What A Day (Crooked Media)
Explore every episode of What A Day
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
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| 29 Aug 2024 | Jack Smith Won’t Back Down | 00:16:46 | |
Special Counsel Jack Smith is on a roll this week. On Monday, he asked an Atlanta-based appeals court to revive his federal classified documents case against former President Donald Trump. A day later, he filed a revised indictment against Trump over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The revisions were in response to the Supreme Court's decision earlier this year giving Trump and all future presidents broad immunity from prosecution for their official acts as president. But much of the indictment is the same as the original. Norm Eisen, who served as special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee's Democratic majority during Trump's two impeachment proceedings, helps break down where things now stand with Trump's criminal cases. And in headlines: The Supreme Court dealt another blow to President Joe Biden's efforts to ease the burden of federal student loan debt, Israel carried out its largest raids in the occupied West Bank in at least two decades, and the 2024 Paralympics are underway in Paris!
Show Notes:
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| 04 Nov 2022 | True Crime Rates | 00:21:35 | |
In the run-up to the midterm elections, Republicans have made crime a central issue in their attacks against Democrats. But the fear tactics aren’t backed up by facts. North Korea tried to launch a powerful long-range missile on Thursday, following an intense volley of short-range missile tests earlier this week. And with tensions already high in the region, there’s concern that North Korea may attempt a nuclear weapons test. And in headlines: former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan was shot and wounded during a protest rally, U.S. Embassy officials met with Brittney Griner in Russia, and tens of thousands of student workers across the University of California system voted to authorize a strike. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 20 Mar 2025 | The Trump Administration's All-Out Assault On Judges | 00:25:24 | |
Are we in a constitutional crisis? That’s the big question on the minds of legal experts across the country right now, as President Donald Trump and his allies ramp up attacks on federal judges who rule against him. The president’s latest beef is with the federal judge who tried to block his administration from deporting more than 250 migrants, mostly from Venezuela. A swath of the American Right, including billionaire Elon Musk, has now decided that if federal judges won’t back Trump at every legal turn, they should be impeached and removed from the bench. Leah Litman, co-host of Crooked’s legal podcast ‘Strict Scrutiny,’ stops by to talk about this moment and its legal significance. Later in the show, Crooked Climate Correspondent Anya Zoledziowski breaks down the craziness happening at the Environmental Protection Agency. And in headlines: The Federal Reserve kept interest rates flat and warned Trump’s tariffs have thrown the economy's health into question, Trump said he had a ‘very good telephone call' with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about a ceasefire with Russia, and Attorney General Pam Bondi called a recent string of vandalism attacks on Tesla dealerships ‘nothing short of domestic terrorism.’ Show Notes:
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| 15 Jan 2020 | Dems Debate In Des Moines | 00:20:22 | |
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| 28 Sep 2023 | A Time For Chaos | 00:23:52 | |
The second 2024 GOP presidential debate took place yesterday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. The pool of candidates was smaller compared to the last round, but it wasn’t any less chaotic. Erin Ryan, host of Crooked Media’s “Hysteria” podcast, and Brian Beutler, founder of the Off Message newsletter, join us to break it all down. And in headlines: the American soldier who crossed into North Korea in July was transferred to U.S. custody, a federal judge in Texas blocked that state’s ban on public drag shows, and late-night TV is gearing up for its comeback. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 19 May 2022 | Primary Go Round | 00:18:17 | |
Following Tuesday’s Pennsylvania primary elections, Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. And State Senator Doug Mastriano, one of the leading proponents to overturn the 2020 presidential election in the state, was nominated as the GOP’s gubernatorial candidate. Amanda Litman, co-founder of Run for Something, joins us to discuss various primary races from earlier this week. And in headlines: a Russian soldier pleaded guilty in Ukraine’s first war crimes trial, top White House officials recommended taking precautions amid rising COVID cases, and professional soccer players on both the U.S. women's and men's national teams will finally earn the same pay. Show Notes:
Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/ | |||
| 06 Oct 2022 | Can Russia Take Its Foot Off My OPEC? | 00:21:49 | |
President Biden visited Florida on Wednesday to survey the damage from Hurricane Ian, which has left at least 100 people dead in that state. So far, many of those victims are older adults. Dr. Sue Ann Bell, a disaster researcher at the University of Michigan, tells us why older people are especially vulnerable during natural disasters. The OPEC Plus coalition, led by Russia and Saudi Arabia, said it will cut oil production by 2 million barrels a day, which is expected to push energy prices higher around the world. The move would benefit Russia, and help finance its war against Ukraine. And in headlines: anti-government protests in Iran entered a third week, actor Alec Baldwin agreed to settle with the family of Halyna Hutchins, and longtime lesbian icon Velma Hinkley comes out in the latest Scooby Doo movie. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 15 Apr 2021 | Charges For Daunte Wright's Killer | 00:17:59 | |
A CDC committee voted yesterday to keep the pause going on the distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, at least until it meets again. Temporarily stopping use of the vaccine makes sense, but the move also has immediate impacts on the underserved populations that had been relying on the vaccine for protection. Now-former Minnesota police officer Kim Potter will be charged with second-degree manslaughter for shooting and killing Daunte Wright. We discuss the history of what happened when officers have been charged after claiming they mistook a gun for a taser. And in headlines: Denmark is denying residency permits to Syrian refugees, Disney theme park employees can be tatted, and Coinbase makes its IPO. Follow What A Day on Instagram at instagram.com/whataday For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday.
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| 12 May 2023 | Title 42 Gets 86'd | 00:25:04 | |
Today marks the official end of Title 42, the Trump-era border policy that allowed U.S. border officials to expel asylum-seekers on public health grounds. We talk to Dara Lind, senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, about the end of the policy, and what the restrictions that the Biden administration is putting in its place. Republican-controlled state houses across the country continue to push anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, including Montana, where lawmakers have banned gender affirming care for trans youth, and also voted to censure Representative Zooey Zephyr. Erin Reed, an independent journalist and activist, joins us to talk about her work to make the country a better – and safer – place for transgender people. And in headlines: writer E. Jean Carroll is considering suing Donald Trump again, Daniel Penny has been charged with second-degree manslaughter in the chokehold killing of Jordan Neely, and the FDA has finally paved the way to allow more gay and bisexual men to donate blood. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 01 Jun 2020 | Protesting 1, 2, 3 | 00:18:41 | |
Protests in response to the police killing of George Floyd continued throughout the weekend. There were demonstrations in over 75 American cities, leading local officials to activate the National Guard in at least 11 states, and impose curfews. At one point, Trump hid underground. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for his role in George Floyd's killing, but three other officers who stood by have not been charged. And in headlines: Trump says the US will stop working with the WHO, the CDC releases guidelines for how to reopen offices, and Chrissy Teigen demonstrates the ‘spite donation.’ Where to Donate: Minnesota Freedom Fund: minnesotafreedomfund.org/donate Brooklyn Bail Fund: brooklynbailfund.org/donate Reclaim the block: reclaimtheblock.org Black Visions Collective: blackvisionsmn.org Mass Defense Program: nlg.org/donate/massdefense
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| 17 May 2023 | A.I. Goes To D.C. | 00:21:26 | |
A former aide to Rudy Giuliani has sued him for alleged sexual assault, harassment, wage theft, and other misconduct. In a 70 page lawsuit filed Monday, Noelle Dunphy says she has recordings of the former Donald Trump attorney making sexist, racist and anti-semitic remarks, and claims he tried to sell off presidential pardons for $2 million a piece. Sam Altman, the CEO of ChatGPT creator OpenAI, made his debut on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. During his testimony before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee, he acknowledged the many ways that AI could cause “significant harm to the world,” and agreed with other witnesses that government regulation is necessary for the emerging technology. And in headlines: North Carolina’s Republican-led General Assembly narrowly voted to override Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of a 12-week abortion ban, the Secret Service is investigating how an intruder got into the home of a top national security aide, and the first stripper’s union in a decade is expected to form this week. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 12 Jan 2024 | Explaining Iowa's Raucous Caucus | 00:19:27 | |
The Iowa Caucuses are back! Trump is the clear favorite, but there’s a tense battle for second place that is all going to play out on Monday. We dive into what the caucuses even are, how they work, and what their role is in this year’s presidential election. Then, Crooked’s very own Tommy Vietor joins the show after being on the ground in Iowa himself. He walks us through what it was like sneaking into Republican campaign events, and what voters said. Show Notes:
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| 05 Oct 2022 | Herschel Walk Of Shame | 00:25:46 | |
Conservative leaders have rallied behind Republican Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker, following a report that he paid for an abortion for an ex-girlfriend. It's one of the first October surprises to drop ahead of the high-stakes midterm elections. The federal government has a history of underfunding our election infrastructure, even though the people who run state and local election departments play a critical role in our democracy. Tiana Epps-Johnson, co-founder of the Center for Tech and Civic Life, tells us why America's voting system needs an upgrade. And in headlines: North Korea fired a ballistic missile over Japan for the first time in five years, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that could chip away at the Voting Rights Act, and European regulators voted to standardize charging cables for portable devices. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 05 Apr 2021 | Vaccine Passport To Adventure | 00:17:01 | |
The MLB is officially moving the All-Star Game out of Georgia after Republicans in the state passed a restrictive voting law. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp insinuated the move amounts to so-called “cancel culture.” And in Texas, big businesses are starting to speak out against a similar voter suppression law there before it’s on the books. The CDC released new guidance for vaccinated Americans on how to safely travel. Plus, “vaccine passports” are emerging as a major flashpoint for both politics and privacy. We explain. And in headlines: Chicago Police will release video of an officer fatally shooting a 13-year-old boy, major wastewater leak in Florida, and VP Harris moves into the VP residence. Follow What A Day on Instagram at instagram.com/whataday For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday.
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| 14 Mar 2025 | Is Bipartisanship Dead? feat. Leader Hakeem Jeffries | 00:23:45 | |
It’s shutdown day in America, with lawmakers facing a midnight deadline to pass a government funding bill that keeps the proverbial lights on. After days of back and forth, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday he would vote to advance the House Republicans' spending plan to a final floor vote, signaling Democrats may fold on their earlier threats of a funding standoff. But Senate Republicans likely need at least seven more Democrats to help them break a filibuster and avert a shutdown, and it’s not yet clear they have those votes. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York talks about why his caucus remains opposed to the Republican plan, and what’s next if it passes. And in headlines: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to reinstate thousands of fired probationary employees, Russian President Vladimir Putin added more conditions to a U-S backed ceasefire plan with Ukraine, and dozens of people were arrested while protesting the detention of a Columbia University student activist. Show Notes:
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| 16 Nov 2020 | System Of A Lockdown | 00:18:49 | |
The federal government still hasn’t affirmed Biden's victory, blocking him from the White House access he needs to get a handle on the transition and the government's pandemic response. America has now surpassed 11 million COVID-19 cases, and the virus is still predominately affecting Black and Brown Americans. Some states are taking sweeping actions to slow rising case numbers, like New Mexico and Oregon, which have both reimposed lockdown measures. And in headlines: new NYPD data show the limits of independent oversight committees, leaders from 15 Asia-Pacific countries sign the world’s largest free trade deal, and Chad Wolf’s moves to limit DACA weren’t legal.
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| 24 Oct 2023 | The War Next Door | 00:17:30 | |
Two more hostages held captive by Hamas were released on Monday, though Israel says more than 200 others are still being held by the militant group. Meanwhile, officials in Gaza say Israeli airstrikes have now killed over 5,000 people in the territory. Clashes along the Lebanon-Israel border are also stoking fears that the war could spill over. George Bisharat, a Middle East policy expert and professor emeritus at the University of California College of the Law San Francisco, joins us to explain how neighboring countries are watching the conflict unfold. And in headlines: Argentina’s presidential election is heading to a runoff vote next month, the United Auto Workers Union expanded its strike against Detroit’s Big Three automakers, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is not happy about how he looks in wax. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 14 Oct 2020 | Take On Amy | 00:22:19 | |
Yesterday was day two of Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearings, when members of the Senate Judiciary Committee got their first public chance to directly question the nominee. There were a lot of questions, but there weren’t many answers. Safety concerns led Johnson & Johnson to pause a large clinical trial of its COVID vaccine candidate and Eli Lilly to pause trials of their antibody drug. A new study found a person in Nevada was infected twice with COVID within a period of six weeks, which is the first confirmed case of reinfection in the US. And in headlines: the Supreme Court rules to halt the census, Trump vs. Fauci, and a tourist in Peru waits 7 months to visit Machu Picchu.
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| 08 Dec 2022 | Donald Trump Presents: Storage Wars | 00:17:53 | |
The Washington Post reported that a team hired by former President Donald Trump’s lawyers found at least two documents marked “classified” inside a storage unit in West Palm Beach, Florida. It’s the first indication that more potentially sensitive material was, or could still be, at one of Trump’s properties. China is reportedly easing some of its strict “zero COVID” policies, following mass protests over the government’s response to the pandemic. But there are questions about how the rollback will be implemented, as China faces an increasing number of new infections. And in headlines: Peruvian lawmakers swore in their first female president after ousting her predecessor, German authorities arrested 25 people accused of plotting a far-right coup, and hundreds of New York Times journalists will stage a historic 24-hour strike. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 03 Jun 2024 | Celebrity Endorsements For The Win? | 00:18:45 | |
We’re about five months away from election day, meaning both campaigns will do whatever they can to boost their standing with voters. One of the ways campaigns traditionally try to do this is with celebrity endorsements. But do they actually convince people to vote? Jared Clemons, assistant professor of political science at Temple University, walks us through the data. And in headlines: Hunter Biden's federal gun charge trial begins this week, Israel has agreed to President Biden’s proposed ceasefire deal for the war in Gaza, and former president and convicted felon Donald Trump has joined TikTok.
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| 04 Mar 2020 | They Joe Up So Fast | 00:15:36 | |
Yesterday was Super Tuesday, where 14 states and one territory voted in the presidential primary. Former VP Joe Biden over-performed in what some (read: none) are already calling "Joebal Warming," while Senator Bernie Sanders didn’t do as well as some predicted. Final delegate totals are still coming in—we’ll talk you through what we know. And in headlines: deadly storms in Tennessee, an election update in Israel, and the Knicks lose their biggest fan.
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| 25 Mar 2020 | Letters From The War On Covid-19 | 00:17:50 | |
Equipment shortages, exposure, and empathy: we hear from healthcare workers who are fighting Covid-19 on the front lines. Plus, what Democrats are fighting for in the government coronavirus relief package and what Republicans are willing to concede. And how authorities are handling things in New York now that it’s become the epicenter of the US coronavirus outbreak. And in headlines: Liberty University re-opens its doors, Colorado abolishes the death penalty, and YouTube goes low rez.
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| 08 May 2023 | Another Tragedy In Texas | 00:25:42 | |
Eight people were killed and at least seven others were wounded Saturday after a gunman opened fire at an outlet mall in Allen, Texas – making it the 200th mass shooting of the year, and the second deadliest since the Monterey Park attacks in January. King Charles III was officially crowned Saturday as Britain's first new reigning monarch in 70 years. Royal watcher Kristen Meinzer tells us how Charles' coronation was different from when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, ascended to the throne, and how public opinion of the monarchy has changed since then. In headlines: CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky will step down at the end of June, seven horses died at the Churchill Downs racetrack in the days ahead of the Kentucky Derby, and two American couples were busted for trying to bring in over 650 pounds of Fruit Roll-ups into Israel. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 11 Dec 2023 | All's Well That Ends Sickle Cell | 00:20:00 | |
The Texas Supreme Court temporarily halted the abortion procedure for Kate Cox, a 31-year-old pregnant woman who was granted the country’s first court-ordered abortion last week since the fall of Roe. The justices said Cox's procedure is on pause while they review her restraining order, which is meant to protect her and her doctors from the state’s anti-abortion measures. Sickle cell disease is a painful condition that occurs more frequently in Black people, and last Friday the FDA approved two new revolutionary treatments for it. They both use technology to edit a person’s DNA to remove the gene that causes the disease. And in headlines: the University of Pennsylvania’s president resigned after a Congressional hearing about antisemitism on campus, Donald Trump will not testify on Monday at the civil fraud trial against him in New York, and Ron DeSantis’s wife Casey erroneously suggested that everyone in the country should participate in the upcoming Iowa Caucus. Show Notes: What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast | |||
| 16 Dec 2022 | WAD Wrapped 2022 | 00:22:36 | |
As the year comes to a close, we look back at the stories we thought were most memorable in 2022. We talk about the rising momentum of the labor movement, the politicization of drag, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and the historic gains Democrats made in the midterm elections. Show Notes: WAD will be on a two-week break for the winter holidays. We’ll have a new episode on Tuesday, January 3rd!
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 22 Jun 2022 | The "Abject Failure" Of Law Enforcement At Uvalde | 00:21:31 | |
The January 6th House committee held its fourth hearing on Tuesday, and we learned more about the effort to overturn the election by former President Donald Trump himself as well as two Republican congressmen. Arizona’s House of Representatives Speaker Rusty Bowers testified that the pressure applied by Trump and his team was continuous, and that they weren’t taking no for an answer. It’s been a month since the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, but we’re still learning more about how responding officers allowed so much time to pass before entering the classroom and shooting the gunman. Steve McCraw, head of the Texas Department of Public Safety, testified to a state Senate committee that the police response was an “abject failure.” And in headlines: Colombia elected its first leftist president, healthcare providers began giving the first dose of COVID vaccines to young children, and the Supreme Court ruled that Maine can't exclude religious schools from state funding. Show Notes: Donate to Crooked Media’s Pride Fund – https://crooked.com/pride/ Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 19 Jul 2024 | RNC 2024: Same Old Trump | 00:27:38 | |
Former President Donald Trump wrapped up this week’s Republican National Convention on Thursday night with the longest speech in convention history. He started with a first-person account of the attempted assassination against him last weekend. But his promised message of unity fell apart quickly as he embraced autocrats, doubled down on false claims the 2020 election was stolen, and promised the biggest deportation in history. Washington Post reporter Dylan Wells joins us from the convention while Republican political strategist Mike Madrid talks about what’s next for the Never Trump movement. And in headlines: The calls for President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race continued to snowball, a federal appeals court fully blocked the Biden Administration’s student loan repayment program, and Costco is selling an emergency food kit with 150 freeze-dried and hydrated food servings with a promised shelf life of 25 years.
Show Notes:
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| 20 Aug 2024 | The DNC Says Farewell To Biden, Hello To Harris | 00:22:42 | |
On Monday night, President Joe Biden kicked off the Democratic National Convention. In his speech, a political swan song, Biden looked back on his major accomplishments during his term as president. And, somewhat awkwardly, many people clapping and cheering on Monday were the same people who pressured Biden to drop his re-election bid. The party is moving on with Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket while Biden winds down his political career. Franklin Foer, a staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of "The Last Politician: Inside Joe Biden's White House and the Struggle for America's Future," discusses Biden's legacy. While the GOP had to settle for Kid Rock and Hulk Hogan, the Democrats will have no problem bringing the star power to the DNC. Olivia Craighead, a writer covering pop culture and celebrity for The Cut, highlights the famous folks throwing their support behind the Harris-Walz campaign this week. Show Notes:
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| 16 Apr 2021 | One Vax Fits Most | 00:24:56 | |
Only a handful of blood-clotting cases have been reported among recipients of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, but it's predominantly women who have developed these rare symptoms. To answer questions about the “one dose fits all” mode of medical research that can occasionally lead to these kinds of outcomes, we spoke to Rosemary Morgan, a research scientist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She’s currently studying the gendered effects of COVID-19 on several international communities. Plus, for headlines, we’re joined by comedian and actress Sasheer Zamata: a class action settlement for Fyre Fest attendees, a Canadian lawmaker accidentally goes nude on Zoom, and scientists grow human embryos in monkeys. Show Notes: Chicago Tribune: "In several fateful seconds, video appears to show 13-year-old Adam Toledo toss gun, turn with empty hands before police shooting (warning: graphic content)" – https://bit.ly/3gaYvOh Follow What A Day on Instagram at instagram.com/whataday For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday.
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| 21 Nov 2019 | Tyler Perry’s “Gordon Sondland” | 00:25:23 | |
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| 25 Jan 2023 | Senate’s Got Bad Blood | 00:21:19 | |
Fani Willis, the Georgia prosecutor investigating Donald Trump's alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in that state, said criminal charges are "imminent." During a hearing over whether to unseal a special grand jury's final report on the matter, she argued it should remain secret – for now. The Senate Judiciary Committee held its highly anticipated hearing into Ticketmaster’s parent company, two months after the Taylor Swift ticket sale meltdown. Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar joins us to discuss why the fiasco goes beyond the live music market. And in headlines: the U.S. plans to send dozens of M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, the man accused of killing 23 people at an El Paso Walmart in 2019 will plead guilty to federal hate crimes charges, and the Justice Department sued Google over its online ad business. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 13 Oct 2022 | Angry White Guys Gone Wild | 00:17:25 | |
A jury in Connecticut ordered Infowars conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to pay nearly $1 billion in damages to the families of eight victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting. The verdict is the largest award to date for those families, who say they've suffered for years because Jones has repeatedly claimed the massacre was a “hoax.” Members of the Oath Keepers are currently on trial for seditious conspiracy, as more information comes to light about how right-wing, white nationalist militia groups allegedly helped plan and execute the attack on January 6. And in headlines: the Biden administration released its National Security Strategy Report, Nury Martinez resigned from her seat on the Los Angeles City Council, and the U.S. authorized updated COVID booster shots for young kids. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 30 Aug 2023 | Only Fun Drugs Should Cost Money | 00:18:49 | |
The Biden administration on Tuesday shared the first ten prescription drugs that it has chosen for price negotiations through Medicare. The Biden administration will try to lower Medicare prices for the drugs by negotiating with their respective manufacturers to ease the burden of their otherwise exorbitant costs. Former employees at Twitter – a.k.a. X – have filed thousands of arbitration complaints against the company in an effort to get the severance pay that they were promised. To date, more than 2,200 cases are backed up in the JAMS arbitration system, and the fees X is on the hook for could amount to about $3.5 million. And in headlines: the Biden Administration weakened regulations protecting millions of acres of wetlands, Republican lawmakers in Tennessee voted to temporarily censure Representative Justin Jones, and Boston officially dropped gendered language from marriage certificates. Show Notes:
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| 04 May 2023 | Not Lovin' It | 00:18:16 | |
On Wednesday, Russia accused Ukraine of trying to assassinate President Vladimir Putin in a drone attack on the Kremlin. Ukraine has denied the accusations, but Russia says it has the right to retaliate. An investigation by the Department of Labor found that McDonald's franchises in at least four states had employed over 300 children to work in their restaurants, including two 10 year-old workers in Kentucky. This comes amid a sharp rise in federal child labor law violations over the past five years. And in headlines: the man accused of fatally shooting five of his neighbors in Texas was arrested Tuesday night, Florida Republicans passed a sweeping anti-immigration bill, and the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the tenth consecutive time. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 01 Sep 2023 | Proud Boys Swallowed Their Pride | 00:18:53 | |
Two more leaders of the Proud Boys were sentenced yesterday for their roles in the January 6th insurrection. Joe Biggs was sentenced to 17 years in prison while Zachary Rehl was sentenced to 15 years. Plus, Donald Trump pleaded not guilty on Thursday in the Georgia criminal case where he’s accused of racketeering in his efforts to upend the 2020 presidential election results in the state. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas officially disclosed yesterday that Republican megadonor Harlan Crow footed the bill for his private jet trips in 2022 to both attend a speech in Texas and to vacation at Crow’s home in the Adirondacks. With this disclosure, he also included a statement defending his travel with Crow. And in headlines: at least 74 people died and more than 50 were injured after a fire broke out in Johannesburg, South Africa, federal student loans will once again start accruing interest, and Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour is coming to a movie theater near you this October. Show notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 10 Oct 2023 | Israel Declares War on Hamas | 00:24:28 | |
