The Latest

Trump loves dictators. For today's episode, Rick discusses Bob Woodward's new book War, which highlights Donald Trump's admiration for dictators, particularly Vladimir Putin. He argues that Trump's transactional nature and attraction to power make him susceptible to autocratic influences. He warns that if re-elected, Trump would likely cut U.S. support for Ukraine, leading to a Russian victory and weakening NATO. Trump's worldview aligns more with authoritarianism than democracy, posing a serious threat to global stability and American values.

We're four weeks out from election day but early voting is well underway in many states. Simon Rosenberg shed light on how the early vote is looking - learn why it's encouraging - and set the stakes for continuing to work more and worry less over the next month. Catch up now!

Rick dissects Trump’s blatant lies about Biden’s response to Hurricane Helene, and the long history of MAGA using tragedy for political gain. He discusses the use of social media and AI to disseminate disinformation, particularly Marjorie Taylor Greene’s absurd claim that “they” control the weather.

In a classic Rick rant, he breaks down the politicization of Hurricane Helene, criticizing the usual suspects (Trump, Elon Musk, etc) for spreading misinformation about FEMA's response. He highlights the coordinated, bipartisan efforts of federal and state governments in addressing the disaster and condemns the use of tragedies for political gain.

This episode tells the fictional story of a middle school that opens its doors to unvaccinated students after a possible second -term President Trump eliminates Federal funding for schools with vaccine mandates. The story follows the school nurse, Stephanie Morris, as she navigates the influx of unvaccinated students and the resulting disease outbreaks that spread rapidly through the school and community. The narrative illustrates the real-world implications of the president's policy, with outbreaks of diseases like measles, whooping cough, and the flu causing hospitalizations and even deaths among vulnerable students and staff. The story highlights the challenges faced by the school nurse in trying to protect the health of all students, including her own daughter who has an autoimmune condition, without the backing of mandatory vaccination policies. Overall, the episode demonstrates how Donald Trump’s promise to defund schools with vaccine mandates could have devastating consequences for children's health and safety. We'd like to thank all the artists who volunteered their time to make this episode: Laurie Burke, Leigh McGowan who read the chapters & Audrey Hakes , Joe Walsh, & others who contributed character voices. Sound design by Marilys Ernst and Jonathan Moser. Trump's Project 2025: Up Close and Personal written by Pepper and produced by Pepper, Melissa Jo Peltier and Jay Feldman and is a production of Ovington Avenue Productions and The Bill Press Pod.

With less than 5 weeks to go, Joe and Alex breakdown where the race stands. How things like field strategy, early voting, and new voter registration numbers can make a huge difference in a campaign that will be won on the margins. What does Jack Smith's bombshell evidence do to change the race? What about Tim Walz calling out JD Vance about 2020? All of it matters.

Stuart Stevens writes campaigns decide if they want 'hot' or 'cold' debates and strategy and tactics come from that. Vance had another calculation - what would serve his personal political ambitions best with his eyes already on 2028.

Trump, Vance and Project 2025 are crystal clear that the first move of their right-wing takeover of American government would be the displacement of tens of thousands of non-partisan civil servants with political and personal loyalists. And they’re equally clear that displacing science and scientists is a central theme of that agenda.

Andra Watkins writes, "No matter where you live, women's rights are on the ballot."

Rick Wilson and Michael Cohen break down Donald Trump’s declining mental state and the chaos of his ongoing campaign. They dive into his increasingly erratic debate performances, weakening rally appeal, and the dangerous global implications of a Trump return to power.

When Fox News doesn’t like reality it makes up its own. Fox News hosts pretended Kamala Harris was tanking in the polls when she’s actually gaining more ground on Trump. Fox also ignored the easily verifiable timeline associated with the criminal indictment surrounding New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The FBI started investigating Adams two years before the mayor started feuding with President Biden. Fox also gave up an hour of its airtime for Trump to use as a platform for his campaign. Jesse Watters compared Kamala Harris to an actual infant.

