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Pod Save America

Crooked Mediacrooked.com
Pod Save America is a no-bullshit 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 and Friday. 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 [email protected].

Episodes

The Plan to Fight Trump's Second-Term Agenda

Joe Biden makes a big new move on immigration, and Democratic governors and progressive groups quietly make plans to fight back against the second-term agenda that Trump is promising, from mass deportations to bans on medication abortion and gutting the civil service. Strict Scrutiny's Kate Shaw joins Jon and Lovett to talk about the legal challenges in store for both Trump and Biden, the Supreme Court's dangerous decision on bump stocks, and what else we can expect from the justices with so man...

Jun 19, 20241 hr 6 minEp. 888

Biden Campaign Unloads on Trump's Conviction

The Biden campaign puts big money into a new ad slamming Trump as a convicted felon, fraudster, and sexual predator, and painting Biden as a fighter for working families. Trump courts the Black vote in front of a mostly white audience in Detroit, and CNN announces the final rules for next week’s debate. Plus: Jon, Lovett, and Tommy talk about who’s up and who’s down in the race to be Trump’s VP.To preorder you copy of Democracy or Else, visit http://crooked.com/books For tickets to upcoming live...

Jun 18, 202448 minEp. 887

Trump Returns to the Scene of the Crime

Trump returns to the Capitol for the first time since January 6th and receives a hero’s welcome from House and Senate Republicans—where he calls Milwaukee a “horrible city,” refers to the Justice Department as “dirty bastards,” and complains about Taylor Swift not endorsing him. Meanwhile, the same Republicans attempting to overturn Trump’s conviction are instead trying to prosecute Attorney General Merrick Garland. Plus, SCOTUS affirms legal access to abortion medication, Biden takes voters’ co...

Jun 14, 202447 minEp. 886

The GOP Meltdown Over Hunter's Conviction

Dan and The Bulwark ’s Sarah Longwell break down the chaotic Republican response to the Hunter Biden news and what the conviction might mean for the Biden campaign, which of Donald Trump’s rumored VP picks scare them the most, and the latest from Tuesday’s primaries. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast....

Jun 12, 20241 hr 3 minEp. 885

MTG: Jesus Was a Felon Too

Donald Trump meets with a probation officer for his pre-sentencing interview just a day after holding an unhinged rally in Nevada where Marjorie Taylor Greene compared him to notable defendant Jesus Christ. Trump's crew of hard-right advisors plots a new round of tax cuts for the rich while the Biden campaign sharpens its lines of attack. Then: Jon and Tommy land the world-exclusive first interview with newly minted reality TV persona Jon Lovett, who suffers through a quiz about all the news he ...

Jun 11, 202457 minEp. 884

Could Trump-Curious Black Voters Swing the Election? (Ep. 3)

Jon is joined by pollster Terrance Woodbury and Lavora Barnes, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, to talk about the black voters who may cast their ballots for Trump this November. Who are they? Why are they leaving the Democratic Party? And how can we bring them back into the fold? Jon, Terrance, and Lavora dive into focus group tape, the Trump campaign’s strategy, and Biden’s recent speeches to find a message that works for these voters and then John Taylor, co-founder of Black Male Initi...

Jun 09, 20241 hr

The MAGA Plot to Jail Democrats

Republican voters are starting to second-guess their support for convicted felon Donald Trump, who’s now threatening to lock up President Biden and other Democrats if he wins. Meanwhile, one of Trump’s most loyal henchmen, Steve Bannon, is finally going to jail. In Normandy, Biden makes the case for democracy with a fist bump at the D-Day anniversary, while Republicans block a bill to protect access to birth control. Grab your tickets for all of the upcoming shows at crooked.com/events now! For ...

Jun 07, 202454 minEp. 883

Biden Takes Action on the Border

President Biden issues an executive order temporarily closing the US-Mexico border to migrants. Tommy and Addisu Demissie discuss Democratic backlash to the action and why Republicans, despite having killed a bipartisan border bill, are claiming it’s too little, too late. Donald Trump joins TikTok, attends a UFC fight, and exploits MAGA backlash to his conviction to close his fundraising gap. And Tommy sits down with Michael Tyler, Communications Director for Biden-Harris 2024, to chat about upc...

Jun 05, 202455 minEp. 882

New Polling on Trump’s Felony Conviction

Republicans fall in line behind convicted felon and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump as he lobs insults at prosecutors, witnesses and the rule of law. President Biden fights back, labeling Trump a “white collar crook” while jury selection begins for his son’s criminal gun charge trial in Delaware. And, as the White House pushes for a ceasefire, Republican and Democratic congressional leadership invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the nation’s capitol to address Congres...

Jun 04, 202457 minEp. 881

TRUMP FOUND GUILTY!

A jury of Donald Trump's peers finds him guilty on all 34 counts in the Manhattan election interference trial. CNN Legal Analyst Norm Eisen shares what it was like in the courtroom when the verdict came down, and Jon and Dan talk about the political fallout and which voters the conviction might sway. Then, Strict Scrutiny co-host Melissa Murray joins the show to talk about next steps for sentencing and possible appeal. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript...

May 31, 202451 minEp. 880

Trump Verdict Watch Begins

The Manhattan jury begins its deliberations, and the Trump team thinks it may have a sympathizer on the inside. Tommy and Strict Scrutiny's Melissa Murray break down the range of potential outcomes, from conviction to full acquittal to a hung jury. Plus: Robert De Niro mixes it up with protestors outside the courthouse, and Justice Alito formally refuses to recuse himself over what he says is his wife's constitutionally guaranteed freedom to fly insurrectionist flags. For a closed-captioned vers...

May 29, 202452 minEp. 879

Inside 2024 (Full Episode): John Legend on Celebrities Getting Political, Endorsing Biden, and Avoiding a Second Trump Presidency

John Legend joins Jon Favreau to discuss the impact of celebrity political endorsements, his political origins, working with Obama, and why a second Trump presidency would be a disaster. To unlock more episodes from our Friends of the Pod exclusive shows, sign up for Friends of the Pod on Apple. Podcasts or learn more about our community at crooked.com/friends For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and i...

May 29, 202436 minEp. 878

The Trump Voters Who Are Sick of Trump (Ep. 2)

Jon is joined by longtime pollster Sarah Longwell and former Republican strategist Tim Miller to get inside the minds of two-time Trump voters who are no longer sure if they’ll vote for him again. What’s changed? Well, January 6th, a few criminal trials, and some obviously bogus claims that the election was stolen. But is that enough to get them over the line for Joe Biden? Jon, Tim, and Sarah listen to a focus group tape of these voters to figure out how they’re leaning in 2024 and then Ben Wik...

May 26, 202455 minEp. 877

The Path to Defeat Donald Trump (Ep. 1)

Welcome back to The Wilderness. Jon talks about what it will take to rebuild 2020’s anti-Trump coalition with political analyst Ron Brownstein, political scientist Lynn Vavreck, Democratic strategist Addisu Demissie, Democratic strategist Jen Palmieri, and Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg. They’ll talk about the risks of a second Trump term and how you can help prevent it. It may be a challenging road ahead, but by taking the time to persuade the persuadables in your life it’s possible to f...

May 26, 202439 minEp. 876

Trump Heads to Tribal Council

The world gets some clues about the "special project" that's keeping Lovett away from the show, Nikki Haley abandons her principles and endorses Trump. With head-to-head polling showing a race locked in place, Trump and Biden spar over who deserves the support of Black voters. Then, former prosecutor Andrew Weissmann stops by to talk with Jon and Dan about where Trump's Manhattan trial stands ahead of closing arguments and jury deliberations. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click...

May 24, 20241 hr 4 minEp. 875

Trump Promises "A Unified Reich"

Donald Trump is forced to remove a video promising "a unified Reich" as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris go on the attack against Trump's latest nod to Nazi language. Dan and Addisu Demissie discuss how Democrats should capitalize on Trump's mistakes, including an interview where Trump left the door open to bans on contraception. Then, Jon chats with friends of the pod Brian Wallach, Sandra Abrevaya, and Katie Couric about their new documentary on turning Brian's ALS diagnosis into an opportunity to ...

May 22, 20241 hr 3 minEp. 874

Why 2024 Should Be About the Supreme Court

The prosecution rests in Donald Trump's Manhattan trial, and the defense begins to present their case. Biden pitches young Black voters while Trump compares himself to Abraham Lincoln. Then: Justice Samuel Alito is outed for showing solidarity with the "Stop the Steal" movement, and Dan explains why Democrats should be running hard against the MAGA Supreme Court. Plus: Rudy Giuliani gets served! For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode, please...

May 21, 202452 minEp. 873

Trump Trial: "Jail Is on the Table"

Jon, Dan, and CNN legal analyst Norm Eisen break down the highlights and lowlights of the Manhattan prosecutors’ case against Donald Trump and look ahead to what might happen next. Plus, Dan and Jon discuss what’s at stake for Trump and Biden in a prime-time face-off that’s now just six weeks away—and why it might work to Biden’s advantage to start debating so early in the race. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode, please email transcript...

May 17, 202457 minEp. 872

Trump Subverts Gag Order with Wannabe VPs

Joe Biden surprises Donald Trump with a debate challenge, and Trump accepts. Tommy and MSNBC’s Jen Psaki discuss the strategy behind Biden’s move and how likely it is that those debates will actually happen, Trump’s courthouse surrogate operation, the latest with Israel and Gaza, and whether it’s true that Biden thinks the polls are wrong. Then, Tommy and Jen relive the best White House stories from Jen’s new book, Say More: Lessons from Work, The White House, and the World . For a closed-captio...

May 15, 20241 hr 14 minEp. 870

Michael Cohen Incriminates Trump

The prosecution calls its star witness, former Trump fixer Michael Cohen, who testifies about disguising hush money payments to keep the Stormy Daniels story from voters. Jon and Dan discuss why Biden is behind almost everywhere in the new round of battleground polls from the New York Times. Then, Rep. Colin Allred stops by the studio to talk about his race to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas, making the southern border more secure, and Biden's decision to pause weapons transfers to Israel. For a c...

May 14, 20241 hr 12 minEp. 869

Did a Worm Really Eat RFK Jr.'s Brain?

Dan and Alyssa Mastromonaco discuss Stormy Daniels's latest round of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial. Trump insults Jewish voters and prepares a huge giveaway to Big Oil. President Biden announces he won't send offensive weapons to Israel if the IDF invades Rafah. RFK Jr. says doctors found a dead worm in his brain, and Marjorie Taylor Greene's effort to ditch Mike Johnson goes down in a humiliating landslide. Then, Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan talks with Lovett about al...

May 10, 20241 hr 6 minEp. 868

Stormy's Steamy Testimony

Jon and veteran Democratic strategist Rebecca Katz discuss the graphic Stormy Daniels testimony in Trump's hush money case, Biden's trip to Wisconsin, and whether the campaign's new health care ad push could help unstick a very close race. Then, Rebecca dives into what she's seeing on the ground in Arizona, where she's working with Senate candidate Ruben Gallego to fend off Kari Lake and secure a majority for Democrats. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcrip...

May 08, 202445 minEp. 867

Trump Holds VP Auditions

Ceasefire negotiations hit a major sticking point as Israel prepares an invasion of Rafah over Joe Biden's objections. Judge Merchan holds Donald Trump in contempt again and warns that jail time may be necessary to enforce the rules. Trump holds a retreat at Mar-a-Lago where he compares the Biden administration to Nazis and holds another public audition for running mate. Noted puppy-killer Kristi Noem gets a mention, and so does Sen. Mike Lee's hair. Then, Vote Save America's Shaniqua McClendon ...

May 07, 202450 minEp. 866

A Front Row Seat to Trump's Trial

Former White House Ethics Czar and author of Trying Trump , Norm Eisen, joins Dan and Jon to discuss his insights from the first three weeks of Donald Trump’s Manhattan criminal trial. Plus, Trump uses a day off from court to hold rallies in Wisconsin and Michigan, attack college protesters and Palestinians, and fear-monger about refugees. Meanwhile, the Biden-Harris campaign capitalizes on Trump’s comments about letting states monitor women’s pregnancies as Florida’s abortion ban goes into effe...

May 03, 20241 hr 1 minEp. 865

Trump Details His Dictatorial Plans

Lovett and guest host Tim Miller discuss Donald Trump's mind-boggling interview with TIME Magazine, in which he details his plans to use the military to deport immigrants, allow states to monitor women's pregnancies, jack up prices on all imported goods, and much more. Plus, the Biden administration moves to reclassify weed, riot police move in on campus protestors, and Drew Barrymore asks Kamala Harris for a very special favor. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a ...

May 01, 20241 hr 1 minEp. 864

Kissing Rings and Killing Puppies

Joe Biden cracks jokes, mocks Trump, and goes around traditional media outlets to get his message out on shows like Smartless and Howard Stern. Democratic and Republican politicians get involved in the debate over the Gaza protests on college campuses. One-time Republican Trump critics line up to kiss the ring, and Kristi Noem destroys her VP chances by coming out as an unapologetic puppy killer. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode, pleas...

Apr 30, 202448 minEp. 863

Will the Supreme Court Grant Trump Immunity?

Tommy, guest host Alyssa Mastromonaco, and Strict Scrutiny’s Leah Litman break down the Trump team’s immunity argument at the Supreme Court, the latest with Idaho’s abortion ban, and why a New York court overturned Harvey Weinstein’s conviction. Plus, the Biden administration makes big moves to help out consumers and workers, and the TikTok ban moves forward. Then, Alyssa shares some behind-the-scenes stories about how picking a VP really works. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, cl...

Apr 26, 202454 minEp. 862

Scranton Joe vs. Park Ave Trump

Prosecutors in Donald Trump's criminal trial call their first witness: a former National Enquirer publisher who puts the former president at the center of a conspiracy to corrupt the 2016 election. Joe Biden wins a major endorsement from the building trades unions and works to define Trump as an out-of-touch rich guy who only wants to help his rich friends. In Pennsylvania, Connecticut hedge fund manager Dave McCormick officially wins the Republican nomination for Senate and will face Democratic...

Apr 24, 20241 hr 1 minEp. 861

Law and Odor: Trump Trials

Jon, Tommy, Dan, and Hysteria Co-Host Erin Ryan are live from the LA Times Festival of Books! As the first week of Donald Trump's Manhattan criminal trial ends, Trump defends himself by constantly violating his gag order and—allegedly—farting recklessly in the courtroom. President Biden hits the trail to highlight his plans to help the middle class and pass legislation restoring Roe v. Wade . Trump reportedly narrows in on a VP pick, but rules out governors from states with the most restrictive ...

Apr 22, 202456 minEp. 860

So You Think You Can Be a Trump Juror?

Jon talks to Alex Garland, writer and director of the hit movie 'Civil War,' about why he wanted to make a blockbuster about the demise of American democracy. Plus, Jon and Dan talk about the 12 jurors who have officially been seated in Trump's hush-money trial, MAGA Mike Johnson’s gamble on foreign aid for Ukraine and Kari Lake encouraging her supporters to strap on a Glock as Arizona becomes a central battleground of the 2024 election. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here...

Apr 19, 20241 hr 13 minEp. 859
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