The MAGA-fication of the Military

Amid record-low approval ratings, the Democratic Party faces an existential crisis. How should they operate as a minority and opposition party? Should the old guard make way for a new generation of leaders? On this week’s show, Alex Wagner speaks with the upstarts who are challenging the Democratic establishment about how they envision the party's future. Then, a conversation with veteran Democratic Senator Chris Murphy on how his fellow members need to course correct to preserve democracy as we know it.

It’s not the first time that Republicans have threatened to dismantle Social Security— the cornerstone program that has provided reliable financial security to American workers for nearly a century. Now, Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency has its eyes set on the third rail of American politics. This week on Trumpland, Alex Wagner speaks with agency employees in the eye of the storm as chaos ensues for them and the millions of beneficiaries who rely on these payments. Then, a conversation on the uncertain future of Social Security with the former Associate Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, and FDR’s grandson, James Roosevelt.And please vote for your favorite MSNBC podcasts in this year’s Webby Awards! (Voting closes April 17th)Prosecuting Donald Trump in the Podcasts - Crime & Justice category: VOTE HEREWhy Is This Happening? With Chris Hayes in the Podcasts - Interview/Talk Show category: VOTE HEREInto America: Uncounted Millions in the Podcasts - News & Politics category: VOTE HERE

In the last week, president Trump’s latest trade policies have provided a whole lot of whiplash for Americans, their wallets, and the global economy. Part of Trump’s tariff plan includes maintaining and increasing his tariffs on China, one of the U.S.’s largest trading partners. China spends billions on American agricultural products every year, meaning American farmers are likely to get caught in the middle of Trump’s trade war, again. MSNBC’s Alex Wagner travels to Johnston County in North Carolina to hear from farmers who are standing by Trump, even as he stands down his own policies. Then, a conversation with The Atlantic’s Annie Lowrey on what this all means for our global economy.And please vote for your favorite MSNBC podcasts in this year’s Webby Awards! (Voting closes April 17th)Prosecuting Donald Trump in the Podcasts - Crime & Justice category: VOTE HEREWhy Is This Happening? With Chris Hayes in the Podcasts - Interview/Talk Show category: VOTE HEREInto America: Uncounted Millions in the Podcasts - News & Politics category: VOTE HERE

This week, the Senate held its confirmation hearing for Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine, President Trump’s relatively obscure nominee for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Caine’s nomination comes amidst questions of his perceived loyalty to Trump and the blowback of last week’s Signal leak involving several high-level Trump administration officials, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Not to mention, the administration’s continued attack on DEI and so-called “wokeness” in the military. On this episode of Trumpland with Alex Wagner, a look at how Trump is trying to remake the American military, and the potential threat it may have to readiness, morale, and recruitment in the armed forces. We hear from the some of the people who’ve put their lives on the line for their country about their concerns for the future of America’s fighting forces.Remember to follow the show so you don’t miss a single episode. And sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen without ads.

Under threat of losing millions of dollars in federal funding, Columbia University has caved to demands from the Trump administration, leaving students and faculty fearing the loss of academic freedom. Adding to those fears, ICE has made multiple arrests of international students at several schools, as well as recent graduates, like Mahmoud Khalil.This week, Alex Wagner speaks with students and professors at Columbia to discuss the dangerous precedent being set, not just for college campuses as centers of debate and dissent, but for all free speech. Remember to follow the show so you don’t miss a single episode. And sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen without ads.

Trump’s strikes on environmental regulations are now crossing paths with his attacks on DEI. Citing compliance with Trump’s DEI mandates, the Justice Department dropped its lawsuit against a petrochemical plant in Reserve, Louisiana, in an area known as ‘Cancer Alley.’ This week, Alex travels to Louisiana and speaks to the life-long residents directly in harm’s way. Then, a conversation with former EPA administrator Heather McTeer Toney on the larger implications of Trump’s environmental policy. And a note to listeners: we’ll be off next week and will return with a new episode on March 27!Remember to follow the show so you don’t miss a single episode. And sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen without ads.

Numerous lawsuits are underway as efforts ramp up to fight against the Trump administration’s agenda, with the charge led by a select group of attorneys general. On this episode, Alex Wagner heads to Phoenix, Arizona where Democratic state attorneys general organized a town hall for citizens impacted by Trump’s executive orders and DOGE’s targeting of the federal government. Alex speaks directly with some of the AGs behind these legal efforts, including Kwame Raoul of Illinois, William Tong of Connecticut, and Letitia James of New York. Then she sits with Arizona AG Kris Mayes, the organizer of the town hall, for a look at what’s next as these attorneys continue to advocate on behalf of the U.S. Constitution and the citizens it protects. Remember to follow the show so you don’t miss a single episode. And sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen without ads.

It’s been three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and while President Donald Trump's spreading of disinformation aims to rewrite history, Ukrainians on the frontline of the war refuse to forget the truth. On this week’s episode, we see how Ukrainians in the U.S. are marking the anniversary and honoring those fallen back home. Plus, a conversation with national security expert and Pod Save the World host Ben Rhodes on what’s at stake as the Trump administration continues to cozy up to Russia’s authoritarian agenda.Remember to follow the show so you don’t miss a single episode. And sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen without ads.

Donald Trump's promise to reduce grocery prices was a keystone of last year’s campaign. Now in office, President Trump faces significant challenges with surging egg prices amidst an avian flu crisis. On this week’s episode, Alex Wagner speaks to farmers and experts in Pennsylvania about the severe impact of the bird flu, its effect on poultry farms, and the controversial strategies Trump proposes to address the issue. Then, Alex catches up with MSNBC colleague Chris Hayes to reflect on Trump's economic policies and their political consequences. Catch new episodes of Trumpland with Alex Wagner every Thursday evening during the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. You can find the show in the Alex Wagner Tonight feed.  Remember to follow the show so you don’t miss a single episode. And sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen without ads.

The Trump administration continues to further its anti-woke agenda with executive orders targeting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives, resulting in a memo placing federal employees with ties to DEIA training or roles on administrative leave. Listen as Alex Wagner interviews affected employees from the Department of Education and discusses the implications with civil rights attorney Subodh Chandra. Plus, a look at what more we can expect with one of the early architects of the Right’s efforts to tackle DEI and wokeness: conservative activist Christopher Rufo.  Catch new episodes of Trumpland with Alex Wagner every Thursday evening during the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. You can find the show in the Alex Wagner Tonight feed.  Remember to follow the show so you don’t miss a single episode. And sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen without ads.