Rick Wilson's The Enemies List

This week on The Enemies List, Rick Wilson zeroes in on Texas Governor Greg Abbott's latest authoritarian stunt: a blatantly corrupt redistricting power grab that aims to rig the 2026 election before a single vote is cast. As Texas Democrats flee the state to block quorum, Abbott threatens arrests and removals—desperate moves from a party that knows it can't win fairly. Rick pulls no punches, calling out the apartheid-style gerrymandering, the legal thuggery, and the spineless MAGA loyalty behind this brazen scheme. This isn't policy—it's political warfare. And Abbott is trying to be Trump's loyal soldier in the redistricting coup. Rick lays out what's at stake: if Democrats don't fight fire with fire in states like California, New York, and Illinois, Republicans will steamroll their way to an illegitimate majority in 2026—and possibly end free elections as we know them. From election cheating and voter suppression to redistricting corruption, authoritarian power grabs, and Trump's dangerous orbit, this episode is a blistering call to arms. The fight starts in Texas, but it ends with the survival of American democracy. Subscribe, share, and stay vigilant. . . . Follow Lincoln Square on X at @lincolnsquareHQ, Bluesky at @lincolnsquare.media‬, and Substack at @lincolnquare. Follow Rick Wilson on X @therickwilson, Bluesky at @therickwilson.bsky.social, and Substack @therickwilson.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PART I The guy who is eternally on the Enemies List, the 45th and 47th president -- aka Vladdy's Boy, aka Don the Con, aka F*ckboi Von Clownface -- is getting an extra special mention this week. Every week, there are a million reasons to nominate Trump the Chump, but this week, Trump revealed his pathetic nature for all of MAGA to bear witness. First, let us tee this up. Virginia Guiffre -- who was a survivor of Epstein, Maxwell, Prince Andrew, and others -- was critical to getting justice for the hundreds of victims. In a clip that went viral on Tuesday, Trump told reporters that he *knew* who Virginia Guiffre was, that she'd worked as a spa attendant at Mar-a-Lago, and that Epstein had "stolen" her from him. What Trump is really saying is that Guiffre was property, he was aware that she was being trafficked, and groomed/raped by sexual predators. He didn't care about Guiffre, only his ego, and that Epstein had gotten one over on him.  Trump is no stranger to who or what Epstein was -- he joked that Epstein "liked girls on the younger side" and that, in Trump's 50th birthday card to Epstein, they shared a "wonderful secret." Distractions are still being volleyed against the wall -- but Trump knows he's hiding who he is and, this time, he can't outrun it.   PART II Emil Bove -- who looks like a part-time crypt-keeper -- was confirmed to the federal bench this week, and it's plain as day that Trump will put Bove onto the Supreme Court bench. The Senate was aware that Bove had lied to them and was involved in several DOJ cover-ups, and yet they ran his nomination up the chain. The fact that one president will have seated four of the Supreme Court justices should raise the question: Is this really what's best for America? Bove is a particular corrupt flavor -- there's a MOB lawyer vibe to this guy. (Shut up, John Thune, no one wants to hear you wimper your phony "hope" for what you *think* he will do.) There's nothing the Senate won't do for Trump now. . Follow Lincoln Square on X at @lincolnsquareHQ, Bluesky at @lincolnsquare.media‬, and Substack at @lincolnquare. . Follow Rick Wilson on X @therickwilson, Bluesky at @therickwilson.bsky.social, and Substack ⁠@therickwilson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The idea should be very clear: Trump is going after the media to suppress coverage of the cover-up." The media is becoming complicit in the greatest cover-up in the history of American politics. The Epstein story isn't going away, no matter how hard Trump tries to make it disappear. But now that effort by Trump is pushing our media into a dark place that it may never return from. If American media outlets don't stand up – and make no mistake, so far they aren't – the loss to our Democracy could be immeasurable. Rick explains why in this episode of The Enemies List. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rick's back to take your questions. You won't be surprised to learn that we got a ton of questions about the Epstein files. In fact, this story is becoming so primary, so massive, that even if a question isn't about the Epstein files, it's still about the Epstein files. Example? William asks about the Supreme Court's shift toward authoritarianism. That might not sound like a question regarding Trump's involvement with Epstein, but let's say he's on that list (he is). Who is going to hold him accountable? Not SCOTUS. Listen for all that and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elon Musk jumping into the third-party game? Buckle up. Building a party from scratch is a brutal, Kafkaesque nightmare, and the duopoly hates it. Yeah, he's got money—big money—but money alone won't save him from the legal jungle and political vultures circling. If Musk does this right, it could seriously screw up the GOP and maybe mess with the Dems too. If he does it wrong? Well, he'll just flush a fortune down the drain with a bunch of clowns running around. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Voters don't vote on policy — they vote on emotion. Republicans run on pure id, the constant, persistent craving for lizard-brain emotions that keep them engaged and enraged enough to act. And Democrats? Well...they lecture. One side is a fireworks display, and the other...a PowerPoint presentation. In this week's Enemies List Q&A, Rick answers your questions, sorts out what's broken in the Democratic party, & hammers out how to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Enemies List, Rick Wilson takes no prisoners as he tears into Kristi Noem—MAGA's “Ice Barbie” and Trump's loyal mouthpiece. From her shameful 72-hour delay in sending FEMA aid during the Texas floods to her relentless lies defending ICE's brutal immigration raids, Noem embodies the cruelty and corruption at the heart of this administration. Rick exposes how she's transformed from a conservative politician into a shameless propagandist willing to say and do anything to stay in Trump's good graces—even if it means lying about the deaths of hundreds and ignoring real disaster relief.Noem's obsession with deporting immigrants, creating militarized detention centers, and spinning false narratives about “criminals” is part of a broader, deadly agenda that prioritizes political theater over people's lives. Rick also highlights how the media continues to fall for her scripted performances, failing to hold her accountable for the damage she causes. After tearing into Noem, Rick shines a light on Eldridge Colby, a shadowy Pentagon figure with dangerous pro-Russian leanings who's been sabotaging U.S. defense efforts and embarrassing the administration. Colby represents the corrupt, unaccountable “derp state” actors undermining American values from within.Join Rick & take a look at the lies, cruelty, and chaos driving the Trump administration's worst policies—and why it's vital to call out the people behind them. All that and more on this week's Enemies List... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rick Wilson discusses the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein cover-up linked to the Trump administration. He talks about Trump's long association with Epstein, the involvement of key MAGA figures in keeping case files hidden, and the conspiracy theories surrounding the scandal, shedding light on the complex and troubling realities behind one of the most disturbing stories in recent American politics. All that and more on this week's Enemies List... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's Enemies List we cover how Trump-era cuts under DOGE slashed nearly 600 National Weather Service jobs, leaving Texas forecasting offices understaffed ahead of this weekend's deadly floods, which claimed dozens of lives. Rick breaks down the political fallout and what this weekend reveals about the risks of cutting vital public safety resources. All that and more on this week's Enemies List... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It would take us a thousand years to get through all of your questions. Thank you for bringing the heat! This week, there were a few themes, though. Lots of you were curious about Rick's take on Mamdani (it's not what you might imagine). Even more of you pledged your hatred of the MAGA Murder Budget Bill and wondered if there was still time to fight back. And we got more than a few questions asking Rick to look into his crystal ball, which he was more than happy to do. All that and more on this week's Enemies List... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, Pete Hegseth argued that the real danger to our military lies in criticism from the press or skepticism about military campaigns. He's wrong. The real danger to our military is leadership that rewards dishonesty, punishes accountability, and erodes the chain of trust that holds the armed forces together. Pete Hegseth is unqualified. Pete Hegseth is a liar. Pete Hegseth is a national security risk. And he's found a forever-home on the Enemies List. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"This is the new free press—without corporate masters, without super PACs." Rick takes your questions on this episode of the Enemies List, and you had some doozies. Many of you wondered whether or not democracy's guardrails were holding, and what the current state of the protest movement tells us about the generational divide. Rick talks about all that and how outlets like Lincoln Square are the face of the new media. And then...he gives a bit of parenting advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The B-2 strike on Iran's Fordow nuclear facility was a show of unmatched precision and power—but the rush to celebrate masks a dangerous truth. Triumphalism, especially from Trump's political base, treats the attack as an end rather than a beginning. But Iran has built its legacy on asymmetric warfare, and tonight's strike may have opened a long, uncertain chapter rather than closed one. This isn't just about a bomb dropped—it's about what comes next. Iran doesn't need nukes to retaliate; it needs patience and proxies. The enemy gets a vote, and Tehran is likely already planning its next move. Triumphalism isn't victory—it's the prelude to tragedy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rick takes your questions on everything from the economic outlook going into the midterms to the definition of neocon. A lot of you were curious about the possibility of a Musk redemption story arc, and about the right way to protest. Rick answers all and delivers this instant classic: It's too late to work inside the system, but too soon to start shooting motherf****. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Political violence doesn't emerge in a vacuum — MAGA has built a system of terror out of manufactured rage and conspiracy. The assassinations and attempted assassinations in Minnesota over the weekend are the logical result of this effort. Fox News, Facebook, and Twitter are the hypodermic needles injecting the MAGA base with vile hatred, allowing them to see anyone who disagrees with them not as adversaries, but as existential threats—pedophiles, communists, invaders, subhumans. These stories aren't just fringe; they're algorithmically amplified, monetized, and echoed by politicians and law enforcement alike. When this kind of rhetoric becomes normalized, stochastic terrorism becomes inevitable. The country is reaching a flashpoint — not because individuals snap, but because entire platforms profit from pushing them to the edge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump's invasion of Los Angeles isn't about immigration—it's about power, manipulation, and preparing you for a crackdown. WE are the real targets. The Trumps, the Millers, the Bondis, the Patels, they are praying for violence to legitimize a massive military escalation. Fox News, Twitter, and Facebook are deeply complicit. They may be pulling immigrants off the streets for the cameras, but they're really coming for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Miller is a familiar face on the Enemies List, but over the weekend, the stakes ramped up to a million. He isn't just a policy advisor—he's the mastermind behind the deliberately cruel strategy to provoke unrest and justify state violence. This incursion into the streets of Los Angeles with the ICE raids isn't LIKE a Nazi tacting. It IS on: provoke resistance, claim victimhood, then strike harder. It's not about law enforcement—it's about staging a spectacle of repression that delights the authoritarian base and erodes democratic norms. If that's not scary enough, the suspension of ABC's Terry Moran under political pressure is proof that our media is buckling under this pressure. When cruelty becomes policy and dissent becomes criminalized, the danger isn't just to immigrants—it's to everyone. In other words...you're next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rick takes your questions this week, and there were plenty to choose from. You sent in hundreds. Sadly, we can't get to all of them, but it was clear that there were some trends. Ricks covers ground from Trump's recent pardons to his craven desire to stoke chaos in order to crush dissent with violence. And one of you, at least, wondered if Trump was actually a spy. Please, keep the questions coming! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This may get some blowback, but it has to be said: This week's entry to the Enemies List are those Democratic consultants who spend millions of dollars talking at men. The crisis facing the Democratic Party isn't just about policy—it's about perception, narrative, and emotional connection. MAGA gives disaffected men a sense of belonging, identity, and power. Democrats give them slide decks. The party's elite consultants are disastrously out of step with the people they absolutely must reach if they ever hope to regain power and save Democracy. This is a five-alarm fire. The Democrats' performative branding in place of raw, honest storytelling grounded in shared pain and promised purpose will lose an entire generation to cynicism and extremism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"These people thought Epstein was the Rosetta Stone for the globalist elite cannibal pedophile ring—but the truth hits too close to home." Pam Bondi, Dan Bongino, and Kash Patel are the Three Stooges of the Pizza-Gate-Qanon-Apocalypse. They've been pretty constant figures in and around the Enemies List. But, recently, they've become pariahs not just among those of us on the pro-Democracy side, but within MAGA ranks as well—largely because of their involvement in obscuring the contents of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Once the loudest human blowhorns spreading conspiracy theories about elite pedophile rings, they now appear to be actively protecting the very circles they once claimed to expose. Their sudden pivot, particularly in light of Donald Trump's deep and well-documented ties to Epstein, has fueled backlash from the same extremist audiences they once courted. You won't believe it, but they are, in fact, hypocrites. But that hypocrisy is grim, as it's meant to protect Trump from being implicated in one of the darkest scandals of the last twenty years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Johnson's push to gut Medicare and Medicaid isn't just a budgetary decision—it's a declaration of priorities. You, my friend, are not on the priority list. Stripping health care from tens of millions to fund tax breaks for a shrinking circle of billionaires lays bare a political ideology rooted in cruelty and indifference. It's a familiar trade: short-term power for long-term damage, justified by performative piety and cloaked in procedural gamesmanship. Mike Johnson is the reigning Enemy on the Enemies List because his ploy is so cynical, so callous, and so catastrophic to our way of life that it can only be described as evil. This episode is a double-decker! Rick takes your questions in the back half on everything from Elon Musk's public implosion and Trump's ongoing submission to Putin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House Speaker Mike Johnson is looking to blow a $4 trillion hole in the deficit, cut back on Medicare and Medicaid, and dole out billions in tax breaks to a handful of ultra-rich Americans. He's an easy target, but that doesn't mean we should let him off the hook. The chaos within the ranks belies a bitter truth: this budget, if enacted, would be a moral and economic calamity. It would reshape our society in ways that are hard to imagine. And Mike Johnson is the kind of guy who probably knows, but doesn't care. He might be a mumbly little nerd, but he's earned his spot on the Enemies List. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"All bets are off if they start snatching judges." Judges are being threatened, civic institutions are under assault, and authoritarian tactics are becoming normalized. The right's strategy is relentless: show up, take over, and silence dissent. Meanwhile, apathy and disengagement from the left have created a vacuum that fascists are more than willing to fill. Fighting back won't come from Washington—it starts with showing up at the most local levels and refusing to cede ground. The time is now, people. You are the heroes of this story...if you show up. Rick takes your questions on everything from Little Marco, the new Pope, the backslide of American Democracy, and the non-doctor, non-expert Trump wants for Surgeon General. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Normies—the wealthy, connected conservatives who always knew better—saw exactly what Trump was and supported him anyway. Obsessed with tax cuts and terrified of Kamala Harris, they cloaked their fears in talk of markets and freedom while enabling chaos, cruelty, and economic sabotage. Their silence wasn't ignorance—it was complicity. While Trump's base waved flags and spread conspiracies, the Normies offered respectability to a movement they knew was dangerous. Now, with recession looming, civil norms unraveling, and the moral cost mounting, the truth is unavoidable: they made this happen. They gambled with democracy to protect their comfort, and the bill is coming due. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rick takes audience questions, and you sent some doozies. Rick answers questions about Elon, Hegseth, George Santos - MAGA's best and brightest. But you were also wondering if these tariffs might actually be working (spoiler: no), about the legality of arresting judges, where Rick might flee to in a pinch, and...well...how Rick's doing. This is a rebroadcast - keep sending in your questions! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steven Miller is a well-known weirdo, anti-immigration ideologue, and is quickly becoming one of the most dangerous men to walk the Earth. For years, he's lurked in the shadows, hovering over Trump, stoking his worst impulses. But he's having a bit of a coming-out-party, as he's poised to become the National Security Advisor. He's in line for this position not because he's qualified, mind you - he's dramatically unqualified - but because of his preternatural, deep-seated feelings of hatred for non-white, non-male Americans. This 2nd term is already catastrophic. But Steven Miller will bring us into a darkness Americans aren't prepared for. Buckle up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pam Bondi fits a certain MAGA mold. She's blonde. She's attractive. She's blindly obedient to Trump. And she's, well, not smart. Instead of making her someone to disregard as just another make-up-slathered clown, it makes her one of the most dangerous figures on the Enemies List. This is a rebroadcast. Make sure to catch up on all the episodes you missed. The Enemies List isn't getting any shorter, folks... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rick takes audience questions, and you sent some doozies. Rick answers questions about Elon, Hegseth, George Santos - MAGA's best and brightest. But you were also wondering if these tariffs might actually be working (spoiler: no), about the legality of arresting judges, where Rick might flee to in a pinch, and...well...how Rick's doing. You're the best audience in the business, and curious, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pete Hegseth went from being a tatted-up, Fox News weekend host with a frat-boy persona to being Secretary of Defense. It's going as well as any rational person might have expected. That is to say, according to insiders, reporting, and our own eyes and ears, it's a disaster. His time at the Pentagon has been marked by leaked classified information, paranoia-driven purges of senior staff, and an obsession with dismantling diversity programs, even if it means erasing sacred military history. Hegseth, who has a history of alleged abuse and heavy drinking, threatens to lead the greatest military the world has ever seen over a cliff. Even MAGA allies and Republican officials can see the edge quickly approaching and are now scrambling to distance themselves from the fallout. But here's the thing: Trump is stuck with him. Find out why in this episode of the Enemies List. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pam Bondi fits a certain MAGA mold. She's blonde. She's attractive. She's blindly obedient to Trump. And she's, well, not smart. Instead of making her someone to disregard as just another make-up-slathered clown, it makes her one of the most dangerous figures on the Enemies List. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don't let them decouple Donald Trump from the economy we're about to have. In this episode, Rick goes back to #1 on the Enemies List: Donald Trump. He's giving you everything we need to defeat him...but it's up to us - and Democrats - to use it. Be sure to subscribe to Lincoln Square Media on Substack and follow us on all your favorite (or tolerated) social media platforms. Instagram Facebook TikTok Sez Us BlueSky YouTube Xitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Rick boards the F-bomb train to lead us into the unsettling world of Howard Lutnick, the billionaire CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and Donald Trump's Secretary of Commerce - and the most hated man on Wall Street (and that's a high bar). Lutnick's MAGA superpower is his willingness to destroy the global economy and ensure abject financial misery for most Americans in exchange for kudos from his favorite special guy. Kidding aside, there is almost no cleaner parallel to the fealty authoritarian regimes require than Howard Lutnick. The damage his loyalty-over-competence approach threatens the global order, American power, and our democratic institutions. That means it also threatens your job, your financial well-being, and the future security of your family. As Rick says, Lutnick is building a temple of stupid on top of a mountain of burning tires. Be sure to subscribe to Lincoln Square Media on Substack and follow us on all your favorite (or tolerated) social media platforms. Instagram Facebook TikTok Sez Us BlueSky YouTube Xitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Rick does something a little different - a solo deep dive into someone who is actively destroying American institutions and harming citizens. Today, he breaks down the dangerous conduct of Karoline Leavitt, a key figure in the Trump administration, exposing her deceitful actions and the toxic political culture she embodies. Rick draws parallels between Leavitt's behavior and the influence of figures like Roy Cohn on Donald Trump's political strategy. The episode emphasizes the importance of holding these bad actors accountable and stresses the need for a free and inquisitive press during these turbulent times. 00:00 Introduction and New Format Announcement 02:04 Highlighting the Enemies: Carolyn Levitt 03:41 The Influence of Roy Cohn and Roger Stone 05:53 Carolyn Levitt's Media Tactics 11:40 The Hypocrisy of the Trump Administration 14:10 Conclusion: Carolyn Levitt on the Enemies List Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For all of the head scratching by Trump supporters over his literal, real-life, actual love of tariffs, it's worth noting that for everyone who thought he'd never be crazy enough to go through with them, there were those who knew the whole time that this outcome was at best likely - and worst inevitable. One of those sounding the alarm was Rick Wilson. In this rebroadcast episode from the lead up to the election, Rick sat down with Edward Goldberg, an adjunct professor at NYU's Center for Global Affairs and expert on political economy and trade. Together, they predict the dangers of Donald Trump's proposed tariffs and the broader risks of economic isolationism - the risks we're now facing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the Enemies List, Rick is joined by the head of the ACLU in DC, Monica Hopkins. In its 105-year history, the ACLU has never faced a president like Trump, and that's all the more reason to fight back. Rick and Monica discuss Trump's defiance of court orders, utter disrespect for the law, his desire to reshape DC in his own grotesque image, and the overall state-of-play of the rule of law in America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to win back voters in red districts and break through the noise? On today's episode Rick sits down with Congressman Ro Khanna to discuss his work engaging communities where Democrats have struggled, emphasizing the importance of showing up and fighting for working-class Americans. They also explore the rising influence of Bitcoin among young voters, the dangers of anti-tech sentiment, and how Democrats can rebuild trust with a clear, action-oriented plan. Timestamps: (00:01:25) Voters in Bakersfield (00:07:30) What do non-democrats want? (00:14:08) What are democratic voters looking for? (00:16:49) Where do democrats need to go on bitcoin? (00:24:21) Giving America a set of principles Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three top intelligence officials sat before Congress and lied through their teeth. In another classic Rick rant, our host unpacks a jaw-dropping hearing featuring Tulsi Gabbard, Kash Patel, and John Ratcliffe, the classified Signal chat scandal, and the dangerous implications for U.S. national security. Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to go from Googling “how to run for office” to becoming one of the most compelling voices in American politics? In this episode Rick speaks with Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow to discuss her new book Hate Won't Win: Find Your Power and Leave This Place Better Than You Found It. They dive into her unexpected path into politics, what drives her to fight back against extremism, and how everyday people can reclaim their power in a chaotic political landscape. Mallory also hints at a possible run for U.S. Senate and shares her thoughts on trade, tariffs, and the importance of staying engaged. Mallory's book, Hate Won't Win: Find Your Power and Leave This Place Better Than You Found It, available now. Timestamps: (00:01:48) Hate Won't Win (00:11:54) What should people do? (00:16:08) Michigan's response to the trade war Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rick kicks off this episode with a blistering rant on Trump and his blatant, idiotic buffoonery. He couldn't wait so we put it at the top of the show. Then he speaks with authors Sarah Vowell and Casey Cep about their contributions to the new Michael Lewis anthology Who is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service. They discuss the often-overlooked dedication of public servants, from archivists preserving the nation's history to veterans ensuring the dignity of military burials. Through their compelling profiles, Vowell and Cep highlight the essential yet under appreciated roles these individuals play in upholding democracy. Who is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service, available now. Timestamps: (00:11:50) Who is Government? (00:14:57) The Sentinal (00:27:52) Keepers of the Tradition Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Politics is a battlefield, and right now, Democrats are struggling to break free from the traps set by Republicans. In this episode Rick Wilson sits with Democratic strategist Joel Payne to discuss the current political landscape and the challenges facing the Democratic Party. They break down the Republican Party's attempts to box Democrats in on spending bills, the broader cultural and messaging battles, and how Democrats can better connect with voters by focusing on real-world concerns rather than policy jargon. Payne offers insight on the evolving political spectrum, the need for Democrats to fight smarter, and how Trump's chaos-driven approach presents both challenges and opportunities. Timestamps: (00:01:36) Should they be helping