Pod Save America

The Manhattan jury begins its deliberations, and the Trump team thinks it may have a sympathizer on the inside. Tommy and Strict Scrutiny's Melissa Murray break down the range of potential outcomes, from conviction to full acquittal to a hung jury. Plus: Robert De Niro mixes it up with protestors outside the courthouse, and Justice Alito formally refuses to recuse himself over what he says is his wife's constitutionally guaranteed freedom to fly insurrectionist flags.

John Legend joins Jon Favreau to discuss the impact of celebrity political endorsements, his political origins, working with Obama, and why a second Trump presidency would be a disaster. To unlock more episodes from our Friends of the Pod exclusive shows, sign up for Friends of the Pod on Apple. Podcasts or learn more about our community at crooked.com/friends

Jon is joined by longtime pollster Sarah Longwell and former Republican strategist Tim Miller to get inside the minds of two-time Trump voters who are no longer sure if they’ll vote for him again. What’s changed? Well, January 6th, a few criminal trials, and some obviously bogus claims that the election was stolen. But is that enough to get them over the line for Joe Biden? Jon, Tim, and Sarah listen to a focus group tape of these voters to figure out how they’re leaning in 2024 and then Ben Wikler, Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, joins to help teach you how to persuade the Biden-curious Trump voter in your life.

Welcome back to The Wilderness. Jon talks about what it will take to rebuild 2020’s anti-Trump coalition with political analyst Ron Brownstein, political scientist Lynn Vavreck, Democratic strategist Addisu Demissie, Democratic strategist Jen Palmieri, and Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg. They’ll talk about the  risks of a second Trump term and how you can help prevent it.  It may be a challenging road ahead, but by taking the time to persuade the persuadables in your life it’s possible to finally break Trump’s stranglehold on our politics.

The world gets some clues about the "special project" that's keeping Lovett away from the show, Nikki Haley abandons her principles and endorses Trump. With head-to-head polling showing a race locked in place, Trump and Biden spar over who deserves the support of Black voters. Then, former prosecutor Andrew Weissmann stops by to talk with Jon and Dan about where Trump's Manhattan trial stands ahead of closing arguments and jury deliberations.

Donald Trump is forced to remove a video promising "a unified Reich" as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris go on the attack against Trump's latest nod to Nazi language. Dan and Addisu Demissie discuss how Democrats should capitalize on Trump's mistakes, including an interview where Trump left the door open to bans on contraception. Then, Jon chats with friends of the pod Brian Wallach, Sandra Abrevaya, and Katie Couric about their new documentary on turning Brian's ALS diagnosis into an opportunity to organize, advocate, and push for a cure.

The prosecution rests in Donald Trump's Manhattan trial, and the defense begins to present their case. Biden pitches young Black voters while Trump compares himself to Abraham Lincoln. Then: Justice Samuel Alito is outed for showing solidarity with the "Stop the Steal" movement, and Dan explains why Democrats should be running hard against the MAGA Supreme Court. Plus: Rudy Giuliani gets served!

Jon, Dan, and CNN legal analyst Norm Eisen break down the highlights and lowlights of the Manhattan prosecutors’ case against Donald Trump and look ahead to what might happen next.  Plus, Dan and Jon discuss what’s at stake for Trump and Biden in a prime-time face-off that’s now just six weeks away—and why it might work to Biden’s advantage to start debating so early in the race.

Joe Biden surprises Donald Trump with a debate challenge, and Trump accepts. Tommy and MSNBC’s Jen Psaki discuss the strategy behind Biden’s move and how likely it is that those debates will actually happen, Trump’s courthouse surrogate operation, the latest with Israel and Gaza, and whether it’s true that Biden thinks the polls are wrong. Then, Tommy and Jen relive the best White House stories from Jen’s new book, Say More: Lessons from Work, The White House, and the World.

The prosecution calls its star witness, former Trump fixer Michael Cohen, who testifies about disguising hush money payments to keep the Stormy Daniels story from voters. Jon and Dan discuss why Biden is behind almost everywhere in the new round of battleground polls from the New York Times. Then, Rep. Colin Allred stops by the studio to talk about his race to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas, making the southern border more secure, and Biden's decision to pause weapons transfers to Israel.

