August 7, 2025 • 7 mins
Donald Trump takes a bizarre rooftop stroll at the White House while talking about “missiles” and ballrooms. Meanwhile, the government casually announces plans for a nuclear reactor on the moon, and Trump teases a third term with “probably not.” From lunar fission to constitutional fiction, Ballot breaks down the week’s strangest headlines—plus, a reminder: release the Epstein files, you cowards. Hosted by Patrick Gutfield.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Callaroga Shark Media.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
From Washington, DC, where there's a weird man on the roof.
This is valid. Hopefully the weird man will release the
Epstein files. Let's hit this.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
I'm Patrick Gutfield and this first story sounds like a
bit but frankly.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
My AI writers, aren't this clever?
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Donald Trump decided to take a casual stroll on the
White House roof because apparently being president wasn't enough. Now
he's also the building inspector. Reporters were pushed way down
the driveway when suddenly they saw the President of the
United States wandering around on top of the West Wing
like he's checking for loose shingles. When they shouted up
(00:46):
asking what he was doing, Trump's response was peak Trump,
just taking a little walk, a little walk on the
roof of the White House while accompanied by an architect
and Secret Service agents. The press naturally wanted to know
what he was building up there. Trump's first answer, it
goes with the ballroom, which is on the other side.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Then he started doing.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
Hand gestures to demonstrate whatever architectural vision was happening in
his head. Picture the President of the United States playing
charades with the White House press corps from a rooftop.
When pressed for more details, Trump said he was building
something beautiful, which is either the most vague construction plan
in history or exactly the kind of answer you'd expect
(01:29):
from someone who once put his name in giant gold
letters on every building he owned. The best part, Trump
kept insisting he's paying for all this himself. Just more
ways to spend my money for the country, He said,
anything I do is financed by me.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Right.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Trump was up there with architect Jim McCrary, who's apparently
been commissioned to add a ballroom to the White House.
The two of them were having what looked like an
intense conversation with lots of animated pointing. You know that
conversation every homeowner has with contras, except this is happening
on top of the most famous house in America. At
(02:05):
one point, Trump disappeared from view, presumably to check out
the south lawn situation. When he came back, reporters tried
again to get specifics about his construction plans. What are
you trying to build? Someone shouted. Trump's response, missiles, nuclear missiles,
while making rocket launch gestures. Now he was presumably joking,
(02:26):
But this is twenty twenty five, and nothing feels impossible anymore.
You know, they don't want us talking about the Epstein
files when they trot this nonsense out. Transportation Secretary Sean
Duffy just announced that NASA is fast tracking plans to
build a nuclear reactor on the Moon. Duffy, who's pulling
double duty as interim NASA administrator, laid out the plan
(02:46):
during a Department of Transportation press conference. We're in a
race to the Moon, in a race with China to
the moon, he said, And to have a base on
the Moon, we need energy.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Now.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
When most people think about powering a moon base, they
probably picture solar panels and maybe some really long extension chords.
But NASA is thinking bigger. They want to split atoms
on the lunar surface, which sounds like the kind of
thing that either makes us a spacefaring civilization or creates
the plot for the worst disaster movie ever made. The
reactor they're planning will generate one hundred kilowatts of power,
(03:20):
Duffy helpfully explained. That's the same amount of energy a
two thousand square foot home uses every three and a
half days. So we're not talking about powering las Vegas
here more like keeping the lights on at a really
expensive lunar cabin. Duffy emphasize that we're not launching this live,
which is reassuring. Nobody wants to find out what happens
(03:41):
when you try to transport an active nuclear reactor through space.
That's the kind of mission where you really hope NASA
double checked their math and aren't using cardboard and duct
tape like those Apollo thirteen guys. The timing is interesting
considering NASA just announce that nearly four thousand of its
eighteen thousand employees would be leaving through resignations. The timing
(04:01):
is also interesting because people keep asking about the Epstein files.
The administration plans to designate a phission Surface Power Program Executive,
which is definitely going on someone's LinkedIn profile as the
coolest job title ever. A memo from Duffy explains that
phission's surface power is essential and sustainable for future lunar
and Mars missions. It also mentioned strengthening national security in space,
(04:26):
which raises the question, are we planning to defend the
Moon from what space pirates? If the space pirates can
steal and release the Epstein files, I might be on
their side. Donald Trump said Tuesday he would probably not
run for a third term, which is the kind of
answer that makes constitutional scholars reach for their blood pressure medication.
