Former GOP Rep. Joe Walsh sits down for a LIVE conversation with Matt Lewis. They discussed: -- Bill Maher’s inexplicable meeting with Donald Trump (performance art or just poor judgment?) -- Gretchen Whitmer’s ill-timed Oval Office photo op (did someone forget how politics works?) -- Trump’s beloved tariffs — the economic equivalent of lighting your house on fire to keep warm -- What kind of Democrat might actually have the grit and credibility to win in the future. (Spoiler: that person looked...
Apr 14, 2025•39 min
Join Matt Lewis and Chuck Todd, former "Meet the Press" host and current host of the Chuck Toddcast podcast, for a deep dive into today’s political and media landscape. They discuss why Trump’s tariff misstep could tank his approval, how Biden’s team masked his challenges, and the self-inflicted wounds of past administrations. Chuck shares why local news is key to rebuilding trust and accountability in media, plus nostalgic takes on baseball, newspapers, and what makes a winning candidate in 202...
Apr 11, 2025•46 min
Join Matt Lewis as he welcomes back Michael Steele, former RNC Chairman and host of MSNBC’s 'The Weekend,' for a deep dive into today’s political chaos. This episode unpacks Donald Trump’s tariff flip-flops, the erosion of America’s global reputation, and the Republican Party’s identity crisis. From Trump’s economic missteps to the GOP’s shift away from Reagan-era values, Steele and Lewis explore what’s at stake for the nation. They reflect on lost opportunities — like John McCain’s bipartisan v...
Apr 10, 2025•47 min
Join Matt Lewis as he sits down with Scott Lincicome, a Vice President at the Cato Institute and a leading expert on tariffs, to unpack the chaotic rollout of Trump’s latest tariff policies in 2025. From skyrocketing tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China, and beyond, to the market’s jittery reaction and the looming threat of a global trade war — Scott breaks it all down. Are these moves a masterstroke of negotiation or a recipe for economic disaster? We dive into the reciprocal tariff fiasco, rising ...
Apr 08, 2025•39 min
Join Matt Lewis as he sits down with Democratic strategist Fred Hicks to unpack the state of the Democratic Party in 2025. From Donald Trump’s tariffs to the battle for Georgia’s Senate seat, Fred shares insider insights on how Democrats can rebound after the 2024 election. Discover why storytelling, economic focus, and the "Ossoff Gambit" could be the keys to victory in 2026. Plus, hear Fred’s take on Trump’s appeal to young voters and how Democrats can reclaim their base. Check out Fred's webs...
Apr 04, 2025•50 min
The Bulwark's Will Saletan joins Matt Lewis to discuss: -- Elon Musk’s $25 million election flop in Wisconsin, and whether his influence is fading -- Trump’s tariff chaos kicking off April 2, 2025, "Liberation Day." -- Whether Democrats can run agains Trumpian "incompetence." -- Bold predictions for the 2026 midterms -- Joe Biden's debate prep scandal -- And much MUCH more! Support "Matt Lewis & The News" at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewis Follow Matt Lewis & Cut Through the N...
Apr 02, 2025•38 min
In this gripping follow-up, Matt Lewis and Breaking Points co-host Krystal Ball dive into the murky waters of Trump’s tariff flip-flops, exploring dark theories about billionaires crashing the economy for profit. Krystal unpacks why Trump’s policies lack coherence and could lead to stagflation, while slamming his administration’s gutting of industrial strategy. The conversation also tackles John Fetterman’s surprising shift from populist hero to establishment figure — what happened after his str...
Mar 31, 2025•40 min
Join Matt Lewis as he welcomes back Matthew Sitman, co-host of the acclaimed 'Know Your Enemy' podcast, to dive deep into the fascinating and complex life of Elon Musk. In this episode, we explore Musk’s tumultuous childhood in South Africa, marked by bullying and an abusive father, and how these experiences shaped his path to becoming a tech titan. From his early love of science fiction to losing his first child and his controversial reaction to his trans daughter Vivian, we uncover the persona...
Mar 28, 2025•46 min
To celebrate baseball's opening day, I'm re-running this classic episode with Ron Shelton, the award-winning screenwriter and director of the movie Bull Durham.
Mar 27, 2025•34 min
Join Matt Lewis as he welcomes Mike Madrid, Republican consultant, Lincoln Project co-founder, and author of 'The Latino Century,' to dive into two seismic topics shaking the political landscape, plus one deep, esoteric one. -- First, they unpack the explosive Jeffrey Goldberg Signal scandal—how did a journalist end up in a sensitive chat with Trump’s national security team? Is this a fleeting outrage or a sign of deeper incompetence? Madrid breaks down its impact on Trump’s fading honeymoon pha...
Mar 26, 2025•59 min
Join Matt Lewis as he sits down with Ryan Grim, reporter at Drop Site News, author of We've Got People, and cohost of Counter Points, to unpack Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's explosive "Fighting Oligarchy" tour. With 30,000 people turning out in Denver, what does this massive rally mean for the future of the Democratic Party? We dive into the resurgence of populist energy, Bernie’s unshakable authenticity, AOC’s rising star status, and why young voters are flocking to their messag...
Mar 25, 2025•41 min
Mike Murphy, infuriated Republican strategist and co-host of the "Hacks on Tap" podcast, joins Matt Lewis to unpack Donald Trump’s latest moves — tariffs that could spike prices, a chaotic cabinet filled with Fox News rejects, and a revenge-driven agenda that’s alienating voters. From Elon Musk’s government meddling to a potential midterm disaster for the GOP, Murphy breaks down the method (or is it madness?) behind Trump’s endgame. Plus, Murphy offers some solid advice for Democrats: Ditch the ...
Mar 24, 2025•44 min
Join Matt Lewis and David Frum, staff writer at The Atlantic and author of 'Trumpocalypse,' as they dive into the most consequential moves of the Trump administration in 2025. From reckless economic policies sparking stagflation to escalating trade wars with tariffs, Frum breaks down how these decisions could lead to a recession and higher costs for Americans. They also explore the lasting damage to America’s credibility as a global security provider, with allies rethinking reliance on U.S. weap...
Mar 21, 2025•39 min
Join Matt Lewis and returning guest Tom Nichols, staff writer at The Atlantic, as they dive deep into Donald Trump’s latest moves — tariffs, economic risks, and constitutional defiance. Is there a method to Trump’s madness, or is it just chaos? From rising egg prices to Elon Musk’s influence and growing voter frustration, this episode unpacks it all. Plus, Tom rates his concern level on a scale of 1-10 (spoiler: it’s high) and shares how he stays sane amidst the storm. Don’t miss this candid, no...
Mar 20, 2025•40 min
Political strategist and commentator Simon Rosenberg, creator and author of Hopium Chronicles, joins Matt to unpack the 2024 election fallout and chart the Democrats’ future. -- From Joe Biden’s debate stumble to Kamala Harris’s campaign grit, Simon breaks down what went wrong—blaming Future Forward Super PAC’s missteps and a failure to define Trump early. -- Fast forward to March 2025: with Trump’s approval tanking amid tariffs and chaos, is buyer’s remorse setting in? -- Simon shares strategie...
Mar 17, 2025•38 min
In this episode, I sat down with Michael Weiss — investigative journalist, bestselling author of ISIS: Inside the Army of Terror, and one of the sharpest minds covering the war in Ukraine — to break down what’s really happening on the ground. And let me tell you: it’s not the story you’re getting on cable news. We covered a ton of ground in this conversation, including: ✅ How 70% of Russian battlefield deaths now come from Ukrainian drones — many of them built from commercial parts. ✅ Why Russia...
Mar 10, 2025•52 min
From Trump’s unshackled second term to the Democrats’ historic failure to stop him, this episode dives deep into the psychology of Trump voters, the chaos of his 2025 agenda (tariffs, mass deportations, and more), and what Democrats must do to fight back. Are Trump’s policies sowing the seeds for disaster—or is he unstoppable? Plus, Sykes shares personal insights on staying sane in today’s relentless news cycle. Key Topics: -- Why Trump won again: Voter psychology and Democratic missteps -- Trum...
Mar 06, 2025•41 min
Jonathan Taplin returns to talk with Matt about the increasing influence of billionaires like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel on government and society. Taplin dives into Musk’s corporate tactics, his political influence, and the ideology behind his push for Mars colonization. They also discuss Timothée Chalamet's performance as Bob Dylan in "A Complete Unknown." Don't miss this deep dive into power, influence, and the future of democracy. 🔔 Subscribe for more in-depth interviews!📖 Read The End of R...
Feb 25, 2025•55 min
In this thought-provoking episode, Jonathan Rauch, senior fellow at Brookings and author of 'Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy,' joins Matt to unravel the seismic shifts in American politics and culture. From Mitt Romney to Donald Trump in just four years—what happened to America? Explore how the collapse of Christianity, the rise of social media, and the loss of faith as a "load-bearing wall" in democracy have fueled MAGA, Trumpism, and a post-Christian right. Rauch, ...
Feb 20, 2025•42 min
On the third anniversary of his death, I wanted to re-up my conversation with legendary author, humorist, and writer P. J. O'Rourke. They don't make 'em like him anymore. Enjoy! Support "Matt Lewis & The News" at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewis Follow Matt Lewis & Cut Through the Noise:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattklewis/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDc...
Feb 15, 2025•47 min
In today's episode, we're joined by Pat Dennis, President of American Bridge 21st Century, the leading Democratic super PAC. Here's what we discuss: - The Impact of Trump's Administration: We delve into specific instances where Trump's decisions could lead to significant public discontent, like the potential mishandling of government agencies and the implications for everyday Americans. -- The role of charisma vs. campaigns: How much does the charisma of a presidential candidate matter compared ...
Feb 11, 2025•36 min
Basketball broadcasting legend Dick Vitale received a standing ovation in his first game back since recovering from cancer. So I thought it would be a great time to re-up my interview with him. I think you'll find it entertaining — and inspiring.
Feb 09, 2025•31 min
Steve Young is a hall of fame, Super Bowl-winning quarterback, and a football analyst. During this 2020 conversation, Matt talked with him about football, faith, dealing with anxiety, starting out as Joe Montana's backup, and MUCH more! Support "Matt Lewis & The News" at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewis Follow Matt Lewis & Cut Through the Noise: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDC Twitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattklewis...
Feb 06, 2025•26 min
Join us for an insightful discussion with Bruce Mehlman, founder of Mehlman Consulting, as we dive into the complexities of Donald Trump's second term. In this episode, we explore the unpredictability and patterns within Trump's political strategy, the impact of executive orders, and the legislative landscape of the 119th Congress. Bruce, known for his 'Age of Disruption' Substack, provides a nuanced analysis of the anti-establishment sentiment fueling global populism, the potential for legislat...
Jan 31, 2025•41 min
In a revealing discussion on political strategy, Matt Lewis interviews Joe Jacobson, the founder of Progress Action Fund, a Democratic Super PAC that champions the provocative motto, "When Republicans go low, we go lower." Jacobson advocates for Democrats adopting a more aggressive, relatable communication style, akin to Donald Trump's, to resonate with everyday Americans. Key insights from the podcast include Jacobson's critique of the Democratic Party's past reliance on civility and moral high...
Jan 28, 2025•41 min
Jonathan Taplin, director emeritus of the Annenburg Innovation Lab at the University of Southern California, and author of "The End of Reality: How 4 Billionaires Are Selling A Fantasy Future of the Metaverse, Mars, and Crypto," talks with Matt. Support "Matt Lewis & The News" at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewis Follow Matt Lewis & Cut Through the Noise: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDC Twitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m...
Jan 21, 2025•42 min
Join us in this eye-opening discussion with New York Times columnist David French as he dives deep into the current socio-political landscape. In this episode, we explore: Pete Hegseth's Nomination Controversy: Why is his confirmation stirring up such debate? Is he truly qualified to be Secretary of Defense, or is this a case of loyalty over competence? French provides his insider perspective on why this nomination might signal a radical shift in American politics. Texas Pornography Laws: David ...
Jan 14, 2025•46 min
Speaker Mike Johnson can only afford to lose two Republicans during Friday's vote. Can he survive? On this episode, Matt explains why Republicans would be stupid to dump him, even though they might. Next, Matt talks about the new Bob Dylan biopic, 'A Complete Unknown,' and shares a past conversation with Jonathan Taplin, who worked as Dylan's road manager in the 1960s. Watch to Matt's past discussion with Jonathan Taplin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4S6Mk1peKQ&t=301s Check out Taplin's ...
Jan 02, 2025•20 min
Matt starts out today's podcast with a few thoughts regarding the internecine squabble over H-1B visas. Is this merely a microcosm of a MAGA movement that is full of internal contradictions? Next, Matt talks with author Jon Ward about former president Jimmy Carter's legacy. Support "Matt Lewis & The News" at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewis Follow Matt Lewis & Cut Through the Noise: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDC Twitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewis Instagram...
Dec 30, 2024•33 min
Legendary humorist and author Dave Barry talks with Matt about his novel, 'Swamp Story.' Support "Matt Lewis & The News" at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewis Follow Matt Lewis & Cut Through the Noise: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDC Twitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattklewis/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A – Who is Matt Lewis? – Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author o...
Dec 25, 2024•47 min
