The Muckrake Political Podcast

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman dive into the new Epstein email tranche, from Trump’s scramble to sic “his” DOJ on Clinton and Summers to the media’s polite amnesia about who looked the other way. They connect the dots on fixers, blackmail, and a culture of impunity, then pivot to what the fallout means for MAGA’s coalition and why shame no longer moves the needle. Plus, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s sudden “civility” turn, Jamie Raskin’s ridiculous big-tent pitch, and Ted Cruz telegraphing a 2028 run. Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast The Epstein Tranche Blows Open 02:00 – 06:00 Why This Story Has Real Legs 06:00 – 12:30 Power Protects Power 12:30 – 18:45 MTG’s Sudden Pivot 18:45 – 26:30 Cruz 2028 and the Post-Trump GOP 26:30 – End

Support the show on Patreon and unlock special content like our Weekender show every Friday. As a bonus, today's show is released in full in order to hear co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman's analysis on the newly released Epstein emails and what they might, and we stress might, mean for Trump. Then, Nick interviews John Cavanaugh, who is running for Congress in Nebraska. Topics include banning congressional stock trades, repealing the diaper tax, ICE raids hitting Nebraska’s meatpacking towns, the costs of tariff chaos, redistricting reform, judicial term ideas, cannabis access, and how to actually rebuild public trust.

Nick Hauselman hosts while Jared Yates Sexton joins from the road to break down a “deal” that looks a lot like capitulation, the promised-but-pointless ACA vote, and a wave of fake-elector pardons that clears the board for the authoritarian project. They talk weaponized investigations into Adam Schiff, the media’s selective silence on Trump’s health, and a Gilded Age cosplay at Mar-a-Lago while SNAP recipients twist in the wind. Also on the docket: 50-year mortgages that turn homeownership into a lifetime sentence and the trillion-dollar vibes coming from Musk’s payday. It’s shutdown brinkmanship, reality distortion, and class-war optics, all wrapped in one grim spectacle. Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast

This is a preview of our full Weekender. Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast In a live Weekender taping, Jared Yates Sexton holds down the fort while Nick Hauselman battles the “Socialist Republic of New York,” then tags in for a fast, sharp Q&A. The guys break down what Zoran Mamdani’s win actually signals, whether AOC just gained real 2028 juice, and why Gavin Newsom looks like yesterday’s model in a changing market. They torch the Heritage crowd’s flirtation with Nick Fuentes, talk shutdown brinkmanship and mutual-aid politics, and lay out practical protest security in a surveillance state. There’s a quick detour through JFK/FDR alt-history, a brutal review of that Springsteen movie, and a courtside reality check on a foul-fest Lakers–Spurs game featuring a very mortal Wemby. It’s smart, a little spicy, and deeply unsentimental—just how Muckrake listeners like it.

Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman kick things off by announcing a live Patreon Q&A this Thursday, November 6 at 5 p.m. ET, then dive into New York City’s mayoral shockwave. They break down Zoran Mamdani’s surge, Andrew Cuomo’s Trump-backed Islamophobic ad blitz, and why the Democratic establishment looks allergic to enthusiasm. From there, they game out what a Mamdani win could mean for AOC, party power brokers, and a whole lot of donor panic. Plus, Trump’s itchy trigger finger toward Nigeria, Venezuela, and Mexico gets the full reality check, and the guys unpack reports of ICE showing up near polling places alongside talk of bounty-style enforcement that sounds less like policy and more like state racketeering. Come for the outrage therapy, stay for the receipts. Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast

Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast It’s a Halloween Weekender so co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman start with candy talk, then dive into the Pentagon’s plan for a 23,500-troop National Guard “reaction force” slated to spin up Jan 1 and be fully operational by Apr 1, and what that signals about ballot boxes, civil unrest, and creeping authoritarianism. They hit Trump’s chest-thumping about reviving nuclear testing, the tech-military money pipeline, and why eugenics-flavored rhetoric keeps popping up. Then it’s SNAP benefits triage, emergency funds that won’t cover the full need, and the cruelty baked into the politics. For dessert, Nick’s West Wing binge meets Jared’s analog-horror picks, plus a quick Nightmare on Elm Street rewatch pitch.