Dan and Alyssa Mastromonaco discuss Stormy Daniels's latest round of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial. Trump insults Jewish voters and prepares a huge giveaway to Big Oil. President Biden announces he won't send offensive weapons to Israel if the IDF invades Rafah. RFK Jr. says doctors found a dead worm in his brain, and Marjorie Taylor Greene's effort to ditch Mike Johnson goes down in a humiliating landslide. Then, Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan talks with Lovett about all the big moves she's made on antitrust and worker protections.

Jon and veteran Democratic strategist Rebecca Katz discuss the graphic Stormy Daniels testimony in Trump's hush money case, Biden's trip to Wisconsin, and whether the campaign's new health care ad push could help unstick a very close race. Then, Rebecca dives into what she's seeing on the ground in Arizona, where she's working with Senate candidate Ruben Gallego to fend off Kari Lake and secure a majority for Democrats.

Ceasefire negotiations hit a major sticking point as Israel prepares an invasion of Rafah over Joe Biden's objections. Judge Merchan holds Donald Trump in contempt again and warns that jail time may be necessary to enforce the rules. Trump holds a retreat at Mar-a-Lago where he compares the Biden administration to Nazis and holds another public audition for running mate. Noted puppy-killer Kristi Noem gets a mention, and so does Sen. Mike Lee's hair. Then, Vote Save America's Shaniqua McClendon stops by to discuss the big launch of Organize or Else—the easiest and most effective way to get involved in this election. Ready to take action? Volunteer with Vote Save America at https://votesaveamerica.com/2024 Grab your tickets for Lovett or Leave It's weekly live show in Los Angeles! Special guest hosts include: Andy Richter, Larry Wilmore, Matt Rogers, Ian Karmel, Langston Kerman and Guy Branum. Dates & Tickets: https://crooked.com/events/

Former White House Ethics Czar and author of Trying Trump, Norm Eisen, joins Dan and Jon to discuss his insights from the first three weeks of Donald Trump’s Manhattan criminal trial. Plus, Trump uses a day off from court to hold rallies in Wisconsin and Michigan, attack college protesters and Palestinians, and fear-monger about refugees. Meanwhile, the Biden-Harris campaign capitalizes on Trump’s comments about letting states monitor women’s pregnancies as Florida’s abortion ban goes into effect and Arizona repeals its 1864 abortion ban. Also, Marjorie Taylor Greene keeps trying to oust Mike Johnson as House Speaker.

Lovett and guest host Tim Miller discuss Donald Trump's mind-boggling interview with TIME Magazine, in which he details his plans to use the military to deport immigrants, allow states to monitor women's pregnancies, jack up prices on all imported goods, and much more. Plus, the Biden administration moves to reclassify weed, riot police move in on campus protestors, and Drew Barrymore asks Kamala Harris for a very special favor.

Joe Biden cracks jokes, mocks Trump, and goes around traditional media outlets to get his message out on shows like Smartless and Howard Stern. Democratic and Republican politicians get involved in the debate over the Gaza protests on college campuses. One-time Republican Trump critics line up to kiss the ring, and Kristi Noem destroys her VP chances by coming out as an unapologetic puppy killer.

Tommy, guest host Alyssa Mastromonaco, and Strict Scrutiny’s Leah Litman break down the Trump team’s immunity argument at the Supreme Court, the latest with Idaho’s abortion ban, and why a New York court overturned Harvey Weinstein’s conviction. Plus, the Biden administration makes big moves to help out consumers and workers, and the TikTok ban moves forward. Then, Alyssa shares some behind-the-scenes stories about how picking a VP really works.

Prosecutors in Donald Trump's criminal trial call their first witness: a former National Enquirer publisher who puts the former president at the center of a conspiracy to corrupt the 2016 election. Joe Biden wins a major endorsement from the building trades unions and works to define Trump as an out-of-touch rich guy who only wants to help his rich friends. In Pennsylvania, Connecticut hedge fund manager Dave McCormick officially wins the Republican nomination for Senate and will face Democratic Senator Bob Casey in the fall. Then, George Stephanopoulos talks with Dan about the challenges of covering Trump, his new book about the White House Situation Room.

