Episode Summary:
In the first of a four-part series examining Donald Trump’s second-term first 100 days, Episode 25 of Surviving Trumptakes us into the minds of the Wealth Protectors — the high-income donors, corporate executives, and conservative insiders who see Trump as a powerful tool to protect their interests and expand their influence. This episode unpacks how these elites view Trump as a strategic asset, a bulldozer clearing a path for profit and deregulation. We examine why they’re thrilled with Trump’s aggressive moves, how they justify the harm caused to democracy and working-class Americans, and why, despite his chaos, they remain loyal to a leader who serves their bottom line.

In This Episode:

• How Wealth Protectors view the first 100 days: A once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape government for profit
• The reasons they remain loyal to Trump, despite his chaos — and why it’s all about the returns
• How they justify the harm caused to the economy and democracy as “necessary disruption”
• Their perspective on Trump’s authoritarian moves: not a threat, but a long-overdue power correction
• How they define democracy: a system designed to protect capital, not people

Why It Matters:
Understanding how Trump’s Wealth Protectors view his presidency is crucial to grasping why they’re willing to overlook — or even encourage — authoritarian moves and democratic backsliding. For them, Trump isn’t just a politician; he’s a means to an end, a bulldozer clearing the way for profits and power consolidation. As Trump solidifies his control, their influence grows — and democracy erodes. This episode provides essential context for anyone trying to understand the forces behind Trump’s continued dominance and the high-stakes consequences for American governance.

Next Episode – Episode 26: “The MAGA Base – Trump’s Devoted Followers”
In the next episode, we shift from the boardrooms to the bleachers. If the Wealth Protectors are driven by strategy and profit, the MAGA base is driven by identity, emotion, and a sense of belonging. We’ll explore why Trump’s working-class supporters feel seen and heard under his rule — and why they’re more loyal than ever, even as they bear the brunt of his economic policies.

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Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

Community :

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• Join the conversation on Bluesky – Find me at @survivingtrump.bsky.social
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Episode Summary:
Some of the most powerful figures in Trump’s national security circle don’t hold formal titles. They don’t lead federal agencies or appear in press briefings — but their influence is vast. In Part One of this episode, we meet the "whisperers" behind Trump’s authoritarian shift: Stephen Miller, Russell Vought, Ric Grenell, and Peter Navarro.

In Part Two, we dive into Signalgate — a stunning security breach where top officials coordinated a military strike using an unsecured messaging app. Sensitive information was leaked. Allies were outraged.

In This Episode:

Part One: The Whisperers

• Stephen Miller: Architect of surveillance and domestic control, expanding Trump’s power through legal maneuvers and fear-based policy.
• Russell Vought: The budget master behind Project 2025, weaponizing federal spending to punish dissent and reward loyalty.
• Ric Grenell: Diplomatic disruptor with a vague but powerful title — bypassing institutions and politicizing foreign affairs.
• Peter Navarro: Economic nationalist pushing isolationist policies under the banner of national security.

Part Two: Signalgate

• The Breach: Top officials used a Signal group chat to coordinate real-time military operations — including sensitive CIA details.
• The Response: Denials, deflections, and a released transcript that shattered the administration’s narrative.
• The Strike Zone: A costly, ineffective mission that revealed poor planning and wasteful execution.
• The Fallout: Damaged alliances, legal violations, institutional breakdowns — and a military spread dangerously thin.
• What It Reveals: A government running on loyalty over law, secrecy over strategy, and denial over discipline.

Why It Matters:
This is the conclusion of our three-part national security series. We’ve traced how Trump’s second term is redefining what it means to protect the country — not through competence, but through control. From gutting institutions to empowering unqualified loyalists, this administration is building a security state designed to serve one man, not the nation.

Next Episode:
We’ll turn our attention to another urgent issue — one that’s probably unfolding right now. Stay tuned.

Support the show

Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

Community :

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. Click to review.
• Follow on YouTube - subscribe here:
• Follow my blog on Substack https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/
• Join the conversation on Bluesky – Find me at @survivingtrump.bsky.social
• Share this episode – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.
• Contact me at bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com
• Support the Show

Episode Summary:

In this second installment of our three-part national security series, we examine the people now leading America’s most powerful security agencies. These aren’t leaders chosen for experience or qualifications. They’re chosen for loyalty — and that shift has turned national security on its head.

From purged intelligence staff and photo-op border raids to encrypted chat scandals and weaponized institutions, this episode reveals how Donald Trump has stacked the national security deck with loyalists. These officials aren’t just carrying out policy. They’re reshaping the very function of our defense, intelligence, and justice systems — often in ways that put the country at risk.

We walk through the team member by member: who they are, what they’ve done, and why it matters.

In This Episode:

• How Laura Loomer helped purge national security staff and got a general fired — without clearance or evidence
• Mike Waltz’s chaotic Pentagon purge and the origins of “Signalgate”
• Marco Rubio’s triple-role conflict and complicity in record destruction
• Pete Hegseth’s politicization of military culture and the border stunt that wasted millions
• Tulsi Gabbard’s shift toward authoritarian-friendly rhetoric — and why her calm demeanor might be the most dangerous part
• Kristi Noem’s performative homeland security — armored vehicles, propaganda raids, and weakened cyber defenses
• Kash Patel’s quiet dismantling of the FBI and centralization of political power
• Steve Witkoff’s rise from real estate developer to Trump’s Middle East envoy — and his string of geopolitical blunders

Why It Matters:

National security depends on professionalism, integrity, and independent judgment. What we see now is the opposite: an environment where political loyalty trumps competence, and personal allegiance dictates policy. That’s not just a personnel problem — it’s a structural collapse.

Next Episode:

In Episode 24, we go behind the scenes to look at the whisperers — the unelected influencers shaping Trump’s national security strategy. Plus, we dive deep into Signalgate, the most serious intelligence breach of Trump’s second term.

Support the show

Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

Community :

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. Click to review.
• Follow on YouTube - subscribe here:
• Follow my blog on Substack https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/
• Join the conversation on Bluesky – Find me at @survivingtrump.bsky.social
• Share this episode – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.
• Contact me at bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com
• Support the Show