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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)
“Stephen Miller went to Duke.” (LIVE from Durham!)
The political fallout from Trump’s immigration policy intensifies, and the midterm campaign heats up. Governor Roy Cooper and Rev. Dr. William Barber II join Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Symone on stage in Durham, North Carolina.
01:15:4125/06/2018
“I vote. Do u?” (LIVE from Nashville)
Trump has no plan to reunite the children he separated from their parents, Republicans in Congress struggle to pass an immigration bill, and Democrats announce a new plan to mobilize young people, Africans Americans, Latinos, and other voters who don’t always turn out for midterm elections. Then Stephanie Teatro talks to Dan and Symone Sanders about her work as the co-director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition.
01:09:1024/06/2018
“Sta-cey! Sta-cey! Sta-cey!” (LIVE from Atlanta)
Trump partially reverses his family separation policy with an executive order that leads to more chaos and confusion, and Republicans take another run at repealing Obamacare and gutting Medicare. Then Democratic candidate for governor Stacey Abrams talks to Tommy and Dan about her historic candidacy and how she plans to turn Georgia blue.
01:13:1922/06/2018
"Last call for democracy.”
Trump hits a new low by tearing infants away from their parents at the border, and looks for new ways to obstruct justice as his campaign manager goes to jail. Then Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Fahrenthold talks to Tommy about his reporting on the Trump Foundation. To learn what you can do to help fight the separation of families at our border, pitch in here: go.crooked.com/families
01:15:1119/06/2018
“Wild Wild GOP.”
Ben Rhodes joins Jon and Tommy to talk about the aftermath of the North Korea summit, Trump’s family separation policy at the border, and why senior Republicans are calling their own party a cult.
58:0614/06/2018
“Kim Jong Un is not your BFF.”
Trump lashes out at our closest allies while kissing up to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. Then, former Solicitor General Don Verrilli joins Jon and Dan to talk about the Trump Administration’s decision to stop defending the Affordable Care Act’s pre-existing conditions protections in court.
01:06:2812/06/2018
“Don’t tweet, vote.”
Tuesday’s primaries point to the importance of Democratic turnout in November, Trump escalates his trade war, and Paul Ryan is briefly reunited with his spine. Then former White House senior advisor Ron Klain joins Jon and Dan to talk about Mitch McConnell’s success in packing the courts with Trumpy judges.
01:02:3207/06/2018
“Immunity by congressional majority.”
Trump and his legal team argue that the president is above the law, and voters say that health care and immigration are two of the most important issues in the very close 2018 midterms. Then, Rep. Luis Gutierrez calls from Puerto Rico to talk to Jon Favreau about the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
59:4105/06/2018
“The outrage election.”
Roseanne’s racism reveals a reality about life in the Trump Era and the Republican midterm strategy, Trump is caught in a perpetual justice obstruction machine, and Democrats face real danger in the June 5th California primary. Then John Legend talks to Tommy about the work he’s doing to call more attention to elections for local prosecutors around the country.
01:25:4031/05/2018
“This is who we are.”
Trump pretends a staffer doesn’t exist as his will-they-won’t-they drama with Kim continues, Customs and Border Patrol begins tearing away children from their parents at the border, and the trouble grows for Trump’s inner circle. Erin Ryan joins Jon, Jon, and Tommy on stage at Boston Calling, and then our interview at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute with Senator Elizabeth Warren.
01:17:4128/05/2018
“A wicked clutch election.” (LIVE from Boston!)
Trump calls off the North Korea summit after Mike Pence was called a dummy, and the NFL restricts the right to free speech after threats from the president. Governor Deval Patrick and Ambassador Samantha Power join Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Erin on stage at the Wang Theater in Boston.
01:32:0826/05/2018
"Live from Radio City!"
Mueller racks up 75 criminal charges in one year, Trump tries to shut the investigation down, and the White House goes after Planned Parenthood. Then Seth Meyers, Questlove, and the New York Times’ Nikole Hannah-Jones join Jon, Jon, Tommy, Brittany Packnett, and Alyssa Mastromonaco on stage at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
01:32:3524/05/2018
“The Full Nixon.”
Don Jr. met with a second set of foreign agents who offered help to the Trump campaign, Donald Trump orders an investigation into the investigation of himself, and new voter registration among young people and Democrats is on the rise. Then Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts joins Favs and Tommy to talk about the fight to end gun violence.
55:0621/05/2018
“The Trump Investigation.”
Trump hits a bump in the road on his way to the Nobel Peace Prize, Republicans try their hardest to make 2018 about immigrant gang members, and 700 Trump investigation stories break in one day. Then Jason Kander joins Jon and Dan to talk about the midterms and the new season of Majority 54, and Inimai Chettiar of the Brennan Center for Justice talks about the prison reform bill moving through Congress.
01:09:0017/05/2018
“Two maniacs and a bucket of chicken.”
Trump sends a couple of bigoted pastors to the opening of the American embassy in Jerusalem, prepares for his meeting with Kim Jong Un, and stands by a White House staffer who joked about John McCain’s brain cancer. Then Michael Avenatti talks to Jon Favreau about his view that Michael Cohen will get indicted and flip on President Trump.
49:5015/05/2018
“Essential Bribery, LLC.”
Michael Cohen’s shell company is a revealed to be a massive corruption scheme that involves Donald Trump’s mistresses, Russian oligarchs, and big corporations looking for presidential access. Then CNN’s Harry Enten talks with Jon and Dan about the midterms, Democrats’ chances, and the state of polling.
46:4510/05/2018
“All the President’s goons.”
Rudy gives an encore performance, Trump loves paying in (Russian?) cash, the Democrats try to break through the noise, Gina Haspel almost withdraws, and Eric Schneiderman is revealed as an abuser. Then actor and activist Yara Shahidi talks to Jon F and Tommy about her “Eighteenx18” initiative to register young people to vote.
51:4808/05/2018
“Ru-dy! Ru-dy! Ru-dy!”
Rudy Giuliani potentially incriminates Donald Trump during his first television appearance as the President's new lawyer, Mueller has many questions about crimes of collusion, and Marco Rubio and Tom Price cut a few very effective ads for Democratic campaigns. Then Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ronan Farrow joins Tommy Vietor to talk about his new book, “War on Peace: The End of Diplomacy and the Decline of American Influence."
01:03:5303/05/2018
“Zombie Correspondents’ Dinner.”
Michelle Wolf destroys democracy with jokes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, and Trump moves closer to withdrawing from the Iran deal. Then CNN’s Jake Tapper joins Jon, Jon, and Tommy to talk about politics, the press, Trump, and his new book, The Hellfire Club. And DeRay Mckesson calls in to talk about Seattle’s move to abolish marijuana convictions, and the brand new season of Pod Save the People.
01:15:4101/05/2018
“It’s your Justice Department!"
Trump calls into his favorite program, Ronny Jackson withdraws, Mulvaney says the quiet part out loud, Kanye tweets, and Democrats find hope in a special election loss. Then Arizona Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema joins Jon and Dan to talk about her Senate race and her approach to politics.
01:03:5426/04/2018
“Netflix and Macron.”
Trump hosts a state dinner for French President/bestie Emmanuel Macron, Democrats hope for an upset in an Arizona special election, and the California primaries are too crowded. Then Arizona teacher Kelley Fisher talks to Lovett about her role in organizing the teacher walkout this week.
50:1724/04/2018
“Shamelessness is all the rage.”
Trump’s own lawyer compares him to a mob boss, McConnell helps open the door for Trump to fire Mueller, Beto O’Rourke closes in on Ted Cruz, and Mike Pompeo meets Kim Jong Un. Then activist Ady Barkan joins Jon and Dan to talk about the special election in Arizona and his new project, beaherofund.com.
01:04:0719/04/2018
“Not a scrupulous individual.”
Comey renders his judgment on everyone, Cohen has a rough day in court, Hannity is Client #3, and Trump launches airstrikes. Then The New Yorker’s Adam Davidson talks to Jon about his piece, “The End Stage of the Trump Presidency.”
59:2017/04/2018
“Exquisite presidential leadership.”
Speaker of the House/Dan’s Favorite Politician Paul Ryan announces his retirement, Donald Trump has a televised meltdown over Mueller, and the Republican media goes all in on a conspiracy to obstruct justice. Then Stoneman Douglas students Delaney Tarr and Diego Pfeiffer talk to Dan and Tommy about the next steps in their efforts to prevent gun violence.
01:05:3912/04/2018
“Xi likes me!” (LIVE from Orlando)
Trump tries Twitter diplomacy with China and Syria, and Florida Democrats have a chance to help flip Congress. Then Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) joins Jon, Jon, Tommy, Dan, and Alyssa on stage in Orlando to talk about gun control, immigration, and the 2018 midterms.
01:09:2409/04/2018
“Gang of Foxes.”
Mueller’s writing a summer blockbuster, Fox and Friends is making immigration policy, and Scott Pruitt is late for dinner. Then the Rev. Demetrius Jifunza of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition joins Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan on stage in Clearwater, Florida to talk about voting rights and second chances.
01:12:4606/04/2018
“Hold for Lou Dobbs.”
Trump has a Twitter meltdown over immigration after a MAGA revolt over the wall, Sinclair Broadcast Group forces local news anchors to read their propaganda, and White House corruption becomes a campaign issue for Democrats. Then Sacramento activist Berry Accius talks to Tommy about the protests over the shooting of Stephon Clark, and Ana Marie Cox joins the pod to talk about the 2nd season of With Friends Like These.
01:00:5103/04/2018
“Choose your own obstruction.”
The Parkland students enrage right-wing pundits, Trump’s legal problems get worse, the Department of Veterans Affairs gets a new boss, and the Census gets a new question. Then Jennifer Palmieri, communications director for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, joins Jon and Dan to talk about her new book “Dear Madam President: An Open Letter To The Women Who Will Run The World.”
58:3629/03/2018
“Smartass.”
Vice President Joe Biden sits down with Jon, Jon, and Tommy at his office in Washington, DC to talk about Donald Trump, John Bolton, partisanship, the economy, and the Biden Cancer Initiative.
01:09:0928/03/2018
"It has to be the kids."
Trump becomes even more unhinged, and makes warmonger John Bolton his national security advisor. Then Jon, Jon and Tommy attend the March for Our Lives in D.C. and meet students, teachers, and families from around the country who want to stop gun violence.
01:00:2026/03/2018
“Grift while you can.”
Trump congratulates Putin on an election well-rigged, loses his head lawyer, and Congress does nothing to protect Mueller while the corruption scandals keep coming. Then Senator Mark Warner joins Jon and Dan to talk about the Mueller investigation, Cambridge Analytica, Facebook, and his thoughts on the banking bill.
58:4922/03/2018
“Witch hunt!”
Trump begins publicly attacking Robert Mueller, only a few Republicans in Congress speak out, and Trump data firm Cambridge Analytica harvests data from 50 million Facebook profiles. Then Stoneman Douglas High School students David Hogg and Jackie Corin talk to Tommy and Jon about the upcoming March for Our Lives and their efforts to prevent gun violence.
49:5019/03/2018
"Taking the gavel from Paul Ryan's hand."
Democrats win another special election, Republicans flail around for a response, and Trump sends Tillerson to the Rexit in a major shakeup of the national security team. Then Lovett and Tommy talk to Senator Elizabeth Warren.
58:1015/03/2018
“Trump’s message of hope and inclusion.” (LIVE from Dallas)
House Republicans end their Russia investigation, Trump sides with the NRA on gun control, Conor Lamb eyes an upset in Pennsylvania, and Democrats look for the missing Obama voters. Then Texas State House candidate Julie Johnson joins Jon, Jon, Tommy, Dan, and Brittany live on stage in Dallas, Texas.
01:11:0013/03/2018
“Beto days to come.” (LIVE from Austin)
America sends its best negotiator to denuclearize a dictator, and Democrats craft an economic message for 2018. Then Texas Democratic Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke joins Jon, Jon, Tommy, Dan, and Brittany on stage live at Austin City Limits.
01:07:2011/03/2018
“Give Ruth a break.” (LIVE from Houston)
Trump accepts Kim Jong Un’s invite to a Madman vs Madman summit, Mueller has a new witness, and Democrats look to turn Texas blue. Former Houston Texan Arian Foster joins Jon, Jon, Tommy, Dan, and Brittany Packnett on stage live in Houston, Texas.
01:01:5009/03/2018
“President for life.”
White House staffers are concerned about Trump’s stability but only on background, Trump escalates the world’s first Twitter-based trade war, West Virginia’s teachers have had enough, and Conor Lamb has a chance in a deep red Pennsylvania district. Then former Obama Ethics Czar Norm Eisen talks about the corruption roiling Trump’s White House, and Ira Madison joins Jon, Jon, and Tommy in studio to talk about the Oscars.
01:08:0205/03/2018
“The Committee to Defraud America.”
Hope Hicks is out, Jared Kushner is in trouble, Jeff Sessions is beleaguered, and Donald Trump is so angry he just might…implement tariffs on steel and support gun control measures? Then the Atlantic’s Natasha Bertrand talks to Tommy about the latest in the Mueller investigation.
49:1101/03/2018
“MAGA hats and perjury traps.”
The Stoneman Douglas students start to move the needle on gun control, the Schiff memo obliterates the Nunes memo, Trump’s lawyers are worried he’ll lie to Mueller, and Democrats have a few primary problems. Then Ana Marie Cox joins Jon, Jon, and Tommy to talk about what she saw and heard at CPAC.
58:2326/02/2018
“We call BS.”
In the aftermath of the Parkland shooting, a new student movement is born, the Republican/NRA conspiracy nuts go crazy, and Republican politicians start feeling the pressure. Then Jon and Tommy talk to comedian Billy Eichner about Glam Up the Midterms, his new effort to register young voters.
01:10:2922/02/2018
“Hold my putter.”
The Department of Justice indicts 13 Russian nationals who conducted information warfare against the United States, Mueller’s charges offer hints about his next move, Trump reacts on Twitter with his characteristic subtlety and cool, and the students of Stoneham Douglas lead a movement to stop mass shootings. Then Lovett talks to New York Times writer Zeynep Tufekci about Facebook’s role in the Russia indictments and whether mass shootings are contagious.
01:12:2419/02/2018
“Beat the NRA.”
The NRA and GOP vow to do nothing about America’s 18th school shooting in 35 days, Trump and Republican leaders reject a bipartisan agreement to protect the dreamers, and the Administration is filled with corrupt goons who screw taxpayers and jeopardize national security. Jon and Dan cover another banner day in the Trump Era, and then talk to immigration activist Marisa Franco about how she helped defeat Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and what we can do to change the politics of immigration.
51:3415/02/2018
“The worst Cirque du Soleil ever.” (LIVE from Las Vegas)
The Trump White House extends the domestic abuse scandal for a fifth day, Republicans fret about staying on their tax message, and Democrats start to fight back. Then Congresswoman Jacky Rosen joins Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan to talk about Nevada politics and the 2018 election.
01:04:1112/02/2018
“A government eclipse.” (LIVE from Denver)
Paul Ryan needs Democratic votes to keep the government open, and the Democrats can’t decide whether to demand a vote on dreamers. The White House covers up a senior aide’s domestic abuse allegations, and Pennsylvania may be headed towards a constitutional crisis. Jon, Jon, Tommy, Dan, and Alyssa are joined by business owner and community activist Wanda James live on stage in Denver, Colorado.
01:11:2909/02/2018
“#ReleaseThePod” (LIVE from LA’s Dolby Theater)
House Republicans give America its dumbest conspiracy yet. Jimmy Kimmel, John Legend, and Chrissy Teigen join Jon, Jon, Tommy, Dan, and Erin for a night of politics, games, and musical performances at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.
01:32:5705/02/2018
“An insult to banana republics.”
Trump’s first State of the Union is long on words, low on energy, and short on policy. Jon and Dan break down the speech, the reaction, and all the Mueller Madness that followed with their guest, Ashley Parker of the Washington Post.
01:05:2501/02/2018
“A human centipede of obstruction.”
The media lowers the bar for Trump’s State of the Union, Democrats look for an economic message, and the Republican effort to shut down the Mueller investigation continues apace. Then DeRay McKesson joins to talk about restoring voting rights in Florida, and Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz sits down with Jon and Tommy to talk immigration and 2018.
01:09:5629/01/2018
“Paul Ryan’s shit sandwich.”
Democrats plot their next move on immigration after the shutdown, Mueller closes in on Trump, and Republicans go full whack job in pushing their latest Deep State conspiracy. Then Arizona Congressman Ruben Gallego joins Jon and Dan to talk immigration, shutdowns, and how Democrats should campaign in 2018.
01:05:3425/01/2018
“Have fun at Davos!”
The Shithole Shutdown ends as McConnell promises a vote on a bill to protect the DREAMers, and Democrats vote for another short-term funding bill. Then medical student and immigration activist New Latthivongskorn joins Jon, Jon, and Tommy to discuss the challenges he’s faced as an undocumented American.
58:1622/01/2018
“The shithole shutdown.”
Trump and the Trumpiest Republicans oppose a bipartisan deal that would pass the Senate, protect the DREAMers, and keep the government open. Then Samantha Power, Ben Rhodes, and Greg Barker talk to Tommy about The Final Year, a new documentary that focuses on Obama’s foreign policy in 2016.
01:01:1818/01/2018