Donald Trump will never be the lesser of two evils. We must unite, look beyond partisanship, and vote in ways that will maintain the republic. Liz Cheney joins Charlie Sykes on today's podcast. show notes: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/liz-cheney/oath-and-honor/9780316572064/?lens=little-brown 

The smoking gun turns out to be a dud, but James Comer and the Republicans move ahead on their evidence-free Biden impeachment inquiry. The Washington Post’s Philip Bump joins Charlie Sykes on today’s podcast.

The progressives both-sidesing the sexual violence against Israeli women and girls has only added to the horrors of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Plus, Trump won't take 'No' for an answer, and Lindsey Graham capitulates to the anti-Ukraine isolationists. Will Saletan joins Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday.

Trump wants to weaponize the office of the presidency, and who would stop him? We have a built-in weakness of basing our constitutional norms on the honor system. Plus, the Democrats have a Hamas problem. Adam Kinzinger joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod.

From Elon to Trump to Kanye, public decompensation is a part of our culture now. Plus, Georgia's inadequate investigation of the potential Trump-related conspiracy to copy election software, and the uncertainty of a verdict before Election Day. Ben Wittes and Anna Bower join Charlie Sykes for The Trump Trials. show notes: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/what-the-gbi-missed-in-coffee-county

This is the era of political humiliation: From Kevin nursing Trump back to health after Jan 6, to dominatrixes who get paid to mock your political views. Plus, the Koch network is doing it backwards. Michael Steele joins Charlie Sykes.

Don't underestimate the power of the belief that Trump is part of a prophecy for many evangelicals. And don't underestimate the general lack of knowledge about Trump's corruption. Plus, putting pressure only on Israel does Hamas' work for them. David French joins Charlie Sykes.

Trump wants you to know that he remembers who the president is. Plus, the asymmetry in the hostage-prisoner exchanges, linking reform of asylum rules to aid for Ukraine and Israel, and is Christie helping Haley? Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday.

Hamas triggered the Gaza war—and signed the death warrants of thousands of Palestinians—when it purposefully targeted civilians on 10/7. Israeli journalist Amir Tibon joins guest host Mona Charen to discuss how his family survived the terror attack, Netanyahu's failures, Biden's support, and the bad options for post-war rule in Gaza.

A disconnect from reality has descended on the US: Republicans practice fantasy politics day and night, Trump is out to paint Biden as corrupt, and Americans think the economy is in the crapper. Plus, family love and loss, and gratitude for a good ending. JVL joins guest host A.B. Stoddard.

New Hampshire voters are famously contrarian, and the non-MAGA set is showing up for Haley and Christie ahead of the first-in-the-nation primary. Plus, a Rosalynn Carter appreciation, and the 'Lord of the Flies' vibe in the House. Karen Tumulty joins Charlie Sykes from New Hampshire. show notes: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/11/20/rosalynn-carter-place-in-history/ 

We are in an age where internet randos are beating out reality. Plus, Haley's abortion dance, the cowardice of DeSantis, another Biden panic poll, and the Steve Bannon wing feels like it has the wind at their backs. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday.

Fox launched the Big Lie based on a random email from a woman in Minnesota who heard voices in the supermarket. And its viewers wanted to be told that Trump was robbed of reelection. Brian Stelter has the receipts, and joins Charlie Sykes for our live show in Washington, D.C. show notes: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Network-of-Lies/Brian-Stelter/9781668046906

One person we can be certain will not be called as a witness in Georgia: nutty Sidney Powell. Plus, the unsettled Trump trial calendar, one way we may get to 'hear' Chutkan's trial, and the missing funding for Ukraine. Ben Wittes joins Charlie Sykes for The Trump Trials.

We may have averted a government shutdown for the moment, but the new speaker of the House believes dinosaurs were on Noah's Ark. Pete Wehner joins Charlie Sykes for a deep dive on Mike Johnson. Plus, the closing of the American mind on the right. show notes: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/10/polite-zealotry-mike-johnson/675845/ https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/06/opinion/trump-allan-bloom-republicans.html 

Deep down, Trump knows the truth, and is running again to stay out jail—just like authoritarian leaders do in other countries. Plus, the new non-MAGA initiative to protect the rule of law. George Conway joins Charlie Sykes today.

Very powerful and strong Donald Trump is promising his supporters the freedom to go after the people they don't like if he returns to the White House. Plus, pathological lying fascists, Hamas tunnels, and the day after in Gaza. Will Saletan joins Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday. 

Jack Smith's office filed an epic motion this week laying out the central role of Trump's lies in the election subversion case. Meanwhile, the ex-POTUS will never just shut-up. Plus, the proper way to dispose of dog poop bags. Yes, you read that right. Ben Wittes joins Charlie Sykes for The Trump Trials. show notes Ben's piece from 2016: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/trump-and-powers-american-presidency-part-i 

Trump wants to melt the constitutional order, but NBC didn't bother to ask the also-rans about that at their debate. Meanwhile, Vivek would've embarrassed Steve Bannon, DeSantis was less cringy, and normal Nikki may be the last one standing—before she concedes. A.B. Stoddard joins Charlie Sykes.

When Gen Z began attending college and demanding protection from speech, the left argued that cancel culture was a myth. But now that the anti-Zionism bias on campus is clear, consequence culture suddenly feels very real. Greg Lukianoff joins Charlie Sykes. show notes: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Canceling-of-the-American-Mind/Greg-Lukianoff/9781668019146

Next year's election is not a vote for a Democrat or a Republican: It's a vote for the survival of our nation. Cassidy Hutchinson joins Charlie Sykes to discuss her break with Trump world, speaking truth to power, and steering herself back to the right side of history. show notes: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Enough/Cassidy-Hutchinson/9781668028285

Recent polls have some Democrats reverting to bed-wetting, Christie calls out the deplorables, and Scalise is an election-denying weasel. Plus, Biden and Gaza, and the left's support for Hamas. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday.

Trump is glorifying insurrectionist prisoners, Bannon-world is using Confederate code words, and Republicans and a lot of the media are just pretending this radicalizing talk isn't happening. Plus, Mike Johnson's thoughts on dinosaurs and gay people. Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod.

Romney's journey from the party's standard-bearer to its pariah is also a story of the dramatic transformation of the GOP. And his nomination in 2012 was a false indicator that the center would hold. McKay Coppins joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his new book, "Romney: A Reckoning." show notes: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Romney/McKay-Coppins/9781982196202

A Colorado case will determine whether Trump should be kept off the ballot there because of that annoying little insurrection issue. Plus, founding father wisdom, the gag order is back, and a quiz on left-wing antisemitism. Ben Wittes joins Charlie Sykes for The Trump Trials.

The former congressman says he wasn't always fighting the good fight, and that he feels some responsibility for the GOP's descent into dysfunction—and the rise of people like Marjorie Taylor Greene. Adam Kinzinger joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his raw and personal new book, "Renegade." show notes: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723495/renegade-by-adam-kinzinger-with-michael-dantonio/

Trump talked about a new Muslim ban and the media barely covered it. Meanwhile, the House only could choose a pro-coup speaker. The biggest danger to democracy is simple exhaustion. Plus, Biden and the alpha male issue. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday.

The vast majority of Democrats support Israel, but a very loud, younger segment on the left is lending its support to the terrorist group Hamas—with marches on university campuses, extremist slogans, and outright hatred toward Jews. Josh Kraushaar joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod.

Sarah, Mona, and Sonny join Tim in The Big Easy to talk about new Speaker Mike Johnson, Biden, Israel, and left-wing antisemitism.

Jenna Ellis will not be the last flip in Georgia, former Trump water carrier Michael Cohen testifies about the fudged books, and the confusing case of Mark Meadows. Plus, Republicans are backing "Jim Jordan in drag" for speaker. Ben Wittes joins Charlie Sykes for The Trump Trials.

Remnants of the pre-Trump party are hanging on and putting the brakes on MAGA in the House, B-lister lawyer Jenna Ellis shows her deep loyalty to Trump, and Biden is ignoring the biggest threat to his reelection. Jonathan Martin joins Charlie Sykes. show notes: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/10/18/gop-party-house-speaker-00122371

House Republicans don't have a platform, and in the absence of Trump, they can't pull together. Plus, the anti-Israel left vs Biden, and the fallout from Hamas' hospital propaganda campaign. Will Saletan joins Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday.

Republican threats and bullying have finally gone too far when it comes to Jim Jordan. But what about the red line that has to be crossed for stable governance? A deal with the Dems. John Avlon joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod.

Sidney Powell pleaded guilty and agreed to testify for the state in Georgia—Trump's legal woes just took a turn for the worse. Plus, Jim Jordan's bad day, and a plea for social media types to wait for the facts before weighing in on the Israel-Hamas war. Ben Wittes joins Charlie Sykes for The Trump Trials. show notes: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/on-strategy-law-and-morality-in-israel-s-gaza-operation https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/to-gag-or-not-to-gag-a-first-amendment-showdown-in-the-jan.-6-case

Ordinary Americans pored through reams of digital evidence to ID hundreds of people who stormed the Capitol. And in the process, the sedition hunters became an invaluable resource to a technologically-strained FBI. Plus, figuring out what's real and what's not in the internet age. Ryan Reilly joins Charlie Sykes. show notes: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/ryan-j-reilly/sedition-hunters/9781541701809/?lens=publicaffairs

Jim Jordan spent the weekend bullying moderates, but threatening shame on social media and Fox may not be enough. Plus, narcissistic tech bros and the fake videos and disinformation around the Israel-Hamas war. Kara Swisher joins Charlie Sykes today.

Jordan was not just another Republican who voted against the election—he was behind the scenes in strategy meetings plotting how to keep the election's loser in power. Plus, the laws of war and Israel v Hamas. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday.

The Republicans elevated fringe players who have no interest in governing, and now they don't have enough members to get the House functioning again. Meanwhile, the international bad guys are trying to break the system. Tom Nichols joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. show notes: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/10/left-jewish-suffering-israel-hamas/675621/ https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/12/opinion/columnists/israel-gaza-massacre-left.html

Jack Smith signaled he will be able to prove why Trump held onto the classified documents. Plus, Trump’s claim of presidential immunity, chaos in the House, and the pro-Hamas left’s justification of murder. Ben Wittes joins Charles Sykes for The Trump trials. show notes: https://www.dogshirtdaily.com/p/how-not-to-respond-to-a-terrorist

The U.S. is knee-deep in the war in Ukraine, and now another potentially enormous war in the Mideast may draw us in. At the same time, military and ambassadorial appointments have been blocked, and we don’t have a speaker of the House. Our own political crisis is undermining America's role in the world. Susan Glasser joins Charlie Sykes. show notes: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/10/16/trial-by-combat 

Lincoln's political skills were a key part of his legacy, but the politics he practiced were not like today's base-oriented version. He didn't demonize people—and built a majority with people he disagreed with. The House GOP currently has lost sight of that. Steve Inskeep joins Charlie Sykes to discuss his new book on Lincoln, "Differ We Must." show notes: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/670070/differ-we-must-by-steve-inskeep/

The attack by Hamas on Israel was barbaric, but the incursion—by land, sea, and air—was also sophisticated. And it was an Israeli intel failure. Meanwhile, Republicans are trying to score political points at home by blaming the Biden administration—and trying to figure out how to end the paralysis in the House. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday.

The Republicans have been on a trajectory to get a Jim Jordan-style speaker for 11 years, and the Democrats couldn’t have stopped it. Plus, Liz Cheney speaks truth, Greg Gutfeld has a Napoleon complex, and Trump spills nuclear secrets. Tim MIller’s back with Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod.

The Crazed Slavering Jackal Caucus is running the GOP. Plus, Giuliani's drinking may undermine Trump's defense in the Jan 6 case, Fani Willis gets her first flip, and Trump may say he's just embellishing, but claiming the Trump Tower apartment is 3x its actual size is just plain lying. Ben Wittes joins Charlie Sykes for The Trump Trials. show notes: https://www.dogshirtdaily.com/p/the-game-theory-of-a-vacant-speakership https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/what-the-heck-happened-in-coffee-county-georgia

Kevin McCarthy aspired to the speakership for his resume, not because of legislative talents. In the end, he was a victim of hubris. And in NYC, Trump is acting like Yosemite Sam, shooting himself in the foot, and fearing the loss of Trump Tower. Tim O'Brien joins Charlie Sykes. show notes: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-10-02/new-york-says-trump-committed-fraud-now-comes-the-price-tag?srnd=undefined

Kevin McCarthy hasn't been doing much of anything all year as speaker, except lurching from crisis to crisis and leading from behind. Meanwhile, Trump is much more angry about being seen as less rich than potentially going to prison. Dana Milbank joins Charlie Sykes.

The bipartisan loathing of Gaetz is almost a kumbaya moment. Meanwhile, Trump likes to say the US is turning into a third world country, and he's working on that with his calls to shoot shoplifters and execute drug dealers. Will Saletan joins Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday.

The first impeachment hearing was panned on both sides, while House Republicans keep promising a new unicorn. Plus, the GOP is not going to follow Trump's abortion pivot, Biden gets an assist from Cindy McCain, and charting the future of conservatism. David Frum joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. show notes: https://www.dacapopress.com/titles/jack-beatty/the-rascal-king/9780306810022/