US Politics Weekly Election Extra: Trump-Harris Showdown - Cuban, Polls, Rallies, & Tech Bros

“If you tell the American people that this person needs to be eliminated, most of them, thank God, are going to ignore you. But some crazy person is going to take matters into their own hands and actually listen to the crazy rhetoric that you're putting out there.”

Hello Team

🎦 00:00-01:18⏩

Jonathan welcomes viewers to this US election special. It's a follow-up to the previous day's video and covers the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the response from both Trump and Kamala Harris, and the current state of the polls.

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Assassination Attempt Rhetoric

🎦 01:18-04:07⏩

Jonathan discusses the rhetoric surrounding the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. He describes it as "wingnut" and "psychologically and politically" bizarre, and suggests that the event has had minimal impact on the polls. He goes on to say that Trump is using the incident to sell assassination training and merchandise. Jonathan also criticises the inflammatory rhetoric coming from both sides, stating that it is "not very nice" and "not very clever". He gives examples of how both Trump and the Democrats have used divisive rhetoric in the past.

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Trump's Divisive Rhetoric

🎦 04:07-07:28⏩

Jonathan plays clips of Trump's recent speeches and interviews, highlighting his use of divisive rhetoric. He points out Trump's frequent use of terms like "fascist", "Marxist", "communist", and "radical left", arguing that this rhetoric is deeply problematic and dehumanising. He further criticises Trump for accusing the Democrats of employing divisive rhetoric while engaging in it himself. Jonathan argues that Trump's use of this rhetoric is hypocritical and ultimately unhelpful.

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Taylor Swift's Endorsement

🎦 07:28-09:47⏩

Jonathan discusses Taylor Swift's endorsement of Kamala Harris. He highlights Trump's reaction to Swift's endorsement, which was to declare his hatred for her. Jonathan then explores the various responses from the right-wing ecosystem to Swift's endorsement, ranging from indifference to outright hostility. He questions the notion that some individuals are not entitled to political opinions, arguing that everyone has the right to express their political views, especially when they are backed up with evidence and reasoning. Jonathan concludes by pointing out that Trump's public feud with Swift is likely to have a negative impact on his campaign, given Swift's immense popularity.

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Trump's Advocacy for Voter Fraud

🎦 09:47-11:32⏩

Jonathan addresses a clip of Trump promoting potential voter fraud by encouraging his supporters to cast multiple ballots. He argues that Trump's actions are hypocritical, considering his frequent allegations of voter fraud in the past. Jonathan points out the irony of Trump advocating for voter fraud while simultaneously claiming that the election was stolen from him. He also criticises Trump's suggestion to cast both early ballots and in-person votes, questioning the validity of this strategy.

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Trump's Misgendering of Nicky Jam

🎦 11:32-13:38⏩

Jonathan discusses a clip of Trump misgendering Nicky Jam, a Latin music superstar, at a rally. He expresses his disgust at Trump's ignorance and lack of preparation. Jonathan highlights Trump's tendency to make inappropriate comments about people he doesn't know, showcasing his lack of knowledge and preparedness. He concludes by describing the incident as "insanely embarrassing" for Trump.

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Sarah Huckabee Sanders' Attack on Kamala Harris

🎦 13:38-16:13⏩

Jonathan expresses his disgust at Sarah Huckabee Sanders' attack on Kamala Harris for not having children. He finds Sanders' remarks to be unacceptable and hurtful, highlighting that she mispronounces Harris's name on purpose and uses the lack of children as a means to undermine her. Jonathan argues that Sanders' remarks are designed to appeal to her base while simultaneously alienating those who don't fit the traditional family model. He criticizes the campaign's divisiveness and lack of clever strategizing.

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Project 2025 and the Republican's Hypocrisy

🎦 16:13-17:55⏩

Jonathan discusses Project 2025, a manifesto that outlines the Republican's plan for government restructuring. He points out the hypocrisy of the Republicans calling for Kamala Harris to remove ads that reference Project 2025 while simultaneously espousing its principles. He provides evidence of Trump and his supporters openly endorsing Project 2025, indicating that the Republicans are not actually distancing themselves from its agenda.

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The Republican's Challenge

🎦 17:55-20:16⏩

Jonathan presents a cynical yet insightful perspective on the Republican's current position. He argues that they have lost significant influence in major institutions, including big business, finance, the culture, and the academy. He believes that in order to affect real change, the Republicans will need to completely replace the existing ruling class with a new one. This, he suggests, will involve a "purge of government" in line with Project 2025. Jonathan believes that the Republicans are only trying to distance themselves from Project 2025 publicly because it is unpopular, but their true intention is to implement its agenda if they come to power.

