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Pod Save America

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Pod Save America is a no-b******t conversation about politics hosted by former Obama aides Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer, and Tommy Vietor. It cuts through the noise to break down the week’s news and helps people figure out what matters and how they can help. They’re regularly joined by journalists, activists, politicians, entertainers, and world leaders. You can watch on YouTube or listen to new episodes every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

Subscribe to Friends of the Pod! Your subscription makes Crooked’s work possible and gives you access to ad-free episodes of Pod Save America and Pod Save the World, plus exclusive content and a lively Discord community. Learn more and subscribe at crooked.com/friends or on Apple Podcasts. 

For a transcript of an episode of Pod Save America, please email transcripts@crooked.com.

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Episodes

“Joe Biden is President.”

Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th President of the United States, Kamala Harris is sworn in as the 49th Vice President, former game show host Donald Trump retires to Florida, and the new administration immediately gets to work.

Jan 21, 20211 hr 6 minEp. 313

“Trump who?”

In the final pod of the Trump Era, Jon, Jon, and Tommy talk about the 45th President’s final days in office, how he’s changed the Republican Party and America over the last four years, and President-elect Joe Biden's new plans to fight the recession and the pandemic. Then Lovett and Favreau talk about what goes into writing an inaugural address as part of their Crooked Media YouTube series, Speechwriters React.

Jan 19, 20211 hr 4 minEp. 312

"2 Impeachment 2 Furious.”

Donald Trump becomes the first president in history to be impeached twice, ten Republicans break from the party over the vote, and Mitch McConnell weighs a conviction in the Senate. Then Stanford researcher Renée DiResta talks to Dan about online right-wing organizing and the spread of misinformation.

Jan 14, 20211 hr 35 minEp. 311

“Tweets and Reconciliation.”

The fallout continues from last week’s Trump-inspired attack on the U.S. Capitol, as the House prepares to impeach Donald Trump for the second time, and the President’s personal Twitter account is banned forever. Then former Bernie Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir talks to Jon Favreau about how Joe Biden can get a progressive agenda through a closely divided Senate.

Jan 11, 20211 hr 11 minEp. 310

“Two Americas.”

Donald Trump incites a violent insurrection against the U.S. Capitol, and Democratic candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff make history in Georgia, wresting control of the U.S. Senate away from Mitch McConnell. Then New Georgia Project CEO Nsé Ufot talks to Dan about how years of grassroots organizing paved the way for Tuesday’s victory.

Jan 07, 20211 hr 35 minEp. 309

“Sedition: Impossible.”

Jon, Jon and Tommy kick off 2021 by examining the last ditch attempts by Donald Trump and Republicans to subvert November’s election, the latest in the Senate races in Georgia, and what it will take to fix the Trump administration’s bungled vaccine rollout. Then, they share an installment of Alyssa Mastromonaco’s video series, “Let’s Break it Down,” exploring the presidential transition. For more episodes, check out: YouTube.com/CrookedMedia...

Jan 04, 20211 hr 11 minEp. 308

"PSA Presents: The Pundies."

Jon, Jon, and Tommy go over the worst takes of 2020 (including their own) during Pod Save America’s first annual Pundies! Then, they reflect on their 2020 New Year’s resolutions and make some new ones for 2021.

Dec 28, 202050 minEp. 307

Introducing 'Gaining Ground: The New Georgia' (episode 1)

Our new podcast, “Gaining Ground: The New Georgia” is a co-production of Tenderfoot TV and Crooked Media. Episode 1: Wins and Losses As Georgia gears up for another Election Day, we take a look back at the significance of the 2018 Governor’s race that vaulted Stacey Abrams and Georgia politics onto the national stage. If you liked episode 1 of Gaining Ground: The New Georgia, you can listen to episode 2 right now wherever you listen to podcasts. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or...

Dec 23, 202042 minEp. 306

“Stimulus checks and balances.”

Mitch McConnell agrees to stimulus checks because he’s worried about losing Georgia, Covid relief nears the finish line, and Democrats ponder why they lost the Senate race in Maine. Then, in an excerpt of his interview on this week’s Pod Save the World, Barack Obama talks to Tommy and Ben about his tensions with the Pentagon over Afghanistan and his thoughts about the rise of right-wing nationalism. Listen and subscribe to Gaining Ground: The New Georgia at gaininggroundpodcast.com ....

Dec 17, 20201 hr 12 minEp. 304

“Drunk on Coup-laid.”

The U.S. launches the largest vaccination effort in history as the first doses of Pfizer’s vaccine are delivered, the Electoral College meets to formalize Joe Biden’s victory, and the Republican Party chooses Donald Trump over democracy.

Dec 14, 202048 minEp. 303

“The Mitch Who Stole Christmas.”

Mitch McConnell blocks bipartisan pandemic relief to help his corporate pals, Joe Biden continues to staff up his Cabinet and White House, and Republicans run their 2020 playbook in Georgia. Then messaging expert Anat Shenker-Osorio talks to Jon about why Democrats need to stop selling the recipe and start selling the brownie.

Dec 10, 20201 hr 39 minEp. 302

“Caught in the Trump trap.”

President-elect Biden makes announcements about his pandemic strategy and health care team, Trump asks Georgians to vote in an election he says is rigged, and then attacks Republicans who won’t support his coup. Then Rachel Maddow talks to Jon Lovett about Covid and her new book, Bag Man.

Dec 07, 20201 hr 6 minEp. 301

“Pardon me?”

Covid relief has new life after a bipartisan group of Senators announces a new plan that wins the support of Joe Biden and Democratic leaders, and Donald Trump prepares to leave the White House by potentially handing out pardons and announcing his 2024 presidential campaign. Then Obama data guru Dan Wagner talks to Dan Pfeiffer about why the polls were so wrong in 2020 .

Dec 03, 20201 hr 11 minEp. 300

“Certified Loser.”

Donald Trump’s attempted coup fizzles out after an impressive streak of losses, and President-elect Joe Biden announces an experienced and diverse set of picks for his national security, economic, and communications teams. Then Congressman Joaquin Castro talks to Tommy about the assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientists and the prospects for diplomacy under the incoming Biden Administration.

Nov 30, 20201 hr 3 minEp. 299

"The ads that defined 2020."

Jon F. and Dan connect for a special crossover installment of the hit YouTube series "Campaign Experts React" and break down the best and worst of the Trump and Biden campaign ads. Check out youtube.com/crookedmedia for more of the show.

Nov 26, 202054 minEp. 298

“My Cousin Rudy.”

Trump and Republicans continue their failing scheme to steal the election, Joe Biden makes his first round of White House hires, and Democrats figure out how to keep Georgia blue. Then Reverend Raphael Warnock talks to Jon about how he plans to win his pivotal Senate race in Georgia. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/podsaveamerica . For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast....

Nov 19, 20201 hr 15 minEp. 296

“Transition to greatness!”

The outgoing president's antics consume attention that should be focused on the raging pandemic, while President-elect Biden looks to make progress on climate change, immigration, student debt, and other issues. Then Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha talks to Jon Favreau about how the party can improve its performance among Latino voters.

Nov 16, 20201 hr 5 minEp. 295

“One Flew Over the Coup-Coup’s Nest.”

Donald Trump and Republican leaders are still refusing to acknowledge that Joe Biden won, the Trump campaign strategy to steal the election is failing, and a purge at the Pentagon raises concerns. Then Stacey Abrams talks to Dan about how Democrats can win in Georgia and all over the country.

Nov 12, 20201 hr 1 minEp. 294

“President-elect Joe Biden.”

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris deliver victory speeches after the race is called, two-time popular vote loser and soon-to-be one-term President Donald Trump refuses to concede, and Democrats debate how to govern and win in a divided Washington. Then Black Voters Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown talks to Jon Lovett about the power of organizing and the Georgia Senate runoffs.

Nov 09, 20201 hr 12 minEp. 293

"We won.”

Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan discuss Joe Biden’s victory over one-term President Donald Trump, and what comes next in the fight for democracy.

Nov 06, 202055 minEp. 292

“Nauseously optimistic.” (Election update)

Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan discuss the clusterf*ck of an Election Night that has ended with votes still being counted in several states, and Joe Biden on the cusp of defeating Donald Trump.

Nov 04, 202049 minEp. 291

“See you on the other side.” (Pre-election special!)

Jon, Jon, Tommy, and Dan break down the closing arguments and strategies from Donald Trump and Joe Biden, answer your questions, and offer some final thoughts on the 2020 election. Then, a few of Vote Save America’s incredible volunteers will talk about why they got into political organizing.

Oct 30, 20201 hr 38 minEp. 290

“One last ride on the pollercoaster.”

The Trump-McConnell Supreme Court gets involved in the election, and the results of the final Crooked Media/Change Research Pollercoaster series show Biden in the lead and Trump voters in a Fox News bubble. Then TargetSmart CEO Tom Bonier talks to Jon about the most promising trends in the early vote data.

Oct 28, 20201 hr 1 minEp. 289

“Covid, covid, covid.”

The pandemic dominates the final week of the election, the dueling candidate schedules reflect their most likely paths to 270, and what the early vote can and can’t tell us about the election. Then Wisconsin organizer Dakota Hall talks to Tommy about how Democrats can turn out as many young voters as possible.

Oct 26, 20201 hr 2 minEp. 288

"We got Joe!"

Dan and Jon L. talk with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden about what’s at stake for our democracy in the 2020 election, his final debate with Donald Trump, his plans for tackling the climate crisis, Vote Early Day, and what everyone can do to help in the final days of the campaign. Full transcript: https://crooked.com/podcast/joe-biden-pod-save-america-interview/

Oct 24, 202028 minEp. 287

“Trump’s secret Chinese bank account.”

Trump whines about the rules, moderator, and topics in advance of the final presidential debate. Democrats inch closer to a Senate majority. Dan and Jon discuss what you can do about tightening polls, and answer some of your questions. Then disinformation expert Jiore Craig talks to Dan about how to handle right-wing smears in the final weeks of this election.

Oct 21, 20201 hr 13 minEp. 285

“How Trump can win.”

Trump attacks Dr. Fauci and science as his campaign descends into chaos and recriminations, but both the Trump and Biden campaigns still see a path to victory for the President. Rudy Giuliani recycles smears against the Biden family, and Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes talks to Jon Favreau about how the race looks in one of the most important battleground states.

Oct 19, 202057 minEp. 284
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