Podcast appearances and mentions of Charlie Sykes

On today's podcast conversation, Charlie Sykes and Matt discuss:— Why Elon Musk's midterm cash is both a Republican windfall and a political liability— Hasan Piker vs. Elon Musk: the huge asymmetry Democrats keep ignoring— How Musk's Wisconsin Supreme Court spend spectacularly backfired— “The richest bigot in the world” — documented racism, antisemitism, and why GOP candidates should have to own it— Tech oligarchs, DOGE, data centers, and the populist backlash to billionaire politics— Milo Yiannopoulos deported: when the MAGA revolution eats its own— Pete Hegseth 2028 rumors, Pentagon purges, Stars and Stripes firings, and wartime secrecy— Trump threatens the FCC over Kristen Welker and “Meet the Press”— Mail-in voting rules, chaos as strategy, and laying the groundwork to reject 2026 results— Washington Post ordered to reinstate columnist Karen Attiah after Charlie Kirk posts — plus the larger problem of celebrating political violence— And MUCH more!Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

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On this week's podcast conversation, Charlie Sykes and Matt discuss:— Abdul El-Sayed's association with Hasan Piker derails Michigan Senate unity after Piker's comments blaming American Jews for antisemitism and violence— Democratic critics (including Jeremy Moss) refuse to endorse; Republican Mike Rogers capitalizes— Cultural landmines: Transgender issues in girls' sports (close to an 80-20 public opinion), Seth Moulton's apology, and the risk of learning the wrong lessons from a strong midterm— Economic populism that works (Medicare for All, taxing billionaires) vs. toxic cultural/“socialism” branding that turns off middle America— Trump administration rolling back protections for military families — arrest of a Nicaraguan father of a sailor on the USS Abraham Lincoln and similar cases— Are data centers the sleeper 2026 issue Republicans own while Trump cheers them on?— Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic minority leader, met privately with Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law and top outside adviser. But why???— And MUCH more!Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

To The Contrary’s Charlie Sykes stops by to talk about Donald Trump’s endorsements failing again.Then we’ll talk to Strength in Numbers’ G. Elliott Morris about the way “social experiment” polls are shaping the political narrative.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's podcast, Charlie Sykes and Matt discuss:— Reuters poll: Trump approval sinks to 33%, disapproval 64% — lowest of current term, matching December 2017 low— Sen. John Ossoff's sharp speeches: calls out golfing, stock trading, Qatar “flying palace,” and Natalie Harp, while the U.S.S. Lincoln fights his war— The one big Democratic warning: Abdul El-Sayed underwater in Michigan (Fox poll)— Foreign-policy chaos: Trump scales back South Korea joint exercises, cites “good relationship” with Kim Jong-un (who supplies missiles to Iran and Russia)— Simultaneously withdraws the last U.S. carrier from the Pacific and threatens to “bomb the shit out of” ally Oman if it interferes with Iran talks— Closing question for 2026/2028: Do Democrats choose electable fighters like Ossoff who win swing states, or ideological purity that loses independents?— And MUCH more!Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

Fellow Millennial, Stephanie Slade, has been in the trenches of various factions on the dissident Right lo these past several years to share with the uninitiated normies just how unhinged the Right has become in certain quarters.  She joined Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis earlier this year (back in episode 193) to explore this phenomenon.  But since that time she's written a book, Fusionism: Liberty, Virtue, and the Future of the American Right, which offers the antidote to the rise of rightwing radicalism.  That antidote is fusionism, a largely forgotten idea that once defined American conservatism.   About Stephanie Slade From Reason.com   Stephanie Slade is a senior editor at Reason, the magazine of "free minds and free markets," and the author of Fusionism: Liberty, Virtue, and the Future of the American Right, forthcoming from University of Notre Dame Press. Her writing has appeared in America magazine, The New York Times, U.S. News and World Report, the Online Library of Liberty, and elsewhere. She covers the intersection of religion and politics.   Slade is best known for her piece "Why I Am a Pro-Life Libertarian," her magazine feature on booze-producing monks, and her defenses of fusionism (which probably isn't what you think!). Don't miss her discussing the differences between comprehensive and political libertarianism on The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie.   In 2013, Slade was named a finalist for the Bastiat Prize for Journalism. In 2016, she was selected as a Robert Novak Journalism Fellow. She has been a guest on a variety of podcasts, including Jonah Goldberg's The Remnant, Charlie Sykes' The Bulwark Podcast, and The New York Times' Ezra Klein Show. Prior to joining Reason, Slade worked as a speechwriter and pollster. She's a proud graduate of the University of Florida, where she studied economics and political science. Follow her on X: @sladesr.  

On today's podcast, Charlie Sykes and Matt discuss:—Why DSA member and failed Wisconsin candidate Francesca Hong was an “absurdly bad candidate” (and why Bernie and AOC stayed away)— How Dems realized they were about to blow a winnable race and hand Wisconsin to an election-denier, so they voted for David Crowley, a candidate who had previously dropped out of the race— Charlie says there are three things every candidate must prove to voters (Hong went 0-for-3)— Matt says 2026 is largely “baked in the cake” as a blue-wave year driven by Trump fatigue, overreach, tariffs, ICE, etc. But! Dems better not take 2028 for granted.— An Independent / Centrist / Unity-Ticket surge has Katie Hobbs (Arizona Democratic governor) picking a Republican running mate, and David Jolly (former Republican Never Trumper congressman) picking a prominent Democrat as running mate in Florida.— Can we trust the polls?— Plus: Trump's catering-truck Air Force One escape, the independent/unity-ticket surge, Minnesota, Michigan, and more.— And MUCH more!Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

Liz Oyer, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, and Charlie Sykes join Harry to break down a week of embarrassments for Donald Trump, offset partly by Todd Blanche's confirmation as Attorney General. The panel weighs the iniquity of the Senate's vote, then digs into a court's forceful rejection of Trump's ballroom and the fallout from the shambolic Reflecting Pool prosecution. Finally, the group focuses on the administration's deportation push, which is speeding up even as it fades from the headlines. Mentioned in this episode:Liz's Substack.Liz's podcast.Charlie's Substack.Penn Live's immigration coverage.The D.C. Appeals Court's ballroom opinion.Harry's column about the latest in the reflecting pool case.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's podcast, Charlie Sykes and Matt discuss:— DSA co-chair Megan Romer outlines an agenda that would abolish Senate/presidency/Supreme Court, ICE, borders, prisons; defund Pentagon; mass amnesty— Wisconsin governor primary flashpoint: far-left DSA candidate Francesca Hong risks handing the state to election-denier Tom Tiffany — with 2028 consequences— Gerontocracy crisis: Mitch McConnell's second “proof of life” photos, and the August 3 deadline for a special election— Sen. John Thune's rare pushback on the filibuster and Trump's “Save America” bill as scapegoat theater— Elon Musk crash-out: SpaceX/Tesla valuation free-fall, that Economist interview, and DOGE hypocrisy (“money won't matter in 10 years”)— White House Correspondents' Dinner disaster: predictable humiliation, Trump's ugly attacks on Kaitlin Collins, and the bad Kristen Welker/Stephen Miller optics:— Matt's broader warning: Democrats must focus on winning the House, Senate, and key governorships — or risk losing the Republic— And much MUCH more!Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

No end in sight to Trump's moronic war of choice with IranNick Cohen and Charlie Sykes discuss what they describe as Donald Trump's two reckless “wars”: the shooting conflict with Iran and the trade war with Canada. Sykes argues both are driven largely by Trump's personal whims, lack public support, and have not been properly authorised or explained to Americans.On Canada, Sykes says almost no ordinary Americans see Canada as an enemy, making Trump's tariffs especially irrational and damaging. He argues the episode shows allies can no longer assume the US will honour agreements, whether on trade, NATO, or security guarantees.On Iran, Sykes says Trump promised to avoid “forever wars” but is now trapped by his fear of looking weak. He warns that Trump's corruption, isolation, and reliance on loyalists have made US policy more erratic, while nuclear deals with Saudi Arabia and unreliable American guarantees may encourage more countries to seek nuclear weapons.Read all about it!Charlie Sykes @SykesCharlie is a leading highly respected United States conservative political commentator who was formerly editor-in-chief and founder of the highly influential website The Bulwark. Charlie has been a leading Never Trump Conservative since Trump stood for the presidency in 2015. Charlie's Substack - To the contrary is a must read, and his regular podcast - also called To the contrary - a must listen. He has also been a columnist and author for the progressive channel MSNBC.Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To The Contrary’s Charlie Sykes stops by to talk about Trump’s never-ending war with Iran.Semafor’s Dave Weigel joins us to discuss the final stretch of the congressional primaries and the battles inside the Democratic Party.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's podcast, Charlie Sykes and Matt discuss:— Andrew and Tristan Tate accused of choking women unconscious then raping them — will Trump block extradition to UK?— Why young men (and Barron Trump?) are drawn to these man-o-sphere “dominance” influencers— Trump's pattern: protecting allies, flirting with pardons for Diddy/Maxwell, and his own E. Jean Carroll liability— Democratic 2026 Senate primaries imploding in Michigan & Wisconsin — socialism vs. electability— Those John Fetterman party-switch rumors could flip Senate control— Lindsey Graham's sister running for his seat — Trump plays golf and gets booed at World Cup while Middle East war escalates with U.S. deaths— Todd Blanche confirmation fight, DOJ weaponization fears, and post-truth corruption— And MUCH more!Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

On this week's podcast, Charlie Sykes joins Matt for a no-holds-barred look at Lindsey Graham's legacy after his death, and much more, including:— Did Graham actually protect Ukraine and NATO—or just rationalize Trump's Putin appeasement?— The sad reality of Graham's “relevance” strategy and what it cost American conservatism— All the conspiracy theories swirling around Graham and Sen. Mitch McConnell— Todd Blanche's Attorney General confirmation hearings are coming up at a time when there's already a slim GOP majority.— The latest ICE shooting in Maine— A preview of Donald Trump's upcoming 2020 “stolen election” speech— Crazy Victor Marx wins Colorado's GOP primary— White House Correspondents Dinner hypocrisy— And MUCH more!Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

We're continuing our summer series with a recap of the week's top headlines and relevant conversation from The Bulletin archive. This week, Maine's Democratic Nominee for US Senate Graham Platner suspended his bid for Senate after Politico reported a woman's accusations of rape. We re-air a conversation with Charlie Sykes, Russell Moore, and Clarissa Moll about other politicians who have removed themselves from office due to sexual allegations, and why politicians have become more shameless. Then, conflict reignited in the Middle East after Iran struck three commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz and the US began retaliatory strikes. Jill Nelson joins to discuss the importance of the Strait and how it affects international Christian aid organizations. Finally, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce got married last weekend, and some are speculating how their wedding will affect trends to come. Jen Wilkin, Russell Moore, Mike Cosper, and Clarissa Moll discuss secular and sacred wedding traditions, and what couples getting married today can focus on. GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: Join the conversation at our Substack. Find us on YouTube. Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice. ABOUT THE GUESTS: Charles J. Sykes is a political commentator who hosted a conservative talk show in Wisconsin for 23 years. He was the former editor-in-chief of The Bulwark, and is currently an MSNBC contributor. Sykes has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Politico, Salon, and other national publications. He has appeared on the Today Show, ABC, NBC, Fox News, CNN, PBS, and the BBC. Jill Nelson is Christianity Today's Ukraine and Israel correspondent. She holds a master's in Middle Eastern studies from the University of Texas and began her journalism career as a reporter and anchor in South Dakota. For nearly 20 years, she covered Ukraine and the Middle East for World News Group. Jen Wilkin is an author and Bible teacher from Dallas, Texas. She has organized and led studies for women in home, church, and parachurch contexts. An advocate for Bible literacy, her passion is to see others become articulate and committed followers of Christ, with a clear understanding of why they believe what they believe, grounded in the Word of God. ABOUT THE BULLETIN: The Bulletin is a twice-weekly news analysis podcast from Christianity Today, with editor-at-large Russell Moore. Each episode offers commentary on current events and headlining news with a roundtable of premier guests, and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more. “The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today Host: Alexa Copeland Associate Producer: Alexa Copeland Editing and Mix: Kevin Morris Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs Music: Dan Phelps Executive Producer: Erik Petrik Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's action-packed podcast, Charlie Sykes and Matt discuss:— Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner faces credible rape allegation just weeks after winning the nomination — top Democrats, including Ro Khanna and Elizabeth Warren, are calling on him to drop out. — How this spectacular and predictable collapse could change the battle for Senate control — Democrats' dilemma: Can they replace Platner without looking like they're anointing another candidate? Lessons from 2024— Trump's “curse” strikes again: US Soccer star reinstated after Trump personally lobbies FIFA — America's World Cup goodwill ruined— Sen. Mitch McConnell hospitalized with cardiac arrest — what his prolonged absence means for the narrow GOP Senate majority— Former Trump fixer Michael Cohen reconciles with Trump after years as a Never Trumper — Charlie and I react!— Plus: Ted Cruz Supreme Court joke, why character & corruption are back on the table, and more!Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

On today's podcast conversation, Charlie Sykes and Matt cover a lot of ground this morning, including:— Trump's botched 250th anniversary events: Embarrassingly low attendance at the “Great American State Fair” (TMZ empty-field footage), reflecting pond fiasco, and shrinking celebrations after Trump seized control from prior Smithsonian plans.— Supreme Court decisions: Major expansion of presidential power (unitary executive theory), mixed rulings including E. Jean Carroll, mail-in ballots, transgender athletes, and upcoming birthright citizenship case.— Immigration and conservatism's shift: Contrast between Reagan's pro-immigrant speeches and today's nativist rhetoric (e.g., Megyn Kelly), plus the “horseshoe theory of me.”— Praise for John Ossoff's effective messaging (“Epstein class”), and concerns about far-left DSA-style candidates.— Reclaiming patriotism and the flag: July 4th and the American flag belong to the people, not Trump/MAGA — celebrate locally with community cookouts, fireworks, and events in small town America, not D.C. spectacles.— And MUCH more!Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

To The Contrary’s Charlie Sykes stops by to talk about President Trump declaring his power has no limits.Ettingermentum’s Josh Cohen joins us to discuss how he’s seeing the midterms shape up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Substack LIVE conversation, Charlie Sykes and Matt discuss:— Taxpayers foot some of the bill for Trump's event. — UFC fighter Josh Hokit thanks Jesus then declares “Michelle Obama is a man” as Trump and Joe Rogan smile— The desecration of sacred ground: motorcycles, cage fights, and Trump Coins grift at America's 250th— Trump's “deal” with Iran: No denuclearization, massive sanctions relief, and a humiliating cut-and-run— A Situation Room meeting on “Nipplegate” from the Epstein files. JD Vance thinks Trump would be OK with releasing the info— Elon Musk becomes a trillionaire after cutting global aid — the satire writes itself— The death of norms, conservative hypocrisy, and cultural collapse— And MUCH more!Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

Harry talks with former Senator Barbara Boxer, Charlie Sykes, and Glenn Thrush to make sense of the sudden Republican restiveness, Graham Platner's latest scandal, and Trump's "scariest” appointment yet. Is California's slow vote counting giving the DOJ an opening to claim election abuses? Will Platner doom Democrats' hopes of what Charlie says should've been a “layup” win over Susan Collins? Can Congress finish off Trump's slush fund? And why is everyone ignoring Trump's audit-free guarantee—the most obviously self-enriching part of his corrupt settlement?   Mentioned in this episode: Glenn's reporting: https://www.nytimes.com/by/glenn-thrush#latest  Charlie's Substack: https://charliesykes.substack.com/  Glenn's inside look at how the Trump v. IRS settlement deal came together: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/us/politics/trump-irs-lawsuit-deal.html  The New York Times' Graham Platner story: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/us/politics/platner-maine-senate-girlfriends-relationships.html  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's podcast conversation, Charlie Sykes and Matt cover a lot of ground, including:— — Pete Hegseth's disastrous D-Day speech attacking Europe and comparing migrants to Allied invasion.— Why even MAGA allies are furious over the Pentagon's new attack on Mormons— Trump tells Netanyahu “I call the shots” — is the bromance collapsing?— Inside Trump's angry, rambling 'Meet the Press' meltdown with Kristen Welker— Bari Weiss fires 60 Minutes leadership — Scott Pelley's brutal takedown— California's slow-count election chaos, Spencer Pratt drama, and why mail-in voting looks suspicious— Ann Coulter turns on Trump over Knicks game inconvenience and $8,000 tickets— And MUCH more!Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

To The Contrary’s Charlie Sykes stops by to talk about Trump wanting out of Iran and his slush fund.Comedian Rosebud Baker joins us to discuss how Trump has changed America and her new memoir, Fully Baked: A Messy Memoir.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's podcast discussion, Charlie Sykes and Matt discuss:— Trump's shocking transformation of the White House into a gladiatorial arena with a giant UFC-style cage for the 250th anniversary— The symbolism of the pristine vs. ruined White House and what it says about America's cultural decline— Musical artists bail on Trump's “Great American State Fair” — now replaced by a full MAGA rally headlined by Trump himself— Graham Platner's sexts and scandals, Ken Paxton's corruption, and the new “flawed fighter” defense— James Talarico's powerful comments on real masculinity and servant leadership — the exact opposite of the current GOP manhood cult— JD Vance shrinking in Trump's shadow, Mike Pence on Jan 6. “slush fund,” and the scorpion-and-frog reality of Trump World— Bonus: Why AI could take down Trumpism — and the coming anti-tech populist backlash— And MUCH more!Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

On this week's Substack LIVE, Charlie Sykes and Matt discussed: — A SHOCKING NEW NYT-Siena Poll: Trump's approval sinks into the 30s, while Democrats surge to D+11 on the generic congressional ballot — the clearest sign yet of a potential midterm bloodbath— Gerrymandering Backfire?: Republicans thought they drew safe maps… this poll suggests their own maps could explode in a big Democratic wave— Cassidy's Humiliating Defeat: Sitting Senator Bill Cassidy (who voted to convict Trump) finishes third in Louisiana — a brutal warning for any GOP member who crosses Trump— A Massie Test in Kentucky: Will Trump successfully primary Rep. Thomas Massie for demanding the Epstein files? Forget Louisiana, Kentucky is the real loyalty test to determine Trump's grip on the GOP— Jared Polis Frees Tina Peters???: Colorado's Democratic governor commutes the sentence of the election-denying clerk — why this move angered both sides and looks like caving to Trump— Trump's Taxpayer-Funded Slush Fund: The $1.7+ billion plan to pay off Jan. 6 rioters, election deniers, and loyalists — plus the outrageous IRS lawsuit settlement— Bonus topics: Eric Metaxas suggests God wants Trump's White House ballroom, Sen. John Fetterman's evolution, why fiscal conservatism is dead, and MUCH more!Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

To The Contrary’s Charlie Sykes stops by to talk about Trump using the Iran war to enrich himself with stock tips.California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer joins us to discuss his plan to make California a better place to live.Plus, as a bonus, Elevate Utah’s Gabi Finlayson and Jackie Morgan stop by to talk about Mr. Wonderful accusing them of being Chinese agents and their work against data centers in Utah.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Russell Moore, Charlie Sykes, and Clarissa Moll break down new polling about Americans' responses to changes in the economy, US involvement in foreign affairs, and their opinions on presidential hopefuls for 2028. Then, CT's Sho Baraka joins to discuss how modern vices of marijuana use, AI porn, gambling look different with an undercurrent of loneliness and isolation. Finally, Sho and Russell discuss NASA's reports that the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are drying up at an alarming rate, and how people are relating this to a prophecy in Revelation. REFERENCED IN THE EPISODE: AtlasIntel Poll GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: Join the conversation at our Substack. Find us on YouTube. Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice. ABOUT THE GUESTS: Charles J. Sykes is a political commentator who hosted a conservative talk show in Wisconsin for 23 years. He was the former editor-in-chief of The Bulwark, and is currently an MSNBC contributor. Sykes has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Politico, Salon, and other national publications. He has appeared on the Today Show, ABC, NBC, Fox News, CNN, PBS, and the BBC. Sho Baraka is Christianity Today's Big Tent editorial director. He is a recording artist, performer, culture curator, activist, and writer. He is a cofounder of Forth District and the And Campaign, and he has served as an adjunct professor at Wake Forest University School of Divinity. He was an original member of influential hip-hop consortium 116 Clique, recording with Reach Records. ABOUT THE BULLETIN: The Bulletin is a twice-weekly news analysis podcast from Christianity Today, with editor-at-large Russell Moore and executive editor of news Clarissa Moll. Each episode offers commentary on current events and headlining news with a roundtable of premier guests, and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more. “The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today Producer: Clarissa Moll Associate Producer: Alexa Burke Editing and Mix: Kevin Morris Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs Music: Dan Phelps Executive Producer: Erik Petrik Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's Substack LIVE conversation, Charlie Sykes and Matt discuss:— Charlie's Suspension from X/Twitter: Charlie details being locked out after criticizing Elon Musk's racist and antisemitic posts, with his pre-2024 election history erased. — Cultural Satire Mirroring Reality: Charlie is seeing strong parallels between Trump and Homelander from The Boys TV show. — Trump's Distracted Narcissism: Trump is preoccupied with a golden statue at Doral, a blue reflecting pond, and a ballroom renovation while facing a critical summit with Xi Jinping and volatile Iran brinkmanship. — Democratic Strategy for Midterms: My advice: Focus on pocketbook issues like gas prices, inflation, and Trump family corruption (including the failed “Trump Phone” scam). But Charlie also thinks Democrats can channel the Epstein scandal as a way to neutralize the Trans issue…. — Candidate Quality and Gerrymandering Wars: Is Graham Platner really the best choice for Maine Democrats? Plus, Virginia's redistricting battles — and the long-term damage of aggressive gerrymandering. — Broader Political and Moral Concerns: Charlie and Matt lament the loss of America's moral high ground, while Charlie stresses the importance of maintaining open debate and inconvenient truths.— And much, MUCH more!Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

During this week's Substack LIVE, Charlie Sykes and Matt discuss:— Trump's Megalomania and Historical Self-Comparison: Donald Trump has reportedly begun comparing himself to Hegel's legendary “heroes of an Epoch”: Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Napoleon Bonaparte. What could possibly go wrong?!?— Trump's Collapsing Polls and Political Damage: Sharp drops in approval, especially among independents; dismal ratings on Iran war handling, economy, inflation, and cost of living tied to gas price spikes, and more;— Scott Jennings' On-Air Meltdown: CNN contributor Scott Jennings dropping an F-bomb and losing his temper against a young liberal YouTuber (Adam Mockler). So why hasn't he been fired?— MAGA Congressman Riley Moore and the New Bishop: West Virginia Congressman Riley Moore — a Catholic Republican who gave a thumbs-up photo in front of El Salvador prison cages with migrants — got a surprise, recently. Pope Leo appointed a new bishop for West Virginia who is a former undocumented immigrant from El Salvador.— Rudy Giuliani's Fallen Legacy: Giuliani in critical condition in hospital; dramatic squandering of his post-9/11 hero status (would have had schools, airports, etc., named after him); comparison to Benedict Arnold as someone whose early heroism was destroyed by later flaws and choices.— 2028 Trump Family Dynasty Speculation: Charlie and Matt agree that Trump might decide to back a family member in 2028 (Don Jr. or Ivanka!) as successor to retain influence and protection; Don Jr. as the more obvious but flawed candidate; Ivanka as potentially stronger (more likable, electable, historic first-woman angle).— And MUCH more!Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

Trump's Justice Department targets former FBI Director James Comey a second time after he's indicted for alleged threats against the President. Then, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth prepares to go before Congress to make a case for the Pentagon's $1.5 trillion budget request. Plus, a stunning move from the UAE as it annouces plans to leave OPEC. What this could mean for the global energy crisis triggered by war in Iran. Carol Leonnig, Jeff Mason, Leigh Ann Caldwell, Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, Max Chafkin, Brendan Greeley, Charlie Sykes, and Teddy Schleifer join The 11th Hour this Tuesday night. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

To The Contrary’s Charlie Sykes stops by to talk about Trump using political capital for the stupidest reason possible.The New York Times’ Jodi Kantor joins us to discuss her new book, How to Start: Discovering Your Life’s Work.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During today's podcast, Matt talks with Charlie Sykes about: — Chaos at the White House Correspondents' Dinner: An attempted shooting turned the glitzy event into near-tragedy, exposing major security gaps and prompting immediate political finger-pointing instead of reflection.— The Bizarre “Build the Ballroom” Pivot: Trumpworld shifted with laser-focused message discipline to demand a $400 million White House ballroom — weaponizing the violence to advance Trump's obsession and keeping the topic of conversation off of Iran.— The 60 Minutes Meltdown: Trump's defensive interview, including unsolicited Nixon-esque denials (“I am not a rapist… I am not a pedophile”) and lashing out at host Norah O'Donnell.— The Security Bubble Problem: From cabinet members living on military bases to calls for presidents never leaving fortified compounds, the Trump administration is increasingly isolated from regular people, worsening governance and public distrust.— Conspiracy Theories Biting Back: The same conspiratorial mindset Trump once fueled (birtherism, Stop the Steal, etc.) is now turning inward. — And MUCH more!Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

As scandals shake Trump's cabinet, Harry sits down with Emily Bazelon, Conor Lamb, and Charlie Sykes to discuss the revelations about Kash Patel, a Democratic redistricting win in Virginia, and the administration's latest retaliations. Along the way, the trio discuss what it will take to revive the rule of law and whether there's a path away from endless gerrymandering. They close by digging into the jaw-dropping details from Emily's reporting about how Trump turned DHS into an agency incompetent at real law enforcement but adept at inflicting suffering. Mentioned in this episode: Harry's Substack on the SPLC indictment:  https://harrylitman.substack.com/p/funding-extremism-pleaseEmily's reporting:  https://www.nytimes.com/by/emily-bazelon#latest Charlie's Substack:  https://charliesykes.substack.com/ Emily's DHS article:  https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/04/14/magazine/trump-dhs-ice-officers-immigration-deportations.html   Emily's conversation with Harry about her oral history of the DOJ under Trump:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PDKeMe1mXU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's Substack convo, Charlie Sykes and Matt break down the latest escalation in the U.S.-Iran conflict, plus:— Why it feels like déjà vu and a “kabuki dance,” with the Strait of Hormuz closed, Trump boxed in by markets, and sinking poll numbers— Cabinet drama: Kash Patel's alleged drinking issues and freak-out, and Pete Hegseth's Pulp Fiction “Bible verse” recitation.— Washington elites still don't know “what time it is”: Media nostalgia at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, and the death of the old normal— Conspiracy karma: MAGA turning on itself with staged assassination attempt theories, crisis actor claims. — The rise of AI-generated fake Trump supporters— How parasocial relationships and lonely audiences fuel grifty streamers (see Nick Fuentes)— Virginia redistricting referendum, and why unilateral disarmament on gerrymandering is naive in the Trump era— And MUCH more!Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

This week, Hungarian politician Peter Magyar gathered a politically diverse coalition to win an election against prime minister Viktor Orban, ending a 16-year autocratic rule. Dalibor Rohac joins Russell Moore and Clarissa Moll to talk about Orban's connection with President Trump and what this indicates about the global far-right populist movement. On Tuesday, Reps. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales resigned from Congress following allegations of sexual misconduct. Charlie Sykes stops by to discuss. Finally, President Trump posted an AI meme of himself dressed as Jesus and healing a man. Matthew Walther joins us to talk about the importance of images and symbols, and the role of the church in speaking truth to power. REFERENCED IN THE EPISODE: Should I Report Church Abuse to the Police? - Russell Moore Is Donald Trump Antichrist? - Matthew Walther - The Lamp Use the code LAMP26 for 20% off your one-year, six-issue subscription to The Lamp. Visit thelampmagazine.com to redeem. ABOUT THE GUESTS: Dalibor Rohac is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, where he studies the political economy of the European Union and transatlantic relations. He is concurrently a research associate at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies in Brussels. Charles J. Sykes is a political commentator who hosted a conservative talk show in Wisconsin for 23 years. He was the former editor-in-chief of The Bulwark, and is currently an MSNBC contributor. Sykes has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Politico, Salon, and other national publications. He has appeared on the Today Show, ABC, NBC, Fox News, CNN, PBS, and the BBC. ​​Matthew Walther is editor of The Lamp magazine and a contributing opinion writer at the New York Times. He is currently writing a biography of Saint John Henry Newman for Yale University Press. GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: Join the conversation at our Substack. Find us on YouTube. Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice. ABOUT THE BULLETIN: The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today's editor-at-large and columnist). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more. The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more. “The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today Producer: Clarissa Moll Associate Producer: Alexa Burke Editing and Mix: Kevin Morris Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs Music: Dan Phelps Executive Producer: Erik Petrik Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To The Contrary’s Charlie Sykes stops by to talk about JD Vance’s presidential aspirations slowly disappearing.Congressman Jared Moskowitz joins us to discuss former AG Bondi refusing to show up to congressional hearings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The IMF warns the Iran war could cause a global recession as the president says the conflict is "very close" to being over. Then, cracks emerge in the MAGA coalition as Americans continue to pay for the administration's policies. Plus, how voters are fighting back against AI data centers. Jeff Mason, Ron Insana, Justin Wolfers, former Ambassador Dan Shapiro, Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, Charlie Sykes, and Amanda Hoover join The 11th Hour this Tuesday night. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today's LIVE chat, Charlie Sykes and Matt attempted to break down a chaotic news cycle with sharp analysis and dark humor. I think we mostly succeeded. Here's what they covered:— Trump's Blasphemy and Self-Idolatry: Trump's AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus healing or resurrecting someone, combined with his vulgar Easter “bleat,” seen as blatant blasphemy and idolatry that has even some MAGA supporters uneasy.— Trump's Escalating War with the Catholic Church: Personal attacks on Pope Leo, threats of an “Avignon papacy,” criticism of the Pope as “weak on crime,” and the difficult position this creates for conservative Catholics and convert J.D. Vance.— Evangelical Silence vs. Moral Consistency: Why many evangelicals who once criticized bad character now defend or downplay Trump's sacrilegious behavior.— Viktor Orbán's Landslide Defeat in Hungary: A major blow to authoritarianism as Orbán — backed by Trump and Putin — suffers a crushing electoral loss. But will he actually leave office?— J.D. Vance's “Everything He Touches Turns to Sh*t” Record: Vance's failed efforts in Hungary and peace negotiations, reinforcing his reverse-Midas touch.— The Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz: Trump's confusing and potentially self-defeating plan to join or escalate the blockade. Is there a method to the madness?— Eric Swalwell's Spectacular Political Collapse: Multiple allegations of sexual assault leading to his withdrawal from the California gubernatorial race, and talk of expulsion from Congress.— Amanda Ungaro, Melania Trump, and the Epstein Files: The Brazilian model's threats to expose secrets tied to Melania and the Epstein world after being detained and deported via ICE at the request of her ex-partner (a Trump ally). Does this explain Melania's bizarre press conference???— Trump's “Freedom 250” Religious Revival: Plans for a large-scale “national jubilee of prayer” and revival on the National Mall, juxtaposed against his recent blasphemous posts.— And MUCH moreSubscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

April 9, 2026: Both polls and midterm elections indicate growing discontent in the Trump coalition as the war in Iran continues into its second month and the MAGA base is still largely unsatisfied with opacity of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Nicolle Wallace discusses with Angelo Carusone, Charlie Sykes, Miles Taylor and Anthea Butler.  For more, follow us on Instagram @deadlinewh For more from Nicolle, follow and download her podcast, “The Best People with Nicolle Wallace,” wherever you get your podcasts.To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's Substack LIVE, Charlie Sykes and Matt return for a no-holds-barred discussion on controversial left-wing streamer Hasan Piker — and the accelerating chaos of Trump's second term. Along the way, they discuss:— Trump's shocking Easter bleat: The F-bomb threat to bomb Iranian power plants and bridges — is this the most deranged presidential statement ever?— Defining deviancy down: Profanity from the White House on a sacred day, casual talk of infrastructure attacks (war crimes?), and the weird split-screen with the Pope's peace message.— Military purge in wartime: Firing generals mid-conflict, loyalty tests, and fears the U.S. military will obey illegal orders.— The Iran paradox: Impressive tactical wins (like the U.S. airman rescue) under erratic leadership — is Trump getting dangerously cocky?— Democrats' big tent dilemma: Should the party embrace far-left streamer Hasan Piker (with his history of controversial remarks on Israel, Putin, date rape, and more) to energize young voters — or is that the left's Nick Fuentes moment?— Principles vs. power: Why “fight fire with fire” risks turning Democrats into what they hate, the allure of relevance and “cool kids” politics, and whether a moral center can still win.— Plus: Reflections on suck-ups in Trump world, the hackification of commentary, and why irrelevance can be liberating.If you're in the mood for some sharp, independent analysis from two Never Trump conservatives, this is for you.Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

The President fires Attorney General Pam Bondi; a look at who's on the shortlist to replace her. Then, the U.S. attacks Iran's civilian infrastructure while Iran launches a barrage of missile strikes in the region. Plus, Trump imposes new tariffs on the 1 year anniversary of “Liberation Day”. Catherine Rampell hosts as Peter Baker, Charlie Sykes, Joyce Vance, Ivo Daalder, Natasha Sarin, Brendan Greeley, and Jon Meacham join The 11th Hour this Thursday night. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

To The Contrary’s Charlie Sykes stops by to talk about Trump’s self-inflicted wounds to his presidency.Iowa Senate candidate Josh Turek joins us to discuss his very real chances of becoming Iowa’s next senator.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's podcast, Charlie Sykes and Matt break down how Trump's character flaws — flaws we've been warning about for 10 plus years — are now endangering everyone.Here are some key moments we cover:— Trump's Truth Social rant: Democrats top Iran as top enemy — what does this mean for half the country?— Trump celebrating Robert Mueller's death (Purple Heart vet) + hypocrisy on grief (the Charlie Kirk murder outrage)— Iran debacle: Power plant threats, Lindsey Graham's Iwo Jima fantasies, market crashes, and war crimes risks— Why Trump treats allies worse than adversaries (Denmark, Japan Pearl Harbor “joke”)— The bubble: No one tells Trump “no” — leading to miscalculations and danger— Vindication for Never Trumpers: Character IS destiny — we warned everyone in 2016!— Plus: Is Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear THE potential 2028 hope? Charlie thinks there's a chance. If you've been saying “we told you so” about Trump's impulsiveness, narcissism, and cruelty — this episode hits hard. Plus, Charlie pulls no punches on the reality of this “mad king,” and what happens if his polls keep tanking.Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC

This week, top US counterterrorism official Joe Kent resigned, saying he could not support the ongoing war in Iran. Charlie Sykes joins Russell Moore, Mike Cosper, and Clarissa Moll to discuss Kent's claims that Iran posed no imminent threat to the US. Then, Rebeccah Heinrichs from the Hudson Institute stops by to talk about global players in the war in Iran and what's going on with US allies. Finally, the Supreme Court recently voted to give California parents the right to be informed if their child chooses to gender transition at school. Adèle Keim from Becket joins us to share why California schools were not communicating critical information to parents, and how the Court affirmed parents' constitutional right to raise their children. ABOUT THE GUESTS: Charles J. Sykes is a political commentator who hosted a conservative talk show in Wisconsin for 23 years. He was the former editor-in-chief of The Bulwark, and is currently an MSNBC contributor. Sykes has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Politico, Salon, USA Today, National Review, The Weekly Standard, and other national publications. He has appeared on the Today Show, ABC, NBC, Fox News, CNN, PBS, and the BBC and has been profiled on NPR. Rebeccah Heinrichs is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute and the director of its Keystone Defense Initiative. She specializes in US national defense policy with a focus on strategic deterrence. Heinrichs currently serves as a commissioner on the bipartisan Strategic Posture Commission. She also serves on the US Strategic Command Advisory Group and the National Independent Panel on Military Service and Readiness. She is an adjunct professor at the Institute of World Politics, where she teaches nuclear deterrence theory and is also a contributing editor of Providence: A Journal of Christianity and American Foreign Policy. Adèle Keim is a senior legal counsel for Becket, a non-profit, public-interest legal and educational institute with a mission to protect the free expression of all faiths. Prior to working with Becket, Adèle was an associate in the appellate practice at Winston & Strawn in Washington, D.C, and she clerked for Hon. Edith Brown Clement on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans. Adèle has been featured on CNN, Fox News, Al Jazeera, EWTN, TheBlaze, and MSNBC. GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: Join the conversation at our Substack. Find us on YouTube. Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice. ABOUT THE BULLETIN: The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today's editor-at-large and columnist) and Mike Cosper (senior contributor). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more. The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more. “The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today Producer: Clarissa Moll Associate Producer: Alexa Burke Editing and Mix: Kevin Morris Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs Music: Dan Phelps Executive Producer: Erik Petrik Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To The Contrary’s Charlie Sykes stops by to talk about Pete Hegseth’s egregious spending spree on floral arrangements and lobster at the Department of War.Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold joins us to discuss Governor Polis flirting with pardoning election meddler Tina Peters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thank you Caroline Henry, Harshi Peiris, Ph.D., Kiwi Rebel, CO, eric, and many others for tuning into my live video with Charlie Sykes and Jim Acosta! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit decodingfoxnews.substack.com/subscribe

Today on Mea Culpa, I'm revisiting a September conversation with Charlie Sykes, political commentator, author of “How the Right Lost Its Mind,” and MSNBC contributor. While the specific Trump controversies have changed, the nature of his leadership and the damage he causes have not. Then, the First Amendment alarms centered around Jimmy Kimmel; now, it's Don Lemon and Georgia Fort. We also discussed Trump's UN speech, a speech Trump once again mentioned at yesterday's “Board of Peace” event. And the most consistent through line remains the same: the continued lack of transparency around the Epstein files. The names and moments may shift, but the patterns we identify and discuss remain just as relevant today. Subscribe to Michael's Substack: https://therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/ Subscribe to Michael's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMichaelCohenShow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To The Contrary’s Charlie Sykes stops by to talk about CBS cowering to the FCC by refusing to air an interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico. Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer Jon Meacham about his latest book, American Struggle: Democracy, Dissent, and the Pursuit of a More Perfect Union: An Anthology.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talking Feds stalwarts Norm Ornstein, Tara Setmayer, and Charlie Sykes join Harry to review Pam Bondi's flailing theatrics before Congress as well as a raft of other embarrassments for the Trump administration. After panning the DOJ's determination to avoid transparency on Epstein, the group turns to the sudden federal retreat in Minnesota and a searing courtroom humiliation for Pete Hegseth. To close, they break down the stirrings of mutiny within Trump's party and the president's effort to rewrite election rules. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the Saturday show, Mike shares a conversation he had with Charlie Sykes, former host of The Bulwark and current host of the new podcast To the Contrary. They discuss how ordinary citizens with cell phones in Minneapolis became Donald Trump's kryptonite, exposing the chaos of his immigration enforcement strategy and forcing a rare retreat from the administration. Charlie and Mike break down why the "chaos as a ladder" theory backfired, why ICE's brutality is finally breaking through to the "normies," and whether Republicans in Congress will ever rediscover their spines and reclaim their Article I powers. Produced by Corey Wara Coordinated by Lya Yanne Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig Do you have questions or comments, or just want to say hello? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠thegist@mikepesca.com For full Pesca content and updates, check out our website at https://www.mikepesca.com/⁠ For ad-free content or to become a Pesca Plus subscriber, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ For Mike's daily takes on Substack, subscribe to The Gist List https://mikepesca.substack.com/ Follow us on Social Media:⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pescagist/ X https://x.com/pescami TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@pescagist To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠ad-sales@libsyn.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist

Nicolle Wallace covers the surveillance technology ICE has access to due to its increased federal funding. This technology includes biometric trackers, facial recognition, and military drones, which are all used to track protestors and potential candidates for deportation.Later, Ben Terris and Charlie Sykes join Nicolle to discuss the mysterious bruising on Trump's hands as well as his tendency to doze off during his lengthy cabinet meetings.For more, follow us on Instagram @deadlinewhTo listen to this show and other MS NOW podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. For more from Nicolle, follow and download her podcast, “The Best People with Nicolle Wallace,” wherever you get your podcasts.To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

To The Contrary’s Charlie Sykes examines how Donald Trump is bringing fear to America’s streets.Then Market Scoreboard Report’s Ron Insana details Trump’s erratic NATO negotiations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.