Unpacking the news that's consuming Trump and his inner circle, host Hugo Lowell -- once kicked off Trump's plane for reporting that displeased the former president -- draws on his deep sourcing and special guests to be your guide each week to the Trump administration. Playing off one of Trump's trademark insults for his enemies, Highly Conflicted offers an informed view on the state of Trumpworld, with the informal vibe of FaceTiming your best friend. ]]> http://www.politicon.com audioboom.com Mon, 11 May 2026 13:08:25 +0000 en https://audioboom.com/i/42269333/s=1400x1400/el=1/rt=fill.jpg http://www.politicon.com false Hugo Lowell Audioboom bf67f323-fa35-5acf-92dc-f7a8a550dda5 Politicon LLC & Hugo Lowell https://audioboom.com/channels/5137724.rss episodic https://audioboom.com/posts/8652067 19 What is Elon Musk’s Motivation 1080 false full Hugo Lowell is joined by Teddy Schleifer from the New York Times to discuss Elon Musk's influence on the federal government through his initiative, Doge. The conversation explores Musk's core political team, his motivations for engaging with government agencies, the challenges faced by Doge, and the future plans for agency engagement. Schleifer provides insights into the structure of Musk's team, the dynamics of his political influence, and the implications of his actions within the public sector.]]> Tue, 11 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000 tag:audioboom.com,2025-02-11:/posts/8652067 Hugo Lowell Hugo Lowell https://audioboom.com/posts/8644038 18 Trump's Return To DC 1896 false full Hugo Lowell and Susan Glasser discuss the significant changes and challenges in Trump's second term as president. They explore the implications of his executive orders, the firing of inspectors general, the controversial stance on birthright citizenship, and the politicization of the Justice Department. The discussion highlights Trump's approach to governance, his relationship with various agencies, and the potential consequences of his actions on the political landscape.


To lightin the mood a little Andrew Zucker discusses the vibrant new dining scene in Washington DC, highlighting several notable restaurants that have recently opened. He shares insights on how the political landscape influences dining choices and the popularity of certain establishments among political figures. The conversation covers various restaurants, including Pastis, Minetta Tavern, Osteria Mozza, Ned's Club, and Cafe Fiorello, emphasizing their unique offerings and the cultural significance they hold in the current political climate.]]> Tue, 28 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000 tag:audioboom.com,2025-01-28:/posts/8644038 Hugo Lowell Hugo Lowell https://audioboom.com/posts/8639645 17 The Truth About Pam Bondi with Dave Aronberg 1347 false full Hugo is joined this week by Dave Aronberg .The conversation delves into the implications of Pam Bondi's potential role as Attorney General, her confirmation hearing, and her past work on the opioid crisis. The discussion highlights the influence of Trump on her nomination, the dynamics with Cash Patel, and the challenges she may face in maintaining the integrity of the Justice Department while navigating political pressures. Insights into her professional history and media presence are also explored, providing a comprehensive view of her capabilities and potential actions in office.]]> Sat, 18 Jan 2025 01:21:47 +0000 tag:audioboom.com,2025-01-18:/posts/8639645 Hugo Lowell Hugo Lowell https://audioboom.com/posts/8635704 16 Trump trial ends in a whimper with Katie Phang 2150 false full Katie Phang and Hugo Lowell delve into the complexities surrounding the special counsel's report, the jurisdictional issues raised by Judge Cannon, and the implications of the DOJ's strategies in the ongoing legal battles involving Trump and his associates. They discuss the potential release of the report, the role of redactions, and the broader political ramifications of the legal proceedings. The conversation also touches on the recent sentencing of Trump and the perceived lack of consequences, highlighting the challenges of achieving justice in high-profile cases.

]]> Sat, 11 Jan 2025 00:57:31 +0000 tag:audioboom.com,2025-01-11:/posts/8635704 Hugo Lowell Hugo Lowell https://audioboom.com/posts/8629826 15 Curbing Trump with Rep. Jamie Raskin 967 false full Congressman Jamie Raskin discusses the implications of the January 6th Committee's findings and the potential for political retribution under a Trump administration. He emphasizes the importance of congressional oversight and the independence of the Department of Justice, particularly in light of Trump's past actions and rhetoric. Raskin defends Liz Cheney against accusations of misconduct and highlights the critical role of the Speech and Debate Clause in protecting legislative functions.]]> Fri, 27 Dec 2024 17:59:48 +0000 tag:audioboom.com,2024-12-27:/posts/8629826 Hugo Lowell Hugo Lowell https://audioboom.com/posts/8622613 14 Will The FBI Survive Trump with Frank Figliuzzi 1966 false full Hugo Lowell and Frank Figliuzzi discuss the implications of Kash Patel's nomination to lead the FBI. They explore Patel's partisan background, concerns over potential abuses of power, and the impact of political loyalty on investigations. The discussion highlights the importance of checks and balances within the FBI and the role of the Washington Field Office. They also address the challenges of conducting background checks on political appointees and the potential consequences of a partisan FBI director.]]> Thu, 12 Dec 2024 00:02:07 +0000 tag:audioboom.com,2024-12-12:/posts/8622613 Hugo Lowell Hugo Lowell https://audioboom.com/posts/8621283 13 The Fall Of Damascus with Patricia Zengerle 1864 false full Hugo and Patricia delve into the complexities of US foreign policy regarding Syria, the implications of Russia's involvement, and the evolving political dynamics surrounding military aid and confirmation hearings for key appointments. Patricia Zengerle provides insights into the historical context of US actions in Syria, the challenges posed by Russia's military presence, and the shifting attitudes within the US Senate regarding military funding and support for Ukraine. The discussion also touches on the domestic political landscape, particularly the confirmation process for Pete Hegseth and the potential ramifications of his nomination.

]]> Mon, 09 Dec 2024 19:50:55 +0000 tag:audioboom.com,2024-12-09:/posts/8621283 Hugo Lowell Hugo Lowell https://audioboom.com/posts/8614788 12 Why Trump Is A national Security Risk with Olivia Troye 1706 false full Former national security insider Olivia Troye offers a penetrating look into the delicate intersection of politics and intelligence. She dissects the potential risks of politicizing national security apparatus, revealing the profound challenges career officials face when maintaining integrity amid shifting political winds. With razor-sharp insights, Troye examines how leadership transitions can compromise counterterrorism efforts and the fragile balance of intelligence reporting in an increasingly polarized environment.]]> Wed, 27 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0000 tag:audioboom.com,2024-11-27:/posts/8614788 Hugo Lowell Hugo Lowell https://audioboom.com/posts/8614622 11 Jack Smith’s Cases Dismissed with Tim Parlatore 1875 false full Hugo Lowell and Timothy Parlatore discuss the recent dismissal of legal cases against Trump, the implications of these decisions, and the broader issues of prosecutorial conduct within the Justice Department. They analyze the legal landscape following the election, the rationale behind the dismissal of cases, and the potential consequences for the DOJ moving forward. Additionally, they delve into allegations surrounding Boris Epstein and his influence within Trump's inner circle.


]]> Tue, 26 Nov 2024 20:34:48 +0000 tag:audioboom.com,2024-11-26:/posts/8614622 Hugo Lowell Hugo Lowell https://audioboom.com/posts/8600639 10 The Inside Scoop From Trump World with Katie Phang 2409 false full Hugo Lowell and Katie Phang discuss Trump’s recent rally, celebrity endorsements, and early voting. They analyze media coverage, political outrage, and Biden’s gaffes. Predicting election night and Trump’s strategies, they delve into Trump’s campaign legal landscape, including Georgia’s Supreme Court decisions, Bannon’s influence, and potential legal challenges. They also discuss presidential immunity, women’s voting behavior, and election night expectations, reflecting the shifting political landscape and women’s crucial role in shaping the outcome.]]> Sat, 02 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +0000 tag:audioboom.com,2024-11-02:/posts/8600639 Hugo Lowell Hugo Lowell https://audioboom.com/posts/8596800 9 If Trump Wins, It Won’t Be Because Of Elon Musk 1761 false full In this episode of Highly Conflicted, host Hugo Lowell discuss the latest comments from Donald Trump regarding Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff, labeling them as enemies from within. Hugo analyzes Trump's controversial statements about wanting generals like Hitler's and his intention to fire special counsel Jack Smith. 
Shifting to the Trump campaign's strategy, focusing on voter turnout and the challenges faced by America PAC in their ground game efforts. As the election approaches, Hugo highlight Trump's emphasis on immigration as a key message in his final rallies, while also considering the implications of early voting trends among Republicans.


]]> Sat, 26 Oct 2024 09:00:00 +0000 tag:audioboom.com,2024-10-25:/posts/8596800 Hugo Lowell Hugo Lowell https://audioboom.com/posts/8592086 8 How Elon Musk Is Trying to Buy The Election 2353 false full In this episode of Highly Conflicted, hosts Hugo Lowell and Katie Phang discuss the significant influence of Elon Musk on Donald Trump's campaign, particularly focusing on Musk's financial contributions and political ambitions. They explore the implications of campaign funding strategies, the emoluments clause violations associated with Trump's business practices, and the challenges faced by undecided voters. The conversation also delves into the role of billionaire donors in shaping political landscapes and Musk's potential data harvesting efforts to bolster his political influence.]]> Sat, 19 Oct 2024 09:00:00 +0000 tag:audioboom.com,2024-10-19:/posts/8592086 Hugo Lowell Hugo Lowell https://audioboom.com/posts/8588630 7 Is Trump Desperate For Good News ? 1655 false full In this episode of Highly Conflicted, Hugo Lowell discusses the current state of Trump's presidential campaign as it enters the final stretch before the election. He highlights the challenges faced by Trump, including accusations of cozying up to Putin and the impact of Kamala Harris's media presence. The internal dynamics of Trump's campaign are explored, particularly the roles of key advisors and the strategies being employed to minimize distractions. The conversation also touches on the implications of Trump's foreign relations and the potential national security concerns that may arise from his actions. Overall, the episode provides a comprehensive overview of the political landscape as the election approaches.]]> Sat, 12 Oct 2024 09:00:00 +0000 tag:audioboom.com,2024-10-11:/posts/8588630 Hugo Lowell Hugo Lowell https://audioboom.com/posts/8583258 6 Why Trump Loves Fake Endorsements with Katie Phang 2865 false full Hugo Lowell is joined this week by Katie Phang, they delve into the implications of January 6th on Trump's current political landscape. They discuss Jack Smith's filing regarding Trump's actions and the role of Mike Pence, the legal ramifications of Trump's behavior, and the ongoing fake electors scheme. The conversation also touches on the political fallout from recent debates and Trump's lack of endorsements, particularly among youth voters. The episode highlights the intersection of law and politics as Trump navigates the final stretch of the presidential race.]]> Sat, 05 Oct 2024 09:00:00 +0000 tag:audioboom.com,2024-10-05:/posts/8583258 Hugo Lowell Hugo Lowell https://audioboom.com/posts/8578776 5 What Elon Really Wants From Trump 1439 false full Hugo Lowell discusses the current state of Trump's campaign, focusing on his debate strategies, personal grievances, and the critical role of Pennsylvania in the upcoming election. The conversation also highlights the influence of Elon Musk and his America PAC in Trump's ground game and how Trump is preoccupied with various micro dramas rather than his campaign.]]> Sat, 28 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0000 tag:audioboom.com,2024-09-28:/posts/8578776 Hugo Lowell Hugo Lowell https://audioboom.com/posts/8574012 4 Trump's Terrible Ground Game 1370 false full In this episode of Highly Conflicted, Hugo Lowell discusses the Trump campaign's strategies as they approach the 2024 election. The conversation focuses on the challenges faced in battleground states, particularly regarding the ground game and local news strategies. Additionally, the role of far-right figure Laura Loomer is explored, highlighting her influence and connection to Trump despite not being a formal part of the campaign.

More from Hugo Lowell: The Guardian | YouTube | Twitter

]]> Fri, 20 Sep 2024 19:10:00 +0000 tag:audioboom.com,2024-09-20:/posts/8574012 Hugo Lowell Hugo Lowell https://audioboom.com/posts/8571149 3 Spilling The Tea On the Debate Disaster 1528 false full Hugo Lowell discusses the aftermath of the recent debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, highlighting the Trump campaign's internal struggles and the implications for their ground game strategy as the election approaches. Hugo delves into Trump's debate performance, the campaign's lack of a solid ground game, and the psychological state of Trump as he faces mounting pressure.]]> Mon, 16 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0000 tag:audioboom.com,2024-09-14:/posts/8571149 Hugo Lowell Hugo Lowell https://audioboom.com/posts/8568414 2 Will Trump Be Sentenced to Jail 2741 true full Hugo Lowell and Katie Phang discuss various topics related to the Trump legal cases. They cover the Manhattan DA's case, the DC case, and the actions of Trump's legal team. They also touch on the delay in sentencing, the possibility of jail time, and the strategies employed by Trump's lawyers. Overall, they provide insights into the legal challenges faced by Trump and the implications for his presidency. 
Hugo & Katie also discuss the recent legal developments surrounding Donald Trump and his legal team. They analyze the wins and losses Trump has experienced in various cases and speculate on the future of his legal team. Also delving into the upcoming presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Trump, discussing the potential weaknesses and strategies of both candidates. Emphasizing the importance of authenticity and genuine engagement in the debate.

]]> Tue, 10 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0000 tag:audioboom.com,2024-09-10:/posts/8568414 Hugo Lowell Hugo Lowell https://audioboom.com/posts/8567681 1 Highly Conflicted Trailer 78 false trailer Highly Conflicted Trailer with Hugo Lowell & Katie Phang]]> Sun, 08 Sep 2024 19:10:00 +0000 tag:audioboom.com,2024-09-08:/posts/8567681 Hugo Lowell Hugo Lowell