Podcast appearances and mentions of Chris Cillizza

Join Jim and Greg for the Tuesday 3 Martini Lunch as they discuss NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani's support for socialist candidates in the NY congressional primaries, Texas U.S. senate candidate James Talarico's ridiculous comments on whiteness, the media's ongoing infatuation with the Obama presidency and distortion of why the right opposed him, and the endless ads for today's Maryland congressional primary.First, Jim and Greg scrutinize Mamdani and the Democratic party's continued push towards socialism. Mamdani has endorsed socialists in three Democratic congressional primaries being held today. Two of them are running against incumbent Democrats, signaling a shift further to the left within the party.Next, they react to Talarico's absurd statements in his latest podcast appearance. His streak of insane woke rhetoric continues as he says that his imagination is limited by his "whiteness and masculinity.” Jim and Greg wonder when the left's obsession with identity will end.Then, Jim and Greg comment on the revisionism surrounding Obama's presidency and legacy. Former network journalists Chuck Todd and Chris Cillizza are trying to repaint Obama as a moderate rather than a leftist, and claiming the only reason the right opposed him was because of his race. Finally, they express their annoyance with the non-stop campaign ads for billionaire Maryland Democratic congressional candidate David Trone. Many on the left continue to support him, in spite of their proclaimed hatred for the wealthy.Please visit our great sponsors:AG1Visit https://DrinkAG1.com/3ML Get a FREE Morning Person Hat and a FREE AG1 Flavor Sampler in your Welcome Kit with your first AG1 subscription.Fast Growing Trees Better plants, better growing, and an extra 20% off with code MARTINI at https://FastGrowingTrees.com/Martini for a limited time; terms and conditions may apply.QuoMoney is on the line. Always say hello with QUO. Try QUO for FREE, PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to https://Quo.com/3ML.New episodes every weekday. 

Mike joined Chris Cillizza on Substack Live where they analyzed why California takes so long to count ballots, detailing how logistics and funding create a perception of dysfunction rather than deliberate corruption. They also dove into a recent Pew poll finding that Americans unique globally dislike their fellow countrymen, tracing this data to cultural polarization and strict two-party sorting. Finally, breaking down why the actual power of U.S. military and technological capacity historically outlasts its moral reputation abroad. Produced by Corey Wara 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠sales@amplitudemediapartners.com 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 podcast, Chris Cillizza and Matt discuss:— Oysterman Graham Platner wins Maine's Senate primary with 73% — why this is a neutral-to-good night for him, but still a huge risk for Democrats vs. incumbent Sen. Susan Collins— Rep. Nancy Mace finishes near last in South Carolina governor primary after pushing Epstein files — Trump revenge and whether she now joins the YOLO caucus.— Sen. Lindsey Graham beats back another MAGA challenger — is he a better politician than we thought, or is SC less Trumpy than it seems?— The absolutely WILD Colorado GOP governor primary: Leading candidate claims he killed a man at age 7 and (as a civilian) called in airstrikes on ISIS— Is it fair to blame Trump for the Knicks' loss? (Hint: Chris and Matt are divided over this one.)— 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

Chris Cillizza and Matt are back to unpack the results of the latest round of primary elections (in California, Iowa, New Jersey, and more!). On today's pod, they discuss:— Iowa: Josh Turek (Paralympian with an incredible backstory) wins big — and now has a real shot at flipping a Senate seat!— Rob Sand emerges as Democrats' strongest Iowa gubernatorial candidate in decades — Anti-incumbent wave: Sitting congressmen lose or underperform in Iowa, Texas, and South Dakota— California Governor primary: Steve Hilton (R) leads early, but Xavier Becerra will likely win in the top-two system— LA Mayor race: Incumbent Karen Bass heads to runoff against reality TV star Spencer Pratt — a clear protest vote against establishment failure on homelessness and crime— Trump's power tested: Senate Republicans kill the controversial “slush fund” deal and push back on other boundary-testing moves— Media shakeup: Barry Weiss at CBS, Scott Pelley's exit, and what it means for legacy news— 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 conversation with Chris Cillizza, Matt and Chris discuss:— Ken Paxton's massive landslide victory over longtime Senator John Cornyn— Why even early vote numbers signaled a total rout for the incumbent— The power — and limits — of Trump's endorsement in delivering a BLOWOUT— Ken Paxton's long list of scandals, impeachment, affair allegations, and why none of it mattered to GOP voters— The death of Bush-era Texas Republicanism: from compassionate conservatism to full MAGA dominance— What this means for the expensive general election battle against Democrat James Talarico— Signs of a potential Republican rebellion in the Senate: Lame-duck senators (Cornyn, Tillis, Cassidy) plus skeptics like Murkowski and Collins are showing increased pushback, forcing leadership to cancel key votes on Trump's $1.8B slush fund and war powers amid growing internal dissent.— Plus, a preview of next week's California Governor's race + key Iowa Senate primary developments— 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

The Democratic Party finally released its 2024 autopsy and somehow managed to make the whole situation look even worse. Not because the conclusions were devastating. Honestly, the conclusions barely mattered. The thing itself apparently reads like garbage. Wrong facts, shallow sourcing, no real accountability structure, no serious attempt to interrogate the deeper failures of the campaign. Ken Martin's explanation for why he sat on it for months was basically: “I thought it sucked.” Which immediately raises the obvious follow-up question: then why are you releasing it now instead of fixing it?That's the part that really sticks with me. A bad first draft is not some unforgivable sin. Every organization produces bad drafts. The problem is what happened next. Instead of commissioning a better version, expanding the scope, interviewing more people, and turning it into something useful, the DNC chair basically admitted he got scared. Scared of upsetting Biden loyalists. Scared of upsetting Kamala people. Scared of turning the 2028 primary into a blame war. Scared of stakeholders. Scared of his own shadow. And if your political party just suffered a massive defeat and is going through a structural identity crisis, “risk-averse hall monitor” is probably the worst possible archetype you can install at the top.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Because the Democratic Party's problems are not cosmetic — they are systemic. The issue is not whether they were two clicks too progressive or three clicks too centrist on Gaza or Liz Cheney or whatever argument people want to relitigate forever. You can build winning coalitions with different ideological mixes. What you cannot survive is an outdated operating system. The Democrats still communicate like it's 2012. They still protect candidates through message discipline instead of exposure. They still behave like traditional media gatekeeping works. They still think carefully managed campaigns can survive in a hyper-networked political culture where voters expect constant access and authenticity, or at least the performance of authenticity.That's why I keep coming back to the feeling I had during the 2024 Democratic convention. Everybody was celebrating. Everybody was dancing. Everybody was acting like the vibes alone had solved the party's problems. And the whole thing felt to me like a deeply dysfunctional family that had temporarily won the lottery. For one week everybody's hugging each other, buying champagne, pretending the underlying rot disappeared. But the money doesn't fix the alcoholism. It doesn't fix the debt. It doesn't fix the resentment. Eventually the sugar high wears off and you're left with exactly the same structural problems you had before, except now everybody's angrier because the miracle cure didn't work.Republicans, for all their chaos, at least went through this process earlier. Trump bulldozed the old Republican establishment starting in 2016, and whether you think that was good or bad, it forced the party to evolve operationally. They adapted to social media faster. They understood small-dollar online fundraising faster. They cultivated emerging political communities like crypto and AI faster. The Democrats still feel institutionally run by either the same people from the Obama era or the protégés of those people. Even when personnel changes, the culture often doesn't. And culture matters more than almost anything in politics because culture determines how fast you can adapt when the ground shifts underneath you.Which is why the current Democratic polling advantage feels fragile to me. Democrats are benefiting because Donald Trump is politically damaging himself on Iran, Epstein, and governance. They are functioning as a check on Trump. That is different from voters enthusiastically buying into a coherent Democratic agenda. Even now, when Democrats talk about affordability, it often sounds abstract and bureaucratic instead of tangible. Huge spending programs, diffuse benefits, complicated delivery systems — the exact kind of stuff voters chronically struggle to emotionally connect with. So if the party leadership can't even produce a competent internal autopsy after one of the most consequential losses in modern politics, it's hard to argue they are materially closer to fixing the deeper problems underneath all of this.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:03:00 - DNC 2024 Autopsy00:15:24 - Interview with Chris Cillizza00:40:19 - Trump's AI Deal Postponed00:46:11 - Senate Republicans vs. Trump's Slush Fund00:50:38 - Raúl Castro00:57:25 - Interview with Chris Cillizza, con't01:19:44 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

On today's podcast, Chris Cillizza and Matt break down the biggest political stories of the week: the death of principled conservatism in the Republican Party, Trump's tightening grip, and another jaw-dropping self-dealing scandal that keeps flying under the radar.Topics Discussed:— Thomas Massie's decisive loss in Kentucky — Why Massie lost, and what one town hall exchange with a Trump voter revealed about blind loyalty (“Trump knows more than you”)— The Cult of Personality dominating the GOP — How deference to Trump has replaced principle, with voters demanding total obedience even when Trump contradicts himself— Bill Cassidy's fall — The Louisiana senator who voted to convict Trump, spent years appeasing him, and still lost badly — a cautionary tale— Trump endorses Ken Paxton over John Cornyn in the Texas Senate runoff, and what this signals for the party and Senate control— The list of Republican Senators who have been liberated grows — Cassidy, Cornyn, Tillis, and more!— The shocking $1.776 Billion IRS settlement — Trump drops a $10B lawsuit and gets a taxpayer-funded slush fund plus lifetime tax immunity for himself and his family— Broader corruption & numbness — Why these scandals barely register— 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, Chris Cillizza and Matt break down the biggest political developments of the week — and why (despite recent developments!) 2026 is actually looking better for Democrats. Here's what they covered:— Nebraska Democratic Primary: Cindy Burbank crushes the primary and immediately drops out to clear the path for independent Dan Osborne — dramatically expanding the Senate map for Democrats against Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts— Redistricting Wars Heat Up: Virginia court ruling, Louisiana's map decision, South Carolina's fight over Rep. Jim Clyburn's seat, and what it means for the House majority— Brutal Economic Headwinds for Trump: $4.50+ gas, skyrocketing cost-of-living numbers, and Trump's damaging “I don't think about Americans' financial conditions at all” quote— Midterm Fundamentals Favoring Democrats: Why the opposition party usually wins midterms, Trump's weak off-year turnout, and the structural advantages for Democrats in 2026— Thomas Massie vs. The Trump Machine: Preview of next week's high-stakes Kentucky primary — can Massie survive $20M+ in attacks from Trump allies?— Michigan Democratic Senate Primary: Abdul El-Sayed leads the field but faces new scrutiny over his medical credentials — plus the rest of this wide-open and fascinating race— And MUCH more!If you care about sharp, honest political analysis, this is the show 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

During today's LIVE conversation, Chris Cillizza and I discussed:— 2026 Primary Update: Indiana saw massive Trump-backed primary retribution against 8 state Senate Republicans who opposed his redistricting plan (6 lost, 1 in a 3-vote race).— Trump's Grip on the GOP: Despite a 33% national approval, Trump holds 85% support among Republicans and continues to enforce strong loyalty and retribution in primaries.— Tribalism, Loyalty & Massie Test: Thomas Massie's upcoming May 19 primary will be a key (if imperfect) test of Trump's power.— 2028 Speculation: We discuss JD Vance's diminishing status as heir apparent, the potential Trump family run (Don Jr. and Ivanka Trump), and Tucker Carlson as a possible “finish the America First mission” candidate who could dominate debates.— John Fetterman Analysis: Speculation about switching parties or caucusing with the GOP after the 2026 midterms.— Gas Prices & Iran Impact: National average hits $4.53/gallon (up sharply), creating a major political crisis for Trump and Republicans heading into midterms with limited options on Iran.— 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 today's Substack LIVE conversation, Chris Cillizza and Matt discuss:— Trump's “No More Mr. Nice Guy” meme — why Trump is posting Terminator-style AI images in the middle of the night (and what it says about his mindset).— Trump's Revenge Obsession – The DOJ going after James Comey while the economy and gas prices suffer.— Trump at 33% Approval – Historic lows, Republican panic over 2026 midterms, and why the “MAGA” namebrand is toxic in competitive districts.— Supreme Court Bombshell – Landmark Voting Rights Act ruling could allow Republicans to redraw Southern districts and potentially flip 5-10 House seats.— GOP Fracturing in Congress – Chaos on FISA reauthorization, the Farm Bill, closed parts of DHS, and the upcoming Tom Massie primary (Trump's #1 target).— 2028 Early Outlook – Field vs. JD Vance, Trump's slipping grip on the party, and rising talk of Rubio, Don Jr., or a Tucker-style candidate.— And MUCH more!***** Sign up to hear Matt and Chris speak at the Leadership Institute's Content Creator Bootcamp on Friday, May 8. https://leadershipinstitute.org/event/701VL00000gVUkoYAGSubscribe 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

Friend-of-the-show Chris Cillizza related a story on social media of being in a coffee shop where a man took a speaker phone call in the middle of other patrons and was aghast when someone asked him to use earbuds. What's the rudest thing you've seen someone do in public?

Thursday 3pm Hour: Jason was at the Wild game last night, but couldn't make it past the first overtime, and now the Wolves have a late start tonight - how are you handling these late nights? Then he shares a story from our friend Chris Cillizza - what's the rudest thing you've seen in public?

On Thursday's Drivetime with DeRusha... 3pm Hour: Jason was at the Wild game last night, but couldn't make it past the first overtime, and now the Wolves have a late start tonight - how are you handling these late nights? Then he shares a story from our friend Chris Cillizza - what's the rudest thing you've seen in public? 4pm Hour: Jason's joined by Alec Lewis from The Athletic to preview Night 1 of the NFL Draft. Then he talks about the Basilica Block Party ending - we're gonna be just fine. Then on DeRusha Eats - what's your dinner price hack? 5pm Hour: On the DeRush-Hour: Jason has updates on the top headlines you may have missed. Then he goes "In Depth" with attorney Jason Tarasek who specializes in legal matters related to cannabis - what does the schedule change for medical marijuana mean going forward?

On today's podcast, Chris Cillizza and Matt discuss:— Virginia redistricting referendum passes narrowly and likely flips the VA House map to 10 Democrats/1 Republican (from 6-5)— The gerrymandering debate: “unilateral disarmament” vs. endless escalation — Fresh AP-NORC poll bombshell: Trump approval collapses to 33% overall — Tucker Carlson calls himself “complicit”: Is Tucker eyeing 2028? — JD Vance's rough patch: forced to defend Iran war and gets into a spat with the Pope while trying to own the Catholic/America First lane — is his heir apparent status slipping?— 2028 speculation: Don Jr. as Trump's potential handoff?— Trump cabinet shake-up begins: Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi, Lori Chavez-DeRemer out — early reset attempt?— Bigger picture: Will norms ever return after Trump? Can liberal democracy bounce back, or has the escalation permanently broken trust?— 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 the DeRush-Hour Jason has the latest on Best Buy's CEO stepping down, Edina changing their mind on a $20m tunnel and the TikTok guy getting UNbanned from St. Paul parks. Then he goes "In Depth" with political analyst Chris Cillizza - why did he call last night's redistricting vote "bad for democracy" and how it affects the entire nation.

On Wednesday's Drivetime with DeRusha... 3pm Hour: Happy Earth Day... but is recycling overrated? Does it lead us to actually consume more? Jason talks with listeners. Then he's joined by Tracy Perlman to talk about a host of issues - the Wild in Game 3 tonight... double-standards when it comes to affairs... and how often should you watch your pants? 4pm Hour: Jason talks about a MN politician who was kicked off Kalshi for wagering on his own election. Should elections be off-limits all together? Then it's time to vent your spleen - what have we had ENOUGH of this week?! 5pm Hour: On the DeRush-Hour Jason has the latest on Best Buy's CEO stepping down, Edina changing their mind on a $20m tunnel and the TikTok guy getting UNbanned from St. Paul parks. Then he goes "In Depth" with political analyst Chris Cillizza - why did he call last night's redistricting vote "bad for democracy" and how it affects the entire nation.

On this week's Substack LIVE conversation, Chris Cillizza and Matt break down the biggest political stories of the week.In this episode:— JD Vance's brutal week — Failed Iran peace talks, campaigning for Viktor Orbán (who lost badly in Hungary), a sparsely attended Turning Point USA event, and what it means for his 2028 prospects— Trump's materialist worldview — warm relations with transactional petro-states (Saudi, UAE), struggles with “higher calling” figures like the Pope, and difficulty understanding dignity/honor over money— Trump's age and mental sharpness debate — Is he slipping, or has he always been this erratic?— Personal confessions on voting — Why Chris doesn't vote (and is rethinking it), Matt's evolution from never-Trump to “vote blue no matter who” — at least, in 2026— The dangers of audience capture and fan service on Substack/ independent media — how metrics and unsubscribes tempt creators to pander instead of thinking honestly— Character in politics — Eric Swalwell's scandals, Tony Gonzalez affair allegations, Donald Trump's long list of accusations, and why decency still (or should) matter despite everything— And MUCH more!As you can see, this was a wide-ranging, fun, and thought-provoking conversation between two veteran political observers who are just trying to make sense of a post-norm politics.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

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Chris Cillizza, an American political analyst, journalist, and digital media creator. He is best known for his sharp, accessible breakdowns of U.S. politics. He now runs a popular YouTube channel and publishes on Substack, where he explains political news in clear, engaging terms. In his latest book, Power Players: Sports, Politics, and the American Presidency, Chris takes a non-partisan and fascinating approach to understanding leadership. Instead of just studying presidents as politicians, he looks at them as athletes, competitors and fans, and uncovers what sports reveals about their leadership traits. His insights apply to all leaders, whether in business, entrepreneurship, at home or in a volunteer capacity. Absolutely fascinating and insightful!  LISTEN TO the radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don't miss an episode! SHOW NOTES: CHRIS CILLIZZA: BIO: BIO: Chris Cillizza BOOKS: Power Players: Sports, Politics and the American Presidency, by Chris Cillizza The Gospel According to the Fix: An Insider’s Guide to a Less than Holy World of Politics, by Chris Cillizza

Democrats just flipped TWO Republican seats in Florida — including the state House district that includes Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home. Is this the start of a massive 2026 midterm wave against Trump?In this wide-ranging Substack Live conversation, Chris Cillizza and Matt break down:— The shocking 30-0 trend: Democrats flipping 30 state legislative seats since Trump's inauguration… Republicans flipping zero— Why Florida special elections (Tampa Bay + Mar-a-Lago) signal major trouble for GOP in 2026— California governor race meltdown: Jungle primary chaos, identity politics debate cancellation, and real risk of two Republicans advancing— Senate math for 2026: Which seats (Ohio, Alaska, Maine, North Carolina, Texas?) could actually flip if Democrats keep over-performing by 5–10 points— Why “history doesn't matter anymore” — the power of the current zeitgeist and independent voter shift— Trump as the ultimate “weather creator” in politics— Redistricting revenge wars, authenticity in media, and why legacy outlets are copying our style— 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

Chuck Todd delivers a sweeping analysis of how the Iran war is metastasizing into an economic, military, and constitutional crisis all at once — warning that the Strait of Hormuz, the most important waterway in the world through which roughly a fifth of global oil supply flows, is Iran's ultimate point of leverage and one Trump catastrophically failed to account for. He argues that Trump mistakenly assumed the Iranian regime would be as transactional as he is and would capitulate the way Venezuela did, but Iran has no intention of walking away from its ability to make the strait dangerous to navigate — which is all it takes to send energy markets into chaos, threaten the tourism and banking economies of Gulf states, and risk the economic collapse of nuclear-armed Pakistan through energy shortages. He calls Pete Hegseth a "Baghdad Bob"-style propagandist presiding over the administration's grotesque "memeification" of war, then turns to what he calls FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's declaration of war on press freedom — Carr threatened Saturday to revoke broadcast licenses over Iran war coverage the administration deems unfavorable, drawing immediate condemnation from Democrats, free speech groups, and even some Republicans who called it "authoritarian" and "unconstitutional." Chuck warns that while courts will likely block Carr's most extreme threats, the mere act of launching investigations creates a chilling effect not dissimilar to how broadcasting works in Russia. He closes by acknowledging that the Iranian regime needs to go, but that Trump's disastrous decision to lift oil sanctions on Russia has only strengthened Moscow's position, and that the war has dramatically increased the likelihood of terrorist attacks against Americans Then, Faiz Shakir — Bernie Sanders' 2020 campaign manager, former DNC chair candidate, and executive director of the progressive media organization More Perfect Union — joins the Chuck Toddcast for a bracingly honest conversation about what's wrong with the Democratic Party and what it would take to fix it. Shakir diagnoses a party that is functionally leaderless, with its top figures stuck in a "play dead" mentality while the Democratic brand polls worse than the Republican brand even as Trump's corruption grows more brazen by the day. He argues that Trump — like Biden before him — is finger-wagging at voters on the economy rather than addressing affordability, and that Democrats are blowing the opportunity to capitalize because they're terrible at picking fights and allergic to friction. Shakir is particularly scathing on the party's relationship with big tech and corporate power: He holds up Bernie Sanders' AI data center moratorium as the kind of fight Democrats should be waging, and Lina Khan's FTC tenure as the model of mission-driven disruption. The conversation then turns to the future of the party and how to build a lasting majority. Shakir argues that the right candidate could move 7% of the electorate from right to left, that if Sanders were younger he'd likely win in 2028, and that Sanders has more credibility than AOC because he represents a rural state — though he praises both AOC's national appeal and Ro Khanna's political intelligence. He insists Democrats need to fight a class-based economic justice campaign, stop punishing candidates who aren't perfectly aligned on social issues, and recognize that "independent" doesn't mean centrist — younger voters are disillusioned with both parties and hungry for a working-class-first agenda. Shakir offers a detailed vision for DNC reform: fund state parties based on merit and metrics, move Nevada to first on the primary calendar because Vegas politics would orient the party toward working-class concerns, add Michigan and North Carolina to the early window,and invest in sun belt opportunities He closes by noting that James Talarico channeled Bernie's message with a religious-based framing, and that Democratic voters always gravitate toward outsiders — the party just needs to let them run. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the creation of standardized time, answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment, and gives his advice for building your NCAA tournament bracket. Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/chuck for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 05:30 The Iran War will impact nearly everything 06:15 Military, war has been a route but it’s become asymmetrical 07:00 The Strait of Hormuz is the most important waterway in the world 08:00 Trump mistakenly assumed Iranian regime would be transactional like him 09:15 Shutting the strait is Iran’s biggest point of deterrence 10:15 Shutting the strait can massively damage the world economy 11:00 Trump miscalculated Iran would capitulate like Venezuela 13:15 The strait is Iran’s leverage, they aren’t going to walk away from it 14:00 Trump talks a big game, but Iran can extract a huge price on the west 15:30 Pete Hegseth has become a “Baghdad Bob” style propagandist 16:45 Asymmetrical warfare is how America won the Revolutionary War 18:00 All Iran has to do is make the Strait of Hormuz dangerous to navigate 18:45 Reagan had to intervene in the Gulf in the 80s to secure shipping routes 19:30 Convoy protection missions rarely stay small 20:30 If keeping shipping lanes open is the goal, the timeline & operation expands 21:15 Gulf states has become tourism & banking hubs, that’s being threatened 22:30 War is both an economic and “image” blow to the gulf states 23:45 Energy shortages risk the economic collapse of nuclear armed Pakistan 24:45 Trump made a disastrous decision to lift oil sanctions on Russia 25:15 War in Iran is strengthening Russia’s position in the Ukraine war 26:00 Energy prices affect the entire economy. Will raise inflation in America 26:45 This war is a major economic gamble 27:45 FCC Chair declares war on freedom of the press 28:30 Carr threatens to pull broadcast licenses over unfavorable war coverage 29:30 Carr’s threats aren’t dissimilar to how broadcasting works in Russia 31:15 FCC just launching investigations can put pressure on networks 32:30 ABC settling with Trump was a massive mistake 33:45 Project 2025 proposed “broadcast regulation” similar to this 35:00 Administration’s “memeification” of war is gross & embarrassing 36:15 War has increased likelihood of terrorist attacks against American 36:45 American Jews & Muslims have had to spend millions on security 37:30 Administration hiding terrorism reports should scare us* 39:00 The courts will stop Brendan Carr from violating press freedom 40:00 Administration owes the people an explanation 40:45 The Iranian regime needs to go, but war has serious costs 47:30 Faiz Shakir joins the Chuck ToddCast 49:15 Democratic party seems leaderless 49:45 Would you run again for DNC chair? 51:15 Leaders of the party have a bit of a “play dead” mentality 52:00 Democratic brand is still in worse shape than Republican brand 53:15 Trump having billionaires at inauguration was foreshadowing 53:45 Trump’s corruption is incredibly brazen 54:45 It’s obvious Trump doesn’t care about affordability 55:45 Trump, like Biden, is finger wagging at voters on the economy 57:00 Vance sold himself as an anti-interventionalist populist 57:45 Vance has had to completely go against his political identity 58:30 Trump’s corruption has totally undermined Vance 1:00:00 Trump’s argument of "imminent threat” from Iran is nonsense 1:01:30 Chuck Schumer told his caucus to “suck it up” on crypto 1:03:00 The public is far ahead of politicians in being skeptical of AI 1:03:45 Very little is being offered by AI that would improve lives of working class 1:04:30 Every candidate in Illinois senate race basically has a big tech sponsor 1:05:45 Democratic party is terrible at picking fights and don’t like friction 1:06:30 Bernie Sanders AI data center moratorium reflects the public sentiment 1:07:15 Democrats are so heady on policy they let their politics suffer 1:08:30 There’s a movement of independent candidates, but winning matters 1:09:15 Independents are offering a different, working class first agenda 1:10:30 Democrats punish candidates who aren’t perfectly aligned on social issues 1:12:00 Bernie Sanders is stronger candidate in a general election than a primary 1:13:00 The right candidate could move 7% of the electorate from right to left 1:14:45 If Sanders were younger and could run in 2028, he’d likely win 1:15:45 Sanders has more credibility than AOC because he’s from rural state 1:16:30 Democrats need to fight a class based, economic justice campaign 1:18:45 How would you make changes at the DNC? 1:20:00 How should Democrats approach secondary races in MT & NE? 1:21:30 Younger voters are disillusioned with both parties, are independent minded 1:22:15 Independent does not mean centrist 1:23:15 State by state redistricting will eventually need national overhaul 1:25:00 Democrats “adult in the room” status has helped them in some places 1:26:15 Democrats have been viewed as the status quo party 1:27:00 Who is the heir apparent to Bernie? 1:27:30 Bernie respects the national appeal of AOC 1:29:15 Ro Khanna is incredibly smart and calculating 1:30:00 Politics has become an entertainment industry as much as policy 1:31:45 Voters want a disrupter with goals that are attainable 1:32:30 Lina Khan had a sense of imagination at the FTC 1:33:45 Mission driven disruption is associated with the progressive wing 1:34:45 Gavin Newsom has become the anti-Trump Democratic candidate 1:35:30 Newsom fighting the wealth tax is probably hurting himself with base 1:36:30 Rahm Emmanuel will struggle to overcome his political baggage 1:37:15 Democrats have surrendered on education as a national issue 1:38:00 Democrats should be offering year round schooling with new curriculum 1:38:45 Democrats should propose public service jobs with good pay & benefits 1:40:30 Nevada is the ideal first state for Democratic primary calendar 1:41:30 Vegas politics would orient Democrats to working class concerns 1:42:00 Michigan & NC should be in the first four for Democrats 1:43:15 Iowa & NH were battlegrounds because of first in nation status 1:46:00 DNC needs to give state parties money based on merit & metrics 1:47:15 Democrats have to find somewhere in sun belt to invest in 1:48:45 Mississippi could be best value in the south for Dems 1:49:30 Mississippi has a strong labor base to be courted 1:50:45 More debate between Talarico & Crockett would have been good for party 1:51:15 Talarico channeled Bernie’s message with a religious based framing 1:52:45 If Talarico or Platner win senate race, they’re serious 2028 candidates 1:54:00 Democratic voters always like an outsider in their presidential candidates 1:55:30 What is More Perfect Union and where can people find your work? 1:56:45 Illinois primary livestream with Decision Desk HQ & Chris Cillizza on Tuesday 1:58:00 ToddCast Time Machine - When time back standardized 1:58:45 Standard Time Act passed by Congress on March 19, 1918 1:59:30 Local time standards were a problem with development of railroads 2:00:15 Coordinating trains wasn’t just difficult, it was dangerous 2:00:45 Sanford Fleming proposed dividing globe into timezones 2:01:15 Railroads imposed standardized times before government did 2:02:45 Train crash near Tipton, Ohio showed issues with timekeeping 2:04:00 Railroad safety become dependant on pocketwatches 2:04:45 Daylight Saving Time is adopted during World War I 2:05:30 World War required standardized time to coordinate 2:06:00 Congress formalized standard time after entering World War I 2:07:00 Daylight savings time was eliminated, but returns in World War II 2:07:30 Congress passes the Uniform Time Act in 1966 2:08:15 States can opt out of the Uniform Time Act 2:09:45 World clocks are now synchronized via Atomic clock 2:10:45 Ask Chuck 2:11:00 Are the Democrats walking into a trap by elevating Graham Platner? 2:18:00 The The Perfect Neighbor told a gripping story via bodycam footage 2:20:45 How do you feel about Donald Trump claiming credit for you becoming independent? 2:25:45 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament bracket adviceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd delivers a sweeping analysis of how the Iran war is metastasizing into an economic, military, and constitutional crisis all at once — warning that the Strait of Hormuz, the most important waterway in the world through which roughly a fifth of global oil supply flows, is Iran's ultimate point of leverage and one Trump catastrophically failed to account for. He argues that Trump mistakenly assumed the Iranian regime would be as transactional as he is and would capitulate the way Venezuela did, but Iran has no intention of walking away from its ability to make the strait dangerous to navigate — which is all it takes to send energy markets into chaos, threaten the tourism and banking economies of Gulf states, and risk the economic collapse of nuclear-armed Pakistan through energy shortages. He calls Pete Hegseth a "Baghdad Bob"-style propagandist presiding over the administration's grotesque "memeification" of war, then turns to what he calls FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's declaration of war on press freedom — Carr threatened Saturday to revoke broadcast licenses over Iran war coverage the administration deems unfavorable, drawing immediate condemnation from Democrats, free speech groups, and even some Republicans who called it "authoritarian" and "unconstitutional." Chuck warns that while courts will likely block Carr's most extreme threats, the mere act of launching investigations creates a chilling effect not dissimilar to how broadcasting works in Russia. He closes by acknowledging that the Iranian regime needs to go, but that Trump's disastrous decision to lift oil sanctions on Russia has only strengthened Moscow's position, and that the war has dramatically increased the likelihood of terrorist attacks against Americans Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the creation of standardized time, answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment, and gives his advice for building your NCAA tournament bracket. Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/chuck for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 04:15 The Iran War will impact nearly everything 05:00 Military, war has been a route but it’s become asymmetrical 05:45 The Strait of Hormuz is the most important waterway in the world 06:45 Trump mistakenly assumed Iranian regime would be transactional like him 08:00 Shutting the strait is Iran’s biggest point of deterrence 09:00 Shutting the strait can massively damage the world economy 09:45 Trump miscalculated Iran would capitulate like Venezuela 12:00 The strait is Iran’s leverage, they aren’t going to walk away from it 12:45 Trump talks a big game, but Iran can extract a huge price on the west 14:15 Pete Hegseth has become a “Baghdad Bob” style propagandist 15:30 Asymmetrical warfare is how America won the Revolutionary War 16:45 All Iran has to do is make the Strait of Hormuz dangerous to navigate 17:30 Reagan had to intervene in the Gulf in the 80s to secure shipping routes 18:15 Convoy protection missions rarely stay small 19:15 If keeping shipping lanes open is the goal, the timeline & operation expands 20:00 Gulf states has become tourism & banking hubs, that’s being threatened 21:15 War is both an economic and “image” blow to the gulf states 22:30 Energy shortages risk the economic collapse of nuclear armed Pakistan 23:30 Trump made a disastrous decision to lift oil sanctions on Russia 24:00 War in Iran is strengthening Russia’s position in the Ukraine war 24:45 Energy prices affect the entire economy. Will raise inflation in America 25:30 This war is a major economic gamble 26:30 FCC Chair declares war on freedom of the press 27:15 Carr threatens to pull broadcast licenses over unfavorable war coverage 28:15 Carr’s threats aren’t dissimilar to how broadcasting works in Russia 30:00 FCC just launching investigations can put pressure on networks 31:15 ABC settling with Trump was a massive mistake 32:30 Project 2025 proposed “broadcast regulation” similar to this 33:45 Administration’s “memeification” of war is gross & embarrassing 35:00 War has increased likelihood of terrorist attacks against American 35:30 American Jews & Muslims have had to spend millions on security 36:15 Administration hiding terrorism reports should scare us* 37:45 The courts will stop Brendan Carr from violating press freedom 38:45 Administration owes the people an explanation 39:30 The Iranian regime needs to go, but war has serious costs 46:00 Illinois primary livestream with DDHQ & Chris Cillizza on Tuesday 47:15 ToddCast Time Machine - When time back standardized 48:00 March 19, 1918 Congress passes the Standard Time Act 48:45 Local time standards were a problem with development of railroads 49:30 Coordinating trains wasn’t just difficult, it was dangerous 50:00 Sanford Fleming proposed dividing globe into timezones 50:30 Railroads imposed standardized times before government did 52:00 Train crash near Tipton, Ohio showed issues with timekeeping 53:15 Railroad safety become dependant on pocketwatches 54:00 Daylight savings time is adopted during WW1 54:45 World War required standardized time to coordinate 55:15 Congress formalized standard time after entering WW1 56:15 Daylight savings time was eliminated, but returns in WW2 56:45 Congress passes the Uniform Time Act in 1966 57:30 States can opt out of the Uniform Time Act 59:00 World clocks are now synchronized via atomic clocks 1:00:00 Ask Chuck 1:00:15 Are the Democrats walking into a trap by elevating Graham Platner? 1:07:15 The Perfect Neighbor told a gripping story via bodycam footage 1:10:00 How do you feel about Trump claiming credit for you becoming independent? 1:15:00 NCAA bracket adviceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this weekend's Saturday Show, Mike shares a recent Substack Live conversation with political analyst and commentator Chris Cillizza. They kick things off by diagnosing the crisis of adult male friendship, why society fails to foster it, and Mike's "erosion theory" of bonding. Then, they pivot to politics, contrasting Donald Trump's inability to sell the unpopular war in Iran with Ronald Reagan's successful messaging during the 1983 invasion of Grenada. Are modern Americans too accustomed to the friction-free "age of abundance" to accept genuine wartime sacrifices? Plus, a breakdown of the cynical legislative maneuvering behind the SAVE Act—noting that 36 states already require some form of voter ID, compared to 14 that do not—and a look at the shifting coalitions in the Texas Democratic primary, where affluent white liberals turned out in higher numbers than Black and Hispanic voters to propel James Talarico past Jasmine Crockett. Produced by Corey Wara 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

On Thursday's Drivetime with DeRusha... 3pm: Kristi Noem is out at DHS and Jason called it. Then best-selling author Scott Galloway joins the show to talk about his "resist and unsubscribe" event this weekend. 4pm: Jason's joined by political analyst Chris Cillizza to talk about Noem's ouster and what caused it. Then on DeRusha Eats, is the McDonald's CEO video the best unintentional advertising ever? 5pm: On the DeRush-Hour Jason goes "In Depth" with St. Thomas MBB Coach John Tauer - could they make the Big Dance? Then, what's the weirdest pet you could have?

TECHNATE NAVY - 03.04.2026 - #920 BestPodcastintheMetaverse.com Canary Cry News Talk #920 - 03.04.2026 - Recorded Live to 1s and 0s Deconstructing World Events from a Biblical Worldview Declaring Jesus as Lord amidst the Fifth Generation War! CageRattlerCoffee.com SD/TC email Ike for discount https://CanaryCry.Support   Send address and shirt size updates to canarycrysupplydrop@gmail.com Join the Canary Cry Roundtable of Knights and Dames   Join the Canary Cry Roundtable This Episode was Produced By:   Executive Producers Mrs TinfoilHatMan*** Sir LX Protocol Baron of the Berrean Protocol***   Producers of TREASURE (CanaryCry.Support) Jason B, Rebecca T, Julie S, Jonathan F, Cage Rattler Coffee, Veronica D, Sir Scott Knight of Truth,  Sir Casey the Shield Knight   Producers of TIME Timestampers: Jade Bouncerson, Morgan E Clankoniphius Links: JAM, Adam42   SIR IKE SUPPLY DROP GIVEAWAY!   Cage Rattler Coffee     Gonz saw the Red Moon X Blow Up   NEPHILIM UPDATE 19:41 Neanderthal "sons of God?" (National Geographic) → Scientists Are Rediscovering the Nephilim and Refusing to Say It (Charisma)   EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS 36:36 CanaryCry.Support   AMERICA LOVES BOATS 48:20 Insurance cartel closes Straight of hormuz (TA) Clip: Iranian Navy reduced to Zero CENTCOM (X) Trump Truth - Hormuz trade (X) Trumps insurance as rivals cancel policies (Telegraph)   Clip: Spain kicks America off bases (x) Clip: Spain agrees to cooperate (X)   Ecuador invasion begins (X/US Southcomm)   CYBERPANDEMIC/MONEY/CRYPTO 1:41:44 US banks on high alert for cyberattacks as Iran war escalates (Reuters) → Kraken gets Federal Reserve account (Trading View)   BEAST SYSTEM 1:49:40 Big Tech companies to meet Trump at WH to sign pledge on data center power costs (Fox)   WW3/BIBLICAL 2:04:15 Investigating claim US troops were told Iran war is for 'Armageddon,' return of Jesus (Snopes) Four biblical signs the world has entered the end of days as US bombs Iran (Daily Mail)   SHILLZILLA/33 - merideth 2:16:39 Chris Cillizza is on a spiritual journey (X) Chris is searching for Christ (Substack)   PRODUCERS 2:25:34 END 2:34:04

What ultimately tipped the scales against Kristi Noem in the Trump Administration? Political analyst Chris Cillizza joins Jason with his insight.

Thursday 4pm Hour: Jason talks with political analyst Chris Cillizza about Kristi Noem's ouster from DHS - what tipped the scales? Then on DeRusha Eats, is the McDonald's CEO video the best unintentional advertising ever?

Chuck Todd delivers a blistering assessment of Trump's Iran war, arguing that the conflict has gone sideways in virtually every way imaginable — and that the lack of consequences for Trump's past norm-breaking gave him a false sense of impunity that led him here. Todd traces the logic: Iran looked like a paper tiger after the limited strikes in 2025, Trump saw the opportunity to kill Khamenei and took it, hoping for either a popular uprising or a pliant regime insider to step forward — but none of those hopes have materialized. Instead, the forces that wanted to overthrow the regime have gone underground, the CIA is now arming and training Kurds in what Chuck bluntly asks amounts to deliberately triggering a civil war, Iran has inflicted real damage on multiple Gulf states, and stranded Americans were told by the State Department they were on their own because the administration made no evacuation plan whatsoever. He zeroes in on the damning timeline: if the administration had time to move an armada into position, they had time to warn American citizens. He flags that passing a war supplemental will be a brutal vote for GOP members, that JD Vance now has to defend a war antithetical to his entire political identity, and pivots to the Texas runoff noting that James Talarico's biggest vulnerability is being more progressive than his nice-guy persona suggests, but that demeanor may be his superpower in a cycle where voters are exhausted by bomb-throwers. Political commentator Chris Cillizza — who co-hosted the live Texas primary night coverage with Chuck— rejoins the show to dissect the aftermath of the Texas results and the broader 2026 landscape. With Jasmine Crockett having conceded to James Talarico and the Paxton-Cornyn race headed to a runoff that's essentially a coin flip, Todd and Cillizza dig into what Talarico's victory really means: he dominated in counties Bernie Sanders won, Latino voters broke decisively his way, and his ground game should terrify Republicans — but they caution against mistaking someone who is temperamentally moderate and perceived as "nice" for being politically moderate. They argue that Texas Democrats, having lost for so long, were desperate for something new, and that constant losing has made electability matter more than ideology — Democrats had to vote with their heads, not their hearts. They assess Crockett's future (great political athlete, bad campaign infrastructure, potential to compete for Ted Cruz's seat someday), debate whether Democrats should meddle in the GOP runoff to boost Paxton, and note that Talarico’s floor is around 47-48% — meaning Texas is genuinely in play. The conversation then expands to the national map and the broader forces shaping 2026. They unpack Kamala Harris's late endorsement of Crockett — which came too late to matter and reinforces the same knock Biden got about indecisiveness — and Gavin Newsom's conspicuous shift on Israel in front of a liberal audience. They contrast that with the authenticity of politicians like Bernie Sanders and early-career JD Vance, noting that Vance has now lost his anti-interventionist identity after backing the Iran war while the administration's narrative spinning on the conflict is "an absolute mess." Looking ahead, they agree that the perception of the economy in June will be what drives the midterms, that the war will consume the administration — especially given the embarrassing lack of an evacuation plan for Americans in the Middle East, Trump's biggest critique of Biden — and that prediction markets now give Democrats a 45% chance of winning the Senate. They close by surveying pickup opportunities in Alaska, Iowa, Ohio, and Texas, flagging independent candidates in the Midwest who know they can't win as Democrats, and declaring that 2026 will be the clearest preview yet of how 2028 plays out. Finally, he reacts to the breaking news that Montana senator Steve Daines retired minutes before the filing deadline and argues that Republicans will be forced to defend what was a safe seat, and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Go to https://zbiotics.com/CHUCKTODDCAST and use CHUCKTODDCAST at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.” Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. American Finance Disclaimer: NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.196% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-885-1081, for details about credit costs and terms. Or AmericanFinancing.net/TheChuckToddCast Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 01:45 Trump’s war with Iran is not going well for him politically 02:30 Multiple countries have been dragged into a piece of the war 03:30 Lack of consequences for past actions gave Trump sense of impunity 04:45 Iran looked like a paper tiger after strikes in June 2025 05:30 Trump saw the opportunity to kill Khamenei and took it 07:30 Trump hoped for an uprising or a pliant member of the regime 08:45 None of those hopes have materialized 09:30 Forces that wanted to overthrow regime went underground 10:30 The CIA is arming and training Kurds to overthrow the regime 11:45 Are we TRYING to trigger a civil war??? 12:30 Regime change won’t come nearly as easy as Trump thought 13:15 Iran has inflicted damage to multiple gulf states 14:45 You can’t discount Trump’s business relationship as factors for war 16:00 Kushner involved in negotiations and has serious conflicts of interest 17:15 The administration is trying to use Israel as a shield 18:15 Administration made no plan to evacuate stranded Americans 19:00 Clearly was no imminent threat from Iran 20:30 If they had time to move the armada, they had time to warn Americans 21:30 The Iranians weren’t surprised that we were going to attack 22:30 Trump promised Iranian protestors “Help is on the way” - Took 40 days 23:00 State department told stranded Americans they were on their own 24:30 They put thought into the war itself, but not for the consequences 26:30 What’s Plan C? Hoping for a civil war? 27:15 This is Iraq on steroids and we have less credibility globally 28:30 Cost of providing stability in the region is politically unpopular 29:30 It’s a lot easier to start a war than to finish one 30:45 George H.W. Bush had a clean war with Iraq and voters punished him 32:00 When you’re under 80% support with your own party, you’re in trouble 33:30 Trump isn’t an isolationist, he’s a unilateralist. Do what he says 34:45 Passing a supplemental bill for war funding will be tough vote for GOP 36:30 J.D. Vance has to defend a war that’s antithetical to his political identity 37:30 Trump will endorse in Texas primary and expects the other to drop out 38:15 What will Trump offer Paxton to drop out early? 40:45 Republicans can’t win primary without Trump & he’s general election baggage 41:30 Talarico’s biggest vulnerability is he’s more progressive than his persona 42:15 Demeanor goes a long way in politics, could be Talarico’s superpower 45:00 Good for the Dems brand that first nominee (Talarico) isn’t a bomb thrower 53:30 Chris Cillizza joins the Chuck ToddCast 55:00 Jasmine Crockett concedes race to James Talarico 55:45 Race between Paxton & Cornyn essentially a wash 56:30 Big question is “Can Cornyn get to 50%” 57:15 Public is getting tired with the bomb throwers in politics 59:15 Talarico did well in counties that Bernie Sanders won 1:00:15 Texas Dems have been losing forever, desperate for “new” 1:02:00 Don’t mistake politically & temperamentally “moderate” 1:02:45 Being perceived as “nice” goes a long way 1:04:00 Online Dems are mad, but many want a change in tone 1:05:30 If Platner beats Mills by 15, Talarico data point feels like outlier 1:06:15 Have constant Dem losses in TX made “electability” more important? 1:07:15 Dems in Texas have to vote with their head and not their heart 1:09:00 Crockett is a great political athlete with bad campaign infrastructure 1:10:00 Talarico had a great ground game, should scare Republicans 1:11:15 Crockett could compete for Ted Cruz’s senate seat 1:12:00 Unlikely this is the last we hear from Crockett in politics 1:13:00 Crockett did well where she was well known 1:14:00 Kamala Harris endorsement came too late for Crockett 1:15:00 Harris shows herself to be incredibly risk averse 1:17:45 We’ll get the full story on the late endorsement in six months 1:18:30 Harris shares the same knock Biden got… can’t make decisions 1:19:15 Newsom signals shift on Israel in front of a very liberal audience 1:20:30 Newsom just pandering? Or is it a genuine flip 1:22:00 Gavin Newsom is a politician to his core 1:23:30 Newsom looked like he was desperate to find traction 1:24:00 Trump didn’t change, the moment came to him 1:25:00 Tariffs are terrible politics, but Trump’s liked them for decades 1:25:30 Bernie Sanders has been the most authentic politician for years 1:26:45 Sanders and Ron Paul ended up voting together many times 1:28:15 Vance lost the anti-interventionist part of his identity after Iran war 1:30:00 The spinning for a narrative for the war is an absolute mess 1:31:30 The perception of the economy in June will be what affects midterms 1:32:45 War will consume the administration 1:33:30 Administration had no plan to evacuate Americans from middle east 1:34:30 Trump’s big critique of Biden was the Afghanistan withdrawal 1:37:00 Prediction markets have Dems chances of winning senate at 45% 1:39:45 How should Dems try to affect Texas runoff? 1:41:30 Meddling works and if Cornyn is the nominee Talarico loses 1:42:00 Talarico’s floor is around 47-48 1:42:30 How do Dems sort Alaska, Ohio, Texas and Iowa? 1:43:45 If Josh Turek is the nominee in Iowa, race could be interesting 1:45:00 2026 will give us a clue as to how 2028 will play out 1:46:30 If one of the independent candidate wins statewide it’s a BIG deal 1:49:00 Midwest independent candidates know they can’t run as Dems and win 1:55:00 Montana senator Steve Daines announces retirement 1:55:45 Retirement will put Montana senate seat into play 1:56:15 Will this put pressure on Jon Tester to come out of retirement? 1:56:45 Montana will now be a key cog in campaign 2026 1:58:00 Potential that transplants could turn Montana into Colorado politically 1:59:00 Republicans will be favored, but it will require work & money 2:00:30 Democrats have had success in Montana in midterm years 2:01:00 This week just keeps getting worse for Republicans 2:02:00 Ask Chuck 2:02:30 Do reliably red/blue states get less investment from the federal government? 2:08:15 Could Trump try to trigger NATO’s Article V over Iran? 2:17:00 Will Texas AG runoff produce even more radical anti-trans rhetoric & policy? 2:20:00 My son thinks voting is useless. How do we teach the new generation it matters?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political commentator Chris Cillizza — who co-hosted the live Texas primary night coverage with Chuck— rejoins the show to dissect the aftermath of the Texas results and the broader 2026 landscape. With Jasmine Crockett having conceded to James Talarico and the Paxton-Cornyn race headed to a runoff that's essentially a coin flip, Todd and Cillizza dig into what Talarico's victory really means: he dominated in counties Bernie Sanders won, Latino voters broke decisively his way, and his ground game should terrify Republicans — but they caution against mistaking someone who is temperamentally moderate and perceived as "nice" for being politically moderate. They argue that Texas Democrats, having lost for so long, were desperate for something new, and that constant losing has made electability matter more than ideology — Democrats had to vote with their heads, not their hearts. They assess Crockett's future (great political athlete, bad campaign infrastructure, potential to compete for Ted Cruz's seat someday), debate whether Democrats should meddle in the GOP runoff to boost Paxton, and note that Talarico’s floor is around 47-48% — meaning Texas is genuinely in play. The conversation then expands to the national map and the broader forces shaping 2026. They unpack Kamala Harris's late endorsement of Crockett — which came too late to matter and reinforces the same knock Biden got about indecisiveness — and Gavin Newsom's conspicuous shift on Israel in front of a liberal audience. They contrast that with the authenticity of politicians like Bernie Sanders and early-career JD Vance, noting that Vance has now lost his anti-interventionist identity after backing the Iran war while the administration's narrative spinning on the conflict is "an absolute mess." Looking ahead, they agree that the perception of the economy in June will be what drives the midterms, that the war will consume the administration — especially given the embarrassing lack of an evacuation plan for Americans in the Middle East, Trump's biggest critique of Biden — and that prediction markets now give Democrats a 45% chance of winning the Senate. They close by surveying pickup opportunities in Alaska, Iowa, Ohio, and Texas, flagging independent candidates in the Midwest who know they can't win as Democrats, and declaring that 2026 will be the clearest preview yet of how 2028 plays out. Go to https://zbiotics.com/CHUCKTODDCAST and use CHUCKTODDCAST at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.” Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. American Finance Disclaimer: NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.196% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-885-1081, for details about credit costs and terms. Or AmericanFinancing.net/TheChuckToddCast Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chris Cillizza joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:30 Jasmine Crockett concedes race to James Talarico 02:15 Race between Paxton & Cornyn essentially a wash 03:00 Big question is “Can Cornyn get to 50%” 03:45 Public is getting tired with the bomb throwers in politics 05:45 Talarico did well in counties that Bernie Sanders won 06:45 Texas Dems have been losing forever, desperate for “new” 08:30 Don’t mistake politically & temperamentally “moderate” 09:15 Being perceived as “nice” goes a long way 10:30 Online Dems are mad, but many want a change in tone 12:00 If Platner beats Mills by 15, Talarico data point feels like outlier 12:45 Have constant Dem losses in TX made “electability” more important? 13:45 Dems in Texas have to vote with their head and not their heart 15:30 Crockett is a great political athlete with bad campaign infrastructure 16:30 Talarico had a great ground game, should scare Republicans 17:45 Crockett could compete for Ted Cruz’s senate seat 18:30 Unlikely this is the last we hear from Crockett in politics 19:30 Crockett did well where she was well known 20:30 Kamala Harris endorsement came too late for Crockett 21:30 Harris shows herself to be incredibly risk averse 24:15 We’ll get the full story on the late endorsement in six months 25:00 Harris shares the same knock Biden got… can’t make decisions 25:45 Newsom signals shift on Israel in front of a very liberal audience 27:00 Newsom just pandering? Or is it a genuine flip 28:30 Gavin Newsom is a politician to his core 30:00 Newsom looked like he was desperate to find traction 30:30 Trump didn’t change, the moment came to him 31:30 Tariffs are terrible politics, but Trump’s liked them for decades 32:00 Bernie Sanders has been the most authentic politician for years 33:15 Sanders and Ron Paul ended up voting together many times 34:45 Vance lost the anti-interventionist part of his identity after Iran war 36:30 The spinning for a narrative for the war is an absolute mess 38:00 The perception of the economy in June will be what affects midterms 39:15 War will consume the administration 40:00 Administration had no plan to evacuate Americans from middle east 41:00 Trump’s big critique of Biden was the Afghanistan withdrawal 43:30 Prediction markets have Dems chances of winning senate at 45% 46:15 How should Dems try to affect Texas runoff? 48:00 Meddling works and if Cornyn is the nominee Talarico loses 48:30 Talarico’s floor is around 47-48 49:00 How do Dems sort Alaska, Ohio, Texas and Iowa? 50:15 If Josh Turek is the nominee in Iowa, race could be interesting 51:30 2026 will give us a clue as to how 2028 will play out 53:00 If one of the independent candidate wins statewide it’s a BIG deal 55:30 Midwest independent candidates know they can’t run as Dems and winSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's Substack LIVE conversation with Chris Cillizza is a dive explainer on what happened in the Texas primary elections. Here's what Chris and Matt discuss:— Texas primary election results 2026: James Talarico defeats Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, while John Cornyn and Ken Paxton head to a brutal May 26 runoff— Republican civil war ahead: $100M+ already spent, more bloodletting coming — is Paxton the nightmare nominee for GOP, or can Cornyn pull off the comeback with Trump help?— A big trend? Democrats chose unity over combativeness: Talarico's faith-rooted, optimistic style wins big after his Stephen Colbert boost — could this signal a national Democratic shift away from Trump-style fighting?— Key insights on 2026 midterms: Incumbent losses (Rep. Dan Crenshaw), Rep. Chip Roy's runoff trouble, broader Senate map implications, and why Donald Trump is probably enjoying himself right now.— Whether North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper's 90+ showing in the Democratic primaries suggests this Senate seat is about to flip Democratic— 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

