Tristan dives into your burning questions about Elon Musk’s controversial dealings, the Supreme Court’s latest rulings, and the Democrats’ messaging struggles. From billion-dollar contracts to voting reform and the fight for Ukraine, we’re unpacking the chaos. Plus, a deep dive into how we can mobilize non-voters and hold power players accountable.
Mar 07, 2025•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Tristan breaks down Trump's inconsistent approach to tariffs, comparing the current situation to the disastrous Smoot-Hawley Tariff of 1930 that worsened the Great Depression. Snell analyzes how Trump's tariffs on Canada and Mexico are already creating economic uncertainty, with frequent policy reversals revealing administrative chaos. The episode also explores Europe's strengthening unity in support of Ukraine despite Trump's attempts to weaken NATO alliances, and critiques Tru...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today we’ll discuss the alarming economic indicators suggesting a potential recession, Elon Musk's unprecedented role in government despite massive conflicts of interest, and the disastrous Oval Office meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky. While Elon is securing billion-dollar government contracts for his companies while serving as an unelected official, Trump's botched handling of Ukraine has revitalized global support for Zelensky. The episode also covers America's broken pro...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this mailbag episode, Tristan Snell tackles listener questions covering today's most pressing issues. He examines why MSNBC and CNN viewership continues to decline, analyzes the Ukraine-Russia conflict's long-term strategic implications, and discusses how Tesla shareholders might hold Elon Musk accountable for plummeting stock values.
Feb 28, 2025•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Trump administration is showing cracks just weeks in, with prescription drug prices soaring, 9/11 first responder funding cuts (later reversed after public outcry). Tristan analyzes Germany's recent election where the far-right AFD failed to gain power, explains how social media activism successfully pressured the administration to restore 9/11 health funding, and breaks down why Republicans in purple districts are increasingly vulnerable defending unpopular policies. Plus: why Elon Musk's E...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Transcript available on Metacast From Elon Musk securing lucrative contracts for his own interests while shutting down agencies investigating his companies to the uncertain future of US support for Ukraine. The icing on this sad cake is the explosive investigation into NYC Mayor Eric Adams' alleged corruption scandal involving Turkish bribes and a controversial deal with the Trump administration, leading to dramatic resignations at the Southern District of New York prosecutor's office.
Feb 18, 2025•48 min•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast Tristan and Scott Dworkin tackle the challenges of debunking MAGA propaganda and explore how disinformation campaigns are weaponized to manipulate public opinion. They reflect on past battles, including the fight against Trump University, and connect those lessons to current struggles while highlighting the broader stakes: the dismantling of essential programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security under Project 2025, as well as threats to democracy posed by extremist agendas.
Feb 14, 2025•2 hr 53 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast Today, we’re talking about Elon’s systematic campaign of retaliation against federal agencies and what may be driving his actions. Plus the deceptive trap behind the federal employee "buyout" scheme and his installation of unvetted appointees. Later, Tristan breaks down Trump's alarming plans for a U.S. military occupation of Gaza, his attempts to re-legalize foreign bribery, Kash Patel, and why all of this chaos and reliance on midnight executive orders actually signals weakness, not strength.
Feb 11, 2025•48 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast On this installment of H4D, Tristan & JoJo (aka JoJo from Jerz) explore how the courts may be the last line of defense against the unconstitutional crap storm that’s brewing. Later, they explore the impact of USAID funding cuts on vital charitable work and the precarious situation federal employees find themselves in right now.
Feb 07, 2025•37 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast Tristan dives into the political and procedural hurdles of impeaching Donald Trump, explores alternative ways to mitigate his power, and discusses Elon Musk’s controversial involvement in federal systems. From Medicaid shutdowns to the future of Social Security and VA payments, Tristan breaks down the legalities and implications of these unprecedented moves. Plus, he examines how Democrats can better communicate their message in the digital age and shares his thoughts on the GOP’s perennial atta...
Feb 06, 2025•45 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the cesspool of Trump’s so-called economic genius. We’re talking tariffs - those sneaky, regressive taxes masquerading as “America First” policy. Tristan breaks down how these misguided measures are nothing more than a stealth assault on your wallet, hitting the working and middle class right where it hurts. But wait, there’s more! We’re also shining a spotlight on the orange menace’s love affair with executive orders. Spoiler alert: it’s not because he’s an “efficient” leader. And ju...