At least 1,500 people have been killed in the days since Hamas, the Palestinian armed group that controls Gaza, launched a surprise attack against Israel. Israel has since declared war, and vowed to launch a "total" siege on Gaza. Meanwhile, the U.S. and other global powers are working to stop it from becoming a conflict with multiple fronts. Parts of West Maui reopened to tourists this weekend for the first time since this summer's deadly wildfires were extinguished. State officials maintain that allowing visitors to return to the area is necessary for the island's economic recovery. But many residents, including those from the town of Lahaina, say their community isn't ready. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee. Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ | |||
| 13 Apr 2023 | Poetic Justins | 00:18:23 | |
In a unanimous vote, county officials sent State Representative Justin Pearson back to his seat in Tennessee’s House of Representatives. His reinstatement comes less than a week after he and another Black Democratic colleague were expelled for leading a protest on gun reform. And in headlines: California Senator Dianne Feinstein will temporarily give up her seat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Donald Trump is suing his former lawyer Michael Cohen, and NPR has decided to ditch Twitter after the platform mislabeled the news organization. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 02 Jun 2020 | Curfew Enthusiasm | 00:17:45 | |
Protests against racial violence continued in well over 100 cities, leading local officials to continue to take drastic measures like curfews and calling up the National Guard. Police in Washington, DC charged a group of peaceful protestors so that Trump could take a bad photo in front of a church. The organization Campaign Zero gathers data on policies aimed at ending police violence. We discuss the policy changes they’ve found to be successful and unsuccessful. And in headlines: the United States sends a dubious COVID-19 drug to Brazil, seven states hold their primaries today, and Trump brings big bridezilla energy to planning the RNC. Gideon & Akilah's recommendations: Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor twitter.com/KeeangaYamahtta Ethel's Club instagram.com/ethelsclub Rachel Cargle instagram.com/rachel.cargle Watchman (HBO)
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| 25 May 2023 | DeSantis DeSucks | 00:23:45 | |
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has officially entered the 2024 presidential race. In a glitchy announcement on Twitter Wednesday, DeSantis said he’s running for president to lead a “great American comeback,” and he’s using the slate of harmful, regressive laws he’s passed in Florida as evidence that he can get that job done. The ACLU’s Gillian Branstetter, who’s been keeping tabs on his legislative record, joins us to explain the dangers of the DeSantis agenda. And in headlines: debt ceiling talks between the White House and House Republicans once again ended yesterday without an agreement, Target is removing some of its Pride collection merchandise following conservative backlash and threats to its employees, and we say goodbye to music legend Tina Turner. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 30 Sep 2024 | North Carolinians Flee Floodwaters | 00:21:54 | |
Huge swaths of the Southeast are still digging out from Hurricane Helene after the storm made landfall Thursday night along Florida’s gulf coast. As of late Sunday, more than 90 people were reported dead across six states. Tampa and western North Carolina saw some of the worst damage from the storm. Blue Ridge Public Radio reporter Gerard Albert III joins us to talk about rescue and recovery efforts around Asheville, N.C. Later in the show, Michigan Democratic Sen. Gary Peters talks about the state of play in one of the most pivotal swing states in the upcoming election. And in headlines: Former President Donald Trump called Vice President Kamala Harris ‘mentally impaired’ during a weekend rally, Israel killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a Friday airstrike, and the International Longshoremen’s Association and its tens of thousands of members are set to strike starting Tuesday. Show Notes:
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| 03 Jul 2024 | Dems Change Their Tune About Biden For President | 00:18:23 | |
We may be starting to see a seismic shift in how the Democratic Party publicly talks about whether President Joe Biden should remain the party’s presumptive nominee for president. On Tuesday, Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett became the first sitting Democratic lawmaker to call for Biden to leave the race after his devastating debate performance last week. Longtime Illinois Rep. Mike Quigley and Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Peter Welch of Vermont were also among those voicing harsh criticism of the president and his campaign. Most notably, South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn said he would support Vice President Kamala Harris if Biden dropped out of the race. Liz Bruenig, staff writer at The Atlantic, explains how the stakes of the race have changed in recent days. And in headlines: New York Justice Juan Merchan has delayed former President Donald Trump’s sentencing until September in the wake of the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani lost his license to practice law in the state, and President Biden proposed a new rule on Tuesday to protect around 35 million people from excessive heat in their workplaces.
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| 21 Dec 2024 | The New Jersey Drones Mass Delusion, Explained | 00:32:26 | |
Something mysterious has been going down in New Jersey this week…but it’s NOT drones. It’s that thousands of people are looking at airplanes in the night sky and thinking they see UFOs. What causes mass delusions like this wave of now mostly debunked drone sightings? In this concluding episode of How We Got Here, Max and Erin share four stories of famous mass hysterias and talk to William Bernstein, an author who writes about the science of mass delusions and why they happen. | |||
| 02 Mar 2023 | No Guts, No Lori | 00:20:34 | |
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot lost her re-election bid on Tuesday, becoming the first one-term mayor of the city in 40 years. Lightfoot failed to capture enough votes to make it to the April 4th runoff, in a campaign marked by growing concerns over crime. Drug maker Eli Lilly announced that it would cap the out-of-pocket cost of insulin it makes to $35, bringing relief for the millions of Americans who rely on it to treat diabetes. Vernessa Shih, the story bank director for the U.S. Surgeon General, joins us to discuss the impact that high insulin costs have on patient’s health, families, and finances. And in headlines: a devastating train crash in Greece killed at least 38 people, the family of Kobe Bryant settled with Los Angeles County for $28.5 million, and hundreds of students walked out of class across Iowa to protest bills targeting LGBTQ youth in the Republican-led state. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 03 Apr 2025 | Trump Launches Tariff-Palooza | 00:21:48 | |
Wednesday was ‘Liberation Day’ in Trump’s America. For everyone else, it was a day of sheer economic panic, as President Donald Trump unveiled heavy 'reciprocal' tariffs on dozens of countries, on top of a 10 percent blanket tariff on all imports. Trump billed it all as a fool-proof strategy to bring back American jobs that have moved overseas, and said specifically the levies would be a boon for unionized workers at domestic car companies. But Trump is no friend to unionized labor. He's spent the days since his inauguration slashing thousands of unionized government jobs. Everett Kelley, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, talks about how unions are fighting back. And in headlines: Wisconsinites gave Elon Musk the middle finger by sending a liberal judge to their state Supreme Court, a federal judge dismissed corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and Amazon makes an eleventh-hour bid to buy TikTok. Show Notes:
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| 06 Apr 2021 | Read My Lips: Corporate Taxes | 00:15:11 | |
The Biden administration is trying to get corporations to pay their fair share of taxes in order to fund a new jobs and infrastructure package. Yesterday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen called for a global minimum corporate tax rate. We explain. Clinical trials of a low-cost COVID vaccine are beginning in Brazil, Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam. The vaccine is produced in a less expensive, more traditional way than the vaccines we have now, and it could be majorly important to ending the pandemic around the world. And in headlines: Arkansas governor vetoes anti-trans bill, SAG awards actors of color, and Vladimir Putin passes law to extend his power into the future. Show notes: NYT: "Researchers Are Hatching a Low-Cost Coronavirus Vaccine" – https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/05/health/hexapro-mclellan-vaccine.html Follow What A Day on Instagram at instagram.com/whataday For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday.
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| 13 Mar 2023 | Oscars Still So White | 00:23:46 | |
Silicon Valley Bank abruptly shut down on Friday, in what was the second biggest bank failure in U.S. history. The bank serviced many startups and other tech companies, and the federal government is now taking steps to protect its deposits, and stop a potential financial crisis. The 95th Academy Awards were held Sunday night, though the ceremony has been criticized over its lack of diversity. April Reign, the creator of the #OscarsSoWhite movement, joins us to discuss whether the conversations it started made a difference this year. And in headlines: massive protests continue in Israel over a plan to overhaul the country’s Supreme Court, the BBC is facing severe backlash after suspending one of its top sports pundits, and the so-called “winners” of the 43rd annual Razzie Awards were announced. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 16 Feb 2023 | The Trainborne Toxic Event | 00:22:21 | |
It’s been nearly two weeks since a freight train derailed outside of East Palestine, Ohio and the controlled burn of toxic chemicals it was carrying. Though officials say the area is now safe, some residents are afraid to return home, amid worrying signs that toxins may be lingering in the surrounding environment. The CDC says teenage girls in the U.S. are “engulfed” in record-high levels of depression, violence, and trauma. According to a new report, early 3 in 5 said they persistently feel sad or hopeless – the highest rate in a decade. And in headlines: the gunman who killed 10 people in a racist mass shooting in Buffalo last year was sentenced to life in prison, New York Times contributors and LGBTQ advocates sent an open letter denouncing the paper’s coverage of transgender people, and Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon said she will step down. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 29 Jul 2022 | One Small Step For Manchin, One Giant Leap For Mankind | 00:18:57 | |
Senate Democrats reached a deal on a historic climate spending package – thanks to a surprise reversal from West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, who previously rejected the measure. Judges in North Dakota and Wyoming both put temporary holds on abortion bans that would have taken effect in those states this week. And in headlines: the U.S. economy shrank again, torrential rains triggered devastating floods in eastern Kentucky, and Pope Francis ends his week-long tour of Canada today. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 18 Jul 2023 | Crimea River | 00:19:36 | |
On Monday, explosives damaged a key bridge connecting the Russian mainland and Crimean Peninsula. Russia blamed Ukrainian forces for the deadly attack on the Kerch Bridge, and Russia soon after said it would halt its participation in the Black Sea grain deal. Donald Trump’s legal team is heading back to court today for a pre-trial hearing in the former president’s classified documents case. The hearing could shine a light on how Judge Aileen Cannon plans to handle the case, and whether the trial will begin before or after the 2024 election. And in headlines: an Iowa judge issued a temporary injunction blocking the state’s new six-week abortion ban, House Democrats unveiled a new resolution to censure Republican George Santos, and more employers in the U.S. are ditching marijuana drug tests for new hires. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 09 Nov 2021 | With A Court This Right, What Could Go Wrong? | 00:21:06 | |
The U.S. ended a year and a half-long pandemic travel ban, reopening borders to vaccinated travelers from 33 countries. Yesterday was an emotional day as families around the world were finally able to reunite after being apart. We take a step back and discuss the Supreme Court during the middle of its term. Jay Willis, who runs the legal site Balls and Strikes, breaks down how these justices are leaning on certain issues and what we might expect from them on important cases coming up. And in headlines: the Justice Department seized approximately $6 million in ransomware payments, Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega is on track to win a fourth consecutive term in office, and the House committee investigating the January 6th riot issued new subpoenas for six of Trump's close allies. Show Notes: Balls and Strikes – https://ballsandstrikes.org/ Jay Willis: “Who Is the Worst Supreme Court Justice of All Time?” – https://bit.ly/3obh4Ej For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday
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| 10 Nov 2021 | COP26 Rock with Ben Rhodes | 00:18:20 | |
The UN Climate Summit in Glasgow, aka COP26, brought together leaders from all over the world to combat climate change, and it wraps up in a few days. Ben Rhodes, the host of Crooked Media’s “Pod Save The World,” is in Glasgow right now with former President Obama. He joins us to break down the biggest takeaways from the summit. And in headlines: Moderna filed an application to patent the technology for its vaccine, there's an ongoing crisis at the Poland-Belarus border, and Starbucks workers at three more locations in Buffalo, NY, filed for union elections. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday
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| 11 Nov 2021 | Inflation Nation | 00:15:10 | |
A new report by the Labor Department shows that inflation continued to spike last month. Consumer prices jumped 6.2 percent between October of this year and last year. That’s the fastest pace since 1990. We also dive into the supply chain issues and labor shortage felt in everyday life. And in headlines: Kyle Rittenhouse took the stand yesterday, victims of the lead water crisis in the Flint, MI, get a $626 million settlement, and 2021 is now the deadliest year on record for transgender and non-binary people in the U.S. Show Notes: Wall Street Journal: “Is Santa Claus Coming to Town? Maybe Not. Blame the Labor Shortage.” – https://on.wsj.com/3n3QQEn For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday
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| 07 May 2024 | How A Rafah Invasion Could Impact Palestinian Refugees | 00:16:16 | |
Hamas on Monday announced it had agreed to a proposal for a ceasefire deal, renewing hopes a truce with Israel could be reached. Israeli officials said while the proposal didn’t meet all of its demands, it would send a delegation to Cairo to continue talks in hopes of reaching a deal. The movement on a possible ceasefire came as Israeli officials also ordered more than 100,000 Palestinians to evacuate parts of eastern Rafah. In this city, more than a million people are sheltering. Jeremy Konyndyk, president of the humanitarian group Refugees International, explains how an Israeli invasion of Rafah could further destabilize Gaza. And in headlines: The New York judge overseeing Donald Trump’s criminal hush-money trial fined the former president another $1,000 for violating a gag order, Indiana holds its primary election today, and Conde Nast reached a tentative labor agreement with its unionized workers. Show Notes:
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| 12 Nov 2021 | The Read On Redistricting | 00:20:15 | |
The 2020 Census data and the redistricting that comes after will have big implications for who gets represented and who gets to stay in power for the next decade. The debate over redrawing maps is currently being worked out in key states such as Florida, South Carolina, and Maryland. Michael Li, senior counsel for the Brennan Center’s Democracy Program, joins us. And in headlines: nearly one million 5- to 11-year-olds have received COVID vaccines in the last week, Belarus’ autocratic leader Alexander Lukashenko threatened to cut off gas supplies to Europe, and a federal appeals court granted former President Trump a temporary victory yesterday. Show Notes: Brennan Center: “The Redistricting Landscape, 2021–22” – https://bit.ly/3aHoqcP Ballotpedia: “The latest state, congressional redistricting news” – https://bit.ly/3oo7Vsg For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday
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| 15 Oct 2020 | Rotten To The Court | 00:22:38 | |
Amy Coney Barrett appeared for her last day of Senate questioning yesterday and gave more evasive non-responses. Today is the final day of the hearings, and will feature witness testimony on Barrett’s nomination. Brian Fallon is the executive director of Demand Justice, a group which pushes for progressive structural reforms and political hardball when it comes to the judiciary. We spoke to him about Barrett’s confirmation and what Democrats need to do differently to fix the courts. And in headlines: 5.2 million people in the country won’t be able to vote because of felony convictions, Europe faces a second wave of Covid-19, and a major scandal in the Federal Duck Stamp Contest. Plus, Crooked's own Erin Ryan fills in for Akilah Hughes.
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| 16 Jan 2020 | Lev Parnas Alone! | 00:16:53 | |
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| 03 Aug 2022 | Yes We Kansas | 00:22:55 | |
Abortion access in Kansas will be preserved because yesterday the state overwhelmingly voted against a referendum designed to open the door to abortion bans. Meanwhile, the Justice Department sued Idaho on Tuesday over that state’s abortion law — the first lawsuit filed against a state’s anti-abortion law by the Biden administration since the Supreme Court overturned Roe. California declared a state of emergency on Monday to combat the outbreak of monkeypox. New York and Illinois have done the same, along with the cities of New York and San Francisco. And in headlines: the Senate passed the PACT Act, the defamation trial against InfoWars host Alex Jones continues, and the U.S. imposed more sanctions on Russian individuals and companies. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 02 Oct 2024 | VP Debate: Vance and Walz Agree to Disagree? | 00:23:11 | |
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance met Tuesday for the first and only vice presidential debate ahead of the November election. It’s also likely to be the final debate for both campaigns, making it one of the last big moments before voters decide who will take over the White House. The two men kept things pretty civil over their 90 minutes on stage, and neither committed the kind of egregious error that could hurt their respective tickets. WAD host Jane Coaston recaps the highlights with longtime Washington reporter Todd Zwillich. Later in the show, she’s joined by ‘Pod Save America’ co-host Tommy Vietor for more analysis. Show Notes:
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| 19 Jan 2021 | Executive Order Up | 00:20:16 | |
Over the weekend, Biden’s team announced the president-elect’s agenda for the first ten days of his term, plus a dozen or so executive actions Biden intends to sign on Inauguration Day. We discuss. Tomorrow's inauguration will have a massive security presence, with tens of thousands of National Guard troops headed to DC. Across the country, authorities continue to arrest people who participated in the January 6th attack, and states remain on high alert for any violent demonstrations. And in headlines: misinformation down on social media following Trump’s ban, Samsung’s chief is headed to prison again, and a pandemic-defining relationship comes to an end as Affleck and de Armas break up.
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| 14 Mar 2024 | The Fight For Reparations Gains Real Momentum | 00:20:09 | |
Americans have considered the idea of reparations for more than a century, but there’s real momentum around the movement to make it happen right now. Multiple states and localities have launched studies into doing it and California has even introduced legislation. We’ll talk to Pulitzer Prize and Emmy Award-winning journalist Trymaine Lee whose podcast “Uncounted Millions” looks at ways reparations could reshape the lives of the descendants of formerly enslaved people. And in headlines: The House overwhelmingly passed a bill to ban TikTok from U.S. app stores unless it splits from its China-based owner, a Georgia judge tossed six charges in Trump’s election interference case, and New Orleans rats are breaking into police headquarters to munch down on confiscated weed. Show Notes:
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| 15 Nov 2022 | Academic Workers Of The World Unite | 00:18:55 | |
48,000 academic workers across the University of California’s 10 campuses walked off the job on Monday in the nation’s largest strike of the year. Labor historian and UCLA professor Toby Higbie tells us how we got here and what’s at stake. As winter approaches, experts are warning of a “tripledemic” of RSV, COVID, and the flu. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, host of Crooked’s “America Dissected,” explains why it’s happening, and what you can do to protect yourself and your community. And in headlines: a shooting at the University of Virginia left three people dead, Google agreed to a $392 million settlement over deceptive location tracking practices, and Amazon plans to lay off thousands of employees. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 14 Dec 2024 | What Happens When Rebels Take Over Your Country? | 00:29:50 | |
It’s been a week since Syrian rebels overtook the country’s capital and forced out the longtime dictator, Bashar al-Assad. This has all been a long time coming, but now a lot is happening very quickly. In this week’s How We Got Here, Max takes a look at the handful of other countries whose governments have also been overthrown by rebels to understand what it means for Syria that the guys with guns are now in control. Will they be tolerant and pluralistic — or despotic and cruel? Will they govern wisely or capriciously? How will they align Syria within the politics of the Middle East, and what will that mean for the rest of the world? | |||
| 17 Nov 2020 | Midnight Train To The Senate | 00:18:54 | |
Pharmaceutical company Moderna announced yesterday that its vaccine is 94.5% effective, according to early data. This comes after Pfizer's announcement last week and raises the prospects that two vaccines could cleared for use on a limited basis by the end of the year. With two senate runoffs set for January, all eyes are on Georgia. We talk about the candidates, the issues, and the organizers animating the race. And in headlines: more than 92,000 people have filed abuse claims against the Boy Scouts, “Stop The Steal” lawsuits stopped in four states, and more on this weekend’s NASA-SpaceX launch. Show Links: Sign up to Adopt Georgia: votesaveamerica.com/georgia Donate to Warnock & Ossoff: votesaveamerica.com/getmitch Donate to grassroots organizations in Georgia: votesave.us/everylastvote
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| 03 Jan 2023 | 2023 And Me | 00:20:15 | |
For our first episode of 2023, we talk about the big stories our hosts are watching this year. Stories include: the ongoing war in Ukraine, the effort to reform America’s childcare system, the release of some potentially game-changing films, and the ongoing battle over President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 07 Apr 2025 | Massive Crowds Tell Trump 'Hands Off' My Government | 00:25:19 | |
Hundreds of thousands people across the country spent part of their Saturday at ‘Hands Off’ rallies to protest President Donald Trump and his administration. Organizers say there were more than 1,300 rallies scheduled, from Portland, Maine, to San Diego, California. But while progressives and liberals pretty much agree on what we’re against, we've been struggling to figure out what, exactly, are we for? And if Democrats are the party that believes governance is good, why aren’t the outcomes better? Marc Dunkelman, the author of the new book ‘Why Nothing Works,’ joins us to answer some of those questions. And in headlines: A judge ordered the Trump administration to return a man wrongfully deported to El Salvador, a second unvaccinated child in Texas has died of measles, and TikTok lives to see another day in the U.S. Show Notes:
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| 08 Jan 2024 | Boeing Troubles Take Off | 00:16:56 | |
The Federal Aviation Administration ordered the inspection of 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 planes after a panel blew out of an Alaska Airlines plane mid-flight on Friday. No serious injuries were immediately reported, but this isn’t the first time a Boeing plane raised passenger safety concerns. At least nine Palestinians including a young child were killed in the West Bank on Sunday. And on Saturday, the Israeli military said that the remaining Hamas fighters in northern Gaza were no longer “under an organized military command,” according to the New York Times. Meanwhile, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon escalated in recent days, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in the region for the fifth time since October 7th. And in headlines: Congressional leaders reached a deal to potentially avoid a partial government shutdown, the Pentagon faced backlash for taking three days to inform the White House of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s hospitalization, and the Golden Globes and the first installment of the Emmy Awards took place over the weekend. Show Notes:
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| 07 Jul 2022 | The Victims Of The July 4th Highland Park Shooting | 00:20:41 | |
During an Independence Day parade this Monday, a 21-year-old man in Highland Park, Illinois shot and killed at least seven people and injured many more. We discuss the latest developments and the stories of the victims, who ranged in age from 8 to 88 years old. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Mississippi abortion provider at the center of the case that brought down Roe, officially closed its doors after a judge refused to block the state's trigger law from going into effect. Laurie Bertram Roberts, co-founder and executive director of the Mississippi Reproductive Freedom Fund, joins us to discuss what comes next. And in headlines: A Georgia grand jury subpoenaed seven of Donald Trump’s close allies, the Justice Department sued the state of Arizona over its new voting law, and several members of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government resigned. Show Notes:
Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/ | |||
| 31 Jan 2020 | News Kids On The Medicaid Block Grant | 00:23:00 | |
The Trump administration unveiled a new Medicaid plan, which gives states the opportunity to convert part of the public insurance system into block grants. This so called “Healthy Adult Opportunity” could end up reducing health care benefits. Unless the 51 GOP senators get swapped for other, better senators, today is the day that the impeachment will either draw to a close, or get pretty close to it. It was kinda fun while it lasted. We discuss some of the lowlights from the past few days of the trial. And in headlines: life expectancy goes up, Virginia gun laws, Trump’s dead bird and explosion legacy. Plus, Hysteria’s Erin Ryan fills in for Akilah!
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| 21 Aug 2020 | The Dude Abidens | 00:17:35 | |
Last night was the final night of the DNC, featuring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, former 2020 presidential candidates, and most notably, Joe Biden’s acceptance speech. In a stark contrast to his campaign thus far, Biden barely mentioned Trump by name, talking instead about the enormity of the situation America faces. The state of Michigan announced a $600 million fund to compensate Flint residents who were harmed by lead-tainted drinking water. This fund comes after years of litigation and more than 18 months of negotiation. And in headlines: 1.1 million people filed for unemployment this week, a former USPS Board of Governors member reveals how Louis DeJoy got his Louis DeJob, and boat-man Steve Bannon gets arrested.
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| 20 Mar 2024 | Netanyahu Insists on Rafah Offensive Despite Biden's Warning | 00:13:31 | |
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday reiterated his plans to do exactly what President Joe Biden keeps advising him not to do: launch a ground offensive into the crowded city of Rafah in southern Gaza. Netanyahu’s comments came after Biden directly warned him against it in a phone call, their first in more than a month. Netanyahu insists a ground offensive in Rafah is the only way to eliminate Hamas, despite the fact that more than a million displaced Palestinians are sheltering there. And in headlines: Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown will face Bernie Moreno, a Trump-backed businessman, in the November election; a new report says the number of abortions in the US topped 1 million for the first time in more than a decade; and a nonprofit canceled its annual Ruth Bader Ginsberg Leadership Award gala after it came under fire for nominating… Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch? Show Notes:
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| 15 Mar 2023 | Big Trouble In North Carolina | 00:18:51 | |
The Pentagon says two Russian fighter jets hit an American surveillance drone over the Black Sea, forcing it to crash into international water. It’s the first known instance of the two countries making contact since the invasion of Ukraine, which U.S. officials warned could lead to a dangerous escalation. North Carolina’s state Supreme Court is rehearing a gerrymandering case that could have major impacts on future elections. The court’s new Republican majority seems ready to reverse an earlier decision that rejected state voting maps that heavily favored GOP candidates. And in headlines: the Justice Department and the SEC have reportedly launched investigations into the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, Ohio’s Attorney General sued Norfolk Southern Railway over the East Palestine derailment, and an eleventh atmospheric river storm system hit California. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 18 Jul 2022 | Nearly 400 Cops Failed At Uvalde | 00:18:44 | |
None of the 400 law enforcement officials on location at the Uvalde mass school shooting in May did anything for over an hour to stop the gunman who eventually killed 21 people, mostly children. That’s according to a new report released by Texas officials on Sunday. Patients around the country are reportedly having medical care delayed or denied over concerns from doctors and hospitals. Those providers fear that treating some pregnancy-related medical emergencies would run afoul of the abortion bans that have gone into effect after Roe v. Wade was overturned. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 10 Mar 2025 | Trump, Musk, The Shutdown — And You | 00:23:32 | |
Will the government shut down this week? That's the big question rocking Washington right now. House Republicans floated a plan over the weekend that would boost funding for the Pentagon and deportations while cutting billions in non-defense spending. Democrats say they're a 'no' on that. But with slim margins in both the House and the Senate, some level of bipartisan support is necessary to keep the lights on. Nicholas Wu, who covers Congress for Politico, explains why there's a 50/50 chance the government stays open past Friday. And in headlines: The Trump administration cancels $400 million in federal grants for Columbia University, Syria sees its worst violence since the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, and staff at the Health and Human Services Department have been offered up to $25,000 to resign from their jobs. Show Notes:
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| 26 Mar 2020 | What's In The Rescue Bill With Sen. Sherrod Brown | 00:24:00 | |
The senate approved a nearly $2 trillion relief package to respond to the coronavirus pandemic yesterday, after a day of delays and a lot of debate. We discuss what made it into the bill and what didn’t with Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown. And in headlines: three states restrict abortion access during Covid-19, everyone’s getting a pandemic pet, and Dr. Dre and Mister Rogers get recognized by the Library of Congress.
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| 01 Jun 2021 | Revisiting Our Favorite Conversations on Coronavirus | 00:17:22 | |
The past year and more were filled with extreme ups and extreme downs, and as we reflect on that time, we’re looking back on some conversations that moved us, informed us, and made us smile. Today’s show includes interviews with 6th grade special education teacher Monice Seward, NIAID director Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Sana Khan, a student of public health at the University of Arizona. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday.
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| 02 Jun 2021 | Variants Are All Greek Letters To Me | 00:17:21 | |
As most of the U.S. prepares to reopen by the end of this month, a World Health Organization official warned, “It would be a monumental error for any country to think the danger has passed.” Peru recently reported that COVID deaths in the country are almost triple than what was previously reported. Plus, the WHO moved to rename variants using letters of the Greek alphabet in part to remove the stigma from countries where they were first identified. Joe Biden became the first president to commemorate the massacre of Black residents in Tulsa’s Greenwood District on its 100th anniversary. He used the event to propose a wide-ranging plan to narrow the racial wealth gap. And in headlines: Canada reckons with its history of residential schools, a ransomware attack holds the world’s beef hostage, and theatre-going roars back with “A Quiet Place Part 2.” For a transcript of this show, please visit crooked.com/whataday.
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| 03 Jun 2021 | The Crisis In Ethiopia With Nima Elbagir | 00:18:04 | |
Yesterday, the U.S., Canada, and a number of European countries called for a ceasefire in Ethiopia, where government forces have targeted an ethnic group called Tigrayans with horrific attacks that have been described with elements of a "genocide." Reports have suggested that millions of people have been displaced with an unknown number killed. We spoke with Nima Elbagir, a senior international correspondent at CNN, about the ongoing crisis in the country. And in headlines: opposition leaders agreed to form a coalition to lead Israel, a cargo ship burns and sinks in Sri Lanka, and NASA will send spaceships to Venus. Show Notes: CNN: Nima Elbagir's coverage of Ethiopia – https://www.cnn.com/profiles/nima-elbagir How to help those in Ethiopia:
For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday.
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| 04 Dec 2023 | Hundreds Dead In Gaza After Truce Ends | 00:20:03 | |
Hundreds of Palestinians were killed since fighting resumed after a weeklong truce between Israel and Hamas ended Friday morning. Israeli officials are also preparing for a ground invasion of the south of Gaza, and they ordered more residents to evacuate the area on Sunday. Meanwhile, it appears too soon to tell if negotiations for another truce will resume. And in headlines: the Supreme Court will hear arguments over the legality of a $6 billion Purdue Pharma bankruptcy plan, oil companies at the COP28 summit agreed to slash methane emissions, and Oxford’s 2023 Word of the Year is “rizz.” Show Notes:
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| 04 Jun 2021 | Stonk If You Love AMC | 00:14:36 | |
President Biden had hoped to have 70 percent of adults in the U.S. vaccinated with at least one shot by Independence Day, and we’re close to hitting that goal. Biden also elaborated on his plan to share 80 million vaccine doses by the end of the month, with the first batch of doses headed for South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. This was another banner week in the world of meme stocks, or stocks that have surged in value thanks to attention from retail investors on the Internet. We walk through what went on with AMC, and how the company is responding. Plus, we’re joined by comedian and actress Aparna Nancherla for headlines: Donald Jr. is on Cameo, two kids drive a car to see dolphins, and fifteen elephants are on a mysterious journey in China. Show Notes: NYT: "See How Vaccinations Are Going in Your County and State" – https://nyti.ms/2TK5k0d For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday.
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| 14 Sep 2022 | No Vacation From Inflation | 00:23:59 | |
The latest Consumer Price Index report caught investors off-guard Tuesday, after it showed that inflation in August didn't cool off as much as economists had hoped. The disappointing news plunged the stock market to its worst day since June 2020. The midterm elections are coming up, and we're here to help you WAD The Vote. Crooked's Jon Favreau joins us to discuss what’s at stake in November. And in headlines: jurors began deliberations in R. Kelly’s federal sex crimes trial, athletes can now register as nonbinary for the Boston Marathon, and the NBA suspended Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver following allegations of racism and misogyny. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 14 Jul 2023 | Opill Goes OTC | 00:18:29 | |
The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved the first over-the-counter birth control pill in the United States. The landmark move could help make contraception more accessible across the country at a time when access to birth control and abortion is being restricted. The Federal Trade Commission has opened an investigation into OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. In a 20-page demand letter sent to the company this week, the FTC said it was investigating if OpenAI “engaged in unfair or deceptive practices” that could harm consumers, including reputational harm. And in headlines: Hollywood actors are officially on strike, Fox News is facing a new defamation lawsuit from a Trump supporter who attended the January 6th riots, and a group of families and doctors are suing Texas over the state’s new law banning gender-affirming care for minors. Show notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram –https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 25 Mar 2025 | Sec. Pete Hegseth Is In My DMs | 00:22:19 | |
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin has been busy since assuming office earlier this year. Zeldin's been pushing President Donald Trump's climate agenda by rolling back Biden-era climate protections, deregulating businesses, and cutting staff at the agency. Former EPA Administrator and White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy joins us to discuss how states and cities are stepping up to protect their communities and the planet. And in headlines: A reporter claimed that Trump administration officials disclosed war plans in a group chat on the messaging app Signal, the Supreme Court rejects challenge to a landmark freedom of the press case, and President Trump announced Susan Monarez as his nominee to lead the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Show Notes:
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| 21 Aug 2024 | "Do Something": How Stacey Abrams And Organizers On The Left Are Mobilizing In 2024 | 00:22:48 | |
Tuesday night’s DNC turned into a raucous celebration as delegates from each state showed off their local pride while casting their votes for Vice President Kamala Harris. Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama headlined the night’s speeches, capping an exciting night for the party. But to win in November, Democrats will need to mobilize voters while also combating a slate of new voter suppression policies enacted by Republicans since the 2020 election. Stacey Abrams, a former Georgia lawmaker and voting rights activist — and host of the new Crooked podcast ‘Assembly Required' — joins us from the DNC to talk about the voting rights fight ahead. Meanwhile, DNC organizers granted more than 200 content creators and influencers special access to the convention this year. Their presence speaks to the power of social media in the world of political messaging, especially with young voters. Show Notes:
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| 24 Feb 2023 | A Year Of War and Loss In Ukraine | 00:23:39 | |
Today marks the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Rolling Stone correspondent Jack Crosbie joins us from Kyiv to reflect on his time covering the conflict. We also check in with Julia Knyupa, a Ukrainian refugee who fled the country on the first day of the invasion, about how her life has changed. And in headlines: federal safety investigators said there was little warning before the Ohio train derailment, R&B singer R. Kelly received more prison time for child sex abuse, and Tennessee could become the first state to ban drag performances. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 07 Apr 2021 | Senate Parliamentarian Funkadelic | 00:15:47 | |
Senate Democrats got the green light to pass more bills with a simple majority vote. On Monday, the Senate’s parliamentarian ruled that the Dems can pass more budget reconciliation bills this year — the same process they used for the relief bill. We explain what this means. President Biden wants states to make all adults eligible for vaccines by April 19th. The new date is two weeks sooner than his previous goal. And in headlines: St. Louis jail uprising, Iran and the US take steps to resume nuclear deal, and Kim Kardashian West becomes a billionaire. Follow What A Day on Instagram at instagram.com/whataday For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday.
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| 21 Sep 2024 | Why Climate Groups Are Optimistic about Kamala | 00:29:39 | |
Kamala has offered very few details on her climate and energy plans while openly promoting American fossil fuel production. Yet a lot of climate and environmental groups seem to adore her. What’s going on here?! Max and Erin explain how, even though Harris might sound pretty moderate on the campaign trail, Biden has actually tilted the energy economy so heavily that she’s set up for success. What’s Harris’ strategy in showcasing fracking? How can she weild the Supreme Court in her favor? And, at this point, is just being “good” on climate change really enough? | |||
| 13 Jul 2022 | COVID Burnout Notice | 00:20:00 | |
As the U.S. sees another rise in COVID cases, White House officials are working to give all adults access to a second vaccine booster shot. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, an epidemiologist and host of Crooked’s “America Dissected,” tells us what we need to know about the Omicron sub-variants driving the current surge in cases. And in headlines: California residents can now sue gun companies when their products cause harm, Twitter officially sued Elon Musk, and this year’s Emmy nominations were announced. Show Notes: Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee
Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 28 Jun 2024 | Debate Night: What A Disaster | 00:29:20 | |
Well… that happened. In the first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle, President Biden failed to ease concerns about his age, igniting panic among Democrats. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump blustered his way through lie after lie with little pushback and once again refused to say whether he would accept the election results. Grace Panetta, politics reporter for The 19th, and Gerren Keith Gaynor, White House correspondent and managing editor of politics at The Grio, join Tre’vell Anderson to break down the highlights — and the many, many lowlights — of last night’s debate.
