Tom Nichols: Our Fatal Complacency
Pence warned us about the threat to our democracy, and we shrugged. Plus, Bethany Mandel can't define woke, Fox can't keep its talking points straight, DeSantis is Trump's Mini Me, and the despicable elitism of the American right. Tom Nichols joins Charlie Sykes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
49m Mar 15, 2023
49m
James Hohmann: DeSantis Joins the Surrender Caucus
Ron DeSantis chose to pander to Tucker Carlson on Ukraine and shows himself as unserious on one of the biggest issues of our time. Plus, socialism for Wall Street and Silicon Valley elites. James Hohmann joins Charlie Sykes for today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
39m Mar 14, 2023
39m
Will Saletan: Pence’s Profile in Half-Courage
Mike Pence is trying win over the DC press corps but still refuses to do his part to hold Trump accountable for January 6. Plus, the new too-big-to-fail banks, more Fox dirt, and DeSantis is not a natural people person. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
49m Mar 13, 2023
49m
Tim Miller: Be Happy, Make Babies
People not having kids because of climate change anxiety are not thinking about a future with Josh Hawley having 100 babies. Plus, sad CPAC, the least charismatic politician among us, and Fox stars in private sound like The Bulwark Podcast. Tim Miller's back with Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
48m Mar 10, 2023
48m
Adrienne LaFrance: The New Anarchy
The largest threat of extremist violence right now is coming from the rightwing. But 100 years ago, it came from the left. History can teach us about how America can survive this new phase of domestic terror. The Atlantic's Adrienne LaFrance joins Charlie Sykes today. show notes: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/04/us-extremism-portland-george-floyd-protests-january-6/673088/ L...
40m Mar 09, 2023
40m
Matt Gertz: Tucker's Trump Derangement Syndrome
Tucker has been dining out on how much the media supposedly despises Donald Trump — when by his own admission, he hates Trump with a passion. And his take on Jan 6 is inherently contradictory: It was Nancy's fault, but also not much happened that day. Matt Gertz joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
45m Mar 08, 2023
45m
Tucker’s Latest Lies
Tucker's attempting to white-wash Jan 6, Trump and DeSantis have a thing against prosecutors, Kari says we'll have world peace again with Trump capitulating to Putin, and Michael Knowles intentionally used eliminationist rhetoric about transgenderism. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
53m Mar 07, 2023
53m
Amb. John Bolton: I Thought Trump Would Be Disciplined
John Bolton thought he could create a coherent foreign policy for Trump, but now sees he was naive. Plus, Charlie Sykes asks Bolton about his early defense of Trump's relations with Putin — and why he didn't testify during the first impeachment. Bolton spoke with Sykes at the Principles First Summit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
46m Mar 06, 2023
46m
Rick Wilson: Why Would MAGA Want Trump-Lite?
The base wants the sugar, the fat, and the salt — not someone afraid to say how they're different from Trump. Plus, DeSantis doesn't want to face the CPAC straw poll, Trump attacks Fox, and Paul Ryan doesn't see the world has moved on. Rick Wilson joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
56m Mar 03, 2023
56m
Mehdi Hasan: How to Win Any Argument
Master interlocutor Mehdi Hasan says come to a debate prepared — bring receipts and know the other side's best argument better than they do. And Democrats: The heart beats the head almost every time. So, don't bring a policy paper to a knife fight. Hasan joins Charlie Sykes today. Show Notes Mehdi's book: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250853479/wineveryargument Learn more about your ad cho...
34m Mar 02, 2023
34m
Jennifer Senior: How Old Are You in Your Head?
People over 40 tend to see themselves as about 20% younger than their actual age. Is it because aging is seen as bad — or because they're optimistic that they have many years ahead? Plus, living with long Covid, and John Fetterman's depression. Jennifer Senior joins Charlie Sykes today. Show notes Jennifer's recent Atlantic articles: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/04/subjecti...
47m Mar 01, 2023
47m
My Conversation With Paul Ryan
The former Speaker of the House tells Charlie Sykes a Reagan 2.0 candidate would have a shot in '24. He also discusses his relationship with McCarthy, how the base has evolved, and how he thinks Fox has "proper" conservative voices despite Tucker Carlson. Ryan and Sykes spoke at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1hr 5m Feb 28, 2023
1hr 5m
Will Saletan: Dilbert, Free Speech, and Racism
Scott Adams has the right to carry on about white victimhood, and newspapers have the free speech right to drop him. Plus, after the Ohio train wreck, is Biden — with his global leadership — showing shades of Bush 41? Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
54m Feb 27, 2023
54m
Tim Miller: Here's Why You Need to Shut Up
The Georgia jury forewoman needs to stop talking, Norma Desmond took a break from Mar-a-Lago, Charlie and Tim disagree on Roald Dahl, and DeSantis lectures New Yorkers on law & order while the big cities in Florida have a higher crime rate. Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
47m Feb 24, 2023
47m
Brian Rosenwald: Fox Is Afraid of Its Audience
Fox isn't news, and it isn't propaganda. It's about getting the biggest audience it can, to make the most money it possibly can. And Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity are more powerful than elected GOP leaders — even if they're afraid of their own audience. Brian Rosenwald joins Charlie Sykes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
51m Feb 23, 2023
51m
Bill Lueders: Wisconsin's High Stakes Supreme Court Race
With abortion and election integrity on the line, Democrats got the opponent they wanted for the most consequential election of 2023. Plus, Joe Biden at 80 is coming into his own presidency. The view from Wisconsin: Bill Lueders joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
45m Feb 22, 2023
45m
Will Sommer: The Power of QAnon
Conspiracy theories had been gaining ground in the GOP before Trump, but after he became conspiracy-theorist-in chief, many of his fans dove into conspiracies too. QAnon now has 10 million followers, and Trump is the messiah figure at its center. Will Sommer joins Charlie Sykes today. Will Sommer's "Trust the Plan": https://www.harpercollins.com/products/trust-the-plan-will-sommer?variant=40493...
46m Feb 21, 2023
46m
Biden’s Kyiv Moment
Biden went to an active war zone, Lindsey Graham shows his old McCain-sidekick self, DeSantis weighs in on Ukraine, the Michigan GOP disconnects from reality, and MTG takes the leap from sedition to secession. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
53m Feb 20, 2023
53m
David Frum: The GOP’s Obnoxiousness Problem
The text messages in the Dominion case show that Fox was intentionally pushing lies about 2020 — lies that led to violence. And Trump is one step away from wearing a T-shirt that says "Yes, I COUP'D!" David Frum joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
50m Feb 17, 2023
50m
Ben Wittes: Jack Smith at Ramming Speed
Mike Pence is erasing his own profile in courage by trying to resist special counsel Jack Smith's subpoena, a Mar-a-Lago document prosecution is still viable, and Ben Wittes — who once challenged Putin to a fistfight — is still irritating the Russians. Wittes joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
48m Feb 16, 2023
48m
Michael Kranish: The Trump/Kushner/Saudi Vortex
In early 2021, both Kushner and Trump needed a game plan for making money. MBS — who both men had helped to consolidate power and literally get away with murder — came to the rescue with billions of dollars. Michael Kranish joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
35m Feb 15, 2023
35m
Damon Linker: How Not to Fight Wokeness
Even people who aren't racist and aren't anti-trans can get rubbed the wrong way by the heavy-handed puritanical approach of the woke movement. Plus, Nikki Haley's bromides from the Republican Party of 10 years ago. Damon Linker joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
47m Feb 14, 2023
47m
Will Saletan: The Weekend of the UFOs
What is flying above us? Is it more than sky garbage? Meanwhile, the House GOP radar is against whatever Joe Biden does. Plus, Trump's opinions about women's clothing, and the former first family feeding at the teat of MBS. Will Saletan's back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
49m Feb 13, 2023
49m
Tim Miller: It Was Dumber than You Might Have Imagined
The weaponization committee hearing was an embarrassing bust. Plus, James O'Keefe's love of musicals, the karma of calling DeSantis a groomer — and Charlie has Covid and he still showed up for your Super Bowl weekend pod with Tim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
52m Feb 10, 2023
52m
Tom Nichols: The Kook Bench
The drunken heckling caucus around Marjorie Taylor Greene is not out of control — it did exactly what its voters sent them to do. And Tucker Carlson is playing to that base, which has contempt for people with an education. Tom Nichols joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
44m Feb 09, 2023
44m
A.B. Stoddard: Dark Brandon Rising
Biden's shrewd State of the Union address played rope-a-dope with Republicans, and he relished the scrum. Plus, Trump goes classic and pulls the groomer card on DeSantis. A.B. Stoddard joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
42m Feb 08, 2023
42m
Mark Hertling: What My Oath Means
The balloon set off a performance theater among members of Congress that was unbecoming of their rank and office, Lt. Gen Mark Hertling tells Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. Plus, how Jan 6 has impacted education at military colleges, and an update on the war in Ukraine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
38m Feb 07, 2023
38m
Will Saletan: Popping the Red Balloon
It wouldn't have mattered how Biden had handled the balloon — Republicans would have said he was weak. Plus, the art of donning an AR-15 pin to trigger the libs, and Elon Musk is amplifying Russian propaganda. Will Saletan's back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
51m Feb 06, 2023
51m
Tim Miller: Never Should Mean Never
Too many normies STILL won't say "Never Trump," but Paul Ryan may be coming around. Plus, Kari keeps pretending to be governor, Hugh Hewitt is leg-humpy, and Charlie wants Dark Brandon to go out in a flak jacket and pop the balloon. Your weekend pod with Charlie Sykes and Tim Miller. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
53m Feb 03, 2023
53m
Elie Honig: Is Trump Untouchable?
Merrick Garland likes to say that no one is above the law, but the DOJ's own guidelines make it clear that some people are more equal than others. And no one exemplifies the disparities in our criminal justice system better than Donald Trump. Elie Honig joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
51m Feb 02, 2023
51m
Charlie Savage: The Real Witch Hunt?
Trump has longed complained about a deep state plot to smear him with the Russia investigation, but the Durham probe of that investigation comes off as highly partisan, unethical, and loony. Charlie Savage joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
42m Feb 01, 2023
42m
Julian Zelizer and Kevin Kruse: History Is Under Assault
History became more politicized in the Trump era and the conservative media ecosystem has helped amplify untruths. Princeton's Kevin Kruse and Julian Zelizer join Charlie Sykes to explain the value of learning both our good and bad history. We can handle the truth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
47m Jan 31, 2023
47m
Will Saletan: Policing the Police
Training and diversity are not enough — cops who break the law must be prosecuted. Plus, the normalization of political violence around Jan 6 and the attack on Paul Pelosi, and Steve Bannon goes deeper on election denialism. Will Saletan joins Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
47m Jan 30, 2023
47m
Tim Miller: Deep Inside Tucker Carlson's Navel
Republicans are so out of touch, their public brand is in trouble. Plus, MTG is Queen of the GOP, Schlapp is too sleazy for Gaetz, and party types are praying for a Trump heart attack. Oh, and Tim Miller tells Charlie Sykes he wants to hang with Kari Lake. Your weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
51m Jan 27, 2023
51m
Michael Weiss: A Watershed Moment for Ukraine
It took a lot of arm-twisting, but the West has finally committed to arming Ukraine with battle tanks — not only to boost its defenses, but also to take the fight to the Russians. And Crimea is now in play. Michael Weiss joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
46m Jan 26, 2023
46m
Jonathan Alter: How the Documents Hurt Biden
Biden has been seen as scandal-free, but his classified docs case may cost him a big political asset: the benefit of the doubt. Plus, Trump's map in the '24 primaries looks smaller. And the fallout from the arrest of a former FBI agent with ties to Russia. Jonathan Alter joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
48m Jan 25, 2023
48m
David Weigel: MAGA v MAGA
Republicans may have underperformed in the midterms, but the RNC chair fight is not about changing the party's direction. For the base, it's about out-suing the "cheating" Democrats. Plus, the free-for-all in Chicago's mayoral race, and the Oscar noms. Dave Weigel joins Charlie Sykes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