During today's unfiltered breakdown of President Trump's record-length 2026 State of the Union address, Chris Cillizza and Matt Lewis dive into the following:— “Dems can only win by cheating”: Trump's explosive claim echoes 2020 rhetoric— setting stage for midterm fraud narratives if Republicans lose the House?—Faces in the crowd & medals: Heavy on patriotic moments, but is it genuine or weaponized theater?—Democrats' response: 70+ boycotts, protests (Rep. Al Green escorted out), awkward non-applause on “protect citizens first” — smart strategy or optics disaster?— Immigration theater: Trump forces “stand if you agree America first” moment — Democrats seated; perfect for attack ads?— Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger's rebuttal: Solid, low-key Democratic response — focuses on affordability, avoids overreach. — Epstein files withheld: NPR reports on missing pages/allegations against Trump (minor abuse claim from 2019 FBI interview) — why the cover-up? — Media & low expectations: Soft bigotry of low expectations — Trump didn't go full chaos, so “he did great”? We call out the lowered standards— 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

Jason talks with Political Commentator Chris Cillizza about tonight's State of the Union, how people consume it, how media has changed, why everything is politically coated, and more.

This hour Jason wonders if Minnesota is still a good place to raise a family, and why there is a separation of metro vs. rural Minnesota, and he discusses tonight's State of the Union with Political Commentator Chris Cillizza, and he's joined by Vineeta Sawkar from Florida.

Stephen Colbert says CBS blocked his interview with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico over Trump FCC "equal time" rule fears (Brendan Carr guidance). The YouTube version exploded to 5M+ views — did it just hand Talarico a huge primary boost against Jasmine Crockett?In this raw Substack Live, Chris Cillizza and Matt Lewis break it all down: — How the controversy helps Talarico nationally but maybe not in Texas Dem primary voting — Plus, SCOTUS retirement rumors — Mitch McConnell's tragic legacy — AOC's Munich flub — What Democrats need to win big in 2026.— And MUCH more!Thoughtful politics, no screaming. New episodes most Wednesdays — subscribe today!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

Mike is joined by Chris Cillizza to break down Donald Trump's rambling proposal to nationalize elections, debating whether it's a master plan or just the former president "saying s**t." They discuss why the scheme is constitutionally impossible but politically potent, how the "counter-mobilization" of voters might backfire on the GOP, and dissect the brutal layoffs at the Washington Post—questioning if Jeff Bezos is a villain or just a billionaire tired of losing $100 million a year. Produced by Corey Wara 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

In the immediate aftermath of the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis, Senate Democrats are attempting to translate outrage into leverage. After a closed-door caucus, they emerged unified around a set of concrete demands tied to Homeland Security funding: tighter warrant requirements, bans on agents wearing masks, mandatory body cameras, visible identification, and a uniform code of conduct with independent investigations. These are not abstract reforms. They are specific guardrails aimed at slowing enforcement down and restoring a baseline of accountability.The politics here are brutal. Republicans are warning that reopening the funding package would stall it in the House, and they may be right. Any deal that ultimately passes will require Donald Trump's explicit blessing, otherwise it dies before it clears the lower chamber. At this point, a partial government shutdown looks likely no matter what. The real strategic question for Democrats is prioritization. If they are forced to choose, which reform matters most. Masks. Warrants. Body cameras. They can't win them all, and it's up to them to determine which one is worth a shutdown fight.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Georgia, the 2020 Election, and Reopening Old ScarsAs if immigration were not volatile enough, the FBI executed a court-authorized search warrant at election offices in Fulton County, Georgia, seeking records related to the 2020 presidential election. The bureau confirmed the investigation is ongoing but offered no details. County officials acknowledged the focus on 2020 materials and declined further comment.Anything touching the 2020 election is radioactive. Anything touching Georgia is worse. This reopens the deepest fault line inside the state Republican Party, the one that pits Donald Trump against Governor Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Trump tried and failed to destroy both men politically, and they emerged stronger for it. Whenever 2020 resurfaces, that fragile détente collapses. Even without knowing where this investigation leads, the act of reopening the file guarantees renewed tension inside Georgia politics and fresh oxygen for conspiracy narratives.The Fed Holds Steady Under Growing PressureThe Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at 3.5 to 3.75 percent, signaling confidence in economic growth and a stabilizing labor market after three rate cuts late last year. The language shift mattered. The Fed removed references to rising employment risks and emphasized that rates are now near neutral. Chair Jerome Powell stressed that future decisions will be data-driven, not political.That reassurance comes amid extraordinary pressure. The Justice Department is investigating matters related to the Fed, the Supreme Court is weighing a case on presidential authority over the institution, and Donald Trump is nearing a decision on who he will nominate to succeed Powell. Two Trump-appointed governors dissented, favoring a quarter-point cut. Through it all, Powell insisted the Fed's independence remains intact. Whether markets believe that as the political scrutiny intensifies is the question that now hangs over monetary policy.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:01:58 - Bill Scher on a Potential Gov Shutdown and Dem Primaries00:43:47 - Update00:44:18 - Democrat Demands for DHS00:46:17 - Fulton County FBI Investigation00:47:51 - Fed Rate Holds00:49:13 - Chris Cillizza on CBS News, Washington Post, and Modern Media01:41:01 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

On Thursday's "Drivetime with DeRusha"... 3pm: Why are people so quick to think Rep. Omar's attack was staged? Then Jason talks with political analyst Chris Cillizza - how did pressure on Trump in DC change things in Minnesota? 4pm: Do you think you look like how you sound? Apparently we don't. Then Jason talks to State Demographer Susan Brower about more people moving to Minnesota than leaving in 2025. 5pm: On the DeRush-Hour, Jason goes "In Depth" with financial writer Pat Rehkamp on the Fed's decision today. Plus, what's grinding Jason's gears this week? Find out on ENOUGH!!!

Wednesday 3pm Hour: Jason talks with listeners - why are so many of them assuming the attack on Rep. Omar was staged? Then political analyst Chris Cillizza joins the show to talk about the political pressure in Washington that lead to change in Minnesota. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Jason is joined by national political analyst Chris Cillizza to talk about how pressure on the President led to change in Minnesota. And what does he make of the attack on Rep. Omar?

Chris Cillizza is asked often about his political takes — that's not what this show is about. Instead, we're talking independent journalism.Newsrooms are smaller. Trust is harder to earn. The incentives are louder, quicker, and more punishing than ever. And for many of the most recognizable voices in political media, the next chapter isn't another beat — it's independence.On this episode of The Friday Reporter, I sit with political analyst and longtime political journalist Chris Cillizza for a candid conversation about what it really means to build a career in media outside the machine — and why independent journalism isn't just a trend, it's becoming a necessity.Cillizza shares how the economics of the modern newsroom shape what gets covered (and what gets ignored), why “high traffic” doesn't always equal “high value,” and what audiences even get into the corrosive nature of the words “fake media.”This conversation isn't about the hottest take of the day. It's about the infrastructure of political coverage — what's working, what's broken, and what comes next.In this episode, we discuss:* The incentives driving political coverage in 2026 — and what they reward* The difference between high-traffic stories and high-value journalism* The shift from newsroom journalist to independent voice — and what it costsFor communications leaders, this is the takeaway:If you want to earn attention and trust today, you have to understand the environment journalists are operating in — and how independence is reshaping the business, the tone, and the future of political media. Get full access to Authentically Speaking at thefridayreporter.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of America at Night, host McGraw Milhaven is joined by Emily Brooks, Congressional Reporter for The Hill, with the latest from Capitol Hill as the House takes up a critical vote on the Affordable Care Act, breaking down what's at stake and where lawmakers stand. Next, Chris Cillizza, NewsNation network contributor and host of “So What?”, weighs in on President Trump's recent actions involving Venezuela and Greenland, offering political context and insight into how these moves are playing both domestically and internationally. Then, Andrew Limberg, KDKA Digital Media Coordinator, joins McGraw to discuss the closure of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, examining what it means for local journalism and the broader media landscape. Finally, Bill Clevlin, founder of billontheroad.com, wraps things up with the show's weekly travel segment, sharing stories, tips, and highlights from his latest journeys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Tuesday's Drivetime... 3pm Hour: did the Governor cause his own downfall? Jason talks with listeners and gets a national perspective from Chris Cillizza. 4pm Hour: Jason talks with Dr. Gigi Chawla from Childrens Hospital about what's changed in the CDC's vaccination schedule for kids. Then on DeRusha Eats he talks with chef Soleil Ramirez who was born in Venezuela and still has family there. 5pm Hour: On the DeRush-Hour, Abou Amara breaks down the newly opened DFL field for Governor. Then Greg Swan Explains the Internet live from CES in Las Vegas!

Tuesday 3pm Hour: Jason feels like Gov. Walz's confrontational style attacking the President has done more harm than good for Minnesota. He talks to listeners and gets a national perspective from our favorite political analyst Chris Cillizza.

On Thursday's "Drivetime with DeRusha".... 3pm Hour: Jason talks about today's fraud revelations and wonders if Gov Walz is still a viable candidate. Then he talks with national political analyst Chris Cillizza about fraud, and President Trumps address. 4pm Hour: Are you mad at Menards? Our listeners seem to love their 11% off program. Then on DeRusha Eats there are a lot of delicious things going on up at Grand View Lodge 5pm Hour: On the DeRush-Hour, Jason goes "In Depth" with Chris Hine from the Star Tribune about KG's return to the Wolves. And the Electric Fetus has you covered with last minute holiday gifts!

Jason talks to political analyst Chris Cillizza from the "So What?" Substack - what's the national view of MN's fraud problem? And why did the President want to speak to the nation last night? Did he accomplish his goals? (Photo by Doug Mills - Pool/Getty Images)

Thursday 3pm Hour: Jason talks to listeners about today's US Attorney press conference and wonders if it dooms Gov. Walz's reelection bid? Then he talks with national political analyst Chris Cillizza about the national view of fraud, and the President's national address last night - what did it accomplish? (Photo by Doug Mills - Pool/Getty Images)

During a Substack LIVE discussion, Chris Cillizza and Matt Lewis discuss:— Bombshell insights from Susie Wiles' Vanity Fair interview: Trump's “alcoholic's personality,” JD Vance as a “conspiracy theorist,” Elon Musk as an “odd duck,” and more candid takes on the administration.— Donald Trump's frank advice from a Rasmussen pollster (advice Trump will surely ignore).— Nostalgic celebration of Rob Reiner's iconic films like This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, and The Princess Bride, plus his memorable role as Meathead on All in the Family.— The tragic murder of Rob Reiner and his wife by their son, Trump's controversial “Trump derangement syndrome” post, and why leaders should uphold higher standards in tragedy.— Why Trump thrives in the attention economy with an addictive personality, WWE/kayfabe influences on modern politics, and comparisons to reality TV vibes.— Media nerd deep dive: Interview ethics, on/off the record rules, and how profiles extract revealing quotes over multiple session.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 © 2025, BBL & BWL, LLC

Tuesday 4pm Hour: Jason talks about our friend Chris Cillizza objecting to people clipping fingernails in public. What's the grossest thing you see people do in public? Then on DeRusha Eats: Mick Stenson & Katie Elmer are in-studio to celebrate 50 years of Davanni's!

SEASON 4 EPISODE 35: COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN A-BLOCK (2:30) SPECIAL COMMENT: Trump is now a lame duck. A lame Donald. A lame duck Donald. A lame Donald Duck. I like it. It’s not just that MAGA stood up to him and a GOP/Democratic coalition beat him 427 to 1 on Epstein. It's that that was something even most of the Washington political media industrial complex can understand, can process, can WRITE using the cliches in which they trafficked until Trump and his unprecedented madness came along. This looked all too familiar and they jumped on it with both feet and the same cliché: LAME DUCK. Fortune used it. NBC. Semafor. The National Review. Nate Silver's site asked "Is Trump A Lame Duck?" CNN's went further: "Is Trump A Lame Duck NOW?" It's so bad there was a Politico Lame Duck Listicle! "Seven signs Trump is losing his groove." And then the final nail: “It’s Official: Donald Trump is a lame duck by President”by Chris Cillizza, part of his weekly conversation with Chuck Todd. It's never over til it's over, Yogi, but it's over. B-BLOCK (25:00) SPECIAL COMMENT: I'm the character in The (Latest) Olivia Nuzzi story who gets shot in the first scene, but I still know more about her than almost any outsider and there is a lot to correct on her epically bad book excerpt in Vanity Fair, and the riposte by the more recent ex, Ryan Lizza, who was apparently told by Olivia that I was stalking her at the same time as Olivia was telling me there was a guy in Washington stalking her, named Ryan Lizza. The Nuzzi News is a Doozy and we all lose. This was to be a comeback; now she'll need an entirely new comeback to come back from her come back. And how does Vanity Fair keep her employed after the Mark Sanford accusation made her explanation of her RFK Jr lies into a separate lie? C-BLOCK (1:00:00) THE WORST PERSONS IN THE WORLD: Trump accuses himself of rigging the 2020 census. It was in July, but Bill O'Reilly insisted that Jeffrey Epstein was prosecuted by Biden and Garland, and refused to correct himself even after he was reminded Epstein died during Trump's first presidency. And Bill Maher says he's giving up touring because people who are half as funny are selling twice as many tickets. Who does he mean? The New York Jets? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During a Substack LIVE conversation on Thursday, Chris Cillizza and Matt Lewis covered a LOT of ground, including:▶️ Epstein File Shockwaves:The Epstein files are coming — and a cryptic Trump-linked email is being decoded two radically different ways. Predator? Whistleblower? Either interpretation is political TNT. ▶️ Trump's Economic Iceberg:A brutal –34 approval rating on affordability. Chris calls it: “Deep. Sh*t.” From $5 eggs to Mar-a-Lago Gatsby parties while SNAP gets cut, we dig into why Trump's rhetoric is starting to sound like Biden-era denial.▶️ The Billionaire Populist Paradox:How did a gold-plated Manhattan mogul become a blue-collar folk hero? And why is the spell breaking now? We unpack the aspirational trap at the heart of Trump's appeal. Plus, Tucker's problem with “strivers.” Billionaires who cheer for the poor but side-eye the middle class. ▶️ Democrats Are Quietly Channeling the 2015 GOP's #War PhilosphyThey want fighters. They're tired of Schumer. AOC is rising. It's giving 2015 Republican energy.▶️ Trump's Secret MRI & Medical Mystery:A “perfect” scan with zero explanation. Chris wants full medical transparency, tax returns, and an end to the presidential pardon power—for everyone.▶️ And much MUCH more!Support "Matt Lewis & The News" at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFollow Matt Lewis & Cut Through the Noise:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattklewis/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 book: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416Copyright © 2025, BBL & BWL, LLC

Tony opens up the show by catching up with Chris Cillizza and talking about the Emmy Chris just won, and Tony also talks about the Nats and about a new diet for Chessie. Anne Hornaday calls in to talk about the new Jurassic Park movie. reboots in general, and also about F1 - the new Brad Pitt movie. Mary Carillo calls in to talk about her career as a player, and also about Coco Gauf losing in the first round at Wimbledon, and Tony closes out the show by opening up the mailbag. Songs: The Chordroys "Get Outta My Head" ; Scott Salmon "Never Too Late For Lonely" To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices