TACO: Trump Always Chickens Out
This week, Rick's Elephant in the Room unpacks TACO Trump. (And, kudos to the Wall Street Bros who coined the "perfect" term -- "Trump Always Chickens Out.") As the anthropologist on Donald Trump, Rick (who has studied this man for over ten years -- thank you for your service!) sheds light on how TACO applies to all aspects of Trump. This flacid, feeble, fatuous fool is not the strong man he *t...
24m May 30, 2025
24m
John Bolton on America's Isolationism
Former UN Ambassador, attorney, and foreign affairs expert Mr. John Bolton stops by the studio to talk with Rick about America's status on the global stage. Bolton articulates all of the complicated moving pieces of how America impacts the world and sheds light on threats toward the U.S., the effect of tariffs on our U.S. allies, Russia and Ukraine, and local security.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Yo...
35m May 27, 2025
35m
Trump, a Doddering Old Fool
This week, Rick's Elephant in the Room is Trump's mental decline. With the White House decidedly halting transcripts of Trump's speeches, and a rise of extreme political sharks circling the Oval Office, what's left of Trump's mental cognition has also apparently been deported without a court hearing. On a strict diet of Big Macs and Adderall, Trump's last "cognition test"  -- 'Person. Woman. Ma...
14m May 23, 2025
14m
From Baller to Senator: The G.O.A.T. of Virginia's Government
Fighting for Virginia, Senator Aaron Rouse -- born and raised in Virginia Beach and from area code 757 -- has risen in politics from the local level to statewide office. In 2025, Aaron is excited to run for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, being a person of and for the people. A former safety for the NFL's Green Bay Packers, Aaron brings a team approach to politics -- we're all on the same team...
33m May 20, 2025
33m
Exhausted AF But, Still, We Persist (and Resist)
This week's Elephant in the Room is exhaustion. You're feeling it, we're feeling it, and Trump and his administration are feeling it. Trump is falling asleep during meetings, and for his staffers, living in fear is draining. Overthrowing a democracy consumes a lot of energy from all sides. We knew another Trump term would mean another serious bout of adrenal fatigue, but this time, the array of...
16m May 16, 2025
16m
Jared Moskowitz on Why He Yells (to Get Through to the Dumb-Dumbs)!
This week, Jared Moskowitz -- the U.S. representative for Florida's 23rd congressional district -- joins Rick to shed light on why he whispers, i.e., yells, at James Comer. Unraveling the threads of the Trump administration's biggest headlines, Jared and Rick touch on Trump's vandalization of the American economy, the insanely stupid idea to roll back FEMA (something that will impact deeply-hel...
33m May 13, 2025
33m
The Trump Crime Family
This week's Elephant in the Room is the Trump Crime Family. 'Nuff said.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/...
9m May 09, 2025
9m
Michigan's Jocelyn Benson is 100% Salt of the Earth
 Removing partisan political rhetoric from state government, Michigan's Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson sits down with Rick to discuss her no-holds-barred style regarding local government. Married into the military, Jocelyn is a no-nonsense leader who isn't shaken by political threats on her life, campaign attacks from the far right, or the pressure to cave to Trump's "stolen election" claims...
28m May 06, 2025
28m
The Worst First 100 Days
In this week's Friday episode of the Elephant in the Room, Rick recaps Trump's first 100 days in office. From the corruption to the chaos to the skyrocketing costs to the coercion to the cruelty to casting aside the constitution, Trump's damage to our country is utterly unbelievable. And we are only 100 days in. What do the next 100 days look like?  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at...
19m May 02, 2025
19m
Shock and Awe is NOT a Governing Strategy
Author, journalist, documentarian, and television producer, Chris Whipple, is an expert on the political game and is always VERY plugged into DC's rumor mill. This week, Chris joins Rick to discuss everything from Trump's governing chaos to the formidable Susie Wiles, to a peek behind the curtains about what was happening in the White House at the end of Biden's term and how everything transpir...
33m Apr 29, 2025
33m
Numbers Don't Lie
This week's Elephant in the Room is all about the numbers. Rick explains how the one thing that Trump cannot fake could be the lynchpin to his unraveling and, ultimately, his downfall.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at ...
14m Apr 25, 2025
14m
Sheldon Whitehouse on Trump’s Flying Monkeys, Cosplaying Billionaires, & his Festival of Corruption
Rick is delighted to sit down with Senator-meets-influencer Sheldon Whitehouse, who is fed up and is "not going to take it anymore!" Chatting about Trump's flying monkey followers in the House, Senate, and in his administration, Sheldon and Rick unpack the three C's -- Cost, Chaos, and Corruption -- that are hurting Americans and will challenge Republicans in the upcoming 2026 race. ・・・・・・・・・...
32m Apr 22, 2025
32m
The Tipping Point
In this week's Elephant in the Room, Rick details the constitutional tipping point we find ourselves in as a democratic republic. If Trump and his administration continue to defy court orders, what can be done about this, and who else could they soon target? ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at ...
22m Apr 18, 2025
22m
Democrats Getting Their Sh*t Together While Leopards Eat MAGA's Face
Rick Wilson reconnects with fiery, down-the-middle Congresswoman Julie Johnson of Texas's 32nd congressional district (i.e., the greater Dallas region) to discuss how Dems are trying to get their sh*t together as the face-eating leopards finally turn their gazes to MAGA. (Yes, Trump's actions impact EVERYONE, not just "the other side.") ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Please follow Julie Johnson at @RepJu...
30m Apr 15, 2025
30m
Madness and Zero Method
Rick Wilson breaks down the events of the week — including the chaos caused by his 18th century and immediate financial evaporation — caused by Agent Orange in the White House. Navarro, Lutnick, and Trump couldn’t successfully run a Dollar Store let alone America’s complicated and robust economy. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on ...
20m Apr 11, 2025
20m
“Losing Our Asses” with Barry Ritholtz
Financial and Business Jedi Barry Ritholtz stops by to discuss Trump’s recklessness when it comes to America’s economy and our position in the global supply chain. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Barry Ritholtz @Ritholtz on X and @Rithotlz on Bluesky, and please pick up a copy of Barry's latest book, “How Not to Invest” (2025) wherever fine books are sold.  Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson o...
39m Apr 10, 2025
39m
Re-Release: RFK Jr. Will Kill Americans Sure As Death
After a second child dies of measles in Texas, we are re-releasing this episode from Rick. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us contin...
20m Apr 08, 2025
20m
Having the Courage to "Make Good Trouble"
The Elephant in the Room this week is a welcome one -- it's courage. Rick reflects on the positive events of this week, highlighting Cory Booker's strength, courage, and conviction as he rewrote history by beating Strom Thurmond's record while sharing stories about what America has become under the current Trump administration. In the absence of fear, courage would not exist. Cory beating out a...
19m Apr 04, 2025
19m
Michael Wolff Spills the Tea About the White House
Responsible for writing the hit bestselling book “Fire and Fury” and setting off Trump during his first term, journalist and bestselling author Michael Wolff joins Rick to share everything he’s been hearing about the White House. On a book tour for his new book, “All Or Nothing: How Trump Recaptured America,” Michael convenes with Rick to share their latest WH stories — and spill the tea — from...
34m Apr 01, 2025
34m
Hegseth F*cks the Troops on Signal
In this week's episode of The Elephant in the Room, Rick addresses Pete Hegseth's ignorant, cavalier, and callous actions by taking communications about military special operations to a F*CKING Signal group chat.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us...
24m Mar 28, 2025
24m
Mark Cuban is Independent AF
Mark Cuban joins Rick to chat about his journey into politics, what it's like dunking on Big Pharma with transparency and his company, CostPlus Drugs, and how America must "get smart" and position itself at the forefront of the robotics frontier.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Mark Cuban at @mcuban on X and @mcuban.bsky.social ob Bluesky. Check out Mark's prescription medication company, CostPlus ...
43m Mar 25, 2025
43m
Law and F*cking Disorder
In this week's episode of The Elephant in the Room, Rick interprets Trump's pushback against courts and judges who do not rule in his favor and what that could mean for now, for judges, and for the future of the country. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnpr...
17m Mar 21, 2025
17m
Jamie Raskin is a Democrat Who Fights Back
Maryland’s All-Star Congressman Jamie Raskin joins Rick on the podcast this week. A constitutional law expert and key leader in the January 6th Investigation, Congressman Raskin shares his insights on how Trump & Elon are dismantling the government, Trump’s clear desire to be a King, and how Democrats need to stick together and get tough if they expect to beat back the crazy. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・...
32m Mar 18, 2025
32m
American Impotence
Seven weeks in, Trump has a laundry list of failures.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a differenc...
15m Mar 14, 2025
15m
"Slava Ukraini!" and How America Can't Be Trusted RN
In a special double-header episode, Rick Wilson sits down with Alexander Vindman and Kenneth Harbaugh to discuss everything "Ukraine." Given Trump's unbelievable utter disrespect toward Zelensky and Ukraine during his recent Oval Office meeting and Trump's ongoing salivation over his man-crush and wannabe penpal Putin, this episode features THE experts who understand the lay of the land in Ukra...
33m Mar 11, 2025
33m
We Only Have So Many F*cks To Give
As Rick points out this week, we are operating in an Attention Economy. Let's stop being junkies and focus on what matters long-term for our nation. From Marco Rubio's small D moment on the couch to Trump's dinner theatre speech, we need to remain focused on what we CAN do while this sh*tshow continues... ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Su...
21m Mar 07, 2025
21m
Ian Bremmer on Why We're Fucked
Political scientist, author, and entrepreneur Ian Bremmer -- who's also the founder and president of Eurasia Group and the founder of GZERO Media -- stops by to chat with Rick about how we're fucked, and why we're fucked. There is nothing like sitting down with a good ole expert friend at the beginning of a potential World War to discuss the American economy, AI, global politics, and the growin...
36m Mar 04, 2025
36m
Trump's Kabuki "Playtime" Whitehouse
This week, Rick breaks down the Kabuki dance that Trump and his puppets are acting out in Washington. "Playing house" is cute; "playing whitehouse" is NOT. There are real-world consequences for these dumb dumbs' "playtime." ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.li...
17m Feb 28, 2025
17m
"Do Your Hands Have Calluses?" with Colorado's Working-Class Congressman Jason Crow
Jason Crow, a working-man representative from Colorado's 6th Congressional District, a J6 hero, and an Army Ranger, sits down with Rick to explain how he flipped a historically red district blue. A big proponent of talking to and for everyday working people, Jason prepares for his first town hall of the year by shedding light on how the Democrats must reassess their identity and messaging to re...
39m Feb 27, 2025
39m
Alex Gibney's Documentary Work is Proof that "Truth is Always Stranger than Fiction"
Prolific and multi-award-winning documentarian Alex Gibney, who's responsible for the most impactful documentaries of our time -- i.e., Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley, Totally Under Control, and MANY more --sits down with Rick Wilson to discuss his portfolio of work and how it reflects on the American character.  Alex's most rec...
30m Feb 25, 2025
30m
F*ck Trump Back + Freeze the Line
Rick breaks down Trump's major f*ck-ups this week on local, national, and international stages and explains what average Americans can do to band together and hold the line.  ・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If yo...
14m Feb 21, 2025
14m
It's Principles First for Heath Mayo
Principles First Founder Heath Mayo previews their upcoming conference and explains how their center-right organization offers an alternative choice -- maintaining American values without drinking the GOP's toxic Kool-Aid. ・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Heath Mayo at @HeathMayo and Principles First @Principles_1st on X and various other socials. Check out Principles First at http://principlesfirst.us and...
30m Feb 20, 2025
30m
David Cross on the Intersection of Comedy and Politics
Award-winning actor, writer, comedian, and super dad David Cross -- who we all know and love from Mr. Show, Arrested Development, his brilliant observational comedy and narrative standup shows, and Tenacious D -- joins Rick Wilson to discuss everything from growing up in Georgia to the best moments of his career thus far to folding American politics into his set. David is currently traveling th...
31m Feb 18, 2025
31m
Pledging Allegiance to Whom?
Rick breaks down the events of this past week and what particular confirmations mean for the U.S. as they relate to the war in Ukraine, China, Russia, our tried-and-true European allies, and others around the globe. This was a bleak week for the US on the world stage, folks.  ・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Joi...
21m Feb 14, 2025
21m
Kiss the Ring, B*tch
Lawyer and author Jeffrey Toobin joins Rick Wilson to discuss the new era of presidential (and transactional) pardons and shed light on his new book, "The Pardon: The Politics of Presidential Mercy." ・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X ...
37m Feb 11, 2025
37m
CHAOS MONKEY ADDICTION
Rick depicts the ACTUAL national crisis and what tools Dems need to use to beat the boundless Chaos Monkey.  ・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to expand our reach and continue this critical work, visi...
23m Feb 07, 2025
23m
The Growing White Boy Problem
Rick and extremism expert Dr. Peter Simi break down the news of this past week -- highlighting Trump's/GOP's surging white nationalist pandemic.   ・・・・・・・・・・・ Dr. Peter Simi is understandably NOT on Twitter/X, but you can reach out to him at his Chapman University email on his page https://www.chapman.edu/our-faculty/pete-simi. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Su...
30m Feb 04, 2025
30m
RFK Jr. Will Kill Americans Sure As Death
Rick addresses the most dangerous man on Trump’s lineup… RFK Jr. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and all the other social media platforms, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
18m Jan 31, 2025
18m
MAGA Granny Refuses J6 Pardon
Rick dissects "MAGA Granny" Pamela Hemphill's journey on J6 and with the MAGA cult, exploring what led her to join the group and what ultimately opened her eyes and prompted her exit. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X or at https://bsky.app/profile/therickwilson.bsky.social at Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at ww...
29m Jan 28, 2025
29m
Re-Release: Dr. Peter Simi on White Nationalist Extremism
Rick talks to Peter Simi, a sociology professor and expert in extremism, about the alarming rise of white supremacy in the US, where the movement has evolved from the overt image of the Klan to a slick, social media-driven force. Simi highlights how figures like Donald Trump and his talking heads amplify these ideologies and how followers are being recruited online. He emphasizes the need for i...
33m Jan 23, 2025
33m
Re-release of Robert Kagan on Trump 2.0: A Global Nightmare?
Rick talks with author Robert Kagan about anti-liberalism and its resurgence in the United States. They explore the historical resistance to individual rights, the rise of white Christian nationalism, and the potential global implications of a second Trump administration. You can read Robert Kagan’s columns in The Washington Post and you can buy his book “Rebellion: How Antiiberalism Is Tearing...
32m Jan 21, 2025
32m
Re-release of Brian Tyler Cohen
Rick dives deep with Brian Tyler Cohen about his explosive new book, ‘Shameless: Republicans’ Deliberate Dysfunction and the Battle to Preserve Democracy.’ Together, they unpack the glaring hypocrisy between the GOP’s ‘patriotic’ talk and their counterintuitive actions, while also stressing the urgent need for Democrats to stay focused and secure the necessary votes to preserve democracy. Follo...
29m Jan 17, 2025
29m
Senator Ron Wyden’s Hutzpah!
Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon joins Rick to discuss bipartisanship and getting sh*t done. Follow Senator Wyden on X at @RonWyden and buy his book “It Takes Chutzpah: How to Fight Fearlessly for Progressive Change” at fine bookstores everywhere. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X or at https://bsky.app/profile/therickwilson.bsky.social at Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwil...
29m Jan 14, 2025
29m
Trump Fought the Law and the Law Won
Rick breaks down the news from today regarding the Supreme Court's ruling on Trump's sentencing.  Follow Rick Wilson at http://www.twitter.com/TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his substack at https://therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at http://www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at http://www.twitter.com/ProjectLincoln. Learn more about your ad choices. V...
6m Jan 11, 2025
6m
428: RFK Jr.’s No Vax Quacks
Pediatric immunologist Dr. Paul Offit unpacks what RFK Jr.’s radical vaccine reversal could mean for public health and our children. Follow Paul Offit on X at @DrPaulOffit on X, subscribe to his Substack at pauloffit.substack.com, and buy his book “Tell Me When It’s Over” at fine bookstores everywhere. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X or at https://bsky.app/profile/therickwilson.bsky.s...
33m Jan 09, 2025
33m
427: "From the bottom of my heart to the GOP, GO F*CK YOURSELVES."
For those GOP folks who thought Rick would shut up or go away, he has a special message for you at the end of this episode. For those who stand alongside us as we forge ahead, don't obey in advance -- keep on keeping on with us. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X or at https://bsky.app/profile/therickwilson.bsky.social at Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.c...
20m Jan 07, 2025
20m
426: The Imperial Presidency
Timothy Naftali, presidential historian for the Nixon Presidential Library, Columbia Scholar, and prolific writer/author, sits down with host Rick Wilson to discuss the possibility of an imperial presidency and what that means for the US on the world stage. Follow Timothy Naftali on X at @TimNaftali and read the article Rick mentions in this episode here: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/arch...
35m Jan 01, 2025
35m
425: Doris Kearns Goodwin & Her Marriage to a Presidential Speechwriter
Presidential historian, author, and former sports journalist Doris Kearns Goodwin goes on the record with host Rick Wilson and gives an inside look at what it was like to be behind the scenes at the Whitehouse during Kennedy's aspirational "Camelot Era" and into LBJ's "Great Society" period. As the wife of the late Dick Goodwin, the speechwriter who penned LBJ's "We Shall Overcome" speech, Dori...
28m Dec 30, 2024
28m
424: Ron Filipkowski – "Stop the Blamestorming!"
Fellow straight-shooter Ron Filipkowski – the Editor-in-Chief of MeidasTouch – and host Rick Wilson huddle up to speak some hard truths to the Democrats. Instead of their typical infighting, bickering, and turning on one another, the Democrats need to take a page from the old-school Republican playbook: hold the line, stand united as one, and channel all of that wasted energy toward the real en...
32m Dec 27, 2024
32m
423: Andrew McCabe on the potential “Kash Damages”
Former acting and deputy director of the FBI, Andrew McCabe and Rick discuss what a potential Kash term could look like. Listen to Andrew McCabe on “Jack: A Special Counsel Podcast” on your favorite podcasting platform. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X or at https://bsky.app/profile/therickwilson.bsky.social at Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join...
29m Dec 23, 2024
29m