Jon, Tommy, Dan, and Hysteria Co-Host Erin Ryan are live from the LA Times Festival of Books! As the first week of Donald Trump's Manhattan criminal trial ends, Trump defends himself by constantly violating his gag order and—allegedly—farting recklessly in the courtroom. President Biden hits the trail to highlight his plans to help the middle class and pass legislation restoring Roe v. Wade. Trump reportedly narrows in on a VP pick, but rules out governors from states with the most restrictive abortion bans. And, Jon and Tommy talk about their upcoming book, Democracy or Else: How To Save America in 10 Easy Steps.Democracy or Else: How To Save America in 10 Easy Steps is coming June 25th. Crooked is donating its profits from Democracy or Else to support Vote Save America, its partners, and other organizations who are mobilizing for progressive outcomes in the 2024 election and beyond. Pre-order now wherever books are sold: http://crooked.com/books

Jon talks to Alex Garland, writer and director of the hit movie 'Civil War,' about why he wanted to make a blockbuster about the demise of American democracy. Plus, Jon and Dan talk about the 12 jurors who have officially been seated in Trump's hush-money trial, MAGA Mike Johnson’s gamble on foreign aid for Ukraine and Kari Lake encouraging her supporters to strap on a Glock as Arizona becomes a central battleground of the 2024 election.

Tommy is joined by Terrance Woodbury, Democratic strategist and pollster, to talk about President Biden's standing with young Black men and other groups he'll need to win the White House a second time. Plus, highlights from the opening days of Trump's criminal trial in New York, Biden's promise to tax the rich, and what new data says about the influence of third-party candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West.

Donald Trump makes history as the first US President to face a criminal trial and reportedly falls asleep at the defense table during jury selection. President Biden urges restraint from Bibi Netanyahu after Iran launches retaliatory drone and missile strikes against Israel. Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson finds himself in a political pickle trying to pass aid for Israel and Ukraine. Then, Tommy and Strict Scrutiny's Melissa Murray discuss Trump's first day in court, the process of jury selection, and how the New York case compares to Trump's other indictments.

Joe Biden lays out the choice on the economy. Donald Trump stands by his man Mike Johnson despite Marjorie Taylor Greene's threats to oust him as Speaker. Republicans tell the New York Times they plan to elevate third party candidates like RFK Jr. as a way to help Trump win. And Fox News can’t get enough of Trump’s masterful Chick-fil-A order.

Dan is joined by Jennifer Palmieri, co-host of MSNBC's How to Win 2024 podcast and a former communications director for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, to discuss the ramifications of Arizona's Supreme Court upholding a 160-year old abortion ban. Then they break down President Biden's interview with Univision reporter Enrique Acevedo and his campaign’s efforts to reach out to Latino voters. And with just over seven months until the election, they look at the state of both campaigns, how much each candidate is raising and whether or not all that money really matters.

Donald Trump once again takes credit for overturning Roe v. Wade and promises to allow states to enact even the most extreme abortion bans. He also promises billionaire donors more tax cuts and whiter immigrants. Joe Biden announces a new student debt relief plan for another 23 million people and finally gives Benjamin Netanyahu an ultimatum. Then, Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin stops by the studio to talk to Jon Lovett about her tough re-election campaign, TikTok, and what actually counts as milk.

Jon and Dan discuss why Donald Trump is suddenly so eager to debate, how the Florida abortion ballot measure could help Democrats’ chances there, and what doomed the No Labels presidential ticket. Then, Senator Bernie Sanders stops by the studio to talk with Jon about his frustrations with President Biden’s Gaza policy, what it will take to fix our broken health care system, and why beating Trump is so critical. PRE-ORDER DEMOCRACY OR ELSE: https://crooked.com/crookedmediareads/

MSNBC’s Chris Hayes, host of All In and Why Is This Happening?, joins Jon Lovett to talk about why Trump’s rhetoric on immigration and crime is so dangerous, why being optimistic about America has fallen so far out of the mainstream, and the disconnect between what’s actually happening in politics and how people feel about it.

Conservatives celebrate Easter Sunday with a meltdown after Biden acknowledges Trans Day of Visibility. Trump kicks off his “Apprentice”-style veepstakes with a list of possible contenders that includes Kristi Noem, JD Vance and Marco Rubio. Wall Street billionaires come to Trump’s rescue as his campaign scrambles for cash and his Truth Social stock tanks. Trump continues his streak of attacking and threatening his political opponents and their families. Joe Biden drops a new ad reaching out to Nikki Haley voters, and new RNC Chair Lara Trump drops a certified banger.

Joe Biden breaks fundraising records and hits 8 swing states in 18 days, while a cash-strapped Donald Trump splits time between his beach club and a Manhattan courtroom. Trump goes after RFK Jr., Larry David goes after Trump, and No Labels goes after anyone left who will join their ticket. MAGA world goes nuts with conspiracy theories about how the Francis Scott Key bridge collapsed because of DEI programs and open borders. And later, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett of Texas stops by the studio to talk to Tommy about the secret to driving House Republicans crazy and reproductive rights.