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Tim Walz vs JD Vance

🎦 20:16-21:47⏩

Jonathan compares the speaking circuits of Tim Walz and JD Vance. He observes that Walz's venues are generally larger than Vance's, suggesting that Walz has more popular appeal. He discusses the importance of appealing to young white men, a demographic that is often susceptible to "manosphere" messaging. Jonathan explains the manosphere as a space where right-wing rhetoric is used to appeal to young men's insecurities about masculinity in modern society.

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The Republican's Strategy for Appealing to Young Men

🎦 21:47-23:41⏩

Jonathan discusses the Republican's strategy for appealing to young men. He points out the divergence between the political dispositions of young women and young men, with young women skewing towards the left and young men towards the right. He attributes this trend to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and the subsequent attack on bodily autonomy. Jonathan explains that the Republicans are actively campaigning to young men by exploiting their insecurities and fears. He gives examples of how Trump and other Republicans are using platforms like YouTube and podcasts to reach this demographic.

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Tim Walz's Super Weapon: Appealing to Young Men

🎦 23:41-26:05⏩

Jonathan discusses how Tim Walz is attempting to appeal to young white men, a key demographic for the Democrats. He shares a user comment that highlights the impact Walz has had on young men, with some even switching their political affiliation after seeing him in action. Jonathan believes that Walz's ability to connect with young men is a crucial weapon in the Democrats' arsenal. He argues that Walz needs to continue to engage with this demographic, particularly during public events like debates.

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The Importance of Persuasion

🎦 26:05-26:35⏩

Jonathan emphasizes the importance of persuasion in political campaigns. He uses the example of Tim Walz's personable nature and his ability to engage with people in a genuine and authentic way. He contrasts this with JD Vance's "cringeworthy" interactions with people, arguing that Walz is a more effective communicator due to his ability to connect with people on a personal level.

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Elon Musk's Influence

🎦 26:35-28:30⏩

Jonathan discusses Elon Musk's involvement in the election. He highlights Musk's apparent encouragement of violence against Kamala Harris. Jonathan also mentions that Musk, being contracted to the Department of Defense (DOD), should be held to a higher standard of conduct, given the sensitive nature of his position. He questions Musk's actions, considering his position and the potential implications of his rhetoric.

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Twitter's Revenue Decline and Tech Bros

🎦 28:30-33:18⏩

Jonathan discusses the significant decline in Twitter's revenue since Elon Musk's takeover. He connects this decline to Musk's increasingly divisive and inflammatory rhetoric. Jonathan then segues into a discussion about Mark Cuban's interview on tech bros, highlighting their growing support for Donald Trump. He poses questions about the motivations behind this trend, including the potential for manipulation and the possibility of a more insidious agenda. Jonathan describes tech bros as a group of powerful individuals who are seeking to expand their influence through their endorsements and investments.

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Techno-Fascism

🎦 33:18-36:57⏩

Jonathan defines the term "techno-fascism", outlining its connection to the tech elite who are seeking to replace democracy with a system of technocratic rule. He names individuals like Peter Thiel, Mark Andreessen, and Ben Horowitz as prominent figures in this movement. He highlights Thiel's financial support for both JD Vance and Facebook, indicating the tech elite's growing influence in politics. Jonathan then explores the reasons behind this trend, arguing that tech billionaires are often used to the idea of being in charge and that they find democracy messy and inefficient. He suggests that they see themselves as superior to the rest of us and therefore deserving of control.

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The Radicalization of Tech Bros

🎦 36:57-38:33⏩

Jonathan continues his discussion on techno-fascism, describing the radicalization of tech bros since 2019-2020. He argues that this radicalization stems from the tech industry's increasingly negative coverage in the media. Jonathan explains that tech bros view any criticism as an illegitimate attack on their vision for the future. They believe that they are creating a new world for us and that anyone who criticizes them is standing in the way of human progress.

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The Tech Bros' Support for Trump

🎦 38:33-41:45⏩

Jonathan explains the tech bros' support for Donald Trump, attributing it to Trump's promise to deregulate the tech industry. He also suggests that the tech elite are drawn to Trump's susceptibility to manipulation, seeing him as a malleable figure who can be used to advance their agenda. Jonathan argues that tech bros believe that they can control Trump and use him to achieve their goals. He further states that the tech elite are becoming increasingly convinced of the existence of a "deep state" conspiracy against them.

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Elon Musk's Quest for Power

🎦 41:45-45:40⏩

Jonathan analyses Elon Musk's political involvement, suggesting that he is seeking to gain even greater power by aligning himself with Trump. He highlights Musk's frequent use of Twitter to spread disinformation and support Republican causes. Jonathan questions whether Musk's actions are calculated or whether he has become so entrenched in the right-wing ecosystem that he has lost his objectivity. He describes Musk's potential influence on Trump as "intoxicating" and suggests that Musk's desire for power is more important to him than the success of his businesses. He then illustrates this point by highlighting the fact that Musk has expressed a willingness to work in Trump's administration.

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Elon Musk's Hypocrisy

🎦 45:40-48:57⏩

Jonathan criticises Elon Musk's hypocrisy, arguing that his political actions are detrimental to the success of Tesla, his electric vehicle company. He suggests that Musk's rhetoric is alienating his core customer base, who are likely to be environmentally conscious individuals. Jonathan explains that Musk's pursuit of power through Trump is more valuable to him than maintaining his existing market share.

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Twitter's Algorithm

🎦 48:57-49:23⏩

Jonathan discusses the way Twitter's algorithm works, arguing that it is designed to amplify those with the most reach, creating a self-reinforcing loop of influence. He highlights the fact that Elon Musk's tweets and actions are reaching a massive audience, further amplifying the voices of those who align with his political views.

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Elon Musk's Propagandizing on Twitter

🎦 49:23-49:56⏩

Jonathan illustrates the impact of Musk's influence on Twitter by showing his own "For You" page. He points out that despite his own diverse list of followed accounts, the algorithm is heavily biased towards right-wing content, including accounts that promote gun ownership and support Donald Trump. He argues that Musk's actions are tantamount to propagandizing, pushing a specific political agenda on a massive scale.

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Nate Silver's Influence

🎦 49:56-50:22⏩

Jonathan briefly discusses Nate Silver's 538 polling aggregator. He questions Silver's impartiality, suggesting that his forecasts might be skewed towards a Republican agenda. He attributes this potential bias to Silver's employment by Peter Thiel. Jonathan suggests that Silver's forecasts are often seen as dubious, with many on the left questioning their validity.

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Harris's Favorable Polling Numbers

🎦 50:22-51:53⏩

Jonathan discusses the current state of the polls. He acknowledges that the polls are showing a growing trend in Kamala Harris's favour. He emphasizes the need to remain cautious when interpreting polls, highlighting the differences in methodology and potential biases. He also mentions that Harris's polling numbers are likely influenced by her recent media appearances, indicating the impact of media exposure on public perception.

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The Mere Exposure Effect

🎦 51:53-52:55⏩

Jonathan explains the "mere exposure effect", a psychological phenomenon that suggests that the more people are exposed to a person or thing, the more credible they become. He argues that this is why Trump has been so successful in garnering public attention and support, as his constant media appearances, even when they involve divisive or dangerous rhetoric, increase his visibility and ultimately his perceived credibility.

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Harris's Need for Media Coverage

🎦 52:55-53:27⏩

Jonathan highlights the importance of continued media coverage for Kamala Harris's campaign. He suggests that she needs to secure both mainstream and niche media interviews in order to appeal to the specific demographics that are crucial to her success. He emphasizes the need for her to stay in the public eye, arguing that this is why she will want to participate in more debates.

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Endorsements

🎦 53:27-57:03⏩

Jonathan discusses various endorsements that both candidates have received. He highlights Taylor Swift's endorsement of Harris. He also mentions endorsements from Bob Inglis, a former Republican congressman, and David French, a conservative writer and attorney. Jonathan suggests that these endorsements signal a growing dissatisfaction with Trump's leadership among conservatives. He then plays a clip of Joe Rogan, a popular podcaster, expressing his admiration for Harris's debate performance, highlighting Rogan's influence on the manosphere demographic. Jonathan argues that Rogan's comments are a significant blow to Trump's campaign.

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The Importance of Preparation

🎦 57:03-58:32⏩

Jonathan analyzes the debate between Trump and Harris, arguing that the difference in performance was not in policy or ideology but in preparation. He suggests that Harris was far more prepared than Trump, who was relying on his usual improvisational style. Jonathan critiques Trump's lack of structure and his reliance on off-the-cuff remarks, arguing that this strategy will not be effective in a high-pressure debate format. He concludes by highlighting the importance of working with a team and being prepared for such events.

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Billie Eilish's Endorsement

🎦 58:32-01:00⏩
:05
Jonathan discusses Billie Eilish's endorsement of Kamala Harris, emphasizing her significant influence on young women. He suggests that Eilish's endorsement is likely to encourage more young women to register to vote and to support Harris. He highlights the strength of Eilish's endorsement, emphasizing her direct call to action and her clear stance against the "dangerous Project 2025 agenda".

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Harris's Post-Debate Polling Numbers

🎦 01:00:05-01:01⏩
:23⏩
Jonathan discusses the polls following the debate. He highlights that Harris has seen a significant increase in her favorability ratings, with several polls showing her gaining a lead over Trump. He also introduces the concept of MRP polls, which are considered more accurate than traditional polls due to their use of fine-grained voter segmentation.

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The Importance of Media Coverage

🎦 01:01:23-01:03⏩
:50⏩
Jonathan reiterates the importance of media coverage for both candidates. He argues that Harris's recent increase in popularity is directly related to her increased media exposure. He compares this to Trump's constant presence in the media, suggesting that his success in 2015-2016 was partly due to the "mere exposure effect". He highlights the importance of staying in the public eye and using media coverage to gain visibility and credibility.

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Harris's Favorability Ratings

🎦 01:03:50-01:09⏩
:05⏩
Jonathan discusses Harris's dramatic improvement in favorability ratings. He contrasts her initial negative ratings, which were primarily due to her lack of public visibility, with her current positive ratings. He argues that her strong debate performance, her effective speeches, and her increased media coverage have all contributed to this shift in public opinion.

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Trump's Political Strategy

🎦 01:09:05-01:10⏩
:21⏩
Jonathan discusses the Trump campaign's concerns about Harris's rising popularity. He highlights the potential impact of the recent assassination attempts and the divisive rhetoric used by the Republicans. He suggests that the Republicans' efforts to mobilize their base through fear-mongering are not achieving the desired results.

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The Election Outlook

🎦 01:10:21-01:12⏩
:26⏩
Jonathan provides an overall assessment of the election outlook. He argues that while the polls are currently looking good for Harris, the race is still close, and the outcome will depend on the battleground states. He highlights the importance of Pennsylvania in particular, arguing that whoever wins Pennsylvania is likely to win the election. He also discusses the possibility of a shift in votes in traditionally Republican states like South Carolina, Georgia, and Texas.

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Extra Nuggets

🎦 01:12:26-01:17⏩
:20⏩
Jonathan shares a few more "nuggets and tidbits" about the election. He begins by discussing the Federal Reserve's decision to cut interest rates and the public's negative reaction to it. He argues that the crowd's response is indicative of deep ignorance and entrenched partisanship. He then analyzes Trump's response to the cost of food and groceries, criticizing his promise to reduce energy bills by 50% without providing any specifics on how he will achieve this. Jonathan argues that this is a classic example of empty rhetoric and a lack of substance. He concludes by highlighting the lack of economic justification for cutting interest rates at this time, suggesting that the decision is purely political.

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Trump's Cult-like Following

🎦 01:17:20-01:22⏩
:03⏩
Jonathan discusses the cult-like following that Trump has cultivated. He shares a quote from Matthew Dowd, a political commentator, who describes the backlash he has received for criticizing Trump, including death threats. Jonathan argues that this highlights the extent to which Trump's supporters treat him like a deity, seeing any criticism of him as blasphemy. He suggests that Trump's following is characterized by a deeply entrenched loyalty and an intolerance of dissenting opinions.

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Trump's Incompetence

🎦 01:22:03-01:23⏩
:01⏩
Jonathan provides another example of Trump's lack of knowledge and understanding. He plays a clip of Trump making a series of nonsensical claims about energy independence and the country's economic strength. Jonathan argues that Trump's statements are completely detached from reality and serve to illustrate his incompetence.

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Wrap Up

🎦 01:23:01-01:23⏩
:57⏩
Jonathan concludes the video by reminding viewers to consider the impact of the candidates' rhetoric on undecided voters and independents. He emphasizes that the election is about these groups, as the core base of both parties is unlikely to be swayed by any new information. He urges viewers to stay informed and to engage with the political process by voting. He ends the video by thanking his audience and expressing his appreciation for their support.

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