So how did Trump maintain a stranglehold on the Republican party after his first term? What happened at Mar-a-Lago and what can we learn that we don't already know? In this episode Rick sits with Meridith McGraw, a national political correspondent for Politico and author of the new book "Trump in Exile." They delve into McGraw's comprehensive reporting on Donald Trump's activities and influence during his time at Mar-a-Lago following his departure from the White House. The discussion covers Trump's legal challenges, his interactions with key political figures like Kevin McCarthy, and the strategic moves that bolstered his position within the Republican Party. McGraw also shares insights on the internal dynamics of Trump's team and his rivalry with Ron DeSantis.
Meridith's book, Trump in Exile, available now.
Trump has no mandate. Full stop. Does he want to pretend he does? You bet! But it’s a bad bet for Trump and he is way overplaying a bad hand. His sinking numbers with the American people on everything from the economy to Elon tell the story. Lisa Senecal, executive editor of Resolute Square, joins Maya May to punch up at a very deserving bully, Donald John Trump, the POTUS Who Cried Mandate. They discuss why Trump’s attempt to show strength in Tuesday's Castro-esque rant before the joint session of Congress was really a huge tell of where he knows he’s weak and failing.
The balance of power in American democracy is being tested like never before. In this episode Rick is joined by legal expert and author Tristan Snell to discuss the latest legal battles surrounding Trump, the Supreme Court’s role in shaping executive power, and the broader implications for American democracy. They break down key cases, including the limits of presidential immunity, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the growing constitutional crisis if Trump defies court rulings. Visit Tristan's Substack at tristansnell.com.
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 growing dangers inside and outside the U.S. democratic government.
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Follow Ian Bremmer at @ianbremmer on X & @ianbremmer.com on Bluesky
Check out more of Ian's work at @eurasiagroup.net and @gzeromedia.com
Brian Daitzman writes, "For years, U.S. allies privately acknowledged what had been taboo to say outright: that the United States, under Trump, was falling into autocracy and was no longer a defender of democracy, but an enemy of it." Now, it's all out in public.
America’s political landscape is shifting in dangerous ways. On today's episode Rick is joined by journalist and author Garrett Graff to dissect the current crisis in U.S. democracy, where unchecked power, disruptive media narratives, and the staggering influence of figures like Elon Musk are redrawing the rules of governance. Graff introduces his incisive newsletter, Doomsday Scenario, which reimagines American news as if it were unfolding overseas—casting a stark light on the nation's mounting instability and the erosion of federal institutions.
Subscribe to Garrett's newsletter at doomsdayscenario.co.
