Pod Save America

Donald Trump's top national security officials plan a major offensive in a Signal chat—after mistakenly inviting a journalist to join—and hilarity ensues. More American institutions cave to Trump's pressure campaigns, and the administration presses on with its effort to use the Alien Enemies Act to deport immigrants without so much as a hearing. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy break down all the latest developments and compare notes from a weekend spent in the field with Democratic campaigners. Then, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear sits down with Jon to talk about how we can win in red states.  To grab your tickets to Lovett or Leave It live in DC on April 24, visit: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1500626D89D419E2

25.03.25 • 90:49

As the dumpster fire of U.S. politics shoots sparks across the globe, will the Pentagon supply safeguards or sycophants? What will MAGA authoritarianism look like for our communities and those abroad? And should Democrats be reconsidering their approach to law and order? Congressman Adam Smith sits down with Tommy to discuss the state of American national security, and what Democrats need to do differently to broaden their coalition. Then, Tommy and Jon answer listeners' questions on whether Democrats need their own Tea Party, Gen Z's rightward shift, and if podcasting is for the faint of heart.

23.03.25 • 70:01

With a Republican Congress bending to Trump’s every whim, the judicial branch is the last check on his power—and now he, Elon, and the MAGA regime have decided to wage war against it. Meanwhile, Trump wants to ax the Department of Education and is going after colleges he doesn’t like. Jon and Dan break down Trump’s latest (probably illegal) moves, check in with the DOGE-bags, and dig into Trump’s broader effort to dismantle the federal government. Then they dive into a new 2024 post-mortem from Blue Rose Research, revealing who voted—and why. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

21.03.25 • 65:40

The Trump administration just took things to a chilling new level — deporting people to foreign prisons without due process. They’re using the Alien Enemies Act — a law last invoked to justify the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII — to deport 137 Venezuelans to El Salvador, where they’re now being held in a notorious, crowded mega-prison where visitation and recreation are forbidden. Meanwhile, Chuck Schumer’s decision to back the GOP’s spending bill has sparked fierce backlash from Democrats across the board. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy break down the administration’s defiance of the courts and debate both sides of the shutdown fight. Then, Dan talks to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries about his break with Schumer and how Democrats can unite against the Trump administration. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

18.03.25 • 88:28

Jon and Dan discuss the pros and cons of the Senate Democrats' shutdown strategy, Trump's declining poll numbers, and the absurdity of his economic policies. Meanwhile, Trump’s family reportedly looks to get into business with a crypto felon seeking a pardon. Then, Lovett travels to Orange County to chat with former Rep. Katie Porter, who just announced her candidacy for governor of California. They talk about her priorities, the possibility of running against Kamala Harris, and the joys of campaigning. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

14.03.25 • 84:39

The price of eggs is still high, the stock market is sinking, but Donald Trump is fulfilling at least one campaign promise: using the power of the government to punish those who disagree with him. ICE arrests one of the leaders of the campus protests at Columbia—a legal permanent resident—and sends him to a detention facility, while the administration strips $400 million in grants and contracts for the university itself. And, with a pair of executive orders, Trump seeks to withhold student loan relief from people who help undocumented immigrants, provide gender-affirming care for minors, or run DEI programs—and he bans a prominent Democratic-affiliated law firm from even entering federal buildings. Meanwhile, Trump refuses to say whether we should expect a recession, more juicy reporting emerges of the Cabinet and Elon Musk meeting last week, and Democrats squabble over how to respond to it all. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss Trump's crackdown on dissent, whether he can be swayed by political pressure, and how Democrats should aim for authenticity rather than the latest meme when making their case. Then, Lovett catches up with Bernie Sanders on the Michigan leg of his "Fight Oligarchy" tour.Correction: an earlier version of this episode misattributed the origin of the 2024 explosives attack on Hezbollah. It was an Israeli operation; we were talking quickly and said the wrong name. We're sorry!For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

11.03.25 • 74:58

Donald Trump is looking pretty invincible right now, and it's easy to lose hope that Democrats will ever be able to regain power. But back in the '90s, liberals in Britain were in a similar predicament. Alastair Campbell, right hand man to former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and co-host of the podcast "The Rest Is Politics," joins Tommy to discuss how the Labour Party vanquished the iron grip of Thatcherism, the importance of party rebranding, and how Democrats can reclaim populism in the age of Trump.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.Get your copy of WOODWORKING: http://crooked.com/books

09.03.25 • 63:17

The DOGE wrecking ball keeps swinging, but the Supreme Court, and even Donald Trump himself, might finally be slowing Elon down. Trump backs off his trade war with Canada and Mexico—without extracting a single concession—as economic indicators begin their predictable slide. Jon and Dan break down the latest on government cuts, why Social Security is in danger, and the Democratic infighting over censuring Rep. Al Green for heckling Trump. Then, The Bulwark's Sarah Longwell joins Jon to discuss how voters are reacting to Trump's big speech—and why the economy remains their top concern. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

07.03.25 • 90:10

Donald Trump makes history—by delivering the longest Joint Address ever, clocking in at an exhausting 99 minutes of blame, grievance, and sappy stunts. Jon, Lovett, Dan, and Tommy break down all the biggest—and weirdest—moments, from warning of a "disturbance" from the new tariffs, to invading Greenland and cutting off funding for transgender mice (yes, really). Plus, they debate how Rep. Al Green's protest will play, the strengths and weaknesses of Sen. Elissa Slotkin's rebuttal, and what Democrats should do now. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

05.03.25 • 57:30

The fallout continues from Friday's trainwreck of an Oval Office meeting between Trump, JD Vance, and Volodymyr Zelensky. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy break down whether things have improved or spiraled further since Friday's meeting—and whether we're witnessing the collapse of the postwar order. Plus, Trump vows that his tariffs on Mexico and Canada will go into effect, Elon Musk calls Social Security a "Ponzi scheme," and the White House announces a "Crypto Strategic Reserve" to stockpile five cryptocurrencies. Hmm, could it possibly be grift? For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

04.03.25 • 80:23

In this Pod Save The World Special, Tommy and Ben discuss Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s disastrous meeting at the White House that erupted in a yelling match and resulted in Zelensky being told to leave. They dig into JD Vance’s role as instigator, the revealed motivations for attacking Zelensky in front of the press, and what Zelensky’s options are for pursuing peace from here. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. 

01.03.25 • 42:38

The Trump administration promised to release the Epstein Files, but ended up disappointing MAGA die-hards instead. Can Elon do what the DOJ couldn't? In more important news, Trump and Musk continue shredding the government, with the NIH and FDA among the latest targets. House Republicans pass their "big, beautiful bill" and swear they won't touch Medicaid to pay for their tax cuts—but the math doesn't add up. Jeff Bezos makes a drastic change to The Washington Post's Opinion section. Meanwhile, Trump posts a deranged, AI-generated video of his vision for Gaza's future and announces a new oligarch-friendly immigration policy. Jon and Dan discuss the latest cuts and chaos, and how Democrats can use their limited leverage with a government shutdown approaching. Then, Jen Psaki joins the hosts to talk about the White House's press and communications strategy in a special preview of our subscriber-only show, Inside 2025. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

28.02.25 • 82:04

Trump's FBI Director Kash Patel picks a Deputy Director even less qualified than he is: MAGA podcaster Dan Bongino. Trump and Pete Hegseth purge the Pentagon's leadership and lawyers. Elon Musk replies all to the federal government asking what staff have accomplished lately. And, on the three-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Trump declines to call Vladimir Putin a dictator. Jon, Jon, and Tommy discuss the potential for full-blown autocracy at home, Ukraine's predicament, and the latest swing of Musk's bureaucratic chainsaw. Then, Jon talks with NOTUS congressional reporter Daniella Diaz about Trump's legislative agenda, squirmy Republicans, and mounting public anger at Trump's budget cuts. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

25.02.25 • 66:10

Bill Maher, the revered—and often reviled—political commentator, comedian, and host of the Club Random podcast and Real Time with Bill Maher, goes head to head with Lovett over wokeism, government fraud, and trans rights. A self-described liberal, Maher’s been hating on Democrats since before Joe Biden made it cool. He and Lovett debate whether Democrats have changed too much, the discourse around Israel and Gaza, and who should have a say over gender-affirming care. Is Maher peddling the right's propaganda, or is this the tough love Democrats need to face Trump 2.0? For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. 

23.02.25 • 76:27

Donald Trump and Elon Musk make their bromance official in a joint interview with Sean Hannity, but polls suggest the American people may already be souring on DC's new it-couple. Trump takes his feud with Volodymyr Zelenskyy to dangerous new levels, calling Ukraine's leader a "dictator." And, after claiming he wouldn't cut Medicaid, Trump sides with the House GOP on a massive reconciliation bill that would do just that. Jon and Dan discuss how Trump is reshaping our relationship with Russia and the world, the potential political ramifications of cutting entitlements, and the latest with the DOGE firings. Then, Dan is joined by former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann to talk about the Justice Department purges, the prospects for the corruption case against Eric Adams, and more. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. 

21.02.25 • 74:52

Donald Trump fires thousands of government workers, including people who make sure America's skies are safe and nukes are secure. Negotiators from the US and Russia prepare to meet in Saudi Arabia about ending the war in Ukraine, even though Ukraine and the European community won't be at the table. Elon Musk and DOGE continue to force their way into access to incredibly sensitive government systems—this time at the IRS. And Trump's Justice Department drops the corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams in an obvious quid pro quo. Jon and Tommy discuss how the administration is justifying Trump's actions at home and abroad and why Democrats need to focus on the potentially horrendous consequences. Then, Tommy is joined by legendary sports commentator-turned-pundit (and potential 2028 presidential candidate) Stephen A. Smith to talk about reaching young men and what he thinks Democrats are doing wrong. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. 

18.02.25 • 85:46

Elon Musk holds a rambling Oval Office press conference and admits that he and DOGE will make mistakes as they rampage through our government, even as congressional Republicans move forward with a budget that promises massive cuts to healthcare, education, and food assistance to pay for Trump's tax cuts for billionaires. Jon and Dan discuss whether Musk's antics could undermine Trump's agenda, what the Senate's confirmation of RFK Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard means for the GOP, and the White House's attacks on the press. Then, they debut a new segment: "Wait, Did That Really Happen?," featuring this week's most absurd scenes. Later, Lovett sits down with Rohit Chopra, recently forced out as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, to discuss why Trump and Musk are so determined to shut down the CFPB, and what it means for the rest of us. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

14.02.25 • 86:29

Federal judges are starting to do something most elected Republicans won't: say no to Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The question now is, will Trump obey their orders? Jon, Lovett, and Tommy break down all the latest, including new onslaughts against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the National Institutes of Health, and new allegations of Trump family grift. Then, Jon sits down with Strict Scrutiny's Leah Litman to unpack how Trump is testing the limits of presidential power and pushing constitutional guardrails to the brink. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

11.02.25 • 97:51

Ben Smith, former media columnist at the New York Times and now the editor-in-chief of Semafor, joins Dan to talk about today's ultra-challenging news media landscape. The industry is significantly weaker than it was in 2016, and Trump's aggressive lawsuits have the executives in charge of CBS and ABC scrambling to appease him. Will the death blow for America's free press come from within? Smith runs through what we should have learned from the first Trump presidency, how cults of personality rule in journalism just like they rule in politics, and why the dominance of the Times is terrible for fascism-proofing the country. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

09.02.25 • 68:11

Donald Trump and Elon Musk continue their all-out assault on the federal government, shuttering USAID, rooting out and firing workers linked in any way to diversity initiatives, and breaking and ignoring laws as they go. Jon and Dan hash out all the latest, including Trump's plan to have the US "own" and redevelop Gaza, Democratic pushback, and whether federal judges will step in to stop—or at least slow—the madness. Then, Tommy talks with Sen. Brian Schatz about Democrats' all-night floor fight against Trump's OMB pick, what they think is working, and how they're gearing up for the big battles ahead. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

07.02.25 • 89:19

With Donald Trump's blessing, Elon Musk and a small crew of inexperienced software engineers take near full control of the government, moving to shut down USAID and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and taking control of a critical payment system at the Treasury Department. Trump delays his trade war with Canada and Mexico by a month after securing minor concessions that were probably already in the works. Meanwhile, congressional Democrats begin to push back harder—though whether it'll be enough is still an open question. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy break down all the latest, and Lovett speaks with former Obama and Biden economic adviser Brian Deese about just how bad things could get if a real trade war kicks off over the next four years. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

04.02.25 • 88:33

Finally, a president willing to blame a devastating air crash on diversity hiring and two of his predecessors! Nearly two weeks into his second term, Trump continues to sow bitterness, fear, and chaos everywhere he turns: issuing a spending freeze so drastic and haphazard that his team has to rescind it after three days, demanding that more than two million federal workers resign or face loyalty tests, and vowing to send 30,000 immigrants to Guantanamo Bay. Meanwhile, three of his most extreme cabinet picks face tough questions in their confirmation hearings—but will it matter? Jon and Dan reflect on a dismal week, what's next, and signs of life in the opposition party. Then, Jon checks in with Senator Chris Murphy about the threats that Democratic leaders are getting, and why it's so important to fight back anyway. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

31.01.25 • 70:58

Apparently, there's an opposition party in this country—but they've been awfully quiet lately. Meanwhile, Trump's immigration crackdown nearly sparks a trade war with Colombia, and back at home, he's doing battle with his own  federal government—from loyalty tests to gutting diversity programs to pausing cancer research. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy break down which of the moves are the most dangerous, which are just for show, and why Democrats don’t seem to know what to say about it all. Then, they make their pick for who should be the next DNC chair. Later, Tommy sits down with Dara Lind, Senior Fellow at the American Immigration Council, to break down what's going on with deportations and immigration policy—and why it's more important than ever to pay attention. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

28.01.25 • 86:56

MSNBC's Rachel Maddow joins Jon to talk about Trump's breathtaking first week in office, how she decides what to cover—and what to ignore—in an an ultra-chaotic news environment, and the power of embarrassment as a political tool. Then, Maddow shares her strategies for staying sane in crazy-making times. Hint: it involves ice fishing. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

26.01.25 • 61:10

Donald Trump makes good on his promise to free the January 6 rioters—including those convicted of savage violence against police officers—calling the attacks "very minor incidents" in a primetime interview with Sean Hannity, and saying it would be too "cumbersome" to review individual defendants' records. Jon and Dan react to the pardons, the expansive list of executive orders that Trump signed this week, the prospects for his cabinet picks, and how Democrats are doing in their efforts to push back. Then, Dan talks to progressive strategist Faiz Shakir about his bid for DNC Chair and where he wants to steer the party. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

24.01.25 • 83:21

And so it begins—again. In front of an audience of adoring billionaires, Donald Trump takes the oath of office, delivers a speech promising a return to American greatness, and vows to make drastic changes to federal policy on immigration, gender identity, energy, and more. Meanwhile, Joe Biden ends his presidency with preemptive pardons for Liz Cheney, Anthony Fauci, and members of his immediate family. Jon, Lovett, Tommy, and Dan react to Trump's big speech, his planned executive orders, and Biden's final moves. Then they offer their thoughts on how we can all survive the next four years with our sanity intact.  For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

21.01.25 • 78:19

Biden bids the nation farewell from the Oval Office, delivering a stark warning about the rise of an American "oligarchy." Dan and Jon break down how history will judge his legacy. Then, Tommy joins to discuss the fragile ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas—who really deserves the credit, and what happens next? Meanwhile, Senate Republicans press ahead with confirmation hearings for Trump's Cabinet picks, and the clock is ticking on a last-ditch effort to save TikTok. Later, Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, stops by to share his bold vision for leading the DNC. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

17.01.25 • 91:21

Devastating wildfires in Los Angeles prompt a round of angry finger-pointing and disaster politics from the GOP. The most extreme reaction comes from Trump and a growing number of Republicans in Congress, who are already talking about placing conditions on disaster relief for California. Meanwhile, President Biden kicks off his final week in office with a farewell speech defending his foreign policy legacy. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy break down what he got right, and what’s at risk as Trump returns to D.C. On another front, MAGA’s messy relationship with Big Tech heats up. Zuckerberg sits down with Trump on Joe Rogan, while Steve Bannon takes aim at Elon Musk. Finally, Ken Martin, Chair the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, drops by to talk about his campaign for Chair of the Democratic National Committee. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

14.01.25 • 94:30

Governor Gavin Newsom sits down with Jon Favreau to talk about California’s response to the devastating Los Angeles fires, his invitation to Donald Trump, and his demand for clear answers about the water shortages that hindered fire fighting efforts. They also discuss what recovery and rebuilding efforts look like, how these fires could affect the future of home insurance in California, and the state’s ongoing affordability crisis. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

11.01.25 • 38:29

Trump and the GOP skip the usual “thoughts and prayers” for victims of the devastating LA fires, and dive straight into blame and conspiracy theories. Jon and Dan debunk misinformation about FEMA and the government response, unpack the political fallout, and share resources to help fire victims. Plus, what’s behind MAGA’s new Manifest Destiny? Is Trump’s legal drama approaching its grand finale? Washington D.C. pauses for a moment while President Jimmy Carter is laid to rest. Finally, Lovett sits down with Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy to talk about Democrats’ game plan to counter the Republican agenda in Congress. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.Support California wildfire relief with a donation to Vote Save America & Crooked Ideas Action Fund: votesaveamerica.com/relief.

10.01.25 • 77:28