Pod Save America (Crooked Media)

Jon Favreau and Mehdi Hasan break down Biden and Trump’s big victories in the Michigan primary, whether the President can get a ceasefire deal, and Biden's interview with Seth Meyers. Then, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stops by to talk about safety issues at Boeing, the GOP's attack on IVF, and why it’s so hard to get the Frozen soundtrack out of your head.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Trump and conservatives target Ilhan Omar, red states restrict abortion, Mayor Pete’s meteoric rise continues, Cory Booker kicks off his campaign in Newark, and the new primary calendar may have unintended effects. Washington Governor Jay Inslee joins Jon, Jon, Tommy, Dan, and Alyssa Mastromonaco live on stage in Concord, New Hampshire.  Check out more Pod Save America tour dates for 2019: crooked.com/events.

What a Day host Tre'vell Anderson joins Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan live in Los Angeles! The bipartisan House select committee concluded its first primetime hearing into the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, California election results make it clear that progressives have some work to do, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan joins from the Summit of the Americas, and the hosts battle it out in a game called Rainbows vs. Boat Shoes.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Hysteria host Erin Ryan joins the pod to discuss the political fight to restore abortion access in America, and how Democrats should confront the activist Supreme Court. Then later, Amy Hagstrom Miller from Whole Woman’s Health talks about how abortion providers will continue to serve patients among a challenging patchwork of state laws.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Joe Biden gets pressured to negotiate with the debt ceiling hostage takers. Donald Trump says he might skip the Republican primary debates. Ron DeSantis’ gaffes overshadow his foreign trip. Republican supermajorities continue their attacks on democracy. Montana state Representative Zooey Zephyr joins to talk about her Republican colleagues banning her from the House floor for speaking out against an anti-trans bill. Then, Jon, Jon, and Tommy break down President Biden’s best jokes at the White House Correspondents Dinner.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Donald Trump paints a terrifying picture of a second term during a CNN town hall the day after a jury finds him liable for sexual assault and defamation. President Biden weighs negotiations and the 14th amendment to deal with the debt limit. Tucker Carlson takes his racist variety hour to Twitter. George Santos is indicted on multiple criminal charges. Then, immigration expert Dara Lind joins to talk about the end of Title 42 and what it means for the border.

New evidence and whistleblowers further incriminate the President, Republicans are running out of believable excuses, and Joe Biden’s campaign weighs the best response. Then Federal Election Commission Chairwoman Ellen Weintraub talks to Jon about the crime of soliciting foreign interference in a U.S. election.

(Production note: Dan's takes are recorded via phone this episode due to technical difficulties.)

Live from Philly, Jon, Lovett, Tommy, Dan, and MSNBC's Symone Sanders Townsend discuss Trump's rally with Elon Musk, Kamala Harris's media blitz, and reports that she plans to distance herself more from Joe Biden. Then, Senator Bob Casey drops by to nerd out about Pennsylvania electoral maps and to talk about his re-election fight against a Connecticut hedge fund guy—and why Pennsylvania voters have everything on the line this November.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Republican leaders struggle to respond to Trump’s Nazi Dinner, Congress passes a bill to protect same-sex marriage as Washington gears up for a busy lame duck session, the GOP conducts a midterm autopsy, and White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain stops by to talk about Joe Biden’s plans for 2023.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

The best way to understand what happened on Tuesday is to listen to what the actual voters have been saying. Dan checks back in with two strategists who run focus groups with key parts of the electorate: Sarah Longwell of The Bulwark, who's been talking to Trump-curious swing voters for months, and Carlos Odio of Equis Research, an expert on the Latino vote. Sarah and Carlos discuss some of the warning signs that were blinking red long before last week, and how we can recognize them—and act on them—in the future.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Bernie Sanders wins a narrow but crucial victory in New Hampshire, the rest of the candidates compete to be the Bernie alternative, and Donald Trump’s Tuesday massacre reminds us of the stakes in November.

Then chip in to help build the much-needed ground game in battleground states: votesaveamerica.com/field

Tommy is joined by Terrance Woodbury, Democratic strategist and pollster, to talk about President Biden's standing with young Black men and other groups he'll need to win the White House a second time. Plus, highlights from the opening days of Trump's criminal trial in New York, Biden's promise to tax the rich, and what new data says about the influence of third-party candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

A five episode limited series by Pod Save America host Tommy Vietor on the Iowa Caucuses. Tommy takes the listener to Iowa to spend time with the candidates, staffers and undecided voters who will determine who wins. Tommy will explain why Iowa is first, how the caucuses work, and try to figure out what it takes to win. And finally he'll explore the question: is this really the best way to pick a president?

New episodes drop on Tuesdays right here in the Pod Save America feed. Produced in partnership with Pineapple Street Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. 

The prosecution rests in Donald Trump's Manhattan trial, and the defense begins to present their case. Biden pitches young Black voters while Trump compares himself to Abraham Lincoln. Then: Justice Samuel Alito is outed for showing solidarity with the "Stop the Steal" movement, and Dan explains why Democrats should be running hard against the MAGA Supreme Court. Plus: Rudy Giuliani gets served!

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Welcome back to The Wilderness. Jon talks about what it will take to rebuild 2020’s anti-Trump coalition with political analyst Ron Brownstein, political scientist Lynn Vavreck, Democratic strategist Addisu Demissie, Democratic strategist Jen Palmieri, and Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg. They’ll talk about the  risks of a second Trump term and how you can help prevent it.  It may be a challenging road ahead, but by taking the time to persuade the persuadables in your life it’s possible to finally break Trump’s stranglehold on our politics.

Take action with Vote Save America: Visit votesaveamerica.com/2024  

Pre-order Democracy or Else: How to Save America in 10 Easy Steps at crooked.com/books or wherever books are sold. Out June 25th.

The U.S. Senate debates gun safety reform following the horrific school shooting at a Texas elementary school and Senator Alex Padilla joins to talk about what else can be done to stop mass shootings. And later, Jon and Dan go through Tuesday's election results from the primaries in Georgia and Texas.

Our team has compiled a few ways you can help support the Uvalde community and the work to get rid of the Republican politicians who have failed to do anything to prevent shootings like these at votesave.us/texas.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Another white nationalist targets a synagogue in California, voters believe Trump is guilty of obstruction but aren’t ready for impeachment, and Beto O’Rourke rolls out the first detailed climate plan of the 2020 campaign. Then former Obama pollster Cornell Belcher talks to Jon F. about the state of the race, and what Democratic voters are looking for. Also – Pod Save America is going on tour! Get your tickets now: crooked.com/events.

Donald Trump takes his first arrest in stride, liberals take control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court for first time in 15 years, Tennessee Republicans expel Democratic legislators for exercising their First Amendment rights, and Chicago’s Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson shares how he pulled off an upset in a tough race. Then, Crooked’s own Halle Kiefer hits Jon and Dan with the most cringeworthy takes from the Trump arraignment.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

The fallout continues from Friday's trainwreck of an Oval Office meeting between Trump, JD Vance, and Volodymyr Zelensky. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy break down whether things have improved or spiraled further since Friday's meeting—and whether we're witnessing the collapse of the postwar order. Plus, Trump vows that his tariffs on Mexico and Canada will go into effect, Elon Musk calls Social Security a "Ponzi scheme," and the White House announces a "Crypto Strategic Reserve" to stockpile five cryptocurrencies. Hmm, could it possibly be grift?

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Guest host Melissa Murray joins Jon, Jon, and Tommy in New York City! Politico unveils new details about the Republican plan to overturn the election just days before the primetime congressional Jan. 6 hearings, Democrats push for gun legislation in the wake of another mass shooting in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and New York Attorney General Tish James joins to talk about her investigation into the Trump organization. Special thanks to MSG Entertainment and The Beacon Theatre.

Visit votesaveamerica.com to sign up to be a poll worker with our partner "Power the Polls" and join our Midterm Madness program where we’ll connect you with more ways to get involved in campaigns in your area.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Joe Biden takes the stage at the Democratic National Convention—after an interminable pre-program that pushes him out of prime time—and tells the adoring crowd that it's time for Kamala Harris to finish the work he started. Hillary Clinton calls on history, AOC leans into the dignity of work, and Steve Kerr promises to say "Night night" to Donald Trump. Jon, Lovett, Dan, and Tommy react to all the latest from the first day of action in Chicago as well as Trump's latest failure to stick to his script. Then, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker stops by to talk about hosting the DNC and why he's had so much success going after Republicans.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Trump throws a temper tantrum at Mar-a-Lago, boasting he draws bigger crowds than Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did for the “I Have a Dream” speech. Is he freaking out because Harris is surging in the polls? Meanwhile, Harris and Walz hit Detroit, where they score a UAW union endorsement and tout her economic record. Brian Tyler Cohen discusses his new book, “Shameless: Republicans’ Deliberate Dysfunction and the Battle to Preserve Democracy,” and then joins Jon and Favs for a game called Take Appreciators.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Is the internet slowly breaking our brains, and what can we do about it? In the new weekly series Offline with Jon Favreau, the Pod Save America co-host sits down with newsmakers, political figures, celebrities, comedians, and writers to talk about how our hyperconnected world shapes the way we live, for better or worse. New episodes drop every Sunday starting October 24. To listen, follow here on the Pod Save America feed.

The President trashes the city of Baltimore because Rep. Elijah Cummings criticized his immigration policies, Trump advisors are telling reporters that racism is a good political strategy, the House Judiciary Committee effectively begins an impeachment inquiry, and 20 Democratic candidates prepare for the second round of debates. Then Pod Save the People’s DeRay Mckesson talks to Tommy about Trump’s criticism of his hometown.

In this free preview of Crooked's Friends of the Pod subscription show "Inside 2024," (subscribe here) Dan Pfeiffer, Alyssa Mastromonaco, and Caroline Reston dive deep into the history and drama of presidential transitions, break down the latest moves from President-Elect Trump’s transition team, and share some behind-the-scenes stories from their early days as fresh-faced staffers in the 2008 Obama White House

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

For more exclusive content, and to support Crooked's mission of building independent progressive media, subscribe now at crooked.com/friends or through the Pod Save America feed on Apple Podcasts.

