
Pod Save America
1,179 episodes — Page 15 of 24
Ep 315“Go Big or Lose Small.”
Senate Republicans seem likely to exonerate the man who incited a mob that almost killed them, and our new Crooked Media/Change Research Pollercoaster series shows that Joe Biden’s agenda is extremely popular and MAGA media continues to radicalize its audience. Then Ezra Klein of The New York Times talks to Jon about ending the filibuster and the future of democracy.
Ep 314“There’s no ‘I’ in ‘Unity.’”
President Biden steers his Covid relief plan through bad faith whining about unity, Mitch McConnell tries to prevent Democrats from taking control of the Senate, and the MAGA extremists are winning the Republican civil war. Then White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki talks to Tommy about being back in the briefing room and the first week of the Biden Administration.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].
Ep 313“Joe Biden is President.”
Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th President of the United States, Kamala Harris is sworn in as the 49th Vice President, former game show host Donald Trump retires to Florida, and the new administration immediately gets to work.
Ep 312“Trump who?”
In the final pod of the Trump Era, Jon, Jon, and Tommy talk about the 45th President’s final days in office, how he’s changed the Republican Party and America over the last four years, and President-elect Joe Biden's new plans to fight the recession and the pandemic. Then Lovett and Favreau talk about what goes into writing an inaugural address as part of their Crooked Media YouTube series, Speechwriters React.
Ep 311"2 Impeachment 2 Furious.”
Donald Trump becomes the first president in history to be impeached twice, ten Republicans break from the party over the vote, and Mitch McConnell weighs a conviction in the Senate. Then Stanford researcher Renée DiResta talks to Dan about online right-wing organizing and the spread of misinformation.
Ep 310“Tweets and Reconciliation.”
The fallout continues from last week’s Trump-inspired attack on the U.S. Capitol, as the House prepares to impeach Donald Trump for the second time, and the President’s personal Twitter account is banned forever. Then former Bernie Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir talks to Jon Favreau about how Joe Biden can get a progressive agenda through a closely divided Senate.
Ep 309“Two Americas.”
Donald Trump incites a violent insurrection against the U.S. Capitol, and Democratic candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff make history in Georgia, wresting control of the U.S. Senate away from Mitch McConnell. Then New Georgia Project CEO Nsé Ufot talks to Dan about how years of grassroots organizing paved the way for Tuesday’s victory.
Ep 308“Sedition: Impossible.”
Jon, Jon and Tommy kick off 2021 by examining the last ditch attempts by Donald Trump and Republicans to subvert November’s election, the latest in the Senate races in Georgia, and what it will take to fix the Trump administration’s bungled vaccine rollout. Then, they share an installment of Alyssa Mastromonaco’s video series, “Let’s Break it Down,” exploring the presidential transition. For more episodes, check out: YouTube.com/CrookedMedia
Ep 307"PSA Presents: The Pundies."
Jon, Jon, and Tommy go over the worst takes of 2020 (including their own) during Pod Save America’s first annual Pundies! Then, they reflect on their 2020 New Year’s resolutions and make some new ones for 2021.

Ep 306Introducing 'Gaining Ground: The New Georgia' (episode 1)
Our new podcast, “Gaining Ground: The New Georgia” is a co-production of Tenderfoot TV and Crooked Media. Episode 1: Wins and LossesAs Georgia gears up for another Election Day, we take a look back at the significance of the 2018 Governor’s race that vaulted Stacey Abrams and Georgia politics onto the national stage.If you liked episode 1 of Gaining Ground: The New Georgia, you can listen to episode 2 right now wherever you listen to podcasts. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and find episode transcripts at gaininggroundpodcast.com
Ep 305“Melania’s Last Christmas” (Holiday mailbag!)
Jon F. and Dan answer your questions on the Senate majority, redistricting, what they hate about Twitter and like about Taylor Swift’s new albums.
Ep 304“Stimulus checks and balances.”
