Episode 21: Thought Control

This week Rachel and Aaron dive into the hurricane of Donald Trump’s chaos – from Jeffrey Epstein… to an unprecedented affordability crisis… to a new health care crisis… to an identity crisis for MAGA. Plus, a lesson for Democrats on how to message affordability. And another underwater poll for Donald Trump, “the dog that hasn’t barked.”LINKS:The Cycle on Substack: Should I Stay or Should I Go?AP/NORC Survey: Trump’s approval rating remains low during government shutdownAxios: The affordability crisis, once Biden's, is now Trump'sHit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

This week Rachel and Aaron unpack the GOP’s framing of thousands of peaceful “No Kings” protests as “Hate America” rallies. How, exactly, did Republicans lose control of the narrative–at least for a weekend? Plus, why House Speaker Mike Johnson refuses to swear-in America’s newest member of Congress. And what do Venezuelan boat strikes have to do with disgraced Congressman George Santos? LINKS:ABC’s This Week: Jonathan Karl interviews Speaker Mike JohnsonNBC’s Meet the Press: Kristen Welker interviews Senator Rand PaulABC News: Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva on ‘delay tactics’ in being sworn into CongressThe Cycle on SubstackHit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

This week, why we shouldn’t be afraid of using the other F-word: fascism, especially as the Right shatters political norms, turns citizens into public enemies, and politicizes the military. Rachel and Aaron discuss a Democrat who joked about violence, a Republican who preaches it, a billionaire who builds it into the algorithm, and a movement now summoning generals for loyalty oaths. Plus: The political strategies and public polling behind the government shutdown. Who, exactly, is getting the blame?LINKS:France24: Elon Musk: The voice of the far right in Europe?Stephen Miller’s cousin on Facebook: “the face of evil”The Cycle - Substack: We’re Deep in the Shit Now: The Only Way to Win the Shutdown Was Not to PlayHit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

This week Rachel and Aaron discuss the Trump Administration’s reaction to Charlie Kirk’s death, his martyrdom, and what’s next on the march into authoritarianism. Plus, a trip to the front lines of Trump’s tariffs: rural America. Why are farmers feeling the pinch first? And Trump crosses a thin red line by ordering the U.S. Department of Justice to target his political enemies, facts be damned.LINKS:Substack - The Cycle: From Goebbels to Google: Same Shit, Different CenturyTruth Social: Trump says opponents are “guilty as hell” – without evidenceHot Mic: “Our brand is in crisis”Imperial March in Washington, DCHit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

With Labor Day behind us, Trump’s honeymoon is over and his march into fascist authoritarianism is in full force. This week Rachel and Aaron look at his latest distraction from a nosediving economy and the Epstein Files: an armed, federal invasion of America’s third-largest city. Plus, market instability rocks America’ farmers as Trump’s tariffs take a toll, a grilling for RFK junior (and no, we’re not talking about his face), and Gov. Newsom’s master class in political mockery looks awfully familiar.LINKS:Substack - The Cycle: A Blue Tsunami is Headed for Virginia and New JerseySubstack - The Cycle: Democrats Want to Run on Affordability: Here’s How to Do it RightAmerican Soybean Association: ‘A trade and financial precipice’Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

Why are Republicans trying to give themselves an edge in Congress? In the words of one GOP lawmaker: “Because we can.” This week, Rachel and Aaron separate the facts from JD Vance’s alt reality as some Democrats prepare to fight fire with fire. Plus: Trump takes federal control over Washington DC. And South Park sends up America’s most notorious puppy killer.LINKS:YouTube: President Trump holds news conference on plans to address D.C. crimeGavin Newsom to Trump: ‘You Are Playing With Fire’The Cycle (Substack): Appeasement Didn’t Work Then; It Won’t Work Now

Facts are stubborn things, at least two of Trump’s predecessors have said. And for Trump on the economy—and Jeffrey Epstein–-there’s nothing to see here. This week Rachel and Aaron look at what the latest job numbers mean for Trump 2.0. Plus, Trump is making his own list… of political enemies. And secret documents in a secret annex at FBI Headquarters? Pssh.LINKSNew York Times: Until Trump Fired Her, She Was an Economist With Bipartisan SupportABC News: Joe Rogan slams Trump administration over Epstein investigation: 'Trying to gaslight'The Breakfast Club: Charlamagne Responds To Donald Trump’s ‘Truth Social’ Post About HimThe Cycle (Substack): The Anatomy of “Othering”: How Authoritarians Build Permission for ViolenceHit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game’

This week Rachel and Aaron stick to the one scandal that’s finally sticking to Teflon Don: Jeffrey Epstein, and the Trump Administration’s spectacular inability to control the narrative. Rachel dives into the need to “politicize everything.” A look at how Trump 2.0 is using immigration to destroy democracy with quiet bureaucracy. And why are some Dems demanding to fight “fire with fire” after the latest GOP effort to retain control of the U.S. House?LINKS:The Cycle (Substack): Politicize Everything: A Blueprint for a Party that FightsYouTube: 'You’ve got no rights’: teenage US citizen records violent arrest by immigration officersThe Guardian: How Trump has supercharged the immigration crackdown - in dataYouTube: 'Epstein Partied With Trump': Texas Congressional Candidate Dragged Out Of HearingYouTube: California's Newsom Calls To 'Fight Fire With Fire' As Texas Considers RedistrictingSurrounded (Jubilee Media): 1 Progressive vs 20 Far-Right Conservatives (ft. Mehdi Hasan)50501: Rage Against the Regime | August 2, 2025The National: Convicted US Felon to Arrive in Scotland

This week, as Trump’s FEMA struggles to answer questions about consequential budget cuts in the aftermath of Texas flooding, Rachel and Aaron look at how the Republican Party deliberately turned climate change into a conspiracy theory. It’s MAGA thought control. Plus, the FBI tries to go after thought crimes. And the Epstein Scandal threatens to unravel MAGA, despite Trump’s best efforts to move on. Which of his allies aren’t letting it go?LINKS:The Cycle (Substack): The Big Ugly Cuts to Climate ScienceNancy Pelosi & Newt Gingrich Climate PSA (2008)Frontline: Climate of DoubtNew York Times: The F.B.I. Is Using Polygraphs to Test Officials’ LoyaltyKOCO-TV (Oklahoma City): OSDE introduces 'America First Assessment' for teachers moving from certain statesMegyn Kelly & Charlie Kirk on Epstein scandalThe Hill: Bannon warns GOP could lose 40 House seats over Epstein filesVox: Why everyone runs for president these daysHit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

Live Free. Die Fast. Get Digested… slowly. Welcome to “Alligator Alcatraz,” America’s first concentration camp. Plus, Rachel and Aaron explore the future, or not, of Elon Musk’s new “America Party.” Why, exactly, is America stuck with a two-party system? Meteorologists show us how cuts to NOAA and the National Weather Service impact weather disaster warning systems. And Jeffrey Epstein’s client list: What happened to piss off MAGA all over again?LINKS:The Cycle on Subtack: Elon Musk announces a new partyKXAN-TV (Austin, TX): Head of local weather warnings takes early retirement as NOAA cuts continueOxford Reference: Duverger’s LawHit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game