The Lincoln Project

Host Reed Galen answers questions asked by the members of the Lincoln Project community about the upcoming election in Virginia, the Democratic party, AT&T’s continuing tailspin, Steve Bannon’s “shock troops”, and so much more. Plus, is the Republican party of old actually salvageable? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Judd Legum, Founder and Author of Popular Information. They discuss the latest bombshell revelations regarding the connection of AT&T to One America News (also known as OAN), how AT&T financially supports the politicians who favor anti-abortion legislation (like SB 8 in Texas), and the latest on how AT&T continues to break its corporate pledge to not fund the Sedition Caucus. To learn more from Judd Legum, be sure to subscribe to Popular Information at popular.info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Peter Strzok, former Deputy Assistant Director of the Counterintelligence Division of the FBI and author of the book, Compromised: Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J. Trump. They discuss the past, present, and future of Donald Trump and also the continuing threats of the January 6th insurrection (both present and future threats). Be sure to pick up Compromised at your favorite book retailer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Trygve Olson to discuss the House Select Committee on January 6th’s imminent decision as to whether or not enforce the defiance of their subpoenas, the sudden awakening of the elite media/talkings heads, and the preparations needed as we head into 2022. As mentioned in the episode here is Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson's Twitter thread regarding the 1/6 commission: https://twitter.com/TheRickWilson/status/1446503202837442561 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Dominic Packer and Jay Van Bavel, Professors of Psychology and Co-Authors of the new book, The Power of Us: Harnessing Our Shared Identities to Improve Performance, Increase Cooperation, and Promote Social Harmony. They discuss how the definition of identity fits into today’s society, how identity has shifted as political polarization has increased, and the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the identities of both individuals and groups. Be sure to pick up The Power of Us at your favorite book retailer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Tara Setmayer to discuss the return of “The Breakdown” to the LPTV airwaves, the upcoming statewide election in Virginia, Steve Bannon’s “shock troops”, and Madison Cawthorn’s holy war. Plus, the troubling state of Facebook. LPTV’s "The Breakdown" streams live every Tuesday and Thursday at 8pm ET on the Lincoln Project's YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Comedian and Host of LPTV’s We're Speaking, Maya May. For this podcast, we’re once again shaking up the format and answering questions asked by YOU, the members of the Lincoln Project community. Listeners ask about the upcoming 2022 midterm elections and what individuals can do TODAY to ensure Democrats maintain control of Congress, “widening the tent” of the Democratic party, the upcoming statewide election in Virginia, and more! Plus, how can our nation heal from the plethora of political polarization? As mentioned in the show, be sure to check out the myriad of Lincoln Project Facebook groups: https://www.facebook.com/thelincolnproject.us/groups. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by the U.S. Congressman representing the 8th District of Illinois, Raja Krishnamoorthi. They discuss the recent decision by Speaker Pelosi to set the vote for the bipartisan infrastructure bill for this Thursday, the status of the debt ceiling, and Rep. Krishnamoorthi’s personal account of January 6th. Plus, how can we break the fever that is Americans who continue to view all things COVID through a political lens? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Sebastian Junger (Author, Journalist, and Filmmaker) to discuss his new book, Freedom. Junger recounts how he and three friends (a combat-photographer and two afghan war vets) walked over 400-miles along railroad lines from Washington DC to Philadelphia to Pittsburgh to examine the intricacies for which personal autonomy and interdependence coexist. Plus, what happens to freedom when political violence and contemptuous rhetoric is introduced? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lauren Windsor, the Executive Producer of The Undercurrent, to discuss how she’s using her undercover journalism to fight against the ongoing threats against our nation’s democracy. She shares stories from some of her latest infiltration targets which include Matt Gaetz, Jim Jordan, Mike Pence, and more. To keep up with Lauren Windsor, be sure to follow @lawindsor on Twitter and check out TheUndercurrent.tv. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lincoln Project Senior Advisors Stuart Stevens and Joe Trippi to discuss the history of how the modern Republican party came to morph into an authoritarian movement, our nation’s failure of imagination, and why it is of the utmost importance to build and continue to grow a pro-democracy coalition as the 2022 and 2024 elections approach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Sheera Frenkel, Cybersecurity Reporter for The New York Times and Co-Author of An Ugly Truth: Inside Facebook's Battle for Domination. They discuss all things Facebook including the motivations of Mark Zuckerberg, how Facebook has mishandled its users’ data, misinformation and disinformation, and how Facebook has amplified and continues to amplify dangerous & polarizing hate speech. Be sure to pick up An Ugly Truth at your favorite book retailer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by the political consultant and friend of the Lincoln Project Matthew Dowd to discuss all things Texas and how the ugliness occurring in the Lone Star State could end up being an analog for the nation as a whole if the efforts of the Lincoln Project and its allies aren’t successful in 2022. To keep up with all things Matthew Dowd be sure to follow him on Twitter @MatthewJDowd and don’t forget to pre-order his upcoming book, Revelations on the River. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lisa Senecal and Maya May, the Co-Hosts of Lincoln Project Television’s “We’re Speaking” to discuss the absolute insanity of what’s happening in the Lone Star State. They break down the brand new Texas abortion ban law that recently went into effect on September 1st and what it means for the integrity of democracy in both Texas and our nation as a whole. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Devon Murphy-Anderson and Alex Berrios, the Co-Founders of Mi Vecino, a voting rights organization in Florida that’s on a mission to register, educate, and empower Black, Brown, and first-time voters who’ve been historically and systemically marginalized, silenced, or ignored. They discuss how their unique backgrounds led them to politics, the work of Mi Vecino, and the disaster that is Ron DeSantis. Plus, what are Democrats getting wrong when it comes to messaging, and what kinds of messaging approaches can prove to be more effective? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode was originally released on June 1, 2021. In this encore presentation, host Reed Galen is joined by Dr. Steven Hassan, a cults & undue influence expert and mental health professional to discuss the cult of cults that surrounds Donald Trump, why the ideas and actions of Donald Trump are attractive to so many Americans and the Republican party, and what prescriptions can be used to dismantle the “Cult of Trump”. In 1974, at the age of 19, Dr. Hassan was recruited into the Unification Church of Sun Myung Moon. After more than two years, his family successfully deprogrammed him from the cult. This experience led him to his work helping save others caught by the predatory influence of cult leaders. He is the founding director of the Freedom of Mind Resource Center (freedomofmind.com) and has published an array of papers, articles, and books on the subject of cults & undue influence...including his most recent book, The Cult of Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Publisher and Executive Editor of FloridaPolitics.com Peter Schorsch to discuss all things Florida, including the latest in the COVID spike, school mask mandates (or lack thereof), the state of the economy, and especially Governor Ron DeSantis. To hear more from Peter Schorsch, be sure to check out FloridaPolitics.com and follow him on Twitter @PeterSchorschFL. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Dr. H.W. Brands (Professor of History and Bestselling Author) to discuss the vastly different approaches John Brown and Abraham Lincoln took to confront the issue of slavery in their time and what parallels we can draw to the political landscape of today. For more on this topic be sure to check out Dr. H.W. Brands' The Zealot and the Emancipator, and don’t forget to pre-order his upcoming book, Our First Civil War, available on November 9th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Author and Contributing Writer at The Atlantic Tom Nichols to discuss the lead-up and aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the mass disbelief in the medical community, and the state of our nation’s democracy through the lens of Tom’s new book, Our Own Worst Enemy: The Assault from within on Modern Democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Trygve Olson to discuss the recent tragic events in Afghanistan (and President Biden’s recent address regarding those events), the letter from 46 Republican Senators threatening to block efforts to raise the national debt ceiling, and the complete failures of leadership that are Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Comedian and Host of LPTV’s We're Speaking Maya May. For this podcast, we’re shaking up the format and answering questions asked by YOU, the members of the Lincoln Project community. Listeners ask about the impact evictions may have on voters who need to get a new address/voter ID, how the 2020 census data will be used for redistricting, can the Supreme Court be the answer to the latest wave of anti-voting rights legislation, and so much more! Plus, what does an “anti-Trump card” look like? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by David H. Laufman, Partner at Wiggin and Dana LLP and former Federal Prosecutor with the Department of Justice to discuss the latest with the House Select Committee on January 6th, a unique perspective regarding the four police officers who testified before the select committee, and what the DOJ revelation means legally for the Trump White House. Plus, what did Donald Trump know and when did he know it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and retired United States Army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman who was the former Director for European Affairs for the United States National Security Council. Vindman came to national attention in October 2019 when he testified before the United States Congress regarding the Trump–Ukraine scandal. His testimony provided evidence that resulted in Donald Trump’s first impeachment charge. Vindman discusses with Reed and Rick what it was like to witness the Trump/Zelensky call, the fallout that occurred, and how he maintained his integrity in the face of adversity. To learn more about Vindman's story be sure to check out his newly released memoir, Here, Right Matters (https://www.amazon.com/Here-Right-Matters-American-Story/dp/0063079429/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=here%2C+right+matters&qid=1628170185&sr=8-1). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by author and legal scholar Cass R. Sunstein to discuss a couple of his new titles, This is Not Normal: The Politics of Everyday Expectations and Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgement. They talk about changing norms in our nation, the fluidity of color, overcoming noise/variability, and more. Plus, is "lapidation" making a comeback? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson to discuss the House Select Committee on January 6th; how it came to be, the day-one-testimonies of 4 police officers who were on the front lines for the attack on the capitol, and what is expected to happen as the committee continues. Plus, is anyone surprised by Donald Trump’s latest episode of “twisting the knife”? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Judd Legum, Founder and Author of Popular Information. They discuss the latest in corporate political donations, the inside/outside nature of companies after January 6th, and the true fight which the media and corporations seem not to grasp. To learn more from Judd Legum, be sure to subscribe to Popular Information at popular.info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Beto O’Rourke, former United States Congressman and Founder of Powered By People. They discuss the political landscape that is Texas, the latest regarding the Texas Legislature's voter-suppression bill and the 50+ Texas Democrats currently in Washington, and Speaker Pelosi’s decision to reject the additions of Jim Jordan and Jim Banks to the January 6th House Select Committee. Plus, Beto O’Rourke spotlights the work of his PAC, Powered By People. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Representative Julie Johnson, a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representative representing the 115th district in Dallas County. Rep. Johnson shares how she and her 50+ fellow Texas Democrats are continuing to fight for voting rights in Washington, D.C. after breaking quorum last week to deny the efforts of Texas Republicans to pass anti-voting legislation. Plus, a discussion about the state of Texas politics and a clarion call for political courage. If you’d like to support the 50+ Texas state legislators who are fighting for voting rights, visit: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/protecttexasvote. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lincoln Project Senior Advisors Stuart Stevens and Joe Trippi to discuss the Texas Democrats who exited their state to continue the fight for voting rights, the Lincoln Project’s recent victory over Toyota and how the winning strategy applies to future corporate targets, and Fox News telling people to not get vaccinated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode was originally released on February 26, 2021. In this encore presentation, host Reed Galen is joined by Lincoln Project Senior Advisors Tara Setmayer and Stuart Stevens to discuss Sen. Ron Johnson's peddling of conspiracy theories during the Senate's first Capitol security hearing, Sen. Mitch McConnell's resistance to Speaker Nancy Pelosi's proposal of a 9/11-style commission to study the January 6th insurrection, and CPAC 2021. But first, the panel breaks down "The Seven Pillars of Trumpism" and applies the pillars to the conversation that follows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by New York Times Cybersecurity Reporter and Author of This is How They Tell Me the World Ends, Nicole Perlroth. They discuss the current state of our nation’s cybersecurity, the evolution and use of “zero-days”, and the disinformation-free truth about election security. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Legendary Democratic Strategist and brand new Senior Advisor to the Lincoln Project, Joe Trippi. They discuss how Joe came to join the Lincoln Project, the importance of setting aside differences to form a pro-democracy coalition, the latest in corporate accountability, and Trump’s dangerous words at a weekend rally in Sarasota, Florida. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Dr. Charity Dean (CEO, Co-Founder, and Chairman of Public Health Company) to discuss how she was among the first to identify the true threat of COVID-19, the effect of the pandemic on American institutions, and how the leadership lessons of Winston Churchill can be used to effectively combat the novel pathogens of today. To learn more about Dr. Charity Dean, visit phc.health or read about her story in Michael Lewis’ new book, The Premonition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Ari Berman (Senior Reporter, Mother Jones & Author of Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America) to discuss Heritage Action’s role in state-level anti-voting legislation, Ron DeSantis’ “anti-riot” law in Florida, and the importance of working with those you may not always agree with when it comes to defending democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Political Consultant Trygve Olson (President, Viking Strategies, LLC) to discuss the psychological pillars of political extremism, the dangerous tactics of autocrats, and the ten rules Olson has developed to beat those tactics. To hear more from Trygve Olson, follow him @TrygveOlson on Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Lincoln Project Communications Director Ryan Wiggins to discuss voters who do not see voting rights/election reform as a top priority, what to expect politically as the summer heats up, and the idea of the Republican party being, "the Barstool party". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Dr. Steven Levitsky (Professor of Government at Harvard University) to discuss his book, How Democracies Die, the state of play of our nation’s democracy today, and how we extract ourselves from where our democracy is currently heading. Plus, the importance of maintaining a multi-party, pro-democracy, coalition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Stuart Stevens to discuss where the Lincoln Project stands both politically and operationally as the summer of 2021 begins, the biggest hurdles in need of overcoming, and which targets the Lincoln Project will be pursuing. Plus, how can members of the Lincoln Project community join the fight and get involved? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Bill Burton (Former White House Deputy Press Secretary & Founder/President of Bryson Gillette) to discuss the role of polling in politics (especially at the local level in regards to local issues like homelessness, competence, and crime), the power of big tech/social media companies, and what Senator Joe Manchin could possibly be thinking. Plus, Bill shares the difficulties experienced by the Obama White House when it came to bipartisanship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founders Steve Schmidt & Rick Wilson, as well as Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Stuart Stevens to discuss Donald Trump’s recent speech in North Carolina and Senator Joe Manchin’s declaration that he will not be supporting the “For the People Act”. Plus, a story straight from the British Virgin Islands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by award-winning television journalist and author, Jeff Greenfield to discuss if there’s a potential rift in the GOP (SPOILER ALERT...there’s not) and the current role of the national political media. Plus, how did Jeff catch the politics bug? You can follow Jeff Greenfield on Twitter @Greenfield64. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Dr. Steven Hassan, a cults & undue influence expert and mental health professional to discuss the cult of cults that surrounds Donald Trump, why the ideas and actions of Donald Trump are attractive to so many Americans and the Republican party, and what prescriptions can be used to dismantle the “Cult of Trump”. In 1974, at the age of 19, Dr. Hassan was recruited into the Unification Church of Sun Myung Moon. After more than two years, his family successfully deprogrammed him from the cult. This experience led him to his work helping save others caught by the predatory influence of cult leaders. He is the founding director of the Freedom of Mind Resource Center (freedomofmind.com) and has published an array of papers, articles, and books on the subject of cults & undue influence...including his most recent book, The Cult of Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lisa Senecal and Maya May, the Co-Hosts of Lincoln Project Television’s “We’re Speaking” as well as Tedra Cobb (President of Backroads PAC & former Democratic candidate for Congress in NY-21 challenging Elise Stafanik) to discuss the return of “We’re Speaking” to the LPTV airwaves, Sen. Mitch McConnell requesting a “personal favor” of Senate Republicans, and the rise and evolution of Rep. Elise Stefanik. LPTV’s "We’re Speaking" streams live every Wednesday at 8pm ET on the Lincoln Project's YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Tara Setmayer to discuss the return of “The Breakdown” to the LPTV airwaves, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s comparison of House mask mandates to the holocaust, and the latest updates in American corporations continuing to break their pledge by making campaign donations to members of the sedition caucus. LPTV’s "The Breakdown" streams live every Tuesday and Thursday at 8pm ET on the Lincoln Project's YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by the Co-Executive Directors of the Franklin Project, Greg Jenkins and Erin Dobson. They discuss the newly launched Franklin Project’s mission to address the increasing imbalance of power between the government and the governed, the creation of “The Democracy Corps”, and the state of civics education in the United States. To learn more about and get involved with the Franklin Project, visit FranklinProject.us and follow @FranklinProjUS on Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founders Steve Schmidt and Rick Wilson to discuss the Lincoln Project’s latest ad, the true stakes of the 2022 election, and whether or not the GOP can/should be saved. Plus, don’t forget to register for the second “America First Rally” with Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene on May 21st...attendance highly discouraged! Here’s the registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/america-first-rally-with-congressman-gaetz-and-congresswoman-greene-tickets-154592128217 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson, Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Stevens, and Lincoln Project Executive Director Fred Wellman to discuss the ousting of Liz Cheney from House leadership, a group of 100 Republicans threatening to form a third party, and the recent open letter from 124 retired generals and admirals advancing Trump’s “Big Lie”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Mike Hayes (Former Commander of SEAL Team TWO, U.S. Navy) to discuss how Mike came to be a Navy SEAL, the impact of the first few months of the Biden administration, and the importance of navigating the fine line between following leadership and trusting one’s personal morals. To hear more from Mike Hayes, be sure to check out his new book, Never Enough: A Navy SEAL Commander on Living a Life of Excellence, Agility, and Meaning, available at Amazon or wherever fine books are sold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Tara Setmayer to discuss the latest in the McCarthy/Cheney saga, Josh Hawley’s recent livestream with the The Washington Post, and how the media chooses to cover Washington. Plus, Donald Trump has a new blog. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Stuart Stevens to discuss a new ad from the Lincoln Project, Trump’s latest statement regarding “The Big Lie”, and the recent bizarre proclamation by Ted Cruz to swear off corporate PAC donations. Plus, one year has passed since the Lincoln Project released the ad, “Mourning in America.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices