What A Day

The 2022 Dobbs decision that reversed Roe v. Wade promised to return the issue of abortion back to the states. But for anti-abortion activists, that's never been good enough. Some anti-abortion activists are pushing bills that could see women who get abortions imprisoned. And with the number of people who have gotten abortions only increasing over the last year, that's a lot of punishment they want to mete out. Jessica Valenti, founder of the Substack Abortion, Every Day, has been tracking abortion rights for more than a decade. We talked about why the anti-abortion movement has gotten more extreme – and what we can do about it.And in headlines, Republicans blast Trump's new Iran memorandum, the Supreme Court rules marijuana users can own guns, and you heard it here first: the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is still green.Show Notes: Jessica's Substack – https://jessica.substack.com/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

President Donald Trump has been trying to get the SAVE America Act passed for months. The bill would require not just ID, but proof of citizenship to vote — effectively disenfranchising Americans who don't happen to have their passport or birth certificate handy. Which is… millions of Americans. So what does Trump's determination to get this bill passed mean for November? To find out, we spoke with Marc Elias, founder of Democracy Docket.And in headlines: we finally hear what's in the memorandum of understanding with Iran, one Georgia Republican spends $100 million to beat his Trump-backed opponent, and the World Cup's underdogs are looking good.Show Notes: Democracy Docket – https://www.democracydocket.com/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Pride Month is here. It's a month to celebrate the achievements of LGBTQ Americans and the impact they've had on our past and present. But it's also a weird and very scary time for a lot of people. So what do we do now — at a time that somehow feels both great yet increasingly scary? To find out, we spoke with Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson.And in headlines, Iran's top diplomat says the tentative deal to end the war would require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, House Judiciary Ranking Member Jamie Raskin announces an investigation into FBI Director Kash Patel, and Vice President JD Vance braves the most intimidating interview known to man. Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

If you didn't tune into Paramount+ to watch the UFC Freedom 250 fight on the White House lawn, because you had better things to do, you're not alone. The entire 250th celebration of America's founding has felt remarkably Trumpian, implying that the only way to be an American is to be a Trump supporter. So how can those of us who love this country, but hate this bullshit respond? To find out, we talked to Alex Wagner, host of Crooked Media's Runaway Country.And in headlines, we get limited details on the new agreement between the U.S. and Iran, Trump visits the G7 summit in France, and Ukraine officially starts negotiations to join the European Union.Show Notes: Listen to Runaway Country – https://www.youtube.com/@RunawayCountrywithAlexWagner Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

On today's show, we are diving into the tough week our commander in chief just had. From MMA fights no one seems very excited about… to the potential end of warrantless surveillance because of an unpopular Trump hire, our dear president has been taking some big losses. Oh, and not to mention, the war with Iran is still going on. But Trump doesn't seem to care about any of it! So to talk more about Donald Trump's apparent case of senioritis, we called up Tim Miller, host of The Bulwark Podcast.And in headlines: Elon Musk becomes the world's first trillionaire, a poll finds Trump is losing favor with Independents, and a federal judge agrees to extend a court-ordered block on Trump's $1.8 billion slush fund.Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

President Donald Trump has changed a lot about American foreign policy – and to many, America itself. But a lot of the issues facing this country were around long before he became president. Ben Rhodes' new book, All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches, tells the story of this country through speeches by figures like Ben Franklin, Martin Luther King, and yes, Donald Trump. We spoke with Ben about what those speeches reveal about being American, and what Trump's actions in Iran can tell us about his presidency and our country.And in headlines, President Trump continues to whiplash in Iran talks, we have a new pick for the Director of National Intelligence, and Kash Patel prepares the FBI for the World Cup.Show Notes: Check out Ben's book – https://tinyurl.com/pxpr6t8c Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The World Cup is the biggest annual sporting event in the world. And the first game is tomorrow. This year's competition is being hosted by three countries for the first time: the US, Canada, and Mexico. Already, fans of Argentina, Cote d'Ivoire, and other countries have flooded social media with their journeys to watch their favorite teams play. But with the World Cup, as with most things, comes… a lot of politics. We spoke with Bill Connelly to find out how politics is impacting the event. He's a staff writer for ESPN covering soccer and college football.And in headlines, Trump continues to threaten Iran, inflation hits its highest in three years, and Democrats “nominate the guy with the nazi tattoo” in the Maine Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.Show Notes: Check out Bill's work – https://tinyurl.com/mvt45rea Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

President Donald Trump officially nominated Todd Blanche to serve as Attorney General. After firing Pam Bondi back in April, Trump went with his former defense attorney to lead more than 10,000 attorneys. And it seems pretty clear why: Trump wants someone to do exactly what he wants. Like prosecute his political enemies or set up a 1.776 billion dollar MAGA "anti-weaponization" fund. But by doing Trump's bidding, Blanche has made many of his own enemies. So what does that mean for Trump's legal agenda? To find out, we spoke with Ken White. He's a former federal prosecutor, partner at Brown White & Osborn LLP, and co-host of the podcast Serious Trouble.And in headlines, Trump blames Iran for shooting down a U.S. Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, a new study on alcohol confirms our worst fears, and a federal judge strikes down the Trump administration's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas.Show Notes: Check out Serious Trouble – www.serioustrouble.show/podcast Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Maine voters will head to the polls tomorrow to decide who will take on five-term Republican Senator Susan Collins. And somehow, Graham Platner still has a sizable lead in the Democratic primary. You probably know a few things about the presumptive Democratic nominee for Maine's Senate seat. He served in the Marine Corps and now runs an oyster farm. And you've probably heard a lot of other things about Platner over the last few weeks – like about a Nazi tattoo, or his allegedly abusive behavior towards past romantic partners. None of the new information is good. But will it matter to Maine voters? And more importantly, should it? To find out, we spoke with Jon Lovett. He's co-host of Crooked Media's Pod Save America.And in headlines, President Donald Trump abruptly ends his interview with NBC's Meet the Press, Iran and Israel trade fire for the first time since the U.S. agreed to a ceasefire with Tehran, and Chinese President Xi Jinping visits North Korea for the first time in seven years.Show Notes: Check out Pod Save America – www.youtube.com/@podsaveamerica Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Artificial Intelligence isn't just clogging up your Instagram feed with cartoon cat romance-revenge videos or helping your cousin pass AP European History class. Artificial Intelligence is on the battlefield. The Trump administration has been pushing to supercharge the U.S. military with A.I., and the military is leaning into the powerful new technology, from Venezuela to Iran. But not everyone is so gung-ho about it. So to learn more, we spoke with Mike Horowitz, who worked in the Pentagon on military A.I. systems under President Joe Biden and is a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania.And in headlines, former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton has reportedly agreed to plead guilty to one count of retaining classified information, President Donald Trump announces an effort to boost the struggling U.S. coal industry, and an exorcist is removed after linking UFOs to demons.Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

CBS News, under the leadership of Bari Weiss, continues to devolve into chaos. On Tuesday, CBS News fired longtime "60 Minutes" correspondent Scott Pelley. It came a day after Pelley reportedly said Weiss was "murdering the show" and accused its new producer of having "slender qualifications" for the job. Here to talk about it all is Jeremy Barr, media reporter for The Guardian US.And in headlines, the House for the first time Wednesday approves a war powers resolution that would halt the US military action against Iran, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin testifies on Capitol Hill, and just how rich is Elon Musk? Tune in to find out.Show Notes: Check out Jeremy's work – theguardian.com/profile/jeremy-barr Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he's appointing the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Bill Pulte, as acting Director of National Intelligence. The news comes after Tulsi Gabbard announced she was resigning from the position amid her husband's battle with cancer. So who is Bill Pulte? From what we know, Pulte is another Trump-henchman type whose only qualification for the high-stakes position seems to be the ability to do just about anything Trump wants him to do. And that's raised red flags among many people, including our guest, Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly. He serves on the Senate Intelligence and Armed Services Committees.And in headlines, Russia launches a massive attack against Ukraine, Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies on Capitol Hill, and whac-a-mole? More like whac-a-manhole! Videos of people popping out of New York City sewers are popping up online.Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

California politics is experiencing a rare moment on the national stage as wacky candidates and local scandals have become a microcosm for the country as a whole, as well as a potential preview of what November's midterms have in store. We talk to KQED's Marisa Lagos about what the hell is going on with California politics right now.And in headlines, primary season kicks off nationwide, Trump's Iran War negotiations hit another setback, an appeals court rules Trump's ban on transgender troops illegal, the White House temporarily pauses its slush fund for Trump's political allies, and several states extend bar and restaurant hours for the World Cup.Show Notes: Check out Marisa's work – www.kqed.org/author/mlagos Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

It's no secret that what we see on social media is highly choreographed. But a recent article in New York Magazine by Lane Brown confirms it by uncovering the world of artificial hype that drives what we perceive as buzz. The piece dominated the groupchats these last few days, and for good reason: it taps into a general unease about how we've ceded our reality to platforms that are manipulated by shadowy ad campaigns. Brown joins the show to lay it all out for us.And in headlines, Trump's “walk back weekend,” protestors clash with police outside a New Jersey ICE detention center, and voting begins in the the Colombian presidential election.Show Notes: The Feed Is Fake, by Lane Brown – https://www.vulture.com/article/social-media-feeds-chaotic-good-projects-clipping.html Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

President Donald Trump's immigration policies haven't been getting much attention lately. But don't be fooled — the immigration detention industrial complex hasn't slowed down. One infamous facility in Florida, known as "Alligator Alcatraz," is reportedly closing. Katie Blankenship is an attorney representing immigrants across the country – including some who have been detained at "Alligator Alcatraz". Jane talked about what she's hearing from her clients and what you need to know about the immigrant experience in America right now.And in headlines, former First Lady Jill Biden admits she thought President Joe Biden was having a stroke during that debate, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent thinks it's totally normal to put Trump's face on a 250-dollar bill, and Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and former Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene vacation in Costa Rica with their partners.Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Despite whatever President Donald Trump has said over the last few days, his war in Iran does not look like it's ending soon. But here's the thing: a major factor in what happens with Trump's Iran war isn't Trump – it's Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite a ceasefire, Israel has continued to bomb targets in southern Lebanon – part of the country's war against Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed proxy militia that controls a swath of Lebanon. And on Wednesday, Israel told residents of southern Lebanon to leave their homes as the Israeli military moves into new areas of the country. So what do Israel's goals mean for Trump's Iran war – and the future of the Middle East? To find out, we spoke to Nahal Toosi. She's the senior foreign affairs correspondent and columnist at POLITICO.And in headlines: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton dominated Sen. John Cornyn in Tuesday's Senate Republican primary runoff; House Democrats introduce a bill to block construction of Trump's proposed "triumphal arch;” and a Ball State University employee gets paid after she was fired for criticizing Charlie Kirk.Show Notes: Check out Nahal's work – https://tinyurl.com/4nmp552x Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

You know, President Donald Trump's 1.776 billion-dollar MAGA slush fund? The fund is intended for victims of "DOJ weaponization," like the January 6 insurrectionists Trump pardoned. Shockingly, very few people support it. And now former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn and a colleague, actual victims of the January 6 insurrection, are suing the Trump administration to put a stop to this fund. Jane speaks with Dunn about the slush fund, his lawsuit, and why it's so important to him to stand up for what actually happened that day.And in headlines: Trump has yet another physical, Republicans' redistricting war takes a hit, and the Trump administration thinks it may be a good idea to have federal employees sign NDAs. Just in case...Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

You may have noticed that misogyny seems to be everywhere right now, especially online. As American women continue to move further to the political left, men on the American Right appear to have responded by losing their minds completely. Helen Lewis, a staff writer for the Atlantic, coined a term for these kinds of people. She calls them "masculinists." And she argues that "masculinism" has become a bonding agent for the American right wing that can paper over other divides. Helen joins the show to discuss her article, "The Men Who Want Women to Be Quiet."And in headlines, what we do and don't know about Trump's alleged Iran deal, Tulsi Gabbard resigns as National Intelligence Director, and Pro-Palestine Activist Mahmoud Khalil takes his deportation case to the Supreme Court.Show Notes: Check out Helen's piece – https://tinyurl.com/4mfbz2s5 Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Republicans had a filibuster-proof immigration bill that would allocate $70 billion to immigration enforcement and fully reopen the Department of Homeland Security. But then, Trump got involved. First, he wanted $1 billion for "security" for his beloved beautiful ballroom. Then, the Department of Justice announced that $1.776 billion slush fund for Trump's allies. After Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Senate Republicans to make the case for the slush fund on Thursday, everyone got so mad that Senate Majority Leader John Thune gave up on getting a vote together for the immigration bill and sent everyone home for the holiday. To unpack the reconciliation bill mess, we spoke to Pennsylvania Democratic Representative Brendan Boyle. He's the ranking member of the House Budget Committee.And in headlines, Iran is reportedly reviewing the U.S.'s latest peace proposal, the Trump administration eases restrictions on planet-warming "super pollutants" used in air conditioners and refrigerators, and the Democratic National Committee finally releases its autopsy of the 2024 election.Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

A swath of President Donald Trump's handpicked candidates won their primary elections Tuesday night – and one of Trump's biggest opponents in Congress, Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie, lost. It was the continuation of Trump's weeks-long revenge tour against Republicans he views as disloyal. So, for more about what we learned from Tuesday's primaries, we spoke with Alex Wagner. She's the host of Crooked Media's Runaway Country.And in headlines, President Donald Trump gives a commencement speech to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy's graduates, the so-called Board of Peace needs money, and the Department of Justice announces charges against former Cuban President Raúl Castro as the Trump administration escalates pressure on the island.Show Notes: Check out Runaway Country – tinyurl.com/mrmmsw8d Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The World Health Organization met on Tuesday in Switzerland to discuss a deadly outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. According to the WHO, the outbreak, which has killed more than 130 people and infected more than 500, could last for months. Those numbers could be much, much higher than what they've been able to report. The Ebola outbreak comes in the midst of another deadly health crisis you've probably heard a lot about: hantavirus. It's part of a family of extremely dangerous viruses that are primarily spread by rats and mice. As all this is going on, you're probably wondering who's running the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention? And who is currently the Surgeon General of the United States? The answer to both? Currently, no one has been confirmed by the Senate. To find out more about what's happening with America's public health system, we spoke with Apoorva Mandavilli. She's a science and global health reporter at the New York Times.And in headlines, President Donald Trump shows off the White House ballroom construction site, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche sits for a Congressional hearing, and guess who's making a lot of money trading stocks? You're not going to like the answer.Show Notes: Check out Apoorva's work – www.nytimes.com/by/apoorva-mandavilli Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24th, 2022. And despite President Donald Trump's promise to end the conflict on his first day back in office, the two countries are still at war. So far, over 300,000 Russian soldiers have died in the war, compared to roughly 150,000 Ukrainian soldiers. The fighting is brutal, and it seems to keep… going. So how can both sides end this conflict – and what will the U.S. do to help (or hurt) the peace process? To find out, we spoke with Lucian Kim. He's a senior Ukraine analyst for the International Crisis Group. When we spoke, he had just returned from an 11-day trip to Ukraine.And in headlines, Trump holds off on striking Iran, a data analytics firm unveils just how much several Polymarket accounts have made betting almost exclusively on U.S. military operations, and Trump's approval rating continues to dip.Show Notes: Check out Lucian's book – https://tinyurl.com/ytkkh6d3 Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

It's rather obvious Americans have not exactly been … cheerful for the last few years. And it's showing up in the data – the General Social Survey, the Consumer Sentiment Survey from the University of Michigan, the World Happiness Report, and even the Federal Reserve all report that Americans are less happy than they were a decade ago. Whether that's with their jobs, the economy, the state of the world – no matter the metric, Americans are not having it. To find out why we're feeling down, we spoke with Derek Thompson. He's the co-author of the book "Abundance," and he writes a popular Substack called, well, Derek Thompson.And in headlines, President Donald Trump is once again threatening Iran via Truth Social, House Speaker Mike Johnson talks about the administration's priorities, and Taiwan's president stresses the importance of arms purchases from the United States.Show Notes: Check out Derek's piece –https://tinyurl.com/zzsjpf7a Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Life is pretty expensive right now – and Americans are not happy about it. Trump came into office claiming he would lower prices, QUOTE, “on day 1.” But that didn't happen – and his own policies are partially to blame. To talk more about the economy, inflation, and what we can do when our lives feel way too expensive, we spoke with Stacey Vanek Smith. She's a reporter for Bloomberg Businessweek and co-host of the Bloomberg podcast, Everybody's Business.And in headlines, Trump says Chinese President Xi Jinping offered his help in making a deal to end the Iran war, FBI Director Kash Patel allegedly went snorkeling on his “not vacation” in Hawaii, and did the Supreme Court just become a feminist?Show Notes: Check out Stacey's podcast – https://tinyurl.com/y2zannt6 Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The Supreme Court's ruling in Louisiana v. Callais last month dismantled a critical portion of the Voting Rights Act. And since then, a slew of states — largely in the South — have moved to redraw voting maps. In doing so, they're eliminating majority-Black voting districts. There are not many people who have done more to fight for Black voting power and for the rights of Black voters in the South than Stacey Abrams, host of Crooked Media's Assembly Required. So we talked to her about the racist implications of Louisiana vs. Callais and where we go from here.And in headlines, Senate Republicans once again block legislation that would halt President Donald Trump's war of choice with Iran, Vice President JD Vance takes more steps in the administration's anti-fraud initiative, and a Politico analysis finds that the Trump administration has lost in court more than 10,000 times in ICE detention decisions.Show Notes: Check out Stacey's podcast – Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

President Donald Trump is arriving in Beijing today on a long-awaited trip – one that got delayed even further by Trump's war in Iran. It's Trump's second trip to China and his first in nearly a decade. It's also a trip where both sides see big opportunities (mostly to make money). But, the global balance of power has shifted – arguably, in China's favor. Trump is in the midst of an unpopular war with no clear exit plan and he's looking to make deals, not problems. Meanwhile, China has become an economic and military powerhouse more than able to stand up to the US and Trump's trade wars. So to talk more about Trump's trip to China and what's at stake, we spoke to Phelim Kine. He is the DC based China correspondent at POLITICO.And in headlines, Secretary of War/little boy Pete Hegseth returns to the Hill, Food and Drug Administration head Marty Makary steps down, and the What A Day newsletter investigates a new video game that parodies Trump's second term in office.Show Notes: Check out Phelim's work – politico.com/staff/phelim-kine Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The impact of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's crimes has been felt in so many places, from the halls of Congress to the royal families of Britain and Norway. Here in the U.S., it's taken the work of student journalists to uncover the worrying details about Epstein's hidden relationship with another important institution: Harvard University. Epstein didn't go to Harvard (actually, he didn't graduate from college at all). But back in 2020, Harvard released a report aiming to detail its relationship with Epstein, including the millions of dollars he donated to the university. As journalist Pablo Torre and student journalists at the Harvard Crimson discovered, Harvard was actually keeping a lot of secrets about its relationship with the convicted sex offender. We spoke with Torre about his investigation and what he wants Harvard to do now.And in headlines, President Donald Trump participates in a Maternal Healthcare Event in the Oval Office, the Supreme Court is leaving access to a widely used abortion pill untouched until at least Thursday, and the man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner pleads not guilty.Show Notes: Check out Pablo's podcast – https://tinyurl.com/yjn2ndp2 Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Over the last year and a half, the Trump Administration has made a big effort to limit which words are used in federal documents. Across government memos and wide-ranging agency material, hundreds of terms and ideas have been explicitly or implicitly forbidden from use. These terms include words like “accessible” or “activism.” Another example? Intersectionality. It's been nearly 40 years since Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term “intersectionality.” And in that time, the word has been twisted into something barely recognizable. We spoke with Crenshaw about her work, her new book, and how her past has given her the strength to keep talking back.And in headlines, Iran responds to the latest U.S. ceasefire proposal, Democrats respond to the Virginia Supreme Court ruling on redistricting, and the cruise ship roiled by hantavirus anchors in the Canary Islands.Show Notes: Check out Kimberlé's book – https://tinyurl.com/4ndwy3rx Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

There's a lot going on in this year's midterm elections. Tennessee Republicans approved a new map on Thursday, splitting the majority-Black voting district that encompasses the city of Memphis – and possibly eliminating the state's only blue congressional seat. The president also got to flex his muscles this week in Indiana's Republican primary. Candidates with his support beat at least five Republican incumbents who had voted against his redistricting plans in the state. So what does all of this mean for the midterms? To find out, we talked to Jon Favreau. He's a co-host of Pod Save America.And in headlines, Russia preps for its annual Victory Day Parade, two reports shed new light on the Iran war, and President Donald Trump tries to square up with a child in the Oval Office.Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

President Donald Trump made a lot of promises when he took office for the second time. One of those promises included becoming the most pro-cryptocurrency president ever! (Probably because the Trump family is trying to make as much money as possible from the enterprise.) But the wheels appear to be falling off both Trump's crypto adventures and the industry itself. Though millions of Americans own crypto, Bitcoin isn't going to replace the dollar any time soon. To learn more about the crypto industry, who it's for, and where it's headed, we spoke with Ben McKenzie. He's an author, actor, and filmmaker who has been covering cryptocurrency for years. His new documentary "Everyone Is Lying To You For Money" centers on unmasking the cryptocurrency industry.And in headlines, the Washington Post found Iran has hit more U.S. military assets than reported, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testifies before Congress about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and Stephen Colbert teases a possible 2028 presidential run.Show Notes: Check out Everyone Is Lying To You For Money – https://tinyurl.com/4apne3tp Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