We’re offering 25% off new annual Friends of the Pod subscriptions for a limited time only, through January 1st. A Friends of the Pod subscription is the single best way to help Crooked Media continue our mission of building a progressive, independent media company. Plus get access to ad-free episodes, exclusive bonus content, a Discord community, and more. Sign up today at crooked.com/friends or through the Pod Save America feed on Apple Podcasts.

Trump's defense team argues that the President can do anything to get elected, Republicans close in on the votes to block witnesses, and a SuperPAC makes the case that Bernie isn’t electable. Then Senator Amy Klobuchar joins to talk about impeachment and her closing argument, and Crooked Media Content Chief Tanya Somanader discusses the new and improved VoteSaveAmerica.com

The fate of the Manchin miracle lies in the hands of Kyrsten Sinema, Democrats' prospects of holding the senate may be brightening with just 100 days to go, and later, Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin talks to Lovett about protecting same-sex marriage and democracy.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

With the first primaries still months away, Trump skips more debates and pivots to a general election strategy with a primetime speech to autoworkers in Michigan and an attempt to cast himself as more moderate on abortion. Will it work? Then, Politico Congressional correspondent Daniella Diaz joins the show to help make sense of the GOP’s shutdown shit show. Finally, the most divisive topic on Capitol Hill this week: what John Fetterman is allowed to wear.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Trump starts a new conflict in the Middle East by assassinating an Iranian general, John Bolton says he’s willing to testify in the Senate impeachment trial, and the primary is too close to call with less than 30 days until Iowa. Then Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) talks to Tommy about what Congress can do to restrain Trump’s actions towards Iran.

Trump gives his Mission Accomplished speech after a momentary pause in the crisis he started, Mitch McConnell and the Senate Republicans get ready to vote for a rigged impeachment trial, and the endorsements start piling up in the Democratic primary. Then Senator Elizabeth Warren talks to Jon about the Iran crisis and her campaign strategy in the weeks before Iowa.

Nikki Haley loses the South Carolina primary by 20 points but vows to stay in the race. Donald Trump starts to make a play for her voters—and pivots to the general election with some great reminders of why he lost the last one. Nazis get a warm welcome at CPAC, and attendees throw their support behind VP hopefuls Kristi Noem and Vivek Ramaswamy. And later, Lovett talks with MSNBC’s Andrew Weissmann and Strict Scrutiny’s Melissa Murray about all the latest Trump legal news and their new book, The Trump Indictments.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Donald Trump meets with a probation officer for his pre-sentencing interview just a day after holding an unhinged rally in Nevada where Marjorie Taylor Greene compared him to notable defendant Jesus Christ. Trump's crew of hard-right advisors plots a new round of tax cuts for the rich while the Biden campaign sharpens its lines of attack. Then: Jon and Tommy land the world-exclusive first interview with newly minted reality TV persona Jon Lovett, who suffers through a quiz about all the news he missed during his time away.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy talks to Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang about why he feels a universal basic income is necessary as more jobs are automated, how he'd get his agenda through Congress, and why he feels America needs to leave the penny behind.

Friend of the Pod Alyssa Mastromonaco joins Dan to discuss the latest impeachment madness from the Kevin McCarthy, the Right's plan to destroy government as we know it, and whether Trump miiiight be exaggerating about being more popular than Michael Jackson. Then, Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono joins the show to talk about recovery efforts in Maui, and Alyssa and Dan answer questions from listeners.

To support people impacted by the wildfires in Hawaii, visit the Hawaii Community Foundation, The People’s Fund of Maui, and the Maui Humane Society.

President Biden announces new steps to protect abortion access amid criticism of the White House response to Dobbs. Steve Bannon has a very bad day in court. The January 6th committee airs another episode of Insurrection after some new testimony, and the guys cap things off with another round of Take Appreciator.

If you want to take action, you can donate to Vote Save America's Fuck Bans: Fight Back Fund, which supports the ballot measure in Michigan to codify abortion rights in the state. It also helps to fight anti-choice ballot measures in Kansas and Kentucky. Head to votesaveamerica.com/fightback to chip in today.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

As Donald Trump's insane tariffs plunge America further into a trade a war, the MAGA faithful—with a few notable exceptions—fan out to defend Dear Leader. Meanwhile, Trump says he'd love to send Americans to El Salvador's mega-prison, anti-Trump protests sweep the country, and President Obama speaks out for the first time since the inauguration. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss Republicans' new "suck it up" message on the economy, why Democrats should talk more about Trump's deportations, and how Interior Secretary Doug Burgum likes his cookies. Then, Lovett negotiates the intellectual rationale and practical impact of Trump's tariffs with conservative economist Oren Cass.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

