MAGA - Make America Great Again

Rick shares a terrible personal example of how far our politics have fallen because of Donald Trump, the MAGA movement, and dangerous conspiracy theorists.

Jen Mercieca explains how wanna-be dictators like Trump try to turn the weakest in society into "hate objects" which makes attacking Taylor Swift one of MAGA's dumbest ideas in a long time.

Rick explains how MAGA is making him so very happy right now.

On October 30, 1939, American Nazis rallied at Madison Square Garden in support of establishing a “white Gentile-ruled United States.” Tonight, Oct. 27, 2024, Donald Trump will rally support for his xenophobic, fascist agenda in that same venue using, as Marshall Curry writes, "symbols of patriotism to whip up his followers against refugees, the press, and religious minorities."

Rick talks to cult expert Steven Hassan about the dynamics of cult behavior, with a focus on Donald Trump’s powerful hold over his supporters. Hassan shares his insights on how Trump uses fear, loyalty, and manipulation to maintain control, drawing parallels to cult tactics he’s seen in his personal experiences. They discuss the intersection of religion, politics, and media, emphasizing the need to understand these influences in order to help Trump supporters break free and think critically. Follow Steven Hassan on X @CultExpert, subscribe to his Substack at stevenhassan.substack.com, and buy his book “The Cult of Trump: A Leading Cult Expert Explains How the President Uses Mind Control” 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.

Rick speaks with Doug Jones about the documentary “War Game”, which explores the potential for another insurrection similar to January 6. They discuss the fragility of democracy, the role of military personnel in political extremism, the dangers of misinformation, and the increasing radicalization of certain groups, particularly within the MAGA movement. They emphasize the importance of maintaining democratic guardrails and the need for vigilance in the face of political violence and misinformation, particularly leading up to the upcoming election. Follow Doug Jones on X @DougJones and learn more about the film “War Game” at www.wargamefilm.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.

Rick is joined by Whitney Fox, a local candidate running for Congress in Florida’s 13th district, to discuss her campaign’s focus on affordable housing, healthcare, and the rising cost of homeowners insurance in Florida. They criticize her opponent, Ana Paulina Luna, for following the radical MAGA playbook, prioritizing culture wars and media attention over the needs of local Floridians. Luna, often compared to Boebert, doesn’t even live in Florida—she resides in California. Follow Whitney Fox on X @whitfox and donate to her Congressional campaign at whitneyfoxforcongress.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.

Rick talks to Mesa, Arizona Mayor John Giles – a never-Trump Republican – at the DNC. They discuss the importance of country over party, the need for our political leaders to have character and a commitment to the Constitution, as well as the ongoing legacy of John McCain. Follow Mayor Giles on X @MayorGiles

Momentum is everything on campaigns. Joe and Alex explain why Kamalamentum is real - and it is spectacular. It's not going away anytime soon. And on the other side - could it be possible for Trump to have a worse week? We'll see what happens the next time he opens his mouth. Why his campaign managers have to be very worried. And on a personal note for Joe - why the release of detained Americans in Russia is so meaningful.

Political satire can be the most impactful form of storytelling. In this episode of The Enemies List Rick Wilson welcomes comedian Brent Terhune, renowned for his spot-on portrayals of MAGA characters on social media. Rick and Brent dive into the intricacies of Brent's comedic process, discussing how he captures the bluster and contradictions of the MAGA persona with both humor and sharp observational skills. Brent shares his origin story, from performing stand-up in high school to creating viral videos, and the duo explores the cultural phenomena fueling his comedy. This episode offers a compelling look at the intersection of comedy and political satire.

Rick Wilson explains what Trump's attempted assassination means for the MAGA cult: "For MAGA, this is the moment of martyrdom, the ascent of Trump to 'God’s chosen' status, a man whom even an assassin’s bullet won’t stop."

A combative and divisive approach has defined Bannon’s political career. Brian Daitzman writes that his time in the public eye appears to be drawing to a close, with prison looming and severe legal challenges on the horizon.

Fox News dedicated over 2/3 of its airtime to covering the college protests last week. The network often ran commercial free hours of live feeds from UCLA or Columbia University. Fox portrayed the protesters as violent antisemites who were determined to destroy the country. Some of them even had nose rings. The network cited matching tents as proof of a nefarious foreign actors fueling the demonstrations. More than one Fox hosts or guest compared the protests to January 6th. Eric Shawn went rogue and called Trump a liar twice during a short segment about his hush money trial. Judge Jeanine tore into Gov. Kristi Noem on behalf of all dog owners.

Our friend Rick Wilson joins the show for his unique take on the keys to sending Trump back to his golden toilet in November. What are the 3 reasons why Rick is much more optimistic - and why we all should feel that way? And what is it about Trump Derangement Syndrome that just won't go away? When they tell you who they are, believe them -- and how Kristi Noem bragging about killing her dog is a symbol of a much grosser rot in MAGAworld. How do we make sure RFK Jr. doesn't spoil the election? And what will Rick and The Lincoln Project be doing to take the fight to Trump? Listen to Rick's pod, The Enemies List, wherever you get your podcasts. And check out Rick's Substack at https://therickwilson.substack.com/.

Rick Wilson takes us through the circus-like post-presidency of Donald J. Trump, the weak leadership of Mike Johnson, the political flip-flopping of Chris Sununu, and the alarming embrace of Putinism by J.D. Vance.

The Republican party has changed. On this episode Ricks sits with Isaac Arnsdorf, a Washington Post reporter and author to discuss the profound transformation within the Republican Party instigated by the MAGA movement. Arnsdorf shares insights from his book, revealing how grassroots activism, led by figures like Steve Bannon, has reshaped the party from the bottom up. The episode explores the strategic takeovers of local party positions by MAGA supporters, the creation of a new political narrative surrounding the 2020 election, and the broader implications of this shift on American politics.

What's behind the MAGA movement? On a special guest episode, Isaac Arnsdorf joins Joe and Alex to discuss his new book "Finish What We Started - The MAGA Movement's Ground War to End Democracy." Why Steve Bannon's rhetoric isn't just bluster. The depth of the psychological underpinnings of MAGA go way beyond any one issue. And how do we fight back? Hear why Isaac thinks turning Bannon's model around on MAGA may be our way out of this mess. Read the book now: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/isaac-arnsdorf/finish-what-we-started/9780316497510/

Rick explains how MAGA is making him so very happy right now.

Jen Mercieca explains how wanna-be dictators like Trump try to turn the weakest in society into "hate objects" which makes attacking Taylor Swift one of MAGA's dumbest ideas in a long time.

Rick shares a terrible personal example of how far our politics have fallen because of Donald Trump, the MAGA movement, and dangerous conspiracy theorists.

How the Far Right and Trump Found Each Other

Just how lawless is the GOP attack on the Ohio Constitution? "Brace yourself," says David Pepper

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.