Jon & Gov. Andy Beshear on Dem’s Winning Message In Trump Country | The Weekly Show

ANDY BESHEAR: If someone says your podcast is skibidi, you're doing great. If they say it's fire, you're doing amazing. JON STEWART: Your kids, how old are your kids? ANDY BESHEAR: 15 and 14. JON STEWART: And they're still talking to you? ANDY BESHEAR: Sometimes. [THEME MUSIC]. JON STEWART: Hello, everybody. My name is Jon Stewart. This is The Weekly Show Podcast. Taping it Wednesday, April 30, year of our Lord 2025. It is-- I'm still hungover from the 100.

day celebrations that have been sweeping the country. Oh. Oh, to celebrate the first 100 days of this gloriously. competent and patriotic just B12 shot in the ass. to America that is--. oh, wait. That's not what's happening at all. We're a shit show. The economy actually contracted,

which President Trump immediately. blamed on the Biden overhang. Apparently, Biden forcing Trump to levy. ridiculous and whimsical tariffs is--. it was Biden's fault. Damn him. Damn him for doing that. As part of the celebration, I don't. if you saw how the president was celebrating the 100 days. He declared he'd be a good Pope.

What else did he--. did he say? Taunted Canada on the eve of their election, causing them to elect the liberal government over what. was going to be a slam dunk. But I think my favorite moment of the 100-day jubilee that is. the Trump presidency, of the celebration was his interview. with Terry Moran of ABC, which is. so instructive about the dynamic.

that Trump would prefer. It was one of those--. Terry Moran comes in and starts asking him questions. And Trump immediately just, like, well, what are you doing? You're coming in here every time, fucking question this, question that. Whatever happened to thank you, Your Grace? Whatever happened to Your Honor, you have made our lives so brilliantly wonderful?

How do you do it? You know, he's so accustomed to the just. incessant ball-polishing that is-- even his cabinet meetings. are not even cabinet meetings. They are just opportunities for flattery. And when he's presented with anything other. than the simplest flattery, the simplest question. is then seen as interrogation and the Spanish Inquisition.

because it is so against the tongue bath. that he is accustomed to. And not only accustomed to, demands and deserves. How dare you, a reporter, come into my office. and not immediately fellate? How could you? And there was an exchange. You know, there was the Photoshopped picture of Trump.

holding, I guess, the-- it was a picture. of the gentleman that they--. Garcia Abrego that they had Photoshopped. That said-- it literally said MS-13 on it. And Terry Moran brings it up. And Trump says, well, it said MS-13. And Terry Moran says, well, that was, you know, obviously Photoshopped. No, it wasn't. And then he tries to move on. Terry Moran keeps going. Anyway, about Ukraine. No, no, no! Let's go. Let's go back.

Why can't you just say I'm right? That-- that, to, me is the most--. it is the epitome of the attitude of this president. Why can't you just walk in here and say I'm fucking right, even when I am so objectively wrong that there. is photographic evidence of my wrongness? Why can't you just ignore that and blow me?

Why? And he has no idea zero, about the true effects. on the ground for regular people. of the absurdity of his--. of his actions and the lack of preparation for his trade. war and the uncertainty. And he's got Scott Bessent out there saying, well, it's a strategic uncertainty. It keeps our opponents off balance. And you're like, actually, it's keeping. your allies off balance.

And today, actually, I'm excited for this episode. We're going to get a view from the ground. from a governor who is trying very hard to stimulate. economic activity in his state to make sure. that his people, as these Medicaid cuts come down, are still being taken care of. And I think it'll be a really interesting look at what. the true effects are of the madness of-- of King. Donald on these state levels.

So let's just-- we're going to get to our guest now. Very excited. All right. We're delighted. Today, we are joined by the governor of the great state. of Kentucky. Governor Andy Beshear has joined. Governor, how are you, sir? ANDY BESHEAR: I'm great. Thrilled to be on. It's Derby week in the Commonwealth, so. an exciting time. JON STEWART: That is an exciting time. In the Commonwealth. I love the idea of the Commonwealth. You know, I'm from New Jersey. Do you have any idea what we would give to label.

ourselves a commonwealth? We never get that kind of respect. ANDY BESHEAR: You know, I'd like to think. there's some good ones. You know, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts. But I like to think Kentucky is the premier Commonwealth. JON STEWART: You're the governor of Kentucky. I think you pretty much have to say that. Only governors would know how many Commonwealths there are. I don't know what Jersey is classified as. Provincial-- well, I was going to curse,

but you're a governor, so I'm going to lay off of that. Governor, I want to ask you, you know, I don't, to be perfectly frank, know that much about Kentucky. I played a couple of gigs in Lexington a few years back, had a great time. It was beautiful down there. But I am confused. So Trump-Vance, they win Kentucky. by 30 points, 35 points. Something along those lines. ANDY BESHEAR: 30 points. JON STEWART: You win Kentucky, Democrat, by 5 points.

This is a 35-point swing. Both your senators are Republicans, but very. different kinds of Republicans. Rand Paul obviously a more iconoclastic, libertarian-style politician. Mitch McConnell couldn't be a more insider. horse trading kind of a--. do you have a sense of what is it about Kentucky that.

allows for this giant ideological swings. in statewide offices? ANDY BESHEAR: Well, I think what the people of Kentucky. want is what the people of America want. They want a better life. And if you can convince them that you are working. your hardest to create that better life, then they'll give you that opportunity. You know, I won in 2019 by 0.1%. It was a close election against a sitting incumbent.

But I got to spend the next four. years earning the faith and the trust. of the people of Kentucky. We had two of the best years of economic development. in our history. We brought in more private sector investment. We're building the two biggest battery plants on planet Earth. We created jobs that have some of the highest. wages in our history. And so while we complicate politics and government a lot, it's supposed to be about creating.

a better life for all Kentuckians, for all Americans. And I think when people see that, you. can break through regardless of your party. JON STEWART: So let's dig into that because that--. that's very interesting to me. So you build these plants. Why, in your mind, do you think you were credited with that? And I don't mean that in a way of like, why did. you get the credit for that? I mean it in the way of Biden administration, Kamala Harris, what was it about their investment in Kentucky--.

or lack thereof, or maybe the CHIPS Act. or any of those other things--. that did not break through in any way with Kentuckians? Would Kentuckians be the correct--. ANDY BESHEAR: Kentuckians. JON STEWART: Kentuckians. OK. I don't want to say, like, Kentuckylanders or whatever. I don't want to make the wrong--. but why is it that they responded. to those positive things economically that you had done, definitely had gotten accomplished,

but the Democratic administration in Washington. got absolutely no grace on that? ANDY BESHEAR: What you have to do is get dirt on your boots, meaning you got to get out there and show your work. JON STEWART: Well, they didn't even have boots, Governor. I'm pretty sure they were wearing Hush Puppies. They're not wearing-- they're not even wearing boots. ANDY BESHEAR: We could have found them some boots. JON STEWART: All right. ANDY BESHEAR: But you've got to show your work so that people. can see, feel and touch it. Like the signing in the Rose Garden. is no longer real to people. You know, one job hasn't been created. at the time of the signing. And so what we found is when I was running for re-election.

in 2023-- again, we'd had our two best. years ever for our economy. We were booming. Biggest rainy day fund, biggest revenues upgraded by all. the bond rating agencies. But I only started up on my opponent on the economy. by about 3 to 5 points. And he'd only worked in the private sector one year, and actually worked for my law firm during that year. JON STEWART: Wait, your opponent. worked at your law firm? ANDY BESHEAR: Yes. And actually--. JON STEWART: I bet he don't work there no more. ANDY BESHEAR: No. And actually did assignments for me.

It's a very small world. JON STEWART: Yeah. ANDY BESHEAR: But-- but what we found. was that people needed to be reminded. And we did a focus group. And we said, well, what about the battery plants? What about the new paper mill? What about this record number of jobs? And so we got out there to prove it. We made sure the message we were. sending when we started that campaign. was one of more opportunity. You know, you can't take for granted. that you pass three or four really. good measures for the economy. You've got to show people how it happened. And then I think a challenge for the Biden administration.

was, if you overregulate the programs you put into place, they take so long to create the jobs. or get the internet out there that people don't. feel it by the next election. JON STEWART: Did you have rural broadband programs that. were supposed to come to Kentucky that ended. up not coming to Kentucky? ANDY BESHEAR: Well, the ARPA funds, when they came out, were really flexible. And we put those into hard infrastructure, including expansion of broadband.

And it was incredible to see how fast we could do it. and how effective it was. So part of the BEAD program, when it was passed, was based on Kentucky. But what we had to do was write about three Encyclopedia. Britannicas to the regulators who. had never instituted one of these programs, which we had. So instead of sending the money and then auditing what we did, watching what we did, overseeing what we did, we had to plan and double plan and triple plan. And because of that, there's not. one inch of fiber from the BEAD program that's out there yet.

So we as Democrats, we've-- we've got. to be honest with the American people about our failings. I think that the BEAD legislation was. amazing and transformational, but we've. got to be practical and say our first job is. to get things done. And we've got to set up a way of administering. a program that does that. JON STEWART: So let's talk a little bit. about the things that are the bottlenecks. to getting things done. Because certainly, the federal bureaucracy. is a very different animal than a state-level bureaucracy.

And I'm not sure how that bureaucracy works. in the state of Kentucky. In New Jersey, I can tell you it is just a series. of small mob social clubs. New Jersey is-- it's all-- we are number one in corruption, now, I think. 212 years running. But in Kentucky, were you able to do. these battery plants and these other things. through legislation? Was it more executive fiat?

Are these block grants that you're redirecting. into certain areas? What were the ways that you were able to execute, you know, these varieties of economic stimulus? Everybody's going to stimulate the economy somehow. How did you end up doing it? ANDY BESHEAR: Well, sometimes you need some legislation, but most of the time it's your effectiveness. When people are looking at locating a huge investment, you got to have the site, you got to have the power, you got to have the water, you got to have the infrastructure. But then you've got to be able to convince them.

and give them comfort that--. JON STEWART: When you say them, you mean--. ANDY BESHEAR: The company. JON STEWART: The company, OK. ANDY BESHEAR: That you can get it done. On our major projects, every single cabinet that has a part. reports to me every two weeks. Because my job is to get those built as fast as we can. And we sell speed to market to all these companies. that if you come to Kentucky, we'll get you up. and running faster than anywhere. So we brought everybody in as a team. The environmental permitters sit down with companies ahead.

of time because these companies want to do. right by the environment. And we work together to see how fast we can do it. and where the best placement of this or that. would be to meet the goals and to protect the environment. Our building inspectors are ready ahead of time. and are there. It's just about making things work. and understanding that when we make it easier for people. to build that facility, then the jobs come to our people. that much faster. JON STEWART: All right, we have to take a quick break, and then we shall be back. [MUSIC PLAYING].

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transparent and empowering readers. to make informed decisions. Which, oh, those are the best kinds of decisions. Can I ask you in terms of-- you know, when you're talking. about-- you're talking at different corporations, you know, I don't know if it's the battery. or it's carmakers or things along those lines. There's sort of this idea of, globalization. was a disaster for deindustrializing. the United States. Companies looked at, oh, man, I'd. only have to pay these dudes $200 a month.

versus a union job where I've got. to provide all these things. So they all offshore, they all move things out. But even within the United States, that same dynamic also takes place. You know, a union state like Michigan or someplace else. may not be competitive with Kentucky. Do you find that dynamic comes into play in your negotiations? Like, will you say to them, we don't have the level. of regulation and unionization that they have let's.

say, Michigan? So if you come here, you won't have to deal with that. ANDY BESHEAR: We don't end up having. that specific conversation. Because even-- even with all the laws the legislatures pass, union membership has gone up in Kentucky. each of the last three years. They're booming, especially in the construction, in the building trades. And they're building all these facilities, getting them. done on time and on budget. What we end up talking about the most.

is both getting their facility constructed on time, but then also workforce. While other states look down on manufacturing for a long time, we never did. We believe in-- in work. We believe that we need to make in the United States. what the United States needs. And so we were reshoring manufacturing. before the second Trump administration. And the ironic thing is, it has slowed. down the pace of reshoring. That these tariffs that are supposed to encourage companies.

to build in the United States, those companies. were already planning on building in the United States. They've done too much with China. They were trying to hedge in the United States. Our growth was bigger than just about any other country. But it takes three to five years. And the tariffs will hit them right now. And even when they build their facility, they will need to import certain materials. or parts for a long time. So these tariffs are actually stopping. the aim that the Trump administration. claims that it has. And everybody's seeing it. Everybody is seeing paused projects, canceled projects.

And now we're even seeing layoffs. This is the single, most damaging. economic policy I've seen from a president in my lifetime. And the fascinating thing to me is, more than anything. I've ever seen in politics, it's attributable to one. person and one person alone. JON STEWART: Joe Biden. You're right, sir. ANDY BESHEAR: [LAUGHS]. JON STEWART: Joe Biden. Sleepy Joe. No, you're-- you're dead on. Although he is saying-- he came out today, you know, the GDP results came out today.

And they said it's a little funky because so many people. tried to jump the orders because they were. afraid of the tariffs, but that we. shrunk GDP for the first time in three years. So Trump came out with a huge announcement--. I believe it might have been all caps--. saying, this is not my fault. This. is the overhang from Joe Biden's, I guess, growth economy. But how does that-- so let's talk about that. You say two big battery plants, right? So I'm assuming, not knowing a whole lot. about battery production, to be quite honest.

But that has a rare Earth metal component, I would guess? ANDY BESHEAR: It does. And making batteries in the United States right. now takes foreign direct investment. So this is a joint venture between Ford, that. has a huge Kentucky presence, and SK, which. is a South Korean company. JON STEWART: OK. ANDY BESHEAR: And so when you look at these tariffs, it not only makes the operations. and the cost of operations that much more. difficult-- because we do have to import right now materials.

And we're going to have to until we build out. this industry, which is going to take time, but was happening before this tariff policy. But you also are insulting and/or attacking the countries. where these companies are in. I mean, I never thought a president could push Japan. and South Korea towards China. That's bad for foreign direct investment. That's bad for global security.

I'll give you another example. The biggest Toyota plant in the world is in Kentucky. It's in Georgetown. JON STEWART: The biggest one in the world is in Kentucky? ANDY BESHEAR: In the world. JON STEWART: Yeah. ANDY BESHEAR: We make the Camry. We also make some-- some Lexuses. But when you push away countries that invest, and their companies invest so much in us, it creates some significant concerns. I mean, you look at what's going on in Canada right now, where they rightfully feel attacked. by this administration. JON STEWART: Well, it's about time the free ride for Canada.

is long overdue. You know, that's over. Those-- those bastards. I always liken that to, you know--. attacking Canada, it's like, you know, when they have those prison stories, where somebody goes into the prison yard. And they walk up to the one guy, you know, the whole theory is you walk up to the one. guy that apparently wasn't a problem at all and punch him. Like, that's what it seemed like with Canada. And the same with-- with Mexico. ANDY BESHEAR: Or it's that guy that--. that has walked with you everywhere you've gone, has tried to protect you. And then you turn on him.

JON STEWART: Right. Governor, we are discussing now how globalization, as much as it may have industrialized us, there is a reality. China's real. They do manufacturing dumps. Targeted tariffs, I think, most people. would agree have some utility. But the way that they are being deployed on a whim, and you know, some people are getting exempted. You know, they're now talking about in the automobile. industry, they'll exempt steel and aluminum, maybe.

How do the projects that are happening in Kentucky, how are they affected by that? Are they pulling back from them? Are those able to go forward still? ANDY BESHEAR: Well, thankfully we've got a really. good pipeline of projects. And I think our economy will continue to be hot. But we're seeing a slowdown all over the country. In fact, this Derby week, Churchill Downs just canceled. a $900 million project, or at least paused it, that would have added hundreds, if not. thousands of construction jobs over the next year.

And their president talked about it. being because of tariffs, the uncertainty. of what things will cost. And as you know, Jon, it's not just the current tariff policy. It's that it changes every day. JON STEWART: It's the uncertainty of it. ANDY BESHEAR: Right, or two or three times a day. And what it also suggests is they just. don't know what they're doing. JON STEWART: [LAUGHS] How dare you, sir? How does that affect-- so you are-- look, you're in a state that is a Trump ride or die state.

I don't think there's any question about that. Does that news permeate? Or do they still-- is there a cognitive dissonance? Is there a willingness to just say, well, we have to take our medicine because Kentucky was suffering. and these tariffs will reindustrialize us? How do they digest all this information? ANDY BESHEAR: It permeates. It permeates with that small business. owner that was expanding and is now. looking at laying people off. You know, small business are the first to hire,

the last to fire. Because when they fire someone, they know them. They might go to church with them. They'll see them in the grocery store. and know the impact on their lives. And so, sadly, people are feeling. pain, pain in paying their bills, pain in running their company. And so that certainly permeates. But I tell you what I hear about just as much, and it's the potential cuts to Medicaid. What it would do, first of all, for health care generally. I mean, Medicaid covers the people we love the most, our parents and our kids.

50% of Kentucky's kids have some Medicaid coverage. 70% of our long-term care costs are covered by Medicaid. And rural health care is--. is supported and cannot exist without. Medicaid at its current level, without expanded Medicaid. So imagine, if you live in rural America. and they do these cuts, your hospital system, which is your number two employer behind. the public school, shuts down. All those jobs are lost. It hits your economy. But then you, whether you have private insurance or Medicaid,

have to drive an hour or two for your appointment, for your parents' appointments, for your kids appointments, to see the same doctor who lost their job in your town, in a bigger city. JON STEWART: How quickly are these changes affecting. these areas right now? Is this anticipatory? Or are you seeing this play out with rapidity? ANDY BESHEAR: Well, on the tariff side, we're seeing it right now. UPS just announced 20,000 layoffs, which is startling.

JON STEWART: What? ANDY BESHEAR: Yes. Our bourbon industry has--. has been hit. We've seen a bottling plant shut down. JON STEWART: Well, they're targeting--. I mean, bourbon. You talk about Canada. Boy, you know, the first thing they did was go, all right, that's it. We're not getting drunk anymore. We're done. ANDY BESHEAR: Well, the last thing. anyone should ever be deprived of is Kentucky bourbon. JON STEWART: Sure! ANDY BESHEAR: Because 95% of the world's bourbon. is made here. The other 5% is counterfeit. And the whole world should be able to enjoy. Because with all this craziness going around,

it can be helpful. But you know, that does show how hurt Canada is, how it's not just these tariffs. It's the talk of the 51st state. And Jon, by the way, they'd have. the most electoral votes out of any state if that happens. JON STEWART: I don't understand how you make that giant area, oh, it'd just be one state. You'll get two senators. You'll be fine. You'll be the same as Wyoming. Why not? ANDY BESHEAR: But so hurt that they're pushing back. JON STEWART: What does this do, though, to, you know, the state budget? How much is this a-- a sort of a bomb that's dropped.

in the middle of--. I know that states always struggle to balance, you know, services that were provided from the federal. When those get pulled back, somebody's got to pick that up. What is this going to do to Kentucky's budget? ANDY BESHEAR: It's going to be a challenge. You know, we have about a $17 billion annual budget. I've got about 30,000 employees that do important work, from repairing our roads to doing. different claims for health care to ensuring.

our communities are safe. You know, government performs a lot of important functions. The federal government is doing a couple of things. right now that make it that much harder. First, they're trying to cancel programs, and cancel programs. that are enshrined in law that have had. Congress appropriate to it, and that we. have a contract with them. And we've probably already expended the funds forums. JON STEWART: Which are the contracts that will be--. that they're trying to cut. Is this a DOGE situation or is this something else?

ANDY BESHEAR: It can be from DOGE. It can also come down from the cabinets themselves. We saw that with a lot of the FEMA funding. that they were trying to-- to pause or to cancel what they. call the COVID funding, which is really about stopping. a future pandemic. JON STEWART: Right. ANDY BESHEAR: Money for addiction treatment. JON STEWART: Oh, so they're taking. the money for future planning of disasters away from you. ANDY BESHEAR: And look at the cuts. The other part is not just freezing the money. or bringing it back, and we're going to court. and we're winning on that.

So I'm able to bring those dollars back in because I've. got a contract. The government gave me their word. They even passed a law. And I'm going to stand up for my people. But then the other thing they're doing. is that they're firing so many federal employees. that-- that the employees that are there. don't know how the programs work. Some of our cabinets are on their fifth contact. in 100 days. And so it might be that the group is even trying. in the federal government. But they're brand new or they've never done this part. And that comes down and hurts the American people.

Think about that-- that senior on Social. Security in Eastern Kentucky. And they closed the office where they're at. So now, on a fixed income, they've got. to drive a couple of hours. JON STEWART: Have they closed those regional offices? So the regional offices have-- have started to close? ANDY BESHEAR: They've announced the closure in Hazard. and a couple other areas. And you could tell they just looked at a map, and that they don't know how long it. takes driving in Appalachia to get somewhere. But then they shut down the call center. So what they are trying to make happen. is that senior, who in my state probably voted for-- for Donald.

Trump, drives two hours. And then doesn't have the documents that he or she needs, and thus don't get the next check. that they paid into the system and that they should get. JON STEWART: What about the flood? You know, Kentucky obviously faced some really tough. flooding recently. Have you seen a pullback from FEMA. on helping to rebuild those areas, helping to make them more resilient to the flooding? Have you seen those effects as well?

ANDY BESHEAR: This is an area where if you are going to speak. out against the Trump administration. when they do wrong, you've got to give them credit. when they're doing right. FEMA, in response to especially our February flooding, is doing some of the best I've ever seen. And I've seen a lot, 14 federally declared disasters. since I became governor. JON STEWART: Well, that's making news, man, because that's not-- you know, everything we're hearing. is they're trying to cut FEMA funding. ANDY BESHEAR: Which is ironic. Because, again, it's operating well. I think the Biden administration made. a lot of these changes, but the current administrator.

came in, made commitments to us that he kept. Secretary Noem pushed through our request. for individual assistance because the president. signed off on it. A number of people in Kentucky are getting help. So I think it's important, even when you're. a Democratic governor, that we have. the credibility to say good job when administration does well. But then we stand up and speak out and sometimes file. suit when they're doing wrong. JON STEWART: Right. Quick break and then we're coming right back. [MUSIC PLAYING]. I don't know if you guys know this,

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that entrenched poverty. And what is it about that area? Because, you know, Trump will say like, well, we. got to bring back coal mining and all those sorts of things. and that will revitalize it. But those areas have had an entrenched poverty issue. for so long in this country. What do you think is about that? Because, you know, the thing about Kentucky is, you know, you can revitalize certain urban areas. or you can bring back that battery manufacturing. But that one area, boy, that's a--. that's a tough one to solve.

What do you think it is about that that. makes it so difficult? ANDY BESHEAR: Well, we're making a lot of progress. that I want to discuss, but let me start by saying. Eastern Kentuckians and Appalachians. helped build this country. JON STEWART: Right. ANDY BESHEAR: They mined the coal that powered. the Industrial Revolution. They powered us through two world wars. Yet when the energy economy started to change, the new jobs didn't go where the old jobs were. The idea of environmental justice. came along a lot earlier than--.

than economic justice. And so you have an area that rightfully feels. that the country that they helped build. has turned its back on them and not invested what's needed. I mean, the biggest challenge is infrastructure. You know, you're in the-- you're in the mountains. because that's where the coal was. Well, to build an extra lane on a road, many places may cost a couple million dollars. It costs $1 billion if you're cutting. into the side of a mountain. So take-- take our Mountain Parkway project, which. I believe is transformational.

We're building the first four lane. highway into the heart of Appalachia in Kentucky history. Four lanes are important because a factory won't locate. unless there are four lanes. Because they've got to be able to bring the trucks in and out. JON STEWART: So you're helping to bring the infrastructure. You can't get investment into that area. unless they feel like they're going to be able to have. the transportation necessary. They're going to be able to have the broadband necessary. You wouldn't-- you wouldn't be able to bring them in. ANDY BESHEAR: And the water and sewer. But we've been using these federal dollars.

and other investments really targeted to move. the needle in exciting ways. And now is the right time. Because for the first time I can remember, business is coming to people instead. of expecting people to-- to drive. a couple hours to business. JON STEWART: Right. To relocate. ANDY BESHEAR: Yeah, they're looking. at the available workforce. So this is an exciting time where. we can really change things. At the same time, we're building. what's-- what are called high ground communities. We're taking people who live in the floodplain, who've been hit. over and over and over, and we're.

building entire neighborhoods on top of abandoned coal mines. It's the toughest-- but I think the most. innovative-- rebuild in the history of the United States. But we're going to have thousands. of people that will never have to worry about flooding again. JON STEWART: Are they willing to relocate? ANDY BESHEAR: Oh, yes. JON STEWART: It ain't easy to get. people to relocate from areas that they want to be in. ANDY BESHEAR: Well, everybody loves the dirt they're from, the property that their family has owned. But when your house has been swept away, and when you've been holding on to your children. to keep them from being swept away, you know,

we love our families a lot more than we'll ever. love any piece of property. So we've got a huge amount of interest, and we're addressing affordable housing. in the area at the same time. But I will say, it was outside the box for government. to come in. JON STEWART: Right. Were you able to streamline regulation to get that? Is that something that you had to go after changing. the environmental regulation, changing different things. to get that done quickly? ANDY BESHEAR: Well, what we were able to do. is the state ran the project. And we, of course, are the regulators up until the point. where we were ready to build the houses.

And that's when we bring in nonprofit and other partners. So you can actually get past a lot of the zoning. and the regulatory burden-- JON STEWART: Right. ANDY BESHEAR: --if you look at it in that way. And it's no different than what we do in economic development, where we say, we've got this great piece of land. Let's make sure we got all the utilities. that need to go to it. So it's doing the work. JON STEWART: Right. ANDY BESHEAR: And again, it's remembering. that the most important things that we do for our people. aren't political at all. It's creating good jobs. It's making sure they can get to their next. doctor's appointment.

It's safe roads and bridges, good education for our kids, and public safety. JON STEWART: No, that's been-- listen, that's been, I think, the difficulty that certainly the Democratic Party. has had, which is, you know, getting the federal government. And that's why I think this is such an interesting discussion. between what the federal government looks at. and what state governments look at because the needs are. so different. For instance, in Kentucky, you mentioned, well, we moved away from those extraction jobs, fossil fuels. and the things that, you're right, fueled the Industrial Revolution,

fueled the standard of living that's. happening in this country. And then there was the idea of, well, we're going to end all that, but we're going. to teach you how to code. We're going to teach all the people that. did all those extraction jobs. Those don't exist anymore. You don't get to live there anymore. You're just going to learn how to, you know, build Facebook. Did people take to that or was that considered--.

they didn't know what to do with it? ANDY BESHEAR: So here's where real investment and treating. people with dignity comes in. You know, coal mining was about an $85,000, $95,000 job. They were jobs that people were supporting. two or three families with. JON STEWART: How many coal miners--. and I apologize for jumping in. What was the extent of that? How big a-- an employment factor? Because it's not just the coal mine, it's everything around it that is supporting those--. ANDY BESHEAR: You're right. You're right. JON STEWART: --those things? ANDY BESHEAR: I mean, it's-- in Kentucky, at one point, you know, 100,000 plus jobs if you look at the mining and then.

the hauling of the coal and--. and the utilities. JON STEWART: And all the small businesses. that pop up around that support all of that. ANDY BESHEAR: Absolutely. Because there's more small business. if there's more economic activity that is in the area. So you take an $85,000 or $95,000 job. The energy economy dries them up. You don't see any real federal or outside investment. And then someone comes in and says, well, I'll teach you.

to code for $35,000 a year. JON STEWART: Right. ANDY BESHEAR: That's hard. JON STEWART: Right. ANDY BESHEAR: That's hard. And so as we look at changing economies that continue, to me, it's really important to make sure. that Kentucky gets the next part of-- of that economy. So when I was looking at the automotive industry-- you know, we have Ford, we have GM, we have Toyota, we have Rivian now and so many others. I wanted to make sure that we didn't get hit twice. We didn't see the same thing happen.

And so that's why I went out there and made sure. we were getting those battery factories so that we. never got left behind again. [DOG BARKING] JON STEWART: Right. Oh, what's going-- are you having-- what? What the heck is--. ANDY BESHEAR: I think you're hearing my dog. Winnie wanted to be a part. JON STEWART: Who's-- what's your dog's name? ANDY BESHEAR: Winnie. Winnie is six years old and three days, I think. She's my-- she's my labradoodle. This is a 65-pound dog that everybody loves. JON STEWART: All right. Yeah, listen, they're very lovable. So we're discussing right now with the governor sort of how.

the economics of creating growth. and prosperity in your state differ from the federal level. Now, you have just been elected, I think, what? The head of the Governor's Association for Democrats? ANDY BESHEAR: I am the vice chair this year. and the chair next year when we have 36 races. JON STEWART: 36 races. ANDY BESHEAR: Yeah, just a little pressure. JON STEWART: That are going to be going. on for the governorships? ANDY BESHEAR: Yes. So when you look at 2026, it's not. just Congress, which everybody is rightfully focused on.

It's how many Democratic governors we'll have out there. If we pick up Virginia this year, we'll be at 24. And then an opportunity to get either halfway or the majority. in 2026. And what we see is that states that have Democratic--. Democratic governors, you know, they govern well. Their people see jobs. We see the expansion of-- of health care. And so for me to try to lift up even more leaders. is good in 2026. I also think it will be really good for 2028.

JON STEWART: I have a feeling, you know. And I'm sure you've thought about-- you've. obviously had-- your name's been talked. about as a possible 2028. But it seems like with the Democratic brand in Washington. at chlamydia levels of popularity, the Democratic governors have kind of. made a name for themselves. And it's you and Shapiro and Pritzker and Whitmer. and people that have had success stories in--.

you know, in building out the economies of states. and getting things done in a way. that I think is a different brand. It's almost as though you're two separate entities. of Democrats. ANDY BESHEAR: Well, our job is to get things done. And so what you find is we are practical. We also have to talk to our people every day, not once a week or once a month, which is what you see out of Congress that's up in DC. And we don't talk in terms of-- of what.

is 0.3, bullet 4 underneath a clause of a bill. that nobody has seen. That's really important for Congress. But we talk in terms of-- of what's. going on in our state, what's next, and how we can build that better life. And such great leaders that are out there. Everybody you mentioned, you look at Josh Stein. and Roy Cooper before him. You look at Jared Polis, you look at Josh Green, Bob Ferguson now coming in Washington,

Katie Hobbs in Arizona, Maura Healey in Massachusetts. JON STEWART: But what's a lesson. that you would say to the Democrats in Washington. that you all have learned on the state level? What's something-- what's a piece of advice. that you would give to them? ANDY BESHEAR: I think it's three. things that we as Democratic leaders ought to be doing. Number one, focus. Focus on those core areas. Spend 80% of your time not just in what you're talking about, but-- but what you're doing.

Focused on jobs, health care, infrastructure, education and public safety. Second, talk like a normal human being. I mean, we've got all these sanitized words. Jon, unfortunately, my state has--. has gotten hit with the opioid crisis more than just. about any other, though we have two. straight years of decreasing overdose deaths, thank God. JON STEWART: Decreasing? ANDY BESHEAR: Yes. JON STEWART: Oh. ANDY BESHEAR: Yes. And we hope it's a national trend. And I think I'm going to have some really good news. next week that I'm really grateful for.

JON STEWART: What do you attribute that to? Or is it a surprise? What have you done to do that? ANDY BESHEAR: A lot of hard work. A lot of hard work. A lot of great people working in recovery, a lot of great work by-- by law enforcement. Sadly, all of us having lost a lot of people we. care about, and trying to make sure that it doesn't happen. Changes in prescribing, which has been really important. But let me tell you, everyone I know that has fought addiction. has called it addiction. They don't say it's substance use disorder.

Everybody-- yeah. Everybody's experiencing hunger. None of them call it food insecurity. But I'll give you another one. Justice-involved population. JON STEWART: Say that again? ANDY BESHEAR: Justice-involved population. JON STEWART: No, I don't know that I've heard that one. What is that one? ANDY BESHEAR: Those are inmates. JON STEWART: Oh. Justice-involved population. Do you get those? Does that come in a list from somewhere? Here's the new glossary of terms? ANDY BESHEAR: Well, you get-- you get pressure by people.

who mean well to use them. But when we talk in those sanitized terms, it has no emotion and no feeling. And that's not how people talk to each other. And so it makes you seem distanced, distracted, maybe even professorial. JON STEWART: Who is pushing that terminology? Because it's not-- you know, I do. hear it every now and again, like pregnant people or things. ANDY BESHEAR: Right. JON STEWART: But I don't actually hear it in reality. I don't hear it utilized in--.

even on television for the most part. Is that an over-exaggeration of its usage? ANDY BESHEAR: I don't think it is, but I think the point that you're making. is you'd never hear that amongst your friends. You'd never hear that amongst coworkers. And so if you hear that from someone in office or running. for office, how different does it sound? How detached from the world we live in? And that leads me into the last thing. I think people need to do, which is explain your why. Democrats talk about what they're for in--.

in minute detail. Every single bit of what they're for, but never why they're for it. So to give you an example, during my election year, I vetoed the nastiest piece of anti-LGBTQ legislation. my state had ever seen. It was picking on kids. JON STEWART: What was the legislation? ANDY BESHEAR: It was an anti-trans piece of legislation. directly targeting children that are already. picked on way too much. And when I explained my why, I told people that-- that this. is my faith that teaches me that all children are children.

of God, and that if the legislature was going. to show hate towards these children, I wanted to show them love. I wanted them to see that a governor sees. them and cares about them. And I'll never forget the next day, I had somebody walk up to me. And I thought, oh no. Stuck out his hand. I shook it. And he said, I'm not sure I agree with what you did, but I know you're doing what you think is right. So when we talk about that why, sometimes we. can get beyond that one hot issue and get more towards,

are the people running our state. or running for office trying to do what they think is right? JON STEWART: Are cultural issues your toughest. legislative fights? Because obviously, Kentucky culturally very conservative. They've been red for a very long time. Is that where you've had the most difficulty. with the legislature? And what's the makeup of the legislature? You know, if it's reflective of 30% to--. to Trump? Is there a supermajority of Republicans? What's the makeup that you're dealing with?

ANDY BESHEAR: There is a super, supermajority. on the other side. I'm not sure that there's anything really super about it. JON STEWART: Do they crush your vetoes? When you vetoed it, did they go back and go, yeah, screw that. ANDY BESHEAR: They do. But I wanted those kids to know that I care about them. When I vetoed anti-diversity legislation, I wanted everyone to feel welcome. And there's a power in that, Jon, about a governor saying, I believe in you. I see you for who you are.

And I believe that there's an important place. in Kentucky for you. And I get to hear that. But I mainly do it just because it's the right thing. And sometimes we get away from that. Oftentimes, the right thing is the right political thing. But if people see you standing up for your principles, they can respect that, even if they sometimes disagree. JON STEWART: Right. And are those-- you know, you talked earlier about boy, that we have to really consider our language and speaking,

like, in the way that people speak. I would imagine there's no initiatives more popular. in a very red state with a supermajority of Republicans. than anti DEI or anti-trans or anti-immigrant kinds. of legislation, and that they can put. those through pretty easily. Boy, that's a needle to thread to discuss those things. without sounding like a woke intellectual.

that is trying to do there. How do you convince people on, in pragmatic terms, that DEI isn't about anti-merit? It's about investing, showing people of Appalachia like, you're a community that's been left behind. Investing in you is kind of like DEI. It's bringing in communities that. have been historically left out of these kinds of things. ANDY BESHEAR: Well, I think the first thing.

you do is explain your why, which-- which I was able to do. Diversity is always a strength. It makes us better. But then, the next day, you're opening that next factory. You're opening the new road that's going to save. people 20 minutes each way. That yes, those pieces of legislation may fly through, but they will never even as politicized as they are, be as important to the American people as that good job, or being able to afford their kids prescription. And it's just not losing sight of that, that you stand up.

for your principles, but you recognize that you've. got to spend the majority of your time. on things that-- the greatest part about that focus. is it helps everybody. A good job helps a Democrat or Republican, an independent. It's truly that common ground. And so when I talk about what I think our road forward is, I'm hoping it's not just Democrats. I'm hoping it's Republicans, too. I don't want to leave a broken country to my kids. I don't want to see this type of division. And I think that the most important things.

aren't partisan. And there should be a way in the future. for us to come together. JON STEWART: Now, when you look at that, the things that. are happening with the tariffs, the DOGE cuts, they've also cut an awful lot out of, for instance, mining inspections, you know, things that may have to do. Which one of those coming down in a practical way. to your state is going to create. the most difficulty for you? Is it straight up, I'll get less money. from the federal government? Or is it the practical services that the feds were helping.

provide, whether it be for environmental or safety issues. or any of those other things? Where are you looking to triage the most? ANDY BESHEAR: Well, the Medicaid cuts. would be devastating. JON STEWART: That's the biggest one. ANDY BESHEAR: Huge Medicaid cuts will wipe out rural health. care across America. And that's not an exaggeration. It will wipe out rural health care. JON STEWART: Will you have to try and make that. up financially to-- to provide them, or does that just go away? ANDY BESHEAR: We will try, but the numbers are enormous.

JON STEWART: OK. ANDY BESHEAR: I mean, the numbers that would be required. there would tax the rainy day funds of states very, very quickly. You know, Medicaid is a part of our health care portfolio. And it's going to need to be a part in the future. Other things that keep me up at night. are the DOGE cuts or the firings. that impact our public safety. I think about firings of CIA analysts. I lost a classmate in 9/11. What they do is really important.

Firings of FBI agents. I worked with them as attorney general. to catch child predators. Fewer FBI agents, fewer child predators are caught. Or the National Weather Service, which has given us a. heads up on the last three major natural disasters, and we've deployed people all over the state. and made thousands of rescues. Well, if we don't have that heads up, we can't help as many. of our people. More people die in those disasters. So there are real world impacts that. can even be life versus death to what.

this administration is doing. JON STEWART: Now, are you right now in emergency mode, buckling down to try and prepare yourselves for--. is everybody kind of just curling up. and preparing for the storm? ANDY BESHEAR: What I'm doing is pushing back. I am in court. My attorney general doesn't want to file these lawsuits, so I'm doing it as governor. JON STEWART: Your attorney general does. not want to file the lawsuits. ANDY BESHEAR: No, no, but he's not challenging. my ability to do it, either. I don't want to be too tough because some other AGs.

might otherwise do it. JON STEWART: So you're suggesting. the Justice Department in Kentucky. has some independence from the executive? ANDY BESHEAR: It absolutely does, and it absolutely should. JON STEWART: Interesting. What an interesting principle. ANDY BESHEAR: Yes. I mean, when I was AG, my governor. was a Republican who attacked me just about every day. But it worked out OK. But I also didn't challenge his ability. to file, knowing how important it could-- it could later be. So I push back in court.

And then I'm doing everything I can to speak out. But it's more than just Democratic officials. speaking out. Jon, I think how we change the trajectory of what we're. seeing right now is getting individual Americans. to speak out. Everybody's got the cell phone. Everybody's got the camera and everybody's. on one of these social media platforms. It's videoing how much more your groceries cost. It's showing that-- that facility that's shutting down. JON STEWART: Testimony. ANDY BESHEAR: Exactly. JON STEWART: You're asking for testimony. I think that-- I think that's wise.

Witness and testimony. ANDY BESHEAR: Well, I got to have this amazing experience. I got invited to Selma for the 60th. anniversary of Bloody Sunday. And I got to--. I got to talk to some of those brave foot soldiers. that are still here. And it just hit me that there wasn't one person speaking out, it was a collective courage that--. that just changed the world in such an important moment. JON STEWART: And everybody's stepping forward and--. and making their mark. To that end, perhaps even a podcast. They were telling me, you just started a podcast.

ANDY BESHEAR: I did. I started The Andy Beshear Podcast. I'm trying to take tips from you. We are on YouTube. JON STEWART: Governor, let me please disabuse. you of the notion that is a--. get out of this business now. Familiarity breeds contempt. You don't want any part of this. ANDY BESHEAR: It's just-- it's just a chance. to talk to people directly. But more than that, it actually came. from-- from people asking me to do something. like what we did during COVID. I mean, there's uncertainty out there.

It's a scary world. The news hits you over and over. The level of stress on the American people. is as big as it's been since that pandemic. So to try to talk through things, like you do with humor. or that I try to do with a conversation among friends, just trying to help people process, speak out, but then-- then refresh. themselves for the week ahead. Because we're going to get hit by more. JON STEWART: Now, do you have your constituents sometimes. come on and do like a little Zoom with the governor. and do different things like that? ANDY BESHEAR: We've done an "Ask Andy" segment.

We have guests on that--. JON STEWART: Oh, you're going with-- you're going casual. Ask Andy, not ask the governor. ANDY BESHEAR: That's right. Then we have-- we've had Senator Amy Klobuchar on. Senator Coons is coming on. But then we like to introduce people to-- to folks. that they haven't met. And in the first two episodes, my kids. even teach me Gen Z lingo. JON STEWART: Oh, for God's sakes. Governor, get out of this business now! You don't want any--. You don't want any--. ANDY BESHEAR: In the first one, we learned the difference. between skibidi and fire.

JON STEWART: Now let's see. All right. Now, I'm already lost. I'm not sure I know any of that. ANDY BESHEAR: If someone says your podcast is skibidi, you're doing great. If they say it's fire, you're doing amazing. JON STEWART: Your kids are-- how old are your kids? ANDY BESHEAR: 15 and 14. JON STEWART: And they're still talking to you? ANDY BESHEAR: Sometimes. If I invite them on a podcast. JON STEWART: All right, it's only. got to be a skibidi podcast and then they'll. come on and do it for you. Well, I'm glad about that. And I really appreciate you taking the time. You know, I very much enjoy talking to governors.

Because, again, it's so much about. the day to day practicality of trying. to get these things done. And I think it's so important. We are so focused on the national conversation. And it's the 24-hour news networks, and it's all about the--. the cultural issues. Very rarely do you get a chance to hear about the realities. on the ground in a state where you really are locked.

in to your people's needs and what's. necessary to care for those. And the more that that story can be told, I really do think the American people, writ large, will understand better what the stakes are. for these different changes in policy, what the stakes are. in these different changes in the whims of our current mad. King, King Donald. And so I appreciate you helping to educate on that.

ANDY BESHEAR: Well, I think it shows. that there's a path forward. And forward, I think, is the important word. You know, in DC, they worry about left and right. We worry about forward for all of-- of our people. And I'd like to think that that gives us a path. to heal and to ultimately bring people. back together after the most divisive time. I've ever seen in my lifetime. JON STEWART: No question about that. Governor Andy Beshear, the great state of Kentucky, thank you so much for taking the time. and spending it with us. And good luck on your podcast.

ANDY BESHEAR: Thank you, Jon. JON STEWART: Thanks. [MUSIC PLAYING]. Wow, I-- so important. I'm so pleased that we got a chance to talk to him. I hope it wasn't too in the weeds, but it's so important to see, like, what the aspects go. into about revitalizing economic activity at the state. level, and all the unforeseen consequences of the tomfuckery.

and dickfoolery that is occurring. through this administration and the effects of it. The guy literally gets two battery factories. to come in and help reindustrialize a state. that's been de-industrialized. But because of these tariffs, you know, or the plants that. get put on hold or the $900 million project. to revitalize Churchill Downs, it just gets--. we can't do it now because of the uncertainty.

that has been injected into this economy by one man. Because his brilliance cannot be denied. or in any way objected to, and certainly. by a compliant Congress. And this is what is happening on the ground. to a state that voted for him by 30 points. Very, very interesting on the ground. perspective from Governor Beshear.

I thought really helpful to get a better. understanding of what all this is doing. to even the reddest of states. That's all. We're out of time. I apologize. Normally, we would discuss things with our wonderful team. about what went on. But I droned on, as I do occasionally. But once again, thanks to lead producer Lauren Walker, producer Brittany Mehmedovic, video editor and engineer Rob.

Vitolo, audio editor and engineer. Nicole Boyce, our researcher and associate producer. Gillian Spear. And, of course, our executive producers, Chris McShane and Caity Gray. Thank you guys so much for listening, and we will see you again next week. Bye-bye. The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart. is a Comedy Central podcast that's produced by Paramount. Audio and Busboy Productions. [MUSIC PLAYING].