Ep.80 MAGA Mindset w/ Erin Elmore

Programming Lions speaks with Erin Elmore, a Trump surrogate and TP USA contributor, discussing her experience on “The Apprentice,” and the importance of good friends with diverse perspectives yet similar values is key. 

Links:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/erinmelmore

X: https://x.com/erinelmore

FB: https://www.facebook.com/erinelmore

TIMELINE

00:00 Intro

02:15 The Apprentice 

03:28 Trump surrogate

05:10 Kid terms

11:12 Conservative kid

14:40 Trump optimism

16:01 Hobbies & dog rescue

17:06 Rapid Fire

Transcript

0:00

Welcome to the Programming Lions podcast. Erin Elmore is with us. She is an attorney and author, a political commentator featured frequently on Fox News, Newsmax, One America News, and other major networks. She writes for townhall. com, BizPakReview, and The Conservateur. Erin served as a spokesperson for Trump in 2016. Was deputy press secretary at the Republican National Convention. Aaron originally connected with Trump as a competitor on The Apprentice. And we're going to get into it. Yeah.

ERIN_ELMORE-Matt-webcam-00h_00m_00s_372ms-StreamYard: 0:35

Erin Elmore, thanks for joining us. for having me. I know you have decorated background. You are an attorney, an author, a Turning Point contributor, and much more. Curious to pick your brain about a few things today. I can't wait, this is gonna be fun, and I love that we have a family affair going on. Alright, perfect. How did you get into commentating and politics? That's a great question. So, I have an undergraduate degree in political science and broadcasting, and I've always wanted to be a journalist. However, my dad and mom thought, you like to argue, you should go to law school. So, after I went straight to law school, and then about six months later, there was a television show called The Apprentice, and Donald Trump was the host. You guys weren't even born yet. You were just floating in the sky, but it was the number one show on TV. Everybody was obsessed with it. It was huge. I got on that show. I think three million people tried out. It was huge. Big league. Huge. Huge. And, so, after The Apprentice. Donald Trump said, what do you want to do? And he helped me get a job in journalism, and I was a journalist for about 10 years. And then in 2015, when he came down the golden escalator, I called his assistant, I said, I'm quitting my job. I want to come work for you. So I left everything I was doing. I became a campaign spokesperson. I was a campaign spokesperson. And then I was the deputy press secretary at the RNC in Cleveland in 2016. So I've been a spokesperson. for Trump on all three elections, 1620 and 2024. I've been on Fox News a lot of times. Been on Newsmax, One American News, RAB, all of the things. So now you have my whole history and that's how I did it. Perfect. I, I got a follow up about The Apprentice. I don't remember what year it was, but Long time ago. Let's not de date myself. What, what did you get fired for? Well, I was kind of a princess in Home Depot. Okay. Because I was like, I like crowns, but not crown molding. It was kind of funny. Someone has to go every week. I was on all but like two episodes, and afterwards we maintained relationship for all those years. He congratulated me on the birth of my son, and on my wedding, and wrote me letters of recommendation, it's I hear so many stories about Trump like that, like, he's very thoughtful in terms of following up with people that he's connected with, and, so many people trash him and talk about, like, what a horrible person he is, but I hear so many of these stories where he writes, like, handwritten letters, he texts on birthdays, and special events, and funny. Yeah. Yeah. You don't hear those stories, right? The mainstream media won't humanize him. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, it's too bad. It is, but you know what? It doesn't matter because we won. That's right. You know what? We won across every Demographic essentially and we really made inroads and every demographic essentially and I think now the people have spoken So those who don't want to get in line, they can go be miserable at MSNBC. Go pound sand. Yeah, so What is really like unique about Trump and what is a Trump? Surrogate? Surrogate. Yeah, surrogate. Yeah, so a jump surrogate just simply means a spokesperson. So it's just got a fancy political word, right? So a surrogate means spokesperson, so that means that you get on calls with the campaign and you read briefings that they send you and you do television news hits. Like a hit is just an airing. So you do TV hits, you can write articles, you just really gather a lot of information so you're up to date on a day to day basis with everything that the campaign is doing. What is unique about Trump? I mean, I, well, personally I think he's a once in a lifetime person, right? He is lightning in a bottle, as they say. You know, people didn't really, people like voted before the Trump phenomenon. People, voted and cared about what was going on, but now it's a lifestyle. Yeah. Right? It's hats, it's rallies, it's songs, it's dances. Yeah. It's Turning Point USA. When I voted for Donald Trump for the last time, I cried because I was like, I'm never going to get to vote for him again. Because this is such a special part of my life and no one can do it like he does. This can't be replicated or duplicated and that's what I think is special about him. Short answer, everything. Yeah. Well, you boys have had some strong opinions about merch. What do you think? Ooh. His merch? Sick. Alright, shout out to Crystal that makes this merch. She does a good job. Have you seen the one MAGA hat that's like a white hat? And in like the golden 40s. Yeah, that's beautiful. The one I know is like a little known one. And it's got, so it's a white hat and then it has a red MAGA hat on it. Oh. Oh, interesting. Okay. That's cute. I really like that. That'd be cute, yeah. Yeah, it's a good one. Yeah, we what do you think about the Harris Walls merch though? Did you really like Is that, you guys, you know what you guys think it is? Mid, right? Is that one of the words you guys say? Yeah, it's mid. It's mid. I'm gonna ask them a question. Do you guys know what glazing is? No. Oh, that's when you Like, my son will tell me, Stop glazing. So that means like, if you're sucking up to someone, like you're being all nice. It's like, they're so glazing. Yeah, you didn't know that one? I never knew that one. Alright, you'll learn, yeah. Glazing. I learned about Riz. Riz, Ohio Toilet Skibbity Riz. What, what does that see? I talk like a 13-year-old boy. Oh my goodness. Riz means you have like, you've got like a good, like a charisma. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Exactly. Yeah. It's like from a game. Charisma. Yeah. That's Riz. Yeah. So I like what's like, Ohio? It's sc What's that? I don't know. It's some, yeah. I forget that's, that's, I, we don't know either. Yeah, I heard that one's like one that some of the kids were saying for a minute. Wow. Yeah, well, the boys showed me My class is addicted to brain rot. Okay, what's that? Like, like, Skibbity Toilet. Brain rot is like Skibbity Toilet, Ohio. Yeah, that's, that's That, that junk. Yeah. It's just a bunch of words, right? They showed me Skibbity Toilet and I was like, What the heck? How is this popular? And we don't get why Ohio is a part of it. Like, LeBron or something? I think it's because there's like a train wreck thing in Ohio. Oh yeah, we know about that. East Palestine. Yeah, and I think it's where they say that everything crazy happens in Ohio. Okay. Yeah, that sounds about right. And there was a crazy toilet in Ohio. Yeah. With a talking head that comes out. Yeah, yeah. I've actually never seen the Skippity Toilet video. Well, maybe today's the day. I hope I never do. Maybe today's not the day. I love this. What else are you guys into? That's what I want to talk about. Forget about me. Well, we're also here for you, right? Oh, well, okay. Alright. Alright, so what's, what's like a burning question then? Tell me something. You can ask me something silly. Anything you want. Well, were you inspired to go into the apprenticeship? Because it was like number one and also Trump was on it. Yeah Absolutely, I mean it was the number one show on TV It was a big deal and I knew it would change my life and it has what is the apprentice? It's a good question So it's a reality TV show Where a bunch of business people are auditioning for a job with Donald Trump So every week you do a different task like you have to You know, we, on our first one, we like worked at a Burger King and see who would generate more money and Yeah. So different things like that. We had to like paint a mural in Harlem and I forget what, but this is, we're going back a long time now. So every week someone gets fired and the last person standing at the end gets a job with Donald Trump. That's a good idea. Sure was. Yeah. And other people tried to do it and it failed. It was, again, the Donald Trump factor. Yeah. Donald Trump's good with that stuff. You should actually watch, like, it, because it's a whole, like it's a, it's a It's not like risque. It's a family show. Yeah. There's the great lessons in it. Yeah. It's classic Trump. It is. Yeah. Write it down. Okay. We'll check it out. Yeah. And you get to see him go. You're fired. Yeah. People say, did you get fired? I'm like, I got fired and then I got hired. I was maybe a younger like manager or leader in business at that time. And I remember watching just the way he dealt with people in terms of giving them critical feedback. Like, it wasn't mean, but honest, and sometimes, well, you know, edgy. And I guess part of that's for TV ratings. But I just remember thinking, wow, you know, that is really powerful. You need to give people honest, critical feedback, or they really don't get better. And if you lie to people and tell them, like, oh, you're doing great, then you're not doing them any service. And so I took that to heart, and I tried to do that. It takes practice, you know. Obviously, like, Trump had years of practicing giving people feedback. I got better at it over my career, and I think that helped people get better. Yeah. Yeah. And have some fun doing it. Yeah. Honest conversations. And we, sometimes we talk with the boys about, sometimes, you know, honesty is, is compassion. And, you know, there's uncomfortable things like, hey, how do I look in this outfit? Not good, Dad. Okay. Like, I need that honesty, and then I can, you know, I can change my outfit or whatever. And you can say it with kindness, right guys? That's what I'm working on with my son is just effective communication. Yeah. Have you heard of Leonard Sack? I heard the name, not super familiar. Do yourself a favor. Leonard Sachs, he's a MD, PhD, and he's on our side. Okay. He gives the best parenting advice. I've downloaded all his books. And it's a great way because we all need to learn how to communicate with each other, right? Yeah. I'm really working on that. Mm hmm. Dad, you really need to, What are you trying to tell me? You're making me You gotta work out more? Oh, you look, you guys are all doing great. Ah, he's good. Shave? Oh, that's the look. Babe, that's the look. Yeah. Yeah, you gotta do it. You gotta do it. It's the scruff. It's the 5 o'clock shadow look. That's right. Mom loves it. I used to do the clean shave, but now everybody's kinda Yeah, I kinda I like the beard. You do? I mean, yeah. It's not bad. Yeah. There's a little character. I mean, you kinda have to just shave it like once in a while, but otherwise Some zone, yeah. Like, you don't wanna look like Gandalf, but otherwise Gandalf. I mean, that's like That's like a That's what That's good. With my son's father, he made him grow a beard and his hair long, so for like a year. Okay. And then, all of a sudden, my son, his name is Royce, he woke up one day and said, I'm done with all this, cut your hair and shave your beard. And, he did it. So, it's like, it's being able to adapt, right? We call that pivoting. Yeah, yeah. Wow. Wait, did he look like Gandalf? No, he, he, he kept it short. But his hair got long. Like he could do a little ponytail. Whoa. Well, Max is getting close. He's got a, he's got kind of a mullet thing going. You've got a business in the front party in the back. Conservative mullet right there. Yes, conservative mullet. I like it. I don't like it. Well, you don't have to have it then, right? Don't yuck his yum, right? And he doesn't. In the middle of the night, I really just want to come into his bedroom. Well, I'll wake up because my door is so loud. Well, here's the thing, right? You have what benefits you and makes you happy and that's why You guys are different, and if, you know, he respects you, and you respect him. Where do you guys live? Here. Oh, in Phoenix. Alright, well we live in Palm Beach. So, luckily where we live, it's like cool to be conservative. Okay. But, if you find yourself with people that don't share your values, don't stoop down to their level. If they lash out and make insults towards you, just say, you know what? Let's agree to disagree. Because it's not worth it for you to make yourself look bad. You always want to be the best version of yourself. And being petty and low like that is not the best version of yourself. And find more conservative friends. You guys have some good friends. Yeah, well most of mine, the thing is Two of my friends, their parents wanted Kamala Harris to win the election. Okay. But, I mean, they're still friends of mine. Sure. Cause, like, when you're young, they're really not old enough to, like, vote. So then you can really be, like, friends with anyone. But then once you kind of grow up, you can still kind of have that. But normally you want someone that's kind of on your side. Yeah, or similar values. You know what, that's really astute. Because what you're saying is, is you can put aside your differences to still have a really nice friendship based upon what are your similarities. Mm hmm. Yeah. I like that, Max. And you've got some buddies. Are they a mix? What do you think? One of them was, but he's starting to transition to more of what I like. Transition? No. Well, the word transition doesn't always mean Yeah, it doesn't always mean just transitioning into a girl or a boy. Transition means a change. Yeah. So he's moving over to your side, to our side, to the right side, to the logical side. I have no clue, but I think. Yeah, do you think it's because you guys talk about it a bit as friends? Oh, yeah, we definitely talk about it. It's turned into like a conversation. Okay, really? I have some very fun friends. So you like debate with other kids at school? No, not normally. Oh, I do. Just give me one topic. Mostly one time, actually, it was like, maybe like five days before the election, it was where My friend wanted Kamala Harris and the next thing you know, he was like, because blah blah blah blah blah blah, and he was like, because Trump's bad. And so the next thing you know, then I said, why is he bad? Of course. And then he was like, because. Yeah. Because he did wrong things. I'm like, what are the wrong things? Yeah, name one. I just, yeah, I just keep asking why. And he, and he was like, never mind, and he just walks away. See, you won that argument. You should be on the, oh, I just got my son on debate team. You guys gotta get on debate team. Yeah, we're working on that. Well, we, yeah, we work with somebody too. Yeah. Are you homeschooled? No. Charter. Charter, yeah, yeah, yeah, okay, got it. Close enough. You know, adults