Alex Kopytko is a centrist that wants to understand the extremes. He is concerned about where the United States is headed and through conversations with people from all sides of the political spectrum, he wants to know how Americans can limit the tribalism that is flourishing. As a ”skeptical Republican”, Alex thinks the country needs to come together and talk to one another before it could be too late. This podcast covers domestic politics, as well as political philosophy, and international issues.
In this episode, Alex talks about how Donald Trump seems to be a soccer fan and why the 2026 FIFA World Cup is a useful smokescreen for Trumpism. Trump seems to see hosting the World Cup as a weapon of soft power. Alex also talks about FIFA, anger in Europe, and why its president is buddying up to authoritarian leaders.
In this episode, talks about why you need a permit to drink beer in parts of India, why xAI's Grok is falling in love with Hitler, and about new Epstein/Trump conspiracies.
In this episode, Alex talks about Tulsi Gabbard flipping on everything after the strikes in Iran. He also talks about Zohran Mamdani's massive rise and whether he will help democrats or drag the party deeper into the wilderness. Then he talks about whether JD Vance memes and pictures of weed pipes can get you detained and sent back to your country. Finally, he talks about the Supreme Court's 11th hour decisions that include limits on nationwide injunctions, IDs to view porn, cuts to Planned Parenthood, and more. He asks his listeners, is SCOTUS bending the knee to Trump?
In this episode, Alex starts with a recap, going over the events that have occurred between Iran, Israel, and the United States over the last days. He talks about the so-called “ceasefire” and whether it will hold. He also talks about recent, preliminary, reports that show that the strikes may not have destroyed enough enriched uranium. Trump has told his base that the strikes were successful and Alex worries that Trump will now ignore intelligence that says the contrary. Could this change the course of the war and lead to unexpected consequences?
In this episode, Alex gives his initial reaction to the Trump Administration carrying out a large strike on three facilities in Iran that have been linked to enriching uranium to a level close to making a nuclear weapon. Alex is torn because he thinks that this may have been the right move, but the people that did it are careless and make have other motives. He also worries about the escalation this could bring and whether Israel tries to make this a regime change war.
In this episode, Alex talks about the recent escalation between Iran, Israel, and the United States. He also talks about how pizza delivery rates to the Pentagon probably don't, but could, foreshadow a war. Alex argues either way that wars are easy to start and hard to end.
In this episode, Alex talks about Spain's housing issues associated with over-tourism and short term rentals. Squirt guns have come to symbolize the anger locals have. Next, Alex talks about how Spain's far-right is taking advantage of a corruption scandal to attack the Spanish system. Finally, Alex reacts to Trump's sleepy parade.
In this episode, Alex is torn on what he feels about FIFA's Club World Cup. This is a new experiment that FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, hopes will expand the international soccer market and make FIFA more money. Alex talks about how players are exhausted and not excited about the cup, sponsors have pulled out, and Saudi money is infused in the broadcasting. Alex also notes that the cup is in the United States and the specter of Trump's immigration crackdowns lurks over it.
Alex talks about Israel striking Iran and he worries that Iran is actually closer to a nuclear weapon than before, even though he thinks Israel is pushing Iran further in that direction. He also talks about Trump officially announcing the end of FEMA. Alex also talks about RFK Jr. appointing Dr. Robert Malone as one of eight new members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. He fired the old 17 and is placing them with conspiracy cranks.
In this episode, Alex talks about why Trump deploying the military into Los Angeles is meant to create a pretext to crack down on local power in blue states. This is intended to cripple local politics, federalize law enforcement, and potentially find ways to keep republicans in power if it is threatened.
In this episode, fresh off of Spain's loss to Portugal, Alex does a brief episode talking about the riots in Los Angeles and why he thinks that the deportations were just a gateway drug into something deeper and that Trump/Stephen Miller are going after LA for a reason.
In this episode, Alex talks about how democracies such as Poland, the United States, Germany, Romania, and more, are facing an issue every election that makes reform and progress difficult. Basically, every election is now marketed as “existential” and this rhetoric makes it hard for pragmatic, incumbent leaders to get enough time to actually put forward long term policies. Alex talks about the doom spiral between populist elections, centrist oppositions, and the recent presidential election in Poland. Alex also talks about the Trump-Musk feud and why he thinks Musk has more to lose.
In this episode, Alex has part two of his conversation with Martin Benes. This part focuses on foreign policy, cracks in the Putin-Trump relationship, why confusion drives Trump's foreign policies, and much more. Also, Alex talks about why Kilmar Abrego Garcia is returning to the US and Germany building up its military to be the largest in Europe.
In this episode, Alex sits down with Martin Benes. In this recent iteration of their podcast series together they talk Champions League Soccer, how Xenon Gas got some wealthy tourists to the top of Everest in peak time, and the state of democracy. They focus on Biden's capacity to be president, Elon vs Trump, and much more.
In this episode, Alex starts by talking about the chaos in Paris and other French cities that has occurred over the last few days after Paris Saint-Germain won its first UCL. Alex talks about the phenomenon that occurs when a fanbase's team wins a championship. Later, Alex talks about the rise of antisemitism in the United States, the horrific attack last Sunday in Boulder, and why globalizing the intifada is dangerous.
In this episode of the Sunday Scaries, Alex embraces the heat and rants about PSG beating Inter Milan in the Champion's League Final. Then Alex talks about Ukraine's historic strike inside of Siberia that happened today. He wonders if this strike will force Russia to negotiate or call for a brutal response. Finally, Alex talks about TACO, “Trump Always Chickens Out.” It seems like Wall Street has finally realized that Trump always backs out of tariffs. Now financiers are buying the dip and making profits off of the inevitable rally. Alex talks about why it is dangerous to have a situation in which the elites profit off of the president's predictable instability.
Ukraine and Russia have exchanged prisoners after the meeting in Istanbul, but there are horrific reports of torture, brainwashing, and of Ukrainian soldiers forgetting about their lives in Ukraine. At the same time, Trump is in a (social media) war of words with Putin and Russia is now producing hundreds of drones a day. Alex talks about his worries.
In this episode, Alex talks about the Trump Administration's war on Harvard University. The administration has removed its tax-exempt status, is looking to vet the social media of international students, and has cut billions in grants and funding. Alex argues that this is shameful because part of America's success has been attracting the best and brightest from around the world.
In this episode, Alex starts by talking about why he thinks we are doomed. Tucker Carlson and others are giving weight to a new conspiracy about the “geophysical event” that combines climate denialism, anti-elitism, government skepticism, QAnon, and more. The event sounds like it is out of a Hollywood, apocalypse movie. Next, Trump is mad at Bruce Springsteen after comments he made at a concert in England and he is threatening to investigate the Boss. Alex talks about Trump's intimidation that is chilling for free speech. Finally, Alex talks about the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” that the House passed in the early morning. Many don't know what is in the bill, but it is clear that it will cut taxes for the wealthy, cut benefits for those in need, and spike deficits even more.
In this episode, Alex first reacts to the news that Joe Biden has an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Then he talks about the hearings the Supreme Court held on Thursday around Trump's executive order to overturn birthright citizenship. It seems like the justices don't find the administration's argument valid, but there is a debate over whether national injunctions should be used in matters like this. Alex dives into injunctions and why they are controversial and also important to prevent harm.
In this episode, Alex takes a deep dive into why Trump has recently threatened 100% tariffs on movies that are not filmed in the United States. He thinks this entire fiasco is a perfect metaphor surrounding why Trump thinks reviving dying industries and areas is important. Alex also talks about Moody's downgrading the U.S. credit rating.
In this episode, Alex talks about why Trump's trip to the Gulf States to meet with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Syria, shows that his foreign policy goals will be transactional and immoral. Next, Grok, the AI chatbot produced by Elon Musk's xAI, seems to be obsessed with South Africa and conspiracies about “white genocide.” Many are wondering if this is intentional. Finally, Stephen Miller thinks that the “emergency” at the Southern Border is enough for the administration to suspend Habeas Corpus. Alex argues that only Congress can suspend this action and also worries that people like Miller see this as a window of opportunity to suspend government overreach.
