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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.
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For a transcript of an episode of Pod Save America, please email [email protected] (edited)
“Taliban sleepovers and midnight cat videos.”
The President cancels secret negotiations with the Taliban in between tweeting cat videos, the House investigates whether the Defense Department has been propping up Trump’s businesses, and Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders start to pull away from the pack. Then Ady Barkan talks to Jon F. about his new video series on health care and his new memoir, Eyes to the Wind, which you can get at beaherofund.com.
01:04:1909/09/2019
“High crimes and weather map misdemeanors.”
The House's impeachment inquiry ambles on as Trump’s crimes pile up, a North Carolina special election looms, and the Democratic presidential candidates talk about the climate crisis for seven hours on CNN.
01:05:3105/09/2019
2020: Bill de Blasio on taxing the rich and rooting for the Red Sox
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio joins Jon L. to talk about staying in the race, running a city, achieving universal pre-K, beefing with Cuomo, and why he's still a Red Sox fan.
01:02:2004/09/2019
“Trump’s lost summer.”
Trump caps off a lost summer by golfing and rage-tweeting through a hurricane, and a debate begins about which states are most important in 2020. Then political strategists David Axelrod and Mike Murphy, co-hosts of the Hacks On Tap podcast, talk to Jon F. about the Democratic primary and upcoming debate.
59:0804/09/2019
"Our lawless, wall-less president."
Alyssa Mastromonaco and Jon L. discuss reports that Trump has promised pardons if aides break the law to build his border wall, the winnowing of the Democratic presidential field, and a new Senate seat opening in Georgia. Then, Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley joins to discuss the House, the Squad, and the fight for gun control and policies rooted in empathy.
01:04:2029/08/2019
"Nuke the Hurricane."
Trump makes an enemy of China and the chairman of the Fed while the Amazon rainforest continues to burn, Trump gets a new primary challenger, and the next Democratic debate might take place over two nights. Then, Dan talks to Ben Wikler, the chair of the Wisconsin Democratic party, about the organizing that is already going on in the state.
01:24:5426/08/2019
“The Chosen One.”
Donald Trump has a meltdown for the ages that includes snubbing Denmark because they refused to sell him Greenland, accusing American Jews of stupidity and disloyalty, caving to the NRA, and blaming everyone else for an economy that Trump says is the greatest. Then Stacey Abrams talks to Dan about her new effort to fight voter suppression and expand democracy.
01:26:0622/08/2019
“Vote Save The Greek.” (LIVE from LA!)
The Democratic primary is relatively stable heading into the fall campaign, voters are still trying to define electability, and Stacey Abrams passes on 2020 to focus on protecting the right to vote. Jemele Hill of The Atlantic joins Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan on stage at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Amanda Seales joins for a special edition of OK Stop, and Maggie Rogers, Jim James and Best Coast play a round of Pollercoaster Tycoon: Family Feud Edition.
56:1119/08/2019
“AOC calls BS.”
Our new Wisconsin poll shows Trump's strengths and vulnerabilities in a pivotal state, the economy shows warning signs of a possible recession, and the White House shows once again that their re-election strategy involves racist policies. Then Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez talks to Jon about immigration, race, the Green New Deal, and Democratic messaging.
01:35:4215/08/2019
“Impeachment: we’re in it.”
Trump says he’s open to background check legislation, House Democrats announce they’re in the middle of an impeachment inquiry, Jeffrey Epstein’s apparent suicide is investigated, and the media focuses on Joe Biden’s latest gaffes. Then Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell talks to Jon L. about impeachment, immigration, and more.
01:17:3312/08/2019
“America’s grief vs. Trump’s grievances.”
The President lashed out at multiple politicians and media figures while visiting mass shooting victims in Dayton and El Paso, Democrats in Congress make a renewed push for gun safety, and a number of House Republicans are heading for the exits before 2020. Then the New Yorker’s Jane Mayer talks to Dan about Fox News.
01:29:4708/08/2019
“8chan in the White House.”
A white nationalist terror attack in El Paso, Texas and a mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio focus the country’s attention on the President’s racism and America’s gun violence crisis. Then Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke talks to Jon F. about the terrorist attack on his hometown and what we can do about the threat of white nationalism.
01:07:5005/08/2019
“Go to Pod Save America 3-0-3-3-0.” (Debate recap special!)
Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan break down all the highs and lows of the second set of Democratic primary debates hosted by CNN in Detroit, Michigan.