Donald Trump just demolished the entire East Wing of the White House so he can build a $300 million gilded “Presidential Ballroom,” even after promising there would be “no structural damage.” At the exact same time, because of the shutdown, the USDA says SNAP will stop paying out on November 1 and more than 40 million Americans (about 1 in 8 people in this country) are about to lose their food benefits while states scramble to set up emergency food banks. This is what “Eat The Rich” actually looks like in real time. Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down how this ballroom stunt became the perfect symbol of American rot: looting the state, starving the public, daring anyone to stop it. They connect it to the shutdown, the coming food crisis, and the GOP strategy of holding basic survival hostage while blaming “Democrats who won’t negotiate.” They also get into what happens next — desperation, crime, crackdown, and why the right actually wants that cycle. Plus: what’s really happening in Venezuela. The administration is openly talking about oil, U.S.-backed operators are getting grabbed on the ground, and we’re moving assets toward Caracas like it’s 1983 all over again. Why regime change never went away, it just stopped pretending to be subtle. And yeah, we talk about rage, mutual aid, and what it looks like when people finally decide they’re done letting billionaires build palaces while kids don’t eat. Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast

Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast With Jared Yates Sexton out, Coach Nick hosts a two-guest Weekender unpacking how “absolute immunity” is morphing into absolute impunity. Criminal defense attorney Greg Rosenfeld joins from Palm Beach County to break down Ninth Circuit skirmishes, shadow-docket shenanigans, and why judicial deference is gutting real checks on an increasingly imperial presidency. Then Professor Jason Niedleman (University of La Verne) digs into the political strategy behind National Guard deployments, the shutdown blame game, and the long war over rules, filibusters, and gerrymanders. Along the way: DC crime stats spin, immigration theatrics, a Santos commutation sidebar, and why expanding the electorate is the actual endgame.

Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman unpack a wild weekend where millions protested authoritarianism under the banner of “No Kings,” and Trump responded by posting an AI video of himself as a crowned fighter pilot literally defecating on Americans. They break down what that grotesque image says about power, humiliation, and a party that calls it “satire.” Plus: the GOP’s shutdown strategy, live artillery fired over I-5, and how all this adds up to a monarchy in everything but name. Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast

Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: ⁠http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast⁠ On this Weekender, hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down the leaked Telegram messages from young GOP leaders that read less like edgy jokes and more like a neo-Nazi starter kit,followed by JD Vance’s “they’re just kids” defense. The guys connect the dots to the broader fascist pipeline (hi, Stephen Miller), preview the nationwide No Kings protests with a sober look at what real next steps require, and side-eye the missile-flyover spectacle in California while assessing reports of CIA black ops ramping up in Venezuela. Plus: what they’re watching, from gritty hospital drama to gleefully unhinged sketch comedy, and one very gnarly horror pick for the sickos in the Discord.

Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman divie straight into the week’s whiplash: the Israel/Hamas ceasefire and prisoner exchanges, Netanyahu’s corruption baggage, and Donald Trump’s jaw-dropper about “pardoning” Bibi. From there, the hosts trace the politics behind the pause, Biden’s misreads and missed leverage, and the grim playbook for Gaza’s future dressed up as “reeducation." Then it’s on to the stateside corruption: semantic games over a Qatari facility at Mountain Home AFB, JD Vance’s TV gaslighting, and the brazen crypto windfall that hit minutes before Trump's Taco Tariffs. Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast

Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast. It’s a Birthday Boys Weekender as Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman go from sugar highs to authoritarian lows, unpacking reports that Trump world is gaming out the Insurrection Act, the normalization of troops on American streets, and why the guardrails failed from Cheney’s unitary executive to the Supreme Court’s immunity blessing. They break down Gov. JB Pritzker’s blunt talk about Trump’s cognitive decline, the Senate’s oversight-as-reality-TV spectacle starring Pam Bondi, and the long arc of American strongman temptations from Adams to Nixon. Plus a quick detour into PTA’s latest thriller, spooky-season horror logic, and Nick’s looming travel apocalypse.

In this searing episode, Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down the shocking ICE raids in Chicago, complete with Blackhawks, power cutoffs, and mass detentions. They explore how these actions reveal the rise of a domestic military force and the breakdown between state and federal power. The hosts also examine Stephen Miller’s latest propaganda, GOP claims about Jack Smith’s “surveillance,” and the disturbing corporate capture of media as Barry Weiss takes over CBS News. Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast

Hear the full Weekender every Friday, plus Live Shows and our community Discord. Support us at http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down the bizarre Trump–Hegseth meeting with America’s top generals. Instead of commanding respect, Trump rambled through grievances and half-baked ideas while Hegseth postured and pandered, leaving serious military leaders unimpressed. We explore the dangerous implications of a president alienating his own brass, how authoritarian rhetoric collides with sheer incompetence, and why this moment opens up a host of unsettling outcomes. Along the way we look at the government shutdown, a self-defeating Argentina bailout, and the larger picture of American decline before closing with some culture picks.

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman unpack a jaw-dropping Trump admission—governing off TV images and staff spin—and how that fantasy politics becomes policy: talk of sending “full force” into blue cities, a rebranding of domestic terror to target dissent, and an FBI focus that ignores the deadliest threats. They contrast right-wing violence with the media’s left-is-rising narrative, dig into how grifters launder fear into power, and roast Democratic leadership for meeting authoritarian tactics with mushy pressers as a shutdown looms. Plus: Portland reality vs. propaganda, why “security” is the fig leaf for crackdowns, and what real pushback should look like. Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast

Support the show on Patreon to hear the full Weekender and get access to special live shows, our community Discord, and more: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman dig into a grim week of authoritarian chest-thumping and reality-warping. They start with the Dallas ICE detention-center shooting—three immigrants shot, one killed—and the head-spinning “evidence” rollout amplified by Kash Patel. From there it’s J.D. Vance’s sanctimony about “violent rhetoric,” the broader strategy of blaming critics while expanding state power, and why this phase feels less like politics and more like a permission structure for repression. They break down the reported moves to indict James Comey, the DOJ’s Soros-as-crime-boss fishing expedition, and open talk of targeting Letitia James—not “accountability,” just payback. Then: Trump’s UN ramble (renewables are a “joke,” Christianity “most persecuted,” escalator conspiracies) and his whiplash turn on Ukraine/Russia, plus NATO stress tests, Pete Hegseth’s generals’ confab, and why World War III talk is suddenly louder.

Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down how Charlie Kirk’s Glendale “memorial” morphed into a full-blown Authoritarian Christian Nationalist pep rally: Stephen Miller’s “I am the storm” theatrics, Tucker Carlson’s martyr-making dog whistles, and Donald Trump turning grief into a campaign stump behind bulletproof glass. They unpack Trump’s bizarre (and impeachable) direct message to Attorney General Pam Bondi, and discuss reporting that Tom Homan accepted $50,000 in a restaurant to-go bag during an FBI sting because of course he did. Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and our community discord: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast

Nick Hauselman has scheduling issues, so Jared Yates Sexton dives into ABC censoring Jimmy Kimmel on behalf of the Trump Administration and the Right, detailing how past authoritarian regimes wrote the playbook and where all of this is likely heading. This is a preview of the Weekender episode, which is a patron-exclusive. To hear the entire episode and support The Muckrake Podcast, head over to http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast to become a patron.

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down the chaotic aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and how the right is exploiting it. They unpack the instant anti-trans scapegoating, JD Vance’s open calls to wield state power against political opponents, Stephen Miller’s “domestic terrorism” dragnet fantasy, and a media ecosystem already capitulating. They trace the Overton window lurching right, the surveillance machine waiting to be flipped on, and why even an ICE killing barely registers amid the frenzy. It’s the pretext for repression, and the gate is closing unless we act. Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast

This is a free preview of our Weekender. Get the full episode, every Weekender, special live shows, and our community Discord by supporting us here: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman pick up after their emergency pod on the assassination of Charlie Kirk, sorting what’s real from what’s useful to the people in power. Jared digs into accelerationist chatter, the leaky “shells with slogans” narrative, and how a soft target + a gutted FBI creates perfect conditions for chaos. Nick pushes back on the “pro hit” talk (and why a neck shot doesn’t scream sniper), while they break down Trump’s response—an uncanny video wrapped around a ready-made storyline that instantly deputizes repression against political enemies. They also call out the liberal media’s rush to launder Kirk’s record, talk Groypers vs. Kirk, and why “thoughts and prayers” gave way to weaponized certainty in minutes. If it feels like reality is being edited in real time… that’s the point.

In an emergency broadcast, Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down the shocking assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Beyond the tragedy itself, they explore the dangerous ways this moment could be weaponized by the Right, the potential for escalating sectarian violence, and how America’s culture of guns, fascism, and grievance politics has led us here. Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton (fighting off an Oasis-induced cold) and Nick Hauselman break down a 6–3 Supreme Court move that lets ICE ramp up racial profiling in Los Angeles and what that signals for Chicago, protest crackdowns, and a country drifting into a “soft civil war.” They dig into reports of banning trans people from buying firearms under the guise of “mental illness,” Cleta Mitchell’s open chatter about using “sovereign emergency powers” to federalize elections, and a Medicare pilot that outsources care decisions to A.I. (what could go wrong!). Plus: Gallup numbers showing Americans actually like immigration and are souring on capitalism, if only Democrats would act accordingly. Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast

This is a preview of the Weekender. Get full access to the entire episode on our Patreon: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast Co-hosts Nick Hauselman and Jared Yates Sexton unpack a wild week: The Epstein survivors speak and the right tries to launder Trump’s proximity. RFK Jr. does the “don’t trust experts” routine, while Florida moves to end school vaccine mandates. The U.S. blows up a Venezuelan boat with 11 people on board, insisting they were drug smugglers with no evidence. They talk about how manufactured uncertainty keeps power unaccountable, why shredding public health is the point, and what it means when even Rand Paul sounds like due process. Plus: Oasis in Chicago, beer showers, and why Jaws in IMAX still rips.

👉 This is an excerpt from the full Weekender episode. Click here for full access and to support the show: Patreon.com/MuckrakePodcast. On this Weekender edition, co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down the latest authoritarian power plays, from Trump’s attempted purge of federal institutions to RFK Jr.’s overreach at the CDC, and connect the dots on how neoliberalism and authoritarianism reinforce each other. They dig into the economic warning signs, the chilling reality of AI gone wrong, and what systemic reform would really look like. Along the way: Godfather analogies, stagflation déjà vu, Gaza’s grim future with Kushner and Blair, and even an Oasis detour.

Donald Trump’s Oval Office rant took a darker turn this week, openly flirting with dictatorship while floating executive orders on flag burning, renaming the Department of Defense, and even eyeing a federal troop occupation of Chicago. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down the disturbing signs of escalation, the “mad king” dynamic now defining Trump’s behavior, and the growing pushback from leaders like Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Plus: why authoritarianism always comes wrapped in corruption, distraction, and stolen wealth. To get the full Weekender shows, live events, reaction episodes, and to support independent journalism, join us on Patreon.

👉 Support The Muckrake Podcast and get exclusive content by joining us on ⁠Patreon⁠ In this Weekender, co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman dig into shocking reports that the Trump administration is drawing up plans for airstrikes against Mexican cartels — a move that could destabilize the region and push the U.S. into dangerous territory. They also break down Trump’s attempts to rewrite museum history on slavery, the signals of his declining health, Elon Musk’s embrace of J.D. Vance, and what it all means for America’s slide toward authoritarianism. Plus: Texas gerrymandering, Gavin Newsom’s trolling strategy, and James Dobson’s toxic legacy.

Donald Trump just welcomed Vladimir Putin to American soil and rolled out the red carpet—literally clapping as the war criminal strutted into Alaska.. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down what really went down at the summit, why Trump is parroting Putin’s talking points on mail-in voting, and how this all points to an accelerating authoritarian project. Plus: federal troops occupy D.C., ICE violence escalates, and MSNBC rebrands to… “MS Now.” 👉 This is exactly why we do this work. Support the show and get access to exclusive Weekender episodes, the community Discord, and live events by joining us at patreon.com/muckrakepodcast.

This is a preview of The Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. Please go to ⁠patreon.com/muckrakepodcast⁠ to gain access to the regular Weekender episodes on Fridays. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman dig into the Pentagon’s new “domestic civil disturbance” rapid deployment plan, why it signals a creeping police state, and how it connects to ICE’s push for legalized racial profiling. They also cover Gavin Newsom’s decidedly non Trump-style gerrymandering gambit, the Trump takeover of the Kennedy Center, and a disturbing report on Meta’s AI chatting with minors.

Together at last! Co-hosts Nick Hauselman and Jared Yates Sexton break down Donald Trump’s stunning move to seize control of Washington, D.C.’s police force despite the city’s crime rate hitting a three-decade low. The guys unpack the dangerous authoritarian precedent, the looming threat to other cities, and why Democrats are failing to push for D.C. statehood. Then, they turn to Trump’s upcoming Alaska meeting with Vladimir Putin, where the “deal” on Ukraine sounds more like carving up a real estate portfolio than ending a war. Plus: Tariffs on semiconductors, China’s rise, and why America is sliding toward the worst of both Russia and China’s systems. To support the show and gain full access to the Weekender episode on Fridays, head over to http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast and become a patron. It keeps us ad free, editorially independent, and helps us grow.

To support the show and gain full access to the Weekender episode on Fridays, head over to ⁠⁠patreon.com/muckrakepodcast⁠⁠ and become a patron. It keeps us ad-free, editorially independent, and helps us grow. The right-wing power play marches on as co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman discuss: JD Vance plans to meet with heads of the DOJ Pam Bondi and Kash Patel to plot out the Epstein coup as Ghislaine Maxwell is quietly moved to a lower-security prison in Texas. Meanwhile, it appears key parts of the U.S. Constitution are being edited out on a Congressional website. We dig into this digital sleight of hand and what it might mean. Plus: Senator John Cornyn and the FBI seem to be escalating pressure on Texas Democrats, and new tariffs are coming online with serious economic consequences.

On this episode of the Muckrake Podcast, co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman dig into the disturbing trend of punishing truth-tellers in government, the newly revealed memo outlining plans to deploy more military force on domestic soil, and the latest GOP power grab in Texas as Republican lawmakers attempt yet another redistricting scheme to hold onto power. To support the show and gain full access to the Weekender episode on Fridays, head over to ⁠http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast⁠ and become a patron. It keeps us ad free, editorially independent, and helps us grow.

This is a preview of The Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. Please go to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain access to the regular Weekender episodes on Fridays. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman discuss Donald Trump's new claims that Epstein “stole” Virginia Giuffre from a Mar-a-Lago spa in 2000. We dig into what he said, when he said it, and why he called Epstein a “great guy” in 2002 — before their supposed falling out in 2004. Also: Ford posts its first quarterly loss in years thanks to tariffs, and the U.S. labor market sheds 62,000 jobs — a 140% increase in layoffs from last July.

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down the stunning news that Ghislaine Maxwell secretly met with the DOJ, potentially signaling cooperation that could implicate more powerful figures. Meanwhile, Donald Trump spirals publicly during a disastrous appearance in Scotland. Lastly, they dive into the disturbing new executive order aimed at institutionalizing citizens against their will, raising urgent questions about civil liberties and government overreach. To support the show and gain full access to bonus content, head over to patreon.com/muckrakepodcast and become a patron today.

Together at last! Co-hosts Nick Hauselman and Jared Yates Sexton are reunited (and it feels so good). In this episode, they dig into the Wall Street Journal’s latest bombshell reporting on Jeffrey Epstein, the flurry of new subpoenas, and whether Ghislaine Maxwell might be cutting a deal from prison. Then: South Park throws major shade at Paramount over Trump, free speech, and streaming power plays. And yes—Nick needs just a minute to talk about Hulk Hogan. To support the show and gain full access to the Weekender episode on Fridays, head over to ⁠http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast⁠ and become a patron. It keeps us ad free, editorially independent, and helps us grow.

Together at last! Co-hosts Nick Hauselman and Jared Yates Sexton are reunited (and it feels so good). In this episode of the Muckrake Podcast, Nick and Jared break down newly surfaced evidence related to Jeffrey Epstein, raising fresh questions about who knew what — and when. They explore the disturbing use of torture tactics by DHS and ICE, and how the government is increasingly targeting political opponents through arrests and surveillance. The crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, and the hosts analyze Israel’s ongoing actions and global fallout. Finally, they examine the sudden cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s show and what it reveals about the current state of media and comedy in a time of rising authoritarianism. To support the show and gain full access to the Weekender episode on Fridays, head over to ⁠http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast⁠ and become a patron. It keeps us ad free, editorially independent, and helps us grow.

This is a preview of The Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. Please go to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain access to the regular Weekender episodes on Fridays. Jared Yates Sexton is unavailable, so on this episode, Nick Hauselman is joined by Political Science Professor Jason Neidleman. They dive into the political firestorm erupting around Jeffrey Epstein — from Pam Bondi’s disastrous Fox News appearance to MAGA influencers turning on Trump over his ties to the case. They cover the brutal deportation of innocent people under current policy, including a chilling Stephen Miller sound bite defending the practice. And they examine the drastic cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (NPR, PBS) and how that plays into Right's desire to control educational propaganda.

Nick Hauselman hosts while Jared Yates Sexton is unavailable, and he interviews Aaron Rupar, an independent journalist and publisher of The Public Notice Newsletter. As the tweeter of record of all things political on broadcast air, Rupar has a unique insight into the Epstein case, Trump's ineffective relationship with Putin, and lots more.

On this episode of The Weekender, I welcomed my good friend Danielle Moodie of The Danielle Moodie Show and Democracy-Ish to co-host and discuss the full-Nazi turn by Elon Musk's Grok AI and how the fascist oligarchs are programming the worst and most destructive parts of America into the technology of the future. Later, in the full episode, we talked about the misery of the authoritarians, the damage done by ICE to us, themselves, and culture at large. If you haven't already, head over to http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast and become a patron. You'll gain full access to these Weekender episodes, our community discourse, live shows, and everything else. You'll also support the show and keep us rolling forward.

In this episode of The Muckrake Podcast, Jared Yates Sexton discusses the horrific tragedy in Texas with floods killing over 100 people, the rise of climate fascism, and how demand for climate and economic justice have to be at the center of a movement fighting authoritarianism. From there, he digs into Elon Musk's proposed "America Party" as an astroturfed attempt to create a party in the thrall of the oligarchical class, but also a possible precursor to multiple parties challenging our current duopolistic system. The stunt in Los Angeles with federal troops driving tanks gets talked about, as well as the Department of Justice declaring there is no Jeffrey Epstein client list. To support the show and gain full access to the Weekender episode on Fridays, head over to http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast and become a patron. It keeps us ad free, editorially independent, and helps us grow.

In this preview of The Weekender, Jared Yates Sexton begins by talking about the passage of the GOP domestic agenda through Congress in what represents possibly the penultimate blow to liberal democracy, the social-safety net, and the funding for full-blown authoritarianism. In the full episode, he discusses ICE becoming a domestic occupation force, the construction of a system of concentration camps, and how a dystopian future is being put in place. To gain access to this episode and every other Weekender, and to support the show, head over to http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast and become a patron today.

Nick Hauselman is still out of the country, so Jared Yates Sexton brings on friend of the pod Karl Folk for an in-depth discussion of the changing political environment, including the Mamdani win, the rising solidarity movement against fascism, and how this moment is both the sum of past events and something new entirely. To support the show, head over to http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast and become a patron. You'll keep The Muckrake ad-free, editorially independent, and also gain access to The Weekender show every Friday.

In this preview of The Weekender, Jared Yates Sexton gets into the miraculous victory by Zohran Mamdani in New York City and the fallout among the rank-and-file Democrats. For subscribers, this turns to an analysis of why the fearmongering and slandering didn't work this time, comments on the Pentagon leaks regarding the failed attack on Iran and the whole war debacle, rumors of the 2024 Election being stolen, and a deep dive into the awful (but revealing!) Ross Douthat interview with Peter Thiel. To gain access to the full show, and to support The Muckrake Podcast, head over to http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast and become a patron.

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down the latest U.S. attack on Iran, where Trump ordered a dozen massive bombs dropped on nuclear sites, then claimed it wasn’t war - just “MIGA.” The Pentagon admits they don’t even know where the uranium is. Oh yeah, Congress was barely informed. Support the show and gain access to the Weekender episodes on Friday by going to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and becoming a patron.

This is a preview of The Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. Please go to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain access to the regular Weekender episodes on Fridays. Trump’s threats toward Iran have escalated from incoherent to terrifying—with evacuation warnings, “we’re at war” rhetoric, and reports he’s greenlit an attack. All while taking policy cues from Fox News segments. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down how the right-wing infotainment complex is driving foreign policy in real time and why this is sparking a telling schism in American politics. We dig into the MAGA isolationist response—from Tulsi Gabbard downplaying Iran’s capabilities to Tucker Carlson absolutely dismantling Ted Cruz—and what it reveals about the realignment on the right. There’s more at stake here than just another war: this is about who gets to decide what America is, and who we kill for it.

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down one of the largest protest days in American history and why the media refuses to treat it like the political earthquake it is. They dive into the horrifying assassination in Minnesota—and the MAGA disinformation machine that followed—before turning to the chaos erupting in the Middle East. Plus: ICE is starving detainees, and Trump is throwing parades. Good times. Support the show and gain access to the Weekender episodes on Friday, including this week's Mailbag episode, by going to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and becoming a patron.

This is a preview of The Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. Please go to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain access to the regular Weekender episodes on Fridays. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman dig into the rapidly intensifying standoff in LA, where Marines patrol the streets, Reaper drones fly overhead, and “No Kings” protests are gaining serious momentum. As Trump stages a fascist spectacle with his military parade and loyalty-vetted troops, tensions rise across the country — and abroad, signs point to a potentially catastrophic war on the horizon.

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down how the authoritarian crackdown erupted in Los Angeles, with Trump now openly escalating his illegal takeover of the National Guard — while sending in the Marines unprovoked. Nick gives his firsthand account of the protest, and they explore the cyclical nature of strongman violence, how the corporate media is laundering it all through a sanitized lens, and what these dangerous trends mean heading into a long, volatile summer. Support the show and gain access to the Weekender episodes on Friday, including this week's Mailbag episode, by going to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and becoming a patron.

This is a preview of The Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. Please go to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain access to the regular Weekender episodes on Fridays. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman dive into the brewing feud between Elon Musk and Donald Trump, unpacking what their falling out says about the current state of politics in general. Then they turn to the Democrats—some of whom seem eager to welcome Musk back into the fold—and debate whether that’s a savvy move or political malpractice (hint: the latter).

The surveillance state just got an upgrade, as Trump taps Palantir to process all government data — building files on every American. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman unpack the staggering implications, the DHS raid on Rep. Jerry Nadler’s office, and Trump’s team trying to turn intelligence briefings into Fox News segments. Then: Ukraine reportedly strikes deep into Russia with drone attacks, and Senator Joni Ernst literally takes her Medicaid messaging to the cemetery.

This is a preview of The Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. Please go to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain access to the regular Weekender episodes on Fridays. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman discuss the sad departure of Elon Musk from government, as he'd apparently had enough corruption for one political cycle. We also got a glimpse of how lonely and dysfunctional the male population is, particularly when the Democrats want to fund a $20 million study on them. Even Don Bongino is having a rough go of it. It also turns out that Qatari plane wasn't a free gift to Trump after all. Go figure.