Sign in
News
Crooked Media
Pod Save America is a no-bullshit conversation about politics hosted by former Obama aides Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer, and Tommy Vietor. It cuts through the noise to break down the week’s news and helps people figure out what matters and how they can help. They’re regularly joined by journalists, activists, politicians, entertainers, and world leaders. You can watch on YouTube or listen to new episodes every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
Ad-Free Pod Save America episodes available NOW through Friends of the Pod subscription. Head to crooked.com/friends to join today!
For a transcript of an episode of Pod Save America, please email [email protected] (edited)
“Does size matter?” (with Pete Buttigieg!)
Joe Biden’s Hot Vax Summer is off to a rocky start thanks to Republicans in Congress, and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg talks to Jon Lovett about how the administration plans to pass their jobs and infrastructure plan. Then, Dan Pfeiffer and Jon Favreau talk about some bright spots in the Biden agenda, and answer listener questions.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
01:03:5310/06/2021
“Trump’s Fauci fetish.”
Joe Manchin says he’s voting against the For the People Act, Donald Trump returns to the campaign trail to target Dr. Fauci, and a new Democratic analysis of 2020 offers the party advice on message and organization ahead of the midterms. Then journalist Kara Swisher talks to Jon Lovett about Facebook’s decision to ban Trump for two years.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
01:05:2807/06/2021
“Cowboy up, Joe Manchin.” (with Stacey Abrams and Ben Rhodes!)
Donald Trump says he’ll be reinstated as President this August as his former National Security Advisor calls for a military coup, Republicans continued their coordinated assault on voting rights, and Democrats win big in a New Mexico special election. Then, Stacey Abrams talks to Jon Favreau about the fight for democracy, her latest book, and more.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
01:05:5403/06/2021
"Body temperature takes." (500th episode special!!)
Pod Save America is celebrating 500 episodes! Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan answer listener questions, quiz their memories, and reminisce about the last few years.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
01:04:3431/05/2021
“Stop the 2024 Steal.”
A grand jury is convened to decide Donald Trump’s fate as he mulls another run for president, Marjorie Taylor Greene compares vaccine and mask requirements to the Holocaust, Republican legislatures in swing states are laying the groundwork to overturn the results of the next election they lose. Then, The Atlantic’s Clint Smith talks to Tommy Vietor about his new book, How the Word is Passed.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
01:24:1027/05/2021
“The AP Bows to the Right-Wing Mob.”
Joe Biden’s ambitious agenda confronts the reality of a broken Congress, the Associated Press sets off a controversy over objectivity in journalism after firing a reporter for her tweets, and New York political reporter Jeff Colton talks to Jon Lovett about the upcoming New York City mayoral race.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
01:05:4824/05/2021
"Capitol-storming police-haters."
Republican leaders reject a bipartisan commission created to investigate their own attempted murder on 1/6, Democrats finish a new analysis of why they nearly lost the House in 2020, and NYU Law Professor Melissa Murray talks to Jon Favreau about the news that New York State has launched a criminal investigation into the Trump organization, as well as what’s ahead for the Supreme Court.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
01:05:4820/05/2021
“Dr. Fauci, Unmasked.”
The Biden Administration faces a moment of truth over the escalating violence between Israel and Palestine, Dr. Anthony Fauci talks to Jon Lovett about the CDC’s new mask guidelines, and a look at some important stories to watch this week, including the Philadelphia District Attorney’s race, the Supreme Court’s decision to hear a case on Mississippi’s abortion ban, and the future of HR1.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
59:0617/05/2021
“Cheney Reaction.”
Republicans purge Liz Cheney then meet with Joe Biden, Tucker Carlson launches an anti-vax crusade on Fox, and a look at this year’s Virginia gubernatorial race, including Dan’s interview with one of the Democratic candidates, Jennifer Carroll Foy. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
01:01:1213/05/2021
“Horny for Bipartisanship.” (with Beto O’Rourke!)
President Biden meets with Republicans who are blaming him for a disappointing jobs report, more states follow Georgia in passing voting restrictions, and Beto O’Rourke joins to talk about Texas’s new voter suppression legislation and the grassroots movement trying to fight it.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
01:02:5510/05/2021
“Republicans cancel a Cheney.” (PLUS - Elizabeth Warren!)
Republican cancel culture comes for the Cheneys, Mark Zuckerberg’s private Supreme Court upholds Facebook’s decision to suspend Donald Trump, and new Census figures show that an increasingly diverse electorate may not help Democrats as much as the party has hoped. Then, Senator Elizabeth Warren talks to Jon Favreau about her new book, Persist, and whether she has a plan to deal with Joe Manchin.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsavetheworld. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
01:32:1206/05/2021
“Vax On, Mask Off.”
Donald Trump and his allies are winning the GOP’s civil war, Rudy Giuliani and Matt Gaetz may face indictments, and the Biden Administration weighs steps to speed up Covid vaccinations in the U.S. and around the world. Then, in the Under the Radar segment, Jon, Jon, and Tommy offer updates on the border situation and the fight against misinformation.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
54:5503/05/2021
“A Very Lit Joint (Address) with Jen Psaki.”
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki joins Jon and Dan to break down President Biden’s first address to a Joint Session of Congress. Then, new 2020 Census data jeopardizes Democratic control of Congress, and Republicans spend the week spreading a slew of wild conspiracies about the Biden Administration with the help of their propaganda outlets.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
59:2829/04/2021
“Raise Caitlyn Jenner’s taxes!”
President Biden prepares to roll out an ambitious agenda ahead of his first address to a Joint Session of Congress, the potential recall in California gets more attention now that Caitlyn Jenner has declared her candidacy for governor, and Republicans trot out some truly ridiculous arguments against D.C. statehood. Then, Tommy talks to Hunter Biden about his new book, Beautiful Things.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
01:25:0826/04/2021
“Accountability today, justice tomorrow.”
Derek Chauvin is found guilty of murdering George Floyd, Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) joins to talk about renewed hope that Congress might pass police reform, and Democrats re-introduce the Green New Deal as Joe Biden pledges to cut carbon emissions in half ahead of a global climate summit.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
57:5222/04/2021
"The Tucker Carlson Caucus."
The Biden administration waffles on its pledge to take in more refugees, a few Republicans try to start a white nationalist caucus in the House of Representatives, and Crooked Media Political Director Shaniqua McClendon joins to talk about Vote Save America’s new filibuster whip count, where you can see where your Democratic Senator stands on eliminating the rule.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
43:0719/04/2021
“Daunte Wright should be alive today.”
The Biden Administration’s focus on the pandemic and the economy is interrupted by multiple new challenges, Democrats analyze how to poll and advertise better in the next election, and Pod Save the People’s Sam Sinyangwe joins us to talk about police reform after another devastating killing in Minnesota.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
01:05:4415/04/2021
“Mag-a-Lago."
The Republican Party’s spring donor retreat becomes a MAGA-fest at Mar-a-Lago, Joe Biden launches a commission to reform the Supreme Court, and Democrats try to undo the damage Mitch McConnell did to the judiciary. Then, an Under the Radar segment that ends with a new filibuster game: “Manchin or Sorkin?"For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
46:4312/04/2021
“Are we infrastructure?”
The debate over Joe Biden’s jobs plan devolves into a fight over the definition of the word infrastructure, Republicans threaten their corporate donors and their grassroots donors, Matt Gaetz raises money off of his scandal, and transgender activist Raquel Willis joins Jon and Dan to talk about the horrific wave of anti-trans legislation sweeping the country.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
47:5008/04/2021
“A-holes in the Outfield.”
Major League Baseball pulls the All-Star game out of Georgia as the battle over voting rights intensifies, the push to legalize marijuana gets a lift from Chuck Schumer, and Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler talks to Jon Favreau about how Democrats can flip the Senate seat currently held by America’s Dumbest Senator, Ron Johnson. Then, Tommy breaks down the Championsh*t game of Pod Save America’s March Badness tournament.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
01:00:5105/04/2021
“Planes, Trains, and Matt Gaetz.”
Infrastructure Week is finally here with President Biden’s $2 trillion American Jobs Plan, Republicans continue their quest to rebrand as a Working Class Party, and Congressman Matt Gaetz is under investigation for sex trafficking. Then Tommy joins to talk about the next round of Pod Save America’s March Badness tournament, the Fascist Four.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
58:1301/04/2021
“March Badness.”
The White House press corps whiffs its first presidential news conference, Republicans shape the media narrative about the border, and Georgia passes voter suppression legislation that Joe Biden called “Jim Crow in the 21st century.” Then Tommy presents Jon and Jon with the Evil Eight in Pod Save America’s first-ever March Badness tournament.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
47:1729/03/2021
“Biden’s chance to go big.” (with Heather McGhee!)
Jon and Heather talk about how Biden’s next economic plan could be even more progressive and transformative than the last, the results from the latest Crooked Media/Change Research Pollercoaster series on voting rights in Arizona, and whether anything can get done on gun control. Then, they discuss their favorite under-the-radar headlines.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
45:5125/03/2021
“The voter suppression will continue until morale improves.”
President Biden and Vice President Harris call out anti-Asian hate while Republicans make excuses, the GOP says that voter suppression is now their top priority, and new polling shows how Democrats can fight back. Then Jon, Jon, and Tommy each pick an under the radar headline to talk about.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
44:5122/03/2021
“Democracy or the Filibuster.” (with Alyssa Mastromonaco!)
Jason Concepcion joins to talk about the Atlanta shooting and anti-Asian racism. Then Jon and Alyssa discuss Joe Biden coming out as filibuster reform-curious, Republicans playing politics with children at the border, and dig into the mailbag to answer some questions.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include which podcast you would like.
01:08:1318/03/2021
“Beat the Press.”
Joe Biden announces vaccines for all by May 1st and Donald Trump wants credit, Tan Suit journalism returns as some political reporters work hard to generate Biden controversies, Andrew Cuomo faces more calls to resign, and progressives are concerned about some of the President’s foreign policy decisions during his first fifty days in office.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include which podcast you would like.
52:5115/03/2021
“Green Eggs and Covid Relief Plan."
Republicans respond to vaccine funding and $1400 check with Dr. Seuss and Mr. Potato Head, Donald Trump fights with the Republican Party over the use of his name, and Democrats worry about what their 2020 performance among some Black and Latino voters might mean for the 2022 midterms.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include which podcast you would like.
52:4411/03/2021
“The Era of Big Government is Back.”
Senate Democrats pass Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, the fight for the $15 minimum wage continues, and Joe Manchin opens the door to reforming the filibuster. Then Virginia State Delegate Danica Roem talks to Jon Lovett about the fights over trans rights happening in statehouses across the country.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include which podcast you would like.
01:13:5708/03/2021
“Basket of Neanderthals.”
The end of the pandemic may finally be in sight, the House passes historic voting rights legislation, and Joe Biden offers his support to unionizing workers at Amazon. Then Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick talks to Jon Favreau about his new proposal that's been called the most radical reimagining of policing in the post-George Floyd era.Subscribe to Crooked's new sports pod Takeline: apple.co/takelineFor a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include which podcast you would like.
57:0104/03/2021
"Bienvenidos a Orlando (with Will Smith!)"
Democrats debate a path for the minimum wage now that the Senate parliamentarian has ruled against using budget reconciliation. Donald Trump gives the first speech of his ex-presidency at CPAC, where Republicans spend more time talking about Mr. Potato Head than about the pandemic. And Will Smith joins Jon F. to talk about his new docuseries on the 14th Amendment, “Amend: The Fight for America.”For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].
01:07:1001/03/2021
“The Clown Prince of CPAC.”
Trump tightens his grip on the GOP ahead of this weekend’s CPAC speech, Texas Democrats analyze why they came up short in November, and new Data for Progress/Vote Save America polling shows overwhelming bipartisan support for voting and democracy reforms. Then ProPublica’s Dara Lind talks to Dan about Biden’s immigration moves and the influx of unaccompanied minors at the border.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica.For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].
01:13:2825/02/2021
“When they Cuomo, we go high.”
House Democrats try to pass the American Rescue Plan by the end of the week, President Biden says he wants schools open five days a week by the end of April, and Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Administration is under investigation for undercounting Covid-related nursing home deaths. Then Georgia State Representative Bee Nguyen talks to Tommy about her fight against a new round of voter suppression legislation from Republicans.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].
01:00:2122/02/2021
“Flyin’ Ted.”
The MAGA vs. Mitch McConnell battle heats up with Trump’s return to public life, Joe Biden and progressives debate how much student debt to cancel, and Texas suffers from freezing storms and rolling blackouts while Ted Cruz jets off to Cancun. Then Dr. Anthony Fauci talks to Jon about variants, vaccination timelines, and what he’s learned from this pandemic.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].
01:03:4218/02/2021
“He did it. Not guilty.”
Trump is acquitted despite a bipartisan majority voting to convict and a few last-minute witness surprises, Republicans can’t quit Trumpism, and Democrats look to pass reforms that would save democracy. Then Heather McGhee talks to Jon Lovett about her new book The Sum of Us, What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].
01:03:1116/02/2021
“Impeachment, Lies, and Videotape.”
House Democrats use video footage of the Capitol attack to make a powerful case against Donald Trump, Republican Senators look for excuses to acquit, and the Republican Party has been losing voters since January. Then Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal talks to Dan about Covid relief negotiations and the minimum wage. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].
01:07:4511/02/2021
“Impeaching the Big Lie.”
The second impeachment of Donald Trump begins, President Biden reins in ICE as part of an immigration overhaul, and Fox News is hit with a $2.3 billion defamation lawsuit for spreading election conspiracies.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].
46:1308/02/2021
“Party of Q.”
Democrats choose to go big and fast on Covid relief, Republicans choose applause over punishment for Marjorie Taylor Greene, and control of the House could hinge on the redistricting battles set to begin soon. Then journalist Farai Chideya talks to Dan about building a media that’s more representative and better connected to all communities.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].
01:09:2304/02/2021
“Katie Porter’s stock tips.”
Republicans make Joe Biden an offer he can refuse, the race to vaccinate America is on, and the new face of the GOP is a QAnon school shooting truther who believes that wildfires are caused by Jewish laser beams. Then Congresswoman Katie Porter talks to Jon Lovett about getting people access to mental health care during the pandemic and why the GameStop drama should lead to tougher Wall Street regulation.
56:5501/02/2021
“Go Big or Lose Small.”
Senate Republicans seem likely to exonerate the man who incited a mob that almost killed them, and our new Crooked Media/Change Research Pollercoaster series shows that Joe Biden’s agenda is extremely popular and MAGA media continues to radicalize its audience. Then Ezra Klein of The New York Times talks to Jon about ending the filibuster and the future of democracy.
01:28:1328/01/2021
“There’s no ‘I’ in ‘Unity.’”
President Biden steers his Covid relief plan through bad faith whining about unity, Mitch McConnell tries to prevent Democrats from taking control of the Senate, and the MAGA extremists are winning the Republican civil war. Then White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki talks to Tommy about being back in the briefing room and the first week of the Biden Administration.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].
01:02:3325/01/2021
“Joe Biden is President.”
Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th President of the United States, Kamala Harris is sworn in as the 49th Vice President, former game show host Donald Trump retires to Florida, and the new administration immediately gets to work.
01:06:2121/01/2021
“Trump who?”
In the final pod of the Trump Era, Jon, Jon, and Tommy talk about the 45th President’s final days in office, how he’s changed the Republican Party and America over the last four years, and President-elect Joe Biden's new plans to fight the recession and the pandemic. Then Lovett and Favreau talk about what goes into writing an inaugural address as part of their Crooked Media YouTube series, Speechwriters React.
01:03:5719/01/2021
"2 Impeachment 2 Furious.”
Donald Trump becomes the first president in history to be impeached twice, ten Republicans break from the party over the vote, and Mitch McConnell weighs a conviction in the Senate. Then Stanford researcher Renée DiResta talks to Dan about online right-wing organizing and the spread of misinformation.
01:35:2014/01/2021
“Tweets and Reconciliation.”
The fallout continues from last week’s Trump-inspired attack on the U.S. Capitol, as the House prepares to impeach Donald Trump for the second time, and the President’s personal Twitter account is banned forever. Then former Bernie Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir talks to Jon Favreau about how Joe Biden can get a progressive agenda through a closely divided Senate.
01:11:1111/01/2021
“Two Americas.”
Donald Trump incites a violent insurrection against the U.S. Capitol, and Democratic candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff make history in Georgia, wresting control of the U.S. Senate away from Mitch McConnell. Then New Georgia Project CEO Nsé Ufot talks to Dan about how years of grassroots organizing paved the way for Tuesday’s victory.
01:34:4007/01/2021
“Sedition: Impossible.”
Jon, Jon and Tommy kick off 2021 by examining the last ditch attempts by Donald Trump and Republicans to subvert November’s election, the latest in the Senate races in Georgia, and what it will take to fix the Trump administration’s bungled vaccine rollout. Then, they share an installment of Alyssa Mastromonaco’s video series, “Let’s Break it Down,” exploring the presidential transition. For more episodes, check out: YouTube.com/CrookedMedia
01:10:5504/01/2021
"PSA Presents: The Pundies."
Jon, Jon, and Tommy go over the worst takes of 2020 (including their own) during Pod Save America’s first annual Pundies! Then, they reflect on their 2020 New Year’s resolutions and make some new ones for 2021.
49:3228/12/2020
Introducing 'Gaining Ground: The New Georgia' (episode 1)
Our new podcast, “Gaining Ground: The New Georgia” is a co-production of Tenderfoot TV and Crooked Media. Episode 1: Wins and LossesAs Georgia gears up for another Election Day, we take a look back at the significance of the 2018 Governor’s race that vaulted Stacey Abrams and Georgia politics onto the national stage.If you liked episode 1 of Gaining Ground: The New Georgia, you can listen to episode 2 right now wherever you listen to podcasts. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and find episode transcripts at gaininggroundpodcast.com
42:2423/12/2020
“Melania’s Last Christmas” (Holiday mailbag!)
Jon F. and Dan answer your questions on the Senate majority, redistricting, what they hate about Twitter and like about Taylor Swift’s new albums.
01:02:2021/12/2020
“Stimulus checks and balances.”
Mitch McConnell agrees to stimulus checks because he’s worried about losing Georgia, Covid relief nears the finish line, and Democrats ponder why they lost the Senate race in Maine. Then, in an excerpt of his interview on this week’s Pod Save the World, Barack Obama talks to Tommy and Ben about his tensions with the Pentagon over Afghanistan and his thoughts about the rise of right-wing nationalism. Listen and subscribe to Gaining Ground: The New Georgia at gaininggroundpodcast.com.
01:12:1517/12/2020