Pod Save America - Trump Goes Bananas
Reeling from the Epstein crisis, Donald Trump turns even more erratic and destructive—launching a grand jury investigation into the make-believe crimes of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, threatening to seize control of the D.C. police, and sharing some eugenicist theories about who's suited for what kind of work. Jon and Dan share how they're feeling eight months into Trump 2.0, check in on MAGA's efforts to rig the congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterms, and react to DHS reinstating its infamous family separation policy. Dan talks with epidemiologist Michael Osterholm about RFK Jr.'s decision to halt federal research into mRNA vaccines—and then confronts Jon about his ill-advised Twitter fight with Megyn Kelly.
The Gist - Steven Hahn Unmasks the Myth of Liberal America
Diplomacy via tweet rarely ends well, but US ambassadors are now flailing into their way through international tensions with sarcasm, memes, and zero restraint. Plus Steven Hahn, NYU historian and author of Illiberal America: A History, joins to unpack how liberalism has always shared the stage with its illiberal twin. From eugenics to temperance to the penitentiary, Hahn explains how our progressive myths overlook the darker undercurrents of American history.
Produced by Corey Wara
Production Coordinator Ashley Khan
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1A - Why Accurate Labor Statistics Matter For The US Economy
The civil servant President Donald Trump fired was former Commissioner of Labor Statistics Erika McEntarfer, a labor economist nominated to the role in 2023 by President Joe Biden. The Senate overwhelmingly confirmed her in 2024. Commissioners often serve under multiple presidents.
The president defended his reasoning for the firing on social media – though he didn't provide evidence to back up his claims.
We discuss the consequences when the president fires the person at the head of the government's main agency for economic statistics.
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Federalist Radio Hour - ‘The Kylee Cast’ With Kylee Griswold, Ep. 5: Someone’s Got To Go To Prison
If you care about combating the corrupt media that continue to inflict devastating damage, please give a gift to help The Federalist do the real journalism America needs.
The Bulwark Podcast - Anne Applebaum: What USAID’s Absence Looks Like on the Ground
Anne Applebaum joins Tim Miller.
show notes
- Anne's piece on Sudan, “The Most Nihilistic Conflict on Earth”
- Anne's wildflower garden
- The NYT on the continuing purge at the FBI
- Anne's "Autocracy, Inc.," out in paperback Aug. 25
- "The Director," book recommendation from Anne
- For a limited time only, get 60% off your first order PLUS free shipping when you head to Smalls.com/THEBULWARK
Bad Faith - Episode 498 – What Are Israelis Thinking? (w/ Shir Hever)
Scholar of Israel's occupation, genocide, and apartheid, and former coordinator for the BDS weapons embargo campaign Shir Hever returns to Bad Faith to offer insights into the politics on the ground in Israel, the interplay between the Iran war and Netanyahu's political ambitions, the implications of polls showing overwhelming majorities of Israeli's support Israel's genocide and even expulsion of Arab Israelis from the country, and the status of BDS campaigns around the world.
Subscribe to Bad Faith on YouTube for video of this episode. Find Bad Faith on Twitter (@badfaithpod) and Instagram (@badfaithpod).
The Source - Mayor Jones on pausing Project Marvel
The Commentary Magazine Podcast - Putin, Tariffs, and Dem Disaffection
The semi-announcement of a Trump-Putin meeting coming as the deadline for punishing sanctions against Russia approaches raises the question of whether the president will go through with those sanctions or delay them. And the tariffs begin, with unknown consequences—but then, the consequences have thus far been surprising. And are we understanding the Democratic bad poll numbers right? Give a listen.
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The Daily - Trump Said Family Separations Would End. They’re Happening Again.
During President Trump’s first term, the intentional separation of migrant child from their parents shocked the country and persuaded Mr. Trump to say he would end the practice for good.
Hamed Aleaziz, who covers immigration policy for The Times, has found that in Mr. Trump’s second term, the practice has returned.
Guest: Hamed Aleaziz, who covers the Department of Homeland Security and immigration policy in the United States for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Inside President Trump’s new tactic to separate immigrant families.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Photo: Victor J. Blue for The New York Times
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
