Pod Save America

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. 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.

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. 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.

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. 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. 

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/2024Grab 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/ For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a trans

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. 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.

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. 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.

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. 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.

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 For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. Fo

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. 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. 

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. 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. 

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. 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. PRE-ORDER DEMOCRACY OR ELSE: https://crooked.com/crookedmediareads/MORE INFOTour dates & cities: crooked.com/eventsSupport abortion freedom & shop Crooked’s new No Trespassing Collection: crooked.com/store

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. 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. 

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. 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.

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/   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.

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. 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.You can check out Chris Hayes’s podcast, Why Is This Happening, here: https://link.chtbl.com/withpod_sn

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.MORE INFOTour dates & cities: crooked.com/eventsSupport abortion freedom & shop Crooked’s new No Trespassing Collection: crooked.com/store 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.