Federalist Radio Hour ’You're Wrong' With Mollie Hemingway And David Harsanyi, Ep. 175: The Longest Shutdown Ever
Nov 12, 2025
Hosts dive into the end of the longest government shutdown, analyzing its political repercussions and party dynamics. They debate whether the shutdown energized Democrats ahead of upcoming elections and explore the impact of Trump's style versus his policies on voter behavior. The discussion shifts to immigration as they tackle labor shortages and H-1B visas, alongside the differences between legal and illegal immigration. Finally, they scrutinize the BBC's deceptive editing of Trump's speech, raising questions about media accountability.
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Episode notes
Shutdown Showed Democratic Disarray
- The recent government shutdown was politically pointless and reflected Democratic disarray more than Republican failure.
- David Harsanyi argues it gained Democrats little while exposing internal divisions and strategic missteps.
Shutdown Energized Democratic Base
- Mollie Hemingway argues the shutdown energized Democratic voters and improved margins in key races like Virginia.
- She believes the shutdown was used strategically to boost turnout and produced consequential electoral gains.
Economy Trumps Culture Wars
- Both hosts agree the economy is the core voter concern and shapes electoral outcomes.
- David Harsanyi emphasizes that economic competence, especially inflation control, matters more than culture-war messaging.