"Fascist to the core." That's how Gen. Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs under Donald Trump, describes Trump in a new book—and that was before Trump's new comments about using the military against the "enemy within." Jon, Lovett, and Tommy break down the latest and scariest from Trump, Kamala Harris's big swing state tour, and why she's attacking Trump as weak. Then, the Democratic candidate for Senate in Florida, Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, stops by to talk about why it's so important to beat Rick Scott, and what it'll take to win.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Donald Trump completes his journey from outcast to cool kid, showing off his MAGA clique at a glitzy UFC fight and even getting nemeses Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski to come groveling to Mar-a-Lago. Meanwhile, it may not be such smooth sailing for two of his top cabinet picks, Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth, as questions mount about sexual misconduct. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy break down all the latest, including Democratic governors' plan to constrain Trump's power, the upcoming race for DNC chair, and under-the-radar moves at the FCC. Then, Tommy talks with NBC News's Brandy Zadrozny, an expert in misinformation and the rise of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., about RKF's plans for the medical care you get and the food you eat.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Donald Trump makes history as the first US President to face a criminal trial and reportedly falls asleep at the defense table during jury selection. President Biden urges restraint from Bibi Netanyahu after Iran launches retaliatory drone and missile strikes against Israel. Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson finds himself in a political pickle trying to pass aid for Israel and Ukraine. Then, Tommy and Strict Scrutiny's Melissa Murray discuss Trump's first day in court, the process of jury selection, and how the New York case compares to Trump's other indictments.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Jon talks to Alex Garland, writer and director of the hit movie 'Civil War,' about why he wanted to make a blockbuster about the demise of American democracy. Plus, Jon and Dan talk about the 12 jurors who have officially been seated in Trump's hush-money trial, MAGA Mike Johnson’s gamble on foreign aid for Ukraine and Kari Lake encouraging her supporters to strap on a Glock as Arizona becomes a central battleground of the 2024 election.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Fake the Nation host Negin Farsad joins Jon, Tommy and Dan live in Seattle! The January 6th committee wraps up this season of “Insurrection” with a primetime blockbuster focusing on the 187 minutes where Donald Trump sat back watching his favorite TV shows cover the attack on the US Capitol that he incited. Then Washington Governor Jay Inslee joins to talk about saving the planet and protecting abortion, contraceptive and LGBTQ+ rights.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

The Bulwark’s Sarah Longwell joins Dan to talk about Biden’s post State of the Union uptick in the polls. A cash-strapped Donald Trump is now selling bibles while preparing to be the first President to be criminally prosecuted after his hush money case gets a trial date. Meanwhile, he’s refusing to court the Nikki Haley voters who might make or break his fate in the general election. And Sarah tells Dan about the voters she’s targeting with ads from Republican Voters Against Trump. Later, Democratic Strategist Lis Smith joins the pod to talk about Robert F. Kennedy’s Vice Presidential pick Nicole Shanahan and how the Democratic National Committee is countering the threat posed by third party candidates.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
 

Jon and Dan answer your questions about Trump’s jingoistic July 4th, 2020 strategy, Medicare for All vs. Medicare for America, Ivanka’s foreign trip, and the Sixers free agency moves. Then Texas activist Marcel McClinton talks to Tommy about his decision to run for the Houston City Council right after graduating high school.

Here’s a holiday sneak peek of Crooked's new exclusive series for Friends of the Pod, POLLERCOASTER. In this preview, host Dan Pfeiffer and guest Cornell Belcher (Brilliant Corners Research & Strategies and former pollster for Obama) analyze the latest polls, unpack what it means for Trump to be leading Biden, and explore where former incumbent Presidents Obama, Clinton, and others were at this point in their presidencies. New episodes of Pollercoaster drop every other week, so if you want to hear the rest of the episode (or future ones), be sure to sign up for Friends of the Pod at crooked.com/friends.

Trump's lawyers preview a new defense strategy, Nikki Haley lands a big new endorsement, and President Biden fights back on the economy—and hits Lauren Boebert in her own district. Then, Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips visits the studio for a heated conversation about why he's running against Biden in the Democratic primary, what Democrats should be doing differently, what it would take for him to get out of the race, and of course, the difference between ice cream and gelato. NOTE: the interview with Congressman Phillips has been edited for length and clarity. You can watch the full interview at https://www.youtube.com/@podsaveamerica.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Guest co-host Josie Duffy Rice joins Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan live in Nashville! Republicans go on defense after the unsealed Mar-a-Lago search warrant reveals that the FBI is investigating Donald Trump for possible espionage, and Democrats have new reasons to be hopeful about the midterms following a string of big wins. Justice Democrat Odessa Kelly stops by to talk about her run for Congress in TN-7, and Vice President Al Gore joins to talk about the newly-passed climate bill and to play the ultimate game of 90's trivia.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Less than two weeks before the caucuses, Tommy heads to Iowa to spend a few days going to campaign events, talking with voters, and taking the pulse of the race for second place. He attends two Ron DeSantis events—and learns the Florida governor is as boring as everyone says—interviews Vivek Ramaswamy on his campaign bus, and sneaks into a Nikki Haley event. With just a few days of campaigning to go, do any of these candidates have the momentum to beat expectations in Iowa and defeat Donald Trump?