40m Jan 24, 2023
40m
Will Saletan: It's In Your Nature to Destroy Yourselves
The pro-life movement, undaunted by the midterms, is pushing for more restrictions— and the political backlash will be severe. Plus, give Ukraine the tanks, and don't invite Donald Trump to your funeral. Will Saletan's back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
51m Jan 23, 2023
51m
Catherine Rampell: Psychotic Feral Cats with Machetes
Republicans are back to extortion and holding the debt ceiling hostage after adding $4.7 trillion to the deficit during the Trump years — and that was before the pandemic. Why risk financial market chaos? Catherine Rampell joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
41m Jan 20, 2023
41m
Michael Schmidt: "I Didn't Know They Made People Like That"
Before John Kelly became chief of staff, he thought the chaos at the White House was due to the people around Trump. Instead, each day was about getting through the day without Trump doing something illegal, immoral, or damaging to himself or the country. Mike Schmidt joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
45m Jan 19, 2023
45m
Bill Kristol: Glimmers of Hope
The shift in attitudes about defense and foreign policy in Germany has been dramatic since the war in Ukraine began. Plus, will ripping off a dying dog be the tipping point for George Santos? Bill Kristol — fresh off a series of meetings in Berlin — joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
35m Jan 18, 2023
35m
David French: Our Religious Freedoms Are Not Hanging by a Thread
New York Times-bound David French tells Charlie Sykes how he re-thought same-sex marriage, how he felt he was living in a bubble, and how religious liberty is more strongly protected than it's ever been. Plus, the inevitability of George Santos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
46m Jan 17, 2023
46m
Will Saletan: Performative Garbage
RonAnon Johnson wanted to get beat up on "Meet the Press" — so he could weaponize it. Plus, the active moving backward from MLK's dream, Trump gets the ultimate whataboutism, debt ceiling dangers, and a football confession. Will Saletan's back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
43m Jan 16, 2023
43m
Michael Steele: Slapping Matt Schlapp
Former RNC Chair Michael Steele had a front-row seat for the start of the ugly transformation at CPAC. Racist rhetoric has now been normalized, and they're not even pretending anymore. Steele joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
33m Jan 13, 2023
33m
Adam Kinzinger: Detoxing from Congress
Watching from a distance, former Rep. Kinzinger tells Charlie Sykes that House moderates have a lot of power they're not willing to use, while the Freedom Caucus —AKA "The Terror Club" — is willing to shoot hostages. Plus, McCarthy will say whatever he needs to say to stay in power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
38m Jan 12, 2023
38m
Aaron Blake: Kevin McCarthy Is Keeping a Secret
Without his secret pact, Kevin McCarthy likely would not be Speaker. Now, the American public — and members of Congress — are in the dark about the terms of McCarthy's agreement. Plus, will Joe Biden's classified documents sink a prosecution of Trump? Aaron Blake joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
39m Jan 11, 2023
39m
Olivia Nuzzi: Has Trump Become Norma Desmond?
Trump rarely leaves his 'weird' smelling, moldy mansion, he seems bored and tired, and D-List MAGA are his main loyalists now. Plus, Olivia and Charlie go all in on the parallels to the film, Sunset Boulevard. Olivia Nuzzi joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
38m Jan 10, 2023
38m
Will Saletan: Expect More Hostage-Taking in the House
McCarthy paid the ransom, Bannon is openly supporting violence in Brazil, and even normie Republicans are prepared to put the US economy at risk. Plus, Charlie and Will disagree on Hakeem Jeffries' speech. Will Saletan's back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
49m Jan 09, 2023
49m
A.B. Stoddard: A Desperate Man
The hijackers have the energy in the House, Biden is quietly succeeding, no-mentum Trump's biggest fear is being ignored, DeSantis is a closet wimp, and George Santos doesn't respond to his name — is his name fake too? A.B. Stoddard joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
49m Jan 06, 2023
49m
Nick Confessore: The Theater of Elise Stefanik
Rep. Elise Stefanik was a star pupil and the future of the GOP — now she's joined the kids in the back of the class, whose only role in Congress is to generate outrage. Plus, Trump turned the party into a roadshow and McCarthy is paying the price. Nick Confessore joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
42m Jan 05, 2023
42m