Off the Record with Paul Hodes

An Analysis of Trump's Economic Missteps and Their Global ImpactWe hit the economic policies of Donald Trump, particularly his tariffs and their detrimental effects on both the US and global markets. Guest Paul Hodes, former US Congressman and legal expert, joins to discuss emergency rulings by the Supreme Court and the implications of Trump's actions onthe Constitution . And we add Anne Kim's insights into how Trump's fundamental misunderstandings about the US economy are causing a 'train wreck' for America.00:00 Introduction and Upcoming Topics00:47 Trump's Constitutional Threats and Immigration Policies02:56 Supreme Court's Emergency Ruling on Deportations10:13 Birthright Citizenship and Legal Interpretations14:51 Classified Information and Congressional Access21:44 Interview with Ann Kim on Economic Issues23:14 The Economic Impact of Trump's Policies24:42 Trump's Misunderstanding of Tariffs and Manufacturing25:29 The Reality of the American Service Economy27:47 The Auto Industry and Tariff Consequences31:51 Public Sentiment and the 2024 Election34:23 The Role of Government in Economic Stability41:20 Promoting Thought Leadership and Media Appearances

Trump's Last Line Toward Disaster: Is The Constitutional Crisis Here? Matt is joined by Jason Fields, Deputy Opinion Editor at Newsweek, and Substack podcast host Tony Michaels. They delve into the unfolding crisis under the Trump administration, highlighting the alarming disregard for court orders leading to the question of whether the constitutional crisis is here. Jason suggests a compelling parallel to 9/11, and the failure of imagination that is striking us all right now.Matt's Substack: https://worthknowing.substack.com/00:00 Introduction and Live Stream Announcement02:10 The Worst Trump Crisis Yet09:11 Constitutional Crisis Discussion15:40 Media's Role and Republican Complicity23:09 Harvard's Legal Battle and Supreme Court Defiance26:39 Media's Role in the Trump Era33:37 The Power of Economic Influence35:29 Current Political Climate and Polling Insights38:57 The Importance of Imagination in Crisis42:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Exposing the Myths: The Real Elon Musk and the Trump Connection. Matt Robison interviews Shane Almgren about his deep-dive article on the myths surrounding Elon Musk and their startling parallels to the story of Donald Trump. Drawing on extensive research, the conversation reveals Musk's history of leveraging others' ideas and resources, much like Trump, and discusses Musk's current feud with the Trump administration's pro-tariff forces. The discussion also touches upon Musk's ideological leanings towards the 'Dark Enlightenment' movement and his potential endgame. Subscribe to Matt Robison's Subtack: https://worthknowing.substack.com/Subscribe to Shane Almgren's Substack: https://shanealmgren.substack.com/00:00 Introduction: The Outrageous Truth Behind Elon Musk03:54 Elon Musk's Fabricated Success Story08:48 The Real Story Behind PayPal14:26 The Zip2 Saga24:26 Speculation on Musk's Endgame34:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

***Subscribe for Free to Matt's New Substack***Exploring the End Game: Trump's Third Term and Hidden Agendas. Matt Robison and Howard Monroe delve into the potential end games of Donald Trump's administration and other hidden agendas influencing it. Building on his article published in Newsweek, they explore three possible end games within the MAGA movement. He and Howard Monroe discuss the feasibility of Trump serving a third term, the role of powerful figures like Elon Musk, and the disruptive agendas aimed at redefining U.S. government. Additionally, they explore the Democratic response to these challenges and strategies for future political battles. Matt's new substack is almost here: subscribe for free now here: https://worthknowing.substack.com/?r=7wgkb&utm_campaign=pub-share-checklist00:00 Introduction: The End Game for Trump01:54 Interview with Howard Monroe: Exploring Trump's Third Term02:27 Trump's Recent Moves: Elon Musk and Tariffs03:57 Howard Monroe's Interview: Trump's Third Term Possibility08:01 MAGA's Extreme Measures and Trump's End Game11:48 Elon Musk's Dark Enlightenment Movement18:22 The Broader MAGA Agenda21:42 Democratic Response: Strategies and Speculations30:16 Conclusion: Final Thoughts and Substack

Matt Robison talks to Washington Monthly Bill Scher about why amidst all the awful things happening under Donald Trump there is some good news, and a few things going better than people realize. We cover why the filibuster may be more beneficial to Democrats than commonly believed, why Chuck Schumer may have done ok on his government funding decision, and why the cratering popularity of JD Vance is a big deal. To keep up with all of Matt's work, subscribe at this link:https://substack.com/@mattrobison2?utm_campaign=unknown&utm_medium=web00:00 Introduction: Taking a Deep Breath05:05 Discussion on Filibuster's Impact12:54 Shutdown Politics and Schumer's Decision19:32 Republican Challenges and JD Vance's Unpopularity24:38 The Shifting Politics of the Republican Party30:07 The Filibuster and Democratic Strategy32:15 Judiciary and Midterm Elections44:19 Medicaid and Medicare Debates

The Future of NATO: Is It on the Brink of Collapse? Matt discusses the potential end of NATO with Dan Perry, former Editor for the Associated Press. They explore the implications of the Trump administration's increasingly strained relations with European allies, NATO's role in containing Russia, and the broader impact on global democracy and trade. 01:06 Is NATO in a Death Spiral?05:40 The Importance of NATO Today09:43 US and NATO Relations17:09 Trump's Impact on NATO25:34 Future Scenarios for NATO

ProPublica Journalist Exposes Potential Collapse of Social Security Under Trump Administration: Matt is joined by ProPublica journalist Eli Hager to discuss his reporting on a recent secret recording from a top-level Social Security Administration meeting where the acting commissioner, Leland Dudek, expresses significant concerns that the Social Security system might "collapse" due to high-level directives from President Trump. We discuss the potential catastrophic consequences for 73 million Americans relying on the program and discusses how the Trump administration's actions are creating chaos and confusion within the Social Security Administration.00:00 Introduction: The Shocking Revelation00:34 The Secret Recording: A Deep Dive03:37 The Acting Commissioner: Leland Dudick's Background06:29 Inside the Meeting: Key Quotes and Insights11:14 The Impact on Social Security: Current and Future18:04 The Bigger Picture: Trump's Influence and Future Implications28:36 Conclusion: The Real Threat to Social Security

What happens to politics, to democracy, as AI gets ever more deeply embedded in everything we do? Matt interviews Dr. Michael Cohen, the author of 'Modern Political Campaigns', about how artificial intelligence is invading politics and how it could soon change American democracy. 01:08 Brain Rot: The Consequences of Consuming Online Drivel01:49 The Fog of Democracy: Challenges in the Information Age03:27 AI in Political Campaigns: Insights from Michael Cohen05:17 The Evolution of Campaign Technology08:48 The Permanent Campaign: Politics Beyond Elections12:36 Algorithmic Influence: AI's Role in Shaping Public Opinion23:46 The Dark Side: Risks of AI in Governance and Society28:52 Future Outlook: AI's Integration in Politics and Beyond32:48 Conclusion: The Pervasiveness of Modern Political Campaigns

Did Trump Already Hit His Peak? Matt Robison discusses with legendary radio broadcaster Howard Monroe whether Donald Trump has already hit his high watermark following his address to Congress. They examine polling data and historical context suggesting that it may be all downhill for Trump from here. The conversation also delves into the Democratic Party's shortcomings in addressing their Trump strategy. 00:00 Introduction: Has Trump Peaked?02:22 Conversation with Howard Monroe03:52 Reactions to Trump's Speech10:34 Polling Insights and Public Perception12:59 Democratic Strategy and Messaging17:54 Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook

The Future of the Republican Party: Matt Robison joins A.J. Kirstead from The New England Take and Republican writer Dexter Tarbox to tackle a provocative question: are we about to see the end of the Republican Party? Episode available at https://www.youtube.com/@newenglandtake.00:00 Introduction: The Republican Party's Closing Act?03:06 Discussion Begins: State of the Republican Party04:57 Coalition or Chaos? Internal GOP Dynamics07:27 Economic Shifts and Political Realignments10:00 Populism and Party Identity15:59 Trump's Influence and Future GOP Leadership20:49 Debating Inflation and Economic Policies28:55 Final Thoughts: GOP's Path Forward

Should Democrats Take Carville's Advice? And How Trump-Zelensky Meeting Unfolded: Democratic political analyst Matt Robeson and Republican political consultant Matt Wylie discuss James Carville's controversial advice for Democrats to 'roll over' against Trump and explore whether there's a better version of that idea that just might work. They also delve into the high-stakes meeting between Ukrainian President Zelensky and Trump, along with America's role in global democracy, Republicans' internal conflicts, and the vulnerabilities of both parties.00:00 Introduction: Should Democrats Follow Carville's Advice?00:49 Introducing Matt Wiley: A Republican Perspective02:04 The Trump-Zelensky Meeting: Real-Time Reactions04:31 Understanding Matt Wiley's Republican Stance09:14 Debating Trump's Foreign Policy and Its Implications25:23 James Carville's Controversial Strategy for Democrats26:38 Prosecuting the Case: A Republican Consultant's Perspective27:35 Democrats' Lost Direction and Carville's Argument28:31 Economic Struggles and Political Strategies31:33 Healthcare as a Political Battleground37:02 The Importance of Real People in Political Messaging39:19 State of the Union and Political Reactions42:55 Concluding Thoughts and Strategic Advice

The Exhausting Chore of Engaging with the News and How We Can Fix It: Matt Robison discusses the increasing difficulty and demoralization of modern news consumption and its negative impact on America--including how it empowers Trump. Important Links: Newsweek article Matt's Substack Cliff's Substack00:00 Introduction: The Exhausting Chore of Getting the News00:39 The Vicious Cycle of News Consumption02:08 Exploring the Change Research Study04:09 The Impact of Avoiding the News08:47 Trust in Media and Institutions09:22 Potential Solutions and Media Examples13:52 Conclusion: Fixing Trust First16:39 Personal Reflections and Future Plans

Decoding Trump's Secret Plan to Sabotage the Government:Matt Robison delves into the possibility of a covert Trump strategy to wipe out huge swaths of the government through a "glitch fix.'' Based on his article in Newsweek, available at: https://www.newsweek.com/will-trump-fix-glitch-win-his-war-government-opinion-2031305.If you want to give feedback on the show, you can email Matt directly at robisonmatt@gmail.com.00:00 Introduction: Trump's War on American Government01:38 Programming Note: Changes to the Show03:34 Office Space Analogy: Fixing the Glitch04:42 Elon Musk's Role: Government Efficiency07:43 Legal Implications: Trump's Executive Authority11:58 Conclusion: The Ongoing Assault

 Yes, unfortunately, you read that episode title, right: Today is Alicia Preston Xanthopoulos' last episode of Beyond Politics. Before we got into her big send off, we had to talk about the whole mess of things that are going on from the Trump administration. What's the most concerning? Is there a constitutional crisis happening right now? And what do we think is really the strategy going on behind all of this? And then at the end, yes, we did get to our send off for Alicia with some very special guests. Not kidding. No joke.

While all the focus has been on Trump's executive orders and funding freezes affecting billions of dollars, under the radar, Congress is starting to make decisions affecting trillions of dollars and vital functions of government that Americans rely on. Matt Robison and Congressional insider Ryan McConaghy explore the Democrats' potential leverage points and strategies in the huge upcoming Congressional battles and where everything could land.00:00 Introduction: The Overlooked Question in Trump's Washington01:43 Interview with Ryan McConaughey: Inside Congress02:59 Shock and Awe: Reactions to Trump's Administration05:32 Probing the Limits: Trump's Strategy09:06 Reconciliation and Government Funding Challenges16:42 Democratic Leverage and Legislative Strategy31:14 Predictions and Future Outlook33:37 Conclusion: Final Thoughts and Farewell

 Alicia Preston returns to our regular panel, and like all thoughtful friends, she's brought gifts. In this case, a new poll suggesting that even Republicans are quickly souring on the Elon Musk show, and he may be about to drag Donald Trump down with him. We also got into the less than effective communications that Democrats have been mounting in opposition to Trump over the past two weeks, and the truly awful, obscenely immoral thing that Trump and Musk just did. And hang on until the end when Alicia reveals the ultimate Trump scam that she received live on air in the middle of our show. 00:00 Welcome Back Alicia Preston! 00:17 Republicans Sour on Elon Musk 01:51 Trump's Unfulfilled Promises 02:44 The Reality of Trump's Policies 06:59 The Honeymoon is Over 08:52 Government Spending Debate 11:56 Condescension and Condemnation 17:09 Biden's Role in Inflation 18:00 Democratic Messaging and Campaigning 19:12 Critique of Current Democratic Strategy 20:39 Proposed Legislative Actions 24:46 Foreign Aid Controversy 31:03 Republican Stance on Foreign Aid 34:58 Trump's Financial Conflicts 35:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Strategic Zen in the Trump Era: Navigating Exhaustion and Overwhelm: Matt Robison joins radio legend Howard Monroe to discuss the coping strategy of 'Strategic Zen' to deal with the overwhelming nature of Trump's second administration. They discuss how critical it is for Democrats to differentiate between significant moves and more transient actions, and how overreacting to every development is counterproductive. 02:33 The Strategic Zen Approach to Trump's Actions 03:36 Interview with Howard Monroe: Coping with the Trump Administration 05:21 The Fire Hose Effect: Managing the Overwhelm 07:43 Something or Nothing: Evaluating Trump's Actions 17:04 The End Game: What Should the Opposition Aim For? 31:20 Conclusion: Finding Calm Amidst the Chaos

Democrats vs Trump's Tactics: How to Beat the Flood the Zone Strategy. Matt Robison, Matt Wylie, and Paul Hodes discuss how Democrats should respond to the outpouring of pronouncements and Executive Orders from Donald Trump's administration. Democrats may be falling into the trap that Trump's team intended--but it's not that hard to see it and stay out of it. 01:06 The Spending Freeze Saga 06:51 Democratic Exhaustion and Disengagement 10:45 Trump's Performative Politics 15:15 Immigration and the Bigger Picture 22:42 The TV Presidency: Trump's Media Strategy 27:56 Republican Opportunities and Challenges 36:19 The Chaos and Its Consequences 42:23 The Absurdity of Trump Loyalty

Cross Purposes: The Broken Connection Between Christianity and American Democracy Matt Robison explores the relationship between Christianity and American democracy with Brookings scholar and Atlantic author Jonathan Rauch. They discuss the themes of Rauch's new book, Cross Purposes, which argues that the health of America's political and religious institutions are deeply intertwined. The conversation delves into the decline of Christianity's influence, the rise of secular substitutes, and the problematic blend of religion with partisan politics. Rauch also highlights the potential model of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as a way forward for American Christianity. 00:00 Introduction: Christianity and American Democracy 01:28 Christianity's Contributions to America 07:17 The Decline of Religiosity in America 14:50 Sharp Christianity and Its Political Influence 19:17 The Broken Bargain Between Christianity and Democracy 22:03 Why Christianity Matters in America 31:05 The Decline of American Christianity 37:22 The Church Within the Church 42:40 A Civic Theology 44:51 The LDS Church as a Model 47:48 Final Thoughts and Reflections

 It's been a blitzkrieg of executive orders from President Donald Trump in his first week. But is it all a huge deal or is it more like Shakespeare said, a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing? That's the question weo wanted to put to our round-table today and Once again, we had a pinch hit from our friend, Matt Wylie, who was super subbing in for Alicia Preston. We covered immigration, climate agreements, energy production, and controversial measures like birthright citizenship and the "weaponization" of the federal government. 00:42 Trump's Executive Orders: Big Deal or Not? 03:08 The Role of Congress and the Judiciary 07:00 Big Deal, Little Deal, or No Deal: Game Time 14:12 Trump's Immigration Policies 21:25 The Fox News Fallacy and Immigration Impact 23:17 Economic Frustration and Trade Effects 25:00 Trump's Climate and Energy Policies 29:45 Weaponization of the Federal Government 33:00 TikTok Ban and Executive Orders 38:38 Trump's High Point and Future Challenges

Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement--a rare case of productive teamwork between Donald Trump and Joe Biden in brokering the deal? The Jack Smith report detailing Trump's alleged crimes related to January 6th and classified documents. Pete Hegseth's controversial confirmation hearing for Secretary of Defense. And finally Alicia Preston's birthday so who's the second greatest person born on her birthday? 00:28 Ceasefire Agreement Between Israel and Hamas 02:12 Trump and Biden's Roles in the Ceasefire 09:25 Jack Smith Report on Donald Trump 20:53 Pete Hegseth's Embarrassing Confirmation Hearing 26:41 Elon Musk vs. Steve Bannon 35:28 Middle Class Struggles and Political Neglect 37:53 Birthday Game: Famous People Born Today

Matt Robison and radio legend Howard Monroe separate the real, subtle threats posed by artificial intelligence from the kinds of things we stress about in movies. Then: why Democrats need to avoid falling into the "Trump fallacy." And finally, an audio adaptation of Matt's most recent Newsweek column on why Congress needs to step in and ban fraternities and sororities on college campuses. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 03:00 Howard Monroe Radio Show: Health and Humor 06:43 The Real Danger of AI: Distorting Reality 13:16 Trump's Press Conference: World Domination or Bluster? 15:15 Navigating Trump's Statements: Picking Battles 29:12 Fraternities and Sororities: Time for a Ban

Matt, Paul, and Alicia hit the biggest stories unfolding this week, starting with the  Los Angeles wildfires and the way in which the politics of global warming have already entered the picture, even as people are still at risk. Also, Joe Biden's assertion that if he had stayed in the race, he would have won; the end of all of the Donald Trump legal cases and the confusing muddled pile up it's turned into and what it ultimately means; the question of how Republicans are going to try to pass the Trump agenda; Facebook waving the white flag on fact checking; and finally, the case that Donald Trump is actually right about taking possession of Greenland. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:11 Los Angeles Wildfires and Climate Politics 03:17 Debating Energy Policies and Insurance Issues 07:58 Biden's Interview and Political Reflections 10:22 Trump's Legal Troubles and Sentencing 16:04 Jack Smith Report and Transparency Issues 19:00 The Importance of Truth in Politics 20:42 Debating Trump's Legislative Strategy 27:53 Mark Zuckerberg and Content Moderation 33:44 Trump's Greenland Ambitions 38:36 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Was Jimmy Carter really a failed President? Ahead of his funeral at Washington National Cathedral on Thursday, Matt Robison and historian Dr. Erik Loomis take a clear-eyed, unvarnished look at a presidency and historic legacy that are more complicated, and at times more successful, than we remember. 00:00 Introduction: Reflecting on Jimmy Carter's Legacy 02:17 Jimmy Carter's Early Life and Political Rise 04:33 Carter's Relationship with Racism and Segregation 07:42 Media Perception and Public Image 12:51 Presidential Challenges and Failures 29:44 Carter's Post-Presidency Achievements 35:54 Final Thoughts and Legacy

A Stellar Year: Space Discoveries and Cosmic Wonders of 2024 Matt Robison is joined by astronomy professor John Gianforte from the University of New Hampshire, also known as 'the Sky Guy'. They delve into the most fascinating space-related events of 2024, including the Great North American Eclipse, new moons around Uranus and Neptune, significant finds from the James Webb Space Telescope, and intriguing developments in early universe theories. They also look ahead to future missions like the Europa Clipper and the use of AI in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, highlighting how science fiction is becoming reality. (New Englanders: if you want to see some of these amazing sky sights, come to the UNH Observatory--more information here) 00:00 Introduction to Beyond Politics 02:04 A Big Year for the Sun 02:14 The Great North American Eclipse 05:39 Solar Maximum and Aurora Borealis 13:39 The Parker Solar Probe 16:22 Exploring the Solar System 16:49 The Comet 18:54 The Mysterious Oort Cloud 24:04 The Debate Over Pluto and Planet Nine 29:15 The Mystery of Planet Nine 29:35 New Moons Discovered in Our Solar System 32:35 James Webb Space Telescope's Latest Discoveries 33:48 Formation of Stars and Planets 36:34 Theories on Solar System Formation 39:40 Earliest Galaxies and Black Hole Mergers 47:28 The Ultimate Fate of the Universe 56:11 Science Fiction Becoming Reality

PART TWO of the "Boppies": our annual award show of the highlights and lowlights in news, politics, and current events for 2024. We dive into the most intriguing public opinion and demographic data of 2024, biggest science story, the year's defining moment, and the "Winner" of the year. 02:07 Public Opinion Fact of the Year 11:54 Best First of 2024 20:49 Breakthroughs in Science: Top Stories of the Year 33:14 Defining Moments of 2024 36:48 Who Won the Year?

It's the "Boppies": our annual award show of the highlights and lowlights in news, politics, and current events for 2024. In Part One we cover categories such as Most Valuable Player (MVP) on both the Democratic and Republican sides, 'Perp of the Year,' and the most significant news stories of 2024. 00:00 Opening Remarks and Fashion Highlights 03:10 Introducing the Gala and Categories 03:37 Democratic MVP Nominees 08:36 Republican MVP Nominees 13:44 Perp of the Year: Political Scandals 20:32 Best Achievement in Legislation 24:04 News Story of the Year

How did Elon Musk corner Donald Trump into a fit of chaos that could shutter the entire US government? Matt, Paul, and guest panelist Republican political consultant Matt Wiley discuss how the rapid meltdown could be a preview of the next four years of Trump giving Republicans fits. We also analyze Trump's lawsuits against media figures and the chilling effect on journalism, and a close look at the big Daylight Savings Time fight. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Host Announcement 01:34 House Speaker Mike Johnson's Challenges 02:12 Government Shutdown and Debt Ceiling Crisis 06:02 Elon Musk's Influence on Politics 09:46 Republican Party's Internal Struggles 12:12 Trump's Governance by Chaos 15:36 Future Political Strategies and Predictions 23:43 Midterm Election Prospects and Historical Patterns 28:13 Trump's Legal Battles and Media Accountability 34:01 The Future of Free Press and Media Ownership 42:23 Debate on Daylight Savings Time

Did American Jews Mess Up Hanukkah and How Can It Be Fixed? Matt Robison explores how American Jews altered Hanukkah in an attempt to align it with the new "American Christmas," of the 19th century, and why the initiative never really worked. 00:00 Introduction and Article Overview 02:09 The Cultural Confluence of Hanukkah and Christmas 02:31 The Historical Context of Hanukkah 03:42 The Commercialization of Christmas and Its Impact on Hanukkah 05:41 The Failure of the Hanukkah Makeover 08:08 Proposed Changes to Hanukkah Traditions 12:17 Conclusion and Upcoming Content

Matt, Paul and Alicia started off with President Biden's record-setting number of clemency petitions and that led right into the question of whether we're living in a Trump warp where everything that we do is being bent around Trump or our fears of what he might do in the future. We also talked about the bizarre, cruel online reaction to alleged murderer Luigi Mangione and what it says about where we are culturally. And finally we had to hit two late breaking stories. Donald Trump being named Time's Person of the Year and a plague of drones attacking New Jersey. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:57 Biden's Record Clemency Announcement 03:47 The Trump Warp Theory 13:22 The Luigi Mangione Case 30:13 Trump Named Time's Person of the Year 32:15 Mysterious Drones Over New Jersey

The Fall of Assad Throws the Future of the Middle East Into Uncertainty. Matt is joined by former Middle East editor for the Associated Press, Dan Perry, to discuss the recent fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria and its implications for the Middle East. What will it mean for the stability of Syria and the broader region, and what is the impact on global politics including the US, Israel, Europe, Russia, and Iran? They also touch on the complexities of the US State Department's response, the role of Donald Trump, and the fate of long-held American captive Austin Tice. 00:00 Introduction and Middle East Shakeup Overview 00:51 Guest Introduction: Dan Perry's Expertise 02:58 The Role of Hezbollah and Israel's Impact 04:59 Unintended Consequences and Global Reactions 07:33 The Fall of Assad and Rebel Dynamics 11:47 US and International Perspectives 17:48 Trump's Potential Influence and Future Implications 26:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Assessing Nominee Threats, Hunter Biden's Pardon, and 2024's Word of the Year: Matt, Paul, and Alicia engage in a lively debate about which Trump nominee, Kash Patel or Peter Hegseth, poses a greater threat to America. They also discuss President Biden's recent pardon of his son, Hunter, and reach a counterintuitive conclusion. The show wraps up with an amusing yet thought-provoking discussion on Oxford's 2024 word of the year, and its implications for society. 00:00 Introduction and Game Setup 01:11 Who's a Bigger Threat to America? 02:26 Debating the Nominees 04:07 Paul's Profanity-Laced Tirade 06:02 Matt's Turn and Shawshank Reference 12:51 Discussion on Pardons 19:41 The Role of Press Secretaries 23:14 Word of the Year: Brain Rot 24:28 The Impact of Social Media on Society 32:17 Concluding Thoughts and Historical Context

Matt, Paul, and Alicia look at the question from Matt's most recent Newsweek column: is Trump falling into the mandate trap? New numbers from post-election analysis pain a pretty clear picture of what voters want and the limits of what voters want. In the case of Trump, there are very sharp limits on what voters will tolerate, and he seems to be pushing past them already. 01:06 Election Analysis: Trump's Mandate 03:13 Hakeem Jeffries and the Freedom Caucus 05:37 Political Negotiations and Compromises 11:28 Voter Sentiments and Democratic Party Challenges 25:15 Thanksgiving and Final Thoughts

We're joined by Mark Jacob, former editor for both the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times. His most recent book is "Globetrotter: How Abe Saperstein shook up the world of sports. " It's a remarkable story about how a 5-3 Jewish immigrant became one of the most important figures in American sports history. Abe Saperstein founded the Harlem Globetrotters. His drive, determination, and creativity led to, among other things, the integration of basketball, the three-point line, and breaking baseball's color line. He even had a hand at American diplomacy in the 1950s and sixties. We also had to talk politics at the end, and discuss how the media is falling into the MAGA trap in even subtler ways these days. 00:22 The Story of Abe Saperstein 03:10 Saperstein's Impact on Basketball and Baseball 05:33 The Jewish Experience and Racism 13:33 Saperstein's Role in Diplomacy 16:38 The Globetrotters and Minstrelsy 22:13 Connecting Sports and Media 24:10 Pro-Democracy Journalism 29:03 Subtle Media Manipulation 35:24 The Democrat Party Tactic 41:19 Entertainment as Propaganda 47:44 Respecting Different Views 50:14 Concluding Thoughts

Matt Gaetz is out. But Peter Hegseth is still in and so are a bunch of other Trump nominees who have a mix of no qualifications and disqualifications, How are senators supposed to weigh those factors, especially when they depend on accusations> And how do we prevent nominations like this from becoming another polarizing Brett Kavanaugh-esque test that forces each side into their partisan corners and ultimately just results in giving Donald Trump what he wants? Also, Representative Nancy Mace's controversial rules change preventing transgender Congresswoman Sarah McBride from using women's facilities. And finally, an update on Matt's culinary interest in Paul and Alicia's pets. 00:00 Matt Gaetz's Exit 02:01 Controversial Trump Nominees 04:55 Debating Qualifications vs. Allegations 07:07 The Role of Senate in Vetting Nominees 09:14 Personal Conduct and Public Office 24:50 The Matt Gaetz Update 26:52 Transgender Rights in Congress 40:03 Closing Thoughts and Pets on the Menu

Matt Robison and Howard Monroe explore not only why things under Trump may not be as bad as they seem at first, but why it's so critical for people to feel better, more upbeat, and more positive about politics. 00:39 The Dismal Seriousness of American Politics 01:08 The Election and Trump's Cabinet Nominations 02:18 Making Politics Fun Again 03:39 The Impact of Media and Messaging 07:07 Challenges for the Democratic Party 16:33 Trump's Nominations and Their Implications 28:31 Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook

Trump Appoints Matt Gaetz as Attorney General: Political Comedy or Crisis? Hosts Matt , Paul, and Alicia discuss Donald Trump's controversial decision to nominate Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, examining the political, ethical, and conspiratorial aspects. They also delve into the qualifications of Trump's other nominations, including Marco Rubio and Tulsi Gabbard, and the implications for a closely divided, Republican-controlled Congress. And we close with a genuinely inspirational, historic moment, plus an ironic comeuppance for one of the right-wing's most loathsome figures. 00:06 Trump's Controversial Nominee: Matt Gaetz 03:32 The Ethics Report and Gaetz's Qualifications 06:58 Reactions and Political Implications 11:21 Trump's Strategy and Senate Dynamics 18:05 Potential Recess Appointments and Senate Pushback 25:36 Freedom Caucus and House Majority Challenges 27:36 Marco Rubio and Elise Stefanik's Qualifications 28:01 Tulsi Gabbard's Controversial Appointment 31:15 Pete Hegseth's Military Experience and Concerns 33:18 Trump's Cabinet Picks and Their Implications 39:04 Performative Politics and Peaceful Transfers of Power 43:46 The Onion Buys InfoWars: Satirical Justice

This is a post election essay that I'm calling "Blue Linings Playbook: the Game Plan Democrats Need After a Disaster." The message is that the election WAS a disaster, but we can manage it. And if you look hard, there are even some upsides for the long term. 00:00 Introduction: Blue Linings Playbook 01:01 Short-Term Strategies for Democrats 02:19 Trump's Waning Influence 04:11 Executive Actions and Judicial Appointments 05:57 Long-Term Democratic Reformation 11:53 Rebranding and Refocusing the Party 13:12 Conclusion: Turning Crisis into Opportunity

There's no sugar coating that it was a terrible night. Matt, Paul, and Alicia discuss not just why voters decided to bring Donald Trump back, but also why there are good reasons to believe that we can mitigate the worst damage from Trump's return, and that if Democrats can face some painful truths, they can chart a course back. 00:00 Introduction and Election Overview 00:22 Analyzing the Election Results 04:00 The Economy and Voter Sentiment 06:31 Democratic Party Challenges 20:43 Voter Disconnect and Information 26:23 Looking Forward: Strategies and Hope

Matt Robison discusses why Kamala Harris is more likely than not to win, even if he (and we) can't feel confident about it. And no matter what happens, after a difficult November to come, why there's hope ahead. 00:00 Introduction and Election Day Predictions 01:27 Media Advantage: TV and Digital Ads 06:38 Ground Game: Mobilizing Voters 09:58 Polling Manipulations and Their Impact 17:18 Why Confidence is Still Shaky 20:01 Preparing for Post-Election Challenges 22:08 Conclusion: Nauseous Optimism

For our last pre-election round table panel we explore whether the unhinged racist rally from Donald Trump over the weekend really will make a critical difference in the election. Also, we each took a swing at giving our closing arguments in the campaign. And finally, we give our tips for what to look for on Tuesday night to get a sense of what happened and who's going to win. 00:50 Trump's Racist Rally and Its Impact 03:02 Latino Voters and Trump's Influence 08:08 Biden's Gaffe and Public Reaction 12:39 Closing Arguments: Why Vote for Harris 19:45 Reflecting on Political Choices 20:54 A Dream of the Capitol 22:08 Election Night Preparations 23:13 Analyzing Swing States 24:09 Campaign Experiences 27:10 Election Night Strategies 33:42 Election Night Snacks and Humor 34:33 Concluding Remarks

This week we're talking about the factors that are going to tip the election one way or the other in the final few days, as we're down to a very, very few voters who ultimately hold our fate in their hands. To try to get some insight I wanted to ask my friend, Sam Harris, who hosts one of the fastest growing and most popular psychology podcasts on earth. It's called Growth Mindset and it's a really interesting dive in each episode into a different idea from psychology and how you can apply it to what you do. So what is REALLY going to push the final undecided voters in the final days? 03:45 Heuristics and Decision Making 07:14 Impact of Recent Events on Voter Decisions 12:41 Trump's Unique Appeal 19:27 The Role of Podcasts in Campaigns 32:32 Collective Dissatisfaction and Political Change 35:36 Conclusion: Reflecting on Progress

We are about to find out if Kamala Harris' biggest advantage is going to make the winning difference: a subject I cover in depth in my new column in Newsweek today. One person who knows quite a lot about it and who believes that the answer is yes is Matt Wiley, a Republican political consultant and former executive director of the Massachusetts Republican party who has managed many Senate campaigns. He lays out the case for why he not only thinks Harris' advantage is going to make a difference, but why he feels confident that Trump is going to lose. He also explains how Trump has destroyed the party that he believes in and how both Republicans and Democrats might change course after the election. 02:54 The Importance of Ground Game 07:21 Random Factors in Elections 09:19 Republican Party Challenges 18:05 Trump's Campaign Strategy 22:18 Polling and Election Predictions 24:34 The Future of the Republican Party 25:08 Challenges for the Democratic Party 27:39 Concerns About the 2024 Election 31:16 The Importance of Checks and Balances 33:52 The Aftermath of the Election 40:37 Hope for America's Future

Right now the F word is all over the news. Donald Trump's longest serving chief of staff, retired four-star Marine general John Kelly, said that Donald Trump is literally the dictionary definition of a "fascist" and Kamala Harris agreed. So is this going to be the Harris campaign's closing argument in the final 10 days? And should it be? Also, the quiet campaign that Democrats are starting to whisper into the ears of Republican women, especially women in Republican areas.

Where are we with two weeks to go? That's what my good friend, legendary radio broadcaster, Howard Monroe wanted to ask me on his show yesterday. And so we ran through all of it. Where do things stand? What could they turn on in the end? And is there hope for Democrats, as the polls have seemed to shift very slightly in Donald Trump's direction? And before we got into any of that, Howard wanted to talk about texting. What is the effect of all of these fundraising texts and emails that we're all constantly getting, do they work? And I suggested that they might be working kind of, but they might also be having a really destructive long term effect that no one is really talking about. 00:23 The Impact of Fundraising Texts 03:22 The Science Behind Political Messaging 11:58 The Final Countdown to the Election 14:01 The Butterfly Effect in Elections 16:36 Trump's Recent Behavior and Public Perception 17:56 Economic Plans and Public Opinion 19:50 Polling Trends and Voter Behavior 27:44 The Final Countdown to Election Day

Jason Fields, Deputy Opinion Editor at Newsweek, shares the five sources of fresh insights in politics and current affairs that are worth spending your time on, give new insight or just freshen up what you thought you knew. Also, is Kamala Harris pulling off a major vanishing act? What's up with the Elon Musk's bizarre, illegal scheme to help Trump that came to light over the weekend? And how have things changed in the way we do political discourse in America? 00:40 Interview with Jason Fields: Insights from a Newsroom Veteran 01:32 Kamala Harris: The Vanishing Act 06:12 Trump's Unpredictable Political Landscape 10:20 Elon Musk's Controversial Moves 14:45 The True Believers vs. The Grift Class 19:33 The Age Dilemma 20:02 The Evolution of Political Debate 23:27 The Browser Tab Phenomenon 24:48 Newsweek's Diverse Opinions 29:20 Top Writers and Their Impact 37:17 Election Predictions and Reflections

We just crossed an invisible line in the 2024 election. Ever since the presidential debate, Kamala Harris has held a small but steady lead in the critical swing state polls. That made her the favorite to win in the election, even by a small amount. But this week that forecast slipped away. So we ask: is this really happening? Is this really a situation where Trump is now the favorite to win? Alicia laid out a case that it will not end up that close. And she remains confident that Trump cannot and will not win. We also talked about the US political impact of the death of the Hamas leader and Kamala Harris' big Fox News interview. And at the end we give you the definitive readout on Donald Trump's 39 minutes of straight dancing at a rally. 00:00 Election Forecast Shifts: Trump Takes the Lead 01:26 International News: Death of Hamas Leader 06:31 Kamala Harris's Fox News Interview 10:47 Media Bias and Its Impact on Elections 23:03 Polling Numbers and Forecasts 24:25 Alicia's Analysis: Trump's Chances in the Election 28:29 Ground Game: Harris vs. Trump 31:41 The Role of Field Operations 41:44 Trump's Dance Party and Final Thoughts

What if I told you that we're looking at polling numbers in the wrong way? We're all inundated with polling right now as we enter the final three weeks of the 2024 election, and we're used to looking at those polls with one question in mind. Who's ahead? But today's guest says we shouldn't be looking at the margin. We should be looking at the share of the vote that each candidate is getting. And that tells us a LOT more about what's going to happen in the election. Our guest is Nate Moore, a public opinion expert who writes for the American Enterprise Institute and the Liberal Patriot. 00:59 The Importance of Vote Share 04:20 Current Polling Trends and Predictions 09:16 The Pennsylvania Problem 16:11 The Blue Shift Phenomenon 19:40 Polling Methodologies and Their Impact 26:33 Impact of Mark Robinson Scandal 29:21 The Butterfly Effect in Elections 32:26 Electoral System and Party Dynamics 38:36 Key Races to Watch 40:42 Election Night Indicators

Kamala Harris has every advantage -- money, ads, volunteers -- but is stuck in polling against Donald Trump. Matt, Paul and Alicia explore what's going on. We also delve into Bob Woodward's explosive claims about Trump's secret interactions with Putin during the COVID pandemic. Also, a friendly fight breaks out on misinformation in politics. And finally, a look at the wackiest unfounded conspiracy theory circulating online these days, plus our parody (note: you do actually have to cast your vote by Election Day people!) of the kind of misinformation that's out there. 00:00 Introduction: Why Are We Stuck? 00:59 Debating Lies and Misinformation in Politics 12:20 The 2024 Election Stalemate 22:41 Trump's Secret Conversations with Putin 32:03 Conspiracy Theories and Parody

Painful as it is for Democrats (like us at the Beyond Politics podcast) to say, there's no denying that Donald Trump's economic pitch is working, especially among working-class voters. Despite significant backlash from non-partisan experts and economists, Trump is tied or ahead of Kamala Harris on the issue that voters say is most important to them. Why? And is there something Trump is saying that we should all be paying more attention to. Matt welcomes back Newsweek Opinion Editor Batya Ungar-Sargon to talk about what she sees in Trump's economic message, why she ran Trump's plan and Matt's critique of it back-to-back, and where she finds Kamala Harris hitting the right notes. ***For those wanting to see the draft piece Matt discussed on Friday on the most intriguing questions coming out of the VP debate, check out this link to his Patreon page (patrons always welcome!)*** 00:00 Introduction and Tough Question 01:38 Newsweek's Editorial Decision 03:27 Promoting Diverse Opinions 06:48 Debating Trump's Economic Policies 11:43 Economic Perspectives and Personal Stories 29:54 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

The Fallout from the VP Debate: Implications for 2024 and Beyond. The big VP debate may not significantly affect the 2024 election, but it raises critical questions for American politics. Here's a quick look at the top5 big questions for the future coming out of the debate 00:00 Introduction: The Impact of the VP Debate 03:30 Trump's Mental Triggers: A Potential Downfall 04:52 Vance's Strategic Positioning in the Republican Party 06:14 The Double-Edged Sword of Vance's Success 07:22 Democrats' Rediscovery of a Powerful Issue 08:51 A New Era for Debates and Political Content? 11:32 Conclusion: Final Thoughts and Stakes