Trump’s NEW Chief Of Staff OFF THE RAILS In First Day On The Job

Summary of Trump’s NEW Chief Of Staff OFF THE RAILS In First Day On The Job

by Crooked Media

13m•November 9, 2026
Listen to Episode

Overview of Trump’s NEW Chief Of Staff OFF THE RAILS In First Day On The Job

This Crooked Media segment is a sharp political recap of the post-midterm fallout inside Trumpworld. The hosts mock the Republican reaction to election losses, especially Trump’s promotion of Stephen Miller to chief of staff, and argue it signals more of the same on immigration, deportations, and foreign policy. The conversation then shifts to redistricting, the Electoral College, and how Democrats might use this moment to reshape future elections.

Key Topics Discussed

Trump’s reaction to the midterms

  • The hosts frame Trump’s decision to elevate Stephen Miller as the opposite of course correction.
  • They argue it shows Trump is doubling down on the very policies voters just rejected:
    • aggressive ICE raids and deportations
    • hardline immigration politics
    • continued hawkishness on Iran/foreign policy
  • The panel jokes that if Trump wanted to show he learned from the election, this was the worst possible signal.

Republican blame game

  • Conservative figures are portrayed as scrambling to assign blame without blaming Trump directly.
  • Pete Hegseth becomes a convenient target for criticism, despite the broader Republican ecosystem enabling the same policies.
  • The hosts stress that many Republicans are now trying to distance themselves from decisions they previously supported or helped normalize.
  • They note the irony of Republicans acting shocked by outcomes they helped create.

Redistricting and gerrymandering

  • The discussion covers how GOP redistricting efforts did not deliver the expected advantage.
  • Indiana and South Carolina are highlighted as states where aggressive maps could have backfired on Republicans.
  • North Carolina is described as an example where Republicans may have overreached and ended up limiting their own seat gains.
  • The hosts argue this is not proof that gerrymandering is harmless — just that it can backfire when political conditions shift.
  • Their bottom line: the real solution is national legislation banning gerrymandering.

Electoral College reform

  • One host strongly backs the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
  • They explain how the compact could effectively award the presidency to the national popular vote winner once enough states join.
  • The practical hurdle:
    • Republicans would fight it in court
    • battleground states may resist giving up their outsized influence and attention
  • Still, the conversation presents it as a legitimate democratic reform worth pursuing.

Why this election matters beyond 2024

  • The hosts are energized by how the election broadened the map for Democrats.
  • They point to the possibility of winning in places that normally seem out of reach.
  • A major theme is that more Democratic victories in red and purple states could:
    • expand the party’s bench
    • break Fox News-style caricatures of Democrats
    • reshape the 2030 redistricting and reapportionment fight
  • They argue this could help Democrats build a more durable national coalition.

Main Takeaways

  • Trump’s promotion of Stephen Miller suggests escalation, not moderation.
  • Republicans are in a blame-shifting phase, but they are avoiding responsibility for their own role in the outcomes.
  • Overly aggressive gerrymandering can backfire under the right conditions.
  • National reform ideas like banning gerrymandering or adopting the National Popular Vote are presented as long-term fixes.
  • Democrats see an opportunity to expand the political map and build momentum in nontraditional states.

Tone and Framing

  • The segment is highly sarcastic and openly critical of Trump and Republican leaders.
  • It mixes political analysis with humor and mockery.
  • The overall mood is cautiously optimistic for Democrats, but with warnings not to waste the opportunity.

Notable Points

  • Stephen Miller’s promotion is treated as a symbol of hardline continuity, not renewal.
  • Pete Hegseth is portrayed as a scapegoat for broader GOP failures.
  • The hosts emphasize that many Republican “regrets” are performative and selective.
  • Reforming elections is framed as both a democratic necessity and a strategic advantage for Democrats.