In this episode, Alex talks about how he is always disillusioned when he's heard people on the right say that Trump is shielded from being a corrupt president because of his net worth. These people say that Trump isn't worried about money and will fight for the American people. Alex argues that this is all BS and he has the proof — a $400 million plane (gift) from Qatar, a crypto scheme, hotel deals, and more show that Trump is openly corrupt and doesn't care.
In this Mother's Day episode of the Sunday Scaries, Alex starts by talking about Casey Means, Trump's pick to be the U.S. Surgeon General. Means is part of the MAHA movement, is a friend of RFK Jr., expresses vaccine skepticism, has no experience running a public health organization, and didn't even finish her residency to practice medicine. For the rest of the episode, Alex talks about the Narva Scenario (out of Estonia) which would be a nightmare for NATO. He then poses the question — is Putin preparing to strike a NATO country?
In this episode, Alex talks about why Trump has appointed the Fox News host and former lawyer, Jeanine Pirro, to the the attorney for Washington D.C. Many think she is unqualified but Alex thinks she is technically qualified but also radical and dangerous. Later, Alex talks about Robert Prevost becoming the first Pope to be from the United States. Pope Leo XIV has triggered MAGA and some think the picking of an American Pope signals that most of the world sees that America is in decline.
In this episode, Alex focuses on Israel's new troubling plan for Gaza, but he also zooms out and talks about why there is a Trumpian shadow looming over this. We are finding out that Trumpian diplomacy involves big promises, failing to deliver on those promises, losing interest, and emboldening the bad guy. We have seen that in Israel and Ukraine so far.
In this episode, Alex talks about how Darren Beattie, a senior official at the Department of State has used government data to create a list of people in the agency that have been in contact with public figures critical of Trump/MAGA. Alex talks about how Beattie's actions mirror those of Elon Musk when he green lit the “Twitter Files.”
Mike Waltz has been demoted from National Security Advisor to the Ambassador to the United Nations. Alex gets over his Schadenfreude to talk about why Waltz was probably the most reasonable person we will get and why this demotion is a perfect metaphor for why the Trump Administration is engulfed in chaos.
Some are applauding Trump's recent mineral deal with Ukraine but Alex argues that it is not only exploitative of Ukrainian resources during a tough time, but it also will limit the country from embracing green technology. Alex then talks about the economy, stagnation, contractions, and why Trump will always blame Biden.
In this episode, Alex reminds listeners that Project 2025 exists alongside the chaos of DOGE. As Elon Musk is distancing himself from Trump, it is time for Project 2025 to make things worse. He talks about Schedule F ruining the civil service, AmeriCorps cuts that may rock civil society, worrying cuts to climate research, and more.
In this episode, Alex goes over a myriad series of events happening around that world that trouble him, especially as the State Department is making cuts and Pete Hegseth is drunk texting war plans.
In this episode, Alex watches the sunset and talks about the sun setting on stability and norms as the Pentagon is in dysfunction.
In this episode, Alex sits in his car (again) with a beautiful and positive view while he talks about some dark events going on around the world. First, it looks like Donald Trump and Marco Rubio want to force Ukraine to make a peace deal with Russia ASAP or they will clean their hands of all parts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Later, Alex talks about why countries like Costa Rica and Nicaragua are about to see an immigration/humanitarian crisis. This is because migrants seeking asylum in the US are being deterred by the deportations and hostility to foreigners and are heading south.
In this episode, Alex focuses on the Trump Administration needing to convince the public that its mass deportation campaign is happening. Though it has deported high profile individuals, deportations are down from 2024. Congress is likely to pass a bill that would nearly double ICE's budget over the next decade and it looks like the entity wants to deport way more people. The acting ICE director has said that they want to privatize some aspects of deportations and compared the reforms to Amazon Prime but “with people.”
In this episode, Alex talks about Katy Perry (and others) going into “space” for about ten minutes. Then he talks about the prices, heat, traffic, and payment plans that plagued this year's Coachella events. For the rest of the episode, Alex talks about why the Trump Administration is on a collision course with the Supreme Court. A district court ordered the administration to return Abrego Garcia, the man wrongfully deported to CECOT in El Salvador. But after Trump met with President Bukele in the Oval Office, the administration has decided to side with Bukele and is not pursuing his release and return. Alex worries that Trump is defying the courts and is setting a dangerous precedent.
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