Spanberger blasts Trump on affordability, Jasmine Crockett called police on CNN journo, Robert De Niro chokes up, urges Americans to resist Trump, And More: 2.25.26 - Rising Recap

Podcast: Rising

Published: 2026-02-25

Duration: 50 min

Summary

In this episode, the hosts dissect the reactions to the State of the Union, highlighting contrasting performances from President Trump and Democrats, particularly around policies and theatrics. They also discuss a controversial incident involving Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and a CNN reporter.

What Happened

The episode kicks off with a reflection on the recent State of the Union address, where the hosts express their excitement and exhaustion from staying up late to discuss it. They share a mutual understanding of the event's significance, likening it to the Super Bowl, with one host humorously admitting to playing video games to unwind afterwards. They tease an in-depth analysis of reactions from both sides of the aisle, particularly focusing on Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger's and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett's responses.

Robbie, one of the hosts, critiques the Democrats for their 'pointless theatrics' during the address while praising Trump's speech as 'incredibly positive' and a celebration of American achievements. He points out that Trump presented medals to the U.S. Olympic hockey team and recognized various American heroes, contrasting this with what he sees as a low point for Democrats, highlighting Representative Ro Khanna's decision to bring a self-described Epstein victim as his guest. This leads to a broader discussion about the implications of such choices and the difference in narratives presented by both parties during the high-profile event.

Key Insights

• The State of the Union is viewed as a platform for political showmanship more than substantive policy discussion.
• Trump's speech was lauded for celebrating American achievements rather than focusing on policy failures.
• Democratic responses, particularly Khanna's guest choice, were criticized as misguided and damaging to their image.
• The episode highlights the contrasting political strategies of celebration versus controversy in addressing national issues.

Key Questions Answered

What were the major themes of Trump's State of the Union speech?

Robbie described Trump’s State of the Union speech as 'incredibly positive' and focused on celebrating the greatness of America. He highlighted moments like the recognition of the U.S. Olympic hockey team and the awarding of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, suggesting that the speech was more about inspiration and celebration than policy proposals.

How did Democrats respond to the State of the Union?

The hosts criticized the Democrats for their response to the State of the Union, particularly pointing out that some members resorted to 'pointless theatrics.' Robbie specifically mentioned Representative Ro Khanna's decision to bring a self-described Epstein victim as a guest, which he found to be a misguided choice that reflected poorly on the party.

What was the incident involving Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett?

The episode notes that Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett reportedly called Capitol Police on a CNN reporter who was trying to visit one of her offices. This incident was framed as part of a broader discussion about how politicians interact with the media, especially in light of the contentious atmosphere surrounding political reporting.

What did Robbie think about the tradition of the State of the Union address?

Robbie expressed a general disdain for the State of the Union tradition, criticizing it as a long commercial for a political party filled with self-importance. However, he acknowledged that if the State of the Union is to continue, he preferred it in the celebratory manner Trump presented it, rather than filled with unworkable policy ideas.

What contrasts did the hosts draw between Trump and the Democrats?

The hosts noted a stark contrast between Trump's focus on celebration and American achievements during his speech and the Democrats' approach, particularly through Khanna's controversial guest choice. Robbie stated that while Trump celebrated the accomplishments of others, the Democrats brought attention to someone with a troubled past, highlighting a difference in how each party wants to position itself in the political narrative.