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| 07 Mar 2024 | Progressives Explain What They Want Out Of Biden's Big Speech | 00:18:47 | |
President Biden delivers his third State of the Union address Thursday night ahead of this November’s election. Part of the challenge for Biden is to show voters that he’s still got the energy for another four year term. But he also has to motivate his base, including progressives who are following his campaign with varying amounts of enthusiasm. Activists and organizers across the country told us about the issues they’re most concerned about, and what they want Biden to say when he steps up to the podium. And in headlines: Nikki Haley cedes the Republican primary race to Trump, a Russian missile hits near the President of Ukraine, and a Texas company says it’s one step closer to bringing back woolly mammoths. Show Notes:
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| 01 Feb 2023 | COVID Is Over! (If You Want) | 00:20:56 | |
The Biden administration announced it will end the national and public health emergency declarations for COVID on May 11th, marking a new phase in the government’s response to the pandemic. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, host of Crooked’s “America Dissected” podcast, tells us about the potential health care consequences of the decision, and the benefits that will likely cease later this year. And in headlines: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the occupied West Bank, the I.M.F. released a slightly more optimistic report for the global economy, and House Republican George Santos said he plans to temporarily step down from his committee assignments. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit | |||
| 03 Aug 2024 | Kamala Harris' Time As DA: Cop or Progressive? | 00:30:55 | |
When then-Sen. Kamala Harris ran for president in the 2020 election, progressive activists quickly labeled her a “cop,” a reference to her time as the district attorney of San Francisco. Activists argued that being a D.A. was an inherently pro-police, pro-prisons job — a charge Harris hasn’t always shied away from in her political career. To get a sense of how Harris’ past has shaped the politician she’s become, Max and Josie examine her time as the San Francisco D.A., and later the attorney general of California. They explore key moments in her career, like when she opted not to seek the death penalty against a man who killed a police officer, to get a sense of her instincts and thinking about criminal justice more broadly. They come out the other side of the conversation with something hard to come by in politics these days: nuance. | |||
| 03 Jun 2020 | Presidential Insurrection | 00:17:02 | |
Trump’s threat to deploy military to states to help squash unrest would require him to use the Insurrection Act of 1807. We discuss that law’s history and whether Trump would need support from governors to invoke it. Former VP Joe Biden spoke on Monday, discussing inequality, racial injustice, and calling for unity. Biden is now proposing federal legislation to reform police, and has committed to addressing institutional racism if elected. And in headlines: Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg doubles down on allowing Trump’s terrible posts, Australia’s PM calls for an investigation into US police violence towards reporters, and Fuller House explains a distinct lack of Aunt Becky.
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| 04 Oct 2023 | Kevin Knows I'm Miserable Now | 00:20:10 | |
In an unprecedented move led by far-right Republicans, Kevin McCarthy was voted out of his job as Speaker of the House. He later said he would not seek the position again, leaving the House GOP fractured and scrambling to find a new leader for their slim majority. The Supreme Court heard arguments in a major case against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The fate of the agency, which was created in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, is on the line – though the justices appeared skeptical of the argument brought by payday lenders. And in headlines: Donald Trump was hit with a gag order in his civil fraud trial, Tennessee state Rep. Justin Jones filed a federal lawsuit against leaders of the state’s House of Representatives, and the entire run of “Mean Girls” is now on TikTok. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 24 Jul 2023 | The Far Right's Not Alright | 00:18:10 | |
Israel’s parliament is set to vote today on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to reform the country’s judicial system. Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets across Israel to protest the proposal, saying that it threatens the country’s democratic foundation. Voters in Spain cast their ballots in what was arguably one of the most important elections in that country in years. Though no single party captured an outright majority, the results defied expectations that Spain’s far-right would secure a role in government for the first time in decades. And in headlines: Russian airstrikes damaged a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Ukrainian city of Odesa, wildfires burning on the Greek island of Rhodes forced tens of thousands of evacuations, and the Barbie movie made box office history on its opening weekend. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 11 Aug 2022 | The 45th Pleads The 5th | 00:18:27 | |
Former President Donald Trump pleaded the Fifth Amendment during depositions for the civil case against him by New York state. The strategy could be advantageous for him since anything revealed could be used in the criminal case against Trump by Manhattan’s District Attorney. Jury selection began Wednesday in Vanessa Bryant’s lawsuit against Los Angeles County. Vanessa Bryant is the widow of Kobe Bryant and the mother of Gianna Bryant, both of whom were killed in a helicopter crash in January of 2020. The suit claims that her rights were violated when some of the first responders, most notably L.A. Sheriff’s deputies, shared pictures of her family’s bodies. And in headlines: Biden expands health care benefits for veterans, Sierra Leone imposes a nationwide curfew after deadly anti-government protests, and Elon Musk sells $7 billion in Tesla stock ahead of his Twitter trial. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whataday/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 12 Dec 2024 | How Senate Dems Can Fight feat Sen. Tammy Baldwin | 00:25:32 | |
We are just 39 days away from President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. But Democrats are still trying to figure out what went wrong in 2024, and how to fix it before 2026. Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin breaks down why she thinks she won re-election in a swing state, in which Trump also won, and how Democrats are approaching the president-elect's cabinet picks. Later in the show, Politico senior defense correspondent Conner O'Brien explains what's actually in the big defense bill House lawmakers passed Wednesday. And in headlines: FBI Director Christopher Wray says he will resign when President Joe Biden leaves office in January, Grocery store chain Albertsons called off its merger with fellow mega grocer Kroger, and a federal judge in Texas put a stop to the sale of Alex Jones's Infowars to the Onion. Show Notes:
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| 05 May 2023 | The Dishonorable Clarence Thomas | 00:25:37 | |
On Thursday, four members of the Proud Boys – including former leader Enrique Tarrio – were convicted of seditious conspiracy for their role in the January 6th riot. The trial was the last of three sedition cases brought by the Justice Department against key figures in the insurrection. Another report from ProPublica is raising questions about ethical standards for the Supreme Court. The independent newsroom found that billionaire Harlan Crow paid the boarding school tuition for Justice Clarence Thomas' grandnephew – which Thomas did not disclose. And in headlines: thousands of teachers in Oakland, California are striking for better pay, Republican lawmakers in North Carolina approved a 12-week abortion ban, and hundreds of pounds of pasta were found dumped in the woods outside a New Jersey town. Show Notes:
Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday | |||
| 17 Jan 2020 | The Florida Voter Suppression Project | 00:16:03 | |
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| 04 Dec 2024 | Will Supreme Court Uphold A Trans Youth Healthcare Ban? | 00:20:09 | |
The Supreme Court will hear a landmark case over trans rights today. In U.S. v. Skrmetti, the justices will weigh the constitutionality of a 2023 Tennessee law that bans gender-affirming care for trans minors. A group of families, a doctor, the Biden Administration, and civil rights groups are challenging the law. Sruti Swaminathan, a staff attorney for the ACLU’s LGBTQ and HIV project, talks about what’s at stake in the case. And in headlines: South Korean President Yoon Suk Seoul reversed his earlier decision to declare martial law, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested he’s open to negotiating a peace deal with Russia, and Iowa officials sued the Biden administration to get the citizenship status of more than 2,000 registered voters. Show Notes:
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| 14 Dec 2023 | The Difference Between Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism | 00:21:07 | |
The Supreme Court on Wednesday announced that it will hear a case challenging the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the commonly used abortion medication mifepristone. The justices also agreed to review the scope of an obstruction law that has been applied to hundreds of felony prosecutions of insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol on January 6th. Last week, the House passed a resolution that equated anti-Zionism with antisemitism. And on Wednesday, the House voted to pass a resolution condemning antisemitism on college campuses. We’re joined by Beth Miller from Jewish Voice for Peace to learn more about the difference between antisemitism and anti-Zionism. And in headlines: House Republicans voted to formally open an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, nearly 200 countries at the COP28 Summit agreed to transition away from fossil fuels, and Tesla recalled nearly all two million of its vehicles in the U.S. Show Notes: What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast | |||