The Narrative Ep. 21: The Trump Quicksand

Badlands Media

In Episode 21 of The Narrative, Burning Bright is joined by CannCon for a wide-ranging, deeply analytical, and often hilarious breakdown of Trump’s strategic deployment of controversial ideas designed to force both sides of the political spectrum into uncomfortable truths. Dubbed “Trump’s Quicksand,” this episode explores how narrative traps, on issues like eliminating federal income tax, recognizing Palestine, and taxing billionaires, are reshaping the political battlefield.

The duo takes a hard look at the evolution of Trump’s tactics in 2025, examining how his actions blur ideological lines, fracture neocon loyalty, and lure even leftists into tacit agreement on key populist policies. CannCon shares insights from covering daily news and discusses how MAGA, normie conservatives, and even liberals are being forced to reassess long-held positions.

They also tackle media collapse, the fading influence of characters like Morning Joe, the future of habeas corpus, and the absurd reactions from both left and right to Trump’s appointments and endorsements. From Anna Paulina Luna’s narrative utility to the weaponized deployment of “no tax on tips,” the episode is packed with macro-level analysis and micro-level story dissection.

With plenty of hockey banter, personal anecdotes, and a sobering critique of military glamorization, The Narrative once again proves it’s not just about headlines, it’s about the deeper game being played underneath.