9/18/23: Military Loses Airborne F-35, Ford CEO Freaks Over UAW, 100 Billion Student Loan Bomb, Trump on Abortion, Texas AG Survives Impeachment, Lauren Boebert BeetleJuice Debacle, Hasan Minhaj Admits Fake Stories, Drew Barrymore Weeps Over Scab Show
The podcast covers topics such as the UAW strike causing the Ford CEO to lose it, Trump's views on Electric Vehicles, the potential impact of the 100 billion student loan bomb, Trump's comments on abortion, the impeachment of Texas AG Ken Paxton, Lauren Boebert's debacle at the Beetlejuice musical, Hasan Minhaj admitting to fabrications in his comedy, and Drew Barrymore facing backlash during the writers' strike.
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Quick takeaways
Restarted student loan repayments may strain consumer budgets, impacting discretionary spending and retail sales.
Selective strike by United Auto Workers pressures automakers for fair wages and calls attention to union struggles.
Trump's opposition to abortion bans indicates a significant shift from his previous anti-abortion stance.
Hasan Minhaj's use of false stories in his comedy raises questions about credibility and audience betrayal.
Deep dives
Student Loan Repayments Restarting
Student loan repayments are set to restart in October, with borrowers making monthly payments of $200 to $300. This significant financial burden threatens to pull $100 billion out of consumer pockets, impacting discretionary spending and retail sales. The restart has already put pressure on workers who have increased their working hours in anticipation. The Biden administration has attempted to ease the burden by offering a repayment plan to make the payments more affordable based on income levels.
Auto Workers Strike and Biden's Support
The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has initiated a selective strike against all three major American automakers, targeting multiple plants. The UAW aims to apply pressure and preserve their strike fund while demanding fair wages and an end to tiered employment status. President Joe Biden has expressed support for the UAW, advocating for record contracts in line with record profits made by automakers. The strike has drawn attention to the struggles faced by auto workers and the increased union activity in various industries in recent years.
Trump Criticizes Six-Week Abortion Bans
In recent interviews, former President Donald Trump voiced his opposition to six-week abortion bans implemented by several states, including Florida. Trump's remarks seem politically astute, distancing himself from potential rivals such as Governor Ron DeSantis. He highlighted concerns over the bans' detrimental effects on women's rights and the potential harm to the Republican Party's image. Trump's stance indicates a significant shift from his previous anti-abortion positions.
The Impact of Student Loan Repayments Restarting
With student loan repayments set to restart after a long pause, borrowers may face significant financial challenges. Monthly payments ranging from $200 to $300 could strain consumer budgets, impacting discretionary spending and retail sales. This development poses potential risks to retailers, such as Target and Walmart, during the crucial year-end holiday season. Already, workers are feeling the pressure of the impending repayment restart, as signs of financial insecurity and reliance on debt become more prevalent. Efforts to ease the burden include income-based repayment plans, but the overall impact remains a concern for many.
Fabrications and Emotional Truths in Comedy
In a New Yorker profile, it is revealed that comedian Hasan Minhaj has incorporated false stories into his comedy routines to emphasize narratives of personal heroism and victimization, leading to questions about the credibility of his emotional truths. While exaggeration and lies are expected in comedy, the fabrications made by Minhaj were used to highlight personal experiences representative of others, engendering a sense of dishonesty and betrayal among audiences.
Drew Barrymore's Reversal and the Power of Online Shame
After initially crossing the writer strike picket line and receiving widespread criticism, Drew Barrymore posted a weepy apology on Instagram and announced that she would delay the return of her show until the end of the strike. Barrymore's initial actions highlighted the issue of wealthy celebrities disregarding the struggles of working people, while her reversal demonstrated the impact of online shaming and the importance of solidarity with writers and show staffs.
Shifting Legal Landscapes and Public Support for Striking Workers
Several blue states, including California, Minnesota, and Illinois, have passed pro-worker laws that aim to protect labor rights and create more fairness for workers. The public's support for striking workers, as shown in Gallup polls, highlights a shift in public sentiment towards workers' rights and a rejection of anti-union practices. This changing landscape creates a more favorable environment for labor movements and increases the chances of successful strikes.
Krystal and Saagar discuss the UAW officially going on strike and causing the Ford CEO to lose it in an interview, Krystal and Saagar debate if Trump is wrong on Electric Vehicles, will the 100 billion student loan bomb crash the economy?, Trump hits DeSantis on Abortion legislation as a "terrible thing", Texas AG Ken Paxton survives impeachment in major MAGA victory, Lauren Boebert responds after her public debacle at the Beetlejuice musical, Saagar looks into Hasan Minhaj admitting he made up fake stories about being attacked with anthrax, and Krystal looks into Drew Barrymore ending her show's return admists major backlash from striking writers.