Off the Record with Paul Hodes

Republican strategist Matt Wylie looks at the new midterm fundraising numbers and says it out loud: "We're getting our butt kicked out there." This week on Political Rehab: Trump's primetime election bombshell, JD Vance's explosive Joe Rogan interview, the DSA platform that has Fox News thrilled, the GOP civil war over ICE, and the fundraising numbers turning Texas, Georgia, Ohio, and North Carolina into real Democratic opportunities.Matt Robison (former Democratic Hill staffer) and Matt Wylie (Republican strategist) break down the week's biggest political stories — plus their weekly Battlefield midterm scoreboard and a Dose of Hope segment busting two myths about daylight saving time.TOPICS COVERED:

The conversation explores one central question: What should ordinary people do when a government begins crossing moral lines? Matt Robison sits down with Gal Beckerman of The Atlantic to discuss his powerful new book How to Be a Dissident—drawing lessons from Václav Havel, Alexei Navalny, Hannah Arendt, Nelson Mandela, the Civil Rights Movement, Soviet dissidents, and more.This isn't a conversation about performative outrage or easy answers. It's about the difficult moral choices every democracy eventually asks of its citizens:• When should you resist?• What kinds of resistance actually matter?• Is protest enough?• Does political satire accomplish anything?• How do ordinary people find the courage to stand up to power?Whether you agree or disagree with every conclusion, this discussion explores one of the defining questions of our time.Subscribe for more conversations about democracy, politics, elections, and the future of America.Substack:https://worthknowing.substack.comYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@WorthKnowingwithMattRobisonChapters00:00 Introduction: When Government Turns Evil04:05 Why Gal Beckerman wrote How to Be a Dissident05:20 Do Americans need dissidents today?08:15 The nightmare that inspired the book10:00 When do you decide to resist?12:00 Hannah Arendt and moral courage15:00 Milgram, Stanford Prison & conformity18:00 Why dissent begins with standing alone20:20 The surprising traits real dissidents share22:00 Why being loud isn't enough24:00 Do protests actually accomplish anything?26:00 Political humor vs. authoritarianism29:00 Truth, lies, and fact-checking dictators35:00 Havel vs. Kundera: What really changes history?37:00 The power of bearing witness40:00 MLK, LBJ, and why successful movements need both insiders and outsiders42:00 The Children's Crusade and strategic moral risk46:00 Israel, Gaza, and personal moral responsibility47:45 The hardest question: "What are you prepared to do?"50:00 Living a meaningful life through moral choices52:00 Closing thoughtsKeywordsauthoritarianism, democracy, resisting authoritarianism, Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, How to Be a Dissident, Donald Trump, democracy in America, political resistance, authoritarian government, civil rights movement, Václav Havel, Alexei Navalny, Hannah Arendt, Nelson Mandela, Soviet dissidents, political courage, moral courage, democratic backsliding, constitutional democracy, political philosophy, American politics, Matt Robison, Worth KnowingHashtags#Politics #Democracy #Authoritarianism #Trump #GalBeckerman #TheAtlantic #WorthKnowing #Resistance #DemocracyMatters #PoliticalDiscussion #CurrentEvents #MattRobison

Lindsey Graham's death has instantly reshaped the fight for the U.S. Senate. In this emergency live discussion, Matt Robison is joined by Republican strategist Matt Wylie and Blue Amp Media's Cliff Schecter to break down what happens next in South Carolina, how the appointment process works, whether Republicans could suddenly have another competitive Senate race on their hands, and why the ripple effects could extend all the way to Maine, Kentucky, Michigan, and control of the Senate.They also examine:• Who Governor Henry McMaster is most likely to appoint• Whether Nancy Mace would strengthen—or endanger—Republican chances• Why Democrats quietly believe the Senate map continues improving• The latest on the Graham Platner fallout in Maine• Mitch McConnell's continued absence and the political consequences• Why the SAVE Act suddenly becomes even more important• The Republican and Democratic strategies insiders are discussing behind closed doorsThis conversation goes well beyond the headlines to explain what campaign professionals are actually seeing inside both parties.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Emergency live reaction01:00 Immediate political impact in South Carolina03:20 Cliff Schecter on Lindsey Graham's legacy06:55 Working with Graham behind the scenes09:05 SAVE Act implications10:25 Who could replace Lindsey Graham?12:55 Could Democrats actually compete in South Carolina?16:15 Kentucky, Mitch McConnell & Senate control20:55 Maine, Susan Collins & the expanding Senate map23:20 Midterm HQ: why Democrats' odds are improving24:35 Republican concerns heading toward 202629:20 Democratic messaging strategy34:20 Michigan Senate primary implications37:00 Can Republicans still use "socialism" as a winning attack?40:00 What Republicans are privately worried aboutREAD MORE

Trump declares the Iran ceasefire "over" as the Pentagon runs out of money. Mitch McConnell hasn't been seen in weeks, and Kentucky's governor wants proof of life. Republicans in Congress accidentally funded Planned Parenthood. And in this week's Battlefield segment, the Senate map just got a lot bigger for Democrats — six competitive races, Trump down 30 points with independents, and a new nominee about to replace Graham Platner in Maine.Matt Robison (former Democratic Hill staffer) and Matt Wylie (Republican strategist) break down the week's biggest political stories — no both-sides false balance, just two operatives who've actually worked the machine telling you what insiders are really thinking.TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Cold open00:01 – Back at war: Trump declares the Iran ceasefire "over"00:04 – Is Mitch McConnell alive? Plus, the Pentagon is out of money00:07 – Republicans accidentally fund Planned Parenthood00:10 – Trump's price theater: Freedom Fuel gas stations and the beef price squeeze00:14 – DOJ threatens election officials over noncitizen voting00:15 – The Battlefield: this week's midterm dashboard00:16 – Graham Platner drops out in Maine00:18 – DOJ sends election monitors to Michigan's primary00:20 – ACA premiums set to spike again00:22 – Trump down 30 points with independents00:23 – The Senate map just got bigger for Democrats00:26 – Dose of Hope: NASA's orbital tow truck and moon rideshares00:29 – Dose of Hope: nanoparticles that cured prostate cancer in miceREAD MORE ON SUBSTACKFull breakdown of the Maine Senate race and replacement scenarios: https://worthknowing.substack.comThis week's Midterm HQ dashboard and independent-voter approval analysis: https://worthknowing.substack.comABOUT POLITICAL REHABPolitical Rehab is the weekly show where a former Democratic Hill staffer and a Republican campaign strategist tell you what insiders are actually talking about — the Iran war, the 2026 midterms, McConnell's health, affordability, and the stories cable news gets wrong. New episodes every week on the Worth Knowing channel.Subscribe for weekly midterm coverage: @worthknowing-mattrobisonMore analysis: https://worthknowing.substack.comKEYWORDS: Political Rehab, Matt Robison, Matt Wylie, midterms 2026, Iran war 2026, Mitch McConnell health, Trump approval rating, Planned Parenthood Medicaid, Senate map 2026, Graham Platner Maine, affordability crisis, Trump Iran ceasefire, DOJ election officials, ACA premiums 2026, Trump independents approval#Midterms2026 #PoliticalRehab #Iran #TrumpApproval #SenateRace2026 #Affordability #WorthKnowing

2026 is the first American election where AI is shaping every link in the chain of political power — from what campaigns put in front of voters, to how voters filter what they're told, to who tech companies are trying to elect.Matt Robison sits down with Katie Harbath — 25-year veteran of the tech-politics intersection, former Facebook elections lead, and author of the upcoming book Disrupting Politics: A Front Row Seat at the Collision of Technology and Democracy (Fall 2026) — to walk through her original survey data and what she's seeing on the ground right now.We cover:Her first-of-its-kind survey of campaign professionals: 87% use AI daily, and most campaigns still have no policy governing itWhy disclosure is more complicated than "just label it" — and the research showing labels can backfireThe voter side: only 9% say they use AI for political info, but that number is misleading once you count AI answers baked into a Google searchWhy Democratic campaign staff lean Claude and Republicans lean ChatGPT and GrokHard lessons from 2016 — and the new "flood the zone" risk Katie's most worried about heading into 2026 and 2028The most underrated vulnerability in American elections: the fog-of-war period between election day and certificationWhy state legislatures — not Congress — may be the most exposed to AI industry money and influence right nowThe forgotten story of Congress eliminating its own in-house science expertise in 1994, and what it has to do with today's AI policy gridlockKatie's own verdict on whether this is the first AI election — and possibly the last one where AI isn't the dominant issue

Trump made $2 billion while his own crypto investors lost their shirts — and that's just the opening story. This week on Political Rehab, Republican strategist Matt Wylie calls his own party's Trump-branded midterm convention plan "a hostage video with balloons," the Supreme Court hands Trump sweeping new power to fire independent regulators, Clarence Thomas drops a 91-page dissent warning he'll come for birthright citizenship again, and a campaign finance ruling quietly hands Republicans what Matt Robison calls "a billion-dollar hammer" heading into the midterms. Plus: this week's Battlefield midterm dashboard, and two very different doses of hope.Political Rehab is the show where PTI meets The Daily Show — one Republican strategist, one former Democratic Hill staffer, no scripts, no spin, just the week's biggest political stories argued out loud.

After Zohran Mamdani's endorsed slate swept three New York primaries, headlines screamed that the Democratic establishment is in crisis. Fox News is thrilled. Trump's calling it a "communist" surge. And today, as Colorado votes in primaries being framed as the next test of a Democratic civil war, Matt makes the case that everyone — right-wing media, mainstream media, and panicked Democrats alike — is missing what's actually going on.Jonathan Larsen of The Fucking News (and former producer for Chris Hayes, Keith Olbermann, and Rachel Maddow) joins Matt to dig into whether this is really an ideological shift toward democratic socialism, or a hunger for fighters and change that cuts across ideology — and Jonathan pushes back hard, making the case that you can't separate "change" from what people are actually fighting for.Plus: today's three blockbuster Supreme Court rulings — birthright citizenship, transgender athletes, and a campaign finance decision that could quietly help Democrats more than it hurts them — and a closing conversation on what Jonathan calls "ideological corruption" on the Supreme Court, plus Trump's chaotic 250th-anniversary State Fair.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 – Cold open: today's Supreme Court rulings teased00:24 – Monologue: is the "Democratic civil war" story being misread?05:00 – Jonathan Larsen joins the show06:00 – The core debate: change and fighters, or rising progressivism?12:00 – Organizing, incumbency, and getting "out-organized"19:00 – Live chat: AOC vs. MTG — why the comparison doesn't hold24:00 – Supreme Court: birthright citizenship ruling27:00 – TPS, mass deportations, and Stephen Miller30:00 – Supreme Court: transgender athletes ruling40:00 – Supreme Court: the campaign finance ruling that could help Democrats50:00 – Jonathan's Substack picks: corruption, the State Fair fiasco, and mail-in voting58:00 – Closing thoughts

Donald Trump just blew up his own party. This week on Political Rehab, Matt Robison and Republican strategist Matt Wylie break down Trump's stunning decision to derail his own housing bill just before its signing ceremony, the explosive shouting match inside the Senate Republican lunch, a major court defeat for Trump's voting agenda, and the new strategy Republicans may be pursuing ahead of the midterm elections.They also examine growing Democratic anxiety after New York's progressive primary victories, launch another edition of The Battlefield with the latest midterm analysis, and finish with a Dose of Hope celebrating America's 250th birthday and remarkable new medical breakthroughs.If you want analysis based on facts, evidence, polling, and campaign strategy—not partisan talking points—subscribe and join us every week.

Senate Democrats are already war-gaming scenarios involving ballot seizures, armed federal agents at polling places, voter intimidation, and election interference ahead of the 2026 midterms.But constitutional law professor and former federal prosecutor Kim Wehle says those preparations may not be enough.In this conversation, Matt Robison and Kim Wehle examine the real risks facing the 2026 elections, the limits of existing legal safeguards, the role of state prosecutors, what the Supreme Court may do next, and why she believes Americans need to start thinking differently about defending democracy.Kim Wehle is an ABC News legal contributor, former Assistant U.S. Attorney, former Associate Independent Counsel in the Whitewater investigation, and author of How to Read the Constitution—and Why, What You Need to Know About Voting—and Why, and Pardon Power.Chapters00:00 Introduction: Is America Prepared?02:14 Senate Democrats' Election Defense Plan04:48 Why Kim Wehle Isn't Optimistic07:15 Voting Rights, Gerrymandering & Mail Ballots10:00 Trump's "Election Integrity Army"12:00 "We're Already There"15:20 Federal Agents at Polling Places?17:00 Could Troops Be Deployed?20:00 Why Denial Is Dangerous22:00 Fighting Back Without Fear24:00 Lessons from the Declaration of Independence27:00 What Citizens Can Do Right Now30:00 Election Protection Efforts Explained34:00 Why Lower Courts Still Matter37:15 The State Prosecution Theory40:00 Can States Go After Trump Officials?45:00 Mail Ballots and Postal Service Concerns47:45 Supreme Court Postal Service Ruling52:00 Supreme Court Cases to Watch53:30 Birthright Citizenship Case55:00 Final ThoughtsFollow Kim WehleKim's Substack:https://kimwehle.substack.comFollow Worth KnowingSubstack:https://worthknowing.substack.comYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@worthknowing-mattrobisonTopics2026 Midterms, Election Protection, Kim Wehle, Constitutional Law, Supreme Court, Birthright Citizenship, Voting Rights, Mail Ballots, Democracy, Trump Administration, Rule of Law, Federal Courts, Election Interference, Voting Access, State Prosecutors, Election Security, Constitutional Crisis#KimWehle #Midterms2026 #ElectionProtection #Democracy #Constitution #RuleOfLaw #VotingRights #BirthrightCitizenship #SupremeCourt #WorthKnowing #MattRobison

Did Donald Trump just have his worst week of his second term?This week on Political Rehab, Matt Robison and Matt Wylie break down Trump's controversial Iran deal, the bizarre FISA standoff that left Congressional Republicans openly confused, a strange and meandering G7 summit performance, Trump's latest public-relations disasters at home, and the increasingly active 2028 presidential shadow primary.Plus: We debut our new segment, The Battlefield, where we track the key indicators shaping the 2026 midterms and explain what political insiders are actually watching right now.Subscribe for weekly analysis where facts matter more than spin.Subscribe to Worth Knowing with Matt Robison:https://www.youtube.com/@WorthKnowingMattRobisonRead Matt's Substack:https://worthknowing.substack.comTimestamps00:00 Introduction01:00 Trump's Iran Deal: Peace Agreement or Surrender?03:54 The FISA Standoff Leaves Republicans Mystified06:20 G7 Summit: Managing Trump or Leading Allies?08:57 Cleanup on Aisle Trump12:15 The 2028 Presidential Shadow Primary Begins15:25 The Battlefield: Where the Midterms Stand Right Now16:02 Georgia, Jon Ossoff, and the Senate Map17:35 Republican Affordability Messaging Tests20:12 Follow the Money: What GOP Spending Reveals21:56 Midterm Dashboard and Key Indicators25:36 Is Ohio Becoming a Democratic Opportunity?27:04 Dose of Hope: The World Cup's Love Letter to America28:57 Trump's Reflecting Pool Becomes a Literal Swamp30:40 Closing ThoughtsTopics CoveredDonald TrumpTrump Iran DealIran Peace AgreementVersailles TreatyFISA ReauthorizationSAVE ActBill PulteJay ClaytonJohn ThuneCongressional RepublicansG7 SummitUkraine AidNATOGavin NewsomJon OssoffJ.D. VanceMarco Rubio2028 Presidential ElectionMidterm ElectionsHouse ElectionsSenate ElectionsGeorgia PoliticsOhio Senate RaceSherrod BrownPolitical AnalysisPolitical RehabMatt RobisonMatt Wylie#Politics #PoliticalRehab #Trump #Iran #G7 #FISA #JDVance #GavinNewsom #JonOssoff #Midterms #Congress #Ukraine #Democrats #Republicans #WorthKnowing #MattRobison #PoliticalAnalysis #Election2026 #Election2028New episodes of Political Rehab every week.Facts. Context. Evidence. No partisan talking points.

Ten years ago, a faction of Republicans set out to stop Donald Trump. They were right about nearly everything. And they failed.This week, Matt Robison is joined by writer and former Never Trump ghostwriter Melissa Amour for an inside look at why the movement failed, what she learned working behind the scenes, and what happens next as the Baby Boomer generation that shaped modern American politics begins to leave the stage.Along the way, Matt and Melissa discuss Trump's Iran deal, the collapse of traditional Republican opposition, Democratic branding problems, AI, Social Security, generational change, and whether Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z can build something better than the political system they've inherited.If you're interested in the future of American politics—not just the next election—this conversation is for you.Subscribe to Worth Knowing with Matt Robison:https://worthknowing.substack.comSubscribe to Melissa Amour:https://theinsideoutsider.substack.comXYZ: Politics After the Boom:https://xyzpolitics.substack.comCHAPTERS0:00 Introduction: Failure and Hope2:30 The political failure that gave us Trump5:40 Melissa Amour joins the show7:00 Why Never Trump failed9:00 The moment Republicans lost control of the party12:00 Why Melissa left the Republican Party13:30 From political movement to media business16:00 Did Never Trump lose the plot?17:00 What Melissa learned as a ghostwriter20:00 Why political insiders are more scared than they seem21:00 Can Democrats persuade Republicans?24:00 Democratic branding and the 2024 election29:00 Introducing XYZ: Politics After the Boom30:00 Will younger generations change politics?35:00 AI, jobs, and generational conflict39:00 Social Security, Medicare, and the coming fiscal crisis49:00 Building politics beyond red versus blue52:00 Is there hope after Trump?54:00 Final thoughtsABOUT MELISSA AMOURMelissa Amour is the author of The Inside Outsider on Substack and spent years working behind the scenes inside the Never Trump movement as a political ghostwriter. Her new project, XYZ: Politics After the Boom, explores what American politics looks like when Generations X, Y, and Z inherit leadership from the Baby Boom generation.ABOUT WORTH KNOWINGWorth Knowing with Matt Robison explores politics, economics, technology, history, science, and the ideas shaping America's future.New episodes every week.Subscribe:https://worthknowing.substack.comYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@WorthKnowingwithMattRobison#NeverTrump #Trump #Politics #AmericanPolitics #MelissaAmour #GenX #Millennials #GenZ #BabyBoomers #PoliticalAnalysis #Democrats #Republicans #Election2026 #Midterms #SocialSecurity #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Iran #ForeignPolicy #WorthKnowing #MattRobison #Substack #PoliticalRehab #PoliticalPodcast #Democracy #FutureOfPoliticsSEO keywords: Never Trump movement, Melissa Amour, Trump opposition, Republican Party, Democratic Party strategy, Gen X politics, Millennials politics, Gen Z politics, Social Security crisis, AI and jobs, Iran war, Trump foreign policy, political realignment, future of American politics, Worth Knowing with Matt Robison.

Donald Trump says he loves inflation. Seriously. This week on Political Rehab, Matt Robison and Matt Wylie break down one of the strangest weeks of Trump's presidency as rising prices, a growing conflict with Iran, election conspiracy theories, media battles, and Trump's expanding sports empire all collide.The bigger question: is Trump betting against reality—and expecting voters to go along with it?In this episode:

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here — on American soil for the first time since 1994.And the U.S. Men's National Team may be on the verge of something historic.In this episode, Matt Robison sits down with acclaimed soccer journalist and author Leander Schaerlaeckens (The Guardian, The Ringer) to explore why this World Cup matters far beyond sports. From Christian Pulisic and America's “golden generation” to FIFA politics, ticket controversies, Donald Trump, and the future of soccer in the United States, this conversation explains why the biggest event on Earth could reshape American sports for decades.Leander is the author of The Long Game: U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts, one of the most insightful books ever written about the rise of American soccer.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Why the World Cup may be the biggest human event on Earth04:15 Meet Leander Schaerlaeckens and The Long Game05:00 Why the World Cup matters even if you don't follow soccer07:00 How global the World Cup really is09:00 Messi, Ronaldo, and the final chapter of two legends10:40 Spain, France, England, and the favorites to watch12:00 Political controversies surrounding the 2026 World Cup13:00 How the 1994 World Cup transformed soccer in America16:00 Why FIFA took control of the 2026 tournament17:45 Did FIFA work over U.S. Soccer?19:00 The ticket price controversy and accessibility problem21:00 Why 2026 may not leave the same legacy as 199422:00 The story of Weston McKennie and American player development24:00 The pay-to-play problem in U.S. youth soccer27:00 Why Texas could be producing far more elite players29:00 Gio Reyna, Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, and America's stars30:15 How far can the USMNT realistically go?32:00 What success actually looks like for Team USA33:00 Why this World Cup could shape the next generation of players34:00 The opportunity America cannot afford to miss36:00 FIFA, Trump, money, and power39:00 Gianni Infantino's relationship with Donald Trump41:00 Why soccer may be the ultimate capitalist sport43:30 The community and human connection behind soccer45:00 The most surprising story uncovered while writing The Long Game47:00 Team America and one of the strangest failures in U.S. soccer history49:00 The turning point that eventually led to today's USMNT50:00 Why every American should pay attention to this World Cup51:00 What makes the World Cup unlike anything else in the world52:30 Final thoughts and why the moment mattersAbout Leander SchaerlaeckensLeander Schaerlaeckens is a columnist for The Guardian, contributor to The Ringer, senior lecturer at Marist University, and one of America's leading soccer writers. He has covered multiple World Cups and authored The Long Game, the definitive history of the U.S. Men's National Team.Subscribe

Trump's inner circle is shrinking, Republicans are showing signs of independence, and Democrats may be in a stronger position than most people realize heading into the 2026 midterms.In this episode of Political Rehab, Matt Robison and Matt Wylie break down the week's biggest political stories:

Donald Trump promised lower prices and a stronger economy. Instead, Americans facing a devastating economic shock in the coming months. Matt Robison speaks with Anne Kim and Ira Shapiro, co-editors of Betrayed: America Didn't Vote for This, about the long-term consequences of Trump's second term, the damage to institutions, the rule of law, government competence, medical research, and democracy itself.Then Matt is joined by Lawrence Winnerman to discuss his blockbuster analysis of why rising energy costs, supply-chain disruptions, inflation pressures, and the AI economy may be setting the stage for a major economic downturn. They explore the hidden costs of the Iran conflict, the Strait of Hormuz, the growing gap between Wall Street and the real economy, and whether artificial intelligence could eliminate millions of white-collar jobs.Subscribe to Worth Knowing for independent analysis you won't find anywhere else: https://worthknowing.substack.com#Trump #Economy #Recession #Inflation #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Politics #Project2025 #Substack #WorthKnowing #LawrenceWinterman #AnneKim #IraShapiro #DonaldTrump #EconomicCrisis #WhiteCollarJobs #MiddleClass #Tariffs #Iran #StockMarket00:00 Introduction: Actions, consequences, and America's coming economic shock01:17 Why Trump won in 2024—and why many voters feel betrayed03:35 Introducing Anne Kim and Ira Shapiro04:29 The most destructive thing Trump has done06:26 DOGE, federal workforce cuts, and institutional damage08:17 Elections, democracy, and public trust10:24 What insiders say privately about Trump13:12 The assault on the rule of law15:02 Damage that may never be reversed16:10 Can America's political culture recover?18:07 Why former Trump voters are turning against him19:11 The meaning of "Betrayed"21:18 Trump's legislative legacy and the SALT deduction debate22:05 What the authors hope this book will accomplish23:17 Citizen action and political accountability24:07 Can institutional damage be repaired?25:08 Has Trump created a playbook for future presidents?26:31 The critical choice facing America in 202828:38 Transition to Lawrence Winterman29:42 The economic consequences are coming30:20 Oil tankers, inventory cushions, and delayed inflation33:19 When consumers will begin to feel the impact34:13 Why even reopening the Strait of Hormuz may not help35:18 The long-term "stupidity tax"36:32 Known consequences vs. unknown consequences37:13 AI spending, recession risks, and economic distortion39:34 AI, white-collar jobs, and the coming disruption40:16 Why the stock market is disconnected from the real economy41:11 Are tech CEOs quietly preparing for a major shift?43:04 AI layoffs and corporate adoption44:08 Could AI replace millions of white-collar jobs?45:12 Is the AI boom becoming a bubble?46:06 What AI means for writers, creators, and Substack47:18 How AI is changing work inside major corporations49:39 Could AI create more jobs than it destroys?50:25 The productivity gap explained52:33 What happens during economic transitions?53:37 Ross Perot's "giant sucking sound" revisited54:34 Trump's failure to prepare America for AI55:14 Policy ideas to soften the transition56:20 Universal basic income and other proposals57:24 Why the real problem is that we're not having the conversation58:03 The benefits—and risks—of technological progress59:14 Should AI be taxed?1:00:04 Why America may already be running out of time1:01:00 Final thoughts and next week's episode

