Pod Save America

Donald Trump deflects from his authoritarian impulses by accusing Joe Biden of undermining democracy, while warnings about a second Trump term grow more dire. George Santos gets the boot from Congress while Mike Johnson finds himself in a very similar position to his predecessor Kevin McCarthy. And finally, Strict Scrutiny’s Melissa Murray joins the show to talk about Trump’s flurry of bad legal news. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Trump's lawyers preview a new defense strategy, Nikki Haley lands a big new endorsement, and President Biden fights back on the economy—and hits Lauren Boebert in her own district. Then, Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips visits the studio for a heated conversation about why he's running against Biden in the Democratic primary, what Democrats should be doing differently, what it would take for him to get out of the race, and of course, the difference between ice cream and gelato. NOTE: the interview with Congressman Phillips has been edited for length and clarity. You can watch the full interview at https://www.youtube.com/@podsaveamerica. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

As Biden successfully secures a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, Congress attempts to pass an aid package for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. But Republicans say they won’t pass anything unless Democrats agree to new demands related to US-Mexico border security. Meanwhile, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis are spending super PAC money going after each other in Iowa and New Hampshire. While their biggest competition, Donald Trump, says he is once again set on repealing Obamacare. And finally, George Santos rips into his congressional colleagues ahead of his possible expulsion from the chamber. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Happy holidays from the Pod Save America team! Here’s a special sneak peek of our new subscriber exclusive series Inside 2024. In this preview Jon Favreau and Tommy Vietor take you behind the scenes of election nights like Barack Obama’s 2008 winning campaign. It’s a show we’re really proud of and we hope you enjoy. If you want to hear the rest of the episode, or future ones, be sure to sign up for Friends of the Pod at crooked.com/friends.

The President says a deal is close that would free hostages in Gaza, while more Democrats in Congress call for a ceasefire or conditions on military aid to Israel. Meanwhile, Biden celebrates his 81st birthday with more bad polling and anxious Democrats. Trump continues his run of bonkers campaign stops in Iowa and Fox News kicks off the holiday season with a meltdown over “woke” Christmas. Then, ProPublica and NPR reporter Andrea Bernstein joins the show to talk about the newly announced Supreme Court ethics code and her podcast about right-wing judicial activist Leonard Leo, “We Don’t Talk About Leonard”. Finally, we kick off a new Thanksgiving tradition and pardon our favorite political turkeys of 2023. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

It's apparently Fight Club week on Capitol Hill. GOP Representatives are bidding farewell to decorum and possibly their own sanity as multiple almost-fights break out in Congress. Meanwhile, MAGA Mike Johnson gets his government funding bill passed in both the House and the Senate without any major cuts to spending or fulfilling any of his far-right fantasies. George Santos is no longer running for reelection as a House Ethics Committee investigation finds he spent campaign funds on Botox, Sephora runs and… Only Fans. Plus, Biden is getting advice from progressives about how to campaign on the economy and the New York Times says Trump may be more resilient than other Republicans when it comes to messaging on abortion. Finally, John Della Volpe, pollster and author of "Fight: How Gen Z is Channeling Their Fear and Passion to Save America," joins to talk about the President's struggle with younger voters. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

In an unhinged Veterans Day speech, Trump promises to remove the "vermin" who dare to oppose his agenda, while his top advisor outlines a terrifying second-term immigration plan: mass deportations, camps for undocumented immigrants, and enforcement raids by the National Guard. Meanwhile, Democrats are giving Joe Biden a lot of advice he doesn't need, and Tim Scott drops out of the Republican primary. Will it matter?

Guest host Tim Miller joins Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan live from New Orleans! A fired-up President Biden campaigns in Illinois, but Jill Stein enters the Presidential race and Joe Manchin announces that he won't seek re-election, making it harder for Democrats to keep the Senate—and possibly the White House—in 2024. State Rep. Mandie Landry and Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis join the show to talk Louisiana politics. The hosts debate whether Donald Trump really has the GOP nomination on lock. Then, in the home state of porn-monitoring Speaker Mike Johnson, Lovett debuts a new game: Covenant Eyes Are Watching You. Recorded at The Joy Theater in New Orleans by permission of MVNLA Owner, LLC.

Democrats pull out critical wins for abortion rights in Ohio and Andy Beshear in Kentucky, and deal a big blow to Glenn Youngkin in Virginia. Jon, Dan, and Tommy discuss how Democrats did it, and what it all could mean for Joe Biden next fall. Then, did somebody say "ship gap"?? The third Republican debate goes in some very odd directions—while the front-runner shows off his own brand of crazy at a Florida rally. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

It’s Election Day, with big implications for abortion, democracy, and much more in Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky, and Mississippi. It's also one year out from the 2024 presidential election, and a new set of battleground polls in the New York Times shows Donald Trump ahead of Joe Biden just about everywhere. Meanwhile, Trump takes the stand in his civil fraud case while his advisors draw up plans to use the military against protesters if he wins the election. Then, Barack Obama sits down with Jon, Tommy, Dan and Alyssa Mastromonaco for an expansive conversation on democracy, violence in the middle east, and his memories of winning the presidency fifteen years ago. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Donald Trump's dominance in the early states finally has his Republican rivals and the press pointing out that he's no spring chicken. Meanwhile, MAGA Mike Johnson is embracing his nickname during his first week as Speaker. Plus, George Santos lives to lie another day and RFK Jr. is taking more support from Trump in two new polls. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Guest host Alyssa Mastromonaco joins Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan live from Cleveland, Ohio. As Israel launches its ground invasion, the war in Gaza continues to shake up U.S. politics. Donald Trump promises to expand his Muslim ban and deport pro-Palestinian protestors, while Joe Biden tries to navigate the views of an increasingly divided Democratic Party. With a little over two months left until the Iowa caucuses, the Republican primary field starts to shrink even if Trump’s lead is growing. Then, Congresswoman Emilia Sykes and Pro-Choice Ohio’s Kellie Copeland join to break down the current state of Ohio politics ahead of next week’s big election that will decide the fate of abortion access in the state. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Congressman Morgan McGarvey, State Senator Karen Berg, and special guest Perry Bacon Jr. join Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan live from Louisville! New Speaker of the House (and possible but unproven short king) Mike Johnson's MAGA bona fides are tested in an interview with Sean Hannity. Kentucky prepares for the November 7th gubernatorial race between Democrat incumbent Andy Beshear and Mitch McConnell mentee, Daniel Cameron. And, Joe Biden gets a primary challenger: Congressman Dean Phillips of Minnesota. Plus, Rep. McGarvey serves up tough questions and samples of the state's bourbon offerings in a segment called "I'll Drink the Fifth." For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

And the winner of the House Speaker showdown is ... Congressman Mike Johnson! You probably haven't heard of him, but his resume will sound familiar: election denial, a thirst to end Medicare and Social Security as we know them, a fondness for national abortion bans, and a desire to criminalize gay marriage, among many more MAGA favorites. Former Mueller prosecutor Andrew Weissmann joins the show to break down Donald Trump's week of bad legal news. And then: President Biden is about to face a new primary opponent. Should he be worried? For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Special guest Rachel Maddow joins the show to talk about the latest in the Speaker-less House, Trump's legal troubles, and President Biden's message strategy. Then, Maddow discusses her new book, "Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism," which recounts a long-forgotten chapter of U.S. history that's eerily relevant today. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Senator John Fetterman, Virginia State Senate candidate Jennifer Carroll Foy, and chef José Andrés join Jon, Jon, Tommy, Dan, and guest host Symone Sanders-Townsend live in Washington, DC! Chaos reigns in the House of Representatives as Jim Jordan tries (and fails) to become Speaker. President Biden gives an Oval Office address on democracy and the importance of supporting Israel and Ukraine. And as the rest of the GOP primary candidates flounder, Donald Trump bounces between the courtroom and the golf course. Senator Fetterman gets real about mental health, Andrés ranks Tik Tok food fads, and, Jon, and Tommy announce their new book, coming in June. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. DEMOCRACY OR ELSE: HOW TO SAVE AMERICA IN 10 EASY STEPS is coming June 4, 2024. Pre-order now at crooked.com/books or wherever books are sold.

President Biden prepares to visit Israel as he tries to prevent a wider war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Trump’s opponents attack him for criticizing Israel, and Judge Tanya Chutkan hits him with a gag order. Republicans inch closer to making election-denier Jim Jordan Speaker. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries joins to discuss the Democrats’ plan to address the chaos in Congress, and Crooked’s own political expert Shaniqua McClendon drops by to talk about the most important races in 2023. Get your virtual tickets to Pod Save America live from DC now at MOMENT.CO/PSA. Correction: the episode states that election day is four weeks away, but it is three weeks away, on November 7th. Visit votesaveamerica.com to learn more.

As the crisis in the Middle East deepens, the Republican presidential candidates respond with their best: Donald Trump praises Hezbollah, Tim Scott says Biden "has blood on his hands," and Ron DeSantis tries to make it about the southern border—the American one. Meanwhile, the House GOP still can't agree on a Speaker, "MAGA Mama Bear" Kari Lake enters the critical Arizona Senate race, and George Santos and Bob Menendez each get stunning new indictments. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Join the World-Wide Digital Experience "Pod Save America Live from DC" on October 19 at 8 PM ET with Co-Host Symone Sanders and Special Guests Senator John Fetterman, Chef Jose Andres, and Jennifer Carroll Foy. Tickets: https://www.moment.co/psa

Israel has begun a full-scale siege of the Gaza Strip after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Saturday. Republican politicians wasted no time blaming Biden for the attack, despite his administration offering full support for Israel. Meanwhile, the race to be the next Speaker of the House kicks off a busy week. RFK Jr. announces he's dropping out of the 2024 Democratic Primary and launching a third-party bid for president. Later, former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger stops by to talk about the chaos his old colleagues in the House have created. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Join the World-Wide Digital Experience "Pod Save America Live from DC" on October 19 at 8 PM ET with Co-host Symone Sanders and Special Guests Senator John Fetterman, Chef Jose Andres, and Jennifer Carroll Foy. Tickets: https://www.moment.co/psa

Former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson joins the show to talk about testifying against her former boss, her new book, "Enough," and the current disarray in the House. Then, Dan and Jon talk about the race for a new Speaker. How did we get here, what happens next, and is it somehow all Democrats' fault? At least one Republican is planning to nominate Donald Trump—even as his legal dramas mount. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Join the World-Wide Digital Experience "Pod Save America Live from DC" on October 19 at 8 PM ET with Co-host Symone Sanders and Special Guests Senator John Fetterman, Chef Jose Andres, and Jennifer Carroll Foy. Tickets: https://www.moment.co/psa