The Muckrake Political Podcast

Donald Trump's Oval Office rant took a darker turn this week, openly flirting with dictatorship while floating executive orders on flag burning, renaming the Department of Defense, and even eyeing a federal troop occupation of Chicago. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down the disturbing signs of escalation, the “mad king” dynamic now defining Trump's behavior, and the growing pushback from leaders like Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Plus: why authoritarianism always comes wrapped in corruption, distraction, and stolen wealth. To get the full Weekender shows, live events, reaction episodes, and to support independent journalism, join us on Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump just welcomed Vladimir Putin to American soil and rolled out the red carpet—literally clapping as the war criminal strutted into Alaska.. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down what really went down at the summit, why Trump is parroting Putin's talking points on mail-in voting, and how this all points to an accelerating authoritarian project. Plus: federal troops occupy D.C., ICE violence escalates, and MSNBC rebrands to… “MS Now.”

This is a preview of The Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. Please go to ⁠patreon.com/muckrakepodcast⁠ to gain access to the regular Weekender episodes on Fridays. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman dig into the Pentagon's new “domestic civil disturbance” rapid deployment plan, why it signals a creeping police state, and how it connects to ICE's push for legalized racial profiling. They also cover Gavin Newsom's decidedly non Trump-style gerrymandering gambit, the Trump takeover of the Kennedy Center, and a disturbing report on Meta's AI chatting with minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Together at last! Co-hosts Nick Hauselman and Jared Yates Sexton break down Donald Trump's stunning move to seize control of Washington, D.C.'s police force despite the city's crime rate hitting a three-decade low. The guys unpack the dangerous authoritarian precedent, the looming threat to other cities, and why Democrats are failing to push for D.C. statehood. Then, they turn to Trump's upcoming Alaska meeting with Vladimir Putin, where the “deal” on Ukraine sounds more like carving up a real estate portfolio than ending a war. Plus: Tariffs on semiconductors, China's rise, and why America is sliding toward the worst of both Russia and China's systems. To support the show and gain full access to the Weekender episode on Fridays, head over to http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast and become a patron. It keeps us ad free, editorially independent, and helps us grow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To support the show and gain full access to the Weekender episode on Fridays, head over to ⁠⁠patreon.com/muckrakepodcast⁠⁠ and become a patron. It keeps us ad-free, editorially independent, and helps us grow. The right-wing power play marches on as co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman discuss: JD Vance plans to meet with heads of the DOJ Pam Bondi and Kash Patel to plot out the Epstein coup as Ghislaine Maxwell is quietly moved to a lower-security prison in Texas. Meanwhile, it appears key parts of the U.S. Constitution are being edited out on a Congressional website. We dig into this digital sleight of hand and what it might mean. Plus: Senator John Cornyn and the FBI seem to be escalating pressure on Texas Democrats, and new tariffs are coming online with serious economic consequences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Muckrake Podcast, co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman dig into the disturbing trend of punishing truth-tellers in government, the newly revealed memo outlining plans to deploy more military force on domestic soil, and the latest GOP power grab in Texas as Republican lawmakers attempt yet another redistricting scheme to hold onto power. To support the show and gain full access to the Weekender episode on Fridays, head over to ⁠http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast⁠ and become a patron. It keeps us ad free, editorially independent, and helps us grow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a preview of The Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. Please go to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain access to the regular Weekender episodes on Fridays. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman discuss Donald Trump's new claims that Epstein “stole” Virginia Giuffre from a Mar-a-Lago spa in 2000. We dig into what he said, when he said it, and why he called Epstein a “great guy” in 2002 — before their supposed falling out in 2004. Also: Ford posts its first quarterly loss in years thanks to tariffs, and the U.S. labor market sheds 62,000 jobs — a 140% increase in layoffs from last July. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down the stunning news that Ghislaine Maxwell secretly met with the DOJ, potentially signaling cooperation that could implicate more powerful figures. Meanwhile, Donald Trump spirals publicly during a disastrous appearance in Scotland. Lastly, they dive into the disturbing new executive order aimed at institutionalizing citizens against their will, raising urgent questions about civil liberties and government overreach. To support the show and gain full access to bonus content, head over to patreon.com/muckrakepodcast and become a patron today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Together at last! Co-hosts Nick Hauselman and Jared Yates Sexton are reunited (and it feels so good). In this episode, they dig into the Wall Street Journal's latest bombshell reporting on Jeffrey Epstein, the flurry of new subpoenas, and whether Ghislaine Maxwell might be cutting a deal from prison. Then: South Park throws major shade at Paramount over Trump, free speech, and streaming power plays. And yes—Nick needs just a minute to talk about Hulk Hogan. To support the show and gain full access to the Weekender episode on Fridays, head over to ⁠http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast⁠ and become a patron. It keeps us ad free, editorially independent, and helps us grow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Together at last! Co-hosts Nick Hauselman and Jared Yates Sexton are reunited (and it feels so good). In this episode of the Muckrake Podcast, Nick and Jared break down newly surfaced evidence related to Jeffrey Epstein, raising fresh questions about who knew what — and when. They explore the disturbing use of torture tactics by DHS and ICE, and how the government is increasingly targeting political opponents through arrests and surveillance. The crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, and the hosts analyze Israel's ongoing actions and global fallout. Finally, they examine the sudden cancellation of Stephen Colbert's show and what it reveals about the current state of media and comedy in a time of rising authoritarianism. To support the show and gain full access to the Weekender episode on Fridays, head over to ⁠http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast⁠ and become a patron. It keeps us ad free, editorially independent, and helps us grow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a preview of The Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. Please go to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain access to the regular Weekender episodes on Fridays. Jared Yates Sexton is unavailable, so on this episode, Nick Hauselman is joined by Political Science Professor Jason Neidleman. They dive into the political firestorm erupting around Jeffrey Epstein — from Pam Bondi's disastrous Fox News appearance to MAGA influencers turning on Trump over his ties to the case. They cover the brutal deportation of innocent people under current policy, including a chilling Stephen Miller sound bite defending the practice. And they examine the drastic cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (NPR, PBS) and how that plays into Right's desire to control educational propaganda. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick Hauselman hosts while Jared Yates Sexton is unavailable, and he interviews Aaron Rupar, an independent journalist and publisher of The Public Notice Newsletter. As the tweeter of record of all things political on broadcast air, Rupar has a unique insight into the Epstein case, Trump's ineffective relationship with Putin, and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Weekender, I welcomed my good friend Danielle Moodie of The Danielle Moodie Show and Democracy-Ish to co-host and discuss the full-Nazi turn by Elon Musk's Grok AI and how the fascist oligarchs are programming the worst and most destructive parts of America into the technology of the future. Later, in the full episode, we talked about the misery of the authoritarians, the damage done by ICE to us, themselves, and culture at large. If you haven't already, head over to http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast and become a patron. You'll gain full access to these Weekender episodes, our community discourse, live shows, and everything else. You'll also support the show and keep us rolling forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Muckrake Podcast, Jared Yates Sexton discusses the horrific tragedy in Texas with floods killing over 100 people, the rise of climate fascism, and how demand for climate and economic justice have to be at the center of a movement fighting authoritarianism. From there, he digs into Elon Musk's proposed "America Party" as an astroturfed attempt to create a party in the thrall of the oligarchical class, but also a possible precursor to multiple parties challenging our current duopolistic system. The stunt in Los Angeles with federal troops driving tanks gets talked about, as well as the Department of Justice declaring there is no Jeffrey Epstein client list. To support the show and gain full access to the Weekender episode on Fridays, head over to http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast and become a patron. It keeps us ad free, editorially independent, and helps us grow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this preview of The Weekender, Jared Yates Sexton begins by talking about the passage of the GOP domestic agenda through Congress in what represents possibly the penultimate blow to liberal democracy, the social-safety net, and the funding for full-blown authoritarianism. In the full episode, he discusses ICE becoming a domestic occupation force, the construction of a system of concentration camps, and how a dystopian future is being put in place. To gain access to this episode and every other Weekender, and to support the show, head over to http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast and become a patron today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick Hauselman is still out of the country, so Jared Yates Sexton brings on friend of the pod Karl Folk for an in-depth discussion of the changing political environment, including the Mamdani win, the rising solidarity movement against fascism, and how this moment is both the sum of past events and something new entirely. To support the show, head over to http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast and become a patron. You'll keep The Muckrake ad-free, editorially independent, and also gain access to The Weekender show every Friday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this preview of The Weekender, Jared Yates Sexton gets into the miraculous victory by Zohran Mamdani in New York City and the fallout among the rank-and-file Democrats. For subscribers, this turns to an analysis of why the fearmongering and slandering didn't work this time, comments on the Pentagon leaks regarding the failed attack on Iran and the whole war debacle, rumors of the 2024 Election being stolen, and a deep dive into the awful (but revealing!) Ross Douthat interview with Peter Thiel. To gain access to the full show, and to support The Muckrake Podcast, head over to http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast and become a patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down the latest U.S. attack on Iran, where Trump ordered a dozen massive bombs dropped on nuclear sites, then claimed it wasn't war - just “MIGA.” The Pentagon admits they don't even know where the uranium is. Oh yeah, Congress was barely informed. Support the show and gain access to the Weekender episodes on Friday by going to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and becoming a patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a preview of The Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. Please go to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain access to the regular Weekender episodes on Fridays. Trump's threats toward Iran have escalated from incoherent to terrifying—with evacuation warnings, “we're at war” rhetoric, and reports he's greenlit an attack. All while taking policy cues from Fox News segments. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down how the right-wing infotainment complex is driving foreign policy in real time and why this is sparking a telling schism in American politics. We dig into the MAGA isolationist response—from Tulsi Gabbard downplaying Iran's capabilities to Tucker Carlson absolutely dismantling Ted Cruz—and what it reveals about the realignment on the right. There's more at stake here than just another war: this is about who gets to decide what America is, and who we kill for it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down one of the largest protest days in American history and why the media refuses to treat it like the political earthquake it is. They dive into the horrifying assassination in Minnesota—and the MAGA disinformation machine that followed—before turning to the chaos erupting in the Middle East. Plus: ICE is starving detainees, and Trump is throwing parades. Good times. Support the show and gain access to the Weekender episodes on Friday, including this week's Mailbag episode, by going to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and becoming a patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a preview of The Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. Please go to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain access to the regular Weekender episodes on Fridays. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman dig into the rapidly intensifying standoff in LA, where Marines patrol the streets, Reaper drones fly overhead, and “No Kings” protests are gaining serious momentum. As Trump stages a fascist spectacle with his military parade and loyalty-vetted troops, tensions rise across the country — and abroad, signs point to a potentially catastrophic war on the horizon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down how the authoritarian crackdown erupted in Los Angeles, with Trump now openly escalating his illegal takeover of the National Guard — while sending in the Marines unprovoked. Nick gives his firsthand account of the protest, and they explore the cyclical nature of strongman violence, how the corporate media is laundering it all through a sanitized lens, and what these dangerous trends mean heading into a long, volatile summer. Support the show and gain access to the Weekender episodes on Friday, including this week's Mailbag episode, by going to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and becoming a patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a preview of The Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. Please go to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain access to the regular Weekender episodes on Fridays. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman dive into the brewing feud between Elon Musk and Donald Trump, unpacking what their falling out says about the current state of politics in general. Then they turn to the Democrats—some of whom seem eager to welcome Musk back into the fold—and debate whether that's a savvy move or political malpractice (hint: the latter). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The surveillance state just got an upgrade, as Trump taps Palantir to process all government data — building files on every American. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman unpack the staggering implications, the DHS raid on Rep. Jerry Nadler's office, and Trump's team trying to turn intelligence briefings into Fox News segments. Then: Ukraine reportedly strikes deep into Russia with drone attacks, and Senator Joni Ernst literally takes her Medicaid messaging to the cemetery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a preview of The Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. Please go to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain access to the regular Weekender episodes on Fridays. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman discuss the sad departure of Elon Musk from government, as he'd apparently had enough corruption for one political cycle. We also got a glimpse of how lonely and dysfunctional the male population is, particularly when the Democrats want to fund a $20 million study on them. Even Don Bongino is having a rough go of it. It also turns out that Qatari plane wasn't a free gift to Trump after all. Go figure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick Hauselman is busy hosting people for Memorial Day, so a beleaguered and sick Jared Yates Sexton holds down the fort. He discusses the GOP House passing Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" and the inherent damage it will do, the DC shooting, the ongoing battle between the administration and Harvard, and the absolute debacle that is the Democratic Party. Become a patron over at http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast to support the show and gain access to Friday's Weekender episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a preview of The Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. Please go to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain access to the regular Weekender episodes on Fridays. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman answer questions from the wonderful Muckrake community - topics like the increasing fascism in this country to their favorite film directors, this episode is a testament to the intelligence and dedication of their listeners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman discuss a bombing of a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, CA and how our political leadership has been laying the ground work for more and more events like it. Meanwhile, Elon Musk has been hacking into his own AI, manipulating its responses to questions about White South Africans and genocide as well as minimizing the holocaust. Kristi Noem has been pitching a reality TV Show where immigrants compete for citizenship, as James Comey comes under fire for posting a pic of some rocks in his Insta. Support the show and gain access to the Weekender episodes on Friday, including this week's Mailbag episode, by going to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠ and becoming a patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a preview of The Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. Please go to our ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠ to gain access to the regular Weekender episodes on Fridays. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman begin the show talking about Hasan Piker, a popular streamer who was detained by Customs and Border Protection officers upon his return to the US from out of the country. This was a chilling revelation especially in light of the administration trying to eradicate birthright citizenship, which the Supreme Court heard arguments about yesterday. The Democrats continue to fall into disarray as they look to potentially oust David Hogg. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman discuss how Stephen Miller and GOP lawmakers flirt with suspending the very foundation of democracy: habeas corpus. Meanwhile, Trump accepts a $400 million jet from Qatar as if it's not corruption at its highest level. Arizona senator Ruben Gallego inserts himself into a possible presidential run, which would tilt the Democratic party farther right (ugh), and cancel culture clearly has a shelf life as disgraced former New York governor Andrew Cuomo is a front runner to become Manhattan's next mayor. Support the show and gain access to the Weekender episodes on Friday by going to our ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠ and becoming a patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a preview of The Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. Please go to our ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ to gain access to the regular Weekender episodes on Fridays. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman discuss the first American Pope who hails from the Second City. Next up is a brewing conflict between Pakistan and India that has deep ramifications. While Israel plans to take over Gaza completely, the US is trying to deport people to war zones and force other countries to buy Starlink as part of trade negotiations. Corruption: what is it? They finish the pod on John Fetterman and his mental deterioration after suffering a stroke. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman discuss Trump as the mad king, his cognitive client ever more apparent as he made an appearance on Meet The Press and admits he doesn't know if he has to follow the constitution. Plus, he wants to re-open Alcatraz after watching the Eastwood movie, while removing funding to NPR and PBS.  Support the show and gain access to the Weekender episodes on Friday by going to our ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ and becoming a patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a preview of The Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. Please go to our ⁠Patreon⁠ to gain access to the regular Weekender episodes on Fridays. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman recap the first 100 days of this Trump administration, surprising even themselves with things he's done that they forgot about in his attempt to impose misery and despair on the country. They also lay out "The Plan" to control jobs for the middle and lower classes as well as propaganda in the educational system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman begin with Trump's Department of Justice arresting a circuit court judge in Milwaukee for allegedly obstructing an ICE deportation. Do we get to a point where it's worth it to obstruct an immoral act? They discuss how the White House is seemingly giving insider trading information to wealthy donors as they discuss tariff policy with them. Support the show and gain access to the Weekender episodes on Friday by going to our ⁠Patreon⁠ and becoming a patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a preview of The Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. Please go to our Patreon to gain access to the regular Weekender episodes on Fridays. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman point out that there might be a realization in the Trump administration that they are failing at their jobs writ large. RFK Jr. continues to attack autism as a subtext to eliminating vaccines, while Pam Bondi establishes an committee to root out anti-Christian policies in the government while Thomas Friedman proposes a way forward for Democrats that's astoundingly bad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman discuss the particulars of 88 year old Pope Francis and his death, move on to the Supreme Court standing up to Trump kinda sorta, before landing on the Pete Hegseth Debacle, where it's reported he was responsible for another leak of classified information on Signal. Then, author Craig A Johnson joins the show to discuss his latest book How To Talk To Your Son About Fascism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a preview of The Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. Please go to our Patreon to gain access to the regular Weekender episodes on Fridays. Nick Hauselman is out for the day, so Jared Yates Sexton talks with Karl Folk about recent developments, including the prison camps in El Salvador, the fight for a better future, and a whole host of things, including the need for the criminals behind this farce to go to prison. A word of warning, this is not an episode you're going to want to listen to with your kids. Jared is...pissed off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down the troubling press conference between Donald Trump and El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, exposing the blatant authoritarianism on display — especially as the administration defies a unanimous Supreme Court ruling to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the U.S. They also discuss Bill Maher's shocking admission that he visited the White House last week, helping to normalize a figure who should be anything but normalized. Support the show and gain access to the Weekender episodes on Friday by going to our Patreon and becoming a patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a preview of the Patron-only Weekender episode. To gain full access to these episodes, as well as special post-event and live recordings, and to keep the show editorially independent and ad-free, head over to Patreon and become a subscriber today. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman try to figure out what the hell Donald Trump is trying to do with the tariffs and the economy and the answer is: enrich himself. However, with growing unrest about the markets, there might be a moment of clarity amongst Republicans. If things couldn't get worse, they turn to our immigration policies and they continue to follow the authoritarian playbook. Oh yeah, Trump is also dismantling the IRS for the upper class and Social Security for everyone else. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton discuss how little coverage the Hands Off! protests got this weekend before diving into the intentional nosedive the markets have taken after Trump's buffoonery of a math equation levied tariffs across the world. And they finish with the Supreme Court's decision to get in the way of the court case to return an innocent man from the El Salvador gulag he was mistakenly sent to by this administration. Support the show and gain access to the Weekender episodes on Friday by going to our Patreon and becoming a patron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices