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Pod Save America

Pod Save America

Pod Save America is a no-b******t conversation about politics hosted by former Obama aides Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer, and Tommy Vietor. It cuts through the noise to break down the week?s news and helps people figure out what matters and how they can help. They?re regularly joined by journalists, activists, politicians, entertainers, and world leaders. You can watch on YouTube or listen to new episodes every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

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For a transcript of an episode of Pod Save America, please email [email protected].

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Episodes

1119: MAGA: Defenders of the Epstein Class

Epstein revelations continue. New files reveal that the notorious sex offender had closer relationships than previously known with Trump?s inner circle, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Ghislaine Maxwell pleads the Fifth to Congress, while her lawyer says she?s ?prepared to speak fully and honestly? if Trump agrees to let her out of prison. While Jon, Tommy, and Lovett are overseas, Alex Wagner and Ben Rhodes discuss how the files are rattling politicians around the world, and why consequences have been more severe abroad than in the U.S. There?s also the fight to put limits on ICE playing out in the courts and Congress, Trump?s scheme to celebrate America?s 250th birthday with a fresh grift, and why RFK Jr. can?t be trusted with the Super Bowl snacks.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2026-02-10
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1118: Is Trump Afraid of Bad Bunny? (feat. Pablo Torre)

Does Trump know ball? Is he afraid of Bad Bunny?or did MAGA just fumble the halftime show? This Super Bowl Sunday, Tommy sits down with journalist and sportswriter Pablo Torre to unpack how America?s once-sacred sports institutions have been overtaken by politics. The two dig into Trump?s long and messy relationship with the NFL, MAGA?s Bad Bunny boycott, and the rise of online sports gambling and prediction markets.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2026-02-08
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1117: Trump Threatens to Steal the Midterms

Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, and Mike Johnson hint at plans to steal the midterm elections, from "nationalizing" the voting to straight-up sending ICE to "surround" the polls. Jon and Dan sound the alarm and offer Democrats some advice on how to respond. Then, they react to Border Czar Tom Homan's announcement that 700 DHS officers (out of 3,000) will be leaving Minneapolis, Vice President Vance's refusal to apologize to the family of Alex Pretti for calling him a "domestic terrorist," and Jeff Bezos's gutting of The Washington Post. Then Dan talks to Maine Governor and Senate candidate Janet Mills about ICE's operations in her state, what blue states can do to protect the midterms, and whether the Democratic Party has an age problem.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2026-02-06
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1116: Epstein Files: Worse Than You Thought

The Justice Department releases more than three million more files related to Jeffrey Epstein, and the list of powerful people involved with the notorious pedophile is ... long. Jon, Tommy, and Lovett react to the most notable revelations from the new batch, including the many mentions of Trump, and then check in on the president?s corrupt dealings, including a half-billion bribe from the United Arab Emirates and an attempt to steal $10 billion in taxpayer money in the form of a lawsuit against his own IRS, the release of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father from ICE custody and the arrest of journalist Don Lemon, and Democrats? incredible 31-point legislative flip in Texas. Then, Tejano artist and Latin Grammy winner Bobby Pulido stops by the studio to talk to Tommy about his race for Congress and Trump's weakening support among Texas's Latino community.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. 

2026-02-03
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1115: Why Are Democrats Afraid of Power?

Marc J. Dunkelman, author of "Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress ? and How to Bring It Back," stops by the studio to talk to Lovett about how Democrats ? once they regain power ? can make government work again. Together they dive into the ways progressive governance changed from the New Deal to today, the influence of Robert Caro's polemic "The Power Broker" on a generation of public employees, and why they're both hopeful that Democrats will be able to find their way out of the darkness and learn to do big things again.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. 

2026-02-01
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1114: Minneapolis is a Turning Point

Outrage over the killing of Alex Pretti spreads to nonpolitical and Trump-friendly spaces, even as Border Czar Tom Homan promises to "draw down" the DHS presence in Minneapolis and the White House caves to Democrats' demands on debating DHS funding. Could this be a turning point in the Trump presidency? Jon and Dan discuss all the latest, including Anderson Cooper's extraordinary conversation with Stella Carlson, the woman who filmed the crucial angle of the shooting. Then they turn to the FBI's deeply troubling raid on the election headquarters in Fulton County, Georgia, and the premiere of "Melania," a multi-million dollar bribe from Jeff Bezos to the first family disguised as a documentary. Then, Jon sits down with MSNOW's Joe Scarborough to talk about why Republicans in Congress still put up with Trump, and why he hopes the next Democratic nominee returns to the party's organizing roots. Plus: a special preview of our new subscriber-only show, Pod Save America: OnlyFriends.

2026-01-30
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1113: Trump Retreats After Alex Pretti's Killing

Donald Trump caves to the national outrage over Alex Pretti's killing, telling Governor Tim Walz that he'll agree to allow for an impartial investigation and "look into reducing the number of federal agents in Minnesota." Lovett, on the ground in Minneapolis, joins Jon and Tommy to talk about what's happening in the state, and to share reactions to the tragedy and Trump's surprising about-face. Then they discuss Congressional Democrats' demands for reforming DHS, which may lead to a partial government shutdown, and a wild New York Magazine piece about the president's health.

2026-01-27
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1112: How Dems Can Defeat MAGA Once and For All

What will it take for Democrats to win not just in 2026, but in 2028 and beyond? What do we need to change to win again in Iowa, Texas, and Florida? What's more important: a candidate's ability to communicate or their ability to govern? Dan talks to David Plouffe, former campaign manager for Barack Obama and senior advisor to Kamala Harris, about some hard truths the Democratic Party needs to get its head around. The two discuss why Democrats need to take a firmer stance on political corruption, how the to-be-determined 2028 primary map could shape that race, and why they're both hoping that an outsider emerges as the party's next presidential nominee.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2026-01-25
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1111: Trump's Arctic Humiliation

Donald Trump announces that he's reached a "concept of a deal" on Greenland, agreeing to drop his tariffs for ? well, the details aren't exactly clear. Jon and Dan discuss what we know, Trump's invitation to Vladimir Putin to join his Board of Peace, and the most insane coverage of Trump's trip to Davos. Then, they break down Vice President Vance's appearance in Minneapolis?where he defended ICE's detention of a 5-year-old?House passage of additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security, Jack Smith's Capitol Hill testimony, and a New York Times/Siena poll that's so bad for Trump he's threatening to sue.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

 

2026-01-23
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1110: That'll Leave a Denmark

Trump tells the Norwegian Prime Minister that he no longer feels an "obligation" to peace because he didn't receive the Nobel Prize and announces that he's imposing tariffs on a series of NATO allies until "a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland." Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss these latest developments and Trump's billion-dollar entry fee for the Board of Peace. Then, they cover the latest from ICE's occupation of Minneapolis, including the Justice Department's investigations into Mayor Jacob Fry and Governor Tim Walz, and break down some positive polling about the Democrats chances in the 2026 midterm elections. Then, Tommy talks to Jason Zengerle about his new book, published by Crooked Media Reads, that explores the rise of Tucker Carlson ? "Hated by All the Right People."

 

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

 

2026-01-20
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1109: What It Would Take to Rein in ICE

How can we hold ICE legally accountable? Can federal agents be prosecuted? Will Renee Good's family ever see justice? Strict Scrutiny's Leah Litman stops by the pod to talk to Alex Wagner about the legal avenues available to rein in ICE. The two break down ICE's recent actions in Minneapolis, Trump's threat  to invoke the Insurrection Act, and the Justice Department's push to investigate Renee Good's widow.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

 

2026-01-18
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1108: ICE's Reign of Terror

Minneapolis residents describe the city as a war zone as 3,000 federal agents terrorize citizens and non-citizens alike. Jon and Dan react to the situation on the ground and discuss the latest, including federal agents shooting another person, six federal prosecutors' decision to resign over the Justice Department's push to investigate Renee Good's widow, and President Trump's threat to invoke the Insurrection Act and send actual troops into Minneapolis. Then, the two discuss some hopeful polling on ICE, the FBI's raid of a Washington Post journalist's home, and the administration's "fundamental disagreement" with Denmark over the future of Greenland. Then, Senator Ruben Gallego talks to Jon about what Congress can do to rein in ICE and Trump's plans for hemispheric domination.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

 

2026-01-16
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1107: Trump Targets Minneapolis, the Fed, and Greenland

As protests break out around the country over the killing of Renee Good, the administration sends even more agents to commit even more violence in Minnesota. The Justice Department launches an unprecedented criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell because he won't do what Trump wants on interest rates, a move so brazen that even congressional Republicans are denouncing it. And Trump again threatens to take over Greenland "whether they like it or not.? Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss all the latest, including Trump's suggestion that he's the "acting president" of Venezuela, and his musings about striking Iran as the anti-government protests there heat up. Then, former Federal Reserve Vice Chair Lael Brainard stops by to talk to Tommy about the investigation into Powell, and why an independent Fed is so crucial to America's economy.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

 

2026-01-13
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1106: 2026's Biggest Questions

Will the Supreme Court destroy what remains of the Voting Rights Act? How much influence will America's 250th anniversary have on the midterm elections? If the Democrats win those elections, who in the administration will they investigate first? Jon Favreau and Alex Wagner share their biggest questions for year two of Trump 2.0 in search of some hope for the year ahead.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

 

2026-01-11
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1105: ICE Kills Minnesota Mom

Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three living in Minneapolis, is gunned down in her car by an ICE agent as cameras roll. Jon and Dan react to the tragedy and discuss the administration's response, especially JD Vance's despicable remarks in the White House briefing room. Dan talks to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey about how the city plans to investigate and push back. Then, Jon and Dan discuss Trump's quest for hemispheric domination, and how Congressional Republicans are are starting to cross him on foreign policy and health care. Then, Mayor Zohran Mamdani talks with Tommy about a new deal with Gov. Kathy Hochul to expand free childcare in New York.

New York Times video analysis: Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2026-01-09
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1104: Empire State of Mind

Trump kicks off 2026 with a return to imperialism, launching a military assault in Venezuela and abducting President Nicolás Maduro. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy react to the news, the administration's open acknowledgement that they want Venezuela's oil, and Trump's hint that military action may be coming to more places in the Western Hemisphere?including Colombia, Mexico, and Greenland. Then, the guys discuss Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's decision to end his reelection campaign in response to a fraud scandal that has captured the attention of right wing media, what we've learned (and not learned) from the Epstein files that were released before Christmas, and the most online stories that you may have missed over the holidays. Then, Lovett talks to Senator Mark Kelly about Secretary Hegseth's move to censure him in response to his reminder to service members that they need not follow "illegal orders."

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2026-01-06
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Meet Democrats' Go-To Trump Stand In

In 2016, veteran Democratic advisor Philippe Reines stepped up for an unconventional task: impersonating Donald Trump for Hillary Clinton's debate prep. And in 2024, he did it all again for Kamala Harris. Jon Lovett and Reines discuss the intricacies of playing Trump, the impact of debate performance on elections, and what Democrats should do to outwit the president going forward. Reines reveals what really happened the night Biden called Harris moments before her debate, Trump's biggest debate weaknesses, and what it was like working with Lovett as a Clinton staffer back in 2005. 

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

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2026-01-02
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1103: Is JD Vance the Republican Front-Runner?

Jon, Lovett, Dan, and Tommy answer your questions about the upcoming midterms, early bets on 2028, what they got wrong about this year, and Lovett's future reality television career. Then, they listen back to their 2024 New Year's resolutions and set ones they hope to actually keep in 2025.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-12-30
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1102: The 2025 Pundies: Highs & Lows from a Long Year

As the first year of Trump 2.0 limps to a close, it's time to celebrate 2025?s worst takes and funniest moments with The Pundies, Pod Save America's annual awards show! Jon, Lovett, Dan, and Tommy, joined by producer Elijah Cone, debate which political beef of 2024 was the most entertaining, which Trump administration official should be anointed "The Worst," whether this year's Democratic victories were enough to wash away all the pain, and lots more.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-12-23
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1101: Rahm Emanuel is Not NOT Running for President

Rahm Emanuel, former mayor of Chicago and chief of staff to President Obama, joins Tommy to discuss where he thinks the Democratic Party went wrong in 2024, why he's advocating for a blanket social media ban for children under 16, and to reflect on the foreign policy decisions from the Obama era that have shaped the 21st century. Then, Tommy asks Rahm whether there might be presidential ambitions behind his recent podcast tour.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-12-21
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1100: Trump White House Secrets Revealed

Vanity Fair publishes a candid interview with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles in which she makes eye-popping admissions about Trump, Elon Musk, and many more. Trump interrupts the season finale of Survivor to deliver an angry, meandering primetime address on the economy, and the administration moves closer to war with Venezuela, announcing a blockade of oil tankers trying to enter or leave its ports. Jon and Dan discuss all the latest and then turn to Trump?s new executive orders on gender-affirming care and medical marijuana, Speaker Mike Johnson?s inability to hold his coalition together, and DNC Chair Ken Martin?s decision to bury a much-anticipated postmortem report on the 2024 election.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-12-19
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1099: Donald Trump, Empath in Chief

Trump says the savage murder of Rob and Michele Reiner was the result of their own "Trump Derangement Symptom" and says Reiner was bad for the country. The one real surprise: the number of Republicans in Congress, and even Trump's own social media followers, who denounced the post. Jon, Tommy, and Lovett discuss the Republican pushback and the weekend's (many) other tragedies, including shootings at Brown and Bondi Beach, and the death of two U.S. service members in Syria. Then they look at MAGA voters' growing disappointment with their president, Erika Kirk trying to stop Candace Owens from spreading conspiracy theories about her husband's assassination, and growing speculation about Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom's political futures. Finally, CNN's Jake Tapper talks to Tommy about the fate of his network now that its parent company is for sale, the sham Pentagon press corps, and his new book, "Race Against Terror: Chasing an Al Qaeda Killer at the Dawn of the Forever War."

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

 

2025-12-16
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1098: Can Democrats Fight Trump Without Being Defined by Him? (with Gov. JB Pritzker)

Governor JB Pritzker visits the studio to talk to Lovett about Trump's Indiana redistricting fail, how Illinois is standing up to ICE's immigration raids, and how the governor's upbringing ? a childhood of both privilege and tragedy ? shaped his career in politics. Plus, Lovett asks the governor to defend his controversial Star Wars film rankings, quizzes him on some blackjack hands, and asks what we're all thinking: Is he running for President?

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-12-14
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1097: Trump's A+++++ Affordability Message

Donald Trump holds a campaign-style rally to hit his affordability message: making fun of the very idea of an affordability message, and telling parents to buy their kids fewer dolls. And when asked by Politico what grade he?d give the economy right now, he answers: ?A+++++.? Jon and Dan discuss how Trump?s communications effort is landing and then turn to the rest of the news, including Indiana Republicans? decision to reject a new Trump-backed congressional map, Trump?s jaw-droppingly low approval rating in a new AP poll, and Democrats? continued fight to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies before they expire at the end of the year. Then, Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, talks to Jon about the administration?s seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela and the illegality of the strikes on boats in the Caribbean?including what Smith saw when the Pentagon showed him the video of the infamous double tap strike.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-12-12
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1096: Trump Joins the Streaming Wars

The fate of Hollywood rests in President Trump's hands as Netflix and Paramount fight to acquire Warner Brothers Discovery?the home of HBO Max, Harry Potter, and Superman. Will Trump back Paramount's bid by longtime loyalist Larry Ellison (with help from presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner)? Or will Netflix's Ted Sarandos be able to woo the President to his side? Jon, Tommy, and Lovett discuss Trump's involvement in the Hollywood mega-deal and all the rest of the news, including the administration's bailout for soybean farmers who have been hurt by tariffs, Congressional Republicans unwillingness to do anything about the coming ACA premium hikes, and the President's promise to sign an executive order that would sweep away state AI regulations. Then, Bloomberg's Lucas Shaw, who broke the Warner Brothers merger news, talks to Lovett about the future of Hollywood and the details of the rival bids for WBD.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-12-09
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1095: The Making of America's Most Prominent Anti-Vaxxer

How did Robert F. Kennedy ? once the heir-apparent to the Kennedy family's Democratic dynasty ? become the Secretary of Health in the Trump administration and the nation's most important anti-vaccine advocate? Michael Scherer, staff writer at The Atlantic, sat down with Kennedy for 7+ hours, getting to know him during jean-clad workouts, Congressional hearings, and the plane ride where Kennedy learned of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The image Michael paints of Kennedy, in a profile published in The Atlantic this month, is a man of extreme changes ? a promising political figure turned heroin addict, an environmental lawyer turned anti-vaccine activist, a Democratic presidential candidate turned Republican Secretary of Health. Contributor Alex Wagner sits down with Michael for an interesting conversation to ask if a better understanding of the strange political figure can help us better make sense of his dangerous approach to health and politics.

2025-12-07
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1094: Two Strikes. Is Hegseth Out?

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reacts defiantly to two scandals: his department's decision to murder the survivors of a September strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat, and a Pentagon report that found that Hegseth's infamous Signal messages put American troops at risk. Jon and Dan discuss what comes next for the former Fox News host, and then jump into the rest of the news, including Trump's disgusting comments about Somali Americans, his insistence that affordability is a Democratic "con job," and Mike Johnson's struggles to hold his caucus together after the GOP's underperformance in the TN-07 special election. Then, Dan talks to Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries about Democratic momentum heading into the midterms, the ongoing investigation into the double-tap strike, and Trump's pardon of embattled Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-12-05
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1093: Department of War (Crimes)

The House and Senate Armed Services Committees launch an investigation into Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth after a report that he ordered a second strike on a boat in the Caribbean while survivors were clinging to the wreckage. Was his order a war crime? Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss and then jump into the rest of the news, including the White House's reaction to the shooting of two National Guard members in D.C., Trump's pardon of a former Hondoran president convicted of helping drug traffickers bring hundreds of tons of cocaine into the United States, and a special election in Tennessee where the Democrat has a fighting chance to flip a Trump +22 district. Then, Rob Sand, Democratic candidate for governor of Iowa, joins to talk about his race?and how Iowa farmers are reacting to the Trump trade war.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-12-02
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1092: Will There Be a Blue Wave in 2026?

Can Democrats repeat their big 2025 wins in next year's midterms? Can the party win back the support of white working-class and Latino voters? Can high-quality candidates overcome an unfavorable Senate map? Amy Walter, Editor-in-Chief of the Cook Political Report, joins Dan to survey next year's electoral landscape, voters' attitudes towards Trump, and what obstacles stand between Democrats and a blue wave.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-11-30
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Terminally Online: Live from Crooked Con (Subscription Preview)

Live from Crooked Con, Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Tommy Vietor, Dan Pfeiffer and producer Elijah Cone record a special episode of our subscriber-exclusive show Terminally Online. They blind-rank 2025's most online politicians and reveal who Crooked Con straw poll participants want to see running for president in 2028.

This holiday season, we're offering 25% off annual subscriptions through November 30th. Head over to crooked.com/friends now to subscribe!

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-11-28
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1091: How Many Republicans Will Follow MTG?

After a public fallout with the President, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene unexpectedly announces that she'll resign from congress on January 5. Could her decision spark a wave of resignations from her Republican colleagues? Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss why so many GOP representatives are unhappy with the status quo, a federal judge's decision to toss out the Justice Department's indictments against James Comey and Letitia James, the administration's threats against Sen. Mark Kelly, and a new Page Six-worthy media/sex scandal involving Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy. Then, Rep. Summer Lee stops by the studio to talk to Jon about Greene's resignation and the Oversight Committee's field hearing on ICE immigration raids in LA.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-11-25
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1090: What Will Democratic Governance Look Like? + Lina Khan (Crooked Con)

Live from Crooked Con, Alex Wagner hosts a discussion with Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Ruben Gallego, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal about what America would look like with Democrats in charge of one or both chambers, and how we sell Americans on that vision. Then, former FTC Chair Lina Khan joins Tommy Vietor to talk about the power of good ideas and how progressives can keep up the fight against the tech monopolies threatening to swamp America.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-11-23
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1089: Trump Calls for Democrats' Executions

Trump calls for six congressional Democrats to be executed for treason because the group?all military and intelligence vets?dared to post a video reminding troops that they shouldn't follow illegal orders. The dangerous outburst wraps up a bad week for the Commander in Chief: Republican defections forcing him to sign the Epstein files bill, incompetence by his own lackeys in the prosecution of James Comey, a big legal loss for Texas gerrymandering, and economic polling numbers going from bad to worse. Jon and Dan react to Trump and Republicans' freakout over the video and discuss the latest on the Epstein files, why we still need to worry about Trump's DOJ, why he'll never be a good economic messenger, and how the Republican redistricting effort backfired. Then, Tommy talks with Swing Left's Yasmin Radjy about a better way to contact, engage, and organize voters and volunteers.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-11-21
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1088: What?s the Story We?re Telling? + Sen. Ruben Gallego (Crooked Con)

Live from Crooked Con, Jon Favreau talks to Jen Psaki, Faiz Shakir, Lis Smith, Rebecca Katz, and Adam Jentleson about the narrative we?re pitching?not just about why Trump and the MAGA loons are bad, but why Democrats are good. Then, Sen. Ruben Gallego joins Jon Lovett to talk about how Democrats can win on immigration and how to run a localized race when all politics feels national.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-11-19
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1087: Did Trump Blow It on the Epstein Files?

After failing to pressure Republicans into voting no on releasing the Epstein files, Trump pulls an astonishing reversal and says they should vote yes?because he has nothing to hide. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy break down why Trump flipped and what might happen after the House votes. Then they discuss Marjorie Taylor Greene's reinvention as a unifier, her split with Trump, and what her makeover says about his waning power over the GOP. Plus, Trump wades into the Tucker Carlson?Nick Fuentes mess, Republicans plot potential replacements for the ACA subsidies, and Jon and Tommy attempt to explain one of the most salacious?and viral?Epstein emails to Lovett. Then, Tommy talks with Rep. Ro Khanna about the big Epstein vote and what the hell is going on with the American pressure campaign against Venezuela.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-11-18
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1086: What Is the Polling Telling Us About 2026? + Gov. Andy Beshear (Crooked Con)

Live from Crooked Con, Dan Pfeiffer talks with Sarah Longwell, David Shor, Terrance Woodbury, and Carlos Odio about what the voters are telling us about what they?re looking for in this unprecedented moment, how we can recapture the groups that moved away from Democrats last year, and how much should we pay attention to polling. Then, Governor Andy Beshear sits down with Alex Wagner to explain how he broke the rules, and how other Democrats can follow suit.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-11-16
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1085: Trump's Ballroom Reno Derailed by Epstein

Democrats release a new batch of Jeffrey Epstein's emails?including messages suggesting that Trump knew what Epstein was doing and spent time with one of his victims. Republicans fire back with 20,000 more pages of documents, Trump insists it's all a hoax, and Congress moves toward a vote that could force DOJ to release the full Epstein files. Jon and Dan break down how bad this is for Trump and his vanity building projects, the government's belated reopening, the lingering shutdown hangover, the future of ACA subsidies, and a sneaky provision that would let eight GOP senators sue the federal government. They also discuss Trump's disastrous interview with Laura Ingraham, his baffling affordability pivot, and MAGA outrage over Kash Patel using an FBI jet as his own private shuttle service. Then, Texas State Rep. James Talarico stops by to talk about why he's jumping into the Democratic primary to unseat Senator John Cornyn.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-11-14
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1084: Can Democrats Lose the Downer Image? + Chris Murphy in Conversation (Crooked Con)

Live from Crooked Con, Jon Lovett talks to Hasan Piker, Symone Sanders Townsend, Tim Miller, and Jessica Tarlov about why Democrats are the party of humorless scolds, how they let that happen, and how the Republicans crackdown on free speech presents and opening for Democrats to be the fun, welcoming party again. Then, Sen. Chris Murphy joins Dan Pfeiffer to talk about the threats we face and why it?s more important than ever for leaders to communicate directly with Americans.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-11-12
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1083: Shutdown for What? (Schumer's Version)

Eight Democratic senators break from the party to cut a deal with Republicans and end the shutdown without any meaningful concessions on health insurance premiums. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss the timing of the deal, the reactions from other elected Democrats and the party's base, and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's apparent inability to hold his caucus together. Then, they jump into the rest of the news, including Trump's preemptive pardons for scores of allies who tried to overturn the 2020 election, a whistleblower's report that Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell is receiving "concierge-style" treatment at her minimum security prison facility, and the President's unwelcome surprise appearance at Sunday's Washington Commanders game.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-11-11
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1082: How Do We Push Back on Authoritarianism? (Crooked Con)

Live from Crooked Con, Jon Favreau is joined by Skye Perryman and Norm Eisen to hash out a strategy for the most effective ways to fight back against the Trump administration?s grave abuses of power. Then, Tommy Vietor talks with Morris Katz, Samson Signori, and Alex Ball about the 2025 election campaigns and what they?ll mean for America and our politics.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-11-09
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1081: Live from Occupied D.C. with Barack Obama

Barack Obama drops by our Crooked Con live show to talk about Democrats' big wins and what we need to push for now. Then, Jon, Lovett, Tommy, Dan, and Alex Wagner talk about the latest data from Tuesday night, the White House's promise that Trump will now focus on affordability, whether Trump is psychologically capable of keeping that promise, and whether Democrats will cave on the government shutdown now that the administration is canceling everyone's flights. Then, Rep. Jasmine Crockett sits down with Dan to  talk about a potential Senate run in Texas, and why Trump just can't stop talking about her.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-11-07
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1080: Revenge of the Libs

Jon, Tommy, and Dan react to Democrats? big election night, breaking down gubernatorial wins in New Jersey and Virginia, the passage of Prop 50 in California, Zohran Mamdani?s mayoral win in New York City, and a series of small ? but important ? races in Pennsylvania and Georgia.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-11-05
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1079: Don't Poo ? Vote!

Barack Obama hits the campaign trail?and discusses Trump's sh*tposting?as voters head to the polls. Donald Trump sits down for a lengthy interview with 60 Minutes?the same program he sued in 2024?to discuss immigration raids, his new fascination with nuclear weapons, and his surprising pardon of a Chinese crypto tycoon. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss the interview's most shocking moments, share their final thoughts on the 2025 elections, and react to the garish Gatsby-themed party the President threw at Mar-a-Largo as SNAP benefits expired for more than 40 million Americans on Halloween night. Then, George Retes, the combat veteran and American citizen who was detained by immigration agents with no explanation while driving to work, stops by the studio and shares his harrowing story.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-11-04
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1078: Debating the Trump Era with Abby Phillip

Who is worth debating? Where do we draw the line? Will all journalism eventually devolve into debate? Jon Favreau is joined by Abby Philip, anchor of CNN NewsNight, to talk about her viral cable news show, the battle between traditional journalism and punditry, and her new book on the presidential campaigns of civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, who rewrote the rules of the Democratic Party and helped pave the way for Barack Obama?s rise.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-11-02
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1077: Noem Won't Rule Out Tear-Gassing Trick-or-Treaters

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker asks the Department of Homeland Security to suspend ICE operations ? including the use of tear-gas ? during Halloween to protect trick-or-treaters, but Secretary Kristi Noem insists operations will continue. President Trump concludes his tour of Asia with a new trade deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping that gives China access to powerful AI computer chips. Jon and Dan discuss those developments and the latest news, including Trump's continued threat to deploy troops to American cities, the President's explosive announcement that the U.S. will resume nuclear weapons testing, and a new report that may help Democrats win back Congress and the White House. Then, Tommy checks in with Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for Mayor of New York City, to talk about his campaign's sprint to the finish line and the GOP's attempts to make him the face of the Democratic Party.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-10-31
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1076: Trump's Secret Plan for a 3rd Term

Trump insider Steve Bannon says "there's a plan" for Donald Trump to serve a third term, and Trump says he'd "love to do it." Jon, Lovett, and Tommy speculate what that plan may look like and what it means for this year's elections and the 2026 midterms. Then, they discuss the latest from the ongoing government shutdown, Trump's new tariffs on Canada in response to a TV ad he didn't like, and Republicans' attempts to make Zohran Mamdani the face of the Democratic Party. Then, election attorney Marc Elias, founder of Democracy Docket, joins Lovett to talk more about Trump's 2028 plan and why he's taking the third-term threat seriously.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-10-28
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1075: Trump (Literally) Destroys White House

President Trump demolishes the White House?s East Wing to make room for his ostentatious 90,000 square foot ballroom. Jon, Dan, and Alex Wagner ? host of Crooked Media?s newest podcast ?Runaway Country? ? react to the the demolition and the latest news, including Trump?s demand that the Justice Department pay him $230 million in taxpayer money, his pardon of a crypto CEO convicted of failing to report terrorist organizations who used his platform to launder money, and the latest from 2025?s most important elections in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia. Then, Tommy is joined by the Pipeline Fund?s Denise Feriozzi to talk about building a deeper Democratic bench and why it?s so important for people to run for local office.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-10-24
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1074: Trump Unloads on No Kings

After millions rally at No Kings protests, Donald Trump posts an AI-generated video of himself wearing a crown, spraying poop from a fighter jet onto the crowds below. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss how far we've fallen and then get into the news, including the political prosecution of John Bolton, Trump's threat to send troops to another California city, and the prospects for peace in Ukraine, war in Venezuela, and the breakdown of the Gaza peace deal. Then, Tommy sits down with Graham Platner, Democratic candidate for Senate in Maine, to discuss his recently resurfaced Reddit comments and the disillusionment he experienced after returning from Afghanistan.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

2025-10-21
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1073: Why is Big Business Caving to Trump? (with Andrew Ross Sorkin)

Why have CEOs been so eager to bend the knee? How are tariffs actually affecting the economy? Is the next major financial crisis already underway? New York Times financial columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin stops by the studio to talk to Lovett about our weird economy under Trump 2.0. They discuss big business's refusal to stand up to Trump, the prospect of a crypto-crash big enough to tank the U.S. economy, and why this moment is eerily similar to the stock market crash that kicked off the Great Depression, which Sorkin writes about in his new book 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History and How It Shattered a Nation.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

 

2025-10-19
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1072: JD Vance Defends Hitler-Loving Racists

When a group of Young Republicans' racist private messages?which included praise for Hitler and slavery and jokes about gas chambers?get leaked to POLITICO, JD Vance says "that's what kids do" and that we all need to move on. President Trump names new targets for prosecution, including Sen. Adam Schiff, Andrew Weissmann, and Jack Smith, even as Trump's DOJ indicts his old nemesis, John Bolton. Jon and Dan react to Vance and Trump's comments, discuss the Trump administration's plan to weaponize the IRS, and debate whether the administration is seriously considering starting a war with Venezuela. They then turn to the latest developments in the government shutdown, the growing debate over the DSCC's influence in 2026 senate primaries, including those in Maine and Michigan, and a pending ruling at the Supreme Court that could further weaken the Voting Rights Act. Then, Sen. Brian Schatz talks with Tommy about whether the end of the shutdown is in sight, the administration's designation of Antifa as a terrorist organization, and the upcoming No Kings protests.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

 

2025-10-17
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