The Bulwark’s Sarah Longwell joins Dan to talk about Biden’s post State of the Union uptick in the polls. A cash-strapped Donald Trump is now selling bibles while preparing to be the first President to be criminally prosecuted after his hush money case gets a trial date. Meanwhile, he’s refusing to court the Nikki Haley voters who might make or break his fate in the general election. And Sarah tells Dan about the voters she’s targeting with ads from Republican Voters Against Trump. Later, Democratic Strategist Lis Smith joins the pod to talk about Robert F. Kennedy’s Vice Presidential pick Nicole Shanahan and how the Democratic National Committee is countering the threat posed by third party candidates.

Donald Trump prepares to pay a $175 million bond, Truth Social goes public and a date is set for the first ever criminal trial of a former president. Mike Johnson faces a motion to vacate his speakership while his House majority seems to be disappearing. Bibi Netanyahu beefs with Joe Biden over the UN ceasefire resolution and NBC faces an internal revolt over the network’s decision to hire former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel. And later, Senator Raphael Warnock stops by the studio to talk to Lovett about Georgia, the 2024 campaign, and more.

Donald Trump is desperately looking for help to raise the 464 million dollar bond he has to put up for his New York civil fraud case. Joe Biden makes another big push on climate and student loans. Democrats try to keep voters of color from defecting to Trump. And later, Strict Scrutiny co-host Leah Litman joins the pod to talk with Dan about the latest Trump legal developments and the border war between Texas and the federal government.

Addisu Demissie joins Tommy to discuss President Biden’s post State of the Union swing state tour, plan to reach Latino voters, and dig into the key 2024 battleground states. They also cover Tuesday’s primary election results and the down ballot races that will determine control of Congress next year, including the critical Ohio Senate race between Senator Sherrod Brown and Trump-backed MAGA candidate Bernie Moreno. Then they discuss Trump getting the old criminal band back together as former aides Paul Manafort and Corey Lewandowski are rumored to be making a return to his 2024 campaign team.

Donald Trump salutes violent insurrectionists at a rally in Ohio over the weekend and deals with the fallout from his comments that there will be a "bloodbath" if he's not elected. Former VP Mike Pence says he won’t endorse Trump, Chuck Schumer calls for elections to replace Benjamin Netanyahu, and Congresswoman Katie Porter stops by the pod to talk about her Senate primary loss, crypto, and why she voted against a possible TikTok ban.

Donald Trump tries to walk back his comments on cutting Medicare and Social Security while Joe Biden goes on offense during a campaign swing in Wisconsin and Michigan. Kamala Harris becomes the highest ranking government official to visit an abortion clinic and RFK Jr. praises Aaron Rodgers as a "critical thinker" after he's reported to be a Sandy Hook truther. Later, EPA Administrator Michael Regan stops by the studio to talk to Tommy about clean energy and environmental justice. For Pod Save America tour dates and cities, please visit: crooked.com/events

Jon Favreau and guest host Jane Coaston discuss why Robert Hur's Capitol Hill testimony infuriated both Republicans and Democrats, the potential TikTok ban that Donald Trump no longer supports, RFK Jr. reportedly considering Aaron Rodgers as his running mate, and whether Republican politicians are too online to win this election.

President Biden’s re-election effort kicks into high gear, including a 30 million dollar ad buy and a run of campaign stops in battleground states. Meanwhile, Donald Trump launches his campaign by mocking Joe Biden’s stutter, hosting a concert for Viktor Orban, and floating cuts to Medicare and Social Security. Alabama Senator Katie Britt and Republicans are still dealing with the fallout from what may have been the worst-ever State of the Union response. And later, producer Elijah Cone joins the pod for a round of Take Appreciator.

Jon and Dan break down the highlights of what might be the biggest speech of Joe Biden's re-election campaign so far, from his hits on Donald Trump to his defense of reproductive rights and tax fairness for working families. Then, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stops by to talk about the new policy initiatives Biden will be pushing in the months ahead.

Nikki Haley suspends her campaign and doesn’t endorse Trump. Adam Schiff finishes first in California’s primary, Colin Allred will face Ted Cruz in Texas and Ruben Gallego goes against Kari Lake in Arizona as Kristen Sinema announces she will not run for reelection. North Carolina Republicans nominate Holocaust denier Mark Robinson for Governor. And Joe Biden prepares for his State of the Union speech.

