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Nicolle Wallace discusses the implications of Mark Meadows' testimony in Special Counsel Jack Smith's multiple investigations into the ex-president, the ever more crowded Republican primary field as candidates seek to set themselves apart from the twice-impeached, once-indicted former president, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas's latest ethical fumble, Democratic pushback as the right continues to villainize transgender people, and more. Joined by: Timothy Heaphy, Katie Benner, Charlie Sykes, Paul Rieckhoff, Lisa Rubin, Andrew Weissmann, Basil Smikle, Paul Rieckhoff, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Rep. Becca Balint and Bill Karins.
Chris Christie launched his presidential campaign by calling out Trump—and hit him on the kleptocracy, the hypocrisy, and the lying. Plus, the Freedom Caucus punishes McCarthy, Licht only had an elevator pitch—not a plan for CNN, and the PGA rolls over for the Saudis. A.B. Stoddard joins Charlie Sykes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Too many of today's politicians don't care that they are undermining their own parties with messages the general public doesn't support. Plus, the donor class grifting of No Labels, and how the Scott Walker era in Wisconsin prepared us for the Trump era. Astead Herndon joins Charlie Sykes. show notes: https://www.nytimes.com/column/election-run-up-podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Steve Bannon and company are helping give anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy a boost in the polls, Trump gets challenged from the right on foreign policy, Haley is fantastically cynical, and CNN tried to make Trump happy. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nicolle Wallace discusses breaking news that Special Counsel Jack Smith met with the ex-president's attorneys attempting to avert an indictment for their client in the investigation into his handling of classified documents, Smith's investigation into the Big Lie, Nikki Haley's false attacks on transgender people during her CNN town hall as the GOP continues to pass legislation restricting their rights, the increasingly anti-democratic effort to limit abortion access, and more.Joined by: Betsy Woodruff Swan, Andrew Weissmann, Peter Strzok, Basil Smikle, Kelley Robinson, Tim Heaphy, Neal Katyal, Charlie Sykes, Jackie Alemany, and Mini Timmaraju.
It wasn't like the boring 90s, but politics this week felt almost normal. Meanwhile, Trump's bleats are getting more demented and DeSantis is all-in on attacking him for fast-tracking a vaccine. Plus, the war on Pride Month. Tim Miller is back with Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Trump's own recorded words appear to undercut his already weak defense that he had declassified the documents he took from the White House—and he may have invited a charge under the Espionage Act. Ben Wittes joins Charlie Sykes for the latest edition of The Trump Trials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The media thinks the GOP base could still want 'Morning in America,' Citizens United is keeping no-hopers in the race, Charlie totally called it on Tara Reade Biden made McCarthy grow up, and MAGA world turns to infighting. Michael Steele joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nicolle Wallace discusses new reporting that the ex-president's lawyer may have been told not to search the Mar-a-Lago office where classified documents were later found, the latest sentences for some of the most infamous January 6th Capitol rioters while the U.S. remains at a heightened threat level for domestic terrorism, Fox News's next defamation lawsuit in the continued fallout of their election lies, Republicans' politicization of the U.S. military that may impact readiness, and more. Joined by: Carol Leonnig, Harry Litman, Basil Smikle, James Comey, Charlie Sykes, Michael Schmidt, Joyce Vance, Donny Deutsch, Amy McGrath, Jeremy Bash, and Paul Rieckhoff.
McCarthy cut a normal deal with Biden when the GOP caucus couldn't agree on what to demand—beyond just shouting and pounding the table. Plus, missing Brezhnev, waiting for a haymaker, and DeSantis is angry and weird, but not as dangerous as Trump. Tom Nichols joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In the summer of 2016, on the eve of the Republican and Democratic conventions, Luke Russert—an NBC News star and a scion of media royalty—walked away from it all. Russert joins Charlie Sykes for a special Memorial Day weekend pod to share a story of parental love, loss, and finding your own way. show notes: https://www.harpercollinsfocus.com/9780785291817/look-for-me-there/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nicolle Wallace discusses new reporting on the White House documents at Mar-a-Lago as Special Counsel Jack Smith appears to wrap up his investigation, the ex-president's reckless advice to House Republicans as the U.S. barrels towards a catastrophic default on its debt, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's response to his upcoming impeachment vote, a 20-year high in book bans as the GOP continues to escalate their culture wars, a new challenge to Florida's voter suppression law, and more. Joined by: Neal Katyal, Luke Broadwater, Sue Gordon, Stacey Abrams, Rev. Al Sharpton, Charlie Sykes, Molly Jong Fast, Max Rose, Marc Elias, and Matthew Dowd.
Jack Smith is wrapping up his investigation into the Mar-a-Lago classified document collection, and Trump world is bracing for indictments. Plus, defamation, court dates, and the actor playing a human launches his presidential campaign. Ben Wittes and Quinta Jurecic join Charlie Sykes for The Trump Trials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
DeSantis claims he doesn't back down, but most of the time, he is flinching and cowering—and now he's allowing Musk to push him around. Plus, Trump v Kamala, felons can't vote for themselves in Florida, and the Russians fighting for Ukraine. David Frum joins Charlie Sykes today. show notes: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/05/joe-biden-health-versus-donald-trump-indictments/673989/ https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/05/durham-report-fbi-trump-russia/674088/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nicolle Wallace discusses Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation into the ex-president's handling of classified documents as there are more signs it is entering its final chapter, movement in Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's hush money case with a Zoom appearance from the former president himself, E. Jean Carroll's new filing, the Supreme Court's continued crisis of credibility, recent executions of three protesters in Iran, and more. Joined by: Katie Benner, Charlie Sykes, Harry Litman, Frank Figliuzzi, Lisa Rubin, Susanne Craig, Ronnell Anderson Jones, Katie Phang, Donna Edwards, Rep. Eric Swalwell, Dahlia Lithwick, and Masih Alinejad.
Reality is Kari Lake's biggest opponent, Tim Scott is warmly welcomed into a growing candidate field, Biden gets blamed for guns, and younger voters are more likely to vote for Democrats. Plus, did Twitter grave-rob a username for DeSantis? The Washington Post's Philip Bump joins Charlie Sykes today. show notes: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/696653/the-aftermath-by-philip-bump/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Are Tim Scott, Nikki Haley, and Mike Pence really running for the VP slot—or a chance to increase their speaking fees? Plus, Trump is still an extortionist, the GOP's not a serious governing party, and Fox created the market for the homeless vet hoax. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Former conservative radio host Charlie Sykes sits down with Margaret Hoover to talk about the state of the Republican Party, the 2024 election, and the future of American democracy. Sykes, who co-founded The Bulwark in 2018 after retiring from radio, assesses the Republicans who may challenge Trump for the 2024 nomination–including Ron DeSantis and Mike Pence–and he explains why he is likely to support President Joe Biden over whoever the GOP picks. The author of “How the Right Lost Its Mind” discusses how the conservative media ecosystem and the mindset of the audience have shifted in recent years. He also reflects on the difficulties the mainstream media faces in covering Trump. Sykes comments on the threat of political violence in America, the prospect of a third-party candidacy, and what it might take to finally restore sanity in the GOP. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Jeffrey and Lisa Bewkes, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.
Charlie Sykes and Tim Miller held court on the Upper West Side Thursday night, weighing in on Rudy's medical experiments on himself, Disney's humiliation of DeSantis, Trump's legal setbacks in his own hometown, and more. Plus, Charlie and Tim play "Name That Musical" for your weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Justice Alito frequently complains that critics of the court are trying to delegitimize it. But it's the Supreme Court's own actions—including its late-night, unsigned, and unexplained decisions on the shadow docket— that are undermining the institution. Steve Vladeck joins Charlie Sykes today. show notes https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/contributor/stephen-vladeck/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ukraine's freedom is on the line, but America's role in the world is also at stake. And if a democratic Ukraine can win against autocratic Russia, the world's geopolitics could be altered for a generation. Anne Applebaum joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. show notes: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/06/counteroffensive-ukraine-zelensky-crimea/673781/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nicolle Wallace discusses the release of the Durham report which failed to recommend any criminal charges in their long awaited ‘investigation of the investigators,' a horrific attack on Rep. Gerry Connolly's staffers, the disturbing rise in domestic violent extremism as white supremacists march on the Capitol, Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez's re-release of their film, “The Way,” and more.Joined by: Betsy Woodruff Swan, Katie Benner, Frank Figliuzzi, Andrew Weissmann, Sahil Kapur, Cornell Belcher, Mary McCord, Donell Harvin, Charlie Sykes, Martin Sheen, and Emilio Estevez.
DeSantis tries to pretend he's normal, James Comer can't find his Biden informants, Republicans are disappointed there's not a bigger crisis at the border, Trump wants Mike QAnon Flynn back as an adviser, and Lindsey can't stop rationalizing. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. https://specialto.thebulwark.com/p/the-corruption-of-lindsey-graham?itm_source=parsely-api Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Girls are blowing past boys in school, and while most men are poorer than they were 50 years ago, women's incomes have risen across the board. A new kind of gender inequality is drawing men into MAGA's poisonous politics. Richard Reeves joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend podcast. show notes: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780815739883/Of-Boys-and-Men-Why-the-Modern-Male-Is-Struggling-Why-It-Matters-and-What-to-Do-about-It Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nicolle Wallace discusses the implications of the ex-president's first town hall aired on CNN and the potential legal fallout for the network, Fox News' latest lawsuit from a former federal employee who allegedly faced death threats after their coverage targeted her role, a Republican senator's comments seemingly claiming that white nationalists should be allowed in the U.S. military, the role of the internet in the age of disinformation, and more. Joined by: Andrew Weissmann, Charlie Sykes, Donna Edwards, Eddie Glaude, Rylee Sommers-Flanagan, David Folkenflik, Paul Rieckhoff, Basil Smikle, Frank Figliuzzi, Mary McCord, Ben Smith, and Donny Deutsch.
From promising a general amnesty to Jan 6 rioters, to re-victimizing E. Jean Carroll on CNN's town hall, and calling a police officer a thug, Trump is sure making it easy for Biden to claim the mantle of law and order. Tim Miller, Ben Wittes, and Roger Parloff join Charlie Sykes for The Trump Trials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Turns out that being a star doesn't allow you to get away with sexual assault after all. The GOP still has an 'Access Hollywood' choice, but now there's a $5 million jury verdict. Plus, Tim Mak joins Charlie Sykes from Ukraine to discuss his reporting on life during wartime, beyond "the booms and the bangs." show notes: https://counteroffensive.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Globalism is dead, the remote work revolution is here to stay, and more people are pursuing their big dreams in smaller cities. The Covid pandemic ushered in a new YOLO economic era. Axios' Felix Salmon joins Charlie Sykes today to discuss the upsides and the downsides. show notes: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-phoenix-economy-felix-salmon?variant=40694169796642 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Greg Abbott says gun violence is due to a mental health crisis, not guns. So, America is exceptionally crazy? Plus, a bad poll for Biden, Trump's type of woman, and Will Saletan on how Lindsey Graham can explain the rise of authoritarianism in the US. Will is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Clarence and Ginni are enjoying the grift that keeps on giving, Fox's PR moves are not helping, seditious conspiracy doesn't require actually being at the Capitol on Jan 6, God bless E. Jean Carroll, and Colin Allred vs. the podcaster. The weekend pod with Charlie Sykes and Tim Miller. show notes: Charlie's Atlantic piece The Next Level's Colin Allred interview Sarah's Year Zero piece Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nicolle Wallace discusses breaking news that eight electors for the ex-president have accepted immunity in Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis's investigation, an update into Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation into the handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, new footage of the former president's deposition in E. Jean Carrol's civil sexual assault and defamation trial, more financial ties between conservative activists and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and more. Joined by: Mike Schmidt, Mary McCord, Michael Steele, Neal Katyal, Frank Figliuzzi, Katie Phang, Maya Wiley, Charlie Sykes, Susanne Craig, Shawn Boburg, and Gabe Roth
It was not an Ocean's 11-style conspiracy that convicted the Proud Boys in their sedition case. But the government made a compelling case that the conspirators' goal was to stop the certification of the election by any means necessary. Plus, the E. Jean Carroll rape case, the Fani Willis investigation, and Clarence Thomas' grifting. Lawfare's Ben Wittes, Roger Parloff, and Anna Bower join Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The pioneers of the digital media age thought they were building a progressive answer to Drudge—that would help get a Democrat elected in '08. But the architects of the new rightwing populism were also there, watching and learning. Ben Smith discusses his new book, "Traffic," with Charlie Sykes today. show notes: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/678592/traffic-by-ben-smith/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nicolle Wallace discusses the Senate hearing on the recent discovery of a slew of ethical lapses by Supreme Court justices raising questions about the branch's disclosure standards, testimony from another alleged assault victim in E. Jean Carroll's case against the ex-president, an update on the Proud Boys trial as the jury reportedly asks about the possibility they cannot reach a unanimous verdict, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's attempt to limit the now indicted former-president's ability to publicly comment on evidence and witnesses in his hush money case, the journey through loss with the son of NBC News legend Tim Russert, and more.Joined by: Sen. Alex Padilla, Basil Smikle, Brian Fallon, Melissa Murray, Ryan Reilly, Glenn Kirschner, Mike Schmidt, Lisa Rubin, Joyce Vance, Katty Kay, Charlie Sykes, Eddie Glaude, and Luke Russert.