It was slick, dishonest, and unwilling to say Trump lost in 2020 versus honest, moral, and solutions and policy driven. Our opinion? If you can't acknowledge that Joe Biden won the 2020 election and we live in a legitimate democracy, then game over. Get off the field. Stuart Stevens, Dr. Jen Mercieca, and Lisa Senecal discuss debate strategy, Trump rhetorical decompensation, and what this debate means going forward - and we livestreamed the debate - catch up here.

In Chapter 3, the fact-based fictional story of Dr. Yvette Hardman and JJ Newsom depicts the dismantling of expertise and science-based decision making in the federal government under a possible second Trump administration guided by Project 2025. Dr. Hardman, an experienced infectious disease expert, is removed from her position at the CDC and replaced by JJ Newsom, an unqualified political loyalist with no relevant experience. This reflects Project 2025's plan to fill government positions with partisan appointees rather than nonpartisan experts. The new administration rejects science-based pandemic response recommendations from Dr. Hardman instead prioritizing political and economic considerations over public health. This aligns with Project 2025's directives to limit the CDC's ability to make public health recommendations. The story highlights the Trump administration's hostility towards science and the displacement of experienced civil servants, which Project 2025 seeks to accelerate through measures like the "Schedule F" executive order to reclassify and fire federal employees. Overall, the narrative illustrates how a second Trump term guided by Project 2025 would undermine the role of expertise and independent scientific advice in government, with potentially disastrous consequences for public health and safety. We'd like to thank all the artists who volunteered their time to make this episode: CCH Pounder, Richard Schiff and Jason Kravits who read the chapters and Omid Abtahi, Tom Nichols, Laurie Burke and Joanne Carducci who did the voices. Sound design by Marilys Ernst and Jon Moser. Trump's Project 2025: Up Close and Personal was written by David Pepper and produced by Pepper, Melissa Jo Peltier and Jay Feldman and is a production of Ovington Avenue Productions and The Bill Press Pod.

It can feel at times like there's nothing we don't know about Trump. However, there are still a few select people who seem to be able to uncover more and more, giving us critical insight into the former President. In this episode, Rick interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Susanne Craig and Russ Buettner about their new book, Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success. They delve into Trump’s long-standing strategy of creating an illusion of wealth, his reliance on tax loopholes, and how he used his father's empire to prop up his failing ventures. The conversation also touches on Trump's role in the USFL's downfall, his relationship with banks, and the lasting impact of The Apprentice on his public image. Susanne and Russ' book, Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success, available now.

Rick talks to Senator John Fetterman about the neck and neck presidential race in Pennsylvania, where the winner will likely decide the election. They discuss the razor-thin margin Trump won the state by in 2016 and the hot-button issues this year like abortion and the economy. Fetterman emphasizes the importance of authenticity in political candidates, and his belief that winning hinges on keeping it real.

Brian Daitzman writes, "Clay Higgins is not an outlier within today’s Republican Party. His racist tirade and embrace of conspiracy theories are representative of a larger movement that has taken root within the GOP. "

How can big tech and a healthy democracy coexist? In this episode Rick is joined by Marietje Schaake, author of The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley. Together, they delve into the growing influence of big tech companies on global democracy, the dangers posed by unchecked data collection, and the rise of tools like Pegasus spyware. Schaake highlights the need for greater transparency, regulation, and accountability in the tech sector, while addressing the potential threats to privacy and democratic freedoms. They also discuss the weaponization of data by companies like Palantir and Cambridge Analytica, as well as potential solutions to safeguard democratic systems in the face of advancing technology. Marietje's book, The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley, available now.

Simon Rosenberg joins the show to explain why he's as optimistic as he's ever been. No, it's not hopium - there are clear signs everywhere. From Nebraska to North Carolina to a massive shift in the youth vote. And how does Simon think we can win this election in October?

Rick is joined by The Lincoln Project’s Senior Creative Advisor as the two former Republicans reflect on their experiences during the Trump years. They also offer a glimpse under the hood at the creative process and strategy behind The Lincoln Project, revealing how they develop their hard-hitting political messaging and campaigns. Follow Ben Howe on X @BenHowe and buy his book “The Immoral Majority: Why Evangelicals Chose Political Power over Christian Values” at fine bookstores everywhere. 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. And please subscribe, rate and review this podcast, thank you!