. Lee's commentary is cited as an example of the "switcheroo" performed by establishment pundits who start with criticism but end with party defense.

Rashad Robinson, president of Color of Change, discusses Bernie Sanders' historical weakness with Black voters. Robinson suggests that Sanders' failure was not necessarily his platform, but his lack of engagement and his failure to hire diverse leadership within his campaign. The hosts analyze Robinson's background as an activist who rose to prominence following Hurricane Katrina.

Donald Trump aired a high-profile political advertisement during the Super Bowl featuring Alice Johnson to highlight his criminal justice reform efforts. The ad specifically targeted black voters by showcasing a relatable redemption story rather than using "super black" pundits or Ivy League intellectuals. Reactions from family members and media figures like Van Jones suggest the messaging may be effectively reaching black men and those who appreciate Trump's perceived honesty.

Analysis of the 2020 Iowa Caucuses focuses on the Democratic Party's reliance on black voter turnout, which dropped from 67% in 2012 to 59% in 2016. Candidates are criticized for using the term "people of color" while competing in a state that is over 90% white. The discussion emphasizes that Democrats cannot win the general election without significantly increasing black voter participation back to Obama-era levels.

Radio legend Tom Joyner signs off after 25 years. The hosts discuss his massive influence on black voter registration and his role as a "gatekeeper" for the DNC, comparing his legacy to the modern influence of The Breakfast Club and the shift toward digital media.

The hosts react to MSNBC's claim that any black person demanding "tangibles" or reparations in exchange for their vote is likely a bot or a victim of disinformation. They characterize this as a desperate and racist attempt to silence legitimate political demands from the black community.

Donald Trump's 2016 performance benefited from a "negative vote," where traditional Democratic voters stayed home due to a lack of tangible results during the Obama administration. Despite Trump's occasionally awkward or offensive phrasing, some Black voters found his stances on illegal immigration and economic competition more relevant than Democratic platitudes. The sentiment "what do we have to lose" became a catalyst for the modern reparations movement as a demand for political leverage.