‘Trickle-down stupidity’: Podcaster Jennifer Welch slams homeschooling as ‘MAGA on steroids’

WASHINGTON, DC: 'I've Had It' podcast host Jennifer Welch has had it with homeschooling and she isn't holding back.

The outspoken Oklahoma interior designer turned podcast sensation is facing heavy criticism after launching into a profanity-laced tirade targeting parents who choose to educate their children at home.

Co-host Angie Sullivan joined in on the podcast on Tuesday, July 14, calling the practice “weird” in a clip that has quickly taken over the internet, drawing sharp reactions from both critics and supporters of homeschooling.

Jennifer Welch's rant sparks fury

The heated exchange unfolded after a caller complained about “morons attempting to homeschool their children,” setting off a blunt and highly critical discussion.

Sullivan jumped in first, saying she worries about “people in Bible study” homeschooling their kids.

She added, “I just think homeschooling is a bad idea, from soup to nuts,” and called it “weird,” questioning parents who want to be around their children constantly.

She also argued, “I don’t trust somebody that wants to be with their kids 24/7,” and suggested, “a lot of dumb people do it because it’s just easier.”

Welch then intensified the criticism, accusing parents of trying to “project a script onto their kids” and lacking critical thinking.

She went on to say, “This is trickle-down stupidity. This is MAGA on steroids. This is MAHA. This is tradwife. This is unvaxxed and unjacked… This is the worst, worst, worst.”

She also tied homeschooling to what she described as a broader “fundamental Christian problem,” and argued that pushing religion on children too early is harmful.

The viral clip has triggered strong backlash, with many critics saying the remarks unfairly stereotype families who homeschool for a wide range of reasons, from academic flexibility to safety and personal values.

The controversy has also brought renewed attention to the podcast itself. 'I’ve Had It' began as a comedic outlet where Welch and Sullivan vented frustrations about everyday life.

Both first rose to prominence on the Bravo reality series 'Sweet Home Oklahoma' before transitioning into podcasting.

Over time, the show has evolved into an unfiltered, left-leaning cultural commentary platform known for its sharp and often polarizing takes.

The reality check: What the data actually shows

While Welch paints homeschooling as a fringe, extreme movement, data from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) paints a vastly different and highly mainstream picture of alternative education in America.

The ‘Bible Study’ claim vs real diversity

Despite the hosts’ characterization, homeschooling in the United States is far from a narrow or uniform group. 

According to the National Center for Education Statistics under the US Department of Education, more than 41% of homeschooling families are non-white, reflecting a diverse mix of Black, Hispanic, and Asian households.

The ‘Weird Socialization’ claim vs real development

Concerns about socialization are not strongly supported by research. Data compiled by the National Home Education Research Institute shows that in 64% of peer-reviewed studies, homeschooled children perform better in measures of social, emotional, and psychological development than public school students.

The ‘stupidity’ label vs academic performance

Academic outcomes also challenge the podcast’s claims. Homeschooled students consistently score between 15 and 30 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized tests, suggesting strong academic performance across many homeschooling environments.

There are now an estimated 3.4 million homeschooled students in the United States.

According to data from the Johns Hopkins Homeschool Research Lab, the practice continues to grow at a rate of 4.9% annually, nearly triple its pre-pandemic growth rate.

For millions of American families, the choice isn't “weird.” It’s the new normal.