🙏 Trump as Pope? Brother Joe Says "It's Possible" | Wake Up Live
Religious Hypocrisy Reaches New Heights on Wake Up Live with Chris DeSimone
This is based on Wake Up Live with Chris DeSimone, a MAGA-conservative podcast in Southern Arizona, which was broadcast by Live The Dream Media on 5/5/25.
"Their job is to bring souls closer to Christ. Their job is to help those souls improve through a relationship with Jesus Christ and a belief in Jesus Christ. And they forgot this a long time ago." - DeSimone, criticizing the Catholic Church for advocating for immigrants.
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
🎙️ A radio show in Tucson called "Wake Up Live" discussed Cinco de Mayo 🇲🇽, a holiday celebrating Mexico's victory over France in 1862. The host repeatedly referred to it as "Drinko De Mayo" 🍹, which isn't respectful. A guest named Tia Gloria explained that this Mexican victory might have aided the United States during the Civil War by preventing France from assisting the Confederate States ⚔️. The show also criticized a restaurant owner for protecting immigrants and supported Donald Trump for posting a picture of himself as the Pope 🤔. The show only shared conservative viewpoints 📣 without considering other perspectives.
🗝️ Takeaways
🗣️ DeSimone repeatedly referred to Cinco de Mayo as "Drinko De Mayo," showing disrespect for an important cultural celebration with significant historical meaning.
🚫 Local restaurant owner Rocco was criticized for posting a sign requiring law enforcement to have a warrant to enter, revealing how conservatives prioritize police comfort over immigrant safety.
🌮 Tia Gloria provided valuable historical context about Cinco de Mayo's connection to the American Civil War that was largely ignored in favor of discussing beer marketing.
🧠 The echo chamber effect was on display throughout the show, with no meaningful engagement with progressive perspectives on any topic.
🙏 Trump's depiction of himself as Pope was defended rather than condemned, highlighting the selective religious outrage typical of MAGA media.
🤝 Despite the negative narratives, brief mentions of community members doing charitable work across the border revealed a more compassionate Tucson that exists beyond conservative media.
Wake Up Tucson: DeSimone's Conservative Echo Chamber Strikes Again on Cinco de Mayo
In the sun-baked landscape of Tucson's media ecosystem, where progressive voices struggle to flourish against the well-funded desert of conservative talking points, Chris DeSimone's "Wake Up Live" podcast continues to serve as a watering hole for MAGA ideologues.
Monday's May 5th episode gave us yet another demonstration of how right-wing narratives thrive in isolated environments—much like invasive species that would struggle in a healthier, more diverse ecosystem.
The "Drinko De Mayo" Edition
As the morning sun climbed over the Catalina Mountains, DeSimone opened his show with what has become his predictable brand of cultural disrespect, repeatedly referring to Cinco de Mayo as "Drinko De Mayo." The casual erasure of Mexican cultural heritage in a city that sits just 60 miles from the border speaks volumes about the disconnect between MAGA media and the communities they purport to serve.
I mean, imagine being so culturally tone-deaf in a city where over 40% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino. This isn't just ignorance—it's willful disregard.
Before introducing his guests, DeSimone launched into a diatribe about a local restaurateur named Rocco who had posted a sign reading: "All law enforcement officials do not enter without a lawful search warrant."
"It's poorly worded and I think poorly messaged," DeSimone opined, suggesting that Rocco should have specifically targeted ICE officials rather than all law enforcement. "So I would have said, 'Hey guy, if it's really him or maybe it's one of his employees or a few of his employees who are really into this, can we change the sign to ICE officials?'"
Right, because making immigrants feel safe in your restaurant is just such an outrageous concept for the MAGA crowd. Heaven forbid business owners prioritize their vulnerable customers over making law enforcement comfortable.
DeSimone went on to remind listeners that Rocco's restaurant had previously been burglarized, suggesting that this somehow invalidated the owner's concerns about protecting immigrant patrons from potential ICE raids.
"I mean, again, I think that's the part that's, there's a little bit of, I think there's a little bit of tone deafness," DeSimone stated, apparently unaware of the irony of accusing others of tone-deafness while hosting a show called "Drinko De Mayo."
The real tone-deafness is failing to understand why a restaurant owner might want to create a sanctuary for vulnerable community members—especially in a border state where families are routinely torn apart by immigration enforcement.
The "Positive Monday" That Wasn't
The show then welcomed Tia Gloria and Donna Cousineau for what DeSimone described as "Positive Monday," a segment supposedly dedicated to positive news and perspectives. The irony of scheduling this after his critique of a restaurant trying to protect immigrants wasn't lost on those of us paying attention.
To her credit, Tia Gloria expertly navigated the conversation toward an educational explanation of Cinco de Mayo's historical significance. She eloquently connected the Battle of Puebla in 1862 to American history, comparing it to the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
"On a Monday, Cinco de Mayo on a Monday, just like today—yes, yes—and that is in 1862, 163 years ago, and dog on it, the Mexican troops won," Gloria explained with genuine enthusiasm. "Well, you cannot imagine the joy in Mexico."
She continued with the most important historical context that is routinely erased in American narratives: "Cinco de Mayo had Mexico not defeated the French in Puebla on May 5th, France would have gone to the aid of the Confederate States of America, and the United States destiny could have been different."
This is precisely the kind of historical context that MAGA narratives consistently erase—the interconnectedness of liberation struggles across borders and how Mexican resistance to European imperialism potentially helped preserve the Union during the Civil War.
Rather than exploring this rich historical connection, DeSimone steered the conversation toward commercialization, citing a Business Insider article about how beer companies created Hispanic marketing departments in the 1980s to exploit the holiday.
"In 2009, beer companies spent $171 million alone on Spanish language advertising," he noted, seemingly more interested in corporate exploitation of cultural heritage than in the meaning of that heritage itself.
Of course he gravitates toward the capitalist corruption of cultural tradition rather than the anti-imperialist resistance it represents. MAGA ideology is nothing if not consistent in its priorities.
The Trump-as-Pope Segment: Religious Hypocrisy on Display
The final hour of the show featured "Brother Joe," a former seminary student who once pursued the priesthood himself, who joined to discuss the Kentucky Derby before launching into a lengthy conversation about Catholicism, the Pope, and Donald Trump's social media post depicting himself as Pope.
"Donald Trump posted a picture of himself as the Pope," DeSimone began, "and someone did an AI of looking a little, a little Popey in relation to what's going on with the conclave. You know, in the old days, I might have been a little miffed by this, but you can't do any worse than the Catholic hierarchy has for the last 30-plus years, so who cares."
Rather than condemning this offensive mockery of a major religious figure, both hosts normalized and justified it, with Brother Joe offering an extended justification through a convoluted historical narrative about church and state relations. His seminary background lent a veneer of authority to his commentary, making his defense of Trump's mockery all the more striking. Brother Joe and Chris now think they know more than the Bishops of Tucson and Rome.
"So when you see that picture of Trump as Pope, it's possible," Brother Joe concluded, demonstrating how thoroughly MAGA ideology has corrupted religious discourse—even among those with formal theological training.
The selective outrage is breathtaking. Imagine if Barack Obama had posted a picture of himself as Pope—the right-wing media ecosystem would have exploded with accusations of blasphemy and disrespect. But when Trump does it? Suddenly historical context and nuance become important from a man who studied for the priesthood.
Even more ironic is that Trump’s own daughter abandoned Christianity…
The hypocrisy reached its peak when Brother Joe, drawing on his insider knowledge of Catholic structures, criticized Pope Francis for supposedly being "political" while simultaneously endorsing right-wing political positions under the guise of religious purity.
"These churches now that are using their platform and using public government funds, to me, they cross the line. They have no credibility. They've tarnished their authenticity," Brother Joe stated, apparently oblivious to how religious organizations routinely align with conservative politicians on issues from abortion to LGBTQ+ rights. His seminary training gives his criticism a particularly troubling dimension, as he leverages his theological education to legitimate partisan political views.
Meanwhile, DeSimone offered this gem of religious insight: "Their job is to bring souls closer to Christ. Their job is to help those souls improve through a relationship with Jesus Christ and a belief in Jesus Christ. And they forgot this a long time ago."
Oh, the Biblical irony is delicious! One can't help but imagine DeSimone as one of those Pharisees in the New Testament, wagging his finger at Jesus for hanging out with sex workers, tax collectors, and—heaven forbid—immigrants! "Jesus, why are you helping these Samaritans? Don't you know they're ILLEGAL in Judea? And healing on the Sabbath? That's against our border...I mean, religious laws!" The cognitive dissonance is so thick you could cut it with a ceremonial sword from the Temple.
Conservative Christians love to claim religion should stay out of politics—but only when religious leaders advocate for immigrants, climate justice, or economic equity. When they push for conservative policies, suddenly it's just "biblical values," not politics.
The Echo Chamber Effect
Throughout the three-hour program, the echo chamber effect was on full display. Every topic—from Cinco de Mayo to local business policies to religious matters—circled back to conservative grievances. There was virtually no dissenting viewpoint, no meaningful engagement with progressive perspectives, and no recognition of how these narratives impact marginalized communities.
The pattern is familiar to anyone who has studied right-wing media: intense focus on perceived slights against law enforcement while ignoring systemic injustice; mocking culturally significant holidays while claiming to respect heritage; and weaponizing religious language while failing to embrace core religious values of compassion for the vulnerable.
This is precisely how conservative media radicalizes its audience—by creating alternate realities where strawman "leftists" are simultaneously all-powerful threats and ridiculous snowflakes, where immigrants are both stealing jobs and too lazy to work, where religion should stay out of politics except when it supports conservative policies.
Meanwhile, the real issues affecting Tucsonans—from climate change threatening our desert ecosystem, to economic inequality exacerbated by conservative policies, to the housing crisis pushing longtime residents out of their communities—received no meaningful attention.
The Real Tucson Beyond the MAGA Bubble
What "Wake Up Live" consistently fails to capture is the vibrant, diverse reality of Tucson itself—a city with deep Indigenous roots, a rich multicultural heritage, and a long tradition of community organizing and mutual aid that exists outside the false dichotomies of right-wing media.
The brief mention of Fernando and Katie Gonzalez, who organize charitable work with children in Nogales, offered a glimpse of this alternative Tucson—one where people work across borders to support vulnerable communities rather than demonizing them for political gain.
"They do this on a constant basis all the time," DeSimone noted in a rare moment of genuine appreciation. "Dia del Niño in Nogales, Sonora at the landfill neighborhood. They fed over 100 kids plus adults, goodie bags with candies, toys, five piñatas, games and prizes."
This is the Tucson we know and love—one where community members take direct action to support one another rather than waiting for politicians or profiting from division.
A Path Forward
As we navigate an increasingly polarized media landscape, shows like "Wake Up Live" remind us of the importance of critical media literacy and community-based alternatives. Rather than simply dismissing conservative media, we must understand how it functions to divide communities and distract from the real economic and social forces shaping our lives.
The path forward isn't through divisiveness and fear but through understanding, compassion, and honest engagement with our shared history. The true spirit of Cinco de Mayo—resistance against imperialism, community solidarity, and cultural pride—offers a blueprint for the kind of Tucson we can build together.
Let's reclaim our narratives, honor our diverse cultural heritage, and create spaces where everyone feels welcome and safe—not despite our differences, but because of the strength those differences bring to our community.
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What Do You Think?
Have you noticed how conservative media in Tucson misrepresents our diverse communities? How do you think businesses like Rocco's should balance creating safe spaces for immigrants with other concerns? What does Cinco de Mayo mean to you and your family?
Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and let's continue this important conversation as a community.
Together, we can build a media ecosystem that truly represents our city's diverse voices and values.
Cast of Characters: The Wake Up Live Ensemble
• Chris DeSimone - Host of Wake Up Live podcast, frequently referred to Cinco de Mayo as "Drinko De Mayo" and criticized a restaurant owner for posting a sign requiring law enforcement to have warrants.
• Brother Joe - Regular co-host and former seminary student who discussed the Kentucky Derby and defended Trump's depiction of himself as Pope, saying "it's possible" Trump could become Pope. He leveraged his theological background to critique the current Pope while justifying Trump's mockery.
