David Pepper

Mark Ruffalo and Andrea Guidry narrate this important and frightened chapter of David Pepper's prescient podcast. This chapter captures the struggles of 12-year-old Alvaro and his mother desperate to escape a fictional detention center in West Texas and soldier Jake Caldwell as he witnesses the overwhelming influx of women and children, and the systemic failures of the camp. The environment strips away humanity, leading children to escape in search of freedom.

Featuring narration by Richard Schiff and Morgan Fairchild, in Part Five, the fictional characters Congresswoman Louise Getty and Senator Wade Stiller, former rivals, meet at the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. They reflect on their pasts and express concern over a hostile political climate under Trump’s second term, feeling fear and paranoia about being surveilled and targeted by the government. Their conversation reveals a sense of vulnerability as they confront the reality that many of their colleagues have abandoned principles out of fear. Louise recalls the intense political maneuvering and betrayals leading up to and following the January 6 insurrection. In Part Two, Woody Nuxhall, the newly appointed head of the Treason and Political Crime Section of the DOJ, oversees his zealous young team of prosecutors, eager to pursue investigations and vendettas against political enemies. The group discusses tactics to surveil and undermine former colleagues and opposition figures, planning a strategy fueled by partisan loyalty and vengeance, while embracing a radical transformation of the DOJ's role in politics.

This episode tells the fictional story of a middle school that opens its doors to unvaccinated students after a possible second -term President Trump eliminates Federal funding for schools with vaccine mandates. The story follows the school nurse, Stephanie Morris, as she navigates the influx of unvaccinated students and the resulting disease outbreaks that spread rapidly through the school and community. The narrative illustrates the real-world implications of the president's policy, with outbreaks of diseases like measles, whooping cough, and the flu causing hospitalizations and even deaths among vulnerable students and staff. The story highlights the challenges faced by the school nurse in trying to protect the health of all students, including her own daughter who has an autoimmune condition, without the backing of mandatory vaccination policies. Overall, the episode demonstrates how Donald Trump’s promise to defund schools with vaccine mandates could have devastating consequences for children's health and safety. We'd like to thank all the artists who volunteered their time to make this episode: Laurie Burke, Leigh McGowan who read the chapters & Audrey Hakes , Joe Walsh, & others who contributed character voices. Sound design by Marilys Ernst and Jonathan Moser. Trump's Project 2025: Up Close and Personal written by Pepper and produced by Pepper, Melissa Jo Peltier and Jay Feldman and is a production of Ovington Avenue Productions and The Bill Press Pod.

Trump, Vance and Project 2025 are crystal clear that the first move of their right-wing takeover of American government would be the displacement of tens of thousands of non-partisan civil servants with political and personal loyalists. And they’re equally clear that displacing science and scientists is a central theme of that agenda.

In Chapter 3, the fact-based fictional story of Dr. Yvette Hardman and JJ Newsom depicts the dismantling of expertise and science-based decision making in the federal government under a possible second Trump administration guided by Project 2025. Dr. Hardman, an experienced infectious disease expert, is removed from her position at the CDC and replaced by JJ Newsom, an unqualified political loyalist with no relevant experience. This reflects Project 2025's plan to fill government positions with partisan appointees rather than nonpartisan experts. The new administration rejects science-based pandemic response recommendations from Dr. Hardman instead prioritizing political and economic considerations over public health. This aligns with Project 2025's directives to limit the CDC's ability to make public health recommendations. The story highlights the Trump administration's hostility towards science and the displacement of experienced civil servants, which Project 2025 seeks to accelerate through measures like the "Schedule F" executive order to reclassify and fire federal employees. Overall, the narrative illustrates how a second Trump term guided by Project 2025 would undermine the role of expertise and independent scientific advice in government, with potentially disastrous consequences for public health and safety. We'd like to thank all the artists who volunteered their time to make this episode: CCH Pounder, Richard Schiff and Jason Kravits who read the chapters and Omid Abtahi, Tom Nichols, Laurie Burke and Joanne Carducci who did the voices. Sound design by Marilys Ernst and Jon Moser. Trump's Project 2025: Up Close and Personal was written by David Pepper and produced by Pepper, Melissa Jo Peltier and Jay Feldman and is a production of Ovington Avenue Productions and The Bill Press Pod.

Chapter Two of David Pepper's "Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal" podcast depicts the personal story of Eve, a nurse struggling with infertility, whose treatment is threatened by the new president's executive order banning certain fertility treatments. The episode explores how the president's policies would impact everyday Americans, particularly women and families, by interfering with reproductive freedom and the right to self-determination. The author of the serialized novel “2025,” upon which this podcast series is based, David Pepper, highlights how the fictional story is directly based on the policies outlined in the Trump’s Project 2025 and the president's own words, underscoring the very real and devastating consequences a second Trump term and the implementation of Project 2025 could have. You can read Chapter Two of David Pepper’s “2025: A Novel” at davidpepper.substack.com/p/2025-a-novel-chapter-2

In this riveting series premiere of Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal, follows Ammon Maher, a college student and immigrant, as he is detained and deported without due process because his involvement in past campus protests. This narrative directly reflects Trump's campaign promises to crack down on student protesters and his administration's policies that target undocumented immigrants, including so-called "dreamers." Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal is available on all the podcast apps and at 2025pod.com. We'd also like to thank all the artists who volunteered their time to make this episode. Heather Thomas, J. Smith Cameron, Omid Abtahi, Kirk Acevedo and Bayo Akinfemi. Audio finishing by Marilyn Ernst. This series is produced by David Pepper, Melissa Jo Peltier, and Jay Feldman. Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal is a production of Ovington Avenue Productions and the Bill Press Pod.

David Pepper writes, "One of the most damaging consequences of the narrative that our battle for democracy is only a federal contest, playing out in just a few swing states, is that it leaves the false impression that most of America isn’t involved in that battle."

It was a wildly successful DNC, and the big mo is behind the Harris-Walz ticket, but don't put on your victory slippers and get comfy yet. We're leaving it all on the field this time and taking nothing for granted! David Pepper, Joe Trippi, and Stuart Stevens talked dirty tricks, weird Trump and the upcoming debate(s), and how we keep fighting for the next 70 days. Because when we fight, we win!

David Pepper writes: “For the first time in modern memory, Ohio Republicans attached conditions to legislation that extended the deadline for a presidential nominee to be placed on the Ohio ballot. In the past, including in 2020, this has always been done as a matter of course, and for nominees of either party. "

David Pepper: "When Trump denies that Project 2025 is his plan, don’t just laugh it off. Know his denial rests at the heart of the overall far-right game plan: seeking to impose on a polity an agenda that, at its core and stripped down to its basics, runs directly counter to the majority will of that polity."

David Pepper: Despite the strong majorities of Americans supporting reproductive freedom, abortion is generally banned in red, gerrymandered states—because the gerrymandering keeps those states from being representative democracies in the first place. They can pass unpopular laws and still face no accountability, so they do—keeping the far right happy.

With a powerful example from the recent past, David Pepper explains in his latest whiteboard video how fielding Democratic candidates for Congress in Florida could have changed the outcome of a presidential election. And why history could repeat itself in November.

Stuart and David discuss the dramatic betrayal by Rob Portman of all he purported to care about - including Ukraine - and his legacy of supporting J.D. Vance and Donald Trump.

Joe Trippi explains how for decades Democrats chose to fight in limited states and abandoned many that have become extremists now. But - the fight is on everywhere now and Dems are winning.

Real progress is being make in blue, red, and purple states across the country and more and more Democrats are standing up to challenge extremist candidates who've previous run unopposed.

David Pepper explains how states across the country have been forcing through unpopular policies and how a Trump 2.0 would put their actions on steroids. David's latest piece with Gevin Reynolds is here: bit.ly/3WMy32P

An intense, important, eye-opening episode with David Pepper in the house. What are the tactics of those destroying democracy from the state level on up? Join David, Stuart, and Joe for the strategy that gets us to the future we want and deserve.

David Pepper and Gevin Reynolds write, "Thanks to a toxic brew of partisan gerrymandering, intense voter suppression, dark money, and far too many uncontested races, many MAGA-controlled states have stopped resembling functioning democracies at all."

David Pepper alerts us to "The Purging of Republicans Who Dare Stand Up"

David Pepper looks at the mafia-impersonating letter from Ohio AG Dave Yost to higher education leaders, in which he isues warnings of potential federal law violations, criminal penalties for universities and colleges in Ohio, and menacingly advising them to "act wisely."

David Pepper found out this week that the bizarro reaction from "blue checks" on Twitter doesn't mean sea levels aren't rising, but does confirm that the swamp of right-wing disinformation and conspiracies on the social media platform is rising even faster. And yes, we know His Imperial Weirdness changed the name to X, but we're not calling it that because even wackadoodle-billionaire-fascist-huggers can't always get what they want.

David Pepper writes, "Most have no clue their own dollars are playing such a big role in Ohio politics. Still, struggling Ohioans have been bankrolling the campaigns of powerful Ohio politicians for years."

David Pepper says that fundamentally, the election is about Trump vs. YOU, and YOUR freedom. "What freedoms are we individually and collectively willing to lose if Trump wins?"

David Pepper knows that we can begin to bring some accountability to Tennessee extremism through the Blue Tennessee program - because it's already been successful in other states.

David Pepper explains the media race to take the GOP misinformation bait - AGAIN - only to see today that Special Counsel Hur has more memory lapses under oath than he falsely claimed of Joe Biden.

The Hur debacle, Britt's bad night, Ken Buck's ducking out, the RNC as Trump piggy bank - What does it mean for GOP congressional races that Trump is going to gobble up all the cash? Rick, Joe, and special guest David Pepper covered all that and much more!

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.”

David Pepper breaks down some the ghosts coming back to haunt the scandal-ridded in Ohio, including the sitting governor.

In the midst of a "descent away from the rule of law," Ohio faces a troubling new ethics meltdown of significant proportions. David Pepper uncovers the alarming issues plaguing the Buckeye state and asks: When will the tipping point will be reached?

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.

Out of cowardice or ambition, or both, so many (Republicans) who know better are shredding their principles to endorse a man guilty of so much wrongdoing

Do the 40+% of Iowa Caucus voters who voted against Trump signal an opportunity for a Biden victory in November?

This week, author and strategist David Pepper joined Rick and Stuart to discuss threats to voting rights, state battles to preserve, protect, and defend democracy, the Iowa caucuses, and much more!

We all have a role to place in maintaining, strengthening, and participating in our democracy. David Pepper stresses the significance of the Voting Rights Act and urges on current and expanded efforts to protect and expand democracy.

And YOU May Be Paying for the Bill

David Pepper: "Once you realize that we’re in a battle for democracy itself—and that the front lines of that battle are the very statehouse seats where politicians like Bryan Hughes are spending entire careers advancing extremism unchallenged—you realize that these numbers aren’t just bad. They amount to a crisis, inflicting enormous damage."

David Pepper warns that the corruption case involving First Energy in Ohio isn't merely an Ohio scandal, it's a national wake-up call.

David Pepper reports on the final step in a years-long process to subvert democracy in Ohio, with politicians breaking the law and manipulating the system to maintain power. How does he suggest fighting back? Flip the court!

Affirming A Hunch on Education Thuggery

Myths Versus the Reality of School "Vouchers"

David Pepper explains how you can defeat stealth campaigns to protect your schools and democracy.

David Pepper Provides The Perfect Case Study of Why You Run Everywhere--With Gumption

David Pepper discusses the attack on democracy in Florida and shares stories of individuals fighting back against suppression and censorship efforts.

We Have Important Work to Do, Right Now, in Pennsylvania

David Pepper reminds us that focusing on the threats to democracy on a local and state level now is how we'll defend democracy moving forward.

Delve into the impact of politics and democracy on the individual's life and witness the erosion of rights that threatens to erase an entire generation from history. An insightful examination of the past and its resonance with the present.

The guys were joined by special guest David Pepper for a fantastic election night show to talk about the OH GOP's abomination - Article 1 - that would strip majority rule from the people of Ohio. David's showing how you get it done on the state level - prepare to be inspired!

"This current attack on democracy is part of a clear historic pattern of a fierce backlash (whitelash) whenever a diverse majority begins to get its way in American politics," writes David Pepper.

The False Dichotomy Being Weaponized to Undermine Democracy

David Pepper reminds us this week of the devastating results of the Dobbs decision. Manipulation of memory and reality continues to be used effectively by the GOP.

Calling Out a Lawless, Anti-Democratic Theory

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

Rick speaks with author David Pepper. In his new book, Saving Democracy, Pepper outlines what Americans can do to help save democracy. Rick and David discuss how the Republicans are systematically dismantling democracy. They also talk about what we, the American people, can do to combat the takeover. And some shady fundraising tactics land this week's entry on The Enemies List.

Memo to Corporate America: What happened to Disney is the future. Your future. So don’t be next.

The Illinois Billionaire Trying To Buy Ohio

Republican-blessed new voter ID rules go into effect this week in Ohio and the results are devastating. They hope you won't notice.

State Supreme Courts are a target of the Right. They've succeeded in packing them with cronies in Ohio and North Carolina. Next target: Wisconsin in April.

The GOP is kicking off Black History Month by trying to repeat a shameful, undemocratic, racist part of that American history. Small wonder they don't want Black History taught in our schools.

When governments enter the business of banning books and censoring history, alarm bells should ring loudly about the state of democracy in the present.

When we only focus on the politics of personality, we miss the attacks on our democratic institutions and their consequences.

When we only focus on the politics of personality, we miss the attacks on our democratic institutions and their consequences.

Sometimes individual attacks can appear unrelated, but the big picture is key. Thus is the war on democracy.

NC Republicans are before the SCOTUS this week. On the opposite side, a founder of the Federalist Society. David Pepper tells us why we might be in for a surprise decision.

Jim Crow is calling Ohio. It wants its old playbook back.