Sep 25, 2026 · 1h 54m
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Kaepernick links athlete power to political protest
Always Test Your Hopium
The episode connects a volatile Senate map and attacks on press freedom with Colin Kaepernick’s argument that institutions protect power before principle.
- 1Encouraging Democratic polling may signal opportunity, but the hosts warn against mistaking early leads for durable momentum.
- 2Republican candidates are distancing themselves from Trump while struggling to escape years of loyalty and his hold over political messaging.
- 3Colin Kaepernick argues that athlete protest, targeted boycotts, and collective pressure can challenge institutions that control speech and money.
Don't miss
Colin Kaepernick explains why kneeling during the anthem was intended as a respectful, focused protest against police violence rather than a distraction from it.
The brief
Jon Favreau and Dan Pfeiffer open with a fight over White House press access, arguing that restricting CNN, MSNBC, and Politico raises both First Amendment and political questions.
The hosts test encouraging New York Times/Siena polling in Michigan, New Hampshire, and Maine against candidate weaknesses, systemic polling error, and the danger of mistaking hope for momentum.
They also examine Republicans shedding Trump references, Tommy Tuberville’s anti-trans furry panic, and whether attacks on Trump or corruption can move voters in key races.
Tommy’s interview with Colin Kaepernick traces his anthem protest, NFL collusion case, and critique of owners who use financial and political power to control speech.
Kaepernick connects athlete compensation, electoral disillusionment, and targeted boycotts, arguing that principled pressure matters when institutions respond only after sustained challenge.
What was said on this episode
32 statements · 14 positive · 15 negative · 1 mixed · 2 neutral
The federal government should not bar media access based on journalists’ reporting.
“it is absolutely essential that the federal government cannot bar media, members of the media, from accessing government property based on what they report.”
Listen at 5:20
Removing wire reporters from the press pool more seriously reduces presidential scrutiny.
“I think the decision to kick the wire reporters out of the pool is much more consequential in terms of actual scrutiny of the president”
Listen at 6:14
Voters will not believe Republicans’ late efforts to distance themselves from Trump.
“voters are not gonna believe it.”
Listen at 11:53
Republican candidates’ distancing efforts are insufficient and ineffective.
“So this is too little, too late. It's weak.”
Listen at 13:24
Republican candidates will ultimately remain aligned with Trump because of super PAC funding.
“And in the end, they're going to stick with the person who has the millions of dollars in super PAC money to spend.”
Listen at 14:35
The government-funded Trump ad closely resembles MAGA Inc. super PAC advertisements.
“this ad looks almost exactly like those MAGA Inc. super PAC ads”
Listen at 17:47
Troy Jackson and Susan Collins are both plausibly ahead in Maine’s Senate race.
“Jackson winning by 2.8 and Collins winning by 3 points are both within the range of outcomes.”
Listen at 23:17
The Maine Senate race is currently a toss-up.
“It is a toss-up race.”
Listen at 23:28
Jackson is presently better positioned than Collins despite Collins’s electoral strength.
“I would rather be Trey Jackson than Susan Collins, as hard as she is to beat, just because the political winds are so much at Jackson's back.”
Listen at 23:34
Pro-Collins forces have a $25 million future advertising advantage.
“The pro-Collins side has a $25 million spending advantage going forward.”
Listen at 26:23
Maine voters opposing Trump should vote for Troy Jackson.
“the way to express that anger is a vote for Troy Jackson.”
Listen at 27:39
The poll’s apparent evidence of weak Democratic support for Jackson is probably misleading.
“I am very skeptical of the idea that Democrats do not like Troy Jackson.”
Listen at 30:22
Campaigning against Collins as aligned with Trump may be more effective than corruption allegations.
“I think you have a better chance of that considering the track record”
Listen at 36:52
Susan Collins has voted with Donald Trump approximately 92% of the time.
“she has voted with Donald Trump, whatever it is, 92% of the time.”
Listen at 37:45
Michigan Democrats have united behind Abdul El-Sayed.
“they got on board and they have united the Democratic Party.”
Listen at 40:23
Michigan voters view Abdul El-Sayed as 14 points more extreme than Mike Rogers.
“By 14 points, voters see Abdul is more extreme than Mike Rogers.”
Listen at 41:21
El-Sayed’s economic-populist message earns greater voter trust on key issues.
“Abdul's cost of living economic populist message is earning him more trust among voters on the most important issues for voters than the other 2 candidates”
Listen at 42:34
Polling averages give Jackson a slight advantage in a toss-up Maine race.
“the average still shows a slight advantage for Jackson, which, as I said, is basically a toss-up race.”
Listen at 45:09
Polling has historically been accurate in midterm elections.
“the polls have been accurate in the midterms.”
Listen at 47:25
Current evidence does not indicate a 2020-style systemic polling error.
“all of that indicates that I don't think this is like— 2020 was a systemic error where everything— the polls painted a picture of the world that did not exist.”
Listen at 48:47
The New York Times report is unlikely to reduce Mary Peltola’s Alaska Senate victory chances.
“I cannot see a world in which this story makes it less likely that she wins the Senate race in Alaska.”
Listen at 56:24
NFL owners are now openly colluding to suppress artists’ political speech.
“they're just openly colluding now.”
Listen at 1:24:26
NFL owners believe they face little accountability for collusion.
“they also know, um, or have a high degree of confidence there's no repercussions. There's no accountability to them, um, or for them.”
Listen at 1:25:03
NFL owners view uncontrollable outspoken players as threats.
“if they can't control you, that becomes a threat to them.”
Listen at 1:28:14
The NFL acts on racial issues only when external pressure forces it.
“they will only take actions if it is in a space that they are forced to.”
Listen at 1:34:09
Roger Goodell’s primary responsibility is protecting NFL owners.
“Protecting the owners and being the shield for the owners is the number one responsibility there”
Listen at 1:34:51
Nike’s valuation rose by $6 billion during its 2018 Kaepernick campaign.
“We see a jump of $6 billion in their valuation during that time period.”
Listen at 1:35:39
NFL players’ average career lasts approximately 3.5 years.
“NFL contracts or NFL lifespan is typically 3.5 years on average.”
Listen at 1:37:05
Mamdani and El-Sayed focus their political approaches on people’s needs.
“I really like the approaches that they're taking because they're staying very focused on the needs of the people.”
Listen at 1:45:26
People should avoid supporting institutions that conflict with their values.
“the things that don't align with our values, I don't think we should be supporting those.”
Listen at 1:47:50
Boycotts can exert substantial pressure on organizations.
“We know boycotts are extremely effective.”
Listen at 1:50:01
The Target boycott harmed its finances and prompted reconsideration of its DEI approach.
“Their bottom line has been hit. And now they're, they're having to rethink their approach around this.”
Listen at 1:50:17
Statements are attributed to the speaker as said on the episode and reflect their view at the time, not PodLume's. They are not advice.
