Four former aides to President Obama—Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer and Tommy Vietor—are joined by journalists, politicians, activists, and more for a no-b******t conversation about politics. They cut through the noise to break down the week’s news, and help people figure out what matters and how they can help. You can listen to new episodes twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Ron’s Boulevard of Broken Streams
The DeSantis campaign launch explodes on takeoff. Political Strategist Tim Miller stops by to break down what’s next for Tiny D and the rest of the GOP field. House Republicans are feeling so confident about the debt ceiling negotiations that they’re bragging about holding the economy hostage. And Jon and Dan dig into one of the week’s weirdest stories: why did Marjorie Taylor Greene pay $100,000 for a used tube of Kevin McCarthy’s chapstick? Join Friends of the Pod for bonus content, exclusive access and more: crooked.com/friends 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.
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70:26 | 5/25/23 | |
Republican Frontrunner Tim Scott?
Republicans reject a White House compromise that would save us from default. Tim Scott is officially running, and Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie and Chris Sununu are right behind him. Joe Biden offers new support to Ukraine, while Russia bans Trump’s enemies. And new focus groups give us a clue as to how swing voters would treat a Biden-Trump rematch. Then, Sen. Brian Schatz talks to Lovett about the debt ceiling. And the guys look at a few of Ron DeSantis’ attempts to play it human on the campaign trail.Join Friends of the Pod for bonus content, exclusive access and more: crooked.com/friends
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66:15 | 5/23/23 | |
Democrats Go Off In An Off Year
Democrats worry about the debt ceiling deal Joe Biden might make with Kevin McCarthy. The party gets good news in Tuesday’s elections. Ron Desantis will announce his presidential run next week because he’s tired of the Republican culture of losing. And the most definitive report on the 2022 midterms give us clues about the 2024 electorate. Then Democratic messaging guru Anat Shenker-Osorio stops by to talk about how Dems should be talking about the budget negotiations. And Jon and Dan play another round of Take Take Don’t Tell Me. 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.
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75:07 | 5/18/23 | |
Trump’s Surprise Q-chella Set
Ron DeSantis tries to reboot his presidential prospects in Iowa. Donald Trump calls into Mike Flynn’s QAnon rally. Joe Biden is much more optimistic about a debt ceiling deal than Kevin McCarthy. Senator Joe Manchin flirts with playing spoiler in 2024. And Diane Feinstein returns to the Senate. Then North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton stops by to talk about her plans to turn the state blue.Join Friends of the Pod for bonus content, exclusive access and more: crooked.com/friends 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.
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66:01 | 5/16/23 | |
Trump’s CNN Clown Hall
Donald Trump paints a terrifying picture of a second term during a CNN town hall the day after a jury finds him liable for sexual assault and defamation. President Biden weighs negotiations and the 14th amendment to deal with the debt limit. Tucker Carlson takes his racist variety hour to Twitter. George Santos is indicted on multiple criminal charges. Then, immigration expert Dara Lind joins to talk about the end of Title 42 and what it means for the border.
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55:54 | 5/11/23 | |
Tucker’s War With Fox
Joe Biden gets some rough polling as he prepares for a debt ceiling showdown with Republicans. Donald Trump offers no defense as a jury decides the rape and defamation case against him. Tucker Carlson goes to war with Fox News. Diane Feinstein is still MIA as Clarence Thomas scandals pile up. Then later, Pod Save the UK host Nish Kumar talks to Tommy about King Charles’ coronation and UK politics. 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.
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69:50 | 5/9/23 | |
Trump and CNN Together Again
Donald Trump is making nice with CNN, snubbing Fox’s debate, and throwing an NBC reporter’s phone. President Biden and Democrats consider break glass options to avoid a debt default. Chasten Buttigieg chats with Lovett about his new book. And later, the racist texts that may have gotten Tucker Carlson fired. 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.
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69:50 | 5/4/23 | |
DeSantis World Bore
Joe Biden gets pressured to negotiate with the debt ceiling hostage takers. Donald Trump says he might skip the Republican primary debates. Ron DeSantis’ gaffes overshadow his foreign trip. Republican supermajorities continue their attacks on democracy. Montana state Representative Zooey Zephyr joins to talk about her Republican colleagues banning her from the House floor for speaking out against an anti-trans bill. Then, Jon, Jon, and Tommy break down President Biden’s best jokes at the White House Correspondents Dinner. 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.
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54:46 | 5/2/23 | |
Dark Brandon: The Sequel
Joe Biden makes it official. House Republicans pass a debt ceiling bill that eliminates healthcare for millions. Disney sues Ron DeSantis. Democratic pollster Celinda Lake stops by to talk about the President’s road to 270 electoral votes. Then, Jon and Dan sort through the many wild rumors and theories about why Fox News fired Tucker Carlson. 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.
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73:51 | 4/27/23 | |
Tucker? I Hardly Knew Her
Joe Biden is officially running for re-election. The Republican primary is still Trump’s to lose. The Supreme Court protects access to the abortion medication for now. Fox News fires Tucker Carlson. Bud Light succumbs to cancel culture. The Atlantic’s Mark Leibovich talks to Lovett about his weird breakfast with Chris Christie. Then the guys make some predictions about Joe Biden’s campaign announcement video. 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.
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77:47 | 4/25/23 | |
“Fox’s $787 Million Lie.”
Fox’s lies cost them more than three-quarters of a billion dollars, House Republicans settle on a wildly unpopular debt ceiling ransom, and Ron DeSantis lets a wave of home state endorsements slip through his pudding fingers. Then later, Strict Scrutiny’s Leah Litman stops by break down the legal implications of the Dominion settlement and the fight to keep abortion medication legal.
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68:49 | 4/20/23 | |
“Little Ronny Pudding Fingers.”
Little Ronny Pudding Fingers finally responds to Trump’s attacks and quietly signs a 6 week abortion ban in Florida. Kevin McCarthy has a new debt ceiling plan that’s probably dead on arrival. The Democrats’ Dianne Feinstein problem is not going away and neither are Clarence Thomas’ ethics scandals. Then Crooked’s own Max Fisher stops by to talk about the epic defamation case that’s set to begin this week between Dominion Voting Systems and Fox News. 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.
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65:51 | 4/18/23 | |
"He’s Running (From Prison)."
Donald Trump is running for President, even if it’s from prison, and South Carolina Republican Tim Scott is crazy enough to think he can beat this criminal defendant. Joe Biden kind of, sort of makes news about his own presidential ambitions. Lovett and other Democrats pressure Dianne Feinstein to resign. Some Republicans want to ban entire libraries. And later, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joins to talk about what national Democrats can learn from Michigan. 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.
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58:59 | 4/13/23 | |
“Clarence Thomas’ Sügar Daddy.”
The Biden Administration fights to keep abortion medication legal. Justice Clarence Thomas has a secret billionaire sugar daddy with a thing for Nazi memorabilia. Strict Scrutiny’s Leah Litman joins to break down the latest legal news. And Tennessee Democrats fight back after Republicans vote to expel two black state lawmakers. Then the guys take on the kookiest new culture wars with a round of One Line with Cocaine Bear. 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.
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79:27 | 4/11/23 | |
“Karma is my Courthouse.”
Donald Trump takes his first arrest in stride, liberals take control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court for first time in 15 years, Tennessee Republicans expel Democratic legislators for exercising their First Amendment rights, and Chicago’s Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson shares how he pulled off an upset in a tough race. Then, Crooked’s own Halle Kiefer hits Jon and Dan with the most cringeworthy takes from the Trump arraignment. 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.
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78:45 | 4/6/23 | |
"The Arrest Is History."
It’s a Pod Save America and Strict Scrutiny crossover! Jon, Jon and Tommy get together with Leah Litman and Kate Shaw to talk about Donald Trump’s arraignment in Manhattan criminal court, and the legal jeopardy he faces now that he’s been charged with 34 felony counts.
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43:25 | 4/5/23 | |
"Trump Surrenders."
Donald Trump finally gets his day in court as his first indictment is unsealed. Former Mueller investigation prosecutor Andrew Weissmann joins to break down the Trump charges as well as the latest developments in the Fox News defamation trial. And we bring you the best of this week's worst political coverage in another round of Take Appreciator. 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.
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70:41 | 4/4/23 | |
“We got him !(?)”
The Manhattan grand jury indicts Donald Trump. The right turns a school shooting into a culture war. The Special Counsel gets Mike Pence to testify. Chris Christie wants to destroy Donald Trump. Kevin McCarthy wants Joe Biden to pay an unspecified debt ceiling ransom. And Congress might want to ban TikTok. Then later, Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez stops by to talk about her upset win in rural Washington. 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.
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81:08 | 3/30/23 | |
“Hasn’t Waco Been Through Enough?”
Donald Trump warns his indictment could cause violence and celebrates the Jan 6 attacks in Waco, TX. Desantis-curious Republicans are already down on Tiny D. And later Jen Psaki stops by to talk about the Republican primary, Joe Biden’s 2024 strategy and her new show on MSNBC.Lovett or Leave It: The Errors Tour with dates in June-December, 2023. Use presale code ERRORS to get your tickets today! www.crooked.com/events.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.
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71:02 | 3/28/23 | |
"Trump Without the Handcuffs.”
The world waits for a Manhattan jury to indict Donald Trump. Strict Scrutiny’s Leah Litman joins to break down the strength of D.A. Alvin Bragg’s case. And Tiny D pokes Trump as he continues to shrink in the polls. 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.
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63:16 | 3/23/23 | |
"Mugshots and Milk Shots." (Live from Wisconsin!)
Mandela Barnes and Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler join Jon, Jon, and guest host Erin Ryan live in Wisconsin! Donald Trump prepares for a possible indictment this week with a few more potentially on the way. Judge Janet Protasiewicz stops by to discuss her campaign to be Wisconsin’s next state Supreme Court Justice. Plus, Lovett quizzes Jon, Erin, Mandela, and Ben on all things Wisconsin in a game called Truth or Dairy. 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.
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71:32 | 3/20/23 | |
"MAGA King v. RINO Loser."
Donald Trump unloads on Ron DeSantis while Ron DeSantis hugs Donald Trump on Ukraine. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stops by to talk about housing and crime. And later, Jon and Dan answer your questions on everything from oil drilling in the arctic to the new season of Succession. 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.
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81:14 | 3/16/23 | |
"Too Woke To Fail.”
Biden steps in to prevent a bank run after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Republicans blame the failure on woke culture. Senator Cory Booker stops by to talk politics and LA’s best vegan fast food. Lovett talks to the transgender teenager who stumped Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin at last week’s CNN town hall. And later, Jon, Jon, and Tommy run through the week’s top stories in another round of One Line With Cocaine Bear. 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.
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82:10 | 3/14/23 | |
“Tuck Around and Find Out.”
Tucker Carlson hates Donald Trump but loves his insurrectionists, Democratic pollster Celinda Lake stops by to talk about Joe Biden’s new economic plan, and Chief Take Officer Elijah Cone joins for a game of Take Take Don’t Tell Me. 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.
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86:28 | 3/9/23 | |
“The Old Man and the CPAC.”
Donald Trump says indictments won’t stop him from running. Ron DeSantis tells his Florida story here in California. Joe Biden balances public safety with self-governance in opposing DC’s crime reforms. And Semafor’s Dave Weigel joins the pod to take us through the weekend’s GOP shenanigans at CPAC. 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.
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75:12 | 3/7/23 | |
"Fox Knews."
Joe Biden tests out his message for a reelection campaign that seems all but certain to happen. Rupert Murdoch admits he knew that Fox News hosts were lying about the 2020 election. Strict Scrutiny host Melissa Murray joins to break down the Supreme Court challenge to the President’s student debt relief plan. And later, Jon and Dan bring you the lowest low-lights from a big week of congressional hearings. 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.
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76:23 | 3/2/23 | |
“The 2024 Dry Ron.”
Ron DeSantis kicks off his presidential campaign-in-waiting with a nationwide book tour. The guys run through the week’s top stories in a new segment called “One Line with Cocaine Bear.” MSNBC’s Mehdi Hasan stops by to talk about how Democrats can win more arguments. And the guys decide who-gets-what in Marjorie Taylor Greene’s national divorce. 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.
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91:12 | 2/28/23 | |
“Trump’s Train Blame Game.”
Donald Trump and his MAGA friends use a toxic train crash in Ohio to pick a fight with the White House. Joe Biden surprises the world with a secret trip to Ukraine. The Republican primary is already a race to see who can out-Trump each other. And Leah Litman from Strict Scrutiny talks about the two big tech cases at the Supreme Court and Trump’s Fulton County investigation. 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.
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79:49 | 2/23/23 | |
Bonus: “Fox News EXPOSED”
A new filing in Dominion’s defamation case against Fox News has revealed the big wigs at Fox knew Donald Trump’s claims of election fraud were false, but they kept promoting his lies on their airwaves. Jon and Tommy read the private texts and emails that Laura Ingraham, Tucker Carlson and Fox executives sent one another during the fall of 2020. 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.
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30:10 | 2/18/23 | |
“The Age Old Question.”
Prosecutors inch closer to a possible indictment of Donald Trump. Nikki Haley officially becomes the first candidate to challenge him for the Republican nomination. Democrats quietly and not-so-quietly worry about Joe Biden’s age. Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow joins to talk about gun safety legislation after the shooting at Michigan State. And the guys take a meandering journey through Elon Musk’s week at Twitter. 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.
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75:36 | 2/16/23 |