Republican Party

Rick Wilson calls out the craven political opportunism of the GOP as they immediately focused on how they could benefit from Hamas' attack on Israel, including using it to defund Ukraine and hand it to Putin.

Just how badly is the House's insanity wounding the GOP?

The media appears to finally be coming around to understanding that this is no normal election and the GOP is far from a normal political party, explains special guest Sen. Doug Jones.

Stuart Stevens writes: "Pain is the only teacher in politics, and the Republican Trump party must be defeated again and again, up and down the ballot, until finally, a sense of self-preservation will drive it to change."

When 2/3 of the polls being released are red waving... and the media's lapping it up... we get it. But take it from Trippi - why 40 years of experience says everyone needs to chill out. The panic isn't just premature, it's ridiculous. And Alex dives into the data showing the race is the same as it's been for weeks - and it's moving in one direction. And what's Joe looking at that others might have missed?

Rick Wilson sits down with Congressman Jared Moskowitz to unpack the performative politics dominating the Republican caucus, highlighting how spectacle often overshadows substance in today’s GOP, and how good it feels to make James Comer eat his words. They explore the impact of these theatrics on effective governance, especially during crises, and how misinformation fuels political grandstanding. Follow Jared Moskowitz on X at @JaredEMoskowitz or connect with him at moskowitz.house.gov. 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.

Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X, subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com, and buy his books “Everything Trump Touches Dies: A Republican Strategist Gets Real About the Worst President Ever” and “Running Against the Devil: A Plot to Save America from Trump – and Democrats from Themselves” at fine bookstores everywhere.

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. "

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.

Andra Watkins writes: "At every level of government, Fascist Republicans will annihilate federal and state pensions to give tax breaks to their billionaire overlords"

Stuart Stevens writes, "At the moment, this is the Harris-Walz’s campaign to lose, and they seem to have no intention of letting Trump back into the race."

Robert McElvaine: "Forty years ago, I wrote an essay for the New York Times about how the Democrats needed to take back the symbols of America that the Republicans had seized. We didn’t succeed then, but that’s just what is happening now."

Rick talks to Andrew Wilson about Harris’s surge in the polls since becoming the nominee, analyzing her approval ratings and her coalition’s evolving demographics. They also discuss the fracture within the Republican Party, and the impossibility of keeping Trump on-message. 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 with Beto O’Rourke and Claire Dewar about the ripple effects of Harris’s entry into the race on Texas politics, sparking a surge in volunteerism and voter engagement. They also discuss the deepening corruption and extremism within the Texas GOP, as well as the crucial role immigrants play in the local Texan economy. Follow Beto O’Rourke on X @BetoORourke, follow Claire Dewar on X @ccdewar, and join Powered By People here http://www.poweredxpeople.org. 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

Rick dives deep with Brian Tyler Cohen about his explosive new book, "Shameless: Republicans’ Deliberate Dysfunction and the Battle to Preserve Democracy." Together, they unpack the glaring hypocrisy between the GOP’s ‘patriotic’ talk and their counterintuitive actions, while also stressing the urgent need for Democrats to stay focused and secure the necessary votes to preserve democracy.

Mark Jacob writes: "Journalists need to stop inviting politicians on their programs if they refuse to answer questions. Otherwise it’s not news – it’s just a game of dodgeball."

Jessica Tarlov breaks down Trump’s rambling mess of a speech from the RNC, Laura Ingraham praises Hulk Hogan the compares Donald J. Trump to Ronald Reagan. Rep. Cory Mills and Eric Trump claimed THEY tried to kill Donald J. Trump. Who is they? Greg Gutfeld is outraged that anyone would call Trump Hitler than he called Joe Biden Hitler. Fox News featured a woman who has appeared on the network for the past four years as an undecided voter. I RANT A LOT IN THIS ONE. PBS NewsHour does not hold back when they called Republicans out for their lies.

Andra Watkins writes: The Republican Party and 45 may try to gaslight about their ties to Project 2025, but it is the true platform of the Fascist Republican Party.

Rick Wilson dives head-first into the bizarre spectacle of the Republican National Convention. From Trump’s relentless self-adulation to the GOP’s cult-like devotion, the cracks in the MAGA movement, and the Trump family’s quest for dynastic rule. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.

Amee Vanderpool writes: "Despite Donald Trump’s attempts to distance himself from the substantial conservative opus generated by the Heritage Foundation that he has publicly praised and acknowledged in the past, nothing happens on a large scale within the GOP without Trump’s express consent."

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. "