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

“What A Day,” Crooked Media’s new daily news podcast, is here! Hosted by comedian Akilah Hughes and politics reporter Gideon Resnick, “What A Day” cuts through the chaos and crimes to break down the biggest news of the day, help you understand what matters, and how you can fix it—all in 15 minutes or less. New episodes come out every morning, Monday through Friday, at 5 a.m. Eastern. Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

apple.co/whataday

crooked.com/whataday

Guest host Alyssa Mastromonaco joins Jon, Jon and Dan live in Chicago! Democrats look for ways to protect abortion access as the midterms approach. This week's Ohio primary strengthens Trump’s position as kingmaker in the GOP. Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow joins to talk about confronting Republican extremism head-on. And the show ends with a game and a few shots of Chicago’s hometown hooch.

Special thanks to MSG Entertainment and The Chicago Theatre!

With our constitutionally protected right to abortion under attack, abortion funds are working nonstop to make sure people can still access (and afford) abortion.

Visit votesaveamerica.com/roe to learn more, donate, and take action.

For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Joe Biden cedes the spotlight to Donald Trump, who's rolling like he's already taken office: meeting with world leaders, attending the annual Army-Navy game, and calmly announcing the next targets in his legal offensive against the media. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss what Biden could and should be doing in the final weeks of his presidency, what ABC's settlement with Trump says about the state of political media, the mysterious drone-like things over New Jersey, and Trump's pledge to end Daylight Saving Time. Then, Rep. Ro Khanna stops by to talk with Jon about how Democrats in the next Congress can strike the balance between resisting Trump and getting things done, and why he's willing to collaborate with Elon Musk on DOGE.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Donald Trump suggests that Kamala Harris isn't actually Black, claims that nobody died on January 6, and belittles his interviewers before his campaign yanks him off the stage at the National Association of Black Journalists convention. Jon Lovett and guest host Stacey Abrams react to the train wreck in real time. Stacey describes the scene at Kamala Harris's big rally in Atlanta on Tuesday and offers her takes on the JD Vance disaster and how Harris should defend herself from right-wing attacks. Then, Jon and Stacey preview her new podcast for Crooked Media! Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams debuts on August 15—and you'll love it. Subscribe now at http://go.crooked.com/Stacey

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

A heavily armed 18-year-old carries out a mass shooting in Buffalo, New York inspired by the same racist conspiracy theory pushed by Tucker Carlson and Republicans in Congress, Biden tests new research by calling Republicans "Ultra MAGA", and Jonathon Martin joins to discuss his new book This Will Not Pass.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Joe Biden and the Democratic Party try to kill off Iowa and New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation status, Donald Trump tries to kill off the Constitution over Elon Musk’s release of some rehashed Hunter Biden laptop drama, and Georgia closes out the midterms with today’s runoff between Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker. Then, the Bulwark’s Tim Miller is back to talk about all the latest nonsense in the Republican Party.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

The world waits for a Manhattan jury to indict Donald Trump. Strict Scrutiny’s Leah Litman joins to break down the strength of D.A. Alvin Bragg’s case. And Tiny D pokes Trump as he continues to shrink in the polls.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio joins Jon L. to talk about staying in the race, running a city, achieving universal pre-K, beefing with Cuomo, and why he's still a Red Sox fan.

Are demographics destiny? We talk to working-class Latino voters in Las Vegas about what issues matter most to them and whether they’ll vote for Democrats this fall. Political scientist Ruy Teixeira, former Bernie Sanders presidential campaign manager Faiz Shakir, and Carlos Odio of EquisLabs join to discuss. 

New episodes of The Wilderness drop every Monday. Subscribe to The Wilderness wherever you get your podcasts.

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If you want to learn more about how you can take action in the fight for our democracy, head over to Vote Save America and Culinary Union 226: https://votesaveamerica.com/midterm-madness/
https://www.culinaryunion226.org/

The Manhattan jury begins its deliberations, and the Trump team thinks it may have a sympathizer on the inside. Tommy and Strict Scrutiny's Melissa Murray break down the range of potential outcomes, from conviction to full acquittal to a hung jury. Plus: Robert De Niro mixes it up with protestors outside the courthouse, and Justice Alito formally refuses to recuse himself over what he says is his wife's constitutionally guaranteed freedom to fly insurrectionist flags.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Donald Trump has an absolutely brutal day of legal news, Republicans pivot to attacking Democrats on crime, and Carlos Odio from Equis Research joins to talk about some new research on the Latino vote in the midterms.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Dark Brandon obliterates Beijing’s big balloon ahead of his State of the Union address. And outgoing Chief of Staff Ron Klain stops by to talk about Biden’s speech, US-China relations, and his tenure in the White House.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand sits down with Jon Favreau to talk about Medicare for All, building a green economy, immigration, and more. (Previously released on January 22, 2019)

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee joins Dan Pfeiffer from the campaign trail in New Hampshire to talk about why climate change is the defining issue of his presidential campaign, what he’s learned from running a state government and his plan to beat Donald Trump.

Friend of the pod Addisu Demissie joins to discuss the latest Trump indictment news, including the mugshot seen around the world, Saturday’s horrific hate crime in Florida and Vivek Ramaswamy’s bizarre response, and how abortion access will be a key part of upcoming elections in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia. Then White House Economic Advisor Dr. Heather Boushey stops by to talk about Bidenomics and how the White House is taking on inflation, student loans, and housing prices. And later, Halle Kiefer quizzes Tommy and Addisu on cringe mugshot merch in a game called The Price Is Wrong, Bitch.

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Jon and veteran Democratic strategist Rebecca Katz discuss the graphic Stormy Daniels testimony in Trump's hush money case, Biden's trip to Wisconsin, and whether the campaign's new health care ad push could help unstick a very close race. Then, Rebecca dives into what she's seeing on the ground in Arizona, where she's working with Senate candidate Ruben Gallego to fend off Kari Lake and secure a majority for Democrats.

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Robert Mueller sends an unmistakable message to Congress about impeachment, more Democrats announce their support for an inquiry, the DNC changes its requirements for the fall debates, and Elizabeth Warren’s strategy pays off. Then Veep star Julia Louis-Dreyfus and show runner David Mandel talk to Jon, Jon, and Tommy about politics and comedy in the Trump Era.

Republicans find creative new ways to humiliate themselves for Donald Trump. The Supreme Court hears oral arguments in Colorado’s 14th amendment case against Trump, and Special Counsel Robert Hur won't charge Biden for mishandling classified documents. Then, Jon and Dan put their dignity on the line and place bets on the Super Bowl in our new game: All Bets Are (Shaken) Off.

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The Republican field grows to twelve as the RNC sets new criteria for the first debate. Donald Trump prepares to be indicted again. Ron DeSantis tests out new attack lines in Iowa. Nikki Haley does a CNN Townhall that no one noticed. And Joe Biden takes a debt ceiling victory lap with an Oval Office address, while his anti-vax Democratic challenger RFK Jr. does a Twitter Spaces event with Elon Musk. Then Washington Post writer Ben Terris stops by to talk about his new book The Big Break.

Joe Biden makes it official. House Republicans pass a debt ceiling bill that eliminates healthcare for millions. Disney sues Ron DeSantis. Democratic pollster Celinda Lake stops by to talk about the President’s road to 270 electoral votes. Then, Jon and Dan sort through the many wild rumors and theories about why Fox News fired Tucker Carlson.

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Democrats win big victories in Virginia and Kentucky, a new Crooked Media/Change PollerCoaster 2020 survey shows majority support for impeachment, and the Medicare for All debate between Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden gets heated. Then Run for Something’s Amanda Litman talks to Dan about all the new candidates who won on Tuesday.

Elon Musk holds a rambling Oval Office press conference and admits that he and DOGE will make mistakes as they rampage through our government, even as congressional Republicans move forward with a budget that promises massive cuts to healthcare, education, and food assistance to pay for Trump's tax cuts for billionaires. Jon and Dan discuss whether Musk's antics could undermine Trump's agenda, what the Senate's confirmation of RFK Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard means for the GOP, and the White House's attacks on the press. Then, they debut a new segment: "Wait, Did That Really Happen?," featuring this week's most absurd scenes. Later, Lovett sits down with Rohit Chopra, recently forced out as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, to discuss why Trump and Musk are so determined to shut down the CFPB, and what it means for the rest of us.

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This is the first episode of a five-part miniseries on the Iowa caucuses hosted by Tommy Vietor and produced by Pineapple Street Studios. In episode one, Tommy looks back at Barack Obama's 2008 Iowa operation to explain how he won, how that victory propelled him to the White House, and why Obama says his Iowa caucus victory was more meaningful than the night he was elected president. Tommy also heads to the Iowa State Fair to talk with 2020 candidates and introduces you to some young campaign field staffers who we'll follow for the next few weeks.

Lovett and guest host Symone Sanders Townsend of MSNBC discuss the Harris-Walz campaign's latest moves: new ads hitting Trump and touting her housing plan, and a big bus tour through southeastern Georgia. Then, they look at Trump's counter-programming—notably, selling trading cards of himself—and who benefits most from muted mics at the September 10 debate.

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Tensions with Iran grow as the President threatens obliteration, the U.S. government is holding young children in inhumane detention facilities, and Trump is accused of rape. Then Change Research co-founder Pat Reilly and Jon, Jon, and Tommy break down the results of the very first poll in the Crooked Media/Change Research PollerCoaster 2020 series.

Democrats weigh how to confront Trump’s post-impeachment lawlessness, Mike Bloomberg buys himself and his record a lot of attention, and Bernie Sanders looks for another win in Nevada. Then Jon Ralston of the Nevada Independent talks to Jon F. about the caucus ground game and how he’s preparing to moderate the next Democratic debate.

The Department of Justice reveals more evidence against Donald Trump, Republicans try to run from their extreme abortion positions, Joe Biden caps off a big few weeks with a primetime speech, White House Infrastructure Czar Mitch Landrieu talks about the President’s infrastructure roll out, and Dan and Jon play another round of Take Appreciator.