For the first time since 2016, Trump will be back on CNN for a live event. It's a huge gift to Trump. Will the media once again center their campaign coverage on him—to the disadvantage of the Biden? Plus, McCarthy's new tone on Ukraine. A.B. Stoddard joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Greg Abbott chose to be breathtakingly inhumane, MAGA cancel culture is a runaway train, Biden gets in some good digs, Trump is the biggest victim of all, and McCarthy still doesn't have the votes on the debt ceiling—just insane demands. Will Saletan joins Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Republicans are so weak and craven: DeSantis has three bad weeks, and they've thrown in the towel—they're not even trying to try to defeat Trump. Plus, Disney reminds conservatives they're supposed to like smaller government, and Tucker is even worse in private. Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nicolle Wallace discusses breaking news that former Vice President Mike Pence testified before Special Counsel Jack Smith's grand jury investigation of the twice impeached ex-president, the former president's desperate attempt to have allies in Congress stop the Department of Justice from investigating his handling of classified documents, updates from the courtroom in E. Jean Carroll's civil lawsuit against him, major developments in discovering what led to Tucker Carlson's firing at Fox News, and more. Joined by: Luke Broadwater, Harry Litman, Mary McCord, Charlie Sykes, Mike Schmidt, Charlie Sykes, Lisa Rubin, Joyce Vance, Molly Jong-Fast, Richard Stengel, Tim Heaphy, Garrett Haake, Ryan Reilly, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren.
State and federal prosecutors may be closing in on Trump, so we've launched a new companion pod—in partnership with Lawfare—that will bring you up to speed on the big legal issues surrounding the former president, and key Trumpworld players. Ben Wittes joins Charlie Sykes for the inaugural episode. show notes https://www.lawfareblog.com/proud-boys-liveblog https://www.lawfareblog.com/arraignment-donald-j-trump-detailed-summary To continue the conversation go to https://bulwarkpodcast.thebulwark.com/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Conservatives surrendered on gay marriage, but kept their fear about societal change bottled up. And now a beer is a stand-in for transgender people they want to pretend don't exist. Plus, Ron DeSantis the weirdo, and Murdoch has zero Tucks to give. Semafor's Benjy Sarlin joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Tucker Carlson's firing shocked the media world and Tucker himself. He thought he could say and do anything. What role did Tucker's phony Jan. 6 programming play in the rupture? And does his ouster signal a Fox re-set? Brian Stelter shares his insights with Charlie Sykes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Trump's negative poll numbers are not high enough, Alito couldn't get other justices to go off the cliff with him, and DeSantis can't stop bossing companies around. Plus, hyper-identity politics in the literary world, and the escalation beyond the Second Amendment. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Marco Rubio thinks he's in office just to send tweets, No Labels couldn't have picked a worse time for a third-party candidate, and DeSantis' war on woke knows no end. Plus, Fox's 24-hours of fear and paranoia feeds gun violence, and Charlie Sykes issues a mea culpa to Tim Miller. Your weekend pod. show notes For tickets to The Bulwark Live in NYC go to TheBulwark.com/Events. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The country is reeling from the shootings of Ralph Yarl, Kaylin Gillis, cheerleaders in Texas and a family in North Carolina, who were all shot for making everyday mistakes. Charles Coleman, Frank Figliuzzi and Ryan Busse join to discuss how gun culture plays into the violence in the U.S., where knocking on the wrong door can be deadly. Ryan Busse, Charles Coleman, Frank Figliuzzi, Robert Gibbs, Charlie Sykes, Katie Benner, and Natalie Fertig join.
Elon Musk says that running Twitter is very painful, but it's a pain he brought on himself with firings, stunts, and overpaying for the company. Plus, Kara Swisher and Charlie Sykes discuss the art of podcasting, and the potentially much bigger goal behind the expansion of 'Don't Say Gay.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
John Heilemann – in for Nicolle Wallace – discusses the massive settlement between Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems as other parties continue to attempt to hold Fox accountable for spreading the Big Lie, breaking developments in both Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's investigation and Special Counsel Jack Smith's probe, the Supreme Court's delay in making a ruling on medication abortion, how red states have become laboratories for authoritarianism, and more.Joined by: Davida Brook, Jeremy Peters, Laurence Tribe, Greg Bluestein, Harry Litman, Mini Timmaraju, Barbara McQuade, Fatima Goss Graves, Nick Suplina, Ben Rhodes, Charlie Sykes, and Cornell Belcher.
The unsettling Dominion settlement, DeSantis is not fooling MAGA, and the "Taliban 20"—who demanded ransom before Kevin McCarthy could become speaker—are now preparing to hold the whole country hostage over the debt ceiling. Puck's Tina Nguyen joins Charlie Sykes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oklahoma sheriffs pining for lynching, Tennessee legislators trying to teach young Black men a lesson, and Stand Your Ground turning the innocent into victims: Things feel like they're spiraling out of control. Plus, even Trump is trolling DeSantis about his Disney flop. Michael Steele joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dominion v. Fox is not only about defamation—it's also about the erosion of truth at the network and its impact on our democracy. And with Tucker, Hannity, and Murdoch likely testifying, Fox will also be on trial in the court of public opinion. Puck's Dylan Byers joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The military runs on young soldiers, and sometimes, chatroom braggarts who want to share classified documents get recruited too. Plus, the real world damage in Ukraine from the leaks, and Putin's paranoia. Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices