Pod Save America · Podcast summary

Will the Blue Wave Be Bigger Than 2018?

Nebraska Senate candidate Dan Osborn discusses the challenges facing Trump voters and how Democrats can win over their support, as well as the political implications of AI and the destruction of the Kennedy Center.

Pod Save America · September 18, 2026 · 86-min episode · 4-min read

Key takeaways

💸The Federal Reserve's decision to raise interest rates is exacerbating economic challenges for many Americans, leading to a sense of hopelessness and political rage.06:54
📉Trump's policies, including trade wars and the war in Iran, have contributed to inflation and rising costs, further hurting working-class Americans.07:04
🌊The latest polling data suggests a potential "blue wave" in the upcoming midterms, with Democrats seeing increased enthusiasm and Trump's approval ratings declining significantly.23:02
🚜Trump voters are feeling the negative impact of his policies, particularly in the agricultural sector, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and a desire for genuine change.25:39
🤖The Trump administration's dismissive attitude towards AI regulation, despite warnings from industry leaders, poses a significant threat to society.39:02
🏛️Trump's ongoing feud with the Kennedy Center, including threats to demolish the building, highlights his disregard for cultural institutions and democratic processes.58:15

Chapters

0:01Today's Sponsor: Simply Safe Home Security
2:04Today's Sponsor: US Virgin Islands
3:44Today's Sponsor: Just Food For Dogs
5:45Introduction to the Episode
11:34The Fed's Decision and the Economy
33:24Today's Sponsor: Tommy John
35:19Today's Sponsor: ZipRecruiter
37:13The Political Landscape: A Blue Wave in the Making?
1:04:59The Threat of AI and the Kennedy Center Controversy
1:17:25Today's Sponsor: Squarespace
1:19:56Today's Sponsor: Cook Unity
1:51:39Today's Sponsor: Blinds.com
1:53:40Today's Sponsor: Still Counting
1:56:41Trump Voters and the Democratic Message

The digest

This week on Pod Save America, Jon Favreau, Alex Wagner, and Dan Pfeiffer dive into the "bad vibes and polls" haunting Trump and the Republicans just 46 days before the midterms. They also interview Nebraska Senate candidate Dan Osborn about his race against Pete Ricketts, the Democratic brand in the Midwest, and a leaked audio of him talking about how Trump voters' lives "suck." The hosts also discuss the latest on AI, the Kennedy Center, and the Fed's decision to raise interest rates.

The Fed's Decision and the Economy

The Federal Reserve voted to raise interest rates this week, a move that will likely exacerbate the economic challenges facing many Americans. Alex Wagner highlights the structural problems facing the American economy, noting that home sales are down, mortgage applications have dropped by 20%, and diesel prices are at an all-time high. She explains that the rising cost of diesel impacts the entire agricultural sector, leading to higher prices for groceries and other goods. This economic strain, coupled with the feeling that the American dream is slipping away, creates a "really piercing sense of hopelessness" that translates into political rage.

Dan Pfeiffer adds that the Fed's decision is a significant political blow to Trump, who had hoped for rate cuts to boost the economy. Instead, they got rate hikes, largely due to Trump's trade wars and the war in Iran. Pfeiffer emphasizes that the economic environment is only getting worse for Republicans, with no relief expected until at least 2027. He argues that this economic distress is a major reason why Democrats are seeing an uptick in the polls.