Capitalism, Explained
Capitalism is having a moment in our current political discourse. And believe it or not, we haven't always been so quick to openly bash – or defend – it. Noel King, co-host of Vox Media's Today, Explained podcast, and her team have been exploring the forces behind American capitalism in a four-part series called Blame Capitalism. She joins us to unpack how differently both sides of the politica...
20m Sep 27, 2023
20m
Pickets Down
The Writers Guild of America late Sunday evening announced a tentative agreement with the major studios. The Guild has said that it got most of what it wanted, including increased pay for writers on streaming content, minimum staffing requirements for TV shows, and guarantees from the studios over the use of artificial intelligence. We’re joined by WGA member Vicky Luu to talk about her reactio...
16m Sep 26, 2023
16m
Bob's Discount Bribery Scandal
New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez is facing calls from fellow Democrats to resign, as he faces federal bribery charges – the second time he’s been prosecuted for alleged corruption in the past 10 years. Menendez is accused of accepting cash, gold, and other gifts to secretly help Egypt’s government. It’s been a cliffhanger weekend for Hollywood, as the Writers Guild of America announced late Sun...
14m Sep 25, 2023
14m
Make Way For A New Murdoch
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Washington D.C. on Thursday to meet with President Biden and Senate leaders. Zelensky is trying to secure additional funding from the U.S. to help in the fight against Russian forces. But some Republican lawmakers are reluctant to continue financial support for Ukraine. Billionaire right-wing media mogul Rupert Murdoch is stepping down as chairman...
19m Sep 22, 2023
19m
Going After Garland
Attorney General Merrick Garland testified before the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. During the nearly six-hour hearing, pushed back against claims that the Justice Department is unfairly protecting President Biden and his son Hunter, who has been under investigation since 2018. The trial of two police officers accused in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain began in Colora...
19m Sep 21, 2023
19m
Some Assembly Required
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the U.N. General Assembly yesterday, framing Russia’s aggression in Ukraine as a “genocide.” He’s also hoping to shore up support in Washington this week, amid skepticism from Republicans over whether to send Ukraine another $24 billion in aid. A New York City daycare owner and one of her relatives face federal charges after four children in her...
22m Sep 20, 2023
22m
Bye Bye, Bail
Five Americans detained in Iran for years are on their way back home as part of a rare agreement between the United States and Iran. In exchange, the U.S. released a group of Iranian prisoners, and restored Tehran’s access to some $6 billion dollars in oil revenues. Illinois became the first state in the nation to fully eliminate cash bail on Monday. The new law is a major win in the fight aga...
19m Sep 19, 2023
19m
Autoworkers, Roll Out!
The United Auto Workers Union is on strike at all three of Detroit’s major automakers — General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis. This is the first time in history it’s done that. Nearly 13,000 workers walked off the job at three auto plants across the country on Friday to fight for better wages and benefits as negotiations for a new labor contract continue. And in headlines: Texas Attorney Genera...
16m Sep 18, 2023
16m
Remembering Mahsa Amini, One Year Later
September 16th marks the one year anniversary since the death of Mahsa Amini and the start of a women-led revolution in Iran. The 22-year-old died in custody at the hands of the so-called morality police after allegedly violating the regime’s dress code. And within days, Iranians filled the streets in outrage. We’re joined by Iranian-American journalist Suzanne Kianpour to talk about how Iran h...
22m Sep 15, 2023
22m
UAW Races To The Deadline
Members of the United Auto Workers union are in the final countdown to reach a labor agreement with Detroit automakers. If agreements aren’t reached by 11:59pm ET Thursday night, then autoworkers will implement targeted strikes at plants run by General Motors, Ford Motor and Stellantis. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un met up at a summit on Wednesday in Ea...
21m Sep 14, 2023
21m
Hey Google, Why Is The DOJ Suing You
The government’s antitrust trial against Google kicked off yesterday as lawyers for the Department of Justice gave opening statements in their case. They argued that Google illegally created a monopoly with its titular search engine to squash competitors like Yahoo and Bing. We’re joined by Sara Morrison, senior tech reporter at Vox, to break down the case, why it matters and what comes next. ...
20m Sep 13, 2023
20m
This Ken Is On Trial
The 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack was yesterday, and officials around the country memorialized the nearly 3,000 people who were killed. Roughly 40 percent of the victims remain unidentified, but officials recently used DNA testing to discover the identities of two more of those killed in the attack. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment trial continued into its fifth ...
24m Sep 12, 2023
24m
Morocco Races To Save Quake Victims
A destructive 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Morocco late Friday night and left 2,000 people dead and thousands injured. It’s the strongest to hit the country in over a century and rescue and recovery efforts have since been slow and tough. It's looking more and more likely that auto workers will go on strike starting this Friday. That’s unless United Auto Workers and the big three U.S. carma...
16m Sep 11, 2023
16m
The Tension Over Tourism In Hawai'i
In a new report, Hawai'i’s Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism estimates that because of the Maui fire damages, the state’s economy will lose about $1.9 billion through 2024. So while state tourism officials initially urged tourists to stay away from Maui, they’ve now started to encourage tourists to come back to other parts of Maui and other Hawaiian islands to boost the ...
20m Sep 08, 2023
20m
Kill Drill
It's only been five weeks since Justice Janet Protasiewicz was sworn in to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, but state Republicans are hell-bent on getting her kicked off the court before she even hears her first case. In their latest effort, Republicans in the state are floating the idea of impeaching Protasiewicz for statements she made about legislative maps. The Biden administration announced o...
20m Sep 07, 2023
20m
You Are Not A Loan
Interest on federal student loans has officially resumed, and payments are set to restart on October 1st. On Tuesday, however, a group of Senate Republicans introduced legislation to block President Biden’s Saving on Valuable Education Plan — or SAVE Plan — from going into effect, despite how it could help millions of people struggling to pay off their debt. For more, we’re joined by Braxton Br...
21m Sep 06, 2023
21m
COVID Surge Protection
COVID cases and hospitalizations are on the rise in the U.S., and experts are closely monitoring a new variant nicknamed “Pirola.” Plus, there might be a new, updated vaccine as early as next week. We’re joined by Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, host of Crooked’s America Dissected, to talk about the latest uptick and what to expect in the coming months. Show notes: What A Day – YouTube – https://www.yout...
22m Sep 05, 2023
22m
Proud Boys Swallowed Their Pride
Two more leaders of the Proud Boys were sentenced yesterday for their roles in the January 6th insurrection. Joe Biggs was sentenced to 17 years in prison while Zachary Rehl was sentenced to 15 years. Plus, Donald Trump pleaded not guilty on Thursday in the Georgia criminal case where he’s accused of racketeering in his efforts to upend the 2020 presidential election results in the state. Supr...
19m Sep 01, 2023
19m
Why You Gotta Be So Rudy?
Hurricane Idalia made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast yesterday morning and wreaked havoc in its wake. So far, it has left at least two people dead and caused major flooding and destruction. A federal judge on Wednesday ruled that Rudy Giuliani is liable in a defamation lawsuit brought by two Georgia election workers. They say their lives were upended after being targeted by Giuliani and Dona...
18m Aug 31, 2023
18m
Only Fun Drugs Should Cost Money
The Biden administration on Tuesday shared the first ten prescription drugs that it has chosen for price negotiations through Medicare. The Biden administration will try to lower Medicare prices for the drugs by negotiating with their respective manufacturers to ease the burden of their otherwise exorbitant costs. Former employees at Twitter – a.k.a. X – have filed thousands of arbitration com...
19m Aug 30, 2023
19m
Trump's March To Trial
March 4, 2024 will be the first day for Donald Trump’s federal criminal trial in which he is charged with attempting to subvert the 2020 presidential election results on January 6th. That trial date means it comes one day before the Super Tuesday primary. Tropical Storm Idalia is headed towards the U.S. and is expected to become a "major hurricane" by the time it hits Florida as early as tonig...
26m Aug 29, 2023
26m
The Persecution Of Prosectors
A white gunman shot and killed three Black people in a racist attack at a Dollar General store on Saturday in Jacksonville, Florida. The attack is the latest incidence of racist gun violence perpetrated by a young, white gunman in the United States, and it is being investigated as a hate crime. Georgia Republicans have expedited the passing of a new state law that would allow the legislature t...
23m Aug 28, 2023
23m
The Trump Mugshot Seen 'Round the World
Former President Donald Trump surrendered on Thursday at the Fulton County Jail on felony charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. He was released on a $200,000 bond. Meanwhile in the criminal case over mishandled classified documents, a former Mar-a-Lago employee who monitored the security cameras flipped on Trump after switching lawyers. Japan released...
21m Aug 25, 2023
21m
Not My Debate, Not My Monkeys
The first Republican presidential debate took place in Milwaukee on Wednesday night. There was a lot of finger pointing and interrupting on the stage, but no Donald Trump. Instead, he appeared in a pre-recorded interview with Tucker Carlson that debuted on X at the exact same time. We’re joined by Crooked’s Editor-in-Chief Brian Beutler and Alyssa Mastromonaco of Crooked’s Hysteria podcast for ...
26m Aug 24, 2023
26m
The Teacher Shortage Cheat Sheet with Becky Pringle
Students across the country head back to school this month, but tens of thousands of teacher positions remain vacant and more than 160,000 positions are filled by under-qualified teachers. We’re joined by Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, to learn more about the nationwide teacher shortage. And in headlines: Donald Trump’s co-defendants in the Georgia election int...