Mitch McConnell agrees to stimulus checks because he’s worried about losing Georgia, Covid relief nears the finish line, and Democrats ponder why they lost the Senate race in Maine. Then, in an excerpt of his interview on this week’s Pod Save the World, Barack Obama talks to Tommy and Ben about his tensions with the Pentagon over Afghanistan and his thoughts about the rise of right-wing nationalism. Listen and subscribe to Gaining Ground: The New Georgia at gaininggroundpodcast.com.
Ep 303“Drunk on Coup-laid.”
The U.S. launches the largest vaccination effort in history as the first doses of Pfizer’s vaccine are delivered, the Electoral College meets to formalize Joe Biden’s victory, and the Republican Party chooses Donald Trump over democracy.
Ep 302“The Mitch Who Stole Christmas.”
Mitch McConnell blocks bipartisan pandemic relief to help his corporate pals, Joe Biden continues to staff up his Cabinet and White House, and Republicans run their 2020 playbook in Georgia. Then messaging expert Anat Shenker-Osorio talks to Jon about why Democrats need to stop selling the recipe and start selling the brownie.
Ep 301“Caught in the Trump trap.”
President-elect Biden makes announcements about his pandemic strategy and health care team, Trump asks Georgians to vote in an election he says is rigged, and then attacks Republicans who won’t support his coup. Then Rachel Maddow talks to Jon Lovett about Covid and her new book, Bag Man.
Ep 300“Pardon me?”
Covid relief has new life after a bipartisan group of Senators announces a new plan that wins the support of Joe Biden and Democratic leaders, and Donald Trump prepares to leave the White House by potentially handing out pardons and announcing his 2024 presidential campaign. Then Obama data guru Dan Wagner talks to Dan Pfeiffer about why the polls were so wrong in 2020 .
Ep 299“Certified Loser.”
Donald Trump’s attempted coup fizzles out after an impressive streak of losses, and President-elect Joe Biden announces an experienced and diverse set of picks for his national security, economic, and communications teams. Then Congressman Joaquin Castro talks to Tommy about the assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientists and the prospects for diplomacy under the incoming Biden Administration.
Ep 298"The ads that defined 2020."
Jon F. and Dan connect for a special crossover installment of the hit YouTube series "Campaign Experts React" and break down the best and worst of the Trump and Biden campaign ads. Check out youtube.com/crookedmedia for more of the show.
Ep 297"Have you tried role playing?" (Thanksgiving mailbag!)
Jon, Jon, and Tommy answer your questions about the 2020 election, incoming Biden administration, Thanksgiving dishes, and more.
Ep 296“My Cousin Rudy.”
Trump and Republicans continue their failing scheme to steal the election, Joe Biden makes his first round of White House hires, and Democrats figure out how to keep Georgia blue. Then Reverend Raphael Warnock talks to Jon about how he plans to win his pivotal Senate race in Georgia.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
Ep 295“Transition to greatness!”
The outgoing president's antics consume attention that should be focused on the raging pandemic, while President-elect Biden looks to make progress on climate change, immigration, student debt, and other issues. Then Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha talks to Jon Favreau about how the party can improve its performance among Latino voters.
Ep 294“One Flew Over the Coup-Coup’s Nest.”
Donald Trump and Republican leaders are still refusing to acknowledge that Joe Biden won, the Trump campaign strategy to steal the election is failing, and a purge at the Pentagon raises concerns. Then Stacey Abrams talks to Dan about how Democrats can win in Georgia and all over the country.
Ep 293“President-elect Joe Biden.”
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris deliver victory speeches after the race is called, two-time popular vote loser and soon-to-be one-term President Donald Trump refuses to concede, and Democrats debate how to govern and win in a divided Washington. Then Black Voters Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown talks to Jon Lovett about the power of organizing and the Georgia Senate runoffs.
Ep 292"We won.”
Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan discuss Joe Biden’s victory over one-term President Donald Trump, and what comes next in the fight for democracy.
Ep 291“Nauseously optimistic.” (Election update)
Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan discuss the clusterf*ck of an Election Night that has ended with votes still being counted in several states, and Joe Biden on the cusp of defeating Donald Trump.
Ep 290“See you on the other side.” (Pre-election special!)
Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan break down the closing arguments and strategies from Donald Trump and Joe Biden, answer your questions, and offer some final thoughts on the 2020 election. Then, a few of Vote Save America’s incredible volunteers will talk about why they got into political organizing.
Ep 289“One last ride on the pollercoaster.”
The Trump-McConnell Supreme Court gets involved in the election, and the results of the final Crooked Media/Change Research Pollercoaster series show Biden in the lead and Trump voters in a Fox News bubble. Then TargetSmart CEO Tom Bonier talks to Jon about the most promising trends in the early vote data.
Ep 288“Covid, covid, covid.”
The pandemic dominates the final week of the election, the dueling candidate schedules reflect their most likely paths to 270, and what the early vote can and can’t tell us about the election. Then Wisconsin organizer Dakota Hall talks to Tommy about how Democrats can turn out as many young voters as possible.

Ep 287"We got Joe!"
Dan and Jon L. talk with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden about what’s at stake for our democracy in the 2020 election, his final debate with Donald Trump, his plans for tackling the climate crisis, Vote Early Day, and what everyone can do to help in the final days of the campaign.Full transcript: https://crooked.com/podcast/joe-biden-pod-save-america-interview/
Ep 286“Abraham Lincoln over here.” (Debate recap special)
Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan break down what will hopefully be the last presidential debate ever to include Donald Trump.
Ep 285“Trump’s secret Chinese bank account.”
Trump whines about the rules, moderator, and topics in advance of the final presidential debate. Democrats inch closer to a Senate majority. Dan and Jon discuss what you can do about tightening polls, and answer some of your questions. Then disinformation expert Jiore Craig talks to Dan about how to handle right-wing smears in the final weeks of this election.
Ep 284“How Trump can win.”
Trump attacks Dr. Fauci and science as his campaign descends into chaos and recriminations, but both the Trump and Biden campaigns still see a path to victory for the President. Rudy Giuliani recycles smears against the Biden family, and Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes talks to Jon Favreau about how the race looks in one of the most important battleground states.
Ep 283“America’s Crazy Uncle.” (Town hall recap)
Donald Trump and Joe Biden participate in dueling town halls on ABC and NBC, Covid hits the Biden-Harris campaign, and Jon and Dan answer some listener questions. Then Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman talks to Dan about the final weeks of the race in what may be the tipping point state.

Ep 282“Barack Obama on 2020.”
Former President Barack Obama joins Jon F. and Tommy to talk about the stakes of the 2020 election up and down the ballot, make his case for Joe Biden and share his vision for creating lasting progressive change in 2021 and beyond.For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://crooked.com/podcast/barack-obama-on-2020/.
Ep 281"Willy Wonka and The Covid Factory.”
The Trump-Covid ticket returns to the campaign trail despite unanswered questions about the President’s condition, Senate Republicans revolt against Covid relief negotiations between The White House and Nancy Pelosi, and Democrats make the first day of the Amy Coney Barrett hearings about her opposition to the Affordable Care Act. Then Congresswoman Katie Porter talks to Jon Lovett about the pandemic, inequality, and the 2020 election.
Ep 280“Kamala at me, bro.” (Debate recap!)
Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan break down the vice presidential debate between Senator Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence, and discuss Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of the second presidential debate. Then Beto O’Rourke talks to Jon Favreau about his efforts to turn Texas blue through his grassroots organization, Powered by People.
Ep 279“Trump's Covid Joyride.”
A hospitalized Donald Trump takes a spin outside Walter Reed Medical Center and tells America not to be afraid of Covid, hundreds of people are exposed to the virus because of a White House superspreader event, and the Biden and Trump campaigns grapple with the political fallout with just 29 days left in the campaign. Then Senator Cory Booker talks to Tommy about how Washington’s Covid outbreak might affect the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett.
Ep 278“Trump gets Covid.”
The President and First Lady test positive for Covid-19 after flouting public health precautions and exposing countless others to the virus. Joe Biden, who has so far tested negative, resumes limited in-person campaigning and canvassing. Then Andre Banks of Win Black / Pa'lante talks to Dan about how we can handle the flood of disinformation being directed at black and brown voters.
Ep 277“Will you shut up, man?” (Debate recap special)
Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan break down the lows and lower lows of the worst presidential debate in history between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
Ep 276“The 750 Dollar Man.”
Trump’s taxes reveal that he’s heavily in debt and doesn't pay income taxes, Republicans want to make Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination about her Catholicism instead of her opposition to the Affordable Care Act, and Joe Biden prepares to face off with Donald Trump in the first of three presidential debates. Then Obama campaign manager David Plouffe talks to Jon Favreau about prepping for debates and the battleground states that Joe Biden needs to hit 270 electoral votes.
Ep 275“Trump’s Coup de Nah.”
Trump refuses to commit to a peaceful transfer of power, Democrats fight to overcome mail-in voting shenanigans, and Republicans make appeals to QAnon supporters. Then Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer talks to Jon about the Democratic strategy around the coming Supreme Court battle.
Ep 274“RBG and the fight to come.”
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies at 87 years old, setting up a nomination battle to fill her seat with just 43 days to go until the presidential election. Then Kate Kendell of Take Back the Court talks to Jon Lovett about the case for expanding the Supreme Court.
Ep 273“Herd mentality.”
Trump publicly rebukes his CDC Director for testifying that masks are effective and a vaccine might take awhile, he faces tough questions from undecided voters in a live town hall, and the results of our new Pollercoaster survey with Change Research show that infrequent and undecided voters are most persuaded by Joe Biden’s plans on the economy, health care, racial justice, climate, and education. Then communications guru Anat Shenker-Osorio talks to Dan about the most effective ways to talk to voters in the homestretch.
Ep 272“50 Days to Joe.”
Trump finishes his weekend of superspreader rallies with a trip to California amid a climate disaster he thinks is a hoax, Mike Bloomberg says he’ll spend at least $100 million in Florida to help Joe Biden, and Bernie Sanders urges Biden to talk more about his economic agenda with young and Latino voters. Then Reverend Greg Lewis talks to Tommy about Wisconsin’s Souls to the Polls initiative, which is aimed at making sure everyone in the state can vote.
Ep 271“Trump’s Covid confessions.”
Trump confesses to Bob Woodward that he intentionally downplayed the severity of the virus for the last six months, the western United States is on fire because of climate change, and dueling advertising strategies tell us how the Trump and Biden campaigns see the race. Then Equis Research co-founder Carlos Odio talks to Jon about the Latino vote in Florida.
Ep 270“Is hating the troops good for Trump?”
Joe Biden maintains a steady lead as the campaign enters the homestretch, Trump spends five days defending himself against disgraceful comments about U.S. service members, and the August jobs report shows slowing job growth and more permanent job loss. Then Fair Fight CEO Lauren Groh-Wargo talks to Jon Favreau about winning Georgia and fighting voter suppression.
Ep 269“AirTifa.”
Trump deflates his convention bounce with a week of deranged conspiracies and potential felonies, a Pollapalooza shows the race largely unchanged by the conventions and Trump’s crime message, and Joe Biden’s record-breaking month of fundraising allows him to launch a homestretch advertising blitz. Then WNBA player Renee Montgomery talks to Dan about taking this season off to focus on activism and social justice.
Ep 268“The Weakest Strongman.”
Trump cheers on violent supporters in Kenosha and Portland, Joe Biden gives a speech in Pennsylvania condemning violence and Trump, Covid outbreaks on college campuses get worse, and the White House weighs a strategy of herd immunity and a quick vaccine. Then Obama pollster Cornell Belcher talks to Jon Lovett about the state of the race after both conventions.
Ep 267“Well that was terrible.”
Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan break down Donald Trump’s acceptance speech and discuss how the Republican National Convention will shape the final 67 days of the 2020 campaign.
Ep 266“Kenosha vs. Convention.”
The protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin after the police shooting of Jacob Blake provide the backdrop to a Republican National Convention where the party tries its hardest to stoke division and deny reality. Then Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes talks to Jon about police brutality, the protests, and what Joe Biden needs to do to win Wisconsin.