Taking on the Lawless and Disordered President

The balance of power in American democracy is being tested like never before. In this episode Rick is joined by legal expert and author Tristan Snell to discuss the latest legal battles surrounding Trump, the Supreme Court’s role in shaping executive power, and the broader implications for American democracy. They break down key cases, including the limits of presidential immunity, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the growing constitutional crisis if Trump defies court rulings. Visit Tristan's Substack at tristansnell.com.

Rick, Joe, and Stuart are joined by election law attorney Mario Nicolais. Mario was one of the Colorado attorneys who took the battle to keep insurrectionist Donald Trump off the ballot to their Supreme Court. Mario, Joe, Rick, and Stuart talk about the legal battles attempting to hold Trump in check - how successful they are so far and if they can constrain the authoritarian Trump.

Today Rick details the chilling effect of ABC's capitulation in a lawsuit brought by Trump, examining its dangerous implications for press freedom and journalism in America. He warns that this decision sets a precedent, emboldening Trump and others to intimidate media outlets into silence through lawsuits, threats, and governmental pressure. He explores how corporate interests, fear of retaliation, and the erosion of trust in the media are undermining the free press—a cornerstone of democracy.

Yale Economist and Leadership Expert Jeffrey Sonnenfeld demystifies the mirage of Trump as a business and family empire. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Follow Jeffrey on X at http://twitter.com/JeffSonnenfeld Follow Rick Wilson on X at http://www.twitter.com/TheRickWilson and subscribe to his substack at https://therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at http://www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at http://www.twitter.com/ProjectLincoln.

It's the home stretch, and something we haven't touched on enough is Trump's love affair with Tariffs. In this episode Rick sits down with Edward Goldberg, an adjunct professor at NYU’s Center for Global Affairs and expert on political economy and trade. Together, they explore the dangers of Donald Trump's proposed tariffs and the broader risks of economic isolationism. Goldberg draws historical parallels, such as China’s decision to burn its fleet in 1433 and the Smoot-Hawley Tariff of 1929, to demonstrate the economic consequences of shutting down global trade. They also discuss the misconceptions around globalization, its connection to job loss, and the vital role of immigration and open trade in driving American innovation and prosperity. And to cap things off, Rick rants about the horror show at Madison Square Garden.