The Supreme Court issues a unanimous decision that Donald Trump cannot be kicked off the ballot by the state of Colorado. Nikki Haley wins the DC primary and won’t commit to endorsing Trump. Joe Biden gets another batch of bad polls and gives a long interview about his thinking on the presidential race. California gears up for a big Senate primary as part of the Super Tuesday contests. And later, Congressman Ro Khanna talks to Tommy about Gaza, the Democratic Party, and 2024.

Donald Trump and President Biden hold dueling events at the Texas border as the issue of immigration becomes a top concern for voters. Mitch McConnell says he’s stepping down from Senate leadership after years of enabling Trump. House Republicans' sham impeachment investigation blows up in their faces. RFK Jr. gets a step closer to being on the ballot in Arizona and Georgia. And later, Strict Scrutiny’s Leah Litman stops by to talk about the Supreme Court’s latest gift to Donald Trump in the presidential immunity case.

Jon Favreau and Mehdi Hasan break down Biden and Trump’s big victories in the Michigan primary, whether the President can get a ceasefire deal, and Biden's interview with Seth Meyers. Then, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stops by to talk about safety issues at Boeing, the GOP's attack on IVF, and why it’s so hard to get the Frozen soundtrack out of your head.

Nikki Haley loses the South Carolina primary by 20 points but vows to stay in the race. Donald Trump starts to make a play for her voters—and pivots to the general election with some great reminders of why he lost the last one. Nazis get a warm welcome at CPAC, and attendees throw their support behind VP hopefuls Kristi Noem and Vivek Ramaswamy. And later, Lovett talks with MSNBC’s Andrew Weissmann and Strict Scrutiny’s Melissa Murray about all the latest Trump legal news and their new book, The Trump Indictments.

Trump and his allies make it clear that a second term would be much more extreme than the first, from Christian nationalists running the White House to military raids and internment camps. The Alabama Supreme Court's ruling that stopped IVF in the state could be a sign of things to come. Nikki Haley says she plans to stay in the race no matter what happens in Saturday’s South Carolina primary and Joe Biden provides student debt relief to another 150,000 Americans. Finally, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler joins to talk about the new legislative maps that have finally ended one of the worst gerrymanders in the country.

Tommy and guest host Mehdi Hasan break down the Biden administration's record on Gaza, what should happen next, and how the ongoing violence could hurt Biden in Michigan and beyond. Plus, the latest on House Republicans' impeachment trainwreck, Donald Trump co-opting Alexei Navalny's legacy, and Tucker Carlson's softball interview with Vladimir Putin.

From the first official primaries to the unofficial ramp-up of the general election, this has been a long year, which is a problem, because it’s only February. So we’re excited to share an exclusive clip of “Build The Life You Want” from Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul podcast that will help you prepare your mental being for the stressful year ahead. Each week, she finds new ways to awaken, discover, and connect to the deeper meaning of the world around you, none of which are “spend more time staring at poll numbers.”

In a special Presidents Day episode, Jon, Jon, and Tommy react to the $355 million verdict in Donald Trump's civil fraud case, speculation that Trump will back a national abortion ban, and Joe Manchin's big news. Then, Elizabeth Warren stops by the studio to talk about selling Joe Biden's accomplishments, and the urgency of pushing back on the Netanyahu government and ending the violence in Gaza.

Joe Biden goes on offense, Nikki Haley calls Donald Trump unhinged, and Trump's hush money case gets a court date while his Georgia case gets complicated. Later, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sits down with Tommy to talk about how much you can get done when Democrats have full control of the legislature.

Democrats win George Santos’s seat back, the House impeaches the Homeland Security Secretary instead of addressing the border crisis, and Biden joins TikTok. Addisu Demissie joins Lovett to break down the news and Chris Christie talks about what it will take to defeat Trump and whether he will support Biden in order to do it.

Joe Biden and the Democratic Party wrestle with concerns about the President's age in the wake of the Special Counsel's report calling him "a well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory." Donald Trump pops up at a rally in South Carolina to remind everyone that he's an elderly man with a poor memory who doesn't mean well at all. And later, former Representative Mondaire Jones stops by the studio to talk about disfunction in Congress, how control of the House might hinge on New York races like his, and today's big special election to replace George Santos.

Republicans find creative new ways to humiliate themselves for Donald Trump. The Supreme Court hears oral arguments in Colorado’s 14th amendment case against Trump, and Special Counsel Robert Hur won't charge Biden for mishandling classified documents. Then, Jon and Dan put their dignity on the line and place bets on the Super Bowl in our new game: All Bets Are (Shaken) Off.

A vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas fails and Republicans turn on each other over the border fight. Nikki Haley loses Nevada to “none of the above.” And the DC circuit court rules against Trump’s pitch that he’s not beholden to federal laws. Politico congressional correspondent Daniella Diaz, Nevada political reporter Jon Ralston, and Strict Scrutiny co-host Kate Shaw join to walk through the latest.

Lead Democratic negotiator Senator Chris Murphy joins the pod to talk about the bipartisan senate border security bill, GOP push-back, and sending conditional aid to Israel. Later, Trump throws RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel under the bus while praising Xi Jinping. Nikki Haley makes a surprise appearance on SNL and the US launches more strikes against Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria, while Trump stays silent on the conflict.

Nikki Haley's campaign claims she has a path to the Republican nomination without winning Republican voters. The Biden-Trump polls are all over the place. Joe Manchin, RFK Jr. and others continue to flirt with third party presidential bids that could tip the election to Trump. Plus, Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown stops by to talk about his high stakes Senate race, the fight for reproductive rights, and the one year anniversary of the East Palestine train derailment.

Strict Scrutiny's Leah Litman joins Jon Favreau to puzzle through the right's new Taylor Swift obsession, take stock of Donald Trump's mounting legal problems, and explain why some Republicans are threatening a new civil war over the Supreme Court's border ruling. Then, Dan Pfeiffer speaks to Biden-Harris deputy campaign managers Quentin Fulks and Rob Flaherty about their plans to mobilize voters, fight disinformation, and win the election.

On Trump's orders, Republicans in Congress double down on killing the bipartisan border deal. Both Joe Biden and Nikki Haley hit Trump's memory lapses while campaigning in South Carolina. And, the Biden Campaign starts to preview its 2024 strategy—including  a big surrogate operation, empowering social media influencers, and—maybe!—an endorsement from Taylor Swift.

Former Congresswoman and Vice Chair of the January 6th select committee Liz Cheney joins the pod to discuss the dangers of a second Trump term, his chokehold on the Republican party and why she thinks Nikki Haley needs to stay in the GOP primary. Plus, more on Mitch McConnell’s about-face on the bipartisan Senate immigration deal and President Biden's endorsement from the United Auto Workers Union.

Donald Trump wins the New Hampshire primary by a smaller margin than expected and returns to form during his victory speech. Despite her loss, Nikki Haley stays in the race and sets her sights on South Carolina. And later, President Biden kicks off the general election with a rally and ad focused on abortion access.

Ron DeSantis ends his campaign for president and endorses the man who relentlessly bullied him. Nikki Haley questions Donald Trump’s mental fitness after he has a few senior moments on the campaign trail. Meanwhile, Trump is up double digits in New Hampshire and winning all kinds of endorsements from Republican politicians. And later, Tommy talks with California Governor Gavin Newsom about Democratic messaging, the Republican primary, and his dream Coachella lineup. crooked.supercast.com

With the New Hampshire primary just five days away, Trump attacks Nikki Haley using an all-too-familiar line of attack. The Granite State is Haley's last, best chance—but is she even fighting to win it anymore? New Hampshire Public Radio's Josh Rogers stops by to talk about what he's seeing—and what's missing—on the campaign trail.

Tim Miller joins Lovett and Tommy to talk about Donald Trump’s blowout win in Iowa and what’s next in the Republican primary. Ron DeSantis defies the media (and common sense) by remaining in the primary. Nikki Haley declares it a two-person race and refuses to debate anyone but Trump or Biden. Meanwhile, Trump is still on track to be the nominee and back in court.

Donald Trump wins a landslide victory in the Iowa caucuses and moves closer to capturing the Republican nomination. Ron DeSantis barely wins the race for a distant second place but vows to keep losing, while Lovett's new crush Nikki Haley looks to upset Trump in New Hampshire. Meanwhile, Vivek Ramaswamy calls it quits and President Biden announces strong fourth quarter fundraising numbers as a re-match with Trump looms.

Less than two weeks before the caucuses, Tommy heads to Iowa to spend a few days going to campaign events, talking with voters, and taking the pulse of the race for second place. He attends two Ron DeSantis events—and learns the Florida governor is as boring as everyone says—interviews Vivek Ramaswamy on his campaign bus, and sneaks into a Nikki Haley event. With just a few days of campaigning to go, do any of these candidates have the momentum to beat expectations in Iowa and defeat Donald Trump?

Tommy takes a look at the 2024 Iowa Caucuses and their impact on the 2024 presidential race, asking the all-important question — does this even matter anymore? With Trump leading every poll, it can feel like the first-in-the-nation vote is nothing more than a battle for second place. But the Des Moines Register’s Brianne Pfannenstiel, Iowa State University pollster Dave Peterson, and GOP insider David Kochel make the case for how Iowa could still shape the Republican primary.

Biden frames the 2024 presidential race as a fight for democracy while Trump and his allies call the insurrectionists “hostages.” Then, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is hospitalized without informing the White House, conservatives continue to wage war on the Ivy League, and New York Times congressional correspondent Annie Karni joins to talk about a deal to avoid a potential shutdown and the GOP effort to impeach Biden’s Homeland Security Secretary.

Tommy joins Dan from the campaign trail in Iowa to discuss the latest in the GOP primary, Trump's 14th Amendment ballot woes in Maine and Colorado, and Joe Biden's reelection strategy. Then, Dan and NBC News and MSNBC National Political Correspondent Steve Kornacki dig into polling and voter data ahead of the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary and look at what the numbers might mean for the 2024 Presidential election.

Here’s a holiday sneak peek of Crooked's new exclusive series for Friends of the Pod, POLLERCOASTER. In this preview, host Dan Pfeiffer and guest Cornell Belcher (Brilliant Corners Research & Strategies and former pollster for Obama) analyze the latest polls, unpack what it means for Trump to be leading Biden, and explore where former incumbent Presidents Obama, Clinton, and others were at this point in their presidencies. New episodes of Pollercoaster drop every other week, so if you want to hear the rest of the episode (or future ones), be sure to sign up for Friends of the Pod at crooked.com/friends.

We're taking a much needed break to gear up for 2024, but we're excited to share an exclusive clip from Friend Of The Pod Sam Sanders' weekly podcast Vibe Check. Each week on Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed Jones, and Zach Stafford make sense of what’s going on in news and culture – and how it all feels.

Welcome to the only award that really matters: The Pundies. Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan are joined by Halle Kiefer to decide the worst takes of 2023 (including their own). Then they react to their 2023 new year’s resolutions and make some new ones for 2024. Happy Holidays!

Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan answer your burning questions about the 2024 election, the future of Democracy, the best album of the year, the Philadelphia "Tush Push,” and much more!

Guest host Addisu Demissie joins Lovett, Tommy, and Dan live in San Jose! Who needs details?! House Republicans unanimously vote to launch an impeachment inquiry into President Biden but have yet to state the official charges or prove any allegations, while Hunter Biden refuses to sit for a closed-door deposition demanded by the GOP. Then California's youngest assembly member, Alex Lee, talks about his battles against tax evasion and unaffordable housing. Plaformer's Zoë Schiffer joins to talk about Elon Musk letting Alex Jones back on Twitter, Silicon Valley giving up on content moderation, and whether the tech bubble is back. Finally we play a round of Silicon Valley trivia and take questions from the audience.

With five weeks to go before the Iowa caucus, Donald Trump takes a historic lead in the latest Des Moines Register poll while Ron DeSantis half-heartedly criticizes him on Twitter. Congress tries and fails to reach an agreement on aid for Ukraine and border security. The president of the University of Pennsylvania resigns after disastrous Congressional testimony on campus antisemitism. A woman flees Texas after the state's abortion ban puts her life in jeopardy. And finally, United Auto Workers union president Shawn Fain sits down with Tommy to discuss the UAW's historic wins and what comes next.

And then there were four. The gloves are off at the fourth GOP debate in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Chris Christie, current last place candidate (and future Pod Save America co-host) is the only one throwing punches at Donald Trump, while Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy set their sights on Nikki Haley. Meanwhile, Trump is planning to use his presidential powers to punish his political enemies and Joe Biden suggests another candidate could also beat Trump. Later, Mayor Todd Gloria joins to talk about his administration’s approach to housing affordability and public safety. And finally, we play Gays vs. Straights: holiday edition.

Donald Trump deflects from his authoritarian impulses by accusing Joe Biden of undermining democracy, while warnings about a second Trump term grow more dire. George Santos gets the boot from Congress while Mike Johnson finds himself in a very similar position to his predecessor Kevin McCarthy. And finally, Strict Scrutiny’s Melissa Murray joins the show to talk about Trump’s flurry of bad legal news.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Democrats pull out critical wins for abortion rights in Ohio and Andy Beshear in Kentucky, and deal a big blow to Glenn Youngkin in Virginia. Jon, Dan, and Tommy discuss how Democrats did it, and what it all could mean for Joe Biden next fall. Then, did somebody say "ship gap"?? The third Republican debate goes in some very odd directions—while the front-runner shows off his own brand of crazy at a Florida rally.

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

Donald Trump's dominance in the early states finally has his Republican rivals and the press pointing out that he's no spring chicken. Meanwhile, MAGA Mike Johnson is embracing his nickname during his first week as Speaker. Plus, George Santos lives to lie another day and RFK Jr. is taking more support from Trump in two new polls.

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

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

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

Special guest Rachel Maddow joins the show to talk about the latest in the Speaker-less House, Trump's legal troubles, and President Biden's message strategy. Then, Maddow discusses her new book, "Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism," which recounts a long-forgotten chapter of U.S. history that's eerily relevant today.

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

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

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

Israel has begun a full-scale siege of the Gaza Strip after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Saturday. Republican politicians wasted no time blaming Biden for the attack, despite his administration offering full support for Israel. Meanwhile, the race to be the next Speaker of the House kicks off a busy week. RFK Jr. announces he's dropping out of the 2024 Democratic Primary and launching a third-party bid for president. Later, former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger stops by to talk about the chaos his old colleagues in the House have created.

Former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson joins the show to talk about testifying against her former boss, her new book, "Enough," and the current disarray in the House. Then, Dan and Jon talk about the race for a new Speaker. How did we get here, what happens next, and is it somehow all Democrats' fault? At least one Republican is planning to nominate Donald Trump—even as his legal dramas mount.

Congress avoids a government shutdown after Kevin McCarthy caves to Democrats at the last possible minute—and now Matt Gaetz is trying to strip McCarthy of the speakership as a result. Will Democrats bail McCarthy out? Donald Trump begins his fraud trial with the unique legal strategy of threatening the judge, Joe Biden frames the 2024 election as extremism vs. democracy, and Gavin Newsom appoints Laphonza Butler as California's newest Senator. Later, Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal joins the show to talk about House Democrats' strategy as the Speaker drama unfolds.

Seven Republicans take the stage for the second primary debate, and they all manage to lose to the guy who isn't there. Jon, Jon, and Dan react to all the canned lines, missed opportunities, and—yes—awkward sex jokes that made this a night to forget. Meanwhile, the front-runner grovels for the UAW endorsement in an appearance at a non-union shop—just a day after being found liable for massive fraud in New York.

Trump goes on a crazy spree and demands a shutdown, suggests that America’s top general deserves to be executed, and promises to investigate media outlets if he wins. Meanwhile, his GOP opponents who trail him by more than 40 points prepare to duke it out on the debate stage for the second time. The Washington Post releases an outlier poll that triggers a freakout. House Republicans turn on each other as they bring the government closer to a shutdown. New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez gets indicted for bribery and corruption. And later, Tommy talks to Kal Penn about the youth vote and Hollywood writer’s strike.

With the first primaries still months away, Trump skips more debates and pivots to a general election strategy with a primetime speech to autoworkers in Michigan and an attempt to cast himself as more moderate on abortion. Will it work? Then, Politico Congressional correspondent Daniella Diaz joins the show to help make sense of the GOP’s shutdown shit show. Finally, the most divisive topic on Capitol Hill this week: what John Fetterman is allowed to wear.

The right dials up the heat on Donald Trump as he continues to make potentially incriminating statements. Republicans inch closer to a government shutdown. Mitt Romney takes his Senate exit stage left. Then, Michigan Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin joins the show to discuss the United Auto Workers' strike and her campaign for Senate. And Lauren Boebert is on an "apology tour" after the groping and vaping episode that got her booted from a performance of "Beetlejuice."

With just two weeks left to avoid a government shutdown, Kevin McCarthy opens an impeachment inquiry against President Biden, even though Republicans have provided zero evidence that Biden did anything wrong. Trump outlines his radical vision for a potential second term as the President unloads on "Maganomics." Then, Representative Jamie Raskin joins to break down the House Democrats' counterattack plan on impeachment. And: strap-ons in the Senate! How a hearing on book bans turned X-rated.