Trump's Iran strategy is spiraling, Republicans are openly panicking, Senate confirmations are collapsing, and Donald Trump increasingly appears trapped inside an alternate reality built by loyalty, flattery, and political fear.In this episode of Political Rehab, Matt Robison and Matt Wylie break down:Trump's chaotic Iran negotiationswhy Republicans fear the economic fallout is only beginningthe shocking Texas Senate result that could backfire on the GOPwhy Trump may no longer control the Senatethe growing questions surrounding Trump's health and Walter Reed visitsthe increasingly surreal cabinet meetings and authoritarian-style praise ritualsthe Democratic Party autopsy and what Democrats actually need to changewhy inflation, immigration, and branding defeated Kamala Harrishow Democrats could become the party of change againand why AI taxes and sovereign wealth funds may become major political ideas in the futurePLUS:A Dose of Hope on what Americans across BOTH parties still agree on — and why the country may not be as divided as it feels.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro — “Stuck in Neutral”00:22 Trump's Iran deal confusion begins01:10 Trump claims Iran deal is close01:45 Republicans panic over economic fallout02:25 Commodity shortages and inflation warning03:35 Ken Paxton crushes Cornyn in Texas04:15 Can Democrats actually win Texas?05:10 Why Paxton could hurt Republicans nationally06:00 “Republicans are stupid”06:45 Trump's Senate confirmation crisis07:30 Tulsi Gabbard resignation fallout08:05 GOP senators turning against Trump09:05 Trump's Walter Reed visits and health questions10:15 “Superhuman Trump” messaging11:00 Rick Wilson says Trump may be seriously ill12:00 Why the media may be missing the real story12:35 Trump's cabinet praise spectacle13:20 Is Trump trapped in an alternate reality?14:05 “North Korea tribute video”15:00 Nixon comparisons and informational isolation15:45 Rundown recap — authoritarian feedback loop18:05 Deep Dive — the Democratic autopsy19:00 Why the Democratic report failed20:00 The real reasons Harris lost20:20 Inflation, immigration, and Democratic branding21:10 Why incumbents collapsed globally in 202421:40 Democrats' identity crisis22:20 Immigration perceptions vs reality23:00 Bill Clinton and the “New Democrat” model23:40 Democrats and the politics of change24:10 “Shock to the system” voters25:00 Matt Wylie on political branding26:05 The McDonald's McDLT analogy27:00 How Democrats can defuse culture wars28:00 Why voters wanted change more than Trump29:00 What Democrats must learn for 202829:45 AI taxes and sovereign wealth funds31:05 Dose of Hope — Americans may agree more than we think33:30 Stephen Colbert, Walter Reed, and political satire35:00 Final thoughts

What is Donald Trump really hiding in the Epstein files? Investigative journalist and author Greg Olear joins Matt Robison for a deep dive into the underreported connections between Jeffrey Epstein, Russian organized crime, intelligence agencies, dark money networks, and Donald Trump.Most people think the Epstein story is simply about sex trafficking. Greg argues it was much bigger than that: a sprawling global network involving money laundering, oligarchs, kompromat, intelligence operations, and some of the most powerful people in the world.Drawing from his explosive new book Another Wonderful Secret: Infrequently Asked Questions About Jeffrey Epstein, Olear explains why Trump may still be desperately trying to suppress the Epstein files — and why the real story may have less to do with sex scandals and more to do with corruption, hidden money, and geopolitical influence.This conversation explores:Epstein's role as a financial fixer and “connector”Russian mob boss Semion Mogilevich and the Russian mafia connectionRobert Maxwell, Ghislaine Maxwell, and intelligence tiesTrump's long history with Russian money and oligarchsWhy the FBI and DOJ may still be protecting explosive informationHow kompromat and elite influence networks actually workThe hidden architecture of modern kleptocracyWhether Epstein's infrastructure still exists todayWhy this story matters for democracy itself0:00 Intro — The Epstein story most people are missing1:10 Epstein as fixer, money mover, and intelligence connector2:15 Why the Epstein files are still being suppressed3:05 America's slide toward kleptocracy3:45 Greg Olear joins the show4:25 Was Epstein more than a sex trafficker?5:20 Dalton School, Bear Stearns, and Epstein's rise8:00 The hidden importance of the 1980s8:45 Arms deals, offshore money, and intelligence agencies10:10 Ehud Barak and intelligence connections11:20 How Epstein became indispensable to powerful people14:00 Epstein's networking power and elite access15:30 Enter the Russian connection16:05 Who was Semion Mogilevich?17:15 Robert Maxwell, organized crime, and trafficking networks19:20 Why Epstein's real business may have been dirty money20:05 Trump, Russia, and 1980s money laundering21:15 Did Trump know the Maxwells earlier than reported?22:10 Trump and Epstein become intertwined23:10 Trust-washing through elite connections25:10 Why Trump's Russia ties are not really disputed26:15 Was Epstein a Russian asset?27:15 How Epstein accumulated elite secrets28:10 The scale of Epstein's financial operations29:15 Suspicious transactions and hidden wealth31:00 Kompromat and control32:15 The power Epstein gained from knowing secrets33:05 JPMorgan, Jess Staley, and financial protection35:15 What is Trump really afraid of in the Epstein files?37:00 Theories about what could still be hidden39:30 Allegations involving Trump and minors41:00 The Katie Johnson allegations explained43:10 ICE threats and intimidation patterns44:00 Does Epstein's infrastructure still exist today?45:00 Jared Kushner and modern influence networks47:00 “Coincidence theory” vs conspiracy theory48:00 Who was really calling the shots?49:00 Where does this story go next?50:15 Global authoritarianism and shifting alliances51:10 What intelligence agencies may still know52:00 Why understanding corruption matters53:15 Signs authoritarians may be hitting resistance54:20 Trump's growing political vulnerabilities55:00 Greg Olear's new book and closing thoughts

Why did Democrats really lose in 2024 — and why are they still struggling to reconnect with working-class voters? Political commentator and Substack writer Matt Robison joins Howard Monroe for a candid deep dive into the Democratic Party's “autopsy,” the growing backlash to “woke” politics, trans sports controversies, immigration, media ecosystems, and the long-term branding crisis facing Democrats heading into 2028.Matt argues that Democrats face a deeper problem than messaging alone: voters increasingly see the party as disconnected from everyday concerns like inflation, immigration, fairness, and economic anxiety. Drawing on new polling from Pew, Blueprint, and other sources, Matt explains why issues like DEI, transgender athletes in women's sports, and cultural overreach have become potent political vulnerabilities — even as Americans continue supporting equality and anti-discrimination in principle.The conversation also explores:Why the official DNC “autopsy” fell flatWhether Democrats are trapped by activist cultural politicsWhy Republicans dominate the media ecosystemThe future of podcasts, YouTube, and Substack in politicsWhether Democrats can produce a new “Bill Clinton”-style rebrandWhy the 2028 nominee may emerge from nowhereEarly signs of Republican pushback against Donald TrumpIf you're trying to understand where American politics may be headed next, this is one of the most honest conversations you'll hear.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 Intro and summer plans1:00 Why the 2026 World Cup could be huge for America2:05 The DNC “autopsy” begins2:45 Why Matt calls the autopsy “half-assed”3:30 Democrats' real problem: a broken brand4:40 “Woke, weak, and way too liberal”5:20 How Democrats handed Republicans cultural ammunition6:00 Polling on DEI and diversity6:50 Polling on transgender issues and women's sports8:00 The Blueprint postmortem and why Harris lost swing voters9:10 Inflation, immigration, and cultural backlash10:00 Seth Moulton and Democratic fear of dissent11:15 “You can't beat deplorables by being insufferables”12:00 Why Democrats need a new standard-bearer13:00 Why the 2028 nominee may come from nowhere14:30 The danger of another “out-woke” primary16:00 Why Democrats failed to build a media ecosystem18:00 Is the “liberal media” a myth?19:30 Conservative talk radio and Republican media dominance21:00 Why campaigns “rent attention”22:00 Podcasts, YouTube, and independent media opportunities23:00 Kamala Harris and the vice presidency debate24:00 Immigration politics and Harris's strategic mistakes25:00 Republican pushback against Trump begins?26:00 Trump's grip on Republican primaries26:40 Trump as a growing political liability#Politics #Democrats #Trump #KamalaHarris #2024Election #Woke #DEI #TransIssues #PoliticalPodcast #BeyondPolitics #Substack #Media #PoliticalAnalysis #Election2028 #MattRobison

