Kissing Rings and Killing Puppies

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 upcoming presidential debate and how Trump’s new felony status has presented challenges and opportunities for the Biden campaign. 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.

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 Congress. 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. 

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 of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

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 version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

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 include the name of the podcast.

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 Wikler, Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, joins to help teach you how to persuade the Biden-curious Trump voter in your life. Take action with Vote Save America: Visit votesaveamerica.com/2024  Pre-order Democracy or Else: How to Save America in 10 Easy Steps at crooked.com/books or wherever books are sold. Out June 25th.

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 finally break Trump’s stranglehold on our politics.Take action with Vote Save America: Visit votesaveamerica.com/2024  Pre-order Democracy or Else: How to Save America in 10 Easy Steps at crooked.com/books or wherever books are sold. Out June 25th.

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 here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

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 organize, advocate, and push for a cure. 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.

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 email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.