Wait, Is This Guy a Freakin' Criminal?
Jack Smith will need a barn burner of a case, rich in facts, and one that holds up under the scrutiny of conservative legal analysts on Fox. Plus, Pence is simultaneously for the rule of law and letting Trump slide. Ben Wittes is back with Charlie Sykes for The Trump Trials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
48m Jun 08, 2023
48m
A.B. Stoddard: Christie Brought the Hot Sauce
Chris Christie launched his presidential campaign by calling out Trump—and hit him on the kleptocracy, the hypocrisy, and the lying. Plus, the Freedom Caucus punishes McCarthy, Licht only had an elevator pitch—not a plan for CNN, and the PGA rolls over for the Saudis. A.B. Stoddard joins Charlie Sykes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
42m Jun 07, 2023
42m
Astead Herndon: Our Broken Politics
Too many of today's politicians don't care that they are undermining their own parties with messages the general public doesn't support. Plus, the donor class grifting of No Labels, and how the Scott Walker era in Wisconsin prepared us for the Trump era. Astead Herndon joins Charlie Sykes. show notes: https://www.nytimes.com/column/election-run-up-podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
42m Jun 06, 2023
42m
Will Saletan: The Dem’s RFK, Jr. Problem
Steve Bannon and company are helping give anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy a boost in the polls, Trump gets challenged from the right on foreign policy, Haley is fantastically cynical, and CNN tried to make Trump happy. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
50m Jun 05, 2023
50m
Tim Miller: Normal v Crazy
It wasn't like the boring 90s, but politics this week felt almost normal. Meanwhile, Trump's bleats are getting more demented and DeSantis is all-in on attacking him for fast-tracking a vaccine. Plus, the war on Pride Month. Tim Miller is back with Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
44m Jun 02, 2023
44m
Lordy, There Are Tapes
Trump's own recorded words appear to undercut his already weak defense that he had declassified the documents he took from the White House—and he may have invited a charge under the Espionage Act. Ben Wittes joins Charlie Sykes for the latest edition of The Trump Trials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
46m Jun 01, 2023
46m
Michael Steele: We're Way Past Kumbaya
The media thinks the GOP base could still want 'Morning in America,' Citizens United is keeping no-hopers in the race, Charlie totally called it on Tara Reade Biden made McCarthy grow up, and MAGA world turns to infighting. Michael Steele joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
43m May 31, 2023
43m
Tom Nichols: Knuckleheads with Flamethrowers
McCarthy cut a normal deal with Biden when the GOP caucus couldn't agree on what to demand—beyond just shouting and pounding the table. Plus, missing Brezhnev, waiting for a haymaker, and DeSantis is angry and weird, but not as dangerous as Trump. Tom Nichols joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
47m May 30, 2023
47m
Luke Russert: Look for Me There
In the summer of 2016, on the eve of the Republican and Democratic conventions, Luke Russert—an NBC News star and a scion of media royalty—walked away from it all. Russert joins Charlie Sykes for a special Memorial Day weekend pod to share a story of parental love, loss, and finding your own way. show notes: https://www.harpercollinsfocus.com/9780785291817/look-for-me-there/ Learn more about yo...
47m May 26, 2023
47m
Indictment Time?
Jack Smith is wrapping up his investigation into the Mar-a-Lago classified document collection, and Trump world is bracing for indictments. Plus, defamation, court dates, and the actor playing a human launches his presidential campaign. Ben Wittes and Quinta Jurecic join Charlie Sykes for The Trump Trials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
47m May 25, 2023
47m
David Frum: Losing the Dominance Primary
DeSantis claims he doesn't back down, but most of the time, he is flinching and cowering—and now he's allowing Musk to push him around. Plus, Trump v Kamala, felons can't vote for themselves in Florida, and the Russians fighting for Ukraine. David Frum joins Charlie Sykes today. show notes: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/05/joe-biden-health-versus-donald-trump-indictments/673989...
36m May 24, 2023
36m
Philip Bump: Running Against Reality
Reality is Kari Lake's biggest opponent, Tim Scott is warmly welcomed into a growing candidate field, Biden gets blamed for guns, and younger voters are more likely to vote for Democrats. Plus, did Twitter grave-rob a username for DeSantis? The Washington Post's Philip Bump joins Charlie Sykes today. show notes: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/696653/the-aftermath-by-philip-bump/ Learn...
40m May 23, 2023
40m
Will Saletan: Is Tim Scott Running a Potemkin Campaign?
Are Tim Scott, Nikki Haley, and Mike Pence really running for the VP slot—or a chance to increase their speaking fees? Plus, Trump is still an extortionist, the GOP's not a serious governing party, and Fox created the market for the homeless vet hoax. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
54m May 22, 2023
54m
The Bulwark: Live from New York
Charlie Sykes and Tim Miller held court on the Upper West Side Thursday night, weighing in on Rudy's medical experiments on himself, Disney's humiliation of DeSantis, Trump's legal setbacks in his own hometown, and more. Plus, Charlie and Tim play "Name That Musical" for your weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
45m May 19, 2023
45m
Steve Vladeck: The Supreme Court's Shadow Docket
Justice Alito frequently complains that critics of the court are trying to delegitimize it. But it's the Supreme Court's own actions—including its late-night, unsigned, and unexplained decisions on the shadow docket— that are undermining the institution. Steve Vladeck joins Charlie Sykes today. show notes https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/contributor/stephen-vladeck/ Learn more about your ad c...
44m May 18, 2023
44m
Durham's Fizzle
John Durham didn't report anything new, and he took longer to produce less useful material than Mueller did to expose Russian election interference in 2016—Mueller also had Flynn and Manafort indicted. Plus, only Benedict Arnold has fallen as far as Rudy. Ben Wittes is back for The Trump Trials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
42m May 17, 2023
42m
Anne Applebaum: The Case for a Complete Ukrainian Victory
Ukraine's freedom is on the line, but America's role in the world is also at stake. And if a democratic Ukraine can win against autocratic Russia, the world's geopolitics could be altered for a generation. Anne Applebaum joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. show notes: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/06/counteroffensive-ukraine-zelensky-crimea/673781/ Learn more about your ...
35m May 16, 2023
35m
Will Saletan: We Are Not the Crazy Ones
DeSantis tries to pretend he's normal, James Comer can't find his Biden informants, Republicans are disappointed there's not a bigger crisis at the border, Trump wants Mike QAnon Flynn back as an adviser, and Lindsey can't stop rationalizing. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. https://specialto.thebulwark.com/p/the-corruption-of-lindsey-graham?itm_source=parsel...
46m May 15, 2023
46m
Richard Reeves: The Trouble with Boys
Girls are blowing past boys in school, and while most men are poorer than they were 50 years ago, women's incomes have risen across the board. A new kind of gender inequality is drawing men into MAGA's poisonous politics. Richard Reeves joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend podcast. show notes:  https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780815739883/Of-Boys-and-Men-Why-the-Modern-Male-Is-Struggling-Why-It-Matters...
44m May 12, 2023
44m
Trump vs Law and Order
From promising a general amnesty to Jan 6 rioters, to re-victimizing E. Jean Carroll on CNN's town hall, and calling a police officer a thug, Trump is sure making it easy for Biden to claim the mantle of law and order. Tim Miller, Ben Wittes, and Roger Parloff join Charlie Sykes for The Trump Trials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
55m May 11, 2023
55m
The Counteroffensive Against Trump—and Putin
Turns out that being a star doesn't allow you to get away with sexual assault after all. The GOP still has an 'Access Hollywood' choice, but now there's a $5 million jury verdict. Plus, Tim Mak joins Charlie Sykes from Ukraine to discuss his reporting on life during wartime, beyond "the booms and the bangs." show notes: https://counteroffensive.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...
34m May 10, 2023
34m
Felix Salmon: The New Not Normal Economy
Globalism is dead, the remote work revolution is here to stay, and more people are pursuing their big dreams in smaller cities. The Covid pandemic ushered in a new YOLO economic era. Axios' Felix Salmon joins Charlie Sykes today to discuss the upsides and the downsides. show notes: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-phoenix-economy-felix-salmon?variant=40694169796642 Learn more about yo...
41m May 09, 2023
41m
Will Saletan: A New American Exceptionalism?
Greg Abbott says gun violence is due to a mental health crisis, not guns. So, America is exceptionally crazy? Plus, a bad poll for Biden, Trump's type of woman, and Will Saletan on how Lindsey Graham can explain the rise of authoritarianism in the US. Will is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
49m May 08, 2023
49m
Tim Miller: The Thomas Family Grift
Clarence and Ginni are enjoying the grift that keeps on giving, Fox's PR moves are not helping, seditious conspiracy doesn't require actually being at the Capitol on Jan 6, God bless E. Jean Carroll, and Colin Allred vs. the podcaster. The weekend pod with Charlie Sykes and Tim Miller. show notes: Charlie's Atlantic piece The Next Level's Colin Allred interview  Sarah's Year Zero piece Learn mo...
54m May 05, 2023
54m
The Proud Boys: GUILTY
It was not an Ocean's 11-style conspiracy that convicted the Proud Boys in their sedition case. But the government made a compelling case that the conspirators' goal was to stop the certification of the election by any means necessary. Plus, the E. Jean Carroll rape case, the Fani Willis investigation, and Clarence Thomas' grifting. Lawfare's Ben Wittes, Roger Parloff, and Anna Bower join Charl...
