United States of America

If you skipped Trump's "State of the Union" record-setting ramble, this show's for you. Joe and Alex dive in - what actually is the state of our union? Part 1 of where we see the world, the economy, and the state of both parties... Starting with how Joe thinks Trump's second term has completely remade American foreign policy. It's Trump and Putin against the world. He answers maybe the scariest listener question to date. And what about here at home? Turns out, when you burn it all down... it takes a REALLY long time for things to grow back.

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 the globe on his "The End of the Beginning of the End" comedy tour, continuing to record his podcast and constantly creating and writing. ・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow David Cross at @davidcross on X, stream David's newest special, WORST DADDY IN THE WORLD, at http://veeps.com/davidcross, and subscribe to his latest podcast, "Senses Working Overtime with David Cross Podcast," at http://SensesWorkingOvertime.com. You can purchase tickets for "The End of the Beginning of the End" tour on David's website at https://officialdavidcross.com/. 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 difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, Doris remains deeply involved in American politics and served as a fellow for LBJ's administration. Follow Doris Kearns Goodwin on X at @DorisKGoodwin and buy her book “An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s” at her website – doriskearnsgoodwin.com – or 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 therickwilson.substack.com.

National security expert, daughter of a Mexican immigrant, and former right-hand to Vice President Mike Pence, Olivia Troye and host Rick Wilson open up about what it means to speak out against their Republican party and to put Country over Party. Follow Olivia Troye on X at @OliviaTroye. 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!

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.

Robert McElvaine: "Forty years ago, I wrote an essay for the New York Times about how the Democrats needed to take back the symbols of America that the Republicans had seized. We didn’t succeed then, but that’s just what is happening now."

America is infected with a fascist streak that imperils our way of life. In today's episode Rick is joined by Jason Stanley, author of How Fascism Works and the upcoming book Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future. They delve into the troubling rise of authoritarianism in the United States, discussing how revisionist history and the manipulation of education are being used to consolidate power. The conversation explores the dangers of erasing marginalized perspectives, the role of tech and media in spreading disinformation, and the ongoing struggle to preserve democratic values in the face of rising fascist tendencies.

Deanne Stillman writes, "The possibility of now having Tim Walz as Vice President turns the 'white guy as ignorant yahoo/shaman' upside down."

The conversation between Rick Wilson and Nicholas Kristof covers a wide range of topics, including the state of American politics, social justice, democracy, rural-urban divide, and the role of media. They also discuss the challenges faced by rural communities, the impact of disinformation, and the need for a more nuanced and practical approach to governance. The conversation delves into the economic and social issues affecting different parts of the country, as well as the need for a more inclusive and solution-oriented approach to address these challenges.

Francis Barry discusses his book "Backroads and Better Angels: A Journey into the Heart of American Democracy" and his cross-country road trip to explore the values that hold America together. He shares stories of meeting people from different backgrounds and political beliefs, highlighting the frustration and division that exists in the country. Despite the challenges, Barry finds hope in the resilience and faith in the country's values that he encounters along the way. He emphasizes the importance of listening, open-mindedness, and prioritizing relationships over politics in order to bridge the divides in America. Follow Francis Barry at @FSBarry on X, read more of his writing at Bloomberg.com, and purchase his new book, "Back Roads and Better Angels: A Journey Into the Heart of American Democracy" at fine bookstores everywhere.

Today on The Enemies List, Rick reads a particularly spicy post from his Substack.

Teri Kanefield explores the significance of juries in the landmark Zenger Trial and their role in the American legal system.

Brian Daitzman explores the rise of white-reactionary authoritarianism, political repression, economic inequality, and heightened racial tensions that characterized a transformative period in U.S. history.

From Brian Daitzman: "Economic inequality, gun accessibility, and gun violence are deeply intertwined in contemporary society. High inequality and easy access to firearms, whether legal or illegal, significantly contribute to gun violence."

Conservatives in America are not typically known as lovers of environmental advocacy. Well, our guest bucks that trend. Benji Backer, an environmental advocate and author of "The Conservative Environmentalist" joins Rick to discuss the urgent need for practical and innovative solutions to environmental challenges, critiquing both extreme denial and radical approaches currently dividing the political landscape. Backer emphasizes a historical bipartisan approach to environmental issues and proposes a balanced pathway that leverages American ingenuity and respects local knowledge.

Feel like someone's watching you? You're probably right. Rick Wilson and Byron Tau, author of "Means of Control" talk Big Tech's big data collection. Is there an alliance between tech companies and government agencies? Get ready - Rick and Byron discuss the birth of a new American surveillance state.

The "right to vote" is constantly evolving...and there is no affirmative Constitutional right to vote (did you know that?). Teri Kanefield walks us through the evolution of democracy and voting rights from a historical perspective.

David Pepper writes, "(President Biden) must emphasize….that the state of democracy in our union is only as strong as it is in the states where democracy is weakest. In this ongoing battle, there is where we must focus our fight.”

Several members of the Veterans for Responsible Leadership team join founder and President Dr. Dan Barkhuff to share their stories, experiences, reasons for joining and what they hope to accomplish by being a part of VFRL.

This week on The Enemies List, Rick is joined by Dr. Fiona Hill, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute and an expert on Russia. Together, they discuss growing similarities between the political landscapes of the US and Russia, particularly highlighting the rise of authoritarian tendencies of Presidents Putin and Trump and the increasing concentration of presidential power in both countries.