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More and more Republicans are asking Donald Trump if it might be possible for him to stop the personal attacks on Kamala Harris and focus on a persuasive message. His answer? Absolutely not. In yet another country club press conference, Trump says he's "entitled to personal attacks" because he doesn't respect Harris, calls her stupid, and rants about communists. Meanwhile, Harris and Joe Biden hold their first joint event since Biden stepped down from the race, and it's full of good policy and good vibes. Plus, Tim Walz talks tacos, and RFK Jr. might be looking for an exit strategy.

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Trump and the GOP skip the usual “thoughts and prayers” for victims of the devastating LA fires, and dive straight into blame and conspiracy theories. Jon and Dan debunk misinformation about FEMA and the government response, unpack the political fallout, and share resources to help fire victims. Plus, what’s behind MAGA’s new Manifest Destiny? Is Trump’s legal drama approaching its grand finale? Washington D.C. pauses for a moment while President Jimmy Carter is laid to rest. Finally, Lovett sits down with Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy to talk about Democrats’ game plan to counter the Republican agenda in Congress. 

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Jon, Tommy, Dan, and Hysteria Co-Host Erin Ryan are live from the LA Times Festival of Books! As the first week of Donald Trump's Manhattan criminal trial ends, Trump defends himself by constantly violating his gag order and—allegedly—farting recklessly in the courtroom. President Biden hits the trail to highlight his plans to help the middle class and pass legislation restoring Roe v. Wade. Trump reportedly narrows in on a VP pick, but rules out governors from states with the most restrictive abortion bans. And, Jon and Tommy talk about their upcoming book, Democracy or Else: How To Save America in 10 Easy Steps.Democracy or Else: How To Save America in 10 Easy Steps is coming June 25th. Crooked is donating its profits from Democracy or Else to support Vote Save America, its partners, and other organizations who are mobilizing for progressive outcomes in the 2024 election and beyond.

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On the final episode of this season of The Wilderness, Jon is joined by UCLA political scientist Lynn Vavreck and senior Harris campaign advisor David Plouffe. Lynn and Jon discuss why, despite all of this election's wild changes, Lynn is still expecting a close outcome in November and then David Plouffe sits down with Jon to talk about what we can do to help Kamala beat Trump.

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The House's impeachment inquiry ambles on as Trump’s crimes pile up, a North Carolina special election looms, and the Democratic presidential candidates talk about the climate crisis for seven hours on CNN.

Is Biden inching toward dropping out, or is he committed to staying put? If he did make a move, when would he do it, and how? Live in Madison, Jon, Lovett, Tommy, and Dan parse the latest news and discuss the worst and the weirdest of the Republican convention alongside guest host Errin Haines of The 19th and special guest Ben Wikler, chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party. Then, Sen. Tammy Baldwin stops by to talk about her crucial Senate race and what Democrats need to do to win Wisconsin in November.

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The House descends into chaos as Kevin McCarthy fails to win the race for speaker on the first three ballots, Republicans prepare to swear in a new member of Congress who made up his entire life story, and the last Congress ends by making Donald Trump's tax returns public and asking the Department of Justice to charge him with multiple crimes. And later, Jon, Jon, and Tommy kick off the new year with a round of Take Appreciator.

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VP Kamala Harris hits the road with her new running mate, Tim Walz, who lands his first official couch joke of the campaign against his GOP counterpart, JD Vance. Meanwhile, Trump tries to brand Walz as a communist. Then, Dan and guest host Melissa Murray break down Biden’s Supreme Court reforms, Trump’s January 6th case and the infinite shadiness of Justice Clarence Thomas’s flight schedule.

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Mike Pence joins the classified hoarders club. The MAGA House grabs the third rail of politics. Donald Trump is on top of the polls and back on Facebook. Congressman Ruben Gallego stops by to talk about his run for Arizona Senate. And later, Jon and Dan test their knowledge of Trump’s posting habits with a new game called “Truth or False.”

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

The first debate is upon us, and you’re not the only one feeling nervous. Guest host Stacey Abrams joins Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan, live in Brooklyn, to talk about what we can learn from the 2020 debates, and what would constitute a win for Biden on Thursday night. Then, Strict Scrutiny’s Melissa Murray joins the hosts to break down the latest from the Supreme Court and what’s still to come this term, and Run for Something co-founder Amanda Litman talks with Dan about why it’s so important to have progressive candidates running in local races.Democracy or Else is out now! 

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Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report is finally public, and it’s not great! Politico’s Natasha Bertrand joins to talk about all the explosive revelations, the fallout, and what comes next. Then we discuss Bernie Sanders’s decision to hold a Fox News town hall, and hear from comedian Chelsea Handler about her crush on Robert Mueller and her political awakening.

Jon, Jon, and Tommy answer listener questions about the midterms and other topics, and Lovett shares highlights from his recent trip to North Carolina, where he canvassed with candidates and volunteers.

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Bill Taylor drops a bombshell on the first day of the impeachment hearings while Republicans peddle conspiracies, Democratic presidential candidates prepare to be Senate jurors, and Deval Patrick enters the primary. Then former Acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal offers his legal and Constitutional analysis of the hearing and talks about his new book, “Impeach: The Case Against Donald Trump.”