are kind of the same way though, aren't they? In terms of, well, why are you voting for Harris? Well, because she's not Donald Trump. Right, of course she's a black woman. Identity politics. Yeah, it's pretty It's pretty wild. Now, what do you not like about Trump? Because, I remember Sometimes people have a hard time Like, they can't Okay, tell me what was racist. And also, like, the thing is, some people are like, because she's going to be, like, the first woman president Right! Like, that isn't really a metric of success. Yeah, who lives, like, it doesn't really matter about what, like, sex you are, basically. It just matters about what you, like, what you, like, believe in, what you're gonna do that's gonna help America and all that. So, yeah. Maybe like, if there was a crazy old man and a very smart woman, I would have voted for a very smart woman. As long as, well, if she agreed with, yes. I'm not sexist. No, you're not. If she agrees with our values. Yeah, if she, we don't care if you're a man or a woman, what color you are, it's just about your values and your policies. Exactly. Yeah. Exactly. Back to Trump maybe. So now, he's already working hard. He's getting his cabinet, set up and in place and we love a lot of these picks. A couple have been controversial. Ultimately, we've, we're very optimistic. Doge is already, like, getting some traction. Yeah, I love it. And so, what are you maybe most optimistic about? Everything. I mean, I, I really think that this is a fresh start for us. And I love that, as bad as the last four years were, I think they were necessary. Yeah. Enough people had to see the open border touch every single solitary state. Had to see how expensive groceries were. Couldn't put gas in their car. The boys and girls sports affecting people's families and communities and daughter's ability to get a scholarship And I think all of these things had to happen for people to wake up and say I'm voting for Trump And now he's like unencumbered right he can go in there. He doesn't have to worry about another term, right? He's just gonna go in there gangbusters and be like, I don't care I don't think he should ever do another media interview again like why I don't need to yeah Yeah. So I'm excited about everything. I think that's it. That's a really good point. Four years. We got four years to get a lot of work done. We cannot rest. And we gotta set ourself up for the future. Yes. And we have a good bench. I think there's a lot of potential. I also like the fact that he doesn't have another term. A lot of presidents will come in. I love it. And then they have to immediately start campaigning for their next term. I have one more funny question to ask you. Go ahead. What are some of your hobbies well, my biggest hobby is my son, right? I want to make sure that I'm a really present parent. I love rescue dogs. I, Laura Trump and I are on the board of a place called Big Dog Ranch Rescue. You guys need to come visit. It's in Palm Beach. It's the largest no kill rescue in the world. The dogs, they have everything from big to little. All over the country and there's no cages and they also have a veteran training center and a little puppy palace where like the moms Keep their babies. So I really like to spend a lot of time at the ranch helping out I like to have dogs. My dog is named sandwich. I'll show you a picture She's from Big Dog Ranch rescue She's a poodle shih tzu, and I just love dogs. What else do I like to do? Drinking liberal cheers, big time hobby. Working out. I like doing a class called Megaformer Pilates. We do CrossFit. Oh yeah, that's a good hobby. I'm too weak for CrossFit. Well, it's hard, especially if you do Rx. Yeah, I No worries, our mom's the same. She doesn't like to do it. Well, yeah, it's tough. It's tough. Okay, rapid fire question. So, the rules are that you have to answer the question as quick as possible and without any explanation. Okay, just like to say the answer. Yeah, so we will start in three, two One, go. Would you rather be pure vegetarian or pure carnivore for the rest of your life? Vegetarian. Alright, would you rather die from a great white shark or flaming hot volcano? Flaming hot volcano. Okay, what is the coolest invention in your lifetime? Cell phone. Cell phone, alright. Would you rather fight a one 1, 000 pound duck or a 1, 001 pound duck? I'll take death by a thousand cuts. Lots of little ducks. Okay. If you had a superpower, what would it be? To read people's minds. If you had one executive order as president, what would it be? Ooh. Something with dogs. Okay. Can I say the last one? No, I got it. Have you ever been stuck in a bathroom stall without toilet paper? Obviously. Yeah. Happened to me, like, two times. It happens to the best of us. Well, gosh. Okay, we've covered a big spectrum of topics today. But Erin, we really appreciate what you do, advocating for conservative values, being such a solid Trump supporter, and we're looking forward to all the work you're going to continue to do with his administration, and so we're we're eager and optimistic for all the success, but thanks so much for coming on and sharing your thoughts with us. Appreciate you guys. Alright. Thank you. That was fun, guys.