47m May 04, 2023
47m
Ben Smith: The Rise and Fall of the Social Media News Age
The pioneers of the digital media age thought they were building a progressive answer to Drudge—that would help get a Democrat elected in '08. But the architects of the new rightwing populism were also there, watching and learning. Ben Smith discusses his new book, "Traffic," with Charlie Sykes today. show notes: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/678592/traffic-by-ben-smith/ Learn more a...
39m May 03, 2023
39m
A.B. Stoddard: Normalizing Trump Again
For the first time since 2016, Trump will be back on CNN for a live event. It's a huge gift to Trump. Will the media once again center their campaign coverage on him—to the disadvantage of the Biden? Plus, McCarthy's new tone on Ukraine. A.B. Stoddard joins Charlie Sykes today. To continue the conversation go to https://bulwarkpodcast.thebulwark.com/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit pod...
45m May 02, 2023
45m
Will Saletan: The Crassness Is the Point
Greg Abbott chose to be breathtakingly inhumane, MAGA cancel culture is a runaway train, Biden gets in some good digs, Trump is the biggest victim of all, and McCarthy still doesn't have the votes on the debt ceiling—just insane demands. Will Saletan joins Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
50m May 01, 2023
50m
Tim Miller: Trump Has Already Ball-Gagged Them in the Basement
Republicans are so weak and craven: DeSantis has three bad weeks, and they've thrown in the towel—they're not even trying to try to defeat Trump. Plus, Disney reminds conservatives they're supposed to like smaller government, and Tucker is even worse in private. Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
43m Apr 28, 2023
43m
The Trump Trials
State and federal prosecutors may be closing in on Trump, so we've launched a new companion pod—in partnership with Lawfare—that will bring you up to speed on the big legal issues surrounding the former president, and key Trumpworld players. Ben Wittes joins Charlie Sykes for the inaugural episode. show notes https://www.lawfareblog.com/proud-boys-liveblog https://www.lawfareblog.com/arraignmen...
43m Apr 27, 2023
43m
Benjy Sarlin: The Bud Light Freak-Out
Conservatives surrendered on gay marriage, but kept their fear about societal change bottled up. And now a beer is a stand-in for transgender people they want to pretend don't exist. Plus, Ron DeSantis the weirdo, and Murdoch has zero Tucks to give. Semafor's Benjy Sarlin joins Charlie Sykes today.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
39m Apr 26, 2023
39m
Brian Stelter: Tucker Thought He Was Invincible
Tucker Carlson's firing shocked the media world and Tucker himself. He thought he could say and do anything. What role did Tucker's phony Jan. 6 programming play in the rupture? And does his ouster signal a Fox re-set? Brian Stelter shares his insights with Charlie Sykes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
36m Apr 25, 2023
36m
Will Saletan: How Many Coups Do You Have to Attempt?
Trump's negative poll numbers are not high enough, Alito couldn't get other justices to go off the cliff with him, and DeSantis can't stop bossing companies around. Plus, hyper-identity politics in the literary world, and the escalation beyond the Second Amendment. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adc...
42m Apr 24, 2023
42m
Tim Miller: Our WWE Politics
Marco Rubio thinks he's in office just to send tweets, No Labels couldn't have picked a worse time for a third-party candidate, and DeSantis' war on woke knows no end. Plus, Fox's 24-hours of fear and paranoia feeds gun violence, and Charlie Sykes issues a mea culpa to Tim Miller. Your weekend pod. show notes For tickets to The Bulwark Live in NYC go to TheBulwark.com/Events. Learn more about y...
54m Apr 21, 2023
54m
Kara Swisher: Musk's Cry for a Giant Hug
Elon Musk says that running Twitter is very painful, but it's a pain he brought on himself with firings, stunts, and overpaying for the company. Plus, Kara Swisher and Charlie Sykes discuss the art of podcasting, and the potentially much bigger goal behind the expansion of 'Don't Say Gay.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
50m Apr 20, 2023
50m
Tina Nguyen: The Cost of Fox’s Lies
The unsettling Dominion settlement, DeSantis is not fooling MAGA, and the "Taliban 20"—who demanded ransom before Kevin McCarthy could become speaker—are now preparing to hold the whole country hostage over the debt ceiling. Puck's Tina Nguyen joins Charlie Sykes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
45m Apr 19, 2023
45m
Michael Steele: Confronting the Ugliness
Oklahoma sheriffs pining for lynching, Tennessee legislators trying to teach young Black men a lesson, and Stand Your Ground turning the innocent into victims: Things feel like they're spiraling out of control. Plus, even Trump is trolling DeSantis about his Disney flop. Michael Steele joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
47m Apr 18, 2023
47m
Will Saletan: What Are You Grooming These Kids to Be?
