Author: LaMonica McIver, Dan Pfeiffer, Jon Favreau

Posted on

Strict Scrutiny - Pod Save the Separation of Powers

Leah, Melissa, and Kate once again wade through the latest malevolence from the Trump White House in a segment they’re now calling “Pod Save the Separation of Powers.” Then, they turn to what’s going on at One First Street, covering some new opinions, as well as this week’s arguments, including a case about “reverse discrimination.”

Get tickets for STRICT SCRUTINY LIVE – The Bad Decisions Tour 2025! 

  • 6/12 – NYC
  • 10/4 – Chicago

Learn more: http://crooked.com/events

Order your copy of Leah's book, Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes

Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky

Posted on

What A Day - In Trump vs. Zelenskyy, Putin Wins

European leaders met for an emergency summit in London Sunday to shore up support for Ukraine and wrest control of ceasefire talks with Russia. The rushed gathering came on the heels of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s disastrous Oval Office meeting Friday, where he was publicly berated by President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance for being ‘disrespectful’ and ‘gambling with World War III.' While the Oval Office blowup shocked the Western world, Kremlin officials praised Trump for his 'commonsense' approach to ending the war. Michael McFaul, the former U.S. ambassador to Russia under President Obama, talks about how Trump’s actions benefit Russia and leave the U.S. weaker.

And in headlines: Israel halted all aid to Gaza as the first phase of the ceasefire expires, Elon Musk and the DOGE bros sent federal workers another email asking them to justify their jobs, and Trump signed an executive order making English the official language of the U.S.

Show Notes:

Posted on

Pod Save America - Trump and Zelensky’s Disastrous Meeting

In this Pod Save The World Special, Tommy and Ben discuss Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s disastrous meeting at the White House that erupted in a yelling match and resulted in Zelensky being told to leave. They dig into JD Vance’s role as instigator, the revealed motivations for attacking Zelensky in front of the press, and what Zelensky’s options are for pursuing peace from here.

 

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.

 

Posted on

What A Day - Why The Oscars “Never Get It Right”

WAD is taking a break from the daily horror show that is political news to talk about the scandals plaguing another American institution: Hollywood. Specifically, the swirling controversies around this year’s Oscars race, which culminates Sunday at the annual Academy Awards ceremony. From ‘Emilia Perez’ going from a sure-fire Best Picture winner to cinematic albatross, to the use of AI in ‘The Brutalist,’ there’s been something for everyone to get mad at this year. Sam Sanders, host of KCRW’s ‘The Sam Sanders Show’ and ‘Vibe Check,’ explains why the Oscars are bad for America.

And in headlines: Pro-misogyny influencers the Tate brothers headed to Florida after Romania lifted their travel ban, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the White House to keep up the European pressure campaign on President Trump over Ukraine, and Defense Department leaders were given a deadline to identify transgender service members for removal from the force.

Show Notes:

Posted on

Pod Save America - Will Elon Find the Epstein Files Before It’s Too Late?

The Trump administration promised to release the Epstein Files, but ended up disappointing MAGA die-hards instead. Can Elon do what the DOJ couldn't? In more important news, Trump and Musk continue shredding the government, with the NIH and FDA among the latest targets. House Republicans pass their "big, beautiful bill" and swear they won't touch Medicaid to pay for their tax cuts—but the math doesn't add up. Jeff Bezos makes a drastic change to The Washington Post's Opinion section. Meanwhile, Trump posts a deranged, AI-generated video of his vision for Gaza's future and announces a new oligarch-friendly immigration policy. Jon and Dan discuss the latest cuts and chaos, and how Democrats can use their limited leverage with a government shutdown approaching. Then, Jen Psaki joins the hosts to talk about the White House's press and communications strategy in a special preview of our subscriber-only show, Inside 2025.

 

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.

Posted on

What A Day - Billionaire Tax Club

Tax season is upon us, with millions of Americans preparing to file lots of complicated paperwork with the Internal Revenue Service to figure out how much they owe the federal government. Potentially complicating things this year, though, is the Trump administration's decision to fire thousands of IRS workers, just as all that complicated paperwork starts rolling in. Economist Lindsay Owens, executive director of the economic policy think tank Groundwork Collaborative, explains what tax cuts we can expect from Republicans' forthcoming legislation.

And in headlines: A pair of federal agencies directed government departments to prepare for mass layoffs, the U.S. records its first death from measles in a decade, and Jeff Bezos says The Washington Post's op-ed page will focus on 'personal liberties and free markets.'

Show Notes:

Posted on

What A Day - Are Democrats Really Powerless?

Right now, it feels like President Donald Trump and billionaire ‘first buddy’ Elon Musk are holding all the political cards. While we’re out here just trying to figure out if our local library will still carry books about the Civil Rights Movement, Musk is busy trying to fire every government worker he can find while Trump pitches a golden pathway to citizenship for millionaires. It’s… a lot. And Democrats are understandably upset about it. But what can they actually do about it? Journalist Matt Yglesias, who writes the ‘Slow Boring’ newsletter on Substack, talks about steps we can all take to expand the Democratic Party’s tent.

And in headlines: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans a trip to the White House, the Trump administration has a bad day in court, and new data shows U.S. consumer confidence is plummeting.

Show Notes:

Posted on

What A Day - Will Republicans Slash Medicaid?

As House Republicans prepare to begin voting on their big policy blueprint this week, one of the programs they're targeting for major cuts is Medicaid. The federal healthcare program covers around 80 million Americans, mostly people living near or below the poverty line. While President Donald Trump has endorsed the House's budget plan, he has also said that Medicaid is 'not going to be touched.' Sarah Kliff, investigative health care reporter for The New York Times, explains what the proposed Medicaid cuts would mean for actual people.

And in headlines: Trump had an awkward meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron over Ukraine, Trump officials continued to sow confusion over an email demanding federal workers justify their jobs, and the president picked right-wing podcaster Dan Bongino as the next FBI deputy director.

Show Notes:

Posted on

Pod Save America - Finally, a Podcaster at the Top of the FBI!

Trump's FBI Director Kash Patel picks a Deputy Director even less qualified than he is: MAGA podcaster Dan Bongino. Trump and Pete Hegseth purge the Pentagon's leadership and lawyers. Elon Musk replies all to the federal government asking what staff have accomplished lately. And, on the three-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Trump declines to call Vladimir Putin a dictator. Jon, Jon, and Tommy discuss the potential for full-blown autocracy at home, Ukraine's predicament, and the latest swing of Musk's bureaucratic chainsaw. Then, Jon talks with NOTUS congressional reporter Daniella Diaz about Trump's legislative agenda, squirmy Republicans, and mounting public anger at Trump's budget cuts.

 

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.

Posted on

Strict Scrutiny - The Atextual & Illegal Attack on Birthright Citizenship

Melissa, Leah, and Kate are joined by Professor Kate Masur of Northwestern to talk about just how illegal and off-the-wall Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship is. Then, the hosts cover the multitude of other horrors coming out of the executive branch, preview February’s SCOTUS cases, touch base with the wackos at the Fifth Circuit, and ask the all-important question: are the mens okay?

Get tickets for STRICT SCRUTINY LIVE – The Bad Decisions Tour 2025! 

  • 6/12 – NYC
  • 10/4 – Chicago

Learn more: http://crooked.com/events

Order your copy of Leah's book, Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes

Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky