The threat of Donald Trump

Joe and Alex discuss a bombshell New York Times piece from our friend Tom Edsall on just how deep the Trump dark money apparatus goes -- over 100 groups, $2 billion in funding... and very little of it out in the open. Why Project 2025 is a blueprint for turning America into a pro-Trump authoritarian state. What are we supposed to do about it? Then, Joe and Alex explain why right-wing pollsters have the media trapped in a false polling narrative -- why is the mainstream media so obsessed with pro-Trump polling?

Brian Daitzman writes, "Trump is infamous for his spontaneous outbursts of sensitive information. His reckless disclosure of classified intelligence to Russian officials in 2017 starkly highlighted his disregard for the protocols safeguarding national security secrets. This incident, among others, showcased a pattern of behavior that risked compromising the operational security of U.S. intelligence efforts and the lives of those involved."

Need a dose of hope? Jen Mercieca brings it writing, "Not only...does it make good strategic sense for Democrats to embrace the terms of stability in American political discourse, not only would it help to defend American democracy from autocracy, but embracing these terms now might ultimately help to make America more democratic than it was before Trumpism."

It’s difficult to tell where white Evangelicalism ends and Trumpism begins, so we’re excited Rick is joined by Sarah McCammon, NPR's national political correspondent and co-host of the NPR Politics podcast, about her book "The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church." McCammon shares her personal narrative of growing up within the evangelical movement in the Midwest, her gradual estrangement from its teachings, and her eventual departure.

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson stepped up to challenge Trump in the GOP primary and today he joins Rick to share his unique perspective on the state of the Republican Party, emphasizing the importance of returning to its traditional values of limited government, fiscal responsibility, and integrity. The discussion explores the challenges and strategies for reviving these core principles in today's insane political climate. The two also discuss the implications of Trump's potential re-election on the party's future, the importance of standing with allies, and the critical need for a Republican Party that actually solves problems.

Trump doesn't hide his admiration for Putin and it's transformed the MAGA GOP's alliance with pro-democracy nations. Sarah Ashton-Cirillo and Lisa Senecal dive into the damage that realignment is doing in real time in the US and Ukraine - and the threat it poses for other European nations. They pull back the curtain on Putin's facade of military dominance and the many proof points of his weakness from silencing dissent to his strategist military ineptitude.

Teri Kanefield provides insightful commentary on the dangerous trend of fascism, as leading Republicans pile on to endorse Trump, examining the risks to democracy and the need for accountability.

This week on The Enemies List, Rick is joined by Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin. Together, they discuss Raskin's efforts to uphold the Constitution in bizarre Trump-infected America. They dive into the Trump presidency, particularly his financial gains from foreign entities and violations of the emoluments clause. The two discuss the authoritarian movement central to the Republican Party.

Dr. Jennifer Mercieca writes: "Conditions are right for fascism, we have all the ingredients for fascism, but fascism is not pre-determined—we can still stop it."

Ruth Ben-Ghiat writes, "Xenophobia and plunder: what would authoritarianism be without them?"

Renowned election attorney Ben Ginsberg joins Rick for a look-back at the legal maelstrom of the 2020 Election, focusing on the allegations of election fraud and subsequent (absurd) legal actions undertaken by Trump's legal team.

Today on The Enemies List, Rick is joined by former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger. Together, they explore Kinzinger's journey from GOP member to a renegade figure in the party, his involvement in the January 6 hearings, and the insights shared in his book, "Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in Our Divided Country." This conversation offers a compelling glimpse into our tumultuous political landscape and its implications.

Historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat writes about Trump's latest speech and his convincing Mussolini and Hitler impressions - dehumanizing his enemies using their tried and true tactics that led to genocide.

"Trump’s staff has quasi-denied that his fascist turn of phrase is actually fascist—they did it with a wink by threatening fascist violence. We’re once again debating whether or not Trump is literally or figuratively Hitler. Don’t debate that," writes Dr. Jen Mercieca.

With a cast of GOP primary characters like Pence, DeSantis, Christie, Haley, and Ramaswamy, can anyone derail the Trump Train on its way to the general election? Rick Wilson and Niall Stanage, associate editor of The Hill, analyze the challengers’ strategies and just how slim to none their chances of beating Trump are.

Reflections on the FBI and DOJ's Reluctance to Prosecute Trump and Elite Enablers

This week, Joe Trippi discusses the key takeaways from the elections in Wisconsin and Chicago, as well as the two major issues that will dominate 2024 and how they can be used to take down Trump.

Trump's grabbed the headlines -- are we doomed to fall into the Trump trap again? Joe talks how we beat him and why few challengers will step up - and why it won't matter that DeSantis did. Plus why all eyes need to be on Wisconsin on Tuesday.

This week, Joe talks DeSantis' cringiness, why Trump going to war with Fox is good for America, the "yuuuge" danger Fox is facing, and what the media keeps getting wrong about the 2024 GOP primary and the absurdity of talking Biden "succession" plan when the guy's killin' it as POTUS!

Reed Galen, Rick Wilson, Stuart Stevens, and Joe Trippi take a look back - and ahead - at Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine in the latest Strategy Session.