At the annual NRA meeting, Kristi Noem bragged about her 2-year-old granddaughter's rifle, while other young kids handled guns. Plus, the GOP is challenged on abortion from inside, DeSantis gets punchy, and Dianne Feinstein digs in. Will Saletan is back for Charlie and Will Monday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
50m Apr 17, 2023
50m
Dylan Byers: The Media Trial of the Century?
Dominion v. Fox is not only about defamation—it's also about the erosion of truth at the network and its impact on our democracy. And with Tucker, Hannity, and Murdoch likely testifying, Fox will also be on trial in the court of public opinion. Puck's Dylan Byers joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
41m Apr 14, 2023
41m
Mark Hertling: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Gamer
The military runs on young soldiers, and sometimes, chatroom braggarts who want to share classified documents get recruited too. Plus, the real world damage in Ukraine from the leaks, and Putin's paranoia. Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
40m Apr 13, 2023
40m
John Harwood: Our Cartoonish Politics
Trump may excel at firing up resentment in the base, but the party is squandering support from an entire generation of young people. Plus, Alvin Bragg sues Jim Jordan, Tennessee's governor calls for a red flag law, and Missouri Republicans try to defund libraries. John Harwood joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
41m Apr 12, 2023
41m
Peter Wehner: A Grotesque Leader of a Grotesque Party
Too many GOP leaders failed to grasp that going along with Trump would increase his hold on the party—and further radicalize the base. Now, the party is being consumed by the monster it created. Plus, Trump goes even further than a mob boss. Peter Wehner joins Charlie Sykes today. Show Notes Peter's Atlantic piece Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
43m Apr 11, 2023
43m
Will Saletan: The GOP’s Abortion Quagmire
Republicans have boxed themselves in on abortion, Elon continues his petulance, the knives are out in the House GOP, and Lindsey Graham sheds tears for America's No. 1 TV addict. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
57m Apr 10, 2023
57m
Tim Miller: Tennessee’s Idiocracy
The Tennessee GOP lives in such a bubble, they thought it was a good idea to expel two Black legislators, who've now become superstars. Plus, the GOP can't pivot from punitive abortion laws, DeSantis is fighting about the fight, and Trump's election criminality. Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
54m Apr 07, 2023
54m
Jeff Sharlet: Scenes from a Slow Civil War
In the parts of the country where Ashli Babbitt is a martyr, pastors glorify guns, and conspiracies thrive, the anticipation of some kind of civil war animates the far right. Author and journalist Jeff Sharlet sees an America that is unraveling. He joins Charlie Sykes today. Show Notes: Jeff's book, "The Undertow"  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
57m Apr 06, 2023
57m
Ben Wittes: The Trump Indictment Is Not Trivial
Trump's indictment may be tied to his hush money payments, but it's also bound up with democracy concerns. If one more shoe had dropped after Access Hollywood, there may have never been a President Trump. Plus, the Dobbs effect continues in Wisconsin. Ben Wittes joins Charlie Sykes today. show notes Ben's Substack: https://www.dogshirtdaily.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastch...
57m Apr 05, 2023
57m
Tim Alberta: Trump Has an Evangelical Problem
Trump threw the anti-abortion movement under the bus after losses in the midterms — which prompted a ferocious backlash among evangelicals. He has yet to repair the damage. Apart from criminal prosecution, could the end of Roe end up spelling his political downfall? Tim Alberta joins Charlie Sykes today.  show notes: Tim's Atlantic piece Tim's book, "American Carnage" Learn more about your ad c...
46m Apr 04, 2023
46m
Will Saletan: Individual 1 Gets His Day in Court
Trump always calls for his enemies to get prosecuted and now he's getting a taste of his own medicine. But will he get to skip the mugshot? Plus, Fox's horrific day in court, and did 60 Minutes help normalize MTG ? Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
53m Apr 03, 2023
53m
Special Indictment Podcast: Adam Kinzinger, Mona Charen, Will Saletan
Trump faces a 34-count indictment in New York and more charges may be on the way. But will it hurt him politically, or propel him to the GOP nomination? Adam Kinzinger, Mona Charen, and Will Saletan join Charlie Sykes for the weekend podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
56m Mar 31, 2023
56m
Tim Miller: DeSantis Whiffs on Disney
"Tiny D" thought he'd puff up his chest to go after Mickey Mouse — only to get outflanked. Plus, loony GOP state legislators, Wisconsin's $45 million judicial seat, the very un-elite cabal in the Manhattan grand jury, and the torment of not knowing about Annette Funicello. Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes today.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
52m Mar 30, 2023
52m