{"_":"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.\n \n\n
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This episode delves into the absurdity of Trump's 'concept of a deal' on Greenland, his self-serving 'Board of Peace' which includes war criminals, and the broader erosion of the international order. It then shifts focus to the concerning ICE raids in Minneapolis, highlighting administrative warrants and JD Vance's disingenuous defense of ICE's actions and the horrific conditions in detention facilities. The hosts conclude with an analysis of a new New York Times/Siena poll showing Trump's collapsing coalition, primarily due to economic issues.
Trump tells the Norwegian Prime Minister that he no longer feels an "obligation" to peace because he didn't receive the Nobel Prize and announces that he's imposing tariffs on a series of NATO allies until "a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland." Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss these latest developments and Trump's billion-dollar entry fee for the Board of Peace. Then, they cover the latest from ICE's occupation of Minneapolis, including the Justice Department's inves...
How can we hold ICE legally accountable? Can federal agents be prosecuted? Will Renee Good's family ever see justice? Strict Scrutiny's Leah Litman stops by the pod to talk to Alex Wagner about the legal avenues available to rein in ICE. The two break down ICE's recent actions in Minneapolis, Trump's threat to invoke the Insurrection Act, and the Justice Department's push to investigate Renee Good's widow. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this epis...
Minneapolis residents describe the city as a war zone as 3,000 federal agents terrorize citizens and non-citizens alike. Jon and Dan react to the situation on the ground and discuss the latest, including federal agents shooting another person, six federal prosecutors' decision to resign over the Justice Department's push to investigate Renee Good's widow, and President Trump's threat to invoke the Insurrection Act and send actual troops into Minneapolis. Then, the two discuss some hopeful pollin...
As protests break out around the country over the killing of Renee Good, the administration sends even more agents to commit even more violence in Minnesota. The Justice Department launches an unprecedented criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell because he won't do what Trump wants on interest rates, a move so brazen that even congressional Republicans are denouncing it. And Trump again threatens to take over Greenland "whether they like it or not.” Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss al...
Will the Supreme Court destroy what remains of the Voting Rights Act? How much influence will America's 250th anniversary have on the midterm elections? If the Democrats win those elections, who in the administration will they investigate first? Jon Favreau and Alex Wagner share their biggest questions for year two of Trump 2.0 in search of some hope for the year ahead. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked...
Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three living in Minneapolis, is gunned down in her car by an ICE agent as cameras roll. Jon and Dan react to the tragedy and discuss the administration's response, especially JD Vance's despicable remarks in the White House briefing room. Dan talks to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey about how the city plans to investigate and push back. Then, Jon and Dan discuss Trump's quest for hemispheric domination, and how Congressional Republicans are are starting to cross ...
Trump kicks off 2026 with a return to imperialism, launching a military assault in Venezuela and abducting President Nicolás Maduro. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy react to the news, the administration's open acknowledgement that they want Venezuela's oil, and Trump's hint that military action may be coming to more places in the Western Hemisphere—including Colombia, Mexico, and Greenland. Then, the guys discuss Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's decision to end his reelection campaign in response to a fraud...
In this episode, veteran Democratic advisor Philippe Reines shares his experiences playing Donald Trump for Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris during debate preparations. He reveals how he embodied Trump's persona, analyzed his unique communication style, and compares the prep processes for both candidates. Reines also discusses Trump's debate vulnerabilities and offers strategic advice for Democrats to effectively counter him in future elections.
Jon, Lovett, Dan, and Tommy answer your questions about the upcoming midterms, early bets on 2028, what they got wrong about this year, and Lovett's future reality television career. Then, they listen back to their 2024 New Year's resolutions and set ones they hope to actually keep in 2025. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast....
As the first year of Trump 2.0 limps to a close, it's time to celebrate 2025’s worst takes and funniest moments with The Pundies, Pod Save America's annual awards show! Jon, Lovett, Dan, and Tommy, joined by producer Elijah Cone, debate which political beef of 2024 was the most entertaining, which Trump administration official should be anointed "The Worst," whether this year's Democratic victories were enough to wash away all the pain, and lots more. For a closed-captioned version of this episo...
Rahm Emanuel, former mayor of Chicago and chief of staff to President Obama, joins Tommy to discuss where he thinks the Democratic Party went wrong in 2024, why he's advocating for a blanket social media ban for children under 16, and to reflect on the foreign policy decisions from the Obama era that have shaped the 21st century. Then, Tommy asks Rahm whether there might be presidential ambitions behind his recent podcast tour. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a t...
Vanity Fair publishes a candid interview with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles in which she makes eye-popping admissions about Trump, Elon Musk, and many more. Trump interrupts the season finale of Survivor to deliver an angry, meandering primetime address on the economy, and the administration moves closer to war with Venezuela, announcing a blockade of oil tankers trying to enter or leave its ports. Jon and Dan discuss all the latest and then turn to Trump’s new executive orders on gende...
The hosts delve into the week's political and social upheavals, including Trump's controversial remarks on Rob Reiner's murder and the Sydney Hanukkah massacre's implications for rising antisemitism. They also discuss MAGA voters' growing disillusionment with Trump, internal Republican infighting over figures like Candace Owens, and early Democratic speculation for the 2028 presidential race. The episode features an interview with Jake Tapper, who shares his views on CNN's uncertain future, the erosion of the Pentagon Press Corps, and his new book, "Race Against Terror," offering reflections on counterterrorism policy and media's role in political discourse.
Governor JB Pritzker visits the studio to talk to Lovett about Trump's Indiana redistricting fail, how Illinois is standing up to ICE's immigration raids, and how the governor's upbringing — a childhood of both privilege and tragedy — shaped his career in politics. Plus, Lovett asks the governor to defend his controversial Star Wars film rankings, quizzes him on some blackjack hands, and asks what we're all thinking: Is he running for President? For a closed-captioned version of this episode, cl...
Donald Trump holds a campaign-style rally to hit his affordability message: making fun of the very idea of an affordability message, and telling parents to buy their kids fewer dolls. And when asked by Politico what grade he’d give the economy right now, he answers: “A+++++.” Jon and Dan discuss how Trump’s communications effort is landing and then turn to the rest of the news, including Indiana Republicans’ decision to reject a new Trump-backed congressional map, Trump’s jaw-droppingly low appr...
The fate of Hollywood rests in President Trump's hands as Netflix and Paramount fight to acquire Warner Brothers Discovery—the home of HBO Max, Harry Potter, and Superman. Will Trump back Paramount's bid by longtime loyalist Larry Ellison (with help from presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner)? Or will Netflix's Ted Sarandos be able to woo the President to his side? Jon, Tommy, and Lovett discuss Trump's involvement in the Hollywood mega-deal and all the rest of the news, including the administra...
How did Robert F. Kennedy — once the heir-apparent to the Kennedy family's Democratic dynasty — become the Secretary of Health in the Trump administration and the nation's most important anti-vaccine advocate? Michael Scherer, staff writer at The Atlantic, sat down with Kennedy for 7+ hours, getting to know him during jean-clad workouts, Congressional hearings, and the plane ride where Kennedy learned of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The image Michael paints of Kennedy, in a profile publish...
Jon and Dan analyze Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's defiant reaction to the Venezuelan drug boat strike and Signalgate report, exposing his department's questionable actions. They also discuss Trump's ineffective 'affordability' messaging, his racist comments about Somali Americans, and the GOP's internal struggles under Speaker Mike Johnson. The episode concludes with an interview with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who provides insights on Democratic electoral momentum, legislative priorities, and tackling systemic corruption.
The House and Senate Armed Services Committees launch an investigation into Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth after a report that he ordered a second strike on a boat in the Caribbean while survivors were clinging to the wreckage. Was his order a war crime? Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss and then jump into the rest of the news, including the White House's reaction to the shooting of two National Guard members in D.C., Trump's pardon of a former Hondoran president convicted of helping drug traffi...
Dan Pfeiffer and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report discuss the significance of recent Democratic election wins and their potential impact on the 2026 midterms. They delve into how voter attitudes towards Trump's economic policies, especially regarding affordability, are shaping the political landscape. The conversation also covers the complex battle over redistricting, the potential influence of Supreme Court decisions on voting rights, and the strategic challenges Democrats face in expanding their reach beyond traditional swing districts to achieve durable majorities.
Live from Crooked Con, Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Tommy Vietor, Dan Pfeiffer and producer Elijah Cone record a special episode of our subscriber-exclusive show Terminally Online. They blind-rank 2025's most online politicians and reveal who Crooked Con straw poll participants want to see running for president in 2028. This holiday season, we're offering 25% off annual subscriptions through November 30th. Head over to crooked.com/friends now to subscribe! For a closed-captioned version of this epis...
The hosts unpack a federal judge's dismissal of indictments against Tish James and James Comey, new threats against Senator Mark Kelly, and Trump's contentious foreign policy regarding Venezuela and Ukraine. They also discuss Marjorie Taylor Greene's unexpected resignation and the internal struggles within the Republican party over Trump's influence and his health care proposals. The episode concludes with an interview with Rep. Summer Lee, who shares her insights on these political developments, the Epstein files, and ICE accountability, offering advice for the Democratic party's future.
Live from Crooked Con, Alex Wagner hosts a discussion with Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Ruben Gallego, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal about what America would look like with Democrats in charge of one or both chambers, and how we sell Americans on that vision. Then, former FTC Chair Lina Khan joins Tommy Vietor to talk about the power of good ideas and how progressives can keep up the fight against the tech monopolies threatening to swamp America. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here ...
Trump calls for six congressional Democrats to be executed for treason because the group—all military and intelligence vets—dared to post a video reminding troops that they shouldn't follow illegal orders. The dangerous outburst wraps up a bad week for the Commander in Chief: Republican defections forcing him to sign the Epstein files bill, incompetence by his own lackeys in the prosecution of James Comey, a big legal loss for Texas gerrymandering, and economic polling numbers going from bad to ...
Live from Crooked Con, this episode features Jon Favreau and a panel of strategists discussing the urgent need for Democrats to articulate a clear, affirmative vision beyond just opposing Trump. The panel delves into how to effectively communicate policy wins, embrace a "big tent" strategy, and learn from past messaging failures, particularly concerning economic issues and the influence of interest groups. Later, Senator Ruben Gallego highlights the importance of fighting for the "good life" for working people and taking bold, authentic risks in campaigns, stressing the need for Democrats to show a willingness to fight and maintain momentum against Republican challenges.
This episode delves into Donald Trump's astonishing reversal on the Epstein files, initially opposing their release before supporting it, raising questions about his motives and potential obstruction. It also explores Marjorie Taylor Greene's public apology for past rhetoric and her growing rift with Trump, signaling his potentially waning influence over the GOP. The hosts analyze the administration's muddled economic messaging on affordability and the challenges Republicans face in proposing an Obamacare replacement. The episode concludes with an interview with Rep. Ro Khanna about the Epstein vote and concerning US military actions in Venezuela and other foreign policy issues.
Live from Crooked Con, Dan Pfeiffer talks with Sarah Longwell, David Shor, Terrance Woodbury, and Carlos Odio about what the voters are telling us about what they’re looking for in this unprecedented moment, how we can recapture the groups that moved away from Democrats last year, and how much should we pay attention to polling. Then, Governor Andy Beshear sits down with Alex Wagner to explain how he broke the rules, and how other Democrats can follow suit. For a closed-captioned version of this...
Jon and Dan analyze new Jeffrey Epstein emails that suggest Trump was aware of Epstein's activities and efforts to keep documents secret, alongside the ongoing drama of the government shutdown and the battle over ACA subsidies. They also discuss Trump's baffling affordability pivot, his increasingly detached relationship with his MAGA base, and FBI Director Kash Patel's reported misconduct. The episode features an interview with Texas State Rep. James Tallarico, who offers a critical perspective on Democratic strategy, affordability, immigration, and fighting with love in politics.
Live from Crooked Con, Jon Lovett talks to Hasan Piker, Symone Sanders Townsend, Tim Miller, and Jessica Tarlov about why Democrats are the party of humorless scolds, how they let that happen, and how the Republicans crackdown on free speech presents and opening for Democrats to be the fun, welcoming party again. Then, Sen. Chris Murphy joins Dan Pfeiffer to talk about the threats we face and why it’s more important than ever for leaders to communicate directly with Americans. For a closed-capti...