22m Aug 23, 2023
22m
We Give It A One Out Of Tennessee
Tennessee lawmakers gathered yesterday for the start of a week-long special session on public safety and mental health. But as of Monday evening, the Senate adjourned without passing any meaningful legislation and the House adopted rules that bar lawmakers they deem as "unruly" from participating in discussion. President Biden arrived in Maui yesterday afternoon where he met with survivors and...
17m Aug 22, 2023
17m
Beating Bans On Gender-Affirming Care
Tropical Storm Hilary made landfall in Mexico’s Baja California region yesterday and the center of the storm officially moved into Southern California Sunday evening. It’s expected to have a major effect on the region, where it could drop more than a year's worth of rain in parts of California, Nevada, and Arizona. Twenty states have enacted bans or restrictions on gender-affirming care for mi...
23m Aug 21, 2023
23m
The DeSantis Documents
Hundreds of documents containing detailed debate advice seemingly intended for Gov. Ron DeSantis were posted online this week, according to reporting by The New York Times. The documents – which were later taken down – were posted by Axiom Strategies, the company owned by the chief strategist for DeSantis's Super PAC. Earlier this month, a Texas woman was arrested and charged with threatening ...
24m Aug 18, 2023
24m
Your Rights Are Not Set In Mifepristone
A federal appeals court ruled yesterday that it would impose restrictions on the abortion pill mifepristone, including preventing it from being prescribed via telehealth or sent through the mail. But those restrictions won’t go into effect immediately due to a previous stay by the Supreme Court. Republican state leaders like Texas Governor Greg Abbott continue the inhumane practice of busing a...
20m Aug 17, 2023
20m
The Future Of Tribes with Cherokee Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr
Donald Trump was indicted for a fourth time Monday night. Trump now faces a total of 91 criminal counts across four separate cases. A Texas lawsuit against Planned Parenthood seeks more than $1.8 billion in reimbursement, penalties and fees after the state moved to cut the organization as a Medicaid provider. Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, the same judge who halted federal approval of mifepristone b...
25m Aug 16, 2023
25m
Trump's Fourth Indictment
Donald Trump was charged with 13 felonies in Georgia yesterday, including forgery, filing false documents and racketeering. Eighteen others in his circle were indicted as well, all tied to the alleged attempt to overturn the outcome in Georgia’s 2020 Presidential Election. To break down the charges, we’re joined by Morgan Cloud, professor of law at Emory University who specializes in Georgia’s ...
18m Aug 15, 2023
18m
Staying Lahaina Strong
More than 90 people have been killed in Maui since wildfires erupted last week, making it the deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in over a century. The Hawai’i Tourism Authority is urging travelers to not visit the island at this time as organizers work to provide shelter to thousands of displaced residents. Former president Donald Trump could face his fourth criminal indictment as soon as this we...
17m Aug 14, 2023
17m
How to Help Maui Locals
Rescue efforts continue in Maui after fast-moving wildfires caused catastrophic damage across the island this week. The death toll from the wildfires has risen to at least 53 with several others wounded. Thousands of Maui residents have been displaced by the catastrophe, as well. The Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers will return to the negotia...
21m Aug 11, 2023
21m
Maui Residents Flee Deadly Fires
Raging wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui have killed six people and displaced thousands more. Hundreds of homes and businesses have been destroyed as well, including within the historic town of Lahaina. Leaders of eight South American countries that share the Amazon rainforest wrapped up a two-day summit in Belem, Brazil yesterday. By the end of the gathering, the group – known as the A...
21m Aug 10, 2023
21m
OH Said No!
Ohio overwhelmingly voted against Issue 1 in a statewide special election on Tuesday. It’s a major relief because the ballot measure would have made it harder to change the state’s constitution and protect abortion rights in an upcoming vote this November. The Supreme Court sided with President Biden in a 5-4 ruling Tuesday and allowed his regulations related to ghost guns to move forward. Tha...
18m Aug 09, 2023
18m
Oh Hi Go Vote
Donald Trump’s lawyers argued on Monday that prosecutors are infringing on Trump's First Amendment rights by asking him not to discuss the case over his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. That comes after special counsel Jack Smith on Friday asked for a protective order that limits disclosure of discovery material in the case, and referenced Trump's incendiary social media post. Oh...
24m Aug 08, 2023
24m
Falling Short One Goal
The United States is officially out of the Women’s World Cup after a heartbreaking and dramatic loss to Sweden on Sunday. The loss marks the earliest tournament exit in the history of the team. Today, England faces Nigeria and Australia takes on Denmark. On July 29th, O'Shae Sibley, a gay man and professional dancer, was fatally stabbed at a Brooklyn gas station while listening to Beyoncé and ...
21m Aug 07, 2023
21m
Even the Scandals are Bigger in Texas
Former President Trump pleaded not guilty to the four criminal charges against him tied to his actions leading up to January 6th. The next hearing will be on August 28th. Suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s long-delayed criminal trial is expected to begin early 2024. But before that, he has an upcoming impeachment trial on September 5th. Also in Texas: A federal lawsuit was filed on...
23m Aug 04, 2023
23m
Keeping It 100°+
Last July was so hot that 81 percent of the world's population endured sweltering heat, according to a new report by the science non-profit Climate Central. The temps broke records across the globe. Next week President Biden visits the nation's Southwest to talk more about his plans to combat climate change. Negotiations in Hollywood may soon resume nearly 100 days since the strike began. The ...
21m Aug 03, 2023
21m
Do The Indict Thing
Former President Donald Trump was indicted for the third time on Tuesday for the alleged role he played to overturn the 2020 election. He was charged with four criminal counts including conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and more. We talk with Leah Litman, professor of law at the University of Michigan and co-host of Crooked’s Strict Scrutiny ...
20m Aug 02, 2023
20m
The Devil Went Down To Georgia
A Georgia judge on Monday rejected former president Donald Trump’s effort to stop an investigation into whether he interfered in the 2020 election results in that state. It comes as Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis says her office is “ready to go” to announce her decision on whether to charge Trump in that case. And in headlines: a federal judge in Arkansas temporarily blocked a sta...
23m Aug 01, 2023
23m
We Have Issues With This One
The latest battle over abortion rights is set to begin in Ohio. On August 8th, voters in the Buckeye State will decide on Issue 1, a ballot initiative about ballot initiatives (yes, you read that right). The outcome will determine whether or not Ohioans can decide in November whether to enshrine abortion access into the state's constitution. And in headlines: Russia's military says it brought ...
15m Jul 31, 2023
15m
More Charges, More Problems
Former President Donald Trump is facing additional charges in the case over his handling of classified documents. The superseding indictment accuses Trump, along with two of his aides, of trying to delete security video from Mar-a-Lago to keep federal investigators from viewing it. The new charges came down hours after Trump's legal team met with special counsel Jack Smith in Washington, D.C., ...
17m Jul 28, 2023
17m
Here's The Deal With Hunter Biden
A federal judge has delayed approval for Hunter Biden’s plea deal with the Justice Department over tax and gun charges. The agreement the president’s son reached with prosecutors unexpectedly fell apart Wednesday, after the judge raised concerns about some of its conditions. Former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani admitted in court documents that he made ‘false’ and defamatory statements about two f...
20m Jul 27, 2023
20m
What Can Organizing Do For You?
UPS and the Teamsters union — which represents about 340,000 UPS workers nationwide — reached a tentative labor deal on Tuesday, averting what would have been the largest strike involving a single employer in the history of the United States. Workers still need to ratify the agreement, which includes wage increases and new worker protections. Though the Supreme Court ended affirmative action i...
17m Jul 26, 2023
17m
Coal Miner's Dilemma
Black lung disease, a debilitating and incurable condition that affects coal miners, is now on the rise for younger mine workers in Central Appalachia – which labor advocates say is due to unsafe working conditions that have gone unchecked. Journalist Kim Kelly joins us to discuss her investigative reporting on the issue, and what’s being done to protect miners from the dangers they face on the...
20m Jul 25, 2023
20m
The Far Right's Not Alright
Israel’s parliament is set to vote today on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to reform the country’s judicial system. Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets across Israel to protest the proposal, saying that it threatens the country’s democratic foundation. Voters in Spain cast their ballots in what was arguably one of the most important elections in that country in years...
18m Jul 24, 2023
18m
Indictment Girl Summer
A federal grand jury investigating Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results met on Thursday in Washington, D.C. and heard testimony from former Trump aide William Russell. The meeting comes after Trump this week revealed that he received a target letter from Special Counsel Jack Smith, informing him that he is the subject of the federal investigation. The 2023 FIFA Women’s ...
19m Jul 21, 2023
19m
Bringing SCOTUS Up To Code
The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to vote on a bill today that would impose a code of ethics on the Supreme Court. While Democrats say the move is necessary in light of recent reports about Justice Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito's relationship with GOP mega donors, the legislation is unlikely to become law due to strong opposition from Republicans. Private health insurance companies have...
18m Jul 20, 2023
18m
Indictments Come In Threes
Former President Donald Trump said Tuesday he received another "target letter" from the Justice Department, this time, saying he could face a federal indictment over his bid to overturn the results of the 2020 election. While the exact charges were not immediately clear, it indicates that Trump could soon face his third criminal indictment this year. Alabama Republicans on Monday proposed a re...
19m Jul 19, 2023
19m