President Trump was elected, in part, due to his many promises to lower the cost of living. Unsurprisingly, he gave up on that pretty much the second he walked into the Oval Office again. Some Democrats see this as an opportunity not just to beat Trump but to move forward as a party. Last week, members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus announced a series of bills they're calling “The New Affordability Agenda.” But will it appeal to the same voters who thought Trump held the key to a more affordable life in 2024? Texas Democratic Representative Greg Cesar joins the show to make his case for why it does.And in headlines, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth neither confirms nor denies the existence of kamikaze dolphins, The Strait of Hormuz still remains mostly closed, and Republicans try to get YOU to pay for the White House Ballroom.Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The Supreme Court surprised many on Monday allowing the commonly used abortion medication mifepristone to stay available via mail for at least one more week. But even with this decision, the current Supreme Court still feels like a mystery. For a body that intends to examine the law through a Constitutional lens, the court is kind of… freestyling a lot of the time. And in the era of Trump, a lot of that freestyling has been in his favor. So is this the Supreme Court's fault? Or… the Constitution's? To find out, we spoke with Melissa Murray. She's a co-host of Crooked Media's Strict Scrutiny, and author of the new book, The U.S. Constitution: A Comprehensive and Annotated Guide for the Modern Reader.And in headlines, President Donald Trump talks about the “mini-war” in Iran, the Department of Justice holds a press conference about its most recent beef, and Trump threatens to stay in power for another eight or nine years.Show Notes: Check out Melissa's book – https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-U-S-Constitution/Melissa-Murray/9781668221938 Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Last week's Supreme Court decision gutting the Voting Rights Act is big news. But there are tons of other ways that the Trump Administration and the GOP are trying to make it harder for you to vote. Take the Technical Guidelines Development Committee, or TGDC. It's supposed to be a nonpartisan federal committee that determines the standards for voting equipment used in elections across the country. But back in April, a group of election officials sounded the alarm. The Trump Administration has been blocking new appointees to the TGDC and won't say why — which is a big, big concern with midterm elections just a few months away. So to explain what's going on with our nation's voting apparatus, we spoke to Jacob Knutson, a reporter at Democracy Docket.And in headlines, Trump tells Congress that the war in Iran is currently not a war, Tucker Carlson gives a long and winding interview to the New York Times, and we send a bittersweet goodbye to Spirit Airlines.Show Notes: Check out Jacob's piece – https://tinyurl.com/4rjytz3b Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

From the alleged attempted assassination of President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner to the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey (and everything in between), it's been a long week in the United States. But one thing is for certain. Trump is one of the most powerful people on Earth. And yet, he spends so much of his time focused on trivial issues. Take that $400 million ballroom for example. A ballroom which most Americans oppose building by a 2-to-1 margin, according to new polling by the Washington Post and ABC News. So how does he get his base to buy in? How did we get to this place where his whims direct the news cycle? And how should Democrats respond – and get their own messages in front of the American people? To find out, we spoke with Keith Edwards. He's a Democratic strategist, political commentator, and host of The Keith Edwards Show.And in headlines, raw milk is out and Fox News is in, the Department of Homeland Security is finally going to reopen, and Alina Habba takes on the ladies at The View.Show Notes: Check out The Keith Edwards Show Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court struck down a 2024 Louisiana district map that created a second majority-Black voting district for use in future elections. In a 6-3 decision, the Court found that the Voting Rights Act did not authorize states the ability to create majority-minority voting districts. The ruling didn't overturn Section Two of the Voting Rights Act, but in the dissent, Justice Elena Kagan argued that it had done so in all but deed. Leah Litman, host of Crooked Media's legal podcast Strict Scrutiny, joins the show to tell us what this means for the future of Black voters, redistricting, the midterms, and America.And in headlines, the House Armed Services Committee grills Secretary of War Pete Hegseth over his handling of the war with Iran, Jerome Powell isn't backing down in his feud with Trump, and a Japanese airport tries out baggage handling humanoid robots.Show Notes: Check out Strict Scrutiny – https://tinyurl.com/7dfbhmc5 Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Secretary of War/little boy Pete Hegseth will be testifying before Congress this week — starting with a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee today. And if you ask him, everything in Iran and everything else is going just fine! Great, even! But Colorado Democratic Rep. Jason Crow serves on the committee – and he has a lot of questions for Hegseth. We asked him to give me a preview ahead of today's hearing.And in headlines, gas prices are still on the rise, King Charles speaks to Congress, and a beach day turns into a federal indictment for former FBI Director James ComeyShow Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff were supposed to fly to Islamabad, Pakistan, this week to negotiate an end to the Iran war. Yet once again, the Trump administration couldn't follow through on its promises. But let's back up. Why is Ivanka Trump's husband involved in these talks in the first place? To find out, we spoke with Judd Legum. He's the author of Popular Information, an independent newsletter dedicated to accountability journalism.And in headlines, the man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump is charged, Republicans continue to push for Trump's $400 million ballroom, and King Charles flies to D.C. for a tea and beehive tour.Show Notes: Check out Judd's newsletter – https://popular.info/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