Mike Johnson? (00:09:04) Speaking American (00:14:53) An agenda that doesn't rely on Trump (00:18:27) Susie Wiles and Elon Musk Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What really fueled Donald Trump's 2024 comeback? In this episode Rick sits with journalist and author Alex Isenstadt to discuss his new book, Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump's Return to Power. They dive into Trump's campaign strategy, his ability to harness cultural resentment, and the political maneuvers that secured his victory. From his outreach to young male voters through podcasts to the decisive role of figures like JD Vance and Elon Musk, Isenstadt provides an insider's perspective on how Trump reshaped his movement. They also explore the psychological impact of the assassination attempt in Pennsylvania and how it further galvanized his supporters. Alex's book, Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump's Return to Power, available here. Timestamps: (00:01:30) What people missed in the Trump Campaign (00:02:50) How Trump used the culture war (00:14:53) Revenge (00:24:13) Susie Wiles and Elon Musk Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fight for civil rights wasn't just waged in the streets, it was built in classrooms led by unsung heroes. In this episode Rick speaks with author Elaine Weiss about her new book, Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools That Built the Civil Rights Movement. They discuss the little-known history of citizenship schools—grassroots educational programs in the 1950s and 60s that empowered Black Americans to pass literacy tests, register to vote, and fight systemic oppression. Weiss sheds light on the broader civil rights movement, the institutional barriers activists faced, and the enduring importance of civic education in today's political landscape. Elaine's book, Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools That Built the Civil Rights Movement, available now. Timestamps: (00:02:00) The history of the citizenship schools (00:07:32) The institutional opposition (00:16:15) The post war era ripple effect Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The balance of power in American democracy is being tested like never before. In this episode Rick is joined by legal expert and author Tristan Snell to discuss the latest legal battles surrounding Trump, the Supreme Court's role in shaping executive power, and the broader implications for American democracy. They break down key cases, including the limits of presidential immunity, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the growing constitutional crisis if Trump defies court rulings. Visit Tristan's Substack at tristansnell.com. Timestamps: (00:01:26) Watching the legal battles unfold (00:10:59) What happens when Trump denies a court order? (00:20:24) The protection of executive action Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America's political landscape is shifting in dangerous ways. On today's episode Rick is joined by journalist and author Garrett Graff to dissect the current crisis in U.S. democracy, where unchecked power, disruptive media narratives, and the staggering influence of figures like Elon Musk are redrawing the rules of governance. Graff introduces his incisive newsletter, Doomsday Scenario, which reimagines American news as if it were unfolding overseas—casting a stark light on the nation's mounting instability and the erosion of federal institutions. Subscribe to Garrett's newsletter at doomsdayscenario.co. Timestamps: (00:01:44) Doomsday Scenario (00:13:08) The machine moves with the president (00:22:53) Dismantling the federal government Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gen Z is at a political crossroads, and the battle for their votes is intensifying. In this episode Rick speaks with Gen Z political commentator Dash Dobrofsky to discuss the shifting political landscape among young voters. Dash shares his journey into political activism, the impact of social media on shaping narratives, and the growing influence of right-wing messaging on Gen Z—particularly young men. They dive into economic frustrations, media strategies, and the urgent need for Democrats to improve their branding and messaging. With insights on the future of digital political engagement and the 2028 election, this conversation sheds light on the evolving battle for young voters' attention and trust. Timestamps: (00:01:15) The Gen Z voice (00:04:39) How Gen Z is processing today's politics (00:11:39) Who can reach Gen Z? (00:22:06) The 2028 election Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have entered a whirlwind of chaos and controversy as the new order attempts to reshape the American political landscape. In this episode Rick sits with Andrew Egger, chief White House correspondent for The Bulwark, to dissect the early months of Trump's second first term in the White House. They explore how a disruptive, Doge-fueled approach is reshaping federal agencies, from hasty cuts in key national security institutions to internal power struggles, and debate the evolution of conservative politics. And of course, Rick adds to the Enemies List. Timestamps: (00:01:08) Covering the second Trump white house (00:05:52) What the public doesn't know about DOGE (00:16:29) Trumpism is not inevitable (00:23:01) Trump's fear mongering Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The chaos isn't slowing down, it's accelerating. In this episode Rick is joined by Will Saletan from The Bulwark to dissect the unfolding turmoil in D.C. and beyond. They discuss Elon Musk's growing influence, Trump's erratic decision-making, the GOP's shift toward isolationism, and the potential global and domestic fallout from these radical changes. From economic instability and foreign policy upheaval to the looming dangers of reckless governance, the two break down the woodchipper-like destruction of key institutions and its long-term consequences. Timestamps: (00:01:17) Where does the DOGE arc end? (00:07:13) Trump's attitude toward Europeans (00:14:00) MAGA and expanding the American empire (00:18:31) "Burn it all down, we'll figure it out later" Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is America's economic power a weapon, or a ticking time bomb? In this episode Rick is joined by Edward Fishman, author of Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare. They dive into the rise of economic warfare as the primary battleground for global powers, exploring how tariffs, sanctions, and export controls have reshaped international relations. Fishman discusses the risks of Trump's aggressive trade policies, the potential fallout of economic isolationism, and the unintended consequences of a fractured global economy. Edward's book, Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare, available for pre-order now. Timestamps: (00:01:43) Anticipating Harris or Trump (00:05:25) The first month of Trump (00:14:45) How will the rest of the world react to Trump? Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can Democrats win back rural and working-class voters before it's too late? In this episode Rick Wilson sits down with Adam Frisch, former congressional candidate from Colorado, to discuss the state of the Democratic Party and its challenges in connecting with rural and working-class voters. Frisch shares insights from his campaign against Lauren Boebert, emphasizing the importance of dignity, economic messaging, and breaking through the Democratic Party's institutional mindset. He also critiques the party's communication strategies and highlights the need for candidate-led campaigns. Together, they explore the impact of Trump's policies, the role of soft power, and the looming economic consequences that could shift voter sentiment in the coming months. Timestamps: (00:01:26) How the democratic party is responding to Trump (00:14:02) Rural America and Trump (00:24:21) How to draw back the soft republicans Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

USAID being dismantled before our eyes is just the beginning. In this episode Rick is joined by Josh Rogin, Lead Global Security Analyst for Washington Post Intelligence, to discuss the shocking dismantlement of USAID by Elon Musk and Donald Trump. They explore the broader implications of this decision, including the erosion of America's global influence, the potential humanitarian crisis, and how adversaries like China and Russia stand to benefit. The conversation also delves into Trump's complicated relationship with Xi Jinping, the future of Taiwan, and the geopolitical risks of a second Trump presidency—particularly regarding Ukraine, where Vladimir Putin is poised to take advantage. Timestamps: (00:02:08) Filling the gap after USAID (00:10:29) Giving up Taiwan (00:19:32) If Trump tries to "buy" Gaza Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we tackle a new age of politics and propaganda as Rick is joined by philosopher and author Jason Stanley. The two discuss the manipulation of language, propaganda, and the rise of authoritarianism in modern politics. They examine how global far-right movements are using nationalism, immigration fears, and media control to consolidate power, drawing parallels to historical fascist strategies. The conversation delves into the role of education, corporate-state alliances, and the erosion of democratic norms, highlighting the dangerous shift toward kleptocratic authoritarianism. Stanley also discusses his latest book, Erasing History, and the ongoing battle for truth in an age of disinformation. Jason's book, Erasing History, available now. Timestamps: (00:01:40) The use and abuse of language (00:13:18) The new reality (00:17:07) Classic and diet authoritarianism Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices