The Latest

Brian Daitzman writes, "Clay Higgins is not an outlier within today’s Republican Party. His racist tirade and embrace of conspiracy theories are representative of a larger movement that has taken root within the GOP. "

How can big tech and a healthy democracy coexist? In this episode Rick is joined by Marietje Schaake, author of The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley. Together, they delve into the growing influence of big tech companies on global democracy, the dangers posed by unchecked data collection, and the rise of tools like Pegasus spyware. Schaake highlights the need for greater transparency, regulation, and accountability in the tech sector, while addressing the potential threats to privacy and democratic freedoms. They also discuss the weaponization of data by companies like Palantir and Cambridge Analytica, as well as potential solutions to safeguard democratic systems in the face of advancing technology. Marietje's book, The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley, available now.

Simon Rosenberg joins the show to explain why he's as optimistic as he's ever been. No, it's not hopium - there are clear signs everywhere. From Nebraska to North Carolina to a massive shift in the youth vote. And how does Simon think we can win this election in October?

Rick is joined by The Lincoln Project’s Senior Creative Advisor as the two former Republicans reflect on their experiences during the Trump years. They also offer a glimpse under the hood at the creative process and strategy behind The Lincoln Project, revealing how they develop their hard-hitting political messaging and campaigns. Follow Ben Howe on X @BenHowe and buy his book “The Immoral Majority: Why Evangelicals Chose Political Power over Christian Values” 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. And please subscribe, rate and review this podcast, thank you!

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

Stuart Stevens was joined by political scientist, strategist, and author Rachel Bitecofer for a no-holds-barred conversation about GOP and Dem campaign strategy from Bush v Gore to Harris v Trump. Rachel's the author of "Hit 'Em Where It Hurts." Is that was Kamala Harris and the Dems are finally doing? Catch up now.

Fox made a dramatic pivot from trashing Kamala Harris to promoting Donald J. Trump. The network also obsessively covered the second assassination attempt on the former president. Fox hosts complained about heated rhetoric while ignoring Trump’s inflammatory words. The network also featured a lot of Trump including him on a n episode of “Gutfeld,” and giving away it’s primetime coverage to show a live feed of a Trump rally in Long Island, NY. Laura Ingraham whipped up fear about Haitian immigrants while Lawrence Jones claims there was no racial aspects to their harassment. Fox & Friends tried to make it seem like the recent interest rate cut by the Fed was a bad thing.

History is our greatest teacher. In this episode Rick speaks with historian David Brown, author of A Hell of a Storm: The Battle for Kansas, the End of Compromise, and the Coming of the Civil War. They explore the significance of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, a pivotal moment that led to the collapse of the Whig Party and fueled tensions that made the Civil War inevitable. Together, they discuss the cultural and political shifts of the time, drawing connections to today's political divisions and the rapid pace of change in American politics. David's book, A Hell of a Storm: The Battle for Kansas, the End of Compromise, and the Coming of the Civil War, available now.

Ryan Hampton dives into the origins of the fentanyl crisis, exposing the systemic failures fueling the epidemic. He stresses the need for accessible tools like Narcan and a compassionate approach to addiction recovery. Ryan also shares his journey running for state assembly, shedding light on the political stigma of addiction and the urgent call for bipartisan solutions. Follow Ryan Hampton on X @RyanForRecovery, follow and support his campaign at www.ryanfornevada.com, check out his personal site at www.ryanhampton.com, and buy his book “Fentanyl Nation: Toxic Politics and America’s Failed War on Drugs” 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.

The framers envisioned a judiciary whose role was to check the power of the executive and legislative branches and ensure constitutional integrity. But what happens if corruption creeps its way into the most powerful court in the land? On today's episode Rick interviews David Brock, a veteran in the political and media landscape, about his new book Stench: The Making of the Thomas Court and the Unmaking of America. They dive into how Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has influenced major rulings like the Dobbs decision and presidential immunity, and explore the broader ethical concerns surrounding the court. Brock discusses the decades-long conservative efforts to reshape the judiciary, Thomas’s entanglement with wealthy donors, and the urgent need for judicial reform to address the court’s corruption and accountability issues. David's book, Stench: The Making of the Thomas Court and the Unmaking of America, available now.

Joe and Alex explain why we can all calm down about the totally bonkers New York Times poll that came out this week. Why is the world so focused on Pennsylvania this week? Joe breaks down each campaign's path to victory. And yes, we talk the latest Mark Robinson scandal that somehow doesn't feel as crazy as everything else he's ever said.

Al From discusses in the From and Fuller Podcast how Donald Trump and J.D. Vance are trying to shift blame for attempted political violence to Kamala Harris and Joe Biden.

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.

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.

Democracy is under siege, and state-sanctioned vigilantes are leading the charge. In this episode Rick speaks with Jon Michaels and David Noll, authors of the upcoming book Vigilante Nation: How State-Sponsored Terror Threatens Our Democracy. They discuss the alarming rise of state-backed vigilante activities, particularly through laws like Texas SB8, and how these efforts are aimed at achieving authoritarian political control. The conversation explores the MAGA movement's tactics, the threats to democratic institutions, and the potential dangers surrounding future U.S. elections. It's a chilling analysis of how private actors, with state approval, are shaping America’s political landscape.

Rick, Stuart, Joe, and special guest David Pepper take an up close and personal look at Trump's Project 2025 through stories of its impact on everyday Americans. All twelve chapters of David's brilliant serialized book, "2025: Non-Fiction" have been turned into a riveting podcast series with many pro-democracy celebrities whose voices you'll recognize. The podcast launches today, Sept. 18! The discussion also got into the post-debate polling and what the Harris campaign needs to do to build on momentum through election day.

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.

The Democratic party is changing. In this episode of The Enemies List, Rick speaks with historian Timothy Shenk about his new book, Left Adrift: What Happened to Liberal Politics? They explore the evolution of the Democratic Party, shifting from a working-class base to a more affluent, educated coalition, and the challenges that come with this transformation. Shenk delves into the party's struggle to reconnect with working-class voters and the rise of technocratic approaches in politics, while offering insights on how the party can adapt moving forward.

Mark Jacob writes: "Journalism isn’t easy, but it’s damn important, and more people in the news industry need to start doing it before they wake up one day and realize that journalism has become illegal."