Trump's corruption scandals are exploding, Republicans are panicking, gas prices are surging, Congress is rebelling over Iran, and even conservative insiders are warning this could become a political disaster for the GOP.In this episode of Political Rehab, Matt Robison and Matt Wylie break down:Trump's $1.7 billion settlement slush fundThe hidden theory behind the payout schemeJeff Bezos and the collapse of media independenceWhy Republicans are privately terrified about the midtermsTrump's sinking approval ratingsThe revenge tour against Massie, Cassidy, and CornynCongress finally pushing back on Trump's Iran warThe end of Stephen Colbert and what it says about modern mediaWhy corruption may become the defining political issue of 2026PLUS:A powerful Dose of Hope segment on the FDA's breakthrough Alzheimer's blood test rollout and why government-funded science still matters.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro — “Historic Butt-Kicking”00:34 Trump Dump — Congress abandons oversight03:20 Bezos, Trump, and media corruption06:10 Bye Bye Ballroom08:15 Corruption becomes central political issue09:05 Trump polling collapse10:00 Is Trump giving up on the midterms?11:15 Republicans panic over Ken Paxton endorsement12:05 Trump revenge tour backfires15:05 Senate GOP rebellion over Iran war18:05 Trump stock trades and media silence20:00 Should Democrats run on corruption?21:15 Deep Dive — The end of Colbert and late-night TV24:00 Political satire in the Trump era27:00 Why Colbert worked on Comedy Central29:15 “That's Bullshit” — Trump's $1.7B settlement fund30:30 Theory #1 — Trump chaos and greed31:40 Theory #2 — Ending the IRS audit32:50 Theory #3 — The RICO / mafia model34:10 Cassidy Hutchinson and loyalty payouts35:10 Why the settlement fund may reveal weakness35:45 Dose of Hope — Memorial Day and democracy37:10 FDA Alzheimer's blood test breakthrough38:20 Why early diagnosis matters39:00 NIH-funded science and America's future

Is the global authoritarian wave finally starting to crack? Join Matt Robison and veteran international journalist Dan Perry — former Associated Press lead editor for Europe and the Middle East — for a major live conversation examining whether strongman politics around the world is finally colliding with reality.From Putin's mounting problems in Ukraine… to Netanyahu's growing political peril… to Xi Jinping's economic pressures in China… to Donald Trump's collapsing numbers in the United States… are authoritarian and populist movements beginning to hit a wall?Or are democracies simply entering a more unstable and fragmented era?In this episode:Ukraine's stunning drone innovation and Russia's growing strainWhether Europe is finally stepping up as the U.S. retreatsWhy China's economic unrest matters more than most Americans realizeSigns Netanyahu's coalition may finally be crackingTrump's sinking approval numbers and what they signal for 2026Whether democracies still possess hidden strengths authoritarian systems lackFeaturing:Matt RobisonDan Perry — former AP lead editor for Europe and the Middle East⏱ TIMESTAMPS00:00 Opening Monologue — Is the Authoritarian Moment Cracking?02:00 How globalization and distrust fueled populism04:00 Russia's role in destabilizing democracies06:00 COVID, Trump, and the acceleration of authoritarian politics08:00 Ukraine's growing momentum and Europe's response10:00 Cracks inside Russia and Putin's regime11:00 Economic unrest and protest inside China12:00 Netanyahu under mounting political pressure13:00 Trump breaks through his approval “floor”16:00 Dan Perry joins the livestream18:00 Ukraine's drone revolution changes warfare20:00 Europe's dependence on Ukraine — and vice versa22:00 Did Trump accidentally strengthen Europe?24:00 Iran, Trump, and unintended consequences26:00 Why democracies innovate better than dictatorships28:00 Could Putin actually fall?31:00 Netanyahu's political future and Israeli polling36:00 Will Netanyahu ever face accountability?38:00 Truth, reconciliation, and accountability in America46:00 Why democracies must defend the rule of law48:00 Trump's collapsing polling numbers50:00 Is the authoritarian wave weakening globally?52:00 America's deeper structural crisis54:00 Final thoughts: reasons for cautious optimism

Did Donald Trump just make the biggest political gaffe of his career?This week on Political Rehab, Matt Robison and Matt Wylie break down Trump's stunning “NOT EVEN A LITTLE” comment about Americans' financial struggles — and why it may become the defining ad clip of the 2026 midterms. Plus: a five-alarm economy, Trump's late-night meltdown spiral, the dangerous China summit, growing momentum for Ukraine, and what's REALLY happening beneath the surface in the battle for Congress.

Trump's latest “victory” may actually be a political trap. In this livestream, Matt Robison and Cliff Schecter break down the Supreme Court redistricting rulings, the growing GOP backlash problem, Trump's dangerous Xi meeting strategy, Bill Cassidy's political collapse, and why the 2026 election environment may be far worse for Republicans than the headlines suggest.PLUS:Why Democrats may still be favored to retake the HouseThe real impact of the Alabama & Virginia redistricting rulingsTrump's collapsing support among independentsWhy Republicans may be “dummy-mandering” themselvesGraham Platner vs. David FrenchBill Cassidy, RFK Jr., and the Republican loyalty trapTrump, Xi Jinping, Taiwan, tariffs, and China leverageICE expansion and Trump's long-term immigration strategyCould Trump actually attempt a third term?Subscribe to Worth Knowing on Substack:Worth Knowing SubstackSubscribe to Cliff Schecter & Blue Amp Media:Blue Amp Media SubstackSubscribe for weekly livestreams, Political Rehab, election analysis, Trump strategy breakdowns, Supreme Court coverage, independent political media, and deep-dive conversations on the future of American democracy.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Opening monologue — Did the 2026 election just change?02:15 Are media outlets overhyping Republican momentum?03:20 Nate Silver, Nate Cohn & the real House math04:00 Why voter suppression can backfire politically05:00 Cliff Schecter joins the livestream07:30 Why Republicans may be overreading redistricting wins09:00 Farm bankruptcies, tariffs & rural backlash10:00 Why special elections matter more than polling12:00 Trump's independent voter collapse15:00 Republicans panic over 2026 numbers16:00 21% of Trump voters say he should be impeached17:00 Why Republican gerrymandering may become a trap20:00 Quiet Republican fear behind the scenes25:00 Graham Platner vs David French26:00 Nazi tattoo controversy & Democratic “purity tests”31:00 Comparing Platner to Republican extremism34:00 Al Franken, Susan Collins & lesser-of-two-evils politics36:00 Could Trump actually run for a third term?41:00 Susan Collins' vulnerability in Maine44:00 Bill Cassidy's collapse and Trump loyalty politics47:00 Why Republicans cannot escape Trump49:00 Jeff Sessions, Elise Stefanik & the MAGA loyalty trap53:00 Trump meeting Xi Jinping — predictions54:00 Taiwan, tariffs & China leverage55:00 Lightning round: worst undercovered Trump story56:00 ICE expansion & permanent immigration crackdowns58:00 Blue Amp Media & independent political mediaKEY TOPICS / SEARCH TERMSTrump news today2026 election analysisHouse redistrictingSupreme Court voting rightsVoting Rights ActTrump Xi Jinping meetingTaiwan newsBill Cassidy primaryRFK Jr politicsSusan Collins 2026Graham Platner controversyDavid French New York TimesDemocratic strategy 2026Trump third termICE raidsMAGA politicsPolitical livestreamIndependent media politicsMatt RobisonCliff SchecterPolitical RehabWorth Knowing#Trump #2026Election #Politics #Redistricting #SupremeCourt #Democrats #Republicans #XiJinping #China #BillCassidy #SusanCollins #RFKJr #VotingRights #PoliticalNews #MattRobison #WorthKnowing

Donald Trump keeps testing the limits — and more importantly, acting like there may not be any.This week on Political Rehab, Matt Robison and Matt Wylie break down the most important political stories hiding beneath the headlines: Trump-backed Republicans crushing dissent inside the GOP, ICE abuse reports and escalating mass deportation tactics, Mike Johnson's collapsing House coalition, Kash Patel's retaliation spiral at the FBI, profiteering around the Iran crisis, and the deep dive: why Trump's third-term talk may be more dangerous than people realize.The question running through the whole episode: what happens when a political movement starts behaving like the rules no longer apply?Subscribe to Worth Knowing:https://www.youtube.com/@worthknowing-mattrobison?sub_confirmation=1Subscribe to the Worth Knowing Substack:https://worthknowing.substack.comCHAPTERS00:00 Intro00:31 Trump Dump: Ballroom spending, cowardice, and GOP fear03:41 “Who's going to stop us?” Trump vs. the courts06:08 Indiana primaries and Trump's grip on Republicans08:49 ICE abuse reports and mass deportation escalation11:38 Mike Johnson's race against time in the House14:08 Kash Patel, the FBI, and retaliation politics16:18 Iran war profiteering and Hormuz supply risks19:18 Deep Dive: Could Trump try for a third term?24:12 Trump 2028: ego, trolling, leverage, and money26:01 Normalization, grooming, and constitutional stress testing29:28 “There is a danger”: why plausibility matters#PoliticalRehab #Trump #DonaldTrump #MAGA #Politics #USPolitics #PoliticalNews #Trump2028 #Constitution #ICE #KashPatel #MikeJohnson #Iran #PoliticalCommentary #NewsAnalysis #WorthKnowingKeywords: Trump third term, Trump 2028, Donald Trump news, Trump court rulings, constitutional crisis, ICE abuse reports, Kash Patel FBI, Mike Johnson House Republicans, Iran oil markets, MAGA politics, Political Rehab, Matt Robison, Matt Wylie, Worth Knowing

America's biggest long-term problem isn't what you think—and almost everything you've heard about it is wrong.In this livestream, I'm joined by budget expert Jessica Riedl (Brookings Institution) to break down what's *actually* driving America's debt, why the standard political talking points are misleading, and the uncomfortable math that no one in Washington wants to admit.We cut through the myths—tax cuts, defense spending, “waste”—and get to the real drivers: Social Security, Medicare, and rising interest costs. More importantly, we explain why there are no easy solutions—and why the political system keeps avoiding the hard choices.If you want a clear, honest explanation of the U.S. debt crisis—and what it really means for the future—this is the conversation to watch.---⏱ **TIMESTAMPS**0:00 – The warning: $4 trillion deficits are coming1:00 – Why this time is different2:00 – The real crisis politicians won't face3:30 – Introducing Jessica Riedl5:00 – Deficits exploding: what the data shows7:00 – Debt surpassing WWII levels8:30 – Interest payments are taking over10:00 – Myth #1: “It's government spending”11:30 – What “discretionary spending” actually is13:00 – Myth #2: Immigrants & foreign aid14:30 – Myth #3: Defense spending15:30 – Myth #4: Waste, fraud, and abuse17:30 – Myth #5: “Tax the rich solves it”19:30 – Why that's not enough21:00 – The political story behind the debt24:00 – Did Reagan change everything?27:30 – The real driver revealed29:00 – Social Security shortfall explained31:00 – Medicare is the bigger problem33:00 – Why the math doesn't work34:30 – Should we remove the payroll tax cap?38:00 – The hard tradeoffs no one wants to admit41:00 – Why this affects younger generations most43:00 – Are benefits too generous?45:00 – What Social Security actually is (and isn't)47:00 – The uncomfortable reality about spending priorities50:00 – Could Medicare for All fix this?53:00 – The limits of taxing the rich54:00 – The real menu of solutions56:00 – Why there are no easy answers57:00 – Final takeaway: the truth politicians won't say---

Everything is escalating — the media war, political revenge, the economy, even political violence — and Trump is pouring gasoline on all of it.In this episode of Political Rehab, we break down how multiple crises are converging at once — and why even Republican insiders are starting to warn it's backfiring.From the bizarre Comey prosecution to rising gas prices, from the war with Iran to a Supreme Court ruling that could reshape elections — this isn't one story. It's a pattern.And it's accelerating.

Trump promised security. America spends trillions on defense, intelligence, surveillance, ICE, and homeland security — so why do we keep getting more chaos? [***APOLOGIZE FOR THE POSTING DELAY!***]In this episode, Matt Robison breaks down the shocking White House Correspondents' Dinner security scare, the gap between security theater and real safety, massive Pentagon spending, cuts to healthcare and medical research, Palantir's growing role in surveillance, and why Americans still feel less secure.Featuring physician and health policy expert Dr. Eric Lullove.

In this episode of Political Rehab, Matt Robison and Matt Wylie break down the growing signs of strain inside Trumpworld: cabinet turmoil, congressional chaos, electoral setbacks, Iran confusion, corruption questions, and why all of these stories may point to one larger reality — a system under pressure and beginning to crack.We cover:

Something has shifted in American politics — but how big is it?Matt Robison breaks down the warning signs that Democrats suddenly have a real shot heading into the 2026 midterms: polling movement, special election overperformance, Senate map changes, fundraising momentum, cracks inside Trump's coalition, and rising Republican anxiety.Then Matt is joined by Republican strategist Matt Wylie and Democratic strategist Mark Bergman for an insider conversation about what both parties are seeing right now behind closed doors.Is this just temporary noise — or the early tremor before a political earthquake?

Donald Trump is picking fights with the Pope, the Federal Reserve, the courts — and it may all point to the same thing: they know they're losing, and it shows.Today on Political Rehab Live, Matt Robison and Matt Wylie break down the growing signs of panic inside Trumpworld: JD Vance's embarrassing empty-crowd speech, Republicans' collapsing Senate map, Supreme Court retirement panic around Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, Trump's bizarre AI Jesus controversy, and why the MAGA coalition may be cracking in real time.If you want sharp political analysis, strategy, media breakdowns, election forecasting, and real talk about what's happening in America — subscribe now.

Can truth still win in American politics?Glenn Kessler spent years as The Washington Post's lead fact-checker, tracking false claims, political spin, and misinformation from presidents, candidates, and Congress. In this must-watch conversation with Matt Robison, Kessler explains why he believes falsehoods are winning—and whether truth can still fight back.We discuss:• Why lies spread faster than facts• Donald Trump, media incentives, and political misinformation• Why fact-checking became easier to ignore• The biggest Trump lies and why they worked• How social media changed political reality• Whether journalism failed the moment• Can democracy survive when truth becomes optional?• Why Glenn Kessler still believes truth can winThis is a smart, candid, and urgent conversation about politics, media, democracy, Trump, misinformation, and the future of accountability.

Trump says we won. Reality says otherwise.In this episode of Political Rehab, we break down the so-called Iran “ceasefire” — and why the claim of total victory doesn't hold up. There's no deal, no real negotiation, and none of the core objectives have been achieved. We walk through what actually happened, what Trump is claiming, and what it all means for U.S. strategy, global stability, and domestic politics.We also cover NATO tensions, JD Vance under pressure, a growing political backlash heading into 2026, and why the Epstein story is roaring back into the spotlight.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Cold open: “Blasphemy to barbarism to backpedaling”00:00:30 – Welcome to Political Rehab00:01:00 – Trump Dump begins00:01:10 – Trump vs NATO: strategic breakdown00:03:30 – Easter posts, war threats, and Republican silence00:06:00 – Rundown: war escalation → ceasefire reversal00:08:30 – JD Vance on the hot seat00:11:30 – MAGA power struggle over Attorney General00:14:30 – Special elections: signs of a political wave00:17:30 – Epstein files return to the spotlight00:20:30 – Deep Dive: Should there be an age limit for president?00:39:30 – THAT'S BULLSHIT: The Iran “ceasefire” breakdown00:45:30 – Dose of Hope: finding perspective in chaos00:49:00 – Closing thoughts

Before the announcement of a ceasefire in Trump's war with Iran, he had already committed a war crime. It came against the backdrop of a larger question:

Trump just fired Pam Bondi—AND showed up at the Supreme Court in a move that injected total chaos into the justice system.In this episode of *Political Rehab*, we break down a chaotic week in politics: Trump's unprecedented appearance at a Supreme Court hearing on birthright citizenship, the legal battle over executive power, a federal judge halting construction at the White House, and new warning signs for Republicans as internal divisions grow.We also dig into Trump's confusing Iran strategy following his Oval Office address, and what new polling says about his collapsing approval ratings—and why Democrats may not be benefiting as much as you'd expect.Plus:⚖️ The truth behind Trump's birthright citizenship case

