The Mascot Distraction: Smoke, Fire, and Trump’s Culture War Playbook

John Howell and Rick Telander dive into the controversy over Trump’s push to revive racist team names like the Redskins and Indians. They explore how the former president weaponizes nostalgia and grievance to distract and divide, all while Telander shares personal stories—from interviewing Trump in 1986 to a touching tribute to his late dog. It’s a candid, wide-ranging conversation about sports, politics, culture, and the cost of not evolving. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jul 30, 2025

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The Mascot Distraction: Smoke, Fire, and Trump’s Culture War Playbook

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