On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, Aaron Rupar of Public Notice tells David Nir of The Downballot what life is like in Minneapolis, a city besieged by its own federal government. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: Aaron explains: * All the ways, big and small, in which ICE’s terror campaign is generating permanent anxiety for everyone w...
Jan 23, 2026•47 min
If you missed my live mailbag on Substack Live today, you can check it out above. I started it off by talking about what life is like in Minneapolis right now and my workflow covering right-wing media, then took an array of questions from viewers. This was the first time I’ve done something like this, and the response was overwhelmingly positive — over 1,600 people tuned in! I’ll do another one soon, and if you’d like to partake in asking me questions, please become a paid subscriber to the news...
Jan 16, 2026•46 min
On the year’s final episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice take stock of 2025’s bizarre dual nature, which saw Donald Trump consolidate power at the same time as the GOP got shellacked at the ballot box. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: David and Aaron discuss: * How Trump’s prime-time rant-f...
Dec 19, 2025•47 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice talk about the many warning signs about Donald Trump’s health — and why the media isn’t pressing harder. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: David and Aaron discuss: * Why everyone should be alarmed about Trump’s decline — no armchair diagnosi...
Dec 12, 2025•50 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice unpack Donald Trump’s wildly out-of-touch — and self-defeating — message on the all-important issue of affordability. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: David and Aaron discuss: * Why Trump is obsessed with calling affordability a “hoax” — ev...
Dec 05, 2025•49 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice discuss the lame-duck status that’s starting to seize Donald Trump — and what it means for his control over the GOP. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: David and Aaron discuss: * How Trump’s miserable polling numbers are undermining his effor...
Nov 21, 2025•46 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice recap an extraordinary election night that saw voters hand Republicans a well-earned butt-whoopin. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: David and Aaron discuss: * Just how thoroughly Democrats whipped the GOP, from coast to coast and up and dow...
Nov 07, 2025•48 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice preview all of Tuesday’s top elections — and what they might mean for the midterms. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: David and Aaron discuss: * Why Democrats are on track to win marquee races in Virginia, California, New Jersey, and New Yor...
Oct 31, 2025•47 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice talk about Donald Trump’s unhinged reaction to last week’s massive No Kings rallies. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: David and Aaron discuss: * Why Trump’s demolition of the East Wing of the White House is such a gut punch — and why Democr...
Oct 24, 2025•48 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice talk about why Republicans have been losing their minds about Saturday’s massive No Kings rallies—and why it’s so important to show up if you can. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: David and Aaron discuss: * How Republicans are seeking to di...
Oct 17, 2025•42 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice explain how Republicans have fumbled their response to their shutdown of the federal government. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: David and Aaron discuss: * Why the normally calm Mike Johnson has started growing testy this week. * Marjorie ...
Oct 10, 2025•51 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice explain why Democrats are winning the battle of public opinion over the federal government shutdown. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: David and Aaron discuss: * The broad array of polls all showing that a much wider share of the public blam...
Oct 03, 2025•47 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice examine why Donald Trump’s efforts to consolidate his authoritarian rule are falling far short of his fantasies. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: David and Aaron discuss: * How Trump’s paper-thin indictment of Comey is a sign of weakness, n...
Sep 26, 2025•44 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice discuss Donald Trump’s war on the First Amendment and how Democrats should approach a possible government shutdown. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: David and Aaron discuss: * New polling showing that the Trump administration’s efforts to g...
Sep 19, 2025•46 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice explore how Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans have rushed to exploit Charlie Kirk’s death, facts be damned. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: David and Aaron discuss: * How the entire MAGA movement wants to use Kirk’s killing to punish...
Sep 12, 2025•48 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot talks with Joe Sudbay of SiriusXM Progress and Noah Berlatsky of Public Notice about the good news these days—and yes, in spite of everything, there’s a fair bit of it! If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: The three discuss: * Why Joni Ernst’s retirement widens the path for De...
Sep 05, 2025•49 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot talks to guest-host Joe Sudbay of SiriusXM Progress about his inside view of Donald Trump’s assault on our nation’s capital as a longtime resident of Washington, D.C. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: David and Joe discuss: * How folks who actually live in the District are ...
Aug 22, 2025•52 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice discuss two invasions: Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine and Donald Trump’s assault on our nation’s capital. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: David and Aaron discuss: * Why there’s less than meets the eye to Trump’s seeming shif...
Aug 15, 2025•52 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice dive into Donald Trump’s multi-front efforts to rig the 2026 midterms—and the many obstacles he faces. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: David and Aaron discuss: * Why Republicans face few constraints on passing new gerrymanders—and could fa...
Aug 08, 2025•39 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice explain the GOP’s exceedingly cynical effort to re-gerrymander Texas’ already gerrymandered congressional map. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: David and Aaron discuss: * How the new Texas map would target Black and Latino voters—and member...
Aug 01, 2025•50 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice explain why, no matter what misdirection he attempts, Donald Trump just can’t shake Jeffrey Epstein. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: David and Aaron discuss: * The damage that Trump’s Epstein cover-up has already inflicted on Republicans *...
Jul 25, 2025•47 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice talk all things Wisconsin with fellow Substacker Dan Shafer of The Recombobulation Area , a site devoted to Badger State politics. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: Dan tells us: * Why, after two successful terms in office, Democratic Gov. T...
Jul 11, 2025•47 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice dive into both the awful news from the Supreme Court and the very encouraging news out of New York City. If you haven’t yet subscribed to The Downballot, which provides unparalleled coverage of the thousands of critical elections below the presidency, sign up below: David and Aaron discuss: * Why the court’s ruling on Donald Trump’s executive order on birthright citi...
Jun 27, 2025•44 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice talk with fellow Substacker Laura Belin all about Iowa! You can subscribe to Laura’s newsletter by clicking the button below: Laura tells us: * Why she wasn’t shocked to hear Republican Sen. Joni Ernst might not run again—but why she still expects her to. * How Democratic strength in Iowa, once a swing state, has eroded but not vanished. * Why MAGA can sniff out phon...
Jun 20, 2025•43 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice pull the curtain back on the conventional wisdom that immigration is Donald Trump’s strong suit. David and Aaron explain: * Why Trump’s polling on immigration has taken a nosedive since he deployed the military to Los Angeles. * How a federal judge eloquently demolished Trump’s claim that he’s suppressing a “rebellion.” * Why Saturday’s “No Kings” rallies across the ...
Jun 13, 2025•26 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice share a hearty laugh with Joe Sudbay , who hosts “State of the States” on SiriusXM Progress , over the rapid unscheduled disassembly of the Trump-Musk bromance. The trio dive into: * How the crackup threatens the passage of Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” * Why JD Vance is screwed no matter what side he takes * Why Elon Musk has made his (probably disgusting) per...
Jun 06, 2025•45 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice hold their noses as they dissect the politics of Donald Trump’s nightmarish “Big Beautiful Bill.” Aaron and David discuss: * Why passage of the bill is by no means assured, thanks to the competing demands of prickly Republican senators. * Why you shouldn’t buy any of the soft-focus encomiums to Elon Musk, whose reign was pure disaster (and may not even be over). * Wh...
May 30, 2025•45 min
On the latest episode of Nir & Rupar, our live weekly video show, David Nir of The Downballot and Aaron Rupar of Public Notice talk with Matt Gertz, senior fellow at Media Matters, the indispensable media watchdog organization. Matt sheds light on today’s right-wing media ecosystem, including: * How two dozen people with Fox News on their résumés now occupy senior posts in the Trump administration. * How the James Comey “86 47” story shows how quickly things now move from MAGA influencer to ...
May 16, 2025•42 min
I’m putting the Aaron Rupar Show on indefinite hiatus, and this brief episode explains some of the reasons why. Thank you for listening, and please subscribe to my Public Notice newsletter to follow my work. Cheers! Get full access to Public Notice at www.publicnotice.co/subscribe
Sep 19, 2023•5 min
This week's episode of the Aaron Rupar Show features Melissa Hortman, speaker of the Minnesota House, reflecting on her two decades in the legislature, the state’s Democratic trifecta and this year’s historic legislative session , and much more. Speaker Hortman and I touched upon everything from lessons she took from losing her first two legislative campaigns in resounding fashion to Jesse Ventura's legacy to why Trumpism is such a bad fit for Minnesota Republicans. Get full access to Public Not...
Aug 31, 2023•51 min