Feb 04, 2025•56 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast Your questions, answered. From examining voter regret to exploring the Supreme Court’s role in democratic governance, Tristan draws from historical patterns while addressing today’s challenges.
Jan 31, 2025•24 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast Brace yourself for wild ride through the political circus, folks! We are diving headfirst into the chaos that is 2025 and the mind-boggling reality that we’re witnessing Project 2025 being put to work before our very eyes. From mass detention camps to Senate confirmation bypasses, we’re exposing Trump’s playbook for dismantling democratic institutions faster than you can say “covfefe”.
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast In this premiere of "Heroes for Democracy," Tristan Snell and Joanne Carducci (JojofromJerz) dive straight into Trump’s first day of darkness. The duo doesn't just rehash history – they connect the dots between Trump's first-day chaos, the ongoing threats to our democracy, and why every single one of us needs to stay in this fight. This isn't your typical political podcast – it's a wake-up call from two of social media's most outspoken defenders of democracy who aren't afraid to tell it like it ...
Jan 22, 2025•25 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast Tristan dives headfirst into the chaotic start of Donald Trump’s second term as president. He unpacks Trump’s aggressive use of executive orders, economic policies favoring the wealthy, and a shocking proposal to eliminate the mortgage interest tax deduction—all while the middle class braces for impact. He also dissects internal battles over immigration policy, the growing influence of tech billionaires, and the eerie parallels to America’s Gilded Age. Buckle up—because here we go again.
Jan 21, 2025•55 min•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast From the alarming ethics of Justice Alito's communications with Trump to Putin's calculated strategy to divide Western allies, today we tackle the debate over presidential immunity, the political maneuvering behind Trump's sentencing, and the Supreme Court's involvement in these landmark cases. The conversation expands to expose how media-manufactured support, territorial ambitions involving Canada, and corporate control over insulin pricing connect to reveal larger truths about power and democr...
Jan 14, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast Every Friday, Tristan’s answering question from all of you. This week: • Musk’s congressional meddling: Legal? Doubtful. • Trump’s wall and economic fixes: All talk, no action. • Keeping democracy alive under Trump 2.0: We’ve got options. Got questions? Hit up Tristan on Substack (TristanSnell.com) or Bluesky (@TristanSnell.bsky.social). Let’s keep this democracy thing going.
Jan 10, 2025•26 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast In the first episode of 2025, we dive into the legal mess that was the Manhattan DA's handling of Donald Trump's prosecution – and how it nearly slipped through the system's fingers. Tristan pulls back the curtain on the office politics, cold feet, and bureaucratic tap dancing that turned a clear-cut campaign finance case into a years-long waiting game. From Michael Cohen's explosive testimony to the eventual trial, he walks us through the behind-the-scenes story of how career prosecutors finall...
Jan 08, 2025•47 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast In this end-of-year episode, Tristan breaks down the dangerous reality of Project 2025 - Trump's playbook for dismantling democratic institutions if he returns to power. From mass detention camps to bypassing Senate confirmation for appointees, Tristan exposes what Trump's team is actually planning and, crucially, how we can fight back. Despite the serious threats ahead, Tristan explains why America isn't over and lays out the vital battles in Congress and the courts that will determine our demo...
Dec 31, 2024•39 min•Ep 42•Transcript available on Metacast We’re reviewing 2024 and breaking down how everything went sideways for American democracy. From DOJ's maddening delays to Alvin Bragg's stop-and-start prosecution, the justice system dropped the ball when it mattered most. Then there’s the mainstream media's double standard between Biden and Trump, driven by ratings and clicks, and the death of old-school TV politics as social media took the wheel. This episode exposes how America's institutions failed spectacularly when faced with their bigges...
Dec 24, 2024•37 min•Ep 41•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Tristan discusses recent Senators Manchin and Sinema’s vote on an NLRB nominee, debates surrounding the Electoral College and IRS Direct File system, and updates on legal cases involving former President Trump. Snell examines the New York Attorney General’s office’s approach to civil cases and their commitment to addressing fraud across political lines. The episode concludes with an interview featuring Bradley Tusk, author of Vote with Your Phone: Why Mobile Voting Is Our Fina...
Dec 18, 2024•59 min•Ep 40•Transcript available on Metacast The episode features two awesome guests- V Spehar from “Under the Desk News” and JoJo from Jerz the host of the “Are you F-ing Kidding Me” podcast. They share their thoughts about the importance of community support, self-care, and focused content consumption in these turbulent times. They also hint at exciting future collaborations within the pro-democracy movement and how we can join together to build a stronger resistance community. Also in this episode, Tristan addresses the emphasizes the p...
Dec 11, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep 39•Transcript available on Metacast This week we spin the wheel of misfortune for a whammy of a looming economic disaster- Trump’s proposed tariff policies. We break down how these misguided measures could send shockwaves through American households, potentially doubling or even tripling grocery bills and skyrocketing prices on everyday goods. From the devastation of U.S. agriculture to the crippling of international trade, we cover the far-reaching consequences of Trump’s tariff obsession. But it’s not all doom and gloom – learn ...
Dec 04, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep 38•Transcript available on Metacast This Thanksgiving, Trump’s stuffing his cabinet with the most dangerous nominations. Snell breaks down the jaw-dropping menu, including Dr. Oz potentially overseeing Medicare/Medicaid and Tulsi Gabbard's shocking consideration for Director of National Intelligence—picks that signal a full-scale assault on healthcare and national security. Then we delve deep into the existential threat to the Affordable Care Act and examines Pam Bondi's controversial nomination for Attorney General, revisiting he...
Nov 26, 2024•54 min•Ep 37•Transcript available on Metacast We’re breaking down Trump's alarming potential cabinet picks, including Matt Gaetz for Attorney General and RFK Jr. for Health and Human Services. We examine the serious implications of these nominations, from Gaetz's ongoing ethics investigations to RFK Jr.'s controversial anti-vaccine stance. Special guest Anthony Scaramucci joins for an insightful discussion about the state of American democracy, the future of political parties, and how Democrats can better connect with working-class voters. ...
Nov 20, 2024•53 min•Ep 36•Transcript available on Metacast One week post election, we’re fired up and ready for the new challenges ahead. We’ll talk about the nomination process for Trump’s cabinet positions, legal strategies to oppose extreme MAGA policies using the Administrative Procedures Act and the real economic dangers of Trump’s tariffs. Later, Maya Wiley, civil rights attorney, former candidate for NYC Mayor and author of the memoir “Remember You Are A Wiley” joins to discuss strategies for protecting democracy. Wiley breaks down the threats ou...
Nov 13, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep 35•Transcript available on Metacast In the aftermath of the election day nightmare, Tristan looks at the missed opportunities to prosecute Trump after the January 6th attemped coup, and the media's role in his ultimate resurgence. He also laments the Democratic party's dated approach to mainstream economic policy, and emphasizes the need for bold actions moving forward - all while urging us to stay deeply engaged in the long fight (to preserve our democracy) that lies directly ahead.
Nov 07, 2024•41 min•Ep 34•Transcript available on Metacast On the eve of Election Day, this final installment of our Decoding Project 2025 series delves deep into MAGA’s radical economic proposals, including massive tax cuts for the wealthy, the elimination of SALT deductions, and plans to defund or privatize critical financial institutions. We‘ll discuss how the proposed gutting of agencies like the IRS, Federal Reserve, and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau would benefit a small circle of ultra-wealthy individuals while potentially devastating the ...
Nov 04, 2024•48 min•Ep 33•Transcript available on Metacast Dive into the latest election developments as we analyze Trump's controversial Madison Square Garden rally and its impact on Latino voters. Learn how the "floating garbage" comments about Puerto Rico could reshape battleground states like Florida and Pennsylvania. Plus, discover surprising poll numbers from Kansas that might signal a broader shift in the electoral map. We'll break down Kamala Harris's game-changing Medicare home care proposal and what it means for American families, while examin...
Oct 31, 2024•48 min•Ep 32•Transcript available on Metacast In this eye-opening episode, we’re breaking down what Project 2025 could mean for your wallet. We’ll tackle tariffs, the shrinking middle class and we’ll uncover some of Project 2025’s shocking proposals, including dismantling the Patent Office (say what?), privatizing government services (hello, oligarchs?), and census shenanigans that could impact your representation. Don’t miss this crucial installment of “Decoding Project 2025.” It’s your guide to understanding Trump’s economic vision before...
Oct 29, 2024•20 min•Ep 31•Transcript available on Metacast