Pod Save America

The President mocks and lies about Dr. Christine Blasey Ford at a political rally, Republicans energize their base by attacking #MeToo, and Trump is exposed as a tax cheat by the New York Times. Then Democratic candidate Katie Hill talks to Dan and Alyssa Mastromonaco about her race to become the next Congresswoman for California’s 25th district.

Jon, Jon, and Tommy discuss the renewed FBI investigation into Brett Kavanaugh, Jeff Flake's change of heart, and the shifting politics of Supreme Court nominations. Then Jon F. talks to Ana Maria Archila about confronting Jeff Flake in an elevator and the importance of direct engagement.

Jon, Dan, and Erin Ryan discuss the testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Judge Brett Kavanaugh before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Then Katie Couric talks to Jon about her new podcast documentary that reflects on the tenth anniversary of her famous interviews with Sarah Palin.

Republicans respond to a second credible allegation of sexual assault against Brett Kavanaugh by accusing Democrats of a smear campaign, and The New York Times may have given Trump the excuse he’s been looking for to fire Rod Rosenstein. Then Lovett and Dan talk to The New York Times’ Mark Leibovich about politics, Paul Ryan, and his new book “Big Game: The NFL in Dangerous Times."

Republicans refuse to allow an independent investigation into credible claims of sexual assault against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, and Democrats worry about Latino turnout in the midterms. Then Chef Jose Andres talks to Jon and Tommy about his hurricane relief work and new book “We Fed An Island,” and Julissa Arce talks to Jon about giving Steve Bannon a copy of her new book, “Someone Like Me: How One Undocumented Girl Fought For Her American Dream."

Brett Kavanaugh is credibly accused of sexual assault by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, throwing his nomination into question, and Paul Manafort agrees to fully cooperate with Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Then former Secretary of State John Kerry talks to Jon and Tommy about negotiating the Iran Deal, what Democrats should do if they take the Senate, and the lessons he learned from his 2004 presidential campaign.

Trump prepares for Hurricane Florence by denying the deaths caused by Hurricane Maria, and Democrats spend the final months of the midterms talking health care. Then Mike Levin, the Democratic candidate in the CA 49th, joins Jon, Jon, Tommy, Dan, and Erin Ryan on stage at the El Rey theater in Los Angeles.

Obama returns to the campaign trail, Kavanaugh lies to the Judiciary Committee, and Democrats see their chances of taking back the Senate improve. Then musician Jason Isbell talks to Tommy about music, politics, and when artists become activists.

Trump administration officials confirm that the president is unstable in the New York Times and Bob Woodward’s new book, Kavanaugh struggles under tough questioning from Senate Democrats, and we talk about Ayanna Pressley’s primary upset in Massachusetts, and Colin Allred’s tight race for Congress in Texas. Then Jon Lovett interviews New York gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon about her race against Governor Andrew Cuomo, and the future of the Democratic Party.

The Kavanaugh hearings have begun and Senate Democrats came ready to fight. Do we have a shot at stopping his nomination? President Trump spent his Labor Day weekend attacking union leaders and slashing wages for workers, so that was cool. Then we read our favorite excerpts from Bob Woodward's new book, and Jon and Jon interview former President Jimmy Carter.

The Florida race for governor will be a contest between the Republican mini-Trump and the Democrats’ future, Paul Ryan’s SuperPAC is blowing louder dog whistles, and Senate Democrats make a deal on judges that gets them nothing in return. Then EMILY’s List President Schriock joins Jon and Dan to talk about the record number of women candidates who are running and winning elections in 2018.

John McCain leaves behind a complicated legacy after a lifetime of service and sacrifice, Republicans worry that Democrats will investigate the scandals they’ve been covering up, and Democrats reform the party’s presidential nominating process. Then Democratic candidate for Governor Gavin Newsom talks to Jon and Jon about his vision for California and the future of the Democratic Party.

The President has been implicated by his lawyer in a crime that involves the cover-up of extramarital affairs through illegal campaign contributions, and Republicans in Congress refuse to do anything about it. Then CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin joins Jon and Dan to talk about what’s next for the Mueller investigation, the Kavanaugh confirmation battle, and his new podcast, “RBG: Beyond Notorious.”

Mueller gets another witness, Trump and Rudy become more unhinged, conservative donors reward the politicians who made them richer, and Republicans try to suppress the vote in Georgia. Then first-time candidate and 2016 Teacher of the Year Jahana Hayes talks to Tommy about her race for Congress.

Trump is acting like a guilty man who’s bad at covering up crimes, and Democrats are nominating history-making candidates while they decide on a message for the fall. Then Wesley Bell, the Democratic nominee for St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney, joins Jon and Dan to talk about his upset victory and his plans to reform the criminal justice system.

White nationalists fail to organize a rally but succeed in organizing the GOP, Omarosa has secret recordings, and Democrats decide whether to take money from corporate PACs. Then Democratic candidate Rashida Tlaib joins to talk about the history she’ll make as the first Muslim woman in Congress, and Ana Marie Cox talks about following Ted Cruz around Texas.

Tuesday’s special election and primaries deliver some Democratic victories and a warning against complacency, another Republican is indicted for corruption, and Dan offers tempered thoughts on Mark Leibovich’s Paul Ryan profile. Then Matt Rivitz of Sleeping Giants talks to Tommy about their success in persuading companies to remove ads from right-wing news outlets that promote bigotry and hate.

The President potentially incriminates his son on Twitter, Republicans try to rush the Kavanaugh confirmation, and more Democratic incumbents face progressive challengers. Then Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez talks to Jon Lovett about her big upset and the future of the Democratic Party.

Trump obstructs justice via Twitter, Manafort faces a jury, and the Koch brothers pick a fight with Trump Republicans on trade. Then Dan talks to Nick Thompson of Wired about the fantastic job Facebook has been doing lately. And Jason Kander joins Lovett and Dan to talk about protecting the vote and his new book, “Outside the Wire.”

Trump’s lawyer argues that collusion with a hostile government isn’t a crime after reports that Michael Cohen might implicate the president, and both parties fight to define the stakes of the 2018 midterms. Then Vox’s Dara Lind joins Jon and Jon to talk about the latest developments in the family separation crisis.

A secret recording of Trump and Cohen conspiring about hush money is released, the President retreats from his own trade war, and he steps up his attacks on the media. Then Democratic candidate Danny O’Connor joins Jon and Dan to talk about his campaign to win the special election for Ohio’s 12th congressional district on Tuesday, August 7th.

Trump spends the weekend rage-tweeting, the Nunes Memo is exposed as a fraud, and Jim Comey blesses us with punditry. Then students from Parkland, Florida and Chicago talk about their efforts to register young voters and reduce gun violence, and DeRay Mckesson joins to talk about his upcoming book, On The Other Side of Freedom.

Trump tries and fails to clean up his Putin mess, but Republicans in Congress make it clear that they won’t be doing anything about it. Then Crooked Contributor Tim Miller joins Jon and Dan to talk about the state of the Republican Party, and why it’s become a Trump cult.

President Trump betrays America by siding with Vladimir Putin over the United States, a few days after our government indicted 19 Russian military operatives for sabotaging the 2016 election in order to help Trump win. Then journalist Marcy Wheeler joins Jon, Jon, and Tommy to talk about the next steps in the Mueller investigation, as well as her decision to go to the FBI and become a witness.

Democrats target Brett Kavanaugh’s views on presidential power, Trump blows up the NATO summit, and House Republicans defend Rep. Jim Jordan against accusations that he turned a blind eye towards sexual abuse allegations. Then Senator Dick Durbin joins Jon and Dan to talk about the Kavanaugh nomination and immigration.

Trump nominates Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, escalates his trade war with China, and gets played by North Korea. Then former Supreme Court clerk and White House lawyer Karen Dunn talks to Jon, Jon, and Tommy about how Democrats should approach the coming Supreme Court battle.

The Wilderness is a new documentary podcast from Crooked Media and Two-Up Productions about the history and future of the Democratic Party. Jon Favreau tells the story of a party finding its way out of the political wilderness through conversations with strategists, historians, policy experts, organizers, and voters. In fifteen chapters, the series explores issues like inequality, race, immigration, sexism, foreign policy, media strategy, and how Democrats can build a winning majority that lasts. Coming July 16th. Subscribe to The Wilderness now.

Democrats debate strategy after one of the worst months in Trump’s presidency. Then we answer some of your questions, and play an excerpt from Jon F.’s new podcast, The Wilderness.

Republicans try to hide the fact that Trump will nominate a justice who will overturn Roe v. Wade, and more Democrats join calls to abolish ICE. Then we interview people at Saturday’s Families Belong Together march in Los Angeles, including Senator Kamala Harris, Mayor Eric Garcetti, DeRay Mckesson and activist Ady Barkan.

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy retires, Trump and McConnell look to fill the seat before the midterms, and Congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wins a major upset in the New York primary. Then Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto joins Jon and Dan to talk about the Supreme Court fight and her recent trip to a detention center on the border.

The political fallout from Trump’s immigration policy intensifies, and the midterm campaign heats up. Governor Roy Cooper and Rev. Dr. William Barber II join Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Symone on stage in Durham, North Carolina.

Trump has no plan to reunite the children he separated from their parents, Republicans in Congress struggle to pass an immigration bill, and Democrats announce a new plan to mobilize young people, Africans Americans, Latinos, and other voters who don’t always turn out for midterm elections. Then Stephanie Teatro talks to Dan and Symone Sanders about her work as the co-director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition.

Trump partially reverses his family separation policy with an executive order that leads to more chaos and confusion, and Republicans take another run at repealing Obamacare and gutting Medicare. Then Democratic candidate for governor Stacey Abrams talks to Tommy and Dan about her historic candidacy and how she plans to turn Georgia blue.

Trump hits a new low by tearing infants away from their parents at the border, and looks for new ways to obstruct justice as his campaign manager goes to jail. Then Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Fahrenthold talks to Tommy about his reporting on the Trump Foundation. To learn what you can do to help fight the separation of families at our border, pitch in here: go.crooked.com/families

Ben Rhodes joins Jon and Tommy to talk about the aftermath of the North Korea summit, Trump’s family separation policy at the border, and why senior Republicans are calling their own party a cult.

Trump lashes out at our closest allies while kissing up to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. Then, former Solicitor General Don Verrilli joins Jon and Dan to talk about the Trump Administration’s decision to stop defending the Affordable Care Act’s pre-existing conditions protections in court.

Tuesday’s primaries point to the importance of Democratic turnout in November, Trump escalates his trade war, and Paul Ryan is briefly reunited with his spine. Then former White House senior advisor Ron Klain joins Jon and Dan to talk about Mitch McConnell’s success in packing the courts with Trumpy judges.

Trump and his legal team argue that the president is above the law, and voters say that health care and immigration are two of the most important issues in the very close 2018 midterms. Then, Rep. Luis Gutierrez calls from Puerto Rico to talk to Jon Favreau about the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

Roseanne’s racism reveals a reality about life in the Trump Era and the Republican midterm strategy, Trump is caught in a perpetual justice obstruction machine, and Democrats face real danger in the June 5th California primary. Then John Legend talks to Tommy about the work he’s doing to call more attention to elections for local prosecutors around the country.

Trump pretends a staffer doesn’t exist as his will-they-won’t-they drama with Kim continues, Customs and Border Patrol begins tearing away children from their parents at the border, and the trouble grows for Trump’s inner circle. Erin Ryan joins Jon, Jon, and Tommy on stage at Boston Calling, and then our interview at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute with Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Trump calls off the North Korea summit after Mike Pence was called a dummy, and the NFL restricts the right to free speech after threats from the president. Governor Deval Patrick and Ambassador Samantha Power join Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Erin on stage at the Wang Theater in Boston.

Mueller racks up 75 criminal charges in one year, Trump tries to shut the investigation down, and the White House goes after Planned Parenthood. Then Seth Meyers, Questlove, and the New York Times’ Nikole Hannah-Jones join Jon, Jon, Tommy, Brittany Packnett, and Alyssa Mastromonaco on stage at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Don Jr. met with a second set of foreign agents who offered help to the Trump campaign, Donald Trump orders an investigation into the investigation of himself, and new voter registration among young people and Democrats is on the rise. Then Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts joins Favs and Tommy to talk about the fight to end gun violence.

Trump hits a bump in the road on his way to the Nobel Peace Prize, Republicans try their hardest to make 2018 about immigrant gang members, and 700 Trump investigation stories break in one day. Then Jason Kander joins Jon and Dan to talk about the midterms and the new season of Majority 54, and Inimai Chettiar of the Brennan Center for Justice talks about the prison reform bill moving through Congress.

Trump sends a couple of bigoted pastors to the opening of the American embassy in Jerusalem, prepares for his meeting with Kim Jong Un, and stands by a White House staffer who joked about John McCain’s brain cancer. Then Michael Avenatti talks to Jon Favreau about his view that Michael Cohen will get indicted and flip on President Trump.

Michael Cohen’s shell company is a revealed to be a massive corruption scheme that involves Donald Trump’s mistresses, Russian oligarchs, and big corporations looking for presidential access. Then CNN’s Harry Enten talks with Jon and Dan about the midterms, Democrats’ chances, and the state of polling.

Rudy gives an encore performance, Trump loves paying in (Russian?) cash, the Democrats try to break through the noise, Gina Haspel almost withdraws, and Eric Schneiderman is revealed as an abuser. Then actor and activist Yara Shahidi talks to Jon F and Tommy about her “Eighteenx18” initiative to register young people to vote.

Rudy Giuliani potentially incriminates Donald Trump during his first television appearance as the President's new lawyer, Mueller has many questions about crimes of collusion, and Marco Rubio and Tom Price cut a few very effective ads for Democratic campaigns. Then Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ronan Farrow joins Tommy Vietor to talk about his new book, “War on Peace: The End of Diplomacy and the Decline of American Influence."

Michelle Wolf destroys democracy with jokes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, and Trump moves closer to withdrawing from the Iran deal. Then CNN’s Jake Tapper joins Jon, Jon, and Tommy to talk about politics, the press, Trump, and his new book, The Hellfire Club. And DeRay Mckesson calls in to talk about Seattle’s move to abolish marijuana convictions, and the brand new season of Pod Save the People.

Trump calls into his favorite program, Ronny Jackson withdraws, Mulvaney says the quiet part out loud, Kanye tweets, and Democrats find hope in a special election loss. Then Arizona Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema joins Jon and Dan to talk about her Senate race and her approach to politics.