01:24:0901/08/2019
“Charm city offensive.”
The President trashes the city of Baltimore because Rep. Elijah Cummings criticized his immigration policies, Trump advisors are telling reporters that racism is a good political strategy, the House Judiciary Committee effectively begins an impeachment inquiry, and 20 Democratic candidates prepare for the second round of debates. Then Pod Save the People’s DeRay Mckesson talks to Tommy about Trump’s criticism of his hometown.
58:1601/08/2019
2020: Bernie Sanders on democratic socialism and Cardi B
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders sits down with Jon F. to talk about why he feels he's uniquely prepared to lead a movement for change in the 2020 presidential election, his Medicare for All plan, his strategy for getting an agenda through Congress and whether Cardi B will perform at his inauguration.
51:1626/07/2019
“Mueller: The Season Finale.”
Special Counsel Robert Mueller testifies for six hours before the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees, Democratic leaders remain hesitant on impeachment, and Joe Biden gets scrappy with his opponents over health care and criminal justice reform. Then House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff talks to Jon F. about the Mueller hearing and impeachment.
01:11:3925/07/2019
“The Jackson Pollock of racism.”
Trump doubles down on his racist attack, the Administration proposes further restrictions on refugees and asylum-seekers, and the President heads into 2020 with an electoral college advantage. Then Adam Serwer of the Atlantic talks to Jon L. about Trumpism and the battle for a multiracial democracy.
48:4322/07/2019
“Jerry Nadler’s Revenge!” (LIVE from Salt Lake City)
The House inches closer to impeachment after Trump’s racist week, CNN selects the Democratic debate lineups with an NBA lottery-style drawing, and Stacy Stanford from the Utah Health Policy Project joins Jon, Jon, Tommy, Dan, and Erin Ryan on stage in Salt Lake City, Utah.
01:09:5519/07/2019
“Get Mitch Or Die Trying.” (LIVE from Denver)
The House votes to condemn the President’s racism, Mitch McConnell’s job and the Senate are up for grabs in 2020, and Governor Jared Polis joins Jon, Jon, Tommy, Dan, and Erin Ryan on stage in Denver, Colorado. Check out: votesaveamerica.com/getmitch
01:09:3418/07/2019
“Racist Hall of Fame.”
The President tells four Democratic Congresswomen of color to go back to the countries where they came from, House Democrats continue their intraparty feud, and Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders debate their health care plans. Then Politico’s Tim Alberta talks to Jon F. about his new book on how Donald Trump took over the Republican Party.
01:19:4416/07/2019
"Megan Rapinoe!!!" (BONUS episode)
Jon, Jon and Tommy sit down with World Cup champion Megan Rapinoe for a special bonus episode. They chat about her team’s triumph, her beef with Donald Trump, and how she’s using her platform to fight for pay equity and LGBT rights.
28:5212/07/2019
“A prison of political caution.”
The Affordable Care Act is in legal jeopardy, House Democrats argue over how to handle the latest Trump scandals, Tom Steyer runs for president, and our new PollerCoaster results show a 5-way tie for first. Then Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib joins to talk about Nancy Pelosi, impeachment, and the humanitarian crisis at our border.
01:14:0511/07/2019
“Dems in disarray!”
Trump looks for a new rationale to rig the Census, Nancy Pelosi triggers an intraparty skirmish, Joe Biden goes for a campaign reset, and Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren shake up the primary. Then attorney Warren Binford talks to Tommy about her interviews with migrant children at the detention center in Clint, Texas.
01:12:4708/07/2019
“The empty National Mall in Trump’s heart.” (July 4th Mailbag)
Jon and Dan answer your questions about Trump’s jingoistic July 4th, 2020 strategy, Medicare for All vs. Medicare for America, Ivanka’s foreign trip, and the Sixers free agency moves. Then Texas activist Marcel McClinton talks to Tommy about his decision to run for the Houston City Council right after graduating high school.
01:14:2504/07/2019
2020: Michael Bennet on fixing Washington and defeating Mitch McConnell
Dan talks to Colorado Senator Michael Bennet about the threats facing our democracy, what he’ll do to fix Washington, our immigration system, and how he plans to get to universal health care. Plus, his take on fighting back against a partisan judiciary.
01:02:3002/07/2019
“A largely accurate affair.”
The President kisses the asses of three different murderous dictators during his trip abroad, Kamala Harris is having a moment, Joe Biden is having some issues, and strategists and pundits are worried that the Democratic Party is moving too far to the left. Then Ari Berman of Mother Jones talks to Jon Lovett about the Supreme Court’s gerrymandering decision.
01:14:2101/07/2019
“Girlfriend, you are so on.” (Debate recap special!)
Twenty Democratic candidates debate over the course of two nights in Miami, and Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan break down who helped themselves, who didn’t, and what comes next.
01:21:3528/06/2019
2020: Steve Bullock on winning back Trump voters and making dad jokes
Jon talks to Montana Governor and Democratic presidential candidate Steve Bullock about getting dark money out of politics, making college and health care more affordable, and why he loves a “good” dad joke.
43:3427/06/2019
“Fear and electability in Miami.”
Tensions with Iran grow as the President threatens obliteration, the U.S. government is holding young children in inhumane detention facilities, and Trump is accused of rape. Then Change Research co-founder Pat Reilly and Jon, Jon, and Tommy break down the results of the very first poll in the Crooked Media/Change Research PollerCoaster 2020 series.
01:02:1725/06/2019
2020: Beto O’Rourke on Biden, Iran and the puppy primary
Tommy talks to Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke about why he thinks he can win, what President O’Rourke would do on day one, recent comments by Joe Biden, lots and lots of policy and why his dog Artemis should be leading the pack.
48:1721/06/2019
“Trump on shuffle.”
The President reprises his greatest hits from 2016 at his 2020 re-election kickoff, Joe Biden struggles to keep up with politics in 2019, and Bernie Sanders feels the heat from Elizabeth Warren’s rise. Then Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) talks to Dan about her decision to come out in favor of beginning an impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump’s abuse of power.
01:28:0920/06/2019
“'Tis the season for virtual treason.”
Trump offers up a smorgasbord of delusional buffoonery over the weekend, his Administration saber-rattles with Iran, the Democratic debate lineup is set, and Elizabeth Warren surges to the top of the field. Then Senator Harry Reid talks to Jon F. about impeachment and the state of the Senate, and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar joins us for a game about student debt from our Minneapolis show on June 7th.
01:16:1517/06/2019
2020: Andrew Yang on the universal basic income and why he hates the penny
Tommy talks to Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang about why he feels a universal basic income is necessary as more jobs are automated, how he'd get his agenda through Congress, and why he feels America needs to leave the penny behind.
41:1114/06/2019
“Norway, if you’re listening.”
The President says he’d accept foreign assistance to win in 2020, Democrats hold contempt votes over the Census scandal, Joe Biden and Donald Trump tear into each other, and Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders deliver two big speeches. Then Congresswoman Ilhan Omar talks to Ana Marie Cox about her new plan to relieve student debt.
01:28:4313/06/2019
“Welcome to the Panderdome.” (LIVE from Des Moines)
Trump caves on his Mexican trade war, and the race to win Iowa brings 19 Democratic candidates to Cedar Rapids. Des Moines Register pollster Ann Selzer joins Jon, Jon, Tommy, Dan, and Connie Schultz on stage in Des Moines, Iowa.
01:12:3410/06/2019
"You can run but you can’t Hyde.” (LIVE from Chicago)
Trump’s trade war threatens the economy, Elizabeth Warren calls for a new economic patriotism, and Joe Biden reverses his position on the Hyde amendment. Illinois Congressional candidate Marie Newman joins Jon, Jon, Tommy, Dan, and Brittany Packnett on stage at the Chicago Theater.
01:08:4007/06/2019
“Donald Trump, Diplomat.”
Trump spends the weekend picking fights with our biggest trading partner (Mexico) and our closest ally (the U.K.), the mass shooting in Virginia Beach puts gun control proposals back in the spotlight, and the Democratic candidates for president descend on California to make their case. Then London Mayor Sadiq Khan talks to Tommy about Trump’s U.K. visit, and Cherokee journalist and activist Rebecca Nagle talks to Tommy about her new podcast, This Land.
01:14:4903/06/2019
2020: Marianne Williamson on big truths and moral outrage
Author and activist Marianne Williamson joins Jon Favreau to discuss her bid for president, the difference between moral outrage and anger, getting money out of politics, and why she wants to establish a Department of Peace. Plus, her take on the role of spirituality in politics.
44:1531/05/2019
“A dirty, filthy, disgusting word.”
Robert Mueller sends an unmistakable message to Congress about impeachment, more Democrats announce their support for an inquiry, the DNC changes its requirements for the fall debates, and Elizabeth Warren’s strategy pays off. Then Veep star Julia Louis-Dreyfus and show runner David Mandel talk to Jon, Jon, and Tommy about politics and comedy in the Trump Era.
01:49:4330/05/2019
2020: Amy Klobuchar on winning the Midwest and working with Republicans
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar sits down with Dan to discuss what she brings to the 2020 race. They talk climate change, her plan to prioritize mental health, whether Congress should open an impeachment inquiry, and how she’ll use humor to campaign against Trump.
50:0629/05/2019
“The world’s assignment editor.”
The President sides with a murderous tyrant over advisors and allies, the Attorney General targets Trump’s political enemies, and the Democratic candidates fight for media attention in a crowded field. Then ACLU attorney Chase Strangio talks to Jon L. about the Trump administration’s most recent attempt to roll back civil rights for transgender Americans. Also – Pod Save America is going on tour! Get your tickets now: crooked.com/events.
01:05:1228/05/2019
"Trumper Tantrum."
The president “storms” out of another meeting with Democrats in the Oval Office. The House inches closer to an impeachment inquiry. And a new analysis of the 2018 midterms sheds light on the challenges up ahead in 2020. Then Rebecca Traister, author and writer at-large for New York Magazine and The Cut, joins Jon F. to talk about the recent wave of state laws threatening reproductive rights and what’s at stake in next year’s elections. Also – Pod Save America is going on tour! Get your tickets now: crooked.com/events.
01:23:5723/05/2019
“Pod Save The Realm.” (Game of Thrones bonus!)
Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Priyanka discuss the finale episode of Game of Thrones and look back on the politics of the series.
47:5321/05/2019
“Republican(s) for Impeachment.” (LIVE from DC!)
Justin Amash becomes the first Republican Congressman to say that the President crossed the threshold for impeachment, and Joe Biden says that Democrats don’t want an angry candidate. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Goldie Taylor join Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan on stage at the Anthem Theater in Washington, DC.
01:08:5620/05/2019
"Half past a Handmaid’s Tale.” (LIVE from Brooklyn)
Alabama Republicans pass the most extreme abortion ban in history, John Bolton tries to start a war with Iran, and Montana Governor Steve Bullock and New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio round out the 23-candidate field for the Democratic nomination. Then New York Attorney General Letitia James joins Tommy, Jon, Jon, Dan, and Akilah Hughes on stage at Kings Theater in Brooklyn.Audio note: At 13:01, Jon Favreau's microphone temporarily cuts out in the discussion about the Alabama abortion law. For clarity, here is his question to Akilah: "What can people do in the meantime starting now to protect access to abortion and to fight back?"
01:15:5617/05/2019
“Joementum.”
Joe Biden’s frontrunner status changes the dynamic of the Democratic primary, and Donald Trump threatens to abuse his power in order to derail the former Vice President’s candidacy. Then Senator Brian Schatz joins Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Priyanka in studio to talk about impeachment, the Senate, the primary, and take some listener questions. Also – Pod Save America is going on tour! Get your tickets now: crooked.com/events.
01:29:4513/05/2019
2020: Eric Swalwell on gun control and being bold
Tommy talks with Congressman Eric Swalwell about gun control, what it means to be bold in his campaign, his work on the intelligence committee and how he plans to win over his Trump-supporting family.
47:1010/05/2019
“A contest of sick burns.”
The President's blanket defiance of Congressional oversight plunges the country into a constitutional crisis, the New York Times discovers that Trump avoided income tax by declaring a billion dollars of business loses, and Kamala Harris tries to reset her campaign by going after Trump. Then Stacey Abrams talks to Dan about fighting voter suppression and whether she’ll run for president. Also – Pod Save America is going on tour! Get your tickets now: crooked.com/events.
01:12:4209/05/2019
“Killing it on the economy.”
The President coddles Putin on future election sabotage, the White House says they’re killing it on the economy, Nancy Pelosi believes Democrats need to own the center-left, and the electability debate rages in America and Westeros. Then digital strategist Tara McGowan talks to Tommy about which candidates are spending most on digital ads and why that’s so important.
01:14:5206/05/2019
2020: John Hickenlooper on brewing beer and winning purple states
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper talks with Jon Favreau about his life as a brewpub owner, his strategy for winning over Republicans, his plans to combat climate change and deal with automation, and what it’s like to govern in times of tragedy and crisis.
51:1103/05/2019