The Ultra MAGA Movement

Brian Daitzman examines the dangerous cult-like MAGA movement, its links to violence, and messianic adulation of Trump drawing parallels to Jim Jones and his doomed following.

David Pepper highlights a troubling proposal in Missouri that undermines majority rule through gerrymandering-influenced thresholds for a Constitutional Amendment. Protecting democracy requires united efforts.

This episode is a banger! Jen Mercieca, Rick, Stuart, and Joe cover everything from Trump as the "Second Coming" to MAGA's VERY BAD IDEA of declaring war on Taylor Swift and the Swifties. Jen unpacked the rhetorical tricks that fuel MAGA and hijack their brains. Catch up now!

The word "idionut" as the 2023 Word of the Year? The term for willfully ignorant and insane individuals or members of extremist cults should enter everyones lexicon.

Pres. Biden & Tommy Tuberville offer a sharp contrast in priorities, leadership, and intellect between Dems and the MAGA GOP. Could these opposing styles, viewpoints, and competency give us a glimpse into the strategies of either side going into ‘24? How do you fight stupid? Reed, Rick, Stuart, and Joe have got the answers.

Jen Mercieca warns of the propaganda power of nostalgia: Your memories about the past are incomplete, easily shaped by others, and a vulnerability to propaganda. Fascists know that.

Presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is walking us all to the edge of a flat Earth, promising to push us into the abyss. Sadly - but not surprisingly - a lot of folks have volunteered to jump on his behalf. Strained analogy aside, what path does RFK Jr. see forward? What's really behind his run? Reed, Rick, Joe, and Stuart break down the past, present, and future of America's official Chief Conspiracist. Plus, famous Trump fighter...Bret Baier?

Kristin Kobes Du Mez describes how Evangelism has transformed and its relationship to masculinity, oppression, and nationalism. Kristin is a pastor and a professor of History and Gender Studies at Calvin University. Her book, Jesus and John Wayne, reveals “how evangelicals have worked to replace the Jesus of the Gospels with an idol of rugged masculinity and Christian nationalism.”

The Federal Indictment of Trump is shocking in what it contains, but conviction is far from certain. So what does it mean politically for Trump, the GOP field, and is this a distraction for Dems or exactly what they need? Watch this special Indictment episode with Rick, Reed, and Stuart.

Our friend Mike Podhorzer joins Joe and Alex to talk 2024 and what's coming. Ron DeSantis had a horrendous campaign launch but clowning on him is missing the bigger threat. Mike also makes a really important point: Why is history repeating itself - and why ultra-MAGA tactics look a lot like Jim Crow.

Propping up his personality cult and indoctrinating Americans to hatred are the real functions of campaign events, not promoting policies

The danger of MAGA continues to increase from the debt ceiling crisis to actual violence in the streets. Join Stuart Stevens, Reed Galen, Rick Wilson, and Joe Trippi as they identify the dangers and discuss how to fight back. Watch The Strategy Session, Tues. at 7p ET.

Angela Denker is a Lutheran pastor and journalist. Her book Red State Christians takes a hard look at White Christian Nationalism and the evangelicals who voted for Trump.

Many of the kooks, crackpots, crooks, and conspiracy theorists from 2016 have been purged from the 2024 campaign team. Rick Wilson reminds us to be careful what we wish for.

The Illinois Billionaire Trying To Buy Ohio

The only thing that could overshadow Tucker's dismissal is Biden's '24 announcement. Let's go, Joe! What does Biden's campaign look like? What should it look like? Can the glitches in the DeSantis bot be fixed or has Trump already won? The guys were on fire tonight. Catch up now!

Joe and Alex dive into the Fox settlement and what can all of us do to keep the pressure on Fox? Why this version of MAGA is anything but conservative. Plus, why the "war on woke" might just about be over. And what HUGE point is the mainstream media missing with their debt ceiling coverage?

After nearly a decade, Republican leaders have succumbed to the MAGA force, crossed the boundary into fascism, and have neither the desire nor the ability to escape.

Where will Trump's "Final Battle" lead America and the GOP primary? Is DeSantis about to launch his campaign or self-destruct? Rick, Reed, Joe, and Stuart debate whether there's a path forward for anyone not named Trump and to what lengths Trump will go to make sure that doesn't happen.

Are FOX and ultra-MAGA collapsing? Is “candidate quality” going to bite the GOP in 2024…again? Are voters ready to end the MAGA GOP for good? Has Biden done enough? Listeners have questions, Joe and Alex have answers.