The Biden campaign puts big money into a new ad slamming Trump as a convicted felon, fraudster, and sexual predator, and painting Biden as a fighter for working families. Trump courts the Black vote in front of a mostly white audience in Detroit, and CNN announces the final rules for next week’s debate. Plus: Jon, Lovett, and Tommy talk about who’s up and who’s down in the race to be Trump’s VP.To preorder you copy of Democracy or Else, visit http://crooked.com/booksFor tickets to upcoming live shows and book events, visit http://crooked.com/events

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Prosecutors in Donald Trump's criminal trial call their first witness: a former National Enquirer publisher who puts the former president at the center of a conspiracy to corrupt the 2016 election. Joe Biden wins a major endorsement from the building trades unions and works to define Trump as an out-of-touch rich guy who only wants to help his rich friends. In Pennsylvania, Connecticut hedge fund manager Dave McCormick officially wins the Republican nomination for Senate and will face Democratic Senator Bob Casey in the fall. Then, George Stephanopoulos talks with Dan about the challenges of covering Trump, his new book about the White House Situation Room.

Dan talks to Colorado Senator Michael Bennet about the threats facing our democracy, what he’ll do to fix Washington, our immigration system, and how he plans to get to universal health care. Plus, his take on fighting back against a partisan judiciary.

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar sits down with Dan to discuss what she brings to the 2020 race. They talk climate change, her plan to prioritize mental health, whether Congress should open an impeachment inquiry, and how she’ll use humor to campaign against Trump.

Donald Trump makes history—by delivering the longest Joint Address ever, clocking in at an exhausting 99 minutes of blame, grievance, and sappy stunts. Jon, Lovett, Dan, and Tommy break down all the biggest—and weirdest—moments, from warning of a "disturbance" from the new tariffs, to invading Greenland and cutting off funding for transgender mice (yes, really). Plus, they debate how Rep. Al Green's protest will play, the strengths and weaknesses of Sen. Elissa Slotkin's rebuttal, and what Democrats should do now.

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President Biden issues an executive order temporarily closing the US-Mexico border to migrants. Tommy and Addisu Demissie discuss Democratic backlash to the action and why Republicans, despite having killed a bipartisan border bill, are claiming it’s too little, too late. Donald Trump joins TikTok, attends a UFC fight, and exploits MAGA backlash to his conviction to close his fundraising gap. And Tommy sits down with Michael Tyler, Communications Director for Biden-Harris 2024, to chat about upcoming presidential debate and how Trump’s new felony status has presented challenges and opportunities for the Biden campaign.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Tommy talks with Congressman Eric Swalwell about gun control, what it means to be bold in his campaign, his work on the intelligence committee and how he plans to win over his Trump-supporting family.

The President kisses the asses of three different murderous dictators during his trip abroad, Kamala Harris is having a moment, Joe Biden is having some issues, and strategists and pundits are worried that the Democratic Party is moving too far to the left. Then Ari Berman of Mother Jones talks to Jon Lovett about the Supreme Court’s gerrymandering decision.

America's corporate titans seem pretty happy about Donald Trump's election—even pitching in to his inaugural bash—and it's no big mystery why: he's promising yet again to slash their taxes. Meanwhile, in his TIME Person of the Year interview, Trump admits that he may not be able lower grocery prices after all. Oh, well! Jon and Dan dive into all the latest, including FBI Director Christopher Wray's resignation, Biden’s historic pardons, Nancy Mace's latest theatrics, and why Democrats are suddenly cozying up to Elon Musk.

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Jon, Jon, and Tommy break down the feistiest Democratic debate yet, hosted by NBC in Las Vegas, Nevada. Then Democratic candidate Jessica Cisneros talks to Tommy about her primary challenge to one of Congress's most conservative Democrats in Texas’s 28th district.

Governor Gavin Newsom sits down with Jon Favreau to talk about California’s response to the devastating Los Angeles fires, his invitation to Donald Trump, and his demand for clear answers about the water shortages that hindered fire fighting efforts. They also discuss what recovery and rebuilding efforts look like, how these fires could affect the future of home insurance in California, and the state’s ongoing affordability crisis.

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Guest host Alex Wagner joins Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan live at Tribeca in New York City! Donald Trump gets 37 felony counts related to stealing classified information and lying to the FBI about it while the rest of the Republican field and party tries to figure out how to deal with a twice-impeached, disgraced former president. New York Attorney General Tish James joins to talk about her plans for New York and her ongoing investigation into Trump's crimes. Secretary Hillary Clinton offers her reaction to Trump’s indictment and Republicans’ continued obsession with her emails, and talks about her experiences with Vladimir Putin. Plus, Roy Wood Jr. stops by to get quizzed on the Mess America Pageant.

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For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Two days after getting trounced in the debate, Trump turns to a familiar playbook: claim a win, trash the moderators, and—above all—refuse to debate again. The only hitch? All those Trump advisors and endorsers talking to the press about how poorly he did. Jon and Dan discuss Trump's attempt at spin, Harris's post-debate agenda, and the MAGA freakout over Taylor Swift's endorsement.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.