The Takeout with Major Garrett, 5/12/26
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In this episode of The Takeout, Major Garrett examines President Trump's handling of the ongoing war with Iran, focusing on the disconnect between his public rhetoric—claiming he only cares about preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon—and the tangible economic pain Americans are feeling due to rising inflation and gas prices. The episode explores how Trump's repeated promise that prices will plummet once the war ends lacks historical precedent, with experts like Arjun Murti noting that even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens, oil and gasoline prices won't return to pre-war lows due to lasting geopolitical risk. The discussion shifts to Trump's high-stakes trip to China, where he's bringing a delegation of top U.S. business leaders, including Tim Cook and Elon Musk, to emphasize trade and investment over geopolitical tensions. CBS News contributor Patrick McGee argues that Apple’s deep integration with China has helped build a formidable industrial rival, raising long-term concerns about American manufacturing capability. The episode also covers a heated Senate hearing with FBI Director Kash Patel, who vehemently denied allegations of excessive drinking, and a courtroom showdown between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Elon Musk over OpenAI’s shift from nonprofit to for-profit status. The episode closes with a powerful replay of Lyndon Johnson’s 1965 speech advocating for the Voting Rights Act, underscoring the enduring relevance of civil rights in American democracy.
Trump's claim that he only cares about preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon contradicts his repeated promises to fix inflation and gas prices.
Even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens, oil and gasoline prices are unlikely to return to pre-war levels due to lasting geopolitical risk.
Apple’s deep integration with China has helped build China’s industrial capacity, potentially at the cost of American manufacturing resilience.
Trump’s China trip is a strategic move to frame the summit around trade and investment, not Cold War-style tensions.
The OpenAI lawsuit reveals deep tensions between tech billionaires and raises questions about accountability in the AI industry.
…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Opening Sponsor: MedianPlanet App & Technica Insurance
The episode opens with a promotional segment for the MedianPlanet App, a digital training tool for elementary schools, and Technica insurance.
Trump’s Iran Rhetoric vs. Economic Reality
“The only thing that matters when I'm talking about Iran, they can't have a nuclear weapon. I don't think about American financial situation. I don't think about anybody. I think about one thing. You cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That's all. That's the only thing we can do.”
China Summit: Trade Over Diplomacy
“Trade is the big thing. Not Iran. Not Iran. He said Iran, we'll talk about that, but we've mostly got that under control. But trade to me, he said, is the biggest concern.”
Pakistan’s Role as Mediator: A Question of Credibility
“I don't trust Pakistan as far as I can throw them. If they actually do have Iranian aircraft parked in Pakistan bases to protect Iranian military assets, that tells me we should be looking maybe for somebody else to mediate.”
The Real Cost of War: Inflation and Energy Prices
“If we truly did have an opening, let's just say tomorrow, you would see the price of WTI oil and therefore gasoline prices fall by some decent amount. But if you remember prior to this war, there was expectation of major oversupply... I don't think there's any scenario where we're going back to those kind of very low levels.”
“I speak tonight for the dignity of man and the destiny of democracy. I urge every member of both parties, Americans of all religions and of all colors, from every section of this country to join me in that cause.”
“We've, in a sense, traded our profits for capabilities. So we no longer know how to really do this stuff and China knows how to do it in spades.”
“The only thing that matters when I'm talking about Iran, they can't have a nuclear weapon. I don't think about American financial situation. I don't think about anybody. I think about one thing. You cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That's all. That's the only thing we can do.”
Host
Guests
Iran
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China
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Donald Trump
person
Elon Musk
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Apple
organization
Tim Cook
person
OpenAI
organization
Strait of Hormuz
other
Sam Altman
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Lyndon Johnson
person
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