(04:49):
When asked about twenty twenty eight on CNBC's Squawkbox, Trump said,
I'd like to run. I have the best pull numbers
I've ever had. So his reasoning for not running a
third time isn't the twenty second Amendment that explicitly prohibits it.
It's just that he's probably not feeling it right now now.
Most people would answer this question with no, because it's
(05:09):
unconstitutional and impossible, but Trump went with probably not, which
is like saying you probably won't rob a bank. The
word probably is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.
The twenty second Amendment is pretty clear. Nobody gets elected
president more than twice period. It doesn't matter that Trump's
(05:30):
terms weren't consecutive. It doesn't matter if he has great
poll numbers. The Constitution isn't a multiple choice test where
you get to pick your favorite answer. But Trump and
his allies have been floating ways around this little constitutional
speed bump. They've suggested repealing the amendment or having Trump
run for vice president and then somehow ascend to the presidency,
(05:52):
which is like planning to become a professional athlete by
changing all the rules of sports. Trump previously told NBC
there are methods to assume office again if you wanted to.
That's the kind of statement that makes civics teachers weep.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
There are no.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Methods, Donald, that's what constitutional amendment means. White House Communications
director Stephen Ching tried to clean this up by saying
it's far too early to think about it, and Trump
is focused on.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
His current term. But here's the thing.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
If it's constitutionally impossible, it's never too early to rule
it out completely. The best part Trump's official merchandise store
is already selling Trump twenty twenty eight gear. One product
description reads the future looks bright. Rewrite the rules with
the Trump twenty twenty eight high Crown hat.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
Rewrite the rules.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
They're not even being subtle about it anymore. They're literally
selling merchandise about ignoring the constitution. That hat should come
with a free pocket constitution so people can read what
they're planning to rewrite. This is like selling tickets to
a concert that's scheduled for a venue that doesn't exist. Sure,
you can print the ticket, But the fundamental problem remains
(07:02):
the thing you're selling isn't actually possible. But in twenty
twenty five America, we're having serious conversations about whether probably
not constitutes a definitive answer about following the Constitution. And
somewhere the Founding Fathers are spinning in their graves fast
enough to power a small city or at least a
moon base. Portions of today's show were made with the
(07:23):
help of AI release the Epstein Files.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
You Cowered
Callaroga Shark Media.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
From Washington, DC, where there's a weird man on the roof.
This is valid. Hopefully the weird man will release the
Epstein files. Let's hit this.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
I'm Patrick Gutfield and this first story sounds like a
bit but frankly.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
My AI writers, aren't this clever?
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Donald Trump decided to take a casual stroll on the
White House roof because apparently being president wasn't enough. Now
he's also the building inspector. Reporters were pushed way down
the driveway when suddenly they saw the President of the
United States wandering around on top of the West Wing
like he's checking for loose shingles. When they shouted up
(00:46):
asking what he was doing, Trump's response was peak Trump,
just taking a little walk, a little walk on the
roof of the White House while accompanied by an architect
and Secret Service agents. The press naturally wanted to know
what he was building up there. Trump's first answer, it
goes with the ballroom, which is on the other side.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Then he started doing.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
Hand gestures to demonstrate whatever architectural vision was happening in
his head. Picture the President of the United States playing
charades with the White House press corps from a rooftop.
When pressed for more details, Trump said he was building
something beautiful, which is either the most vague construction plan
in history or exactly the kind of answer you'd expect
(01:29):
from someone who once put his name in giant gold
letters on every building he owned. The best part, Trump
kept insisting he's paying for all this himself. Just more
ways to spend my money for the country, He said,
anything I do is financed by me.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Right.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Trump was up there with architect Jim McCrary, who's apparently
been commissioned to add a ballroom to the White House.
The two of them were having what looked like an
intense conversation with lots of animated pointing. You know that
conversation every homeowner has with contras, except this is happening
on top of the most famous house in America. At
(02:05):
one point, Trump disappeared from view, presumably to check out
the south lawn situation. When he came back, reporters tried
again to get specifics about his construction plans. What are
you trying to build? Someone shouted. Trump's response, missiles, nuclear missiles,
while making rocket launch gestures. Now he was presumably joking,
(02:26):
But this is twenty twenty five, and nothing feels impossible anymore.
You know, they don't want us talking about the Epstein
files when they trot this nonsense out. Transportation Secretary Sean
Duffy just announced that NASA is fast tracking plans to
build a nuclear reactor on the Moon. Duffy, who's pulling
double duty as interim NASA administrator, laid out the plan
(02:46):
during a Department of Transportation press conference. We're in a
race to the Moon, in a race with China to
the moon, he said, And to have a base on
the Moon, we need energy.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Now.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
When most people think about powering a moon base, they
probably picture solar panels and maybe some really long extension chords.
But NASA is thinking bigger. They want to split atoms
on the lunar surface, which sounds like the kind of
thing that either makes us a spacefaring civilization or creates
the plot for the worst disaster movie ever made. The
reactor they're planning will generate one hundred kilowatts of power,
(03:20):
Duffy helpfully explained. That's the same amount of energy a
two thousand square foot home uses every three and a
half days. So we're not talking about powering las Vegas
here more like keeping the lights on at a really
expensive lunar cabin. Duffy emphasize that we're not launching this live,
which is reassuring. Nobody wants to find out what happens
(03:41):
when you try to transport an active nuclear reactor through space.
That's the kind of mission where you really hope NASA
double checked their math and aren't using cardboard and duct
tape like those Apollo thirteen guys. The timing is interesting
considering NASA just announce that nearly four thousand of its
eighteen thousand employees would be leaving through resignations. The timing
(04:01):
is also interesting because people keep asking about the Epstein files.
The administration plans to designate a phission Surface Power Program Executive,
which is definitely going on someone's LinkedIn profile as the
coolest job title ever. A memo from Duffy explains that
phission's surface power is essential and sustainable for future lunar
and Mars missions. It also mentioned strengthening national security in space,
(04:26):
which raises the question, are we planning to defend the
Moon from what space pirates? If the space pirates can
steal and release the Epstein files, I might be on
their side. Donald Trump said Tuesday he would probably not
run for a third term, which is the kind of
answer that makes constitutional scholars reach for their blood pressure medication.
(04:49):
When asked about twenty twenty eight on CNBC's Squawkbox, Trump said,
I'd like to run. I have the best pull numbers
I've ever had. So his reasoning for not running a
third time isn't the twenty second Amendment that explicitly prohibits it.
It's just that he's probably not feeling it right now now.
Most people would answer this question with no, because it's
(05:09):
unconstitutional and impossible, but Trump went with probably not, which
is like saying you probably won't rob a bank. The
word probably is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.
The twenty second Amendment is pretty clear. Nobody gets elected
president more than twice period. It doesn't matter that Trump's
(05:30):
terms weren't consecutive. It doesn't matter if he has great
poll numbers. The Constitution isn't a multiple choice test where
you get to pick your favorite answer. But Trump and
his allies have been floating ways around this little constitutional
speed bump. They've suggested repealing the amendment or having Trump
run for vice president and then somehow ascend to the presidency,
(05:52):
which is like planning to become a professional athlete by
changing all the rules of sports. Trump previously told NBC
there are methods to assume office again if you wanted to.
That's the kind of statement that makes civics teachers weep.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
There are no.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Methods, Donald, that's what constitutional amendment means. White House Communications
director Stephen Ching tried to clean this up by saying
it's far too early to think about it, and Trump
is focused on.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
His current term. But here's the thing.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
If it's constitutionally impossible, it's never too early to rule
it out completely. The best part Trump's official merchandise store
is already selling Trump twenty twenty eight gear. One product
description reads the future looks bright. Rewrite the rules with
the Trump twenty twenty eight high Crown hat.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
Rewrite the rules.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
They're not even being subtle about it anymore. They're literally
selling merchandise about ignoring the constitution. That hat should come
with a free pocket constitution so people can read what
they're planning to rewrite. This is like selling tickets to
a concert that's scheduled for a venue that doesn't exist. Sure,
you can print the ticket, But the fundamental problem remains
(07:02):
the thing you're selling isn't actually possible. But in twenty
twenty five America, we're having serious conversations about whether probably
not constitutes a definitive answer about following the Constitution. And
somewhere the Founding Fathers are spinning in their graves fast
enough to power a small city or at least a
moon base. Portions of today's show were made with the
(07:23):
help of AI release the Epstein Files.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
You Cowered
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!