On Saturday evening, there was a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C. President Trump and members of his cabinet were rushed out of the room, and Trump later gave a surprisingly calm press conference. Authorities have a suspect in custody. Normally, security is extremely tight wherever the President goes, but several journalists reported that security at the event felt surprisingly lax. As politicians took to the Sunday shows to call for unity, internet gumshoes are speculating as to whether the shooting was staged. MSNOW Senior Washington Correspondent and former President of the White House Correspondents Association, Eugene Daniels, helps us make sense of it all.And in headlines, Trump backs out of negotiations with Iran in Pakistan, Republicans use the Correspondents' Dinner shooting to call for an end to the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, and the Department of Justice drops its investigation of former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, which opens the door for Kevin Warsh to be named as his successor.Show Notes: Check out Eugene's podcast – https://tinyurl.com/2tfpp6jn Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Earlier this week, What A Day talked about Tucker Carlson's "apology" for supporting President Donald Trump. Carlson's unexpected confession stemmed from a conversation on his podcast, The Tucker Carlson Show. But it sounds like the reason Carlson is disappointed in Trump is simply that Trump didn't do what he wanted. And there's a lot of Trump "regret" right now – from Alex Jones to former Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. But which part of Trump do they regret? And what if what they really want is Trump – but worse? To dive deeper into this topic, we spoke with Tim Miller. He's a writer-at-large for The Bulwark and host of The Bulwark Podcast. He recently wrote that Democrats should open the tent to people who once supported Trump, but regret it now.And in headlines, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin gets really loud on Fox News, Navy Secretary John Phelan is out, and the Iran war is somehow raising the prices of condoms.Show Notes: Check out The Bulwark  Read Tim's piece Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

FBI director Kash Patel has sued The Atlantic for $250 million. It comes after the magazine published an article alleging that Patel is frequently drunk on the job and that his security team has had difficulty waking him on multiple occasions. Still, The Atlantic isn't backing down, writing in a statement, “We stand by our reporting on Kash Patel, and we will vigorously defend The Atlantic and our journalists against this meritless lawsuit.” But we've seen this move before, and it appears Kash is simply taking a page out of President Donald Trump's book. Trump himself has sued the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times for stories and polls he didn't like. To talk more about the litigious Trump administration, we spoke with Oliver Darcy. He's the founder of Status, a nightly newsletter focused on the media.And in headlines, Dr. Mehmet Oz says Trump's testosterone is top tier, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recites Iran war talking points, and Republicans are losing at their own redistricting game.Show Notes: Check out Status – https://www.status.news/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Happy Earth Day! While we celebrate efforts to save the earth, the Trump administration appears to be doing everything in its power to destroy it. At the same time, the Iran war has driven gas prices through the roof, making sustainable energy sources more appealing than ever. Dharna Noor, climate reporter for The Guardian, joins the show to discuss how President Donald Trump's war of choice could push the US back toward renewables. And in headlines, Tucker Carlson apologizes for his role in bringing Trump to power, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth fights for…bodily autonomy, and Trump's choice to run the Federal Reserve has his confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee.Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The media and Democrats have been sounding the alarm on Trump's mental health for a decade. But now, even some of his biggest supporters are wondering: is Trump… okay? Maryland Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin agrees that Trump's recent behavior is alarming, which is why he's introduced a bill that could start the process of removing Trump from office involuntarily using the 25th Amendment. We discussed the amendment and why the Representative believes it's worth pursuing now.And in headlines, our fearless leader sows more seeds of confusion regarding the Iran War, Virginians head to the polls to weigh in on state redistricting, and Trump is set to attend the White House Correspondents' dinner — for the first time.Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday