The Bulwark Podcast Patrick Gaspard: A White House Screamathon
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Dec 18, 2025 
This week, Patrick Gaspard, former Obama political director and U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, shares insights on Trump's waning persuasive power regarding affordability. He highlights the political shift toward an insider versus outsider dynamic, noting the lessons Democrats can learn from Zoran Mamdani's authenticity in messaging. Gaspard argues for deeper community engagement and coalition building, while also advocating for a revival of foreign aid programs like PEPFAR and focusing on the nuances of policy debates over mere rhetoric.
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Mask Off Moment
- Donald Trump’s Oval Office address felt like a humorless screamathon that exposed a different, less charismatic side of him.
- Patrick Gaspard says that image may penetrate inattentive voters and prompt questions about his fitness to lead.
Don't Gaslight Economic Pain
- Trump is gaslighting voters on affordability by insisting the economy is great despite visible pain at the pump and grocery store.
- Gaspard contrasts that with Obama's approach of acknowledging pain and offering concrete policy paths.
Strength That Weakens
- Trump repeatedly voices nakedly rapacious foreign-policy ideas about seizing resources and projecting strength.
- Gaspard argues those moves weaken America at home and abroad and risk alienating voters who wanted domestic improvements.