And so it beginsagain. In front of an audience of adoring billionaires, Donald Trump takes the oath of office, delivers a speech promising a return to American greatness, and vows to make drastic changes to federal policy on immigration, gender identity, energy, and more. Meanwhile, Joe Biden ends his presidency with preemptive pardons for Liz Cheney, Anthony Fauci, and members of his immediate family. Jon, Lovett, Tommy, and Dan react to Trump's big speech, his planned executive orders, and Bid...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Biden bids the nation farewell from the Oval Office, delivering a stark warning about the rise of an American "oligarchy." Dan and Jon break down how history will judge his legacy. Then, Tommy joins to discuss the fragile ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamaswho really deserves the credit, and what happens next? Meanwhile, Senate Republicans press ahead with confirmation hearings for Trump's Cabinet picks, and the clock is ticking on a last-ditch effort to save TikTok. Later, Ben Wikler, chair...
Jan 17, 2025•2 hr 31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Devastating wildfires in Los Angeles prompt a round of angry finger-pointing and disaster politics from the GOP. The most extreme reaction comes from Trump and a growing number of Republicans in Congress, who are already talking about placing conditions on disaster relief for California. Meanwhile, President Biden kicks off his final week in office with a farewell speech defending his foreign policy legacy. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy break down what he got right, and whats at risk as Trump returns t...
Jan 14, 2025•2 hr 35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Governor Gavin Newsom sits down with Jon Favreau to talk about Californias response to the devastating Los Angeles fires, his invitation to Donald Trump, and his demand for clear answers about the water shortages that hindered fire fighting efforts. They also discuss what recovery and rebuilding efforts look like, how these fires could affect the future of home insurance in California, and the states ongoing affordability crisis. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a...
Jan 11, 2025•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Trump and the GOP skip the usual thoughts and prayers for victims of the devastating LA fires, and dive straight into blame and conspiracy theories. Jon and Dan debunk misinformation about FEMA and the government response, unpack the political fallout, and share resources to help fire victims. Plus, whats behind MAGAs new Manifest Destiny? Is Trumps legal drama approaching its grand finale? Washington D.C. pauses for a moment while President Jimmy Carter is laid to rest. Finally, Lovett sits dow...
Jan 10, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Transcript available on Metacast Kamala Harris fulfills her oath of office, certifying the election results on the four-year anniversary of the January 6th Capitol riot. Meanwhile, Republicans strategize about passing Trumps big, beautiful bill jammed full of MAGA hopes and dreams. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss why simply remembering January 6th isnt enough, and how Democrats should respond to Republicans tax cutting agenda. Plus, MAGA-world did what all of us do over the holidays: squabble with our relatives this time over im...
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams, Stacey speaks to Dr. Cline Gounder, an infectious disease specialist, epidemiologist and editor at large for public health at KFF Health News, about the threats to public health with the incoming Trump Administration. They talk through Trumps appointees for the nations top health and science agencies like RFK Jr., how to bring scientific thinking back to policy making, and how to differentiate between public health and individual healthcar...
Jan 01, 2025•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this free preview of Crooked's Friends of the Pod subscription show "Inside 2024," (subscribe here ) Dan Pfeiffer, Alyssa Mastromonaco, and Caroline Reston dive deep into the history and drama of presidential transitions, break down the latest moves from President-Elect Trumps transition team, and share some behind-the-scenes stories from their early days as fresh-faced staffers in the 2008 Obama White House For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this...
Dec 24, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast The world's richest man trolls Republicans into a potential government shutdown right before the holidays and the curtain closes on 2024...and it can't come soon enough. We didn't win the White House, the Senate, or the House, but we'll always have the Pundies. Jon, Lovett, Dan, and Tommy are joined by producer Elijah Cone for our annual awards show celebrating the worst takes of a year we'd rather forget. Plus, the guys listen back to their old New Year's resolutions and make some new ones for ...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Transcript available on Metacast House Democrats choose not to elevate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, arguably the party's most compelling messenger, to Ranking Member on the House Oversight Committeeinstead selecting 74-year-old Gerry Connolly, a committee lifer with no national reach. Jon and Dan discuss the magnitude of this missed opportunity, House Republicans laying the groundwork for an FBI investigation of Liz Cheney, whether Democrats should play ball on government funding, and a new effort to clamp down on progressive fund...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Joe Biden cedes the spotlight to Donald Trump, who's rolling like he's already taken office: meeting with world leaders, attending the annual Army-Navy game, and calmly announcing the next targets in his legal offensive against the media. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss what Biden could and should be doing in the final weeks of his presidency, what ABC's settlement with Trump says about the state of political media, the mysterious drone-like things over New Jersey, and Trump's pledge to end Dayli...
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Transcript available on Metacast America's corporate titans seem pretty happy about Donald Trump's electioneven pitching in to his inaugural bashand it's no big mystery why: he's promising yet again to slash their taxes. Meanwhile, in his TIME Person of the Year interview, Trump admits that he may not be able lower grocery prices after all. Oh, well! Jon and Dan dive into all the latest, including FBI Director Christopher Wray's resignation, Bidens historic pardons, Nancy Mace's latest theatrics, and why Democrats are suddenly ...
Dec 13, 2024•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Donald Trump's once-daunting legal challenges continue to melt away, as Special Counsel Jack Smith plans his resignation and Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg lays out options for putting the hush money case on indefinite pause. Dan and Melissa Murray, cohost of Strict Scrutiny, discuss all the latest, including the cultural significance of the United Healthcare shooting, the fading resistance to Trump's Cabinet nominees, and why Kimberly Guilfoyle getting the nod to be ambassador to Greece is a twist wo...
Dec 11, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast Donald Trump sits down for his first big interview since winning the election and unveils his plans for mass deportations, pardons for January 6th rioters, and revenge against his political enemies. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy explains what theyre watching for when his second term begins, the social media frenzy over the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, and how the end of Syrias dictator Bashar Assads regime could impact Tulsi Gabbards nomination for Director of National Intelligence. Oh...
Dec 10, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast The White House considers preemptive pardons for the people Donald Trump and his allies have promised to target, setting off a debate among Democrats. Jon and Dan talk through the pros and cons of the move, who Biden could consider if he does move forward, and what Trump or other presidents might do in the future as a result. Then, veteran Democratic strategist Steve Schale talks with Dan about what led to the party's collapse in his home state of Florida, and why he's worried that the damage ma...
Dec 06, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tommy is joined by Eugene Daniels, Politico White House Correspondent, coauthor of the Playbook newsletter, and president of the White House Correspondents Association, to talk about the changing media environment and what willand won'tchange about covering a second Trump term. Plus, the latest on the blowback to the Hunter Biden pardon, Pete Hegseth's mom fighting back, and what's next for Trump's cabinet picks. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of th...
Dec 04, 2024•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast President Biden pardons his son Huntera move he'd once promised not to makeand the backlash is immediate. Republicans are calling it a political favor, while some Democrats argue it undermines trust in the justice system. Meanwhile, Trump promises to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray with Kash Patel, a loyalist known for wanting to prosecute Trump's enemies (including journalists), even as his pick for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, faces new allegations of workplace misconductand a scathi...
Dec 03, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Its our annual Thanksgiving Mailbag episode! Jon, Lovett, and Tommy dive into some of your smartest, funniest, and most thought-provoking questions. They tackle everything from concerns about the Democratic Partys stance on trans rights and Bidens legacy to ideas for boosting left-wing media and getting more people to run for local office. Plus, they share their thoughts on the fate of skinny jeans in 2025, favorite holiday movies, and their fitness routines. For a closed-captioned version of th...
Nov 29, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Lovett sits down with Hasan Piker, the massively popular progressive streamer, to talk through (and argue about) the hard questions about where the Democratic Party needs to go from here, the liberal media landscape, what the Harris campaign told us about why they lost, and yes, a jobs program for incels. Then, Jon talks to Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton about the fight for the House, why blue states like his swung right, and the controversy he kicked up with his comments about trans ath...
Nov 28, 2024•2 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this candid interview, the leaders of the Harris-Walz Campaign speak for the first time about the challenges they faced and why they made the decisions they did. Dan sits down with Jen O'Malley Dillon, David Plouffe, Quentin Fulks, and Stephanie Cutter to talk about the campaign's roadmap, their approach to nontraditional media outlets like Joe Rogan, the voters they most needed to win over, why they fell short in the end, and what Democrats should do differently next time. For a closed-capti...
Nov 26, 2024•2 hr 33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Matt Gaetz is out as Trump's attorney general pick after the mounting questions about past interactions with young women cost him the support of key senators. Nominated in his place: former Florida AG Pam Bondi. Meanwhile, House Republicans have decided their top priority is prohibiting incoming Congresswoman Sarah McBride from using women's bathrooms in the Capitol. Jon and Dan break down what the Gaetz debacle says about Trump's Cabinet picks, his rocky relationships with Senate Republicans, w...
Nov 22, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Transcript available on Metacast The problems dogging attorney general pick Matt Gaetz don't seem to be going away, as new leaks expose a history of thousands of dollars in Venmo payments to two women at the center of the complaints against him. Meanwhile, newly unearthed video of RFK Jr., Trump's choice for health secretary, shows him speculating about whether the Covid pandemic was planned by the government. Tommy is joined by Democratic strategist and media expert Lis Smith to unpack all the chaos, plus what the Dems are mis...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Donald Trump completes his journey from outcast to cool kid, showing off his MAGA clique at a glitzy UFC fight and even getting nemeses Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski to come groveling to Mar-a-Lago. Meanwhile, it may not be such smooth sailing for two of his top cabinet picks, Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth, as questions mount about sexual misconduct. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy break down all the latest, including Democratic governors' plan to constrain Trump's power, the upcoming race for DNC ch...
Nov 19, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Donald Trump goes all in on naming his biggest political boosters to Cabinet posts, whether they're qualified or not (they're not!). Trump wants alleged sex offender Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, vaccine skeptic RFK Jr. for HHS Secretary, dictator sympathizer Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, Fox News host Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, and Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy for the newly invented Department of Government Efficiency. Jon and Dan discuss the odds of Senat...
Nov 15, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jon and New York Times columnist Ezra Klein, host of The Ezra Klein Show, talk through what we know about how Democrats started to lose working-class and lower-information voterseven before 2024how social media and interest groups drive those divides, why blue states and cities shifted right, and what progressives can do to tackle the affordability crisis. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and inclu...
Nov 13, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Trump begins staffing top roles in his second administration with loyalists and sycophantsand demands that the senators running for majority leader agree to embrace a process that would allow him to appoint whoever he wants without Senate confirmation. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss whether Trump's opening moves are as chilling as we thought they'd be, what we do and don't know about his second-term plans, and how he might pursue revenge on his opponents. Then, Tommy speaks with New York Congres...
Nov 12, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Transcript available on Metacast The best way to understand what happened on Tuesday is to listen to what the actual voters have been saying. Dan checks back in with two strategists who run focus groups with key parts of the electorate: Sarah Longwell of The Bulwark , who's been talking to Trump-curious swing voters for months, and Carlos Odio of Equis Research, an expert on the Latino vote. Sarah and Carlos discuss some of the warning signs that were blinking red long before last week, and how we can recognize themand act on t...
Nov 10, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Transcript available on Metacast As Kamala Harris officially concedes after a terrible election, Democrats begin searching for lessonsand singling out others for blame. Jon, Lovett, Dan, and Tommy discuss Harris's farewell message, the various conflicting and enraging theories being floated as to why she lost, and how we should think about campaigns going forward. Plus: Sen. Jacky Rosen appears to score a win in Nevada, and Democratic House candidates in uncalled races see a path to victoryand maybe even a narrow majority. For ...
Nov 08, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast After a night of resounding losses and a nationwide lurch to the right, Jon, Lovett, Tommy, and Dan begin to sift through the pieceswhat we know, and we don't, about the race Democrats ran, what voters are looking for, and how to endure the turmoil of a second Trump term. 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....
Nov 06, 2024•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast After a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live , Kamala Harris closes on optimism, unity, and lower priceswhile Trump fantasizes about reporters getting murdered and says he regrets leaving office after losing reelection. With just one day to go, Jon, Lovett, and Tommy sort through the latest from the trail and the final batch of high-quality polls, including a stunning result from Ann Selzer in Iowa showing Harris up three points in a deep-red state. Then, the guys reflect on what we've alr...
Nov 04, 2024•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