• Tia Gloria - Guest celebrating her birthday who provided historical education about Cinco de Mayo, noting "Cinco de Mayo had Mexico not defeated the French in Puebla on May 5th, France would have gone to the aid of the Confederate States of America."
• Donna Cousineau - Guest celebrating her birthday alongside Tia Gloria, described as a retired Colonel who previously appeared on the show discussing Vietnam War experiences.
• Rocco - Local restaurant owner criticized for posting a sign requiring law enforcement to have warrants to enter, with DeSimone calling it "poorly worded" and "tone deaf."
• Fernando and Katie Gonzalez - Community members praised for charitable work with children in Nogales, Mexico, described as "two of the nicest humans in the world" who are "saints" for feeding over 100 kids at a landfill neighborhood.
• Donald Trump - Former president who posted an AI-generated image of himself as Pope, which DeSimone and Brother Joe defended rather than condemned.
• Pope Francis - Current Pope criticized by both hosts for being "political" when advocating for immigrants while they simultaneously endorsed conservative political positions.
• Bill Clinton - Former president mentioned by DeSimone who claimed "he violated a young lady in the Oval Office" and criticized Democrats for defending him.
Quotes
"I got Conover working on the pregnant Guatemalan woman. Everyone's upset that the illegal immigrant who had her child at TMC is going back to Guatemala." - Chris DeSimone, dismissively referring to community concern about a pregnant immigrant woman.
"All law enforcement officials do not enter without a lawful search warrant." - Sign at Rocco's restaurant that DeSimone criticized as "poorly worded" and "tone deaf."
"Cinco de Mayo had Mexico not defeated the French in Puebla on May 5th, France would have gone to the aid of the Confederate States of America, and the United States destiny could have been different." - Tia Gloria, providing crucial historical context about the holiday's significance.
"Donald Trump posted a picture of himself as the Pope, and someone did an AI of looking a little, a little Popey in relation to what's going on with the conclave. Now that everyone's seen the movie conclave, they're papal experts." - DeSimone, making light of Trump's mockery of the papacy.
"Their job is to bring souls closer to Christ. Their job is to help those souls improve through a relationship with Jesus Christ and a belief in Jesus Christ. And they forgot this a long time ago." - DeSimone, criticizing the Catholic Church for advocating for immigrants.
"These churches now that are using their platform and using public government funds, to me, they cross the line. They have no credibility." - Brother Joe, criticizing churches that receive government funding while ignoring conservative religious political advocacy.
Cast of Characters: The Wake Up Live Ensemble
Chris DeSimone - Host of Wake Up Live podcast, frequently referred to Cinco de Mayo as "Drinko De Mayo" and criticized a restaurant owner for posting a sign requiring law enforcement to have warrants.
Brother Joe - Regular co-host and former seminary student who discussed the Kentucky Derby and defended Trump's depiction of himself as Pope, saying "it's possible" Trump could become Pope. He leveraged his theological background to critique the current Pope while justifying Trump's mockery.
Tia Gloria - Guest celebrating her birthday who provided historical education about Cinco de Mayo, noting "Cinco de Mayo had Mexico not defeated the French in Puebla on May 5th, France would have gone to the aid of the Confederate States of America."
Donna Cousineau - Guest celebrating her birthday alongside Tia Gloria, described as a retired Colonel who previously appeared on the show discussing Vietnam War experiences.
Rocco - Local restaurant owner criticized for posting a sign requiring law enforcement to have warrants to enter, with DeSimone calling it "poorly worded" and "tone deaf."
Fernando and Katie Gonzalez - Community members praised for charitable work with children in Nogales, Mexico, described as "two of the nicest humans in the world" who are "saints" for feeding over 100 kids at a landfill neighborhood.
Donald Trump - Former president who posted an AI-generated image of himself as Pope, which DeSimone and Brother Joe defended rather than condemned.
Pope Francis - Current Pope criticized by both hosts for being "political" when advocating for immigrants while they simultaneously endorsed conservative political positions.
Bill Clinton - Former president mentioned by DeSimone who claimed "he violated a young lady in the Oval Office" and criticized Democrats for defending him.
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Yay! Our new Poop! 😇 I mean pope. Can you even imagine such utterly ridiculous irreverent slander??! 😂🤣😂
Trump as Pope? How about nope.