Pod Save America

Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan's democratic Senate nomination, defeating Rep. Haley Stevens by one point after a heated campaign about the future of the Democratic party. Jon and Dan sit down for a bonus pod to talk about how El-Sayed overcame $60+ million in outside spending against him, make sense of the closer-than-expected results, and to preview the general election message against Mike Rogers, the Trump-endorsed Republican nominee. Then, Senator Bernie Sanders, who endorsed El-Sayd's campaign on the day of its launch, talks to Jon about the future of the progressive movement. Hate listening to ads? Become a Friends of the Pod subscriber for ad-free episodes of Pod Save America, Pod Save the World, Lovett or Leave It, Runaway Country, Offline with Jon Favreau, and more—plus exclusive content, including bonus episodes of Pod Save America. Subscribe now at crooked.com/friends, on Apple Podcasts, or through the Pod Save America YouTube channel.You can also request a transcript by emailing [email protected]. Include the podcast name, episode title, and air date. Please allow 48 hours for delivery.

Trump trashes Jeanine Pirro — and may be on the brink of firing her — for admitting in court that his narrative about "vandalism" in the Reflecting Pool is a lie. Todd Blanche secures his path to confirmation after  offering holdout Senators a meaningless written assurance on the weaponization slush fund. Trump backs down from yet another threat to completely destroy Iran, RFK Jr. lashes out at CNN's Dana Bash, and DNC Chairman Ken Martin faces new allegations of mishandling the infamous 2024 autopsy. Plus, the launch of Vote Save America's Crooked Dozen, updates on the disgusting Max Miller saga, and a conversation with surging Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong.Hate listening to ads? Become a Friends of the Pod subscriber for ad-free episodes of Pod Save America, Pod Save the World, Lovett or Leave It, Runaway Country, Offline with Jon Favreau, and more—plus exclusive content, including bonus episodes of Pod Save America. Subscribe now at crooked.com/friends, on Apple Podcasts, or through the Pod Save America YouTube channel.To watch this episode with subtitles, click here and turn on closed captions (CC).You can also request a transcript by emailing [email protected]. Include the podcast name, episode title, and air date. Please allow 48 hours for delivery.

Jonathan V. Last, editor of The Bulwark, stops by the show to talk to Lovett about his "Grand Unified Theory of Trumpism" — that Trump's opponent "will always choose surrender over discomfort." Together, they try to make sense of America's rotting political culture, breaking down when and where it all went wrong, and debate what it'll take for the nation to heal from this moment, be it a reckoning of virtue, kindness, or democratic will. Jonathan also walks Lovett through the echoes of Goebbels recently displayed by Secretary Marco Rubio and Stephen Miller and why he believes the desire for a figure like Trump may have always been present within the Republican base.Hate listening to ads? Become a Friends of the Pod subscriber for ad-free episodes of Pod Save America, Pod Save the World, Lovett or Leave It, Runaway Country, Offline with Jon Favreau, and more—plus exclusive content, including bonus episodes of Pod Save America. Subscribe now at crooked.com/friends, on Apple Podcasts, or through the Pod Save America YouTube channel.To watch this episode with subtitles, click here and turn on closed captions (CC).You can also request a transcript by emailing [email protected]. Include the podcast name, episode title, and air date. Please allow 48 hours for delivery.

Progressive candidates have serious momentum going into the upcoming primaries in Michigan and Wisconsin — but they'll have to figure out how to explain away some problematic old tweets. Meanwhile, Democrats land on a novel strategy for competing in deep red states (hint: it doesn't involve Democrats). Jon and Dan discuss the latest in all the key races, as well as Todd Blanche's failing nomination for attorney general, the administration's decision to deny disaster aid to four Democratic-led states, and Elon Musk's plan to pump $100 million into the midterms to support Republican candidates. Then, they check in on the AI singularity, which OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says has officially arrived, and debate how Democrats should talk about AI going forward.Hate listening to ads? Become a Friends of the Pod subscriber for ad-free episodes of Pod Save America, Pod Save the World, Lovett or Leave It, Runaway Country, Offline with Jon Favreau, and more—plus exclusive content, including bonus episodes of Pod Save America. Subscribe now at , on Apple Podcasts, or through the Pod Save America YouTube channel.To watch this episode with subtitles, click here and turn on closed captions (CC).You can also request a transcript by emailing [email protected]. Include the podcast name, episode title, and air date. Please allow 48 hours for delivery.

What does a positive vision for the center-left look like? Can moderation still excite the Democratic base? Matt Yglesias, who writes the Slow Boring newsletter and hosts The Argument podcast, talks to Jon about his vision for the Democratic Party and why he believes more Democrats need to embrace heterodoxy. The two discuss how the policy debate could play out in the upcoming presidential primary, the role charisma and attention-getting play in politics, and which Democrats are best positioned to win in 2028.For a transcript of this episode, email [email protected]

The White House doubles down on both of Trump's wars — the war against Iran and his trade war — sending Pete Hegseth to the Hill to request a $70 billion cash infusion for the Pentagon and imposing new tariffs on Canadian imports and prescription drugs. Jon and Dan discuss how Democrats should approach the administration's funding request, how voters — especially MAGA Republicans — are reacting to Trump's moves, and the president's warning to Americans that they "can't fight" the construction of new data centers in their communities. Then, the guys break down a series of new polls that show the Democrats carrying a big lead into November, the "fight to the death" at the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee to determine which state will lead off the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, and a new video showing the extent of Trump's Oval Office renovations. Then, Dan talks to former White House communications director Jen Palmieri about her new series, "Long Play," on winning back power in the South, available at youtube.com/@longplayseries or wherever you get your podcasts.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date.

Troy Jackson locks down the nomination to replace Graham Platner in Maine, Wisconsin's gubornatorial primary devolves into chaos as the governor wades in with an unexpected endorsement, and Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez rally in Michigan with Abdul El-Sayed, who's locked in a heated race with Haley Stevens. Jon, Tommy, and Lovett discuss all the latest from this summer's wild Democratic primaries, Donald Trump's embarrassing showing at the World Cup final, the deadly escalation of war with Iran, and a recent slate of ICE killings that show nothing has gotten better at the Department of Homeland Security — it's just gotten quieter.For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected]

Trump delivers an incomprehensible prime-time address to push election interference conspiracy theories, both old and new. Dan and Jon attempt to make sense of the speech and discuss what Trump's focus on election interference could spell for the midterms. They check in on three major corrupdates from the last 48 hours — Kalshi teleprompter bets, early access to Trump's Truths for Wall Street, and JD Vance using his helicopter for his son's golf lessons — as well as Vance's awkward appearance on Joe Rogan and Pete Hegseth's attempt to get the military on testosterone supplements. Then, Abdul El-Sayed talks to Alex Wagner about his heated primary for Michigan's Democratic Senate nomination.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date.

Sen. Lindsey Graham unexpectedly dies and President Trump notifies Congress that the military has resumed strikes against Iran. Jon, Tommy, and Lovett discuss Trump's announcement that the United States will become "THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT" and begin charging a 20% toll. Then, they discuss the legacy of Lindsey Graham, Mitch McConnell's unexpected and unconvincing proof-of-life photo after his own brush with death, and how both senators' absences will affect Trump's legislative agenda—before touching on the administration subpoenaing four journalists at The New York Times and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s role in an outbreak of explosive diarrhea across the country. Finally, Brian Tyler Cohen stops by to talk to Lovett about his new book, "The Day After: How to Wield Power in a Post-Trump World."For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected]

Dan is joined by Strict Scrutiny's Leah Litman to talk about this week's big Supreme Court decisions giving Trump the right to kick out Haitian immigrants and deny asylum claims for people stopped just shy of the American border, as well as a ruling — with some surprising ideological crossover — tossing out claims against Monsanto for how it labels Roundup, its popular weedkiller. Then Dan and Leah discuss all the major decisions still to come this week, on birthright citizenship, trans rights, and more. Lastly — rage warning! — Leah reacts to Susan Collins's claim that her vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh *didn't* have an impact on Roe v. Wade getting overturned.For a transcript of an episode of Pod Save America, please email [email protected].

Donald Trump says the Reflecting Pool will need to be drained for repairs to the coating he said would "last for at least 50 years" — blaming vandals for the peeling and algae blooms that have turned his pet project into an instant mess, and ordering federal agents to start making arrests. Jon, Tommy, and Lovett react to the administration's scapegoating then turn to the rest of the news, including the latest from JD Vance's negotiations with Iran, Trump's luxurious renovation of the Qatari jet set to become the new Air Force One, and the beginning of Bill Pulte's term as acting Director of National Intelligence. Then, New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan join Tommy to discuss their new book, "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump," which offers an unparalleled look inside Trump's second term.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date.

Jon, Lovett, Tommy, and Dan record from Chicago after the dedication ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center, reacting to Barack and Michelle Obama's speeches, what it felt like to walk through the museum for the first time, and what lessons Democrats in the Trump era can take from Obama. Then, they react to the emerging details of Donald Trump's MOU with Iran, which he signed at the Palace of Versailles, JD Vance's efforts to seem like a normal person during his book tour, and why the algae in the Reflecting Pool is such an apt metaphor for Trump's presidency.

Trump ends his war against Iran without accomplishing any of the goals he set at the war's onset. Jon, Tommy, and Lovett discuss how real the deal to end the war actually is, how it's playing out in MAGA world, and its implications for the economy and the midterms. Then, they react to the corruption at the UFC fight at the White House and Gov. Gavin Newsom's announcement that he and his wife are being targeted by Trump's Justice Department. Finally, Sen. Mark Warner talks to Tommy about the situation in Iran and Trump's nominee for Director of National Intelligence.

As Trump prepares for his UFC match on the White House lawn, Politico reports that "knives are out" inside the White House, with staffers reeling from a president "increasingly frustrated with everyone, from his own team to the Senate." Jon and Alex discuss the toxic workplace and then break down the rest of the news, including Trump's on-again, off-again relationship with Iranian negotiators, incredible new details about how the White House handled its Epstein crisis, and Trump admitting that he "love[s] the inflation." Then, veteran political journalist Ron Brownstein talks to Jon about the Democrats' chances of taking the House and Senate in November.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date.

President Trump, days after storming out of a Meet the Press interview, returns to New York City to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Jon, Tommy, and Lovett discuss how New Yorkers are reacting to the president's visit, discuss the latest from Trump's wars, including the outbreak of more violence between Iran, Israel, and Lebanon, and debunk MAGA's new, unfounded claims about voter fraud in California. Then, Roger Bennett, host of Men in Blazers, joins Tommy to preview the World Cup and discuss how the president may insert himself into that event, too.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date.

Will Sommers, author of The Bulwark's "False Flag" newsletter, sits down with Tommy to talk about the MAGA media world — including the right-wing personalities who may be considering a political future (Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens), those whose influence is crumbling (Ben Shapiro), and some of the most troubling — and strangest — rising voices. Tommy and Will then break down the ways some of MAGA's leading voices are abandoning the president, what their world will look like and whether it can even survive in a post-Trump future.

President Trump announces yet another D.C. construction project — a renovation to the Lincoln Memorial dubbed "The Trump Promenade" — as well as the nominations of his former personal lawyer Todd Blanche for Attorney General and shitposter-turned-FHA Administrator Bill Pulte for acting Director of National Intelligence. Alex Wagner joins Jon Favreau to discuss the latest, including California's torturously slow primary tallies, new allegations against presumptive Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner, and Scott Pelley's dramatic last stand at CBS's "60 Minutes." Then, Jon reveals how he was accidentally invited to the UFC fight on the White House lawn.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date

Donald Trump thinks JD Vance is a bit of a loser and he's worried he may not be presidential enough to be the 2028 Republican nominee, according to The New York Times. After a series of court losses, the White House signals that it's about to ditch its $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund." Trump is reportedly "getting very bored" with the Iran negotiations. Democratic voters head to the polls to decide a series of contentious primaries in California and Iowa. Then, Senator Andy Kim talks to Jon about the atrocious conditions at Newark's Delaney Hall Detention Center.

Jon sits down with our own Ben Rhodes to talk about how American leaders tell the story of who we are — and who they think we should be — through the speeches they give. The two go through the seminal speeches Ben selected for his new book "All We Say," discussing their power for good (Frederic Douglass on human rights) and evil (Alexander Stephenson on the "moral truth" of white supremacy), and their own memories of writing presidential addresses for Barack Obama when the stakes were highest.

After Ken Paxton's victory in the Texas Senate Republican primary runoff, the MAGA faithful set their sights on James Talarico, attempting to disqualify him for being too much of a beta male for Texas. Will it stick? The White House is on the verge of getting Iran to the table to negotiate, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dismisses concerns that the U.S. economy is heading toward stagflation, and Trump accelerates his quest to stamp his image on Washington, covering statues in gold and attempting to create a $250 bill with his own face on it. On the presidential family front: ProPublica reports that the administration funneled millions to a company owned in part by Donald Trump Jr., while Dr. Jill Biden finally speaks candidly about her reaction to her husband's infamous 2024 debate performance. Then, Scott Colom, the Democratic nominee for Mississippi's U.S. Senate seat, stops by the studio to talk to Jon about why he believes the deep-red state is in play.

Norm Eisen, President Obama's "ethics czar" and founder of Democracy Defenders, talks to Alex Wagner about Trump's latest avalanche of corruption: the $1.8 billion slush fund to pay off Jan. 6 rioters, the IRS immunity announcement, the ballroom, the reflecting pool renovation, the 3,000-plus stock trades placed while in office, and, unfortunately, much more. Together, they unpack how Democrats in Congress — or lawyers outside of it — could stop Trump's slush fund, and what impact this onslaught of self-enrichment, cronyism, and taxpayer abuse may have on the midterm elections.

So much for Trump's iron grip on the party. Just days after Thomas Massie's defeat, Republicans in the Senate and House begin to buck Trump on his top priorities: ballroom funding, the taxpayer-funded slush fund for his allies, and the war in Iran. Could it be that his surprise endorsement of Ken Paxton over John Cornyn in the Texas Senate primary didn't help matters? Faced with mounting leaks, the DNC finally releases its 2024 autopsy — an incoherent, error-riddled mess that Chairman Ken Martin admits was a failure from the start. The New York Times releases new polling data on what Democrats think the party needs to do to win in 2028. Then, California gubernatorial candidate Matt Mahan talks to Tommy about the race and his record as mayor of San Jose.

Trump's DOJ launches a $1.7 billion fund to make payments to his allies, as Democrats revive the debate about whether to make Trump's declining fitness—even his increasingly discolored hands—a campaign issue. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy weigh the pros and cons and react the rest of the news, including Trump taking revenge on Bill Cassidy and Thomas Massie, his new plotting against Cuba and Greenland, and the latest on negotiations with Iran.

David Axelrod joins Dan to discuss the Democratic Party's best messengers and its likely 2028 contenders. Together, they break down standout moments from some of the party's rising voices, examine what it'll take for Democrats to win the House despite new gerrymandered maps, and walk through some of this year's most important Senate races.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date.

Republicans attempt to defend President Trump's admission that he does not "think about Americans' financial situations," while his Department of Justice is on the verge of giving him billions of taxpayer dollars to settle the lawsuit he brought against his own IRS. Jon and Dan react to the president's financial priorities and then turn to Democratic strategy, including how they should be talking about the administration's corruption, how they're fighting back against Republican gerrymandering, and the latest on the DNC's refusal to release its 2024 autopsy.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivers a blistering response to Jeff Bezos's Washington Post after the editorial board attacks her for criticizing billionaires. Jon, Tommy, and Lovett mull what an AOC 2028 campaign could look like and discuss the latest news, including President Trump rejecting an Iranian counterproposal that could end the war, his proposal to make Venezuela the 51st state, and his upcoming trip to China, which will now include his billionaire buddies Elon Musk and Tim Cook. Then, they react to the Virginia Supreme Court's decision to throw out the state's voter-approved congressional maps, debate how much the GOP's new redistricting advantage will actually be worth in November, and preview Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's pivot back to reality TV.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date.