Big Tech is spending millions to shape the future of AI—but what are they trying to control, and why now?Former Congressman and Americans for Responsible Innovation President Brad Carson joins us to break down the growing fight over AI regulation, including the role of companies like Meta, the influence of Mark Zuckerberg, and the stakes for jobs, energy costs, and national security. As tech giants invest heavily to influence policy ahead of the 2026 elections, the battle over artificial intelligence is quickly becoming a battle over political power.Then: a deep dive into money and influence in Washington.ProPublica reporter Corey Johnson joins us to discuss new reporting on Trump administration financial disclosures, revealing how industry ties, private equity, and political power intersect behind the scenes. What do more than 3,200 disclosure records tell us about corruption, conflicts of interest, and the revolving door between government and business?Two conversations. One theme: who controls AI, who controls Washington—and who pays the price.00:00 Big Money Meets AI01:10 AI Impacts Everywhere02:15 Meet Brad Carson03:03 The 200 Million War Chest03:46 Mad Max Sandbox Plan05:02 Federalism Versus Preemption07:24 Industry Split On Rules09:17 States Push Back10:59 Liability And Section 23015:01 Preemption Disaster Lessons16:45 Host AI Brain Filibuster21:30 Why This Fight Matters23:55 AI And Military Risks25:56 How To Win And Help28:41 Money Thread in Politics32:31 Prediction Markets War Profits36:54 ProPublica Database Stakes41:04 Guest Joins Corey Johnson43:02 Scale of Conflicts Guardrails46:37 Todd Blanche Crypto Case53:32 Who Pulls the Strings55:47 Where to Watch Next59:26 How to Use the Database01:00:02 Wrap Up and Call to Action

Trump's chaos isn't random—and it's not strategy.In today's episode of Political Rehab, we break down how Donald Trump repeatedly creates crises—on immigration, Iran, and the economy—and then uses the chaos as leverage while avoiding accountability.From the Department of Homeland Security shutdown to escalating tensions with Iran and a Supreme Court case that could reshape voting rights before the midterms, this episode connects the dots on what's really happening—and why it matters now.PLUS:

You're not imagining it. Something is off — and the pattern is bigger than any one headline.In this episode of Worth Knowing, Matt Robison and Shane Almgren break down the top 5 warning signs that something has gone very wrong in American politics — not as isolated incident, but as a connected system.From media pressure to voter suppression to the normalization of extreme behavior, this is about seeing the pattern clearly — before it's too late.

The economy is sending completely mixed signals right now.GDP is growing.Unemployment is low.The stock market is near highs.…but people feel worse than ever.So what's actually happening?In this episode of Worth Knowing, I sit down with Moody's chief economist Mark Zandi to break down the 5 biggest economic risks that could shape the next 6 months—and possibly the next election.We cover:Why the economy feels broken even when the data looks “fine”Whether we're quietly heading toward a recessionThe real impact of oil prices and global instabilityWhy inflation won't go awayAnd how AI could reshape jobs faster than expectedIf you've been feeling like something doesn't add up with the economy… you're not wrong.

Russia, Iran, U.S. troops, Donald Trump, JD Vance, and Marco Rubio are suddenly at the center of one of the most explosive national security questions in Washington: Is Russia helping Iran target American forces in the Middle East?New intelligence reporting suggests Moscow may be providing Iran with satellite-derived information that could help locate U.S. ships, aircraft, and troop positions. If true, it raises a stunning question: why isn't this the biggest story in American politics right now?On this episode of Political Rehab, Democrat and former congressional staffer Matt Robison and Republican campaign strategist Matt Wylie break down the biggest political and national security stories of the week.Topics include:• Reports that Russia may be helping Iran target U.S. troops• The White House's controversial “war porn” military propaganda videos• A potential national security brain drain after intelligence and national security cuts• Why Trump world may be floating Marco Rubio over JD Vance as the future of MAGA• The coming SAVE Act showdown that could trigger a congressional meltdown• The MAHA movement and RFK Jr.'s vaccine conspiracy conferencePlus our regular segments:Trump Dump – the week's most outrageous Trump storyDeep Dive – the SAVE Act fight that could paralyze CongressThat's Bullsh*t – the political claim that collapses under scrutinyDose of Hope – one reason the future might be brighter than politics suggestsIf you enjoy smart political debate between people who disagree, subscribe and join the conversation.Subscribe for new episodes of Political Rehab every week.00:00 Trump Dump Court Losses02:04 Attacking the Judiciary03:46 GOP Retreat No Agenda06:00 War Porn Propaganda08:50 Brain Drain and Intel Cuts11:34 Russia Aiding Iran14:25 Rubio vs Vance Signals16:52 Save Act and Spineless GOP18:23 Gas Prices Midterm Gamble20:23 Economic Warning Signs21:33 Save Act Deep Dive22:32 Phantom Fraud Evidence23:39 Why GOP Pushes It26:25 Will It Backfire27:28 Inside Republican Thinking30:16 A Possible Compromise32:25 Why Save Act Fails35:39 MAHA Called Out36:19 Vaccine Slide Nonsense39:53 Glyphosate Hypocrisy41:50 Dose of Hope Science43:38 Courts Holding The Line45:39 Closing Thoughts

Big money is reshaping American democracy.In this livestream, political analyst Matt Robison speaks with Tiffany Muller, President of End Citizens United, about how billionaire money, Super PACs, and the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision transformed U.S. politics — and why some experts believe America may be drifting toward oligarchy.Today, just 300 billionaire families account for nearly 20% of federal campaign donations. What does that mean for democracy, elections, and everyday Americans?We break down:• How Citizens United changed campaign finance forever• The explosion of billionaire money in politics• The rise of Super PACs and dark money networks• Corporate influence over elections and policy• Why many voters feel their voices don't matter anymore• Whether reforms can actually fix the systemMatt and Tiffany also discuss real examples — from Elon Musk's massive political spending to the growing influence of corporate lobbying in Washington.If you care about the future of democracy, campaign finance reform, and the role of money in politics, this conversation is essential.Guest:Tiffany Muller – President of End Citizens UnitedLearn more:https://endcitizensunited.orgSubscribe for more political analysis and livestream interviews:https://www.youtube.com/@WorthKnowingNew episodes of Political Rehab and Worth Knowing livestreams every week.Timestamps00:00 The billionaire influence problem02:40 Wealth concentration in America07:00 What Citizens United actually did10:30 The rise of Super PACs16:00 How big money shapes policy27:00 Elon Musk and political spending34:00 Can the system be fixed?54:00 The future of campaign finance reformTopics coveredmoney in politicscitizens united explainedbillionaires in politicscampaign finance reformsuper pacs explaineddark money in politicscorporate influence governmentoligarchy united statespolitical corruption united stateselon musk politicselection money influenceamerican democracycampaign finance lawsSEO Tags (for YouTube tag field)citizens united, money in politics, billionaires politics, campaign finance reform, super pacs explained, dark money politics, corporate influence government, oligarchy united states, political corruption, elon musk politics, election money influence, american democracy, campaign finance lawsHashtags#CitizensUnited#MoneyInPolitics#CampaignFinance#Billionaires#PoliticalCorruption#DarkMoney#SuperPAC#AmericanPolitics#Democracy#PoliticalReform#ElectionMoney#EndCitizensUnited

Is Trump's Iran war triggering a MAGA meltdown?In this episode of Political Rehab, Matt Robison and Matt Wylie break down the political fallout from the escalating Iran conflict, Kristi Noem's stunning downfall, and a growing Republican civil war that could reshape the GOP heading into the next election.

In this episode of Worth Knowing, we take a hard look at the war with Iran through constitutional law, military experience, and economic reality. Joining me is Fred Wellman — Army veteran of Desert Storm and Iraq, former Executive Director of The Lincoln Project, and current congressional candidate in Missouri.We examine:• The contradictory justifications offered by Trump, Marco Rubio, and JD Vance• Claims that Iran was “weeks away” from nuclear capability — despite prior assertions it had been “obliterated” • Whether Congress has abdicated its constitutional war powers• The War Powers Act and what qualifies as an “imminent threat”• The risk of launching military action without a Phase IV (post-conflict) plan• Reports of U.S. forces unprepared for retaliation• Whether this was strategy, pressure from allies, or chaotic decision-making• Why the “rally around the flag” effect is failing• How economic pain, inflation, and distrust are shaping public reactionFred speaks candidly about the burden of leadership, the cost of war, and what responsible oversight should look like from Congress.We also address the uncomfortable truth:Even if this war was launched with flawed reasoning and chaotic execution, it could still produce a positive long-term outcome.But that does not erase the legal and constitutional questions surrounding how it began.Fog of war is inevitable.Fog of contradiction is not.If you care about executive power, military accountability, economic reality, and the future of American democracy — this is a conversation worth hearing.Subscribe for serious political analysis without the outrage machine.#IranWar #Trump #WarPowersAct #FredWellman #USPolitics #Congress #MiddleEast #ExecutivePower #WorthKnowing00:00 Welcome and guest intro00:29 Conflicting war justifications02:40 Regime change and protest fallout04:00 Grudge theory and impossible lies05:33 Uncertainty and glimmers of hope09:23 Fred Wellman joins09:51 Why the strike was reckless11:27 Chaos and troop safety failures13:28 No plan and Iraq lessons14:56 Chat reactions and split MAGA15:51 Why are we doing this18:10 War Powers and cost of war22:40 Campaign plug and opponent24:14 Congress abdication and Truman model30:56 TARP story and independence33:09 Representing Missouri voters34:51 Kitchen table issues and trolls37:02 Real World Economic Pain38:11 Campaign Trail Reality Check40:26 Cost of Living Crisis42:00 American Dream Slipping43:25 Trump Promises vs Reality44:59 Chat Break and Independence47:08 Why Wag the Dog Fails50:25 Congress Missing in Action52:25 Running Against Ann Wagner56:30 Pragmatic Representation Pitch58:06 Wrap Up and Where to Follow01:00:36 Final Message and Thanks

Is Donald Trump hitting a political ceiling — or has he overplayed his hand?After a widely watched State of the Union, new polling suggests Trump may be maxing out his base support — even as tariffs rise, surveillance powers expand, Elon Musk influences battlefield outcomes in Ukraine, and new reporting on the Epstein files raises explosive questions.In this episode of Political Rehab, we break down:• The real impact of Trump's State of the Union• Why tariffs are functioning as a tax on American consumers• Whether AI surveillance and FISA expansion threaten civil liberties• Elon Musk's reported role in shaping battlefield conditions in Ukraine• The growing risk of U.S. conflict with Iran• New revelations about withheld Epstein-related files• The SAVE Act and the future of voting rightsThis isn't partisan outrage. It's structural analysis.If Trump is at a ceiling — or if he's overplayed his hand — what happens next for Republicans, Democrats, and the country?Smart politics. No hangover.Subscribe for weekly deep dives on power, policy, and political reality.#Trump#StateOfTheUnion#EpsteinFiles#ElonMusk#UkraineWar#Iran#Tariffs#Midterms#PoliticalAnalysis#PoliticalRehab00:00 Tech Billionaires in War00:53 Trump Dump State of Union04:03 Tariffs and Economic Pain06:19 State of Union Rundown09:25 AI Surveillance and FISA12:09 Ukraine Starlink Shock15:03 Iran War Countdown17:47 Epstein Files Smoking Gun20:41 Good Idea Bad Idea34:11 Math That Is Bullshit37:04 Alternative State of Union40:23 Final Dose of Hope

The Supreme Court just struck down Donald Trump's tariffs. But instead of taking the win, Trump doubled down. In today's livestream, Matt Robison breaks down what may be the most revealing moment of Trump's second term so far — and why it goes far beyond trade policy.The Court ruled that Trump's sweeping tariffs were unconstitutional under the emergency powers he claimed. That decision gave him a political off-ramp: blame the Court, let inflation cool, stabilize markets, and boost economic growth ahead of the midterms.Instead, within minutes, Trump announced new tariffs — escalating economic chaos all over again.Why?We examine:

What happens when Republicans start rebelling against Trump — and the scandals keep piling up? In this episode of Political Rehab, hosts Matt and Matt dive into a week packed with major political shockwaves: a rare GOP rebuke over tariffs, explosive new Epstein file revelations, DOJ overreach that backfired, and Donald Trump's latest “Trump Rx” healthcare announcement — which is not what it claims to be.If you want sharp analysis without the partisan spin (and a little dark humor along the way), this is your weekly reality check.

Political Rehab: The Trump Dump, Epstein Files, and the Future of JournalismWhat happens when two guys talk about Sydney Sweeney? Throw in media vanity, democracy under threat, and political scandals, and you've got an episode packed with insight and controversy. Join Matt and Matt on Political Rehab as they dissect Donald Trump's latest antics, the implications of the Washington Post layoffs, and the fallout from the Epstein file revelations. Plus, dive deep into the push for federalizing elections, Trump's vanity projects, rare stories of hope and unity, and–of course–the celebrity-political intersection with Sydney Sweeney. Tune in for smart politics without the hangover, and stay for the laughs. #DonaldTrump #EpsteinFiles #PoliticalDiscussion #WashingtonPost #MediaCrisis #TrumpDump #PoliticalRehab #SydneySweeney #Election2026 #FreeSpeech #AmericanPolitics00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks00:52 Trump's Vanity Projects and Political Fallout03:58 Texas Special Election and GOP's Response06:49 Media Layoffs and Impact on Democracy09:53 Trump's Election Interference and Authoritarian Tactics12:37 Epstein Files Release and Political Repercussions15:44 Assault on Free Speech and Comedy18:22 Football's Decline in American Culture19:01 Football's Institutional Problems20:23 The Rise of Soccer and Other Sports21:06 The Sydney Sweeney Controversy22:42 Politics and Celebrity Culture32:26 Debunking Non-Citizen Voting Myths35:53 Faith and Politics in America38:17 The Unifying Power of the Olympics

Anne Kim is an old friend from my Capitol Hill days, but she's also Senior Editor at Washington Monthly and author of Poverty for Profit: How Corporations Get Rich Off America's Poor. We just had a fascinating discussion about the secret world of companies making millions off of shadowy, almost secret contracts with ICE. What they are doing, how they got these contracts, and even who they are is often a mystery. You can watch the full video above or watch/listen to the podcast video here:And then, we tried to get out of the Trump/ICE/corruption doom loop that we've all been living with in recent months and talk about the top ten stories we'd written about in our work for Washington Monthly and Newsweek (and here on Worth Knowing) respectively. We covered topics like:Are Democrats really “out of touch”? Reviving the argument for at-large districts Getting rid of superPACs How can we use state laws to rein in ICE (ok, that was back to ICE)Why Republican healthcare plans are so broken and subversive00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:35 Trump Fatigue and Political Corruption02:25 Introducing the Guest: Economic Policy Expert03:10 Top Stories Worth Knowing03:57 The Melania Movie: Reviews and Reactions08:58 Investigating ICE Contracts and Corruption17:45 Democratic Party's Brand Problem30:16 Eric Schmidt's Controversial Statements30:50 State-Level Legal Actions Against Federal Agents31:25 Empowering States and Legal Analysis32:02 Federal Civil Liability and the Rene Good Civil Rights Act33:11 Democrats' Focus on Federal vs. State Power35:00 At-Large Districts and Depolarizing Congress37:13 Approval Voting vs. Rank Choice Voting43:05 Super PACs and Campaign Finance Reform47:21 Republican Healthcare Plans Critiqued56:43 Concluding Remarks and Viewer Interaction

Blame Storming, Trump, and the Crisis at the White House | Political Rehab. Hosts Matt and Matt dive into the latest political chaos in Washington. They discuss the 'blamestorming' tactics used to shield Trump from accountability, with a particular focus on the backlash following the attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar and the growing backlash to the murder of Alex Pretti. From Trump's impact on swing states to the legal battles facing social media giants like TikTok and Meta, this episode covers the biggest issues of the week.

Massive Political Shifts and Media Accountability with Matt Robison: ICE Tragedies and Trump's InfluenceJoin Matt Robison on the latest Worth Knowing livestream where he breaks down the monumental shifts in the political landscape following recent tragedies involving ICE. Ryan McConaughey, a Congressional Insider, returns to provide an insider's perspective on the dynamic changes inside Congress and among voters since last week. Mark Jacob, former editor of major Chicago newspapers, offers a deep dive into media coverage and its role in shaping public perception of ICE's actions in Minnesota. And Matt starts with a deep dive on three critical things that are NOT part of this story. #Politics #MediaAccountability #ICE #TrumpAdministration #Congress #PublicPerception #Policy #Livestream00:00 Introduction and Current Events Overview01:48 Unpacking the Inevitability of Tragedies02:44 A Lesson from History: Policy and Consequences05:46 The Blame Game: Accountability in the Trump Administration10:42 Democratic Response and Shifting Strategies20:43 Republican Reactions and Political Dynamics28:45 Media's Role and Public Perception33:39 Polite Euphemisms and Political Lies34:27 The Insidious Nature of Right-Wing Disinformation36:56 The Role of Video in Exposing Truth39:55 Fox News and the Trump Administration's Narrative43:05 The Olympics of Lying51:24 Engaging with Differing Viewpoints55:22 Final Thoughts and Encouragement