Rick Wilson's The Enemies List

In the bizarro world that is Trump's America, Michael Flynn sued Rick. In today's special episode, Rick details the case and how, at long last, he prevailed. A victory for common sense and free speech.

Is democracy in decline? Clearly. In this episode Rick sits down with Emily Amick, co-author of Democracy in Retrograde, to discuss the challenges facing American democracy and how to reclaim civic engagement in the age of polarization and outrage. They explore the rise of minority rule, the impact of social media on public discourse, and the erosion of community ties. Emily shares actionable insights from her book, including how individuals can create sustainable civic action plans and rebuild connections to strengthen democracy. Emily's book, Democracy in Retrograde, available now.

Without Freedom, We Are Lost Is America heading toward a tyrannical, authoritarian system? Taking for granted our basic pursuit of freedom? In today's episode Rick is joined by historian and Yale professor Timothy Snyder to discuss his latest book, On Freedom. Building on the themes of his influential work On Tyranny, Snyder explores the deeper meaning of freedom, its vulnerabilities in modern America, and how to preserve it against rising authoritarian tendencies. The conversation digs into the dangers of "sado-populism," the distortion of free speech, and the seductive appeal of authoritarianism. Snyder offers a powerful case for the value of freedom as a cornerstone of human dignity and creativity. Timothy's book, On Freedom, available now.

On today's episode, Rick answers your burning questions submitted from across the interweb. We plan to do more Q&A episodes in 2025 so please send in your questions to info@therickwilson.com. Follow Resolute Square:

We begin this episode with a quick note of appreciation from Rick, to you and everyone who has supported in this fight. From there Rick sits down with New York Times bestselling author Michael Tackett to discuss his new book, The Price of Power: How Mitch McConnell Mastered the Senate, Changed America, and Lost His Party. Tackett unpacks McConnell's transformation from a pragmatic politician to a key architect of modern conservatism, his mastery of Senate rules, and his role in reshaping the judiciary. The conversation explores McConnell's relationship with Trump, his controversial post-January 6 decisions, and the enduring impact of his leadership. Michael's book, The Price of Power: How Mitch McConnell Mastered the Senate, Changed America, and Lost His Party, available now.

And so begins the inevitable ball-fumbling that is a Trump Presidency. In our first episode back from a short break, Rick rants on the Matt Gaetz debacle and how we should see in the context of Trump and his incoming administration.

In these final days before the election, Trump has doubled down on his authoritarian, fascist rhetoric. To help us make sense of the chaos leading up to the big day, Rick welcomes historian and political analyst Heather Cox Richardson for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of American democracy. Together, they delve into the stark contrasts between democracy and authoritarianism, the Republican Party’s transformation under Trump, and the growing influence of tech billionaires pushing anti-democratic agendas. With the 2024 election upon us, they examine the stakes, the shifts in voter sentiment, and the potential for new political coalitions to reshape our reality.

It's the home stretch, and something we haven't touched on enough is Trump's love affair with Tariffs. In this episode Rick sits down with Edward Goldberg, an adjunct professor at NYU’s Center for Global Affairs and expert on political economy and trade. Together, they explore the dangers of Donald Trump's proposed tariffs and the broader risks of economic isolationism. Goldberg draws historical parallels, such as China’s decision to burn its fleet in 1433 and the Smoot-Hawley Tariff of 1929, to demonstrate the economic consequences of shutting down global trade. They also discuss the misconceptions around globalization, its connection to job loss, and the vital role of immigration and open trade in driving American innovation and prosperity. And to cap things off, Rick rants about the horror show at Madison Square Garden.

The deeper we look into the ideological motivation of the Christian right in America, the darker it gets. In this episode Rick talks with author Talia Lavin about her new book, Wild Faith: How the Christian Right is Taking Over America. They dive into the powerful alliance between the evangelical movement and Donald Trump, exploring how religious rationalizations have cemented Trump’s support among evangelicals. Lavin discusses the rise of authoritarian and theocratic ideologies within the Christian right, their success in pushing anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ policies, and their long-term goals for transforming American society. The episode sheds light on how these movements perceive their political battle as spiritual warfare and what this means for the future of American democracy.

Nerding Out on Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis In case you didn't know, Rick is a history buff, especially when it comes to American presidents. In this episode Rick sits down with acclaimed historian and biographer Nigel Hamilton to discuss his upcoming book, Lincoln vs. Davis: The War of the Presidents. Together, they explore the contrasting leadership styles of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis during the American Civil War, examining how each president’s psychology, military background, and decisions shaped the course of the conflict. Hamilton dives into Lincoln's struggles with his generals, the impact of the Emancipation Proclamation, and Davis’s strategic mindset. The conversation offers a deeper understanding of two pivotal figures in American history. Nigel's book, Lincoln vs. Davis: The War of the Presidents, available for pre-order now.

How do we fact check in an ocean of lies? In this episode Rick is joined by Bill Adair, the founder of PolitiFact and a professor at Duke University, to discuss the growing epidemic of political lying, especially within the Republican Party. They explore the history of political dishonesty, the role of conservative media in amplifying misinformation, and the challenges of fact-checking in an era dominated by figures like Donald Trump. The conversation highlights the danger that widespread deception poses to democracy and addresses the role of new technologies, like deepfakes, in further distorting truth in political discourse. Bill's book, Beyond the Big Lie: The Epidemic of Political Lying, Why Republicans Do It More, and How It Could Burn Down Our Democracy, available now.

Today we keep it simple. Trump is actually a fascist, Rick explains why he is an enemy to us all.